on a spirit of zeal and activity How wonderfully is God pleased with Phineas zeal Numb 25. 11 12 13. What a great approbation doth he manifest of him What an attestation doth he give to him he is so greatly pleased with his zealous appearance for him that he turns away his displeasure from the whole congregation of Israel and overlooks their crimson provocations against him On the contrary there is nothing that God is more displeased with then the remisness and lifelessness and indifferency in Religion The luke-warm water is not a greater offence to the stomach then the luke-warm Professour is to God and therefore he will spue such a one out of his mouth Rev. 3. 16. Christians where is your zeal for the Lord of Hosts Christs redeemed must be zealous of good works Tit. 2. 14. not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord Acts 18. 25. Rom. 12. 11. Acts 26. 6 7. instantly night and day for the hope of the promise do not only that which is right in the sight of the Lord but do it with all your heart The Lord loveth a willing servant Bestir your selves for the Lord. Be ye followers of Christ who went up and down doing good Every Christian should be a common blessing A publike good This is to be the children of your Father which is in Heaven who is good unto all and his tender mercies are over all his works And be sure the Father doth best love that child that is most like him A private narrow spirit is a low and a base spirit unworthy of a Christian. A Catholick communicative spirit full of great desires and great designes A large heart set upon doing good whose fire though ever hottest within will be breaking forth of his breast and provoking others whose love will not be confined to a party but gladly and thankfully owneth Christ where-ever he sees him This Catholick spirit I say is the glory of Religion the Churches blessing and Gods delight IV. Live by faith Heb. 10. 38. This is a precious grace in Gods account 2 Pet. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 7. It giveth glory to God and therefore God taketh no small pleasure in it By faith Enoch obtains that testimony that he pleased God Rom. 4. 20. Heb. 11. 5. 2 Cor. 4. 18. Heb. 11. 39. Matth. 8. 10. If you would so walk as to please God you must walk by faith Christians must look to the things unseen they must not live at the common rate Christ must be their life and breath their prayers and their promises their dayly bread By faith did the Elders obtain that good report 't was Faith that Christ was so greatly taken with in the Centurion which made him to commend him for a none-such This was that which won such a singular praise and approbation from our Saviour to the woman of Canaan even her victorious faith Matth. 15. 28. Thou hast taken away my heart my Sister my Spouse thou hast taken away my heart with one of thine eyes Cant. 4. 9. that is with thy faith Live in the power of faith and thou wilt please him to the heart Give glory to him by believing Let the life thou now livest in the flesh be by faith of the Son of God Live by faith in prosperity though thou hast the world about thee let it not be above thee Keep it at thy feet use it as thy servant Be much in the views of glory and contemplation of Eternity Buy as though thou possest not rejoyce as though thou rejoycedst not love as though thou lovedst not use this world as not abusing it it is but a fashion not a substance and that which it is passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 30 31. Use it therefore with mortified affections and prove the sincerity of your faith by the victory over your inordinate content and delight in and desires after and cares for the things of this world 1 Iohn 5. 4. Live by faith in adversity Weep as though you wept not enduring the cross and despising the shame as looking unto Jesus Heb. 12. 2. Heb. 11. 26. accounting Christs reproaches your riches his shame your glory Acts 5. 41. Compare these light afflictions with the weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. Rom. 8. 18. Ply your hearts with the Promises Count if you can the riches that are laid up in them Roll your selves upon the Lord Psal. 37. 5. and know that your heavenly Father hath no greater delight then to see his Children trust him with confidence when all visible helps are out of sight and he seems to be their enemy Iob 13. 15. V. Put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit this is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3. 4. Study to be like your Father slow to anger ready to forgive Psal. 130. 1. 8. forgetting injuries loving enemies requiting ill-will with kindness ill words with courtesies neglects with benefits and if any wrong you do him a kindness the sooner so shall you bear his likeness and be his delight And know ye that are of unmortified passions and unbridled tongues God hath an especial hatred and displeasure against a froward heart and a froward tongue Prov. 3. 32. 11 20. 1. 12. 8. 12. Oh seek meekness How can the holy Dove rest in a wrathful heart Christ is a Lamb of meekness how can he take pleasure in an unquiet contentious spirit Verily with the froward he will shew himself froward Psal. 18. 26. If you will not forgive others he will not forgive you Art thou hard to be pleased a froward wife a froward master a cross and willful servant surely God will not be pleased with thee he will mete to you as you measure to others Matth. 16. 24. VI. Get a spirit of self-denyal God is then pleased best when self is displeased most When we can be content to be emptied content to be abased that God may be honoured and with the Holy Baptist are wiling to be eclipsed by Christ willing to decrease that he may increase counting our selves no losers whilst his interest is a gainer Iohn 3. 29 30. rejoycing that we are made low for Christs advancement This is well-pleasing unto God How greatly was he pleased with Solomon's self-denying choice and gives him his asking throwing in riches and honours into the bargain 1 Kings 3. 10 11 12. Strange was Abraham's self-denyal What! to sacrifice with his own hand the whole hope of his Family the Heir of Promise the Child of his Years a Son an only Son when his life was bound up in the lads life Was ever mortal thus put to it But Abraham shall not be a loser God gives him a testimony from Heaven blesses him blesses his Seed blesses all Nations in him Gen. 22. 15 16 17 18. Wonderful was Moses his self-denyal but more wonderful was his acceptation and reward Heb. 11. 24. none like Moses Deut. 34. 10. God preferred him in another manner then Pharaoh could He
make it a Solemn standing and constant exercise and to expect of your children and servants as due an account weekly of what they have learnt in the Principles of Religion as of any business of your own Oh the incredible benefit that would speedily come of this if I could but perswade and prevail with my hearers in so small a request as this 2. That you be often enquiring into their spiritual estates Follow them close and let them have no quiet till you see they seriously mind and seek spirituall things Put them upon secret Prayer Provide helps for them till they are able to go without them Shew them often the necessity of Regeneration and Conversion and the nature thereof Put them in mind of the fearfull misery of an unregenerate estate Ask them often whether they are Converted or not Shew them the danger of delaying in such a case Beloved 't is too sadly evident that as the Ordinances are now somwhere managed there is little of Conversion work like to be done Oh you Governours of Families do but your duty in your several places and I doubt not but many Souls will nevertheless be Born to Christ even in such a day as this 3. Call them to an account of their proficiency by every opportunity If there be but a Sermon or a Chapter read let them give you some account of it Thus our Saviour when the Disciples his Family were in private he was asking them whether they did understand and profit by what they heard in publick Mat. 13. 1. Coun. IX Be not discouraged by the present Difficulties of Religion but rather rejoyce in the opportunity to shew your Love and Loyalty to your Lord. Do not think God hath dealt hardly with you now your Religion is like to cost you something and presently think of shrinking and drawing back to preserve your safety If you do love the Lord Jesus you should Rejoyce and be exceeding glad in the opportunity to shew it Brethren what hath your Religion cost you hitherto And for shame suffer not your shrinking and withdrawing to tell the world that you have not Love enough to Christ to engage you to run any hazard for him Do you indeed Love the Lord oh then now rejoyce and be exceeding glad for never had you such an opportunity in all your lives to shew your Love as now For never were you called to adventure so for him and his service as now you be Now resolve that if Religion will make you Vile you will be yet more Vile and let your Zeal and resolution for God be intended and heightened by the opposition The Cordials follow which are Sacracrament-Cordials Most Dearly Beloved Brethren THis holy Sacrament is appointed as a Sealing Ordinance between Christ and you The Covenants are made the terms agreed to on both sides God is willing to be yours to all intents and purposes your Shield and exceeding great Reward your Refuge and your Rest your God and your Guide While Christ hath it you shall never want and what God is to him that he in your order will be to you You again through grace are willing to be his His in his own way and on his own terms willing to serve him willing to fashion your selves after him willing to be betrothed to him and to be commanded by him to use his remedies to follow his counsels and to acquiesce in him as your Blessedness Thus all are agreed the Articles are drawn The Covenants both on Gods part and yours are ready written And here you are come to put all past controversie and mutually to seal and subscribe Oh happy and blessed meeting Christians do not forget your errand Remember where you are and what you are come for and know that you are upon the solemnest transaction that ever passed between the Creator and the Creature It is Gods admirable condescention that he will be tied to us and enter into bonds to us to bless us and reward us And because our Faith is weak he hath brought his Surety with him the Lord Jesus Christ who is a Surety on his part as well as ours to undertake for the fulfilling of the promises And he hath brought the visible signs and pledges by which all shall be firmly past and ratified before your eyes This is the New Testament in my Bloud Luke 22. 20. Written in my Bloud Ratified in my bloud Oh Sirs this is that which God doth here reach forth unto you with his own hand this day The New Testament in Christs Bloud Christians prepare your Ears And rouze up your Faith and now believe and hear some of the blessed Articles of that Covenant that God doth here Sign and Seal to you I shall mention onely Nine which I advise you to lay next your hearts while you have a day to live And you shall find the vertue of these Cordials strong and operative in all conditions Arti. I. That he will fulfil to you the place of all Relations 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will be a Father to you and yee shall be my Sons and Daughters Whatever Children may expect from a Father that you may look for from me I will find you Meat be not thoughtful I know that you have need of all these things Matth. 26. 31 32. You shall be Clothed out of my Ward-robe Matth. 6. 28 29 30. and wear my Livery And when you have need of Correction I will Remember to do it in mercy and you shall find that as a man chastneth his Son so the Lord your God chasteneth you Deut. 8. 5. I will be a Husband to you and will betroth you unto me for ever Hosea 2. 19. You shall not need to fear your Maker is your Husband I will give you my choice Love I will give you my heart I will be a Lord and Soveraign to you The Lord is your Iudge The Lord is your Law-giver The Lord is your King Fear not the unrighteousness of men I will judge your cause I will defend your Rights you shall not stand or fall at mans Bar you shall not be cast at their Votes Let them Curse I will Bless Let them Condemn I will Justifie Who shall accuse when I shall acquit you Who shall lay any thing to your charge when I do discharge you When you come upon trial for your life to have your eternal state decided you shall see your Friend your Father on the Bench And you shall surely stand in judgment and be found at the right hand among the sheep and hear the King say Come yee Blessed I will be a Shepherd to you fear no evil for I am with you you shall not want for I will feed you you shall not wander to be lost for I will restore you I will cause you to lie down in green Pastures and lead you beside the still waters if my Officers be careless I will do it my self As for you O my flock thus saith the Lord God I will judge between
DIVERS Practical Cases OF CONSCIENCE Satisfactorily Resolved I. Wherein should Christians be singular in their obedience or what may they and must they do more than others II. What may and must a Christian be and do that he may please God III. Whether any man is able in this life to come up to the example of Christ in this to do alwayes those things that please God IV. What weariness in and unwillingness to duties may stand with grace and what not To which are Added some Counsels Cordials By Ioseph Alleine late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton in Somersetshire London Printed for Nevill Simmons at the Princes Arms in Pauls Church-yard 1672. CHAP. I. The singular Duties of Christians I. Case of Conscience on Mat. 5. 45. What do you more then others Q. I. WHerein should Christians be singular in their obedience Or what may they and must they do more then others A. Take the Answer in these 16 Rules containing the Character and Compass of a Christian. Rule I. Heartily to love them that slight you and to wish and seek the good of those that hate you and seek to hurt you This is the very thing urged in the Text If you salute your brethren only and love them that love you do not even the Publicans the same Matth. 5. 44 46. To love them that do respect and value us this every one can do but to love them truly that think meanly of us and have prejudices and hard thoughts against us and to speak well of them that speak evil of us as the sweet spirited Calvin Let Luther call me Dog or Devil I will say of him nevertheless he is a precious servant of Christ Iesus This is to do more then others Thus the Martyr Cranmer of whom it was a Proverb Do the Bishop of Canterbury a displeasure and you shall ever have him your friend Thus that Holy Man in his much to be admired parting words I had never any greater pleasure in all my life then to forget and forgive injuries and to shew kindness to them that sought evil to me Study who have offended you and disobliged you and slighted you and keep up good thoughts of them if the case will bear it and speak nothing but good of them and think what kindness you may shew them pray for them wish well to them so shall you be the children of your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 45. Rule II. To swim against the stream of the multitude The dead fish will swim with but the living against the stream Many will turn Iews when their interest will carry it in the world when religion is the fashion every one will be in it But to bear head against the current of the times and to be for strict Godliness in all your ways when the stream runs quite against it to bear it down and to resolve as David did to be yet more vile this is to be and do more then others The Samaritanes will needs be Iews when Alexander favours and helps them but when Antiochus bloodily rages against them as in the time of the Maccabees then they will be none of the kin but pretend themselves to be of another stock Which by the way was the reason of the deadly hatred afterward between the Iews and them But to be singular in your good choice and resolutions with Ioshua though all should vote against you with one consent and with Noah to be perfect in our generations when never so wicked and so adulterous and to walk with God when all flesh have corrupted their way and tread a contrary course this is to do more then others Thus the three Children or rather the three Champions who would not fear the flouts of the multitude nor the frowns of the great ones nor the charge of singularity but when all the Princes Governours Captains Counsellours Sheriffs and all the People Nations and Languages fell down and worshipped they stood by themselves and would not sinfully comply Dan. 3. 3 7 18. Rule III. To take most care of that which is most out of sight A Christians eye is most on the things least seen first upon his heart herein he doth exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees whose great care was to keep all fair and clean that came to view but looked no farther Make great conscience of your carriage in secret and let your main guard be upon your hearts and this will be more then others reach to This was Paul's care to keep his conscience his inside clean and undefiled Acts 24. 16. And Iob's care that though all the world did reproach him he might not put a reproach into the mouth of his conscience Iob 27. 6. and David's care that his heart might be clean 2. Vpon his hope Others look to the things seen things in hand but the true believer eyes his hopes walks by faith not by sight and lives quite a different life from any others in the world besides As living upon the hopes of Heaven doth differ from living on the pleasures profits and honours of this world Rule IV. To be merciful to others failings and very severe to our own The noble Romane Cato could more easily forgive any then himself To aggravate our own evils and to have an excuse ready for our brothers to censure our selves freely and to come with the mantle behind us to cover our brother this is to do more than others The hypocrite is a severe censurer abroad he is like the eye that can see any thing but it self he can discern a moat in his brothers eye but not a beam in his own But the servant of God rebukes others with meekness but falls out easily and bitterly with himself Rule V. To suffer rather then to sin This was Moses choice But the hypocrites is quite contrary he chooseth iniquity rather then affliction To go so far with Christ as our way lies together is to do no more then an unsound Professour may reach to The tryal is when Christs interest and ours do cross and we must either baulk our duty or our safety and advantage The famous Martyr under Iulian would not give one half-penny towards the building of the Idols Temple though he was offered his life by the Emperour on those terms The godly High Priest Eleazer when the Nobles perswaded him to eat other meat under colour of swines flesh and they would perswade the King Antiochus that he had eaten swines flesh would die rather then stain his profession with the appearance of evil When a man shall lie in outward misery and have a door of deliverance open if he will but sin and yet he will not accept it as those worthies in Paul's Martyrology this is to do more then others Heb. 11. 36. Rule VI. To rejoyce in losses for Christ and glory in the Cross When others be discouraged at the news of hardship as that forward and seemingly resolved Disciple or shall be offended assoon
Approach him not but in the garments of your elder Brother lest you carry away the curse Ioshua's filthy garments must be put off and Christs Rayment put on or else there is no standing before the bright and burning eyes of infinite holiness Put on the Lord Jesus in believing that is accept of him in all his Offices with all his inconveniencies and deliver up thy self to him and this will intitle thee to his merits and righteousness Without this nothing will avail If thy head were waters and thine eyes a fountain of tears if thou shouldst wear thy tongue to the roots with praying if thou shouldst weep an Ocean and wash thy self in thine own brine all could not get out one spot nothing can be accepted while thou art out of Christ and therefore in the first place apply thy self to him God will accept of no Gift but off his Altar Secondly The white Robe of his grace of Sanctification Rev. 5. 11. Thou that art in the flesh that is unrenewed unsanctified canst not please God Rom. 8. 8. Never think to make up the matter by a little mending and reforming particular Acts Man thy heart must be renewed thy state must be clean altered or God cannot be pleased Matth. 7. 16 17 18. The Tree must be made good the Fountain must be healed or else the Stream will be salt and the Fruit sowr If Christ be once formed in thee that is his image in his grace Likeness is the ground of Love Similitude and suitableness of nature is the loadstone of Affection God cannot but love his own likeness wouldst thou have his Favour wouldst thou be his Delight then conform to his pleasure study to be like him purifie thy self as he is pure The righteous Lord loveth righteousness he desireth truth in the inward parts and takes infinite complacency in the graces of his people These are the Spikenard and the Saffron the Spices the Beds of Lillies the sweet Ointments that Christ is so taken up with These are the Cinamon and the Trees of Frankincense the Calamus and the Camphire the Myrrhe and the Aloes the Chains of the neck and the precious Pearls that he is so ravished withall and doth so superlatively commend Cant. 4. 9. This is the Rayment of Needle-work and Gold of Ophir wherein the Queen is presented to her Royal Husband Psal. 45. 9 13. Therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved Col. 5. 12 13. Put ye on bowels of mercy kindness put off all these anger wrath malice filthy communication and put on the new Man Col. 3. 9 10. Particularly let me commend to you some special graces which God doth manifest himself to be wonderfully pleased withall As ever you would please God get on these I. Be cloathed with Humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. This is a Garment which must be put on or else you cannot be accepted or saved Matth. 18. 3. Here is the dress that you must come to God in He must be served in humility of mind Acts 20. 14. You must humble your selves to walk with him Mich. 6. 8. Humility is a plain but yet a comely garment This grace doth eminently honour God and therefore God doth put a peculiar honour upon and manifest a most special delight in this Of all the men in the world this is the man that God will lock unto even he that is poor and of a contrite spirit that trembleth at his Word Isa. 66. 2. Though he be the high and lofty One who inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy from whence the trembling soul is ready to conclude that surely such a fearful Majesty cannot but despise him such sin hating purity cannot but abhor him yet he will lay Isa. 47. 15. aside his Majesty and bear with mans impurity and condescend to most familiar and constant communion and cohabitation with his poor dust when contrite at his feet and prostrate in humility If thou wouldst be accepted of God come as Benhadads servants to the King of Israel with a rope about thy neck and ashes on thy head 1 King 20. 32. think meanly of thy self and God will honour thee 1 Sam. 2. 30. Put thy self in the lowest room and God will set thee higher Be little in thine own eyes and thou shalt be high in his A proud heart and a proud look is with God the first-born of abomination As ever thou wouldst have God well-pleased with thee be throughly displeased with thy self If thou dost throughly loath thy self God doth love thee If thou abhorrest thy self God delighteth in thee Be angry with thy self and the Almighty will turn away his anger from thee Condemn thy self and God will acquit thee In no wise extenuate thy sins nor justifie thy self Think the worse of thy self and be willing that others should think meanly of thee and heartily love them that slight thee This is the frame in which God is well-pleased pass sentence on thy self and God will absolve thee Set thy self at his foot-stool and he will lift thee up into the Throne Rev. 2. II. Labour for sincerity This is not a distinct grace from the rest yet for Doctrines sake I speak to it distinctly Vprightness is the great thing that God looks after and covenants for Gen. 17. 1. It renders all our persons and performances acceptable before God Prov. 15. 8. Such as are upright in the way are Gods delight Prov. 11. 20. To these are all the promises of peace Salvation Pardon preservation Blessedness Psal. 87. 10. In a word there is no good thing God will with-hold from them that walk uprightly Prov. 28. 10. This was Noah's praise that he was upright in his generation This was that set off Iob at such a rate that God doth so extol him for and as it were make his boast of him the singular sincerity and integrity of his heart Study to be upright See that the main bent of your hearts be to please God and honour him That Gods interest be uppermost with you That he hath the chief share in you and the eye of the soul be principally to him for in this sincerity doth consist as to your main state Let your great care be of your hearts Here is a Christians great work The Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh to the heart see therefore that thou look to it Let thine eye be chiefly there where Gods eye is He looketh not so much what thou dost as with what a heart Go then and do likewise yet be not satisfied in this that you are upright as to your states but labour to approve your selves in uprightness to God in your particular actions Do common as well as spiritual actions with holy ends Much of our lives are lost for want of this So much as is done for God of his strange grace he accounts himself our debtour But what is done for no higher end then self is lost from our account III. Put
must speak with him face to face as a man with his friend His word shall be as it were a Law with God Speak for whom he will they shal be spared though they seemed to be devoted to destruction But speak against him who durst he shall be sure to bear his iniquity Numb 12. 8. Forget self Renounce thine own wisdom thine own worthiness thine own will Bite in thy passions Curb thine appetite Bridle thy tongue This do and thou shalt be greatly accepted and shalt find that Gods favour will infinitely reward thee for all the murmuring oppositions and discontents of thy flesh which will be ready to be impatient to have the reins held so hard VII Maintain a spirit of resolution and constancy in the ways of God Heb. 10. 38. This was the renown of the three Worthies Dan. 3. They feared not the fierceness of Nebuchadnezzars rage nor the fire of the furnace all the world could not make them bow and how gloriously did God own them and miraculously evidence his pleasure in them Stand your ground Resolve to live and die by substantial godliness cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart Let no difficulties make you change your station then shall you be an honour and a pleasure to the God that made you Well then would you know what frame of heart is pleasing to God why this humble sincere zealous active frame this believing meek self-denying resolved frame this is the frame that is well pleasing in the sight of God Secondly As to your performances more briefly that those may please God you must heedfully look to these five things 1. That they be done by the right Rule which is Gods Word You must not follow the imaginations of your own hearts Numb 15. 39. you must not do that which is right in your own eyes In all sacred actions you must have Gods command to warrant you you may not offer to God of that of which you are not able to say Thou requirest these things at our hands Isa. 1. 12. In all civil actions you must have Gods allowance Be sure he will never accept that which his Word condemns under pains of Gods displeasure dare not to set your hands to what the Word forbids 2. That they be done to the right end which is Gods glory How damnably did the Pharisees erre How miserably did Iehu miscarry and both in acts for the matter commanded for want of aiming at this end 3. That they proceed from right Principles 1. Faith without which it is impossible to please God Prayer will not avail except it be the prayer of Faith Heb. 11. 6. We beleeve and therefore we speak 2. Love If we should give our goods to the poor and bodies to the fire and not from Love it would profit us nothing Where the slavish fear of hell only or of the lashes of conscience or the love of mans praise carries men to duties or where any other carnal principle is predominant in the act it cannot please God 3. Fear we cannot serve God acceptably without reverence and godly fear not slavish fear The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in them that hope in his mercy Observe the happy mixture where these two are conjoyned that is a true filial fear and faith Saith David I will come into thy House in the multitude of thy mercy Behold his faith and in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy Temple there is his fear with faith Faith without fear were bold presumption Fear without faith is sinful despair joyn them together and God is well-pleased 4. That they be done in a right manner Preparedly not rashly and inconsiderately in the presence of so dreadful a Majesty prudently for lawful acts may be spoiled and be done unlawfully without consideration had to the offence that may in some cases attend them yea holy Duties as well as common Actions may be turned into sins by being ill-timed and for want of a due attending the present circumstances Holily not rashly uttering any thing with our mouths before God but behaving our selves as in his sight Heartily not feignedly with our lips going when our minds are gadding 5. That they be directed through the right means that is Iesus Christ the only way to the Father Bring all thy Sacrifices to the High Priest offer all upon this Altar else all is lost not that it is enough to say Through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen at the end but in every duty you must come with lively dependance on him for righteousness and strength for assistance and acceptance Remember to do all in the name of the Lord Iesus to come leaning upon his hand without this all your services will be rejected at last CHAP. II. A third Case of Conscience grounded upon the words of our Saviour John 8. 29. For I do alwayes those things that please him Qu. I. Is any man able in this life to come up to the Example of Christ in this To do alwayes those things that please God Ans. In regard there is none that doth good and finneth not and God is not nor can be pleased with sin no not in his own people but most of all hates it in them it cannot be that any man in this life should fully come up to Christs Example in this yet may we come so far on towards it as that not only in our immediate addresses to God but in the general course of our lives we may come to please God Thus Enoch and Noah walked with God i. e. in their general course they walked so as to please God and approve themselves in his sight Thus the meanest of actions if done by us as unto the Lord as the Servants of Christ have a promise of acceptance and reward Col. 3. 22 23 24. Q. II. How may we come in our measure to be followers of Christ in this to do always those things that please God Answ. In order to this there is something necessary with reference 1. To our Persons 2. To our Principles 3. To our Practices with reference to our Persons and here it is necessary 1. That there be an alteration of our natures by renewing grace for they that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8. 8. These wild Vines must needs bring forth sowre grapes Isa. 5. 4. The fruit that they bear how specious and fair soever to the eye is evil fruit Matth. 7. 17. Where there is not a good treasure of grace in the heart a man cannot in his actions bring forth good things Matth. 12. 36. Many enlightned sinners think by reading and praying forsaking some conscience-wasting sins to pacifie God and set all right Mistaken souls let me undeceive you you begin at the wrong end your first and greatest care must be to get your hearts and natures changed and renewed by the power of converting grace you labour in vain at the streams while the fountain of corruption in the heart remains in
pattern of holy David 1 Chron. 29. 14. But who am I and what is my people that we should offer so willingly of thine own have we given thee And of Blessed Paul 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the grace of God which was with me And of good Nehemiah who when he had done most eminent service for God flies at last to pardoning mercy Nehe. 13. 22. Remember me O God concerning this also and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy Rule 6. Do all in the Name of the Lord Iesus Col. 3. 17. Having carefully set out for God in the morning and directed your common actions to him as your end throughout the day doing all as in his sight and with a desire to please him therein bring all to Christ in the evening and present all unto God by him confidently expecting Gods acceptance and reward for all that you have done For this he hath promised be your actions never so mean because they were done as his service Col. 3. 22 23 24. Ephes. 6. 6 7 8. If you neglect this you lose all at last For God will accept of no Sacrifice but from the hand of the Priest and therefore you must look for no acceptance with God nor any reward from him but only through Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. Iohn 14. 6. You must be sure therefore not only to make a formal mention of Christs Name but to build all your hope of success only upon him and to come to GOD with an Actual and Lively dependance upon him Thus I have resolved the Case propounded I will but Answer an Objection and briefly press your Duty by some Motives and so conclude Object You bind heavy burdens what must we be always in the traces surely this severity of Religion is more then needs Answ. 1. Burden man why it is thy Happiness If Holiness and pleasing God be a burden Health is a burden Heaven and Happiness are burdens Answ. 2. This is no other burden then what God himself hath bound upon your consciences Rom. 9. 20. Who art thou O man that repliest against God! Have I put upon you a devised and unnecessary strictness or bound that burden upon you which I will not touch with one of my fingers 1 Cor. 9. 8. Say I this as a man or saith not the Law the same also I pray you whose word is this Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long Prov. 23. 17. Do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. Exercise thy self unto godliness 1 Tim. 4. 7. What have I pressed but what the Saints have practiced Phil. 3. 13 14. One thing I do I press towards the mark Psal. 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after And Psal. 119. 38. Thy servant that is devoted to thy fear Gen. 5. 22. Enoch walked with God three hundred years What is this but what the Scripture hath foretold shall be They shall walk up and down in the Name of the Lord Zech. 10. 12. There shall be upon the Bells of the Horses and every Pet in Jerusalem Holniess to the Lord Zech. 14. 20 21. Dispute not against God but up and be doing It 's an ill sign when the heart rises against the strictness of the duty you utterly mistake in thinking this life of strictness to be a bondage Who have joy unspeakable and full of glory Who do know the peace that passeth all understanding if not those that do thus walk with God Now my Brethren let me beseech you to be the conscientious Practitioners of this great Lesson Study to do always those things that are pleasing unto God Oh that I knew but how to engage you that I could but get you to set these Rules before you all the days of your lives for your practice 'T is not enough that you give the hearing and like the Preacher and approve the Doctrine But Sirs what will you do Too many of my Hearers are like Ezekiel's Chap. 33. 32. What say you Brethren will you learn with me O that I might lead you on to a through acquaintance with the strictness and power of Religion and to that holy frame that will be Gods delight and your felicity Brethren what seek I for God knows this is my ambition that I may but help you on in the way of holiness I would not that you should be such bad Proficients as to be always of the lower form and to keep on meerly in a dull and barren course My desire for you is that you should not be Shrubs but Cedars of tall growth choice Experience singular Communion walking with God shining to the conviction of the world Will you let me but prevail with you in so good a Design why should you mourn at the last and say How have I hated Instruction and my heart despised Reproof I have not obeyed the voice of my Teachers nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me Prov. 5. 11 12 13. That I may incite you to this holy course Consider 1. It is very possible for first God is very easie to be pleased He is not like a froward Master that cannot that will not be pleased If you do but make it your study and your care to please him and throughly set your hearts to it your willing mind shall be accepted 2 Cor. 8. 12. And though you should not go through with the work God will say thou didst well that it was in thine heart 2 Chron. 6. 8. when the heart is set to please the Lord and we do unfeignedly put to it though there by very many failings God will overlook them 2 Chron. 30. 18 19 20. Secondly God hath told you what will please him and hath cut out your work to your hand You need not say Wherewith shall we come before the Lord he hath shewed you what is good and what he requireth of you Micah 6. 6 7 8. You need not say Who shall ascend into Heaven to bring down the mind of God from Heaven No the word is nigh you Rom. 10. 6 7 8. God hath set before you in his Law as in a Table on one side the things that please on the other those that displease him oh that you may be found among those that choose the things that please him Isa. 56. 4 5. Otherwise since you know your Masters will and yet do it not you will be found worthy of many stripes Luke 12. 47. Thirdly God hath given particular Rules for the doing of all your work in that manner that will please him Had God told you only what must be done and not how it must be done you might have been at a loss but he hath prescribed the very manner how every thing must be done that you might have full direction Rom. 12. 8. 1 Pet. 4. 11. He hath shewed you how you must pray and hear and give alms how you must carry it in all your relations he hath told
for this argues there is nothing but flesh that there is no contrary principle in such a heart For if there were the spirit would at least make opposition This was the very frame of those unsanctified sinners that counted the Sabbaths and Service of God an unprofitable burden a very weariness a bondage not to be born Mal. 1. 13. A gracious heart when under such a distemper as that Gods service seems a weariness is even weary of himself while this is burdensome he is a burden to himself he cannot enjoy himself while in such a frame wherein he cannot enjoy God and if this be the Case our State is good though the frame be bad 5. Where this weariness and unwillingness is not from a rooted dislike of the food but an accidental and preter natural indisposition of the stomach or being disappointed of Gods presence in duties the main state is safe You know under a distemper the appetite may disgust and nauseate the food that a man doth love above all other meats when he is well and so it is here Do you when you are your selves relish more sweetness in Gods service then in your Meats and Drinks are no sweets so delightful to you as fellowship and communion with God when you can attain to it in duties Do you come away discontented because you cannot meet with God Is the ground why your countenances fall and your hearts be discouraged because you have with them toyled and spread the net and have not caught what you went for because you have no answer nor income from God If it be thus it is a sign your hearts be set upon God and that you place the happiness and comfort of your lives in God and so that your state is safe Otherwise when there is a fixed antipathy to duties and an habitual dislike of them and contrariety to them the Case is very sad 6. Where our weariness and unwillingness is such as makes us to give over our duties so as to live in the ordinary neglect of them it is a fearful sign but where notwithstanding present discouragements we hold on in the performance of our duties and a humble waiting upon God for removal of our difficulties till we are brought to a better frame this argues well The Church her self may be greatly deserted but then she gives not over duties but seeks after her beloved and makes diligent enquiring and will not be at rest until she hath found him But the hypocrite gives up and will not wait upon the Lord any longer Not but that a deserted soul may under the violence of temptations omit duties for a time But his condition this while is most painful restless and grievous to him and he quickly returns-again and never comes to live in a quiet and ordinary omission of known duties Conclu 7. When our weariness and unwillingness is such as makes us fall out with the service of Christ and willing to ease our selves of his yoke and to throw off his burden This is a bad sign But when we fall out with our selves and justifie and approve Christs Ways and Service it is well Thus it was with Paul he doth not quarrel with the Law as too strict and too severe nor think of breaking off his bonds and taking his liberty but he pleads for the Law and greatly approves it and commends it and condemns the backwardness of his own nature Rom. 7. 12. 25. When men are more willing to be rid of Christs burden then of the distemper that makes it grievous and cast about for ease by widening their bonds and not by bringing their minds to them it is a woful discovery of an unsound heart And thus much for this Case Awakening Questions propounded to the VNCONVERTED And Counsels to the CONVERTED THat I may reach every Mans Case I shall speak something to the Unconverted and something to the Converted For the Vnconverted there are these Six Questions which I would advise them daily to put to their Souls Q. I. What estate did my Soul come into the world in Was it not in a state of Death Ephes. 2. 1. An estate of Wrath Verse 3. Sirs awake and bethink your selves where you are and whither you are going While you are in your natural unconverted unbelieving state all your sins are unpardoned and the wrath of God abideth on you Acts 3. 19. Iohn 3. 36. Suppose you saw a poor creature hanging over a burning fiery furnace by nothing but a twine-thred like to break every moment would not your hearts shake for such a one Sirs it is your very case you hang over the infernal burnings by nothing but the small thred of your lives which you know not but it may crack the next moment and then where are you Is this a Case for you to go on merrily and contentedly in Q. II. What condition is my soul now in Am I changed and renewed by conversion or am I not Speak Conscience hath this man this woman man been soundly and savingly changed both in heart and life where are your evidences Can you shew the marks of the Lord Jesus upon your souls Let your conscience answer where was the place what was the means when was the time that thy soul was throughly renewed At least if you cannot shew the time place nor means can you prove the thing Can you say with him one thing I know that whereas I was blind I now see Sirs be not deceived I tell you whatever you be and whatever you do nothing will avail you to salvation except you be new creatures Gal. 6. 15. Q. III. What if I should lose my soul What fair work should I make of it then This is very possible Matth. 16. 26. Yea it is the case of the most There are but few few of the children of men that do escape safe to Heaven Matth. 7. 14. Sirs be aware of your danger and fear lest a promise being left of entring into Rest any of you should at last come short of it Heb. 4. 1. Suppose a man were to travel through some perilous Wood or Wilderness having but one Jewel in all the world in which his All was bound up and should see some stand on one hand and some on the other and hear one company in this place and another in that crying out under the hands of some cruel Robbers Oh in what fear would this Traveller go least he should lose this Jewel and be Robbed of all at once Why thou art the man This Traveller is thy self This Jewel is thy Soul This Wilderness or Wood is this World thou art to Travel through Swarms of sins Legions of Devils a whole world of Temptations these are the Robbers that lie in wait for thy Soul and if all that these can do can keep thee out of Heaven thou shalt never come there Oh what if thy Pride or worldliness thy delays and triflings in Religion should at last betray thy Soul into the Robbers
hands Other losses may be repaired But thy Soul being once lost God is lost Christ is lost Heaven all lost for evermore Q. IV. What do I do for my Soul What have I a Soul and immortal Soul to care for and look no better after it nor bestow no more of my time nor pains upon it no more of my thoughts about it When Augustus the Emperour saw the out-Landish Women carrying Apes and such kind of strange Creatures in the Streets in their Armes he asked what have the Women in these Countries no children So it may be said of many among us that are early and late at their worldly business but let the care of Religion lie by neglected what have these men no Souls why man hast thou a Soul and yet dost so little in thy Closet so little in thy Family from day to day for it what meanest thou O sleeper Arise call upon thy God that thou perish not Ionah 1. 6. what will become of thy Soul it thou lookest to it onely at this careless rate Q. V. What if God should this night require thy Soul where would death land thee Luke 12. 19 20. There was one that promised himself many merry daies and years as it is like thou doest but that same night God called for his Soul Sirs are you in your postures are you fit to die oh dare not to live in such a case nor in that course in which you would not dare to die Q. VI. What a happy case were I in if I had but secured my Soul oh if this were but once done how sweetly mightest thou live Then thou mightest eat thy bread and drink thy wine with a merry heart when assured that God accepteth thee and thy worke Eccle. 9. 7. Then thou mightest lie down in peace and rise up in peace go out and come in in peace then thou mightest look death in the face thou mightest look dangers in the face yea look Devils in the face and never be afraid Oh Sirs if there be any ensurance office for Souls in all the world one would think you should be seeking to it And thus much for the Questions which though of use to all yet were intended chiefly for unconverted impenitent Souls Counsels and Cordials for the CONVERTED The Counsels are These Coun. I. THat you put hard to it to get that by these hazardous opportunities that may quit all your Cost What pitty is it that you should adventure much and yet gain but little How sad would it be if you should at last suffer deeply for your Conscientious attendance upon God in such seasons and when you come into a Prison or into Banishment should find that you had not got that by them that would bear you out Coun. II. That you value no mercy barely as it serves in content to your flesh but as it stands in order to Eternity and may serve to the furthering of your Makers Glory God hath preserved your liberties and hath restored mine But what of all this unless we improve our liberties for Eternity what are we better then those that are in Prison If this be all the advantage we have a little more content to our flesh The Cypher put to the Figure is of great consideration but put by it self it signifies nothing at all These Creature comforts separated from their respect to God and Eternity are of no value but in order to these ends they signifie much We have ease and fullness when many others are in pains and in poverty And we have much the start of them if we be wise to improve our health in laying in apace against a wet day and preparing apace for Eternity and if we serve the Lord with the more abundant diligence and chearfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things But if this be all we have by it that our bones do lie a little softer and our pallats are tickled with a little the more delight what profit have we by our health or our estates If they that be sick or poor do love the Lord as well or serve the Lord as much as we they have the advantage of us and better were it for us to be poor and sick as they be Coun. III. Rest not in probabilities for Heaven but labour for certainties Beloved certainty may be had or else the counsel of God to make our Calling and Election sure were in vain 2 Pet. 1. 10. Else the experience of the Saints were but a delusion who tell us they know they are passed from death to life 1 Iohn 3. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Iob 19. 25. 26. else the power of self-reflection were to no purpose and the spirit which is in man should not know the things of the man 1 Cor. 2. 11. Now if a certainty may be had will you not put in for it and turn every stone but that you will get it Sirs now if ever you have need to put hard to it to get assurance We are at miserable uncertainties for all outward enjoyments we know not how soon we may be called to part with them all Christians what do you mean will you be content to have nothing sure will you not settle your everlasting conditions now you are so unsetled as to your outward condition What will you do in the day of visitation when extremity comes upon you if you have not assurance that God will receive you It would make ones heart tremble to think of being put upon such a fearful temptation to part with all for Christ and not to be sure of him neither O man what an advantage will the tempter now have upon thee when he shall suggest wilt thoube such a fool as to let go all at once Thou seest Heaven is not sure Christ is not sure therefore keep the world while thou hast it and hold what thou hast sure Beloved what a fearful slighting of God and contempt of Heaven and Glory and all the Promises doth this argue that you can be content to be at uncertainties whether they be yours or not How many of you be there that do not know whether you be going to Heaven or to Hell and what desperate carelesness doth this argue to go on from week to week in such a case Some hopes you have that you shall do well but put not me off with hopes never be satisfied till you are able to say not only I hope I shall be saved but I know I am passed from death to life I know that when the earthly house of this Tabernacle shall be dissolved I have a building not made with hands c. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Coun. IV. Be not satisfied with the truth of Grace but reach after the Growth Do not think all is done when you have attained the evidence of Grace but put on hard towards the increase That person that doth not desire and design perfection never came up to Sincerity He that desires Grace truly desires it not
barely as a Bridg to Heaven and so to seek no more then will just bear his charges thither but he desires it for its own sake And therefore desires the height of it That person that desires Grace only for Heavens sake and inquires what is the lowest measure of Grace that any one may have and come to Heaven by which he meaneth but to be saved from misery upon this design that if he could but come to that pitch he would desire no more that person is rotten at the heart Christans the Lord doth expect of you that you should not be Babes and Dwarfs He looks now especially that you should make some progresse What do you more then heretofore What! do you feel his spurs in your sides and his whip at your backs And yet never mend your pace in Religion nor stir one jot the faster Let me commend to you Pauls study Phil. 3. 12. 13. 14. It argues a base and unworthy spirit to content our selves with little things in Religion Coun. V. Labour that Holiness may become your nature and Religion your business Then you are come to somewhat indeed in Religion when the work of God is become your natural and beloved imployment your Meat and Drink your Work and Wages When your Tongues and Hearts do as naturally run on God as others on and of the world much of that may be attained by constant care and prayer Brethren let Gods work be done by you not by the by but as your greatest businesse Seek first the Kingdome of God Matth. 6. 33. And so wherever you be you may be able to give that account of your selves that our Saviour did when they enquired of him That you are about your Fathers business Luke 2. 59. Coun. VI. Confine not your Religion to your knees but carry on an even spun thred of Holiness through your whole Course Brethren 't is the disgrace of Religion that Christians are so unlike themselves unless it be when they are in holy duties This wounds Religion to the quick when it shall be said of Professors these men indeed will pray like Angels but for ought we can see they are as Peevish and as Touchy as any other men and they are as Hard in their Dealings and make as little Conscience of their Words as others do Beloved think not Religion lies only or cheifly in Praying Hearing Reading No you must be throughout Religous Sirs bring forth your Religion out of your Closets into your ordinary Course Let there not be a life of Holiness on the outside of the Cloth But Let Holiness be woven into the whole of your Conversations Here lies the excellency difficulty of Religion when you have the baits of intemperance before you then to hold the Reins hard and deny your flesh when you have provocation before you then to bite in your passions and bridle the unruly member When you have dealings with others then to proceed by that golden rule of Equity and Charity To do to others as your Consciences tell you you would have them do in the like case to you When you are called upon in your several relations then to behave your selves with that tenderness and love with that reverence and obedience with that courtesie and condescension and kindness that becomes you in your various capacities In this I say lies the Excellency of Religion Coun. VII Ever walk with your End in your Eye It is true according to the usual and useful similitude The Traveller thinks not of his Journeyes end every step nor need he yet there is no Traveller but thinks of it at his setting out Brethren there is nothing hinders but that with Prayer and Watchfulness you might come to this in every solemn action to mind God as your End Impose this upon your selves as your daily rule to walk by never to lie down but with these thoughts Well I will make use of my Bed as an Ordinance of God for my natural refreshment that a weary Servant of his may be fitted for his work Never to rise up but with these thoughts I will set forth this day in the Name of the Lord and make it my business this day throughout to please him Never to set to your callings but in the entrance to think thus I will set about my employment in obedience to God because this is his will that I should walk with him in my place and station Never to sit down to your Tables but thinking I will now Eat and Drink not meerly to feed my flesh but to cherish a Servant of Christ Iesus that he may have strength for his service Charge this upon your selves and examine in the evening how you have minded it and check your selves wherein you come short Once learn this and you are come up to something and you shall have the undoubted evidence of your sincerity and shall know the inside of that blessed mistery of walking with God Coun. VIII Be and do more then ordinary in your Familys and Closets now in the defects of the more Publick Ordinances 1. In your Closets See that your Consciences be able to bear you witness that under Gods extraordinary providences you do more then ever in answer thereunto It may be you Prayed twice in the day heretofore why should you not at such a time as this is make one visit more then ordinary to Heaven daily to represent before God the calamites of his Church This be sure of that somewhat more then heretofore must now be done else God will look upon himself as intollerably slighted and upon his Church as most unnaturally neglected if we do not now put to it Be more then ever in self-examination God doth look that when he is trying of us we should be much in the trial of our selves And here let me put it to your Consciences How are your rules for daily examination looked after Do you try your selves by them from day to day Ah wretched negligence what have you given your approbation and passed your promise and yet even in such a day as this so much forget your duty God expects it of you that now you see him angry you should with more jealous fear and tender circumspecton and holy watchfulness and self-denial walk before him else you will greatly incense his indignation when he shall see that you slight his anger 2. In your Families Christians now the Lord calls aloud upon you to set your houses in order Oh see what is amiss in them and strive to cast out that which may be a provocation Three things I advise you to with reference to your Families 1. That you set up the Solemn exercise of Catechising weekly among them Methinks I would not question but that in every Godly Family there is a care of the Catechisme But when Governours do onely impose it in general upon their Families and occasionally take an account I find but little progress is made and therefore I beseech you to
Cattel and Cattel I will feed my flock saith the Lord God and cause them to lie down I will seek that which is lost and bring again that which is driven away and bind up that which is broken and strengthen that which is sick but I will destroy the Fat and the strong and will feed them with judgment I will be a Physician to you I will heal your backslidings and cure all your diseases fear not never did soul miscarry that left it self in my hands and would but follow my prescriptions Well this is one of the Articles that God here sealeth to that he will be to you in the place of all Relations Silence thou quarelling unbelief methinks I hear thy whispers that this is too good to be true that it were presumption in us to count upon all this What shall they that must say to corruption thou art my father be able to say to the incorruptible God thou art my Father Shall they that must say to the worm thou art my mother and my sister be able to say to the Angels of Light ye are my fellow Servants And to the King of Glory Thou art my Brother and my Kinsman Shall Majesty espouse himself to misery and the worms meat be married to Immortallity and life How can these things be Nay but O heart of Infidelity who art thou that repliest against God Dost thou under a sly pretence of humility question with thy Maker and call his Veracity into doubt Is not this his Word his Promise his Covenant and is not here his Seal why then dost thou doubt O thou of little Faith Art II. That he will entitle you to all the Divine Persons and Perfections Gen. 17. 7. I will be a God unto thee mark God gives away himself and he gives his Son to you Isa. 42. 6. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people This is the Churches triumph Isa. 9. 6. unto us a Son is given And he gives his Spirit to you Iohn 14. 16. He shall give you another Comforter And Believers acknowledge the Receipt 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received the Spirit which is of God Thus you see all the Persons of the God-head are made over to you and so are all the Perfections of the God-head for so the Covenant runs Gen. 17. 1. I am the All-mighty God or the All-sufficient God walk before me and be upright these are the terms between God and a believer Be thou upright before me and I will be All-sufficient to thee The All-sufficiency of God is the comprehension of all his Perfections Truth without Power or Power without Wisdome or both without Goodness would not be All-sufficiency All-sufficiency takes in all that is in God it we may speak of Gods most simple Essence according to the shallow reach of our present capacity yea it comprehends infinitely more then can be said or thought Why now this is the Covenant of grace which God establishes with you this day that he will be a God All-sufficient to you Christians rouse up your Faith Now appropriate and apply the Promises Now believe strongly and stedfastly and believing will fill you with joy unspeakable and full of glory I do not wonder if your Faith be put to it in so high and great a mistery To draw nigh to the infinite Majesty and consideringly and without hesitancy to say Thou art mine and all that thou hast this is no easie thing But thou mayst not dare to doubt it Canst thou question him who is the Truth can the strength of Israel lie or his word deceive thee But the soul is ready to reply oh the thing is too high and too great for me to presume to believe and is ready with Peter astonied to cry out Depart Lord for I am a sinful man But why doth thine hand tremble and thy heart fail thee and thy feet with Peters when walking on the waters begin to sink What doest thou stick at Is it at the truth of the Promise No saith the trembling soul but sure so much can never belong to me so sinful I am afraid it is not mine why what saith the Promise onely be upright What though thou hast an hundred failings yet thy heart is upright the bent of thy heart is mainly for God and Holiness thou makest conscience of all sin little as well as great secret as well as open and doest not deliberately allow thy self in any thou doest in the settled frame of thy heart prefer the pleasing of God and value his favour and fellowship above all worldly good therefore thou art upright these marks are infalliable What doest thou object thy failings Art thou under a Covenant of works Do you think God now stands upon Perfection The Covenant is plain God conditions but for uprightness and God hath wrought in thee the condition that he requirts of thee What can be plainer wilt thou suffer the Devil and unbelief to catch the Bread out of thy hand when God tells thee it is thine wilt thou be against thy self and refuse thine own peace when God is come to Seal thee up to the day of Redemption This is that which the Lord here Seals to thee That he will be God All-sufficient to thee O believe and be thankful and rejoyce in thine own blessedness O happy thrice happy souls whom the living God thus Signeth and Sealeth to and Assignes over all his infinite Perfections as its everlasting possession Art III. That he will discharge you from all your Debts Heb. 8. 10 12. This is the Covenant I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more Isa. 1. 18. Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as Snow Believest thou this Come near beloved Christian approach believingly and here thou shalt see the Lord Crossing our all thy Debts taking away the hand writing that is against thee declaring that he hath received a Ransome and is satisfied Content and Paid Oh happy man that shall leave all thy sins behind thee why this is the very thing that the faithful God doth here Seal unto thee Thy Pardon is writen in this Sacred bloud which is here shed for the remission of sins So that thou mayest triumph with the Apostle Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died Rom. 8. 34. Art IV. That he will save you from all your enemies not from the Combate but from the Conquest The victory shall be sure so far God is engaged So the Covenant runs in its first discovery That the Seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head though he should bruise his heel Gen. 3. 15. by the Seed of the Woman understand not Christ only but all Believers by the Serpent understand not Satan only but all his party the ungodly persecuting world which are his Children and all our Tyrannous Lusts which are his brood his works By his bruising our heel understand his molesting and wounding of