Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us say they Dan. 3. 17. and the event shewed as much Ver. 25. saith the King I see foure men walking in the midst and they have no hurt and the forme of the fourth is like the Sonne of God God is able to keepe the fire from hurting if he please even those that walke in the midst of it And mark what is said of these men Verse 27. That they were such upon whose bodies the fire had no power nor was an haire of their head singed neither were their coates changed nor the smell of fire had passed on them Oh admirable fruit of faith Oh strange effects of piety who would not confes that time spent in Gods service is the best spent time when he seeth and considereth that there is such admirable profit and safety in it Nay he that doth conscionably spend time in Gods service may be sure he shall want nothing that is good Psal 34. 10. So that such a man may boldly say with David Psalm 23. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want The greatest Monarch under heaven without piety cannot say so much yea Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and spendeth much time in his service for riches and plentiousnesse shall be in his house if God see it to be good for him Psal. 112. 1 2. Thus for the body Then for the soule Hee that spendeth time in Gods service Shall never perish but have everlasting life Ioh. 3. 16. Yea hee that spendeth time in Gods service doth follow the advise of our Saviour Ioh. 6. 27. sc. To labour for that meate that perisheth not but endureth unto everlasting life and with Mary chooseth the better part which shall never be taken from him Luk. 10. 42. Yea this is chiefely and especially beneficiall for the soule See an excellent promise to this purpose Isa. 55. 3. Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live And I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Ver. 4. This is the maine thing to be regarded in point of profit For What is a man profited if he shall gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule saith our Saviour Matth. 16. 26. See an experiment of this in that rich man Luk. 12. 19 20. that had goods laid up for many yeares but could not secure his soule no not for a night but God said unto him thou foole this night shall they fetch away thy soule and then whose shall these goods bee which thou hast provided And this is the case of every man that spendeth his time to get riches instead of Gods service Ver. 21. So is every one that gathereth riches for himselfe and is not rich towards God For What hope hath the Hypocrite though hee hath gained when God shall fetch away his soule Iob 27. 8. When such are ready to call to the mountaines to fall upon them and the hills to cover them from the presence of the Lambe Revel 6. 16. Then shall the godly lift up their heads with joy because their redemption draweth nigh So that by this it appeareth evidently that time spent in Gods service hath the most profit in it every way both for body and soule Oh the difference betweene time spent in Gods service and in the neglect of it Give mee leave to conclude this branch of the Reason with that excellent place in Isa. 65. 13 14. Thus saith the Lord Behold my servant shall eate and yee shall bee hungry behold my servant shall drinke but yee shall be thirsty behold my servant shall rejoyce but yee shall bee ashamed Verse foureteene behold my servant shall sing for joy of heart and yee shall cry for sorrow of heart and shall howle for vexation of spirit c. A sweete cordiall for GODS servants but terrible to the wicked that neglect his service Fourthly and lastly I told you that time spent in Gods service hath the most comfort in it the very time it selfe so spent is full of comfort the very joy and rejoycing of a mans heart But especially this will afford us comfort at our death and at the day of judgment 1. For our death bed nothing will afford us so much comfort then as this if a man can say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the Testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world Time sincerely spent in Gods service wil assure a man that when he dyeth he shall goe to heaven 2 Cor. 5. 1. Wee know that if this earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved we have a building of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens Three singular examples I will give you for this 1. That of Hezekiah Isa. 38. 3. When the Prophet greeteth him with that heavie tydings saying put thy house in order for thou shalt dye and not live What was it that did afford him comfort in that case That you shall see was the consideration of his well spent time Remember 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 Lo the chiefe ground of comfort in death is the conscience of a well led life So that of the Apostle 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand saith the Apostle v. 6. Now see what it was that did afford him comfort in that case Surely consideration of the right and religious spending of his time I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a crowne of righteousnesse Hee that would have the like comfort in his death must have a care to spend much time in Gods service in his life time Oh let me dye the death of the righteous saith wicked Baalam and let my last end be like his he meaneth in regard of sweetnesse and comfort Num. 23. 10. This is the desire of many Now the way to obtaine this is to live the life of the Righteous This appeareth lastly by the example of our blessed Saviour when hee had finished his course how sweetely doth hee conclude Iohn 17. 4 5. I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to doe i. e. I have spent my whole life in thy service it hath beene my meate to doe the will of thee my heavenly Father Yea see the sweet fruit of this And now ô Father glorifie thou me with thine own selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was See here the way to have hope and comfort in death Hee that would have glory with God in heaven must glorifie God here on earth Hee that would
be assured that he shall spend his time with God in heaven in eternall glory must first spend his time in Gods service here on earth Grace on earth is the way to glory in heaven And thus you see also that time spent in Gods service is the best not onely in regard of God but also in respect of our selves Thirdly and lastly I told you that time spent in Gods service is best spent in regard of others it redoundeth not only to Gods glory and our owne good but it also extendeth to the good of others especially those that are in any kind of distresse Time spent in Gods service is the best way both to prevent danger and to remove it Consider the danger and misery of GODS Church both at home and abroad danger of famine danger of sword danger of pestilence Now what better remedy to prevent these dangers then time spent in Gods service in prayer and fasting c See this in the practise of the Niâ—ivites Ioâ—â—h 3. The danger was great for Yet fortie dayes and Niniveh shall be destroyed saith the Lord ver 4. Well see how they prevented this fearefull danger How did they spend their time That you may see Ver 5. 6. They believed God and pâ—oclaimed 〈…〉 and put on sackâ—loth from the greatest 〈◊〉 them to the least of them Yea and word â—â—me to the King himselfe who arose from his Throne and layd his Robe from him and sate in Ashes and made proclamation throughout the Citie that neither man nor beast should drinke water nor taste any fooâ—e but bee covered with sackâ—loth and cry mightily unto God c. Who can tell whether God will turne and repent c. that wee perish not i. e. If any thing will prevent our destruction this will doe it Now see the event Ver. 10. And God saw their workes c. He saw how they spent their time and God repented of the evill that he had said that he would doe unto them and he did it not so that time spent in Gods service is the best way to prevent danger Yea and secondly It is the best way also to remove it oh the miseries of Gods people in Germany and in this land also some by famine some by pestilence our wit is too shallow our strength too weake our purse too empty to relieve them if any thing we have can doe them good it must be our prayers and the right and religious spending of our time Alas time spent in sinning in swearing in drunkennesse this provoketh the eyes of Gods glory and incenseth his wrath against us but time spent in Gods service is the way to helpe them and our selves in this case And for the farther help of our unbeleeving hearts in this high point consider 1. Gods owne direction 2. The Churches practise 3. Our owne experience 1. We have the Testimony of God himselfe See an excellent place to this purpose 2 Chron. 7. 13 14. Where the Lord himselfe putteth a case of danger and prescribeth the remedy 1. If I shut up heaven that there bee no raine and this you know was our very case lately or if I send pestilence among my people and this is our case even for the present there have beene and still are sundry places in this kingdome infected with the pestilence here is the danger Well what is the best course that Gods people can take to remove such a judgement how should we doe to helpe those that are in this wofull estate That the Lord himselfe sheweth plainely v. 14. If the people that are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face c. that is spend time in my service then see the admirable fruit of this then will I heare from heaven and forgive their sinnes and heale their land Time spent in Gods service is the best way to remove a judgement from our selves or others This is a course of Gods owne prescribing 2. This is the judgement and opinion of the Church and State wherein we live and our Religious Governours and such as are in authority Hereupon it was that in the last great Plague there was a generall Fast proclaimed and appointed to bee celebrated throughout the whole kingdome that we might seeke God by prayer and fasting for the cessation of that sore judgement of the Pestilence And why this but only to shew that even our gracious Soveraigne and such as are in authority in our Church and State are verily perswaded that time spent in Gods service is very effectuall and availeable to take away the Pestilence 3. It appeareth by experience what admirable successe we have had in this case wee have found by experience often the worth of this course either for preventing or removing a judgment as in that yeare 1625. and sundry other times both before and since the Lord hath made good unto us that precious promise Isa. 65. 24. It shall come to passe that when ye call I will answer and while yee are yet speaking I will heare for while we were yet praying and fasting the Lord was intreated of us So that even in this regard also time spent in Gods service is absolutely the best spent time So that a godly religious man that spendeth much time in Gods service shall prevaile more either for preventing or removing a judgement from the land then an hundred others he is the only man that must deliver the Ileland according to that in Iob 22. 30. He shall deliver the Iland of the Innocent or as is well noted in the Margent The Innocent shall deliver the Iland and it is delivered by the purenesse of thine hands It is the purity of hearts and hands and time spent in Gods service that must helpe in this case for otherwise we know that God heareth not sinners but if any man bee a worshiper of God and a doer of his will if any delight to spend time in GODS service him he heareth saith the blind man Ioh. 9. 31. CHAP. III. Contaâ—ning the first Vse of the point viz. for Instruction 1. IS it so That time spent in Gods service is absolutely the best spent time The knowledge of this truth doth lead us on to the knowledge of other precious truths to this purpose for our instruction 1. Hence then it followeth that time spent in sinning or in the Devils service must needs bee the worst spent time time spent in swearing lying stealing wantonnesse drunkennesse yea in covetous carking and caring c. is the worst spent time that can bee it is quite opposite and contrary to that which is spent in Gods service and therefore as that is the best so on the contrary this must needs bee the worst spent time that can bee It is the worst in every respect 1. In respect of God 2. In regard of our selves 3. In respect of others 1. Time spent in sinfull courses is the worst spent time in
and faithfull servant because thou hast beene faithfull in a few things have thou authoritie over ten Cities Yea who must have the odde Talent but he that had ten before Ver. 24. And he sayd unto them that stood by Take the Talent from him and give it to him that hath ten Talents They said unto him v. 25. Lord he hath ten Talents i.e. he hath enough alreadie now observe the answer ver 26. For unto every one that hath shall be given c. He that hath most grace to spend most time in Gods service on earth shall have the greatest reward and the most glorie in heaven Oh therefore beginne betime to get grace that thou mayest have the more glorie in heaven Fifthly The sooner we beginne to spend time in Gods service the sooner shall we beginne to requite our Parents love and to affoord them comfort The childes well-doing is the Parents comfort Yea many Parents that are not so religious themselves rejoyce yet to see their children zealous and forward that way A wise Sonne maketh a glad Father sayth Salomon Prov. 10. 1. A wise Sonne that is a religious childe one that setteth himselfe to serve God in his youth he rejoyceth the heart of his Father But a foolish Sonne that is an ungodly Impe is the griefe of his Mother Vngodly children like a viperous brood do eate out the very hearts of their parents and doe stab their hearts with sorrow and heavinesse It is a strange speech of Salomon 17. 21. He that begetteth a foole that is an ungracious child for that is Salomons foole doth it to his sorrow and the Father of a foole hath no joy I marvaile not more that old Ely brake his necke with his fall at last then that his sonnes had not broken his heart long before with their vicious courses Oh let us therefore serve God in our youth that it may be a comfort to our Parents in their age Here is the fifth Benefit But besides the Vtilitie let us in the second place consider the Necessitie For besides the expresse charge that wee have from God to this purpose see the dangerous consequences and inconveniences that follow upon the neglect of it So that wee must needs doe it or we must doe worse Now the mischiefes that doe especially flow from the neglect of Gods service in our youth are principally five First If we doe not serve God in our youth we shall serve worse Masters sc. the Devill the world and the flesh He that serveth not God must serve the Devill it is unavoydable observe it Ephes. 2. 2. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the ayre the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience But how came this to passe See Ver. 12. At that time yee were without Christ c. without God in the world He that is without Christ and without God will not nor cannot be without his lustes Vntill we become the servants of God we are all the vassals of Sathan and slaves to our own filthy lustes Titus 3. 3. For wee our selves were sometimes foolish serving diverse lustes and pleasures c. Loe our woefull Masters untill we set our selves to serve God Living in malice hatefull and hating one another sayth the Apostle there Yee cannot serve God and Mammon sayth our blessed Saviour Mat. 6. 24. As if he had sayd Yee cannot but serve one of them He that committeth sinne is the servant of sinne a wofull Master See what lamentable wages such Masters usually give their servants in the end The wages of sinne is death sayth the Apostle Rom. 6. 23. See then how necessary it is to serve God and that speedily for till then we must of necessitie serve wofull Masters for wofull wages But O the happinesse of such as spend time in Gods service Ver. 22. But now being made free from sinne and become the servants of God yee have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life There is excellent wages Secondly The longer we stay before we set our selves to serve God the more difficult and hard we shall finde it if we doe returne to God at last He that posteth the contrary way is still the farther from his journeys end and will have the lesse minde to returne Continuance in evill breedeth a custome in sinne which is not left without great difficultie Ier. 13. 23. Can the Aethiopian change his skinne or the Leopard his spots then may yee also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill It is exceeding difficult When a man hath gotten a custome of swearing or drinking or gameing how hard is it for such to be reclaimed A twig is easily dealt with which is immoveable if it grow till it become a tree How tractable was Joash in his youth but in his age intolerable He that was guided by Jehojada in his youth killed his sonne Zachariah afterward Much more he that is bad in his youth may be worse in his age Thirdly How just is it with God to reject them in their age which have rejected his service in their youth Men thinke any thing is good enough for God the rotten old age the blinde and the lame and the sicke but how much they are deceived the Prophet sheweth Mal. 1. Offer it now to thy Prince or thy Governour sayth the Lord would he accept it at thy hands Suppose that a Souldier should spend all his youth in service against his Soveraigne and then in his old age should offer his service to his Prince How justly might such a base offer be rejected Why should we spend the flower of our youth in vanitie and yet thinke that God should accept of us in our age He that runneth from God the greatest part of his life God may hide himselfe from him at his death witnesse Spira and the Kentish Apothecarie how wofully did God hide himselfe from them in death that had neglected his service in their life When the Father seeth the childe readie to play with every toy or feather and not to minde his way he steppeth behinde a bush and hideth himselfe a good while before the childe can finde him so dealeth God with his children Verely thou art a God that hydest thy selfe O God of Israel the Saviour Isa. 45. 15. If Gods children will walke so neare hell mouth the greatest part of their life no marvell if at the time of death the Lord take them by the heeles and make them beleeve he will throw them in So I conceive the Lord dealt with Spira and the Apothecarie I love them that love me sayth Wisedome and they that seeke me early shall finde me Pro. 8. 17. To intimate unto us that it is possible for a man to come too late There is a time when God will not be found as is intimated Isa. 55. 6. See an experiment of such as come
Christ. First of the first of these sc. this That Christ Iesus and his merits together with the saving graces of his Spirit are fitly resembled unto gold yea gold tryed in the fire Hereupon it is that the Tabernacle and the Temple were both so adorned with gold because they were the Types of our Saviour and the graces of his Spirit Exod. 37. 6. 1 King 7. 48. There was the Table of gold and the Altar of gold and the Bowles and the Tongs and the Snuffers all of pure gold c. And why all this but to teach us that Christ and the graces of his Spirit are fitly resembled to gold Marke the answer of Christ's Spouse to the daughters of Jerusalem Cant. 5. when they asked What is thy beloved more than another beloved observe her answer Ver. 10. My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest of tenne thousand Ver. 11. His head is as the most fine gold He is like unto most fine gold yea gold tryed in the fire So the Church cloathed with the merits of Christ and adorned with the graces of his Spirit is covered as it were with cloth of gold Vpon thy right hand did stand the Queene in gold of Ophyr saith the Text Psal. 45. 9. that is cloathed with Christ and the graces of his Spirit which are pure and precious like the gold of Ophyr And so againe Ver. 13. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within that is the Church is glorious in Gods account Her cloathing is of wrought gold this is very direct Now the Reasons of the poynt might be many I will but instance in some few of many Gold tryed in the fire is very precious of great worth and value so is Christ even in his lowest estate when he seemeth most despicable and worthles yet is he even then most precious disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious sayth the Apostle 1 Pet. 2. 4. and v. 6. Behold I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone elect and precious though the Jewish builders rejected this Stone yet was he exceeding precious in Gods account And as Christ himselfe is precious so are the graces of his Spirit such as wisdome and knowledge and faith and love c. these are precious jewels and therefore fitly resembled unto gold See what the holy Ghost sayth of Wisedome Pro. 3. 13 14. Happie is the man that findeth Wisdome and the man that getteth understanding for the merchandise thereof is better then the merchandise of silver and the gaine thereof is better then fine gold shee is more precious then Rubies c. See here the precious nature of spirituall and heavenly Wisdome The like may be said of faith and other graces Hence that phrase of precious faith To all that have obtained like precious faith with us sayth the Apostle 2 Pet. 1. 1. If you aske how precious this grace is He answereth That the tryall of our faith is much more precious then of gold that perisheth 1 Pet. 1. 7. Secondly Gold is of especiall use to pay debts to keepe or redeeme out of prison so are the merits and blood of Christ they redeeme us from hell and death yee are bought with a price sayth the Apostle 2 Cor. 6. 19 20. What price not silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lambe without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Of him are yee in Christ Jesus sayth the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 30. Who of God is made unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption O golden Christ by the helpe of whose merits we pay the Debts which we owe to our heavenly Father yea by this gold are we redeemed and set at libertie from the prison of hell and from the bondage and slavery of sinne and Sathan Thirdly Gold tryed in the fire is very pure and cleane there is no drosse left in it so is Christ pure as well as precious so are the graces of Gods Spirit true grace is pure grace pure faith or faith unfained pure love without dissembling sincere or pure truth without hypocrisie 1 Tim. 1. 5. Now the end of the Commandement is charitie or love out of a pure heart and a good or pure conscience and faith unfained faith without mixture that is pure faith such faith and love are golden graces indeed Let love be without dissimulation sayth the Apostle Rom. 12. 9. there is pure love indeed it is an excellent place 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing that yee have purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfained love of the brethren see that yee love one another with a pure heart fervently here is pure gold indeed wrought by the pure Spirit of God there is the Authour of it in obeying the truth there is the instrumentall meanes of it pure and unfained loue out of a pure heart there is the fruit of it Fourthly Gold tryed in the fire is fit for purchase it commandeth what the earth can affoord so doe Christ and his merits and graces they doe purchase Heaven for us Heaven is an inheritance and given freely in respect of any merits of ours but merited and purchased for us by Christ He is our great purchaser He purchaseth Heaven for us and in our name and is gone to take possession for us and to prepare a place for us there He purchased it for us by his merits hence that phrase Ephes. 1. 14. Vntill the Redemption of the purchased pessession sayth the Apostle And when he had purchased it for us He went to possesse it and prepare a place for us Joh. 16. 3. I goe to prepare a place for you So that a man interested in Christs merits and adorned with his graces is fit to make a purchase of Heaven So that Christ and his merits are in this respect also fitly resembled unto gold they make a golden purchase or purchase a golden place in Heaven for us Fifthly Gold is of an excellent use for ornament and beautie as well as for purchase and profit thus the Tabernacle and Temple were adorned with gold to make them glorious and beautifull so is the Church by the merits and graces of Christ become a glorious Church Psal. 45. 13. The Kings daughter is all glorious within How cometh that to passe Surely by the gold of Christs merits and graces for it followeth Her cloathing is of wrought gold there is her chiefe ornament so doe the graces of Gods Spirit they doe even adorne us in Gods account faith and love and meeknesse O woman great is thy faith Mat. 15. 28. there is her ornament I have not found so great faith no not in Israel sayth our Saviour Mat. 8. 10. there is the Centurions ornament so of Abraham faithfull Abraham a man strong in the faith and gave glory to God Rom. 4. 20. Golden Abraham there is his ornament Moses the meekest man upon earth Numb 12. 3. Now the man Moses was very meeke
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation v. 5. Loe here a most precious inheritance 3. Gods people have a farre better portion then the wicked for they have the Lord himselfe their portion Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is my portion sayth my soule therefore will I hope in him I have sayd unto the Lord thou art my portion sayth David Psal. 142. 5. Psal. 16. 5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and my cup but the wicked and impenitent have no interest in this portion at best they have their portion in this life Psal. 17. 14. a portion of wealth a portion of land or gold and silver there is the outside of their portion but besides this they have a wofull portion Psal. 11. 6. Vpon the wicked God shall raine snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup a woull portion whereas the godly have the God of heaven and earth for their portion Fourthly and lastly Gods people have far better attendance then the wicked they may have a company of brave men to attend them at the best but the godly have the glorious Angels to attend and waite upon them they are all sent forth for the good of those that shall be heires of salvation Heb. 1 14. So Psal. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that feare him and delivereth them They have a charge from God to that purpose Psal. 91. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keepe thee in all thy wayes here is golden and glorious attendance indeed when they have the holy Angels Gods most glorious creatures and servants to attend them Thus ye see that Gods people are golden people and farre more glorious then the wicked Thirdly Is true grace fitly resembled unto gold This serveth to justifie the paines and care and diligence of all such as labour earnestly to get saving graces sc. because it is so precious It is fitly compared unto gold in respect of the worth of it yea it is more precious then the most fine gold and therefore justifiable and commendable is the course of all those that take paines to get true grace yea that preferre it before gold for it is far more precious as you have heard they that choose this have with Mary chosen the better part which shall never be taken from them Luk. 10. 42. Let no man say therefore what need so much teaching and preaching and such running after Sermons c. For it is necessary that the Word of God should be preached Act. 13. 47. for it is the meanes both to beget and increase saving grace which is of a golden qualitie and therefore sayth the Apostle in his valediction to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus Acts 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up farther and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified It will never leave a man untill it have brought a man into the new Jerusalem Goe on therefore O all ye Saints of God Take fast hold of Instruction let her not goe keepe her for she is your life Pro. 4. 13. Cleave to the possession and practise of Gods truth be not ashamed of it it will make you happie for ever Blessed is the man that findeth me sayth Wisedome watching dayly at my gates and giving attendance at the postes of my doores Pro. 8. 34 35. and marke what an excellent reason shee giveth for this for who so findeth me findeth life and shall obtaine favour of the Lord. Be not ashamed then of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God through faith unto salvation sayth the Apostle Rom. 1. 16. O therefore let the kingdome of heaven suffer violence and let the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 11. Let men strive to enter into the strait gate it is the advise of our blessed Saviour Luk. 13. 24. Yea let us give all diligence 2 Pet. 1. 5. Wherein should we give all diligence if not in this that is worth gold yea farre better then gold They and their money perish with thom that thinke all the gold and silver in the world worth one dayes fellowship with Jesus Christ sayd that rare Italian Convert Happy is the man that seeth so cleerely the worth of true grace that he doth preferre it infinitely before all the treasures under heaven yea that looketh at the whole world as a lumpe of vanitie in comparison of saving grace Such an one was Paul Phil. 3. 8. yea doubtlesse I account all things but drosse and doe judge them to be dung that I may winne Christ. Such a rare sparke was Moses that esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Aegypt Heb. 11. 26. He looked upon things with a spirituall and a judicious eye preferring gold before all the drosse in the world Let not the Saints of God be discouraged by the scoffes and outcryes of the wicked nor for the opposition of unreasonable men Who will let slip an opportunitie to get gold because dogges will barke In nothing be terrified by your adversaries sayth the Apostle which is to them a token of perdition but to you of salvation and that of God Phil. 1. 28. Goe on still and the blessing of Heaven goe with you for Blessed are all that heare the Word of God and keepe it sayth our Saviour Luk. 11. 28. This is that one thing needfull which sball never be taken from you this will goe along with you to the grave when the worldling must leave all behinde him he knoweth not to whom this that you have laboured for saving grace shall affoord you comfort in death and matter of rejoycing in the day of the Lord Iesus Observe that excellent speech of the Apostle 2 Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicitie and godly sinceritie not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God wee have had our conversation in the world this will affoord comfort and helpe in time of need when all worldly hopes and helpes doe utterly perish and come to nought an excellent place to this purpose in Heb. 4. 16. Let us goe boldly to the throne of grace c. that we may obtaine mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of need It is not gold but grace that is able to helpe in time of neede O let us neither be strangers to the throne of grace nor the Word of grace but daily converse with both this is the way to be happie both here and hereafter He that giveth all diligence to get grace shall not loose his labour therefore sayth the Apostle giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue c. for so an entrance
our spirit that wee are the children of God And if a man may be assured he is Gods childe why should it not be possible for him to be sure that the gold of his saving graces is sincere and will not deceive him Fourthly It is possible for a man to be assured of his redemption that even his soule is washed in the blood of Christ and of his interest in the great worke of Christs Redemption Iob was assured of his Redemption that Christ was his living Redeemer Iob 19. 25. For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the later day upon the earth So Paul was assured that Christ was his Redeemer and that he gave himselfe for him in particular Gal. 2. 20. The life that I now live I live by the faith of the Sonne of God who loved me and gave himselfe for me sayth the Apostle If a man may be assured of his redemption much more that his graces are sincere c. Fifthly A man may be assured that when he dieth he shall goe to heaven see what the Apostle sayth 2. Cor. 5. 1. We know that when this earthly house of our Tabernacle shall be dissolved we have an house of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens i. e. We know that when these bodies of ours which are made of earth shall turne to dust the soule shall goe to heaven to that place which Christ hath prepared for us So the Apostle S. Iohn 1 Ioh. 3. 14. We know that we are translated from death to life wee are as sure when we die we shall goe to heaven But how What by revelation No sure but because we love the brethren He that is assured that he loveth the brethren may be sure when he dieth he shall goe to heaven much more that he hath true grace Sixthly A man may be sure that the goodnesse and mercy of God shall follow him all the dayes of his life and consequently of his continuance in the state of grace much more that his graces are sound and sincere Psal. 23. 6. Surely Goodnesse and Mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life He that can be assured of this may be much more sure that the gold of his graces are not counterfeit And so I come to the fourth and the last Motive that may perswade us to this tryall sc. the comfort that will hereby redound unto our soules when the worke is once throughly performed Gal. 6. 4. Let every one prove his owne worke sayth the Apostle and then shall he have rejoycing in himselfe sc. that his graces are sincere and not in another A man that hath had his gold called in question and yet proveth sound and currant oh it filleth him full of joy and rejoycing Let this perswade us to try our graces that wee may partake of that joy and comfort which will hereby redound unto us which is as the Apostle speakes 1 Pet. 1. 8. A joy unspeakable and full of glory A peace that passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. Let the expectation of this sweet fruit of joy which will accompany our endeavours this way make us fall to this worke of searching our selves with all diligence O what a comfort to Hezechiah in that extremitie that he was assured and durst appeale to God that his heart was upright Isay 38. 3. Remember Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart So this also supported Iob Iob 23. 10. He knoweth the way that I take and when he hath tryed me I shall come out like gold there was his comfort that his graces were of a right golden metall though his friends conceived otherwise of him and charged him deeply with hypocrisie yet he knew that God knew his graces were sound and upright oh let us in time make the like search and tryall of our graces that he did that we may have the like comfort and ground of rejoycing that he had So this was the Apostles comfort at all times whatsoever befell him yet he knew that he was truely gracious 2 Cor. 1. 12. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicitie and godly sinceritie not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world A man that is assured that he hath an heart full of true saving grace will have more true comfort in it and more solid joy then if he had a great chest full of gold An heart full of grace will affoord farre more joy and comfort then a purse full of gold And this is the last Motive that may perswade us to this tryall and diligent examination whether our grace be sincere and such as will not deceive us Now for the second generall poynt that I propounded for the perfecting of this poynt sc. the Markes and Signes of true grace they are indeede many but I will keepe close to the Metaphor which wee have in hand and give you some few for your satisfaction in this case First true and pure gold gold tryed in the fire will shew the lustre and brightnesse both in the fire and water so true grace will teach a man how to cary himselfe in every estate and condition Here was the tryall of Pauls grace golden Paul after his conversion in all estates Philippians 4. 11. I have learnd in what estate soever I am therewith to be content both to bee full and to be hungry to abound and to suffer need Though it bee a more blessed thing to give rather then to receive yet hee that hath true grace is skilfull in both his face will shine in every condition He that hath true grace will manifest it by his gracious cariage in every condition both in prosperity and adversity if he be rich hee is bountifull and liberall he is Rich in good workes and layeth up for himselfe a good foundation 1 Tim. 6. 17. If he be poore he sheweth his golden nature in another kinde in humble submitting to the will of God It is the Lord let him doe what seemeth him good said golden Ely 1 Sam. 3. 18. In his patience and thankfulnesse he kisseth the rod and thankes his father even for his love in correcting He is like a well cut Dye every way square which way soever ye cast it cast it easily it will be square cast it violently it remaineth square still so will a gracious heart shew its puritie in all estates and conditions Looke upon Job in his twofold condition and yee shall finde him pure gold in both looke upon his demeanour in the water of prosperity when hee even swome in Rivers of prosperity oh how bountifull was hee how full of good workes Job 30. Chap. 31. By the Lords owne testimony A man that feared God and eschewed evill none like him in all the earth Iob 1. 1. 7. What a gracious testimony from God himselfe
seales of righteousnesse In what esteeme have we the Word faithfully read and preached which is called The Word of Gods grace Acts 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up farther c. He that is carelesse and disregardfull of this can have little assurance of the worke of true grace being wrought in his heart They are scarce new borne that love not the meanes and instruments of their new birth or regeneration Looke upon all those golden persons recorded in Scripture and you shall finde what a singular affection they have ever borne to the Word read and preached Iob esteemed it more then his necessary foode Iob 23. 12. Ieremiah saith It was to him the very joy and rejoycing of his heart Ier. 15. 16. and David's affection in this case was admirable and extraordinary Oh how I love thy law It is my meditation continually Psalme 119. 97. It was dearer to him then thousands of gold and silver sweeter then honey and the honey combe c. So that hee that despiseth God's holy Ordinances and the meanes which God hath appointed for the begetting and increasing of true grace in the hearts of his people out of doubt he hath not the spirit of David in him hee is rather empty and destitute of the golden graces of Gods Spirit then filled with the fruits of righteousnesse Let us therefore try our selves impartially and faithfully by these signes that wee have heard that we may be assured the gold of grace which we have or seeme to have is true gold and not counterfeit and such as will deceive us You that finde your selves stored with this precious commodity blesse God for it and bee thankefull for true saving grace is like Gold tryed in the fire pure and precious And thus much shall serve for the first point CHAP. V. Containing tâ—e second generall point ANd so I come to the second point which is to be observed in these words sc. this That the gold of true saving grace is the onely way and meanes to make us truly and spiritually rich Buy of me gold that thou mayest be rich saith our Saviour Loe here the chiefe way and meanes to become truly and spiritually rich this is durable riches and righteousnesse saith the Wise man Proverbs 3. 15. Yea true grace is the meanes to make a man rich towards God it is the speech of our Saviour Luke 12. 21. So is he that gathereth riches for himselfe and is not rich towards God where we see that it is possible for a man to be plentifully furnished with worldly riches and yet bee a poore man in the Lords account 2. That true saving grace is a Iewell of such excellent and precious worth that it is able to make a man rich towards God truly and spiritually rich indeed And there is also great reason for it For 1. Because true saving grace doth entitle a man to the Lord Iesus Christ with all his inestimable wealth and riches 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. where speaking to such as were religious and had true grace he saith All is yours whether it bee Paul or Apollos or Cephas c. All is yours and yee are Christ's and Christ is God's Yea the very unsearchable riches of Christ doe belong to such as have true saving grace Ephes. 3. 8. Oh the unsearchable riches of Christ ô the infinite fulnesse of grace that is in Christ In him dwelleth the fulnesse of the God-head bodily yea there is all fulnesse in Christ for ever in him it dwelleth Colos. 1. 19. Now all this belongeth directly to such as feare God and are truly religious Of his fulnesse wee have all received and grace for grace Iohn 1. 14. Yea the Lord Iesus Christ became poore on purpose to make us truly rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. Yee know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ who though he was rich yet for your sakes hee became poore that wee through his poverty might become rich saith the Apostle He that hath speciall interest in Christ with all his riches must needs be most truly and spiritually rich but he that hath true saving grace hath this speciall interest in the unsearchable riches of Christ and therefore such an one must needs be most truly and spiritually rich 2. He that hath true saving grace hath the God of heaven for his portion Now how can he be poore that hath such a portion This is the very case of every man that hath true saving grace sc. that hee hath the God of heaven for his portion Lament 3. 24. The Lord is my portion saith my soule therefore will I hope in him So Psalme 16. 5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup where we see that such as have true grace have the Lord himselfe for their portion yea they may be assured that he is so Psal. 142. 5. I cryed unto the Lord and said thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living He that is assured in his soule that he hath the God of heaven and earth for his portion is most truely and spiritually rich even towards God But he that hath true saving grace may be assured that hee hath the God of heaven and earth for this portion and such a man is most truly and spiritually rich Thirdly this precious gold of true saving grace doth entitle a man to heaven for his inheritance Hee that hath true grace may be sure when he dyeth he shall goe to heaven 2 Cor. 5. 1. We know that when this earthly house of this tabernacle shall bee dissolved we have a building of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens Hence is that speech of the Apostle 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. which hath begotten us againe to an inheritance immortall and undefiled that fadeth not away c. To the same purpose is that speech of our Saviour Matth. 25. 34. Come yee blessed children of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world This is the very case of every man that truly feareth God and hath true saving grace they are the members of Christ the children of God and inheritors of the kingdome of heaven observe it Psalm 24. 3 4. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord and who shall dwell in his holy place who shall bee a member of the Church militant on earth and also a member of the Church Triumphant in heaven He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart c. See here the description of that man that hath interest in heaven for his inheritance So also Revel 22. 14. Blessed are they that doe his Commandements for they shall enter in through the gates into the City sc. of the New Jerusalem c. Yea how poore or despicable soever their condition and outward estate may
be here on earth Jam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of the world rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which God hath promised to them that love him Fourthly and lastly He that hath true saving grace and speciall interest in Christ hath a comfortable right and title to the things of this life which God conferres upon him yea unto all the good things of God whether spirituall or temporall all is theirs Gods ordinances are theirs Gods Ministers are theirs all the good creatures and blessings of God are theirs yea even those that seeme to have nothing if they have true saving grace have interst in and possession of all things Observe that speech of the Apostle 1 Cor. 3. 21 22 23. All is yours whether it be Paul or Apollos or Cephas or life or death c. all are yours and yee are Christs and Christ is Gods Here we see that Christians and such as have true grace are no beggars but the richest persons under heaven They that have true grace and title to Christ have a comfortable right and title to all the good things of God spirituall and temporall all is theirs yea which is most strange all is the true christians even in possession 2 Cor. 6. 10. As having nothing and yet possessing all things Loe here the wealth and riches of all true Christians even when they seeme to have nothing they have all things in possession so that get Christ and get all Rom. 8. 32. God that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him to the death for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things And therefore all such as have true grace are the richest persons in the world though enjoying little yet in a contentation and competency abounding in all things The houses of all good men being open to the Apostles First This serveth to teach us how much the world is deceived in judging and censuring of the estate and condition of Gods people Oh! the world thinketh Gods people to be the poorest and basest yea and most despicable people in the world whereas here you see that they are best furnished with that most precious commodity which is able to make them truely and spiritually rich even rich towards God Doe but consider of what rich parentage they come they have the God of heaven and earth for their Father the Lord for their portion and their helper and heaven it selfe for their inheritance yea and all the Ordinances and Ministers and all the good things of God are theirs and therefore they are absolutely the most wealthy and the richest persons in the world they are indeed the poore of the world yet rich in faith and inheritors of the kingdome of heaven yea howsoever the world judgeth of them they are the most precious and honourable persons in the world in Gods account they are such of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11. 37 38. See the high esteeme that God hath of all such as are religious Isa. 43. 5. Since thou art precious in my sight and honourable and I have loved thee sayth God They are the most precious and honourable persons in the world in Gods account See then how the mis-judging world is deceived in this case in accounting Gods people to be the scumme and off-scouring of the world whereas indeed they are the most glorious and most honourable persons in the world The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour Pro. 12. 26. sc. that is not righteous yea and a farre richer and a better man in Gods account as Pro. 28. 6. Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then he that is perverse in his wayes although he be rich A godly poore man is farre better yea which is strange farre richer in Gods account then any ungodly rich man whatsoever for hee is rich in Christ rich in faith full of the golden graces of Gods Spirit and therefore the world is utterly deceived that doe judge the contrary and thinke and esteeme most basely of him Secondly This serveth to comfort Gods people in respect of the disgrace and pressure of worldly povertie The poore is hated even of his neighbour Pro. 14. 20. Povertie is of it selfe sufficient to bring Gods people into contempt and hatred yet let Gods people and such as are religious comfort themselves in this case upon these ensuing particulars First That howsoever the world speaketh or esteemeth of thee yet thou art truely rich in Gods account full of spirituall wealth and riches even rich towards God as our Saviour himselfe speaketh Luk. 12. 21. Rich in faith Iam. 2. 5. though perhaps poore in respect of gold and silver rich in hope yea full of spirituall wealth and riches in possession all Gods ordinances the Word and Sacraments are thine Gods faithfull Ministers are thine yea the graces of Gods Spirit are thine all the promises recorded in Scripture are thine inheritance Who through faith and patience inherit the promises sayth the Text Heb. 6. 10. So that hence it followeth that Gods promises are the Christians inheritance Looke into the rich wardrobe of Gods promises and then consider how rich you are therein and certainly it will exceedingly comfort you in regard of worldly povertie Secondly Consider that as â—od regardeth no man that more simply for his wealth and riches so he thinketh never the worse of any for his povertie if he be otherwise truely godly and religious Observe it Iob 34. 19. He regardeth not the rich more then the poore sayth the Text sc. for his riches riches availe not in that case nor can procure any the least acceptance with GOD onely the true feare of God and faith in Christ is that which doth procure acceptance with God Acts 10. 35. Of a truth sayth the Apostle I perceive that God is no respectâ—r of persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him sc. how poore soever they may be for outward things Oh! how this may comfort us in respect of the disgrace and contempt that is cast upon us by the world sc. that God himselfe doth highly esteeme and kindly accept of us The Lord maketh choice in speciall manner of such as are godly and religious Psal. 4. The Lord hath chosen or set apart for himselfe the man that is godly yea how poore soever he be if he be also poore in spirit the Lord will never reject him but freely make choice of him to be his sonne and servant Iam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of the world rich in faith Onely let our care be to be rich in faith and then let us never doubt of finding acceptance with God notwithstanding our outward povertie Here is the second ground of comfort for all godly poore ones sc. that they finde farre better acceptance and favour with God then any ungodly person whatsoever It is not povertie but sinne onely that can
separate betweene God and us Your iniquities not your povertie have separated between you and your God onely beware of sinne and then assure thy selfe that povertie can never separate betweene thee and God Thirdly Consider that God is as readie to heare the prayers of a godly poore man as any rich man whatsoever not riches but grace onely is prevalent on this behalfe Ioh. 9. 31. We know sayth the blind man that God heareth not sinners sc. how rich soever they be but if any man be a worshipper of God and a doer of his will him he heareth how poore soever he be for outward things See a direct proofe for this Psal. 10. 14. The poore committeth himselfe to thee for thou art the helper of the friendlesse yea this should encourage others when they consider this Psal. 34. 6. This poore man cryed and the Lord heard him sayth the Text. Not povertie but sinne and iniquitie is that alone that stoppeth up the eare of God against our prayers The Lord of his speciall goodnes prepareth for the poore Psal. 68. 10. yea The Lord heareth the poore sayth the Text Psal. 69. 33. The Lord will fulfill the desire of such as feare him though they be poore he will heare their cry and will helpe them Here is another speciall priviledge wherein Gods poore ones have as much interest as any the richest persons in the world yea the promises of being heard Mat. 7. 7. Isa. 65. 24. doe belong to Gods poore people as much as to the richest or wealthiest persons under heaven Here is the third ground Fourthly and lastly Consider that a godly poore man may goe to heaven at his death as soone as the richest person in the world It is grace onely and not riches that will bring a man to heaven at the last and therefore be of good comfort O thou godly poore man for thou mayest goe to heaven as soone as the richest miser in the world yea and sooner too and with far lesse difficultie How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdome of heaven sayth our blessed Saviour It is marvellous hard and difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heaven for rich men are apt to trust in riches and depart from the living God 1. Tim. 6. 17. or else they are apt to be proud of their wealth and riches and so deny God This made holy Agur even afraid of riches Pro. 30. 8 9. Give me not povertie nor riches c. Why not riches What hurt could there be of being rich Yes sayes he not riches least I be full and deny thee and say Who is the Lord Like unto proud wealthy Pharoah Exod. 5. 5. Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel goe I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel goe loe here the fruit of unsanctified wealth and riches yea rich men are most apt to forget God Deut. 8. But now a godly poore man is free from temptations of this kinde a godly poore man is in no such danger runneth no such hazzard either to be proud or deny God or forget God or the like c. But on the contrary his povertie being sanctified is a speciall meanes to subdue and beate downe these lusts and to mortifie these unruly corruptions povertie in his outward estate through the good hand of God is a meanes to make him poore in spirit and so to dispose and fit him for heaven for blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the kingdome of heaven sayth our Saviour Mat. 5. 3. yea God for the most part doth usually passe â—y the rich and wealthy and maketh choice â—f the poore and needy for the heires of â—eaven 1 Cor. 1. 26. for Brethren yee see our calling how that not many wise men after he flesh not many mighty not many noble are â—alled Who then doth the Lord most orâ—inarily and usually call Surely the poore â—nd needy Hath not God chosen the poore â—f the world saith the Apostle Iames 1. 5. â—ich in faith and heires of the kingdome which God hath promised to them that love him â—ere we see that povertie doth not indisâ—ose nor unqualifie a man for heaven but â—t him rather such a man when he dyâ—th goeth hungry to God or fasting that â—he joyes of heaven may relish the better with him or he goeth naked to GOD â—hat the garment of glory and happinesse â—ay be more welcome to him Yea see an experiment of this in that Parable of the â—ich man and Lazarus Luk. 16. It was â—ot Lazarus his povertie nor his sores â—or his despicable condition that could â—eepe him out of heaven see what the Text sayth of him Ver. 22. And it came to â—asse that the beggar died and was caried by â—he Angels into Abrahams bosome Neither â—ould the rich mans wealth eyther helpe â—im to heaven or keepe him out of â—orments of hell The rich man also dyed â—nd was buried and being in hell in torments â—e lift up his eyes c. Oh the vanitie of wealth and riches that can neither helpe a man to heaven nor keepe him out of the torments of hell And let no man be any way discouraged or out of heart in regard of his povertie because it is no barre nor impediment to keepe him out of the kingdome of heaven onely let a man be sure that he is poore in spirit as well as poore in estate and labour to be as rich in faith and as abundant in grace as he is poore and destitute of outward wealth and riches and then let him never doubt but that the kingdome of heaven is as wide open for him as for any the most wealthy person in the world Yea consider farther for thy comfort that the Sonne of God himselfe the Lord Iesus Christ became poore to this very end and purpose that hee might enrich thee with his povertie 2 Cor. 8. 9. For yee know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ who though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poore that yee through his povertie might become rich Let no man therefore thinke or feare that God will reject or cast him off for his outward povertie if hee be otherwise well stored with spirituall wealth and riches CHAP. VI. Containing the third Vse of the second poynt THirdly Seeing godly persons onely are truely and spiritually rich This serveth to exhort us unto sundry duties and the exhortation is directed unto two sorts of people First Such as have some measure of this spirituall wealth and riches Secondly Such as for the present are utterly destitute of this precious gold here set out in the Text. First This doctrine serveth to exhort such as have true grace and are truely religious unto a two-fold dutie First Vnto thankfulnesse to God for such a favour Hath God given his Sonne to enrich thee and furnished thee with the graces of his Spirit to make thee truely and spiritually
day and night So this was Davids constant practice Psal. 119. 97. Oh how I love thy Law it is my meditation continually But what are the speciall things whereof wee must meditate if wee desire to further our growth in grace I answere they are especially these foure First Let us seriously consider the worth and excellency of true saving grace which appeareth in the Text it is like gold tryed in the fire the most pure and most precious jewell that is in the whole world all earthly things in the want of this are but drosse and dung Phil. 3. 8. But for your more full satisfaction as touching the worth of true grace consider the second Chapter of this Treatise being the first Vse of the poynt And surely if men did but once see the beautie and truely understand the worth of true grace they could not choose but bee exceeding desirous of it They would covet after it if they were once perswaded that it is the best and rarest jewell in the world Secondly The necessitie of true grace it is absolutely necessary to the very being of a Christian and not to his well-being onely Oh then let us labour for grace and growth in grace because it it so necessary that a man is no Christian that is without it and it is also so necessary that it is impossible to be saved without it They must have their fruit unto holinesse that will have the end everlasting life Rom. 6. 22. Holinesse must needs goe before if happinesse follow after grace and glorie are inseparable yea they are the same as some Divines observe for grace is glorie inchoate and glorie is grace consummate It is so necessary that it is impossible to see God without it Heb. 12. 14. Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which it is impossible to see God Blessed are the pure in heart for they and they alone shall see God sayth our blessed Saviour see Psal. 24. 4 5. Revel 22. 14 15. c. Thirdly Consider the equitie of it it is very fit and equall that we that doe professe our selves to be Gods children shall labour to become like unto our heavenly Father He is the God of all grace oh let us therefore labour to grow in grace that we may be like him Ephes. 5. 1. Be yee followers of God as deare children and walke in love c. 2 Pet. 1. 17. As he that hath called you is holy so be yee holy in all manner of conversation for it is written be yee holy for I am holy Yea we should labour to be perfect in holinesse 2 Cor. 7. 1. Perfecting holinesse in the feare of God that herein especially wee may resemble our heavenly Father who is the God of all grace and holinesse Be yee perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect sayth our Saviour Mat. 5. last So that the more holinesse the more like to God and the better evidence and assurance that we are his children Fourthly Let us meditate and seriously consider of that great measure of grace that hath beene in Gods Saints of old and how farre we come short of them There is Abraham renowmed for his faith yea he was even strong in the faith Rom. 4. 20. Samuel for integritie Moses for meeknesse the meekest man upon the earth Numb 12. 3. Iacob for wrestling with God in prayer Hos. 12. 4. Iob for his patience Iames 5. 11. David for sinceritie A man after Gods own heart in all things save onely in the matter of Vriah and Paul for courage and all the graces of Gods Spirit whatsoever c. Now alas how farre short doe wee come of these Saints of God in all these What a small measure of faith have we in respect of Abraham How farre short are wee of Jacob for a gift in prayer and a spirit of supplication How farre doe wee come behinde Iob for his patience David for sinceritie and Paul for every thing Oh how this would whet us on to labour for more grace when wee see how farre the Saints of God have out-stripped us and gone before us Oh how this would increase our diligent endeavour to grow in grace if wee would forget such as are behinde us and looke earnestly at those that have gone before us it would make us to presse earnestly for the price of the marke of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus Phil. 3. 13 13. These are the chiefe meanes that wee must use that we may be rich in the golden graces of Gods Spirit Thus now for the first sort to whom the Exhortation is directed sc. such as have true grace in some measure alreadie Let such first be thankfull and blesse God for it that hath given them the graces of his Spirit to enrich them secondly let them labour to grow in grace and thrive more and more in this spirituall wealth and riches Secondly For such as have no grace for the present let such be exhorted to labour for it let them see the worth of it is like gold tryed in the fire that it is the onely meanes to make them truely and spiritually rich onely such as are truely godly are truely rich rich indeede rich towards God wicked rich men are wretched that are in the middest of all their wealth and riches Oh therefore you that want true grace labour for it Ioh. 6. 27. Labour not for the meate that perisheth but for durable riches Pro. 3. 16. which that you may attaine unto attend with reverence unto the next poynt which is to buy it of Christ Buy of me c. CHAP. VII Containing the third generall point I Counsell thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich And so I come to the third and last lesson that we are to learne from hence which is That all those that would have the precious gold of true saving grace must buy it of Christ. Buy of me sayth our Saviour this gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich In handling this point I will run this course First I will speake some thing by way of confirmation that wee may beleeve it Secondly By way of explication and application that wee may understand and make a right use of it First For confirmation observe a double proofe for this purpose first Testimonies secondly Reasons and Arguments to enforce the Doctrine First For Testimonies observe it in these few particulars first Pro. 23. v. 23. Buy the truth and sell it not sayth the Wise man Truth of grace must be bought at any rate but sold at no rate True saving grace is a precious commoditie to bee bought by all those that desire to enjoy it To the like purpose is that we have Isa. 55. 1. Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters buy wine and milke without money and without price the water and wine and milke of true saving grace must come
thus wee are children of wrath and in the state of nature as the Apostle sheweth Ephes. 2. 3. All the while wee live thus we can looke for nothing but the wrath of God to come upon us as it doth upon the children of disobedience as the Apostle speakes Ephesians 5. 6. The wrath of God is even revealed from heaven against such Romans 1. 18. See a notable place for this purpose in Romans 2. 8 9. But unto them that are contentious and doe not obey the truth but obey unrighteousnesse marke the condition of all such indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soule of man that doth evill upon the Iew first c. See here the estate of such as spend time in the devils service instead of Gods Secondly Consider that all such have cause to feare that God will deny to helpe and succour them when they stand in the most need of it and seeke for it with greatest earnestnesse If I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not heare my prayer saith David Psalme 66. 18. Yea we know that God heareth not sinners saith the blind man Iohn 9. 31. and therefore if God doe not heare wicked mens prayers in their extremities but lets them perish in their sinnes it is not for want of power or mercy in God but onely for want of piety and repentance in them according to that excellent place which wee have to this purpose in Isa. 59. 1 2. Behold the Lords hand is not shortned that he cannot save neither is his eare heavie that he cannot heare where is the fault then that you shall see in the next verse verse 2. But your iniquities have separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes have hid his face from you that he cannot heare Oh the wofull estate of all such as cry unto God in their extremities and are nothing at all regarded Yea God hath told them already that hee will not heare them observe it Proverbs 1. 28 29. Then shall they call c. that is in their extremity but I will not answer they shall seeke me early but they shall not finde mee because they hated knowledge and did not choose the feare of the Lord. Yea the Lord hath sent them word before hand that he will not helpe them Iob 8. 20. Behold God will not cast away a perfect man neither will hee helpe the evill doers saith the Text there O the wofull estate of all such when sicknesse commâ—n or troubles come or death then they are glad to cry out Helpe Lord or else I am damned for ever Not I may the Lord say I will helpe no evill doers such as you are and therefore thou art now like to perish and dye in thy sinnes Iohn 8. 20. Yea the Lord is so farre from regarding the prayers of such people in such cases that he rather refuseth them see upon what warrant I speake it Proverbs 15. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord. The sacrifice what is that Surely his prayers as appeareth by the Antithesis in that place for so it followeth But the prayer of the upright is his delight God hateth and abhorreth the prayers of all such as live in their sinnes and hate to be reformed Hee that turneh away his eare from hearing the Law even that mans prayer shall be an abomination saith the Wiseman Prov. 28. 9. O wofull estate If men had but eyes to see it and hearts to consider it aright the Lord takes no pleasure in the very best services which they can doe him And no marvell for in the third place So long as men live in their sinnes without repentance and spend time in the Devils service instead of Gods there is a direct and an expresse enmity betweene God and them If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne saith the Apostle Romans 5. 10. Yea especially those that live and goe on in their sinnes have just cause to be assured of this and that they shall smart for it accordingly See a place or two to this purpose Psalme 37. 20. But the wicked shall perish why so surely because they are Gods enemies And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of Lambes easily melted into smoke shall they consume away Where we see first that the wicked are Gods enemies Secondly that they shall consume away like smoke and the fat of Lambes So in that Psalme for the Sabbath Psalme 92. 9. For lo thine enemies O Lord lo thine enemies shall perish and who are they that yee shall see in the same verse All the workers of iniquity shall bee scattered where we see both the description and the condition of wicked men They are Gods enemies there is their description dissipation and perishing there is their condition But above all to this purpose is that of Psalme 68. 21. God will surely wound the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpe of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses O consider this ye that forget God and live in your sinnes lest God teare you in peeces and there be none to deliver you Psal. 50. 22. What estate can be more dangerous then an estate of enmity against God The adversaries of the Lord shall bee broken in peeces out of heaven shall be thunder upon them saith Hannah Samuel's Mother 1 Samuel 2. 10. Mee thinkes I have said enough if effectuall to afright men out of their service of sinne and Sathan especially if I shall adde but one thing more which shall be the fourth and the last remedy that I purpose to propound Fourthly Therefore consider that the devill is the worst master that any man can serve and giveth the most wofull and accursed wages What baser Master then the devill that great red Dragon Revelations 12. 12. That roaring Lion that goeth about continually seeking whom he may devoure A murtherer from the very beginning Iohn 8. 44. and the most damnable liar that ever was yea the very father thereof What baser Master then the Devill Yea and see what base wages he giveth Romans 6. 23. For the wages of sinne is death spirituall temporall and eternall both the first and the second death They that spend time in the devils service must goe to hell with the Devill for company Psalme 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell and all that forget God They are utterly deceived that thinke to live like devils upon earth and yet for all that become glorious Saints in heaven when they dye that thinke they shall get into the new Ierusalem hereafter without being New Creatures for the present No no God hath revealed the contrary already as is evident Revel 22. 14 15. Blessed are they that doe his Commandements that spend time in Gods service for they shall enter in through the gates into the City of the new Ierusalem But without shall be dogges and Inchanters and Whoremongers and
kindle upon thee neither fire nor water can hurt us if God be with us This made Ioseph prosper so exceedingly in all his dangers He was first cast into a pit then sold into Aegypt then cast into prison put in the Stockes the iron entred even into his soule but in all these extremities the Lord was with him Gen. 39. 21. Yea and at last made him Ruler of all Aegypt This made Hezekiah prosper so exceedingly in all his enterprises see how the Text reporteth it in 2 Kings 18. 5. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel and clave unto him and served him ver 6. Then see the event ver 7. And the Lord was with him and prospered him whithersoever he went and therefore see how he could encourage his Souldiers against the invasion of the King of Assyria in 2 Chron. 32. 7. Be not afraid of the King of Assyria be strong and couragious for notwithstanding all his multitude there is more with us then with him Now see how he proveth it ver 8. both by way of confession and by direct affirmation With him indeede is an arme of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to helpe us and to fight our battells Yea thus the Lord encouraged Paul to an unwearied painfulnes in preaching the Gospel Act. 18. 9 10. Be not afraid but speake and hold not thy peace for I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee This will make a man couragious even in the strongest dangers in the very jawes of death Psal. 23. 4. Though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death I will feare no evill sayth holy David for thou art with me thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me Let us therefore be couragious and abundant in the duties of Gods service for the Lord is ever present with us to defend us and to provide for us This is Davids reason in the verse immediately following the words of this Text ver 11. of this Psalme For the Lord is a Sunne and a Shield he will give grace and glorie and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke uprightly in his service So Jer. 1. 19. Thirdly He is a pitifull and tender-hearted Master full of compassion marvellous readie to lay to heart the afflictions of his servants In all their afflictions he is afflicted Isa. 53. 9. Excellent to this purpose is that of St. Iames 5. 11. Yee have heard of the patience of Iob and ye know the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitifull and of tender mercie As if he had sayd yee may clearely see in Gods dealings with Iob that in conclusion he approved himselfe to be very pitifull and of tender mercie A strange place to this purpose is that we have Judges 10. Though he seemeth to reject them and hold them at staves end for a time yet upon their repentance see how sweetly he approveth and manifesteth his compassion towards them Ver. 16. They put away their strange gods and served the Lord and his soule was grieved for the miseries of Israel though he may shut up his bowells for a time yet at last his compassions will finde a vent his very soule is grieved for our miseries So Ier. 31. 18 19 20. Consider the estate of repenting Ephraim the Lord seemeth angry with him and speaketh against him yea and it may be smiteth him too but no sooner doth Ephraim truely repent and smite upon his thigh and fall out with his sinnes but then see how God is affected with him when he thinketh worst of himselfe then God thinketh the best of him see ver 20. Is Ephraim my deare childe It may be Ephraim thought himselfe scarce worthy the name of a servant and yet God even then calleth him his childe yea his deare childe Well how shall this appeare Surely by the Lords gracious pity and compassion towards him now he is sorry for his sinnes God is sorry that he did so much as speake against him For since I spake against him I doe earnestly remember him still therefore my bowells are troubled for him I will surely have mercie on him sayth the lord Oh who would not serve such a Master that is thus full of compassion thus readie to lay to heart and be affected with his servants miseries yea his very bowells are troubled his soule is grieved for them O let vs be plentifull and abundant in the service of such a Master Fourthly The Lord is readie to manifest this tender mercie and this gracious disposition of his in pardoning the wants and weaknesses of his servants in subduing their corruptions and in keeping covenant with them I must lap up many things together because I have not time to expresse them severally First He is sinne-pardoning Master yea he alone can doe it no man hath power on earth to forgive sinnes but God alone Mat. 9. Blesse the Lord O my soule forget not all his benefits who forgiveth thine iniquities and healeth thy diseases sayth David Psal. 103. 2 3. Here is a sin-pardoning Master yea he taketh no notice many times of our infirmities but graciously passeth by the weaknesses of his servants Numb 23. 21. He hath not beheld iniquitie in Iacob he hath not seene perversenesse in Israel or if he doe see he freely forgiveth it and spareth his servants as a man spareth his own sonne that serveth him Mal. 3. 17. And then he is a Covenant-keeping Master All his promises are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. Daniel giveth him this title Dan. 9. 4. O God the great and terrible that keepest Covenant with them that love thee he is alwayes as good as his word and often better Faithfull is he that hath called you 1 Thes. 5. 24. namely to his service he will keepe Covenant with you Nay see a place that hath all these together in it Mich. 7. 18 19. Who is a God like unto thee The Lord is a most incomparable Master there is none like him in all the world Why so Surely for those three things whereof I have now spoken first He is a sinne-pardoning secondly a corruption-killing thirdly a Covenant-keeping Master See all these in this Text That pardonest iniquitie and passeth by transgression c. there is a sinne-pardoning Master secondly He will subdue our iniquities and heale our back-slidings as Hosea 14 4. there is a corruption-killing Master Thou wilt performe thy truth to Iacob and mercie to Abraham and therefore he is a Covenant-keeping Master If this be rightly considered this will make us spend much time in Gods service Fifthly The Lord is a soule-saving Master yea he alone is able to doe this no Master under heaven is able to doe this An earthly Master may be kinde to his servants and give them many good things but he cannot save or redeeme their soules he must let that alone for ever Even they that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the
multitude of their riches these seeme to be very powerfull Masters yet marke what the holy Ghost sayth of such Psal. 49. 6 7 8. None of them can by any meanes redeeme his brother nor give to God a ransome for him for the Redemption of the soule is precious and ceaseth for ever All the men in the world with all the wealth in the world are not able to save one soule And what is a man profited if he could winne the whole world if he loose his soule sayth our Saviour Mat. 16. 26. But now this our heavenly Master is able to save a soule from death and cover a multitude of sinnes Thou hast delivered my soule from death sayth David Psal. 116. 8. Yea he is the author of eternall salvation to them that doe obey him Heb. 5. 9. Here is a Master worth serving that is able to save the soules of his servants with an everlasting salvation Psal. 3. 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord i. e. it is his peculiar Sixthly He is readie to accept and take in good part the poore endeavours of his servants yea their desires if sincere and fervent doe finde acceptance with him God doth indeed set his servants hard taskes many times such as they are never able to performe of themselves He commandeth us to love him with all our hearts and keep all his Commandements but his meaning is according to the mitigation of the Gospell onely that we should earnestly desire and doe our best endeavour to doe so and then it is sufficient in Gods account A loving Father that would try the willingnesse of his childe biddeth him goe sirrah runne and fetch me such a great piece of wood which it may be is as much as five or six men could carry but if he finde him willing and readie to doe his best endeavour it contenteth the Father so dealeth God with his servants He spareth them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serveth him Mal. 3. 17. Yea if there be but first of all a willing minde it is accepted according to that we have and not according to that we have not sayth the Apostle 2 Cor. 8. 12. Yea sincere desires are graciously accepted See how Nehemiah propoundeth his case Neh. 1. 11. O Lord I beseech thee let thine eares be attentive to the prayer of thy servant and to the prayers of thy servants that desire to feare thy Name especially if these be seconded and accompanied with earnest and sincere endeavours Thus Abrahams resolution to offer his Sonne Gen. 22. 12. was accepted as if he had actually done it and therefore by faith Abraham when he was tryed offered up Isaac sayth the Holy Ghost Heb. 11. 17. and yet we see in the Storie that actually and really he did it not no the Lord himselfe withheld him by a voyce from heaven and yet in this place yee see it is said that he did offer Isaac when he was tryed that is he was readie to have done it it was his purpose if God himselfe had not granted him a dispensation and therefore in Gods account it was done Yea sayth the Lord himselfe Gen. 22. 13. Because thou hast done this though indeede he did it not yet because he was willing to have done it it was done in Gods account and in his gracious acceptance Oh who would not be constant and abundant in the service of such a Master Seventhly This gracious disposition of our Master doth farther shew it selfe in that he is readie to helpe and assist his servants in doing that worke which he requireth of them he affoordeth them helpe and strength to doe their worke and therefore though Paul when he looketh upon his own weaknesse and inabilitie is readie to cry out 2 Cor. 2. 26. Who is sufficient for these things yet when he considereth the helping hand of God then he can say I am able to doe all things through Christ that strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 13. And indeed most true is that of our Saviour Joh. 15. 5. Without me yee can doe nothing so by his assistance we can doe all things that he commandeth so as he is pleased to accept of them for the Lord himselfe putteth to his helping hand Psal. 37. 24. Isa. 41. 10. Feare not Iacob I am with thee c. I will helpe thee He will helpe us pray his Spirit shall helpe our infirmities Rom. 8. 26. and helpe us preach and heare and in a word is readie to worke all our workes for us As we deale with a young Scholler that beginneth to write his hand is guided so doth the Lord deale with us Isa. 26. 12. Thou hast wrought all our workes for us Eighthly Let us be abundant and spend much time in Gods service for he is a good pay-master we are not onely sure of our wages because he is constant and faithfull in keeping Covenant as yee heard before but also he is exceeding bountifull and liberall See one expression of his bounty in this Psalm 84. 11. He will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke uprightly As he himselfe loveth a bountifull giver so he is such a one himselfe sc. bountifull and liberall He giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not sayth the Apostle Iam. 1. 5. He doth even daily load his servants with benefits Psalm 68. 19. Blessed be God even the God of our salvation who doth dayly loade us with his benefits Oh who would not be diligent in the service of such a bountifull Master Yea he rewardeth all his Servants with no lesse then a Kingdome Luk. 12. 32. Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome So Mat. 25. 34. Come yee blessed children of my Father inherit the Kingdome provided for you from the beginning of the world Yea such a kingdome that consisteth of an eternall and exceeding weight of glory 2 Co. 4. 17 Even such as eye hath not seen neither hath eare heard nor hath ever entred into the heart of man to conceive the worth of 2 Co. 2. 9. O how can we thinke all our time sufficient to spend in the service of such a Master that is thus beneficiall unto his servants Consider also his bounty in giving raine from heaven Act. 14. 17 with Ier. 5. 24. Let us now feare the Lord c. I omit to shew further how slow he is to anger how ready to forgive to be reconciled He doth even beseech us to be reconciled unto him as the Apostle speaks 2 Co. 5. 20 Ninthly He is such a Master that taketh pleasure in the prosperitie of his servants and is constant in his love towards them earthly Masters are changeable and fickle and doe often envie the prosperitie of their servants but the Lord hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his seruants and his love towards them is constant and unchangeable For the first observe it Psal. 35. 27. Let them say continually let
him so busie at their returne that he had forgotten both his hunger and thirst in so much that they were enforced to urge him saying Master eate ver 31. Now marke the sweet answer of our blessed Saviour I have meate to eate that yee know not of ver 32. And see how he doth farther expresse his full meaning Ver. 34. Iesus sayd unto them my meate is to doe the will of him that sent me and to finish his worke Oh admirable patterne Oh heavenly example such was his delight in doing Gods will that hee preferreth it before his meate and drinke in the time of his greatest hunger and thirst Now for the perfecting of this point to quicken our affections and to set the better edge upon our appetites let us consider these three particulars First That we may love Gods Ordinances the better and delight to spend more time in the exercises of Religion let us consider whose Ordinances they are They are the Lords Ordinances of divine authoritie they come from above they are tokens of love sent from our heavenly Father the Word preached is Gods Word the Sacraments are his broad Seales of Righteousnesse and prayer is a dutie expresly required by God himselfe and therefore they are worthy of all due regard and esteeme for his sake that hath sent them Now a token sent from a deare friend O how welcome a Letter a Booke a Ring c. these finde speciall regard with us And shall the Lords Word that gracious Epistle sent from the King of heaven to us shall that be accounted as a strange thing God forbid Oh let us love the Word faithfully preached because it is the Lords Word It is the Gospel of Iesus Christ. This is the Apostles Argument Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation Yea it is the very Word of Gods grace Act. 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up farther and to give you an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified Yea the Word preached is a speciall fruit of his favour peculiar to those that are Gods people so that wheresoever he sendeth it he hath a purpose to save some there See how this is mentioned as a speciall priviledge to the Iewes which were then the onely people of God under heaven Psal. 147. 19 20. He sheweth his Word unto Iacob his Statutes and Ordinances unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation Oh how we should value the Lords goodnesse herein to us if this were rightly and throughly considered This was the Iewes chiefe priviledge that they had the Lords Word in speciall for their direction when all Nations besides were left in darknesse Deut. 4. 8. For what Nation is there so great that hath Statutes and Judgements so righteous as all this Law which I have set before you this day So marke how the Apostle setteth out the Iewes priviledge above all other Nations which he sheweth consisted in this that they had the Lords lively Oracles for their Direction Rom. 3. 1 2. What advantage then hath the Jew and what profit is there of Circumcision Much every way chiefely because unto them were committed the Oracles of God They were the Lords Oracles and therefore the more to be esteemed and their priviledge was so much the greater that did enjoy them So againe setting out the Iewish priviledges see how the Apostle reports the matter Rom. 9. 4. To whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises The Lords Covenants the Lords Law the service of God and his promises this should make us esteeme them Yea it is the Lord that sendeth Prophets and Apostles and Pastors to teach and instruct his people in this Word that he hath given us Ier. 3. 15. I will give you Pastors according to mine owne heart that shall feede you with knowledge and understanding It was the Lord Jesus Christ himselfe that sent the Apostles to preach the Gospel Mat. 28. 20. Goe and teach all Nations c. teaching them to observe all things that I command you and loe I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Yea and this sending of Ministers to preach the Word unto us is a fruit of Gods singular love towards us it argueth the Lords fatherly pitie and compassion towards us according to that we reade in 2 Chron. 36. 15. And the Lord God of their fathers sent unto them by his Messengers rising early and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place Now lay up all these together If the Word preached be an Ordinance of Gods appointing if he send the Ministers to preach it if their comâ—â—â— to doe this be a fruit of his love yea 〈◊〉 compassion towards us then surely if this 〈◊〉 rightly considered wee cannot choose â—ut love it it is the Lords doings and therefore it is marvellous in our eyes The like may be said of prayer and the Sacraments they are also of Gods ordaining Secondly Consider the worth excellency of these Ordinances in themselves The Word of God faithfully preached is an excellent Ordinance of God and so is prayer and so are the Sacraments matters of speciall and exceeding worth now yee know men love and delight in things that are most excellent This is one reason that David giveth why he delights in the societie of Gods Saints sc. because they were excellent persons Psal. 16. 2. My goodnesse extendeth not unto thee sayth he to God v. 3. but to the Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight Doest thou delight in those things that are excellent O then delight thy selfe in Gods Ordinances which are most excellent The Word of God faithfully preached is a most sweet and excellent Ordinance of GOD. See how highly David that man of GOD commends and extolleth it Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple and ver 10. More to be desired are they then gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-combe Oh the transcendent excellency of the Word of God faithfully preached Had I the tongue of men and Angells I could not expresse it to the full Take notice of a Testimony or two to this purpose in the new Testament 2 Cor. 10. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to the pulling downe of strong holds yea it is able to make Sathan fall downe from heaven like lightening This is the Lords great Ordinance to batter the strong holds of sinne and Sathan they are excellent things for the demolition of Sathans Ammunition this casteth out the strong man armed and taketh away his armour wherein
care or providence but the blessing of God that bringeth wealth and therefore our excessive care is fruitlesse Thirdly This inordinate thought-taking for outward things is very dangerous and prejudiciall for besides the mischiefe alreadie mentioned and specified wee shall finde it hurtfull in these three respects First This inordinate desire of having maketh a man a prey unto Sathan and layeth him open unto Sathans dangerous temptations it doth cast a man inevitably into the snare of Sathan 1 Tim. 6. 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lustes which drowne men in destruction and perdition This will make a man lye and steale and cheat yea forsweare and swagger c. The devill hath every covetous man alwaies at advantage as it were upon the hippe he is even caried captive by him at his will This is one wofull mischiefe that it maketh a man even apparently the devils vassall Secondly This inordinate love of the world in processe of time will even eat out the true love of God out of our hearts For even as adulterous love in a woman doth even eat the love of her husband out of her heart so that the more she loveth a stranger the lesse she regardeth her husband so doth the inordinate love of the world If we dote upon that painted Strumpet she will so bewitch us that in time we shall not care for the Lord at all This is the Apostles argument 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Love not the world nor the things of the world for if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him It is not possible for a man to over-love the world and yet in the meane time to love God as he ought no more then it is possible for a man to looke even upward and downward both at once Set your affections upon things above and not on the things that are here below Col. 3. 1. Intimating that it is at least improbable if not impossible to doe both Thirdly The too-much bent of the affections to outward things doth utterly deprive us of Gods love to us As the love of the Father is not in him so the love of the Father is not towards him in that case But on the contrary the Lord even hateth and abhorreth him which is a most wofull estate and condition Psal. 10. 3. Speaking good of the covetous whom God abhorreth Where we see evidently that every covetous person is hated and abhorred of GOD. And no marvell for it is no lesse then Idolatry in Gods account Col. 3. 5. Yea and there is a very direct and expresse enmitie between God and every such person Iam. 4. 4. Know ye not that the amitie of the world is enmitie against God so that whosoever maketh himselfe a friend of the world the same is Gods enemie Now marke the woefull estate of Gods enemies Psal. 68. 21. God will surely wound the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpe of such a one as walketh on still in his trespasses This is another fearefull and intolerable mischiefe Fourthly This inordinate thought-taking for outward things doth often keepe many from entering upon the profession of Religion and embracing of Christianitie Many could be content to embrace Christ if it were not for the world This hindereth many from becomming the Disciples of Christ because they cannot finde in their hearts to forsake all for his sake See an experiment of this in that young man in the Gospel Mat. 19. 16. He had a moneths minde to become one of our Saviours Disciples see how sweetly and lovingly he speaketh to our Saviour Good Master what good thing shall I doe that I may have eternall life If thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements as if he had sayd come on thy wayes I will set thee a taske but when he had told him the upshot of all Ver. 22. If thou wilt be perfect Goe and sell all that thou hast and give to the poore and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come follow me Ver. 22. When he heard this saying he went away sorrowfull for he was endued with great possessions Yea and it seemeth he did not so much possesse as he was possessed of them he loved the treasures of the earth too well to forsake them for the treasures of heaven Now mark what our Saviour inferreth hereupon to his Disciples Ver. 23. Verely I say unto you that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of God Inordinate love of riches doth keepe men from the profession much more from the practise of Religion This is another mischiefe Fifthly Wee would never spend time in inordinate thought-taking how to get wealth if we did consider another speciall inconvenience that ever commeth with it and that is that it maketh men fickle and inconstant in their Religion This will make a man plainly disert and utterly forsake Christ and his cause and leave him in the open fields A covetous person will never stand to his colours our Saviour himselfe foretelleth that some should forsake him Ioh. 16. 32. Behold the houre commeth c. when yee shall be scattered every man to his owne and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone for the Father is with me Yea this you shall finde most certaine that nothing will make a man sooner doe this then the inordinate love of this present world This made Demas forsake his colours and turne Apostata The Apostle once kindely salutes the Church in his Name but after cryeth out against him for Apostacie 1 Tim. 4. 10. Demas also hath forsaken us having loved this present world So that if we would be constant in the service of Christ we must take heede of the world Sixthly and lastly This will bring the wrath of God upon a mans posteritie Many a man goeth to the devill himselfe to make his sonne a rich man and yet in spite of his heart God maketh him a beggar He begetteth a sonne and there is nothing in his hand Eccles. 5. 14. So that he coveteth an evill covetousnesse to his house Heb. 2. 9 10. He thinketh his children shall fare better and they speed the worse for his evill gotten goods as appeareth by the examples of Achan and Ahab whose covetous ill gotten wealth was the ruine of them and of their posteritie Josu 7. 24. 1 King 21. 29. This will helpe us against this sinne if this be rightly considered Fourthly Another great Let or impediment in this case is excessive feasting or belly-cheare True it is that we are allowed the liberall and comfortable use of Gods creatures not onely for necessitie but for delight but yet we must even in this case beware of excesse The Prophet cryeth out against unreasonable and unseasonable feastmungers Amos 6. 4. That they stretched themselves upon their couches did eat the Lambs out of the flocke and the Calves out of
of profitable and excellent use for Gods people that have occasion to joyne together in the celebration and participation of them First For publike prayer in the Congregation see how expresly the Apostle requireth it 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort that first of all prayer and supplication and intercession and giving of thankes be made for all men for Kings and such as are in authoritie Let no man despise the publike Lyturgie of our Church and the prayers that are used there as if God regarded not such prayers as are read upon a booke for certainly the most godly learned and wisest men that I have heard or read of have approved of set forme of prayers yea one of the wisest and ablest even of those that have disliked the Ceremonies of our Church hath yet highly esteemed of the prayers which are appointeh to be read in our publike Lyturgie yea and doth professe publikely that in his opinion no wise man will dislike such kinde of prayers eyther because they are read upon a booke or for their length or the multitude of them yea ye sheweth plainely that it hath beene the practice and custome of the best Churches to have bookes of publike prayers and approveth of and justifieth the practise of Gods Church in that regard yea see how highly that pious man hath approved of the Booke of prayers appointed by Authoritie for the keeping of publike Fasts concerning which this reverend Divine sayth thus concerning the sayd Booke of prayers That they are as ample holy effectuall and fit for the present occasion as ever were in any Lyturgie that he had seene Having therefore cleared this in the first place give me leave to shew you the worth and excellency of publike prayers in the Congregation in some respect above any prayers that are made in secret in our Closets or in private amongst our people in our families See it in foure particulars First In regard of the excellency of the company that is present there in a speciall manner which I will manifest unto you in these three particulars First The Church and people of GOD are present there in a most speciall manner and readie to joyne with us in these publike prayers Now it must needs be an excellent thing and very beneficiall unto us in this regard This made David delight in the duties of Gods publike worship and service yea and cary his whole hous-hold a multitude with him to the House of God because he was sure to meet with the Saints of God there in whom next under God himselfe was all his delight Psal. 42. 4. Psal. 16. 3. My goodnesse O Lord extendeth not to thee but to the Saints which are on the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight This made him so glad when he was exhorted by any to goe to the house of God sc. in regard of the good company that he was sure to finde there Psal. 122. 1. 4. I was glad when they sayd unto me let us goe up to the house of the Lord. Why so That yee shall see ver 4. Thither the Tribes goe up the Tribes of the Lord c. to give thankes to the Name of the Lord and ver 8. For my brebren and companions sake I will now say peace be within thee Loe this is one strong Motive that should perswade us not onely duely to frequent the house of God our selves but to exhort and stirre up others to joyne with us therein sc. because of the people of GOD that are there present in a speciall manner Secondly Not onely Gods people are there present but also the holy Angells of God are present in our Church assemblies As they are at all times fent forth for the good of them that shall be heires of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. so especially then when we are the most seriously imployed in the duties of Gods publike worship and service they then pitch their tents about us to defend us Psal. 34. 7. and keepe us in all our wayes much more when we walke in the wayes of God they are then present with us in a most speciall manner This the Apostle intimateth in â—hat direction which he giveth to women â— Cor. 11. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head that is to have her head covered in token of sujection because of the Angells i.e. The Angells are in a most speciall manner present in our Church assemblies and will dislike such disorders Yea this was also figured to Gods people in Salomons time and hence it was that the walls of Salomons Temple were full of Cherubims round about 1 King 6. 29. to intimate unto Gods people that the holy Angells of God were in a speciall manner present in the Church assemblies This should perswade us to make great account of the publike prayers in the Congregation Thirdly Not onely the Saints and Angells but also the Lord himselfe is in a most speciall manner present at our publike prayers in the Congregation Loe I am with you alwayes to the end of the world sayth our Saviour Mat. 18. 20. Especially at publike prayers for of such kinde of assemblies our blessed Saviour speaketh Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of them Oh how this should perswade us not onely to spend time in Gods service our selves but also exhort others to doe so too in regard of the excellent company that we are there sure to meete withall the holy Saints and the Angels of God yea and the Lord himselfe Secondly Because publike prayers that are presented to God in the Congregation are usually most prevalent and powerfull and likely to prevaile with God eyther for the obtaining of some speciall blessing that we want or preventing or removing some heavie judgement eyther felt or feared for the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Iacob Psal. 87. 2. Such prayers do usually finde speciall acceptance with him See what a promise our Saviour hath made to such prayers Mat. 18. 19. Againe I say unto you if two of you much more if two hundred shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven For there the Lord commandeth his blessing and life for evermore sayth the Text Psal. 133. 3. Yea the Lord himselfe directeth to these publike and solemne prayers as those that of all others are the most effectuall to prevaile with God as appeareth in Joell 2. when he foretelleth a judgement future see what the Lord prescribeth as the meanes to prevent it V. 15. Blow the Trumpet in Zion sanctifie a Fast call a solemne assembly V. 16. Gather the people sanctifie the Congregation assemble the Elders yea gather the children yea the bride and bridegroome the Priests and Ministers of the Lord all must bestirre