they who order their conversation aright do glorifie God for 't is only those who glorifie God here on Earth who can come unto him with comsortable expectation and assurance of seeing yea of partaking his Salvation also The words may be truly Read thus whoso ordereth his conversation aright glorifieth me as well as whoso offereth praise glorifieth me for none in truth can offer up praise such as acceptable with God but he that ordereth his conversation aright for praise is not seemly in the mouth of a Sinner neither is God pleased with the sacrifice of foots But they that order their conversation aright do briâ—… praise and glory unto God and therefore it is sutabâ—… for such only who have clean lips and obedient hearts 〈◊〉 offer it up according to what is written Take with yoâ—… words and turn to the Lord and say unto him Take awâ—… all iniquity and receive us graciously So will we render tâ—… calves of our lips which plainly shews forth that wheâ—… people are turned to the Lord and he takes away all iniquiâ—… then only they are meet and fit to offer up Prayer anâ— Praises unto the most high God and until that be donâ— he will not receive them graciously Now they ordeâ— their conversation aright whose Conversation is as becometh the Gospel of Christ or whose conversation is ordered according to the whole written word of God from which we are not to add nor diminish In a word they that feaâ— God and keep his Commandments these do glorifiâ—… him In that day shall there be upon the bells of the Horses Holiness unto the Lord. So it should be written on the fore head of each of us and it should be ingraved in the Table of our Hearts that it may be continually in our mind and remembrance O Man or Woman calling them by their several and respective names thou art mâ— Servant in whom I the invisible God will be glorified 〈◊〉 which should indeed engage us so to walk circumspectly and order our conversation aright so as in truth to glorifie God From the things that have been spoken now let the question be asked and put severally to the People oâ— this generation taking them one by one How hath God been glorified in any of us throughout all the foregoing part of our Life I am afraid that here we should be at a stand and we could give but a poor and indifferent account as to that Many people will not be able to make so good an answer as that of the unprofitable servant who yet for all that was doomed to be cast into utter darkness Lord Thou hast thine own again For they have not been only idle in the management thereof but they have also wasted and consumed the Talent that was committed unto them Yea those who have â—ade an addition and improvement thereon so as to have â—…ined more Talents yet still they have fallen short of that was the expectation of God and themselves yet â—ight have done more For all even they that believe â—entioned in the foregoing verse yea the very best Serâ—ants of God in the several Generations and Countries â—s only Son Jesus Christ the Righteous excepted Have â—…ned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3. 23. â—ut however let the question be throughly put to our â—ouls What fruit have we severally brought forth unto God Bring forth fruits meet for Repentance and so the Apostle writeth to the Colossians The Gospel came unto â—…u as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit as so it doth in you That is it did make a sensible alterâ—tion in their lives and manners and it had an operâ—tion and working upon them yea farther there was 〈◊〉 visible appearance of it for fruit is to be seen Here again it must be acknowledged that even the very best â—rimitive Christians although they did bring forth â—…me fruit yet they did not bring forth so much and so â—ood fruits as the Gospel would have enabled them to â—ring forth and themselves might have done The fruits â—ere not answerable and equal unto what God might â—nd did look for and expect which should teach and instruct us to be upon the bringing forth fruit and good works as much as ever we can Herein is my Father â—orified that ye bear much fruit It is not said fruit inâ—efinitely or only some fruit but much fruit So shall 〈◊〉 be my Disciples So that to bring forth fruits meet for â—epentance or to bring forth fruits unto God by our Gospel conversation is another part of our glorifying God here on Earth It is what God looks for Isa 5. 4. and expects from â—s For the Earth that drinketh in the Rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom 〈◊〉 is dressed receiveth Blessing from God but that which beareth thorns and Briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned The good Trees are known from the barren by the fruit which the one bringeth forth and the other doth not In like manner the true Servants of God may be distinguished from the barren professors of the Gospel for as these may be likened to such Trees only that have leaves on them but as for the former sort By their fruits you shall know them The first sort do shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom and the Gospel in them bringeth forth fruit and bringeth forth herbs meet for whom it is dressed so they bring forth fruits meet for him by whom they are dressed and that is God for by his Word and Spirit they are dressed The word and spirit is like putting dung unto soil so these do prune dress and manure the hearts of people and gather out the stones thereof Isa 5. 2. A stony heart will he take away and give them an heart of flesh and all this is to bring forth fruits unto God And as is aforesaid that Hypocritical outward Worshippers do rather dishonour than glorifie God so do those professors who bring forth wild Grapes instead of Grapes or who instead of being a Nobel vine and wholly a right seed are of a sudden turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine So contrariwise when those who are indeed the Servants of the most high God do indeed bring forth good grapes and good fruits such as in truth are becoming the Gospel of Christ these again do as much glorifie God as the other sort do dishonour him This appears from that aforecited Scripture Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples Intimating there by that people may have the name of Christ's Disciples but they are not so indeed unless they bear much fruit But this is yet more evident from the following Scripture Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven For the good works or good
THE Great Useful and Blessed DUTY OF A Contentment Willingness and Desire TO DIE Set forth upon true and assured Grounds in several Discourses on these following Scriptures Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy word For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luke 2. 29 30. Into thine hand I commit my Spirit Thou hast Redeemed me O Lord God of truth Psal 31. 5. I have glorified thee on the Earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do John 17. 4. By RICHARD STAFFORD A Servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ Recommended as more proper and Beneficial to be given at Funerals than Gloves or Rings LONDON Printed and are to be sold by the Book-sellers of London and Westminster 1700. Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy Word For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luke 2. 29 30. FRom these Words I shall treat through God's Assistance and according to the Knowledge given me O continue thy loving kindness to them that know thee and thy Righteousness to the upright in heart of our contentment and willingness to Die or depart from off this Earth Why Is there any need to perswade or exhort People to a Willingness and Desire to surrender back their Spirits unto the God who gave them This seems to be but what is Natural and Reasonable Yet still there is a reluctancy and backwardness in our Spirits to do this because the Spirit is conscious of having offended God and is afraid to meet with him Angry or as a God that â—aketh Vengeance And therefore until this same God is perfectly Reconciled unto and at Peace with her and he is sensible and assured thereof the Soul must needs be affraid and backward to come and appear before him A diversity is to be observed when it is written Into thine hand I commit my Spirit Thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth The Psalmist doth not here say Thou hast Created me O Lord God of Truth Though indeed this is true yet that is not altogether so satisfying 〈◊〉 Reason for him to willingly commit his Spirit into God's Hand as the consideration of his having Redeemed him is Because that by Nature we are the Children of Wrath as well as others and we are shapen in Iniquity and in Sin doth our Mother conceive us So that until this same Sin and Iniquity which is the Object of God's Hatred Displeasure and Punishment be done away and we are Redeemed from it for by his Redeeming us we are in a state of Reconcilation again as this is God's Act also as well as of Creating us we are not meet and consequently there cannot be a Willingness upon good and true Grounds to give up our Spirits unto God or to say with old Simeon in the Text Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace Even this old Simeon though he had already lived long on this Earth yet he would not have been so contented and desirous to have departed out of it unless he was to depart in Peace Not to depart generally as most People do in doubt fear and trouble but to depart in Peace If we could have our choice and it were so in our power as to be Immortal here and never to Die as for my part I should desire and pray unto God either to depart in Peace or not to depart at all Foâ—… as it is said of the Son of Perdition It would have been good for him if he had never been Born so it may be here affirmed of those who do not depart in Peace It would be good for them not to depart or not to dye at all Not but that some may go off disturbedly and yet go off safely The Soul may be sometimes in a state of Peace and yet not be sensible thereof Who feareth thâ— Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant and yet walketh in darkness and have no light Isa 50. 10. But when one hath true and assured Grounds of Departing in Peace as Simeon here had there one may pray and appeal to God for him to let our Soul depart from the Body What were those true and assured Grounds which Simeon had of departing in Peace They are contained in the following Verse For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation From hence it appears that the true and assured Groundâ— for which any one is willing and contented to Dye is Because he hath seen the Salvation of God or for the committing our Spirit into the Hand of God is Because he hath Redeemed us Now to see the Salvation of God or for God to Redeem us do amount to near one and the same thing As it is written The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation in the Margent there it is with outward shew Neither shall they say Lo here or Lo there for beâ—old the Kingdom of God is within you So here it may be reasoned and supposed The Salvation of God is not outward nor yet cometh with Observation but the Salvation of God is within us It is wrought and accomplished within us And thou shalt call his Name Jeâ—us for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. Who is a Prince and a Saviour and the Author of Eâ—ernal Salvation to all that obey him and the Salvation of God As to all this Christ is no otherwise a Saviour â—r doth save us or is the Salvation of God than as he â—oth save us from our Sins and turn us from our â—aiquities For this is laying the Ax to the Root of â—…e Tree and digging to the very Ground-work and â—oundation because that only by reason of Sin we beâ—…me liable and obnoxious to Death Misery and Punishment So that by certain and necessary Consequence 〈◊〉 we are saved from Sin then also we are saved from â—eath Misery and Punishment Hence again appears that this is the Salvation of God to save us from our Sins â—nd to save us from the Guilt and Corruption of our â—ature from whence these same Sins do proceed forth and so in those many places of Scripture where Salvation belongeth unto our God and is ascribed unto him 〈◊〉 he is called the God of Salvation there it is meant of â—…ving us from our Sins Where he saves from our Eâ—…mies Sin is the greatest Enemy for 't is Sin in such a â—…an or Woman which only makes him or her to be our â—nemy Thou hast led captivity captive Psal 68. 18. that 〈◊〉 God hath led Sin and Corruption which doth inâ—lve the Children of Men in Captivity Captive by 〈◊〉 having received gifts for Men. And then it follows â—lessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with Benefits and â—…imating thereby that to be saved from our Sins or to â—…d that Captive which before held us in Captivity is 〈◊〉 greatest Benefit And then it follows Even the God of our Salvation Selah He that is our God is the God of Salvation and unto
the Commandments of God or according to the decree and appointment of God this is a glorifying God and God is Glorifyed thereby When Christ his only begotten Son came to taste of that bitter Cup he saith Now is my Father glorified but for this hour came I into the World In the divers kinds of Death some are more shameful and painful then others as to be hanged on a Gallows or Gibbet or to be nailed on the Cross is more shameful and painful than to dye of a common Disease in our Bed yet from hence it follows that as Jesus Christ our Lord and forerunner was made a curse of God for us as cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree And as himself who suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps did herein undergo both the pain and the shame therefore the more painful and shameful the Death is provided always that it be in a way of duty and in obedience unto or keeping the Commandments of God So much the more God is glorified thereby Which consideration if it be throughly weighed in our minds should make us earnestly desire Martyrdom and not to be afraid of or decline from it Hence it follows that to take up the Cross yea to take up the Cross daiâ—y saith Christ He that taketh not up the Cross daily â—annot be my Disciple Which is to cross and do conâ—rary to our Natural Inclinations this also is a gloriâ—ying God and God is so much the more glorified According as so much the more the Cross is taken up From hence again it follows on the contrary that where a thing is easie and customary God is not alâ—ogether so much glorified thereby To go on in a course of outward and perfunctory Worship when the Worshippers at the same time commit Sin Iniquity Transâ—ression and Hypocrisy God is not at all glorified â—hereby yea he is rather dishonoured according to â—hat is written Thou that makest thy boast of the law â—hrough breaking of the law dishonourest thou God For the â—ame of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you â—s it is written Rom. 2 23. 24 And when they entred â—nto the heathen whither they went they prophaned my holy â—ame when they said to them these are the people of the â—ord and are gone forth out of his land Ezek. 36. 20. And so Hypocritical Worshippers give great occasion as Nathan told David he did by his Sins of Adultery and â—urther to the Enemies of the Lord to Blaspheme By giviâ—g occasion to the lewd and prophane sort or to the â—eople of the World to cry out and say these be your â—eligions who do such abominable and evil things â—nd it gives occasion to think as if the God whom â—hey pretend and outwardly seem to Worship and serve â—ere altogether such as themselves Psal 50. 21. Or as 〈◊〉 his Commandments which are Holy just and good â—nd Religion did teach and allow them to do such evil â—nd shameful things And many shall follow their perniâ—ous ways by Reason of whom the way of truth shall be Evil â—oken of 2 Pet. 2. 2. In verse 14. They are called curâ—d Children as indeed cursed are all they that err from â—is Commandments Instead of bringing glory unto God â—s they would seem by their outward Worship like â—em that bended the knee and cryed hail Master and yet crucified him so do these Crucifie the Lord of Gloâ— afresh and put him to an open shame Of such it is said What judgment of a long timâ— lingreth not and their damnaâ—… on slumbreth not Hypocrites are ranked in their coâ—demnation before unbelievers Said Jesus Christ who to be judge of all the Earth and therefore knows hoâ—… it will go at the last day Give him his Portion with Hâ—… pocrites and unbelievers Now an Hypocrite is one who outwardly Worshiâ—… God whereby he seems to be Religious and yet at â—… same time lives in the continued breach of his Coâ—… mandments Like as a stage Player acts the Person another then really himself is Even so the Hypocâ—… acts the Person of another for he seems Religious his constant outward Worship and to be an obediâ—… Servant of God when in truth he is neither If Man among you seemeth to be Religious and bridleth his Tongue but deceiveth his own Heart A true scription of an Hypocrite for none deceives his oâ—… Heart so much as he For such take up the outwâ—… Profession out of some hope to go to Heaven when tâ—… will not as well as to get credit and Reputation amoâ—… Men That Mans Religion is vain James 1. 26 Sâ—… may be applied and reasoned as to the neglect or â—… ure in any other duty For all their seeming to be â—…ligious this or that Mans Religion is vain And for his seeming to be an obedient Servant of the Lâ—… God when he despiseth his Word and Commandmâ—… and when he doth according to his own will and â—…mour any Law or Ordinance of God to the contâ—… notwithstanding when he transgresseth this or that â—…cept according as his pleasure or profit swayes and â—…clines him Even knowing and understanding Men â—… plainly see and discern his Hypocrisy and Dissimulaâ—… herein much more will the alwise God who is a Goâ— knowledge and by him actions are weighed Who searâ—… the Heart and tryes the Reins to render unto every â—… according to his ways and according to the fruit oâ—…doings Men may yea they do deceive their own sâ—… and others also But they can never deceive God â—… â—…o the alwise God will never be imposed upon as if â—…ch did serve and Honour him notwithstanding all â—…eir outward Pretences who do in truth dishonour him â—nd make his name polluted and evil thought of and â—…il spoken of among the Heathen or ungodly sort of â—ankind I have heard it related concerning the Turks that then they have promised a thing if they are asked to â—…nfirm it further by writing they will answer with â—…dignation Do ye think that I am a Christian to falsify â—… word that I must be forced to perform it by giving somewhat â—…derhand For they observe more truth and just dealing between Man and Man when it is only by word of mouth â—…en many called Christians but worse then heathen and â—…fidels in practice for many who name the name of â—rist will falsify their word and bond also when it â—… in their power so to do Which seems to be to the utter â—ame and reproach of Christianity it self but rather it is â—… the utter shame and reproach of such false pretenâ—ers to Christianity Such who wrongfully take upon â—…emselves the name of Christians do make the name â—… Christ the Lord of Glory evil spoken of amongst 〈…〉 e Turks and unbelievers and it carries a suspicion â—… if the God and Christ whom they seem outwardly â—… serve and worship did teach and allow them in â—…ch falshood and unjust dealing which the soul of â—od hates
sing Psalms unto him â—alk you of all his wondrous works glory ye in his holy name â—e ye mindful always of his covenant shew forth from day to day his Salvation declare his glory among the Heathen â—is marvellous works among all Nations for great is the Lord and greatly to be pâ—aised he also is to be feared above all Gods glory and honour are in his presence strength and gladness are in his place give unto the Lord ye kindreds of the people glory and strength Now there is no giving of strengâ—… to him that is Almighty already but it is only 〈◊〉 speak out that he is so Give unto the Lord the glory dâ—… unto his name 1 Chron. 16. In short it is to acknowledâ—… and speak out of the glory of God and to give thanâ—… and praise to his Holy Name Provided always thâ—… this be done by those who have their conversation ordâ—…ed aright who are of clean lips and obedient heart for therefore it is that those cautionary expressions are heâ—… necessarily intermingled and incerted in this song of praiâ—… Be ye mindful always of his Covenant he is also to be fearâ—… above all Gods intimating thereby that unless people aâ—… also mindfull of his Covenant and fear God above aâ—… other things they cannot then give thanks unto tâ—… Lord nor yet sing Psalms unto him nor declare 〈◊〉 glory nor yet praise him so as for God to be please therewith and accept thereof If we fear any thing â—bove God that is our God also O Lord our God othâ—… Lords besides thee have had dominion over us but by thâ— only will we make mention of thy name It is written of Abraham Who against hope believed 〈◊〉 hope that he might become the father of many nations â—…cording to that which was spoken so shall thy seed be Aâ—… being not weak in faith he considered not his own body noâ— dead when he was about an hundred years old neither yâ— the deadness of Sarah's womb he staggered not at the promâ—… of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving gloâ—… unto God and being fully perswaded that what he had promâ—sed he was able also to perform From all which maâ— be gathered that to firmly believe and be fully peâ—swaded that such a thing shall come to pass althougâ— according to humane reason it is unlikely to come 〈◊〉 pass provided always that we have the word and promise of God for it as here Abraham had this also 〈◊〉 a giving glory unto God when the thing seems impossible according to the course of Nature as it was in thâ— instance here given Yet here to believe that God both caâ— and also will perform the same this is a Giving glory unto God for it gives God the glory of his truth and the glory of his Almighty power This thing if it be rightly and throughly understood 〈◊〉 Mystery both to the people of the World and also 〈◊〉 the outward Worshippers for as to them at this day â—…en Moses is read and so it is when the Gospel of Christ â—ead The vail is upon their Hearts The written word 〈◊〉 God and the manner of the Dispensation of his â—…gdom towards us is a Mystery It is given unto 〈◊〉 those of the Discipleship to know the mysteries of the â—…ngdom of Heaven Mat. 13. 11. The mystery of God should â—…nished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets 〈◊〉 10. 7. But that part of this mystery which I would 〈◊〉 just mention is that although all Scripture was given â—…nspiration of God and is true and will be fulfilled to â—…ry tittle thereof yea the Truth and Power and Honoâ—… of God do all stand engaged to fulfill all and every â—…t of this same word and God himself hath born â—…ness to it both with signs and wonders and with divers â—…acles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own 〈◊〉 So that we ought to believe it all to be true and â—…t it shall all be fulfilled or we make God a liar if 〈◊〉 believe not the Record which God gave of his Son â—…o saith Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my â—…ds shall not pass away Yet still God being willing to â—…ve and exercise the faith of his Servants and also the mixt multitude of people concerning it hath so â—…ered and suffered it to come to pass Behold herein 〈◊〉 Wisdom and Mystery of God that some things â—…ich this his word of truth speaks of should seem â—…e falsified They are not falsified indeed but only â—…y seem to be so on set purpose to prove to the utâ—…st degree the faith of people herein If they do reâ—… their faith therein nevertheless then it is a giving â—…ry unto God But if an evil heart of unbelief is in â—…m like Cleopas and those with him who said we â—…sted it had been he which should have Redeemed Israel 〈◊〉 seeing and hearing of his miracles in his life time 〈◊〉 when he was put to death like a malefactor than 〈◊〉 their hopes were blasted their faith withered and â—ny might probably say it is all come to nothing â—is and the like is not a giving glory unto God And so a root of unbelief springs up in the heaâ—… many whereby they are defiled For there are in â—… last days many infidels in heart who say Where iâ— promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell aslâ—… things continue as they were since the beginning of the â—…tion And so there are many who although they profess Christianity partly to conform to the faâ—… and custom of the Country they live in or for seâ— ends or to provide for and against the doubtful uncertâ—… if they be of the more considering sort yet they dâ—… the main disbeleive the truth of Revealed Religion But all these do err not knowing the Scripture and pâ—… of God nor yet the way and manner of the dispenâ—… on of his Kingdom towards us Men for they do know throughly how that God doth prove the faiâ—… Mankind all one as the manners of Mankind As he prove them to know what is in their heart whether they keep his Commandments or no Deut. 8. 2. So he â—… Hide his face from them to see what their end shall be they are a very froward generation Children in whom â—… faith Deut. 32. 20. So he doth prove them likewise whiâ—… they will give any credence to his word which saith shall be so but in the mean while God orders and fers it to be so on set purpose that seemingly conâ—… and unexpected events happen and fall out So thâ—… meer natural Man would be apt to think and say it never be so as the word and promise of God saiâ— shall be Examples hereof are common in Scripture So it in the case of Abraham to whom Jsaac was promâ—… in his old Age that Sarah his Wife laughed at the likelihood thereof for which she received a check reproof from the Angel who brought the messagâ—… any thing
too hard for the Lord And so it waâ— to the promise of God increasing his seed and bâ—… ing them into the Land of Canaan when they weâ—… danger to be murdere and destroyed in their birth in 〈…〉 pt and afterwards when they were pursued by Phâ—… and his Host and were in peril to be all drowneâ— the Red Sea and then many of their carkases fell in â—… â—ilderness Yet for all these seemingly contrary events â—od did at length perform and fulfill all his words â—hich he had spoken unto Abraham Throughout the â—…hty ninth Psalm are recited up many particular coveâ—…nts and promises which God made to David and his â—…ed And therein also is summed up a seeming breach â—…d failure of all those several Covenants and Promises that one might be tempted to think how could â—…vid believe God for all these For even himself did â—… out Lord where are thy former loving kindnesses â—…ch thou swarest unto David in thy truth Remember â—…d the reproach of thy Servants and how I do bear in â—… bosom the reproach of all the mighty people wherewith thine â—…mies have reproached O Lord wherewith they have slander 〈…〉 the footsteps of thine anointed Intimating thereby that â—… enemies of the Lord were apt to reproach and obâ—… unto his Servants How was he a God of truth â—…he did fail so in his promises which he had sworn to David in his truth And how was he a good God â—…e did not continue all his former loving kindnesses â—…twithstanding this reproach of his enemies Yet David â—… all this was satisfied in his heart yea and he did beâ—…e that God would perform all his Covenant which â—… hath done since he is now a doing and will form unto his seed for evermore Thus much may be â—…hered from that form of praise wherewith that whole â—…m is concluded Blessed be the Lord for evermore Aâ—… and Amen A double Ratification thereof and â—…ch is as much as if David was resolved to bless God â—… let his enemies reproach and say what they would â—nother Instance hereof we have in the same David â—… when it was told unto him by Samuel How that â—… day he should be King over all Israel he did afterâ—ds so distrust and dis-believe it because of the then â—kelihood thereof as to say in his haste all men are Liars â—…ch must extend also even to Samuel the Prophet of the â—…d Again when he saith My soul fainteth for thy Salâ—on but I hope in thy word Mine eyes fail for thy Salvation â—… for the word of thy Righteousness Psal 119. 81. â—… By Phrasing it on this wise it seems as if God did â—…ay or neglect to perform his Word and bring about his Salvation and yet for all this the Man after Goâ—… own Heart did hope in his Word Again the Propâ—… Jeremiah saith boldly unto God Wilt thou altogether mâ—… me a liar unto this People and as Waters that fail 〈◊〉 had sent him to foretell the Jews capitivity but aâ—… he had made known this his message the people â—… not give so much heed and belief to it as they shouâ—… and partly through the delay of time between â—… also the prophet himself saw no great outward like li 〈…〉 thereof that he cryed out on this wise But at leâ—… The Lord hath done that which he had devised he hath ful 〈…〉 his word that he had commanded in the days of old 〈◊〉 2. 17. Not to multiply many more instances of this kâ—… after that Christ had foretold When ye shall see Jeâ—… lem compassed with armies then know that the deso 〈…〉 thereof draweth nigh Luke 21. 20. It was so long â—…fore that was throughly fulfilled even forty years â—… Christ's death that many were apt to say in their hâ—… in the mean while Where is the promise of his coâ—… yea when Titus Vespatian first invested Jerusalem witâ—… Armies he went off again So that this word seem to be falsified but it was not falsified â—… came on a second time and than was accompâ—… the total and entire desolation thereof We ought as firmly to believe that all Scriptuâ—… true as that there is a God or that Jesus Christ â—… Saviour of Mankind for if we believe that God â—… his visible works of Creation do declare then wâ—… to believe also that this God is true and than oâ—… quently that all Scripture is true seeing that all 〈…〉 pture is given by inspiration of God And al 〈…〉 perhaps at first we may not know how to reconciâ—… truth of several parts and places of Scripture with common and daily events of the world or witâ—… lives and manners of the people yet this is our â—… ance and infirmity for if we did seek out of the Bâ—… the Lord and read and if we did understand throuâ—… we should find and perceive that whatsoever is â—… done on the Earth by all and the several Inhabâ—… â—…eof It is all but a fulfilling of the â—ame word and â—…gs do so and so come to pass that the Scriptures â—…t be fulfilled Acts 3 18. And those things that God â—… aforeshewed by the mouth of all his Prophets by â—…st and his Apostles He hath so fulfilled is at this day â—…ulfilling and he will fulfill to the end of time as â—… greater things are yet to come and as yet to be fulâ—…d And whereas it is so ordered of set purpose by alwise God that several things happen out â—…ch seem perplex and hard to be understood this is to â—…e our faith therein and if we hold out and retain â—… faith nevertheless then it is a giving glory unto God â—…e have his word and promise for it then the more â—… believe in hope against hope it is yet the more giving â—… unto God For if in things to be believed there was â—… manner of doubt or unlikelihood what reward hath To be strong in faith doth glorifie God So on the contrary â—…elief doth dishonour him wherefore take heed of unâ—…ef which notwithstanding the outward profession â—he Gospel is very common amongst Men. There is â—…ot of unbelief growing in the hearts of unregeneâ—… people and there is also a mixture or rather a tinâ—…e thereof in the hearts of the Regenerate Sometimes â—… in them are little questionings within themselves â—…ther these things are so and sometimes little â—…bts that they are not which cometh to pass because the little likelihood that sometimes appears in the â—n while that they ever will be so which is to prove â—… faith â—…s to obey God and keep his Commandments is to â—…ifie him So to believe on him and his word is to â—…ifie him likewise The several acts of faith do give â—…y unto God yea when we believe his word althoâ—… it seems against common reason and the outward â—…ability of things in the mean while yet here still believe and be fully perswaded that for all this there â—…ll be yet an expected end this is to be strong in â—…th and to
most people apprehend and practice concernâ—…g it yet that Man who will be saved by his Reliâ—…on must make a work of it yea and hard work it is 〈◊〉 climb up the Holy Hill and to get to Heaven Inâ—…ed too many do not take more Labour and Pains in â—…eir Religion than in putting on their Cloaths and 〈◊〉 dressing and undressing themselves which is a custom 〈…〉 usual thing but there is no toil or sweat therein 〈◊〉 more do they make of their outward Worship But â—…s alone is not sufficient to obtain the benefit and â—…sired end of Religion that is the Salvation of their â—…uls For the Scripture which makes wise to Salvation and â—…aches the way to Heaven doth assure us that we must â—…ive if we would enter in at the strait gate Luke 13. 24. The â—ord in the original signifies Putting forth the utmost â—…rength which meer outward Worshippers do not God is a â—…warder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. Which â—…plyes on the other hand that he is not a Rewarder 〈◊〉 them who seek him carelesly or who do it only accorâ—ing to custom and outward fashion as the manner of â—any is Be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the â—ork of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is â—…t in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 48. In this Scripture it is â—…lled both a Work and a Labour and it imports thus â—uch that they who make a Labour and work of it 〈◊〉 them it will not be labour in vain As again on the â—ther hand to such who make no work nor labour thereâ—f it will be labour in vain I mean that little which â—uch people do in Religion for almost all people do someâ—hat or other therein will be in vain because it will â—ot be sufficient to obtain the desired end which is the â—aving of their Souls There is no going to Heaven by â—afe and sloth by custom or fashion Son Go and â—ork in my Vineyard But thou endure hardship as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ And not to multiply more Scriptures to confirm the point in hand take it for a certain â—ruth and affirmation as the end of things will more clearly shew and manifest That it is a hard work and Labour to serve God accceptably with reverence and Godly fear and to be Religious indeed that it may become a Religion to the saving of the Soul as people do really work and labour when in the sweat of their face they eat their Bread or as it is in any hard labour of the hands and this must be a continued work and labour in Religion extending and running throughout all our Life long The labour and work of the mind is as toilsome and difficult as that of the Body Now the work of Righteousness for so the Holy Ghost calleth it Isa 32. 17. Or the labour of Religion or the service of God is purely and chiefly of the mind it is heart work and Soul work and so it is labour of the Heart and labour of the Soul And here Bodily exercise profiteth nothing but the Soul execise that is the lifting up her self towards God and that most earnest desire which she hath to please him and find acceptance with him hath the promise of that life which is to come And here must be labour and care that thiâ—… may be accepted with God In Bodily exercise pertaining to Religion there is but little labour or work but in the Soul exercise thereof which is the principal part and the only thing required by God My Son give me thy Heart There must be labour and work to render it acceptable and pleasing in the sight of the Lord. A for instance when we go to Worship to bring our Bodies to the place or after we are come there to sit still and sleep or to have our thoughts a Wandering and Roving or to have our eyes staring and fixed on the several outward objects there is not much work and labour in all this For in the bare going to the place of Worship there is no more labour than in Going or Walking to a place for our Recreation or Pleasure and then it is noâ— more labour and work in sitting still there then in the Houses of our several Habitations But herein consists the labour and work of the Soul to keep it always lifted up and fixed on the invisible God and to keep it close and attentive to the word preached or when the Law and the Prophets Acts 13. 15. The Gospel and Apostles artâ— Read than to mind only the things which are therein spoken of and nothing else And when the vanity and inclination of our corrupt Nature this being also one device of Satan that the word preached becomes as seed sown in â—…ony ground for it hath not entrance into and takes â—o root in the heart would turn us aside to stare upon â—…tward objects Here again to deny our selves and â—ith Hezekiah to Turn our face towards the wall that we â—ay be the more attentive and earnest in our Prayer unâ—… God and in hearing his word there is some work and â—…bour in this before we can bring our corrupt and deâ—…tfull heart throughly unto it O turn away mine eyes â—…at they behold not Vanity And when the Worship of â—od and the hearing his word is Irksome and Weariâ—…me to our corrupt Nature which is the great temptaâ—…on to ungodliness and prevails upon people of unâ—…dly minds And we could spend the same tune in carâ—…l Perambulation in the fields In finding our own â—leasure or speaking our own words at the doors or in the â—…oms of our Houses both which the Spirit of God finds â—…ult with in Isa 58. 13. Ezek 33. 30. Yet here again 〈◊〉 deny our selves of this kind of pleasure and agreeableâ—ess to our Nature as it is corrupt and willingly submit â—…r selves at the same time to the Tediousness and Irksomâ—…ss of Religious duties there is some labour and work â—…erein for it is of the same Nature as labour is to be Toilâ—…me and Irksome for no Labour which was inflicted 〈◊〉 us as a chastening and punishment after the fall for the â—resent seemeth to be joyous but grievous nevertheless â—…terward it Yieldeth the peaceable fruit of Righteousness 〈◊〉 them who are exercised thereby For afterwards the Creaâ—ure is inwardly satisfied because he hath herein complied â—ith the ordinance of God and also herein he hath subâ—itted to some part of the punishment of God which 〈◊〉 now sweetned unto us in Christ In the sweat of thy â—…ce shalt thou eat thy Bread By the sweetness and comfort â—hich both is intermixed with and amidst honest labour â—nd chiefly it may be perceived after it is over for there 〈◊〉 no such satisfaction in the world like unto the review 〈◊〉 looking back upon well spent time the reasonable Creature may cry out Righteous art thou O Lord 〈◊〉 thou hast punished us less than our iniquities
â—s and is afar off in the Habitation of his Holiness yet we are to seek after and apprehend him by saiâ—… The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the Children of Mâ—… to see if there were any that did understand and seek G 〈…〉 He doth Command and require it that we should obey Commandments and serve and please him all one as if did now see him with open face as we do our Goveâ—… ours Fathers and Masters after the Flesh That the seâ—… and fear of him that is invisible should be always biding upon our Spirits The desire of our Soul is to 〈◊〉 and to the Remembrance of thy name Have Faith in Goâ—… which same Faith should overcome the World in all 〈◊〉 Temptations Terrours and Allurements We shou 〈…〉 prefer God above the Creature in all things Althouâ—… God is out of sight his works are not yet he shouâ—… be always in our mind When we are in company aâ—… in the herd of our fellow Creatures We are than 〈◊〉 our shame be it spoken most apt to forget God 〈◊〉 Creator But even in the midst of them his Excelleâ— should make us afraid Yea an Holy reverential fear aâ—… dread of his invisible Majesty should overshadow us aâ—… remain always sensible upon our Souls And as it is Râ—… corded that At the going down of the Sun an horrour of a 〈◊〉 sleep fell upon Abraham Even so towards the going dowâ—… of the Sun of our life A great horrour and dread of the 〈…〉 visible God should be yet more upon us as we come near in time when we shall actually appear before hiâ— This is to bring down God and Christ from above thâ—… he may be nigh unto us For so he is when we have 〈◊〉 sence and fear of God always remaining upon our hearâ—… that it shall prevail against and overcome all Temptatâ—… ons arising either from Men or from the things of thâ—… World That as Joseph did withstand the Temptation of his wanton Mistress with this consideration How 〈◊〉 I do this great wickedness and sin against God So whâ—… thou art Tempted to Gluttony or Drunkenness or 〈◊〉 the sin that doth most easily beset thee here Reason wiâ—… thine own Soul How can I do this wickedness and sin â—… gainst God And let this thought actually restrain thâ— from the Sin It signifies or avails but little to think aright unleâ—… we also do accordingly for Grace and Knowledge dâ—… increase the guilt and render yet more inexcusable if they are not effectual preservatives and remedies against sin For as it is sin in its Power and Reigning which doth hurt So likewise it must be Grace in its Power and Reigning which will do good and save us Wishes and Wouldings only towards good will never â—ring any one to Heaven unless they come forth into act accordingly Indeed we should be excellent Christiaâ—s if we would so speak and act accordingly as we think â—esolve and purpose If we would continually from time â—o time turn our purposes into performances and our â—ood thoughts into sutable Actions If ye know these things â—appy are ye if ye do them which implyes on the other and that such are miserable who approve the things that â—…e excellent and do not follow after and practice them The finishing of the work which God gave us on this Earth for to do is by his grace and by our working toâ—ather with his grace to render our selves fit for Heaven â—nd to be meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the â—aints in light To be as good and Godlike as ever we â—…an to be alvvays a growing in Grace and Knowledge â—o be making further Proficiency and Attainments in â—…e Christian-Life to go forvvard and from Strength to â—trength tovvards Zion And vvhen any are rendred â—t for Heaven and meet to be partakers of the inheriâ—ance of the Saints in light there he is to keep and preâ—erve himself so Keeping your selves in the love of God â—…ude 21. And also in a Readiness and in a state of Watching and Waiting against that God shall call â—r and summon â—e by Death Be ye therefore ready for 〈◊〉 a day and an hour that ye look not the Son of Man comâ—…h And so people should first endeavour to get themâ—elves in a preparation for Death and Judgment and â—…hen they have got in a preperation for Death and â—udgment then they are to keep and preserve themselves â—herein and to be ready and prepared for it yet more â—nd more But some may be apt to say Hovv shall vve be ready â—nd prepare our selves for Death and Judgment I ansâ—ver in general by a constant course of Righteousness and Holiness throughout the days of our Life vvhich Ri 〈…〉 teousness must not be in part only but a Righteoâ—… ness in all things It must be by answering unto 〈◊〉 complying with all the requirings of God in thy 〈◊〉 and conscience to do and obey according to all the thoughts of Good and duty which God at any time 〈◊〉 into thy heart and to abstain from all those motiâ—… to sins and from all appearance of evil which thou any time preceivest within thee This again must done universally conscientiously and constantly unâ—… you come up to that state of Holiness and Innocenâ—… whereof Paul witnesseth I know nothing by my 〈◊〉 yet I am not hereby justified I Press towards the mark of Prize of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus And where Read any where in Scripture of the higher attainm 〈…〉 t s in Christanity or the description of such as are deed the Saints and Servants of the Lord God there us examine and prove our selves whither they do deed belong to us Are our selves such as is there 〈…〉 scribed As we Read those many Precious Promises 〈◊〉 are scattered up and down in the Bible do they 〈◊〉 long unto us Have we an interest and share in theâ—… which we have according as we obey the several 〈…〉 cepts and keep the sayings which are contained theâ— in Order my steps in thy word that no iniquity mâ— have dominion over me When we once find our whâ—… Life and Conversation ordered according to the woâ—… of God's Lips than we have finished the work whiâ—… he gave us on this Earth to do God knows all things and when he sees that the 〈…〉 veral reasonable Creatures inhabiting on this Earth ha 〈…〉 finished the Work which he gave them to do thereoâ— than he takes them off again from the Earth That 〈◊〉 according to his own Divine method Such as are 〈◊〉 Death to Death and such as are for Captivity to Captivity and such as area for the Sword to the Sword Jer. 43. 1â— Which is not only true as to what kind of Death eaâ—… one shall glorify God by but also as to the succeedinâ— and after state such as God knows and sees to 〈◊〉 meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints i◠〈…〉 ht As from that hour that Disciple