who are indeed comely yet withal are black whilest they remain here below Cant. 1.5 He can discern their blackness but not their comeliness if there be any infirmities or deformity in the Saints the world can soone espie the same and discover them to others as C ham looked on his fathers nakedness when he lay drunk in his tent and told his brethren without Genes 9.22 Here the wicked be as quicksighted as Lâ—nceus to behold a mote in the best mans eye Mat. 7.3 and may fitly be compared to bats and owles that can see better in the dark then in the light or secondly the carnal man beholdeth the godly with an evil eye as of scorne and contempt as Michael Sauls daughter saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord and despised him in her heart 2 Sam. 6.16 or with an eye of envy and hatred as Saul eyed David 1. Sam. 18.9 Vse 4 Yet here the Saints may find matter of exceeding great consolation though the perverse world censure and unjustly condemn them and not only so but they be loathsome also in their own sight for their iniquities Ezek. 36.31 for the Lords eyes are ever upon them for good and his eares open to their cry Psal 34.15 yea though their dearest friends who loved them best while they were alive yet when they are dead can hardly brook to look on them as when Sarah was dead Abraham bought a burying place of the sons of Heth to bury his dead out of his sight Genes 23 4. yet precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 yea and he will make them to be had in honour of all that have any spiritual discerning for many things for which the injudicious worlding condemneth them as David assureth Mâ—chal who had despised him in her heart and rated him for dancing before the arke that he should be had in honour for that very cause of the handmaids of Israel 2 Sam. 6.22 and this their glory shal be like to the morning light Pro. 4.18 that shineth more and more until the perfect day even till Christ shal come to be glorified in his Saints 2 Thes 1.10 For they are already the sons of God and it doth not yet appeare what they shal be but this is most certaine that when he shall appeare they shal be like him and shal see him as he is 1 Jâ—h 3.2 And then shall all that ever hated them and vilified them see it and be ashamed and be grieved and gnash with their teeth and melt away Ps 112.10 Vse 5 This serveth for a strong invitation to all to become true Israelites if they do but consider that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 and that he will give them favour and respect not only in the eyes of good men such as David was but of moral though carnal persons as he made Joseph a servant to finde grace in Potiphars sight and afterwards of the keeper of the prison when he was his prisoner Genes 39.4.21 whereas on the other side all wicked persons are lothsome in God's eyes Psal 34.15 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth for as he hath promised that they who honour him shal be honoured so he hath threatned that they who despise him shall be leightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 for which end he sets Nigrum Theta an ignominious asterisk upon them as he did upon Doeg Psal 52.7 Lo this the man that made not the Lord his strength but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness neither can the godly abide the sight of them He that worketh deceit saith David Psal 101.7 shal not dwel in my house he that telleth lies shal not tarry in my sight much lesse shal he reside in Heaven or tarry in Gods sight but be extruded from his presence for ever and from the glory of his power and be made an abhorring to all flesh 2 Thes 1.9 Isa 66.24 O then let this prevaile with you to enter into this honourable society your selves and to draw others with you into this happy and glorious estate then shall ye shine as the stars of the firmament for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 Vse 6 What a cogent argument should this be to enforce the Saints to look wel to themselves their inward thoughts and affections their words and actions since so many eyes are upon them even of God angels and men Oh! Mat. 5.16 let your lights deare christians so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven and pray continually with David Lead me O Lord Psa 5.8 in thy righteousness because of mine observers Vse 7 Use 7. How great cause have all they who are Israelites indeed to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to bless God for him For by his meanes are we advanced to all this excellency who when he found us in a most lothsome plight naked and in our blood none eye pittying us said unto us live Ezek. 16.5 6. And for that end he became man and was * Nazianz orat 1. in pascha Christus servi formam accepit ut nos libertatem accipiamus contemptus est ut gloriâ afficiat c. content to be emptied that we might be filled to fast that we might feast to be vilified that we might be dignified to be impoverished that we might be enriched to take shame to himself that hee might clothe us with honour and glory to be without forme and comeliness * Bern. de passione Domini c. 16. nostrâ charitate devinctus ad tempus corponis nostri deformitatem accepit for a time Isa 53.3 that we might be beautified for ever Behold our Lord Iesus I pray you in that dresse wherein Pilate presented him to his implacable enemies crowned with thorns and wearing purple in derision and all besmeared with his owne blood saying to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 behold the man thinking by that ruthfull sight to have pacified their immense fury but to little purpose for they were the more enraged against him Now let us behold him and let Pilates counsel rejected by those bloody persecuters be acceptable to us that our love may thereby be enflamed towards him for it was for our sakes brethren that he was so pointed at by Pilate Behold the Man John 19.5 John 19.5 that it might be said of us behold Israelites indeed and happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the Lord the shield of thy help and the sword of thy excellency Deut. 33.29 The Second Part. Sect. 1. HItherto I have held forth the flag or streamer to invite you all to take a right survay of the true Israelite
themselves the titles of God and Christ or have given out that they are so one with Christ that they can sin no more then Christ can sinne To whom Luther some others being too bold with those hyperbocall expressions of Nazianzen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have given too much occasion 7. They and they onely have Christan liberty 7 Liberty of grace in this life and of glory in the life to come called the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8.21 St. Paul was caught up into Paradise and admitted to see the glory thereof but not permitted to utter what he had heard and seen for it is as easie to containe the Sea in an Egge-shel as to relate heaven's happiness 2 Cor. 12.4 Hither is our Lord Jesus gone before to prepare many Mansions for believers and he will bring them all thither when he hath throughly prepared them for the same Iohn 14.2 Whereas all unbelievers the fearfull the lyers and workers of iniquity shall in no wise enter in thither but have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21.8.27 Lessius de justiciâ p. 600. Christiana libertas à quintuplici servitute nos solvit 1. peccati 2. diaboli 3. legis c. 2. The liberty of Grace is either privative or positive 1. They are freed 1. From evil 1. By meanes and their justification they have freedom 1. From the bondage of the devill Col. 1.13 Who were before taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 2 From sin Rom. 6.22 both in regard of the guilt of it Rom. 8.33 who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect since Christ dyed for their sins yea rather is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God to make intercession for them v. 34. and also in regard of the dominion of sin For to such the Apostle saith Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under grace Rom. 6.14 As also in regard of the fruits of sin both in the world to come they are freed from eternal condemnation Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit The reason followeth v 2. For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of sin and death v 2. As also in this life they are delivered from the terrors of death under which others are in bondage all their life time Heb. 2.15 Secondly from the evil of afflictions not from the afflictions themselves for it is good for them to be afflicted Psalm 119.71 But to them the Lord turneth the evill of their troubles to good Genesis 50.20 3. They are freed from the law 1. from the intolerable yoke of the Ceremonial Law Acts. 15.10 and 2. in part from the Morall Law in four regards 1. of the curse which it denounceth again all that continue not in all that is written in that Law Gal. 3.10 11. which Christ hath freed us from by being made a curse for us 2. They are exempted from seeking justification by the works of the Law Rom. 3.20 21 22. who are justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ v 24.3 from the exact obedience which the Law requireth to be performed in their own persons for justification and the obtaining of eternall life for Christ is become the end of the Law for righteonsnesse to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 5. and through him God accepteth the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 4. From the irritation of the Law which by reason of the corruption that is in man by nature hath a provoking power in it so that when the law commands obedience and threatneth the disobedient he groweth more outragious in evil then before Spumeus et fervens et abobice fortior ibit as a river dammed-up swels and overflows the Banks according to that of the Apostle The Law entred that the offence might abound Rom. 5.20 But these persons of whom we discourse are of a more excellent spirit who delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7.22 and the love of God rendreth his Commandements not grievous to them 1 John 5.3 Fourthly they are delivered from the evil of evils the immense and direfull wrath of God by Jesus Christ 1 Thess 1.10 which shall come inevitably and irrecoverably upon all the Children of disobedience Col. 3.6 and burn to the lower Hell Lastly they shall be delivered from death and the grave for Death is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 And though die they must yet the sting of death which is sin is pulled out and they shall be raised from their graves in the great day of the resurrection Hos 13.14 so that they may sing Hosea's Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory thanks be to God who hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.55.57 2. The positive part of their liberty followeth As they are and shall be free from all evill so they are set free to good as 1. to righteousnesse to serve the Lord in newnesse of spirit and not in oldnesse of the letter Romans 7.6 2. To their use all things are sanctified by the word and prayer 1 Tim. 4 5. which to others are unclean Tit. 1.15 To the pure all things are pure but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences is defiled 3. They are free to the communion of Saints fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of the same promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 4ly By Christ they have bold access to the throne of grace to aske what they will if it be agreeable to Gods will with confidence in him of obtaining their suits at all times 1 Joh. 5.14 What is said of Luther may be affirmed of them also I sle potuit quod voluit for to them it is promised Aske and have 8 Peace 8. The peace of God which passeth all understanding doth keep their hearts and mindes through Iesus Christ Phil. 4.7 whereas there is no peace saith God to the wicked Isa 57.21 To this peace with God and their owne consciences we must add peace with the creatures even with the stones and beasts of the field Job 5.23 and both these spring from their reconciliation with God 9. Joy 9. From all these immunities ariseth joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 which none can ever take from them Jo. 16.22 for it shall be everlasting Isa 51.11 whereas all others joyes besides are neither solid nor durable For though wicked men may glory in appearance yet that joy never proceedeth from the heart 2 Cor. 5.12 and it is
but like the crackling of thorns under a pot soon extinct ending in smoak and ashes as Solomon describeth it Eccl. 7.6 I might proceed but that of the Apostle calleth me off with which I shall conclude my arguments for confirmation and come to application of this truth Eye hath not seen nor eare heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him 1 Cor. 2.9 which yet is * Cornel. à Lapide upon this place commenteth thus Nota Isaiam cap. 64.4 quem hic citat Paulus agere de incarnatione Christi vitâ praesenti Unde hunc versiculum de miraculis Christi deque sapientiâ virtutibus omnique gratiâ quam Christus nobis hic vivens communicavit accipiunt Chrysost Ambrosius Theophil Oecumenius quibus adjiciantur non nulli recentiores spoken of the present life what then will their glory be in the life to come Sect. 4 Use 1. This serveth for the information of all that are willing to be reformed and for the conviction of the refractary Would you then know whether you be true Israelites or no and if you be not so yet how you may become such I shall lay downe the chiefe marks wherewith the pencil of Gods Spirit hath delineated them Characters of a right Israelite 1. 1. They are acquainted with the mind of God revealed in his word Psal 147.19 20. The Lord sheweth his word unto Iacob His statutes and his judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and for his judgments they have not known them Augustin and Bernard derive the name Israel from seeing God * Aug. sup Psa 121. Bern. hom in luc 24. Israel videns Deum inter pretatur quamvis hane etymologiam Mercerus improbat And certain it is none but they have the saving knowledge of Iesus Christ which is life eternal we have the mind of Christ saith St. Paul 1 Co◠2.16 Others may have a superficial or speculative knowledge of him and the Gospel but these onely are taught by him as the truth is in Iesus Wherefore all such as know not God neither desire to be acquainted with his wayes exclude themselves out of this blessed catalogue Iob. 21.14 that refuse to come and heare his word duely taught that they may know in this their day the things which belong to their peace Luk. 19.42 Let them well peruse the Apostles direfull commination recorded in 2 Thess 2.7.8 The Lord Iesus shal be revealed from Heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Iesus Christ O! here observe in time I pray the party coming is the Lord Iesus who if he set himself against you who can or dare appear for you 2. His attendants are the angels of his power 3. the manner how he will come in flaming fire 4. the end for which he cometh so attended and in so dreadfull sort to take vengeance 5. the subject parties on whom he wil take vengeance and they are of two sorts first such as know him not If there were no other sin but this wilfull ignorance where meanes of knowledge may be had and are neglected his eye shal not pity for he hath sworne in his wrath and therefore will not repent that the people who erre in their hearts and have not known his wayes shall never enter into his rest Psal 95.10 11. Psal 95.10.11 The second sort against whom this great Judg will come so armed are all that obey not the Gospel of God it is not sufficient for them to know it unlesse they obey it for * Basil Quomodo supplicia sempiterna dieuntur hic pauca Resp Non numerum poenarum sed differentiam indicat Dominus Potest enim aliquis esse dignus inextinguibili flammâ vel remissiori vel intensiori indeficiente verme vel mitiùs torquente vel fortius he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.57 but he that knoweth not and doth commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes v. 48. Secondly Every true Israelite is a true believer for we read of the faith of Abraham Heb. 11.17 of Isaac v. 20. and of Iacob v. 21. and every one whether he be Jew or gentile in circumsion or uncircumcision who is justified by faith and walketh in the steps of the faith of Abraham hath Abraham for his father Rom. 4.11 12. whereas the Jewes of whom Saint Paul speaketh Rom. 11.20 were broken off though lineally descended of Abraham because of unbelief Here let all unbelievers and misbelievers who content themselves with a dead faith Jam. 2. 20.22 Without attaning to the saving faith of Gods elect which worketh by love that their works may justifie their faith as true faith justifieth the persons in whom it is know that our Saviour hath spoken it and none can reverse it I dare not conceale it and though they will not yet believe it they shall find it so They shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 A 3. character of this Israelite indeed is true repentance Acts. 5.31 Character God exalted Iesus Christ by his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins whence it manifestly appeareth first that Repentance is an Evangelical grace because it is the gift of Iesus Christ 2. that none are able to repent of themselves for it is a supernatural work of Christ in the elect 3ly that it was one end of Christ's exaltation in glory to confer repentance 4ly that the subject parties in whom conversion is wrought are Gods Israelites 5ly that remission of sins doth accompany true repentance and that none ever had or shal have pardon of sin who repent not of it And this calleth upon five sorts to look to themselves 1. Such as have not yet repented 2 Such as will not repent 3. Such as repent but feignedly Jerem. 3 10. 4 They that do not renew their repentance after the reiteration and fresh commissions of sin 5ly but most of all They that decry and oppose the doctrine of Repentance as legal work or unnecessary for a Christian what high conceits soever any of these may have of their spiritual estate they shall never be found to be Israelites of Gods denomination Character 4. A true Israelite is one that hath a cleane heart as the Psalmist teacheth us Psal 73.1 Truely God is good to Israel to them that are of a cleane heart Obj. But who can say I have made my heart cleane I am pure from my sin Pro. 20.9 Ans It is confessed no man in this life can say so nay of all others the best complain most of hardness and pollution of heart Isa 63.17 why hast thou hardened our hearts from thy feare saith the Church we are all
2 As Iacob was in covenant with God Levit. 26.42 where God promiseth to remember his covenant with Iacob with Isaac and with Abraham with Iacob first because it was established with him last and the blessings of Iacob prevailed above the blessings of his progenitors Genes 49.26 So must you take hold of his covenant and keep it that all his pathes may be mercy and truth to you Psal 25.10 All then Isa 56.4 that are not under this covenant or refuse to bring their children to it in due time and manner or that despise Baptisme the token of it as circumcision was of old Gen. 17.11 are not yet in this rank and they who have listed their names in this holy Catalogue but profane and violate this Covenant made with the fathers Malach. 2.10 shall certainely be cut off their iniquity shall be upon them and they shall be found among the rabble mentioned Rom. 1.31 Instance 3 3. Jacob was humble and lowly in Spirit and esteemed himselfe utterly unworthy of the least of all Gods mercyes and all the truth which God had had shewed him By truth understand the Promises which God had made and performed unto him as * Luth. in Gen 32. veritas est promissio Luther interpreteth it Gen. 32.10 was Jacob thus humbled and Jesus Christ who was equall to his Father lowly in spirit and will you be proud what have you that you have not received 1 Cor. 4.7 why should dust and ashes be proud There can be no shreuder signe of an approaching fall then elevation of spirit This dead Flie will soon infect the whole box of the Apothecaries precious oyntment and God hath engaged himselfe in due time to exalt them who humble themselves before him Jam. 4.10 Away therefore with a proud heart and high looks which otherwise will render you abominable to God Prov. 6.16 17. Instance 4 Fourthly Jacob desired above all things whithersoever he went Gods presence to goe a long with him Gen. 28.20 and better it were for us never to stir one foot further than to proceed without it as Moses desired of God if thy presence goe not with us carry us not up hence Exod. 33.15 Let this teach us to acknowledge him in all our wayes and he shall direct our pathes Prov. 3.6 As for them who say to God depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 God shall in like manner abandon and dismiss them for ever with a malediction and say Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire and then shall they know whether God had more need of them or they of him and be enforced to confesse We are justly served But who be they that say to God depart from us Answ All that desire not the knowledge of his waies Consider this all you that refuse to frequent the places where his honour dwelleth the assemblies of his people and that neglect to read and meditate on his word to get the true knowledge of his will that you may do it you doe as much in effect as if you had said Depart from us and he that knoweth the meaning of your dealings toward him will let you know his mind towards you that he is well agreed to grant you your desire in your life time even when you are dead depart you did and depart you shall for ever and ever See who will have the worst of it Instance 5 Fifthly Israel was both instant and constant in prayer to God Gen. 32.24 25 26. he wrestled with God till the breaking of the day and would not let him goe till he had blessed him and by his prevalency he obtained the Sirname Israel By his strength the prophet saith he had power with God yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed Ambros Arma nostra sunt preces Lacrimae he wept and made supplication to him Hos 12.3 4 5. Right prayer is an infallible cognizance of a genuine Christian for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved Rom. 10.13 1 All here required for salvation is the right calling upon the name of the Lord 2. far we need not to goe the Lord is in all places 3. none are debarred from this liberty whosoever he or she be that call shall speed 4. the rewards of so small a service as calling on his name is no lesse then salvation 5. Gods willingnesse to hear and help us is seen in this that he calleth upon all to call upon him that they may be saved by him We need not to awaken him but he wakneth us to aske him he is more ready to hear us then we are to aske of him Quest But what is right prayer Answ This is duly to be considered for the work is honourable and profitable 1. the party that performeth this service aright must 1. be righteous for the fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much Jam. 5.16 But if I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not hear my Prayer Psalm 66.18 * Greg. Moral Tum cor nostrum fiduciam in oratione accepit cum sibi vitae pravitas nulla contradicit 2. he must pray according to his will 1 John 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in him that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth us 3. our suits must be commenced to God in the name of our mediator Jesus Christ John 16.23 for so runneth his direction and promise joyned together verily verily I say unto you whatsoever you shall aske the Father in my name he will give it you 4. acceptable prayer proceeds from Faith coupled with charity Mark 11.24 25. whatsoever ye desire when ye pray believe that you receive them and he shall have them And when ye stand praying forgive if ye have ought against any that your Father which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses On the contrary all they that do not call upon God are wicked and shall be accursed Psalm 14.4 for God hath threatned to pour out his fury upon the Families that call not on his name Jer. 10.25 2 All they that worship Idols instead of the true God Ier. 10.25 shall be sent by him to their Idols for help if they will have any for God will afford them neither audience nor assistance in their time of need Judg. 10.13 14. ye have forsaken me and served other Gods wherefore I will no more deliver you Goe and cry unto the Gods which ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation 3. He that prayeth not in faith hath no ground to thinke that he shall obtaine any thing of the Lord Jam. 1.6 7. 4 He also that wanteth charity shall want successe in his supplications Prov. 21.13 Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor he also shall cry himselfe but shall not be heard and unlesse you forgive others neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.15
him who readeth or heareth them Motives truely he is unworthy to have any more spoken to him but before I can hope to perswade men I must begin with God who onely can perswade the heart O thou great Captain of the host of Israel who hast the key of David that openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open be graciously pleased to exercise thy great power and infinite mercy in working upon the hearts both of the writer and reader of this treatise to answer this thy call that of wild olives by nature we may be graffed into Jesus Christ and may become trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that thou mayst be glorified in us and by us and we with thee Alas Lord what can a weak mans words availe where the word of the â—â—ving God is rejected The arguments â—re full of power but the hearts of the â—hildren of men are full of obstinacy â—nless thou raisest the dead and creaâ—est clean hearts no good can be done â—end therefore thine irresistible Spirit â—o convince and convert us give new â—yes and new eares and renew a right â—pirit within us then shall we heare â—nd see and run to joyne ourselves who have formerly beene sons of the â—â—ranger to the Lord and to thy people â—hou who gatherest the out casts of Isâ—ael remember thy promise to gather â—thers to thee besides those that are alâ—eady gathered Save us O Lord our â—od and gather us from among the â—eathen to give thanks unto thy holy â—ame and to triumph in thy praise Isa 56.7 8. â—sal 106.47 Now if after prayer to God teares â—ould move you whose good is here â—â—tended they should not be wanting beseech you by the teares and preciâ—s blood of Iesus Christ to grant me is desire not for any thing from you 〈◊〉 my self but for the salvation of your own soules that you lay these things deeply to heart Is it nothing to you to have lived so long without Christ being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Dare you continue in this estate sincâ— you know not how little time you havâ— to live before you goe hence and be nâ— more seen Is not God a portion wortâ— having is not his love worth imbracing feare you not the torments oâ— Hell doe you not value the joyes anâ— glory of Heaven Return a candid anâ— sober Answer to these Questions whicâ— God himselfe and not I propounâ— unto you Say in good earnest to him Lord enable us and we will becomâ— true Israelites and then I assure you 〈◊〉 his name and in the word of trutâ— God will be your God and the Goâ— of your seed he will love you freeâ— unto the end the second death shaâ— have no power over you feare not is your Fathers good pleasure to giâ— you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 whâ— shall I say of the blessed spirit of gracâ— he stands at the door of your hearts and knocks if you will hear his voyce and open the door he will come into you and sup with you and you with him Revel 3.20 And judge righteous judgment whether is it better to walk in that double Aegyptian darknesse of errors and manners or to be children of light 1 Thess 5.5 whether is it more eligible to be dead in trespasses and sin or to heare the voyce of the Son of God and live the life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter John 5.25 Whether is it safer to be the friends of God or his cursed enimes to have fellowship with God or devils yea to be Gods sons and daughters or children of the devill for you must needs be either of the former or the latter sort of these I call Heaven and Earth to record this day that I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that you and your seed may live Deut. 30.19 Thus shall you be free indeed free from all evill and free to all good spiritual and eternal for Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of all true believers Gal. 4.26 what vast summs of money doe some forego to purchase freedome in some great City as the chiefe Captain did to be made free in Rome Acts. 22.28 But all the money in the world will not purchase any freedome in this City the spiritual Jerusalem you must either be born in Sion or you can never be free here againe men may confer political freedome as king Saul promised to make his house free in Israel who should kill Goliath 1 Sam. 17.25 but none can confer this spiritual freedome but the Son the great King of Heaven John 8.36 Lastly if the Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons men happy and twice happy for standing continually in his presence and hearing his wisedome 2 Chron. 9.7 how much more happy is it for us to draw nigh to God Psalm 73.28 Herein the children of Israel surmount all people in the world besides for they onely are neere to him Psalm 148.14 and as dear as the Apples of his own Eye Zachary 2.8 And as they are neer and dear to him so is he nigh to them to hear them when they call Psalm 145.18 and to save them in all times of their distresse Psalm 85.9 Israel of old gloried in this priviledge Deut. 4.7 what Nation is there so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is to us in all things which we call upon him for and were it now impossible for us to have him as neere to us as he was to them our case were miserable but blessed be God as he hath commanded us to draw nigh to him so he hath promised to draw nigh to us also Jam. 4.8 But of all others shall we be most miserable if we would not obey this his Command of drawing nigh to him that he may fulfill his promise and draw nigh to us for they that say to him now depart from us shall heare him say to them at the last day Depart from me ye accursed into everlasting fire Sect. 12 For the Lords sake therefore remove all impediments that hinder you from becomming Israelites indeed Impediments What these lets and remoraes are I shal briefly lay down O! that you could as soon overcome them These impediments are either external or within your selves 1 Their smal number The 1. externall Let is the paucity or fewnesse of their number But doe not you know that ordinary stones are more rife than orient Pearls and is not a precious stone the more valueable and excellent by how much the more rare it is These are the Lords Jewels whereas all other are but like lumber in the house Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hostes who best knoweth the true value of the children of men in that day when I make up my Jewels and