beloved of his soulâ— you may come into as much affliction as any other passing through the fire and water Isa 43. 2. but this is your comfort Though you may want compassions from men you shall have bowels of mercy from Christ In the day of temptation and spiritual fear then will he open his bowels to you for he was tempted that he might succour those who are tempted Heb. 2. 18. In the houre of death when you are strugling with those pains He that prayed his Disciples when himself was in that case to tarry with him and watch Mark 14. 34. will shew you the same compassion to watch with you He was pittiful towards his Disciples when he saw them bewailing his absence see how his compassions rowl how his bowels work John 14. init you shall finde him the same to daey and for ever 2. It s a great ground of lifting up the head under all your troubles He that commanded his Ministers to promise all the afflicted so much in his Name and he will make it good Isa 35. 3 4. He will help you to bear your burthens 2. It s an encouragement to you when you go to beg any thing of him by prayer A compassionate Saviour will not cast out the desires of the afflicted The Apostle upon this very ground invites you to come with boldness to his Throne Vid. Heb. 4. 15 16. He was pittiful towards those who never made request to him healed many without a Petition as you have heard and will he be cruel and hard-hearted to those who cry after him The prayer of the blinde men here put such an impression upon him that he can go no farther till he hath called them to him And he hath now as much love to prayer as then and is as sensible of all your burdens as he was of theirs He will speak to the Father for you 3. It gives you comfort to believe that when you go to seek Reconciliation after any provocations and fallings out that he will be easily intreated to shew you respect and to turn his countenance towards you and shine upon you Compassion will remove Clouds from his face and forgive offences Vid. Mat. 18. 27. his compassion moves him to remission Vid. Psal 78. 38. Harsh dispositions keep anger long but candid and tender-hearted persons are perswaded He would have us to be so courteous and compassionate as not to sleep in anger The Sun must not go down upon our wrath Eph. 4. 26. He will observe it himself Vid. Mich. 7. 18 19. 2d Use Exhortation 1 It should be an invitement to all sinners to come unto him Lay your diseased souls in the way of Christ that when he travels he may see them and heal them The first part of mans misery is That he is fallen from happiness to misery The other is that he is not willing to be helped out of his misery God calls Christ intreats the spirit knocks but man is deaf Jesus Christ complains of mans untowardness Ye will not come to me that you may have life John 5. 40. If Jesus Christ were harsh cruel rugged as men are something might be said for your keeping off from him but since he is so compassionate and ready to accept why do you stand at a distance you cannot please him better than to cast your distempered souls down at his feet He will not send you away with harsh answers but will touch your blind eyes and recover them your hard hearts and soften them your dead souls and quicken them he never did never will send any away that come to him He is compassionate towards sinners let not sinners be cruel to themselves Try how tenderly he will deal with you 2 Let us learn in this particular grace to walk as Jesus Christ walked 1 Iohn 2. 6. Our Saviour was full of bowels if we be truly his Disciples let us walk in his steps let his compassions move us to pitty our distressed Brethren who are plunged into misery This is a duty recommended in the Scripture in many places Vid. 1 Pet. 3. 8. Col. 3. 12. Heb. 13. 3. And the Servants of Christ have followed their Masters steps in this grace They did sympathize with others in their distress Iob professeth it of himself Iob 30. 25. Hanani was thus affected Neh. 1. init Ieremiah Cap. 9. 1. Isa Cap. 22. 4. and generally all the servants of God let us be like affected 1. Let us be compassionate to mens outward wants and miseries 2. To their inward and soul-miseries 1 To the bodily afflictions of men never had this Doctrine need of more serious urging than in our dayes 1 Objects of Compassion were never more the necessities of men are great the Rod of God hath layn long and heavily upon the Land and upon our Brethren abroad It is the day of Iacobs trouble Many rich Families impoverished Those who were cloathed in Scarlet embrace the Dunghill never so many leane cheeks and ragged bodies c. Poverty and want as an armed man hath seised upon them and sorrow as the pains of a travailing Woman Prov. 6. 11. many constrained to receive from others who have been able to contribute formerly 2. As Objects of pitty are increased so compassion and pitty is much abated Mens bowels never more straitned than now We have had a long winter of affliction and our spirits are frozen up by reason of it Warre hath made us cruel and hard-hearted c. Jehoram had a Disease in his bowels 1 Chron. 21. 18. 'T is an epidemical Disease in our times never did men in affliction finde such incompassionatenes generally the last day's sin is unnaturalnes or want of natural affection c. 2 Tim. 3. init This Doctrine therefore is necessary Two things I would speak to in this Use 1 Shew you how Christian compassion is to be shewed 2 Give you some Motives to urge the practise 1. Would you know how you must shew compassion Consider these three things 1. Kind language and condoling Carriage 2. Fervent prayers and Petitions for them 3. Actual relief and administring to their wants 1. We must give kind and comfortable Language to them So did our Saviour He condoles with them Iesus wept John 11. 35. He washed their sores in his teares when he sees the lame man lye at the pool he hath friendly discourse with him about his trouble When these blinde men come to him he doth friendly discourse with them What will you that I do for you As the Lord answers the Angel that spake to him about the troubles of the Church with good words and comfortable Zech. 1. 13. This is that which Iob blames his friends and shewes that if they were in his condition he would speak to them after another manner Iob 16. 4 5. Harsh rigid and biting language heaped up to men in distress argues want of compassion Good words are cordial bitter speeches are as Vinegar and Wormwood We must not answer
passive in the publick more active in the private Motive 2. Private Prayer is an Argument of greater love to the duty A man may publickly pray who hath not love to it out of other respects as to gain credit and applause c. but to perform the duty in a corner when no eye sees us c. this evidenceth more affection And it s a greater Argument of sincerity c. That mans heart is not right in his publick devotion who is very seldom or never in private devotion Ille dolet verè qui sine teste c. He prayes but hypocritically in the Church or in the Family with others who neglects praying alone Vid. Matth. 6. 5 6. An hypocrite is all for the publick little for the private sincerity is equally for both A Christians heart is what it is when he is alone Motive 3. He that neglects private prayer shall be neglected in his publick prayer If thou wilt not call upon God in secret God will not hear thee in publick Want of private duties is the reason why the heart is so dead under the publick c. Ordinarily that man or womans heart is best in publick who is most frequent in private Private duties fit the heart for publick c. If thou wilt carefully call upon God in private God will enable thee to serve him in publick Motive 4. Private prayer is more our own then publick is its personal service It s true in some sense publick prayer is personal but private and secret is more personal A man in the publick tenders up Confessions and Pâ—titions and Thanksgivings by the mouth of another but in private by his own mouth Motive 5. God hath usually let out himself most to his people when they have been alone at the Throne of Grace There have been more meltings and greater manifestations of God Peter when he was alone on the house-top sees the vision c. Acts 10. 11 12. Daniel when he was alone a praying hath the Angel disparcht to him with a Message that he was greatly beloved c. Dan. 9. 20. 21 22 23. many Saints have had their assurance seal'd to them when they have been in their Closets a praying and meditating Motive 6. There is more of the power of godliness in private prayer the publick may be only in form the private is more in the power and life Let all these things move you to this duty Object 1. I have no time to pray I am a servant c. my time is not my own c. my Masters business will not allow me Sol. 1. I would not stay with such a Master if thou beest a servant that canst remove c. 2. 'T is no neglecting of thy Masters business to take a little time daily for prayer c. and other duties Its Gods not thy Masters 3. Rather take time from sleep then omit this duty God will I warrant thee blesse two houres sleep better to thee than 12. houres if thou takest it from thy sleep or recreation to give to him 2. Object I cannot pray Sol. 1. Beg of God to teach thee he hath promised his Spirit to them that ask 2. God doth not so much look for eloquence as sincerity in prayer Thou canst smite thy breast and say God be merciful to me a sinner c. 3. Make use of other helps of prayer till thou hast attained ability to pray 4. Thou canst mannage thy worldly calling as well as another why then canst thou not pray as well as others It is because thou dost not regard this so well as the other FINIS Mary Wolnoth October the 15. 1648. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 20. 34. init Jesus being moved with compassion touched their Eyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IN this Chapter we have four things considerable 1. A Parable of Labourers sent forth into the Vineyard This Parable is 1. Propounded vers 1. ad 16. 2. Applyed vers 16. The scope of it is to overthrow the Doctrine of merit and to establish the gift of salvation and eternal life upon the meer mercie and free grace of God Eternal life is not given unto any for his working it doth not flow from any good in the person receiving but from the free love of God in Christ chusing unto holiness and salvation whom he pleaseth It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy that 's the Apostles determination of this Question after a serious debate Rom. 9. 16. Eternal death that 's of merit but eternal life is of grace Rom. 6. ult 1. A premonition or Prediction of the Passion and sufferings of Christ at Jerusalem vers 17. ad 20. 2. And of his Resurrection from the dead the Doctrine of the Crosse is not easily submitted unto therefore there is necessity that it should be often preached Our Saviour ever and anon was preaching the Doctrine of his sufferings to his Disciples as Matth. 16. 21. Matth. 17. 22. and in this Chapter again he takes up the same Argument They dreamed of an Earthly Kingdom and earthly honours therefore our Saviour preacheth so frequently of his sufferings to take them off from such a conceit and to prepare them for Tryal And he doth not only foretell of his suffâ—rings but of his Conquest also his Resurrection vers 19. We shall finde ordinarily that when his death is mentioned his Resurrection also is spoken of as in those places before cited Matth. 16. 21. Mat. 17. 23. and here in this place Mark 8. 31. Mar. 9. 31. Mar. 10. 34. It s very profitable and necessary for the Ministers of Christ when they preach of sufferings to add something concerning the issue and consequence of sufferings when we speak of Death its good to mention the Resurrection also The Spirits of the best Christians will soon sink under sufferings if they be not acquainted with the victory they shall have over sufferings We finde in the Scripture that when the Apostle spake any thing of the Crosse there is usually mention made of the good issue of it as Heb. 12. 6 7 8 9. there is the Doctrine of the Crosse And vers 10 11. there is the Doctrine of the Resurrection So 1 Pet. 4. 12. there is the cross Vers 13 14. there you have the Crown also 3. A solemn charge given to the Disciples against affectation of Dominion and preheminencè one over another vers 20. ad 29. where you have 1. The occasion of it viz. A Request made by the Mother of Zebedees Children for her two Sons James and John vers 20. ad 25. It was their ignorance and fault that they would not be beatâ—n off from the thoughts of a worldly Kingdom c. This gave occasion to the other 10. Disciples to be angry with the two Brethren 2. The urging of the thing it self vers 25. ad 29. our Saviour solemnly calls them together and gives them a charge against any such ambition 4.
he had no where to lay his head yet he had Servants the Disciples were his Servants and as he did in all other respects carrie himself as a faithful Master to them so was he not negligent in teaching them the things of God We shall finde our Saviour verie careful of them in this respect he taught them to pray Luk. 11. 2. And upon everie occasion he was dropping Religious knowledge and Instruction upon their souls he did not only preach publiquely to them as he did to others but in secret also and in private his use was to repeat what he had preached in the publique Assemblie with Explanation as need required when he had reproved the hypocritical and ceremonial washings used by the Pharisees before meales and had uttered an obscure passage Mat. 15. 11. we finde that vers 16 17. He interprets that Doctrine in private to his Disciples and makes them understand the meaning of it more perfectly Do ye not know c. That was in private vid. Mar. 7. 17 18. So Luk. 24. 25 26. c. to the two Disciples Mat. 24. 3 4. Mat. 13. 16. The Reasons are these 1 The Disciples were called to be Ministers of the Gospel Therefore it was necessarie they should be instructed Vid. Acts 1. 8. Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Judea and in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the Earth both that they might have fulness of knowledge and might learn willingly to answer scruples privately to any that should repair to them as well as preach in publick so Paul did Acts 20. 20. 2 It was out of sense and compassion to their ignorance Our Saviour knew how blind the heart of man is by Nature to receive the things of God and he had often had experience of his Disciples weaknesses in many things this made him so careful to use all diligence in instructing them and the rather also that he might convince them of their ignorance 3 To teach all Masters and Governours what their dutie is towards such as are under their charge and that they might by his example be helped forward to do their Duty Omnis Christi actio nostra instructio Christ intended mans information by all he did Vse 1. To exhort all persons who have a charge over others to imitate this Example 1 John 2. 6. Christ instructed his Servants and if thou wilt be a Christian thou must walk after thy Masters Example I would here 1 Give some Motives 2 Lay down some helps 3 Answer Objections 1. Motives are these six 1. Consider Gods strict command vid. Deut. 6. 6 7. The Law of God is indispensable every Israelite of God is absolutely bound to the performance Deut. 4. 9. Psal 78. 5 6. thereof Gods command is both the strongest reason and the highest Motive of any dutie and obedience is not pure and sincere till Dixit Dominus prevaile with us 2. Consider the practise of the Servants of God whose names are renowned and whose memories are precious in the book of God I will begin with Abraham Gen. 18. 19. David Pro. 4. 4. and so Bathsheba Pro. 31. 1. And it is not to be questioned but he also taught his Servants as well as his Children The Parents of Timothy they taught him the Scriptures of a Child 2 Tim. 3. 15. These are rare examples and Joshuah 24. 15. he could never have undertaken for himself and houshould had he not been an instructor of his houshould 3 Consider the benefit of it 1 Your Servants will never do your work faithfully if they be not instructed how to do Gods work Those are likely to have the best service from such as are under the charge who are most diligent to teach them their trade of Godlinesse Conscience is the surest and safest obligation in all the world and your servants will without doubt be faithfull to you if you can perswade them to do your duty to God 2 For your Children 't is the way to preserve and keep up the honour of your family There is a naturall desire in every man that his family may be renowned when he is laid in the dust T is Religion and Piety which builds up and keeps up the renown of Families Riches may be imbezeld and titles of honour may die but godlinsse and pietie can never die Isaacs pietie kept up the credit of Abrahams familie when he was in the dust Ishmael was rich but he was wicked Jacob preserved the memory of Isaac by his piety Esau had wealth but his wickednesse was a blot both to himself and his Fathers house It s just that God should curse that man in his posterity in his waies of Religion and its righteous with God that such Servants should become scourges to their Masters as have not been taught by them the knowledge of the Lord. 3 By informing of them which are under your charge you will informe your own souls He that whets the word of God upon his Servants and Children will with that whetting set a sharper edge upon his own affections By repeating a Sermon to others you will strengthen your own memories and warme your own hearts As iron sharpens iron so the heart of a man his friend Pro. 27. 17. 4 You may benefit the Church of God for many generations A good man would have the Church of God to flourish not onely while he lives but after his decease he would have generations to come to know and blesse the Lord. This is the waie to propagate Religion after thine own decease Children and Servants are likely to survive Masters and Parents And if they be not instructed and taught in their youth the next generation may for ought you know be atheisticall and paganish A good man layeth up an inheritance for his Childrens Children Pro. 13. 22. Thou doest not know in what place God may cast the lot of thy Children and Servants They may be instruments of spreading the knowledg of God in remote parts 5 Consider the many present Errours that are sprung up amongst us The firmament of our Church is filled and even darkened with the thick black smoak of profane and grace-destroying opinions And every one of your Children and Servants have a biasse upon their hearts which draweth them violently this waie they may bring the plague of Errors and Heresie into your families they may bring home the leaven of the Pharises and sadduces into your houses The best Antidote against this infection is frequent praier and instruction 5 Consider the great mischief of the ignorance of God and of his wayes together with the happiness of this knowledg 1 Without Knowledge the mind is not good Knowledge is the eie the Candle the Pilot of the soul A man without knowledge is like a blind guide is like a ship without a Pilot he is readie to stumble on every stone he is apt to run upon every Rock he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth
Joh. 12. 35. He is like Sampson when his eies are put out the Divell may make him grind in any mill use him for any kind of imploiment He can do nothing well nothing acceptable 2 Ignorance of God is damnable our Saviour saith It is life eternall to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17. 3. And therefore it must needs be eternall death to be ignorant of God and of Jesus Christ especiallie when sufficient means for this knowledg is and may be enjoyed It is the complaint of God that his people were destroied for want of knowledge Hos 4. 6. not onely with temporall but eternall destruction And if any soul perish through ignorance under your roofe through your default his soul will be required at your hands What God saith to the Watchman concerning his charge is as applicable to every governour of a family in his sphere If you give not the wicked man warning he shall die but his blood will I require at thy hands Ezech. 33. 8. Every Master of a family is as well and as truly made a Watchman of God to do all domesticall duties within his sphere where of this is one as the Minister is over the Congregation and must as wel be accountable to God for the souls under his charge And therfore God in the 4th Commandement puts the care and inspection of all within the family upon the governours Thou thy Son thy Daughter thy man-Servant c. Thou mightst perhaps be the instrument of saving thy Child or Servant from Hell wert thou carefull of doing thy dutie 6 Consider the justice and equity of this duty That you shouldst instruct those who are thy Children by Nature is but Equitie in as much as the blindness and ignorance which is in them is from thee conveid as the immediate instrumentall cause They drew their blindness from thy loines thou didst beget and bring them forth in thine own sinfull Image whereof this ignorance is a part and therefore thou art bound by all rules of justice to do what thou canst to make restitution And for adopted Children and Servants by contract committed to thy care by friends or guardians the like obligation lieth upon thee in point of justice to teach them the knowledge of the Most Holie according to thy power for though expresly this clause be not put into the engagement yet virtuallie and implicitly it is intended the parent or friends commit their Children into thy hands upon such termes that the soul should be looked after as well as the bodie and if They do not expect it yet Theologically by vertue of thy place as a Master God expects it from thee and thou art not onely uncharitable but unjust also if thou neglect this part of the engagement It will not be enough to say I have instructed them in all the parts of the mysterie I profess I have made them skilfull in their Art but if they be uninstructed in the knowledge of God the least halfe of the Covenant is made good God will both judge punish thee for a fraudulent and unfaithfull man that hast betrayed thy trust 2ly Directions Take these three 1 Thou must be carefull to furnish thy self with a competency of knowledge and understanding in Religion To govern a small familie requires no small knowledge God would have a Master of a familie to be able to instruct both Wife and Children Dwell with thy Wife as a man of knowledge 1 Pet. 3. 7. and the woman is commanded not to speak in the Church but if she want to ask her husband at home 1 Cor. 14. 35. If the Wife must aske the Husband should be able to resolve necessarie questions I doubt the want of knowledge in governours takes them off from this duty indeed renders them uncapable to discharge it Therefore by studying the Scriptures by reading good Catechisms and other good books and by Praier get sound knowledge 2 Pray for a good Conscience and keep a good Conscience As a good conscience will keep men close to God in other Duties so will it do in this and truely though a man have never such plenty of knowledge yet if he want Conscience the work will fall 3 Get large bowels of affections to God to the knowledge of God and the Souls of such as God hath given thee inspection over This will promote the work He that loves God truly will disperse the knowledge of God freely and he who beares any affection to souls will be willing to light his Candle to set them in the waie to life and happinesse He that doth not teach his Child I dare say hath not a true Fatherlie love either to God or his Child Love will seek the best wellfare of that which is beloved 3dly The Objections are these 1. Object If I should instruct thus my Family and be so strict repeat Sermons c. I should be reproached c. Sol. 1. No good man would reproach thee no they would love thee honour thee if Michal scoffe and reproach 't is no great matter vid. 2 Sam. 6. 21 22. 'T is no honour to be praysed no dishonour to be reproached by a wicked man 2. Such reproach is the way to happiness vid. 1 Pet. 4. 14. The Saints of God have gloried in reproaches for Christs sake they have worn them as a Crown 3. If thou art afraid of reproach be afraid of Gods reproach He will reproach thee if thou neglect this duty and that not only here but hereafter vid. Dan. 12. 2. If thou neglect this duty for fear of the Worlds reproach thou mayst lie down at last with the Worlds honour but thou wilt rise again to everlasting shame 2. Object But my Servants they will not submit to instruction they think their Consciences are free and that no such thing should be imposed upon them c. Sol. 1. And what if they should pretend the like freedom of Conscience as they call it for the not doing of thy work in thine employment wouldst thou think it a sufficient Salvo and why wilt thou take it for a discharge from doing Gods work 2. I answered they are not free by any Law of God nay they are bound if Abraham must teach his Houshold the way of Jehovah surelie his Houshold must submit to be instructed else the Commandment is void And Joshuah took it for granted that his House should serve the Lord together with himself Josh 24. 15. He should not dwell in Joshuahs House that would not serve Joshuahs God whatsoever they pretended The Rod of Discipline should teach such other practices if after admonition and conviction they remain obstinate 3. Object But they are catechised and instructed by the Minister therefore its needless I should meddle Sol. The Ministerial instruction doth not excuse Domestical instruction Christ taught his Disciples publickly as a Minister and yet he neglected not private instruction also private instruction helps on the publick and the publick the private 2. Vse This is a Doctrine of singular comfort for the godlie Jesus Christ hath a Familie on Earth still though he be in Heaven and the Church is his Houshold Heb. 3. 6. And it s his Office to teach and instruct now as much as ever when he was on Earth And be confident you ignorant Christians that Christ your Master will untie all knots which you cannot untie your selves Qui docet corda Cathedram habet in Coelo Carry your doubts to him freely FINIS
useful to men This Consideration hath put forward the servants of Christ to use all diligence vid. 2 Pet. 1. 12 13 14. And this also made our Saviour so careful vid. John 13. 1. 3 4. c. in a particular case 5th Resol Our Saviour knew the worth and preciousness of time therefore he would not lose one moment He was acquainted with the rareness of opportunity what a Jewel it is 'T is true he could make opportunity whensoever he pleased He was the Lord of time and opportunity But being man as we are he would teach us how to husband time and how to lay hold upon and improve opportunity when t is offered He hath given men a Command to redeem time Eph. 5. 16. And by his own example he will put us upon the work and shew us the worth of opportunity Use of this Doctrine is two fold Conviction Exhortation 1. Vse Conviction and reproof 1 To those who are not able patiently to bear any such discourse from others Many there are who are in a Prison or little-ease when they are in the company of such as would gladly speak something of God They use all their endeavours to silence such language The discourse of Christ and salvation and grace c. these are as smoak to the eyes and Gravel stones to the Teeth unpleasant bitter undelightful They are soon weary of such conference either that must be laid asleep or else they must be withdrawn Vain and unprofitable discourse merry stories discourse about novelties c. in this they can willingly spend dayes c. but conference about things Heavenly makes them very melancholy and heavy There is nothing which discovers a heart more unlike to Christ then this He was never pleased better nor so well as when he was speaking of Heaven c. and they are never discontented more then when they are hedged in with such Discourse Such as these would have been marvellous unfit to have attended upon Christ when he was on Earth and they are as unfit and more for Heaven There is nothing but the Language of Canaan speaking of God and admiring of him discourse which their souls account very unsavoury 2 Others there are who not only neglect this duty but on the contrary are very destructive and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corrupt in their private discourse they speak but things as do putrifie the hearts heads and lives of the hearers The Apostle speaks of some words which are not only unprofitable but also do subvert the hearers 2 Tim. 2. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apostle speaks 2 Tim. 3. 6. to some who creep privily into houses and by their private conference do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 instead of edifying them in the faith they lead them headlong to error c. Jesus Christ never came into any house but all the Family were or might have been better for him others their private conference is only to tempt men to sin and profaneness c. to quench their zeal to take them off from godliness These are not the members of Christ they walk not like their Master Christs Discourse was of Heaven and the Scriptures c. their discourse is about sin and wickedness c. what the Apostle saith of some in his time concerning their private actions that they did such things as was even shame to speak of Eph. 5. 12. we have cause enough to say concerning many in our dayes c. every place where they come keeps some infection receives prejudice from them 3 It blames the best of us all for our dissimilitude to Christ in this respect where is the Christian much regards this duty How unprofitably are many houres spent in private Communion even by the Servants of God wherein there is scarce a word spoken for God or which may edifie The Servants of God heretofore were otherwise minded They spake much one to another about the things of God Mal. 3. latter end God was set up in the hearts of Luk. 24. 14 15. one another c. But now even many of Gods own people have as little of God and Religion in their occasional conversings as other men This is one reason why the power of godliness is so much abated c. to what it was in former times What 's the reason of this neglect 1. Pride may be one hindrance some have high parts they will not stoop 2. Want of heavenliness of minde and largeness of affection to spiritual things Christians are grown more worldly then heretofore 3. Want of affection one to another There is not that care in Christians one towards another and one over another which should be Whatever the cause be 't is utterly a fault and that which Satan rejoyceth at 2d Use Exhortation Let every one who abideth in Christ walk in this as Christ walked 1 John 2. 6. Improve your private converse with men for their good Edifie one another Never meet together but let something be said and done that may tend to Gods honour and the good of men Supporting words to the weak reproving sin c. comforting words to the distressed c. set up God where you come c. I would I could say something to perswade you to it Consider two things are much omitted by the godly frequent meetings and improvement of meetings 1 The things of God and salvation are of the greatest worth and moment There is no other thing so absolutely necessary as these things Indeed there is nothing so deserving of your time as the things of God are One houres time is of greater value then the World time is too precious to be consumed with other discourses If the worth of it were known it would be improved A Christians breath is too good to be wasted about other things vid. Luk. 10. 42. Mary gets to Christs feet resolves to have something out of him 2 This is the only way to make society honourable and comfortable This is the chief and principal end of Communion Take away this and there is not much difference between the society of Christians and Beasts They can eat together and drink and they can walk together c. I am sure take away this and there is no advantage more from the society of Christians then of other men This sweetens society 3 God takes notice and especial regard of such discourse vid. Mal. 3. 16. They lived in dayes of trouble and distress when prophaneness was promoted c. and they when they met together used to exhort and comfort one another c. and God hearkens to them and makes them a gracious promise They shall be mine c. and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him 4 God will call all men to account for the improving of their Communion with others God never casts his people into any Company or society but he either sends them to deliver something from him to others or to receive something
Brethren Rev. 12. 10. We may see by his suggestions against Iob Cap. 1. 10. Cap. 2. 4. As fast as he brings Accusations in so fast doth thy Advocate cast them out vid. Zech. 3. 1 2 3 4. When Satan shewes to God the filthy Garments of thy pollution then doth Christ shew the glorious Garments of his righteousness and so non-suites Satan presently and casts out the Bill And this thou mayst the rather be confident of because he is alwayes present in the Court Nothing can be entered or done without his knowledge He lives for this very work Heb. 7. 25. He is yet in the habit of the High Priest vid. Rev. 1. 13. He hath his Robe on him and his curious Girdle even now in Heaven Steephen sees him in his mediatory posture standing at the right hand of God Acts 7. 56. 3d Use Exhortation 1. That you would believingly and fiducially trust Iesus Christ with all your concernments He is able and besides he is faithful Cast all your cares upon him and that without wavering vid. 1 Pet. 5. 7. venture all upon him It was spoken to the Church in scattered times So Psal 55. 22. There are many burdens 1. A burden of sin 2. A burden of duty 3. A burden of suffering 4. A burden of success Throw all these upon him boldly 2 Make that use which the Apostle commands vid. 1 John 2. 6. Let us be like to him in faithfulness let us be faithful to God to men to our selves in all matters of trust reposed in us It was the honour of Jesus Christ that Righteousness was the Girdle of his loyns and faithfulness the Girdle of his reyns Esa 11. 5. Let us get this Girdle about us Faithfulness is one of Christs Names Rev. 19. 11. Let it be our Name also As we are Christiani à Christo so let us be fideles from him who is Faithful 1 We are fallen into unfaithful times Necessity of urging this Doctrine threefold Davids Complaint may be ours Psal 12. 1. or the Prophets complaint Mich. 7. 5. Every Brother is a supplanter Treachery is one of the last dayes sins 2 Tim. 3. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every where you may hear sad complaints of unfaithfulness Masters complaining of their Servants People of their Ministers Subjects of Rulers Orphans of their Guardians Clients of their Advocates c. Jer. 9. 2. therefore very necessary to presse this Duty of fidelity 2 We all of us have some matter of trust reposed in us some way or other though some more then other yet all in some case or other some one Talent or other As we are Christians God hath trusted us with our souls a great trust life health time As we are particularly related something of trust is committed to us Ministers are trusted with peoples souls Magistrates they are trusted with the Lawes c. Governours of Families they are trusted with Children Servants c. There 's no man but he hath some Feoffeship or other Stewardship is committed to us all Ergo necessary And the lesse the trust the greater the treachery because its easie Your Prentices are trusted in your hands by their Parents for education nurture c. 3 We have all of us the same seed of unfaithfulness which is manifested in any who do betray their trust Ergo treacherous hearts in the best I shall handle this only in a general way And herein I shall 1. Shew you wherein fidelity consists 2. Give some Motives to it 3. Give some helps or meanes 1 Fidelity in discharging any Trust or Office hath these three things in it which makes it up viz. 1 All and every branch and piece of work belonging to that Office must be done respect must be had to every part of the Commission Equal respect These things ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Universality in respect of the Object of the charge enjoyned You often read in Scripture of keeping the Charge Zech. 3. 7. Partiality overthrowes fidelity To instance in particulars A Minister that is faithful must deliver the whole Councel of God Acts 20. 27. He must teach every truth reprove every sin confute every error which is crept abroad in the age he lives in if he keep back any thing of that which he is enjoyned to deliver he is an unfaithful Minister vid. 1 Tim. 5. 21. A Servant who would be faithful must perform every piece of his Masters work if he do one thing leave another undone he proves unfaithful vid. 1 Sam. 2. 35. An Embassador that would be faithful must deliver the whole Message of him who sent him vid. 1 Sam. 3. 18. A Magistrate that would be faithful must discharge every piece of his Duty An Executor that would be faithful must fulfill the whole will of the Testator pay every debt discharge every Legacy perform every pious and charitable work An Agent or Factor who would be faithful must observe all his instructions pay every peny enjoyned deliver to him that employed him every peny he receives An Advocate must plead every part of the Cause urge every Argument c. look how far any part of our taske is omitted willingly so far we fail of fidelity 2 Fidelity must have diligence in acting and exactness in fulfilling what is undertaken All that is done must be done as well as is possible as seasonably as can be with all the skill strength knowledge we have or can attain to A Minister that is faithful must not only preach every truth confute every error reprove every sin but he must do it convincingly as powerfully as fully as he can A Servant must do his Masters work as carefully perfectly as he can To this purpose is required a very diligent use of all meanes helps to fit a person for his employment undertaken that he may be able to mannage it with all exactness and dexterity vid. Gen. 24. 33. He would not eat till he had delivered his Embassage So Jacob Gen. 31. 6. and vers 40. Let him who hath an Office wait upon his Office vid. Rom. 12. 7 8. A man may be as guilty of an unfaithfulness in a careless and negligent doing as in a total and careless omission As good never a whit as never the better vid. 1 Reg. 20. 33. and 2 Cor. 8. 23. Faithfulness is set out by diligence we have often proved diligent in many things 3 All that which is done must be done out of a sincere respect and love to him that hath intrusted and to those for whom we are intrusted and employed Self-seeking and faithfulness have no agreement they are not consistent If an Embassador discharge all his trust and that with all exactness yet if he aim not at the honour of him who sent him but at his own honour he is not a faithful Embassador If a Minister be exact in discharging his whole trust yet if he aym at his own applause profit c and not at Gods
nor ambire any employment which was higher then his arme could well reach Psal 131. 1 2. It is impossible that that should be discharged faithfully which is beyond the strength of the undertaker Our Saviour gives this caution No man when he goes to war with a great King but will consider first whâ—ther he be able c. with 10000 to meet him that comes with 20000. Luc. 14. 31. Every arme is not fit for every worke nor every head for every employment every man who is fit to row is not able to steer the ship every Souldier who is fit to fight is not fit to command It s a very direct tempting of God for a Child to take upon his shoulders a heavy-burden vid. 1 Sa. 17. 32. If Phaeton will mount his fathers Chariot he may burn himself and the whole world In charity a man may not give beyond ability Deut. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 16. 2. much more in this 2 Undertake no charge or trust rashly and inconsiderately usually he that is rash and precipitate in undertaking is unfaithfull and tardy in fulfilling T is that expedient which Solomon propounds as a helpe to faithfulness in promises Eccles 5. 2 4 5 6. Consider well before hand all circumstances all conveniences inconveniences c. which afterwards may arise vid. Pro. 29. 20. vid. Pro. 25. 8. that which is said of striving holds as wel in al other matters of undertaking vid. 2 Sam. 18. 22 29. 3 Vndertake nothing against your will and judgement upon any sollicitation perswasion c. This will certainly lay a foundation of unfaithfulness in discharging that which is undertaken by an overruled and overpowred will cannot be carried on without a failer in execution There is an unwilling willingnesse vid. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when that which forced the will or the practise at least is taken off there will either be an utter cessation or a remissnesse in acting vid. Ro. 14. 5. 4 Nothing without a faire call Trust not your selves 2 There are things which must be observed 1 Be often times looking upon the matter of your undertaking Acquaint your selves duly and throughly with the matter of your trust what belongs to your office calling employment c. Many men are to seek what belongs to their office They do not know their charge c. Ger a Table of the particulars with which you are intrusted that ye may know your work without this it is impossible you should ever be faithfull in any place Masters what is your work to your Servants Servants what is your work towards your Masters Parents Children c. John Baptist's converts vid. Luc. 3. 10. 11. 12. 2 Be much in prayer for a faithfull and trusty heart beg this grace of God and he will not deny it you He gave Moses his faithfulness Num. 12. 7. He gave David Samuel their faithfulness Solomon first lookes upon the greatness of his charge and then begs for a wise and faithfull heart 2 Chr. 1. 9. 10. If you leane upon your own strength and neglect prayer you will warp and be faulty self-confidence is dangerous Pro. 3. 5 6 7. 3 Frequently remember the account you must give of all your Stewardship Thinke of that Text Give an account of thy Stewardship for thou mayest be no longer Steward Luc. 16. 2. We are but Stewards and it is required of a Steward that he be found faithfull 1 Cor. 4. 2. vid. Luc. 12. 42. 46. 47. 48. Consider that your Lord will come to cast over your accounts very shortly 4 Meditate much upon the faithfulnesse of Christ for thee in every thing he undertook he prayed faithfully and suffered faithfully and dyed faithfully c. and is still faithfull in interceding communicating of grace blessing of ordinances c. 5 Think upon the joy of thy Lord into which the faithfull servant shall enter Math. 25. 23. A faithfull Servant is a good Servant and that is accounted well done which is faithfully done though it be done with infirmity and frailty Faithfull and called and chosen are they which walk with the Lambe Rev. 17. 14. 6 Consider the eye of God upon thee in all thy actings he seeth thy fraudulency and falsehood c. his feare will make thee faithfull vid. Neh. 7. 2. Hanani 7 Take heed of and keep watch over thy own heart trust not thy self too far Pro. 28. 26. vid. Mal. 2. 14. 15. Watch over your Spirit 8 Desire thy Christian friends to have an eye to thee an over-seeing friend is a good help When you consider the gaine of unfaithfulnesse remember these things Gehezi may by his Treachery get two Talents of Silver and two suites of apparell but the leprosy shall goe along with his gaine 2 Reg. 5. 26. 27. I might urge this in particulars 1 Servants be you faithfull to your Masters in all your trust Do not wrong nor defraud them Remember good Eliezer Gen. 24. read that Chapter often and study it well And Jacob Gen. 31. 6. 40. read that Chapter well 1 You are your Masters goods The Civilians say a Servant is not persona but res You are his money Jobs Servants is reckoned amongst his estate Job 1. init 2 T is the way to be rich Jacob grew rich by his faithfulness Gen. 31. 8. 9. you may grow rich as Ziba but you will have a curse with it as he had and the brand of Treachery vid. 2 Sam. 16. init vid. 2 Reg. 5. 26 27. Gehazi got two Sutes and two Talents and the Leprosy with it 4 T is your honour Pro. 14. 35. the Kings favour is towards a wise Servant Do not think it enough to excuse you that your Masters deale deceitfully with you Laban dealt so by Jacob Gen. 31. 7. 3 T is the way to provaile with God for Servants to be faithfull to you 2. Masters be you faithfull to your Servants performe your Trust. You undertake to 1. Diligently instruct them in yuor Trade do this 2. Have care of their good education look after their souls Motives 1 You have a Master in Heaven 2. You are Loco parentum to them 3 It encourageth them in their duty to you your breach with them doth not excuse them of any unfaithfulnesse yet it will make you guilty of their sin 4 They are the spring of the City may do much good or hurt hereafter 5 You can never make them and your Parents recompence for the breach of this trust 3 Parents God hath intrusted you to see to the education of his Children Be faithfull in this trust Motives 1. Preciousnesse of souls would be considered 2. You have been instruments of conveying poyson into their Natures 3. It will be the renowne of your family when you are dead 4. You shall perish with them and for them if you fail this trust When God shall say What is become of the Childrens soules I gave thee what will you answer Mary Wolnoth April the 8. 1649. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉