hand upon the Lad neither do thou any thing unto him We â—hould consider as * Nostrum est intent is mentibus considerare quam mirabiliter in ipso Articulo Deus Isaac revocaver â—â— Ã morte in vitam Calv. Gen 33. 4. Calvin observes how God helpt in the very Article of time and delivered him from death to life What preservations and speciall Providences did Jacob meeâ— withall being delivered from Esau's rage when bloody intentions were turned into embraces Jacob feared least he would â—lay the Mother and Children yet by speciall Providence Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him and they wept In Joseph there is a Series of Providences a concaâ—enation of preservations His brethren hated him and threw him into a pit And in that pit there was no water He was bought and sold by the Ishmaelites and Poâ—ipher cast in Prison and in the same Prison where were the Kings prisoners The chiefe Buâ—ler and Baker were in the same prison They dreamed Joseph gave the Interpretation But yet Gods time of deliverance was not come Pharaoh dreames Joseph interprets his dreame and is advanced and made Ruler over all the Land of Egypt A fâ—mine fâ—ll out Joseph's brethren came to buy corne Joseph supplies them Stephen recites the History and acknowledgeth a speciall hand of Providence The Patriarchs mooved with envy sold Joseph into Egypt Gen. 50. 20 21. Acts 7. 9. but God was with him The History of Eliah is remarkable sometimes a Brook sometimes a Widdow woman sometimes the Angells themselves were his Pâ—rveyors and the very Ravens those greedy Birds of prey brought him meate The History of the Jewes delivered from Haman is especially remarkable Haman utterly plotted their ruine He had the royall assent granted the day set Haman on purpose went to beg Mordecai for the Gallowes but see what intervened by the speciall hand of Providence On that night the King could not sleep and Esth 6. 1. he commanded to bring the book of records of the Chronicles and they were read before the King after reading whereof the King advanced Mordecai and made Haman his desperate Enemy to make the Proclamaâ—ion And Esther being entertained Qâ—eene in the roome of Vasthi shee supplicated for her own life and the life of her people And the mischievous devices of Haman were turned â—pon his own pate and as he meated to others the same measure he received the Text expresly shewes So they hanged Haman upon the Gallowes Esth 7. 10. that he had prepared for Mordecai Then was the Kings wrath pacified The three Children in the fiery furnace Daniel in the Lions den Peter out of Prison were all miraculously delivered by the Ministery of Angells The Apostle Paul delivered when above forty had bound themselves with an oath in a conspiracy against him And Acts 21. 30 31. especially Acts 21. 30 31. We read of a wonderfull deliverance as we say between the cup and the lip And all the Citie was moved and the people ran together and they took Paul and drew him out of the Temple and forthwith the dores were shut and as they went about to kill him tidings came unto the chiefe captaine of the Band that all Jerusalem was in an â—proare By this Diversion the Lord wrought a signall deliverance for his servant Paul What deliverances had David at Keilah En-gedi even when Saul had heÌ„m'd him in and as I may say had him in a Pound not likely to escape yet then by way of diversion he was delivered and Saul went 1 Sam. 23. 26 27. on this side of the mountaine and David and his men on that side of the mountaine and David made hast to get away for feare of Saul for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them But there came a messenger unto Saul saying hast thee and come for the Philistines have invaded the Land In that needfull Instant the Lord made a plain way for his servants escape I might Instance in many remarkable passages of Providence rerecorded in humane Authors The tide brought in shel-fish for the besieged Rochellers There was one Merlin who at the Parisian Massacre hid himselfe in a Hay Mow and every day a Hen laid an egge there by which he was kept alive Another was hid in a close hole and a spider weaved a web at the dore so the Persecutors went away But there is no necessity of lighting a candle to the Sun that went before No example may be compared to those which are recorded in the Word of God To Scripture examples I 'le adde Scripture reasons why doth God extend such speciall Providences towards his own people 1. Let us consider the high estimate and value God puts upon R. 1. The high Value God puts upon his Children Mal. 3. 17. Is 28. 5. Exod. 19. 5. Zech. 2. 8. them They are his Jewells They shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my Jewells and I will spare them as a man spareth his Son that serveth him They are a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty They are a peculiar treasure they are as deare unto him as the Apple of his eye 2. Consider the relations between God and the godly R. 2. Drawn from the Relationâ— between God and the godly They are his Children he their Father They are his adopted sons and daughters Now it is the duty of a Father to take speciall care for the preservation of his children They are his spouse and he their Husband For so the Lord professeth Turne O backsliding children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and Jer. 3. 14. I will take you one of a Cittie and two of a family and will bring you to Zion 3. All the promises of God are made unto the godly For R. 3. All the Promises belong to the godly Isa 43. 1 2. saith the Apostle all the promises of God are in Christ yea and Amen unto the glory of God by us Promises of Protection belong to Gods children Thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel feare not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy Name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Promises of direction are made to Gods children Thou shalt guide me with Psal 73. 24. thy counsell and afterward receive me to glory 4. All the Attributs of God put forth themselves for the good R. 4. All Gods Attributes belong to the godly Isa 51. 14. of Gods people viz. His mercy to pardon them his wisdome to counsell them his power to defend them as the Prophet Isaiah saith Feare not thou worme Jacob and yee men
ever did nor shall ever goe away a looser by Gods service God keeps the wages 'till afterwards Here we may have an earnest part of payment but the great summe is reserved for another world And they that honour God in bringing converts to the Gospell and making Proselytes to Jesus Christ they are highly honoured of God Them that honour me saith God I will honour 1 Sam. 2. 30. And what honour God will one day put upon them you may read Dan. 12. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse is the stars for ever and ever such honour hath all his Saints When Andrew shall come in with Achaia by him converted to the truth John with Asia Thomas with India Peter with the Jewes and Paul with the Gentiles and all the Ministers of the Gospell and others whom God hath made instrumentall in this great service when these shall be able to say Behold Lord here we are and the children which thou hast given us then will the Lord say to them well done good and faithfull servants enter into your masters joy And thus I have dispatcht the first head propounded in the second 2. Head The Characters of him that win neth soules Charact. 1. He must abound in love place I am to give in the character of him who of all others is likeliest to win soules how such a one should be qualified I shall represent unto you in these ensuing Characters 1. He must abound in the grace of love his heart must be enflamed with seraphicall love unto Jesus Christ It 's a passage frequently used in Ignatius Epistles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my love is crucified It 's an excellent saying in Paul 2 Cor. 5. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of Christ constrains us A faithfull Minister acts altogether from a principle of love to Jesus Christ He prayeth preacheth giveth almes fasteth watcheth and hee 's indefatigable in his labours and what 's the reason or ground of all Because the love of Christ constrains him Then onely are we upon sure grounds when the love of Christ is that primum mobile that sets all the other orbes in their motion and where there 's a principle of love to Jesus Christ there will be shed abroad mutuall love towards our brethren such love was unparalleld in Moses who wish'd himselfe blotted out of the boâ—ke of life Exod. 32. 3. And in Paul who wished himselfe an Anathema for the Jewes Rom. 9. 3. Here 's soule love indeed beyond compare O what an ardent affection and tender compassion ought Ministers to have to the soules of their people Love to their soules will make them runne through fire and water grapple with beasts of Ephesus sons of Anak even Herculean labours But where 's love to the fleece onely Mercenary hopes of promotions dignities carnal interest all such self-ends and sinister respects will be but as so many Ignes fatui to lead men away into dangerous and destructive ways It 's onely love to the soul that will set thee a working to good purpose And further he that is thus set on fire with love to Christ and to his Brethrens souls must be a man of such wisdom as to temper all his counsels in love In all his Meditations and Exhortations Love is one main Ingredient in the composition He abhors sin in any and reproves it but whilest he hates the sin he loves the person and whilest he endeavors to slay and utterly to destroy the sin he would gladly be instrumental to save the soul of the sinner This is the rule which the Apostle gives Eph. 4. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some render it speaking some following some doing the truth But if the English word may be admitted it 's rendred most suitable to the Original truthing of it in love 2. He must be a man of a willing minde God expects his offering Charact. 2. A man of a willing minde of the willing hearted Exod. 35. 5. And the people are commended for willingly offering themselves Judg. 5. 2. The question was asked 1 Chron. 29. 5. Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord and it 's said v. 6. Then the chief of the Fathers and the Princes of the tribes of Israel c. offered willingly And Gods people are a willing people people of willingnâ—sse Psalm 110. 3. Every one set apart for the Ministry must have such a Spirit as Amasiah the Son of Zichri had who willingly offered himself unto the Lord And this was as eminent in Paul And I will very gladly spend 2 Chro. 17. 16. 2 Chro. 12. 15. and be spent for you Necessity and constraint may not put any upon a Ministerial Function Quasi ultimum refugium not an Advowson purchased by the Father and intended for the Son nor an Impropriator who intends his Son for his Substitute at a venture A strange Soloecism saith Mr. Boltâ—n that holy man of God a Lay-Rector and not Preach nor a Collegiate Education by Statute enjoyning at such a standing to enter into Orders whereas alass many venter thus upon this calling who have neither heart nor hand to put forth to the work but onely that they might keep their places I say none of those can be a sufficient warrant in point of conscience to take upon them so high a Calling This Calling must be took upon choice and serious deliberation It must be willingly entred upon and willingly performed No thinking of putting thy hand to the Plough and looking back such are not fit for the service of the Lord This must be thy resolution come good report come evil report honor dis honor prosperity or adversity I will give my self up to God as Hannah gave Samuel for a loan all the days of my life 3. He must be a man of a meek spirit such a singular spirit was Charact. 3. A man of a meek spirit in Moses Numb 12. 3. And beyond all parallel in Christ He propounds himself the pattern of our imitation Matth. 11. 29. How must the servant of the Lord be qualified 2 Timothy 2. 24 25. And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all mâ—n apt to teach patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves And how must an erring brother be dealt withal you may observe the rule Gal. 6. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage in the cause of God Every Charact. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage thing is beautiful in its season There 's a season for meekness and a season for zeal Moses who was meek in his own cause yet was highly transported with zeal in the cause of God Some are Boanergesses Sons of Thunder and others are Barnabasses sons of consolation It 's observed that notwithstanding many failings there 's some good spoken of all the
Profession hath advantage of all others By doing he receives good by meditating to instruct others he gains knowledge for himself by holding forth light to others he enlightens himself This life of Meditation is an Heaven upon Earth by it we have communion with God and are admitted into the Prelence Chamber so that such as are well skill'd in this Divine Art can say experimentally as John did And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus 1 John 1. 3. Christ 2. Be mâ—ch in Prayer Bene orasse est bâ—ne studuisse So Bernard Rule 2. To be much in Prayer He studieth best that prayeth best Pray for thy self and pray for thy Brethren pray that God would warm thy heart that thou mayest warm theirs Many run from Commentator to Commentator when as they should be upon their knees I dis-allow no good helps but commend the use of them yet principally thou must study the Scriptures and so Preach a Sermon as thou maist apprehend it to be the fruit of thy Prayers then Minister and people are likeliest to do most good upon one another when they mutually joyn in fervent Prayer one for another 3. Beware of Preaching thy self froth of Wit fragments of Rule 3. Preach not froth of wit Poets affected Phrases forc't interpretations of Scripture I have read that when Bernard one day Preached a learned eloquent Sermon and the next day a plain and profitable Sermon he said Heri Bernardum hâ—die Jesum Christum Yesterday I preacht my self to day Jesus Christ 4. Labor to Preach Jesus Christ Preach that which may most Rule 4. Preach Jesus Christ conduce to the knowledge of Christ crucified which may most advance the Kingdom of Christ Busie thy self in shewing the people the way to Heaven the necessity of the knowledge of Christ the necessity of holyness faith and repentance Christ crucified is that Vnum Necessarium which above all others we must desire to know and instruct others in the knowledge of it 5. Let thy Preaching be from the heart from an experimental knowledge Rule 5. Preach from the heart of the love of God in thine own soul that so thou mayest comfort others with those comforts wherewith thy self hath been comforted in particular A speculative Divine that Preacheth meerly from the strength of parts from a brain knowledge doth little good and why Because as Reverend Latimer used to say dâ—â—st ignis deâ—st ignis There wants fire there wants heat What cometh onely from the head commonly reacheth no farther then the head but what cometh from the heart will go to the heart A Minister should Preach every Sermon to himself first before he preacheth it to his people that so he may comfort others with those comforts wherewith he himself hath been comforted 6. Know thy people well and converse with thy flock There 's Rule 6. A Pastor should know his Flock more work to be done besides Preaching Thou must not be a stranger to any that will bid thee Ged-speed visit them confer with them and see how they profit The rule I go by is Prov. 23. 22. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock and lock well to thy hâ—rd Seventhly and lastly and with this I shall conclude Be diligent Rule 7. Be diligent and watchful and watchful still with Habakkuk be upon thy Watch-tower Be not wearied in thy work In due season thou shalt reap if thou faint not shake off all drousiness and spiritual slumber Watch over thine own soul and over those whereof thou art an over-seer It pleased God to reveal the glad tidings of a Saviour unto Shepheards who were watching their flocks by night And whilest thou art watching over thy flock Christ may call thee to eternal Glory And blessed are they whom when Christ comes he findes so doing The Pearl of price Discovered on the Monethly Fast-day upon Matth. 13. 45 46. Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it THis Text is Homogenous with the last SERM. 4. at St Maries OXON June 20. 1648. which I unfolded from this place 'T is a driving of a former nail to the full head I look upon it as a link of the same golden Chain of matchless dignity price and value It may be expected and so were my first thoughts inclined that upon such a day as this peculiarly set apart for the afflicting of the soul I should represent to you the nature and duties of a day of Humiliation But that I am perswaded that this Argument hath been srequently and conscientiously prosecuted in your hearing Wherefore upon second thoughts waving that common place and pursuing my intended method I hope I shall speak a word in season and not digress from the work of the day I discovered then the excellency of wisdom and pronounced him the truly wise man who winned souls out of Prov. 11. 30. Go you and do likewise My task now lies before me to make a serious review and discovery of more of the same genuine Issue and Divine Extraction wholly made up of the right stamp And such a one instar omnium hath a sacred Panegyrick even the singular Testimony of Christ himself in his behalf set forth in the words now read unto you Again the kingdâ—m c. Not to stay long in the Portall I shall briefly draw down the Context Context unto the Text. It s worth our observation that our Saviour Christ in the dispensation of his Ministry propounded many choice and excellent Parables ver 4. This was Christs familiar and accustomed method of Preaching One reason whereof is given for fulfilling of a Prophesie took out R. 1. Ver. 35. of Psal 78. 2. I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us Every Prophesie of Christ must be fulfilled in its season not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the word of God shall fail Another Reason why Christ spake in Parables was for the obduration R. 2. of the hearts of the wicked God in judgement fast closeth up and hardneth the hearts of many ungodly persons who persist in their impenitency ver 13. And Isaiahs Prophesie is cited by this Evangelist for a pregnant testimony Isa 69. 10. which words you shall finde syllabically repeated in the substantials thereof Mark 4. 12. Luke 8. 10. John 12. 40. Even all the four Evangelists likewise Acts 28. 26. Rom. 11. 8. Such a Crambe of repetitions points out something to be specially regarded as of more then ordinary concernment A third Reason why Christ spake by Parables might be to gain R. 3. an attentive audience Christ speaking Mysteries and Oracles inflam'd the hearts of the Auditors and made them inquisitive after the Interpretation Under hidden
of grace unto another till at length he attaines unto the end of his faith the salvation of his immortall soule And thus you have heard a comparison betwixt materiall and immateriaâ—l pearles between an earthly and a heavenly Merchant In the close of this point suffer I beseech you Brethren one word of exhortation and that is to perswade you to be Merchants of pearles Let me expostulate the case as the Prophet did Wherefore Is 55. 2. do yee spend money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satissieth not Be no more Merchants for Gugawes and triffles and the vanities of the world which if you should get you could find no solidity nor satisfaction in them But let your labour be bestowed in seeking out the goodly pearls of the Gospell Negotiate for heavenly treasures which alone are solid which only are satisfactory able to inrich your soules Seeke after the Cabinet which is the Gospell and set an high estimate upon it but above all seeke after Christ who is the pearle of price in the Cabinet and having found Christ imitate the wife Merchant in the text Sell all you have to purchase this pearle of price which brings me to my second Doctrine 2 Doctrine That every spirituall Merchant venturer must sell all for the purchase of the pearle of price For unfolding of this pretious point I shall observe this Method Method 1. To illustrate the truth by Parallell examples 2. To prove it by scripture Precepts 3. To confirme it by Evidence of reason 4. And lastly To set it home upon the conscience by particular Application First To illustrate this by Examples time would faile me to inlarge 1 Illustration by Examples my selfe in so great a cloud of witnesses Review v 44. of this chapter set Abrahams example for your imitation God bids Abraham leave his country Gen 12. 1. and makes him a promise to blesse him v. 3. Abraham disputes not the command but obeyes it v. 4. And this arose from a principle of faith so the Apostle Heb 11. 8. mentions And what was the moving cause v 10. For he looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God God was better to Abraham then kindred possessions and houses He loved his relations well but loved God better That one promise Gen 17. 7. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed was of more value to him then all the world besides Wherefore at the command of God with all readinesse he foregoes all Thus Moses left a kingdome for Christ Josephus reports that Thermuthis Pharaohs daughter Joseph Aâ—tiq had no child and therefore having found him she set her heart upon him and fained her selfe to be with child and kept Moses hid untill such time as it might be thought to be her owne Child to that end that he might inherit her fathers crowne This is doubtfull but what the Apostle delivereth is an undoubted truth Heb 11. 24 25 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When he became great he refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Moses who was skilled in all the learning of the Aegyptians the adopted son of Pharaohs daughter educated in a palace a man mighty in words and deedes forsooke all for Jesus Christ so the Apostles forsooke all for Christ The primitive converts sold all their possessions for the Gospels sake Math 19. 37. When the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified at Ephesus those Act 4 3. that vsed curious arts burnt th ir bookes the price amounting to 50. Thousand peeces of silver Elisha left his Oxen and followed Eliah Acts. 19. 19. Matthew left the receit of custome and followed Christ Marcus Galeacius Caracciolus of whom Calvin makes honourable mention left his Marquesdome his great Relations and all his proffers of honour for Jesus Christ It was a truly noble protestation which he vsed Cursed be he that preferres all the gold and silver in the world before one dayes communiâ—n with Jesus Christ I have read of one Hormisdays a noble Persian who would rather leave his noble Robes and weare beggars raggs then deny Jesus Christ He was degraded of all his honours and put to serve Camels and was cloth'd with raggs Once to tempt him to deny Christ they put on him silken garments He presently in scorne tore them in peeces refusing silken garments upon such base termes proposalls The Lord Cobham as the Acts and monuments record notwithstanding many v. Fox Acts Monum flattering intreaties denyed the Popes spiritualty and sayed he was the Antichrist he rather would dye then acknowledg him Christs Vicar He lost his life in that cause All those are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 examples to us that we should fore-go our Relations interests liberties estates even all for Jesus Christ To purchase the pearle of price we must foregoe all Now in the second place for precepts commanding read Prov 23. 2 Proof by Precept 23. Buy the truth and sell it not Now if we would buy the truth we must come up to its price If it be to loose our Ease Promotions Riches Pleasures Profits we must sell them all for the purchase of truth We are commanded by the wise man Wisedom is the principall thing therefore get wisedome and withall thy getting get understanding And Christs counsell Prov 4. 7. is above all most excellent I counsell thee to buy of me gold and aâ—oynt thy eyes with eye salve c. By eye salve we understand illumination Rom 3. 18 of the spirit by gold a pure and pretious faith by white Rayment the innocency of Christ his immaculate robes to cloath us These are not to be had for nothing they must sano sensu be bought after a manner and a price pay'd to purchase them and to the same effect tends the counsell to the rich man By our Saviour Marke 10 21. goe thy way and sell what soever thou hast and give to the Poore and thou shalt have treasure in heaven come take up the crosse and follow me I proceed to the 3. Head propounded the confirmation of the 3 Proof by Evidence of Reason poynt by evidence of Reason the Pearle of Price the Lord Jesus is of that infinite price dignity and value as all must be sold to purchase him And this I 'le make good by these ensuing Demonstrations First The pearle of price is not to be had for nothing we must Reason 1. The pearle of price is not to be had sor nothing buy it even give all that we have to purchase it Ephron would give Abraham the cave of Machpelah Gen 22. 11. But Abraham would buy it neither doth he dodge and abate any thing but gives the full price which was 400. shekells of silver currant money with the Merchant v. 16. T' is sayed Araunah gave all the sacrifices to David as a King 2 Sam 24. 23. But David would not
Christ highest when we live to him and the life of Christ is fashioned in us when Christs image is stamp't upon our spirits when we square our lives according to the will of God when we set up Christ commander in chiefe in our soules its evident that we exalt Christ and set the highest price of him The second Query is Whether we are willing to deny our selves 2 Query Are we willing to denie our selves for Christ Who ever will come after Christ must deny himselfe Matth. 16. 24. What ever is selfe must be denied for Jesus Christ Selfe opinions selfe applaudings selfe reasonings selfe righteousnesse selfe interest Ends and Aymes must all be renounced for Jesus Christ A proud man must denie his proud selfe A passionate man must denie his passionate selfe A schollar must deny his learning a wise man his own wisdome a strong man his strength All must be denied when they stand in competition with or opposition unto Jesus Christ One querie more I 'le propound and it is very seasonable Are you willing to undergoe any affliction to suffer any hardship for Jesus 3 Query Are we willing to suffer for Christ Christ As a man must deny himselfe so he must take up hiscrosse The Apostle tels the Philippians Phil. 1 29. To you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake A suffering faith is the gift of God Are you resolved to take Christ upon his own conditions Will you follow the lamb where ever he goeth through thick and thin even through a showre of blood when you are called thereunto Elihu makes it the marke of an Hypocrite Job 36. 21. to choose iniquity rathâ—r then affliction Whereas when it comes to this Dilemma either I must choose affliction or sinne then must my resolution be to choose the greatest affliction in the world rather then to wound my conscience with the least sin Hee 's a believer of the right stamp indeed who is of Pauls resolution Acts 21. 13. willing not onely to be bound but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus Put your selves upon triall by these three forementioned queries The third Use is for Exhortation I beseech you in the Bowels of Vse 3. For Exhortation Jesus Christ as you regard the eternall good of your pretious soules to be Merchant Venturers for the pearle of price Oh that I could prevaile with you to foregoe and sell all you have for the purchase of Jesus Christ But you will demand what must we sell and foregoe I answere 1. Thou must foregoe thy lusts bid adieu to thy beloved sinnes 1 Foregoe thy 〈◊〉 put to death those brats of Babilon slaughter thy corruptions Thou must deale with thy sins as Samuel dealt with Agag hew them in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal Make no Apologies for sinne plead not Antiquity pleasure profit custome interest c. All these are but sorry fig-leaves to cover thy nakednesse If thy nearest Relations stand in opposition to Christ thou must foregoe them too For so Christ determines He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Sonne or Daughter more then me is not worthy of me Matth. 10. 37. 2 Thou must foregoe thy pleasures for Christ so did Moses and 2 Foregoe your pleasures Nehemiah bid adieu to Court pleasures Many promise to redeeme their time and take Christ But as Elimelech would not take the condition to redeeme it at the hands of Ruth lest he marred his own inheritance Ruth 4. 6. so when the condition comes thou must foregoe these and these pleasures and be serious and grave in all thy carriages then many fly off and will not take Christ upon such termes But without question Christ is the onely pleasure And the waies of wisedome are the onely waies of pleasantnesse Prov. 3. 17. no joy no pleasure to be compared to the joy in a believers soule arising from the beames of Gods reconciled countenance darted upon it 3. Thou must foregoe thy profits for Jesus Christ When Christ invited they all with one consent began to make excuse But none of 3. Foregoe thy Profits these were fit guests for Christ Be it a great Farme a goodly Revâ—nue and it stand in competition with Christ thou must let all goe You cannot properly be said to buy Christ for himselfe and his graces are free rich gifts yet much good you may doe with your monyes You may buy Bibles good bookes maintaine faithfull Ministers feed the hungry bellies and cloath the naked backs of many poore afflicted members of Jesus Christ 4. Foregoe thy Liberty ease and quietnesse for Christ With 4. Foregoe thy Liberties Jerome deny wife Mother children and all for Christ Put it to the Question whether would you rather be with the Apostles in prison singing sweetly and enjoying communion with God then with Apostate Demas ranging in the wide world Thou maist have liberty of body and an imprisoned spirit and thou maist have an imprisoned body and inlargement of spirit There 's a black cloud hanging over the whole kingdome and we know not what the womb of one day may bring forth Doe not seeke thy own ease and quietnesse amidst publick calamities let Baruchs fayling be thy warning peece Jer. 45. 5. And seekest thou great things for thy selfe seeke them not 5. Foregoe honours and preferments for Christ It was Ignatius 5. Foregoe thy Pleasures his saying Antiquitas mea nobilitas mea Jesus Christus would you know who have the best noble blood running in their veines you may find Acts 17. 11. These were more noble then those of The salonica in that thâ—y received the word with all readinesse of mind and searched the Scripture daily whether those things were so No honour to holinesse no Armes so excellent no Coat so noble as those which the Christian nobility gives so then what ever things thou highly esteemest whether preferment friends reputation or the like if they stand in opposition to Christ denie them all 6. And lastly thou must foregoe thy life when thou hast a calling for Jesus Christ Think not thy blood too deare for him who 6. Foregoe thy life when Christ calls for it ventur'd his blood for thee In this cause by loosing thy life thou shalt save it All are gayners none loosers that die in Christ and for Christ But examine thy selfe if thou canst not foregoe a lust a pleasure a dignity a liberty for him If thou canst not bear a scoffe and a reproach for Christ how wilt thou be able to resist unto blood to endure the fiery tryall I may expostulate with the Prophet Jer. 12. 5. If thou hast run with the footmen and they have wearied thee then how canst thou contend with horses And if in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst they wearied thee then how wilt thou doe in the swelling
over me yet now having heard what God says unto me I am armed Cap-a-pee against them all Hence 1. Learn our duty to wait upon God with a quiet spirit whatever reproofs or oppositions we may meet withal from men or Devils And secondly To set an high estimate upon the word of God and stick close to it as the rule No matter what men say against thee if God be for thee And thirdly Not to follow any devised way of man but to make the Word of God the Umpire guide rule of thy life And lastly Though God speak not presently we must not be hasty but wait his time For when we wait for an answer then are we put in a capacity to receive it The Prophet waited for an Answer and an Answer he obtains ver 2. And the Lord answered and said Write the vision and make it plain upon Tables that he may run that readeth it Note how opportunely God answers the Prophet upon his watch An Angel revealed the welcome news of a Saviour to the Shepheards keeping their flocks by night And a Vision is revealed to the watching Prophet And because the Vision was principally for publick use and edification it was to be writ in legible Characters even Capital Letters that any one might read it in transitu and not stop Q. But when shall the Vision come to pass might some say When will it come Oh! it 's a long time a coming and hope deferred makes the heart sick The Caldeans may quite ruine our nation We may fall every one of us by the hand of the enemy â—efore this Vision may be accomplished Every minute is long When Oh when will the Vision be performed A. To such impatient querulous Speeches I oppose the reason or strong ground of incouragement from my Text For the Vision is yet for an appointed time c. Which words contains a Prophetical Promise incouraging and a Text divided special duty prescribed As first For the Prophetical Promise 1. You have set forth the matter of it A vision 2. The limitation thereof for an appointed time 3. The truth of it it shall not lie 4. The ingemination for the certainty it shall speak it will surely come it will not tarry 2. For the duty It 's set in opposition to hastiness of Spirit Wait for it The words need a Paraphrase Let 's review them apart Q. 1. It shall be asked What 's meant by Vision A. You know God spake at sundry times and in divers manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 1. 1. in times past to the Fathers by the Prophets Sometimes by dreams other times by Urim and Visions sometimes vivâ voce to the Fathers of old to us by his Son voce scriptâ in his written Word so that Dreams Visions and Revelations cease which were extraordinary and onely pro tempore We are to keep close to the written Word and take heed of being wise above what is written By the Vision some understand the Administration of the Gospel of Christ and his glorious Appearances But Calvin whom I follow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as much as any Interpreter since the Apostles times by Vision understands Admonition and Instruction to the People of God And though this may be dark it shall speak and not lie not in vain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Numb 23. 19. so the 70. Not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Word of God shall fail God is the God of eternal Truth Mercenary Balaam gives this true attestation God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent Hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spòken and shall he not make it good God doth not delay his people on purpose to deceive them and frustrate their expectations but to exercise their faith and patience and to prepare them for the better reception and entertainment of a mercy when it comes Q. 2. But secondly Why is it said it 's yet for an appointed time A. 1. To shew that it is in the power of God alone to prefix a time He created time and limits time and seasons according to his pleasure He sets bounds and periods to all Kingdoms Nations Languages 2. And secondly For a Caveat to us to beware of limiting God to our times and seasons 3. To stop our running not to make more haste then good speed but to wait upon God in his own way who will accomplish his Vision in his own time for his own glory Q. 3. What 's meant by waiting here A. Be silent and murmur not because the Vision seems to linger Though sence fails yet let not Faith fail It 's the nature of Faith to wait for the execution of a promise though it be long a coming Faith hath a Prophetical vertue to see a Promise a great way off and a Magnetical vertue to draw it near to it So that if the Question be moved to a Believer What wilt thou do in these cloudy days How wilt thou behave thy self amidst these dark passages of Providence His answer is I 'le hope against hope wait with Faith and Patience and adhere unto the Word of God and am resolved not to let go my confidence However works of Providence may seem cross yet I 'le depend upon the truth and faithfulness of God I will wait and believe though sense be non-pluss'd and I can see no reason why I should wait on the Lord any longer And here 's the acting of Faith indeed in a true Believer who resolves I will trust my God depend upon his Word stay upon his Promises rely upon his Attributes Though he kill me yet I will trust in him as Job resolved Q. 4. Lastly Here seems to be a contradiction though it tarry it Job 13. 15. Argumentum ad hominem creaturas non ad Deum creatorem will not tarry How can these be reconciled A. This is an Argument to Men and Creatures and not to God and Creator There 's no tarrying in God Time past present and to come are all one in him A thousand years in his sight are but as yesterday We are then to distinguish between the Decree and the Mora resertur ad sestinationem nostram Caeterum si respicimus ad Dei coâ—silium nunquam moram facit Calv. in Loc. Execution thereof The Decree tarries not nor seems to tarry But according to the execution of the Decree as it falls under our apprehensions and manifestations it may seem to stay and linger There is then no tarrying in God but there is in the Creature And though flesh and blood cannot apprehend it yet in tarrying God makes haste You have here represented what Faith can do David told Achish when he was going to Battle Thou shalt see what thy servant can doe Behold here what Faith through the strength of God can do Faith meets with many Obstructions and many Repulses yet it will fall on
meanes to move God to extend mercy compassion and deliverance to them Method propounded In handling of this precious point I shall thus dispose of my Method 1. To give in a full proofe from Scripture asserting the truth 2. Contribute some reasons confirming the same 3. Represent the manner how justice must be executed This shall be by way of Direction 4. And fourthly conclude with a word of exhortation and so presse closely the duty of the Text the establishment of Iustice and 1. The Doctrine proved this shall be my particular application I resume what I first propounded to assert the truth of the point See Jer. 5. 1. Run ye to and fro in the streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof if ye can find a man if there be any that executeth judgment that seeketh the truth and I will pardon it So Ier. 7. 5 6 7. for if you thorowly amend your waies and your doings if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his nâ—ighbour if ye oppresse not the stranger the fatherlesse and the widow and shed not innocent blood in this place nâ—ither walke after other Gods to your hurt then will I cause you to dwell in this place in the land which I gave unto your fathers for ever and ever So Isaiah 1. 17 18. Learne to doe well seeke Juâgment relieve the oppressed judg the fatherlesse plâ—ad for the widdow come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red as crimson they shall be as wool Prov. 29. 4. The King by judgment â—stablisheth the land but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it In these and sundry other places God promiseth a blessing upon the execution of justice I l'e single out particular instances that what 's asserted may be cleared more evidently When Israel committed both spirituall and corporall whoredome with the daughters of Moab for commonly they goe both together the greatest Idolaters the greatest whoremongers witnesse the Babylonish strumpet at this day Now nothing will appease Gods incensed wrath besides the execution of justice upon the Idolaters The Lord said unto Moses take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may Num. 25. 4. 5 be turned away from Israel And when Moses and the congregation were consulting Phineas stands up and falls a doing Iustice When Phineas the sonne of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw it he rose up from among the congregation and tooke a javelin in his hand and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them thorough the man of Israel and the woman thorough her belly So the Plague was stayed from the Children of Israel Here 's a patterne of singular zeale a man of heroicall courage all steele to the back Compare this with Psal 106. 30. Then stood up Phineas and executed judgment and so the Plague was stayed And you may read the ample reward Numb 25. 10 11 12. The Lord spake unto Moses saying Phineas the sonne of Eleazar hath turned away my wrath from the Children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them that I consumed them not in my jelousie wherefore say behold I give unto him my covenant of peace Moses likewise was a man of the same stamp Though in his own cause the meekest yet a man of invincible courage in the cause of God When he was in the mount Aaron makes them a golden calfe the people commit Idolatrie with it the Lord is highly incensed Moses intercedes for them Exodus 3. 11. Moses besought the Lord his God and said why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hâ—st brought forth out of the Land of Aegipt with great power and with a mightie hand He brake the tables vers 19. as soâ—ne as he came nigh unto the Camp that he saw the calfe and the dancing his anger waxed hot and he cast the Tables out of his hands and brake thâ—m beneath the mount He burnes the calfe to powdâ—r strewes it upâ—n the water and makes the Children of Israel to drink of it vers 20. executes judgment vers 26 27 28. Who is on the Lords side let him come unto me And all the Sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him and he said unto them put every man his sword by his side and goe in and out from gate to gate thorowout the camp and slay every man his brother and every man his companion and every man his neighbour And the Children of Levi did accordingly Compare this with Psal 106. 23. Therefore he said that he would destroy them had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the brach c. Whilst the camp was pestered with an Achan Israel could not stand before their enemies But as soon as Achan was executed the valley of Achor became a doore of hope Hos 2. 14. As long as Jonah was in the ship the storme continued but as soone as he was cast over shipbord there was a great calme Jonah 1. 15. Agag was hewed in pieces by Samuel Baals prophets were slain by Elijah Thus David executed judgment upon the Gibâ—onites enemies retaliating their mischiefes upon their own pates 2 Sam. 21. 1 6 9. There was a famine in the dayes of David for three yeares and David enquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered it is for Saul and for his bloody house because he slew the Gibeonites vers 6. Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us and we will hang them up unto the Lord in Gibeah of Saul whom the Lord did chuse And the King said I will give them vers 9. And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord. And see the good successe vers 14. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his sonnâ— buried they in the countrey of Benjamin in Zelah in the Sepulchre of Kish his Father and they performed all that the King commanded and after that God was intreated for the Land You see how just David was in executing justice upon those that slew his enemies 2 Sam. 1. 15. David cald one of the young men and said go neer and fall upon him And he smote him that he died So 2 Sam. 4. 12. he commanded his young men and they slew them and cut off their hands and their feet and hanged them up in the poole of Hebron Amaziah slew those that slow his Father Ioash 2 Kings 14. 5 6. The people of the Land slew those that conspired against Amon 2 Kings 21. 24. I might produce for illustration many examples out of humane Authours as that of Zeleucus to his sonne in putting out his eye for Adulterie and such like But I will not light a candle to the sun I keep close to
head There 's the confluence of waters there 's water in abundance bring never so many vessells yet there 's water enough to fill them So there 's fulnesse in Jesus Christ of mercy to pardon wisedome to counsell righteousnesse to justifie holiness to sanctifie fulnesse of grace and fulnesse of glory Col. 1. 19. For it pleased the father that in him should all fulnâ—sse dwell 2. There 's a communication of the water of a fountaine to the streams So there 's a communication of grace from Christ to his members John 1. 16. Of his fulnesse we receive and grace for grace The Head hath influence upon the members From Christ we receive Union John 17. 21. So runs Christ's prayer That they all may be one as thou fathâ—r art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me And from Christ we receive Communion 1 John 1. 3. That which we have seenâ— and heard that declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the father and his son Jesus Christ Now Christ derives vertue upon his members Vertue flowes from him to cure his peoples maladies Christ is the tree Rev. 22. 2. In the mid'st of the street of it and on either side of the river was the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yeelded her fruit every moneth and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations Christ's blood is diffusive and takes in all his people not one member can be wanting Look upon the fountaine and acknowledg Christ whatever grace thou receivest is derivative from Jesus Christ 3. A fountaine is said to have liveing waters Waters in a Pond are dead in a metaphoricall sense they stir not they run not they purge not But waters in a fountaine are called liveing waters they convey waters to the streames they are continually running from it So in a peculiar manner Jesus Christ is a fountaine of liveing waters The Lord complaines Jer. 2. 13. My people have committed two evills thâ—y have forsaken me the fountaine of liveing waters and hewed to themselves cisterns broken cisterns that can hold no water God is cald the fountaine of life Ps 36. 9. For with thee is the fountaine of life in thy light shall we see light The Lord Christ alone can give life unto his people His blood is not dried up it stands not still but is continually running and flowing to his members 4. A fountaine sendeth forth pure waters James 3. 11 12. Doth a fountaine send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can the fig-tree my Brethren beare olive berries either a vine figs so can no fountaine both yeeld salt water and fresh A fountaine entertaines no Garbidge nor Carrion And most properly is Christ compared to a fountaine in regard of purity Hee is purity it selfe and purifieth his people Ther 's no Impurity in him yet some impurity cleaves to his people as long as they are in this world There 's fulnesse of purity in him in us only a measure in him absolute persection in us a mixture of sinne Rev. 22. 1. And hee shewed mee a pure river of water of life cleare as Christall proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Such shall bee the Saints condition in Heaven 5ly and lastly Christ is compared to a fountaine for perpetuity A sountaine continually supplieth the streames and is never drawn dry Now Christ is a fountaine inexhausted Many goe with Pitchers and returne and wee meet with many men in the way going to fill their Pitchers yet ther 's enough for thee too Bee sensible of thy want of Christ entertaine a spiritual thirst of him and ther 's an invitation for thee too Though a thousand come unto him with Pitchers and goe away replenished yet ther 's enough in the fountaine for millions more Therefore goe not to creatures broken empty cisternes streames quite dried up or running very low But to Jesus Christ the inexhausted fountaine Millions of Pitchers fild cannot draw him dry by communicating to them the fountaine looseth not one drop of water 2. But in the next place it comes to bee enquired How 2. How may Christ be said to be a fountaine opened may Christ bee said to bee a Fountaine opened wee read the contrary Cant. 4. 12. A garden enclos'd is my Sister my Spouse a spring shut up a fountaine sealed By a fountaine opened Diodate understands the grace of God in remission of sinnes and sanctification of spirit shall be proferred to all believers in Christ The fountaine is sealed to Unbelievers and Reprobates Yet because wee know not the secret decrees of God concerning election and Reprobation wee are to make an Invitation to all to come in and to make a Proclamation to all thirsty soules Isai 55. 1. Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters and hee that hath no money come buy and eat yea come buy wine and milke without money and without price Our duty is to invite all sinners to repentance And wee have a warrant to tell all true penitent sinners that mourne for sinne that the fountaine is open for them In this sense Christ is said to open the kingdome of Heaven to all Believers Opening doth imply a shutting Sinne shuts us out of Heaven and bolts the doore against us Every sinne thou committest ponit obicem hinders thy access unto Christ But Jesus Christ opens the doore and takes away the bolt Jesus Christ is said to bee a fountaine opened in these particular Respects 1. When hee opens his bowels of Love and compassion and 1. God opens his bowels of compassion tenders himselfe his virtue his holinesse to sanctifie and his righteousness to justifie The free offer of himselfe in his Gospel dispensations is a cleare manifestation of a Fountaine opened 2. When hee takes off the barres and bolts from the doore remooves obstacles and Impediments that lye in the passage Wee cannot 2. God takes off barres and bolts from the dore find the dore the Lord opens our eyes and directs us to it When wee have found it sinne puts barres and bolts and locks on it Christ removes them Sinne lyes in the way as so many stumbling blockes But Christ removes these stumbling blockes and admits us into the presence chamber By him wee have access unto the Throne of grace Rom. 5. 2. The partition wall is taken away and distances are removed 3. It appeares the fountaine is opened because so many come 3. Many come with Pitchers to the Fountaine with Pitchers to bee filled at the Fountaine Ther 's such a great concourse of thirsty persons to the waters When the Fountaine is lockt you shall see none but when it is opened many are there ready to fill their empty Tankards Isai 55. 1. Whosoever is thirsty is invited there to come and draw water When the
fountaine continually The streames are clensing Beseech God to wash and make thee cleane The streames are healing Here 's a medicine made up of Christ's blood Apply this to thy sores It cures all diseases of body and soul Never leave this fountaine Take heed of going to Abana and Pharphar Preferre not them before the waters of this Fountaine If thou wilt bee a tasting of all waters thou must never look to bee cured If thou wilt goe from creature to creature and hew out their broken cisternes and depart from the fountaine to thy perill bee it If thou desirest to bee made whole sinne no more in trusting to Creature Cisternes lest a worse thing come upon thee Goe to Christ wash in the fountaine of his blood keep close to him never goe from him nor let him goe and thou shalt bee healed 6ly and lastly When thou art healed returne thankes for thy healing as the Samaritan did Bless God that hee hath loved thee given his Sonne for thee and washt thee And doe not speake only but act thankfullness by thy Obedience to God all thy dayes Then is thankfulness best performed when we praise God with an holy life ' I le conclude all with Psal 50. 23. Who so offereth praise glorifieth mee and to him that ordereth his Conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God The Pleasant and Peaceable ways of Wisdom Prov. 3. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness all her pathes are peace THe Proverbs of Solomon are Divine Aphorismes Serm. 9. At St. Mary's Oxon July â—5 1649. select pithy Sentences penn'd by Solomon but Indited by the Spirit of God 'T is rare to find any coherence or dependance on the precedent words they are so entire of themselves omnibus numeris absoluta Yet the Words read have some dependance upon the precedent Verses They are a Link of a goodly Chain of Pearls For if you review v. 13. that Man's happiness is admired who hath got this Jewel Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding And to invite others and draw them on to this rich purchase the wise Man dedicates an ample Panegyrick to Wisdom Tully commends Pompey Pliny Trajan but they both come short of this Encomium Many Arguments are set down from the 14. to the 20. ver inclusivè to inhance the matchless unvaluable worth and dignity of Divine Wisdom My Text is placed in the middle and is a special encouragement to quicken our Spirits to wing our affections and make them soar Heaven-ward Her ways c. And here a tacit Objection is removed O say some if we take upon us the profession of Godliness then we must bid adieu to all pleasures Farewell all mirth and delight nothing now but mourning and lamentation breaking the heart pensiveness of spirit and going mourning all the day long 'T is no such matter you are mistaken when once you make choice of the ways of Godliness and have got a spiritual acquaintance and communion with God you shall not loose pleasures but change them you shall loose carnal and get spiritual pleasures you shall loose empty and unsatisfying and get full satisfying pleasures you shall loose transient and get permanent pleasures O but say some we meet with many troubles many oppositions in our way to Heaven We are to encounter with the grand Enemies of our salvation the Flesh the Devil and the World and much molestation we find from them But however thou maist want peace with men thou hast peace with God and Conscience Though thou wantest peace on Earth yet thou art no looser if thy peace be made in Heaven Her pathes c. The Argument of my Meditations is the singular commendation Text divided of the ways of Wisdom Wherein observe a Subject and a Predicate The Subject term'd ways and pathes of wisdom The Predicate ways of pleasantness and peace I 'le not injure them by any sub-division lest I divide the sense They contain in them two precious Points of Doctrine 1. All the ways of godliness are ways of pleasantness and full of delight Doct. 1 unto the children of God 2. The pathes of godlinâ—sse are peaceable pathes and full of Doct. 2 peace I resume the first Doctrine and shall inlarge it in this easie Method Method propounded 1. Clear the truth from some Doubts and Objections made against it 2. Prove it by particular instances 3. Confirm it by some evident Demonstrations Fourthly and lastly I shall set it home upon your affections by particular Application and hope so to conclude through the Grace of God as to make you in love with the ways of godliness 1. Then let 's remove the Objections as so many stumbling blocks 1. Head Objections removed Object 1. out of the way It 's Objected That Godlyness abridgeth men of pleasureâ— it bindes them to their good behaviours They must sanctifie the Sabbath they must set up God in their Families they may not swill swagger carrouse and game away their time Now what is so great an enemy unto the pleasures of Men and Women as Religion It cuts them short of those Delights and Pleasures which others enjoy For Answer hereunto 1. I say Godlyness cuts us off unlawful Answ but not lawful pleasures Whatever pleasures it forbids thee the reason is because there 's sinfulness in them And 't is a great mercy even the godly mans delight to want such pleasures Godlyness hinders thee of those delights which dishonor God And upon serious thoughts thou wilt profess with Austin Quam suave mihi subitò factom est carere suavitatibus istarum nugarum 2. Whatever pleasure Godlyness denys you it makes it up abundantly with the pleasures and ravishing consolations of Jesus Christ Psal 16. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulness of joy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore It takes away dross and gives thee Gold it takes away worldly and gives thee heavenly pleasures when thou hast less of the Creature and more of the Creator thou hast cause to be glad of the exchange Abraham left his Countrey at Gods command but the Promise made all up with interest Gen. 12. 2. The Lord said unto Abraham Get thee out of thy countrey and from thy kindred and from thy Fathers house unto a land that I will shew thee So did Moses Heb. 11. 24 25 26. By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect unto the recompense of reward As it was said to Amaziah The Lord is able to give thee much more then 2 Chron. 25. 9. this So it may be said of thy pleasures either they are lawful or unlawful if lawful God will make them up
for Terrour Exhortation Examination Direction and Consolation 1. This Doctrine breathes forth terrour and dreadful Judgement Use 1. For Terrour unto all unholy persons If the righteous shall scarcely be saved where shall all unholy persons appear If onely holy persons are blessed surely then unholy persons are cursed If holy persons shall be admitted into Gods presence and enjoy communion with God and see God the Father reconciled God the Son their Redeemer God the Holy Ghost their Comforter where shall unholy persons appear They shall stand without they are the dogs whipt out of Gods presence they shall see God no otherwise then the Malefactor a Judge condemning of him Then all the Attributes of God shall plead against prophane persons My mercy saith God my patience my loving kindness my goodness have been despised All the Sermons they have heard shall plead against them so many Sermons of Repentance so many Sermons of Reconciliation of Holyness bring in black Bills of Indictment against them All the Messengers of God plead We have spent our breath and strength in vain We have labored all night and caught nothing We have tendred Christ offered to these prophane Wretches terms of peace and reconciliation but they have scorned them all and undervalued the glorious excellencies of the Lord Jesus All the passages of Providence will come in against unholy persons Providence will plead I have cloath'd and fed thee I gave thee the dew of Heaven and fatness of the Earth I sustain'd preserv'd thee but thou hast abused all the Creatures not eating for health but for gluttony not drinking for strength but drunkenness All thy friends will plead against thee such as have been real friends to thy soul as have spent their spirits in Exhortations Counsels Admonitions all these are upon Record and will cry out for vengeance against thee O that God would smite the hearts of all unholy persons and loosen the joynts of their loyns as Belshazzars were and make their knees smite one against another that now in this time of life this short day they might be effectually wrought upon to a holy conversation This Use in an especial manner reproves those that scoff at holyness Use 1 I would there were none such in the Walls of Athens That which is the true Believers honour to be a Saint is cast by some prophane persons into the teeth of Professors as if it were a Character of infamy These are your Saints In the Act and Monuments v Fox Acts Mon in Q. Maries dayes a Martyr reproved a proud Prelate for Swearing He answered prophanely I am no Saint What was he then surely an incarnate Devil If you be no Saints here in the Militant Church you shall never be Saints in the Triumphant Church What shall we say to such as deride holyness and exercise their wits to cast a flam or a jeer upon Religion and make a mock at praying by the Spirit Let them read that dreadful Sentence each word is a thunder-bolt Rom. 8. 9. If any man hath not the spirit of Christ he is none of his whose are they then the Devil 's questionless either Christs or the Devils If none of Christs Sheep then surely of the Devils Goats Of all others a Scoffer is hardest to cure seldom are such brought home if they are it costs them dear If any such be present though I hope better things of you let me tell you when you come to die holyness will be holyness indeed then holy persons will be holy persons Then when conscience is awakened you will wish you were in their stead whom you so much contemned you wil wish your tongues had fallen out of your heads when you spake against holy persons You that make Gods children even real Saints your subject of obloquy What will you say at the day of Judgement when they shall be at the right hand and the Judge shall say Come ye blessed and you shall be on the left hand and the Judge shall say Goe ye cursed when you shall Luke 14. 28. see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Saints in the kingdom of Heaven and you your selves shut out of doors Are any such present are any young wanton wits that will rather loose a friend then a jest rather loose the friendship of a good conscience then the frothy issue of a scurrilous wit To such let me speak with abundance of love to their souls Non est tutum ludere cum sanctis It 's not safe to make a jest of holy persons or holy things If ever Qui ludit in Cathedra lugebit in Gehenna they belong to God they will with Austin make Confessions and Retractations University sins abuse of wit and parts contempt of holyness neglect of seasons of Grace will cry loud and make such a gash in the conscience as may be a long time clawing off 2. This Doctrine reproves Hypocrites These seem better then they are and put on a Vizard of sanctity these are painted Sepulchres rotten at the core gilded rotten Nut-megs and by how much they pretend to Religion they are so much the worse because they satisfie themselves in a bare pretence There shall be a day of Judgement and that will be a day of terror and vengeance unto them Seldom as a Reverend Divine saith an Hypocrite dies undiscovered It pleaseth God to unmask him and discover his Tor shell of Hypocrisie counterfeit profession before he dieth so that usually in this world a â—ypocrite is discovered However in the world to come all shall be laid open his glozing formalities outside glorious shews all his painted dresses shall be made known to men and Angels And what 's the portion of Hypocrites If there be one place in Hell lower then another any torment greater that 's his portion Matth. 14. 15. 3. This Doctrine reproves all secret sinners who by reason of their secret cunning conveyance hope for impunity They little think of the all-seeing eye of God Could a Homer say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer Il. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and shall not Christians believe that the God of Heaven knows all things All thy Reservations Equivocations subtile Distinctions and Evasions are obvious and naked to the All-seeing eye of God The Adulterer waits for the twy-light he would fain escape the sight of men but he cannot escape the sight of God Speculative as well as practical defilements are all known to God Thy Curtain Closet-sins thy Imageries in the dark the sins that no man living knows of are made manifest unto God The Trades-mans Sophisticated Wares his false Lights scant Measures all his mysteries of Cousenings in the Trade are apparent unto God the Lyars obstinate standing in a lie cannot escape Gods knowledge all his tricks of wit and collusions to baffle his conscience will not serve his turn at the day of Judgement The Popish distinctions of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will not acquit them at Gods Triâ—â—nal The cheating
that are Masters of Families be exhorted to set up Holynesse in your Families Teach your children and servants to know God keep up your authority give not liberty to them under your roofe to live as they list Abraham gave no toleration he commanded his houshold to keep the way of the Lord. Let all sorts and sexes old and Gen. 18. 19. young learned and unlearned lay this Exhortation to heart I presse holynesse upon you all O that the Priests Motto were writ upon your hearts and lives Holynesse unto the Lord. You cannot say as Sheba the Son of Bichri said We have no portion in David c. as if this concerns not us but holynesse concerns you all you must all follow after holynesse To excite you to your duty I 'll lay down some moving considerations Consid 1. We are elected unto holinesse 2 Thes 2. 13. 1. Consider you are elected unto holynesse not for holynesse nor through praevision of holyness that 's a false Arminian glosse but unto holynesse 2. We are created unto holynesse All the members of our bodies Consid 2. We are created in holynesse Ephes 4. 24. and faculties of our soules should be instruments of holynesse The tongue should speak holily holy communication should drop from the tongue the heart and hand both should be clean as James specifies c. 4. 8. The feet must keep the wayes of Gods commandements Consid â— We are redeemed to be holy Luk. 1. 74. 75. the understanding will affections the whole man all must be holy to this purpose they were created 3. Consider we are redeemed for this end and purpose that we may be holy 4. It 's Gods will that we should be holy 1 Thes 4. 3. Now our Consid 4. It s Gods will that we should be holy wils must be subject unto Gods will He commands us to be holy we should pray for his grace to enable us to perform his command Holynesse is suitable to Gods will and wee have an encouraging promise 1 Joh. 5. 14. 5. â—olynesse is our calling 1 Pet. 1. 15. 1 Thes 4. 7. Wee can Consid 5. Holyness is our calling have no comfort but when we are in a lawfull calling when our wayes are according to Gods wayes wee may hope for Gods gracious protection according to the promise Psal 91. 11. When any commit wickednesse are unclean drunk associate themselves with wicked persons they are out of their calling and so out of Gods special pâ—ovidence Consider this seriously when you are tempted to Whoredom or any oâ—her sin God hath not called you unto unâ—eannesse but unto holynesse 6. Heaven is an holy place only appointed for holy persons Nothing Consid 6. Heaven is a holy place that 's defiled shall enter there Rev. 21. 27. Onely holy persons shall be acquitted before Christs Judgement-seat They only shall enter into the new Jerusalem 7. In heaven there shall bee no other but holy employment Consid 7. In Heaven there is holy employment singing Hosannahs and Hallelujahs to him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for evermore A prophane person hates holy Ordinances and holy employments here on earth Were it possible for him to be in heaven hee would be weary of the employment whereas the Saints shall have their hearts put into such an high and excellent frame as they shall without molestation weariness or intermission be ever setting forth the praises of the Lord. 8. And there will be in heaven the most holy company the holy Consid 8. In heaven there is holy company Trinitie God the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost the most holy blessed and glorious Trinity There will be holy Angels the spirits of just men made perfect holy Martyrs holy Ministers holy people No company there but all holy company 9. And lastly to close up all Now whilst we live on earth is Consid 9. The present time is the time to labor after holynes the time or never to labour after holynesse now I mean in this time of life we must make provision for eternity This is Gods summons to day if you will hear his voice Delay not a minute longer Resist not the movings of the Spirit great is the danger of resisting the Spirits movings The Lord set home all these considerations upon your hearts and if hereby the Lord should be pleased to gaine any soul to the love and practise of holynesse I should never be enough thankful for the mercies of this day The third Use is for Examination and Tryal Every one will Use 3. For Examination plead for himself and pretend to an holy conversation As it was said When the Son of man comes shall he finde faith on the earth So shall he find an holy conversation a formal Professor a Christian at large are every where to be found like Sycamoâ—es in the valley for abundance but the power of holynesse an holy circumspect walking are rarely found Now then because its the grand Ministerial duty to distinguish the precious from the vile according to that high commendation and priviledge given as to be the mouthes of God Jer. 15. 19. And because God hath gone forth in a signal exemplary blessing upon this way which hath been so frequently used by old Disciples faithful labouring Ministers whose plain Preaching would it were more revived now adaies It shall therefore be my task to lay forth some distinguishing characters and signs of a gracious sincere heart whose life is accordingly ordered in an holy conversation and by them you may put your selves upon the test and tryal as in the presence of God whether you are such manner of persons in all holy conversation and godlinesse The first sign is spiritual poverty and this consists in the emptying Charact. 1. Spiritual Poverty of the heart of self-confidence self-opinion self-sufficiency and self-righteousnesse whereby a Christian becomes nothing in himself altogether lost undone blind miserable poor and naked He is thoroughly sensible of his own misery and wretchednesse He is apprehensive of his own undone condition and what need he hath of a Saviour such an one Christ pronounceth to be in the state Mat. 5. 3. of blessednesse 2. There followeth the highest prizing and estimate of Jesus Charact. 2. High prizing of Jesus Chr. Christ That soul which is spiritually poor accounts Christ the greatest treasure it apprehends it self blind that Christ may give it eye-salve miserable and lost that Christ may save it naked that Christ may cloath it with his righteousnesse See what an high price the Spoâ—se puts upon Jesus Christ Cant. 5. 10 11 12 c. He is precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. a plant of renown Ezek. 34 29. Such an high price had the wise Merchant to sell all for him Mat. 13. 45 46. So Moses who preferred the reproach of Christ before Egypts treasure Bradford wept often even at meales because he could not bring his dul heart
s no new thing for Hereticks and Sectaries to look upon their Patrons as Saints Ignatius Loyola Becket c. such are the Papists Saints Machiavel the Politicians Saint John of Leyden the Anabaptists Saint Henry Nicholas the Familists Saint If such as these Circumst 6. Note the persons against whom be Saints I know not what are Incarnate Devils Such kinde of Saints falsly called Saints inlarge atâ—ns kingdom 6. Note the Persons against whom all this mischief was fram'd against King Queen Prince Lords Judges Knights Citizens Burgesses and after they were destroyed their design was to destroy the Protestants throughout the Land what else doth that prayer of Garnet intimate Gentem auserte perfidam credentium de finibus ut Christo laudes debitas persolvamus alacriter They would have destroyed the Protestant Religion root and branch that as farre as in them lay there might be no memorial thereof What Amilcar the Father of Hannibal said of his sonnes may bee applyed to Seminary Priests and Jesuits hee confest that hee bred them tanquam Leoninos catulos in perniciem Romani Imperii as Lyons Whelps for the destruction of the Roman Empire Hannibal when he was but nine yeares old swore upon the Altar that he would be a deadly enemy unto the people of Rome So the â—esuits are Conâ—urati Hostes Ecclesiae Reipublicae Protestantium and therefore they leave no stone unturned to destroy Protestantism through the sides of both Houses of Parliament they shot at the whole body of Protestants throughout the kingdom 7. Note the place which they purposed to blow up and that Circumst 7. Note the place was the Parliament House first built by Edward the Confessor their rage was not only against men but walls within the Parliament wals many severe Laws and just were made against them and therefore their rage was against those very walls Thus Polymnestor struck blind out of rage to Hecuba sought to murther all the women he could meet withall Thus Fulvia by thrusting Needles into the Tongue of â—â—cero after he was dead sought revenge of his sharp Invectives against her Husband Anthony and Anthony himself after Caesars death warred against the very walls of the Senateâ—â—ouse of Rome this was the mad humour of these savage beasts to destroy buildings and walls 8. And lastly note their cruelty an Epithete I cannot sâ—udy Circumst 8. Nâ—â—e heir cruelty bad enough Shall I call it Savage Farbarous Stupendious nay rather Romish Jesuitical Devillish This was their designe at one blow to destroy Kings Lords and Commens This exceeds Hamans cruelty they were to be put to the sword so it was possible that some might scape here all had gone at a blow these Senatours had been serv'd as Nero would have serv'd his even all had been cut off at one blow not one had escaped The Sicilian Vespers the Parisian Massacre were monstrous cruelties but ther some escaped with their lives and were brands pluckt out of the burning here it was most probable had the blow been given not one could have escaped Abimeleck slew with one stone threescore and ten persons of Gideons sonnes yet Jotham escaped Saul flew fourscore and five Priests yet Abiathar escaped Athaliah destroyed the Seed Royall but Joash escaped The Devil himself left one Messenger â—live alwaies to tell Job bad tydings Job had more favour from the Devil than the Parliament should have had from these desperate villaines but here 's such a mercilesse cruelty that not a man had escaped had this Plot took what a Vesuvius an Aetna an Aceldama a Golgotha had there been What huge piles of torn bodies what havock of Royal and Noble blood What multitudes of Carkâ—sses so mangled as not to be discerned whose they were This fact bespeaks them not men but Monsters not Monsters but Tygers not Tygers but Incarnate Devils The Rhetorick of Oratours the fabulous phansies of Poets are here at a stand and out-stript in their own art Hell was broken loose and all the Devils in Hell were the inventors of this horrid Treason Had this took place it had exceeded Joels day of blood it had brought all the Kingdome into a Chaos it had been the most dismall ghastly sight that ever eye beheld and when we had been in a maze and perplexity even at our wits end then some forraign force had invaded the land and captivated it to Popery this was the design thus was the plot layd according to the eight forementioned circumstances It was layd as low as hell but when we know not of any danger then appeared deliverance and though we slept the Keeper of Israel neither slumbred nor slept Inter pontem fontem inter calicem labra between the match and the powder the Lord himself appeared and wrought a great salvation for us In the next place as I promised lets in two or three particulars discover what a gracious deliverance the Lord was pleased to 2. A great deliverance vouchsafe unto our fore-fathers And here wee are to note 1. The means of Discovery and that was first of all by Auricular 1. The means of Discovery confession I well remember what I heard this day fourteen years in this â—â—lpit by the learned and worthy Primate of Ireland how that Delrius wrote five years before of the Powder Treason and tels of this discovery by Auricular Confession Consitotur maleficus se posuisse pulverem in tali limine magnum inde periculum venturum Dr. Iames Vâ—â—er A. B of Aâ—magh It 's much to be observed that Auricular Confession which they layd as a Net to catch others caught themselves Lex non est jusâ—ior ulla Quam necis Artifices a rte perire sua 2. Observe the seasonâ—bleness of a full discovery of this hoâ—rid 2. The seasonablenesse of the Discovery Treason that which was discovered by Auricular Confession â—id not mention the particulâ—r place but the night before this horrid villany was to be acted thâ—ough the miscarriage of a Letter and the Kings Interpretation thereof against Grammatical construction this was discovered and the Devils grand â—ioneere Guido Faux apprehended 3. Observe the just retribution of Gods judgments unto evil men 3. Just retribution causing their iniquities to fâ—l upon their own paâ—e so that destruction befell them who aimed at the destruction of the Parliament It 's recorded of a prophane Pâ—ince that he said that he would ride his horse up to the belly in the blood of the Lutherans but through the just and seasonable revenging hand of God the same night hee was choâ—kt with his own blood Thus Haman was hanged on the Gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai This is the Lords doing and it should be marvellous in our eyes This is the day which the Lord hath changed from mourning to joy from destruction to salvation If we then forget the memory of this day may our tongues cleave to the rooss of our mouthes But I proceed
be such a day then 1. â—e counselled to break off your sins by repentance Be sensible of the evil of your doings 2. Kisse the Son hast and delay not to make your peace with Jesus Christ for he is our prayse Eph. 2. 14. 3. Make choice of other paths enter into the way of holyness Isa 35. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. Then to the godly Here lyeth your duty 1. To have your thoughts meditations and desires fixed on that day Be longing for the sight of Christ coming in the clouds and pray come Lord Jesus come quickly 2. Comfort your selves with the assurance of Gods love to you so was Paul comforted 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 3. Let your conversation be in heaven Phil. 3. 20 21. 4. Bee not afraid of death for to the Saints death is a conquered enemy the sting is taken away the Serpents teeth are knockt out What need they be afraid of death who shall be acquitted before the Judges And their Judge is their Advocate their friend their Redeemer Jesus Christ which brings in the last Doctrine Doct. 3 That at the day of judgement Jesus Christ shall be the Judge In handling of this Doctrine I shall give clear proof from Scripture and Reason then answeâ— several Queâ—ies and Objections and conclude with particular Application 1. For Scripture proof That Christ shall be judge is plain from 1 The Doctrine proved by Scripture several Scriptures viz. Joh. 5. 22 27. Act. 10. 42. Act. 17. 31. Mat. 28. 18. John 5. 21. Christ for this purpose rose again that he might be Lord over quick and dead Rom. 14. 9 10. and part of his dominion is the last judgement The Reasons why Christ shall be Judge are drawn 1 From equity Reas 1. From equity and retaliation retaliation Christ shall judge those that judged him Christ shall judge Pontius Pilate the High Priest the Jewes c. And this will be for the confusion of Christs enemies that though Christ was reproached buffered crowned with thornes and crucified set at nought by the wicked of the world yet now he shall be in triumph and be the judge of quick and dead Joh. 19. 37. They shall looke upon him whom they have pierced Reas 2. For the comfort of the godly Reas 3. For the terror of the wicked 2. Christ shall be Judge for the comfort of the godly Heb. 2. 11. Eph. 5. 30. Christ is their head redeemer elder-brother intercessour Christ hath promised everlasting life Joh. 3. 36. Joh. 5. 24. 3. For the terrour of the wicked Rev. 1. 7. But in the next place here are many questions to be resolved Q. 1. Is the Father excluded from judgement I answer Neither the Father nor the Holy Ghost are excluded The Father is said to judge by the Son Act. 17. 31. Now judgement is peculiarly by a kind of appropriation ascribed to the Son Joh. 5. 22. Pater occultus Filius manifestus as Austine observes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the whole Trinity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Son this judgement appertains â—ut 2. It will be asked How shall Christ appear at that day Ans â—e shall 1. Appear visibly This judgement the Father hath committed to Christ God and man â—nd Chrisâ— shall not onely judge according to his divine nature but also according to his humane nature So that Christ shall be seen vissibly and locally Act. 1. 11. Mat. 24. 30. 2. Christ shall come gloriously and this will be cleared in sour Particulars 1. Hee shall come in the glory of his Father Mat. 10. 27. 2. With an innumerable company of Angels Mat. 25. 31. 3. With the sound of the trumpet 1 Thes 4. 16. 4 With Power Mat. 24. 30. 3. Christ shall come suddenly as a theef Mat. 24. 4â— As a snare Luk. 21. 34. Unexspectedly Luk. 12. 46. 1 Thes 5. 2 3. A 3. Question is whom Christ shall judge Ans The Scripture is evident Men and Angels 1 For Men universally all Men Rom. 14. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. both quick â—nd dead Act. 10. 42. 1 Pet. 4. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2. For Angels Jude v. 6. Rev. 20. 10. A 4. Question is What will be the manner of Christs judging To answer this Question we are to consider the preparation to this judgement the Proceeding of this Judge and the â—ule of judging 1. For preparation That will appear in these particulars 1 1 Consider the preparations to the day of judgement There will be a transmutation of heaven and earth Rev. 21. 4 5. 2 Pet. 3. 10. 2. Christ will appear in a throne of glory Mat. 19. 28. 3. There will be a summoning of all sorts of men quick and dead shall be summoned to appear before the judgement seat of Christ Joh. 5. 28 29. 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 4 There will be a separation and division a placing of the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left hand Mat. 25. 32 33. 2 Consider the proceedings of the judge 2. Let us consider the proceedings of the Judge Wherein we are to note 1 The books shall be laid open Rev. 20. 12. The devil shall accuse Angels shall be witnesses And no need of their accusation or witness for each mans conscience shall be accuser and witness and judge Every book of conscience shall be opened and there shall be either excuseing or accuseing and Dan. 7. 10. There 's a book of Gods remembrance mentioned Mal. 3. 16. And there is a book of a mans owne conscience which shall be opened at that great day This is the book for rectifying whereof all other Ideoscribuntur omnes Labri ut unus emendetur conscientiae Bern. books were written Now there lyeth no appeal from these books no possibility of falsifying Gods book and the book of Conscience And if any one should plead not done not guilty conscience as good as a thousand witnesses would protest against it 2. In Christs proceeding we are to consider of a different sentence one of absolution the other of condemnation 1 For the sentence of absolution Mat. 25. 34. Come there is a gracious invitation ye blessed there is a comfortable appellation of my Father there is a glorious adoption inherit there is their title and donation the Kingdome there is the royalty of it prepared there is the predestination for you there is the propriety of the Saints from the foundation of the World there is the antiquity the antient tenure before the creation of Adam 2 There is a sentence of condemnation Mat. 25. 14 Depart there 's a barre of exclusion a dreadful dismission from mee there is the punishment of losse the heaviest of punishments Qui te non habet Domine Deus totum perdidit saith Bernard Ye cursed there 's their brand of infamy Into Bernard everlasting fire there 's poena Jensus exquisite unspeakable torments there 's fire to burn and torment and eternal fire no mitigation of pain unto all eternity prepared
for the devil and his Angels there 's their wicked company And just it is that Associates in sin should be Associates in suffering 3 There followeth the execution of these sentences Mat. 25. 46. Joh. 14. 3. 1 Thes 4. 17. Thus you have heard the proceedings of the Judge In the third place we are to consider the rule whereby all shall 3 The Rule of Judging be judged The sentence shall be given according to Law and Gospel both Joh. 5. 45. Joh. 12. 48. Rom. 2. 16. The godly shall be principally acquitted according to the Gospel Joh. 3. 18. And this their acquittance shall be approved on by the Law Mat. 5. 17. Gal. 3. 13. The condemnation of unbeleevers shall be chiefly according to the Law Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. And be confirmed by the Gospel Joh. 3. 19. Absolution shall be pronounced of singular grace for Christs merits And the sentence of condemnation shall be pronounced out of gods severe justice and the sinners own deserts I proceed to a fifth Question What signs and forerunners of this day of judgement are set down in Scripture Ans 1. The publishing and receiving of the Gospel throughout the world Mat. 24. 4. 2 The Apostâ—sy of some Professors 1 Tim. 4. 1. 3 The revealing of Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 3 4 8. 4 Common corruption in manners joyned with security as in the dayes of Noah and Lot Mat. 24. 12 37. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 1 Thes 5. 3. 5 Warres and troubles both in the World and Church Mat. 24. 6 9. 6 False Christs attended with false Prophets and armed with false miracles Mat. 24. 24. 7 The calling of the Jewes unto the faith of the Gospel Rom. 11. 25. Whether their call shall be ordinary or extraordinary we cannot determine 8 Signes in Heaven and Earth and all Elements as the trembling of the Earth the roaring of the Sea the darkening of the Sun and Moon Mat. 24. 20. Lâ—k 21. 25. Yea the firing of the whole frame of Heaven and Earth 2 Pet. 3. 7 10 12. 9 The appearance of the son of man i. e. Christ God-man whereby his comeing shall then be clearly apprehended of all men Mat. 24. 30. I proceed to the 6 Question Why God desers the day of judgement and prolongs the time Ans 1. There are these reasons 1 For the exercise of the faith hope patience and prayers of the children of God They must believe wait and stay Gods leasure Though the vision be dark and seem to stay yet they must wait for it Hab. 2. 3. 2. God defers this day to give space of repentance and leave all impenitent rebellious sinners without excuse Rom. 2. 4. Rom. 9. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 8 9. But for the elects sake he is said to shorten them Mat. 24. 22. That they may neither be broken by grief and sorrow v. 21. nor seduced by Impostures v. 24. 3. That all the elect may be gathered together into the Church Joh. 10. 16. Rev. 6. 10 11. The 7 Question is whether it be within the power of a mans understanding to tell the determinate time when this day shall come I answer No Mar. 13. 32. This day wee read shall be in the end of the world Mat. 24. 3. But of that houre day moneth year no man knoweth Jewish Rabbins Astrologers c. are abominable who are so saucy and presumptuously inquisitive into the secrets locked up in Gods cabinet There are special reasons why the particular time is hid from us and God will not let us know when this day of judgement shall be 1. Reason is for the exercise of our graces Mat. 6. 10. Jam. Reas 1 5. 7. Rev. 22. 17 20. Another reason is to bridle our curiosity Act. 1. 6 7. A 3 reason is to keep us in our duty Mat. 24. 42. Luke 21. 34 35. A 4 reason is that the wicked may take heed and by no means defer their repentance upon hope of a longer time Because they know not the houre thereof they must be provided alwaies Mat. 24. 43. Mat. 25. 13. Luk. 19. 13. The 8 Question is Whether we must desire this day I answer We may 1 Because this is a Character of discrimination to difference good from bad At the day of judgement there will be a separation between good and bad Luk. 21. 26 27 28. Rom. 14. 10 15 16 17. 2 We have the command of Christ Mat. 6. 10. Rev. 22. 17. 3 We have the example of the Saints Rom. 7. 24. Phil. 1. 23. 4 Because this is the day of redemption deliverance of the Saints Luk. 21. 28. In the next place we must answer severall objections amongst Object 1 others these are the principal 1 It 's said that Christ shall not be the Judge because he said he came not to judge the world Joh. 12. 47. For answer We are to distinguish of a twofold coming a first Ans and a second coming Christ speakes there of his first and not his second comeing in the first he was judged of others in the next he shall judge others according to that of Austin Sedebit judex qui stetit sub judice damnabit veros reos qui factus est falsus reus He that stood at the barre to be judged of others shall there sit on the bench and judge others He that was causelesly found guilty here shall finde others justly guilty there But 2. It 's objected that the Apostles shall judge the twelve Object 2 Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. How then is Christ the onely judge of the world Answer The Saints shall be Christs Assistants by way of suffrage Ans and approbation they shall assent unto Christs judgement but the absolute power of judging and pronouncing sentence the father hath committed unto the son A 3 objection is that the beleever shall not come into condemnation Obj. 3 Sol. Joh. 5. 24. how say we then that all shall appear before Christs judgement seat For answer we are to distinguish of a twofold judgement of absolution and condemnation A beleever shall not come into the judgement of condemnation but only of absolution Obj. 4 Sol. 1 But a 4. objection will hence arise He that beleeveth not is judged already Joh. 3. 18. Answer Wicked men and devils are already judged 1 By 2. 3. 4. Gods decree Jude 4. 6. Mat. 25. 41. 2 By the revealed word Joh. 12. 48. 3 By their own consciences Matt. 8. 29. 4 By the beginning of their punishment here on earth Rev. 12. 9 10. But at the day of judgement they shall have a compleat judgement and receive the full measure of their sufferings the sentence shall be pronounced and it shall never be recalled no repeale no reversing of that sentence In stead of urgeing more objections I shall betake my selfe to a threefold application viz. For Comfort to the godly Terror to the wicked Exhortation to all Use 1. For Comfort 1. For Comfort Here 's abundance of consolation to the Saints of
admits of no revocation Arrow out of a Bow we cannot call back the least minute of time Deeds of Lands are made oftentimes in this world with power of revocation But mans eternal condition admits of no revocation When once death hath dissolved and put a period to our life in this world then we are lanched into the ocean of Eternity and there 's no possibility of returning to the shore of this world no new life to re-act in this world After this life ends we shall be in a never-ending condition The Saints shall no more returne to the world for the world was their prison Death is their Goal-delivery Multitudes of sorrows and sufferings they have met with in the world now in Eternity they are freed from all and shall never returne to re-act all those Tragedies and sufferings which they brake through in this life Neither can the damned 〈◊〉 any relaxation or revocation for they are in a hopelesse and Christlesse condition They sinned against an infinite God and in Justice he proportions infinite punishments for sinning against so infinite a Majesty Thus you have heard what Eternity cannot admit of by way of negation I have shaddowed it forth in those Propositions Now what Eternity is I shall positively thus define unto you Definition of Eternity Eternal life is the perfection of happynesse given by Christ unto the Saints in glory whereby they have an everlasting fruition of God and communion with him To open this Definition 1. I call it the perfection of happynesse It 's the aggregation of 1. Eternity is the perfection of happinesse all good things the comprehension of all blessednesses Many Stars make a Constellation many waters make a sea All good things put together make up this happyness There 's no imperfection no decay no alteration Eternal life takes in perfection of joy perfection of glory perfection of degrees 2. This is given by Christ unto the Saints Joh. 10. 28. I saith 2. Eternity is Christs gift Christ give unto them eternall life God the Father gives eternall life by the Sonne and the Sonne by the Spirit God the Father the fountain and author of all life gives this life God the Sonne laid down his blood a price abundantly sufficient to pay to the uttermost farthing for the purchase And God the holy Ghost seals and gives assurance and applyes the love of God the Father and the love of God the Sonne with all his meritorious sufferings unto the Saints 3. I said by this eternall life the Saints in glory enjoy fruition 3. The Saints enjoy fruition of and communion with God and communion with God Here they enjoy some glimpses and parcels of this communion they have tasted how good God is But in Heaven in Eternity in the fruition of and communion with God there will be these singularities 1. They shall enjoy God immediately They shall enjoy the 1. They enjoy God immediately blessed presence of God communion with the holy Trinity not as here by ordinances and means but immediately 1 Joh. 3. 2. they shall see him as he is If it be so sweet to enjoy a Sabboth and communion with God in Ordinances and communion with his children here on earth Oh! how ravishing must that sweetness be to enjoy God in heaven Si adeo dulcis quaerenti saith Bernard quid erit invenienti If wee meet with sweetness in our way what shall we doe at our jouâ—â—â—ys end in our country 2. They shall enjoy God fully In thy presence is fulnesse of joy Ps 2. They enjoy God fully 16. 11. God will never hide his face he will never withdraw his comforts There wil be no low ebbe but it shall be full tide alwaies Every vessâ—l shall be as full as it can hold even brim full of glory 3. They shall enjoy God everlastingly At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Eternity admits no period 3. They shall enjoy God everlastingly of time no conclusion A Ring which is an emblem of Eternity may be broken to pieces and will wear away The Vestall fires are quenched Methuselah that long-liv'd Patriarch dyed But Eternity admits no conclusion As long as God and Christ is so long shall the Saints be happy and that 's to all Eternity Non beatitudo esset si certum Sancti non haberent se ibi semper futuros Aug. de Civit Dei Having now given you some glimpses of Eternity and having though but darkly represented to you that which is indeed inconceivable and inexpressible but by those who are partakers of it I come now in the next place to prove my assertion That this ought to be our inquiry grand business the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the work of works to examine what shal become of our souls bodies to all eternity I shall give attestations to the truth delivered 1. From Scripture Examples 2. From Scripture Precepts 3. From Scripture Reasons 1. From Scripture Examples This was the maine Question of 1. From Scripture examples those that were touched at Peters Sermon Men and Brethren what shall we doe Act. 2. 37. And of the convert Goaler Sirs what shall I doe to be saved Act. 16. 30. Eternity was in the eyes of Enoch Gen. 5. 24. And in the eye of Moses Heb. 11. 26. This was in the meditations of David Ps 17. 15. When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likenesse This was that Country which those renowned Patriarchs sought after Heb. 11. 16. This was in the heart of Paul Phil. 1. 23. and he speaks in the name of all the Saints Phil. 3. 20. Our conversation is in heaven whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ The worthy Martyrs of whom the world was not worthy laid down willingly this temporal life for an eternal Heb. 11. 35. And what 's the great ground of consolation 1 Cor. 5. 1. but a house eternall in the heavens It were easie to give a Catalogue of many rare precious servants of Jesus Christ who have made this their designe and businesse to enquire concerning their everlasting condition But this that hath been said may suffice 2. For Scripture Precepts To this purpose tends the weighty 2. From Scripture precepts exhortation of Christ to lay up treasure in heaven Mat. 6. 19. 20. to seek first the kingdome of God Mat. 6. 33. Joh. 6. 27. to labour for that which endureth unto eternal life And those of the Apostle Phil. 2. 12. 1 Tim. 6. 12. v. 19. the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is not a bare taking but a laying hold with both hands Wee must make it our businesse to get assurance of our eternal condition 3. I will lay down some Scripture Reasons and they shall bee 3. From Scripture Reasons considered under two heads either privatively what we are freed from by our interest in this eternal life or positively what wee gaine by the
from our bodies Yet a little while and grisly death the King of terrours will seize on us Here then must we be inquisitive what will become on our souls afterwards We see God writing vanity on all sublunary things and they are full of vexation The greatest riches are uncertain and perishing All the honours and riches in their greatest estate and confluence cannot helpe a man in the evil day nor satisfy an immortal soul nor bring a man to eternity Wherefore our great care and wisdome should be to get an endureing substance to get assurance of the love of God in Christ and his love isan eternal love We should be exhorted in the language of the Apostle Col. 3. 2 3. Set your affections on things above and not on things below For ye are dead c. Let me in a few words to press upon you the study of eternity adde these Moving considerations 1. This study of eternity is an honourable study It 's a most sublime noble study suitable to the soul The understanding of 1. Consid This is an honourable study man is a noble faculty of the soul and what more suitable for such a noble faculty to contemplate then the thoughts of eternity God and Christ and Glory the blessed vision communion with the Father and the Son these are objects fittest for the contemplations of an immortal soul What a degenerate sordid thing is it for Princes children to converse with base persons All Gods children are children of the great King of Heaven and Earth and for such to have their thoughts stuffed with trash and pelfe of the world O how unsuitable and unworthy is it The Lapwing is accounted an embleme of infelicity because she feeds on dung though she weares a Coronet upon her head Shall then our heavenly-born-being soules be prostituted to Mammon shall our thoughts be low and creeping Our thoughts and negotiations ought to be on life and immortality even the great things of eternity Our studyes and meditations should be on the things above heavenly treasures an inheritance that 's immortall undefiled that fadeth not away This is that noble that honourable study wherein we ought to be imployed 2. This study of Eternity is a most sweet delightsome soul-ravishing 2. Consid This study is sweet and delightsome study Job on the dunghill was comforted with the consideration of a better life and a glorious resurrection Job 19. 25 26 27. For I know that my redeemer liveth and this comforted Stephen when by the eye of faith he saw Christ even when the Acts 7. 55. stones were about his eares his temporall life was then a going away and he was hastening to a better That life was transient this permanent Oh! how sweet is the meditation of a God reconciled of a crowne of glory the price of our high calling This makes the Saints desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ The consideration of heavenly consolations sweeten the bitterest pills of afflictions For one moment in heaven will abundantly make amends for all our sufferings and sorrows on earth This serious consideration of Eternity will be a cordiall in all troubles I have read that Q. Eleanor suck'd the poyson out of the wound of the King her-husband I am sure the meditation of our everlasting estate will suck the poyson out of those wounds which affliction bring Oh! how delightfull is the thought of a haven to such as are tost up and down with stormes and tempests This world is a tempestuous sea rough and troublesome how delightfull is this meditation to a child of God to think I am passing through the rough sea of the world to an eternall Harbour 3. This is a most profitable study We read of treasures crowns 3. Consid This is a most profitable study high places inheritances layd up for the saints In this world riches fail in heaven is an induring substance In this world honours lie in the dust many are degraded in Heaven no degradation That honour is permanent Godliness hath the promise of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. Wherefore then should we carke and care and turmoile for the pelfe of this world and in the mean time neglect eternal riches What a doe What a hurry What sollicitous turmoyling is here to get estates in this world What projecting torturing of mens braines complying with men and times to get honours and riches in this world Whereas all these things are not bread they are not the true treasure nor abideing substance But in the mean time how few are there that labour for spiritual riches and lay up their treasures in heaven No treasure like this this onely inricheth the owners 4. And lastly this is a seasonable study What are our life 's but Consid 4. This is a most seasonable study a blast Our breaths soon depart and then all our thoughts vanish every affliction every disease puts us in minde that here is not our rest here we have not an abideing citty Revolutions of Providence read Lectures to us of the changeable condition of the world What then more proper and more seasonable then to have our hearts took off these transient things and fixed upon permanent things There is no certainty here but there is in another world The world with all it's bravery passeth away And there shall be a dissolution of this frame visible to our eyes How nearly doth it concerne us and how seasonable a duty is it to minde heavenly things to fix our thoughts meditations totum hominem totumque hominis upon those excellent things of eternity Let 's study this subject more then ever and let us make more diligent inquiry after our eternal condition THE MALE IN THE FLOCK OR The best must he offered to God Unfolded from Mal. 1. 14. But Cursed be the deceiver which hath in his Flock a Male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my Name is dreadfull among the Heathen THe first word But imports a Connexion on what went before Serm. 9. at S. Mary's Oxon Octob. 21. 1657 1 Gods love 2 The peoples ingratitude 1. Wherefore I hope it will be time well spent to premise a brief Analysis upon the whole chapter before I fall upon the words of the Text The whole chapter may be divided into two parts The former whereof containes a Protestation of Gods abundant love unto the people of the Jewes The latter containes a sad complaint and charge against them for their stupendious ingratitude Then here 's abundantly declared Gods singular love unto them and to their father Jacob v. 2. I have loved you saith the Lord yet ye say Wherein hast thou loved us was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord Yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Jacob was elected and Esau was reprobated Neither the election of the one nor the reprobation of the other
SERMONS PREACH'D AT St MARIES OXON 2 Cor. 5. vers 20. Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did Sermon 1. at S. Maries Oxon July 11th 1658. being Act Sab bath day morning beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God WIthout controversie great is the mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3. 16. The word * Omnium confessione magnum Ambros Ad verbum declarat paribus verbis loqui ut iis solent qui petentibus assentiuntur Beza in Luc 22. 6. Ezek. 1. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carries an Emphasis with it in the determination of the Apostle And what he asserts he as strenuously proves by an induction of particular instances in the place forecited viz. God was manifest in the flesh justifyed in the spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up to Glory Every one of these taken severally is a transcendent mystery as we read in Ezekiel There was a wheel in the middle of a wheel So here is one mystery involved in another Now forasmuch as we find the Well deep and have not wherewith to draw since we are not able to fathom the depths of such mysterious things let 's all as one man stand astonish'd with an holy admiration of the wonderfull counsels of God lay aside all curious disputations and learn to believe However so far forth as we can meet with a Scripture Clue we may not be wanting in our best endeavoures to wind our selves out of all the Labyrinths whatsoever Now to the business that lyes before me even the great mystery of Reconciliation which I have selected for the Argument of my ensuing meditations that I may the better cleer a passage to my Text I 'le review what the Apostle principally instanceth in as one of the greatest mysteries 1 Tim. 3. 16. of Godliness viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This is the stupendious unparallel'd mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God and this leads the Van to all the rest as having priority of dignity and order both This is one of those mysteries which the Angels desired to peep into 1 Pet. 1. 12. They stoop down and with all diligence sift and enquire into these mysteries And if a comparison Prono capite propenso collo accurate introspiciunt Beza Omnia summa diligentia explorant ac contuentur diligenter Areâ— Zach. 13. 7. may be admitted with mysteries amongst themselves questionless this mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is the mystery of mysteries Eternity it selfe will be little enough for us fully to comprehend it That the Lord Jesus Christ the Eternall Son of God equal with the Father fellow and fellow-like with God as great and as good as himself should assume humane nature and unite a clod of earth unto his Divine person and become Immanuel God with us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man in one person by an hypostaticall union the tongue of men and Angels can never enough inhance the singularity of this mystery That this may be shaddowed forth according to our capacity Q. A. my endeavour shall be to solve one grand question viz. What was the great designe and end of Christs incarnation I answer with the Apostle Paul * Hinc non est cur miremur tam sero Christum venisse in carnem venire enim debuit non cittus quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 coelestis Patris exacta esset Pareus in Loc. Gal. 4. 4 5. But when the fullness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons Further the Apostle gives an attestation unto this truth 1 Joh. 3. 8. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil Wherefore to accomplish this great work of Redemption and destroy the works of Satan through hearkning to whose temptations man fell from God Jesus Christ the middle person in the Trinity the beloved Son came down from the bosome of the Father to make up the breach and reconcile man the party offending to God the party offended And this is that ministry of Reconciliation given and intrusted to the Ministers of the Gospell to declare proclaim and publish v. 19. To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself It 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This sets forth * Emphasin habet quod dicit Deum fuisse in Christo Neque enim Deus in Christo fuit quemadmodum in omnibus aliis rebus est sed in ipso De it as Corporaliter habitavit Zuingl in Loc. the Deity of Christ and further this plainly evinceth that this reconciliation was not of yesterday but that there were transactions and negotiaions between God the Father and God the Son concerning this admirable contrivance even from all Eternity Each syllalâ—le breaths forth love bowels and wisdom raised to the very highest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and highest pitch Here is singular matter for meditation That when the Angels were past by and left without a Mediatour yet notwithstanding there should be Treaties of Peace before the foundation of the World was laid to reconcile so vile a thing as the World sinfull man unto the most holy God by Jesus Christ Here 's met altogether in one a concurrence of Wisdom Mercy Goodnesse Graciousness and Loving kindness Yet though they were all put together they come infinitely short in the representation of that superabundant love of God in Jesus Christ which transcends all degrees of Comparison But the next Question will be How is this Reconciliation Q. A. wought The answer is given in the subsequent words Not imputing their trespasses unto them God doth not reckon accompt so the word * Significat tum generatim aestimare sive apud se statuâ—ere tum specia tim imputare sive reputare Vorstius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports nor lay the sins of his people to their own charge but charge them all upon Christ their Surety And most just it is that an innocent person should pay the debt when he becomes engaged as a Surety notwithstanding those Rotten cavils of the blasphemous Socinians against the truth in this particular Luther hath a strange passage to this purpose that Christ was peccatorum maximus Such speeches though I much honour Luther and conceive him to be a man of an excellent spirit I confesse as are not safe to use and I would many now a dayes were more cautelous than to adventure their fancies too far as it 's too apparent they commonly do through self admiration lest they outrun their judgement But as there are some that rather will lose their friend than their jest so there are some that will rather lose their Religion than a wild new coyned opinion Yet with submission to better judgments I conceive
consult the eternall benefit of your immortall souls Now the voice of the Turtle is heard in the Land Manna falls round about your Tents The spirituall Manna of the word is plentifully rained downe amongst you You never had more frequent never more profitable preaching Now the Spirit moves by the Ministery of the word And the Lord expostulates the case * Ezek. 18. 31. Why will you die O house of Israel The Lord delights not in your blood so he professeth †Vers 32. For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dyeth saith the Lord God Wherefore turn your selves and live ye Now the Lord Jesus knocks at the dores of your hearts â—â— and waits for admission He waits to be gracious and even waits till his locks be wet with dew He invites himself to be thy guest and he invites thee to come unto him he will entertain thee with a banquet of love Now herein appears the great and wonderfull condescension of our gracious God who to shew his willingnesse to be reconciled is himself first in the motion We sought not to him though we were the offenders but he sought unto us Hence appears how abundant in loving-kindness mercy the Lord is towards us even alwaies before hand with us in mercy notwithstanding we unthankfull wretches are behind hand with him in duty The Lord convinceth all the World and stops the mouths of Cavillers that he is not so austere as some men mis-understand him but he seeks to us first and is * 2. Pet. 3. 9. not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance A greater gift the Father could not give then his beloved Son yet he sent him out of his bosome the Son in whom he was well pleased not to reign according to the state of earthly Kings but to be as †Mat. 3. 17. one that serveth and not to save his life but to lay downe his life as a ransome for all those that were given him of the Father And to this very end and purpose Christ came ‖ Mat. 18. 11. That he might seek and save that which was lost We were all lost in the old Adam and there was no way of recovering our selves but by seeking after our Interest in the new Adam yet we would not seek him we ran away from him and when he invited we made excuses and would not come when he knockt we bolted the dore when he called we would not answer But Jesus Christ in the day of his power makes us a * Ps 110. 3. willing people or a people of willingnesses as the originall expresseth it Now Christ's great errand was to seek us when we were altogether lost and when he found us he beseeched us by the Ministery of his Ambassadours that we would be reconciled unto God Fourthly consider Reconciliation once made for us by Jesus Motive 4. Reconciliation once made is made for ever Christ with the Father is abiding and permanent There will be no breakings out again The Reconciliation once made is made for ever and the Foundation of it is the Faithfulnesse of God He is a God †Psal 89. 28. 34. keeping covenant ‖ 2 Chr. 13. 5 faithfull that hath promised his * Heb. 10. 23. promises are yea and Amen The covenant of God is †2 Sam. 23. 5 an everlasting covenant it 's a covenant of ‖ salt and the love of God is * Jer. 31. 3. everlasting And Christs love is †Joh. 13. 1. to the end Christs prayers and intercession are everlasting as in the place forecited Heb. 7. 25. So that hence we may conclude that once justified and for ever justified once reconciled and for ever reconciled Let us on our part labour to get assurance of our reconciled estate and get more evidences and manifestations thereof unto our own souls and so we shall reap the greater comfort As for Gods part there 's no possibility of failing he never was nor will be worse then his word He is truth it selfe and he glories in that attribute of truth that he is faithfull in all his promises Balaam though a mercenary Prophet gives a true attestation * Numb 23. 19. Numb 23. 19. God is not a man that he should lye neither the Son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good Such then as hold the Saints Apostasie as Petrus Bertius doth the Frontispice of whose book viz. Apostasia sanctorum seems to me to be contradictio in adjecto and others both of the Popish and Arminian faction now adaies do highly derogate from the faithfulnesse of God and are the greatest adversaries unto the consolation of Gods Children by making them sad whom God would not have made sad Among many there 's one speciall Scripture which overthrowes all the Arminian Cavils in this particular Here let us fix and through Gods grace resolve never to start a jot from that truth delivered by our Saviour †Joh. 10. 28. Joh. 10. 28. And I give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Here 's our strong hold that our perseverance is not in our own but in Christs keeping And the perpetuity of a Saints condition depends not upon his free will which is an Aegyptian reed and is deceitfull but upon free grace upon Christs Intercession And there is ‖ Heb. 13. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 help laid upon him that is mighty and Christ is the rock of Ages here is security enough here we may safely venture all He hath said it and there 's enough in that promise He will never leave thee nor forsake thee Fifthly and lastly and with this particular I shall conclude Motive 5. This may be the â—last time of tendring termes of Reconciliation consider seriously for ought either you or I or any other can discern this may be the last offer and tender of Gospel-reconciliation that ever may be vouchsafed unto you If you stop your ears and refuse to give audience unto Christs Ambassadours this day for ought any of us knows their commission may be expired and quite out of date to morrow In a short time the most holy industrious and faithfull Ambassadour may have his Quietus est Christ may say to him †Mat. 25. 21. Well done good and faithfull servant enter into the joy of thy Lord. As then you desire that the Ministers of Jesus Christ may give up their account ‖ Heb. 13. 17. with joy and not with griefe let it be your wisdome and care in this very day which may be a criticall day to entertain those things which concern your everlasting peace Now you enjoy Sabbaths the desire of dayes the Ordinances the * Is 25. 6. feast of fat things yet your eyes behold your teachers
the dore of the Sanctuary is yet opened and a * Ezra 9. 8. nail is yet left in the holy place you have bread in the morning and in the evening and more plenty of spirituall food on the Sabbath day and week daies then heretofore Much is given unto you and much required from you Where God hath sown so liberally he expects as plentifull an harvest Now you hear the joyfull sound even the word of reconciliation and substance of our Embassie is to intreat you to consider the value and dignity of your Heavenly born being soules and to seek after reconciliation otherwise you are undone to all eternity Now Christ holds out a white flag for a parley of peace now the King of Heaven holds out the golden Scepter O come and touch the top thereof and live The Port-cullis is not yet let down The Judge hath not yet vailed his face The dore of hope is not yet shut up the holy Ghost calls †Isa 55. 6. Seek the Lord whilest he may be found call upon him whilest he is neer ‖ 2 Cor. 6 2. Nemo tam divos habuit faventes crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri Senec. Now is the day of salvation None of us can promise to our selves a morrow no not the least moment of time and if we neglect this golden opportunity and season of grace offered we may never live to have another tendred unto us All the World cannot call back the least minute of time when once it is past it 's like a swift stream or an arrow out of a bâ—w not to be recalled Wherefore as you consult the eternal good of your immortal souls be intreated to improve all the prizes and Talents that God puts into your hands to get Wisdome withall When the Lord bids you seek his face O that your hearts with all readinesse might return this answer * Psal 27. 8. Thy face Lord will I seek God hath put this word into my mouth and here fixt my thoughts after I had severall other subjects in my eye and hath sent me on this very errand to treat on this great Theame of reconciliation unto God And now what message shall I return unto him that hath sent me What account shall I give at the last day of the entertainment of this word What shall I say more You have life and death set before you this day viz. The happinesse of a reconciled estate and the misery of an unreconciled estate O that the Lord would engage you all to make the better choyce by hearkâ—ing unto this word of reconciliation and unfainedly embracing the same and so your souls shall live †2. Tim. 2. 7. Consider what I have said and the Lord give you understanding in all things THE MINISTERY OF ANGELLS Heb. 1. 14. Are they not all Ministring spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heires of salvation TO draw down the context to the text we are to Sermon 2. Preached at S. Marye's Oxon. Oct. 3. 1658. Vers 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solis radii sunt ejusdem naturae cum sole ab eodem propagatione distinguuntur avelluntur nunquam hac Metaphorâ divinam filii naturam convenientissime expressit Apostolus Et character â—icitur expressa imago Archetypi Pareus in loc take speciall notice of the Excellency and dignity of Christ represented unto us in this chapter especially Vers 3. Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the Word of his Power when he had by himselfe purged our sinnes sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High And by way of Comparison the Apostle further inhanceth the honour and preheminence of Christ For after he had compared Christ with the Angells he sets the Crown on Christs head his name is more excellent than theirs Vers 4. 5. Being made so much better then the Angells as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they For unto which of the Angells said he at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee And againe I Will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son Christ is a Son the Angells his servants they may not be worshipped themselves but they must worship Christ Vers 6. 7. Let all the Angells of God worship him Of his Angells he saith who maketh his Angells spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire And further honour is ascribed to the Son which is not to Angells Vers 8. 9. Vnto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousnesse is the scepter of thy Kingdome Thou hast loved righteousnesse and hated iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse above thy fellowes And further Christ is a Lord and Creatour the Angells servants and creatures Christ is advanced to the Throne He is the Soveraign Lord of all Vers 13. The Angells ministering spirits subservient to Christ and at his command and when commissionated by him helpfull and serviceable unto all the children of God It is demanded by way of interrogation in the Text Are they not all Ministring spirits c. Which scripture sets forth clearly the Protection of Angells their Ministery and serviceablenesse unto the children of God A point seldome taught yet very usefull comfortable and of singular concernment unto all the children of God! And being that its the duty of the Minister to declare unto people the whole councell of God that which hath oft been in my intention I shall now endeavour to handle with all the perspicuity that I can The words contain a question Are they not all Ministring spirits Divis which being resolved the answer is obvious that the Angells are all Ministring spirits More particularly we are to observe a Description of Angells 1. From their nature Spirits 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exprest 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. From their office Ministring 3. Their commission Sent. 4. Whose Ministers they are 1. Primarily Christs And secondarily Christs children 5. The universality All All the Angells Here 's the universality of the object and it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and universality of the subject all the Angells All that are heires none left out none exempted from the benefit of the service of all the Angells of God All that are heires of Salvation all Christs children have interest in their protection Many scruples may be made and many things require explication what requires opening shall be endeavoured in the enlargement of one intire doctrine whereon I purpose to fix Thus I propound it to you That it pleaseth God to make use of the Ministery of Angells for Doct. the good of his Children This is the point I aime at from this
voice of his Word Blesse the Lord all ye his hosts the Ministers of his that do his pleasure And we pray thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven 3. To celebrate the praises of God * Isa 6. 3. One cried unto another and 3. To praise God said holy holy holy Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory †Luk. 2. 13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angell a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men ‖ Rev. 4. 8 9. The foure beasts had each of them six winges about him they were full oâ— eyes within they rest not day or night saying holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was is is to come 4. To make it their work to preserve Gods glory And I fell 4. To make it their worke to preserve Gods glory Rev. 19. 10. at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy The Angell would not beare with Gods dishonour and would not permit John to worship him 5. To be servants unto Christ When he bringeth in the first begotten 5. to be Christs servants Heo 1. 6. Psal 97. 7. Luk. 1. 19. into the world he saith let all the Angells of God worship him Confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idolls worship him all ye Gods They brought the message of Christs incarnation I am Gabriell that stand in the presence of God and am sent to speak unto thee and to tell thee these glad tidings They ministred unto him * Mat. 4. 11. Then the Devill leaved him and behold Angells came and ministred unto him †Luk. 22. 43. And there appeared an Angell from Heaven unto him and strengthening him Christ is the head of them and they are his servants ye are compleat in him who is Col. 2. 10. the head of all Principality and Power 6. Angells are serviceable unto men not one but all not any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Ministratores quos vulgò solemus officiarias vocare Beza Numb 20. 16 2 King 6. 16. aâ—e exempted They are all ministring spirits in the text And these singular services which they have done and will do for Gods children are upon record They deliver them from dangers When we cried unto the Lord he heard our voice and sent an Angell and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold we are in Kadesh a Cittie in the uttermost of thy border Feare not saith the Prophet for they they that be with us are more then they that are with them Who were they but Gods Angells for the Prophets safe-guard 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about them that feare him 1. The Angell of the Lord incampeth about the righteous and delivereth them * Dan. 3. 28. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake and said blessed be the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego who hath sent his Angell and delivered his servants that trusted in him aad hath changed the Kings word and yeelded their bodies that they might not serve or worship any God except their own God And Daniel makes this acknowledgment My God hath sent his Angell and hath shut ‖ Psal 91. 11. the Lyons mouth that they have not hurt me for asmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee O King I have done no hurt †Dan. 6. 22. He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all his waies Angels are Protectors Guardians commissionated by God Dan. 10. 13. to protect Gods children The Prince of the Kingdome of Persia withstood me one and twenty daies but lo Michael one of the chiefe Princes came to help me and I remained there with the King of Persia Michael is generally interpreted to be Christ the only Archangell 2. The Angells are of marvellous wisdome to direct counsell 2. Angels are of marveilous wisdome Gen. 24. 7. and advise the children of God The Lord God of heaven which took me from my fathers house and from the Land of my kindred and which spake unto me and sware unto me saying unto thy seed will I give this Land he shall send his Angell before thee and thou shalt take a wife to my son from thence The Lord before whom I walk will send his Angell with thee and prosper thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred and of my Fathers house 3. They comfort Gods children Gen. 32. 2. This is Gods host said 3. Angells comfort Gods children 1 King 19. 5 6 7. Jacob as Elias lay and slept under a juniper tree behold then an Angell touched him and said unto him arise and eate And he looked and behold there was a cake baken on the coales and a cruse of water at his head and he did eat and drinke and laid him down again And the Angell of the Lord came a second time and touched him and said arise and eat because the journey is to great for thee 4. They punish their enemies * Gen. 19. 11 They smote the men that were at 4. Angells punish the saints enemies the dore with blindnesse both small and great so that they wearied themselves to find the dore †2 King 19. 35. And it came to passe that night that the Angell of the Lord went out and smote in the campe of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand and when they arose early in the morning behold they were all dead corpses Herod was made a signall spectacle of pride as is on record ‖ Acts 12. 23 And immediatly an Angell of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory he was Rev. 12. 7. eaten of wormes and gave up the ghost They stand for Christ and his Church against Satan and his Angells And there was war in heaven Michael and his Angells fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angells 5. They resist the wicked and their attemps Balaam found 5. Angells resist wicked men Num. 22. 22. 6. Angels carry the Saints souls into heaven Luk. 16. 22. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ Mat. 24. 31. Mar. 13. 27. Q. 4. Whether every Saint hath a peculiar Angell his keeper Mat. 18. 10. it so And Gods anger was kindled because he went and an Angell of the Lord stood in the way for an Adversary against him 6. They carry the soules of Gods children into heaven And it came to passe that the begger died and was carried by the Angells into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried c. 7. They gather the elect unto Christ at the last day He shall send
of Gods Soule Isai 12. 7. The Sons of God Hos 1. 10. They are called Gods Jewells Mal. 3. 15. Christ calls them his sheepe Joh. 10. 27. They are his Church his Spouse his adopted Children Inheritors of the Kingdome of Heaven the Family of the First borne Accordingly the Holy Ghost gives names and titles unto those and those only that have interest in Jesus Christ 2. In the second place le ts make inquiry into the nature of this 2. What it is to have Interest in Christ interest in Christ what is it to be Christs Ans It consists in two things viz having Union and Communion with him 1. True believers are Christs by vertue of Union with him 1. True believers have union with Christ Christ is the Vine they are the branches Christ is the head of his body the Church Eph. 5. 23. True believers are in Christ 2 Cor. 5. 17. Christ prayed for them that they may be one Joh. 17. 21. Faith knits us to Christ as an Instrument the spirit of God is the efficient cause of this Union 2. True believers are Christs by vertue of Communion with 2. True believers have communion with Christ him He is the head and hath influence upon his members they participate of the sap and nourishment of the roote a communication of water from the fountaine to the streame 1 Joh. 1. 3. Truely our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ But 3ly What grounds may be given why and how it comes to 3. The Reasons passe that there are such a people who are Christs and have interest in him 1. The first ground shall be drawn from the promises because R. 1. Drawn from the Premises there are a peculiar people who only have right unto the Gospell promises and they only who have interest in Christ have right unto the promises The promises of Eternall life belong only to true Believers Joh. 3. 16 36. These are they that come unto Christ and he hath promised that he will not cast away Joh. 6. 35 37. 2. Another ground shall be drawne from the Donation of God R. 2. From the Fathers donation the Father They have a Kingdome Luk. 12. 32. 3. From Christs Redemption For ye are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. Christ hath purchased his Church with his R. 3. From Christs Redemption blood Act. 20. 28. Zipporah said to Moses a bloody husband hast thou been to me She spake concerning the circumcision much more may Christ say to his Church A bloody Spouse hast thou been unto me for thou hast cost me my blood 4. From the Sanctification of the spirit the Saints are a people R. 4. From the sanctification of the Spirit loved and washed even washed with the lover of regeneration and renewed by the Holy Ghost Tit. 2. 5. And these have the image of Christ stampt on them which after the image of God is created in righteousnesse and holynesse Eph. 4. 24. In he 4th place What are the benefits which those receive that have interest in Christ The 1. Is Justification and this is free as free as the freest gift Rom. 3. 24. 2. It consists in Remission of sinnes Psal 32. 1. 3. In the Imputation of Christs righteousnesse unto us and imputing our sinnes unto Christ 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. And Justification is the mother grace from whence such a rare issue proceeds as peace joy accesse unto the Throne of Grace hope patience Rom. 5. 1 2. c. 2. Those that have interest in Christ have the benefits of Christs intercession at the right hand of God he interceeds for all his Children Heb. 7. 25. Rom. 8. 34. For them Christ prayeth and for them exclusively I pray for them I pray not for the world Joh. 17. 9. 3. They have the benefit of speciall providence the Guardianship of Angells Psal 34. 7. Heb. 1. ult 4. They have a Sanctified use of all the creatures of God 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. All are yours and ye are Christs c. They in joy Christ in the creature and with the creature have Christs love tokens Rom. 8. 32. With him they have all things 5. They shall hereafter reap the benefit of glorification so runs the Climax Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 30. 5. Now in the last place what doth all this concern us Ans Much every way as will appeare by the particular Application Applicat of all 1. Here 's an Use of Consolation to those that are Christs Art Vse 1. For Consolation thou in a doubt he is thy Counsellour Isai 9. 6. Art thou in distresses he is thy comforter Art thou tempted Christ was tempted and is able to succour those that are tempted Art thou full of infirmities Christ himselfe had infirmities which were not sinfull and Christ is a compassionate high Priest touched with the feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. Art thou reviled censured nay condemned O go to Jesus Christ get assurance of thy interest in him and then claime for thy comfort Rom. 8. 31. If God be for us who can be against us 2. For Exhortation Art thou Christs let thy life give a proofe Vse 2. For Exhortation hereof give up thy selfe unto Christ let him be thy King and Lord to rule and governe thee set up Christ Commander in chiefe in thy soule As the Centurion profest of the ready obedience of his servants so do thou go when Christ bids thee go come when Christ bids thee come give thy selfe wholly to be disposed counselled and governed by Jesus Christ As then we have received the Lord Jesus Christ so let us walk in him 3. Here 's an Use of Triall whether we are Christs or no. Vse 3. For Triall 1. One Character is the new creature as we have it 2 Cor. 5. 17. 2. Another we have Joh. 15. 5. Bringing forth much fruit 3. Another we have 2 Tim. 2. 19. To depart from iniquity 4. Another we have 1 Joh. 3. 3. To be borne againe 5. Another we have in my Text viz Crucifixion of the flesh which brings in the second Doctrine wherein I purpose to stay longer Thus it was propounded 2. That those that have Interest in Christ have crucified the flesh Doct. 2 with the affections and lusts For the unfolding of this point of Doctrine I shall inquire Method 1. What 's meant by flesh 2. What 's meant by affections and lusts of the flesh 3. What 's meant by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts 4. I shall then give in the proofe of Doctrine And 5. and lastly conclude with particular Application 1. By flesh we are to understand the corruption of the whole Q. 1. What 's meant by flesh Perkins in Loc. nature for the right apprehending hereof I shall distinguish with Judicious Mr.
thus imployed in striving to crucify sinne and in some good measure they have obtained victory this is an excellent imployment to be wrastling against corruption beating downe the body bringing it into subjection But it will be objected That sinne is in the best of Gods children Object and notwithstanding all their strivings and struglings they cannot get rid of sinne whilest they are in this world Ans 1. You must know that in this life there are imperfections Ans in the best and an absolute perfection cannot be attained till we come to heaven 2. Sinne though it is yet it Reignes not in the Regenerate Rom. 6. 12. vers 14. 3. The Regenerate make not a trade of sinne 1 Joh. 3. 9. They are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Sinne is the griefe disease burthen of Regenerate men wherefore they grieve that they sinne and would faine be in that condition where they may sinne no more hereupon they crye out for a deliverer Rom. 7. 24. 5. It 's the endeavour of Regenerate persons to conquer every sinne they allow not themselves in sinne they strive to destroy bosome sinnes Ps 18. 23. 6. God accepts of Evangelicall Perfection i. e. sincere Intentions and endeavoâ—rs for action the will for the deed Wherefore then though flesh remaines as well as spirit yet the spirit at length will prevaile and returne conqueror and herein consists the great conquest of Christians to conquer the flesh to subdue all inordinate affections and insatiable desires and this is that which I have prest from my Text To crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts GODS LOVE IN CHRIST DISCOVERED From Rom 5. vers 8. But God commendeth his love towards us in that whilest we were yet sinners Christ died for us THE Apostle having disputed at large the Doctrine Sermon 6. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. March 20. 1658. of Justification by faith concludes by way of inference that singular priviledges graces and benefits are the peculiar portion of a justified person Justification is the root and the following graces are the fruit Justification the mother grace they the issue or Daughters viz. Peace of conscience vers 1. Accesse to the Throne of Grace vers 2. Joy in tribulation vers 2. Patience vers 3. Experience vers 4. Hope vers 4. And the ground of this hope is the love of God vers 5. Not that love whereby we love him but whereby he loveth us It 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have a sensible feeling of this love and this is not a delusion of our owne fancy but it is the effectuall working of the Holy Ghost A singular Instance of this love appeares by the death of Christ wherein we have 1. The season 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the due time and fittest 1. The season season this is the accepted time 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation The most conveninient time even now when the fulnesse of time was come Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law c. 2. The condition of the persons for whom it 's expressed by two 2. The Condition of the Persons words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 infirme impotent persons unable altogeather to help and deliver themselves And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ungodly such as left Gods true worship and defil'd themselves with Idolatry Now the love of Christ is further amplified by a comparison vers 7. let 's compare Christ's love with the love of men vers 7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one dye yet per adventure for a good man some would even dare to dye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By a righteous man we understand an innocent godly inoffensive just dealing man By a good man here we understand an usefull serviceable man a publick spirited man a Patriot for his countrey one that hath shewed much goodnesse to us Justus reddens cuique quod suum est Bonus qui beneficus est ac bene à multis meritus as some of the Learned observe But what 's this in comparison of the love of Christ All the love of creatures in comparison of Christ's love is not so much as the drop to the Ocean Note the incomparable unparrelled love of Christ to sinners in my Text. But God commendeth his love unto us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Wherein observe these Remarkable Particulars 1. The greatnesse of Gods love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commendat verbum Insignem summe commendabilem esse ostendit Beza Commendare significat aut confirmare as Aretius observes It signifieth testatum facere as Budaeus and Demosthenes use the word 2. The Proofe or Evidence of this love by Christ's death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The condition of the persons sinners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rebellious sinners such in whom sinne raigned who were wholy under the power of sinne in their blood in a loathsome filthy condition All are sinners they have no truth in them that deny it 1 Joh. 1. 8. But here by sinners saith * Qui toti vitiosi sunt ac peccato addicti Calv. in Loc. Calvin are understood such Who are wholly vitious and addicted unto sinne We read that God heareth not sinners Joh. 9. 31. For these sinners Christ died for enemies rebells polluted lyeing in their filth these Christ loved and washed No fore sight of their faith repentance moved him to pitty them only his love For these he died and this is an unparrellel'd demonstration of the love of God and of Jesus Christ I shall comprise the whole of my meditations in one fundamentall Doctrine That the death of Christ for sinners is an evident demonstration Doct. of the love of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ This I shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unfold by Explication Confirmation and particular Application 1. For Explication I propound these Queries Query 1. Wherein consists this love of God the Father Ans In sending of his Sonne his beloved Son his only Son the Son of his bosome God might have impowred an Angell and sent him but the mission of his Son sets forth love inexpressible There 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 3. 16. He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten sonne that whosoever believâ—â—â— in him shall not perish but have everlasting life And further we read 1 Joh. 4. 9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten sonne into the world that we might live through him God left the fallen Angells without a Saviour but took pitty on lost man God would never be reconciled to the fallen Angells but from eternity he contrived a way to reconcile man unto himselfe 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live He found none at all godly lovely holy but made them so How many of those that imbrued their hands in Christ's blood were converted by one of Peters sermons Christ prayed upon the Cross for his enemies Luk. 23. 34. Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe The Duties we ought to learne from the consideration of this great love of Christ in laying down his life for sinners are First That in Zach. 12. 10. And I will poure upon the house of Dut. 1. To mourne over Christ David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have peirced and thâ—y shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only sonne and shall be in bitnernesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first borne Seconly To crucify sinne which crucified Christ Thus the Dut. 2. To crucify sin Apostle professeth Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Christ Neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himselfe for me Thirdly Set an inestimable price upon the meanes of our redemption Dut. 3. Set a high value upon the price of our redemption that price of blood 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. For asmuch as yee know that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vaine conversation received by tradition from your Fathers But with the pretious blood of Christ as of a lambe without blemish and without spot Fourthly Look for no salvation else where Act. 4. 12. Neither Dut. 4. Look for salvation through Christ only is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men that man Christ Jesus Joh. 17. 3. And this is life eternall that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Fifthly Let us live unto Christ which died for us 2 Cor. 5. Dut. 5. Live unto Christ 15. And that he died for all that they which live should not hence forth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Sixtly Let our hearts be warmed with love to Christ 2 Cor. Dut. 6. Be warm'd with love to Christ 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraines us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead The apprehension of Christs great love unto us should ingage us to love him againe Qâ—ry 3. Is this so great a matter for Christ to dye and to lay downe his life for publick good Did not many others lay down their lives for the publick as Codrus for the Athenians Meneceus for the Thebans Curtius threw himselfe into a gulfe to preserve Rome from pestilence Nisus would have died for Euryâ—lus Pilades for Orestes c. Where then lieth the difference Ans 1. Heathens that laid downe their lives were not innocent persons they were sinners Christ was innocent no sinner a Lamb without blemish no gâ—ile was found in his mouth 2. Heathens laid downe their lives out of principles of praise and vaine glory Christ laid his life in love to his Father love to the elect 3. Heathens gave their lives at the instigation of Satan having no thought to please God but Christ gave himselfe in obedience to his Father to do his will 4. Heathens died that their deaths might be esteemed glorious and honourable but Christ offered himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse 5. They died for to obtaine some temporall deliverance but by Christ we obtaine eternall deliverance 6. They died for their Countrey and friends but Christ died for his enemies These things being premised by way of Explication I come now to the Confirmation of the point To which purpose I shall lay downe these Propositions and they are Aeternae veritaâ—is 1. God the Father from all Eternity contrived this admirable Proposit 1. God from all eternity contrived the way of Redemption by Jesus Christ way of redemption by Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wiâ— that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Rev. 13. 8. And all that dwell upon the face of the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the Lamb slaine from the foundation of the world This transaction was not of yesterday but decreed and contrived and intended from all eternity God reprobated the fallen Angells and left them without a Saviour for Christ shed not a drop of blood for them They before the foundation of the world were decreed to eternall punishments But for lost man a Saviour was decreed and this was God's intendment before all time Questionlesse this is exceeding great love and an evident Character of the love of God the Father 2. Christ was an innocent holy person without the least sinne Proposit 2. Christ was an innocent Person There was no deceit in his mouth Isai 53. 9. And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death Because he had done no violence neither was any deceit in his mouth He was most holy harmlesse undefiled 1 Pet. 1. 19. We were redeemed with the pretious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot Christ was the beloved Son of God in whom the Father was well pleased Matth. 3. 17. And â—â—e a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved sonne in whom I am well pleased Christ was the only Son and beloved Son now for God the Father to send his Son his only Son his beloved Son not to raigne but to serve not to live a life of honour and glory in the world but to be despised rejected wounded and endure the shamefull painfull and cursed death of the Crosse Never was any love like unto this Of this we read Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And likewise 1 Joh. 4. 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sinnes 3. Christ who was sent was God God-man in one person Proposit 3. Christ is God-man in one Person The divine person assumed an humane nature Christ was the Word and the Word was God and Christ that substantiall Word was made flesh Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only
shall declare his generation for he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people was he striken He hath a peculiar seed Isai 53. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to griefe when thou shalt make his soule an offering for sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his daies and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands He is the Saviour of his body Eph. 5. 28. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the body He layeth downe his life only for his sheepe Joh. 10. 15. As the Father knoweth me even so I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheepe Now hence those false doctrines of Generall redemption are discarded altogether Christ doth not pray for all Joh. 17. 9 10. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them And we read Joh. 13. 11. He knew who should betray him therefore said he yee are not all cleane He doth not call all justify all nor elect all for only few are chosen and therefore all are not partakers of this distinguishing love Yet notwithstanding these fundamentall truths there are many Objections which I would Answer before I make particular application of this doctrine It s objected that it is unjust for the innocent to be punished Object 1 for the nocent for Christ holy and just to be punished for man that was unjust unholy We are to distinguish of sinne and guilt inherent and sinne and Ans guilt imputed In Christ was no inherent sinne and guilt but there was sinne and guilt imputed For Christ was made sinne for us and took our nature upon him and was our surety And it is no injustice to make a surety pay the debt whereunto he voluntarily ingaged Christ freely voluntarily undertook the great work of reconciliation for lost man and he willingly laid downe his life for his sheepe No man took away his life from him But 2. It s Objected how can Christs blood which was shed above Object 2 1600 yeares agoe be effectuall now This we are to believe that though Christ suffered once yet Ans the vertue of the suffering remaines to all eternity For it was the blood of God This being understood by communication of Idioms of him that was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man his blood was precious blood cleansing mortifying healing blood The blood of sprinkling which speaks better things then the blood of Abel The Church is the purchase of his blood Act. 20. 28. Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flockes which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood This is redeeming blood Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his grace It is peace-making blood Col. 1. 20. And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himselfe by him I say whether they be things in earth or in heaven We are made white in the blood of the Lambe Rev. 7. 14. And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said to me these are they which come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lambe We are washed from our sinnes in his blood Rev. 1. 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood So then Christs blood is a fountaine that can never be drained dry it witnesseth our regeneration 1 Joh. 5. 8. And there are three that bear witnesse in earth the spirit the water and the blood and these three agree in one But 3. It will be Objected if Christ died for sinners then all Object 3 shall be saved otherwise the remedy would not be proportionable to the disease the plaister would not be as broad as the sore 1. There 's a sufficiency of Merit in Christ the Medicine is of infinite Ans value 2. But 2. this medicine is only applied effectually unto some peculiar persons Neither doth this derogate a whit from Christs merits in that his redemption is not equally extended unto all But the riches of his mercy are the more inhanced in that they are effectuall to some 3. It was not the intention of God the Father nor of Christ that all should be redeemed Christs Redemption only is appropriated to believers Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 4. Only those have redemption by Christs blood who are redeemed from their vaine conversation and those are Gods children 1 Pet. 1. 18. Forasmuch as yee know that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from your vaine conversations received by tradition of your Fathers But these are not the whole world for the whole world lyes in wickednesse I shall now come unto Application And I shall make foure Applicat Uses of the Doctrine 1. For Information 2. For Examination 3. For Exhortation Vse 1. For Information 4. For Consolation The first Use is for Information and that in severall particulars 1. Be informed of the greatnesse of the love of God Eph. 2. 4. 1. This is great love But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he hath loved us 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God 2. Be informed that this love is unparrelleld let there be made 2. This love is unparralleld locus à comparatis The love between Jonathan and David is not to be compared to the love of Christ unto his Church Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himselfe for it The love of a tender Mother is not to be compared to the love of God Isai 49. 15. Can a woman forget her sucking child that shee should have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee 3. This love is free undeserved by any Creature Ezek. 16. 6. 3. This love is undeserved And when I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live There is no fides praevisa to move God The Apostle determines Rom. 9. 11 12 13. For the Children being not yet
borne neither having done any good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth It was said unto her the elder shall serve the younger as it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated 4. This love is incomprehensible inexpressible Eph. 3. 18 19. 4. This love is incomprehensible That yee may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that yee might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 5. It is an eternall love Joh. 13. 1. Now before the feast of the 5. This love is eternall passeover when Jesus knew that his houre was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawne thee The second Use is for Examination whether we are of that Vse 4. For Examination number which hath interest in this love We are to distinguish of severall sorts of love There 's Amor benevolentiae Complacentiae For that there is Amor benevolentiae hence appeares munificentia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God doth good to all makes the Sun to shine on the just and unjust That which we are to inquire of is that which is called Amor complacentiae appropriated only unto Gods children What evidences may be given that we have interest in this distinguishing love The 1. Signe is Sanctification it 's God's order and we may Signe 1. Sanctification not break it Rev. 1. 5. Vnto him that loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood If thou canst prove that thy nature is changed by the sanctifying vertue of God's spirit thou maiest conclude that thou art one that hath interest in the speciall love of God 2. Those that have interest in this speciall love of God feele a Signe 2. Constraining love of Christ constraining power in this love to ingage them to obedience to Gods commands 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraines us because we thus judge that if one died for all then we are all dead 3. By the sincerity of our love to God we may conclude his Signe 3. Sincerity of love to God love towards us 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us Gods love to us is the ground of our Assurance our love to him is the ground of our Evidence Let Gods children as Bradford that pretious man of God used to advise lay this down for a foundation That God loves them and where this love is it will shed abroad love in their hearts even love to God love to the brethren love to the Ordinances love and longing for the appearance of Christ 4. Christ manifests his love to his people Joh. 14. 21. He that Signe 4. Christ manifests his Love to his people hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my selfe to him Though he may hide himselfe for a time yet he will embrace them with everlasting kindnesse Isai 54 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from them for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer 5. Those whom God loves with a speciall distinguishing love Signe 5. Christ is Lord and King have Christ their redeemer their Lord King and Ruler their Prophet to instruct them their Priest to make satisfaction and intercession for them This is the greatest evidence of Gods love in giving thee his son as in the place forecited Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Which is plainly applyed to believers and takes not in all universally but a peculiar select company even such only as believe And Rom. 8. 32. He that spareth not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 6. Those who have interest in this great speciall love have Signe 6. Gods spirit dwells in them Gods spirit and this dwells in them Rom. 8. 9. But yee are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Christs spirit dwells as an Inhabitant and Ruler and this is a witnesse Rom. 8. 16. The spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God And this sealeth and giveth earnest 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts and where this dwells it may be knowne by the fruits which it bringeth forth Gal. 5. 22 23. But the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance The third Use is for Exhortation and your duty I shall branch Vse 2. For Exhortat into these following particulars 1. Stand admiring contemplating this great love of God the 1. Admire Gods love Father to give thee Christ and that Christ should becomeman be made sin a curse whilst that greater and nobler richer learneder then thy selfe should be past by and God should give Christ for thee that he should love thee and wash thee and make thee a King and a Priest unto God thou can'st never admire enough this unparralleld love of God Eternity would even be too little to set forth this wonderfull love of God As there is a depth of wisdome so there is a depth of mercy in God which cannot be fathom'd 2. Let thy heart be filled with the praises of the Lord. Lift up 2. Be filled with the praises of God advance what in thee lyeth the honour of God the love of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ God gives his Son Christ's merits are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a price meritorious and the Holy Spirit maketh application How then ought we for ever to abound in praises to the Lord The Samaritan returned back and gave God thanks for his cleansing So should we blesse God that he hath made a difference by his grace between us and the very vilest of men what ever Thus did Paul 1 Tim. 1. 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me for that he counted me faithfull putting me into the Ministery Now unto the King Eternall immortall invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 3. Love should beget reciprocall love even Love unto God the 3. Love should
among the best Wheat There 's no Church without spot or wrinkle till we come to Heaven Indeed to seperate from Heathens and from Idolaters we are commanded and this is a warrantable seperation But to seperate from a true Church must needs cause multitudes See Dr Harris his judgment in his life lately set forth by E. D. p. 100 101 102. of Scismes and Divisions as daiely experience witnesseth and we have no warrant in the Word of God for such a seperation Let all professours know that they are not therefore converted because they take upon them the bare name and forme For some there are as the Apostle mentions 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a forme but denying the power And such as are only Nominall Christians and content themselves with the bare name are really Atheists It 's the easiest matter in all the world to take upon one a bare profession Machiavel himselfe would allow an outward profession But to have the Profession adorned with a Holy life and Conversation to be a Christian in name and in truth this is the great thing required To name the name of Christ and depart from Iniquity to purify ones selfe as God is pure this is the great work indeed Now having discovered these false glasses I l'e set before you one true glasse wherein we must behold our selves and that is the Word of God This discovers our Pollutions this shewes us the way of cleansing Psal 119. 11. Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word This discovers our Maladies and Remedies Now where there is a reall Change and a thorough transformation it will be known by three Characters 1. By Universality 2. By Sincerity And 3. By Perpetuity First For Universality and that lookes at five Subjects Char. 1. Vniversality 1. At the understanding Eph. 4. 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 2. At the will Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power 3. At the affections Col. 3. 2. Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth 4. The heart Ezek. 36. 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you and yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your Idolls will I cleanse you a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh 5. The life Newnesse of life is required For so it 's required that we should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6. 4. Secondly Sincerity The aymes must be single and sincere Char. 2. Sincerity no change for selfe ends Interests Preferments c. The glory of God must be in thy eye 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we had our Conversation in the world and more abundantly to youâ— wards Thirdly Perpetuity Rev. 2. 10. Be thou faithfull unto death Char. 3. Perpetuity and I will give thee a Crowne of life he that endureth unto the end shall be saved 3. The third Use is for Exhortation Let 's all labour to be Vse 3. For ExhortatioÌ„ Mot. 1. From the equity of the duty Mot. 2. from the necessity of the duty thus transformed By way of Motive 1. It is but equity that there should be a thorough change The whole man is defiled by sinne and the whole man should be transformed and changed 2. There 's a necessity necessitas precepti medii 1. How often are we cald upon to make us new hearts to turne unto the Lord to amend our waies 2. This change is an instrumentall meanes to pacify Gods wrath 2 Chron. 7. 1â— If my people which are calâ—ed by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked waies then will I heare from Heaven and will forgive their sinnes and heale their land So Joel 2. 12. Therefore thus saith the Lord turne unto mâ— with all your heart with fasting weeping and mourning rent your hearts and not your garments and turne unto the Lord your God for he is gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the evill 3. Consider the Utility God will however have his glory and Mot. 3. from the Vtility yet we are the gainers by this change By having changed hearts we can do more acceptable service unto God and are more in abled toperforme the will of God which is a good acceptable and perfect will 4. Now I l'e in the last place conclude with a word of comfort Vse 4. For Comfort unto those upon whom God hath wrought this gracious change i. e. Blessed are their eyes for they see They were afore this change as bad as others but now they are washed and cleansed Great is their comfort whose eyes are opened and they are brought from darknesse unto light from the power of Satan unto God By being converted and so becoming sons and daughters of God by grace and Adoption they obtaine these singular Priviledges 1. They have Union and Communion with Jesus Christ They Privil 1. Vnion and Communion with Jesus Christ are one with him mystically He is their Head they his body they injoy Communion with him in the exercise of graces in their approaches unto him in worship 1 Joh. 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard that declare we unto you that yee also may have fellowship with us and truely our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ 2. They have Interest in all the Promises 2 Cor. 1. 20. For all Pri. 2. They have Interest in all the Promises the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us 3. They have Interest in all Christs purchases of Justification Sanctification and Glorification What can I adde more but the Pri. 3. They have Interest in all Christs Purchases complement of all from Rev. 1. 5 6. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his own blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen And such honour have all his Saints even all such as are converted and borne againe upon whom this reall change and renovation is past These are here militant saints on earth and shall be triumphant Saints in the highest Heavens Dr VVilkinsons 3. DECADS of SERMONS