Character is given unto him who is greater than Moses with a transversal of the same Words Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet mighty in deed and in word before God and before all the People Luke 24. 19. The Holy Ghost hereby signifying that he did actually more good than himself talked of and herein he did exceed Moses and all the Children of God For with them their Thoughts and Words do rise higher than their Actions For none ever did nor yet can obey and do more for God than he doth think or speak of But their Performances and Doings come short of their Words as both Words and Actions do come short of their Thoughts for many good excellent high great and glorious Things are thought of which are never spoken out But this is Man's fault and infirmity for every thing that is good and true ought to be spoken out and if possible the same is to be put into practice But where power is wanting or opportunity is not to be had there it should come forth into will and real endeavour so that in good and duty we should still go as far as we can If we seek out of the Book of the Lord and read we shall there find that the whole of Mankind is distinguished not into such Names as we give one another of Papist Protestant Church-of-England-man Presbyterian Independent Anabaptist Quaker Sabbatarian Socinian Dissenter or such-like but into Righteous and Wicked they that serve God and they that serve him not Mal. 3. 18. This serving of God is not calling him their God nor yet styling themselves the Children of Abraham nor yet the ranking themselves among the Members of a pure Church at this Day nor yet paying unto God Acts of Worship every morning and evening for whosoever keeps all the parts and times of Worship and yet will not obey one point of the Law of God when he doth all the rest he is guilty of all and an ungodly Man for all that But this is the Service of God to do all his Will and Pleasure for as to our matters according to the Flesh it is not the bare calling him Master or living in his Family or paying unto him outward Respect all this will not make them to be Servants indeed But it is the constant doing of their Business according to what they are bid and commanded from time to time The Spirit of God doth foresee there is a sort of People who goon in that Deceit of calling themselves of the Holy City and staying upon the God of Israel of worshipping God and speaking honourably of his Name These would take it ill if any one should say they did not serve God As indeed they do not tho' they serve with an Offering and weary themselves with Incense Isai 43. 23. Tho' they spend never so much time in outward Worship and take all the Opportunities and Seasons for it yet in the meaning and requiring of the Holy Ghost they do not properly and truly serve God unless they do confirm all the Words of his Law to do them The same Spirit doth caution us hereof and give us to understand as much by what is written Ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure Psal 103. 21. Hereby intimating that there are such who think themselves and are called by the World Ministers and Servants of God who yet do not his Pleasure Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say Luke 6. 46. And yet more plainly this is signified by what the Spirit saith His Servants shall serve him Rev. 22. 3 This is brought in upon describing the manner of the New Jerusalem above which herein is opposite and different from that on Earth for many here are called Servants of God who do not in deed and in truth serve him Whereas such only who do in deed and in truth serve him shall be admitted there Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works and I will profess unto them I never knew ye depart from me ye that work Iniquity Mat. 7. 21 22 23. These things I have written not that I had ought as of my self to accuse my Nation of but to manifest from the Word which flatters none but declares unto all Men what his thoughts and ways are that though a form of Godliness is spread and diffused throughout the several Congregations and Places of this Island yet they all come short of the Power and substance thereof And as we do all look for the appearance of the Great GOD who shall render to every Man according to his Work both ye and my self are to be diligent that we may be found of Him without spot and blameless I speak not these things as a Man but they do proceed forth from the Word and Spirit of the Lord and from Him that gives Man Knowledge who sees all this and much more and is displeased As Wounds and Bruises and putrifying Sores are launced in order to a cure so these things are laid open before all the Churches which they may at least come to the sight hearing or rumour of that they may know such things have been written that according to the Commandment of the God of Israel they amend their Ways and their Doings Jer. 7. 3. if they intend to have the Favour of God now be accepted of Him at last and if they would dwell with him in the highest Heavens for evermore Amen saith my Soul come Lord Jesus come quickly FINIS
this Body there succeeds Judgment and Account and strict requiring for all those Omissions of Good and Duty which I have been guilty of which are now utterly gone by and cannot be retrieved for all eternity Trial was once had but now it is over even as to all the Days and Doings of this Life here upon Earth Now the Days are passing and we are as yet in the Flesh but then they will be all over and gone and our Spirits will be removed from hence Then shall they remember Luke 16. 25 the several Steps and Passages of our Life here on Earth which at firsâ— may seem as faint as the remembrance of â— Night-Vision or of the things which havâ— been lately or long since past But they shalâ— be all call'd over again and appear before usâ— All the Thoughts Words and Actions of thâ— past Life will remain present before the Souâ— and appear more lively and make yet a greater impression because then she is to receivâ— accordingly than when they were first done The Word of Instruction which doth arisâ— hence is that every thing now should be so done as it will be then wished and desired that it haâ— been done and this is to strive to the utmost iâ— pleasing and finding acceptance with Almighty God In what fear should we pass the timâ— of our sojourning How should we improvâ— every moment of our precious Time and nâ— suffer the least portion thereof to pass away iâ— unprofitable and vain things The dispropoâ—tion between Time and Eternity is vast anâ— as much greater as between the whole Oceaâ— and a single Drop or as the whole gathering â—f the Waters is to a narrow Gulph or Stream The Rivers run to the Sea and in like manâ—er as soon as we draw Breath we are gliding â—n 'till we launch forth and are swallowed up â—nto Eternity The Odds will be as great or â—ather more exceeding than when one who â—as imprisoned in a dark Dungeon or cubâ—ed up in a narrow close Room is let out to â—he liberty of the whole Earth Or like a Swalâ—ow which for a little time was pent up in a Cage is let out again to fly up and down in â—he wide and immense Regions of Air. The â—lteration and Change which will be then â—ade upon us is yet more unconceivable It â—oth not yet appear what we shall be Now â—e know nothing or but little of the Soul â—e shall then perceive nothing besides the Soul â—ow we are wholly taken up with the Conâ—erns of the Body then we shall have nothing â—o do with it And so though our Bodies do â—â—oulder towards the Dust and then seem to be â—tterly lost yet it is not so for ever for they â—â—all be raised up again and rendred glorious â—nd incorruptible Now we do mind if not â—nly yet chiefly things sensible and carnal â—ut then we shall be wholly taken up with the â—onsideration of things spiritual The whole Creation with all the Things and Works of God will be more clearly manifested before us and understood by us than they are now as much as the Understanding of a Man doth exceed and surpass the Conception and Instinct of a Beast It will be a very great change and renewal of things now no more to turn to Corruption nor to be destroyed nor yet dissolved But as it is said of Melchisedeck That he abideth a Priest continually Heb. 7. 3. By which Word Priest according to its first institution is signified the most Sanctified and Holy and Choice of the People And ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests and a holy Nation Exod. 19. 6. from whence cometh that Word Clergy So in like manner it may be affirmed when those true Things are erected and set up whereof the Things heretofore made and now in being are but the figure when the new Heavens and the new Earth are created which are spoken of in Isai 65. 17. then if we may so speak after the manner of Men with much humility trembling and reverence that it may be understood by their Capacities God hath done his best For the new Heavens and the new Earth which I will make shall remain observe that before me saith the Lord Isai 66. 22. This Word Remain doth denote an eternal unchangeable state or whatever is to last for a time if it be a thousand or million of Years that is transitory for the several parts and portions of Time do pass away and succeed one another Now there is both Time and Motion which are relative Terms and these do point forth unto as they will be swallowed up at length in the eternal Rest The whole Earth is at rest and quiet they break forth into singing Isai 14. 7. This doth respect and look back unto that Confusion Desolation Destruction Trouble and Weariness which hath been heretofore on the Earth when there was fear and weeping It is before said The Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow and from thy fear and from thy hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve vers 3. These former evil things shall be done away and the contrary good things shall succeed in the room thereof And though this will in some measure be fulfilled in the latter days on the Earth when the Sinners who cause all this evil and trouble shall be consumed out of the Earth and the wicked shall be no more Psal 104. 35. For in what Prayer the Spirit of Truth doth dictate is included a Promise that so it shall be And then the People who inhabit here shall practice the same Holiness and live in peace as in Jerusalem which is above which is the Mother of us all Which Word Jerusalem by Interpretation is the Visions of Peace Though this will be in a less degree and more imperfect manner just before the Church on Earth shall be received up and swallowed into that of Heaven And it shall then come to pass that the whole Creation shall be at resâ— and quiet They shall sing for joy and breaâ— forth in loud Voices and everlasting Hallelujahs as is described in the Revelations They shall not only be so as to rest and inward peace of Soul and Spirit but also as to outward Resâ— and Motion The Sun shall no more be thy lighâ— by day thy Sun shall no more go down neither shall thy Moon withdraw it self for the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting Light Isai 60 18 19. So shall it no more rejoyce as a strong Man to run a Race nor any longer continueâ— his going forth from the end of Heaven nor his Circuit unto the ends of it but the reason of the thing will then also cease and God Himself will then supply that immediately to his living Creatures and Spirits which they had before by the means and instrumentality of the inanimate Creatures There shall be no more any weary Beast but if these sensitive and irrational Creatures should be raised up also to being
and life again answerable unto but yet much exceeding that state they were in here the Ox shall still continue strong to labour yet all Labour as to the weariness thereof shall be done away both with Men and Beasts when these times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts. 3. 19. The Holy Ghost hereby signifying that they being then more nearly and immediately in the presence of God where is fulness of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore all Refreshing Content Satisfaction yea all Happiness doth arise from Him as Waters do flow from the Fountain Light doth proceed from the Sun or as Heat doth issue forth from burning fire to the things that are next unto it And therefore we should not so much learn for the general belief and apprehension thereof is already ingraffed into the Minds of all Men as practise this great Diversity That this Life and Earth is the place where we must meet with Labour and Weariness But only in the succeeding State and Heaven there is an utter exemption and perfect freedom from these and the like evil things From hence we should observe diligently that when any thing in the Service of God or in our Way to Heaven seems harsh uncouth or aukward and we are much against it yet we should thence in no wise refrain neglect or omit it because it is not only a Temptation to hinder and keep off from the best things but also there is some irksomness and labour in the very nature thereof which we must resolutely strive against and do it for all There is the greatest Opposition against and Temptation annexed to the best Works either to neglect or desist or be idle therein For except we had lingered surely we had now returned this second time Gen. 43. 10. And so except we had loitered or been slothful so much might have been done as that such a thing had been performed or finished by this time or long before Now the best of Works is the bringing forth and making known of divine Truths For Satan hath the greatest wrath and sheweth forth the most letting against this He who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way 2 Thess 2. 17. For the Truth doth teach us how we may please God and obtain his Favour It doth point and direct us certainly in the several things of this Life where and how to walk that we may be all along in the way to Heaven without going aside to the right hand or to the left It is like a Pillar on a Road with written Directions on it which tell us exactly the way from place to place as also whither such a By-road or turning aside leads or like a sure Compass by which those who go down to the Sea in Ships and occupy their Business in great Waters do steer their course Like the Sun by Day or the Moon by Night or as a Light shining in a dark place keeps our feet from stumbling and by this we are enabled to go whither we intend and would be So this Beam or Ray of heavenly Light doth conduct us through this dark Vale and perplex Wilderness of this World unto the heavenly Canaan And thine Ears shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk ye in it when ye turn aside to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Isai 30. 21. Which Word speaks to the Heart that it receives and conceives thereof in clear and distinct Thoughts which again may be spoken forth or written So that as God directeth such a Saint or Servant in all his Ways he may be able to direct others which are in doubt and perplexity by the same Word of Instruction wherewith themselves are directed of God 2 Cor. 1. 4. And so by the same Word themselves are persuaded they may persuade others We should retire inward and get within and give diligent attentive heed unto what God doth reveal and make known there either concerning his Law which he would have us to obey or concerning his Will which he would have us to do what are our best true substantial and most significative Thoughts as they are abstracted from Sin and Passion and separated from the Cloud of Ignorance Now because Thoughts are infinite and Words many therefore we are not to write down and publish forth every one that doth arise and proceed forth from the Heart and Tongue but only such as are new Isai 42. 9. and true more than is clearly known already or throughly understood And this should be constantly observed in writing of Books for if all was printed which Thoughts could imagine or Words diversifie I suppose that the whole World would not contain the Books which should be written and they would be all without Good or Benefit It should be a constant Rule when we write or publish concerning any subject not to repeat and insert again what hath been already said And so what new and useful Thoughts do arise concerning this future and endless Life the same are to be made known But what doth make us to shrug and be afraid thereat is the vast importance of the thing it being a decision for everlasting Happiness or Misery and then because we have not so lived as we shall wish that we had done yea and if it was so done we shall again desire with unexpressible anguish and earnestness that we had done better in the several Instances For we shall then perceive our particular failings wherein and how we came short of what God required of us and what we might have done If we have sinned and done evil we shall wish that we had never come forth into being O what self-indignation and bitter reflection will there then be if we were not imploy'd whilst in life about what was proper for us to have done And when things have in some measure been done rightly then also will be desires that it had been better and that we had been more diligent and abounding in the same To appear before the Great God and to fly out into the unknown parts of the World to be launched forth into the vast Regions of Air and if they are not entred into yet to have a clearer and nearer prospect of the highest Heavens and then to find that change and diversity upon it self in all things over what it was with her in the Body All this seems fearful and astonishing Though I had all Knowledge and all Faith whereby I could remove Mountains which now intercept and hinder the sight of Eternity yet I could not deliver the thousandth part thereof that it may be conceived and apprehended as it shall be then known and experienced Now the Soul is in Prison and holden under Fetters and Chains of Flesh but when the Angel of Death knocks them off then she breaks forth as Lightning out of a Cloud and is altogether as quick in her motion This we may know
other and before I had finish'd what I came into this World for to do How many precious Truths of more latitude of greater concern and of more universal use to all Men and Women in the general which might be of instruction and edification for longer time and even for the Generations to come which do also more immediately respect the Church of God and his elect Servants might have been brought forth and published instead of a lesser matter of a National Revolution which was done by a few thereof And tho' their eternal Salvation was concerned herein that being to be obtain'd no other way than by keeping the Commandments of God yet it was not altogether so much relating to the great and common multitude whose Souls are as highly esteem'd of God as the Souls of the rich and mighty People And then for my laying of divine Truths before them they laid persecution upon our Loins which caused disturbance of Mind and loss of our precious Time Hereby I came to lose that lovely Awe and Dread and that sweet Sence of God which did formerly dwell and abide upon my Soul and Spirit O that I were as in the days of my youth when the Secret of God was upon my Tabernacle Hereby also I became insensible and unbelieving as to the invisible and future things of God which heretofore my Heart was always full with the expectation of I who have heard Words of God and knew the Knowledge of the Most High who was always looking after what I shall not see now and still beholding after what did draw nearer and nearer yet again there did as it were Scales come over the Eyes of my Understanding and I became as other ignorant ungodly People In the multitude hurry and confinement of the City I have not had those pure enlightnings and clear communications of God as I have had in mine own native Country and under my Father's Roof and I have several times desired that I might recover and return to that state again and not spend my life upon one thing only which is little more than a continued bringing forth unto trouble But as I do day by day approach nearer and nearer unto this future Life and Immortality so whether I sleep or wake am busie or idle my Thoughts may be always thereupon and be more lively concerning it and I may be still reaching forth after it Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God 2 Pet. 3. 12. Whether we do think thereof or not we do continually run yea and fly towards it But hereby the Holy Ghost doth teach and instruct us That tho' we do move so fast towards it yet we should prevent it in our Thoughts so we should think more continually and earnestly as we come nearer in time and see the day approaching And this should not be a vain speculation nor a meer thought only but we should still be upon the inquiry and examination What we must do to be saved And that we give all diligence to make our calling and election sure that so an entrance may be ministred unto us abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ still making Heaven sure unto our selves and endeavouring to make it yet more sure The Life which I now live is by faith in the Son of God and so when God and Christ do act altogether in us and our whole Business is to please and approve our selves unto them Religion and our future being is all in all of our Concern and all our Works and Doings are brought in subordination under that then we are Servants of God and Christians indeed Tho' I have known such after the flesh yet henceforth I know them no more nor yet will I walk after the manner of the flesh nor after the manner of the world nor yet after the way of childhood youth vanity or jesting We should renounce the things that savour of men nor make mention of them within our Lips The Holy Ghost saith by the mouth of Micah Arise ye and depart for this is not your rest because it is polluted chap. 2. 10. This expression is in allusion to Shepherds who after they have fed one place well and throughly with their Flocks and their feet have trodden spoiled or made the Pastures to smell then they remove to a fresh place and ground So after we have throughly done the Business of Life in such a thing we should not still stick in that but press further to the higher and greater Concern The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her they shall pitch their tents against her round about they shall feed every one in his place Jer. 6. 3. And when they have so done for some time they take up and remove to another It is said in the following Verse Wo unto us for the day goeth away for the shadows of the evening are stretched out If we have not done our task nor the work appointed for us whilst we were here on this Earth our Master in Heaven will call us to an account Doth the plowman plow all day to sow Isai 28. 24. This would be too laborious and tiresome for when tbe day is far spent as towards two or three of the clock he looks up to the Winter-Sun and concludes it is time to draw off Our God hereby doth instruct us to discretion and teach us that when a great deal of our life is spent and the day of immortality is at hand then let us make the three afore-cited Inferences Arise and depart for this is not your rest Which in the language of the Gospel that brings Immortality to light speaks on this wise The Bridegroom is at hand go forth to meet him Tho' future life and immortality is coming fast enough upon us yet we should run out before to prevent meet and anticipate it I want Words to express it according to the very meaning purport and requiring of the thing As the Soul is just breaking forth out of this Shell of the Body into endless life the Babe should leap in the Womb and move it self before yea and lift and ascend its self up desiring to be there And as the Plowman draws off at such a time of day so we should draw off our Desires not only from the sin and evil for we should be perfectly listless and dead as to them but our desires should be drawn off utterly even from the lawful necessary and indifferent things of this World We should be as if we used them not temperate in all things and get above them The reason of the different actings of Men is according to the diversity of the knowledge that is in them as our Saviour answer'd him who asked a good thing and was doubtful whether he should receive it or not According to thy Faith so be it unto theâ— So as to many future things we are doubtful in the dark or blind as towards them yet
as much exceed the other's who is a Creature and by him made as the whole Ocean doth a single Drop of Water In the 1st and 2d Chapter of Job in the 3d. of Zechariah and in Rev. 12. 10. we see and understand God's superlative and over-ruling Goodness and Equity how he doth moderate the matter and affirm it by the way of Favour and Mercy on the side of Mankind And this is but as talking a little before the Day of Assize an Emblem and Forerunner how he will determine it eternally on their side at the last and great Day of Judgment notwithstanding all the Informations Accusations and Aggravations of Satan And now if there should be any of his Ministers transformed into Ministers of Righteousness alike unto Satan in this who draw up more heavy and false Indictments than the true and very nature of the thing doth require and will bear Or if the Conscience it self which is yet more pressed with Sin and Guilt should fore-cast too grievous things all this will not do one joâ— of harm in the Day of the Lord for he who hath prepared his Throne for Judgment knows all things in the World He shall judge the World in righteousness he shall minister Judgment to the People in uprightness Psal 9. 8. In the new Translation it is said He shall minister true Judgment to the People Who weighs the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance He will make things to hang even exact and equal Judgment will I lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isai 28. 17. He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. With Righteousness shall he judge the World and the People with equity Psal 98. 9. Now Equity is a mild thing which doth state moderate and adjust a matter And then after all God doth reserve Mercy even after Judgment and Condemnation for that is its proper place At the last Day Mercy shall rejoice against Judgment in such a signal eminent great and universal a manner even as to swallow up all Judgment in Victory When I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Ezek. 16. 63. When this Song shall be sung Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath thou hast turn'd thy self from the fierceness of thine Anger Psal 85. 3. God is more merciful than ever it entred into the Heart to conceive or the Ear hath heard that as it is written at the first Creation The Morning-Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38. 7. Now compare this with Isai 14. â—2 Lucifer is there called Son of the Morning so that if ever he sang for joy it was before he fell from Heaven And it is both possible and probable that for joy when he was first brought forth into being he might sing a Song of Praise and Acknowledgment unto the great Creator of all Things And so if we look back to Gen. 6. 2 4. There we find the wicked and ungodly of the World styled The Sons of God for so they are by Creation and Workmanship This was fresh and soon after the Creation for we never as I know of find them so called again throughout all Scripture So that by what may be gathered from Psal 104. 30 31. Thou renewest the face of the Earth The Lord shall rejoice in his Works So at the very last upshot and end of all things Goodness Equity and Mercy will display and manifest that that if so be the Morning Stars may not again sing together and all the Sons of God observe that Particle all including both the Sons by Creation as well as those by Grace and Adoption may not shout together for joy yet at least it may be somewhat more tolerable than that certain fearful looking for of Judgment and the fiery Indignation Heb. 10. 27. or when they did believe and tremble Jam. 2. 19. They must indeed undergo the devouring Fire for all Scripture must be fulfilled and they must see and suffer also which in probability will be throughout a much longer duration than the time was in which the Mosaical Institutions did last which were said to be a Statute for ever or as it is written That the Ordinances of Day and Night shall not cease while the Earth remaineth Gen. 8. 23. Which Earth in the Book of Psalms is said to be established for ever Psal 78. 69. Again it is written If those Ordinances depart from before me saith the Lord then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a Nation before me for ever Jer. 31. 36. And yet the Seed of Israel doth at this day seem to cease to be a Nation as it is yet more certain that this Earth at last shall pass away and the Ordinances of Day and Night shall then also cease and come to an utter end But God only knows what may succeed after all this when those miserable Creatures have lain under condemnation and punishment a much longer space of duration than six or seven thousand Years now within which time all this lower Creation and the Works thereof in probability will be determined and finished God will look down from the height of his Sanctuary when the Psalmist spoke thus by the Spirit it was then to come from Heaven will the Lord behold the Earth yea and who knows whether he will behold yet lower If I make my Bed in Hell behold thou art there To hear the groaning of the Prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death Psal 102. 19 20. In the Margin there it is Children of Death This one portion of Scripture is of more worth than ten thousand Worlds If any thing of good or mitigation is intended to them it will come in upon this account That they are the Creatures of God and his Workmanship The Lord shall rejoice in his Works and they shall reciprocally rejoice in the Lord their God If those very Creatures who seem rejected Heb. 12. 17. and hated Rom. 9. 13. by him can but then call upon him by the Name of the Lord and lay hold on him as Esau did with his Father Isaac compare Gen. 27. 34 38. with Heb. 12. 16 17. And when Esau heard the Words of his Father he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and said unto his Father Bless me even me O my Father Here he continues and keeps up and puts in mind of the Relation After his Excuse and Answer had still he doth continue and repeat and again double the Words of his Relation Hast thou but one Blessing Bless me even me also O my Father and Esau lift up his voice and wept So it may be conceived of those condemned forlorn and miserable Creatures that after they have been long in wailing and gnashing of Teeth with howling and great crying if they can but then call upon Him by the Name of Creator and remember and lay it before
him That they are the work of his hands Thy Mercy O Lord endureth for ever it reaches and extends beyond the Day of Judgment even throughout all Eternity Forsake not the work of thine own hands Psal 138. 8. Do not leave them for ever in utter despair and misery God hath more than one Blessing to Angels and Saints he may make Devils and condemned Sinners Hewers of Stone and Drawers of Water John 9. 2. That is somewhat ease and exempt them from the worst pain and thraldom For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek For there is no difference between the Flesh of a Saint and the Flesh of a Sinner and I suppose there is not much more as to the outward original frame and composure of Spirits of the same kind For the same Lord over all that is Creatures is rich unto all that call upon him For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10. 12 13. This is cited from Joel 2. 32. and there it is delivered So that by the comprehensiveness of the Word Whosoever which takes in all without exception and from the Apostle's arguing That the Lord is rich unto all that call upon him That is he hath Goodness abundant and to spare for he doth ten thousand times exceed even that of Isaac or of the best and most tender Father for 't is he who created the Bowels and put Compassion in them By the Riches of his Goodness he is obliged to do somewhat for every one that calls upon him So that if these Creatures can and do but call upon the Name of the Lord though it will not be after the same manner and nothing to an equal degree of that Salvation the elect Servants of God are possessed of yet they will at length be somewhat saved and delivered from that depth and grievousness of pain and misery which they have long groaned under For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the Souls that I have made Isai 57. 16. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon all Rom. 11. 32. As the Wisdom of God is manifold so the Truths arising out of his Word are of more universal latitude and of longer extent even throughout the succeeding Eternity than that particular occasion upon which they were at first cited For these two great Scriptures have a further meaning and signification than to troubled and afflicted Consciences or to the temporal casting off of the Jews The same may be yet further understood from the very Nature of God who is infinitely eternally and essentially good and from the Analogy and Reason of things that he will not contend for ever in the punishment and misery of his Creatures but he hath shut them all under deserved and the greater part under actual condemnation that he might have mercy upon all O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out was the Conclusion which the Apostle made when himself had before according to the measure of the Knowledge given him searched and found out some of them But thus he pronounceth concerning what yet remained behind and which himself understood not any further If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities O Lord who shall stand Psal 130. 3. And Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143. 2. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God Rom. 3. 23. The best Servant of God that was ever or is now upon the Earth doth come short of that Holiness as He is holy and of performing that Duty in all things and at all times which God did command or require of him Such Truths are to be made known which shew how these are so let whatever imputation will be fastned upon it To come with Ropes about our Necks and acknowledge our selves worthy of Death eternal to donfess our Sin in the most aggravating Circumstances to arraign our selves and make no other Plea than acknowledgment of our own Guilt that we have transgressed against the Lord and to cry our mightily and earnestly unto him for pardon and mercy All this is the best and soonest way to make our peace with God So did David and the Prophets Saith one We lie down in our shame and our confusion covereth us for we have sinned against the Lord our God from our youth even unto this day and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God Jer. 3. 15. But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags Isai 64. 6. Some may be apt to surmise What need the Prophet mention this for peradventure God might accept this Righteousness as it is whereas by vilifying and depretiating it as he doth he may put God in mind or move him not to accept it What an absurd and wrong imagination is here For it was the Spirit of God which did first acquaint and make this known unto Isaiah and he speaks it forth unto the People in order to humble them and make them have a low Conceit of their best Performances To be as nothing in our own sight to acknowledge our own Guilt and Unworthiness to bear iniquity and loath our selves for our Sins This is the way to get the Favour and Mercy of God for so did the holy Men and Women of old who served him and were accepted by him And so when God would tell People of their Sins and Transgressions when they have done amiss and erred from his Commandments he doth not now speak unto the Inhabitants of the Earth out of the cloudy Pillar or from the Battlements of Heaven but now he speaks in the still Voice of his Word and Spirit unto their Hearts and Consciences Which Word is yet more clearly and distinctly revealed unto some of his peculiar and elect Servants whom again he prompts by his Spirit to speak out and publish the same Word unto others And so they do not tell and inform God but God doth tell and inform them Agreeable hereunto is that kind of speaking unto Ezekiel Go and shew the House of Israel their Doings and cause them to know the Abominations of their Fathers Ezek. 20. 4. God sees it and is displeased Isa 59. 15. He knows it and is grieved Forty years long was I grieved with this Generation Psal 95. 10. His own Spirit is pressed until it is actually stirred up which same Spirit he doth infuse it into some Pipe here on Earth either Man or Woman who again doth receive convey and vent it forth by publishing and making it known unto other Men and Women I am pressed under you as a cart is pressed with sheaves He doth here speak after the manner of Men for our Infirmities And hereby we may apprehend how the
I despise your Feast-days and I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies Tho' ye offer your Burnt-offerings and Meat-offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace-offering of your Fat Beasts Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols what must we do then But let Judgment run down as Waters and Righteousness as a mighty Stream Have ye offered unto me Sacrifices and Offerings in the Wilderness forty Years O House of Israel Amos 5. 21 22 23 24 25. Have ye worshipped me according to your several Ways and Congregations in this Wilderness of the Earth where one is at a loss to find the right Way through your manifold Opinions and Divisions for almost six thousand Years O ye Children of Men But still ye have continued in your own Doings and in the things ye have made to your selves whereas that is the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 8. 2. And now what if God himself should say in the last Day as he doth now speak from Heaven in this his Word I hate I despise I will not accept neither will I regard your Burnt offerings Meat-offerings and Peace-offerings Which he himself did yet command and institute and Man did then use them to please atone and be reconciled to Almighty God This is to be understood by the way that God will one day speak himself in person with a loud and outward audible Voice what he doth now speak from Heaven in the still Voice of his Spirit or in the Scriptures which are his Epistle sent unto the Inhabitants of the Earth And whereas with many Men their Letters are powerful but their bodily Presence is weak and contemptible it will be contrariwise as to God For his Word now as written or spoken by Men is weakness 1 Cor. 1. 25. But when himself shall utter his Voice the Earth will melt Psal 46. 6. The Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3. 10. For the Lord himself shall descend with a shout with the Voice of the Archangel and with the Trumpet of God 1 Thess 4. 16. So that he will make a yet greater impression and cause a greater shaking not only upon the living Creatures but also upon the very material Works of God even all the World over than that manner of giving the Law did formerly upon the single and particular place of Mount Sinai concerning which see Exod. 19. Heb. 12. 17 18. 19. So it will be pronounced concerning the several Acts and Parts of Worship outward Prayer Praise Hearing the Word Baptism and the Lord's Supper Not that these are to be cast off and neglected in no wise But yet so it is when it doth become the Sacrifice of Fools the Sacrifice of Sinners and Transgressors for they provoke God and deceive themselves whereby they are Fools when they keep up one with another that is when they worship God and yet continue in sin and transgression The whole Scripture is full to the same purpose But here it may be surmised That if the case is so it is good for such not to worship God at all But all Men cannot receive this Saying but unto whom it is given for Worship is due from every Creature unto God and these things are written not that they should cast off and neglect it in no wise But that every one should turn away from his Iniquities Acts 3. 26. and cease from all manner of sin and transgression And then they are to obey all the Commandments of God which relate to Good or Evil Righteousness or Wrong Truth or Falshood enjoying the one and forbidding the other as well as they do already obey those his Commandments which pertain to his Worship Except they do this also they cannot be saved and all their Worship will signifie nothing It is strange but yet true and common That many People of both Sexes should go on blindly and ignorantly for thirty forty fifty and sixty Years yea throughout all their life in this Deceit of being Worshippers of God and yet not doing his Will whereas it is written so plainly that every Capacity may understand it Now we know that God heareth not Sinners but if any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth John 9. 31. As we read that Prayer of Moses and David and that Promise which God made unto his People by Isaiah of Levi he said Bless Lord his Substance and accept the Work of his Hands Deut. 33. 8 11. Remember all thy Offerings and accept thy Burnt-sacrifice Selah Psal 20. 3. They shall come up with acceptance on mine Altars Isai 60. 7. and Ezek. 20. 40 41. We learn this Word of Instruction which may make us to fear and take heed and beg pardon for the Iniquity of our holy things and to pray instantly and continually for acceptance that in all things we do in order to God or pertaining to Religion as it is commonly named or understood unless God do accept thereof it all signifies nothing Nay what is yet further It is as cutting of a Dog's neck there is not much in that it is as offering Swines blood this doth displease God it is as blessing an Idol Isai 66. 3. which is the highest and superlative degree of provoking God to the greatest manner that possibly can be So they do rather displease than please they make God to be further off and more angry rather than bring him near and make him reconciled unto us Hear this Word all ye People of England that enter in at the Church-doors or Meeting-Houses to praise the Lord. Another thing wherein ye are defective and found wanting is this For they say and do not Mat. 23. 2. They hear read and talk of many good Words and precious Truths but they do not turn them into practice and suitable action It is recorded of Moses the Servant of the Lord He was mighty in Words and in Deeds Acts 7. 22. so he was for both and therein he pleased and was accepted by God who had hereupon a favour and love towards him But this belongs not to the nominal nor yet to the real Christians of this Age who make a fair shew in the Flesh and they are sincere and of the better sort yet herein they are found wanting many of them are mighty in Words but not in Deeds They do talk of the highest Duties and Attainments of Religion and they do conceive speak read hear and write of the great Truths of God but how to perform the same at all times and in all places and in reference to all Persons they find not Towards the publishing and making known these Truths throughout all this Region or to hazard or even to suffer actual tribulation for the Word's sake they are offended and themselves will not run the risque and experience of it The like