the Devil doth most assault we must labour most to maintain Sincerity is our Fort-Royal where our chief treasure lies this Fort is most shot at therefore let us be more careful to preserve it While a man keeps his Castle his Castle will keep him While we keep Sincerity Sincerity will keep us 6. Sincerity is the beauty of a Christian wherein lies the beauty of a Diamond but in this that it is a true Diamond If it be counterfeit it is worth nothing So wherein lies the beauty of a Christian but in this that he hath truth in the inward parts Sincerity is a Christians Ensign of glory 't is both his Breast-plate to defend him and his Crown to adorn him 7. The vileness of hypocrisie The Lord would have no leven offered up in Sacrifice leven did typifie hypocrisie Luke 12. 1. The hypocrite doth the devil double service under the Vizor of Piety he can sin more and be less suspected Mat. 23. 14. W◠unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye devoure Widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers Who would think they were guilty of Extortion that would pray so many hours together Who would suspect him of false weights that hath the Bible so often in his hand Who would think he would slander that seems to fear an oath Hypocrites are the worst sort of sinners they reflect infinite dishonor upon Religion hypocrisie for the most part ends in scandal and that brings an evil report upon the ways of God one man breaking makes such as are honest suspected one scandalous hypocrite makes the world suspect that all Professors are so the hypocrite was born to do Religion a spite and to bring it into an odium The hypocrite is a lyer he worships God with his knee and his lusts with his heart like those 2 Kin. 17. 33. They feared the Lord and served their own gods The hypocrite is an impudent sinner he knows his heart is false yet he goes on Iudas knew himself to be an hypocrite he asks Master is it I Christ replies Thou hast said it Yet so shameless was he as to persist in his falseness and betray Christ All the plagues and curses written in the Book of God are the hypocrites portion Hell is his place of Randezvous Mat. 24. 51. Hypocrites are the chief guests the Devil expects and he will make them as welcome as fire and brimstone can make them 8. If the heart be sincere God will wink at many failings Numb 23. 21. He hath not seen iniquity in Iacob Gods love doth not make him blind he can see infirmities but how not with an eye of revenge but pitty as a Physitian sees a disease in his Patient to heal him God doth not see iniquity in Iacob so as to destroy him but to heal him Isa. 57. 18. He went on frowardly I have seen his ways and I will heal him How much pride vanity passion doth the Lord pass by in his sincere ones He sees the integrity and pardons the infirmity How much did God overlook in Asa the high-places were not removed Yet it is said 2 Chron. 15. 17. The heart of Asa was perfect all his days We esteem of a picture though it be not drawn at the full length So though the graces of Gods people are not drawn at their full length nay have many scars and spots yet having something of God in sincerity they shall find mercy God loves the sincere and 't is the nature of love to cover infirmity 9. Nothing but sincerity will give us comfort in an houre of trouble King Hezekiah thought he had been dying yet this revived him that Conscience drew up a Certificate for him Isa. 38. 2. Remember O Lord how I have walked before thee in truth c. Sincerity was the best flower of his Crown What a golden Shield will this be against Satan when he shall roar upon us by his temptations and set our sins before us on our Death-bed then we shall answer 'T is true Satan these have been our miscarriages but we have bewailed them if we have sinned it was against the bent and purpose of our heart this will stop the Devils mouth and put him to a retreat therefore labour for this Jewel of Sincerity 1 Ioh. 3. 24. If our heart condemn us not then we have confidence towards God If we are cleared at the Petty Sessions in our own Conscience then we may be confident we shall be acquitted at the Great Assizes at the day of Judgement SECT XIV 14. A godly man is an heavenly man Heaven is in him before he is in Heaven the Greek word for Saint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a man taken off from the earth a person may live in one place yet belong to another he may live in Spain yet be a free Denizon of England Pomponius dwelt at Athens yet was a Citizen of Rome So a godly man is a while in the world but he belongs to the Hierusalem above that is the place to which he aspires every day is Ascension day with a Believer The Saints are called Stars for their sublimeness they are gotten above into the upper Region Pro. 15. 24. The way of life is above to the wise A godly man is Heavenly six ways 1. In his Election 2. In his Disposition 3. In his Communication 4. In his Operation 5. In his Expectation 6. In his Conversation 1. A godly man is heavenly in his Election he chuseth heavenly objects David did chuse to be a Residentiary in Gods house Psa. 84. 10. A godly person chuseth Christ and grace before the most illustrious things under the Sun That a man is that his choice is and this chusing of God is best seen in a critical houre When Christ and the World come in competition and we part with the world to keep Christ and a good Conscience a sign we have chosen the better part 2. A godly man is heavenly in his Disposition he sets his affections on things above Col. 3. 2. He sends his heart to heaven before he comes there he looks upon the world but as a beautiful prison and he cannot be much in love with his Fetters though they are made of gold An holy person contemplates glory and Eternity his defires have gotten wings and are fled to heaven Grace is in the heart like fire which makes it sparkle upwards in Divine breathings and ejaculations 3. A godly man is heavenly in his Communication his words are powdred with salt to season others Col. 4. 6. As soon as Christ was risen from the grave he was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God Act. 1. 3. No sooner is a man risen out of the grave of Unregeneracy but he is speaking of heaven Eccles. 10. 12. The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious He speaks so heavenly as if he had been already in heaven the love he bears to God will not suffer
sense of Gods love Use 3. You who have this saluifical sanctifying knowledge flourishing in you bless God for it this is the Heavenly Anointing the most excellent objects cannot be seen in the dark but when the light appears then every flower shines in its Native beauty So while men are in the midnight of a natural estate the Beauty of Holiness is hid from them but when the light of the Spirit comes in a saving manner then those truths they slighted before appear in that glorious lustre as transports them with wonder and love Bless God ye Saints that he hath taken off your Spiritual Cataract and hath given you to discern those things which by Natures Spectacles you could never see How thankful was Christ to his Father for this Mat. 11. 25. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes How should you admire Free-grace that God hath not only brought the light to you but given you eyes to see it that he hath inabled you to know the truth as it is in Iesus Ephes. 4. 21. That he hath opened not only the eye of your understanding but the eye of your Conscience This is a mercy you can never be enough thankful for that God hath so enlightned you that you should not sleep the sleep of death SECT II. 2. The godly man is a man acted by Faith as gold is the most precious among the metals so is Faith among the Graces Faith cuts us off from the wild Olive of Nature and inoculates us into Christ Faith is the vital artery of the Soul Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his Faith Such as are destitute of Faith though they breathe yet they want life Faith is the quickner of the Graces not a Grace stirs till Faith sets it awork Faith is to the soul as the animal spirits are to the body they excite lively operations in the body Faith excites Repentance it is like the fire to the Still which makes it drop When I believe Gods love to me this makes me weep that I should sin against so good a God Faith is the Mother of Hope first we believe the Promise then we hope for it Faith is the Oyl which feeds the Lamp of Hope Faith and Hope are two Turtle-graces take away one and the other languisheth If the sinews be cut the body is lame if this sinew of Faith be cut Hope is lame Faith is the ground of Patience He who believes God is his God and all Providences work for his good doth patiently yield up himself to the Will of God thus Faith is a living Principle And the life of a Saint is nothing else but a life of Faith his prayer is the breathing of Faith Iam. 5. 15. His obedience is the result of Faith Rom. 16. 26. A godly man by Faith lives in Christ as the beam lives in the Sun Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me A Christian by the power of Faith sees above Reason trades above the Moon by Faith his heart is finely quieted he trusts himself and all his affairs with God As in a time of War men get into a Garrison and trust themselves and their treasure there So the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower Pro. 18. 10. and a Believer trusts all that ever he is worth in this Garrison 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day God trusted Paul with his Gospel and Paul trusted God with his Soul Faith is a Catholicon or remedy against all troubles it is a godly mans sheat-anchor that he casts out into the Sea of Gods mercy and is kept from sinking in despair Si modo firma fides nulla ruina nocet Use. Let us try our selves by this Character Alas how far are they from being godly that are destitute of Faith such as are altogether drowned in Sense Most men are spiritually purblind they can see but just before them 2 Pet. 1. 9. I have read of a people of India who are born with one eye such are they who are born with the eye of Reason but want the eye of Faith who because they do not see God with bodily eyes they do not believe a God they may as well not believe they have Souls because being Spirits they cannot be seen O where is he who lives in Excelsis who is gotten into the upper Region and sees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things not seen Heb. 11. 27. Did men live by Faith would they use sinful policy for a livelihood Were there Faith would there be so much fraud Did Faith live would men like dead fish swim down the stream In this Age there is scarce so much Faith to be found among men as there is among the Devils for they believe and tremble It was a grave and serious speech of Mr. Greenham that he feared not Papisme but Atheisme would be Englands ruine But I shall not expatiate having been more large upon this Head in another discourse SECT III. 3. A godly man is fired with love to God Psalm 116. 1. Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns A true Saint is carried in that Chariot the midst whereof is paved with love Cant. 3. 10. As Faith doth quicken so love doth sweeten every duty The Sun mellows the fruit so love mellows the services of Religion and makes them come off with a better relish A godly man is sick of love Ioh. 21. 16. Lord thou knowest I love thee Though dear Saviour I did deny thee yet it was for want of strength not for want of love God is the Fountain and Quintessence of goodness his beauty and sweetness lay constraints of love upon a gracious heart God is the Saints portion Psalm 119. 57. And what more loved then a portion I would hate my own Soul saith Austin if I found it not loving 〈◊〉 A godly man loves God therefore delight to be in his presence he loves God therefore takes comfort in nothing without him Cant. 3. 3. Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth Lilia nigra videntur Pallentesque rosae nec dulce rubens hyacinthus Nullos nèc myrtus nec laurus spirat odores The pious Soul loves God therefore thirsts after him the more he hath of God the more still he desires a sip of the Wine of the Spirit provokes the appetite after more The Soul loves God therefore rejoyceth to think of his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8. He loves him therefore longs to be with him Christ was in Pauls heart and Paul would be in Christs bosome Phil. 1. 23. When the Soul is once like God it would fain be with God A gracious heart cries out O that I had wings that I might flie away and be
Indentures drawn in Baptisme and in Conversion the Indentures are renewed and sealed we do there bind our selves to God to be his sworn servants Psal. 119. 106. I have sworn and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous Iudgements A godly man hath tyed himself to the Lord by Vow and he makes conscience of his vow he had rather die by Persecution than live by Perjury 4. A servant doth not only wear his Masters Livery but do his work Thus a godly man works for God S. Paul did spend and was spent for Christ 2 Cor. 12. 15. He outwrought all the other Apostles 1 Cor. 15. 10. A godly man is active for God to his last breath Psalm 119. 112. only The dead rest from their labours 5. A servant follows his Master thus a godly man is a servant of God while others wonder after the beast he follows after the Lamb. He will tread in the steps of Christ If a Master leap over hedge and ditch the servant will follow him A godly man will follow Christ through afflictions Luk. 9. 23. If any man will come after me let him take up his Cross daily and follow me Peter would follow Christ upon the water A godly man will follow Christ though it be death every step he will keep his goodness when others are bad as all the water in the salt Sea cannot make the Fish salt but still they retain their freshness so all the wickedness in the world cannot make a godly man wicked but still he retains his piety he will follow Christ in the worst times 6. A servant is satisfied with his Masters allowance he doth not say I will have such provisions made ready if he hath short commons he doth not find fault he knows he is a servant and is at his Masters carving In this sense a godly man is Gods servant he is willing to be at Gods allowance if he hath but some leavings he doth not grumble Paul knew he was a servant therefore whether more or less fell to his share he was indifferent Phil. 4. When Christians murmure at their condition they forget that they are servants and must be at the allowance of their Heavenly Master Thou that hast the least bit from God wilt die in his debt 7. A servant will stand up for the honor of his Master he cannot hear his Master reproached but will vindicate his credit Thus every godly man will stand up for the honor of his Master Christ Psal. 119. 139. My zeal hath consumed me A servant of God appears for his truths They who can hear Gods Name reproached and his ways spoken against yet be silent God will be ashamed of such servants and discard them before men and Angels Use. Let us declare our selves godly by being servants of the most high God Consider 1. God is the best Master he is punctual in all his promises 1 Kin. 8. 23. There is no God like thee in Heaven above or on earth beneath who keepest Covenant with thy servants Ver. 56. There hath not failed one word of all his good promise God is of a most sweet gracious disposition he hath this property he is slow to anger and ready to forgive In our wants he doth relieve us in our weakness he doth pitty us he reveals his secrets to his servants Psal. 25. 14. He wait on his servants Was there ever such a Master Luke 12. 37. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them When we are sick he makes our bed Psal. 41. 3. Thou wilt make all their bed in their sickness He holds our head when we are fainting Other Masters may forget their servants and cast them off when they are old but God will not Isa. 44. 21. Thou art my servant O Israel thou shalt not be forgotten of me 'T is a slander to say God is an hard Master 2. Gods service is the best service There are six priviledges in Gods service 1. Freedome Though the Saints are bound to Gods service yet they serve him freely Gods Spirit which is called a free spirit makes them free and chearful in obedience The Spirit carries them upon the wings of delight it makes duty a priviledge it doth not force but draw it inlargeth the heart in love and fills it with joy Gods service is perfect freedome 2. Honour David the King professeth himself one of Gods Pensioners Psal. 143. 12. I am thy servant St. Paul when he would blaze his Coat of Arms and set forth his best Heraldry he doth not call himself Paul â—n Hebrew of the Hebrews or Paul of the Tribe of Benjamin but Paul a servant of Christ Rom. 1. 1. Theodosius thought it a greater dignity to be Gods servant than to be an Emperour Christ himself who is equal with his Father yet is not ashamed of the Title Servant Isa. 53. 11. Every servant of God is a Son every subject a Prince 'T is more honor to serve God than to have Kings serve us The Angels in Heaven are servitors to the Saints on earth 3. Safety God takes care of his servants he gives them a protection Isa. 41. 9 10. Thou art my servant fear not I am with thee God hides his servants Psa. 27. 5. In the secret of his Tabernacle shall be hide me that is he shall keep me safe as in the most holy place of the Sanctuary where none but the Priests might enter Christs Wings are both for healing and for hiding for curing and securing us The Devil and his Instruments would soon devoure the servants of God if he did not set an invisible guard about them and cover them with the golden feathers of his Protection Acts 18. 10. I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Gods watchful eye is ever upon his people and the Enemies shall not do the mischief they intend they shall not be destroyers but Physitians 4. Gain Atheists say It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances Mal. 3. 14. besides the vails which God gives in this life sweet peace of Conscience he reserves his best Wine till last he gives a glorious Kingdome to his servants Heb. 12. 28. The servants of God may for a while be kept under and a bused but they shall have preferment at last Iohn 12. 26. Where I am there shall my servants be 5. Assistance Other Masters cut out work for their servants but do not help them in their work but our Master in heaven doth not only give us work but strength Psalm 138. 3. Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my Soul God bids us serve him and he will inable us to serve him Ezek. 36. 27. I will cause you to
below an heaven-born soul nay for such as profess to be enobled with a principle of Piety and to have their hopes above for them to have their hearts below how do they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 disparage their Heavenly Calling and spot their silver wings of Grace by beliming them with earth 3. Consider what a poor contemptible thing the world is it is not worth setting the affections on it cannot fill the heart if Satan should take a Christian up to the Mount of Temptation and show him all the Kingdomes and glory of the world what could he show him but a phancy an apparition Nothing here can be proportionable to the immense soul of man Iob 20. 22. In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in streights Here is want in plenty the creature will no more fill the soul than a drop will fill the bucket and that little sweet we suck from the creature is intermixed with some bitterness like that Cup which the Jews gave Christ Mar. 15. 23. They gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrhe And this imperfect sweet will not last long 1 Iohn 2. 17. The world passeth away The creature doth but salute us and is presently upon the wing The world rings Changes it is never constant but in its disappointments how quickly may we remove our lodgings and make our pillow in the dust The world is but a great Inne where we are to stay a night or two and be gone what madness is it so to set our heart upon our Inne as to forget our home 4. Consider what a glorious place heaven is We read of an Angel coming down from heaven who did tread with his right foot on the Sea and with his left foot on the earth Revel 10. 2. Had we but once been in heaven and viewed the superlative glory of it how might we in an holy scorn trample with one foot upon the earth and with the other foot upon the Sea Heaven is called a better Country Heb. 11. 16. But now they desire a better Country that is an heavenly Heaven is said to be a better Country in opposition to the Country where we now sojourn What should we mind but that better Country Quest. In what sense is heaven a better Country Answ. 1. In that Country above there are better delights there is the Tree of Life the Rivers of Pleasure there is amazing beauty unsearchable riches there are the delights of Angels there is the Flower of Joy fully blown there is more than we can ask or think there is glory in its full dimensions and beyond all hyperbole 2. In that Country there is a better dwelling house 1. It is an house not made with hands 2 Cor. 5. 1. To denote the excellency of it There was never any house but was made with hands but the house above surpasseth the art of man or Angel none besides God could lay a stone in that building 2. It is eternal in the heavens it is not a sojourning house but a Mansion-house it is an house will never be out of repair Wisdome hath built this house and hewn out her seven Pillars which can never moulder 3. In that Country there are better provisions in our Fathers house is bread enough Heaven was typified by Canaan which did flow with milk and honey There is the Royal Feast the spiced Wine there is Angels food there are those rare viands and dainties served in as exceed not only our expressions but our faith 4. In that Country is better Society There is God blessed for ever How infinitely sweet and ravishing will a smile of his face be the Kings presence makes the Court There are the glorious Cherubims in this terrestrial Country where we now live we are among Wolves and Serpents in that Country above we shall be among Angels There are the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. Here the people of God are clouded with infirmities we see them with spots in their faces they are full of pride passion censoriousness in that Hierusalem above we shall see them in their Royal attire deck'd with unparallell'd beauty not having the least tincture or shadow of sin upon them 5. In that Country there is a better ayr to breathe in We go into the Country for ayr the best ayr is only to be had in that better Country 1. It is a more temperate ayr the Climate is calm and moderate we shall neither freeze with the cold nor faint with the heat 2. It is a brighter ayr there is a better light shines there The Sun of Righteousness enlightens that Horison with his glorious beams Rev. 21. 23. The Lamb is the light thereof 3. It is a purer ayr The Fens which are full of black vapours we count a bad ayr and unwholesome to live in This world is a place of Bogs and Fens where the noxious vapours of sin arise which make it pestilential and unwholesome to live in but in that Country above there are none of these vapours but a sweet perfume of holiness there is the smell of the Orange-tree and the Pomgranate there is the Myrrhe and Cassia coming from Christ which send forth a most odoriferous smell 6. In that Country there is a better soil the Land or Soil is better 1. For its altitude the earth lying low is of a baser pedigree the Element which is neerest heaven is purer and more excellent as the fire that Country above is the High Country Psal. 24. 3. it is seated far above all the visible Orbs. 2. It is a better Land for its fertilness it bear a richer Crop The richest Harvest on earth is the golden Harvest but the Country above yields Nobier Commodities there are Pearls Caelestial there is the Spiritual Vine there is the honey-comb of Gods love dropping there is the Water of Life the hidden Manna there is fruit that doth not rot flowers that never fade there is a Crop which cannot be quite reaped it will be ever reaping time in heaven and all this the Land yields without the labour of ploughing and sowing 3. It is a better Land for its inoffensiveness There are no bryars there the World is a Wilderness where are wicked men and the best of them is a bryar Mica 7. 4. They will be tearing the people of God in their spiritual Liberties but in the Country above there is not one bryar to be seen all the bryars are burned 4. It is a better Land for the rareness of the prospect all that a man sees there is his own I account that the best prospect where a man can see furthest on his own ground 7. In that Country is better union all the Inhabitants are knit together in love The poysonful weed of malice doth not grow there there is harmony without division and charity without envy In that Country above as in Solomons Temple no noyse of Hammer is heard 8. In that Country is better imployment while
so desirable at death why should we not pursue after it now godliness is as needful now and would bee more feasible 5 There are but few godly they are as the gleanings after vintage most receive the Mark of the Beast Rev. 13. 17. The Devil keeps open house for all comers and hee is never without ghuests this may prevail with us to be godly if the number of the Saints be so small how should we labour to be found among these pearls Rom. 9. 27. but a remnant shall be saved it is better going to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the crowd 6 Consider how vain and contemptible other things are about which persons void of godliness busie themselves men are taken up about the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things of this life and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind Eccles. 5. 16. can the winde fill what is gold but dust Amos 2. 8. which will sooner choak than satisfie pull off the mask of the most beautiful thing under the Sun and look what is within there is care and vexation and the greatest care is yet behinde and that is account The things of the world are but as a bubble in the water or a Meteor in the air But godliness hath a real worth in it if you speak of true honour it is to be born of God if of true valour it is to fight the good fight of faith if of true delight it is to have joy in the Holy ghost Oh then espouse godliness here is reallity to be had of other things we may say as Zac. 10. 2. They comfort in vain CHAP. VII Prescribing some helps to Godliness Quest. But what shall we do that we may be godly Answ. I shall briefly lay down some rules or helps to godliness 1 Be diligent in the use of all means that may promote godliness Luke 13. 24. strive to enter in at the straight gate what is purpose without pursuit when you have made your estimate of godliness prosecute those mediums which are most expedient for obtaining it 2 If you would be godly take heed of the world 't is hard for a clod of dust to become a star 1 Ioh. 2. 15. love not the world many would be godly but the honours and profits of the world divert them where the world fills both head and heart there is no room for Christ he whose minde is rooted in the earth is likely enough to deride godliness when our Saviour was preaching against sin the Pharisees who were covetous derided him Luk. 16. 14. The world eats out the heart of godliness as the lvy eats out the heart of the Oak the world kills with her silver darts 3 Inure your selves to holy thoughts serious meditation represents every thing in its native colour it shews an evil in sin and a lustre in grace By holy thoughts the head grows clearer and the heart better Psa. 119. 59. I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy testimonies Did men step aside a little out of the noise and hurry of business and spend but half an hour every day in thinking upon their souls and eternity it would produce a wonderful alteration in them and tend very much to a real and blessed conversion 4 Watch your hearts it was Christs watch-word to his Disciples Mat. 24. 42. Watch therefore the heart will praecipitate us to sin before we are aware a subtil heart needs a watchful eye watch your thoughts your affections the heart hath a thousand doors to run out at O keep close sentinel in your souls stand continually upon your Watch-tower Hab. 2. 1. when you have prayed against sin watch against tentation most wickedness in the world is committed for want of watchfulness watchfulness maintains godliness it is the selvedge which keeps religion from ravelling out 5 Make Conscience of spending your time Eph. 5. 16. redeeming the time Many persons fool away their time some in idle visits others in recreations and pleasures which secretly bewitch the heart and take it off from better things What are our golden hours for but to mind our souls Time mis-improved is not time lived but time lost Time is a precious commodity a peece of wax in it self is not much worth but as it is affixed to the label of a Will and conveyes an estate so it is of great value Thus time simply in it self is not so considerable but as salvation is to be wrought out in it and a conveyance of heaven depends upon the well improvement of it so it is of infinite concernment 6 Think of your short stay in the world 1 Chron. 29. 15. Our daies on the Earth are as a shaddow and there is none abiding There is but a span between the Cradle and the Grave Solomon saith there is a time to bee born and a time to dye Eccles. 3. 2. but mentions no time of living as if that were so short it were not worth naming and time when it is once gone cannot be recalled the Scripture compares time to a flying Eagle Io◠9. 6. yet herein time differs from the Eagle the Eagle flies forward and then back again but time hath wings only to fly forward it never returns back fugit irrevocabile tempus The serious thoughts of our short abode here would be a great means to promote godliness what if death should come before we are ready what if our life should breathe out before Gods spirit hath breathed in he that considers how flitting and winged his life is will hasten his repentance when God is about to make a short work he will not make a long work 7 Possess your selves with this maxim that godliness is the end of your Creation God never sent men into the world only to eat and drink and put on fine cloathes but that they might serve him in righteousness and holiness Luk. 1. 75. God made the world only as an attiring room to dress our souls in he sent us hither upon the grand errand of godliness should nothing but the body the bruitish part bee looked after this were basely to degenerate yea to invert and frustrate the very end of our being 8. Be often among the godly they are the salt of the earth and will help to season you Their counsels may direct their prayers may quicken Such holy sparks may be thrown into your breasts as may inkindle devotion in you It is good to be among the Saints to learn the trade of godliness Pro. 13. 20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise CHAP. VIII Exhorting such as have made a Profession of Godliness to persevere Use 2. MY next Use is to exhort those who wear the Mantle and in the judgement of others are looked upon as godly that they would persevere Heb. 10. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith This is a seasonable Exhortation in these times
things that is all things essential to salvation A godly man hath the good knowledge of the Lord 2 Chron. 30. 22. he hath sound wisdom Prov. 3. 21. he knows God in Christ to know God out of Christ is to know him an enemy but to know him in Christ is sweet and delicious A gracious soul hath the savour of knowledge 2 Cor. 2. 14. There is a great difference between one that hath read of a Countrey or viewed it in the Map and another who hath lived in the Countrey and tasted the Fruits and Spices of it The knowledge wherewith a godly man is adorned hath these eight rare Ingredients in it 1 It is a grounded Knowledge Col. 1. 27. If ye continue in the Faith grounded It is not a believing as the Church believes but 〈◊〉 Knowledge rests upon a double basis 〈◊〉 Word and Spirit the one is a 〈…〉 other a witness saving Knowledge is not pendulous or doubtful but hath a certainty in it Iohn 6. 69. We believe and are sure thou art that Christ 2 Cor. 5 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being always confident a godly man holds no more then he will dye for The Martyrs were so confirmed in the knowledge of the Truth that they would seal it with their bloud 2. It is an appretiative knowledge The Lapidary is said to know a Jewel who hath skill to value it He knows God who esteems him above the glory of heaven and the comforts of the earth To compare other things with God is to debase Deity as if you should compare the shining of a Gloworm with the Sun 3. The knowledge of a godly man is quickning Psalm 119. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts for with them thou hast quickned me Knowledge in a natural mans head is like a Torch in a dead mans hand True knowledge animates A godly man is like Iohn Baptist a burning and a shining Lamp He doth not only shine by illumination but burn by affection The Spouses knowledge made her sick of love Cant. 2. 5. Perâ—ulsa sum I am wounded with love I am like a Deer that is struck with a Dart my Soul lies a bleeding and nothing can cure me but a sight of him whom my Soul loves 4. Divine Knowledge is appropriating Ioh 19. 25. I know that my Redeemer liveth A Medicine is best when it is applyed this applicative Knowledge is joyful Christ is called a Surety Hebr. 7. 22. O what joy when I am drowned in debt to know that Christ is my Surety Christ is called an Advocate 1 Ioh. 2. 1. The Greek word for Advocate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Comforter O what comfort is it when I have a bad Cause to know Christ is my Advocate who never lost any Cause he pleaded Quest. But how shall I know that I make a right application of Christ an Hypocrite may think he applyes when he doth not Balaam though a Sorcerer yet said My God Numb 22. 18. Answ. 1. He who rightly applyes Christ puts these two together Iesus and Lord Phil. 3. 8. Christ Iesus my Lord Many take Christ as a Iesus but refuse him as a Lord. Do you joyn Prince and Saviour Act. 5. 31. Would you as well be ruled by Christs Laws as saved by his Bloud Christ is a Priest upon his Throne Zac. 6. 13. He will never be a Priest to intercede unless your hear be the Throne where he sways his Scepter A true applying of Christ is when we so take him for an Husband that we give up our selves to him as a Lord. 2. He who rightly applyes Christ fetcheth virtue from him The Woman in the Gospel having touched Christ felt virtue coming from him and her fountain of bloud was dried up Mar. 5. 29. This is to apply Christ when we feel a sin mortifying virtue flow from him Naturalists tell us there is an Antipathy between the Diamond and the Loadstone insomuch that if a piece of iron be laid by the Diamond the Diamond will not suffer it to be drawn away by the Loadstone So that knowledge which is applicatory hath an antipathy against sin and will not suffer the heart to be drawn away by it 5. The knowledge of a godly man is transforming 2 Cor. 3. 8. We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image As a Painter looking upon a face draws a face like it in the Picture So looking upon Christ in the glass of the Gospel we are changed into his similitude We may look upon other objects that are glorious yet not be made glorious by them A deformed face may look upon beauty and yet not be made beautiful a wounded man may look upon a Chyrurgion and yet not be healed but this is the Excellency of Divine Knowledge it gives us such a sight of Christ as makes us partake of his Nature as Moses when he had seen Gods back-parts his face shined some of the Rays and Beams of Gods glory fell upon him 6. The knowledge of a godly man is self-emptying carnal knowledge makes the head giddy with pride 1 Cor. 8. 2. True knowledge brings a man out of love with himself the more he knows the more he blusheth at his own ignorance David a bright Star in Gods Church yet he thought himself rather a Cloud than a Star Psalm 73. 22. 7. The knowledge of a godly man is growing Col. 1. 10. Encreasing in the knowledge of God True knowledge is like the light of the morning which encreaseth in the Horizon till it comes to the full Meridian So sweet is Spiritual Knowledge that the more a Saint knows the more thirsty he is of knowledge 't is called the Riches of Knowledge 1 Cor. 1. 5. the more riches a man hath the more still he desires though S. Paul knew Christ yet he would know him more Phil. 3. 10. that I may know him and the power of his Resurrection 8. The knowledge of a godly man is practick Iohn 10. 4. The Sheep follow him for they know his voice Though God requires knowledge more than burnt-offering Hos. 6. 6 yet it is a knowledge accompanied with obedience True knowledge doth not only mend a Christians sight but mends his pace 'T is a reproach to a Christian to live in a contradiction to his knowledge to know he should be strict and holy yet to live loosly Not to obey is all one as not to know 1 Sam. 2. 12. The Sons of Eli knew not the Lord they could not but know for they taught others the knowledge of the Lord yet they are said not to know because they did not obey when Knowledge and Practise like Castor and Pollux appear together then they presage much happiness Use 1. Let us try our selves by this Character 1. Are they godly who are still in the Region of darkness Pro. 19. 2. That the Soul be without knowledge it is not
we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
God loves to bestow his mercies where there is the best Eccho of thankfulness 5 Thankfulness is a frame of heart God delights in if repentance bee the joy of heaven praise is the musick Bernard calls thankfulness the sweet Balm that drops from a Christian. Four Sacrifices God is much pleased with the sacrifice of Christs blood the sacrifice of a broken heart the sacrifice of Alms and the sacrifice of thanksgiving Praise and Thanksgiving saith Mr. Greenham is the most excellent part of Gods worship for this shall continue in the heavenly quire when all other exercises of Religion shall cease 6 What an horrid thing ingratitude is it gives a dye and tincture to every other sin and makes it Crimson ingratitude is the spirits of baseness Obad. v. 7. They that eat thy bread have laid a Wound under thee Ingratitude is worse than bruitish Isa. 1. 3. 'T is reported of Iulius Caesar that he would never forgive an ungrateful person though God be a sin-pardoning God he scarce knows not how to pardon for this Ier. 5. 7. How shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me when I had fed them to the full they then committed adultery Draco whose Laws were written in blood published and edict that if any man had received a benefit from another and it could bee proved against him that hee had not been grateful for it hee should be put to death an unthankful person is a monster in nature a Pardox in Christianity he is the scorn of heaven and the plague of earth an ungrateful man never doth well but in one thing that is when hee dies 7 The not being thankful is the cause of all the Judgements which have lain upon us our unthankfulness for health hath been the cause of so much Mortality our Gospel-unthankful thankfulness and Sermon-surfeiting hath been the reason why God hath put so many Lights under a Bushel as Bradford said my unthankfulness was the death of King Edward the sixth Who will bestow cost on a peece of ground that brings forth nothing but briars unthankfulness stops the golden Vial of Gods bounty that it will not drop Quest. How shall we do to be thankful Answ. 1. If you would be thankful get an heart deeply humbled in the sense of your own vileness a broken heart is the best pipe to sound forth Gods praise hee who studies his sins wonders that he hath any thing and that God should shine upon such a dunghill 1 Tim. 1. 13. Who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter but I obtained mercy How thankful was he how did he Trumpet forth free-grace A proud man will never bee thankful he looks upon all his mercies to bee either of his own procuring or deserving if he hath an Estate this he hath gotten by his wit and industry not considering that Scripture Deut. 8. 18. Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that gives thee power to get Riches Pride stops the Current of gratitude O Christian think of thy unworthiness see thy self the least of Saints and the chief of Sinners and then thou wilt be thankful 2 Labour for sound evidences of Gods love to you read Gods love in the impress of holiness upon your hearts Gods love powred in will make the Vessels of Mercy run over with thankfulness Rev. 1. 5 6. Unto him that loved us be glory and dominion for ever The deepest Springs yeeld the sweetest water hearts deeply sensible of Gods love yeeld the sweetest praises SECT XVIII 18 A godly man is a lover of the Saints the best way to discern grace in ones self is to love grace in others 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Wee know we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren What is religion but religation a knitting together of hearts Faith knits us to God and love knits us one to another There is a two-fold love to others 1 A civil love a godly man hath a love of civility to all Gen. 23. 7. Abraham stood up and bewed to the children of Heth Though they were extraneous and not within the pale of the Covenant yet Abraham was affable to them grace doth sweeten and refine nature 1 Pet. 3. 8. be courteous wee are to have a love of civility to all 1 As they are ex eodem luto of the same lump and mould with our selves and are a peece of Gods curious needle-work 2 Because our sweet deportment towards them may bee a means to win upon them and make them in love with the waies of God a morose ruggid carriage often alienates the hearts of others and hardens them the more against holiness whereas a loving behaviour is very obliging and may bee as a load-stone to draw them to religion 2 There is a pious and an holy love and this a godly man doth bear chiefly to them who are of the houshold of faith the other was a love of courtesie this of complacency Our love to the Saints saith Austin should bee more than to our natural relations because the bond of the spirit is nearer than that of blood This love to the Saints which evidenceth a man godly must have seven ingredients in it 1 Love to the Saints must bee sincere 1 Ioh. 3. 18. Let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth The hony that drops from the comb is pure so must love be pure without deceit Many are like Naphtali Gen. 49. 21. he giveth goodly words Pretended love is like a painted fire which hath no heat in it Some hide malice under a false veil of love I have read of Antoninus the Emperour where he made a shew of Friendship there he intended the most mischief 2 Love to the Saints must be spiritual we must love them because they are Saints not out of self-respects because they are affable or have been kinde to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesh but we must love them under a spiritual notion because of the good that is in them we are to reverence their holiness else it is a carnal love 3 Love to the Saints must be extensive we must love all that bear Gods image 1 Though they have many infirmities a Christian in this life is like a good face full of Freckles thou that canst not love another because of his imperfections didst never yet see thy own face in the glass thy brothers infirmities may make thee pity him his graces must make thee love him 2 Wee must love the Saints though in some things they do not coalesce and agree with us another Christian may differ from me in less matters either because hee hath more light than I or because hee hath lesse light if he differs from me because he hath more light then I have no reason to censure him if because hee hath less light than I ought to bear with him as the weaker Vessel in things of an indifferent nature
drink no wine for Jonadab the son of Rechab our Father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no wine neither ye nor your sons for ever Solon among the many Laws he made one asked him Why he made no Law against disobedient Children he answered because he thought none would be so wicked God hath punished Children who have refused to pay the tribute of obedience Absalom a disobedient son was hanged in an Oak betwixt Heaven and Earth as being worthy of neither Manlius an old man being reduced to much poverty and having a rich son he entreated him only for an alms but could not obtain it the son disowned him as his Father and gave him reproachful language the poor old man let tears fall as witnesses of his grief and went away God to revenge this disobedience of the son soon after struck him with phrensie he in whose heart godliness lives makes as well Conscience of the fifth Commandment as the first 6. He is godly who is good as a servant Col. 3. 22. Eph. 6. 5. Servants be subject to them who are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling The goodness of servants lies 1. In diligence Abrahams servant made haste to dispatch the business his Master intrusted him with Gen. 24. 33. 2. Chearfulness Servants must be Free-willers Thus the Centurions servants Luke 7. 8. If I say to one go he goes 3. Faithfulness which consists in two things 1. In not defrauding Titus 2. 10. Not purloyning 2. In keeping counsel it argues the badness of a stomack when it cannot retain what is put into it and the badness of a servant when he cannot retain those secrets which his Master hath committed to him 4. Silentness Titus 2. 9. Not answering â—â—gain 'T is better to mend a fault than to mince it and that which may quicken a servant in his work is that encouraging Scripture Col. 3. 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. If Christ should bid you do a piece of work for him would ye not do it While you serve your Master you serve the Lord Christ If you ask what Salary you shall have Ye shall receive the reward of the Inberitance Use 1. Is this the Grand Sign of a godly man to be relatively holy 〈◊〉 â—hen the Lord be merciful to us how few godly ones are to be found Many put on the Coat of Profession they will pray and discourse of points of Religion but what means the bleating of the sheep They are not good in their Relations How ill doth it sound when Christians are defective in Relative Piety Can we call him godly who is a bad Magistrate He perverts equity Psalm 58. 1. Do ye judge uprightly O ye sons of men You weigh the violence of your hands in the earth Can we call him godly who is a bad Parent He never teacheth his Childe the way to heaven He is like the Ostrich which is cruel to her young Iob 39. 19. Can we call him godly who is a bad Master Many Masters leave their Religion at Church as the Clerk doth his book they have nothing of God at home their houses are not Bethels but Beth-avens not little Temples but little Hells How many Masters at the last day must hold up their hand at the Bar though they have fed their servants bellies they have starved their souls Can we call him godly who is a bad Childe He stops his ear to his Parents counsel you may as well call him a good subject who is disloyal Can we call him godly who is a bad servant He is slothful and wilful he is more ready to spy a fault in another than to mend it in himself To call one godly who is bad in his Relations is a contradiction it is to call evil good Isa. 5. 20. Use 2. As we desire to have God approve us let us show forth godliness in our Relations Not to be good in our relations spoils all our other good things Naaman was an honourable man but hee was a Leaper 2 King 5. 1. That But spoiled all so such an one is a great hearer but he neglects relative duties this stains the beauty of all his other actions as in Printing though the Letter be never so well carved yet if it be not set in the right place it spoils the sense so let a man have many things commendable in him yet if he be not good in his right place making conscience how he walks in his relations he doth hurt to religion There are many to whom Christ will say at last as to the young man Luk. 18. 22. Unum deest yet lackest thou one thing thou hast miscarried in thy relative capacity as therefore we tender our salvation and the honour of religion let us shine forth in that Orb of relation where God hath fixed us SECT XXI 21 A godly man doth spiritual things in a spiritual manner Phil. 3. 3. Wee are the Circumcision which worship God in the spirit Spirit-worship is Virgin-worship 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye are built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices not only spiritual for the matter but the quality a wicked man either lives in the total neglect of duty or else dischargeth it in a dull careless manner in stead of using the world as if he used it not hee serves God as if hee served him not a godly man spiritualizeth duty hee is not only for the doing of holy things but for the holy doing of things Quest. What is it to perform spiritual duties spiritually Answ. It consists in three things 1. To do duties from a spiritual principle viz. a renewed principle of grace let a man have gifts to admiration let him have the most melting ravishing expressions let him speak like an Angel dropped out of heaven yet his duties may not be spiritual because he wants the grace of the spirit whatever a moral unregenerate person doth is but nature refined though he may do duties better than a godly man yet not so well better as to the matter and elegancy yet not so well as wanting a renewed principle a Crab-tree may bear as well as a Pippin the fruit may be bigger and fairer to the eye yet it is not so good fruit as the other because it doth not come from so good a stock so an unregenerate person may perform as many duties as a childe of God and these may seem to be more glorious to the outward view but they are harsh and sower because they do not come from the sweet and pleasant root of grace a true Saint gives God that wine which comes from the pure grape of the spirit 2 To perform duties spiritually is to do them with the utmost intention a Christian is very serious and labours to keep his thoughts close to the work in hand 1 Cor. 7. 35. That ye
may attend upon the Lord without distraction Quest. But may not a godly man have roving thoughts in duty Answ. Yes sad experience sets seal to it the thoughts will bee dancing up and down in prayer the Saints are called Stars and many times in duty they are wandring stars The heart is like Quick-silver which will not fix 'T is hard to tye two good thoughts together we cannot lock our hearts so close but that distracting thoughts like winde will get in Hierom complains of himself sometimes saith he when I am about Gods service I am walking in the galleries or casting up of accounts But these wandring thoughts in the godly are not allowed Psa. 119. 113. I hate vain thoughts they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spied but are turned out of doors Quest. Whence do these impertinent thoughts arise in the godly Answ. 1 From the pravity of nature they are the mud which the hear casts up 2. From Satan the Devil if he cannot hinder us from duty â—hee will hinder us in duty when we come before the Lord he is at our right hand to resist us Zac. 3. 1. As when one is going to write another stands at his elbow and jogs him that he cannot write even Satan will set vain objects before the fancy to cause a diversion the Devil doth not oppose formality but fervency if he sees we set our selves in good earnest to seek God he will bee whispering things in our ears that wee can scarce minde what wee are doing 3 These impertinent thoughts arise from the world these vermine are bred out of the earth worldly business oft crouds into our duties and while we are speaking to God our hearts are talking with the world Ezek. 33. 31. They sit before me as my people but their heart goes after their covetousness While we are hearing the word or meditating one worldly business or other commonly knocks at the door and we are taken off the duty while we are in the duty 'T is with us as with Abraham when he was going to worship the fowles came down upon the sacrifice Gen. 15. 11. Quest. How may wee get rid of these wandring thoughts that we may be more spiritual in duty Answ. 1 Eye Gods purity hee is an holy God whom wee serve and cannot endure when wee are worshipping him that wee should converse with vanity Will a King like it that while his subject is speaking to him hee should bee playing with a feather will God endure light feathery hearts how devout and reverend are the Angels they cover their faces and cry Holy Holy 2 Think of the Grand importance of the duties we are engaged in as David said concerning his building an house for God 2 Chron. 29. 1. The work is great when wee are hearing the word the work is great this is the word by which we shall be judged when we are at prayer the work is great wee are pleading for the life of our souls and is this a time to trifle 3 Come with affection to duty the nature of love is to fix the minde upon the object he who is in love his thoughts are still upon the person he loves and nothing can take them off Hee that loves the world his thoughts are ever intent upon it were our hearts more fired with love they would be more fixed in duty and O! what cause have we to love duty is not this the direct road to heaven do we not meet with God here can the spouse be better than in her Husbands company where can the soul be better than in drawing nigh to God 4 Consider the mischief that these vain distracting thoughts do they fly-blow our duties they hinder fervency they shew high irreverence they tempt God to turn away his ear from us how do we think God should minde our prayers when we our selves scarce minde them 3 To do duties spiritually is to do them in faith Heb. 11. 4. By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain The holy oyle for the Tabernacle had several spices put into it Exod. 30. 34. Faith is the sweet spice which must be put into duty 'T is a wrong to God to doubt either of his Mercy or Truth a Christian may venture his soul upon the publick faith of heaven Use 1 How far are they out of the way of Godliness who are unspiritual in their worship who do not duties from a renewed principle and with the utmost intention of soul but meerly to stop the mouth of conscience many people look no farther than the bare doing of duties but never mind how they are done God doth not judge of our duties by the length but by the love when men put God off with the dreggish part of duty may not he say as Isa. 58. 5. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen Are these the duties I required I called for the heart and spirit and you bring nothing but the Carkass of Duty should I receive comfort in this Use 2. Let us show our selves godly by being more spiritual in duty 't is not the quantum but the quale 't is not how much we do but how well A Musitian is commended not for playing long but for playing well We must not only do what God appoints but as God appoints O how many are unspiritual in spiritual things they bring their services but not their hearts they give God the skin not the fat of the offering God is a Spirit Ioh. 4. 24. And it is the spirituality of duty he is best pleased with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God The spirits of the Wine are best so is the spiritual part of duty Eph. 5. 19. Making melody in your hearts to the Lord It is the heart makes the Musick the spiritualizing of duty gives life to it without this it is dead praying dead hearing and dead things are not pleasing a dead flower hath no beauty a dead breast hath no sweetness Quest. How may we do to perform duties in a spiritual manner Answ. 1. Let the Soul be kept a Virgin lust doth besot and dis-spirit a man beware of any tincture of uncleanness Iam. 1. 21. Wood that is full of sap will not easily burn and an heart steeped in sin is not fit to burn in holy devotion Can he be spiritual in worship who feeds carnal lust Hos. 4. 11. Whoredome and wine and new wine take away the heart Any sin lived in takes away the heart such an one hath no heart to pray or meditate The more alive the heart is in sin the more it dies to duty 2. If we would be spiritual in duty let us revolve these two things in our mind 1. The profit which comes from a duty performed in a spiritual manner it infeebles Corruption it encreaseth Grace it defeats Satan it strengthens our Communion with God it breeds peace of Conscience it procures Answers of Mercy and it