of imployment The latter of livelyhood pulling it almost wholly out of their reach Yet all you who are not onely poore but Gods poore also there are poore and Gods poore Psal 72. 2. judge thy poore such are Gods poore who are godly and poore religiously worshipping God committing themselves wholly to his protection and which are poore in spirit Math. 5. 2. and so have him to be your Father Be you perswaded for it being a harder matter to depend upon God when outward meanes are wanting then when they are enjoyed I therefore direct the drift of this exhortation although to all Gods children in generall especially to you notwithstanding these maine obstacles to have a firme dependance upon the gracious providence of your heavenly Father But do not thinke that I intend to disswade you from prayer for daily bread Christian providence and painefull industry in your lawfull callings Do not imagine that I advise you profusely to spend that God may send according to that wicked proverbe Or to have you through your negligence lose the worst of your substance For a godly man must pray labour provide shunne wastfulnesse and preserve from losse the meanest of his substance and may do all these things and yet be neither covetous nor distrustfull Although for these causes Gods children are esteem'd of all men most avaricious Yet for a man I hope 1. To labour in a lawfull calling painefully and diligently is not covetousnesse If it be done in obedience to Gods commandement without the least inordinate desire unto or love of money and for a supply of present necessities For this did St. Paul yet was not covetous yea he proves by thus doing that he was not so Acts 20. 33 34. 2. To provide carefully for a mans family is not covetousnesse so it be not immoderate neglecting the poore and distrusting the providence of God for thus did Iacob and Saint Paul and warrantably 1. Tim. 5. 8. 3. To save from losse the basest of a mans substance is not covetousnesse except we will taxe our Saviour Christ Iesus for saving of fragments 4. Neither is every desire of wordly things covetousnesse no more then every desire of drinke is drunkennesse of meate gluttony for then sowing wee could not safely desire a harvest It is an inordinate desire of meate which makes a glutton of drinke which makes a drunkard so of money which makes a covetous man scil desire of more then needfull then that which will do a man good we may safely aske bread and desire what we labour for The world therefore doth good men a great deale of wrong taxing them for these particulars with covetousnesse They desiring not the least mite of other mens goods defrauding no man of a pinne not desiring wealth above or before all things but Gods kingdome grace c. not loving money for did they how could they sanctifie Sabbaths dayes of humiliation and fasting and their families daily by christian exercises But in Saint Pauls sense 1. Cor. 12. 31. they are I confesse of all men exceeding covetous They earnestly desiring and greedily thirsting after spirituall blessings and heavenly glory Now give me leave to vse foure motives to perswade you to rely upon your heavenly father to live by faith Art thou a father having children few or many then be Mot. 1. thine owne judge if thou deem'st not thy selfe disparaged if thy children misdoubt thy want of willingnes to provide for them to the vtmost of thine ability nay doe they not solely depend on thee and seeke for foode raiment and such like necessaries at thy hands And dar'st thou having the blessed testimony of Gods spirit Rom. 8. 16. the spirit of prayer Rom. 8. 15. being a follower of God as a deare childe being borne of God and so having a comfortable assurance that thou art Gods childe by adoption dishonour thy heavenly father distrusting provision Doth he not beare as tender affectionatenesse towards his children as thou dost towards thine God forbid that any such villanous thought should seaze upon thy heart He loving his children greatly Ephes 2. 4. everlastingly Ier. 31. 3. tenderly Zach. 2. 8. more then any mortall father Mat. 7. 11. or the most pitifull mother her sucking infant Isa 49. 15. Is he not as able to sustaine his children as thou art to maintaine thine Who and what is he who dares suffer his heart to nourish any such hellish blasphemy The earth being the Lords and the fulnesse thereof every beast of the forrest being his the cattell upon a thousand hills the foules of the mountaines and the wild beasts of the field Cast thine eye upon such comfortable promises recorded in the sacred Scriptures Psal 34. 9. there is no want to them that feare him ver 10. the lyons do lack suffer hunger but they that feare the Lord shall want no good thing Mat. 6. 33. all these shall be added to you Psal 33. 19. He will deliver their soule from death keepe them alike in the time of famine Sure I am the promises of God as they are sweet and pretious so they are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. Rom. 4. 16. for he cannot lie Numb 23. 19. Ioh. 1. 2. and the Lord is unchangeable If therefore thou fearest God first seeke his kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof and if the enjoyment of these things be for thy good misdoubt not the fruition of them Consider seriously that thy heavenly father hath graciously provided for his charge of children in their greatest extremities and oft times unlook'd for provision Gen. 42. 1. Why looke you c. the Lord made sufficient provision for them He gave them bread in a desolate wildernesse Exod. 16. 15. 35. He gives Sampson water out of Lehi Iudg. 15. 19. He feedeth Eliah by a widow and ravens 1. King 17. 4. 9. with a cake and cruse of water 19. 5. 6. an hundred Prophets by the bountifull Saints extremities are Gods opportunities hand of a good courtier 1. King 18. 13. David speakes nobly to this purpose Psal 37. 25. I have bene young never saw the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread And I verily think although the number of beggars doth daily increase let a man diligently view over a whole country and he shall hardly finde one whom the world cals puritanes so forsaken of God as to begge his bread but either the Lord doth stirre up the hearts of some good Obadiahs to relieve them in secret or doth contrary to all expectation sustaine them or makes their little as effectuall like the widowes meale 1 King 19. or as if they had great abundance and more available then great revenews of wicked men ps 37. 16 Take notice of the extraordinary bountifulnesse of thy Father Giving food to all flesh Psal 136. 25. Satisfying the desire of every living thing Psal 145. 16. Filling all with his good Psal 104. 28. hence it is that the eyes of all waite upon him Psal
yet respectively and for conscience sake towards God as Magistrates Parents husbands c. 3. The Lord himselfe is to be feared yea this is such a grace that it characters out a righteous man Acts 10. 2. Who shunnes evill and doth good Iob 1. 8. Who delighteth in Gods Commandements Psal 112. 1. Who succours the persecuted Saints 1 Reg. 18. 3 4. Who honoureth God Mal. 3. 16. Is obedient to the Lord Gen. 22. 12. And hath true faith Heb. 11. 7. 1. Feare Gods judgements so as to avoid them 2. Feare we sinne so as to flee from it 3. Feare man for the Lords sake so that we may be carefull to obey him loath to offend him Rom. 13. 7. 4. Feare we the Lord so as to be loath to displease him by sinne in respect of his great goodnesse and mercies and for love we beare to righteousnesse Psal 130. 4. But feare not the wickeds feare Isa 8. 12 13. sc their Idols and Devils with a distrustfull feare withdrawing the heart from God and his promises Feare not dangers death creatures tyrants want c. Math. 10. 26. 28. 31. viz. Immoderately faithlesly Feare not such a feare which troubleth the conscience so as to hinder the operation of salvation and worke of the Holy Ghost Feare not touching the pardon of your sinnes for Christ hath satisfied for them Feare not death for Christ hath plucked out its sting Feare not Sathan for Christ hath vanquished him Feare not condemnation for there is none to them which are in Christ Feare not you little flock you having fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God but be you comforted and encouraged you having interest in that society which affoords such plenty of consolations and comfortable blessings that I need not say behold I have shewed you by cleare demonstrations and infallible proofes that this is the most beautifull most honourable most sure most rich most joyfull and the most peacefull society that is what can I therefore say more for thee O sweet communion as Isaac said to Esau of Iacob Behold I have given to him for servants all his brethren with corne and wine have I sustained him and what shall I now do to thee my sonne Gen. 27. 37. Neither shall you need to question like Esau Hast thou but one blessing O my Father Ver. 38. and say hast thou but sixe blessings O lovely societie there belonging to it such plentie of consolations that could I live the age of Methuselah had I a heart and head furnished with the wisdome and ingenie of all learned men should I spend all that time and those onely supposed endowments in finding out and had I the tongue of men and Angels to expresse the numberlesse transcendent excellencies of this communion yet could I not be able to delineate the incomparable and blissefull felicities thereof Howbeit give me leave to cheare and refresh your soules with some few of the many millions of gladsome rayes which streame and flow from this Sunne of righteousnesse Are we in league and communion with Christ Iesus Then he loves us with all those loves which are most ardent and excelling Consol 1. he loves us with the love 1. Of a Master for we are servants 2. The love of a King for we are his subjects 3. The love of a brother for we are his brethren Heb. 2. 11. and sisters sc By profession and affection Math. 12. 50. 4. The love of a friend for we are his friends Luke 12. 4. Iohn 3. 29. 15. 15. 5. The love of a childe for wee are his mother Marke 3. 75. Being neare and deare to him as mothers are to their children bearing and conceiving Christ in our hearts as mothers do children in their womâ—es Gal. 4. 19. 6. The love of a father for we are his children 7. The love of a husband for we are his spouse 8. The love of himselfe for we are his members Then which what love more free more tender so great and during Then which what better honour What greater happinesse then to have such love of such a Saviour Who loving us so entirely will surely pardon our many sinnes 2. Passe by our frailties and infirmities 3. Shelter us against the wrath of God 4. Defend us safe against the malicious attempts of Sathan 5. Provide all necessary good things 6. And hereafter crowne us with immortall and unspeakable glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are surely Consol 2. justified Iustification being an action of the Father absolving a believing sinner from his sinnes and from the whole curse due to his sinnes and accounting him just in his sight and accepting him to life everlasting freely of his owne mercy through the perfect obedience and sufferings of Christ imputed to his faith unto the everlasting praise and glory of the mercy justice and truth of God Rom. 3. 24 25. Being justified freely of his grace c. Iustification is the office of Homil. of sal D. 3. God onelâ— and is not a thing which we render to him but which we receive of him not which we give to him but which we take of him This is a benefit of benefits whereupon our salvation doth depend for whosoever shal be saved must be justified All graces are present in him that is justified yet they Hom. sal D. 1. justifie not altogether Now as the finall cause of justification is Gods glory and our owne salvation 2. The instrumentall is faith within and the Gospell without 3. The efficient is Gods free grace 4. So the matter is Christ our Redeemer 5. And the forme is the imputation of our sinnes to him and his justice to us As our sinne being imputed to Christ made M Burton pag. 66. him become sinne for us even so are we made the righteousnesse of God in him that is by imputation of his righteousnesse which righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us is no more inhaerent in us to our justification thou our sinne imputed to Christ was inhaerent in him to his condemnation Therefore all Gods Elect being joyned to Christ and having an heavenly communion with him being in themselves rebellious sinners Gods enemies and firebrands of hell by meanes of Christ Iesus with whom they have fellowship must needs be accepted of the Lord as perfectly righteous before him being justified by faith in him Rom. 3. 28. Not that faith doth justifie in regard of it selfe either because it is a grace for although it is an excellent vertue yet it is imperfect and mixed with unbelâ—efe 2. Nor in regard it is the worke of God in us for then all graces might be meanes of justification as well as it 3. Nor as it containes other graces in it for then it should be the principall part of our justice But in respect of the object thereof Christ Iesus whom faith apprehends as he is set forth in the Word and Sacraments We are justified by the act of M. Burton Truths triumph
abide in you or not For not onely Fantastique Familists Anabaptisticall dreamers and such like factious sects and Sectaries but many other children of Beliall who in truth are as yet habitations for the uncleane spirit and the seven other spirits more wicked to dwell in Math. 12. 43 44. Boast and glory of the happy fruition of Gods Spirit like the false Prophet Zedekiah who notwithstanding was possessed with a lying spirit 1 Reg. 22. 23 24. Search therefore the Scriptures for they testifie of these things and from them you may learne what spirit you are of The Scriptures tell us 1. That where Gods Spirit abideth there is the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8. 15. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba Father Verse 16. The Spirit maketh intercession for us 2. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is a new birth regeneration a new creation Ioh. 3. 4. Borne of the Spirit 3. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is holinesse and sanctity 1 Pet. 1. 2. Sanctification of the Spirit Rom. 1. 4. Spirit of holinesse 4. Where Gods Spirit is there is knowledge of all things sc Necessary to salvation 1 Ioh. 2. 20. 5. Where the Spirit of God abideth there must needs be sincerity or uprightnesse 6. Where the Spirit of God abideth there is a testification to a mans owne spirit that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit beares witnesse with our Spirits that we are the children of God From which grounded Maximes and undeniable Theses drawne from the Word of truth these following inferences must necessarily be concluded 1. That the prayerlesse person sc such a one who prayes not at all or not so with such graces which Gods Spirit prescribes in the Word as necessary companions of pious prayer viz. Knowledge faith sincerity zeale c. in some measure 2. That the unregenerate not converted man who is the same he was ever no changeling having the same mind will affections c. And he who is changed from one evill to another as bad or worse neither of these being truly converted so as to become new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. New men Eph. 4. 24. To have new hearts Ezek. 11. 19. And new lives yea all things new 2 Cor. 5. 17. sc wils lives affections sc love hatred c. New eyes Eph. 1. 18. Eares Psal 40. 6. And tast Rom. 8. 5. 3. That the meere civill honest man although he walke as inoffensively as did ever any Heathen Worthy and as plausibly as those justiciary Pharisees being no oppressour paying every man to the mint and anniseed Much lesse therefore the prophane Belial which wallowes in all wickednesse wholly regardlesse of piety of God and righteousnesse to man 4. That the man ignorant and unacquainted in those truths which are necessary to be knowne and the man who although he hath plenty of knowledge floting in the braine and flowing from the tongue yet wants the necessary practique knowledge So that although he is able to discourse learnedly and profoundly yet doth he not believe that he knowes is to be believed love that he knowes is to beloved and do that he knowes is to be done c. in some measure 5. That the flourishing Formalist performing those many excellent and praise-worthy duties he doth onely outwardly for by-ends without the pith marrow and substance of Christianity uprightnesse of heart 6. That the man wholly and altogether wanting the testimony of his owne conscience grounded upon the testimony of Gods Spirit that he is the child of God and he who in stead of the testification of Gods Spirit which ever agreeth to the Word glads and contents himselfe with the wicked spirit of presumption for his living willingly constantly and contentedly in those wicked wayes the Word of God condemnes to hellish torments argues an absence of the testimonie of Gods Spirit for is it possible that Gods Spirit should peremptorily affirme in the Word that no drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. shall inherite the kingdome of heaven and yet testifie to the conscience of a drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. that he is Gods child and shall go to heaven That none of these have the Spirit of Christ abiding in them and therfore no fellowship with Iesus Christ may safely must necessarily be inferred from the forenamed propositions First all you of the former ranke which have the Spirit of prayer true conversion holinesse saving knowledge sincerity of heart and a warrantable assurance in your owne consciences that you are the children of God consequently have the Spirit of God abiding in you and therefore fellowship with the Lord Iesus 1. Be perswaded highly to praise and glorifie the Lord so loving and liberall who hath bestowed such an inestimable treasure upon you as is the Spirit of the Lord the Spirit of wisdome and understanding to teach you the Spirit of counsell to counsell and advise you the Spirit of might to protect and defend you the Spirit of knowledge to instruct you Isa 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord inabling you to pray and making your prayers acceptable Rom. 8. 26. Bringing you to liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. Helping your infirmities enlightening your understandings rectifying your judgements reviving your spirits stirring your affections sanctifying all inward gifts and seasoning the use of all outward things unto you assuring you of all the rich treasures in Iesus Christ This being the gift of gifts the head the height the depth the bredth and length of all good things 2. Not to grieve this Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. By doing any thing contrary to the light which is set up in your consciences by the Word of God and this Spirit least if you vexe him he turnes to be your enemie Isa 63. 10. 3. Not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19. Doe not therefore by your security and negligence lose the fruits and effects of the Spirit nor abate the working of grace To lose wholly the saving graces of the Spirit which a man once had as if a man should extinguish fire wholly is not possible the Spirit abiding with such for ever Ioh. 14. 16. But to lose some fruits and effects of the Spirit and to abate the working of grace as if a man should slacke the heate and lose the light of fire doth oft befall the Saints by meanes of their carelesnesse and security 4. To walke after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Which are in Christ walke after the Spirit Gal. 5. 25. If you live in the Spirit walke in the Spirit i. By minding liking wishing desiring and affecting the things of the Spirit Rom. 8. 5. And by endeavouring in the whole course of your lives and callings to order your selves according to the will and Word of God for that which is commanded in the Word is enjoyned by the Spirit and to leade a mans life according to the Word is to walke after the Spirit
it to raigne and rage in them Whosoever is bâ—râ—e of God sinneth not cannot sinne He doth not sinne i. not châ—rish it and suffer it to raigne but endeavoureth to cleanse himselfe from sinne following holinesse of life He cannot sin â— â—â—to death as he is borne of God as he hath Gods Spirit and graces although as he is man as he is flesh he doth He cannot indeavour to sinne c. 2 Neither intend I the least justifying of such abominable iâ—poâ—ritâ—s painted pollution covered with pretended religion is worthy double punishment yea double damnation which living iâ— loathsome impâ—â—ties boastingly reject their neighbours â—â—â—â—stand by thy selfe come not neare to me for I am holier thâ—â— thou Isa 65. 5. I am not as other men are c. Luke 18. 11. I fast pay tithes although they omitted the weightier matters of the Law judgement mercy and faith Mat. 23 23. within full of extortion and excesse 25. of hypocrisie and iniquity 28. These righteous persons Christ came not to call Math. 9 13. These being a generation which are cleane in their owne eyes and yet is not washed from their filthinesse Prov. 30. 12. I leave such dotages as the proper characters of spirituall fooles whose wayes though naught are righteous in their owne eyes and yet are not washed from their filthinesse Pro. 30. 12. Of unsanctified persons Prov. 30. 13. Of Lâ—wd companions Isaiah 65. 3 4. Of formall Christians Math. 7. 22. Of Civill honest men Math. 19. 20. and of proud Pharisees Luk. 18. 11. Which were a people eagerly thirsting after vaine-glorious ostentation doing all to be seene of men the greatest enemies as it 's ever the property of outside Christians to Christ and his Disciples the most dogged censurers of mens aâ—tions better then themselves causelessely A lively pictâ—re of whom we shall sind pourtrayd in most ignorant sots goodfellow-drunkards Papists hypocrites familists and meere civill honest men whose actions although in many particulars they come short of those painted sepulchres run paralled with theirs Math. 6. The Pharisee gave prayed fasted to be seene of men Math. 19. 20. Luke 18. 11. And boasts of exact obedience Vpon which ground I suppose every one of indifferent understanding will ingeniously confesse that these forenamed who seldome give except vaine-gloriously to some clamorous beggers seldome or never pray in secret or in their families onely in publique to be seene of men By consequence avouch themselves to keepe the Law of God perfectly for although they are sinners as they say yet they have kept the 1 2 3 4 commandement c. And not in those who are called Puritanes by worldlings because they will not be prophane 1 Pet. 4. 4. Because they endeavour in all things to live honestly and to keepe a good conscience These not onely giving sometimes in the view of others carefully relieving the distressed members of Christ in secret praying conscionably and constantly to their father in secret and although they justifie themselves in regard of some speciall kind of sinne onely or some degree or some circumstance as David cleares himselfe Psal 7. 27. And Saint Paul himselfe from soule-murther Acts 20. 26. Yet in regard of their common corruptions and particular frailties condemne themselves more deeply then any others Psal 51. Rom. 7. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 15. But sith it is evident without contradiction that not onely all men but also all regenerate persons who are borne of God are sinners and yet such are exhorted not to sinne yea are said not to sinne 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Give me leave briefly to point at under correction of the learned the differences betwixt Gods children and wicked men and then to perswade all such who professe themselves the children of this Father although they cannot but sinne not so to sinne as wicked and ungodly ones do which is the second Vse of this Point The godly man imployes his utmost endeavours to shun Differen 1. Godly shunne secret sinnes envy and anger aswell as murther lust as adultery infidelity hypocrisie pride earthly-mindednesse and all secret and hidden sinnes aswell as outward impieties He desiring to approve his heart unto God He well considering 1. That the secrets of the heart are as transparent to the omniscient thought-searching Iehovah as the most audible words and publique actions 2. That God will judge for secret sinnes aswell as for outward Rom. 2. 16. The wicked man so be he can demeane himselfe so smoothly and plausibly that man cannot accuse him of outward villany thinkes all is well although his heart is farc't brim full of privy pride secret hypocrisie shamefull ignorance wanton obscoenities base earthly-mindednesse canckred envy unadvised anger c. Deeming either his thoughts to be free or doing all to be seen of men The Godly man albeit he may fall into some grosser impiety doth carefully eschew and with as much loathing detestation the smallest sinnes as those of the grosser order and Small sinnes that 1. Because he knoweth that the smallest is sinne 2. Committed against an infinite God 3. A trespasse against the most holy Law 4. Able to deprive of the greatest good sc Gods favour 5. Able to bring the greatest misery 6. Not washed away with any thing save the â—â—valâ—able price of the blâ—nd of the immacâ—late Lambe Christ 〈◊〉 The wicked man makes of mountaines molehils makes no scruplâ— of pâ—tty oathes Racha foole wanton dalliance merry and offâ—â—â—â—s 〈◊〉 hurtfuâ—l jests c. Yea he is ready not onely to extâ—â—â—â—te but to plead that they are small Wheras no sinne is smâ—ll compared with the Law the punishment person offended and price of redemption The child of God doth not onely take heed of the top and height of sinne but of the first and least degree of sinne He advisedly considering the insinuating spreading and incroching nature of sinne one drawing on another he therefore diligently withstands the first degree he crusheth the egge lâ—st it prove a Sâ—rpent quencheth the sparkles least they fire all Iam. 1. 19. The wicked no whit regardeth concupiscence the root and beginning of sinne but deales with it as Milo with his calfe carried it a calfe and an oxe likewise custome comes upon him which hardeneth his heart Ier. 13. The godly man sinneth not with full câ—nsent of heart The 4. Spirit strives against the flesh Gal. 5 17. His sinne is as bitter and burdensome to him as death Rom. 7. 24. Yea he is so irâ—â—d with the remainder of old Adam and with his particular slips and wants in well-doing that he lamentably complaines O wretched man ver 24. Not despairing of salvation as the next words and last verses of the next Chapter declare but bewailing his present misâ—rable condition so subject to sinne as one groaning under a heavy burden And therefore doth earnestly strive against the sinne and temptation â—â—â—ting the spirituall warfare with the two edged sword of the Word and ardent prayer The wicked sinneth with
out-cries against all such who question their society with God they having ever in a readinesse Lord Lord. At what time soever c. They are men of good meaning although they are not bookish They have a sure beliefe in God They love God above all and their neighbour as themselves God they hope did not make them to damne them all men are sinners as well as themselves They hope to be saved before or as soone as the strictest Saint-seeming Puritanes of them all These and such like traditionary conceipts being in their shallow apprehensions sufficient to quiet their guilty consciences from ever accusing them to put to silence and make mute those cutting conclusions and peremptory propositions of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. Neither fornicators c. Gal. 5. 19 20 21. An Antidote sufficient to counterpoyse against the poysonfull venome of their infectious impieties A paimeâ—t equivalent to countervaile the numberlesse debts of their hainous enormities And graces availeable to equalize them with the Saints and annexe them firmely to this Divine Society which is with the Father Yet I humbly intreate and beseech yea I charge and command in the name of the Lord Iehouah all you who either hope for have or hunger after this Coelestiall Society to have no fellowship with the fruitlesse works of darknesse to forsake and flee from sinne and iniquity Sinne is darknesse Rom. 13. 12. Cast off the workes of Mot. 1. darknesse Eph. 5. 11. Fruitlesse workes of darknesse 1 Thes 5. 4. Not in darknesse Darknesse it is in respect of its author who is the Prince of darknesse 2. Of its fountaine the darke heart of man 3. Of the nature of the nature of its author he hates the light 4. Of the time wherein done the night 1 Thes 5. 7. Of its fruits eternall darknesse Wicked men are walkers in darknesse 1 Ioh. 1. 6. Yea such wayes of darknesse that I am altogether ignorant whereunto to resemble it Should I paralell it with Cimerean darknesse that no whit comparable it being occasioned by the farre distance of the Sunne from that place and people and so but naturall an absence of light naturall this by the absence of the splendent rayes of the rich and radiant graces of the Sunne of righteousnesse therefore a spirituall darknesse containing the fearefull estate of unbeleevers in this world Or with that Aegyptian plague of darknesse which was palpable There is no comparison by that their bodily eyes were blinded by this of the soule 2 Cor. 4. 4. That was but for a short time of continuance this otherwise That kept them from mooving this hoodwinks and infatuates them so that although they go yet whither they know not 1 Ioh. 2. 11. But in God is no darknesse at all 1 Ioh. 1. 5. Sinne is death Math. 8. 22. Let the dead burie their dead Eph. 2. 12. Dead in trespasses and sinnes 5. 14. Arise from the dead 1 Tim 5. 6. Dead while she lives 1 Ioh. 3. 14. Passed from death Well may sinne be called death 1. It deserving death 2. Causing death Rom. 5. 12. 3. Being odious to a living soule as death to a living man 4. Bitter as death 5. It disabling the soule from well-doing And 6. destroying as death But God is life 1 Ioh. 1. 2. Is it a grounded axiome Omne dissimile est in sociabile That every dissimilitude is insociable Do we all know that light and darknesse can never accord but the one is ever a privation of the other Doth experience daily declare unto us that there is not the least society betwixt living and dead bodies although of the most intimate confederates Although the one a most compassionate mother the other an entirely affected child Yea although of the lovingest mates that ever were linked in the sacred bonds of conjugall society But the living as disjoyned from the dead parts them away by a speedy interring them in the earth And is it possible think for God and sin twixt whom there is the greatest repugnancy to accord Can any so much as dreame of yet dreames are but dreames having fellowship with those fruitlesse workes of darknesse which are dead works yea death it selfe and with the Lord of light and life Sinne doth inkindle the wrathfull indignation of the irefull sinne-revenging God making him so sore displeased that he threw downe Angels from his heavenly habitations into that infernall lake of endlesse woe exil'd our first parents out of Eden that Paradise of God brake up the fountaines of the great deepe and opened the floud-gates of heaven and destroyed all flesh wherein was the breath of life those few excepted which were in the Arke Destroyed utterly Sodome The Lake Sodome 180 furlongs which is 22. miles of ours in length â—50 in bredth which is 18. of our miles as some say some more Ios Weissenbig It hath no out-let or disburdening Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim with fire and brimstone from heaven In a word sinne is that which provokes the Lord to send upon a people or person his numberlesse and insupportable plagues and punishments hence come noysome beasts hence dolefull captivities hence destroying pestilences hence famine so tragicall yea all other greater or lesser temporall tortures Hence blindnesse of mind hardnesse of heart pertinacious obstinacy finall impenitency yea all those endlesse easelesse hopelesse helplesse torments of eternall damnation where their worme never dyeth and their fire is not quenched of which those other are but vaunt-courers or fore-runners And can we have fellowship with God except we abandon iniquity thinke we Sinne is that traiterous Iudas corrupt Pilate perfidious perjurers bloud-thirsty Iewes and torturing executioners yea as the thornes whips nailes mockings buffettings spittings and speare wherewith the head backe and cheekes so tender and lovely were bloudily and barbarously gored the harmelesse innocency derided and calumniated yea the hearts bloud of the Sonne of God more worth then millions of worlds spilt upon the earth This is that which grieves despights and quencheth the Spirit of God And can we perswade our selves of having fellowship with the Father if we delight in sinne which crucifies the Sonne and grieves if not wholly quencheth and despighteth the Holy Ghost Sinne transformes men into monsters making them Scorpions Ezek. 2. 6. Vipers Math. 3. 7. Cokatrices and Spiders Isa 59. 5. Dogges swine and such like foule and filthy creatures Ignatius saith I sight valiantly with beasts in Assyria even 〈…〉 to Rome not that I am devoured by bruit beasts For these as you know God willing â—â—ared Daniel But of beasts bearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom that cruell beast doth 〈◊〉 which doth daily sting and wound me St. Chrysostome saith Sometimes he calleth them 〈◊〉 for their sawâ—inesse and violence sometimes horses for their lust sometimes asses for their sottishnesse and ignorance sometimes lions and libards for their ravening end covetousnesse of having sometimes also aspes for their guile oftentimes serpents and vâ—pers for their secret
of malice pride and passion and to deface their blamelesse innocency and the most upright and conscionable cariages in their callings with the staining tiâ—cture of contentious faction hellish maliciousnesse base covetousnesse opinionative pride or some such like vile diffamations obnubilating and obscuring these shining candles to this end and purpose that others might fall and never rise againe But what and if the messenger be a man of infamous rank as alas there are too many such yet let us regard his Doctrine which is of God An authenticall Proclamation loseth nothing of its authority by the promulgation of a deboist Officer Eliahs food was acceptable to him although uncleane ravens were his servitours and I thinke none of us will refuse currant coine comming from the hands of slovenly or bad companions And shall not we heare the Scribes and Pharisies sitting in Moises chaire Math. 23. 1 2 3. Because they say and do not But argue thus with your selves 1. Since no flesh can heare God and live Exod. 20. 19. 2. Since it is impossible and against the pleasure of Christ that he should preach againe in his manhood 3. Since it 's no wayes warrantable to expect preaching by Angels there being no such precept or practice 4. Since it 's not only impossible but unprofitable for those who will not c. Neither will they believe though one come from the dead Luc. 16. 31. to have a teacher come from the dead 5. Since though it were to be wished that none but good men did preach the Word we must regard not so much who speakes as what is spoken we resolve to heare Gods voice in the ministery of the Word 1. Not spider-like striving to sucke poison from the sweetest flowers Scribe-like seeking with poysoned hearts to entrappe the preacher as if we came to mend him not our selves 2. Not Athenian-like itchingly desiring novelties new texts new Teachers not seeking for grace but newes to feed our vaine and fond curiosity 3. Not unprofitably like riven vessels which receive plenty of water yet leake out all 4. Nor obstinately like the pertinacious stiffe-necked Iewes who resolutely answered they would not hearken Ierem. 44. 10. But with a serious Christian preparation diligent attention post-consideration and practice the end of hearing This word of God offering health to the sicke liberty to the bond life to the dead It having whatsoever is desireable whether profit surpassing gold or delight sweeter then hony And it being a word of reconciliation so a meanes to obtaine fellowship with the Father where it is wanting and a necessary duty for all such who have fellowship with the Father delightfully to heare God speake to them in his Word CHAP. XI The sixt Meanes and Duty is Seeking the Lord. HAve the Saints such a fellowship Seeke we the Lord that 6. Meanes Duty we also may have fellowship with the Father For the Lord will not forsake them that seeke him Psal 9. 10. This is neither the last nor the least meanes to obtaine society with the Lord. The Holy Ghost in many places frequently inculcating this duty stirring us up to seeke the Lord directs and guides us how and presseth us forward to get communion with the Father For what is it to seeke the Lord save to seeke the love and favour fellowshippe and fruition of the Lord And how shall we get communion with the Lord better then by seeking the Lord viz. Seeking to know him seeking to obey him that we may enjoy him Sociall combinations are not compacted til after former fervent and frequent seeking Courtly dignities country offices if of profit meet mates for mariages friendly companions who sticke closer then brethren arts and sciences health liberty wisedome wealth yea grace and glory therefore fellowship with the Father if wanting must be sought that they may be had Seeke we therefore to pacifie to please that so we may possesse the Lord or have fellowship with the Father Man 1 Oh seeke him therefore and that 1. Sincerely and unfainedly Deut. 4. 29. If thou seeke the Lord thy God thou shalt find him if thou seeke him with all thy heart and with all thy soule 1 Chron. 22. 19. Set your heart and your soule to seeke the Lord your God Ier. 29. 13. Ye shall seeke me and find me when you shall seeke me with all your heart 2. Fervently and earnestly Isa 26. 9. With my soule have I desired thee with my spirit within me will I seeke thee with all thy heart and soule 3. Humbly and submissively Zeph. 2. 3. Seeke the Lord ye meeke of the earth 4. Timely and seasonably Isa 55. 6. Seeke the Lord while he may be found Prov. 8. 17. Those who seeke me early shall find me 5. Constantly and painefully Prov. 2. 4. Seeking him as silver and searching for him as for hidden treasures Seeke we therefore and that Meanes 1 1. By godly meditation Cant. 3. 1. By night on my bed I sought c. 2. By unfained faith Heb. 11. 6. He that commeth to God must believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seeke him 3. By true repentance Acts 17. 27. Seeke the Lord 30. ever repent 4. By humility Zeph. 2. 3. Seeke the Lord all ye meeke 5. By searching the Scriptures Iohn 5. 27. Search the Scriptures c. 6. By Christian conference Cant. 6. 1. Whither that seeke Zach. 8. 21. If moving inducements will prevaile behold Mot. 1 1. The Soveraigne mandate of the Lord of Hosts Thus saith the Lord of Hosts unto the house of Israel seek you me Isa 55. 6. Acts 5. 4. 2. The Lords pronenesse and easinesse to be found 2 Chron. 15. 4. 15. But when and sought him he was found of them 3. The perill and danger depending upon the neglect hereof Ier. 10. 21. The Pastors are become brutish and have not sought the Lord therefore they shall not prosper and their flocks shal be scattered Ezra 8. 22. His wrath is against them that forsake him 4. The superabundant promises which are made to those who seek him Deu. 4. 29. Ier. 29. 12 13 14. You shall find me c. 5. The profitable advantages redounding to all those who rightly seeke the Lord are very large and many As for example 1. Râ—st on every side from enemies 2 Chron. 14. 7. Because c. 2. The hand of the Lord is with them for good who seeke him Ezra 8. 22. 3. They shall never be forsaken who seeke God Psal 9. 10. 4. They shall want no good thing Psal 34. 10. 5. The Lord is good to the soule which seeketh him Lam. 3. 23 6. They shall live that seek God Amos. 5 6. Instigate and stirre up your selves to seeke the Lord with these or such like meditations as these foure following 1. Shall the Centurions servant go and come do this and that at his Masters bidding Ought all servants to obey the injunctions of their Maisters in all things scil which are
after much searching and prying whether they be sound and sufficient you receive not gold carelesly but after tryall whether it is currant coine and of sufficient weight You take not silver hand over head but you first see whether it is payable money you turne and tosse rub and ring each suspected piece least you take brasse for lawfull silver And deale you thus with your faith Do you examine whether you are in the faith Do you try by the touch-stone of the Word whether it is of the right kind not that of Divels not that of temporizers not that of wicked ones but that of the Elect making them endeavour good and shun sinne I would you did 2. Is faith thus excellent Then you who wish well to your selves prise and use all sanctified meanes whereby it 's gotten kept and increased This is a pearle of price the tryall whereof is better then gold 1 Pet. 1. 7. The least degree whereof is better then a world of earthly contentments benefiting the enjoyer when all worldly vanities stand in no stead not forsaking him till he hath received the end of his faith the salvation of his soule 1 Pet. 1. 9. This is a precious jewell in the esteeme of God and godly men in regard of the giver worker object meanes and use 2 Pet. 1. 1. By this we are united unto we receive vitality from and have familiarity with the Lord Iesus Or in a word this is an astringent tye joyning us into this union so neare true and admirable this fellowship so celestiall and inseparable which is with Gods Sonne Iesus Christ CHAP. X. The third Marke and Duty Such have Christs Spirit abiding in them HAve we or desire we fellowship with Christ Iesus We 3. Marke Duty must have the Spirit of God inhabiting within us Rom. 8. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his If we have fellowship with Christ we already have if we desire communion with Christ we must get to have the Spirit of God to dwell in us To like purpose is that 1 Cor. 3. 16. Know you not that you are the Temple of God and that the Holy Ghost dwelleth in you As 1 Cor. 6. 19. And 2 Tim. 1. 14. By the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in you Of such absolute necessity is the having of Christs Spirit Mot. 1. abiding in us That without it no saving faith no sound hope no true love no happy peace no solid joy no new birth no new life no spirituall adoption no reall ingrafting into Christ no union or communion with him these all being graces works and fruits of Gods Spirit Those who have not the Spirit of Christ abiding in them are none of Christs 1. Souldiers therefore the Dragons there being but two sides and therefore shal be overcome Rev. 12. 9. 2. Servants therefore slaves to sinne and Sathan therefore to be paid the wages of eternall death Rom. 6. 23. 3. Subjects therefore rebels and traitours against the king of heaven therefore to be slaine Luc. 19. 27. 4. Sheepe therefore Goates whose end is to be accursed Math. 25. 41. 5. Braunches abiding in him therefore withered castawayes to be burned Ioh 15. 6. 6. Acquaintance friends familiars therefore strangers to heare that dolefull farewell depart I know you not Math. 7. 25. 7. Brethren therefore bastards children of this world and the Devill therefore no inheritours 8. Brides therefore harlots and strumpets therefore divorced and cast out 9. Members of his mysticall body therefore limbes of the Devill to be consumed Therefore if we have not the Spirit of God abiding in us there is no possibility of fellowship with Iesus Christ while so we continue The unspeakable motions and operations of Gods Spirit manifest the truth of this abundantly 1. Whence is our regeneration or new creation From the Spirit Ioh. 3. 5. Borne of the Spirit 2. Whence is our justification From the Spirit 1 Cor. 6. 11. You are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God 3. Whence is our holinesse and sanctification From the Spirit Acts 15. 8 9. Giving the Holy Ghost purifying c. 4. Whence is our Christian loue whereby we love Christ for his owne sake and Christians for his From the Spirit Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us 5. Whence is our obsignation whereby we are ascertained that we are the Sonnes of God From the Spirit Rom. 8. 16. It beares witnesse with our spirits that we are the Sonnes of God 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath sealed c. 6. Whence is our direction how to live From the Spirit Rom. 8. 14. Led by the Spirit 7. Whence is our corroboration or spirituall strength From the Spirit Eph. 3. 16. Strongthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man 8. Whence our supplication or ability to pray From the Spirit Rom. 8. 15. Whereby c. 9. Whence our consolation From the Spirit Acts 9. 31. Comfort of the Holy Ghost 10. Whence our incorporation into and inhabitation in Christ From the Spirit Eph. 2. 22. In whom you are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Saint Chrysostome saith well That Spirit doth make holy sanctifie Ergò iste Spiritus consecrat sanctificat benedicit honorificat guberuat protegit consolatur producit ad santam Ecclesiam 1. Expos Symboli Tom. 5 pag. 1147. blesse honour governe protect comfort and doth bring to the holy Church All those therefore who have these speciall and heavenly prerogatives of regeneration justification c. and communion with Christ Iesus they have necessarily the Spirit of God abiding in them 1. Ponder with advisement and deliberation how lamentably dreadfull their condition is who have not the Spirit of God abiding in them for although the conversation of many of them is plausible and to admiration in regard of their upright civill carriage yet wanting the Spirit of God they are none of Christs and therefore have no interest in this communion 2. Commiserate the Maniacque folly and braine-sicke bedlam madnesse of all such scorners which scoffe at this as if there were no cohabitation of Gods Spirit in the hearts of godly men These blinded beetles thinke none see because themselves do not are perswaded none have Gods Spirit because they want it The glorious Sun is in the firmament giving comfortable light to all seeing creatures although born-blind Moles never behold the least glimpse of its shining rayes The blessed Spirit of God is dwelling and abiding in the holy ones of God although such deriding scorners hood-winkt by the Devill with the scales of blockish ignorance and damned infidelity are altogether unexperienced and unacquainted in such Divine and heavenly enjoyments 3. Looke O you sonnes of men whether this Spiritof God