did not take up our rest there for we believed God had provided better things We fully trusted unto what some did only make a reserve of and therefore would make sure of the Wordly happiness O wonderful wise in their own Opinion and accordingly did run after every trifle snatch at every thing goodly to behold did tear their flesh with thornes and briers walked through deserts and wandred out of the way and so missed of the place to which those who had faith are arrived Deut. 32. 20. It will be more Happiness to the blessed Spirits in Heaven to remember that they came thither with more ease and less trouble then those accursed Souls did find in the way which led to Hell which consideration will be a greater degree of torment to them This is true of all sorts and conditions of Men from the highest to the lowest whatever rank they stand in the World it is their greatest happiness to fear God and keep his Commandments then which what more forcible Exhortation can be desired to perswade Men For the very same doth prevail as to all other things CHAP. VI. A Survey in General of those sins which hinder the Happiness of Mankind as contrary to Scripture and from the very nature of Things HItherto hath been shewed out of Gods Word what is required of Man in every state and condition and what is most for his own Happiness Nothing can be done too much to further this great end and therefore it is necessary to proceed unto the discovery of those things which promise and make a shew of Happiness but in truth hinder from obtaining Every single person proposes to himself some Felicity which is the end of his Actions Now the mistake is wherein this Happiness of Man is placed Whether in obedience to Gods Commandments or taking the full of the things of this World following his own inclinations and humours God hath given Laws to his Creatures the transgression of which is Sin. As soon as the World was peopled the Wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth Gen. 6. 5 12. Evil hath interwoven it self into every particle of his Nature he is become strangely in love therewith not knowing or rather not minding that like a sweet Poyson causes Sickness and Death so this brings Misery and Ruine The fault is wholly in himself for he will be ignorant Love is blind according to the Proverb and also it prejudices The resolution is not to part with and so shuts the Eyes stops the Ears not suffering himself to be perswaded of its Deformity and Mischief Sin hath stole away the hearts of the Men of this World it kisses and flatters insinuating what a deal of good it will do them what pleasure it affords By one Man sin entred into the World Rom. 5. 12. It prevailed upon him after such a colloguing and creeping manner We may blame our Fore-Father for putting the Seeds of evil in but yet by the assistance given us we may stop the growth thereof Sin hath this Advantage that it hath taken Root and hath one part even our dear flesh to side with it Which as so much dung and soil makes it shoot forth abundantly yet still as it appears above ground we may cut it off And if we alwayes keep it thus short it may indeed and will somewhat trouble us as long as we remain in this sinful Earth but it will not overcome or triumph over us Let not sin reign in your Mortal Body Rom. 6. 12. The Apostle well knew what â—e said in calling it a Mortal Body If absolutely without sin it could not be Mortal for Death is by reason of Sin But he further explains himself verse 14. Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 'T is the Dominion and Power of sin which is really and finally hurtful from that any one may be freed who will come unto Christ Without me ye can do nothing John 15. 5. And again We can do all things through Christ that strengthneth us Phil. 4. 13. Men are naturally apt to give back yea and corruption hath so weakned them that they cannot go unto him No Man can come unto me except the Father which sent me draw him John 6. 44. And if any will seek unto God for this purpose he will powerfully move and incline them to be followers after Christ When one is brought over to a thing with great striving and unwillingness it is a common saying that he is compelled though at last he yields to it freely compare Mat. 22. with Luke 14. 23. And so God doth work by his Spirit upon the untoward hearts of Men He gives Grace and corruption is there also and these struggle together within the Man. Though corruption hath the start of being there before and doth influence yet Grace sollows close at the heel hath power with God and with Men and will prevail But the Question is with which the Man will side and take part whether he will work together with the Grace of 2 Cor. 6. 1. God or yield to his own corruptions and so receive that in vain He cannot be neuâ—er or unconcerned for the War is within him and it is here as between the house of David and Saul the one grows stronger and stronger the other weaker and weaker according to the single Victories one hath over the other To him that hath shall be given who useth well shall have more but who doth not from him shall be taken away that which he hath An old hardned Sinner bred up in ungodliness from his Youth is as awkward to Prayer or good Duties as a stone to flie upwards yet in his life time past had Disposition and Power to do those things unto which now he is averse So he who hath little and few good motions yet if he doth cherish and comply with these from time to time he will have them greater and more impulsive The Spirit of God is a delicate thing and cannot endure to be vexed who rebell against its dictates and thwart its desires do provoke him to with-draw What passionate intreaties doth Isa 63. 10. he make to reclaim sinners O! that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes Psal 81. 13. Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee Jer. 31. 3. Some are moved by this and others are of such base nature as to resist it And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is Athirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Rev. 22. 17. Here is Conscience Christ his Ministers the want and desire of good and comprehensively all other motives which invite but none is forced for all
that Happiness he 〈◊〉 provided for Men and therefore do not seek of him should be 〈…〉 ted with the eager pâ—rsuit and much more with a miserable disappointment that their Mouth may be stopped and forced to acknowledge As they cannot live nor move so neither be Happy without him If they were really convinced of this they would not be so often deceived with an Egyptian Reed on which if a Man Lean it will pâ—eâ—ce into his hand nor in this important Concern set up false Ends and Superior to those of his ordaining The Apostle hath a whole Chapter 1 Cor. 7. on this Subject and towards the Close gives instruction to Marry in the Lord. Whoever sincerely Lives according to his Commandment cannot be an ill Wife Christianity endows with that Grace and Perfection a meek Humour and Disposition such an obedient and humble frame of mind that if the Man hath the least Ingenuity or good Nature he must Love and Honour her If these be wanting let her make what Pretence she will by going to Church Devotion or sanctified Talk it is to to be feared for by the Fruits you may know them she is an Hypocrite for she cannot be a good Christian who is not a good Wife for that obliges to all that is commanded in Scripture concerning this Relation Whoso findeth aâ— Wife findeth a good thing and obtainetb favour of the Lord. Let him rejoyce with her let her be as the loving Hind and pleasant Roâ— let her Breasts satisfie him at all times and let him be always râ—visht with her Love Prov. 5. 18 19. Live joyfully with the Wife whom thou lovest all the days of the Life of thy Vanity for that is thy Portion in this Life and in thy Labour which thou takest under the Sun Eccles 9. 9. When a Man hath taken a new Wife he shall not go out to War neither shall he be Charged with any business but he shall be free at home one Year and shall cheer up his Wife which he hath taken Deut. 24. 5. When they live together according to Gods Ordinance there is no tormenting Jealousie no strife nor brawling Discontent Upbraiding Forwardness nor scornful exasperating Language but all kindness and tender Affection is to be seen among them Their Hearts are comforted being knit together in Love. They are one Flesh and Members one of another If one suffers the other doth also and by a pleasant Sympathy joyntly partake of their several Condition He Mourns with her that Mourns and rejoyceth with her that rejoyceth It is thought by some that all difference of Sex will cease when those things shall be laid aside that relate to Mortality and Imperfection for in the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage but are as the Angels of God in Heaven Mat. 22. 30. Who are all of the same kind As to the present time There is neither Male nor Female but ye are all one â—n Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 28. Who was born of a Woman that as the Transgâ—ession came by her so through her was conveyed the greatest Good that ever came to mankind Both are of the same Nature Heirs of the same Promises and it is equally the interest of each sort to endeavour through Gods Grace to be Happy So much of Company and Marriage The other thing Men Of Getting Money are taken up with is Riches and getting of Money Now if any cunning Rules were laid down for the procuring thereof they would be read earnestly and attentively with the utmost Examination But do they not endeavour after it as a means to live happily And as such it is to be treated of It is expedient to obtain the things pertaining to this Life which are Meat Drink Raiment Habitation Honour Pleasure and such like We cannot be ascertained of them without Money this need not to be insisted on but only to put in mind for what end Money is necessary The end is the Principal thing which is or should be morâ— desired then what tends only by the way towards it and therefore if we can attain the end without so much assistance of those Collateral means they signifie nothing The Goodness of Riches consists only that through Custom other things are under the Power of them which may be bought and had and also in using them to this purpose â—ood and Clothing are in their own Nature of more Worth and Excellency but then as they Minister to Pride and Pleasure they are no end but false and mistaken means to Happiness as hereafter may be shewed The absurd Acting of the World lies in making that an end which is a means only nay which are wrong and contrary to the thing desired Happiness is sought for by the ways of Pride Sensuality and Covâ—tâ—â—sâ—ess now there is no need of going round about when there is a direct Path and further they will appear upon the diâ—igent Search to lead an opposite way into Dâ—â—â—ruction and Mâ—â—ery The so much beloved Interest is sought after in order to Satisfaction for otherwise some would not by injustice and wrong endanger the loss of their immortal Souls to obtain Wealth or Estate Some fond Conceits do spur them on as they fancy it for their Honour and Credit to be the Stock and Foundation of a great Family so they shall be talked of through many Generations when it will not extend further then that single House and with them be forgotten in two or three Discents And all is but the Breath of others a weak and transitory thing for his whole Happiness to subsist 〈…〉 on When by Commission of Sin and Omission of Duty they enhance their future Account mis-employ that Diligence which might be spent on a more excellent thing waste their Spirits not enjoy what they have deprive themselves of beloved Sleep in Service of dear Maâ—â—mon If these make Pretences to Religion that which would moderate and rectifie is made a furtherance to worldly Designs This is to give them outward Reputation and Honesty so to get a Trust or Power committed to them by falsifying of which they raise themselves or to carry on close unjust Practises There have been too many Examples of those who lift up their hands in the Sanctuary and seemingly praise the Lord Whose right hand is a right hand of Falsehood Who appear to sanctifie the Lords Day but practise Deceit and Guile all the Week long So universal hath been the Corruption this way that considering People will most suspect them who are Godly But there are more Knaves to be found amongst the wicked and prophane then Hypocrites Indeed those remain longer undiscovered for these have the Eyes of all fastened on them who mark their steps and are glad to find out such a great fault in what hath a resemblance to Goodness and many times it is a false imputation of wrong Charged on such who neither did nor intended any Bâ—t in this corrupt World innumerable are the Tricks and Devices
Youth over How is our Face changed as if we were not the same Men What was ruddy and floâ—â—ishing begins to wither like the Grass The body hath been is still changing and never continues in one stay We dwell in Houses of Clay whose Foundation is in the Dust Job 4. 19. It continually tends whence it was taken the matter is heavy and weak in its own Nature and yet we as if born for no other end but to make our selves Miserable will render them worse by giving too much way to brutiâ—h appeties they become unactive and dull We naturally groan in this Tabernacle it depressing the Heavenly aspiring Soul yet by sensuality sink it even lower unto the Earth As if the seeds of Corruption did not sufficiently trouble us we throw in more by Surfeiting and Drunkenness and by going over to strange lusts consume our strength If God did not take more care for us then our selves do we should be the most Miserable of all his Creatures To prevent these inconveniencies are the commands and directions in his good Word Rom. 12. 1. 1 Cor. v. 15. Rom. 6. 13. 19. 1 Cor. 3. 17. 1 Thes 4 3 4. 1 Thes 5. 8. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Luk. 21. 34. We should not only escape the Evils but as to the body might enjoy good things which indeed are little but proportionable Of Pleasure to its small and perishing nature for labour it hath refreshment and slâ—ep And further are some pleasures which God hath provided for every sence the Eye is pleased with variety of Works the Pious Soul takes great delight in beholding the Moon and Stars which he hath Ordained and by the Beauty of the Creatures is to be seen the greater excellency of the Creator If it be pleasant now to see them through a glass darkly it will be much more hereafter to see clearly God as he is face to face The ear is delighted with Singing Psalms and Praise and the several kinds of Musick The Palate is refreshed with the savour of Meat and Drink God hath given liberty to the use of Man by which we may Tast and see that the Lord is good Ps 33. 8. The smell is gratified with Flowers Balm and Spiknard another sence hath also some delight answerable to it But here Men are to be Advertised that sensual pleasures were allowed just to refresh us and thereby also to try our obedience for several Commandments are against the excess of them When too greedily had they prove a transgression and also an hindrance to the things of the Spirit being contrary to them These too often thrust out the other making a shew of more happiness and therefore let it be examined whither they will really yield so much as they pretend considering them in their sin and abuse with the utmost delight that doth arrive from them The pleasures of sin for a season Heb. 11. 25. So stiled by the Apostle because they endure no longer then this life and also they are only for that Moment in which they are had The pleasantness of Meat and Drink vanisheth in the Mouth and the delights of Lust are sooner gone then well perceived sensual enjoyments pass by and are the same immediately after as if they had never been In the very midst the heart is not satisfied for they please one half of us the worse part but not the whole Man. The Soul is unconcerned and though by much indulging sensual pleasures the understanding waxes gross so it cannot relish what are proper to that being brutish in its imaginations nevertheless it cannot be so in its enjoyments for the things of this life do not give a true and real contentment to those who do not live according to it and come near the Beasts that Perish Who have least Reason or Wisdom are most Transported with bodily Pleasures yet none is so void thereof as to receive a full Satisfaction from them I appeal to the greatest Voluptuary if his heart be not so covered over with Fat that it cannot conceive at all Whether he doth really think himself to be an happy Man Is he not of the Number of those who amidst jovial delights rejoyce in appearance and not in heart Doth he not still desire after something else then what he hath already A true sign that he hath not Felicity for he cannot shew it forth by Rest and Peace of Mind There is in our Nature an earnest desire after Happiness all follow after what they imagine may bring them to it The two Principal Roads for there are many By-paths and little Wandrings are goodness and pleasure that the former is the best and only way is the Manifestation of all the foregoing and ensuing Discourse But the latter seems broad and therefore entices Way-faring Men especially Fools to walk in it Come ye simple ones and turn in hither and they judging only by appearance are soon brought into the liking thereof It seems pleasant and smooth at first so they walk on Merrily but going on they meet with rubs and whereas they thought it would be more delightful they fiâ—d the contrary they begin to be tired and would go back into the other Way but that did seem Narrow and Rough when they looked upon it at first and therefore vainly and foolishly conclude that is worse further on which also is just contrary as may be seen Prov. 3. 17. Isa 35. 8. The Devil whiâ—pers to them not to believe as much for they have wearied themselves in the way of Destâ—uâ—â—ion and if they knâ—w of a better they would walk in it but he subtilly perswades there is none better then what they are in already They are by sad experience sensible it is no good Way but giving credit to the Father oâ— Lies continue therein Men retain their sinful Pleasures though Surfeited for they cannot wâ—ll live without soâ—e Delight and they think Paultry and Insignificâ—nt onâ—s are better then none at all A Whore at length is Nauseated but kept unto till another Recreation is found out of which they are wearied again and then they seek a third so run round in a Circle their life being nothing but a studied and small variety of falsly called Pleasures which satiate but do not satisfie These are the foolish and hurtful lusts which drown Men in Destruction and Perdition 1. Tim. 6. 9. And the Rich are more given to them as the Apostle here observes I beseâ—ch you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from Fleshly lusts which War against the Soul 1 Pet. 2. 11. Which raise a Mist before the understanding making it dull and heavy which stifle its Operations and hinder good exalted Thoughts which keep the Soul more fast in Prison and are directly opposite to her Spiritual Nature as Darkness to Light. The design of the Gospel is to prepare us for better things to bring us from Earthly unto those that are Heavenly Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the Flesh for
sufficient to do what is required of them Some hence take occasion to live habitually in gross sin and others in all manner of Wickedness but the great judge of all Men will be no more put off with such kind of tricks then themselves will be by such sayings from their servants and it is strange that they should be such Deceivers of themselves as willfully to keep off from what would bring them to Obedience and Happiness the way to which is not to do our own will but the will of him that sent us into this place of Tryal Let none accuse God as an hard Master for though the unprofitable servant will be apt to lay the blame upon him to excuse his own Sluggishness yet he doth not reap where he doth not sow neither will he require the improving of a Talent but according to what he hath given See I have set before thee this day Life and Good Death and Evil Deut. 30. 15. Some may think this last sad thing is but not the other We cannot come nor be perswaded to that why the prophet Moses for further assurance repeats it vers 19. with the most solemn Testimony I call Heaven and Earth to record this day against you that I have set before you Life and Death Blessing and Cursing therefore choose Life The affections have much influence over the will to move it Of the Affections and Passions this or that way these have been likewise tainted with original corruption which hath infected the whole Man. To speak of their irregularity and abuse is referred to some distinct Chapters hereafter the present design is to shew that God hath ingrafted them into our Nature and what is their right end how they are to be ordered towards Happiness as they are governed by the everlasting Gospel The Passions are a Torment to the Wicked and occasion of Evil so unto the Righteous are a comfort and instrument of good The one pervert these manage them aright but considered abstractedly in their own Nature are not only useful but necessary to accomplish the great end To begin with the most noble Affection Love which is the fulfilling of the Law. The first of all the Commandments is Hear Of Love. O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Strength and with all thy mind This is the first Commandment And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Mark. 12. 30 31. For this thou shalt not commit Adultery thou shalt not Kill thou shalt not Steal thou shalt not bear false Witness thou shalt not Covet it is briefly comprehended in his saying Rom. 13. 9. Love to God and ones Neighbour is the Whole Duty of Man That keeps from offending the Most High and also from doing the least injury to our fellow Creature for self-love cannot endure any should be done to our selves Saith the beloved Disciple who makes good the denomination by inculcating and repeating this word over to the utmost delight This is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous 1 John 5. 3. By these two general judge of all that come under them there is no Torment in Love but all Happiness and Satisfaction it receives greater degrees according to its object And then how exceeding must that be which arises from the infinite God The joy of that Soul is unexpressible who perfectly love him That strangers may conceive somewhat thereof and come over to partake of it if they would be fully convinced in the Heart what every one will own with the Mouth it is requisite to lay down particularly there is all the reason in the world that we should love God yea the very same why we love any thing This is either the excellency of the thing it self or the kindness and actual good it doth unto us upon all which God deserves our utmost and whole affection He is the excellent One the Sum of all perfection Speak of him as much as you can and yet you will come short for he doth exceed The Lord is great and greatly to be praised â—sal 96. 4 It is not possible for any flattery and complement that is only for poor imperfect Creatures to be used towards him for we cannot say more then really he is nor attribute more Good Glory and Honour then doth belong and is in him We love a single Man for his Goodness Wisdom Uprightness Beauty now they are but shadows and little in the Creature but he is the Original and Fountain of all much more then all then the Ocean is to a single drop All lovely perfections that can be thought of or named or are any where to us unknown as there are millions yet come from him who is the Author of all with whom all fulness and eminency dwells As for the relation he humbleth himself to have towards us there is a jealousie in the heart of the Natural Man to that And if here should be used fine expressions the greatest Wit and smooth Language to assure Men of Gods goodness towards them they would suspect it more under a flourish of words and therefore cannot be directed any where better then to his revealed Will in Scripture which speaketh plainly John 3. 16. Rom. 5. 6 7 8. 1 John 3. 16. Psal 63. 3. Psal 73. 1. Deut. 7. 9. Psal 145. 20. Jer. 29. 11. Jer. 31. 3. Psal 68. 19. Look upon his whole Book that excellent Law he hath given that Love and Grace manifested by Jesus Christ Examine it altogether consider throughly the design of the whole He will have all Men to be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. Even Heathens and those without He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. This is said as to the Scoffers mentioned vers 3. and the worst of Men Reflect further on those good and comfortable things he hath given us to enjoy He doth good and give us rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness so much for the use and delight of our outward Man and then it is certain he never designed the misery of that He hath done the same equally extensive Isa 55. 1 John 7. 37. as to our better part which appears by the Frame Powers and Tendency thereof All things are established for the present contentment and Eternal Happiness of us all both Body and Soul and Spirit to bring us to the greatest Glory and Exaltation we are capable of If we would suffer our selves to be throughly made sensible God hath a love to us the enmity in our nature would be taken away and we should be reconciled unto him as will appear more and more by a full knowledge of his ways and our doing according to them Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Jam.
the most mighty Lord of all Psal 2. 11. Psal 89. 6 7. things and a poor Worm so it is requisite to preserve a reverence for his awful Majesty and not to think or speak of him as an equal It is the constant stile of the Old Testament and also a Gospel precept Fear God Luke 12. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 7. We are likewise obliged to be somewhat fearful concerning our own Salvation Heb. 4. 1. Rom. 11. 20. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 17. To do this is not Tormenting but stirs up carefulness and puts upon all things to secure it Happy is the Man that feareth always Prov. 28. 14. From which proceedeth a good Life thence a good Conscience and then is no fear none that is Slavish or hath Torment A third Passion is Joy which word denotes Happiness and is often Of Joy. enjoyned in Scripture for thou commandest all things which may do good O thou Lover of Souls Let the Righteous be glad let them rejoyce before the Lord yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 3. Behold my servants shall rejoyce Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart Isa 65. 13. Thou shalt rejoyce before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 12. 18. This joy is not taken away but increased under the Gospel The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads Isa 35. 10. This the Prophet who saw his coming foretold and so it was at the first appearing of Christ our Lord Luke 2. 10 11. He having now accomplished the work for which he was sent into the World there is sufficient matter of gladness Many righteous Men have desired to see these days The whole Gospel by which is established a better Covenant imports what the Apostle doth repeat in his exhortation as if it could never be pressed enough Rejoycing in the Lord always and again say rejoyce Phil. 4. 4. This is the Lord we have waited for we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isa 25. 9. Which is the happiness of Heaven the clear manifestation thereof to the World and the possibility we are put in to partake of it As then it will be a delight to remember how we came through this dark and troublesome Vale so whilst we are here we should lift up our hearts with expectation thereof Accordingly the good Men of old time did who had but the Glimmering whereof we have the fuller Light If the heir of a Kingdom or a good Estate is so transported with conceits and fancies of future good it cannot be thought absurd that who have the evidence and hope of such an exceeding eternal blessedness which will be one day revealed should be proportionably pleased with the foresight and John 16. 22. Gal. 3. 22. assurance thereof Accordingly that Christian who hath a real interest hath also a sensible rejoycing therein which doth exceed all the pleasures and imaginations here What results from gross and sensual things is not worthy to be compared with pure and spiritual yet God as a most Bountiful Master to his Servants hath given them many things here for recreation and delight He doth deny nothing which is good and convenient for us We are all to admire and comply with the Riches of his Mercy and Love who hath placed into our frame this affection of joy and hath provided things proper for it and hath done as much as lieth on his part to compleat the great end of our being happy How then came Sorrow in God made it not neither hath he pleasure in the grief of the living but it came in through Sin and Of Sorrow Transgression Gen. 3. 15 16. It was the effect of mans own disobedience and was justly inflicted on him as a Punishment so it is continued of every sin besides As such God ordained it but in the beginning when he made Male and Female he did not implant it into our nature we now come into the World crying for we fell and were corrupted with our fore-father Sin is interwoven into our very flesh and as the necessary consequent thereof sorrow also The Conception and Birth of our Lord was different from ours in him was no sin yet when he came into the World to make his Soul an offering for sin He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity Isa 53. Mark 14. 34 of us all yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief so great that he poured out his Soul unto Death and bore the sins of many But now since he hath borne our grief and carried our Sorrows O astonishing goodness of the Son of God we are so far from sinking under them that these also I speak Mysteries tend to our Happiness Whilst we look on him whom we have Pierced and Mourn for him as one Mourneth for his only Son Zec. 12. 10 Isa 63. 9. 1 Thes 1. 10. even then considering how in his love and in his pity he hath redeemed us and hath delivered us from the wrath to come an holy joy will arise When we reflect that he who did drink of the Brook in the Way hath now lifted up his head above Angels Principalities and Powers Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him Phil. 2. 9. a Name which is above every Name Our Sorrow is turned into Joy for the exceeding and glorious condition Jesus whom our Soul Heb. 12. 1. loveth is in at this time If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I Cant. 1. 6. said I go unto the Father This he said before his bitter Death John 14. 28. and Passion and now may seem to speak to all the World what he did once to the Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for me but for your selves Are you troubled at those cruel sufferings I have undergone My Fathers indignation is past they are all over and the remembrance is not in the least grievous now I am crowned with Glory and Honour But weep for your selves who are in the Wilderness for the tribulation in the World and more especially weep for those sins which occasioned what I did suffer forsake them and come to me If ye pretend to be sorry for me and this doth not follow that is to cry out Hail King of the Jews and crucifie him afresh and put him to open Shame He hath instituted an holy Feast for the continual remembrance of his Passion the reasons thereof are to stir up our love towards him and the hatred of our own Sins God hath manifested his displeasure against them by the Death of his own beloved Son who came out of his Bosome yet when he took sin upon him had the full Vials of wrath poured forth as is evident by his Agony and bloody Sweat by the pains he endured on the Cross His sufferings were so exceeding that
blamed who call themselves Followers of Jesus to do according to all the Laws he hath given them Especially when himself hath said Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. If he calls them Friends there is no Reason why others should call them Fools unless who esteem his Doctrine Foolishness but most certainly they should not who name the name of Christ and do not depart from iniquity and therefore speak in Contempt of those which do hereby to excuse themselves from not living according to the Rules of their Profession But by thus doing They add iniquity to their iniquity and not come into thy Righteousness Psal 69. 27. It was the saying of one The Speculative Atheist was the greatest wonder in the World except one and he was the Practical Atheist Nothing can be so strange and foolish as he who believes the Gospel and yet doth live accordingly but the greatest part of Mankind being of this number they would reverse this if possible and account him a simple Fellow who lives according to it So mightily hath Satan prevailed in the hearts of Men as to make them believe any thing which may advance his Kingdom But this is the most unaccountable folly that can be and not fit to be entertained among reasonable Souls Good God! how ridiculous is it that they who profess to believe that keeping thy Commandments is the way to Eternal Life yet should account those foolish who do them They All agree it is a Mans highest Wisdom to use the right means to obtain the greatest Happiness they acknowledge Obedience to all Gods Laws is such and yet they would fain esteem him foolish who doth thus so they would raise a false conclusion from true and right premises which is impossible and here as absurd as any thing in the World can be One would admire that Men of understanding should swallow down such an Opinion it is taken in with the generality without consideration for they know that in wordly concerns when one is in pursuit of a Temporal Good as an Estate Office or preferment it is Wisdom to make use of all the probable means which may help towards obtaining thereof to leave no stone unturned for they say a Man can never be too sure Yet these believe there is an Heaven which doth exceed whatever is here below that it is every Mans business to get him an Interest therein that the most likely way to get thither is to do according to all those Directions in Scripture and why then should not such an one be reputed Wise He seems to Act most prudently if judged according to the measures of wordly Wisdom Much more is he approved of if determined by the true Notions of that which was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the Earth was Prov. 8. 23. Let all the World say or think what they will Wisdom and Truth are immutable and cannot be tossed too and fro by the Breath of foolish talking People they are Emanations from the Divine Nature and in this corrupted State where truth is hated Wisdom cryeth out but few hear the voice they are not to be found among the multitude so that one must be wiser then the Generality or he will not be wise at all as the end will prove When it shall be better to have been among Christ's little Flock then the common Herd It is better to shine as Stars for ever and ever although we now like them move contrary then to walk according to the Course of this World and to have a Portion with the Children of disobedience That Effect of Singularity which is so much feared intitles Of Singularity unto the Blessing Luke 6. 22 23. the Hatred of Men procures unto him the love of God. To be a Christian not only in Name but in Deed and in Truth is to be a Singularist in the common Opinion for if any observes all things whatsoever Christ hath Commanded he is a Man by himself an Humourist only because he will not serve his Lord by halves as the generality of Mankind do But let not this seem strange as if some new thing happened unto Jer. 12. 9. him for the Saints heretofore were Singularists Noah in the Old World Lot in Sodom Abraham in Chaldea Joseph in Egypt Moses in Midian Daniel in Babylon And by the way these were Men of higher Rank and yet were not ashamed to serve the Lord in wicked Generations Undoubtedly there were others in their days who did so likewise yet but few in Comparison of the Rom. 11. 3 4. ungodly Elias is recorded in that general Apostacy of the Jews to say I am left alone But what saith the Answer of God unto him I have reserved my self seven thousand Men who have not bowed the knee unto the image of Baal They were about one in an hundred computed according to the number of the Israelites and then they were liable to this Denomination God's faithful People have been the fewest in number ever since the World began his Church may be compared to an heap of Corn mingled with Chaff wherein a Grain appears here and there by it self compassed about witâ— the other but though it lies several in the heap it shall be gathered Mat. 3. 12. and Singularity shall at length cease and end in the Communion of Saints Whilst they are in the World they are not of the World A thing is called from the greater part and when it signifies the People contained therein it is in Scripture Language taken for the wicked because they are the most And not to do as the Generality doth is reckoned Singularity now to shew forth a Christian Conversation in good Works is not what the most but only few do And therefore it is thus accounted of But let none be discouraged with this term of Reproach for even the Men of this World who decry it so much would with all their Hearts be singular if they might none would refuse to be the only rich Man in his Parish neither would the Ambitious refuse an high Title of Honour because none in the Countrey besides had the like This is the thing they aim at to be more wealthy and honourable then the rest of their Neighbours Every private Person would willingly be more Happy then others and will use the means to be so And it is esteemed no fault to direct their Actions accordingly but Wisdom for every one to advance his own interest as much as he can although he gets above others This is the Sense of mankind as to wordly Matters and there is the very same Reason it should be so likewise in things pertaining to endless Life Every single Person would save his own Soul and be for ever Happy if he should miscarry he bears all the loss himself and others will never be able to help him Why then should he be blamed if he trys to secure himself And seeing there
Gentile World were not able to suppress though they did try with their utmost skill and might Which had no aid from the World yet obtained the victory over it Which still increased though who entertained it got nothing at present but cruel Mockings and Scourgings Moreover Bonds and Imprisonments nay further the most horrid and Tormenting Deaths that was possible for Flesh and Blood to suffer yet through Faith hereof endured them all with more Constancy and Resolution then was ever seen in the Mightiest Men of Valour If these and several other Arguments were duly considered and weighed it would be the greatest wonder that for all these any yet should not believe So more then abundantly hath God provided for Mankind to bring Mark. 6. 6. them to Heaven and Happiness But as if all this were nothing worth Men will not know or not believe what he hath told unto them otherwise they would be never so regardless thereof When they reverence their Land-lord but do not mind the great Lord of Heaven and Earth When they earnestly court the favour of a Mortal Man and think themselves never sufficiently diligent in getting Money but are not careful after those things above Do they verily believe God is and that he is a Rewarder of them who diligently seek him When they like Beasts are only for the present things before them but negligent of what shall be hereafter and never cast an eye towards the things that are not seen certainly these do not live by Faith Whose understanding is waxed gross that can conceive of nothing but what may be felt or seen Who can relish nothing but what goes between the Teeth these do not live the common lives of Men being led by sence and not reason It is an amazing thing to consider of the stupidity and dulness of those of lower degree as concerning their Spiritual State and Condition 'T is not so much down right Atheism and Unbelief but a dead Faith which is in them It is not equal to that of Devils for they believe and tremble but this hath no such effect upon them They fancy there may be such a thing as Heaven they are not suâ—e to the contrary They look upon it as a place of reserve where they would be when they can no longer abide in the World it is appointed for the poor and needy so it will receive them whether they take any care or no. Such thoughts as these may enter into their minds for notwithstanding they may still go on in their course But were they really perswaded there are two places for all to go into after this life Heaven and Hell And how it is set down in Scripture what is to be done to obtain entrance into the one and avoid the other Did they really think what an happiness the one is much greater then Riches and all Pleasures in this World and the other to be a worse Torment then any Pain or Sickness now is they would as willingly go to Church and be as devout to set them forward in the way to Heaven as now they go to Fairs and Markets and are intent upon their Business to get some small gain On the other hand they would take as much care to flee from the Wrath to come as now they do to keep themselves in health and prevent the beginnings of a bodily Distemper They would labour as earnestly for the exceeding great reward God hath prepared for them that keep his Commandments as now they do for a little Money from another Man. They would act in the very same manner to obtain the things pertaining to his Kingdom as now they do for the things of the Earth It is the property of Faith to make things which are not seen to be as if they were seen and though were they both of the same value it could not be expected we should so willingly run after what we have never seen as after that which is most certain and our Eyes see Yet there being such an exceeding odds and worth in the things that are to be believed over the things that are now seen this turns the Scales and make them hang even yea and weigh down the things of Sense If we have the full assurance of Faith that upon doing such things we shall receive an everlasting 1 John 5. 4. Kingdom we should no more grudge to do them then we do now a days work upon anothers Promise of so much for our Pains We may as reasonably trust for what he hath promised as we do the Word of a sinful Man when we Labour for him And there being such a vast difference between what the Almighty will vouchsafe to bestow upon us worthy of God to give and as much as a Creature can receive over what we can impart to another then surely there is as much reason I say infinitely more why we should serve God as do the like for another Would we be as diligent to be made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. 6. as now we are to be Servants unto great Men endeavour as much to get an eternal Crown of Glory as now for those Corruptible things of Gold and Silver Labour as earnestly after the great things of Eternity as is now done for the little things of Time we should certainly come to possess them Neither can the World condemn us of Folly for we Act according to the same measure as themselves who are accounted Wise in their Generation If we do indeed settle it in our Hearts that these things are we should be as careful and industrious to have them as others are of the things here and if so our Labour would not be in vain But what a faithless and stubborn Generation are we fallen into A Generation that will not believe or will not set their Heart to obtain them A Company of Infidels and Fools for so are all those who do not walk in the way to the New Jerusalem If you will not consider you must perish in your Folly. Look and bethink your selves you are Men Stand upon your Feet and shake off that drowsie and benum'd Disposition Be throughly rouzed out of Negligence and Sottishness Come to thy self and hear what shall be said unto thee The Lord made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Prov. 16. 4. He will be glorified in all his Works and thou also being the work of his hands art not to think thy self unconcerned or nothing related to that God with whom we have all to do If thou wilt have nothing to do with him he will have to do with thee Thou art his Creature and he will deal so with thee as the rest of mankind according to their deservings Thou must be either a Partaker of his Mercy or Wrath There is mercy O Lord with thee that thou mayest be feared And his Wrath is likewise revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1.
commit the same offence Why will they not be perswaded to come out of such a way To draw off from so great a danger VVhen Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the Sea-shore the People feared the Lord and believed the Lord and his Servant Moses Exod. 14. 30 31. And have you not known some who have been as it were drowned in a Flood of Drink Who have brought themselves into the Dropsy and other Diseases and several ways have came to an untimely fearful end And will you not fear the Lord and believe on the Lord his Son and Apostles who make mention of worse things to come hereafter then what we see commonly happen How oft is the Candle of the wicked put out And how oft cometh their destruction upon them God distributeth Sorrows in his Anger Job 21. 17. How many have we heard to have killed themselves with Brandy who have burnt up their own Vital Spirits with the greater heat of Liquors and by innumerable Accidents have been hastily cut off and all occasioned through Intemperance Job calls it their Destruction for themselves are the Author of it and is not God displeased with Mens doings after this manner Some may be apt to say this is too home But it is too trueby sad and daily experience and fit to be observed that all henceforward may take care to themselves Examples should be taken Notice of and VVritten for our Admonition upon whom the ends of the VVorld are come 1 Cor. 10. 11. In this Generation also where Drunkenness doth abound and the Men are sâ—tled on their lees Zeph. 1. 12. If any hath a real love and compassion for Mankind he is not to be blamed if he doth use the most plain and obvious expressions to prevent those evils which come upon them by their Sin and Folly. Any words are more tolerable then to suffer the thing it self Several will find fault with this way of Writing used in this Chapter especially But they are desired to consider likewise how the stile of Scripture runs exactly according to those Times when it was first Penned and that is to be the Rule of all after Ages If others think that here it Psal 119. 42. hath been varied from when those common sayings and excuses were inserted which are not to be found in the Word yet there it is said Answer a fool according to his fully least he be wise in his Prov. 26. 5 own conceit It hath been endeavoured to convince them in their own way of Arguing for why should Wickedness brave it out and pass uncontradicted We have assurance that one time yet to come All iniquity shall stop her Mouth Psal 107. 42. The means to accomplish which is to take off that Colour and Varnish of Reason to discover that plausible shew of Wit with which Men countenance their Sin. For he flattereth himself in his own sight until his Iniquity shall be found to be hateful Psal 36. 2. Which hath been here somewhat manifested according to the Ability God hath given Let the Mad and Frantick World pause for a while why you may continue Men still and yet go in another way You may still retain the same Affections and Desires and have them at present in a good manner contented however you may refrain for a little while from the full Gratification of them You are now all for good Drink the prescribed Measure is now much better then excess but for further encouragement Our Lord said just before his Passion I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God Mark 14. 25. And in this Mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all People a Feast of fat Things a Feast of Wines on the lees of fat things full of Marrow of Wines on the lees well refined Isa 25. 6 Indeed such gross and sensual Pleasures are not to be expected in Heaven as result from Eating and Drinking even here it is said well refined But undoubtedly others will be substituted in the Room which shall more refresh then these do now according to what another Prophet saith Their heart shall rejoyce as through Wine their heart shall rejoyce in the Lord Zech. 10. 7. It shall give us alike satisfaction as Wine doth now but as much greater and of longer continuance as the Infinite and everlasting God in whom all fulness dwells doth exceed that little and empty delight which is now to be had from the Creature The Spirit of God condescends to our Infirmity and exhorts to his Obedience by promising the same things which we now eagerly desire after Who is all for pleasant Drink hath the very same invitation to follow after the things of his Kingdom If the Drunkard will leave off his sinful Courses he shall find more content and less inconveniency moreover exceeding great and Eternal Happiness hereafter Perhaps he will say he hath been so long used to it that he cannot Indeed a wicked habit is not quickly or easily shaken off it crept on by degrees and will stick close but there is an absolute necessity Except ye repent ye shall perish twice asserted Luke 13. And that is a through change of mind and reformation of Life if he hath been guilty of Drunkenness let him ask Pardon for it and be so no more Seek for the Grace of God which is sufficient to subdue the power of this or any Sin. The Man must be sure sincerely to labour together therewith and endeavour to be freed from Sottishness the same way he got it let him daily deny himself somewhat and abridge a little of his wonted Measure by this means he may be at length free from it It is commonly pleaded by him who lies under a custom of sin that he cannot forsake it So he flatters and beguiles his own Soul that either God will not require him to do an impossible thing and therefore he shall be excused or he is an hard Master to shut a Man out of Heaven and cast him into Hell for a thing he could not help But O wicked Servant Wherefore dost thou to keep thine own wickedness accuse God foolishly and falsly For he will not lay upon Man more then right that he should enter into Judgment with God Job 34. 23. Repent if peradventure the iniquity of thine heart may be forgiven Consider seriously thou alone hast wilfully brought thy self under the Power and Slavery of Sin. By former hardening thy heart and not hearing Gods Voice when thou hadst more strength and sin less At the first entrance upon the Practice of it thou couldst more easily have not done then done it after thou couldst refrain with a small irksomness till sin at length began to prevail through thine own neglect to resist and willingness to entertain it And because it is more difficult to part with thou concludest impossible No habit however long in contracting is impossible to be removed it may be
hinders the Accommodation that it may be taken away and then the business is done It is not to lead People on in a bare outward Profession or a partial Observation of the Law but to bring them over unto universal Obedience And he who either will not or dare not do this is not fit to be a Labourer in the Vineyard But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy Mouth Psal 50. 16. He had better seek any other way for a Livelihood then to take the oversight of the Flock of God for filthy lucre 1 Pet. 5. 2. and be negligent thereof Why a good Nature cannot endure to disturb but he must when it is to prevent a greater Evil. Who finds fault with a Surgeon that Pricks to let Blood in order to Health which as it is common so most kind and reasonable All the irksomeness that can be to further our everlasting Happiness and hinder alike Misery allowing for the exceeding Greatness thereof will not amount to so much as Men endure and take it patiently in Case of a slight temporal Good or Evil. Aâ—d I beseech you Brethren suffer the VVord of Exhortation for I have written a Letter unto you in few words Heb. 13. 22. There must some haâ—sh sayings now and then drop from the Preachers mouth if he doth according to the Apostolical injunction make full Proof of his Ministery 2 Tim. 4. 4. The Hearers must bear them patiently and do thereafter if they intend to be saved They are to receive as Eli did from the Child Samuel who told him every whit and hid nothing from him and he said It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3. 18. Or as Hezekiah heard the Prophets sad Message to his Posterity Good is the VVord of the Lord which thou hast spoken Isa 39. 8. There is an unwillingness to speak of Gods threatnings The Prophets of Old would fain excuse themselves yet they would not be disobedient to the Spirit of God and it was with kindness to the People by first exhorting them to Repentance to prevent the approaching Ruin. And I do not believe any good Man doth love to tyrannize over the Hearts of others by putting them into fear and dread but knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade Men 2 Cor. 5. 11. They do not otherwise declare the whole Counsel of God and they must to keep People from falling under the severity thereof for it would be an odd kind of Mercifulness to let them slide down into Hell because we will not before-hand disturb them a little with the Rumour thereof Doth any one who forewarns another such an Evil or Inconvenience will come upon him unless he hinders it such a way therefore meet with unkindness In no wise but on the contrary all thanks and Good-will There is altogether the like Reason it should be the very same as to the things of God and Eternity Besides it is not he but the Word which doth it No Post or Herald can be justly blamed for publishing what we Fancy severe Edicts and Proclamations for they are Servants and must do what their King Commandeth but if any injury is offered them Mark 12. 4 5 9. He takes it as upon himself and will punish accordingly He that is sent a Minister of Christ's Church did never descend into the deep nor hath he seen any of those dreadful things of the invisible World. He is only to make known and proclaim what he finds in the written Word of God. Who considering his infinite Greatness more then the Ocean is to a single drop over those who are but meer Creatures the Work of his hands hath made righteous Ordinances enforced with sutable Rewards and Punishments notwithstanding the latter may seem hard and grievous to us Yet how great soever they are miserable experience sheweth they are necessary to preserve his Government and to keep us in Subjection and Obedience In Truth we cannot well shew it otherwise then by a reverent Regard and Conformity to his Word No Man hath seen God at any time John 1. 18. Nor doth now hear his Voice In what manner then shall he shew himself subject to this infinite Being Let him shew forth never so much will-Worship Humility or neglecting of the Body think to gratifie with something of his own as corrupt Nature is too fond of its own Inventions yet if he hath not regard to the prescribed Pattern all is esteemed as cutting off a Dogs neck the Reason is added Yea they have chosen their own ways If he offers up never so much or seeks to please Isa 66. 2 3. him that signifies nothing For all these things have been saith the Lord But to this Man will I look even to him that is of a poor and contrite Spirit and trembleth at my VVord If God should shake the Heavens and the Earth the most stout Inhabitants here would tremble and they could not do otherwise But now he sanctifies the Lord and makes him his dread who shews himself awful and pliant at hearing or reading of his revealed Will. If he did roar from Mount Zion or utter his Voice from the Battlements of Heaven then the People would presently cry out after their wonted manner All that the Lord hath spoken we will do But when the noise is gone and the fear is over they would forget that and return to their own ways Now it remains written in a Book that it may not be once but for ever and there is the still Voice of the Spirit which would set it home to our Hearts and by this way he is pleased to try our Obedience And indeed how can it be better shewn forth then by sincere doing according to that which we surely believe to be the very mind of God what he would have us to do Yet alas What strugling and contesting is there against this A manifest Token of that disobedience which lies hid in the heart of Man and puts it self forth by Cavil Distinguishing Evasion or setting themselves against those who keep close to it All this proceeds from that Root of Enmity and unwillingness to comply therewith He that is of God heareth Gods words John 8. 47. VVhen ye received the word of God ye received it not as the word of Men but as it is in Truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 1 Thes 2. 13. All is but vain and deceitful words which have not Relation to this Rule either by necessary Consequence or Connexion God is Truth and his word is Truth John 17. 17. and if we say we love God we must also in the Apostles Phrase receive the love of the Truth that we may be saved 2 Thes 2. 10. That People may not be left at uncertainty to know what it is it may be discerned by the Touch-stone and also it hath a full
Creature A certain token there is something more in him then that receptacle of Flesh we see and whence came that But by creation from God. And should that just now come forth into Being start up and disown its maker Which hath received a capacity to imagine high things should that presently do so against him from whom it was derived But wilt thou know O vain Man unless he had made thee in this exalted State thou couldst not if thou wouldst never so fain thus magnifie thy self against him Because he made thee to serve him and gave thee power to do it freely what an horrible thing is it that any should instantly turn and refuse subjection unto him I know the heart of the Reader will rise at this Who ever arrives to such strange kind of Wickedness and most base ingratitude In plain terms all those do who make no Prayer unto God for they shew no submission unto and dependance on him Have the Workers of Iniquity no knowledge Who eat up my people as they eat bread they have not called upon God Psal 53. 4. A â—it preceeding Isa 64 78. Question for the other is consequent to it and then this ignorance the not calling on him is refusing Obedience unto him or a secret disowning of their dependance on him for all High and Low People as well as Priest are strictly commanded in sundry places of Scripture to do both It signifies little to say with the Mouth according to the common form if one thinks otherwise in the heart God knows that or if he doth really Judge God is to be obeyed and Worshipped it is to be shewed forth by outward Action As in the publick Assemblies * Jer. 10. 25. family-Worship which is rather to be done though it be taken notice of and perhaps laughed at by our ungodly Neighbours for then we do it not to get praise but out of a sence of Duty Sayings and the custom of others are not so much to be regarded but every one in his House ought to shew forth a visible subjection unto God before the World. By Prayer we acknowledge Gods Authority over us we confess our selves Servants Subjects and Children that live upon his good Providence and that all things come from him We believe on him whom we have not seen We give credit to his gracious promises and stand in aw of his threatnings and thereupon most of our Petitions are founded We are in our proper Office when we lift up our Soul and our Desire is unto him God is most pleased in actual Obedience working of Righteousness and bringing forth fruits of Well-doing yet by Prayer there is a tendency and inclination in the Soul to them there is a begging help and willing mind to do according to the power given us there is an asking forgiveness for what we have done amiss and to perform better Obedience for the time to come What can God require more of his poor imperfect Creatures then to do according to their Ability and to help out their infirmities by humbly craving a Pardon for them and sincere desires that they were better He is Faithful and Good knowing our frailty and condition We have an High Priest that is touched with the feeling of our Infirmities he hath purchased a Salvation and Reward if we do according to them his Righteousness and perfect Obedience supply our defects Hear what he saith and how he affirmeth it Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give 〈◊〉 you John 16. 23. Now the desirable thing is Heaven and Happiness but there is no leaping into it without going in the way for this is Gods immutable decree and nothing can be granted contrary to that which is by Obedience and Holiness the contrary is sin And therefore we are to beg forgiveness of that and to ask for the Holy Spirit by which we may be enabled to live according to the Will of God in all things Provided when that prompts to do such a thing we be sure to comply with it and so when we have dictates to leave another thing undone for God will not be so put off that when he inclines towards the doing of his Will and we do it not but only pray that we may do it If thy Servant should come from time to time for aid and assistance to do such a thing for thee and thou grantest him his request yet he never doth that which he pretends he would if he had such help wouldst thou not say he did mock and slight thee The beginning of a thing is a desire towards it when that is then if there is power it will be certainly done So that if there is an unfeigned desire to keep Gods Commandments this will seek out for strength and ability to do so Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7. 7. The command and promise is not given only to Disciples or chosen Ones for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened vers 8. Here Man will fly back again and say he cannot ask But yet he can ask Bread Fish or any good thing of another and why then will he not ask good things of our Father which is in Heaven Hath he a real desire to be saved Why there is a willingness in all Men to this Blessed end But here is the difference between the Fool and Wise Man the first would have it without the means the latter knows it is impossible and therefore must have both or neither Indeed there is an aâ—kwardness against the way to Heaven a rumour of the Sons of Anak some strange difficulty next to impossibility The Man is frightened and gives back and therefore it is necessary for him to have a true report abstracted from the lies and false Imaginations to have all the encouragement that can be given to be urged with the absolute necessity and that it is an exceeding Good land all that Men can possibly do is little enough to get possession there They do already submit to more hardship in getting those things which are not the ten thousandth part so valuable such like perswasions by degrees change the mans mind for he did not hear or not know of as much before this conquers natural aversation and puts him upon a firm advised resolution and the next thing is to get ability to go through with it In the work of Mans Salvation the Word and Preaching are before Prayer for how shall they pray for what they have not known or for what they have not heard And therefore it would be a good Method in the Education of Children to instruct them with some principles according as their tender Years will bear before they are taught to say Prayers by Rote or to make them somewhat understand what they say In those of riper
perpetual remembrance it must be by that way and manner himself hath prescribed As Parchment and Wax are little worth of themselves but yet useful and significative of conveying Land one to another So our Lord may Minister unto us his grace and benefits by the outward signes of Bread and Wine and when they are received in this Ordinance they are more to be esteemed in respect of the thing signified then in our common eating and drinking The Bread broken sets forth how the body of our Lord was torn upon the Cross the Wine poured out puts in mind of his side being pierced and the shedding of his blood As often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. That is not so much the sprinkling or dipping in Water as the thing signified The Apostle doth not speak to exclude it for himself used it and so did the other Apostles who had the Spirit of God and all the Church down ever since Now there is the same prejudice as to that What doth the meer Water signifie They might have put the same question to the Apostles themselves had they been in their time or to our Lord in the institution of his Supper There is not so much only in the outward sign but there is in the thing signified Many remain still in Ignorance and Sin but if they would be saved let them come out from among their Sheep and Oxen and lift up their eyes to Heaven considering who inhabits there They must not always be confined in a Barn or with Saul hide themselves among the Rushes or be wholly taken up with the little things of this short life for they are called out and invited to receive a Kingdom This is spoken in good earnest Your only end of coming into this World is to serve God and to know the things pertaining unto him and hence to be translated up to receive it If they do that for a while they will at length perceive there is something more in the Ordinances then what they at present imagine through the darkness and blindness that is in them None can think slightly but who do not understand If they do really believe on Christ it would seem no strange thing to come unto his Supper The Man is to raise up the highest Love for God and his Christ Remember the holy Covenant that hath passed between them with a continued firm stedfastness and sincere purpose to perform the same He may refresh and strengthen his Faith especially on the Death of our Lord and the Truth of his whole Gospel he is to lift up his Soâ—l in the most hearty Praises and lively Devotionâ— where is a constant â—ear and obedience to Almighty God if he comes unexpectedly where the Sacrament is Administred upon a little examination and reverence of mind he may receive But where he hath notice before hand and he may lay aside some of his Worldly Business as this may be done thrice in the Year at least there let him not approach to this Holy Mystery without Solemn preparation before for it is altogether of as high a nature and deserves as great reverence as the Passover of Old. We are always to have Oyl ready in our Lamps but then we should trim and make them ready at the meeting of the Bridegroom It is not an humbling or carefulness for a day nor a fit of holiness for a Season only for this is the practice of them Who are Foolish Disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures Tit. 3. 3. who fondly think to make atonement by this Ordinance not considering that some will be rejected who have eaten and drunk in Christs presence Luke 13. 26. But a due preparation consists in a constant course of keeping the Commandments of God There is a building up in our most holy Faith and a progress in the Christian Life so that whosoever is sincere and willing as to that may partake of this Supper to his comfort and benefit Give not that which is holy unto Dogs is the express command of the Master of this Feast Since the Church hath been remiss to this thing and promiscuously admitted all the Sacrament is become common and disesteemed When she kept to the rules of our Lord people were earnest and desirous to come and sorrowful to be kept away If the Government of God over the World were not in a manner made precarious by those who take upon them the Office and Administration thereof Men would be more willing and obedient under it Neither would themselves be so contemptible and base among the People if they had kept up that authority in word and power which the Lord had given When a thing stoops or becomes easie the consequent is to trample upon and not care for it they are to answer before him who in their several Generations have thus managed the cause of God. They have not done according to their direction in his Word for that is with Authority and would if truly Preached command the most Rebellious and Proud hearts of the sons of Men. God is greater then Men and as those who exercise Authority would not suffer it to be brought low neither should his Kingdom and rule over them diminish Truth was once stablished in the Earth the Kingdom of God was once set up with Power but now through the treacherous yielding of the supporters it hath been long falling away and loses strength God is not the least beholden to his Creatures for serving him as Gen. 4. 7. So afterwards his Commandments are given in a Majestick and Authoritative manner Exod. 20. And though the stubborn Sinner saith in his heart which he Manifests in practise I will do this and that just contrary yet he shall be answered again in Plagues and Punishment In like manner did the Lord Jesus give out his Commission of Teaching Go ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. If People do their duty it is accepted if not they are to expect the danger There hath been a wonderful deal of begging yea moreover civil Authority must be called in for aid to bring Mankind over to the ordinances of their God and all will not do When their fear towards him is taught by the precept of Men they may come to perform such a Worship as is described in the foregoing part of the verse of drawing near with their Mouth and honouring with their lips but have removed their heart far from me Isa 29. 13. and that cannot be hindred by all legal constitutions What Glory is it unto him to have a
much pining or starving thereof The Apostle saith verse 25. Every one that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things alluding to those who did Dyet themselves for the Olympick Games Which plainly implies that we are to manage our selves so as to be more fit for the Service of God and that we may get to Heaven Now it is evident we can better serve him in Health then in Sickness and it is more accepted when done with a willing good Heart If we may be still spiritual minded not taking off our Affections from God and the things above to set them on small and perishing comforts If we can avoid Sin without so much rigour If we set a part some time for Fasting and Prayer I know not what mean those harsh disciplines that famishing all the Life long for it is not a shriveled skin nor pale looks nor a lean Carkase which commends unto God but A broken and contrite Spirit a Soul little in its own esteem contracted and become in intire subjection unto him which hath the Body under and both in obedience unto God. That extream Mortification hath been turned into a gross mistake and Superstition The cruel afflicting ones self comes near to the Prophets of Baal who cut themselves after their manner with Knives and Lances till the Blood gushed out upon them 1 Kings 18. 28 so are the self-Whippings and Scourgings of Pagan Christian Rome and alike are the ways of the Heathen and false Religions throughout the World. But the King of Israel is a merciful King He doth not require these things at our Hands He doth not Afflict willingly nor Grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 33. Neither should they do it foolishly themselves What deserving is there utterly to refuse what God doth give God would have in this place the Humiliation but in no wise the Misery of his Creatures He at present keeps them off from true and perfect Happiness that being reserved elsewhere but denies not their Comfort and Refreshment He is not now unwilling that we should be Happy but then we should be so puffed up that we would not have him Reign over our Hearts He would not have us run away from those things which are set forth for a tryal of our Obedience having as it were hedged us in by ordering that to be had in things absolutely necessary which we cannot be without Another kind of Moderation is conversant about Apparel which was designed against the pain of Cold and shame of Nakedness Of Apparel This calls again to remembrance our Misery and Want for such an help is found against it and therefore those who place Happiness in Meat Drink or Raiment consider not that it is only as Physick for remedy against foregoing Evils Hunger and Thirst Cold and Shame and how much better it will be when we shall be made Perfect and altogether without them as it is to be whole and have no need of a Physitian God in clothing us at present with Garments of Flesh which are weak and filthy mean and contemptible seems to check hereby the aspiring temper of Man for nothing is so much provided against Job 33. 17. as Pride Though he endeavours to strive against it making that an occasion to lift up himself which should humble and abase him The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the Heart Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12. 13. He will judge and recompence according to the secrets of the Heart Those who are to discover in order to turn away Iniquity from Jacob by laying open the Aggravation and Sinfulness thereof may by a malicious Interpretation be thought like him that accuses our Brethren before God day and night But then this Charge would fall upon the Prophets Christ and Apostles and all faithful Teachers The case stands thus Every Mans final condition is to be determined by God and his own Heart He knoweth all things and that knoweth its own Sin. 'T is the motions of that which commit the evil And those who are to convince of Sin are to reprove and not to be our Judges to Warn but not to Condemn If the thing be so they must repent and amend if not they only admonish and exhort to take heed and there is no harm done They enjoyn no Duties but set up the Mark again which was almost fallen to direct in the Way to Heaven They make no Sins but raise up the float which was sinking to keep people from Shipwrack and Perishing The great Policy of the Deceiver of mankind is to bring them off from God to lose their Knowledge of him and the Sence of Good and Evil whereas on the contrary it hath been the Business of all true Messengers sent from him to †Isa 58. 12. restore both as much as they could The less Conscience and particular Examination of their ways the less conviction of Sin there is be sure no ripping of it up from the bottom the generality of the World think so much the better For ever O Lord thy Word is settled in Heaven Psal 119. 89. Those Laws and Rules of Obedience and Sin have been long since fixed up and all the World shall be judged by them so they are to take notice of and prepare themselves accordingly now they are in the way What Sin or Harm is in Clothes is commonly asked In truth none but in the Pride and Excess of them for otherwise the Word of God would not make express mention of them as it doth Isa 3. 16. c. Isa 32. 11. Jer. 4. 30. Psal 73. 〈◊〉 Zâ—ph 1. 8. 1 Tim 2. 9. 1 Per. 3. 3 4. Evil doth intermix with every thing here even to what we are fed with and do wear The evil accompanying Raiment is Pride which divides it self into forgetfulness of God or despising our Brethren who are not so arrayed Yet they that wear soft Clothing are in Kings Houses Mat. 11 8. So they may be used for distinguishing of Condition Let thy Garments be always white Eccle. 9. 8. which intimates another end of Decency and Comeliness If fine Apparel doth not take off from the Love and Service they ow unto God If they do not set at naught or less esteem him in vile Raiment If they do not place more Happiness then as it barely ministers to Warmth Modesty and Comeliness If it doth not engross too much time and other evils are separated then they may use what God hath afforded for Clothing improved with that Art Psal 45. 13 14. and Skill he hath given to Man. But considering withal The Soul is more then the Body and the Body is more then Raiment Luke 12. 23. And more care should be had for them both then for these appendages to the latter There is a Resurrection and Immortality
Eye yet do not sufficient to obtain it for the Promises and Comfort of God are to those who love him as these do not through Ignorance of his ways They stand at the door of his Sanctuary but do not come in They are arrived at the entrance of Religion but stop there when they should come into the inner Courts of the Lords House from Deut. 4. 29 30 31. It appears that God accepts of such a beginning if it goes on and hath its perfect work as there described but this sort is commonly feigned according to what is written Psal 78. 34 35 36 37. They run unto God as to a Shelter in a Storm from which they go again when that is over He knows the very secrets of the Heart and will not be imposed upon by Hypocrisie and Baseness But they should have considered that as he is then even in their opinion to be sought unto for Stay and Relief so he is worthy to be trusted unto at all times and then fully resolved to have taken him for the God of their Help from that day for evermore this had been well pleasing in his sight Lord What Aversness is in our Nature to come unto thee And yet whither should we go but unto thee We are not sufficient of our selves thou art the Author of all Good and a sure Refuge against Evil Yet we are at a stand and unwilling to come when thou callest Thou hast made us weak and frail that we should seek Help of one that is Mighty and trust in thee Thou sendest the Stormy Wind and Tempest which do near beat us down that we may know The Eternal God is our Refuge and underneath are the Everlasting Arms Deut. 33. 27. Thou hast put a vanity and insufficiency into things that all which is to be had in this World cannot establish a sure Trust whereon Man may certainly depend Our fellow Creatures will not but in the greatest exigencies they cannot help The best things here are unable others are deceitful all of them put together cannot give Aid they may stupifie for a little time but cannot preserve the Breath from going forth What must we lie and sink under these Evils surely we have been told and him we should think of first There is one above who both will and also can deliver to the utmost all that come and seek after him I will lift up mine Eyes to the Hills from whence cometh my Help My Help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth Psal 121. 1 2. And therefore can dispose every least thing to our Advantage or take away the Evil that oppresseth us and rescue from the Jaws of the Grave and at last in him though we die we shall live again In what a wretched condition is that Man in the day of Distress and Death who hath held fast to the World till it can give no longer Relief when the Arm of Flesh is withered and its poor helps fail They have turned their Back unto me and not their Face but in the time of their Trouble they will say Arise and save us But where are thy Gods that thou hast made thee let them arise if they can save thee in the time of thy Trouble Jer 2. 27 28. Where are thy Riches Pleasure and Company that thou hast relied on let them preserve thee Consider this ye that forget God in your Health and Prosperity He hates your putting away the thoughts of him at that time when you stand off it is then he spoils your Mirth 'T is nothing but your own Sins and Transgressions which occasion that Enmity and slavish Fear of him which would also cease when the cause is taken away In the evil day you might be safe under his Feathers In the time of Wealth there is nothing affrightful or disagreeable to those who would live in Sence of and thankfulness under him for this would make Enjoyments yet more excellent O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thâ—e which thou hast wrought for them that Trust in thee before the Sons of Men Psal 31. 19. How many ways hath ouâ— Gracious God found out when all we like loâ—t Sheep have gone astray to bring us back agaâ—n Even those which seem â—o the carnal and inconsiderate more harsh and severe Dispensations of Providence are to this blessed end In Mercy thou dost Afflict them out of pure Love and Compassion to their Souls It is a sad Prospect to see the Tents of Cushan in Affliction Hab. 3. 7. to behold the Dwellings of the Sons of Men in so much Sorrow Grief Pain and Sickness as if the Curse of Joâ—b was entailed on all Families throughout the whole Earth And there is not an House but there is one that hath an â—ssue or that is a Leapeâ— or that leaneth upon a Stâ—ff or that falleth on a Sword or that lacketh Bread 2 Sam. 3. 29. or hath some other â—vil of equal kind Surely there is a good God above all his Creatures and how then can these things be If at any time hard thoughts do arise it is our Ignorance and want of a through Consideration out of his Word Besides what is afore mentioned We do not lay to Heart our own Provocation that Deluge of Sin and Ungodliness which hath covered the face of all Nations but his Grace and Revelation would put a stop unto it if effectually used and put forth Some Evils are sent for Punishment to frighten and disswade people from the like things Then the spot and â—allings of his own People are to be chastened here and their Graces exercised see Deut. 8. 15 16. Zâ—ch 13. 9. And further Satan is suffered some Reasons whereof we know others are secret but we judge of the equity of them by what are manifested to walk up and down in an invisible manner being permitted to Afflict the Body and Estate all one as to tempt the Soul. And then from John 9. 3. 1. Sam. 2. 6 7. it may be gathered that God to shew his Glory Power and Sovereignty maâ— do what he will with his own As Lord of Life he taketh away one and leaveth another in his own order but not to us discernable because no respect is had to Age the good or ill of the person that one lives longer then another He sends Sickness to this Man when another is well to some it proves Mortal and not to others Some have more and others less of the Distribution of the good things of the Earth without the better or worse deserving of the Parties Things now seem uneven but in the Sanctuary and out of the Lords Book all may be understood He is Good and Merciful still He is our Maker and our Father from whence we are to be considered as Creatures and then in a nearer Relation of Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6. 18. 2 Cor. 7. 1. to which last the great future Promises do relate Righteous art
Inclinations and Humour and not the Will of God they run on in Pride Lust Sensuality and if Prayers be read in their Family they go to Church on the Lords Day be sure to be a little more serious and repent upon a Death-bed all is well enough there is no need of making such a stir and adoe about Religion in their Life-time This is the fashionable sort of Godliness which is used and commended every where but upon diligent survey it may appear that the Commandments of God are made of none effect by this Fasion for the Precepts in the Gospel of obedient and Holy Life signifie nothing Duty is neglected and sin committed And if they do but ask God Pardon in a formal way then they may go on and Transgress yet against him and so on But be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a Man soweth that shall â—e also reap He that soweth to the Flesh shall also of the Flesh reap Corruption Gal. 6. 7 8. Every one shall receive according to the Deeds he hath done The Sacrifice of the wicked is an Abomination how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind Prov. 21. 27. It was never well with Religion since a certain Mode thereof came up when they do such Acts because People of quality See Zech. 7. 5. do the like and they do no more then according to the common Standard This is the moving though not the only Reason for they do expect some benefit when they must die they would as willingly go to Heaven as the poorer sort and they trust unto these Prayers which they hope will translate them thither for though they did live in disobedience and run unto the same Excess of Riot as others yet God is merciful and they did ask him forgiveness He is so indeed but also he is Just and True. There is no respect of Persons with God for as many as have sinned without Law shall also Perish without Law and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law Rom. 2. 11 12. According as it is written so shall every one receive although he doth never so much flatter himself with idle Fancies and vain Hopes Take heed and be not deceived in this great and important Concern of your everlasting Happiness or Misery and to this I exhort you the more because if you do mistake once you are eternally Damned there is no correcting this Errour and therefore I say again unto you Take heed that ye be not deceived In the mean while you may know this one thing that if the fashionable sort of Godliness will infallibly bring to Heaven how would that be found true which Christ saith A rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 23. but after this rate he would easily for the modish Worship requires not much Labour or Pains And as the Disciples asked our Lord upon that Saying Who then can be saved So if this were allowed the question may be reversed Who then would Perish For who is it that follows the Fashion in Clothes Behaviour and manner of Living and doth it not in Religion also We are sure God spake by his Son and therefore that is truth which he saith as for this Opinion it is contrary to his Doctrine and we know not who was the first Author of it unless it came from him who setteth up his Kingdom against that of Christ whose Employment it is to beguile Souls the old Serpent the Father of Lyes And the Falshood is so Transparent that if they would but look throughly they may easily see it which they also would if it did not contradict their own Lusts and so they remain willing to be deceived But if they will they may be deceived and shall at last go away with a Curse instead of a Blessing Those on the left hand Mat. 25. it seems did not expect to have such a dreadful Sentence for such a Reason pronounced against them as appears Ver. 44. They might think themselves safe enough because they did not see the Lord Jesus himself an Hungred or a Thirst or a Stranger or Naked or Sick or in Prison for then they say they would have ministred unto him They had the Letter of the Law on their side yet maâ—k this their Exposition was not allowed but the great Judge gave his own and by that Condemned them But some now adays have not so much to trust unto for both the Letter and direct meaning of the Gospel are against them This Peter teacheth plainly Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the Flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the Flesh hath ceased from Sin That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the Flesh to the Lusts of Men but to the Will of God for the time past of our Life may suffice us of have wrought the Will of the Gentiles when we walked in Lasciviousness Lusts Excess of Wine Revellings and abominable Idolatries 1 Pet. 4. 1 2 3. An exact Pourtraiture of our times for though the last may seem to have been somewhat ceased among us yet whose God is his Belly or who saith unto Gold Thou art my Confidence is also an abominable Idolater Saith another Apostle Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lust of the Flesh for the Flesh Lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary one to the other Gal. 5. 16 17. And the works of the Flesh are reckoned up further some of which are esteemed necessary Qualities of a Person of worth and briskness and the Fruits of the Spirit are thought fit only for dull sneaking base born Souls but not for them So the Judgment of Gentlemen is contrary to the Gospel And that which would render one a meet Partaker for the inheritance of the Saints in Light is in no wise thought comely for those of that Station This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the Vanity of their mind Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the Blindness of their Heart as to saving and spiritual knowledge for otherwise they are quick-sighted enough Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto Lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with Greediness But ye have not so learned Christ Eph. 4. 17 18 19 20. Let any compare these places and several others in the New Testament with the present Fashion and then Judge Whether true Christianity and the modish Gentility are not as contrary and incompatible as Light and Darkness And though some Men-pleasers but not the Servants of Christ would fain reconcile impossible things yet let none trust to what they teach or say for we are not to stand or fall according to their corrupt Glosses but the secrets
of all Hearts are to be judged by the Gospel of Jesus Who will put his own Interpretation on his own Laws and we are to receive from his month the Sentence of Life or Condemnation Let none therefore be the more Confident or presume to go on in his Course because one whom he hath chosen for a guide tells him he is right enough and he is willing to believe him for such can know no otherwise then by the Gospel and it is agreed on all hands that those Texts which are given to make wise unto Salvation are so plain and easie to be understood that they need no Interpretation at all and it cannot be that any who come in sincerity to be informed should be deceived in them But thus it is Men are strangely given to their own Lusts they cannot endure to resist the Allurement of sensual Pleasures and are not willing to bring down their haughty minds and yet would partake of the Promises of the Gospel and avoid its Threatnings so there must be an expedient found out to do all this How ready are they to hearken unto and embrace every proposal made to this end Either by their own deceitful Hearts or by him who works with all deceivableness in them that Perish Or some others have been found who instead of shewing People Mic. 3. 5 8. their Transgression and the House of Jacob their sins have soothed them up and concealed Who have strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him Life Ezek. 13. 22. Who being willing to please their great Benefactors do according as they would have Speak smooth things and Prophesie deceits Isa 30. 10. Who know no sooner way to oblige them then by dictating Doctrines sutable to their ungodly Lusts and Inclinations that they may live the Life of the wicked and die the Death of the righteous follow all iniquity here and receive the Crown for Well-doing hereafter And this is done by divulging some pleasing but wrong and mis-applyed Notions of Gods wonderful Mercy of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and relying wholly on him for Salvation of a formal daily Repentance which is well enough if more sincere and perfect on the Death-bed the Doctrine of partial Obedience of Desires and Resolutions which are for the most part Mockery or Non-sense the mistakes of Sins of infirmity for the works of the Flesh and unrighteousness come under these of distinguishing between the Counsels and Precepts of the Gospel stretching it further then they have Warrant from 1 Cor. 7. 25. What they have a mind to follow those are the Commands and what they have not is of the other sort and then they sin not in neglecting it And such like Out of which may be patched up a fine sort of Divinity to please the Great Ones here by giving them Encouragement that after they have gratified to the utmost all their wicked Lusts and bid defiance to the Almighty in their Life-time yet they can appease him again slightly and when they will But certainly this is quite to leave the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to go on to imperfection not laying again but utterly over-throwing the Foundation of Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God which if such as pleases him must consist in Obedience as well as to believe that he is But one would think some did not so much or what is worse Think that the God-head was like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and Mans device Acts 17. 29. for they would stamp their own Impressions and more derogate from his Glory and despise him in their own imaginations then they did Rom. 1. 23. for these would make God such an one as they would have him render him a Lyar alter and change his very Nature beseech him to determine his everlasting Gospel rather then he shall not save them Or else how can they ever dream of thrusting themselves into his Holy City above any other way then by which God hath appointed nay going contrary to what he hath Chalkt out Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and puriâ—ie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2. 14. Now these defeat the very end of his Coming for according to their supposal Men may still live in all iniquity and instead of being zealous for good Works they need do none at all but cast themselves intirely on Christs satisfaction and Merits The foregoing Verse is The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all Men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly and righteously and Godly in this present World but according to the daubing of some if we do the contrary all our Life-long and we do that is impossible but say or wish as much before the last Gasp of Breath is gone we may lay hold of it But hold there Salvation is not Mens to give they cannot so much as redeem their own Souls much less barter with Almighty God for others We are to have the Reward from his hands only and he hath said already on what terms he will give it Christ became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all that obey him Heb. 5. 9. and to none else The Priests may not prescribe unto him who is a God of infinite Sovereignty and Power Laws of their own Head nor parcel out the Objects of his Bounty they may never partake of it themselves much less be so impudent as to set it out for others Themselve◠〈…〉 e to stand among the number of the Criminals for since they have corrupted the Word of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. Instead of warning the Wicked from his way such have been occasion why he sinned yet more they shall receive greater Condemnation Nevertheless those shall not escape who being led away with their own lusts and enticed do gladly receive their plausible Opinions and Sayings but shall perish for all Mat. 15. 14. Ezek. 33. 8. Isa 9. 16. Though the Serpent Gen. 3. beguiled the Woman and the Woman beguiled the Man yet the curse was pronunced on all And it will be no excuse in the last day Lord the Teachers who came in thy name told us we might do such things and live for Christ had foretold that false ones should arise and commanded to take heed least any Man deceive you He left his Word behind to try the Doctrines whether they be of Men or no by which he will judge the World and not by this or that Doctors Opinion Let others now put what meaning they will upon the commands of Christ yet if he should interpret them otherwise every one knoweth whose must be taken and by which we are to abide His judgment and exposition will be according to Righteousness and Truth whatever others make now If they turn the Word up Isa 24. 5. and down to make