which he encreaseth by degrees 2 Cor. 10. 15. There is a passing on from strength to strength Psal 84. 7. Gods righteousness is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1. 7. And this improvement ought to be observed and may with ease be known First we are Babes 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so grow up observeably when grown towards perfection of Manhood in Christ Ephes 4. 13 14 16. Obs The effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace Texts 2 Cor. 4. 16. Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor 6. 1. We beseech you that you receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst St. Paul counted himself not to be perfect not to have apprehended Phil. 3. 12 13. The Church of Thyatira is commended in that her last works were more than the first Rev. 2. 19. Reas 1. That they may be thankful to him by whom they are bettered Rom. 6. 17. 2 Thes 1. 3. 2. That they may be quickned to a further improvement Eph. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Use 1. There is no perfection here Sin may dayly be more weakned Grace more improved Phil. 3. 12. 2. Reach forth to those things that are before Phil. 3. 13. 3. Bless God for thine Improvement It is he that worketh in thee to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. 4. Fall not from thy first love Rev. 2 4. Resol I will go from strength to strength until I appear before my God in Zion Psal 84. 7. Ejac. Remember not O Lord the sinful barrenness of my Youth O grant that being now planted in thine House I may still bring forth fruit in mine age and that I may be fat and flourishing Psal 92. 13. 14. Paral. VIII Circ Looking back I saw a Gentleman who having stopped my Pursuer was beating of him Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called ALthough I had made an escape and he who had brought me forth into a large place was pleased to make my way perfect to enlarge my steps under me that in my flight my Feet did not slip Psal 18. 32 36. And though I had gotten some way before my Apprehender yet he followed hard after me saying unto himself I will pursue I will evertake saying of my soul there is no help for him in God Psal 3. 2. God hath forsaken him I will persecute and take him for there is none to deliver him Psal 71. 11. But behold as formerly enlargement so help unexpectedly did arise unto me from him who had commanded deliverances for me Psal 44. 4. He who at first had taken his hand off me did now withhold him and would not suffer him again to lay it upon me Such is the weakness of a Christian though effectually called that in the course of his life Corruption doth often captivate him Rom. 7. 23. and endeavours what in him lies to reduce and subject him again to the Dominion of Satan But in these his Assaults and prevailings yet here is our Comfort here our Help We have an High Priest who in all points was tempted like as we are though without sin and so is touched with a feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. Who in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. And according to this his Power he doth succour them in time of need He takes off the edges and Points of whatsoever weapons are formed against them Isa 54. 17. He hath given his Angels charge over them to keep them in all their waies Psal 91. 11. He ever liveth to make Intercession for them and is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. He strengthens them with all might according to his Glorious power Col. 1. 11. He backs and encourageth them by his Spirit John 15. 26 He communicates his Victory unto them John 16. 33. He will shortly bruise Satan and their Corruption under their feet Rom. 16. 20. And through him that loves them they shall in the end be more than Conquerers Rom. 8. 37. Thus he that abideth under the shadow of the Almighty none evil shall befal him The Lord shall cover him with his Feathers he shall trust under his wings his Truth shall be his shield and buckler Psal 91. 1. 4. 10. Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called Texts Psal 118. 13. Thou hast thrust fore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempâ—ed above that yeare able to bear but will with the temptation also make a way â—â— escape Inst. The Lord troubled the Egyptians and took off their Chariot-wheels that they drave them heavily Exod. 14. 24 25. Elisha said unto his Servant fear not for they that be with us are more then they that be with them c. And behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 Kings 6. 16 17. Reas 1. He knows we have to deal with a powerful enemy Eph. 6. 12. 2. He knows and pities our weakness Heb. 4 15. Use 1. The effectually called are weak unable of themselves to master their Corruption Rom. 7. 18. 2. Pity thy weak Brother when fallen and restore him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. 3. Fear not thine enemy God is on thy side Rom. 8. 31. 4. Pray for assistance Exod. 17. 11. 5. Trust in God he will make perfect his strength in thy weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. Resol I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills whence cometh my help my help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth Psal 121. 1 2. Ejac. Stand up for my help O Lord stop the way against them that persecute me Say unto my soul I am thy salvation Psal 35. 2 3. Paral. IX Circ The Gentleman beating of my Pursuer had pulled him down upon his knees by his long Hair Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all Affected Vanities and Pleasures THE Hair too short is superstitious or servile too long the shameful shameless dotage of the Times as much unmanly 1 Cor. 11. 14. This of my Pursuer as before I look upon as a cautionary Item against that and all other Vanities and Pleasures whatsover With this about the hair amongst many in my younger years I was much transported at the time of my last happy unsettlement with others more prevailing But the great work being done my heart was wholly taken off from them and set upon those better things from which they had been too long too powerful avocations No man can serve two Masters Mat. 6. 24. How can Gods Service but be neglected by him who serves his own pleasure 2 Tim. 3. 4. The tast of it dulls the souls Appetite
thou sin upon Presumption of Gods Mercy thou dost tempt God and so lay a new and greater guilt upon thy Soul What Shall we sin that Grace may abound 5. Lastly The guilt is aggravated and that in the highest degree by unthankfulness I forgave thee all that thy debt Mat. 18 32. He who hath had Talents 10000 Talents forgiven him many hainous sins and yet is such an unthankful wretch as to provoke his Gracious Lord by cruelty towards his Fellow-Servant or by any other hainous Follyes he must look to be delivered to the Tormentors until he hath paid all the debt which returns upon the Score not in respect of act but in respect of that high guilt which such ungratefulness layes upon the soul far exceeding the guilt of those sins whatsoever they were before peace spoken After all this is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great Trespasses seeing that God hath punished us less then our Iniquities deserved and hath given us such deliverance as this should we again break his Commandments Would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us Ezra 9. 13 14. And would not his anger be yet the more provoked against us if we turn again to folly when upon peace spoken The understanding by Christs manifesting of himself unto it is more cleared to know Gods Will. When the Soul by the Spirits dwelling in it is more inabled to do his Will When so great an Obligation lies upon it calling for all ready Obedience unto his Will Now lay all these together Breach of Promise Forgetfulness of deliverance Despising of the Rod. Presumption of Mercy Unthankfulness for Peace All these meeting in backsliding into sin after Peace spoken and what is it but to increase Iniquity above our heads to cause our trespasses to grow up to Heaven Ezra 9. 9. What is it but to add Rebellion unto sin Job 34. Ult. And what a fearful case is the Soul in when by new Follies it hath thus provoked its God How will its former wounds of Loss of wrath lately by a sweet peace drawn together and cured rend themselves open afresh The much enlarged and longer continuing smart whereof it must unavoydably undergo He that sins again after that he is made whole must look for a worse thing to come unto him John 5. 14. He that hath been under Gods smoaking and kindling anger Psal 74. and yet again provokes him such a one must look to feel his burning anger the heat of his great anger Deut. 29. 24. His consuming anger Ezra 9. 14. And if his former Rod was so stinging and intolerable what will his Scorpions be Use I trust that what I have already said concerning backsliding and relapsing into the Folly of sin after peace spoken will make such an impression in your hearts that I shall but lose time to enâ—arge my self further in exhorting you to beware how by new Follâ—es you provoke the Lord. Neither shall I need to say much to stir you up to be careful to preserve Peace when it is spoken to your souls Motives Do but cast your thoughts back upon the anguish and horrour of the wounded Spirit upon the loss of its peace Cast them back upon that love of God and that exceeding Joy which Peace spoken doth assure the soul of and â—ill the Soul with and you will need none other motives Only I conceive it needful that I give you some brief Directions how to preserve peace when it is spoken to your Souls When the Church had found him whom her soul loved whom she had formerly lost Cant. 3. 4. she held him fast The Lord Christ is our Peace That thou mayest hold him fast and noâ— lose him again use these Means Means 1. Love his Word they who do so have great peace Psal 119. 165. 2. Get spiritual Wisdom all her pâ—ths are Peace Prov 3. 17. 3. Live in Unity and the God of Love and Peace will be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 4. Love Christ and he will make his abode with you John 14. 23. 5. Be obedient to his commands and you shall have Peace as a River Isa 48. 18. 6. Be spiritually minded to be so is Liâ—e and peace Rom. 8. 6. 7. Let God rule in thine heart his Kingdom consists in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. 8. Let thy mind be sâ—aâ—â—d on God trust in him and he will keep thee in perfect peace Isa 26. 3. 9. Constrain Christ by fervent Prayer and he will tarry with thee Luke 24. 29. and cannot depart from thee Gen. 32. 26. The Authors Hymn upon his wounded Spirit recured Comprising many of the Principal Heads of the Former Discourse VVHen I felt that Heart-stinging Rod Of my Soul-wounding-Salving God In his Losse I was lost his eye Shot Beams of threatning Enmity I bath'd those wounds with Tears for sin Christ's Merit-Balm Faith poured in He came and gently them up-bound Spake Peace Joy Love and I was sound Bless him my Soul while Life doth last Prize Peace and hold thy Dear Christ fast O strengthen me my God most Holy That I return no more to Folly His Farewel to the World VVOrld since to sin to thee I 'm dead To new life rais'd where Christ my Head Doth dwell I 'le seek those things above Disdaining thy now Trash to love There my heart 's set In longing Cries To him my Clay-restrain'd Soul flies He there what doth it here It 's home Is Heaven Lord Jesu quickly come HEnce Bubble-Honour thy swoln gay Light Empty shews are blown away With a just Scorn I now despise Thy once ador'd great Nullities And well I may slight thy proud state Through Christ 'bove thee b'ing made so great Earth bounded thine Ambition I 'm Heavens great King 's Adopted Son VVEalth take thy Wings flie where thou list I 'l be no more a Mammonist To lade me with thick Yellow Clay Poor helpless Idol in wrath's day Gold 's not my hope My hope I 'le place On him who hath my Soul with Grace Inrich'd and made him mine me his In whom are hid all Treasuries PLeasure away away be gone Fair Sorceress thy Potion Is amber'd Poyson thy Songs Spell Wreaks in a Calm and lulls to Hell Welcom sweet Peace thou dost immure With Brass and set my soul secure Rapt from my self in Extasie To Heavens Joyes on thy wings I fly VVEalth Honour Pleasure all adieu My Rescued Heart once slave to you Hath now that best of Objects found Whose Rod hath cur'd your Balm-made Wound You neither last nor satisfie Fulness and Perpetuity Of Blisse he will my Soul afford Who cannot lie I 'le trust his Word 1 John 2. 15. Love not the World neither the things that are in the world If any man love the World the Love of the Father is not in him FINIS
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
Psal 42. 1 4. The remembrance of Gods Benefits Psal 103. 2 3. are two excellent means to quicken the soul unto Prayer which will ascend to Heaven with the more speed being carried up upon the wings of Fasting 1 Cor. 7. 5. Alms-giving Acts 10. 4. Provided that it be Reverend Fervent Constant Confident If thine be so qualified thou maist be assured that the Lord will not turn it away Psal 66. 20. Obs God will be sued unto And that With Reverence Fervency Constancy Confidence God will be sued unto Texts Psal 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble Mat. 7. 7. Ask and it shall be given you Inst Hezekiah in his sickness prayed unto the Lord Isa 38. 2. Cornelius's Prayers came up for a Memorial before God Acts 10. 4. With Reverence Texts Psal 95. 6. Let us worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 99. 5. Worship at his Footstool Inst Paul bowed his knees unto God in behalf of the Ephesians The foul and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped and cast their Crowns before him that sate on the Throne Rev. 4. 10. With Fervency Tâ—xâ—s Psal 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide Psal 119. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee Inst. Moses cried unto God Exod. 14. 15. The King of Nineveh commanded his People to cry mightily unto God Jonah 3. 8. With Constancy Texts 1 Thes 5. 17. Pray continually Job 27. 10. Will the Hypocrite alwaies call upon God Inst David called daily upon the Lord Psal 88. 9. Christ spake a Parable to this end that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint Luke 18. â— With Confidence Texts Jam. 1. 6. Ask in Faith nothing wavering Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence Inst David assured himself that God would hear him Psal 4. 3. The Sons of God have the Spirit of Adoption whereby they cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15. Amen that Seal of our Prayers signifies as an earnest desire so a certain perswasion that God will hear us Col. 4. 18. Reas 1. By Reverend confident Prayer God is glorified in his Attributes Col. 1. 9. The word there signifies a devout lifting up of the mind unto God and our glorifying of him in his Majesty Power c. 2. Fervent Prayer puts the soul into a fit capacity for Mercy Psal 81. 10. 3. Constant Prayer manifests encreaseth strengthens Faith Psal 5. 3. Luke 18. 1. Use 1. Let God have his due Glory Psal 123. 2. 2. Let not thy Prayer want its due qualifications Jam. 4 3. 3. Cleanse thy soul from sin A wicked heart obtains nothing from God Psal 66. 18. 4. He that is only earnest for temporal things howls not praies Hos 7. 14. 5. Inconstancy in Prayer discovers a bad heart Job 27. 10. 6. The distrustful Prayer is sure to be denied Jam 17. Resol In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me Psal 86. 7. Ejac. Lord let thy Spirit help mine Infirmities heaâ— thou its groanings in me and for me Rom 8 26 â—7 Paral. IV. Circ The Mercy was discovered upon my Prayer Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing Power I Do not dare not arrogate any thing to my self as if my Prayer as mine had any the least power to encline God to hear me God is unchangeable man unworthy to be heard to be eyed to be minded The best Prayers have so much of self in them that in stead of an open ear unto them we might justly expect the dung of the Sacrifice of our polluted lips and hearts to be cast in our faces But we have to deal with a Gracious God who is not only ready to hear the weak desires of the reverent fervent constant faithful Suppliant but so far to submit his own Almightiness unto their so qualified Prayers that he cannot but hear them What is said of the wrath of man Jam. 1. 20. may be said of all the rest of the Passions when transgressing the workings of Reason they work not the righteousness of God and so render the soul unfit for Prayer Yet Abraham Jacob Moses Joshuah Elijah Hezekias though men subject to like passions as we are Jam. 5. 17. their Prayers were most powerful and effectual Their Power in Prayer was from God their passionate weakness of themselves which being by them taught to wait upon Reason and their sense of it keeping of them humble was a means to preserve that power Abraham was afraid of the Egyptians Gen. 12. 12. Of the men of Gerar Gen. 20. 11. that they would have slain him for his Wives sake Yet he had so prevailed with God upon his Intercession for Sodom that had there been but ten righteous persons in it it had not been destroyed Gen. 18. 32. Jacob though encouraged by a Vision of Angels greatly feared his Brother Esau coming against him Gen. 32. 7 11. Yet wrestling with God by Prayer had such power over him that he would not let him go before he had blessed him Gen. 32. 26. 28 29. Moses feared when he knew that his killing of the Egyptian was discovered and fled Exod. 2. 14 15. Yet by Prayer held Gods hands that he could not destroy the people when so highly provoked by their making and worshipping of the Golden Calf Exod. 32. 10. Joshua envied Eldad and Medad who prophesied in the Camp Numb 10. 29. Yet at his Prayer the Sun and Moon were stayed in their course Josh 10. 13. Elijah upon Jezebels threatnings Message fled for his Life 1 Kings 19. 2 3. Yet upon his earnest Prayer it rained not on the earth for three years and a half Jam. 5. 17. And Fire came down from Heaven and destroyed the Captains with their Fifties 2 Kings 1. 10 12. Hezekias was much grieved at that Message of death brought unto him by the Prophet yet upon his Prayer the Sun went backward ten degrees Isa 38. 1 2 3 8. With what confidence may now the humble Supplianâ— whose Prayer hath its due qualifications say I know that whatsoever I ask according to his Will I have my Petitions which I desired of him 1 John 5. 14 15. When by these examples he sees and is confirmed in the experience and assurance of the effectualness of it which is such that it hath power not only Over the Elements Jam. 5. 17. 2 Kings 1. 10. Over the Fabrick of Heaven Josh 10. 12. Over earthly Forces Exod. 17. 11. Over Death Isa 38. 5. Over Devils Mat. 17. 21. Over Angels 2 Kings 6. 17. But Over God himself Exod. 32. 10. O the prevailing power of a rightly qualified Prayer It takes Heaven by violence it overcomes the Invincible and binds the Almighty Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing power Texts Jam. 5. 16. The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much Exod. 32. 10. Let mâ— alone that my wrath may wax hot c. And Moses besought the Lord. Inst Jacob when the man
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
not able to perform I will therefore trust in the most High through whose Mercy it is that I have not been moved Psal 21. 7 11. Ejac. How safe is the Heritage of thy Children O Lord whosoever shall gather together against them shall fall for their sakes Isa 54. 15. 17. The Deliverance Paral. I. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off me Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave THat they who are ordained unto eternal life to that glorious Inheritance of the Saints in light may be partakers thereof there is pre-required a certain meeâ—ness in them Col. 1. 12. This they have not neither can have while in the state of nature 1 Cor. 15. 50. That therefore they may be â—itted for it it is necessary That they be drawn out of their natural estate That they be set in the state of Grace They are drawn out of the state of Nature by being freed from the power of Darkness Col. 1. 13. They are set in the state of Grace by being translated into the Kingdom of Christ Col. 1. 13. To whom it belongs to work these great works for them he alone being able to do them Luke 11. 22. That he had wrought them for me he was now pleased clearly to manifest unto me In my Apprehender's hand being taken off me he shewed me that he had freed me from the power of darkness from the power of reigning sin and so from the power of Satan of Hell In my descent into the Building which soon after followed he shewed me that I was now become a Member of his true Church and so set in the state of Grace His first great work for me was to deliver me from the power of darkness It cannot be believed that these mine enemies in whose snares I was taken out of a willingness now to be rid of me did of themselves offer me this opportunity to escape Their Consultations certainly were not so deep nor they so secure that they minded not him whom they concerned Corruption doth more value his pains and diligence and the huâ—gry Lion doth not so easily part with his prey whereof he is seized How came I then to be set at liberty They were out-witted and out powered The Lord Christ the great Counsellour the mighty God Isa 9. 6. defeated all their Contrivances enervated their strength and in despite of them rescued and wrested me out of their hands Powerfully as to them Col. 2. 15. In a way of Justice as to his Father Col. 1. 20. Innocent He had payed his precious Blood for my soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. His Innocency redeemed me being guilty His rich Price which he payed impoverished Satan His Bonds â—ettered him freed me Thus the Serpents head was broken Gen. 3. 15. by him to whom it was deâ—ervedly granted that he should divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul unto death Isaiah 53. 12. But shall the Prey be taken from the mighty or the lawful Captive be delivered Yes it shall it was it could not be otherwise when now the Lord my Saviour my Redeemer the Mighty one of Jacob was pleased to contend with those that oppressed me and to save me The Captive of the Mighty was taken away and the prey of the Terrible was delivered Isa 49. 24 25 26. Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave Texts Luke 11. 21 22. When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcometh him he taketh from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divideth his Spoyles John 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me Inst Zacheus though Chief of the Publicans men esteemed by Christ no better than Heathen Mat. 18. 17. Though a rich man and such shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 23. Yet when Christ called him he made hast and came down and received Christ joyfully Luke 19. 2 6. Saul when breathing out Threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples and going purposely to Damascus with authority to bind and bring those to Jerusalem that he should find there of that way upon the Apparition and Voice from Heaven waâ— changed and submitted himself to Christ's Will Acts 9. 1 2. Reas 1. The Holy Spirit by whom the Soul is freed is a God of irresistible power A rushing mighty Wind filled the House c. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 2 4 2. The Debt being discharged the Prisoner is to be released Col. 2. 14. Use 1. The Godhead of the Spirit proved 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. Bless him who hath paid thy Debt Col. 2. 14 3. Take heed of running upon a new Store Psal 85. 8. Resol Thou hast given Commandment to save me wherefore my mouth shall be filled with thy Praise and Honour all the day For they are confounded and brought to shame that sought my hurt Psal 71. 3 8 24. Ejac. Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth and hast not shut me up into the hand of the Enemy but hast set my Feet in a large room Psal 31. 5 8. Paral. II. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off unexpected Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods Free Grace THat God alone is able to change the Heart is Clear Grace is a participation of the Divine Nature And who can communicate the Divine Nature unto man but only a Divine Power 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. There is nothing in the Soul out of which it may be produced as therein potentially contained Mans recreation then must necessarily be effected by that Almighty Power that at the first made him of nothing Ezek. 11. 19. But may not man deserve this Change May he not walk so exactly by Natures Rule as that God in equity cannot deny his Grace unto him No This Grace is free this Love undeserved What is in the sick Patient to deserve that the Physitian should seek him out to cure him What in an Enemy to deserve Reconciliation from him to whom he hath given just cause to hate him Yet when I was sick and languishing my Physitian sought me to recover me My highly provoked God when I was his Enemy was pleased freely to be reconciled unto me Col 1. 19 10. My Apprehender had hold of me The Jaylor was ready to take me into his Custody The Prison gaped for my Entertainment The Grates were strong to secure me No visible help to rescue me Nothing in me to deserve Compassion Deliverance Yet then was the Lord pleased not for my sake but for his own Holy Names sake to pity me to put a new Spirit in me to save me from all mine Enemies from all mine uncleannesses Isa 31 21 26 31. Well may I now to the Glory of my Almighty and Compassionate Redeemer take up those words of his Church whereof I am now
and takes off its true relish of spiritual sweetness The Manna ceased assoon as the Israelites had eaten of the old corn of the Land of Canaan Josh 5. 1â— To extirpate the Affections man must be unman'd where they have an over-ruling power he becomes a Beast Psal 49. 20. At least he is brought down to the lowest degree of servitude There is no such slavery as his who is not Master of himself Against violent Temptations the soul is armed by Fortitude by Temperance against alluring This moderates Mans Love of them His desire after them His delight in them His Grief in the absence of them This Grace of Temperance being the Guardian of all other Vertues the Spirit among others upon a Christians effectual Calling adornes the soul withal thereby so restraining the Passions and confining of them within their bounds that in the Fruition of vain Pleasures the moderate use whereof is not denied 1 Cor. 6. 12 Or in their absence he is still the same Let him enjoy them he is as if he enjoyed them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. Let him be without them he is as if enjoying of them 2 Cor. 6. 10. Upon his Change he is now set far above them having his soul filled with new and spiritual delights Though his heart be taken off from the vain Comforts of the world yet Christ leaves him not comfortless Joh. 14. 18. The Joy of the Lord is his strength Nehem. 8. 10. His Comforts delight his soul Psal 94. 19. In whom he rejoyceth continually Phil 4. 4. His Delight is in Gods Law Psal 1. 2. Which is most sweet unto him Psal 119 103. His delight is in the Saints and in the excellent Psal 16. 3. He takes pleasure in the waies of wisdom Prov. 3. 17. He is filled with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Yea with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. The Promises those satisfying Breasts of Comfort Isa 66. 11. afford him strong Consolation Heb. 6. 17 18. He rejoyceth that his Name is written in Heaven Luke 12. 20. Thus whereas formerly when enslaved to worldly pleasures in laughter his heart was sorrowful as well it might the end of that Mirth being heaviness Prov. 14. 13. Now he enjoyes that sweet peace in his soul which guards and keeps up his spirit under the heaviest afflictions Acts 5. 41. Which he bears with patience rejoycing in hope of the Glory of God Rom 5. 2. And longing for that day when he shall enter into the joy of his Lord Mat. 25. 23. Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected Vanities and Pleasures Texts Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight 1 Pet. 3. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of Gold and of putting on of Apparel c. Inst St. Peter exhorts those who had obtained the precious Faith to add thereunto Temperance 2 Pet. 1. 6. Mary Magdalen upon her Conversion her eyes formerly allurements to lust now shed Tears with which she washed Christ's feet and wiped them with the hairs of her head with whose nicely set Curles she was wont to entangle her Lovers She bestowed her Kisses upon them and anoynted them with her precious Oyntment before used to set off her Beauty to make it the more enticing Luke 7. 38. Reas 1. They hinder the soul in its search after Gods Kingdom and the righteousness thereof Mat. â— 31 32. 2. They choak the Word and make it become unfruitful Luke 8. 14. 3. They retard the souls pace in her race toward the Mark Heb. 12. 1 4. They harden the heart Amos 6. 1 4 5 6. Use 1. Set thine Affections on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6 33. 3. Rid thy self of whatsoever may hinder thee in thy spiritual Race Heb. 12. 1. 4. Adorn thy soul with the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. with sobriety and good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 5. Account not that thy Glory which is thy shame Phil 3. 19. 6. Draw not on Iniquity with Cords of Vanity Isa 5. 18. Resol All things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any 1 Cor. 6. 12. Ejac. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way Psal 119. 37. Paral. X. Circ After the staying and beating of my Pursuer I heard no more of him Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken It shall never again recover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory I cannot but begin this Parallel with a triumphant exultation in my soul and say Thy right hand O Lord glorious in power hath dashed in pieces the enemy In the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown those that rose up against me Thou in thy Mercy hast redeemed me and led me forth and wilt guid me in thy strength unto thy holy Habitation Exod. 15. 6 7 13. Where my hope is laid up with thee Col. 1. 5. Even that Crown of righteousness which my Lord Christ the righteous Judge will give unto me at that day 2 Tim 4. 8. This thou hast assured me of and none shall take it from me John 10. 28. Who is like unto thee O Lord Who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 11. No man cometh unto Christ unless the Father draw him John 6. 44. We are led willingly drawn with reluctancy Rom. 5. 10. But God of unwilling maketh us willing working Grace in the heart by the secret Operation of the Spirit upon the Preaching of the Word which is his ordinary way of dâ—awing John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14 15. In the Word preached Christ is offered to the soul 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. And they who receive him thus offered have put him on Gal. 3. 27. and dwell in him Eph. 3. 17. and so are effectually called Effectual Calling is a certain evidence of a Christian Election Rom. 8. 30. And these two draw after them all those other Links of the Golden Chain reaching from Gods Decree of Predestination unto the enjoyment of that Glory to which he is predestinated and mentioned by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 1 3 4. He is redeemed from his vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. From the Dominion of sin and all other his enemies Luke 1. 71. Having escaped the Corruption that is in the world through lust v. 4 He is regenerated and become a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. Having all things given unto him that pertain unto life and godliness or to a godly life v. 3. He is justified having obtained the precious Faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ v. 1. And so assured of the pardon of his sins and of Gods Favour unto him in his
Son He is adopted Eph. 1. 5. by vertue of his Son-ship being interessed in the exceeding great and precious promises v. 4. Christ is made unto him sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. Communicating his Grace unto him so making him partaker of the Divine Nature v. 4. He is assured of Glory to which he is called as also to that way of Vertue in which he is and which leadeth thereunto v. 3. It is a sad truth that that sweet comfort which ariseth from this assurance may for a time be shaken and interrupted upon the prevailing of Corruption which while it abideth in us cannot but often be Our Enemies being so subtil We so weak Occasions of falling so many But though we fall yet we shall not be utterly cast down Psal 37 24. While God continues unchangeable Rom. 8. 30. While his Seed remaineth in us 1 John 3. 9. While Christ continues faithful John 10. 28. While his Prayer for us is effectual John 11. 42. While God continues a God of Almighty Power John 10. 29 30. Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken it shall never again wholly â—ecover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory Texts John 8. 36. If the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also gloriâ—ied Inst The Church with each true Member thereof is assured by Christ that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her Mat. 16. 18. Paul assures those in Rome beloved of God and called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. That being dead unto sin and so under Grace sin should no more have dominion over them Rom. 6. 11 14. Reas 1. As to inchoation they are in present possession of eternal life John 3. 36. 2. As to Consummation of their happiness they have Gods Decree for it Rom. 8. 30. Christs Promise of it John 10. 28. His Prayer for it John 17. 24. Which his Father alwayes hears John 11. 42. His Assurance that they shall never perish that none shall pluck them out of his Hand John 10. 28. God's and Christ's Power to keep them against whomsoever shall endeavour it John 10. 29 30. Use 1. God's love is unchangeable John 13. 1. 2. Give diligence to make thy calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 3. Get an assurance that thou art united unto Christ and then thou art sure of Heaven 1 John 5. 11 12. The Bonds of the Union between Christ and the Soul are The Holy Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Faith John 6. 35. 4. Lead an holy Life and thou shalt never fall 2 Pet 1. 10. Resol Being now made free from sin and become thy Servant O Lord I will with an assured confidence having my fruit in holiness rely upon thy Love and Faithfulness for the end eternal life Rom. 6. 22. For thy Love wherewith thou hast drawn me is everlasting Jer 31. 3. And thou hast promised that the Mountains shall depart and the Hils be removed but never thy kindness from me nor the Covenant of thy Peace Is 54 10. Ejac. What shall be able to separate me from the love of my God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord Rom. 8. 39. The Duties Paral. I. Circ I ran down a pair of Stairs at the Savoy Obs The effectually-Called are to humble themselves for sin THE Duties to be performed by the effectually Called do either Accompany effectual Calling Or Follow it They that accompany it are Repentance Faith Acts 20. 21. Mark 1. 15. The first of these I was put in mind of by my running down the stairs By stairs we descend downwards In Humiliation for sin the soul is brought down even to a putting of the mouth in the dust Lam 3. 29. All mountains and hills in Christ's way are brought low Luke 3. 5. All Imaginations and every high thing which formerly exalted it self against the knowledge of God is cast down and every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ who is now upon effectual Calling received into the soul 2 Cor. 10. 5. Christ is received into the soul by Faith John 1. 12. Of this Faith Repentance wrought in the heart at the same time by the same means 2 Tim. 2. 25. is an inseparable Companion The Will which in Faith is turned to the enjoyment of the true Good being in repentance turned to the doing of what is truly good with an hatred of and turning from the contrary evil There is a repentance which may be in the unregenerate arising from the Terrour of the Law having Gods Wrath alone for its Object This is but a compunction or pricking at the heart accompanied with fear of punishment such as was in Peters Auditors Acts 2. 37. However this as it did in them may dispose and prepare the heart for Faith But that repentance which is proper to the effectually-called is a turning from sin partly out of fear but chiefly as sin is an offence against and violation of Gods revealed Will Psal 51. 4. And where this is there will follow in that man A free Confession of sin 1 John 1. 9. Attended with shame Dan. 9. 8. An hearty sorrow for sin 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which will shew it self in Carefulness to shun it Indignation against it Fear of falling again into it Desire to be strengthened Zeal against it Revenge upon himself for it A constant and irreconcileable hatred against all sin Psal 119. 104. And that with all vehemency Rev. 2. 2. Fixed resolutions to avoid all sin Psal 39. 1. As also upon a Course of Godliness for the time to come with a diligent care in the use of all good means which may further him and in removing and avoyding all Impediments which might hinder him in such his course 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. This duty of Humiliation for sin although the fear and grief which accompany it be not alâ—ke in all yet without such humiliation none are effectually called at ripeness of years Luke 15. 17 18 21. From which time of effectual Calling unto our lives end it is vertually to be continued and often to be renewed Mat. 6. 12. Obs The effectually Called are to humble themselves for sin â—exts Psal 51. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Joel 2 13. Rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Inst David acknowledgeth his Transgressions and beseecheth God according to the multitude of his tender Mercies to blot them out Psal 51. 1 3. St. Paul rejoyceth that the Corinthians sorrowed to repentance that he made them sorry after a godly manner 2 Cor. 7 9. Reas 1. Because sin separates from God Isa 59. 2. 2. It is inconsistent with our effectual Calling 1 Thes 4. 7. 3. Gods goodness shâ—uld lead us to repentance Rom 2. 4. 4. It is the only means with
21. 13. Sure Mercies Isa 55. 3. He hath a Multitude of them Lam. 3. 23. He is rich in them Rom. 10. 12. They are new every Morning Lam. 3. 23. They endure for ever Psal 106. 1. But among all his Mercies there is none so rich as that in his quickning us with Christ when we were dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. 4. None so great as that whereby he hath saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. None so abundant as that whereby he hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. For all his other Mercies we are to give him thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. But for this our every thought of it should be accompanied with the strongest and heartiest Breathing forth from our souls of his due Praise and Glory Blessed be the Lord who hath visited and redeemed us Luke 1. 68. Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through his Bloud Eph. 1. 3. 7. We give thanks unto the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Glory is a clear knowledge of the worth and excellency of him whom we glorifie with an answerable praise of him This God willeth us to have a respect unto in our Praises of him Psal 150. 2. In offering thanks and praise unto him we glorifie him Psal 50. 23. â—nd the more we publish and tell of his Excellency unto oâ—â—ers the more and the further off do we make this clearness to be discerned and so make his Praise to be Glorious Psal 66. 2. Thankfulness shews it self In Acknowledgment of Mercies Jam. 1. 17. In Remembring of them Psal 106. 7. In requiting of them Psal 116. 12. We acknowledge them with our Toâ—gues Psal 57. 8. We remember them in our Hearts Psalm 103. 2. We require them as by Praise in our Lips so by Obedience in our Lives 1 Cor. 6. 20. This we are bound unto 2 Thes â— 13. It is Gods Will we should do it 1 Thes 5. 18. It is all that he expects from us Psal 50. 15. It is the utmost that we are able to render unto him Psal 116. 12 17. Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful For all other Mercies Texts Eph. 5. 20. Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks by him Inst. David blesseth God for all his Benefits Psal 103. 2. The Thessalonians are to give thanks in all things 1 Thes 5. 18. For Soul-deliverances Texts Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul Col. 1. 12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Inst David is resolved to offer the Sacrifice of thanksgiving unto God because he had delivered his soul from death and broken his Bonds Psal 116. 8 16 17. Saint Paul thanks God for strengthening him against his Corruption Rom. 7. 25. Reas 1. It is Gods Will 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. It is Gods Rent reserved for those Blessings which the soul holds of him Psal 50. 15. 3. It is good pleasant and comly Psal 147. 1. 4. God is thereby glorified Psal 50. 23. 5. It prepares the way for new mercies Col. 1. 4. Use 1. In all things give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. Let thy thanks be active and obediential as well as verbal Psal 50. 14. 3. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness unto the greatness of the Mercy Luke 7. 43. 4. Get a clear assurance of the Mercy that thy thanks be not in vain Rom. 7. 25. 5. Beware of unthankfulness that brings all thy sins back again upon the score though not as to act yet as to guilt which is exceedingly aggravated thereby Mat. 18. 34. Resol Mine enemies are turned back they are fallen and perished at thy presence thou hast lifted me up from the gates of death therefore will I shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and will rejoyce in thy salvation Psal 9. 3 13 14. Ejac. To him that hath loved me and washed me from my sins in his own bloud and hath made me a King and Priest unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Paral. IX Circ Being transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church I stood where the Essigies of the Knights-Templers lie Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven THE Tower of the Temple-Church into which I was now translated I look upon as a place made choyce of by the Spirit as most apt for the following imaginary representations as also in reference to that middle part of the Pavement whereon I was set and where lie the Essigies of the Knights-Templers Who they were what their Order where their chief Seats how they troubled the Christian world in those times when they flourished is set down to satisfaction by Mr. Fuller in that his excellent piece of the Holy War I am only to mind their Honour which is the chief of worldly things and most agreeable to the Heroick magnanimous height of mans soul comprising under it Wealth and Pleasure If in our way to Heaven this is not to be minded but to be esteemed as the dust under our feet Phil. 3. 8. Much less are we to idolize thick clay Hab. 2. 6. Or so much to forget the honour of our Creation as to stoop to brutish and sensual delights Psal 49. 20. Whatever that savage Spirit of Scythianism with which many are possessed teacheth our Religion destroyeth not civil regards but enjoyns them Honour is to be rendred to whom it is due Rom. 13. 7. It is due as to natural and spiritual Parents so to civil Exod. 20. 12. To Magistrates as such God is honoured in them they having a more than ordinary Impression of his Image upon them John 10. 34. Out of Psal 82. 6. For others God himself gives a rule in our honouring of him Psal 150. 2. There must be some excellent worth otherwise Honour is not due This Dignity can neither be conferred by the Prince nor purchased with a price Where it is not to render Honour is Injustice Where it is wanting it is servile flattery to give it As for that due to those who are eminent in Piety the sâ—wly mind will esteem others better than it self Phil. 2. 3. and accordingly will prefer them in honour Rom. 12. 10. He that feareth the Lord
Love to God Active Love brings forth Obedience John 14. 23. Passive Love brings forth Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. This arms a Christian against that evil that is upon him as Fortitude arms him against evil invading of him It s Object is Afflictions to which it hath a double respect To their weight To their continuance And we have great need of it Heb. 10. 36. as for other reasons so especially in reference to all other Graces Which being the Materials of the spiritual Building in the soul 1 Cor. 3. 9. to which that I referred that at the Savoy though chiefly pointing ouâ—â—he Church I erred not in the Interpretation Faith in Christ is their Foundation Patience their Roof Faith gives them firmness Mat. 7. 14 15. Patience gives them continuance Rom. 2. 7. Faith strengthens them against the storms of afflictions that they fall not Patience shelters them from the storms that they decay not And it will the better be able thus to secure them when it hath its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Which it then hath When we suffer for righteousness sake Mat. 5. 10. When we glory in afflictions not in the Object of our Patience which both by weight and continuance causeth grief Heb. 12. 11 Yet In its Act Heb. 10. 34. In its Fruit Heb. 12. 11. In its end 2 Cor. 4. 17. When which is the Ridge of the Roof so perfectly and entirely compleating the Building that nothing is wanting Jam. 1. 4. we endure and faint not under them Jam. 5 11. And now when it pleaseth our Father to lay afflictions upon us why should we not thus bear them Knowing That we suffer not alone 1 Pet. 5. 9. That our afflictions are discoveries of our Fathers Love Rev. 3. 19. That it is an high honour to suffer for Christ Acts 5. 41. That they will be a means to better us Heb 12. 11. That they shall not long continue upon us 1 Pet. 5 10. That our Father will support us under them 1 Cor. 10. 13. That their end shall be Glory Matth. 5. 10. As the water ebbs so it flows Gods Children may somtimes have their Intervals of Comfort some respite from the Rod. Psal 30. 5. But the Tide will turn again When it doth and the Rod is upon thee bear it as thou art directed with an humble and silent submission unto thy Fathers hand Psal 39. 9. And so according to Samsons Riddle thou shalt fetch meat out of the eater and out of the strong sweetness Judges 14. 14. Obs Each true Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect Afflictions and prepare himself with patience to undergo them He must expect â—fflâ—ctions Texts Acts 14. â—2 We must thâ—ough much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom or God 2 Tim. 3 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Inst. David was plagued all the day long and chastened every morning Psal 73 14. Christ â—els the Sons of Zebâ—dee that they shall drink of his Cup and be bapâ—ized with his Baptism Mat. 20. 23. He must prepare himself with Patience Texts â—am 58 Bâ— patiâ—nt stablâ—sh your hearts for the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh Iuk 21 19 In your Patience postless yâ— your souls Inst The Angel of the Chuâ—ch of Ephâ—sus with thâ— Members thereof are commended in that they had born and had patience and for Christ's Name sake had laboured and had not faintâ—d Râ—v â— 3. Paul took pleaâ—ure in Infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ s sake 2 Cor 2 â—0 Reas Why God afflicts his Children 1. For Chastisement to manifest his Justice Psal 89. 30. 2. For Trial and for the exercise of their Graces 1 Pet. 1. 7. 3. That they may be conformable unto Christ in his Sufferings Phil. 3. 10. 4. That God may bâ— glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 5. That their râ—ward may be â—nlarged 2 Cor. 4 17. 6. That it may appear that they serve God not for temporal things Job 2. 3. Reas Why they must prepare themselves with patience 1. Otherwise they cannot continue in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. 2. Otherwise Satan will get possession of the Soul Luke 21. 9. 3. Patienâ—e will overcome their enemies Jud. 8. 3. 4. It will make their enemies their Servants to wreath a Crown of Glory for them Mat 5. 10. Use 1. Look not for a life of Pleasure John 16. 33. The way to Heaven is strowed with thorns Hos 2. 6. 2. They are Bastards not Sons who are without Chastisement Heb. 12. 8. 3. Keep possession of thy soul Luke 21. 19. 4. Despise not Gods Rod neither faint under it Heb. 12. 5. 5. Let Patience have its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Resol I will glory in Tribulations knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto me Rom. 5. 3 4 5. Ejac. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. Rev. 5. 13. Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unâ—o him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever AMEN To all those that fear God SAint Paul blushed not to acknowledge to the world that he had been a Blasphemer a Persecuter injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13. That he had been foolish disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures living in Malice Envy Hatred T it 3. 3. That he had been a Child of Wrath That his Conversation among others the Children of disobedience had been in the Lusts of the Flesh fulfilling the desires thereof Eph. 2. 3. And indeed why should he The yet guilty soul may have its Face filled with shame But that which is renewed by the Holy Spirit though as to it self it will upon their remembrance have secret Blushings Yet need not as to others be cast down for any former sins from which the Lord Christ hath washed it in his Blood It is now cleansed and Innocency and Purity are alwaies accompanied with an holy Confidence With such I now tell you my Brethren who I am assured will glorifie God in me for the Glory of the riches of whose Grace I now publish this that the wayes of the former part of my life were so far from being according to Gods wayes that more truly then that blessed Saint who out of the lowliness of his Spirit and sincerity of his Repentance and to magnifie Gods exceeding Grace towards him was willing to aggravate his sins I may say I am the chief of sinners For I could add to his summe charged upon himself thousands of Talents many many heinouâ— sins committed with an high hand of long continuance which may justly give me the priority In Sin I have the precedence O Lord thou knowest the groanings of my spirit O that
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them
guides them into all Truth seals the Promises unto them is the Pledge of their â—nheritance The Angels are appointed to guard them to minister for them Heb. 1. 14. They are afforded a free use of the Creatures for necessity for delight 1 Tim. 4. 3. All things are theirs 1 Cor 3. 22. Friends deny no lawful thing to each other The Lord grants all the lawful Requests of his friends John 15. 16. Friends rejoyce in the prosperity of each other The Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants and friends Psal 35. 27. Friends suffer with one another The Lord accounts the sufferings of his friends as his own Zechariah 2. 8. Acts 9. 4. Friends do sometimes reprove one another Psal 141. 5. The Lord by his gentle rod doth smite and admonish his friends for their good Heb. 12. 6. There is such a near Union between Friends by reason of that Love which is between them that they are as it were half of each other as if but one soul did animate them A Friend is alâ—er idem another self So there is such a near Union between God and his friends that they are partakers of his Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. He dwels in them and they in him 1 John 3. 24. Now to have God thus to be our Friend the sense of this must necessarily be a sweet-settlement to the soul and fill it with abundance of Peace He who is assured that God is his friend fears not the enmity of all the world Let him be with us it matters not who is against us If he be for us who can be against us Rom. 8 31. 2. This Peace which the Lord speaks to the truly penitent and faithful soul it is a peace oâ— Joy and Comfort They that mourn shall becom◠〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 4. They that sow in tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126 5. This Peace of Joy it consists in the Presence of God of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the soul The languishing soul was wounded with the apprehension of the losse of God which wound he now bindâ— up with the assurance of his Presence which cannot but raise exceeding Joy and Comfort in the soul To know that God is not our enemy is some settlement to the soul but more to be assured that he is our Friend Yet more that he is a friend nâ—gh unto us Psal 34. 18. But in that he is pleased to come so nâ—gh as to be our familiar Friend to dwell with us and in us to make the humble soul his Palace his Heaven his constant Habitation Isa 57. 15. This must needs revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the Contrite In this Presence of God in the soul and the assurance thereof with those other sweet Consequences depending thereupon doth consist that unutterable inconceiveable Peace which passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. A Glimpse whereof however the Spirit is pleased to afford us where it sets it soâ—th to us under the similitude of a conâ—inual Fâ—ast Prov. 15. 15. At a gâ—eat Feast there is provision usually made of whatsoâ—ver may pleâ—â—e the sense a richly hung and furnished Room to entertain the Eye Musick for the ear Peâ—sâ—mâ—s for the Smâ—ll all sorts of Dainties the Land Sea Ayr afford for the Fast soft Seats and sine Lâ—nnen for the touch which doth exceedingly cheer the Spirit for the present though it be but of short continuance How then must the soul be ravished with inconceiveable Joy to enjoy this in a spiritual manner and that continually within it self Where the Room is garnished with Grace and perfumed with Christ's Merits Where God and Christ and the Spirit are both the Guests and the Food where the Angels are Attendants and Cherubims and Seraphâ—ms the Choristers and Musitians What shall the Saints enjoy more in Heaven it self as to their souls but this begun happiness in a full accomplishment When for Faith they shall see face to face and for hope shall fully and satisfiedly enjoy and for imperfect Love shall perfectly and for ever love this great Feast-maker and Feast-continuer in the soul even the God of Peace and Prince of Peace and Spirit of Peace who thus upon their unfaigned Humiliation and Faith doth and will fill the souls of his People and Saints with Peace And that most certainly there is not the least question or doubt to be moved but that he will do it Which is The next Particular to be spoken to Partic. 2. That the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto the Soul He will speak peace unto his people and Saints This Certainty I ground upon a threefold Reason that the Lord will nay cannot but speak peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul Reas 1. Because by its humiliation it s now become a spiritual vacuum or emptiness and so is fitly prepared and put into a capacity for the entertainment of Gods Favour in speaking peace unto it That which is full cannot receive another body but that which is voyd and empty may Now as it is in natural things Nature cannot endure a vacuity or emptiness but to avoyd such an Inconvenience doth ordinarily force bodies against their nature to fill it up So the Lord suffers not a spâ—ritual emptiness in the humble heart but sends a River of heavenly peace and comfort to fill it This Reason I confess is not so forcing But in respect of the other two which follow let me speak with all due reverence of his dreadful Majesty a kind of necessity lies upon God to speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul 2. Therefore God cannot but speak peace unto it because he hath given it such a prevayling power over himself I cannot do any thing till thou art come to Zoar. It is the Lords speech to Lot when about to destroy Sodom and the rest of the Cities Gen. 19. 22. to Moses likewise Let me alone Exod. 32 10. So to Jacob Let me go Gen. 32. 4. As if these Saints of his had so over-powered God and held his hands that he could not do what otherwise he would So the humbled and faithful soul may in reference to that power which the Lord hath given it over himself and to which he is pleased to submit his own Almightiness being conscious to it self of its unfaigned humiliation and faith in the Promises of the Gospel it may with an holy boldness say unto God I will not let thee alone I will not let thee go until thou speak peace unto my soul In respect of this power it was that David entitled the 51 Psalm wherein is set forth his Repentance and Faith Vincenti or provictoria To the Conqueror or for the Victory Because he was assured that the Lord would not despise Despise Nay could not but accept of the Sacrifice of his broken heart for his sins being offered up upon the Altar Christ 3. The Lord cannot but speak peace unto the humbled and
them through Christ in the Gospel Of these two Offerers or Givers of Peace mention is made John 14. â—7 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you God giveth Peace the world giveth peace The world gives it freely God upon terms and conditions Whether of these two now are the Lords people to hear Flesh saies the World that stands not upon terms and reservations that ties not to any conditions of bewayling confessing hating resolving applying here needs no breaking or rending of the heart or changing of the mind the dear price which they must pay who have their peace from God But the Spirit sayes beware take heed how you listen to the World hearkâ—n unto God the Lord and to him alone For he is God the Lord and ye are his people he speaks peace and he speaks peace unto his people and Saints In which words are couched and contained a threefold reason why in speaking of peace the Lords people and Saints are to hear him and him alone 1. Because he is God the Lord and they are his People He loves them he knows and pities the sad condition the wounded Spirit is in and is alone able to help it 2. Because he will most certainly speak peace unto the soul He will assure it that he is at peace with it 3. Because he speaks peace that which the soul shall find to be truly such He neither gives what the world gives nor as the world gives 1. The first Reason is taken from that near relation between God and his People and from those two titles God the Lord and so it is taken from his Power his Knowledge his Love He is the Lord and therefore able to cure the wounded Spirit He is a Lord of great power such that as he can work by weak means by contrary means so without means He can create peace for the unsetled soul Isa 45 7. He can make it of nothing and indeed so he doth there being no prepared prejacent matter in the soul out of which it should be prâ—duced He is God he knows the soul in iâ—s adversity Psal 31. 7. He it is who wounded it and therefore knows the anguish and danger of its wounds what remedy is fittest for it and when and how it is to be applyed And the Saints though in this sad condition yet are his people whom he loves Col. 3. 12. Towards whom he is tender-hearted very pitiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5. 11. He pitieth those that fear him as a Father pitieth his Children Psal 103. 13. And therefore as he is able and skilful so he is most ready and willing to help them to settle them to cure their wounds The World is a Physition of no value a meer Empyrick a bold Mountebank that neither is able to compose any Soveraign Remedy nor knows how to apply it being altogether ignorant of the state of the soul in its distress Beside the Lords people and Saints are most hateful unto it Jo. 15. 19. And shall they believe that their deadly enemy if it were able and had skill would be willing to settle and recover them 2. The second Reason why in speaking peace the Lord alone is to be heard is taken from that assurance which the Lord rayseth in the soul that he is at peace with it For he speaks peace to it He makes the soul as strongly perswaded of peace and as confidently to build upon it as if it heard the Lord himself speak it immediatly from Heaven The Grounds whereon this assurance is built in the soul are His Decree which is stable unchangeable Heb. 6. 17. His Promise which is Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. His Oath which he will not break Heb. 6. 17. His Hand for it in his written Word which he will not deny Rom. 15. 4. His Seal to it his Spirit which he cannot but own â— Cor. 1. 22. His Delivery of this Assurance which he will not revoke John 14. 27. The Witness to all this his Spirit which cannot lye Rom. 8. 18. Thus the Lord speaks peace unto the Soul by thus assuring of it that he is no more an enemy or a stranger unto it which must needs settle it and fill it with strong Consolation Heb. 6. 18 When the World can afford to the unsetled and wounded Spirit such grounds of assurance of Peace and Settlement it may then hope the Lords people may be perswaded to hearken unto it till then it may forbear its frank but empty Tenders 3. The Third Reason is taken from the quality of that Peace which the Lord speaks to the Soul He speaks unto it which is truly such being 1. A solid Peace 2. A satisfying Peace Peace fourfold 3. A Fortifying Peace 4. A lasting Peace 1. It is a solid Peace grounded upon Christ who is our peace Eph 2 14. Who hath made peace for us and reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 20. Having purchased peace for us at a dear raâ—e by the bloud of his Cross being wounded for our Transgressions the chasâ—â—sement of our peace being upon him and he healing our wounds by his stripes Isa 53. 5. He is both our propitâ—ation and our advocate for peace unto his Father 1 John 2. 1 2. My Peace I give unto you John 14. Well may he call it his which he hath bought so dear The greatness of the Price speaks the Truth and Solidness of the Peace It is Christ's Peace dearly bought His Father gives it at his request it is the peace of God Phil. 4. 7. And from him proceeds nothing but what is true real and solid The Peace which from it the world would have the soul to accept of it deserves not the name of peace being but a light flash but a shadow of Peace The World cries Peace where there is none Jer. 6. 14. And so if its tender might be accepted would it heal the hurt of Gods People slightly And indeed what more is to be expâ—ctâ—d from the World when it hath but one Receipt or Remedy consisting of three Ingredients which like a bold unskilful Empyrick it applyes to every Mâ—lady What these Ingredients are St. John tells us 1 John 2. 16. All that is in the World are the Lusts of the flesh or Pleasures the Lust of the eyes or Wealth the Pride of life or Honour And alas What can these do to the recovery of a wounded Spirit which cannot prevent or remove a disease from the body or in the least measure abate its Pain The Vermin seized upon Herod and devoured him alive though a great King who had Wealth and Pleasure at his Command Acts â—2 23. 2. The peace which God speaks unto the wounded Spirit it is a satisfying peace Upon the speaking of this the before-disturbed soul returns unto its rest and settlement It hath now its desire it was wounded with the apprehension of losse and fear of wrath and its