but this is a fire that ever burneth a stinging worm which without any cessation gnaweth a cloudy day whose darkness is never dispelled so that here wee have our loss arising from unbelief set before us privatively and positively privatively inferring a denial a removeal or absence of all good of all peace of all comfort positively an imposition inflicting and presence of whatsoever may make man miserable From the privative loss wee gather Doctrine That unbelief doth for ever exclude men from everlasting happiness and all the joy of the next life the foolish Virgins were shut out from entring in with the bridegrome for want of oyl in their lamps Mat. 25. Israël of old entered not into the rest of God because of unbelief Heb. 3.19 Heb. 4.6 the publicans and harlots believed and found entrance into God's kingdom the Pharises believed not and therefore could not finde any admission Mat. 21.31 32. this was the general scope and sum of the doctrine which our Saviour would have the Apostles to deliver to the people Mark 16.16 and no wonder that unbelievers are excluded from everlasting happiness for Reas 1. Where there is no true faith there is no union with Christ no participation of the benefits which come unto us from the Lord Jesus but men are as withered branches dead members Rom. 11.20 whatsoever profession wee make of love to Christ of fellowship with Christ whatsoëver shews of goodness do appear yet if wee bee destitute of a lively faith wee build upon the sand our building will fall Matth. 7.24 2. There is no purity no sanctification no saving grace where the root is not there are no branches where there is no spring there are no streams it is faith that setteth the whole man a work in God's business it is the apprehension of God's promises which causeth us to cleans our selvs from sin 2 Cor. 7.1 it is the perswasion of God's goodness that leadeth us to repentance Rom. 2.4 it is our interest in Christ it is Christ's dwelling in us by faith Eph. 3.18 it is our participation of his fulness which giveth us victory of our corruption 1 John 5.4 it is the meditation and perswasion of what God hath done of what hee hath bestowed already of what hee hath provided to bestow this is that which causeth us to depart from every evil way 1 John 1 2 3. hence Acts 15.9 hence faith without works is said to bee dead James 2.17 not that the life of faith commeth from works but because works are second acts flowing from the life of faith and faith is said to bee made perfect by works James 2.22 not by essentiall perfection as the effect is perfected by the cause but by a complemental or filling perfection as the caus is perfected or made compleat in the production of its effect as the tree is made perfect in the bringing of fruit man in the generation of his like it is the nature of the perfection and excellency of faith to bee fruitfull and where this faith is not the soul is like a barren woman at best but like the tree in the Gospel 3. There is no love to God his word or people it is faith which joyneth us in wedlock with Christ that breedeth communion between us and God that maketh his word sweet and savory that maketh us delight in them that excell in virtue therefore Gal. 5.6 not that the efficacy of faith dependeth upon charity as the cause ground life and being to faith but that faith doth put forth and manifest its efficacy in the excitation and stirring up of love to God and his wayes so that where faith is not there â—s no love 4. There is no promiss of life for all the promises of God are to us thorough faith in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Acts 2.39 without this wee are aliens strangers and enemies Ephes 2.12 and wee have nothing to do with God's Covenant Psalm 50.16 wee have nothing to do with the fruit growing within the pale of this garden nothing to do with the bread on this table it belongeth not to the dogs but to the children 5. There is no sweetness no benefit no consolation to bee drawn from the Ordinances of God without faith they are as musick to a deaf ear as water to a vessel whole mouth is stopt as rain to the hard rock it doth not profit Heb. 4.2 6. Because without faith there is no shield to defend us from the darts of Satan no fence to keep us from the wild boar of the forrest no weapon to overcom the Prince of darkness no stone to beat down this great Goliah but wee are as a field without fence a city without wells a souldier without armor Ephes 6.16 1 Pet. 5.9 without this wee can do nothing so that unbelief separating us from Christ filling our hearts with uncleanness disabling us to love God excluding us from interest in God's promises making the Ordinances of God fruitless exposing us to all Satan's suggestions leaving us to bee led captive by him at his will it must needs follow that all unbelievers are hereby excluded from everlasting happiness Vse This presenteth before us the uncomfortable condition of all such as live in unbelief are not incorporated into Christ in whom the nature and life of true faith cannot bee found whose souls cleave not to God as the heart of a childe to his father as the heart of a wife cleaveth to her husband the heart of one brother or friend to another the heart of Jonathan to David 1 Sam. 18.2 for this is the nature and property of faith to cleav to God strongly affectionately feelingly with the full power of the soul Joshua 23.6 Acts 11.23 1 Cor. 6.17 to choose and rest upon the Testimonies of the Lord Psal 119.30 31. and such as do not in this manner believ they shall never see life whatsoever great and glorious things are revealed proffered promised they shall never enjoy them they are as fruit upon a high tree which they have no hand to reach as water in a deep well which they for want of a bucket cannot draw as the glorious sun to the blinde which for want of an eye they cannot behold to them there is no help of rest no promiss of bliss though the light of God's face bee better than life the presence of Christ bee delighfull as the shadow of a great tree though the Ordinances of God bee as marrow and fatness now Psalm 63.5 Isa 32.2 Cant. 2.3 Psal 65.5 and the ensuing comforts of Gods people a thousand fold more glorious yet unbelievers shall never taste hereof they are in bondage from whence is no freedom in a darkness where there shall never bee no any sunrising in a sickness out of which they shall never see a recovery for the Lord hath denied them all good things as 2 Kings 7.1 2. so whatsoëver Gods plenty or fulness bee to others yet his hand shall bee empty to unbelievers all his
By the delight it breedeth in the wayes of holines It hath made that which was once as an iron yoke to thy neck to become as a garment about thy back what was once as a thorney way to become a plain a smooth path what was once as a moate to thy eye is now become as the light a pleasant thing thereunto it is no more a trouble but meate and drinke to do thy Fathers will Iohn 4.34 Psal 40.8 1 John 5.3 all these places intimate as much Signe 3 By the firme Union holy Communion it doth work between Christ and thee it causeth thy heart to cleave to him as the heart of the bride cleaveth to the bridgroome as the stones in the building cleave unto the foundation with firmeness with affection it taketh thee out of the wild Olive and grafteth thee into the living vine it separateth thee from the World causeth thee to give a bill or divorce thereunto it maketh the World whom thou once entirely affected to become as a Husband that is dead and it doth contract thee unto Christ and whereas heretofore thou hast lived towards Christ as towards a stranger whom thou knewest not affectedst not regardedst not now you live to him as a wife to her Husband you know Christ converse with Christ open the secrecies of your Soul to him aske his counsell know the excellencie of his love towards you obey him delight in him meditate upon him study in all things how to please him Much more might be said but this will sufficiently discover it 4. Is the long continuance of the Gospel such a blessing then let us be carefull so to walke towards the Lord that it may shine like the Sun to the end of the World that it may be to us our posterity as an everlasting fountaine whose waters may never be dryed up that may shine like the fiery Pillar from one end of our jorney to another And for that end let us be carefull 1. To remove our transgressions far from us God will ever be our friend it we handle sin as an enemy if we cast this out of our bosome he will most graciously embrace us most abundantly communicate his mercies to us It is sin onely that causeth God to estrange himselfe from us to deprive us of his blessings the thornes and bryars occasion the Husbandman to withhold the soile from the vineyard the sower grapes cause God to pull down the hedge Isa 5.4 5 6. Ungodlines setteth God against us and us against his Ordinances if the Philistins love his Dagon the Arke cannot long continue if Ahab keep his resolution of going up to Ramoth Gilead Michaia shall surely lose his freedom 2. We must take heed of losing our first love we must not put our hand to the plough and look back we must not with Israel long again for the flesh-pots of Egypt but grow more and more in love with God and his wayes thirst more after Gods goodnes and God shall replenish you with his mercies 3. We must not grow weary of Gods Ordinances as Israel of their Manna as diseased stomacks of their food as soar eyes of the light as ulcerous bodies of a straite garment as bruised backs of a heavy burden But we must strive to take more delight and comfort therein to feel more sweetnes to perceive more efficacy to find a greater stability of faith thereby wrought The longer a man travelleth in the heate of the Sun the more his body is warmed the longer a man doth exercise in any trade the more contentement and delight he findeth in it make it then your delight Isa 58.13 14. Hunger and you shall be fed seek and you shall find But if we grow weary of the Ordinances as they in Amos 8.5 The Lord will remove the Ordinances as in vers 11. 4. We must not oppose reproach nor disgrace the Messengers of the Lord abuse the Kings Messengers he will send no more When Hanun abused his Messengers he sent no more in Kindnes abuse the Physitian and thou maist languish without cure Acts 13.45 46. Mar. 6.11 Let then their feet be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Let him be as one of a thousand Job 33.23 5. We must bring forth the fruits of the Gospel let it be as seed sowne in good ground as soile about the rootes of a good tree as milk from the Mothers breasts making the child grow 1 Pet. 2.2 Lastly Is the long continuance thereof such a blessing then the taking away thereof must needs be a curse if the one be a testimony of Gods favour the other must needs be a testimony of Gods anger Therefore likened to a famine what greater punishment than to be deprived of bodily sustenance Likened to the extinguishing of the light what more uncomfortable than to be left in darkenes This is our weapon what more dangerous than for a man to be left without any instrument of defence in the midst of his enemies These are the wells whence we draw the waters of salvation what more lamentable than to stop up the running streams which water the adjoyning countrey Therefore wretched is the condition of that people where this Lamp doth not shine of that vineyard where these dewes do not distill heavy is Gods indignation upon the people whose ears hear not the sound of the Gospel But more than miserable is the estate of such as have it and do not regard it The last thing here considerable is his action his work what he did He baptized not that he did it by his one hands but by others as appeareth in that place John 4.1 2. Yet he is said to do it To teach us Doct. That the efficacy of the Sacrament is not from the Minister but from Christ the Ordainer he must be a Minister called and Sanctified of God thereunto that doth administer it But yet it is the Lord that giveth efficacy unto it Moses smiteth the rock but it is the Lord that standeth before him and causeth the water to gush out Exod. 17.6 The Priests and the People compasse the walls of Jericho and sound the rams hornes but it is the Lord doth overthrow the citie Iosuah 6.16 It is Paul plants c. but God that giveth the encrease 1 Cor. 3.6 And this the Baptist acknowledged Math. 3.11 Reas 1 Because the ministers are but the instruments God is the chief agent they are but the rod in the hand of God the power is not mans but the Lords as in another case it is spoken 2 King 6.27 So if God do not help we cannot Our duty is to use the means it is Gods goodnes and mercy to give the blessing as Prov. 21.31 The Horse is prepared against the day of battle but salvation is of the Lord so faithfull and able ministers must be provided but yet the Lord giveth the blessing 1 Cor. 3.5 Reas 2 Because it is not mans but Gods Ordinance and the efficacy of every Ordinance dependeth
But sound repentance like Moses will carry away all not leave so much as a hoof behind even the dearest sinnes as deare as an Idoll to the Idolater shall be removed Isa 30.22 Sinnes as pleasant as the body shall be rejected Math. 5. vers 29. 3. Hereby we shall shew the life and power of our obedience and subjection to the will of God when we subject our selves to him in all things When with Abraham we put our knife to the throat of our onely Isack if God command it that obedience is true which is universall An obedient servant observeth every Lawfull precept a loyall subject conformeth to every Lawfull injunction of his Soveraign Jesurod will doe many things Jehu will kill Baals Priests and overthrow his idols but he will still adore the Calfe in Dan and Bethel It is Asa that putteth away the idols of all the Land that removeth his owne mother because an Idolater 2 Cron. 15.8 12 15 16. 4. Hereby we shall discover the strength of our love to God when no sin is so deare but our love to Gods will constraine us to renounce it as dung When no duty is so irksome to flesh and blood but we will gladly do it Therefore Iohn 14.23 Christ sets it downe as a note of love the keeping his Words You may remember what Dalilah said to Sampson Iudg. 16.15 So how canst thou say thou lovest God if thy heart be not with him if thou reserve any sin which God hateth if thou turne thy feet from any duty which God commandeth 5. Hereby we shall give God occasion to take much delight in us as a Master in a Servant observing all his precepts as a Gardner in a tree whereof every limbe is richly loaden a Generall in an army whereof every souldier is wel armed experienced ready and succesfull in the battell This universall Reformation and obedience is a very sweet Sacrifice to God 1 Sam. 15. To obey is better than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rammes Prov. 11.20 Such as are upright in their way are his delight 6. Hereby we shall find much delight in Gods Ordinances as a healthy stomack in food as a sound body in a warme garment as David in the Arke 2 Sam. 6.16 As the Wisemen in the starre Math. 2.10 Then their feet indeed will be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Then Christs mouth will be lovely indeed Cant. 5.16 Then they will be well able to say as Saul did 1 Sam. 15.13 Blessed be thou of the Lord I have performed the commandement of the Lord. 7. Hereby we shall have much peace in our consciences they shall be as an eye that hath no mote to trouble it as a Kingdom that hath no rebell to annoy it as a Ship that hath no leake to disturbe it Psalm 119.165 Great peace have they that keep thy Law and nothing shall offend them as in Exod. 11.7 Not a Dog moved his tongue against them So what barking soever their be without their shall be tranquility within and that not a little but much Isa 48.18 as 2 Cron. 15.15 Therefore be diligent be vigilant be carefull get the whole man to be Baptized get thy heart Baptized that Math. 5.19 it may be no more the fountain of murders adulteries false witnesses blasphemies Get thy tongue Baptized that it may be no more as a fire of iniquity a defiler of the whole body a setter on fire of the course of nature c. Iames 3.6 8. Get thy hands Baptized that they may labour working the things that are good Eph. 4.28 Psalm 26.6 Get all the faculties of thy Soul Baptized that thou maist see the things belonging to thy peace that Eph. 3.18 Thou mayst be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height breadth length depth and to know the love of Christ c. That thou mayst love Dutr. 6.5 6. the Lord with all thy heart c. That thou mayst chose the good and hate the evill that Rom. 6.13 thou yeild not thy members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin but yeild your selves to God c. That thou mayst deale with thy sin as Iosuah with the men of Ai Jos 8.26 Draw not back thy hand till all thy sins be destroyed Doe as Caleb did Ios 14.9 Wholly follow the Lord thy God follow him fully and then as Moses promiseth him surely the Land wherein thy feet hath trodden shall be thine inheritance and thy childrens for ever So in the name of the Lord Iesus will I promise thee that all the great and glorious things whereof thou hast heard all the peace joy glory whereof the Word of the Lord doth make relation it shall be all thine for ever and ever 5. The last thing herein noted was the wisedome of the Baptist in making choise of the most convenient place for his purpose such a place where was much water a place commodious for Baptisme Teaching us Doctr. That Ministers ought to make choise of the most convenient places for the execution of their office Where their is hope of doing most good of bringing most glory unto God As Fisher men make choise of such places in the water where in all probability their is most fish to be taken so must these Fishers of men Math. 4.19 Cast in the draw-net of the Gospel where there is hope of drawing most Souls unto God out of the gulph of sin The Husbandman soweth his seed in the soile which is likely to bring forth the best crop so must these spirituall Husbandmen 1 Cor. 3.9 Sow the seed of Gods Word among such people as like good ground will receive it and bring forth the fruits of it Math. 13.24 Hence Prov. 9.34 5. Wisedome is said to send forth her maidens to cry upon the highest places of the city c. They went not into blind corners where was little or no people but on high places therfore are those places Acts 18.10 Acts 13.46 47. Iohn 7.37 Psalm 40.9 10. The grounds of the point are these Reas 1 Because they are the light of the world Math. 5.14 John 5.35 The light is not set under a bushell or in an obscure corner of the house but on high in an eminent place Math. 5.15 Reas 2 Because hereby they shall make it appeare that they seek not their owne case or private comodity but the honour of God the good of mens Souls the increase of Christs Kingdome according to the generall charge 1 Cor. 10.24 The Apostles practise vers 33. The contrary whereto is generally practised Philip. 2.21 Reas 3 Because hereby they shall make the Gospel more glorious the more eyes behold the light the more it is esteemed the more largely the Sea doth convey her streams the more her fullnes is commended the more heare it the more the goodnes of God and riches of his grace is commended the more men are convinced made excuseless and if they convert not God in their condemnation shall
15. for Isa 55.1 As the cloud freely poureth down his raine upon the thirsty ground so doth God his blessings upon the thirsty Souls of men blessings of every kind both spirituall and temporall of the right hand and of the lest are freely bestowed touching blessings of the most eminent nature our Saviour speaketh Rev. 22.17 touching favours of inferiour condition Psal 104.28 Yea the very wicked drink of the water of this Fountaine and are relieved by the bounty of this hand Iob 22.18 So that the Apostles question may well be proposed to every person 1 Cor. 4.17 and the reason hereof is Reas 1 Because God is the Fountaine of all goodness all blessings are in his store house he is the vine whereon all the grapes grow which nourish our Souls bodies he is the Sun which giveth us light the nurse whose breasts afford us refreshment the Olive tree which filleth our Lamp full of Oile this Nehemiah doth acknowledge Neh. 9.25 Psal 68.9 10. and thus the Prophet ascribeth all the welfare of Gods people to his goodnes Zach. 9.15 16 17. Reas 2 Because we cannot claime nor challenge any blessing or favour at the hands of God we have forfeited all by our sin Ephes 2.12 All things are become impure Tit. 1.15 We have broken the Covenant and have made forfeyture of all we did enjoy so that we can lay claime to nothing by vertue of any promise from God till we be in Christ according to that of the Prophet Hos 2.19 20 21 22. Reas 3 Because the whole praise of all we enjoy belongeth unto God Rom. 11.36 1 Cor. 1.30 31. so 1 Cor. 4.6 7. This is a jewell of which God will not suffer himselfe to be robbed the onely thing that God aimeth at in all his works Isai 42.5 6 7 8. Use This therefore overthroweth the proud and insolent Babel of Popish merit challenging eternall life and glory as a wages due to their labours as a fruit growing upon the trees of their owne planting a harvest arising from a vineyard of their owne manuring for thus they teach Opera bona justorum ex seipsis absque ullo pacto acceptatione digna esse remnueratione vitae eternae 2. Operibus iustorum nullum dignitatis accrementum provenire ex meritis aut persona Christi c. Whereas the Baptist a man of a more sanctified Spirit and profound judgment than any sly and subtle Jesuite taught his disciples that a man could receive nothing unles it were given not merited and whatsoever these Româ—sh Doctours do now teach their Apostatized Romans yet Paul a chosen vessel of God a man that was extraordinarily converted richly endued with the grace of the Spirit in labour more abundaÌ„t than any other Apostle taught the Romans of his time that the wages of sin was death but the gift of God was eternall life Rom. 6.23 and our Saviour taught his Disciples Luc. 17.10 Whereupon Hierome si inutilis qui fecit omnia quid de illo dicendum qui explere non potuit and St Paul teacheth that not onely the actions but the passions also added thereunto hold no proportion of condignity with life eternall Rom. 8.18 For should we be able to merit eternall life by our works win the crowne by our owne strength then we should turne the fountaine of Gods favour into a well without water where should there be any place for Gods bounty If we could merit and make salvatioÌ„ a due debt then Christ should have spent his labours borne the heavy burthen of afflictioÌ„s undergone the ignominy of the crosse shed his blood in vaine Gal. 2.21 Then there should be no more place for grace Rom. 11.6 Non est in quo gratia intret ubi meritum jam occupavit Bernard in Cant. Ser. 67. therefore Ephes 2 8. and yet we do not take away the reward because we deny the merit of good works for in the keeping of Gods commandements Psa 19.11 and Prov 11.18 But the question is whence he that soweth must expect to reape so great and sure a harvest whether from Gods justice which he must do if he stand upon merit or from his mercy as a recompence freely bestowed out of Gods gracious bounty and not injustice due for the worth of the work performed which question the Prophet Hosea hath sufficiently resolved Hos 10.12 The Lord doth crowne his graces adding an encrease to that which he hath given and inabled us well to use Psal 62.12 giving an encrease of glory according to the measure of grace bestowed so that originally and in it selfe this reward proceedeth merely from Gods free bounty mercy but accidentally in regard God hath bound himselfe by his Word and promise to comferr such a reward so it proveth after a sort an act of justice as 1 Joh. 1.9 The thing promised is free and by us undeserved and if God should faile in performance yet do us no wrong but wrong himselfe and therefore Canaan was called a Land of promise not of merit Dut. 9.5 Neh. 9 8. Ja. 1.12 2 Tim. 4.8 Not just because of our merit but because of Gods promise therefore Augustine fidelis homo est credens promittenti Deo fidelis Deus exhibens quod promisit homini teneamus fidelissimu debitorem quia tenemus misericordissimum promissorem Vse 2 Is every good blessing Gods gift doth it all come from heaven then in all our wants let us addresse our selves to God Whatsoever we want let us seek it at the Lords hand let us not go to Endor Baalzebub Aegypt or Assyria as if there were no God in Israel as if there were no Oile in Gods Lamp no strength in Gods arme no light left in the Sun or his favour let us not go to broaken cisternes but say with Peter Ioh. 6.68 this is that we are commanded to do Amos 5.4 5 6. It is at the Lords gate that we must knocke one begger doth not make supplication at another beggers doore but at the gates of the rich what are all creatures in respect of God but beggars they have no water in their owne wells but what distilleth from the cloud of Gods bounty therefore Mat. 7.7 8. the Lords eares open to heare his hands are open to relieve Exo. 22.23 Though Baal be deafe and cannot heare his suppliants yet the God of Israel will surely attend to the cry of his people let us silence out crying sins let us turne our feet into the path of Gods precepts and the Lord shall heare our requests Job 22.23 to 28. Let us in the sence of our wants in the humility of our Souls draw nigh unto the Lord and then Psa 102.17 Let us pour out our Souls before the Lord as the full clouds do their raine let us cry out as a woman in travell and though we were as dead men yet we shall live Isa 26.16 17 19. Let us not waver but believe we shall obtaine Ia. 16. Let us come
to hide it under the bushell to the seed to withhold it from the earth II. We rob our selves of the comfort we might enjoy in the good inployment of our received Talent Gods service well performed is comfortable not onely when it is finished but even in the very performance of it Paul and Silas sung before they had the crown even while they were in prison c. 2 Cor. 1.12 It is a joy to the husbandman to see the Corn spring though long before the harvest a comfort whereof the sluggard is utterly deprived III. We expose our selves to an utter deprivation of what we have received the one Talent was taken from him that did not imploy it and it is generally threatned from him that hath not shall be taken away even what he hath c. Prov. 11.24 IV. We discover our selves to be altogether vile and evill it is evill ground that after much soile and seed is full of weeds a corrupt body that after much Physicking is more diseased therefore Mat. 25.26 7. This teacheth us to waite and depend upon God for every good thing and in the use of means to seek to God by prayer for a blessing for as his goodness giveth us the means so his providence must make them effectuall for our benefit thus Jehosaphat's eyes were towards the Lord for help in the day of distress 2 Chro. 20.12 Thus David would not look to the earth and seek for help among the things there below but Psal 5.3 Thus the Prophet would have them look unto the promise which God had made to their fore-fathers Isai 511 2. and the Psalmist Psa 44.5 6. Thus Nehemiah used means but prayed unto God for a blessing Neh. 4.9 and this even Joab had respect unto 2 Sam. 10.12 and indeed without this Psal 127.1 2. 8. This must stirre up the hearts of men to love and praise God every man according to that which God hath bestowed upon him according to the number and the measure of our graces must be our thankfulnes we have nothing but it is the Lords gift and many are his favours challenging thankfulness from us the Donation of his Sonne Joh. 3.16 the giving of his Word Ier. 3.15 the separating of us from the workers of darknes 1 Pet. 2.9 saith in his promises Ioh. 6.29 peace of conscience forgiveness of sin sence of Gods love with every other good grace they are all the gifts of God 1 Cor 2â—1 We were not worthy of any of this but deserved the coÌ„trary when we deserved death the Lord gave us life when we sate in darknes and the shadow of death and were worthy to be so left then did God send us light Mat. 4.16 When we were in bondage the Lord made us free when we lay like the man between Jericho and Jerusalem robbed wounded Luc. 10.30 then did God like the mercifull Samaritan help us when the Leprosy of sin had altogether overspread us then did the Lord wash us in the Jordan of his Sonnes blood 1 Ioh. 1.7 when we could expect nothing but everlasting burnings then God turned his consuning fire into a shining Sun our tempestuous Sea into a calme River our Hell into a Paradise and oh that we had hearts to love him laud him delight in him for this his goodnes and mercy towards us 9. Lastly this serveth for the great comfort of the Children of God every good thing is in their Fathers hand he that loveth them is the Lord of all things Psa 23. therefore they may rest themselves assured that they shall never want any good thing were these things in the hand of any stranger they might in the hand of an enemy they surely should lack them but now since all things are in the hand of God be sure of this I. God will give you the best things though Ismael have the movables Isaac hath the inheritance if Esaa have the fatnes of the earth yet Jacob shall have the birth-right if profane men have what the bodily eye doth see yet 1 Cor. 2 9. II. You shall have a competency that which shall give contentment Phil. 4.11 You shall have such peace therewith as will make the coursest dirt more pleasant than the danitiest feast Prov. 15.15 III. You shall have that which God doth see to be best for you as a loving Physitian a wise father giveth what is best for his child for his patient so will our wise loving God do for us VERS 28. THe matter contained in these Words hath been already opened for the most part onely here we may observe I. A reprehension of that particular sin whereof they were guilty II. How hardly men are brought to the knowledge of the truth being once possessed with prejudice III. The desire of Gods people to have all the glory given unto Christ not to rob him of the least part of it The first of this will teach us Doctr. That Gods Ministers must reprove the peculiar and particular sins of their hears the Physican doth apply to the particular diseases of his patient the gardiner reacheth the hands to the weeds which are most noysome thus Isa 58.1 and 2 Sam. 12.11 12. Mar. 6.20 Acts 2 36. Reas 1 Because these sins are most dangerous it is the predominant disease that threatneth the dissolution of the body Reas 2 Because this will awaken the conscience convince the judgment lead unto repentance 1 Sam. 15.14 19. When the Lot was cast on Achan than he confessed so 2 Sam. 12.13 Vse 1 Therefore Ministers must acquaint themselves thoroughly with the state of the people search into their particular diseases as Physitians try the estate of their patients marriners look to the state of their ships builders the decayed places of the house and accordingly prepare their exhortations for the convincing of the obstinate informing of the ignorant awakening of the secure reclaiming of them that stray 2 Tim. 3.16 and consolation of the dejected thus as they are stiled so shall they shew themselves seers stewards Physitians guides lights and thus Ier. 15.19 Vse 2 This must cause the people to be patient willing thankfull to hear their particular sins discovered reproved as they would have the disease of their body launced the breaches of their houses repaired Ps 141.5 1 King 18.21 Heb. 13.23 The second point teacheth us Doctr. That men are hardly brought to the knowledge of the truth when once they are possessed with prejudice against it these men were perswaded that the Baptist was the Christ they would not be driven from it though he plainely told them he was not Mat. 13.56 57. Ioh. 7.52 By this means things appear in other colours than indeed they are as to him that looketh thorough a glasse of a red colour things seeme to be of a red colour therefore let us take heed that this weed arise not stand not in the garden of our hearts quench it like fire destroy it like stubble Isa 20 8. Psa 57.3.17 Let us
by our conversion to Christ and conjunction with him we become as a vineyard sowne with much seed as a Mother of many Children plentifull in the grace of the Spirit Isai 54.1 2 3. And the Church is filty resembled to a Wife 1. In regard of her subjection as the Wife is subject to the Husband so must the Church be subject unto Christ in all things Ephes 5.24 she must not live as she list make lawes of her owne forget like a harlot the guide of her youth but she must follow Christ Mat. 17.5 He hath all authority and power given him all is made subject to him 2. In regard of affection as the Wife loveth the Husband so must our hearts adhere to Christ he must be in our eye the fairest of ten thousand we must be sicke of love Cant. 5.10 so love him as to leave all for him Psal 45.10 11. Luc. 18.28 Mat. 10.39 3. In regard of chast reservation of our selves as the Wife must reserve her selfe for her Husband so must the Church reserve herselfe from all others from seducers from the world from the devill from the flesh Mat. 4.10 The want of this much provoketh God and breedeth grievous afflictions Hos 2.6 7. Vse 1 Is Christ the Husband of his Church is he joyned in spirituall wedlocke with them then this may assure all Gods faithfull servants that Jesus Christ doth beare a singular love and fervent affection to them a love that passeth the love of women as David said of Ionathans love a love most sweet most pleasant most wonderfull a love wherewith we cannot but be much affected if we looke 1. Upon the order of it Christ loved us first as the aire heated by the Sun is hot so Christ loveth us before we love him 1 Ioh. 4.19 The savour of his good ointments in our nostrill draw love from us Cant. 1.2 He seeketh us as a Shepheard the straying Sheep Isai 65.1 He woeth and inviteth us before we think of coming to him Matth. 22.4 2. The freedome of his love there was nothing in us why he should love us we were void of all spirituall beauty and comelines a barren wildernes an unsavoury carkasse a garden altogether overspread with weeds unworthy of any love deserving all hatred Ezek. 16.6 therefore Hos 14.4 5. Rom. 5.8 3. Upon the truth of his love he did not love in word and in tongue onely but in heart and in deed also his love was not a painted but a reall fire not an empty well but a full streame he loved us not for any by or base end but for our good for Ephes 5.25 26. Ioh. 15.13 4. The quality of his love it is a pure and heavenly love a love fastnying it selfe chiefly upon the Soule a love respecting our spirituall and everlasting good a love causing him to sanctify us to make us vessels of honours to wash away the Leprosy of our Souls in the Jordan of his blood Tit. 3.4 5. 5. The quantity or measure of his love it was not a little sparkle a small streame but a fire of much wood a strong flood a love that cannot be paralelled Joh. 10.11 Joh. 15.13 6. The continuance of his love it is not like a morning dew that soone vanisheth like a fire in straw which soone extinguisheth like a tree of no roots that quickly withereth but the love of Christ is a constant love like a living fountaine alwayes flowing a Sun never setting the fire on the Altar alwayes burning a love more permanent than the mountaines Isa 54.10 for Jerem. 31.3 and Joh. 13.1 7. The fruits of his love no such grapes grow on any vine no such flowers as these in any garden no Bridegroome bestoweth such rich tokens of love as Christ doth on his spouse Ezek. 16.9 10 11. In his love he raiseth us out of the grave of sin to a new life Ephes 2.5 as he raised Lazarus Joh. 11.44 In his love he maketh us conquerours Rom. 8.37 In his love he hath made himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us Ephes 5.2 In his love he hath reconciled us to God given us interest in all good things filled us with much consolation 2 Thes 2.16 Washed us from our sin Tit. 3.4 5. Rev. 1.5 6. The consideration of all which should much affect our hearts like a burning Sun melt away the icy coldnes which is within us like a powerfull load-stone it should draw our hearts againe to love him like a musicall instrument sweetly tuned it should much affect us like sweet wine it should make our hearts cheerfull and fill us abundantly with love againe to him Vse 2 This must teach wicked men to take heed that they abuse not Gods Children and Servants that they wound them not with the venomous arrowes of reproach that they lay not on them the heavy burthen of affliction Christ is their Husband loveth them most entirely and therefore will surely be avenged on them that wrong them as a Husband on him that abuseth his Wife as David 1 Sam. 30.17 so will the Lord discover his indignation against them that abuse his people therefore likened to a jealous man Zach. 1.14 15. he will plead the cause of his people Isai 51.22 23. as Sampson Iud. 15.7 8. so will God on them that wrong such at have betrothed themselves to him they are deare to God Zach. 2.8 they are his Jewells Mal. 3.17 He will not endure that to be abused and cast into the dirt they are his flocke he is their Shepheard Psal 80.1 and as 1 Sam. 17.34 35. so will God deale with them that prey upon the lambs of his fold thus Pro. 11.8 though the Lord let them alone for awhile to correct and humble his people yet as the Goldsmith extinguisheth the fire when the Gold hath been thoroughly purged so will God Isai 10.12 Though the Lord spare till their sin be ripe yet at length as Isai 13.8 so though they are as a rod to scourge Gods people yet the Lord at length will breake them in pieces Isa 14 5 6 7. thus Ier. 30.16 17. as Adoni-bezek said Iud. 1.7 so shall wicked men say at last as I have dealt with Gods people so hath the Lord dealt with mee Zech. 1.18 19 20. They that cast the three Children into the fire were burned they that caused Daniel to be cast into the Lions den were themselves devoured of the Lions Dan. 3.22 Pharaoh that pursued Israel was swallowed in the red Sea Dan. 6.24 Therefore let every man take heed how he reach his hand or open his mouth against the people of God Exo. 14. how he touch the Lords anointed or do his Prophets any harme 1 King 13.4 Psal 105.15 Vse 3 This must cause all Gods people all that professe communion with Christ to yeeld an internall externall universall cheerfull hearty and spirituall obedience unto him as a carefull and respective wife to the Husband not as a slave to a tyrant not as a servant to
deceitfulness of sin Reas 4 Because we shall hereby much advance the Gospell and promote the welfare of Christs Kingdom the hiddē mysterie of Godliness shall be the more plainly opened the wayes of life more clearily manifested our bretherens understanding the better informed their cold hearts the more inflamed their unclean affections the more thoroughly purged their feeble faiths the better strengtned the good things of Gods Word the more sweetly relished The often speaking of this language makes it the better understood the often sounding of this Trumpet doth awaken the conscience the more throughly the often shining of this light doth make the way appear the more plain we can in nothing more honour the Gospell or benefit our bretheren than in seeking to perfect their conversion Vse This condemneth our negligence and sloathfulnes our dulnes and backwardnes in doing good in seeking the salvation of our bretheren How many places come we unto where we doe no good how often are we among our bretheren never labouring the welfare of their Souls what more frequent with us than like the Priest and Levite passing between Jericho and Jerusalem never reaching out the hand to help them that lye wounded with sin Luk. 10. to see them erre and not instruct them to see them sorrowfull and not comfort them to see them barren in grace never labouring to make them fruitfull Where is the Disciple that imitateth his Saviour in doing of good continually as he goeth up and down Where is the man that with Mordecay Esther 10.3 that seeketh the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed who with Nehemiah seeketh the welfare of Israel as it is in Neh. 2.10 Who is it that with Iob becoms eyes to the spiritually blind feet to the spiritually lame Iob 29.15 I was saith he eyes to the blind and feet to the lame c. Who is it that becometh a Father to the poor searching out the state of there Souls that breaketh the jawes of sin and plucketh the spoiled Soule out of the teeth of Sathan as Iob did in another case vers 16.17 of that 29. Iob I was saith he a Father to the poor and the cause which I knew not I searched out And I brake the jawes of the wicked and plucked the spoil out of his teeth Whose bowells are so full of compassion to his bretheren that fitteth and prepared himself to cloath there Souls as Dorcas prepared garments to cloath there bodies Acts. 9.39 Who is it that seeketh his straying bretheren as the Shepheard his wandring sheep Eze. 34.12 Where is the Father in Law that with Lot Gen. 19.14 speakes to his sonnes in Law saying Vp get you out of this place for the Lord will destroy this Citie Where is the Father that with David gives incouragment to his children to go on in the Lords Work 1. Cron. 28.9 to know God and serve him with a perfect heart and willing minde Where is the Master of the family that with Abraham commands his houshold to keep the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgment Gen. 18.19 Where is the Minister that holdes not his peace day nor night that makes mention of the Lord and keepeth not Silence That gives him not rest till he establish and make Ierusalem a Praise in the earth as it is in Isa 62.6.7 Where is the bountifull Christian that doth in Spirituall things as Solomon chargeth we should do in temporall Ecl. 7. Who is he that cometh as Abigal to David 1. Sa. 25.25 28. Who redeemeth the time Who seeketh opportunity who imbraceth the offered occasions to do good If we examine our selves we may all lay our hands up our mouths and confess our selves guilty we have all more or lesse withheld the waters which should have refreshed the thirsty the light which should have guided the ignorant the food which should have fed the hungry the staff which should have sustained the weary c. And as long as we are thus slothfull and backward in this behalf it doth discover 1. That we have no bowels of compassion towards our bretheren Who can see his brother taken prisoner by the Prince of darkness led away captive in his chain wounded to the death with sin pressed down under the heavy burden of iniquity stript naked of the rich and pretious garment of true holines altogether defiled with the dirt and slime of Sin if he have any compassion in him and not seek to deliver him how can he chose but pray as the Church Act. 12.3 4 5 6. endeavour as the angell vers the 7.8 Shall Abram raise an army to deliver Lot Gen. 14.14 Will God have men to shew such compassion to an enemies oxe or asse Exo. 23.4 5. How much more to the Souls of our bretheren captivated by Sathan led astray by or sunke under the burden of sin surely this is the truest compassion the sweetest mercy the best kindnes to help the Souls of our brother out of the snare of Sathan according to that of St. Iude vers 22.23 And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with feare pulling them out of the fire c. Men think all the mercy appeareth in giving food for the belly apparell for the back but what is lands and revenews to one confined to perpetuall imprisonment what is food to the diseased who needeth Physick what mercy is this to trim the house and leave the inhabitant in prison I may say as the Lord in Isa 58.5 6 7. Is it such a fast as I have chosen a day for a man to afflict his soule Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush to spread sack-cloth and ashes under him willt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bandes of wickednes to undo the hevy burdens and to let the oppressed go free and that ye breake every yoke Is it not to deale thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thy one flesh So is this the compassion the Lord looks on for a man now and then to feed cloth the hungry naked body is not this the compassion the Lord looks at to help thy brother off with his wicked bands to undo his heauy burdens to break his yokes c. 2. That we have no hearty and sanctified affection to our bretheren How can we say we love them if we seek not to remove sin from them read that place Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer sin upon him The love of Christ appeared not in making his servants rich or advancing them to worldly dignities for they are for the most part a poor despised people as it is in Zeph. 3.13 But his love appeared
31.18 19 20. and Rom. 7.24 3. They cannot be separated from sin if Naaman go not into Jordan he cannot be cleansed 2 King 5. if the fan be not used the chaffe corne cannot be severed Math. 3.12 read also Iohn 15.3 and Ier. 23.29 4. They can never have experience of the happy estate of Gods servants of the good things that he hath provided for them that love him of the sweetnes of his Ordinances these cannot be as Psal 46.4 A river the streams whereof make glad the heart But as waters in a sealed fountaine these cannot be as Eccl. 11 7. Light which is sweet and pleasant But as light under a bushell as a treasure under the earth as an unknown language They cannot say with Ieremiah in the 15 Ier. 16. nor with David in the 119. Psal 72. 5. Their Consciences can never be truely pacified for the publication of reconciliation is by the ministrey as 2 Cor. 5.20 the stormy and tempestuous Sea of a troubled soule cannot be quieted they cannot be assured they shall be saved Rom. 10.17 Eph. 1.13 14. The streams of Gods loving kindnes flow not with an equall fullnes into all corners of the earth To some God affordeth his mercies his blessings spirituall as a river of great strength of much depth running for many ages together to others as a weake streame a shallow brooke soone dryed among some he erecteth the meanes of life as a Lamp full of oile giving much light shinnig very long to others as a Lamp with little oile giving a slender light soone gone out to some the means of life are as a Sommers day cleare glorious of long continuance to others as a Winters day more obscure more short as Joseph in the distribution of his meat and apparell among his bretheren gave five times as much to Benjamin as to any other of his bretheren So our God in the distribution of the meanes of life giveth five times as much to some nations to some particular places as to others Thus our Saviour in the first beginning of his ministry passed by Jerusalem like a traveller making a very small stay but in the Land of Judaea he tarried as a sojourner making a longer stay among them revealing himself more fully unfolding the mysterie of salvation more plainly from whence we may gather this Doct. 4 That the long continuance of the faithfull ministery of the Gospell is a very great blessing to any people As the continuance of the fiery Pillar was a great blessing to Israel Exod. 40.38 So is the continuance of the fiery and shining Pillar of the Gospell to all that are appointed to travell from Aegypt to Canaan As the continuance of the light shining in Goshen was a great blessing to Israel when Aegypt sat in darknes Exod. 10.23 So is the continuance of the light to any Nation or particular person or assembly when others are left in ignorance This is apparent by Gods gracious and comfortable promise made to the Gentiles Isa 60.11 20. Therefore the gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their Kings may be brought vers 20. The Sun shall no more go down neither shall the Moon withdraw it self for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light and the dayes of thy mourning shall be at an end And also to the Jewish Church as some conceive under the new Testament Isa 62.6 7. I have set Watch-men upon thy walls O Jerusalem which shall never hold their Peace day nor night ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence and give no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth And this doth God put into the hand of his Church as a burning Lampe to give her light in the darke night of affliction Isa 30.20 21. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy teachers and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left The reasons of the point are these Reas 1 Because it is a peculiar testimony of Gods love a powerfull argument of his mercy towards us in Christ A surer a sweeter a richer testimony of his favour than if he did turn the shallow streame of our outward prosperity into a deep river the barren tree of our earthly abilities into a fruitfull vine loaden from the top to the bottome with the choicest grapes As Abrahams reservation of the inheritance for Isaac was a greater Testimony of his favour than if he had given hin all the moveables bestowed on Ismael So Gods donation of the ministry of the Gospell the means of life eternall is a far greater favour than if he had given all the moveable and mutable wealth of the world Earthly things are but as favours bestowed upon a servant but the Gospell is a Jewell peculiar to the wise Jer. 3.14 15. Turn O Back-sliding children saith the Lord for I am married to you and I will take you one of a citie and two of a family and I will bring you to Zyon and I will give you Pastours according to my heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding read also Isa 62.5 6. Reas 2 Because it is a gracious argument of Gods comfortable presence as the continuance of the fiery Pillar of the Arke were a blessed Signe of Gods presence among the men of Israel So is the continuance of the light of the Gospell unto us Where sacred assemblies are according to Gods Ordinance continued there Christ is present Math. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them and Rev. 1.13 in the midst of the 7 golden Candlesticks one like unto the Sonne of man cloathed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle Mat. 28.19 20. I am with you to the end of the world As the tree of life in the midst of the garden so is Christ in the middest of such assemblies affording them food and nourishment unto life eternall Reas 3 Because it is a peculiar end of Christs resurection a singular benefit of his ascension As it is a singular benefit of the rising of the Sun in the Firmament to give light to the inferiour parts of the world So it is a singular benefit of the ascending of the Sonne of righteousnes to give light to them that sit in darkenes He did not rise he did not astend to endow his flowers with earthly riches to make them rulers over nations but he ascended to pour the grace of his Spirit to endow men with graces to instruct his people as you have it Eph. 4.8 11 12. and John 16.13
upon the ordainer of it Why are the waters of Jordan more effectuall than the waters of Abana and Parphar to wash away the Leaprosy of Naaman but because God hath ordained them thereunto 2 King 5.10 Why should Moses Rod divide the waters rather than another staff but because the Lord hath commanded it to be used he ordaineth it and maketh it to accomplish that whereunto he doth send it Isa 55.10.11 Reas 3 Because all the Ordinances of God do receive their vertue saving power from Gods Spirit The waters in Bethesda can do nothing unles the Angel move them John 5.4 The Philistines can never unfold Sampsons riddle unles they plough with his heifer Judg. 14.18 Let God withhold his Spirit the Word will be as a sealed book which we cannot understand you may read that the wisdome and understanding of the Word is by the Spirit Eph. 1.17 So John 16.13 Let God withhold his Spirit and the Word will be a killing letter 2 Cor. 3.6 And for the Sacrament that will be as a shell without a kernell as a dry tree without fruit as a fountaine shut up Vse This must give incouragment to the Lords Ministers though the work be difficult the burden heavy the taske great the opposition strong the hinderances many their armes weak their abilities no way answearable to the work Yet the Lords arme is strong the Lords eye is cleare he is every way sufficient he will make his Ordinances effectuall he will do great things by weak instruments Psal 8.2 Babes and sucklings our one weaknes must not so much dishearten as Gods power must give incouragment to us The consideration of Gods alsufficiency must make us pass through all difficulties with confidence chearfulnes and much courage Though we are as empty vessels yet in God is fulnes though it be a taske to hard for any humane strength a burden to heavy for the shoulders of the very Angels a labour which no created power can accomplish Yet the Lord having given us commission he may look on us and say as he did to Gideon in another case Iud. 6.14 Go you messengers of the Lord of Hosts you that are full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgment and of might Mic. 3.8 Go on in this your might and ye shall save the chosen of the Lord out of the hands of their enemies have not I the Lord sent you and if any reply as Gideon did Iud. 6.15 O my Lord how shall I convert how shall I save this people behold I am weak and fraile a Lamp wherein is little Oile an arme wherein is small strength the most unworthy among the many thousands that beare thy name Yet as the Lord answered Gideon vers 16. So will he answer us surely I will be with thee I will guide assist incourage thee and thou shall smite down the sin of the people as one man thus Ier. 1.6 7 8. and Isa 49.2 Like a sword to peirce open prick and wound the consciences of men Hid me in the shadow of his hand protected me against the snares of men and hath made me as a polished arrow to peirce deeply and speedily into the hearts of the people And since it is the Lords work the faithfull messengers of God the leaders of his army may say one unto another as Ioab did to Abishai his Brother 2 Sam. 10.12 Be strong and let us be valiant for our people and for the Cities of our God and let the Lord doe that which is good in his eyes 2. Since God giveth the efficacy the ministers must take heed that they go not in their name bragging and boasting like the great Goliah of their owne abilities presuming like the Sonnes of Sheva without any commission from God to cast out the uncleane Spirit least as Goliah so they be foiled in the battel least as on the Sonnes of Sheva so the uncleane Spirit leape upon them and prevaile against them But as David went against the great Goliah not in his owne but in the name of the Lord and prevailed so must the ministers of God if they desire the conquest they must go in humility sensible of their owne weaknes as Gideon was of his Iud. 6.15 As Moses was of his Exod. 4.10 Such God will guide in judgment Psal 25.9 And shall do great things Psal 45.4 They must go in faith in the name of the Lord Jesus they shall be able to do great things Acts 3.16 Thorough this they shall cause the walls of the Spirituall Jericho to fall they shall subdue the Kingdom of Sathan stop the mouth of the Roaring Lyon quench the violence of fiery Concupiscence raise the spiritually Dead unto a new life make the weake strong the faint-hearted valiant put to flight armies of strange and strong corruptions worke righteousnes and seale up to mens Souls Gods promises as the Apostle doth in another case speake of Faith Heb. 11.30 33 34 45. They must go in Gods counsell and not in their owne wisedom David could do nothing in Sauls armour but with his sling and his stone he cast Goliah to the ground Humane inventions Philosophicall speculations like Sauls armour fit not Gods Messengers they are as a blunt weapon having no power The Word of the Lord is as a two edged sword the stones gathered out of the Scriptures slung with the sling of faith prevails mightily against sin Jer. 23.22 3. This must teach the people to take heed that they rest not in the naked receiving of Gods Ordinances from the hands of the Minister this is not enough but as the Minister so Christ must also baptize as the one baptizeth the body the other must baptize the conscience as the one preacheth to the eare so the other must preach to the heart Otherwise as the heart of Simon Magus so may ours after baptisme be full of the gall of bitternes Ismaels circumcision of the flesh availed not the heart remaining uncircumcised the washing of the sow doth not cause her to be a lamb as long as her swinish nature is not changed the ravens feathers become not white by being in the Arke with the dove Esau is not accepted of God because in the same womb with Jacob the same waters prove a swallowing gulph to the Egyptians which were dry ground a safe and sure way to Israel That Arke which causeth the house of Obededon to prosper causeth the men of Ashdod to perish It is not the possession but the fruitiō of Gods Ordinances that maketh them effectuall not the naked having but the sound application maketh them powerfull to salvation What availeth the shining of the Sun upon the blind that hath not an open eye to entertaine the light What is Physick in a Box vertuous herbes in a garden if not applied to the diseased Stomack to the wounded member What is raiment in a Wardroab or cloath under the arme if it be not put on the back What are apples above the head
waters under thy feet if thou feed not on the one if thou drinke not of the other dost not thou starve between both What is a faire and stately building to thee if thou take up thy abode in the open field doth not dewes fall upon thee doth not the Sun scorch thee doth not the cold pierce thee What is remission of sin what is resurrection to a new life represented in Baptisme what is it to thee if thy lusts be not mortified if thou rise not by vertue of it to a new life What is it to thee that the word is a Lamp if thou apply it not to thy feet that it is as milk in the breast if thou suck it not that it is a spirituall weapon if thou gird it not about thee that it is a seed if not sown if not hidden in the field of thy heart Say not then as he did Iud. 17.13 Now I know the Lord will be good unto me seeing I have a Levite to be my Priest But if thou wilt have Gods Ordinance prove a blessing if thou wilt know thy self blessed in the having of them cease not till thou find it as a shining Starre a burning Lamp enlightning thy understanding filling thee with knowledge of Gods love to thy Soul in Christ as the candle filleth the house with light the waters the Sea till they wash thy sin from thy Soul as waters wash dirt from the body as the fan driveth chaffe from the corne as Jordan washed away Naamans Leprosy Till they stablish thy saith as a strong foundation supporteth the building as firm rootes sustaine the tree a strong hand upholdeth him that is led by it Till they warme thy heart inflame thy affections as the fire warmeth the house as the Summer Sun doth warm the aire Till it make thy love to God and his wayes as a vehement flame as coales of much fire Till it make thy peace as deep as the rivers even a peace passing all understāding 4. This must teach men to seek to God for the efficacy of his Ordinances desire him to make them as a launcing knife in the hand of the Physician as a Sword in the hand of the Spirit Desire him that when Moses strikes with the Rod upon the Rock when the Minister doth press the Word upon our stony hearts that he will stand before shew his powerfull and gracious presence there in making them to melt in causing them to become contrite and broken for as Psal 33.16 17. There is no King saved by the multitude of an hoast a mighty man is not delivered by much strength c. So without Gods blessing unlesse he put his hand to it it is but vaine as Psal 127.1 2. Except the Lord build the house they labour but in vain c. For as Prov. 10.12 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it so in this case Therefore as the Daughter of Caleb desired her father having given her south Land that he would also give her springs of water Iud. 15.19 So God having given us his Ordinances let us desire him with all to give us his Spirit As his ministers like seeds men sow the seed of his word so we must desire God to joyne therewith the dewes of heaven that it may not lye like seed in dry ground withering for want of moysture That the Messenger of the Lord may not stand knocking in vaine at the iron gates of our unregenerate hearts but that the Lord will open our eare and heart our eyes to see our hearts to attend believe obey as he opened the heart of Lydia that he will make his Ordinances as seed sowne in good ground as the bow of Jonathan which turned not back and the sword of Saul which returned not empty 2 Sam. 1.22 As the cake and cruse of water whereof the Prophet did eate and drinke and went in the strength thereof to Horeb the mount of God 2 King 19.8 That we may be so refreshed replenished herewith that we may thereby go from strength to strength till we appeare before God in Sion Psal 84.7 5. As the efficacy is the Lords so let the praise be Gods let the hand which doth the worke receive the honour the faithfull instrument which God useth is worthy of double honour of singular love for his works sake David may have the praise for giving Goliah the overthrow The wise men may rejoyce to see the Starre leading unto Christ Iesus The feet of the messenger must be beautifull in the eyes of the people as one of a thousand to them but yet still as he is Gods instrument as a Lamp that hath received his Oile from Gods Olive as a vessel filled with water flowing from the Ocean of all goodnes as a starre held in the hand and receiving all his light from the Sunne of righteousnes the Ministers must be so respected as that God must in and above all be honoured loved praised and rejoyced in If Iosua smite the countrey of the hils Ios 10.40 41. It is because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel vers 42. So if any or all the Lords Iosuahs the spirituall leaders of Gods Armies smite the sinnes of men which were high as the mountains or deep as the vale which were for Dominion like Kings for continuance like a living spring for extent like the deluge overflowing the whole man if these be beaten if their life be taken away it is because the Lord God of Israel hath fought for Israel If any tree of Pauls planting do grow if any field do flourish by the watering of Apollos it is because the Lord hath given the increase If any man learne wisedom if any man be presented perfect in Christ Iesus by Pauls labour in the ministrey it is thorough the working of God who worketh mightly in him Coll. 1.28 29. If David have escaped the Lion and the beare conquered slaine them delivered the lamb from them it is because God was with him wrought for him 1 Sam. 17.34 35 36. If any Shepheard of Gods flock have delivered any of Gods Lambs out of the jawes of the roaring Lion it is the Lords doing and as the Psalmist touching Israel deliverance from Aegypt So may we all say touching the deliverance of Gods Israel from their spirituall bondage Psal 44.1 2 3 4 5. We have heard with our ears O God! our Fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes in the times of old how thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand and plantedst them how thou didst afflict the people and cast them out c. Therefore let every Soul that hath tasted of Gods goodnes say in this kind that hath felt the mighty arme of God in the weilding of this weapon that hath had any comfortable experience of the moving of Gods Angle in this poole Let him blesse the Lord that hath given him counsell that hath caused his reines to instruct him in the
Kingdom is weakned 5. The more excuseles men will be in the day of judgement Vse A great incouragement to all Gods people specially to Gods Ministers to be industrious in all places not at any time hiding their light under a bushell but setting it upon the Candlestick that all that will not shut their eyes may see by it not being as a sealed fountaine but as a flowing streame to refresh the thirsty Souls of our bretheren Learning by our Saviours Example to do good in all places where we come going up and down seeking whom to save as Sathan compasseth the earth seeking whom he may devour compassing Sea and Land to turne men to God as the Pharises did to make a prosylite an embracer of their superstition Were our care and diligence thus manifested were our time thus redeemed our abilities thus exercised then 1. We should leave in all places a sweet savour behind us 2. We should prevent the commission of many evills 3. We should take from Sathan much advantage which he now hath against us 4. We should enlighten many blind understandings 5. We should revive many dejected Spirits 6. We should make fruitfull many barren Souls 7. We should reclaime many wandering sheep 8. We should replenish the fold of Christ Jesus 9. We should make the Gospel glorious 10. We should multiply our owne graces 11. We should make our appearance at last very comfortable before Christ Jesus Thus of the place 4. The reason why he baptized there because their was much water there other places afforded not so much water as this place did therefore he made choise of this where you may see 1. That the Sacrament of Baptisme ought to be administred in pure water without any mixture 2. That in antient time the whole body of the baptized did use to be washed 3. That Ministers ought to make choise of the most convenient places for the execution of their office of each of these a word or two Doctr. 1 The Sacrament of baptisme must be administred in pure water without any mixture As Naaman washed in the River of Jordan without any thing mingled with it and was healed So must we in this Jordan For so was Christ himself baptized Math. 3.16 So was the Eunuch baptized Acts 8.38 39. Therefore called washing Eph. 5.26 Acts 8.36 Acts 2.41 Math. 28.19 Thus they 1 Cor. 10.2 This answereth the water flowing from our Saviours side as the Wine in the Lords supper doth answer the blood which our Saviour shed and this doth represent the thing thereby signified the washing away of our sinnes Therefore Augustine Tolle aquam baptismus non erit Where by the way we may see the Manichees refuted refusing to use water in baptisme because as they fondly conceived the devill and not God had made the water Their errour discovered who would not baptize with water because Iohn baptized with water but Christ baptized with the Holy Ghost Their practice confuted who insteed of sprinkling water did impresse the forme of a crosse with a hot Iron in the forehead of their children because it is said that Christ did baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire understanding that literally which was ment Spiritually The weak conceipt of such overturned as think the child may be baptized in Wine Oile or other liquour whereas Acts 8.36 Eph. 5.26 Water is the onely sanctified and appointed Element It also overthroweth the errour and presumtuous practice of the Papists in adding Salt Oile Spittle c. to the Element of Water a practice savouring of no lesse pride than ignorance For it is not in the power of any man or Angel but onely of God to appoint the matter of a Sacrament No man must dare to add to any of Gods Ordinances no creature can make them more compleat and perfect Dutr. 12.32 Whatsoever is by nams invention annexed to it is will-worship which God abhorreth Coll. 2.24 Such as hath neither precept or example in Scripture to warrant it but are taken partly from Iudaisme as Salt and Oile partly from their one blind zeale as spittle and partly from the abuse of the practise of the Church in the time of persecution used to preach and baptize in the night by candle light and hence the Papists will have their candles burning in the day But to leave these cold and comfortles discourses let us returne to our selves and as the water is the Element in Baptisme so let us labour to see that Baptisme in us produce such effects as the water useth to do in things subject to the operation thereof and 1. As the water doth wash the body so let us be stirred up to get our Souls washed from sinne and uncleanenes this is the worst dirt a filthines which doth most defile a Leprosie which doth most deforme no spot so sordid no blemish so uneasily removed no deformity but this causeth us to be refused of God it is not unwashen hands a polluted face but an unwashed Soule which the Lord doth hate this is that the Lord would have us put away Jer. 4.14 All other washings are nothing worth the heart remaining uncleane unwasht it is not so much the outside as the inside of the platter doth defile the meat therefore the Lord will have both to be washed Iames 4.8 And this Davids Prayer Psal 51.2 7. This is Gods promise and the work of his Spirit upon all his chosen children Ezek. 36.26 This is a testimony of his surest love Ezek. 16.9 The sweetest favour that he bestowes on any of his servants to wash away their sin is a greater mercy and higher honour than to cloath them with the richest raiment and seate them in the most eminent places of dignity for as Exod. 29.4 Aaron and his sonnes were washed with water before they ministred in the tabernacle so must we wash before ever we can Minister unto God in any acceptable manner as Iohn 13.8 Christ washed Peters feet else he could not have part in him so unless we be inwardly washed we can have no part in Christ as Levit. 1.9 The inwards and the leggs of the burnt offering was to be washed in water So must our inward parts be washed before we can offer our selves to God Therefore as Naomi advised Ruth intending to joyne herself in wedlock with Boas Ruth 3.3 Wash thy selfe therefore and anoint thee c. So let me advise as many of you as intend to joyne vour selves in this holy wedlock with Iesus Christ wash your selves from your iniquities anoint your selves with the Oile of grace be cloathed with the garment of true holines that so God may delight in you 2. As the water doth supply and make soft and tender the grounds whereon it falleth things cast into it So must we labour to find our hearts by vertue of the grace of the Spirit represented and comunicated to us in baptisme made soft and tender flexible and obedient to the will of God This is Gods
successe of our Saviours Ministry it grieved them to see so many attend his Doctrine frequent his baptisme Doctr. It is an apparent signe of a carnall hearer to envy the good successe of him that is not his owne teacher they that rejoyce not in but grieve at the labours and gracious proceedings of other Ministers besides their owne never attended with a sincere mind upon the Doctrine which their owne teachers delivered to them it is an evill eye that grieveth to see more Corn in another mans field more Sheep in another mans-fold more Fruit on another mans tree than on his owne every Child ought indeed most entirely to affect its owne breast every scholler his owne Mr every souldier his owne leader yet not so as thereby to envy the breasts which yield more milk the Mr whose Scholars grow more abundantly in learning the Generall whose souldiers are more victorious more succesfull in their battle so to affect Cephas as to despise or envy Paul or Apollos is a streame flowing from a carnall Fountaine 1 Cor. 3.3 4. To envy the succesfull Ministry of any faithfull teacher is a branch springing from a very accursed roote Acts 13.45 an argument of a blind and obstinate minde Joh. 9.28 29. A signe they never truely learned as their owne Minister faithfully taught them an apparent testimony that they value the person above the Doctrine Joh. 5.45 46 47. That they are not guided by sound reason but blind affections an evill guide a wandering starre an unskilfull pilote seldome ever setting at the sterne but it causeth shipwrake for multa nos cogit facere affectus dum propinquitatem respicimus corporum corporis animae offendimus creatorem affection maketh us do many things and while we fasten our eyes upon the nearenes of our bodies we offend God the Creator both of Soul and body Let us all therefore strive to have our hearts so affected with the glorifying of God so bent to the setting forth of his praise that we may rejoyce to see the Kingdome of Sathan beaten downe the Kingdome of Christ to flourish the number of Gods people increase the seed of the Word plenteously sown the Lords vineyard well manured many trees of righteousnes planted in the Lords Orchard the diseased Souls of our brethren healed whosoever be the Physitican curing it the Lord may use whome he pleaseth convey the water of salvation to the Souls of his people by what cisterne he will he is free in the dispensations of his favours he may do with his owne what he will our eye must not be evill because Gods eye is good but where the graces of God are most conspicuous and apparant there let our love be most strongly fastned considering that a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven VERS 27. THe disease hath been discovered the cure ensueth the wound opened the plaister is now to be applied ambition self-love envy at the multiplication of Christ's Disciples was the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist Serious considerations of Gods freedome in the dispensations of his graces bestowing them on whom he pleaseth is the matter John answered and said a man can receive nothing unles it be given him from heaven whence from the connexion of the words we may observe Doctr. That the serious consideration of our unworthines and Gods Freedome in the communication of his favour is a forcible means to withhold us from envying at other mens eminences it was the argument the Lord of the vineyard used Mat. 20.15 for the answering of them that envyed at the wages given to them that came last into the vineyard and hence also the Apostle persuadeth all men to humility sobriety contentednes and industry in their places and callings without insulting one over another without advancing themselves one against another Rom. 12.3 6 7 8. and to the same purpose the Apostle to take down the insolency of such as did excell and to appease the murmuring of such as had more slender gifts bestowed on them laboureth with the men of Corinth to consider what themselves once were followers of dumb Idols 1 Cor. 12.2 Whence the gifts bestowed on the Church had their originall from God vers 11. Why they were given to proffit withall vers 7. and the consideration of this is very effectuall Reas 1 Because hereby we shall see though we have never so little yet we have more than we are worthy of and that God hath dealt very bountifully with us though he hath given us but the place of a doore-keeper in the lowest roome in his house Ps 84.10 though he hath made us but as one of his hired servants Luc. 15.19 We shall say with Jacob Gen. 32.10 and with Paul Phil. 4.11 as Solomon saith of the labouring man Eccl. 5.12 so it will be with us whether we have little or much our hearts will be quiet considering it is Gods free gift and farre beyond our desert Reas 2 Because this will cause us to study how to be thankfull for what we have received and not to repine murmurre for the want of what we have not this will cause us to blesse God for one talent if we have no more to be thankfull for a dish of green herbs if we have no better cheer though we have not the full vintage yet if we have but a few gleanings of Gods love yet we will bless with Naomi Rut. 2.20 Though we have not so large a messe and so many change of apparell as Benjamin Ier. 43.34 Yet if we like Josephs brethren be sensible of our unworthines of the wrong we have done to our Joseph we will be glad if Ps 128.3 we have but one messe but one suite of raiment Psa 127.5 Though our Children be not like Olive plants round about our table Though our quiver be not full of these arrowes yet if we be sensible of our unworthines as Hanna was of her barrenes we will blesse God for one Child 1 Sam. 2.1 I meane for any one good gift that God shall bestow upon us Reas 3 Because this will make us carefull to imploy what we have received to the honour of God who gave it if we behold it as water dropping from the cloud of Gods bounty as a gift out of his hand as a testimony of his free favour if we fasten our eyes upon our owne unworthines Mat. 25 25. This will make us carefull not to hide our talent though the least in a napkin Mat. 5.15 Not to put our light under a bushell not to quench our Lamp though there be but little Oile therein not to hide our Graine in the garner as covetous men do their Corn that the Souls of the poor curse them Prov. 11.26 But like good stewards carefull servants diligent Husbandmen we will imploy it to the advantage of our Lord and Master committing our seed to the earth that it may encrease causing our light to shine that other men may see
our good works and glorify our father as every fountaine sendeth forth a streame according to what it hath received every starre giveth light according to the light infused into it knowing that for this end we have received 1 Cor. 12.7 Mat. 10.8 Reas 4 Because this will stirre up men not to envy but to imitation of them whose graces do excell to pray for the like graces to use the like meanes to run the same race to labour in the same vineyard to sow the like seed that they may win the like price receive the like wages reape the like harvest thus Heb. 6.11 12. 1 Cor. 4.16 1 vers 11.1 Ia. 5.10 11. Not to murder Abel because more righteous but to tread in his steps to labour for his faith not to envy David for his great conquests but to strive after the like victories Reas 5 Because this will breed love in our hearts towardsthem their virtues will be as a savoury ointment as a sweet smelling flower in our nostril as a load-stone to draw our hearts toward them when we see how the Lord doth love them How he doth beautify them with his graces how in them are those excellencies after which our Souls long then they will be to us as one of a thousand Job 33.23 As Apple trees among the thornes as starres among the clouds as flowers among the weeds all our delight will be on them that excell in vertue Ps 16.3 Use Therefore whensoever the Spirit of envy doth begin to move within us at the sight of other mens endowments when the light and lustre of their vertues beginneth to trouble our diseased and malignant eyes when at any time the pleasantness and fertility of Naboths vineyard causeth Ahab to languish and repose himselfe upon his bed when Esau conceiveth hatred deviseth mischief against Iacob because he hath gotten the blessing when our hearts begin to repine because the cloud of Gods bounty had dropped more abundantly on others than on us let us look upon the state of our owne Souls let us consider how there is nothing in us why God should bestow any thing upon us why we should expect any thing at his hands Let us consider how the Lord is no way bound to us but may do with his blessing what he will no man can controule him or lay either indiscretion or injustice to his charge And then as David playing on the Harp appeased Sauls evill spirit so shall this appease the distemper of our Spirit and without murmuring magnify the wisedome and freedome of God in the dispensations of his mercies and for the better inuring of our hearts hereunto consider we 1. That God doth distribute his gifts most wisely and justly as may serve most for his owne honour the good of his people as he hath in great wisedome disposed the body naturall and all the members thereof and accordingly given them abilities sutable to their severall places so he hath also in great wisedome dispensed his favours to all the members of the mysticall body of Christ Jesus he hath done all things in number weight and measure and Psa 145.16 17. As he hath filled the Sun Moone and Starres with such quantity of light as may make most for the benefit and ornament of the whole universe so hath God dispensed to his people c. 2. That God hath bestowed some gift upon every one of his family he that hath least hath enough to make him everlastingly happy 1 Cor. 12.8 9. No tree in Gods Orchard but hath some soile about his roots no vessel in Gods house but hath some liccour Mat. 25.15 3. That to murmur against our brethren is to murmur against God for the graces they have are not of their owne getting but of Gods bestowing and therefore as Moses said Exo. 16.8 So it is in this behalfe therefore Augustine Quoties hominibus praesse desidero toties Deo meo praeire contendo As often as I desire to be preferred above men so often I strive to go before my God as arguing discontentednes in the place wherein God had set him 4. That it is farre better to use well the little we have received then to envy our brethren because they have what we have not he that hath least doth not imploy it so well but he might make better use of it and the good use of what we have will give much contentment for the present and hath the promise of a large increase for the future to him that hath shall be given Mat. 15.23 29. Prov. 11.25 5. That what God hath communicated to others is not for themselves but for the good of them that shall need it the cloud hath raine for the dry ground the Sun hath light for the dark aire the tree hath fruit for the hungry stomack the eye hath sight for the body he that gathered much Manna gave to him that had little we are but stewards 6. That the beholding of the graces which are in them must provoke us to pray for the like measure of grace to use all holy means to attaine the same degree of holines when the prodigall saw what they enjoyed who lived in his fathers house he desird to be as one of them 7. That envying at other mens abundance will rob us of the comfort of our endowments as Esth 5.10 11 12 13. Saul so maligned David for his mighty conquests that he lost all the comfort he might have gathered from his owne victories 8. That God doth give as much as we have ability well to manage vessels put to Sea are loaden according to their strength the Master of the family placeth all according to their abilities Mat. 25.15 9. That God will expect from us but as he giveth to us Luc. 12.48 10. That a faithfull imployment of what we have received shall surely be accompained with a blessed increase a little sowne in good ground husbanded well bringeth a competible increase Thus of the connexion prescribing a remedy to the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist in the words themselves we have set before us 1. Our owne emptines a man can receive nothing of himselfe by his owne art industry ability worth he can receive nothing bodily or spirituall transitory or eternall 2 The Fountaine whence all the good we enjoy like so many streams do flow from the first we learne Doctr. That man hath of himselfe no ability to the performances of any good duty he is a Lamp without Oile a well without Water a withered arme without strength therefore like to an evill tree which beareth none but evill fruit Mat. 7.18 to an uncleane Fountaine sending forth none but uncleane Waters Job 14.4 to a black-Moore that cannot make himselfe white Jer. 13.23 to a dead man that cannot performe any action belonging to the living to a wild Olive Prov. 11. Col. 2.13 and therefore the Apostle strippeth man of all inclination or motion unto good Rom. 11.19 2 Cor. 3.5 and the Psalmist saith
of men generally they are all become abominable Ps 14.3 Reas 1 Because man in his corrupt estate is whole subjugated and embondaged to the will rule and command of Satan as Captvies to their conquerous 2 Tim. 2.26 as subjects to their Soveraigne Ephes 2.3 Yea to shew their ready subjection they are subject as Children to the parent and they are violently bent to the fulfilles of the will of Satan Io. 8.44 They are not compelled to it but it cometh freely from them it is their delight their bent they will do no other Reas 2 Because corrupt man is totally deprived of all saving grace sin and Satan like the theeves between Iericho and Ierusalem have robbed him of true grace and have left him destitute of the life of God Ephes 4.19 a stranger to God Ephes 2.12 Free from righteousnes Rom. 6.20 A vessel in whome is no good liccour a tree whereon groweth no good fruit a house wherein not one living person not one good and holy vessel can be found Rom. 7.18 The Apostle was privy to it acquainted with it and doth freely acknowledge it that in his corrupt nature so far as he was unregenerate there was no good thing nothing acceptable to God abiding in him Manifestissime patet animis nullam habitare virtutem sed omnia eorum opera immunda esse atque polluta Habent sapientiam non spiritualem sed animalem non caelestem sed terrenam non Christianam sed Diobolicam non a patre luminum sed a Principe tenebrarum Prosper contra Collator Cap. 13. Reas 3 Because naturall man is wholy overwhelmed with sin his soul and body like the sluggards field Prov. 24.30 not one good tree growing in it therefore aptly resembled to a wildernes overgrown with the thornes and briars of iniquity Isa 55.13 The whole man is altogather polluted Gen. 6.5 a Servant of sin Rom. 6.16 Omnis infidelium vita peccatum est nihil est bonum sine summo bono Prosp in Aug. Sentent 106. Epigr. 81. Reas 4 Because naturall and corrupt man doth pervert that which is good marreth the best things he taketh into his hands as an uncleane vessel doth marre good liccour and barren soile the good seed sown therein a corrupt stomacke the wholesome food which it receiveth thus the naturall man perverteth that which is right Iob 33.27 Even the Words of the living God Ier. 23.36 Maketh a stumbling block of a shining Lamp a killing sword of an healing Medicine Tit. 1.15 Wresting the wholesome word of God to their owne damnation 2 Pet. 3.16 Spiderlike sucking poyson out of the purest flower as all that was touched by the dead became uncleane so all that they go about becometh uncleane to them Hag. 2.13 Reas 5 Because corrupt man is out of love with and doth utterly dislike the meanes which should guide help and assist him in the performance of what is spiritually truely good Christ in whome is all fulnes to supply our wants is to the Greeks foolishnes to the Jewes a stumbling block to all carnall and disobedient people a stone of offence 1 Pet. 2.7 A grin a snare Isa 8.14 not the way the life the truth Ioh. 14.6 the preaching of the Gospel the instrument of our conversion to God reconcilement and ingrafting into Christ Rom. 10.17 The seed of their regeneration 1 Pet. 1.23 Of their vivification and bringing out of the grave of sin Joh. 5.25 whereby they are fitted to receive and do good this is a distastfull food an offensive light 2 Cor. 2.14 Ioh. 3.19 Reas 6 Because man as man is totally dependant upon God and can do no good whether naturall civill morall or spirituall but either by the generall or speciall influence and assistance of Gods hand For all creatures are subordinate to the first cause therefore Acts 17.28 we can not move a finger without him Ps 104.27 28 29. Acts 17.25 and for morall vertues and actions though we have also some abilities remaining since the fall of our first parents yet these are also the gift of God 1 Cor. 12.4 Ia. 4.15 But as for turning to God doing any thing savingly good we have no ability at all left with us we are broken vessels all the good we once had will out and nothing but the slime and the mud of the filthines of sin remaineth Joh. 15.5 1 Cor. 15.10 Vse This therefore discovereth the erroneousness of their judgements the pride unbrideled insolency of their hearts who labouring to advance the abilities of sinfull forlorne and graceles man and to obscure the power of God to strengthen the armes of man which are in this behalfe more weak than a withered reed Rom. 5.8 and to weaken the armes of God by whose power alone we are kept unto eternall life 1 Pet. 1.5 teach that we by the abilities remayning in us can turne to God when he calleth and inviteth and that he doth onely invitare excitare persuadere but not mutare the disposition bent and qualification of the heart so that God dealeth with us as we do with men in a dead sleep call and cry to awaken them as a Master with a froward Servant promising threatning as with men within doores knocking at the gate looking when they of their owne accord will open this they teach but this is a Doctrine repugnant to sacred Scripture teaching that God is both the Alpha and the Omega of our salvation worketh both will and deed Phil 2.13 That we have no life of grace within us till God revive us Ephes 4.19 That we cannot come to God till God doth draw us Ioh. 6.44 A Doctrine it is repugnant to the Doctrine of all orthodox Writters Quid boni operari potest perditus saith August nisi in quantum a perditione liberatur and a councell saith si quis per naturae vigorem bonum aliquod cogitaret aut expeteret aut eligeret absque illuminatione aut inspiratione Spiritus Sancti qui dat omnibus facultatem consentiendi credendi veritati haeretico fallitur spiritu non intelligens vocem Dei in Evangelio Joh. 15.5 A Doctrine first defended by Pelagius for maintayning whereof both he and his Disciple Celestius were condemned by the censure of Ccxliij Bishops in the Councell of Carthage 418. Afterwards taken up by some others and now revived by Papists and Arminians all treading the steps of their Heriticall father Pelagius a Doctrine by which they do exceedingly impaire the grace of God spoile him of much praise due to him for our conversion a Doctrine which maketh carnall man proud upon his owne abilities secure and careles having strength in himselfe at any time to imbrace Gods tendered favour a Doctrine by which they make it manifest that themselves were never sensible of their owne weaknes vilenes inability to what is savingly good that they never perceived how uneasily Satan is cast out how powerfull sin is and how hardly it is overcome how
before the Lord with sincere and unpright hearts and then Ps 145.18 19. Let us have no more to do with sin but say as Ephraim to his Idols Hos 14.8 let us take us Words vers 2.3 and then vers 4.5 6 7. Let us win on God with patience and constancy and the Lord at length will look upon us in mercy Heb. 10 35. Whatsoever be our want in the Lord is all fullnes all readiness to supply us therefore as Ia. 1.5 So if thou want faith knowledge patience if thou want tendrings of heart peace of conscience sence of Gods love or any other good blessing aske it the Lord will surely bestow it on thee Hanna was troubled with her barrenness cryed to the Lord he opened her womb Solomon considered the weightines of his calling sought wisedome and the Lord gave him wisedome Sampson was much oppressed with thirst called on the Lord and the Lord gave him water Iud. 15.18 19. In like manner when the barrenness of grace want of knowledge doth afflict thee seek it at the hands of the Lord and the Lord shall grant the supplication of thy Soul unto thee had we but hearts to seek we might enjoy what now we want the ignorant might be full of knowledge the empty Lamp might be full of oile the weake faith which shaketh like a withered reed might be like a Cedar of deep and strong roots the Soul which is like a barren vineyard might be full of grace like the valleys overspread with Corn and good pasture the naked Soul might be well armed richly apparelled the dejected Spirit might be full of comfort the mind that is pressed down with worldly cares like a cart with sheaves might soar aloft as on eagles wings unto the heavens the unstable Soul might be as well fastned the wilderness of the life might be made a Paradise a sweet Communion with God a holy fellow ship with the saints might be maintained much delight might be found in Gods Ordinances Isa 41.17 18 19. Isa 44.3 This must teach us to receive all as from God whatsoever our care labour industry hath been yet let us not look upon what we possesse as upon yarne of our owne weaving fish of our owne taking Hab. 1.16 Upon a house of our owne building as Dan. 4.30 But let us looke on all we have as on Gods blessing a gift from Gods hand a light shining from the sun of Gods bounty though Paul plant and Apollo water the encrease is Gods though Israel fight the victory is the Lords whatsoever evill is in us whatsoever evill is committed by us is the seed of our owne sowing whatsoever evill is inflicted on us is a wages of our owne deserving whatsoever good we work it is the labour of Gods finger whatsoever good we receive it is of the fulnes and freedome of Gods bounty therefore we must all say as 1 Cor. 29 11 12 13.14.15 16. for Prov. 21.31 Therefore let us fasten our eyes on all both internall and externall endowments as on shewers falling from the cloud of Gods love as on gifts given by the Lords hand even the least the meanest as well as upon the fairest of our possessions this will make us the more sensible of Gods love the more ashamed of our ingratitude and disobedience this will the more endeare and oblige our hearts to God this will make us the more thankfull the more circumspect and heavenly minded in the use of them nothing doth more occasion the abuse of Gods blessing than forgetfulnes of the hand whence they have there originall and beginning Ps 78.10 11. 4. This may acquaint us with a sure way how to be provided for in all estates to find a supply in all our wants to have some liccour alwayes in our vessel to refresh us some fruit upon the barrenest tree to relieve us God you see is the giver of every good blessing all cometh from him therefore get into his favour and you shall want no good thing be regenerate become a new creature make God your Father and your wants shall be supplied let the prodigall returne and in his Fathers house there is all manner of provision his Father kindly entertaining him Luc. 15. So let us do c. for as Mat. 7.11 this hath the promise Psal 84. â—â— Used as a motive to stirre up men to feare God Psal 34.10 to follow Christ Matth 19.29.30 This will bring us within the Covenant giveth us interest in all Gods blessings we shall be in league and Job 5.23 24 25 26. We shall enjoy security boldnes towards God tranquility and cheerfulnes in our hearts Job 11.13 14 15 16 17 18. It is not a carnall vexing care a greedy heaping up of things of the earth that will be sufficient defence a never setting light a never failing streame but the fruition of Gods love is the way to win it Mat. 6.33 this Psal 23. â— If God be Shepheard he will provide pasture and Ps 37.25 it is iniquity an ungracious conversation that bringeth want Pro. 13.25 Eccles 5.13.14 5. Is every good gift from God cometh it all from him then let us remember that we must give an accompt of all we do enjoy we are not Lords but stewards of Gods blessings such as must yield accompt to God of all our abilities though it be long before the Lord call us yet he will at length require a strict accompt of all our doings how we spent our time our strength our temporall blessing our spirituall graces how they have been improved what increase hath been made therefore as the Apostle said in another case 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2 3. So in this case use what you have received not as Lords to do with it what you list but as they who must be accountable to the Lord that not onely for the greatest but also for the least blessings as our Saviour said we must render accompt of every idle Word so we must render accompt of every little favour which God hath bestowed on us the time will come Luc. 16.2 Therefore we should think of this that we might be able to do it with joy Heb. 13.16 6. As it is all from God so let us be carefull to imploy it to the honour of God his good ground receiving good seed yieldeth a good increase as the good servant Mat. 25.20 as it cometh from heaven so let us use it in a heavenly manner to the praise of him whose dwelling is in the heavens this their very originall doth challenge Ro. 11.36 This the Dominion that God hath over all doth claime this the end which God proposeth to himselfe in all his works doth require Prov. 16.4 Rev. 4.11 Ephes 1.5 6. and it is the charge 1 Cor. 6.20 and if we neglect this we abuse the gift we have received it is a wrong to the creature to restraine it from the service of the Creator I. It is a wrong to the light
shall be as a house builded on the rock and they as the waves of the Sea dashing themselves in pieces with the great assaults which they make against us IV. This procureth the truest and sweetest peace this turneth the tossing and raging Sea of a troubled conscience into a pleasant calme This like Noahs dove bringeth an Olive branch of peace like the Starre to the Wise men filleth the heart with much joy and gladnes this uniteth us to the Prince of peace reconcileth us to the God of peace maketh our hearts the temples of the spirit of peace for Rom. 5.1 and Ioh. 16.33 this is the fruit of holines Rom. 2.10 the attendant of an heavenly mind Ro. 8.6 in this standeth the Kingdome of God Rom. 14.17 and of this all that walke according to the rule of Gods Word shall infallibly participate Gal. 6.16 The 4th thing is the Commission the Ministers of God have before they do undertake this calling they go not of their owne accord but they stand heare they wait upon God for instruction they deliver not their owne devices but they wait upon God for his counsell and direction Doctr. GOds Ministers must be furnished with abilities before they undertake this calling and be sure that the Word of God do warrant their Doctrine they must be furnished with abilities as the Lamp with Oile for Mat. 5.14 as the well with water for Mal. 2.7 Deut. 32.2 as the Generall with skill and valour for 2 Tim. 2.3 as the Physician with art to discerne diseases and to apply right remedies Isa 61.10 As nurses have milk in their breasts 1 Thes 2.7 As Aaron was anointed Exod. 29.21 So must the Ministers be anointed with the grace of the Spirit Jer. 1.5 as they must be furnished with abilities so their Doctrine must be warranted by the Scriptures they are Gods mouth and therefore must not speake their owne but Gods language Ier. 15.19 Gods Embassadours and therefore must not deliver their owne but Gods message 2 Cor. 5.19 furnished they must be with abilities 1. Because the worke they undertake is a worke of great weight the glory of God and welfare of the souls of men is so deeply interest Onus vel ipsis angelis formidandum as Bernard speaketh a task requiring the strongest arme to effect it a building the laying of whose foundation requireth much wisedome 1 Cor. 3.10 a labour so hard that the Apostle proposeth the question 2 Cor. 2.16 2. A work of great difficulty the Scripture like Iacob's Well are deep our owne armes are too short to reach unto the waters therein a heavenly language to the unfolding whereof the tongue of the learned is required Isai 50.4 The hearts of men are very deceitfull they must handle the Word of God skilfully who will make it like a two edged sword dividing between the bone the marrow the joynts and the Spirit Heb. 4.12 the new birth is a hard work requiring a skilfull midwife much labour Gal. 4.19 abundance of strength the rooting up of these briars the planting of the trees of holines in the Lords vineyard requireth strong hands men furnished with good gifts if we look on the difficulty of bringing men out of the bondage of sin and Satan we may say as Moses did in another case Exo. 3.11 12. 3. A work resisted by forcible and subtle opposition the emenies of mans salvation are many powerfull crafty violent striving to hold the winds of the Gospel that they may not blow Rev. 7.1 standing at the right hand of Josuah that he may not Sacrifice Zach. 3.1 an old and subtle Serpent Rev. 12.9 his Souldiers are strongly armed Rev. 9.9 10. ready to withstand the messengers of the Lord as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8 and therefore Gods Ministers must not be like naked men without armes but thoroughly furnished with every good gift 4. It is the grace of the Spirit which will make them abundant and plenteous in their labours this will make them like the Sun rejoyce to run the race which is set before them like the full clouds pour out abundantly their waters for the refreshing of the Souls of Gods people This will make them that they shall not be silent but as Job 32.18 19 20. This will constraine them to labour make the Word of God be as fire in their bones this will be as a spurre in their sides so that they shall say as 1 Cor. 15.10 And as they must be thus qualified so their Doctrine must be warranted by the Scriptures Because that Doctrine alone which is grounded upon the Scripture doth I. Open Gods counsell will and purpose touching our eternall salvation in these alone God speaketh this is the letter wherein the mind of God is unfolded the looking glasse wherein we may see the beauty of Gods holines Psal 27.4 All other writings of humane learning are in this regard but like painted lights dark Lanternes like the images Psal 115.5 6. Men of the greatest wisedome undertaking to declare Gods counsell without the sound study of Gods Word may say as Job did Job 42.3 and confesse as he did in another case Ps 139.6 therefore Paul who revealed the whole counsell of God Act. 20.26 taught nothing but what was grounded upon the Law and the Prophets Acts 26.22 Acts 28.23 II. This doth enlighten the understanding make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.16 17. therefore Joh. 5.39 III. This doth comfirme the faith of Gods people This is a sure foundation a firme anchor all other Doctrines are but sand this is a sure Word 2 Pet. 1.19 This is no deceitfull bow but like the bow of Ionathan it never returneth empty it alwayes accomplisheth that whereto it is sent Isa 55.10 it is sure Psal 19.7 As the Lord said of Eliakim Esa 22.23 So may I say of the Word of God Psal 111.7 8. IV. This is mighty in beating down the holds of sin this maketh the mouth of Gods Messenger like a sharp sword Isai 49.2 their Doctrine like sharp arrows in the hearts of men Psal 45.4 making them to stoop and humble themselves Acts 2.37 this like Canon shot battering down the strongest wals like a burning fire trying the Metall making a separation all Doctrine without this is weake like a withered reed like a dead carkasse Mat. 7.29 V. This hath a regenerating vertue 1 Pet. 1.23 therefore likened to good seed Mat. 13.23 24. a voyce awakening the dead in sin Ioh. 5.25 therefore called the Word of life Phil. 2.14 Use This therefore sheweth it to be a great misery to the Church to be pestered with insufficient Ministers with such as have no competent abilities to discharge their callings by reason whereof the Souls of men are as a diseased patient under the hand of an ignorant Physitian having no skill to cure him as a barren field under clouds which have no raine to pour upon them as flocke under a Shepheard that hath no pasture
raine from the cloud as the hungry Child doth milk from the mothers breasts let their feet be beautifull in your eyes Rom. 10.15 dance as David before the Arke 2 Sam. 6.16 and then as Paul 1 Thes 1.2 6. VII By constancy in the wayes of God stedfast confidence in the Lord Jesus when he seeth them like Job trusting in God though God seeme to kill them with letting Satan loose upon them suffering wicked men to disturb and pierce them with their venomous arrowes when he beholdeth them rooted like strong trees and builded like houses upon the rock Col. 2.7 Mat. 7.25 when he seeth them like good travellers going from strength to strength Ps 84.7 when he seeth them like good souldiers keeping their ranks following their leader not shrinking for the presence threatrings power or malice of the enemy when he shall hear them answer him as Ionathans Armour-bearer did him 1 Sam. 14.6 7. this doth rejoyce him Col. 2.5 VIII By yeelding him a competent maintenance good wages increaseth the industry and cheerefulnes of the labourers strong and deep water carry the Ship with pleasantnes and drive the mill swiftly good pay and much spoile maketh the souldiers couragious in the fight though it be baseness for any Minister to make his wages his bodily advantage prime end of his labours yet when they see the hands of men are open to communicate things temporall to them to yeeld such maintenance as may inable them to love both with credit and comfort it proveth a great refreshment no small incouragement for this Paul did much commend the men of Macedonia 2 Cor. 8.3 4. 2 Cor. 11.9 IX By their constant attendance on the Word of God when they wait on the gates of Gods house as the lame man did for an almes at the gates of the Temple when they flew to the house of God as the streames to the Sea as the diseased to the Physician Luc. 4.40 when the whole parish can say to the Minister of God as Cornelius to Peter Acts 10.33 when they come men women and children Deut. 31.12 when as Acts 2.1 this maketh the Minister of the Lord cheerefull putteth life and courage into him this maketh him frequent in his exhortations comfortable in opening and applying the promises of salvation many buyers make the Merchant glad many guests make the cooke laborious much fish causeth the fisherman willingly to cast in the net thus 2 Cro. 30.25 26 27. But on the other side the absence of the people is occasion of much grief it troubleth the Master of the freast when the invited guests come not the nurse when the Child will not suck it troubled Saul when Davids place was empty it grieved the Prophet when the people came not to the solemne feast think on this beloved put these things in practise with diligence if you meane to comfort and encourage your teachers if you meane to have a blessing upon their labours if you meane to fulfill their joy as the people fulfilled the joy of the Baptist VERS 30. MEn of the best and most sanctified abilities are least conceited of their owne goodness the deepest rivers run with the greatest silence the fullest vessell giveth the least sound the more we partake of Gods fulnes the more sensible we are of our owne naturall emptines the more fully we are encompassed with the light of the Sun the more we see the deformities of our bodies and of our garments the more fully we are acquainted with what is amisse within us the more vile we are in our apprehensions the more we see our selves obliged unto God for his goodnes the more we see our selves bound to give him the glory of all our abilities and with the Baptist to become even ignominious that God and the Lord Jesus may appear the more glorious The Baptist in these words shewed his Disciples that as the day starre though bright glorious in it selfe yet when the Sun appeareth doth altogether vanish so he though greater than all the Prophets in going more imediately before Christ in pointing him out more plainely more fully than any other yet Christ the Sun of righteousness now appearing he must become as a light that is extinguished the eyes of men must be no more fastned on him he must now become as nothing and Christ must be all in all his honour applause respect attendance and high estimation which he had in the hearts of the people must decay and become as nothing and all men must now fasten their eyes on Christ attend his Doctrine beleeve in him for salvation imbrace him as the fountaine whence all felicity doth take its originall as the tree of life the Prince of their peace In the Words we have set before us I. The wonderfull humility of the Baptist in translating all the honour unto Christ in being contented to decrease II. His care to have all the honour ascribed unto Christ though with the losse of his owne honour among men he must increase though I decrease III. The exceeding glory of Christ or the graduall manifestation of the honour of Christ the glory of Christ was such that the Baptist though greater than all the Prophets yet was nothing in comparison of Christ and such was the honour of Christ that it did not all appear at once but by degrees it was an encreasing honour from the former we learne Doctr. That Gods faithfull people are of a meeke and humble disposition therefore likened to little Children who of all sorts of people are least tainted with pride ambition and high conceits of their owne worthines the sheep the most gentle among cattle the dove the most meek among birds this they are exhorted to put on as a garment to cloath them Col. 3.12 this they are charged to seek Zeph. 2.3 this is required more than all externall sacrifice Mic. 6.7 8. this is one branch on every tree growing within the pale of Gods Orchard the lesson of every Scholler in the Schoole of Christ the livery of every follower of the Lord Jesus a fruit of Gods Spirit in all Gods Servants and that Gods Children are an humble people doth appeare 1. By the sight and sence of their owne unworthines they are in their owne apprehension uncleane as any leper men of polluted lips full of abominations altogether vile Iob 40.4 full of corrupt and unsavoury wounds void of all soundness replenished with loathsome diseases Psal 38.5 7. the chief of all sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 their estate in their apprehension is as a house wherein is no one good thing no one clean person Rom. 7.18 is as a garden full of filthy weedes a vineyard overgrowne with thornes a tree that hath nothing but fading leaves a fountaine full of uncleane waters a body covered with rotten rags Isai 64.6 so that they abhorre themselves and repent in dust and ashes Iob 42.6 and being thus vile in their owne apprehension they must needs be humble 2.
By the stirring struggling and striving nature of sin within them it is not asleep it lieth not like a dead man as it doth in the hearts of carnall and unregenerate people but it fighteth and warreth like a Souldier Gal. 5.17 It is not like a resty jade in the pasture but in the bridle under spur whip It is as pricks and thornes in their sides as the Canaanites were to Israel Iudg. 2.3 as a heavy burthen on their backs Psal 38.4 as a dead body a rotten carkasse unsavoury noisome hatefull a continuall vexation Rom. 7.24 afflictions are very availeable to make and keep a man humble but the feeling of the nature and operation of sin as working more immediately upon the soule conscience is much more forcible to drive man out of himselfe to make him humble this will make a man endued with a propheticall Spirit to say Prov. 30.2 3. It will make a man of the rarest endowments of the greatest industry to say Rom. 7.24 and for this it is that God doth leave sin in the hearts of his Servants 2 Cor. 12.7 3. By the continuall subtle and violent assaults that Sathan doth make against them he spreadeth snares and layeth stumbling blocks in the way to make them fall he seeketh as a Pyrate to rob them like an enemy he layeth continuall siedge against them hunteth like a roaring Lion to make a prey of them he casteth his fiery darts at them to affright such and if it were possible to burne and utterly consume them he raiseth many stormes within and without to disturb and amaze them so mighty so incessant so fraudulent are his attempts that as Israel said in another case Psal 124.1 2 3. So do Gods people in this case and by this meanes it cometh to passe that as the Princes of Israel and the King humbled themselves when Shesack had taken some of their Cities and was come up against Ierusalem 2 Cro. 12.5 6 7. so the people of God perceiving how this Prince of darknes taketh advantages against them how he is in continuall warre with them how they are buffeted by him do still walk humbly before the Lord and this is one use God doth make of him 2 Cor. 12.7 4. By the disposition and qualification of their hearts of Lions they are become Lambs of hard they are become soft and tender ground trembling at the Word of God contrite and breake thorough godly grief and sorrow as a high building beaten to the very dust as a strong body having all the bones broken emptied of all conceit of their strength abilities excellencies cast like Paul from the horse back to the ground denying themselves their owne reason affections purposes thoughts ends renouncing their owne wisedome as folly looking on themselves as on a Lamp that hath no Oile as on a broken vessell wherein is no liquour as on a wounded body wherein is no soundnes 5. By the nature and operation of true and saving grace wheresoever this taketh possession it maketh the heart meek and humble according to the sway and dominion which it beareth the full eare of Corn boweth downeward the full loaden ship goeth deep in the waters The nigher Abraham came to God the more humbly he thought of himself Gen. 18.27 The more grace any man hath the more hee seeth the deformity of his owne hearts the obliquity of his wayes the unprofitablenes of his works Luk. 17.10 it maketh them loath themselves Ezek. 36.25 31. This maketh them esteeme others better than themselves Phil. 2.3 to neglect temporall and externall dignities Heb. 11.24 Christ Iesus in whom was the fulnes of all holines was the most compleat and absolute patterne of all meekness Mat. 11.29 Ioh. 15.3 this is a jewell wherewith they be alwayes adorned a garment with which they be every day cloathed without this they think themselves naked 1 Pet. 5.5 Humility waiteth on true grace like the handmaide upon the Mistriss like the threed following the needle the light attending the Sun the Daughter the Mother Ruth Naomi Gal. 5.22 this is one of the wayting maids belonging to this Princesse one of the branches which springeth from this roote 6. By the work of Gods Word upon their hearts this like a hammer doth breake and bruise them like fire doth melt them Ier. 23.29 like an axe laid to the roote of the tree it doth cast them to the ground Mat. 3.10 like dew it doth soften their hearts which are hard as clay under a long Sun shine Deut. 32.2 Like a warlike weapon it doth cast down the mighty Holds of sin maketh high thoughts stoope 1 Cor. 10.5 maketh hils to become low as the Valleys Luk. 3.5 As the Priest looking upon pronouncing the leprous uncleane caused him to lay his hand upon his mouth and to cry uncleane Lev. 13.44 45. So the Minister of the Lord presenting to Gods people the leprosy of their Souls by the Ministry of the word causeth them Acts 2.37 Rom. 7.9 As David by his perswasions and proffers 2 Sam. 19.14 so God by the Ministry of the Gospel doth bow the heart of the people Psal 45.5 7. By the opinion and apprehension they have of their owne works their best performances their sincerest duties they look upon them as on water running through an impure channel on silver mingled with much drosse a heape of Corn mixed with much chaffe an apple having much rotteness within it their understanding like Leah is bleare-eyed their faith like a palsy mans head hath much shaking in it Joh. 11.44 their will like Lazarus comes forth of the grave bound hand and foote Gen. 32.31 their love is but like a fire in green zeale like the flying of a bird whose wings are broken in their best duties they halt like Jacob and find occasion of humiliation after the performance of their choisest service need to pray for forgivenes of what is amisse for Iob 9.3 Psal 143.1 2. 8. By the afflictions which doe befall them they are a ship tossed a tree shaken corn winnowed spice bruised a field plowed a patridge hunted a body Physicked a Child corrected an oxe in the yoake a tree under the pruning knife Zeph. 3.12 Psal 34.19 Heb. 11.25 and this will keep them low and humble this will make them stoop and bow down to the commandements of the Lord. 9. By the base estimation the World hath of them they are in the eye of the World as the dung and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 as monsters signes wonders Isa 8.18 Zach. 3.8 gazing stocks Heb. 10.53 excommunicated persons Luk. 6.22 pestilent people unworthy to live upon the face of the earth Acts 22.22 Acts 24.5 driven into dens and caves Heb. 11.36 37. and by this meanes they are also kept meek and humble 10. By the sight and apprehension they have of God which others have not they by faith see him who is invisible are sensibly affected with the beauty
brightness and Majesty of his holines so affected with it that as Daniel when he saw the vision Dan. 10.8 So they in this manner beholding God to be a God of infinite holines righteousnes wisedome are ashained of their owne corruption and all thought of their owne excellency departeth from them this maketh the very Cherubins cover their feet Isai 6.2 and vers 5. now put all these together and they make this argument that people who are affected with the sence of their owne unworthiness the struggling of their corruptions assaults of Satan whose hearts are broken endued with true grace melted by the Word basely conceited of the best of their works loaden with affliction reproaches in the World affected with the beauty of Gods holines that people is an humble people but thus are Gods people Use This therefore acquainteth us with the dangerous estate of all men of high haughty and ambitious Spirits of men that are puffed up with the conceit of their owne excellencies that soare at least in their owne imagination upon the wings of their owne abilities who will needs increase in the eye of the World though it be to the decrease of the honour of Christ and to the reproach of their brethren such men are surely strangers to the Spirit of the Baptist have little experience of the heavy burthen of the loathsome nature of their owne corruptions of the merit of their doings the wages due to their labours this is a sin arising from present and the increase of temporary and common endowments either internall or externall when men look on humane abilities as Nebuchadnezar upon his palace Dan. 4.30 as the peacock upon his feathers as Rabseca upon his Masters victories 2 King 18.33 then they swell this is a sin arising also from the forgetfulnes of God men consider not that all they have is raine falling from the cloud of Gods bounty fruit gathered from the tree of Gods favour and hereupon they magnify the strength of their owne arme celebrate Philistia like the Dagon of their owne wit and endevours Hab. 1.16 of this the Lord forwarned Israel Deut. 8.14 and of this we have all great cause to be very carefull for I. This is a sin repugnant to our very originall and beginning we are not our owne workmanship a house of our owne building but the hands of the Lord have formed us now shall the vessel magnify it selfe against the potter Isai 29.16 Deut. 32.18 19. but Isai 64.8 and besides God made our bodily part out of the dust whereon our feet tread Gen. 2.17 hence Job 4.17 18 19 20 21. pride is a sin which doth repugne our very creation II. This is a sin repugnant to the tenure of all our endowments our goods and lifes are held at the will of the Lord we are but stewards he may take them when he pleaseth according to our abilities will be our reckoning 1 Cor. 4.1 Luc. 16.2 so that in our selves we are an empty vessel having nothing but what God hath given Gen. 31.9 Iac. 1.17 III. This maketh us uncapable of the grace of Gods Spirit a full vessell is uncapable of new water a full hand of a new gift a full stomack of food these say to instruction as Esau to Iacob I have enough Gen. 33.9 thus Rev. 3.17 Ioh. 9.41 While Paul was on horseback he was uncapable of instructions therefore the Lord smote him to to the ground Acts 9.3 IV. This maketh God to crosse curse and punish us to be after a peculiar manner an enemy against us more than against any others pride maketh a man set himselfe in Gods seate rob God of his honour reject Gods precepts despise his fellow brethren which are Gods Workman ship and for this doth God become an enemy to the proud and when he giveth grace to the humble yet he resisteth the proud Iac. 4.6 When he doth encrease the gifts of the meek he will take away what he hath given to the proud leave them destitute like a Well without water a tree without fruit leaf or branch hence Luc. 1.53 They who feel themselves empty like hungry stomacks Matth. 5.6 thirsty like dry grounds the Lord will give abundantly to drink out of the Wells of salvation but the rich such as be puffed up with the conceit of their owne goods these shall remaine like empty vessels empty of the true knowledge of God joy of the Spirit sence and feeling of the Word of God in his heart as a man will send away him whom he knoweth to have money enough without an almes from his doore and as a King taketh away weapons places of dignity from them that lift up themselves and rebell against him Luk. 14.11 The higher men do exalt themselves the more God will abase them as 2 Sa. 15.2 Acts 12.22 therefore let us take heed of all high conceipts of our owne excellencies Vse 2 Since Gods people are of a humble disposition let us try our selves whither we are indued with this humility or not that so we may know whither we are the Children of God or no and if you be indued with the humility proper to Gods Children you shall know it 1. By the instrument or meanes which doth worke it and that is the preaching of the Word of God the Law and Gospel together this doth awaken the conscience like a sounding trumpet this throweth down high thoughts as the sounding of the rams hornes did the Walls of Iericho Ios 6.20 this hath made you with the jailour Acts 16.31 with Paul Rom. 7.9 this light hath caused you to fall to the ground like that Acts 9.3 this like Daniels vision Dan. 10.8 you have felt how the Lord hath pricked your conscience with this goade Eccles 12.11 How the wounding of this arrow have made you fall down before the Lord Psal 45.4 How this looking glasse this Sun hath acquainted you with the spots that sticke in your Souls like dirt in a garment and hath made you vile in your owne eyes you have experience how God hath laydsiedge against your Souls how by the Ministry of his word he hath made you see your owne weakenes caused you to lay down your weapon yeeld up your selves and seek and sue for peace you have felt how the Gospel of God hath shined like the warme Sun into your hearts and hath melted your frozen affections and how God by his goodnes hath lead you to true repentance and made you truely humble as Ios 5.1 7 5. Iud. 5.45 So the people of God have found at the coming of the Word as Psa 97.4 5. 2. By your reverent meek and lowly attention to and entertainement of the Word of God receiving it as from the mouth of God himselfe 1 Thes 2.13 as that which is the instrument wherein and whereby God will shew himselfe powerfull in the work of salvation Rom. 1.16 as the Scepter by which Christ will sway in our hearts as the Child attendeth with an awfull reverence to
and confidence in God let this cause us to study how to walk worthy of the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord let us in nothing provoke him Thus of his originall next of his disposition earthly before we proced any further in it how the Baptist could say he was of the earth and earthly whether in saying so he did not offer wrong and injury to his Doctrine in so saying since it is said Ioh. 1.6 and Mat. 21.25 also Luc. 7.30 Resp this is a comparative speech between the Baptist and our Saviour in regard of whom he was as nothing no more than no nor so much as the Earth to Heaven the Servant to his Lord the Candle to the Sun 2. the Baptist sheweth what man is being once set in opposition against Christ even the most excellent then he becometh earth dust corrupt unprofitable intimating plainly that if his Disciples did so fasten their eyes on him as thereby to neglect Christ then how holy how Heavenly how excellent soever yet he should be to them as an earthly and a carnall man 3. He sheweth what man is being considered in himself and of himself nothing but earth and earthly disposed 4. Though his Doctrine and commission were from heaven yet this was not a stream from his own fountaine a light of his own kindling but he had it from above it was the Lords and not his thus you see how and why the Baptist said he was of the earth and earthly thereby teaching Doctr. That mans naturall disposition is altogether earthly and carnall a stream whose waters are altogether slimy bitter unsavoury like the waters of Mara unwholesome like the pottage in the Prophets pot till grace be infused as the tree was cast into the water by Moses and the meal into the pot by the Prophet therefore likened to a corrupt tree whose nature and fruit are both naught Mat. 7.17 to a vine bearing no other but sower grapes Isai 5.4 to evill ground bearing thornes and briars Heb. 6.8 to swine wallowing in the mire of sin trampling the precious pearles of the Gospel and sanctification under their feet Math. 7.6 to a sick man whose Palate is altogether disordered Rom. 8.7 2 Cor. 2.14 to a dead man whose inclination is wholy to the earth Ephes 2.1 and therefore Psal 14.3 Gen. 6.5 5. and this is moreover manifest 1. By the absence of all true saving grace there is nothing of heaven remaining in him their souls like the pit whereinto Joseph was cast are empty having no water of grace in them Gen. 37.24 like a barren wombe that hath neither birth nor conception a barren Tree that beareth no fruit Hosea 10.1 like a man fallen into the hands of thieves like him Luk. 10.30 stript of all the apparell which should cover his soul robbed of all the jewels of grace wounded and half dead in his very naturall abiliaments of whom that may be verified which the Prophet speaketh of Niniveh Nah. 2.10 the naturall man is empty and void and wast blackness covereth his soul he is full of uncleanness there is no heart nor courage for God remaining in him and which the Prophet said of Nebuchadnezar Jer. 51.34 the naturall man may much more say of sin and Satan the great Nebuchadnezar the great Babylonish Prince of darkness He hath crushed them and made them empty vessels taken away their heavenly riches and hath cast them out of Gods favour and gracious presence made him as a naked house wherein is no inhabitant no houshold implement Rom. 7.18 all their abilities to good are now become like Jeroboams withered hand which he could neither put forth nor take in so they are neither able to reach forth to any good nor take their hands in from any evill 2. By the presence and the fulnesse of all sin being full of uncleannesse as pits in a rainy day of water as an Adder of poyson as a grave of rottenesse as a Lion of fiercenesse as a Cage of unclean Birds as the sluggards field of thorns and bryars as the Prophet said of the people Ezek. 7.23 the Land is full of bloudy crimes the City is full of violence so is the body of man full of iniquity and the Soul is full of uncleannesse as the waters in Aegypt which were clear were turned into bloud so that the fish died and the Rivers stunk so that all the faculties in the Soul and Members of the body are corrupted perverted and the grace which once was in them is utterly dead and man is now become as an unsavoury carkasse in the nostrils of God 3. By the Dominion and sway of Satan he rules like a King Eph. 2.3 leads like a Tyrant 2 Tim. 2.26 works like a Black-smith upon his Anvill Eph. 2.2 is worshipped like a God 2 Cor. 4.4 affected reverenced obeyed like a father Ioh. 8 44. as ready to execute his commands as the servants of Absolon were to accomplish his 2 Sam. 13.28 29. If he bid then wait an opportunity to do mischief they waite bid them open their mouths to revile blaspheme use filthy communication presently they swear reproach and utter unseemly and corrupt language c. 4. By the wonderfull agreement which is between the carnal heart and sin and the world these like Simeon and Levi they are brethren in evil like Herod and Pilate they conspire against Christ the truth the life the power of Godlinesse like Jehu Jehonadab they give the right hand of fellowship one to another and ride both in one Chariot and what combates soever may seem to be between them however sin may sometime trouble the natural mans conscience how sick soever it may make him for the present yet with the Dog he will eat up again his vomit he will never so fall out with sin but he will soon be friends he will be able still to call it brother as Ahab after his wars with Benhadad could ask is my brother Benhadad yet alive and though the Lord command him to destroy his sin give it into his hand gave him all advantage over it yet as Ahab made a Covenant with Benhadad and let him goe so will the natural man with his sin sin is the natural mans Absolon David warred against Absolon but hath had no purpose to destroy him so the natural man when his sin doth sometime disturb him begins to make a little war against it but never means to set himself so to work as to destroy it sin is the natural mans Paradise wherein he doth desire to live his path wherein he would alwayes walk the companion with whom he delighteth to communicate the forbidden Tree of whose fruit he delighteth to eat the fountains of whose waters he thirsteth to drink the onely recreation wherewith they desire to be refreshed Prov. 14.9 they can say of sin and the world as Ruth of Naomi Ruth 1.15 6. they will not be intreated to leave it but when it goeth they will go
the whole man shall be cleansed from all iniquity and to labour for this estate let us be perswaded 1. Because this will interest us in all Gods favours make all things to become ours to be comfortable helpfull beneficial this will make God to be our God our Father Christ to be our friend Mediator Advocate Husband Sun Shield Prince of peace the Spirit of God to be our comforter Ioh. 15.26 our guide Io. 16.13 to be our earnest penny and our Seal to assure us of the Lords mercy and loving kindnesse Ephes 1.13.14 a fire to warm us 1 Thes 5.19 water to cleanse us Isa 44.3 the Ministery of the Gospel to be a Ministery of reconciliation to us 2 Cor. 5.18 a pleasant light to shine unto our feet Psal 119.105 a heavenly Manna pure milk to feed our Souls 1 Pet. 2.2 a goad to drive us forward Physick to heal us a weapon to kill sin and defend our Souls all the earth shall be serviceable to us this life and the life to come shall be ours 1 Tim. 4.8 we shall be the richest people upon earth have better revenues than all the mighty men in the World Psal 34.10 Because this will inable us to finde many sweet and heavenly comforts in Gods ordinances this will make them full of precious and choise delights to our Souls this will make them be a delicate and dainty feast this will cause us to behold them as a letter of love from the Lord Jesus the Bridegroom of our Souls this will make them sweet as the hony-comb to our palate Psal 19.10 even the rejoycing of our hearts Jer. 15.16 this will make them more precious than any Treasure Psal 119.72 more pleasant than any tidings Luke 2.10 this will make them the savour of life to our Souls 2 Cor. 2.14 this will make them speak peace to our consciences Isa 57.19 this will make them as a banquet to the hungry stomack Cant. 2.4 this will make them as the Dove to Noah as the Star to the wise-men as the water out of the Rocks to Israel this will inable us to say of them as David of Jonathan 2 Sam. 1.26 3 Because this will cause all to work for our good if we be regenerate whatsoever is against us shall in the issue be with us prove beneficial for us as David said of Shimei's railing 2 Sam. 16.11 So the fiery darts which Satan casteth the venemous arrowes which the evill speakers quiver shooteth the heavy burthens which the hand of the potent enemy imposeth imprisonment sicknesse poverty temptations disgrace and whatsoever it be it shall all by the gracious hand of God be turned to our good if we like David be men after Gods own heart for Tit. 1.15 all shall be for their welfare all shall be blessed to them the sword which is unsheathed against them shall like Goliah's sword become an instrument to cut off the enemies head the envious practises of their brethren shall be a means of their advancement as in Joseph the pit which is digged the snare which is spread for them shal take and entangle him that spread it every obstacle shall be turned into a furtherance every burthen into wings every lyon shall have a honey-comb in his belly This is the priviledge of Gods people the prerogative of sanctification an inducement full of power to perswade all that are not past feeling to return to God by true repentance to serve him in holiness and true righteousness 4. Since the natural mans workes are all naught water of a poysonous fountaine fruit from an evil tree let us all examine and try our selves what our workes are whether they be good or evill And this we shall discerne 1. By the fountaine whence they spring all good works must come from a good and a sanctified heart The good ground which brought forth good fruit resembled a good and honest heart and Matth. 12.35 Matth. 7.17 all the works of a carnal man are dead works in regard of their original nature and issue none but a new creature can doe the works of new obedience All our actions are actions of uncleanness till we be washed and justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus 2. By the rule by and in obedience to which they are done They must not be done after our fancy in obedience to our own will our Sacrifice must be offered with fire from Gods Altar what we doe must be that which God required and it must be done because God hath required it Lev. 10.1 2. 1 Sam. 15.22 out of conscience to Gods precept 3. By the faith and perswasion we have in our heart when we do it We must beleeve that God in Christ is well pleased with us we must bear fruit as branches of Christ else it will be in Gods account as soure grapes Heb. 11.6 As we must ask all so we must do all in the name of Christ 4. By the affection wherewith it is performed It must not arise out of feare nor proceed from constraint but out of unfeigned love to God This must be the first mover in all our undertakings 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 9.7 as Jude 5.2 5. By the circumstances wherewith it is apparelled as Prov. 25.11 for Eccles 3.1 and Matth. 6.3 4. 6. By the end whereunto it is done We must chiefly look unto God all our arrows must be levelled to his glory as to the chiefest mark we are not our own but his by our election he hath chosen us Eph. 1.5 6. By our creation he hath made us for himselfe Prov. 16.4 By our redemption he hath bought us to himselfe 1 Cor. 6.20 By our vocation he hath called us to shew forth his praise 1 Pet. 2.9 and to him must we live 2 Cor. 5.15 If our works be thus qualified we may be sure they come from a regenerate spirit and are well accepted of him who is above all This is a repetition of what was formerly spoken to shew his disciples that they must needs subject themselves to Christ and to let them see how difficult it is he doth againe repeat it So that you see the repetition and the reason of the repetition The former may teach us Doct. 1 1. It is very needfull that Gods Ministers should often urge and presse the same material duties upon their hearts Phil. 3.1 that they may understand it more clearly be awakened by it more effectually affected with it more throughly that it may be imprinted upon their hearts the more effectually that it may abide with them the more constantly People must not think it unprofitable to heare the same points of doctrine often pressed upon them Naaman went seven times into Jordan Peters cock crowed thrice From the other we may learn Doct. It is a very hard thing to make men renounce all self-confidence and subject themselves unto and altogether rely vpon Christ Jesus therefore the Baptist doth againe and againe presse it This occasioned
accord This you may descerne 1. By the soundnesse the fulnesse holiness of their knowledge in the matter of life and salvation for as the Sun ruling the world is full of light the Sea watring the earth is full of Waters so must the Ministers of God be full of knowledge therefore called starres Rev. 1.16 And light Mat. 5.14 Guides Acts. 8.31 Shepheards Ephes 4.11 Captaines 2 Tim. 2.3 Stewards Lu. 13.52 And it is Gods ordinance Mal. 2.7 Gods promise Jer. 3.15 The contrary to this is an argument men are not sent Hos 4.6 Jer. 2.8 2. By the holinesse and integrity of their conversations Kings send not rebels to reclaim others they who are tainted with the Plague themselves are very dangerous Physitians no man will willingly take Physick from them but Lu. 4.23 therefore God doth purify and cleanse his Messengers from iniquity Mal. 2.5 6. And 1 Tim. 4.12 And therefore our Saviour Matth. 5.16 and Isaiah was cleansed Isa 6.5 And Paul proposeth himselfe and the rest for an example Phil. 3.17 The contrary to this argueth want of commission Jer. 23.14 1 Sam 2.17 Mat. 5.3 3. By the fervency of their Zeal affections they must be full of courage comming forth as it is said of the Sun like Bridegrooms out of their Chamber rejoycing like mighty men to run the race which God hath set them being like burning iron warming them that are about them thus the word as fire shut up in Jeremy his bones Jer. 20.9 Examples hereof wee have in Eliah 1 Kings 18.21 Zacharias 2 Chron. 24 20. In the Baptist Mat. 3.7 In Stephen Acts. 7.51 In Paul Acts. 34 20. The want of this is taxed Matth. 7.29 and Rev. 3.16 4. By their sincere and Heavenly Doctrine such as God sendeth delivereth Gods message good nurses give wholesome milke to the children good Stewards give not gravell but good bread to the family thus 2 Tim. 2.15 They give every man his portion out of Gods word knowledge to the ignorant reproofe to the obstinate comfort to the afflicted encouragement to the opposed and 1 Pet. 4.11 Tit. 1.9 And then Jer. 23.22 But the contrary hereunto Mica 2.11 Lam. 2.24 5. By their industry in their calling expressed by the similitudes of Husband-men builders 1 Cor. 3.6 9. Souldiers 2 Tim. 2.3 It was prophesied Isa 62.5 Charged 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Tim. 4.15 Practised 1 Cor. 15.10 But the want of this discovereth want of commission Isa 56.10 6. By their griefe to see men sinfull as a good Physitian to see his patient diseased a loving Nurse to see her childe sick thus 2 Pet. 2.8 Jer. 9.1 Jer. 13.17 Psa 119.136 But Acts. 4.2 7. By their seeking of the Glory of God and the good of his Church more then themselves or their owne good 2 Cor. 4.5 2 Cor. 12.14 1 Cor. 10.33 1 Thes 2.19 But 2. Pet. 2.3 These meeting together in a Minister are assured evidence that God hath sent such one in mercy to his servants 8. By their constancy in their calling and religious and holy conversation such as God sendeth are not like a broken Bow that starteth back in the day of battle like the sluggard that would not walke because there was a Lion in the Street like the sloathfull man that would not sow because it was cold they grow not weary of the work of the Lord their calling is a delight no trouble their work is pleasant no iron yoke to them and therefore as Eccles 11.6 So they sow in the morning in the Evening are constant in imbracing every occasion looking unto God for a blessing though they fish long with Peter catched nothing yet at Christs command they cast forth the net in hope of a good draught at last they know that God hath severall houres for mens conversion some at the third some at the sixth hour some at the ninth hour some at the last hour of the day so must they continue constant to the last hour in their calling and if none convert by their labours yet they know that their endeavours shall not be altogether fruitlesse Jsa 49 4 And therefore they are not like Meteors and blazing starrs shining for a season and then fall to ground but like the sun they are constant in their care this was Gods charge to Jeremy Jer. 15.19 20 21. And it was his practise Jer. 20.9.10 This was Pauls resolution Acts. 20.24 And this he verified 2 Tim. 4.7 This the Apostles also manifested it was within them as a fire not to be quenched as a streame not to be stopped Acts. 4.19.20 But Apostacy from God either in doctrine or conversation may justly call into question their commission Demas once accounted a fellow-labourer Philimon verse 24. afterward proved an Apostaticall lover of the world 2 Tim. 4.10 And Rev. 12.4 Faithfulnesse to the end in the Ministeriall calling is a gracious testimony that God hath given them a commission and that hee hath sent them for the good of his people Thus of his authority Next let us looke upon his Alsufficiency Authority without ability is like a sword without a hand ability without authority is like a hand without a sword both insufficient both of little use but where both concurre they make a man compleat to fulfill the calling hee hath undertaken therefore that the Baptist might the better move the more effectually perswade the hearts of his disciples to imbrace beleeve and build upon Christ he commendeth him not onely by his authority whom God hath sent he speaketh the word of God but also by his Alsufficiency for God hath not given the spirit by measure Some extend these words to Gods abundant common dispensation of all good things why being the fountaine of all goodnesse doth largely poure out his blessings and yet is not emptied any more then the Sun of his light by Shining or the sea of water by sending forth many streams to water the earth he that draweth out of a vessel what he giveth commeth at length to the bottome but he that dippeth out of the Sea never commeth to the bottome the abilities of the creatures are soone like a little vessell drawne dry but God never giveth so much but there is a great fulnes in him at the last as there was at the first his hand is never short that it cannot help his arme is never weary that it cannot give assistance it is never low water but alwaies full Sea with this goodnesse a singular expression of the transcendency of God beyond and above all creatures a powerfull load-stone to draw men to God from the world a singular encouragement to men to relye upon God as on a sure foundation which will never sinke to draw nigh to God as to the fountaine of living waters which will most certainely refresh us as to a tree loaden with all forts of fruit bearing new fruit every month an admirable comfort to Gods children that their God is their stay and their
grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 If any man want wisedome to discerne the things which differ to know the deepe things of God let him seeke it at the hands of God for this is also Gods gift Matth. 16.17 If any man want faith let him aske of God for this is also the gift of God Phil. 1.29 If any man want peace let him seeke it from the Lord for it commeth from him Ro. 16.20 If any man want love let him addresse himselfe to God for it for hee is love 1 Jo. 4.8 And the God of love 2 Cor. 13.11 If any man want patience let him sue to God for he is the Authour of it Ro. 15.5 As the lame men came to Bethesda to be healed as Naaman came to Iordan to bee washed as the lame man lay at the gates of the Temple for an almes so come you to God to bee healed to be cleansed to be enriched with every good gift hee alone can supply your wants Hos 13.9 All other helpers are Physitians of no value you shall be constrained to come to him at last goe whither yee will for the present Mar. 5.29 You shall be constrained Hos 14.3 All the world shall say as 2 Kings 6.26 27. Hee alone hath promised to lend the hand of assistance to open the fountaine of his Loving-kindnesse to warm us with the Sun-shine of his countenance to delight our soules with his comforts Mat. 7.7 Mat. 11.28 Psa 81.10 Hee alone knoweth our wants is acquainted with our weaknesses he knoweth what wee need before wee aske Nah. 1.5 Hee alone careth for us in our distresse as a father for his childe a Shepheard for his flock his eyes are upon us Psa 14.15 He is sensible of our afflictions Isa 63.9 As a mother of the affliction of her childe Isa 49.15 Therefore let us not goe to Egypt to Baalzebub to Endor let us not goe to the Physitians which have no skill to the trees which have no fruit to hives which have no honey to the store-houses which have no treasure to the lamps which have no light to withered hands which have no strength but let us goe to God in whom is all fulnesse all goodnesse all abundance and hee will surely give if wee aske in faith Iam. 1.5.6 In humility Iam. 4.6 In sincerity Psa 145 19. In fervency Iam. 5.16 In constancy Lu. 18 3. 2. Over all blessings Gods gifts are the free favours of his hand then be not proud of thy great abundance art thou advanced above others is the roots of thy tree more abundantly watred then others hath the Sun shined more warmly on thee and thy dwelling then others hast thou more feathers in thy nest in thy wings then others have be not proud it is all the gift of God what hast thou which thou hast not received hast thou riches hast thou honoures are not these branches growing upno Gods Tree 1 Chr. 29.12 1 Sam. 2.8 Psa 75.6.7 Hast thou knowledge is thy soule full of light is not this a Lampe of Gods kindling Col. 1 26.27 Hast thou faith is not this a work of Gods finger Jo. 6.29 Hast thou holinesse is not this a garment of Gods weaving of Gods putting on Ezeck 16.8.9.10 Was not thine iniquity purged with a Coale from Gods Altar Isa 6.5 Think upon any gift any endowment of the body or of the minde where-with thou art adorned and see if it be not a streame of Gods fountaine a letter of his writing an undeserved favour of Gods bestowing looke upon the freedome of Gods goodnesse thinke upon thine own unworthiness meditate upon Gods end and purpose in the donation of his favours bee affected with thy walking unworthy of Gods mercies let thy thoughts be upon the strict account whereunto God will call thee for the imployment of all the favours hee hath bestowed on thee and then bee not high minded but feare 3. Is every blessing every good thing we enjoy Gods gift then let us give God the praise of all let us so imploy all that wee may glorifie God in the use thereof as they have their originall from him so in their use they must serve him Rom. 11.36 Who saith the Apostle planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk 1 Cor. 9.7 So shall God feed us shall God plant us shall God water us shall God bestow upon us all manner of blessings and shall not he have the praise thereof shall not he be honoured with it Prov. 3.9 Shall not all be so ordered so disposed that God may be magnified according to that 1 Pet. 4.11 Is not God who hath made all who hath preserved all who hath done all for us worthy of praise Rev. 4.11 Is not this the voice of all creatures doe they not all say Rev. 5.13 And shall not man who hath drunke deepest of the cup of Gods mercies tasted most abundantly of the River of Gods Loving-kindnesse bee thankfull to him for his blessings and study to glorifie him in the use of such talents as you hath received from him and to the end wee may glorifie God in the use of his gifts and be thankfull for his mercies 1. Wee must looke upon and take notice of every gift of every blessing wee enjoy as of a gift comming from Gods hand as on a dew falling from Gods cloud as on fire taken from Gods Altar looke not so much upon second as upon the first cause upon inferiour meanes as upon God who doth all in all raise your hearts to this pitch that you may be able to say with Jacob Gen 30.8 Gen. 33.5 With Joseph Gen. 48.9 As Moses taught Israel to say Deut. 26.9 So thou must be able feelingly to say God hath given mee his Word his Sacrament his spirit God hath given mee health strength liberty food raiment Wife children take it all as a gift of God and then thou shalt strive to give God the glory of it Deut. 26.10 2 Labour to get your heart throughly affected with the goodnesse of God therin strive to see it to take it as a singular mercie from the hands of God to read therein the lively characters of Gods Love to tast the sweetnesse and goodnesse of God in the same to be stirred up to rejoyce in God thereby and then wee shall seeke to glorifie God therein as 1 Sam. 1.27 28. She was affected with Gods goodnesse in the gift and therefore gave the same again unto God and to this we are exhorted Psal 34 7 8. And of this we have example Psa 38.17 19. 3 Be thereby stirred up to love God let it be as a Bellows blowing up thy cold affections as beams from the Sun warming thy heart as a Load-stone to draw thee neerer unto God Psal 116.1 2. And then he disputed with himself casts about what course to take that he might glorifie God verse 12. this will constrain them to doe all for Gods
3.1 Isa 26.8.9 2. To use all diligence to get them all businesse set apart all other gaine neglected let us seek to be partakers of Grace of the Spirit as the Wise men left their owne countrey to come to Christ the disciples left all to follow him so let us take off our hearts from the world from carnall friends and from whatsoever is deare unto us and seeke to bee endowed with heavenly riches let us Pro. 2.2 3. Let us with David Psal 27.4 desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all our life that we may behold the beauty of the Lord to enquire in his temple Jer. 50.4 Dan. 9.3 Let us by hearing premeditation fasting and by all holy meanes seeke this grace 3. Let us value it more highly then all the treasures of the earth for Job 28.19 Psa 84.10 Psa 119.72 4. Let us love it more entirely then any other endowment give them the preheminence in our affections the chiefest roome in our hearts let us enlarge desires of our hearts towards them let us bestowe the strength and quintessence of our love upon them let us so affect them that with the Spouse we be sick of love Cant. 5.2 So love them that it make us long for them Psal 119.20 so love them that with Jacob we serve an apprentiship for them 5. Let us rejoyce and delight in it more then in all earthly treasure as Matth. 2.10 So wee to see any starre of Grace appeare in the heart as Anna 1. Sam. 2.1 So wee for our new birth thus Psa 4.6 6. Let us receive it more thankfully as Eccles 16.1 Gal. 6.14 7. Let us treasure it up more carefully when Achan had gotten a golden Wedge hee hid it 8. Let us receive the saving graces of the Spirit more thankfully then any common endowments and render more praise to God for this then for any other favour let us be more thankeful for our new birth then for noble birth so for victory ouer sin then for conquest our all bodily enemies for the riches of grace then for all worldly treasures for knowledg faith love meekness patience the joy of the spirit then for all the choisest jewels and most precious praises in the world As wee receiv a cup of pure and pleasant wine more thankfully then a cup of small water a piece of gold more thankfully then a handful of ordinary and common earth as Theodosius gave more thanks that hee was a member of the Church than head of the Empire so should wee give more thanks that wee are the members of Christ Jesus than for the greatest earthly present whereunto the hand of the world can advance us as Naman was thankful for the purging of his leprosie so let us for the washing away of the filth of sin as Moses sang praises to God for their deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh so let us for our deliverance out of the hands of Satan for the donation of the spirit and the grace wherewith wee are enriched Ephes 1.3 This was the Saint's practice Col. 1.12 13. Wee should say for this as David did 2 Sam. 7.18 19 20 22. so should wee com and stand before our God and say Who are wee O Lord God that thou shouldest bring us hitherto that of slaves thou shouldest make us thy free men that of men dead in sin putrified in the grave of corruption thou shouldest raise us to a new life of thorns briars thou shouldest make us fruitfull and bearing vines of strangers thou shouldest make us thine own adopted Children of poor and blinde naked thou shouldest make us rich with the saving grace of thy spirit and this was yet a small thing but thou hast also prepared everlasting mansions for us to dwell in immortal crowns for us to wear upon our heads a glorious ever shining sun to give us light even fulness of joy at thy right hand for ever And what can wee say unto thee our God for all these things how can we sufficiently laud thee for thy goodness for in this are all the motives and inducements of thankfulness If you will sing for refreshment received in the day of drought as Israël did for the spring of water Num. 21.17 here is our welspring of everliving water Joh. 4.14 If yee will bless God for victorie as Debora and Baruc did Jud. 5.1 Here is that which inableth you to tread Satan under foot Rom. 16 20. and maketh you more then conquerers in all assaults Rom. 8.36 If you will offer sacrifice and make vows as the heathen marriners for the appeasing of the tempestuous and raging Sea Jona 1.16 here is that which appeaseth a greater storm which breedeth a sweeter peace Phil. 4.7 If yee will give thanks for the opening of your eies which were blinde as the blinde man did Joh. 9.38 here is that which openeth the eie of the understanding inableth you to see the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2 9.10 This is the sword which conquereth the Physick which healeth the musick which delighteth the milk which nourisheth the wine which cheereth the friend which comforteth the hand which enricheth therefore wee should bee thankfull for this above all other blessings 7. Let us treasure up these gifts most carefully as the husbandmen hide the good seed in the ground that it may bee preserved from the fowls of the aër take root and bring forth increas as rich men lock up their jewels in strong chests place them in close and sure rooms that the hand of the thief may not reach them so must wee with all diligence hide and with all carefulness keep the saving grace of the spirit it is our choicest endowment it will yield us most comfort do us most good stand us in most stead as the people said of David 2 Sam. 18.3 Thou art worth ten thousand of us so the grace of the spirit is worth ten thousand of your sheep oxen gold and silver therefore bee as careful to keep it as the people were to keep David as a man would be to keep the apple of his eie or his right hand It was Solomon's charge to his Son a charge often repeated to make him heedful of it Proverb 3.21 4.23 urged by our Saviour Rev. 2.21 3.12 The like may bee seen in Paul Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 6.12.13.14 Satan the the World the Flesh will all strive to wrest from us the grace of the spirit by force by flattery by promises and provocations as Dalila labored to cut away Samson's locks so will these strive to rob us of God's saving grace therefore wee must give all diligence to keep it 8. Let all God's people bee contented how slender soëver their outward estate bee though you wash not your feet in butter neither doth the rock yield any oil though your root spread not out by the waters nor the dew lay not all night upon your branch though your outward glorie be not fresh
nor the bow of your wordly strength renewed in your hand as Job's was yet if your souls bee washed in Christ's blood if the oile of grace bee powred upon them if the dew of God's grace rest upon them if they grow in holiness as trees planted by the waters side if the inward glorie of the soul bee fresh if the strength of grace bee renewed if God's external ordinance your internal grace bee like the bow of Jonathan that turned not back the sword of Saul which returned not empty from the blood of the slain and from the fat of the mightie if this conquer your corruptions prevaile against Satan and the world though your earthly estate be like a small river a lamp with little oil a tree with few branches yet having the saving grace of the Spirit you have the best having this they have enough As God answered Paul 2 Cor. 12.9 Complaining vers 8. so may all men endued with the saving grace of the Spirit if they complain of anie want of absence of anie outward good or presence of anie outward evil bee answered The grace of God is sufficient this is a feast to the hungry Prov. 15.16 an inheritance to the poor Psal 119.111 armor to the assaulted Ephes 6.13 this is instead of all other blessings as the sun is instead of all other lights therefore all God's people should say as David did Psal 16.5.6 for 1. Tim. 6.8 and wee should all resolv with Jacob. Gen. 28.20.21 grace is the best portion the most abiding substance the tree whose leaf doth never fade the fountain whose waters are never dried up the store-hous which yieldeth the best riches a garment like them once worn by Israel it weareth not out with using like the widow's barrel of meal and cruis of oil it will feed not consume nor grow dry with drawing forth a catalogue of blessings do ever attend it the light of God's face which ministreth more joy than the brightest Sun of worldly prosperitie doth alwaies accompany it a singular and satisfactorie fulness is ever to bee found in it and therefore rest your selvs contented with it Prov. 19.23 Motives quickning stirring moving induceing and leading us to the practice of all these duties may bee drawn 1. From the dignitie Honor Eminence and Excellency of their estate above all other estates and conditions of men and estate exceeding other estates as far as life exceedeth death as far as liberty excelleth bondage light darkness for others are dead in sin Col. 1.22 bondmen to Satan 2 Tim. 2.26 sitting in darkness and the shadow of death Mat. 4.16 but these are alive to God free from sin Rom. 6.11.18 have seen a glorious light Isa 93. These have the most worthy and honorable original they are the regenerate ofspring of the everliving and most glorious God Isa 1.18 Ioh. 1.13 These have most honorable kindred Heb. 2.11 Luk. 8.21 calling 1 Tim. 1.9 1 Pet. 2.9 These are not strangers but Sons Ioh. 1.12 not rubbish but living stones in God's building 1 Pet 2.5 not thorns and briars in the forrest but fruitful and bearing trees in Gods Orchard Cant. 4.14 even trees of God's planting Isa 16.3 Holiness is the surest way to the best preferment the onely step to bee unchangeably and gloriously advanced this shall bring men like Ioseph out of the prison to bee advanced into the second place not of an earthly but a heavenly kingdom this shall make them shine as the Sun Mat. 13.43 set a glorious crown upon their head Rev. 2·10 for Mat. 19.28 As Saul was the head of the people so shall these bee the head of all their brethren Isa 58.13.14 men do much for honor bee good you shall bee great 2. From the joy which doth accompany the true and saving grace of the spirit the opening of the womb to the barren of the prison to the captived of the hand to the needy the filling of poor with riches of the diseased with health of the heavie-hearted glad tidings of the hungry with the choicest delicates cannot so warm the soul so rejoice the heart so solace the inward man as a gracious measure of true holiness The joy of Anna for the birth of a childe 1. Sam. 2.1 the joy of Saul and the men of Israel and the day of their enemies overthrow and Saul's Coronation 1 Sam· 11.15 the joy of the Citizens of Susan in the time of Haman Est 8.15 the joy of the rich man in filling his barns Luk. 12.19 the joy of the Souldier in dividing the spoil Isa 9.3 is not so great as the joy of the new birth spiritual coronation of God's people the overthrow of the holds of Satan the filling of the soul with the saving graces of the spirit this joy to other joyes is as a full stream to a few drops as a flaming fire to a few sparks as a bright and shining Sun to the light of a candle readie to extinguish this is a full joy Ioh. 16.24 great joy Acts. 8.8 glorious and unspeakale joy 1. Pet. 1.8 constant and abiding joy Ioh. 15.11 a Sun which shineth when all other vanishing meteors of comfort are extinct Prov. 13.9 all the causes of true joy do accompany a godly life God's favor God's presence God's blessing sense of God's goodness assurance of a gracious issue out of all dangers 3. From the stabilitie and stedfastness which doth attend it men that are endued with true grace are like a hous upon a sure foundation like a tree of deep roots uneasily moved therefore likened to a tree by the waters side Psal 1.3 Psal 52.8 and Pro. 14.11 they are held in a strong hand Ioh. 10.28 they are built upon a sure rock Mat. 16.18 they are compast about with a strong defence Zech. 2.5 hence Psa 31.20.21 1. Sam. 2.9 Prov. otherwise Psal 73.18 Hos 13.3 4. From the presence of God vouchsafed to it God's gracious presence is yielded onely to such as are indued with true holiness amongst them will hee be as a General among his army a shepherd among his flock a teacher among his scholars a father among his family defending against adversaries power instructing them in holy duties encouraging them in all their undertakings feeding them with his ordinances watering them with the dews of his spirit hee will frustrate all assaults of the enemie Zeph. 3.15 he will fill the souls of his people with gladness v. 17. make them a prais glory among the people as flowers among the grass as the lilly among the thorns Zech. 2.5 they shall enjoy all abundance Ioël 2.26.27 if they fall into affliction it shall not consume them Exod. 3.4 5. From the happy gracious and comfortable issue whereunto it leadeth how full of storms soëver the sea bee yet it alway bringeth to a peaceable haven though the seed twice bee full of tares yet the harvest is ever replenished with joy though the godly man meet at first like Samson with
for Job 34.19 it is onely true piety which maketh us dear and pretious in God's eies which moveth God to fasten his affection upon us and to delight himself in us men may bee admired by men for their endowments because men judg according to external appearance as 1 Sam. 16.6 but as vers 7. so God looketh not on men because tall in honors high in external callings great through a worldly abundance but the holy man is the object of God's affection Psal 146.8 these are God's chois Jam. 2.5 these are God's delight Pro. 11.20 these are a diademe and a crown of glory in God's hand Isa 62.3 to these doth hee look with these doth hee delight to dwell Isa 57.15 Joh. 14 23 24. these are unto Christ in stead of all others Mat. 12.50 And indeed upon whom hath the cloud of God's love distilled on whom hath the light of his countenance shined towards whom have the infallible testimonies of God's favor been manifested but onely to such as are endued with the saving gifts and graces of his Spirit to whom hath hee vouchsafed his presence as a father among his children as a shepherd among his flock as the sun among the stars in the firmament surely onely to such as fear him Psal 46.5 Zeph. 3.15 Gen. 28.12 upon whom doth hee cast forth the light of his countenanee whose soul doth hee affect with the sens of his love but onely such as by a lively faith imbrace his promises and keep their feet within the way of his commandements Psal 11.7 Rom. 5.5 to whom doth hee make his Word a joifull tidings a healing salve a sweet savour but onely to such as pass their time in his fear order their conversation in a holy manner to them the meditation thereof is sweet Psal 104.34 common favors indeed are vouchsafed to the bad as the rain falleth on the bad ground as well as the good Mat. 5.45 but the special pledges of God's love are conferred onely upon the righteous Psal 50.16 But it may bee you will say That riches and honors and these external favors that they are also blessings they are water out of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from his hand 2. They are therefore very much deceived who bless themselvs as being God's dearest favorites the choisest of his beloved because they are most plenteously enriched with these common endowments because their houses are fairer their possessions larger their dignities greater their earthly delights pleasures and comforts far excelling other this is a sandy foundation to build upon a deceitfull balance to weigh themselvs in a fals rule whereby to judg of God's love who had more pleasure than the glutton faring deliciously and wearing fine apparell every day yet a fire brand of hell Luke 16. who richer than hee that builded his barns greater cheared up his soul with the thought of his great abundance yet who at the last were his attendants but the devils Luke 12. where was his dwelling but in everlasting darkness who perished in the red sea was it not Pharaoh king of Egypt Exod. 14. who was eaten up of lice was it not Herod that sate upon the throne Act. 12.22 On whom came sorrow widowed and loss of children in one day was it not upon the Babylonish Queen that lived in pleasures Isa 47.7 8. Who stand in slipery places but they who have more than heart can desire Psal 73.18 Who perish like their beasts but they that boasted of their wealth Psal 14.49 on the other side Who poorer than Lazarus who had resting place in Abraham's bosom Luke 16.8 Who had no other cradle but a manger Luke 2. Who had not where to lay his head but the Son of man Christ Jesus who of all others was most dear to God Who were in sheeps skins and goats skins in the wilderness in caves destitute afflicted tormented but the good people of God of whom the world was not worthy Who were accounted as the dung and of-scouring of the earth but the Apostles of the Lord Jesus the transgressors they have grown as the grass overtopt the righteous as the tares the corn advanced themselvs in the world like the cedars in Lebanon they have been among men as the Leviathan among the fishes of the sea as the lion buls bears among the beasts of the field as the eagle among the birds of the aër as the tree by the great waters among the trees of the forrest the most unholy have many times the greatest abundance of outward favors and therefore wee cannot but falsly conclude them to bee most happy who have most earthly plenty fatness and prosperity for having nothing but this 1. they are dead in sin and whom judg wee most happy the dead with a goodly tomb or the living that hath life in him the widow living in pleasures was very wretched because dead in sin while shee lived 2. these are destitute of God's image it is not the adorning of the body with gold and silver but the adorning of the soul with grace which is in the sight of God of great price 3. these have no communion with God it is not by wealth but by faith and holy life that wee have fellowship with God 1 Joh. 1.6 4. these are strangers to true peace it is not wordly riches but true grace that bringeth peace unto the conscience riches usually breed many troubles they have unability to appeas a stormy tempest of a troubled conscience Ez. 19.7 But it may bee you will say that riches honors and external favors are blessings also that these are waters of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from God's hand and therfore also a testimony of God's love to which I answer it is true they are blessings in themselvs for every creature of God in it's own kind is good Gen. 1.31 they are all from the Lord the giver of every good gift Isa 1.17 for the earth is the Lord 's Psal 24.1 riches and honor come from him 1 Chro. 29.12 the Lord setteth one and pulleth down another 1 Sam. 2.7 all cometh from God's providence but all cometh not from God's mercy and love to them who are possessors of it it is one thing to have a thing by the cours of God's Providence another thing to have it from God in love and in favor for God giveth in wrath as well as in mercy as Hos 13.11 so God giveth wealth and riches in his wrath and taketh it away in his displeasure thus Israel had quails given but it was in wrath Numb 11.33 better they had been without them Thus Solomon saw this evil under the sun riches kept for the owners thereof to their own hurt Ecles 5.13 when Absalon made a feast hee invited all his brethren prepared dainties for them som hee invited in love but Amon in hatred for hee gave charge to his servants when they should see him merry with wine that then they should fall upon him and
shall wee give good evidence of our faith according to that of the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. Thus of the nature of faith the second thing here noted was the object of faith in Christ it receiveth imbraceth resteth and relieth upon Christ whence observe Doctr. That the Lord Jesus is the proper and peculiar object of the faith of all true believers God is the object of our faith not as hee is considered simply and absolutely in himself but as wee do live to him thorough the grace favor and goodness wee receive from him 1 Tim. 4.10 the word and promises of God by a Metonymy of the adjunct are said to the object of faith so far forth as they continue in them and exhibite unto us that which is the object of faith Christ as a mediator is the mediate but not the ultimate object of faith because wee believ thorough Christ in God Rom. 6.11 2 Cor. 3 4. 1 Pet. 1.22 and in this respect wee are said to bee in Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 to have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 to bee betrothed to Christ Eph. 5.23 this was the doctrine of the Baptist as St Paul relateth it Acts 19.9 the charge given by St Paul himself Acts 16.31 this is the gift of God to his chosen children Phil. 1.29 and this is the foundation whereon the people of God have builded John 12 11. and Christ must bee the object of our faith 1. Because hee alone is ordained of God to bee a Saviour Mediator between us and God him God the Father heareth in him hee is well-pleased Math. 18.5 him hath God the Father sealed and set apart for this work John 3.35 hee is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 hee is the promised feed Gen. 3.15 there is no other name Acts 12.1 1 Tim. 3.5 2. Because in him alone is eternal life to bee found God himself without Christ is a consuming sire Heb. 12.29 by reason of our sin all the creatures are as a dead thing they can do us no good all the ordinances of God are a killing letter God hath put all fulness into Christ Col. 2.9 our life is hidden in him Col. 3.3 and this was the ground of Peter's answer to our Saviour John 6.68 whither shall wee go no creature can save us they are all as Physicians of no value as empty vessels blinde guids thou alone hast the words of eternal life thou alone canst make the doctrine of salvation to quicken us when wee are dead 1 John 5.12 to comfort us when wee are dejected to encourage us when wee are opposed to make us wise wherein we are Ignorant Hee that harh him hath all hee that hath not the Son hath nothing 1 John 3.24 3. Because hee alone is a sure foundation whereon to build hee is a rock which will never sink Mat. 7.23 a friend which will never fail a bow which will never break he will save at the uttermost all such as come unto him Heb 7.25 no storm shall make shipwrack of the soul which is fastned to him by the anchor of a lively faith Heb. 6.19 no violent and boisterous windes shall overturn the trees rooted in him Col. 2.7 nor cast down the hous builded upon him 4. Because in his blood alone is efficacy to wash away our sins no water but Jordan could wash away the leprosie of Naaman 2 Kings 5. no Physician but Christ could heal the diseased woman Mark 5.29 none but hee could clâ—ans the Leper None but hee can redeem us from iniquity and procure remissionn of sin for us Eph. 1.7 1 John 1.7 5. Because in his intercession is efficacy to procure all good things for us at the hands of God Jonathan may strive to intercede with Saul for David and not prevail Solomon's mother may make suit for Adonijah and not bee heard men may make suit with men for others and not obtain their request good men make earnest supplication to God in the behalf of others and their petition not accomplished Ezek. 14.14 but Christ doth ever prevail with God for them that beleeve Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.25 6. Because in him alone is righteouss to make us just hee hath robes to cover all our imperfections hee can make us righteous in God's sight Gal. 2.16 Rom. 8.1 Vse Then this will acquaint us with the vanity of their faith who rely on any thing besides Christ who trust to their work to the naked observation of some religious duties to their civil righteousness who lean on this and make it the object of their faith are like the foolish builder that builded upon the sand like the Babylonish builders that thought to escape the deluge to ascend the highest heavens by a building of their own making these are men that go to a broken cistern for water to a drie breast for milk to a barren tree for fruit to a dumb idol for counsel or comfort and it will bee with them as with the worshippers of Baal 1 King 18 26 27. their abilities will prove like a deceitfull man Prov. 25.19 like a spiders web Job 8.14 like the Aegyptians garments Isa 20.4 for so Isa 59.5 6. Isa 64.6 when they shall come to the trial what is said of men will bee verified of their works Psal 62.9 and when they think to finde comfort they will go away sorrowfull as the young man did Mat. 19.22 2. Therefore this must stir up every man to make Christ the object of his faith to build and rest on him with lively and sure confidence to bee ingraffed into him to become a member of that body whereof Christ is the head to rest our hearts in him as the author of our salvation and everlasting life this is the commandement of God 1 Job 3.23 this is the pearl for the gaining whereof wee should sell all wee have this is the price for which wee should all strive Jude v. 3. this is the riches for which wee should labor this is the blessing which wee should uncessantly beg wee are cumbred with Martha about many things but this is the thing which is most needfull some sell their birthrights with Esau for a mess of pottage for worldly and vanishing pleasures som with Judas sell all the comforts they might finde in Christ for a little worldly lucre the most part spend their strength for that which is no bread which yieldeth no sound and solid comfort but if you will bee rich indeed if you will have that which shall bring true riches and everlasting consolations to your souls then labor for a lively faith in the Son of God And that you may bee able to make Christ the object of your faith 1. You must labor clearly to see to be truely sensible of the vanity of all humane abilities you must bee able to say of all humane abilities of all earthly endowments as Solomon did Eccl. 2.17 Eccl. 11.8 as Agur did Prov. 30.8 look on these things as on a tottering fence
and then you shall bee able to rest on Christ The woman came not to Christ till shee saw a vanity in all other Physitians Mar. 5.29 no more do wee rest on God rely on Christ till wee see there is no remedy elswhere to bee found thus Hos 2.6 7. this was that which caused the disciples to rest on Christ they found not whither els to go Joh. 6.68 2 Chron. 20.11 12. the contrary to this was the ground of Israëls unbelief Isa 31.1 2. You must strive to be throughly humble labor for a contrite and broken heart you must becom vile in your own eies bee far from all ambition and vain glory and so you shall feel your heart to bee drawn to rest and rely upon Christ then the doctrine of salvation shall bee sweet then God will reveal himself unto your souls very graciously multiply his grace upon you abundantly according to his gracious promise Isa 57.15 Psal 25.9.14 Jam. 4.6 and then shal you bee able to fasten your hearts upon Christ strongly then shall you bee able to rest in Christ firmly for Isa 61.1 Isa 29.19 Psal 22.26 the want of this continued the unbelief of the Pharisees Joh. 5.44 Gal. 6.3 3. You must bring your hearts to this pitch to seek the prais and commendation which God giveth to his people to bee approved in the sight of God to make it your crown your glory and comfort to bee accepted before the Lord to rejoice more in the inward witness of God's Spirit and our own consciences then in the applaus of all the men of the world you must with Paul 2 Cor. 1.12 and then you shall feel God will shed abroad his love abundantly into your hearts seal up to your souls the pardon of your sin strongly and inable you to rest upon him firmly Joh. 5.44 4. You must meditate and acquaint your selvs with the all sufficiency of Christ bee perswaded of his love goodness readiness to help you see in him more beauty more peace more joy more honor more comfort more power than in all the world look upon him as on a glorious sun and let all the world bee a glow-worm in comparison as an empty cloud to a full fountain as a withered arm to a strong man and this will work frame and draw your hearts to beleeve in him John 12.11 Joh. 10.28 John 7.31 Proceed wee now to the gain of Faith namely everlasting life whence learn Doctr. That everlasting life is the fruit of a true and saving faith Everlasting life is God's gift in regard of the free donation of it Rom. 6.23 It is Christ's purchase in regard of the price paid for it in regard of the meritorious cause thereof in regard of the head whence it is derived It is the work of the Spirit in regard of the principal cause efficient It is the fruit of the Word in regard of the external seed whence it springeth and instrument which worketh it It is the fruit of Righteousness in regard of the way which tendeth to Christ in whom this life is hidden Therefore our Saviour in earnest asseveration to perswade his disciples hereof John 5.24 And the Evangelist sheweth this to bee the principal purpose of God in inditeing the Scriptures Joh. 20.31 hence Paul Gal. 2.20 and plainly S. Peter speak's to this purpose 1 Pet. 2.8 9. And that everlasting life is in this manner a fruit of faith is apparent Reason 1. By the union which faith worketh between us and Christ it joineth us in wedlock with him it interesteth us in all the riches of Christ as Mediator it maketh us living members of that body whereof Christ is the head it build's us upon Christ as the residue of the building upon the head-corner stone it ingraffeth us into Christ as as the branches into the vine it maketh Christ to bee ours it fills us with fulness it causeth him to rule within us and to replenish us with all good things Ephes 3.17 John 2.16 Reason 2. By the interest which it giveth us God's promises this is the foundation whereupon our faith is builded and faith is the condition which God requireth to make us capable of what hee hath promised Gal. 3.13 14. this is the hand by which wee receiv all good things of God this is the key by which wee open the store-house of God's bounty without which all the good things of God are to us as the Sun under an eclips as water in a sealed fountain riches in a treasury locked up as the tree of Life to Adam when the Angel kept the way with a flaming sword it is faith doth give us claim and entrance into all the great and glorious promises of Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 3 4. 3. By the application it make's of the righteousness of Christ it covereth us with this as with a roial robe it healeth all our sins herewith and maketh us just in the sight of God for what els is our justification but the gracious sentence of God whereby for Christ apprehended by faith hee doth absolve the beleever from sin and death and accounteth him just unto life Rom. 3.22 24. Rom. 9.30 Rom 8.1 4. By the victory which it getteth over whatsoëver is adverse or repugnant to this everlasting life it conquereth sin it purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 it giveth an overthrow to Satan as David by his sling to Goliah 1 Sam. 17. therefore 1 Pet. 5.8 9. overcometh the world all the allurements and all the oppositions of it it trampleth them all under foot 1. John 5.4 Like David's Worthies it breaketh through an hoast of dangers to drink of the waters which are in the wells of Life 2 Sam. 23.16 it will follow the Lord wheresoëver hee goeth it will leave him in no estate it will endure any hardness sustain any loss bear any reproach encounter with any danger it will leave all rather then leave the Lord the power of faith is invincible nothing is too hard for it 5. By the gracious acceptation and spiritual adoption which it procureth for us with God whereby wee are become the sons of God 1 John 12. 1 John 3.1 made heirs and co-heirs with Jesus Christ Rom. 8.17 for as Christ in justification is applied as a garment to cover our sins so in adoption hee is applyed as our brother and Prince of our salvation Heb. 2.10 11 12 13. and by virtue of this adoption and communion with Christ all true beleevers are called the first begotten of God Hebr. 12.23 and this sonship of theirs remaineth unalterable the dignity and happiness of their condition is unchangeable John 8.35 6. By the use which it maketh of all the Ordinances of God the Word Sacrament praier c. which otherwise would bee as unsavoury meat without taste as a shell without a kernel as a deaf ear of corn as a cloud without rain without comfort without any benefit at all yea many times a trouble a terror a great disquietment the very savour
of death 2 Cor. 2. ver 16. Now a lively faith make's the Word of God as comfortable tidings to the sorrowfull Rom. 20.15 as a word of Reconciliation to them with whom God is at variance 2 Cor. 5.19 as a healing medicine to the diseased Isa 61.2 as food to the hungry as a light to the traveller as dew to the weary ground as good seed to good land Job 23.12 It maketh the Sacrament to bee as a seal to the King's pardon Rom 4.11 to confirm them in the assurance of the forgiveness of all their offences it maketh prayer strong as wings to carry the soul aloft to God Jam. 5.16 it maketh meditation of God and his promises very sweet Psal 104.34 so that to him that beleeveth God's ordinances prove an effectual means to to draw him from sin to turn him from every evil way to bring him home to God to enable him to grow up in all holiness and to walk before the Lord in all well-pleasing this the Apostle intimateth Heb. 4.2 and out of all this it appeareth That everlasting life must need 's bee a fruit of faith Vse This must stir up every man to labor for a lively faith in Christ to rest and rely wholly upon him to get assured interest in him it is not favor with men places of eminency in the world abundance of riches nor any of these external endowments can make a man's daies everlasting this is a fruit growing upon none of the trees in this garden this is a stream flowing from none of these muddy fountains a treasure to bee found in none of these store-houses it is not the valor of the strong the wisedom of the politick the act of the learned the honor of the mighty the pleasures of the wanton the wealth and great abundance of the rich can make their estate everlasting Psal 33.16 17. Psal 49.6 7 8 9. The high cedars are cast down as well as the little shrubs the flowers are plucked as well as the common grass it is onely a lively faith will bring us to everlasting life Therefore use all means to bee made partakers of it with the wise Merchant sell all to buy this pearl Mat. 13. cast away all your sins that you enjoy this gift with the disciples leave the world that you may win Christ Mat. 4.22 with Paul esteem all but dung and dross that you may bee found in Christ cloathed with that righteousness which is by faith Phil. 3.8 9. wait with all diligence at the post of God's house let the Word bee as your dayly food as your guid and counseller let it sink into your souls let it work upon your hearts let it dwell and rule within you that so you at length have the fruition of this faith pray for it desire it long after it as earnestly as ever Rachel or Anna did for children Gen. 30. 1 Sam. 1. go to God in his house in thy family in thy closet morning evening at noon-day at mid-night and beg for a lively faith say unto the Lord Thou art undone thou art but a dead man if God give not this faith unto thee say that all riches pleasures worldly endowments are but hay and stubble as long as this is absent Oh! think of this go about this as about a matter of most need of greatest importance of chiefest use of sweetest consolation and as Naomi said to Ruth of Boaz Ruth 3.18 so take thou no rest till thou hast finished this thing till thou hast by a lively faith joyned thy self in wedlock with the Lord Jesus make a covenant with thy soul in this as David did in another case Psal 132.4 and when you feel your hearts beginning affectionately to lean upon and cleave unto the Lord Jesus pray with the men in the Gospel Mar. 9.24 you shall never have just cause to repent of your labor in this behalf nothing can bring you so nigh to God as a lively faith nothing can give you such access to God nothing can inable you so to prevail with God and to gain so many good things from the hands of God nothing can stand you in such stead and afford you so much comfort the owner of this will not give it for the rich man's gold the noble man's honor the King's renown and the time will come wherein such as now want would give ten thousand worlds if they had them to bee partakers of it therefore while God giveth time and means seek it 2. This serveth for the singular comfort of all true believers if they have nothing but their faith their condition is infinitely more happy than the worlds choicest darling as Prov. 7.1 so the poorest condition of life with patience faith is better than a stalled oxe with unbelief this will supply all wants as the presence of the sun supplieth the want of all lights as David said of Goliah's sword 1 Sam. 21.9 so I may say of a lively faith there is none like that neither riches honors nor pleasures for this maketh both our persons and actions acceptable to God which no worldly furniture can do this in corporateth us into Christ this giveth us the fruition of all the good things which are in Christ this distinguisheth us from all God's enemies bringeth us within God's Covenant breedeth many sweet and glorious relations betwixt God and us and at last bringeth us to peace and everlasting happiness The gain of faith thus unfolded the comforts thereof thus opened and proposed the danger and dammage arising from unbelief presenteth it self in the next place to bee considered which wee shall find to bee a root bearing as many uncomfortable branches loaden with as many sower grapes as the other with sweet a spring as full of bitter as the other of pleasant water for hee that believeth not shall not see life hee that believeth not whose soul cleaveth not unto whose heart resteth not upon the Lord Jesus who buildeth not upon him as on a sure foundation who cometh not to him as to the fountain of living water who getteth not assured interest in him who joyneth not himself in wedlock to him who becometh not to him as the wife to the husband in subjection in affection in use in dependance and in intire union hee that believeth not shall not see life shall not enjoy no nor have the least apprehension or comfortable feeling of the felicity peace glory and fulness of all goodness which true believers shall enjoy in the heavens but the wrath of God diseases uncomeliness shame sorrow torment all manner of misery all kinde of calamity all the testimonies of God's displeasure abideth on him abideth not cometh for wee are born the children of wrath Ephes 2.3 and so continue thorough unbelief therefore this wrath abideth it will not wear with time like a garment it will not overflow the body and soul for an hundred and fifty dayes as the Deluge of old did overflow the earth and then abode Genes 7.24
a teachable and tractable Spirit the low shrubs are quiet when the trees of high tops are tossed and shaken with the winds no such enemy to peace as pride and haughtiness of Spirit Prov. 13.10 Prov. 28.25 Pride like the wind in the Sea maketh men to toss and roule to and fro troubleth the calme Waters but meeknes hath the promise of peace Psal 37.11 And is prescribed as a rule to preserve peace Eps 4.2 3. 2. To be truely wise unto salvation to see the things wich belong unto our peace to discerne the things wich differ ignorance of the manner of Gods proceeding of what is good and beneficiall for our salvation 1 Cor. 2.8 Want of ability to judge what is good for us is the cause of much strife But true wisedome Ia. 3.17 is the way to peace Prov. 3.17 3. To be patient in hearing the word of exhortation Heb. 13.22 Receive it gladly when it launceth as well as when it healeth Psal 141.5 Get thy heart so affected that thou mayest be able to say to every one that admonisheth thee as David to Abigal 2 Sam. 25.32 33. Why did Israel murmur and strive against Moses but because they wanted patience Why did the Libertines gnash the teeth on Stephen but because they were of an impatient mind and could not endure the word of exhortation 4. To live in no known sin but universally reforme thy wayes apply thy selfe to every commandement of God if thou leave but one unruly person in the family he will distrub the whole house if you leave but one leak in the Ship the water coming thereat will disturb all that are within the same What bred the strife between Herod and the Baptist but Herod allowing himself in that sin of incest Mar. 6.20 5. To love Gods Word unfainedly to delight in it as in the light of our eyes to feed upon it as upon the food of our souls to walke by it as by the rule of our conversation this is the means to breed true peace Isa 57.19 This hath the promise of peace Psal 119.16.5 6. To be of one mind and of one heart in things of the best nature to be guided by one Spirit to attend on Gods word with one consent as Acts 2.1 Phil. 2.1 2. Let us agree in this and we shall agree in all other things 7. To love one another unfainedly Ephes 4.31 32. This will cover many infirmities passe by many weaknesses 1 Cor. 13.5 6 7. 8. To construe all that is done and spoken in the best sence till the contrary doth evidently appeare the want of this breeds strife 2 Sam. 10.4 John 11.47 Matth. 2.2 9. To use the gifts we have received to the glory of God the good of his Church the edification of the faithfull in the knowledge of the truth the incouragement of our brethren in the way of godliness to the discountenancing of sin and not to the disgracing of the godly the maintenance of any evill 10. To beare with the weaknes of our brethren to suffer wrong rather than to contend or quarrell Abraham gave Lot liberty to chose Genes 13.8.9 Thus of the time next of the parties between whome some of the Disciples of Iohn and the Jewes which beleeved in Christ and were Baptized of him both parties were baptized attended Gods Ordinances yet contended Doctr. Sometimes there are contentions even among them that after a peculiar manner frequent Gods Ordinances the Sonnes of one family the souldiers of one army do sometime contend Acts 15.39 Gen. 27.41 Cor. 11.12 Reas 1 Because there is corruption remaining even in the best of Gods people some pride forwardness self will which being not well looked to getteth advantage and breaketh out 1 Cor. 3.3 4. Luc. 22.24 Reas 2 Because there be many make externall profession who want internall sanctifications are mere strangers to the power of godlines nay enemies to them that shine in holines Gal. 1.29 They were both circumcised 1 Tim. 3.4 5 6. Reas 3 Because some professe the truth but love not desire not but envy the spirituall welfare of their brethren Gen. 27.41 1 John 3.11 Like Iosephs brethren Reas 4 Because it is necessary that offences should come for the triall of Gods people whether they love him whether they will continue constant with him Matth. 18.7 1 Cor. 11.19 Use We may not rashly condemne the Gospel withdraw our heart from it because they are not all of one heart and mind that doe professe it there is no musicall instrument so well composed but sometimes there is jarring in it no army so well ordered but sometimes they are disordered no family but sometime heareth of more or lesse discord it is the perrogative and priveledge of heaven to enjoy that peace which is unchangeable to see that day which hath no cloud let not other mens contentions make us leave the Gospel of peace but let their strivings make us the more in love wich peace the more constant in attending the means of peace the more carefull to shun the hinderances of peace the more dilegent in persuading to peace 2. Let this occasion such as are called to the profession of the truth to do what in them is to have peace with all men specially among themselves that 1. Because such breaches are most advantagious to Sathan what maketh more for a forreine enemy than civill warres brawles and contentions between the people of that Kingdome or city wich he goeth about to possesse 2. Because this giveth greatest cause of scandall to the adversaries of the truth when Absolon the Sonne of Davids love rebelled against him then Shemei opened his mouth to revile David 3. This casteth great disgrace upon the Gospel of peace whereof we make profession We professe our selves to be ruled by the Gospel of peace to be the subjects of the Prince of peace to be travellers in the way of peace to be possessed by one and the same Spirit of peace If contrary to all this we live like Salamanders in the fire of contention do we not much dishonour the Gospel The Gospel teacheth us to be innocent as doves meek as Lambs and can we without the reproach thereof contend like Dogs and Lions 4 This exposeth the Gospel the Church to ruine a divided Kingdome cannot stand a distracted army flieth before the enemy a disjonted house soone falleth to the ground when the evill Spirit came between Abimelch and the men of Shechem it was not long before both came to ruine and this taketh away the comfort they might have in the Ordinances of God the sweet refreshment they might find in that holy mutuall Communion that ought and otherwise would be between them When the Wood is dispersed that fire extinquisheth wich otherwise would burne 5. Hereby the doing of much good to our brethren is hindered a divided streame cannot drive that mill which a full streame will one stick cannot give that heate wich many can 6. Hereby assaults afflictions become much
more burthensome than they would be many hands can easily beare that weight which is a burthen insupportable to one arme A Ship strongly linked joyned together will endure that storme which will sink a leaking Ship to the bottome of the Sea 7. Hereby many times the Ordinances of God are perverted Physicke is turned into poyson the Lamp is made a stumbling block the staffe is become a snare 1 Cor. 11.17 18. And therefore all that beare the name of Christians specially they who professe themselves to be the friends of Christ the Children of light the lovers of the truth the Family of God the Disciples of Christs Schoole must strive to have their hearts firmly linked and knit together in Christ Jesus Leading a peaceable life in all godlines and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 And according to that charge of the Apostle let us be all of one mind c. 1 Pet. 3.8.9 10 11. And especially let us be carefull to agree in matters concerning life and salvation wich is the next thing to be considered the matter where about this controversy was about Purifying To purifie is to make that cleane and pure wich was foule and defiled this was typically done by the blood of buls goats and beasts before the coming of Christ Heb. 9.14 Sacramentally by Baptisme under and since Christ Ephes 5.26 But effectually by faith in the blood of Iesus Christ wich maketh us perfectly pure by imputation and imperfectly pure by sanctification Acts 15.9 By purifying here Baptisme is most probably conceived to be meant For so the Disciples of John in the next verse complaine to their Master that Christ Baptized this then presenteth the matter of there controversie Baptisme the nature of it the fruit which they who are truely baptized obtaine Purity from the first we may learn Doctr. That in the Church of God there usually have been controversies beetween the people about matters appertaining to life and salvation 2 Pet. 2.1 Acts 15.1 2. I might relate an infinite Catalogue of Heresies which in all ages have pestered the Church of God and causing strivings between the people professing Christ as between Jacob and Esau in one womb who shall have the the preheminence as between the two Women living in one house whose should be the living and whose should be the dead Child 1 King 3.23 and the reason of it ariseth 1. From the wisedome of God hereby intending to try the integrity the faith love and constancy of his people as Deut. 13.1 2 3. So 1 Cor. 11.18 2. For the better illustration of the truth the more the light of the Word is opposed the more it shineth the more cavils are raised against it the more Gods people are stirred up by study prayer meditation conference to seek out the truth of it many grounds of Religion many points needfull to salvation would never have been so clearly unfolded had they not been by Hereticall cavillers opposed Moses Serpent devouring the counterfeit Serpents of the magitians was more abundantly declared to be a true Serpent than it could if their had been no such counterfeits The Gold enduring the fire shineth the more brightly thereby sheweth its excellency the Sun consuming the clouds doth thereby shew its force and efficacy 3. From the Perversnes of many Mens minds living within the pale of the Church such as in the pride of their hearts will not submit unto sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. 4. From that self-love wich swayeth in many living in the Church of God that are lead by affection more than by sound judgement that seek themselves more than the honour of God 1 Cor. 3.3 4. They depended on the persons of men more than on the Word of God 5. From the desire that many within the pale of the Church have to fulfill their owne lusts some are swayed with pride some with covetousnes some with envy some with one lust some with another hence 1 Tim. 6.5 2 Tim. 3.6 7 8. 6. From the wisedome of God in discovering Hypocrites Hereticks men of corrupt minds unsound hearts infatuated judgements and vile affections that all his Children may discerne and shun them 2 Tim. 3 9. Thus God bringeth good out of evill truth out of falshood as he brought light out of darkness in the first creation as Sampson fetched meat out of the eater sweet out of the sower and as the wind by shaking doth often fasten the tree so these quarrels contentions Heresies these blasts wich at first do shake do in the end the more confirm the people of God in the truth according to that of Augustine Haeretici plurimum prosunt non verum docendo quod nesciunt sed ad verum quaerendum carnales ad verum aperiendum spirituale Catholicos excitando Euagrius per eos qui Ecclesiam diserpserunt recta fedei dogmata emerserunt Vse This may therefore in forme us in the state of the Church in this behalfe in all ages may assure us that it shall never be free from contentions quarrells Heresies offences divisions during the peregrination thereof on earth neither must we think it strange nor take offence thereat since God doth thereby make the truth the more illustrious the graces of his Servants the more conspicuous these do not disanull the Church any more thā tares do disanull the field of wheat from being a field of good graine or Ismael in Abrahams house did disanull his Family to be a house of good and faithfull people or some rebels in a Kingdome do disable it to be a good and well governed Kingdome Yet the Papists wanting other arguments labour much to prove us not to be the people and Church of God because there be as they say inter Evangelicos varia de Religione dissidia But this is no new Calumny no sound argument for we may learne from Clemens Alexandrinus that then the Jewes and Philosophers objected to the Christians their discords and controversies about matters of faith upon whom he retorted the darts of their owne quiver confuted them with their owne arguments as once David cut off Goliahs head with his owne sword telling the Jewes that they themselves had many Sects among them Pharises Saduces Essens and as touching the Philosophers he reckoneth up innumerable factions among them therefore telleth them if they did not for their divisions cease from their Philosophie and condemne it as evill because their Philosophers erred in many things how could they condemne the Christian Religion for the dissensions of Christians Tell them that Christ and the Apostles had foretold them that there must be Heresies adding further that multiplicity of sects prove not the falsity of Doctrine but must breed a more earnest investigation and searching out of the truth For tares grow with the wheat and unprofitable sour grasse with the best garden flowers yet the Husbandman did neither ceas to dresse the vineyard nor the gardner the garden the same may be given in