like an untamed Heifer which will not endure the yoke but kicks and flings or like a wilde Bull in a net Isa 51.20 Thus to a person in the state of nature Christs commands are grievous Nay to a childe of God so far as corruption prevails for he is but in part regenerate Christs Laws seem irksome the flesh cries out it cannot pray or suffer the Law in the members rebels against Christs Law only the spiritual part prevails and makes the flesh stoop to Christs injunctions A regenerate person so far as he is regenerate doth not count Gods Commandments grievous they are not a burden but a delight Divine commands are not grievous if we consider them first positively in these eight particulars 1. Positively 1. A Christian consents to Gods commands therefore they are not grievous Rom. 7.16 I◠consent to the Law that it is good What is done with consent is easie if the Virgin give her consent the Match goes on chearfully A godly man in his judgement approves of Christs Laws * Rom. 7.12 and in his will consents to them therefore they are not grievous a wicked man is under a force terror of conscience hales him to duty he is like a slave that is chained to the Gally he must work whether he will or no he is forced to pull the Rope tug at the Oare but a godly man is like a free subject that consents to his Princes Laws and obeyes out of choice as seeing the equity and rationality of them Thus a gracious heart sees that beauty and equity in the commands of heaven as draws forth consent and this consent makes them that they are not grievous 2. They are Christs comands therefore not grievous Take my yoak Matth. 11.29 Gospel commands are not the Laws of a Tyrant but a Saviour The husbands commands are not grievous to the wife it is her ambition to obey this is enough to animate and excite obedience Christ commands As Peter said in another sence Matth. 14.28 Lord if it be thou bid me come unto thee upon the water So saith a gracious soul Lord if it be thou that wouldest have me mourn for sin and breath after heart-purity if it be thou dear Saviour that biddest me do these things I will chearfully obey Thy commandments are not grievous A souldier at the word of his General makes a brave onset 3. Christians obey out of a principle of love and then Gods commandments are not grievous Therefore in Scripture serving and loving of God are put together Isa 56.6 The sons of the strangers that joyne themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord c. Nothing is grievous to him that loves love lightens a burden it adds wings to obedience an heart that loves God counts nothing tedious but it s own dulnesse and slownesse of motion love makes sin heavie and Christs burden light 4. A Christian is carried on auxilio Spiritus by the help of the Spirit and the Spirit makes every duty easie Rom. 8.26 The Spirit helpeth our infirmities The Spirit works in us the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both to will and to do Phil. 2. When God enables to do what he commands then his commandments are not grievous if two carry a burden it is easie the Spirit of God helps us to do duties to bear burdens it draws as it were in the yoke with us If the Scrivener guides the childs hand and helps it to frame its letters now it is not hard for the childe to write If the Loadstone draw the iron it is not hard for the iron to move if the Spirit of God as a Divine Loadstone draw and move the heart now it is not hard to obey When the birds hath wings given it it can flie Though the soul of it self be unable to do that which is good yet having two wings given it like that woman in the Revelation * Rev. 12 24. the wing of faith and the wing of the Spirit now it flyes swiftly in obedience Ezek 11.1 the Spirit did lift me up The heart is heavenly in prayer when the Spirit lifts it up The sails of a Mill cannot move of themselves but when the wind blows then they turn round when a gale of the Spirit blows upon the soul Now the sails of the affections move swiftly in duty 5. All Christs commands are beneficial therefore not grievous Deut. 10.12 13. And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to love him to keep his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Christs commands carries meat in the mouth of them and then surely they are not grievous salvation runs along in every precept To obey Christs Laws is not so much of duty as our privilege all Christs commands centre in blessednesse Physick is in it self very unpleasant yet because it tends to health no man refuseth it Divine Precepts are to the fleshy part irksome yet having such excellent operation as to make us both holy and happy they are not to be accounted grievous the apprentise is content to go through hard service because it makes way for his freedome The Scholar willingly wrastles with the knotty difficulties of Arts and Sciences because they serve both to enoble and advance him How chearfully doth a believer obey those Laws which reveal Christs love That suffering is not grievous which leads to a Crown This made Saint Paul say I take pleasure in infirmities in persecutions 2. Cor. 12.10 6. 'T is honourable to be under Christs commands therefore they are not grievous The precepts of Christ do not burden us but adorn us * Omnia quae praestari jubet Christus non onerant nos sed ornant Salv. 'T is an honour to be employed in Christs service How chearfully did the rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar the honour makes the precept easie a Crown of gold is in it self heavy but the honour of the Crown makes it light and easie to be worn I may say of every command of Christ as Solomon speaks of wisdom Prov. 4.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee 'T is honourable working at Court The honour of Christs yoake makes it easie and eligible 7. Christs commands are sweetned with joy and then they are not grievous Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a burden which is carried with joy and pleasure * Utrum onus appellandum quod laetitiá fertur Cicero When the wheeles of a Chariot are oyled they run swiftly when God poures in the oyle of gladnesse how fast doth the soul run in the wayes of his commandments Joy strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength and the more strength the lesse wearinesse God sometimes drops down comfort and then a Christian can run in the
Basil calls anger drunkennesse and Hierom saith there are more drunken with passion than with wine Seneca calls anger brevis insania a short fit of madnesse sometimes it suspends the use of reason in the best things we are coole enough in Religion we are all yce in contention all fire How unbeseeming is rash anger how doth it disguise and disfigure Homer saith of Agamemnon that when he did moderate his passion he resembled the gods he was like Jupiter in feature like Pallas in wisdom but when he was in his fury he was a very Tyger nothing of Jupiter did appear in him as Plato counselled the great Revellers and drinkers of his time that they should view themselves in a glasse when they were in their drunken humour and they would appear loathsome to themselves So let a man disguised with passion view himself in the glasse and sure he would ever after be out of love with himself Ora tument ira nigrescunt sanguine venae Ephes 4.26 27. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Divel Oh saith one he hath wrong'd me and I will never give place to him but better give place to him than to the Divel an hasty spirit is not a meek spirit Caution Caution Not but that we may in some cases be angry There is an holy anger that anger is without sin which is against sin meeknesse and zeal may stand together in matters of Religion a Christian must be cloathed with the spirit of Eliah and be full of the fury of the Lord Jer. 6.11 Christ was meek Mat. 11.29 yet zealous John 2.14 15. The zeal of Gods house did eat him up 2. Meekness is opposed to malice malice is the Divels picture John 8.44 Malice is mental murder 1 John 3.15 it unfits for duty How can such a man pray I have read of two men that lived in malice who being asked how they could say the Lords prayer one answered he thank'd God there were many good prayers besides The other answered when he said the Lords prayer he did leave out those words As we forgive them that trespass against us But Saint Austin brings in God replying Because thou dost not say my prayer therefore I will not hear thine * Quia tu non dicis meam ego non audiam tuam Were it not a sad judgement if all that a man did eat should turn to poyson to a malicious man all the holy Ordinances of God turn to poyson the table of the Lord is a snare he eats and drinks his own damnation a malicious spirit is not a meek spirit 3. Meekness is opposed to revenge malice is the scum of anger and revenge is malice boyling over malice is a vermin lives on blood revenge is Satans Nectar and Ambrosia * Nihil Diabolo gratius Luth. this is the savoury meat which the malicious man dresseth for the Divel the Scripture forbids revenge Rom. 12.19 Dearly Beloved avenge not your selves this is to take Gods office out of his hand who is called the God of recompences Jer. 51.56 and the God of vengeance Psal 94.1 This I urge against those who challenge one another to Duels indeed spiritual Duels are lawful it is good to fight with the Divel James 4.7 Resist the Divel 'T is good to Duel with a mans self the regenerate part against the carnal Blessed is he that seeks a revenge upon his lusts 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what revenge but other Duels are unlawful Avenge not your selves The Turks though a barbarous people did in Ancient times burn such as went to Duel in their sides with hot coals of fire they who were in heat of revenge were punished sutably with fire Object But if I am thus meek and tame in bearing of injuries and incivilities I shall lose my credit it will be a stain to my reputation Answ 1. To pass by an injury without revenge is no Eclipse to a mans credit Solomon tells us it is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression Prov. 12.11 'T is more honour to bury an injury than revenge it and to slight it than to write it down †* Melius est injurias ignoscere quam vindicare The weakest creatures soonest turn head and sting upon every touch the Lyon a more Majestick creature is not easily provoked the Bramble tears the Oak and Cedar are more peaceable passion imports weakness a noble spirit over-looks an injury Answ 2. Suppose a mans credit should suffer an impair with those whose censure is not to be valued yet think which is worse shame or sin Wilt thou sin against God to save thy credit surely it is little wisdom for a man to adventure his blood that he may fetch back his Reputation and to run into hell to be counted valorous 1. Not but that a man may stand up in defence of himself Caution 1 when his life is endangered Some of the Anabaptists hold it unlawful to take up the sword upon any occasion though when they get the Power I would be loth to trust them their river-water often turning to blood but questionless a man may take up the sword for self-preservation else he comes under the breach of the sixth Commandment he is guilty of self-murder in taking up the sword he doth not so much seek anothers death as the safe-guard of his own life his intention is not to do hurt but prevent it self-defence is consistent with Christian meekness the Law of Nature and Religion justifie it that God who bids us put up our sword Matth. 26.51 yet will allow us a buckler in our own defence and he that will have us innocent as Doves not to offend others will have us wise as serpents in preserving our selves Caution 2 2. Though revenge be contrary to meekness yet not but that a Magistrate may revenge the quarrels of others indeed 't is not revenge in him but doing justice The Magistrate is Gods Lieutenant on earth God hath put the sword in his hand and he is not to bear the sword in vain he must be in terrorem for the punishment of evil doers 1 Pet. 2.14 Though a private person must not render to any man evil for evil Rom. 12.17 yet a Magistrate may the evil of punishment for the evil of offence this rendring of evil is good Private men must put their sword into the sheath but the Magistrate sins if he doth not draw it out As his sword must not surfeit through cruelty so neither must it rust through partiality Too much lenity in a Magistrate is not meekness but injustice for him to indulge offences and say with a gentle reproof as Eli 1 Sam. 2.23 24. Why do you such things nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear This is but to shave the head that deserves to be cut off such a Magistrate makes himself guilty 4. Meekness is opposed to evil-speaking Eph. 4.31 Let all evil-speaking be
winds in a Voyage as the spiritual Pilots of Gods Church do when they are transporting souls to heaven 1. Some hearers have bad memories Jam. 1.25 Their memories are like leaking Vessels all the precious wine of holy Doctrine that is poured in runs out presently Ministers cannot by study find a truth so fast as others can lose it if the meat doth not stay in the stomack it can never breed good blood if a truth delivered doth not stay in the memory we can never be as the Apostle saith Nourished up in the words of faith 1 Tim. 4.6 How often doth the Divel that Fowle of the Aire pick up the good seed that is sown * Verbum Dei suffurante Diabolo memoriâ excidit If Thieves steal away peoples money they tell every one and make their complaint they have been Robbed but there is a worse Thief they are not aware of How many Sermons hath the Devil stollen from them how many truths have they been robbed of which might have been so many death-bed cordials now if the Word preached slides so fast out of the memory Ministers had need the oftner go up the preaching Mount that at last some truth may abide and be as a nail fastened by the Masters of Assemblies 2. The Ears of many of our hearers are stop't with earth I mean the cares of the world that the Word preached will not enter according to that in the Parable Hearing they hear not Matth. 13.13 We read of Saul his eyes were open yet he saw no man Acts 9.8 A strange Paradox and is it not as strange that mens ears should be open yet in hearing hear not * Fanus pecuniae funus anima They mind not what is said Ezek. 33.31 They sit before thee as my people sitteth but their heart goeth after their covetousness Many sit and stare the Minister in the face yet scarce know a word he saith they are thinking of their wares and drugs and are often casting up accounts in the Church If a man be in a Mill though you speak never so loud to him he doth not hear you for the noise of the Mill. We preach to men about matters of salvation but the Mill of worldly business makes such a noise that they cannot hear in hearing they hear not It being thus Ministers who are called sons of thunder had need often ascend the Mount and lift up their voice like a Trumpet * 〈◊〉 58.1 that the deaf ear may be seringed and unstopped and may hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches Revel 2.7 3. Others as they have earth in their ears so they have a stone in their hearts Zach. 7.12 They made their hearts as an Adamant stone lest they should hear the Law The Ministers of Christ therefore must be frequently brandishing the Sword of the Spirit and striking at mens sins that if possible they may at last pierce the heart of stone When the earth is scorch'd with the Sun it is so hard and crusted together that a showre of rain wil not soften it there must be showre after showre before it will be either moist or fertil such an hardned piece is the heart of man naturally it is so stiffned with the scorchings of lust that there must be Precept upon precept Isa 28.10 Our Doctrine must distill as the dew as the small rain on the tender herb and the showers upon the grass Deut. 32.2 6. Christs Ministers according to the example of their Lord and Master should take all occasions of doing good not only in regard of Gods Glory but their own Comfort What triumph is it and cause of gladness when a Minister can say on his death-bed Lord I have done the work which thou gavest me to do I have been trading for souls When a Minister comes to the Mount of glory the heavenly Mount it will be a great comfort to him that he hath been so often upon the preaching Mount. Certainly if the Angels in heaven rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner Luk. 15. how shall that Minister rejoyce in heaven over every soul that he hath been instrumental to convert every convert gained as it shall adde a member to Christs body so a jewel to a Ministers Crown Dan. 12.3 They that are wise or as the Original carries it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They that are Teachers shall shine not as Lamps or Tapers but as Stars fulgebunt sicut Stellae not as Planets but fixed Stars in the firmament of glory for ever And though Israel be not gathered yet shall Gods Ministers be glorious in the eyes of the Lord Isa 49.5 God will reward them not according to their success but their diligence * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost When they are a savour of death to men yet they are a sweet savour to God In an Orchard the Labourer that Fells a Tree is rewarded as well as he that Plants a Tree the Chyrurgions Bill is paid though the Patient dye SECT 1. Use 1 First LET me crave liberty to speak a word to the Elisha's my Reverend and Honoured Brethren in the Ministry You are engaged in a glorious service God hath put great Renown upon you he hath entrusted you with two the most precious jewels his TRUTHS and the SOULS of his people never was this honour confer'd upon any Angel to convert souls What Princely Dignity can parallel this The Pulpit is higher than the Throne for a truly constituted Minister represents no less than God himself 2 Cor. 5.20 As though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Give me leave to say as the Apostle Rom. 11.13 I magnifie my Office Whatever our Persons are the Office is Sacred The Ministry is the most honourable imployment in the World Jesus Christ hath graced this calling by his entring into it other men work in their Trade Ministers work with God 1 Cor. 3.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are labourers together with God O high honour God and his Ministers have one and the same work they both negotiate about souls Let the sons of the Prophets wear this as their Crown and Diadem but while I tell you of your Dignity do not forget your Duty Imitate this blessed pattern in the Text the Lord Jesus who seeing be multitudes he went up and taught He took all occasions of preaching sometimes he taught in the Temple Mark 14.49 sometimes in a Ship Mark 4.1 and here upon the Mount his lips were a Tree of life that fed many How often did he neglect his food that he might feast others with his Doctrine Let all the Ministers of Christ tread in his steps make Christ not only your Saviour but your Samplar suffer no opportunities to slip wherein you may be helpful to the souls of others be not content to go to heaven your selves but be as the Primum Mobile which draws other orbs along with it be such shining Lamps that
God Wilt thou repine and be sad when thou art blessed Esau wept because he wanted the blessing Gen. 27.38 Bless me even me also O my Father and Esau lift up his voice and wept But shall a child of God be immoderately cast down when he hath the blessing Adam sin'd in the midst of Paradise how evil is it to be blessed and yet murmure Branch 4 Branch 4. What an encouragement is this to godliness we are all ambitious of a blessing then let us espouse Religion Psal 112.1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. But you will say this way is everywhere spoken against 't is no matter seeing this is the way to get a blessing Suppose a Rich man should adopt another for his heir and others should reproach him he cares not as long as he is heir to the Estate So what though others may reproach thee for thy Religion as long as it entails a blessing upon thee the same day thou becomest godly thou becomest blessed CHAP. IV. MATTH 5. â— Blessed are the Poor in Spirit HAving spoken of the general notion of blessedness I come next to consider the Subjects of this blessedness and these our Saviour hath decyphered to be the Poor in Spirit the mourners c. But before I touch upon these I shall a little Preface or Paraphrase upon this Sermon of the Beatitudes 1. Observe the Divinity in this Sermon which goes beyond all Philosophy The Philosophers use to say contrarium contrarium expellit one contrary expels another but here one contrary begets another poverty useth to expel riches but here poverty begets riches for how rich are they that have a Kingdom mourning useth to expel joy but behold here mourning begets joy They shall be comforted Water useth to quench the flame but the water of tears kindles the flame of joy Persecution useth to expel happiness but here it makes happy Blessed are they that are persecuted These are the sacred Paradoxes in our Saviours Sermon * Evangelicam Philosophiam à Paradoâ—is inchoavit Dominus â—nd Clâ—â— 2. Observe how Christs Doctrine and the opinion of carnal men differ They think beati divites blessed are the rich The world would count him blessed who could have Midas wish that all he touch'd might be turn'd into gold But Christ saith Beati pauperes blessed are the poor in spirit The world thinks Blessed are they on the Pinacle but Christ pronounceth them blessed who are in the Valley Christs reckonings and the worlds do not agree 3. Observe the nature of true Religion Poverty leads the Van and Persecution brings up the Reare Christianus quasi Crucianus Every true Saint saith Luther is heire to the Crosse Some there are who would be thought religious displaying Christs Colours by a glorious profession but to be poor in spirit and persecuted durus hic sermo they cannot take down this bitter pill they would weare Christs Jewels but wave his Crosse these are strangers to Religion 4. Observe the certain connexion between grace and its reward they who are poor in spirit shall have the kingdom of God They are as sure to go to heaven as if they were in heaven already Our Saviour would encourage men to Religion by sweetning Commands with Promises he ties duty and reward together As in the body the veines carry the blood and the arteries the spirits so one part of these Verses carries Duty and the other part carries reward As that Scholar of Apelles painted Helena richly drawn in costly and glorious apparel hung all over with orient pearl and precious stones So our Lord Christ having set down several qualifications of a Christian poor in spirit pure in heart c. draws these heavenly vertues in their fair colours of blessednesse and sets the magnificent crown of reward upon them that by this oriency he might the more set forth their unparallel'd beauty and entice holy love 5. Observe hence the concatenation of the graces poor in spirit meek merciful c. where there is one grace there is all As they say of the Cardinal vertues virtutes sunt inter se connexae the vertues are chained together so we may say of the graces of the Spirit they are link'd and chain'd together he that hath poverty of Spirit is a mourner he that is a mourner is meek he that is meek is merciful c. The Spirit of God plants in the heart an habit of all the graces the new creature hath all the parts and lineaments as in the body there is a composition of all the Elements and a mixture of all the humours The graces of the Spirit are like a Row of pearl which hang together upon the string of Religion and serve to adorn Christs Bride This I note to shew you a difference between an hypocrite and a true child of God The hypocrite flatters himself with a pretence of grace but in the mean time he hath not an habit of all the graces he hath not poverty of spirit nor purity of heart whereas a child of God hath all the graces in his heart at least radically though not gradually These things being premised I come in particular to those heavenly dispositions of soul to which Christ hath affixed blessedness And the first is POVERTY of SPIRIT Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Chrysostom and Theophylact are of opinion that this was the first Sermon that ever Christ made therefore it may challenge our best attention Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Our Lord Christ being to raise an high and stately Fabrick of blessedness lays the foundation of it low in poverty of Spirit but all poverty is not blessed * Non omnis paupertas beata Bâ—ugensis I shall use a four-fold distinction 1. I distinguish between Poor in Estate and Poor in Spirit there are the Divels poor poor and wicked whose cloaths are not more torn than their conscience There are some whose poverty is their sin who through Improvidence or Excess have brought themselves to want these may be poor in Estate but not poor in Spirit 2. I distinguish between spiritually Poor and Poor in spirit he who is without grace is spiritually poor but he is not poor in Spirit he knows not his own beggery Rev. 3.17 Thou knowest not that thou art Poor He is in the worst sense poor who hath no sense of his poverty 3. I distinguish between Poor-spirited and Poor in spirit They are said to be poor-spirited who have mean base spirits who act below themselves 1. As they are men such are those Misers which having great Estates yet can hardly afford themselves bread who live sneakingly and are ready to wish their own throats cut because they are forced to spend something in satisfying Natures demands This Solomon calls an evil under the Sun Eccles 6.2 There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun a man to whom God hath given Riches so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desireth yet
evils A true penitentiary is troubled not only for the shameful consequence of sin but the loathsome nature of sin not only the sting of sin but the deformed face How did the Leper loath himself Lev. 13.45 The Hebrew Doctors say the Leper pronounced unclean was to put a covering on his upper lip both as a Mourner and in token of shame * Maimony cap. 10. The true Mourner cries out O these impure eyes this heart which is a conclave of wickedness he not only leaves sin but loaths fin he that is fallen in the dirt loaths himself * Hos 14.1 7. Gospel-Mourning must be purifying our tears must make us more holy we must so weep for sin as to weep out sin our tears must drown our sins we must not only mourn but turn Joel 2.12 Turn to me with weeping What is it to have a watry eye and a whorish heart 't is foolish to say it is day when the Aire is full of darkness So to say thou repentest when thou drawest dark shadows in thy life It is an excellent saying of St. Austin He doth truly bewail the sins he hath committed who never commits the sins he hath bewailed * Ille vere plaugit commâ—ssaqui non commutit plungenda Aug. True Mourning is like the water of jealousie * Num. 5.12 it makes the Thigh of sin to rot Psal 74.14 Thou breakâ—st the heads of the Dragons in the waters The heads of our sins these Dragons are broken in the waters of true Repentance true tears are cleansing they are like a Flood that carries away all the rubbish of our sins with it the waters of holy Mourning are like the River Jordan wherein Naaman washed and was cleansed of his Lepâ—osie 'T is reported there is a River in Sicilia where if the blackest sâ—eep are bathed they become white so though our sins be as scarlet yet by washing in this River of Repentance they become white as snow Naturalists say of the serpent before it goes to drink it vomits out its poyson in this be wise as serpents before thou thinkest to drink down the sweet cordials of the promises cast up the poyson that lies at your heart do not only mourn for sin but break from sin 8. Gospel-Mourning must be joyned with hatred of sin 2 Cor. 7.11 What indignation We must not only abstain from sin but abhor sin the Dove hates the least feather of the Hawk * Aldrovand a true Mourner hates the least motion to sin a true Mourner is a sin hater Amnen hated Tamar more than ever he loved her 2 Sam. 13.5 To be a sin-hater implies two things 1. To look upon sin as the most deadly evil a complicated evil it looks more ghastly than death or hell 2. To be implacably incensed against it a sin-hater will never admit of any terms of peace the War between him and sin is like the War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam 1 Kings 14.30 There was War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their dayes Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot true Mourning begins in the love of God and ends in the hatred of sin 9. Gospel-Mouâ—ning in some cases is joyned with Restitution 't is as well a sin to violate the name as the chastity of another if we have eclipsed the good name of others we are bound to ask them forgiveness * Fama pari passu ambulat cum vita if we have wronged them in their Estate by unjust fraudulent dealing we must make them some compensation Thus Zacheus Luk. 19.8 If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him four-fold according to that Law Exod. 22.1 Saint James bids us not only look to the heart but the hand James 4.8 Cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts if thou hast wronged another cleanse thy hands by Restitution be assured without Restitution no Remission * Non remittitur peccatura nisi restituatur ablatum Aug. 10. Gospel-Mourning must be a speedy Mourning We must take heed of adjourning our Repentance and putting it off till death as David said I will pay my vows now Psal 116.18 so should a Christian say I will mourn for sin now Luke 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep now as Popilus the Roman Legat when he was sent to Antiochus the King made a Circle round about the King and bade him make his answer before he went out of that Circle so God hath incircled us in the compass of a little time and chargeth us presently to bewail our sins Acts 17.30 Now God calleth everywhere to repent we know not whether we may have another day granted us Oh let us not put off our Mourning for sin till the making of our will Do not think holy Mourning is only a death-bed duty you may seek the blessing with tears as Isaac when it is too late Quamdiu cras saith Austin How long shall I say I will repent to morrow why not at this instant Mora trahit periculum Caesars deferring to read his letter before he went to the Senate house cost him his life The true Mourner makes haste to meet an angry God as Jacob did his brother and the Present he sends before is the sacrifice of tears 11. Gospel-Mourning for sin is constant there are some who at a Sermon will shed a few tears but this land-flood is soon dryed up the hypocrites sorrow is like a vein opened and presently stopped the Hebrew word for Eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies also a Fountain to shew that the eye must run like a Fountain for sin and not cease but it must not be like the Lybian Fountain of the Sun which the Ancients speak of in the Morning the water is hot at Mid-day cold the waters of Repentance must not overflow with more heat in the Morning at the first hearing of the Gospel and at Mid-day in the midst of health and prosperity grow cold and be ready to freeze no it must be quotidianus planctus a daily weeping as Paul said 1 Cor. 16.31 I dye daily so should a Christian say I mourn daily Therefore keep open an issue of godly sorrow and be sure it be not stopped till death Lam. 2.18 Let not the apple of thine eye cease It is reported of holy Mr. Bradford scarce a day passed him wherein he did not shed some tears for sin daily mourning is a good antidote against back-sliding I have read of one that had an Epilepsie or falling sickness and being dipped in Sea-water was cured the washing of our souls daily in the brinish waters of Repentance is the best way both to prevent and cure the falling into Relapses Even Gods own children must mourn after pardon for God in pardoning doth not pardon at one instant sinnes past and furure but as repentance is renewed so pardon is renewed should God by one act pardon sinnes future as well as past this would make void part of Christs Office What need were
it were high-water in the soul 1. When there are indicia irae tokens of Gods Season 1 wrath breaking forth in the Nation England hath been under Gods black Rod these many years the Lord hath drawn the Sword and it is not yet put up O that our tears may blunt the edge of this Sword when it is a time of treading down now is a time of breaking up the fallow ground of our hearts Isa 22.4 5. Therefore said I look away from me I will weep bitterly for it is a time of treading down Joel 2.2 13. A day of darkness and of gloominess a day of cloud c. therefore turn ye even to me with weeping and with mourning Rain follows thunder When God thunders in a Nation by his judgements now the showres of tears must distil When God smites upon our back we must smite upon our thigh Jer. 31.19 When God seems to stand upon the Threshold of the Temple as if he were ready to take his wings and flie * Ezek. 10.4 then is a time to lie weeping between the Porch and the Altar If the Lord seems to be packing up and carrying away his Gospel it is now high time to mourn that by our teares possibly his Repentings may be kindled Season 2 2. Before the performing solemn duties of Gods Worship as Fasting or receiving the Lords Supper Christian Art thou to seek God in an extraordinary manner seek him sorrowing Luk. 2.48 Wouldst thou have the smiles of Gods face the kisses of his lips set open all the springs of Mourning and then God will draw nigh to thee in an Ordinance and say Here I am Isa 58.9 When Jacob wept then he found God in Bethel Hos 12.4 He named the name of the place Peniel for saith he I have seen God face to face Gen. 32.30 Give Christ the Wine of thy tears to drink and in the Sacrament he will give thee the Wine of his blood to drink Season 3 3. After scandalous relapses though I will not say with Donatus there is no mercy for sins of recidivation or relapse yet I say there 's no mercy without bitter Mourning Scandalous sins reflect dishonour upon Religion 2 Sam 12.14 Therefore now our Cheeks should be covered with blushing and our eyes bedewed with tears Peter after his denying Christ wept bitterly Christian hath God given thee over to any enormous sin as a just reward of thy pride and security go into the weeping Bath Sins of infirmity injure the soul but scandalous sins wound the Gospel Lesser sins grieve the Spirit but greater sins vex the Spirit Isa 63.9 And if that blessed Dove weeps shall not we weep When the Aire is dark then the dew falls when we have by scandalous sin darkned the lustre of the Gospel now is the time for the dew of holy tears to fall from our eyes SECT 7. Setting forth the Degrees of Mourning NEXT to the seasons of Mourning let us consider the degree of it the Mourning for sin must be a very great Mourning the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports a great sorrow such as is seen at the Funeral of a dear friend * Gravissima peâ—cata gravissimis lamentis indigent Aug. Zach. 12.10 They shall look on me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one that mourneth for his only son The sorrow for an only child is very great such must be the sorrow for sin Ver. 11. In that day there shall be great Mourning as the Mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon In that Valley Josiah that famous and pious Prince was cut off by an untimely death at whose Funeral there was bitter lamentation thus bitterly must we bewail not the death but the life of our sins Now then to set forth the graduation of sorrow 1. Our Mourning for sin must be so great as to exceed all other grief Elies Mourning for the Ark was such that it swallowed up the loss of his two children spiritual grief must preponderate all other We should mourn more for sin than the loss of friends or estate 2. We should indeavour to have our sorrow rise up to the same heighth and proportion as our sin doth Manasseh was a great sinner and a great Mourner 2 Chron. 33.12 He humbled himself greatly Manasseh made the streets run with blood and he made the prison in Babylon run with tears * Ut scilicet peccatum lachrymis lavaret Ambr. Peter wept bitterly â— A true Mourneâ— labours that his Repentance may be as eminent as his sin is transcendent SECT 8. Shewing the Opposite to holy Mourning HAving shewn the nature of Mourning I shall next shew what is the Opposite to holy Mourning The Opposite to Mourning is hardness of heart which in Scripture is called Cor lapideum an heart of stone Ezek. 36. An heart of stone is far from Mourning and Relenting this heart of stone is known by two symptomes 1. Insensibility A stone is not sensible of any thing lay weight upon it grind it to powder it doth not feel so it is with an hard heart it is insensible of sin or wrath the stone in the Kidneys is felt but not the stone in the heart Ephes 4.19 Who being past feeling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. An heart of stone is known by its inflexibility A stone will not bend durum est quod non cedit tactui so it is with an hard heart it will not comply with Gods Command it will not stoop to Christs Scepter an heart of stone will sooner break by death than bend by Repentance it is so far from yielding to God that with the Anvil it beats back the Hammer it resists the Holy Ghost Acts 7.51 Oh Christians if you would be spiritual Mourners take heed of this stone of the heart Hebr. 3.7 Harden not your hearts A stony heart is the worst heart if it were brazen it might be melted in the furnace if Iron it might be bowed with the Hammer but a stony heart is such that only the Arme of God can break and the blood of God can soften Oh the misery of an hard heart 1. An hard heart is void of all grace while the Wax is hard it will not take the impression of the seal the heart while it is hard will not take the stamp of grace it must first be made tender and melting the Plow of the Word will not go upon an hard heart 2. An hard heart is good for nothing but to make fuel for hell-fire Rom. 5.2 After thy hardness of heart thou treasurest up wrath Hell is full of hard hearts there is not one soft heart there there is weeping there but no softness We read of Vessels fitted for destruction Rom. 9.22 Impenitency fits these Vessels for hell and makes them like sere Wood which is fit to burn 3. Hardness of heart makes a mans condition worse than all his other sins besides if one be guilty of great sins yet if he can mourn
lived a very civil life go home and mourn because thou art but civil many a mans civility being rested upon hath damned him 'T is sad for men to be without repentance but 't is worse to need no repentance Luke 15.7 9. Tears are but finite 't is but awhile that we shall Motive 9 weep after a few showres that fall from our eyes we shall have a perpetual sunshine in heaven the bottle of tears is stopt Rev. 7. ult God shall wipe away all tears when sin shall cease tears shall cease Psal 30.5 Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning in the morning of the Ascension then shall all tears be wiped away Motive 10 10. The benefit of holy mourning the best of our commodities come by water 1. Mourning doth make the soul fruitful in grace When a showre falls the herbs and plants grow Isaiah 16.9 I will water thee with my tears O Heshbon I may allude to it tears water our graces and make them flourish Psal 104 10. he sends his springs into the vallies that is the reason the vallies flourish with corn because the springs run there where the springs of sorrow run there the heart bears a fruitful crop Leah was tender-eyed she had a watry eye and was fruitful the tender-eyed Christian usually brings more of the fruits of the Spirit a weeping eye is the water-pot to water our graces 2. Mourning doth fence us against the Divels Tentations Tentations are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fiery darts Ephes 6.16 because indeed they set the soul on fire Tentations enrage anger inflame lust now the waters of holy Mourning quench these fiery darts wet powder will not soon take the fire when the heart is wetted and moistned with sorrow it will not so easily take the fire of Tentation tears are the best Engines and Water-works to quench the Divels fire * Faciem nostram debemus magis lachrymis rigare quaem lavacris and if there be so much profit and benefit in Gospel-sorrow then let every Christian wash his face every Morning in the Lavor of tears †11. And lastly to have a melting frame of spirit is Motive 11 a great sign of Gods presence with us in an Ordinance 't is a sign the Sun of righteousness hath risen upon us when our frozen hearts thaw and melt for sin it is a saying of St. Bernard By this you may know whether you have met with God in a duty when you find your selves in a melting and mourning frame we are apr to measure all by comfort we think we never have Gods presence in an Ordinance unless we have joy herein we are like Thomas unless saith he I shall see in his hands the print of the nails I will not believe John 20.25 So are we apt to say Unless we have incomes of comfort we will not believe that we have found God in a duty but if our hearts can melt kindly in tears of love this is a real sign that God hath been with us as Jacob said Gen. 28.16 Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not So Christian when thy heart breaks for sin and dissolves into holy tears God is in this duty though thou knowest it not Methinks all that hath been said should make us spiritual Mourners perhaps we have tryed to mourn and cannot but therefore as a man that hath digged so many fathoms deep for water and can find none at last he digs till he finds a spring so though we have been digging for the water of tears and can find none yet let us weigh all that hath been said and set our hearts again to work and perhaps at last we may say as Isaacs servants Gen. 26.32 We have found water When the herbs are pressed the watery juyce comes out these eleven serious Motives may press out tears from the eye Quest But may some say My constitution is such that I cannot weep I may as well go to squeeze a Rock as think to get a tear Answ But if thou canst not weep for sin can'st thou grieve Intellectual mourning is best there may be sorrow where there are no tears * Curae loves loquuntur ingentes stupent the Vessel may be full though it wants vent it is not so much the weeping eye God respects as the broken heart yet I would be loth to stop their tears who can weep God stood looking on Hezekiahs tears Isa 38.5 I have seen thy tears Davids tears made Musick in Gods ears Psal 6.8 The Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping 'T is a sight fit for Angels to behold tears as pearls dropping from a penitent eye CHAP. IX Shewing the hindrances of mourning Quest BUT what shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame Answ Do two things 1. Take heed of those things which will stop these Channels of mourning 2. Put your selves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning 1. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears there are nine hindrances of mourning Hindr. 1 1. The love of sin the love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water the love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin-bewitcheth the heart Saint Hierom saith it is worse to love sin than to commit it A man may be overtaken with sin Gal. 6.1 And he that hath stumbled upon sin unawares will weep but the love of sin hardens the heart keeps the Divel in possession in true mourning there must be a grieving for sin but how can a man grieve for that sin which his heart is in love with oh take heed of this sweet poyson the love of sin freezeth the soul in impenitency Hindr. 2 2. Despair despair affronts God undervalues Christs blood damns the soul Jerem. 8.12 They said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart This is the language of despair there is no hope I had as good follow my sins still and be damned for something despair presents God to the soul as a Judge clad in the garments of vengeance Isa 59.17 Judas his despair was in some sense worse than his Treason Despair destroys Repentance for the proper ground of Repentance is mercy Rom. 2.4 The goodness of God leads thee to Repentance But despair hides mercy out of sight as the cloud covered the Ark Exod. 39. Oh take heed of this Despair is an irrational sin there is no ground for it the Lord shews mercy to thousands why mayest not thou be one of a thousand the wings of Gods mercy like the wings of the Cherubims are stretched out to every humble penitent though thou hast been a great sinner yet if thou art a weeping sinner there 's a golden Scepter of mercy held forth Psal 103.11 Despair locks up the soul in impenitency 3. A conceit
that could finde out a new pleasure but the comforts of the Spirit are satisfactory they recruit the heart Psal 94.19 Thy comforts delight my soul There is as much difference between heavenly comforts and earthly as between a banquet that is eaten and one that is painted on the wall 6. The comforts God gives his Mourners in this life are glorious comforts 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy full of glory 1. They are glorious because they are a prelibation and fore-taste of that joy which we shall have in a glorified estate * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys These comforts are an handsel and earnest of glory they put us in heaven before our time Ephes 1.13 14. Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit which is an earnest of the inheritance the earnest is part of the sum behind so the comforts of the Spirit are the earnest the cluster of grapes at Eshcol * Num. 13.23 the first-fruits of the heavenly Canaan 2. The joyes of the Spirit are glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to other joyes which compared with these are inglorious and vile A carnal mans joy as it is aery and flashy so it is sordid he sucks nothing but dregs Amos 6.13 Ye rejoyce in a thing of naught A carnal spirit rejoyceth because he can say this house is his this estate is his but a gracious spirit rejoyceth because he can say this God is his Psal 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever The ground of a Christians joy is glorious he rejoyceth in that he is an heir of the promise the joy of a godly man is made up of that which is the Angels joy he triumphs in the light of Gods countenance his joy is that which is Christs own joy he rejoyceth in the mystical union which is begun here and consummate in heaven Thus the joy of the Saints is a joy full of glory 7. The comforts which God gives his Mourners are infinitely transporting and ravishing so delightful are they and amazing that they cause a jubilation which as some of the Learned speak is so great that it cannot be expressed * Jubiliatio dicitur cum cordis laetitia oris efficacia non expletur of all things joy is the most hard to be deciphered 't is called laetitia inenarrabilis joy unspeakable 1 Pet. 1.8 You may sooner taste honey then tell how sweet it is the most pathetical words can no more set forth the comforts of the Spirit then the most curious Pensil can draw the life and breath of a man the Angels cannot express the joyes they feel some have been so overwhelmed with the sweet raptures of joy that they have not been able to contain but as Moses have dyed * Plurimis mortem attulit gaudium ingens Gell. with a kiss from Gods mouth Thus have we seen the glass oft breaking with the strength of the liquor put into it 8. These comforts of the Spirit are powerful they are strong cordials so the Apostle phraseth it Hebr. 6.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong consolation Divine comfort 1. Strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength Joy whets and sharpens industry a man that is steeled and animated with the comforts of Gods Spirit goes with vigour and alacrity through the exercises of Religion he believes firmly he loves fervently he is carried full sail in duty the joy of the Lord is his strength 2. Divine comfort supports under affliction 1 Thes 1.6 Having received the Word in much affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with joy The wine of the Spirit can sweeten the waters of Marah * Amaritudines mundi dulces reddit Aug. They who are possessed of these heavenly comforts can gather grapes of thorns and fetch honey out of the Lyons carcass They are strong consolations indeed that can stand it out against the fiery tryal and turn the flame into a bed of Roses How powerful is that comfort which can make a Christian glory in tribulation Rom. 5.3 A believer is never so sad but he can rejoyce the Bird of Paradise can sing in Winter 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowing yet alwayes rejoycing Let sickness come the sense of pardon takes away the sense of pain The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick Isa 33.24 Let death come a Christian is above it O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 At the end of the Rod a Christian tastes honey these are strong consolations 9. The comforts Gods Mourners have are heart-quieting comforts they cause a sweet acquiescence and rest in the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Ech. The heart of a Christian is in a kind of ataxy and discomposure like the Needle in the Compass it shakes and trembles till the Comforter comes Some creatures cannot live but in the Sun a Christian is even dead in the Nest unless he may have the Sun-light of Gods countenance Psal 143.7 Hide not thy face from me lest I be like them that go down into the pit Nothing but the breast will quiet the child 't is only the breast of consolation quiets the believer 10. The comforts of the Spirit are abiding comforts as they abound in us so they abide with us John 14.16 He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Worldly comforts are still upon the wing ready to flie they are like a land-flood or a flash of lightning Mart. Saepe fluunt imo sic quoque lapsa sinu All things here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the comforts with which God feeds his Mourners are immortal 2 Thes 2.16 Who hath loved us and hath given us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 everlasting consolation Though a Christian hath not always a full beam of comfort yet he hath a dawning of it in his soul he hath still a ground of hope and a root of joy there is that within him which bears up his heart and which he would not on any terms part with Use Use Behold the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted David who was the great Mourner of Israel was the sweet singer of Israel The weeping Dove shall be covered with the golden feathers of comfort O how rare and superlative are these comforts Quest But may not Gods Mourners want these comforts Answ Spiritual Mourners have a title to these comforts yet they may sometimes want them God is a free Agent he will have the timing of our comforts he hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a self-freedom to do what he will The holy one of Israel will not be limited he will reserve his Prerogative to give or suspend comfort pro libitu and if we are awhile without comfort we must not quarrel with his dispensations for as the Mariner is not to wrangle with Providence because the wind blows out of the East when he desires it to blow out of the West nor is the Husbandman to murmure when God stops the bottles of heaven in
he will with me let him take the rod or the staffe 't is all one he loves me 2. The second adoptional priviledge is this if we are Privi ∣ ledge 2 children then God will bear with many infirmities A father bears much with a child he loves Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him We oft grieve the Spirit abuse kindnesse God will passe by much in his children Numb 23.21 he hath not seene iniquity in Jacob his love doth not make him blind he sees sin in his people but not with an eye of revenge but pity He sees sin in his children as a Physitian doth a disease in his Patient He hath not seene iniquity in Jacob so as to destroy him God may use the rod 2 Sam. 7.14 not the Scorpion O how much is God willing to passe by in his children because they are children God takes notice of the good that is in his children and passeth by the infirmity God doth quite contrary to us we oft take notice of the evil that is in others and over-look the good Our eye is upon the flaw in the Diamond but we observe not its sparkling But God takes notice of the good that is in his children God sees their faith and winks at their failings 1 Pet. 3.6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord the holy Ghost mentions not her unbelief and laughing at the promise but takes notice of the good in her viz. her obedience to her husband she obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. God puts his finger upon the fears and infirmities of his children how much did God wink at in Israel his first-born Israel oft provok'd him with their murmurings Deut. 1.27 but God answered their murmurings with mercies he spared them as a father spares his son 3. The third priviledge is this If we are children Privi ∣ ledge 3 then God will accept of our imperfect services A Parent takes any thing in good part from his child God accepts of the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 oftentimes we come with broken prayers but if we are children God spels out our meaning and will take our prayers as a grateful present a father loves to hear his child speak though he doth but lisp and stammar Isa 38.14 Like a Crane so did I chatter Good Hezekiah looked upon his praying as chattering yet that prayer was heard ver 5. a Sigh and groan from an humble heart goes up as the smoak of incense Psal 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee When all the glistering shews of Hypocrites evaporate and come to nothing a little that a child of God doth in sincerity is crowned with acceptance a father is glad of a letter from his son though there are blots in the letter though there are false spellings and broken English O what blottings are there in our holy things what broken English sometimes yet coming from broken hearts it is accepted though there be weaknesse in duty yet if there be willingnesse the Lord is much taken with it Saith God it is my child and he would do better Ephes 1.6 He hath accepted us in the beloved Privi ∣ ledge 4 4. If we are children then God will provide for us a father will take care for his children he gives them allowance and layes up a portion 2 Cor. 12.14 so doth our heavenly Father 1. He gives us our allowance Gen. 48.15 The God which fed me all my life long unto this day Whence is our dayly bread but from his dayly care God will not let his children starve though our unbelief is ready sometimes to question his goodnesse and say Can God prepare a Table See what arguments Christ brings to prove Gods paternal care for his children Matth. 6.26 Behold the fowles of the aire they sow not neither do they reap yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Doth a man feed his bird and will he not feed his child Luke 12.27 Consider the Lilies how they grow they toyl not they spin not if then God so cloath the grasse c Doth God cloath the Lilies and will he not cloath his Lambs 1 Pet. 5.7 the Lord careth for us As long as his heart is full of love so long his head will be full of care This should be as physick to kill the worm of unbelief 2. As God gives his children a viaticum or bait by the way so he laies up a portion for them Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom our Father keeps the purse and will give us enough to bear our charges here and when at death we take shipping and shall be set upon the shore of eternity then will our heavenly Father bestow upon us a Kingdom immutable and immarcessible lo here a portion which can never be summed up 5. If we are children then God will sheild off dangers Privi ∣ ledge 5 from us a father will protect his child from injuries God ever lies Sentinel to keep off evill from his children 1. Temporal evil 2. Spiritual evil 1. God screens off temporal evil There are many casualties and contingencies which are incident to life God mercifully prevents them he keeps watch and ward for his children Psal 7.10 my defence is of God Psal 121.4 he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep The eye of Providence is ever awake God gives his Angels charge over his children Psal 91.11 a believer hath a guard of Angels for his life-guard we read of the wings of God in Scripture as the breast of his mercy feeds his children so the wings of his power cover them how miraculously did God preserve Israel his first-born he did with his wings sometimes cover sometimes carry them Exod. 19.4 He bare you as upon Eagles wings an emblem of Gods providential care the Eagle fears no Bird from above to hurt her young only the Arrow from beneath therefore she carries them upon her wings that the Arrow must first hit her before it can come at her young ones Thus God carries his children upon the wings of Providence and they are such that there is no clipping these wings nor can any Arrow hurt them 2. God shields off spiritual evils from his children Psal 91.10 There shall no evil befall thee God doth not say no afflictions shall befall us but no evil Quest Quest But sometimes evil in this sense befalls the godly they spot themselves with sin Answ Answ But that evil shall not be mortal as quick-silver is in it self dangerous but by oyntments it is so tempered that it is killed so sin is in it self deadly but being tempered with Repentance and mixed with the sacred oyntment of Christs blood the venemous damning nature of it is taken away Privi ∣ ledge 6 6. If we are children then God will reveal to us the great and wonderful things of his Law Matth. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these
world as the Diamond to the Ring it doth bespangle and beautifie A soul decked with grace is as the Dove covered with silver wings and golden feathers Excellency 4 4. Grace hath a soul-cleansing excellency By nature we are defiled sin is an impure issue 't is a be filthying thing 2 Cor. 7.1 A sinners heart is so black that nothing but hell can pattern it but grace is lavacrum animae a spiritual lavor therefore it is called the washing of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The grace of Repentance cleanseth Maries tears as they washed Christs feet so they washed her heart faith hath a cleansing vertue Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith Grace layes the soul a whitening it takes out the Leopards spots and turns the Cypriss into an azure beauty Grace is of a Celestial nature though it doth not wholly remove sin it doth subdue it though it doth not keep sin out it keeps it under though sin in a gracious soul doth not dye perfectly yet it dies daily Grace makes the heart a spiritual Temple which hath this inscription upon it Holiness to the Lord. 5. Grace hath a soul-strengthning excellency it enables a Excellency 5 man to do that which exceeds the power of nature it hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Grace teacheth to mortifie our sins to love our enemies to prefer the glory of Christ before our own lives Thus the three children by the power of grace marched in the face of death neither the sound of the Musick could allure them nor the heat of the Furnace affright them Dan. 3.17 They did bear up infracto animo prorsus chalybeo Grace is a Christians Armour of proof which doth more than any other Armour can it not only defends him but puts courage into him Tertullian calls Athanasius Adamas Ecclesiae an invincible Adamant * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. hom 3. grace makes a Christian not only bear suffering but glory in suffering Rom. 5.3 A soul steeled and animated with grace can tread upon the Lyon and Adder Psal 91.13 and with the Leviathan can laugh at the shaking of a Spear Job 41.29 Thus doth grace infuse an heroick spirit and derive strength into a man making him act above the Sphere of nature Excellency 6 6. Grace hath a soul-raising excellency it is a divine sparkle that ascends when the heart is divinely touch'd with the load-stone of the Spirit it is drawn up to God Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise Grace raiseth a man above others he lives in the altitudes while others creep on the earth and are almost buried in it a Christian by the wing of grace flies aloft the Saints mount up as Eagles Isa 40.31 A believer is a Citizen of heaven there he trades by faith grace shoots the heart above the world Psal 139.17 Phil. 3. ult Grace gives us conformity to Christ and communion with Christ 1 John 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus A man full of grace hath Christ in his heart and the world under his feet grace humbles yet elevates Excellency 7 7. Grace hath a perfuming excellency it makes us a sweet odour to God Hence grace is compared to those spices which are most odoriferous and fragrant Myrrhe Cinamon Frankincense Cant. 4.13 There is a double perfume that grace sends forth 1 It perfumes our names Hebr. 11.2 By faith the Elders obtained a good report Grace was the spice which perfumed their names How renowned was Abraham for his faith Moses for his meekness Phineas for his zeal what a fresh perfume do their names send forth to this day The very wicked cannot but see a splendent Majesty in the graces of the Saints and though with their tongues they revile grace yet with their hearts they reverence it Thus grace is aromatical it embalms the names of men a gracious person when he dies carries a good conscience with him and leaves a good name behinde him 2. Grace perfumes our duties Psal 141.2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense Noahs sacrifice was a perfume Gen. 8.21 The Lord smell'd a sweet savour The sighs of a wicked man are an unsavoury breath his solemn sacrifice is dung Mal. 2.3 There is such a noisom stench comes from a sinners duties that God will not come near Amos 5.21 I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Who can endure the smell of a dead Corps but grace gives a fragrancy and redolency to our holy things Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain God testifying of his gifts Abels sacrifice was better sented God smell'd a sweet savour of it for he testified of his gifts If it be asked what this testimony was God gave of Abels sacrifice Hierom saith Deus inflammavit God set his sacrifice on fire * 1 King 18.38 so from heaven testifying his acceptance of Abels offering and if grace doth so perfume you wear this flower not in your bosomes but your hearts 8. Grace hath a soul-ennobling excellency it doth ennoble Excellency 8 a man Grace makes us vessels of honour * Summa apud Deum nobilitas clarum esse virtutibus Hier. it sets us above Princes and Nobles Theodosius thought it more dignity to be Christs servant and wear his Livery laced with the silver graces of the Spirit than to be great and renowned in the world Isa 43.4 Since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Sin doth debase a man Christ tells wicked men their Pedigree John 8.44 Ye are of your father the Divel They may put the cloven foot in their Scutchion an ungracious person is a vile person Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile the Hebrew word for vile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to be lightly esteemed There is nothing so vile but an ungracious man will do he is ductil and facil to any thing like wire which will be bent awry he will snare his conscience stain his credit run as a Lackey after the sinful injunctions of men but grace ennobles he who is divinely inspired as he is high-born 1 John 3.1 so he acts sutably to his birth he hates whatever is disingenuous and sordid The Saints are Called Kings and Priests for their dignity Rev. 1.6 and jewels for their value Mal. 3.17 Excellency 9 9. Grace hath a soul-securing excellency it brings safety along with it You all desire to be safe in dangerous times if sword or pestilence come if death peep in at your windows * Jer. 9.21 would you not now be safe nothing will secure you in times of danger but grace grace is the best life-guard it sets Christians out of Gun-shot and frees them from the power of hell and damnation Prov. 10.2 Righteousness delivers from death Do not righteous men dye yes but righteousness delivers from the sting of the first death and the fear of the second It was the
Experience worketh hope A Believer can bring in a Catalogue of experiences Psal 119.65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant So can a Believer say God hath dealt well with him In several cases he hath had experiences of God when his sins and tentations have been strong God hath come in with Auxiliary Forces and his grace hath been sufficient When his heart hath been sinking under fears God hath boyed him up out of quicksands and lifted up his head out of deep waters Psal 3.3 Thou art O Lord my glory and the lifter up of my head When his heart hath been dead in duty the Spirit of God hath been sweetly tuning of his soul and now he makes melody in his heart to the Lord Ephes 5.19 A godly man hath many signal experiences of Gods favour to him and experience breeds hope So that a godly mans hope hath a foundation it is a well-built hope that hope must needs stand strong which stands with one foot upon a promise and with the other foot upon an experience But a wicked mans hope is tela aranea a Spiders Web he hath nothing to ground his hope upon his hope is an imposture a golden dream Isa 29.8 It is as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty The hope of a sinner is like a dying mans will that hath neither seal set to it or witnesses in the will he promiseth to bequeath such a Mannor and Lordship so many thousand pounds to such a one but the will being without seal and witnesses it is null and void in Law just such is the hope of a wicked man his hope promiseth him great matters that Christ is his and all the priviledges of heaven are his but alas it is a meer delusion of his false heart when things come to be examined he wants both seal and witnesses he wants the seal of the Word to confirm his Title and the witness of the Spirit Plurimi spe periclitantur * Aug. this is a sad thing for a man to go to hell with the hope of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Eurip. 2. The Spider spins the web out of her own bowels she fetcheth all from her self The Bee fetcheth all from without the matter of her Comb and Honey the sucks from the flower The Spider fetcheth all from within her self A true Christian like the Bee fetcheth all from without he sucks from the sweet flower of Christs Righteousness Isa 45.24 In the Lord have I righteousness and strength But a wicked man like the Spider fetcheth all his hope from within â—he spins the thread of his hope out of himself his duties and moralities thus his hope is like the Spiders Web. 3. The Spiders Web is but weak the least blast shakes it the least touch breaks it Such is the sinners hope the least terror of Conscience shakes it Job 8.14 whose hope shall be cut off commonly before a wicked mans life is cut off his hope is cut off The godly man hope is a good hope it is solid and scriptural the other is a spiders Web. 4. A true hope is a Persevering hope Heb. 3.6 Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence of hope firm unto the end True hope doth not faint it is not broken with affliction it is an Adamantine grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hope makes us endure therefore it is compared to an Anchor which holds the ship in a storm and to an Helmet 1 Thes 5.8 The Helmet keeps off the blow of the sword or arrow from entring So hope as an helmet keeps off the stroke from a Christian that it shall not hurt or dismay him In time of publick calamities hope keeps the soul from sinking Joel 3.16 The Lord shall roar out of Sihon the heavens and earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Though heaven and earth be ready to come together yet a Believers hope abides Sola spes in miseriis consolatur * Cicero A Believer doth never cast away his Anchor The Jews were prisoners in Babylon yet prisoners of hope Zach. 9.10 Turn to your strong hold ye prisoners of hope When a Christan is on his death-bed and all hope of life is taken away yet his hope in God is not taken away 3. What unspeakable comfort is this to a child of Use 3 God that upon a serious trial finds he hath a well-built hope * Solamen vitae mortalis est spes vitae immortalis Austin when Christ shall appear Consolation â—t will be a glorious appearing to a believer Credula vitam spes fovet A Christian is like a rich heir that hath great Lands in Reversion he hath much in hope Alexander having given away almost all he had in Greece and being asked what he had left for himself answered Hope his meaning was he had hope to conquer more Kingdoms as afterwards he did So if a Christians outward comforts were taken away and one should ask him what he had left he might say The Anchor of hope he hath a confident hope of those eternal Mansions which Jesus Christ is gone to prepare for him John 14.2 When Christ who is his life shall appear then shall he also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 Oh what comfort is this how may this lighten and sweeten the crosse after the waters of Marah comes the wine of Paradise after a wet Spring a joyful Harvest Use 4 1. Be exhorted to chearfulness Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Exhort Timorâ— contristatur animum Branch 1 fear begets sorrow hope begets joy Spes non potest esse sine gaudio Divine hope saith Austin cannot be without some mixture of joy hath a Christian hopes of heaven and not rejoyce Prov. 10.28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness Object Object But may some say It is long before we shall enter upon possession of heaven and hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 Answ Answ It is not long Rev. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me This glorious reward we hope for is quickly in faiths account faith makes things future present what hope saith shall be faith saith it is already Christs coming is at hand the bright morning Star begins to appear as a Perspective glass makes those things which are a good way off seem near to the eye So faith makes Christ and heaven and the day of recompence seem to be near it gives a kind of possession of them in this life Oh then Christians rejoyce turn your lamentations into Halelujahs it is but a while and you shall be made partakers of those blessed things you hope for think of the certainty of Christs appearing Behold I come and think of the celerity I come quickly 2. Maintain your hopes against all discouragements Branch 2 either of fear or tentation Christians let
their Relations consider 1. He who is not good in his Relations goes under the just suspition of an Hypocrite let a man seem to be a penitent or Zelot yet if he bear not fruit proper to his station he is no tree of righteousness but some wild degenerate plant There are some will pray hear Sermons discourse well this is good but what means the bleating of the sheep they are not good in their Relations this discovers they are foundered and unsound A good Christian labours to fill his Relations and to go through all the parts of Religion as the Sun through all the Signs of the Zodiack I like not those Christians who though they seem to be travelling to heaven yet leave the duties of their Relations a as Terra incognita which they never come near 2. The excellency of a Christian is to bring forth proper fruit * Perfectum est quod propriam attâ—ngit virtutem wherein lies the goodness of a member in the body but to discharge its proper office The eye is to see the ear to hear c. So the excellency of a Christian is to bring forth that fruit which God hath assigned him what is a thing good for which doth not do its proper work what is a Clock good for that will not strike what is a ship good for that will not saile what is a Rose good for that doth not smell what is that Professor good for that doth not send forth a sweet perfume in his Relation the commendation of a thing is when it puts forth its proper vertue 3. Not to bring forth suitable fruit spoils all the other fruit which we bring forth If a man were to make a Medicine and should leave out the chief ingredient the Medicine would lose its vertue If one were to draw a Picture and should leave out an eye it would spoile the Picture there are many to whom Christ will say at the day of judgement as to the young man Luke 18.22 Yet lackest thou one thing Thou hast pray'd and fasted and heard sermons yet lackest thou one thing thou hast not been good in thy Relations 4. Relative graces do much beautifie and set off a Christian It is the beauty of a Star to shine in its proper Orbe Relative grace doth bespangle a Christian 5. A good Christian brings forth seasonable fruit Psal 1.3 he that bringeth forth fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his season * Eccles 3.1 every thing is beautiful in his time Eccles 3.11 That may be good at one time which at another may be out of season There is a great deale of skill in the right timing of a thing duties of Religion must be perform'd in the fit juncture of time 1. Christian duties that relate to our Neighbour must be observed in their season 1. Our reproving others must be seasonable Reproof is a duty when we see others walk irregularly like souldiers that march out of Rank and File we ought mildly yet gravely to tell them of their sin Levit. 19.17 but let this fruit be brought forth in its season 1. Do it privately Matth. 18.15 Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone 2. Do it when thou seest him in the best temper not when his passions are up that were pouring oyle on the flame but when his spirit is meekned and calm'd you put the seal on the wax when it is soft and plyable there is a time when mens spirits are more flexible and yielding now is the fittest season to stamp a Reproof upon them and it is likelyest to take impression When Abigail reproved Nabal it was in the right season not when he was in wine but when he was in his wits and was fit to hear a Reproof 1 Sam. 25.37 3. Another season for Reproof is in the time of affliction Affliction tames mens spirits and now a word of Reproof spoken prudentially may work with the affliction a bitter potion is not refused if in case of extremity of pain Affliction opens the ear to Discipline * Job 36.10 2. Our comforting others must be seasonable Prov. 15.23 A word spoken in due season how good is it when we see one fallen into sin and with Peter weeping bitterly oh now a word of comfort will do well The cestâ—ous Corinth being deeply humbled the Apostle calls for oyle and wine to be poured into his wounds 2 Cor. 2.7 Ye ought rather to comfort him and the reason is given lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up of sorrow When the soul is wounded for sin now bring the mollifying oyntment of a promise Jer. 3.1 hang out free graces Colours display the glory of Gods Attributes his Mercy and Truth to the sinner when the spirit is broken a word of comfort spoken in season is the putting it in joynt again Gal. 1.6 this is to bring forth seasonable fruit when we give wine to them that are of a heavy heart Prov. 16.4 Pleasant words are as an honey-comb sweet to the soul Jobs friends pretended to comfort him but instead of pouring oyl into the wound they poured in vinegar 2. Duties of Religion that relate to God must be performed in their season 1. Mourning for sin is a duty God loves a contrite heart Psal 51.17 how powerful with God is the weeping Rhetorique that a poor sinner useth but yet there is a time when mourning may not be so seasonable when God hath given us some eminent signal deliverance and this mercy calls aloud to us to rejoyce but we hang our Harps upon the willows and sit weeping this sadness is fructus intempestivus fruit out of season there was a special time at the feast of Tabernacles when God called his people to rejoycing Deutr. 16.15 Seven dayes shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God and thou shalt surely rejoyce Now if the Israelites had sat heavy and disconsolate at that time when God called them to rejoycing it had been very unseasonable like mourning at a wedding when we are called to thanksgiving and we mingle our drink with tears is not this to be highly unthankful for mercy God would have his people humble but not ungrateful 'T is the Divels policy either to keep us from duty or else to put us upon it when it is least in season 2. Rejoycing is a duty Psal 33.1 But when God by some special providence calls us to weeping now joy is unseasonable this is that which God complains of Isa 22.12 In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping and behold joy and gladness c. Oecolampadius and others think it was in the time of King Ahaz when the signs of Gods anger like a blazing star did appear * Cum jam prae foribus esset inâ—â—tus now to be given to mirth was very unseasonable ver 14. Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die saith the Lord of Hosts In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If this iniquity be purged it is a concise form of an Oath as if God had said I swear it shall not by any prayer or sacrifice be expiated the fruit of joy must be brought forth in its season 3. Reading the VVord is a duty Joh. 5.39 but this fruit must be brought forth in its season To read at home when the Word is a preaching or the Sacrament celebrating is unseasonable nay sinful as Husha said 2 Sam. 17.7 The Counsel is not good at this time so I say of reading the VVord at home in time of publick administrations it is not good at this time one duty is to prepare for another but not to justle out another fruit must put forth seasonably The great God who hath appointed the duties of his worship hath appointed also the time God enjoyn'd a set time for the Passeover when they were to bring their offering to the Lord Numb 9.2 3. Let the Children of Israel keep the Passeover at his appointed season in the fourteenth day of this moneth c. had the people of Israel been reading the Law at home or praying in the time of the Passeover it had not been in season and God would have punished it for a contempt ver 13. The man that forbeareth to keep the Passeover even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people If when publick Ordinances are administred any person whether out of pride or sloth shall stay at home though he may have his private devotions yet he brings forth fruit out of season and let that man know he shall bear his sin Let all the trees of righteousness bring forh seasonable fruit in prosperity be thankful in adversity patient To every thing there is a season Eccles 3.1 The Psalmist saith He appointed the Moon for his seasons Psal 104.19 If the Moon should shine at noon-day or the Sun shine at midnight this were not in season so it is in Spirituals To excite to seasonable fruit consider 1. The seasonableness of a thing puts a value and pretiousness upon it There are certain meats which we eat of when they are in season if they be out of season we care not for them we value a seasonable kindness else it is worth nothing Duties of Religion performed in their season are glorious 2. Creatures by the instinct of Nature observe their season Jer. 8.7 Yea the Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times and the Turtle c. Pliny saith they observe the season of changing their climate and shall not Christians observe their seasons when to mourn when to rejoyce let not the Stork and Turtle outwit them 3. Duties of Religion not well timed are dangerous a strong purgation may sometimes be good but to give it out of season when nature is spent and between fainting fits it may kill the patient Snow and Hail are good for the ground when they come in their season but when the Corn is ripe now a storm of Hail would do hurt and be like a Flail to thrash the Coâ—n out of the Ear. Mourning in a time of joy private duties in time of publick is as unseasonable as Snow and Hail in Harvest and will prove no lesse prejudicial 1. It shows us who is a Christian in Gods Kalendar Use 1 namely the fruit-bearing Christian Informat As soon as the sap of grace is infused it puts forth it self in Evangelical fruit No sooner was Paul converted but he became a plant of renown he did bring forth rare fruit humility faith heavenly-mindedness he was one of the most fruitfull Trees that ever God planted in his Vineyard The Jaylor when God had changed him from a wild tree to a tree of Righteousness brought forth sweet and generous fruit How kindly did he use the Apostles he set meat before them and washed their wounds Acts 16.33 34. he who was before their Jaylor becomes now their Nurse and Physitian It is impossible for a man to be ingraffed into Christ who is so full of juice and succulency but he must needs be fruitful He who is a branch of this Tree though before he were like Aarons dry Rod yet now he blossoms and brings forth Almonds Use 2 2. Here is an Indictment against three sorts Reproof 1. Such as bring forth no fruit Hose 10.1 Israel Branch 1 is an empty Vine O how many unfruitful hearers are there who evaporate into nothing but froth and fume being like those ears which run out all into straw they give God neither the early fruit nor the latter There are many Christians like Arbors covered only with the leaves of profession they may be compared to the wood of the Vine which is good for nothing Ezek. 15.2 He who hath not the fruits of the Spirit * Gal. 5.22 hath not the Spirit and he who hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of Christs Rom. 8.9 and if he be not Christs whose is he then I fear the sinne of this Age is unfruitfulnesse Never more labouring in Gods Vineyard and yet never lesse fruit instead of the Figtree and Pomgranate we have abundance of barren willows grow among us Ministers say they fear they spend their labour in vain many are perverted few converted Papists and Heretiques see the fruit of their labours millions are made Proselites to Rome Satan never had such an harvest in England as of late years but how few are savingly wrought upon how few fruitful plants they are as the gleanings after Vintage This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation The silver showers of the Sanctuary fall upon barren ground Histories relate that in some Countries they have no Trees at all growing I will not be so uncharitable as to say we have no trees of Righteousness in England blessed be God we have some trees laden with Gospel-fruit Plants of renown but few trees in comparison of the Thorns and Briars that grow we have many will commend fruit but few that bear fruit To the unfruitful Christian let me say four things 1. Unfruitfulness is a shame Barrenness of old was counted a great shame For a tree in winter to be fruitless is no great wonder but in the Spring and Summer to be without fruit is a reproach to the Tree So in the winter of ignorance and Popery to have less fruit was lesse culpable but in the Spring time of the Gospel when the Sun of Righteousness hath shined so gloriously in our Horizon now to be without fruit is a reproach not to be wiped away men think it a shame to want an eye or a limb but it is a greater shame to want fruit 2. What account can the unfruitful Christian give to God God will come with this question Where is your fruit a godly man dies full of fruit Job 5.26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age like as a shock of Corn c. The unfruitful Christian comes to his grave not as shock
be beaten with many stripes Knowledge without practice serves only as a Torch to light men to hell the brighter the light the hotter the fire If a King cause his Proclamation to be published the Subject knows it but obeys not this doth the more incense the King against him he will punish it for a contempt better be ignorant than knowingly disobedient Now then if knowledge alone makes a mans case worse then it is far from making him happy Use Use Get knowledge but do not rest in it will you rest in that which will not make you happy what is it to cry the Temple of the Lord what is it to lay knowledge up and not lay it out in this sence he who encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow Eccles 1.18 his knowledge will but serve to condemn him If knowledge separated from practice would make men happy the people of England were a happy people they want not for knowledge never since the time of the Apostles did the light shine clearer but here is the mischief most people know only to know it may be said of the generality of people as Seneca speaks malint disputare quam vivere they had rather dispute well than live well they would have knowledge to be spangle them rather than sanctifie them Alas knowledge alone will never make them happy men may build their nests among the stars yet make their bed in hell they may have knowledge to crown them and God to damn them O Christian who gloriest in thy knowledge and haste no more wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite wherein dost thou excell the Divel he knows all the Articles of the Creed he could say to Christ it is written Is it not sad that a man should have no better evidences to show for heaven than the Divel How unprofitable is the luxuriancy of knowledge he who is only fill'd with knowledge is like a glasse fill'd with froth what a vain foolish thing is it to have knowledge and make no spiritual use of it It is as if a man had several Fountains in his Garden but never waters his Flowers with them or as if an Asse should be laden with Provender but eats not of it So many a man carries a great deal of knowledge about him but doth not feed upon the sweetness of it nor digest his knowledge into practice To know only to know is like one that knows certain Countries by the Map and can discourse of them but never travell'd into them nor tasted the sweet spices of those Countries So the Gnostick in Religion hath heard and read much of the beauty of holiness but never travelled into Religion nor tasted how good the Lord is what is it the better to have the Bible in our heads if not in our hearts can Notions be Cordials when we come to dye To conclude this men cannot properly be denominated Christians from their knowledge you do not call him an Handicraftsman who doth not work in his Trade let a man be never so skilfull yet you do not call him a Goldsmith who did never refine a vessel or try gold though a man hath skill in Chirurgery yet you do not call him a Chirurgian who did never lance a wound or dress a sore so it is improper to call him a Christian who hath knowledge but no practice he knows he should mortifie sin but he doth not he knows he should show works of mercy but he doth not he never yet wrought in the trade of godliness 2 Branch of the Doct. 2. I proceed to the second Branch of the Doctrine That it is the practique part of Religion makes a man happy knowledge without practice is like a fair Arbour without fruit the Art of practice is the most noble Art the llfeblood of Religion runs thorow the veines of obedience here I shall show 1. Why there must be practice 2. That it is only the practique part of Religion makes a man happy 1. Why there must be practice the reason is because it is only practice that answers Gods end in giving us his Word both written and preached Levit. 18.4 Ye shall do my judgments keep mine Ordinances to walk therein Deut. 26.16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes judgments thou shalt therefore keep do them Not only thou shalt know them but obey them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word of God is not only a Rule of knowledge but a Rule of duty If you speak to your Children and tell them what is your mind it is not only that they may know your mind but do it God gives us his Word not only as a Picture to look upon but as a Copy to write after The Master gives his servant a Candle not to gaze on but to work by The light of Scripture is to guide our feet into the way of obedience and so David calls the Word of God not a Lamp to his eyes but a Lanthorn to his feet Psal 119. implying that the light of the Word is rather to walk by than to see by God gives us his Word as his Will and Testament which he leaves in charge with us to see it performed If God would only have had his Laws to be known or talk'd of he might have delivered them to Parrots If he would only have had them kept safe he might have graven them with an iron pen and laid in the rock for ever Job 19.24 But therefore he delivers the Records of heaven to men that they should be obeyed The Lord gives us his Precepts as a Physitian gives the patient his Receits to take and apply for this end are all Gods institutes that we may by practice apply them for the purging out sin and bringing the soul into a more healthful temper God gives us his Word as the Mother gives the Child the breast not only to look upon but to draw it many have gone to hell with the breast in their mouthes because they have not drawn it and turned the milk of the Word into sacred nourishment 2. That it is only the practick part of Religion makes a man happy This is clear if we consult either with Scripture or Reason 1. It appears by Scripture the Scripture knows no other way to happiness but practice Psalm 15. ult He that doth these things shall never be moved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is Calvins gloss upon the words The Psalmist doth not say He that knows these things shall never perish but He that doth them To be a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a doer of the Word entitles a man to blessedness Jam. 1.25 This man shall be blessed in the deed not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his deed as the Papists wrongly gloss but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his deed obedience is rather an evidence of blessedness than a cause Search from one end of the Bible to the other and you shall find the Crown still set upon the head of
have gain'd in the Trade of godliness and are fill'd with the fruits of the Spirit will not this be a great comfort to you he who is full of good works God will gather the fruit and blesse the Tree 2. Obedience gives comfort at death what a joy was it to St. Paul when he came to die that he could make that sweet appeal 2 Tim. 4.7 I have kept the faith that is Paul had kept the Doctrine of Faith and had lived the life of faith Oh with what comfort may a Christian lay his life down when he hath laid his life out in the service of God! This was a death-bed Cordial to King Hezekiah Isa 38.3 Remember O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth A man may repent of his fruitless knowledge but never did any man repent of his obedience when he came to die never did any Christian who is going to rest with God repent that he had walked with God 6. What is the end of all Gods administrations but obedience what are all Gods Promises but perswasions to obedience what is the end of all Gods threatnings which stand as the Angel with a flaming sword in their hand but to drive us to obedience Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey What is the voice of mercy but to call us to duty the Father gives his child money to bribe him to ingenuity The fire under the Still makes the Roses drop the fire of Gods mercies is to make the sweet water of obedience distill from us mercy as Ambrose saith is a medicine which God applies to us to cure our barrenness what are all the examples of Gods justice upon non-proficients but allarums to awaken us out of the bed of sloth and put us into a posture of service Gods rod upon others is a Fescue to point us to obedience if God hath not his end in respect of duty we cannot have our end in respect of glory 7. Motive consider what a sin disobedience is that is a sad Scripture Jer. 44.16 As for the word thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not do Disobedience is 1. A sin against Reason are we able to stand it out in defiance against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he it is as if the thorns should set them selves in battel array against the fire will the sinner go to measure arms with the great God what Solomon saith of laughter Eccles 2.2 the same may be said of Rebellion it is mad 2. Disobedience is a sin against Equity we have our subsistence from God in him we live and move and is it not equal that as we live upon him we should live to him justitia jus suum cuique tribuit is it not just and fitting that as God gives us our allowance we should give him our allegiance If the General give his Souldier pay the Souldier is to march at his command not only by the Law of Arms but the Law of equity 3. Disobedience is a sin against Conscience God by Creation is our Father so that Conscience binds to duty Mal. 1.6 If then I be a Father where is my honour 4. Disobedience is a sin against our Vows We have taken the oath of Allegiance Thy vows are upon me O God Psal 65.12 We have many vows upon us our Baptismal vow our Sacramental our National our Sick-bed vows here are four cords to draw us to obedience and if we slip these Sacred Knots and cast these cords from us will not God come upon us for Perjury If oaths will not bind us God hath chains that will 5. Disobedience is a sin against our Prayers We pray Thy will be done So that by Non-obedience we confute our selves and live in a contradiction to our own prayers That man who is self-confuted is self-condemned 6. Disobedience is a sin against Kindness 'T is a disingenious sin it is a kicking against Gods bowels a despising the riches of his goodness Rom. 2.4 Therefore the Apostle links these two sins together 2 Tim. 3.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Disobedient Unthankful and this dies a sin of a Crimson colour One calls ingratitude The Seminary of sin * Pet. Crinitus l. 2. Poem It is an epitomizing sin Brutus his unkindness went deeper to Caesars heart than the stab Ingratus hoc unum benefacit cum perit 7. Disobedience is a sin against Nature Every creature in its kinde obeys God 1. Animate creatures obey him God spake to the Fish to set Jonah ashore and it did it presently Jonah 2.10 What are the Birds thankful Hymms as Ambrose calls them but tributes of obedience 2. Inanimate creatures obey God The Stars in their course fought against Cisera Judg. 5. The Wind and the Sea obey him Mar. 4.41 The very Stones if God give them a Commission will cry out against the sins of men Hab. 2.11 The stone shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber shall answer it If men should be silent the stones would in some manner have testified of Christ Luk. 19.40 At Christs Passion the Rocks did rend Mat. 27.51 Which tearing Rhetorique was a voice to tell the world that the Messiah was now crucified Shall every creature obey God but man O Christian think thus with thy self if God had made me a stone I should have obeyed him and now that he hath made me rational shall I refuse to obey This is against Nature There are none that disobey God but Man and the Divel and can we finde none to joyne with but the Divel 8. Disobedience is a sin against Self-preservation * 1 Pet. 4.17 Disloyalty is treason and by treason the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God 2 Thes 1.7 8. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them who obey not the Gospel He that refuseth to obey Gods will in Commanding shall be sure to obey his will in Punishing The sinner while he thinks to slip the Knot of Obedience twists the Cord of his own Damnation Thus ye have seen the sin of Disobedience set out in its bloody colours Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear Kiss the Son left he be angry Kiss Christ with a kiss of love Kiss him with a kiss of loyaltie When his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2. ult 9. The Benefit of obedience Psal 19.11 In keeping his precepts there is great reward Obedience is Crowned with happiness So saith the Text happy are ye c. If this argument will not prevaile what will Quest But what happiness Answ All kind of blessings are poured upon the head of Obedience as the precious oyl was poured on Aarons head 1 Temporal blessings Deut. 28.3 4 9. Blessed shall be
the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground blessed shall be thy basket and thy store c. If thou shalt keep the Commandements of the Lord thy God c. He that hath a fruitful Heart shall have a fruitful Crop God will make him to thrive in his Estate And his basket shall not only be full but blessed God will bless what he hath Here is not only the Sack full of corn but money in the mouth of the Sack 2. Spiritual blessings Exod. 19.5 If ye will obey my voice indeed then ye shall be a peculiar Treasure to me above all people You shall be my Portion my Jewels the Apple of my eye I will give Kingdoms for your ransome Jer. 7.23 Obey and I will be your God I will make over my self to you by a deed of gift What a Superlative distinguishing mercy is this Psal 14.4 Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. 3. Eternal blessings Heb. 5.9 Christ became the author of Eternal salvation to all them that obey him It is a salvation that bears date to eternity Oh then who would not be in love with obedience while we please God we pleasure our selves * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer II. We are ready to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 But what shall we do for the hundred Talents Ye see brethren you are no losers by Obedience who did ever kindle a fire on Gods Altar for nought Mal. 1.10 3. I shall lay down some Rules to help Christians in Use 3 their Obedience Direction that it may be the Sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God Obedience must have these four Ingredients in it It must be cordial Deutr. 26.16 The Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart * Obedienta non servili metu sed cordis affectu servanda non timore poenae sed amorae justitiae Obedience without the heart is like fire on the Altar without Incense The heart is the seat of Love and 't is Love perfumes every duty The heart makes service a Free-will offering else it is but a tax Cain brought his sacrifice not his heart it was rather a mulct than an Offering Without the heart our Religion is like the Angels assuming dead bodies those bodies did eat and drink and walk but they had no soul to animate them They did movere not vivere how many do but assume the duties of Religion Obedience without the heart is hypocrisie How canst thou say I love thee when thy heart is not with me Judg. 16.15 2. Obedience must be extensive it must reach to all Gods Commandments 1 King 9.4 Luke 1.6 Quest But who can arrive at this Answ Though we cannot keep all Gods Commandements Legally yet we may Evangellically A good Christian 1. Consents to the equity of the whole Law Rom. 7.12 The Law is holy and just and good he sets his seal to every Law 2. He doth make conscience of every Law David had respect to all Gods Commandments Psal 119.6 his eye was upon all every command hath such authority upon a Christian that he knows not how to dispence with it though he fail in every duty yet he dares not neglect any duty 3. A child of God desires to keep every command Psal 119.5 O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes what a child of God wants in strength he makes up in will Rom. 7.18 To will is present The regenerate Will stands bent to all Gods Precepts 4. The gracious soul mourns that he can do no better when he fails he weeps O wretched man that I am Rom. 7.24 O this unbelieving heart how am I clog'd with corruption The good I would I do not Thus doth a Child of God lament his failings and judge himself for them and this is in a Gospel sense to keep every Law Unsound hearts as they are slight in their obedience so they are partial some duty they will dispense with some sinne they will indulge in this thing the Lord pardon thy servant 1 King 5.18 The Hypocrite will walk in some of Gods statutes not in all like a foundred Jade that will not set all his feet upon the ground but favours one foot Such foundered Christians there are who halt and limp and favour themselves in some things though it be to the hazard of their souls Herod could as well die as leave his Incest True obedience is universal as the Papists say we owe to our Mother the Church an Unlimited subjection its true here we owe to our God Unlimited obedience 3. The third Ingredient into obedience is Faith Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please God therefore it is call'd the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 Abel is said by faith to offer up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abetter sacrifice than Cain Sacra solet magnis rebus inesse fides Faith is a vital principle without it all our services are dead * Sicut in arbore quicquid pulchritudinis inest ex radice proficiscitus ita in anima quicquid decorum ex fide Aug. Therefore the Scripture speaks of dead works Hebr. 6.1 But why must this silver thread of faith run through the whole work of obedience I answer because faith looks at Christ in every duty and so both the person and offering is accepted Ephes 1.6 He hath accepted us in the beloved We are not accepted through our duties but through the beloved Faith looks at the Merit of Christ to take away the guilt and the Spirit of Christ to take away the filth which cleaves to the most angelical services thus it procures acceptance The High Priest under the Law looked at Christ in all when he offered up the Sacrifice he laid his hand upon the head of the beast slain which did point at the Messiah Exod. 29.10 So Faith laies its hand in every Gospel-sacrifice upon the head of Christ his Blood doth cleanse and the sweet Odours of his Intercession do perfume our holy things Now Faith looking up to Christ in every Duty finds acceptance Nay Faith doth not only look at Christ but it unites to Christ as the Siens is graffed into the stock Believers are part of Christ Christ and the Saints make one body Mystical no wonder then if God casts a favourable aspect upon those services which Believers present to him 4. Obedience must be constant Revel 2.26 He that keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give the morning star Faith must lead the Van and Perseverance must bring up the Rear There is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 something still remaing for a Christian to do Non currenti sed vincenti datur corona Aug. and he must not leave work till the night of death comes on Mnason of Cyprus an old Discilple Acts 21.16 what an honour is it for one