corruptible things as Silver and Gold which perish FAith is a divine and precious Grace or a supernatural thing 't is from above wrought in the Soul by the Operation of the Spirit of God and therefore incorruptible an heavenly Principle or Seed that shall never fail till we receive the end of our Faith the Salvation of our Souls II. Tried Gold may make a Man renowned and great on Earth and adorn the Body or Habitation where he dwells but it avails not the Soul any thing it will not enrich or make honourable or beautify that c. II. Faith true Faith Faith tried in the Fire makes Believing Men and Women renowned in Grace and Godliness and adorns the Soul Church and People where it is None shine forth in that Beauty and Splendor as those do who have much Faith III. Tried Gold may be utterly lost a Man may have much of it to day and none to morrow Thieves may rob him of it c. III. True Faith cannot be utterly lost A Man may lose somewhat of the Strength of it he may decay in this Grace as well as in others but he can never lose the Habit the Seed or Truth of Faith it self I have prayed for thee Luk. 22.31 32. that thy Faith fail not Inferences FIrst Information How greatly are some mistaken about this precious and most noble Grace For we may infer from hence 1. That true Faith is not a simple or bare believing there is a God the Devils have this kind of Faith they also believe and tremble 2. That it is not a meer or bare believing the Truth of the holy Scriptures The Jews believed the Scriptures and thought by them to have eternal Life and yet were Enemies to Jesus Christ 3. That it is not a bare believing Christ died for Sinners most ungodly People in England believe that 4. That cannot be a true Faith which Swearers Drunkards Whoremongers and all other ungodly and prophane Persons have 5. That a Man may leave all gross Sins and assent to many Truths of the Gospel and yet have no true Faith 6. Nay that a Man may be baptized take upon him the Profession of the Gospel and suffer many things and yet not have one dram of saving Faith as appears by the foolish Virgins Judas and Simon the Sorcerer and many others 7. Nay a Man may seem to hear the Word with Joy and yet have no true Faith A temporary Faith is not the Faith of God's Elect or that Faith that is more precious than Gold c. Quest How may a Man know true Faith from that which is common and meer counterfeit Answ 1. There is in that Person who savingly believes in Christ a true Knowledg of God and of Jesus Christ the true Saviour it takes hold on the right Object Dost thou believe on the Son of God Joh. 9.24 9.35 Rom. 10.14 Who is he Lord c. How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard 2. There must be a true Knowledg of and a free and full Assent and Consent to the Truth of that which is contained in the Holy Scriptures concerning God Christ and Salvation and all other essential Principles of true Religion It is not enough to believe as the Church believes as some ignorantly teach and affirm 3. He that hath obtained true Faith hath had his Understanding enlightned to see what his State and Condition was by Nature Acts 2.37 2 Cor. 7. he hath been under Humiliation for Sin 4. He seeth also that all his own Righteousness will avail him nothing in point of Justification and Acceptation with God Without Christ his Prayers Tears Reading Hearing and Alms-deeds will not save him To trust to any of these he sees is the way to make Faith void Rom. 3.8 Rom. 10.2 3. The Jews built upon this Foundation and thereby missed of Salvation 5. There is in that Soul where true Faith is wrought or where the Seed of it is sowed a desire after Christ not simply after his Merits but also after Union and intimate Acquaintance with him Yea doubtless I account all things but Loss Phil. 3.8 for the Excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do account them but Dung that I may win Christ c. A true enlightned Soul looks first to Christ's Person as being affected with his Beauty and Sweetness of his Love and then to the Goods and Riches he possesseth As a Woman newly married looks first to her Husband and then to the Inheritance or else is little better than an Harlot 6. But did I say a Desire after Christ Be not mistaken to think that every Desire after him is a Sign of true Faith 1. It is a fervent Desire such desire him more than all the World That Soul pants after him and Union with him Psal 75.25 more than after Heaven and Glory It greatly endears Christ to the Soul He is the chiefest of Ten Thousand 2. 'T is such a Desire as in a hungry Man nothing will satisfy him but Bread so nothing will satisfy a true Believer but Christ the Bread of Life 7. If a Man hath true Faith he knoweth the Time when he was without it he knoweth he was once blind and without God and Christ I will not say he knows the very Instant when God wrought it in his Soul but he can say with the Man whose Eyes Christ opened Whereas I was blind I now see Jon. 9.25 8. And not only so but he knows the Way and Means by which he obtained it viz. either by Hearing or Reading or Meditating on the Word of God either in the free Tender of Christ to Sinners in general or to dejected burthened and heavy-laden Sinners in particular 9. Faith is usually obtained of God in a constant and laborious seeking and crying to him for it What Pains hath it cost you Sirs Precious Faith is not easily obtained to What Conflicts have you found within Satan ever makes strong Resistance there is nothing he strives to obstruct or hinder more 10. What Love to God hath thy Faith wrought in thee True Faith works by Love Mary believed and loved much 11. Hath thy Faith purified thy Heart Hast thou seen its horrid Filth and Pollution and dost thou long after Purity not only to have thy Sins pardoned but also purged away and the Power and Dominion thereof destroyed 12. What Alteration in the Course of thy Life hath Faith wrought Faith made Jordan go back There is a Turning the whole Man to God a glorious Change in every Faculty in Heart and also in Life Half my Goods saith Zacheus Luk. 19.8 Act. 19.19 I give to the Poor And in the Acts 't is said Those that used unlawful Arts burned their Books If any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 13. Faith leads the Soul to receive Christ in all his Offices not only as
by the powerful Operations of the Holy-Ghost whereby he is made holy and enabled to approve himself to God and Men in all purity of Life and Conversation By the Breastplate of Righteousness in the Text we understand the Righteousness of Sanctification is principall◠intended for otherwise this piece of Christian Armor would interfere with the Shield of Faith which comprehends the Righteousness of Justification See Shield It is we say a Principle of new Life which the Spirit works in the Heart of a Believer hence the several Graces of Holiness are called the Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Man by the Fall had a double Loss first the Love of God secondly the Image or Likeness of God Christ restores both to his Children the first by his Righteousness imputed the second by his Spirit imparting the lost Image of God to them which consists in Righteousness and true Holiness Who but a Man can impart his own Nature and beget a Child like himself So who but the Spirit of God can make a Creature like God by causing him to partake of the Divine Nature 1. This is that Principle of new Life viz. an inward Disposition and Divine Quality sweetly powerfully and constantly stirring up and inclining to that which is holy and spiritually good 2. The Work of the Spirit in this respect was not to recover what was dying Garnal but to work Life de novo in a Soul quite dead hence called a creating quickning forming and renewing Work 3. It is a supernatural Principle by which we distinguish it from Adam's Righteousness which was co-natural to him as Sin is to us Holiness was as natural to him as Health was to his Body they both resulted ex Principiis rectè constitutis from Principles pure and rightly disposed Why Righteousness is called a Breast-plate will appear by the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel A Breast-plate is a main and principal Piece of Armor that belongs to a Souldier RIghteousness in like manner is a principal thing belonging to all Christians who are called Souldiers of Christ 2 Tim 3 3. Endure Hardness as a good Souldier c. II. A Breast-plate is a piece of Armor that every Souldier ought to have on when he engages his Enemy he must not come into the Field without it II. Righteousness is so necessary for every Believer that he ought not cannot be without it there is no engaging any Enemy of the Soul without a Principle of Holiness be wrought in him III. A Breast-plate preserves the principal part of the Body viz. the Breast where the very Vitals of a Man are closely couched together and where a Shot or a Stab is more deadly than in other parts that are more remote from the Fountain of Life A Man may out-live many Wounds received in the Arms or Legs but a Stab in the Heart is a certain Messenger of Death III. Righteousness and Holiness preserves the principal part of a Christian viz. his Soul Satan aims to hit him there where he may dispatch him soonest A Wound in a Man's Credit Estate Relations c. hazard not the Life of his Soul but Sin exposes it to imminent Danger This is that Dart Prov. 7 23 that struck the young Man through the Liver as a Bird hasteth to the Snare that knoweth not 't is for his Life And this is that which Satan strives to tempt entice and draw a Saint to yield unto Hence he should be careful to put on his Breastplate of Righteousness which whilst he has on he is safe from the deadly Stab of the Enemy IV. A Breast-plate is made and prepared for a Souldier before he puts it on It is not his own Work but the Work of a skilful Artist IV. Righteousness which is the Saints Breast-plate is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit who is a most wise and skilful Workman Our own Righteousness is good for nothing hence called dead Works because they are Works from one dead in Sin and spring not from a Principle of inward spiritual Life V. A Breast-plate much emboldens a Souldier and makes him fearless that as he cannot be easily killed so hereby he cannot be soon cowed When a Souldier sees himsel unarmed he begins to tremble but when he hath on a good Helmet and a Plate of Proof on his Breast he is not quickly dismay'd but adventures upon the Point of the Sword V. Thus Righteousness defends and animates the Soul and Conscience when a Man in the midst of the greatest Danger can lift up his hands without spot Holiness fills a Soul with Courage so that he can look in the very face of grim Death whereas Guilt which is the Nakedness of the Soul puts the stoutest Sinner into a shaking Fit of Fear The Wicked flee when no Man pursueth Prov. 28.1 but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion No sooner did Adam see his Breast-plate was off and that he was naked but he was afraid and ran away to hide himself from God VI. The Breast-plate and Girdle were both joined or buckled together VI. So Righteousness and Truth must meet and be joined together in every Christian which is held forth by the Copulative And Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Which is taken twofold as hath been shewed First for the Truth of Doctrine or a good and Orthodox Judgment all the Principles of true Religion that are essential to Salvation Secondly Grace or Sincerity of Heart In both these respects Truth must be clasped to or joined with Righteousness and a holy Life Solomon saith Two are better than one So may I say here a good Doctrine with a good Conversation is better than a good Doctrine without a good Conversation or a good Conversation without a good Doctrine as a Man must have the one so he must not be without the other Wo to him that is alone for the Spirit will not be his Strength An evil and corrupt Doctrine may be of as dangerous a Nature as an evil and debauched Life See 2 Pet. 2.1 2. Who privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift Destruction c. In vain is a Man's outward Holiness or moral Sincerity if he be tainted with heretical and damnable Principles and as vain is it for a Man to hold the true Doctrine of the Christian Religion if he be not sincere and live a holy Life Inferences THis may inform us what need there is for every Christian to get and keep on the Breast-plate of Righteousness not only to get a renewed Principle of Grace in his Heart but also to maintain the Power of Godliness in his Life and Conversation This he ought strenuously to labour after and that for several Reasons First In regard of God whose main Design in giving Grace and implanting a Divine Principle in his People is to make them holy to this end he hath put
Thess 1.3 3. It is called the Faith of God's Elect Tit. 1.1 4. It is called unfeigned Faith 1 Tim. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.5 5. It is called Faith that works by Love Gal. 5.6 6. It is called Faith of the Operation of God Col. 2.12 7. It is called precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 8. It is called holy Faith 9. It is called the Faith of the Son of God It s excellent Names set forth its transcendent Nature 2. Faith is precious in respect of the Means of its procurement or the Price that was laid down for the obtaining of it viz. the precious Blood of Christ for had not Christ died we should never have had one dram of it it is given to us as the Fruit and Effect of his glorious Undertaking 3. Faith is precious in respect of the Fountain from whence it proceeds 4. Faith is precious in respect of the Means by which it is wrought in the Soul viz. by the Word and Spirit of God in a wonderful manner Eph 1.19 20. even like as God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the Dead 5. Faith is precious in respect of the Object it takes hold of or fasteneth upon viz. God the Father the Holy Spirit but more immediatly Christ crucified Ye believe in God believe also in me 6. Faith is precious in that it joins or unites the Soul to Christ it makes us one with him as it were Flesh of his Flesh Bone of his Bone a lively Member of that Body whereof he is the Head 'T is that which ties the Conjugal Knot between him and every Believer 7. It is the Eye of rhe Soul no Man without it can behold Jesus Christ nor the fulfillings of future Promises Abraham by Faith saw the Day of Christ 8. Hereby a Christian is made a Child of God To as many as received him Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed on his Name Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus 9. It is the only way or means God is pleased to take to deliver the Souls of Men from Sin Wrath and eternal Death 10. It is that which interests the Soul into all the sweet and precious Promises of the Covenant of Grace See Light 11. It is the Instrument of Salvation Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved 12. Faith is a most excellent and precious thing upon the account of the Fruits of it viz. Life Light Peace Purging Boldness at the Throne of Grace Joy in the Holy-Ghost Hope and good Assurance of eternal Life 13. Faith is precious in respect of that glorious Power and Virtue that is in it 'T is medicinable and the most Sovereign Antidote and Cordial in the World 1. It will expell Poyson 2. 'T will perfectly as it applies the Blood of Christ cure a wounded Conscience 3. It will bear up and revive a fainting Spirit Mat. 8.23 I had fainted unless I had believed 4. It is good against the Feebleness of the Knees and Weakness of the hands 5. It is a most excellent thing against Fear and Tremblings of the Heart But when he saw the Wind boysterous he was afraid and beginning to sink Luk. 8.23 Mat. 14.30 he cried saying Lord save me And immediatly Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him and said unto him O thou of little Faith 6. Ezek. 36.26 It is a precious Remedy against the Stone of a hard Heart it will dissolve it break it in pieces and cure the Soul perfectly of it 7. It cures all manner of inward Deadness it may well be called lively Faith or Faith of the Operation of God 8. Col. 2.12 It is good against the Dimness of the Eyes it helps them that cannot see afar off 9. It is a most Sovereign Thing against evil Spirits it will resist the Devil and make him flie 10. It is excellent good to purge and work out all those noxious and evil Humors of the inward Man cleansing and purifying the Heart 11. It is good against the Falling-Sickness Believers stand by Faith but if through a Temptation they should fall Faith will help them up again David and Peter had not so much Faith as to keep them from from falling yet they had enough to raise them up again when they were fallen It is an universal Remedy it cures all the Diseases of the Soul so that we may say with the Woman let the Distemper be what it will If I can but touch the Hem of his Garment I shall be healed 14. Faith is precious because it shields and gloriously preserves the whole Soul from all Dangers it is that which works with and tends to the perfecting of all other Graces in us 15. It was by Faith that Saints in every Age of the Church Heb. 11. were enabled to undergo and suffer all those hard and bitter Tortures and Torments they met with for Christ's sake 16. It is that which helps the Godly to overcome the World 1 Joh. 5.4 He that is born of God overcometh the World and this is the Victory which overcometh the World even our Faith VI. Gold is often tried and refined in the Fire we read of Gold seven times refined The Refining-Pot is for Silver Prov. 17.3 and the Furnace for Gold VI. Faith is often tried in the Fire or Furnace of Affliction 1 Pet. 3.12 Think it not strange concerning the fiery Trial which is to try you c. He shall sit as a Refiner's Fire Mal. 3.2 3 and as a Purifier of Silver c. and purge them as Gold and Silver c. God this way tried Abraham's Faith together with the Faith of many others of whom we read I will bring the third part through the Fire and I will try them as Gold is tried Zech. 13.9 VII Tried Gold is much better than that which is not tried nor refined in the Fire VII Faith that is tried is of wonderful value much more to be prized than that which was never brought under Exercise How excellently did Abraham's and Job's Faith shine when tried The Trial of your Faith is much more precious than Gold tho it be tried in the Fire c. VII Gold tried in the Fire is of an enriching Nature if a Man has much of it it enriches him greatly We esteem him a very rich Man that hath great Store of tried Gold in his own Possession VIII So Faith that is tried in the Furnace is of a Soul-enriching Nature he that hath much of this Faith is a very rich Man a rich Saint James 1 5 God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom See more of the Nature of Gold in the Metaphor Gold where the Word of God is compared to it Metaphor Disparity GOld is naturally an earthy Sort of Metal 't is from beneath and therefore corruptible Not with
puts off his upper Clothes and gets meet and necessary Garments for the purpose because the Clothes that a Man usually wears would much encumber him in his Running III. So a Man that would set out in the spiritual Race or in a speedy Course towards Salvation must cast off the Rags of his own Righteousness and put on the Righteousness of Jesus Christ by Faith for that Garment with the Garment of Holiness and Humility is only necessary Rom. 13.14 and must be put on by all that would run the Race set before them so as to obtain the Prize IV. A Man that would run in a Race so as to obtain the Prize must lay aside all Weights whatsoever For all know that if a Man have a Weight or Burden on him it will greatly hinder or obstruct him in his running nay if he doth not cast it off it will soon cause him to be weary and faint in the Way IV. So a Christian that would run in this heavenly Race must cast off every spiritual Weight This the Apostle directly counsels the Saints to do Let us lay aside every Weight Heb. 12 1. and the Sin that doth so easily beset us and let us run with Patience the Race set before us Now these Weights are 1. The inordinate Affections Our Hearts must not be set upon Things below Col 3.2 3 not inordinately upon Father or Mother Son or Daughter House or Land for he whose Heart runs out in a covetous manner after the World as the Prophet shews Hab. 2.6 is like a Man that is laden with thick Clay It is impossible for a Man to run this Race with the World upon his Back What was it that weighed down the young Man in the Gospel that came running to Christ who seemed to be in a full speed towards eternal Life Was it not the inordinate Love to the World 2. Sin Sin is a Weight That Sin that doth so easily beset us Some understand the Sin of Unbelief is meant hereby others a Man's Constitution-Sin or the Sin of his Nature that which he is most easily overtaken with whether it be Pride Passion c. Sin yea every Sin must be cast off take it how you will tho I rather adhere to the latter if a Man would so run as to obtain for nothing like Guilt tends to make a Christian grow weary and faint in his Mind V. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize must not be overcharged with inordinate Eating and Drinking for Experience shews how that unfits a Man for running a Race or for any other Enterprize whatever And a Man that striveth for Mastery is temperate in all things V. So a Christian must take heed he be not overcharged in a spiritual Sence there is spiritual Gluttony and Drunkenness spoken of in Scripture Hence saith our Saviour Take heed to your selves Luke 21.24 lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting Drunkenness and the Cares of this Life and so that Day come upon you unawares What is meant by Surfeiting Drunkenness c. but all kind of loose Living 1 Thess 5.7 wanton Riotousness excessive Delight in or Desire after the Pleasures of this World c. Or on the other hand being overwhelmed and sorely afflicted or perplexed with inordinate Cares about earthly Matters All these things must be avoided by those who would run the spiritual Race so as to obtain the Prize VI. A Man that would run in a Race so as to obtain the Prize must see he doth not lessen his Pace he must run swiftly and run constantly if he loyter or grow careless and idle no wonder if he lose the Prize VI. So a Christian must run with speed he must be very diligent swift-footed which is signified by running and also he must be even in his Course He must not be like the Galatians Gal. 5.7 only run well for a Time but continue always to the end the same Pace i. e. keep in a constant Course of godly Zeal and Holiness according to that of the Apostle We desire that every one of you do shew the same Diligence to the full assurance of Hope to the end Heb. 6 11. Some Men seem very zealous in a Fit they are all on a Flame as it were none more forward and lively in God's Ways and in his holy Worship than they but on a sudden oft-times as hath been observed they flag and grow weary It may be as the Proverb is a zealous Apprentice a lukewarm Journey-man and a quite cold Master VII A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize ought to be strong and healthy A distempered Person or one that falls sick in the Way is not likely to obtain the Prize a consumptive Man or one that hath feeble Knees or a distempered Heart is not likely to hold out VII So a Christian that runs the heavenly Race ought to labour after spiritual Strength Be strong in the Lord Eph. 6 10. 2 Tim. 2.1 and in the Power of his Might Thou therefore my Son be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus Distempers are as subject to seize upon the Soul as upon the Body viz. the Tympany of Pride the Feaver of Passion the Trembling of the Heart through slavish Fear the Stone of a hard Heart the spiritual Consumption or Decay of Grace Want of Breath or Difficulty in breathing out constant and fervent Prayers and Desires to God or any other Decay of the inward Man or Disease of the Soul If any of these seize upon a Christian in his Course to eternal Life without spâ—edy Cure they will cause him to faint and fall short of the blessed Prize VIII A Man that runs in a Race if he falls lame in the Way is not likely to obtain the Prize VIII So that Christian that falleth lame in a spiritual Sence in the Race to Glory is in danger of miscarrying Make strait Paths for your Feet Heb. 12.13 lest that which is lame be turned out of the Way but rather let it be healed Some by Lameness understand Want of Sincerity when there is a Work upon one Faculty of the Soul and not upon another i. e. When the Conscience is awakened and the Understanding somewhat enlightned and yet the Will and Affection is for Sin and the World This Man is lame he is no sound Man he goes limping as it were along he will not run long as he runs not well Others by Lameness understand more directly a wavering Mind about some main Truths of the Gospel or about the publick and visible owning and professing of Christ and the Gospel in respect of those Truths that are most opposed by Men in the Day and Generation in which we live Some are like those in the Prophet Elijah's Time they halt between two Opinions 1 King 18.21 stand wavering between God and Baal and know not which to cleave to whether to the Protestant or
upon Christ's Palm-Trees and what is their Intent and Purpose in so doing you may read in the Scriptures Come on saith Pharaoh let us deal wisely with them how was that To lay Weights and Burthens upon them To what end Lest they should multiply They resolved to keep them down they strove to hinder their Growth they designed to spoil their Multiplying and their Growth in Number as also in Grace and Vertue but they were like the Palm-Tree the more they were oppressed the more they grew and multiplied That way Men think to hinder the Truth to obstruct the Gospel from flourishing that way God takes to make it spread and flourish the more Those things that happened to the Apostles to hinder their Ministry God made for the furtherance of the Gospel 3. This should raise up our Hearts to magnify the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God who over-rules things thus in the World who turns that for Good which wicked Men design for the great Hurt of his poor People This also cometh from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderful in Counsel and excellent in Working He makes the Righteous to flourish like the Palm-Tree to grow upwards by those Ways and Means which one would think would bring them quite down and utterly spoil their growing Like as when we see the Corn laid at and thresh'd with a Flail Caryl one would think there were great Hurt intended to the Corn but it is only to separate it from the Straw and Chaff that it may appear in its own Beauty and Usefulness So the Lord hath his Flail to separate the Chaff from the Wheat Those Acts of Providence which seem to be for their Hurt and Undoing when they are thresh'd as it were by the World are only to make them appear what they are But thus it fareth not with the Wicked who flourish not like the Palm-Tree but as the Grass they pass away 4. This may animate the Righteous and greatly encourage them against Persecution Why should they fear that which God turns to their great Advantage O let us labour to improve Burthens Afflictions and heavy Pressures to the end God designs them and never more fear the worst that Men can do unto us The Righteous shall flourish like the Palm-Tree 5. Let us labour for Union and strengthen one another combine as one Man in the Way of Holiness and Christian Affection that so thereby we may like the tender Plants of the Palm-Tree get Strength and stand when the Wind blows hardest and the Storms of the Ungodly rise upon us 6. This may be also Matter of Trial to us we hereby may try our selves and try our Graces How is it with you Sirs under Sufferings Do you grow and flourish the more If you wither and decay in Grace in a Day of Trial or when you are under Pressures and Afflictions and cannot bear hard Things for Christ's sake it clearly shews you are none of God's Palm-Trees Saints compared to Wheat Mat. 13.27 28. Let both grow together till Harvest c. Verse 30. But gather the Wheat into my Barn THe Saints of God are in this Parable compared to Wheat or good Seed but the Wicked to Tares and the End of the World to the Harvest Why Believers are compared to Wheat will appear by what follows Metaphor Parallel VVHeat is a precious Sort of Grain the best of Grain THe Saints of God are a choice People the best of Men. Prov. 12.26 The Righteous are more excellent than their Neighbours II. Wheat is a very profitable Sort of Grain it tends to the enriching the Husband-man he accounts it his Treasure II. The Saints are a People profitable to the World many ways See Salt Nay Mat. 3.17 and God accounts them his peculiar Treasure III. Wheat will abide and live in the sharpest Winter which some other Seed will not III. So sincere Souls will endure the sharpest Trials They will live in the Winter-Time of the Church when others fall off wither die away and come to nothing IV. Wheat is a small Sâ—ed and when it is first sown it lies hid in Winter it seems as if it were quite dead but when the Spring comes it sweetly revives again and flourisheth exceedingly IV. The Godly are in comparison of the World a small People Luke 12.32 called a little Flock and they lie hid as it were scarcely seeming to be a People whilst the Winter of Persecution and Trouble under the four Monarchs of the World predominate Cant. 2.11 But when the Winter is past and the Spring-Time of the Church shall come they shall revive and cover the Earth as Wheat doth the Land where it is sown Light is sown for the Righteous Prov. 4.18 and Joy for the Vpright in Heart The Growth of Saints in Times of Temptation doth not always so visibly appear They are like Corn sown that lies under the Clods but when they have taken sweet Root they soon appear to revive and sprout forth like Wheat by means of the Dew of Grace and sweet Rays of the Sun of Righteousness They shall revive as the Corn and grow as the Vine Hos 14.7 and the Scent thereof shall be as the Wine of Lebanon V. An Ear of Wheat that is full of Corn always hangs downs its Head when that which is light and empty stands upright V. So the Saints of God or all sincere Souls that have much Grace are humble Ones they hang down their Heads as it were are cloathed with Humility when Hypocrites or empty Professors are puffed up Abraham calls himself but Dust and Ashes David a Worm and no Man Job abhors himself as a nothing Creature Paul saith he was the least of all Saints Job 42.6 Eph. 8.3 When the empty Hypocrite cries out Lord I thank thee I am not as other Men. VI. Wheat needs Weeding Weeds many times come up with it and hinder its Growth VI. So the Saints and People of God need weeding Weeds of Corruption often spring up and trouble them which did not God the good Husband-man Heb. 12.15 root out and destroy would quite spoil his choicest Wheat VII Wheat hath it is observed sometimes Tares amongst it which the Husband-man sees good to let alone till the Harvest lest in plucking them out some of the Wheat be pull'd up with them VII The Field is the World Mat. 13.38 where the Saints of God who are compared to Wheat grow i. e. live and much Tares grow up or live among them in every Nation City and Town And it is the pleasure of God that they should be let alone or suffâ—red to grow together in the World that common Field tho not in the Church And therefore were the People of God such as the wicked Persecutor calls them viz. Tares Hereticks the Off-scouring of the World yet it is directly contrary to the Mind of God that they should be rooted up and turned out of the Earth Let both grow
on his Throne they shall judg the World they shall be honoured by all the Wicked shall bend their Knees before them in the Day to come c. There are many great Disparities which we leave to the Reader 's Observation Inferences LEt not the Saints be discouraged nor faint under their Afflictions What tho David was hunted like a Partridg on the Mountains He was the Lord's Anointed for all that and his Exaltation followed So 't is but a little while if you faint not before God will exalt you 2. O what manner of Love and Grace is this What! hath God made us his Sons Heirs Joint-Heirs with Christ Hath he made us Kings and shall we reign c. What shall we render to the Lord c. 3. This may quicken and stir up all the Saints to live as becomes their honourable Calling and Dignity Hath God made us Kings and shall we live like Beggars Far be it from noble-spirited Saints so to do Saints compared to Priests Rev. 5.10 And hath made us unto our God Kings and Priests c. 1 Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen Generation a holy Priesthood c. GOD's People are called Priests and an holy Priesthood as appears by these Scriptures That of Kings shews forth the Dignity of the Saints and this of Priests respects their Office and Work Parallels I. THe Priests under the Law were set apart or consecrated to God to attend him in his Service So every true Christian God hath set apart for himsâ—lf he is separated from the World and worldly Worships and sinful â—ustoms to the holy Service of God The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself Psal 4.3 II. The Priests under the Law were admitted to approach near unto God they had more perfect Knowledg of him and holy Intimacy with him than others So the Saints are a People near to God Ye who sometimes were afar of Eph. 2.13 are now made nigh by the Blood of Chrâ—st They haye more perfect and clear Knowledg of God than others and more precious Fellowship and â—ommunion with him III. The Priests offered Sacrifices to God So the Saints offer up spiritual Sacrifices aâ—ceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1. They offer up thâ—ir Bodies and their Spirits a broken and a contrite Heart 2. They offer up their Prayers upon that Golden Altar which is as sweet Incâ—nse in the Nostrils of Goâ— 3. They offer their Substance as God calls for it which is a Sacrifice well pleasing in his Sight 4. They offer up Praises Whoso offereth Praise glorifieth me Psal 50. ult and to him that ordereth his Conversation aright will I shew the Salvation of God Inferences SAints are Priests not typical Priests but a Royal Priesthood better than the Priests under the Law they are spiritual Priests they offer up spiritual Sacrifices c. 2. Their Persons as well as their Sacrifices are accepted of God through Jesus Christ if the Person be not sanctified the Offering is not accepted Joh. 17.19 For their sakes sanctify I my self that they also might be sanctified through the Truth 3. Let all take heed they offer not the Lame and the Blind when they have a Kid in the Flock My Son give me thy Heart Prov. 23.26 Metaphors Similes and other borrowed Terms c. CONCERNING VVICKED MEN. Wicked Men compared to Captives Isa 61.1 Proclaim Liberty to the Captives Acts 8.23 For I perceive that thou art in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity Gal. 4.3 Even so we when we were Children were in Bondage under the Elements of the World Gal. 4.25 For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth unto Jerusalem which is and is now in Bondage with her Children 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the Snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his Will Heb. 2.15 And deliver them who through Fear of Death were all their Life time subject to Bondage 2 Pet. 2.19 While they promise themselves Liberty they themselves are the Servants of Corruption for of whom a Man is overcome of the same is he brought into Bondage COrporal Bondage or Captivity is as much as to say Slavery and Thraldom under some Tyrant or cruel Enemy that oppresseth And from these Scriptures 't is evident that wicked Men or such as are in the State of Nature unconverted are in a State of Bondage they are spiritual Slaves or Captives And in opening the Bondage-State the Ungodly are in I shall shew 1. To whom they are or may be said to be in Bondage 2. How they were brought into this Bondage-State 3. The Nature of this spiritual Bondage 1. They are in Bondage to Sin He that committeth Sin is the Servant of Sin Joh. 8.35 Sin rules and reigns in wicked Men they are overcome by their bâ—se and filthy Lusts and of whom a Man is overcome of the same is he brought into Bondage 2 Pet. 2.19 2 Tim. 2.26 Eph 2.2 Gal. 4 25. 2. They are in Bondage to Satan taken captive by him at his Will He rules in the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience 3. They are in Bondage to the Law For being not able to perform the Obligation or Requirements thereof they are brought under the Power and Bondage of that killing Letter 4. They are in Bondage to Death Death tyrannizeth over them Heb. 2.15 and through fear of it they are said to be continually in Bondage 5. They are in Bondage to the Wrath of God Joh. 3.36 they are under the Power of God's dreadful Wrath. Captive Parallel SOme that are in a State of Bondage were once Free-men ADam and so all Mankind How Mankind were brought into Bondage considered as being in his Loins while he flood in that State of Innocency before he eat of the forbidden Fruit was a free Man he was not in Bondage to any of these Enemies II. Some are in a State of Bondage by being the Off-spring of such Parents as are Slaves for if the Parents are born Slaves their Children that are born in Captivity are Captives likewise II. So all wicked Men are in Bondage as they are the Off-spring of old Adam Psal 51.5 All Mankind being born in Sin Satan Death and Wrath hath Power over them until delivered by Jesus Christ And hence they are said to be by Nature Children of Wrath. Eph. 2.2 III. Some are brought into Bondage by the Power and Force of an Enemy they being surprized and by reason of Weakness not able to withstand them are taken captive as many of this and other Nations have been by the Turks III. Wicked Men are also actually taken captive and brought into Bondage by Sin and Satan as being surprized by the Power of these Enemies they are overcome and so brought into Captivity Satan being stronger than they he prevails against them 2 Tim 2â— 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the
to abide for many Years and then to be put to the greatest Tortures that Mortals can devise where he should suffer a long Time together always dying and yet cannot die and that on a sudden one should come to him with the joyful News of a full and perfect Deliverance would not this be the welcomest News that ever he heard Sinners may not the Tidings you hear cause your Hearts to leap in you for Joy Tho you have undone your selves by your wicked Works yet God hath devised a way to deliver and save you for ever Quest How by what means and by whom may some poor ignorant Soul say is Deliverance brought about Answ Deliverance out of this Bondage-State is by Jesus Christ only by him neither is there Salvation by any other If the Son therefore make you free Acts 4.12 Joh 8.36 ye shall be free indeed But further to answer the Question I say the Liberty is 1. By a great Ransom 2. By a Conquest 1. There was no other Way found out to bring Sinners out of this their miserable Condition but a great Sum must be laid down Ye are bought with a Price 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1.18 But know this We are not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold c. All the Gold and Silver in the World and all the Riches thereof were there Ten Thousand Worlds more could not redeem one Soul out of this State of Bondage and Slavery to Sin and Satan The Redemption of the Soul is precious Psal 49.8 Mic. 6.7 and ceaseth for ever Nay if a Man should offer up his Son or Daughter the Fruit of his Body for the Sin of his Soul it would be utterly rejected Nothing could redeem us but the Price of Blood and that too the precious Blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.19 as a Lamb without spot See Surety Vol. 1. 2. Deliverance out of this Bondage is by Conquest Unless the Saviour of Mankind conquer those cruel Enemies of the Soul not one Sinner can be set at Liberty For 't is not the baâ—e Ransom or Price of Christ's most precious Blood I mean the laying down of his Life that could work a perfect Freedom for us for tho that made a full Compensation to the Justice of God yet Sinners being under the Power of Sin Satan and Death these Enemies take no notice at all of that Price for our Saviour did not capitulate with them neither will they give up their Prisoner till they are overcome and as I may say are forced to do it For as Christ saith When a strong Man armed keepeth his Palace Luk 1â— â—1 his Goods are in Peace But when a stronger than he shall come and overcome him he taketh from him all his Armor c. Satan is this strong Man armed and Jesus Christ the Person that is stronger than he and 't is our Mercy God sent us such a strong and mighty Saviour one able to subdue Sin conquer Satan overcome Death that so he might deliver us who were taken captive by them at their Will 1 J h. 3 8. To this end was the Son of God manifest that he might destroy the Works of the Devil He through Death and rising again from the Dead hath destroyed Death and him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and delivered them who through Fear of Death were all their Life time subject to Bondage Heb. 2.14 15. Joh. 16 33 He bids us also Be of good cheer for he hath overcome the World This Conquest by the Lord Jesus is twofold 1. For us without us When he ascended on high he led Captivity captive He took him captive Eph. 4.8 Col. 2.15 that had taken Mankind captive Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a Shew of them openly the Work is already done triumphing over them in it 2. This Conquest is wrought by Christ also in the Soul for palpable it is that every unconverted Person is under the Power of these cruel Enemies as hath been already shewn and have they a sufficient Power of their own to encounter with them Is sinful weak and depraved Man a Match for Satan Is he able to subdue and overcome him Or can he by any inherent Power of his own destroy the Power of Sin and change his own Heart Can the Aethiopian change his Skin or the Leopard his Spots Isa 13.23 Is Man able to raise himself from the Power of the Grave Any of these things are too hard for Sinners to do and therefore it follows Christ must conquer these Enemies in us he must break our Bonds and burst our Chains in pieces c. Pray remember Christ is a perfect and compleat Saviour he alone doth the Work Isa 63.5 he doth it for us and also in us His own Arm brought Salvation He hath no Partner nor Competitor Secondly As this may serve to humble Mankind so also it may lift up their Hearts who are redeemed Job 7.17 in Praises to the Almighty O what is Man that God should be mindful of him What! regard such a deplorable Rebel Slave and Captive of Sin and the Devil And the rather considering the Nature of that glorious Freedom procured by Jesus Christ which is 1. A Freedom from the Guilt of Sin 2. A Freedom from the Filth of Sin 3. A Freedom from the Power of Sin Sin shall not have Dominion over you Rom. 6.14 4. A Freedom from the eternal Punishment of Sin a Freedom from Sin from Satan from the Law from Death and from Wrath and by this means made the Sons and Daughters of God making them nigh to him enjoying Union and Communion both with the Father and the Son having Peace and good Assurance of eternal Life Thirdly It may cause the redeemed Ones of God to pity Sinners pity their unconverted Relations what a deplorable Condition are they in How exceedingly are Persons concerned for their Relations who are in Slavery tho it extend but to the Body and what Ways and Means do they with all diligence make use of to procure their Liberty and Freedom And by how much the Bondage of Sin and Satan exceeds all the Slavery that Man can possibly be exposed unto by so much the more ought that Means to be improved that may effectually accomplish their Redemption Wicked Men Sluggards Prov. 6.9 How long wilt thou sleep O Sluggard when wilt thou arise out of thy Sleep HOw long wilt thou sleep Sleep is taken variously in the holy Scripture 1. For the binding or closing up the Senses to give the Body Rest The same Night Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers Acts 12.26 This is a natural Sleep 2. 'T is taken Metaphorically 1. For Death Hence 't is said David after he had served his Generation according to the Will of God he fell asleep For now shall I sleep in the Dust and thou shalt seek me in the Morning c. Job 7.21 This is
have paid the utmost Farthing Inferences HOw may this humble sinful Mortals What little cause have any of the Chrildren of Men to boast of their Riches Alas they are whether they know it or no exceedingly in Debt they are worth nothing and whether they believe it or not Death will convince them of it 2. It may stir up the Hearts of the Godly to pity Sinners when you see poor Prisoners that are in Prison for Debt crying out of the Grates Bread Bread for the Lord's sake how ready are you to pity them but how more doleful is that Cry of the rich Glutton in Hell for a drop of Water to cool his Tongue and none is given to him 3. It speaks much Comfort to Believers who have through that redemption that is in Christ obtained the forgiveness of all their Debts Oh! what a Blessing these things being considered is pardon of Sin Let thy Soul with David Bless the Lord and all that is within thee praise his holy Name who forgiveth all thine Iniquities Psal 103.1 2 3. who healeth all thy Diseases who hath freed thee from thy Sins and the Punishment of them Wicked Men the Rod of God Isa 10.5 O Assyrian the Rod of mine Anger THe Ungodly and bloody Persecutors of the Lord's People are called his Hand his Rod and his Sword Deliver my Soul from the Wicked which is thy Sword from Men of the World which are thy Hand O Lord Psal 17.13 14. Parallels I. A Man smites such as have offended him with his Hand and with a Rod or Sword So God makes use of the Wicked as an Instrument to chastize his Children when they transgress his Law and grievously sin against him II. As a Hand or Rod lays on harder or softer Blows according to the Pleasure and Purpose of him that strikes So God lets the Wicked out upon his own People to oppress and afflict them as he fees good either in a milder or more severe manner III. When a Father hath chastized his Children sufficiently and throughly humbled them he sometimes casteth the Rod into the Fire So when God hath by the Wicked who are his Rod throughly humbled his People and taken away their Sin he will throw the Wicked their bloody Persecutors into the Fire of his Wrath For yet a very little while Isa 10.25 and the Indignation shall cease and mine Anger in their Destruction Wicked Men compared to Tares Mat. 13.38 The Tares are the Children of the Wicked One TAres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Varineus quia amet triticum illud ut umbra corpus sequitur imitatus simul arescit ac si esset de tritici genere i. e. Because it loveth the Wheat and imitates it as the Shadow imitateth the Body and groweth up with it as if it were of the same kind with the Wheat It should not saith one be translated Tares but evil Seed It is that which we call the deaf Ears that grow up with the good Corn and cannot be discerned till the Harvest Liegh's Crit. Sacr. and then it proves naught for Tares and Fitches are soon discerned and pluck'd up The Enemy sowed Tares v. 15. i. e. corrupted Ungodly Men are compared to Tares Tares saith a noted Writer is a Sort of Grain that groweth in the Eastern Country therefore those that are called Tares amongst us I suppose are not the Tares our Saviour alludes to Metaphor Parallel TAres are a low and base Sort of Grain of little worth or esteem in comparison of Wheat and some other Grain SO the Children of the Wicked One are a base and contemptible Sort of People in comparison of the Children of God II. If Tares are sown amongst Wheat it is done by the Hand of an Enemy out of spite and malice to the Injury and Loss of the Owner of the Field II. So the spiritual or metaphorical Tares viz. the Children of Belial that grow in the Field of this World were first sowed by the Devil he is that Enemy who did it i. e. He infused by his Spirit through the Corruptness of Mortals that evil Seed into their Hearts from whence these Tares spring out of spite and Malice to God himself whose is the Field and also out of spite and malice to Mankind III. Tares growing among Wheat do hurt and prejudice the Wheat hindering its growth and flourishing III. So the Ungodly or Children of the Wicked One dwelling with or among the Saints hurt and greatly prejudice them hindering their Growth in Grace and Godliness Saith David Psal 120.6 Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar It is a hard Matter to keep our Garments clean and no way to defile them living in the midst of a wicked and ungodly Generation Who can touch Pitch and not be defiled therewith The Israelites dwelling among the wicked Natives of the Land of Canaan Psal 10 6.35 36. 't is said learned their Works and served their Gods IV. Tares as Wilson observes are so like Wheat whilst they are in the Blade as hardly the one can be discerned from the other IV. So Hypocrites seem so like true and sincere Christians that for a while the one can hardly be known from the other V. The Man who had Tares sown amongst the Wheat in his Field whilst Men slept would not suffer his Servants to pluck them up lest some of the Wheat should be pluck'd up with them but let them grow together until Harvest and then commands the Reapers to separate the one from the other and the Wheat to gather into his Barn but the Tares to cast into the Fire from whence it appears that those Tares were good for nothing but Fuel for the Fire c. V. So the Almighty tho there be many Hypocrites Hereticks and Reprobates in the World would not have Magistrates or others to pluck them up for their Errors or Heresy only that is destroy them or take them away by corporal Punishment and Death lest they pull up and destroy some of his precious Saints with them instead of those Children of the Evil One but would have them live or grow together in the Field of the World until the Harvest that is the End of the World The Field is the World Mat. 13.38 39 40 41. the good Seed an the Children of the Kingdom but the Tares the Children of the Wicked One. The Enemy that sowed them is the Devil the Harvest is the End of the World and the Reapers are the Angels As therefore the Tares are gathered and burnt in the Fire so shall it be in the End of the World The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels to gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them that do Iniquity And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Inferences THis may put every Christian upon the Search and Examination of
the matter to renounce the whole Gospel it is all one as to deny that Adam was created in the Image of God which he lost or that Sinners are spiritually dead in Sins and Trespasses and that we are renewed into the Image of God by Jesus Christ 2. Whatsoever the Soul acts in spiritual Things by its Understanding Will Affections c. as deprived of or not quickned by this Principle of spiritual Life it doth it naturally not spiritually c. Disparity A Man naturally dead is altogether uncapable to make any opposition against the supernatural Power of God put forth in order to quicken him or raise him to Life he can no way directly or indirectly oppose it But a Man who is dead spiritually dead in Sin when God in a gracious way comes to use Means to quicken him or raise him to a State of Life he makes opposition nay and doth greatly resist and strive against the good Motions of the Spirit and Workings of God in order to his Vivification So that the Power of God is more manifestly seen in the quickning of one spiritually dead than in quickning one dead naturally Inferences FRom hence we may perceive the evil and destructive Nature of Sin It is spiritually the Death and Ruine of the Soul and will without the infinite Mercy of God destroy it for ever II. It shews also particularly what the Nature of Adam's Sin was and what it did incur upon his Posterity viz. not only natural Death but spiritual Death likewise III. It sets forth the Riches of God's Grace in the second Adam that quickning Spirit in raising poor dead Souls to Life again IV. Here is much Comfort for all sincere Christians who are raised from Death to Life by Christ in that there is so great a difference between the State of Adam in Innocency and our standing in Christ viz. The Principle of Life in Adam was wholly and entirely in himself It was the Effect of God's good Will and Power 't is true but it was left to grow on no other Root but what was in Man himself it was wholly implanted in his Nature and therein did its Spring lie But in the Life whereinto we are renewed by Christ Jesus the Fountain and Principle of it is not in our selves but in him as a common Root of Head He is our Life Because I live ye shall live also He is the Spring and Fountain of it He by Covenant also hath undertook to maintain Life in us he doth renew and encrease this Life in us so that it is impossible that we should spiritually die for ever V. A Man also from hence may easily perceive whether he be made alive or quickned by the Spirit or no. 1. A Man that hath Life in him breaths So he that is spiritually alive breaths forth his Soul in fervent Desires to God Prayer as some have observed being the Breath of the new Creature Hence God when he would convince Ananias that Saul was regenerated said Behold he prayeth 2. There is in him Heat spiritual Heat and Zeal God-ward 3. He hath his spiritual Senses he can see feel hear c. 4. 'T is a full Evidence a Man is alive when he rises up and walks So a spiritual Man rises up and walks in neweness of Life 5. A Man quickned hath his Beauty restored again So a Man spiritually quickned hath the Image of God restored he is holy heavenly c. Wicked Men blind Luk. 6.39 Can the Blind lead the Blind c. Mat. 23.26 Thou blind Pharisee c Rev. 3.17 Miserable poor and blind c. An unconverted Man or Man in his natural State is blind Parallels SOme Men are born blind All Mankind spiritually may be said to be born blind for as they are under a Privation of Life it follows they are blind that is their Understanding is darkned II. Some Men are blind casually either by Age or some Accident Adam before his Fall could see originally Man's Eye-sight was good but Sin hath put his Eyes out III. Blind Men have not the comfortable Benefit of the Sun So wicked Men receive not the heavenly and sweet Benefit of the Sun of Righteousness Tho the Sun shines never so bright a blind Man is never the better for it unless his Eyes were opened So tho the Gospel be preached never so powerfully yet wicked Men see not nor can they till the Eyes of their Understanding are enlightned IV. Blind Men stumble and know not many times at what they stumble they also are in great Danger without a sure Guide So wicked Men know not what they stumble at they stumble at God himself and at Christ when they stumble at his Truth and his People They know not whither they go nor the dreadful Danger they are in they think they are in the right Way to Heaven and yet are in the broad Way to Hell they are led oft-times by those who are as blind as themselves And if the Blind lead the Blind they will both fall into the Ditch V. Some Mens natural Blindness hath been by the just Judgment of God upon them for their Sin So God in a way of Judgment blinds the Eyes of some Men after common Illuminations Job 12.40 Isa 44.18 Rom. 11.8 He is said to blind their Eyes and harden their Hearts that is he denies them his Grace and withdraws those common Influences of it from them suffering Satan to take full Power of them leaving them to their own Hearts Lusts and so consequently to final Impenitency Disparity MEn who are naturally blind would gladly see they lament nothing more than the Loss of their Eye-sight But wicked Men are willingly blind they love Darkness rather than Light and refuse the Means God is pleased to afford them in order to the opening their Eyes II. Men who are naturally blind do gladly accept of a faithful and sure Guide But wicked Men who are spiritually blind refuse that Guide God directs them to viz. his holy Word they are neither thankful to God nor good Men for any Help afforded them nay they vilify such as would take them by the hand to save them out of the Pit of eternal Misery There is no Blindness like spiritual Blindness Call upon wicked Men and entreat them never so often and earnestly Pray do not go that Way take heed Man O take heed there is a Pit before you alas you are going into the Lion's Den nay worse into everlasting Fire to Death and Hell Yet these blind Wretches will go on live or die sink or swim all is one no Advice or Warning will be received Wicked Men compared to Mad Men. Eccles 9.3 Yea also the Heart of the Sons of Men is full of Evil and and Madness is in their Hearts whilst they live c. Luke 15.17 When he came to himself he said How many hired Servants of my Father have Bread enough and to spare c. WIcked Men are set forth in the
Papists and others in many Ages of the Church destroyed like hungry and enraged Monsters If ever there were any Men in the World that justly deserved that ignominious Name of Blood-hounds devouring and malicious Dogs sure some of the Romish Church may be so called for they have shewed themselves rather Monsters than Men yea even Devils in the Shape of Men as an eminent Writer well observes VI. There are some Dogs who will not bark and grin as others do and yet in a slie and secret manner will bite and tear such as they come at which are look'd upon as the most dangerous VI. So some wicked Men will not threaten nor grin at the Godly like others and yet in a slie and secret manner contrive their Ruin and with all their Might would destroy them and yet make no noise of it wound them but not let them know who doeth it VII Some Dogs on the other hand will bark and make a great Noise and seldom or never bite or hurt any Body VII So some wicked Men contrary to the Nature and Disposition of others will give out angry and threatning Words as if they would do this and that when they never intend to do what they say nor will they cruelly injure any Body VIII Dogs must not have that which is holy Give not that which is holy to Dogs VIII So wicked Men ought not to partake of holy Things holy Things belong to holy Persons they ought not to eat the Childrens Bread to be admitted to the Sacrament c. IX Some Dogs are so fierce cruel and unruly that they are forced to be tied or chained up for otherwise they would do very great Mischief And moreover to prevent further Danger feared their Teeth are sometimes broken out IX So some wicked Men are so cruel and merciless that God chains them up i. e. he restrains them from offering that Wrong and Violence to his People which is in their Hearts to do And finally to prevent their doing of further Mischief God doth as it were break their Teeth that is destroy their Power or put them out of a capacity of doing hurt Hence David saith Arise O Lord and save me O my God Psal 3.7 for thou hast smitten all mine Enemies upon the Cheek-bone thou hast broken the Teeth of the Vngodly X. Some Dogs are made use of by the Huntsman to observe and mark his Prey that he may seize upon it the more readily and those are called Setting-Dogs XI So some wicked Men the Devil that cunning Hunter makes use of to observe and mark the Godly and Upright in the Land they are employed to inform against them and to discover their holy Assemblies in Times of Persecution that others may the better seize upon them XI Some Dogs will not only fall upon Mankind but also snarl bite and tear in pieces divers other Beasts tho as savage and devouring as themselves XI So some wicked Men will not only wrong and seek the Ruine of the faithful and sincere People of God but when any of their own Tribe I mean ungodly and brutish Ones do offend them stand in their Way or cross them in their Designs they will fall upon them to their utter Ruin also Babylon hath not only spoiled God's People and offered violence to Heaven but hath been a Plague and Curse to the Earth yea destroyed the Earth Rev. 11 18 How have the Egyptians destroyed the Egyptians viz. One ungodly People destroyed another as vile and cruel as themselves XII Dogs are a greedy craving and unsatisfied Sort of Creatures they never know when they have enough XII So many wicked Men and particularly false Teachers are such a craving covetous and unsatisfied Generation some of them they cannot be contented with a Benefice of a Hundred per an no nor with two three or five Hundred nay a Thousand will not satisfy some of them And therefore they are justly called by the holy Prophet Greedy Dogs that can never have enough Shepherds that cannot understand they look to their own Way Isa 56.11 every one for his Gain from his Quarter XIII Dogs are not only a greedy and an unsatisfied Sort of Creatures but oft-times vomiting up what they have eaten prov 26.11 they return to it and lick it up again XIII So some wicked Men are not only greedy and unsatisfied but having glutted themselves and filled their sensual Appetites they are constrained sometimes to vomit it up as is said of such He hath eaten down Riches Job 20.25 and he shall vomit them up again Nay so like unto Dogs are many of them that if at any time they vomit up by seeming Repentance what they have greedily and sinfully taken they will return to it and lick it up again of such the Apostle speaks 2 pet 2.22 He is returned to his own Vomit c. XIV Some Dogs run mad and are so much the more dangerous and hurtful of whom all People labour to beware XIV So wicked Men being left to themselves do abound so in their Wickedness that they run as it were mad in Sin care not what Mischief they do to themselves or others of whom all sober and well-minded People ought to beware Beware of Dogs phil 3.2 See Wicked compared to mad Men. XV. Dogs live an idle and lazy sort of Life And hence the Proverb is concerning a lazy Person He hath a Dog's Life viz. Hunger and Ease XIV So wicked Men generally lead an idle and lazy Life as is opened under the Metaphor Sluggard They care not to encounter with Difficulties for the Good of their Souls how industrious soever they are about the Things of the World They labour not for the Meat that endureth to eternal Life Joh 6.27 Isa 55.1 2 will not take Pains for that which is Bread but are contented with Bones as it were the Crumbs of earthly Comforts So that they have but Ease and Quiet here they content themselves with the Childrens Leavings And tho their Consciences many times like a hungry Stomach puts them to pain yet they are not convinced of the Necessity of a Christ but go on in their own careless and wicked Courses never eating of that which is truly good XVI Dogs are commonly shut out of doors and not suffered to be amongst the Children XVI So wicked Men are shut out of the Church and shall not be suffered to abide in the New Jerusalem among the Saints Without are Dogs c. Rev. 22.15 Metaphor Disparity SOme Dogs are said to be more faithful than Servants watching in the Night and oft-times giving notice by their barking of Thieves or Strangers that may approach the House when the Family are asleep BUt some wicked Men are so unfaithful that instead of giving the least notice of any approaching Danger to to their godly Neighbours that live quietly and securely by them they will rather conceal it and so far are they from preventing Danger that
Christ and the Things of Religion of which Justice and Charity Holiness and Compassion are not the least Part and yet under this Vizard and in the very time of these Pretensions perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World 1. In being the Top of Pride 2. In committing palpable Idolatry 3. Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness 4. To curse swear and blaspheme the very Name they profess to be sacred 5. To cast down the Truth burn the Bible deface the holy Books and Laws of God 6. To assume not only a Power to dispense with Violations of the highest Nature but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure 7. To commit Adultery and account it a venial Crime 8. To break Covenants drive a Trade in Perjury forswear every thing they are justly charged with and is fully proved against them 9. To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and most cruel Devastations 10. To slaughter kill and barbarously murther both Men Women and Children even all that dare make a shew of Conscience and Religion so far as to abhor and dissent from these Villanies This is such a Scheme of Religion and Systeme of Divinity to come from an Apostle a Shepherd a Vicar and Successor of Christ from a Church Sheep Saints and the pretended Followers of the meek peaceable and innocent Jesus who taught altogether otherwise by his Doctrine and Example that it might well be wondred at and is the strangest Mystery that ever appeared of which we challenge the whole World to shew the like in the Turks and Saracens For Men to swear lie and forswear themselves and yet be true Men to contrive Rebellion Murther and Treason and yet be as innocent as the Child unborn to be elevated to the highest Pinacle of Pride even above Emperors and Kings above Jesus Christ and God his Father and yet be humble and lowly To commit gross Idolatry and yet be the Servants of the Living God To be filled with and make a Trade of Excess and Drunkenness and yet be the Paterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance To cast down the Truth to the Ground deface the Laws of God and burn the Scriptures and yet be the true Witnesses to it To forgive Sins and yet be the greatest of Sinners themselves To commit Fornication and Adultery and yet be spotless and pure in Heart To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and cruel Devastations and yet be as harmless as Doves to all Mankind the only Sons of Peace and Quietness To slaughter kill and barbarously murther Men Women and Children that dare not be so wicked as themselves and yet to be full of Mercy tender Pity and Compassion an Apostle Shepherd Vicar and Successor of the meek and Lamb-like Saviour And for the dear Consort of this impious Head or Man of Sin to be not only confederate with him but a Principal in all these unparallel'd Villanies and most butcherly and rapacious Murthers and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God the pure and spotless Spouse of Jesus Christ the true Sheep the harmless Lambs the best of Saints and close Followers of the Lord Jesus who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine and meek Example We say these Things not being found by secret Search but are written in Capital Letters upon her Forehead appear in open view to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind Let any one shew us a greater Mystery in the World than this and we will subscribe to it 4. It cannot be the Turks because they are not the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth which this Babylon is said to be Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And here we demand in excuse to the Turks this one Thing From whence did proceed the Murthers Massacres and Martyrdoms of all the Religious Professors of Christianity that have died by violence in the Christian World for the space of twelve hundred Years last past And from what People did proceed those horrid Oaths Blasphemies and Execrations that the World hath wofully been acquainted with most horrid and strangely astonishing to repeat Came these unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks from the Waldensians Lutherans Calvinists or any Non-conforming Protestants No no. Why whose Language then is it Whose Why 't is the Language of the Beast of the bottomless Pit and bloody Whore who bare these blasphemous Sons of her own Body daily nourishes them at her Breast and strengthens them in their sinful Courses by accounting them the Sons the precious Sons of Sion the true Sons of the Catholick Church the Darlings of Heaven the beloved Ones of the Virgin Mary and giving them Pardons for these bold and Heaven-daring Sins as often as they do commit them and come to ask Pardon for them so that Sin and Pardon is as constant and common with them as Breathing and Eating And these Things are done to seal and confirm Lies which is the more heavy heinous and prodigious For if Men may lie by allowance may kill and shed innocent Blood without Controul of Conscience and Church-Censures may swear and blaspheme and challenge God himself to damn them may burn Men for Religion consume Cities to Ashes conspire the Death of Kings the Ruine and Overthrow of Kingdoms whore and murther Infants and yet be accounted a Church the Members and Parts of it called Saints holy Children and Sons of the Most High God Then may we claim a Patent and take a License to change the Name of all Things and alter all the Idea's of the Minds of Men call and account Beelzebub a good God and all his black Tribe the pure Saints of the Most High call the lower Regions of Blackness and Darkness to which he is confin'd the Heaven of Glory and eternal Light Of which Things we ought in Justice to clear the Turks until Witnesses of undoubted Credit shall come forth and evidence that the Turkish State is the Mother of as great Abominations as these are 5. And lastly The Turks cannot be Mystery Babylon because they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus which this Woman Mystery Babylon is expresly said to be Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Now let any Man shew such Bloodshed Saints Bloodshed by Massacres and Martyrdom for the professing of Christianity which must be if the Text be answered in that Clause Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus by the Turks either within their Dominions or
corrupted the whole Lump of Mankind Adam had no sooner sinned against God but the spiritual Poyson and Venom thereof struck to his Heart corrupting every Faculty of his Soul and not only so but also the Souls of all his Posterity See Wounds IV. 'T is noted by Plutarch that when an Asp stings a Man it doth first tickle him and makes him laugh till the Poyson by little and little gets to the Heart and then it pains and torments him more than ever it delighted him before So doth Sin it may please a little at first Though Wickedness be sweet in his Mouth Job 20 12 tho he hide it under his Tongue though he spare it and forsake it not but keepeth it still within his Mouth Yet his Meat in his Bowels is turned it is the Gall of Asps within him Forbidden Profits and Pleasures are very delightful to carnal Men and many love to be medling with these poysoning Morsels of Sin Many eat that on Earth which they digest in Hell Men must not think to dine and dance with the Devil and then to sup with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in God's Kingdom V. Poyson in a Toad or Serpent suits and agrees well with their Nature but Poyson in a Man's Stomach makes fearful Work it being of a contrary Nature So Sin in a wicked Man one that hath no spark of true Grace in him seems to be suitable and agree well with him his whole Nature being so grievously corrupted and changed into the evil Nature thereof he having used himself so long in sinful Ways that Sin viz. open Prophaneness Superstition and Error is habitual and become natural to him as Poyson to a Toad Naturalists say That if a Man take a little quantity of Poyson at a time and so accustom himself to it ☜ it will at length become so natural to him that he may take it as Food Even so wicked Men by a continual Course and evil Custom in Sin drink it down as pleasant Liquor like as the Fish drinks Water But now Sin to a true Christian is like much Poyson in a Man's Stomach 't is contrary to that new Nature and divine Principle which is wrought in him by the Spirit of God he cannot bear nor endure it he hates every false Way Rom. 7. That which I hate that do I. VI. Poyson is deadly in its own Nature and of a killing and destroying Quality if not timely vomited up by taking some fit and proper Antidote c. So Sin whether fleshly or spiritual viz. sensual Debauchery or Heresy will kill and destroy all where-ever it is both Body and Soul eternally except by true Repentance it be vomited up Tho Men take it down as sweet Wine Prov. 23.31 and are not presently sensible of any harm yet at last it will bite like a Serpent and sting like an Adder VII Oil will expel Poyson and it is often given to Persons who have taken it to cause them to vomit it up So the Oil of Gladness viz. the Spirit of God is the best Antidote in the World to expel and work out the Poyson of Sin in the Soul See Oil of Gladness in the First Volume Book 2. Inferences WHat do Sinners mean will they poyson themselves are they void of Understanding to take down the Poyson of Dragons Will they wilfully murther themselves What Blindness and Folly is in their Hearts II. O how should this stir up the Godly to pity wicked Men and to strive as much as lieth in their Power to prevent their sinning and endeavour to turn away their Wrath III. It may also caution Believers to take heed of Sin and of the Venom of an evil Tongue as also of the Poyson of Heresy and Error IV. Let Sinners also learn from hence timely to look out for Help O get a fit Antidote to save you from this Poyson Ah! what is Sin 't is Poyson in a Cup That 's gilt without and Men do drink it up Most earnestly with joy and much delight Being pleasant to the carnal Appetite Sin 's sweet to him whose Soul is out of taste But long alas its Sweetness will not last Sin 's sweet to th' Flesh that does it dearly love But to the Soul it doth rank Poyson prove Hast thou suck'd this most deadly Venome in And dost not see thy vital Parts begin To swell Art poyson'd Soul Look look about To get an Antidote to work it out Before it be too late the Poyson 's strong Don't stay a Week twelve Hours is too long One drachm of Grace mix'd with repenting Tears The Grace of perfect Love that casts out Fears Mix'd with that Faith which kills all Unbelief Took down with speed will ease thee of thy Grief 'T will purge the Soul and work by Vomit well And all vile Dregs of Venome 't will expell Unless thou vomit up each Dreg be sure No hope of Life one Sin will Death procure Eternal Death Repentance is not right 'Till Sin nay every Sin 's forsaken quite Not only left but as a poysonous Cup Thou must it loath 't is hateful spue it up Sin a Sickness Isa 1.5 The whole Head is sick and the whole Heart faint c. Mat. 9.12 The whole need not a Physician but they that are sick SPiritual Sickness is twofold 1. To be sick with Sin 2. To be sick of Sin as Sin wounds the Soul so it makes sick and this is Man's Misery but to be sick of Sin viz. to be sensible of the Evil and cursed Nature thereof this is a Mercy Parallels THE Causes of Natural Sickness are divers sometimes it arises from some inward and sometimes from some outward Cause to know from whence the Distemper grew or did arise is very necessary whether it be Chronical or Acute i. e. that which hath seized on the Patient on a sudden by Heats Cold or from the Corruption of the Blood by an infectious Air c. which an able Physician is diligent to pry and search into Now as touching the Sickness of the Soul 't is evident the Original Cause thereof was by eating of the forbidden Fruit which surfeited the whole Lump of Mankind or if you please it was occasioned by Poyson by the Poyson of the old Serpent Deadly Poyson makes a Man very sick and corrupts the whole Mass of Blood And as 't is needful to find out if possible the Cause of Sickness so 't is as necessary to find out the Cause of Spiritual Sickness the Cause being discovered the Cure is easy If a Man doth not see what his state is as considered in the first Adam nor the evil and damning Nature of Sin in general nor the particular Plague of his own Heart he is in no hopeful way of help and healing II. Some Sicknesses or Diseases are Epidemical Sin is a Sickness or Disease so universal and a Contagion so catching that none have escaped nor are totally free from it III. Some are so sick that they have
and spoils his Divinity makes him but a poor petty God he is but the God of this World both for extension and duration he bears no rule above nor shall he bear any sway in the World to come If the God of this World 't is by Usurpation he is like an audacious Traitor who rebels and strives against his Lawful Soveraign For the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof Christ is Heir of both Worlds tho he admits Satan to God it here for a while he is a false God an Enemy to God and no God Disparity GOD is without Beginning the Devil had a beginning God is an uncreated Spirit the Devil an Angel and a created Spirit I do not say he was created a Devil Sin made him a Devil God can do what he pleaseth he hath an unlimited Power the Devil's Power is limited he can go no further than God permits him God hath a just and rightful Power Satan hath only an usurped Power c. God is infinite immense c. But some may say in what Sense is Satan said to be God of this World What World c. The word World is a convertible Phrase and here I understand it is to be taken for the Inhabitants of the World I mean the Wicked distinct frâ—m the Godly He is the wicked Man's God three ways 1. By Devolution they have fallen off from God to Satan they have departed from the true God and his Service and have closed in with the Devil and so Satan owns them to be his Subjects The whole World is divided into two parts two Bodies and are under two Heads either Subjects of Christ's Kingdom or of the Kingdom and Power of Satan they are either of the Army of Light or Regiment of Darkness Rom. 6.16 2. The Devil is the wicked Man's God by voluntary submission His Servants ye are to whom you obey Wicked Men are Satan's Volunteers 3. By God's just Desertion as they have cast off God and his Service and desire not the knowledg of his ways so God hath cast them off and suffered Satan to possess them c. The Devil a Prince Joh. 14.30 The Prince of the World cometh c. Eph. 2.2 According to the Prince of the Power of the Air. Rev. 9.11 And they had a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomless Pâ—t THE Devil is in these Scriptures called a Prince Prince of Darkness Prince of the Power of the Air King of the bottomless Pit c. Parallels PRince is a Term that denotes Power and Soveraignty Satan hath great Power over wicked Men c. There is also no doubt some kind of Supremacy or Superiority amongst the evil Angels we read of the Prince of Devils He casts out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Also some of these wicked Angels are called Principalities and Powers which signifieth Eminency of Place above others What degrees or order there is amongst Devils is hard to find out what ever Order there is amongst them yet we know he is the Master of mis-rule amongst Men c. II. A King or Prince ruling and reigning imports a Kingdom for what is a King without a Kingdom and Dominions over which he reigns The Devil hath a Kingdom There is a twofold Spiritual Kingdom spoken of viz. the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness called sometimes the Kingdom and Power of Darkness â—1 His Kingdom is in the Hearts of ungodly Men he rules and reigns there 2. His Kingdom takes in all the Confines and Territories of Anti-Christ and all other false and corrupt erroneous and tyrannical States whatsoever throughout the whole Earth where his Power is owned and his Authority subjected to 3. He is said to be King of the bottomless Pit III. The Name of some Kings puts an awful fear upon Men So the Name and Power of Satan is such that it makes many Souls to dread and quake at the Thoughts of him IV. Some Kings have been great Tyrants There is no Tyrant in the World nor ever was so vile as the Devil True some have acted like Devils they seemed more like Devils than Men as Nero who caused the Bowels of his own Mother to be ripped up to see where he lay c. See Lion and Dragon V. Some Kings are mighty in Power and their Dominions very large Satan is a mighty King he hath a Power that no meer human force can stand against hence called the strong Man armed none ever seemed a match for him but the Prince of Peace Besides he rules over all the Nations of the ungodly and by force or fraud enslaves to his hellish Scepter Millions of Souls there is no Kingdom or Nation in the whole Universe but he pretends to some Right Supremacy and Authority in it the World is full of his Creatures nay there are more Souls who are his Vassals than the Son of God hath faithful Subjects The Devil a Hunter Psal 91.3 He will deliver thee from the Snare of the Hunter Prov. 6.5 Deliver thy self as a Roe from the Hand of the Hunter By the Hunter in these places I see no ground to doubt but that the Holy Ghost principally intends the Devil who is the great Hunter and Destroyer of Mens Souls out of whose Hand i. e. Power Wisdom advises her Son to deliver himself Parallels A Hunter is one that pursues or eagerly follows after his Prey what sort of Beasts soever he hunts he seems unwearied in his Pursuit his Heart is affected with his Game and hence takes great delight in it So the Devil pursues Sinners nay and the Godly too for they are part of his Game and how eagerly doth he pursue them 't is the only thing he seems to delight in he is never weary of this work nor in the work II. A Hunter in pursuing after the poor sensitive Beast designs to kill and destroy them 't is to take their Lives away c. So the Devil in hunting after the Souls of Men his grand design is to destroy them He seekâ—th whom he may devour 't is the Soul the Life of the Soul he strives to destroy As David speaks of his Enemy Thou huntest after my Soul to take it 1 Sam. 24.12 so may every Man and Woman say of Satan III. A Hunter has many Devices and cunning Stratagems to ensnare the Game he pursues So the Devil hath many Snares and cunning Wiles to catch and destroy the Souls of Men Hence he is compared to a Serpent We are not ignorant saith Paul of his Devices 2 Cor. 9.11 and in another place he exhorts the Saints to put on the whole Armour of God that they may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil The Greek Word signifies such Snares as are set to catch a Man He will deliver thee saith the Psalmist from the Snare of the Hunter Psal 91.3 meaning saith Ainsworth the Devil Satan hath many Devices and Snares to draw
God waits upon them and strives with them to bring them over to the Knowledg of the Truth is the Time of Light and when God takes away the Means of Grace and the Gospel from a Kingdom Nation or particular Soul that is a Time of Darkness and then it may be said the Day is gone and Night is come upon them III. 'T is Day when the Sun rises and Night when the Sun sets So 't is the Sinner's Day whilst the Gospel-Sun shines and the Means of Grace are continued to them but Night then when the Ministration of the Gospel is taken away and no more Means of Grace afforded to them IV. The Day is Man's working Time Labourers in the Field when the Day is ended go home they can work no longer So whilst God affords the Gospel and Means of Grace Sinners should like faithful Labourers work hard work out their own Salvation labour for the Meat that perisheth not for when that is gone no Man can work then the Things of their Peace will be hid from their Eyes like as it fell out with Jerusalem V. The Day brings great Light with it which makes great Discoveries of Persons and Things whilst the Night lasts Men cannot see what is near them neither the Good they may receive nor the Evil they should refuse and escape from but the Day discovers all and makes every thing manifest So the Gospel-Day brings Light and the Light thereof discovers the Evil that is in the Hearts Works and Lives of Men by this Light they see their Sins and the Danger they are in thereby and also the Way to be delivered from them Christ is the Way which the Day-Light makes manifest In the Night of Popery Men lost the blessed Path to Peace and Way of Life and ran to the Merits of their own Ways and to Popish Pardons and what not but the Day of the Gospel in England hath discovered their Mistake and shewed them the plain Way to Heaven c. Ecclâ—s 11.7 VI. The Day is comfortable 't is a pleasant thing for the Eyes to see the Sun So are the Means of Grace and the Day of Gospel-Light O how sweet and pleasant a thing it is to see this Day wherein the Word of God is powerfully and plainly preached amongst us VII The Day sometimes is over-cast and the Light darkned So the Gospel-Day is sometimes as a Judgment upon a People or particular Soul darkned and Clouds seem to cover the glorious Heavens even as at this Time O what thick and black Clouds seem to arise VIII Some Days prove stormy and high Winds arise So sometimes the Day of Gospel-Grace proves stormy and high Winds of Persecution arise upon a People nay not only Winds of Persecution but also strange Whirl-winds of Delusions abound in it which make it very perilous IX A Day hath its Morning its Noon and its Evening So hath the Day of Gospel-Grace in a Nation and to a particular Soul who improves it not God threatned his People of old Mich. 3.6 That the Sun should go down over the Prophets and the Day should he dark over them X. The Day suits not with some Men they are for the Night they are said to rebel against the Light they hate the Light the Night is for them such are the Thief and Adulterer Pov. 7.9 The Whorish Woman waits for the Twilight even for the black and dark Night So many Sinners love not the Day of Gospel-Light they are for the Night of Ignorance and Error They had rather have Popery come or any Thing come than to have the Gospel or the powerful Preaching thereof it suits best with their carnal Hearts they love that Religion that indulges them in their brutish Lusts XI There are many ways to know when the Day draws towards an end and Night approaches As 1. When the Heat of the Sun abates 2. When the Shadows grow long or are stretched forth 3. When the Harvest-Men begin to go home apace 4. When the Evening-Wolves begin to lurk out of their Holes Now when these Signs are upon a People in a spiritual sence their State is bad they may fear Night approaches upon them 1. When the Gospel in its powerful Preaching abates in its Heat and blessed Influences upon Mens Hearts so that but a few are warmed and effectually wrought upon by it 2. When Religion is more in Shew than in Substance when the Shadow is long and the Substance little Men being more zealous for the Form than concerned for the Power of it 3. When many powerful or painful Ministers and Labourers are called home 4. When the Romish Wolves who have lain long in their Holes and dark Caverns or lurking Places begin to come boldly abroad and impudently shew themselves 't is a Sign of Evening-Tide and that the Day is near expiring Is not this thy State O England The Means of Grace compared to the Summer Jer. 8.20 The Summer is ended c. By Summer is doubtless meant that Time that God allows Men to gather in and lay up spiritual Good for their precious Souls The Time of Gospel-Light or Means of Grace is compared to the Summer Parallels THe Summer is the chief Time of the Year that Season which generally all Men prize long for and rejoyce in So the Time of Gospel-Grace and Gospel-Light is the chiefest and choicest Season in the World The Time of the Gospel the Dispensation of the Gospel was the Time which the Prophets and many good and righteous Men of old longed for and which all sincere godly Persons do prize and rejoyce in II. Summer is the Season that ripens the Fruits of the Earth were it not for the Heat and Influence of Summer what would become of the Husband-man's Labour So the Means of Grace or Ministration of the Gospel ripens the good Seed which is sown in the godly Man's Heart nay it maketh all fit and ready for the Harvest and for cutting down It ripens the godly Man for Heaven and the ungodly Man for Hell The Word is either a Savour of Life unto Life or else the Savour of Death unto Death it either softens or hardens It hath the same Effects upon Mens Hearts that the Sun hath in the hottest Time of Summer upon that which it sends forth its Influence upon III. The Summer is the poor Man's working Time 't is the Season in which he is to provide himself for Winter with such things he wants The Day of Gospel-Grace is the Saints Summer 't is the Time in which he works hard gathers in and lays up for his immortal Soul He learns of the Ant who provides her Meat in Summer c. Prov. 6. IV. In Summer every thing looks green the Herbs Grass Plants Trees and all the Fruits of the Earth are in their Beauty and greatest Glory So in the Day of Gospel-Grace whilst God affords Means of much Light and Knowledg when Seasons Sabbaths Sermons and Ordinances in a
Paul determined to know nothing so much as Christ and him crucified When we know Christ better we shall understand this Mystery better Christ is the Mystery wrapt up in all the Gospel he is the Scope of all the Scripture the Pearl hid in the Field every Line is drawn to him as the proper Center all the Types and Shadows pointed to him and all the Promises run in him Jesus Christ is really and truly God and yet very Man God and Man in one Person and is not this a Mystery 1. Is it not a Wonder that a Woman should compass a Man 2. That he that made the World should be born of a Woman 3. That the Ancient of Days should become a Child of a Day old 4. That Blessedness it self should be brought under a Curse for Sinners Christ was made a Curse for us Gal. 3.13 as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree 5. That he that was the Heir of all things Heir of both Worlds should be laid in a Manger 6. That he who was God over all should have no where to lay his Head 7. That he should become poor who was so rich and by his Poverty make others rich is not this a Mystery 8. He by dying destroyed Death and unless he had died we could not live and by Death he brought us to Life 9. And is it not a Mystery that a Person should be capable to die and yet by his own Power raise himself up again from the Dead 10. Is not this a Mystery that the Physician should die to cure his Patient nay and unless he die the Sin-sick Soul could not live and that his Blood should be the Balsam Is it not a great Mystery that the offended Saviour should suffer to free the offending Sinner 11. Is it not a Mystery that the Nature of Man should be so joined to the Divine Nature of God that both should make but one Christ and that our Nature should be exalted above the Nature of the Angels that Man should sit at God's right hand that Man should be very God and God very Man in one Person O how great is â—he Mystery of Godliness Acts 2.23 chap. 4.28 12. Is it not a Mystery that Christ suffered according to the Decree and determined Counsel of God and yet the Jews did wickedly in putting him to Death Secondly The Mystery of Christianity appears to be great 1. in God's casting off the Jews who followed after Righteousness and in calling the Gentiles who followed not after Righteousness That God should not be found of them that sought him and be found of them that sought him not 2. That God should chuse poor and contemptible Ones into his Service and reject the Wise the Noble and the Learned and that by weak Things he overcame the Mighty and by Folly confounded the Wisdom of this World Thirdly There is a great Mystery in Election in Justification in Sanctification in Renovation c. Nay what Branch or Part of the Doctrine of Godliness is not full of Mystery Fourthly There is a Mystery in every Grace 1. In Faith As 1. That a Sinner should believe i. e. go out of himself and be carried above himself to believe Things impossible to Man's Sense and above his Reason that he should seek for Justification by the Righteousness and Obedience of another for a Man as one would think to have a great deal of Holiness and good Works and yet to throw it as it were all away and be dead to it in point of Trust and Dependence is not this a Mystery 2. To believe when every thing is opposite to it To work for Life and to oppose some Sin a natural Man is ready to do but to believe in Christ for Life and Holiness to relie upon his Doings his Works and Merits this the Heart of Map is averse to nay and Satan opposeth it the World mocks at it and accounts it Foolishness 3. That a Man should believe and not see nay believe as Abraham did in hope against hope 2. There is a Mystery in Love that a Man should love him with an endeared Affection with a superlative Love whom the World can see no beauty in nay thus to love him whom their natural Eyes never beheld nay love him who is able to make great and save from all Misery and yet suffers his People and best beloved Ones to lie amongst the Pots and to be hated and persecuted in the World and to appearance to be of all Men the most miserable A Saint knows the Reason of these Things but 't is a Mystery to others The Love of Christ turns the Affections another way it drives as it were Jordan back it makes the Waters ascend and run up hill Is it not a Mystery to see a Saint who hath a Hundred nay it may be Five Hundred a Year a gracious Wife many sweet and lovely Children enjoying much Health and living in all Prosperity yet if he hath lost the Light of God's Countenance or Christ be withdrawn from him he is cast down and greatly distressed and afflicted in his Spirit and crying out Ah! what is all that I possess sith I want the Love of Christ the Presence of Christ what 's an Estate and no Christ Wife and Children and no sight of Christ Christ saith he is all to me and all is nothing without him This is a Mystery to carnal Hearts they wonder at it Nay to see a Man that hath all the Comforts of the World expose himself to cruel Mockings Loss of Goods to Imprisonment and Death it self for Christ's sake is a strange thing to worldly Men they think the Man is mad 't is a Mystery to them c. Fourthly The Effects and Operations of Grace and Godliness are a Mystery 1. That God should make Men wise by teaching them to become Fools 1 Cor. 3.18 2. That the way to become rich very rich eternally rich is to become poor This is a Mystery yet this Mystery is taught us in the Person of Christ David was a King and very rich yet cries out I am poor he was poor in Spirit This poor Man cried There is that maketh himself rich yet hath nothing there is that maketh himself poor Prov. 13.7 and yet hath great Riches 3. That the way to have all is to lose all and that a Man gains most when he loses most Is not this a Mystery 4. That Men must die to live or that the way to live is to die nay that God kills by making Souls alive and yet by that killing and death brings them to life And is not this a Mystery Sin must die and we must die to Sin Sin revived and I died Rom. 7.11 yet by that Death he revived and lived A Man must die to Self or he can never live himself 5. God makes Men blind by giving Sight and turns that Darkness into Light and is not this a Mystery 6. The way
my Fathers Kingdom Here the first word Drink is properly understood but the latter Metaphorically denoting their partaking together of the Joys of Heaven Joh. 1.10 The World was made by him and the World knew him not The former World notes the whole Universe the latter Vnbelievers c. see Joh. 2.23 24. and Joh. 4.31 32 34. Rom. 2.26 28 29. Rom. 3.21 27. Rom. 7.23 Rom. 9.6 They are not all Israel which are of Israel that is all who are born of Israel according to the Flesh are not true spiritual Israelites Rom. 12.13 14. where there is an Antanaclasis in the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 11.24 the first breaking is taken properly the second breaking Metaphorically for the Passion of Christ as Luk. 22.19 See Isa 38.13 c. and 1 Cor. 15.28 Mat. 5.19 Matth. 5.19 Whosoever shall break one of these least Commandments shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven the first least expresses the sense of the Pharisees who esteemed some of the Precepts of Christ amongst the least the second least alluding to the former signifies the same with none or not at all viz. He shall be none in the Kingdom or he shall not enter there at all Mat. 18.1 Matth. 18.1 The Disciples say unto Jesus Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven V. 4. Christ answers Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven The first word greatest in the sense of the Disciples signifies him that hath Preheminence over others the second greatest alluding to the former denotes a Participation of the Kingdom of God without respect to inferiours the sense is whosoever humbles himself shall injoy his part in the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19.16 Matth. 19.16 The Young Man saith unto Christ Good Master c. Ver. 17. Christ answers Why callest thou me good there is none good but one that is God The first good denotes any Goodness communicated to the Creature by the Lord such as may be found in a meer Man for such the Young Man judged Christ to have the latter good alluding to the first expresses the Essential Goodness of God who is the Fountain and Original of all the Good in the Creature The sense therefore of the words of Christ is Either call me not good or believe me to be the true God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-Man See Joh. 4.31 Joh. 6.28 Acts 26.28 Sometimes there happens an Ellipsis in this Figure the latter being understood by the former as Joel 2.13 Rend your Hearts and not your Garments here is a double Proposition 1. Rend your Hearts 2. Rend not your Garments the first is Metaphorical the other Proper CHAP. IV. Of the Figures of a Sentence in Logism WHat these are we have before defined They are distingush'd thus 1. Such as are in Logism or in a Sentence without Collocution or talking together 2. Such as are in Dialogism or by way of Dialogue or mutual Conference There are five of the first sort viz. I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exclamation is a pathetical Figure Exclamation ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to exclaim whereby the Speaker expresses the Passion or vehement Ardor of his Mind by various Interjections expressed or understood to move the Affections and Minds of those he speaks to O! Alas Behold are Signs of it this Figure is made in Scripture 1. In way of Admiration Psal 84.1 How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity Rom. 11.33 O the depths of the Riches and of the Wisdom and of the Knowledg of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out see Psal 8.1 144.15 2. In a way of Wishing or Praying 1 Chron. 11.17 O that one would give me Drink of the Water of the Well of Bethlehem which is at the Gate Psal 14.7 O that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Sion See Psal 42.2 Isa 64.1 Rom. 7.24 O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death See Gal. 5.12 Job 6.8 Psal 55.6 3. In Praise Mat. 15.28 O Woman great is thy Faith Mat. 25.21 23. Well done good and faithful Servant 4. In a way of Sorrow and Complaint Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Isa 6.5 Wo is me for I am undone 5. In way of Commiseration or Pity Josh 7.7 Alas O Lord God wherefore at all hast thou brought this People over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite to destroy us Ezek. 9.8 Ah Lord God wilt thou destroy all the Residue of Israel in thy pouring out thy Fury upon Jerusalem Luke 13.34 Lam. 1.1 6. In a way of Indignation Detestation and Reproof Isa 1.4 Wo to the sinful Nation a People laden with Iniquity a Seed of Evil-doers c Ezek. 16.23 Wo wo to thee saith the Lord God c. See Mat. 11.21 17.17 Luke 24.25 Jer. 44.4 Acts 13.10 O full of all Subtilty and Mischief thou Child of the Devil thou Enemy of all Righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord Acts 7.51 Rom. 9.20 7. In a way of Joy and Exultation as Psal 57.7 135.21 Blessed be the Lord out of Sion which dwelleth at Jerusalem Hallelujah that is praise ye the Lord See 1 Cor. 15.55 8. In a way of Obsecration or Beseeching Psal 118.25 Save now I beseech thee O Lord O Lord I beseech thee send now Prosperity Rev. 22.20 9. In a way of Reprehension Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you c. See Acts 7.51 52 c. 10. In a way of Derision Mat. 15.29 Of Fear 1 Tim. 6.11 c. Epiphonema 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Acclamation and is wont to be subjoyned to an Exclamation as a certain species of it It is a little Clause or apt Sentence added after the thing is expounded From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acclamo to cry out exhibiting a certain Emphasis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 briefly and concisely as Psal 2.12 Psal 3.8 Mat. 22.14 Luke 10.30 Acts 19.20 Mat. 19.27 Mark 7.37 c. II. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epanorthosis Correction or Amending is the Reinforcement of the Clause last uttered by what follows or a re-calling of what one said to correct it From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—orrigo to correct It is stated in a threefold manner 1. When that which was said is wholly disown'd and corrected by a more apt more proper and significant Expression as Mark 9.24 when the Father of the Child that was possest with a dumb Spirit said Lord I believe but recollecting himself and confessing his Infirmity immediately subjoyns help thou mine Vnbelief Joh. 12.27 John 12.27 Christ prays to be saved from Death Father save me from this hour yet immediately correcting that Prayer which shews the
of their safe and first standing in Christ and of their Assurance of Heaven nothing is Therefore the Saints Hope is both sure and stedfast Tenthly That Relation which Believers stand in unto God is a sure Ground of Hope He is their Father and they are his dear Children he is their Husband they his Spouse Will a dear Father suffer his dear Children to perish and be torn in pieces if he hath Power to help them or the dear Husband his dear Wife The Love of God to his Saints exceeds the Love and Pity of either Father or Husband therefore Hope the Anchor of the Soul is both sure and stedfast Joh. â—0 27 28 29. Eleventhly The Power of God is a sure Ground of Hope My Sheep hear my Voice and follow me and I give to them eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my Hand My Father that gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation If the Power of God be sufficient to keep Believers from falling and to preserve them to his heavenly Kingdom then their Hope is both sure and stedfast Object But it is through Faith they stand and their Faith may fail Answ Christ as I shewed before hath prayed that their Faith fail not and besides Phil. 1.6 he is the Author Increaser and Finisher of it He that hath begun a good Work in you will perform it unto the Day of Christ John 3.6 1 Pet. 1 23. Twelfthly Regeneration is a sure Ground of Hope That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible c. Such as is the Seed such is the Product of it The Seed being immortal by which the Saints are regenerated sure this may be sure Ground of Hope that they shall not perish There is in them an holy and Divine Principle so that they cannot sin unto Death or lose eternal Life Let us now put all these together and then doubtless we shall conclude that the Saints Hope of Heaven is no Fancy but like an Anchor that is both sure and stedfast Inferences FIrst Examine your selves what Hope you have there is a false Hope as well as a true What is the Ground of thy Hope 1. Some Men ground their Hope of Heaven upon outward Prosperity This is the Worldlings Hope They conclude God loves them and will give Heaven to them because he hath given them so much of the Earth not remembring that God gives some Men their Portion in this Life Psal 17. Luke 16. Remember Son thou in thy Life time receivedst thy good Things c. 2. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon Civility and external Righteousness They live sober and honest Lives and are not guilty of any gross Sins This is the moral Man's Hope the Pharisee's the young Man 's in the Gospel the foolish Virgins had this Hope and yet lost Heaven 3. Some ground their Hopes of Heaven upon the Merits of their own Works This is the Papists Hope for tho they place some Hope in Christ yet they put Confidence in their own Works Now this is to cast Anchor on the Sands First That which merits must be our own but none of our good Works are our own They are our own subjective because wrought in us and they are ours in regard of the Benefit of them but in respect of the Original they are none of ours they are the Fruits of the Spirit 't is God hath wrought all our Works in us Secondly They must be compleat and perfect or not meritorious but the best Works performed by us are both impure and imperfect more Dross than Gold Thirdly That which merits must not be due upon any other account paying Debts is not meritorious Now there is nothing that we do or can do but it is due 't is a Debt we owe to God we owe him all we have are or can perform Therefore saith Christ When you have done all say you are unprofitable Servants Secondly It shews that the Hope of Believers is a glorious Hope the Apostle saith a blessed Hope that is the Stay or Anchor of the Soul c. Tit. 2.13 Thirdly All those that have not this precious Grace are at present in a hopeless Condition Quest How may a Man know whether he hath a true and well-grounded Hope 1. If thou hast a lively Hope thou art born again the new Birth entitles to a new Hope What Hope can a Man have of Heaven if he be not converted 1 Pet. 1.3 John 3.3 Vnless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God 2. A true and well-grounded Hope is attended with a Train of other Graces Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5.3 4 5. and Hope maketh not ashamed why because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost Those that have the Grace of Hope have the Graces of Faith and Love and all other Fruits of the Spirit more or less in them 3. Hope purifies the Heart He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself 1 John 3.3 even as he is pure If thou hast an unsanctified Heart never boast of thy Hope it makes not only the Heart holy but the Life also 4. Hope of Salvation is grounded upon the Promises of God The Promises give Interest and upon Interest ariseth Hope therefore he that hath not took hold of God's Promise by Faith is destitute of Hope the Anchor of the Soul Psal 11â— 49 Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 5. Hope keeps the Soul in a steady and sure expectation of the Good of Promises under Affliction and Sufferings a Saint is hereby stayed and quieted whilst he is exposed to the Loss of all other things for Christ's sake Heb. 10.34 They took patiently the spoiling of their Goods knowing in themselves they had in Heaven a better and more enduring Substance 6. True Hope makes a Christian very lively and valiant for Christ and his Truth It fills the Soul full of spiritual Activity it is called a lively Hope it makes him bold and not ashamed of the Cross c. Love compared to Death and the Grave and to Coals and Flames of Fire Cant. 8.6 Love is strong as Death Jealousy is as cruel as the Grave The Coals thereof are Coals of Fire which have a most vehement Flame Verse 7. Many Waters cannot quench Love neither can the Floods drown it c. THe Grace of Love which Christ hath infused into the Heart of his Spouse and all gracious Ones is compared by the Holy-Ghost in these Scriptures to three things which are of a mighty powerful and prevailing Nature against whom there is no standing First
Death Secondly the Grave Thirdly Coals and Flames of Fire Which shew forth the vehement Power and Force of Divine Love to Jesus Christ Which cannot be quenched First Love is compared to Death and the Grave Metaphor Parallel DEath and the Grave overcome the strongest Men it prevails over the most powerful wise and learned in the World neither can the most mighty Monarch encounter Death or stand before it there is no discharge in that War SO Love that is in the Heart of a sincere Christian prevails against all Difficulties and Oppositions Temptations Afflictions and most cruel Sufferings and Torments that can be exercised upon them as appeared by the blessed Martyrs Nothing is too hard for Love it cannot be subdued it overcomes all Sin and Suffering whatsoever II. Death and the Grave seize upon every part of the corporal or mortal Body II. So Love when shed abroad in the Heart seizeth upon all the Faculties of the Soul Hence it is that true Christians are said to love Christ with all their Hearts and with all their Souls Metaphor Disparity DEath and the Grave put an end to natural Life and so cause all Motions or Actions from thence to cease BUt Love hath that Virtue as it is a Grace of the Spirit that it sets all the Faculties of the Soul upon Acts of a spiritual Life None are so lively as those that truly love Jesus Christ II. Death overcomes and destroys that which we would if possible keep viz. our Lives that are most dear to us II. Love only overcomes that which is offensive and contrary to us or that stands in opposition to the Soul's Union with Christ making that which would be injurious to Flesh and Blood to become profitable and advantagious yea tho it be to the Loss of Life yet Love takes away the Fear of Death and makes the Soul willing to part with Life for Christ's sake Love is also compared to Coals and Flames of Fire Metaphor Parallel COals and Flames of Fire are of a burning and consuming Quality THe Grace of Love kindled in the Soul of a Believer burns up and consumes that inordinate Desire which is naturally in the Heart after the Things and Vanities of this World it eats up and consumes all carnal and sensual Lusts whatsoever all fleshly and combustible Stuff or Things that stand in the way are burnt up and destroyed by it II. Coals and Flames of Fire are of a purging and purifying quality II. So the Grace of Love purgeth cleanseth and purifieth the Soul the Dross and Filth of the Heart and Life being wasted away a Christian is made holy sanctified and heavenly thereby III. Coals and Flames of Fire are of a melting and softning Nature they make things tender and pliable meet to receive the Impression of a Seal c. III. So the Grace of Love softens the Heart and melts it making it pliable and very fit and capable to receive the Impression and Divine Image of God IV. Some Fire is so vehement that Water thrown upon it will not quench it but rather cause it to burn more fierce and vehemently IV. The Grace of Love is of such a strong and vehement Nature thâ—t it is impossible utterly to quench or extinguish it in the Soul tho the Devil daily useth all his Strength and Skill to do it Many ways he continually assaults Believers when Temptations of one sort fail he trieth others he offers worldly Pleasures Honours Riches yea all the Goods as I may say of his House but all is in vain nothing will quench this Divine Flame the true Christian utterly contemns him with all he hath The grand Design of Satan's courting a Man with all his Offers All this will I give thee c. is to gain his Love or draw off his Affections from Jesus Christ If this Way will not do he tries another and brings Afflictions and Crosses upon the Soul but over these likewise is a Saint a Conqueror Which makes the Apostle break forth into this holy Triumph Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall Tribulation or Distress Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. or Persecution or Famine or Nakedness or Peril or Sword No none of these things can For I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor Things present nor Things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. V. Fire hath Light with it V. So the Grace of Love is attended with the Knowledg of Christ who is the Object of Love Ignoti enim nulla cupido VI. Coals and Flames of Fire afford Heat they are of a warming and reviving Nature VI. So the Grace of Love heats our cold and frozen Hearts it warms and revives them with sweet and blessed Love and Zeal for God and his Glory VII Flames of Fire ascend or tend continually upwards See more of the Nature and Quality of Fire where the Word of God is compared to it VII So the Grace of Love darts the Desires of the Soul Heavenwards Such have their Affections set on Things above Col. 3.1 2. Metaphor Disparity FIre is from beneath it is earthy and one of the four Elements THe Grace of Love is from above it is a supernatural Grace it grows not in Natures Garden But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love c. II. A violent Fire may be quenched and all natural and elementary Fire shall be put out Mount Aetna shall not burn always II. But the Grace of Love this Divine Fire can never be quenched it shall burn to Eternity Charity never faileth c. Inference BY these Things Works and Operations we may try whether we have true Love to Jesus Christ or no. And for a further Help therein see the following Metaphor Christ's Love compared to Wine Cant. 1.2 For his Love is better than Wine WHereas Christ's Love is preferred to Wine it is to be understood Synecdochically so Ainsworth Wine here is put for the most pleasant joyful refreshing and cordial Things as Bread by the same Figure is frequently put for such things as strengthen c. The Love of Jesus Christ is better than Wine or whatsoever Men esteem to be good or to excell in Nature and Virtue Metaphor Parallel VVIne is the Fruit of a good Tree a choice and precious Plant and 't is the best of natural Liquors THe Love of Christ is the Fruit of the choicest Plant that ever was planted Men and Angels are not to be compared to him See Vine And his Love is the best and choicest of Love Wine is natural but his Love is Divine and supernatural None ever loved as Christ loved II. Wine is pleasant delectable and sweet to the Taste II. There is nothing so pleasant and delectable to a believing Soul as the Manifestation of Christ's Love it excells all things for sweetness III. Wine is to be