more burthensome than they would be many hands can easily beare that weight which is a burthen insupportable to one arme A Ship strongly linked joyned together will endure that storme which will sink a leaking Ship to the bottome of the Sea 7. Hereby many times the Ordinances of God are perverted Physicke is turned into poyson the Lamp is made a stumbling block the staffe is become a snare 1 Cor. 11.17 18. And therefore all that beare the name of Christians specially they who professe themselves to be the friends of Christ the Children of light the lovers of the truth the Family of God the Disciples of Christs Schoole must strive to have their hearts firmly linked and knit together in Christ Jesus Leading a peaceable life in all godlines and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 And according to that charge of the Apostle let us be all of one mind c. 1 Pet. 3.8.9 10 11. And especially let us be carefull to agree in matters concerning life and salvation wich is the next thing to be considered the matter where about this controversy was about Purifying To purifie is to make that cleane and pure wich was foule and defiled this was typically done by the blood of buls goats and beasts before the coming of Christ Heb. 9.14 Sacramentally by Baptisme under and since Christ Ephes 5.26 But effectually by faith in the blood of Iesus Christ wich maketh us perfectly pure by imputation and imperfectly pure by sanctification Acts 15.9 By purifying here Baptisme is most probably conceived to be meant For so the Disciples of John in the next verse complaine to their Master that Christ Baptized this then presenteth the matter of there controversie Baptisme the nature of it the fruit which they who are truely baptized obtaine Purity from the first we may learn Doctr. That in the Church of God there usually have been controversies beetween the people about matters appertaining to life and salvation 2 Pet. 2.1 Acts 15.1 2. I might relate an infinite Catalogue of Heresies which in all ages have pestered the Church of God and causing strivings between the people professing Christ as between Jacob and Esau in one womb who shall have the the preheminence as between the two Women living in one house whose should be the living and whose should be the dead Child 1 King 3.23 and the reason of it ariseth 1. From the wisedome of God hereby intending to try the integrity the faith love and constancy of his people as Deut. 13.1 2 3. So 1 Cor. 11.18 2. For the better illustration of the truth the more the light of the Word is opposed the more it shineth the more cavils are raised against it the more Gods people are stirred up by study prayer meditation conference to seek out the truth of it many grounds of Religion many points needfull to salvation would never have been so clearly unfolded had they not been by Hereticall cavillers opposed Moses Serpent devouring the counterfeit Serpents of the magitians was more abundantly declared to be a true Serpent than it could if their had been no such counterfeits The Gold enduring the fire shineth the more brightly thereby sheweth its excellency the Sun consuming the clouds doth thereby shew its force and efficacy 3. From the Perversnes of many Mens minds living within the pale of the Church such as in the pride of their hearts will not submit unto sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. 4. From that self-love wich swayeth in many living in the Church of God that are lead by affection more than by sound judgement that seek themselves more than the honour of God 1 Cor. 3.3 4. They depended on the persons of men more than on the Word of God 5. From the desire that many within the pale of the Church have to fulfill their owne lusts some are swayed with pride some with covetousnes some with envy some with one lust some with another hence 1 Tim. 6.5 2 Tim. 3.6 7 8. 6. From the wisedome of God in discovering Hypocrites Hereticks men of corrupt minds unsound hearts infatuated judgements and vile affections that all his Children may discerne and shun them 2 Tim. 3 9. Thus God bringeth good out of evill truth out of falshood as he brought light out of darkness in the first creation as Sampson fetched meat out of the eater sweet out of the sower and as the wind by shaking doth often fasten the tree so these quarrels contentions Heresies these blasts wich at first do shake do in the end the more confirm the people of God in the truth according to that of Augustine Haeretici plurimum prosunt non verum docendo quod nesciunt sed ad verum quaerendum carnales ad verum aperiendum spirituale Catholicos excitando Euagrius per eos qui Ecclesiam diserpserunt recta fedei dogmata emerserunt Vse This may therefore in forme us in the state of the Church in this behalfe in all ages may assure us that it shall never be free from contentions quarrells Heresies offences divisions during the peregrination thereof on earth neither must we think it strange nor take offence thereat since God doth thereby make the truth the more illustrious the graces of his Servants the more conspicuous these do not disanull the Church any more thā tares do disanull the field of wheat from being a field of good graine or Ismael in Abrahams house did disanull his Family to be a house of good and faithfull people or some rebels in a Kingdome do disable it to be a good and well governed Kingdome Yet the Papists wanting other arguments labour much to prove us not to be the people and Church of God because there be as they say inter Evangelicos varia de Religione dissidia But this is no new Calumny no sound argument for we may learne from Clemens Alexandrinus that then the Jewes and Philosophers objected to the Christians their discords and controversies about matters of faith upon whom he retorted the darts of their owne quiver confuted them with their owne arguments as once David cut off Goliahs head with his owne sword telling the Jewes that they themselves had many Sects among them Pharises Saduces Essens and as touching the Philosophers he reckoneth up innumerable factions among them therefore telleth them if they did not for their divisions cease from their Philosophie and condemne it as evill because their Philosophers erred in many things how could they condemne the Christian Religion for the dissensions of Christians Tell them that Christ and the Apostles had foretold them that there must be Heresies adding further that multiplicity of sects prove not the falsity of Doctrine but must breed a more earnest investigation and searching out of the truth For tares grow with the wheat and unprofitable sour grasse with the best garden flowers yet the Husbandman did neither ceas to dresse the vineyard nor the gardner the garden the same may be given in
as the purest manchet to distast as gall what now is pleasant as honey to their palate 2. Consider the strength of sinne and Satans hold it is a stronge Castle uneasily beaten downe the Devill is no weakling but a Prince a Potent adversary it is not every one can conquer him a bow without arrows a minister without abilities can doe nothing to this adversary powder of humane eloquence though it make a great noise cannot shake the powers of his Kingdome an Axe without edge a Sermon without Zeale and courage cannot cut the roots of this tree the Divell doth no more regard such mens preaching as preach not with power and in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit then hee did for the sonnes of Sceva conjuring Acts. 19.15 Instead of casting him out of others he will enter further into them themselves therefore like good souldiers they must be well furnished with spirituall armour and 2 Cor. 10.5 Psa 45.5 their arrowes must be sharp 3. Consider the depth of Gods councels how uneasily unfolded opened applied how these are a riddle which like Sampsons riddle cannot be enterpreted unlesse wee plough with Gods Heifer deep things of God which cannot be found out but by Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.11 A way that cannot be knowne without a guide Acts. 8.31 A sealed booke which we cannot read unlesse wee have some one to open it Isa 29.11 Neither are the Lamps which reserve the greatest portion of this oyle so full of light nor the fountaines which hold the largest measure of knowledge so ful of waters but that with Paul they may say who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 4. Consider the number the subtlety and the power of them that seduce to sin that lead to errour and that provoke to evill that spread snares and cast stumbling blocks in the waies of Gods people The envious man hath many servants that sow tares among this Wheate Mat. 13.25 Many Factors that sell deceiptfull wares that make merchandise of the soules of the people 2 Pet. 2.3 Many mountebanks that apply healing salves before ever they search and open the wound Jer. 6.14 Many unskilful builders that daub with untemperate Morter upon a rotten wall before ever they pull downe the ruinous places Ezek. 13.10 Many clouds without raine many breasts without milke 2 Pet. 2.17 Many lazy Husbandmen that sow before ever they breake up the fallow ground of the hearts of Gods people Contrary to that Jer. 1.10 Many deceivers transformed into Angels of light 2. Cor. 11.11 Many Lions in sheepes Skins Mat. 7.15 Many that with Ahabs Prophets bad us goe on and proper 1 Kings 22.12 Therefore behoofull wee should make choice of able ministers that may teach sound Doctrine convince opposers lead us forward and build us up in the saving knowledge of Christ Iesus in despite of all oppositions 5. Consider our dulnesse deadnesse security backwardnesse Israel cannot travell longer then the fiery Pillar doth shine before them Peter will continue in the denial of his Master if the Cock do not crow to awaken him Israel will erect a golden calfe if Moses do but a little absent himselfe from them if Jehojada once dye the Princes of Juda will leave the house of the God of their Fathers and serve groves and Idols 2 Chro. 24.18 The best men with the men of Ephesus will forget their first love if they live not under faithful Ministers as the best garden will grow barren if it be not weeded the best tree will grow wild if it be not pruned the soile will become unfruitfull if the dewes fall not upon it the strongest body will grow weake if good food bee with holden from it the best ship will miscarry if it want a good Pilote therefore 2 Pet. 1.12 This is the Pillar which supporteth us the word of life which keepeth life in us Phil. 2.14 The breast which giveth food to us 1 Pet. 2.2 The cloud whose dewes water us and makes us fruitfull in the grace of the Spirit Deut. 32.2 6. Consider how hardly a true lively faith is wrought without labour men are perswaded and assured of their salvation what industry constancy fervency and shill is required and must be used before the judgement can bee informed rightly to descerne the things which differ before the will can bee inclined to chose the things which are most excellent before the affections can be cleansed the heart purified the holds of sinne cast downe the soule made free from the service of evill and free to the love of God and of what is truely good as in 2 Kings 4.32 34.35 So the Minister must againe and againe exhort instruct and pray before the life of grace be restored the conscience pacified the fruits of a new life infallably apparant and the heart throughly perswaded of Gods goodnesse towards it in the free remission of all sin all temptations quelled all objections answered the pardon of fine sealed Naaman went seven times into Jordan before he was washed the Cock crowed thrice before Peter awakened our Saviour stood long at the doore before the Spouse stirred up her selfe to open to come forth to him she sought long ere she could and him Cant. 2.5 she speaketh to the Ministers to comfort or sustaine her by the Ministry of the word Rom. 1 11. Acts. 14.2.22 7. Consider the sweet and singular comforts which the powerfull Ministry of the word breedeth in the soules of the people of God how it is unto the eies of their understanding as the light of the Sun to the eye of the bodie whereof Eccles 11.7 So it is to them a pleasant thing to behold the things of God as Mat. 2.10 So doth the light of the word rejoyce joyce the people of God Isa 9.2 3. Lu. 10.23 How it is unto their eares as the harp in Davids hand chasing away the evil spirit How a very joyfull sound Psa 89.15 How it is unto their palate as the sweetest honey Psa 19.10 As the daintiest feast Isa 25.6 How it is to their feet a burning light guiding them into the waies of peace Lu. 1.79 How it is to their thirsty soules as a wel-spring of living waters to the thirsty and their troubled consciences as the Olive-branch to Noah as the still voice to Eliah to their weary spirits as Horsemen and Chariots to drive and carry them forward in their journey to the high and Heavenly habitation which God hath prepared for his people and out of all this wee may abundantly behold the necessity of an able constant and powerfull Ministry and the folly of them that content themselves with Lamps that have no Oile with Messengers that have no tidings with such at least as like the evil servants hide and imploy not their talent 3. This must occasion the people to try whether the Ministers who are set over them be sent of God or whether they be come of their owne
deceitfulness of sin Reas 4 Because we shall hereby much advance the Gospell and promote the welfare of Christs Kingdom the hiddē mysterie of Godliness shall be the more plainly opened the wayes of life more clearily manifested our bretherens understanding the better informed their cold hearts the more inflamed their unclean affections the more thoroughly purged their feeble faiths the better strengtned the good things of Gods Word the more sweetly relished The often speaking of this language makes it the better understood the often sounding of this Trumpet doth awaken the conscience the more throughly the often shining of this light doth make the way appear the more plain we can in nothing more honour the Gospell or benefit our bretheren than in seeking to perfect their conversion Vse This condemneth our negligence and sloathfulnes our dulnes and backwardnes in doing good in seeking the salvation of our bretheren How many places come we unto where we doe no good how often are we among our bretheren never labouring the welfare of their Souls what more frequent with us than like the Priest and Levite passing between Jericho and Jerusalem never reaching out the hand to help them that lye wounded with sin Luk. 10. to see them erre and not instruct them to see them sorrowfull and not comfort them to see them barren in grace never labouring to make them fruitfull Where is the Disciple that imitateth his Saviour in doing of good continually as he goeth up and down Where is the man that with Mordecay Esther 10.3 that seeketh the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed who with Nehemiah seeketh the welfare of Israel as it is in Neh. 2.10 Who is it that with Iob becoms eyes to the spiritually blind feet to the spiritually lame Iob 29.15 I was saith he eyes to the blind and feet to the lame c. Who is it that becometh a Father to the poor searching out the state of there Souls that breaketh the jawes of sin and plucketh the spoiled Soule out of the teeth of Sathan as Iob did in another case vers 16.17 of that 29. Iob I was saith he a Father to the poor and the cause which I knew not I searched out And I brake the jawes of the wicked and plucked the spoil out of his teeth Whose bowells are so full of compassion to his bretheren that fitteth and prepared himself to cloath there Souls as Dorcas prepared garments to cloath there bodies Acts. 9.39 Who is it that seeketh his straying bretheren as the Shepheard his wandring sheep Eze. 34.12 Where is the Father in Law that with Lot Gen. 19.14 speakes to his sonnes in Law saying Vp get you out of this place for the Lord will destroy this Citie Where is the Father that with David gives incouragment to his children to go on in the Lords Work 1. Cron. 28.9 to know God and serve him with a perfect heart and willing minde Where is the Master of the family that with Abraham commands his houshold to keep the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgment Gen. 18.19 Where is the Minister that holdes not his peace day nor night that makes mention of the Lord and keepeth not Silence That gives him not rest till he establish and make Ierusalem a Praise in the earth as it is in Isa 62.6.7 Where is the bountifull Christian that doth in Spirituall things as Solomon chargeth we should do in temporall Ecl. 7. Who is he that cometh as Abigal to David 1. Sa. 25.25 28. Who redeemeth the time Who seeketh opportunity who imbraceth the offered occasions to do good If we examine our selves we may all lay our hands up our mouths and confess our selves guilty we have all more or lesse withheld the waters which should have refreshed the thirsty the light which should have guided the ignorant the food which should have fed the hungry the staff which should have sustained the weary c. And as long as we are thus slothfull and backward in this behalf it doth discover 1. That we have no bowels of compassion towards our bretheren Who can see his brother taken prisoner by the Prince of darkness led away captive in his chain wounded to the death with sin pressed down under the heavy burden of iniquity stript naked of the rich and pretious garment of true holines altogether defiled with the dirt and slime of Sin if he have any compassion in him and not seek to deliver him how can he chose but pray as the Church Act. 12.3 4 5 6. endeavour as the angell vers the 7.8 Shall Abram raise an army to deliver Lot Gen. 14.14 Will God have men to shew such compassion to an enemies oxe or asse Exo. 23.4 5. How much more to the Souls of our bretheren captivated by Sathan led astray by or sunke under the burden of sin surely this is the truest compassion the sweetest mercy the best kindnes to help the Souls of our brother out of the snare of Sathan according to that of St. Iude vers 22.23 And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with feare pulling them out of the fire c. Men think all the mercy appeareth in giving food for the belly apparell for the back but what is lands and revenews to one confined to perpetuall imprisonment what is food to the diseased who needeth Physick what mercy is this to trim the house and leave the inhabitant in prison I may say as the Lord in Isa 58.5 6 7. Is it such a fast as I have chosen a day for a man to afflict his soule Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush to spread sack-cloth and ashes under him willt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bandes of wickednes to undo the hevy burdens and to let the oppressed go free and that ye breake every yoke Is it not to deale thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thy one flesh So is this the compassion the Lord looks on for a man now and then to feed cloth the hungry naked body is not this the compassion the Lord looks at to help thy brother off with his wicked bands to undo his heauy burdens to break his yokes c. 2. That we have no hearty and sanctified affection to our bretheren How can we say we love them if we seek not to remove sin from them read that place Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer sin upon him The love of Christ appeared not in making his servants rich or advancing them to worldly dignities for they are for the most part a poor despised people as it is in Zeph. 3.13 But his love appeared
should not have so much of their affection time service care it should not have such Dominion over them it should not so presse them down like a heavy burthen but their hearts should be setled on things which are above and they seek the Kingdome of God and his righteousnes Math. 6.33 and count all things dung and dross c. Philip. 3.8 Vse 3 Since God hath not excluded any place or nation but that he hath and doth tender the means one time or other one way or another Therefore let not any people set down and despaire of salvation as if the arme of God were shortned that it could not save or his ear deaf that he would not hear but as God hath appointed some of all nations and Kinreds to be saved so let this incourage all sorts of people to attend the means of their salvation There is hope if the lame man wayte at Bethesda that he shall be cured if Naaman go to Jordan there is hope that he shall be cleansed if you manure and sow your field there is hope of reaping As all sorts of people attend the Sun for light so must they the Lords Ordinances for direction in the way to heaven As appeareth by the next thing here observable Christs attendants who went with him the Disciples They did not leave him but continually travelled with him and attended on him whence note this thing Doctr. 3 That Gods servants must be constantly conversant with and attendant upon their faithfull teachers As the Scholars attendeth the master as the child the breast So must we 1 Pet. 2.2 as new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the Word c. Iob 23.12 It is Jobs speech neither have I gone back from the commandement of his lips I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food As it is storied of Ruth her speech to Naomi 1 Ruth 16. Intreat me not to leave thee or return from following after thee for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge thy people shall be my people c. So must we be as to Gods Ordinances and faithfull ministers not depart from them but go where they go c. Thus it was with persons of old in 13 Acts 42. the gentiles there besought Paul that the Word before taught might be preached to them c. and in the 17 Acts 11. it is spoken of the men of Berea they received the word with all readiness of mind searched the Scriptures daily c. So in the 20 Acts 37.38 there the people attend Paul and wept sore when he spake of seeing their face no more If you aske why Gods servants must be constantly conversant with and attendant upon their faithfull teachers it will appeare if you take notice of these particulars Reas 1 Because God hath replenished them with heavenly knowledge to instruct teach them As the fountains are filled with water and men come daily to draw water thence so as it is in Mal. 2.5 6 7. The Priests lips keep knowledge and people should seek the Law at their mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts c. these are nurses as you have it 1. Thes 2.7 these are spirituall parents 2 Cor. 4.15 these are guides in the way Rom. 219. as the children suck the breasts attend their perents and travellers are conversant with their guides so must these be with the Ministers of the Lord. Reas 2 Because God hath promised a blessing hereunto Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates wayting at the posts of my doores as he that lay daily at the gates of the Temple received a blessing Acts 3.6 this the Psalmist mentions Psal 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou chosest and causest to approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy courts We shall be satisfied with the goodnes of thy house even of thy holy Temple and that place Matth. 7.7 8. Reas 3 Because we are prone to go astray like a sheep wanting a Shepheard a traveller wanting a guide The people soone erred when Moses was but a little while absent Israel could not go forward to Canaan longer than they had the light of the fiery Pillar to direct them if God smite the Shepheard the Sheepe are Scattered the Wise men knew not how to travell longer than the Star shined to them Reas 4 Because we shall lose our first love to God like Ephesus Rev. 2.4 If the bellowes blow not the fire of it 's owne accord will extinguish the world will steale away our affections if we do not constantly attend the Gospell of Christ if the child do not feed his strength will decay if we do not constantly visite God we shall soone forget God the world will quickly steale away our heartes from the Lord. Reas 5 Because Gods servants must go from faith to faith Rom. 1.17 From strength to strength Psal 84.7 Like good travellers going onward in the way without cessation Now without these we shall be like Pharaohs Chariot which moved softly and perished in the red Sea Perseverance in grace requireth constancy in attendance upon Gods Ordinances Use 2 This serveth for the sharpe reproof of such as estrange themselves from Gods faithfull ministers choosing rather to converse with them that will poyson than with such as will heale there souls with them that are stumbling blocks than with such as are guides in the way with such as will harden rather than with such as will soften their hearts with such as will rather draw a vail before than such as will take away the scales of ignorance from the eye of their understanding preferring flattery before faithfull counsell desiring to be dawbed over with the untempered morter of deceipt as in Ezek. 13.11 than to have their ruinons walls of sin pulled down wishing that the messengers of God had no eyes to see nor tongues to reprove them for their sin as Isa 30.10 loving no doctrine but what giveth liberty to their corruption Ier. 5. ult But as longe as mens hearts are thus averse from attendance on Gods Ordinances thus void of love to Gods Messengers 1. They can never be well acquainted with the misery of their one estates He that vieweth not himself in the looking glasse cannot know his spots he that estrangeth himself from the Physician knowes not the state of his body he that will not try his metall in the fire cannot know whither it be gold or copper so no man can understand his condition without the ordinances read those places Rom. 7.9 and Acts 9.17 18. and Rev. 3.17 18. 2. They cannot be unfainedly humbled for their sinnes Peter wept not till he heard the cock crow Math. 26.75 the Jewes were not pricked in their hearts till they heard Peter preach Acts 2.37 The Church must first see her teachers and hear a word behind her before she defile her Idols Isa 30.20 21 22. and Ier.
But sound repentance like Moses will carry away all not leave so much as a hoof behind even the dearest sinnes as deare as an Idoll to the Idolater shall be removed Isa 30.22 Sinnes as pleasant as the body shall be rejected Math. 5. vers 29. 3. Hereby we shall shew the life and power of our obedience and subjection to the will of God when we subject our selves to him in all things When with Abraham we put our knife to the throat of our onely Isack if God command it that obedience is true which is universall An obedient servant observeth every Lawfull precept a loyall subject conformeth to every Lawfull injunction of his Soveraign Jesurod will doe many things Jehu will kill Baals Priests and overthrow his idols but he will still adore the Calfe in Dan and Bethel It is Asa that putteth away the idols of all the Land that removeth his owne mother because an Idolater 2 Cron. 15.8 12 15 16. 4. Hereby we shall discover the strength of our love to God when no sin is so deare but our love to Gods will constraine us to renounce it as dung When no duty is so irksome to flesh and blood but we will gladly do it Therefore Iohn 14.23 Christ sets it downe as a note of love the keeping his Words You may remember what Dalilah said to Sampson Iudg. 16.15 So how canst thou say thou lovest God if thy heart be not with him if thou reserve any sin which God hateth if thou turne thy feet from any duty which God commandeth 5. Hereby we shall give God occasion to take much delight in us as a Master in a Servant observing all his precepts as a Gardner in a tree whereof every limbe is richly loaden a Generall in an army whereof every souldier is wel armed experienced ready and succesfull in the battell This universall Reformation and obedience is a very sweet Sacrifice to God 1 Sam. 15. To obey is better than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rammes Prov. 11.20 Such as are upright in their way are his delight 6. Hereby we shall find much delight in Gods Ordinances as a healthy stomack in food as a sound body in a warme garment as David in the Arke 2 Sam. 6.16 As the Wisemen in the starre Math. 2.10 Then their feet indeed will be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Then Christs mouth will be lovely indeed Cant. 5.16 Then they will be well able to say as Saul did 1 Sam. 15.13 Blessed be thou of the Lord I have performed the commandement of the Lord. 7. Hereby we shall have much peace in our consciences they shall be as an eye that hath no mote to trouble it as a Kingdom that hath no rebell to annoy it as a Ship that hath no leake to disturbe it Psalm 119.165 Great peace have they that keep thy Law and nothing shall offend them as in Exod. 11.7 Not a Dog moved his tongue against them So what barking soever their be without their shall be tranquility within and that not a little but much Isa 48.18 as 2 Cron. 15.15 Therefore be diligent be vigilant be carefull get the whole man to be Baptized get thy heart Baptized that Math. 5.19 it may be no more the fountain of murders adulteries false witnesses blasphemies Get thy tongue Baptized that it may be no more as a fire of iniquity a defiler of the whole body a setter on fire of the course of nature c. Iames 3.6 8. Get thy hands Baptized that they may labour working the things that are good Eph. 4.28 Psalm 26.6 Get all the faculties of thy Soul Baptized that thou maist see the things belonging to thy peace that Eph. 3.18 Thou mayst be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height breadth length depth and to know the love of Christ c. That thou mayst love Dutr. 6.5 6. the Lord with all thy heart c. That thou mayst chose the good and hate the evill that Rom. 6.13 thou yeild not thy members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin but yeild your selves to God c. That thou mayst deale with thy sin as Iosuah with the men of Ai Jos 8.26 Draw not back thy hand till all thy sins be destroyed Doe as Caleb did Ios 14.9 Wholly follow the Lord thy God follow him fully and then as Moses promiseth him surely the Land wherein thy feet hath trodden shall be thine inheritance and thy childrens for ever So in the name of the Lord Iesus will I promise thee that all the great and glorious things whereof thou hast heard all the peace joy glory whereof the Word of the Lord doth make relation it shall be all thine for ever and ever 5. The last thing herein noted was the wisedome of the Baptist in making choise of the most convenient place for his purpose such a place where was much water a place commodious for Baptisme Teaching us Doctr. That Ministers ought to make choise of the most convenient places for the execution of their office Where their is hope of doing most good of bringing most glory unto God As Fisher men make choise of such places in the water where in all probability their is most fish to be taken so must these Fishers of men Math. 4.19 Cast in the draw-net of the Gospel where there is hope of drawing most Souls unto God out of the gulph of sin The Husbandman soweth his seed in the soile which is likely to bring forth the best crop so must these spirituall Husbandmen 1 Cor. 3.9 Sow the seed of Gods Word among such people as like good ground will receive it and bring forth the fruits of it Math. 13.24 Hence Prov. 9.34 5. Wisedome is said to send forth her maidens to cry upon the highest places of the city c. They went not into blind corners where was little or no people but on high places therfore are those places Acts 18.10 Acts 13.46 47. Iohn 7.37 Psalm 40.9 10. The grounds of the point are these Reas 1 Because they are the light of the world Math. 5.14 John 5.35 The light is not set under a bushell or in an obscure corner of the house but on high in an eminent place Math. 5.15 Reas 2 Because hereby they shall make it appeare that they seek not their owne case or private comodity but the honour of God the good of mens Souls the increase of Christs Kingdome according to the generall charge 1 Cor. 10.24 The Apostles practise vers 33. The contrary whereto is generally practised Philip. 2.21 Reas 3 Because hereby they shall make the Gospel more glorious the more eyes behold the light the more it is esteemed the more largely the Sea doth convey her streams the more her fullnes is commended the more heare it the more the goodnes of God and riches of his grace is commended the more men are convinced made excuseless and if they convert not God in their condemnation shall
by our conversion to Christ and conjunction with him we become as a vineyard sowne with much seed as a Mother of many Children plentifull in the grace of the Spirit Isai 54.1 2 3. And the Church is filty resembled to a Wife 1. In regard of her subjection as the Wife is subject to the Husband so must the Church be subject unto Christ in all things Ephes 5.24 she must not live as she list make lawes of her owne forget like a harlot the guide of her youth but she must follow Christ Mat. 17.5 He hath all authority and power given him all is made subject to him 2. In regard of affection as the Wife loveth the Husband so must our hearts adhere to Christ he must be in our eye the fairest of ten thousand we must be sicke of love Cant. 5.10 so love him as to leave all for him Psal 45.10 11. Luc. 18.28 Mat. 10.39 3. In regard of chast reservation of our selves as the Wife must reserve her selfe for her Husband so must the Church reserve herselfe from all others from seducers from the world from the devill from the flesh Mat. 4.10 The want of this much provoketh God and breedeth grievous afflictions Hos 2.6 7. Vse 1 Is Christ the Husband of his Church is he joyned in spirituall wedlocke with them then this may assure all Gods faithfull servants that Jesus Christ doth beare a singular love and fervent affection to them a love that passeth the love of women as David said of Ionathans love a love most sweet most pleasant most wonderfull a love wherewith we cannot but be much affected if we looke 1. Upon the order of it Christ loved us first as the aire heated by the Sun is hot so Christ loveth us before we love him 1 Ioh. 4.19 The savour of his good ointments in our nostrill draw love from us Cant. 1.2 He seeketh us as a Shepheard the straying Sheep Isai 65.1 He woeth and inviteth us before we think of coming to him Matth. 22.4 2. The freedome of his love there was nothing in us why he should love us we were void of all spirituall beauty and comelines a barren wildernes an unsavoury carkasse a garden altogether overspread with weeds unworthy of any love deserving all hatred Ezek. 16.6 therefore Hos 14.4 5. Rom. 5.8 3. Upon the truth of his love he did not love in word and in tongue onely but in heart and in deed also his love was not a painted but a reall fire not an empty well but a full streame he loved us not for any by or base end but for our good for Ephes 5.25 26. Ioh. 15.13 4. The quality of his love it is a pure and heavenly love a love fastnying it selfe chiefly upon the Soule a love respecting our spirituall and everlasting good a love causing him to sanctify us to make us vessels of honours to wash away the Leprosy of our Souls in the Jordan of his blood Tit. 3.4 5. 5. The quantity or measure of his love it was not a little sparkle a small streame but a fire of much wood a strong flood a love that cannot be paralelled Joh. 10.11 Joh. 15.13 6. The continuance of his love it is not like a morning dew that soone vanisheth like a fire in straw which soone extinguisheth like a tree of no roots that quickly withereth but the love of Christ is a constant love like a living fountaine alwayes flowing a Sun never setting the fire on the Altar alwayes burning a love more permanent than the mountaines Isa 54.10 for Jerem. 31.3 and Joh. 13.1 7. The fruits of his love no such grapes grow on any vine no such flowers as these in any garden no Bridegroome bestoweth such rich tokens of love as Christ doth on his spouse Ezek. 16.9 10 11. In his love he raiseth us out of the grave of sin to a new life Ephes 2.5 as he raised Lazarus Joh. 11.44 In his love he maketh us conquerours Rom. 8.37 In his love he hath made himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us Ephes 5.2 In his love he hath reconciled us to God given us interest in all good things filled us with much consolation 2 Thes 2.16 Washed us from our sin Tit. 3.4 5. Rev. 1.5 6. The consideration of all which should much affect our hearts like a burning Sun melt away the icy coldnes which is within us like a powerfull load-stone it should draw our hearts againe to love him like a musicall instrument sweetly tuned it should much affect us like sweet wine it should make our hearts cheerfull and fill us abundantly with love againe to him Vse 2 This must teach wicked men to take heed that they abuse not Gods Children and Servants that they wound them not with the venomous arrowes of reproach that they lay not on them the heavy burthen of affliction Christ is their Husband loveth them most entirely and therefore will surely be avenged on them that wrong them as a Husband on him that abuseth his Wife as David 1 Sam. 30.17 so will the Lord discover his indignation against them that abuse his people therefore likened to a jealous man Zach. 1.14 15. he will plead the cause of his people Isai 51.22 23. as Sampson Iud. 15.7 8. so will God on them that wrong such at have betrothed themselves to him they are deare to God Zach. 2.8 they are his Jewells Mal. 3.17 He will not endure that to be abused and cast into the dirt they are his flocke he is their Shepheard Psal 80.1 and as 1 Sam. 17.34 35. so will God deale with them that prey upon the lambs of his fold thus Pro. 11.8 though the Lord let them alone for awhile to correct and humble his people yet as the Goldsmith extinguisheth the fire when the Gold hath been thoroughly purged so will God Isai 10.12 Though the Lord spare till their sin be ripe yet at length as Isai 13.8 so though they are as a rod to scourge Gods people yet the Lord at length will breake them in pieces Isa 14 5 6 7. thus Ier. 30.16 17. as Adoni-bezek said Iud. 1.7 so shall wicked men say at last as I have dealt with Gods people so hath the Lord dealt with mee Zech. 1.18 19 20. They that cast the three Children into the fire were burned they that caused Daniel to be cast into the Lions den were themselves devoured of the Lions Dan. 3.22 Pharaoh that pursued Israel was swallowed in the red Sea Dan. 6.24 Therefore let every man take heed how he reach his hand or open his mouth against the people of God Exo. 14. how he touch the Lords anointed or do his Prophets any harme 1 King 13.4 Psal 105.15 Vse 3 This must cause all Gods people all that professe communion with Christ to yeeld an internall externall universall cheerfull hearty and spirituall obedience unto him as a carefull and respective wife to the Husband not as a slave to a tyrant not as a servant to
peace safety and comfort whereunto they shall be advanced they cannot with powefull and invincible arguments work upon and move their affections they cannot make their words pierce like goads Eccles 12.11 and cause the people to cry out Acts 2.37 They cannot give the knowledge of God 1 Cor. 4.6 They cannot with Paul espouse them unto Christ 2 Cor. 11.3 but Jer. 10.21 V. Some hinder the people by their profane walking Ier. 23.14 As the people stood still when they came to the place where Ahasel who went before them fell down 2 Sam. 2.23 So when the people see their leaders fall they stand still have no heart to go forward in the way of life this is a stumbling block a snare a gulfe the Word is usually made unprofitable when the conversation is profane and carnall good Doctrine and evill walking is like a yoake of oxen the one drawing forward the other backward Loquendi authoritas perditur quando vox opere non adjuvatur Vse 2 This teacheth us how requisite the Ministry of the Word is how great the benefits are which thereby do accrew unto us how needfull it is the Messengers of the Lord should be instant with the people 2 Tim. 4.2 wherein it is that they ought chiefly to be imployed even in reconciling men unto God and to the end the Ministers may be able to accomplish this great work make this heavenly marriage between the Church and the sonne of the great King they must do as Abrahams Servant did when he went to make a marriage for his Masters Sonne 1. Abrahams Servant received instruction what he should doe Gen. 24.3 4. So must the Ministers of God receive instruction be taught of God before they become teachers of others the Sun was filled with light before he became the ruler of the day the Sea with water before it undertook the watering of the earth the Apostles staid at Jerusalem the Holy Ghost was poured down upon them before they went forth to preach the Gospel the Lamp must be filled with Oile before it can give light to others Timothy know the Scriptures from a Child 2 Tim. 3.16 Paul had his eyes opened Acts 9. â—7 Isaiahs lips were touched Isai 6.6 he had the tongue of the learned Isa 50.4 Ier. 1.9 and Mal. 2.7 whereas 2 Pet. 2.17 2. Abrahams Servant made an oath to his Master to be faithfull Gen. 24.9 so the Minister of the Lord must be faithfull 1 Cor. 4.2 and 2 Tim. 2.2 unfainedly seeking the glory of God faithfully unfolding the whole counsell of God keeping back nothing either out of feare fraud or sloath Acts 20.26 27. 3. Abrahams Servant made supplication to God that is journey might be prosperous Gen. 24.12 so must the Ministers of the Lord make fervent prayer unto God for a blessing upon their endevours that the Word may be as seed sowen in good ground Mat. 13.24 As the sword of Saul and bow of Ionathan which returned not empty 2 Sam. 1.22 As Moses rod to the Rock turning the stoney into a repenting heart Exod. 17.6 As eye-salve to the blind opening the eye of the understanding Rev. 3.18 Deut. 32.2 As dew to the dry ground causing it to flourish abundantly in the grace of the Spirit thus Phil. 2.9 10 11. Col. 2.9 and Ephes 6.18 4. Abrahams Servant left all other inployments and attended this so must the Minister of the Lord wholy imploy himselfe in the duty of godlines and the work of his Ministry 2 Tim. 2.4 This is a task requiring our best abilities our most serious thoughts our whole time therefore 1 Tim. 4.15 We must be instant in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 take all opportunities Isai 62.5 be as vigilant to save as Satan to destroy the Souls of the people 5. Abrahams Servant gave this imployment the preheminence he would not eate till he had done this errand Gen. 24.33 so must the Minister of God leaving all other busines attend his follow it with all speed with all care with all industry neither pleasure nor profit must be an obstacle to it but as all men Mat. 6.33 So especially the Ministers of the Lord must seek the Kingdome of Christ this must be their meate and drink as it was Christs Ioh. 4.34 6. Abrahams Servant related the great riches of his Master and how he had given all to his Sonne Isaac Gen. 24.35 36. so must the Ministers of God acquaint the people with the gloriousnes of Gods nature the honorable condition of Christ the blessed estate they shall enjoy the dignity whereunto they shall be advanced that so their hearts may be affected with Christ lead unto repentance by Gods goodnes and moved to joyne themselves in wedlock with the Lord Jesus greatnes riches dignities prevaile much in earthly marriages a powerfull loadstone to move and draw affections all the excellencies in the World are in this Bridegroome nothing can be desired but it may be found here in perfection therefore 1 Cor. 7.1 Rom. 12.1 2. 3. Is it the chiefest labour of the Minister to perswade the people to turne to God to joyne themselves in wedlock with Christ do they cry day and might for this do they leave all other inployments to accomplish this work Then this must stirr up the people to turne to God to yeeld up themselves into the hands of Christ Rom. 6.13 to give themselves unto God 2 Cor. 8.5 and Rom. 6.17 for I. This is the chiefest end of the Ministry the most comfortable use of the word even the reconciling of men to God 2 Cor. 5.20 therefore called the Ministry of reconciliation vers 18. as the speciall imployment of an Embassadour is to make peace so is the speciall labour of Gods Embassadours to make peace between God and his Servants therefore Acts 26.17 18. II. This advanceth us to the highest dignity this maketh us to be a chosen generation 1 Pet. 2.9 the spouse of Christ faire and beautifull as the great light of the World Cant. 6.10 as the comeliest person deckt with the choisest ornaments Cant. 1.1 11. This incorporated us into Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 this maketh us citizens of the new Jerusalem Ephes 2.19 this maketh us Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1.6 No such way to honour as to leave the broad way of sin and to set our feet in the way of Gods cammandements Rom. 2.10 to sow in righteousnes is the way to reape in mercy Hos 10.12 Gal. 6.8 III. This bringeth us to the surest safety the strongest defence this maketh God to be a wall of fire Zach. 2.5 this causeth Christ Isai 32.3 Iob 22.23 25. No wals are so sure for defence no weapon so succesfull for conquest as a godly conversation a Holy Union with Christ he will beare us as an Eagle beareth her yong Deut. 32.11 and Zach. 12.6 7 8. We shall be as fire and they as stubble we shall be as the wind and they as the chaffe we
the servant Mat. 25.23 and so Dan. 12.3 Prov. 11.30 he if any layeth up a sure foundation against the World to come Reas 11 Because this doth inable him to present himselfe with singular comfort before the Judge the good servant cometh with confidence so he that can say Isa 8.18 shall look on God with more boldnes than he that can say behold the many Benefices Ecclesiasticall Dignities that I have gotten these will be miserable comforters then but 1 Thes 2.19 Prov. 11.4 2 Cor. 1.14 Use Most prophane and impious therefore are such Ministers as are grieved to behold the zeale sincerity love faith and holy conversation of the people under them a sin even unnaturall and monstrous what more unreasonable more vile more hatefull than that the nurse should envy the growth of the Child the Generall the courage and forwardnes of the souldier the Shepheard the welfare of the flocke the Husbandmen the growth of the Corn and pasture the steward the welfare of the family that Minister must needs be full of profaneness who maligneth the spirituall prosperity of the Lords Servants it is either weakenes or sicknes in the eye that maketh the light offensive it is an evill Master to whom a good Scholler doth prove unpleasant he can never be the Bridegrooms friend that cannot brook his spouse a good Embassadour that affecteth not the embracers of true peace a good servant that liketh not the trees which grow bear blossoms in great abundance it is fearfull in any but espeally in Ministers to dislike others for their holines Ezek. 34.3 Like butchers that kill the fat with the Pharises accompt them accursed Joh. 7.48 Vse 2 This should acquaint us with the grief that we bring to the Ministers of God when we walk profanely reforme not by their Doctrine but continue like bad ground Heb. 6.6 8. Like deaf adders Psa 58.5 Like knobby timber that will not cleave like a wild asse Ier. 2.24 this maketh them weary Ier. 20.9 this putteth them out of courage Like Peter when he fished all night and could take nothing Ioh. 21.3 this doth provoke them to impatience Jer. 9.1 2. breedeth many complaints Isai 53.1 this filleth their Souls full of heavines as Anna's heart was of bitternes when her womb was barren 1 Sam. 1.16 this maketh them complaine of loosing their labours Isa 49.4 as Ier. 12.13 Hag. 1.6 maketh them grieve for the dishonour done to God as Josuah grieved when Israel fled before the men of Ai Ios 7.9 filleth their Souls with sorrow to see them still in the gall of bitterness in the bondage of Satan as it grieved David to see his Sonne rebell 2 Sam. 15.30 the parent to see his Child still abiding upon his languishing bed as Christ grieved to see the obstinacy of Jerusalem and Ier. 13.17 Isai 22.4 This is no small sin to grieve the Souls of Ministers to frustrate their labours to disanull their endevours to make them uncheerefull in their undertakings to make them say as Jer. 51.9 as 1 Sam. 15.11 14. Use 3 This sheweth us what course to take to make the faithfull Ministers of God cheerfull exceeding joyfull the growth of the Corn maketh the Husbandman merry the bearing of much fruit maketh the Gardener glad fruitfulnes in grace sound obedience to Gods precepts a lively faith in Gods promises repentance from dead works love to Gods truth zeale for Gods glory these are as a well tuned instrument making sweet musick in Gods eares a precious ointment casting a sweet smell in their nostrils as David 1 Cro 29.17 Jud. 5.1 2. So doe the Ministers of the Lord rejoyce to see the people offer themselves willingly unto God this doth more comfort them than a feast of the choisest dainties you can provide for them more delight them than if you did bestow much gold and silver upon them to win your Souls to God is more pleasant to them than to win the whole World as Psal 69.30 31. so in this case therefore let this move your hearts work upon your affections provoke you to repentance perswade you to holines that the hearts of Gods Ministers may rejoyce and in making them after this manner joyfull you shall make them more fervent in their prayers Col. 1.8 9. more frequent in their labours Isai 52.5 a good draught giveth incouragement to a second casting in of the net as 1 Sam. 17.34 35. more intire in their conversations like a vertuous loadstone it draweth them to a holy fellowship with us more free and familiar in their counsels more patient in their afflictions more bold and couragions against all oppositions more plenteous in all internall and externall comforts There are wayes by which the people may administer much comfort occasion much joy in the faithfull Minister of the Lord. I. By their holy language gracious counsels and incouragements for the strongest is many times much comforted holpen and edified by the weake the Generall is many times comforted by the common souldiers the little sticks set the greater logs on fire Prov. 27.9 Sometimes Jethro is able to advise Moses Aquila can instruct Apollos Abigail give good counsell to David and Psal 8.2 therefore Rom. 1.11 12. and the people may strengthen the faith of the Minister by praying for him by ministring inward and outward consolations to him by expressing such subjection to his Doctrine as may plainely testify that God hath sent him and given him this honour to be an instrument of much good to his Church II. By visiting the faithfull Minister of the Lord as the presence of the Children rejoyce the father the presence of the flock doth comfort the Shepheard so doth the presence of the people refresh the Minister for 1 Thes 2.17 and as Prov. 27.17 so doth the face of Gods people like a Whetstone sharpen the affections of the Minister when they began to grow dull and therefore Paul calleth it a refreshing being like dew to to the ground drink to the thirsty traveller 1 Cor. 16.17 18. 2 Tim. 1.16 17. III. By amending at the reproofs they administer censures they impose it comforteth the parent to see the Child bettered by correction it comforteth the Husbandman to see the tree bettered by pruning so 2 Cor. 7.12 13. IV. By being full of love to their fellow brethren delighting in them that excell in vertue joying together as members of one body sheep of one fold stones of one building helping comforting and edifying one another in their most holy faith this the Minister of God knoweth will much adorne the Gospel improve the graces of the people strengthen them in the truth make them rich in every good gift and therefore Phil. 20. vers 7. V. By growing in all the graces of the Spirit as the nurse rejoyceth at the growth of the Child the Husbandman at the growth of the Corn so 2 Thes 1.3 4. VI. By the joyfull entertainement of the Word of God receive it as the dry ground the
Ordinances are not so sweet and delightfull to any as to the truely humble a lively sence of our owne vilenes a true apprehension of our owne unworthiness maketh Gods Ordinances much the more sweet and savoury to our palates Prov. 27.7 Mat. 5.6 their understandings shall be filled with knowledge their affections with lone zeale holy and fervent desires their hearts with peace and all manner of contentments they shall find such fulnes such satisfaction in them as all the World could not afford the like unto them in trouble they shall be filled with peace in affliction with patience in times of opposition with courage in the dayes of scarcity with contentment hence Phil. 4.11 12 13. Psal 22.26 8. Because the humble shall have a competent and comfortable portion of things appertaining to this life they shall find a blessed contentment in their estate a mervellous fulnes in the little they doe enjoy God will so frame their minds that a little shall quench their thirst 2 King 4.43 a little shall satisfy their hunger a little shall fill their hand God will put such a fulness into it that they shall find no want but shall say Psal 16.5 6. their estate shall be like a little vessell full of liccour a little tree well loaden a little spring alway running a little shell filled with a good kernell like that widowes cruise 1 King 17.14.15 16. Ioh. 6.11 12 13 as Ioh. 2.7 9. So can Christ make the poor estate of Gods people which is weake and slender as water to become pleasant as wine when the great estate of others is like a great vessel empty of liccour a great shell without a kernell great dry bones without marrow a high tree without fruit as Eccles 5.12 this is a priviledge belonging to the meek Psal 37.11 Matth. 5.5 Psal 34.10 8. Because the humble shall persevere unto the end in the way of the Lord in the duties of true holines trees of deep roots endure the violence of the wind best houses of a deep foundation stand longest the more humble men are the more earnestly they seek to be filled with that fulness which is in God the more firmely they rely upon God the more contentedly they receive and sustaine all wrongs and injuries the lesse advantage Satan hath against them the more willing cheerefull intertainement they give to all whole some instruction the more fully doth God pour out his Spirit upon them and therefore these of all others continue most constant Isa 29.19 Thus of the humility of the Baptist next of his care to give all the honour unto Christ he must increase but I must descrease the eyes of men must be fastned upon him their hearts and affections must be carried to him him must they intertaine as the sole authour of their salvation and in lesse accompt must I be among them Doctr. GOds Servants must willingly loose their owne honour and praises that Christ Jesus may be thereby made the more glorious we must be contented to become as nothing that Christ may be the more honoured in the eyes of the people we must not seek our selves but the things of Christ Phil. 2.21 we must cast a vaile before the beauty of our owne faces if it may make that face of Christ appeare the more beautifull in the eyes of the people we must cast down our owne crownes at his feet that all may vaile and bow unto him Rev. 4.10 We must be content to weare a crowne of thornes upon our owne heads if Christs crowne may be thereby made the more conspicuous this was Davids resolution 2 Sam. 6.20 21 22. this was the practise of Moses Heb. 11.24 25 26. Reas 1 Because we are not our owne but the Lords and we must not live unto our selves but unto God 2 Cor. 5.15 our Souls and bodies must be yeelded up into his hands Rom. 12.1 our abilities lives services must be wholly devoted to him we must study how to honour him be glad of any oportunity to magnify him Reas 2 Because the honour of Christ must be more deare to us than any other thing goods liberties lives must not be so precious in our eyes as the honour of God this we must esteeme before all our owne substance and treasure as the pearle before drosse the Sun before the Candle Acts 20.24 Jos 7.9 Reas 3 Because it is more joy to Gods Servants to see Christ to be honoured than to see themselves held in great reputation they rejoyce more to see the prosperity of Christs Kingdome than to look upon the successe of their owne estate it doth more comfort them to bring honour to Christ than to gaine abundance of honour to themselves hence Ga 6.14 Reas 4 Because Christ did willingly loose his honour to make us honourable he became a Servant to make us free poor to make us rich a subject to the Law to make us Kings ignominious to make us glorious Phil. 2.6 7 8. 2 Cor. 8.9 therefore we should gladly leave our owne honour to honour him Use This must therefore teach all Gods people to endevour to bring their hearts to a thorough and utter deniall of themselves to accompt their owne priviledges honour and estimation among men as dung and drosse that they might honour God and the Lord Jesus to become as worms and no men to be contented to have their names cast out as odious to have their faces covered with shame Psal 69.7 8 9. that God may be honoured and for the framing of our hearts hereunto we must consider I. What a vaine thing it is to have the praise of men without the praise of God what is it but an empty vessell that yeeldeth no liccour a deaf eare that beareth no graine an empty language that giveth no comfort at last therefore rightly termed by the Holy Ghost vaine-glory Gal. 5.26 II. How to have the praise of men with the dishonour of God is the way to loose our praise at last both with God and men and to be buried under the dust of irremoveable shame Acts 12.22 23. Dan. 4.26 30 III. How the loosing of honour among men for Christ is the way to get honour both with God and with all good men the very dishonour cast upon us for Christ is a greater honour than any dignity the World could conferre upon us Heb. 11.26 2 Sam. 6.26 Mat. 19.29 IV. How the approbation of God and of our owne conscience is a thousand fold better than the approbation of all the men in the World it is the praise of God the witness of a good conscience that giveth peace to the heart boldnes towards God confidence in the day of distresse assurance of a good estate of a happy condition in respect of God Rom. 2.28 29. 1 Joh. 3.19 20 21. V. How there can be no saving grace in that heart no acquaintance with Christ no experience of the goodnes power excellency and efficacy of Christ in that soule which is regardles
Psalmist alluding to the sacrifices and feasts among the Jews sheweth as they fed delicately filled themselvs plenteously so the people of God fed with the preaching of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments should be abundantly filled with all heavenly comforts with all saving gifts and graces so filled that they should bee therewith satisfied the like expression to this is used Psal 23.5 6. the Psalmist thereby setting forth the large measure of grace which God conferred on him the abundant holy joy and rejoycing wherewith the Lord did replenish him 6. Because these gifts are of all other gifts the most profitable these like the Ark to Obed Edom like Joseph to Potiphar do cause all wee have all wee do to prosper The Apostle doth excellently express it where hee saith godliness is profitable to all things having the promise of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 godliness profitable helpfull to every duty to every estate and condition of life it is profitable to us when wee hear it causeth our hearts to bee to the word as good ground to the seed as a healthy stomach to the food it maketh the Word to us as the light to the eye very pleasant and delightfull as musick to the ear very comfortable as a joyfull tidings to the sorrowfull for Mica 2.7 2. It is profitable to us when wee pray it maketh us to com before the Lord with confidence 1 John 3.20 21. it inlargeth the desires of our souls strengtheneth our affections and maketh them more fervent carrying them towards God like a strong flood which cannot bee stopped maketh the cry of our souls vehement maketh them as incense the smoak of sweet wood in God's nostrils Jam. 5.16 this is like Aaron and Hur to Moses Exod. 17.12 14. 3. It is profitable to us when wee are assaulted it inableth us to draw nigh to God with fulness of assurance Heb. 10.22 it maketh us confident bold and couragious Prov. 28.1 It defendeth us like a breast plate Ephes 6.14 it is an Ark in the Deluge 4. It is profitable when wee are in any affliction It maketh all troubles to bee as fire to the gold fanne to the corn the fiery fornace to the three children an occasion of nearer communion with God holiness to God's people in the time of trouble is as Moses rod making a way thorough the red sea opening the stony rock as the tree making the bitter waters sweet as the meal making the pot which was full of death to become full of health as a wise Phisitian maketh a healthfull and healing medicine of that which in it self is very poison 5. It is profitable when wee are to perform any sacred duty it is to us as wings to the bird as horsmen an chariots to travellers as wind tide sails to the marriner as art skill and strength to him that undergoeth the labor of handicraft it strengtheneth enliveneth and inableth the soul with a singular readiness marvellous joy great content and unspeakable delight to run that race fulfill that task with God hath set him 1 John 5.3 Psa 40.8 Psal 108.3 and Jud. 5.2 6. It is profitable in the collection gathering receiving affective fruition and using of all outward blessings it teacheth us to gain them lawfully to affect them moderately to rejoice in them sparingly to use them holily to order our selvs in all our businesses religiously wisely graciously as becometh the Gospel of God making all outward blessings occurrents and occasions to bee as feet to help us forward and not as stumbling blocks to occasion our fall to bee as a garment not a burden as a cup whereof to drink to refreshment not a sea wherein to drown our selvs 7. It is profitable in sickness in death holiness inableth us to dy with comfort to imbrace it as the most welcom of all guests to look upon it as a friend of a most lovely countenance as a messenger bringing most joifull tidings as a Physitian curing all diseases as a key opening the gates giving liberty from all troubles entrance into all happiness as the marriage day of our souls this will make us with Faninus the Italian to kiss death as hee kissed the traitor which brought him tidings of his execution these are the fruits which grow on this and the like branches this is the gain which is gathered out of this treasury no gift so profitable therefore no gift so sure a pledg of God's love to his people 7. Because these gifts are of all other gifts the most lasting these are gifts without repentance that know no change Rom. 11.29 a living spring that never faileth Joh. 4.14 a seed that never dieth 1 Joh. 3.9 a jewel which never consumeth Prov. 4.18 a sun that never setteth all other gifts of whatsoëver kinde worth or excellency are but like a cloud soon dispelled a vessel of clay soon broken a sandy foundation soon sunk but they who are endued with the saving graces of the Spirit like trees of deep roots shall surely stand like trees planted by the water side they shall not wither but shall bee as the green olive Psal 52.8 as rich treasure in a strong hand Job 10.28 God's covenant shall have no end his grace shall never dy Jer. 32.39 40. so that in all these respects the holy and saving graces of God's Spirit are the chiefest testimony of God's love Vse This will therefore discover unto us plainly assure us undoubtedly make us see infallibly who they are that are best beloved of God who are the joy of his heart the dearly beloved of his soul not the men who have the largest earthly possessions but they whose souls are replenished with most holiness not they who are endowed with most lordship and autority over their brethren but they who have most sway and dominion over their corrupt affections the most holy the most religious the most sincere in heart the most sanctified in their conversation these are God's dear ones God regardeth not the rich man for his abundance the noble man for his birth the great man for his high place the wise man for his policy these are in the eies of God stars of no brightness flowers of no beauty pearls of no price load stones of no virtue to draw the love of God towards the souls of men hee is moved with none of these things Deut. 10.17 the best common abilities without saving grace are but like glorious apparrel about a dead carcase unable to move any affection or to beget desire of communion the greatest living man will rather enter fellowship and hold communion with the poorest living beggar then with the dead carkass of the greatest princes of the world though cloathed in most rich and roial raiment so will God have fellowship with and set his eies upon the poorest soul that hath the life of grace in him then with the most renowned commander on earth being a stranger to the life of God
signifieth to assent willingly and use some kinde of joy to the word of God for the glad tidings which it bringeth thus hypocrits beleeve 3. It signifieth to put confidence in that which wee know and assent unto and to make application thereof unto our selvs to depend and build thereupon and thus the regenerate beleeve Whence learn Doctr. That the hearts of all true beleevers do relie and rest upon the Lord Jesus for everlasting life and happiness for faith is a leaning or resting of the heart in and upon God as the author of everlasting life and salvation this is evident by the phrases used by the Holy Ghost to explain the nature of faith Pro. 3.5 Isa 50.10 Psal 37.3 Psal 71.5 Isa 31.1 Psal 62.7 Rom. 10.11 for to beleeve in God or in Christ is to cleav unto God to lean upon God to rest in God as on him who is all-sufficient to keep us here and to bring us to glory hereafter 2. It is evident by the titles given in scripture to saving faith 2 Cor. 3.4 2 Cor. 5.6 7 8. Ephes 3.12 1 Pet. 1.13 1 Joh. 5.13 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 4 21. Col. 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 11.1 3. By the similitudes used to express it it is likened to an house builded on a rock as the house resteth on the foundation so doth the true beleever rest on God to a tree rooted in the ground whereby it is stayed against the force of strong and violent winds to a branch ingraffed into a vine to a ship fastned by a strong anchor to a sure rock to the betrothing or joining of a woman in wedlock all these express a strong and affectionate reliance of the heart upon the Lord. 4. By the charge given by our Saviour Joh. 14 1. rest rely and quiet your souls in God and in mee by the exhortation of the Psalmist Psal 62.8 and of the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.7 Reas 1 Because faith is not so much an act of the understanding discerning and assenting to the promise of life of Christ as it is an act of the will whereby the will is moved to extend it self to embrace that good which it doth approve and therefore faith is called a receiving of Christ which is much more then to know Christ it is one thing for a woman to know a man it is another thing to receive him as her husband faith is not only an action of approbation but also of election John 1.17 an action of the whole man making the good whereunto it is carried to become ours John 6.35 The wise merchant saw the pearl approved of it and beyond that chose it for his own sold all to buy it Math. 13.45 though faith doth alwayes presuppose the knowledg of the Gospel yet there is no man that attaineth saving knowledg unless this act and choice go before it Rom. 10.10 and the other bee dependant upon it therefore the Apostle saith With the heart man believeth John 7.17 John 8.31 32. 1 John 23. 2. Because true and saving faith doth alwaies choos apprehend and imbrace Christ and build upon him as a sufficient and fit means to deliver us from evil to purchase and procure for us all manner of good they see and apprehend in him all manner of fulness and compleat abilities such as are no where to bee found Cant. 5.10 they look on him and see more beauty in him than in all other creatures they behold in him fulness of wisdom to make them wise fulness of power to make them free fulness of life to make them live fulness of all grace to fill the empty vessels of their souls John 22.5 John 6 28. and therefore to him do their hearts cleave from him they will not depart as the Shunamitish woman apprehending the ability of the Prophet to help her caught the Prophet by the feet and would not let him go though Gehazi thrust her 2 Kings 4.17 so true faith causeth the believers heart to cleav to Christ and so to imbrace him that it will not let him go 3. Because true and saving faith doth inable us to look on God as on our father on Christ as on our husband on the word as on food well agreeing with our palate on the sun as on a light much affecting the eye on the promises of God as on a reconciled Soveraign on Christ as on our advocate on the Word as on an embassage of peace this assureth the heart of the pardon of sin this causeth God's words to bee to our souls as the words of Christ were to the Palsie man Math. 9.2 son bee of good cheer therefore the Apostle saith after wee believ wee are sealed as in mutuall contracts men set to seals and when we have a man's word in writing and a seal to it wee rest upon it wee are confident it shall bee verified so when wee believ wee put to our seal that God is true Ephes 1.13 that hee will fulfill what hee hath promised and God doth seal to the believer the salvation believed a seal distinguisheth things so God's people see themselves many wayes distinguished from others as a seal maketh things authentical so true believers are fully assured of God's goodness and their future happiness and thereby their hearts do rest on God 3. Because true faith bringeth us unto a holy communion and gracious fellowship and comfortable and blessed acquaintance with Christ hereby Christ cometh into their hearts resideth revealeth himself Eph. 3.17 and ruleth there as a dweller in his hous Gal. 6.10 hereby they have fellowship with him as the members with the head Rom. 12.5 as the wife with the husband by this they behold Christ revealing himself graciously speaking unto them comfortably and hereby they are wrought upon to rest on Christ strongly 5. Because true faith inableth the true believer to finde much peace and sweet consolation in Christ Rom. 5.1 it strengtheneth him to conquer Satan to subdue the enemies of their salvation Rom. 15.14 to rejoyce in the midst of trouble to overcom all worldly opposition Rom. 8.35 1 John 5.4 hee feeleth faith in Christ to bee to him as a shield in the day of battel as the Ark in the Deluge a shining star in the darkest night of trouble as the hony comb to Sampson in the belly of the lion and finding this in Christ his soul fasteneth on him as on a sure rock and leaneth upon him as upon a never-failing staff 6. Because true believers clearly see and infallibly know the variety and insufficiency of the world they know there is a foundation whereon to build no other bow wherein to trust no other shield for their defence no other fountain whence to draw the water of salvation they know that Psal 33.16 17. that Psal 62.9 10. that Prov. 11.4 that Psal 44.6 they know that all outward abilities like Job's friends are physicians of no value miserable comforters and therefore their hearts do rest upon Christ Jesus
sheeps cloathing have been shunned by the Lords flocke and the Factors of Rome have had no good utterance for their deceiptfull wares But the Gospel happily and well were it if not unthankfully preserved Christ hath tarried with us longer than in the Land of Iudea we may say as Cant. 2.11 12 13. Lo the winter is past the rain is over and gone The flowers appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds is come and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land The figtree putteth forth her green figs the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell c. Vse 2 Is it such a favour a blessing of such eminent nature to have the Gospel continued to have our Souls watered with these dews our eyes lightned with this light and hath our God in this manner for so long from the Grandfather to the Father from the Father to the Children caused this streame to run without any interruption this Sun to shine without any Eclipse to hide it what should we doe for our God which hath don so much for us how should we all say as the Psalmist Psal 116.12 13 14. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards mee I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all his people How should we all study day and night how to honour that God who hath so honoured us above many other nations These things it should cause 1. This should cause us to love God most entirely how do we love the hand which healeth us when we are sicke the hand which feedeth us being hungry which delivereth us being captivated which cloatheth us being naked which bringeth a light to us being in darkenes which advanceth us to honour out of the dust how much more should the goodnes of God inflame our cold revive our dull affections how can we look on these tokens of Gods love and not be ravished with admiration How can we set in this Banqueting house and not be sick of love Cant. 2.4 How can we live so long under the burning beames of this Sun and not burne with love to him who hath loved us How can we receive so much from God and not gladly leave all for the love we beare him Is not the heat of the fire answearable to the quantity of the wood Is not the depth of the waters in the Channel proportionable to the water distilling from the clouds arising from the fountaine remember you not that place Luk. 7.41 42 43. Hath he not given and forgiven us more than others therefore let us accordingly in our love go beyond other people 2. This should cause us to love the Gospel most unfainedly we have had the experience of it we have seen the wonders it hath wrought the powerfull effects it hath produced we have seen the blessings which have accompanied it how the hand of God hath been with it It is said of David that all Israel and Juda loved him because he went out and in before them and God was with him 1 Sam. 18.14 16. We have had as blessed experience of the goodnes of the Gospel of the long continuance of it of the mighty power of God accompaining it toward us against our enemies as ever the men of Iuda and Israel had of David and therefore we should now set our hearts upon it As Solomon saith in another case Prov. 5.19 Let her be as the loving hinde and pleasant roe let her breast satisfie thee at all times and be thou ravisht with her love We should be so affected with it that with them Iohn 6.34 We should say Lord evermore give us this bread that with Peter Math. 17.4 We should say it is good being here if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles c. and with David Psal 119.72 The Law of thy mouth is better to mee than thousands of gold and silver and as the spouse Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth c. Long continuance in the Schoole causeth the Schollers delight this is the instrument of our peace safety comfort and direction therefore as Israel 1 Sam. 4.5 When the Arke of the Covenant came into the camp shouted with a great shoute so that the whole earth rang againe so should we for the continuance of the Gospel 3. This should make us resemble God abundantly in holines and true righteousnes The Iron that lyeth long in the fire burneth like the fire Naaman that hath been seven times in Jordan cometh forth cleansed if the Sun shine long the aire is fully enlightned Moses was but forty dayes in the mount and his face shined we have been more than forty years in this mount with our God and therefore we should shine in holines trees that have long growne in a fertile soile much cost art and labour bestowed about them beare much fruit Psal 1.3 as in the 2 Pet. 3.11 12. Seeing then all things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlines So in this case seeing the Gospel hath been so long continued so powerfully preached what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation 4. This should fill our mouths with praises and thanksgivings it should make us to rejoyce as the wise men at the beholding of the starre as the Angels at the birth of Christ. But if insteed of loving God of delighting in the Gospel of God of resembling God of consecrating our selves to God of magnifying him for his long continued merices We dishonour God we disgrace the Gospel by our Religious conversation What can we then looke for at the hands of God but that he turne our long and shining day into a night of everlasting darknes what can we expect but that he take away our Candlestick Rev. 2.5 Put out our Candle Acts 13.46 3. Let us try whither as the long continuance of the Gospel is a blessing in it selfe so it be a blessing to us 1 Sam. 4. Israel had the Arke rejoyced in it Yet the Philistines had the victory Many shall say at last Luk. 13.26 and yet vers 27. Therefore that it may appear to every mans owne conscience that it is a blessing to him it will appear by signes and fruits thereof Signe 1 By the inward holy and thorough chaunge which it worketh to whom-soever God doth blesse it purifieth their hearts as fire doth purify the drosse from every part of the gold like a good houswife it sweepeth every roome like a launcing knife it lets out the corruption which was hidden within like good Physick it hath purged the disease of the Stomacke it hath like a mighty weapon overturned the hold of Sathan like the Arke it hath cast down even Dagon it selfe it hath not onely paired the branch but cut through the roote of sin Signe 2
waters under thy feet if thou feed not on the one if thou drinke not of the other dost not thou starve between both What is a faire and stately building to thee if thou take up thy abode in the open field doth not dewes fall upon thee doth not the Sun scorch thee doth not the cold pierce thee What is remission of sin what is resurrection to a new life represented in Baptisme what is it to thee if thy lusts be not mortified if thou rise not by vertue of it to a new life What is it to thee that the word is a Lamp if thou apply it not to thy feet that it is as milk in the breast if thou suck it not that it is a spirituall weapon if thou gird it not about thee that it is a seed if not sown if not hidden in the field of thy heart Say not then as he did Iud. 17.13 Now I know the Lord will be good unto me seeing I have a Levite to be my Priest But if thou wilt have Gods Ordinance prove a blessing if thou wilt know thy self blessed in the having of them cease not till thou find it as a shining Starre a burning Lamp enlightning thy understanding filling thee with knowledge of Gods love to thy Soul in Christ as the candle filleth the house with light the waters the Sea till they wash thy sin from thy Soul as waters wash dirt from the body as the fan driveth chaffe from the corne as Jordan washed away Naamans Leprosy Till they stablish thy saith as a strong foundation supporteth the building as firm rootes sustaine the tree a strong hand upholdeth him that is led by it Till they warme thy heart inflame thy affections as the fire warmeth the house as the Summer Sun doth warm the aire Till it make thy love to God and his wayes as a vehement flame as coales of much fire Till it make thy peace as deep as the rivers even a peace passing all understāding 4. This must teach men to seek to God for the efficacy of his Ordinances desire him to make them as a launcing knife in the hand of the Physician as a Sword in the hand of the Spirit Desire him that when Moses strikes with the Rod upon the Rock when the Minister doth press the Word upon our stony hearts that he will stand before shew his powerfull and gracious presence there in making them to melt in causing them to become contrite and broken for as Psal 33.16 17. There is no King saved by the multitude of an hoast a mighty man is not delivered by much strength c. So without Gods blessing unlesse he put his hand to it it is but vaine as Psal 127.1 2. Except the Lord build the house they labour but in vain c. For as Prov. 10.12 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it so in this case Therefore as the Daughter of Caleb desired her father having given her south Land that he would also give her springs of water Iud. 15.19 So God having given us his Ordinances let us desire him with all to give us his Spirit As his ministers like seeds men sow the seed of his word so we must desire God to joyne therewith the dewes of heaven that it may not lye like seed in dry ground withering for want of moysture That the Messenger of the Lord may not stand knocking in vaine at the iron gates of our unregenerate hearts but that the Lord will open our eare and heart our eyes to see our hearts to attend believe obey as he opened the heart of Lydia that he will make his Ordinances as seed sowne in good ground as the bow of Jonathan which turned not back and the sword of Saul which returned not empty 2 Sam. 1.22 As the cake and cruse of water whereof the Prophet did eate and drinke and went in the strength thereof to Horeb the mount of God 2 King 19.8 That we may be so refreshed replenished herewith that we may thereby go from strength to strength till we appeare before God in Sion Psal 84.7 5. As the efficacy is the Lords so let the praise be Gods let the hand which doth the worke receive the honour the faithfull instrument which God useth is worthy of double honour of singular love for his works sake David may have the praise for giving Goliah the overthrow The wise men may rejoyce to see the Starre leading unto Christ Iesus The feet of the messenger must be beautifull in the eyes of the people as one of a thousand to them but yet still as he is Gods instrument as a Lamp that hath received his Oile from Gods Olive as a vessel filled with water flowing from the Ocean of all goodnes as a starre held in the hand and receiving all his light from the Sunne of righteousnes the Ministers must be so respected as that God must in and above all be honoured loved praised and rejoyced in If Iosua smite the countrey of the hils Ios 10.40 41. It is because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel vers 42. So if any or all the Lords Iosuahs the spirituall leaders of Gods Armies smite the sinnes of men which were high as the mountains or deep as the vale which were for Dominion like Kings for continuance like a living spring for extent like the deluge overflowing the whole man if these be beaten if their life be taken away it is because the Lord God of Israel hath fought for Israel If any tree of Pauls planting do grow if any field do flourish by the watering of Apollos it is because the Lord hath given the increase If any man learne wisedom if any man be presented perfect in Christ Iesus by Pauls labour in the ministrey it is thorough the working of God who worketh mightly in him Coll. 1.28 29. If David have escaped the Lion and the beare conquered slaine them delivered the lamb from them it is because God was with him wrought for him 1 Sam. 17.34 35 36. If any Shepheard of Gods flock have delivered any of Gods Lambs out of the jawes of the roaring Lion it is the Lords doing and as the Psalmist touching Israel deliverance from Aegypt So may we all say touching the deliverance of Gods Israel from their spirituall bondage Psal 44.1 2 3 4 5. We have heard with our ears O God! our Fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes in the times of old how thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand and plantedst them how thou didst afflict the people and cast them out c. Therefore let every Soul that hath tasted of Gods goodnes say in this kind that hath felt the mighty arme of God in the weilding of this weapon that hath had any comfortable experience of the moving of Gods Angle in this poole Let him blesse the Lord that hath given him counsell that hath caused his reines to instruct him in the
be more glorious Reas 4 Hereby they shall have the more comfort in their owne hearts he that doth good to many hath more joy then he that doth good to a few The Shepheard that gathereth home many a wandring Sheep to Gods fold the Embassadour that perswadeth many to peace the Physitian that healeth many diseased hath much cause of rejoycing So the Minister whose lips feed many hungry and thirsting Souls whose Doctrine like a cloud of much raine watereth a large field and like a painfull Husband-man gathereth many sheafs into Gods Garner hath cause of much joy and may say as Paul 1 Thes 2.19 20. For what is our hope our joy our crowne of rejoycing are not even ye c. Reas 5 Hereby they shall appear before the Lord at the last day with much comfort with the more boldnes It is a singular honour comfort to a Minister to be the instrument of many Souls salvation to be able to say as Isa 8.18 Behold I and the Children whom the Lord hath given me are for signes and for wonders in Israel c. None hath a better recompence Dan. 12.2 Wealth and honour will not comfort a Minister at the last day but the faithfull discharge of their calling the gaining of many Souls to God Use 1 This therefore condemneth them that have more regard to chose such places as will yeild most benefit to them not respecting what good may be done to the Church As in marriage the common quere is what portion not what piety what birth not what new birth what kinred on earth not what kinred with God what riches not what goodnes So it is often in Ministers choise of places what value is the benefice to what Summe amounteth the stipend not what people what number what quality what hope of doing good what hope of bringing honour unto God Making it manifest that they came into the Ministrey to live rather than to teach other men a new life to fatten themselves not to feed others to cloath themselves with the fleece though the devill take the flesh contrary to the charge of the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.2 Many men that would be loath to marry to an old wife of a barren wombe that would be loath to hew timber wherein is nothing but knobs to sowe in a field wherein is nothing but thornes bryars rocks quagmires yet if the maintenance be large will adventure upon a barren stoney-hearted untractable and unteachable people which in all probability will never hear and obey the Gospel 1. If the Minister must make such choise of the people it is behoofefull that the people should also be circumspect in their choise of their teachers They will not have their meate drest by a Leprous cooke they will not have their bodies cured by an unskillfull Physitian they will not be led in an earthly joruney by a blind guid they will not put their flock in his hands that cannot see the Lion when he cometh that cannot discerne the Sheepe from the goates And yet is it not straunge they will commit their Souls into the custody of one that is as the Prophet describes Isa 56.10 11. Blind guides dry breasts c. that take up their habitation under such as are clouds carried away with every tempest wells without water as it is in 2 Pet. 2.17 Or else commit their Souls to men of leud life whose Doctrine hath no authority in the peoples consciences God in his just judgment casting dung in their faces Mal. 2.3 9. Making their persons as unsavoury salt to be trodden under foot of men Matth. 5.13 Yet such men though they strengthen the hands of the wicked Ier. 23.14 Cause the Sacrifice to be abhorred 1 Sam. 2.17 Are a remarkable signe of Gods indignation Mic. 2.11 A curse to the people Mic. 3.6 Yet into the hands of such they commit their Souls their onely jewell whereas this should be their choisest care to settle themselves where the light of the Gospel shineth most clearely where this seed is sown most plentifully where the Minister buildeth with the right hand of sound Doctrine and with the left hand of a good Conversation where Life and Doctrine go together like fire and heate like oxen drawing well in one yoke like wind and tide carrying the Souls of the people speedily to the haven of eternall peace this was the care of the people here They came to the Baptist and were Baptized of him whence learne That it is the duty of the people carefully to frequent such places where they may most plenteously and effectually enjoy Gods Ordinances The people came here to the Baptist where was much water As the Eagles go farre for their prey Mat. 24.28 The Queen of the South came from farre to hear Solomon Math. 12.42 So must we to hear that wisedom of God which will make us wise unto salvation When we want it we must run to and fro to seek the Word Amos 8.12 As Jacobs sonnes went to Aegypt for corne Gen. 42.1 2. So must we for bread for our Souls Math. 3.5 Mark 8.1 2 3. It is Gods precept that men should seek the food of our Souls Isa 55.1 2 3. Reas 1 Because this is the means which God hath sanctified and ordained for the saving of their Souls the instrument by which he conveyeth into the hearts of his people the grace which doth accompany salvation This is the Jordan by which he washeth away the Leprosy of the people the waters of Abana and Pharphar have no power to doe it Eph. 5.26 This is the warlike weapon 2 Cor. 10.5 The Sounding Trumpet John 5.25 and 1 Cor. 3.5 1 Tim. 4.16 Reas 2 Because these are the food of their Souls as the Manna to Israel as the milk to the child 1 Pet. 2.2 As the dewes to the ground Isa 55.10 As the water out of the rock to the thirstly people in the Wilderness as the cake cruse of water to the Prophet in the strength whereof he went to Horeb 1 King 19. And therefore as men frequent the market where is store of bodily provision so must we the spirituall market where is spirituall provision for the Soul Because they are very dull and need after to be put in mind 2 Pet. 1.12 Their hearts are hard and have need of frequent dewes their Souls are filthy and have need of much washing the dross of iniquity sticketh very fast in them and they have need of much fire to purge them our understandings are blind and we have need of much light to shine into them we are apt to forget God and have need of often remembrancing Reas 4 Because we are prone to revolt and go back to loose our first love to forsake God and follow the Counsell of our owne hearts As Israel fell to Idols when Moses was in the Mount as the wise men knew not how to go forward when the light of the starr failed Joash fell to Idols as soone as Jehojada was
successe of our Saviours Ministry it grieved them to see so many attend his Doctrine frequent his baptisme Doctr. It is an apparent signe of a carnall hearer to envy the good successe of him that is not his owne teacher they that rejoyce not in but grieve at the labours and gracious proceedings of other Ministers besides their owne never attended with a sincere mind upon the Doctrine which their owne teachers delivered to them it is an evill eye that grieveth to see more Corn in another mans field more Sheep in another mans-fold more Fruit on another mans tree than on his owne every Child ought indeed most entirely to affect its owne breast every scholler his owne Mr every souldier his owne leader yet not so as thereby to envy the breasts which yield more milk the Mr whose Scholars grow more abundantly in learning the Generall whose souldiers are more victorious more succesfull in their battle so to affect Cephas as to despise or envy Paul or Apollos is a streame flowing from a carnall Fountaine 1 Cor. 3.3 4. To envy the succesfull Ministry of any faithfull teacher is a branch springing from a very accursed roote Acts 13.45 an argument of a blind and obstinate minde Joh. 9.28 29. A signe they never truely learned as their owne Minister faithfully taught them an apparent testimony that they value the person above the Doctrine Joh. 5.45 46 47. That they are not guided by sound reason but blind affections an evill guide a wandering starre an unskilfull pilote seldome ever setting at the sterne but it causeth shipwrake for multa nos cogit facere affectus dum propinquitatem respicimus corporum corporis animae offendimus creatorem affection maketh us do many things and while we fasten our eyes upon the nearenes of our bodies we offend God the Creator both of Soul and body Let us all therefore strive to have our hearts so affected with the glorifying of God so bent to the setting forth of his praise that we may rejoyce to see the Kingdome of Sathan beaten downe the Kingdome of Christ to flourish the number of Gods people increase the seed of the Word plenteously sown the Lords vineyard well manured many trees of righteousnes planted in the Lords Orchard the diseased Souls of our brethren healed whosoever be the Physitican curing it the Lord may use whome he pleaseth convey the water of salvation to the Souls of his people by what cisterne he will he is free in the dispensations of his favours he may do with his owne what he will our eye must not be evill because Gods eye is good but where the graces of God are most conspicuous and apparant there let our love be most strongly fastned considering that a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven VERS 27. THe disease hath been discovered the cure ensueth the wound opened the plaister is now to be applied ambition self-love envy at the multiplication of Christ's Disciples was the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist Serious considerations of Gods freedome in the dispensations of his graces bestowing them on whom he pleaseth is the matter John answered and said a man can receive nothing unles it be given him from heaven whence from the connexion of the words we may observe Doctr. That the serious consideration of our unworthines and Gods Freedome in the communication of his favour is a forcible means to withhold us from envying at other mens eminences it was the argument the Lord of the vineyard used Mat. 20.15 for the answering of them that envyed at the wages given to them that came last into the vineyard and hence also the Apostle persuadeth all men to humility sobriety contentednes and industry in their places and callings without insulting one over another without advancing themselves one against another Rom. 12.3 6 7 8. and to the same purpose the Apostle to take down the insolency of such as did excell and to appease the murmuring of such as had more slender gifts bestowed on them laboureth with the men of Corinth to consider what themselves once were followers of dumb Idols 1 Cor. 12.2 Whence the gifts bestowed on the Church had their originall from God vers 11. Why they were given to proffit withall vers 7. and the consideration of this is very effectuall Reas 1 Because hereby we shall see though we have never so little yet we have more than we are worthy of and that God hath dealt very bountifully with us though he hath given us but the place of a doore-keeper in the lowest roome in his house Ps 84.10 though he hath made us but as one of his hired servants Luc. 15.19 We shall say with Jacob Gen. 32.10 and with Paul Phil. 4.11 as Solomon saith of the labouring man Eccl. 5.12 so it will be with us whether we have little or much our hearts will be quiet considering it is Gods free gift and farre beyond our desert Reas 2 Because this will cause us to study how to be thankfull for what we have received and not to repine murmurre for the want of what we have not this will cause us to blesse God for one talent if we have no more to be thankfull for a dish of green herbs if we have no better cheer though we have not the full vintage yet if we have but a few gleanings of Gods love yet we will bless with Naomi Rut. 2.20 Though we have not so large a messe and so many change of apparell as Benjamin Ier. 43.34 Yet if we like Josephs brethren be sensible of our unworthines of the wrong we have done to our Joseph we will be glad if Ps 128.3 we have but one messe but one suite of raiment Psa 127.5 Though our Children be not like Olive plants round about our table Though our quiver be not full of these arrowes yet if we be sensible of our unworthines as Hanna was of her barrenes we will blesse God for one Child 1 Sam. 2.1 I meane for any one good gift that God shall bestow upon us Reas 3 Because this will make us carefull to imploy what we have received to the honour of God who gave it if we behold it as water dropping from the cloud of Gods bounty as a gift out of his hand as a testimony of his free favour if we fasten our eyes upon our owne unworthines Mat. 25 25. This will make us carefull not to hide our talent though the least in a napkin Mat. 5.15 Not to put our light under a bushell not to quench our Lamp though there be but little Oile therein not to hide our Graine in the garner as covetous men do their Corn that the Souls of the poor curse them Prov. 11.26 But like good stewards carefull servants diligent Husbandmen we will imploy it to the advantage of our Lord and Master committing our seed to the earth that it may encrease causing our light to shine that other men may see
our good works and glorify our father as every fountaine sendeth forth a streame according to what it hath received every starre giveth light according to the light infused into it knowing that for this end we have received 1 Cor. 12.7 Mat. 10.8 Reas 4 Because this will stirre up men not to envy but to imitation of them whose graces do excell to pray for the like graces to use the like meanes to run the same race to labour in the same vineyard to sow the like seed that they may win the like price receive the like wages reape the like harvest thus Heb. 6.11 12. 1 Cor. 4.16 1 vers 11.1 Ia. 5.10 11. Not to murder Abel because more righteous but to tread in his steps to labour for his faith not to envy David for his great conquests but to strive after the like victories Reas 5 Because this will breed love in our hearts towardsthem their virtues will be as a savoury ointment as a sweet smelling flower in our nostril as a load-stone to draw our hearts toward them when we see how the Lord doth love them How he doth beautify them with his graces how in them are those excellencies after which our Souls long then they will be to us as one of a thousand Job 33.23 As Apple trees among the thornes as starres among the clouds as flowers among the weeds all our delight will be on them that excell in vertue Ps 16.3 Use Therefore whensoever the Spirit of envy doth begin to move within us at the sight of other mens endowments when the light and lustre of their vertues beginneth to trouble our diseased and malignant eyes when at any time the pleasantness and fertility of Naboths vineyard causeth Ahab to languish and repose himselfe upon his bed when Esau conceiveth hatred deviseth mischief against Iacob because he hath gotten the blessing when our hearts begin to repine because the cloud of Gods bounty had dropped more abundantly on others than on us let us look upon the state of our owne Souls let us consider how there is nothing in us why God should bestow any thing upon us why we should expect any thing at his hands Let us consider how the Lord is no way bound to us but may do with his blessing what he will no man can controule him or lay either indiscretion or injustice to his charge And then as David playing on the Harp appeased Sauls evill spirit so shall this appease the distemper of our Spirit and without murmuring magnify the wisedome and freedome of God in the dispensations of his mercies and for the better inuring of our hearts hereunto consider we 1. That God doth distribute his gifts most wisely and justly as may serve most for his owne honour the good of his people as he hath in great wisedome disposed the body naturall and all the members thereof and accordingly given them abilities sutable to their severall places so he hath also in great wisedome dispensed his favours to all the members of the mysticall body of Christ Jesus he hath done all things in number weight and measure and Psa 145.16 17. As he hath filled the Sun Moone and Starres with such quantity of light as may make most for the benefit and ornament of the whole universe so hath God dispensed to his people c. 2. That God hath bestowed some gift upon every one of his family he that hath least hath enough to make him everlastingly happy 1 Cor. 12.8 9. No tree in Gods Orchard but hath some soile about his roots no vessel in Gods house but hath some liccour Mat. 25.15 3. That to murmur against our brethren is to murmur against God for the graces they have are not of their owne getting but of Gods bestowing and therefore as Moses said Exo. 16.8 So it is in this behalfe therefore Augustine Quoties hominibus praesse desidero toties Deo meo praeire contendo As often as I desire to be preferred above men so often I strive to go before my God as arguing discontentednes in the place wherein God had set him 4. That it is farre better to use well the little we have received then to envy our brethren because they have what we have not he that hath least doth not imploy it so well but he might make better use of it and the good use of what we have will give much contentment for the present and hath the promise of a large increase for the future to him that hath shall be given Mat. 15.23 29. Prov. 11.25 5. That what God hath communicated to others is not for themselves but for the good of them that shall need it the cloud hath raine for the dry ground the Sun hath light for the dark aire the tree hath fruit for the hungry stomack the eye hath sight for the body he that gathered much Manna gave to him that had little we are but stewards 6. That the beholding of the graces which are in them must provoke us to pray for the like measure of grace to use all holy means to attaine the same degree of holines when the prodigall saw what they enjoyed who lived in his fathers house he desird to be as one of them 7. That envying at other mens abundance will rob us of the comfort of our endowments as Esth 5.10 11 12 13. Saul so maligned David for his mighty conquests that he lost all the comfort he might have gathered from his owne victories 8. That God doth give as much as we have ability well to manage vessels put to Sea are loaden according to their strength the Master of the family placeth all according to their abilities Mat. 25.15 9. That God will expect from us but as he giveth to us Luc. 12.48 10. That a faithfull imployment of what we have received shall surely be accompained with a blessed increase a little sowne in good ground husbanded well bringeth a competible increase Thus of the connexion prescribing a remedy to the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist in the words themselves we have set before us 1. Our owne emptines a man can receive nothing of himselfe by his owne art industry ability worth he can receive nothing bodily or spirituall transitory or eternall 2 The Fountaine whence all the good we enjoy like so many streams do flow from the first we learne Doctr. That man hath of himselfe no ability to the performances of any good duty he is a Lamp without Oile a well without Water a withered arme without strength therefore like to an evill tree which beareth none but evill fruit Mat. 7.18 to an uncleane Fountaine sending forth none but uncleane Waters Job 14.4 to a black-Moore that cannot make himselfe white Jer. 13.23 to a dead man that cannot performe any action belonging to the living to a wild Olive Prov. 11. Col. 2.13 and therefore the Apostle strippeth man of all inclination or motion unto good Rom. 11.19 2 Cor. 3.5 and the Psalmist saith
difficult the change of the heart how hardly the image of God is restored the light of Gods face peace of conscience assurance of the forgiveness of sin is gotten had they ever known this they would never presume upon their owne strength but would with Paul Rom. 4.27 Had they beheld the deep dye filthy spots of sin they would with David Psa 51.1 2. Had they been in this storme they would with the Disciples Mat. 8.25 26. Had they ever felt this burden they should have found it more easy to shake off a mountaine from their backs to pull their skin over their heads as to cast away there sin as easy to withstand a deluge of water or a furious Horse rushing into the battle as to withstand their lusts they should have found that all the water in the bucket of their humane abilities would not quench one spark of this fire that all the arrowes in their quiver would not make this enemy remove one foot that all the ingredients in their shop all the herbs in their garden would do nothing towards the cure of his wound But they should find as Matth. 17.10 the woman spent all upon Physicians and could not be cured so they Mar. 5.26 Vse 2 This must therefore humble us and make us all looke upon our selves as upon gardens wherein groweth not one wholesome Herb not one savoury flower as on trees bearing no good fruit as on wells void of water on dead men void of strength as on beggers having nothing of our owne but the menstruous garments of sinne confessing our selves with Iacob to be lesse than the least of Gods Mercies to be altogether unfit for any good duty unable to performe any worke pleasing in the sight of God Isa 64.6 Gen. 32.10 Not boasting of our owne abilities as once Goliah did of his strength least the Lord overthrow us as he overthrew him 1 Sam. 17.10 Not presuming like the Sonnes of Sheva to cast out Satan by humane art and the powers of nature least he leape on us as he did on them Acts 19.15 19. Not striving with the builders of Babel to ascend the glorious rest of heaven by a Babel of our owne building least the Lord confound us as he did them Gen. 14.4 8. Let us not glory with the Pharisee that we are not as the Publican Luc 18.11 Let us not grow insolent of a few morall endowments a little gilded brasse a few painted flowers as once Rabseca boasted of his Masters victories having overcome a few nations whose God were stocks and stones least as the Lord gave him and his Master so he give us a shamefull overthrow at the last 2 King 18.33 34 35. But let us seriously consider how we have no beauty in us for which the Lord should set his love upon us Ezek. 16.6 No strength whereby to vanquish the enemies that rise against us Rom. 5.8 No understanding to discerne the things which differ Prov. 30.2 3. No ability to comprehend the deep things of God more than a blind eye to discerne colours 1 Cor. 2.14 No quickness of sight to discry the snares of Satan to find out the corruption of our hearts but that as Agar said Prov. 30.18 19. So may I say of him that we have no aptness in our selves to any good duty more than the thorne to beare figs the bitter fountaine to send forth sweet waters Mat. 7.17 And when we are thus low in our owne eyes then we shall be capable of matter of the highest and most eminent nature Acts 9.3 When Paul was cast from his Horse brought low made blind then he was fit to receive instruction then we shall long after the light of Gods face Luc. 15. the dewes of Gods grace when the prodigall saw himselfe a companion of swine then a place in his fathers house was much desired then we shall complaine with much feeling of the sin of our Souls of the iniquity of our hearts as Isa 6.5 Then we shall be to pour out our Souls feelingly and cry mightily to the Lord as Ionah did Ion 2.1 He slept while he was above the water then the Lord will be favourable unto us Isa 57.15 and shall vouchsafe salvation unto us Iob 22.29 Iob 33.19 to 28. Vse 3 Therefore this must cause us so much the more carefully to use all holy and sanctified means for the supplying of our wants the filling of our emptiness the fitting of us for all good duties the more we see our owne weakeness the more let us seek to be made strong by Christ Iesus the lesse we have in our selves the more earnestly let us beg to partake of his abundance let the sence of our hunger cause us to feed the more frequently with the milk which cometh from the breast of the Scriptures let our dulnes cause us the more carefully to apply this light to our feet and this Lanterne to our paths Let our barrenness cause us with Hanna to pray with teares for grace as she did for a Child let our inability to resist the enemies of our Souls cause us to pray for Gods presence and assistance as Moses did for Gods assistance with Israel in their journey to Canaan the greater stormes of affliction do arise the more strongly let us fasten the anchor of our faith upon the Rock Christ Jesus let our nakednes cause us to long the more to be apparelled with the royall robes of Christs righteousness Let our uncleanness make us desire the more earnestly to be washed in the Jordan of Christs blood the heavy burthen of our sin cause us the more to desire to be unloaden the more the hart is chased the more the water brooks are desired the more the torment of the disease is felt the more the healing Medicine is longed for the more the force fury and near approach of the enemy is beheld the more aid is desired so the more sence we have of our owne weakenes unmorthines the more feeling we have of our sin of the arrows of Gods displeasure wounding our consciences the strength of our corruption and the violence of Satan the more earnestly humbly feelingly let us addresse our selves unto God and so the Lord of his fulness will supply our wants communicate the riches of his grace his goodnes is the Fountaine whence we must draw the treasure whence we must fetch all spirituall riches as the next thing to be observed plainely teacheth Doctr. That whatsoever good blessing is enjoyed by any person or people is the free gift of God as all the waters come from the Sea and all the branches receive nourishment from the roote so all the favours which like streams flow down for the watering of our Souls or bodies have their originall from the Ocean of Gods goodness they are all as beames issueing from the Sun of Gods Love Iac. 1.17 No Merchandise sold at so easy a rate as that which after Solomons estimate is more precious than Rubies and Prov. 3.14
before the Lord with sincere and unpright hearts and then Ps 145.18 19. Let us have no more to do with sin but say as Ephraim to his Idols Hos 14.8 let us take us Words vers 2.3 and then vers 4.5 6 7. Let us win on God with patience and constancy and the Lord at length will look upon us in mercy Heb. 10 35. Whatsoever be our want in the Lord is all fullnes all readiness to supply us therefore as Ia. 1.5 So if thou want faith knowledge patience if thou want tendrings of heart peace of conscience sence of Gods love or any other good blessing aske it the Lord will surely bestow it on thee Hanna was troubled with her barrenness cryed to the Lord he opened her womb Solomon considered the weightines of his calling sought wisedome and the Lord gave him wisedome Sampson was much oppressed with thirst called on the Lord and the Lord gave him water Iud. 15.18 19. In like manner when the barrenness of grace want of knowledge doth afflict thee seek it at the hands of the Lord and the Lord shall grant the supplication of thy Soul unto thee had we but hearts to seek we might enjoy what now we want the ignorant might be full of knowledge the empty Lamp might be full of oile the weake faith which shaketh like a withered reed might be like a Cedar of deep and strong roots the Soul which is like a barren vineyard might be full of grace like the valleys overspread with Corn and good pasture the naked Soul might be well armed richly apparelled the dejected Spirit might be full of comfort the mind that is pressed down with worldly cares like a cart with sheaves might soar aloft as on eagles wings unto the heavens the unstable Soul might be as well fastned the wilderness of the life might be made a Paradise a sweet Communion with God a holy fellow ship with the saints might be maintained much delight might be found in Gods Ordinances Isa 41.17 18 19. Isa 44.3 This must teach us to receive all as from God whatsoever our care labour industry hath been yet let us not look upon what we possesse as upon yarne of our owne weaving fish of our owne taking Hab. 1.16 Upon a house of our owne building as Dan. 4.30 But let us looke on all we have as on Gods blessing a gift from Gods hand a light shining from the sun of Gods bounty though Paul plant and Apollo water the encrease is Gods though Israel fight the victory is the Lords whatsoever evill is in us whatsoever evill is committed by us is the seed of our owne sowing whatsoever evill is inflicted on us is a wages of our owne deserving whatsoever good we work it is the labour of Gods finger whatsoever good we receive it is of the fulnes and freedome of Gods bounty therefore we must all say as 1 Cor. 29 11 12 13.14.15 16. for Prov. 21.31 Therefore let us fasten our eyes on all both internall and externall endowments as on shewers falling from the cloud of Gods love as on gifts given by the Lords hand even the least the meanest as well as upon the fairest of our possessions this will make us the more sensible of Gods love the more ashamed of our ingratitude and disobedience this will the more endeare and oblige our hearts to God this will make us the more thankfull the more circumspect and heavenly minded in the use of them nothing doth more occasion the abuse of Gods blessing than forgetfulnes of the hand whence they have there originall and beginning Ps 78.10 11. 4. This may acquaint us with a sure way how to be provided for in all estates to find a supply in all our wants to have some liccour alwayes in our vessel to refresh us some fruit upon the barrenest tree to relieve us God you see is the giver of every good blessing all cometh from him therefore get into his favour and you shall want no good thing be regenerate become a new creature make God your Father and your wants shall be supplied let the prodigall returne and in his Fathers house there is all manner of provision his Father kindly entertaining him Luc. 15. So let us do c. for as Mat. 7.11 this hath the promise Psal 84. â—â— Used as a motive to stirre up men to feare God Psal 34.10 to follow Christ Matth 19.29.30 This will bring us within the Covenant giveth us interest in all Gods blessings we shall be in league and Job 5.23 24 25 26. We shall enjoy security boldnes towards God tranquility and cheerfulnes in our hearts Job 11.13 14 15 16 17 18. It is not a carnall vexing care a greedy heaping up of things of the earth that will be sufficient defence a never setting light a never failing streame but the fruition of Gods love is the way to win it Mat. 6.33 this Psal 23. â— If God be Shepheard he will provide pasture and Ps 37.25 it is iniquity an ungracious conversation that bringeth want Pro. 13.25 Eccles 5.13.14 5. Is every good gift from God cometh it all from him then let us remember that we must give an accompt of all we do enjoy we are not Lords but stewards of Gods blessings such as must yield accompt to God of all our abilities though it be long before the Lord call us yet he will at length require a strict accompt of all our doings how we spent our time our strength our temporall blessing our spirituall graces how they have been improved what increase hath been made therefore as the Apostle said in another case 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2 3. So in this case use what you have received not as Lords to do with it what you list but as they who must be accountable to the Lord that not onely for the greatest but also for the least blessings as our Saviour said we must render accompt of every idle Word so we must render accompt of every little favour which God hath bestowed on us the time will come Luc. 16.2 Therefore we should think of this that we might be able to do it with joy Heb. 13.16 6. As it is all from God so let us be carefull to imploy it to the honour of God his good ground receiving good seed yieldeth a good increase as the good servant Mat. 25.20 as it cometh from heaven so let us use it in a heavenly manner to the praise of him whose dwelling is in the heavens this their very originall doth challenge Ro. 11.36 This the Dominion that God hath over all doth claime this the end which God proposeth to himselfe in all his works doth require Prov. 16.4 Rev. 4.11 Ephes 1.5 6. and it is the charge 1 Cor. 6.20 and if we neglect this we abuse the gift we have received it is a wrong to the creature to restraine it from the service of the Creator I. It is a wrong to the light
to hide it under the bushell to the seed to withhold it from the earth II. We rob our selves of the comfort we might enjoy in the good inployment of our received Talent Gods service well performed is comfortable not onely when it is finished but even in the very performance of it Paul and Silas sung before they had the crown even while they were in prison c. 2 Cor. 1.12 It is a joy to the husbandman to see the Corn spring though long before the harvest a comfort whereof the sluggard is utterly deprived III. We expose our selves to an utter deprivation of what we have received the one Talent was taken from him that did not imploy it and it is generally threatned from him that hath not shall be taken away even what he hath c. Prov. 11.24 IV. We discover our selves to be altogether vile and evill it is evill ground that after much soile and seed is full of weeds a corrupt body that after much Physicking is more diseased therefore Mat. 25.26 7. This teacheth us to waite and depend upon God for every good thing and in the use of means to seek to God by prayer for a blessing for as his goodness giveth us the means so his providence must make them effectuall for our benefit thus Jehosaphat's eyes were towards the Lord for help in the day of distress 2 Chro. 20.12 Thus David would not look to the earth and seek for help among the things there below but Psal 5.3 Thus the Prophet would have them look unto the promise which God had made to their fore-fathers Isai 511 2. and the Psalmist Psa 44.5 6. Thus Nehemiah used means but prayed unto God for a blessing Neh. 4.9 and this even Joab had respect unto 2 Sam. 10.12 and indeed without this Psal 127.1 2. 8. This must stirre up the hearts of men to love and praise God every man according to that which God hath bestowed upon him according to the number and the measure of our graces must be our thankfulnes we have nothing but it is the Lords gift and many are his favours challenging thankfulness from us the Donation of his Sonne Joh. 3.16 the giving of his Word Ier. 3.15 the separating of us from the workers of darknes 1 Pet. 2.9 saith in his promises Ioh. 6.29 peace of conscience forgiveness of sin sence of Gods love with every other good grace they are all the gifts of God 1 Cor 2â—1 We were not worthy of any of this but deserved the coÌ„trary when we deserved death the Lord gave us life when we sate in darknes and the shadow of death and were worthy to be so left then did God send us light Mat. 4.16 When we were in bondage the Lord made us free when we lay like the man between Jericho and Jerusalem robbed wounded Luc. 10.30 then did God like the mercifull Samaritan help us when the Leprosy of sin had altogether overspread us then did the Lord wash us in the Jordan of his Sonnes blood 1 Ioh. 1.7 when we could expect nothing but everlasting burnings then God turned his consuning fire into a shining Sun our tempestuous Sea into a calme River our Hell into a Paradise and oh that we had hearts to love him laud him delight in him for this his goodnes and mercy towards us 9. Lastly this serveth for the great comfort of the Children of God every good thing is in their Fathers hand he that loveth them is the Lord of all things Psa 23. therefore they may rest themselves assured that they shall never want any good thing were these things in the hand of any stranger they might in the hand of an enemy they surely should lack them but now since all things are in the hand of God be sure of this I. God will give you the best things though Ismael have the movables Isaac hath the inheritance if Esaa have the fatnes of the earth yet Jacob shall have the birth-right if profane men have what the bodily eye doth see yet 1 Cor. 2 9. II. You shall have a competency that which shall give contentment Phil. 4.11 You shall have such peace therewith as will make the coursest dirt more pleasant than the danitiest feast Prov. 15.15 III. You shall have that which God doth see to be best for you as a loving Physitian a wise father giveth what is best for his child for his patient so will our wise loving God do for us VERS 28. THe matter contained in these Words hath been already opened for the most part onely here we may observe I. A reprehension of that particular sin whereof they were guilty II. How hardly men are brought to the knowledge of the truth being once possessed with prejudice III. The desire of Gods people to have all the glory given unto Christ not to rob him of the least part of it The first of this will teach us Doctr. That Gods Ministers must reprove the peculiar and particular sins of their hears the Physican doth apply to the particular diseases of his patient the gardiner reacheth the hands to the weeds which are most noysome thus Isa 58.1 and 2 Sam. 12.11 12. Mar. 6.20 Acts 2 36. Reas 1 Because these sins are most dangerous it is the predominant disease that threatneth the dissolution of the body Reas 2 Because this will awaken the conscience convince the judgment lead unto repentance 1 Sam. 15.14 19. When the Lot was cast on Achan than he confessed so 2 Sam. 12.13 Vse 1 Therefore Ministers must acquaint themselves thoroughly with the state of the people search into their particular diseases as Physitians try the estate of their patients marriners look to the state of their ships builders the decayed places of the house and accordingly prepare their exhortations for the convincing of the obstinate informing of the ignorant awakening of the secure reclaiming of them that stray 2 Tim. 3.16 and consolation of the dejected thus as they are stiled so shall they shew themselves seers stewards Physitians guides lights and thus Ier. 15.19 Vse 2 This must cause the people to be patient willing thankfull to hear their particular sins discovered reproved as they would have the disease of their body launced the breaches of their houses repaired Ps 141.5 1 King 18.21 Heb. 13.23 The second point teacheth us Doctr. That men are hardly brought to the knowledge of the truth when once they are possessed with prejudice against it these men were perswaded that the Baptist was the Christ they would not be driven from it though he plainely told them he was not Mat. 13.56 57. Ioh. 7.52 By this means things appear in other colours than indeed they are as to him that looketh thorough a glasse of a red colour things seeme to be of a red colour therefore let us take heed that this weed arise not stand not in the garden of our hearts quench it like fire destroy it like stubble Isa 20 8. Psa 57.3.17 Let us
ground the perswasions of our hearts upon apparant testimonies which will not deceive us Let us still be of humble disposition readily subjecting our selves to the Doctrine of Gods Word Let not affection conceit fond opinion but a judgment well informed be our guide Let all truths find entertainment approbation subjection so shall the Word bring comfort stablish our faith reconcile and draw us home to God assure us of his favour enrich us with his grace I. But if prejudice possesse our hearts bear sway within us we are taken in Satans snare we shall be lead like blind men into the pit of our destruction he hath put out the eye of the understanding that we shall not see the glorious light of the Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 II. The sweet waters of life will be to our Palate as bitter as Gall the most sumptuous feast shall be but as the bread of adversity and the water of affliction Mal. 3.14 The most pleasant and delightfull light will be either an offence to the eye or at least as a Lamp without Oile Iob 34.9 All Religious and holy exercises will be as a cloud without raine as a vine without grapes III. The wisest counsell will be taken either as flattery or as treason the truest testimonies of the sincerest love will be looked on as baits upon the hooke to draw the fish to his death as meat spread by the fowler an allurement to the snare 2 Sam. 10.4 IV. Prejudice like a diseased stomack turneth good food into corrupted humours 2 Cor. 2.14 Like a diseased eye it beholdeth things in contrary colours Like David in one case it taketh friends to be enemies and enemies to be friends 2 Sam. 19.6 Like thornes and bryars in the field it causeth the seed of the word that it can take no roote Matth. 13.12 Like Sheba that blew the Trumpet of Rebellion it causeth the people to disclaime the Messenger of the Lord and to say they have no part in his Doctrine 2 Sam. 20.1 2. Like the evill Spirit that arose between Abimelech and the men of Shechem it doth breed a great division hasten their ruine Iud 9.23 Like a disease in the body it maketh men greedily imbrace what will nourish it Ahab being possessed with prejudice against the Prophet cast him into prison opened his eares to the false Prophets who deceived him 1 King 22. for the prevention whereof we must labour 1. For a sound judgment to be able to discerne the things which differ to make choise of the things which are most excellent a cleare eye judgeth and distinguesheth colours best delight is most welcome to that sight which hath most perfection sound Doctrine hath best approbation among men of sound knowledge and good understanding and surely as Paul said in another case Acts 26 2.3 So may the Minister of God say in this case and therefore 1 Cor. 14.20 Col. 1.9 1 Cor. 10.15 1 Thes 5.21 but ignorance is the common cause of prejudice 2 Pet. 2.12 2. For a good affection an entire love to the Messenger of the Lord this the Apostle requireth 1 Thes 5.13 This will cause us to hearken to their Doctrine with diligence to endure the word of exhortation with patience to imbrace it with thankfulnes to subject our selves to it with readines we take bitter pils contentedly from the Physitian whom we affect and you know what the Apostle saith of love 1 Cor. 13.5 6 7. 3. We must strive for an humble and teachable Spirit the broken ground entertaineth the seed the meeke in heart do readily subject themselves to the Doctrine of salvation the yoke of Gods precept is not irksome to the humble therefore Mat. 11.29 were we humble as Christ was then as he notwithstanding all his sufferings Isa 42 2. no more would we stirre and cry and make a noise and tumult when the axe is said to the roote of the tree we would not kick against the Word of the Lord though it prick like a goade and pierce like an arrow Ex. 12.11 Ps 45.4 The humble â—oul shall find sweetnes in it it shall be a word of glad tidings Isa 61.1 a pleasant food Psal 22.26 4. Carefully try all things by the touch-stone of Gods Word examine it by that line wherein there is no crookednes weigh it in that ballance wherein is no deceit try it by that touch-stone which will infallibly distinguish between good and reprobate silver the day 1 Cor. 13 13. that is the light of Gods Word Rom. 13.12 shall make it manifest the fire Gods Spirit speaking in the Scriptures will certifie you of the truth of what was taught therefore Isa 8.20 1 Joh. 4.1 Acts 17.11 By this meanes shall ye find that it is not so much man as God that speaketh by this meanes ye shall perceive more power in it attend with more feare and reverence to it and subject your selves thereunto with more willingness 5. Allow not your selfe in any evill way be not wedded to any sin but resolve in the uprightness of your hearts to subject your selves to the whole will of God be glad to be informed in any truth and be able to say to Gods Messenger as Cornelius did to Peter Acts 10.33 and the people to Moses Deu. 5.27 Then shall not your hearts rebell against any truth not distast any wholesome Doctrine not take offence at any godly exhortation more than a traveller resolving to go to his journeys end doth to be guided in the right way when he strayeth or a sick man desirous of a freedome from all diseases doth at the good counsell of a wise Physitian but shall with David 1 Sa. 25.32 33. The allowance of sin maketh true Doctrine unacceptable godly admonition unwelcome the tidings of peace an occasion of trouble the sweet flowers gathered out of the garden of the Scriptures as a bundle of noisome weeds the honey comb of the word as gall therefore let us put iniquity farr away and let no iniquity dwell in our tabernacles and then we shall receive the word without prejudice The Third thing is the Baptists deniall of himself the removing of all that honour from himself which they would falsely have ascribed to him Doctr GOds Servants must not seek their owne but the honour of the Lord Jesus This is given in charge 1 Cor. 6.20 this we are taught to make our first Petition Mat. 6.9 This the Saints Angels of God have refused to receive when men either ignorantly or superstitiously would have bestowed it on and have willed them to give it unto God and Christ Acts 10.25 26 Acts 14 14 15. Rev. 19.10 our Saviour blamed the want of this in the Pharises Joh. 5.44 and the Lord plagued them that neglecting his sought their owne glory Acts 12.21 22. Dan. 4.30 31. Reas 1 In regard of that perrogative which God hath over all he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth Rev. 1.5 every knee must bow to him Rom 14.11 He hath
planted by the water side Psal 1.3 like an orchard of pomegranats Cant. 4.13 5. In regard of remaining corruptions and imperfections 1. If there be much ignorance in us and we see the things of God but darkly as the man that had his eyes opened did at the first see men as trees The Lord Jesus is in the bosome of his Father Mar. 8.24 in him are all the treasures of wisedome Joh. 1.18 and he is our Husband therefore he will instruct us more perfectly Col. 2.3 In his Schoole we shall learne wisedome he will give us his Spirit Ioh. 14.26 he will open the Scriptures Luc. 24.32 He will give us pastors to feed us with knowledge Ier. 3.14 15. and Luc. 1.77 he will open the sealed book Rev. 5.2 2. If we be weake in faith Christ will strengthen us and make us strong in faith like Abraham Rom. 4.20 Cause us like trees to be rooted in faith Col. 2.7 he will mightily persuade us Rom. 8.37 38. 3. If we find our Souls like a diseased body annoyed with sin as with a strong disease Iesus Christ is a Physician he will heale us Hos 6.1 If our consciences be burdened he will ease us Mat. 11.28 Isai 61.1 2. as Mat. 8.25 26. 6. In regard of perseverance though Satan buffet us though our corruption like a heavy burthen presse us down though the World hang like birdlime about the wings of our Souls Though we sometimes think and are ready to say of sin and Satan as David did of Saul 1 Sam. 27. I. Yet let us remember we are married unto Christ Iesus and that for ever Hos 2.19 there is no dissolution of this wedlocke being in his hand we shall be held fast Ioh. 10 28. We shall be kept by the power of God unto everlasting life 1 Pet. 1.5 Satan may win now us but Christ will not suffer our faith to faile Luk. 22.32 the Ship of our Souls may be shaken but it shall not sinke we may receive many wounds in the battel but yet we shall have the conquest as 2 Cor. 4.8 9. The next thing is the affection which Christ doth bear unto his messengers he calleth them his friends the friend of the Bridegroome a friend is one whom we do entirely love above others and use more familiarly and privately than we do others as David did Ionathan and of such a friend Solomon saith Prov. 18.24 A friend of God is one to whome God imparteth his mind and secrets so familiarly and fully as one friend doth to another Gen. 18.17 and the Apostles Ioh. 15.15 and thus doth the Baptist stile himselfe the friend of Christ noting the love which Christ did beare unto him and the understanding which he had of Gods will and counsell whence Doctr. That Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love to his faithfull Ministers II. Gods faithfull Ministers are after a peculiar manner acquainted with Gods Counsells III. Every faithfull Minister of God is an unfained friend unto God First of the first of these Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love unto his faithfull Ministers this appeareth plainely I. By the place wherein see hath set them made them his Embassadours 2 Cor. 5.19 20. starres in his right hand Rev. 2.20 his mouth Ier. 15.19 keeper of his vineyard Cant. 8.11 steward of his family 1 Cor. 4.1 The nurses of his Children 1 Thes 2.7 II. By the trust he committeth to them the instruction conversion edification salvation of his people hence are they called Fathers 1 Cor 4.15 Saviours Obad vers 21. 1 Tim. 4.16 builders 1 Cor. 3.9 watchmen Heb. 13.17 Shepheards having the custody of Gods flocke Ezek. 34.4 6. the charge to feed Gods people Ioh 21.17 III. By the service they doe him like Souldiers they lead his armies fight his battels subdue sin and Satan his enemies 2 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Cor. 10.5 Isa 49.2 Psal 45.4 5. Like Husbandmen they roote up the thornes and briars in the Lords vineyard breake up the fallow ground of mens hearts sow therein the seed of Gods Word plant trees of righteousnes and like good Husbandmen bring much fruit unto the Lord Ier. 1.10 1 Cor. 3.6 Like Shepheards they gather home the lost Sheep to Gods fold Like Fishermen by the draw-net of the Gospel they draw the Souls of men out of the gulfe of sin IV. By the acception of the wrongs done unto them he taketh it as done to himselfe as a King taketh the wrongs done to his Embassadour as done to himselfe Luk. 10.16 Exod. 16.8 V. By the care he hath to defend them the arme stretched out against them shall wither 1 Ki. 13.4 the tongues which mock them shall not go unpunished 2 King 2.24 2 Cor. 36.16 and it is the Lords promise Ier. 15.19 20 21. VI. In regard of the recompence provided for them their love and labour shall not be in vaine they that strive lawfully shall have the prize 2 Tim. 2.3 their work is with the Lord Isai 49.4 as they shine by their Doctrine and conversation now so shall they shine hereafter Dan. 12.3 VII In regard of the love they beare unto him Joh. 21.16 a love which maketh them industrious in their callings 2 Cor. 5.14 joyfull to see men convert unto the Lord Iesus 1 Thes 2.19 20. ready to lay down their life Acts 20.24 Vse 1 This must therefore occasion the Ministers to endevour to walke worthy of this love of the Lord Iesus to order themselves in such manner that the Lord may still continue a friend unto them as men near about earthly Princes enjoying the favour of their Soveraigne are carefull to keep so must we by our holy walking sincere faithfull and frequent teaching be carefull to keep the favour of the Lord Iesus II. This must encourage them to beare the hatred of wicked men because the Lord is their friend to be patient in the bearing the difficulties of their calling the Lord will recompence them Vse 2 This must cause the people to love and reverence the faithfull messengers of the Lord to be friends to them to whome Christ is a friend this is required Thes 5.13 not an ordinary but a singular love a peculiar honour and respect 1 Tim. 5.17 and surely there is great cause for I. These are your spirituall parents by whom you are begotten againe to God raised out of the grave of sin to a new life Iohn 5.25 II. These are the instruments by whom we are inabled to behold the great things of the Law of God these are the lights of the World Mal. 2.7 these are as the fiery Pillar to Israel Exo. 13.21 as the starre to the Wisemen Mat. 2.10 III. These are the Lords Champions by whom we are delivered out of sin and Satans bondage these are the Priests who by sounding the Trumpet of the Gospel cast down the walls of Iericho who by the thunder of the Word threw Satan down like lightning IV. These are the Messengers who bring glad tidings of peace
wherewith to feed them as a family under a steward having neither new nor old to give them a testimony of much displeasure in God Isai 29.11 14. an usuall argument of much profaneness in the people Mic. 2.11 a great advantage unto Satan what may not the Lion doe when there is no Shepheard to watch over the flocke can it be that the weeds shoud not encrease when there is no gardener the army miscarries whem there is no expert commander were not the Sheep scattered Ezek. 34.4 6. What comfort can you take in Gods Ordinances when you have not a guide to interpret and apply them are they not as a pleasant light hidden under a bushell which your eyes see not as a sealed fountaine full of delicate waters which your palates tast not as a letter full of love and glorious promises as musicall instrument making a sweet harmony which eares heare not Acts 8.31 What hope have you that your Souls shall be cured if the Physitian have no knowledge of the disease do you not know that Pro. 29.18 How can you think the wals of Jericho shall fall if the Priest cannot sound the Trumpet of the Gospel how shall the adder be brought to cast out his poison if the charmer have no skill in charming how can it be but that the Souls of the people must be like the sluggards-field if the keeper of the Lords vineyard be either ignorant and cannot or sloathfull and will not dresse it nothing more prejudiciall to mans salvation than the want of a competency of gifts in them that must instruct them Vse 2 Must their Doctrine be grounded on Gods Word then behold here the vanity of such as with Israel are weary of the pure and plaine Manna of the Word of God and fall a lusting after the onyons and Garlick of Aegypt humane traditions poeticall fictions Philosophicall speculations which have no more vertue to cast out Satan than the Sonnes of Sheva had no more power to overthrow this Goliah than David had in Sauls armour these are like a broken bow starting back in the day of the spirituall battle Like a broken vessel holding no water of spirituall refreshment to comfort the Souls of Gods people Like chaffe which will never take roote never bring forth any good fruit like the Apples of Sodom or a Pharises sepulchre though faire without yet it is but as dust and dead mens bones within such as giveth no good nourishment Like the fig tree that had many leaves made a flourishing shew but bore no fruit and to such as teach after this manner may that of Eliphas to Iob be well spoken Iob 15.2 3. and to them that delight in and rest upon such Doctrine that of Rabseca 2 King 18 20 21. may be filty spoken and surely what Iob said of his friends Iob 13.4 may be truely said of these Physitians and all their Medicines they are all of no value yea they are not onely vaine but dangerous not onely chaffe that nourisheth not but a snare that entangleth a hook that destroyeth Iac. 2.14 therefore Col. 2.8 22. and Isai 8.20 Vse 3 Are the faithfull messengers of God fitted of God have they their commission from God is their Doctrine warranted by the Scripture is it not their owne but Gods Message then I. Receive it with all reverence not as the word of man but of God 1 Thes 2.13 though the men be a vessel of wood the word is a rich treasure and the power is of God 2 Cor. 4.7 and the power of God indeed it is to save the soule of every one that doth beleve Rom. 1.16 and to such as tremble at this Word will God look Isai 66.2 and it is the commendation which Paul gave of the Galatians that they received him as an Angel of God Gal. 4.14 He that attendeth not with reverence shall never clearely conceive what is contained in it never feel his heart thoroughly affected with it nor be able with a lively confidence to rest upon it the very Word of God unreverently received is entertained but as a humane testimony looked upon but as a withered reed trusted but as the language of an uncertaine friend therefore come with such affection and disposition of heart as Cornelius did to Peter Acts 10.33 and then thou shalt be convinced the secrets of thy heart made manifest and falling down thou shalt worship God say that God is in his Messengers of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. II. Beleeve it firly rest upon it assuredly even as if thou didst hear the Lord himselfe speaking from heaven the Minister is but the Embassadour the Message is Gods what they speak on earth God doth ratify in heaven Mat. 16.19 therefore let me exhort you as Iehosaphat did the people 2 Cro. 20.20 build upon it as on a rock that doth not sinke upon a staffe which will not break upon a fountaine which never drieth up Mat. 5.18 this worketh humiliation repentance Iona. 3.5 maketh men desirous of sound instruction to be rightly informed Psal 119.66 causeth them to feare Exod. 14.31 maketh them patient and constant in the middest of all adversities Psa 27.13 causeth to wait in the deepest trouble Isai 28.16 III. Reforme speedily thoroughly unfainedly whatsoever their Doctrine findes to be amisse within you as thou who art a drunkard userer swearer woulest reforme if God did send an Angel from heaven or did himselfe appeare unto thee to rebuke thee even so must thou reform now when the messenger of God doth speake unto thee say not as the rich Glutton did Luc. 16.30 If God or an Angel from heaven or a damned Spirit from Hell were sent to teach us we would repent but remember Abrahams answer vers 31. It is a great mercy of God to speake unto us by men that we may be able to endure their voyce to understand their language and therefore we should with Israel Deut. 5.27 with Israel we should put away Baal and Ashterosh 1 Sam. 7.3 4. with them Acts 19.19 with Peter Mat. 26.75 with David 2 Sam. 12.12 with Ephraim Jer. 31.18 19. It is our reformation will prove we are good hearers our obedience will testify the goodness of our affections the casting away of our sin doth best argue a right entertainement of the Word Ja. 1.21 22. IV. Comfort your selves soundly in the Doctrine of life salvatiō God will make good to the faithfull whatsoever good things his Messengers out of his Word do declare unto them God will fulfull them all in their season Luk. 1.20 as Jos 23.14 not one thing of all the good things whereof the Ministers of God do now informe you shall faile treasure up the comforts which they propound out of the Word of the Lord and be as sure of them as if you did already enjoy them Isa 25.9 10. The 5th thing is the comfort the Ministers of God and all the people that love Christ do conceive in hearing meditating upon and publishing
the tidings of salvation rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voyce Doctr. THe study meditation and publishing of the Gospel is very comfortable to Gods faithfull Messengers Psal 8.9 10. Ier. 15.16 and Paul called it a finishing of his course with joy Acts 20.24 Herein they see the great things of God the sight whereof is more pleasant to the eye of the mind than the sight of the Sun is unto the eye of the body as the Psalmist saith of the marriners Psal 107.24 so may I say of the Ministers of the Lord they go down into the deep and behold the holy and heavenly wonders of the Lord. II. Hereby the Word of God doth cast a sweet savour in their nostrils and becometh as a warme fire in their bones often travelling among the flowers refresheth us with their smell the bruising of spice maketh the sent thereof the more odorifeous in our nostrils III. They are glad to do any service to bring any honour unto God it is their meate and drinke to do the Lords will IV. They are glad to do good to others to informe their judgments stablish their faith cleanse their affections comfort their hearts quicken them in the duties of holines and make them rich in the grace of the Spirit Vse 1 They are no faithfull Ministers that do not the work of the Lord with cheerfulnes that rejoyce not of all opportunities to publish the gladsome tidings of eternall happines but to go about the Lords busines by constraint as a lasy horse driven with the whip as a sluggard that must be compelled to his labour this want of delight in Ministers in their calling argueth want of love unto God want of a lively feeling of the goodnes and operation of the Word of God within them want of zeale for Gods honour want of hatred against sin want of true compassion to the Souls of Gods people inconsideratenes unsensiblenes of the weighty calling they have taken upon them of the fearefull accompt they must render unto God for the Souls of whom they have the oversight Vse 2 This discovereth the cause why some Ministers are so laborious so frequent constant earnest in the work of their Ministry it is a great delight unto them delight maketh hard things seeme easy irksome things seeme pleasant labour becometh no labour sufferings are turned into joy the work becometh as joyous as their meate As this hath relation particularly to Ministers so it is generally true of all faithfull Christians of every godly man that loveth Christ every one that is his friend heareth the Bridegroomes voyce and rejoyceth greatly Doctr. IT is a very great joy to Gods faithfull people to heare the voyce of Christ in the preaching of the Gospel as Israel shouted at the presence of the Arke 1 Sam. 4.5 so do the people of God at he presence of the Gospel as appeareth by the examples recorded in this behalfe Acts 8.8 Acts 2.46 Acts 13.48 1 Thes 1.6 II. By the entertainement they give the faithfull Ministers of the Word Gal 4.14 Job 33.23 Acts 21.17 III. By the charge which is in this regard given Phil. 2.28 29. IV. By titles given attributed to the Gospel Psal 89.15 Luc. 2.10 1 Tim. 1.11 V. By the promise which God hath made Jer. 31.12 13 14. Isai 35.2 Reas 1 From the nature of the Gospel and the preaching of it it is of a very pleasant and delightfull nature therefore likened to the light 2 Pet. 1.19 Ps 119.105 for as the light is pleasant to the eye Eccles 11.7 so it is a pleasant thing to Gods people to behold the light of the Gospel II. To the dewes as the dewes rejoyce the ground make it green and pleasant so doth the Gospel rejoyce the hearts of the people Isa 35.1 2. III. To milk as that delighteth and nourisheth the Child so doth this Gods Children 1 Pet. 2.2 IV. To wels of water which afford much refreshment to the thirsty traveller so doth the Gospel to the Souls of Gods people Isai 12.3 V. To ointment poured out because as that is very savoury to the nostrils of men so is this to the nostrils of Gods people Cant. 1.3 even the savour of life unto life 2 Cor. 2.16 Reas 2 From the matter of joy contained in it it is a letter full of the expressions of the love of Christ Jesus replenished with exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1.4 A garden overspread with sweet flowers a shop full of precious ointments and savoury perfumes a tree every branch whereof is loaden with most pleasant and comfortable grapes a proclamation of peace Acts 10.36 a treaty of Union 2 Cor. 5.18 19. the profer of a free pardon Mar. 1.4 a marriage feast between Christ and the people Mat. 22.2 3 4. gladsome tidings Rom. 10.15 a relation of the high and incomparable love of God to man of the victories which our Saviour wonne the downfall of Satan sin and the shutting up of the gates of Hell the large endowments high honourable priviledges of Gods people all matter of the truest sweetest most lasting joy and therefore cannot but make the hearts of Gods people exceeding joyfull Reas 3 From the sence and feeling the people of God have of the want of the Ministry of the Word as a sick man feeleth the want of Physick a man in darknes the want of light a hungry man the want of food a captived man the want of freedome a condemned man the want of a pardon and therefore do much rejoyce at the presence and enjoyment thereof as the Wisemen rejoyced at the appearing of the starre which formerly they beheld as the woman in the parable rejoyced at the finding of the groate which shee had lost thus the Apostle Rom. 18.15 alledgeth that of Isai 52.7 to signify that the coming of Gods Messengers unto such is very desirable their preaching sweet and comfortable their words being sweet as honey as drink to the thirsty bread to the hungry alluring and drawing them like a loadstone their conversation being cleare as the Sun as their lips their Doctrine so their feet their walking was holy and upright and their Message altogether replenished with comfort Reas 4 From the sweet agreement which is between the hearts of Gods people and the Ministry of the Gospel as between the eare and the best tuned musick the palate and the pleasantest wine the nostrill and the purest ointment never did Jonathan David better accord than the heart of a sincere Christian and the faithfull Ministry of the Gospel and surely as David said of Ionathan 2 Sam. 1.26 so may every faithfull servant of God say of Gods Word Ier. 15.16 Ps 19.10 Reas 5 From the near Union between Christ and his faithfull people they are his friends Ioh. 15.14 members of that body whereof Christ is the head 1 Cor. 12.12 joyned in wedlock with him Ephes 5.30 and therefore as the Bride rejoyceth to hear the voyce of the
Bridegroome so do they to hear the voyce of Christ Cant. 5.16 Reas 6 From the love which it doth breed in their hearts towards Christ This like a bellowes bloweth up the coales of their affections like the warme Sun it heateth their frozen hearts causeth them to be rooted and grounded in love Ephes 3.18 19. So to love him as to leave all for him Mat. 10.37 to despise all in comparison of him Luc. 14.26 an affection so strong that nothing can breed a separation Rom. 8.35 38 and loving Christ so fervently they cannot chuse but rejoyce abundantly in him love and joy like joynt companions go together Gal. 5.22 like the Sun and the light they will not he separated the one from the other Reas 7 From the operation of the Holy Ghost which doth attend it the Spirit of God which is the Fountaine of all joy is given with the Ministry of the word this is the key by which our hearts are opened and the Holy Ghost admitted into our Souls hence Acts 10.44 1 Thes 1.6 Acts 13.52 Reas 8 From the benefits which arise from hence by this the understanding is enlightned 2 Cor. 4.6 their faith is confirmed Ephes 1.13 victory over Satan obtained Ier. 31.11 their hearts are so softened and made tender as ground by the dewes Deu. 32.2 Isa 55.10 their affections are purified as the Corn by the fanne Mat. 2.12 Ier. 23.29 their consciences are purified Isa 57.19 their love and zeale is increased of a small drop these affections become like a flowing streame of few sparks become a burning flame of weake plants they become tall trees full of good fruit and hence as Acts 3.8 so Isa 35.5 6. Reas 9 From the protection which by this meanes they enjoy the Ministry of the Gospel is as Horsemen and Chariots to the people a sure defence Gods Ministers the best Watchmen the best Souldiers the Word of God is the surest shield the strongest shot the sounding of the Trumpet prevailed more against the walls than much Canon shot the shining of the Lamps the cry of the Sword of the Lord and Gideon put the Midianites to flight sooner than an army of men the Arke put the Philistines in greater feare than all the Israelitish army when the Ministry of life was removed from Ierusalem their house lest desolate then the Temple was cast to the ground Reas 10 From the grief which they conceive at the removing of it as Phinea's Wife would not be comforted when the Arke was taken away 1 Sam. 4.21 Ioseph and Mary went up and down sorrowing when Christ was lost Luk. 2.46 so the people of God are full of heaviness at the absence of the Word La. 2.6 12. Ps 74.9 Use This discovereth the misery of such as take no joy as delight not in the fruition of the Gospel to whom it is as light to the blind not seeing it musick to the deafe not hearing it food to the sick not relishing it want of delight in that Word of God is a sufficient argument of alienation from God an apparent testimony that we are not of God that we have not tasted of Gods goodnes he that doth not with David dance before the Lords Arke hath not Davids heart wanteth Davids love is a strangers to Davids sence and feeling of the working of Gods Word and Spirit within him He that looketh on this as on a vessell without water a tree without fruite a Lamp without Oile hath a heart without grace who is it but a Stoick a man of a stupified heart a seared conscience that accompteth Pauls preaching to be but babling that saith Job 21.14 A theef hideth himselfe from light Ioh. 3.20 Who but the deaf taketh no comfort in pleasant musick Psal 58.5 Mat. 11.17 Who but they that know not the things belonging to their peace Luk. 19.42 are not delighted with the Gospel of peace how canst thou be the Child of God if thou rejoyce not to heare the voyce of thy Father How canst thou be the Bride of Christ if thou art not affected with the language of thy Husband How canst thou be a new creature if like a new borne Child thou art not delighted with the milk of these breasts How canst thou be a traveller towards the heavenly Canaan and not be glad to see this fiery Pillar shine before thee How canst thou be a man of a hungry stomack and not be glad of this honey-comb How canst thou be experienced in the assaults of Satan and not rejoyce at the having of this weapon he cannot be the faithfull servant of God that findeth no delight in the Word of God Vse 2 This discovereth the cause why the people of God do so desire Gods Word Psa 27.4 Why they thirst after it as dry ground thirsteth Ps 63.1 Why they seek it Amos 8.12 why they incourage one another Zach. 8.21 why they wait Pro. 8.34 as Ioh. 5.5 Acts 3.3 why they say Ioh. 6.34 It is musick to their eares and they like David 2 Sam 6.16 it is Isa 25.6 and as Eccles 10.19 it is the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Ier. 15.16 It is the Sun that giveth light to them in darknes the staffe that sustaineth them in their weakenes the Arke bearing them up in the deepest deluge of troubles the Fountaine affording refreshment when all their water brooks do faile therefore no wonder they attend upon it Use 3 This must cause every one of us to try whether we can find this joy in the Word of God in hearing the Gospel preached whether it be to our Souls as the voyce of a kind friend a gracious Father a loving husband whether these apples these flagons Cant. 2.4 comfort stay and glad our hearts as they with their bottles Hos 5.3 made the King glad and if we doe rejoyce at it indeed it will appeare 1. By our conscionable preparation to it as sick men prepare their stomacks and Husbandmen their vineyards before the one receiveth Physick or the other soweth his seed so do they that delight in the Word for this is Physick and seed which they who wisely husband their Souls and highly value the wored of the Lord will not suffer to be sowne among thornes and briers but as Exo. 19.10 2. By our frequent meditation upon it man often thinketh upon that wherein he rejoyceth thus Psal 11.2 delight is a loadstone that draweth the thoughts a Chariot that carrieth the mind with an irresistible force to the thing rejoyced in 3. By our constant attendance on the same if we delight in it we will wait patiently and constantly upon it we will hearken diligently what the Lord will speake unto us we will be no strangers in Gods house but we will take every opportunity to go thither desire to make it our habitation Ps 27.4 accompt it our happines to have admittance within the gates of his house Ps 84.10 4. By our high valuation of it as the Sun above the Candle pure wheat
soone dryed up like a tree of rotten roots is soone withered like a morning dew soone gone many times soone changed into deadly hatred like Amos love to Thamar many times full of fraud like Dalilahs love to Sampson like Judasses kisse to our Saviour 4. Because Christ is above all in Care No Watchman so vigilant no Keeper so carefull as Christ is over his people he keepeth them as a man will keep the apple of his eye Zach. 28. he maketh them up as a man will make up his Jewells Mal. 3.17 he leadeth them like a carefull guide in a desolate way Deut. 32.12 becometh with them as a Shepheard with his flocke Isai 40.11 As Jacob dealt with his Sheep Gen. 33.14 so doth Christ with the Sheep of his pasture Isai 42.3 he dealeth with them as a Physitian with his patient Isa 61.1 as a vine-dresser with his vine Isai 27.3 as Phil. 2.20 So it is much more true of Christ and therefore it is great folly to neglect him who is so carefull for us and to set our hearts on that which hath no respect unto us no care for us no thought if wee perish 5. Because Christ is above all in goodness and sufficiency in him is all fulnes Rev. 22.1 he is a tree of life loaden with twelve sorts of fruite whatsoever good thing the Souls of man can desire it is fully in him above measure John 3.33 so fully that we shall be able to desire no more in him so much that he can quench our thirst John 4.14 he will fill us with good things Luc. 11.1 52. he will satiate our Souls with fatness and fill us with goodness Ier. 31.14 He can fill the understanding with knowledge the heart with faith love zeale and every good gift in prosperity he can fill us with meeknes in adversity with patience in a low estate with contentedness in every condition he will be enough unto us If we do but imbrace him turne our hearts to him settle our affections upon him then as Solomon gave charge in another case Prov. 5.18 19. so shall we find in this for they who convert unto Christ have the promise Ier. 50.19 20. His Ordinances are the breasts which yeeld the milke that satisfieth Isa 66.11 12. The River that refresheth Psal 36.8 Is it not now exceeding folly to leave Christ in whom is such and so great fulness 3. Hath Christ preheminence and dominion over all creatures then this must teach us to give Christ preheminence 1. In our knowledge if we know nothing else let us not be ignorant of him who ever be a stranger to us let us get and maintaine an holy intire and gracious acquaintance with the Lord Iesus for he is our portion Psal 16.5 6. and therefore as a man will know his owne Lands and revenewes though he remaine ignorant of all other mens possessions so must we know Christ Iesus and our interest in him of whatsoever beside we are ignorant of he is our Husband our beloved Can. 2.16 he is our Shepheard Isai 40.11 he is our Prophet our teacher Acts 10.38 he is our Physician Isai 61.1 he is our Friend Iohn 15.13 and therefore as a Woman knoweth her Husband above all other men the Sheep know the voyce of a Shepheard and will not hearken to the voyce of a stranger as the Scholler knoweth his teacher above all other instructours the sicke man his Physician and a friendly and loving man knoweth his friend which is to him as his owne soule Deut. 13.6 So must we know Christ Iesus above all others with a more cleare familiar affectionate and delightfull knowledge than we know any other we must study to excell in this knowledge this must be the first lesson we learne the art we should every day study we must cry after this Prov. 2.2 3. strive to be filled therewith as the aire with light Col. 1.10 to grow herein as good Schollers in learning 2 Pet. 3.18 esteeme all knowledge as vaine without this 1 Cor. 2.2 and accompt this our best gaine Prov. 4.7 8. a tree bearing the sweetest fruit Prov. 3.16 17. a knowledge surpassing all other knowledge for profoundnes pleasantnes profitablenes holiness as farre as the Heavens are above the Earth Ephes 3.18 19. therefore rest not till you are better experienced in this knowledge than in any other knowledge 2 Let us give him preheminence in our feare fear him above all creatures feare to offend him rather than any other whatsoever beside him feare the losse of his favour the frowne of his displeasure rather as the Wife fears the Husband more than the handmaid the subject the King more than his fellow subjects the Servant his Lord and Master more than his fellow Servants Christ is the Husband of his Church the King of his people the Lord and Master of his Family all creatures are his subjects and Servants yea the very Angels are fellow-servants with us Rev. 22.9 therefore let him have the preheminence in our feare none so well able to recompence our obedience none so powerfull to revenge our disobedience the losse we sustaine for him turneth to our best advantage Mat. 19.28 29. the service we performe unto him hath the best wages Rom. 2.10 the headship which he hath over us the price which he hath paid for us the interest which he hath in us the great things he hath done for us the good things he hath bestowed on us the glorious things he hath provided in the Heavens his ability to support us in all assaults to comfort us in all afflictions to deliver us out of all troubles the many relations which are between us do challenge preheminence in our obedience and bind us to exalt him in our feare as God hath exalted him in his place Acts 5.29 30 31 32. Mat. 10.28 thus Heb. 11.26 27. Pet. 3.13 14 15. all creatures are nothing in his hand none can hurt us when he is pleased with us none can defend or comfort us when his indignation is kindled against us therefore Rev. 14.6 7. he giveth victory to such as feare him over their enemies therefore Rev. 15.3 4. and it is the charge 2 King 17.36 to 39. 3. Let us give him the preheminence in our thoughts as he is above all so he ought to be thought upon before all his owne worthines his goodness compassion love to us doth challeng and the love which we should beare to him ought to enforce us to yeeld him precedency in our thoughts and the first fruits of our meditations he should be the last we think on in the evening the first we think upon in the morning the companion of our thoughts in the whole dayes travell as the Wife thinketh on her Husband with more frequency with more delight with more seriousnes and affection than on any stranger so must we thinke of Christ the Husband of our Souls this is the charge Mat. 6.39 thus the spouse Cant. 3.1 the Psalmist Psal
credits with our possessions trust him in prosperity when we have the abundance of all things rely on him alone as if we had nothing trust him in adversity when we have nothing being as confident as if we had all things as the Apostle saith of patience Ia. 1.4 So let me say of faith let faith have his perfect worke trust the Lord in every estate in every undertaking in every affliction trust him in health in sicknes in liberty in bondage in riches in poverty in temptation in peace trust him in six and be not doubtfull of him in seaven trouble for he is above all he can doe all nothing is impossible if we can beleeve Mar. 9.23 all things shall be according to our faith Mat. 9.29 there is water enough in this Well if we have faith like a bucket to draw there is riches enough in this store-house if we have faith like a key to open there is stedfastnes enough in this rocke if we have faith like a sure anchor to lay fast hold upon it there is no danger so great but if we have faith in him we shall passe thorough it Matth. 17.20 by faith we shall do as they did Heb. 11.29 30 31 32 33. By faith Christ dwelleth in us is become ours and then nothing can be too hard for us when he is omnipotent who is within us 1 Sam. 17.45 Goliah was better armed but by faith the Lord was with David by faith the Lord is our strength Psal 37.39 and Marc. 5.26 29 34. this is Gods precept 1 Ioh. 3.23 this is the way to prosper Ier. 15.5 therefore as 2 Cro. 20.30 7. Let Christ have preheminence in our love as he is above all so we must love him above all creatures the choise the strength of our affection must be bestowed upon him Deut. 6.4 We must love him with all manner of love as the work the of his hand that framed it the creature the Creator for we are the work of his hands Col. 1.16 as the subject loveth his gracious Soveraigne for he is the Prince of our peace Isa 9.6 as the ransomed loveth him that redeemed him for he is our Redeemer 1 Tim. 2.6 as the Disciple loveth the teacher for he is our Master Mat. 10.24 as one friend doth love another for he is our choisest friend Iohn 15.13 as the Wife the Husband for he hath joyned himselfe in wedlocke to us so we must love him with creatures love a subjects love a ransomed mans love af a true love c. Hos 2.19 none in himselfe so worthy to be beloved none ever can so well deserve our love none will none is able so abundantly to requite our love none doth or can so well entertaine our love none can yeeld such abundant satisfaction to our affection therefore let us give him the chiefest roome in our affections let us have our hearts so wrought upon that with the spouse we be even sicke of love Cant. 2.4 that Psal 73.25 that 2 Cor. 5.14 8. Let Christ have the preheminence in our joy as he is above all so let us rejoyce in him more than in Father Mother Child Wife or any other endowment as Paul said of the Thessalonians so let us say of Christ 1 Thes 2.19 20. this was the Apostles charge Phil. 4.4 and his resolution Gal. 6.14 Gods people can see nothing but Christ worthy to be rejoyced in the men of the World do hate them Ioh. 15.19 the strength riches of the world have vanity and changeablenes in them Psa 33.17 Psal 60.11 1 Cor. 3.20 21. the peace and pleasures of the World are great strangers to them their way is full of thornes their day full of clouds their habitation is like a house in the wildernes their condition like the condition of Pilgrimes Psa 34.19 1 Pet. 2.11 onely Christ is their comfort Phil 3.3 He bringeth remission of sin reconcileth them to God and therefore in him they rejoyce Rom. 5.11 He maketh peace for them worketh peace in them he revealeth Gods counsell to them 1 Cor. 1.30 therefore vers 31. they have nothing whereof to rejoyce but it cometh from him therefore behoofull they should rejoyce principally in him and turne all matter and occasion of rejoycing to rejoycing in Christ 9. Let us give him preheminence of Dominion in our hearts in our lives above all others above the World above Satan above our own corruption Let Christ have the whole possession of the heart let sin like Dagon be cast to the ground and the Kingdome of Christ like the Arke erected let the whole man be made universally subject to him let the eye in seeing the ear in hearing the tongue in speaking the hand in working the foot in walking the heart in thinking the understanding in judging the will in chosing the affections in imbracing or refusing shew their subjection yeeld unto Christ the chief Dominion every Member every faculty must be so serviceable that Christ may be able to say of it as the Centurion of his Servants Mat. 8.9 They must all wait like Ahimaaz for their commission run as soon as Christ shall give their charge unto them This is the Apostles charge Rom. 6.13 his commendation of the Romans vers 17. Christ must have no corrivals he must raigne as King alone he will not live as a Servant it must not be in this as Solomon saw it sometimes in another case Eccles 10.7 Christ will not walk on foot and the World Sin and Satan on hors-back no neither will he ride in the same Chariot with them 2 Cor. 6.14.15 as he is above all so he will rule over all 10. Let Christ have the preheminence in all our undertakings as he is above all so let us above all things seek his glory let us as it were set Christ upon our shoulders that he onely may be preheminent that he onely may be seen and we like men stand in the croud not taken notice of if Christ may be honoured let us be content to be reproach'd if be may be enriched let us be willingly made poor thus the Baptist was content to be as a tree that withereth that the beauty of Christ the tree of righteousness might be the more glorious to lose his honour if thereby the honour of Christ might increase so Paul 2 Cor. 4.3 he exalted Christ did not preach himself did not set forth himself shew his wit learning eloquence hunt applause but sought onely how to make Christ glorious as a man that carrieth a light to direct others doth not put forth himself but putteth forth his light that all may see by it a man that goeth to take fowl putteth forth his bait but hideth himself so Gal. 1.10 Acts 20.24 1 Cor. 10.31 33. Acts 3.12 In all these things we must study to give Christ the preheminence This serveth for the singular comfort of all Gods Servants who by a lively faith are ingrafted into Christ and have imbraced him as their
the whole man shall be cleansed from all iniquity and to labour for this estate let us be perswaded 1. Because this will interest us in all Gods favours make all things to become ours to be comfortable helpfull beneficial this will make God to be our God our Father Christ to be our friend Mediator Advocate Husband Sun Shield Prince of peace the Spirit of God to be our comforter Ioh. 15.26 our guide Io. 16.13 to be our earnest penny and our Seal to assure us of the Lords mercy and loving kindnesse Ephes 1.13.14 a fire to warm us 1 Thes 5.19 water to cleanse us Isa 44.3 the Ministery of the Gospel to be a Ministery of reconciliation to us 2 Cor. 5.18 a pleasant light to shine unto our feet Psal 119.105 a heavenly Manna pure milk to feed our Souls 1 Pet. 2.2 a goad to drive us forward Physick to heal us a weapon to kill sin and defend our Souls all the earth shall be serviceable to us this life and the life to come shall be ours 1 Tim. 4.8 we shall be the richest people upon earth have better revenues than all the mighty men in the World Psal 34.10 Because this will inable us to finde many sweet and heavenly comforts in Gods ordinances this will make them full of precious and choise delights to our Souls this will make them be a delicate and dainty feast this will cause us to behold them as a letter of love from the Lord Jesus the Bridegroom of our Souls this will make them sweet as the hony-comb to our palate Psal 19.10 even the rejoycing of our hearts Jer. 15.16 this will make them more precious than any Treasure Psal 119.72 more pleasant than any tidings Luke 2.10 this will make them the savour of life to our Souls 2 Cor. 2.14 this will make them speak peace to our consciences Isa 57.19 this will make them as a banquet to the hungry stomack Cant. 2.4 this will make them as the Dove to Noah as the Star to the wise-men as the water out of the Rocks to Israel this will inable us to say of them as David of Jonathan 2 Sam. 1.26 3 Because this will cause all to work for our good if we be regenerate whatsoever is against us shall in the issue be with us prove beneficial for us as David said of Shimei's railing 2 Sam. 16.11 So the fiery darts which Satan casteth the venemous arrowes which the evill speakers quiver shooteth the heavy burthens which the hand of the potent enemy imposeth imprisonment sicknesse poverty temptations disgrace and whatsoever it be it shall all by the gracious hand of God be turned to our good if we like David be men after Gods own heart for Tit. 1.15 all shall be for their welfare all shall be blessed to them the sword which is unsheathed against them shall like Goliah's sword become an instrument to cut off the enemies head the envious practises of their brethren shall be a means of their advancement as in Joseph the pit which is digged the snare which is spread for them shal take and entangle him that spread it every obstacle shall be turned into a furtherance every burthen into wings every lyon shall have a honey-comb in his belly This is the priviledge of Gods people the prerogative of sanctification an inducement full of power to perswade all that are not past feeling to return to God by true repentance to serve him in holiness and true righteousness 4. Since the natural mans workes are all naught water of a poysonous fountaine fruit from an evil tree let us all examine and try our selves what our workes are whether they be good or evill And this we shall discerne 1. By the fountaine whence they spring all good works must come from a good and a sanctified heart The good ground which brought forth good fruit resembled a good and honest heart and Matth. 12.35 Matth. 7.17 all the works of a carnal man are dead works in regard of their original nature and issue none but a new creature can doe the works of new obedience All our actions are actions of uncleanness till we be washed and justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus 2. By the rule by and in obedience to which they are done They must not be done after our fancy in obedience to our own will our Sacrifice must be offered with fire from Gods Altar what we doe must be that which God required and it must be done because God hath required it Lev. 10.1 2. 1 Sam. 15.22 out of conscience to Gods precept 3. By the faith and perswasion we have in our heart when we do it We must beleeve that God in Christ is well pleased with us we must bear fruit as branches of Christ else it will be in Gods account as soure grapes Heb. 11.6 As we must ask all so we must do all in the name of Christ 4. By the affection wherewith it is performed It must not arise out of feare nor proceed from constraint but out of unfeigned love to God This must be the first mover in all our undertakings 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 9.7 as Jude 5.2 5. By the circumstances wherewith it is apparelled as Prov. 25.11 for Eccles 3.1 and Matth. 6.3 4. 6. By the end whereunto it is done We must chiefly look unto God all our arrows must be levelled to his glory as to the chiefest mark we are not our own but his by our election he hath chosen us Eph. 1.5 6. By our creation he hath made us for himselfe Prov. 16.4 By our redemption he hath bought us to himselfe 1 Cor. 6.20 By our vocation he hath called us to shew forth his praise 1 Pet. 2.9 and to him must we live 2 Cor. 5.15 If our works be thus qualified we may be sure they come from a regenerate spirit and are well accepted of him who is above all This is a repetition of what was formerly spoken to shew his disciples that they must needs subject themselves to Christ and to let them see how difficult it is he doth againe repeat it So that you see the repetition and the reason of the repetition The former may teach us Doct. 1 1. It is very needfull that Gods Ministers should often urge and presse the same material duties upon their hearts Phil. 3.1 that they may understand it more clearly be awakened by it more effectually affected with it more throughly that it may be imprinted upon their hearts the more effectually that it may abide with them the more constantly People must not think it unprofitable to heare the same points of doctrine often pressed upon them Naaman went seven times into Jordan Peters cock crowed thrice From the other we may learn Doct. It is a very hard thing to make men renounce all self-confidence and subject themselves unto and altogether rely vpon Christ Jesus therefore the Baptist doth againe and againe presse it This occasioned
the iniquity removed the holds of Satan cast downe they themselves delivered Isa 1.74 75. made free Jo. 8.36 from the dominion of sinfull lusts free from the tyranny of Satan the Prince of darknesse free from the world that it cannot carry us away captives free to know God free to love God free to beleeve receive and delight in God Rom. 6.18 no more the children of the bond but of the free woman Gal. 3 31 no more like Lazarus in the grave but like Lazarus risen walking after following and eating with Christ obeying delighting and rejoycing in him no more going about the duties of holinesse by compulsion but like the elders Iud. 5.3 6. By the matter of our mediation having entertained Christ into our hearts we thinke of Christ the things appertaining to his kingdome more then of any other thing whatsoever As the Wife thinketh of her Husband more frequently more affectionately with more freedome fulness strength with more motion of love then of any other mans the good subject spendeth more and better thoughts about his Soveraigne then about a forraign Prince so all they who by a lively faith have betrothed themselves to Christ given up their names to him do frequently and fervently meditate upon him and his testimonies Phil. 4.8 Cant. 3.1 Psa 1.2 Phil. 3.20 Heb. 13.14 7. By the simplicity plainnesse and integrity of our hearts true believers are true Nathaniels like Christ in whom there was no deceit their disposition their conversation is like Christs Coat without welt or gard therefore likened to Doves Mat. 10.16 to little children Mat. 18.3 Rom. 16.19 like bounglers that have no skil no art in working what is unlawful this is the exoration of the Apostle Phil. 2.15 and this is the care of Gods servants Acts. 23.16 And this is the joy of Gods people 2 Cor. 1.12 and by these things may we know whither we have entertained Christ or not Verse 33. It is not the least but the choisest labour of Gods faithfull ministers to breed faith in the hearts of Gods servants the nature of this is most excellent the presence of it most pleasant the use of it most profitable the opposition against it very strong the honour arising to God from it very great therefore the baptist endeavoureth from the singuler use benefit of faith on the one side and from the danger and dammage of infidelity on the other side to perswade his disciples to beleeve tels them that hee who hath received his testimony hath set to his seale that God is good Hee whatsoever hee be of whatsoever condition or calling of whatsoever place or Countrey who hath received his testimony hath hearkned to the voice of Christ with his eare comprehended the message of Christ with his understanding opened his heart imbraced it with his affection builded his confidence thereupon that man hath put to his seale consented subscribed acknowledged confessed published declared that God is true that all the words which Christ hath spoken are the words of God that there is no deceit in them that God is faithfull in fulfilling all his promises from whence the Baptist teacheth us That it is a great honour to God that his servants do by a lively faith imbrace build upon his promises as man is honoured when his words are beleeved his promises imbraed so is God c. and God by this meanes is honoured First by then acknowledging of of his truth and fidelity nothing is more dear to God then his truth no sacrifice more acceptable to God then a lively faith whereby we publish him to be a true a faithfull and a righteous God a God of truth Deut. 32.4 a faithfull God Deut. 7.9 2. By the acknowledging of his power and Alsufficiency hereby we declare to all the world that power belongeth unto God Psa 62.11 that he is Alsufficient Gen. 17.1 that he can doe whatsoever pleaseth him Psa 135.4 5. Gen. 18.14 3. By relying wholly upon him for life and salvation not leaning on any arme of flesh not trusting to any of our owne or others works but acknowledging our owne righteousnesse to bee but ragges Isa 64.6 our owne Vessel to be empty the fruit of our owne Tree to bee sower grapes the wages of our own worke to be death therefore going out of our selves unto God and relying on him by faith wee doe glorifie his name 2 Cor. 12.9 4. By departing from iniquity beleeving the promises of mercy the threatnings of Wrath wee humble our selves for our iniquities are moved to repentance Jona 3.5 Acts. 15.9 5. By becoming living members of Christ fruitfull and bearing branches in the true Vine Christ Jesus Jo. 15.8.6 by addressing our selves to God by fervent prayer for comfort in heavines for deliverance in dangers for peace in troubles Psa 116.10 7. By giving us victory over all assaults Ro. 8.36 37. 1. Jo. 5.4 Vse This therefore will teach us that it is a great sinne not to beleeve a great dishonour to God not to give credit to his word to heare and not receive his testimony to have the promise of life unfolded and not heartily imbrace it not firmly build upon it for hereby they call the truth of God into question make God like a man that may lye the Son of man that may repent rob God of his truth which is most essentiall and proper to him yea take away that which is most deare to him and judge him unworthy to be beleeved therefore in the 1 e. of Jo. 5.10 2. Hereby they thinke of God as a broaken bough a withered reed a weake arme a God insuffient to fulfil what he hath promised a God unable to provide for them that depend upon him 3. Hereby they build upon some other foundations seeke for somewhat in the creature which they imagine is not to be found in the Creator with Ahaziah leaving the God of Israel and go to Beelzebub with Israel forgetting the rock that made them they goe to Aegypt for assistance in the day of trouble 4. Hereby they disobey and rebell against God they shake off that yoak of subjection which God hath put upon them therefore the unbeleefe of Moses and Aaron is called a transgression Deut. 32.51 and rebellion Num. 27.14 2 Kings 17.14 15. 5. Hereby they dishonour God in the eyes of others give an evill example become a stumbling block to their brethren confirme many in evil Numb 20.11 12. 6. Hereby they dispise the good things which God hath provided for them which God hath promised unto them the fountaine of his loving kindnesse is reputed an empty pit the glorious sunshine of his favours is looked upon as a lampe without oyle as a tree without fruit as a hive without honey Psa 160.24 7. Hereby they grow discontented with their estate repine against God as against a hard master that dealt not well with them enjoyning a labour not to be performed by them
as if God had brought them into a condition wherein he could not preserve them into a danger out of which he could not deliver them made a promise which he was not able to accomplish Psa 106.25 Hereby they deny Gods Soverainty and dominion they harkened not saith the. Psalmist Psa 106.25 that is they detracted from Gods authority and dominion they would not be guided by his voice ruled by his counsell but would fight against the Amalekites go into the land of promise when God forbad them Deut. 1.42 43.44 thus you see now greatly God is dishonoured by infidelity 2. Therefore as we doe desire to make the name of God glorious to doe any thing pleasing in Gods presence let us labour to beleeve his word to consent subcribe and yeeld to the truth of his testimony to search after the through-knowledge of it to imbrace it with most hearty and unfained affection to build upon it as upon a sure foundation to rest upon Christ alone for life and salvation to get a gracious perswasion in our hearts of the goodnesse of God in Christ towards our own soules to stay upon Christ as upon a sure pillar to build upon him as upon the onely foundation a foundation which will not faile to fasten our faith upon him as the marriner his Anker on a sure rock and as 2 Chron. 32.8 so let us rest our selves upon the promises of God no other hath promised life and salvation no other can conferre the remission of sinne and life eternall no other can deliver from Hell sinne and Satan therefore let us take off our hearts from all other and relye onely upon him Isa 45.22 for there is no other name Acts 4.12 and all the promises which God hath made in him are most certaine 2 Cor. 1.20 most constant whatsoever change there be this faileth not Isa 40.8 this like the Sea continueth full though other water brookes doe faile these are most pleasant and delightfull full of refreshment delight and comfort to Gods people Psa 23.4 and in beleeving Gods promises in geting interest in them in building upon them wee shall be drawne to attend Gods ordinances with delight as the child sucketh the brests as Job desired it more then his appointed food to come as to our fathers house as into our friends presence to be glad with David Psa 122.1.2 Wee shall stirre up others to seeke God in the use of his ordinances we shall call others Jsa 2.2 wee shall strive to bring them to the Physitian of their soules to make them partakers of his Grace Lu. 22.32 3. Wee shall be full of love to God and to his wayes Gal. 5.6 7. Wee shall be rich in all good works like a tree full of fruit a garden full of sweet flowers and thus shall we abundantly glorifie God by believing to this we should be induced by considering the fulnesse and Alsuffici of Christ Jesus for Verse 34. He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit to him by measure The Baptist here rendereth the reason why they doe put to their seale that God is true when they doe receive the testimony of Christ even because the testimony of Christ is the testimony of God for Christ is come from his Heavenly Father and God alone doth speake by him for so Jo. 7.16 Jo. 14.24 Heb. 5.5 6. wherein we may consider 1. Christs authority he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God 2. His sufficiency for he hath not received the spirit by measure first his authority hee was sent of God equall with God in regard of his Divine Essence but inferiour to the Father according of his humane nature office of a Mediatour the Sun is said to be sent in that he was appointed put forth and furnished with gifts and authority to fulfill the office of a Mediatour Gal. 4.4 and to speake the words of God in that as a Messenger declareth not his owne mind but his who sent him So Christ doth deliver the mind and Councell of God the Father from whence we may learne that the doctrine which is delivered by Christ Jesus is most holy and infallable the very word of God who is truth it selfe a doctrine of power to convince Mat. 7.28 full of light to give knowledge Mat. 4 16. a key opening Gods Councell which is hidden from the wise men of the World Lu. 10.21.22 a Doctrine not to be reproved but worthy to be beleeved Jo. 8.46 therefore to this wee should come upon this wee should wait as upon the light which alone is able to shew us the way of life as upon the Schoole wherein we may learne true wisedome 2. Tim. 3.17 as on the Jordan which will cleanse us from our iniquities Jo. 15.3 This wee should imbrace as the seed which will beget us againe unto a new life Jo. 1.18 As the voice which will raise us Jo. 11.44 Jo. 5.25 On this wee should feed as on the Milke which will make us grow in the grace of Gods Spirit 1 Pet. 2.2 this wee must follow as the fiery pillar which will lead us to the Heavenly Canaan this wee must use as the Spiritual weapon which will beate down the holds of sinne Satan which will cast him downe as the thunder doth the lightning thus wee must affect as the meanes of peace and reconcilement between us and our God Much more might be said of this but wee have lately heard of this more largely One thing more may be learned out of these words from the preparation of Christ to his office as he comming to preach the Gospel had his commission from God spake no other but the words of God so it setteth before us the duty of Gods Messengers and teacheth us Gods Ministers must be sure that God doe give them their commission and that they preach nothing but what is Gods will and councell First they must have a commission as an Embassadour must have a commission from his Soveraigne So Heb. 5.4.5 This is so needfull that without it they cannot discharge their calling Ro. 10.15 Therefore wisedomes Maidens Christs Ministers went not of their owne accord but were sent Pro. 9.3 And the Prophets of old went not upon their owne head but the Lord sent them Jer. 44.4 The disciples of our Saviour had also authority given before they undertooke this function Mat. 10.16 as they must have their commission so they must deliver none but Gods mind and message to the people an Embassadour may not deliver his owne but his Soveraignes message to the people it was the Lords charge Ezeck 2.7 It was Pauls care 1 Cor. 11.23 and 1 Pet. 4.11 And it was Peters comfort 2 Pet. 1.16 2. Cor 1.11.12 2 Cor. 4.1.2 Their commission they must have from God 1. Because otherwise they cannot faithfully open the mind and councell of God how can they preach accept they be sent unlesse they be furnished and prepared by the
grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 If any man want wisedome to discerne the things which differ to know the deepe things of God let him seeke it at the hands of God for this is also Gods gift Matth. 16.17 If any man want faith let him aske of God for this is also the gift of God Phil. 1.29 If any man want peace let him seeke it from the Lord for it commeth from him Ro. 16.20 If any man want love let him addresse himselfe to God for it for hee is love 1 Jo. 4.8 And the God of love 2 Cor. 13.11 If any man want patience let him sue to God for he is the Authour of it Ro. 15.5 As the lame men came to Bethesda to be healed as Naaman came to Iordan to bee washed as the lame man lay at the gates of the Temple for an almes so come you to God to bee healed to be cleansed to be enriched with every good gift hee alone can supply your wants Hos 13.9 All other helpers are Physitians of no value you shall be constrained to come to him at last goe whither yee will for the present Mar. 5.29 You shall be constrained Hos 14.3 All the world shall say as 2 Kings 6.26 27. Hee alone hath promised to lend the hand of assistance to open the fountaine of his Loving-kindnesse to warm us with the Sun-shine of his countenance to delight our soules with his comforts Mat. 7.7 Mat. 11.28 Psa 81.10 Hee alone knoweth our wants is acquainted with our weaknesses he knoweth what wee need before wee aske Nah. 1.5 Hee alone careth for us in our distresse as a father for his childe a Shepheard for his flock his eyes are upon us Psa 14.15 He is sensible of our afflictions Isa 63.9 As a mother of the affliction of her childe Isa 49.15 Therefore let us not goe to Egypt to Baalzebub to Endor let us not goe to the Physitians which have no skill to the trees which have no fruit to hives which have no honey to the store-houses which have no treasure to the lamps which have no light to withered hands which have no strength but let us goe to God in whom is all fulnesse all goodnesse all abundance and hee will surely give if wee aske in faith Iam. 1.5.6 In humility Iam. 4.6 In sincerity Psa 145 19. In fervency Iam. 5.16 In constancy Lu. 18 3. 2. Over all blessings Gods gifts are the free favours of his hand then be not proud of thy great abundance art thou advanced above others is the roots of thy tree more abundantly watred then others hath the Sun shined more warmly on thee and thy dwelling then others hast thou more feathers in thy nest in thy wings then others have be not proud it is all the gift of God what hast thou which thou hast not received hast thou riches hast thou honoures are not these branches growing upno Gods Tree 1 Chr. 29.12 1 Sam. 2.8 Psa 75.6.7 Hast thou knowledge is thy soule full of light is not this a Lampe of Gods kindling Col. 1 26.27 Hast thou faith is not this a work of Gods finger Jo. 6.29 Hast thou holinesse is not this a garment of Gods weaving of Gods putting on Ezeck 16.8.9.10 Was not thine iniquity purged with a Coale from Gods Altar Isa 6.5 Think upon any gift any endowment of the body or of the minde where-with thou art adorned and see if it be not a streame of Gods fountaine a letter of his writing an undeserved favour of Gods bestowing looke upon the freedome of Gods goodnesse thinke upon thine own unworthiness meditate upon Gods end and purpose in the donation of his favours bee affected with thy walking unworthy of Gods mercies let thy thoughts be upon the strict account whereunto God will call thee for the imployment of all the favours hee hath bestowed on thee and then bee not high minded but feare 3. Is every blessing every good thing we enjoy Gods gift then let us give God the praise of all let us so imploy all that wee may glorifie God in the use thereof as they have their originall from him so in their use they must serve him Rom. 11.36 Who saith the Apostle planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk 1 Cor. 9.7 So shall God feed us shall God plant us shall God water us shall God bestow upon us all manner of blessings and shall not he have the praise thereof shall not he be honoured with it Prov. 3.9 Shall not all be so ordered so disposed that God may be magnified according to that 1 Pet. 4.11 Is not God who hath made all who hath preserved all who hath done all for us worthy of praise Rev. 4.11 Is not this the voice of all creatures doe they not all say Rev. 5.13 And shall not man who hath drunke deepest of the cup of Gods mercies tasted most abundantly of the River of Gods Loving-kindnesse bee thankfull to him for his blessings and study to glorifie him in the use of such talents as you hath received from him and to the end wee may glorifie God in the use of his gifts and be thankfull for his mercies 1. Wee must looke upon and take notice of every gift of every blessing wee enjoy as of a gift comming from Gods hand as on a dew falling from Gods cloud as on fire taken from Gods Altar looke not so much upon second as upon the first cause upon inferiour meanes as upon God who doth all in all raise your hearts to this pitch that you may be able to say with Jacob Gen 30.8 Gen. 33.5 With Joseph Gen. 48.9 As Moses taught Israel to say Deut. 26.9 So thou must be able feelingly to say God hath given mee his Word his Sacrament his spirit God hath given mee health strength liberty food raiment Wife children take it all as a gift of God and then thou shalt strive to give God the glory of it Deut. 26.10 2 Labour to get your heart throughly affected with the goodnesse of God therin strive to see it to take it as a singular mercie from the hands of God to read therein the lively characters of Gods Love to tast the sweetnesse and goodnesse of God in the same to be stirred up to rejoyce in God thereby and then wee shall seeke to glorifie God therein as 1 Sam. 1.27 28. She was affected with Gods goodnesse in the gift and therefore gave the same again unto God and to this we are exhorted Psal 34 7 8. And of this we have example Psa 38.17 19. 3 Be thereby stirred up to love God let it be as a Bellows blowing up thy cold affections as beams from the Sun warming thy heart as a Load-stone to draw thee neerer unto God Psal 116.1 2. And then he disputed with himself casts about what course to take that he might glorifie God verse 12. this will constrain them to doe all for Gods
glory 2 Cor. 5.14 This will make them esteem nothing to dear for God Rev. 12.11 4. Be hereby drawn to rest and depend upon God as upon an Alsufficient Arme an iron pillar a sure foundation as a sick man upon a Physitian full of art and skill to cure him as a poor man upon a rich friend aboundantly able to supply him as a child upon a loving father able to releeve him to this the people exhort one another upon the sight of the great things which God should doe for them in giving Christ to them in working their spiritual feedom Isa 26.12.3 4. Psal 61.3 4 5. Confidence in God wil surely animate us to do good a man cannot beleeve in God but he must also live to God Psal 37 3. 5. Bee hereby put in minde of God let every gift you receive every blessing you enjoy be a monitor to bring God to your remembrance to make you think upon the Alsufficiency which is in him from whom all these things flow as water from the fountaine to make you consider how respectfull God is unto you how mindfull hee is of you how abundant his mercy and loving kindnesse is towards you every favour must be as an Embassadour testifying Gods goodness as the voice of Watch-men to bring the Lord to your remembrance Deut. 8.13.18 Psa 63.5.6 6. Bee hereby occasioned to rejoyce and delight thy selfe in God as rich gifts and liberall testimonies of love from a friend cause the receiver to rejoyce in his love so must the many gifts which he bestoweth on us cause us abundantly to rejoice and delight our selves in God who is so mindfull of us so open-handed and plenteous in his mercies towards us this must be as sweet sounding Musick in our eares cheering up our dull and drooping spirits as Wine filling our heavy hearts with gladnesse Psa 28.6.7.8 1 Sam. 2.1 Deut. 12 7. Deut. 16.11 7. Endeavour to imploy all thy abilities to the best uses in the way wherein they may bring most honour to God like a good Steward seeke not your owne but your great Masters advantage bestow upon the maintenance of Gods worship every man in his calling place and according to the measure of the gift God hath given to him Exod. 35. from the 20. to the 30. and 1 Chro. 29.3.6.9.10 If thou hast knowledge instruct Gods people if thou hast courage oppose Gods enemies if thou hast joy magnifie God with praises if thou hast sanctity faith patience meeknesse shew it by thy contempt of the world patient bearing of afflictions holy grave and religious carriage glorifie God by giving a good example to others if thou hast earthly abundance say with the Psalmist Psa 16.3 As 1 Tim. 4.14 1 Chro. 12.7 Thus of the giver next of the gift not the world not externall and transitory riches not earthly and vanishing honours but the Spirit none dearer to God then Christ none more regardfull of Gods Glory none ordained to a more honorable service and therefore without controversie God bestowed on him the chiefest gifts the rarest pledges of his Love and what are these but the gifts of the Spirit from whence learn Doct. That the holy and saving graces of the Spirit are of all other gifts the most excellent as the Sun excelleth the Gloe-worm the Vine is to be preferred before the bramble the purest and most perfect wine befor-the smallest water so are the gifts of the spirit to be preferred before all the endowments of the world these like Beniamins portion are five-times as good as any of his brethrens like Isaacs Inheritance far better then Ishmaels moveables this is evident by the titles and attributes given to these graces as precious 2 Pet. 1.1 Exceeding great and precious Verse 4. unspeakeable and glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 Unsearchable riches Ephes 3.8 deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Excellency of knowledge Phil. 3.8 Things more Excellent Ro. 2.18 2. By the similitudes used to expresse the nature excellency worth use and comfort of them the Sun and Moone the most glorious among the starres Cant. 6.10 Doves the most harmlesse among the birds of the Aire Cant. 2.14 Trees of Frankinsense the choisest of all spices a Garden inclosed wherein are trees of the choisest nature a fountaine sealed a fountaine of living and streaming Waters of all waters the most pure and pleasant Cant. 4.14.15 wine and ointments the chiefest liquor of the grape Cant. 1.3 Gold and Silver the purest mettals in the earth Cant. 1.11 An Inheritance choisest among possessions Col. 1.10.11 3. By the comparisons which the Holy Ghost doth make between these and the choisest gifts of the earth Pro. 3.14.15 Pro. 8.11 Cant. 4.10 Eccles 9.16.18 4. By the price which Gods people have put upon them Phil. 3.8 5 By the charge given to seek imbrace them before and above all other things Mat. 6.33 Pro. 8.10 And these are of blessings the most Excellâ—nt 1. Because these have the most excellent authour all things are the common worke of Gods hand but grace holinesse and true righteousnesse are the Crowne of his Labours the Glory of his workeman-ship as the Sun to the Candle as the Flower to the common Grasse a fruit of â—he Sanctifying finger of Gods Spirit Gal. 5.22 2. Because they are of the most pure excellent nature these are Gold without drosse trees not having one fading leafe nor one rotten branch these are of a Holy and Heavenly originall as it was fore-told of men in regard of the paucity of them Isa 13.12 So it is true in regard of the saving grace of Gods Spirit it is more precious then fine Gold even then the Golden Wedge of Ophix Job 16.28.17.18 3. Because these are the best the choisest and most lively expressions of Gods Image it is not gold and silver gorgeous apparell that maketh a man like God but true holinesse Col. 3.10 Ephes 4 22 Therefore God doth not say bee yee rich for I am rich bee yee strong for I am strong ascend you the steps of earthly dignity for I am glorious though this be true but bee yee holy for I am Holy Lev. 11.44 other things are rich as the earth hath store of treasure in her bowels other things are strong for so the Rocks are other things are glorious as the Sun Moone Starres Flowers but holinesse is that which doth peculiarly expresse Gods Image 4. Because this is the gift which God bestoweth on them that are deare to him the Sun shineth on the bad as well as on the good the worst men have often the largest portion of earthly good things their tree is most fully loaden their cup most plenteously filled the wicked mans Barnes must be enlarged to hold the fruits which God hath given him Lu. 12.18.19 Psa 17.14 But the saving graces of the Spirit these are the jewels which God bestoweth on his owne children these are the riches with which hee doth endowe them all things are Gods gift but in comparison of
3.1 Isa 26.8.9 2. To use all diligence to get them all businesse set apart all other gaine neglected let us seek to be partakers of Grace of the Spirit as the Wise men left their owne countrey to come to Christ the disciples left all to follow him so let us take off our hearts from the world from carnall friends and from whatsoever is deare unto us and seeke to bee endowed with heavenly riches let us Pro. 2.2 3. Let us with David Psal 27.4 desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all our life that we may behold the beauty of the Lord to enquire in his temple Jer. 50.4 Dan. 9.3 Let us by hearing premeditation fasting and by all holy meanes seeke this grace 3. Let us value it more highly then all the treasures of the earth for Job 28.19 Psa 84.10 Psa 119.72 4. Let us love it more entirely then any other endowment give them the preheminence in our affections the chiefest roome in our hearts let us enlarge desires of our hearts towards them let us bestowe the strength and quintessence of our love upon them let us so affect them that with the Spouse we be sick of love Cant. 5.2 So love them that it make us long for them Psal 119.20 so love them that with Jacob we serve an apprentiship for them 5. Let us rejoyce and delight in it more then in all earthly treasure as Matth. 2.10 So wee to see any starre of Grace appeare in the heart as Anna 1. Sam. 2.1 So wee for our new birth thus Psa 4.6 6. Let us receive it more thankfully as Eccles 16.1 Gal. 6.14 7. Let us treasure it up more carefully when Achan had gotten a golden Wedge hee hid it 8. Let us receive the saving graces of the Spirit more thankfully then any common endowments and render more praise to God for this then for any other favour let us be more thankeful for our new birth then for noble birth so for victory ouer sin then for conquest our all bodily enemies for the riches of grace then for all worldly treasures for knowledg faith love meekness patience the joy of the spirit then for all the choisest jewels and most precious praises in the world As wee receiv a cup of pure and pleasant wine more thankfully then a cup of small water a piece of gold more thankfully then a handful of ordinary and common earth as Theodosius gave more thanks that hee was a member of the Church than head of the Empire so should wee give more thanks that wee are the members of Christ Jesus than for the greatest earthly present whereunto the hand of the world can advance us as Naman was thankful for the purging of his leprosie so let us for the washing away of the filth of sin as Moses sang praises to God for their deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh so let us for our deliverance out of the hands of Satan for the donation of the spirit and the grace wherewith wee are enriched Ephes 1.3 This was the Saint's practice Col. 1.12 13. Wee should say for this as David did 2 Sam. 7.18 19 20 22. so should wee com and stand before our God and say Who are wee O Lord God that thou shouldest bring us hitherto that of slaves thou shouldest make us thy free men that of men dead in sin putrified in the grave of corruption thou shouldest raise us to a new life of thorns briars thou shouldest make us fruitfull and bearing vines of strangers thou shouldest make us thine own adopted Children of poor and blinde naked thou shouldest make us rich with the saving grace of thy spirit and this was yet a small thing but thou hast also prepared everlasting mansions for us to dwell in immortal crowns for us to wear upon our heads a glorious ever shining sun to give us light even fulness of joy at thy right hand for ever And what can wee say unto thee our God for all these things how can we sufficiently laud thee for thy goodness for in this are all the motives and inducements of thankfulness If you will sing for refreshment received in the day of drought as Israël did for the spring of water Num. 21.17 here is our welspring of everliving water Joh. 4.14 If yee will bless God for victorie as Debora and Baruc did Jud. 5.1 Here is that which inableth you to tread Satan under foot Rom. 16 20. and maketh you more then conquerers in all assaults Rom. 8.36 If you will offer sacrifice and make vows as the heathen marriners for the appeasing of the tempestuous and raging Sea Jona 1.16 here is that which appeaseth a greater storm which breedeth a sweeter peace Phil. 4.7 If yee will give thanks for the opening of your eies which were blinde as the blinde man did Joh. 9.38 here is that which openeth the eie of the understanding inableth you to see the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2 9.10 This is the sword which conquereth the Physick which healeth the musick which delighteth the milk which nourisheth the wine which cheereth the friend which comforteth the hand which enricheth therefore wee should bee thankfull for this above all other blessings 7. Let us treasure up these gifts most carefully as the husbandmen hide the good seed in the ground that it may bee preserved from the fowls of the aër take root and bring forth increas as rich men lock up their jewels in strong chests place them in close and sure rooms that the hand of the thief may not reach them so must wee with all diligence hide and with all carefulness keep the saving grace of the spirit it is our choicest endowment it will yield us most comfort do us most good stand us in most stead as the people said of David 2 Sam. 18.3 Thou art worth ten thousand of us so the grace of the spirit is worth ten thousand of your sheep oxen gold and silver therefore bee as careful to keep it as the people were to keep David as a man would be to keep the apple of his eie or his right hand It was Solomon's charge to his Son a charge often repeated to make him heedful of it Proverb 3.21 4.23 urged by our Saviour Rev. 2.21 3.12 The like may bee seen in Paul Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 6.12.13.14 Satan the the World the Flesh will all strive to wrest from us the grace of the spirit by force by flattery by promises and provocations as Dalila labored to cut away Samson's locks so will these strive to rob us of God's saving grace therefore wee must give all diligence to keep it 8. Let all God's people bee contented how slender soëver their outward estate bee though you wash not your feet in butter neither doth the rock yield any oil though your root spread not out by the waters nor the dew lay not all night upon your branch though your outward glorie be not fresh
earth hee doth not promise them a paradise of pleasures to dwell in a river of wordly delights to drink of a wardrobe of rich raiment a treasury of gold and silver an eminent place of wordly honor but the grace of the spirit a holy fear to displeas him a holy care to walk uprightly before him Jer. 32.38 39 40 41. this is prophesied to be the sequel of God's love to his people Jer. 31. is the promise of his love ver 3. the testimony of it ver 8 9. I will bring them from the north countrey and all the coasts of the earth literally from Babylon Assyria and the Medes where they were detained captive spiritually from the slavery and bondage of sin and Satan and when will hee bring the blinde who cannot see the waies the commandements of the Lord the lame who cannot walk aright in the path of his precepts the woman with childe such as feel themselvs heavy loaden with the burden of their sin and did much long like a woman in travel to bee delivered and hee that travelleth with the childe the broken hearted afflicted and such as want spiritual strength to do good but how in what manner shall they come from their bondage with weeping grief for their sin and with supplication with praier for the remission of sin but by what way shall they bee led by the rivers of the water their spiritual thirst after rightetousness shall bee quenched by the preaching of the Gospel and their souls watered and refreshed by the dews of the Spirit in a right way by the doctrine of life wherein is no terror no obliquity and for why shall all this bee for I a father to Israël and Ephraïm is my first-born that is I love them with a most intimate affection they are very dear unto mee and therefore I will bestow this spiritual favor upon them this the Prophet Hosea after a metaphorical manner doth most lively and elegantly express Hos 14. v. 4. first hee maketh mention of the freedom of God's love toward them then hee setteth forth the consequences thereof the fruit growing on this tree of God's love the gifts given by this hand of God so full of love unto them and first by the similitude of a Physitian healing hee setteth out the free remission of their sin by the similitude of the dew the grace of the Spirit regenerating and quickning to new obedience by the similitude of the growing of the lilie which is an effect of the dew hee setteth out the adorning of the faithfull with heavenly graces that so both they and their services might cast a sweet savour in God's nostrils by the similitude of casting out of roots as Lebanon hee expresseth their constancy and perseverance in the grace of the Spirit notwithstanding all temptations by the similitude of spreading their branches hee declareth their increas of the Church both in graces and also in persons the great glory of the Church and the sweet savour which they should send forth both in the nostrils of God also of men by the similitude of siting under his shadow he expresseth the safety security and peace which they should enjoy under the protection of Christ by the similitude taken from the reviving of the corn hee sheweth their growth in grace even by the storms and tempests of affliction which fall upon us by the similitude of the growing of the Vine and sent of Lebanon hee proposeth the zeal of the godly and the fragrancy of their conversation so that the forgiveness of sin regeneration sanctified and acceptable obedience constancy in the way of God's commandements growth in grace joy and peace in the holy Ghost zeal and courage for God's truth these are gifts which above all the gifts in the world do testifie the love of God therefore 1 Joh. 3.1 2. Eph. 2.4 5. Reas Because these of all gifts are the most excellent these are as the Spouse said of our Saviour Cant. 2.2 Cant. 5.10 as the apple-tree among the trees of the forrest the fairest of ten thousand therefore called by the Apostle the best gifts 1 Cor. 12.31 preferred by Joh above the choicest treasure lockt up in the bowels of the earth Job 28.16 by Solomon before the chiefest riches in the custody of the merchant Prov. 3.14 though other gifts are in their kinde excellent and of great comfort to such as can rightly apply apply them yet as Prov. 31.29 so many other endowments deserve much commendation but the saving grace of the Spirit excelleth them all 2. Because these gifts of all other are the most rare most proper and peculiar to God's own children these are precious pearls given to a few they are flowers growing in few gardens a seed sown but in few fields stars shining in the firmament of few mens souls 2 Thes 3.2 earthly endowments are a liquor put into every vessel a sion graffed on every stock a seed sown on every field but these are bestowed only on the elect Tit. 1.1 3. Because these gifts do bring a man nighest to God in likeness of nature these make a man holy as God is holy for the truth though not for the measure of holiness these make a man like God as the childe is like the parent as the aër is like the sun therefore 2 Pet. 1.4 being holy wise simple sincere immortal as God is not in perfection but in trueth not independently but by communication hereby wee have fellowship with God walk with him have our conversation in heaven are of God's counsel Psal 25 9. are his friends Joh. 15.15 enjoy the light of his face Psal 21.6 a man may have all other gifts bee furnished with all other abilities and yet bee a stranger to God and Christ Eph. 1.12 4. Because these gifts of all other gifts are the most pleasant the most delightfull and full of comfort this maketh the soul of a Christian cheerfull and full of rejoycing Lu. 10.20 Isa 55.12 13. 1 Pet. 1.8 Isa 4.6 5. Because these gifts are of all others the most satisfactory and contenting these like living springs do abundantly fill the vessel of their souls like clouds full of rain they quench the thirst of the heart as they do-the dry and barren grounds like trees loaden with plenty and variety of all good fruit they fill the hungry stomack therefore likened to a living spring whose waters never fail Jo. 4.14 to milk and wine which quench the thirst Isa 55.1 to a of the choisest dainties both filling and delighting the hungry soul Isa 25.6 to great gain which quieteth the heart though enlarged with strong desires 1 Tim. 6.6 when all other gifts like water to a dropsie man do inflame their thirst and make them cry like a horsleach and make them miserable as the grave Pro. 30.15 16. then they who have the grace of the Spirit are satisfied as the child that sucketh milk from a full breast Isa 66.11 this is promised Psal 22.26 where the
kill him 2 Sam. 13.28 so when God prepareth dainties bestoweth favors to all sorts of people to som hee doth in love to others in anger 2 God hath two sorts of blessings common and special the common belong to all and are no assured testimony of God's love Eccles 9.1 Mat. 5.45 the special belong to his children and are a never faling pledge of God's love towards them 1 Cor. 2.9 10. as Abraham hath Moveables which hee gave to the seed of the bond woman but an Inheritance which was reserved for the seed of the free woman Isaac had two sorts of blessings the best for Jacob the fatness of the earth for Esau the Master of the familie bestoweth common favors on the servans but the choice is reserved for the children 3 Externall endowments are good of themselvs but without a further blessing they prove not only unusefull but also hurtfull food is good in it self but often is as poison to many sick men wealth and honors without grace to use them prove like large sails and strong winde to a little bottome an empty vessel an occasion and instrument to overthrow it outward endowments without inward holiness make us proud wanton forgetfull of God Deut. 8.12 13. exorbitant in our courses like fat pasture to a hors not accustomed to the bridle Jer. 5.8 4. The goodness of a thing is not so much to bee considered in what it is in it self as in the end why it is given afflictions which in themselvs are a fruit of sin and in that respect evil are yet in their use and end made good to God's people pils which in themselvs are bitter and distastfull to the palate are yet in their use and end of administration by the physician turned to the good of the patient so on the other side outward peace and plenty are given to sinfull men to the end they may live the more securely sin the more freely and at length bee condemned the more justly punished the more severely fat pasture in it self is good but given to the beasts to make them fit for the day of slaughter so Psal 92.6 when Jehu prepared a large sacrifice for Baal 2 Kin. 10. then hee slew the priests of Baal so when God prepareth a fat sacrifice for the wicked then they are nigh unto destruction and so much for answer to this that outward things are Gods gift and blessing but no infallible testimony of his favor to the owner of them 3. This must occasion every man to try whether hee bee lov'd of God whither hee bee dear unto him or not For the discovery whereof every man must examine not what riches what earthly preferments God hath given him but what knowledg what repentance what love what faith what purity what meekness what zeal what God hath wrought in him these are the testimonies of his goodnes and love to his children by this hee is known to bee a friend a fathér a husband to him Isa 44.5 8 13. the love of the father is known to the child more then to the servant when hee setteth him to the school giveth him good nurture traineth him up in good learning so the love of God to his people is known when hee giveth them the ministry of the Gospel Jer. 3.14 15. bringeth them unto the school of Christ maketh the light of rruth to shine in their hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 inableth them to comprehend with all Saints the heighth depth breadth and length of his love Eph. 3.19 when hee washeth and cleanseth them from their sins Tit. 3.4 5 6. as Jordan cleansed Naaman from his leprosie as the new born child is washed and cleansed from it's native uncleanness Ezeck 16.4 6. the Fullers love to the cloth the Goldsmith's to the gold is seen by purging it Mal. 3.3 4. as the fuller's sope doth purge the cloth and the refiners fire the gold put into it as our Saviour shewed his love to Lazarus by raising him out of the grave John 36.44 so it is a sure testimony of the love of God to thy soul when hee doth raise thee out of the grave of sin putteth a new life into thee Eph. 2.4 5. maketh thee a new creature dissolveth the works of the devil inableth thee to walk in the way of his commandements affecteth thy soul with the light of his countenance filleth thy heart with peace replenisheth thine inward man with grace when of unprofitable hee maketh thee proffitable Philem. 11. of a stranger hee bringeth thee nigh unto himself Eph. 2.17 when of a thorn hee maketh thee a fruitfull vine of a lion hee maketh thee a lamb Isa 11.6 7. of a ruinous heap he maketh thy soul like a polished palace Is 54.12 when of a man deaf blinde lame dead hee openeth thine ears to hear thine eies to see thy feet to walk in his way and of parched ground maketh thee a standing pool Isa 35.4 5. filleth thy soul with the waters of life Isa 44.2 3 4. then thou mayest assure thy self thou art highly loved of God It is not growth in wealth but growth in grace that can assure the heart of God's love 4 This directeth us how and in what manner to manifest our love to our brethren to such as appertain or are any way dear unto us as God manifesteth his love by giving spiritual gifts to his children so let us manifest and declare our love by being instruments to convey spiritual blessings on such as have any relation to us temporal favors can get none but a temporal a natural love they conduce but to the welfare of the body they are transitory there is no continuance in them spiritual favors are the truest testimony the best evidence of a good affection therefore thou that art a master of a family shew thy love unto them by teaching and commanding them to keep the way of the Lord as did Abraham Gen. 18.19 thou that art a father of children teach them to retain the word of the Lord in their hearts to keep his commandements to get wisdom as David taught Solomon Prov. 5.3 4 5. thou that art a husband shew thy love to thy love to thy wife by dwelling with her according to knowledge 1 Pet. 3.7 thou that art a magistrate shew thy love to thine inferiors by abolishing and beating down sin and occasions of sin as Asa and Hezekiah did 1 Kin. 15.12 2 Kings 18.4 by giving thea religious pious and godly example as David 2 Sam. 6 20. Samuel as Jehosaphat did by provoking and encourageing them to true repentance and amendment of life as Jehoshaphat and the king of Nineveh did thou that art a minister shew thy love to the people by giving them good wholesom sufficient food for their souls as our Saviour charged Peter to testifie his love thou that art a common man a friend a neighbour testifie thy love by considering thy neighbour by assembling together by provoking to love and good works by calling upon them to go
throne of grace in his name wee shall finde acceptance for his sake Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 2. though Jonathan could not appeas the anger of his father Saul against David yet our Jonathan will surely prevail with our God for us though wee are unworthy yet as the man of God looked on Jeboram for Jehoshaphat's sake 2 King 3.14 so will our God look favorably on us for Christ's sake 3 This must quicken and stirr up us to love the Lord Jesus the children use to love where the father doth the servants use to affect where their Lord God the Father loveth the Son therefore let us also get our hearts inflamed with love to him to them that love him all felicity is wished Eph. 6 24. to them that love him not all evils are denounced 1 Cor. 16.22 and many inducements there are to move us to set our affection upon 1. the dignity beauty majesty glory and excellency of his person Isa 45.3 Cant. 5.10 2. The love that hee hath shewed to us Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Jonathan's love to David caused David again to love him fire begetteth fire 3. The great afflictions hee hath suffered for us 4. The great endowments hee hath bestowed upon us 5. The many enemies hee hath conquered for us 6. The great things hee hath purchased for us in the heavens these are as so many load-stones to draw our hearts unto Christ Jesus as so many bellows to blow up the fire of our affections to inflame or hearts with fervent sacred and constant love unto the Lord Jesus and that so much the more because wee have hence seen Doctr. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness which cometh to God's servants as the waters come to us from the fountain by and thorow the cistern the light cometh from the sun to the eie by and thorow the aër so is Christ the medium whereby all the goodness of God cometh unto us and God's love to Christ is the original and prime cause hereof as Gen. 45.17 18. the love of King Pharaoh to Joseph was the moving caus of all the favor and kindness hee shewed to his father and brethren when they were in great distress by reason of the famine so the love of God the King of kings viz. Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness peace comfort which is derived and communicated to the brethren of Christ Jesus as the Ark was the caus of the wellfare of Obed-Edom's house so is God's love to Christ the caus of all our welfare this was shadowed out by the ladder in Jacob's vision Genes 28.11 12. reaching from heaven to earth the Angels ascending and descending to shew how all the goodness of God descendeth unto us by and thorow Christ this was also prophecied as the Lord hath put the grace of his spirit upon the son of righteousness to enlighten them that sit in darkness and why hath hee done so but because hee delighted in him and the Apostle speaketh plainly that wee are accepted in the beloved Ephes 1.6 Acts 2.33 Reas 1. Because wee are from all eternity elected in Christ as the Apostle witnesseth Eph. 1.4 saying wee are chosen in him before the foundation of the world in him noting the order in which wee are elected not the cause of election the grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him wee are not first elected and then Christ is chosen by reason of our fall but God out of his love did first chuse him to bee the head of the body mystical and then are wee chosen to bee his members as the head corner stone in the building is first chosen Psa 116.22 and then the other stones which are to bee put into the building hence hee is said to bee the first begotten amongst his brethren Col. 1.18 to have the preheminence to bee sealed John 6.27 set apart to be the prince of our salvation to be fore-ordained before the foundations of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 by how much more excellent things are by so much more timely and principally they bee in God's decree hee doth not think of electing and predestinating us first as a body and then come afterward by occasion to think of a him who is the head hee is the first pattern and wee are predestinated to bee like him Rom. 8.29 and as the master-picture and pattern is first and then the thing which is to bee drawn by it as in a naturall birth the head cometh first and then the feet after it so first was Christ chosen then as the head or the elect and fountain of grace and then are wee chosen in him things in their material existing have one order in their intentional another as for example a man that maketh a house intendeth to dwell under some covering 2 hee intendeth to build a house 3. to hire workmen 4. to prepare matter but in the execution hee 1. setteth stone and wood in place 2 hee hireth workmen then raiseth the frame and lastly entreth in and dwelleth there In order of materiall existing Christ is revealed promised exhibited after sin but intended before sin 1 Cor. 3.22 23. The Apostle reckoning the order in which things exist mentions 1. the world 2 the elect 3 Christ then God but giveth us to understand in order of intention that God intendeth first his own glory then Christ then the Church then the world out of which hee intended to gather such as should bee saved by Christ and thus Christ is the head of the elect and the fountain of grace 2. Because all the promises of God are to us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 hee is the cistern by which God hath promised to convey the waters of life to our souls It is hee who of God is made unto us all things behooffull to our salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 it is in him that God hath promised audience and acceptance to our persons Gen. 3.15 it is in him that the blessing was promised to all nations Gen. 12.34 it is in his dayes that all peace and felicity was promised to the Church Jer. 23.5 6. it is hee that brought good and joyfull tidings Micah 4.4 5. 3 Because God hath put all fulness in him for the good of his Church as hee hath put all fulness of light into the sun for the giving of light to the world all fulness of water into the sea for the watering of the earth so hath God put all fulness into him for our behoof that are in him that wee might receive grace needfull to salvation Col. 1.19 John 1.16 Isa 61.1 2. as all Aegypt fetched out of Joseph's store as the ointment on Aaron's head ran down to the beard even the skirts of his garment Psalm 133.1 2. 4. Because our life the life of grace is hidden in Christ even when wee were dead in sin Col. 3.3 as the life of the tree in the winter is in the root the
life of children before they are born in their parents so our life is in Christ the tree of life the second Adam the common parent of God's people and as the tree when the spring cometh and the sun shineth it full of life buddeth and blossometh so when the sun of righteousness ariseth and causeth the light of his truth to shine in our hearts then that life is manifested in us which before was hidden in him John 14.6 5. Because all the favors and gifts which God bestoweth on his people are bestowed on them in and thorough Christ in him they have redemption remission in him wee are blessed with all spiritual blessings Ephesians 1.3.7 thorough him wee have all things that pertain to life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 all that God giveth to any person in love or in mercy hee giveth it in and through Christ as the King by reason of some eminent man in the Court whom hee highly favoureth bestoweth many gifts on them of his family kindred and acquaintance 6. Because it is in him alone that God is well pleased Mat. 3.17 thorough him hee accepteth our services thorough him hee graciously casteth out upon us the light of his countenance as David shewed kindness to lame Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake 2 Sam. 1.1 2 11 12 13. so God sheweth mercy and kindness to us who are lame deformed unworthy of any favor even for his son's sake for God is in Christ reconciling us unto himself 2. Cor. 5.19 Vse This may serve to assure the children of God of the stability of God's love towards them were they loved in themselvs their disorderly conversation their unholy walking their unseemly carriage might avert the love of God from them but being loved in Christ the love of God will ever continue constant with them for Christ is ever the same with God alwayes the beloved of God ever dear in God's sight and hence the love of God to his people is as a hous builded on a rock which neither winde nor water can overturn as a sun that ever shineth as a fountain that never faileth an everlasting love Isa 54.6 9 10. a love more durable than the mountains a love continued when wee have no feeling of it when wee by our sin have deserved an utter extinguishment thereof yet in Christ wee are still beloved God hath given us unto Christ for an inheritance God hath joined us in wedlock unto Christ and wee shall bee loved for our husband's sake a great stay it should bee to God's people that God's love shall ever continue to them Two things much commend Love Antiquity and Constancy wee say such one hath loved mee 30 40 years and will not fail mee 2 This move's us to labor for interest in and for a near communion and more intire fellowship with Christ Jesus because thorough him the love of God descendeth upon us men seek for infinite acquaintance with and labor much for near communion with them that are in favor with earthly princes that they may also enjoy the love of such worldly potentates the like care should wee use to enter communion with Christ that so weee might gain the love of God and great and sweet inducements there are to move all men to labor for this fellowship with the Son 1. The dignity of Christ hee is the Son of God Psal 2.7 the Prince of peace the Lord of glory the subject's much desire highly esteem intire acquaintance with the young Prince the like and much more should wee do to have communion with Christ 2 The honor whereunto wee shall bee advanced wee shall bee the sons of God by adoption the members of Christ citizens of the new Jerusalem the Lord's free-men a roial Priesthood a chosen generation wee shall bee in respect of others as the sun to the clouds as the vine to the bramble the lily to the thorn the conqueror to the captive the son to the servant the richly arrayed to the naked the Queen to common women 3. The neer relation wee shall thereby have with Christ thereby wee shall bee servants of the family whereof hee is Lord subjects of the common-wealth whereof hee is King sheep of the flock whereof hee is shepherd scholars of the school wherein hee is chief teacher vines in the garden whereof hee is the dresser souldiers of the army whereof hee is the leader members of the body whereof hee is the head the spouse to whom hee shall bee the husband 4. The clear and comfortable knowledg wee shall thereby have of the will of God the nearer wee approach to the sun the more light wee receive Christ is in the bosom of the Father Joh. 1.18 in him are all the treasures of knowledg hidden Col. 2.3 hee can open the book with seven seals Rev. 5.5 he can open the deep things of God the hidden mysteries of our salvation 1 Cor. 2 10. though as dark as Sampson's riddle hee will give light to such as sit in darkness if they do but approach unto them Luke 1.79 5. The sweet and heavenly sense and feeling of God's love which wee shall hereby attain hereby wee shall feel the love of God shed abroad into our hearts Ro. 5.5 bee made exceeding glad with the light of his face Psal 21.6 this will inable us to look upon him as a childe on his loving father as a malefactor on his reconciled Sovereign this will inable us to rejoice in the light of God's face as in the face of our dearest friend and as Solomon saith of a friend Pro. 27.9 so shall wee bee able to say of God as ointment and perfume rejoice the heart so shall the Lord our God rejoice our souls if wee have communion with his Son 6. The blessed and unspeakable peace which wee shall hereby enjoy Rom. 5.1 the raging tempest of our souls shall bee appeased the piercing arrows of trouble removed the fiery darts of Satan quenched the hideous cry of an accusing conscience silenced the deadly wounds of the soul healed the heart so quieted all sorrow and heaviness so taken away Rom. 15.14 all inward comforts so restored that wee shall say as Peter said of the Mount Phil. 4.7 It is good beeing here 7. The glorious victory wee shall hereby win over all the enemies of our salvation wee shall hereby conquer Satan as David did Goliah 1 Sam. 17. subdue sin as Joshua did the walls of Jerico Josh 6.20 1 Job 3.8 pass through affliction as Moses and Israël thorow the red sea Job 16.35 and pass as the three children thorow the fiery fornace Rom. 8.35 8. The stability and growth in grace which waiteth hereupon this will cause the grace of the Spirit to bee in us as a living spring that is never dry as a light that shineth more and more as an immortal seed which doth not fade this will cause us to bee as trees planted and willows growing by the river's side as trees bearing much fruit in our old age this will
as the Dove finding no footing returned to the Ark. 7. Because true believers do make Christ their portion their joy their crown their riches and their glory hee is to them instead of all they will leav all to enjoy him Mark 10.28 they esteem all to bee dung in comparison of him Phil. 3.3 all to bee thorns in respect of this vine Cant. 2.2 to bee barren in respect of this fruitfull tree as the wise men rejoiced more in the star which lead unto Christ then in all other stars in the firmament Mat. 2.10 so true believers rejoyce in Christ more than in all the world and therefore their hearts cleav to him and rest upon him 8. Because true faith in Christ is alwaies attended with a singular love to Christ Jesus according to the strength of our faith is the fervency of our love the more wee apprehend the height depth and length of Christ's love to us the more do our hearts burn with love again to him Ephes 3.19 the nigher wee stand to a great burning fire the more wee are heated with it so the sense of Christ's love apprehended by saith breedeth love again unto the Lord Galat. 6.5 Vse This serveth to shew us that a general consent to the word of God as true is not enough to bring us unto life but besides this there must bee a peculiar resting staying and confidence of the heart thereupon If an earthly man of ability and truth promise us this or that help to bestow upon us this or that gift wee do not only know and think and perswade our selvs that hee saith true but besides wee say that wee trust hereunto rely hereupon quiet our selvs and seek no further the like resting of the heart must wee find upon the promise of God in Christ by this particular confidence and resting of the heart upon Christ do true believers go beyond reprobates by this do they receiv nourishment from Christ as the sions from the stock by this have they claim and interest in Christ as the wife in the husband John 15.2 Cant. 6.3 by this have they claim to the promises of God 2 Pet. 1.4 as the tenant in lands granted him under hand and seal by this is Christ very pleasant and delightful to them as the sun to the opened eye Mal. 4.2 pure and precious liquor to the thirsty Isa 55.1 by this are they distinguished from others as children from strangers John 1.12 by this they have maay sweet relations to Christ which others have not as the members to the head the branches to the vine by this they stand in the time of trouble as a ship fast anchored when others are tossed like a ship without an anchor Heb. 6.19 by this Satan's darts are expelled Ephes 6.16 when others are wounded like men that are naked by this believers are bold and confident as the lion when others fly like a hare before the the hounds Eph. 3.12 Prov. 28.1 by this wee have access to the throne of grace Rom. 5.1 when others like the foolish Virgins having no oyl in their lamps were shut out by this our services are acceptable unto God Heb. 11.6 when others like him that wanted a wedding garment are cast into utter darkness Mat. 22.12 by this the Word of God becometh sweet and savory to our palates Jerem. 15.16 when as it is like gall to others Heb. 4.2 by this it is to us as good seed to good ground and good meat to a healthy stomach 2. Therefore every man must try whether hee finde his heart thus to cleav unto and to rest upon the Lord Jesus whether hee bee sensible of the life and operation of his affection this way whether hee feel his heart trusting and resting upon the Lord as the childe upon the parent the building upon the foundation the wife upon the husband and this wee must discern 1. By the deniall of our selvs and the rejection of all humane abilities as every way insufficient to bring us unto life the more the heart resteth upon the Lord the less it resteth on worldly and created powers Prov. 3.5 the true believer knoweth the wisdom of the flesh to bee foolishness with God yea enmity against God Rom. 8.7 to bee a false prophet a deceitfull guide a withered feed and therefore will not lean thereupon will not trust thereunto any more then a traveller to a blinde guid a passenger to an ignorant pilot a sick man to one that will as soon minister poison as good physick to him but will search and seek out for a better instructer for a surer guide this the Apostle taught 1 Cor. 3.18 this the wise man gave in charge Prov. 3.7 this the prophet perswaded Isa 8.19 20 and declareth the dolefull issue of the contrary Isa 50.11 2. By our constant abiding with God in the time of affliction in the hour of temptation the more true faith is assaulted the more strongly the heart layeth hold upon God the more the childe is made afraid with any thing the more earnestly hee cryeth to his parent to keep him the more closely hee applieth himself to him the furious assault of the enemy causeth men to lay the faster hold upon the sword to hide themselvs in castles and places of sure defense the seed sown in good ground held out to the harvest Mat. 13 24. so the heart which resteth once upon the Lord abideth constant with him as a woman joyned in wedlock abideth with her husband till death so nothing can make a separation between God and the true believer hee findeth such sweetness such goodness in the Lord that neither pleasure nor torment honor nor ignominy shall remove him Job 13.5 Ro. 8.35 Isa 50.10 Psal 55.22 3. By the blessed apprehension wee have of God's goodness towards us when wee believe men will do any great thing for us then wee feel a love in our hearts arising towards them so wee first apprehend love of God in Christ towards us and then our hearts rest upon him in nature nothing moveth in desire to this or that but as wee see it lovely no more do our souls move towards or rest on God till wee apprehend him reconciled the sinfull soul doth see God forgiving many sins and then it loveth much again Luke 7.48 therefore the Apostle having mentioned our peace with God through faith annexeth the shedding of God's love abroad into our hearts Rom. 5.1.5 4. By our abundant delight and joy in God and the light of his face by our alacrity in runing the race of his commandements Psal 37.3 4. wee must delight our selvs in God with all manner of delight as the rich man is delighted with his treasure the souldier in his victories the wife in her husband Rom. 15.14 5. By our well-doing Psal 37.3 wee must strive to bee full of good works to bee plenteous in well-doing to bee fruitfull trees bearing much fruit as good servants well imploying our talent and so