Gall and Bitterness to his Soul and become his miserable Comforters to the greater horrour of his Conscience and the furtherance of his condemnation See Rom. 2.9 When tribulation and anguish shall be upon the Soul then will the poor Soul bewail his former Folly and careless Negligence in slighting the Means of Grace and the precious Price put into his hand and he had not a heart to improve it Prov. 17.16 and all those things whereon his heart was fixed shall be dissolved according as it is written But the Day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3.10 11. Fourthly let us consider this Ornament of Holiness in respect of the Duration of it Holiness is an everlasting Ornament unto the people of God it becometh Gods House for ever It is the Wisdom of the Children of this world That when they want any Commodity as Apparel or otherwise they will endeavour to obtain it with these three considerations in their eye first where they may buy at the best hand or cheapest rate secondly which Commodities are likely to be of longest continuance thirdly which are most beautiful and fashionable Now let us cast our eye upon this Ornament of Holiness of which there is so much necessity that without it no man shall see the Lord and we may behold it tendred unto us at a very cheap rate as on our part for although Gold and Silver will not purchase it yet God doth freely give it in the use of the means that he hath ordained to effect it Let us then improve the means and God hath promised a Blessing It will indeed cost us the parting with our rotten rags of the Old man but what are they in comparison to the Ornaments of the New man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness it may be it will cost us the parting with our former Companions in worldly vanities and not only our gross sins but our own Righteousness which is of the Law Phil. 3. It may be it will cost us the parting with a good Name among men and with our Goods Liberty and Life which are things near and dear unto us but if we part with all these for Holiness we shall be abundantly gainers by the hand for what are corrupt Lusts and carnal Vanities in comparison of the Gifts and Graces and spiritual enjoyments of Christ and what is the Fellowship of carnal Friends and vain Companions unto the Communion of God in Jesus Christ and the Fellowship of the Saints and what are the Sufferings of Gods people though in Name Person and Estate in comparison of that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory promised unto a holy life Holiness doth far surpass all valuations that can be laid in opposition to it wherefore let us lay out for Holiness it is a rich bargain at the highest Rate Secondly Holiness is an Ornament exceeding durable in respect of its Use and Service the more it is made use of the more excellent it is Holiness is every way serviceable to the Creature it helps the Creature to glorifie God in obedience to his Commands as to find acceptance with him it helps towards peace of Conscience and Comfort in a dying hour it helps towards a sanctified use of all the Creatures with comfort in the enjoyments of them it helps a Soul to the sight of God and that blessed enjoyment of Communion with him in Glory Yea it is serviceable upon all accounts at all times in in all places in all companies in all conditions provided the Creature cast it not off as a Garment out of fashion esteem but put it on and gird it to him and be always found in it and it will be so serviceable to him that as abovesaid the more it is made use of the more excellent it is For Thirdly Holiness is never out of fashion and esteem with God and good men it is that which God in Christ designed from Eternity to accomplish in his people and Holiness shall be the Ornament of the people of God unto Eternity when all these outward things shall be dissolved holiness shall remain in its primitive beauty Holiness accompanieth and beautifies a Soul not only in this life but also in the life to come as saith the Text Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for ever O let us be exhorted and moved therefore by all these forementioned considerations to run the Race set before us to press after the Mark for the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 to follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 CHAP. V. Containing some Directions how to puâ— on the Ornament of Holiness I Shall now apply my self to the enquiring Soul which happily may propound this question You exhort us to Holiness and to press after it because iâ— is excellent and of great necessity buâ— what course may we take that we may so press after Holiness as to obtain it In answer hereunto I shall lay before you these ensuing Considerations by way of Direction First I shall propound to your consideration the center where Holiness togetheâ— with the means for the obtaining thereof is placed Secondly the way in which a man must walk and the manner how he must press on to the Center where Holiness is centered so as to obtain the same First as Holiness in its perfection resideth in God the Father so Holiness together with the means for the effecting the same in the Children of Men is of the Father centered in God the Son Jesus Christ both God and man and by the holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son in its powerful influences and operations upon the inward man is wrought and effected in them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be Saints through the exercise of Faith in Christ Now for the clearing up of these things to our understanding let us consider some Scripture-Testimonies The Apostle Paul speaking of Jesus Christ hath these Expressions For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Coll. 1.19 And in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 Saint John saith And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 and of his Fulness have all we received and Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 So that in Christ is centered both Holiness and the means to produce Holiness in the Sons and
to inform us by his Spirit to enable us his Angels to secure us and by his Son to Crown our weak performances with his own perfections to his gracious acceptation He hath made us accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Thus having briefly presented three general grounds comprehending many particulars for encouragement to the Christian soul that in love and loyalty to the Lord entereth a design for holy attainments As first The warrantableness of the design God manifesting his approbation of it by his command thereunto Seconddly God's promise of assistance Thirdly His faithfulness in performing of his Promise I shall only present a fourth ground of encouragement which is as followeth A fourth ground of encouragement in this design is The sure reward that is annexed by promise unto those souls that in the way of God do manage a design for the attainment of a holy state unto such souls there is a sure reward as saith the Spirit of God by Solomon The Wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth Righteousness is a sure reward Prov. 11.18 This Reward is sometimes in Scripture called the Reward of Inheritance as in Col. 3.24 Whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ also this Inheritance is said to be an Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 and an Inheritance incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.4 Sometimes it is called a Kingdom as in Matth. 25.34 and in Luk. 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom a Kingdom that cannot be moved Heb. 12.28 Sometimes in Scripture this Inheritance or Kingdom is called Eternal Life as in Joh. 10.28 My Sheep hear my Voyce and they follow me and I give unto them Eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand See further Matth. 25.46 Rom. 6.23 Quest But where is this Inheritance or Kingdom saith the enquiring soul that I may behold it Answ The Apostle Peter tells us It is reserved in the Heavens for you that are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Note it s by the power of God that ye are kept thereunto the power of God in the operation of his Word and efficacy of his Spirit working in and by the Word therefore love the Word delight therein hold it fast it s the power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 Note also it s through faith therefore look well to your faith make not shiprack of faith but keep up faith in its due exercise for ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation The Servants of God of old did behold the promised Inheritance by faith to their great comfort and encouragement as saith the Authour to the Hebrews chap. 11. These all dyed in faith not having received the Promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth Moses by faith beheld this recompence of reward and in respect thereunto he chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season for he had respect to the Recompence of Reward Quest But when will it be that this promised Inheritance and Reward shall be possessed by the Believer pressing after holiness many have been in the expectation of such a thing indeed but since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation 2 Pet. 3.4 Answ The Apostle Peter affirmeth That the Lord is not slack as some men count slackness but is long suffering to usâ— ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 It may be that God hath some people yet to Convert and to add unto his Church that his coming is prolonged But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noyse and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness It is enough for us that we have the word of promise made out and confirmed to us by the Eternal and Infinite God to exercise our faith and hope upon and it is our duty to wait upon him in faith and patience for the performance of the same unto us in his time It is his own free gift not our deserts and that he will at last accomplish it to any soul it is infinite mercy to be admired The spirit of God hath signified unto us that it will be performed at the second coming of Christ personally as in Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in Glory whereunto agreeth the words of Paul to the Thessalonians chap. 4.16 17 18. which words are these For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Arch-angel and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Ayr and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words and in chap. 5. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do vers 11. Whence Note by the way that it is the duty of Christians and the property of souls espoused to Christ so to apply and improve the promise of Christ's second personal coming as to make it a ground of comfort and encouragement one to another of edification in and the observation of all his holy appointments perseveringly Our Saviour Jesus Christ a little before his sufferings being conversant with his Disciples and fore-seeing the sorrow and trouble that would attend them after his departure he for their better support encouragement and comfort under the same leaveth them this Cordial to feed upon Let not your hearts be troubled saith he ye believe in God believe also in me in my Fathers House are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also Joh. 14.1 2 3. The Lord hath furnished the holy Scriptures with plenty of provision of this nature as if his faithful Servants were likely to have great need of encouragements support and comfort after his departure by reason of the many
troubles and oppositions the world would raise against them in their faithful obedience unto him so that as the reward of Inheritance is sure and certain to the faithful so the more full accomplishment thereof will at the second coming and glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be performed But of the day and hour knoweth no man saith our Saviour no not the Angels in Heaven but the Father only Matth. 24.36 But as a Thief in the Night will it come suddenly upon all that dwell upon the Earth the which doth invite every soul to a diligent watchfulness in the way of God and a patient waiting in the expectation thereof Matth. 24.42 The Husband-man saith Saint James waiteth with long patience for the precious fruits of the Earth until he receive the former and latter Rain Be ye also Patient stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Jam. 5.7 Cast not away therefore your cenfidence which hath great recompence of reward for ye had need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise for he that shall come will come and will not tarry now the Just shall live by Faith c. Heb. 10.35 36 37. Saint John saith he saw under the Alter the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and the Testimony that they held crying how long Lord wilt thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth and white Robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until their fellow Servants also and their Brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled Rev. 6.9 10. It may be the Lord hath some of his Servants yet to suffer for his sake that his comeing is yet prolonged And white Robes were given them and it was said that they must rest for a little season c. whence Note first That Innocent blood cryeth for the hastening of Christ's coming to judge and revenge its cause against its Persecutors and the Lord will assuredly in due time answer the cryes thereof Secondly Note That Christ's Perfection with the Reward of Salvation being sealed and assured to a Soul by the influences and opperations of the spirit of Christ as a pledge of the Fathers love and special favour should be unto every such soul of an inducing nature to move and draw forth the soul to exercise faith and patience to wait upon the Lord with a dependency upon him to plead its cause and to revenge its wrongs and to perform the accomplishment of all his promises in his own time he that believeth maketh not hast he waiteth God's time as the best time Wherefore considering that the management of a design for holy attainments is attended with such encouragements as God's Approbation and Command and his promise of assistance in the way of attainment and his crowning our endeavours with perfection in his Son and with a Reward of an Eternal Inheritance to be fully possessed by the holy people the Saints of the most high God at the second coming of Christ personally bringing his reward with him therefore Beloved Building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life Jude v. 20. CHAP. XII Containing a Use of Comfort and Consolation unto those persons that are industrious in the management of a design for holy attainments in the way of God's Counsel CHristian Friends having related something in the former Chapter concerning a Reward of Inheritance or Kingdom to be possessed by the holy people at the second comeing of Jesus Christ personally as a matter or ground of encouragement unto Holiness so for a ground of Consolation I would put into consideration something of the priviledges the heirs of this Inheritance shall possess in the possession thereof But I must confess that my capacity is too narrow to comprehend and tongues of Men and Angels too short to declare the excellencies of those priviledges in the latitude thereof But when we shall come to experience the priviledges of that Inheritance by a full possession thereof in the glorious presence of the Majesty of the Eternal Deity in the Heavenly Mansions we may with admiration say as the Queen of Sheba concerning Solomons Wisdom and Magnificence that the one half had not been declared to us And as the Queen of Sheba was by the report she had heard drawn forth to make an experiment of Solomons Magnificence by putting her self upon a Journey to his Court So hoping that some souls may be provoked to put forth it self upon a journey towards the Heavenly Court in the paths of Holiness upon the report of the excellent priviledges thereof to an experiencing of the Magnificence of the same although not the one half be declared Consider with me these few particulars as privilegdes appertaining to the heirs of the aforesaid Inheritance or Kingdom to be experienced by a perfect possession at the second coming of Christ personally The first general priviledge including many particulars we shall consider to consist in that excellent and glorious change of the body which at that day shall be effected in the Resurrection thereof with a uniting of body and spirit in which glorious change the body will be Immortal no more subject unto death a spiritual body no more subject to hunher thurst cold sickness nor any putrifaction whatsoever an Incorruptible body no more subject to sin temptations sorrow fears tears nor terrors neither from the apprehensions of any oppression by man nor any displeasure of Almighty God but a glorious body altogether capable of beholding the glorious Essence beautifical presence of the glorious Majesty of the Lord which excelleth the beholding with a mortal eye for evidences hereunto see 1 Cor. 15. Rev. 7.16 Rev. 21.4 Our Conversation is in Heaven saith the Apostle from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phil. 3.20 21. We know saith Saint John that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now we know in part but then shall we know as we are known 1 Cor 13.12 He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure O thou that art in the management of a design for Holy Attainments here is a ground of comfort encouragement and consolation to thy soul although men may kill this vile body and cut thee off in the way they cannot deprive thee of thy end thou shalt be raised again a glorious body like unto him who is able to subdue all things unto
house which do most Adorn the same to make it comely and delightful unto the Lord. And that is Holiness Holiness becometh thine House O Lord. Fourthly we have here set forth unto us the duration of this Ornament Holiness how long its comeliness is acceptable in the sight of God and that is here said to be for Ever Holinesâ— becometh Thine House O Lord for Ever Secondly By way of Explication We have several particulars very considerable First who this Lord is thaâ— claimeth propriety in this house Secondly what the House is and how considered Thirdly what Holiness is And Fourthly how far the term Ever doth Extend Of these particulars Briefly And First who this Lord is that claimeth proprieâ—â— in this House Now among the multitude of Scripturâ— Testimonies which do unfold this Questâ—on that of Jeremiah is very full and clear where the Lord by the Prophet doth discover himself in these words But the Lord is the true God He is the living God and an everlasting King at whose wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation Jer. 10.10 To this may be added Hebrews 3.4 the Words whereof are these For every House is builded by some Man but he that built all things is God who is a Spirit * J h. 4.24 or spiritual Essence pure †Hebr. 1.13 perfect * Psal 18.30 eternal †Deut. 32.4 incomprehensible * Deut. 33.27 having his Being of and from himself and giving Being to all Creatures of which he is the supream Governour Orderer and Disposer by his Omnipotency Providentiality Omnipresency and Omnisciency according to his Infinite Wisdom and Divine Will Jer. 13.23 24. Heb. 4 13 See Psal 22.28 Rev. 19.6 Ps 65.9 Ro. 13.1 Ephes 1.11 Thus much to the first particular Who it is that claimeth Propriety in the House The Second Question concerns the House it self under what Consideration it may be taken The term House doth signifie a Dwelling-place a place of Abode Habitation or of Rest Now it is not to be conceived that any one particular place can comprehend an Incomprehensible and Infinite God Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jerem. 23.24 If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there saith the Psalmist If I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there If I take the wings of the Morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea even there shall thy Hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me Psal 139.7 8 9 10 11 12. So that God dwells in Heaven by his glorious essential Presence in Hell by his Wrath and just Judgments in the World by his common Mercies and in his Saints by his Spirit whereby they are regenerated sanctified assisted and assured oâ— his Favour in the use of all his Ordinances And under this last Consideration iâ— my ensuing Discourse I shall consider thâ— House of God That a Believing people in whom the Covenant of Grace is confirmed by the in-dwellings of the Spirit oâ— Grace in its Operations and powerful Influences whereby they are drawn forth to walk with the Lord Christ in the Faith and Practice of his Truth according to his Revealed Will contained in his Word such a People upon a Scripture-account may be called the Lords-House The Apostle Peter writing to the Saints scattered abroad considering them as People in Covenant with Christ and Partakers of the Spirit unto Sanctification and Obedience putteth them under this Denomination Ye also as lively Stones saith he 1 Pet. 2.5 are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ So Hebr. 3.6 Christ as a Son over his own House whose House are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope firm into the end The Believing Ephesians likewise being in Christ by Faith and Christ in them by his Spirit operating and working them up to Sanctification and Obedience and sealing the Promises unto them The Apostle considering their near Relation unto God which they were hereby brought â—nto hath these Expressions concerning them Now therefore saith he Eph 2 1 20 21 22 ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold â—f God and are built upon the Foundation â—f the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ â—imself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together â—roweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord â—n whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Thus Gods People are his Habitation as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor. 6.16 The Prophet Isaiah doth bear testimony to this truth Isai 66.1 2. Thus saith the Lord The Heaven is my Throne the Earth is my Footstool where is the House that ye build unto me saith the Lord and where is the place of my Rest for all those things hath my hand made and all those things have been saith the Lord but to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Two things briefly we may note in these words First the Question propounded Where is the House that ye build unto me saith the Lord and where is the place of mâ— Rest Secondly the Lords Answer to hiâ— own Question But to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contritâ— Spirit and trembleth at my Word Now how will the Lord look to this man surely to make his abode with him to takâ— up his residence and dwelling with him and in him by his Spirit of Grace quickning reviving comforting and replenishing the Soul with assurances of his Favouâ— in Christ endowing them with sucâ— Gifts and Qualifications of Grace whereby they are enabled to offer up spiritual Sacrifices of Prayers and Praises acceptable to God by Jesus Christ I dwell in the high and holy place Is 57.15 saith the Lord with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Judas one of Christs Disciples but not Iscariot putting forth this Question to his Lord Lord faith he how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World Jesus answered and said unto him If any man love me he will keep my words Joh. â—4 23 and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Gods Work in the Sâ—ul by his in â—â— dwelling there Now how will the Father and the Son come to such a Soul to take up their abode surely by that illuminating and quickning spirit of Truth proceeding from the Father and the Son enlightening the Understanding informing the Judgment rectifying the Will subduing Corruption and
must expect the greater Judgments from the Lord There is in a day of Prosperity more danger of a peoples growing into Carnal Security and forgetting of their God than in a day of affliction if we take not heed as the Lord said to Israel of old When ye shall come into the good Land and have Houses builded and Vineyards and Olives planted and your Cattel multiplyed and ye have eaten and are full then beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and Judgments and Statutes which I Command thee this day that then thou forget not the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Deut. 6.12 Whence note that God's People that have had great experiences of God are in times of peace and plenty very apt to forget the Lord and to turn aside from a due observation of his ways and thereby defile themselves with the sins of ingratitude and great disobedience under eminent mercies highly provoking the Lord would we be a holy people unto the Lord Let Israels and others sins and punishments for the same make us timely to beware lest we stain our chiefest Ornaments thereby and watch and pray against such ingratitude the neglect whereof may cause God to neglect us of those supplyes of grace necessary to uphold us and in all our approaches to the Lord we are also to take heed and be careful that our end be right that we might glorify God in our act of Prayer and our end of asking any thing of God may be for our better glorifying of his Name the end many times crowns the action as the words of Saint James doth imply Ye have not because ye ask not and ye ask and have not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your Lusts Jam. 4.2 3. Wherefore would we have God to supply and support us let us not omit our duty in seeking to him would we have him answer us in our seeking to him then let us take heed that we omit not a right end in what we seek unto him for The omission of one thing more I would present to mind that we take heed of lest it should become sin unto us and that is of omitting the ministring of our temporal things unto such as perform the Office of ministring unto us in spiritual things especially if it be by the Minister required for as much as the Lord hath so required and ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel The Apostle Paul would have the Churches know their duty in this point and the Ministers power to require it although he voluntarily would rather work with his hands then to be chargable to the Churches But as for me as I have not been chargable hitherto in that nature for what hath by me been done upon that account so do I not desire to make the Gospel chargable to any except the greater necessity yet as Paul would so would I have Christians know their concernment in this point as well as other points of Christianity and to take heed lest Omission here do not become a sin of deep pollution since it is doubtless the requirement of God see 1 Cor. cap. 9. Gal. 6.6 And let the Minister on the other hand take heed and beware that he make not temporal means and honour the chiefest end and master-wheel of his motion in the work of the Ministry and it become a pollution of the Ornaments of holiness unto him Also take heed and beware of omitting actions of charity towards the poor and it become our sin For as much saith Christ as ye have not done it to one of the least of these my Brethren ye have not done it unto me go ye therefore into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but he that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and he will repay it Blessed is the man that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble And so I shall conclude this Use by way of Caution with those words of Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things that thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons CHAP. XI Containing a Use of Encouragement unto Believers to Press after the attainment of Holiness and to Persevere therein THe first consideration I shall propound for Encouragement in the prosecution of this design for an Estate of Holiness is the warrantableness of the design it is highly approved of God insomuch that God doth command the prosecution of this design Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy Persons prosecuting this design for holiness in God's way out of which there is no attainment they do hereby answer God's Will and a good Conscience the which is a good encouragement in the prosecution of a design a good issue and success thereof may be expected But Secondly A second ground of encouragement in the prosecution of this design may arise upon the consideration of the promise of assistance in the management of this design for holiness made to the prosecutors of the said design A man having a design for his advancement in this world either for the obtaining some great Estate of Land or place of Honour and Dignity and having the word of a King for his assistance by his Countenance his Court and Counsel his Laws and Authority for the accomplishment thereof how doth this raise up and enlarge the heart of this man with encouragement in the prosecution of his design and confirm his hope of attaining his end therein How much more may the Christian-Soul be raised up with confidence and his heart enlarged with incouragements in his design for holiness and hope of attaining unto the perfection thereof Considering he hath not only the command but also the promise of him who is the King of Kings the Omnipotent Immortal and Omni-present Majesty of Heaven and Earth with all his Heavenly Court and Counsel Laws and holy Appointments to protect and assist us in the management of this great design for our attainments unto holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. O what an assistance is this for a poor Soul to have the whole Court of Heaven to assist him in his design and management thereof where God the Father by his holy appointment doth ordain his holy Word and Counsel therein to inform us his holy Spirit to enable us his holy Angels to encamp about us to minister security to us in the said design and his holy Son Jesus Christ to Crown us with the perfection of Holiness in himself considering also that he is faithful that hath promised who also will do it O what great encouragement is this that the Lord hath laid before us What rich grace is this that God doth
active in the things of God which concern its own salvation and the Edification Comfort 1 Thes 5.9 10 11. and Assurance of others and that not upon the account of merit or desert on the Creatures part but to glorifie God that hath freely given forth both means and merit in his Son whom God the Father hath ordained supream Head King and Governour to his Church and People that men might honour the Son by obedience to his Laws as they honour the Father Joh. 5.22 23. unto which obedience through Faith in the merits of Christ God the Father hath annexed the promise of Salvation of his own free Love and rich Mercy Heb. 5 9. so that Salvation is on God's part an act of Mercy on Christ's part an act of Merit on man's part it is undeserved in his best obedience for It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth Mercy Rom. 9.16 A second Use which the afore-mentioned considerations may direct us unto The second Vse is of Admiration is a use of Admiration It may raise up our Souls to behold with Admiration God's great Love All the Works of God are to be Admired of his Saints Especially his gâ—ace in Christ to effect holiness in his people and happiness thereupon and rich Mercy manifested in all his proceedings in and by Jesus Christ towards man a sinful and undeserving Creature who by sin had dishonoured God defaced his Image of Righteousness and true Holiness wherein he was at first Created and deprived himself of the Paradice of God and made himself an object of his displeasure according to due desert Now that God should look upon the Creature in its lost condition and corrupted state from which he was no way able to recover himself with such an eye of pity and bowels of compassion as to lay help upon one that is mighty even Jesus Christ his only Son both God and Man to take satisfaction in him that sinned not for the world of Sinners And by his grace to accept those unto the adoption of Sons that by Faith receive Jesus Christ as in the Gospel he is tendred Joh. 1.12 and to repair the decayes of Nature and to restore that Image of holiness which by sin was defaced to pardon the sin of Sinners and to impute Righteousness unto them without the deeds of the Law to behold the Creature in the Righteousness of his Son and to bestow upon him Heavenly felicity and eternal life is admirable Mercy and he is to be admired in all them that believe it 2 Thes 1.10 They may say with the Psalmist What is man that thou art mindful of him or the Son of man that thou visitest him Psal 8.4 And with the Apostle O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his ways past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced unto him again for of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Rom. 11.33 34 35 36. Thirdly Is it so The third Vse is of Examination Self Examination of our hearts and ways is a Christians duty and of great concernment that holiness ever becometh the people of God and to be found adorned therewith is matter of great concernment it may then put us upon a third Use by way of Examination to move us to examine our own hearts and wayes how far we have attained to the Ornament of holiness which so becometh the people of God And in the prosecution of this Duty two things are to be considered First Our hearts or inward man Secondly Our wayes or outward walkings We may know our holiness by our Heavenliness Hath the Lord through the illuminations of his Spirit and the operations thereof manifested to thy Soul the great sufferings of Christ to procure the pardon of thy sins together with the priviledges of Adoption Justification and Salvation hath he shewed thee the dignity of Christ in respect of his Offices King Priest and Prophet hath he sealed the benefits and priviledges thereof to thy Soul with the signet of his Love through the demonstrations of his holy Spirit to thy great Consolation in the enjoyments thereof so that thy mind and affections are thereby raised up from Earthly and Carnal objects and seated on God with so earnest a desire and delight in him that thou canst truly say with the Psalmest Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none opon Earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73.25 Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart Psal 119.111 When thou canst experience by a supernatural work of grace that thy affections are so fixed on the Lord that thou canst sincerely love him for his own sake and in love to him bear an affectionate esteem to and delight in his Testimonies Statutes Ordinances and Commands so as to make them thy choyce Psal 119.30 or chosen Subjects of thy meditations and rule of observations when thou canst experience thy will by grace made free to stand in the will of God so as in love to him submit and wait upon him in all his dispensations serve worship and obey him in all his institutions When thou canst experience thy desires drawn forth towards him with holy longings thirstings and pantings after more enjoyments of him and supplications to him for further strength and power of grace to assist thee support and uphold thee against those corruptions and temptations that attend thee lest thou shouldest thereby be overcome to sin against God to the dishonour of his Name the grief of his Spirits and stain the profession of his Truth When thou canst experience this end in thy desires and supplications for his assisting grace as aforesaid The Saints end in their desires and supplications to God for grace A right end Crowns the action not only that thou mightest not dishonour God by sin but also that thou mightest honour him by such motions and actions as may answer his will in his commands to the experiencing of self-ends self-righteousness self-merits and carnal delights and the vain pleasures of this world in a dying or dead condition in thee and thee dead to them so as not to have any motion or action thereunto approved by thee when thou canst experience such a Love to the Lord as that for his sake thou canst perform Offices of Love towards all men as opportunity serveth thee Gal. 6.10 and that as they are his Workmanship by Creation but especially to his Saints as they bare his Image by Regeneration for every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him 1 Joh. 5.1 So when thou canst experience such a supernatural work of grace in thee every
The time cometh meaning the time of his Exaltation that I shall shew you plainly of the Father That Soul that would obtain a true and saving knowledg of God the Father must take Jesus Christ for his Counsellor And lest there should be any scruple or doubt arise that they should not perform the Duty aright or not so perfect without Imperfections as to be heard of the Father and answered by him he annexeth this Promise also unto the rest for their Encouragement in the Duty in that day saith he meaning his Exaltation ye shall ask the Father in my Name and I say to you that I will pray the Father for you Joh. 16.25 26. O excellent Priviledg Christ the Saints advocate an excellent priviledg wouldst thou pertake of the priviledg be active in the duty to that Soul for whom the perfection of Wisdom Knowledg and Fidelity is exercised to plead its cause Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God is become an High-priest for ever to intercede with the Father in the behalf of those Souls that come unto the Father with a dependency by Faith upon his Intercession for their Acceptation with the Father wherefore as saith the Holy Ghost having an High-priest over the House of God let us draw near in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure Water let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised Heb. 10.21 22 23. O! did we really consider this High-priest Jesus Christ as in his Humiliation so also in his Exaltation executing his Priestly Office upon our account that we might experimentally partake of the benefits and Priviledges thereof how would it engage our Love to him our Delight in the enjoyments of him and our utmost Endeavours to answer his End in all his undertakings for us which is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Ephesians CHAP. VI. Containing a Word of Advice to consider Christ in his Kingly Office and by Faith to embrace him in the same in order to our better Attainment unto Holiness SIxthly would we attain unto Holiness be found in the Ornaments thereof then we are concerned to exercise our eies of Understanding and Faith upon the Dignity and Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ beholding and considering of him and submitting to him in his Kingly Office wherein the Father hath exalted him unto his own right hand of Power and Throne of Majesty on high to sway the Scepter of Rule and Government in Righteousness by his righteous Laws Statutes and Ordinances Heb. 1.8 and to execute Justice and Judgment accordingly against all opposers The Prophet Isaiah speaking of Jesus Christ saith of him he shall not judg after the sight of his eyes neither reprove after the hearing of his ears but with Righteousness shall he judg the Poor and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth Isa 11.3 4 5. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand or into his Power and Jurisdiction Joh. 3.35 Paul to the Ephesians saith that He meaning the Father hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his Body Eph. 1.22 Christ a King by the Fathers Ordination whose Laws and Subjects are his Kingdom By Headship is signified Supremacy Soveraignty or his Kingly Office and Authority to give forth Laws Statutes and Ordinances with Order of Rule and Government with Power to command Obedience thereunto with Power to defend his Subjects in the proper Rights and Priviledges of his Kingdom to plead their Cause to revenge their Wrongs and to crown them his Subjects with an immortal recompence of heavenly Glory all the oppositions of the Devil wicked men notwithstanding as the Lord by his Spirit in his Word hath of old declared saying Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. The word Yet is a Relative to what is in the foregoing Verses related as if the Lord should say Although the Kings of the Earth and Rulers yea though Herod and Pontius Pilate the chief Priests and Elders the Scribes and Pharisees yea all the rude multitude of the people consult together set themselves against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their Bands and cast their Cords from us yet for all whatever they can do I have exalted him set him at my right Hand of Power and Majesty Act. 5.31 far above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come hath put all things under his Feet Eph. 1.20 21 22. that is to say all persons of what Rank and Quality soever by what Names Titles or Dignities soever distinguished together with all earthly Dominions Rules and Governments whatsoever to be at his disposing or deposing according to his own Will and Pleasure all shall be brought in subjection unto him either by active Obedience to his Laws and righteous Government or passively to submit unto the Execution of his Justice as it is written At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow Phil. 2.9 10 11. the which bowing of every Knee doth intend Subjection to his Laws as aforesaid or Submission to his Justice unto one of which all the whole Creation of Men and Angels shall be forced to submit unto Such a Construction the Apostle Paul seemeth to put upon the words Rom. 14.11 But why dost thou judg thy Brother or why dost thou set at naught thy Brother we shall all stand before the Judgment-Seat of Christ his ground and reason is because it is written As I live saith the Lord every Knee shall bow to me and every Tongue shall confess to God the which Expressions the Apoâ—â—le asserteth to prove the certainty of Christs sitting on the Seat of Judgment and that all persons in particular none excepted shall be forced to app ar before him to give an account how they in this life have acted in order to the Supremacy of Christ and to receive the Sentence of Absolution into Glory or the just and righteous but dreadful Sentence of Condemnation into everlasting Perdition as the Apostle Paul by the Spirit of God doth testifie that will render to every Soul of Man that doth evil Indignation and Wâ—ath But Glory Honour and Peace Immortality and eternal Life to every Soul of Man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile for God is no respecter of persons Rom. 2.9 10 11. every man shall give an account of himself unto God Rom. 14.12 Surely it will then be in vain for ungodly and wicked men be they of what Degree Rank or Quality soever to call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne
and from the Wrath of the Lamb Rom. 6.15 16. for nothing in that day shall be found to be a shelter vers 17. but an Interest in Christ by Faith which in this day of Grace bringeth forth the fruits of Obedience to the Supremacy of Christ We usually say a man forewarn'd of a danger is fore-arm'd he will seek to secure himself in time and take him for a Friend that gives him the warning O! how many friendly warnings hath the Lord by his Spirit in his Word given unto poor sinful mortal man of the great and eminent dangers approaching as the fruits and effects of Sin O what friendly Counsel and advice hath he laid before us for security did we improve the same accordingly as if his very bowels yerned towards us for our eternal preservation O how are his Warnings and Counsels made out in his Word to all sorts of men of what Degree Rank or Quality soever high and low rich and poor free and bond as if he was no Respecter of persons in his Warnings Advice and Counsels as he is no Respecter of persons in Judgment The Lord having made known by his Spirit in his Servants the certainty of his accomplishing his Decree and fore-Determinations in exalting his Son Jesus Christ into the Throne of Kingship and Seat of Justice The Lords Advice to Majest a es gives this Counsel and Advice unto Kings and other inferiour Magistrates saying Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth serve the Lord with Fear and Trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way while his Wrath is kindled but a little Blessed are are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2.10 11 12. As if he should have said O ye Kings and Judges of the Earth in whose hands the Sword or Power of Magistracy is entrusted herein doth the principle part of your Wisdom consist let the Salutations of your Love and chief Respects be manifested towards Christ Jesus the Son of God whom the Father hath exalted into the Throne of Government Seat of Justice King of Kings and Lord of Lords Let the Salutations of your Love and chiefest Respects be manifested towards him The Wisdom of the majestrate chiefly consists in making Christ chief in his Counsel in his Laws and Government for thereunto is the Blessing promised by embracing his Counsel for your Counsel his Laws for your Laws his Government for your Government his Subjects that desire to obey him in his Laws and righteous Government the people of your chiefest protection and objects of your Praise that you may be as nursing Fathers unto them but a terror to those that do evil as it is written Isai 49.23 Rom. 13.3 The Lord hath signed this with the Promise of his Blessing as before expressed The Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul asserting the Soveraignty of Christ into which God the Father hath exalted him Phil. 2.9 10 11. doth lay down this Exhortation vers 12. as drawn from the aforesaid consideration of his Soveraignty Phil. 1.12 Wherefore my Beloved as ye have always obeyed not only in my presence but much more in my absence work out you own Salvation with fear and trembling As if he had said wherefore as ye have hitherto subjected your selves to the Soveraignty oâ— Jesus Christ by Obedience to his Laws and Form of Government so that noâ— only in my presence but also in my absence you have been growing and increasing in the same so let your careful endeavours be in a holy awful reverential fear spirit of Humility to be still growing increasing with all perseverance in the Faith and Practice of all the Will of God in as much as true Faith in Christ doth demonstrate and shew forth it self by the fruits of sincere Obedience to Christ and perseverence therein hath the promise of Salvation thereunto annexed as Christ himself did intimate unto those Jews that believed on him Joh. 8.31 If ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free O did we with David set the Lord Jesus Christ always before us Psal 16.8 having an Eye of Faith fixed on him as in his Priestly Office so also in his Kingly Office executed in his giving forth Laws Statutes Ordinances and Order of Government with Rules of Observation and Commands and Examples for our better Obedience thereunto see Genes 49.10 Isai 9.6 did we behold him and seriously consider him the anointed and appointed King and Lawgiver by the Father ordained Head over all things to his Church in the great concerns of Gods Worship and our Salvation the alone exalted King of Sion and Judg of the World with a due consideration Isai 33.22 Psal 2.2 Act. 5.31 32. Jam. 4.12 doubtless we might thereby the more be induced and the better behold the great concernment that lieth upon us to quicken our motion in the use of the means appointed by God the Father for our better attainment unto Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord to his eternal Consolation The Man Christ Jesus Judg of the World by the Fathers Ordination whereof his Resurrection is a sure testimony the which inviteth all persons to live to Christ in his way of Holiness that their Account may be comfortable in that day for God hath appointed a day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Act. 17.31 CHAP. VII Wherein is contained some considerations concerning the Propheticall Office of Christ necessary to our better attainment of a Degree in the Ornament of Holiness OF all Wisdom demonstrated in or among the Sons and Daughters of Men the Divine Wisdom of God in Christ is the most excellent and wonderful most to be admired and desired Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 in comparison whereof all the Wisdom of this world is but Foolishness in Gods esteem 1 Cor. 1.20 Of all cases that we are concerned to seek for Counsel in the Case of our Souls for the Salvation thereof is our great concernment and of all Counsellors for Advice in this case we are most concerned to advise with Christ and seek to him for Counsel herein Lord saith Peter to whom else should we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Joh. 6.68 neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 It was commendable Prudence in Mary that she was careful in this case of great concernment she sits at Jesus's Feet to hear his Words and makes all other Concernments for to give place hereto Luk. 10.39 40 41 42. And what was the reason think ye that Mary was taken up in so high esteem with the Words
the Lord hath determined that in their Unrighteousness he will reject them and leave them to Sathans delusions that divine Justice may be satisfied in their Condemnation To this purpose consider well some Testimonies among many given out by God's Spirit in his Servants of old as in 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. the Epistle of Jud. 4. Here observe they are persons turning the grace of God into Laciviousness denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ and withal observe that this denial is not to be confined only to such Atheists that say there is not any God but also those persons are herein comprehended that in words do acknowledge there is a God and Christ but yet although they live under the dispensation of Gods gracious word and word of grace yet refuse to live in God's Counsel therein contained to live in those ways works that their own ungodly Lusts do lead them to and such are those persons that Paul to Titus speaketh of that confess they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work Reprobate Tit. 1.16 and with these Scriptures consider Wisdoms Voyce Prov. 1. ver 20. to the end of the Chapter Wherefore all ye that lye down securely upon the bed of Ignorance and Prophaneness solacing your selves in Carnal Vanities and the Mammon of this world O look unto the Lord who desires the Knowledge of God rather than burnt Offerings Hos 6.6 and obedience to his Will rather than Sacrifice Look up and behold it is not Ignorance and Prophaneness but Holiness that leads to Happiness It is not the qualifications of the Old Man as Hatred Malice Envy Evil-speaking Back-biting and Devouring nor any Prophane and Carnal Vanities but the qualifications of love to Christ his Truth and Members yea love to Enemies to all men as they are the Creatures of God the workmanship of his hands with Peace towards all men Mercy Pitty and Compassion towards the Oppressed and Distressed Meekness Patience Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith and Temperance with joy and delight in the exercises of Piety and Charity that leads to Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord against such saith the Apostle there is no Law And they that are Christs have Crucified the Old Man or the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Neither is it Ignorance but a true Knowledge of Christ through which the Old Man is Crucified and these divine graces or qualifications of Christ are begotten conceived nourished and preserved in the Soul and brought forth into action to the perfecting Holiness in the fear of God Neither is it a Mind and Meditations exercised chiefly in temporal things but a diligent and careful exercising the mind and meditations in the divine Precepts and Counsel of God contained in his word with a wrestleing at the Throne of Grace for a sanctified use thereof unto the Soul whereby the true Knowledge of Christ and the truth in him is obtained VVherefore wouldst thou have Heaven for thy Inheritance press after Holiness VVouldst thou be Holy suffer not the Old Man to lye Uncrucified in thee but press hard after the attainments of the divine qualifications of Christ so as to have them ruling in thee and from that principle let all thy actions flow both towards God and men And wouldest thou attain to this degree press after a right knowledge of Jesus Christ and God in him And wouldest thou attain to a right knowledge of God in Christ Take the Testimonies of the Mind and Will of God contained in his Word for thy Counsellors Advise therewith by a diligent exercise of thy mind and meditations therein waiting upon God with supplications for a blessing thereupon Wherewith saith David shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word Psal 119.9 As if he had said by making the Word of God his chief Counsel and regulating his thoughts words Psal 119 93 104. and actions by that rule Through thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickened me O that every Soul in an Estate of Ignorance and Prophaneness would in time consider David's foot-steps and the foot-steps of all the flock of God and consider the experienced Benefit they did attain unto by walking in the Counsel of the Lord contained in his word and by way of imitation turn their feet their affections unto the Testimonies of the Lord and up and be doing while it is called to day before the night cometh when no man can work He that gathereth in Summer is a wise Son saith Solomon but he that sleepeth in Harvest is a Son that causeth shame Prov. 10.5 These words in the spiritual sence of them giveth us this note or observation by the way That it is a point of excellent wisdom in a person or people diligently to improve opportunities and means for Heavens Attainments while the season serveth but shame and contempt are the attendants of a person or people careless and negligent in improving opportunities and means for Heavenly attainments in their season or while they are afforded to them If thou beest wise thou shalt be wise for thy self Prov. 9.12 Thy diligence in season shall redound to thy own advantage and eternal benefit But if thou scornest thou alone shalt bear it for God hath not called us to Vncleanness but unto Holiness 1 Thes 3.7 8. He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God at whose Wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation Jer. 10.10 A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished Prov. 22.3 In the fear of the Lord is strong Confidence and his Children shall have a place of refuge Prov. 14.26 Surely he scorneth the scorners but he giveth grace unto the lowly The Wise shall inherit glory but shame shall be the promotion of Fools Prov. 3.34 35. The heart of the Prudent getteth Knowledge and the ear of the Wise seeketh Knowledge Prov. 18.15 The words of the Lord are pure words Psal 12.6 They are the words of Wisdom Knowledge Understanding they proceed from the Fountain of Wisdom Knowledge Understanding God doth give Wisdom Knowledge and Understanding thereby unto such as imbrace his Counsel in the same and improve it accordingly waiting upon him therein in love thereunto as saith David Thy Word is pure therefore thy Servant loveth it Psal 119.140 Thou through thy Commandements hast made me wiser then mine Enemies Psal 119.98 for they are ever with me the entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 David experiencing the truth of the words of God and the vertue use and efficacy of the same unto his Soul doth here set forth the excellency thereof to the praises of God and to the encouragement of others to prove the excellency
for whose sake many times the tranquility of a City or Nation is prolonged wherefore all ye that have any respect unto your Native Country King and Kingdom or unto your own souls and yet are solacing your selves in wicked vicious ways let Daniels Counsel find acceptation with you To break off your Sins by Righteousness and your Iniquities by shewing Mercy to the Poor if it may be a lengthening of your own tranquility and of your Country King and Kingdom Dan. 4.27 And all ye that are Descipled to Christ and by confession of Faith and Baptisme have joyned your selves into a Congregational way of Church-communion to live to Christ and to walk with him in all his holy appointments contained in his word remember Christ's Counsel by way of caution to you Take heed saith he unto your selves that your hearts be not overcharged with Surfeting and Drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares for as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell upon the face of the whole Earth Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of man Luk. 21.34 35 36. O consider the Caution is a piece of Divine Counsel take heed therefore And as Surfetting and Drunkenness is become a part of the abounding sins of this Age and Nation and many temptations and opportunities thereunto are presented and many evils thereby doth ensue take heed therefore watch and pray against the temptations occasions and evils thereof and consider that as Drunkenness dismables and makes a man unmeet for divine Contemplations and Religious Services so also the immoderate cares of this life makes persons unfit and unmeet for the same and also unmeet for the enjoyments of glory Therefore take heed and beware watch and pray against the same also consider what dishonour it is to God what reproach to religious profession what grief to the spirit and spiritual persons and wounds to your own Souls attend thereupon Take heed therefore watch and pray always that ye may escape these things once again consider that unto you that are Christians by profession these sins are sins against divine Love Light and Knowledge received sins against rich grace sins of a deep defilement sins against Covenant-mercies and obligations which if after we have escaped such corruptions through divine Illuminations and Experiences of God in Heavenly concernments and shall again therewith be entangled and brought in bondage may not the last state be worse then the first Therefore take heed watch and pray that ye may be able to withstand all temptations and to stand before the Son of man If our first Parents Adam and Eve in their estate of Innocency did by yielding unto one temptation against the known Law of God so corrupt themselves and Posterity as to stain and pollute their Ornaments of Holiness and Righteousness and thereby disable themselves to withstand many other temptations without a divine assistance how do we know but we by yielding unto one temptation to transgress allowingly the Law of God known unto us may thereby disable our selves to withstand Satan in many other of his wiles one sin may give advantage to another and therefore take heed watch and pray for divine assistance that ye fall not in temptation and as we are to take heed of viciousness of life so also of corruptness of judgment in the points of Faith by false Doctrines which are likewise some of Satans baits and subtil wiles wherewith he lyeth in wait to deceive take heed therefore watch and pray against the same try before ye trust and prove them by the word of Christ before ye imbrace If any bring not the Doctrin of Christ receive him not into your house neither bid him Godspeed for he that bideth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds As saith Saint John in his second Epistle vers 9 10 11. Take heed saith Christ our Saviour for many shall come in my name and shall deceive many Take heed therefore watch and pray that ye may obtain a firm Faith in Christ and a well-grounded judgment in his Counsel contained in his Word his Testimonies Commands and Promises to the enabling of you to live therein and according thereunto to the perfecting holiness in the fear of God Plentiful is the Scripture of Cautions upon this account whereunto I shall refer you and proceed unto a further prosecution of this Use by way of Caution considering that omission of Duties required is sin of dangerous consequence as well as actual transgression Take heed and beware of neglect of duty and particularly the omission of action in the Word of God and Prayer The Word or Doctrin of Christ is somtimes called the word of Faith because it is the ordinary means in the ministration of it to beget Faith and to nourish Faith and to compleat Faith in a Soul towards Jesus Christ It is somtimes said to be the power of God to Salvation unto every one that believeth because the tendancy use and efficacy of it is to the directing leading and nourishing of Souls up to the attainments of Salvation by Jesus Christ And as it is the requirement of God that the Sons and Daughters of men should harken diligently unto his Word in the ministrations of it and to meditate therein and to apply it and improve it to the glory of his Name and to their attainments unto holiness and happiness so it becomes a duty incumbent upon us to be active therein Therefore take heed and beware of neglect in this great duty and our omission thereof become our great sin and the Word that we have omitted become a witness against us to our Condemnation And let those that through grace have received ministerial gifts and imployed in the work of the Ministery take heed of omitting willingly or carelesly what the Lord requires at their hands in order to their feeding of the Flock of God take heed therefore of omitting but watch and pray for opportunities to the work and for divine assistance in the work that ye stain not your Ornaments of Holiness by the sin of Omission And in the duty of Prayer take heed of Omission lest it become sin unto us God forbid saith Samuel that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you 1 Sam. 12.23 God's People are required to pray for an increase of Labourers in the work of the Ministery and for an increase of gifts and qualifications sutable to the work in those that are already imployed And if Paul did stand in need of and required the Prayers of God's People who was extraordinarily gifted how much more ordinary gifted-Ministers Paul required the Prayers of the Christians in order to his preservation from the hands of wicked and unreasonable men And herein Christians ought to be active at the Throne of grace in behalf of Gospel-Ministers now and especially when the storms of
Purchased with his own blood unto himself and his Fellow-heirs to possess Eternal Glory with himself unto whom every wrong done he taketh as done unto himself Act. 9.4 5. and Recordeth it every Tear by them shed through their Oppression he bottleth up for a Witness against the Oppressor in the day of his Vengeance Psal 56.8 when he maketh Inquisition for blood he remembreth them then will he not only take account of actions done against his people but also of the omission of that good they might have done unto them and should have ministered to them in the day of their distress In as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these ye have done it unto me Matth. 25. See this Omission is rewarded with go ye Cursed with what reward then will the Act of Oppression be rewarded the Lord hath spoken he will also bring to pass the Lord will perform and none shall hinder his proceedings Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh shall he find Faith on the Earth Luk. 18.8 True Faith in Christ works by Love to Christ a stability in the way of Christ the which by the words of Christ is likely to be very rare and scarce to be found among the Sons and Daughters of men in the latter days immediatly before his coming unto which the Apostles in their holy writings do bear their Testimonies Therefore when ye shall see but little true Faith on Earth as it were but here and there a man or a few that are stedfast in the Profession of Christ as the truth is in Jesus according to the primitive Institution and Law of Love but great instability in ways of worships turning and twisting soon this way and soon that way and but few performing obedience as to the Lord by the rule of God's Word and when ye shall see the Iniquity of prophaneness in actions and erronious opinions to abound Mat. 24.11 12 23 24. and the love of many to wax cold and actions of Charity to be almost grown out of use scarce here and there a man acting in the principle of true love to Christ in obedience to him neither towards God in his worship nor the Neighbour in civil Curtesies but almost all carryed on by a self-ended principle of self-love in their actions 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. all which are evidences of want of true faith then lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh then behold the Judge standing at the door as it were ready to plead your Cause and to revenge your wrongs and to give you a full and free Possession of his glorious Kingdom He that shall come will come and will not tarry even so come Lord Jesus Now the Just shall live by Faith but if any man draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in him saith the Lord Heb. â—0 37 38. 1 Pet. 4.19 Wherefore as the Apostle Peter teacheth Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator for we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted even as we are yet without sin Heb. 4.15 for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succor them that are tempted Heb. 2.18 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 O let every one of us in this our present Pilgrimage endeavour to have the word of Christ dwelling richly in our hearts and Heavens glory in our eye and let us run with patience the holy Race for holy Attainments considering that holiness is an Ornament ever becoming the people of God to be found therein is a matter of great concernment First Because therein God's people do most resemble the Image of God their Heavenly Father and Christ their Redeemer Secondly Because thereunto they were Elected in Christ from Eternity Thirdly Because thereunto they are called with an holy calling Fourthly Because thereunto they are enjoyned by special Command Fifthly Because holiness is a beautiful Ornament well becoming a Christian and Christianity Sixthly Because God's people are a people to whom precious promises appertain Seaventhly Because holiness is an excellent Ornament is respect of its duration the more made use of and improved the more comely and perfect it is Eighthly Because there is a great necessity of it for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Ninethly Because there is a sure Attainment of a holy state in pressing after it in the way of God Tenthly Because thereunto is anexed a sure reward of an Eternal Inheritance Eleventhly Because holiness puts a Soul in a capacity to see the Lord and to enjoy Union and Communion with him in a state of glory to its Eternal Consolation Twelfth Because negligence and carelesness in improving the means appointed of God for holy Attainments puts a Soul in a capacity of possessing God's great displeasure under his Eternal wrath Wherefore dearly Beloved having an holy God that requires holiness in us and holy Services to be performed by us in the way of his own holy appointments to the glory of his Name and he having made out unto us such great and precious Promises in the same Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God always considering that holiness is an Ornament well becoming the House of God his people for ever to be found therein is a matter of great concernment and so with that Exhortation 1 Sam. 12 24. I shall conclude Only fear the Lord and serve him in Truth with all your heart for consider how great things the Lord hath done for you A GLASS FOR THE UNREGENERATE TO BEHOLD Their Heart-Conceptions OR A brief discourse tending to the Discovery and Removal of some grand Obstructions to Spiritual Health and Heavens Attainments with some Directions and Motives necessary thereunto By JOSIAS BONHAM of Byfield in Northamptonshier And Judah said the strength of the Bearers of Burthens is decayed and there is much Rubbish so that we are not able to build the Wall Neh. 4.10 Printed in the Year 1674. A Glass for the Unregenerate to behold their Heart-Conceptions WHen Honest-hearted Nehemiah had tidings of the decays and breaches made upon Jerusalem that the Walls were broken down and the Gates burnt with fire and the Inhabitants Captivated by their Enemy he so lays it to heart as to become sencible of Jerusalems condition and in the sence thereof he mourns with tears he fasts from food he humbles himself and intercedes with God by Prayer on Jerusalems behalf Yea the sadness of his Countenance did demonstrate the sorrow of his Heart to over-weigh all the honours profits and pleasures that he did possess in King Artaxerxes Court Yea so did he prise Jerusalem and
stand in their Unregenerate state demonstrated by these four Reasons First They bare her Name Secondly They bare her nature Thirdly By their subjection to her Law Fourthly by their Conjunction with the world and self-renouncing God and his Covenant as not having any true love or desire thereunto and that by the influence of Corruption whereby they are brought forth into that Estate The Inference drawn from the words thus considered is briefly thus That Corruption hath brought forth a separation of the Creatures affections from God and joyned them in a Conjunction with Self and the World in which Estate the Creatures affections are very insatiable and greedy after Self and the Worlds interest by which conjunction God is dishonoured and every faculty and member of soul and body enslaved in such servil motions and actions as may promote the said interest in order to the satisfying of these greedy Worms until by their continual instigations of Give Give they have drained out of the poor soul all its spiritual blood or life of God and power of Godliness to its eternal ruine except a supernatural means be timely applyed and effectually improved for the reducing the said affections unto their first Estate Now for proof of this inference here asserted I think there needeth no further Testimony then what is contained in the explication of the words especially if Doctor Woful experience his evidence may be heard and credited by you yet for order-sake and lest I should be thought wanting in the case of evidence I would produce some further evidences that will give in their Testimonies to the separation and conjunction aforesaid as first Those many Testimonies of God in Scripture whereby God calls to the Sons of men to return unto him O Israel return to the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thy Iniquity Hos 14.1 Secondly Gods Expostulation with man about his Apostacy thus saith the Lord What Iniquity have your Fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after Vanity Jer. 2.5 See Ezek. 18.23 32. Thirdly Those many Exhortations the Lord hath laid before us in his word Set your affections on things that are above not on things on Earth Col. 3.2 Love not the World if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him 1 Joh. 2.15 Yea the Lord calls for self-denyal and crucifying of the world to mortifie every member of the body of sin and to set our love and delight in him and that with all our hearts and soul and strength all which do imply and hold forth their evidences in witness of the aforesaid Conjunction Fourthly I would add one Testimony more among many that might be produced and that is the multiplication of that Succession or natural Generation that is conceived and brought forth by vertue of the aforesaid Conjunction of those Horse-leach Daughters corrupt affections in affinity with Self and the World as the off-springs thereof And for brevity sake I shall only name some few of this off-spring and leave the rest to Doctor Woful's experience his evidence to evince one part of the generation conceiv'd and brought forth by the said Conjunction is Pride Envy Mallice Hypocrisie Infidelity and Sloth in God's Service and Voluptuousness These as a part of that Brood and Generation of the Horseleach and her Daughters in affinity with Self and the World are by their influence conceived and nourished up in the heart of Unregenerate man where the said conjunction hath dominion These do evidently demonstrate themselves to be of that race by their natural qualities and language insatiable greedy Worms alaways crying Give Give as for Pride that is an insatiable greedy Worm of an aspiring nature insatiable and greedy after self-honour and the worlds applause It looks high and lofty as if it was one by whose influence that generation was steered by which Agur speaketh of Prov. 30.13 There is a generation saith Agur O how lofty are their Eyes and their eye-lids are lifted up Agur here seemeth as not able to express the Latitude of the aspiring nature of Pride and those whose course is steered thereby but stands in admiration at it as if by the influence of Pride those Creatures in whose heart it is predominant were carryed up into that airy Region with that Prince spoken of Ephes 2.2 as Retainers to his Court. But into the third Heavens where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God they have no inspection for saith the Spirit of God by the Prophet David The Wicked through the Pride of his Countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts Psal 10.4 Whence Note that Pride by its influence doth work the thoughts of God and his ways out of the minds of those in whose hearts it is predominant Yea This Brat bred and nourished in the heart of Unregenerate man by those Horseleach Daughters Unsanctified love and Carnal desire through their affinity with Self and the World doth not only plunder a soul of its thoughts of God but also of the qualifications of Humility Penitency Charity and all the peaceable habits of true Humanity as considered in its first estate Yea like a greedy heart-Worm it devours and eateth up the very bowels of tender Pitty and Compassion and Commiseration and yet like one of Pharoahs lean Kine is never the better This Brat is still crying Give Give always moving the Creature to satisfie its greedy Appetite in order whereunto the Creature must improve its Time and Opportunities Pains Labours and Meditations Considerations Moneys Lands Livings Lordships yea all must be improved and dedicated to the satisfying of this Brat in beautifying the Face powdering the Hair new fashions in Apparel sumptious Buildings delicious Fair places of Honour and worldly Preferments and honourable Greetings and to be called Rabbi Rabbi Mean while God and the power of Godliness and the souls happiness is little considered Yea where Pride is predominant in the heart and unsanctified love and carnal desire joyning therewith produceth very sad and dangerous effects to the Creature for it maketh Angels to become Devils and Men to become Slaves to their Lusts Enemies to God Persecutors of the Godly and themselves Subjects of Perdition The Wicked in his Pride doth Persecute the Poor Psal 10.2 It seems this greedy heart-Worm of the Horseleach brood is a great mover to and stirrer up of Contention so saith Solomon Only by Pride cometh Contention Prov. 13.10 Another greedy heart-Worm of the Horseleach-race and her Daughters is called Envy this is a bloody Brat as greedy after blood as the Horseleach and her Daughters by whose influence it is in mans heart conceived This Envy seems to be of a nature cruel and blood-thirsty of Countenance fierce and grim yea this Brat looks as if it would devour all the interest of God and Godliness with the Profession and Professors thereof Those persons whose course is steered by the influence of Envy through
esteem with the Lord. But happily some soul may question in it self if not of some other saying what is Charity that is of such concernment I Answer briefly That Charity is a real affectionate love to the Lord and all actions by the Creature performed in this principle of love to the Lord may be deemed actions of Charity or Charitable actions as when the Creature is drawn forth to do that which is the manifest will of the Lord by the powerful influence of real affectionate love unto the Lord then the Creatures end and aime and drift and scope in all its actions will be honour praise and glory to the Lord the object of its love Yea by this principle of love to the Lord the Creature is drawn forth with endeavours to vindicate promote and with high esteem prefer the name of the Lord the interest of his truth and people for the Lords sake above all other things But why is this love to the Lord called Charity and those actions arising from thence acts of Charity and not that love in the Creature that is fixed upon other objects here below as self and the world which you have so much condemned in this your former discourse This love to the Lord may be called Charity First From the purity of its original from whence it doth arise which is the pure eternal free and undeserved love of God in Christ the which by its influence and operation upon the heart doth work up the Creatures affections into its own nature to love the Lord and all his interest for his sake and to demonstrate this love unto the Lord as occasions do offer themselves and ability doth afford and so Saint John lays the original cause of mans love to God to be Gods love first made out to man We love him saith John because he loved us first Secondly It may be called Charity upon the consideration of the purity of the object upon whom it fixeth its respects Thirdly It may be called Charity to distinguish the excellency of this love from and above all love fixed upon other objects Fourthly It may be called Charity in consideration of the purity and excellency of the natural properties of it which it worketh in those hearts where it doth reside as saith the Apostle Charity suffereth long and is kind Charity envieth not Charity vaunteth not it self it is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoyceth not in Iniquity but rejoyceth in the Truth beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things Fifthly There is no love but is failable except this of Charity and Charity never faileth and therefore Charity Sixthly There is no love hath a reward like this of Charity for Charity hath an eternal reward in Glory annext unto it So that when the Creatures actions do flow from this inward principle of real love to the Lord and therewith compounded they become actions of Charity and of high acceptation with the Lord But when this ingredience is wanting neither person nor performance is approved of the Lord as faith the Lord by the Prophet Zachariah unto Israel of old When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seaventh moneth even those seaventy years did ye at all fast unto me even unto me and when ye did eat and when ye did drink did not ye eat for your selves and drink for your selves And what 's the reason that their meat-offerings drink-offerings their fastings and mournings their solemn meetings and religious services found not acceptance with the Lord Surely their hearts were destitute of Charity there wanted this compound of a real love to the Lord and a real desire to promote the interest of his truth in the power and purity of it to the glory of his Name and to be an example to others thereunto But contrarily all their performances were rather dedicated to carnal self and worldly interests with whom the Horseleach Daughters their corrupt affections were joyned in affinity and therefore all was nothing in the Lords esteem Many shall come to me saith Christ in that day saying Lord Lord open unto us have we not Prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wondrous works Then will I profess unto them I know them not Depart from me ye workers of Iniquity Mat. 7.22 23. Wherefore consider When as self-ends and wordly interests become Our wheele of motion in Religion Our reward from God then is like to be Rejection from his presence in Eternity Motive the Fourteenth or a Use of Encouragement We may be further moved and encouraged to a careful use and improvement of the aforesaid means against the Horse-leach and her Daughters and their Brood for the destroying of those heart-worms by the recommendation and experimental testimonies of the faithful in all ages commending to us this means the streams of free grace in Christ Jesus flowing from the fountain of the Eternal Love of the Father the Lord Jesus Christ in the days of his Pilgrimage here upon the Earth did thereby preserve his heart from Corruption by drinking of these waters of this fountain as it is written of him Psal 110. ver 7. He shall drink of the Brook in the way therefore shall he lift up his Head The streams of Gods free grace flowing from the fountain of his Eternal Love is that Aqua-vitae water of Life that hath a powerful vertue in it to do the work if rightly applyed David having tasted a cup or two thereof is drawn forth into admiration of it with these expressions How excellent is thy loving kindness to God! Therefore the Children of men put their trust in the shadow of thy wings They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountain of life in thy light we shall see light Psal 36.7 8 9. The Fathers of old saith the Apostle Paul did all drink of the same spiritual drink for they drank of that Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 Sweet are those streams of living waters sure That 's sweetened with Love divine and pure That streams to us in Christ the rock of age 'T is life eternal that this love presages Hereby Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the faithful cleansed their hearts of self and the world and kept up their affections to God so as to make the will of God their ground of action and the glory of God their end in the same to the denial of self and the world in the lusts and vanities thereof choosing rather to suffer affliction then to disobey the will of God or to infringe his glory It is said of Moses that he refused to be called the Son of Pharoahs Daughter and denyed himself of all the Honours Treasures and Pleasures of Pharoahs Court choosing rather
is evidenced six fold Fourthly The Spirit and the Brides invitation to and commendation of the freeness of these waters of Life in Christ Fifthly The excellent operation of these living springs to the clarifying of the heart from corruption and to qualifie the heart with grace Sixthly The sad slavery and bondage of souls enslaved to the Horseleach and her Brood Seaventhly The woful misery that this slavery to our selves will bring upon us if the means be not improved for a remedy Eighthly The little time we have for our improvement the which once over our opportunities cease Ninethly The greatness of our loss if we obtain not a cure while the time and season serveth Tenthly They are Gods Enemies as much as in them lyeth opposing God and Christ and the Spirit in their effecting of mans salvation in the way of Gods determinations and for appointments from Eternity Eleaventhly The consideration of Gods requirement and choyce that God hath made of the heart to be as a Treasury for himself to place his word his spirit his gifts graces his laws and statutes there according to his Covenant Twelfthly They are the grand Enemies to true Reformation in Church and State and therefore are not to be suffered to live in the heart Thirteenth They will Monopolize all thy Religious actions of Piety and Charity to themselves all must be done for self-ends and worldly interests Fourteenth The Recommendations and Testimonies of the faithful which from their own experiences commend unto us the excellent use and efficacy of these streams of free grace in Christ as a soveraign remedy to our distempers as an encouragement to us Fifteenth and lastly One Use of comfort to the faithful improver of the aforesaid means to the aforesaid ends and unto that soul that is truly sensible of its disease its slavery and danger thereby and world with longing desires be relieved released and delivered from the bondage of sin and condemnation due for the same Behold O behold your priviledges your help your remedy you have a a God free of his dispensations of grace to you in Christ a full Fountain set open with the waters of Life to cure all your distempers by sin 't is to cleanse the heart of sin and of uncleanness a Rock that cannot be drawn dry a River with streams seasoned and sweetened with Divine Love Christ Jesus full of grace truth for the refreshing comforting and satisfying of every soul that in the sence of its own deficiency cometh to Christ believingly in real desire of remedy where you may drink and refresh your selves and welcome you have Christ ready to entertain you with friendly entertainment Eat O friends drink yea drink abundantly O Beloved Cant. 5.1 The more souls come to Christ the more free is Christ unto them the more joyfully doth he entertain them the more his delight is in them and the more he communicates of his fulness to them your presence with him and partaking of his fulness is his joy your absence from him and refusal of his benefits is his sorrow He wept over Jerusalem upon their refusal of him in the day of his free Communications The springs are open the Fountains full the streams run clear and pure and free for cure for all your wounds though ne're so sore here may you find support and comfort in the worst of times and greatest troubles as saith the Psalmist Although the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carryed into the midst of the Sea we will not fear Psal 46.2 And why There is a River the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God verse 4. and agreeable here unto are those words of the Prophet Isaiah ver 23. The Glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers with streams God will be yours and Christ and Grace and Glory and what enjoyments is communicable in them shall be for your Consolation and Salvation Wherefore as ye tender the glory of God the honour of Christ and your participation of the benefits and priviledges in Christ the life of holiness and the health of your souls in Heavens attainments use all diligence at the said Well-springs for to compleat a cure to your diseased hearts and to obtain your freedom from the servitude of carnal Lusts the Enemies to our Reformation and Salvation Certain Articles included and drawn from the foregogoing Discourse as the Judgment of the Authour in brief First THere is one God Creator of all things whose being is of himself Glorious in Essence Almighty in Power Infinite in Wisdom Wonderful in Providence Perfect in Purity Rich in his Mercies Great in loving Kindness Faithful in his Covenants Free in his dispensation oâ— Grace Tender of Compassion Long-suffering in Patience Abounding in Goodness and Truth Righteous in his Laws Just in his Judgments Jealous of his Truths a Hater of Sin a Revenger of Iniquity upon the Impenitent incomprehensible in himself yet comprehending all things within his All-seeing Eye his Understanding Knowledge and Almighty Power having Dominion over all things to order all things and dispose of all according to the good pleasure of his divine will unto whom all Worship Service and Obedience is due and is to be performed in his own way by the Sons of men and what he is in himself his Being and Attributes he is Incorruptible Immortal Eternally so God blessed for ever the hope the help the support the consolation and salvation of all that put their trust in him to whom be Glory Honour and Praise everlastingly Amen Secondly The glorious God hath made forth himself unto the Sons of men by three denominations or distinction of names as Father Son and Holy Spirit The Father is of himself not made created nor begotten The Son is of the Father Begotten not made as he is God yet made of a Woman as he is Man Gal. 4.4 The perfection of both Natures centred in him that he was perfect God and perfect Man The holy Spirit is neither made created nor begotten but is equally one from Eternity in the God-head with the Father and the Son proceeding from both mans heart to invade to repair the great loss the power of sin therein made Thirdly The Father from Eternity before the world was did determine decree and purpose in himself in time to Create man to be to the glory of his Name to enjoy him in a glorious state and thereunto did fore-appoint or predestinate him Fourthly The Father fore-seeing the Fall of Man by sin and Mans Captivity under Satans dominion thereby and Mans corrupt and miserable state under the same and Mans inability to recover himself there-from that the determined Counsel decree purpose and predestination or fore-appointment of the Father might stand sure and yet he be just He also determines a free Redemption for Man-kind by his Son and electeth or chuseth his Heirs of Glory in his Son under justification of Life and Glory through believing in his Son
composed to the end that these lines within contained may be your Companions to consult with as you have opportunities thereunto and to remind you of your great concernments and be some direction to you in the way of Holy and Heavenly attainments when I have put off this my Tabernacle and am Deceased from you Wherefore let me remind you with the words of David to Solomon his Son Know ye the God of your Father and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts If you seek him he will be found of you but if ye forsake him he will cast you off for ever 1 Chron. 28.9 Take this promise also along in your Considerations which saith Then shall ye know if ye follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the Morning he shall come unto us as the Rain as the former and latter Rain upon the Earth Hos 6.3 As the going forth of the Morning light expelleth the darkness of the Night away and increaseth more and more unto the perfect day so will the Lord with the light of the Son of Righteousness the beams of his special favours in Christ break forth upon your souls to refresh nourish comfort and rejoyce your souls and cause you to grow up unto a state of perfection in Jesus Christ as the fruits of the Earth by the former and latter Rain For the Eyes of the Lord run too and fro throughout the whole Earth to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose hearts are perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him Nahum 1.7 Wherefore eye the Lord in his providences and wait upon him in his dispensations praise him for all his Benefits trust in him at all times in all conditions and confide in him for the performance of all his promises in Christ unto you always remembring that he is faithful that hath promised One Text more I would mind you of which saith thus And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his Father David 2 Cor. 17.3.4 and sought not unto Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandements and not after the doings of Israel And now my dear Children my desire is that you would make my failings your warnings and what you have heard and seen in me of good make that examplary for your imitation and the God of peace be with you and make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen So I commit you to the Lord and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among them that are sanctified hoping in Heavenly glory You to see enjoying of each other in felicity Your loving Father Josias Bonham A word to my Book and I have done BEhold I send thee forth to th'Church and World Not knowing in whose hands thou may'st be hurld As well as Friends thou maist meet with Foes That will thy Plainness and thy Truth oppose Some may perhaps thee friendly entertain Whilst other-some behold thee with disdain But whether it be so or whether not Thou may'st expect it as thy adverss Lot For this be sure thou must expect to pass Through good and bad report for why alass Who so Gods Errand tells must bare his Cross Deny himself to his external loss