appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad V. 11. Knowing the terrours of the Lord we perswade men 2 Pet. 3.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall passe away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up V. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godlinesse V. 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Mat. 19.28 And Jesus said unto them verily I say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 16.27 For the Son of man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall reward every man according to his works Heb. 9.28 So Christ wâ—s once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Mat. 25.31 When the son of man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory V. 32. And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats V. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left V. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world V. 35. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in V. 36. Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in Prison and ye came unto me V. 41. Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 6. What was the End and Intent of Christs Coming into the world The chief End and Intent of his Coming into the world was to save Lost and undone sinners to procure their pardon and reconciliation with God by his Merits to Sanctifie their Natures by his Holy Spirit and to bring them to â—verlasting Life And to this end he appointed his Ministers to preach the Gospel unto the world and instituted the two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper to signifie and keep in remembrance the great and inestimable benefits of his Death and Sufferings Luke 19.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners Mat. 1.21 And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace Jer. 33.6 In his daies Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation V. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of our Faith even the salvation of our souls Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit Heb. 7.23 And they truly were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death V. 24. But this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood V. 27. Who needeth not daily as those high Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeem'd us from the curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Col. 1.14 In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins V. 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled V. 22. In the body of his flesh through death to present you unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross V. 15. And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it Heb. 10.11 And every Priest standeth daily ministring and offering often times the same sacrifices which can never take away sins V. 12. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God V. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified V. 18. Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin V. 19. Having therefore Brethren boldnesse to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus V. 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh V. 21. And having an high Priest over the house of God V. 22. Let us draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our bodies washed with pure water To sanctifie their Natures 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give thankes alwaies to God for you brethren beloved
of Learning even in time of health that great art and skill how to die well Next what the Scripture declares concerning the day of judgment and the everlasting state both of the righteous and the wicked And methinks the serious consideration of these weighty matters should hugely affect us O did people oftener think and consider of those things they would live at another rate than usually they do All the businesses of this life would seem small and little even like childrens play in comparison of securing the soul to all eternity Thus My Loving Neighbours and Friends I have given you a short draught and scheme as it were of my whole Book What entertainment it will find with you I know not I can in some measure of sincerity say that an hearty desire of your eternal happiness first set me upon this work And now throw the assistance of God it is finished my prayers shall not be wanting that it may do you good yea much good If any of you will not afford leisure to read it nor time to consider of the things therein contained but after you have had it a little while shall throw it aside then I desire you seriously to think before hand what account you will be able to give to God of this your wilful neglect when you shall stand at his dreadful Tribunal For my part I have no other design upon any of you but that you may attain eternal life My great desire is that true Plety and Godlinesse that that Religion that saves souls may flourish among you My desire and endeavour is that where the saving work of Grace is begun upon any of your hearts it may be carried on daily and that you may encrease and abound more and more in the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse to the praise and glory of God And where this blessed work of conversion is not yet begun my hearts desire and prayer to God is that it may be wrought if it be his holy will You see the plot and design I have upon you is of so innocent a nature that you have no reason in the world to go about to defeat me in it 'T is my duty to shew sinners the evil and danger of ignorance and ungodlinesse 'T is my duty to perswade intreat and be earnest with them to leave the tents of sin and Satan and to come in to Christ that by him they may have pardon and life And O that I could even compel them to come in Luke 14.23 Were it in my power not a soul among you should refuse or stand out But if notwithstanding all my prayers intreaties and endeavours many among you will still prefer a life of bruitish sensuality before the life that consists in righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost If Satan that cursed murderer who you know labours to ruine you soul and body for ever must still be preferr'd before that blessed Saviour who suffered and endur'd so much to redeem mankind and offers you salvation on so fair terms If neither the joyes of Heaven nor the torments of Hell can affect you but the pleasures and profits of this world must still ingrosse your minds and hearts remember what I say unto you it will one day cut you to the very soul to consider that you were shewed the way to eternal life and invited perswaded and intreated to walk in it but you would not O Neighbours think with your selves I beseech you that 't is but a short time and your souls must be either among Saints or Devils Does it not concern me therefore to be earnest with you and in all seriousnesse to call upon you to work out your salvation now while you have time For the Lords sake as ever you intend to see Gods face with comfort remember these few following directiōs 1. Take heed of a loose conversation of living to the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof If ye live after the flesh ye shall die Rom. 8.13 Now the works of the flesh are manifest Gal. 5.19 Which are these Adultery fornication uncleannesse lalciviousnesse idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murders drunkennesse and such like Of the which I tell you before as I have told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Never comfort your selves with the hopes of Gods mercy in Christ if ye live in known and wilful sins The holy nature of God will never be reconciled to sinners while they go on in their sins And Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil He came not to save men by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlinesse or to Glory in their sins but to destroy their sins that would keep them out of Glory If he save us his Grace must have dominion in our hearts Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 2. Take heed of worldly-mindednesse I do not go about to perswade you to idlenesse or negligence in your Callings but to take you off from the eager and inordinate love of this world which duls and deads the heart to Heavenly things Beware lest ye be the thorny ground Look to it that the cares of this life do not choak the good seed that is weekly sown among you Some people give up themselves wholly to the world and thrust God out of their hearts and houses Take you heed of that Believe it that man that hath the main bent of his heart set upon pleasing God and whose great end is to be happy with him for ever will be careful only so to converse with this world and only so to mind things temporal as he may not lose things eternall He will first and chiefly seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousnesse He will look upon all outwartd things as accomodations only in his passage but at Heaven as his home and happinesse He will cordially desire and endeavour so to walk in his particular Calling as he may be faithful also in his general and may secure his soul to eternal life 3. Be careful to get a distinct and clear knowledge of the things that concern your salvation Ignorance will not excuse any man when 't is caused by his own negligence The main things that concern salvation you may know if you will give your minds to it God hath not left you in darknesse take heed of shutting your eyes 4. Take heed of neglecting or slighting the publick Ordinances and means of Grace To have no appetite to the Word to apprehend no great need of it and to find no profit by it is a mark of a dead and gracelesse heart 5. Take heed of formality and resting in a meer outward performance of religious services Learn to distinguish between Religion the end and Religion the means Religion the end is To attain a gracious frame of Spirit to enjoy God to fear him love him and have our natures conform'd unto him
is a Lyar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ He is Anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son V. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also Rom. 9.5 Whose are the Fathers And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God Acts 7.59 And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit V. 60. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their Charge 2 Thess 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace V. 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work Concerning God the Holy Ghost Acts 5.3 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost V. 4. Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God John 14.16 I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever V. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send to you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba Father Phil. 1.19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 1 Cor. 2.13 Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual Acts 7.51 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost As your Fathers did so do ye 2 Pet. 1.21 For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rom 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered V. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Acts 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have Called them Titus 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 3.6 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own Rom. 5.5 And hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Mat. 12.31 Wherefore I say unto you all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men V. 32. And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world neither in the world to come Secondly His PROPERTIES or ATTRIBUTES God is Eternal or without any Beginning or End Omnipotent or Almighty Omnipresent or every where present Omniscient or All-knowing Infinitely Wise Holy Just Mercifull Eternall Psal 90.2 Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth or the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Deut. 33.27 The Eternal God is my refuge and underneath are the everlasting armes Omnipotent Gen. 17.1 And when Abram was Ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Isa 40.17 All Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him lesse than nothing and vanity Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Rev. 19.6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth Omnipresent 1 Kings 8.27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Jer. 23.24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Psal 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence V. 8. If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there If I make my bed in Hell behold thou art there V. 11. If I say surely the darknesse shall cover me even the night shall be Light about me V. 12. Yea the darknesse hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee Omniscient 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts understandeth all the Imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 1 King 8.39 Then hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place and forgive and do and give to every man according to his ways whose heart thou knowest for thou even thou knowest the hearts of all the children of men Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 139.2 Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up-rising thou understandest my thoughts afar off V. 3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my waies V. 4. For
there is not a word in my tongue but Lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether Acts 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Infinitely Wise 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the Only wise God be Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God How unsearchable are his judgements and his waies past finding out Rom. 16 27. To God Only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen Infinitely Holy Isa 6.3 And one cried unto another and said holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his Glory Rev. 4.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Isa 57.15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones 1 Pet. 1.16 Because it is written be ye holy for I am holy Just Job 34.10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding far be it from God that he should do wickednesse and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity V. 11. For the work of a man shall he render unto him and cause every man to find according to his waies V. 12. Yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgment Jer. 9.23 Thus saith the Lord let not the wise man glory in his wisdome neither let the mighty man glory in his might let not the rich man glory in his riches V. 24. But let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindnesse Judgement and Righteousnesse in the earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. Deut. 32.4 He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his waies are Judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Gen. 18.25 Shall not the judge of all the earth doe right Merciful Psal 119.68 Thou art good and doest good teach me thy Statutes Psal 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Nehem. 9.17 And refused to obey neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them but hardened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a Captain to return to their bondage but thou art a God ready to pardon gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindnesse and forsookest them not V. 31. Neverthelesse for thy great mercies sake thou didst not utterly consume them nor forsake them for thou art a gracious and a merciful God Psal 103.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy Jer. 3.12 Go and proclaim these words towards the North and say return thou backsliding Israel saith the Lord and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep anger for ever Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children and upon the Childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Psal 145.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodnesse and shall sing of thy righteousnesse 1 John 4.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love V. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Isa 28.21 For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon that he may do his work his strange work and bring to passe his act his strange act 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all Comforts Isa 30.18 And therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy upon you for the Lord is a God of judgement blessed are all they that wait for him Psa 78.38 But he being full of compassion forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not yea many a time turned he his anger away and did not stir up all his wrath Luke 6.36 Be ye therefore merciful for your heavenly Father is merciful Thirdly His WORKS which are principally two 1. Creation 2. Providence I. Creation Concerning which we must know 1. That God made the world and all the Creatures therein both visible and invisible by his Almighty power and Created them all very good 2. The chief of his Creatures are Angels Men. 3. All the Angels were at first made holy and happy Spirits Some continued in their obedience to God and are still Angels of Light Others fell from God through Pride or some other sin and are become Devils of Darknes Concerning the Creation of Man see farther in the next Chapter Creation Col. 1. â—6 For by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things are Created by him and for him V. 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist Nehem. 9.6 Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the Heaven of Heavens with all their Host the earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all and the Host of Heaven worshippeth thee Rom. 1.20 For the invisible things from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Rev. 15.3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of god and the song of the Lamb saying great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy waies thou King of Saints Heb. 3.4 For every house is built by some man but he that built all things is God Psal 145.10 All thy works shall praise thee O God and thy Saints shall blesse thee Rev. 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast Created all things and for thy pleasure they are
and were Created Heb. 11.3 Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and the evening and the morning were the sixth day Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his hand hath formed the crooked Serpent Job 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Jer. 10.12 He hath made the earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Good Angels Job 38.7 When the morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Luke 2.13 And suddainly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying V. 14. Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards Men. V. 15. And it came to passe as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven the shepheards said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to passe which the Lord hath made known unto us Acts 10.22 And they said Cornelius the Centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the Nation of the Jews was warned from God by an holy Angel to send for thee into his house and to hear words of thee Psal 103.20 Blesse the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 1 Tim. 5.21 I Charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality Luke 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance Dan. 7.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousands of thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgment was set and the books were opened Psal 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels Charge over thee te keep thee in all thy waies V. 12. They shall bear thee up in their hands least thou dash thy foot against a stone Mat. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Gen. 48.16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil blesse the Lads and let my name be named on them and the name of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth Acts 12.15 And they said unto her thou art mad but she constantly affirmed that it was even so then said they it is his Angel Psal 148.2 Praise ye him all his Angels praise ye him all his Hosts 1 Cor. 11.10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the Angels Mat. 4.11 Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred unto him Luke 22.43 And there appeared an Angel from Heaven strengthning him Luke 16 22. And it came to passe that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried Mat. 28.2 And behold there was a great earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sate upon it V. 3. His countenance was like Lightning and his raiment white as snow V. 4. And for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead men Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Luke 20.35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage V. 36. Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection Matth. 22.30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven Devils 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Jude v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darknesse unto the judgement of the great day Matth. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels 1 Tim. 3.6 Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Ephes 6.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places V. 14. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the brest plate of righteousness John 8.44 Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a Liar and the Father of it 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which beleeve not lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Eph. 2.2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Mat. 12.24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said this fellow doth not cast out Devils but
man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul Of Heaven We have seen what will be the state of the damned We come now to speak of the blessedness of those that die in the Lord i. e. in the favour of God in a state of peace with him being members of Christs mystical body When they die their souls are carried by Angels to Christ and by him presented to God the Father as the fruit of his purchase So that they are presently blessed upon the departure of the soul out of the body but shall be more blessed at the general resurrection when soul and body being reunited the Judge shall set them at his right hand and pronounce upon them this gracious sentence Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matth 25.34 Which done they shall go away into life eternal as it is v. 46. The Glory and Blessednesse of this state we come now to enquire into and there are two things wherein it consists 1. In a total removal of all evils 2. In a confluence of all good necessary to the happinesse of the Creature First All evils are removed There are three great evils we labour under here 1. The evil of sin 2. Of temptation 3. Of affliction None of which shall trouble the Saints in Heaven 1. The evil of sin is there removed Sin is the great evil the children of God complain of with so much sadnesse in this world Here the Spirit lusteth against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit but in Heaven there shall be no sinful lusts to war against the soul Paul shall not there complain of a law in his members rebelling against the law of his his mind Nor câ—y out Oh miserable man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Rom. 7. There shâ—ll be no blindness in the mind perversenesse in the will disorder in the affections no concupiscence in the members no rebellion in the flesh the old Adam is left in the grave never to rise more The dominion of sin the Saints are delivered from in this life but there the very being of it is removed Grace weakens sin Glory quite abolisheth it Into Heaven nothing enters that defiles There we shall be under anâ— happy impossibility of offending God 2. The evil of temptation The world is a place of snares a valley of temptations the devils circuit What abundance of temptations are we assaulted with here continually either from the Devil the world or our own corrupt Natures In Paradise there was a tempter but there is none in Heaven No Serpent can creep in there Here we had need pray continually Lord lead us not into temptation There we shall be fully delivered from it 3. The evil of affliction In Heaven there is an absolute freedom from all misery pain labour want or whatever else might afflict us All sorrow shall be done away as well as all sin Sorrow is the fruit of sin and when the mother is dead no more off-spring can be expected Whatsoever is painful and burdensom to Nature is a fruit of sin and a brand and mark of our rebellion against God Here we are subject to a number of necessities hunger thirst cold wants of several sorts In Heaven the children of God shall enjoy perfect freedom from whatsoever is troublesom Grief fear temptation sicknesse pain of body anguish of mind shall be heard of no more for ever When the Saints are once past death they are past the fear of all misery When their bodies are once lapt up in their winding-sheets they are past all tribulation Heaven is a happy ayre where none are sick There is no such thing as agues feavers gouts or the grinding paines of the Stone There is nothing to discompose the mind or afflict the body The Saints shall there be freed from the necessities of Nature such as eating drinking sleeping c. Meat is for the belly and the belly for meat but God shall destroy both it and them 1 Cor. 6.12 The use of meats and of the stomack and belly is there abolished Here we are almost continually in want of something or other but there we shall be above meat and drink and apparrel c. Here we have a mixture of pleasures and sorrows both good and evil are to be received from the hand of God in this life but there is fulnesse of joy for evermore I shall conclude this with that comfortable place Rev. 21.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Secondly A Second thing wherein the blessedness of Heaven consists is in a confluence of all good necessary to the happiness of the Creature The Saints in Heaven will be blessed 1. In their bodies 2. In their soules 3. In their Company 4. In an absolute security of enjoying all this blessedness for ever without any fear of losing it or being deprived of it I. They will be blessed in their bodies The bodies even of the best of the Saints are for the present vile bodies instruments of sin and subjects of diseases but the Lord Jesus Christ shall at the day of judgment raise these vile bodies and change them into the likenesse of his own glorious body Phil. 3.20 21. The bodies of the Saints are the members of Christ and no member of his shall remain in death They are the Temples of the holy Ghost and therefore if they be destroy'd they shall be raised again For if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in us as he doth in the Saints and by so dwelling makes their bodies Temples he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken our mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in us Rom. 8.11 The Holy Ghost will not forsake his mansion and ancient habitation Therefore he raiseth it up and formeth it again into a compleat fashion like Christs glorious body The bodies of the Saints when dead and separated from their souls are not separated from Christ as we shewed before And therefore are said to be dead in Christ to sleep in Jesus as 't is 1 Thes 4.14 While dead they are united to Christ and by vertue of this Union Christ as their Head will raise them at the last day and at their resurrection they shall be changed as to their qualities though their substance shall not be altered The Ancient Christians when they rehearsed that Article of the Creed I believe the resurrection of the flesh were wont to adde even of this my flesh 'T is necessary the same flesh should be raised again For it cannot stand with Gods justice that one body should sin and another body be damned That he that sinned in one body should
move with great agility and nimblenesse We shall not be clogg'd as now but shall be able as the Learned think to move upwards and downwards freely like a bird in the aire 3. Or Lastly Our bodies after the resurrection may be termed spiritual because they will then be more fitted and disposed for spiritual uses for the enjoyments and employments of Grace 4. Our bodies shall be made powerful They are sown in weakness but shall rise in power The power and strength that glorified bodies shall have will be wonderful In this life the eye is dazeled at the brightnesse of the Sun but then it shall be strengthened to behold glorious sights and not be dazeled at them The body shall be enabled and strengthened by God to bear that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory that shall be allotted to it 5. Unto all these glorious perfections and endowments we may add this one more the great priviledge and happiness we shall have to behâ—ld with our bodily eyes our blessed Saviour as man That we shall see our Redeemer with these eyes Job plainly testifies Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the later day upon the earth V. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God V. 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another c. And that this sight will add much to our happinesse we need not doubt The sight of Christ as man is the next object as one saith well to the beatifical Vision Mr Calamy in his Serm at Dr Boltons Funeral For the fulnesse of the God head dwells in him bodily and doth as it were radiate through his body Hence there must needs arise much joy to the beholder both from the eminency of and our interest in this Object Christ in Glory and Christ in Glory ours As much of the Creator as is possibly visible in the Nature of man will be to be seen in Christ As much contentation as the Creature can be made partaker of by the sight of any visible Object will be the portion of the beholders of Christ as he is man See Mr. Nortons orthodox Evangelist So much for the blessedness of the Body II. The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in their Souls Let us enquire wherein this blessednesse consists 1. The understanding being enlarg'd and widened shall have a right knowledge a clear sight and vision of God Now we see through a glasse darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 but then face to face now we know but in part but then we shall know even as we are known our knowledge of God now is very imperfect but then we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.2 2. The will shall be perfected with absolute and indefective holinesse with exact conformity to the will of God and perfect freedom from all servitude to sin 3. The affections shall be set right by an unalterable regularity There shall be a constant cleaving of heart to God a constant loving of him without satiety or wearinesse Here are many startings aside to the creature but in Heaven there will be an eternal fixed delight and complacency in God 4. The Soul will enjoy a full immediate uninterrupted communion with God and fruition of him Whilst we are here at home in the body we are absent from the Lord saies the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.6 Here our comforts come in by the ministry of Ordinances but there God will be all in all to us immediatly 1 Cor. 15.28 III. The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in their Company Oh what blessed company is there in the new Jerusalem There is God and Christ and Angels and Saints How will God the Father welcome us Well done good and faithful servants enter into your Masters joy How will our Redeemer welcome us How joyful will he be to receive us who shed his blood to bring us thither How will the Holy Angels welcome us They delight in the good of men When man was created those Morning Stars sung together and those Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38.7 When Christ came to redeem man an Heavenly host of them praysed God Luke 2.13 When man is converted there is joy in Heaven among those blessed Spirits Luke 15.10 How much more rejoycing will there be when we come to be glorified Lastly How will the blessed Saints welcome us Our old acquaintance with whom we have prayed suffered familiarly conversed Memory is not abolished in Heaven as one observes but perfected Mr. Manton in his Sermon at Mrs. Blackwels Funeral Therefore those whom we knew here we shall know again A Minister shall see his Crown and the fruit of his labours 1 Thes 2.19 Those that have been relieved by us shall welcome us into Heaven who therefore are said according to some Interpreters to receive us into everlasting habitations Luke 16.9 Yea we shall know those whom we never saw Why else is it made a part of our priviledge to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Mat. 8.11 In the transfiguration Peter knew Moses and Elias dead many hundred years before So shall we as 't is more than probable know one another O what blessed company shall we converse with in the City that is above IV. And Lastly The Saints in Heaven shall be blessed in this They shall have the perpetual enjoyment of all this blessednesse secured to them without any fear of ever losing it or being deprived of it The Saints shall never put off their glorious robes after they have once put them on Their state is a sure eternal state of actual delights Though there be several degrees of glory in Heaven yet he that enjoyes the least degree is fully satisfied with what he enjoyes He desires not one degree of Glory above what he possesses What now remaines but that we presse this duty upon our selves frequently to meditate on this coelestial Glory Many great benefits will accrue to us thereby 1. This will abate our thirst after earthly things One houres serious musing on the glory that is above would cause the soul to be as a weaned child to the glory that is here below 2. It will make sufferings light Rom. 8.18 For I reckon saies the Apostle that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us 3. It will make us serious in Duties It will make us pray earnestly hear attentively walk circumspectly Serious thoughts of Heaven will make us shake off lazinesse and sloth and with fervency of Spirit to serve the Lord. 4. It will stirre us up to an earnest desire of that righteousnesse to which such a Glory appertaines and to a careful and constant performance of those commands to which such a reward is so graciously promised Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Men do but deceive themselves who think to passe immediatly from a
Spirit of God enabled to perform that shall receive Remission of sins by Christ They that shall be made partakers of that great and inestimable benefit the Remission of all their sins by Christ are effectually called and enabled by the assistance of his Grace unfeignedly to believe the Gospel heartily to repent of all their sins seriously to give up their souls unto him resting and relying on the Redemption and Ransome of his Blood for their Pardon and Reconciliation with God And taking him for their onely Lord Saviour and yielding themselves up in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and Holy Spirit they do depend on him alone for Justification Sanctification strength to persevere in the ways of Holinesse and at last to be brought to eternall Life And to as many as are thus drawn by the Holy Ghost savingly to repent of their sins and believe in Christ being truly united to him and made branches in him the true Vine and members of his mystical body the true Church whereof himself is the Head God hath promised pardon and Remission of all their sins to write his Law in their Hearts to subdue their Corruptions by his Grace that sin shall not have Dominion over them to bestow on them all such outward blessings as he in his infinite wisdome shall see good for them And when they die their souls shall be received into everlasting blisse and their bodies shall be raised again by the power of Christ at the last day and made partakers of the same Glory And this is Called the Covenant of Grace But such as go on in their sins refusing to accept of Christ for their Lord and Saviour Redeemer and Sanctifier and to give up themselves in sincere obedience to him when they die their Souls shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and their bodies shall be raised again at the last day and made partakers with their Souls of Everlasting Torments RIGHT KNOVVLEDGE Or the chief things to be Known and Believed in order to Salvation They are reducible to these three Heads Concerning God Man The Mediator between God and Man CHAP. I. Concerning GOD. COncerning God we are to Know three things First His NATURE That there is One onely true God who is a Spirit infinitely glorious and being one in nature is yet three in Persons or Subsistences The Father The Son and the Holy Ghost These are three and one after a wonderful and mysterious manner The Father God the Son God and the Holy Ghost God And yet not three Gods but One God Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Psal 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his Countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts 1 Cor. 15.34 Some have not the Knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Heb. 11.6 But without Faith it is impossible to please him For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Isaiah 44.6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God Isai 45.5 I am the Lord and there is none else There is no God besides me 1 Cor. 8.4 As concâ—rning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in Sacrifice to Idols we know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but One. V. 5. For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods many and Lords many V. 6. But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Deut. 4.35 Unto thee it was shewed that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God And there is none else besides him Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is One Lord. Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God He is the living God and an everlasting King At his wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation 1 Thes 1.9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entring in we had unto you And how ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Luke 24.39 A Spirit hath not flesh and bones Rom. 1.23 And they changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into an Image made like unto corruptible man and to birds and to four-footed beasts and Creeping things V. 25. And worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Concerning the Trinity Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. Mat. 3.16 And Jesus when he was baptized went straightway up out of the water and Lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him V. 17. And Lo a voice from Heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 2 Cor. 13.14 The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Concerning God the Father Luke 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph 3.14 For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Concerning God the Son John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Onely begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth V. 18. No man hath seen God at any time The Onely begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Heb. 1.2 He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the world V. 3. Who being the brightnesse of his Glory and the express Image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sinnes sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high V. 8. But unto the Sonne he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdome John 10.30 I and my Father are One. 1 John 2.22 Who
by Beelzebub the Prince of the devils 1 John 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the devil for the devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil V. 10. In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the devil whosoever doth not righteousnesse is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother Rev. 12.9 And the great Dragon was cast out that old Serpent Called the Devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the Earth and his Angels were cast out with him 2 Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Job 1.7 And the Lord said unto Satan whence comest thou then Satan answered the Lord and said from going to and fro in the Earth and from walking up and down in it Luke 22.31 And the Lord said Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Mat. 8.29 And behold they cried out saying what have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God art thou come hither to torment us before the time V. 31. So the devils besought him saying if thou cast us out suffer us to go away into the herd of swine Mat. 4 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wildernesse to be tempted of the divel 2 Cor. 6.15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that beleeveth with an Infidel Zach. 3.1 And he shewed me Josuah the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him V. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan the Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire James 2.19 Thou beleevest that there is One God thou dost well the divels also beleeve and tremble Luke 4.33 And in the Synagogue there was a man which had a Spirit of an unclean devil and cried out with a loud voice V. 34. Saying Let us alone what have we to do with thee thou Jesus of Nazareth art thou come to destroy us I know thee who thou art the holy One of God Acts 19.15 And the evil Spirit answered and said Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye Eph. 4.26 Be ye angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath V. 27. Neither give place to the devil Acts 5.3 And Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Psal 78.49 He cast upon them the fiercenesse of his anger wrath and indignation and trouble by sending evil Angels among them Acts 26.18 To Open their eyes and to turn them from darknesse unto Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me The next of Gods works to be considered and understood by us is II. His Providence As God Created the World and all the Creatures therein by his Almighty Power So he upholds directs disposes and governs them all by his Providence Nothing so Casual but he disposes of it No Agent so free as to be exempted from his Controule No affliction or Evil of Punishment but he hath a hand in it But as for sin he neither is nor possibly can be the Author or Approver of it Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his Glory and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high Col. 1.17 And he is before all things and by him all things Consist Psal 36.6 Thy Righteousnesse is like the great Mountains thy judgments are a great deep O Lord thou preservest man and beast Mat. 10.29 Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father V. 30. But the very haires of your head are all numbred V. 31. Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrows Dan. 4.34 And at the end of the daies I Nebuchadnezzar lift up mine eyes unto Heaven and mine understanding returned unto me and I blessed the most High and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and his Kingdome is from generation to generation V. 35. And all the Inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as nothing and he doth according to his will in the army of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Prov. 16.33 The Lot is cast into the Lap but the whole disposing thereof is from the Lord. Psal 103.19 The Lord hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens and his Kingdome ruleth over all Acts 17.25 Neither is worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things V. 26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation V. 28. For in him we live and move and have our being as certain also of your own Poets have said for we are also his off-spring Jer. 10.23 O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Lam. 3.37 Who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth it not Isa 45.6 That they may know from the rising of the Sun and from the West that there is none besides me I am the Lord and there is none else V. 7. I form the Light and create darknesse I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Amos 3.6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the City and the people not be afraid shall there be evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Prov. 15.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Jer. 31.35 Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a Light by day and the Ordinances of the Moon and the Stars for a Light by night which divideth the Sea when the waves thereof roar the Lord of Hosts is his Name Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearcheable are his judgements and his waies
past finding out Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own will Prov. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hands of the Lord as the Rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he will Ezra 7.27 Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers which hath put such a thing as this in the Kings heart to beautifie the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem Dan. 5.23 But thou hast lifted up thy self against the Lord of Heaven and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee and thou and thy Lords thy wives and thy Concubines have drunk wine in them and thou hast praised the Gods of silver and Gold of Brasse Iron wood and Stone which see not nor hear nor know and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy waies hast thou not glorified 1 Sam. 3.18 And Samuel told him every whit and hid nothing from him and he said it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good Psal 39.9 I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Job 1.21 And said naked came I out of my mothers womb and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away Blessed be the name of the Lord. Psal 97.1 The Lord reigneth Let the earth rejoyce Let the multitude of Isles be glad â—hereof 〈◊〉 1.13 Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man V. 14. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed CHAP. II. Concerning Man COncerning Man we are to know and understand these three things 1. The happy Condition in which he was made 2. His Fall 3. The way of his Recovery by Christ 1. The Holy and happy estate in which God created man at first Namely after his own Image in Knowledge Holinesse and Righteousnesse with Dominion over the Creatures here below writing his Law on mans heart requiring perfect obedience from him and giving him power to perform it promising the continuance of him in that happy estate if he obeyed and threatning him with death if he disobeyed which is called the Covenant of works Psal 8.4 What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visitest him V. 5. For thou hast made him little lower than the Angels and hast crowned him with Glory and Honour V. 6. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet Gen. 1.26 And God said let us make man in our Image after our likenesse and let them have dominion over the fish of the Sea and over the fowle of the aire and over the Cattle and over all the earth and over every Creeping thing that Creepeth upon the Earth V 27. So God Created man in his own Image in the Image of God Created he him male and female Created he them V. 28. And God blessed them and God said unto them be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the Sea and over the fowl of the aire and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth Eccles 7.29 Lo this only have I found that God hath made man upright but they have sought out many inventions Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that Created him Eph. 4.24 And that ye put on the new man which after God is Created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Gen. 2.7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul V. 16. And the Lord God Commanded the man saying of every tree of the Garden thou maist freely eat V. 17. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Gal. 3.12 And the Law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall live in them Rom. 10.5 For Moses describeth the righteousnesse which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Rom. 2.14 For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves V. 15. Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their consciences also hearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another 2. The miserable Condition into which man threw himself by sin Our first Parents by the temptation of Sathan disobeyed God broke his righteous Law and Commandement and thereby cast themselves out of the Favour of God became the Slaves of Satan and liable to the curse of the Law and brought a great depravation of soul and body upon themselves And such as our first Parents were such must their posterity needs be For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean says Job Chap. 14.4 They having lost the Image of God themselves the holinesse and happinesse in which they were made could not conveigh it to their posterity So that the nature of man is now become corrupt prone to evil backward to good And this miserable condition is derived to us from Adam by our immediate Parents and as men come to be born in several Ages and generations so they actually participate of the sap that comes from the first root we being therefore all of us in so bad a Condition by nature and by custome and practice in sin having made our selves much worse and more abominable in the sight of God more guilty and liable to his wrath we are to know and consider that this woful state of sin and misery is by no means to be rested in But seeing we are fallen into so lamentable a condition we must speedily endeavour to get out of it And therefore let us remember that without Conversion there is no hope of Salvation Except a man be born again and made a new Creature he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Joh. 3.3 Gen. 3.6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she tooke of the fruit thereof and did eate and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eate V. 7. And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons V. 8. And they heard the voyce of the Lord God walking in the Garden in the coole of the day And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the Garden V. 13. And the Lord God said
how can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers wombe and be born V. 5. Jesus answered verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God V. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit V. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be born again Col. 1.21 And you that were somtimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 1 John 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Jam. 1.14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed V. 15. Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 7.5 For when we were in the flesh the motions of sins which were by the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on the left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his Angels 2 Thes 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power 3. The blessed way found out and appointed by God for mans Recovery out of this miserable state which is by the undertaking and mediation of his onely Son Hos 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death V. 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the mind I my self serve the Law of God but with the flesh the Law of sin Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus John 3.14 And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wildernesse even so must the son of man be lifted up V. 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life V. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 John 4.14 And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree John 6.35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that beleeveth on me shall never thirst V. 51. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in Heaven John 4.42 And said unto the woman now we beleeve not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Acts 13.38 Be it known unto you therefore men and Brethren that through this man is preached unto you the forgivenesse of sins John 1.29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world 1 John 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son V. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life John 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ 1 John 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world Heb 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance CHAP. III. Concerning the Mediator between God and Man COncerning the Mediator between God and man Christ Jesus We must know and understand these seaven things 1. What manner of person he was He was God and Man in the same person The Eternal Son of God The second Person in the Trinity took to himself our humane Nature a humane soul and body and united it after a wonderfull manner to his Godhead And so God and Man became one person 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mystery of Godlinesse God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into Glory Rom. 9 5. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen John 17.5 And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was Christ God Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnesse of his Gloâ—y and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 1 John 5.20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life John 10.30 I and my Father are one John 8.58 Jesus said unto them verily verily I say unto you before Abraham was I am John 17.11 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given mee that they may be one as we are John 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that
the Scripture might be fulfilled John 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God V. 2. The same was in the beginning with God V. 3. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 1 Cor. 15.47 The first man is of the earth earthy the second man is the Lord from Heaven Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Christ Man Heb. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil V. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham V. 17. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Isa 9.6 For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Councellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equall with God V. 7. But made himself of no reputation and to k upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men V. 8. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Crosse 1 John 4.3 And every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that Spirit of Anti-Christ whereof ye have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world 2 John 7. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Anti-Christ John 5.27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Sonne of man John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Onely begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the man Christ Jesus Mat. 16.13 When Jesus came into the Coasts of Cesarea Philippi he asked his Disciples saying whom do men say that I the Son of man am V. 14. And they said Some say that thou art John the Baptist some Elias and others Jeremias or one of the Prophets V. 16. He saith unto them but whom say ye that I am V. 15. And Simon Peter answered and said thou art Christ the Son of the living God V. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Barjona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven 2. How he became man He was born about sixteen hundred and odd years ago of the Virgin Mary who was of the seed of Abraham and of the Family of David as was foretold in the Scriptures being Conceived in her by the Almighty power of the Holy Ghost without the help of man and without sin and was Called Jesus Christ Gal. 4.4 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law V. 5. To redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of Sons Mat. 1.18 Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost V. 20. But while he thought on these things behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying Joseph thou son of David Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost V. 22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying V. 23. Behold a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall Call his Name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us Luke 1.26 And in the sixth moneth the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth V. 27. To a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the Virgins name was Mary V. 28. And the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women V. 30. And the Angel said unto her fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God V. 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt Call his name Jesus V. 32. He shall be great and be Called the Son of the Highest and the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David V. 33. And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdome there shall be no end V. 34. Then said Mary unto the Angel how shall this be seeing I know not a man V. 35. And the Angel answered and said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swadling Clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inne V. 8. And there was in the same Countrey shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night V. 9. And Lo the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid V. 10. And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people V. 11. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. V. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling Clothes lying in a manger V. 13. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host praising God and saying V. 14. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men V. 15. And it came to pass as the Angels were gone away from them into Heaven the shepherds said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to passe which the Lord hath made known unto us V. 16. And they came with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger Rom. 1.3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord which was made of
Cephas then of the twelve V. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep V. 7. After that he was seen of James then of all the Apostles V. 12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no Resurrection of the dead V. 14. And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain V. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept 1 Thes 4.14 For if we beleeve that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right Hand of God Ascended into Heaven Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God Luke 24.50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany and he lift up his hands and blessed them V. 51. And it came to passe while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Acts 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight V. 10. And while they looked stedfastly towards Heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparell V. 11. Which also said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him goe into Heaven 1 Pet. 3. â—2 Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and powers being made subject unto him Col. 2.15 And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it John 14.2 In my Fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you Heb. 6.20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered even Jesus made an high Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led Captivity Captive and gave gifts unto men V. 9. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth V. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast Captivity Captive thou hast received gifts for men John 16.7 Neverthelesse I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you V. 28. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world I leave the world and go to the Father Sits at Gods right Hand Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightness of his Glory and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sat downe on the right hand of the Majesty on high V. 13. But to which of the Angels said he at any time sit on my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy foot stoole Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy footstoole Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the summe We have such an high Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb. 10 12 But this man after he had offered sacrifice for sins sat down on the right hand of God Luke 22.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God Acts 7.55 But Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God V. 56. And said behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Eph. 1.19 According to the working of his mighty power V. 20. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places V. 21. Far above all Principality and power and Might anâ— Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come V. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church Luke 24 26 Ought not Jesus to â—ave suffered these things and to enter into his Glory Heb. 2.9 But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death Crowned with Glory and Honour that he by the Grace of God should tast death for every man Rev. 3 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rom 8.34 Who is he tâ—at condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of tâ—e true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 4.14 Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession V. 16. Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he iâ— able to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that thâ—y may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world Head of the Church Eph. 1 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church V. 23. Which is his body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Eph. 5.23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the body V. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or
any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish V. 30. For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones V. 32. This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Col. 2.19 And not holding the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Eph. 4.15 But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ V. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Judge of quick and dead John 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the son V. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the son of man Rom. 14.9 For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living V. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother we shall all stand before the Judgement seat of Christ. Acts 1.11 Which also said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven this same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 10.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead Mat. 13.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire so shall it be in the end of this world V. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdome all things that offend and them which do iniquity V. 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth Jude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under darknesse unto the judgement of the great day V. 14. And Enoch the seventh from Adam prophecied of these saying behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints V. 15. To execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into Chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Mat. 26.64 Jesus saith unto him hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of Heaven 1 Thes 4 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first V. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2 Thes 1.7 And unto you which are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels V. 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his power Rev. 20.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works Dan. 7.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgement was set and the books were opened V. 13. I saw in the night visions and behold one like the son of man came with the Clouds of Heaven and came to the ancient of daies and they brought him neer before him V 14. And there was given him Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his Dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdome that which shall not be destroyed Acts 17.30 And the times of this ignoranâ—â— God winked at but now he commandeth all men every where to repent V. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in â—ightâ—ousnesse by that man whom he haâ—h ordaiâ—â—d whereof hâ— hath given assurance unto all meâ— in â—hat he hath raised him from the dead 1 Cor. 15.51 Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed V. 52. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed Rom. 2.5 But thou after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God V. 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds V. 7. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and immortality eternal life V. 8. But unto them which are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath V. 9. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile V. 10. But Glory Honour Peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile V. 11. For there is no respect of pâ—rsons with God V. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel Eccles 12.14 For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil 2 Tim. 4.1 I Charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and in his Kingdome V. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto them also that love his appearing 2 Cor. 5.9 Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him V. 10. For we must all
corrupt wills no guide but their own blind passions and humours But if thou wouldst order thy actions aright take the Word of God for thy Rule 3. Look to thy aim and end Thy main and ultimate end must be Gods Glory A Christians whole life should be a living unto God Gal. 2.19 All that is done be it an act of Piety Justice Temperance or Charity it should be done with this aim that God might be glorified thereby In all thy actions therefore whether natural civil or spiritual thou must still designe the Glory of God But of this we have spoken more under the fourth particular of this Chapter Jam. 2.12 So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 2 Pet. 3.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and Godlinesse Mat. 7.22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful works V. 23. And then will I professe unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Eph. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fooles but as wise V. 16. Redeeming the time because the daies are evil Col. 4.5 Walk in wisdom towards them that are without redeeming the time 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the Grace of God we had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you wards Isa 38.3 And Hezekiah said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore Acts 24.16 And herein do I exercise my self to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men Jam. 1. ult Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world Jam. 2. ult For as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith without workes is dead also Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Prov. 16.17 The high way of the upright is to depart from evil he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them 1 Cor 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and of Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 2.19 Neverthelesse the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Eph 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called Luke 3.8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Phil. 4 8. Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Having now dispatched those four things thou must watch over namely thy Thoughts thy Affections thy Words and thy Actions I come now in the second place to speak of those six things thou must especially watch against 1. Against those sins thou art most enclined to by temper and natural constitution The weakest part of the City must have the strongest guard Some Affections are predominant in one Age some in another There are youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 as well as infirmities proper to old Age. 'T was a great Argument of Davids sincerity that he could truly say Psal 18 23. I was upright before thee and kept my self from mine iniquity Study therefore thy heart and consider what sins thou art most prone unto All sins fight against the soul but thy Master sin is the Goliah endeavour through the aids of Grace to slay that and the whole Army of the Philistines will be easily vanquished 2. Against the sins thou art most obnoxious to by reason of thy particular Calling Condition State and Course of life A man by reason of his calling or condition of life may have more frequent and stronger inducements to some sins than to others which he is therefore the more especially to keep watch against 2 King 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant that when my Master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leaneth on my hand and I bow my self in the house of Rimmon when I bow down my self in the house of Rimmon the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing 3. Against the sins of the times and places wherein thou livest We must be careful of being carried away with the evil of the times 'T is a description of wicked men Eph. 2.2 that they walked according to the course of this world i. e. according to the Age as the manner of the times went But of righteous Noah we have another kind of Character Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man upright in his generation Noah walked wtih God And so in 2 Chron. 17.3.4 We read that the Lord was with Jehosaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father David and sought not unto Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments and not after the doings of Israel And the Apostle exhorts the Philippians Chap. 2. v. 15. that
bread of Idlenesse V. 28. Her children arise up and call her blessed her husband also and he praiseth her V. 29. Many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all V. 30. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised V. 31. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates CHAP. XII Of the Duties of Masters and Servants First Of the Duties of Masters MAsters ought to be careful of these things I. To instruct their Servants to inform them in the right knowledge of God and the things that concern their salvation To Catechize them to pray with them and for them to bring them to the publick Ordinances and cause them to observe the Lords Day To exhort them to private prayer and reading the Word and to be diligent and conscientious in their places c. Gen. 18.19 I know that my servant Abraham will teach his Family But of this I have spoken more in the Tenth Chapter of the Duties of Governours of Families II. To give them a good example A wife Carriage and a pious honest unblameable Conversation does much tend to the bettering of servants If the Master be a swearer a company keeper a prophaner of the Lords day have no prayers in his Family be a slighter and neglecter of Gods Worship and Service 't is madnesse for such an one to expect a sober Family III. To command them onely just and lawful things things equal as the Apostle speaks Col. 4.1 and to require of them only such service as they may well do with moderate care and industry and that which other servants of like condition with them usually perform A Master must not overtask his Servants nor oppress them with labours so that they shall have no time to bestow on their souls which is a ruling over them with rigour as 't is called Lev. 25.43 IV. To allow them wholsom fitting and sufficient food convenient rest and moderate refreshment that they may do their work with the more cheerfulnesse V. In time of sicknesse to take care that things necessary for their recovery be not wanting to them such as fitting Diet Physick and Attendance A Master at such a time is in place of a Parent Mat. 8.5 6 The Centurion went to Christ to heal his servant VI. To encourage them in well-doing by using them with that kindnesse and bounty which their Piety faithfulnesse and diligence deserves VII To admonish and reprove them when they do amisse and that not only in faults against themselves wherein few Masters are backward but also and more especially in faults against God whereat every Master ought to be more troubled than at those which tend only to his own losse or inconvenience The dishonour of God or the hazard of the meanest mans soul being infinitely more worthy our disquiet than any thing of the other kind can be Therefore when Masters or Mistresses are presently on fire for any little negligence and fault of a servant towards themselves and yet can without trouble see them run into great sins and miscarriages against God 't is a sign they consider their own concernments too much and Gods Honour and their servants souls too little But as 't is the duty of Masters to admonish and reprove their servants in case of fault so they must also look to do it in a due manner i. e. so as may be most likely to do good not in passion and rage which can never work the servant to any thing but the despising and hating of them Their rebukes must be just sparing moderate Eph 6 9. Forbearing threatning or moderating threatning as some render the Word They must reprove in such a sober and grave manner as may convince them of their faults and may plainly shew them that 't is love and good will to their souls and a desire of their amendment that makes them thus reprove them But if no warnings nor reproofs will restrain them from ill courses neither will they be corrected by words as 't is Prov. 29.19 then in due circumstances moderate correction of another sort may not be inexpedient VIII To listen to their just grievances and redresse them Job 31.13 If I did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant when they contended with me v. 14. What then shall I do when God riseth up and when he visiteth what shall I answer him IX And Lastly to pay them their wages and justly to perform to them those conditions on which they were hired And that Masters may be the more careful and conscientious in these things let them consider 1. They have a Master in Heaven who is Omniscient righteous and just to whom they must give an account of the usage of their meanest servant on earth Eph. 6.9 And ye Masters do the same things to your servants farbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Do the same things i. e. That which is good and right and shall be rewarded of the Lord. For Service give due recompense for good will in serving return good will by encouraging if Servants be faithful be ye good and gentle if they obey you in the Lord do ye command them in the Lord i. e. Only things just equal and pleasing to God 2. They and their Servants are of the same mould all of the earth as to the body and their Servants have reasonable souls capable of Grace here and Glory hereafter as well as they They should not therefore use them like slaves They should not carry themselves imperiously harshly churlishly and Nabal-like unto them 3. Those Servants that are truly gracious are Gods freemen and so fellow servants with their converted Masters in respect of God They are members of the same mystical body whereof Christ is the Head and may have a greater measure of Grace here and so a higher place in Heaven a greater degree of Glory hereafter than their Masters 4. And Lastly let them consider how easily God could have set them in their servants place and their servants in theirs And therefore let them give them such usage as themselves would think fit and reasonable had God disposed them into the condition of Servants Psal 101.2 I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way I will walk within my house with a perfect heart V. 6. Mine eies shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me V. 7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Eph. 6 9. And ye Masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of
they must command them only lawful and reasonable things using their power and authority over them with equity and moderation and with a gentle hand In all things of moment they require of them let them consider the real good and benefit of their children and guide themselves by that and not meerly their own advantage or pleasure or the exercise of their own authority This is a Rule as one saies well whereof Parents may often have use but especially in the businesse of marrying their children wherein many Parents out of a covetous humour to bestow them wealthily have forc'd them to marry against their inclinations and where they could not love which is a horrible Tyranny and thereby have betrayed them to infinite mischiefs such as all the wealth in the world cannot repair There are two things therefore saies the same Author that Parents ought especially to consider in the matching of their children 1. That they may live Christianly and to that purpose to chuse a pious and vertuous person to link them with that may not be like to hinder but to further them on in the way to Heaven This ought principally and above all other things to be minded 2. That they may live comfortably and cheerfully in this world And to that end though a competency of estate may be necessary to be regarded yet surely abundance is not requisite and therefore that should not be too vehemently sought after That which much more tends to the happiness of that State is the mutual kindnesse and liking of the parties without which marriage is of all other the most uncomfortable condition therefore no Parent ought to force a child into it Eph. 6.4 And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Col. 3.21 Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged 2 Cor. 12.14 For the children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the children 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any provide not for his own especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse then an Infidell Deut. 6.7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Prov. 19.18 Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes Prov. 29.17 Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy soul Prov. 22.15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 10.1 A wise son maketh a glad father but a foolish son is the heavinesse of his mother Prov. 1.8 My son hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother Deut. 4.9 Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the daies of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy Sons sons Duties of Children towards their Parents Children owe to their Parents these three duties especially 1. Reverence 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse I. Reverence which they must expresse 1. By honouring them in their hearts bearing not only an awe and respect but a kindnesse and affection towards them loving their persons fearing to do any thing may justly provoke them and highly esteeming them as the instruments under God of their being Lev. 19.3 Ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father The Mother is placed first because children though they stand most in need of their Mothers in their younger years yet when they are grown up many times do most wickedly neglect and despise them But how cursed a thing it is to set light by Parents and even in our secretest thoughts to despise them God himself declares Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen 2. By speaking to them with due respect and regard and to others of them What a heinous sin then is mocking Parents Prov. 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it But there is a more horrid Crime than that which is cursing Parents Exod. 21.17 And he that curseth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death And to this Head we may refer that great and high offence that those wretched Children are guilty of who either through impatience of the Government or greedinesse of the possessions of their Parents do wish their deaths And let them not think to excuse themselves by saying they wish them in Heaven for that they do it not so much that they may have ease and rest at their journies end as because they must needs take death in the way But whoever does thus embrue his soul in bloudy wishes of his Parents death let him know there is one above that sees and observes that great wickedness And if long life be promised as a reward of honouring Parents 't is very agreeable to Divine Justice that untimely death be the punishment of the contrary And so they who so eagerly desire the death of their Parents take the direct course untimely to meet with their own 3. By giving them in their outward carriage all due respect and observance behaving themselves with humility towards them and giving them all those signs and expressions of civil honour which are to be paid by Inferiours to Superiours How contrary to this is that detestable sin of smiting Parents Exod. 21.15 And he that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to death The punishment the Heathens inflicted on such unnatural children was to sew them in a sack with a dog cat viper and ape as emblems of unnaturalness and so drown'd them together So much doth the very Light of Nature abhor such monstrous undutifulness II. Obedience which they must manifest 1. By hearkning to their instructions and carefully laying up their precepts in their hearts especially those that concern the welfare of their Souls There is ordinarily such a pride and headinesse in youth that they are apt to slight the counsels and directions of their Elders and to look upon them as proceeding either from too much severity or from dotage when they are indeed the fruits of wisdom sobriety experience To such the counsell of Solomon is necessary Prov. 23.22 Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Many more Texts there are in that book to this purpose that shew how the wisest of men have thought it necessary that Children should carefully attend to the
praise of them that do well 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all' Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and Honesty Exod. 22.28 Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people Acts 23.5 Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest for it is written thou shalt not speak-evil of the Ruler of thy people CHAP. XV. Of the Duties of people towards their Pastours and Ministers HAving spoken of the Duties of Children to their Natural Parents and of Inferiours to Magistrates their civil Parents I come now to those of people to their Ministers their Spiritual Parents Thus St Paul tels the Corinthians 1 Cor. 4.15 That in Christ Jesus he had begotten them through the Gospel And the Gallatians Chap. 4.19 That he travels in birth of them till Christ be formed in them Their Duties to them are these four First To esteem them very highly in love for their work sake as the Apostle commands 1 Thes 5.13 And surely this will seem very reasonable if either 1. The Nature of their work be considered or 2. Who it is that employes them I. Their work is of all others most excellent No Calling or employment more honourable than the rescuing of precious Souls out of the hands of Satan and from endlesse perdition II. 'T is a great and an hard work They are 1. To instruct the people to feed them with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.15 And teach them the right way to Salvation 2. To pray for them To be the Lords remembrancers and their Sollicitors in the Court of Heaven 3. To be an Example to the Flock in a holy and unblameable life and conversation 4. To visit the sick 5. To labour the setling the distressed Conscience 6. To watch over the Flock to preserve them 1. From corrupt Doctrine 2. From a corrupt Conversation And to this end to endeavour the reclaiming the disorderly by admonitions and such other Censures as Christ hath left in the Church Their work therefore is such as ought in all reason to procure them love and esteem it being of so great advantage to the world Josephs Office in delivering out corn in a time of Famine made him justly honoured by the Egyptians How worthy an employment is it then to deliver out the Manna of Gods Word the food of life to the souls of men who without it are in danger to perish everlastingly 2. Consider who it is that employes them They are Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 Ambassadors by the Law of Nations are to be treated with a respect answerable to the quality of those that send them Therefore Christ tels his Disciples when he sends them out to preach He that despiseth you despiseth me he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10.16 It seems 't is a worse businesse than people ordinarily consider to despise the Ministers of Christ Let those think of this who make it their design and sport to put affronts upon the persons and to deride the Calling of the Ministers Certainly there will be a strict account requir'd of all that derision slanders reproaches and hard usage the faithful Ministers of Christ do meet with in the discharge of their places and calling And further if it be Christ that employes them then let those consider seriously of it who dare presume to exercise the Offices of this sacred function without being lawfully Call'd thereto What is this but as if a man on his own head should go as an Ambassador from his Prince The Apostle saies of the Priests of the Law which yet are inferiour to those of the Gospel That no man takes this honour to himself but he which was call'd of God Heb. 5.4 Certainly they that usurp sacred Offices for which they are not duly fitted and to which they were never lawfully call'd will be able to give but a very sad account to God when he reckons with them for this their presumption Let me advise such to read the story of Corah in Numb 16. Who being arrogant and ambitious would needs take upon him the Priesthood and he and his accomplices rise up against Moses and Aaron and their plea is all the Congregation are holy ye take too much upon you Wherefore lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord So that we see this levelling humour is no new thing in the world To make head against Moses and Aaron to oppose Magistracy and Ministry you see was Corahs sin Take heed of imitating him lest you perish likewise in the gainsaying of Corah Jude v. 11. You may read the sad end of him and his Company Num. 16.32 And so much of the first Duty people ought to pay to their Ministers They ought to love and esteem them Secondly They ought to pray for them that they may be furnished with all those Graces and Gifts and blessed with such assistances of Gods Spirit as may enable them to discharge that holy Calling faithfully and successefully Of this I have spoken more P. 323. Thirdly They ought conscientiously to attend upon their Ministry and submit to their Spiritual guidance and direction really endeavouring to grow in knowledge and Grace thereby Obey them saith the Apostle Heb. 13.17 that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls c. Whatsoever they out of Gods Word shall make manifest to be his Will and Command is to be obeyed seeing 't is not they but God requires it according to that of Christ He that heareth you heareth me Luke 10 16. And this whether it be delivered by way of publick preaching or private exhortation for in both so long as they keep them to the Rule which is Gods Word they are the messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 People therefore must labour to grow in Spiritual knowledge and Grace answerably to the means of Grace afforded them and thereby strengthen the hands and encourage the heart of their Minister in his work The proficiency of the people in knowledge and holiness is the Crown and rejoycing of every Faithful Minister and though God will not reward him according to his successe but his sincerity and industry yet nothing more troubles him then to see his multiplied pains not answered with desired successe Let people therefore look to it that they bring forth the fruits of the Gospel that is preached to them The Husbandman laies his ground fallow when he sees it will not bring forth Corn so as to quit charges The Kingdom of Heaven saies our Saviour shall be taken away from you and given to others which will bring forth the fruits thereof Mat. 21.43 'T is just with God to take away the means of Grace from a people when he sees they live unprofitably under them Fourthly Seeing
sinners saies we should snatch such out of the fire v. 23. Obj. 6. But does not our Saviour say we must not give that which is holy to dogs nor cast pearls before swine Mat. 7.6 And what are lewd sinners but such Sol. Every disorderly liver is not to be accounted as a dog or a swine in the sense our Saviour useth the word For of some such Paul speaketh 2 Thes 3.15 And saith We must not account them as enemies but admonish them as brethren Whom therefore we are to account as dogs and swine appears by our Saviours own words in that place even such as not only out of a swinish basenesse trample under foot the precious Word of God offered to them in a reproof but out of a doggish rage and fierceness are ready to fly at the throats of such as out of good will to their souls offer to loosen them from the devils thraldom and to help them on towards Heaven Lest saies our Saviour they trample them under their feet and turn again and rent you If you meet then at any time with such desperate wretches that you are in danger of violence from if you stop them in their course of sin you may forbear medling with them And seeing they will be filthy let them be filthy still Seeing there is no other remedy let them swear on swagger on drink on and at last despair die and be damned O sad condition Whose bowels do not turn within him that thinks of their woful misery But as for others as we have opportunity let us endeavour their amendment and salvation Thus much for the Second thing the removing the prejudices and answering the Objections that are conceiv'd against this duty I come now in the third place to give some Directions for the right practise of it I. Labour to walk circumspectly thy self look well to thy own life and conversation that it may be as much as in thee lies blameless and harmlesse that so thou maist be more capable of performing this duty with advantage towards others II. Look well to thy own heart that thy ends and intentions be upright and sincere in this businesse Take need thou be not moved to this duty out of any proud humour of contradicting or controlling others or of purpose to disgrace others or out of vain glory and a secret ambitious desire of purchasing to thy self a Name or for any such by and base end but let thy motive be an earnest desire to discharge thy duty to God to abate sin and advance holiness in the world and to save thy brothers soul III. Look well to it that the thing thou offerest to reprove be a fault in it self and a fault that he is guilty of to whom thou addressest thy reproof else thou mistakest thy mark IV. Before thou settest upon this work send up fervent prayers either solemn supplications if thou hast time or secret mental ejaculations unto the Lord for the pardon of thy own sins and to direct assist and blesse thy endeavours to his own Glory and the amendment and salvation of the party to whose benefit thy admonition is design'd V. Let the reproofs thou dost minister be usher'd in with prefaces of good will and mannaged with evidences of love pity and real affection to the party reproved Reproof is a bitter pill and sometimes must be lapt up in Sugar and Pap but not so neither as to make it lose its operation When we reprehend the faults of men 't is not amisse many times to commend what is good in them that they may see we are as forward to take notice of what is good and commendable in them as to reprehend what is evil And this will make them take reproof the better VI. Be serious in reprehending others A loose and trifling reprehension between jest and earnest usually doth more harm than good and rather confirms the sinner in his sin than reforms him Well may he think it matters not much whether he leave his sin or no when he sees others make but a jest at it Solomon saies fools make a mock at sin Prov. 14.9 Let thy heart therefore be deeply affected with the dishonour done to God the danger the parties soul is in if he go on in his sin and then shew him plainly and seriously the evil of it VII Back and confirm thy reproofs with plain places of Scripture that the party may see and feel that 't is God reproves him rather than thou and that thou dost but mind him what God hath declared concerning men in his condition Tell him 't is not as thou wilt nor as he will who shall be sav'd and who shall not but as God will Now God hath reveal'd that such as live thus and thus shall never enter into his Kingdom Therefore entreat him to consider where such courses will end and what must needs become of his soul if he do not timely repent and forsake those evil waies VIII Be discreet in ministring reproofs Call in prudence to assist Charity Distinguish prudently between person and person For though all are to be reproved except they be dogs or swine or obstinate obdurate Hereticks Tit. 3.10 yet all are not to be dealt with in the same manner This Caution St. Jude gives us Jude v. 22. Of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the fire Some are of a more flexible nature and therefore fair and loving admonitions are likeliest to work upon them Some are hardned and obdurate sinners these should be rebuk'd sharply Tit. 1.13 when gentler means will not do and with fear must be pull'd out of the fire i. e. must be terrified with Gods Judgments that they may fear him who is able to cast both soul and body into Hell IX Be impartial in reprehending those it is thy duty to repâ—ehend Do not do in reproving men as Saul did in executing the Command he had against Amalek who spared the fat and chief and destroyed only the refuse Put on a truly noble and Christian resolution and fear not the face of men in performing thy Duty to God God is dishonoured by one mans sins as well as by anothers and sin is destructive to the soul of one man as well as another Therefore one should be admonish'd as well as another Great men should be admonish'd because their temptations are great and because they may do great good or hurt by their example And the meanest should be admonish'd also because their souls are as precious as the others and poor creatures they are many of them very insensible of their sin and danger X. Do not strive to make any man more guilty than he is If he denies the charge and pleads his innocency fairly and friendly lay open the grounds upon which thou speakest but at no hand stand much upon doubtful proofs nor wrest things to the worst sense but accept of the most favourable construction of words and actions
But if he shall not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established V. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen man and a Publican CHAP. XVII Of the Duties of the Rich and Poor First Of those that concern the Rich. I Cannot better begin this Chapter than by setting down that strict charge the Apostle directs Timothy to give to rich men in 1 Tim 6.17 18 19. Charge them that are rich in this world He saies not intreat or perswade them but charge them charge it upon their Consciences that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy V. 18. That they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate V. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life From this and other Scriptures we may gather that the duties that concern the rich are these following I. They ought to look to it and be especially careful that they be really religious and truly Godly They have many great engagements to it God hath dealt bountifully with them The things of this world serve them and flow in unto them When poor people must take pains and work hard to earn their bread before they eat it They have their Tables spread to their hands God hath raised them above many of their Brethren and therefore they ought to honour love and obey him from whose bounty alone they receive all their plenty And as they have greater engagements so they have greater opportunities and advantages to be religious than others have They may spend more time upon their souls than poor people can They have more leisure if they have hearts so to employ it to attend the means of Grace and to work out their salvation They should consider though they are rich in this world yet there is another world that is to be look'd after Though they enjoy the good things of this life yet there is a life to come which must be car'd for Though they are encreas'd with worldly goods yet if they have all their portion here they are most miserable Seeing 't is well with them here on earth their main design should be to secure their state in Grace and their title to Heaven They should above all things be careful to lay hold on eternal life This life they cannot hold nor their riches estates and possessions here They should therefore lay hold on that which they may hold and which will never fail them They should be so wise as to take the right course to be heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven that when they must bid farewell to this life and their estates here they may enter upon that glorious inheritance And yet strange it is to see how this one thing absolutely necessary is neglected by far the greater part of them that are rich in this world In those places where Silver and Gold are found they say there groweth neither grasse nor plant nor other thing that is any thing worth Many rich mens hearts are as barren of true Piety as those countries are of grasse Job speaking of such saies Chap. 21.13 They spend their daies in wealth and in a moment go down to the grave v. 14. Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy waies v. 15. What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him 'T is grown almost into a Proverb a little Religion goes far in a rich man or Gentleman How do such persons usually bless themselves in a few formal outward performances of religious duties And if they live not in the grosse defilements and pollutions of the world but are of a fair and civil conversation as to men how easily can they dispense with themselves from engaging in the stricter and more serious parts of Religion Nay those things wherein the life and power of Godlinesse consists are too often matter of their scorn and slighted and neglected by them as more ado than needs And thus it often happens that they that have fulnesse of estate have leannesse of soul as 't is Psal 106.15 And they that are well provided for in this life take no due care to provide for eternity not to lay up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come 1 Tim. 6.19 They that should be examples of Piety and goodnesse to those among whom they live and by their power wealth and greatnesse should countenance and promote the power of Godlinesse prove many times the greatest discouragers of it Solomon observed this as a sore evil under the Sun Eccles 5.13 Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt And not only for their hurt but the hurt of many others round about them Many could never have been such great sinners and dishonourers of God if they had not had so great estates II. They ought to be exceeding thankful unto God The more God hath bestowed upon them the greater is their debt of thankfulnesse and the greater is their duty of obedience If the Lord hath lifted them up if he hath shined upon their Tabernacle and given them power to get wealth as 't is Deut. 8.28 Let them not sacrifice to their own net to their own wit or wisdom their own labour or industry but thankfully acknowledge his favour whose blessing maketh rich Prov. 10.23 Let them consider Promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South but from above Psal 75.6 7. 'T is reported of one of the Kings of France that he was wont to say that many thousands no doubt were born on the same day he was yet not one of them born to be a King but himself which he noted as a free favour of Divine Providence to him in that he was born to the Honour and Happinesse of a Kingdom when at the same time many others were born to mean conditions some possibly to beggery and want 'T is God alone that sets up one and puls down another He gives power riches and estate to one man and sets another in a mean condition And therefore those whom he is pleased to blesse with a rightful possession of riches should be exceeding thankful and constantly remember who hath made them in this to differ from others Gods impost on all his blessings is thankfulnesse If we neglect to pay this impost the commodity is forfeit God can quickly blow upon and blast all our blessings if we be unthankful as 't is Mal. 2.2 If ye will not hear and if ye will not lay it to heart to give Glory unto my Name saith the Lord of
if they be brought home to God at last O what a cutting consideration must it needs be to old people to cast their eyes back upon a life spent in sin and dishonouring God and hurting the soules of others by their ill example O what a deal of sorrow would Manasses and Mary Magdalen have escaped if they had been converted in their younger years So if Paul had been betimes brought home to God he had not had all that trouble and grief of Spirit for persecuting the Church 2. Thou maist hereby come to some eminency of knowledge and Grace and Spiritual experience A young man that is a good husband betimes upon his trade we say is like to grow rich whereas one that has been prodigal in his younger time and a spend-thrist if he should in his elder years begin to be wise yet having lost so much time we are apt to think he will never do any great matter at it So they that give up their hearts to God betimes and consecrate their younger years to him O how rich in knowledge and Grace may they grow 3. Thy joyes and comforts will be the greater Thou art a hinderer of thy peace and comfort all the while thou art going on in the way of sin Thou art feeding on Onions when thou mightst have Manna Thou art feeding on husks with the Prodigal when thou mightest have the fatted calf What are all the noisom pleasures of sin to the peace of a good Conscience the enjoyment of God the delights and joyes of the Holy Ghost 4. The more service thou wilt do for God Suppose a man be call'd at the twelfth hour alas 't is little he can do for God before night An old man that was late converted ordered this to be written upon his Tomb-stone Here lies an old man of seven years old Suppose a man after many years spent in sin should at last be converted he had need of Methuselah's age to bewail his former miscarriages and to do service for God whom he hath so dishonoured Oh think what an honour it is to live to glorifie God and to do him service And canst thou begin too soon to honour him who deserves so infinitely well of thee 5. It will make not only thy life but thy death also comfortable When death comes thou wilt have this good evidence of thy sincerity that thou didst turn to God betimes in thy youth and in the flower and prime of thy daies Thou wilt not then be afraid to look God in the face nor dread him as an enemy but think delightfully of him as a long experienced friend and be willing to surrender thy soul unto him 'T is reported of Adrian that when he came to die he cried out O my soul whither art thou going thou art going where thou shalt never be jovial nor merry more O my soul whither art thou going Therefore do those things now which when thou comest to die thou wouldst wish thou hadst done and leave those things undone which thou supposest will not yield thee comfort in that hour 6. And lastly The sooner thou engagest thy heart to God and the more service thou dost him in this life the greater will be thy reward in Heaven Gal. 6.7 8. Be not deceived God is not mocked whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting I come now to the second thing to answer the Objections that young persons may make why they should not turn to God so soon Obj. 1. We shall hereby lose our chief time of pleasure Sol. You shall exchange dirt for Gold and the draff of swine for the food of Angels your sinfull pleasures for the delights of the Holy Ghost and the joyes of a good Conscience Religion will abridge you of nothing but sin which is rank poison to your souls It will allow you recreations that are lawful expedient seasonable and moderate and which may fit you more to glorifie God in your general or particular Calling See the Rules set down in the foregoing Chap. under the fifth Direction to the Rich. Pag 490 Obj. 2. We do but as most young people do and as others have done before us Sol. If you sin with others you must expect to suffer with others They that are like Simeon and Levi brethren in iniquity must be brethren also in misery The old world sinn'd together and were drown'd together You must not live by examples but by precepts Look not at what others do but at what God commands Exod. 23.2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Obj. 3. There needs not so much ado to get to Heaven Sol. Is it more ado than Gods Word requires read and judge Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness c. Eph. 5.15 See that ye walke circumspectly not as fooles but as wise redeeming the time c. Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 1 Pet. 4.18 If the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear If the righteous hardly i. e. with much striving diligence and watchfulness attain salvation what will become of the negligent secure sinner Can any think of ever coming to Heaven which is a state of holinesse and purity whose hearts disrellish Holinesse and cannot away with it as too much strictness and more ado than needs Obj 4. We are young enough We intend to turn to God hereafter but not yet Sol. Concerning the danger of delaies see before pag. 510 In all likelihood there are many in Hell that thought of turning hereafter Obj. 5. We shall be flouted and jeer'd if we begin to be religious and precise so soon Sol. What are reproaches to the great things others have suffered for Christ What is the enduring a jeer to the enduring a burning for the sake of Christ 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you 2 Cor. 6.8 By honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as decievers and yet true Mat. 5.11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake V. 12. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven Obj. 6. We shall shift as well as others Sol. So you may and yet make but a bad shift neither 'T is small comfort to have companions in Hell Dives did not think it would ease his torments to have his Brethren come to him Obj. 7. We see many that once seem'd forward in Religion do fall off some to open prophanenesse and some into errour and strange opinions Sol.
into their Masters joy As the tree falleth so it lieth There is no change to be wrought in man within those flames no purgation of his sins no sanctification of his Nature no justification of his person and therefore no salvation for him Without the mediation of Christ no man shall ever enter into Heaven And when he hath delivered up the Kingdom unto God even the Father then shall the office of the Mediator cease The condition then of the damned is unalterable their condemnation irreversible their torments remediless their miseries eternal See Mr. Manton's excellâ—nt Comment on Jude p. 430. The Reasons hereof are conceived by Divines to be these 1. Because of the greatnesse of the Majesty against whom they have sinned We are finite creatures and so not fit to judge of the nature of an offence against an infinite God The Law-giver best knowes the merit of sin which is the transgression of his Law 2. With man offences of a quick execution are judged to deserve a long punishment and the continuance of the penalty is not measured by the continuance of the Act of sinning therefore no wonder if it be so with God 3. The damned sinned here as long as they could if they had to eternity been allowed to live they would have improved it altogether in sin They would have dallied with God longer grieved his Spirit longer had they lived longer yea dispositively and in respect of their inclinations did so In Hell the desire of sinning is not extinguished nor mortified The damned have not their hearts there changed 4. They despised an eternal happinesse therefore do justly suffer an eternal torment 5. Their obligations to God are infinite and their punishment ariseth according to the greatnesse of their obligations against which they sin'd As the damned therefore shall not be taken from their punishment by annihilation or destruction of their persons so their punishment shall not be taken off from them by any compassion shewed unto them III. We come to consider the dreadfulnesse of the infernal torments Hell is set forth unto us in the Scriptures under sundry dreadful notions viz. By the worm that never dieth and the fire that never goeth out by a lake of fire and brimstone by outer darkness and blackness of darknesse for ever That which is most intelligible concerning the woful state of the damned I conceive may be reduced to these four Heads 1. They shall be tormented with the pain of losse in being for ever banished from the presence of God and the joyes of Heaven 2 Thes 2.9 Being punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2. With the pain of sense inflicted on them by the wrath of God which abideth on them represented to us by a lake of fire In this life if his anger be but kindled a little and a spark of it fly into the Conscience the poor creature is at his wits end But how dreadful will their portion be against whom he stirreth up his fierce wrath Who knowes the power of his anger Ps 90.11 We that cannot endure the gripes of the Cholick the paines of the stone or a violent tooth-ach how can we think of enduring the paines and torments of Hell 3. They shall be tormented with the worm of Conscience that is with a cutting reflexion upon and remembrance of their former enjoyments and by past pleasures Luke 16 2â— Son remember thou in thy life time hadst thy good things or when Conscience shall repeat over the passages of their lives past and set before them their precious time wasted and mispent opportunities of Grace sleighted the folly of their own choice their turning their backs upon eternal life offered in the Gospel their grosse neglect of their souls their eager pursuit of sensual satisfactions their disregarding admonitions stifling convictions quenching the motions of the Spirit of God hating to be reformed O these will be sad woful sad remembrances The scourges of Conscience we meet with here are too great a price for the short pleasure of a brutish lust O then what a raging pain will such reflections as these cause hereafter What will they do that are tormented day and night for ever and ever 4. As they will have a sharp sense and feeling of their present woful state and a bitter discontent and vexation that by their own folly they brought it upon themselves so they will be tormented with despair of ever coming out of it They will see they must continue for ever in this remediless condition under an everlasting pain of loss because there is no hope of Heaven under an eternal pain of sense because there is no meanes to appease the wrath of God which abideth on them And this despair of ever coming out is the very Hell of Hells O wo and alas 't is for ever for ever they must be tormented Drexellius a learned Authour writing upon this Argument hath this awakening passage If God saith he should speak thus to a damned soul let the whole world be filled with sand from the earth to the Empyrean Heaven and then let an Angel come every thousand year and fetch only one grain from that mighty sandy mountain and when that immeasurable heap is so spent and so many thousand years expired I will deliver thee out of Hell and those extream torments That most miserable forlorn wretch notwithstanding that he were to lie through that unconceiveable length of time in those intollerable hellish torments yet upon such a promise would infinitely rejoyce and deem himself not to be damned But alas when all those years are gone there are thousands upon thousands more to be endured even through all Eternity O sad and woful condition O Eternity Eternity Eternity This word ever breaks the heart O Lord to depart from thee for ever to lose the sight and fruition of thy pleased countenance to be hurled down among devils and damned fiends into a lake of fire and brimstone to be alwaies burning yet never consumed ever dying yet never dissolv'd alwaies gnawed upon by the worm of Conscience yet never devoured alwaies gnashing the teeth weeping howling vexing without any glimpse of hope or one drop of comfort What heart can think on these things without splitting in pieces O Lord whatever thou deniest me for this life whatever shall be my lot and portion here yet deny me not I humbly beseech thee the effectual assistance of thy Grace to enable me to work out my salvation to enable me unfeignedly to repent of all my sins and forsake them and to give up my soul to Christ Jesus for pardon and life that by him I may be justified and sanctified and saved from this dreadful wrath to come Even so let it be O Heavenly Father for thy rich mercy and my sweet Saviours merits sake I shall conclude this discourse of Hell with a few serious meditations Let us consider 1. How great how inexcusable