almost stumbled and slipt Therefore judge upon these two grounds 1. Iudge not by friends and neighbours and the like but judge according to the ballance of the Sanctuary judge by the Word It is a fine and pleasant thing to be in honour yet it is but a lying vanity saith the Word there is but one thing necessary Psal 62.9.10 Psal 62.9.10 If riches increase set not thy heart upon them at the day of death your riches cannot comfort you therefore set not your hearts upon them judge them by the Word that saith there is but one thing necessary 2. Iudge not by the present view but by the consequent and consider what will be at that day you thinke liberty is sweet but looke not at the present but the glory of a good course is afterwards marke the end and so looke at Dives and Lazarus none would be in Lazarus his condition now in this life who would not be a Dives now to goe in brave sattin and fare deliciously every day but looke to the end they both dye and Lazarus goes into Abrahams bosome that is into heaven and Dives to hell whether hadst thou rather be Dives or Lazarus now I make no question but all will say it were better to be a Lazarus now so judge of these things by the end and consequence whether is it better to study the word and to lay downe pride or to vaunt it and play the Ruffian one is praying another is playing which is easiest the one is not troubled but merry and that were best if it would hold but judge by the end and imagine the day of judgement came whether would you be then a broken heart or a Ruffian 2 Thess 1.7 8. 2 Thess 1.7.8 and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Iesus shall bee revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God nor obey his Gospel God comes and saith to the troubled Rest thou hast been troubled before ever eased but as for him that ruffins it out now the Lord Iesus will come with flaming fire in vengeance against him on whom will God take vengeance the text saith on them that know him not Now judge by the end whether of these is best say Conscience whether wouldst thou have God find thee sporting or prayiâ—g at that day is it not better now to bee troubled then hereafter everlastingly to bee confounded Iudge with righteous judgement it is tedious to bee with Paul in prison but it is not tedious to bee with him in heaven Iudge therefore as the word judgeth and yee shall not be deluded Quest Q. But how shall I get my heart to it Answ A. Looke up to God and labour to set the highest price on God and heavenly things and that by two helpes 1. Daily suggest and discover to thine heart a greater worth in spiritual then in temporal things there is some good in these things but bee ready to convince thy heart that there is more good in spirituall things The Devill would fore-stall the Market and set a higher price upon these things then on spirituall but labour thou to see more worth in Grace then in other things when thy covetous heart saith I will be rich oh then presently say what inheritance is there like heaven when thy voluptuous heart saith I must have my pleasure presently say thou what pleasure is there like the pleasure the soule hath in Christ look at those joyes in Christ for ever that is better then all this this joy is madnesse thus when the soule would bee stealing away offer the best things would the soule have case why it is better to bee bound in prison then to be bound in unbeliefe as a man when he goes to buy a commodity hee desires to see the best things Psal 73.25 Psalm 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven or Earth but thee O Lord we have him here now in mercy and we shâ—l have him in mercy hereafter and in glory and what would we have more then this when Satan layes disgraces and discouragements upon good courses and also miseries and vexations that come thereby then be thou ready to shew more misery in bad courses have reasons to cry downe those crackt commodities and when he saith to burne for the Gospell that is a miserable thing then say thou it is better to burne here then in hell hereafter The Devill saith wicked men are brave men yea and they shall be damned too the Devill saith as Balack thy God keepes thee from honour but answer him if I had it it might be my destruction I am here troubled but I shall be for ever comforted therefore regard not what Satan shall buzze at the eare of thy heart concerning trouble and the like but say thou though I am here troubled yet I shall be saved thus let not Satan fore stall thy heart with these temptations The next Point is taken from the nature of the duty Come after me Doct. The Lord Iesus goes before and is the Captaine of his Church Ioh. 10.4 Ioh. 10.4 Psal 79.13 He goes before his sheep and they follow him Psal 7â— 13 We thy people and the sheep of thy pasture will praise thee Exod. 13.21 Exod. 13.21 The Lord was a pillar of Cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to leade them â—hat was a type of the Lord Iesus who ever goes before his servants Ios 5.13 14. Ios 5.13 14. as a Captaine of the Lords Host am I come it was the Lord Iesus Christ Christ is a Captaine two wayes 1 By his spirit Ioh. 16.13 when the spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all truth 2 By his Word the silver trumpet which speakes openly and secretly and the Spirit and the Word goe together Reason 1 Because he hath most right to it Eph. 1.22 he hath put all things under his feete Heb. 2.10 for it became him to make the Captaine of their salvation perfect 2 He is fit for it hee knowes where all the enemies are he knowes the Devill and the heart he is most wise and most powerfull he is an ancient Captaine and knowes how to deliver his he can goe beyond any he hath an Iron Scepter to crush his enemâ—es Psal 2. Vse 1 Is Christ the leader of his Church Then seeke â—o him upon all occasions never goe into the field without a leader let him goe with us Psal 85.8 Psa 85.8 I will heare what the Lord will say The Campe goes to the Generall for direction Goe to Christ you doubting hearts you say trouble is comming but see what Christ saith and follow him learne the watch-word Heb. 12.2 Heb. 12.2 Looking to Iesus the Author and finisher of our faith when troubles come look up to Christ and say our eyes are towards thee Oh looke up to Christ to bee guided Psal 119.125 Psal 119.125 I am thy servant O
Disciples but if you will have Christ to be your King you must not doe what you list but submit to him Rom. 8.7 For the wisdome of the flesh is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be therefore avoid it submit not to the authority of it Reason 2 As we cannot exercise our selves in the service of these and Christ too so secondly another Argument is this Because the duty we owe to Christ is the maine and chiefe duty We must bestow the chiefest service on him therefore unlesse we renounce all for Christ we cannot be his servants for he must have the chiefest service Iohn 21.15 Peter stood it out and yet after denyes Christ Marke how our Saviour tryes him lovest thou me more then these Feed my lambes as who should say if thou lovest not me more then these then thou canst not serve me Then the point is cleare if without Selfe-deniall the authority of Christ cannot be acknowledged if our hearts cannot be bestowed on Christ unlesse we trample on our selves then it is cleare we must deny our selves before we be Christs Disciples The deluge of miseries hath overspread other countreys and it is neere us therefore it is fit to deny our selves to prepare for a Crosse Vse 1 It shewes us that it is not an easie thing to enter into Christs service or to persevere in the same it is not an holy-day taske or an easie matter but very hard and difficult this strait gate makes a man strive and pincheth him sore hee must strip himselfe naked to creepe in at this strait gare You count it a matter of nothing to be a christian I grant it is an easie matter to be such as you be to patter over a few prayers which a childe of five or sixe yeeres old may doe many a drunkard and civilian would goe to heaven if this would serve turne but alas it is a harder thing then you are aware of you must deny life and all and not only some profits or pleasures in life yea and have it not onely in a readinesse to be bound but to die for the Lord Iesus or to suffer any thing for him Oh it is not an easie thing to deny a mans selfe do they deny themselves that wilâ— not deny a looke a feather or a vaine fashion but can you deny life liberty lands livings is it easie to goe to prison you that have your secret lusts is it easie to leave them oh know it is not easie to be a christian you drunkards and adulterers bid adieu to your lusts your gods must downe and it is not an easie thing to lay them downe Vse 2 It is a word of instruction also to shew us the reason why many that seem to follow Christ persevere not in a good course but turne all into a smoake such as have tooke presse-money of Christ and turne to the enemy the cause is they went not the ready way they did not Deny-selfe therefore in conclusion they deny our Saviour they that take up the profession of religion and forsake it when opportunity is offered the reason of it is they did not forsake themselves therefore they forsake our Saviour the way of Selfe-deniall Christ walked in Iohn 8.50 Iohn 8.50 he sought not himselfe and his owne glory nay he emptied himselfe when he led captivity captive he laid downe all had not he denied himselfe woe had beene to our soules but he laid downe his life and if you purpose to be his Disciples you must lay downe life and selfe too this is the reason why those who in former times thought their money as good silver as anothers yet they have turned away in the day of battell and are become the deadliest enemies to Christ that are here is the ground Selfe stucke behinde Matth. 7. Strive to enter in as the strait gate for strait is the gate and narrow the way that leadeth to happinesse there is a strait gate before a narrow way and because men goe not through the strait gate they goe not through the narrow way the strait gate is Selfe-denyall you must strip your selves starke naked hence one stumbles and another staggers in the narrow way the way is narrow you mist the strait gate and so fall short of the narrow way Idle travellers when they come in dirty waies will breake a gap and wandring a great way and not finding the way they are forced to come backe and goe the same way they went at the first so men will be Christians so long as they may keepe ease the drunkard would goe to heaven if he might carry an Ale-house on his backe c. but when they come to any difficulty they breake a gap in a Christian course it befals many a professor as it doth an idle buyer he will be cheapning but will not buy because he will not come to the price therefore take notice of it you come to cheapen you would have grace and you would be saved but you will not have it on Christs tearmes you will not deny your selves which must be if ever you be saved by Christ Quest But how may a man know whether hee hath Selfe-denyall or no how farre may a man have Selfe-deniall and deny selfe and all Answ For the answer two things are to be observed First I will shew how farre this is in Gods servants Secondly I will come to the maine tryall to shew who they be that deny selfe First how farre Selfe is in the Saints by way of caution And the cautions are three First the best of Gods servants those of the highest forme and greatest strength they have some selfe in them but they are not selfe Phil. 2.21 Phil. 2.21 all seeke their owne it is a disease that will pester the best Saints more or lesse 1 Sam. 5. 1 Sam. 5. when the Arke was set before that cursed Dagon the head of it was broken downe but the stumpe remained still so that although the Arke the blessed spirit of God hath beene in the heart of the Saints and the neckes of their Dagon corruptions be broken yet the stumps of Dagon remain in â—he best Saints Paul that was a Lievtenant or Colonel in Christs campe yet he had not learned this lesson without booke 2 Cor. 1.9 we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves it came off marvellous hard Christ was faine to fling him off from his horse on the ground that he might not trust in himselfe Experienced Paul must learne this selfe-deniall there is some stumpes of this in every man 2 It is marvellous stirring and it will slip into the best of our services to hinder our souls in duty this selfe taketh greatest hold and is hardly removed In nature though the sences be gone yet there will be a pulse stirring so long as there is any life in a man so in this body of sinne this originall sinne spreads it selfe how ever
Christ is the poize of the heart and his grace the wheele therefore he performes duties like Christ Vse 1 Let us learne a point of wisdome how to carry our selves Remember who is your Leader See the Lord Iesus going before you and then goe on comfortably You know what Gideon said Iudg. 7.13 Iudg. 7.13 Looke upon mee and doe likewise So Christ saith how ever he be in the heavens yet he speaks out of his word Look on me and doe likewise I was meeke let the same minde be in you You know what the Psalmist saith Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord alwayes before me the word is in the originall I have equalled him with my eye So see Christ equall him and step no farther then he goes before thee Object Ob. But this is marvellous hard what to be fetterd to nothing but the thoughts of Christ how irkesome is this Sol. Sol. It is no matter of bondage it is liberty Iohn 5.19 Iohn 5.19 The Sonne can doe nothing but what hee seeth the Father doe was this the mind of our Saviour let the same minde be in you Let every one say I can doe nothing but that which Christ doth before mee and in all our actions let this be the question would Christ doe so then will I. Quest But how shall I learne the will of God Answ In approving that which shall be acceptable to God Eph. 5.10 See the pillar of fire that is the word of God goe before you Would you know whether you may buy or sell or bowle on the Sabbath day Aske would the Lord Iesus bowle or buy or sell on the Sabbâ—th day Would hee drop into Ale houses And if thou knowest these things and wilt not reforme them thou walkest not in the wayes of Christ Object But we are weake and feeble Sol. Then plucke up those feeble hands bee not sluggish but presse on as farre as thou canst and looke up to Christ The child that knowes not the way to the market when he is weary he cries father father leade mee and then his father takes him and carryes him in his armes Oh you little ones you younglings in Christ goe as fast as you can follow your father what Christ did performe doe you do not goe away and say I cannot pray hast thou the Spirit of Christ and canst thou doe nothing with it endeavour what you you can and when you cannot seeke to heaven and cry my father helpe me call on your Father and he wil carry you on Eagles wings and though you have not then ability you will have it afterwards He that is free in duty will be the better able to do it Enquire which way Christ went and goe that way to thy everlasting comfort Vse 2 It is a word of Examination Here we may see whether we follow Christ or no. Therefore examine your selves whether it be so with you or no whether we follow the steps of Christ here wee may see whether we be Christians or no if a man should call you an Infidel you would be very angry but now try yourselfe See if you follow Christ if not you are no Christians Iudg. 13.6 Iudg. 13.6 try as they did when they came for spies they were thus tryed by the word Shibboleth they pronounced it Sibboleth and so were found out and there fell forty two thousand of them So every mans tongue discovers him Trie thy selfe by sincere obedience canst thou speake the language of Vniversall Obedience if not you are not true Christians This word Shibboleth will discover you can you walke as Christ did then you are a Christian but if you say Sibboleth and have a lisping profession then you are no Christians Set your hearts at ease you were never true followers oâ— Christ And here are three sorts to bee excluded 1. See what will become of those that set thâ—mselves in desperate opposition against GOD such as are enemies to the Lord Iesus Revel 12.7 Rev. 12.7 And there was warre in heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon and his Angels fought c. Michael is Christ and his servants they suffer The Dragon is the Devill and his instruments they persecute Now on his side you be whose Souldiers you be Paul did many things contrary to the Lord Iesus Act. 26.9 Acts 26.9 hee opposed his servants and if thou doe so thou art one of the Dragons servants thou art not a follower but a persecutor of the Lord Iesus a fighter against Christ he went not that way Dost thou oppose the power of the word when as it is preached then thou hatest and persecutest Christ and art no follower of him The word saith It was of Christs heart to doe his fathers will that is the good and ancient way canst thou walke in this but if thou saist thou wilt not walke in it it is cleare thou art no follower of Christ Psal 78.9 2. Apostates and Back-sliders Psal 78.9 The Children of Ephraim being harnessed and carrying bowes turned them back in the day of battle so men forsake Christ being armed with bowes that is with GODS Ordinances They follow Christ so farre as they may keepe company with ease liberty and their old lusts they will follow Christ to the Crosse and if he will come downe from the Crosse they will follow him like Demaâ— they will follow Christ so long as their pleasure lasts Matth. 8.19 Matth. 8.19 one came to Christ and said I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest wilt thou saith Christ then thou must fare as thou findest the birds have nests and the Foxes holes but the Sonne of man hath not where to lay his head and when he heard this he went his way we heare no more of him So many now a dayes seeme to be great Professours but when times are dangerous then farewell all profession Men indent with the Gospell and if the word pitch them higher then they say as they Iohn 6.60 Ioh. 6.60 this is a hard saying who can abide it What so strict To be pinioned to so nice courses What never take up a gay fashion but alwayes creepe into a corner to deny a mans selfe with a company of leather coate Christians and to walke by such a strict rule oh this is a hard saying But they can follow their fashions and courses of the world and yet would be Christians and followers of Christ Christians away with them shew me but one footstep of Christ in their courses sure he never went that way Shew me that ever Christ swore faith and troth shew mee where Christ said you must not be pure and singular but must shunne the Puritan Cut. It was meate and drink to him to doe his fathers will and thou art weary of it Now thou art an Apostate and not a follower of Christ 3. Such as doe openly professe but secretly work against the Gospell that howsoever they are not backsliders
yet they are workers of Conspiracies in secret With Iudas kisse Christ and kill Christ sit at Table with him and betray him these are cunning hypocrites that professe and betray Christ for they have their lusts and secret haunts Iob 22.17 18. Iob 22.17 18. they say to the Almighty depart from us the counsell of the wicked is farre from me The counsell of the wicked is a secret purpose to depart from the command that crosseth their corruptions The covetous man will have his wealth there is a consultation in the affections he will rather resolve to be unjust and sinfull then to part from his wealth if one should shew obedience to the King and another should prove to his face that he hath plotted treason it would be a trouble to him so will you be called followers of Christ what if it be proved you are a conspiratour against Christ Call conscience It will tell you your hearts have often said shall I forsake the comforts of the world love and honour No I will not Say you otherwise but wee will determine it so arraigne that man let him be hanged drawne and quartered for a Traytour and not a true follower of Christ Vse 3 Here wee see Christian profession must bee accompanied with paine and labour it is hard to follow Christ Follow me it is not stand and looke on me Men are Neuters now a dayes which stand and see which side is best and there they will be No no you must march couragiously Profession is marching not seeing and saying what newes but you must goe out with God against the mighty Matth. 2.5 Matt. 2.5 they said Christ should be borne in Bethleem but followed not the Sâ—ar so many sleepy professours say the times are dangerous but follow not the Starre Vse 4 It is a word of Exhortation Who would not be a Christian who would not be a Retainer to Christ A household servant to Christ goe on couragiously The world hath three motives to draw things Honour Profit Pleasure Now all these are here 1. It is Honourable a man shall doe as his master doth A servant would not be a Scullian but if his Master should say you shall doe as I doe he cannot have more honour So you shall doe but as Christ doth to beare his colours the world thinkes these silly simplicians poore peasants it is not a Gentlemans spirit I tell you they are the greatest puissants in the world Psal 45.16 Psal 45.16 whom thou mayest make Princes overall the earth Every one in Christs Campe is a Prince therefore who would not be Christs follower for such honour 2. It is pleasant and comfortable You shall fare as Christ fares all rost-meate Iohn 14. God will come and sup with them that follow him There are no wants but Rivers of pleasures and delights the same dainties that Christ hath the peace of God that passeth all understanding the joy of the Holy Ghost the love of God all these are in us but it is not so with the wicked the Devill holds his drudges to hard meate the Adulterer hath his pleasure and his conscience flies in his face The wicked are the devils hackneyes he hackneyes a drunkard to the Ale-house and a proud heart to hell and then at his death-bed deales as men with their hackney horses ride them all day and then at night turne them out with galled backs So he hackneyes the wicked all their life and at their death he turnes them to hell with galled consciences But as for the godly it is not so with them but peace upon all that walke after this rule Gal. 6.16 you that are led by GOD shall have peace with him you that warre for Christ shall have the spirit and comfort of Christ 3. The profit that comes by this is better and greater then all other The wages will make amends for all Matth. 19.27 what shall we have who have forsaken all I promise you a great All a company of rotten boates and torne nets Yet mark what Christ answers he will not dye in their debt You shall sit with me in my kingdome and judge the twelve tribes of Israel Rejoyce all yee that walke with God ye shall have an everlasting kingdome and shall condemne the wicked condemne those prophane drunkards and cursed swearers whom you have before reproved and who have despised you Oh what a happy condition is this you shall bee persecuted that is sharpe sawce to your meate but what of that a rich crowne of glory and immortality is layd up for you in the richest place in the highest heavens 2 Tim. 4.7 2 Tim. 4.7 Paul had fought a good fight but a crowne of glory was layd up for Paul and not only for him but for all the souldiers of Christ that looke for his appearance The Lord sends me to presse a Deborah Iudg. 5. her heart was with those that were willing bee encouraged therefore brethren to come you see your Captaine you see your condition oh say then we will be souldiers then resolve with Ioshua I and my houshold will serve the Lord. Away with that almost being a Christian As Agrippa said when Paul preached to him thou hast saith he perswaded me almost to bee a Christian Oh saith Paul I would thou wert not almost but altogether as I am except these bonds So many would bee almost Christians but Brethren doe you resolve upon the matter seriously and be Christians altogether If one be in a good family happily he will wish his friend there also so you that see what it is to follow Christ oh wish others to it Have you any friends that are deare Oh you tender Mothers would you have those little ones saved oh bring them up hither traine them up to be souldiers of Christ it is admirable being here Oh husbands and wives you have a care to leave Legacies to your children Would you have them rich and honourable Then bring them up in following Christ that is best of all bid adieu to all sinnes and lusts and come to Christ Now who are those that offer themselves who are true subjects Who subscribes to this invitation you see the honour the profit the wages therefore bee followers of your Saviour that you may bee everlastingly blessed by our Saviour Quest. But how may we doe it Answ The Meanes are two 1. Deny selfe 2. Take up Crosse Open 1. What is meant by selfe 2. What to deny selfe Quest 1. What is selfe Answ When a man placeth a kinde of supremacy or excellency in himselfe or any thing hee doth or hath besides Christ wherein soever we place sufficiency or excellency besides in Christ that is selfe This is that which troubles all people world and selfe doe every thing and nothing well There are foure selves 1. A mans life for that is the best thing in nature This is Naturall Selfe A man naturally makes life the chiefest good skin for skin and all will a man
have said Is it good now to be a God vengeance came presently from heaven Oh you that be sinfull and will still sell and talke vainly on the Sabbath day and sit prating at your doores still On God will come and push downe all these idolls of yours yea when you shall howle to him for helpe he will send you to them for helpe all you profane drunkards and cursed swearers the great God of heaven will come downe and pluck away all your Gods here and the Lord will bid you goe to your idolls for help and then they will leave you in the lurch and unlesse you leave them God will send you and them to hell Exod. 12.12 Pharaoh was a stout-hearted man and cared not for Iehovah but God saith I will smite him and execute my fierce wrath upon all the first-borne in Egypt Moses told him Iehovah commanded it but saith he he What care I for Iehovah I know him not but marke what followed God plagued him afterward for it If there be any Pharaoh in this Congregation let him know the Lord will make him stoope and he will pluck away all your idolls from you Doe you thinke he will be justled out of his throne No no and that you shall know one day If a man will be my Disciple let him deny himselfe Doct. Selfe-deniall is a speciall meanes to make us Disciples of Christ This is the way we must walk in we must have no other Lord then Christ and then come after Christ or else no following of him but Denying all makes a sound Disciple This truth is made knowne in three particulars Our safety sufficiency and the like must all be laid downe before we can be Christs Disciples Our selfe life and all must be laid downe at Christs feet 1. We must lay downe selfe Act. 15.26 Act. 15.26 It is a commendation to them that they hazarded their life for Christ to doe what he would with them Act. 21.14 Act. 21.14 He had in a readinesse not onely to be bound but to die for the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ as who should say What thou wilt Lord life or wealth or what thou wilt it is here Lord take it I will lay it downe at Christs feet Philip. 2.30 Epaphroditus was commended for that he was nigh unto death not regarding life but gave up himselfe so must we give up our selves not regarding life or any conceited excellencie of wit learning understanding c. all must lie in the dust a man must be a foole that he may be wise 2 Cor. 10.5 2 Cor. 10.5 Casting downe imaginations and every thing that exalteth it selfe and bringing into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ You say I wil never beare this Oh you must down with these they are treasonable thoughts must be captivated so also our wills they must down God will not have you women to take up these vaine fashions you must deny them all Act. 9.6 saith Paul Lord what wilt thou have me to do I wil do any thing I will lay downe any thing you must not have your wills but lay downe all at Christs feet and thou that wilt not lay downe every lust for Christ shalt never have him Christ prayed that if it were possible that cup might passe from him but he would have his Fathers will be done So we must doe what God will have us to doe yea all the violent affections of the world must downe Matth. 18.9 Matth 18.9 If thy eye cause thee to offend pluck it out out with all these right eyes Oh you love them dearly but out with them and resigne up reason will and affections as a man that sailes by a castle or the like he must pull downe the top saile in token of submission so we must pull downe our maâ—â—s or else the cannons of the vengeance of the Almighty will let flie against us 2. As all must be laid downe at Christs feet so we must not do at on any thing here below admire not the world neither expect any sufficiency from any thing selfe life parts c. Ier. 1â— The way of man is not in himselfe Therefore see the vilenesse of these things and mâ—st not to them for they will surely faile Ionah 1. Ionah 1. Ionah would make a shorter out to goe to Nineâ—â—th and goe to Tarshish but God sent a whirlewind and cast him into the sea and then he had enough of following himselfe Ionah 2.8 Ionah 2. And therefore he concludes They that follow lying vanities forsake their owne mercy this you shall finde in following lying vanities you shall forsake your owne mercy before Ionah thought it was best to goe to Tarshish but after he saw it otherwise Therefore let us 〈◊〉 out owne sufficiencie in our selves as nothing nor expect any thing from it Therefore because it is not in us to helpe our selves let us lay all at the feet of Christ and expect nothing from Selfe sufficiencie but all from Christ 3. When we have renounced the authority of all these and their sufficiencie Then thirdly Never love them more let not thy affections be hankering after them a servant if he be once out of a bad service he never returnes thither againe Matth. 4 20. They left their Nets and followed Christ Matth. 8. When the Disciple would goe bury his father Christ would not let him returne againe Let the dead bury the dead saith our Saviour so let not us have our hearts hankering after them when we have rid our fingers of them as Lots wife did after Sodome therefore looke not backe bestow not thy heart upon them and if thou canst thus follow him thou art a Disciple of our Saviour but if you know any thing that hath authority or sufficiencie or is to be loved besides Christ in a fit opportunity you will forsake Christ and stick to it therefore I beseech you looke to it Reason 1 Because that Christs and Selfes service cannot stand together to have Self in any thing is to put out Christ no man can serve two Masters the one will command one thing and the other will command another a man cannot serve the King of England and the King of Spaine for the King of Spaine commands to goe to Masse the King of England commands to serve the true God according to the Gospell a man cannot fight for the King of Denmark and the Emperour too so Christ commands to kill your lusts and you will keepe them these two commands cannot stand together there cannot be two Sunnes in one firmament nor two Gods in one heart therefore sin must be first downe before Christ can be up in the heart If a man be a hired servant he must not be at his own dispose but at the disposall of his master so if you be Christs servants you must serve him but if you will live as ye list and be free from his power you cannot be his
2 Sam. 19.6 chapter Now I see who carried Davids heart if you might have had your fine Absalom it would have pleased you well though all we had dyed so in the time of opposition dost thou sit like Rachel and wilt not be comforted because Profit is not and though Christ and grace and dutie be neglected thou weighest it not I say as Ioab this day I see it and know it If grace had never beene communicated if thou hadst thy Absalom of honour it would have pleased thee know for certaine that that which this contents thee is a God to thee God was never God to thee yet 4 The fourth note is most pregnant See if thou be content to give up all to Christ give money parts profits and praise and let Christ doe what he will with them art thou content to resigne up all into his hands if Christ may be honoured with any thing of them art thou coÌ„tent to loose it then hast thou denyed Selfe if the heart resolves to let Christ alone with them I have nothing to doe with any then let Christ take life and parts and whatsoever it be to procure his honour and praise nay a selfe-denying heart is content Christ should take away his corruptions and counts it a great blessing too The soule hath nothing to doe with Prosperity and Liberty therefore submits and obeyes Christ Acts 2.45 Acts 2.45 All those saith the Text that were to professe Christ sold all and none had any thing of his owne so let that be the frame of thy heart sell all and say I have no honour liberty or ease but I give all to Christ and let him do what hee will with them In time of persecution say liberty is not mine let Christ dispose of all this is a heart worth gold But when thou hast some reservations I will professe Christ but hee shall yeeld to me in this to give me life this I will not part with in any case this heart never denied Self Therefore let us doe as Mephiâ—â—sheth Let him take all sith my Lord the King is returned in peace 2 Sam. 19.30 2 Sam. 19.30 so is it here if carnall reasoning be parting stakes with Christ no saith the soule let him take all sith God is mine in Christ Lay now your hearts to this touchstone dost thou finde these then thou art grounded on a good foundation thou mayest be shaken but shalt not be overthrowne but if in examination and tryall thou canst not finde all these in thee thou art a coloured hypocrite varnished over for a while but it will not hold and in the end thou and thy profession will vanish like smoake Christ will purge thee of this Selfe or else he will never doe good to thee Vse 3 It is thirdly a word of exhortation Is this the course of a christian to follow Christ oh then be entreated in the name of Christ to Deny-Selfe begin at the right way enter in at the strait gate and you shall persevere in the narrow way Iohn 15.19 Iohn 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world Hee that will be a servant must doe two things first he must renounce all other Masters secondly he must renounce his owne liberty so we must renounce the masterdome of sinne and the world and be content to be commanded by Christ and then follow him you cannot serve God and Mammon Renounce all and serve Christ Quest But how shall we shake off Selfe here wee are at a plunge we should doe it but how may wee not onely to plucke off our coats but our shirts too Answ The meanes are three Meanes 1 First observe the basenesse of this condition which may make us to renounce it which basenesse and vilenesse appeares partly in the nature of it partly in the evill it brings First the nature of it It is the basest slavery when a man will attend his owne corruptions Israels bondage 〈◊〉 Egypt and Babylon were but shadowes of this a poore Negro that tugs under the Turks is a freeman to this And the misery appears in three degrees First sinne is the supreame ruler in every carnall heart hence it is said to give lawes Rom. 6.12.19.20 Rom. 6.12.19.20 Servants to sinne and free from righteousnesse as who should say righteousnesse hath nothing to do with thee Temperance hath nothing to doe with the drunkard the adulterer hath given himselfe to uncleannesse Secondly Sathan by sinne domineeres over the soule it is under his command Ephes 2.2 Ephes 2.2 they walke after the Prince of the power of the ayre as lusts and Sathan would have them so they lived 1 Cor. 12.2 carried away unto dumb â—dols as they were led Sathan is a slave to sinne and thou art a slave to him It is a base thing to be a scullion but to be a slave to a scullion no man can beare Thirdly he is a servant to a corrupt minde wee are slaves to our owne soules which are servants to Sathan who is a slave to sinne This euery selfe-seeker doth he serves his corrupt minde servant to Sathan who is slave to sinne a slave to the servant of a servant Heare this oh ye contemners drunkards usurers c. come and see your slavery you boast of your brave spirits that you can break the bonds of the word but holy men you thinke are drudges what alwaies heare and pray to be thus fettered all ones life time this is a slavery No no you are the slaves the drunkard must aske the divell leave to be sober a drunken divell leads him by the nose to a smoaky Alehouse thou that art proud be meek if thou canst no no thou must aske a proud heart leave to be humble there is no difference betweene Sathan and thee onely that he is cooped up in hell and thou art cooped up under sinne You freemen I tell you you are the basest vassals under heaven let therefore the drudgery drive you out of the house and thinke with your selves shall I be led by my base corruptions like a foole to the stocks will you be slaves to sinne and Sathan flye the country rather now the service of the Lord is perfect liberty Iam. 1.25 Iohn 8.32 Iam. 1.25 Iohn 8.32 the truth shall make you free Now is it not better that the spirit of God which is freedome should rule you then sinne and slavery should guide you for shame labour to come out of this slavery Secondly the evill that comes by this selfe-seeking all the ordinances of God as the Word Prayer Sacraments you and they are accursed so farre as you seeke your selfe by them they that preach for themselves God curseth them and their preaching too he that heares for Selfe his hearing is accursed for Selfe is the Master and commands thee as a ship that is never so well furnished with tacklings if it runne upon a rock it splits so though thou be never so frequent in all sorts of holy
the spirit whereby a man that is already justified doth by vertue of grace received bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life It is a worke of the spirit Ezek. 36.27 Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes Of him that is already justified that is acquitted of his sins and made righteous in the sight of God Rom. 5 1. Rom. 5.1 6 1. c. 6.1 c. After the doctrine of justification followes the doctrine of new obedience to let us understand in what order they are in the Christian estate Doth by vertue of grace received from Christ Iohn 15.4 Ioh. 15.4 As the branch cannot beare fruit of it selfe except it abide in the Vine no more can yee except ye abide in me Phil. 4.13 Phil. 4.13 I can doe all things through Christ who strengthens mee bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life Such workes as doe beseeme a man altered and changed that professeth another course of life these are those duties that concerne God or man comprised in the Scriptures Philip. 1.11 they are termed the fruits of righteousnesse So that he that would approve himselfe to his own soule to be a practiser of new obedience must consider whether he adorne his profession with the performance of such religious duties as the Lord commands Question 2 What is the least measure of it Answ It is an unfeined and constant endeavour to do the will of God I say an endeavour to difference it from the legall obedience which is the strict performance of such duties which God commands according to the rigour of his law In this the endeavour through Gods mercy is accepted for the deed done I say an unfeined endeavour to difference it from the glorious shew which hypocrites may and doe make Lastly I say it is constant with respect to the endeavours of the temporary which are soone out of breath and die before they come to perfection Now that this unfeined and constant endeavour is accepted as the deed done it appeareth first in the example of Abraham of whom the Scripture saith Heb. 11. that he offered up his sonne Isaac yet it is plaine that he did not sacrifice his sonne the Lord by an Angell from heaven forbidding him whereby we gather that in Gods acceptance he was offered up for that there was a faithfull endeavour on Abrahams part Secondly The godly and upright men are said Psal 119. To doe no iniquity Now we know this that there is none that sinneth not Onely for that the just man endeavoureth and doth his best to doe no iniquity he is accepted of God as if he did none So of David it is reported that he sinned only in the matter of â—â—iah when as notwithstanding he sâ—ned many wayes else in his raging anger at Nabal in câ—okering his children and likewise in his unjust dealing with Mephibâ—sheâ—h but yet for that in all these Davids heart was faithfull in endeavouring to doe Gods will they are not taken notice of being â—s â—yed in Gods acceptance who measureth obedience not by the effect but by the affection of the doer Thirdly The Lord is said to deale with his as a father with his children the matter of obedience Mal. 3.17 I will spaâ—â— them as a father spareth his owne sonne that serveth him Now if a man sets his sonne a taske enjoyning him to write a Coppy if hee sees that hee doth but his best eâ—deavour he accept it commends and encourageth his child even so doth the Lord deale with us when he perceives a faithfull labouring on our partâ— to doe what hee commands hee accepts iâ— this case the will 〈…〉 and accordingly rewards it Question 3 What be the marks of new obedience Answ Marks They are generall or speciall Generall That in new obedience it is onely the conscience of Gods commandements that sets heart and hand on worke not any other externall motives obedience not springing from the word is as one cals it wilde Oates Psal 18.22 Psal 18.22 the ground of Davids obedience was this all his lawes were before me and I did not cast his Commandements from me Psal 37.30 Psal 37.30 The mouth of the righteous will speake wisedome for the law of God is in his heart Iob 22.23 as the ground of turning to God saith Eliphaz receive I pray thee the law at his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart Many performe good duties that are moved thereunto by feare of punishment displeasure of man feare of discredit with a desire of praise that they may be seene of men as loath to sustaine damage in their outward estates all these doe not render to God that new obedience that the Lord requireth the Lord delights not in such sacrifices the performers can have no assurance that herein they please God Second marke That it carries a respective eye to all Gods Commandements it doth not call out any and leave the rest but all the knowne will of God so far as the judgement is convinced the heart endeavoureth to practise Psal 119. Psalme 119. I shall not be confounded when I have respect to all thy Commandements Zacharie and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandements of God Heb. 13.18 Heb. 13.18 wee trust wee have a good conscience in all things desiring to live honestly And great reason is there for this equall eye to be had to all Gods Commandements since they all lay a bond upon the conscience and the majesty of the Commander shines as well in the one as in another Now that a man may the better examine his obedience I will propound a five-fold difference of Gods Commandements by which the heart of man is apt to deceive it selfe Commandements are first either such as concerne the outward man as keeping the Sabbath just and righteous dealing amongst men or inward as confidence in God cleansing of the heart from evill thoughts Now new obedience must equally respect both 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your bodies and in your soules Secondly they are either the greater Commandements or such as are of lesse importance as the speaking of a vaine word idle mirth Christian obedience must have an eye as well to the one as to the other Matth. 23.23 these ought ye to have done and not to have left the other undone Thirdly Commandements are differenced according to the two Tables some concerning duties to God oâ—hers respecting duties to men Accordingly who ever would have comfort in his obedience must obey God in both not strict in the one loose in the other Isa 58.7.8 Isa 58.7.8 14 and 14. duties of the first and second Table are both enjoyned not onely to keepe Gods Sabbath humble thy selfe with fasting but also the practise of mercy and justice among men Fourthly the Commandements of God are either such as concerne our generall calling as we are Christians whereby we call upon God heare his
in his owne hand this is to be a God and this is in the heart of every naturall man Life Lusts Parts are the three Gods in the world and in mens hearts Drunkennesse svvayes the Drunkard svvearing is the chiefe commander over the black-mouth'd sweaâ—er the mony of the rich man is his commander The vvord of God saith Thou shalt not have this and that but the heart saith I must have it so and vvill have it so and it must be so thus rich men will doe vvhat they list because they are richer then others thus Riches is their God and they make it the first cause and their commander Reason 2 As men doe expect all from themselves so they ayme at themselves in what ever they doe they make their owne persons the end of their actions they doe homage to selfe and sinne and looke not to the obeying of God so every thing is wrought for a mans selfe Gen. 11.4 Gen. 11.4 they would build them a Tovver to get them a name They vvould build it as Authors of it themselves and then the end to get themselves a name So selfe was in all that they did and aymed at So Dan. 4.30 Dan. 4.30 Nebuchadnezzar did build Babell for the honour of his name Thus he made himselfe a God in building of it and a God in the end and aime of it hee workes all of himselfe and for himselfe Thus men make themselves gods as all Rivers come from the Sea and flow thâ—ther againe so we thinke all is done for us and by our selves It is my parts my gifts and my credit all is mine and all selfe Many Selfe-lovers that in the time of Queene Mary made a denyall of God and sinned against Conscience and against Nature and all for selfes sake 〈◊〉 because their God Life and Safety commands it So againe afterwards in Queene Elizabeths time then they would turne againe and say all is well thus a naturall man is nothing but selfe so it is in every particular Reason 3 Because men naturally being blinde doe conceive their owne credit and exellencie to be the chiefest good and this is the maine cause why we make our selves our Gods Adam fell for this he would faine be a God man being next to God and is the chiefest good of all other creatures and sees all other creatures are inferiour to him and therefore the soule of man being the chiefest good next God and so missing of the right God he makes that which he conceived to be the best his God that is selfe this is the reason God-selfe is best next to the God of heaven so a man sets up Selfe above all and it will be a God When there was no King in Israel every man did what was good in his owne eyes when there was no King to rule them then every man was his owne King so every man is his owne God Ephes 2.12 Eph. 2 12. the text saith They walked without God in the world as the Prophet said As thy cities are so are thy gods O Iudah Ier. 2.28 Ier. 2.28 So as thy sinnes are so are thy Gods O thou wretch God-Covetousnesse God-Selfe God-Pride is in every thing the creature missing of Gods sufficiencie will make his owne selfe sufficient and missing the commanding God he will command himselfe Vse 1 It is a word of Instruction Here we see why wicked mens hearts are so opposite to the word of God and are so troubled at it It is because the God of heaven by the word would pluck away these Dunghill-Gods hence comes an uproare in the towne and family here is the reason he would take away their Gods Iudg. 18.24 Iudg. 18.24 Ier. 2.11 Ier. 2.11 Hath any nation changed their Gods c. They will not change their Gods but maintaine them still and can you blame them that they maintaine their Gods So now when the God of heaven comes by his word and plucks at God-Covetousnesse and God-Pride and God-Lusts Oh Labans Gods are going he must needs pursue them So Demetrius his God-Covetousnesse was going as well as Diana therefore he stood stoutly for it Great was his covetousnesse the Text saith Great was the profit that came to him by Diana the profit was that that stuck in his stomack and therefore he stood for Diana Act. 19. And this is the reason why drunkards raile at the Ministers Oh the cup is plucking from their nose they would have thâ—ir God Bacchus still and therefore they are up in armes to maintaine it If an English man should goe to the French King and pluck off the Crowne from his head doe you thinke there would not be an uproare So when the King and God-Selfe is uncrowned Oh what an uproare is there to maintaine the Godhead of Corruption Hence the power of the word is very troublesome to them Oh they cry out they are undone Iudg. 18.24 Iudg. 18.24 Micah thought God could not but blesse him when he had a Levite in his house but when the Danites carry away his Priest and his Gods too he followes them and cryes out very much and they aske him why he did so saith he You have taken away my Gods and aske you me what I aile They were his Gods and he was the God-maker so it is in the world when the God-Sin and the God-Selfe is packing away from them then they play Micah cry after their Gods and they must by force be carried away or else they will not be suffered It grieves the drunkard to part with his God this is the reason why they cry out so Oh these base courses are their Gods and you take them away that is the reason of all their stirre Vse 2 It teacheth Selfe-Seekers what to expect from the hand of the Lord viz. The fiercenesse of his displeasure the heavie hand of his wrath and indignation for he is a jealous God of his honour and what greater wrong can you doe then admire Selfe and contemne God to preferre the gift before the giver to preferre life before God and to let sinne justle God out of his throne if we could and so set up a company of idolls nay what greater dishonour can you doe to God then to advance lust and Deifie sinne and let God be neglected How dares a poore creature doe this Is it not enough to have these but to thrust God out by them How shall God beare and endure this at your hands Dan. 4 31. Dan. 4 31. While Nebuchadnezzar was vaunting himselfe God sent him pâ—eking to graze among the beasts What strike at the Almighty What none else Oh the wrath of God will be upon thee while thou art so doing and he will make thee see God is God and he onely is to be worshipped Act. 12.23 Act. 12.23 While Herod was admiring himselfe the Lord sent vermine to devoure his carcasse and he immediatly died like a beast as he was As if the Angel should