unbeleever know never so much he is resolved to be never the better and they who are unwilling to obey God thinkes unworthy to know Whence it is also that as what the Beleever doth is good for the matter so he will doe it well also for the manner and in all his actions observe whether his ends be good or evill for he will doe good actions with good intentions and not be moved unto them by base ends as is the unbeleever Nor is he pussed up either with his knowledge or parts well knowing that he is ignorant of many things for a few that he understands and that he falls short of others in what he most excells Nor will he build upon his knowledge but in cases doubtfull he will advise with others Yea he will submit to the better advice even of his inferiour or Maid-servant 5. § He is not erronious in his judgement he neither affects curiosity nor singularity which is the foolish ambition of unblest understandings But he wholly applyes himselfe to those things which God hath revealed in his Word and to the confirmation of received truths which is the meeknesse and humility of the best judgements and so is wise according to sobriety Nor does he so cry up Justification as to cry downe and quite overthrow Sanctification He reades and heares with an honest and good heart and to the end onely that he may know savingly beleeve rightly and live religiously and God grants his desire in all the three He is resolved to doe Gods Will therefore God gives him to know the Doctrine whether it be of God or no. Neither will he give heed nor lend his eare to the intising words of false Prophets or spirits of error who speake lyes through hypocrisie as having their consciences burned with an hot iron None can beguile him with their sleights and cunning craftinesse whereby they lye in wait to deceive for his heart is stablished with grace He is not wavering nor carried about with every winde of Doctrine which vaine talkers and deceivers of mindes daily vent because he is rooted and stablished in the faith He avoides all prophane and vaine bablings all foolish and unlearned questions which are endlesse all strife about words which is to no profit all Jewish fables and commandments of men and geneologies which breed vaine janglings rather then godly edification which is by faith all brawlings and contentions about the Law as being unprofitable and vaine He will not be spoyled through Philosophy or great shewes of learning He doteth not about froward disputations and things that ingender unto more ungodlinesse as knowing well that the words of these false Apostles and Teachers of lyes fret like a Canker poyson mens judgements and pervert their simple and superstitious hearers but rather studdies to have a good conscience and faith unfained Whereas it is the portion of all rotten hearted and Hypocriticall Professors to be given up to errour and to beleeve lyes In briefe he will entertaine nothing which is contrary to wholsome Doctrine and not according to the glorious Gospell of the blessed God Yea if there be any that erre concerning the truth or having a shew of godlinesse deny the power of it he turnes away from such Againe he is not for Paul nor Apollos nor Cephas but for all that bring the Word for their warrant And those who will not suffer wholsome Doctrine but having their eares itching doe after their owne lusts get them an heap of Teachers turning their eares from the truth being given unto fables are farre from being of his minde He is none of those that creep into Houses and lead captive simple women laden with sins and led away with divers lusts that subvert whole families by walking in craftinesse and handling the Word deceitfully and that teach things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake even delighting themselves in their deceivings that beguile unstable soules by promising them liberty and are themselves the servants of corruption being men of corrupt mindes that resist the truth and are reprobate concerning the faith He will reject him that is an Heriticke after once or twice admonition knowing that he who is such is perverted and sinneth deing damned of his owne selfe He is no causer of division or dissention in the Church 6. § But he wins many to the truth for he is charitable wishes all good and happy like himselfe and accordingly proves a meanes of bringing many to Heaven and that two wayes First whereas others by their evill example are a meanes to destroy many he by his good example is a meanes to save many For he is upright and sincere hearted to God and man He is none of those that professe God with their words and with their workes deny him He is not double-tongued but as he thinkes in his heart so he speakes with his mouth and as he is led by his conscience so his conscience is led by truth In fine he is knowne from another man onely by the holinesse and uprightnesse of his life and conversation Yea all may read in his life that he beleeves in his heart and are forced to say This is a good God whose servant is so good Or this is a good holy and opperative Religion that thus changes and transformes men into new Creatures For his life is like a precious and sweet persume whose savour spreads it selfe and is pleasant to all that come neare Yea be sowes those good workes that remaine to posterity and are reaped by succession and he shall be happy in making others so But secondly as the wicked draw all they can to Hell by their alurements and subtill perswasions so he drawes all he can to Heaven by his admonitions and sweet compellations He loves the soule of his Neighbour and therefore he will tell him of his faults and the Judgements of God due unto the same Yea rather then let one goe headlong to destruction he will violently plucke him out of the fire for he hath not onely zeale but courage to doe good he is not luke warme nor will he suffer discretion to eat up his devotion as it fares with common professors For he had rather hazzard the censure of some then hinder the good of others Yea rather then be guilty of other mens sins By his cowardly silence he can afford to be despised and thought out of his wits by the world reputed a foole and pointed at in the streets For he preferres Gods favour before all the worlds and his glory before his owne credit Not that he wants wit or deserves contempt for his zeale is mixed with discretion and he makes knowledge the pilot of his devotion but his love to God is such as he cannot beare with them that are evill His righteous soule is vexed with seeing and hearing the uncleanly conversation of their unlawfull deeds Yea it cuts his very heart to heare Christ so wounded with oathes blasphemies and reproaches who is the
seale by sudden refreshings falling like the dew upon his heart and establishing his soule before the Lord especially after holy duties yea his hope as being built upon Gods Word and promises fills him with such joy unspeakeable that it makes him rejoyce even in tribulation § 28. He sometimes loseth the efficacie feeling and comfort of faith but the seed and habit of faith alwaies remaineth He is often and grievously assaulted with feares and doubtings but in the issue he alwaies gets the conquest and is the more assured for having been so much assaulted and does so much the more strive to make his Calling and Election sure and to be assured of future happinesse after this his earthly pilgrimage § 29. Or if he hath but a weake faith yet it is sound against which the very gates of Hell shall never prevaile for he never utterly falls away from the grace of God but perseveres in the truth and in well doing to the end and therein findes also a blessed thriving and gracious progresse in true holinesse § 30. He is perfectly justified by the bloud of Christ freed from the rigour of the Law and in some good measure from the spirit of bondage is often in combate between the flesh and the Spirit but the Spirit in the end ever gets the upper hand § 31. And as he beleeves in his heart so he is not ashamed of the Crosse of Christ but will professe the truth boldly in all estates and in times of suffering and publish what Christ hath done for his soule to Gods glory and the comfort of others yea if called to it he will God assisting him lay downe his life for Christ and the Gospell and rejoyce also that he is counted worthy § 32. Neither is he high-minded but more feares the want of grace then confides in what he hath for he workes out his salvation with feare and trembling and trusts not in the least to his owne strength but is ever jealous and suspicious least his heart should deceive him but he resolves by Gods grace not to use any unlawfull meanes nor yeeld to any thing against the truth for the avoyding of what he feares be it burning at a stake as knowing and being fully perswaded that all things shall worke together for the best unto him And indeed the feare of God which is his continuall guardion keepes him in some measure from the feare of death and terrour of the world for he feares not them that can onely kill the body in any degree like him that after he hath killed can cast both body and soule into Hell Nor does he grutch to lose a temporall life when in lieu thereof he shall obtaine an eternall Crowne of glory § 33. He is wonderfully inflamed with the love and estimation of God and of Christ especially upon the returne of his prayers or the obtaining of some mercy the which he shewes by his hating of evill and by his constant obedience and the delight he hath in keeping of Gods Commandements and by his willingnesse to be at cost or suffer for him Neither is he so in love with the world or any thing in it as that it shall diminish his love to God yea he so loves and longs for Christs appearing that he may be united to him and enjoy his presence that his daily prayer is Come Lord Jesus come quickly § 34. Againe he intirely loves and highly esteemes Gods people not out of any carnall or selfe ends but for their graces the truths sake and because they are borne of God more loving and honouring the poore that walke uprightly then they that pervert their wayes though they be rich and loving them best that serve God most He is prone to justifie them and speake in their defence when he heares them reviled slandered or contemned by wicked and ungodly men though he incur their displeasure by it § 35. He does not estrange himselfe from the people of God in their misery but is ready to minister unto them when they stand in need and use any meanes for their reliefe He will solicite great ones in their behalfe and in Christs cause though he indanger himselfe thereby and can be as earnest a Suitor at the Throne of Grace for others that are in distresse as for himselfe even thursting and studying how he may doe them most good as participating and being touched with compassion and having a fellow-feeling both of the misery and felicity of others as one member hath of another especially of the Churches as a member hath of the whole body Neither can he rejoyce in his owne peace and welfare while the Church and people of God are in distresse whose welfare he preferres before his owne § 36. He delights in the Saints company above all others as finding an heavenly sweetnesse in their conference and society where every ones words doe savour of grace and wisedome and when in every company he shall either doe good or receive good § 37. And as he loves and delights in holy company so he loathes evill company neither will he have any fellowship with the workers of iniquity or be in league with the wicked as Swearers Drunkards Whooremongers Scoffers c. but avoyd all needlesse society with them Place these 25. Sections next after page 10. § 37. Such other signes or properties of A true Beleever as offered themselves while the second sheet was by a providence somewhat long in printing 1. § HE will neither back-bite others nor give eare to back-biters of others Neither lend Satan his tougue to utter nor his eares to heare nor his heart to beleeve lyes and slanders He will not lessen his owne credit by traducing one that wrongs him he will not lessen his owne shame and blame by traducing one he hath wronged as too many doe He wonders not so much at anothers ingratitude to him as at his owne unthankfulnesse to God He will pardon many things in others which he will not tolerate in himselfe He will neither arrogate to himselfe nor derogate from another neither villifie other mens doings nor over highly prize his owne He will not condemne censure or slight that which he understands not To finde gall in a Pidgion a knot in a Bulrush where is none is none of his humour In relating an enemies words he will neither adde to them nor diminish from them The faults of a few shall not make him uncharitable to all nor the goodnesse of many make him credulous of the rest He envies none for doing or faring or being better esteemed then himself 2. § His graces and goodnesse gaines him more enemies and breeds him more danger then vice and wickednesse does another man but he is more pleased then displeased at it for he knowes by the worlds hating of him that he is not of the world but that Christ hath chosen him out of the world and that he some way discovers the worlds treasons and deceits He knowes also that
cruelty if thou takest no care to provide for thine own family if thou hadst rather the wicked should beare rule then the godly if thou art an enemy to reformation if thou hadst rather disobey God then displease great ones if thou desirest peace without any respect to truth if thou dost allow thy selfe in the practice of any knowne grosse sinne if thou takest liberty to sinne because God is mercifull and forbeares to execute judgement speedily if thou dost not beleeve all things to be ordered by Gods providence and in particular acknowledge him in all thou either receivest or sufferest if thou murmurest when thou wantest any thing without ever thinking of the many things thou hast beyond thy desert if thou canst heare God blasphemed and dishonoured without being moved thereat if the scandalous lives of Professors or the multitude of Heresies that are daily broached make thee thinke and speake evill of the way of truth if thou didst never see thy selfe out of measure sinfull as being many waies guilty of the breach of every of the Commandements in particular and so in a lost condition utterly despayring of all helpe in thy selfe acknowledging that thou hast deserved all the plagues of this life and of that which is to come if thou art not as well troubled for originall guilt for sinnes of omission for the evill which cleaves to thy best workes and for thy very thoughts as for thy actuall and manifest evill deeds if thou hast made vowes and promised amendment when the rod was on thy back but never cared to performe the same when thou wert released if thou art not industrious after the meanes of grace if thou lovest not to heare Christs voyce if thou findest not the Word more quick and powerfull and sweet and efficatious then any other writings if it and the spirit going along with it hath not brought thee out of darknesse into marvellous light in comparison of thy former darknesse if thou art ignorant of the principalls of Religion in the midst of so much light and meanes and canst not yeeld a reason of the hope that is in thee if thou dost not finde a manifest change in thy judgement affections and actions from what they were by nature if the old man hath not changed with the new man worldly wisedome with heavenly wisedome carnall love for spirituall love servile feare for christian and filiall feare idle thoughts for holy thoughts vaine words for holy and wholsome words fleshly workes for workes of righteousnesse c. as if thou wert cast into a new mould even hating what thou formerly lovedst and loving what thou formerly hatedst if thou art not ashamed of thy former conversation if thou hast not been often and grievously assaulted with feares and doubtings and often in combate between the flesh and the spirit the spirit getting the better if thou dost not more feare the want of grace then conside in what thou hast if thou art nor jealous lest thy heart should deceive thee yea if thou art not hated of the world and evill spoken of for well doing thou art the Devills servant and not as yet one of that small number whom Christ hath chosen out of the world to beleeve in his name for these or any one of these signes sufficiently brand thee for a wicked man if you would see it proved undeniably from Gods Word read my Cure of Misprision Sections the 20. and 21. § 68. But least any weake Christian should thinke himselfe unsound and so none of Christs because he falls short of this description of a true Beleever and findes wanting in himselfe perhaps many of the former signes or evidences herein set forth or should be discouraged by reason of his many and great faylings together with the weaknesse of his faith and love as for the most part the true Christian is as fearefull to entertaine a good opinion of himselfe as the false is unwilling to be driven from it let such an one take speciall notice in the first place that there are three sorts of true and sound Christians as the Apostle Saint John makes the distinction 1 John 2.12 13. the first sort are babes in Christ viz. such as are new borne or but weakly qualifyed with the graces of Gods Spirit A second are strong men as having the gifts of the Spirit lively and in power The third are Fathers such as have had long experience in the powerfull practice of Christianity and been long exercised in all kinds or well doing This done § 69. Secondly let him know That as God requires no other obedience in the best then Evangelicall so he lookes not for the same measure and degree of grace from Babes and strong men or from strong men and Fathers for God accepteth of every man according to the grace he hath received be it more or leste 2 Cor. 8.12 as is manifest by that Parable of the Talents Matth. 25.20 to 24. yea what Father or Master will not from his young and newly weaned Child or sick and weake servant accept of the will for the deed and shall not God much more who is both the Father of mercies and the Author of mercy and compassion in others Yes undoubtedly as let it be granted that thy knowledge is still small thy faith weake thy charity cold thy heart dull and hard thy good workes few and imperfect and all thy zealous resolutions easily hindered and quite over-throwne with every small temptation yet God that worketh in us both the will and the worke will accept the will for the worke and that which is wanting in us Christ will supply with his owne righteousnesse he respecteth not what we can doe so much as what we would doe and that which we would performe and cannot he esteemeth it as though it were performed thus he taketh an heart desirous to repent and beleeve for a penitent and beleeving heart whereas take away the will and all acts in Gods sight are equall Well might I doubt of my salvation sayes Bradford feeling the weaknesse of my faith love hope c. if these were the causes of my salvation but there is no other cause of it or of Gods mercy but his mercy Againe § 70. Thirdly you are to observe that as Nature so Grace rises by many degrees to perfection we grow in grace and saving knowledge as a childe does in stature and understanding untill we attaine to glory which is grace perfected yea grace in its growth is but like the change of a mans haire from black to grey or the growth of a Tree which is not accomplisht in a moneth or a yeare but in many yeares we not perceiving how § 71. Fourthly consider also that the best have their failings as had Abraham Jacob David Peter c. you have heard of the patience of Job saith Saint James and have we not heard also of his fits of impatiency Yes but it pleased God mercifully to over-looke that and so of Asah
grieved for the abominations that are done by others to the dishonour of God and slander of religion or the ruine of mens soules § 14. Nor does he only abhorre and depart from evill but he cleaves unto that which is good he is not only dead to and made free from sinne but as he hath once been the servant of sinne so he becomes the servant of righteousnesse and as he hath been instrumentall to Satan so he will now be as active to serve Christ and be as fruitfull in good workes as he hath formerly been in evill workes § 15. He is conformed to the image of Christ and is led by the Spirit walkes in newnesse of life lives holily justly and unblameably for now he walkes not after the flesh but after the Spirit and brings forth the fruits of the Spirit mentioned Gal. 5.22 so that he is changed and renewed in every part power and faculty his understanding is enlightened his minde renewed his will changed his affections sanctified c. and he who thinkes he beleeves and findes not a palpable change in his judgement affections and actions does but deceive himselfe § 16. He goes often and upon all occasions to God in prayer in which lyes all his strength yet not as his but as it is the intercession of Gods owne Spirit in him poured out in the name of Christ and according to his Will for being truly sensible of his sins and wants he chiefly prayes for the pardon of sinne the effusion of grace and for the assistance of Gods Spirit that he may more firmely beleeve more soundly repent more zealously doe more patiently suffer and more constantly persevere in the practice and profession of every duty Nor does he for the most part fall into prayer without meditation and preparation nor utter words without devotion and affection nor without some assurance and perswasion that God will heare and grant his requests yea he mostly takes notice of his enlargements in prayer and of the successe afterwards and is accordingly thankfull or humbled not that he measureth Gods hearing his suit by his present answer or his present answer by his owne sence he will pray at least in some poore measure at all times striving against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heavie burthen § 17. He heares the Word with attention mindes observes and remembers it carefully receives and applyes whatsoever precept or promise is spoken out of the Word as spoken by God to himselfe in particular is astonished at the deepnesse of Gods wisedome power and goodnesse seriously meditating upon the Nature Attributes Word and Workes of God he layes it up in his heart ponders on it in his mind and practiseth it in his life neither will he approach unto the Lords Table without due examination and preparation § 18. He loves and longs after a powerfull and searching Ministry above all earthly treasures as finding a greater necessity of Spirituall then Corporall food and therefore will take any paines or be at any cost or suffer any disgrace to injoy it § 19. He is never offended at any wholsome truth be it never so untoothsome but affects that Ministery most which most layes open and rebukes his owne sinne even therefore comming to the light that his deeds may be made manifest When he heares his owne sins spoken against he does not apply the same unto others as is the mannor of too many nor is he wise to defend the evill he does but loves to be admonished nor will he after warning and conviction from the Word goe on in an evill way because his principall care is to be saved § 20. He will not plead against God nor aske a reason of his actions if he meets with hard Scriptures he runs not into error nor is offended but suspends his judgement and blames his owne blindnesse you may know him from an unbeleever by this he is wise to defend the truth when he heares it spoken against but never argues against it whereas the unbeleever being prompt by Satan can most subtilly argue against the truth though he hath not a word to speake for it yea he thinkes it religion enough if he can but dispute against the religious which is a manifest signe of a wicked man Briefly he neither carpes nor frets against a faithfull Minister nor seekes to intrap him or pervert what he delivers but prayes for him and is ready to speake in his defence § 21. He hath an high estimation of the Ministers and meanes by which he was converted and findes more sweetnesse in the Gospell then in any thing else in the world § 22. Spirituall judgements as a famine of the Word the blindnesse of mens mindes hardnesse of their hearts c. he accounts more wofull then any judgement the world can be sensible of § 23. He is enlightened with the saving knowledge and hid things of the Gospell and to see truth from error good from evill together with his owne wretchednesse by sinne and the riches of Gods free grace and mercy in Christ towards his owne soule he is not ignorant of the principles of Religion as most aged people are but is able and ready to give a reason of the hope that is in him § 24. He prayes for the enlargement and rejoyces at the progresse of the Gospell and in the common good of the Church and so at the graces or good successe of any member in particular and will be some way instrumentall for Christ praying for and earnestly desiring the salvation of others and likewise endeavouring to win all he can to Christ rejoycing no lesse when any good thing is done by others then if himselfe did it He highly respects all such as any way promote the Gospell and is thankfull to them § 25. He is willing to be at cost to serve the Lord will freely administer carnall things where he partaketh of spirituall things and counts the same as a due not as a benevolence yea he thinkes it most just that they who preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell and that as freely as men of other Callings which signe or character shewes a world of men that professe themselves Christians to be but counterfeits § 26. He beleeves impartially the whole Word of God threats and precepts as well as promises and things above the reach of reason as well as what experience hath made plaine to him he feeles the power and efficacie of Gods Word and Spirit perswading his conscience that his sinnes are pardoned in Christ and he in favour with God so that he can truly apply Christ and all his benefits and promises unto his owne soule trusting in him and casting himselfe only upon him for pardon and salvation § 27. He hath a sweet and sanctified peace in his conscience arising from the assured forgivenesse of his sinnes a sound and strong joy in the Lord and in his Word through beleeving not seldome the Holy Ghost inwardly setting too Gods privie
being obtained And be he never so rich he is not high minded neither does he trust in uncertaine riches but in the living God For in his prosperity he forgetteth not his former low estate but is ever meditating upon and admiring the Lords goodnesse towards him Yea he sets a Memorandum upon every remarkable mercy that he may not forget it and admires that God should set his delight and love upon him and chose him above many others and this makes him strive to surpasse others in his love and service to God againe Whereas unbeleevers when they are waxed fat with the good blessings of God they will spurne with the heel and forsake God that made them not once regarding the strong God of their salvation but provoke him with strange gods and other abominations but it fares not so with the Beleever neither doth he so requite the Lord. And as he is thankfull to the Author so likewise to any that he shall make instrumentall for his good thinking himselfe bound to remember and requite good turnes 12. § Secondly if he falls into adversity or any kinde of distresse he knowes it is sent of the Lord in love and to doe him good and to give him occasion of rejoycing afterwards He well considers that scarfe any thing more proves us his then his stripes that stripes from the Almighty are so farre from arguing his displeasure that contrarily there are few better tokens and pledges of his adoption and love and that they are bastards and not sonnes who are without correction And so it is that as many as God loves he rebukes and chastens And as it is sent for his good so it doth him good crosses in his estate diseases in his body maladies in his minde are medicines to his soule the impairing of the one is the repairing of the other His sinne dyes with his fame or with his health or with his peace or with his outward estate Yea it both lessons his sins and increaseth his graces for God sends him affliction both for his instruction and reformation to scoure away the rust of corruption and to try the truth of his sanctification for the increase of his patience and the exercise of his faith and the improvement of his zeale and to provoke his importunity and to double his obligation to greaten each other grace and to augment his glory Againe he inflicts a lesse punishment to avoyd a greater and by smarting in his body state or name he is saved from smarting in his soule He is chastned that he may be converted not confounded his worser part to wit his Body state or name is impoverisht that his better part that is his soule may be saved in the day of Judgement But see it in some particulars as first how it makes him humble and thankfull for he not only calls to minde his owne unworthinesse of the least mercy he still injoyes and how he hath provoked the Giver for he is ever meditating of what Christ hath done and suffered for him and how he hath provoked Christ But he also compares what he suffers with what he might have suffered arguing thus with himselfe he that hath taken this from me might have taken more he that afflicts me for a time could have held me longer he that hath touched me in part could have stricken me in whole he that laid this upon my body hath power to lay a greater Rod both upon my body and soule without doing me the least wrong And so goes on I was borne a childe of wrath and whereas God might have left me in that perishing condition and chosen others he hath of his free grace adopted me and left others And this makes him cry out O the depth as a mercy beyond all expression saying further O my soule thou hast not roome enough for thankfulnesse And the truth is if we could but seriously thinke upon our deliverance from Hell fire it alone would be thought cause enough to make us both patient and thankfull though the things we now delight in be taken from us And sure I am nothing can be too much to endure for those pleasures in Heaven which shall endure for ever O that we could keepe fast in our memories but these two things and upon all occasions make use of them and consider withall that the least mercy is beyond our best merit And no better remedy for impatience then to cast up our receits and compare them with our deservings But secondly Gods corrections are his instructions his lashes lessons his scourges school-masters his chastisements advertisements to him by feeling of smart he learnes to decline the cause Yea this hath taught him to fly from the workes of darknesse at a great distance and to consider as well the bitternesse of what will follow as the sweetnesse of a momentary pleasure and so cleared his sight that he can now discerne sinne in all he thinkes and speakes and does for he is ever bewailing his wants and weaknesses the hardnesse of his heart want of faith c. Thirdly it abundantly increaseth his joy and comfort for admit Satan and the world should deprive him of all outward comforts at once yet God at the same time will supply the want of these with comforts farre surpassing and transcending them as first the assurance of the pardon of sinne alone is able to cleare all stormes of the minde it teacheth misery as sicknesse poverty famine imprisonment infamy c. even to laugh for then let death happen it matters not when a Malefactor hath sued out his pardon let the Assizes come when they will the sooner the better But to this is added the peace of conscience the marrow of all comforts otherwise called the peace of God which passeth all understanding and surpasseth all commending for never did man finde pleasure upon earth like the sweet testimony of an appeased conscience reconciled unto God cleansed by the blood of the Lambe and quieted by the presence of the Holy Ghost As the Martyrs felt who even clapt their hands for joy in the midst of the flames and were even ravisht before they were permitted to dye so great and so passing all expressing is the peace and comfort of a good conscience Againe thirdly affliction bringeth with it the company of God himselfe I will be with you in tribulation saith God Psal 91.15 As when those three were cast into the fiery Furnace Dan. 3. there was presently a fourth came to beare them company and that was God himselfe ver 23. to 27. and his presence makes any condition comfortable were a man even in Hell it selfe See more Acts 13.52 And as his sufferings abound so his consolation also aboundeth 2 Cor. 1.5 Indeed the unbeleever laughs more but that laughter is onely the hypocrisie of mirth they rejoyce in the face onely and not in the heart nor can it be solid comfort except it hath his issue from a good conscience whereas Gods Word teacheth and a
willingly and premeditately either lye or equivocate much lesse will he allow himselfe in it or seeke to defend it for such as will doe so have not as yet past the second Birth § 49. In bearing witnesse he will speake the whole truth impartially without fearing or favouring either Party that is as well what makes for the Defendant though an enemy as for the Plaintiffe being his friend or Master neither will he conceale a wicked device when by revealing the same it may be prevented § 50 If a Magistrate he will not be partiall in any cause nor will he either for feare or favour doe any thing against the truth or give sentence against his Conscience or use his power in favour of the wicked but be just in shewing mercy severe to the evill cherishing and protecting the good § 51. He is not implacable nor will he revenge himselfe on an enemy though he hath power in his hand to doe it but shut his eares and heart in this and other cases against Satans temptations yea upon the least change he can forgive him as heartily as he defires God should forgive him yea he loves and wishes well and can willingly doe good to them that doe evill to him even desiring his greatest enemies conversion together with his prosperity He rejoyceth not at anothers fall but is grieved both for their sins and miseries nor is he grieved at any ones good especially at his gifts and the graces of Gods Spirit in him § 52. He hath learnt from Gods dealing with him to be mercifull as his heavenly Father is mercifull even to his Beast Nor doe any that resemble God or Christ but Satan and Antichrist as partaking of the Devills nature sport themselves in Beare-baiting Dogge or Cock-fighting hunting of tame Ducks and the like or if so they are not well verst in Christianity as for such as are cruell to their servants I marvaile how they can expect that their master in Heaven should be mercifull to them and certainely should they be deprived from ever having the helpe or benefit of servants as good Queene Elizabeth once served a Butcher and his Wife for their cruelty to a poore Girle they kept they would in a short time learne to be both wiser and better § 53. Whereas many love peace but regard not truth and others are all for truth without caring for peace he together with truth loves and studies and labours to have a lawfull peace with all men and so seekes it that he will suffer rather then doe wrong and to avoyd offence he will be over-ruled in indifferent things As Christ gave him an example when he paid Pole-money § 54. He is not glad of pretences against obeying the Magistrates command but will obey authority as the ordinance of God and be subject more out of conscience then feare as placed by God over him and to all their Lawes if they crosse not Gods Law for otherwise he will lose his liberty part with the right hand of profit and the right eye of pleasure yea lose his life rather then a good conscience and sinne against God for he will not disobey God to obey great ones § 55. He is not the worse or prouder for prosperity or outward blestings but the better and more thankfull for them he is bettered also by affliction and makes a gaine of his losses and being in distresse as he prayes for deliverance so he is accordingly thankfull when delivered yea he will make vowes and so promise amendment that he is as carefull to performe the same when he is delivered which a wicked man never does § 56. He seekes God in all he does and acknowledges him in all he either receives or suffers he observes the severall passages of his Providence ac-acknowledging all things to be ordered thereby and that it extendeth to the least haire on his head hath a comfortable experience of his disposing all to worke for the best unto him admires the same and his goodnesse therein and is accordingly thankfull for it yea he keepes a Record or Register of Gods speciall mercies and deliverances and of his owne often and great provocations and not seldome meditates thereon neither does he murmure when he wants any thing as most of our ignorant poore doe whose whole life language and religion is nought elfe but a continued act of muttering and murmuring perhaps they want many things for their bodies because they slight whatsoever is offered to their soules and because God the Giver is not in all their thoughts except to blaspheame him and to spend his Day in the Devills service for they never minde how God hath appointed it his Market-day for their soules now these brutish Animals are very sensible if they want never so little and for that they murmure but they injoy millions of mercies which they never cordially give thankes for and I wish they were often put in minde how many thousand Israelites were destroyed in the Wildernesse onely for that grievous sinne of murmuring though their straites and extreamities were farre greater but as good blow in the dust as speake to these and as they have no reason so they will heare none onely such as truly feare God know that he owes them nothing yea what ever they injoy on this side Hell they thinke themselves unworthy of it § 57. He is not rashly censorious but judgeth of things actions and persons not as they are in the worlds repure but as they are in Gods account and as he in his Word allowes or condemnes them he censures none for things indifferent but you must be able to alleadge the violation of some Law much lesse will he mocke or despise a man for his poverty or any naturall defect as for judging anothers thoughts to be evill when he cannot tax his life or making ill constructions of good actions or sleighting and disparaging them or thinking the vorse of a man for having of a tender conscience he utterly abhorres He is not easily suspicions without just cause neither will he willingly wrest mens words or misconster their meanings but take their sayings and doings in the best sence He will not hearken to tale-beaters nor is he apt to beleeve an evill report without good ground neither will he condemne a man without hearing him speake He never determines of any ones finall estate be he never so wicked well knowing that God may change his heart in a moment neither will he conclude one to be a wicked man or an hypocrite for appearances or moates or some suddaine eruptions or common infirmities or for sinnes before conversion or for this or that single act of grosse impiety when the maine tenor and course of his life besides is a continuall current of honesty and goodnesse though he may suspend his good opinion in case of some unexpected misdemeanour or for lesser evills either affected or oftea repeated He is tender hearted and can beare with the infirmities of the weake
who had divers and those no small faults yet with one breath doth God report both these the high places were not removed and neverthelesse Asahs heart was perfect so our faylings be not wilfull though they be many and great yet they cannot hinder our interest in the promises of God an honest and sincere heart beares out many errors in the eye of mercy God will not see weaknesses where he sees truth yea if we hate our corruptions and strive against them they shall not be counted ours It is not I saith Paul but the sinne that dwelleth in me Rom. 7.20 And indeed were it not so what would become of us for the worke of grace though it doth not suffer Christians to live as they list yet it doth not inable them to live as they would it is not so broad as to allow of corruption nor so narrow but it will permit of corruption § 72. But fifthly least the former considerations should not serve answer me ingeniously to these questions Dost thou not sinde that the Word and Spirit hath wrought an apparant change in thy judgement affections and actions to what they were formerly Is not Christ thy greatest joy sin thy greatest sorrow and grace the prime object of thy desires Art thou not carefull in the use of the means to attaine faith in the promise of Gods mercy made in Christ Dost thou not love God and the people of God yea art thou not prone to speake in their defence when thou hearest them reviled and contemned by wicked and ungodly men Dost thou not rejoyce when the righteous are exalted and grieve when the wicked beare rule Dost thou not desire and pray for the salvation of others Is it not grievous to thee to heare God blasphemed and dishonoured Dost thou not make conscience of sanctifying his Sabbaths Art thou not as conscienscious alone and in private where God onely sees thee as if thy greatest enemy or all the world did behold thee Dost thou not make conscience of evill thoughts grieve for thy unprofitablenesse under the meanes of grace for the evill which cleaves to thy best actions and for sins of omision When thou dost any thing amisse dost thou not accuse thy selfe if any thing well dost thou not give all the praise to God Whatever thou injoyest on this side Hell dost thou not thinke thy selfe unworthy of it Dost thou not more feare the want of grace then confide in what thou hast Art thou not evill spoken of for well doing Dost thou not love zeale and devotion in others Thou art not of a reprobate judgement touching things actions and persons accounting good evill and evill good nor dost thou think the worse of a man for having of a tender conscience Thou art not so offended when offences come as to thinke the worse of the way of truth yea when strange things happen dost thou not make an wholsome construction thereof If so my soule for thine thou art a true Beleever and not an hypocrite whatever thy failings be yea if thou shouldest finde but a few of these signes in thy selfe thou needest not much feare thine estate for a few Grapes will shew that the plant is a Vine and not a Thorne yea where there is any one grace in truth there is every one in their measure if thou art sure thou hast love I am sure thou hast faith for they are as inseparable as fire and heat life and motion and so of other graces § 73. But sixthly for I will goe yet further with thee suppose nothing that I have hitherto said will satisfie thee and that thou wilt not auknowledge any of these graces to be in thee yet still thy case may be good enough for a Christian in times of spirituall distemper and desersion is as one in a sound in which case the soule doth not exercise her functions he neither heares nor sees nor feeles yet she is still in the body Christ is as the Sunne to our soules and we are like Elementary bodies which lighten and darken coole and warme dye and revive as the Sun presents or absents it selfe from them Whence it comes to passe that we have so much crying out in horrour of conscience I am damned I am damned yea it is a wonder to see how many truly humbled sinners who have so tender consciences that they dare not yeeld to the least evill for the worlds goods and refuse no meanes of being made better turne every probation into reprobation every dejection into rejection and if they be cast downe they cry out they are cast away but in such distempers a man is not a competent Judge in his owne case as in humane Lawes there is anullity held of words and actions extorted and wrong from men by feare because in such cases a man is held not to have power or command in some sort of himselfe A troubled soule is like troubled water we can discerne nothing cleerly in it wherefore in such cases a man must call to remembrance the times past and how it hath been with him formerly as David did Psal 77.2 to 12. and likewise Job chap. 31. And his must thou doe and then if ever thou hadst true faith wrought in thy heart it can never be cleane extinguished and so of love and godly sorrow for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance as it is Rom. 11.29 I the Lord change not Mal. 3 6. And the weakest faith if true though it be not the like strong yet it is the like precious faith to that of Abrahams whereby to lay hold and put on the perfect righteousnesse of Christ yea the truth of grace be the measure never so small is alwaies blest with perseverance and if grace but conquer us first we by it shall conquer all things else whether it be corruptions within us or temptations without us yea to speake rightly thou art the better to be thought of and the lesse to be feared for this thy feare for no man so truly loves as he that feares to offend and good is that feare which keepes us from evill acts yea as a bleeding wound is better then that which bleeds not so thy very complaint of sinne springing from a displeasure against it shewes that there is something in thee opposite to sinne viz. that thou art penitent in affection though not in action even as a Childe is rationall in power though not in act neither was the Centurian ever so worthy as when he thought himselfe most unworthy for all our worthinesse is in a capable misery § 74. But here by the way observe one caution as the Playster must not be lesse then the sore so the tem must not be bigger then the wound Though the grievousnesse of our sins should increase our repentance yet they should not diminish our faith and assurance of pardon and forgivenesse Because the Law is not more a Glasse to shew us our sins then the Gospell is a Fountaine to wash them
away wherefore cast not both thine eyes upon thy sinne but reserve one to behold the remedy looke upon the Law to keepe thee from presumption and upon the Gospell to keepe thee from despaire this is both a sweet and an even course But as an empty Vessell close luted though you throw it into the midst of the Sea will receive no water so all pleas are in vaine to them that are deafned with their owne feares for as Mary would not be comforted with the sight and speech of Angels no not with the fight and speech of Jesus himselfe till he made her know that it was Jesus so untill the Spirit of God sprinkleth the conscience with the blond of Christ and sheds his love into the heart nothing will doe no Creature can take off wrath from the conscience but he that set it on wherefore the God of peace give you the peace of God which passeth all understanding yea O Lord speake thou musick to the wounded conscience thunder to the seared that thy Justice may reclaime the one thy mercy releeve the other and thy favour comfort us all with peace and salvation in Jesus Christ § 75. The comfort of what hath been said in these seven last Sections is intended and belongs to weake Christians troubled consciences and those that would faine doe better but let no unbeleever impenitent or prophane person meddle with it for all such are to know that their very best services as praying and fasting and receiving and giving of Almes c. because they are not done in faith and obedience to the Word and that God may be glorified thereby are no better in Gods account then if they had staine a Man or cut of a Doggs neck or offered Swines blood or blessed an Idoll as himselfe affirmes Isay 66.3 Nor will God accept of any action unlesse it flowes from a pious and good heart sanctified by the Holy Ghost yea civill honesty severed from true piety humility saving knowledge sincere love to God true obedience to his Word justifying faith a zeale of Gods glory and a desire to edifie and win others God will neither accept nor reward but account of their morall vertues as of shining or glistering sinnes because they spring from pride ignorance infidelity selfe-love and other such carnall respects as many examples prove namely Caines sacrifycing 1 John 3.12 the Iewes fasting Isay 58. those reprobates preaching in Christs name and casting out Devills Matth. 7.22 23. and the like whose outward workes were the same which the godly performe and what saith Austine most excellently There is no true vertue where there is no true Religion and that conscience which is not directed by the Word even when it does best does ill because it doth it not in faith obedience and love § 76. Secondly let them know that being out of Christ they are bound to keepe the whole Law Gal. 5.2 3. or stand liable to suffer the penalty thereof for not keeping it for though this be the condition of the New Covenant Beleeve and thou shalt be saved yet all that they have to trust unto is Doe this and live Rom. 10.5 and cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to doe them Gal. 3.10 And I wish that they would seriously thinke of it and what need they have of Christ whom they rather persecute then obey his Gospell in love § 77. Indeed let them get a true lively and justifying faith put ye off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupted through the deceiveable lusts and be renued in the spirit of your mindes and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.22 23 24. and then Christ and all his benefits and promises will belong unto you but not before in the meane time you are in your bloud Ezekiel 16.6 and have to answer not onely for your originall guilt but for every thought word and action of yours from your infancy Matth. 9.12 13. Luke 1.53 Gal. 5.1 to 7. enough to startle you if you be not starke dead § 78. But perhaps thy heart and conscience is not onely Sermon but Thunder proofe and then nothing will doe good upon thee the case of all incorrigible ones yea most men now adaies are judgement proofe and let them be never so cleerly convinc'd from the word that they are in a dangerous condition all thoughts thereof presently passe away like the sound of a Bell that is rung or if not Satan can furnish them with an evasion be the case what it will amongst many of his delusions I will mention two of the principall and which I hold to be the strongest barres to keepe men out of Heaven that can be named The first is this Never regard will he say to a poore soule what a few melancholly Precissions say when every one doth so and so or every one is of this or that judgement yea doe not such and such the like who are wiser and greater and better men then your selfe They are of another minde neither doe they trouble themselves so much about Religion and yet they looke to speed as well as the precisest yea will he say Doe ye not see many Ministers and great Professors of Religion who pretend it is good being religious and holy and presse others to it that doe onely pretend it for they live as loosely and deale as unjustly as any other men and they are not ignorant of what they doe and this you may be sure of that if they did speake as they thinke they would doe as they speake therefore what should ye be so singular will ye be wiser then all your friends or neighbours yea then ninety and nine parts of the Kingdome What a mad conceit were this then yeelds the poore soule and counts it a pleasure too that he is seduced and by this kinde of Sophistry Satan prevailes with millions yea I have ever noted that this one artlesse perswasion of others doe so prevailes more with the world then all the places of reason but this plea or argument is not more common and taking then it is sortsh and dangerous if it be well lookt into for besides that it is Gods expresse charge Thou shalt not follow a multitude to doe evill Exod. 23.2 and Saint Pauls everlasting rule Fashion not your selves like unto this world Rom. 12.2 Our Saviour Christ hath plainely told us That the greatest number goe the broad way to destruction and but a few the narrow way which leadeth unto life Matth. 7.13 14. And Saint John That the number of those whom Satan shall deceive is as the sand of the sea Revel 20.8 and 13.16 Isay 10.22 Rom. 9.27 yea that the whole world lyeth in wickednesse 1 John 5.19 whereas those whom Christ hath chosen out of it and that beleeve the Gospell are but a little flocke and few in number Luke 12.32 Revel