moved It is an Eternal Everlasting Inheritance founded upon the Basis of Eternal love even the infinite love of the Eternal God and confirmed unto the Heirs thereof by the Eternal decree of the incorruptible unchangable God upholden maintained by the Omnipotency Omnisciency Omnipresence Immortality Incomprehensibility of the same Eternal Infinite and Everlasting God Everlasting in his love to those Souls in possession of this Inheritance Everlasting in his peace which passeth all understanding Everlasting in his glorious presence that filleth all in all And there shall be no Night there and they need no Candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall raign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 Therefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear Heb. 12.28 For as much as the Kingdom is Unmovable and Everlasting so also is the joy and consolation of the Inhabitants thereof an Everlasting Joy and Consolation which neither Men nor Devils can deprive the soul of Death cannot do it there shall be no more death no more sorrow no more pain no more hailing into Captivity nor complaining in the Streets by reason of Oppression but all Violence shall be done away and Everlasting Joy Peace Comfort and Consolation shall be as a Crown upon the heads and hearts of these Inhabitants God shall be all in these souls and these souls shall be all in God by a Union of qualifications Divine and the sweet enjoyments of his glorious benefits the height the length breadth depth whereof eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive Too narrow is the capacity of mortal man to comprehend and the tongue of Men and Angels to express the Latitude thereof Wherefore gird up the loyns of your minds be sober and hope to the end for the Grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ as obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your Ignorance but as he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation because it is written be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1.13 14 15 16. But sixthly A sixth priviledge appertaining to the Heirs of this Kingdom to be by them enjoyed at Christ's personal appearing at his second coming may be considered herein for to consist that he that is their Head and Husband with whom there is a unity of Affection and Covenant-Contract and is the Recorder for his Espoused Souls that puts their tears in his Bottel and Records their sufferings in his book of Remembrance and by whom and for what even for their love to him and loyalty to his Supremacy in the observation of his Laws and for rejecting the contrary This is a great ground of consolation that he that is their Recorder their Head and Husband is the only potentate King of Kings and Judge of all the World who will bring his Records with him and make his personal appearance in the glory of his Majesty and seat of Justice attended with his glorious Angels and glorified Saints to Judge the World in Righteousness who will not respect persons in Judgment nor pervert Judgment for gifts nor reward but in Righteousness will he Judge the cause of the Poor and with Equity will he plead for the Meek of the Earth who will then plead the cause of his people with a witness against those that in this time of their Pilgrimage have oppressed and persecuted them A poor man being oppressed by one that is too potent for him and being not able to relieve himself he maketh his address unto the King laying open his cause before him resolving to wait with patience for his relief at length the King ariseth and taketh this poor mans cause into his hand and pleadeth it with his Adversary and rights him in his wrongs and avengeth him of his Oppressor O how doth this administer comfort to this poor man O how doth this oblige and endear the affections of this Poor man unto his Prince and fill his heart with joy and gladness and thanksgiving for such a benefit and shall not God avenge his own Elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them they having committed their cause unto Him and cast their burthen upon him yea saith our Saviour I tell you he will avenge them speedily O what Consolation doth this bring unto oppressed Souls in the cause of God and especially when the Lord shall plead their cause with their Adversaries what praises will it bring forth unto his Name I heard saith Saint John a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Alleluja Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God for he hath Judged the great Whore which did corrupt the Earth with her Fornications True and Righteous are his Judgments for he hath avenged the blood of his Servants at her hand and again they said Alleluja and her smoak-rose up for ever and ever in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and all that were slain upon the Earth Rev. 18.24.19.1 2 3. Note the Heavenly Host rejoyceth when God pleadeth the cause of his people with their Adversaries Rev 19.5 And a Voyce came out of the Throne saying praise our God all ye his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Babylon rejoyced in the day of Sions troubles and helped forwards her Afflictions and Sion must rejoyce in the Lords hand of Justice upon Babylon in the day of her Desolation Wherefore all ye that in this day of your Pilgrimage are in God's way pressing after holy Attainments in order to the adorning of your souls for further Communion with your holy God your Head and Husband although many troubles may attend you and many difficulties oppositions and temptations compass you about Yet cast not away your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Heb. 10.35 But raise up your hearts and labour to strengthen your Confidence in the Lord by a serious Meditation and Application of the Testimonies and Promises of God contained in his Word unto all long-suffering and patience For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10.37 For as sure as he was once offered to bear the sins of many so surely to them that look for him will he appear a second time without Sin unto Salvation Heb. 9.28 And then assuredly will the Lord own a people that now in this day of Grace press after Holy Attainments in the way of God for his People peculiarly as Taught by him Redeemed by him Sanctified by him and Justified by him the effects of the Fathers Election in himself and the fruits of the Travels of his Soul in the sufferings of himself his Beloved Espoused to himself his Inheritance
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
concerning Christ and his building of his Gospel-Church under the denomination of his Zerubabel not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord Zach. 4.6 7. Hereunto agreeth those words of the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but mighty through God to the casting down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ the which weapons he doth further explain Ephes 6.14 Stand therefore having your loyns girt about with Truth and the breast-plate of Righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace taking the shield of Faith and the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance These and the like weapons are the weapons of the holy Catholick Church that believeth aright and is universal in the truth by which they manage their contention with those that are without and those that withstand that meanes are to be left out of the Church in the world during the pleasure of the Almighty and to be judged by that means they have rejected and condemned with the world in the day that God shall judge the world by Jesus Christ But secondly The text saith there are certain men crept in unawares ungodly men c. It seemeth that there were some in those times that by pretending Faith in Christ were admitted into Church-membership which afterwards discovered themselves by an ungodly lacivious life These it seemeth had no right unto Church-membership although a right to the hearing of the Word by vertue of Christ's Commission yet not unto Church-membership they crept in unawars that is their counterfeit Faith was not discerned until afterwards that it appeared by error in opinion or practice But how must the Church contend for the Faith with these persons and carry on the management thereof First In a respective love to their persons tendering the good of their souls but with a hatred of their sin and in love to their souls to reprove and admonish them laying before them that part of Gods Law against which the crime is acted that thereby they may the better be convinced and reforme and so by the sword of the spirit the word of God to deal with them if possible unto a Reformation But in case no Reformation doth appear then to proceed in the severity of Justice against them by Excommunication according to Christ's rule and order and thereby cast them out of the Church into the world again as not to have any further priviledge in the Church then what the Lord affords the world which is admittance to hear the Word for their Conversion But what is the end of this severity There are divers ends as first To signify God's severity against sin and obstinate sinners that as they are justly for sin cast out of Communion with his Church and the gracious priviledges thereunto afforded here on Earth So assuredly without timely Repentance unto a Reformation such persons are by God's determination and shall be by the sentence of the just Judge of all the world See Math. 18.18 excluded from Communion with the Church triumphant and all her glorious priviledges in her glorified state Secondly To the end that the Sinner may consider and see his sin be humbled for it 1 Tim. 1.20 and ashamed of it and repent unto a reformation that the soul may be saved in the day of the Lord see 1 Cor. 5. Thirdly To the end the Church may preserve her own purity and holy-state from being defiled with those sins which if suffered may get into other members and corrupt them and it becometh a sin unto the Church in her neglect of duty see the Church of Corinth chap. 5. the Church of Pergamus and the Church of Thyatira Rev. 2. all under reproof here upon the neglect of this duty Neither is the Church in general nor the Officers thereof in particular to make Edicts of their own devising and enjoyn them as parts of God's worship and to be observed which are not Apostolically confirmed as to be the will of God nor to Excommunicate any person for not observing the same without defiling their holy state with the guilt of sin for saith Christ unto those persons that stood steadfast in the Apostolical Observations and received not the contrary I will put upon you saith Christ none other burthen but that which ye have already hold fast till I come Rev. 2.24 25. Whence note by the way First That it is the will of Christ that his people should observe that way of Church-constitution Doctrin order of Worship and discipline which was Apostolically confirmed without diminishing ought therefrom until the second coming of Christ Secondly That it is not the will of Christ that any Innovasions or Additions to that order of Worship should be brought in or imposed upon the Consciences of his people but that the Innovators Observers shall bear their sin and in retaining the Observations of the said Innovations do thereby cease from being Catholick or a people universal in the Truth But in case Innovations are brought into the Church and maintained by the power of the Church and imposed upon the Members and some of the Members cannot in Conscience bear them what way may they take to secure themselves from the guilt of sin that attends the Church in the Observations of such Innovations and not sin against God Answer first By contending against them by the rule of truth that if by any means the Church may be convinced of their Evil and if this will not prevail then to answer the call of God and his Counsel therein which is To come forth from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you saith the Lord 2 Cor. 6.17 Depart ye depart ye go ye out from thence touch no unclean thing go ye out of the midest of her be ye clean ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord Isa 52.11 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues Rev. 18.4 The which call of God I do presume was justifiable in Luther and Calvin and other Protestants who for the abominable Innovations of the Roman Church did dissent and separate from her which although she was once a true Church of the Gospel-Constitution and Order as the Apostle Paul in his Epistle giveth Testimony of them calling them Beloved of God and giveth thanks to God that their Faith was spoken of through-out the whole world as in chap. 1.7 8. And I my self saith Paul also am perswaded of you my Brethren that ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another chap. 15. 14.
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
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
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