people prepared for the Lord to meet with Christ on earth now he is gone our work is to prepare a people to meet the Lord in Heaven Hence this is put in as the difference between Vessels of wrath and Vessels of Glory the one are fitted for destruction the others are fitted prepared or made ready for Glory and the glory of a christian is chiefly to enjoy fellowship immediatly with Jesus Christ. There is many a soul dear unto Christ and espoused to him and hath his heart affected to think of the good time that is coming when we shall ever be with the Lord but ask are you ready â—yet for to go to him though it be through fires waters thorns sorrows death it self who can say yes but say mens hearts shut the Lord out a little longer let not the door stand open yet yet this must be And therefore for explications sake let me 1. shew you when the Soul is in a readinesse for the Lord Jesus 2. The reasons why there must be a continual readinesse SECT III. VVHen is the Soul in a readinesse to enjoy Christ As there are four things which make a christian unready so this readinesse consists in Four things contrary 1. That which makes a christian unready for him are those strong fears and jealousies and damping doubts of the love of Christ to him The soul happly hath made choice of him is content with him melts into wonderment and love to think that he should love him what me and Christ hath writ him on his heart and on the palms of his hands but Israel saith my God hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me Isai. 49. 14. Is it possible is it credible one that hath been so ville one that still hath such a heart for him to set his heart on me surely no hence the Soul is afraid to dye and desires too much to live still and the more he thinks of that time and blessednesse of following the Lamb where-ever he goes the more he sees and fears this may possibly never be my portion there may be some falseness in my heart towards him that I never yet saw some secret knot that was never yet unlosed and hence not yet ready Hence many a christian saith if I had a little more assurance let him come when he will Thus some think it was with Hezekiah who though he had walked before God with a perfect heart yet bitterly complained that he was cut off Isai. 38. per totum So therefore then the soul is prepared ready for him when he hath some comfortable assurance of the love of Christ towards him that it can say if I live he loves me though he kils me by Death yet I know that he loves me nay then he loves me moâ—t when he puts an end to my sins and to my sorrows too And therefore now saith as one ready to ceive a Prince now let him come to me or send for me when he will why so Who can separate me from the love of Christ Rom. 8. 35. That look as 't is with a Souldier that is to go to war where many bullets and arrows are like to fall about him and hit him while he hath no armour on call him to the Captain and he will say he is not ready yet but when he hath his armour on of proof and such armour that he knows let him receive never so many wounds yet he shall escape with his life and triumph with his Captain afterward Now give him but his watch-word he is ready though never so weak yet I am sure I shall escape with my life nay not so much as hurt So a christian wanting his assurance wants his armour he is weak and powers of darknesse will assault him and he is slain by them now he is unready but if assured though weak and feeble he is now at Christs watch-word I know I shall live I may fall but I shall rise again this puts courage and spirit into a christian Dan. 3. 17 18. Heb. 11. 35. Others were tormented and so ready not accepting deliverance why so to obtain a better Resurrection which they are sâ—id to see by the eye of Faith and this was by poor weak Women therefore labour for this else not prepared The Lord would have his people look death and dangers in the face and triumph in sorrows and not faint-hearted which cannot be done without this that the world may see that there is more than men in them 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. and 5. 1. who would be without this yet may we not complain as Christ of his Disciples Oh foolish and slow of heart to believe all that is written so many promises yet not assured so many experiences yet not established and therefore not yet prepared and ready for the coming of the Lord. A man that hath a fair estate and house befallen him so long as he is in Suit for it dares not dwell in it but makes a shift where he is but then he is ready when quiet possession is given him So get the Lord to passe sentence for assurance of your everlasting habitation then are you reâ—dy to dwell therein 2. Then a man is unprepared for the Lord Jesus his coming while he wants affeâ—tions suitable to the Majesty and according to the worth and love of the Lord Jesus Suppose a Woman knows her Husbands love yet if she have lost her love to him or if she love him 't is only as she loves another man not according to the woâ—th of her Husbands person or the greatnesse of his love Is she fit now to apâ—ear before him when no heart to receive him so although you question not Christs love to you thank God you doubt little of it yet where is your heart your love to him have you not lost your love your first love or second love if you have love is it not divided to other things as Wife Child Friends hopes of provision for them and too much care hereupon for that or if you do love him 't is with a carnal love he hath no more than a lust hath had and it may be not so much 't is with a cold love now you are unfit for him hence the Lord Luke 21. 34. Take heed your hearts be not overcharged 1 Pet. 4. 7. Now therefore then the soul is prepared to meet Christ when if the soul hath lost its affections it recovers them out of the hands of all creatures that stole them away from Christ and hence David prayes Oh spare that I may recover my strength and when it breaks out with such love unto Christ as is fitting for him 2 Tim. 4. 8. There is the righteoâ—s Judge ready to give the Crown when Christs appeâ—ring is loved i. e. they are so taken with him as that they love the looks of him it would rejoyce my heart to see which shall make others tremble to behold him Oh it must be a dear
the truth is when we make it our last end we cannot but desire it SECT III. BUT ought not a man to desire to live here in this world as David and Hezekiah did May not one sin in this desire 1. 'T is true precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints not only in regard that they are as precious to him when they come to die as while they live as Gold when 't is melting is as precious to the Goldsmith as when whole and it may be more too because 't is then made better but also because he will not lightly cast away their lives He that bottles their tears and will not let them be lost will not easily let go their lives and if God will not they ought not upon every slight occasion to desire their death and losse of their lives to be with the Lord. Now there are two cases Gods own people may not desire to remove hence where though there be some fire I confesse yet there is more smoak than fire more sin than Grace 1. In case they meet with much unkindnesse from and many sorrows in the world and behold the sins of it Thus it was with Elias 1 Kings 19. 4. Who when Iezabel threatned his life fled and would needs set sail presently and be gone so 't is with Gods people when they see enemies without the universal rot of Profession that they think they are almost left alone when God hath begun to do good by them as by Elijah but they think their best daies are past there is all they shall do and God himself it may be meeting them with some crosses in this world now presently they grow weary of their lives and desire to die which is nothing else but a pang of discontent truly God will not suffer it nor you ought not to desire it to die away in such a snuffe No the Lord hath work for them to do and a journey to go This desire is naught and 't is but a weed and to be pulled up that growes out of such a root as a discontented heart for crosses I confesse God useth sorrows as means to smoak us out of our Hive and we may use them for that end but not only or chiefly them nor from a pang or moody fit of discontent 2. In case they desire death and not life before they be ripe for death Husbandmen desire their Corn in but 't is folly to desire it before it be ripe and then they may I confesse 't is the commendation of some trees if not only good but if ripe betimes and 't is the honour of a Christian to be ripe for death betimes yet still before he is ripe he is not to desire it Now when is this 1. While the Lord hides his face and denies full assurance of his love in this case as a Christian cannot so he ought not if it were the Lords will desire to be gone as yet and this is one reason why David and Hezekiah desired life not death as yet God had broken their bones and his arrowes were yet in their hearts now a man is to desire he may stay a little while longer that he may sing the Song of the Lamb and tell the world what the Lord hath done for him and that he may not set in a cloud and die in horrour Mariners long to be on shore but before they come there they would not venture in a mist but see Land first so should we desire to see the Lord in the Land of the living Nay though the Lord gives his people a promise which staies their hearts and is a twig to keep them from sinking nay when he gives them some joy yet still God hath promised to reveal more of himself and his Christ in the promise seeing him but darkly now Now they ought not to desire but wait as in Simeons case now let thy Servant depart in peace having long waited for the consolation of Israel Children that will be up before 't is day must be whipt a rod is most fit for them stay till 't is day 2. While their work remains unfinished and the Lord hath got little or no Glory from them though they may have clear evidence of the Lords love Christ himself desired it not till now Iohn 17. 5. If thou couldest scale Heaven before thy work was done the Lord would send thee down from thence again as he did the soul of Lâ—zarus and truly to do the work of Christ one moment here is better than to have a thousand years felicity in Heaven nakedly considered in it self in as much as the Honour of Christ is a thousand times better than our own good It may be there is much work within doors many odd distempers to be cashierd spirituall decaies c. It may be there is work without Christ hath many enemies in the world many prayers are yet to be spent against them much good to do for his Church many tears to be shed for them for praying trade is past in Heaven It may be some friends yet to be converted thou hast been a scandal to them it may be as yet few have been or can say they be the warmer or better for thee that work is yet to be done It may be God hath some secrets to reveal by thee before thou diest stay therefore a while while your work is done 'T is true thou hast but one Talent but little thou hast or canst do yet God looks you should improve it whilst he is gone A man that will needs to bed at noon-day before night comes what deserves he but a cudgel So he that will die before his night comes and while 't is light to see and work by When therefore you apprehend your work even done then as not only Christ but Paâ—l not only Paul but Gods watchful servants have secret warnings of death And as Mariners when they can see no Land yet by their soundings can tell they are near Land or Sands then you may desire it for then you are ripe but its sin to do it otherwise And verily happy is that man that accounts not his life dear but only the finishing of his course with joy To conclude all we are to desire our fellowship with Christ as a man desires his last end which desire doth not exclude but include desire after all the means and the means first before the end Now many things are to be done by God upon us and by us for the Lord again before we appear before Christ which we may desire firstly for this our last end SECT IV. HEnce we see the vilenesse of the great yet hidden secret sin of the whole world which may be in part also in Gods dearest Saints viz. in their hungry lustings and dropsie desires after the sweet of the things of this world You shall have many a man that amends his life reformes his course forsakes his own
is of the will and power of man but oh this is not this inward principle which the Almighty power of God creates and therefore know it if you get no other oyle in your Lamps you shall never meet the Bridegroom 2. When a mans principle is the power of holy example whereby many a one is drawn to do more than otherwise he would Many men think for a while as that man spake Men talk of being worth thousands I would fain see the men Ministers preach and others speak well we must do this that but I would fain see the men that do it Now it sometime falls out that the Lord sets before mens eyes some pattern-Christians hereupon they think thus here are two contrary ways they cannot both lead to heaven their way is better than mine and doubtless leads to life mine doth not and therefore let me live like theâ— And hence there shall not be any Fast but they will be at it not a Sermon near but they will go wet and dry to hear it nor any duty in Family but they will imitate it and hence read and learn that they may be like them No Christians in the Country hated but they will love them nor Ceremonies cast off but they will abhor them and hence they reflect upon their patterns and think their estate safe because they are as good as a Christians outside And hence like some dead Câ—ttel there is nothing good but their skin so there is nothing good in these but their imitating outside Thus it was with Ioash while Iehoiada lived 2 Chron. 24. Hence he fell like Ivy with the Oak when God cut him down Thus it was with these five foollish Virgins a man may follow good examples but not rest in bare imitation of them And hence a blessed man is described Psal. 1. Negatively from noâ— imitating the wicked not from imitating the good because good men may be in many things ill examples and it ever proves so in these men that have no more then this Principle hence if they be loose in their tongues or on the Sabbath their plea is they are like unto them And hence come all your acquired excellencieâ— a man is an imitating creature led by example and a carnal man out of the heart of hypocrise in himself will imitate the divine nature which is in another and hence men not only take up such practises but such opinious only because such and such are of that mind And hence men change practises and opinions as Examples do change in Ioshua's time great Reformation he no sooner dead but all fell off again then they were for purity of Ordinances and Gods Worship now they serve Baalim Oh consider here is an outward but no inward principle 3. Those whose principle is nothing but external applause and praise of men and this will carry a man beyond all the best Examples Nay sometime to be singular and a man alone a Pharisees Trumpet shall be heard to the Townesend while simplicity walks thorow the Town unseen Hence a man will sometimes covertly commend himself and my self ever comes in and tells you a long Storie of Conversion and an hundred to one if some lie or other flip not out with it Why the secret meaning is I pray admire me hence complain of wants and weaknesses pray think what a broken-hearted Christian I am and hence if comforted they complain if not they will comfort themselves hence many lift up eyes and hands and fetch deep sighs in prayer remember and note Sermons look now what a gift I have Hence if you come to their companie they will have so many good words as may make you think well of them and then the Market is almost done with them Hence men forsake their friends and trample underfoot the scorns of the world they have credit elsewhere To maintain their interest in the love of godly men they will suffer much Hence men in the Ministry pray for grace to beautifie and perfect their parts that so they may preach and convert and have credit Hence men meditate new Light and profess deep things that few know that men may worship the rising Sun Hence the Lord is neglected secretly yet honoured openly because there is no winde in their chambers to blow their Sails and therefore there they stand still Hence many men keep their profession when they lose their affection they have by the one a nâ—me to live and that is enough though their hearts be dead And hence so long as you love or commend them so long they love you but if not they will forsake you they were warm onely by anothers fire and hence having no principle of life within soon grow dead This is the water that turns a Pharisees Mill and the Lord passeth a heavy doom You have your reward I have wondred that the opinion of men nay dream of mens thoughts should act men onely 't is a curse of God that when men despise his honour the greatest good they shall be fed with the basest good 4. Those whose Principle is nothing else but their own gain of outward blessings Many there be that make not their honour so much as their bellies their gods and thy rule them Phil. 3. 19. hence the Shop-keeper will give good words when he sells his commodity he should lose much of his custome else and hence the Minister preacheth contionably that his gaine may come in 1. Thes. 2. 4 â— Hence people would be as good as the best they cannot get a lot in all the Country else Hence a man is somtime content to forsake all for Christ that he may make a booty of Christ as Iudas did Hence when Christ feeds them with Loaves then the people will make him a King Iohn 6. though afterward they cry Crucifie him So men deal with Christ as the Souldiers did that caught him that they might strip him of his garments And hence many men if they see sorrows and wants attending them if they attend on Christ forsake him Look upon our own Land many so long as they could enjoy Christ with fair weather cry out of Ceremonies and prophaning of Sabbath yet this not being to be had creep to them and read the Book for prophaning thereof Many shadows have been seen since our Sun hath risen here and this way they looked but viewing other mens wants and fearing their own losses and conceiving they may meet with Massah in this Wilderness refuse to follow And least this should seem to be the cause cry out we are Separatists or strongly possess themselves against all relations there is no living at all here Look but at home how many Dove that prove but Ravens and live on the prey come hither to our windows and have followed Christ to this Worlds end when he fed them with loaves they made him their King but now he hath taken away what once they desired because there is better Bread to be laboured for now
too but a little fills them and quiets them and so damns them And hence men at the first work upon them are very diligent in the use of means but after that they be brought to neglect prayer sleep out Sermons and to be careless sapless liveless who is the better for them Because I say that now they have got something the main work is wrought they call not that into Question and so when God comes to reckon they are found too light Oh therefore keep the Vessel empty never content thy self with any measure Hath the Lord called thee Yes I think so and beleeve sometimes so but I am afraid I may at last be found without oyle in my Vessel be then every day as if thou wert but now to begin And this I say true grace as it comforts so it never fills but puts an edge on the appetiâ—e more of that grace Lord Thus Paul Phil. 3. 13 14. Thus David Out of my poverty I have given c. 1 Chron. 29. 3 17 18. It s a sure way never to be deceived in lighter strokes of the Spirit to be thankful for any but to be content with no measure of it and this cuts the thread of difference between a superficial lighter stroke of the Spirit and that which is sound 3. Look that your vessel be not broken nor crackt that when the Lord pours in it runs not out again Heb. 2. 1 2. Prov. 4. 12 13. Oh here is the wound of many a man he hath many affections in Word in Ordinances and they take hold on him to convince to affect him but he takes not fast hold on them he keeps them not as his life with thankfulness for any little and with watchfulness And hence a man is where he was dry and barren It 's true the Lord will not give that out of an Ordinance which he doth in an Ordinance But it 's one thing to have it lost out of thy hands and the Lords hands too another thing only to lose it out of thy hand It 's one thing for the Lord to withdraw it another thing for thee to spend it away by the prevailing power of a lust viz. either the world without or contempt of Grace within you esteem it not as your life and hence seek not to keep it you will lose the Oyl in your Vessels And I am confident this is one reason why a man lives long under means and never profits the Lord sees if he should poure any thing into the heart it would be lost He takes fast hold of world or self and keeps that and hence all runs out again 4. Look that you be at the cost to get this Oyl in your Vessel These â—irgins when the door was shut and too late would but the time was past For we shall find the reason why mens works are sleight their buildings their garments why they will not be at the cost so mens work of Grace is sleight because they will not be at the cost They find a want of Grace and prize it and would fain have it but it shall cost them little they will not be at the cost of their time Somtime they can seek the Lord in an Ordinance but what if he comes not They depart from him Sometimes in pangs and fits when the Spirit comes they seek but to be ever seeking ever carrying sense of sin 't is too much time and trouble they will not be at the cost Some affections and hearts they spend but not their whole hearts Hence Christ exhorts oh strive because many seek and are never able Look therefore as it was with Ionathan Saul 1 Sam. 14. 45. said he should die No the people said not so for he hath wrought with God this day Not that a man can get Grace by his own strength but Col. 1. 29. I strive according to his mighty working Only let me add this be at cost first to get the Lord Jesus himself As Mat. 13. 33. He sold all and bought the Field and when he had the Field now he had the Treasure Oh think no time too much no lusts too dear no affections too much for him and then you have all things with him and shall receive life from him and not for a dead but for a living risen Christ. Christ bestowed Gifts on Iudas on Saul but whom he bestowed himself upon those never wanted any thing Psal. 23. 1. But here I might take up a doleful complaint Oh that men content themselves with colours and tinctures of Truth and Spirit c. Some Naturalists observe that Brass would be Gold it tends to it had it but more heat of the Sun to concoct it and to bring it to perfection so 't is with the lighter Stroaks of common Grace CHAP. XXI That true saving Grace in the Hearts of Believers can never fail SECT I. THat those Graces of the Spirit wherewith those Heavenly Vessels or Souls of the Faithful are filled are constant and of an eternal Nature For thus the wiâ—e Virgins their Vessels were not only filled but the Oyl was constantly preserved in them and continued in their Vessels until they met the Bridegroom 'T is true their Lamp went out outward acts of the Spirit of Grace expressed in the Profession of the Saints may be extinct for a time yet the Oyl did remain in the Vessel still which was not so with those which were Foolish not only their Lamps were out but their Oyl was spent so that here is a third Difference between the Foolish and the Wife Virgins That the Spirit of Grace in the one is of a dying withering nature in the other of an eternal and everlasting nature There is an eternal excellency stampt upon them Iohn 4. 14. The water that I shall give him shall be in him no Pools but a perpetual living Spring Heb. 6. 9. Some that were enlightned and tasted fell away but we are perswaded better things of you The Saints have better things which do not cause but accompany Salvation The Lord is so far from suffering it to die as that he will add to it Luke 8. 18. To him that hath shall be given Though it be like Mustard-seed yet it shall grow there is a growing vertue in it But as the Lord speaks of his people Isa. 65. 8. As new wine is in the Cluster and one saith destroy it not for a blessing is in it so it shall be here Nay though it be not so much as seen yet the Lord then can see it and doth then keep it and will preserve it Isa. 40. 29 30 31. Nay though opposed and resisted by temptation yet 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. 'T is not consumed but tried that it may be to Glory another day notwithstanding manifold temptations 'T is one of the greatest Miracles in the world to preserve it as a Spark of fire in a Sea of water Nay though it seems to a mans feeling to be quite quenched and put out that
pray for the inheritance or a part of it of the portion of the Son shall he have it no he shall have what is fit for a Servant so it is here the Lord hath some Sons in his Churches these praying and desiring from a son-like spirit all that God hath being theirs they shall have it and hence Psal. 145. 18 19 20. He will fulfil the desires of them that fear him and love him and delight themselves in him for that is the son-like disposition when he is cut short of all comfort in the world nay when he may have his fill of them yet he delights in his Fathers face love and grace and fellowship and house Psal. 27. 4. For they are heirs and coheirs with Christ being Sons but now there are Servants in the house of God shall they have their wills and lusts no thus it was with these foolish Virgins they were only Servants in the house no true Spouse or Sons and were foolish at best and had not the spirits of Sons but had their lusts never were espoused savingly to the Lord Jesus himself nor laid up all their hope in him but were foolish and that is the ground why others desires are heard not theirs Thirdly Unsound desires make after a certain measure only whereas the desires of Saints seek after this Grace without measure and thus the foolish Virgins fell short of the wise all that they could get was little enough for themselves but the foolish look after some of their oyl as many a man looks upon the gifts and parts of another Oh saith he if I was as honest as humble a man as such a one and many a man sets up such a measure and if he hath that is well while he wants that miserably Look wistly upon the foolish Virgins they did content themselves with a measure and now they are in want of it seek for it at first a little did content them and now when it is spent a little will serve them again And what is their measure 1. So much as will beautifie and adorn them before men our Lamp is out 2. So much as will comfort them against the coming of Christ for now they were troubled that their oyl was spent whereby they might meet the Bridegroom he that desires it for a little measure of it his desires are certainly unsound so much as will serve his turn he cuts his coat according to his cloth but he that desires it without measure è contra as Paul Phil. 3. 12. That I may apprehend by any means that for which I am apprehended As Chrysostom calls Paul that insatiabilis Dei cultor for he makes it his last end as he that desires wealth without measure though he gets not all the wealth of the world yet the more he hath the more he craves this his fleshly lust is his last end Obj. But he may desire it without measure for his own ends Ans. I confess 't is true for men may desire honor and no honor but by gifts and no gifts but by grace and hence may desire infinitely but yet it is but a measure viz. to serve his own ends but not the Lords ends to set up himself true desire of grace is for that which may pull down self and make God all Psal. 119. 4 5. Fourthly It is not their only desire or the only thing they desire viz. the good Spirit of the Lord and that they might not live or any thing else in them but that the Lord may live and his Grace and Kingdom may prevail in their hearts the desires of Saints are only after this or if their desires are after other things the Spirit lusts against them 2 Sam. 23. 5. As carnal desires are after life and the comforts of it so spiritual desires are after the life of Christ in them and the comforts of the Lord thereby Psal. 27. 3 4. One thing I have desired and that I will seek for what was it a Crown a Kingdom no but that I may dwell in the Lords house for ever and visit his Temple Notable is that example of Abraham Heb. 11. Two things he met with that might draw down his desires 1. He came to a land which God promised to give him where he lives among enemies and in fears 2. He might have returned to another Country and now have been better 3. God blessed him c. but it was nothing he desired only another above hence God is not ashamed to be called his God but the foolish Virgins fell short of this and hence they now seek only in times of extremity And this is the frame of many graceless hearts in time of extremity 1. When all grace is gone 2. When death is come then they seek earnestly after the Lord and Grace Oh their sin lies heavy Oh then an humble heart is sweet but before their hearts were overcome with lusts after other things and this double heart every carnal heart hath Ephes. 2. 3 fulfilling the lusts of the mind i. e. Diabolical lusts and lusts of the flâ—sh i. e. sensual and beastly lusts it 's the state of all men and hence promises are not made simply to mens seeking the Lord for they may miss but to them that do it with their whole heart Psal. 119. â—2 Ier. 29. 13. this they never do and hence men pray daily and live in their lusting all the day after men long in misery but are cool in peace SECT IV. Quest. BUt seeing there is in Saints two Natures flesh lusting against the spirit and spirit against flesh and a double heart in a Reprobate whereby he desires grace and other things how shall we distinguish them Answ. 1. The lusts after grace and worldly things in an Hypocrite agree together in the same heart but those lusts which are after the flesh and spirit in a regenerate heart are contrary one to another and like fire and water one seeking to destroy the whole being of the other Exem gr A man wants the things of this world he seeks and desires after them riches honor rest and peace but thinks he if I have no more but this I may to hell if no Grace hence he desires that and so doing now he hath peace and all is quiet with him and goes on sweetly in a way of profession aâ—d prayer and a gracious heart is ready thus to do and to make his head lye soft with two pillows but yet the Spirit riseth up against this that the soul thinks I shall fall by this heart Lord how apt to rest in these lees lusts in Hypocrites are like brethren that help one another to this end to get peace but here as enemies to destroy such a cursed peace as that is in the Godly 2. In a false heart lusts and desires after these things are dear to them like their limbs and best members they cannot be nor cannot do without them but in Saints they are sores and blains and so hated
and yet are excluded Mat. 8. 11 12. Children of the Kingdome cast out there shall be weeping the higher a man is risen the greater is his fall and his bruises at the bottome so when one hath been raised up to great hopes profession affection yet now to fall to lose all to see he hath been spinning Cobwebs all his life when Israel were near to Canaan now to be shut out Now they wept Vse 1. We may see hence what little cause any have to boast only in outward priviledges or common gifts graces excellencies I confess it is great mercy for the Lord to call a man out of his prophaneness and separate him from the world bringing him to the fellowship of Saints and give him that which makes hâ—m reputed well of by others but boast not only of this as if the Lord did therefore highly favour you for the Lord Jesus may shew for all this his love to his own and his terrour to thee and may shut the door of glory at last upon thee 1 Cor. 1. 27 28 29. The Lord chooses things that are not to bring to nought and to staine other glory Rom. 11. 17. The Gentiles boasted themselves that they were graffed in oh saith the Apostle seeing this spirit apt to rise boast not be not high-minded do not grow secure but feare common graces ever make men proud as others make men humble they despise not others they magnifie God if the Lord hath made a difference see the goodness of God verse 22. but boast not therein therefore do not content thy self with a name to live and having some cankered hopes some shining excellencies for the Lord may do this to shew others his love and yet staine thy glory as one that hath great hopes of preferment many Friends to commend and speak for him if one tells him You shall certainly lose all your labour he will mourn more than another that had no hopes nor helps at all of rising he will not glory in any thing he hath but will take some sure and safer way So I say to you If there be the least Grace and Favour blesse God for that but do not boast of any thing else Vse 2. Hence the Saints may learne how to affect their heaâ—ts with the Lords love to theâ— for there is such a poysonful disposition in them that though they have it yet they cannot be affected sometimes with it Vp Deborah Awâ—ke Lâ—te and Harpe and 't is this Do not only Remember and think on the Lords love saving thee calling humbling c. but so as to call thee and leave others to quicken thee and leave others dead to open the door of glory to thee and exclude others to call thee out of the Kingdome of the world to look upon thee in a sinful Town to awaken thee and leave others so many secure to call thee out of thy sinful company some of which like brands are now smoaking in this world others burning in another to call thee out of a sinful ignorant family thou the least the worst of them and to leave the rest this is much But when thou art brought into the Kingdome of Heaven Fellowship of Saints for the Lord to love thee set his heart upon thee when he forsakes others of thy own company of great parts and abilities whom thou thinkest better of than thy self at least as well to pull down these Princes to the dunghill and to exalt thy horn to cut down these Cedars and to preserve a Shrub to tread upon the greatest glory of man and to pity a worm for so thou art in thine own eyes Oh let this fire warme thy heart though thou hast been affected with it before especially considering no reason for it but only the good pleasure of God this affected Christ himself Mat. 11 25. 'T is true you do not see this done but you shall one day behold it with your eyes only let this love kindle love thankfulness humility in thine heart againe And hence if the Lord hath put a difference between thee and others do not deny do not doubt of do not despise his grace that if thou hast lost thy first love this may recover it if all his love makes thee more humble and thankful you stand Rom. 11. 20. Isa. 65. 16. Do not feare thy estate because the Lord cuts off the natural branches that therefore thou mayst be one but be featful of the least sin and wrong to Christ that hath loved thee especially of pride and unthankfulness the root of that and Remember that the poor things are chosen to confound the Mighty That the door of grace and glory shall be shut against all wicked men living at the coming of the Lord to death or judgement there is a time that the door is open unto men in regard of Ministerial dispensations for secrets of election we are not to minde Isa. 55. 6 7. This time is in this life but when death comes then it is shut when Angels sinned the Lord immediately shut the door against them but through Christ the door is open for term of life to men Because after death there is no meanes of grace or glory left which is the Ministry of the Word and Prayer for that is the chief key of opening the door even when the doores of heart and heaven are shut Mat. 16. 19. and hence 2 Cor. 6. 2. Now is the time of prayers and preaching and so to be helped but after death there are no Ministers they are at rest from their labours and the Ministry of men is for men not for naked soules Lazarus must not give a drop of cold water then to cool the tongue much less Ministers to comfort or convert their hearts 't is true the Lord can work extraordinarily but do you think he will do it for one that hath despised grace all his life Because it 's impossible they should repent after death by any other means if meanes were afforded as by seeing their sinne and feeling their punishment Iohn 9. 4. The night cometh wherein no man can work because after death comes judgment of wrath to the wicked Heb. 9. ult all patience and pity have forsaken them and so wrath lies upon them that they can do nothing but bear it as one under a great load or burning in the fire all his thoughts and affections and spirits are taken up with that and that is all he can do Heb. 10. 27. So here Vse 1. Of Confutation of a viperous satanical secret opinion which like a ghost 〈◊〉 the mindes of some people viz. that think and conclude even in time of health in midst of saving healing meanes that their time of grace is past and door is shut to them before Christ comes against them at death or judgement which though God many times turnes for good to humble a bold heart which will burne Gods day-light out and linger in its sinnes yet it doth
suffer the Lord Jesus to bruise or cross its will that so he may prevaile over the resistancy of it A strong arme a strong man when his arme is bruised or broken or wounded takes away the act of resistance as taking away the very life from it takes away the very power of resistance so Christ would unite himself to the soul there can be no constant union where there is constant resistance Christ comes to take away that hence bruises and wounds the soul outwardly sometime in name estate inwardly in conscience in heart Now here is mens folly That they will not be humbled when they heare of their estate in the Word they will not believe 't is so though they stand all the while convinced therein as if they had been named nay they will not think of it if it begins to trouble them or if they do begin they think it is the temptation of the Devil and if their estates or names begin to dye they will not be poor nor despised they had rather dye or live in vexing and fretting rather than yield they will have Gods Will bowed to theirs not theirs to the Lord nor yield themselves Captives to his mercy let him do with them what he will who owes them nothing Thus it was with Ephraim Capernaum heard admired embraced Christ but yet repented not that was to live in the smoke and fire Wo to you saith he for it Ier. 6. 7 8. Be instructed He saith not Instruct thy self but be instructed be convinced be humbled for thy sin lest my soul depart I am with thee yet to pardon it yet to take it away Secondly When they will not be gathered to Christ nor come to him nor receive his love when it comes to them but put it farre from them as much as in them lies The Disciples told Thomas Christ was risen but he would not believe unless he saw him nay unless he felt nay unless he felt his very wounds Christ pities and beares with the weakness of Faith But saith he be no more faithless but faithful and hence saith he Blessed are they which have not seen and yet believed this Christ complaines of in the Jewes He would have gathered them and they would not Now here resistance is made two wayes 1. By the will when the soul sees the offer of love faire and full but will not be drawn to close with it because it knows whether to go and live and be yet well enough without it Iohn 6. 68. Whether shall I go It hath some other Lovers to give it content but loss of Christs love is not for the present as bitter as death to him because having of it is not life to him because something else is his life this is enmity of heart and indeed the root is worse if worse may be you can finde some pillow to ease you when you refuse Christs love to help you 2. By the minde the soul knows not whether to go and yet the minde doth not not will meditate with fixed meditations on the grace of Christ whereby it might be drawn to Christ but pores upon its sinnes and unbelief and feares and objects strongly and continually against the Lord. Isaiah 40. 27 28. Hast not seen c. Beloved 'T is with the minde as it is with burning glasses hold them to the Sun and you gather and unite the beames that they burn So the soule by musing on Christs Love Object Many say I cannot believe though I see a command for it and God will not help me Answer The fault is not here but in this You will not use this means in musing on the gracious freeness riches and need of his love Psal. 6â— 6 7. but on the earth 1. Object You will say I cannot but resist Answer Yet I pray give us leave to exhort you to believe give Peter leave to perswade Acts 3. 19. Repent and be converted the Lord requires that only it may be the Lord may go away from thy soul and take his leave of thee for ever and if you did know you would noâ— crucifie nor resist the Lord of glory if you would consider you would know 2. Object I finde my heart much affected and drawn but then I am afraid of prâ—suming â—ow shall I know when I may close with the Lord Answ. 1. When the Merchant hath sold all let him take the Pearl and enrich himself with it the Devil may grudge thee it but the Lord doth not will not 2. When the Lord comes to draw indeed you cannot but accept your need will be so great the offer so faire love so abundant and like the honey comb dropping into thy heart before thou suckest it and Christ so dear that thou canst not tread upon hâ—m whom God hath smitten for thee Mary Iob. 20. 15 16 17. stands weeping at last Christ appeares Woman why weepest thou whom seckest thou she knew him not hence her heart stirres not but at last he calls her by her name and then she knew him and saw him present Rabboni saith she and now had she best apprehend Yea she cannot but embrace him Oh touch me not as yet saith he c. Of Exhortation To labour that the Lord Jesus may apprehend you I know it 's nothing but his mercy can move him to it even to take away that resistance of your hearts but yet heare his voice as well as know his power and harden not your hearts whiles it is called to day in use of means for this end Psal. 61. 7. 1. Consider your need of this Isa. 42. 1. Behold my servant whom I uphold Did Christ need Yes Christ himself must be supported by the power of the Lord Psal. 40. 11 12. Let thy mercy and truth continually â—reserve me and this was not only when sinnes swallowed him up but when he had been preserved Psalme 17. 5 6. Hold up my goings You are gone in a moment if the Lord lets his hold go you are kept in strong holds in Iron bolts in invisible everlasting chaines in the Dungeon where no water is unless the arme of Christ help 2. Consider the benefit of it Acts 2. 24 25. It was impossible Christ should be held under paines of death because of his Princely Spirit exalting him so here Christ is and will be with you and when once he hath apprehended you none can pull you out of his hands no not the Fathers hand that was angry and he will never cast away his Ioh. 10. 29. when they come to him 3. Consider how few finde this Isa. 53. 1. To whom is the arme of the Lord revealed and who hath believed our report both joyned together the arme is Christ and the power of Christ by his Spirit in the hearts of his Elect but for want of this it is that one lives loosely and another falls foulely and never riseth another falls secretly and is never known and dyes in a dreame c. and that there is
can also make thee holy which none of the Saints can who not only is good and holy but doth good and makes holy Thou lookest sometimes upon Saints and seest their grace and life and mournest for want of it keepest company with them and wishest thou hadst their oyl but they cannot help thee to it Oh look up to the Lord If thou lovest and prizest them oh prize and love the Lord much more who hath it in his hands to give it unto thee who like a Spring sends not forth its streams to refresh it self but the weary but the faint Isa. 50. 4. who like 〈…〉 sends not his beams out to enlighten it self but 〈…〉 which sit in dâ—â—â—ness might see and blind might know Ioâ— 9. 49. Ioh. 17. for their sakes I sanctifie my self he hath an humble meek spirit to give to thâ—e that art proud and sturdy he can make a Lion a Lamb who hath a wise and heavenly Spirit to teach thee that art simple and thee that art earthly if his good pleasure will SECT VII DO not say I have found good from them as well as seen Grace in them 〈◊〉 I blessed God that ever I saw or spake with them or ever saw 〈…〉 c. I answer Know it that they were but powerless instruments 〈…〉 of a merciful yet powerful Christ otherwise thou hadst never 〈…〉 from any Christian any Minister any Sermon the Lord Jesus 〈…〉 have used them as means to have condemned thee as he did 〈…〉 and Noahs example by which he condemned the world as well as to have called thee or done the least good to thee therefore this still 〈…〉 upon Christ above all others in the world all the Saints and Ministers in the world could not have changed one hair from being black to white noâ—â—â— all their cares for thee added one cubit to thy stature Oh it was the Lord 〈◊〉 if they have any pity the Lord put in them if they ever spake one word or made one prayer the Lord put it in them if blessed it is by him Now dost thou honor and love them because they have done thy soul good else thou hadst been in hell Oh admire the Lord much more for they were but set on work by him and now they have done thee good there is a stop they can go no further you think I did receive good by a little while being with such Christians but now when thou comest hither again thou thinkest it may be thou shalt receive much more no their hands and feet may be bound those Conduit-cocks cannot turn themselves Oâ— but Jesus Christ he can go on nay he will go until he hath made thee like unto his own self and hence 1 Ioh. 3. 2. then we shall be like him now we be sons children though born of poor men yet love their poor father that begat them Who gave you your being who begat you to God and so made you sons of God Oh methinks the Lord that did this should be precious and lovely that you should call the world to wonder at it that the Lord hath made an incarnate Devil a blessed Angel But thou hast a vile heart still Oh but you shall be like him he will make you like himself at the last day who is brighter than Angels and whose face is fairer than the children of men only he will do it by little and little here rather by causing thee to feel thy vileness than removing it wholly Therefore as the Apostle Gal. 4 9. when they were turned from the Gospel to Mosaical observances he calls them weak and beggarly rudiments which had no power of themselves to convey Grace not at best in that abundance which the Gospel did so say I do you now know the Lord who did not once know him and do you now admire and love Chirstians and others if they do good especially to you and do you refuse to honor the Lord but look only upon beggarly weak means and Christians God forbid it is the Lord only that can enrich you c. 2 Cor. 3. If the ministration of condemnation was glorious oh what is the ministration of the Spirit if those which have the Spirit be glorious what is the Lord that not only hath it but can also give it and make you like unto him in glory and that by the very beholding of him vers ult If a man had such a glass which not only gave him the sight of some dear friend always but as oft as he looked in it makes him like unto him how would he prize this glass but especially the image of his friend in it so Christ is not only glorious but he thereby makes himself glorious SECT VIII Object DO not say the Lord can do this but he will not Saints would if they could Answ. 1. You do not know but that he will do it when Christ was here on earth and men were sick though their friends willed their good yet I doubt not but Christ was most glorious because though they knew not that he would yet they knew that he might heal and pity and if it were for his honor he would 2. Pray to him for it and do it he will pour water on the thirsty and give the Spirit and water of life to them that ask Do not think you seek in vain especially if your cryes arise from a sick heart that sin is thy disease not torment onely it is not thy delight you need a Physitian he will not heal you if it is not your temper your food c. If a man hath a mind to a thing and another denies him he will not see less beauty then than he did before if you have a mind Christ hath a mind also Obj. But I do not feel the Lord giving me the Spirit Answ. Yet if you prize it and reach after it the Lord hath done this for you SECT IX TO all the Servants of the Lord if ever you did any good to any Oh boast not of your selves but carry the glory of it to the Lord Jesus as he said the Lord doth good by me but I know no reason why So add also but I wonder at the manner how a poor weak dead nothing whose unclean heart and lips might have made others worse not better as infection sticking to the best garments Act. 3. 12 13. Why stand ye looking on us be it known to you by the name of Iesus it is that which is done when Christ was known to heal all diseases all the Country round about by this fame of him came to him and so he healed them this will bring in customers to Christ Some Christians are very forward to speak to others to let in some new notion or to convert that they may make an Absoloms pillar afterward and that they might report I did this some take content in speaking of conversion of others that I did this Let your works praise you but let your tongue praise Christ
it was the Lord that did this If bread could speak it would say it is not I that feed and fire not I that warm You can speak tell others so you would fain be accounted some body and therefore will devise new Gospels and mint new notions that not only Christ may be pleased but men may say this I received of such a one that their names might be spoken of The Theif takes the sheep for himself a good Shepheard carries it home to his owner SECT X. OH then do not rest in this that you have now got to partake of the fellowship of Gods people I confess next to fellowship with God their fellowship is best and most sweet 1 Ioh. 1. 3 4. and nothing more powerful to preserve and keep Gods people from Apostacy than this Col. 2. 5. order and stedfastness in faith are coupled they that be planted in the Courts of the Lord shall flourish here nothing encreasing Grace more Col. 2. 19. when many eyes to see by many hands to help work by When a man sinned if one or two men only took up stones to stone the sinner it may be they might miss or the man live but when there be many it is strange if it doth not kill so out of fellowship of the people of God one may admonish then another and it may be he can shift but here there be many c. 2 Cor. 2. 7. When a mans life is going away in a swoon if one or two be there present only he may never recover but when one rubs another chafes another holds him another runs and fetches hot water for him it is a hundred to one but he escapes But yet as the best means if neglected or trusted to will make men worse as Capernaâ—m was worse for Christ's preaching which they boasted of so the best means if not trusted to will make men better as it is with some Extracts and Spirits they will make quick work one way or other 1. If ever you see or receive any good look to the Lord in them 1 Sam. 10. 11 12. who is their father 2. If ever you look to receive any look to the Lord that by them he may convey help and succor in his time SECT XI Quest. HOw shall I get that good Ans. 1. Feel your need of their fellowship and their help you will then be getting good by every example every prayer 1 Cor. 12. the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee Oh be not full for God hath not made you so full but if you be an eye you need the foot c. David knew more than the Levites did yet how did he long to see God and the goings of God in the Sanctury Paul did need the mutual comfort of Christians it was a strange thing in Paul when he was to carry money to others yet he beseecheth them Oh pray for me Rom. 15. 30 31. Do not say only I feel a need of Sacraments or Ministry but I need the prayers the counsel the examples the exhortation of the meanest Christian. Secondly Be sure you joyn your selves to living Christians that is not only such as have Grace but such as are lively in the use and exercise of it for those God sanctifies especially to communicate Grace to you if a living hand be knit to a dead arm sure little good will it receive from it Rom. 1. 12. a lively believing Christian will comfort Paul and an humble Christian will humble This is the very reason why Christians do not get good because their hearts are dead and their fellowship with God little and hence others despise them and withdraw from them Thirdly Love them dearly a man will never get good from any Christian that he despiseth or slighteth as it is with a man if his hand would have life from the head set it in his place and let not it be tied outwardly but united as a member and then it receives it and hence it edifies it self in love so by love are men edified CHAP. XV. Of the plentiful dispensing of Grace in the Gospel Ministry SECT I. Now follows secondly their Counsel and Advice Go to them that sell and buy c. THem that sell Some there be that make this an Irony or a plain mock of the foolish Virgins for their folly as if they should say You have lived like Hypocrites hitherto before the Lord among us and deceived us and your own souls now you would have out Grace to help you no get you gone to Mass-Priests and Pardon-sellers and Merit-mongers and buy for your selves they have merit enough c. But this meaning as it cannot be evinced necessarily from the words so such an answer cannot stand with that sad and gracious compassionate spirit which is in every holy Virgin for suppose God should break open the conscience of any in these days and they opening their hearts to others they should receive this answer Nay seeing you have neglected your season so long get you gone to Mass-Priests let them help you would any of common honesty in like manner mock much less a gracious heart no but if any have a true sence of their misery for sleeping out their season of Grace their bowels will melt over them Those that sell These are the Ministers of the Lord Jesus For 1. 'T is manifest it is not a mock And 2. Those that sell are not ordinary Christians though they may and do convey the Spirit yet not in this case so powerfully and hence they do send them from themselves 3. They do send them to those means which do most abundantly convey the Spirit now the Word and the Spirit are united as shall be proved the cheif dispensers of which word are the Ministers of the Gospel 4. Because Ministers are called such as sell Prov. 23. 23. Buy the truth and sell it not now where is the truth cheifly sold but by the prime publishers of it Mal. 2. 6 7. Not that the Holy Ghost is to be sold for money but to buy it there as it is to be sold without money Is. 55. 1 2 3. Come and buy wine and milk that is in the ministry of the Gospel which calls all that thirst to come Rev. 3. 18. not that they should fix their eyes upon them as upon the cheif means to convey it for the Lord Jesus fells and we are to buy of him only these are servants under him and appointed as an Ordinance of his for this end the Apostle conveys his ministry 2 Cor. 2. ult sincerely and gloriously Buy for your selves that is seek for it there though you lay out never so much of your money your time and thoughts and affections for it and receive it there when it is offered upon any terms though you part with all you have that so you may make it your own and so have of your own and so may with comfort meet the Lord and this suits with