have the knowledge of the true God is more then if we had Mines of Gold Rocks of Diamonds Islands of Spices especially if God hath savingly revealed himself to us if he hath given us eyes to see the light if we so know God as to be known of him as to love him and believe in him Matth. 11.25 We can never be enough thankful to God that he hath hid the knowledge of himself from the wise and prudent of the World and hath revealed it unto us The TRINITY Quest. VI. HOw many Persons are there in the Godhead Resp. Three Persons yet but one God 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God is but One yet there are three distinct Persons subsisting in one God-head This is a sacred Mystery which the Light within could never have discovered As the two Natures in Christ yet but one Person is a wonder so three Persons yet but one God-head I am in a great deep the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost God yet not three Gods but one God The three Persons in the blessed Trinity are distinguished but not divided three Subsistances but one Essence This is a Divine Riddle where one makes three and three make but one Our narrow Thoughts can no more comprehend the Trinity in Unity then a little Nutshel will hold all the Water in the Sea Let me shadow it out by this similitude In the Body of the Sun there is the Substance of the Sun the Beams and the Heat the Beams are begotten of the Sun the Heat proceeds both from the Sun and the Beams but these three though different are not divided they all three make but one Sun So in the blessed Trinity the Son is begotten of the Father the Holy Ghost proceeds from both yet though they are three distinct Persons yet but one God First let me speak of the Unity in Trinity then of the Trinity in Unity 1. Of the Unity in Trinity The Unity of the Persons in the Godhead consists in two things 1. The identity of Essence In the Trinity there is an Oneness of Essence the three Persons are of the same Divine Nature and Substance so that in Deo non est magis minus there are no degrees in the Godhead one Person is not God more then another 2. The Unity of the Persons in the Godhead consists in the mutual in-being of them or their being in one another The three Persons are so united that one Person is in another and with another Iohn 17.21 Thou Father art in me and I in thee 2. Let me speak of the Trinity in Unity 1. The first Person in the Trinity is God the Father Hâ— is call'd the first Person in respect of Order not Dignity for God the Father hath no essential Perfection which the other Persons have not He is not more wise more holy more powerful then the other Persons are a Priority not Superiority 2. The second Person in the Trinity is Iesus Christ who is begotten of the Father before all Time Prov. 8.23 24 25. I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was When there were no depths I was brought fortth when there were no fountains abounding with water Before the mountains were set led before the hills was I brought forth Which Scripture declares the Eternal Generation of the the Son of God This second Person in the Trinity who is Jehovah is become our Jesus The Scripture calls him the Branch of David Jer. 23.5 and I may call him the Flower of the Virgin having assum'd our Nature By him all that believe are justified Acts 13.39 3. The third Person in the Trinity is the Holy Ghost who proceeds from the Father and the Son His work it is to illuminate the Mind and inkindle sacred Motions The Essence of the Spirit is in Heaven and every where but the Influence of it is in the Hearts of Believers This is that blessed Spirit who gives us the holy Unction 1 Iohn 2.20 Though Christ merits Grace for us it is the Holy Ghost works it in us Though Christ makes the Purchase it is the Holy Ghost makes the Assurance and Seals us up to the Day of Redemption Thus I have spoken of all the three Persons The Trinity of Persons may be proved out of Matth. 3.16 Iesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the water and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son Here are three Names given to the three Persons He who spake with a Voice from Heaven was God the Father He who was baptized in Iordan was God the Son He who descended in the likeness of a Dove was God the Holy Ghost Thus I have shewn you the Unity of Essence and the Trinity of Persons Use 1. It confutes the Jews and the Turks who believe only the first Person in the Godhead this cuts assunder the Sinews of our Comfort Take away the distinction of the Persons in the Trinity and you overthrow Man's Redemption for God the Father being offended with Man for sin how shall he be pacified without a Mediator This Mediator is Christ he makes our Peace and Christ having died and shed his Blood how shall this Blood be applied but by the Holy Ghost Therefore if there be not three Persons in the Godhead Man's Salvation cannot be wrought out If there be no second Person in the Trinity then there is no Redeemer If no third Person then there is no Comforter And so the Plank is taken away by which we should get to Heaven 2. It confutes the execrable Opinion of the Socinians who deny the Divinity of the Lord Jesus they make him only to be a Creature of an higher Rank As the Papists blot out the Second Commandment so the Socinians would the Second Person in the Trinity If to oppose Christ's Members be such a sin what is it to oppose Christ himself 1. Jesus Christ is coequal with God the Father Phil. 2.6 He thought it no robbery to be equal with God 2. He is coeternal with God the Father Prov. 8.23 I was from the beginning for else there was a time when God was without a Son and so he should be no Father nay else there was a time when God was without his glory for Christ is the brightness of his Fathers glory Hebr. 1.3 3. He is coessential with God the Father The Godhead subsists in Christ Col. 2.9 In whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily 'T is said not only Christ was with God before the beginning but he was God John 1.1 and 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the flesh The Title of Lord so often given to Christ in the New Testament doth answer to the Title of Jehovah in the Old Testament Deut. 6.5 Matth. 22.37 so that Christ hath a
Coeternity and Consubstantiality with his Father Iohn 10.30 I and my Father are One It were a Blasphemy for any Angel to speak thus Yet further to prove Christ's Godhead consider 1. the glorious incommunicable Attributes belonging to God the Father are ascribed to Christ. 1. Is God the Father Omnipotent so is Jesus Christ. He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almighty Rev. 1.8 he Creates Col. 1.16 2. Is God the Father infinitely Immense filling all places Ier. 23.24 so is Jesus Christ. While Christ was on the Earth by his bodily presence he was at the same time in the bosom of his Father Iohn 3.13 in regard of his Divine presence 2. The same Iura Regalia or Prerogatives Royal which belong to God the Father belong also to Christ. 1. Doth God the Father seal Pardons this is a Flower of Christ's Crown Matth. 9.2 Thy sins be forgiven thee Nor doth Christ only remit sin organicè as Ministers do by virtue of a Power delegated to them from God but Christ doth it by his own Power and Authority 2. Is God the Father the adequate Object of Faith is he to be believed in so is the Son Iohn 14.1 3. Doth Adoration belong to God the Father so it doth to the Son Hebr. 1.6 Let all the Angels of God worship him How Sacrilegious therefore is the Socinian who would rob Christ of the best Flower of his Crown his Godhead they that deny Christ to be God must greatly wrest or else deny the Scripture to be the Word of God 3. It confutes the Arrians who deny the Holy Ghost to be God The Eternal Godhead subsists in the Holy Ghost Iohn 16.13 He shall guide you into all Truth Christ speaks not there of an Attribute but a Person And that the Godhead subsists in the Person of the Holy Ghost appears thus The Spirit who gives diversity of Gifts is said to be the same Lord and the same God 1 Cor. 12.5 6. The black and unpardonable sin is said in a special manner to be committed against the Godhead subsisting in the Holy Ghost Matth. 12.32 The mighty power of God is made manifest by the Holy Ghost He changeth the Hearts of Men. The Devil would have Christ prove himself to be God by turning Stones into Bread but thus the Holy Ghost shews his Godhead by turning Stones into Flesh Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart and give you an heart of flesh Yet further the power and Godhead of the Holy Ghost appeared in the effecting the glorious Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ the very Shadow of the Holy Ghost made a Virgin conceive Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost works Miracles which transcend the sphere of Nature as raising the Dead Rom. 8.11 to him belongs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine Worship our Souls and Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 in which Temples he is to be worshipped vers 20. We are baptized in the Name of the Holy Ghost therefore either we must believe his Godhead or renounce our Baptism in his Name Methinks it were enough for such Men as have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost or no Acts 19.2 to deny his Deity but that any who go for Christians should deny this Article of their Creed seems to me very strange They who would wittingly and willingly blot out the third Person shall have their Names blotted out of the Book of Life Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Believe this Doctrine the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of Essence The Trinity is purely an Object of Faith The Plumb-line of Reason is too short to fathom this Mystery but where Reason cannot wade there Faith must swim There are some Truths in Religion may be demonstrated by Reason as that there is a God but the Trinity of Persons in Unity of Essence is wholly Supernatural and must be believed by Faith This Sacred Doctrine though it be not against Reason yet it is above Reason Those illuminated Philosophers that could find out the Causes of things and discourse of the Magnitude and Influence of the Stars the Nature of Minerals could never by their deepest Search find out the Mystery of the Trinity This is of Divine Revelation and must be adored with humble believing we can be no good Christians without the firm belief of the Trinity How can we pray to God the Father but in the Name of Christ and through the help of the Spirit Believe the glorious Trinity How are the Quakers to be abhorr'd who go under the Name of Christians yet undervalue and renounce Jesus Christ. I have read of some of the Quakers who speak thus We deny the Person of him whom you call Christ and affirm That they who expect to be saved by that Christ without will be damned in that Faith Could the Devil himself speak worse Blasphemy they would pull up all Religion by the Roots and take away that Corner-stone on which the Hope of our Salvation is built 2. If there be one God subsisting in three Persons then let us give 1. Equal Reverence to all the Persons in the Trinity There is not more or less in the Trinity the Father is not more God then the Son and Holy Ghost There is an Order in the Godhead but no Degrees one Person hath not a Majority or Supereminency above another therefore we must give equal Worship to all the Persons Iohn 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father Adore Unity in Trinity 2. Obey all the Persons in the blessed Trinity for all of them are God 1. Obey God the Father His words either preceptive or minatory must be observed Christ himself as Man obeyed God the Father Iohn 4.34 much more then must we Deut. 27.10 2. Obey God the Son Psalm 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be angry Kiss him with a kiss of Obedience Christ's Commands are not grievous 1 Iohn 5.3 Nothing he commands but is for our interest and benefit O then kiss the Son Why do the Elders throw down their Crowns at the feet of Christ and fall down before the Lamb Rev. 4.10 11. but to testifie their Subjection and to profess their Readiness to serve and obey him 3. Obey God the Holy Ghost our Souls are breath'd into us by the glorious Spirit Iob 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me Our Souls are adorned by the blessed Spirit Every Grace is a Divine Sparkle lighted in the Soul by the Holy Ghost Nay more the Spirit of God sanctified Christ's Humane Nature he united it with the Divine and fitted the Man Christ to be our Mediator Well then doth this third Person in the Trinity the Holy Ghost deserve to be obeyed he is God and this Tribute of Homage and Obedience is to be paid him by us Of the CREATION Quest. VII WHat are the Decrees of God The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will whereby for his own
which is no guile now he sees his own Image in you This draws God's Heart towards you Likeness draws Love But One GOD. Quest. V. THE fifth Question is Are there more Gods then one Answ. There is but one only the living and true God That there is a God hath been proved and those that will not believe the Verity of his Essence shall feel the Severity of his Wrath Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord. He is the only God Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day and consider it in thy heart that the Lord he is God in Heaven above and upon the Earth beneath there is none else Isa. 45.21 A just God and a Saviour There is none beside me There are many titular Gods Kings represent God their Regal Scepter is an Emblem of his Power and Authority Judges are called Gods Psal. 82.5 I have said ye are Gods viz. set in God's place to do Justice but dying Gods vers 7. Ye shall dye like men 1 Cor. 8.5 6. There be that are called Gods but to us there is but One God Argument 1. There is but one first Cause that hath its Being of it self and on which all other Beings depend As in the Heavens the primum Mobile moves all the other Orbs so God gives Life and Motion to every thing existent There can be but one God because there is but one first Cause 2. There is but one infinite Being therefore there is but one God There cannot be two Infinites Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord If there be one Infinite filling all places at once how can there be any room for another Infinite to subsist 3. There is but one Omnipotent Power if there be two Omnipotents then we must always suppose a Contest between these two that which one would do the other Power being Equal would oppose and so all things would be brought into a Confusion If a Ship should have two Pilots of equal Power one would be ever crossing the other when one would Sail the other would cast Anchor here were a Confusion and the Ship must needs perish The Order and Harmony in the World the constant and uniform Government of all things is a clear Argument that there is but one Omnipotent one God that rules all Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Use 1. of Information If there be but one God then it excludes all other Gods Some have fained that there were two Gods so the Valentinians others that there were many Gods so the Polytheites the Persians worshipped the Sun the Egyptians the Lion and Elephant the Grecians worshipped Iupiter These I may say err not knowing the Scriptures Matth. 22.29 Their Faith is a Fable God hath given them up to strong delusions to believe a lie that they may be damned 2 Thess. 2.11 2. If there be but one God then there can be but One true Religion in the World Eph. 4.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Lord one Faith If there were many Gods then there might be many Religions every God would be worshipped in his way but if there be but one God there is but one Religion one Lord one Faith Some say we may be saved in any Religion 't is absurd to imagine that God who is one in Essence should appoint several Religions in which he will be worshipped 'T is as dangerous to set up a false Religion as to set up a false God There are many ways to Hell Men may go thither which way their Fancy leads them but there is but one direct Road to Heaven viz. Faith and Holiness There is no way to be saved in but this as there is but one God so there is but one True Religion 3. If there be but one God then you have but One that you need chiefly study to please and that is God If there were divers Gods we should be hard put to it how to please them all one would command one thing another the quite contrary and to please two contrary Masters is impossible but there is but one God therefore you have but one to please As in a Kingdom there is but one King therefore every one seeks to ingratiate himself into his favour Prov. 19.6 so there is but one true God therefore here lies our main work to please him Be sure to please God whoever else you displease This was Enoch's Wisdom Hebr. 11.5 he had this Testimony before he died that he pleased God Quest. What doth this pleasing God imply Answ. 1. We please God when we comport with his Will 'T was Christ's meat and drink to do his Father's will Iohn 4.34 and so he pleased him Matth. 3 17. A voice came from heaven saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased It is the will of God that we should be holy 1 Thess. 4 3◠Now when we are bespangled with Holiness our Lives are walking Bibles this is according to God's will and it pleaseth him 2. We please God when we do the Work that he sets us about Iohn 17.4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do viz. my mediatory work Many finish their lives but do not finish their work Our work God hath cut out for us is to observe the first and second Table In the first is set down our duty towards God in the second our duty towards Man Such as make Morality the chief and sole part of Religion set the second Table above the first nay they take away the first Table for if Prudence Justice Temparance be enough to save then what needs the first Table and so our worship towards God shall be quite left out But those two Tables which God hath joyned together let no Man put asunder 3. We please God when we dedicate our Heart to give him the best of every thing Abel gave God the fat of the Offering Gen. 4.4 Domitian would not have his Image carved in Wood or Iron but in Gold Then we please God when we serve him with love fervency alacrity we give him golden Services herein lies our Wisdom and Piety to please God there is but one God therefore there is but one whom we have chiefly to please namely God 4. If there be but one God then we must pray to none but God The Papists pray to Saints and Angels 1. To Saints a Popish Writer saith When we pray to the Saints departed they being touched with compassion say the like to God for us as the Disciples did to Christ for the Canaanitish Woman Matth. 15.23 Send her away for she crieth after us The Saints above know not our Wants Isa. 63.16 Abraham is ignorant of us or if they did we have no warrant to pray to them Prayer is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a part of Divine Worship which must be given only to God 2. They pray to Angels Angel-worship is forbidden Col. 2.18 19. and
Hence that saying of St. Augustine Surgunt indocti rapiunt coelum the unlearned Men rise up and take Heaven they know the Truths of Christ more savingly then the great admired Rabbies The duller the Scholar the more is his skill seen that teacheth Hence it is Christ delights in teaching the Ignorant to get himself more Glory Isa. 35.5 The eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped Who would go to teach a blind or a deaf Man yet such dull Scholars Christ teacheth Such as are blinded with Ignorance they shall see the Mysteries of the Gospel and the deaf Ears shall be unstopped 3. Wait upon the Means of Grace which Christ hath appointed Though Christ teacheth by his Spirit yet he teacheth in the use of Ordinances Wait at the Gates of Wisdoms door Ministers are Teachers under Christ Eph. 4.11 Pastors and Teachers We read of Pitchers and Lamps within the Pitchers Iudges 7.16 Ministers are Earthen Vessels but these Pitchers have Lamps within them to light Souls to Heaven Christ is said to speak to us from Heaven now Hebr. 12.25 viz. by his Ministers as the King speaks by his Ambassador Such as wean themselves from the Breast of Ordinances seldom thrive either they grow light in their Head or lame in their Feet The Word preached is Christ's Voice in the Mouth of the Minister and they that refuse to hear Christ speaking in the Ministry Christ will refuse to hear them speaking on their Death-bed 4. If you would have the Teachings of Christ walk according to that Knowledge which you have already Use your little knowledge well and Christ will teach you more Iohn 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of my Doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self A Master seeing his Servant improve a little Stock well gives him more to trade with Use 3. If you have been taught by Christ savingly be thankful It is your Honour to have GOD for your Teacher and that he should teach you and not others is matter of admiration and gratulation O how many knowing men are ignorant They are not taught of God they have CHRIST's Word to enlighten them but not his Spirit to sanctifie them But that you should have the Inward as well as the Outward Teaching that Christ should anoint you with the Heavenly Unction of his Spirit that you can say as he Iohn 9.25 One thing I know that whereas I was blind I now see O! how thankful should you be to Christ who hath revealed his Father's Bosom Secrets unto you Iohn 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him If Alexander thought himself so much obliged to Aristotle for the Philosophical Instructions he learned from him O how are we bound to Jesus Christ this great Prophet for opening to us the Eternal Purposes of his Love and revealing to us the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven CHRIST's Priestly Office Quest. XV. HOw doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest Resp. In his once offering up of himself a Sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice and reconcile us to GOD and in making continual Intercession for us Heb. 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appear'd to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Quest. What are the parts of Christ's Priestly Office Resp. Christ's Priestly Office hath two Parts his Satisfaction and Intercession 1. His SATISFACTION and this consists of two Branches 1. His Active Obedience Matth. 3.15 He fulfillâ—d all righteousness Christ did every thing which the Law required his holy Life was a Perfect Commentary upon the Law of God and he obeyed the Law for us 2. His Passive Obedience Our Guilt being transferred and imputed to him he did undergo the Penalty which was due to us He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself The Paschal Lamb slain was a Type of Christ who was offered up in Sacrifice for us Sin could not be done away without Bloud Heb. 9.22 Without bloud is no remission Christ was not only a Lamb without spot but a Lamb slain Quest. Why was it require there should be a Priest Resp. There needed a Priest to be an Umpire to mediate between a Guilty Creature and an Holy God Quest. How could Christ suffer being God Resp. Christ suffered only in the Humane Nature Quest. But if only Christ's Humanity suffered how could his suffering satisfie for Sin Resp. The Humane Nature being united to the Divine the Humane Nature did suffer the Divine did satisfie Christ's Godhead as it did support the Humane Nature that it did not faint so it did give Vertue to his Sufferings The Altar sanctifies the thing offered on it Matth. 23.19 so the Altar of Christ's Divine Nature sanctified the Sacrifice of his Death and made it of infinite value Quest. Wherein doth the Greatness of Christ's sufferings appear Resp. In the Sufferings of his Body he suffered truly not only a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Appearance the Apostle calls it Mors Crucis The Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 Tully when he speaks of this kind of Death Quid dicam in crucem toilere though he were a great Orator he wanted words to express it The thoughts of this made Christ sweat drops of Bloud in the Garden Luke 22.44 It was an ignominious painful cursed Death Christ suffered in all his Senses 1. In his Eyes they beheld two sad Objects he saw his Enemies insulting and his Mother weeping 2. In his Ears his Ears were filled with the Revilings of the People Matth. 27.42 He saved others himself he cannot save 3. In his Smell when their Drivel fell upon his Face 4. In his Tast when they gave him Gall and Vinegar to drink Bitterness and Sharpness 5. In his Feeling his Head suffered with Thorns his Hands and Feet with the Nails Totum pro vulnere Corpus Now was this white Lily dyed of a Purple colour 2. In the Sufferings of his Soul he was pressed in the Wine-press of his Father 's Wrath. This caused that Vociferation and Outcry on the Cross My God my God Cur deseruisti Christ suffered a double Eclipse upon the Cross an Eclipse of the Sun and an Eclipse of the Light of God's Countenance How bitter was this Agony The Evangelist useth three words to express it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He began to be amazed Mark 14.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He began to faint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be exceeding sorrowful Matth. 26.37 Christ felt the Pains of Hell in his Soul though not locally yet equivalently Quest. Why did Christ suffer Resp. Surely not for any desert of his own Dan. 9.26 The Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself it was for us Isa. 53.6 Unus peccat alius plectitor He suffered that he might satisfie God's Justice for us We by our Sins had infinitely wronged God
Priest might offer up Prayer for sins of Ignorance but not of Presumption but Christ's Intercession extends to all the sins of the Elect Of what a bloody colour was David's sin yet it did not exclude Christ's Intercession Quest. What doth Christ in the Work of Intercession Resp. Three things 1. He presents the Merit of his Blood to his Father and in the Virtue of that Price paid pleads for Mercy The High Priest was herein a lively Type of Christ Aaron was to do four things 1. Kill the Beast 2. to enter with the Blood into the Holy of Holies 3. to sprinkle the Mercy Seat with the Blood 4. to kindle the Incense and with the smoak of it cause a Cloud to arise over the Mercy Seat and so the Atonement was made Lev. 16.11 12 13 14 15 16. Christ our High Priest did exactly answer to this Type He was offered up in Sacrifice that Answers to the Priests killing the Bullock And Christ is gone up into Heaven that Answers to to the Priests going into the Holy of Holies And he spreads his Blood before his Father that Answers to the Priests sprinkling the Blood upon the Mercy Seat And he prays to his Father that for his Blood sake he would be propitious to Sinners that Answers to the Cloud of Incense going up And through his Intercession God is pacified that Answers to the Priests making Atonement 2. Christ by his Intercession answers all Bills of Indictment brought in against the Elect. Believers do what they can Sin and then Satan accuseth them to God and Conscience accuseth them to themselves now Christ by his Intercession answers all these Accusations Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect it is Christ who makes Intercession for us When Aesculus was accused for some Impiety his Brother stood up for him and shewed the Magistrates how he had lost his hand in the Service of the State and so obtained his pardon Thus when Satan accuseth the Saints or the Justice of God lays any thing to their charge Christ shews his own wounds and by Virtue of his bloody Sufferings he answers all the Demands and Challenges of the Law and counter-works Satan's Accusations 3. Christ by his Intercession calls for an Acquittance Lord let the sinner be absolved from guilt and in this sence Christ is called an Advocate 1 Iohn 2.1 He requires that the Sinner be set free in the Court An Advocate differs much from an Orator an Orator useth Rhetorick to perswade and entreat the Judge to shew Mercy to another but an Advocate tells the Judge what is Law thus Christ appears in Heaven as an Advocate he represents what is Law When God's Justice opens the Debt-Book Christ opens the Law-Book Lord saith he thou art a just God and will not be pacified without Blood lo here the Blood is shed therefore in Justice give me a Discharge for these distressed Creatures 'T is equal that the Law being satisfied the Sinner should be acquitted And upon Christ's Plea God sets his hand to the Sinner's Pardon Quest. In what manner Christ interceeds Answ. 1. Freely he pleads our Cause in Heaven and takes no Fee An ordinary Lawyer will have his Fee and sometimes a Bribe too but Christ is not Mercenary How many Causes doth he plead every day in Heaven and will take nothing As Christ laid down his Life freely Iohn 10.15 18. so he interceeds freely 2. Feelingly He is sensible of our condition as his own Hebr. 4.15 We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmity As a tender hearted Mother would plead with a Judge for a Child ready to be condemned O how would her Bowels work how would her Tears trickle down what weeping Rhetorick would she use to the Judge for Mercy Thus the Lord Jesus is full of Sympathy and Tenderness Hebr. 2.17 that he might be a merciful High Priest Though he hath left his Passion yet not his Compassion An ordinary Lawyer is not affected with the Cause he pleads nor doth he care which way it goes It is Profit makes him plead not Affection But Christ interceeds feelingly and that which makes him interceed with Affection is it is his own Cause which he pleads He hath shed his Blood to purchase Life and Salvation for the Elect and if they should not be saved he would lose his purchase 3. Efficaciously It is a prevailing Intercession Christ never lost any Cause he pleaded he was never Non-suited Christ's Intercession must needs be effectual if you consider 1. The Excellency of his Person if the Prayer of a Saint be so prevalent with God Moses's Prayer did bind God's hands Exod. 32.10 Let me alone and Iacob as a Prince prevailed with God Gen. 32.28 and Eliah did by Prayer open and shut Heaven Iam. 5.17 Then what is Christ's Prayer He is the Son of God the Son in whom he is well pleased Matth. 3.17 What will not a Father grant his Son Iohn 11.42 I know that thou always hearest me If God could forget that Christ were a Priest yet he cannot forget that he is a Son 2. Christ prays for nothing but what his Father hath a mind to grant There is but One Will between Christ and his Father Christ prays Sanctifie them through thy Truth and this is the will of God even your sanctification 1 Thess. 4.3 so then if Christ prays for nothing but what God the Father hath a mind to grant then he is like to speed 3. Christ prays for nothing but what he hath power to give What he prays for as he is Man that he hath power to give as he is God Iohn 17.24 Father I will Father there he prays as Man I will there he gives as God This is a great comfort to a Believer when his Prayer is weak and he can hardly pray for himself Christs Prayer in Heaven is mighty and powerful Though God may refuse Prayer as it comes from us yet not as it comes from Christ. 4. Christ's Intercession is always ready at hand The People of God have sins of daily incursion and besides these sometimes they lapse into great sins and God is provoked and his Justice is ready to break forth upon them but Christ's Intercession is ready at hand he daily makes up the Breaches between God and them he presents the Merit of his Blood to his Father to pacifie him When the Wrath of God began to break out upon Israel Aaron presently step'd in with his Censer and offered Incense and so the Plague was staid Numb 16.47 so no sooner doth a Child of God offend and God begins to be angry but immediately Christ steps in and intercedes Father it is my Child hath offended though he hath forgotten his Duty thou hast not lost thy Bowels O pity him and let thy Anger be turned away from him Christ's Intercession is ready at hand and upon the least failings of the Godly he stands up and makes
Request for them in Heaven Quest. What are the Fruits of Christ's Intercession Resp. 1. Iustification In Justification there is two things 1. Guilt is remitted 2. Righteousness is imputed Ier. 23.6 The Lord our Righteousness We are reputed not only Righteous as the Angels but as Christ having his Robes put upon us 2 Cor. 5.21 But whence is it that we are justified 'T is from Christ's Intercession Rom. 8.33 34. Lord saith Christ these are the Persons I have died for look upon them as if they had not sinned and repute them Righteous 2 d Fruit. The Unction of the Spirit 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an Unction from the holy one This Unction or Anointing is nothing else but the Work of Sanctification in the heart whereby the Spirit makes us partake of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Such as speak of the Philosophers Stone suppose it to have such a Property that when it toucheth the Mettal it turns it into Gold such a Property hath the Spirit of God upon the Soul when it toucheth the Soul it puts into it a Divine Nature it makes it to be holy and to resemble God This sanctifying work of the Spirit is the fruit of Christ's Intercession Iohn 7.39 The Holy Ghost was not yet given because Iesus was not yet glorified Christ being glorified and in Heaven now he prays the Father and the Father sends the Spirit who pours out the holy Anointing upon the Elect. 3 d Fruit. The Purification of our holy Things It is Christ's work in Heaven not only to present his own Prayers to his Father but he prays over our Prayers again Rev. 8.3 Another Angel came having a golden Censer and there was given to him much Incense that he should offer it with the Prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar This Angel was Christ he takes the golden Censer of his Merits and puts our Prayers into this Censer and with the Incense of his Intercession makes our Prayers go up as a sweet perfume in Heaven It is observable Lev. 16.16 Aaron shall make Atonement for the holy Place this was Typical to shew that our holy Duties need to have Atonement made for them Our best Services as they come from us are mixed with Corruption as Wine that tasts of the Cask Isa. 64.6 they are filthy rags But Christ purifies and sweetens these Services mixing the sweet odours of his Intercession with them and now God accepts and Crowns them What would become of our Duties without an High Priest Christ's Intercession doth to our Prayers as the Fan to the Chaff it winnows it from the Corn so Christ winnows out the Chaff which intermixeth with our Prayers 4 th Fruit. Access with boldness unto the Throne of Grace Hebr. 4.16 We have a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens let us go Come boldly to the Throne of Grace we have a Friend at Court that speaks a good word for us and is following our Cause in Heaven therefore let this animate and encourage us in Prayer We think it too much boldness what such Sinners as we to come for pardon we shall be denied this is a sinful modesty Did we indeed come in our own Name in Prayer it were presumption but Christ intercedes for us in the forcâ— and efficacy of his Blood now to be afraid to come to God in Prayer is a dishonour to Christ's Intercession 5 th Fruit. The sending the Comforter Iohn 14.16 I will pray the Father and â—e will give you another Comforter The Comfort of the Spirit is distinct from the Anointing this Comfort is very sweet sweeter than the Honey drops from the Comb it is the Manna in the Golden Pot it is Vinum in pectore a drop of this heavenly Comfort is enough to sweeten a Sea of worldly Sorrow It is called arrhabo the earnest of the Spirit 2 Cor. 1.22 an Earnest assures one of the whole Sum. The Spirit gives an Earnest of Heaven in our Hand whence is this comforting work of the Spirit Thank Christ's Intercession for it I will pray the Father and he shall send the Comforter 6 th Fruit. Perseverance in Grace Iohn 17.11 Keep through thy own Name those which thou hast given me It is not our prayer or watchfulness or grace that keeps us but it is God's care and manu-tenancy he holds us that we do not fall away and whence is it God preserves us it is from Christ's Intercession Father keep them That Prayer of Christ for Peter is the Copy of his Prayer now in Heaven Luke 22.32 I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Peter's Faith did fail in some degree when he denied Christ but Christ prayed that it might not totally fail The Saints persevere in believing because Christ perseveres in praying 7 th Fruit. Absolution at the Day of Judgment Christ shall judge the World Iohn 5.22 God hath committed all Iudgment to the Son Now sure those that Christ hath so prayed for he will Absolve when he sits upon the Bench of Judicature Will Christ condemn those he prays for Believers are his Spouse will he condemn his Spouse Use 1. Branch 1. See here the Constancy of Christ's Love to the Elect. He did not only die for them but intercedes for them in Heaven when Christ hath done dying he hath not done loving he is now at work in Heaven for the Saints he carries their names on his breast and will never leave praying till that Prayer be granted Iohn 17.24 Father I will that those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am Branch 2. See whence it is that the Prayers of the Saints are so powerful with God Iacob as an Angel prevailed with God Moses's Prayer tied God's hands Precibus suis tanquam vinculis ligatum tenuit Deum Let me alone Exod. 32.10 Whence is this It is Christ's Prayer in Heaven makes the Saints Prayers so available Christ's Divine Nature is the Altar on which he offers up our Prayers and so they prevail Prayer as it comes from the Saints is but weak and languid but when the Arrow of a Saint's Prayer is put into the Bow of Christ's Intercession now it pierceth the Throne of Grace Branch 3. It shows where a Christian must chiefly fix his Eye when he comes to prayer viz. on Christ's Intercession We are to look up to the Mercy-seat but to hope for Mercy through Christ's Intercession We read Levit. 6. That Aaron made the Atonement as well by the Incense as the Bloud We must look to the Cloud of Incense viz. the Intercession of Christ. Christian Look up to thy Advocate one that God can deny nothing to A word from Christ's Mouth is more then if all the Angels in Heaven were interceding for thee If a Man had a Suit depending in the Court of Chancery and had a skilful Lawyer to plead this would much encourage him Christ is now at the Court appearing for us Heb. 9.24 and he hath great Potency in Heaven
Divinely called are not Natives here but Pilgrims they do not conform to the world or follow its sinful fashions They are not of the world though they live here yet they trade in the heavenly Country The World is a place where Satan's Throne is Rev. 2.13 a Stage on which sin every day acts its part now such as are called are in but not of the World Quest. To what God calls Men Resp. 1. He calls them to Holiness 1 Thess. 4.7 God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness Holiness is the livery or silver star the Godly wear Isa. 63.18 Knam kodsheca The people of thy holiness The called of God are anointed with the consecrating Oil of the Spirit 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an Unction from the holy One 2. God calls them to Glory as if a Man were called out of a Prison to sit upon a Throne 1 Thess. 2.12 Who hath called you to his Kingdom and Glory Whom God calls he crowns It is a weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 The Hebrew word for Glory Kauod signifies pondus a weight The weight of Glory adds to the worth The weightier Gold is the more it is worth And this Glory is not transient but permanent an eternal weight 't is better felt then expressed Quest. What is the cause of the effectual Call Resp. God's electing Love Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them he also called Election is the Fountain-cause of our Vocation It is not because some are more worthy to partake of the heavenly Calling then others as the Arminians we were all in our blood Ezek. 16.6 and what worthiness in us What worthiness was there in Mary Magdalen out of whom seven Devils were cast What worthiness in the Corinthians when God began to call them by his Gospel they were Fornicators Effeminate Idolaters 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed c. Before effectual Calling we are not only without strength Rom. 5.6 but Enemies Col. 1.21 So that the Foundation of Vocation is Election Quest. What are the Epithites or Qualifications of this Call Resp. 1. It is a powerful Call Verba Dei sunt opera Luther God puts forth infinite power in calling home a sinner to himself He doth not only put forth his Voice but his Arm. The Apostle speaks of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the exceeding greatness of his power he exerciseth towards them that believe Ephes. 1.19 God rides forth conquering in the Chariot of his Gospel he conquers the Pride of the Heart and makes the Wiil which stood out as a Fort-Royal to yield and stoop to his Grace he makes the stony heart bleed It is a mighty powerful Call Why then do the Arminians seem to talk of a Moral Perswasion That God in the Conversion of a Sinner doth only morally perswade and no more He sets his Promises before them to allure them to Good and his Threatnings to deter them from Evil and here is all he doth But sure Moral Perswasions alone are insufficient to the effectual Call How can the bare Proposal of Promises and Threatnings convert a Soul This amounts not to a new Creation or that Power which raised Christ from the dead God doth not only perswade but inable Ezek. 36.27 If God in Conversion should only morally perswade that is set Good and Evil before Men then God doth not put forth so much power in saving Men as the Devil doth in destroying them Satan doth not only propound tempting Objects to Men but doth concur with his Temptations therefore he is said to work in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.2 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to work signifies imperii vim Cameron the power Satan hath in carrying Men to sin And shall not God's Power in converting be greater then Satan's Power in seducing The effectual Call is mighty and powerful God puts forth a Divine Energy nay a kind of Omnipotency It is such a powerful Call that the will of Man hath no power to resist 2. It is an high Calling Phil. 3.14 I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God It is an high Calling 1. Because we are called to high Exercises of Religion To be crucified to the World to live by Faith to do Angels Work to love God to be living Organs of his Praise to hold communion with the Father and the Son 1 Iohn 1.3 2. It is an high Calling because we are called to high Priviledges to Justification and Adoption to be Kings and Priests unto God We are called to the fellowship of Angels to be co-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 They who are effectually called are Candidates of Heaven they are Princes in all Lands Psal. 45.16 though Princes in disguise 3. It is an immutable Call Rom. 11.9 The gifts and calling of God are without repentance that is those gifts which flow from Election as Vocation and Justification these are without Repentance God repented he called Saul to be King but he never repents that he calls a Sinner to be a Saint Use 1. See the necessity of the effectual Call a Man cannot go to Heaven without it First we must be called before glorified Rom. 8.30 A Man uncalled can lay claim to nothing in the Bible but Threatnings a Man in the state of Nature is not fit for Heaven no more then a Man in his filth and rags is fit to come into a Kings presence a Man in his pure Naturals is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a God-hater Rom. 1.30 and is he fit for Heaven will God lay his Enemy in his bosom Use 2. of Trial. Whether we are effectually called We may know it by the Antecedent and Consequent of it 1. By the Antecedent Before this effectual Call an humbling work passeth upon the Soul A Man is convinced of sin he sees he is a sinner and nothing but a sinner the fallow-ground of his heart is broken up Ier. 4.3 As the Husband-man breaks the Clods then casts in the Seed so God by the convincing work of the Law breaks a sinners heart and makes it fit to receive the Seeds of Grace Such as were never convinced were never called Iohn 16.8 He shall convince the world of sin Conviction is the first step to Conversion 2. By the Consequents Two 1. He who is savingly called Answers to God's Call When God called Samuel he answered Speak Lord thy servent heareth 1 Sam. 3.10 When God calls thee to any Act of Religion thou dost run at God's Call Acts 26.19 I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision If God calls to Duties contrary to flesh and blood we obey his voice in every thing True Obedience is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws Such as are deaf to God's Call a sign they are not called by Grace 2. He who is effectually called doth stop his Ear to all other Calls which would call him off from God as God hath his Call so there are other contrary
inward impellent Motive or Ground of Iustification is the Free-grace of God So in the Text Iustified freely by his grace Which Ambrose expounds Not of the Grace wrought within us but the Free-grace of God The first Wheel that sets all the rest a running is the Love and Favour of God Being justified by his Grace as a King freely Pardons a Delinquent Iustification is a Mercy spun out of the Bowels of Free-grace God doth not justifie us because we are worthy but by justifying us makes us worthy Quest. What is the material Cause or that by which a Sinner is justified Resp. The Matter of our Iustification is Christ's Satisfaction made to his Father If it be asked How can it stand with God's Iustice and Holiness to pronounce us Innocent when we are Guilty This answers it Christ having made Satisfaction for our Fault now God may in Equity and Justice pronounce us Righteous It is a just thing for a Creditor to discharge a Debtor of the Debt when a Satisfaction is made by the Surety Quest. But how was Christ's Satisfaction meritorious and so sufficient to Iustifie Resp. In respect of the Divine Nature As he was Man he suffered as God he satisfied by Christ's Death and Merits God's Justice is more abundantly satisfied then if we had suffered the Pains of Hell for ever Quest. Wherein lies the Formality or Essence of our Iustification Resp. In the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness to us Jer. 23.6 This is the name whereby ye shall be called Iehovah Tzidkennu THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made to us righteousness This Righteousness of Christ which doth justifie us is a better Righteousness then the Angels theirs is the Righteousness of Creatures this of God Quest. What is the Means or Instrument of our Iustification Resp. Faith Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith The Dignity is not in Faith as a Grace but relatively as it lays hold on Christ's Merits Quest. What is the Efficient Cause of our Iustification Resp. The whole Trinity all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity have an Hand in the Iustification of a Sinner Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa God the Father is said to justifie Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth God the Son is said to justify Acts 13.39 By him all that believe are justified God the Holy Ghost is said to justifie 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are justified by the spirit of our God God the Father justifies as he pronounceth us Righteous God the Son justifies as he imputes his Righteousness to us and God the Holy Ghost justifies as he clears up our Iustification and seals us up to the Day of Redemption Quest. What is the End of our Iustification Resp. The End is 1. That God may inherit Praise Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace Hereby God raiseth the everlasting Trophies of his own Honour How will the justified Sinner proclaim the Love of God and make Heaven ring of his Praises 2. That the justified Person may inherit Glory Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he also glorified God in justifying doth not only absolve a Soul from Guilt but advance him to Dignity as Ioseph was not only loosed from Prison but made Lord of the Kingdom Iustification is crowned with Glorification Quest. Whether are we justified from Eternity Resp. No for first by Nature we are under a Sentence of Condemnation Joh. 3.18 But we could not be at all condemned if we were justified from Eternity 2. The Scripture confines Iustification to those who believe and repent Acts 3.19 Repent that your sins may be blotted out Therefore their sins were uncanciled and their Persons unjustified till they did repent though God doth not justifie us for our Repentance yet not without it The Antinomians erroniously hold That we are justified from Eternity This Doctrine is a Key which opens the Door to all Licentiousness what sins do they care they commit so long as they hold they are ab Aeterno justified whether they repent or no. Before I come to the Uses I shall lay down four Maxims or Positions about Iustification Position 1. That Iustification confers a real benefit upon the Person justified The acquitting and discharging the Debtor by Vertue of the Satisfaction made by the Surety is a real Benefit to the Debtor A Robe of Righteousness and a Crown of Righteousness are real Benefits Position 2. All Believers are alike justified Iustificatio non recipit magis minus Though there are Degrees in Grace yet not in Iustification one is not justified more than another The weakest Believer is as perfectly justified as the strongest Mary Magdalen is as much justified as the Virgin Mary This may be Cordial-water to a weak Believer Though thou hast but a Dram of Faith thou art as truly justified as he who is of the highest stature in Christ. Position 3. Whomsoever God justifies he sanctifies 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are sanctified but ye are justified The Papists calumniate the Protestants they report we hold that Men continuing in sin are justified whereas all our Protestant Writers affirm That Righteousness imputed viz. Iustification and Righteousness inherent viz. Sanctification must be inseparably united Holiness indeed is not the cause of our Iustification but it is the concomitant the Heat in the Sun is not the cause of its Light but it is the concomitant It is absurd to imagine that God should justifie a People and they go on Sin If God should justifie a People and not sanctifie them he should justifie a People whom he could not glorifie God as he is an Holy God cannot lay a Sinner in his Bosom The Metal is first refined before the King's Stamp is put upon it First the Soul is refined with Holiness before God puts the Royal Stamp of Justification upon it Position 4. Iustification is inamissibilis it is a fixed permanent Thing it can never be lost The Arminians hold an Apostasie from Iustification To day justified to morrow unjustified to day a Peter to morrow a Iudas to day a Member of Christ to morrow a Limb of Satan a most uncomfortable Doctrine Indeed justified Persons may fall from degrees of Grace they may leave their first Love they may lose God's Favour for a time but not lose their Iustification If they are justified then they are elected they can no more fall from their Iustification then from their Election If they are justified then they have Union with Christ and can a Member of Christ be broken off If one justified Person may fall away from Christ then all may and so Christ should be an Head without a Body Use 1. See from hence that there is nothing within us could justifie us but something without us not any Righteousness inherent but imputed We may as well look for a Star in the Earth as for Iustification in our own Righteousness The Papists say we are justified by Works But the Apostle confutes it Not of works least
why Children should honour their Parents are 1. It is a Solemn Command of God Honour thy Father c. As God's Word is the Rule so his Will must be the Reason of our Obedience 2. They deserve Honour in respect of that great Love and Affection which they bear to their Children and that Love is evidenced both by their Care and Cost 1. Their Care in bringing up their Children A Sign their Hearts are full of Love because their Heads are so full of Care Parents oft take more Care for their Children than for themselves They take Care of them when they are tender least like Wall-Fruit they should be nip'd in the Bud. And as Children grow older so the Care of Parents grows greater They are afraid of their Childrens falling when young and of worse Faults when they are older 2. Their Love is evidenced by their Cost 1 Cor. 12.14 They lay up and lay out for their Children They are not like the Raven or Ostrich Job 39.14 which are cruel to their Young Parents sometimes do impoverlsh themselves to enrich their Children All this calls for Honour from the Children Children can never parallel or equal Parents Love Parents are the Instruments of Life to their Children Children cannot be so to their Parents 3. To honour Parents is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well-pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 As it is joyful to the Parents so it is pleasing to the Lord. Children is it not your Desire to please God In honouring and obeying your Parents you please God as well as when you Repent and Believe And that you may see how well it pleaseth God he bestows a Reward upon it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Iacob would not let the Angel go till he had blessed him nor God would not part with this Commandment till he had blessed it Here is the Blessing That thy Days may be long in the Land c. St. Paul calls this the First Commandment with Promise Eph. 6.2 The Second Commandment hath a General Promise of Mercy But this is the First Commandment that hath a Particular Promise made to it That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Long Life is mentioned as a Blessing Psal. 128.6 Thou shalt see thy Childrens Children It was a great Favour of God to Moses that tho' he was an Hundred and Twenty Years old he needed no Spectacles his Eye was not dim nor his Natural Strength abated Deut. 34.7 God threatned it as a Curse to Eli That there should not be an Old Man in his Family 1 Sam. 2.31 Since the Flood Life is much abbreviated and cut short Some the Womb is their Tomb others exchange their Cradle for their Grave others die in the Flower of their Age Death serves it's Warrant every Day upon one or other Now when Death lies in Ambush continually for us if God satisfie us with Long Life Psal. 91.16 With long Life will I satisfie him This is to be esteemed a Blessing It is a Blessing that God gives a long time to repent and a long time to do Service and a long time to enjoy the Comfort of Relations and who is this Blessing of Long Life entail'd upon but Obedient Children Honour thy Father that thy Days may be long Nothing sooner shortens Life than Disobedience to Parents Absalom was a disobedient Son who sought to deprive his Father of his Life and Crown and he did not live out half his Days The Mule he rode upon as being weary of such a Burden left him hanging in the Oak betwixt Heaven and Earth as not fit to tread upon the one or enter into the other Obedience to Parents spins out thy Life That thy Days may be long Nor doth Obedience to Parents only lengthen Life but sweeten it Therefore it follows That thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee To live long and not have a Foot of Land is a Misery but Obedience to Parents settles Land of Inheritance upon the Child Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father said Esau. Behold God hath more Blessings for an Obedient Child than one not only shall he have a Long Life but a Fruitful Land And not only shall he have Land but Land given in Love The Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Thou shalt have thy Land not only with God's Leave but with his Love All which are cogent Arguments to make Children Honour and Obey their Parents EXOD. XX. 12 Honour thy Father Vse I. If we are to Honour our Fathers on Earth then much more our Father in Heaven Mal. 1.6 If then I am a Father where is my Honour A Father is but the Instrument of conveying Life but God is the Original Cause of our Being Psal. 100.3 For it is he that hath made us and not we our selves Honour and Adoration is a Pearl belongs only to the Crown of Heaven And 1. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by obeying him Thus Christ honoured his Father Iohn 6.38 I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This he calls honouring of God Iohn 8.29 I do always those things which please him Ver. 49. I honour my Father The Wise Men did not only bow the Knee to Christ but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.8 So we must not only bow the Knee give God Adoration but bring Presents give him Golden Obedience 2. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by appearing as Advocates in his Cause and standing up for his Truth in an Adulterous Generation That Son honours his Father who stands up in his Defence and vindicates him when he is calumniated and reproached Do they honour God who are ashamed of him Iohn 12.42 Many believed on him but durst not confess him They are Bastard Sons who are ashamed to own their Heavenly Father Such as are born of God are steeled with Courage for his Truth They are like the Rock which no Waves can break like the Adamant which no Sword can cut Basil was a Champion for Truth in the Time of the Emperor Valens and Athanasius when the World was Arrian appeared for God 3. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by ascribing the Honour of all we do to him 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured morè abundantly than they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me If a Christian hath any Assistance in Duty any strength against Corruption he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hitherto the Lord hath helped me As Ioab when he had fought against Rabbah and had like to have taken it sent for King David that he might carry away the Honour of the Victory 2 Sam. 12.27 So when a Child of God hath any Conquest over Satan he gives all the Honour to God Hypocrites whose Lamp is fed with the Oyl of Vain-Glory
hath no Excuse I am saith one grown low in the World and trading is bad and I have no other way to a Livelyhood Resp. 1. This shows a great Distrust of God as if he could not provide for thee without thy Sin 2. This shows Sin is gotten to a great Heighth that because a Man is Low in the World therefore he will Acheronta movere Go to the Devil for a Livelyhood Abraham would not have it said that the King of Sodom had made him rich Gen. 14.23 O let it never be said that the Devil hath made thee rich 3. Thou oughtest not to undertake any Action which thou canst not pray for a Blessing upon But if thou livest on Thieving thou canst not pray for a Blessing upon stollen Goods Therefore take heed of this Sin Lucrum in arca damnum in conscientia Aug. Take heed of getting the World with the Loss of Heaven To disswade all from this horrid Sin consider 1. Thieves are the Caterpillars of the Earth Enemies to Civil Society 2. God hates them In the Law the Cormorant was unclean Lev. 11.17 because a thievish devouring Creature a Bird of Prey by which God shew'd his Hatred of this Sin 3. The Thief is a Terror to himself he is always in Fear Psal. 53.5 There were they in great Fear True of the Thief Guilt breeds Fear If he hear but the shaking of a Tree his Heart shakes It was said of Cataline He was afraid of every Noise If a Briar doth but take hold of a Thiefs Garment he is afraid it is the Officer to apprehend him And Fear hath Torment in it 1 John 4.18 4. The Iudgments which follow this Sin Achan the Thief was stoned to Death Iosh. 7. and Zech. 5.2 What seest thou And I said A flying roll Ver. 3. This is the Curse that goes over the Face of the Earth I will bring it forth saith the Lord and it shall enter into the House of the Thief Fabius a Roman Censor condemned his own Son to die for Theft Thieves die with Ignominy the Ladder is their Preferment And there 's a worse thing than Death while they rob others of Money they rob themselves of Salvation Quest. What is to be done to avoid stealing Resp. 1. Live in a Calling Eph. 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his Hands c. Such as stand idle the Devil hires them and puts them into the pilfering Trade An idle Person tempts the Devil to tempt him 2. Be contented with the Estate God hath given you Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as you have Theft is the Daughter of Avarice Study Contentment Believe that Condition best God hath carved out to you God can bless that little Meal in the Barrel We shall not need these things long we shall carry nothing out of the World with us but our Winding Sheet If we have but enough to bear our Charges to Heaven it is sufficient EXOD. XX. 16 Thou shalt not bear False Witness against thy Neighbour The Tongue which at first was made to be an Organ of God's Praise is now become an Instrument of Unrighteousness This Commandment binds the Tongue to its good Behaviour God hath set two Fences to keep in the Tongue the Teeth and Lips And this Commandment is a Third Fence set about it that it should not break forth into Evil Thou shalt not bear False Witness against thy Neighbour This Commandment hath a Prohibitory and a Mandatory Part. The First is set down in plain Words the other is clearly implyed I. The Prohibitory Part of the Commandment or what it forbids in general It forbids any thing which may tend to the Disparagement or Prejudice of our Neighbour More particularly two things are forbidden in this Commandment 1. Slandering 2. False Witness 1. Slandering our Neighbour This is a Sin against the 9 th Commandment The Scorpion carries his Poyson in his Tail the Slanderer carries his Poyson in his Tongue Slandering is to report things of others unjustly Psal. 35.11 They laid things to my charge which I knew not It is usual to bring in a Christian beheaded of his Good Name They rais'd a Slander of Paul that he should preach Men might do Evil that Good might come of it Rom. 3.8 We are slanderously reported and some affirm that we say Let us do Evil that Good may come Eminency is commonly blasted by Slander Holiness its self is no Shield for Slander The Lambs Innocency will not preserve it from the Wolf Christ was the most innocent upon Earth yet was reported to be a Friend of Sinners Iohn Baptist a Man of an holy Austere Life yet they said of him He had a Devil Matth. 11.18 The Scripture calls Slandering Smiting with the Tongue Ier. 18.18 Come and let us smite him with the Tongue You may smite another and never touch him Majora sunt linguae vulnera quam gladii Aug. The Wounds of the Tongue no Physician can heal And to pretend Friendship to a Man yet slander him is most odious St. Hierom speaks thus The Arrian Faction made a show of Kindness they kissed my Hands but slandered me and sought my Life And as it is a Sin against this Commandment to raise a false Report of another so it is a Sin to receive a false Report before we have examined it Psal. 15.1 Lord who shall dwell in thy holy Hill Quis ad Coelum Ver. 3. He that back biteth not nor taketh up a Reproach against his Neighbour We must not only not raise a false Report but not take it up He that raiseth a Slander carries the Devil in his Tongue and he that receives it carries the Devil in his Ear. 2. The Second thing Forbidden in this Commandment is False Witness Here Three Sins are condemned 1. Speaking 2. Witnessing 3. Swearing that which is False contra proximum 1. Speaking that which is false Prov. 12.22 Lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord. To lie is to speak that which one knows to be an Untruth There is nothing more contrary to God than a Lie The Holy Ghost is call'd the Spirit of Truth 1 Iohn 4.5 6. Lying is a Sin that doth not go alone it ushers in other Sins Absalom told his Father a Lie that he was going to pay his Vow at Hebron 2 Sam. 15.7 and this Lie was a Preface to his Treason Where there is a Lie in the Tongue it shows the Devil is in the Heart Acts 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to lie Lying is such a Sin as unfits Men for Civil Society How can you converse or bargain with him that you cannot trust a Word he saith This is a Sin which highly provokes God Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for telling a Lie Acts 5.5 The Furnace of Hell is heated for Liars Rev. 22.15 Without are Sorcerers and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie Oh abhor this Sin Quicquid dixeris juratum putes Hierom. When
capacity Clearness is the grace of Speech 3. It s Compleatness This prayer contains in it the chief things that we have to ask or God hath to bestow VSE Let us have a great esteem of the Lords prayer let it be the model and pattern of all our prayers There is a double benefit ariseth from framing our petitions suitable to the Lords prayer 1. Hereby Error in prayer is prevented 'T is not easie to write wrong Copy we cannot easily err having our pattern before us 2. Hereby Mercies requested are obtained for the Apostle assures us God will hear us when we pray according to his Will 1 Iohn 5.14 and sure we pray according to his Will when we pray according to his pattern he hath set us So much for the Introduction to the Lords prayer After this manner pray ye II. The Prayer it self which consists of three parts 1. A Preface 2. Petitions 3. The Conclusion 1. The Preface to the prayer 1. Our Father 2. Which art in Heaven To begin with the first words of the Preface 1. Our Father Father is sometimes taken personally Iohn 14.28 My Father is greater than I But Father in the Text is taken essentially for the whole Deity This Title Father teacheth us to whom we must address our selves in prayer to God alone Here is no such thing in the Lords prayer as O ye Saints or Angels that are in Heaven hear us but our Father which art in Heaven Quest. In what order must we direct our Prayers to God Here is only the Father named may not we direct our Prayers to the Son and Holy Ghost Answ. Though the Father only be named in the Lords prayer yet the other two persons are not hereby excluded The Father is mentioned because he is first in order but the Son and Holy Ghost are included because they are the same in Essence As all the three persons subsist in one Godhead so in our prayers though we name but one â—â—rson we must pray to all To come then more closely to the first words of the Preface Our Father Princes on Earth give themselves Titles expressing their Greatness as High and Mighty God might have done so and expressed himself thus Our King of Glory Our Iudge but he gives himself another Title Our Father an expression of Love and Condescension God that he might encourage us to pray to him represents himself under this sweet notion of a Father Our Father Dulce nomen Patris The Name Iehovah carries Majesty in it the Name Father carries Mercy in it Quest. 1. In what sense is God a Father Resp. 1. By Creation it is he that hath made us Acts 17.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are his Off-spring Mal. 2.10 Have we not all one Father Hath not one God Created us But there is little comfort in this for so God is Father to the Devils by Creation but he that made them will not save them 2. God is a Father by Election having chosen a certain number to be his Children whom he will entail Heaven upon Eph. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He hath chosen us in him 3. God is a Father by special Grace he consecrates the elect by his Spirit and infuseth a supernatural principle of Holiness therefore they are said to be born of God 1 Iohn 3.9 Such only as are sanctified can say Our Father which art in Heaven Quest. 2. What is the difference between God being the Father of Christ and the Father of the Elect Resp. God is the Father of Christ in a more glorious transcendent manner Christ hath the primo-geniture he is the eldest Son a Son by eternal generation Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Isa. 53.8 Who shall declare his generation Christ is a Son to the Father yet so as he is of the same Nature with the Father having all the incommunicable properties of the Godhead belonging to him But we are Sons of God by Adoption and Grace Gal. 4.5 That we might receive the adoption of Sons Quest. 3. What is that which makes God our Father Resp. Faith Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus An Unbeliever may call God his Creator and his Judge but not his Father Faith doth legitimate us and make us of the Blood-Royal of Heaven Ye are the children of God by faith Baptism makes us Church-Members but Faith makes us Children Without Faith the Devil can show as good a Coat of Arms as we Quest. 4. How doth Faith make God to be our Father Resp. As Faith is an uniting Grace by Faith we have Coalition and Union with Christ and so the Kindred comes in being united to Christ the Natural Son we become Adopted Sons God is the Father of Christ Faith makes us Christs Brethren Heb. 2.11 and so God comes to be our Father Quest. 5. Wherein doth it appear that God is the best Father Resp. 1. In that he is most Antient Dan. 7.9 The antient of dayes did sit A figurative representation of God who was before all time This may cause Veneration 2. God is the best Father because he is perfect Matth. 5.48 Your Father which is in Heaven is perfect He is perfectly good Earthly Fathers are subject to infirmities Elias though a Prophet was a man of like passions Iam. 5.17 but God is perfectly good All the perfection we can arrive at in this Life is sincerity we may a little resemble God but not equal him He is infinitely perfect 3. God is the best Father in respect of Wisdom 1 Tim. 1.17 The only wise God He hath a perfect Idea of Wisdom in himself He knows the fittest Mediums to bring about his own designs the Angels light at his Lamp In particular this is one branch of his Wisdom that he knows what is best for us An Earthly Parent knows not in some intricate cases how to advise his Child or what may be best for him to do but God is a most wise Father he knows what is best for us he knows when Comfort is best for us he keeps his Cordials for fainting 2 Cor. 7.6 God who comforteth them that are cast down He knows when affliction is best for us and when it is fit to give a bitter potion 1 Pet. 1.6 If need be ye are in heaviness He is the only wise God he knows how to make evil things work for good to his Children Rom. 8 28. he can make a soveraign treacle of poyson Thus he is the best Father for Wisdom 4. He is the best Father because most loving 1 Iohn 4.16 God is love He who causeth bowels of affection in others must needs have more bowels himself quod efficit tale The Affections in Parents are but Marble and Adamant in comparison of Gods Love to his Children he gives them the cream of his Love electing Love saving Love Zeph. 3.17 He will rejoyce over thee with joy he will rest in his love
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
of his people he gives them more than they ask as Hannah asked a Son and God gave her not only a Son but a Prophet Solomon asked Wisdom and God gave him not only Wisdom but Riches and Honour besides Iacob prayed that God would but give him Food and Rayment and the Lord encreased his Pilgrims staff into two â—ands Gen. 32.10 God is oft better to us than our Prayers as when Gehazi asked but one Talent Naaman would needs force two upon him 2 Kings 5.23 We ask one Talent of Mercy and God gives two Talents The Woman of Canaan asked but a crumb namely to have the life of her Child and Christ gave her more he sent her home with the life of her Soul 7. The great success the Prayer of Faith hath found like Ionathans bow it hath not returned empty Vocula pater dicta in corde saith Luther This little word Father pronounced in Faith hath overcome God Gen. 32.11 Deliver me I pray thee and this was mixed with Faith in the promise ver 12. Thou saiâ—st I will surely do thee good and this Prayer had power with God and prevailed Hos. 12.4 the Prayer of Faith hath opened prison doors stop'd the chariot of the Sun lock'd and unlock'd Heaven Iam. 5.17 the Prayer of Faith hath strangled the plots of enemies in the birth it hath routed their forces Moses Prayer against Amalek did more than Ioshuas sword and may not this hearten and corroborate Faith in Prayer 8. If all this will not prevail consider how heartless and comfortless it is to pray and not in Faith The heart misgives secretly God doth not hear nor will he grant Faithless praying must needs be comfortless for there is no promise made to unbelieving Prayer 'T is sad sailing where there is no anchoring and sad praying where there is no promise to anchor upon Iam. 1.7 The Disciples toyl'd all night and caught nothing the Unbeliever toyls in Prayer and catcheth nothing he receives not any Spiritual Blessings pardon of Sin or Grace As for the Temporal Mercies the Unbeliever hath he cannot look upon them as the fruit of Prayer but as the over-flowings and spillings of Gods bounty Oh therefore labour to exert and put forth Faith in Prayer Object But there is so much sin cleaves to my Prayer that I fear it is not the Prayer of Faith and God will not hear it Resp. If thou mournest for this it hinders not but that thy Prayer may be in Faith and God may hear it Weakness in Prayer shall not make void the Saints Prayers Psal. 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off There was much unbelief in this Prayer I said in my hast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in my trembling Davids Faith did tremble and faint yet God heard his prayer The Saints passions do not hinder the Saints prayers Iam. 5.17 therefore be not discouraged though sin will cleave to thy holy offering yet these two things may comfort thou mayest pray with Faith though with weakness and God sees the sincerity and will pass by the infirmity Quest. How shall we do to pray in Faith Answ. Implore the Spirit of God We cannot say Our Father but by the Holy Ghost Gods Spirit helps us not only to pray with sighs and groans but with Faith The Spirit carries us to God not only as to a Creator but a Father Gal. 4.6 He hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Crying there the Spirit causeth us to pray with fervency Abba Father there the Spirit helps us to pray with Faith Prayer is the key of Heaven the Spirit helps Faith to turn this key and then it unlocks Heaven MATTH vi 9 Hallowed be thy Name HAving spoken of the Introduction to the Lords Prayer After this manner pray ye and the Preface Our Father which art in Heaven I come now Thirdly to the Prayer it self which consists of seven Petitions A short body of Divinity is contained in them I begin with the first Petition I. Hallowed be thy Name In the Latin it is sanctificetur nomen tuum sanctified be thy Name In this Petition Hallowed be thy Name we pray that Gods Name may shine forth gloriously and that it may be honoured and sanctified by us in the whole course and tenour of our Lives It was the Angels song Glory be to God in the highest that iâ— let his name be glorified and hallowed This Petition Hallowed be thy Name is set in the fore front to show that the hallowing of Gods Name is to be preferred before all other things 1. It is to be preferred before Life we pray Hallowed be thy Name before we pray Give us this day our daily bread 2. It is to be preferred before Salvation Rom. 9.1 Gods Glory is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls As Christ said of love Matth. 22.37 This is the first and great Commandment so I may say of this Petition Hallowed be thy Name it is the first and great Petition it contains the most weighty thing in Religion Gods Glory When some of the other Petitions shall be useless and out of date we shall not need pray in Heaven Give us our daily bread because there shall be no hunger nor Forgive us our trespasses because there shall be no sin nor Lead us not into temptation because the Old Serpent is not there to tempt Yet the hallowing of Gods Name shall be in great use and request in Heaven we shall be ever singing Hallelujahs which is nothing else but the hallowing of Gods Name Every Person in the Blessed Trinity God the Father Son and Holy Ghost must have this honour to be Hallowed their Glory being equal and their Majesty co-eternal Hallowed be thy Name To admire Gods Name is not enough we may admire a Conquerour but when we say Hallowed be thy Name we set Gods Name above every Name and not only admire him but adore him and this is proper only to the Deity For the further explication I shall propound Three Questions 1. What is meant by Gods Name 2. What is meant by hallowing Gods Name 3. When may we be said to hallow or sanctifie Gods Name Quest. 1. What is meant by Gods Name Resp. 1. By Gods Name is meant his Essence Psal. 20.1 The name of the God of Iacob defend thee that is the God of Iacob defend thee 2. By Gods Name is meant any thing by which God may be known as a Man is known by his Name Gods Name is his Attributes Wisdom Power Holiness Goodness by these God is known as by his Name Quest. 2. What is meant by hallowing of Gods Name Resp. To hallow is a communi separare to set apart a thing from the common use to some sacred end As the Vessels of the Sanctuary were said to be hallowed so to hallow Gods Name is to set it apart from all abuses and to use it holily and reverendly In particular Hallowing of Gods Name is to
Cor. 15.10 I laboured more than they all One would think this had savoured of pride but the Apostle pulls the Crown from his own head and sets it upon the head of Free-Grace Yet not I but the grace of God which was with me If a Christian hath any assistance in Duty or victory over Temptation he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hucusque adjuvabit Deus Hitherto the Lord hath helped me Iohn Baptist transferred all the honour from himself to Christ he was content to be eclipsed that Christ might shine the more Iohn 1.15 He that comes after me is preferred before me I am but the Herauld the voice of one crying he is the Prince I am but a lesser Star he is the Sun I baptize only with Water he with the Holy Ghost This i◠an hallowing Gods Name when we translate all the honour from our selves to God Psal. 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy name give glory The King of Sweden wrought that Motto on the Battle at Lypswich Ista a Domino facta sunt The Lord hath wrought this Victory for us 9. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name by obeying him How doth a Son more honour his Father than by Obedience Psal. 40.8 I delight to do thy will O my God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. The Wise Men showed honour to Christ not only by bowing the knee to him but by presenting him with Gold and Myrrh Matth. 2.11 we hallow Gods name not only by lifting up our eyes and hands to Heaven and bowing the knee in Prayer but by presenting God with golden Obedience As the Factor trades for the Merchant so we trade for God and lay out our strength in his Service 'T was a saying of Reverend Doctor Iewell I have spent and exhausted my self in the labours of my holy Calling To obey is better than sacrifice The Cherubims representing the Angels are set forth with their Wings displayed to show how ready they are to do service to God To obey is Angelical to pretend honour to Gods name yet not to obey is but a devout complement Abraham honoured God by Obedience he was ready to sacrifice his Son though the Son of his Old Age and a Son of the Promise Gen. 22.16 By my self have I sworn saith the Lord because thou hast done this thing and hast not with-held thy Son thy only Son that in blessing I will bless thee 10. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we lift up Gods name in our praises God is said to sanctifie and Man is said to sanctifie God sanctifies us by giving us Grace and we sanctifie him by giving him Praise What were our Tongues given us for but to be Organs of Gods Praise Psal. 71.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day Rev. 5.13 Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb for ever Thus Gods name is hallowed and sanctified in Heaven The Angels and Glorified Saints are singing Hallelujahs let us begin the work of Heaven here David did sing forth Gods Praises and Doxologies in a most melodious manner therefore was called the sweet singer of Israel 1 Sam. 23.1 Praising God is an hallowing of Gods name it spreads his renown it displayes the trophies of his excellency it exalts him in the eyes of others Psal. 50.23 Who so offereth praise glorifies me This is one of the highest and purest acts of Religion In Prayer we act like Men in Praise we act like Angels This is the musick of Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zenoph this is a work fit for a Saint Psal. 149.5 6. Let the Saints be joyful let the high praises of God be in their mouths None but Saints can in a right manner thus hallow Gods name by praising him As every one hath not skill to play on the Viol and Organ so every one cannot rightly sound forth Gods harmonious Praises only the Saints can do it they only can make their tongue and heart joyn in consort Psal. 111.1 I will bless thee O Lord with my whole heart and Psal. 66.17 He was extolled with my tongue There was heart and tongue joyning in consort This hallowing Gods name by praise is very becoming a Christian it is unbecoming to murmur this is a dishonouring Gods name But it becomes the Saints to be Spiritual Quiristers in singing forth the honour of Gods name It is called the garment of praise Isa. 61.3 how comely and handsome is this garment of praise for a Saint to wear Psal. 33.1 Praise is comely for the righteous especially it is an high degree of hallowing Gods name when we can speak well of God and bless him in an afflicted state Iob 1.21 The Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. Many will bless God when he gives but to bless him when he takes away is in an high degree to honour God and hallow his name Let us thus magnifie Gods name Hath not God given us abundant matter of praising him he hath given us the nether and upper springs he hath given us Grace a Mercy spun and woven out of his Bowels and he intends to crown Grace with Glory This should make us hallow Gods Name by being trumpets of his Praise 11. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we sympathize with him We grieve when his name suffers 1. We lay to heart his dishonours How was Moses affected with Gods dishonour he breaks the Tables Exod 32.19 We grieve to see Gods Sabbaths profaned his Worship adulterated the Wine of Truth mingled with Error 2. We grieve when Gods Church is brought low because now Gods name suffers Nehemiah layes to heart the miseries of Sion his complexion begins to alter and he looks sad Neh. 2.3 Why is thy countenance sad What sad when the Kings Cup-bearer and Wine so near O but it fared ill with the Church of God and Religion seemed to lose ground and Gods name suffered therefore Nehemiah grows weary of the Court he leaves his Wine and mingles his Drink with weeping This holy sympathy and grieving when Gods name suffers God esteems an honouring and sanctifying his name Hezekiah grieved when the King of Assyria reproached the living God Isa. 37.17 He went into his chamber and spread the letter of blasphemy before the Lord 2 Kin. 19.14 and no doubt watered the Letter with his tears He seemed not to be so much troubled at the fear of losing his own Life and Kingdom as that God should lose his Glory 12. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we give the same honour to God the Son as we give to God the Father Iohn 5.23 That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father The Socinians deny Christs Divinity saying that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bare Man This is to make him below the Angels Psal. 8.5 For the Humane Nature considered in se is below
Scandal or Apostacy 4. Men leave off pursuing the Kingdom of Heaven out of Timorousness if they persist in Religion they may lose their Places of Profit perhaps their Lives The reason saith Aristotle why the Camelion turns into so many Colours is through excessive fear When Carnal fear prevails it makes Men change their Religion as fast as the Camelion doth its Colours Many of the Iews who were great followers of Christ when they saw the Swords and Staves deserted him What Solomon saith of the Sluggard is as true of the Coward he saith there is a Lyon in the way Prov. 22.13 he sees dangers before him he would go on in the way to the Kingdom of Heaven but there is a Lyon in the way This is dismal Heb. 10.38 If any Man draw back in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if he steals as a Soldier from his Colours my Soul shall have no pleasure in him VSE III. Of Tryal Let us examine whether we shall go to this Kingdom when we dye Heaven is called a Kingdom prepared Matth. 25. Quest. How shall we know this Kingdom is prepared for us Answ If we are prepared for this Kingdom Quest. How may that be known Answ. By being Heavenly persons An earthly heart is no more fit for Heaven than a Clod of Dust is fit to be a Star there is nothing of Christ or Grace in such an heart It were a Miracle to find a Pearl in a Gold Mine and it is as great a Miracle to find Christ the Pearl of Price in an earthly heart Would we go to the Kingdom of Heaven are we heavenly 1. Are we heavenly in our Contemplations do our Thoughts run upon this Kingdom do we get sometimes upon Mount Pisgah and take a Prospect of Glory Thoughts are as Travellers most of Davids Thoughts travelled Heavens Road Psal. 139.17 Are our Minds heavenlâ—z'd Psal. 48.12 walk about Sion tell the Towers thereof mark ye well her Bulwarks Do we walk into the Heavenly Mount and see what a glorious Scituation it is Do we tell the Towers of that Kingdom While a Christian fixeth his Thoughts on God and Glory he doth as it were tread upon the Borders of the Heavenly Kingdom and he peeps within the Vail as Moses who had a sight of Canaan though he did not enter into it so the heavenly Christian hath a sight of heaven though he be not yet entred into it 2. Are we heavenly in our Affections do we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set our Affections on the Kingdom of Heaven Col. 3.2 If we are heavenly we despise all things below in comparison of the Kingdom of God We look upon the World but as a beautiful Prison and we cannot be much in love with our Fetters though they are made of Gold our heart is in Heaven A Stranger may be in a Forreign Land to gather up his Debts owing him but he desires to be in his own Kingdom and Nation so we are here a while as in a strange Land but our desire is chiefly after the Kingdom of Heaven where we shall be for ever The World is the Place of a Saints Abode not of his Delight is it thus with us Do we like the Patriarks of old desire a better Country Heb. 11.16 This is the temper of a true Saint his Affections are set on the Kingdom of God his Anchor is cast in Heaven and he is carried thither with the Sails of Desire 3. Are we heavenly in our Speeches Christ after his Resurrection did speak of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1.3 Are our Tongues tuned to the Language of the heavenly Canaan Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often to one another Do you in your visits season your discourses with Heaven There are many say they hope they shall be saved but you shall never hear them speak of the Kingdom of Heaven perhaps of their Wares and Drugs or of some rich Purchase they have got but nothing of the Kingdom Can Men travel together in a Journey and not speak of the Place they are travelling to are you Travelers for Heaven and never speak a word of the Kingdom you are travelling to Herein many discover they do not belong to Heaven for you shall never hear a good Word come from them Verba sunt speculum Mentis Bern. The Words are the Looking-glass of the Mind they show what the Heart is 4. Are we heavenly in our Trading Is our Traffick and Merchandize in Heaven Do we trade in the heavenly Kingdom by Faith A Man may live in one place and trade in another he may live in Ireland and trade in the West-Indies so do we trade in the heavenly Kingdom They shall never go to heaven when they dye who do not trade in Heaven while they live Do we send up to Heaven Vollies of Sighs and Groans Do we send forth the Ship of Prayer thither which fetcheth in Returns of Mercy Is our Communion with the Father and his Son Jesus 1 Iohn 1.3 Phil. 3.20 5. Are our Lives heavenly Do we live as if we had seen the Lord with Bodily eyes Do we aemulate and imitate the Angels in Sanctity Do we labour to copy out Christs Life in ours 1 Iohn 2.6 'T was a custom among the Macedonians on Alexanders Birth day to wear his Picture about their Necks set with Pearl and Diamond Do we carry Christs Picture about us and resemble him in the Heavenliness of our Conversation If we are thus heavenly then we shall go to the kingdom of Heaven when we dye and truly there is a great deal of Reason why we should be thus Heavenly in our Thoughts Affections Conversation if we consider 1. The main end why God hath given us our Souls is that we may mind the kingdom of Heaven Our Souls are of a Noble Extraction they are akin to Angels a Glass of the Trinity as Plato speaks Now is it rational to imagine that God would have breathed into us such noble Souls only to look after sensual Objects Were such bright Stars made only to shoot into the Earth Were these immortal Souls made only to seek after dying Comforts Had this been only the end of our Creation to eat and drink and converse with Earthly Objects worse Souls would have served us Sensitive Souls had been good enough for us what need our Souls be rational and divine to do only that work which a Beast may do 2. Great reason we should be heavenly in our Thoughts Affections Conversation if we consider what a blessed kingdom Heaven is it is beyond all Hyperbole Earthly Kingdoms do scarce deserve the Names of Cottages compared with it We read of an Angel coming down from heaven who did tread with his Right Foot upon the Sea and with his Left on the Earth Rev. 10.2 Had we but once been in the heavenly kingdom and viewed the superlative glory of it how might we in an holy scorn trample with one Foot upon
then Israel prevailed So Gods Spirit puts the Promises under the Hand of Faith and then a Christian overcomes the Devil that spiritual Amalek The Promise is to the Soul as the Anchor is to a Ship which keeps it steddy in a Storm 2. Christ succours them that are tempted by his blessed interceeding for them When the Devil is tempting Christ is praying Of this the next timer 2. Christ succours his Saints by interceeding for them when Satan is tempting Christ is praying That prayer Christ put up for Peter when he was tempted extend◠to all the Saints Luk. 22.32 Lord saith Christ it is my Child that is tempted Father pitty him when a poor Soul lies bleeding of his wounds the Devil hath given him Christ presents his Wounds to his Father and in the virtue of those pleads for Mercy How powerful must Christs Prayer needs be He is a Favorite Iohn 11.42 He is both an High-Priest and a Son if God could forget that Christ were a Priest yet he cannot forget that he is a Son besides Christ prays for nothing but what is agreeable to his Fathers Will if a Kings Son Petitions only for that which his Father hath a Mind to grant his suit will not be denied 3. Christ succours his People by taking of the Tempter a Shepherd when the Sheep begins to straggle may set the Dog on the Sheep to bring it nearer the Fold but then he calls off the Dog again God will take of the Tempter 1 Cor. 10.13 He will with the Temptation make a way to escape 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he will make an Out-let Christ will rebuke the Tempter Zach. 3.2 The Lord rebuke thee O Satan This is no small support that Christ succours the Tempted The Mother succours the Child most when it is sick she sits by its Bed-side brings it Cordials So when a Soul is most assaulted it shall be most assisted Object But I have dealt unkindly with Christ and sinn'd against his Love and sure he will not succour me but let me perish in the Battel Answ. Christ is a merciful High-priest and will succour thee notwithstanding thy failings Ioseph was a Type of Christ. His Brethren sold him away and the Irons entered into his Soul yet afterwards when his Brethren were ready to die in the Famine he forgot their injuries and succoured them with Money and Corn. I am saith he Ioseph your Brother so will Christ say to a tempted Soul I know thy unkindnesses how thou hast distrusted my Love grieved my Spirit but I am Ioseph I am Jesus therefore I will succour thee when thou art tempted 4. Rock of support The best Men may be most tempted A rich Ship may be violently set upon by Pyrats He who is rich in Faith yet may have the Devil that Pyrate set upon him by his battering pieces Iob an eminent Saint yet how fiercely was he assaulted Satan did smite his body that he might tempt him either to question Gods Providence or quarrel with it St. Paul was a chosen vessel but how was this vessel battered with Tentation 2 Cor. 12.7 Object But is it not said he who is born of God the Wicked one toucheth him not 1 Joh. 5.18 Answ. It is not meant that the Devil doth not tempt him but he toucheth him not that is tactu lethali Cajetan with a deadly touch 1 Joh. 5.16 There is a sin unto Death now Satan with all his Temptations doth not make a Child of God sin a sin unto Death Thus he toucheth him not 5. Rock of support Satan can go no further in tempting than God will give him leave The power of the Tempter is limited A whole Legion of Devils could not touch one Swine till Christ gave them leave Satan would have sifted Peter to have sifted out all his Grace but Christ would not suffer him I have prayed for thee c. Christ binds the Devil in a Chain Rev. 20.1 If Satans power were according to his malice not one Soul should be saved but he is a Chained Enemy this is a comfort Satan cannot go an Hairs breadth beyond Gods permission If an Enemy could not touch a Child further than the Father did appoint sure he should do the Child no great hurt 6. Rock of support It is not the having a Tentation makes guilty but the giving consent We cannot hinder a Tentation Elijah that could by Prayer shut Heaven could not shut out a Temptation but if we abhor the Temptation it is our burden not our sin We read in the old Law if one went to force a Virgin and she cried out she was reputed innocent If Satan would by temptation commit a Rape upon a Christian and he cries out and will not give consent the Lord will charge it upon the Devils score It is not the laying the Bait hurts the Fish if the Fish doth not bite 7. Rock of support Our being tempted is no sign of Gods hating us A Child of God oft thinks God doth not love him because he lets him be haunted with the Devil non sequitur this is a wrong conclusion was not Christ himself tempted yet by a Voice from Heaven proclaimed This is my beloved Son Mat. 3.17 Satans tempting and Gods loving may stand together The Goldsmith loves his Gold in the Fire God loves a Saint tho shot at by fiery Darts 8. Rock of support Christs Temptation was for our consolation aqua-ignis Jesus Christ is to be looked upon as a publick person as our Head and Representative and what Christ did he did for us His prayer was for us his suffering was for us when he was tempted and overcame the temptation he overcame for us Christs conquering Satan was to shew that every Elect Person shall at last be a Conqueror over Satan when Christ overcame Satans temptations it was not only to give us an example of Courage but an assurance of Conquest We have overcome Satan already in our Head and we shall at last perfectly overcome 9. Rock of support the Saints Temptations shall not be above their strength The Lutenist will not stretch the strings of his Lute too hard lest they break 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above that ye are able God will proportion our strength to the stroke 2. Cor. 12.9 My Grace is sufficient for thee The Torch-light of Faith shall be kept burning notwithstanding all the Winds of Temptation blowing 10. Rock of support these temptations shall produce much good 1. They shall quicken a Spirit of Prayer in the Saints they shall pray more and better Temptation is orationis flabellum the exciter of Prayer perhaps before the Saints came to God as cold suiters in Prayer they pray'd as if they pray'd not temptation is a Medicine for security When Paul had a Messenger of Satan to buffet him he was more earnest in Prayer 2 Cor. 12.8 Three times I besought the Lord the Thorn in the
the Crown of Heaven Glorifying of God hath respect to all the Persons in the Trinity it respects God the Father who gave us our Life it respects God the Son who lost his Life for us it respects God the Holy Ghost who produceth a new Life in us we must bring Glory to the whole Trinity When we speak of God's Glory the Question will be moved What are we to understand by God's Glory Resp. There is a twofold Glory 1. The Glory that God hath in himself his intrinsical Glory Glory is essential to the Godhead as Light is to the Sun he is call'd the God of Glory Acts 7.2 Glory is the sparkling of the Deity Glory is so co-natural to the Godhead that God cannot be God without it The Creature 's Honour is not essential to his Being a King is a Man without his Regal Ornaments when his Crown and Royal Robe are taken away but God's Glory is such an essential Part of his Being that he cannot be God without it God's very Life lies in his Glory His Glory can receive no addition because it is Infinite this Glory is that which God is most tender of and which he will not part with Isa. 42.8 My glory I will not give to another God will give Temporal Blessings to his Children Wisdom Riches Honour he will give them Spiritual Blessings he will give them Grace he will give them his Love he will give them Heaven but his essential Glory he will not give to another King Pharaoh parted with a Ring off his Finger to Ioseph and a Gold Chain but he would not part with his Throne Gen. 41.40 Only in the throne will I be greater then thou So God will do much for his People he will give them the Inheritance he will put some of Christ's Glory as Mediator upon them but his essential Glory he will not part with in the throne he will be greater 2. The Glory which is ascribed to God or which his Creatures labour to bring to him 1 Chr. 16.29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name And 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit The Glory we give God is nothing else but our lifting up his Name in the World and magnifying him in the eyes of others Phil. 1.20 Christ shall be magnified in my body Quest. What is it to glorifie God or wherein doth it consist Resp. Glorifying of God consists in four things 1. Appretiation 2. Adoration 3. Affection 4. Subjection This is the yearly Rent we pay to the Crown of Heaven 1. Appretiation To glorifie God is to set God highest in our Thoughts to have a venerable Esteem of him Psal. 92.8 Thou Lord art most high for evermore Psal. 97.9 Thou art exalted far above all gods There is in God all that may draw forth both Wonder and Delight he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is in him a Constellation of all Beauties he is Prima Causa the Original and Spring-head of Being who sheds a Glory upon the Creature This is to glorifie God when we are God-Admirers we admire God in his Attributes which are the glistering Beams by which the Divine Nature shines forth we admire him in his Promises which are the Charter of Free-grace and the Spiritual Cabinet where the Pearl of Price is hid we admire God in the noble Effects of his Power and Wisdom viz. the making of the World this is call'd the work of his fingers Ps. 8.3 such curious Needle-work it was that none but a God could work This is to glorifie God to have God-admiring Thoughts we esteem him most excellent and search for Diamonds only in this Rock 2. Glorifying of God consists in Adoration or Worship Psal. 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness There is a twofold Worship 1. A Civil Reverence we give to Persons of Honour Gen. 23.7 Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the children of Heth. Piety is no Enemy to Curtesie 2. A Divine Worship which we give to God is his Prerogative-royal Neh. 8.6 They bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground This Divine Worship God is very jealous of this is the Apple of his Eye this is the Pearl of his Crown which he guards as he did the Tree of Life with Cherubims and a flaming Sword that no man may come near to violate it Divine Worship must be such as God himself hath appointed else it is offering strange fire Levit. 10.2 The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Pattern in the Mount Exod. 25.40 he must not leave out any thing in the Pattern nor add to it if God was so exact and curious about the Place of his Worship how exact will he be about the Manner of his Worship surely here every thing must be according to the Pattern prescribed in his Word 3. Affection This is a part of the Glory we give to God God counts himself glorified when he is loved Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. There is a twofold Love 1. Amor Concupiscentiae a Love of Concupisence which is a Self-love when we love another because he doth us a good Turn Thus a wicked Man may be said to love God because he hath given him a good Crop or filled his Cup with Wine and to speak properly this is rather to love God's Blessings then to love God 2. Amor Amicitiae a Love of Delight as a Man takes delight in a Friend this is indeed to love God the Heart is set upon God as a Man's-Heart is set upon his Treasure And this Love is 1. Exuberant not a few Drops but a Stream 2. It is Superlative we give God the best of our Love the Cream of it Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the jâ—yce of my pomgranat If the Spouse had a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ must drink of it 3. It is Intense and Ardent true Saints are Seraphims burning in holy Love to God The Spouse was Amore perculsa in sainting Fits sick of love Cant. 2.5 Thus to love God is to glorify him he who is the chief of our Happiness hath the chief of our Affections 4. Subjection When we dedicate ourselves to God and stand ready prest for his Service Thus the Angels in Heaven glorifie him they wait on his Throne and are ready to take a Commission from him therefore they are resembled by the Cherubims with their Wings displaid to shew how swift the Angels are in their Obedience This is to glorifie God when we are devoted to his Service our Head studies for God our Tongue pleads for him our Hands relieve his Members The wise Men that came to Christ did not only bow the Knee to him but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.11 so we must not
Book against Wrath Anger Et ipse mihi irascitur yet he falls into a Passion of Anger with me So this Minister preacheth against Drunkenness yet he will be drunk he preacheth against Swearing yet he will swear this reproacheth God and makes the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred 3. Masters of Families do you glorifie God season your Children and Servants with the Knowledge of the Lord your Houses should be little Churches Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children that they keep the way of the Lord. You that are Masters know you have a Charge of Souls under you for want of the Bridle of Family-discipline Youth runs wild Well let me lay down some Motives to glorifie God 1 Motive It will be a great Comfort in a dying hour to think we have glorified God in our Lives it was Christ's Comfort before his Death Ioh. 17.3 I have glorified thee on earth At the hour of Death all your earthly Comforts will vanish if you think how Rich you have been what Pleasures you have had on Earth this will be so far from comforting you that it will but torment you the more What is one the better for an Estate that is spent But now to have Conscience telling you that you have glorified God on Earth what sweet Comfort and Peace will this let into your Soul how will this make you long for Death The Servant that hath been all day working in the Vineyard longs till Evening comes when he shall receive his Pay They who have lived and brought no Glory to God how can they think of dying with Comfort they cannot expect an Harvest that never sowed any Seed How can they expect Glory from God that never brought any Glory to him O in what Horrour will they be at Death the Worm of Conscience will gnaw their Souls before the Worms are gnawing their Bodies 2 Mot. If we glorifie God he will glorifie our Souls for ever by raising God's Glory we encrease our own by glorifying of God we come at last to the blessed Enjoying of Him and that brings me to the second The Enjoying of God Secondly Man's chief End is to Enjoy God for ever Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee Quasi What is there in Heaven I desire to enjoy but thee Ibi Angeli musculus There is a twofold Fruition or enjoying of God the one is in this Life the other in the Life to come 1st An enjoying of God here in this Life The enjoying of God's Presence it is a great matter to enjoy God's Ordinances a Mercy that some do envy us but to enjoy God's Presence in the Ordinances is that which a gracious Heart aspires after Psal. 63.2 To see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary This sweet enjoying of God is when we feel his Spirit co-operating with the Ordinance and distilling Grace upon our Hearts 1. When in word the Spirit doth quicken and raise the Affections Luke 24.32 Did not our hearts burn within us 2. When the Spirit doth transform the Heart leaving an impress of Holiness upon it 2 Cor. 3.8 We are changed into the same Image from glory to glory 3. When the Spirit doth receive the Heart with Comfort it comes not only with its Anointing but its Seal it sheds God's Love abroad in the Heart Rom. 5.5 this is to enjoy God in an Ordinance 1 Joh. 1.3 Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Iesus In the Word we hear God's Voice and in the Sacrament we have his Kiss this is enjoying of God And what infinite Content doth a gracious Soul find in this The Heart being warm'd and inflamed in a Duty this is God's answering by Fire When a Christian hath the sweet Illapses of God's Spirit these are the first Fruits of Glory when God comes down to the Soul in an Ordinance Now Christ hath pull'd off his Veil and showed his smiling Face now he hath led a Believer into the Banqueting-house and given him of the spiced Wine of his Love to drink he hath put in his Finger at the hole of the Door he hath touch'd the Heart and made it leap for Joy Oh how sweet is it thus to enjoy God! The Godly have in the use of the Ordinances had such Divine Raptures of Joy and Soul-transfigurations that they have been carried above the World and despised all things here below Use 1. Is the enjoying God in this Life so sweet how prodigiously wicked are they that prefer the enjoying their Lusts before the enjoying of God 2 Pet. 3.3 The lust of the flesh the lust of the eye the pride of life is the Trinity they worship Lust is an inordinate Desire or Impulse provoking the Soul to that which is evil there is the revengeful Lust and the wanton Lust Lust is like a feaverish Heat it puts the Soul into a Flame Aristotle calls sensual Lusts bruitish because when any Lust is violent Reason or Conscience cannot be heard the Beast rides the Man These Lusts when they are enjoyed do besot and dispirit Persons Hos. 4.11 Whoredom and wine take away the heart They have no heart for any thing that is good how many make it their chief end not to enjoy God but to enjoy their Lusts As that Cardinal said Let him but keep his Cardinalship of Paris and he was content to loose his part in Paradise Lust first bewitcheth with Pleasure and then comes the fatal Dart Prov. 7.23 Till a dart strike through his liver This should be as a flaming Sword to stop Men in the way of their carnal Delights who would for a Drop of Pleasure drink a Sea of Wrath Use 2. Let it be our great Care to enjoy God's sweet Presence here which is the Beauty and Comfort of the Ordinance Enjoying spiritual Communion with God is a Riddle and Mystery to most People every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King We may approach to God in Ordinances and as it were hang about the Court of Heaven yet not enjoy Communion with God we may have the Letter without Spirit the visible Sign without the invisible Grace it is the enjoying of God in a Duty we should chiefly look at Psal. 42.2 My soul thirsteth for God for the living God Alas what are all our worldly Enjoyments without the enjoying of God What is it to enjoy a great deal of Health a brave Estate and not to enjoy God Job 30.28 I went mourning without the sun So maist thou say in the Enjoyment of all Creatures without God I went mourning without the sun I have the Star-light of outward Enjoyments but I cannot enjoy God I want the Sun of Righteousness I went mourning without the sun This should be our great Design not only to have the Ordinances of God but the God of the Ordinances The enjoying God's sweet Presence with us here is the most contented Life he is an Hive of Sweetness a Magazine of Riches
Beams behold the Stars their regular motion in their Orbs their Magnitude their Light their Influence We may see God's glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars Look into the Sea and see the wonders of God in the Deep Psal. 107.24 Look into the Air there the Birds make Melody and sing forth the Praises of their Creator Look into the Earth there we may wonder at the Nature of Minerals the Power of the Loadstone the Virtue of Herbs See the Earth deck'd as a Bride with Flowers all these are the glorious Effects of God's Power God hath wrought the Creation as with curious Needle-work that we may observe his Wisdom and Goodness and give him the Praise due to him Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all 2. Did God create all things let us obey our Maker We are his Iure Creationis we owe our selves to him If another gives us our Maintenance we think our selves bound to serve him much more should we serve and obey God who gives us our Life Acts 17.28 In him we live and move God hath made every thing for Man's Service the Corn for nourishment the Beasts for usefulness the Birds for Musick that Man should be for God's Service The Rivers come from the Sea and they run into the Sea again All we have is from God let us honour our Creator and live to him that made us 3. Did God make our Bodies out of the Dust and that Dust out of Nothing let this keep down pride When God would humble Adam he useth this Expression Out of the dust was thou taken Gen. 3.19 Why art thou proud O Dust and Ashes thou art made but of course Mettal cum sis humi limus cur non humilimus Bernard David saith I was curiously wrought Psal. 139. Thy being curiously wrought may make thee thankful but being made of the Dust may keep thee humble If thou hast Beauty it is but well-colour'd Earth Thy Body is but Air and Dust mingled together and this Dust will drop into the Dust. When the Lord had said of the Judges they were Gods Psal. 82.6 lest they should grow proud he tells them they were dying gods vers 7. Ye shall die like men 4. Did God create our Souls after his Image but we lost it let us never leave till we are restored to God's Image again We have now got the Devils Image in Pride Malice Envy let us get God's Image restored which consists in Knowledge and Righteousness Col. 3.10 Grace is our best Beauty it makes us like God and Angels As the Sun to the World so is Holiness to the Soul Let us go to God to repair his Image in us Lord thou hast once made me make me anew Sin hath defaced thy Image in me O draw it again by the Pencil of the Holy Ghost The Providence of GOD. GOD's Works of Providence are his most holy wise and powerful Preserving and Governing all his Creatures and all their Actions The Work of God's Providence Joh. 5.17 My Father worketh hitherto and I work The great God hath rested from the Works of Creation he doth not create any new Species of Things Gen. 2.7 He rested from all his Works and therefore the Scripture must needs be meant of God's Works of Providence My Father worketh and I work Psal. 103.19 His kingdom ruleth over all i. e. his Providencial Kingdom Now for the clearing of this Point I shall 1. Show you that there is a Providence 2. What that Providence is 3. Lay down some Maxims or Propositions concerning the Providence of God 1. That there is a Providence There is no such thing as blind Fate but there is a Providence that guides and governs in the World Prov. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole dispose thereof is of the Lord. 2. What this Providence is I answer Providence is God's ordering all Issues and Events of things after the Council of his Will to his own Glory 1. I call Providence God's ordering of things to distinguish it from his Decrees God's Decree ordains things that shall fall out God's Providence ordereth them 2. I call Providence the ordering of Things after the Council of God's Will that I may free it from all Rashness and Precipitancy and to show you that 't is a high Act of Prudence done after the Council of his own Will 3. God orders all Events of things after the Council of his Will to his own Glory the Glory of God being the Ultimate End of all God's Actings and the Centre where all the Lines of Providence do meet The Providence of God is Regina Mundi the Queen and Governess of the World it is the Eye that sees and the Hand that turns all the Wheels in the Universe God is not like an Artificer that builds a House and then leaves it and is gone but like a Pilot that does with a great deal of Care steer on the Ship of the whole Creation 3. I shall lay down some Positions about the Providence of God 1. God's Providence reaches to all Places Persons and Occurrences 1. To all Places Jer. 23. Am I a God at hand and not a God afar off The Diocess where Providence visits is very large it reaches to Heaven to Earth and Sea Ps. 107.23 24. They that go down to sea see the wonders of God in the deep Now that the Sea which is higher then the Earth should not drown the Earth is a Wonder of Providence and the Prophet Ionah he saw the Wonders of God in the Deep when the very Fish which did devour him and swallow him did bring him safe to Shore 2. God's Providence reaches to all Persons especially the Persons of the Godly they are in a special manner taken notice of God takes care of every Saint in particular as if he had none else to take care for 1 Pet. 5.7 He careth for you i. e. Elect in a special manner Psal. 33.18 19. The eye of the Lord is over them that fear him to preserve them from death and to keep them alive in famine God by his Providential Care shields off Dangers from his People he sets a Life-guard of Angels about them Psal. 19.11 God's Providence keeps the very Bones of the Saints Psal. 34.10 It bottles their Tears Psal. 56.8 It strengthens the Saints in their Weaknesses Heb. 11.34 It supplies all their Wants out of its Alms-basket Psal. 23.5 Thus Providence doth wonderfully supply the Wants of the Elect. When the Protestants in Rochel were besieged by the French King God by his Providence sent in a great number of small Fishes that fed them such as were never seen before in that Haven So the Raven that unnatural Creature that will hardly feed its own Young yet providentially brought Sustenance to the Prophet Elijah 1 Kings 17.6 The Virgin Mary though by bearing and bringing forth the Messiah she help'd to make the World rich yet she herself was
the Gospel the Wonder of Angels the Joy and Triumph of Saints The Name of Christ is sweet it is as Musick in the Ear Honey in the Mouth and a Cordial at the Heart I shall wave the Context and only speak of that which concerns our present Purpose Having discours'd of the Covenant of Grace I shall speak now of the Mediator of the Covenant and the Restorer of lapsed Sinners IESUS the Mediator of the Covenant There are several Names and Titles in Scripture given to Christ as the Great Restorer of Mankind 1. Sometimes he is called a Saviour Matth. 1.21 His name shall be called Iesus The Hebrew word for Jesus Ioshuang signifies a Saviour and whom he saves from Hell he saves from Sin where Christ is a Saviour he is a Sanctifier Matth. 1.21 He shall save his people from their sins There is no other Saviour Acts 4.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neither is there salvation in any other As there was but one Ark to save the World from drowning so there is but one Jesus to save Sinners from damning As Naomi said to her Daughters-in-law Ruth 1.11 Are there yet any more sons in my womb So hath God any other Sons in the Womb of his Eternal Decree to be Saviours to us besides Christ Job 28.13 Where shall wisdom be found the deep saith it is not in me and the sea saith it is not with me Let me allude Where shall Salvation be found The Angel saith it is not in me Morality saith it is not in me the Ordinance saith it is not in me Christ alone is the Well-spring of Life the Ordinance is the Conduit-pipe that conveys Salvation but Christ is the Spring that feeds it Neither is there salvation in any other 2. Sometimes Christ is called a Redeemer Isa. 59.20 The redeemer shall come to Sion Some understand it of Cyrus others of an Angel but the most ancient Iewish Doctors understand it of Christ the Redeemer of the Elect Job 19.25 My redeemer liveth The Hebrew word for Redeemer Goel signifies such an one as is near a Kin and hath Right to redeem a Mortgage So Christ is near a kin to us being our Elder Brother therefore hath the best right to redeem us 3. Christ is called a Mediator in the Text Iesus the mediator of the new covenant The Greek word for Mediator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a middle Person one that doth make up the breach between two disagreeing Parties God and we were at Variance by Sin now Christ doth Mediate and Umpire between us he reconciles us to God through his Bloud therefore is call'd the Mediator of the New Covenant There is no way of Communion and Intercourse between God and Man but in and through a Mediator Christ takes away the Enmity in us and the Wrath in God and so makes Peace nor is Christ only a Mediator of Reconciliation but Intercession Heb. 9.24 Christ is entred not into the holy place made with hands but into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us The Priest when he had slain the Sacrifice was to go with the Bloud before the Altar and Mercy-seat and show it to the Lord. Now in Christ our Blessed Mediator consider two things 1. His Person 2. His Graces 1. His Person His Person is amiable he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Love and Beauty He is the Effigies of his Father Heb. 1.3 The express image of his person Consider 1. Christ's Person in two Natures 2. His two Natures in one Person 1. Christ's Person in two Natures 1. Look upon his Humane Nature as Incarnate The Valentinians deny his Humane Nature but Joh. 1.14 The Word was made Flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is spoken of Christ the promised Messiah Christ took our Flesh that the same Nature which sinned might suffer and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word made flesh that through the Glass of his Humane Nature we might look upon God Quest. Why is Christ called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word Resp. Because as a Word is the Interpreter of the Mind and reveals what is in a Man's breast so Jesus Christ reveals his Father's Mind to us concerning the great Matters of our Salvation Iohn 1.18 Were it not for CHRIST's Manhood the sight of the Godhead would be formidable to us but through Christ's Flesh we may look upon God without Terrour And Christ took our Flesh that he might know how to pity us he knows what it is to be faint sorrowful tempted Psal. 103.14 He knows our frame And he took our Flesh that he might as Austin saith Ennoble our Humane Nature with Honour Christ having married our Flesh hath exalted it above the Angelical Nature 2. Look upon Christ's Divine Nature Christ may fitly be compared to Iacob's Ladder Gen. 28.12 which reached from Earth to Heaven Christ's Humane Nature was the foot of the Ladder which stood upon Earth his Divine Nature the top of the Ladder which reached to Heaven This being a grand Article of our Faith I shall amplifie I know the Arians Socinians Ebionites would rob Christ of the best Jewel of his Crown his Godhead but the Apostolical Nicene Athanasian Creed affirm Christ's Deity to this the Churches of Helvetia Bohemia Wittembergh Transylvania c. give their full Consent and the Scripture is clear for it He is call'd the Mighty God Isa. 9.6 El Gibber and in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead Col. 2.9 He is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same Nature and Essence with the Father So Athanasius Basil Chrysostom 1. Is God the Father call'd Almighty so is Christ Rev. 1.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almighty 2. Is God the Father the Heart-searcher so is Christ Ioh. 2.25 He knew their thoughts 3. Is God the Father Omnipresent so is Christ Joh. 3.13 The Son of man which is in heaven Christ as God was then in Heaven when as Man he was upon the Earth Quest. Is God Eternal Resp. Christ is the Everlasting Father Isa. 9.6 which Scripture may be urged against the Cerinthian Hereticks who deny'd the Pre-existency of Christ's Godhead and held that Christ had no being till he derived it from the Virgin Mary 4. Doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine Worship belong to the first Person in the Trinity so it doth to Christ Ioh. 5.23 Heb. 1.6 Let all the angels of God worship him 5. Is Creation proper to the Deity This is a Flower of Christ's Crown Col. 1.16 By him were all things created 6. Is Invocation proper to the Deity This is given to Christ Acts 7. Lord Iesus receive my spirit 7. Is Recumbency and Trust peculiar to God the Father This is given to Christ Joh. 14.1 Ye believe in God believe also in me Christ must needs be God not only that the Divine Nature might support the Humane from sinking under God's Wrath but also to give Value and Weight to his
can destroy his Church Let the Wind and Storms be up and the Church almost covered with Waves yet Christ is in the Ship of the Church and so long there 's no danger of Shipwrack Nor will Christ only defend his Church as he is King but deliver it 2 Tim. 4.17 He delivered me out of the mouth of the lion viz. Nero. 2. Chr. 11.14 The Lord saved them by a great deliverance Sometimes Christ is said to command Deliverance Psal. 44.4 Sometimes to create Deliverance Isa. 65.18 Christ as a King commands Deliverance and as a God creates it And deliverance shall come in his time Isa. 60.22 I the LORD will hasten it in his time Quest. When is the time that this King will deliver his People Resp. When the Hearts of his People are humblest when their Prayers are ferventest when their Faith is strongest when their Forces are weakest when their Enemies are highest now is the usual time that Christ puts forth his Kingly Power in their Deliverance Isa. 33.2 8 9. 3. Christ is a King to Reward his People there 's nothing lost by serving this King 1. He Rewards his Subjects in this Life 1. He gives them Inward Peace and Joy a Bunch of Grapes by the way and oftentimes Riches and Honour Godliness hath the promise of this life 1 Tim. 4.8 These are as it were the Saints Vails but besides the great Reward is to come An eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Christ makes all his Subjects Kings Rev. 2.10 I 'll give thee a crown of life This Crown will be full of Jewels and it will never fade 1 Pet. 5.5 2. Christ is a King in reference to his Enemies in subduing and conquering them He pulls down their Pride befools their Policy restrains their Malice That Stone cut out of the Mountains without Hands which smote the Image Dan. 2.34 was was an Emblem saith Austin of Christ's Monarchical Power conquering and triumphing over his Enemies Christ will make his Enemies his Footstool Psal. 110.1 He can destroy them with ease 2 Chron. 14.11 It is nothing for thee Lord to help He can do it with weak means without means He can make the Enemies destroy themselves he set the Persians against the Grecians and 2 Chron. 20.23 the Children of Ammon helped to destroy one another Thus Christ is King in vanquishing the Enemies of his Church This is a great ground of Comfort to the Church of God in the midst of all the Combinations of the Enemy Christ is King and he can not only bound the Enemies power but break it The Church hath more with her then against her she hath Emanuel on her side even that Great King to whom all Knees must bend Christ is called a Man of War Exod. 15.3 he understands all the Policies of Chivalry he is described with seven Eyes and seven Horns Rev. 5.6 The seven Eyes are to discern the Conspiracies of his Enemies and the seven Horns are to push and vex his Enemies Christ is described with a Crown and a Bow Rev. 6.2 He that sat on the white Horse had a Bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer A Crown is an Ensign of his Kingly Office and the Bow is to shoot his Enemies to Death Christ is describ'd with a Vesture dip'd in Blood Rev. 19.13 He hath a golden Scepter to Rule his People but an Iron Rod to break his Enemies Rev. 17.12 14. The ten Horns thou sawest are ten Kings these shall make War with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings The Enemies may set up their Standard but Christ will set up his Trophies at last Rev. 14.18 19. And the Angel gathered the Vine of the Earth and cast it into the great Wine-press of the Wrath of God and the Wine-press was trodden and blood came out of the Wine-press The Enemies of Christ shall be but as so many Clusters of ripe Grapes to be cast into the great Wine-Press of the Wrath of God and to be trodden by Christ till their Bloud comes out Christ will at last come off Victor and all his Enemies shall be put under his Feet Gaudeo quod Christus dominus est alioqui desperassem said Miconius in an Epistle to Calvin I am glad Christ Reigns else I should have despaired Use 1. Branch 1. See hence it is no Disparagement to serve Christ he is a King and it s no Dishonour to be employed in a King's Service Some are apt to reproach the Saints for their Piety they serve the Lord Christ he who hath this Inscription upon his Vesture KING of KINGS Theodosius thought it a greater Honour to be a Servant of CHRIST then the Head of an Empire Servire est Regnare Christ's Servants are call'd Vessels of Honour 2 Tim. 2.21 And a Royal Nation 1 Pet. 2.9 Serving of Christ Ennobles us with Dignity 'T is a greater Honour to serve Christ then to have Kings serve us Branch 2. If Christ be King it informs us that all Matters of Fact must one day be brought before him Christ hath Ius vitae necis the Power of Life and Death in his hand Joh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature Kings must come before him to be judged they who once sat upon the Throne must appear at the Bar. God hath committed all Judgment to the Son and Christ's is the highest Court of Judicature if this King once condemns Men there is no Appeal to any other Court Branch 3. See whither we are to go when we are foiled by Corruption go to Christ he is King desire him by his Kingly Power to subdue thy Corruptions to bind these Kings with Chains Psal. 149.8 We are apt to say of our Sins These sons of Zerviah will be too strong for us we shall never overcome this Pride and Infidelity Aye but go to Christ he is King though our Lusts are too strong for us yet not for Christ to conquer he can by his Spirit break the Power of Sin Ioshua when he had conquered five Kings caus'd his Servants to set their Feet on the Necks of those Kings so Christ can and will set his Feet on the Necks of our Lusts. 2. Use of Caution Is Christ King of Kings Let all Great Ones take heed how they imploy their Power against Christ Christ gives them their Power and if this Power shall be made use of for the suppressing of his Kingdom and Ordinances their account will be heavy God hath laid the Key of Government upon Christ's shoulders Isa. 9.7 and to go to oppose Christ in his Kingly Office it is as if the Thorns should set themselves in Battalia against the Fire or a Child fight with an Archangel Christ's Sword on his Thigh is able to avenge all his Quarrels It is not good to stir a Lion Let not Men provoke the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah whose Eyes are as a Lamp of fire and the Rocks are thrown down by him Nahum 1.6 He shall cut off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 Use 3. If Christ be a great King submit to him Say not as those Iews We have no King but Caesar no King but our Lusts. This is to choose the Bramble to rule over you and out of the Bramble will come forth a fire Iudg. 9. Submit to Christ willingly all the Devils in Hell submit to Christ but 't is against their will they are his Slaves Not his Subjects Submit cheerfully to Christ's Person and his Laws Many would have Christ their Saviour but not their Prince such as will not have Christ to be their King to rule them shall never have his Blood to save them Obey all Christ's Princely Commands if he commands Love Humility Good Works be as the Needle which points which way soever the Load-stone draws Branch 2. Let such admire God's Free-grace who were once under the Power and Tyranny of Satan and now Christ hath made them of Slaves to become the Subjects of his Kingdom Christ did not need Subjects he hath Legions of Angels ministring to him but in his Love he hath honoured you to make you his Subjects O! how long was it e're Christ could prevail with you to come under his Banner How much opposition did he meet with e're you would wear this Prince's Colours but at last Omnipotent Grace overcame you When Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers an Angel came and beat off his Chains Acts 12.7 So when thou wert sleeping in the Devil's Arms that Christ should by his Spirit smite thy heart and cause the Chains of Sin to fall off and make thee a Subject of his Kingdom O admire Free-grace Thou who art a Subject of Christ art sure to Reign with Christ for ever Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation 1 TIM 3.16 Great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the flesh Quest. XVII WHerein did Christ's Humiliation consist Resp. In his being born and that in a low condition undergoing the Miseries of this Life the Wrath of God and the cursed Death of the Cross. Christ's Humiliation consisted in his Incarnation his taking Flesh and being Born It was real Flesh Christ took Not the Image of a Body as the Manichees erroniously held but a true Body therefore Christ is said to be made of a woman Gal. 4.4 As the Bread is made of the Wheat and the Wine is made of the Grape so Christ was made of a Woman his Body was part of the Flesh and Substance of the Virgin This is a glorious Mystery God manifest in the flesh In the Creation Man was made in God's Image in the Incarnation God was made in Man's Image Quest. How it came about that Christ was made flesh Resp. It was by his Fathers special designation Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a Woman God the Father did in a special manner appoint Christ to be Incarnate which shews us how needful a Call is to any business of weight and importance to act without a Call is to act without a Blessing Christ himself would not be Incarnate and take upon him the work of a Mediator till he had a Call God sent forth his Son made of a Woman Quest. But was there no other way for the restoring of fallen Man but this that God should take flesh Answ. We must not ask a Reason of God's Will it is dangerous to pry into God's Ark we are not to dispute but adore The wise God saw this the best way for our Redemption that Christ should be Incarnate it was not fit for any to satisfie God's Justice but Man none could do it but God therefore Christ being both God and Man he is the fittest to undertake this Work of Redemption Quest. Why Christ was born of a Woman Resp. 1. That God might fulfil that promise Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head 2. Christ was born of a Woman that he might roll away that reproach from the Woman which she had contracted by being seduced by the Serpent Christ in taking his flesh from the Woman hath honoured her Sex that as at the first the Woman had made Man a Sinner so now to make him amends she should bring him a Saviour Quest. Why Christ was born of a Virgin Resp. 1. For Decency It became not God to have any Mother but a Maid and it became not a Maid to have any Son but a God 2. For Necessity Christ was to be an High Priest most pure and holy Had he been born after the ordinary course of Nature he had been defiled all that spring out of Adam's Loins have a tincture of sin but that Christ's Substance might remain pure and immaculate he was born of a Virgin 3. To answer the Type Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ he is said to be without Father and without Mother Christ being born of a Virgin answered the Type he was without Father and without Mother without Mother as he was God without Father as he was Man Quest. How could Christ be made of the flesh and blood of a Virgin yet without sin The purest Virgin that is her Soul is stained with Original sin Answ. This Knot the Scripture unties Luke 1.35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and overshadow thee therefore that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be caled the Son of God The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee that is the Holy Ghost did consecrate and purifie that part of the Virgins flesh whereof Christ was made As the Alchymist extracts and draws away the dross from the Gold so the Holy Ghost did refine and claritie that part of the Virgins flesh separating it from sin Though the Virgin Mary her self had sin yet that part of the flesh whereof Christ was made was without sin otherwise it must have been an impure Conception Quest. What is meant by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing the Virgin Answ. St. Basil saith It was the Holy Ghost's blessing the flesh of that Virgin whereof Christ was formed But there is a further Mystery in it the Holy Ghost having framed Christ in the Virgins Womb did in a wonderful manner unite Christ's Humane Nature to his Divine and so of both made one person This is a Mystery which the Angels pry into with Adoration Quest. When was Christ incarnate Answ. In the fulness of time Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman By the fulness of time we must understand Tempus à Patre praefinitum so Ambrose Luther Cornâ—à Lap. the determinate Time that God had set More particularly this fulness of time was when all the Prophesies of the coming of the Messiah were accomplished and all Legal Shadows and Figures whereby he was tipified were abrogated in the fulness of time God sent his Son And
by the way observe this may comfort us in regard of the Church of God though at present we do not see that Peace and Purity in the Church as we could desire yet in the fulness of time when God's time is come and Mercy is ripe then shall Deliverance spring up and God will come riding upon the Chariots of Salvation When the fulness of time was come then God sent forth his Son made of a Woman Quest. Why was Iesus Christ made flesh Resp. 1. The Causa prime and impulsive Cause was Free-grace Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was Love in God the Father to send Christ and Love in Christ that he came to be Incarnate Love was the intrinsical Motive Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man because he is a lover of Man Christ came out of Pity and Indulgence to us Non merita nostra sed miseria nostra Aug. not our Deserts but our Misery made Christ take flesh Christ's taking flesh was a Plot of Free-grace a pure Design of Love God himself though Almighty was overcome with Love Christ Incarnate is nothing but Love covered with Flesh. Christ's assuming our Humane Nature as it was a Master-piece of Wisdom so a Monument of Free-grace 2. Christ took our flesh upon him that he might take our sins upon him He was saith Luther maximus peccator the greatest Sinner having the weight of the sins of the whole World lying upon him He took our flesh that he might take our sins and so appease God's wrath 3. Christ took our flesh that he might make the Humane Nature appear lovely to God and the Divine Nature appear lovely to Man 1. That he might make the Humane Nature lovely to God Upon our Fall from God our Nature became odious to him no Vermin is so odious to us as the Humane Nature was to God When once our Virgin-Nature was become sinful it was like flesh imposthumated or running into Sores loathsom to behold Such was our Nature when corrupt odious to God he could not endure to look upon us Now Christ taking our flesh makes the Humane Nature appear lovely to God As when the Sun shines on the Glass it casts a bright lustre so Christ being clad with our flesh makes the Humane Nature shine and appear amiable in God's Eyes 2. As Christ being cloath'd with ou◠flesh makes the Humane Nature appear lovely to God so he makes the Divine Nature appear lovely to Man The pure God-head is terrible to behold we could not see it and live But Christ's cloathing himself with our flesh makes the Divine Nature more amiable and delightful to us Now we need not be afraid to look upon God seeing him through Christ's Humane Nature It was a custom of old among the Shepherds they were wont to clothe themselves with Sheep-skins to be more pleasing to the Sheep so Christ cloathed himself with our flesh that the Divine Nature may be more pleasing to us The Humane Nature is a Glass through which we may see the Love and Wisdom and Glory of God clearly represented to us Through the Lanthorn of Christ's Humanity we may behold the Light of the Deity shining Christ being Incarnate he makes the sight of the Deity not formidable but delightful to us 4. Jesus Christ united himself to Man that Man might be drawn nearer to God God was before an Enemy to us by reason of sin but Christ taking our flesh doth mediate for us and bring us into Favour with God As when a King is angry with a Subject the King's Son marries the Daughter of this Subject and so mediates for this Subject and brings him into favour with the King again so when God the Father was angry with us Christ marries himself to our Nature and now mediates for us with his Father and brings us to be Friends again and now God looks upon us with a favourable aspect As Ioab pleaded for Absalom and brought him to King David and David kissed him so doth Jesus Christ ingratiate us into the favour and love of God Therefore he may well be called a Peace-maker having taken our flesh upon him and so made Peace between us and his angry Father Use 1. Branch 1. See here as in a Glass the infinite love of God the Father that when we had lost our selves by sin then God in the riches of his Grace did send forth his Son made of a Woman to redeem us And behold the infinite love of Christ that he was willing thus to condescend to take our flesh Surely the Angels would have disdained to have taken our flesh it would have been a disparagement to them What King would be willing to wear Sackcloth over his Cloath of Gold but Christ did not disdain to take our flesh O the love of Christ Had not Christ been made flesh we had been made a Curse had not he been incarnate we had been incarcerate and had been for ever in Prison Well might an Angel be the Herauld to proclaim this joyful News of Christ's Incarnation Luke 2.10 Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. The Love of Christ in being Incarnate will the more appear if we consider 1. Whence Christ came He came from Heaven and from the richest place in Heaven his Father's Bosom that Hive of Sweetness 2. To whom Christ came Was it to his Friends no he came to sinful Man Man that had defaced his Image abused his Love Man who was turned Rebel Yet he came to Man resolving to conquer Obstinacy with Kindness If he would come to any why not to the Angels that fell Hebr. 2.16 He in no wise took upon him the Nature of Angels The Angels are of a more noble Extract more intelligible Creatures more able for Service I but behold the Love of Christ he came not to the fallen Angels but to Mankind Among the several Wonders of the Loadstone this is not the least That it will not draw Gold or Pearl but despising these it draws the Iron to it one of the most inferiour Mettals Thus Christ leaves the Angels those Noble Spirits the Gold and the Pearl and he comes to poor sinful Man and draws him into his Embraces 3. In what manner he came He came not in the Majesty of a King attended with his Lifeguard but he came poor Not like the Heir of Heaven but like one of an inferiour Descent The Place he was born in was poor not the Royal City Ierusalem but Bethlehem a poor obscure place He was born in an Inn and a Manger was his Cradle the Cobwebs his Curtains the Beasts his Companions he descended of poor Parents One would have thought if Christ would have come into the World he would have made choice of some Queen or Personage of Honour to have descended from but he comes of mean obscure Parents That they were poor appears by
decuit ideo ascendit quo altius non potuit Christ in his Humiliation descended so low that it was not fit to go lower and in his Exaltation he ascended so high that it is not possible to go higher In his Resurrection he was exalted above the Grave in his Ascension he was exalted above the Aery and Starry Heaven in his sitting at God's right Hand he is exalted above the highest Heavens far Eph. 4.10 Far above all heavens 5. God hath exalted Christ in constituting him Judge of the whole World Ioh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son At that day of Judgment shall Christ be exalted super-eminently He shall come in the glory of his Father Mark 8.38 He shall wear the same embroydered Robes of Majesty as the Father And he shall come with all his holy Angels Matth. 25.31 He who was led to the Bar with a Band of Souldiers shall be attended to the Bench with a Guard of Angels Christ shall judge his Judges he shall judge Pilate that condemned him Kings must leave their Throne and come to his Bar. And this is the highest Court of Judicature from whence is no Appeal 1. Use of Information Branch 1. See Christ's different State on Earth and now in Heaven O how is the Scene alter'd When he was on Earth he lay in the Manger now he sits in the Throne then he was hated and scorn'd of Men now he is adored of Angels then his Name was reproached now God hath given him a Name above every name Phil. 2.9 Then he came in the Form of a Servant and as a Servant stood with his Bason and Towel and washed his Disciples Feet Ioh. 13.4 5. now he is clad in his Prince's Robes and the Kings of the Earth cast their Crowns before him on Earth he was a Man of Sorrow now he is anointed with the Oyl of Gladness on Earth was his Crucifixion now his Coronation then his Father frowned upon him in Desertion now he hath set him at his right Hand before he seemed to have no Form or Beauty in him Isa. 53.2 now he is the Brightness of his Father's Glory Heb. 1.3 O what a change is here Him hath GOD highly exalted Branch 2. Was Christ first Humble and then Exalted hence learn the way to true Honour is Humility Luke 14.11 He that humbleth himself shall be exalted The World looks upon Humility as that which will make one contemptible but it is the ready way to Honour The way to rise is to fall the way to ascend is to descend Humility exalts us in the Esteem of Men and it exalts us to an higher Throne in Heaven Matth. 18.4 Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven Viz. He shall have a greater degree of Glory in Heaven Branch 3. Christ first suffered and then was exalted see hence that Sufferings must go before Glory Many desire to be glorified with Christ but they are not content to suffer for Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer with him we shall reign with him The Wicked first reign and then suffer the Godly first suffer and then reign There 's no way to Constantinople but through the Straits no way to Heaven but through Sufferings No way to the Crown but by the way of the Cross. Hierusalem above is a pleasant City Streets of Gold Gates of Pearl but we must travel through a dirty Road to this City through many Reproaches and Sufferings Acts 14.22 We must enter into Glory as Christ did first he suffered Shame and Death and now is exalted to sit at God's right Hand 2. Use of Comfort Branch 1. Christ being so highly exalted hath Ennobled our Nature he hath crowned it with Glory and lifted it up above Angels and Archangels Though Christ as he was Man was made a little lower than the Angels Heb. 2.9 yet as the Humane Nature is united to the Divine and is at God's right Hand so the Humane Nature is above the Angels And if God hath so Dignified our Humane Nature what a shame is it that we should debase it God hath exalted the Humane Nature above the Angels and the Drunkard abaseth the Humane Nature below the Beasts Branch 2. Christ being exalted at God's right hand the Key of Government is laid upon his shoulders he governs all the Affairs of the World for his own Glory Do you think when Christ is so highly advanced and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth in his hand he will not take care of his Elect and turn the most astonishing Providences to the good of his Church In a Clock the Wheels move cross one to another but all make the Clock strike so Christ being at his Father's right hand he will make the most cross Providences tend to the Salvation of his Church Branch 3. Christ being at God's right hand we may be assured he hath now finished the Work of Man's Redemption Heb. 10.12 This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God If Christ had not fully expiated Sin and satisfied God's Law he had not sate down at God's right hand but had still lain in the Grave but now he is exalted to Glory This is an evident Token he hath done and suffered all that was required of him for the working out our Redemption Branch 4. Though Jesus Christ is so highly exalted in Glory yet he is not forgetful of us on Earth some when they are raised to Places of Honour forget their Friends when the Chief Butler was restored to his Place at Court then he forgot poor Ioseph in Prison But it is not so with Christ though he be exalted to such Glory in Heaven yet he is not unmindful of his Saints on Earth Our High-Priest hath all the Names and Wants of his People written upon his Breast-plate Art thou tempted though Christ be in Glory he knows how to pity and succour thee Heb. 4.15 We have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmity Dost thou mourn for sin Christ though in a glorified State he hears thy Sighs bottles thy Tears Branch 5. Christ being exalted at God's right hand this is for the Comfort of Believers that they shall one day be exalted to that Place of Glory where he is Christ's Exaltation is our Exaltation Christ hath prayed for this Joh. 17.24 Father I will that all those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am And he is said to go before to prepare a place for Believers Ioh. 14.2 Christ is called the Head and the Church is called his Body Eph. 1.22 23. The Head being exalted to Honor the Body Mystical shall be exalted too as sure as Christ is exalted far above all Heavens so sure will he instate Believers in all that Glory which his Humane Nature is adorn'd with Ioh. 17.22 As here he puts his Grace upon the Saints so shortly he
Calls Satan calls by a Temptation Lust calls evil company calls But as the Adder stops its Ear against the Voice of the Charmer so he who is effectually called stops his Ear against all the Charms of Flesh and Devil Use 3. Of Comfort to them who are the called of God This Call evidenceth Election Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them he also called Election is the cause of our Vocation and Vocation is the sign of our Election Election is the first Link of the golden Chain of Salvation Vocation is the second he who hath the second Link of the Chain is sure of the first Link As by the Stream we are led to the Fountain so by Vocation we ascend to Election Calling is an earnest and pledge of Glory 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification We may read God's predestinating love in the work of Grace in our heart Branch 2. To such as are called to be thankful to God for this unspeakable Blessing be thankful to all the Persons in the Trinity to the Father's Mercy to the Son's Merit to the Spirit 's Efficacy To make you thankful consider when you had offended God that he should call you that when God needed you not he had Millions of glorified Saints and Angels to praise him yet he called you Again consider what you were before God called you you were in your sins when God called Paul he found him persecuting when he called Matthew he found him at the Receipt of Custom when he called Zacheus he found him using Extorsion When God calls a Man by his Grace he finds him seeking after his Lusts as when Saul was called to the Kingdom he was seeking the Asses That God should call thee when thou wert in the hot pursuit of sin admire God's Love exalt his Praise Again that God should call you and pass by others what Mercy is this Matth. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight That God should pass by the wise and noble Persons of sweeter disposition acuter parts guilty of less Vice and that the Lot of Free-grace should fall on you O astonishing Love of God It was a great favour of God to Samuel that God call'd to him and revealed his Mind to him and passed by Eli though a Priest and a Judge in Israel 1 Sam. 3.9 so that God should call to thee a flagitious sinner and pass by others of higher birth and better morals here is that calls aloud for Praise As God so governs the Clouds that he makes them rain upon one place and not upon another so doth he dispence his Grace it shall drop its sweet dew upon one and not another Two at a Sermon one his heart the Lord opens the other is no more affected with it than a deaf Man with the sound of Musick Here is the Banner of Free-grace display'd and here should be the Trophies of Praise erected Eliah and Elisha were walking together on a sudden there came a Chariot of Fire and carried Eliah up to Heaven but left Elisha behind so when two are walking together Husband and Wife Father and Child that God should call one by his Grace but leave the other carry one up in a triumphant Chariot to Heaven but let the other perish eternally O infinite rich Grace how should they that are call'd be affected with God's discriminating Love how should the Vessels of Mercy run over with Thankfulness how should they stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God O begin the work of Heaven here Such as are Patterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Thus S. Paul being call'd of God and seeing what a Debtor he was to Free-grace breaks forth into Admiration and Gratulation 1 Tim. 1.13 Use 4. To the Called walk worthy of your high Calling Eph. 4.1 I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called in two things 1. Walk compassionately pity such as are yet uncalled Hast thou a Child that God hath not yet called a Wife a Servant Weep over their dying Souls They are in their Bloud under the Power of Satan O pity them Let their sins more trouble you then your own Sufferings If you pity an Ox or Ass going astray will you not pity a Soul going astray Show your Piety by your Pity 2. Walk holily yours is an holy Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 You are called to be Saints Rom. 1.7 Show your Vocation by a Bible-conversation Shall not Flowers smell sweeter than Weeds Shall not they who are ennobled with Grace have more Fragrancy in their Lives than Sinners 1 Pet. 1.15 As he who hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation O dishonour not your high Calling by any sordid Carriage When Antigonus going to defile himself with Women one told him He was a King's Son O remember your Dignity Called of God! of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven do nothing unworthy of your Honourable Calling Scipio refused the Embraces of an Harlot because he was General of an Army Abhor all Motions to sin because of your high Calling 'T is not fit for them who are the Called of God to do as others tho' others of the Iews did drink Wine it was not fit for the Nazarite because he had a Vow of Separation upon him and had promised Abstinence Though Pagans and loose Christians take liberty to sin yet it is not fit for them who are called out of the World and have the Mark of Election upon them to do so You are consecrated Persons your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and your Souls must be a Sacrary or Holy of Holies OF IVSTIFICATION Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace Quest. XXI WHat is Iustification Resp. It is an Act of God's Free-grace whereby he pardoneth all our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight only for the Righteousness of CHRIST imputed to us and received by Faith Iustification is the very Hinge and Pillar of CHRISTIANITY and an Errour about Iustification is dangerous like a Crack in the Foundation or an Errour in the first Concoction Iustification by Christ is a Spring of the Water of Life and to have the Poison of corrupt Doctrine cast into this Spring is damnable It was a Saying of Luther That after his Death the Doctrine of Iustification would be corrupted As it hath been in these latter Times the Arminians and Socinians have cast a dead Fly into this Box of precious Oyntment I shall endeavour to follow the Star of Scripture to light me through this Mysterious Point Quest. What is meant by Iustification Resp. It is verbum forense a word borrowed from Law-courts wherein a Person arraigned is pronounced Righteous and is openly absolved in the Court Thus God in justifying a Person pronounceth him to be Righteous and looks upon him as if he had not sinned Quest. What is the Ground of Iustification Resp. The Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the
any man should boast Eph. 2.9 But the Papists say The Works done by an unregenerate Man indeed cannot justify him but works done by a regenerate Man may justify This is most false as may be proved both by Example and Reason 1. By Example Abraham was a regenerate Man but Abraham was not justified by Works but by Faith Rom. 4.3 Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness 2. By Reason How can those Works justify us which defiles us Isa. 64.6 Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Bona opera non praecedunt justificationem sed sequuntur justificatum Good Works are not an Usher to go before Iustification but an Handmaid to follow it Object But doth not the Apostle Iames say Abraham was justified by works Resp. The answer is easie Works declare us to be righteous before Men but they do not make us righteous before God Works are Evidences of our Iustification not Causes This Name only must be graven upon the Golden Plate of our High Priest Christ The LORD our righteousness 2. Use of Exhortation Branch 1. Adore the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God to find out such a way to justify us by rich Grace and precious Bloud We were all involved in Guilt none of us could plead Not Guilty and being Guilty we lay under a Sentence of Death now that the Judge himself should find out a way to justify us and the Creditor himself contrive a way to have the Debt paid and not distress the Debtor this may fill us with Wonder and Love The Angels admire the Mystery of Free-grace in this new way of Justifying and Saving lost Man 1 Pet. 1.12 and should not we who are nearly concerned in it and on whom the Benefit is devolved cry out with the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! c. Branch 2. Labour for this high Priviledge of Justification There is Balm in Gilead Christ hath laid down the Price of our Justification viz. His Bloud and he offers himself and all his Merits to us to justifie he invites us to come to him he hath promised to give his Spirit to inable us to do what is required Why then Sinners will ye not look after this great Priviledge of Iustification Do not starve in the midst of Plenty do not perish when there is a Remedy to save you Would not he be thought to be distracted if having a Pardon offered him only upon the Acknowledgment of his Fault and promising Amendment he should bid the Prince keep his Pardon to himself for his part he was in love with his Chains and Fetters and would dye Thou who neglectest Iustification offered thee freely by Christ in the Gospel art this distracted Person Is the Love of Christ to be slighted Is thy Soul and Heaven worth nothing O then look after Iustification through Christ's Bloud Consider 1. The necessity of being justified If we are not justified we cannot be glorified Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he also glorified He who is Outlawed and all his Goods confiscated must be brought into Favour with his Prince before he can be restored to his former Rights and Liberties So we must first have our Sins forgiven and be brought into God's Favour by Iustification before we can be restored to the Liberty of the Sons of God and have Right to that Happiness we forfeited in Adam 2. The Utility and Benefit By Iustification we enjoy Peace in our Conscience a richer Jewel then any Prince wears in his Crown Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God Peace can sweeten all Afflictions it turns our Water into Wine How happy is a justified Person who hath the Power of God to guard him and the Peace of God to comfort him Peace flowing from Iustification is an Antidote against the Fear of Death and Hell Rom. 8.34 It is God that justifies who is he that condemneth Therefore labour for this Iustification by Christ this Priviledge is obtain'd by believing in Christ Acts 13.39 By him all that believe are justified And Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud Faith unites us to Christ and having Union with his Person we partake of his Merits and the glorious Salvation which comes by him Use 3. Comfort to the Justified 1. It is Comfort in case of Failings Alas how defective are the Godly they come short in every Duty But though Believers should be humbled under their Defects yet not despond they are not to be justifi'd by their Duties or Graces but the Righteousness of Christ. Their Duties are mixed with Sin but that Righteousness which justifies them is a perfect Righteousness 2. Comfort in case of hard Censures The World censures the People of God for Proud and Hypocritical and the Troublers of Israel but though Men censure and condemn the Godly yet God hath justified them And as he hath now justified them so at the Day of Judgment he will openly justifie them and pronounce them Righteous before Men and Angels And God is so just and holy a Judge that having once justified his People he will never condemn them Pilate justified Christ I find no fault in him yet after this he condemned him But God having publickly justified his Saints he will never condemn them Whom he justified them he also glorified Of ADOPTION Joh. 1.12 To them he gave power to become the sons of GOD. HAving spoken of the great Points of Faith and Justification the next is Adoption 1. The Qualification of the Persons As many as received him Receiving is put for Believing as is clear by the last words To them that believe in his name 2. The Specification of the Priviledge To them he gave power to become the sons of God The Greek word for Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Dignity and Prerogative he dignified them to become the Sons of God Our Sonship differs from Christ's Sonship Christ was the Son of God by Eternal Generation a Son before time but our Sonship is 1. By Creation Acts 17.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are his Off-spring This is no Priviledge Men may have God for their Father by Creation yet have the Devil for their Father 2. Our Sonship is by Adoption So in the Text He gave them power to become the sons of God Adoption is twofold 1. External and Federal So those who live in a visible Church and make a Profession of God are Sons Matth. 8.12 The children of the kingdom shall be cast out 2. Real and Gracious So they are Sons who are GOD's Favourites and are Heirs of Glory Before I proceed to the Questions I shall lay down three Positions 1. Adoption takes in all Nations At first Adoption was confined to the People of the Iews they only were grafted in to the true Olive and were dignified with glorious Priviledges Rom. 9.4 Who are Israelites to whom pertaineth
the adoption and the glory But now in the time of Gospel the Chartar is enlarged and the believing Gentiles are within the Line of Communication and have a Right to the Priviledge of Adoption as well as the Iews Acts 10.35 In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Position 2. Adoption takes in both Sexes Females as well as Males 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters I have read in some Countries Females are excluded from the Supream Dignity as by the Salique Law in France no Woman can inherit a Crown But if we speak of Spiritual Priviledges Females are as capable as Males Every gracious Soul of whatever Sex lays claim to Adoption and hath an Interest in God as a Father Ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Position 3. Adoption is an Act of pure Grace Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will Adoption is a Mercy spun out of the Bowels of Free-grace all by Nature are Strangers therefore have no Right to Sonship only God is pleased to adopt one and not another to make one a Vessel of Glory another a Vessel of Wrath. The adopted Heir may cry out Lord how is it thou wilt show thyself to me and not unto the World Quest. What this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Filiation or Adoption is Resp. Adoption is the taking a Stranger into the Relation of a Son and Heir So Moses was the adopted Son of King Pharoah's Daughter Exod. 2.10 And Esther was the adopted Child of her Cousin Mordecai Esth. 2.7 Thus God adopts us into the Family of Heaven and God in adopting us doth two things 1. He Ennobles us with his Name he who is adopted bears his Name who adopts him Rev. 3.12 I will write on him the name of my God 2. God consecrates us with his Spirit Whom he Adopts he Anoints whom he makes Sons he makes Saints When a Man adopts another for his Son and Heir he may put his Name upon him but he cannot put his Disposition into him if he be of a morose rugged Nature he cannot alter it But whom God adopts he sanctifies He doth not only give them a new Name but a new Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 God turns the Wolf into a Lamb he makes the Heart humble and gracious he works such a Change as if another Soul did dwell in the same Body Quest. From what State doth God take us when he adopts us Resp. From a State of Sin and Misery King Pharoah's Daughter took Moses out of the Ark of Bulrushes in the Water and adopted him for her Son God did not take us out of the Water but out of our Bloud and adopted us Ezek. 16. God adopted us from Slavery It is a Mercy to redeem a Slave but it is more to adopt him Quest. To what God adopts us Resp. He adopts us to a State of Excellency it were much for God to take a Clod of Dust and make it a Star it is more for God to take a Piece of Clay and Sin and adopt it for his Heir 1. God adopts us to a State of Liberty Adoption is a State of Freedom A Slave being adopted is made a free Man Gal. 4.7 Thou art no more a servant but a son Quest. How is an adopted Son free Resp. 1. Not to do what he list he is freed from the Dominion of Sin the Tyranny of Satan the Curse of the Law 2. He is free in the manner of Worship he hath God's free Spirit which makes him free and chearful in his Service of God he is joyful in the house of prayer Isa. 56.7 2. God adopts us to a State of Dignity God makes us Heirs of Promise God Instals us into Honour Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable The Adopted are God's Treasure Exod. 19.5 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 His first Born Heb. 12.23 They have Angels for their Life-guard Heb. 1.14 They are of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven 1 Iob. 3.9 The Scripture hath set forth their Spiritual Heraldry they have their Escutcheon or Coat-armour Sometimes they give the Lyon for their Courage Prov. 28.1 Sometimes the Dove for their Meekness Cant. 2.14 Sometimes the Eagle for their Sublimeness Isa. 40.31 Thus you see their Coat of Arms display'd but what is Honour without Inheritance God adopts all his Sons to an Inheritance Luke 12.32 It is your Father's good pleasure to give you a kingdom 'T is no Disparagment to be the Sons of God To reproach the Saints is as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King Adoption ends in Coronation The Kingdom God gives his adopted Sons and Heirs excels all Earthly Monarchies 1. In Riches Rev. 21.21 the Gates of Pearl and the Streets of pure Gold and as it were transparent Glass 2. In Tranquility it is peaceable the white Lily of Peace is the best Flower of a Prince's Crown Pax una triumphis innumeris melior No Divisions at Home or Invasions Abroad no more the Noise of the Drum or Canon but the Voice of Harpers harping the Hieroglyphick of Peace Rev. 14.2 3. In Stability other Kingdoms are corruptible though they have Heads of Gold yet Feet of Clay but this Kingdom into which the Saints are adopted runs parallel with Eternity 't is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 The Heirs of Heaven reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 Quest. What is the Organical or Instrumental Cause of Adoption Resp. Faith interests us in the Priviledge of Adoption Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Before Faith be wrought we are Spiritually Illegitimate we have no relation to God as a Father an Unbeliever may call God Iudge but not Father Faith is the filiating Grace it confers upon us the Title of Sonship and gives us right to inherit Quest. Why Faith is the Instrument of Adoption more then any other Grace Resp. 1. Faith is a quickning Grace it is the Vital Artery of the Soul Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by faith Life makes us capable of Adoption dead Children are never adopted 2. Faith makes us CHRIST's Brethren and so GOD comes to be our Father Use 1. Branch 1. See the amazing Love of God in making us his Sons Plato gave God Thanks that he had made him a Man and not only a Man but a Philosopher but it is infinitely more that he should invest us with the Prerogative of Sons It is Love in God to feed us but more to adopt us 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! It is an Ecce Admirantis a Behold of Wonder The Wonder of God's Love in adopting us will appear the more if we consider these six things 1. That God should adopt us when he
had a Son of his own Men adopt because they want Children and desire to have some to bear their Name but that God should adopt us when he had a Son of his own the Lord Iesus here is the Wonder of Love Christ is call'd God's dear Son Col. 1.13 A Son more worthy then the angels Heb. 1.4 Being made so much better then the angels Now when God had a Son of his own such a Son here is the Wonder of God's Love in adopting us We needed a Father but he did not need Sons 2. Consider what we were before God did adopt us We were very deformed a Man will scarce adopt him for his Heir that is crooked and ill-favoured but that hath some Beauty Mordecai adopted Esther because she was fair But we were in our Bloud and then God adopted us Ezek. 16.6 When I saw thee polluted in thy bloud it was the time of love God did not adopt us when we were bespangled with the Jewels of Holiness and had the Angels Glory upon us but when we were black as Aethiopians diseased as Leapers then it was the time of Love 3. That God should be at so great Expence in adopting us When Men adopt they have only some Deed seal'd and the thing is effected but when God adopts it puts him to a far greater Expence it seâ—s his Wisdom a work to find out a way to adopt us It was no easie thing to make the Heirs of Wrath Heirs of the Promise And when God had found out a way to adopt it was no easie way our Adoption is purchased at a dear Rate When God was about to make us Sons and Heirs he could not Seal the Deed but by the Bloud of his own Son Here is the Wonder of God's Love in adopting us that he should be at all this Expence to bring this work about 4. That God should adopt his Enemies If a Man adopts another for his Heir he will not adopt his mortal Enemy but that God should adopt us when we were not only Strangers but Enemies Here is the Wonder of Love for God to have pardoned his Enemies had been much but to adopt them for his Heirs this sets the Angels in Heaven a wondring 5. That God should take great Numbers out of the Devil's Family and adopt them into the Family of Heaven Christ is said to bring many sons to glory Heb. 2.10 Men adopt usually but one Heir but God is resolved to encrease his Family he brings many Sons to Glory God's adopting Millions is the Wonder of Love Had but one been adopted all of us might have despair'd but he brings many Sons to Glory this opens a Door of Hope to us 6. That God should confer so great Honour upon us in adopting us David thought it no small Honour that he should be a King's Son-in-law 1 Sam. 18.18 But what Honour to be the Sons of the High God And the more Honour God hath put upon us in adopting us the more he hath magnified his Love towards us What Honour that God hath made us so near in Alliance to him Sons of God the Father Members of God the Son Temples of God the Holy Ghost that he hath made us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels Matth. 22.30 Nay in some sence superiour to the Angels all proclaims the Wonder of God's Love in adopting us Branch 2. See the sad Condition of such as live and dye in Unbelief they are not the Sons of God To as many as received him he gave power to become the sons of God even to them that believe in his name No Faith no Sonship Unbelievers have no Sign on Sonship they know not God all God's Children know their Father but the Wicked do not know him Jer. 9.3 They proceed from evil to evil and know not me saith the Lord. Unbelievers are dead in Trespasses Eph. 2.1 God hath no dead Children and not being Children they have no Right to inherit 2. Use of Tryal Try whether we are adopted all the World is divided into these two Ranks either the Sons of God or the Heirs of Hell Joh. 1.12 To them he gave power to become the sons of God Let us put ourselves on a Tryal it is no sign we are adopted Sons because we are Sons of Godly Parents The Iews boasted that they were Abraham's Seed Ioh. 8.33 they thought they must needs be good because they came of such an Holy Line But Adoption doth not come by Bloud we see many godly Parents have wicked Sons Abraham had an Ishmael Isaac an Esau. The Corn that is sown pure yet brings forth Grain with an Husk He who himself is Holy yet the Child that springs from his Loins is Unholy So that as Hierom Non nascimur filii We are not God's Sons as we are born of godly Parents but by Adoption and Grace Well then let us try if we are the adopted Sons and Daughters of God First Sign of Adoption Obedience a Son obeys his Father Jer. 35.5 I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine and cups and said unto them Drink ye Wine But they said We will drink no wine for Ionadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no wine So when God saith Drink not in Sin 's enchanted Cup an adopted Child saith My Heavenly Father hath commanded me I dare not Drink A gracious Soul doth not only believe God's Promise but obey his Command And true Child-like Obedience must be Regular which implies three things 1. It must be done by a right Rule Obedience must have the Word for its Rule Lydius Lapis Isa. 8.20 To the law to the testimony If our Obedience be not according to the Word it is offering up strange Fire it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Will-worship and God will say Who hath required this at your hand The Apostle condemns worshipping of Angels which had a show of Humility Col. 2.18 The Iews might say they were loath to be so bold as to go to God in their own Persons they would be more humble and prostrate themselves before the Angels desiring them to be their Mediators to God Here was a show of Humility in their Angel-worship but it was abominable because they had no Word of God to warrant it It was not Obedience but Idolatry Child-like Obedience is that which is consonant to our Father 's revealed Will. 2. It must be done from a right Principle i. e. The noble Principle of Faith Rom. 16.26 The obedience of faith Quicquid decorum est ex fide proficiscitur Aug. A Crab-tree may bear Fruit fair to the Eye but it is sowr because it doth not come from a good Root A Moral Person may give God outward Obedience and to the Eyes of others it seems glorious but his Obedience is sowr because it comes not from that sweet and pleasant Root of Faith A Child of God gives him the Obedience of Faith and that
Desertion and are cast down for want of Assurance Resp. 1. Want of Assurance shall not hinder the Success of the Saints Prayers Sin lived in doth ponere obicem put a Bar to our Prayer but want of Assurance doth not hinder Prayer we may go to God still in an humble fiducial manner A Christian perhaps may think because he doth not see Gods smiling Face therefore God will not hear him This is a mistake Psal. 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my Supplication If we pour out Sighs to Heaven God hears every Groan though he doth not shew us his Face he may lend us his Ear. 2. Faith may be strongest when Assurance is weakest the Woman of Canaan had no Assurance but a Glorious Faith O Woman Great is thy Faith Mat. 15.28 Rachel was more Fair but Leah was more Fruitful Assurance is more fair and lovely to look upon but a fruitful Faith God sees is better for us Iohn 20.28 Blessed are they that Believe and feel not 3. When God is out of sight yet he is not out of Covenant Psalm 89.28 My Covenant shall stand fast Though a Wife doth not see her Husbands Face in many Years yet the Marriage Relation holds and he will come again to her after a long Voyage God may be gone from the Soul in Desertion but the Covenant stands fast Isa. 54.10 The Covenant of my Peace shall not be removed Quer. But this Promise was made to the Jews and doth not belong to us Yes Verse 17. This is the Heritage of the Servants of the Lord. This is made to all the Servants of God them that are now living as well as those who lived in the time of the Jews Quest. 8. What should we do to get Assurance Resp. 1. Keep a pure Conscience let no Guilt lie upon the Conscience unrepented of God Seals no Pardons before Repentance God will not pour in the Wine of Assurance into a foul Vessel Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near in full Assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience Guilt clips the Wings of Comfort he who is conscious to himself of Secret Sins cannot draw near to God in full Assurance he cannot call God Father but Judge keep Conscience as clear as your Eye that no dust of sin fall into it 2. If you would have Assurance be much in the Actings of Grace 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self unto Godliness Men grow rich by Trading by Trading in Grace we grow rich in Assurance 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your Election sure How Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge Keep Grace upon the Wing it is the lively Faith flourisheth into Assurance no Man will set up a great Sail in a small Boat but in a large Vessel God sets up the Sail of Assurance in an Heart enlarged in Grace 3. If you would have Assurance cherish the Holy Spirit of God When David would have Assurance he Prays Take not away thy Spirit from me Psal. 51.11 He knew it was the Spirit only that could make him hear the Voice of Joy The Spirit is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter he seals up Assurance 2 Cor. 1.22 therefore make much of the Spirit do not grieve it As Noah opened the Ark to receive the Dove so should we open our Hearts to receive the Spirit This is the Blessed Dove which brings an Olive branch of Assurance in its Mouth 4. Let us lye at the Pool of the Ordinances frequent the Word and Sacrament Cant. 2. He brought me to the Banqueting House and his Banner over me was Love The blessed Ordinances are the Banqueting House where God displays the Banner of Assurance The Sacrament is a Sealing Ordinance Christ made himself known to his Disciples in the breaking of Bread So in the Holy Supper in the breaking of Bread God makes himself known to us to be our God and Portion Quest. 9. How should they carry themselves who have Assurance Resp. 1. If you have Assurance of your Justification do not abuse Assurance 1. 'T is an abusing of Assurance when we grow more remiss in Duty as the Musician having Mony thrown him leaves off playing By Remisness or intermitting the Exercises of Religion we grieve the Spirit and that is the way to have an Imbargo laid upon our Spiritual Comforts 2. We abuse Assurance when we grow Presumptuous and less fearful of sin What because a Father gives his Son an Assurance of his Love and tells him he will entail his Land upon him shall the Son therefore be Wanton and Dissolute This were the way to lose his Fathers Affection and make him cut off the Entail it was an Aggravation of Solomon's Sin His Heart was turned away from the Lord after he had appeared to him twice 1 Kings 11.9 'T is bad to sin when one wants Assurance but it is worse to sin when one hath it Hath the Lord seal'd his Love with a Kiss Hath he left a Pawn of Heaven in your Hands and do you thus requite the Lord Will you sin with Manna in your Mouth Doth God give you the sweet Clusters of Assurance to feed on and will you return him wild Grapes It much pleaseth Satan either to see us want Assurance or abuse it This is to abuse Assurance when the Pulse of our Soul beats faster in Sin and slower in Duty 2. If you have Assurance admire this stupendious Mercy You deserv'd that God should give you Gaul and Vinegar to drink and hath he made the Hony-Comb of his Love to drop upon you O fall down and adore his Goodness say Lord How is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and not to other Believers Those whom thou lovest as the Apple of thine Eye yet thou holdest them in Suspence and givest them no Assurance of thy Love though thou hast given them the new Name yet not the White stone though they have the Seed of Grace yet not the Oyl of Gladness though they have the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier yet not the Holy Ghost the Comforter Lord whence is it that thou shouldest manifest thy self to me and make thy Golden Beams of Assurance shine upon my Soul O admire God! this will be the Work of Heaven 3. Let your Hearts be endeared in Love to God If God gives his People Correction they must love him much more when he gives them Assurance Psal. 31.23 O love the Lord ye his Saints Hath God brought you to the Borders of Canaan given you a Bunch of Grapes crown'd you with loving Kindness confirm'd your Pardon under the Broad Seal of Heaven How can you be frozen at such a Fire How can you choose but be turn'd into Seraphins Burning in Divine Love Say as St. Austin Animam meam odio Haberem I would hate my own Soul if I did not find it loving God Give God the Cream and Quintessence of your Love and shew your Love by
being willing to lose all for his Sake 4. If you have Assurance improve it for Gods Glory several ways 1. By encouraging such as are yet unconverted Tell them how sweet this hidden Manna is Tell them what a good Master you serve what Vails you have had Tell them God hath carried you to the Hill of Myrrhe to the Mountains of Spices He hath given you not only a Prospect of Heaven but an Earnest O perswade Sinners by all the Love and Mercy of God that they would enroll their Names in his Family and cast themselves upon him for Salvation Tell them God hath met with you and unlock'd the Secrets of Free Grace and assured you of a Land flowing with those infinite Delights which Eye hath not seen Thus by telling others what God hath done for your Soul you may make them in love with the ways of God and cause them to turn Proselytes to Religion 2. Improve Assurance by comforting such as want it Be as the good Samaritan pour Wine and Oyl into their Wounds You â—ho have Assurance are gotten as it were to the Haven you are sure of your Happiness but do you not see others who are struggling with the Waves of Temptation and Desertion and are ready to sink O now Sympathize with them and do what you can to comfort them when they are in this deep Ocean 2 Cor. 1.6 Whether we be comforted it is for your Consolation The comfortable experience of one Christian being communicated to another doth much revive and bear up his fainting Heart Our Comfort saith the Apostle is for your Consolation 3. Improve Assurance by walking more Heavenly you should Scorn these things below you who have an Earnest of Heaven should not be too Earnest for the Earth You have Angels Food and it becomes not you with the Serpent to lick the Dust. The Wicked are all for Corn Wine and Oyl but you have that which is better God hath lifted up the Light of his Countenance Will you hanker after the World when you have been feeding upon the Grapes and Pomegranates of the Holy Land Do you now Lust after the Garlick and Onions of Egypt when you are Cloathed with the Sun will you set the Moon and Stars above you O let them scramble for the World who have nothing else but Husks to feed on Have you assurance of Heaven and is not that enough Will not a Kingdom satisfie you Such as are high in Assurance should be in the Altitudes live above the World 4. Improve Assurance by a Chearful Walking It is for Condemn'd Persons to go hanging down their Head but hast thou thy Absolution Doth thy God smile on thee Chear up 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the King's Son Lean Art thou the King's Son hath God assured thee of thy Adoption and art thou â—ad Assurance should be an Antidote against all Trouble What though the World hate thee yet thou art assur'd that thou art one of Gods Favourites What though there is but little Oyl in the Cruse and thou art low in the World yet thou art high in Assurance O then rejoyce How Musical is the Bird How doth it chirp and sing that knows not where to pick up the next Crumb And shall they be sad and discontented who have God's Bond to assure them of their daily Bread and his Love to assure them of Heaven But certainly those who have Assurance cannot but be of a Sanguine Complexion 5. If you have an Assurance of Salvation let this make you long after a Glorified State He who hath an Earnest in his Hand desires the whole Sum to be paid That Soul who hath tasted how sweet the Lord is should long for a fuller enjoyment of him in Heaven Hath Christ put this Ring of Assurance on thy Hand and so espoused thee to himself how shouldst thou long for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 O Christian think with thy self if a glimpse of Heaven a smile of God's Face be so sweet what will it be to be ever sunning thy self in the Light of God's Countenance Certainly you who have an Assurance of your Title to Heaven cannot but desire Possession Be content to Live but willing to Dye 6. If you have Assurance be careful you do no not lose it keep it for it is your Life viz. the comfort of your Life Keep Assurance 1 st by Prayer Psal. 36.10 O continue thy Loving Kindness Lord continue Assurance do not take away this Privy Seal from me 2 dly Keep Assurance by Humility Pride estrangeth God from the Soul when you are high in Assurance be low in Humility St. Paul had Assurance and he Baptizeth himself with this Name Chief of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 The Jewel of Assurance is best kept in the Cabinet of an Humble Heart Of PEACE 1 Pet. 1.2 Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied HAving spoken of the first Fruit of Sanctification Assurance I proceed to the Second viz. Peace Peace be Multiplied Quest. What are the several species or kinds of Peace Resp. Peace in Scripture is compar'd to a River Isa. 66.12 this River parts it self into Two Silver Streams 1. There is an External Peace and that is either 1. Aeconomical Peace in a Family 2. Political Peace in the State Peace is the Nurse of Plenty Psal. 147.14 He maketh Peace in thy Borders and filleth thee with the finest of the Wheat How pleasant is it when the Waters of Blood begin to asswage and we can see the Windows of our Ark open and the Dove returning with an Olive-branch of Peace 3. Ecclesiastical Peace Peace in the Church It s Unity in Trinity is the greatest Mystery in Heaven and Unity in Verity the greatest Mercy on Earth Peace Ecclesiastical stands in opposition to Schism and Persecution 2. A Spiritual Peace which is Two-fold Peace above us or Peace with God and Peace within us or Peace with Conscience This is Superlative other Peace may be lasting this is everlasting Quest. 2. Whence comes this Peace Resp. This Peace hath the whole Trinity for its Author 1. God the Father is the God of Peace 1 Thes. 5.23 2. God the Son is the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 3. Peace is said to be the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 1. God the Father is the God of Peace As he is the God of Order 1 Cor. 14.33 so the God of Peace Phil. 4.9 This was the form of the Priests blessing the People Numb 6.26 The Lord give thee Peace 2. God the Son is the Purchaser of Peace He hath made Peace by his Blood Col. 1.20 Having made Peace by the Blood of his Cross. The Attonement Aaron made for the People when he entred into the Holy of Holies with Blood was a Type of Christ our High Priest who hath by his Sacrifice pacified his angry Father and made Attonement for us Christ purchased our Peace upon hard terms his Soul was in an Agony while he was travailing to bring forth
Peace to the World 3. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit He seals up Peace to the Conscience the Spirit clears up the work of Grace in the Heart from whence ariseth Peace There was a Well of Water near Hagar but she did not see it therefore wept A Christian hath Grace but doth not see it therefore Weeps Now the Spirit discovers this Well of Water it enables Conscience to witness to a Man that he hath the real work of Grace and so Peace flows into the Soul Thus you see whence this Peace comes the Father decrees it the Son purchaseth it the Holy Ghost applies it Quest. 3. Whether such as are destitute of Grace may have Peace Resp. No. Peace flows from Sanctification but they being unregenerate have nothing to do with Peace Isa. 57.21 There is no Peace saith my God to the Wicked They may have a Truce but no Peace God may forbear the Wicked a while and stop the Roaring of his Cannon but though there be a Truce yet no Peace The Wicked may have something which looks like Peace but is not They may be fearless and stupid but there is a great difference between a stupified Conscience and a pacified Conscience Luke 11.21 When a strong Man keeps his Palace his Goods are in Peace This is the Devils Peace he rocks Men in the Cradle of Security he cries Peace Peace when Men are upon the Precipice of Hell The seeming Peace a Sinner hath is not from the knowledg of his Happiness but the ignorance of his Danger Quest. 4. What are the Signs of a false Peace Resp. 1. A false Peace hath much Confidence in it but this Confidence is Conceit The Sinner doth not doubt of Gods Mercy from which presumptuous Confidence ariseth somâ— kind of quiet in the Mind The same Word in the Hebrew Gasal signifies both Confidence and Folly Indeed a Sinners Confidence is Folly How confident were the Foolish Virgins 2. False Peace separates those things which God hath joyned together God joyns Holiness and Peace but he who hath a false Peace separates these Two He lays claim to Peace but banisheth Holiness Deut. 29.19 I shall have Peace though I walk in the imagination of my Heart to add Drunkenness to Thirst. The Wicked are loose and vain and yet thank God they have Peace A Delusion You may as well suck Health out of Poison as Peace out of Sin 3. False Peace is not willing to be Tried a sign they are bad Wares which will not endure the Light a sign a Man hath stolen Goods when he will not have his House Searched A false Peace cannot endure to be tryed by the Word The Word speaks of an humbling and refining work upon the Soul before Peace false Peace cannot endure to hear of this The least trouble will shake this Peace it will end in despair In a false Peace Conscience is asleep but when this Lion of Conscience shall be awaken'd at Death then it will roar upon a Man he will be a Terror to himself and be ready to lay violent Hands upon himself Quest. 5. How shall we know that ours is a true Peace Resp. 1. True Peace flows from Union with Christ Communio â—undatur in unione The Graft or Cien must first be inoculated into the Tree before it can receive Sap and Nourishment from it So we must first be ingrafted into Christ before we can receive Peace from him Have we Faith By Holiness we are made like Christ by believing we are made one with Christ and being in Christ we have Peace Iohn 16.33 2. True Peace flows from Subjection to Christ where Christ gives Peace there he sets up his Government in the Heart Isa. 9.7 Of his Government and Peace there shall be no end Christ is called a Priest upon his Throne Zach. 6.13 Christ as a Priest makes Peace but he will be a Priest upon his Throne he brings the Heart in subjection to him If Christ be our Peace he is our Prince Isa. 9.6 Whenever Christ pacifies the Conscience he subdues the Lust. 3. True Peace is after Trouble First God le ts loose a Spirit of Bondage he convinceth and humbleth the Soul then he speaks Peace Many say they have Peace but is this Peace before a Storm or after it True Peace is after Trouble First there was the Earthquake and then the Fire and then the still small Voice 1 Kings 19.11 Thou who never hadst any legal Bruisings mayest suspect thy Peace God pours the Golden Oyl of Peace into Broken Hearts Quest. 6. Whether have all Sanctified Persons this Peace Resp. They have a Title to it they have the Ground of it Grace is the Seed of Peace and it will in time turn to Peace as the Blossoms of a Tree to Fruit Milk to Cream They have a Promise of it Psal. 29.11 The Lord will bless his People with Peace They may have Peace with God though not Peace in their own Conscience they have the initials and beginnings of Peace There is a secret Peace the Heart hath in serving God such Meltings and Enlargements in Duty as do revive the Soul and bear it up from sinking Quest. 7. But why have not all Believers the full enjoyment and possession of Peace Why is not this Flower of Peace fully ripe and blown Resp. Some of the Godly may not have so full a degree of Peace 1. Through the fury of Temptation the Devil if he cannot destroy us he will disturb us Satan disputes against our Adoption he would make us question the work of Grace in our Hearts and so troubles the Waters of our Peace Satan is like a subtil Cheater who if he cannot make a Mans Title to his Land void yet he will put him to many troublesom Suits in Law If Satan cannot make us Ungodly he will make us unquiet Violent Winds make the Sea rough and stormy the Winds of Temptation blowing disturb Peace of Spirit and put the Soul into a Commotion 2. The Godly may not enjoy Peace through mistake and misapprehension about Sin They find so much Corruption that sure if there were Grace there would not be such strong Workings of Corruption Whereas this should be so far from discouraging Christians and hindering their Peace that it is an Argument for them Let me ask whence is it that you feel Sin no Man can feel Sin but by Grace A wicked Man is insensible lay an 100 weight upon a Dead Man he doth not complain but the being sensible of Corruption argues a Gracious Principle Rom. 7.21 Again whence is it that there is a Combat with Sin but from the Life of Grace Gal. 5.17 Dead things cannot Combat Whence is it that the Saints weep for Sin what are these Tears but Seeds of Faith The not understanding of this hinders a Christians Peace 3. The Godly may not injoy Peace through remisness in Duty they leave their first Love When Christians abate their fervency God abates their Peace if you slacken
the Strings of a Viol the Musick is spoil'd if Christians slacken in Duty they spoil the sweet Musick of Peace in their Souls As the Fire decays so the Cold increaseth as Fervency in Duty abates so our Peace cools Use. Labour for this blessed Peace Peace with God and Conscience Peace with Neighbour Nations is sweet Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peace comprehends all Blessings it is the Glory of a Kingdom a Princes Crown is more Beautiful when it is hung with the white Lilly of Peace than when it is set with the Red Roses of a Bloody War O then how sweet is Peace of Conscience it is a Bulwark against the Enemy Phil. 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall keep you as in a Garrison you may throw out the Gantlet and bid defiance to Enemies It is the Golden Pot and the Manna it is the first Fruits of Paradise It is still Musick for want of this a Christian is in continual fear he doth not take that comfort in Ordinances Hannah went up to the Feast at Ierusalem but she wept and did not eat 1 Sam. 1.7 So a poor dejected Soul goes to an Ordinance but doth not eat of the Feast he weeps and doth not eat He cannot take that comfort in Worldly Blessings Health Estate Relations he wants that inward Peace which should be as Sawce to sweeten his Comforts O therefore labour for this blessed Peace consider the noble and excellent effects of it First It gives boldness at the Throne of Grace Guilt of Conscience clips the Wings of Prayer it makes the Face Blush and the Heart But when a Christian hath some lively apprehensions of God's Love and the Spirit whispering Peace then he goes to God with boldness as a Child to his Father Psal. 25.1 Unto thee O Lord I lift up my Soul Time was when David's Soul was bowed down Psal. 38.6 I am bowed down greatly But now the case is alter'd he will lift up his Soul to God in a way of Triumph whence was this God had spoken Peace to his Soul Psal. 26.3 Thy loving Kindness is before mine Eyes 2. This Divine Peace fires the Heart with Love to Christ Peace is the result of Pardon he who hath a Pardon seal'd cannot choose but love his Prince How endeared is Christ to the Soul now Christ is precious indeed O saith the Soul how sweet is this Rose of Sharon Hath Christ waded through a Sea of Blood and Wrath to purchase my Peace hath he not only made Peace but spoke Peace to me how should my Heart ascend in a fiery Chariot of Love how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ 3. This Peace quiets the heart in Trouble Mic. 5.5 This Man shall be the Peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land and tread in our Palaces The Enemy may invade our Palaces but not our Peace this Man Christ shall be the Peace When the Head akes the Heart may be well when Worldly troubles assault a Christian his Mind may be in Peace and Quiet Psal. 4.8 I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep 'T was now a sad time with David he was flying for his Life from Absalom it was no small Afflicton to think that his own Son should seek to take away his Fathers Life and Crown David wept and covered his Face 2 Sam. 15.30 Yet at this time saith he I will lay me down in Peace and Sleep He had trouble from his Son but Peace from his Conscience David could sleep upon the soft Pillow of a good Conscience This is a Peace worth getting Quest. 8. What shall we do to attain this blessed Peace Resp. 1. Let us ask it of God he is the God of Peace he beats back the roaring Lion he stills the raging of Conscience If we could call all the Angels out of Heaven they could not speak Peace without God The Stars cannot make Day without the Sun none can make day in a dark Deserted Soul but the Sun of Righteousness as the Wilderness cannot water it self but remains dry and parched till the Clouds drop their Moisture so our Hearts cannot have Peace till he infuse and drop it upon us by his Spirit Therefore pray Lord thou who art the God of Peace create Peace thou who art the Prince of Peace command it Give me that Peace which may sweeten trouble yea the bitter Cup of Death 2. If you would have Peace make War with Sin Sin is the Achan that troubles us the Trojan Horse 2 Kings 9.22 When Joram saw Jehu he said is it Peace Jehu And he answered what Peace so long as the Whoredoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her Witchcrafts are so many What Peace as long as Sin remains unmortified If you would have Peace with God break the League with Sin Give battel to Sin it is a most just War God hath proclaimed it Nay he hath promised us Victory Sin shall not have Dominion Rom. 6. No way to Peace but by maintaining a War with Sin Pax nostra Bellum contra Daemonem Tert. When Sampson had slain the Lion there came Hony out of the Lion By Slaying Sin we get this Hony of Peace 3. Go to Christs Blood for Peace Some go to fetch their Peace from their own Righteousness not Christs they go for Peace to their Holy Life not Christ's Death If Conscience be troubled they strive to quiet it with their Duties this is not the right way to Peace Duties must not be neglected nor yet idolized Look up to the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.24 That Blood of Christ which pacified God must pacifie Conscience Christ's blood being suck'd in by Faith gives Peace Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God No Balm to cure a Wounded Conscience but the Blood of Christ. 4. Walk closely with God Peace flows from Purity Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them In the Text Grace and Peace are put together Grace is the Root and Peace is the Flower As Balm-Water drops from the Limbeck so Divine Peace comes out of the Limbeck of a Gracious Heart Walk very Holily God's Spirit is first a Refiner before a Comforter Bran. 2. You who have this Peace Peace above Peace within labour to keep it it is a precious Jewel do not lose it 'T is sad to have the League of National Peace broken but it is worse to have the Peace of Conscience broken Oh preserve this Peace First Take heed of Relapses hath God spoken Peace do not turn again to Folly Psal. 85.8 Besides the Ingratitude there 's folly in Relapses it was long ere God was reconciled and the Breach made up and will you again Eclipse and Forfeit your Peace Hath God heal'd the wound of Conscience and will you tear it open again Will you break another Vein will you cut a new Artery This is returning indeed to folly What Madness is it
are kept by the Power of God unto Salvation every Person in the Trinity hath an hand in making a Believer persevere God the Father establisheth 2 Cor. 1.21 God the Son confirms 1 Cor. 1.8 God the Holy Ghost Seals Eph. 1.13 so that it is the power of God keeps us Alas we are not kept by our own power The Pelagians held That Man by his own power might overcome Temptation and persevere But St. Austin confutes them Man saith he prays unto God for Perseverance which would be absurd if he had power of himself to persevere And saith St. Austin If all the power be inherent in a Mans self then why should not one persevere as well as another why not Judas as well as Peter So that it is not by any other than the power of God that we are kept As the Lord preserved Israel from perishing in the Wilderness till he brought them to Canaan the same care will he take if not in a miraculous yet a spiritual invisible manner in preserving his People in a state of Grace till he brings them to the Celestial Canaan As the Heathens feigned of Atlas That he did bear up the Heavens from falling The power of God is that Atlas which bears up the Saints from falling It is disputed whether Grace of it self may not perish as Adam's yet sure I am Grace kept by the power of God cannot perish 3. The third Argument is taken ab Electione from Gods electing Love such as God hath from all Eternity elected to Glory cannot fall away finally but every true Believer is elected to Glory ergo he cannot fall away Wat can frustrate Election or make Gods Decree void This Argument stands like Mount Sion which cannot be moved Insomuch that some of the Papists hold that such who have absolute Election cannot fall away 2 Tim. 2.19 The Foundation of God stands sure having this Seal The Lord knows them that are his The Foundation of God is nothing else but Gods Decree in Election and this stands sure God will not alter it others cannot 4. The fourth Argument is taken Ab Unione cum Christo from Believers Union with Christ. They are knit to Christ as the Members to the Head by the Nerve and Ligament of Faith so that they cannot be broken off Eph. 5.23 What was once said of Christ's Natural Body is true of his Mystical a Bone of it shall not be broken As it is not possible to sever the Leaven and the Dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together so it is impossible when Christ and Believers are once united ever to be separated Christ and his Members make one Christ. Now is it possible that any part of Christ should perish How can Christ lose any Member of his Body Mystical and be perfect In short Si unus excidat quare non alter If one Believer may be broken off from Christ then by the same Rule why not another Why not all And so Christ should be an Head without a Body 5. The fifth Argument is taken ab Emptione from the Nature of a Purchase A Man will not lay down his Mony for a Purchase which may be lost and the Fee-simple alienated Christ died that he might purchase us as a People to himself for ever Heb. 9.12 Having obtained eternal Redemption for us Would Christ think we have shed his Blood that we might believe in him for a while and then fall away Do we think Christ will lose his Purchase 6. The sixth Argument is A Victoria supra mundum from a Believers Victory over the World The Argument stands thus He who overcomes the World doth persevere in Grace but a Believer doth overcome the World ergo he perseveres in Grace 1 Iohn 5.4 This is the Victory over the World even your Faith A Man may lose a single Battle in the Field yet at last win the Victory A Child of God may be foild in a single Battle against Temptation as Peter was but at last he is Victorious Now if a Saint be crowned Victor if the World be conquered by him he must needs persevere I come next to answer some Objections of the Arminians 1. The first Objection of the Arminians is If a Believer shall persevere in Grace then to what purpose are all those Admonitions in Scripture Let him take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10 12. and Heb. 4.1 Let us fear lest any of you seem to come short These Admonitions seem to be Superfluous and Vain if a Saint shall certainly persevere Answ. No these Counsels and Admonitions are necessary to Caution Believers against Carelesness they are as Goads and Spurs to quicken them to a greater Diligence in working out Salvation These Admonitions do not imply the Saints can fall away but they are Preservatives to keep them from falling away Christ told some of his Disciples they should abide in him yet he exhorts them to abide in him Iohn 15. His exhorting them was not in the least to question their abiding in him but to awaken their Diligence and make them pray the harder that they might abide in him 2. The second Objection is Heb. 6.4 it is impossible for those who were once enlightned and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and have felt the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again to Repentance Answ. This place of Scripture hath no Force in it for the Apostle here speaks of Hypocrites he shews how far they may go yet fall way 1. They who were once enlightned Men may have great Illuminations yet fall away Was not Iudas enlightned 2. They have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost The common Gifts of the Spirit not the special Grace 3. They have tasted the good word of God Tasting here is opposed to Eating the Hypocrite may have a kind of Taste of the sweetness of Religion but this taste doth not nourish There is a great deal of difference between one that takes a Gargle and a Cordial The Gargle only washeth his Mouth he tasts it and puts it out again but a Cordial is drank down which nourisheth and cheers the Spirits The Hypocrite who hath only some smack or taste of Religion as one tasts a Gargle may fall away 4. And have felt the powers of the World to come That is they may have such Apprehensions of the Glory of Heaven as to be affected with it and seem to have some joy in the thoughts of it yet fall away as in the Parable of the stony ground Matt. 13.20 All this is spoken of the Hypocrite but it doth not therefore prove that the true Believer who is effectually wrought upon can fall away Though Comets fall it doth not therefore follow that true Stars fall That this Scripture speaks not of sound Believers is clear from Verse 9. But we are perswaded better things of you and things that accompany Salvation Of PERSEVERANCE 1
Christians it is but a while and you shall have done Weeping and Praying and be triumphing You shall put off your Mourning and put on white Robes you shall put off your Armour and put on a Victorious Crown You who have made a good Progress in Religion you are now almost ready to Commence and take your Degree of Glory now is your Salvation nearer than when you began to believe When a Man is almost at the end of a Race will he now tire or faint away O labour to persevere your Salvation is now nearer you have but a little way to go and you will set your Foot in Heaven Though the way be up-Hill and full of Thorns viz. Sufferings yet you have gone the greatest part of your way and shortly you shall rest from your Labours 3. How sad it is not to persevere in Holiness you expose your selves to the Reproaches of Men and the Rebukes of God First To the Reproaches of Men. They will divide both you and your Profession Luke 14.28 This Man began to Build and was not able to finish Such is he who begins in Religion and doth not persevere He is the Ludibrium and Derision of all Secondly To the Rebukes of God God is most severe against such as fall off because they bring an Evil Report upon Religion Apostacy breeds a bitter Worm in Conscience What a Worm did Spira feel and it brings swift Damnation It is a drawing back 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Perdition Heb. 10.38 God will make his Sword drunk with the Blood of Apostates 4. The Promises of Mercy are annexed only to Perseverance Rev. 3.5 He that overcometh shall be cloathed in white Raiment and I will not blot out his Name out of the Book of Life Non pugnanti sed vincenti dabitur corona Aug. The Promise is not to him that Fights but that overcomes Luke 22.28 Ye are they which have continued with me and I appoint unto you a Kingdom The Promise of a Kingdom saith Chrysostom is not made to them that heard Christ or followed him but that continued with him Perseverance carries away the Garland No Man hath the Crown set upon his Head but he who holds out to the end of the Race O therefore by all this be perswaded to Persevere God makes no account of such as do not persevere Who esteems of Corn that sheds before Harvest or Fruit that falls from the Tree before it be Ripe Quest. 2. What expedients or means may be used for a Christians Perseverance Resp. 1. Take heed of those things which will make you desist and fall away First Take heed of Presumption Do not presume upon your own strength Exercise an Holy Fear and Jealousie over your own Hearts Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lâ—st he fall It was Peter's Sin he lean'd more upon his Grace than upon Christ and then he fell A Christian hath cause to fear lest the Lusts and Deceits of his Heart betray him Take heed of Presuming Fear begets Prayer Prayer begets Strength and Strength begets Stedfastness Secondly Take heed of Hypocrisie Iudas was first a Sly Hypocrite and then a Traitor Psal. 78.37 Their Heart was not right with God neither were they stedfast in his Covenant If there be any Venom or Malignity in the Blood it will break forth into a Plague-sore The Venom of Hypocrisie is in danger of breaking forth into the Plague-sore of Scandal Thirdly Beware of a Vile Heart of Unbelief Heb. 3.12 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil Heart of Unbelief departing from the Living God Whence is Apostacy but from Incredulity Men do not believe the Truth and then they fall from the Truth Unbelieving and Unstable go together Psal. 78.22 They believed not in God ver 41. They turned back 2. If you would be Pillars in the Temple of God and persevere in Sanctity First Look that you enter into Religion upon a right ground be well grounded in the distinct knowledg of God you must know the Love of the Father the Merit of the Son the Efficacy of the Holy Ghost Such as know not God aright will by degrees fall off The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Jews when they were in favour afterwards disclaimed all Kindred with them when Antiochus persecuted the Jews And no wonder the Samaritans were no more fixed in Religion if you consider what Christ saith of the Samaritans Iohn 4.22 Ye worship ye know not what They were ignorant of the True God let your Knowledge of God be clear and serve him purely out of Choice and then you will persevere Psal. 119.30 I have chosen the way of Truth I have stuck unto thy Testimonies Secondly Get a real work of Grace in your Heart Heb. 13.9 It is a good thing that the Heart he established with Grace Nothing will hold out but Grace 't is only this Anointing abides Paint will fall off Get an Heart-changing-work 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are Washed but ye are Sanctified Be not content with Baptism of Water without Baptism of the Spirit The reason Men persevere not in Religion is for want of a Vital Principle A Branch must needs wither that hath no root to grow upon Thirdly If you would Persevere be very Sincere Perseverance grows only upon the Root of Sincerity Psal. 25.21 Let Integrity and Uprightness preserve me The Breast-Plate of Sincerity can never be shot thorough How many Storms was Iob in The Devil sets against him his Wife tempted him to Curse God his Friends accused him for an Hypocrite here was enough one would think to have made him desist from Religion Yet for all this he perseveres What preserved him it was his Sincerity Iob 27.6 My Righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my Heart shall not Reproach me so long as I live Fourthly If Persevere be Humble St. Chrysostom calls it the Mother of all the Graces God lets a poor Humble Christian stand when others of Higher Parts and who have higher Thoughts of themselves fall off by Apostacy They are likest to Persevere who God will give most Grace to But he gives Grace to the Humble 1 Pet. 5.5 They are likest to persevere who have God dwelling in them But God dwells in the Humble Soul Isa. 57.15 Non requiescit Spiritus Sanctus nisi super Humilem Bern. The lower the Tree roots in the Earth the firmer it is the more the Soul is rooted in Humility the more stablished it is and in less danger of falling away Fifthly If Persevere cherish the Grace of Faith Faith doth stabilire Animum 2 Cor. 1.24 By Faith ye stand 1. Faith knits us to Christ as the Members are knit to the Head by Nerves and Sinews 2. Faith fills us with Love to God It works by Love Gal. 5.6 And he who loves God will rather dye than desert him The Soldier who loves his General will die in
aspects and smiles of Gods Face Which brings me to the third thing 3. The Saints at Death shall not only have a Sight of God but shall enjoy the Love of God there shall be no more Veil on Gods Face nor his Smiles checker'd with Frowns but Gods love shall discover it self in all its Orient Beauty and fragrant Sweetness Here the Saints pray for Gods Love and they have a few drops but there they shall have as much as their Vessel can receive To know this love passeth Knowledge This will cause a Jubilation of Spirits and create such Holy Raptures of Joy in the Saints as are Superlative and would soon overwhelm them if God did not make them able to bear 4. Believers at Death shall gain a Celestial Palace an House not made with Hands 2 Cor. 5.1 Here the Saints are straitned for Room they have but mean Cottages to live in but they shall have a Royal Palace to live in Here is but their Sojourning House there in Heaven is their Mansion-house An House built high above all the Visible Orbs an House bespangled with Light Col. 1.12 Enriched with Pearls and Precious Stones Rev. 21.19 And this is not their Landlord's House but their Father's House Iohn 14.2 And this House stands all upon Consecrated Ground it is set out by Transparent Glass to shew the Holiness of it Rev. 21.27 5. Believers at Death shall gain the sweet Society of glorified Saints and Angels This will add something to the felicity of Heaven as every Star adds some lustre to the Firmament First The Society of the glorified Saints we shall see them in their Souls as well as in their Bodies Their Bodies will be so clear and bright that we shall see their Souls shining through their Bodies as the Wine through the Glass and Believers at Death shall have Converse with the Saints glorified And how delightful will that be when they shall be freed from all their Sinful Corruptions Pride Envy Passion Censoriousness which are Scars upon them here to disfigure them In Heaven there shall be perfect Love among the Saints they shall as the Olive and Myrtle sweetly embrace each other The Saints shall know one another as Luther speaks If in the Transfiguration Peter knew Moses and Elias which he never saw before Mat. 17.3 then much more in the glorified State the Saints shall perfectly know one another though they never saw them before Secondly The Saints at Death shall behold the Angels with the glorified Eye of their Understanding The Wings of the Cherubins representing the Angels were made of Fine Gold to denote both their Sanctity and Splendor The Angels are compared to Lightning Mat. 28.3 because of those Sparkling Beams of Majesty which as Lightning shoot from them And when Saints and Angels shall meet and sing together in Consort in the Heavenly Quire what Divine Harmony what Joyful Triumphs will it Create 6. Believers at Death shall gain Perfection of Holiness Here Grace was but in Cunabulis in its Cradle very Imperfect we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without Blotting Believers are said to receive but Primitias Spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 But at Death the Saints shall arrive at Perfection their Knowledge clear their Sanctity perfect their Sun shall be in its full Meridian Splendour They need not then pray for Encrease of Grace they shall Love God as much as they would Love him and as much as he desires to have them Love him they shall be then in respect of Holiness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God 7. At Death the Saints shall gain a Royal Magnificent Feast I told you before what a glorious Palace they shall have but a Man may starve in a House if there be no Chear The Saints at Death shall have a Royal Banquet shadowed out in Scripture by a Marriage Supper Rev. 19.9 Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand by that Marriage-Supper of the Lamb the stately Magnificent Festival the Saints shall have in Heaven they shall feed on the Tree of Life Rev. 22. They shall have the Heavenly Nectar and Ambrosia the Spiced Wine and Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 This Royal Supper of the Lamb will not only satisfie Hunger but prevent it Rev. 7 16. They shall hunger no more Nor can there be any Surfeit at this Feast because a fresh Course will be continually served in New and fresh Delights will spring from God therefore the Tree of Life in Paradise is said to bear Twelve sorts of Fruit Rev. 22.2 8. Believers at Death shall gain Honour and Dignity they shall reign as Kings therefore we read of the Ensigns of their Royalty their White Robes and Crowns Caelestial 2 Tim. 4.7 We read that the Doors of the Holy of Holies were made of Palm-Trees and open Flowers covered with Gold 1 Kings 6.35 An Emblem of that Victory and Triumph and that Golden Garland of Honour wherewith God hath invested the Saints glorified When all Worldly Honour shall lye in the Dust the Mace the Star the Robe of Ermin the Imperial Diadem then shall the Saints Honour remain not one Jewel shall be pluck'd out of their Crown they shall gain at Death a Blessed Eternity If the Saints could have but the least Suspicion or Fear of losing their Glory it would much cool and imbitter their Joy but their Crown fades not away 1 Pet. 5.4 As the Wicked have a Worm that never dies so the Elect have a Crown that never fades Ever is a short Word but hath no ending in fine erit gaudium sine fine Bern. 2 Cor. 4.18 The things which are not seen are Eternal Psal. 16.11 At thy right Hand are Pleasures for evermâ—re Who can span Eternity Millions of Ages stand but for Ciphers in Eternity This is the Elah or highest strain of the Saints Glory ever in Christ's Bosom Quest. How come the Saints to have all this Gain Resp. Believers have a right to all this Gain at Death upon a diverse account By vertue of the Fathers Donation the Sons Purchase the Holy Ghosts Earnest and Faiths acceptance Therefore the state of future glory is called the Saints proper inheritance Col. 1.12 They are Heirs of God and have a right to inherit Use 1. See the great difference between the Death of the Godly and the Wicked the Godly are great gainers at Death the Wicked are great Losers at Death They loose Four things 1. They lose the World and that is a great loss to the Wicked they laid up their Treasure upon Earth and to be turned out of all at once is a great loss 2. They lose their Souls Mat. 16.26 The Soul was at first a noble piece of Coin which God stamped his own Image upon this Caelestial spark is more precious than the whole Globe of the World But the Sinners Soul is lost not that the Souls of the Wicked are annihilated at Death but damnified 3. They lose Heaven Heaven is Sedes
shall wipe away all Tears Then Christs Spouse puts off her Mourning How can the Children of the Bride Chamber Mourn when the Bride-Groom shall be with them Matt. 9.15 Thus Death gives a Believer his Quietus est it frees him from Sin and Trouble Though the Apostle calls Death the last Enemy 1 Cor. 15. yet it is the best Friend To me to dye is gain Use 1. See here that which may make a true Saint willing to die Death will set him out of Gun-shot free him from Sin and Trouble There is no cause of weeping to leave a Valley of Tears The World is the Stage on which Sin and Misery are Acted Believers are here in a strange Country why then should they not be willing to go out of it Death beats off their Fetters of Sin and sets them free who go weeping out of a Goal Besides our own Sins the Sins of others The World is a place where Satan's Seat is a place where we see God daily dishonoured Lot who was a bright Star in a dark Night his righteous Soul was vexed with the unclean Conversation of the Wicked 2 Pet. 3.8 To see Gods Sabbaths broken his Truths adulterated his Glory eclipsed is that which wounds a Godly Heart This made David cry out Psal. 120.5 Woe is me that I dwell in Mesech that I sojourn in the Tents of Kedar Kedar was Arabia where were Ishmaels Posterity This was a cut to David's Heart to dwell there O then be willing to depart out of the Tents of Kedar 2. The Bodies of Believers are united to Christ in the Grave and shall rest there till the Resurrection They are said to sleep in Jesus 1 Thess. 4.14 The dust of Believers is part of Christs Body Mystical The Grave is a Dormitory or place of rest to the Saints where their Bodies quietly sleep in Christ till they are awakened out of their sleep by the Trumpet of the Arch-angel Quest. 2. But how shall we know that we shall gain all this at Death to be freed from Sin and Trouble and to have our Bodies united to Christ in the Grave Resp. If we are Believers then we gain all this at Death To me saith Paul to dye is gain To me quatenus a Believer Are we such Have we this blessed Faith Faith where-ever it is is Operative Lapidaries say there is no precious Stone but hath Virtutem insitam some hidden Virtue in it So I may say of Faith It hath some secret Virtue in it It Anchors the Soul on Christ It hath both a justifying and sanctifying Virtue in it It fetcheth Blood out of Christs sides to Pardon and Water out of his sides to Purge It works by love It constrains to Duty It makes the Head study for Christ the Tongue confess him the Hands work for him I have read of a Father who had three Sons and being to dye left in his Will all his Estate to that Son who could find his Ring with the Jewel which had an healing Vertue The Case was brought before the Judges the two elder Sons counterfeited a Ring but the younger Son brought the true Ring which was proved by the Vertue of it whereupon his Fathers Estate went to him To this Ring I may compare Faith there is a counterfeit Faith in the World but if we can find this Ring of Faith which hath the Healing Vertue in it to purifie the Heart this is the true Faith which gives us an Interest in Christ and entitles us to all these Privileges at Death to be freed from Sin and Sorrow and to have our Bodies united to Christ while they are in the Grave 3. I should now come to the third Privilege at Death the Souls of Believers pass immediately into Glory Where I shall lead you to the top of Mount Pisgah and give you a short view of the Glory of Heaven A Believers Privilege after Death Phil. 1.21 And to dye is Gain 3. AT Death the Souls of Believers pass into Glory Death brings Malorum omnium ademptionem Omnium ademptionem Death 's the day-break of Eternal Brightness And here I shall lead you to the top of Mount Pisgah and give you a glimpse of the Holy Land Quest. 1. What is comprehended in Glory Resp. Glory is Status omnium Bonorum aggregatione perfectus Boetius It is a perfect State of Bliss which consists in the Accumulation and heaping together all those good things which immortal Souls are capable of And truly here I am at a loss all that I can say falls short of the Celestial Glory Appelles Pencil cannot delineate it Angels Tongues cannot express it We shall never understand Glory fully till we are in Heaven Only let me give you the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or some dark views and some imperfect Lineaments of that State of Glory the Saints shall arrive at after Death 1. The first and most sublime part of the Glory of Heaven is the full and sweet Fruition of God Ipse Deus sufficit ad praemium Aug. We are apt to think the Happiness of Heaven is in being free from Pain and Misery but the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Quintessence of Happiness is the Enjoyment and Fruition of God this is the Diamond Ring of Glory God is an infinite inexhaustible Fountain of Joy and to have him is to have all Now the enjoying of God implies three things 1. It implies our seeing of God 2. Our loving of God 3. Gods loving of us 1. The enjoying of God implies our seeing of God 1 Iohn 3.2 We shall see him as he is Here we see him as he is not not mutable mortal there as he is Quest. 2. How shall we see God Resp. 1. We shall see him intellectually with the Eyes of our mind This Divines call the Beatifical Vision We shall have a full knowledge of God though not know him fully If there were not such an intellectual sight of God then how do the Spirits of just Men made perfect see him This sight of God will be very glorious As when a King on his Coronation-day shews himself in all his Royalty and Magnificence 2. We shall corporeally behold the glorified Body of Jesus Christ And if it be a pleasant thing to behold the Sun Eccles. 11.7 then how blessed a sight will it be to behold the Sun of Righteousness to see Christ clothed in our humane Nature sitting in Glory above the Angels Solomon saith The eye is not satisfied with seeing Eccles. 1.8 But sure the Eyes of the Saints will be satisfied with seeing that Orient Brightness which shall shine from the beautiful Body of Christ. It must needs be satisfying because through Christs Flesh some Rays and Beams of the God-head shall gloriously display themselves Gods excellent Majesty would overwhelm us but through the Vail of Christs Flesh we shall behold the Divine Glory 3. Our seeing of God will be transforming We shall so see him as to be in some measure assimilated and changed
5. The Bodies of the Saints at the Resurrection shall be Immortal 1 Cor. 15.53 This Mortal shall put on Immortality our Bodies shall run parallel with Eternity Luke 20.36 Neither can they dye any more Heaven is an healthful Climate there is no Bill of Mortality there If a Physician could give you a Receipt to keep you from Dying what Sums of Mony would you give At the Resurrection Christ will give the Saints such a Receipt Rev. 21.4 There shall be no more death 2. The second Privilege Believers shall have at the Resurrection is They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment Of the Day of Iudgment Quest. WHat Benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection Resp. 1. Their Bodies shall be raised up to Glory and shall be openly acquitted at the day of Judgment and crown'd with the full and perfect Enjoyment of God to all Eternity 2. They shall be openly acquitted at the day of Iudgment This is to be laid down for a Position that there shall be a Day of Judgment 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Iudgment-Seat of Christ. This is the Grand Assizes the greatest Appearance that ever was Now Adam shall see all his Posterity at once We must all appear the greatness of Mens Persons doth not exempt them from Christ's Tribunal Kings and Captains are brought in trembling before the Lambs Throne Rev. 6.15 We must all appear and appear in our own Persons not by a Proxy Quest. 1. How doth it appear that there shall be a Day a Iudgment Resp. Two ways 1. By the Suffrage of Scripture Eccles. 11.9.12.14 For God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing Psal. 96.13 For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth The Reduplication denotes the certainty Dan. 7.9 I beheld till the Thrones were cast down and the ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow The Judgment was set and the Books were opened 2. It appears from the petty Sessions kept in a Man 's own Conscience when a Man doth Virtuously Conscience doth excuse him when evil Conscience doth arraign and condemn him Now what is this private Session kept in the Court of Conscience but a certain fore-runner of that General Day of Judgment when all the World shall be summoned to Gods Tribunal Quest. 2. Why must there be a Day of Iudgment Resp. That there may be a Day of Retribution when God may render to every one according to his work Things seem to be carried very unequally in the World The Wicked do so prosper as if they were rewarded for being Evil And the Godly do so suffer as if they were punished for being good Therefore for the vindicating Gods Justice there must be a day wherein there shall be a righteous Distribution of Punishments and Rewards to Men according to their Actions Quest. 3. Who shall be Iudge Resp. The Lord Jesus Christ Iohn 5.22 The Father hath committed all Iudgment to the Son It is an Article in our Creed That Christ shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead It is a great Honour put upon Christ He who was himself judged shall now be Judge He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench. Christ is fit to be Judge as he partakes both of the Manhood and Godhead 1. Of the Manhood Being cloathed with the Humane Nature he may be visibly seen of all It is requisite the Judge should be seen Rev. 1.7 Behold he cometh with Clouds and every Eye shall see him 2. As he partakes of the Godhead He is of infinite Prudence to understand all Causes brought before him And of infinite Power to execute Offenders He is described with seven Eyes Zach. 3.9 to denote his Prudence and a Rod of Iron Psal. 2.9 to denote his Power He is so Wise that he cannot be deluded and so Strong that he cannot be resisted Quest. 4. When will the Court fit when will the time of Iudgment be Resp. For the Quando or the time of the General Judgment it is a Secret kept from the Angels Matt. 24.36 Of that day and hour knows no Man no not the Angels of Heaven But this is sure it cannot be far off One great sign of the approach of the Day of Judgment is That Iniquity shall abound Matt. 24. Sure then this day is near at hand for Iniquity did never more abound than in this Age Lust grows hot and Love grows cold This is certain when the Elect are all converted then Christ will come to Judgment As he that owes a Ferry-boat stays till all the Passengers are taken into his Boat and then he rows away So Christ stays till all the Elect are gathered in and then he will hasten away to â—â—dgment Quest. 5. What shall be the modus or manner of Trial Resp. 1. The Citing of Men to the Court The Dead are cited as well as the Living Men when they Dye avoid the Censure of our Law-Courts but at the last Day the Dead are cited to God's Tribunal Rev. 20.12 I saw the Dead Small and Great stand before God This citing of Men will be by the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Thes. 4.16 and this Trumpet will sound so loud that it will raise Men out of their Graves Mat. 24.31 Such as will not hear the Trumpet of the Gospel sound in their Ears Repent and Believe shall hear the Trumpet of the Arch-Angel sounding Arise and be Iudged 2. The approach of the Judge to the Bench. First This will be terrible to the Wicked How can a guilty Prisoner endure the sight of the Judge If Foelix trembled when Paul Preached of Judgment Acts 24.25 How will Sinners Tremble when they shall see Christ come to Judgment Christ is described sitting in Judgment with a Fiery Stream issuing from him Dan. 7.10 Now the Lamb of God will be turned into a Lion The sight of Christ will strike Terrour into Sinners As when Ioseph said to his Brethren I am Ioseph whom ye sold into Egypt they were troubled at his Presence Gen. 45.6 Now how did their Hearts smite them for their Sin So when Christ shall come to judge Men and say I am Jesus whom ye sinned against I am Jesus whose Laws ye have broken whose Blood ye despised I am now come to Judge you O what horror and amazement will take hold of Sinners they will be troubled at the Presence of their Judge Secondly The approâ—ch of Christ to the Bench of Judicature will be Comfortable to the Righteous 1. Christ will come in Splendor and Great Glory His first coming in the Flesh was obscure Isa. 53.2 He was like a Prince in Disguise but his Second coming will be illustrious he shall come in the Glory of his Father with the Holy Angels Mark 8 38. O what a bright Day will that be when such a number of Angels those Morning Stars shall appear in the Air and Christ the Sun of Righteousness shall shine
1.6 He hath accepted us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his beloved Though our Obedience be imperfect yet through Christ our Surety God looks upon it as perfect And that very Service which Gods Law might condemn Gods Mercy is pleased to crown by vertue of the Blood of our Mediator Having given you these Rules about the Commandments I should come next to the direct handling of them Of the Commandments Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me c. Quest. WHy doth the Commandment run in the second Person singular Thou why doth not God say You shall have no other Gods but Thou Resp. Because the Commandment concerns every one and God would have you take it as spoken to you by Name Though we are forward to take Privileges to our selves yet we are apt to shift off Duty from our selves to others Thefore the Commandment runs in the second Person Thou and Thou that every one may know that the Commandment is spoken to him as it were by name And so I come to the Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods before me This Commandment may well lead the Van and be set in the Front of all the Commandments because it is the Foundation of all true Religion The summ of this Commandment is that we should sanctifie God in our Hearts and give him a Precedency above all created Beings There are two Branches of this Commandment 1. That we must have One God 2. That we must have but one Or thus 1. That we must have God for our God 2. That we must have no other 1. That we must have God for our God It is manifest we must have a God and who is God save the Lord 2 Sam. 22.32 The Lord Iehovah one God in three Persons is the true living eternal God and him must we have for our God Quest. 1. What is it to make God to be a God to us Resp. 1. To make God to be a God to us is to acknowledge him for a God The Gods of the Heathen are Idols Psalm 96.5 and we know that an Idol is nothing 1 Cor. 8.4 that is it hath nothing of Deity in it If we cry Help O Idol an Idol cannot help the Idols were themselves carried into Captivity Isa. 46.2 So that an Idol is nothing Vanity is ascribed to it Ier. 14.22 we do not acknowledge it to be a God But this is to make God to be a God to us when we do ex animo acknowledge him to be God 1 Kings 18.39 All the People fell on their Faces and said The Lord he is the God! The Lord he is the God! Yea we acknowledge God to be the only God 2 Kings 19.15 O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone Deity is a Jewel belongs only to his Crown Yet further we acknowledge that there is no God like him 1 Kings 8.23 And Solomon stood before the Altar of the Lord And he said Lord God of Israel there is no God like thee Psalm 89.6 For who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord In the Chaldee it is Who among the Angels None can do as God he brought the World out of nothing And he hangs the Earth upon nothing Iob 26.7 This is to make God to be a God to us when we are perswaded in our Hearts and confess with our Tongue and subscribe with our Hand that God is the only true God and that there is none comparable to him 2. To make God to be a God to us is to choose him Ioshua 24.15 Choose ye this day whom you will serve but as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. That is we will choose the Lord to be our God It is one thing for the Judgment to approve of God and another thing for the Will to choose him Religion is not a matter of Chance but Choice Quest. What is antecedent to or goes before this Choice Resp. 1. Before this choosing God for our God there must be Knowledge We must know God before we can choose him before one choose the Person he will Marry he must first have some Knowledge and Cognisance of the Person So we must know God before we can choose him for our God 2 Chron. 28.9 Know thou the God of thy Fathers We must know God in his Attributes Glorious in Holiness Rich in Mercy Faithful in Promises We must know God in his Son As in a Glass a Face is represented so in Christ as in a Transparent Glass we see Gods Beauty and Love shine forth This Knowledge must go before our choosing of God Lactantius said All the Learning of the Philosophers was without an Head because it wanted the Knowledge of God 2. Wherein our choosing of God consists It is an Act of Mature Deliberation a Christian having viewed the Superlative Excellencies in God and being stricken into an Holy Admiration of his Perfections he singles out God from all other Objects to set his Heart upon He saith as Iacob Gen. 28.21 The Lord shall be my God 3. The Effect of choosing God The Soul that chooseth God devotes himself to God Psalm 119.38 Thy Servant who is devoted to thy fear As the Vessels of the Sanctuary were consecrated and set apart from common to Holy Uses So the Soul who hath chosen God to be his God hath dedicated and set himself apart for God and will be no more for Profane Uses 3. To make God to be a God to us is to enter into a Solemn Covenant with him that he shall be our God After Choice follows the Marriage Covenant As God makes a Covenant with us Isa. 55.3 I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David So we make a Covenant with him 2 Chron. 15.12 They entred into Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers And Isa. 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords And another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord. Like Soldiers that subscribe their Names in the Muster-Roll This Covenant that God shall be our God we have oft renewed in the Lords-Supper And it is like a Seal to a Bond to bind us fast to God and to keep us that we do not depart from him 4. To make God to be a God to us is to give him Adoration Which consists 1. in reverencing of him Psal. 89.7 God is to be had in reverence of all them that are about him The Seraphims who stood about Gods Throne covered their Faces Isa. 6. And Eliah wrapped himself in a Mantle when the Lord passed by in token of reverence This Reverence shews the high Esteem we have of Gods Sacred Majesty 2. Adoration is in bowing to him or worshipping him Psalm 29.2 Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness Nehem. 8.6 They bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground This 〈◊〉
and Worship must be given only to God Use 1. Let us give God no just cause to be jealous A good Wife will be so Discreet and Chast as to give her Husband no just occasion of Jealousie Let us avoid all Sin especially this Sin of Idolatry or Image-worship It is heinous after we have entred into a Marriage-Covenant with God now to prostitute our selves to an Image Idolatry is Spiritual Adultery and God is a jealous God he will avenge it Image-worship makes God abhor a People Psal. 78.58 They moved him to jealousie with their graven Images When God heard this he was Wroth and greatly abhorred Israel Image-worship enrageth God Prov. 6.34 Iealousie is the Rage of a man It makes God divorce a People Exod. 32.7 Thy People lo-ammi Hos. 2.2 Plead with your Mother plead for she is not my Wife Cant. 8.6 Iealousie is cruel as the grave As the Grave devours Mens Bodies so God will devour Image-worshippers Use 2. If God be a jealous God let it be a word to such whose Friends are Popish Idolaters and they are hated by their Friends because they are of a different Religion and perhaps they cut off their Maintenance from them O remember God is a jealous God better move your Parents to hatred than move God to jealousie Their Anger cannot do you so much hurt as Gods If they will not provide for you God will Psal. 27.10 When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up 2. The second Reason against Image-worship Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation There is a Two-fold Visiting 1. There is Gods visiting in Mercy Gen. 50.25 God will surely visit you That is he will bring you into the Land of Canaan the Type of Heaven Thus God hath visited us with the Sun-beams of his Favour He hath made us swim in a Sea of Mercy This is an happy Visitation 2. There is Gods visiting in Anger Ier. 5.9 Shall I not visit for these things That is Gods visiting with the Rod and Isa. 10.3 What will ye do in the day of Visitation That is in the day when God shall visit with his Judgments Thus Gods visiting is taken here in this Commandment visiting Iniquity that is punishing Iniquity Observe here three things Observ. 1. That Sin makes God visit Visiting Iniquity Sin is the cause why God visits with Sickness Poverty Psal. 89.31 32. If they break my Commandments Then will I visit their transgression with the rod. Sin twists the Cords which pinch us Sin creates all our Troubles It is the Gaul in our Cup and the Gravel in our Bread Flagitium flagellum sunt sicut acus filum Sin is the Trojan Horse The Phaeton that sets all on Fire It is the Womb of our Sorrows and Grave of our Comforts God visits for Sin Observ. 2. One special sin God visits for is Idolatry and Image-worship Visiting the iniquity of the Fathers Most of Gods invenomed Arrows have been shot among Idolaters Ier. 7.12 Go now unto my place which was in Shiloh where I set my name at the first and see what I did to it God for Israels Idolatry suffered their Army to be routed their Priests slain the Ark taken Captive and we never read that the Ark returned to Shiloh any more Hierusalem was the most Famous Metropolis of the World There was the Temple Psal. 122.4 Whither the Tribes go up the Tribes of the Lord. Yet for their high places and Images their City was besieged and taken by the Chaldean Forces 2 Kings 25.4 When Images were set up in Constantinople the chief Seat of the Eastern Empire this City which was in the eye of the World impregnable was taken by the Turks and many cruelly Massacred Then the Turks in their Triumphs reproached the Idolatrous Christians causing an Image or Crucifix to be carried through the Streets in Contempt and throwing Dirt upon it cried This is the God of the Christians Here was Gods Visitation for their Idolatry God hath set special marks of his Wrath upon Idolaters At a place called Epoletium there perished by an Earth-quake 350 Persons while they were offering Sacrifice to Idols Idolatry hath brought Misery upon the Eastern Churches it removed the golden Candlesticks of Asia This Iniquity God visits for Observ 3. Idolatrous Persons are Enemies not only to their own Souls but to their Children Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children As an Idolatrous Father intails his Land of Inheritance so he intails Gods Anger and Curse upon them A jealous Husband finding his Wife hath stained her Integrity may justly cast off her and her Children too because they are none of his If the Father be a Traytor to his Prince no wonder if all the Children suffer God may visit the Iniquity of Image-worshippers upon their Children Quest But is it not said Every one shall dye for his own Sin The Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father How then doth God say he will visit the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children Resp. Though the Son be not Damned for his Fathers Sin yet he may be severely punished Iob 21.19 God lays up his iniquity for his Children That is God lays up the Punishment of his Iniquity for his Children the Child smarts for the Fathers Sin Ieroboam thought to have established the Kingdom by Idolatrous Worship but it brought Ruin upon him and all his Posterity 1 Kings 14.10 Ahab's Idolatry wronged his Posterity they lost the Kingdom and were all Beheaded 2 Kings 10.7 They took the Kings Sons and slew seventy Persons There God visited the Iâ—â—quity of the Father upon the Children As a Son catcheth an Hereditary Disease from his Father the Stone or Gout so he catcheth Misery from him his Fathers Sin ruins him Use 1. If so then how sad is it to be the Child of an Idolater It had been sad to have been one of Gehazi's Children who had Leprosie intail'd upon them 2 Kings 5.27 The Leprosie of Naaman shall cleave to thee and to thy Seed for ever So it is sad to be a Child of an Idolater or Image-worshipper His Seed are exposed to Gods heavy Judgments in this Life God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children Methinks I hear God speak as Isa. 14.21 Prepare slaughter for his Children for the Iniquity of their Fathers Use 2. See what a Privilege it is to be the Children of good Parents The Parents are in Covenant with God and God lays up Mercy for their Posterity Prov. 20.7 The just man walks in his Integrity his Seed are blessed after him A Religious Parent doth not procure Wrath but helps to keep off Wrath from his Child He seasons his Child with Religious Principles he prays down a Blessing on his Child He is a Load-stone drawing his Child to Christ by good Council and Example O what a Privilege is it to be born of Godly Religious Parents
makes Duty to be better To obey willingly shews we do it with love And this Crowns all our Services 2. There is that in the Law-giver as may make us willing to obey the Commandments viz. Gods Indulgence to us 1. God doth not require the Summum jus as absolutely necessary to Salvation He expects not perfect Obedience only requires Sincerity Do but act from a Principle of Love and aim at Honouring God in your Obedience and it is accepted 2. In the times of the Gospel a Surety is admitted The Law would not favour us so far but now God doth so indulge us that what we cannot do of our selves we may do by Proxy Iesus Christ is a Surety of a better Testament Heb. 7.22 We fall short in every thing but God looks upon us in our Surety and Christ having fulfilled all Righteousness it is as if we had fulfilled the Law in our own Persons 3. God gives strength to do what he requires The Law called for Obedience but though it required Brick it gave no Straw But in the Gospel God with his Commands gives power Ezek. 18.31 Make ye a new Heart Alas it is above our strength we may as well make a new World Ezek. 36.26 I will give you a new Heart God commands us to cleanse our selves Isa. 1.16 Wash ye make you clean But who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Job 14.4 Therefore the Precep◠is turn'd into a Promise Ezek. 36.25 From all your filthiness will I cleanse you When the Child cannot go the Nurse takes it by the Hand Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms 3. There is that in Gods Commandments which may make us willing they are not burdensome 1. For first a Christian so far as he is regenerate consents to Gods Commands Rom. 7.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I consent to the Law that it is good What is done with consent is no burden If a Virgin gives her consent the Match goes on chearfully If a Subject consent to his Princes Laws as seeing the Equity and Rationality in them then they are not irksome A regenerate Person in his Judgment approves and in his Will consents to Gods Commandments therefore they are not burdensome 2. Gods Commandments are sweetned with Joy and Peace Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a Burden which one carries with Delight and Pleasure Utrum onus appellatur quod laetitia fertur If a Man carries a Bag of Mony given him it is heavy but the Delight takes off the Burden When God gives inward Joy that makes the Commandment delightful Isa. 56.7 I will make them joyful in my House of Prayer Joy is like Oyl to the Wheels which makes a Christian run in the way of Gods Commandments so that it is not burdensome 3. Gods Commandments are Advantagious 1. The Commandments are preventive of Evil a Curb-bit to check us from Sin What Mischiefs should not we run into if we had not Affliction to humble us and the Commandment to restrain us Gods Commandments are to keep us within Bounds The Yoke keeps the Beast from stragling We are to be thankful to God for Precepts had not he set his Commandments as an Hedge or Bar in our way we might have run to Hell and never stop'd 2. There is nothing in the Commandment but what is for our good Deut. 10.13 To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statues which I command thee for thy good 1. God commands us to read his word and what hurt is in this God bespangles the Word with Promises As if a Father should bid his Son read his Last Will and Testament wherein he makes over a fair Estate to him God bids us Pray And he tells us If we ask it shall be given Matt. 7.7 Ask power against Sin ask Salvation and it shall be given If you had a Friend should say Come when you will to me I will supply you with Mony Would you think it a trouble to visit that Friend often God commands us to fear him Lev. 25.43 But fear thy God And there is Hony in the mouth of this Command Luke 1.50 His mercy is upon them that fear him God commands us to believe and why so Believe and ye shall be saved Acts 16.31 Salvation is the Crown set upon the Head of Faith Good reason then we obey Gods Commands willingly they are for our good they are not so much our Duty as our Privilege 3. Gods Commandments are Ornamental Omnia quae praestari jubet Deus non onerant nos sed ornant Salvian Gods Commandments do not burden us but adorn us It is an Honour to be imployed in a Kings Service And so to be imployed in Gods by whom Kings reign To walk in Gods Commandments proclaims us to be wise Deut. 4.5 6. Behold I have taught you Statutes Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom And to be wise is an Honour I may say of every Commandment of God as Prov. 4.9 It shall give to thy head an ornament of Grace 4. The Commands of God are infinitely better than the Commands of Sin these are intolerable Let a Man be under the command of any Lust how doth he tire himself what Hazards doth he run to the endangering his Health and Soul that he may satisfie his Lust Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit Iniquity And are not Gods Commandments more equal facile pleasant than the Commands of Sin Chrysostom saith true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To act Virtue is easier than to act Vice Temperance is less troublesom than Drunkenness Meekness is less troublesom than Passion and Envy There is more difficulty in the Contrivement and Pursuit of a wicked Design than in Obeying the Commandments of God Hence a Sinner is said to travel with Iniquity Psal. 7.14 A Woman while she is in Travel is in pain to shew what pain and trouble a Wicked Man hath in bringing forth Sin Many have gone with more pains to Hell than others have to Heaven This may make us obey the Commandments willingly 5. Willingness in Obedience makes us resemble the Angels The Cherubims Types representing the Angels are described with Wings display'd to shew how ready the Angels are to serve God God no sooner speaks the Word but they are ambitious to obey How are they ravished with Joy while they are praising God! In Heaven we shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels by our willingness to obey Gods Commandments we shall be like them here This is that we pray for that Gods Will may be done by us on Earth as it is in Heaven Is it not done willingly there We must keep Gods Commandments constantly Psalm 106.3 Blessed is he who doth Righteousness at all times Our Obedience to the Command must be as the Fire of the Altar which never went out Lev. 13.6 It must be as the motion of the Pulse always beating The Wind blows off the Fruit
Commandments for a sign upon thy Hand and they shall be as Frontlets between thine Eyes Deut. 6.8 The Pharisees took it in the Literal Sense they got Two Scrolls of Parchment wherein they wrote the Two Tables putting one on their Left Arms and binding the other to their Eye-brows Thus they wrested the Scripture and took Gods Name in vain That Scripture was to be understood Spiritually and by a Figure God meant by binding his Law upon their Hands that they should meditate in his Law and put it in practice And so the Papists expound that Scripture This is my Body Literally of the very Body of Christ then when Christ gave the Bread he should have had Two Bodies one in the Bread and the other out of the Bread whereas Christ meant it Figuratively It is a sign of my Body Thus they by wresting the Scripture to a wrong Sense prophane it and take Gods Name in vain Secondly When we expound those Scriptures Figuratively and Allegorically which the Holy Ghost means Literally For example Christ said to Peter launch out into the Deep and make a Draught Luke 5.4 This Text is spoken in a plain Literal Sense of Launching out the Ship but the Papists take it in a Mystical and Allegorical This Text proves say they That the Pope which is Peter's Successor shall launch forth and catch the Ecclesiastical and Political power over the West Parts of the World this say they was meant when Christ bad Peter launch out into the Deep But I think the Papists have launched out too far beyond the meaning of the Text. When Men strain their Wits to wrest the Word to such a Sense as pleaseth them they do profane Gods Word and highly take his Name in vain VII We take Gods Name in vain when we swear by his Name Many seldom name God's Name but in Oaths for this Sin the Land Mourns Mat. 5.34 Swear not at all that is Rashly and Sinfully so as to take Gods Name in vain not but that in some cases it is lawful to take an Oath before a Magistrate Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and Swear by his Name Heb. 6.16 An Oath for Confirmation is an end of all strife But when Christ saith Swear not at all he forbids such a Swearing as takes Gods Name in vain There is a Three-fold Swearing forbidden 1. Vain Swearing when Men in their ordinary Discourse let fly Oaths Some will go to excuse their Swearing It is a course Wool that will take no Dye and a bad Sin indeed that hath no Excuse Excuse 1. I swear little trifling Oaths as Faith or by the Mass. Resp. The Devil hath Two false Glasses which he sets before Mens Eyes the one is a little Glass in which the Sin appears so small that it can hardly be seen this Glass the Devil sets before Mens Eyes when they are going to commit Sin the other is a great Multiplying Glass wherein Sin appears so big that it cannot be forgiven The Devil sets this before Mens Eyes when they have sinned Thou that sayest Sin is small when God shall open the Eye of thy Conscience then thou wilt see it great and be ready to despair But to answer this Plea thou sayest they are but small Oaths but Christ forbids Vain Oaths Swear not at all If God will reckon with us for Idle Words shall not Idle Oaths be put in the Account Book Excuse 2. But I swear to the Truth See how this Harlot-Sin would paint it self with an Excuse Resp. 1. Though it be true yet if it be a Rash Oath 't is Sinful Besides 2. He that swears commonly it cannot be avoided but sometimes he may swear more than is true as where much Water runs some Gravel or Mud will pass along with the Water so where there is much Swearing some Lies will run along with the Oaths Excuse 3. But I shall not be believed unless I seal up my Word with an Oath Resp. 1. A Man that is Honest will be believed without an Oath his bare Word carries Authority with it and is as good as Letters Testimonial 2. I answer He who swears the more he swears the less others will believe him Iuras credit minus Thou art a Swearer Another thinks an Oath weighs very light with thee thou carest not what thou swearest and the more thou swearest the less he believes thee He will trust thy Bond but not thy Oath Excuse 4. But it is a Custom of Swearing I have gotten and I hope God will forgive me Resp. Though among Men custom Carries it and is pleadable in Law yet it is not so in the case of Sin Custom here is no Plea Thou hast got an habit of Swearing and canst not leave it is this an Excuse Is a thing well done because it is commonly done This is so far from being an Excuse that it is an Aggravation of Sin As if one that had been accused for Killing a Man should plead with the Judge to spare him because it was his Custom to Murder this is an Aggravation of the Offence so it is here Therefore all Excuses for this Sin of Vain-Swearing are taken away Dare not to live in this Sin it is a taking Gods Name in vain 2. Vile Swearing Horrid prodigious Oaths not to be named Swearers like Mad Dogs fly in the Face of Heaven and when they are angred spue out their blasphemous Venom on Gods Sacred Majesty Some in Gaming when things go cross and the Dice run against them their Tongues run as fast against God in Oaths and Curses And tell them of their Sin go to bring home these Asses from going astray and it is but pouring Oyl on the Flame they will swear the more St. Austin saith They do no less Sin who blaspheme Christ now in Heaven than the Jews did who Crucified him upon Earth Swearers prophane Christs Blood and tear his Name An Harlot told her Husband that of her Three Sons there was but one of them his the Father dying desired the Executors to find out which was the true natural Son and all his Estate he bequeathed to him The Father being dead the Executors set up his Corps against a Tree and delivered to every one of these Three Sons a Bow and Arrows telling them that he who could shoot nearest the Fathers Heart should have all the Estate the Two Bastard Sons shot as near as they could to his Heart but the Third did feel nature so work in him that he refused to shoot at his Fathers Heart Whereupon the Executors judged him to be the true Son and gave all the Estate to him Such as are the true Children of God fear to shoot at him but such as are Bastards and not Sons care not though they shoot at him in Heaven with their Oaths and Curses And which makes Swearing yet more heinous is when Men have resolved upon any wicked Action they bind themselves with an Oath to do it such
makes for our Interest it promotes Holiness in us The business on the Week-Day makes us too forgetful of God and our Souls the Sabbath brings God into our Remembrance When the Dust of the World falling hath clogg'd the Wheels of our Affections that they would scarce move towards God the Sabbath comes and oyls the Wheels of our Affections and now they move swiftly in Religion Therefore God hath appointed a Sabbath to ripen our Holiness On this Day the Thoughts contemplate Heaven the Tongue speaks of God and is as the Pen of a ready Writer now the Eyes drop Tears now the Soul burns in Love When the Heart was all the Week frozen now on the Sabbath it is melted with the Word The Sabbath is a Friend to Religion it files off the Rust of our Graces it is a Spiritual Jubilee wherein the Soul is set to converse with its Maker I should in the next place show you the Modus or Manner how we should keep the Sabbath-Day Holy But before I come to that I shall propound a great Question viz. Qu. How comes it to pass that we do not keep the Seventh Day Sabbath as it was in the Primitive Institution but have changed it to another Day Ans. The old Seventh-day Sabbath which was the Jewish Sabbath is abrogated and in the room of it the first Day of the Week which is the Christian Sabbath succeeds The Morality or Substance of the Fourth Commandment doth not lie in keeping the Seventh Day precisely but in keeping one Day in Seven which God hath appointed Qu. But how comes the First Day in the Week to be substituted in the room of the Seventh Day Ans. Not by Ecclesiastical Authority The Church saith Mr. Perkins hath no power to Ordain a Sabbath But 1. The Change of the Sabbath from the Last Day of the Week to the First was by Christ's own Appointment Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.28 And who shall appoint a Day but he who is Lord of it He made this Day Psalm 118.24 This is the Day which the Lord hath made Arnobius and the Current of Expositors understand it of our Christian Sabbath and it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords Day Rev. 1.10 As it is called the Lord's Supper because of the Lords instituting the Bread and Wine and setting it apart from a common Use to a more special and Sacred Use So it is called the Lords Day because of the Lord 's Instituting it and setting it apart from common Days to his special Worship and Service Christ arose on the First Day of the Week out of the Grave and appeared twice on this Day to his Disciples Iohn 20.19 26. which was to intimate to the Disciples saith Austin and Athanasius that he transferred the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day 2. The keeping of the First Day which is the Lord's Day was the Practice of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 20.7 On the first Day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached to them Here was both Preaching and Breaking of Bread on this Day Austin and Innocentius and Isidore make the keeping of our Gospel-Sabbath to be an Apostolical Sanction and affirm that by Vertue of the Apostles Practice this Lord's Day is to be sequestred and set apart for Divine Worship What the Apostles did they did it by Divine Authority for they were inspired by the Holy Ghost 3. Besides the Primitive Church had the Lord's Day which we now Celebrate in High Estimation It was a great Badge of their Religion to observe this Day Ignatius the most ancient Father who lived in the time of St. Iohn the Apostle hath these Words Let every one that loveth Christ keep holy the First Day of the Week the Lord's Day This Day hath been observed by the Church of Christ above Sixteen Hundred Years as Learned Bucer notes Thus you see how the Seventh-day Sabbath comes to be changed to the First-day Sabbath Now there is a Grand Reason for changing of the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day because this puts us in Mind of the Mystery of our Redemption by Christ. The Reason why God did institute the Old Sabbath was Because God would have it kept as a Memorial of the Creation But the Lord hath now brought the First Day of the Week in the room of it in memory of a more Glorious Work than Creation and that is Redemption Great was the Work of Creation but greater was the Work of Redemption As it was said Hag. 2.9 The Glory of the Second Temple was greater than the Glory of the First Temple So the Glory of the Redemption was greater than the Glory of the Creation Great Wisdom was seen in the curious making us but more miraculous Wisdom in saving us Great Power was seen in bringing us out of nothing but greater Power in helping us when we were worse than nothing It cost more to redeem us than to create us In the Creation there was but speaking a Word Psal. 148.5 In the Redeeming us there was shedding of Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 19. The Creation was the Work of God's Fingers Psal. 8.3 Redemption was the Work of his Arm Luke 1.5 In the Creation God gave us our selves in the Redemption he gave us Himself By Creation we have a Life in Adam by Redemption we have a Life in Christ Col. 3.3 By Creation we had a right to an Earthly Paradise by Redemption we have a Title to an Heavenly Kingdom So that well might Christ change the Seventh Day of the Week into the First because this Day puts us in mind of our Redemption which is a more glorious Work than the Creation Vse The Use I shall make is That we should have this Christian Sabbath we now Celebrate in high Veneration The Jews call'd the Sabbath Desiderium Dierum The Desire of Days and the Queen of Days It is a Day of sweet Rest. This Day we must call a Delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable Isa. 58.13 Mettal that hath the King's Stamp upon it is Honourable and of great value God hath set his Royal Stamp upon the Sabbath It is the Sabbath of the Lord this makes it Honourable This Day we should look upon as the best Day in the Week What the Phoenix is among the Birds what the Sun is among the Planets that the Lord's Day is among other Days This is the Day which the Lord hath made Psal. 118.24 God hath made all the Days but he hath blessed this As Iocob got the Blessing from his Brother so the Sabbath hath got the Blessing from all the other Days in the Week The Sabbath is a Day in which we converse in a special manner with God The Jews call'd the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light on this Day the Sun of Righteousness shines upon the Soul The Sabbath is the Market-day of the Soul the Cream of Time this is the Day of Christ's rising out of the
such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again Or as if it were a shame to speak of that which will save us VI. Shut up the Sabbath-Evening with Repetition Singing of Psalms and Prayer Beg that God would bless the Word you have heard but I hope your Practice herein will prevent my farther speaking Could we but thus spend a Sabbath we might be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day Rev. 1.10 our Souls might be nourished and comforted And this Sabbath which we now keep would be an earnest of that everlasting Sabbath which we shall Celebrate in Heaven EXOD. XX. 8 Remember to keep the Sabbath-day Holy Vse I. See here a Christians Duty To keep the Sabbath-Day Holy 1. The whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God It is not said Keep a part of the Sabbath holy but the whole day must be religiously observed If God hath given us Six Days and taken but One to himself shall we grudge him any part of that Day It were Sacriledge The Jews kept a whole Day to the Lord and we are not to abridge or curtail the Sabbath saith St. Austin more than the Jews did The very Heathens by the Light of Nature did set apart a whole Day in the Honour of their False Gods And Scaevola their High Priest did affirm That the wilful Transgression of that Day could have no Expiation or Pardon Whoever do rob any part of the Sabbath for servile Work or Recreation Scaevola the High Priest of the Heathenish Gods shall rise up in Judgment against such Christians and condemn them And they who say that to keep a whole Sabbath is too Iudaical let them show where God hath made any Abatement of the Time of Worship where he hath said You shall keep but a Part of the Sabbath And if they cannot show that it argues much Boldness to go to rob God of his Due That a whole Day be design'd and set apart for God's special Worship is a perpetual Statute while the Church remains upon the Earth saith Pet. Martyr Of this Opinion also were Theodoret Austin Iraeneus and the Chief of the Fathers 2. As the whole Sabbath is to be Dedicated to God so it must be kept Holy You see the manner of sanctifying the Lord's Day by Reading Meditation Prayer hearing of the Word and by Singing of Psalms to make Melody to the Lord. Now besides what I have said for the keeping this Day holy let me make a short Comment or Paraphrase on that Scripture Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own pleasure nor speaking thy own words Here is a Description of the right sanctifying a Sabbath 1. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath That may be understood either Literally or Principally First Literally If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou withdrawest thy Foot from taking long Walks or Journeys on the Sabbath-day So the Jewish Doctors expound it Or Secondly Spiritually If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath that is If thou turn away thy Affections the Feet of thy Soul from enclining to any worldly Business 2. From doing thy Pleasure on my holy Day That is Thou must not do that which may please the Carnal Part as Sports and Pastimes This is to do the Devil's Work on God's Day 3. And call the Sabbath a Delight Call it a Delight that is esteem it so Tho the Sabbath be not a Day for Carnal Pleasure yet holy Pleasure is not forbidden The Soul must take pleasure in the Duties of a Sabbath The Saints of old counted the Sabbath a Delight The Jews called the Sabbath Dies Lucis A Day of Light The Lord's Day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines is both a Day of Light and Delight This is the Day of sweet Intercourse between God and the Soul On this Day a Christian makes his Sallies out to Heaven his Soul is lifted above the Earth and can this be without Delight The higher the Bird flies the sweeter it sings On a Sabbath the Soul acts its Love to God and where the Love is there is the Delight On this Day a Believers Heart is melted q. d. quickned enlarged in Holy Duties and how can all this be and not a secret Delight go along with it On a Sabbath a gracious Soul can say as Cant. 2.3 I sat under his shadow with great delight and his Fruit was sweet to my taste How can a Spiritual Heart chuse but call the Sabbath a Delight Is it not delightful to a Queen to be putting on her Wedding Robes in which she shall meet the King her Bridegroom When we are about Sabbath-Exercises we are dressing our selves and putting on our Wedding-Robes in which we are to meet our Heavenly Bridegroom the Lord Jesus And is not this delightful On the Sabbath God makes a Feast of fat things he Feasts the Ear with his Word and the Heart with his Grace Well then may we call the Sabbath a Delight and to find this holy Delight is to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 4. The Holy of the Lord honourable In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorious To call the Sabbath Honourable is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel or having better Diet on this Day as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss This is the chief Honour some give to this Day But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable that is meant of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day reverencing it and esteeming it the Queen of Days We are to count the Sabbath Honourable because God hath honoured it All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it God the Father blessed it God the Son rose upon it God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day Acts 2.1 And indeed this Day is to be honoured of all good Christians and had in high Veneration It is a Day of Renown On this Day a Golden Scepter of Mercy is held forth The Christian Sabbath is the very Crepusculum and Dawning of the Heavenly Sabbath It is honourable because this Day God comes down to us and visits us To have the King of Heaven present in a special manner in our Assemblies makes the Sabbath-day honourable Besides the Work that is done on this Day makes it honourable The Six Days are fill'd up with-servile Work which makes them lose much of their Glory but on this Day Sacred Work is done The Soul is employed wholly about the Worship of God it is Praying Hearing Meditating it is doing Angels Work Praising and Blessing of God Again The Day is Honourable by vertue of a Divine Institution Silver is of it self valuable but when the Royal Stamp is put upon it it is honourable
Calling is employed about the Souls of Men. Their Work is to redeeâ— Spiritual Captives and turn Men from the Power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 Their Work is to enlighten them who sit in the Region of Darkness and make them shine as Stars in the Kingdom of Heaven These Spiritual Fathers are to be honoured for their Work sake and this Honour is to be shown three ways 1. By giving them Respect 1 Thess. 5.12 Know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and esteem them very highly in love for their work sake I confess the scandalous Lives of some Ministers hath been a great Reproach and hath made the Offering of the Lord to be abhorred in some places of the Land The Leper in the Law was to have his Lip covered Such as are Angels by Office but Lepers in their Lives ought to have their Lips covered and to be silenced But tho some deserve no Honour yet such as are faithful and make it their Work to bring Souls to Christ are to be reverenced as Spiritual Fathers Obadiah honoured the Prophet Elijah 1 King 18.17 Why did God reckon the Tribe of Levi for the First-born Numb 3.12 Why did he appoint that the Prince should ask Counsel of God by the Priest Numb 27.21 Why did the Lord show by that Miracle of Aaron's Rod flourishing that he had chosen the Tribe of Levi to Minister before him Numb 17. Why doth Christ call his Apostles the Lights of the World Why doth he say to all his Ministers Lo I am with you to the end of the World But because he would have these Spiritual Fathers reverenced In ancient times the Egyptians chose their Kings out of their Priests They are far from showing this Respect and Honour to their Spiritual Fathers who have slight Thoughts of such as have the Charge of the Sanctuary and do minister before the Lord Know them saith the Apostle which labour among you Many can be content to know their Ministers in their Infirmities and are glad when they have any thing against them but not to know them in the Apostles Sence so as to give them double Honour Surely were it not for the Ministry you would not be a Vineyard but a Desart Were it not for the Ministry you would be destitute of the two Seals of the Covenant Baptism and the Lord's Supper you would be Infidels For Faith comes by hearing and how shall they hear without a Preacher Rom. 10.14 2. Honour the Ministers these Spiritual Fathers by becoming Advocates for them and wiping off those Slanders and Calumnies which are unjustly cast upon them 1 Tim. 5.19 Constantine was a great Honourer of the Ministry he vindicated them he would not read the envious Accusations brought in against them but did burn them Do the Ministers open their Mouths to God for you in Prayer and will not you open your Mouths in their Behalf Surely if they labour to preserve you from Hell you should preserve them from Slander If they labour to save your Souls you ought to save their Credit 3. Honour them by conforming to their Doctrine This is the greatest Honour you can put upon your Spiritual Fathers by believing and obeying their Doctrine He is an Honourer of the Ministry who is not only an Hearer but a Follower of the Word As Disobedience reproacheth the Ministry so Obedience honoureth it The Apostle calls his Thessalonians his Crown 1 Thess. 2.19 What is our Crown of rejoycing are not ye A thriving People are a Ministers Crown When there is a Metamorphosis a Change wrought People came to the Word proud but they go away humble they came Earthly but go away Heavenly They came as Naaman to Iordan Lepers but they go away healed This is an Honour to the Ministry 2 Cor. 3.1 Need we as some others Epistles of Commendation Tho other Ministers might need Letters of Commendation yet Paul needed none For when Men should hear of the Obedience of these Corinthians which was wrought in them by Paul's Preaching this was a sufficient Certificate for him that God had blessed his Labours The Corinthians were a sufficient Honour to him they were his Letters Testimonial You cannot honour your Spiritual Fathers more than by thriving under their Ministry and living those Sermons which they preach Fourthly There is the Oeconomical Father that is the Master He is Pater Familias the Father of the Family Therefore Naaman's Servants called their Master Father 2 Kings 5.13 And the Centurion calls his Servant Son Matth. 8.6 The Servant is to honour his Master as the Father of the Family Tho the Master be not so exactly qualify'd as he should yet the Servant must not neglect his Duty but show some kind of Honour to him 1. In obeying his Master in licitis honestis in things that are lawful and honest 1 Pet. 2.18 Servants be subject to your Masters not only to the Good and Gentle but also to the Froward God hath no where given you a Charter of Exemption to free you from your Duty You cannot disobey your Earthly Master but you disobey your Master in Heaven Think not that Birth or High Parts no nor yet your Grace will exempt you from Obedience to your Master To obey him is an Ordinance of God and the Apostle saith Whosoever resisteth the Ordinance shall receive to themselves Damnation Rom. 13.2 2. The Servants honouring of his Master his Oeconomical Father is seen in being diligent in his Service Apelles painted a Servant with his Hands full of Tools an Emblem of Diligence The loytering Servant is a kind of Thief tho he doth not steal from his Master Goods yet he steals that Time which he should have employed in his Masters Service The slothful Servant is called a Wicked Servant Matth. 25.26 3. The Servant is to Honour his Master who is his Family-Father by being Faithful Matth. 24.45 Who then is a faithful and wise Servant Faithfulness is the chief thing in a Servant This Faithfulness in a Servant is seen in Six things First In Tenaciousness in concealing the Secrets your Master hath entrusted you with If those Secrets are not Sins you ought to promise Privacy What is whispered in your Ear you are not to publish on the House-top Such Servants are Spies Who would keep a Glass tkat is crack'd Who would keep a Servant that hath a Crack in his Brain and cannot keep a Secret Secondly Faithfulness in a Servant is seen in designing the Masters Advantage A Faithful Servant esteems his Masters Good as his own Such a good Servant had Abraham When his Master sent him to transact business for him he was as careful about it as if it had been his own Gen. 24.12 O Lord God of my Master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day and shew kindness unto my Master Abraham Doubtless Abraham's Servant was as glad he had got a Wife for his Masters Son as if he had got a
Children to show their Honour to their Parents Resp. I. In a Reverential Esteem of their Persons They must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Give them a Civil Veneration Therefore when the Apostle speaks of Fathers of our Bodies he speaks also of giving them Reverence Heb. 12.9 This Veneration or Reverence must be shown 1. Inwardly by Fear mixed with Love Lev. 19.3 Ye shall fear every Man his Mother and his Father In the Commandment the Father is named First here the Mother is named First 1. Partly to put the Honour upon her the Mother because by reason of many Weaknesses incident to her Sex she is apt to be more slighted by Children And 2. Partly because the Mother endures more for the Child therefore here God gives the Mother the Priority names her first Ye shall fear every one his Mother and his Father 2. Reverence must be shown to Parents Outwardly viz. In Word and Gesture 1. In Word and that either in speaking to Parents or speaking of them First Reverence in speaking to Parents Children must speak to Parents respectively and in decent Language 1 Kings 2.20 Ask on my Mother said King Solomon to his Mother Bathsheba Secondly Reverence in speaking of Parents Children must speak of their Parents honourably they ought to speak well of them if they deserve well Prov. 31.28 Her Children rise up and call her Blessed And in case a Parent betrays Weakness and Indiscretion the Child should make the best of it and by his wise Apologies for his Father cover his Fathers Nakedness 2. In Gesture Children are to show their Reverence to their Parents by Submissive Behaviour by uncovering the Head bending the Knee Ioseph tho he were a Great Prince and his Father grown poor yet he bow'd to him and behaved himself as humbly as if his Father had been the Prince and he the poor Man Gen. 48.46 And King Solomon when his Mother came to him rose off his Throne and bowed himself to her 1 Kings 2.19 Among the Lacedemonians if a Child had carried himself arrogantly and sawcily to his Father it was lawful for the Father to appoint whom he would to be his Heir O how many Children are far from this giving Reverence to their Parents They despise their Parents they carry themselves with that Pride and Malapertness towards them that they are a shame to Religion and bring their Parents Grey Hairs with Sorrow to the Grave Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or Mother If all that set light by their Parents are Cursed how many Children in our Age are under a Curse If such as are disrespectful to their Parents live to have Children they will be Thorns in their sides and God will make them read their Sin in their Punishment II. The Second way of showing Honour to Parents is in careful Obedience Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things Our Lord Christ herein set a Pattern to Children Luke 2.51 He was subject to his Parents He to whom Angels were subject yet was subject to his Parents This Obedience to Parents is shown three ways 1. In hearkning to their Counsel Prov. 1.8 Hear the Instruction of thy Father and forsake not the Law of thy Mother Parents are as it were in the room of God if they would teach you the Fear of the Lord you must listen to their Words as Oracles and not be as the deaf Adder to stop your Ears Ely's Sons hearkned not to the Voice of their Father 1 Sam. 2.25 but they were called Sons of Belial ver 12. And Children must hearken to the Counsel of their Parents as in Spiritual Matters so in other Affairs which relate to this Life as in the Choice of a Calling and in case of entring into Marriage Iacob would not dispose of himself in Marriage tho he were Forty Years old without the Advice and Consent of his Parents Gen. 28.1 2. Children are as it were the Parents proper Goods and Possession and it is high Injustice in a Child to give away her self without the Parents leave If Parents should indeed counsel a Child to match with one that is Irreligious or Popish I think the case is plain and many of the Learned are of Opinion that here the Child may have a Negative Voice and is not obliged to be ruled by the Parent Children are to marry in the Lord 1 Cor. 7.39 Therefore not with Persons Irreligious for that is not to marry in the Lord. 2. Obedience to Parents is shown in subscribing to their Commands A Child should be the Parents Eccho When the Father speaks the Child should Eccho back Obedience The Rechabites were forbidden by their Father to drink Wine and they did obey him and were commended for it Ier. 35.6 And Children must obey their Parents 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all things Col. 3.20 Things that are more against the Grain and which they have some Reluctancy to yet they must obey their Parents Esau would obey his Father when he commanded him to fetch him Venison because it is probable he took pleasure in hunting but refused to obey him in a matter of greater Concernment namely in the Choice of a Wife But tho Children must obey their Parents in all things yet restringitur ad licita honesta it is with this Limitation Things just and honest Obey in the Lord Ephes. 6.1 That is so far as the Commands of Parents agree with and are consonant to Gods Commands If they command against God here they lose their Right of being obeyed and in this Case we must unchild our selves 3. Honour is to be shown to Parents in relieving their Wants Ioseph cherished his Father in his Old Age Gen. 47.12 It is but the paying a just Debt Parents have brought up Children when they were young and Children ought to nourish their Parents when they are old The young Storks by the Instinct of Nature bring Meat to the Old Storks when by reason of Age ther are not able to fly Pliny Lex Pelargica The Memory of Aeneas was honoured for carrying his Aged Father out of Troy when it was on Fire I have read of a Daughter whose Father being condemned to be starv'd to Death she did in Prison give him Suck with her own Breasts which being known to the Governours procured his Freedom out of Prison To blame are such shall I say Children or Monsters who are ashamed of their Parents when they are old and fallen to decay When Parents Tears and lean Cheeks may plead Pity yet Children have no Compassion When they ask for Bread they give them a Stone When Houses are shut up we say the Plague is there When Childrens Hearts are shut up against their Parents the Plague is in those Hearts Our blessed Saviour took great Care for his Mother When he was on the Cross he charg'd his Disciple Iohn to take her home to him as his Mother and see that she wanted nothing Iohn 19.26 27. The Reasons
while they do any eminent Service for God seek themselves and so their very serving of him is a dshonouring him 4. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by Celebrating his Praise Psal. 71.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the Day Rev. 5.13 Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sits upon the Throne Blessing God is honouring of God It lifts him up in the Eyes of others it spreads his Fame and Renown in the World In this manner the Angels the Quiristers of Heaven are now honouring God they Trumpet forth his Praise In Prayer we act like Saints in Praise like Angels 5. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by suffering Dishonour yea Death for his sake St. Paul did bear in his Body the Marks of the Lord Iesus Gal. 6.17 As they were Marks of Honour to him so Trophies of Honour to the Gospel The Honour which comes to God is not by bringing that Outward Pomp and Glory to him as we do to Kings but it comes in another way by the Sufferings of his People They let the World see what a good God they serve and how they love him and will fight under his Banner to the Death Thus you see how you are to Honour your Heavenly Father God is worthy of Honour Psal. 104.1 Thou art Cloathed with Honour and Majesty What are all his Attributes but Glorious Beams shining from this Sun He deserves more Honour than Men or Angels can give him 2 Sam. 22. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised God is worthy of Honour Often times we confer Honour upon them that do not deserve it Many Noble Persons we give Titles of Honour to who are sordid and vicious they do no deserve Honour but God is worthy of Honour Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy Glorious Name which is exalted above all Blessings and Praise He is above all the Acclamations and Triumphs of the Arch-angels O then let every true Child of God honour his Heavenly Father Tho the wicked dishonour him by their Flagitious Lives yet let not his own Children dishonour him Sins in you are worse than in others A Fault in a Stranger is not so much taken notice of as a Fault in a Child A Spot in a black Cloth is not so much observed but a Spot in Scarlet every ones Eye is upon it A Sin in the Wicked is not so much wondred at it is a Spot in black But a Sin in a Child of God here is a Spot in Scarlet this is more visible and brings an Odium and Dishonour upon the Gospel The Sins of God's own Children go nearer to his Heart Deut. 32.19 When the Lord saâ— it hâ— abhorred them because of the provoking of his Sons and Daughters O forbear doing any thing may reflect Dishonour upon God Will you disgrace your Heavenly Father Let not God complain of the Provocations of his Sons and Daughters let him not cry out as Isa. 1.2 I have brought up Children and they have rebelled against me So much for the First If our Earthly Father be to be honoured then much more our Heavenly Vse II. Exhort First Branch Doth God Command Honour thy Father and thy Mother Then let it exhort Children to put this great Duty in Practice be living Commentaries upon this Commandment Honour and Reverence your Parents not only obey their Commands but submit to their Rebukes You cannot honour your Father in Heaven unless you honour your Earthly Parents To deny Obedience to Parents entails God's Judgments upon Children Prov. 30.17 The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Eli's Two Disobedient Sons were slain 1 Sam. 4.11 God made a Law that the Rebellious Son should be stoned the same Death the Blasphemer had Lev. 24.14 Deut. 21.18 If a Man have a stubborn and rebellious Son which will not obey the voice of his Father or the voice of his Mother then shall his Father and his Mother lay hold on him and bring him out unto the Elders of the City and all the Men of his City shall stone him with Stones that he die A Father once complaining Never had Father a worse Son than I have Yes saith the Son my Grandfather had A Prodigy of Impudence that can hardly be parallel'd Manlius when he was grown old and poor and had a Son very rich the old Father desired some Food of him but the Son denied him Relief yea disclaimed him from being his Father and sent him away with reproachful Language The poor old Father let Tears fall as Witnesses of his Grief But God to revenge this Disobedience struck this unnatural Son with Madness of which he could never be cured Disobedient Children stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly Second Branch Let Parents so carry it as they may gain Honour from their Children Quest. How may Parents so carry it towards their Children that their Children may willingly pay the Debt of Honour and Reverence to their Parents Resp. 1. If you would have your Children honour you 1. Be careful to bring them up in the Fear and Nurture of the Lord Ephes. 6.4 Bring them up in the Admonition of the Lord. You conveyed the Plague of Sin to them Ergo Endeavour to get them healed and sanctified Austin saith his Mother Monica travelled more for his Spiritual Birth than his Natural Timothy's Mother instructed him from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 She did not only give him her Breast-milk but the sincere Milk of the Word Season your Children with good Principles betimes that they may with Obadiah fear the Lord from their Youth 1 King 18.12 When Parents instruct not their Children they seldom prove Blessings God oft punisheth the carelesness of Parents with Undutifulness in their Children It is not enough that in Baptism your Child is Dedicated to God but it must be Educated for God Children are young Plants which you must be continually watering with good Instruction Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he is old The more your Children fear God the more they will honour you 2. If you would have your Children honour you keep up your Parental Authority over your Children be kind but do not cocker them If you let them get too much Head they will Contemn you instead of Honouring you The Rod of Discipline must not be with-held Prov. 23.14 Thou shalt beat him with the Rod and deliver his Soul from Hell A Child indulg'd and humour'd in Wickedness will be a Thorn in the Parents Eye David cockered Adonijah 1 Kings 1.6 His Father had not displeased him at any time in saying Why hast thou done so And he afterward was a Grief of Heart to his Father and was false to the Crown ver 7 9. Keep up your Authority and you keep up
your Honour 3. Provide for your Children what is fitting both in their Minority and when they come to Maturity 2 Cor. 12.14 The Children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the Children They are your own Flesh and as the Apostle saith No Man yet ever hated his own Flesh Eph. 5.29 The Parents Bountifulness will cause Dutifulness in the Child If you pour Water into a Pump the Pump will send Water out again freely So if Parents pour in something of their Estate to their Children Children if ingenuous will pour out Obedience again to their Parents 4. When your Children are grown up put them to some Lawful Calling wherein they may serve their Generation And it is good to consult the Natural Genius and Inclination of a Child Forc'd Callings do as ill sometimes as Forc'd Matches To let a Child be out of a Calling is to expose it to Temptation Melancton Otium Balneum Diaboli A Child out of a Calling is like Fallow Ground and what can you expect should grow up but Weeds of Disobedience 5. Carry it Lovingly to your Children In all your Counsels and Commands let them read Love Love will command Honour And how can the Parent but love the Child who is his living Picture nay part of himself The Child is the Father in the Second Edition 6. Carry it prudently towards your Children A great Point of Prudence is when a Parent doth not provoke his Children to Wrath. Col. 3.21 Fathers provoke not your Children to Anger lest they be discouraged Quest. How many ways may a Parent provoke his Children to Wrath Resp. 1. By giving them Opprobrious Tearms 1 Sam. 20.30 Thou Son of the perverse rebellious Woman said Saul to his Son Ionathan Some Parents use Imprecations and Curses to their Children This is to provoke them to Wrath. Would you have God bless your Children and do you curse 2. Parents provoke Children to Wrath when they strike their Children without a Cause or when the Correction exceeds the Fault This is rather to be a Tyrant than a Father Saul cast a Javelin at his Son to smite him 1 Sam. 20.33 and his Son was provoked to Anger Ver. 34. So Ionathan arose from the Table in fierce Anger In Filium pater obtinet non tyrannicum imperium sed Basilicum Davenant 3. When Parents deny their Children Conveniences they will not let them have that which may cherish or cover Nature Some have thus provoked their Children they have stinted them and kept them so short that they have forc'd their Children upon indirect Courses and made them put forth their Hands to Iniquity 4. When Parents carry it unequally towards their Children showing more kindness to one than another this sometimes breeds bad Blood Tho a Parent hath a greater Love to one Child yet Discretion should guide Affection that he should not show more Love to one than to another Iacob show'd more love to Ioseph than all his Children and what did it procure but Envy of his Brethren Gen. 37.3 Now Israel loved Ioseph more than all his Children and when his Brethren saw that they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him 5. When a Parent doth any thing which is sordid and unworthy that which casts Disgrace upon himself and his Family as to cosen or take a false Oath this is to provoke the Child to Wrath. As the Child should honour his Father so the Father should not dishonour the Child 6. When Parents lay such Commands upon their Children as their Children cannot perform without wronging their Conscience Saul commanded his Son Ionathan to bring David to him 1 Sam. 20.3 Fetch him to me for he shall surely die Ionathan could not do this with a good Conscience but was provoked to Anger Ver. 34. Ionathan rose from the Table in fierce Anger Now the Reason why Parents should show their Prudence in not provoking their Children to Wrath is set down Col. 3.21 Lest they be discouraged This Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Discouraged implies three things 1. Grief The Parents provoking the Child the Child so takes it to Heart that it causeth immature Death 2. Despondency The Parents Austerity dispirits the Child and makes it unfit for Service Like Members of the Body stupifyed which are unfit for Work 3. Contumaâ—y and Refractoriness The Child being provoked by the cruel and unnatural carriage of the Parent grows desperate and oft studies to irritate and vex his Parent Which tho it be evil in the Child yet the Parent is accessary to it as being the occasion of it 7. If you would have Honour from your Children pray much for them Not only lay up a Portion for them but lay up a Stock of Prayer for them Monica prayed much for her Son Austin and it was said It was impossible a Son of so many Prayers and Tears should perish Pray that your Children may be preserved from the Contagion of the Times Pray that as your Children bear your Image in their Faces they may bear God's Image in their Hearts Pray they may be Instruments and Vessels of Glory This may be one Fruit of Prayer that the Child shall honour a Praying Parent 8. Encourage that which you see good and commendable in your Children Virtus laudata crescit Commending that which is good in your Children makes them more in love with Vertuous Actions and is like watering of Plants which makes them grow more Some Parents discourage the good they see in their Children and so nip Vertue in the Bud and help to damn their Childrens Souls They have their Childrens Curses 9. If you would have Honour from your Children set them a good Example It makes Children despise their Parents when the Parents live in a contradiction to their own Precepts When they bid their Children be sober yet they themselves will be drunk They bid their Children fear God yet are themselves loose in their Lives Oh! If you would have your Children honour you teach them by an Holy Example A Father is a Looking-glass which the Child oft dresseth himself by let the Glass be Clear and not Spotted Parents should observe a Good Decorum in their whole Carriage lest they give occasion to their Children to say to them as Plato's Servant My Master hath made a Book against rash Anger but he himself is passionate Or as a Son once said to his Father If I have done Evil I have learned it of you Quest. Which is the Sixth Commandment Resp. EXOD. XX. 13 Thou shalt not Kill In this Commandment 1. Is a Sin forbidden viz. Murder Thou shalt not kill 2. A Duty implied To preserve our own Life and the Life of others 1. The Sin forbidden Murder Thou shalt not kill Where two things are to be understood 1. The not injuring another 2. Our selves I. In this Thou shalt not kill is meant the not Injuring another 1. We must not injure him in his Name 2. In his Body 3. In
of getting the World hath in him the Root of all Sin Covetousness is a Mother-sin I shall make it appear that Covetousness is a Breach of all the Ten Commandments 1. It breaks the First Commandment Thou shalt have no other Gods but one The covetous Man hath more God's than one Mammon is his God He hath a God of Gold therefore he is called an Idolater Col. 3.5 2. Covetousness breaks the Second Commandment Thou shalt not make any graven Image thou shalt not bow down thy self to them A covetous Man bows down tho not to the graven Image in the Church yet to the Graven Image in his Coyn. 3. Covetousness is a Breach of the Third Commandment Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain Absalom's Design was to get his Fathers Crown there was Covetousness but he talks of paying his Vow to God there he took God's Name in vain 4. Covetousness is a Breach of the Fourth Commandment Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy A Covetous Man doth not keep the Sabbath Holy He will ride to Fairs on a Sabbath Instead of reading in the Bible he will cast up his Accounts 5. Covetousness is a Breach of the Fifth Commandment Honour thy Father and thy Mother A covetous Person will not honour his Father if he doth not feed him with Money Nay he will get his Father to make over his Estate to him in his Life-time and so the Father shall be at the Sons Command 6. Covetousness is a Breach of the Sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill Covetous Ahab kill'd Naboth to get his Vineyard 1 Kings 21.13 How many have swum to the Crown in Blood 7. Covetousness is a Breach of the Seventh Commandment Thou shalt not commit Adultery Covetousness causeth Uncleanness You read of the Hire of a Whore Deut. 23.18 An Adulteress for Money sets both Conscience and Chastity to Sale 8. Covetousness is a Breach of the Eighth Commandment Thou shalt not steal Covetousness is the Root of Theft Covetous Achan stole the Wedge of Gold Therefore Thieves and Covetous are put together 1 Cor. 6.10 9. Covetousness is a Breach of the Ninth Commandment Thou shalt not bear false witness What makes the Perjurer take a false Oath but Covetousness He hopes for a Dividend And 10. It is plainly a Breach of the Last Commandment Thou shalt not covet The Mammonist covets his Neighbours House and Goods and endeavours to get them into his own Hands Thus you see how vile a Sin Covetousness is It is a Mother-sin it is a plain Breach of every one of the Ten Commandments 4. Covetousness is a Sin dishonourable to Religion For such as say their Hopes are Above yet their Hearts are below For them who profess to be above the Stars to lick the Dust of the Serpent To be born of God yet buried in the Earth How dishonourable is this to Religion The Lapwing wears a little Coronet on its Head yet feeds on Dung. An Emblem of such as profess to be Crown'd Kings and Priests unto God yet feed immoderately on these Terrene Dunghil Comforts Ier. 45.5 And seekest thou great things for thy self seek them not What thou Baruk who art enobled by thy New Birth and art illustrious by thy Office a Levite dost thou seek earthly things And seek them now When the Ship is sinking art thou trimming thy Cabin O do not so degrade thy self nor blot thy Scutcheon Seekest thou great things Seek them not The higher Grace is the less earthly should Christians be The Higher the Sun is the shorter always is the Shadow 1. Covetousness exposeth us to God's Abhorrency Psal. 10.3 The Covetous whom the Lord abhorreth A King abhors to see his Statue abused God abhors to see a Man made in his Image should have the Heart of a Beast given to him Who would live in such a Sin as makes him abhorr'd of God Whom God abhors he curseth and God's Curse blasts where-ever it comes 2. Covetousness precipitates Men to Ruine It shuts them out of Heaven Eph. 5.5 This ye know that no covetous Man who is an Idolater hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God What should a covetous Man do in Heaven God can no more converse with them than a King can converse with a Swine 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich fall into a Snare and many hurtful Lusts which drown Men in Perdition A covetous Man is like a Bee that gets into a Barrel of Honey and there drowns it self He is like a Ferry-man that takes in so many Passengers to encrease his Fare that he sinks his Boat So a covetous Man takes in more Gold to the encreasing of his Estate that he damns himself in Perdition I have read of some Inhabitants near Athens who lived in a very dry barren Island and they took much pains to draw a River to this Island to water it and make it fruitful but when they had opened the Passages and brought the River to it the Water brake in with such a Force that it drowned the Land and all the People in it An Emblem of a Covetous Man he labours to draw Riches to him and at last they come in in such abundance that they drown him in Hell and Perdition How many to build up an Estate pull down their Souls Oh therefore fly from Covetousness I shall next prescribe some Remedies against Covetousness EXOD. XX. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife c. I am in the next place to resolve a Question How we may do to cure this Itch of Covetousness Resp. For Answer to this I shall prescribe some Remedies and Antidotes against this Sin 1. Faith 1 Iohn 5.4 This is the Victory over the World even your Faith The Root of Covetousness is the Distrust of God's Providence Faith believes God will provide God who feeds the Birds will feed his Children He who cloaths the Lillies will cloath his Lambs And so Faith overcomes the World Faith is the Cure of Care Faith not only purifies the Heart but satisfies the Heart Faith makes God our Portion and so in him we have enough Psal. 16.5 The Lord is the Portion of mine Inheritance the Lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly Heritage Faith by a Divine Chymistry extracts its chief Comforts out of God A little with God is sweet Thus Faith is a Remedy against Covetousness Faith overcomes not only the Fear of the World but the Love of the World 2. The Second Remedy is Judicious Consideration 1. What poor things these things below are that we should covet them 1. They are below the worth of the Soul which carries in it an Idea and Resemblance of God The World is but the Workmanship of God the Soul is the Image of God 2. You covet that which will not satisfie you Eccles. 5.10 He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied with Silver Solomon
are greater than others If the Breakers of God's Law sin what do they that teach Men to break them Matth. 5.19 2. Such as destroy others by their bad Example The swearing Father hath taught his Son to swear and damned him by his Example These Mens sins are greater than others and they shall have an hotter place in Hell Vse You see all sins are not Equal some are more grievous than others and bring greater Wrath therefore especially take heed of these Sins Psal. 19.13 Keep hack thy Servant from presumptuous sins The least sin is bad enough you need not aggravate your sins and make them more hainous He that hath a little Wound will not make it deeper Oh beware of those bloody Circumstances which greaten your sin and make it more hainous The higher a Man is in sinning the lower he shall lie in Torment Quest. What doth every Sin deserve Answ. God 's Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to come Matth. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire Man having sinned is like a Favourite turn'd out of the King's Favour and deserves the Wrath and Curse of God 1. God's Curse Gal. 3.10 As when Christ cursed the Fig-tree it withered Matth. 21.19 So when God curseth any he withers in his Soul God's Curse blasts where-ever it comes 2. God's Wrath which is nothing else but the Execution of God's Curse First What this Wrath is In this Wrath there is 1. Something that is Privative that is the being deprived of the Smiles of God's Face It is Hell enough to be excluded God's Presence In whose Presence is fulness of Ioy Psal. 16.11 God's smiling Face hath that Splendor and Oriency of Beauty shining in it as ravisheth the Angels with delight This is the Diamond in the Ring of Glory And if it were such a Misery for Absalom that he might not see the King's Face 2 Kings 14.22 what will it be for the wicked to be shut out from beholding God's pleasant Face Privatio divinae Visionis omnium suppliciorum summum Secondly God's Wrath hath something in it Positive That is his Frown and enraged Fury which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wrath come upon the Sinner to the uttermost 1 Thess. 2.16 Here three Positions or Maxims 1. God's Wrath is irresistible Psal. 90.11 Who knows the power of thy anger Sinners may oppose God's Ways but not his Wrath. Shall the Briars contend with the Fire Shall finite contend with infinite Iob 40.9 Hast thou an Arm like God 2. God's Wrath is Terrible The Spanish Proverb is The Lion is not so fierce as he is painted We are apt to have slight Thoughts of God's Wrath but it is very tremendous and dismal as if scalding Lead should be dropped in ones Eye The Hebrew Word for Wrath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Heat To show that the Wrath of God is hot therefore it is compared to Fire in the Text. Fire when it is in its Rage is dreadful as we saw in the Flames of this City So the Wrath of God is like Fire it is the Terrible of Terribles Other Fire is but painted to this If when God's Wrath is kindled but a little and a Spark of it flies into a wicked Man's Conscience in this Life it is so terrible what will it be when God stirs up all his Wrath Psalm 78.38 How sad is it with a Soul in Desertion Now God dips his Pen in Gall and writes bitter things Now his poysoned Arrow sticks fast in the Heart Psal. 88.15 16. While I suffer thy Terrors I am distracted thy fierce Wrath goeth over me Luther in Desertion was in such Horror of Mind that Nec calor nec Sanguis super-esset He had no Blood seen in his Face but he lay as one dead Now if God's Wrath be such towards them whom he loves what will it be towards them whom he hates If they who sip of the Cup find it so bitter what will they do who drink the Dregs of the Cup Psal. 75.8 Solomon saith The Wrath of a Prince is as the roaring of a Lion Prov. 19.12 What then is God's Wrath When God musters up all his Forces and sets himself in Battalia against a Sinner how can his Heart endure Ezek. 22.14 Who is able to lie under Mountains of Wrath God is the sweetest Friend but the forest Enemy To set forth the fearfulness of this Wrath 1. The Wrath of God shall seize upon every part of a Sinner 1. Upon the Body The Body which was so tender it could not bear Heat or Cold shall be tormented in the Wine-press of God's Wrath. Those Eyes which before could only behold Amorous Objects shall be tormented with the sight of Devils The Ears which before were delighted with Musick shall be tormented with the hideous Shrieks of the Damned 2. The Wrath of God shall seize upon the Soul of of a Reprobate Ordinary Fire cannot touch the Soul When the Martyrs Bodies were consuming their Souls did triumph in the Flames but God's Wrath burns the Soul 1. The Memory shall be tormented to remember what means of Grace have been abused 2. The Conscience shall be tormented with self-accusations The Sinner shall accuse himself for presumptuous sins for mis-spending his precious hours for resisting the Holy Ghost 2. The Wrath of God is without Intermission Hell is an abiding-place but no resting-place There is not a Minutes Rest. Outward Pain hath some Abatement If it be the Stone or Cholick the Patient hath sometimes Ease but the Torments of the Damned have no Intermission He that feels God's Wrath never saith I have Ease 3. The Wrath of God is Eternal So saith the Text Everlasting Fire No Tears can quench the Flame of God's Anger no tho we could shed Rivers of Tears In all Pains of this Life Men hope for a Cessation the Suffering will not continue long either the Tormentor dies or the Tormented But the Wrath of God is always feeding upon a Sinner The Terror of Natural Fire is that it consumes what it burns But this makes the Fire of God's Wrath terrible that it doth not consume what it burns Sic morientur damnati ut semper vivunt Bern. The Sinner shall ever be in the Furnace after innumerable Millions of Years the Wrath of God is as far from ending as it was at the beginning If all the Earth and Sea were Sand and every Thousand Years a Bird should come and take away one Grain of this Sand it would be a long while e're that vast heap of Sand were emptied but if after all that time the Damned might come out of Hell there were some Hope But this Word Ever breaks the Herrt Quest. But how doth it seem to consist with God's Iustice to punish Sin which perhaps was committed in a Moment with Eternal Fire Answ. In respect of the hainous Nature of Sin Consider the Person offended 't is Crimen laesae Majestatis Sin is committed against an Infinite Majesty
it there can be no good Crop Some have Memories like leaking Vessels the Sermons they hear are presently gone and then there is no good done If Meat doth not stay and concoct in the Stomach it will not nourish Satan labours to steal the Word out of our Mind Mark 4.15 When they have heard Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the Word that was sown Our Memories should be like the Chest of the Ark wherein the Law was put 7. Reduce your Hearing to Practice Live the Sermons your hear Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Rachel was not content that she was Beautiful but her Desire was to be Fruitful What is a knowing Head without a fruitful Heart Phil. 1.11 Fill'd with the Fruits of Righteousness It is Obedience crowns Hearing That Hearing will never save the Soul which doth not reform the Life 8. Beg of God that he will accompany his Word with his Presence and Blessing The Spirit must make all effectual Ministers may prescribe Physick but it is God's Spirit must make it work Cathedram habet in Coelo qui corda docet in terra Aug. He hath his Pulpit in Heaven that converts Souls Acts 10.44 While Peter was speaking the Holy Ghost fell upon all them that heard It is said the Alchimist can draw Oyl out of Iron God's Spirit can produce Grace in the most obdurate Heart 9. ult If you would have the VVord work effectually to your Salvation make it Familiar to you discourse of the VVord you have heard when you come home Psal. 119.172 My Tongue shall speak of thy Word That may be one reason why some People get no more good by what they hear because they never speak one to another of what they have heard As if Sermons were such Secrets that they must not be spoken of again or as if it were a Shame to speak of matters of Salvation Mal. 3.16 They that feared the Lord spake often one to another and a Book of Remembrance was written Vse Caution Take heed as you love your Souls that the VVord become not ineffectual to you There are some to whom the Word preached is ineffectual 1. Such as Censure the Word in stead of judging themselves judge the Word 2. Such as live in contradiction to the Word Isa. 30.8 3. Such as are more hardened by the Word Zech. 7.11 They made their Heart as an Adamant And when Men harden their Hearts wilfully God hardens them judicially Isa. 6.8 Make their Ears heavy The Word to these is ineffectual Were it not sad if a Man's Meat should not nourish nay if it should turn to Poyson Oh! Take heed that the Word Preach'd be not ineffectual and to no purpose Consider Three things 1. If the Word Preached doth us no good there is no other way by which we can be saved This is God's Institution and the main Engin he useth to convert Souls Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho' one arose from the Dead If an Angel should come to you out of Heaven and preach of the Excellency of the glorified Estate and the Joys of Heaven and that in the most Pathetical manner if the Word preached doth not perswade neither would you be wrought upon by such an Oration from Heaven If a damned Spirit should come from Hell and preach to you in Flames and tell you what a place Hell is and roar out the Torments of the Damned it might make you tremble but it would not convert if the Preaching of the Word would not do it 2. To come to the Word and not be savingly wrought upon is that which the Devil is pleas'd with He cares not tho' you hear frequently if it be not effectually He is not an Enemy to Hearing but Profiting Tho' the Minister holds out the Breast of the Ordinance to you he cares not as long as you do not suck the sincere Milk of the VVord The Devil cares not how many Sermon-Pills you take so long as they do not work upon your Conscience 3. If the VVord preached be not effectual to Men's Conversion it will be effectual to their Condemnation The VVord will be effectual one way or other if it doth not make your Hearts better it will make your Chains heavier VVe pity them who have not the Word preached but it will be worse with them who are not sanctified by it Dreadful is their Case who go loaden to Hell with Sermons But I will conclude with the Apostle Heb. 6.9 I am perswaded better things of you and things that accompany Salvation Matth. XXVIII 19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them We are still upon that Question in the Catechism Quest. What are the Outward Means whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption Answ. They are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayers I have spoken to the First The Word Read and Preached I now proceed to the Second II. The Way whereby Christ communicates to us the Benefits of Redemption is in the Vse of the Sacraments Quest. 1. What are Sacraments in general Resp. They are Visible Signs of Invisible Grace Quest. 2. Is not the Word of God sufficient to Salvation What need then is there of Sacraments Resp. We must not be wise above what is written This may satisfie it is God's Will that his Church should have Sacraments And it is God's Goodness thus by Sacraments to condescend to our weak Capacities Iohn 4.48 Except ye see Signs ye will not believe God to strengthen our Faith confirms the Covenant of Grace not only by Promises but by Sacramental Signs Quest. 3. What are the Sacraments of the New Testament Resp. Two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Quest. 4. But are there no more The Papists tell us of Five more viz. Confirmation Penance Matrimony Orders and the Extream Unction Resp. 1. There were but Two Sacraments under the Law therefore there are no more now 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. 2. These two Sacraments are sufficient The one signifying our Entrance into Christ and the other our Growth and Perseverance in him 1. I begin with the First Sacrament Baptism Go ye therefore and Teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them Go teach all Nations The Greek VVord is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Make Disciples of all Nations If it be asked How should we make them Disciples It follows Baptizing them and teaching them In an Heathen Nation first Teach them and then Baptize them but in a Christian Church first Baptize them and then Teach them Quest. 5. What is Baptism Resp. In General it is a Matriculation or Visible Admission of Children into the Congregation of Christ's Flock More particularly Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing or sprinkling with Water in the Name of the Father Son and
may be in the Number of God's Servants That is evident because God calls them his Servants Levit. 25.4 He shall depart from thee and his Children with him for they are my Servants Therefore Children in their Infancy being God's Servants why should they not have Baptism which is the Tessera the Mark or Seal which God sets upon his Servants 3 d Arg. Is from 1 Cor. 7.14 But now are your Children holy Children are not called Holy as if they were free from Original Sin but in the Iudgment of Charity they are to be esteemed holy and true Members of the Church of God because their Parents are Believers Hence that excellent Divine Mr. Heldersam saith That the Children of the Faithful as soon as they are born have a Covenant-Holiness and so a Right and Title to Baptism which is the Token of the Covenant 4 th Arg. From the Opinion of the Fathers and the Practice of the Church 1. The Ancient Fathers were strong Assertors of Infant-Baptism Irenaus Basil Lactantius Cyprian and Austin 2. It was the Practice of the Greek Church to baptize her Infants Erasmus saith That Infant-Baptism hath been used in the Church of God for above Fourteen Hundred Years And St. Austin in his Book against Pelagius affirms That it hath been the Custom of the Church in all Ages to Baptize Infants Yea it was an Apostolical Practice St. Paul affirms that he Baptized the whole House of Stephanus 1 Cor. 1.16 And as you have seen Scripture Arguments for Infant-Baptism so let us consider whether the Practice of those who delay the Baptizing of Children till Riper Years be warrantable For my part I cannot gather it from Scripture For tho' we read of Persons Adult and grown up to Years of Discretion in the Apostles times Baptized yet those were such as were converted from Heathenish Idolatry to the True Orthodox Faith But that in a Christian Church the Children of Believers should be kept unbaptized several Years I know neither Precept nor Example for it in Scripture but it is wholly Apocryphal The Baptizing of Persons grown up to Maturity we may argue against ab effectu from the Ill Consequences of it They dip the Persons they baptize over Head and Ears in cold Water and naked which as it is Indecent so it is Dangerous and hath been often times the occasion of Chronical Diseases yea Death it self and so is a plain Breach of the Sixth Commandment And how far God hath given up many Persons who are for the deferring of Baptism to other vile Opinions and vicious Practices is evident if we consult with History Especially if we read over the Actings of the Anabaptists in Germany Vse I. See the Riches of God's Goodness who will not only be the God of Believers but takes their Seed into Covenant Gen. 17.7 I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee to be a God unto thee and thy Seed A Father counts it a great Priviledge not only to have his own Name but his Child's Name put in a Will 2. It blames those Parents who forbid little Children to be brought to Christ they with-hold the Ordinance By denying their Infants Baptism they exclude them from having a Membership in the Visible Church and so their Infants are sucking Pagans Such as deny their Children Baptism make God's Institutions under the Law more full of Kindness and Grace to Children than they are now under the Gospel which how strange a Paradox it is I leave to you to judge Vse III. Exhort 1 st Branch We that are Baptized let us labour to find the Blessed Fruits of Baptism in our own Souls Let us labour not only to have the Sign of the Covenant but the Grace of the Covenant Many glory in this that they are Baptized The Jews gloried in their Circumcision because of their Royal Priviledges To them belonged the Adoption and the Glory and the Covenants Rom. 9.4 But many of them were a Shame and Reproach to their Circumcision Rom. 2.24 For the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you The scandalous Jews tho Circumcis'd were in God's Account as Heathens Amos 9.7 Are ye not as Children of the Ethiopians to me saith the Lord Alas What is it to have the Name of Christ and want his Image What is Baptism of Water without the Baptism of the Spirit Many Baptized Christians are no better than Heathens O labour to find the Fruits of Baptism that Christ is form'd in us Gal. 4.19 That our Nature is chang'd we are made Holy and Heavenly this is to be Baptized into Iesus Rom. 6.3 Such as live unsuitable to their Baptism may go with Baptismal Water on their Faces and Sacramental Bread in their Mouths to Hell 2 d. Br. Let us labour to make a Right Use of our Baptism 1 st Vse of Baptism Let us use it as a Shield against Temptations Satan I have given up my self to God by a Sacred Vow in Baptism I am not my own I am Christ's therefore I cannot yield to thy Temptations but I break my Oath of Allegiance which I made to God in Baptism Luther tells us of a Pious Woman who when the Devil tempted her to sin she answered Satan Baptizata sum I am baptized and so beat back the Tempter 2 d. Vse of Baptism Let us use it as a Spurr to Holiness By remembring our Baptism let us be stirred up to make good our Baptismal Engagements Renouncing the World Flesh and Devil let us Devote our selves to God and his Service To be Baptiz'd into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost implies ◠Solemn Dedication of our selves to the Service of all the Three Persons in the Trinity It is not enough that our Parents dedicate us to God in Baptism but we must dedicate our selves to him This is called a Living 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Lord Rom. 14.8 Our Life should be spent in worshipping God in loving God in exalting God We should walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as becomes the Gospel Phil. 1.27 Shine as Stars in the World and live as Earthly Angels 3 d. Vse of Baptism Let us use it as an Argument to Courage We should be ready to confess that Holy Trinity into whose Name we were baptized With the Conversion of the Heart must go the Confession of the Tongue Luke 12.8 Whosoever shall confess me before Men him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God Peter openly confessed Christ crucifyed Acts 4.10 Cyprian a Man of a brave Spirit was like a Rock whom no Waves could shake like an Adamant whom no Sword could cut He confessed Christ before the Proconsul and suffered himself to be proscribed yea chose Death rather than he would betray the Truths of Christ. He that dares not confess the Holy Trinity shames his Baptism and God will be ashamed to own him at the Day of Judgment Vlt. Vse See the fearfulness of the Sin of
as sure to go to Heaven as if he were in Heaven already These are the Reasons why we must examin our selves before we approach to the Lord's Table Quest. 5. What must we Examine Answ. 1. Our Sins 2. Our Graces First Our Sins Search if any dead Fly might spoil this sweet Oyntment When we come to the Sacrament we should do as the Jews did before the Passover they searched for Leaven and having found it did burn it 1. Let us search for the Leaven of Pride This sowres our Holy things We are born with a Spiritual Tympany Will an humble Christ be received into a Proud Heart Pride keeps Christ out Intus existens prohibet alienum Pride swells the Heart and Christ cannot come into the Heart if it be full already To a proud Man Christ's Blood hath no Vertue 't is like Dioscordium put into a dead Man's Mouth which loseth its Vertue Let us search for this Leaven of Pride and cast it away 2. Let us search for the Levaen of Avarice The Lord's Supper is a Spiritual Mystery it represents Christ's Body and Blood what should an earthly Heart do here The Earth puts out the Fire Earthliness quencheth the Fire of holy Love The Earth is Elementum Gravissimum it cannot ascend A Soul belimed with Earth cannot ascend to Heavenly Cogitations Col. 3.5 Covetousness which is Idolatry Will Christ come into that Heart where there is an Idol Search for this Leaven before you come to this Ordinance How can an earthly Heart converse with that God which is a Spirit Can a Clod of Earth kiss the Sun 3. Search for the Leaven of Hypocrisie Luke 12.1 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees which is Hypocrisie Aquinas describes it Simulatio Virtutis Hypocrisie is a counterfeiting of Vertue The Hypocrite is a living Pageant he only makes a show of Religion He gives God his Knee but no Heart and God gives him Bread and Wine in the Sacrament but no Christ. Oh let us search for this Leaven of Hypocrisie and burn it Secondly We must examine our Graces I shall instance only in one Our Knowledge 1. Whether we have Knowledge 2. Whether it be rightly Qualified 1. We are to examine whether we have Knowledge else we cannot give God a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Knowledge is a necessary Requisite in a Communicant Without Knowledge there can be no Fitness for the Sacrament A Person cannot be fit to come to the Lord's Table who hath no Goodness but without Knowledge the Mina is not good Prov. 19.2 Some say they have good Hearts tho they want Knowledge As if one should say His Eye is good but it wants Sight Under the Law when the Plague of Leprosie was in a Man's Head the Priest was to pronounce him unclean The ignorant Person hath the Plague in his Head he is unclean Ignorance is the Womb of Lust 1 Pet. 1.14 Therefore it is requisite before we come to Examine our selves what Knowledge we have in the main Fundamentals of Religion Let it not be said of us that to this Day the Vail is upon our Heart 2 Cor. 3.15 But sure in this Intelligent Age we cannot but have some Insight into the Mysteries of the Gospel I rather fear we are like Rachel who was fair and well-sighted but barren Therefore 2. Let us examine whether our Knowledge be rightly Qualified 1. Is it Influential Doth our Knowledge warm our Heart Claritas in intellectu parit ardorem in affectu Saving Knowledge doth not only direct but quicken 'T is Lumen Vitae the Light of Life Iohn 8.12 2. Is our Knowledge Practical We hear much do we live the Truths we know That is the right Knowledge which doth not only adorn the Mind but reform the Life Secondly This solemn preparing for the Sacrament as it consists in examining our selves so in dressing our Souls before we come And this Soul-dress is in two things 1. Washing in the Laver of Repenting Tears To come to this Ordinance with the Guilt of any sin unrepented of makes way for the further hardening of our Heart and giving Satan fuller possession of us Zech. 12.10 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him The Cloud of Sorrow must drop into Tears We must grieve as for the Pollution so for the Vnkindness in every sin To sin against Christ's Love who died for us When Peter thought of Christ's Love who call'd him out of his Unregeneracy made him an Apostle and carried him up to the Mount of Transfiguration where he saw the Glory of Heaven in a Vision and then to think of his Denying Christ it broke his Heart he wept bitterly Matth. 26.75 To think before we come to a Sacrament of our sins against the Bowel-Mercies of God the Father the bleeding Wounds of God the Son the blessed Inspirations of God the Holy Ghost it is enough to broach our Eyes with Tears and put us into an Holy Agony of Grief and Compunction And we must be so distressed for sin as to be divorced from sin The Serpent before he drinks casts up his Poyson In this we must be wise as Serpents before we drink of the Sacramental Cup we must cast up the Poyson of sin by Repentance Ille verè plangit commissa qui non committit plangenda He doth truly bewail the sins he hath committed who doth not commit the sins he hath bewailed And this is the Dressing our Souls before we come washing in the Waters of true Rpentance 2. The Soul-dress is the exciting and stirring up the Habit of Grace into a lively Exercise 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee i. e. The Gifts and Graces of the Spirit The Greek Word to stir up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to blow up Grace into a Flame Grace is oft like Fire in the Embers which needs blowing up It is possible that even a good Man may not come so well disposed to this Ordinance because he hath not before taken pains with his Heart to come in Due Order He hath not stirred up Grace into its vigorous Exercise and so tho he doth not eat and drink Damnation yet he doth not receive Consolation in the Sacrament Thus you see what this Dressing of our Souls is before we come Thirdly This Solemn preparing for the Sacrament is in begging a Blessing upon the Ordinance The Sacrament is not like Physick which hath an inherent operative Vertue No but the Efficacy of the Sacrament depends upon the Co-operation of the Spirit and a Word of Blessing In the Institution Christ blessed the Elements Iesus took Bread and blessed it In the Text the Sacrament will no further do us good then as it is blessed to us We ought then before we come to pray for a Blessing on the Ordinance that the Sacrament may be not only a Sign to represent but a Seal to confirm and an Instrument to convey
he will joy over thee with singing No Father like God for Love if thou art his Child thou canst not love thy own Soul so intirely as he loves thee 5. God is the best Father for Riches God hath land enough to give to all his Children he hath unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 He gives the hidden Manna the Tree of Life Rivers of Joy Gates of Pearl Who ever saw gates of Pearl God hath treasures that cannot be emptied pleasures that cannot be ended Earthly Fathers if they should be ever giving they would have nothing left to give God is ever giving to his Children yet hath not the less his Riches are imparted not impaired Like the Sun that still shines yet hath not the less light He cannot be poor who is infinite Thus God is the best Father he gives more to his Children than any Father or Prince can bestow 6. God is the best Father because he can reform his Children A Father when his Son takes bad courses knows not how to make him better but God knows how to make the Children of the Election better he can change their Hearts When Paul was breathing out persecution against the Saints God soon altered his course and set him a praying Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth None of those who belong to the Election are so rough cast and unhewen but God can polish them with his Grace and make them fit for the Inheritance 7. God is the best Father because he never dyes 1 Tim. 6 16. Who only hath immortality Earthly Fathers dye and their Children are exposed to many injuries but God lives for ever Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the last Gods Crown hath no Successors Quest. 6. Wherein lies the Dignity of such as have God for their Father Resp. They have greater Honour then is confer'd on the Princes of the Earth They are precious in Gods esteem Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my eyes thou hast been honourable the wicked are dross Psal. 119.119 and chaff Psal. 1.4 but God numbers his Children among his Jewels Mal. 3.17 he writes all his Childrens names in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 Whose names are in the book of life Among the Romans the Names of their Senators were written down in a Book Patres conscripti God enrolls the names of his Children and will not blot their names out of the Register Rev. 3.5 I will not blot his name out of the book of life God will not be ashamed of his Children Heb. 11.16 God is not ashamed to be called your God One might think it were something below God and he might disdain to Father such Children as are Dust and Sin mingled but he is not ashamed to be called our God and that we may see he is not ashamed of his Children he writes his own Name upon them Rev. 3.12 I will write upon him the name of my God that is I will openly acknowledge him before all the Angels to be my Child I will write my Name upon him as the Son bears his Fathers name What an honour and dignity is this 2. God confers honourable Titles upon his Children 1. He calls them the excellent of the earth Psal. 16.2 or the magnificent as Iunius renders it They must needs be excellent who are e Regio Sanguine nati of the Blood-Royal of Heaven they are the Spiritual Phenixes of the World the glory of the Creation God calls his Children his glory Isa. 46.13 Israel my glory God honours his Children with the Title of Kings Rev. 1.6 And hath made us Kings All Gods Children are Kings though they have not Earthly Kingdoms yet 1. They carry a Kingdom about them Luke 17.21 The kingdom of God is within you Grace is a Kingdom set up in the hearts of Gods Children They are Kings to rule over their Sins to bind those kings in chains Psal. 149.8 2. They are like Kings they have their insignia Regalia their ensigns of Royalty and Majesty 1. They have their Crown In this Life they are Kings in a disguise They are not known therefore they are exposed to poverty and reproach they are Kings in a disguise 1 Iohn 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be Why what shall we be Every Son of God shall have his Crown of Glory 1 Pet. 5.4 and white Robes Rev. 6.11 Robes signifie Dignity and white signifies Sanctity 3. This is their honour who have God for their Father they are all Heirs the youngest Son is an Heir 1. Gods Children are heirs to the things of this Life God being their Father they have the best title to earthly things they have a sanctified right to them though they have often the least share yet they have the best right and they have a Blessing with what they have i. e. Gods Love and Favour Others may have more of the Venison but Gods Children have more of the Blessing Thus they are Heirs to the things of this Life 2 They are Heirs to the other World Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 They go sharers with Christ in glory Among Men commonly the eldest Son carries away all but Gods Children are all Joint-heirs with Christ they have a copartnership with him in his Riches Hath Christ a place in the Celestial Mansions so have the Saints Iohn 14.2 In my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you Hath he his Fathers Love so have they Psal. 146.8 Iohn 17.26 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them Doth Christ sit upon a Throne so do Gods Children Rev. 3.21 What an high honour is this 4. God makes his Children equal in honour to the Angels Luke 20.36 They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equal to the Angels nay those Saints who have God for their Father are in some sense superiour to the Angels for Jesus Christ having taken our Nature Naturam nostram nobilitavit hath enobled and honoured it above the Angelical Heb. 2.16 God hath made his Children by Adoption nearer to himself than the Angels The Angels are the Friends of Christ Believers are the Members of Christ and this honour have all the Saints Thus you see the Dignity of such as have God for their Father What a comfort is this to Gods Children who are here despised and loaded with calumnies and invectives 1 Cor. 4.14 We are made as the filth of the world c. But God will put Honour upon his Children at the last day and crown them with Immortal Bliss to the envy of their Adversaries Quest. 7. How we may know that God is our Father All cannot say Our Father The Jewes boasted that God was their Father John 8.36 We have one Father even God Christ tells them their pedigree ver 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil They who are of Satanical Spirits and make use of their power to beat down
dead Saints but persecute living I may say of these as the Apostle Heb. 12.8 They are bastards not sons 4. Effect of love if we love our Heavenly Father then we will be Advocates for him and stand up in the defence of his Truth He who loves his Father will plead for him when he is traduced and wronged He hath no Child-like heart no love to God who can hear Gods name dishonoured and be silent Doth Christ appear for us in Heaven and are we afraid to appear for him on Earth Such as dare not own God and Religion in times of danger God will be ashamed to be called their God it would be a reproach to him to have such Children as will not own him 2. A Child-like love to God is known as by the Effects so by the Degree it is a superiour love We love our Father in Heaven above all other things above Estate or Relations as Oyl runs above the Water Psal. 73.25 A Child of God seeing a super eminency of Goodness and a constellation of all Beauties in God he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure As God gives his Children such a love as he doth not bestow upon the wicked electing love so Gods Children give God such a love as they bestow upon none else adoring love they give him the flower and spirits of their love they love him with a love joyned with worship this spiced Wine they keep only for their Father to drink of Cant. 8.2 4. A Child-like disposition is seen in honouring our Heavenly Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father Quest. How 〈◊〉 show our honour to our Father in Heaven Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us Lev. 25.17 Thou shalt fear thy God This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he hath forbidden in his Word Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It is the part of the honour a Son gives to his Father he fears to displease him 2. We show our honour to our Heavenly Father by doing all we can to exalt God and make his Excellencies shine forth though we cannot lift up God higher in Heaven yet we may lift him higher in our hearts and in the esteem of others When we speak well of God set forth his renown display the trophies of his goodness when we ascribe the glory of all we do to God when we are the trumpeters of Gods praise this is an honouring our Father in Heaven and a certain sign of a Child-like heart Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2. We may know God is our Father by our resembling of him The Child is his Fathers Picture Iudg. 8.18 Each one resembled the children of a King Every Child of God resembles the King of Heaven herein Gods adopting Children and Mans differ A Man adopts one for his Son and Heir that doth not at all resemble him but whosoever God adopts for his Child is like him he not only bears his Heavenly Fathers Name but Image Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the image of him that created him He who hath God for his Father resembles God in Holiness Holiness is the glory of the Godhead Exod. 15.11 The Holiness of God is the intrinsick Purity of his Essence He who hath God for his Father partakes of the Divine Nature though not of the Divine Essence yet of the Divine Likeness As the Seal sets its print and likeness upon the Wax so he who hath God for his Father hath the print and effigies of his Holiness stamped upon him Psal. 106.16 Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Wicked Men desire to be like God hereafter in glory but do not affect to be like him here in grace they give it out to the World that God is their Father yet have nothing of God to be seen in them they are unclean they not only want his Image but hate it 3. We may know God is our Father by having his Spirit in us 1. By having the intercession of the Spirit 'T is a Spirit of Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Prayer is the Souls breathing it self into the bosom of its Heavenly Father None of Gods Children are born dumb implet Spiritus sanctus organum suum tanquam Pila chordarum tangit Spiritus Dei corda sanctorum Prosper Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth But it is not every Prayer evidenceth Gods Spirit in us Such as have no grace may excel in gifts and affect the hearts of others in Prayer when their own hearts are not affected As the Lute makes a sweet sound in the ears of others but it self is not sensible how therefore shall we know our Prayers are indited by Gods Spirit and so he is our Father Resp. 1. When they are not only Vocal but Mental when there are not only gifts but groans Rom. 8.26 The best Musick is in consort the best Prayer is when the heart and tongue joyn together in consort 2. When they are zealous and fervent Iam. 5.16 The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much The eyes melt in Prayer the heart burns Fervency is to Prayer as Fire to the Incense it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume 3. When Prayer hath Faith sprinkled in it Prayer is the Key of Heaven and Faith is the hand that turns it Rom. 8.15 We cry Abba Father We cry there is fervency in Prayer Abba Father there is Faith Those Prayers suffer shipwrack which dash upon the rock of unbelief Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us As Christ intercedes above so the Spirit intercedes within 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit which is nothing else but Regeneration which is called a being born of the Spirit Iohn 3.5 This regenerating work of the Spirit is a transformation or change of Nature Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind He who is born of God hath a new heart New not for substance but for qualities The strings of a Viol may be the same but the Tune is altered Before this Regeneration there are Spiritual Pangs much heart-breaking for Sin Regeneration is called a circumcising of the heart Col. 2.11 In Circumcising there was pain in the flesh so in this Spiritual Circumcision there is pain in the heart there is much sorrow arising from the sense of guilt and wrath The Jaylors trembling Acts 16.30 was a pang in the new birth Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption This blessed work of Regeneration spreads over the whole Soul it irradiates the Mind it consecrates the Heart and reforms the Life Though Regeneration be but in part it is in every part 1 Thess. 5.23 Regeneration is the signature
Name and put his Image upon us and bestow a Kingdom of Glory what a Miracle of Mercy is this Every adopted Child may say Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11.26 2. Br. or Infer If God be a Father then hence I infer whatever he doth to his Children is Love 1. If he smiles upon them in Prosperity it is Love They have the World not only with Gods leave but with his love God saith to every Child of his as Naaman to Gehazi 2 Kings 5.23 Be content take two talents So saith God to his Child I am thy Father take two talents Take Health and take my Love with it take an Estate and take my Love with it Take two talents Gods Love is a sweetning ingredient into every Mercy Quest. How doth it appear that a Child of God hath Worldly things in love Resp. 1. Because he hath a good Title to them God is his Father therefore he hath a good title A wicked Man hath a civil title to the Creature but no more he hath it not from the hand of a Father he is like one that takes up Cloth at the Drapers and it is not paid for but a Believer hath a good title to every foot of Land he hath his Father hath setled it upon him 2. A Child of God hath Worldly things in love because they are sanctified to him 1. They make him better and are Loadstones to draw him nearer to God 2. He hath his Fathers Blessing with them A little blest is sweet Exod. 23.25 He shall bless thy bread and thy water Esau had the Venison but Iacob got the Blessing While the wicked have their Meat sawced with Gods Wrath Psal. 78.30 31. Believers have their Comforts seasoned with a Blessing It was a secret Blessing from God made Daniels Pulse nourish him more and make him look fairer than they that ate of the Kings Meat Dan. 1.15 3. A Child of God hath Worldly things in love because whatever he hath is an earnest of more Every bit of Bread is a pledge and earnest of glory 2. God being a Father if he frown if he dips his pen in gall and write bitter things if he corrects 't is in Love A Father loves his Child as well when he doth chastise and discipline him as when he settles his Land on him Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke Afflictions are sharp Arrows saith Gr. Nazianzen but they are shot from the hand of a loving Father Correctio est Virtutis gymnasium God afflicts with the same love he gives Christ he doth it to humble and purifie Gentle Correction is as necessary as Dayly Bread nay as needful as Ordinances as Word and Sacraments There is love in all God smites that he may save 3. God being a Father if he desert and hide his face from his Child it is in love Desertion is sad in it self a short Hell Iob 6.9 When the Light is withdrawn Dew falls Yet we may see a Rainbow in the Cloud the love of a Father in all this 1. God hereby quickens grace perhaps grace lay dormant Cant. 5.2 it was as fire in the embers and God withdraws comfort to invigorate and exercise grace Faith is a Star sometimes shines brightest in the dark night of desertion Ionah 2.4 2. When God hides his face from his Child yet still he is a Father and his heart is towards his Child as Ioseph when he spake roughly to his Brethren and made them believe he would take them for Spyes still his Heart was full of Love and he was fain to go aside and weep So Gods Bowels yearn to his Children when he seems to look strange Isa. 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee Though God may have the look of an enemy yet still he hath the heart of a Father 3. Br. or Infer Learn hence the sad case of the wicked they cannot say Our Father in Heaven they may say Our Iudge but not Our Father they fetch their pedigree from Hell Iohn 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil Such as are unclean and profane are the spurious blood of the Old Serpent and it were blasphemy for them to call God Father The case of the wicked is deplorable if they are in misery they have none to make their moan to God is not their Father he disclaims all Kindred with them Matth. 7.23 I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity The wicked dying in their Sins can expect no Mercy from God as a Father Many say he that made them will save them but Isa. 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them Though God was their Father by Creation yet because they were not his Children by Adoption therefore he that made them would not save them VSE II. Of Exhortation To perswade all who are yet strangers to God to labour to come into this Heavenly Kindred Never leave till you can say Our Father which art in Heaven Quest. But will God be a Father to me who have profaned his Name and been a great Sinner Resp. If thou wilt now at last seek to God by Prayer and break off thy Sins God hath the Bowels of a Father for thee and will in no wise cast thee out When the Prodigal did arise and go to his Father his Father had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luke 15.20 Though thou hast been a Prodigal and almost spent all upon thy Lusts yet if thou wilt now give a bill of divorce to thy Sins and fly to God by Repentance know that he hath the Bowels of a Father he will embrace thee in the Arms of his Mercy and seal thy Pardon with a Kiss What though thy Sins have been heinous The Wound is not so broad as the Plaister of Christs Blood The Sea covers great Rocks The Sea of Gods Compassion can drown thy great Sins therefore be not discouraged go to God resolve to cast thy self upon his Fatherly Bowels God may be entreated of thee as he was of Manasseh 2 Chron. 33.13 He prayed unto the Lord and he was entreated of him Manasseh made the streets run with Blood yet when his eyes ran with Tears Gods Fatherly Bowels began to melt and he was entreated of him VSE III. Of Comfort To such as can upon good grounds call God Father There 's more sweetness in this word Father then if we had ten thousand Worlds David thought it a great matter to be Son in Law to a King 1. Sam. 18.18 What is my Fathers family that I should be Son in law to the King But what is it to be born of God and have God for our Father Quest. Wherein lies the happiness of having God for our Father Resp. 1. If God be our Father then he will teach us what Father will refuse to counsel
his Son Doth God command Parents to instruct their Children Leut. 4.10 and will not he instruct his Isa. 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Psal. 71.17 O God thou hast taught me from my youth If God be our Father he will give us the teachings of his Spirit The natural man receives not the things of God neither can he know them 1 Cor. 2.14 The Natural Man may have excellent notions in Divinity but God must teach us to know the Mysteries of the Gospel after a Spiritual manner A Man may see the figures upon a Dyal but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the Sun shine We may read many Truths in the Bible but we cannot know them savingly till God by his Spirit shine upon our Soul God teacheth not only our Ear but our Heart he not only informs our Mind but inclines our Will we never learn till God teach us If God be our Father he will teach us how to order our affairs with discretion Psalm 112.5 how to carry our selves wisely 1 Sam. 18.5 David behaved himself wisely he will teach us what to answer when we are brought before Governours he will put words into our mouths Matth. 10.18 19 20. Ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake but take no thought how or what ye shall speak For it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you 2. If God be our Father then he hath Bowels of Affection towards us If it be so unnatural for a Father not to love his Child can we think God will be defective in his Love All the affections of Parents come from God but a spark from his flame He is the Father of Mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 he begets all the Mercies and Bowels in the Creature His Love to his Children is a Love which passeth knowledge Eph. 3.19 it exceeds all dimensions it is higher than Heaven it is broader than the Sea That you may see Gods Fatherly Love to his Children 1. Consider God makes a precious valuation of them Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight A Father prizeth his Child above his Jewels their names are precious for they have Gods own name written upon them Rev. 3.12 I will write upon him the name of my God Their Prayers are a precious perfume their Tears God bottles Psal. 56.8 God esteems his Children as a Crown of glory in his hand Isa. 62.3 2. God loves the places they were born in the better for their sakes Psal. 87.6 Of Sion it shall be said this man was born there this and that Believer was born there God loves the ground his Children tread upon Hence Iudea the seat of Gods Children and Chosen God calls a delightsome Land Mal. 3.12 It was not only pleasant for Scituation and Fruitfulness but because Gods Children who were his Hephsibab or Delight lived there 3. He chargeth the great ones of the World not to prejudice his Children their Persons are sacred Psal. 105.14 He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed By Anointed is meant the Children of the High God who have the Unction of the Spirit and are set apart for God 4. God delights in their company he loves to see their Countenance and hear their Voice Cant. 2.14 he cannot refrain long from their company Let but two or three of his Children meet and pray together he will be sure to be among them Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name I am in the midst of them 5. God bears his Children in his Bosom as a nursing Father doth the sucking Child Numb 11.12 Isa. 46.4 To be carried in Gods Bosom shows how near his Children lye to his Heart 6. God is full of sollicitous care for them 1 Pet. 5.7 He careth for you His eye is still upon them they are never out of his thoughts A Father cannot always take care for his Child he sometimes is asleep but God is a Father that never sleeps Psal. 121.4 He neither slumbereth nor sleepeth 7. He thinks nothing too good to part with to his Children He gives them the Kidneys of the Wheat and Honey out of the Rock and Wine on the Lees well refined Isa. 25.6 He gives them three Jewels more worth than Heaven the Blood of his Son the Grace of his Spirit the Light of his Countenance Never was there such an indulgent affectionate Father 8. If God hath one Love better than other he bestows it upon them they have the cream and quintessence of his Love He will rejoyce over thee he will rest in his love Zeph. 3.17 God loves his Children with such a love as he loves Christ Iohn 17.26 it is the same love for the unchangeableness of it God will no more cease to love his Adopted Sons then he will to love his Natural Son 3. If God be our Father he will be full of sympathy Psal. 103.13 As a Father pityeth his Children so the Lord pityeth them that fear him Ier. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear Son my bowels are troubled for him God pityes his Children in Two Cases 1. In Case of Infirmities 2. Injuries 1. In Case of Infirmities If the Child be deformed or hath any â—odily distemper the Father pityes it If God be our Father he pityes our weaknesses and he so pityes them as to heal them Isa. 57.18 I have seen his wayes and will heal him As God hath Bowels to pity so he hath Balsam to heal 2. In Case of Injuries Every blow of the Child goes to the Fathers heart when the Saints suffer God doth sympathize Isa. 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted He did as it were bleed in their Wounds Saul Saul why persecutest thou me When the foot was trod on the head cryed out Iudg. 10.16 Gods Soul was grieved for the children of Israel As when one string in a Lute is touched all the rest of the strings sound When Gods Children are stricken his Bowels sound Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye 4. If God be our Father he will take notice of the least good he sees in us if there be but a sigh for Sin God hears it Psal. 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee if there be but a penitential tear comes out of our eye God sees it Isa. 38.5 I have seen thy tears If there be but a good intention God takes notice 1 Kings 8.18 Whereas it was in thy heart to build an house to my name thou didst well that it was in thine heart God punisheth intentional wickedness and crowns intentional goodness Thou didst well that it was in thy heart God takes notice of the least scintilla the least spark of grace in his Children 1 Pet. 3.6 Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. The Holy Ghost doth not mention Sarahs unbelief or laughing at the Promise he puts a finger upon
the scar winks at her failing and only takes notice of the good that was in her her Obedience to her Husband She obeyed Abraham calling him Lord nay that good which the Saints scarce take notice of in themselves God in a special manner observes Matth. 25.35 I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink Then shall the Righteous say Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee They did as it were over-look and disclaim their own Works of Charity yet Christ doth take notice I was an hungred and ye fed me What a Comfort is this God spyes the least good in his Children he can see a grain of Corn hid under Chaff Grace hid under Corruption 5. If God be our Father he will take all we do in good part Those Duties we our selves censure God will crown When a Child of God looks over his best Duties he sees so much Sin cleaving to them that he is even confounded Lord saith he there is more Sulphur than Incense in my Prayers but for your comfort if God be your Father he will crown those Duties which you your selves censure God sees there is sincerity in the hearts of his Children and this gold though light shall have grains of allowance Though there may be defects in the services of Gods Children yet God will not cast away their offering 2 Chron. 30.20 The Lord healed the people The Tribes of Israel being straitned in time wanted some Legal Purifications yet because their Hearts were upright God healed them he pardoned them God accepts of the good Will 2 Cor. 8.12 A Father takes a Letter from his Son kindly though there are blots or bad English in it What blottings are there in our holy things yet our Father in Heaven accepts Saith God it is my Child and he would do better I will look upon him through Christ with a merciful eye 6. If God be our Father then he will correct us in measure Ier. 30.11 I will correct thee in measure and that two ways 1. It shall be in measure for the kind God will not lay upon us more than we are able to bear 1 Cor. 10.13 he know our frame Psal. 103.14 he knows we are not Steel or Marble therefore will deal gently he will not over-afflict As the Physician that knows the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and temper of the Body will not give Physick too strong for the Body nor will he give one dram or scruple too much God hath not only the Title of a Father but the Bowels of a Father he will not lay too heavy burthens on his Children least their spirits fail before him 2. He will correct in measure for the duration he will not let the affliction lye on too long Psal. 125.3 The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous It may be there and not rest Isa. 57.16 I will not contend for ever Our Heavenly Father will love for ever but he will not contend for ever The torments of the damned are for ever Rev. 14.11 The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever The wicked shall drink a Sea of Wrath but Gods Children only taste of the Cup of Affliction and their Heavenly Father will say transeat calix let this cup pass away from them Isa. 35.10 A sting a wing 7. If God be our Father he will intermix Mercy with all our Afflictions If he give us Wormwood to drink he will mix it with Honey In the Ark the Rod was laid up and Manna With our Fathers Rod there is alwayes some Manna Ashers shooes were iron and brass but his foot was dip'd in oyl Gen. 33.24 Affliction is the shooe of brass that pincheth but there is mercy in the affliction there is the foot dipped in oyl When God afflicts the Body he gives Peace of Conscience there is Mercy in the Affliction An Affliction comes to prevent falling into Sin there is Mercy in the Affliction Iacob had his Thigh hurt in wrestling there was the Affliction but then he saw Gods face and received a Blessing from the Angel Gen. 32.30 there was Mercy in the Affliction In every Cloud a Child of God may see a Rainbow of Mercy shining As the Limner mixeth dark shadows and bright colours together so our Heavenly Father mingles the dark and the bright together Crosses and Blessings and is not this a great happiness for God thus to checker his Providences and mingle goodness with severity 8. If God be our Father the evil one shall not prevail against us Satan is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the evil one emphatically He is the grand enemy of the Saints and that both in a Military sense as he fights against them with his temptations and in a Forensical or Law-sense as he is an accuser and pleads against them yet neither way shall he prevail against Gods Children as for his shooting his fiery darts God will bruise Satan shortly under the Saints feet Rom. 16.20 As for his accusing Christ is Advocate for the Saints and answers all bills of inditement brought in against them God will make all Satans temptations promote the good of his â—hildren 1. As they set them more a praying 2 Cor. 12.8 Temptation is a medicine for security 2. As they are a means to humble them 2 Cor. 12.7 Least I should be exalted above measure there was given me a thorn in the flesh The thorn in the flesh was a temptation this thorn was to prick the bladder of pride 3. As they establish them more in Grace A Tree shaken by the Wind is more settled and rooted the blowing of a temptation doth but settle a Child of God more in Grace Thus the evil one Satan shall not prevail against the Children of God 9. If God be our Father no real evil shall befal us Psal. 91.10 There shall no evil befal thee 'T is not said no trouble but no evil Gods Children are priviledged persons they are priviledged from the hurt of every thing Luke 10.19 Nothing shall by any means hurt you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. The hurt and malignity of the affliction is taken away Affliction to a wicked Man hath evil in it it makes him worse Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God But no evil befalls a Child of God he is bettered by affliction Heb. 12.10 That ye may be made partakers of his holiness What hurt doth the Furnace to the Gold it only makes it purer What hurt doth Affliction to Grace only refine and purifie it What a great priviledge is this to be freed though not from the stroke of Affliction yet the sting No evil shall touch a Saint When the Dragon hath poysoned the water they say the Unicorn with his horn doth draw out the poyson Christ hath drawn out the poyson of every Affliction that it cannot prejudice a Child of God Again no evil befalls a Child
of God because no condemnation Rom. 8.1 No condemnation to them in Christ Iesus God doth not condemn them nor Conscience doth not condemn them Both Jury and Judge acquit them then no evil befalls them for nothing is really an evil but that which damns 10. If God be our Father this may make us go with chearfulness to the Throne of Grace Were a Man to petition his enemy there were little hope but when a Child petitions his Father he may come with confidence to speed The word Father works upon God it toucheth his very Bowels What can a Father deny his Child If a Son ask bread will he give him a stone Matth. 7.9 This may embolden us to go to God for pardon of Sin and further degrees of Sanctity We pray to a Father of Mercy setting upon a Throne of Grace Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give his Spirit to them that ask him This did quicken the Church and add wings to Prayer Isa. 63.15 Look down from heaven ver 16. Doubtless thou art our Father Who doth God keep his Mercies for but his Children Three things may cause boldness in Prayer We have a Father to pray to and the Spirit to help us to pray and an Advocate to present our Prayers Gods Children should in all their troubles run to their Heavenly Father as that sick Child 2 Kin. 4.19 He said unto his Father My head my head So pour out thy complaint to God in Prayer Father my heart my heart My dead heart quicken it my hard heart soften it in Christs Blood Father my heart my heart Sure God that hears the cry of the Ravens will hear the cry of his Children 11. If God be our Father he will stand between us and danger A Father will keep off danger from his Child God calls himself scutum a shield A shield defends the Head guards the Vitals God shields off dangers from his Children Acts 18.10 I am with thee and none shall set on thee to hurt thee God is an hiding place Psalm 27.5 God preserved Athanasius strangely he put it into his mind to depart out of the house he was in the night before the enemies came to search for him As God hath a Breast to feed so he hath Wings to cover his Children Psal. 91.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust God appoints his holy Angels to be a Life-guard about his Children Heb. 1.14 never was any Prince so well guarded as a Believer The Angels 1. are a numerous guard 2 Kings 6.17 The mountain was full of horses of fire round about Elisha The Horses and Chariots of fire were the Angels of God to defend the Prophet Elisha 2. A strong guard One Angel in a night slew an hundred and fourscore and five thousand 2 Kin. 19.32 if one Angel slew so many what would an Army of Angels have done 3. The Angels are a swift guard they are ready in an instant to help Gods Children therefore they are described with wings to show their swiftness they fly to our help Dan. 9.21 23. At the beginning of thy supplication the commandment came forth and I am come to thee Here was a swift motion for the Angel to come from Heaven to Earth between the beginning and ending of Daniels Prayer 4. The Angels are a watchful guard not like Sauls guard asleep when their Lord was in danger 1 Sam. 26.12 The Angels are a vigilant guard they watch over Gods Children to defend them Psal. 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him There is an invisible guardianship of Angels about Gods Children 12. If God be our Father we shall not want any thing that he sees is good for us Psal. 34.10 They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing God is pleased sometimes to keep his Children to hard commons but it is good for them Sheep thrive best on short pasture God sees too much may not be good plenty breeds surfeit Luxuriant animi rebus secundis God sees it good sometimes to dyet his Children and keep them short that they may run the Heavenly Race the better it was good for Iacob there was a Famine in the Land it was a means to bring him to his Son Ioseph so it is that Gods Children sometimes see the Worlds emptiness that they may acquaint themselves more with Christs fulness if God see it be good for them to have more of the World they shall have it God will not let them want any good thing 13. If God be our Father all the Promises of the Bible belong to us Gods Children are called Heirs of the promise Heb. 6.17 A wicked Man can lay claim to nothing in the Bible but the Curses he hath no more to do absolutely with the Promises than a Ploughman hath to do with the City Charter the Promises are Childrens Bread the Promises are mulctralia Evangelii the Breasts of the Gospel milking out Consolation and who are to suck of these Breasts but Gods Children The promise of Pardon is for them Ier. 33.8 I will pardon all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me The promise of Healing is for them Isa. 57.18 the promise of Salvation Ier. 23.6 the Promises are supports of Faith they are Gods sealed Deed they are a Christians Cordial O the Heavenly Comforts which are distilled from the Lembick of the Promises St. Chrysostome compares the Scripture to a Garden the Promises are the Fruit-Trees that grow in this Garden A Child of God may go to any Promise in the Bible and pluck Comfort from it He is an Heir of the Promise 14. God makes all his Children Conquerours They are born of God and are conquerours 1. They conquer themselves Fortior est qui se quam qui fortissima vincit maenia The Saints conquer their own Lusts they bind these princes in fetters of iron Psal. 149.8 Though the Children of God may sometimes be foiled and lose a single battle yet not the victory 2. They conquer the World The World holds forth her two Breasts of Pleasure and Profit and many are overcome by it but the Children of God have a World-conquering Faith 1 Iohn 5.4 This is the victory over the world even your faith 3. They conquer their Enemies How can that be when they oft take away their Lives 1. They conquer by not complying with them The three Children would not fall down to the Golden Image Dan. 3.18 they would rather burn than bow here they were Conquerours He who complyes with anothers Lust is a Captive he who refuseth to comply is a Conquerour 2. Gods Children conquer their enemies by heroick Patience A patient Christian like the anvil bears all strokes invincibly Thus the Martyrs overcame their enemies by Patience nay Gods Children are more than conquerours Rom. 8.37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We
are more than conquerours How are Gods Children more than Conquerours Because they conquer without loss and because they are crowned after death which other Conquerours are not 15. If God be our Father he will now and then send us some tokens of his Love Gods Children live far from home and meet sometimes with coarse usage from the unkind World therefore God to encourage his Children sends them sometimes tokens and pledges of his Love What are these He gives them a return of Prayer there is a token of Love he quickens and enlargeth their Hearts in Duty there is a token of Love he gives them the first fruits of his Spirit which are Love-tokens Rom. 8.23 As God gives the wicked the first fruits of Hell horrour of Conscience and Despair so he gives his Children the first fruits of his Spirit Joy and Peace which are foretasts of Glory Some of Gods Children having received these tokens of Love from their Heavenly Father have been so transported that they have dyed for Joy as the Glass oft breaks with the strength of the Wine put into it 16. If God be our Father he will indulge and spare us Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Gods sparing his Children imports this his clemency towards them he doth not punish them as he might Psal. 103.10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins We oft do that which merits Wrath grieve Gods Spirit relapse into Sin God passeth by much and spares us God did not spare his Natural Son Rom. 8.32 yet he will spare his Adopted Sons God threatned Ephraim to make him as the Chaff driven with the Whirlwind but he soon repented Hos. 13.4 Yet I am the Lord thy God ver 10. I will be thy King Here God spared him as a Father spares his Son Israel oft provoked God with their complaints but God used clemency towards them he oft answered their murmurings with Mercies here he spared them as a Father spares his Son 17. If God be our Father he will put Honour and Renown upon us at the last day 1. He will clear the innocency of his Children Gods Children in this Life are strangely misrepresented to the World they are loaded with invectives they are called factious seditious Elijah the troubler of Israel Luther was called the trumpet of Rebellion Athanasius was accused to the Emperor Constantine to be the raiser of Tumults the Primitive Christians were accused to be infanticidii incestus rei killers of their Children guilty of Incest as Tertullian St. Paul reported to be a pestilent person Acts 24.5 Famous Wickliff called the Idol of the Hereticks and that he dyed drunk If Satan cannot defile Gods Children he will disgrace them if he cannot strike his fiery darts into their Conscience he will put a dead fly into their Name but God will one day clear his Childrens innocency he will roll away their reproach As God will make a Resurrection of Bodies so of Names Isa. 25.8 The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away God will be the Saints compurgator Psal. 37.6 He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light The Night casts its dark mantle upon the most beautiful Flowers but the light comes in the Morning and dispells the darkness and every Flower appears in its orient brightness so the wicked may by misreports darken the honour and repute of the Saints but God will dispel this darkness and cause their Names to shine forth He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light As God did stand up for the honour of Moses when Aaron and Miriam went about to eclipse his Fame Numb 12.8 Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses So will God say one day to the wicked wherefore were not ye afraid to defame and traduce my Children They having my Image upon them how durst ye abuse my Picture At last Gods Children shall come forth out of all their calumnies as a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal. 68.13 2. God will make an open and honourable recital of all their good deeds As the Sins of the Wicked shall be openly mentioned to their eternal infamy and confusion so all the good deeds of the Saints shall be openly mentioned and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 Every Prayer made with melting eyes every good service every work of Charity shall be openly declared before Men and Angels Matth. 25.35 I was an hungred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink naked and ye clothed me Thus God will set a Trophy of Honour upon all his Children at the last day Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father Matth. 13.43 18. If God be our Father he will settle good land of inheritance upon us 1 Pet. 1.4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus who hath begotten us again to a lively hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled A Father may be fallen to decay and have nothing to leave his Son but his Blessing but God will settle an Inheritance on his Children and an Inheritance no less than a Kingdom Luke 17.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom This Kingdom is more Glorious and Magnificent than any Earthly Kingdom it is set out by Pearls and precious Stones the richest Jewels Rev 21.19 What are all the Rarities of the World to this Kingdom The Coasts of Pearl the Islands of Spices the Rocks of Diamonds In this Heavenly Kingdom is that which is satisfying unparallel'd Beauty Rivers of Pleasure and this for ever Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Heavens eminency is its permanency and this Kingdom Gods Children shall enter into immediately after Death There is a sudden transition and passage from Death to Glory 2 Cor. 5.9 Absent from the body present with the Lord. Gods Children shall not stay long for their Inheritance it is but winking and they shall see God How may this comfort Gods Children who perhaps are low in the World your Father in Heaven will settle a Kingdom upon you at death such a Kingdom as eye hath not seen he will give you a Crown not of Gold but Glory he will give you white Robes lined with Immortality It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom 19. If God be our Father it is Comfort 1. In case of loss of Relations Hast thou lost a Father yet if thou art a Believer thou art no Orphan thou hast an Heavenly Father a Father that never dyes 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality 2. It is comfort in case of Death God is thy Father and at Death thou art going to thy Father Well might Paul say Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is your friend that will carry you home to your Father
How glad are Children when they are going home This was Christs comfort at Death he was going to his Father Ioh. 16.28 I leave the world and go to the Father and Iohn 20.17 I ascend to my Father If God be our Father we may with comfort at the day of death resign our Souls into his hands So did Christ Luke 23.46 Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit If a Child hath any Jewel he will in time of danger put it into his Fathers hands where he thinks it will be kept most safe Our Soul is our richest Jewel we may at Death resign our Souls into Gods hands where they will be safer than in our own keeping Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit What a comfort is this Death carries a Believer to his Fathers house where are delights unspeakable and full of glory How glad was Old Iacob when he saw the Waggons and Chariots to carry him to his Son Ioseph the Text saith His Spirit revived Gen. 45.27 Death is a triumphant Chariot to carry every Child of God to his Fathers Mansion house 20. If God be our Father he will not disinherit his Children God may for a time desert them but not disinherit them The Sons of Kings have been sometimes disinherited by the cruelty of Usurpers as Alexander the Great his Son was put by his just Right by the violence and ambition of his Fathers Captains but what Power on Earth shall hinder the Heirs of the Promise from their Inheritance Men cannot and God will not cut off the entail The Arminians hold falling away from Grace and so a Child of God may be defeated of his Inheritance but I shall show you that Gods Children can never be degraded or disinherited their Heavenly Father will not cast them off from being Children 1. It is evident Gods Children cannot be finally disinherited by vertue of the Eternal Decree of Heaven Gods Decree is the very Pillar and Basis on which the Saints perseverance depends Gods Decree tyes the knot of Adoption so fast that neither Sin Death or Hell can break it asunder Rom. 8.30 Whom he did predestinate them he also called c. Predestination is nothing else but Gods decreeing a certain number to be Heirs of Glory on whom he will settle the Crown whom he predestinates he glorifies what shall hinder Gods electing Love or make his Decree null and void 2. Besides Gods Decree he hath engaged himself by Promise that the Heirs of Heaven shall never be put by their Inheritance Gods Promises are not like blanks in a Lottery but as a sealed Deed which cannot be reversed The Promises are the Saints Royal Charter and this is one Promise that their Heavenly Father will not disinherit them Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Gods Fidelity which is the richest Pearl of his Crown is engaged in this Promise for his Childrens perseverance I will not turn away from them A Child of God cannot fall away while he is held fast in these two Armes of God his Love and his Faithfulness 3. Jesus Christ undertakes that all Gods Children by Adoption shall be preserved in a state of Grace till they inherit Glory As the Heathens feigned of Atlas that he did bear up the Heavens from falling Jesus Christ is that blessed Atlas that bears up the Saints from falling away Quest. How doth Christ preserve the Saints Graces till they come to Heaven Resp. 1. Influxu Spiritus Christ carries on Grace in the Souls of the Elect by the influence and co-operation of his Spirit Christ doth Spiritu continually excite and quicken Grace in the Godly his Spirit doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up the sparks of Grace into an holy flame Spiritus est Vicarius Christi The Spirit is Christs Vicar on Earth his Proxy his Executor to see that all that Christ hath purchased for the Saints be made good Christ hath obtained an Inheritance incorruptible for them 1 Pet. 1.4 and the Spirit of Christ is his Executor to see that this Inheritance be settled upon them 2. Christ carries on Grace perseveringly in the Souls of the Elect vi orationis by the prevalency of his intercession Heb. 7.25 He ever lives to make intercession for them Christ prayes that every Saint may hold out in Grace till he comes to Heaven Can the Children of such Prayers perish If the Heirs of Heaven should be disinherited and fall short of Glory then Gods Decree must be reversed his Promise broken Christs Prayer frustrated which were Blasphemy to imagine 4. That Gods Children cannot be disinherited or put by their Right to the Crown of Heaven is evident from their Mystical Union with Christ. Believers are incorporated into Christ they are knit to Christ as the Members to the Head by the Nerves and Ligaments of Faith so that they cannot be broken off Eph. 1.22 23. The Church which is his Body What was once said of Christs Natural Body is as true of his Mystical A bone of it shall not be broken As it is impossible to sever the leaven and the dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together so it is impossible when Christ and Believers are once united that they should ever by the power of Death or Hell be separated Christ and his Spiritual Members make one Christ now is it possible that any part of Christ should perish How can Christ want any Member of his Body Mystical and be perfect Every Member is an Ornament to the Body and adds to the honour of it How can Christ part with any Mystical Member and not part with some of his Glory too So that by all this it is evident that Gods Children must needs persevere in Grace and cannot be disinherited If they could be disinherited then the Scripture could not be fulfilled which tells us of Glorious Rewards for the Heirs of Promise Psal. 58.11 Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous Now if Gods Adopted Children should fall finally from Grace and miss of Heaven what Reward were there for the Righteous And Moses did indiscreetly to look to the recompence of reward and so there would be a door opened to despair Object This Doctrine of Gods Children persevering and having the Heavenly Inheritance settled on them may cause carnal security and make them less circumspect in their walking Resp. Corrupt Nature may as the Spider suck poyson from this Flower but a sober Christian who hath felt the efficacy of Grace upon his Heart dares not abuse this Doctrine He knows perseverance is attained in the use of means therefore he walks holily that so in the use of means he may arrive at perseverance St. Paul knew that he should not be disinherited and that nothing could separate him from the love of Christ but who more holy and watchful than he 1 Cor. 9.27 I
sin be sober in your attire savoury in your speeches grave in your deportment obey your Fathers voice Open to God as the Flower opens to the Sun As you expect your Fathers Blessing obey him in whatever he commands First and Second Table Duties A Lutenist that he may make sweet Musick toucheth upon every String of the Lute The Ten Commandments are like a ten stringed Instrument touch upon every String obey every Command or you cannot make sweet Melody in Religion Obey your Heavenly Father though he commands things contrary to Flesh and blood 1. When he commands to mortifie Sin that Sin which hath been dear to you Pluck out this right eye that you may see the better to go to Heaven 2. When he commands you to suffer for him be ready to obey Acts 21.13 every good Christian hath a Spirit of Martyrdom in him and is ready rather to suffer for the Truth than the Truth should suffer Luther said he had rather be a Martyr than a Monarch Peter was Crucified with his Head downwards as Eusebius Ignatius called his Chains his Spiritual Pearls and did wear his Fetters as a Bracelet of Diamonds This is to carry it as Gods Children when we obey his voice and count not our lives dear so that we may show our love to our Heavenly Father Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives to the death 6. If God be your Father show it by your chearful looks that you are the Children of such a Father Too much drooping and despondency disparageth the Relation you stand in to God What though you meet with hard usage in the World you are now in a strange Land far from home it will be shortly better with you when you are in your own Country and your Father hath you in his Armes Doth not the Heir rejoyce in hope Shall the Sons of a King walk dejected 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean Is God an unkind Father are his Commands grievous Hath he no Land to give to his Heirs Why then do Gods Children walk so sad Never had Children such Priviledges as they who are of the Seed-Royal of Heaven and have God for their Father they should rejoyce therefore who are within a few hours to be crowned with Glory 7. If God be our Father let us honour him by walking very holily 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy A young Prince asking a Philosopher how he should behave himself the Philosopher said Memento te filium esse Regis Remember thou art a Kings Son do nothing but what becomes the Son of a King So remember you are the adopted Sons and Daughters of the high God do nothing unworthy of such a Relation A debauched Child is the disgrace of his Father Is this thy Sons Coat said they to Iacob when they brought it home dip'd in blood Gen. 37.32 so when we see a person defiled with Malice Passion Drunkenness we may say is this the Coat of Gods adopted Son Doth he look as an Heir of Glory 'T is a blaspheming the Name of God to call him Father yet live in Sin Such as profess God is their Father yet live unholily they will slander and defraud these are as bad to God as Heathens Amos 9.7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians to me O children of Israel saith the Lord The Ethiopians were uncircumcised a base ill-bred People when Israel grew wicked they were no better to God than Ethiopians Loose scandalous livers under the Gospel are no better in Gods esteem than Pagans and Americans nay they shall have an hotter place in Hell O let all who profess God to be their Father honour him by their unspotted lives Scipio abhorred the embraces of an Harlot because he was the General of an Army Abstain from all Sin because you are born of God and have God for your Father 1 Thess. 5.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil 'T was a saying of Augustus An Emperor should not only be free from Crimes but from the suspicion of them by an holy Life you would bring Glory to your Heavenly Father and cause others to become his Children Est pellax virtutis odor Causinus in his Hieroglyphicks speaks of a Dove whose Wings being perfum'd with sweet Oyntments did draw the other Doves after her The holy Lives of Gods Children is a sweet perfume to draw others to Religion and make them to be of the Family of God Iustin Martyr saith that which converted him to Christianity was the beholding the blameless Lives of the Christians 8. If God be our Father let us love all that are his Children Psal. 133.1 How pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity 'T is compared to Oyntment ver 2. for the sweet fragrancy of it 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brotherhood Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem The Saints are the walking pictures of God if God be our Father we love to see his picture of Holiness in Believers we pity them for their Infirmities but love them for their Graces we prize their Company above others Psal. 119.63 it may justly be suspected that God is not their Father who love not Gods Children though they retain the Communion of Saints in their Creed yet they banish the Communion of Saints out of their Company 9. If God be our Father let us show Heavenly mindedness They who are born of God do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set their Affections on things that are above Col. 3.2 O ye Children of the high God do not disgrace your high birth by sordid Covetousness What a Son of God and a slave to the World What spring from Heaven and buried in the Earth For a Christian who pretends to derive his pedigree from Heaven yet wholly to mind Earthly things is to debase himself as if a King should leave his Throne to follow the Plough Ier. 45.5 Seekest thou great things for thy self As if the Lord had said what thou Baruck thou who art born of God akin to Angels and by thy Office a Levite dost thou debase thy self and spot the silver wings of thy Grace by beliming them with earth Seekest thou great things seek them not The Earth choaks the Fire Earthliness choaks the Fire of good Affections 10. Vlt. If God be our Father let us own our Heavenly Father in the worst times stand up in his cause defend his Truths Athanasius owned God when most of the World turned Arrians If Sufferings come do not deny God He is a bad Son who denyes his Father Such as are ashamed of God in times of danger God will be ashamed to own them for his Children Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels So I have done with the First Part of the Preface Our Father II. The Second Part of the
that we do truly pray in Faith We may say Our Father and think we pray in Faith when it is in presumption how therefore may we know that we do indeed pray in Faith Answ. 1. When our Faith in Prayer is humble A presumptuous person hopes to be heard in Prayer for some inherent worthiness in himself he is so qualified and hath done God good service therefore he is confident God will hear his Prayer See an instance Luke 18.11 12. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus God I thank thee that I am not as other men are extortioners unjust I fast twice in the week I give tithes of all that I possess This was a presumptuous Prayer but a sincere heart doth as well act Humility in Prayer as Faith Luke 18.13 The Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner God be merciful there was Faith to me a sinner there was Humility and a sence of unworthiness 2. We may know we pray in Faith when though we have not the present thing we pray for yet we believe God will grant therefore we will stay his leasure A Christian having a command to pray and a promise he is resolved to follow God with Prayer and not give over as Peter he knocked yet the door was not opened but he continued knocking and at last it was opened Acts 12.16 so a Christian prayes and prayes but hath no answer but he will continue knocking at Heaven door knowing an answer will come Psal. 86.7 Thou wilt answer me Here is one that prayes in Faith Christ saith Pray and faint not Luke 18.1 A Believer at Christs word lets down the net of Prayer and though he catch nothing he will cast the net of Prayer again believing that Mercy will come Patience in Prayer is nothing but Faith spun out VSE I. It reproves them that pray in Formality not in Faith They question whether God hears or will grant Iam. 4.3 Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss He doth not say ye ask that which is unlawful but ye ask amiss when Men pray and believe not they ask amiss and therefore they receive not Unbelief clips the wings of Prayer that it will not fly to the Throne of Grace the rubbish of unbelief stops the currant of Prayer VSE II. Of Exhortation Let us set Faith a work in Prayer Our Father The Husbandman sowes in hope Prayer is the seed we sow when the hand of Faith scatters this seed it brings forth a fruitful crop of Blessing Prayer is the ship we send out to Heaven when Faith makes an adventure in this ship it brings home large returns of Mercy O pray in Faith say Our Father and that we may act Faith in Prayer consider 1. Gods readiness to hear Prayer Deus paratus ad vota exaudienda did God forbid all addresses to him it would put a damp upon the trade of Prayer but Gods ear is open to Prayer It is one of the Names by which God is known Psal. 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer The Aediles among the Romans had their doors always standing open that all who had petitions might have free access to them God is both ready to hear and grant Prayer This may encourage Faith in Prayer and whereas some may say they have prayed but have had no answer 1. God may hear Prayer though he doth not presently answer we write a Letter to a Friend he may have received it though we have yet had no answer of it Perhaps thou prayest for the light of Gods face God may lend thee an ear though he doth not show thee his face 2. God may give an answer to Prayer when we do not perceive it His giving an heart to pray and inflaming the affections in Prayer is an answer of Prayer Psal. 138.3 In the day that I cryed thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul Davids inward strength was an answer of Prayer therefore let Gods readiness to hear Prayer incourage Faith in Prayer 2. That we may act Faith in Prayer consider we do not pray alone Christ prayes over our Prayers again Christs Prayer is the ground why our Prayer is heard Christ takes the dross out of our Prayer and presents nothing to his Father but pure Gold Christ mingles his sweet odours with the Prayers of the Saints Rev. 5.8 Think of the dignity of his Person he is God and the sweetness of his Relation he is a Son O what encouragement is here to pray in Faith Our Prayers are put into the hand of a Mediator Christs Prayer is mighty and powerful 3. We pray to God for nothing but what is pleasing to him and he hath a mind to grant If a Son ask nothing but what his Father is willing to bestow this may make him go to him with confidence when we pray to God for holy hearts there 's nothing more pleasing to him 1 Thess. 4.3 This is the will of God even your sanctification We pray that God would give us an heart to love him and there 's nothing he more desires than our Love How may this make us pray in Faith when we pray for nothing but what is acceptable to God and which he delights to bestow 4. To encourage Faith in Prayer consider the many sweet Promises that God hath made to Prayer The Cork keeps the Net from sinking the Promises are the Cork to keep Faith from sinking in Prayer God hath bound himself to us by his Promises The Bible is bespangled with Promises made to Prayer Isa. 30.19 He will be very gracious to thee at the voice of thy cry The Lord is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10.12 Ier. 29.13 Then shall ye find me when you search for me with all your heart Psal. 145.19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him The Tyrians tyed their God Hercules with a Golden Chain that he should not remove God hath tyed himself fast to us by his Promises how should these animate and spirit Faith in Prayer Faith gets strength in Prayer by sucking from the breast of a Promise 5. That we may act Faith in Prayer consider Jesus Christ hath purchased that which we pray for We may think the things which we ask in Prayer too great for us to obtain but they are not too great for Christ to purchase We pray for pardon Christ hath purchased it in his Blood We pray for the Spirit to animate and inspire us the sending down of the Holy Ghost into our hearts is the fruit of Christs death Iohn 16. This may put life into our Prayers and make us pray in Faith because the things we ask in Prayer though they are more than we deserve yet not more than Christ hath purchased for us 6. To make us pray in Faith consider there is such a bountifulness in God that he often excells the prayers
is in Heaven This Petition consists of Two Parts I. The Matter Doing of Gods Will. II. The Manner As it is in Heaven I. The Matter of this Petition is The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What is meant by the Will of God Answ. There is a twofold Will 1. Voluntas decreti Gods secret Will or the Will of his Decree We pray not that Gods secret Will may be done by us This secret Will cannot be known it is locked up in Gods own breast and neither Man or Angel hath Key to open it 2. Voluntas revelata Gods revealed Will. This revealed Will is written in the Book of Scripture the Scripture is a declaration of Gods Will it discovers what he would have us do in order to our Salvation Quest. 2. What do we pray for in these words Thy Will be done Answ. We pray for two things 1. For Active Obedience that we may do Gods Will actively in what he commands 2. For Passive that we may submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts We pray that we may do Gods Will actively subscribe to all his commands believe in Jesus the cardinal Grace lead holy lives So Austin upon the Petition Nobis a Deo precamur Obedientiam we pray that we may actively obey Gods Will. This is the summe of all Religion the two Tables epitomized The doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done We must know Gods Will before we can do it knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of Obedience At Athens there was an Altar set up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Acts 17.23 It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead Knowledge is the Pillar of Fire to give light to practise but though knowledge is requisite yet the knowing of Gods Will is not enough without doing of his Will Thy Will be done If one had a System of Divinity in his head if he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all knowledge 1 Cor. 13.2 yet if Obedience were wanting his knowledge were lame and would not carry him to Heaven Knowing Gods Will may make a Man admired but it is doing Gods Will that makes him blessed knowing Gods Will without doing it will not crown us with happiness 1. The bare knowledge of Gods Will is inefficacious it doth not better the heart Knowledge alone is like a Winter-Sun which hath no heat or influence it doth not warm the Affections or purifie the Conscience Iudas was a great Luminary he knew Gods Will but he was a Traytor 2. Knowing without doing Gods Will will make ones case worse 't will heat Hell the hotter Luke 12.47 The servant which knew his Lords will and did not according to his will shall be beaten with maeny stripes Many a Mans knowledge is a torch to light him to Hell Thou who hast knowledge of Gods Will but dost not do it wherein dost thou excel an Hypocrite Nay wherein dost thou excel the Devil who transforms himself into an Angel of light 'T is improper to call such Christians who are knowers of Gods Will but not doers of it 'T is improper to call him a Tradesman who never wrought in his Trade so to call him a Christian who never wrought in the Trade of Religion Let us not rest in the knowing of Gods Will. Let it not be said of us as Plutarch speaks of the Grecians They knew what was just but did it not Let us set upon this the doing of Gods Will. Thy Will be done Quest. 3. Why is the doing of Gods Will so requisite Answ. 1. Out of Equity God may justly claim a right to our Obedience he is our founder we have our being from him and 't is but equal that we should do his Will at whose word we were Created God is our Benefactor 't is just that if God give us our Allowance we should give him our Allegiance 2. The great design of God in the World is to make us doers of his Will 1. All Gods Royal Edicts and Precepts are to bring us to this to be doers of his Will what needed God been at the pains to give us the copy of his Law and write it out with his own Finger else The Word is not only a Rule of Knowledge but of Duty Deut. 13.4 Deut. 26.16 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes thou shalt therefore keep and do them If you tell your Children what is your mind it is not only that they may know your Will but do it God gives us his Word as a Master gives a Scholar a Copy to write after it he gives it as his Will and Testament that we should be the Executors to see it performed 2. This is the end of all Gods Promises to draw us to do Gods Will the Promises are loadstones to Obedience Deut. 11.27 A blessing if ye obey as a Father gives his Son Money to bribe him to Obedience Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and in the field The Promises are a Royal Charter settled upon Obedience 3. The Minatory part of the Word the threatnings of God stand as the Angel with a Flaming Sword to deter us from Sin and make us doers of Gods Will Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey Psal. 68.21 God shall wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses These threatnings do often take hold of Men in this Life they are made examples and hung up in chains to scare others from Disobedience 4. All Gods Providences are to mâ—ke us doers of his Will As God makes use of all the seasons of the Year for Harvest so all his various Providences are to bring on the Harvest of Obedience 1. Afflictions are to make us do Gods Will 2 Chron. 33.12 When Manasseh was in affliction he besought the Lord and humbled himself greatly The Rod hath this voice Be doers of Gods Will. Affliction is called a Furnace Isa. 48.10 The furnace melts the metal and then it is cast into a new mould Gods Furnace is to melt us and mould us into Obedience 2. Gods Mercies are to make us do his Will Rom. 12.1 I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice Body is by a Synecdoche put for the whole Man If the Soul should not be presented to God as well as the Body it could not be a reasonable service Now saith the Apostle I beseech you by the mercies of God present your selves a living sacrifice Mercies are the strongest obligations to Duty Hos. 11.4 I drew them with the cords of a man that is with the golden cords of my Mercy In a word all that is written in Law or Gospel tends to this that we should be doers
a Limb from the Body He takes away an holy Child Iacobs Life was bound up in Benjamin Gen. 44.30 and that which puts Teeth into the Cross and is worse than the loss of Children is when they are continued as living Crosses where the Parents expected Honey there to have Wormwood What greater cut to a Godly Parent than a Child who disclaims his Fathers God! A Corrosive applyed to the Body may do well but a bad Child is a Corrosive to the Heart Such an undutiful Son had David who conspired Treason and would not only have taken away his Fathers Crown but his Life 4. God sometimes afflicts with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 infirmness of Body scarce a well day Sickness takes away the Comfort of Life and makes one in Deaths oft thus God tryes his People with various Afflictions so that there is need of Patience to submit to Gods Will. He who hath divers Bullets shot at him needs Armour when divers Afflictions assault we need Patience as Armour of Proof 3. God sometimes lets the Affliction continue long Psal. 74.9 as it is with Diseases there are some Chronical that linger and hang about the Body several years together so it is with Affliction the Lord is pleased to exercise many of his precious ones with Chronical Afflictions such as lye upon them a long time so that in all these Cases we need Patience and submissiveness of Spirit to Gods Will. VSE I. It reproves such as have not yet learned this part of the Lords Prayer Thy Will be done they have only said it but not learned it If things be not according to their Mind if the Wind of Providence crosseth the Tide of their Will they are discontented and querulous where is now submission of Will to God To be displeased with God if things do not please us is this to lye at Gods feet and acquiesce in his Will This is a very bad temper of Spirit and God may justly punish us by letting us have our Will Rachel cryed Give me Children or I dye Gen. 30.1 God let her have a Child but it cost her her Life Gen. 35.18 Israel not content with Manna Angels Food they must have Quails to their Manna God punished them by letting them have their Will Numb 11.31 There went sorth a wind from the Lord and brought quails ver 33. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth the wrath of the Lord was kindled against them and the Lord smote them with a great plague They had better been without their Quails than had such sower sawce to them Many have importunately desired the Life of a Child and could not bring their Wills to Gods to be content to part with it and the Lord hath punished them by letting them have their Will the Child hath lived and been a burden to them Seeing their Wills crossed God their Child shall cross them VSE II. Of Exhortation Let us be exhorted whatever troubles God doth exercise us with aequo animo ferre to resign up our Wills to God and say Thy Will be done Which is fittest that God should bring his will to ours or we bring our will to his Say as Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good And as David 2 Sam. 15.26 Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him It was the saying of Harpulas Placet mihi quod Regi placet that pleaseth me which pleaseth the King So should we say that which pleaseth God pleaseth us Thy Will be done Some have not yet learned this art of submission to God and truly he who wants Patience in Affliction is like a Souldier in Battle who wants Armour Quest. When do we not as we ought submit to Gods Will in Affliction Answ. 1. When we have hard thoughts of God and our Hearts begin to swell against him 2. When we are so troubled at our present Affliction that we are unfit for Duty We can mourn as Doves but not pray or praise God We are so discomposed that we are not fit to hearken to any good Counsel Exod. 6.9 They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit Israel were so full of grief under their present burdens that they minded not what Moses said though he came with a Message from God to them They hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit 3. We do not submit as we ought to Gods Will when we labour to break loose from Affliction by indirect means Many to rid themselves out of trouble run themselves into Sin When God hath bound them with the cords of Affliction they go to the Devil to loosen their bands Better it is to stay in Affliction than to sin our selves out of Affliction O let us learn to stoop to Gods Will in all afflictive Providences Quest. But how shall we bring our selves to this Christian Temper in all Occurrences of Providence patiently to acquiesce in Gods Will and say Thy Will be done We know not what Tryals Personal or National we may be exercised with We seem now to be under the Planet Saturn which hath a malignant Aspect Our Ship is steer'd so strangely that we are in danger on one hand of the Sands on the other hand of the Rocks If Affliction comes how shall we keep a Christian Decorum how shall we bear things with equanimity of mind and say Thy Will be done Answ. The means for a quiet resignation to Gods Will in Affliction is 1. Judicious Consideration Eccles. 7.14 In the day of adversity consider When any thing burdens us or runs cross to our desires did we but sit down and consider and weigh things in the ballance of Judgment it would much quiet our Minds and subject our Wills to God In the day of adversity consider Consideration would be as Davids Harp to charm down the evil Spirit of frowardness and discontent Quest. But what should we consider Answ. That which may make us submit to God in Affliction and say Thy Will be done is 1. To consider that the present state of Life is subject to Afflictions as a Seamans Life is subject to storms Ferre quam sortem omnes patiuntur nemo recusat Iob 5.7 Man is born to trouble he is heir apparent to it he comes into the World with a cry and goes out with a groan Ea lege nati sumus The World is a place where much Wormwood grows Lam. 3.15 He hath filled me with bitterness Hebr. Bammerorim with bitternesses he hath made me drunk with wormwood Troubles arise like sparks out of a Furnace Afflictions are some of the Thorns which the Earth after the Curse brings forth VVe may as well think to stop the Chariot of the Sun when it is in its swift motion as put a stop to trouble the consideration of this our Life is exposed to eclipses and sufferings should make us say with Patience Thy Will be done Shall a Mariner be angry that he meets with a storm at
when he was to dye he said O that I had never been King O that I had lived a private solitary Life here is all the fruit of my Kingdom it hath made my accounts heavier So then may not this quiet our Hearts in a low adverse condition and make us say Lord Thy Will be done as thou hast given me a less portion of Worldly things so I have a less burden of Care and a less burden of Account 2. A prosperous condition hath plus periculi more danger in it Such as are on the top of the pinacle of Honour are in more danger of falling they are subject to many temptations their Table is oft a snare Heliogabalus made Ponds of sweet Water to bathe in Millions are drowned in the sweet Waters of Pleasure A great Sail over-turns the Vessel how many by having too great Sails of Prosperity have had their Souls over-turn'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophil It must be a strong Head that bears heady Wine he had need have much Wisdom and Grace that knows how to bear an high condition It is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling and a full Estate without sinning Agar feared if he were full he should deny God and say Who is the Lord Prov. 30.9 Prosperity breeds 1. Pride The Children of Kohath were in an higher Estate than the rest of the Levites they were imployed in the Tabernacle about the most holy things of all Numb 4.4 they had the first lot Iosh. 21.10 but as they were lifted up above others of the Levites in Honour so in Pride Numb 16.3 In the Thames when the Tyde riseth higher the Boat riseth higher so when the Tyde of an Estate riseth higher many Mens Hearts rise higher in Pride 2. Prosperity breeds security Sampson fell asleep in Delilahs lap so do Men in the lap of Ease and Plenty The Worlds golden sands are quick-sands How hard is it for a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 18.24 the consideration of this should make us submit to God in adversity and say Thy Will be done God sees what is best for us if we have less Estate we are in less danger if we want the Honours of others so we want their Temptations 12. Consideration The having of our Wills melted into Gods is a good sign that the present Affliction is sanctified Then an Affliction is sanctified when it attains the end for which it was sent The end why God sends Affliction is to calm the Spirit to subdue the Will and bring it to Gods Will when this is done Affliction hath attained the end for which it came it is sanctified and it will not be long ere it be removed When the sore is healed the smarting Plaister is taken off 13. Consideration How unworthy it is of a Christian to be froward and unsubmissive and not bring his Will to God 1. It is below the Spirit of a Christian. The Spirit of a Christian is Dove-like 't is meek and sedate willing to be at Gods dispose Not my will but thy will be done Luke 22.42 A Christian Spirit is not fretful but humble not craving but contented See the picture of a Christian Spirit in St Paul Phil. 4.12 I know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how to be abased and how to abound Paul could be either higher or lower as God saw good he could sail with any Wind of Providence either a prosperous or a boisterous gale his Will was melted into Gods Will now to be of a cross Spirit that cannot submit to God is unworthy of the Spirit of a Christian 't is like the Bird that because 't is pent up in the Cage and cannot fly in the open Air beats it self against the Cage 2. A froward unsubmissive frame that cannot submit to Gods Will is unworthy of a Christians Profession He professeth to live by Faith yet repines at his condition Faith lives not by bread alone it feeds on Promises it makes future Glory present Faith sees all in God When the fig-tree doth not blossom Faith can joy in the God of its salvation Hab. 3.17 Now to be troubled at the present Estate because low and mean where is Faith Sure that is a weak Faith or no Faith which must have crutches to support it O be ashamed to call thy self Believer if thou canst not trust God and acquiesce in his Will in the deficiency of outward Comforts 3. To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit that cannot surrender its Will to God is unworthy of the high Dignities God hath put upon a Christian. 1. He is a rich Heir he is exalted above all Creatures that ever God made except the Angels yea in some sense as his Nature is joyned in an Hypostatical Union to the Divine Nature so he is above the Angels O then how is it below his dignity for want of a few earthly Comforts to be froward and ready to quarrel with the Deity Is it not unworthy for a Kings Son because he may not pluck such a Flower to be discontented and rebel against his Royal Father 2. A Christian is espoused to Jesus Christ what to be married to Christ yet froward and unsubmissive Hast not thou enough in him As Elkanah said to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.8 Am not I better than ten Sons Is not Christ better than a thousand Worldly Comforts Omnia bona in summo bono 'T is a disparagement to Christ that his Spouse should be froward when she is matched into the Crown of Heaven 4. To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit is unsuitable to the Prayers of a Christian he prayes Thy Will be done it is the Will of God he should meet with such troubles whether Sickness loss of Estate crosses in Children God hath decreed and ordered it why then is there not submission Why are we discontented at that which we pray for It is a saying of Latimer speaking of Peter who denyed his Master Peter saith he forgot his Prayer for that was Hallowed be thy Name So oft we forget our Prayers nay contradict them for we pray Thy Will be done Now if unsubmissiveness to God be so unworthy of a Christian should not we labour to bring our Wills to Gods and say Lord let me not disparage Religion let me do nothing unworthy of a Christian. 14. Consideration Frowardness and unsubmissiveness of Will to God is very sinful 1. It is sinful in its Nature to murmur when God crosseth us in our Will showes much ungodliness The Apostle Iude speaks of ungodly ones ver 15. and that we may better know who these are he sets a mark upon them ver 16. These are murmurers Some think they are not so ungodly as others because they do not swear or are drunk but you may be ungodly in murmuring there are not only ungodly Drunkards but ungodly Murmurers nay this is the height of ungodliness namely Rebellion Korah and his Company murmured against God and see how the Lord interprets this Numb 17.10 Bring
our Particular Calling is minding our Employments in the World 'T is Wisdom to be regular in both these when the Particular Calling doth not eat out the time for God's Service nor the Service of God hinder Diligence in a Calling The Devil's Art is to make Christians defective in one of these two Some spend all their time in Hearing Reading and under a pretence of living by Faith do not live in a Calling others Satan takes off from Duties of Religion under a pretence that they must provide for their Families He makes them so careful for their Bodies that they quite neglect their Souls This is the Subtilty of the old Serpent to make men negligent in the Duties either of the first Table or the second 12. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is to misrepresent true Holiness that he may make others out of love with it He paints the Face of Religion full of Scars and with seeming Blemishes that he may create in the Minds of Men prejudice against it Satan misrepresents Religion as the most Melanchâ—ly Thing and that he who embraceth it must banish all Joy out of his Diocess Tho' the Apostle saith Ioy in Believeng Rom. 15.13 Satan suggests that Religion exposeth men to Danger he shews them the Cross but hides the Crown from them He labours to put all the Disgrace he can upon Holiness that he may tempt men to the Renouncing of it Satan abuseth the Good Christian and gives him a wrong Name The truly Zealous Man Satan calls hot-headed and factious The patient man that bears Injuries without Revenge Satan represents him as a Coward The humble man is low-spirited the heavenly-man Satan calls fool he lets go things that are seen for things that are not seen Thus the Devil mis-represents Religion to the World As Iohn Husse that Holy Man was painted with Red Devils So Satan paints Holiness with as deform'd mishapen a Face as he can that he may by this Temptation draw men off from solid Piety and make them rather scorn than embrace it The hand of Ioab is in this Satan is tempting persons to Atheism to cast off all Religion 13. Subtilty of Satan in tempting is to draw men off from the Love of the Truth to embrace Errour 2 Thes. 2.11 That they should believe a Lie Satan is call'd in Scripture not only an Unclean Spirit but a Lying Spirit As an Vnclean Spirit so he labours to defile the Soul with Lust and as a Lying Spirit so he labours to corrupt the Mind with Errour And indeed this is dangerous because many Errours do look so like the Truth as Alchimy represents true Gold Satan thus beguiles Souls Tho' the Scripture blames Hereticks for being the Promoters of Errour Yet it chargeth Satan with being the chief Contriver of it They spread the Errour but the Devil is a lying Spirit in their Mouths This is Satan's great Temptation he makes men believe such are glorious Truths which are dangerous Impostures thus he transforms himself into an Angel of Light What is the meaning of Satans sowing Tares in the Parable Mat. 13.25 but Satan sowing Errour instead of Truth How quickly had the Devil broach'd false Doctrine in the Apostles times That it was necessary to be Circumcised Acts 15.1 that Angel-Worship was lawful and that Christ was not yet come in the Flesh 1 Ioh. 4.3 Now the Devil tempts by drawing Men to Errour because he knows how deadly this snare is and the great Mischief Errour will do where it comes 1. Errour is of a spreading Nature it is compar'd to Leaven because it sowres Mat. 16.11 and to a Gangrene because it spreads 2 Tim. 2.17 1. One Errour spreads into more like a Circle in the water that multiplies into more Circles One Errour seldom goes alone 2. Errour spreads from one person to another it is like the Plague which infects all round about Satan by infecting one person with Errour infects more The Errour of Pelagius did spread on a sudden into Palestine Africa Italy the Arrian Errour was at first but a single spark but at last it set almost all the World on fire 2. The Devil lays this snare of Errour because Errour brings Divisions into the Church and Divisions bring an Opprobrium and Scandal upon the ways of God The Devil danceth at Discord Division destroys Peace which was Christ's Legacy and Love which is the Bond of Perfection Not only Christ's Coat hath been Rent but his Body by the divisions which Errour hath caused in Churches or Families where Errour creeps in what Animosities and Fractions doth it make it sets the Father against the Son and the Son against the Father What Slaughters and Bloodshed have been occasion'd by Errors broach'd in the Church 3. The Devils Policy in raising Errors is to hinder Reformation the Devil was never a friend to Reformation In the Primitive Times after the Apostles days the Serpent cast out of his Mouth Water as a flood after the Woman Rev. 12.15 which was a deluge of Heresies that so he might hinder the Progress of the Gospel 4. Satan tempts to Error because Error devours Godliness The Gnosticks as Epiphanius observes were not only corrupted in their Iudgments but in their Morals they were loose in their Lives Iude 4. Ungodly men turning the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness The Familists afterwards turn'd Ranters and gave themselves over to Vices and Immoralities and this they did boasting of the Spirit and Perfection 5. The Devils design in seducing by Error is he knows Error is pernicious to Souls Error damns as well as Vice Poison kills as well as Pistol 2 Pet. 2.1 They shall privily bring in damnable Heresies Now if Satan be thus subtil in laying snares of Error to deceive had not we need pray that God would not suffer us to be led into Temptation that he would make us wise to keep out of the snare of Error or if we have fallen into it that he would give us to recover out of the snare by Repentance 14. Another Subtilty of Satan is to bewitch and ensnare men by setting Pleasing Baits before them the Riches Pleasures Honours of the World Mat. 4.9 All this will I will give thee how many doth Satan tempt with this Golden Apple Pride Idleness Luxury are the three Worms which breed of Plenty 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich fall into Temptation and a Snare Satan kills with these silver Darts how many surfeit on Luscious Delights The Pleasures of the World are the great Engine by which Satan batters down mens Souls His Policy is to tickle them to death to damn them with Delights The Flesh would fain be pleased and Satan prevails by this Temptation He drowns them in the sweet Waters of Pleasure such as have abundance of the World walk in the midst of Golden Snares We had need watch our Hearts in Prosperity and pray not to be led into Temptation We have as much need to be careful that we are not
dead in the Act of Sin Kindness in this that though the Sinner hath sinn'd against his Conscience yet now if he will repent of Sin God will repent of his Judgments and the white Flag of Mercy shall be held forth Ier. 3.1 Thou hast plaid the Harlot with many Lovers yet return again to me saith the Lord. But the Sinner is of a base morose Spirit he is not melted with all this Love but his Heart like Clay hardens under the Sun Here 's an apparent Abuse of God's Kindness and God cannot endure to have his Kindness abused The Vulture draws Sickness from Perfumes so the Sinner contracts Wickedness from the Mercy of God Here 's high Ingratitude 5. To sin presumptuously to know what is good yet not to do it is a Contempt done to God A Noble Spirit cannot bear a contempt It is bad enough for a Sinner to forget God but it is worse to contemn him He that knows to do Good yet doth it not he slighteth God he cares not whether God he pleased or no he will have his Sin Therefore the presumptuous Sinner is said to reproach God Numb 15.30 The Soul that doth ought presumptuously the same reproacheth the Lord every Sin displeaseth the Lord. To contemn the Authority of a Prince is a Reproach done to him The presumptuous Sinner who knows to do Good but doth it not reproacheth the Lord though not explicitly yet interpretatively by his presumptuous Sin he makes as if God were either ignorant and did not know his Wickedness or impotent and were not able to punish him How horrid is this to reproach the Lord There 's a kind of Blasphemy against God in every presumptuous Sin The Sinner that knows what is good yet will not do it what is evil yet will do it he contemns God and in contemning him blasphemes him Contempt is the highest Affront that we can offer to God and an Affront will make one draw his Sword 6. To sin presumptuously to know what is good yet not to do it is a bold Contest with God a daring of God to punish The Man that sins against Conscience presumptuously and will not be reclaimed doth in effect say What care I for the Commandment it shall be no Check upon me but I will go on in Sin and let God do his worst A godly Man is said to fear the Commandment Prov. 13.13 He dares not sin because the Law of God stands in his way He fears the Commandment but the presumptuous Sinner doth not value the Commandment he will sin in spight of God's Law This is sawcily to contest with God to throw down the Gantlet and challenge God to a Duel 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord to Anger Are we stronger than he Shall the Child go to fight with an Archangel This is the Folly and Madness of a presumptuous Sinner he dares God to his Face and hangs forth the Flag of Defiance against Heaven O then good reason we should take-heed of presumptuous Sin it is so heinous and desperate To him that knows to do Good yet doth it not to him it is Sin it is Sin with a Witness Vse 2. Trial. Let us examine if we are not guilty of sinning thus presumptuously knowing to do good yet not to do it 1. Is it not to sin presumptuously when we live in the total neglect of Duty We know we ought to pray in our Families yet do it not Houses that have no Prayer in them are the Devil's Houses and it is a wonder they are not haunted Ier. 10.25 Pour out thy Wrath upon the Families that call not on thy Name Neglect of Family-Prayer doth quasi uncover the Roof of your Houses and make way for a Curse to be rain'd down upon your Table To live in the neglect of Family-Duties is not this to sin presumptuously to know to do Good and not to do it 2. Is it not to sin presumptuously when we will venture upon the same Sins which we condemn in others Rom. 2.1 Therefore thou art inexcusable O Man whosoever thou art that judgest for thou that judgest dost the same things As Austin speaks of Seneca He wrote a Book against Superstitions but quod culpabat adoravit he worshipped those Images he reproved Thou Christian condemnest another for Pride and yet thou livest in that Sin thy self A Father condemns his Son for swearing yet he himself swears The Master reproves his Servant for being drunk yet he himself will be drunk The Snuffers of the Tabernacle were of pure Gold Those who are to reprove and snuff the Vices of others had need themselves to be free from those Sins The Snuffers must be of Gold Is not this to sin presumptuously to live in those Sins which we condemn in others 3. Do not they sin presumptuously against Conscience who will sin in spight of Heaven Though they see the Iudgments of God executed on others yet will adventure on the same Sins Exempla efficacius docent quam Praecepta Dan. 5.22 And thou his Son O Belshazar hast not humbled thy heart though thou knowest all this Though thou sawest the Judgments of God upon thy Father God turn'd him to Grass for his Pride yet thou goest on in the same Sin Ier. 3.8 When for all the Causes whereby Israel had committed Adultery I had put her away and given her a Bill of Divorce yet her treacherous Sister Iudah feared not but went and played the Harlot also He is a bold Thief indeed who sees his Fellow-Thief hung up in Chains yet is not afraid to rob in that place This is to run upon the thick Bosses of God's Buckler Job 15.26 To venture in Sin against all the Judgments and Threatnings of God 4. Do not they sin presumptuously they know to do Good yet do it not who labour to stifle the Convictions of their Conscience and will not let Conscience speak freely to them They smother the Light of it like one that puts his Light in a dark Lanthorn that it may not be seen This the Scripture calls holding the Truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1.18 They labour to blot out all the common Notions of God engraven in their Minds 5. Do not they sin presumptuously who know to do Good but do it not who after they have felt the smart of Sin it hath bred a Worm in their Conscience a Moth in their Estate yet after all this they again embrace their Sins Though this Viper hath stung them they will put it again in their Bosom is not this to sin presumptuously and to rebel against Light If there be any such here who are guilty in this high degree know to do Good but do is not let them fear and tremble their Case is sad The Wrath of God hangs over their Heads and that I may shew you you have cause to scar and that I may beat you off from presumptuous Sins let these things be seriously laid to Heart 1. These presumptuous Sins knowing to do Good
Presumption doth not fear defiling his Garments he is bold in sin Ier. 3.4 5. Wilt thou not cry unto me my Father behold thou hast done evil things as thou couldest Balaam said My God yet a Sorcerer A Sign he hath no Mony about him who fears not to Travel all Hours in the Night a sign he hath not the Jewel of Assurance who fears not the works of Darkness 3. True Assurance is built upon a Scripture-basis the Word saith The effect of Righteousness shall be Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa. 32.17 A Christians Assurance is built upon this Scripture God hath sown the Seed of Righteousness in his Soul and this Seed hath brought forth the Harvest of Assurance But Presumption is a spurious thing it hath no Scripture to shew for its Warrant it is like a Will without Seal and Witnesses which is null and void in Law Presumption wants both the Witness of the Word and the Seal of the Spirit 4. Assurance flowing from Sanctification always keeps the Heart in a lowly posture Lord saith the Soul what am I that passing by so many the Golden Beams of thy Love should shine upon me St. Paul had Assurance is he proud of this Jewel No. Ephes. 3.8 To me who am less than the least of all Saints The more love a Christian receives from God the more he sees himself a Debtor to free Grace and the sense of his Debt keeps his Heart Humble but Presumption is bred of Pride He who Presumes Disdains he think himself better than others Luke 18.11 God I thank thee I am not as other Men are nor as this Publican Feathers fly up but Gold descends he who hath this Golden Assurance his Heart descends in Humility Quest. 5. What is it may excite us to look after Assurance Resp. To consider how sweet it is and the noble and excellent effects it produceth Effect 1. How sweet it is This is the Manna in the Golden Pot the white Stone the Wine of Paradise which chears the Heart How comfortable is God's Smile The Sun is more refreshing when it shineth out that when it is hid in a Cloud it is a praelibation and fore-tast of Glory it puts a Man in Heaven before his time none can know how delicious and ravishing it is but such as have felt it as none can know how sweet Hony is but they who have tasted it 2. The noble and excellent Effects it produceth 1. Assurance will make us love God and Praise him 1. Love him Love is the Soul of Religion the Fat of the Sacrifice and who can love God so as he who hath Assurance The Sun reflecting its Beams on a burning Glass makes the Glass burn that that is near to it So Assurance which is the reflection of Gods love upon the Soul makes it burn in love to God St. Paul was assured of Christ's love to him Gal. 2.20 who hath loved me and how was his Heart fired with love he valued and admired nothing but Christ Phil. 3.8 as Christ was fastned to the Cross so he was fastned to Paul's Heart 2. Praise him Praise is the Quit-rent we pay to the Crown of Heaven who but he who hath Assurance of his Justification Man in a Swoon or Apoplexy Praise God that he is alive Can a Christian staggering with Fears about his Spiritual Condition praise God that he is elected and justified No The living the living he shall praise thee Isa. 38.19 Such as are enliven'd with Assurance they are the fittest Persons to sound forth Gods Praise Effect 2. Assurance would drop Sweetness into all our Creature-Enjoyments it would be as Sugar to Wine an earnest of more it gives a Blessing with the Venison As Guilt imbitters our Comforts it is like drinking out of a Wormwood Cup So Assurance would indulcorate and sweeten all Health and the Assurance of Gods Love are sweet Riches with the Assurance of a Kingdom are delectable Nay a Dinner of Green Herbs with the Assurance of Gods Love is Princely Fare Effect 3. Assurance would make us Active and Lively in Gods Service it would excite Prayer quicken Obedience as Diligence begets Assurance so Assurance begets Diligence Assurance will not as the Papists say breed Security in the Soul but Industry Doubting does discourage us in Gods Service but the Assurance of his Favour breeds Joy And the Ioy of the Lord is our strength Nehem. 8.10 Assurance makes us mount up to Heaven as Eagles in Holy Duties it is like the Spirit in Ezekiel's Wheels that moved them and lifted them up Faith would make us Walk but Assurance would make us Run We should never think we could do enough for God Assurance would be as Wings to the Bird as Weights to the Clock to set all the Wheels of Obedience a running Effect 4. Assurance would be a Golden Shield to beat back Temptation Assurance Triumphs over Temptation There are two sorts of Temptation Satan useth 1. He tempts to draw us to Sin Now the being assured of our Justification would make this Temptation vanish What Satan shall I Sin against him who hath loved me and washed me in his Blood Shall I return to Folly after God hath spoken Peace Shall I weaken my Assurance wound my Conscience grieve my Comforter Avoid Satan Tempt no more 2. Satan would make us question our Interest in God he tells us we are Hypocrites and God doth not love us Now there is no such Shield against this Temptation as Assurance What Satan have I a real Work of Grace in my Heart and the Seal of the Spirit to witness it and dost thou tell me God doth not love me Now I know thou art an Impostor who goest about to disprove what I sensibly feel If Faith resists the Devil Assurance would put him to flight Effect 5. Assurance would make us contented though we have but a little in the World He who hath Enough is Content He who hath Sun-light is Content though he wants Torch-light A Man that hath Assurance hath enough In uno salvatore omnes florent gemmae ad salutem He hath the Riches of Christs Merit of his Love an Earnest of his Glory he is fill'd with the Fulness of God here is enough and having enough he is Content Psal. 16.5 The Lord is the portion of my Inheritance The Lanes are fallen unto me in a pleasant place and I have a goodly Heritage Assurance will rock the Heart quiet the reason of Discontent is either because Men have no Interest in God or do not know their Interest St. Paul I know whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 There was the Assurance of his Interest and 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowful yet always rejoycing c. There was his Contentment Get but Assurance and you will be out of the weekly Bill of Murmurers you will be discontented no more What can come amiss to him that hath Assurance God is his Hath he lost a Friend His Father lives Hath he lost his only Child
God hath given him his only Son Hath he Scarcity of Bread God hath given him the finest of the Wheat the Bread of Life Are his Comforts gone He hath the Comforter Doth he meet with Storms on the Sea He knows where to put in for Harbour God is his Portion and Heaven is his Haven Thus Assurance gives sweet Contentment in every Condition Effect 6. Assurance would bear up the Heart in Sufferings it would make a Christian endure Troubles with Patience and Chearfulness with Patience Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience There are some Meats we say are hard of Digestion and only a good Stomach will concoct them Affliction is a Meat hard of Digestion but Patience like a good Stomach will be able to digest it and whence comes Patience but from Assurance Rom. 5.5 Tribulation worketh Patience because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts with chearfulness Assurance is like the Mariners Lanthorn on the Deck which gives light in a dark night Assurance gives the light of Comfort in Affliction Heb. 10.34 ye took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves c. there was Assurance He that hath Assurance can rejoyce in Tribulation he can gather Grapes of Thorns and Hony out of the Lyons Carcass Latimer When I sit alone and can have a setled Assurance of the State of my Soul and know that God is mine I can Laugh at all Troubles and nothing can daunt me Effect 7. Assurance would pacifie a troubled Conscience He who hath a disturbed vexatious Conscience carries an Hell about him Eheu quis intus Scorpio but Assurance cures the Agony and allays the Fury of Conscience Conscience that before was turned into a Serpent now is like a Bee that hath Hony in its Mouth it speaks Peace Tranquillus Deus tranquillat omnia Tertull. When God is pacified towards us then Conscience is pacified If the Heavens are quiet and there are no Winds stirring thence the Sea is quiet and calm So if there be no Anger in Gods Heart if the Tempest of his Wrath doth not blow Conscience is quiet and serene Effect 8. Assurance would strengthen us against the Fear of Death such as want it cannot dye with Comfort they are in aequilibrio they hang in a doubtful Suspence what shall become of them after Death But he who hath Assurance hath an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an happy and joyful Passage out of the World he knows he is passed from Death to Life he is carried full sail to Heaven though he cannot resist Death yet 〈◊〉 overcomes it Quest. 6. What shall they do that want Assurance Resp. 1. Such as want Assurance let them labour to find Grace when the Sun denies light to the Earth it may give forth its Influence When God denies the light of his Countenance he may give the Influence of his Grace Quest. How shall we know we have a real Work of Grace and so have a right to Assurance Resp. If we can resolve two Queries 1. Have we high Appretiations of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all made up of Beauties and Delights our Praises fall short of his Worth and is like spreading Canvass upon Cloth of Gold How precious is his Blood and Incense The one pacifies our Conscience the other Perfumes our Prayers Can we say we have endearing Thoughts of Christ Do we esteem him our Pearl of Price Our bright Morning Star Do we count all earthly Enjoyments but as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 do we prefer the worst things of Christ before the best things of the World the Reproaches of Christ before the Worlds Embraces Heb. 11.26 Quer. 2. Have we the indwelling of the Spirit 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us Quest. How may we know we have the indwelling presence of the Spirit Resp. Not by having sometimes good Motions stir'd up in us by the Spirit it may work in us yet not dwell but by the Sanctifying Power of the Spirit on our Heart the Spirit infuseth Divinam Indolem a Divine Nature it stamps its own impress and Effigies on the Soul making the Complexion of it Holy The Spirit ennobles and raiseth the Heart above the World when Nebuchadnezzar had his Understanding given him he grazed no longer amongst the Beasts but returned to his Throne and minded the Affairs of his Kingdom when the Spirit of God dwells in a Man it carries his Heart above the visible Orbs it makes him Superna anhelare thirst after Christ and Glory if we can find this then we have Grace and so have a right to Assurance 2. If you want Assurance wait for it if the Figures are graven on the Dial it is but waiting a while and the Sun shines When Grace is engraven in the Heart it is but waiting a while and we shall have the Sun-shine of Assurance He that believes makes not haste Isa. 28.16 He will stay Gods leisure say not God hath forsaken you he will never lift up the light of his Countenance but rather say as the Church Isa. 8.17 I will wait upon the Lord which hideth his face from the House of Jacob. 1. Hath God waited for your Conversion and will not you wait for his Consolation How 〈◊〉 did he come a woing to you by his Spirit He waited till his Head was fill'd with Dew He cry'd as Ier. 13.27 Wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O Christian did God wait for thy Love and canst not thou wait for his 2. Assurance is so sweet and precious that it is worth waiting for the price of it is above Rubies it cannot be valued with th◠Gold of Ophir Assurance of Gods Love is a Pledge of Election 't is the Angels Banquet what other Joy have they As Micah said Iudges 18.24 What have I more So when God assures the Soul of his eternal purposes of Love what hath he more to give Whom God kisseth he Crowns Assurance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first Fruits of Paradise one Smile of Gods Face one Glance of his Eye one Crumb of the hidden Manna is so sweet a Delicious that it deserves our waiting 3. God hath given a Promise that we shall not wait in vain Isa. 49.23 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me Perhaps God reserves this Cordial of Assurance for a fainting time He keeps sometimes his best Wine till last Assurance shall be reserved as an Ingredient to sweeten the bitter Cup of Death Quest. 7. How may deserted Souls be comforted who are cast down for want of Assurance They have the Day-star of Grace risen in their Souls but as Job complains I went Mourning without the Sun Iob 30.28 They go mourning for want of the Sun-light of Gods Face Their Ioy is eclipsed They walk in darkness and see no light Isa. 50.10 How shall we comfort such as lye Bleeding in