be steeped in holy Thoughts It is not enough to have a few Transient Thoughts of God by the By but there must be an immoration or staying our Minds on God till our Hearts are warmed in love to him and we can say as they Luk. 24.32 Did not our Hearts burn within us But what should be the matter of our holy Musings 1. Think of Gods Immense Being Adore his illustrious Attributes which are the Beams by which the Divine nature shines forth Think of Gods Omnisciency he makes a Curious and Critical descant upon all our Actions and enters them down into his day-book Think of Gods Holiness which is the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Think of Gods Mercy this makes all his other Attributes sweet Holiness without Mercy and Justice without Mercy would be terrible Think of Gods Veracity Exod. 34.6 Abundant in Truth that is God will be so far from coming short of his word that he doth more then he hath said He shoots beyond the Promise never short of it 2. Think of the Works of God Psalm 77.12 I will meditate of all thy Works Gods works are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence here is sweet matter for our Thoughts to expatiate upon CHAP. X. Swasives and Incentives to Holy Thoughts LET me to inforce the Exhortation propound some Swasives and Inducements to be frequent in the Thoughts of God 1. The end why God hath given us this thinking faculty is that we may think on his Name When our Cogitations run out in Impertinencies like water running beside the Mill we should think with our selves thus did God give us a Talent to misimploy did he give us Thoughts that we should think of every thing but him were these Arrows given us to shoot beside the Mark 2. If we do not inure our selves to Good thoughts we cannot be Good Christians Thinking seriously on Heavenly things makes them stay in our Mind causeth delight in them and makes them Nutritive Musing on Holy Objects is like concocting food which turns it to Blood and Spirits so that without Holy Cogitation no Religion Can a man be Religious and scarce ever think of it 3. We are deeply obliged to think on God 1. God is our maker Psalm 100.3 It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Our bodies are Gods curious needle work Psalm 139.15 And as God hath wrought the Cabinet so he hath put a Jewel in it the Precious Soul Hath God made us and shall not we think of him 2. God hath sweetned our Lives with Various Mercies The city of Syracuse in Sicily was so curiously scituated that the Sun was never out of sight God hath so placed us by his Providence that the Sun-shine of Mercy is never out of sight We are Bemiracled with Mercy Mercy feeds us with the Finest of the wheat the Bread of Life Mercy guards us with a Guard of Angels it makes the Rock pour forth Rivers of Oyl and shall not the Stream lead us to the Fountain shall not we think of the God of our Mercies this were high Ingratitude 4. To have frequent and Devout Thoughts of God witnesseth Sincerity No truer Touchstone of Sanctity than the Spirituality of the Thoughts that a man is that his Thoughts are Prov. 23.7 For as he thinketh in his Heart so is he Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than words one may speak well for applause or to stand right in the Opinion of others but when we are alone and think of Gods Name and admire his Excellencies this shews the Heart to be Right Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than an Unblamable Life A man may in his outward carriage be fair yet have a Covetous Revengeful mind The Acts of Sin may be forborn when the Heart sits brooding upon Sin but to have the Thoughts Spiritualized and set upon God is a truer Symptom of sincerity than a Life free from Vice Christians what do your Thoughts run upon where do they make their most frequent Visits can you say Lord our Hearts are still Mounting up to Heaven our Thoughts are lodg'd in Paradise though we do not see thy face yet we think on thy Name this is a good Evidence of Sincerity We Judge of men by their Actions God Judgeth of them by their Thoughts 5. Thinking much on God would Cure the Love of the World Great things seem little to him that stands high To such as stand upon the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem little Villages they who are Mounted High in the contemplation of Christ and Glory how do the things of the World disappear and even shrink into nothing A Soul elevated by faith above the Visible Orbs hath the Moon under his feet A true Saint intermedles with Secular Affairs more out of Necessity than Choice St. Pauls Thoughts were sublime he lived in the Altitudes and how did he scorn the World Gal. 6.14 The world is crucified to me * 6. Thinking on God would be expulsive of Sin Whence is Impiety but from Incogitancy Did men Ruminate upon Gods Holiness and Justice durst they sin at that rate as they do That which check'd Ioseph was the Thoughts of a Sin-revenging God When the delights of sin Tickle let the Thoughts of God come into mens Minds that he is both the Spectatour and the Iudge and after the Golden Crowns and Womens Hair come the Lions Teeth Rev. 9.8 This would put them into a cold Sweat and be as the Angels drawn Sword it would scare them from sin 7. Thinking on God is an admirable means to encrease our love to God As it was with Davids musing on Mortality Psam 39.3 As I was Musing the fire burned so it is with our Musing on the Deity while we are thinking on God our Hearts will kindle in love to him The Reason our Affections are so chill and cold in Religion is because we do not warm them with the Thoughts of God Hold a Burning-glass to the Sun and the glass burns that which is near to it So when our Thoughts are lifted up to Christ the Sun of Righteousness our Affections are set on fire No sooner had the Spouse been thinking on her Saviours Beauty but she fell sick of love Cant. 5.8 O ye Saints do but let your Cogitations dwell upon the Love of Christ who did pass by Angels and think of you who was wounded that out of his wounds the Balm of Gilead might come to heal you who leaped into the Sea of his Fathers wrath to save you from drowning think of this unparallel'd love which sets the Angels a Wondring and see if it will not affect your Hearts and cause Tears of love to slow forth 8. Thinking on God will by degrees transform us into his Image As Jacobs Flock looking on the Rods that had White streaks conceived and brought forth like them Gen. â—â— 39. So by contemplating Gods Holiness we are in some
suavity and if there be such deliciousness in the Creature what is in God He must needs be better than all O my Soul shall I admire the Drop and not the Ocean Shall I think of the Workmanship and not of him that made it This is the fruit of Original Sin it hath warped the Soul and taken it off from the right Object It reproves such as indeed think of God but they have not Right Thoughts of him As the Lord said to Eliphaz Job 42.7 Ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right so some think of God but they do not think of him the thing that is right 1. They have Low unworthy Thoughts of God they Fancy God to be like themselves Psalm 50.21 Men think God is as short-sighted as they and that he cannot see them through the thick Canopy of the Clouds but he that makes a Watch knows all the Wheeles and Pins in it and the Spring which causeth the Motion God who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the inspector of the Heart sees all the intrigues and Private Caballs in the Thoughts God knows the true Motion of a false Heart Ier. 29.23 I know and am a witness saith the Lord. 2. Men have Injurious Thoughts of God 1. They deem his wayes unequal Ezek. 18.25 Is not my way equal Some call Gods Providence to the Bar of Reason and Judge his proceedings excentrick but God laies Righteousness to the Plummet Isa. 28.17 His wayes are secret but alwayes just God is most in his way when we think he is out of his way 2. They think his wayes are not Profitable Mal. 3.14 What profit is it that we have kept his ordinance we cannot shew our earnings These are not Right Thoughts of God Men think him to be an hard Master But God will be in no mans debt he gives double pay Mal. 1.10 Neither do ye kindle a sire on my Altar for nought It reproves such as instead of thinking on God their minds are wholly taken up with Vain Thoughts Vain Thoughts are the froth of the Brain Ier. 4.14 How long shall Vain Thoughts lodge with thee I deny not but Vain Thoughts may sometimes come into the best Hearts but they have a care to turn them out before night that they do not Lodge This denominates a Wicked man his Thoughts Dwâ—ll upon Vanity and well may his Thoughts be said to be Vain because they do not turn to any profit Ier. 16.19 Vanity and things wherein there is no Profit They are Vain Thoughts which are about Foolish things and run all into straw They are Vain Thoughts which do not Better the Heart nor will give one drop of Comfort at death Psalm 146.4 In that very day his Thoughts perish Vain Thoughts are Pernitious they Fly-blow the Heart and leave an ill tincture behind 4. It reproves such as have not only Vain Thoughts but Vile Thoughts 1. Proud Thoughts while they view themselves in the Glass of self-Self-love they begin to take up Venerable Thoughts of themselves and so Pride fumes up into their Head and makes them Giddy 2. Impure Thoughts They think how to Gratifie their Lusts they do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make provision or as the word signifies become Caterers for the Flesh Rom. 13.14 Sin begins in the Thoughts first men Devise sin then Act it Mica 2.2 For instance would one have preferment he bethinks himself by what Ladder he may climb to Honour He will Cringe and comply and lay aside Conscience and this is the way to rise Would a man Grow rich he sets his Thoughts a work how to compass an estate he will circumvent and pull down his Soul to build up an estate Would he wreak his Malice on another he frames an Engine in his Thoughts to take away his Life as Iezabel that Painted Harlot when she would ruine Naboth presently fains a Sham-Plot and Subtilly thinks of a way how to dispatch him 1 King 21.9 Proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high among the People and set two men Sons of Belial to Witness against him saying thou didst blaspheme God and the King and carry him out and stone him O the Mischief of Thoughts A man may Deny God in his Thoughts Psalm 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God He may commit Adultery in his Thoughts Mat. 5.28 Whosoever looks on a Woman to Lust after her hath committed Adultery with her in his Heart A man may Murder another in his Thoughts 1 Ioh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer O how much contemplative wickedness is in the World Tremble at sinful Thoughts We startle at Gross sin but we are not troubled so much for sinful Thoughts Know 1. That sin may be committed in the Thoughts though it never blossom into outward Act Prov. 24.9 The Thought of Foolishness is sin See this in two things 1. Envy the Jews envied Christ the fame of his Miracles Mat. 27.18 Pilat knew that for envy they had delivered him Here was sin committed in the Thoughts the Jews sinned by envying Christ though they had never Crucified him 2. Discontent Gen. 24.5 Cain was wroth and his Countenance fell He did Malign his Brother and his thoughts were boiled up to Discontent Here was sin committed in the thoughts Cain sinn'd by Discontent though he had never Murdered his Brother 2. God will punish for sinful thoughts We say Thoughts are free so they are in mans Court but God will punish for Thoughts it was set upon Herods score that he thought to have destroyed Christ under a pretence of worshipping him Mat. 2.8 Let us be humbled for the sins of our Thoughts Prov. 30.32 If thou hast thought evil lay thy hand upon thy Mouth That is humble and abase thy self before the Lord. The best alive had need be humbled for their thoughts 1. The Instability of their Thoughts How do the Thoughts Dance up and down in Prayer like Quick-silver they will not six 'T is hard to tye two Good Thoughts together 2. The Impiety of their Thoughts In the fairest fruit may be a Worm and in the best Heart evil Thoughts may arise Did mens Hearts stand where their faces do they would blush to look one upon another Let us I say be deeply humbled for our Thoughts Let us look up to Christ that he would stand between us and Gods Justice and that he would intercede for us that the Thoughts of our Hearts may be forgiven us Let us think of Gods Name let us lock up our selves with God every day let our Thoughts get Wings and with the Birds of Paradise fly up towards Heaven Christians look up on that day to be lost wherein you have not conversed with God in your Thoughts think of God in your Closet in your Shop Trade above the Moon Isaac went out into the field to meditate Gen. 24.63 He did take a turn in Heaven by holy Ejaculations Our Minds should
RELIGION OUR TRUE INTEREST OR PRACTICAL NOTES UPON The Third Chapter of MALACHY THE Sixteen Seventeen and Eighteen VERSES Seasonable for the Times By THOMAS WATSON sometimes Minister of Stephens Walbrook Lond. PROV 14.27 The Fear of the Lord is a Fountain of Life LONDON Printed by I. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheap-side near Mercers-Chappel 1682. TO THE READER Christian Reader BOOKS are the Children of the Brain In this Writing Age ferè ad nauseam I intended my Pen should have been silent but the variety and Weightiness of this Subject as also the desire of some Friends did prevail with me to Publish it The main design of this excellent Scripture is to encourage Solid Piety and confute the Atheists of the World who imagine there is no gain in Godliness It was the Speech of King Saul to his Servants 1 Sam. 22.7 Will the Son of Iesse give every one of you Fields and Vineyards Will the World or mens Lusts give them such noble Recompences of Reward as God bestows upon his Followers Surely it is Holiness carries away the Garland As for this Treatise it comes abroad in a plain dress Truth like a Diamond Shines brightest in its native Lustre Saint Paul came not to the Corinthians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with excellency of Speech or the Pride of Oratory His Study was not to Court but Convert It is an unhappiness that in these Luxuriant times Religion should for the most part run either into Notion or Ceremony The Spirits of Religion are evaporated When Knowledge is turned into Taste and digested into Practice then it is Saving That God would accompany these few impolite Lines with the Operation and Benediction of his holy Spirit and make them edifying is the Prayer of him who is Thine in all Christian Service Thomas Watson Dowgate Nov. 22. 1681. THE TABLE ALPHABETICAL A ABusers of Gods Iewels Punished pag. 181. Afflictions have their Consolations p. 227 Apostacy dangerous p. 8 Appearance of sin to be shunned p. 47 Arguments to hold fast Integrity in evil times p. 7 Assurance and the Fear of God consistent p. 21 B BEst need Sparing p. 202 Bodies of the Saints shall be perfect p. 192 C CArnal Fear evil p. 14 Christians instead of speaking one to another speak one of another p. 89 Comfort when God saith Ye are mine p. 171 Covenant Vnion with God to be endeavoured p. 172 D DAy of Iudgment how far to be feared by a Child of God p. 71 Day of making up Gods Iewels p. 190 Death how far to be feared by a Child of God p. 67 Different carriage of God towards his Children and the Wicked p. 134 E EVil Thoughts are Punishable in Gods Court p. 111 Excellency of the Fear of God p. 29 Eyes of Sinners at present shut p. 209 F FEar of God Described p. 15 Fear of God is by a Trope put for all Religion ibid. Fear of God makes us Fear Sin p. 45 Fearing God and keeping his Commandments Conjoyned p. 54 Fear of God how to be attained p. 80 Fear of missing Heaven p. 78 Folly of Idolaters p. 136 Friends may be forgetful but God will not p. 150 G GOD deals with his Saints as a Father with his Son p. 195 God deals well with his People when he Afflicts them p. 217 God takes notice of the Good in his Children p. 130 Gods hearkning to us should make us hearken to him p. 138 God hath a Book of Remembrance for his People p. 140 Gods owning of his People p. 161 Gods Sparing them p. 201 Good Conference to be used p. 82 Graces of the Saints shall be perfect p. 191 H HAsty Words shew the Devil to be in the Tongue p. 87 Hearts Deceit p. 62 Heart not to be hardened against God p. 156 Helps to good Discourse p. 100 Helps to holy Thoughts p. 127 Hell how far to be Feared by a Believer p. 73 Honour attends Holiness p. 174 I IDle Talk Censured p. 85 Incitements to holy Thoughts p. 114 Ingredients into the Fear of God p. 16 Integrity to be preserved Inviolable p. 3 Iovial Sinners reproved p. 25 M MAking up of Gods Iewels what it implys p. 185 Maintain honourable Thoughts of God in Affliction p. 231 Matter of our Holy Musings p. 113 Means to be good in evil times p. 9 Mercies of God to be Recorded 149 Murmuring a God-provoking Sin p. 87 N NAme of God what it signifies p. 103 O OAths weigh heavy in Gods Balance p. 89 Omnisciency of God to be admired p. 132 P PRiviledges of being in Covenant with God p. 165 R REasons enforcing the Fear of God p. 19 S SAints should be sparing in their Censures of others p. 205 Saints have Gods Ear. p. 134 Saints Purgatory is in this Life p. 144 Saints Gods Iewels p. 175 Saints should shine as Iewels p. 183 Satans Snares p. 59 Scoffers the vilest of Sinners p. 28 Secure Sinners Characterized p. 27 Serve God as a Son doth his Father p. 203 Signs of the Fear of God p. 45 Signs of such as shall goe to Hell p. 74 Silence in Religion a loud sin p. 85 Sinful compliance sordid p. 5 Sin worse than Affliction p. 46 Sin begins in the Thoughts p. 109 Sinners have not right thoughts of God p. 107 Sinners shall not be spared p. 203 Sins of the Wicked written down in Gods Book of Remembrance p. 146 Swasives to holy Conference p. 94 T THinking of God in a right manner p. 125 Thoughts of God may be Peccant p. 124 Thoughts and good Speeches of the Godly are Written down p. 140 Time of Discerning between the Righteous and the Wicked p. 210 V VAin Thoughts the froth of the Brain p. 108 Vain thoughts Pernitious p. 109 Vnion of the Saints at last p. 189 W WAnt of the Fear of God the cause of all sin p. 22 Wicked men Vile in Gods account p. 178 Wisdom to engage the Lord of Hosts on our side p. 158 Works of Mercy p. 57 ERRATA PAge 85. line 26. for no read not Pag. 155. marg 3 Vse dele 3. Pag. 188. l. 15 for discords r. discord PRACTICAL NOTES UPON MALACH III. Ver. 16 17 c. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his Name And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him c. CHAP. 1. Shewing that Christians should hold fast their Integrity in times of defection THE Scripture of Truth is the Ground of Faith This Portion of Scripture which now presents it self to our view hath its Sacred Elegancies and is all glorious within It was composed by Malachy whose name imports Messenger he came upon an
Profession to lose Heaven What think you of the Foolish Virgins They are called Virgins because they were not tainted with any gross Sin yet these Virgin-Professors were shut out Mat. 25.10 Balaam a Prophet Iudas an Apostle both cashiered We have seen some Ships have had glorious names given them the Good-speed the Hope the Safe-guard yet cast away at Sea 2. It is possible to come near to Heaven yet fall short of it Mark 12.34 Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God yet he was not near enough Men may countenance the Ministry of the Word have their Affections moved at an Ordinance and in outward show out-go the Children of God yet not having the Oyl of Sincerity in their Vessels they may be frustrated of happiness And how dismal is that to lose God to lose their Souls to lose their Hopes The Millions of Tears shed in Hell are not sufficient to bewail the loss of Heaven Well may such as have Heaven in them Fear their coming short of it Thus much for the Use of Trial. How shall we arrive at this Blessed Fear 1. Let us set God ever in our eye study his Immensity He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Almighty Gen. 17.1 He gives laws to the Angels binds the Consciences of men cuts off the Spirit of Princes Psalm 76.12 The Thoughts of Gods incomprehensible Greatness would strike an Holy awe into our Hearts Elijah wrap'd his face in a Mantle when Gods Glory passed by The reason men Fear not God is because they entertain slight thoughts of him Psalm 40.21 Thou thoughtest I was such an one as thy self 2. Let us pray for this Fear of God which is the Root of all Holiness and the Mother of all Wisdom Psalm 86.11 Vnite my Heart to Fear thy Name the Lord hath Promised to put his Fear in our Heart Ier. 32.40 Let us pray over this Promise while some pray for Riches and others for Children let us pray for an Heart to Fear God To conclude this you who have this Fear planted in your Souls bless God for it Psalm 135.20 Ye that Fear the Lord bless the Lord. God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens and caused you to ride upon the High places of the Earth He hath enriched you with that Jewel which he bestows only upon the Elect. O stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing The Fear of God is an Immortal Seed springing up into Glory Psalm 22.23 Ye that fear the Lord praise him Begin the Work of Heaven now be Spiritual Quiristers sound forth Holy Doxologies and Triumphs say as David Psalm 71.8 Let my Mouth be filled with thy Praise and with thy Honour all the day God hath but little praise in the world Who should pay him this Quit-rent if not they that fear him CHAP. V. Shewing the first Character in special of the Godly namely Speaking of God 2. HAving done with the Character of the Godly in General I proceed next to their Special Characters 1 They spake often one to another When the Wicked said It is Vain to serve God then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another The meaning of this word they spake often is they did discourse Religiously together their Tongues were Divinely tuned by the Holy Ghost Christians when they meet together should use holy Conference This is not only an advice but a charge Deu. 6.6 These words shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Indeed where there is Gratia infusa it will be effusa Grace changeth the Language and makes it Spiritual When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles they spake with other Tongues Act. 2.4 Grace makes Christians speak with Other Tongues A good Christian hath not only the Law of God in his Heart Psalm 37.31 but in his Tongue vers 30. The body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 The Tongue is the Organ in this Temple which sounds in Holy discourse Prov. 10.20 The tongue of the Iust is as Choice Silver He drops Silver sentences enriching others with Knowledge Mat. 12.35 A Good man out of the Good treasure of his Heart bringeth forth good things In his heart is a Treasure of Goodness and this is not like a bag of Mony Sealed but he brings something out of the Treasure within to the enriching of others Grace is of the Nature of fire which will not be pent up like new Wine it will have Vent There is a principle within constrains to holy Conference Job 32.18 The Spirit within me constraineth me CHAP. VI. Containing the Applicatory part IT shews the Genius and temper of true Saints they speak often one to another their Lips drop as an Hony-comb A man is known what country he belongs to by his Language He who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the Language of Canaan none of Gods children are dumb their mouth is a well-spring of Wisdom Prov. 18.4 Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion They would be counted Good but he must have good eyes that can see it I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth had they any love to God or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is their mouth would talk of his Righteousness Psalm 71.24 Friends what should we mind but Salvation what are the things of this world they are neither Entia nor Manentia Do not we see men heap up Riches and on a sudden death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God Let this cause blushing among Christians that their meetings are so unprofitable they leave God out of their discourse Why is there no good conference Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it encreased Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened Silence in Religion is a loud sin We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mark 9.12 How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil It is a rebuke to such as when they meet together instead of speaking of Heaven they have idle frothy discourse They do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Plutarch said of Alcibiades Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb but run as a Spout their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling Psalm 12.2 They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbour If Christ should ask some as he did the two Disciples going to Emaus Luk. 24.17 What manner of Communications have you as you walk they could not say as they did concerning Jesus of
conferring about the death and Sufferings of Christ Jesus Christ himself came among them Luke 24.15 While they communed together Iesus himself drew near and went with them When bad discourse is set on Foot Satan draws near and makes one of the Company but when Good discourse is promoted Jesus Christ draws near Let all that hath bin said excite good conference certainly there is no better way than this to encrease our Stock of Grace Others by spending Grow Poor but the more we spend our selves in Holy discourse the richer we Grow in Grace as the Widows Oyl by Pouring out encreased CHAP. VII Means conducing to Holy Conference IF it be asked how may Good conference be arrived at 1. If you would be discursive in Religion get your minds well furnished with knowledge Hereby you will have a Treasure to fetch from Iob 38.18 I am saith Elihu full of matter Some are backward to speak of Good for want of matter the empty Vessel cannot run If you would have your Tongues run fluently in Religion they must be fed with a spring of knowledge Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly In one of the Miracles that Christ wrought he first caused the Water-pots to be filled with Water and then saith he Draw out now John 2.8 So we must first have our Heads filled with Knowledge and then we shall be able to draw out to others in Good discourse 2. If you would discourse readily in the things of God make Religion your delight What men delight in they will be speaking of the sensualist speaks of his sports the worldling of his rich purchase Delight makes the Tongue as the Pen of a ready writer The Spouse being delighted and inamoured with Christs beauty could not conceal her self she makes an elegant and Pathetical Oration in the commendation of Christ Cant. 5.10 My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand 3. Pray that God will both Gift and Grace you for Christian conference Psalm 51.15 Lord open thou my Lips Satan hath lock'd up mens Lips pray that God will open them Perhaps you pray that you may Believe in Christ but do you pray that you may Confess him and not be ashamed to speak of him before others Psalm 119.46 I will speak of thy Testimonies before Kings and not be ashamed To end this let me briefly insert two Cautions 1. Not but that it is lawful to confer of worldly Negotiations sometimes Traffick requires conference But with this proviso that we should shew more Delectation and Earnestness in speaking of Spiritual things than Earthly Remembring the Soul is far more Valuable than the World 2. When persons speak of Religion let it not be for any Sinister Unworthy end not for Ostentation but Edification and then having your aim right speak of the things of God with Life and Affection that others may perceive you feel those Truths which you speak CHAP. VIII Shewing the Second Character in special of the Godly namely thinking of God 2. THe Second Character of the Godly in special is they thought upon Gods name these Saints when they were together did speak of God when they were alone they did think of God That Thought upon his name What is meant by Gods name 1. By the Name of God is meant his Essence Gods Name is put for God himself 2. By the Name of God is meant his Glorious Attributes which are the several Letters of his Name 3. By the Name of God is meant his Worship and Ordinances where his Name is called upon Ier. 7.12 Go ye unto my Place which was in Shiloh where I set my Name at first That is where I first set up my Publick worship Now this Name of God the Saints in the Text did contemplate they Thought upon his Name Thoughts are the first-born of the Soul the conceptions of the mind the immediate Fruit and Issue of a rational being Thoughts are the Images of things in the Fancy These devout Souls in the Text were chiefly busying their Thoughts about God and Heaven It is the inseparable sign of a Godly man to imploy his chief Thoughts about God Prov. 12.5 The Thoughts of the Righteous are Right That is they are set upon the Right Object 'T is natural to Think Thoughts fly out of the Mind as Sparks out of a Furnace The Hebrew word for a Thought signifies the Boughs of a Tree Because Thoughts shoot out from our Minds as branches do from a Tree 'T is I say natural to Think but it is not natural to Think of God this is proper to a Saint his Thoughts are Sublime and Seraphical they fly to Heaven The Mind is a Mint-house where Thoughts are Minted David minted Golden Cogitations Psalm 139.18 I am still with thee That is as learned Ainsworth expounds it by Divine Contemplation Thoughts are Travellers in the Soul Davids Thoughts kept Heaven-road Psalm 73.23 I am continually with thee As the Mariners needle turns to the North-pole so a Saints Thoughts are still pointing towards God Whence is it that the Saints thoughts mount up to God There will be this Thinking on God 1. From those intrinsecal Perfections which are in him The loveliness of the Object attracts the thoughts God is the supream Good There is nothing but God worth thinking on Psal. 119.57 Thou art my Portion O Lord. Will not a mans thoughts run upon his Portion A gracious Soul hath found Pleasure in thinking on God Psal. 63.5 6. He hath had those Transfigurations on the Mount those Illapses of the Spirit those Incomes of Gods Love those praelibations and foretastes of glory that he cannot keep his thoughts off from God To hinder him from thinking on God is to bar him of all his Pleasure 2. There will be thinking on God from the powerful Operations of the Holy Ghost We cannot of our selves think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 but the Spirit elevates and fixeth the heart on God Ezek. 3.14 The Spirit lifted me up When you see the Iron move upward there hath been some Load-stone drawing it so when the thoughts move upwards towards God the Spirit hath as a divine Load-stone drawn them CHAP. IX Containing a sharp Redargution OUT of the quiver of this Text I may draw several Arrows of Reproof 1. It reproves such as do not think upon Gods Name It is the Brand-mark of a Reprobate God is not in all his thoughts Psalm 10.4 He endeavours to expunge and blot God out of his mind though he draws his Breath from God yet he doth not think of him his thoughts shoot into the Earth Philip. 3.19 Had not sinners by their fall lost their Head-piece they would reason thus with themselves Sure God is best worth thinking on is there any excellency in the World then what is there in God that made it He gives the Star its beauty the Flower its fragrancy Food its
measure changed into his likeness 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord we are changed into the same Image The contemplative sight of God was transforming they had some Print of Gods Holiness upon them as Moses when he had been on the Mount with God his face shined Exod. 34.35 What is Godliness but God-likeness and who are so like him as they that think on his Name 9. Thinking on God is sweet it Ushers in a secret delight into the Soul Psalm 104.34 My meditation of him shall be sweet He whose Head is got above the Clouds his Thoughts are sled aloft and he hath God in his eye is full of divine Raptures and cries out as Peter in the transfiguration Lord it is good to be here Holy Thoughts are the Dove we send out of the Ark of our Souls and they bring an Olive branch of Peace Some complain they have no Joy of their lives and truly no wonder when they are such strangers to Heavenly Contemplation Would you have God give you Comfort and never think of him Indeed Israel had Manna drop'd into their Tents and they never Thought of it but God will not drop down this Manna of Heavenly Joy on that Soul which seldom or never thinks of him Would you have your Spirits chearful let your Thoughts be celestial The higher the Lark flies the Sweeter it sings The higher a Soul ascends in the Thoughts of God the sweeter Joy it hath 10. Thoughts of God will turn to the best account Thoughts spent on the World are often in Vain Some spend Thoughts about laying up a Portion for such a Child and perhaps either it dies or lives to be a Cross. Others beat their Brains how to rise at Court and when Royal Favour hath shined upon them on a sudden an Eclipse falls out and the Kings smile is turn'd into a frown and then their Thoughts are frustrated Et stultus labor est ineptiarum How oft do men build Castles in the Air But the Thoughts of God will turn to a good account they Augment Sanctification and bring Satisfaction Psalm 63.5 My Soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness when I remember thee on my bed and meditate on thee c. The Thoughts we have of God in the time of health will be a Comfort to us in the time of sickness 11. God thinks of us and shall not we think of him Psalm 40.17 The Lord thinketh upon me God thinks on us every Morning Lam. 3.23 His Mercies are new every Morning He gives us Night-Mercies he Rocks us every Night asleep Psalm 127.2 So he giveth his beloved Sleep and if we chance to wake he gives us Songs in the Night Job 35.10 If God be thinking of us Day and Night shall not we think of his Name How can we forget a freind who is ever mindful of us Jer. 29.11 I know the Thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord Thoughts of Peace Though God be out of our sight we are not out of his Thoughts 12. God will one Day reckon with us for our Thoughts He will say I gave you a Cogitative faculty what have you done with it If God asks a Covetous man what have been your Sentiments which way have your Thoughts run he will Answer to heap up Riches if God asks Princes and Emperors how have you employ'd your Thoughts they will say how by our Scepter to beat down the Power of Godliness What a dreadful account will these Persons have to give at last Not only mens Actions but their Thoughts will accuse them Rom. 2.15 13. Our Thoughts of God shall not be lost God accepts of the Thought for the deed David had a good Thought come into his Mind to build God an House and God took it as kindly as if he had done it 2 Chron. 6.8 Forasmuch as it was in thy Heart to build an house to my Name thou didst well that it was in thy Heart When Christians have Thoughts of promoting Gods Glory they would do such good Acts if it were in their Power build Hospitals distribute Justice cut off offenders from the City of God the Lord looks upon it as if they had done it so that our Thoughts of God are not lost Let us think of God in a Right manner A Good Medicine may be spoiled in the making so may a Good Duty be spoiled in the doing Thoughts may be Good for the matter of them yet may be Faulty in the manner I shall shew you 1. How Thoughts of God may fail in the Manner 2. The Right Manner of Thinking upon God 1. How Thoughts of God may fail in the Manner 1. A man may Think of God yet not intend his glory Jehu had good Thoughts came into his Mind to destroy the Baal-worshippers but his intent was to advance himself into the Throne Bad aims Fly-blow good Actions 2. A man may have Good Thoughts but they are forced Virtus nolentium nulla est When one bleeds under Gods afflicting hand he may Think of God yet have no love to him Psalm 78.34 When he slew them then they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their Mouth These were good Thoughts but it was to complement with God and to get rid of the Affliction 3. A man may have Thoughts of God out of design to stop the Mouth of Conscience Conscience doth lash the profane Sinner what art thou so Wicked as never to Think of God who indulgeth thee with so many favours Hereupon he may have a few good Thoughts but they are irksome to him this is not from a Principle of Conscience but to quiet Conscience 4. A man may think of God with Horrour he thinks of Gods Soveraignty and dreads the Thoughts of God You see one may think of God yet these Thoughts may become sinful 2. I shall shew you the Right manner of Thinking upon God 1. Our Thoughts of God must be Serious Feathers swim on the top but Gold sinks into the Water Feathery Spirits have some floting Thoughts but good Hearts sink deep in the Thoughts of a Deity 2. Our Thoughts of God must be Spiritual Take heed of framing any gross conceits of God in our Minds representing him by the similitude of the Creature Deut. 4.15 Ye saw no Similitude Conceive of God in Christ we cannot see him any other way as we cannot see the Sun in the Circle but in the Beams the God-head dwells in Christs Humane nature Col. 2.9 Think of God as a Spirit full of immense Glory propitious to us through a Mediatour 3. Our Thoughts of God must be Delightful With what Delight doth a Child think of his Father A gracious Soul counts them the Sweetest hours which are spent with God 4. Our Thoughts of God must be Vertual and Efficacious leaving our Hearts in a a better Tune The Thoughts of Gods faithfulness must make us
is Iustice in Hell but sin is the most unjust thing It would rob God of his Glory Christ of his Purchase the Soul of it's Happiness 'T is more bitter to sin against Christ than to suffer the torments of Hell saith Chrysostom Is not sin then to be feared he who Fears God is afraid of touching this forbidden fruit More Particularly 1. He who Fears God is afraid to do any thing that he doubts may be sinful Rom. 14.23 He will not swallow Oaths like Pills lest they should afterwards work in his Conscience he dares not mix any thing in Gods Worship which he hath not appointed he doubts it is like Offering strange fire Where Conscience is Scrupulous it is safer to forbear for what is not of Faith is Sin 2. He who Fears God fears the appearance of Sin 1 Thes. 5.22 Abstain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from all appearance of Evil. Some things are Male colorata as Bernard speaks they have a bad look and carry a show of evil in them To go to the Idol Temple though one doth not joyn with them in Worship is an appearance of evil He whose Heart is ballasted with Gods Fear flies from that which looks like sin It was a good speech of Bernard to Eugenius By avoiding the Act of sin we preserve our Peace by avoiding the appearance of it we preserve our Fame The Fear of God makes us shun the Occasion of sin the Nazarite under the Law was not only to forbear Wine but he must not eat Grapes which might occasion intemperancy Ioseph fled from his Mistresses temptation he would not be seen in her company The appearance of evil though it defile not ones own Conscience it may offend anothers Conscience and hear what the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 8.12 When ye wound the weak Conscience ye sin against Christ. Such as avoid not the appearances and in-lets to sin make the truth of their Grace to be suspected How far are they from the Fear of God who forgetting their prayer Lead us not into temptation run themselves into the Devils mouth they go to Plays and Masquerades which are the Lures and Incentives of Filthiness others associate familiarly with the Wicked and are too often in their Company which is like going among them that have the Plague 1 Cor. 5.9 I wrote to you not to Company with Fornicators Traffique is one thing keeping Company is another Polycarp would have no Society with Marcion the Heretick Twisting into a cord of Friendship with sinners is a show of evil it hardens them in sin and wounds the credit of Religion But did not Christ often converse with Sinners 1. Christ did sometimes go among the Wicked not that he approved of their sins but as a Physitian goes among the diseased to heal them so Christ intended to Work a Cure upon them Mark 2.17 It was their conversion he aimed at 2. Though Jesus Christ did sometimes converse with Sinners yet he could receive no Infection by them his divine nature was a sufficient Antidote against the contagion of sin As the Sun cannot be defiled with the thick Vapours which are exhaled from the Earth and fly into the middle Region so the black Vapours of sin could not defile the Sun of Righteousness Christ was of that spotless purity that he had no receptibility of Evil but the case is altered with us we have a stock of corruption within therefore it is dangerous to incorporate with the Wicked lest we be defiled Such as revere the divine Majesty dare not go near the borders of Sin Those who went near the Fiery Furnace though they did not go into it were burned Dan. 3.22 A wise Christian should in all his transactions put those three questions of Bernard to himself Whether is this I do lawful or decent or expedient 3. He who Fears God dares not sin secretly An Hypocrite may forbear gross sin because of the shame but not clandestine secret sin He is like one that shuts up his Shop-windows but follows his Trade within doors But a man Fearing God dares not sin though he had Gyges's Ring and could walk invisibly and no eye see him Levit 19.14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind but shalt Fear thy God If one should curse a deaf man he cannot hear him or lay a stumbling block in a blind mans way he cannot see him Yea but the Fear of God will make one avoid those sins which can neither be heard or seen by men Gods Seeing in secret is a sufficient Supersedeas and Counterpoison against Sin 4. He who Fears God dares not commit sin though it might bring him in Emolument Gain is the Golden bait with which Satan fisheth for Souls this was the last temptation the Devil used to Christ All this will I give thee Mat. 4.9 How many bow down to the Golden Image Ioshua who could stop the course of the Sun could not stop Achan in his pursuit after the wedge of Gold But he who Fears God dares not sin to get preferment David durst not touch the Lords anointed though he knew he was to reign next 2 Sam. 26.23 A Godly man is assured that a full Purse is but a poor recompence for a wounded Conscience If any shall go to choak him with Steeples he saith as Peter Acts 8.20 Thy mony perish with thee 5. He who Fears God dares not gratifie his own revengeful humour Homer saith Revenge is sweet as dropping Hony but Grace makes a man rather bury an injury than revenge it He knows who hath said Vengeance is mine I will repay Rom. 12.19 He who hath the Fear of God before his eyes is so far from revenge that he requites good for evil Miriam murmured against Moses and Moses prayed for her that God would heal her of her Leprosie Numb 12.13 The Prophet Elisha instead of smiteing his Enemies set Bread and Water before them 2 King 6.22 6. He who Fears God dares not do that which is of evil report though possibly the thing in it self may be no sin 1 Cor. 6.1 Dare any of you having a matter against another go to law before the unjust Yes might some say what sin is it to have a just cause brought before unbelievers that it may be decided O but might the Apostle reply though the thing in it self be lawful yet because it sounds ill and exposeth your Religion to the Scorn and insult of unbelievers you that Fear God should not dare to do it It were better to decide it by a prudent arbitration 1 Cor. 6.12 All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient 7. He who Fears God is not only afraid of evil actions but to offend God in his Thoughts Deut. 19.6 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart c. To think of sin with delight is to act it over in the fancy this is Culpable A man may think himself
into Hell What were the Apostate Angels damned for was it for any more than Proud thoughts This is the first note of Trial He who reverenceth a Deity flies from Sin It is a saying of Anselm If Sin were on one side and Hell on the other I would rather leap into Hell than willingly sin against God 2. He who Fears God walks by Rule rather than Example Example is for the most part corrupt Examples of great men are influential Pharaoh had learned Ioseph to swear but Ioseph had not learned Pharaoh to pray The examples of others cannnot justifie a thing intrinsecally evil A fearer of God steers the Rudder of his Life according to the Compass of the Word He looks to the sacred Canon as the Mariner to the Load-Star or Israel to the Pillar of Fire to direct him Isa. 8.20 To the Law to the Testimony 3. He who Fears God keeps his commandments Eccles. 12.13 Fear God and keep his commandments Luther said He had rather obey God than work miracles A Gracious Soul crosseth his own will to fulfil Gods if the Lord bid him Crucifie his bosom-sin forgive his enemies he instantly obeys An Heathen exercising much cruelty to a Christian asked him in scorn What Great Miracle his Master Christ ever did The Christian replyed This Miracle that though you use me thus Cruelly I can forgive you An Holy Heart Knows there is nothing lost by obedience David sware unto the Lord that he would not rest till he found a place for God Psalm 132.4 5. And God Sware again to David that of the fruit of his body he would set upon his throne Psalm 132.11 4. He who Fears God is alike Good in all Companies He diffuseth the sweet savour of Godliness where ever he comes Hypocrites can change themselves into all shapes and be as their company is Serious in one comcompany and Vain in another He who reverenceth a Deity is semper idem alike Good in all places An even Pulse shows Health an even walking shows Grace If a Good man be providentially cast among the wicked he will not coalesce with them but in his deportment shows forth a Majesty of Holiness 5. He who Fears God is good in the Station where God hath set him Take an instance in Ioseph Gen. 42.18 I fear God And see a pattern of Relative sanctitie He showed towards his Master fidelity towards his Mistress chastity towards his Father duty towards his Brethren bounty A good man makes his family Palaestra Pietatis a Nursery of Piety as it was said of Cranmer 6. He who Fears God dares not neglect Family or Closet-prayer Psalm 109.4 I Give my self to Prayer Prayer whispers in Gods ears Clemens Alexandrinus calls it private conference with God Why was Nymphas's house call'd a Church Col. 4.15 But because it was consecrated by Prayer A Gracious Soul puts forth fervent sighs in Prayer Rom. 8.26 And sure that prayer doth soonest pierce Heaven which pierceth ones own Heart If Prayer be made the Touch-stone then the number of those who Fear God is but small Are there not many prayerless Families in this City and Nation Iob 15.4 Thou casteth off fear thou restrainest prayer When men restrain prayer they cast off the Fear of God It is the brand set upon a Reprobate Psalm 14.4 He calls not upon God 7. He who Fears God will not oppress his Neighbour Levit. 25.17 Ye shall not oppress one another but thou shalt fear thy God How can he be Holy who is not just A Saint yet an Extortioner is a Soloecism A cruel oppressor is like Iudas his bowels are fallen out The Fear of God would cure this Neh. 5.8 Will ye sell your brethren v. 9. Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God As if Nehemiah had said If ye had the Fear of God ye would not be so wicked ye would not rise upon the ruines of others and to wrong them damn your selves 8. He who Fears God is given to works of Mercy The Fear of God is alwaies joyned with love to our Brethren Grace may have a Trembling hand but it hath not a Withered hand it stretcheth out its self to relieve the indigent Iam. 1.27 Pure Religion before God and the Father is this to Visit the Fatherless and the Widdows in their Affliction To Visit them is not only to go to see them in Affliction our Saviour expounds what Visiting is Mat. 25.36 Ye visited me how was that vers 35. I was an hungred and ye gave me meat Good works are not the Cause of our Justification but they are the Evidence How far are they from the Fear of God who are hard-hearted to Christs Poor You may as well extract Oil out of a Flint as the Golden Oil of Charity out of their hearts Dives denied Lazarus a Crumb of Bread and Dives was denied a drop of Water 9. He who Fears God had rather displease man than God Exod. 1.17 The Midwives Feared God and did not as the King commanded but saved the Men-children alive What not obey the Kings Command How could this stand with their Allegiance Very well because it was an unlawful command The King bad them put to death the Males of the Hebrews which they durst not doe for Fear of incurring Gods displeasure King Nebuchadnezzar erected a Golden Image to be worshipped but the three Children or rather Champions said Be it known unto thee O King we will not serve thy Gods or worship thy Golden Image Dan. 3.18 They would rather burn than bow He who Fears God knows it is best to keep in with God he is the surest Friend but the sorest Enemy 10. The Fear of God will make a man Fear these six things 1. Satans Snares 2. His own Heart 3. Death 4. Judgement 5. Hell 6. Heaven 1. The Fear of God will make a man afraid of Satans snares He hath the eye of Faith to see these snares and the wing of Fear to fly from them Pedibus Timor addidit alas 2 Cor. 2.11 We are not ignorant of his devices The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 subtile Stratagems Satan is called the Old Serpent Rev. 12.9 Though he hath lost his Holiness he hath not lost his Policy his snares are so Cunningly laid that without the Guidance of Gods Fear we cannot escape them 1. One subtil Artifice of Satan is he baits his Hook with Religion he can change his Flag and hang out Christs Colours here he Transforms himself into an Angel of light The Devil tempts men to Evil that Good may come of it Rom. 3.8 He whistles them into the snare of preferment that hereby they may be in a capacity of doing God more service The white Devil is worst Who would suspect Satan when he comes as a Divine and if need be can quote Scripture 2. Another snare of Satan is to tempt to sin under a plea of Necessity Lot offered to expose his Daughters to the lusts of the