these precious promises we should cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 6.16 and 7.1 as you tender your Peace get this bargain made This is the first and best way to peace some spend their time tampering about duties not puting a close to this on every new emergency of trouble They are in hazard to raze the Foundation It would be a strong Pillar of peace to have that to say I know my Covenanted God is faithfull and hates putting away That is a brave word Isai 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords another shall call himself by the name of Jacob and another shall Subscrib with his Hand unto the Lord and surname himself by the name of Israel I know not if ye have taken time and lasure to consider and put this great matter to a point upon reflection on your own sinfull self destroyed case and the offer of Christ in Gospel terms to say it from your heart and subscrib it with your hand that you are and will be the Lords and his Christs a back look of this I know has been a Cordial in a dying hour when they have thought upon the time place and manner of their Covenanting with God I wish you would all without delay lay this matter to Heart 5. Head We should know the rule of the Commands Gal 6.16 As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God first we should know the Commands and extent of them first as to the object his Commands are exceeding broad Psalm 119.96 they reach to all stations relations and conditions Secondly as to the subject they reach the whole Man Soul and Body we must obey from the Heart Rom. 6.17 Thirdly we must know we daily breake the Commandments Jam. 3.2 in many things we offend all and every breach deserves death Deut. 27.26 Rom 6.23 this tends to peace chassing the Sinner into a Mediator the Prince of Peace who is the end of the Law for Rightousness Rom. 10.4 Fourtly as you regaird your peace allow not your self in the breach of any Command say not it is but this it is but that if it be a Sin it 's that which may cost your Life and and may go betwixt you and your part of Heaven Psalms 66.18 if I regaird iniquity in my heart sayes he the Lord will not hear my Prayer and sayeth Christ Math. 5.19 whosoever breaks one of these least Commandments and shall teach Men so he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven we showld have equal respect to all the Commands Psalm 119 6 6. 128 Fifthly we should know the Command is in the promise there are many severe Commands and as many sweet promises O how much tends this to peace sayeth the poor Sinner he hath Commanded us to love him and he has promised to Circumcise my Heart to love him Deut. 30.6 he has Commanded me to fear him and he has promised to put his fear in my heart That I may not depart from him Jer. 32.40 he has Commanded me to repent mourn and obey and Pray and he has promised his Spirit to all these effects Ezek. 26.27 Zechariah 12.10 he has Commanded me to beleive and he is the auther and finisher of that Grace So we must look from the Command to the promise and turn the promise to a Prayer God will turn it to a performance who works in hit People both to will and to do of his good pleasure Philip 2 13. let us say Lord give what thou Commands and Command what thou wilt 6. Head We must know Graces and duties Graces I call them as they come from God duties as exercised by us and in the exercise of them first we would be fervent cordial and affectionate the heart is the fat of the Sacrifice without which the Lord abhorrs it Rom 12.11 Be fervent in Spirit serving the Lord And David sayeth Psalm 25.1 Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul and Hanna 1 Samuel 1 15. Was a Woman of a sorrowful Spirit pouering out her Soul unto the Lord. 2dly We should be frequent in performance of Duties Psalms 62 8. Trust in him at all times Proverbs 28 14. Happy is the Man that feareth always 1 Thess 1.15 Pray without ceasing which imports 1st We should have set Meals for prayer David had three times a day for ordiuar Psal 55 17. Evening and Morning and at noon time of Day will I pray and call aloud Danul 7.10 Thrice a day was his use and Wont David had his extraordinaries seven times a day Psal 119.164 2dly It imports we should have our hearts ay in frame ready to pray on all occasions 3dly That we should by frequent in Ejaculations which would hinder no Bussiness 3dly We should be denyed to Duties when done when we have done all things which are commanded We should say we are unprofitable Servants and have done but our Duty Luke 1710 a spice of conceit spoils the Best Dutys as the dead flee doth the precious ointment Eccles 10 1 Paul who abounded more in labours than others laid no strels on them Philip. 3 7 8. 1 Cor 1510 There is no peace to be expected otherways 4tly We must know that it is not Conscience but the Word of God that is the Rule of Duty Isiah 8.10 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have nothing of light in them 't is not what you think must order you that you have an Impulse of mind James and John mistook themselves in this when they would have called for Fire from Heaven to consume the miscourtious Sammaritants it was not a good Spirit that did bear in that motion upon them Luke 9 52 c Therefore Christ rebuked them There are these particular duties you would exercise as you would have peace First you must be mourners and penitent as sure as I speak none will get peace but who lay the foundation in sorrow Isai 61.2 he Comforts all that mourn Math. 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Secondly you would be in the exercise of Faith which workes by love Rom. 15.13 peace and Joy comes by beleiving Habbac 2.4 The Just shall live by Faith Isai 26.3 The Lord will keep his mind in perfect peace whose heart is stayed on him because he trusts in him Thirdly we should be in the excrcise of Love to God and Love to our Neighbour which is the Sum of both Tables He that loveth not knoweth not God For God is love 1 John 4.8 We should love all persons and things that belong to God We should love all men with the Love of Benevolence the Saints with the Love of Delight Psal 16.2 Had we this love to God and for His Sake love to one another It would clear our Claim to two great Promises Rom 8.28 All
for us when Law Satan and Conscience accuse he rises up and appears for the poor Sinner to answear what can be charged upon him Heb. 9.24 And this is sweet that he never losed a cause he took in hand John 11.42 The Father hears him always he was never denyed a sute Then we should know him in his Kingly Office a Glorious King Psal 24.7 who choises the Officers of his own house Ephes. 4 -11 12 he subdues and captivats Souls to his obedience Cor. 2.10.4.5 he rules by his Word and Spirit and defends by his power and can dash the Pot-Shards in pieces that are his Enemies Ps 2.9 We most receive whole Christ in all his Offices if we be not ruled by his Law we cannot be saved by his death Some will not have this Man to reign over them Luke 19.14 5ly we must know him in his Love 1st in the freedom of it We have nothing to engage his love but much in us to provock his Loathing He loved Jacob freely Rom. 9.11.14 2ly The speciallity of this Love in two respects 1st in respect of the kind Men chosen and loved no fallen Angels Heb. 2.16 he took not on him the nature of Angels their execution was as quick as their fall cast out of favour for ever 2ly in respect that he makes a choice among fallen Men and loves not all alike all-though all be of the same mass This makes every Beleiver a wonder to himself and to say what wonder he made choise of me 3ly in the antiquity of it from everlasting every Beleiver is the birth of eternal love before he made the Earth or the World or laid the foundations thereof his delights were with the Sons of Men Prov. 8.29 c. then in the duration of it his mercy and love is everlasting Ps 103.17 As it had no begining it knows no end whom he loves he loves to the end outthorrow Jo. 13.1 I have loved thee with everlasting loving kindness Jerm 31.3 and we would know wherein his Loye appeared especially in his death which though it was a painful shamful cursed death yet was he a volunteer in it not forced to it he had power to lay down his Life and power to take it up again Yea he was earnest to give a proof and vent his Love thus Luke 11.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptised with meaning of his dath and O how am I straitned or pained till it be accomplished and Ps 40. verse 8. I delight to do thy will as if he had said Father I will not debate nor prig anent the Ransom of the Elect I will come in your will for what you can charge on them I am willing to undergo We are ready to prig with him so much we would do but no more so far we would go in his way and no further if he had stood so in our matters we had perished eternally 6ly We should know the purchase of his Death 1. Justification He has procured a Righteousness to cover us and that is our peace Rom. 5.1 We have no covering of our own but that which is too narrow to wrap us in Isa 28.20 If we should walk in the light of our own Fire and the sparks of our own kindling Isa 50.11 We should lye down in sorrow 2dly He has procured the Noble priviledge of Adoption to all that embrace him Jo. 1.12 which secures Gods Peace Pardon and Love 3dly Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 which is the Image of God 1 Pet. 1.16 4ly Salvation is the purchase of the Blood of God shed as man Acts 20.28 doth not the heart affecting knowledge of all these tend to our peace 3. Head We must have the knowledge of the Spirit of Jesus there is a necessity for it Rom. 8.9 If any man have not the Spirit of Chist he is none of his We must know him in his Influences 1. His inlighting influences revealing to us the deep things of God making us know the things freely given us of God 1 Cor. 2.10 12. 2dly In his comforting influences he bears this Style the Comforter the Holy Ghost Jo. 14.26 and Psal 94.19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts shall delight my Soul Then in his Mortifying influences whereby he mortifies the Deeds of the Body That our Souls may live Rom. 8.13 how desirable is this to these wrestling with the power of Lust Then in his assisting influences to the Exercise of all Graces and Duties He is called the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 The Spirit of Holiness and Obedience Rom. 1 4.5 The Spirit of Prayer and Mourning Zecha 12.10 The Spirit of wisdom and understanding Council and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isai 11 2 He makes Ordinances Lively without whose shining they signifie no more than a Dyal where the Sun shines not it is he who by his power decides controversies as that 1 Kings 18 21 c. We should crave and cherrish this Spirit who is freely given to the poor as well as to the Rich who seek him in earnest Luke 11 11. c. 4 Head We should know the Covenant of Grace in the Blessed terms of it 1st To know it in its freeness God was not hired to make it no Money nor price required only Hunger and Thirst Isai 55 1. Secondly in the fulness of it all that the poor Sinner needs Ephes 1.3 All Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places in Christ all things pertaining to Life and Godliness 2 Pet 1.3 And what can be more desired Thirdly The Sureness of it the heart affecting knowledge of it tends to peace First No one promise shall fail because He is Faithfull he will not break his Covenant nor alter the thing that 's gone out of his Lips Psalm 89 33 34. Josua 21 45. Appeals to the People that there failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the House of Israel all came to pass it is a well ordered Covenant and is a Cordial at Death David among his last words had this 2 Samuel 23 5. He hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant well ordered in all things and sure and this is all my Salvation and all my desire Secondly It is sure the Stock is in a good hand Jesus's Hand the surity of the better Testament we would soon have played the Bankrupt but Christ makes all good 2 Cor. 1.20 all the promises are in him yea and Amen Thirdly This Covenant smells the more of Grace in that Christ engages to help us to do our part Heb. 8.10 He puts His Laws in the minds of his People and Writs them in their Hearts Ezekiel 26.27 The Lord Saith I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgements and do them Fourtly consider the influence that the knowledge of this Covenant should have upon our Heart and Life not to make us loose and wanton but having
A Sermon Preached at Edinburgh in the Parliament-House November 17th 1700 Before His GRACE JAMES Duke of Queensberry HIS MAJESTIES HIGH COMMISSIONER AND Many of the Nobility Barrons Burrows Members of the High Court of PARLIAMENT BY David Williamson Minister of the Gospel at West-Kirk EDINBVRGH Printed by George Mosman and are to be Sold at his Shop in the Parliament-Closs in the Year 1700. Good Reader THE Author being urged by several Persons of Honour and others To Print his Sermon found it necessar to add a few things He intended to have delivered but was prevented by a mistake of the Time PREFACE before Prayer I would speak that word to this honourable Assembly which Paul hath Rom. 10 1 My hearts desire and prayer to God for you all is that you may be saved could I obtain onething of these present to believe that there is a God and that the Scriptures are the Truth and Word of God I would hope this should not be a lost but blessed occasion I have charity towards the most part but fears of some For there is no age wherein Atheism and Prophanity have been more rife than in this of our time Many saying in their hearts with the Fool there is no God Psal 14 verse 1. their corrupt and abominable Practices say the fear of God is not before their eyes Their folly will be reproved when they feel what they fear not We must not shun to tell you Gods mind from his Word which you would notice with Reverence for by this word you must be all judged at the last Day John 12 48. The Prophet sayeth Psal 119 46. I will speak of thy Testimonies also before Kings and not be ashamed Right Honourable I will tell yow what Binds us God sends Jerimiah to Great Men. and sayeth Jer. 1.8 17. be not afraid of their faces for I will be with thee to deliver thee sayeth the Lord. Be not dismaid at their faces least I confound thee before them I knowe not what the design of all may be in coming here but I have heard I have read I have known in experience some come to hear a Preaching who might have been supposed Preaching proof and to have no good design curiositie the best of it and God fastned a nail of conviction in their Consciences and they could never loose the Grip what the Lord will do this day I know not but if the Lord would lay his word in about all your hearts it might give a lift to the interests both of Church and state and God even our God might dwell amongst us and bless us and our Land yeild her increase Be ware of drowsines lightness and wandering and let us call on God for his Countenance blessing and assistance A SERMON on Luke 19.41 And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it 42. Saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Isa 1.3 The Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib But Israel doth not know my people doeth not consider I intend not to be tedious in Introduction Explication or Division of the Words nor curious in Method but to offer a few plain Truths Both the Prophet and our Saviour speaks to the Rulers and the people ruled Isatah 9 16. The Leaders of this people cause them to err and they that are led of them are destroyed and our Saviour says Matth. 15 14. The blind are Leaders of the blind and both shall fall into the Ditch The Prophet Iasiah in verse 2d directs his Speech to the senselcis Creatures hear O Heavens and give car O Earth The more to awaken and affect the Isrelites his covenanted and professed people he challenges them as below the dullness of Bruites that acknowledge and obey their Owners who provides them and in their Way shews respect to their masters but my people Israel are more stupid than bruites they do not own nor acknowledge me There is a sort of people in this Generation called Deists but I call them Aitheists who arrogat the name of Witt 's they cry down revealed Religion despise their Souls refuse Instruction reject a Saviour and deny future Rewards and Punishments They live like Beasts and are worse than Beasts they do not own and reverence their Master And I may say are worse then Devils Jam 2 19. They believe and tremble It may be many here never beleived never trembled In that Text of Luke our Lord foreseeing the woful day of Desolation coming upen Jerusalem was affectionatly concerned with their deplorable condition and wept over them And breaks out in this abrupt and emphatick Speech If thou even thou hadest known or O that thou hadst known or happy had thou been if thou hadest known in this thy day Id est that is the time of his preaching to them which they slighted they shut their eyes and God Judicially plagued them with blindness To know fignifies here to acknowledge bend the Mind lay to heart and improve for practice By things belonging to their peace is understood things that belong both to their hapiness inward and outward Their peace with God peace in their Consciences and peace with the Creatures There be five things in thir words 1 That there are some things that belong to a peoples peace in all these respects 2dly That we are bound to study a heart affecting knowledge of these things 3dly That the present time and day would be thus improven 4tly The advantage that redounds to these that thus improve time It would prevent Misery It is implyed that people smart for neglect of time 5tly Slighting time lossing the season may never be recovered again Doctrine The point I offer is this That it is the Interest of all who would be approven of God and their own Consciences and escape a challenge and Ruine to know and take to heart the things that belong to their peace to their Souls peace the peace of the Church and Land I will not insist to prove so evident a point I shall first speake a Word of Gods Peace which is the Spring of all other true Peace 2dly Of these thing to be known that belongs to the Souls peace to the peace of a Church and Land For the Peace of God I give these 6 Things 1 it is not common to all It s Christs Gift and Legacy to His peculiar people John 14 27. Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you 2dly It is the purchase of Christs Blood Ephes 2d 13 14. Ye are made near by the Blood of Christ for He is our peace 3dly It is a sure peace Isiah 54 10 The Covenant of my peace shall never be removed sayeth the Lord. 4tly It guards the Believers heart and Mind in all cases Phil. 4.7 5tly It s the great end and errand of the Ministry 2 Corinth 5 20 We are Embassaaors for
Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconeiled to God 6tly They make a good Testament at Death who are found with him in peace at his Appearing It is a precious peace prize it highly i We may not want it nor can we stand under the Lords fade be tender of it and afraid to loose the sense of it 2ly I come to speak of things that belong to your peace that ye are to study the heart affecting knowledge off And 1st What belongs to your Souls peace as Christians 2dly What belongs to the Churches and Lands peace I begin with that What belongs to the Peace of Believers as Christians For if ye be good Christians ye will be the better Rulers I confess the Soveraign Lord can make the Earth help the Woman Rev. 12.16 Men of Earthly and Sensual Minds and Designes but these will not be fast Freinds when the Wind blows in an oth erairt they alter Jehu made his Zeal a stirrop to mount the Throne I give you account of these things That ye would study Haeart-affecting practical knowledge of in order to your Peace I offer you Ten Heads here You must know God 1. That he is Heb. 11.6 He that comes to God must believe that he is This is the Fountain of all true Knowledge and the Spring of all true Peace and Comfort 2ly That we must know what He is what is His Name what the the Word declares Him to be Moses says Exod. 33.18 I beseech thee shew me thy Glory And the Lord proclaims His Name Exod. 34.6 7. The LORD the LORD GOD merciful and gracious long suffering and aboundant in goodness and Truth Keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin and that will by no means clear the guilty O what advantage redounds from this it relates to our Peace and the right ordering of our Spirits And making the Stream of our Affections run in the right Channel To know Him in His Infinite Excellent and Glorious Perfections They that know His Name faithful and true will put their Trust in Him Psal 9.10 If we knew Him in His Holiness Power Justice and Love then should we readily Fear Love and Obey Him If we knew Him in His Goodness and Mercy it would draw out our desires and delight after him If we knew Him in His Soveraignity then should we acquiesce in all his disposings of our lote If we knew Him in His Omnisciency that would keep our Hearts in aw All these relate to our Peace 2d Head We must study to know Christ if we regaird our Peace And first in the Statelyness of His Person Heb. 1.3 who is the brightness of the Fathers Glory the express Image of his Person This is a sweet consideration that we have such a Noble Redeemer 2. It relates to our Peace to know him in his Natures God Man a meek Mediator to deal between God and Man To know Him in His Human Nature Flesh of our Flesh and Bone of our Bone our God who has right to redeem and has payed our Debt in our Nature he has dignified our Nature in assuming our Nature to a personal Union with his God-head he will never lay it down again Heb. 7.24 This Man continueth ever Then we must know him in his Divine Nature Isah 7.14 Immanuel the Mighty God Isah 9.6 I have laid your help sayeth the Lord upon one that is Mighty Psal 89.19 he trode the Wine Press of his Fathers wrath alone and speaks in Righteousnes mighty to save Isah 63.2.3 His God-head sustaind the human nature that he sunk not under sufferings and gives an infinite meriting value to his sufferings by vertue of his Godhead he rose from the deed Rom 1.4 3. We must know him in his name which is as an oyntment poured forth Cano 13 The Lord Jesus Christ every letter sweeter than another Lord of Lords King of Kings Rev. 17.14 This is a Quieting consideration when we have many Lords who would impose on our Consciences we have one Lord and Law-giver James 4.12 No Law can bind the Conscience but what is consonant to his Law Jesus O but that has a sweet sound to a sensible lost Sinner he gets his name from his earrand thou shalt call his name Jesus said the Anegl for he shall save his People from their Sins thus he is the Prince of Peace Isaih 9.6 Christ idest anointed it first imports he was Gods choise for a Saviour Isah 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth God never spoke such a word of another then it imports he was well furnished for all his Offices anointed with the Oyl of joy above his Fellows Psal 45.7 Full of Grace and Truth John 1.14 Having the fulness of the God-head dwelling in him bodily Coloss 2.9 Holy Angels have a fulness of sufficiency enough of Grace to serve themselves but non to spare but Christ hath a fulness of redundancy a running over fulness for as many as have been at the Wells of Salvation Isah 12.3 These Five Thousand Years and more the Well is as full now as ever his fulness being infinite it can not be deminished 4ly We must know him in his Offices 1st As the Anointed Well qualified Prophet who has compassion on the ignorant Heb. 5.2 And instructs with a strong hand Isah 8 11. We have weak hands he is meek and lowly in heart Math. 11.29 We need not scar to learn of him he has all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge Colos 2.3 He has the tongue of the Learned to speak a word in season to a weary Soul Isah 50.4 he leads the blind by a way they know not Makes darkness light befor them Isah 42.16 he has a prerogative that non els can pretend to he teaches his People to profit gives an Ingine and capacity to take up the Lesson Isah 48.17 he is the Master of Assemblies that fastens the nail in a sure place Eccie 12.11 Then secondly We must know him in his Priestly Office 1. as to his satisfaction who has payed a competent price for our Ransom 1. Timoth. 2.6 he has obtained a discharge In sign and token whereof it is said Rom. 4.24 he dyed for our sins to pay our debt and rose for our Righteousness to prove the payment was accepted and accompts cleared else he had not got out of Prison thus Gods Righteousness is declared that he is just to justifie them that believe in Jesus Rom. 3.26 having gotten payment of the Cautioner he will note rave it overagain at the Beleivers hands O What a cordial is this to these weighted with the sense of guilt Then as to his Intercession we have a freind in Heaven before us who is called the Angel have ing a Golden Censure with much incense that he should offer it with the Prayers of all Saints upon the Golden-Alter which is befor the Throne Revel 8.3 He Compears befor God
things work together for Good to all that love God even the Cross payes a Custom of Advantage to them and Christs says John 14.21.23 He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him and we will come and make our abode with him 4tly We should exetcise our selves to Godliness 1 Tim 4.7.8 This would clear our Title to the Promises of this Life and of that which is to come Which would yeild much peace 5tly We should be in the Exercise of Heavenly Mindedness and have our Conversation in Heaven Philip 3 20. And our Affections above Col. 3.2 The greatest Serenity is in the highest Regions Clouds and Storms are below 6tly We should be in the Exercise of a well grounded hope which would make us rejoyce in Tribulation Rom 2 3. This is the Anchor of the Soul that keeps the Vessel calm in a Storm Heb 6 19. The Helmet or Head-piece that wairds off the Stroaks of Satans smarting Temptations Ephes 6 17. 7tly It conduces much to our peace to have the sense of our Spiritual Poverty Psal 9 18. The needy shall not always be forgotten nor the Expectation of the Poor perish for ever And David sayeth Psal 40 17. I am poor and needy but the Lord thinks on me Math 5 3. Blcssed are the poor in Spirit Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven The word is Beggars in Spirit who are put oft to the throne of Grace for an Alms Proverbs 1823 The poor use Intreaties Heb 4 16. Through Christ we have Access with boldness to the throne of Grace that we may sind Mercy and obtain Grace Philip 4 6.7 Who make their Request known to God get the peace of God which passeth natural Understanding to guard their Heart and Mind and Hanna 1 Samuel 1 15 18 Who pouered out her Soul to the Lord went away and her Countenance was no more sad 8tly We would study Sincerity in the performance of all Dutys which makes much for peace both in the greatest Extremity of our Life 2 Cor 1 9 12. When they had the Sentence of Death against them this was their rejoyceing the Testimony of their Conscience That in Simplicity and Godly Sincerity not with fleshly Wisdom they had their Conversation in the World and it yeilds peace in the laft Extremity of Death Ezekiah sayeth Isiah 38 3. Lord Remember how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a perfect heart 7 Head We should know and consider some things in Reference to Crosses and Afflictions as we would consult our Peace 1st That they are covenanted Mercies and no token of Fead but consistent with God's Loving Kindness Psal 89 30 to the 34. Psalm 119 75. I know O Lord that in Faithfulness thou hast afflicted me that quiets the heart The Saints bear not the Cross alone Christ takes the heavy lift that makes the Yoke easie Isiah 63 9. In all our Afflictions He is afflicted and is still a Simpathser 2dly The Saints have had their best days under the Cross as John when banished to the Isle of Patmoss Revel 1.10 Paul and Silas were made to sing in the Stocks Acts 16 24. The Lord cohses some in the Furnace of Affliction Isiiah 48 10. There was a Godly Minister in this Nation I heard him say upon Death-Bed his Suffering times were sweeter to him than his most solemn Communion Days 4tly A well improven Cross is a piece of a Saints happiness Psal 94.12 Blessed is the Man whom the Lord chaftiseth and teacheth out of his Law 5tly The Cross is needful to prevent Sin Hosea 2 6. To purge out and take away Sin Isia 27 9. To make us more like God in holyness Heb 12 10. To give us Errands to the Throne of Grace Psal 50 15. And to make us walk in fear and be watchful to discover the Truth and Strength of Grace to stir up Grace to Exercise in order to the produceing of the peaceable fruits of Righteousness Heb 12 11. The Lords design is to distinguish betwixt the Wilderness and Canaan and that we may Glorify His rich and free Grace upholding and delivering us and to make us Instrumental to Comfort others 2. Cor. 1 4. And to draw our heart Heavenwards to know these things tend to peace Head 8. We should know the way how the Lord brings in poor Sinners to Christ first he kills and then makes alive wounds and then heals Deuter 32 39 1 Sam 2 6. Hosea 6 1. He convinces of the lost undone Self-destroyed Case by nature and course a law work in some degrees passes on the Soul Gal 3 24. The Law is a School-Master to lead to Christ thus the Sinner is made to enquire after a Deliverer Rom 7 24 Who shall deliver me says Paul 2dly A new light is broken up that discovers Sin in its black Colours smelling rank of Hell and a Beautie in Holyness and discovers the Necessity Excellency Willingness and Ability of Christ to save to the uttermost all that come to God in him Heb 7 25. He is seen to be the Chief of ten Thousands and altogether lovely Cantic 5 10 16 Him hath God the Father sealed John 6 27. Paul tells us he was sent upon this Errand to open peoples eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the forgiveness of Sins and Inheritance among them which are sanctified by Faith that is in Christ Acts 26 18. Thus Sinners are called from darkness to his marvelous light 1 Peter 29. 3dly Then the heart is prepared by the Arm of Jebovah to receive the Impressions of Mercy in a through Renovation the stony heart is removed a plyable melting frame is given Hezek 26 26. 4tly The Soul is brought over to give Consent to the Bargain and to take Christ on Gospel Terms and say Cantic 2 16. My beloved is mine and I am his In all which the exceeding greatness of his power cyths workinging in them that beleive Ephes 1 19. Head 9. If you would have peace you must have a practical knowledge of the wayes these ought to walk in that come home to Christ I fear many mistake it first in the difioulty of it some think nothing but they may go easily to Heaven and yet plump in to the Pit lying down with a lie in their right Hand Isas 44.20 The Apostle sayes the Righteous are scarcely faved 1. Pet. 4.18 and Christ sayes the way is strait Mathew 7.14 therefore we should suive to enter in at the sttrait Gate for many will seek to enter in that shall not be able Luke 13.24 Secondly this way is mistaken in the Singularity of of it It 's not the common Road and Broad-Way the whole World lyeth in Wickedness 1 John 5 19. Be not conform to the World says the Apostle Rom 12 2. Follow not the multitude to do evil says Moses Exod 23 2. And Christ sayeth except your
Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharesees you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Math. 20. The Pharesees said John 7 48. Have any of the Rulers of the Pharesees beleived on him and the Apostle says 1 Cor. 1 26 Not many wise Men after the flesh not many Mighty not many Noble are saved Blessed be God it is not said not any but not many Because Christ has but few Friends and Followers among that Sort of People 10. Head Who consult their peace would have a heart affecting knowledge of some things in reference to Death and Judgement 1st The certainty of it it 's appointed for all Men rich and poor noble and ignoble once and but once to die Heb 9 27 and after this to Judgement There is no Discharge in that War Eccles 8 8. 2dly To know the uncertainty of it as to time place and manner that we may may be upon the Watch-Tower Math 24 42 43. 3dly It is our great Concern to be prepared for Death and Judgement It is a Worlds-Wonder that many dye without strange Terrours not being prepared for Death yet many graceless have no Bands in their Death Pialms 73 4. But sad is their awakening they are like a Man thurst out at a slit of a high Tower in a dark night we hear no din of the rich Gluttons Death Luke 16 22 But the first news after is that in Hell he lift up his eyes and cryed O for a drop of cold water to cool my tongue for I am tormented in this Flame Right Honourable and well Beloved if peace of Conscience be your Concernment if to dye with Comfort be your Concernment if everlasting Well and Wo be your Concernment if to be in Heaven and to shun Hell be your Concernment then preparation for Death and Judgment is of greatest and everlasting Concernment You have need to be ready and prepared for Death will not wait one Moment for your readiness When that Messenger comes there is no retaining of the Spirit Eccles 8 8. It is vain then to wish O for another hour For another Day I will tell you what is the best preparation for Death and Judgement it 's to live in Christ and die in Christ Rom 147. Gal 2 20. 1st This is the way to get the sting taken out of Death and Death swallowed up of Victory 1 Cor 15 54 55. 2dly This is the way to be delivered from the fear of death Heb 2 14 15. 3ly This is the way to to be blest in your Death Revel 14 13. 4ly This is the way to be made welcome to your Masters joy with his Blessing Mash 25 23 24. Applications Right Honourable and well beloved I earnestly beceech you as you regard peace wsth God peace of your Souls seriously to ponder in order to practiece all the aforementioned Heads as your greatest Concernment for the laft of death and Judgement I must tell you who are called Gods ye must die like Men Psalm 82.7 And all lye down alike in the dust and the Worms cover you Job 21. 26. your dust will not be known from the Beggars 2 Cor 5 10. you must all appear before the judgement Seat of Christ the Word is be manefested and lajd open be fore him who judges without respect of persons 2. Pet. 1.17 and if you dye without sound knoweldge and understanding tho' now you be in Honour you will be like and worse than Beasts that perish Psalm 49 20. We read of a King Jerem 22 18.19 Who died unlamented and was buried with the Burial of an Ass You that now sit on Benches must stand at the Bar that Day Satan has prevailed so far with many to put the Thoughts of Death far away and to obliterate the Belief of Judgment making them more Atheist than himself James 2 9. The Devils believe and tremble I remember near forty years agoe when the Flood Gate of Prophanity was cast wide open in Scotland and no shutt to this Day which paved the way to Prelacy that gave too great Scouth to Prophane Inclinations There was a profligate person of no mean quality being admonished by a noble Friend to mind Death and Judgement for he behoved to reckon for his Debauchery he said if he thought on that he would go mad But these who will not hear Admonition now and Conscience now will be tyed to endure his Reproof who will tear them in pieces when there is none to deliver Psal 50 21 22. There will be a huge cry at that Day among these who hold their heads high now Kings of the earth great Men Rich Men Chief Captains and mighty Men shall cry to the Mountains and to the Rocks to fall on them and hide them from the Face of Him that sits on the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb For the Great Day of his Wrath is come and who shall be able to stand Revel 2 15. c. Your Character then will not cover you Faithful Ministers are despised by many were we of a Soul betraying temper to deal with people according to their hearts desire to forbear right things and speak smooth things Isiah 30 10. And flatter them to their Ruine They would embrace us but because we warn plainly having our Souls at the stake Ezek 34 Being tender of Gods Glory their Souls good and our own they hate us in doing our Duty and reproveing which the Seripture expounds a kindness Psal 141 5. And it imports a defect of the rational Faculty and brutish temper to hate reproof Proverbs 12 1. What will such say in the Day of Visitation when wrath seases on them If ever God bring you to a sense of your Condition that word will be verified by you Proverbs 28 23. He that rebukes a man shall find more favour afterwards than he that flatters with the tongue I doubt not there are in Hell this day who are Cursing their Ministers that flattered them in their Sins I put two Questions to you First how will you answer for this that ye do that which ye condemn others and Judge the Comitters thereof worthy of Death And enact Laws against Sabbath-breaking Swearing Drunkeness and Uncleanness you mock God and are self condemned Rom. 1.32 and 2. 21.22 Thou therefore which teachest another teachest thou not thy self thou that teachest a man not to Steal doest thou Steal thou that sayest a Man should not commit Adultery Dost thou commit Adultery Thou that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit Saerilige Secondly how will any answer for this that they Glory in what they cannot endure the name of drunkard would thou be called by that name or the Swearer or Whore-Monger Would ye be content to have it Written upon your Tombs or dwelings here Lyes or here dwells the Drunkard the Swearer or Whore Munger The Lord tells there is a Day coming when People shall know whose Word shall stand his or theirs Jerem. 44.28.29 They shall know that his Word shall stand
against them for evill I do here in the name and and authority of my Great Master Jesus whose Ambassador I am Warn and Charge all that hear me this Day to compear before the Tribunal and answer to their charge for unrepented of Drukenness Uncleanness Fornication Adultery Swearing Lieing Perjury Covenant-Breaking Testing or being Gallios unconcerned in Gods Matters and your Souls Sabbath-Breakers Prayerless and you who have had any hand in the Late Persecution of Gods Servants and People make you ready make hast and strive to get accompts cleared by Christ's Cautionry I cannot set a Day but it may be a few Hours sist some of you before the Judge Think on it be not abused when you come to Die by Carnal Freinds or your own deceitful Hearts I have known some when they have come to die call for the Ministers they hated and persecuted before and cryed out of their Sins with tears I have known others that neither they nor their carnal Friends would suffer the Faithful to come near them but the Montibank who sent them over the Border with the fig Leaf of a smooth absolution O betray not your own Souls nor let others do it thuart not your own Consciences to please Men as Pilate who found no fault in Christ yet over the Belly of Warning ordered to scourge and crucifie him to please Caesar and the people Right Honourable There has not been a Session of Pariament but before a next some members have gone off the Stage and some of the most Honourable for quality and best for piety are gone within these few Years 't is hard to know who goes next make you ready I must tesl you a wrong Step in Death can never be mended Eccles. 11.13 In the Place where the Tree falls there it lies What ever changes may be in a Mans life after Death there is none but eternal well or eternal wo. Now there be several things we should know and consider in reference to the peace of the Church and Land and herein both Rulers and People should Act their part First we should have our hearts affected with reflection on the crying Sins of the Land our iniquity like the Wind has taken us away Jsai 64.6 That of Hosea may be applyed 4. Chap. 1.2 The Lord hath a controversie with the Inhabitants of the Land because there is no Truth nor Mercy nor Knowledge of God in the Land by Swearing and Lying and Killing and Stealing and commiting Adultry they break out and Blood toucheth Blood And People become impudent As if they would give God a defiyance they commit Abominations and are not ashamed neither do they blush Jerem 8.12 They dispise a saviour in Gospel ordinances Secondly we should consider that there is a dark and thick Cloud of wrath and judgement hanging over us the Lord threatning as Liviticus 26.24 to heat the Furnace yet Seven times more have we not had sad Stroaks decay of Trade Dearth Famine Mortality of Man and Beast and something of Fire and Sword I look upon all these as the begining of sorrows if matters mend not amongst us Let us hearken to that word Zephamach 2 1. 2. Gather your selves together yea Gather together a Nation not desired before the decree bring forth before the day pass as chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you c. 1 Therefore I would press 1. That ye wrestle with God by Prayer at the Throne of Grace Psalm 46.7 It 's said the Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge whence got Jacob the new name Israel he prevailed as a Prince by supplication let us cry mightily to God that he would rent the Heavens and come down Andthe Mountains flow down at his presence Isai 64.1.7 That the Lord would come with healing to Souls and awaken the Consciences of small and great that are fast a sleep in damnable security For there are few that call on God or stir up themselves to take hold of him 2ly Know it is our part to study mourning and amendment Lament 3.40 41. Let us search and try our ways and turn again unto the Lord Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the Heavens Zechariah 12.13 Persons a part and Families a part mourning that would be a Door of hope in the Valley of Achor Reformation and mourning must begin at Persons come to Families and spread through the Nation then might we say as Ezra 10.2 Now is there hope in Israel concerning this thing 3ly Study Zeal and courage for the way and work of God never be ashamed of it Be Zealous and repent says Christ Revel 3.19 Be of good courage lay out your selves as you are called in your sphere to contend forthe faith inde 4ly Study unity and love and beware of undue contendings unite in what is true and good if ye bite and devoure one another ye may be consumed one of another Gal. 5.5 The beginning of strife is like the opening of Waters to overflow Proverbs 17.14 Therefor leave off contention before it be medled with I confess there is a lawfull contending not only for truth and the Faith of the Gospel but even for inferiour things Job 31.13 c. having the Dread of God on his Heart admits his hirelings to offer their Grievances and reason their cause but the rise of debates would be examined if from Pride and envy then confusion and every evil work would be the consequence Jam. 3.16 there be due seasonable and right methods and measures that would be followed a mistake in these may mar a very cleanly design and in stead of bringing Water to quench the Fire may prove oyl to encreass the Flame Abraham his commendation will never die Genes 13. who though he was Superior and Elder than Lot yet to avoid unseasonable contendings when the Canaanites were in the Land yeilded to Lot whose choise proved his punishment and if it be no disparagement to the highest to condescend to these below them even supposeing a transgression it is their Glory to pass it over Proverbs 19.11 far more is it the bound duty of inferiors to yeild and not unmannerly to prig with those above them where yeilding may be without manifest prejudice to Truth and Peace There be two things supposed to have influence on devision and Faction which is a work of the Devil a work of the Flesh Galat. 5.20 There is a Defect and an Excess First a defect of singleness and sincerity If Men were al single-Hearted sincere self-denyed and soundly publick-Spirited they would meet unite and close without clashing or noise Secondly there is excess the excressence and knottisness of humor and interest that makes Men uneasie and to dash upon and grate one another but these who lay the fundation and sow the Seeds of division or are abatters of it either in Church or State do the abominable thing which the Lord hates Prov 6 16 19 And cannot
be long hid Nemo potest diu sustinere Personam fictam Prov. 26.26 He that covereth his hatred with deceits his wickedness shall be made known before the whole Congregation such marrs Suites and Proposals to them and by them being jealoused of mixt interests and and designs which the simpler sort cannot understand and discern 2. Samuel 15.11 Application We may take up a Lamentation and regrate there be few that know the way of peace Isai 59.8 They neither desire nor apply themselves to know these things Hesea 8.12 I have Written to them sayeth the Lord the great things of my Law and they counted them as a strange thing how many live without God and without Christ in the World and have lost the sense of God and pulss of Conscience it were easie to prove the greatest part to be Fools and ignorant of these things that belong to peace I shall give you sour notes of a Fool First he that prefers Husks to wholsom Food as the Prodigal Luke 15. Secondly he that wants senses to discern and makes choise of a broken Cistern forsakeing the Fountain Jerem. 2.12.13 3ly he that wants foresight to provide for time to come Math. 25. The foolish Virgins had emptie Lamps 4ly he that puts a Knife to his own Throat Prov. 8.36 he that Sins against me sayes Christ wrongs his own Soul all they that hate me love Death there be Four sorts of Persons that the Scripture proves to be arrant Sots and Fools 1st the Persecuter God calls him a Feol who eats up his People as they eat Bread Psalm 14.1.4 they know not God has discharged Persecution and is concerned in the wrongs done to his People Psalm 105.14.15 2ly The Lord resents what wrongs are done to his People as done to himself Acts 9.4 Saul Saul why Persecutest thou me They peirce Christ through the sides of his Freinds 4ly they are Fools because they are Prayerless and Scriptureless they call not upon the Lord Psalm 14.4 they cast the Law behind their back and therefore they Persecute Nehem. 9.26 5ly they come Foul off with it as the instances of Pharorh Herod Haman Darius Courtiers They proved all Fools in the end Exad 14. Esther 8. Acts. 12. Dantel 6. Secondly the Proud Man he is a Fool he gets the same name with the Fool 1. Tim. 6.4 the word in the Original fignifies Smoak which sayes the Proud Man is puffed up with Stinking Air First he considers not that God has prohibite Pride and that Pride hinders many a good turn Jerem. 13.15 and prompts to many an ill turn the Cursed Proud are from Gods Commandments Psal 119.21 and the wicked through the Pride of his countenance persecutes the Poor and will not Seek God Psalm 102 4. Pride is the dead Flee in the A pothecarys Ointment it spilt all the Pharasies duties Luke 18. such Perclaim War against the God of Heaven and makes him an Enemy 1. Pet. 5.5 it has brought many low and proved them Fools in the end Proverbs 16.18 Thirdly the Scripture makes the covetous Man a Fool he knows not that covetousness is a hainous transgression in Gods account no less than Idolatrie Col. 3.5 such Persons are abhorred of the Lord. Psalm 10.3 Their temper hinders profiting under means their care choacks the Seed of the Word Math. 13. They are in hazard of a sad surprise Luke 21.34 they hinder their own thriveing There is that withholdeth more than is meet and it tendeth to poverty Proverbs 11.24 He makes a Fools bargain and losses-more than he gains when he losses his Soul Math. 26.26 Luke 12.18 The Voluptuous and Luxurious they are Fools they are plagued and prove a Prognostick of the evil of the last times 2 Tim 3 4. They are dead while they live 1 Tim 5 6. There pleasures are short lived like the crackling of Thorns under the Pot. Eccles 7 6. Heb 11 25. There is a song to follow that will eat out all the Rememberance of their former Joy Isiah 47 8. c. Revel 18 7 8 c. Their way brings both poverty and pain which they dream not of Proverbs 21 17 23 29. Aud they shall mourn at the last Proverbs 5 11. When they feel what they feared not is it not for a Lamentation that the greatest part befool themselves 1st how many grosly ignorant have their hopes to be saved Yet Isiah 27 11. The Lord says he has no favour for them 2 Thess 1 8. Christ at the Last Day will take Vengance on them 2dly How many live in black Atheism and Prophanity Drunkards Swearers Lyars Unclean and think to be saved and yet the Lord says because of these things his Wrath comes on the Children of Disobedience and such shall be cast in the Lake Revel 21 8. 3dly Many never had a night Sense of Sin and Lostness and yet hoped to be saved whereas the right hope of Heaven never lodged in him who never saw he was in hazard of Hell John 16 9. Conviction is the first Step of turning to God 4tly Many are altogether taken up with the World unconcerned in Gods Glory or their own Salvation and yet hope to be saved Whereas the Lord says Philip 3 19 Their end is Destruction 5ly There are some have got many Warnings and heard many Preachings and never were touched with any of them like these Deuter 29 19 20. When they hear the Words of the Curse they bless themselves in their Hearts saving they shall have Peace although they walk after the Imagination of their own heart and add Drukenness to thirst But the Lord says He will not spare His Anger and Jealousie shall smoak against that Man and all the Curses that are written in this Book shall be upon him and the Lord shall blot out his name under Heaven should not this his Alarm secure Souls I will give you one Mark of them they love the flattering cheat who claps their head in their Sins and hates the Faithful searching Preacher who is their best Friend But how comes it that people befool themselves and sets not their Minds to know things that belong to Peace 1st They are in the Visible Church and enjoy the common Benefites of the People of God such may have Heavens door closed on them Math 7 22 23. Some that heard Christ prophesre in their Streets he boasts them to depart 2ly they paint A God all mercy and consider not that he is just and tender of his honour they Shape A God to their own mind that is as well pleased with their way as they themselves the Lord sayeth Psalm 50.21 2 these things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thought that I was altogether such an one as thy self but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine Eyes Now consider this ye that forget God least I tear you in peices while there is none to deliver He will draw up in Battle array the Sins of such and every Sin as it were
in their Lusts and loves Elbow-Room to Sin without Control Right Honourable and well-beloved ye would be wise to your selves to befriend the Church in all her Concerns for the Arks sake God blessed Obededom in his person Family and Friends 1 Cron 13 You would be careful the Churches Revenues be neither embazled misimproven or missaplyed That Rulers of all Ranks should endeavour knowledge and understanding to discern Good and evil rightly to time and circumstantiat Actions is clear Deut 1 13. Eccles 8 5. And it is threatned as a Judgment when Princes are Babes in Understanding Isiah 3 4 5 David prays for Understanding to Solomon 1 Cronities 29 19. And likeways Solomon for himself 1 Kings 3 9. There be Three Reasons why Magistrates should labour to have Understanding 1st The figure they bear by their Office imported in their Styles being called Gods Saviours Fathers Eyes Pillars heads of the Body and Overseers 2dly God severly threatens Magistrates that misbehave as being neither above Instruction nor Correction if they fail Job 12 21. He poures Contempt upon Princes and weakens the Strength of the Mighty Psal 110 5. He strikes through Kings in the day of his wrath Psal 76 12. He is terrible to the Kings of the Earth he shall cut off the Spirits of Princes 3dly Because they are lyable to many Difficultys and Dangers great is their Task to know the State of the People to repress the Insolencies of the proud to minister Justice to all I would warn both Magistrates and people to know and watch against these evilly which threatens both Church and State with Judgements as namely 1st When Men loath not their own hearts for unprofitableness under Ordinances but weary of them 2dly When Men professing the fear of the same God are mutually contentious 3ly Breaking of Vows to the Lord not cleaving to his Ordinances 4ly Peoples going to Ordinances and not going to the God of Ordinances for the Blessing 5tly When Christ is not received in Ordinances nor the Motions of his Spirit cherished 6tly When people are grossly prophane in Talk and walk and come to that hight of Sin as to cast off all reproof all Dread and Aw of God 7tly Peoples frequent familiar and needless haunting with persons perverse in Principles and Practices whereby they partake of their Sins receive of their Plagues and get a Snare to their Soul Revel 84. Proverbs 22 24.25 This has been the neck-break of this Generation especially to the younger sort Companions of Fools shall be destroyed Proverbs 3 20. Solomon sayeth Eccles 10 8. He that breaks an hedge a Serpent shall bite him there is a hedge of a six fold Prohibition Proverbs 4 14 15. Enter not into the path of the Wicked and go not in the way of evil Men avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away They who leap over this hedge may lay their account to smart for it I would add a few things people should know as their Bound Duty to Magistrates 1st To pay them all due Respect and Honour 2dly All due obedience in the Lord. 3dly Fidelity to their persons and Authority 4tly Aid and Help and that 1st By Faithful Counsel and Advice when called and the Discovery of secret Enemies and Plots 2ly By rich Rebates without a grudge paying Custom and Tribute and giving all needful Reâ—â—â—â—â—â— for the Safety of the King the Security of the Government the safety of the Common Wealth which was long since reckoned a Law above all Laws 3dly We should give Aid by our persons both against Country Rebels and forraign Enemies venturing our Lives for them both in Peace and War 2. Samnel 21 16 and 23 6. 4tly By our prayers 2 Tim 2 2. That we may live under their Government a peaceable and quiet Life in all Godlyness and honesty for Magistrates neither stand nor fall to themselves especially Soveraigns because they are the Pillars of the Kingdom Let me smite King Saul but this once said Abishas and the Kingdom shall be thine and the Victory thine 1. Samuel 26.8 so said Achitopbel let me Smite King David and all Israel shall be gathered unto the and 2 Samuel 17.2.3 When Alexander Died the Army was but on Man less but it was compared by the wise to the Cyclops which had its only Eye Bored out the Supream Magistrate carrys about not only his own Life but the Life of Thousands depends on his safety 2. Samuel 18.3 2. Samuel 21.17 Thou shalt not go forth any more with us to battle said the People least thou quench the light of Israel for thy life is worth a Thousand of ours Shall not our Hearts be enlarged in blessing of God for our Gracious King whom he sent to be a deliverer to save these Lands from Popery and Slavery and us also from Prelacie a yoke which neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear and shall not our Souls be lifted up in servant supplicatious to God for him in whose Safety the safety of the three Kingdoms is so much bound up who ventured his all for us when we were upon the brink of Perishing It is good our part to beg of God to give him a large and understanding Heart and to multiply blessings of all sorts upon him blessings both of the right and left Hand to give him length of Days and make him a lasting blessing to those Nations to give hin both the upper and neather Springs and that his Crown may florish on his head and all his Enemies Cloathed with shame we are concerned to Pray for the King and Magistrats of all ranks that they may be truely religious because of the power os their example to good or evil their vices pass current for vertues and soon becomes a fashon be their Commands never so great they Command most by their example Exhort My last Exhortation to you all Right Honourable and well Beloved is that ye acquaint your Selves with the Word of God which makes the simple wise many of you are too great Strangers to it some are branded Jerem. 10.6 the Word of the Lord is to them a reproach they have no delight in it they mock Piety and the Scriptures the rule of piety such are in the highest Class of Sinners in the Seat of the scornful Psalm 1.1 Which is rendered by the Septuagint the seat of Pestilence such are plagued in their Spirits and are the Plague of their Generation and alas too rife amongst us God will make their Bonds strong Ilas 28 22. he will cast a chain of his wrath about them which if mercy and repentance prevent not will grip and smart them to all Eternity You would observe the Word in all the parts of it 1. In the promises to believe them to encourage you to Piety and Virtue such as these Psalm 84 11. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield he will give Grace and Glory and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly Jerem 32 40.