be damned will be great 2 Outward Privileges as prophesying and doing miracles will not stand us in stead at the Day of Judgment to move the Judg to have mercy upon us O then get something else to stand thee in stead at that Day even Christ his Righteousness where with Paul then desired to be covered Phil. 3.9 2 Cor. 5.3 2 Peter 3.11 3 There are many persons whom Christ knows with a general knowledg whom he never knew nor will know with a special knowledg of love and affection 4 That man that lives in a purpose of sin is in Gods account onely a worker of iniquity 5 That man that lives in any sin and dies therein must look at the Day of Judgment for ever to be severed from the presence of Christ V. 24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon the Rock Christ coming to conclude his Sermon tells his Auditory that there are two sorts of professing hearers 1 Bare hearers 2 Doers as well as hearers to the bare formal hearing Christ threatens destruction but to the doer he promises life and salvation This he sets down 1 Plainly v. 24. 2. By way of similitude comparing these two hearers to two builders one of which built upon the Sand and the other built upon a Rock the one when assaulted by temptations fell the other in the midst of greatest storms stood Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine By hearing he means the whole profession of Christianity Rom. 2.13 in general and hearing properly taken in particular Denoting that there may be and are abundance of hearers that are no more but hearers as the stony ground thorny ground and high-way side hearers Seeing themselves in the glass of the Law of God they go away and forget their shape as men do that take a glance of the glass and are gone James 1.23 but good hearers are like some Women that look long in the glass that they may form themselves by it And doth them As if he should say I have hitherto taught you how you may lead your lives holily and have shewed you the way to the Kingdom of Heaven therefore if ye do these things I have taught you ye will be like unto a wise man that built his house upon the Rock or upon a sure foundation knowing that else all his cost and labour will be in vain now the foundation of a Christian is faith and a godly practise 1 Tim. 6.19 Laying up in store a good foundation for time to come Obs Hearing and doing in godly hearers go together Such persons are blessed John 13.17 Luke 11.28 James 1.25 By doing Christ means a purpose of doing Learn we to joyn doing with hearing 1 Hereby we shall be able to stand against all storms and tempests 2 This will be the testimony of the honesty and integrity of our hearts Luke 8.15 The good ground with an honest and good heart having heard the Word kept it and brought forth fruit with patience 3 Such persons are blessed James 1.25 If you know these things blessed are ye if you do them No other knowledg save the knowledg of Christian doctrine though we had all knowledg of Histories Laws will stand in stead nor this neither without practise not the bearing of Christ in the womb nor giving him suck with the breast is comparable to this See Luke 11.27 28. Yet in opposition to carnal men who upon pretence of crying up practise cry down knowledg Christ tells that first there must be a knowledg before a practise And in this practise Christ intends the command of believing on his Son as the first and chiefest command without which we can never appear to comfort in the sight of the Judg. 4 By joyning doing with hearing God is honoured and glorified Matth. 5.16 John 15.8 And by the contrary God is dishonoured See Rom. 2.17 to v. 25. The Jews resting in the knowledg of Gods will and approving things that were excellent and in being guides of the blinde and not practising what they knew they caused the Name of God to be blasphemed v. 24. 1 Tim. 6.1 5 At the Day of Judgment we shall receive not according to what we have known but according to what we have done 2 Cor. 5.10 Revel 22.12 Matth. 25.34 Ephes 6.8 Matth. 16.27 6 Our knowledg will onely serve to justifie Gods damning us with the heavier condemnation if we do not practise what we know Luke 12.47 1 Peter 4.17 What shall become of them that obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ Rom. 2.7 8 9. 2 Peter 2.20 21. 7 Our comfort and crown will abound at the Day of Christ according to our care and conscience in the discharge of our duties and our misery if we do the contrary Matth. 25.20 21. Well done good and faithfull servant enter into the joy of the Lord but to the slothfull and unprofitable servant Christ saith Binde him hand and foot and cast him into utter darkness v. 26 27 28 30. 8 Practise joyned with hearing wins upon others 1 Pet. 2.12 The Heathens beholding the good works of Christians glorified God in the day of visitation 1 Pet. 3.1 The Heathen husbands were won to look after the truth by the conversation of their wives whiles they beheld their chaste conversation coupled with a fear of sinning against God A holy conversation steals into the hearts of them that behold it insensibly to build them up many times to salvation as a scandalous carriage doth into the hearts of others to build them up to damnation 9 An holy practise mightily blunts the rage of Persecutors 1 Pet. 3.13 Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good Tit. 2.7 In all things shewing thy self a patern of good works why what then When your lives and speeches are well ordered they that are of the contrary part will be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you 10 All thy hearing knowledge and parts and common gifts will come to nothing and thou wilt be deprived of them unless thou joyn an holy practise to them Matth. 25.29 Take the talent from him From him that hath not to wit a fruitfull practise shall be taken away even that which he hath It is with Religion as with other trades that bring no gain unless diligently followed 11 Thou hast no interest in the mercy of God unless thou remember his Commandements to do them Psal 103.19 Many remember Gods commands to speak of them but few remember them to do them It was wittily spoken of one If God had given us his commandements onely to preserve he might have committed them to iron Coffers if onely to talk of them better to Geese and Parrots if onely for contemplation to Owles in Ivy-bushes or to Monks in Cloisters Gods scope was not to make trial of the wits of men who could sharpliest conceive nor of their memories who
18. We see it in Devils who believe and tremble Matth. 8.29 Contrarily filial fear hath quiet of heart joyned with it The heart is never in so good a temper as when it is most fearfull of sin Acts 9.31 The Churches walking in the fear of the Lord walked also in the comfort of the Holy Ghost Mal. 4.2 Unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness appear 4 Those that have slavish fear would fain be rid of it 1 Kings 22.26 Zedekiah goes from chamber to chamber to hide himself the wicked in fear of Gods judgment call to mountains and hills to hide themselves Revel 6.16 Contrarily Saints would still have the fear of God continue upon them nay if they finde it decaying they complain Isai 63.17 Lord why hast thou hardened my heart from thy fear 5 Slavish fear is from 1 The sting of a guilty conscience Deut. 28.65 66. The Lord shall give thee a trembling heart and thou shalt fear day and night Saul 1 Sam. 13.7 when he was near the battle all the people followed him trembling Hypocrites in Sion looking on God as devouring fire fearfulness surprized them Isai 33.15 Paul preaching to Faelix of righteousness temperance and judgement to come he living an unrighteous and an intemperate life trembled to think of the judgement to come and was so stung with it that he was driven to make Paul leave off his preaching 2 From the expectation of future wrath Heb. 10.27 they have a certain fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Contrarily filial fear 1 Ariseth from faith Heb. 11.7 By faith Noah was moved with fear Isai 50.10 Or 2 From godly sorrow 2 Cor. 7.11 Fear was one effect that godly sorrow wrought in the repenting Corinthians the soul having felt much inward sorrow for the evils it hath done is affraid to do the like evils again 3 From love to God we are affraid to offend those whom we love an husband fears to offend his wife a good childe fears to offend his father so the soul that loves God fears to offend him Motives to this Godly fear 1 Gods fear is a perpetual duty Some duties are but for a time and then at an end but this is perpetual Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long Yea We are to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear 1 Pet 1.17 Psal 19.9 The fear of the Lord endureth for ever Hence this duty is practised by glorified Saints who in heaven know evil as well as good but by the fear of God in them their wills are eternally determined to the choice of good 2 It 's a principal duty lying upon Saints above all people in the world Psal 34 11. Fear the Lord ye his Saints for God is wont to punish them more sorely then other men in this world when they sin against him Exod. 23.21 Provoke him not for he will not pardon your iniquities Deut. 32.19 Amos 3.2 As men that have more to lose then others are affraid to offend Princes so the Saints that have more to lose then the rest of the world should be affraid to offend the King of heaven they may in case they sin lose Gods face Isai 50.10 the peace of their consciences and be smitten with temporal strokes 1 Cor. 11.32 3 It 's an honourable Character to be a man fearing God 1 Kings 18.12 It 's said of Obadiah That he feared the Lord from his youth Job 1.1 Job was a man fearing God and eschewing evil Hananiah Neh. 7.2 Cornelius feared God and all his house feared God Yea a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Prov. 31.30 4 The children of God have found much comfort in this grace Neh. 1.11 Let thine ear be attentive to thy servants that desire to fear thy Name Yea when they finde no other grace in their hearts but this grace yet are they commanded to stay their hearts herein Isai 50 10. Contrarily they have been much troubled if they have found either a want or a decay of this grace 5 Gods fear as at other times so especially in evil times is a principal treasure to good men Isai 33.6 The fear of the Lord is his treasure The meaning of the place is from Gods fear arises all prosperity to supply us as out of a treasure arises money to supply our needs 6 Gods fear is the most watchfull affection as being conversant about danger How often would temptations captivate us were it not for this in-dwelling grace in Saints Jer. 32.40 This grace doth as it were stand Centry for the soul Psal 119.11 7 The attributes wherein God stands related to us 1 His power and justice Job 37.23 24. He is excellent in power and judgement and plenty of justice men do therefore fear him 2 The pitifull affection or disposition God bears to them that fear him Psal 103.13 As a father pities his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Psal 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in what ever Nation such Saints be God being no respecter of persons they are accepted of God with a favourable respect Acts 10.35 8 The relations wherein we stand ingaged to the Lord 1 Of servants If earthly servants must have a fear of their masters according to the flesh Eph. 6.5 ought not we to the Lord Hence the Lord expostulates Mal. 1.6 If I be a master where is my fear 2 Of children What dutifull child stands not in fear of offending his father Heb. 12.9 We gave earthly parents reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live 9 Gods fear sweetens a low condition Prov. 15.16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord then great revenues and trouble therewith that is then great revenues got with a wounded and troubled conscience Psal 37.16 10 Such men as fear God are blessed Prov. 28.14 Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes They are often blessed in this world especially when a delight in Gods law is joyned therewith Psal 112.1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord his seed shall be mighty upon earth wealth and riches shall be in his house c. Also in the world to come they are blessed Rev. 11.19 When the time comes that the dead shall be judged there is a reward to be given to all that fear Gods Name both small and great Come we to the second thing viz. The true fear of God where it is eats out the fear of men we see it in Moses parents Moses himself in the Mid-wives Exod. 1.19 in Shadrach Meshech and Abednego Psal 27.1 3 The third point is God is able to destroy soul and body in hell This is called the second death Rev. 20.6 called a double destruction Jer. 17.18 The bodies of all that are in the graves shall come forth John 5.28 They that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation death and grave gives them
Remission of sins which is spread over me Luth. Tom. 4.76 Now that happiness consists in forgiveness appears thus 1 Sin exposes us to all misery both in this life and hereafter Rom. 3.23 now it 's a happiness to be freed from this misery 2 The blessing cannot come upon us till the curse be removed Gal. 3 1â— 14. now we are not freed from the curse till our sins be forgiven 3 Where God forgives there 's none can condemn Rom. 8.1.33.34 now it must needs be a state of happiness to be free from condemnation 4 Without forgiveness there 's no reconciliation now we can never be happy till God and the soul be reconciled That reconciliation goes with forgiveness appears 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them 2 Use Triall whether God hath forgiven thy sins 1 There will be then a writing of Gods Law in thy heart because the branches of the new covenant are inseparable Heb. 8.10 12. where God remembers sin no more he so writeth Gods Law in the heart 2 The sealing of the Spirit manifested to Gods people in Prayer Ephes 1.13 After ye believed ye were sealed Every comfortable answer in Prayer doth help to clear up pardon to the soul 3 A thankfull frame of heart in the receipt of this privilege Psalm 103.1 2. Bless the Lord O my soul why who forgiveth all thy sins Hezekiah praises God for this mercy Isai 38.17 Behold for peace I had great bitterness but thou in love to my soul hast delivered me from the pit of corruption for thou hast cast all my sins behinde thy back 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15. 4 With pardon there is a subdument of the reigning power of sin Mic. 7.18 19 Rom. 6.14 Rom. 8.1 2. Jebusites will dwell in the Land whether you will or no onely they are conquered and become tributary Josh 17.11 12. 5 Pardon of sin is accompanied with sanctifying grace as the Lord took Joshua's filthy garments off so he gave him change of raiment Josh 3.3 4. Ezek. 16.9 10 11. There 's ever a love goes to the Lord. Luke 7.47 speaking of Mary Magdalen he saith Her sins which are many are forgiven her for she loved much Her love was not the cause of remission but a declarative sign thereof the Pharisee findes fault with Christ for suffering a sinner to be so familiar with him Christ answers She is no sinner he proves it because her sins were forgiven her but how proves he that why she loved much And as it is accompanied with the grace of love so with the grace of fear Jer. 32.40 6 Repentance and Forgiveness goes together Luke 24.47 Acts 2.38 39. Acts 3.19 Acts 5.31 Therefore whatsoever evidences Repentance evidences Forgiveness 7 Pardon of sin is accompanied with sovereign love to God 1 John 4.19 We love him because he first loved us and for the degree see Matth. 10.37 so Mary Magdalen Luke 7.38 compared with v. 47. Love is in true Faith as the Fruit in the Root 8 Peace of Conscience is an evidence Rom. 5.1 being justified by Faith we have Peace with God I mean such a Peace as arises after trouble or deliverance from danger and frees the soul from slavish fears 9 A desire of more and more assurance This is an Argument that we have tasted the sweetness of Pardon in some measure There are three things proper to Saints they think they can never be humbled enough nor thankfull enough nor assured of Gods love enough Hence David after Nathan had come to him and assured him of pardon prays Psalm 51.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce and not being satisfied herewith v. 12. he prays Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation Onely if the evidence of the Spirit shew not it self always in the same measure we must have recourse to those Evidences God gives sometimes knowing that these Evidences which come from the Spirit as a cause and the fruits of sanctification as effects are occasional refreshings for the soul in its way to Heaven but not daily food for the soul to feed upon Feasting is not for every day except the Feast of a good Conscience that the Conscience witnesses we live not in the omission of a known duty nor in the commission of a known iniquity 10 We know it by these three witnesses the blood of Christ pacifying the conscience 1 Joh. 5.9 the witness of water altering our natures and the testimony of the Spirit saying I am thy salvation thy sins are pardoned such testimonies ought to be carefully kept even as a malefactor carefully keeps a pardon under seal which he means to produce for his life at the next assizes between the Lord and a true believer there is as it were a mutual contract Faith sets to its feat that God is true in that he promiseth Joh. 3 3â— And God by his Spirit seals unto the believer that he shall be undoubtedly brought to the salvation he hath belâ—â—â—ed 11 When thou canst produce some promise that doth discharge 〈◊〉 which the Spirit â—â—th made over to thy soul as that Esa 43.25 Joh. 3.16 It s not bare remembring promises is so comfortable as those promises made over to thy soul wherein thy soul rests and received comfort If a man have paid his debts he is able to produce his acquittance that they are paid When we have such promises so made over to produce they are as it were acquittances under hand and seal Suppose that without the in-come of the Spirit in the promise thou shouldest believe which I doubt of yet through the in-come of the Spirit in the promise thou mayest know that thou dost believe As the pipes of a conduit convey water hither and thither so doth the Spirit in the promise believed convey grace and comfort into our hearts Yet some think that when God gives a particular promise it is not to measure our condition by but to uphold the soul in the condition of desertion or temptation Hence though Hezekiah had a particular word for deliverance the three children had not 3 Use to believe the forgiveness of sins and labour after assurance thereof Wherefore came Christ into the world Wherefore hath he carried our nature into heaven and there appears for us Why hath he given us his oath Heb. 6. Why hath he given us the signes of the Covenant Why have we so many commands to believing and so many reproofs of unbelief Why have we besides the sealing of the promise with the bloud of the testator the sealing with the spirit of promise as a pledge a pawn and an earnest but onely to urge us to believe Though we will not believe a mans word or bond yet upon sufficient pawn we will deal though the man be but weak and shall we not trust God for that for which we have so good a pawn as his Spirit And in order to this thy
EXPOSITIONS AND SERMONS UPON The Ten first Chapters of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST according to MATTHEW Written by CHRISTOPHER BLACKWOOD Preacher to a Church of Christ in the City of Dublin in IRELAND Necesse est nobis Scripturas sanctas in testimonium vocari sensus quippe nostri enarrationes sine his testibus fidem nullam habent Orig. homil 1. in Jerem. It 's needfull the holy Scriptures should be called into witness because our meanings and Expositions without these witnesses have no belief Quaemadmodum si quis herbas aridas nec odorem nec colorem gratum habentes in medici officina dispositas repererit c. As if a man shall finde in a Phisician or Apothecaries shop dry herbs having neither smell nor colour though they may seem to have a base shew yet he will suspect there is some virtue and remedy in them so in the Apothecary shop of the Scriptures if any thing meet which at first sight seems to be contemned yet we may surely set down that there is some spiritual profit in it because Christ the Phisician of souls is to be supposed to have put nothing idle or unprofitable in this his shop meaning of the Scriptures Orig. hom 8. in Levit. LONDON Printed by HENRY HILLS for FRANCIS TYTON and JOHN FIELD and are to be sold at the Three Daggers and at the Seven Stars in Fleetstreet 1659. To the Right Honourable Lord CHARLES FLEETWOOD late Lord Deputy of Ireland and now Lieutenant-General of the forces in England MY LORD TO testifie that due acknowledgement of Your Lordships favors whereto I am obliged I have hereto prefixt Your Lordships name Among all studies none are to be preferr'd before the study of the Scriptures LUTHER when one Chapter was opened to him said Me thinks I see heaven opened Here are several Chapters opened wherein if God shall open himself to Your Lordships heart heaven shall undoubtedly be opened unto you Let not Your Lordship herein expect the flourishing garnish of humane Eloquence nor the glorious varnish of Rhetorical expressions but naked truth or at least the same drest up in an homely garb Truth is more potent them Eloquence the spirit better then wit Faith greater then Learning and the foolishness of God stronger then men All knowledge save that of the Scriptures is but perishing food yea the very knowledge of the Scriptures is no better unless as the understanding be affected with the truth of them the will be affected with the goodness therein presented In vain is all knowledge if it be not improved to the benefit of our own souls If our knowledge consist onely in methodical discoursing of God we shall glorifie him onely as the Painter doth the party whose picture he hath exactly taken With all the truths of God our hearts should have such correspondence as between the Character and Letter instamp'd My Lord if now and then you shall redeem an hour from Court-affairs to Closet-contemplation to peruse this ensuing Treatise I hope through the blessing of God your labor will not be in vain I have no more at present save to exhort you to take opportunities of doing much for God who hath done so much for you that so your faith and fruits of righteousness may abound in the day of account which with my prayers to the Lord for Your Lordship Your Lady and Posterity is the hearty request of MY LORD Your Lordships in all duty to serve and observe you CHR. BLACKWOOD TO THE READER BEing desired by some of my friends to Print some Annotations upon the New Testament though my life was too far spent and I not like to accomplish it my Body being much worn yet I thought it adviseable to make an Essay herein but the Providence of God so disposed that I had no sooner finished 3. or 4. Chapters in Matthew but I was called from the City of Kilkennie in Ireland to be Overseer of a Church of Christ in Dublin to whom preaching I was necessitated in order to their edification to handle some Points largelier then the nature of an Exposition calls for but yet I suppose not with less profit to ordinary Readers I have not according to the itch of the times affected new fangled interpretations but judging it unsafe to move the bounds of the faith I have troden in the steps of the best ancient and modern Divines that Providence led me to adding changing rectifying inventing and proposing what I thought needfull Thou mayest perhaps in some points meet with a judgement differing from thine in some one thing yet let not that cause thee either to reject or not promote the truths in this ensuing Treatise wherein we agree in most things If the Lord may have glory and thy soul Edification and Comfort and any Comfort may redound to me in the day of my account which speedyly draws on I trust I shall have my end With much carefulness I have endeavoured to avoid the misleading of Gods people I cannot promise thee all in this Treatise is truth yet notwithstanding all fear of losing friends and procuring enemies I have pressed after truth through multitudes of impediments temptations and discouragements That the answer of those prayers which have been poured out for a good success upon these weak endeavours may redound to the rejoycing of both our souls in the day of the Lord is the earnest request of Thy well wishing friend for the Lords sake C. B. The Authours Introduction to the ensuing Treatise TO the better understanding of this Gospel which through the assistance of the good Spirit of the Lord I now undertake there must be certain things first to be considered whereunto I shall propose these ensuing I. That by the Gospel or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant The glad Tidings of Salvation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that signifies Well and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To tell though sometimes the word Gospel is taken for the Reward of good Tidings as Cicero to Atticus saith O thy sweet Epistles to which I confess Evangelia that is the Reward of good Tidings is due This word Gospel is taken 1. Generally for the whole Scripture which declares this Message for there were many sprinklings of the Gospel in the Old Testament Gen. 3.15 Deut. 18.18 2. Or particularly 1. for the promise of forgiveness of sins to them that believe and repent Luke 24.47 Acts 10.42 2. For the publication of this Gospel so Paul Rom. 16 25. was separate to the Gospel of God that is to the preaching of it See also Gal. 1.15 16. 2 Tim. 2.8 Christ was raised from the dead according to my Gospel that is the preaching of my Gospel Rom. 2.16 God shall judg all secrets according to my Gospel that is according to my preaching II. In that it 's said according to Matthew we may note that the prime Authour of this Gospel was not Matthew but the Spirit of God Matthew onely penn'd what the Spirit dictated III. This
dangerously deep where they run smoothest retaining that principle to be abhorred that profest hatreds lose their place of revenge If this inward anger be not suppressed in the heart we know not to what excess it may break out as in Cain and Haman Obj. But I am naturally angry and cholerick Answ By this reason might the adulterer murtherer thief excuse their letchery theft and murther V. 23. Therefore if thou bringest thy gift to the Altar and there remembrest thy brother hath ought against thee V. 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way first go and be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift Q What is meant by offering Answ A free will offering mentioned Levit. 1.2 Christ herein showes that this Commandment against murder is not fulfilled if there be any grudge betwixt us and our neighbour and we do not return into good will with him and herein Christ showes two things 1 That unless we be reconciled to our brother all duties of godliness as prayers hearing receiving are nothing worth therefore as oft as we come to the worship of God we must cleanse our hearts from these So the Apostle commands 1 Tim. 2.8 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Malice and wrath and calling a person Racha doth no less disable from prayer then from the supper This should be a ground of humiliation for all such carriages when we come before the Lord. No voluntary offerings whether costly or of free-will that are offered with an angry heart do please God And therefore foolishly did the Pharisees suppose that gifts offered in the Temple did expiate sins which the Judges did not punish though there were no amendment of heart 2 That in vain persons profess themselves to be worshippers of God who offend their brethren and after proudly contemn them for under one kinde Christ points out all outward exercises of worship wherein men counterfeit godliness rather then truly witness it If we give all our goods to the poor and have not charity it profits not If thou bringest thy gift to the Altar Christ speaks of the worship of the Christians in words applied to the worship of the Jews when they offered sacrifices and gifts on the Altar of the Temple though I grant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the name often given to the Lords Table so called in reference to the sacrifice there signified which was Christ Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat that serve the Tabernacle yet was it not called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was proper onely to heathen Altars besides it appears by the Apostles Canons that Christians brought gifts and laid them upon the Altar or Communion-Table for the use of the Ministers and poor and for the use of the Ordinances Canon 3. and Canon 5. And there rememberest thy Brother hath ought against thee That is any just complaint concerning wrong done to him though thou hast nothing against him yet if he have any thing justly against thee yet oughtest thou to consider hereof This is needfull 1 In respect of God who looks not so much upon the Gift as upon the Heart clean from Hatred and Malice Isai 1.15 When you make many Praâ—ers I will not hear your hands are full of Bloud 2 In respect of our selves because unless we be reconciled to our Brother we pray against our selves when we desire forgiveness of God as we forgive others Col. 3.13 Forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any one Quest But what if the person will not be reconciled Answ This may comfort thee thou hast done thy duty Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness Christ absolves thee if thou seek Reconciliation and canst not obtain it Moreover if the Supper of the Lord be here meant and I know no absurdity in including of it how necessary is it for Brethren to be united hence it 's called a Communion that is a common union betwixt Christ and Believers and indeed this Unity and Love is the Badg of Christ's Disciples we tell an apparant Ly when we come to this Communion and have not an Union with our Brethren 1 Cor. 10.16 We being many are one Bread and one Body in token of vvhich Union Christians before the Supper gave an holy kiss one to another as Lapide observes This must be limited to respect time and place for if the person offended be far from thee then let thy affection go to him and give satisfaction as soon as thou canst onely we may see how unholy a thing Discord and Strife is that it unhallovvs every service Also Christ condemns selfishness whereby too oft we stand too much upon our own right even to loss of Charity contrary to Phil. 4.4 Let your moderation in remitting of your right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be known unto all men V. 24. Agree with thine Adversary quickly whilest thou art in the way with him lest at any time the Judg deliver thee to the Officer and the Officer cast thee in Prison V. 25. Verily thou shalt not come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost Farthing Christ goes on further to commend unto us Reconciliation and the scope of these words is 1 that we should endeavour to be reconciled with that person whom we have offended this is done 1 By confessing our evil Luke 17.3 4. 2 By professing our sorrow for it Luke 17.4 3 By declaring that we would willingly that the thing we have done were undone and if it were to do again we would not in any vvise do it this is satisfaction 2 Cor. 2.7 8. 4 By making a just apology to our Adversary Josh 22.26 The two Tribes and an half made an Altar beyond Jordan but not for burnt-offering nor for sacrifice with which apology that the Altar was made onely for civil use the rest of the Tribes were satisfied for want of which apology the Benjamites were destroyed Judges 20.43 2 That the person offended should accept satisfaction and not shew himself irreconcilable or hard to forgive a Wrong Mark 11.25 Forgive if ye have ought against any that your heavenly Father may forgive you your trespasses Col. 3.13 Much more bear offences in Wives and Freinds and Servants which are made up with so many benefits Now this Forgiveness contains 1 A removal of inward grudg and displeasure Levit. 19.18 2 Forbearance of all manner of Revenge Rom. 12 19. 3 To be lovingly affected and ready to do good as if we had not been offended at this person so Joseph towards his Brethren Quest But must we forgive all offences Answ In offences done against us are two things 1 The Injury 2. The Damage For example A man strikes a Tradesman or a labouring man so that he keeps his bed and is at expences for the cure of the Wound besides he hath lost what he might have earned and spent that he might have saved Exod. 21.18 19. The Injury must be forgiven
disgrace thy profession As it is a sign of a vveak stomach not to digest hard meat so it s a sign of a weak mind not to digest a hard word It vvas Caesars praise that he forgot nothing save injuries Cicero pro Marcello forgetfulness is the remedy of injuries For application 1 Learn patience in all these cases Let patience have a perfect work Jam. 1.4 That vve may be patient not onely in one case but in every case let thine enemies vvickedness be vvearied and if possible overcome by thy patience 2 For Christians to prepare for all kinde of suffering in body goods name hereunto are vve called 1 Pet. 2.21 a christians state is a state of suffering 3 To be patient as in other losses so in the loss of liberty The Hebrews after the Persian povver came among them vvere forced to bear Onus Angariae the burthen of compulsion they had freedom from this by Demetrius as Joseph Orig. 13. It 's like the Romans after used it as in their compelling Simon to carry Christ's Cross yet if vve can shake off such slavery at any time vve should chuse it rather 1 Cor. 7.22 4 Exhort to put up light Injuries done to our bodies vvhich do not disable our bodies nor leave any vvound behinde them yea though in some measure reproachfull as a box on the ear if vve revenge our selves vve expose our selves to more hazzard and if vve think to redress our selves in any Court of Judicature it vvill put us to more trouble and charge therefore best put up the Wrong at first for too oft it is in Courts of Justice vvith poor innocent Clients as vvith Sheep vvho thinking under Bramble-bushes and Thorn-bushes in time of a Storm to shelter themselves do leave their Wool behinde them and therefore Christ in bidding us let our Coat go intimates that besides our duty to avoid private revenge to take notice of the delays and expencefulness of Courts V. 42. Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away Give to him that asketh thee Christ next to the duty of Forgiving touches upon the duty of Giving Christ his purpose is not to make us prodigal as we must needs be if we give to every one that asks us but liberal and that we think it not enough to help some few with our Charity but we should do good to all so far as our Charity will reach Gal. 6.10 Do good to all yea to such as cannot requite us Luke 6.33 Luke 14 12 13. Hence Luke 6.30 Christ saith Give to every man that asketh of thee Instead of giving like injury for like I appoint the Law of Charity and Bounty though it were such an one as formerly had struck thee on the cheek and sued thee at the Law yet coming to want relieve him Do not thou for Wrongs and Injuries he hath done to thee Turn away thy face from him This word Turn not away and those words Luke 6.30 He that taketh away thy Goods ask them not again which are joyned with this Command Give to every one that asketh of thee shew that this is the meaning that in stead of Retaliation of Injuries Christians should retaliate Benefits as giving and lending for Christ speaks of one who hath done the Wrong and like a Thief hath taken away thy Goods Not that Christ means that we should give to every man that asks for then should we have nothing for our selves but let our Charity be according to our ability Alms is compared to Seed 1 Cor. 9. and Seed uses not to be carelesly scattered but to be sowen with discretion Nor are we exempted from this duty till persons ask us for we being able are to inquire for objects to be relieved As Onesiphorus sought out Paul very diligently at Rome knowing him to be in want 2 Tim. 1.17 Now in performing the duty of giving consider these things 1 We must be pitifull to the poor We must have Bowels of Mercies Col. 3.12 draw out our soul to the hungry Isai 58.10 if we can draw out no more Job's soul was grieved for the poor Job 30.25 The Command Deut. 15.7 was If there be among you a poor man of one of thy Brethren within any of thy Gates thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand from thy poor Brother We must not then shut up our bowels against such 1 John 3.17 Some give out of credit as the Pharisees Matth. 6.1 2. looking at their own glory or out of hypocrisie as Judas John 12.5 6. or out of importunacy to be rid of the poor but few out of bowels 2 We must relieve Heb. 13.16 To do good and to communicate forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased 1 Tim. 6.18 Ready to distribute willing to communicate For this was Cornelius praised Acts 10.4 For this there are six Grounds 1 The Promises made to this duty Such an one is happy Prov. 14.21 He lends to the Lord and God will repay him Prov. 19.17 His Seed are blessed Psalm 37.26 2 It will be a great comfort in an evil time He shall not be affraid of evil tidings Psalm 112.7 Why v. 9. He hath dispersed he hath given to the poor Eccles 12.2 Give a portion to seven Why You know not what evil will be on the earth Psalm 41.1 Dan. 4.27 3 What is so given brings a Blessing upon our Estates Deut. 26.13 compared with v. 15. 3 Give chearfully 2 Cor. 9.8 God loves a chearfull giver 2 Cor. 8.4 Praying us with much intreaty to take upon us the ministring to the Saints Works of Mercy should be Meat and Drink to us John 4.32 flowing like Water from a Conduit not onely shew mercy but love to do it Mic. 6.8 Many mens mercy comes like so many drops of bloud from their heart Deut. 15.10 Thy heart shall not be grieved when thou gives unto him 4 Seasonably give whiles thou hast it to give Eccles 11.2 Leave it not to Executours Eccles 11.6 In the morning sow thy seed and in the evening withhold not thy hand 5 According to ability Acts 11.29 the Disciples every one according to his ability determined to send relief to the Brethren of Judea For the quantity of giving every man is to give as God hath prospered him 1 Cor. 16.2 He that sows sparingly shall reap sparingly 2 Cor. 9.6 Though we give away Water we must not give Fountain and all 6 In sincerity Matth. 6.1 2. Make not Alms more publick than the circumstances discover themselves Object But I know not how soon I may want my self Answ God hath promised to keep thee from want Prov. 28.27 He that giveth to the poor shall not lack but he that hideth his eys and will not look upon him shall have many a Curse Prov. 11.24 25. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth and there is that withholdeth more than is meet but it tendeth to poverty The liberal soul shall be
if there be any long absence of these accustomed meltings 8 Earnest longings after the Lord are wont to accompany saving meltings Mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me Lam. 1.16 9 Saving meltings flow from love to God How came Mary to weep in such abundance that she washed Christ's feet why at the same time she loved much Luke 7.38 compared with v. 47. 10 When saving meltings come there is an holy chearfulness wrought in the heart and sadness removed from the countenance as in Hanna her countenance was no more sad why she prayed and wept sore v. 10. compared with v. 18. As God did sometimes accept sacrifices without sending fire from Heaven to burn them up so sometimes he shewed his acceptation by sending fire to consume them 1 Kings 18.38 2 Chron. 7.1 Fire came from Heaven and consumed Solomon's burnt offering and so David's Prayer for the ceasing the Pestilence 1 Chron. 21.26 was answered by fire So though God do sometimes answer his people without meltings yet in holy persons these meltings usually are crowning answers and tokens of acceptation 11 We may know our meltings flow from a saving principle by comparing the meltings we had when we forsook some great enjoyment for God and got victory over some strong lust with those meltings at present when we forsook some great enjoyment as country liberty estate friends and relations how did God come in at those times so that we found an hundred fold with persecutions Mar. 10.29 30. mightily softning the heart and filling the soul with joy and with the holy Ghost Act. 13.51 as Paul was when persecuted so when we overcome some strong lust God gave us hidden Manna white stone new name Rev. 2.17 which were the incomes of God into the soul by softning of it and powring in joy in prayer after the conquest now we finding the meltings and softnings of our hearts at other times sutable to those we found then know them to come from the Spirit or from a saving principle and not from natural passion and softness 12 The meltings that come from God may be something discerned by the time when given as 1 When afflictions are sanctified then the soul powres out it self amain Esther 4.3 when the kings decree came to put the Jews to death there were great weepings and wailings ordinarily wicked men cry not when God binds them their spirits are bound up Job 36.13 2 Upon the remove of some sad desertion and after some foregoing straitnings or some very close walking with God or the bringing home of some word of promise to the heart these meltings use to be given Psal 51.8 12. Make me to hear the voice of joy and gladness restore unto me the joy of thy salvation 3 By the putting forth the strength of the soul in duty Hos 12.3 Jacob wept and made supplication and found the Lord in Bethel how came that why by his strength he prevailed with God that is he put forth all his strength in the duty 4 Fom the time it s oft given even after an holy preparation of heart by meditation Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Psal 10.17 8 Pray with perseverance not to give over Eph. 6.18 Many use prayer as a medicine which after two or three usings finding no success they leave off God puts off his children with delayes 1 Because souls are not fit for such a mercy as the Physician puts off the patient from such a thing as he desires The ten tribes Judg. â—0 26 cryed for victory against Benjamin but God saw them not fit for it they yet trusted in their multitude being four hundred thousand and their enemies about seven and twenty thousand also they were not humbled enough 2 For trial of our faith whether we will yet depend on God so Christ put off the Woman of Cana Matth. 15.28 and Paul 2 Cor. 12.8 3 That his mercies may be more sweet when we get them things hardly got are prized 4 That we may see our sin in delaying God he called and thou wouldest not hear therefore it 's just that thou shouldest call and he delay thee 5 To inflame our desires the more God purposed not to destroy Israel Exod. 32. yet when Moses prayed he seemed not to regard his Prayers but this was onely to make Moses more earnest for the people 6 For the trial of our Patience David was in an horrible pit in great danger and God let him lye for the tryal of his patience and in the end brought him out Ps 40.1 2. Many are like that king 2 King 6.33 who said Saul 1 Sam. â— 28.15 because he had not present help why should I wait on the Lord any longer Yea Saints have been impatient because their prayers have not been answered at first Lam. 3.8 44. We must not onely have a dependance on God for his promise but for the time when he will fulfill it As the husbandman waâ—s long after seed time for a harvest the corn hath many a sharp blast and nipping frost before he reaps so ought we to wait for our prayers though things seem worse afrer then before Long did the Church wait for Peter before they got him out of prison Act. 12.5 in the end he was given to them neither must we limit God to such means Psal 78.41 7 That we may seek him more importunately so did Christ with-hold himself from the Church for this end Song 3.1 4. As a Beggar when a passenger comes by begs of him the passenger goes on as if he took no notice but the Beggar goes on and followes him till at last he gets his desire 8 For to humble the soul suppose thy servant wrong thee thou sayest thou wilt pardon him but first thou wilt make him humble himself to thee he shall and must know that he hath wrong'd a good master so God is willing to pardon thee and to heal thee but he will make thee know thou hast sin'd against a good God Obj. But God calls me to other duties of my calling how am I then to continue in prayer till God hear me Ans We may give over the words of prayer but we may not give over the suit of prayer A poor Beggar comes to a house-keepers door but none hears him he falls to other employments as mending his clothes c. then anon he begs again though he do not always continue begging yet he always continues his sute Oh that some within would give me an alms so should the soul at the throne of grace Persevering prayer is the building of the soul towards heaven Holy men should pray as builders build first they lay the foundation next day make the walls the next day he sets up timber-work and so goes on till the house be finished so a godly soul reaches higher and higher till at
thy words were heard yet Daniel knew not of it else would he not have further supplicated but have given thanks for it Sometimes through heedlesness and negligence persons look not after their Prayers Sometimes anguish of heart makes persons not perceive it Job 9.16 If I had called and he had answered me yet would I not believe that he had hearkened to my voice 2 Look upon it as a great affliction to cry and not be heard Lam. 3.44 3 God takes notice of the Prayers of his people Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth yea delights in them as men do in the smell of sweet Odours and Incense Psalm 141.2 Revel 5.8 and if not yet answered wait for sooner or later they shall be answered They shall not be ashamed who wait for God Isai 49.23 9 Pray with watchfulness Col. 4.2 Continue in Prayer and watch Watch and pray Matth. 26.41 Take heed watch and pray Mark 13.33 Be sober and watch unto Prayer 1 Peter 4.7 Watch therefore and pray always that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things Luke 21.36 There are two sorts of Watchings 1 Proper 2 Metaphorical 1 Proper this was practised 1 Under the Old Testament when holy men being compassed about with many cares distractions and business could not sometimes finde fit access to God on the day time hence were forced to take part of the night caeteris paribus the thing is lawfull now if a Christian unavoidably hindered on the day time do take part of the night for Prayer thus David Psalm 22.2 I cry unto thee in the night season and am not silent Psalm 6.6 All the night make I my bed to swim Psalm 119. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Or if a soul not content with Prayer in the day time shall have an impulse to pray in the night thus Christ Matth. 26.38 Tarry ye here and watch with me saith Christ So the godly Levites Psalm 134.1 2 Under the New Testament there were night-watchings the Christians in the Apostles times were compelled when they would either hear the Word publickly or pray to meet in the night Acts 12.12 Peter in the night came to the house of Mary where many were gathered together praying Acts 20 7. John 20.19 Now they met in the night because of the Pagans among whom they lived to avoid their fury Afterwards when Emperours became Christians whether for solemnity custome or devotion sake I know not Christians still retained the custome of wakings and these Wakes they kept when a solemn Feast or Holy-day came on which Wake they spent in Prayer and in the Word that so they might be more fitted to partake of the Supper of the Lord hence Tertullian lib. 2. to his Wife brings a Reason why Christian women should not mary heathen Husbands even from these Wakes for saith he Quis Ethnicus nocturnis convocationibus c. What Heathen would willingly endure his Wife to be from his side at these night assemblies What man would endure without trouble that his Wife should go abroad in the night at the Solemnities of Easter wherein it 's like they had divers Wakes From this custome have the popish Wakes continued in the Nations to this day but quite altered from their primitive institution being now onely kept as Festivals for the most horrid drunkenness dancings and licentiousness 2 There is a metaphorical watchfulness This is 1 Against drowsiness that we do not come before the Lord with sleepy Prayers Thus Peter James and John fell asleep even as Christ was at Prayer Matth. 26.40 They had a willingness to have watched with Christ but drowsisiness seized on them through fleshly weakness v. 41. See also v. 43. A sleepy spirit scarce speaks sense to God in Prayer How do you think that God should hear drowsie Prayers which your selves do not hear Will Gods ears be delighted with non-sense Shouldest thou offer such blinde halt services to the Prince would he accept them Mal. 1.13 It 's a shame to speak what many men do in secret which they have confessed after conversion yea and it were well if Christians were not guilty herein If it so fall out with thee that thou goest late to Prayer and thine eys and spirit prove drowsie be humbled and be short lest thy whole Prayer be a taking of Gods Name in vain Make the Lord amends some other time when thy heart is in a better temper Let us be like Musicians that first tune their Instruments and then play Or like Mariners who having a good Gale of Winde set up all Sails Psalm 57.7 2 Watchfulness against distractions I have before showen the causes of them under another Head onely I le add that a worldly frame of spirit is a great cause of them for when the heart comes immediately out of the World from pleasures and worldly business no wonder if the soul be full of wandering thoughts in duty Also disorderly affections of fear joy desire grief anger vain hopes will be ready to interpose in Prayer Besides a spirit of slothfulness when we do not press our hearts to the Prayer in hand will open a door for distractions besides abundance of vain impressions upon the imagination with the absence of holy impressions there help forward distraction Besides many remaining lusts draw away and entice the soul Remedies against these Distractions 1 Be humbled for them and desire God to cleanse thee Psalm 19.12 2 Keep thy heart with diligence Prov. 4.23 3 Practise preparation of heart that thou mayst not come rushing into the presence of God Job 11.13 4 Remember the greatness of that majesty before whom thou presents thy self The Angels cover their faces before him Psalm 6.2 The Mountains quake at him and the Earth is burnt at his presence Nah. 1.5 5 Keep thine eye from gazing How many distractions come through the eye That the Prophet might keep his heart close in the duty he desires the Lord to turn away his eys from beholding vanity Psalm 119. â—7 The eys and ears are as the gates of the City keep them well that the Enemy enter not 6 Trim thy soul There 's a twofold preparation 1 Habitual thus the wise Virgins had Oyl in their Lamps hence get a Principle of Grace in thine heart from this holy motions arise in thy soul 2 Actual as the wise Virgins had not onely Oyl in their Lamps but also trimm'd them so must thou do act every grace faith love joy fear grief upon a right object 7 Get an heavenly frame of heart Psalm 45.1 My heart boileth up good matter Eructat Hence the tongue is as the Pen of a ready Writer which scantly makes a dash Where the heart is heavenly the heart will be heaving uptowards Heaven such hearts converse in Heaven and dwell there Phil. â— 20 Revel 13.6 8 Bring a feeling of thy wants the more thou feel'st them the more fixedly thou wilt look unto God for supply God will not have the Prayer
sometimes have enlargement of words in Prayer but never of holy affections as the face of God was hid from Cain Gen. 4.14 so from all carnal men As Haman's great misery was that he was covered from beholding the Kings face Esther 7.8 so it is with these 2 The godly mourn under their straitnings Isai 63.17 Why hast thou hardened our hearts Psalm 13.1 How long wilt thou forget me O Lord how long wilt thou hide thy face from me but wicked men are not sensible of their straitnings because they never had any holy enlargements 3 The godly are wont to rejoyce in the removing of their straitnings as a man that was a close Prisoner is glad when he gets his liberty Psalm 6.8 Carnal men never have them removed therefore they can never rejoyce therein Use For application 1 Be exhorted to pray 2 To pray in a right manner Motives to Prayer 1 The readiness in God to hear our Prayers Psal 65.2 and his readiness to help our wants Psalm 50.15 Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee 2 The manifold relations Christ stands related to us he is our Advocate 1 John 2.1 He is the great Favourite of Heaven if we had a Brother so near related in a Princes Court we should be emboldened to present our Petitions to that Prince why Christ is our Brother and he appears at the right hand of God for us 3 The former speedings that our selves and others have had with the Lord as Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. 4 Our own wants A Beggar 's necessity makes him full of expressions Psalm 28.1.143.7 Luke 15.17 18.18.13 5 Our hope of speeding Where a Beggar hopes to speed he begs earnestly but if the Beggar be perswaded that he shall get nothing this blunts his begging and makes him give over his sute so will it do with the soul when it prays without hope as we see in Judas Matth. 27.5 Judas had no heart to pray for mercy because he thought it impossible to get it There 's a twofold Despair 1 Of extremity as a Souldier when he sees nothing but kill or be kill'd this makes him fight eagerly so when the soul sees its extremity that it is in the deeps Psalm 130.1 Out of the deeps have I cried that it must either get grace or be damned for ever this makes a man pray eagerly 2 There 's a Despair of Infidelity when a man becomes heartless in Prayer and thinks it 's all to no purpose this takes away endeavours this is a secret soul-murderer These discouragements are hideous cases in Prayer and a man may perish and go to Hell that hath them yet they are signs that a man doth look towards God a little else he could not know what they mean Nourish then your hope in Prayer Psalm 42.11 Let thy mercy be upon us according as we hope in thee Psalm â—3 22 onely know that sometimes gracious hearts may in temptation cry their strength and hope is perished from the Lord and yet after finde grounds for their hope as we see the Church did Lam. 3.18 compared with v. 21. 6 Prayer sets God awork for us and God sets all the Creatures awork I will hear the Heavens and the Heavens shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and Wine and they shall hear Jezreel Hosea 2.21 Many when in trouble set their Friends to work and their wealth to work but few set Prayer on work Hezekiah gave to the King of Assyria three hundred Talents of Silver and thirty Talents of Gold to depart from the City of Jerusalem 2 Kings 18.14 yet did it not help him for in a short time he came and besieged it again but when he sought to God by Prayer God did utterly remove him 7 In the Ordinance of Prayer God is wont to meet his people both to the turning away of judgements and to the obtaining mercies To the turning away judgements Psal 106.23 Had not Moses stood in the breach to turn away his wrath he had destroyed Israel compared with Exod. 32.10 11. Ezek. 22.30 in Ezekiels time God sought for a man to stand in the gap and to make up the breach but found none therefore Gods wrath was powred on them So to the bestowing of mercies Jer. 33.3 Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things Philimoâ— 22. I trust through your prayers I shall be given to you Matth. 7.7 8. Psal 4.4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears also v. 6. in prayer God gives the spirit Luk. 11.13 8 In prayer we have intercourse and communion with God If it be a priviledge to have communion with Princes what is it then to have communion with God Psal 73.28 9 The desperate cases wherein persons have been heard the Jews delivered from Hamans cruelty Peter brought out of prison Acts 12.5 Daniel brought out of the Lions den Jonah out of the Whales belly David when the pestilence raged very hot 2 Sam. 24.10 Jehosaphat when in great straits 2 Chron. 20.12 compared with v. 15 17. 10 The delight God takes in his peoples prayers Prov. 15.8 The prayer of the upright is his delight As Princes have their delights so God Song 2.14 he loves the voice of his own spirit in the hearts of Saints 11 We are worthy to miss good things if we will not ask them Spare to speak spare to speed When God bids us ask and have how unworthy are we if we will not ask 12 The dangers we expose our selvs to when we do not ask Such prayerless persons are fit objects for the vengeance of God Jer. 10.25 Powr out thy wrath upon the Nations that have not called upon thy Name Ezek. 23.30 There died 14000. of the Plague Numb 16 49. but had not Moses and Aaron stood betwixt the dead and living to intercede the whole Congregation had been consumed in a moment v. 45 46 47 48 49. 13 In the exercise of prayer our graces are exercised to send out a sweet smell in the nostrils of God our faith in eying Christ our love and desires in breathing after him our repentance in bewailing sin our thankfulness in acknowledging benefits our expectation in waiting for answers As sweet perfumes when rubb'd send out a fragrant smell then the spirit blowes upon the soul that the spices thereof may flow out Song 4.11 to the end especially v. 16. these graces are compared to the smell of sweet flowers in a garden and to the smell of perfumed garments and to the smell of oyl of Spikâ—nard Calamus Cynamon Frankincense trees Myrrhe and Aloes and all chief spices 14 Prayer is the way to be enabled to all other duties and to become successful in them Eleazar having first prayed prospered in getting a wife for his masters son 15 Prayer is the abridgement of divinity therefore to call fervently on the name of the Lord is to be a godly
assurance of thy pardon get more and more earnest of the Spirit Men that deal in great matters love to get as good earnest as they can the fuller earnest the more security Again people keep and esteem an earnest more then other mony because it hath reference to further matters which other mony hath not So should we esteem the Spirits testimony as sealing us up unto the future inheritance in heaven at which day it shall cease to be any further an earnest as earnest mony ceases to be earnest when the whole sum is paid Mean time till we come into that glory the Spirit though it do not always confirm us to present sence yet doth it confirm us to present experience from the former workings thereof which we have felt as the former movings of the infant in the mothers womb confirm the mother that she is with childe though at the present she feel no moving at all thereof Obj. But the heart is deceitful Ans The Spirit in us is too holy to deceive and too wise to be deceived When there is an object to be seen and an eye to see and light to discover the object to the eye sight must needs follow so in a believer there is grace to be seen and an eye of faith to see it so is there a light of the Spirit discovering that grace to the soul Obj. But some as Papists and others think there can be no assurance of remission of sins and of salvation A. That we may be assured herein appears 1 The Word bids us make our pardon and salvation sure 2 Pet. 1.10 Heb. 6.11.10.22 which were in vain if such a thing could not be 2 The Saints have been assured hereof Job saith c. 19.25 I know that my Redeemer liveth and that I shall stand up with him on the earth at the last day and I shall see him not with other but with the same eys 2 Cor. 5.1 Paul saith We know if our earthly tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God Abraham Rom. 4.21 22. 1 John 3.14 1 John 5.14 15. We know we are translated from death to life we know we have the petitions desired 1 Pet. 5.1 I am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed Peter speaks of himself in this life Obj. But what these Saints had they had by special revelation Answ No. For the Saints Peter writes to had obtained like precious faith with himself 2 Pet. 1.1 And Paul saith I am perswaded that neither life nor death shall be able to separate us from the love of God See he names other believers as well as himself Rom. 8.38 39. 2 All the Saints have the same Spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 though not in the same degree Timothy saith I know whom I have trusted 2 Tim. 1.12 See there is a certainty in knowledge The Hebrews knew in themselves they had a better and enduring substance which was the ground they not only patiently suffered but also joyfully endured the spoyling of their temporal substance Heb. 10.34 They did not onely conjecture it but knew it in themselves Peter when Christ asked him whether or no he loved him he did not answer Lord thou knowest we cannot tell truly whether or no we love thee but appeals unto Christ saying Thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee John 21.15 16 17. Peter mentions it three times shewing the undoubted assurance he had thereof 3 The Scripture bids us prove our selves as concerning our estate to God ward Gal. 6.4 Let a man prove himself that he may have rejoycing in himself alone 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himself and so let him eat 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you be in the faith This bidding us search our conscience according to the rule and the declaring that rejoycing followes thereon doth denote unto us that assurance of remission of sins may be had It is ridiculous to think that the Spirit should bid us search for that which cannot be found 4 That certainty and assurance of salvation may be had appears from the many signes and evidences the word of God sets down of our being in Christ of our having the Spirit of our regeneration uprightness confidence to say that he that hath these graces is not sure whether he have them or no is a great mistake for do not I know that I love the Lord better then any thing that I love my brother yea mine enemies that I combate against all sin hunger after righteousnesse that my heart closeth with every command of God that I hate all sin do not I know that I have comfottable answers from God in prayer when I have them Comfortlesse is the assurance of hope arising from humane conjecture allowed by Papists and differs from Theological or divine hope arising from faith 5 The doctrine of doubting of remission of sins or conjectural hoping for salvation is a comfortlesse doctrine for 1 It kills our joy and thankfulness for how can I joy in or be thankfull to him who for ought I know may damn me another day and how can I joy in a thing which I know not whether I shall have or no 2 This doctrine of doubting stuns and hinders our proceeding in a godly course How can a man have a heart to go on when he cannot tell whether all he doth will come to any thing yea or no The Scripture ordinarily exhorts to duty from the knowledge we have that our labour will not be in vain Gal. 6.9 Be not weary in well doing knowing in due season you shall reap if ye faint not 1 Cor. 15.28 Be ye alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know your labour will not be in vain 3 The doctrine of doubting must needs fill the conscience with much anguish and anxiety A man that is condemned and hath no way to escape but by a pardon must needs be in perplexity of mind till he know of his pardon so must the soul needs be that sees its own lost estate and knows nothing of the pardon of his sins 6 From experimental feeling when I trust to a person promising to give or lend me any thing I know I trust to him and rest on him for what he hath promised and shal I by faith rest on Christ and know no such thing 7 From the testimony of the renewed conscience for our spirits regenerate witness our good estate Rom. 8.16 Yea even this is witnessed even in weak Christians though with some fear of the contrary the poor man cryed out Mark 9 2â— Lord I believe help my unbelief How could we say we believe if we could not know it we cannot speak that truly whereof we can have no certainty 8 From the seal of the Spirit witnessing with our spirits Take heed of expecting such inward witness of the spirit as some expect viz. a discovering of your adoption without first discovering the signes of it as if by an
resemble God than in forgiveness of offences and so much more when we do it readily Psal 86.5 4 See a motive to pray to God for pardon with confidence because we finde our hearts inclining to pardon others who have damnified us in our Bodies goods and Reputation 5 This word As doth not denote the cause degree price or equâ—lity but onely the kinde of remission as Faius well observes or it 's a Law whereto he will have all men bound that 〈◊〉 for pardon from God For Christ is the cause of remission It 's a qualification wherewith the children of God must come before God in Prayer if they would have pardon of God they must bring a minde to pardon others 6 We may see our natural proneness to revenge in that as often as we desire forgiveness of God we must bring forgiveness of our Brother 7 It 's a way to true peace to obtain forgiveness of God and to forgive others there is therefore a necessity of union among Christians without which we can never open our mouths to God 8 That there must be universal forgiveness of all wrongs how great soever for if we keep some one wrong in the corner of our hearts we desire that God would do the same against us which if he should how wofull would it be for us It 's to be feared by the carriages of many that many who profess to forgive and shake hands wait onely for an opportunity to vent their malice hereby calling for the vengeance of God to fall upon them Quest But are we absolutely commanded to forgive all wrongs Answ As Christ in the fifth of Matthew commanding to give like for like informs his Disciples of their private duty so here he doth not bid us forgive civil or natural Debts If a man take away my goods or the life of my friend I may prosecute against him laying aside private and club-like revenge except when publick good or right reason require it Quest Whether are Suits in Law here condemned Answ 1 Such as proceed from malice and private revenge Rom. 12.19 20. 2 Such as tend to scandal as to go to Law for trifles 1 Cor. 6.1 Contrarily we may go to Law 1 In Justice and Charity to get our own right provided it be not for trifles We reade of Zenas a Lawyer a good man who was never bid to change his calling 2 That the party offending may be chastized and brought to repentance for his fault 3 Law must be the last remedy as Physicians use desperate Physick when weaker will not serve or as War is the last Refuge in a State 4 If Paul appealed unto Caesar who was a wicked Tyrant much more may we to Judges who though not so good yet perhaps not so bad as he Use For application Learn heartily forgiveness of offences done against you for 1 It 's a matter of great difficulty hence when Christ proposes this duty Luke 17.13 to forgive trespassing brethren the Disciples pray Lord increase our Faith As if they should say without faith we can never do it 2 All the Ordinances are profaned unto thee if thou come to them with a revengefull heart The Corinthians having strife among them came together for the worse 1 Cor. 11.17 Wrath and Revenge in Prayer condemned 1 Tim. 2.8 hence Christ saith When you stand praying forgive Mark 11.25 3 There can be no forgiveness with God unless we forgive our Brother Matth. 6.14 15. Matth. 18.24 28 29 33. q. d. if thou forgives I will forgive if thou dost not forgive I will not forgive 4 Our selves stand in need of daily forgiveness both from God and men from God for we sin against him daily from men Col. 3.13 Forgiving one another as he stands need of thy forgiveness so dost thou of thy Brothers 5 Unless thy forgiveness of thy Brother be from thy heart God respects it not Matth. 18.35 so likewise shall my heavenly Father do if ye from your heart forgive not every man his Brother his trespasses Neither will it serve the turn that perhaps thou never usest this Petition in any of thy Prayers for fear of calling vengeance upon thine own head yet still the Sentence of God remains firm that if ye forgive not men their trespasses your heavenly Father will not forgive you Object But who are my Debtours whom I am to forgive Answ Any one in the World thou hast a quarrel against that is a just cause of complaint as Paul tells us Col. 3.13 yea even civil Debts when men ow us Money if they cannot be required without the destruction of our Neighbour we are to forgive them and so much more readily when the Debtour is cast into this poor condition not through sloth prodigality or vicious practices but meerly by the Lords hand Cursed is that speech when the Creditour shall say he will make Dice of such a Debtours bones 6 It 's a victory of an high nature to forgive offences Many think they are bound to revenge themselves in point of honour whiles they study to retain the name of Gentlemen they fear not by God to be branded for Murderers being ready to revenge even wrongs of a small nature by Duels c. V. 13. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil And lead us not into temptation In this Petition Christ teaches us to pray 1 That we may not be brought into temptation we know not what weakness we may shew therein God leads into temptation 1 By bringing us where there are occasions of sin and objects through the corruptions of our hearts that become temptations Deut. 13.1 2 3. A false Prophet works a sign to draw to strange gods but thou shalt not hearken to him for herein the Lord thy God proves thee The Lord set Wine before the Rechabites to try whether they would obey their fathers command Jer. 35.5 2 God removes Impediments that kept from sin so he removes such a friend that was an example of good or a reprover to disswade us from sin such a Magistrate such a Father Obj. But James c. 1.13 saith Let no man say I am tempted of God for God tempteth not any man Answ It 's one thing to tempt another thing to be led into temptation God tempts not to evil For 1 it 's our own lusts that tempt us v. 14. 2 Every good gift comes from God therefore no evil v. 17. Now to counsel perswade or advise to evil were sin neither doth God tempt us by powring in wicked thoughts nor by inclining our hearts to wickedness 2 To be lead into temptation is an act of God whereby he by his providence leads us where there are objects and occasions of sin without any sollicitation from God thereto so that Gods leading into temptation is nothing else but a proof whether we will stand in our obedience or no. So God tempted Abraham whether he would part with his dearest comfort for God Gen. 22.1 of this Exod. 16.4
to diswade you 1 This inordinate love makes means of grace become fruitless When the King had made his feast farmes and Oxen kept the persons invited from coming Luk. 14.18 when Ezekiel preached unto miracle that his voice was as the sound of a Musical instrument Ezek. 33.31 yet his hearers profited not by it because their hearts ran after their covetousness the thorny ground hearers brought no fruit to perfection why the thorns of earthly cares sucking out the state of their hearts choked it as weeds let among corn suck out the state of the ground Matth. 13.22 Yea worldliness makes men scoff at the Word Luk. 16.14 The Pharisees who were covetous heard all these things and they derided him or blew their noses at him as the Word signifies Yea though they hear the Word and consent both to the truth and goodness of it yet worldliness keeps men from closing with it in the great duty of self-denial as in the young man Math. 19. who went away being sorry he could not keep Christ and his possessions together 2 It makes us dis-relish heaven and heavenly things and this is a wofull frame of heart Rom. 8.5 Contraries cannot subsist together in any eminent degree in one and the same subject 3 It pierces the soul thorow with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6.10 pinching the poor griping the widow and fatherless getting wealth unjustly or holding it unjustly these pierce the soul as if a dagger went to a mans heart How did Judas thirty pieces gall his conscience This especially in an evil day Eccles 5.17 he hath much sorrow with his sickness Such men in the day of death are like a carriers horse which having carried gold and silver all the day is disburthened of them at night and put into the stable with a galled back so shalt thou be in death disburthened of all thy gold and silver and cast into hell with a galled conscience 4 Love of the world inordinately will make us cast off religion in time of trial The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.10 That some having coveted after money they have erred from the faith the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have erred like wandring stars from the faith and so Jude calls them how difficult nay impossible is the command of self-denial to a worldly heart how would such turn to any religion to save their estates as one Ecebolius that in the reign of Constantine was a Christian under Julian an heathen under Jovinian a Christian God being a Christians end whatsoever intercepts communion betwixt God and the soul is to be cast off 5 Inordinate love of the world exposes a man to many lusts and tentations 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich they fall into a snare and temptation that is the snare of tentation they will be rich it s their onely study hence they fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts as stealing witness Achan lying as Gehezi Ananias Saphira Prov. 21.6 hence called Mammon of unrighteousness deceitful riches Every creature naturally fears the snare and shall not we fear such a condition as will insnare the conscience Earthly things are compared to thick clay Hab. 2.6 As our feet are apt to stick in the clay so are our affections on earthly things 6 These things thou loves so inordinately cannot stand thee in stead in another world When thou comes at Christs Tribunal what will it profit thee that thou hast left so much for every child or that thy children ruffle up and down in silk and satten or that thy posterity have stately houses rich furniture fare deliciously and have a mighty train will this mitigate thy torments when thou art in Hell Perhaps they drink wine every day and thou canst not get a drop of water to cool thy tongue Mightest thou carry thy baggs thy lands thy all into another world it were something but as a certain Martyr in Queen Maryes time when some offered her money she refused it saying I am going to a country where money will bear no price 1 Tim. 6.18 19. Paul bids us to be ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store or as the word is They treasure up unto themselves a good foundation for time to come Works of mercy are called a foundation because as the one is hid so is the other and as from the foundation the house rises up on high so from these good works proceeding from faith the crown arises so much the higher 7 Thy life consists not in these earthly things thou doest so inordinately affect but in God Luk. 12.15 Take heed and beware of covetousness for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of things he possesseth Thy temporal life consists not in them for thou shalt not live a day the longer because thou hast a vast estate nor thy spiritual life consists not in it for what duty is it but thou mayest do without them Thou sayest thou canst not shew mercy Largeness of affection rather then large gifts shows what the heart is as in the widow that cast in two mites into the treasury Thy eternal life consists not in them for all the treasures in the world will not bring a soul to heaven Nay by these earthly things many times life is shortened especially if gotten by indirect means Jer. 17.11 As the Partrich sitteth upon Eggs and hatcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and in the end shall die a Fool. The abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep Eccles 5.12 Taking away sleep they take away life and thus are riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt v. 13. It is with worldly men as with the Bee◠that goes from flower to flower to gather Honey which when they have gotten they carry it to the Hive in fine the Husbandman comes to take the Hive and Honey and drowns all the Bees or some way destroys them So the sons of men are as busie as Bees in sucking earthly things in fine death comes and takes them and another enjoys the Honey To conclude thy life and happiness then is in God thy wealth is in and from God What is thy wealth without God but Rust and Canker Thy honour without God but an heavy burden which in the day of account will press thy soul Thy ease without God but a future destruction Ease slays the wicked Prov. 1.32 All the good and comfort that is in any worldly enjoyment is from God as the light of a candle is from the fire or as a cistern of water is from the fountain He that hath God wants not any good thing Psal 84.11 In having God we have all things because we have him that hath all things without whom the whole World if you had it is like the Air without the Sun a darksom comfortless body to enjoy good in any thing we must enjoy God for every creature is good to us onely
cross of Christ should be made of none effect Besides the wit of man hides the power of the Word and he that receives the Word upon eloquent enticement will be drawn to leave it when he hears greater eloquence perswading thereto It 's the misery of the times that Aristotle the deluder of wits should in most Universities be heeded rather then Christ the Prophet of his Church 5 Christ came home to the Consciences of men and so Paul We commend our selves to every mans conscience as in the sight of God He speaks with authority that speaks to the conscience Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 1 Cor. 6.9 Matth. 23.33 O generation of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of hell 6 Christ came with authority not onely as an interpreter of the Law of God but as being himself a Law-giver come from heaven John 3.11 We speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen Also v. 31 32. He that cometh from heaven is above all and what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth 7 Christ came with authority in the convincing of souls for sin It 's one great work of the Spirit of Christ Joh. 16.10 Hence Micah 3.8 I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement and of might to declare unto Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin Hence he spares neither Prince Prophet or Priest v. 9 10 11 12. The Word should come as a thunder-clap to the heart of the sinner Act. 8.21 Peter to Magus I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity ye have been the betrayers and murderers of the Son of God Acts 2.36 As Nazianzen Orat 20. said of Basil His word was like thunder his life like lightning 8 He taught with authority in preaching to the life as a picture is well drawn when it s drawn as to life so a preacher must preach as to life to preach of heaven hell death and judgement as if they were before us to preach out the wrath of God that the sinner may apprehend it as a burning fire to set forth the ugliness of sin that it may appear as black as hell to set forth the particular excellencies of Christ that the soul may say Whither is thy beloved gone that we may seek him with thee To set forth the terribleness of judgement that the sinner may be afraid to live one hour in such a condition as he would be afraid to dye in 9 In not sparing persons of the greatest quality as Herod Pilate the High Priests Lawyers Scribes and therefore Christ denounces woe upon woe upon them Woe unto you Pharisees woe unto you Scribes woe unto you Lawyers Luk. 11.42 43 44 46 47 50 51 52. Nor did he fear the faces of the Mighty Jer 1.10 17 18 19. 10 He taught with authority not onely in pressing powerful doctrine but also did move upon their hearts by the working of his Spirit that their hearts were all on fire in hearing of him Luk. 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures So Paul 1 Cor. 2.4 11 Christ taught vvith authority because himself vvas deeply affected vvith the things vvhich he taught It is not a thundring voice nor vehement enforcements from natural strength that proves povverfulness of doctrine but it much tends to authority both in prayer and preaching that the heart of the preacher be first vvrought upon either in private betvvixt God and his soul or in publick affections in the preacher beget affections in the hearer and after an unperceiveable manner dravv them over So Christ vvhen he preached to multitudes sometimes he put on bovvels of pity Mat. 9.37 sometimes grief and vveeping Luk. 19.41 compared vvith ver 48. Joh. 11.35 38. compared vvith ver 45. 12 Christ taught vvith authority because he knevv none could charge sin upon him so shall a teacher that lives a blameless conversation and knovvs that no man can charge evil upon him he hath authority in his doctrine but if he be covetous or proud or vain he looses that authorative povver vvhich God hath given him in the hearts of hearers Titus 2.15 Rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee q. d. if thou doest any thing unvvorthy to render thy self despicable thy authority vvill be lost 13 By a vehement pressing and urging the commands upon the consciences of men vvithall denouncing threats against the ungodly as Mat. 7.26 27. Luk. 6.21 to ver 27. so should a preacher press the commands upon persons I command you in the name of the Lord Jesus that you be not proud passionate greedy after the world So John Baptist Matth. 3.8 9 10. Now the ax is laid to the root of the tree bring forth fruit else you vvill be throvvn into the fire Use See a duty in faithful preachers 1 To teach vvith authority remembring vvhose Embassadours they are Matth. 28.18 2 Cor. 5.20 2 To maintain the authority vvhich the Lord hath given unto them 2 Cor. 10.8 maintain it both by life and doctrine by preaching povverfully and living holily Hovv povverfull vvas the Apostle Paul in his preaching See Gal. 1.6 7 8 9 10. 3 To the Brethren to obey that Word that comes with authority to their consciences Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you c. And not as the Scribes Whose teaching was either traditionary as the washing of pots and cups and hands building the tombs of Prophets making broad phylacteries but for things tending to mortification they spake not at all or very superficially or their teaching was formal When they spake of the love of God and other duties they spake of them without zeal and feeling and therefore they were not like to affect others when themselves were not first affected The Orator that moves his hearers must first be moved himself Or their teaching was hypocritical binding heavy burthens upon others they themselves not touching them with one of their fingers Or their teaching was in generals and confounded Contrarily Christ 1 For matter he teaches weighty points as concerning true blessedness and the qualifications of them that mean to attain it concerning a holy life free from scandal concerning love to enemies alms prayer fasting placing treasure in heaven 2 For manner Christ speaks with fervency and affection fire begets fire the burning affection in Christ which he had in speaking makes the hearts of his Disciples burn in hearing Luke 24.32 3 For method Christ speaks distinctly first to one point and then to another whereas they confounded what they spake Method is the mother of memory 4 Christ in his doctrine was impartial he spared none Many speak truth to the common people suffering all things not to them whom they fear will persecute them to whom especially it is to be spoken He that looks upon mens persons will be terrified with the show of titles and dignities 5 He preached
his own power Matth. 8.3 4. but the Apostles did what they did by the power of Christ Acts 16.18 2 Christ had this power at all times to heal whensoever he would so had not they Heb. 2.4 for then would not Paul have left Trophimus sick at Miletum 2 Tim. 4.20 3 The miracles the Apostles did were sometimes for the hurt of men as Peter in the destruction of Ananias and Sapphira and Paul in the smiting Elymas with blindness but all Christs miracles and cures tended to the benefit of men Obj. But Christ bade the devils go into the Gadarens Hogs Answ It was onely a permission whereby Christ kept back the power that was able to hinder them not a command This should embolden us in all our maladies to come to Christ He that had such bowels on earth is not without bowels in heaven he that would do so much for Malchus one of them that came to take him Luk. 22.51 who set on his ear and healed him when Peter cut it off will he not do as much or more for his children in their maladies V. 17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet saying himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses Here is the final cause to wit the fulfilling the prophesie of Esaias He took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses 1 The diseases of our soul to which Esaias hath respect Esai 53.4 He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows 1 Pet. 2.24 He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree Esai 53.6 John 1.29 He takes away the sins of the world Col. 2.14 2 The diseases of our body which flow from sin Christ bore these not by taking them upon him for Christ was never sick he took not the passions which were proper to this or that man but those which were common to the whole nature Christ was never sick sicknesse arises from the unfit or unequal temperature of the humours or from intemperance of labour study but none of these were in Christ he had no sin and therefore no sickness so that Christ took not our sins by taking them upon him but out of compassion he took them away and restored the sick to health The end why Christ cured the bodily diseases of persons as Matth. 9.2 was that they might seek to him for the healing of their souls as in the blinde man John 9.5 6. So that as the living Goat had the sins of the children of Israel laid upon him and carried them into a Wilderness and land not inhabited Levit. 16.21 22. So Christ took our sins and the punishments flowing from them and carries them into a Land of forgetfulnesse In that Christ took our weaknesses learn 1 To bear the weaknesses of others 1 As in journeys strong Travellers bear the burthens of the weak so should we Rom. 15.1 We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak 2 All infirmities are burthens to a gracious heart Gal. 6.2 let them be part of thy burthen also 3 Many infirmities may be in a dear childe of God Cant. 5.2 Mark 9.23 as passion in Jonas unbelief in Thomas fearfulnesse in Peter to keep us from admiration of their persons 4 As thy brother is overtaken to day so mayest thou be to morrow Gal. 6.1 As often as we behold sinners we had need to bewail our selves in them because we have fallen or may fall into the like if God leave us God hath suffered many great men to fall from Adam to this day to shew mans weaknesse and that they might not become lovers of their name 5 If envy did not blinde thee thou mightest see many good things in him as well as infirmities 6 If any man shall raise his comfort from other mens failings to seem to himself holy because he sees imperfections in his brethren this will be no true comfort in a day of trial Gal. 6.4 7 Beware of having a mean and base esteem of any of the Saints of God because of their infirmities so as to set them at nought Rom. 14.10 No man casts away his nose because it abounds with impure flegme and is as it were the sink of the brain so the weak in time of weakness are part of Christ's Kingdom who therefore are not to be cast away but to be healed and raised up Luth. in Psalm 90. 2 See the goodness and mercy of Christ that took our infirmities Psalm 130.3 If thou Lord shouldest be extreme to mark what is done amiss who should stand but there is compassion that he may be feared Matth. 12.20 He will not break the bruised Reed nor quench smoaking Flax. The Principle of grace in the soul doth not waste corruption all at once but by degrees John 15.2 2 Cor. 4.16 Hence God is gracious in purging the soul to bring forth more grace and less sin and renewing the inward man every day 3 Trial whether thy sins be Infirmities as 1 When they are committed against the purpose of the heart so Peter in his denial of Christ what hope had we if Peter had not denied Christ and all the Apostles been offended if Moses Aaron David had not fallen by these Examples God comforts sinners If thou hast fallen return the gate of mercy is open for thee thou that knowest no evil by thy self do not presume but let both trust in my grace and mercy Luth. in Gen. 38. 2 When we disallow the evil we do and groan under it Rom. 7.15 when others hearts are hardened under evil thine is sensible 3 When though thou fallest into sin thou walkest not in any sinfull course Rom. 8.4 though there be many Imperfections in holy Duties and sudden breakings out of the heart into evil yet is it not allowed 4 When a soul is fallen into sin and hath lost Gods countenance he cannot be quiet untill the Lord return with the sense of his love Psalm 51.8 12. there can be no sins of infirmity properly but where grace is for the sins of unregenerate men are Presumptions Good men having tasted the sweetness in God they will not change their portion nor rest content without God Saints infirmities as Davids sins complaints fears more comfort me than their heroical actions as his killing Goliath the Bear and Lion I cannot imitate these but the other greatly comfort me Luth. in Gen. 28. 4 Comfort to Saints under Infirmities There are some invincible Infirmities cleaving unto Saints in this World as dulness forgetfulness privy pride self-seeking unprofitableness wandrings in duty backwardness to Christian provocation inordinate care hardness of heart vain fears slightness in Gods service Saints partly from divine light shining in them which like the light of the Sun shews the smallest mote partly from tenderness of conscience renewed smiting them for the smallest sin are upon sight of their infirmities apt to be discouraged Now to comfort thee remember Christ took thy infirmities all thy self-sufficiency crookedness of heart failing in holy
which are to us ward they cannot be reckoned up they are more than can be numbered Psalm 139.17 How precious are thy thoughts O God unto me How great is the sum of them Every hour yea every minute God think of us let us then be often thinking of him saying with David Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth I desire in comparison of thee Psalm 73.25 saying as a certain holy man who when he was bid to have his thoughts in Heaven answered I am there already 8 If thou forgets to think on God thy soul will be in a withering condition Job 8.11 12 13 14. 3 Use Consolation to Saints 1 When condemned by men Job 16 19. My Witness is in Heaven and my Record on high 2 When we have upright intentions to bring about things for God but cannot at present effect them If there be a willing minde it is accepted 2 Cor. 8.12 3 In all acts of uprightness 1 Chron. 29.17 Thou triest the heart and hast pleasure in uprightness that is in upright intentions when we sigh to him he knows our sighs and groans Psalm 12.5 Rom. 8.26 this comforted Peter John 21.17 that the Lord knew his thoughts were affectionately set for Christ Thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee 4 Terrour to all wicked men who allow wicked thoughts in them God knows how thou smothers thine own conscience and goest against it what thoughts of denying Christ and temporizing are in thee what tricks thou hast to keep off conviction what heartlesness in duty what rovings in prayer Thou wouldst be ashamed if a man saw the wickedness of thy thoughts how much more when God beholds them Nay the Lord sees thy thoughts afar off even before thou thinkest them Exod. 3.19 He knew Pharaohs thoughts that he would not let the people go he sees thou hast an intention to deny him if a temptation come Mark 14.30 This night before the Cock crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice So the Lord knew Hazaels thoughts 2 Kings 8.12 which was to rip up women with childe He knew Israel would go a whoring from God when Moses and Joshua were dead And doth he not then know thy present wicked thoughts Psalm 50.21 Thou thoughtest that I was such an one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thee or catalogize them as I take it some renders the word He sees God is not in all thy thoughts Psal 10.4 Yea he knows thy unclean and revengefull thoughts which are abomination to him Prov. 15 26. And though thou diggest deep to hide thy counsell from the Lord yet shalt not thou be able Isai 29.15 V. 5. And whether is easier to say Thy sins be forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk Christ brings a second argument to prove he had power to forgive sins viz. Because he was able to do that which in the opinion of the Pharisees was more hard therefore he had power to do that which was more easie It was more to forgive sin then to heal a disease but because the healing of a disease was visible and the forgiveness of sins was invisible therefore healing the Palsey-man seemed to the Pharisees to be the more difficult work yet is forgiveness of sin the harder work 1 Because no disease is contrary to the nature of God but sin is 2 Healing a Palsey is a natural work but forgiveness of sins is a supernatural work Christ applies his speech to their capacity who being meer natural men were moved with outward signes more then with the spiritual power of Christ So Christ reasons John 5.28 Christ proves the effectual power of his voice to quicken dead souls because the same voice of Christ shall at the day of resurrection be able to quicken dead bodies Besides this miraculous healing was a signe to confirm the other that he had power to forgive sins V. 6. But that yee may know the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins then saith he to the sick of the Palsey Arise take up thy Bed and walk V. 7. And he arose and departed to his house Christ here positively proves that he had power on earth to forgive sins because miraculously by a word of his mouth he causes the Palsey man to walk so that he arose and departed to his house immediately Power on earth to forgive sins That is authoritatively Preachers forgive onely declaratively as Nathan to David 2 Sam. 12.7 The Lord hath put away thy iniquity John 20.23 Then saith he to the sick of the Palsey Arise take up thy Bed and walk That so this cure Christ wrought might appear to be a perfect cure Christ bids the Palsey man 1 Arise 2 Take up his Bed and carry it on his shoulders 3 Walk V. 8. But when the multitude saw it they marvelled and glorified God which had given such power unto men Multitude saw it they marvelled Here 's the effect of this miracle all saving the Pharisees who had accused Christ of blasphemy wondered at the miracle and so broke forth in praising God They wondered at it having never seen any such example of such a thing in former times The tendency of their wonder and praises was that persons with more confidence should submit themselves to the doctrine of Christ whiles they believed he was able to pardon their sins V. 9. As Jesus passed from thence he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custome and he said unto him Follow me And he arose and followed him We have in this story 1 Christ calling Matthew v. 9. 2 Matthew his yielding obedience to the call of Christ v. 9. 3 We have Matthews thankfulness in making Christ a Feast v. 10. Amplified from the Guests that were there with Christ they were Publicans and sinners v. 10. 4 Here 's a question moved by the Pharisees hereupon which was why Christ would eat with Publicans and sinners v. 11. 5 Here 's Christ his answer to this charge 1 Apologetical that he conversed with them as a Physician to heal them not as one that practised like wickedness with them 2 Reprehensory taxing the proud conceitedness of the Pharisees who thought themselves whole and that they had no need of the Physician 3 Defensory v. 13. Go and learn what that meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice as if he should say That ye see me do is a work of mercy and charity in calling sinners from their sins to repentance that they may be saved therefore I doing what God commands your calumnies are not to be regarded Saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom Christ passing from thence towards the Sea Mar. 2.13 saw a man This was that Matthew who penn'd this Book in the Hebrew tongue supposed to be him whom Mark and Luke call Levi and the circumstances of the History tend much thereto yet doth not Matthew at any time call himself Levi nor
the Thessalonians faith 1 Thess 3.10 3 Direction in difficult Cases together with satisfaction in scruples so that the souls of persons are kept in peace John 9.3 4 To kindle affections when souls are dead how were the affections of the Brethren at Ephesus Acts 20.36 and Tyre Acts 21.5 kindled and the three thousand pricked Acts 2.37 The hearts of the Disciples going to Emmaus were on fire whiles Christ spoke to them Luke 24.32 5 Relations kept in the way of duty fathers children husbands wives princes subjects masters servants 6 Soul watchfulness Heb. 13.17 They watch for your souls Isai 62.6 7. 7 They wrastle with the Lord in prayer and give him no rest till they obtain mercy for a people Isai 62.6 7. 8 They gather Gods harvest into barns that is souls into Churches here and into glory hereafter That he would send forth Labourers into his Harvest Seven grounds hereof 1 The need there is of such Labourers as a Field will be overgrown with Weeds if the Husbandman send not Labourers into it so will the hearts of men where there are not such Labourers to weed And as when Corn is ripe it will be apt to shatter if there be not Labourers to inn it so people of good affections are apt to decline where there are not Labourers to perfect young comers on The need of such is seen in that yearly there are so many thousands born Children of Wrath. And in that the hearts of good men are liable to so many decays and coolings 2 The great blessing there is by such Ministry and labour and needs must it bring a blessing because it roots out that which will be the ruine of any place I mean sin Prov. 28.2 Yea nothing doth more bless a place than such Labourers 2 Chron. 11.17 The godly Priests and Levites that came to Rehoboam strengthened the Kingdom of Judah 3 Because the Harvest is Gods it 's called his Harvest therefore it belongs to him to send forth Labourers into it Now they that are of Gods sending are endued with gifts and grace 4 Because they cannot preach unless he send them Rom. 10.14 How shall they preach except they be sent The least degree of sending is to have ability to divide the word This sending is 1 Inward when a man having the love of souls stamped upon his heart is made willing to offer up himself to this work Isai 6.6 7 8. 2 Outward because too many out of pride and self-conceitedness are ready to put themselves forward this way hence God hath appointed that persons that are to go out be first approved by men thereunto appointed Else Jer. 23.21 I have not sent these Prophets yet they ran 5 As the primitive work of sending is Gods so there is something in sending which is ours to wit that we shew our selves willing to be sent When God had sent one of the Seraphims to Isaiah with a coal in his hand to touch his mouth meaning a burning zeal to Gods glory and when the Lord asks the question whom shall I send and who shall go for us the Prophet then answers v. 8. Here I am send me Isai 6.6 7. Men to whom God hath given Abilities should be forward to put forth themselves Out of love to souls they may desire the Office of a Bishop 1 Tim. 3.1 yea they must out of a ready minde take the oversight of the flock of God 1 Peter 5.2 Not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde 6 All the success that is in any mans Ministry how fully soever sent or how willing of himself for to go is from God So that the force of the Reason is he hath the power of succeeding and making Ministry effectual therefore he hath the power of sending We preach to persons to turn from darkness Acts 26.18 but God turns them Isaiah preached a long time Isai 53.1 yet because the arm of the Lord or the power of the Lord was not revealed to souls there were so few converted that he cries out Who hath believed our reports yea he and the children God had given him were as signs and wonders If God go along Peter shall at one Sermon convert three thousand All our Preaching is but as the rigging of the Sails which avails not unless the Winde blow When he opens none can shut when he shuts none can open Rev. 3.7 8. yet must we in a patient manner make trial what success God will give us in our Ministry imitating Peter Luke 5.5 who had toiled all night and taken nothing yet would at Christs word further let down the net And truly persons sent by God usually have their labours blessed to the converting and building up of some souls Jer. 23.21 22. 7 It is the Lord that maintains them in their work Acts 18.9 10. Be not affraid but speak and hold not thy peace for I am with thee He holds the seven stars in his right hand Revel 1.16 20. now the right hand is the hand of strength and power Jer. 1.18 19. saith God to Jeremy I have made thee an Iron Pillar and a Brazen Wall they shall fight against thee but not prevail Seeing God maintains persons herein it 's fit he have the sending of them CHAP. X. WE have in this Chapter three things to be premised 1 The occasion and coherence which was multitudes coming to Christ with desire to hear the Gospel he was moved with compassion towards them cap. 9.7 Seeing them as Sheep without a Shepherd he consults to send out his Disciples and therefore before he sends them forth he bids them pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth Labourers which the Disciples doubtless did hence as an answer of their prayers Christ as the Lord of the Harvest sends forth Labourers even his twelve Apostles 2 That there is difference betwixt this sending and the election of the twelve mentioned Luke 6. when Christ chose them that he might instruct them that in time to come they might be sent out Christ will have those whom he sends out first to be Disciples before he will send them out he mentions not here their chusing but onely their sending because he had chosen them before 3 That this sending forth of the twelve Disciples or Apostles differs from that sending forth of the twelve mentioned Matth. 28.19 this being onely particular that they should go into the Land of Judea that being for them to go into all the World and was to continue till the end of the World Matth. 28.20 Contrarily this sending may seem to be onely temporary and that the Commissions here and there do tota specie in the whole kinde differ and that that is not an enlargement of this commission but another 1 Because at this sending Christ impowers them to preach and do Miracles but there he impowers them to make Disciples and baptize them 2 Because these are forbidden not to go into the way of the Gentiles nor
mouth and a tongue which all your adversaries should not be able to gainsay or resist And here Christ meets with an Objection which the Apostles might make viz. Whence shall we that are unable to speak defend our selves and cause against Councils great Assemblies and Princes who many times with their presence astonish great Orators To this Christ saith I will give you a mouth and a tongue Christ will not leave his Witnesses in the midst of danger V. 20. For it is not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you Christ further strengthens his Disciples as to discouragement about their own weakness whereas they might object we are fishermen though it should be spoken to us yet we cannot being unlearned be able to speak to this Christ saith It 's not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you Will a father leave a childe when he knows he is in hazard of life for his fathers sake and will your heavenly Father leave you in danger for the witness of his truth Surely no. And look as the preparation of the heart and answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16.1 so shall the Spirit not onely dictate unto you fit Arguments and Apologies but also shall form your tongues to express them even to the astonishment of your Adversaries The Council Acts 4.13 when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men they marvelled Acts 5.27 28 29. Acts 7.51 52 53 54. Now in that Christ saith it is not you it is not meant absolutely but comparatively not so much you as the Spirit of God by you The help of Angels at such a time to assist is much but the assistance of the Spirit is far more without which in such an hour of temptation the best parts and abilities would fail There cannot be a greater assistant than this Spirit Luk. 21.15 This comparative speech is like that Matth. 9.13 I will have mercy not sacrifice that is not so much sacrifice as mercy The force of the Argument is It 's not so much your cause as mine and my Fathers therefore my Spirit and the Spirit of my Father shall answer for you As when Balaams Ass spoke it was not so much the Ass that spoke as the Lord in the Ass Numb 22.28 so it was the Spirit that spoke in the Apostles Acts 4.19 and in Stephen V. 21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death and the father the childe and the children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death Here 's a third evil to which Christians must look to be exposed to viz. as the hatred of all men in general so of their own kinsmen in particular because the hatred they have against you for the cause of Christ is stronger than the bond of natural affection Hence it breaks in pieces the bond of natural love Hence as it was in Christs kindred that not onely they would not believe in him John 7.5 but also said he was mad Mark 3.21 so is it in worldly men who hate their relations for difference of Religion Hence Ishmael hated Isaak and Esau persecuted Jacob and Josephs brethren sold him Alphonsus Diazius slew his brother John for the confession of the Gospel Sleydan lib. 17. We see the like History in the Life of Woodman persecuted by his own brother in Queen Maries time This should quiet our hearts when we see our friends and kindred rage against us for conscience sake It should also learn us not to be too confident in carnal relations how near soever allied to us Micah 7.5 Trust ye not in a friend put ye not confidence in a guide keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom He that is false in his duty to God how can he be expected to be faithfull to friends Learn also in declining times when friends prove false to look to God Micah 7.6 7. The son dishonoureth his father and the daughter riseth up against her mother therefore saith Micah I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation This unfaithfulness was not onely a symptome of those bad times but it hath been the frame of many carnal hearts since V. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake but he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved And ye shall be hated of all men That is of all unregenerate men that receive not Christ whether they be Jews or Gentiles noble or base whether kindred or strangers old and young Wicked men hate all good men if not actually because they know them not yet habitually they do if they knew them they would hate them even for the good in them Psalm 38.20 which hatred proceeds from that enmity put betwixt the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 As love arises from similitude so doth hatred from dissimilitude The World cannot hate you but me it hateth John 7.7 Why because I testifie the works thereof are evil The World also hates Saints because they are not of the World John 15.19 For my Names sake That is for a powerfull profession of it The Gentiles raged much as Augustine observes because they heard that Jesus Christ would be worshipped alone now they thought it absurd that they should cast off all their other gods continued to them for so many ages for him alone Not onely Papists but carnal Protestants rage against the godly of the time if they will witness Christ in any powerfull manner and follow the Light of Gods Word further than the times will bear I am guilty of such and such evils said Bradford but this is not that mine Enemies persecute in me but Christ Nor is it to be forgotten that because the word of Christ in the mouth of Saints urges an union with the hearts of wicked men hence those who urge herein are hated especially if it be any such part of the word as exposeth to some present cross Besides it was the manner for Scholers to be called by their Masters names as Aristoteleans Pythagoreans so Christians are called from their profession of Christ Acts 11.26 and for the profession of living by the rules of their Masters is it that Christians suffer 1 Pet. 4.15 If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed Acts 5.41 Peter and John rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Here is 1 A duty 2 A promise The duty is to endure to the end to endure all persecutions hatreds adversities to the end both of the persecutions and of life To obtain the crown it 's not enough once and again to overcome but to overcome and endure to the end and this is some comfort that though they be long they will
the Lord. Besides what ever evils befall us God can turn them for our good as in Josephs case he saith to his Brethren Ye meant it for evil but God meant it for good Loss of goods hath proved a gain of grace Heb. 10.34 Restraint of outward liberty a means to set the conscience free Acts 16.25 Disgrace a motive for God to manifest his approbation torment an occasion of easing the minde Heb. 11.35 3 Look on God not onely as the cause of the being of things but the cause of their not being That the fire did not burn the three men Dan. 3. nor the hungry Lions devour Daniel why men favour us not and why their hearts are turned against us Psalm 105.25 God hath a work in men hearts as in Absalom who refused the best counsel Nothing is so high that is above his providence nothing so low that is beneath it nothing so large but is bounded by it nothing so little that he overlooks it nothing so confused but he can order it nothing so bad but he can draw good out of it nothing so wisely plotted but he can supplant it nothing so unpolitickly carried but he can give a prevailing power to it both is to be taken heed of Be not proud of thy wisdom and counsels if they succeed not do not despair because God governs and prospers the errours of the godly I have often committed the greatest rashness and follies but I did it not with a desire to hurt but unwisely desiring to counsel faithfully hence I prayed that God would amend my errour Luth. in Gen. 27. 4 Exhort to resign up all our actions to God in times of suffering 1 Peter 4.19 Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls unto him in well-doing as into the hands of a faithfull Creatour When we have a Jewel in times of danger we trust it in the hand of a father let us in suffering times leave our souls with God Let us also in the disposal of our conditions submit to poverty disgrace imprisonment banishment death even as the Lord in his providence shall please to dispose of us Even as the Patient doth to his Physician who hath seen his Water or felt his Pulse All the afflictions wherewith Saints are afflicted are no other thing than a pleasant and sweet play wherewith God plays with us as a father with his little ones whom he bids do something above their strength which when they endeavour diligently to do the father also puts to his hand Luth. in Gen. 43. V. 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess before my Father in Heaven Here 's a third Reason not to fear death because he that confesses Christ even to loss of Life Christ will confess him before his Father See Rev. 2.13 Quest What Confession is here meant Answ Habitual in the purpose of the heart for it 's not enough to confess Christ in one act onely 2 Seasonable Confession with the mouth When men shall oppose or deny Christ and his Truth or when Tyrants shall examine us of our Faith we shall unmoveably and constantly profess our belief in Christ and our cleaving to his Truth even to death and tortures Be we exhorted to confess Christ before men 3 Properties in Confession 1 Let it be with boldness Mark 15.33 1 Tim. 4.16 2 Plain without any equivocation So Peter and John answered the Council Acts 4 7. 3 With meekness and fear 1 Peter 3.15 See this fully in my Treatise of Denial of Christ p. 27. V. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven Christ doth not here mean actual denial for Peter denied Christ yet is in Heaven And so Bilney the Martyr and many others under temptation so denied Christ yet stuck to him in the habit and purpose of their hearts but Christ means habitual denial of Christ in the purpose of the heart when a man for the saving of his Lands Liberty or Life will deny Christ or any part of his Truth Actual denial of Christ is dangerous though but in one act especially when the soul hath time to deliberate and for such a treachery God is wont to fill the soul with horrour that a man would give all the world to be eased of it as in Spira c. how much more dangerous is habitual denial Christ is denied 1 Silently when persons can hear the Truth spoken against his Servants railed on Idolatry cried up and they sit still as if the thing nothing concerned them against this see these places Psalm 119.46 1 Kings 22.8 Matth. 11.19 2 Christ is denied expresly and that 1 In a vicious Life Titus 1.16 2 Tim. 3.5 Jude 4. 2 Christ is denied in word this is 1 Publickly when being asked by the Magistrate concerning our Faith for fear of Prisons or Death we shall not acknowledg it Acts 4.8 9 10. This also is committed when we present our selves at worship which our own Conscience judges false for the substance thereof 2 In private when we conferring with men shall for fear of loss or hope of gain deny that Truth we inwardly acknowledg 3 Christ is denied in writing when we shall subscribe to any thing as truth which we are perswaded in our consciences is an errour or subscribe to the recantation of any truth Satan may tell you such a thing is soon done but know that is done in a moment which may be lamented for ever 4 Christ is denied in worship when we shall present our selves at such worship as we loath in our hearts Hosea 13.2 Let the men that sacrifice kiss the Calves 5 There is a denial of Christ in asserting Principles when for fear of loss we shall withhold the asserting of our Principles being thereunto called this was Peters sin Gal. 2.12 6 Christ is denied implicitely when though we do not deny Christ in life word or writing because we are not put to it yet we would deny him were we put thereto We must to mend this have the purposes of our hearts right to forsake all we have for Christ take we heed we deny not Christ for Church-communion John 9. John 12.42 This denial of Christ as to the acts of it is twofold 1 Sudden when a man is surprized on a sudden and denies Christ so Peter 2 Deliberate when a man notwithstanding reluctations checks and deliberations about confessing some truth yet for fear he shall hang back and deny it See my Treatise of Denial of Christ p. 12. V. 34. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth I came not to send peace but a sword Christ comes to propose another hardship his Disciples should encounter with to wit the contentions and oppositions not onely of strangers but also of near relations Think not that I am come to send peace on earth Many thought from the misunderstanding of that Scripture Isai 11.6 The
darling sin and will not close with some duty Sauls covetous heart was loth to destroy so many good things as he could turn to his own gain so many oxen and sheep So Pharaoh and Balaam confest their sin yet Pharaoh would not let the people go and Balaam would still have cursed the people if God would have let him 5 The end of his shew of goodness is that he may seem good to others that so his wickedness may not be espied as Ananias Sapphira Herod Mar. 6.20 2 This takes in close hypocrisie which hath these properties 1 That he doth out of an overweening conceit take upon himself a shew of goodness so the Pharisee Luke 18.12 13. he thought he was in a good condition because he did some good things so do many looking upon their civility morality formality comparing themselves with others or themselves at present with themselves formerly 2 The end of close hypocrisie is that a man may seem good to himself Prov. 30.12 There is a generation pure in their own eys and yet are not washed from their filthiness So Paul in his Pharisaical estate See Acts 26.11 3 The close hypocrite harbours some secret sin Ananias and Sapphira were full of unbelief lest they should come to want hence they kept back part of the price The most refined hypocrite in the world lives in some sin 4 There is some duty the close hypocrite will not close with as to let go his estate for Christ The young man for all his forwardness startled at this and left Christ Mat. 19.20 21 22. In this sin of close hypocrisie many forward Professors live because there is some duty they will not close with There is some cross which because of the weight of it they will not take up for Christ Many a gross hypocrite is also full of this close hypocrisie as Saul 1 Sam. 15.13 Yea I have performed the Commandements of the Lord also v. 20. Yea I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and gone the way which the Lord hath sent me See how Saul though a gross hypocrite closely would bear himself in hand of his good estate Now before I come to give trials of hypocrisie I will lay down some cautions 1 That even Gods children have but too much hypocrisie in them 1 But they feel it bewail it mourn and groan against it to the Lord and make a continual resistance against it They cry out as August in another case why dost thou not put an end to this filthiness 2 They press daily towards and hunger after more sincerity so come under a promise of blessedness Matth. 5.6 3 They are enabled by the grace of God to do their actions with more and more sincerity The Disciples were first asking Who should be greatest After they become so sincere as to refer the matter wholly to God Acts 1.26 Lord shew whether of these two thou hast chosen 2 Virtues and vices do not denominate their subject unless they be therein in so high a degree as to prevail As we say it's light when the light is more then the darkness we say a thing is white when it partakes more of whiteness then of any other colour though it come short of perfect whiteness So he is a hypocrite in whom hypocrisie prevails as it doth in those who do not lament and bewail it He is sincere whose purpose is to be sincere and usually looks at God no condemnation to such Rom. 8.1 Because he walks after the spirit 3 That because of the remainder of hypocrisie in them even Gods children in time of temptation are apt to count themselves hypocrites 1 Because they do not feel their righteousness of justification as they do their corruption whereas that righteousness being in Christ and corruption in our selves we must not think to have a sensitive righteousness as to justification as we have a sensitive corruption 2 Because when the Apostle speaks of the fruits of the flesh he saith they are manifest but he doth not say so of the fruits of the spirit Gal. 5. Yea grace is called the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 3 Their little fruitfulness this should humble not discourage us 4 The mixture of by respects with duty to God but this may comfort that duty set thee on work and moved thee to do what thou didst though by-ends came crowding in 5 Thy feeling thy hypocrisie to be a burthen argues thou art no hypocrite Rom. 7.15 Psalm 119.80 6 Sincerity may stand with many evils though not with the allowing of any When we lament it be we not discouraged If thou art not fruitfull in a hundred fold yet be in thirty 4 A man may be an hypocrite and yet have many good things in him as 1 to God he may read hear pray come to ordinances See Esa 58.2 c. Herod did many things Mark 6.20 He feared John because he was a just man and an holy and heard him gladly and observed him and did many things yea he may write sermons and repeat them and shew countenance to the Preachers c. 2 As to men he may deal justly be a good neighbour Matth. 6.20 And as to himself he may escape the pollutions of the world 2 Pet. 2.2 5 Many Saints have been and are jealous of themselves least they should be hypocrites Psalm 139.24 Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me Psalm 119.80 Contrary some hypocrites are confident of their good estate Jer. 3.4 5. They call'd God father yet did evil as they could Jer. 42.4 5. Hypocrites call God to witness that they would do whatsoever God commanded by Jeremy and so consequently could not but think themselves sincere whereas they did the clean contrary to what they professed Jer. 43.2 3. 6 After examination of thy estate be not alwaies questioning whether thou be sincere or a hypocrite but be not too hasty in determining of either but when thy conscience hath given judgement of the truth of thy heart after several examinations thereof hold fast this conclusion that though thou hast many failings yet thou art not an hypocrite So Job c. 27.5 6. 7 Though it be very difficult to distinguish betwixt sincerity and hypocrisie because of the many counterfiets that look like grace but are not as the common graces in hypocrites yet is it possible to distinguish the one from the other else would not the word bid us to prove our own works Gal. 6.4 1 Cor. 11.28 Yea sundry Saints have found their hearts upright David Psalm 101.2 I will behave myself in a perfect way I will walk in mine house with a perfect heart Hezekiah Isa 38.3 Paul and other believers 2 Cor. 1.12 In simplicity and Godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world 8 We must not from any observation of hypocrisie in our hearts deny any true work of grace in our selves and so bear false witness
art no better then an hypocrite If we live but in one sin though every man that lives in one lives in more we manifest a plain contempt of God yea we set up a god to our selves When David pronounces a blessing to an upright man Psal 119.1 he tells us who is such v. 2. They seek God with the whole heart and v. 3. They do no iniquity So long as a man picks and chuses Gods commands and obeys them with such and such reservations let such a man know he is no better then an hypocrite If there be any uprightness in thee thou wilt be stirr'd up at thy own lye as well as at an other mans oath Unsound men never close with all duties nor part with all sins but still retain some darling sin which tends to their profit or credit or pleasure yea the duties they do are caused by some outward principle Even as heat that is natural is durable but adventitious heat is soon gone as in water meat boyled or rosted So outward principles setting hypocrites awork as shame of the world fear of hell c. they do many things but the cause being taken away the effect ceases 6 A compliant turning of themselves according to times and places So Achitophel in Davids Court would be very devout but when there was a rebellion he would be first in it Psal 55.12 13. Hypocrites when they are in good company and good families can frame themselves thereto and they can game talk wantonly speak against goodness when they are elsewhere A true Christian findes it harder to be good in some places and companies then in others and the devil when he hath the opportunity of time place and company will press more hard upon a childe of God to do evil also to put him back from goodness when time place and company stand cross to goodness yea sometimes temptations of fear or hope may shake a Christian in his obedience yet his desires so hang to the Lord that he is not at rest till he have returned to his first husband and to his former obedience Yea he hath not a complying principle of hypocrisie to sute his practice to times and places Joash was an unsound man and when he came in bad company he came to be like like them 2 Chron. 24.17 but a sincere soul resolves to follow duty though all the world should be against it Upright men they apprehend the Lord every where present hence they labour to walk before him When its a thing God would have him do he doth not consult with flesh and blood whether he had best to do it Gal. 1.15 but doth it without consultment of flesh and blood Still an upright man is thinking what will God have me do If Gods word bid him do a thing he doth it though not without some hanging back of the flesh but unsound men still think whether will this tend to their credit and profit with these two are their souls carried like a Coach with the horses to comply to all times places and companie 7 When a soul hath onely some good fits and moods of goodness Hos 6.4 Thy righteousness is like the morning dew which hath a fit of coming and then goes away Balaam had such a fit Numb 23.10 Let me dye the death of the righteous So Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron in haste to pray for him Exod. 10.16 So those hypocrites Psal 78.34 35. When he slew them then they sought him and enquired early after God nevertheless they did but flatter with their mouth Such were Jonah's mariners as some think Jon. 1.5 and John's hearers who rejoyced in John's doctrine for a season So Saul in a fit he cries out Thou art more righteous then I my son David Some when the Lord afflicts them with the death of relations and other crosses have a fit of godly sorrow as that Scribe Matth. 8.20 That this may not be mistaken take four cautions 1 That a man may have intermissions wherein his grace zeal and heavenly mindedness may not appear in that measure that sometimes it hath appeared and yet be sincere as Asa c. 2 A soul may have declensions and decaies in grace and yet not serve God by fits as in the Angel of Ephesus and to keep the soul in that height of consistence whereto perhaps at present it is wrought is not possible because the lifting up of the soul depends upon the spirits breathing who is a free agent 3 A Saint may be more godly at some time then at another and yet not serve God by fits as the Husbandman labours all the year but specially in seed-time and harvest A believer may constantly follow the Lord yet sometimes be more in heaven taken up with Moses into the Mount 4 The deeplier a soul is in distress the more earnestly should he seek God and yet this is no serving God by fits So Jonah in the Whales belly Jon. 2.7 and those Isai 26.17 and it 's said of hypocrites They cry not when God bindes them Job 36.13 But this I call a serving God by fits and moods when all a mans religion is onely for a fit So long as such a Magistrate favours it and when he falls off they fall off as when Rehoboam forsook the Lord all Israel forsook the Law of the Lord with him 2 Chron. 12.1 So to have a fit of reformation so long as Gods hand is upon us after when his hand is taken away to be as bad as we were Psal 78.34 35 36. As there 's difference betwixt a well set colour in a persons face and a colour that arises from blushing so there 's difference betwixt fits and states of godliness Hypocrites have fits but not states Suddain heats and suddain colds argue an unhealthfull temperature in the body so doth it in the Spirit some are mightily lifted up at a Sermon by and by as presently cold Jehu hot against Baal cold against the Calves By the equality of pulse we judge of the body let us do so of the soul not by what it is in a fit A man may have a fit of crying Hosanna and next day cry Crucifie Our obedience should be like the fire of the Sanctuary that never went out 8 When a man willingly winks against light and will not see that which is either contrary to his lusts or may expose him to sufferings loath to read such Books hear such Preachers or meditate of such Scriptures as may inform him of such sins as he is loath to part with or to do such duties as he is unwilling to do Rom. 1.18 They with-hold the truth in unrighteousness Joh. 3.21 These are said not to come to the light lest their deeds should be discovered Matth. 13.15 They have closed up their eys 2 Pet. 3.5 They are willingly ignorant Isai 30.10 They say to the seers See not Contrarily sincere men have their hearts open to know the whole minde of God Acts 10.33 1 Sam. 3.17
18. 9 A care to reform the outward man with a neglect of the inward man Hypocrites are busiest in outward performances For example in matters of religion there 's the outward part and the inward part for the outward part as hearing presenting himself at worship Eccl. 8.10 He comes and goes to the place of the holy but for the inward part to wit the bleeding heart the melting affection the rectified will the inward washing of the heart Jer. 4.14 these he is a stranger from He is like a Bankrupt that makes show of all and more then all the wares he hath Matth. 15.7 8 9. Ye Hypocrites well did Isaiah say this people draweth nigh me with their lips but their heart is far from me Contrary the sincere Christian is like a rich Merchant that hath much more goods then is seen in Ware-houses and Cellars if he cleanse himself he labours not onely to cleanse his hands as Pilate did but he cleanses his heart Jam. 4.8 If he gives thanks he doth not onely lift up his hand but his heart to God in the heavens Lam. 3.40 He cleanses himself not onely from filthiness of the flesh but of the Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Jer. 4.14 If he give alms he draws out his soul to the hungry as well as his hand Isai 58.10 If he obey God in any command it 's from the heart Rom. 6.17 Col. 3.23 If he be baptized he cares not onely to have his body washed with pure water but to have his heart sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10.22 He doth not onely speak of good things with his tongue but the Law of God is in his heart Psal 37.31 Because the outward part is easie and glorious in the eys of the world the hypocrite will do that but the inward part being difficult and costly he will not do that 10 A following God in cheap and creditable duties but not in costly and dishonourable duties So Saul 1 Sam. 15.8 9. Saul destroyed the worst of the sheep and cattel every thing that was vile and refuse they destroyed utterly but for Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen and fatlings and all that was good they would not utterly destroy So when a duty is creditable a hypocrite will do it as to profess Religion forwardly where it is in credit as many hypocrites did in Josiah's time whose hypocrisie was seen when he was dead Contrarily sincere persons follow God in costly duties if duty cost them all their preferment and wealth they will part with it Luke 14.33 Heb. 11.25.26 They will not offer to God that which costs them nothing so in duties wherein there is no credit as David when he danced before the ark of God 2 Sam. 6.20 though Michal scoft at him yet would he do it 11 Self justification and translation of the fault upon others 1 Sam. 15.13 I have performed the commandment of the Lord but Samuel said What means the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the Oxen which I hear Saul answered v. 15. The people spared of the best of the sheep and of the Oxen. He laies the fault on the people v. 20 21. Contrarily sincere souls take the shame of their evils don to themselves 2 Sam. 24.17 Luke 15.18 When this frame of self justification is usual it s a bad temper See it in the Pharisee Luke 18.12 13. Contrary the publican But this sign I apply to an act rather then to a state of hypocrisie 12 The living in sin mean while pretending to be religious see it in that strumpet Prov. 7.14 she seemed very devout yet was an arrant strumpet see Eccles 8.10 Jer. 7.10 11. Herod Mark 6.20 In the midst of all his devotion he lived in incest by this was Jehu Saul c. discovered Deut. 26.13 14. One sin lived in proves a man an hypocrite Hab. 2.4 John 5.44 Psalm 19.13 Remedies against hypocrisie 1 Beg a sound heart of God that he would give thee a right Spirit Psalm 51.10.143.10 Psalm 139.24 Try me O Lord search me see if there be any way of wickedness in me Though Satan may tell thee God hears thee not because thou art an hypocrite yet mayest thou answer him He that confesses and forsakes shall finde mercy Prov. 28.13 2 Walk sutable to thy own principles beware what principles thou receivest but having received them and thy conscience having given judgement herein walk sutable to them It 's greatly hypocritical to have our principles go one way and our practice another yet ought there to be a tender respect to the principles of others judging that with as good a conscience they refrain that which you conscientiously seem to practise 3 Search thy heart to finde out thy hypocrisy and bewail it So Mr. Bradford was wont to call himself a painted hypocrite If we finde sincerity wrought in us let us hold fast the comfort of it Job 27.5 But if on the other side we finde we prefer our credit and profit before the Lord that we retain some darling sin and that we will not do some costly painfull or shamefull duty that we make clean the outside of the cup and platter but the inside is full of filth that we usually do that in secret we would not for a world should come abroad see that thou bewail all these hypocrisies thou being weary and heavy loaden with this sin as well as others art bid to come to Christ Matth. 11.28 Say not thou if thou have been an hypocrite all this while it will never be better if thou wilt not see the hypocrisie of thy heart and confess and bewail it before the Lord thou shalt never be better but if believingly thou mourn under it there is a fountain set open to wash thee from this as well as from other pollutions Zac. 13.1 1 John 1.7 8. And for the reliques of hypocrisie by often searching and bewailing they are weeded out every time a garden is weeded the weeds are the fewer and the herbs and flowers prosper better 4 Trace your hearts in your motives actings and ends It s hard for creatures to get lurking holes when they are closely hunted so hunt thy hypocrisie and it will hardly get harbour reflect upon thy self and consider the motives that set thee on work to do such an action was it the glory of God or thy own glory when thou denies thy self in such an enjoyment was it out of love to God or to get esteem Hezekiah thus traced his heart Esa 38.3 and so did David in the matter of Bathsheba hence he so prayes that God would renew a right spirit in him Probably Paul did the same Acts 9.9 and Peter Mark 14.72 when he thought thereon he wept the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he casting up Peter cast up how deceitfully he had dealt with Christ in denying him at such a time and for swearing and that three several times and that in the presence of his enemies upon a poor simple
Laws set by him in the creation without taking advice of any creature I have oft endeavoured to prescribe to God certain ways which he should use in the government of his Church and other things I said ah Lord I would have it done in this order this event but God did altogether the contrary from that which I had requested then did I think but my counsel is not strange from the glory of God but will conduce much to sanctifie his name It 's well thought but doubtless God laught at this my wisedome and said Go too I know thee to be wise and learned but it was never my manner that Peter or Martin should teach lead form govern me I am not a passive God but an active Luth. Tom. 4. in Gen. fol. 56. 2 Extraordinary when God works against or besides his appointed order as in dividing the waters of the red Sea Reas 1 Because all things yea the most contingent things in the world are ordered by it as the falling of a tyle Exod 21.13 the flying of the head of the ax from the helve and killing a man Deut. 19.5 yea the ordering of a lot Prov. 16.33 2 The order of things in the world prove it 1 Natural order the motions of the heavens the Sun warms the earth the ayr moistens it the earth brings forth the grass the beasts feed on it and man feeds on them Look on the fowls God appoints them their residence Psal 104.17 18. and so doth he for other creatures Yea the fowl knows her appointed time and changes her country according to the season of the year That there 's a place appointed for the waters that they may not overflow the earth Psal 104.7 8 9. that there are springs of waters in the Valleys to give drink to the beasts of the field v. 10. that there should be an intercourse of light and darkness that the wilde beasts should get them to their dens on the day time that man may follow his work that there should be such provisions made for all the inhabitants of the world all this proves to us a providence 2 Politick order In Courts of Justice one Officer depends on another as wheels in a clock and moves not without the first wheel How many thousands are provided for in their several trades one depending upon another How hath God made the City to depend upon the Country and the Country upon the City how do all creatures move at his command as soldiers at the command of the General 3 From the reasonable actions God puts into unreasonable creatures Prov. 6.6 7 8. the Pismire having no guide over-seer nor ruler provideth her meat in the summer Jer. 8.6 7. the Stork Crane Swallow know their appointed time Who hath put wisdome in their inward parts Job 38.36 4 Should God not take care of things below it 's either because he will not or cannot or knowes them not but to affirm any of these were blasphemy 5 In his provision he makes for all creatures Psal 145.15 The eyes of all wait on thee and thou givest them food in due season thou openest thy hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing Psal 104.28 That thou givest them they gather thou openest thy hand they are filled with good v. 30. Every Spring God renues the face of the earth Psal 147.9 He giveth to the Beast his food and to the young Ravens which cry compared vvith Job 38.41 See Job cap. 36 37 38 39. 6 In ordering the sins of men for his own glory and good of his Church The envy of Josephs brethren for the advancement of Joseph and the preservation of Jacobs posterity The treason of Bigthan and Teresh for the advancement of Mordecai Cyrus his ambition for the Churches deliverance Titus Vespasian who persecuted the Christians at Rome God orders his passion that he goes to revenge Christs death at Jerusalem Sennacheribs covetousness and pride to punish the hypocrisie of the Jews Isai 10.5 6 7. the covetousness of Judas and malice of the devil to accomplish the work of our redemption 7 In a special respect to the good of his people Besides a general providence in the world he hath a special providence for their good 1 Cor. 9.9 He is the Savior of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the preserver of all but specially of them that believe 2 Tim. 4.9 10. 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect with him Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye 8 In snaring the wicked in the work of their own hands Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands Higgaion Selah a thing to be meditated as Hierom renders it When Nebuchad-nezzar in his boasting is bereft of his wits Herod in his pomp eaten up of Worms the Philistims in their jollity have the house fall on them Judg. 16.30 who will not say they are taken in a snare 9 In making wicked men whether they will or no to do Gods will Acts 4.28 To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel had before determined to be done As in a kennel of hounds every one of them runs according to his natural inclination yet all of them serve the purpose of the Hunter And as in an Army of men one fights for honour another for spite another for pay yet all of them fight for victory for the Prince who sent them into the field so whatsoever wickedness evil men do they do but serve Gods providence and fulfill his will God sometimes changes their will sometimes stops it by offering consideration of good or ill danger or profit so that still he makes their wills serve his decree Use 1 Acknowledg this Providence in all thy undertakings God keeps us not onely waking but sleeping when we know not that we live then he observes our dreams in opposition of that tenent that God considers nothing but himself and is onely delighted in the beholding of himself in thy appointing future businesses James 4.15 16. Go to ye that say We will go to such a City and buy and sell c. Prov. 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledg him and he shall direct thy steps So did Eleazar for his Master Abraham Gen. 24. that he might get a Wife for Isaac but yet Eleazar did not neglect the use of means he that rightly looks to Gods providence is most carefull to use means When thou findest a treasure in digging of a field when thou escapest a fall in walking on a plank was it not God who brought thee to the one and saved thee from the other 2 Not to fear men to the balking of duty seeing Gods provicence takes care of us this stayed Davids heart when at Ziglag his Souldiers were at the point of stoning him 1 Sam. 30.6 He encouraged himself in