the Kingdom of glory is departed from you 2. We may behold here the recompence due to our works as they are the work of sin so death is the wages due to the same an evil race a dishonourable price a bad seed an uncomfortable Harvest an evil ground burning will be the issue of it 3. Therefore since our Original is earth our disposition earthly our talk of the earth our whole practise carnal worldly things tending to the irrecoverable ruins both of soul body let us strive to get forth of this miserable and uncomfortable estate to finde a gracious change and alteration wrought in our hearts let us get the fallow ground of our hearts to be broken up that we may sow no more among Thorns that we way no more conceive Chaffe and bring forth stubble Isa 33.11 that we may be made free from sin and become the servants of God Rom. 6.22 that the old man with all his lusts like a menstruous garment may be put off and the new man like a rich and royal roabe put on that we may no longer sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death but that we may behold the glorious light of the truth and the comfortable light of Gods face and that our feet may be guided into the way of peace that all old things may be put off and all things become new 2 Cor. 5.17 that we may lead a new life speak a new language love with new affections discern with new judgements and be made partakers of new favours receive a new name Rev. 2.17 let it be the choise of our cares the strongest of our desires the first of our labours the chief of all our endeavours to put off sin to put on the Lord Jesus to make no more provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof but provide for the welfare of the Soul 1 Pet. 4.3 4. but 2 Cor. 5.15 as David Psal 132.2 3 4 5. so let us enter into Covenant with our God not to take any rest any pleasure not to seek any worldly store any earthly contentment till our souls of a den of thieves of a lodge of unclean spirits be made a habitation for the Lord to dwell in as Gen. 8.9 as Ruth 3.18 so let there be no rest till you are returned unto your God till you have made your peace with him till you finde in your selves a sanctified and holy alteration and to the end we may no longer continue in this corrupt and sinfull estate let us 1. Be sensible of our sin as a Thorn in our side a prick in our eyes as sensible as Israel of the Cananites as the chased Hart of the wounding Arrow and then as the Hart goeth to the water brooks Psal 42.1 2. as the Traveller of a heavy burthen and then as Israel groaned under the burthens Pharaoh imposed and sought freedom so shall we as a woman of her travell and then as she hath no rest till delivered of her burthen so shall we take no rest till delivered of the burthen of our corruption by regeneration the sence which David had of his sin made him earnest to be washed Psal 51.2 this made him pray Ps 38.1 2 3. thus Acts. 2.37 2. Be throughly affected with the vilenesse the dishonourablenesse the dangerousnesse and uncomfortable issue of sin 1 Be affected with the vilenesse of it as the eye with an ugly spectacle the nostril with an ill savour the palate with unsavoury food the stomack with meat repugnant to it there the Psalmist was affected with his sin as with a loathsom disease Ps 38.5.7 thus Iob 42.6 as Iobs friends beholding the loathsome disease how it disfigured him how deformed and unpleasant it had made him to the eye then they sate down and wept so shall we do when we are throughly afflicted with the vilenesse of our sin 2. with the dishonorablenesse of it it leadeth into bondage 2 Tim. 2.26 into poverty strippeth the Soul naked Rev. 3.17 it casteth into a ditch of spiritual filthinesse Ezek. 16.3 4 5. it cloatheth the Soul with menstrous rags Isa 30.22 Isa 64.6 as Isa 20.4 5. so sin leadeth us away prisoners and captives not onely the buttocks but the shoulders also even the whole man uncovered and were we throughly affected with this we could not but be afraid and ashamed Rom. 6.21 3. with the dangerousnesse of it how as long as this is not repented of renounced your Souls are as a bird in the snare as a condemned malefactor every day looking for execution as bad ground nigh to burning as a woman with Childe whose travel is neer as a rotten ship in a stormy tempest every moment ready to sink never able to return to the Haven as Cattle in fat pasture Jer. 12.3 2 Pet. 2.3 an estate wherein is no escaping 1 Thes 5.3 Jer. 11.11 4. The uncomfortable issue of sin how the Honey will turn to Gal the wine into water of Marah the manchet into Gravel Jer. 2.19 their Paradice into a Thorny wildernesse their pleasant stream into a tempestuous Sea Amos 8.9.10 however with Agag 1 Sam. 15 32. yet vers 33. as Dalilab to Sampson as Jael to Sisera Isa 24.6.7 were the hearts of men throughly affected with this did this sink deep into their Souls then surely they would never rest in that estate but with the Jaylor Acts 16.29.30 as the Disciples in the storm Mat. 8.25 this will make them run as the men of Gibeon Ios 10.6 3. Be carefull and willing to be instructed shut not the eye against the light stop not thy ear against the voice of the truth withdraw not thy shoulder make not thy heart as an Adamant stone Zach. 7.11.12 but wait upon the posts of Gods house Prov. 8.34 lye as the lame man for an Almes dayly at the Gate of the Temple Acts 3.2 fasten thine eyes on this Sun be thou constant in Christs School behold view thy self throughly in this looking glasse Rom. 7.8.9 Ier. 31.18.19 let thine ear be open to the crowing of this Cock Matt. 26.75 let thy heart imbrace this as the ground doth the seed and thereby thou shalt be new born Ia. 1.18 4. Come unto Christ by fervent prayer as the blinde men by the high-way side as the Centurion for his servant the ruler for his daughter open thy estate discover the condition of thy Soul unto the Lord pray with Ephraim Ier. 31.18 Psal 80.7 as Solomon asked neither riches nor long life nor the life of his enemies but onely wisdom 1 King 3.9 so do you ask neither wealth nor honour prosperity nor pleasure but above all things ask for the saving grace of the spirit pray for the dews of grace as Eliah for rain upon the earth and as the Lord caused a cloud to appear which though little at first yet at length it covered the whole heavens so shall God cause the power of his spirit so to distill into thy Soul that
wherewith to feed them as a family under a steward having neither new nor old to give them a testimony of much displeasure in God Isai 29.11 14. an usuall argument of much profaneness in the people Mic. 2.11 a great advantage unto Satan what may not the Lion doe when there is no Shepheard to watch over the flocke can it be that the weeds shoud not encrease when there is no gardener the army miscarries whem there is no expert commander were not the Sheep scattered Ezek. 34.4 6. What comfort can you take in Gods Ordinances when you have not a guide to interpret and apply them are they not as a pleasant light hidden under a bushell which your eyes see not as a sealed fountaine full of delicate waters which your palates tast not as a letter full of love and glorious promises as musicall instrument making a sweet harmony which eares heare not Acts 8.31 What hope have you that your Souls shall be cured if the Physitian have no knowledge of the disease do you not know that Pro. 29.18 How can you think the wals of Jericho shall fall if the Priest cannot sound the Trumpet of the Gospel how shall the adder be brought to cast out his poison if the charmer have no skill in charming how can it be but that the Souls of the people must be like the sluggards-field if the keeper of the Lords vineyard be either ignorant and cannot or sloathfull and will not dresse it nothing more prejudiciall to mans salvation than the want of a competency of gifts in them that must instruct them Vse 2 Must their Doctrine be grounded on Gods Word then behold here the vanity of such as with Israel are weary of the pure and plaine Manna of the Word of God and fall a lusting after the onyons and Garlick of Aegypt humane traditions poeticall fictions Philosophicall speculations which have no more vertue to cast out Satan than the Sonnes of Sheva had no more power to overthrow this Goliah than David had in Sauls armour these are like a broken bow starting back in the day of the spirituall battle Like a broken vessel holding no water of spirituall refreshment to comfort the Souls of Gods people Like chaffe which will never take roote never bring forth any good fruit like the Apples of Sodom or a Pharises sepulchre though faire without yet it is but as dust and dead mens bones within such as giveth no good nourishment Like the fig tree that had many leaves made a flourishing shew but bore no fruit and to such as teach after this manner may that of Eliphas to Iob be well spoken Iob 15.2 3. and to them that delight in and rest upon such Doctrine that of Rabseca 2 King 18 20 21. may be filty spoken and surely what Iob said of his friends Iob 13.4 may be truely said of these Physitians and all their Medicines they are all of no value yea they are not onely vaine but dangerous not onely chaffe that nourisheth not but a snare that entangleth a hook that destroyeth Iac. 2.14 therefore Col. 2.8 22. and Isai 8.20 Vse 3 Are the faithfull messengers of God fitted of God have they their commission from God is their Doctrine warranted by the Scripture is it not their owne but Gods Message then I. Receive it with all reverence not as the word of man but of God 1 Thes 2.13 though the men be a vessel of wood the word is a rich treasure and the power is of God 2 Cor. 4.7 and the power of God indeed it is to save the soule of every one that doth beleve Rom. 1.16 and to such as tremble at this Word will God look Isai 66.2 and it is the commendation which Paul gave of the Galatians that they received him as an Angel of God Gal. 4.14 He that attendeth not with reverence shall never clearely conceive what is contained in it never feel his heart thoroughly affected with it nor be able with a lively confidence to rest upon it the very Word of God unreverently received is entertained but as a humane testimony looked upon but as a withered reed trusted but as the language of an uncertaine friend therefore come with such affection and disposition of heart as Cornelius did to Peter Acts 10.33 and then thou shalt be convinced the secrets of thy heart made manifest and falling down thou shalt worship God say that God is in his Messengers of a truth 1 Cor. 14.24 25. II. Beleeve it firly rest upon it assuredly even as if thou didst hear the Lord himselfe speaking from heaven the Minister is but the Embassadour the Message is Gods what they speak on earth God doth ratify in heaven Mat. 16.19 therefore let me exhort you as Iehosaphat did the people 2 Cro. 20.20 build upon it as on a rock that doth not sinke upon a staffe which will not break upon a fountaine which never drieth up Mat. 5.18 this worketh humiliation repentance Iona. 3.5 maketh men desirous of sound instruction to be rightly informed Psal 119.66 causeth them to feare Exod. 14.31 maketh them patient and constant in the middest of all adversities Psa 27.13 causeth to wait in the deepest trouble Isai 28.16 III. Reforme speedily thoroughly unfainedly whatsoever their Doctrine findes to be amisse within you as thou who art a drunkard userer swearer woulest reforme if God did send an Angel from heaven or did himselfe appeare unto thee to rebuke thee even so must thou reform now when the messenger of God doth speake unto thee say not as the rich Glutton did Luc. 16.30 If God or an Angel from heaven or a damned Spirit from Hell were sent to teach us we would repent but remember Abrahams answer vers 31. It is a great mercy of God to speake unto us by men that we may be able to endure their voyce to understand their language and therefore we should with Israel Deut. 5.27 with Israel we should put away Baal and Ashterosh 1 Sam. 7.3 4. with them Acts 19.19 with Peter Mat. 26.75 with David 2 Sam. 12.12 with Ephraim Jer. 31.18 19. It is our reformation will prove we are good hearers our obedience will testify the goodness of our affections the casting away of our sin doth best argue a right entertainement of the Word Ja. 1.21 22. IV. Comfort your selves soundly in the Doctrine of life salvatiō God will make good to the faithfull whatsoever good things his Messengers out of his Word do declare unto them God will fulfull them all in their season Luk. 1.20 as Jos 23.14 not one thing of all the good things whereof the Ministers of God do now informe you shall faile treasure up the comforts which they propound out of the Word of the Lord and be as sure of them as if you did already enjoy them Isa 25.9 10. The 5th thing is the comfort the Ministers of God and all the people that love Christ do conceive in hearing meditating upon and publishing
and confidence in God let this cause us to study how to walk worthy of the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord let us in nothing provoke him Thus of his originall next of his disposition earthly before we proced any further in it how the Baptist could say he was of the earth and earthly whether in saying so he did not offer wrong and injury to his Doctrine in so saying since it is said Ioh. 1.6 and Mat. 21.25 also Luc. 7.30 Resp this is a comparative speech between the Baptist and our Saviour in regard of whom he was as nothing no more than no nor so much as the Earth to Heaven the Servant to his Lord the Candle to the Sun 2. the Baptist sheweth what man is being once set in opposition against Christ even the most excellent then he becometh earth dust corrupt unprofitable intimating plainly that if his Disciples did so fasten their eyes on him as thereby to neglect Christ then how holy how Heavenly how excellent soever yet he should be to them as an earthly and a carnall man 3. He sheweth what man is being considered in himself and of himself nothing but earth and earthly disposed 4. Though his Doctrine and commission were from heaven yet this was not a stream from his own fountaine a light of his own kindling but he had it from above it was the Lords and not his thus you see how and why the Baptist said he was of the earth and earthly thereby teaching Doctr. That mans naturall disposition is altogether earthly and carnall a stream whose waters are altogether slimy bitter unsavoury like the waters of Mara unwholesome like the pottage in the Prophets pot till grace be infused as the tree was cast into the water by Moses and the meal into the pot by the Prophet therefore likened to a corrupt tree whose nature and fruit are both naught Mat. 7.17 to a vine bearing no other but sower grapes Isai 5.4 to evill ground bearing thornes and briars Heb. 6.8 to swine wallowing in the mire of sin trampling the precious pearles of the Gospel and sanctification under their feet Math. 7.6 to a sick man whose Palate is altogether disordered Rom. 8.7 2 Cor. 2.14 to a dead man whose inclination is wholy to the earth Ephes 2.1 and therefore Psal 14.3 Gen. 6.5 5. and this is moreover manifest 1. By the absence of all true saving grace there is nothing of heaven remaining in him their souls like the pit whereinto Joseph was cast are empty having no water of grace in them Gen. 37.24 like a barren wombe that hath neither birth nor conception a barren Tree that beareth no fruit Hosea 10.1 like a man fallen into the hands of thieves like him Luk. 10.30 stript of all the apparell which should cover his soul robbed of all the jewels of grace wounded and half dead in his very naturall abiliaments of whom that may be verified which the Prophet speaketh of Niniveh Nah. 2.10 the naturall man is empty and void and wast blackness covereth his soul he is full of uncleanness there is no heart nor courage for God remaining in him and which the Prophet said of Nebuchadnezar Jer. 51.34 the naturall man may much more say of sin and Satan the great Nebuchadnezar the great Babylonish Prince of darkness He hath crushed them and made them empty vessels taken away their heavenly riches and hath cast them out of Gods favour and gracious presence made him as a naked house wherein is no inhabitant no houshold implement Rom. 7.18 all their abilities to good are now become like Jeroboams withered hand which he could neither put forth nor take in so they are neither able to reach forth to any good nor take their hands in from any evill 2. By the presence and the fulnesse of all sin being full of uncleannesse as pits in a rainy day of water as an Adder of poyson as a grave of rottenesse as a Lion of fiercenesse as a Cage of unclean Birds as the sluggards field of thorns and bryars as the Prophet said of the people Ezek. 7.23 the Land is full of bloudy crimes the City is full of violence so is the body of man full of iniquity and the Soul is full of uncleannesse as the waters in Aegypt which were clear were turned into bloud so that the fish died and the Rivers stunk so that all the faculties in the Soul and Members of the body are corrupted perverted and the grace which once was in them is utterly dead and man is now become as an unsavoury carkasse in the nostrils of God 3. By the Dominion and sway of Satan he rules like a King Eph. 2.3 leads like a Tyrant 2 Tim. 2.26 works like a Black-smith upon his Anvill Eph. 2.2 is worshipped like a God 2 Cor. 4.4 affected reverenced obeyed like a father Ioh. 8 44. as ready to execute his commands as the servants of Absolon were to accomplish his 2 Sam. 13.28 29. If he bid then wait an opportunity to do mischief they waite bid them open their mouths to revile blaspheme use filthy communication presently they swear reproach and utter unseemly and corrupt language c. 4. By the wonderfull agreement which is between the carnal heart and sin and the world these like Simeon and Levi they are brethren in evil like Herod and Pilate they conspire against Christ the truth the life the power of Godlinesse like Jehu Jehonadab they give the right hand of fellowship one to another and ride both in one Chariot and what combates soever may seem to be between them however sin may sometime trouble the natural mans conscience how sick soever it may make him for the present yet with the Dog he will eat up again his vomit he will never so fall out with sin but he will soon be friends he will be able still to call it brother as Ahab after his wars with Benhadad could ask is my brother Benhadad yet alive and though the Lord command him to destroy his sin give it into his hand gave him all advantage over it yet as Ahab made a Covenant with Benhadad and let him goe so will the natural man with his sin sin is the natural mans Absolon David warred against Absolon but hath had no purpose to destroy him so the natural man when his sin doth sometime disturb him begins to make a little war against it but never means to set himself so to work as to destroy it sin is the natural mans Paradise wherein he doth desire to live his path wherein he would alwayes walk the companion with whom he delighteth to communicate the forbidden Tree of whose fruit he delighteth to eat the fountains of whose waters he thirsteth to drink the onely recreation wherewith they desire to be refreshed Prov. 14.9 they can say of sin and the world as Ruth of Naomi Ruth 1.15 6. they will not be intreated to leave it but when it goeth they will go
to Heaven Rom. 6.23 1. His work is evill his wages will be death eternall his seed is naught his harnest cannot be good Gal. 6.3 2. There is nothing in him but earth and therefore Heaven cannot be his habitation his soul is a vessell full of uncleane waters his heart is a fountaine of all abominations the best of his fruit is but sower grapes Sodomitish Apples guilded brasse fair without soul base rotten within 3. When he thinketh himself most rich he is poor and blind and naked when he thinketh himself most wise best sighted he knoweth not light from darkness sweet from sower good from evill when he thinketh himself most free then he is as fast fettered as ever Peter was when he lay bound between the two Souldiers for so do they between the World Devill in the Chaines of their corruption when he thinketh himself most secure then he is nighest to distruction 1 Thes 5.3 like him Luc. 12.19 that naturall man is a stranger to God Christ the Covenant Eph. 2.12 an enemy by his evill works Col. 1.21 a habitation for the uncleane Spirit Luc. 11.20 21. a Servant of iniquity Rom. 6.17 a Souldier in Satans army a branch in the wild Olive a goate and no Sheep a thorne and no Apple-tree a Lion a Bear a Swine a Vulture no Lamb no Deer and therefore in that estate must look to drink of no cup but of the cup of Gods wrath to have no companions but the Devill and his Angels no lodging but eternall darknes that is his portion the Lord will surely give it him there is no way no hope of escaping for Luc. 13.3 Unlesse you turn from the way of sin to the way of life you must perish Ioh. 3.3 Heb. 12.14 no man shall see him here in his word revealing himself to be a gracious father to him in his holiness sanctifying him in his love affecting him with his savours in his presence presenting himself in a loving manner to him nor shall ever be filled with his glorious presence hereafter therefore be not deceived dream not of mercy before there be a desertion of all iniquity of Gods goodnes before you be lead to true repentance Psal 104.4 3. This will meet with and discover their folly who boast of their naturall abilities inclination and freedome to God to renounce sin to imbrace salvation to follow the call of God when they please as if they had as ready a disposition to execute the Lords command as ever the Centurions Servants had to do his of whom he said Math. 8.8 9. As if they were as strong in grace as Sampson in bodily strength able to break the cords of iniquity as if they were but reeds and rushes as if they were but fallen a little asleep in sin like Jonah in the bottome of the ship the voyce of the Minister was presently able to awaken them as if sin were not like the skin to the flesh hardly pulled of like the marrow to the bone uneasily gotten out but an old outer garment upon the back easily cast off But here we see that the Baptist doth not say we are fire whose sparks naturally fly upward nor watery vapours which are easily exalted by the influence and attractive power of the Sun but earth and earthly whose nature is ponderous heavy and altogether tending downward no more able no more inclinable to any thing savingly good than the earth is able of itself to ascend upward or to speak in the language of the Prophet then a black-Moor can make himself white or a Leopard change his spots Ier. 13.23 and surely these mens errour might easily be discerned if they did but well weigh and throughly consider 1. Their indisposedness to all good yea their aversness from it their enmity against it their indisposedness to it expressed by a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 by a wild asse running over hedge ditch refusing to be taken Ier. 2.24 by a dead man that hath no disposition to rise out of the grave Ephes 2.1 by a Lion and a Leopard which are altogether fierce Isai 11.6 by evil ground which naturally beareth nothing but Thornes and Bryars Heb. 6.8 by stones and Rocks which have no disposition to turne into water or soft ground Exek 36.26 their enmity against all good is expressed by a Serpent refusing to hear the voyce of the charmer Ps 58.50 by a theef striving against the light Iob 24.13 an unruly subject breaking all the bounds which are set him by his Soveraigne Psal 2.2 an implacable enemy that will not that cannot be reconciled Rom. 8.7 and surely if we well weigh if we have any true experience of the violence and mighty force of our corruption we may say of that as St. James doth of the tongue Iac. 3.7 8. so in this case we may say of our corruption all other fierce beasts have been tamed but who can rule this this is a horse of that force that man cannot bridle it a fire of that strength man cannot quench it a Lion of that fierceness man cannot tame it a Sea of that force that man cannot stop it none but he that put a bridle into the nostrils of Senacharib can bridle this unruly monster 2. The power of sin resembled to a conquerour leading captives Rom. 7.23 to a Master whom we serve at whose beck we move Tit. 3.3 to a King raigning over the whole man as a King over the people Rom. 6.12 to a death which hath the whole command of the body there is nothing remaineth to resist it Col. 2.12 such a forcible disease it is that as no Physician could heal the bloody issue Marc. 5.25 29. so none can cure this but onely he that cured that 3. The dearness of sin it is tenderly beloved the palace wherein the naturall man delighteth to dwell the pleasant wine which he drinketh the onely manchet whereof he desireth to feed Prov. 9.17 the onely Companion wherein he taketh comfort this is to him as the Idoll to Micah as the messe of pottage to Esau as the forbidden fruit to our first parents as the pieces of money to Judas as the golden wedge and Babylonish garment to Achan this is the Dalilah whereon they doat the Child which they feed the infant whereunto they draw out both their breasts the game which they pursue the Musick whereat they dance the treasure for which they search they love sin as Jonathan David they will strip themselves of their best garments to apparell it 2 Sam. 18.1 2. as Jacob loved Rahel they will serve in the heat and in the cold in all estates endure all miseries for it this is pleasant to their eyes Gen. 3.6 delightfull to their Palates Job 20.12 a precious pearle in their hands as the signets on their finger the mistris of their affections they will spend all in the service of it Prov. 23.21 they will suffer all miseries rather than forsake it Prov. 23.34 35.
a pen-man this I can more than promise verbo Ministri that there is nothing in it for matter or manner either spurious or surreptitious nothing but what is genuine and the Authors own the immediate issue of his working brain and flowing from his own pen. This I shall promise the Reader if he shall like of what is in this Book I shall present him shortly with another of this Author In the mean time I refer this to thy serious reading and gracious benefiting who am From my Study at Stratcley in Armington Com. Devon Thy Servant in the Gospel JOHN WELDEN John 3. the 22. c. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judaea and there he tarried with them and baptized c. THe Sun in the Firmament is never wearied but cometh forth like a mighty man rejoycing to run his race casting forth his bright and glorious beams in whatsoever circuit of the Heavens he moveth The Sun of righteousness Christ Jesus in like manner is never weary of well doing but his lips were alwayes dropping knowledge feeding Souls with heavenly understanding his Lamp was alwayes burning his cloud was alwayes distilling the dews of heavenly Doctrine in all companies on all occasions he like a faithfull Shepheard sought to gather home the straying sheep to Gods fold like a good guid to reduce the erring travellers into the right path like a carefull Physician to heal every diseased Soul No place no company but received some benefit by his presence having instructed Nicodemus in the Doctrine of Regeneration he came now into the Land of Judaea and there baptizeth After these thinges Iesus c. Our Saviour about the thirtieth year of his age came into the desart unto John to be baptized of him being baptized he was led by the spirit into the wilderness where he fasted fourty dayes and fourty nights from thence he returned to John in the desart at which time he called John Andrew Simon Peter Andrews brother from thence he returned into Galilee and in his journey called Philip and Nathaniel cometh to Nazareth where he was brought up and there after a few dayes being invited to a marriage he came to Cana where he wrought his first miracle after this he went to Capernaum and from thence to Ierusalem where he taught wrought a miracle and discoursed with Nicodemus about the point of Regeneration as we have largly set down in the beginnig of this Chapter From thence he came into the Territories of Iudaea and there baptized In the connexion of these words we have presented before us 1. The carefull and constant practise of Iesus Christ to win Souls to God and to communicate to them the knowledge of the truth 2. In the words we have his journeying into the Land of Judaea His attendants the Disciples His commoration or stay there he tarried His worke the administration of baptisme yet not by himselfe but by his Disciples as appears in Ioh. 4.2 Iesus himselfe baptized not but his Disciples I shall begin with the connexion of this history wherein we have discovred our Saviours constant practise and from thence draw this conclusion That we ought in all places to busy our selves in well-doing specially in endeavouring the conversion of Gods people As the clouds cause there dewes every day to distill more or less as the beast every day yeild their milk and the Stars continually send forth there light So must we according to our best abilities be alwayes doing good alwayes watering the Souls of our bretheren with the dewes of holy admonition with the milk of Gods word shewing the way of salvation to them by the light of the truth This charge the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.13 But exhort one another daily while it is called to day c. To this the promise of profiting is annexed Gal. 6.9 And let us not be weary of well doing For in due season we shall reap if we faint not And the Apostle will not have this duty in any case to be forgotten Heb. 10.24.25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works Not forsaking the assembling of our selvs together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching What Paul gave in charge to Timothy may in a more generall manner be given in charge to every Christian 2. Timoth. 4.1 2. I charge the therefore before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Be instant in thy calling in seeking the good of thy bretheren in season and out of season exhort rebuke reprove with all earnestnes and long suffering The grounds why we ought to busy our selves in well doing specially in endeavouring the conversion of Gods people are these Reas 1 Because thereby Sathan who 1. Pet. 5.8 as a roaring Lyon walks about seeking whom he may devoure shall be prevented of that advantage which otherwise he will get against us The flynig bird is hardly smitten with the Arrow the industrious and diligent person alloweth Sathan no time to tempt him when David was idle then the devil ensnared him 2. Sam. 11. Reas 2 Because we shall hereby thrive in the graces of the Spirit The seed by sowing is encreased the fire by burning is augmented so grace is encreased by exercise and holy industry what Solomon speaketh concermnig outward poverty or riches that he becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Prov. 10.4 The same is true as to inward riches or poverty that a lazy slothfull heart becometh poore in grace but the diligent heart maketh rich in grace to this very purpose is that passage af Iesus Christ in the Luk. 8.18 take heed therefore how ye heare for whosoever hath to him shall be given and whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have This is the way to thrive in grace namely to exercise and improve it for the good of others for as Solomon saith Prov. 19.17 he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him back again Reas 3 Because we shall hereby prevent much evill deadnes and dulnes in our hearts vanity of thoughts idlenes of speech As the motion of the body prevents the cold the using of the plough-share prevents rust the moving of the water prevents putrifaction the manuring of the feild preventeth the growing of weeds thornes bryars Therefore is that of the Apostle Heb. 3.12.13 Take heed bretheren least there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day least any of you be hardned through the
in causing a light to shine to them who sat in darknes Mat. 4.16 In opening the eyes of the spiritually blind as it is in Isa 35.5 6. In turning men from iniquity as it is in Acts the 3. verse 26. In teaching them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 13 14. In making us the Sons and Daughters of God as you have it in 1. Iohn 3.1 In washing us from the spirituall filthyness of sin Eze. 6.7 9 10. And in this manner must we shew our love towards our bretheren that it may appear we love the Jewel and not the casket the soul and not the carkase that our love may be fastned on Gods image and not on that which is but dust and ashes that the fruit of our love may be everlasting Prov. 13.24 What Solomon speaks there he that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chastneth him betimes So in this case he that loveth his field manureth it he that loveth his tree pruneth it 3. That we have not unfained love to God No better argument of love to God than in seeking to take from men that sin which God doth hate to restore them to holiness wherein God doth delight and therefore this is made an argument to demonstrate Peters love to Christ his feeding his sheep Iohn 21.17 by this we shall gather them home to Gods fold make them Members of Christs body heires of Gods Kingdom servants in Gods family Trees in Gods Orchard souldiers fighting Gods battles and so shall shew our love to God by being a means of bringing much honour to him and to them that seek not the good of there bretherens Souls I may say as in the 1. Joh. 3.17 How dwelleth the love of God in him 4. That we have no feeling of the goodness of God in our Souls of the lively opperation of his word of our happiness in being in Christ had we the sence of this we would with David in Psa 66.16 Invite men to us and say Come and hear all ye that fear God and we will tell you what he hath done for our Souls and we would being converted strengthen our bretheren as you have it in Luk. 22.32 Wee would say as the Samaritan Woman Ioh. 4.29 come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ and as they that were sent to spye out the Land when they saw it and how good it was incouraged the rest to go to it saying in Iud. 18.9 Arise that we may go up against them for we have seen the Land and behold it is very good and are ye still be not sloathfull to go and to enter to possess the Land Even so those that have felt and seene the goodness of the Lord are ready to incourage others Saying to those that stand still arise why ly ye still why are ye slothfull come into the way of God that is so good so pleasant 5. That we have no feeling of their misery did we feel there sin as a heavy burden upon our Souls as a thorne in our sides as a burning fire in our own bowels it would make us mightily to awaken them out of sin as the Woman of Canaan having her Daughter vexed with a divell cryed out have mercy on me O Lord thou Son of David for my Daughter is grevously vexed with a devill Math. 15.22 So will it be with a soul that hath had any feeling of the misery of sin it will cry out in the behalf of poor sinners have mercy O Lord for we have bretheren greivously vexed with sinnes and devills 6. That we are not greived to see Gods Law transgressed as David was in Psal 119.136 rivers of tears run down my eyes because they keep not thy law the wayes of God neglected as Lam. 1.4 that the name of God is dishonoured 7. That we are not troubled at the beholding of their sinfull conversation as 2. Pet. 2.8 That they are not as Cananites to Israel Iud. 2.2 3. as the men of Mesech to David Psal 120.4 as the Daughters of Heth to Sara Gen. 27.46 Were they such a grief we would pray to God to convert them as we would to cure a man of the plague in our Families to roote thornes and bryars out of our vineyard 8. That we do not fear the provocations of the Lords wrath against the place where the Kingdom and Church wherein we live by their sin did we consider how for the adultery of one Zimri and Cosby the plague might fall on all the people Num. 25.8 9. How for the disobedience of one Ionah the whole ship might be in danger of miscarrying Ionah 1. How for the theft of one Achan the whole army might be defeated Ios 7. did we consider and lay to heart how many evils may befull us for the sin of them that dwell about us we would do as Ezra did Exra 10.1 and according to our best abilities by prayers teares intreaties endevour their reformation Vse 2 Therefore let us all humble our selves for our past default in this behalf and for the time to to me let us labour to do more good let us in all places in all companies so manage all occasions so dispatch all busines so husband our time that we do some good if it be possible to the Souls of our bretheren that we help them a little forward in the way to heaven As Iron sharpens Iron as it is in Prov. 27.17 So let us sharpen the Souls of our bretheren Let us be to them as the rock to Peter Math. 26.75 as Philip to Nathaniel Iohn 1.45 let us be to them as Horse men and Chariots to stirre them up to drive and draw them forward as bellows to kindle and blow up the gifts of Gods Spirit within them let us communicate what we have received like good stewards feeding Gods family like fruitfull trees yeilding some fruit like shining stars casting out some light As Mary opened her box of alabaster and perfumed the house therewith Luk. 7.37 So let us with our gracious speeches holy instructions and pious discourse leave a gracious savour behind us and impresse some good in them that are with us As wicked men sleep not untill they do some mischief Prov. 4.16 No more let us take rest unles we do some good as Iacob would not let the Angel go till he blessed him Gen. No more let us depart from our bretheren without leaving some blessing behind us And to the end we may do good in all places companies consider these things 1. Let us make a spirituall use of earthly things As our Saviour by the water which the Samaritan Woman drew took occasion to speak of the water of life by fishing with nets in the Sea took occasion to speak of catching and drawing out of the Sea of sin by the draw-net of the Gospell by the pearle took occasion to speak of the pretious pearle of the Gospell by sowing of
before the Lord with sincere and unpright hearts and then Ps 145.18 19. Let us have no more to do with sin but say as Ephraim to his Idols Hos 14.8 let us take us Words vers 2.3 and then vers 4.5 6 7. Let us win on God with patience and constancy and the Lord at length will look upon us in mercy Heb. 10 35. Whatsoever be our want in the Lord is all fullnes all readiness to supply us therefore as Ia. 1.5 So if thou want faith knowledge patience if thou want tendrings of heart peace of conscience sence of Gods love or any other good blessing aske it the Lord will surely bestow it on thee Hanna was troubled with her barrenness cryed to the Lord he opened her womb Solomon considered the weightines of his calling sought wisedome and the Lord gave him wisedome Sampson was much oppressed with thirst called on the Lord and the Lord gave him water Iud. 15.18 19. In like manner when the barrenness of grace want of knowledge doth afflict thee seek it at the hands of the Lord and the Lord shall grant the supplication of thy Soul unto thee had we but hearts to seek we might enjoy what now we want the ignorant might be full of knowledge the empty Lamp might be full of oile the weake faith which shaketh like a withered reed might be like a Cedar of deep and strong roots the Soul which is like a barren vineyard might be full of grace like the valleys overspread with Corn and good pasture the naked Soul might be well armed richly apparelled the dejected Spirit might be full of comfort the mind that is pressed down with worldly cares like a cart with sheaves might soar aloft as on eagles wings unto the heavens the unstable Soul might be as well fastned the wilderness of the life might be made a Paradise a sweet Communion with God a holy fellow ship with the saints might be maintained much delight might be found in Gods Ordinances Isa 41.17 18 19. Isa 44.3 This must teach us to receive all as from God whatsoever our care labour industry hath been yet let us not look upon what we possesse as upon yarne of our owne weaving fish of our owne taking Hab. 1.16 Upon a house of our owne building as Dan. 4.30 But let us looke on all we have as on Gods blessing a gift from Gods hand a light shining from the sun of Gods bounty though Paul plant and Apollo water the encrease is Gods though Israel fight the victory is the Lords whatsoever evill is in us whatsoever evill is committed by us is the seed of our owne sowing whatsoever evill is inflicted on us is a wages of our owne deserving whatsoever good we work it is the labour of Gods finger whatsoever good we receive it is of the fulnes and freedome of Gods bounty therefore we must all say as 1 Cor. 29 11 12 13.14.15 16. for Prov. 21.31 Therefore let us fasten our eyes on all both internall and externall endowments as on shewers falling from the cloud of Gods love as on gifts given by the Lords hand even the least the meanest as well as upon the fairest of our possessions this will make us the more sensible of Gods love the more ashamed of our ingratitude and disobedience this will the more endeare and oblige our hearts to God this will make us the more thankfull the more circumspect and heavenly minded in the use of them nothing doth more occasion the abuse of Gods blessing than forgetfulnes of the hand whence they have there originall and beginning Ps 78.10 11. 4. This may acquaint us with a sure way how to be provided for in all estates to find a supply in all our wants to have some liccour alwayes in our vessel to refresh us some fruit upon the barrenest tree to relieve us God you see is the giver of every good blessing all cometh from him therefore get into his favour and you shall want no good thing be regenerate become a new creature make God your Father and your wants shall be supplied let the prodigall returne and in his Fathers house there is all manner of provision his Father kindly entertaining him Luc. 15. So let us do c. for as Mat. 7.11 this hath the promise Psal 84. â—â— Used as a motive to stirre up men to feare God Psal 34.10 to follow Christ Matth 19.29.30 This will bring us within the Covenant giveth us interest in all Gods blessings we shall be in league and Job 5.23 24 25 26. We shall enjoy security boldnes towards God tranquility and cheerfulnes in our hearts Job 11.13 14 15 16 17 18. It is not a carnall vexing care a greedy heaping up of things of the earth that will be sufficient defence a never setting light a never failing streame but the fruition of Gods love is the way to win it Mat. 6.33 this Psal 23. â— If God be Shepheard he will provide pasture and Ps 37.25 it is iniquity an ungracious conversation that bringeth want Pro. 13.25 Eccles 5.13.14 5. Is every good gift from God cometh it all from him then let us remember that we must give an accompt of all we do enjoy we are not Lords but stewards of Gods blessings such as must yield accompt to God of all our abilities though it be long before the Lord call us yet he will at length require a strict accompt of all our doings how we spent our time our strength our temporall blessing our spirituall graces how they have been improved what increase hath been made therefore as the Apostle said in another case 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2 3. So in this case use what you have received not as Lords to do with it what you list but as they who must be accountable to the Lord that not onely for the greatest but also for the least blessings as our Saviour said we must render accompt of every idle Word so we must render accompt of every little favour which God hath bestowed on us the time will come Luc. 16.2 Therefore we should think of this that we might be able to do it with joy Heb. 13.16 6. As it is all from God so let us be carefull to imploy it to the honour of God his good ground receiving good seed yieldeth a good increase as the good servant Mat. 25.20 as it cometh from heaven so let us use it in a heavenly manner to the praise of him whose dwelling is in the heavens this their very originall doth challenge Ro. 11.36 This the Dominion that God hath over all doth claime this the end which God proposeth to himselfe in all his works doth require Prov. 16.4 Rev. 4.11 Ephes 1.5 6. and it is the charge 1 Cor. 6.20 and if we neglect this we abuse the gift we have received it is a wrong to the creature to restraine it from the service of the Creator I. It is a wrong to the light
of the honour of Christ that seeketh its owne applause Joh. 5.44 1. Pet. 5.5 6. The last thing in this Verse was the manner of manifesting Christ Jesus he must increase Doctr. CHrist Jesus is not fully and at once but by degrees revealed unto his Servants the Sun appeareth by degrees so doth the sun of righteousnes by degrees manifest himselfe unto his people the blind man in the Gospel saw men as trees first he saw obscurely afterwards he saw more plainely thus Cant. 2.8 he was seen as on the mountaines a farre of then vers 9. he came nigher Joh. 16.29 Luc. 24.31 And our Saviour doth after this manner reveale himselfe unto his people I. Because of their infirmity as we reveale things to Children teach them a little and things easy at the first giving them milk and not strong meate Iac. 16.12 Mat. 9.16 17. II. Because they shall be sensible of the difficulty of obtaining it they shall be inforced to seek Prov. 2.2 3. search Ioh. 5.39 to waite Prov. 8.34 III. This he doth to humble us for our ignorance and removing corruption Use Therefore we must strive to grow in the knowledge of Christ as Schollers in learning apprentices in their trades we are not perfect 1 Cor. 13.9 12. therefore with Mary Luk. 10 39. with the lame man Joh. 5.5 we must not set still but 2 Pet. 3.18 we must not cease but strive to be filled Col. 1.10 Vse 2 This will teach us that all such as are Gods Servants do find Christ Jesus revealing himselfe unto them more graciously his Kingdome doth increase within them the longer they are in Christ the more clearly they understand his will the more sensibly they are affected with his love the more glorious he is in their eyes the more firmely they cleave to him the more strongly they build upon him the more abundance of contentement they find in him the more cheerefully they follow him VERS 31. THe Baptist having endevoured to remove from himselfe the sinister opinion which the Disciples conceived of him now he plainely delivereth his opinion of Christ sheweth by another comparison how farre he excelleth all others how much he is superiour to all others likening Christ to a King or supream Commander who speaking from his throne or tribunall is to be hearkned unto with all reverence but likeneth himselfe to one whose seate is in the dust infimetily inferiour unto Christ he who cometh from above who is not onely God-man but also God who teacheth divine and heavenly things in whom is nothing but that which is heavenly and full of Majesty he is above all in the excellency of his nature authority power wisedome and ability to unfold Gods counsell being the onely begotten of the Father in the bosome of the Father no creature man nor Angel being any thing in comparison of him but he who is of the earth even every man who hath an earthly originall and beginning is earthly ignorant carnall weake savouring of the things of the earth and can no further savour perceive or speake of the things of God than as they are revealed to him by him who is from above The Words set before us 1. Christs excellency 2. Mans indignity Christs excellency is set forth 1. By his originall he cometh from above 2. By his Dominion he is above all Man 's indignity is set forth 1. By his originall or from whence he is from the earth 2. By his quality or disposition earthly 3. By his practise speaketh of the earth first of Christs originall he cometh from above that is usually in Scripture said to be from above which is from heaven Acts 2.19 which is excellent and of great accompt of a spirituall and heavenly nature Gal. 4.26 or doth belong to a heavenly life Col. 3.1 The Sonne of God is said to be from above because he is God coequall with the Father according to his divine nature from the Father by eternall generation as he is the second person in the Trinity he is said to come from above in that he assumed our nature into the unity of his person dwelt in our flesh appeared in the forme of a servant to work out our redemption Doctr. That Christ Jesus who came to work out our redemption with a divine and heavenly originall and is even the Son of God by eternall generation Prov. 8.22 23 24 25 30. Psal 2.7 Phil. 2.7 8. Mat. 3.17 and this it behoved him to bee Reas 1 For the full expression of Gods unspeakeable love to his chosen had God sent a man an Angell a meere creature his love had not beene so great so excellent so worthy of admiration but now when he sent his owne Sonne his onely Sonne this did wonderfully disclose his love unto his people If a King send not a common man a counsellour a favourite but his owne Sonne to be a ransome to redeeme the captived a Physician to heale the diseased a teacher to instruct his ignorant subjects it is an argument of singular love so Ioh. 3.16 1 Ioh. 4.16 Reas 2 For the sustaining of his Fathers wrath a burthen which would have ground the rocks to powder and the mountaines to dust a fire whose heate would have dried up the deep waters of the Sea a wind which would have overturned all the Cedars of Lebanon and removed the pillars of the earth out of their places an arrow that would have drunk up the Spirits of all the mighty men of the earth a Wine-presse which neither man nor Angell was able to tread a cup which our Saviour himselfe prayed might passe from him a passion which made him sweat drops of blood which constrained him to complaine of desertion Psal 22.1 Reas 3 For the satisfying of his Fathers justice it was in vaine Mic. 6.6 7. Isa 40.16 the debt was so great that all the World was too little to make satisfaction Isa 53.10 11. as Psal 49.6 7. Reas 4 For the revealing of his Fathers will and counsell a sealed booke which none can open Rev. 5.3 4 5. therefore Ia. 1.18 Col. 2.3 Matth. 11.27 Reas 5 For the making of us to be the Sonnes of God by adoption Gal. 4.4 5. He that was the Sonne of God became a Servant to make us the Sonnes of God by grace who were the Servants of sin by corruption he emptied himselfe that we might be filled Reas 6 For the sanctifying and washing away the sin of our Souls no nitre could cleanse us Ier. 2.22 Abanah and Pherphar could not wash away the Leprosy of our Souls nothing but the Jordan of Christs blood could doe it 1 Ioh. 1.7 This quencheth our burning lusts extinguisheth our carnall and worldly thirst as Christ came by blood to justify us so he came by water to sanctify us 1 Ioh. 5.6 8. these things he could not work for us were he not omnipotent alsufficient and from above Vse This teacheth us whence our salvation and externall happines cometh not from beneath not from
with it if it go into captivity into prison into noysom diseases into poverty reproach nay though they are surerely and infallibly shewed that it goeth to Hell yet they will go with it 5. By their dislike of holinesse and all the means teaching man to lead a holy life this is like fetters to the man possessed with an unclean spirit they break these cords as he brake them like the Sun to diseased eyes Job 24.13 like a Candle to him that hath stolne goods Ioh. 3.19.20 like the hand-writing to Baltazzar Dan. 5.5 no weed so unsavory to their Nostrils no Gall so distastefull to their Palates no noise so terrible to their Ears this is a stranger they will give it no entertainment an enemy they will make war against it Rom. 8.7 they watch an opportunity as Iudas to betray Christ as Esau to murder Iacob so they to betray to destroy this if possible they might it is as offensive to them as Mordecai to Haman nothing can give them contentment as long as this prospereth by which it is apparent that the natural mans disposition is altogether carnal Vse This may teach us not to wonder be astonish'd or dismayed to see the whole world lie in wickedness the greatest number of men carnally disposed their affections tending downward to things here below as the streams go down the Channel or the earth moveth down towards the Center not think it strange that the carnal world wonders after her own lusts as the Popish idolatrous world after their beast that they pursue the earth and the vanities of the same as Micah pursued his Idol that they lye overwhelmed in sin as once the world was overwhelmed with the deluge that Hill and vale high and low rich and poor learned and ignorant even all a few poor despised yet sanctified Souls excepted given unto covetousnesse and carnal lusts as the Prophet long since complained Ier. 6.14 that the broad way is full the narrow way hath few travellers that Baals house is full the seats in Gods house like the seats in Sauls house in the new Moon were empty yesterday and to day Sabbath after Sabbath that the world the earth riches honours pleasures are in great request heaven religion holinesse duties of sanctification in little or none at all Marvel not I say at this shrink not back from God leave not the Lord Iesus for this the three hundred Souldiers left not Gideon though many thousands went back from him Ioshua and Caleb turned not back from following the Lord though Israel besides did and perished let Peters resolution be your practise though all men forsake him yet go not you back from him be not moved be not shaken at the sight of the multitude of prophane persons for all men are earth and earthly and 1. They are ignorant and see no beauty no benefit no pleasure in the way of Godlinesse it is to them as a light under a bushel a fountain shut up Luke 19.42 these are like the Gods of whom Daniel spake Dan. 5.23 these are as Ier. 5.4 Psal 82.5.2 they are sick and cannot rellish the good things of God their Palate hath lost its taste bread is as gravell Wine as Gall a feast of the choisest heavenly delicates as the white of an Egg which hath no taste or unsavoury meat which cannot be eaten without salt Iob 6.6 what our Saviour said to Peter in one particular may be universally verified of every carnall man thou savourest not the things of God but of men and what Barzillai said to David in another case every carnall man may say of himself unto God I am old in sin and cannot taste the Word of the Lord and let not me be pressed to this and that duty of holines to follow the Lord with such preciseness but let me return to mine own way fashion delights c. 3. They are dead in sins and trespasses no more feeling of sin than a dead man of the disease no more sence of the working of Gods Word then feared flesh of the prickings of a needle as Psal 6.5 so there is no thought no remembrance of God among carnall men they have no thought of Heaven life eternall the way and means tending thereunto 4. They know not things of any better nature than the earth the Cattle know not any better thing than pasture in the field water in the brook and therefore never look after wine and other delicates so the naturall man knoweth nothing but this World not knowing the comforts of the Gospel the sweetness of Gods love the pleasantness of the peace of a good conscience think there is no clearer nor warmer sun no more pure nor pleasant streame no sweeter musick than peace and prosperity in this World the Woman of Samaria knowing no other water than such as was in Jacobs Well asked not water of life from Christ knew not what he meant when he spake of it the unsound Disciples knowing no other bread than that which nourisheth the body thought not upon the bread which nourisheth the soul unto life eternall 5. They are inconsiderate hasty and violent in the pursuite of their own projects in accomplishing their own purposes in running their own way in following their own counsell in fulfilling their own lusts therefore likened to the Adder Psal 58.5 the wild asse Ier. 2.24 mad men Jerem. 17.9 they have in heart to consider what the issue will be of all their evill doings though they set thornes yet they think they shall gather grapes though they serve sin yet they think the wages shall be eternall life though they sow to the flesh yet they hope to reap life everlasting thus Psal 36.1 and though they be like them Isa 65.4 like him Mar. 5.4 5. Though they have fellowship with the workers of the works of darkness though they be men of swinish condition and conversation though there souls be full of the breath of abominable things though they break the strongest bonds of Gods precepts wound themselves with many lusts as with swords and speares yet like them Isai 65.5 they spare not to think to say they are better than the dearest of Gods Children so highly are they opinionated of their own goodness so strongly are they wedded to their own afflections that all admonition is but as water upon a black Moor dew upon a rock it maketh no impression but as Solomon saith Prov. 27.22 Now this being the qualification order disposition bent and course of every naturall mans heart and life it is no marvell that the World is generally profane nor let any go back because there are so few that set and keep their feet constant in the way to life 2. Is this the condition of corrupt man since the fall of our first parents are they all earthly carnall full of sin then this may assure us that in this estate there is no salvation the naturall mans way will never lead him