they are but Men And there is one above who shall out off the Spirit of Princes he is terrible to the Kings of the Earth Psal 76. 12. When they rage most he can put a hook in their Jaws and lead them back from their purposes see Isa 37. 29. Ezek. 29. 4. Dan. 4. ch ch 11. 36. Hos 7. 16. Heb. 11. 27. If it be his good pleasure he can save his people from their violence or turn them into the rod of his anger Isa 10. 5. And then we are patiently to suffer knowing who striketh and learn by his judgment to be reformed from our sins we may send up Prayers and Tears to him in whose hand is the heart of the King and he turneth it wheresoever he will. God can either alter his thoughts or suffer him to fall by an Accident or Sickness or which way it pleaseth his Almighty Wisdom Again they are minished and brought low through Oppression Affliction and Sorrow He poureth contempt upon Princes Psal 107. 39. 40. He can do it without our assistance he doth then more magnifie his own Power neither are we to break his commands for then we justly suffer as Evil-doers 1 Pet. 4. 15 16. It was hardly ever known that people did endure much for being good Subjects or if any thing yet not to be compared with what came upon them by being otherwise None is punished for living peacably but seditiously in the State or through false accusation he is reputed so Loyalty is not esteemed nor proceeded against as a crime if any suffer innocently in life member or goods that is commonly through corruption of witnesses or subordinate Ministers which Government and Justice is to prevent The King is bound by Oath to keep Righteousness and Minister true Judgment unto his People for the observation or neglect of which he is to give account Those seeds of evil within make all the disturbance in the World which are provided against by the grace of him who is greater then Solomon and then all people might dwell safely every Man under 1 Kings 4. 25. his Vine and under his Fig-tree from one end of the Earth to the other all the days of our Kings and Governours To come unto him who is the great instrument of our External Of the Person of Kings Peace and Happiness Vnder his shadow we live Lam. 4. 20 This person is not most happy though great in Power and Majesty of any in his Realm He presides over many violent and rotten Members who would make a Schism in the body and say unto the Head O Monstrous Folly We have no need of thee But now God hath set the Members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him 1 Cor. 12. 18. Yet the inferior are not pleased because they were not supreme or higher And therefore will displace or disturb So the principle part is obliged to stand on continual guard to keep it self secure and others in their due subjection they are apt to mutiny among themselves which this is to suppress and take care for all the other Members It cannot have much leisure to rest the Enemies being so near and its business so great We should let him be secure by whom we enjoy security he sees that others do not molest us so ingenuity and gratitude require us to do nothing against his Royal Person State or Dignity But seeing his great Master in Heaven hath evil recompensed for good even from those who are the work of his hands and subsist upon him every moment the King may expect that notwithstanding all the good he doth to his Subjects and fellow-Creatures yet some will be his Enemies Indeed the malice of Men cannot reach the Most High and if it might could not hurt him yet it may hurt the Son of Man as he is and therefore hath guards to defend himself which do somewhat keep off outward violence yet it must be a Melancholy reflection that the meanest Subject hath more safety of his life then himself Thence arise fears And further his life is wearied with publick business which require the greatest study and labour of mind Vexation is at hearing ill News and adverse Accidents which bring carefulness and anxiety much greater then what his Subjects have in their several callings as the Object is of more concern and importance Those hard and difficult things of Government do occasion more weariness and interruption then he who daily goeth forth to his work until the Evening fixedness of thought doth more tire then labour of the hands so he hath his portion of Care and Sorrow with the rest of Mankind But then his Pleasures do as much exceed them That Royal Pomp and Grandeur his Nobles Courtiers Friends and honest Subjects do all study to make his life as happy as possible He hath all Recreations the Wit of Man can invent choice Meats delicious Liquor variety and beauty of Women the most excellent Conversation great diversity of News and remarkable Occurrences Then he hath great Possessions Riches stately Palaces Gardens Furniture and wants nothing of the Conveniency and Pleasures of Life Indeed if the World and the things of this World can make a Man happy then he must be so who hath them all at his Command and Service Certain it is they make a greater appearance outwards then have real content and satisfaction That goodly retinue which others so much admire himself esteems as a thing of necessity and course At length he doth not perceive half the pleasure as the common Spectators even these by often seeing diminish in their esteem for the most excellent sensible objects by frequency tire The reverence from his Subjects is but their Duty and Homage they owâ— unto him this also by repeated and successive acts doth lessen into none or a very little delight He is only the visible Fountain of Honour yet not of Happiness for they are not convertible terms If all Happiness did meet and concenter in him there would be no more need for others studying to make him Happy then for the Rays to convey up light to the Sâ—n. Notwithstanding all their Labour this good and perfect Gift comeâ—â— down from the Father of Lights and it is not in the Power of any to bestow it They may indeed light up Candles somewhat take off from the Horrour of Darkness and Misery but this Light doth not shine as perfect day neither is the Happiness they Subminister like that which proceeds from the Son of Righteousness Courtiers and Favourites provide for their Master what Pleasure the World affords but cannot bring also a new Relish and Appetite They cannot take away that Irksomeness which arises from having the same Divertisements over so often Let them wrack their Brains never so much they cannot always supply him with new Variety and then they cannot help but he will grow weary of them The same delight they provide for him he hath enjoyed already let them
pitiful Sneak not knowing the Object of his Worship and Adoration Notwithstanding those High but silly Imaginations 2 Cor. 10. 5. of Men yet themselves judge that the more an ordinary subject is in favour with his Prince and hath access unto him though in never so submissive a manner it is more for his honour And then as much as God is greater then Man so must it be more dignity to be allowed approaching unto him If we consider it throughly Should not his Excellency make us afraid There is awe and horrour to address immediately to so Glorious a God and therefore it is necessary to have express invitation from him first as Blessed be his Glorious Name for ever we have Deâ—t 4. 19. Psal 50. 15. Jâ—r 29. 13. and throughout his whole Book But more especially in these last days by Christ Jesus our Lord in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Eph. 3. 11 12. We are required to ask in his Name John 15. 16 16. 23. Who also through his transcendent greatness expressed Phil. 2. 6. Heb. 1. 3. might keep us off yet he humbleth himself to take upon him our flesh to become as one of us and more familiar to our Nature Such a Mediator and intercessour was expedient for us who by his relation to God might prevail with him and seeing he was pleased to become as one of our Brethren we may the more presume to address unto and through him Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God a double exhortation follows let us hold fast our profession Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. For what Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for Deut. 4. 7. Is he a God sometimes near and sometimes afar off Or can we with our Prayers bring him down from above No God abideth still the same and equally near he continually â—ills Heaven and Earth with his presence but the Word and Prayer makes the Sence of him near upon our Minds The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him to all that call upon him in Truth He will fulfill the desâ—â—e of them that fear him Psal 145. 18 19. Which is the greatest and most inestimable priviledge that ever did or can belong to the Sons of Men It raises a dread and love for the Divine Majesty It astonishes with his infinite condescention to admit thereof To fall low on our knees before his Foot-stool is an higher advancement then to converse with Angels or talk familiarly with the greatest Monarch on Earth And so it would more appear if God did keep us at a distance as our Superiours according to the flesh do through imperfection for if they should make their company common it would have Contempt instead of Estimation but the more one knows of God it raises more admiration and delight How strange is it that Men who believe God is who is so Great and Glorious as his visible Works do manifest and may be more understood by his invisible things yet should think any thing low or mean which hath relation to him or his Worship God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty he judgeth among Gods Psal 82. 1. Yet many do refuse to bend the knee when Prayers are offered unto him when if the same Persons were to deliver a Petition unto the Kings of the Earth would kneel before them Such are Proud and Ignorant who perform Worship with carelessness or irreverent gesture But what is to be said of the natural ungodly Man who slights that relation which God doth vouchsafe to continue this way towards us Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee Isa 43. 4. And so it will illustriously appear when we who know him by Faith shall after this life come to have the fruition of his glorious God head Should we be â—eparated from any affinity to him had we nothing divine within us or when we are in honour will deface his Image and provoke him to disown us wiâ—h I never knew you Mat. 7. 23. We should be but pitiful forelorn Creatures at present as those will be who work iniquity and transgress against him They shall go forth and look upon the Carkâ—ses of the Men that have transgressed against me and they shall be an abhorring unto all Flesh Isa 66. 24. Observe the slighting kind of phrase the Holy Ghost makes use of that such little despicable and vile Beings should behave themselves contemptuous and stubborn against a Most Excellent and Glorious Majesty If he who will at last reveal himself were not now out of our siâ—ht there could be no tryal of this whether Men would do so or not as at present there is and therefore they do it Had we not a spiritual and immortal Soul which hath a near similitude of the Divine Nature how mean and frail should we be To be just enlivened with naked and vile bodies subject to all the miseries of Nature liable for a prey to the stronger Beasts and every Creature might insult over us which also they would if they had the same corrupt Seeds of Evil for we should be more destitute then they having no reason to arm and secure our selves And then we could not so much as get the dominion over them much less lift up our selves against the Great Creator of all things Now mark the strange degeneracy of Humane Nature let the whole World stand amazed at it Hear O Heavens and give ear O Earth For the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me The Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Isa 1. 2 3. That power which was given to know and glorifie him is turned to contemn and dishonour him We are but meer Creatures the very work of his hands all our good and excellency we receive from him What least part of us did we make our selves Shall the Ax boast himself against him that â—eweth therewith Or shall the Saw magnifie it self against him that shaketh it as if the Rod should shake it self against them that list it up or as if the staff should lift up it self as if it were no wood Isa 10. 15. There is a vain perswasion in Man that he is his own that he is independent exalted and beholden to nothing though in his body are all things to humble and contradict this Opinion Infancy Childhood continued Weakness Mortality Yet he still bears in mind what the Serpent told his Fore-fathers Ye shall be as Gods Gen. 3. 5. In a worse sence of self-existing What lofty thoughts are in this poor
accept of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 1 Pet. 1. 4. if you perform the conditions required As for that you have already must fade away for if you think the Lands are yours for ever yet your selves are not so they may remain somewhat longer but you shall be taken away before Their inward thought is that their Houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all Generations they call their lands after their own Names this their way is their folly yet their posterity approveth their sayings Psal 49. 11 13. When many times they do not long enjoy their lands for these change owners and seldom continue in the same Family for two or three hundred years much less for ever Nay if they were secured from Folly Prodigality Forfeiture Injustice as that is in defeating the 1 Kings 21. 3. next Heir of the Blood of the inheritance of his Fathers and of firm Title and furthest from Inundation of the Sea yet this would not endure for ever for the time draweth near when the Earth shall be burnt up and all the Works thereof so the goodliest Estate now seen is but temporal which fades away He that hath the best tenure and most indefeasible right yet hath no perpetuity but himself is tenant at will to the great Landlord of Heaven and Earth now t is the wisest way of such an one to feather his nest to provide well against the time he shall be turned out Agreeable hereunto is the Counsel of the Lord Jesus And I say unto you make to your selves Friends of the mammon of Vnrighteousness that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations Luke 16. 9. It is strange that those who have such an advantage of Worldly outward prosperity of which they must be one day eternally deprived should not take care against that fails to be provided of an Happiness in the highest Heavens for evermore especially if they miss thereof they must fall down into opposite Misery One of these two must be your condition there is no avoiding of it if you should be miserable it will be in a worse degree then the common sort of mankind because of your manifold transgressions and mighty sins Amos 5. 12. They are against great Love and Mercy and when those which should have been Examples unto others of obedience and righteous living have most of all sinned and contemned the Almighty Vengeance may be taken upon them seven-fold and when the day of their calamity is come that pride and pleasure in which now they so much trust shall be all vanished and gone and serve to torment them yet more by sad reflections of what they have been For as the benefit is great if they use Riches and Honour as instruments to set forth the Glory of God and maintain good Works so likewise is the danger great if thence they be proud and rebellious turning them into an occasion to fulfill the lusts of the â—â—esh it would have been better not to have had then thus to have abused them It is not only because such an one is in a higher Seat in the World therefore he shall be so in that to come for there will be changes and those that are exalted shall be abased Yet to him that rightly managed the ten Talents authority was given over ten Cities and he that did five had proportionably So Luke 19. 17 18. contrariwise he that is unfaithful in most shall receive the greater condemnation and if he that received but one Talent went and digged in the Earth and hid his Lords Money was cast into outer Darkness as an unprofitable Servant What will become of him who received ten or five and used them to rebel against his Lord Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy Now things are so set that extremity and eternity of joy or sorrow must be the final condition of every one it may seem impertinent to bid him choose whether he will have as if ten thousand Talents were laid on an heap and the other side a single farthing to make long perswasion that he would be sure to make choice of the first Or if there was offered unto him a glass of the most pleasant Wine and a cup of deadly Poyson and he knew before which was so Neither of these come up to the present Case for the good of the one is more beyond the evil of the other then in any two things that can be compared Although there is such a vast difference yet commonly the evil part is chosen and those who call themselves Men yea Men of Honour and Renown are worse then Children in understanding They greedily catch at toyes and trifles they are careful to learn all the punctilios of Honour niceties of Pride modes of Breeding and things which belong to their Quality but in the mean while are negligent of the things that belong to their peace They run after every imaginary pleasure are for every thing which hath the name of it yet they will not seek after true and real Happiness they run on still in their course not considering for what end they came into the World or what will become of them when gone out This is not a Gentlemans business he is to go in the Fashion carry himself obligingly in Company understand his Estate this is sufficient for him What should he mind any thing else for Let him do what his inclinations lead him unto such is the language of Pride and Modishness But what saith the Holy Spirit thereto Do ye thus requiâ—e the Lord O foolish People and unwise is not he thy Father that hath bought thee Hath he not made thee and established thee Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful and hast forgotten God that formed thee Deut. 32. 6. 18. Wilt thou obliterate the notions of him who hath spread thy Table and made thy Cup to overflow Is this the return he is to make to his Almighty Benefactor He may turn Mercies into Disobedience yet he shall not go unpunished forsooth it is not his business to work the work God hath sent him to do he is too good for it in his own conceit The Lord saith them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. Some may not care if they are so for as yet they find no harm come by it but what will become of the most scornful and exalted Sinner when God shall pluck thee out of the land of the living and there shall be none to deliver thee Even here though thine house of defence be very high he can bring thee down make thee a mock and by-word as he hath done by some but he doth generally suffeâ— Mens evil Deeds in this World letting them go on as they will as he did the manners of the Israelites fourty years in the Wilderness Acts
immediately instead of a Temporal King â—nd Law-giver 1 Sam. 8. 7. He was pleased to be over that Nation in a more especial manner though he was Lord over the whole Word But the other part was for the Government of mens Life and Actions concerning Good and Evil teaching them their duty to God and one another which remains still in full force Christ did vindicaâ—e and clear the Law from those corrupt Interpretations and narrow Restrictions the Scribes and Pharisees had invented He introduces it Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven And then he doth explain the true meaning and full extent of the Commandments He hath also filled up the Defects and Imperfections of the Law hath rendred it holy and spiritual By making more known how it did reach the inward man was a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the Heart for out of that did proceed the things which defile the man and therefore should be rightly ordered He enjoyned Purity and Sincerity of Heart which in Scripture language signifies the Spirit or Soul with all its Operations and Faculties the whole man. Indeed the same was required of old but then both Priest and People did draw near to God with their Lips placing all their Religion in outward Performances the like mistake is too common in these days against which the Prophets in sundry places boldly declare the Word of God for which faithful dealing they were stoned killed sawed asunder and their Writings were not much hearkned unto for the rebellious People were resolved to go on in their course There was no Prophet among them for four hundred Years before the coming of Christ in which space the Jewish Nation had corrupted their Way and those intrusted to preach Moses and the Prophets proved most unfaithful for by their own Traditions they made the Commandments of God of none effect But he hath restored again the true Doctrine and incorrupted Word of God and hath rescued many poor and ignorant Souls from blind Leaders This was one end of Christ's coming into the World but the principal one was of offering his Soul a sacrifice for Sin and establishing a more gracious Covenant as is particularly set forth in the Gospel Thou art the God that dost Wonders thou hast declared thy strength among the People thou hast with thine Arm redeemed thy People the Sons of Jacob and Joseph Psal 77. 14. 15 These things thou didst of Old but since thou hast magnified thy power by Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God by Miracles and Wonders and Signs which God did by him and as a further Confirmation of all God hath raised him up having loosed the Pains of Death Acts 2. 22 24. And declared to be the Son of God with Power according to the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1. 14. Thereby witnessing all which he said was true And now having done so great things for us whereof we rejoyce he is pleased not to multiply Miracles It is his decree we should walk by Faith and not by sight and we have sufficient for the establishment of that It was the saying of Father Abraham If they hear not Moses and the Prophets but now since the Author of the New Testament hath suffered and that is become of force by his death it may be added If they hear not Christ and his Apostles neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16. 31. For this would not be half so wonderful as what they did and if men will not be perswaded by what is greater if they will not believe so many strange Works and such a cloud of Witnesses above five hundred Brethren at once which had seen Christ after he was risen neither will they give credit unto a single Person that came from the Grave and testified of these things Men are apt to think and with in their Hearts that they had greater Evidence and full Assurance that these things are so but that cannot well be unless the fore-mentioned Decree is reversed and we did now see the things of Heaven with open face God is not such as he should lye or repent neither will he falsify and bring to nought his wise Counsels and Designs to gratifie the unreasonable desire of sinful men We are to be thankful that he hath been pleased to reveal himself thus far and not as an evil Generation to seek yet a sign when no sign shall be given saving that of the everlasting Gospel He hath ordered it to be preached unto all Nations for a witness unto them which carries with it sufficient Evidence for convincing all mankind and to leave them without excuse We ought to rest satisfied now himself hath given the final peremptory Rule He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 16. John 3. 36. Whether men believe the Gospel or not they shall be judged by it Let not this be thought hard for God hath power over men however there is such certainty in the things contained therein that People cannot do otherwise then believe them unless they renounce even common understanding But they are become corrupt and perverse by Lusts which make them unwilling to believe They would not have God reign over them and therefore will not receive for truth what he hath revealed He that believeth not God hath made him a Liar because be believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son 1 John 5. 10. God by the punishment he will inflict on such will manifest that he is no Lyar but what he hath said will perfrom to the utmost What is it that moves despicable Creatures to offer such an affront to the Most High God Only gratifying of paltry Lusts or a Base Interest which hath so bewitched them that they cannot endure any thing which contradicts it And the Gospel commanding the denial of them which is enforced with Rewards to the Obedient and Threatnings to those that will not comply upon this Reason some being resolved to keep to their own wicked Inclinations they shew malice against it they will not believe lest they should be induced to obey and thus they provoke the author thereof But let these men know Greater is he whose Word it is then themselves who will give no credit thereunto As he is the Lord our Righteousness Jer. 33. 16. so will he be the Lord taking Vengeance 2 These 1. 8. He hath given a gracious Law so likewise he hath annexed Severity towards those who will not observe it They had need be well assured that those things which make a separation between God and themselves do counter poize the loss of his goodness and favour and make amends for the power of his anger But are they equivalent to the least of his Mercies Or will they take off the smart when his
it is well enough but do not regard with what mind vainly imagining God would have his Work done any way so it be done but doth not regard with what affection they do it And therefore if they practise Righteousness or Temperance though they will speak out to the World that they do it for Health or Reputation and if they have a little respect to God in the heart they refuse to utter that They will declare openly they do such a thing because the King or some Superiour enjoyn them to do it but either through bashfulness or pride on which that is founded will not make it known that they do such things because it is the Commandment and Will of God. They may talk of the fashionable Vertue but not of Grace They will speak in the Words of Seneca but not the Language of Canaan but if they have a serious mind to get the favour of God and be saved let them consider what is Written Joel 2 26. Mark 8. 38. If their actions are not principally because God requires such howsoever specious and upright they may appear before Men he is no more pleased with it then you with the work of your Servant when he doth it of his own head and is ashamed or disdainful to do it upon your commanding him When Courtiers and Servants of Noble Men will own their condition before all and speak of their respective Masters should we not much more do so as to our Master which is in Heaven Is he not greater and better then they Let your light so shine before Men that others may see your good Works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. His Servants may praise him for such an ones well doing and glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel 2 Cor. 9. 13. And strangers may conclude God is in him of a Truth that he hath some real and invisible principle of action which he keeps unto through good report or evil report notwithstanding all profit or inconvenience It tends to the Glory of God here on Earth when things pertaining to him are done openly before all and not in a Corner He that was not heard to cry or to lift up his Voice in the Street who did not love to be taken notice of for his Miracles and doing good neither did for affectation shew â—orth his Extraordinary zeal and service to God yet hath two observable sayings John 3. 21. John 18. 20. If one designs nothing but pure Obedience neither credit nor interest not the least leaven of by-respects the more publickly it is done the better it is If he finds himself ashamed of well doing let him do violence to that sinful humour and make it more visible unto Men if on the other hand he believes he may have praise of Men there let him do it in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly Mat. 6. 4. The reason of things is to be attended unto Our God whom we serve is a Jealous God and his Glory he will not give unto another So is he more pleased with Mens Obedience when it is pure uncorrupt and nothing a sharer with it How doth he resent it VVhen their fear towards me is taught by the precept of Men Isa 29. 13. Which makes directly against compulsion to Religious Duties for that destroys the Nature of true Obedience Doth God want the aid of Man to make others Obedient unto him If it could be done What Glory would it be unto him But they cannot by outward violence they may bring one like a Beast to the Sacrifice but still there is nothing of the subjection of the mind God cares not for Hypocritical Services or a bare outward Submission He may as well be glorified in Beasts the Blood of slain Bullocks of Goats for there is a subjection of those Creatures even unto Death The Brute is knocked down before the Lord but he is better pleased when the Will of a free and reasonable Creature is Obedient unto his Will. When we do not follow our own ways in opposition to the guide of the Lord When self-will is not cringed unto but the Word of God complyed withal He created all things for his own Glory and Man the Principal inhabitant of the Earth cannot shew it forth in a more excellent way Let him offer up every Creature for a Sacrifice do more then Solomon did to set forth the Magnificence of his Temple yet he adds nothing to what God had before for the VVorld is mine and the fulness thereof Psal 50. 12. The merciful God delights not in the blood of dumb Creatures he received them only as some atonement for Mans transgression and as a type of that great Sacrifice which was once offered for all Herein he shewed Mercy that he would accept of the life of a Beast for a more noble offender Sacrifice and burnt Offerings thou wouldst not but the doing of thy will. He is subject to no necessities imperfection or low desires and therefore thousands of Gold and Silver are nothing to him they are his own already He did first create and now disposeth of them but there is something still which I do in no wise say he hath put out of his own power yet he is pleased not to accept of it unless freely bestowed My Son give me thine heart Prov. 23. 26. O that there was such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments that it might be well with them and their Children forever Deut. 5. 29. He seems to long for it and that for their good for he who hath so much already and will be likewise glorified on them if they refuse cannot receive any addition by so small a Mite It is only that another should do all things to obey him Yet wretched and froward Man who knows not nor will be perswaded what is for his good who would fain be reconciled unto God a Being so much above and mightier then he though it be more out of fear and selfishness then love for that he is willing to give any thing rather then the right one with what anguish and earnestness but upon mistaken Grounds doth he expostulate Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my first born for my Transgression or the fruit of my body for the sin of my Soul He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do Justice and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6. 7 8. Then thou must submit thy Will unto his Will. Many do offer up the Sacrifice of Praise use much Devotion will bestow liberally Alms to the poor frankly part with their Money but not their Lusts make a shew of Subjection unto God yet keep their own Humours and will not cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self
of the World. Thy Will he done in Earth as it is in Heaven he left for a standing Petition who likewise told us Joy shall be in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth Luke 15. 7. When a single Person among such a Rebellious and froward Generation as the Inhabitants of the Earth are do begin to do it The whole Happiness of the World and things therein is to obey the Law of their great Creator Every thing in Relation to him is delightful When we beg good things of him we are assured he giveth liberally and upbraideth not Prayeâ— conduces to our present Establishment and Security it begins and helps towards the true Perfect and never ending Happiness For Mercies received the just Consequent is to return thanks Of Praise Now of God are all things From whom every good and perfect Gift proceedeth Jam. 1. 17. there arises up towards him the Duty of Praise and Thanksgiving We at first judge it a most reasonable thing to give the Lord the Honour due unto his Name and our selves have a strong resentment of Benefits But then Corruption begins to work and turn the Stream of our Gratitude unto subordinate and lesser Objects We are very thankful to the Instrument or next hand that doth convey unto us but unmindful of the Author and Fountain from whence they all spring Those Blessings that are become constant and common which should most set forth the bounty of the great Benefactor we wrongfully esteem our due and desert and then whatsoever is more this is looked upon as an Addition to what was our own and is taken kindly Whereas in this we might have seen his Providence that either furthered or could have hindred this good thing from us And at last if we provoke him by unthankfulness he can turn it into a Curse instead of a Blessing When thou hast eaten and art full then shalt thou bless the Lord thy God for the good Land which he hath given thee Deut. 8 10. He first created the Earth with Vertue to bring forth Fruits and hath given unto Men that power and understanding to Till it accordingly Who gave them Life and Being to receive these things and hath allotted to them severally as he will. Yet these being visible and nearest are too often by ignorant unbelievers more thanked then the Author of all things The Conduit which of it self is dry is more had in Admiration then the Fountain which sends forth the Water God expresses himself severely against Idolatry How many Cautions are there least we Worship the Sun Moon and Stars which are useful to mankind but he made them so He is a jealous God and would not that they should draw off the least Glory from their Creator Much less should eartheâ— Vessels come in for sharers of his Glory Especially when his only begotten Son disclaims it John 8. 50. and so do holy Men 1 Thes 2. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Mark 5. 19. Acts 3. 12. Acts 12. 23. Acts 14. 15. Even of temporal and outward Mercies we have an immediate ascribing them unto Almighty God the Patriarch Jacob presently ascends above all second Causes The God which fed me all my Life long unto this day Gen. 48. 15. He doth not say his Estate or fruitful Seasons the Good-will of such Friends Money Food but he refers them all higher In the New Testament he is stiled the Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort 2 Cor. 1. 3. He gives Gifts unto his Children whether immediately as spiritual Blessings which are not in the power of any to give or take away And therefore to him in a more peculiar manner belongs all the Glory But for the temporal good things he sends by the hands of another we are to give our most humble and hearty thanks to the Great Master but in no wise to thank the Servant more then the Master nor to exclude the Sense and acknowledgment of the Great Lord over all O that Men would praise the Lord for his Goodness and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men which is thrice repeated Psal 107. To speak forth his Goodness is that which God delights Isa 12. 4 5. in This Duty is expressed in a publick and outward manner Make known his Deeds among the People talk ye of all his wondrous Works Psal 105. 1 2. My tongue praiseth thee with joyful Lips Psal 63. 5. Make the Voice of his praise to be heard Psal 66. 8. Examples of this are Luke 1. 64. Luke 17. 15. Rev. 5. 12. The Holy Ghost by this signifying that we should speak out when we praise God and not do it inwardly in a whispering manner or in a Corner as if we were ashamed of what we did It is not said thus concerning Prayer for there the inward reserved way is rather commended Mat. 6. 1 Sam. 1. 13. But the great things God hath done for us they should be shewed forth amongst Men. There is no mention in Scripture of giving thanks only in secret but in the Assembly of the upright and in the Congregation Psal 111. 1. And also among others that they may be brought over to partake of the Goodness of the Lord. Nothing but Praise breaths forth through every Verse of the Book of Psalms or something which may be matter and occasion thereof It is inculcated throughout the Old and New Testament This People have I formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise Isa 43. 21. The Earth hath he given to the Children of Men Grass and Herbs are for Beasts and both for our use And what were we made for but to Confess openly the Glory and Greatness of our Creator to see and consider this vast Fabrick of the World to admire and magnifie that God who made it But ye are a peculiar People that you should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Here is yet more matter of Praise and also to encourage free Obedience for to live only for a short time would not be altogether so much though God oweth nothing to his Creatures and as he brought them out of nothing so he could turn them to nothing again But he hath given most full assurance that we shall have and see greater things then these The Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World John 6. 33. That Revelation to mankind by Christ Jesus all those unspeakable Mercies contained in him The means of Grace and hope of Glory do justly require such abundant Exaltation of our God that our Soul and all within us cannot worthily Praise him ' This would take up all our Life-time here as it will the whole length of Eternity As for Preaching Prayer and the Sacrament they shall cease when we shall perfectly know and be obedient unto him when we shall have the full Accomplishment of our desires When we shall see him Face to
to judge and make application of his Word to our several Actâ—ons Let others censure such an one as a rash unadvised Fool an ignorant deluded Soul or an hundred kind of surmises by which if it was at their disposing he should lose his Reward in Suffering for the Truth and Well-doing yet God is Judge himself Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls unto him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let others suspend their verdict and judge nothing before the time There is as much certainty in this Duty as any and here we may go upon sure grounds As heretofore Christ Crucified was to the Greeks Foolishness 1 Cor. 1 23. so even at this day that Appendix to it the thing of loss and inconvenience is reckoned Folly by those who hold fast the Name of Christ but unless they have denied the Faith they cannot really think so for before them this Wisdom is justified and may be done before the Heathen World. It hath been demonstrated beyond all contradiction by our antient Apologists and Writers that Christianity is the best Wisdom in opposition to that of Philosophers and Wise-Men of the World. Theirs was defective could not reach any assurance and for the most part was about things of this Life which are but Dreams and Bubbles the exercises of a Childish mind for all things of this World are not worthy of the utmost concern and regard of the Rational and noble faculties of Man unless now as we are assured it be in order to those great perfect and durable things to come They of old did talk bravely but by actions did manifest that themselves were not Perswaded so Though they did pretend to set at naught the World the greatness thereof it was because they had it not for when it came in upon them they became Servants to it The like we have in our days who will talk yet higher in contempt of those things and yet more eagerly seek after them who catch at what they can get as much as they are able and then speak forth in contempt of the rest I am afraid this will be the Condemnation that Men will not do that for the Grace and Fear of God what others formerly did by Philosophy and vain Boasting That we who know and profess to believe greater things enforced with Promises and Threatnings yet will not do so much towards renouncing unlawful and abstracting from present things as they did The Wisdom set before us is greater but Man will not believe or not conform to it both which are unreasonable and foolish There is certainly some secret Enemy of mankind whom they see not that keeps them off Men could not do this of themselves for they may be assured Heaven will not drop into their Mouth it is as worthy to be sought after as the things of this World and doing but the same would bring us to the other Only as to this nothing stops but to that One doth let and will let until he be taken away He stands at our Elbow therefore let us know so much bid him stand off pray against his Temptation go to the Word of God and we shall not be ignorant of his devices and so be too cunning for him as we may by the assistance offered us If it was a matter of indifferency we could never be so backward to a thing that appears so very reasonable and makes such exceeding and assured Proposals of Good. Who is Wise and he shall understand these things Prudent and he shall know them Hos 14. 9. And unto Man he said Behold the Fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Vnderstanding Job 28. 28. CHAP. XIV Of RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE THerefore all things whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you do you even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7. 12. Consider your selves exactly in the same circumstances and condition as the Person is with whom you deal and then let sincere and impartial Reason determine what thou wouldst have done to thee and so do unto him Here is a plain Rule given to know what is Just or not whether one doth Right or Wrong Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self is the Epitome of the second Table and the particular Precepts thereof are but to give him what is just and equal according to the relation he stands in and that we should do him no wrong in those Instances or whatsoever comes under them The Prophets did mightily insist and press to the observation of the Law throughout all their Writings are Inculcations to Judgment Justice and Righteousness and much Threatning from God against Oppression Theft Deceit Lying Bribery and such like Isa 1. Jer. 7. 9 10 11. They did unvail the Hypocrisie of those who did make pretences to Devotion and thence think they might commit injurious Practices because they did ask God forgiveness and yet retain the Sins of griping the Poor spoiling the Fatherless and Widow and the several acts of Unrighteousness This enraged the People for so doth any thing which lights upon Lust or fancied Interest And they to conceal or excuse their own Shame did fall from one Wickedness to another from a lesser to a greater degree of Wrong from being injurious to their common Neighbours to Persecuting their own Prophets also They might thus Palliate the matter before short-sighted Men But all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. And by this way they did provoke him yet more Even now Whosoever is an Enemy to Religion or to those set up in defence of it he doth something which that condemns and therefore shews forth Spite and Malice There doth not arise such a bitter rancour in the minds of Men against the Word and Ways of God if it is only for Sin as to themselves because for this they may have some Extenuation and Pitty from others through infirmity or pleasing of the Flesh But the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of Men Rom. 1. 18. and for the several acts of the last they become destitute and odious to all that know thereof We are strictly commanded whatever is Just Honest and of good Report and we are forbidden the contrary Justice is more enjoyned in Scripture then Piety towards God which is in the first place or Sobriety to our selves Whether the holy Spirit fore-seeing it would be more difficult to keep people unto it for they sooner decline and turn aside there being more Temptation of Worldly Advantage then is to be had by Ungodliness or they might mistake and suppose to have Devotion pass for an Atonement and Commutation of their Sin Or God willing the Happiness of his Creatures as they lived in a community yet he hath aid more throughout his Word of our
Prodigality or some other Sin but not by keeping close to Duty And though he may receive some little injuries yet he lives contentedly at present applying the Promise and patiently expects the Reward for doing the Will of God. He need not return Evil for Evil or more injuriously make honest People pay for the harm Knaves have done unto him These are for the most part trivial Instances and our Obedience is to be proved as to them God hath ordained that Man should Labour and he will prosper that to which he intends it Mine Elect shall long enjoy the work of their Hands They shall not labour in Vain nor bring forth for Trouble Isa 65. 23. His word doth as it were stand engaged that such who live according to his Will should be mantained To supply real Wants not unnecessary Lusts And it may be observed of the greater part of mankind who have no certain Dependance nor Estate but the casual income of their Trade or Emploiment from day to day yet still they are provided for some one way or another So there is no need of repining at the great Landlord whose is the Earth and the fulness thereof for not giving an Estate Why he hath given enough for all the Fruits and Cattel Blessed be his goodness are abundantly sufficient to maintain all its Inhabitants But he hath set Limits Bounds and Land-marks that every one might know what was his own And then some by Industry obtained what others through Negligence and Idleness parted withal the World going on in the usual way as it doth now This diversity is suffered by the divine Wisdom for tryal of that particular Vertue now insisted on and of others All cannot have Estates not such as they desire Every one ought to be contented with that condition he is in if he will work with his Hands there is no fear of want Never any is driven so hard as to be forced by necessity to Sin if he will use all lawful means first Then Honesty is so far from being poor and laughed at that those who observe it are generally thriving and have good Reputation but if mean yet attended with that satisfaction of mind which others have not in their abundance If at any time ridiculed it is by knavish Men who seek this way to extenuate their own Guilt for his well-doing brings their Sin to remembrance And truly this is the cause of that Reproach Slander and Contempt cast upon the ways and People of God not that they in any wise deserve it but all good esteem and honour But those who do not live accordingly are privately convicted they are in a fault and therefore seek to discountenance that which they should have done An odd way not to be contented only to offend God by an Omission or Disobedience but to Sin yet more by fastening contempt on his wise Sanctions and to hinder others also Mark the Perfect Man and behold the Vpright for the end of that Man is Peace Psal 37. 37. which is more valuable then all the fine Houses or Estates in the World. Seeing it is the enterance upon an Immortal Life it is more then enjoying the greatest Revenue for an Hundred Years But further he hath Peace throughout his Life Herein exercising himself to have a Conscience void of Offence towards God and towards Man he is in favour with both and freed from that Trouble and Vexation which doth always arise when the Duty to our great Creator is neglected or those just Offices between Man and Man. The Lord is Righteous in all his Ways His infinite sovereignty over Creatures is attempered with an excellent goodness His great Power himself hath been pleased to limit by a gracious Word and many other things if we could clearly understand as we shall do manifest him to be exceeding good and Ioving to us Men so we are to do one to another Little Children let no Man deceive you He that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil Whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 John 3. 7 10. That no Man go beyond and defraud his Brother in any matter for the Lord is the Avenger of all such 1 Thes 4. 6. Though we do not see him yet he seeth us Though we may think him to be in Heaven at a distance he is there and yet not far from every one of us He stands by and beholds all the doings of the Sons of Men and considereth all their ways He doth see if any one will do justly and live according to the Laws he hath given they may be broken secretly but it is known unto him The hidden things of Dishonesty may a little while remain undiscerned to our sight but not before him who in his appointed time will reveal them openly before the World. All things are now disposed of for this Life of Tryal and Temptation He who is Vnjust may be Vnjust and he that is Righteous may be Righteous still The Threatning and Reward are annexed accordingly With us that are living and for a short time in the way the thing is in suspence And the Work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa 32. 17. CHAP. XV. Of TEMPERANCE In Meat Drink Apparel Recreation Of the passing away of TIME THis puts in mind of our imperfect and wanting Condition that stands in need of so many things from without The God who made us put us in Flesh and in this place who hath ordained such things to nourish and sustain us for a while He could also have kept us in Being and Continuance without them All things are equally possible to an Almighty Power He both frames the means and the end he is free and unlimited to the use of them or can perform whatever he pleases with such means or without any at all Who fed the five Thousand with five Loaves could have caused that they should not have Hungred at all as he did not during the Forty days and Forty nights for He was afterwards an Hungred Mat. 4. 2. Man doth not live by Bread only but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of the Lord doth Man live Deut. 8. 3. We are not to be perfect before our time Even now by the Divine goodness and appointment we are in good Accomodation by the help of those outward things as indeed can be well required for Creatures and the state of Imperfection all this is only for a while in expectation of and in order unto greater things Meats for the Belly and the Belly for Meats but God shall destroy both it and them 1 Cor. 6. 13. Our Feet and Eyes supply that to us as if we were wholly made up of motion and sight they are sufficient for the business we have to do Food and Raiment through Gods
event of Folly. The pleasures of Sin are but for a season and after the several times are over the melancholick fit returns as bad rather worse then ever If they would suffer themselves to be admonished how they neither make use of the right remedy nor apply it to the distempered part for instead of taking away they feed the Disease and use stupifying Medicines which only take away the sence but not prevent Death The Sinner that labours under remorse will drink heartily for sorrow is dry so endeavouring to drown the spirit within him which though it sink at night will rise again in the morning and because it tells him the truth it is thought his Enemy for disturbing him And therefore he will try again to drive that unwelcome Guest out of his house which cannot be done Then continual Business Recreation or Company shall divert its whispers Otherwise by gross Ignorance or stupid inconsideration he willingly becomes as bruit Beasts whom he observes to be disturbed from nothing within Thus he dreams of relief as if he should not die and puts of what would do no other harm then lead him to Repentance till it is hid from his Eyes It is truly said of the Wisdom that is from above Her wayes are ways of pleasantness and all her pathes are Peace Pro. 3. 17. Under that Word is comprized all Happiness and this throughout the whole Scripture is promised to keeping of the Commandments of God. O that thou had hearkened to my Commandment then had thy Peace been as a River and thy Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea Isa 48. 18. There is a constant serenity and calmness of mind The sincere Penitent when he is habituated to the way of Godliness finds more Pleasure then ever he did in the course of Sin. He iâ— more comforted in singing Praises and making spiritual melody in his Hâ—art then heretofore in drunken Songs or lacivious tunes More satisfaction arises to him in meditating on God's Law then who devise mischief or let their thoughts run after all manner of filthiness This is the constant felicity of God's chosen but they have greater things then these the antepasts of Heaven the earnest and first fruits of the Spirit that joy of the inward Man which far exceeds the most exquisite delights of Sence All these are without allay or mixture there is no Condemnation or Fear no Repentance or Vexation among them It is a true and sensible satisfaction though it may seem mystery and foolishness to carnal Men. Any one may have it upon the terms of the Gospel who observes all things whatsoever the Author thereof hath Mat. 28. 20. commanded for want of which so many miss of it The Covetous doth avoid Gluttony Drunkenness or such chargeable Sins and will be apt to cry out with the Pharisee God be thanked I am none of these But he doth not take heed and beware of Covetousness Luke 12 15. so he is not happy here For through the love of Money he pierceth himself through with many Sorrows nor will be hereafter for such shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1. Cor. 6. 10. He whose God is his Belly is perhaps no Mans enemy but his own and therefore may expect the peaceable fruits of Righteousness but in vain for he hath not here any lasting joy it arises only from the Meat and Drink that perisheth neither will he attain to the fulness thereof His end being Destruction from the presence of God Phil. 3. 18. They do somewhat towards obtaining Happiness but the other evil deprives thereof One accursed thing troubles Israel here below and shall never approach so near as to disturb the rest of the People of God. However the enemies to their own good would have it yet it is necessary to that of the present time to avoid every evil way for otherwise there can be no true Peace of mind no freedom from fear and regret In the day of Prosperity be joyful but in the time of Adversity consider God also hath set the one over against the other to the end that Man should find nothing after him Eecles 7. 14. Look into them both throughly and they are little each passeth away and it is the same thing afterwards So they are not to be admired or feared but the one cautiously used and the other submitted unto that they may help forward to eternal Happiness for that is happiness indeed and the principal concern when all temporal things slip away like a Dream which affects a little for the instant but afterwards is not minded But good Men can better bear Affliction then others having joy and gladness within when the Body is weak and languishing They have quietness and assurance of mind when the Flesh is wasted with pain or sickness This is so manifest that even the Wicked if they have courage to stand by and observe will secretly ejaculate Let me die such a Death and let my latter end be like his Mark the Perfect Man and behold the Vpright for the end of that Man is Peace Psal 37. 37. when others are attended with Horror Amazement or Stupidity and Inconsideration All acknowledge those more happy in their Sickness and Death but the great doubt and inquiry will be whether they are so in their Life for if that can be brought forth and made to appear in the Light of the living it would be no small argument for the Conversion of Sinners from the error of their way The reason why theâ— follow after the Lusts of the flesh and commit sins most in Fashion is because they think it is for their present Happiness their Honour and Reputation which is one part thereof Now were they fully convinced that could equally yea more be had in obedience to Gods Commandment these would live according to that unless they are the greatest Fools that can be imagined considering the disproportion of the rewards of the one and sad Punishments that are to the other way If the God of this World hath not blinded their eyes and they are not altogether become Carnal who cannot discover any thing within they may consider the great difference of things set before us Life and Good Death and Evil that they may choose the better and avoid the worse Evil hath a thin appearance of Good and therefore is catched at and embraced so Good hath an outward shew of Evil and is abhorred and despised At first sight sin and iniquity seem to further the Happiness of mankind but in truth is the Cause of Misery so righteousness and obedience looked slightly on appear to bring in convenience and disturbance Sin hath a shew of Wisdom and Briskness when in the Act it is folly afterwards Tribulation and Anguish of Soul the other at a transitory glance is foolish and dull but upon full Tryal is the greatest Prudence perfect Peace and Satisfaction to the mind of Man. The delusion and mistake is Men do not see throughly
into things nor look beyond the present unto the end and consequent of them for if they did this they would not be deceived in that greatest Concern for every Soul would have the one and escape the other of Happiness or Misery Judge not according to appearance but righteous judgment That excessive Laughter and outward Noise which sometimes accompany the Pleasures of sin make ignorant undiscerning Persons stand in Admiration of it But is it not all like crackling of Thorns under a Pot which gives a blaze but no solid heat and is suddenly extinct Ye which rejoyce in a thing of nought Amos 6. 13. Is not your heart even in the midst thereof sorrowful How many Damps and uâ—heard Sighs are perceived from within by your selves amongst merry Company Are you not more pensive afterwards When you are alone if you can endure that and reflect the next morning are they not all vanished away as last nights Dream What odds between that and yesterdays Enjoyments Is this your utmost Happiness that is mixt broken of and interrupted Which day by day grows more tiresome and ceases to delight A whole Life so spent as between the last rising of the Sun and setting thereof doth not satifie at the instant utterly perishes and seems as if it had never been those Delights are not greatest which make most noise but rather shallow and hastily run away when true Satisfaction like deep Water is silent and full We may indeed shew forth outward Signs of Rejoycing for wherefore hath God given us Powers so to do if we might not Laugh He that doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men I am perswaded doth not delight to see a sad Countenance disfigured Faces or a Head hanging down like a Bulrush but Loves a cheerful Aspect as well as a Giver We may be Christians and Men still Both merry and facetious as far as consistent with the perfect Law of Liberty We may use the Creatures and Recreations in a moderate way and so they rellish more then running to the full Excess of Riot In the mean while we do not place our happiness in them We esteem them as Blessings and are thankful but do not rest contented being designed for greater things we do not use them as the chiefest Good nor consume most of our time and care in them as the manner of some is Who therefore term us Melancholly and stupid but themselves are more properly brutish Why should they accuse any one for not being exceeding Cheerful in those things which cannot make the Owners so That Aspersion is generally cast upon all Gods Servants as if his ways were nothing but Sowreness and Misery and so discourage others It is unworthy to bring an evil Report of the Land they never searched their words are not much minded who speak evil of the things they know not But it is much worse in the Spies who say they have knowledge and experience if they do lessen it in a whispering and indirect manner it is because themselves did flightly view and so away they had a secret Prejudice before and came in as it were by force and for their own safety But had they went through and into the midst of it diligently observed all things dwelt there for some time the longer the better they will perceive the Goodness thereof By that time they have continued as long there as in the wilderness of sin they will like it much more somewhat is to be allowed to a state of Tryal consequently Temptations an imperfect knowledge those remainders of Original corruption which are so many weights that we must carry along in the Christian race but still by Gods aid we can go through here with more Contentment then others in their ways But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righâ—eousness and all these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. Such Provisions and Accomodations as are necessary for your Journey if you have them not in so great abundance yet you shall in a more excellent way your Life is more sweet and comfortable then those who have Riches or Estate The Apostle ranks those among the enemies of the Cross of Christ who mind Earthly things Phil. 3. 18 19. and therefore 't is improper to insist upon Considerations drawn from them unless they lead up towards the Heavenly The knowledge of God and Eternity make all things besides seem little and momentary for the greater will obscure the less as the Sun doth the Light of Moon and Stars Now because most say with their mouths God is their chiefest good Heaven their end when their Heart runs after temporal things unless his Word did discover it in plain and true Sayings we should be at a loss how to find out their Hypocrisie or put a difference between making them the principal or subordinate end Where is such a cumbring about many things and so little or lazy regard to the one thing needful That earnest care and greater degree of affection after one then the other will manifest their Pretences to be lying and vain for it is a certain Rule Where is Faith and Love of God that Man will not commit sin or leave Duty undone to accomplish present things And if he did sincerely intend for Heaven he would not do those things which lead contrary as that Word which makes known the place and way doth expresly declare Men would not be so mightily concerned for a moment no more then they are for one Nights Lodging upon a journey if they had a real Sense of Eternity If it was not for this great end all Mens doings are vain their Divertisements would be as the flyings of a Swallow during its appointed time their heaviness and misery as the Mournings of a Dove which would be ended Whatever delights or afflicts soon passeth away and we are gone To talk of their Good and Evil would be as impertinent as now it is to lay down Rules for having the tickling of a Feather or prevent the scratchings of a Pin. Their goings up and down would be as the moving of a shadow which is lost in darkness The deep thoughts of Heart dreams followed with a dead and eternal Sleep Great swelling words like a voice crying in the wilderness instantly perish and signifie nothing Those fancied worthy and great Actions just carry on that small Variety which is in the course of the World but little more then what Beasts do in their several kinds all things would be small and inconsiderable in this Life of Vanity barely appear and be forgotten If there was an utter end and no more it would be an idle as it is now unacceptable Office to use any words about them But seeing the Case is otherwise there is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58. 11. He hath given a Law to those several Generations that pass through here to govern them by All those things which seem to be vanished and gone by
him for witness to a mischievous Lie. He prays God would help him according to the Truth he speaks but prevaricates that and his prayer shall turn into his own Bosom and so be destitute of his aid without which he shall perish If God did not keep silence none would presume to do after this manner and then could be no Tryal but in the other World shall be found true what is written Ps 50. 21. The Atheistical Disputer whom after-Ages will hardly believe to have ever been is more plagued with fears of eternal Vengeance then all the affectations of wit and applause amongst his monstrous Herd amount unto And this disadvantage lieth against him that those things are true even before Men were or could argue against them and so remain notwithstanding all absurd and foolish Imaginations It is better and more happy not to offend with the Tongue then to let it loose to its several kinds of Sin and Irregularity As for Actions What doth yield more real content then to do justly The rules whereof none violates without Regret and Condemnation There is an inward and sensible grief when any thing is done contrary to the Law written in the Heart It is vexation to reflect upon an injury done and they cannot endure to look the person in the face against whom it was and which is yet worse will add hatred and evil speaking to excuse themselves from the Wrong But the upright keeping a Conscience void of offence toward God and Man is not afraid nor ashamed to see any one Though he iâ— profitable to himself as the end of things will manâ—fest yet he wâ—ll now rather receâ—ve then do Wrong and hath for eaâ—nest of reward a free undesturbed mind So much in general of Thoughts Words and Actions Come we to Mans bodily Frame and Constitution with the growth and several Periods thereof It is composed of Flesh and Blood Bones and Sinews curious in its Contrivance each Member â—itted for the respective Office no part useless and the whole so knit together that the Work denotes God to be the only Author thereof Psal 119. 13 14 15 16. He made us and not we selves Psal 100. 3. This is here inserted because some ungodly natural People attribute too much to themselves as their Parents were causes of them and they of their Children This Temper ariseth from unbelief and ignorance and is much different from that of the Patriarch when his Wife said Give me Children or else I die his Anger was kindled greatly against her and he said Am I in Gods stead who hath with-held from thee the Fruit of thy Womb Gen. 30. 1 2. Psal 127. 4. But those would rob God of his Honour and who cannot make one hair White or Black nor add one Cubit to their Stature think that they give being to their Posterity and if they had not been neither should the others As if the Almighty could not have brought themselves into the World otherwise then by means of the Parents they had This is to limit the holy one of Israel Psal 78. 41. to confine his Power who hath made Heaven and Earth and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. Who might have ordered us of this Generation and of this or that Family to have been born of Heathen Parents placed us in another Nation brought us into being a thousand years since if he had so pleased God hath established a Course of Nature and Acts according See Isa 24. 16. to it but therein Parents are only the instrumental cause of our Being And call no Man your Father upon the Earth For one is your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 23 9. Have we not all one Father Hath not one God â—reated us Mal. 2. 10. Thou O Lord art our Father we are the Clay and thou our Potter and we are all the Work of thy hand Isa 64. 8. Without an Almighty power that ordereth it cannot be imagined so excellent a Creature should proceed from such a mean beginning The Fathers according to the Flesh do nothing towards the infusion of the Soul and for the viler part no more then the Husband-man to make the Corn grow only scattering the Grain in the Earth Hast not thou poured me out as Milk and Crudled me like Cheese Job 10. 10. They are but instruments in the hand of God and by the meanness of them if the blinded World did see as much he doth the more magnifie his own Power It should teach us to abase our selves and the more to exalt our Maker Who might have created all mankind as he did the first immediately out of the Earth in fulness of Stature or to grow as Trees and Vegetables but by the same Wisdom he made the Heavens hath ordained this only way of coming into the World His Son was born of a Woman not by way of common Generation the blessed Virgin did not know Man The Holy Gbost came upon her the Power of the Highest over-shadowed her and therefore that holy thing was born of her which was called the Son of God Luk. 1. 35. All we that are conceived in the heat of Concupiscence are defiled but Christ sanctified the Womb. He submitted to the meanness of our Birth that he might take our whole Nature upon him Sin only excepted The Prophet Ezek. 16. 4 5. describes our Birth the poor Infant Of Infancy and Childhood comes forth in Pain and being exposed to unusual Light and Cold shews its dislike by Crying It is more destitute weak and ignorant then other Creatures at first are they never sinned but our most merciful God hath provided for this by implanting a Care and Affection in the Mother By degrees the Child is brought up and howsoever despicable it seemeth in our Eyes O Lord out of the Mouth of Babes and Sucklâ—ngs hast thou ordained Strength Psal 8. 2. Our Saviour hath testified his Love and regard for them Mat. 18 19. 19. 14. Even Men of perfect Stature must be born again or they cannot see the Kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. Luk. 18. 18. In malice be Children but in understanding be Men 1 Cor. 14. 20. The tender Infant hath not so much of this as forefooted Beasts and Creeping things every toy and tâ—iâ—â—e pleases him for the present then he is weary of the same thing an Emblem that we are in pursuit after Happiness but do not find it He affects Variety of Foolâ—riâ—s which delight because he knows nothing better but as he grows up he puts away these things for more manly There is a Series of Play-games those that come to be the bâ—st and wisest Men when in this Age spake as a Child understood as a Child and thought as a Child 1 Cor. 13. 11. At this time of Life God winks and as the Follies thereof are not remembred by us so nâ—ither will they be imputed by our merciful Father Though it passeth away pleasantly we then taking as
Holiness insinuating as if God's Law was too strict it curbs free nature and deprives of Happiness Why should not a young Man enjoy pleasure He furnishes with several Commendations of Drunkenness Lust and other deeds of darkness He uses all tricks and devices to get our first years for if he misses them he very seldom recovers the following so contrary it proves to the forementioned saying If a man keeps all Gods Commandements from his Youth knowing that therein is great reward and having respect still to that he despises the present pleasures of Sin finding more satisfaction in the way he walks in He knows the necessity and encouragement of Perseverance 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 John verse 8. Rev. 2. 10. It cannot be denied but there have been some Apostates the Scripture never supposes or cautions against a vain and impossible thing see Ps 125 5. Ezâ—k 18. 24. Heb. 6. 4 5 6. 10 26 38. 12 15. 2 Pet. 2. 21 22. but these are few in comparison of those who hold out unto the end If they are well grounded in the Faith and lay a good Foundation If they are quite gone out of Egypt and leave not a hoof behind Exod. 10. 26. forsaking every evil way the Sin as dear to them as their right Eye And then if they sincerely endeavour still and are not lazy or negligent not omitting the means of Grace there is no great fear but these will receive the end of their Faith the Salvation of their Souls These love God and are loved by him Who loves with an everlasting Love Jâ—r 31 3. These shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. If Satan desires to sift them as Wheat yet our blessed Advocate prevails that their Faith fail not The ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 14. Ps 91. 11. 2 Kings 6. 16. preserve against the destroying We are put in mind of good to defeat the suggestions of evil endued with spiritual Wisdom to discern and avoid the Crafts and Deceits of our Adversaries Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heâ—d least he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. And having done all to stand Eph. 6. 13. for Christianity is not an idle state but compared to a Pilgrimage which is always going forward aâ—d using care not to be out of the way there is no doubt that the aforementioned Speech will ever be found true in him which ought to be razed out of the number of Proverbs whose nature is to be true for the most part but this is most commonly false and rules are laid down that it may be always Let none hence be discouraged from early walking in the way to Heaven We have a long Journey to go the sooner we set out so much the better If in the Spring time he hath all the year before him observing the directions in Scripture he shall neither miss the way nor be disappointed of the end which he proposes to himself For the Lord never said to the House of Jacob nor any one else Seek ye my face in vain Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh O most mighty with thy Glory and Majesty And in thy Majesty ride prosperously because of Truth and Meekness and Righteousness Ps 45. 3 4. Looking unto Jesus there Prophesied of the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Consider him least you be weary and faint in your mind Heb. 12. 2 3. Grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. till thou come to the fulness of Stature to be a Perfect Man both in the divine and common acceptation which is the third stage of Life In which we are properly Men and reasonable Creatures the Body being at its utmost pitch the understanding ripe and sound Of Manhood Now we have a right estimate of things in their own nature what we formerly admired and were pleased with we daily disesteem The gayeties of Youth appear foolish and despisable Our thoughts are altered to more substantial things Company and getting of Money are two principal things this time is taken up with and therefore it is not to step much besides the Subject matter to treat severally of them according to our purposed method in their rightful use and contrary abuse all in pursuance to the general Argument Company is thought one Of Company and Solitariness of the chief good things belonging to the Sons of Men which whosoever doth not care for is pitied as Melancholy and Miserable Indeed we are made for Society and there is implanted an inclination in our Nature towards it Our Lord when he dwelt among us did freely converse with mankind So did his Apostles They did endeavour to turn many into the right way from whence they had strayed and did effectually answer the end of Society by doing good to others As for those who retire and shut themselves from the World upon the account of Religion do otherwise then those who did understand and Practice it most Let them spend much time in Devotion yet What receiveth he of thine hand Thy Righteousness may profit the son of man Job 35. 7 8. but who runs away he doth not exercise Acts thereof How can he love his Neighbour as himself which is one half of his Duty who never performs Offices of kindness unto him The Saints of old did not lurk in Dens and Caves of the Earth till driven there by Persecution And John Baptist was in the Deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel Luk. 1. 80. but after he Preached and lived among Men. There is no example or precept in Scripture for the solitary Life The wilful Hermite who is for pleasing God in a way he hath not shewed nor commanded doth also violence to his own just Inclinations is continually discontented and wishes he had never been for he lives only to be sensible of sad Reflections He frets at the heavy Yoke he bears which as God ordained is easie and Light but himself by Additions hath made insupportable His Life through his own Foolish choice is become like the Owl in the Desert or the pensive Inhabitants of the Wilderness Let not the Reader mis-apprehend here or in any other place for the things themselves are not so much spoken against as the Excess and abuse of them Mans Nature which must be Coâ—â—ected in order to Happiness is addicted to extreams in declining one he runs to the other and leaves the middle way of Truth so turning aside into the by-paths of Error Some being sensible of the inconvenience of too much Solitariness therefore will not use it at all and yet great advantage may be thereby received One may better converse with God by Prayer and good Thoughts Our blessed Lord would go up to a Mountain to that intent upon it was transfigured and thence ascended into Heaven And who would follow him thither it is now expedient he should sometimes go alone up to high
sinful or not is no Consideration or no hindrance to get Money Men go to and fro from this place to that Bâ—y and Sell all to this purpose as if it was the principal end for which they wâ—re Created A faithful Man shall abound with Blâ—ssings but he that maketh hast to be Rich shall not be innocent Pâ—ov 28. 20. There is no need to leave of the business of ones Calling or sinful Gaiâ— because some have thus abused it for this would be ridiculous as to neglect Eating and Drinking because some turn that into Gluttony and Drunkenness Nor is he obliged when he hath just got a Livelihood to stop and go no further but may be still diligent in business expecting the blessing of the Lord which maketh Rich and addeth no sorrow with it Prov. 10. 22. Trust not in Oppression become not vain in Robbery If Riches increase set not your heart upon them Psal 62. 10. They are a strong Temptation whereby many unstable Souls have been deluded and left their first Love but when the desire is taken of they may be pursued with a kind of indifferency Having this resolution ever firm that no Profit shall move us to part with our Integrity nor to offend Christ if the whole World were to be gained Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find Rest unto your Souls Mat. 11. 29. We should neither love abundance nor eagerly hunt after increase if we were humble for then it would be no Pleasure to boast in the multitude of Riches or be lifted up which is the principal Reason why they are desired Take away Pride and Covetousness will cease for however the wretched Miser creepeth that the spoyl may fall into his hands however speaking and studious to please his Superiors if he may get by them yet he is naturally proud and esteemeth himself above others according to the Pelf he hath But if we had right Thoughts of our selves for all those are without and nothing of the Man we should not be puffed up with great Estates fine Apparel or Aiery Titles of Honour By humility and fear of the Lord are Riches Honour and Life Prov. 22. 4. The inheritance in Heaven swallows up the Conceit of that here Be clothed with Humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. this takes of that earnest Affectation of Gorgeous and soft raiment The Honour that comes from God only John 5. 44. makes all great Titles and flattering Expressions not valued Who believes and goes the real way to obtain these things receives but little Satisfaction from what the Men of this World think their greatest Happiness His desires are spiritualized so they are not carried after sensual Pleasures To Labour to Eat and to Eat to Live and to Live to Labour is no end though many poor Souls are willingly ignorant and unmindful of any thing more but it is to serve and obey God to continue for some time according to his Ordinance and all is towards the eternal Rest Life and Happiness And therefore all along every thing is to be done to attain that and those things to be refrained from which may endanger least any one should come short of it The affections may and are to be set on the things above even whilst he takes pains for things here they are necessary and convenient for our Pilgrimage through this place to Jerusalem which is the Mother of us all but still these are transitory goods when there is the enduring substance What is so hardly ingrafted into the minds of some people is easie to be understood The covetous Worldly Man knows what he labours for is current Money and why doth he think that should tarry with him which hath already passed through so many hands before it came to his but now he fancies to keep it in vain for besides loss and casualty which often convinces it is not in his own power if they do not slip from him he must be taken from them for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away Ps 49. 17. If it could be done it would be a senceless thing to carry a little Gold that perisheth to where we all hope to go the City that is pure Gold Rev. 21. 18. The yellow dust here which seems so glittering and desirable is dim and dross in comparison of that But for all that can be said a disregard and little value for Riches seems an idle speculation for who hath it That argues their want of Faith and Reason or Foolishness in not â—iving according to them Christianity is to be judged of by its precepts and true examples and not to be measured by those who do not comply therewith The blessed Jesus had a Purse-bearer for the poor but we do not read that he had any thing more then to serve necessary occasions when they came to him for one Penny Tribute-Money he works a Miracle to have that and never is Recorded to have sought any at all but at that time Peter was not ashamed to own openly Silver and Gold I have none Acts 3. 6. The other Apostles were in a like condition Those whom they Converted unto the Faith had all things common and sold their Possessions and Goods and parted them to all Men as every Man had need Acts 2. 44 45. They did despise what the World now doth magnifie yet we pretend to follow the steps our fore-runner and they are gone before But care is to be had that we do not miss of the place they are entred into as we now vary Mat. 14. from what they were in this World. The young Man who had kept all God's Commandments from his youth upward was rejected because he would not go and sell that which he had and give to the poor when he was promised to have Treasure in Heaven and it is immediately added of the hardness of a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of God from whence may be gathered that to prefer any profit before the Commandments of Jesus If there is not a readiness willingness nay actual doing the same when occasion requires to lose or sell all worldly possessions Luke 14. 33. for his sake and poor Brethren if this mind be wanting all signifies nothing though he hath done never so many good actions before To come so near to Heaven and not be admitted for want of one thing makes the disappointment worse and more tormenting Although many having the form of Godliness do love this present World yet none doth so who is a sincere and universal Christian as one must be if he intends to find Good by his Profession But the natural Man discerneth not these things they are foollishness unto him and therefore it would be proper to speak somewhat whereof he is sensible Perhaps he imagineth all the rest to be talk as now he begins to perceive what is done to be Vanity a Dream and next to nothing However formerly he did hunt after what he thought
the Divine Nature take more delight in the things of God then others do in the things of the World. Who by continuance in well-doing have a Blessed Habit thereof so it is become familiar and pleasing as any other Course of Life Their love preserves them from committing of evil and though this being hot at first did cool again yet they have used all means to renew it To keep the Fire upon the Altar always burning Lev. 6. 3. If the flame do not continue so brisk as at first kindling yet they have taken all imaginable Care that it shall never go out It cannot be expected one should be continually ravisht with a pleasant Countrey as at first sight thereof the longer we live and only behold the Works of Creation it takes away that just Wonder and Astonishment And so it is of the invisible things of God we are not always so transported as at first hearing of them when they were New and exceeding Great they are the very same still but the defect is in our selves our Ears are dull of hearing and remain unconcerned There may be a Gracious and Wise disposal in this that ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. These youthly fervourâ— of Spirit that joy because of the sudden Alteration that taste of precious things that lively Faith in what is unutterable how much did they exceed the little Vanities of the natural State And when all these do flag and become less affecting even to the end of our Lives it may be a short Emblem given us to signifie that when we shall be let into the Enjoyment and Possession they will be infinitely more surprising And we shall be amazed within our selves how it came to pass we should have the less Sense the nearer we did approach to them They will be found to be so much beyond then was possible to enter into the Heart to conceive of them I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee Wherefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes Job 42. 5 6. Which then was so great that there wants a word to set it forth and this should be fully assented to as true yet to lessen the inward Estimation thereof the nearer we draw to be more unmindful careless and negligent must be a condemning thought to the Souls in Heaven that ever they should come tâ—ither with Faintness and Weariness of mind that their steps should well nigh slip or think of going backwards By which perhaps they have lost such Degrees of Glory and a greater reward They will be vexed that they did not more whilst here in the World. But it will be inexpressible Anguish to all Apostates who forsake their first love A Lesson of instruction to us now in the way things are so ordered to see if we will do what the Prophet complains for want of There is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of God Isa 64. 7. Which is to be done by constant frequenting the Ordinances hearing the Word Prayer and Sacrament Holy Meditation edifying Discourse Watchful avoiding the occasions of evil and other hindrances And also doing good Works In all things put forth the utmost Strength and Vigour get that Chain of Graces 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. And if these things be in you and abound there is great Emphasis in that word full measure and running over they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength They shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint Isa 40. 31. They must continue in all means of Grace and Duty even from the Child to the Ancient of days as long as they are in this Earth for this is the place of Faith and Waiting otherwise this blessed Promise doth not belong to them All that you have hitherto done signifieth nothing unless you still press forward to the mark of the High Calling in Christ Jesus And ye have hitherto run well what should hinder but that you should obtain You have past over the Corruption through the Giddiness and unruliness of Youth have escaped the Dangers of that shallow violent Age in which so many have split and been carried away with the swift Streams of Lust running down into the dead Sea before ever they considered well where they were going But you are safely arrived into the Mediterranean of this Life and your Voyage now is safe pleasant and easie You will quickly be at the desired Countrey if you do take diligent Care. Behold now is your Salvation nearer then when we dreamed and in a little while it will be before you Wherefore lift up your feeble knees and your hands that hang down use still your utmost endeavours and the great Pilot above will not leave you nor forsake you If you be not wanting to your selves he will not be behind in making good his Promises Go on still as you have begun Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching Heb. 10. 25. The day when the Keepers of the House shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the Grinders cease because they Of Old Age. are few and those that look out of the Windows be darkned Eccles 12. 3. This is the fourth and last Period of Mans Life Old Age is Gods Blessing which he bestowed on his Servants before and under the Law as the Fathers before the Flood Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The Spirit of God saith by Solomon My Son forget not my Law but let thine Heart keep my Commandments for length of Daâ—s and long Life and Peace shall they add unto thee Prov. 3. 1 2. But we who are under the Gospel and not Carnal Ordinances must not so much relie on Temporal Promises as the Jews did Yet the Apostle seems to intimate Eph. 6. 2 3. that of long Life exâ—ends to Christians also We are enjoyned Temperance moderate Labour and Action which naturally conduce towards it and on the contrary several come short by the Sins of uncleanness Gluttony Drunkenness Revenge Sloth and such like God doth indeed take away at several Times and Seasons out of the good Pleasure of his Will but still many hasten Dâ—ath unto themselves through their own Sin and Folly. He that taketh heed of those things prolongeth his Life and if it be cut off through any other Sickness or Accident this is his comfort and assurance that it was not through his own Fault The humble Christian never thinks himself sufficiently prepared and therefore desires a long space of Repentance and making ready Nor will he presume to rush forward and boldly meet his God
thing befal him It cannot absolutely force but doth all next to that to reclaim from his sinful and vain conversation Good God! What is Man that thou art mindful of him And the Son of Man that thou visitest him Why shouldst thou but only Psal 8. 4. Mic 21. 18. Rom. 10. 21. because thou delightest in Mercy all day long stretch forth thy hands unto a disobedient and gain-saying People God would have him come to repentance and be saved as he manifests by causing his light to shine in Mans heart again notwithstanding he hath before several times laboured to extinguish it that if he still goes on when he shall be plunged into utter Darkness he must lay all the fault on himself for if he had yielded unto what God did and would have done for him and contributed half so much pains as he did in coming to the place of Torment he had escaped that and ascended up above For he had so many Warnings Sollicitations Repulses and Rubs cast in his path towards Hell that he could not travel on in quiet He was hâ—mpered with the cords of a a Man with bands of Love yet he would with the most hard Labour and Pain break through them and follow after the Error of his own ways which he finds to end in Destruction and Misery ' Saith he Have I undergone so much Trouble and Vexation to make my self a Cast-away Is the Lake of Fire and Brimstone the portion of my Cup and all the reward I must have for wearying my self in the Devils Service Have I done violence to mine own Inclinations suffered such Vexation of mind and rejected those good things offered me formerly by the Father of Mercies but now as my deserts require the God to whom Vengeance belongeth Have I refused those eternal Pleasures I might have enjoyed with him and now come to all this Righteous art thou O Lord for thou didst by thy Spirit warn me to flee this wrath thou didst shew how I might have done it and gavest me Power and all that was requisite on thy part but I was foolish despised thy Counsel set at naught thy Reproof and have done despite unto thy Holy Spirit and all without reason just are thy Judgments Such may be supposed to be the thoughts of the Damned and I believe a great part of their Misery is upbraiding themselves with Folly in that they took greater Pains to bring themselves there then others do to go unto Heaven which was by Accusings Fears and disquiet of Mind in their Life-time and though they did endeavour to pacifie yet ever and anon those bitter girds would return The wicked man travelleth with Pain all his days A dreadful sound is in his Ears Job 15. 20 21. The wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up Mire and Dirt There is no Peace saith my God to the wicked Isa 51. 20 21. Their Conscience would throw out that Clog of Guilt which they do not yield unto because their Sin must be forsaken so they are full of Contradiction and Torment There is a doubt which lies open to common observation Cic. l. 1. nat Deor. against what hath been said alike unto what Cicero takes notice of Quibus medicores homines non it a valde moventur his Epicurus clamat omnium mortalium mentes essâ— perterritas Tot millia latrocinantur morte proposita alii omnia que possunt fana compilant c. so it is here at this day Who are more ungodly and wicked then the lowest sort of People Beggars Vagabonds and such as just get their living and yet thâ—sâ— are not troubled with Fears and Scruples of mind as they live so they die without them But they do not live absolutely without them for at first these also have them though not in so great a measure as others but at length are hardened and stupiâ—ied by a more fatal device then all the studied invention of others If any one will practise it it is at own Peril and therefore shall be here inserted It is gross ignorance for a man cannot have troublesome thoughts about that whereof he hath none at all Where is a forgetfulness of God over him no knowledge of good and evil otherwise then what is natural which being not exerted nor furthered there is some Sense at first but this vanisheth by wicked Custom hardness of Heart unmindfulness of what shall be after this Life as is the Condition of the poor and foolish That these are not afraid is no more to be wondred at then a blind man going amongst Rocks or upon the brink of a River who is not concerned for his danger till he falls into it So they are just led through the Vale of this Life by him who tryes all he can to deceive the whole World. All his devices may be reduced to this of ignorance for according to the measure thereof every Person hath less regard to the things of God for there is no resisting of them but by not minding of them A full Evidence that they are real and more then talk only because they always prevail and have influence where they are throughly considered of The Understanding and Conscience brings to the knowledge of them this cannot be otherwise avoided then by defacing and sinking them into Bruitishness that is to do just no more then keep the Body in Life eat drink and get Clothes It may be and is pinned down to this by the meanest of the People But those higher are ashamed of this State of Folly and Blockishnesâ— yea that will not mannage the Affairs of this World. And therefore others will let out the Powers of the Soul so far as to do that And then the things of God will also come in for if they can once infer and examine a Consequence by his Works which they cannot look out of Doors but they must see they must come to some apprehension of the Maker And then they must hear and read somewhat of his Book the Holy Scriptures And further they find those Characters in their own Hearts which exactly agree with them So the good Seed is received in and they have no other way to hinder the impression and growth of it but by the deceitfulness of Riches Cares of this World and Lust of other things whereby they become unmindful for the Soul cannot intend upon two contrary things together Thus it is provided as concerning Mans Salvation and Happiness and if when he knows the means he will not use them and the hindrance but will not remove it nor countermine and defeat the Wiles of the Enemy he deservedly misses thereof If our Heart condemn us God is greater then our Heart and knoweth all things Beloved if our Heart condemn us not then have we Confidence towards God 1 John 3. 20 21. Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have Right to the Tree of Life Rev. 22. 14. They have assured hope
Pretence of more Freedom and being their own Men for not so much Original corruption as their own added Transgression hath inthralled them While they promise them Liberty they themselves are the Servants of Corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in Bondage 2 Pet. 2. 19. Every one is thus who is led away by sinful Inclinations which is the worst sort of Slavery If they be fulfilled he is thirsty after more and if not he is discontented when they did obtain it was great trouble before the thing when had doth not satisfie and still Desires are let out after something more All of us are miserable and enslaved in our natural State but Gods Grace doth help and bring us out The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to Preach deliverance 〈◊〉 the Capâ—ives and recovering sight of the Blind and to set at liberty â—hâ—m that are bruised Luk. 4. 18. To free those that are the Servants of â—in Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his sâ—rvants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto Death or of obedience unto Righteousness Rom. 6. 16. If Men will not yield subjection unto God they do to something else they are servants of Sin and Evil and as much under the suggestions of them as the obedient Soul is bound to live according to his Word Gods service is perfect freedom in comparison of serving divers Lusts and Pleasures yet these â—tand in competition with that so one would think Men were in love with Destruction or they would not suffer so much to â—all into it for less trouble rightly bestowed would carry them to Heaven His Commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. Which cannot be said of the dictates of a sensual appetite neither is so much difficulty in keeping them as making provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof The way of Man is not in himself it is not in Man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10. 23. It is not in his own power to make himself happy and seeing he fain would be so let him make the wisest choice The Lord commanded us to do all these Statutes to fear the Lord our God for our good always Deut. 6. 24. And who would not be confined to the things which are for his welfare and happiness It is for the safety of the Ship that it be steered Mans goings are of the Lord how can a Man then understand his own way Prov. 20. 24. That way is not good which is after his own thoughts Isa 65. 2. And then unto whom can he stand better beholden then that the Lord shall guide thee continually Isa 58. 11. The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way Psal 37. 23. It is the property of the Creator alone and not any Creature to have his own will Angels do comply therewith much more should the Sons of Men especially when it is so reasonable and excellent It restrains from nothing but what would do hurt and make us miserable Self will which is an Enemy to Righteousness and Peace must be pulled down This is the first thing to be done If any Man will come after Me let him deny himself Mat. 16. 24. saith our Saviour which is no such hard saying as carnal Reason may Judge for it is a greater satisfaction to resist corrupt inclinations then to yield unto them the less they are given way unto the less strength they have the understanding part rejoyces to get Masterdom over the Will for that is naturally contrary to the Law of God so Command must be had over it or no Obedience will be performed Some have subdued Countries triumphed over mighty Kings led them and their people into Captivity yet themselves have been holden under the invisible Chains of imperious lust and desire They are troubled with stirs and commotions in their new conquests but the greatest are within their own breast which cannot be appeased though the others may by outward force Those Wars and Fightings come from their lusts which War in their Members and cannot be suppressed with all the gallant Troops of Horsemen or brave Legions Though they have got Cities and strong Holds yet still they lust and have not enough If they kill never so many Enemies to possess their Lands yet they desire to have and cannot obtain as much as they wish for they Fight and War yet have not what they would And the reason of all is because they know not God who is the only proper and commensurate object for Mans vast desires There is no other way to Contentment but to apply our selves unto the infinite One above that he would be pleased to moderate our desire after the things here and turn the whole stream thereof unto himself If we could cease reaching after outward things more then what is necessary we should be more happy then those who have greatest abundance the not having is no torment where is no desire We are imperfect and wanting so must covet after somewhat more this leadeth our desire to the end â—or which it was put in that is taketh off from the Creature which cannot satisfie to fix upon the great Creator in whom all fulness dwells As the Heart panteth after the Water-Brooks so panteâ—h my Soul after thee O God. My Soul thirsteth for God for the living â—od when shall I come and appear before God Psal 42. 1 2. Whom have â—in Heaven but Thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire dâ—sire besides Thee Psal 73. 25. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things above Col. 3. 1. These are equal to our boundless desires and even the contemplation do some what fill much more will the enjoyment hereafter Whereas these here being subject to vanity leave the mind craving and empty What can be a greatâ—r Torment then earnest desire after those things which are not to be obtained by all that would and if had to be disappointed of that satisfaction expected from them Inordinate Affection evil Concupisence Covetousness have a present punishment besides the wrath of God which cometh on the Children of Disobedience To prevent these direction is given in the words foregoing Mortifie there â—re your Members which are upon the Earth Col. 3. 5 6. â—f this be done and the body is dead unto the Worlâ— there can be no â—â—â—re after things therein Our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins thâ—â— he might deliver us from this present evil World according to the will of God and our Father Gal. 1. 3. 4 Christians are obliged by their profession not to love it nor to walk according to it 1 John 2. 15 16 17. Eph. 2. 2 3. Let none think these harsh Doctrines which make mans life miserable when they do the contrary In the World is trouble who mind it are perplexed with cares loss and disappointment If any
4. 7. Have an honourable esteem and good will towards him and his kindness will be discovered to you Whatever hard thoughts arise or are subministred by the Tempter they all proceed from our ignorance and sin some remainders whereof are in good Men though they should labour all they can to have the same done away If any Man love God the same is known of him Many make a shew of much love but if true and sincere it will be manifested by the very nature thereof for if we love God we must be careful to please him above all things as Profit or Pleasure Favour or Good-will of Men. We must be zealous for his Glory contented to suffer Shame Reproach or any Inconvenience for him We are to side with him against the World and the corruption therein a sence of his favour and assurance of his See Exod. 32. 26. reward will make amends for all the seeming disadvantages the other may bring on us All Acts and Offices of Religion are Pleasant and this keeps in all Obedience Love is a constant Principle always abiding on the Soul for it hath a Complacency therein and Dictates at all times to do all things well-pleasing in his sight whom we Love. Take good heed therefore unto your selves that ye Love the Lord your God Else if ye do in any wise go back Josh 23. 11 12. Implying that if this be not in their Minds they would do so This suggests that they can never do too much for God makes them do every thing Willingly and Cheerfully carries them through all the Varieties of this Life sweetens their Enjoyments and for Sickness Pain Loss Affliction this gives that Patience and Resignation that they are as none adversity for they can apply Rom. 8. 28. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Prov. 3. 11 12. The apprehension of a good God above makes every thing Happy unto them As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue in my Love John 15. 9. and he that loveth the Son loveth the Father also Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace Good-will towards Men was sung at the Birth of Christ our Lord who Of Love to ones Neighbour fulfilled it by that excellent and improved Law he gave unto us Ye have heard that it hath been said thou shalt love thy Neighbour and hate thine Enemy But I say unto you love your Enemies Mat 5. 43. 44. This seems an unreasonable Command to Flesh and Blood but only as it is corrupt and unbelieving for otherwise it may be justified If thine Enemy be hungry give him bread to Eat and if he be thirsty give him water to drink for thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prov. 25. 21 22. Thou shalt by this means stop his further Violence and Malice In point of prudence it is better to bear a little Evil then by resisting receive greater and trust to the recompence of God for having obeyed his Command We are obliged to do more then is common to Men to manifest our Faith and Dependance on him as may be seen by what is required Mat. 5. 44 45 46. The Reason is added That ye may be Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and good and sendeth rain on the iust and unjust God is provoked every day yet he is strong and patient He loadeth Men with Benefits which they make occasion to sin yet more which he suffers to try if his Goodness will lead them to Repentance but if they offend yet worse their Malice doth only hurt themselves but he is highly exalted and looses nothing if all the World were as Stubborn and Rebellious against him as is possible for such small and limited Creatures to be His Glory and Goodness and Happiness is still the same for all the ungodly Deeds and hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners commit and speak against Jud. 15. him His obedient Servant who is but Dust and Ashes a Worm and nothing in Comparison of the Great Lord of Heaven and Earth Who hath and shall receive every thing from him is here in Duty bound to imitate his Maker and all through his Gracious ordering cannot receive the least disadvantage by it By loving Enemies they become reconciled unto him or not Iâ— the first then it is granted by all to be better then revenge But suppose the worst They are still malicious and resolved to do him all the mischief in their Power the whole in the end will fall on themselves and not on him Will they say all manner of Evil of him â—alsly for Christ's sake his Religion and Good Conscience They cannot torment him in this for he applys the Blessing Mat. 5. 11 12. and the Promise Psal 31. 20. He may be just sensible but doth not lie under Vexation and Discomposure The light breath which sends forth evil Words can never make any Wound in his Soul who hath on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Sayings of one another signifie nothing We are all to stand at Gods Judgment Seat and who have assured Evidence of being approved Detraction there doth no harm but increases our reward that we can heartily forgive the Authors thereof Will they do their utmost and persecute him to the Death As they did to the Prophets the Lord Jesus and his Saints yet after they have done that they have no more that they can do They intitle him to a Crown which the Lord hath promised to such so when he comes to suffer he may well say with him Who suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps Father forgive them for they know not what they do When by the Eye of Faith he seeth the Heaven opened he may with real Charity and sincere Affection cry out Lord lay not this Sin to their Charge If it be reasonable to love Enemies so it is to love Friends this we do as Men that as Christians A new stone is laid and both are raised above the common pitch A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 13 34. from whence the Disciple that leaned on Jesus Bosome makes this necessary inference Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Lives for the Brethren 1 John 3. 16. To do the highest Act thereof that can be expressed There is nothing more enjoyned in the Gospel then Love. The Primitive Christians who did live exactly according to the Rule given them were remarkable for this See how they love one another was observed by the Heathens concerning them who herein fulfilled that Saying of their Lord and Master By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another John 3. 35. But we that are reserved to the dregs of time are
taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts Mark 4. 15. As by prompting them to worldly talk or business presently afterwards which makes them forget all and signifie no more then if they never heard it such are his ways and methods to keep Men from their good and Salvation Whosoever will not know when he may and when he doth will not counterwork and make void the design it is his own fault if he perish Neither give place to the Devil â—ph 4. 27. Resist the Devil and he will fly from you Jam. 4. 7. Your adversary the Devil as a roring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfastly in the faith 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. God hath given us power and here commands thus to do We are to our sorrow told he is come down unto us having great Rev. 12. 12. wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time He doth not now so universally tyrannize over the bodies of Men as he did before our Saviours coming into the World but tryes by subtle windings and insinuations to glide into the heart or suggests evil Thoughts spiritual Pride Unbelief Disobedience We have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Heb. 4. 15. So temptations may be without sin as where is no consent unto them but an abhorrence and utter disowning of them in the mind It is expedient to cry out the Lord rebuke thee Satan if any thing comes never consent the Lord pardon the iniquity of my thoughts and reject them with more abomination fly to the Lord Jesus for help for in that he hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. Say over his Prayer more earnestly learn from his example Mat. 4. To beat back the temptation with Thus it is written in the word of God. Then thou mayest know assuredly thou shalt never fall away utterly through all his subtilty As for other Temptations of the Flesh and the World it is the The Conclusion of the whole Chapter design of the following Pages to confirm Man against them Man hath been surveyed in his Thoughts Words and Actions in the several Ages of Life in Body and Soul and he may be truly Happy if governed by the Law of God. He may enjoy greater good and be free from more evils according to this State of imperfection and beginning He is a Creature built up by the wonderful working of God for Happiness and another Life All the Members of the Body are compacted and knit together the Powers of Soul are rightly framed made capable and designed for this great End. Now as all these have dependance upon each other for Constitution of the whole Man they are linked together for his Being so every one of them singly and joyntly are to be ruled and ordered by Scripture for his Well and Happy being If any is not all the rest suffer Confusion and Misery are in the Man. One string in a Musical instrument out of Tune spoils the Harmony of all the others A single part which moves irregularly and refuses to be under him in whom we live and move and have our Being troubles the whole Man. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10. 5. Otherwise it would be almost the same to do nothing towards it A little leaven leaveneth the whole Lump One reigning Sin sowres our whole Nature and makes it unmeet for our Masters use The Blessed Jesus who â—itted his Commandments for our Good gave this to his Disciples the last we read of and consequently of greatest moment a Summary Conclusion of all that they should teach all Nations to observe all things whatever I have commanded you Mat. 28. 20. These are the only terms upon which our Happiness is to be had and who will not take it upon them he may go without he hath no share nor Lot in this Matter This is the pearl of great price if he will not Sell all that he hath and give to the value the Lord Jesus hath put upon it it is all one as if he bid nothing he may let it alone It is just if we expect this good thing from God that we should come up to those Conditions upon which and no other he will Communicate it For he hath created the whole Man and therefore is no Reason why he should be served by piece-meal We are bought with a price so upon both Respects of Creation andâ— Redemption we ought to Glorifie God in our Body and Spirit which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 20. Alas What are we to make so much adoe That we will as it were Capitulate and know for what Reason before we submit to his obedience Man is a Worm and the Son of Man is a Worm Job 25. 6. If we respect his outward shape he seems a contemptible Creature When he appears nakeâ— and stript off those Ornaments he so much Prides himself in the Beasts are not so ugly in our sight So little doth he appear in reference to the other Works that the Psalmist might very well admire O Lord when I consider thy Heavens the work of thy Fingers the Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou Visitest him Psal 8. 3 4. How much do they exceed him in Beauty Greatness duration and usefulness The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Psal 19. 1. They all observe the Rules he hath given them Whereas â—ullen Man doth not ascribe the Honour due unto his Name and will not so much shew forth his Praise as he ought who will not speak out what he sees Psal 145. 10 11 12. and knows which is justly required but perversly denied As if this was not sufficiently provoking he makes it his business to dishonour God and break all his Laws Who is but a depending Creature hath all from him and yet Transgresses his most reasonable Commands But how will he Answer when God shall plead with him How will they be able to stand before him Who dwell in Houses of Clay whose Foundation is in the dust which are crushed before the Moth Job 4. 19. Yet this vain Man whose breath is in his Nostrils who is not to be accounted of I tremble to think upon it continually displeases him who keeps it in who holds his Soul in Life This Worm wriggles and shews all the spite it can against his Master Most certainly these things ought not so to be The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Prov. 16. 14. If he is not glorified in our Salvation he will be in our Destruction When God arose to
man some would even dare to die Rom. 5. 7. But for preservation of a good King thousands will venture their lives and undergo the greatest extremity He is happy in the good-will and affection of his Subjects they will rejoyce and praise God on his behalf to see him also zealous for his glory that he would suffer all Godly and Faithful Ministers that a stop may be put to that torrent of iniquity which is a vexation to behold In his dayes shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moon endureth Prayer also shall be mane continually for him and daily shall he be praised Psal 72. 4 7 15. The Common-wealth will be then happy when Kings are Christians not in name or title but when they live and govern according to the Rules of the Gospel When they are Obedient to God diligent in his Worship and Ordinances exercise all manner of Righteousness and Justice towards their people and themselves observe Temperance and Sobriety and so manage all their Actions as Men that indeed look for a Judgment to come There is an excellent Scheme laid down better then that of Antient or Modern Polititians which stands in no need of them for it hath Providence and Wisdom from above and will make a Prince renowned for all Ages It will give him satisfaction of mind that is in beginning for the utmost happiness here is Light Sowen Psal 97. 11. A laying in of Joy and Peace as Seed to the future Harvest of Extasy and Glory His glory is great in thy Salvation Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him Psal 21. 5. I hope none of the Grandees of the Earth think otherwise that Religion doth not thus much but seems to them an undervaluing of Majesty as rather calculated for low sneaking and not for noble Spirits Least any who term themselves brave Souls should say so in the heart for they will not with the tongue for fear of betraying their own infidelity and ignorance let this short question be put to them the first words of the Creed Whether they do believe in God And those descriptions given of him confirmed by his visible works Deut. 10. 17. 1 Kings 8. 27. Psal 18. vers 7. to vers 16. Psal 113. 4. Job 11. 7 8 9. 37. 22. Isa 40. throughout Jer. 10. 6 10. Dan. 4. 35. 7. 10. Rom. 11. 36. 1 Tim. 6 15 16. and many other like places It may not be surmised that the Spirit bearing Witness of it self should over magnify for there seems to be an higher strain then all these Wisd 11. 22. Ecclus 43. 27. 30. Who considers but the least of such an infinite Glorious Being can no more think it a dishonour for the greatest Emperor to prostrate himself with his face to the ground in Dust and Ashes before this High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity then it would be for the most abject fellow to kneel before him This comparison is sufficient proof but comes not near for the distance between Almighty God and the greatest personage on Earth exceeds that between him and the most contemptible fly Now if the vilest inâ—ect should open its Mouth and say it was as Man should we therefore think so Or if the meanest beggar should speak out that it was a disgrace for him to be uncovered before My Lord the King we could not but be moved with indignation at his Pride and Folly. Yet I wish it be not thus among too many who are neither Kings nor Lords but take as much upon them who being purse proud have not only lifted up their hearts above their Brethren it is for the poorer sort to be Religious forsooth they think themselves too good to be in subjection Deut. 8. 13 14. unto the Lord their Maker If Kings and Princes are not much less are they for if the matter be considered aright it must be acknowledged Whatever the World esteems greatness there is none greater then he that feareth the Lord It is meet and right so to do even for Angels and Arch-Angels and all the Host of Heaven much more is it for those that dwell in Houses of Clay for they also are in this little mouldring Tenement who inhabit Palaces and larger Buildings and therefore let them not absurdly conceive that an under-valuing which is their Highest Honour to be Servants of the Lord. An illustrious Example of this we have in David 2 Sam. 6. When the Ark was brought up himself played before the Lord and Danced with the rest of the People And Michal Sauls Daughter looked through a Window and saw King David Leaping and Dancing before the Lord and she despised him and came out to meet him and said How glorious was the King of Isrâ—â—l to day who uncovered himself to day in the Eyes of the Handmaid of his Servants as one of the vain Fellows shamelesly uncovereth himself * To be Noted by the way of the silly proud Women of this and former Ages who have mean thoughts of their Husbands if they serve God as if not so Gentile and Men of Honour as others they will use to them or others privately the like contemptuous Language David here was so far from being discouraged that he is more confirmed in his Duty I will be yet more vile then thus and will be base in mine own sight His resolution was to do as he ought before he examine other consequences I will play before the Lord. His praise was not of Men but of God he had rather be approved of by him and despised of them then to be had in honour by them and despised by him Such must be the mind of those of the more exalted condition who will enter into his service and expect his favour I am the Lord that is my Name and my Glory I will not give to another neither my praise to graven Images Isa 42. 8. Nor yet to living Men he will not allow of that the things which please him shall be dispensed withall for pleasing others Whosoever will not come unto him or afterwards leave undone several Acts of Duty for fear of diminishing his Honour and Reputation in the World he may stay away for he lightly esteems of the Rock of his Salvation He is unworthy of the Favour and Blessing of God who will part with them for a puff of breath from talking Worms of the Earth which neither is so High Universal or Loud as the Wind which passeth away Here will arise another short Gale of Exhortation As for Man his days are as Grass as a Flower of the Field so he flourisheth for the Wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more Psal 103. 15 16. An exact resemblance of our Condition in this World but of a different Reflection to two several sorts of Men. It is matter of Vexation to them who have their Portion in this Life and have none assurance of that which
is to come It is so irksome that they cannot consider their Pride of Glory Isa 23. 9. passeth away and they make daily approaches to receive a recompence for their evil Deeds One that is continually going to the place of Execution can take but little Pleasure though he hath some Miles to it and is to pass by Meadows Gardens Woods and the most delightful Countrey that ever the Eye saw and though he is feasted with all imaginable Rarities upon the Road hath Variety of Wine and Women and Musick unless he doth quite stupifie and make himself unmindful of his Journeys end If he doth so yet his Misery is never the less or unavoidable but increased by the sad and dismal Change much worse is their Condition who spend their days in Mirth and in a moment go down to the Grave What a motive is here to turn quickly aside out of this and get into the other way To use all means for getting an Hope true and firm sure and stedfast then is Comfort and Rejoycing the nearer one comes to the end thereof The longer one walks in the path that leads to Heaven he is better satisfied for it is more smooth and plain and there are fewer steps till arrived at the Blessed Countrey This is my Rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 132. 14. He is glad at every Stage for he is advanced yet further in the way He can sup Cheerfully and refresh himself with the good things of the Inn but he must rise up early and away He will use them so far as to renew his Strength for Travel but if he should gorge himself then he would not be fit to go He is journeying to receive for himself a Kingdom but it is not one of this Earth nor bringing it down here no more then he can keep that which he hath already but is obliged against this shall fail to secure unto himself that which endureth unto all Ages That Kingdom which cannot be moved Heb. 11. 28. He must use Diligence and Earnestness for From the days of John the Baptist the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take by force Mat. 11. 11 12. So that a few and careless Endeavours will not serve the turn there must be exercised the whole Strength of a Man. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21. Here again is to observed that the performance of outward Acts of Devotion will not bring him thither unless he doth also the Will of God which is expresly revealed and applied to him to keep all the Words of this Law and these Statutes to do them Deut. 17. 19. Oh but it may be said that is impossible Let him instance in one Commandment that is so and if each of them is possible to be kept then the whole is likewise by united Care and Diligence But it is very hard Nothing is so to the Grace of God and if it be to Flesh and Blood the Command is Strive to enter into the Streight Gate Luke 13. 24. The word in the Greek Language imports as much as putting forth the utmost strength which certainly may be done None obtains the corruptible Crown without they run for it so neither the incorruptible Crown without Pains We do not Pity those which endure great Hardships as long as thereby they Aâ—chieve mighty Conquests and subdue whole Countries this is thought to make amends for all the trouble they have been at and why should we think so hardly of Heaven if we must Labour before we come there Is noâ— that as much worth as some small spot of Ground here We see that is had so in the way thither is somewhat had which is not seen but really perceived viz. Peace and Contentment of Soul. Those who have fought many pitch Battels undergone tedious Marches Who seemed to be of a Gentile Nature have waded through a Sea of Blood Who have been bred up to Softness and Delicacy have endured the heat by Day and frost by Night to obtain that end All the Labour and striving in the World to better their present Condition is if that would give more quiet of mind They gâ—udge at no Pain for the fancied means towards it which were wrong and false as might have been known before because those who sit at the very top of Worldly prosperous Condition do most want it You are once more shewed the alone true Happiness do ye pause And are ye discouraged at it This doth not become men of great and excellent Spirits I am sure a little Hardship is no hindrance in in all other Actions of Life Why should it be in this great and real Concern for a false and little shew whereof they are undertaken The difficulty should not so much frighten as the necessity press forward for who misses hereof is undone for ever Eternal Salvation is a thing which cannot be made too sure of In great Enterprizes Men look every way and use all manner of Circumspection that they may succeed What are they for Is not Happiness more then all that can be named Can thought and care be needless as to this when so much is had about the less material things And if a man strive for Masteries yet is he not Crowned except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2. 5. All Religion is to the intent that we may please God. He who is made by him chief Officer in the Armies of the Earth must submit upon Pain of his dispeasure unto the Orders of the Great Governor of the World. And what are they He shall read in the Book of the Law all the days of his Life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of his Law and these Statutes to do them Deut. 17. 11. Which it is impossible he should unless he know them And if he follows after Christ he will not walk in darkness He is the way the Truth and the Life Which John 14. 6. the King himself is to come unto and walk in if he would Live for ever CHAP. IV. Of the NOBILITY and GENTRY An Exhortation for them to serve God a Caution against Mistakes in matters of Religion the Vnreasonableness of some particular Reproaches Of Humility and the Way to Greatness The Description of a Good Man. I Will get me unto the great Men and will speak unto them Jer. 5. 5. Even here somewhat may be Collected out of the written word of God for their use and benefit Amongst his chosen People the Israelites there is frequent mention made of Princes Nobles Great Men and Rulers It is necessary for the support and exercise of Government that there should â—e subordinate Ministers The King having large Territories and Dominion cannot Rule them all immediately by himself but must constitute Judges and Officers throughout his Countrey
easily cut in pieces as make this offer what cause can be assigned for such unparalled goodness but his own gracious nature which delighteth in Mercy He doth make the first proposals of Reconciliation between himself and his stout Creature What a wonderful thing is this that the humility of God who is so Glorious in Majesty fearful in Praises and doing wonders should exceed that of Man the Work of his hands a small contemptible and impotent being And yet how strange would it be let the Heavens and Earth be astonished if he who is less then nothing should withstand and despise such goodness Call to mind further he doth not this because he cannot do otherwise for he hath severity in store as he will manifest upon thy self if thou contemnest his goodness it cannot be unless thou art guilty of the most horrible incivility that ever was thou shouldst refuse to hearken when he calls thee Thou mayest put off thy inferiours to a more convenient season and whom thou dost not much care for but God is the excellent one in all the World who daily poureth his benefits on thee hath given all thou hast who holdeth thy Soul in life Is he not worthy to have a present answer To be opened unto immediately Luke 12. 36. Who is Lord of Heaven and Earth to whom the greatest Monarch is a Grashopper If you do not hearken to this but slight and despise he hath his threatnings which those shall feel who do not mind them as Psal 29. Job 34. 20 24. Rev. 6. 15 18 17. Amos 2. 14. Isa 10. 3. Rom. 2. 9 11 12. Mat. 13. 42. You are Men and not God you are Flesh and not Spirit and your Flesh is not the Flesh of Brass nor your Bones Iron They must necessarily turn into the Dust of the Earth And you that cannot now bear the least indignity offered to your person how will you endure to rise up to everlasting shame and contempt Dan. 12. 2. Or to drop into Misery in all things just contrary to that soâ—tness and delicacies here An heedless unbelieving thought will not secure Men as to this for what is prepared cannot be destroyed by an imagination only As Abraham said to Dives the great gulph is fixed besides the inference he there makes Luke 16. 26. This also follows so that those who are not yet in but going the direct way to it can neither pass it by nor after being plunged in get out again by an Opinion or Wish There are many pretty sayings about this but in the mean while whom shall we believe The Wisdom and Truth of God or the Foolishness and Falshood of Men Certainly the safer way is for every one to use diligent care and circumspection that he come not there which he is now reminded of Gods Word is as true as his Existence and seeing he hath said by his Son the Worm shall not die and the fire shall not be quenched to deny it would be to make God a Liar or the Lord Jesus an Impostor which none either can as to defeat what he hath said or dare to do Let me ask the great Men Do ye believe these things I know ye are Christians and ye do believe them Why then will you not be moved to flee from the wrath to come If you are impeached of High Treason against your Sovereign you will use all endeavours not to be found guilty and if you are you will use no means unattempted to procure a Pardon We are all by Nature the Children of Wrath and consequently liable unto it and have added further Rebellions against the Majesty on High. Is he not as dreadful who liveth for ever to take vengeance as Princes are whose breath goeth forth and their thoughts perish Do ye think ye ought not as much stand in aw of the Great Mighty and Terrible God for so he is still to them that obey not the Gospel as of meer Man Is he not as worthy to be sought after Ye have offended against him and will ye stand out still Is it meet he should come unto you and force a Pardon upon you whether you will or not Indeed he waits to be gracious but it is to those who come unto him and if you will not to speak in the gentile dialect you may choose and be damned Our selves would take it ill if we should at great cost or pains get a Pardon for a Servant and he out of peevish pride or negligence would refuse it Now this Christ hath done he hath purchased you with his own Blood but you must sue it our your selves or go without it A condemned Criminal here is dealt bountifully withal if his life be spared only but the goodness of God endureth yet daily and infinitely exceeds that of Creatures He doth pardon and if ye continue in his goodness otherwise ye shall be cut off rewardeth you This shall be the Covenant which I will make with the House of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People this is the first part of it as well as the other for I will forgive their iniquity and their sin will remember no more Jer. 31. 33 34. This extends both to the least and greatest for they are expressed He promises to be our God which imports as much as is evident from the whole tenour of the Gospel what is said 1 Thes 4. 17. We shall be ever with the Lord Which should be desirable to those who think it a priviledge to stand in the presence of the King much more is it before the great King of all the Earth In thy presence is fullness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. You that affect nothing but great Company do likewise seek to be Equal unto the Angels Luke 20. 36. The least of whom doth exceed the greatest of Men. Who are now in the first rank Why will you not in a Godly sort be ambitious of being so in the first born of Heaven and endeavour after a degree of Glory answerable to that of greatness ye have here In the Name of God try to keep your first Station that you may never have the least cause to remember from whence you are fallen Never sink below your selves strive to attain the higher perfections but above all take heed of coming short of the lowest for it is better to be least in the Kingdom of God then not to be there at all Little Flock it is my Fathers Will to give you a Kingdom Luke 12. 32. And why should it not be yours to accept of it Who deem your selves worthy of all honour I hope will not judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life for all your abundance you would receive a great Estate if any of your Friends and Relations would bequeath it unto you And will you not
is but one way which is Godliness wherefore should he be lessened for walking in it Because others do not that is their fault not his he must look to himself He is to stand upon his own Legs and therefore it must be his business to take heed he doth not fall for if he should and others fall with him he only would feel the Pain of it and they when fallen will not be able to help him up It is commonly said every Man hath Power over himself let him follow his own Humour and though if we are toucht with a feeling of Humane Nature we should endeavour to do another Good and be instrumental to his Happiness yet it must be a strange Savageness when instead of doing this we are Angry and Malign him only for endeavouring after it himself If he doth well who lives according to Gods word why do we not imitate him If ill then O Lord thou hast deceived him and he is deceived Jer. 20. 7. Such an one we neither envy nor hate but Pity But John 17. 17. the Lord who Sanctifies his Chosen through his Truth and gives them his Word which is Truth can in no wise be said to deceive any If then he that come unto him unfeignedly neither doth evil nor yet is in an Errour why should the World be so enraged against him Either this or nothing is to hate without a Cause See John. 7. 7. John 15. 18 19 23 24 25. There is an Enmity in the Seed of the Serpent against God's Children Gen. 3. 15. Rev. 12. 17. they will say all manner of evil of them falsly if they think their lying may be concealed and gain Credit with others How glad are they of an appearance of evil to object against them And to spread abroad a dubious Story aggravated with the most ill Circumstances that malicious Wit can invent If concerning a Religious Person it passes current and uncontradicted but if of another there will be enough to make Excuses for him to Examine throughly and detect it of Falshood in one part and so dash it in the whole but as to him they are ready to add something to render it more odious The wicked plotteth against the just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth Psal 37. 12. And therefore they cast Reproaches laugh and do any thing to blemish his Fame and Reputation This hath been and is the usage of the World. And who will come to serve the Lord in sincerity must provide accordingly If your Feet be shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Eph. 6. 15. You will find therein so many Blessings and Promises on this occasion that notwithstanding all hindrances you may run the way of God's Commandments Above all taking the shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the wicked Verse 16. for if you believe the good things God hath prepared for them that love him and on the other hand his Terrours for the disobedient certainly such a light thing as the unsavoury Breath of talking People cannot counterpoise the Love or Displeasure of so Merciful so Just a God. When any turn from sin they must expect Mockings and Reproaches from their old Acquaintance and Partners in iniquity for having done it already They think it strange that you run not with them to the same Excess of riot speaking evil of you 1 Pet. 4. 4 5. But rather Pity then be terrified by them For these speak evil of the things they understand not 2 Pet. 2. 12. There is no Reason why they should deride those who leave their Company and the evil of their doings for they are posting on in the wrong way and unless prevented in like manner their loud and impious Laughter will shortly cease in weeping and gâ—ashing of Teeth Thus hath been viewed the great stumbling Block which hinders Of Humility the Gallants of our Age from coming into the right way They have an inward Approbation and would fain save their Souls but Reproach or lessening of Reputation they cannot submit unto Hear what our Saviour saith Verily I say unto you except ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 3. There are no subsequent words of Exemption for Men of Honour and Renown He hath indeed shewed how they may be so there likewise Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Verse 4. Let not the mighty Ones of the Earth think here is running out upon strange Doctrine for the end why they take Pride upon themselves is to be great and a way is shewed though it may seem odd yet true how to be so The Gospel runs contrary to things here If any Man among you seemeth to be wise in this World let him become a Fool that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. And so if he seems great let him become little that he may be great By doing those things which are little and despisable in the Eye of the World but great and highly esteemed by God. To lay in a greater Foundation by good Works to abound in Christian Graces and Vertues is the way to receive a greater Reward in Heaven It is commendable to be ambitious after that so far as to put upon using the means to obtain Accustoming himself to all Godly and Sober living and to have respect unto all the Commandments to lay out himself which way he shall most glorifie God and do good to mankind To improve time and every other Talent to the utmost and such like as may be learnt from Duty and Example in God's word It is worth any Mans pains to aim at the higher Degrees of Glory they being much beyond the greatest trouble that can be endured here To which he may be quickened by considering what Austerities some have suffered to gain the Kingdom of God how they have tumbled themselves naked in the Winter Snow rolled upon Thorns macerated the body with long fastings submitted unto all the inconveniencies of wilfull poverty and other hardships of Popish Superstition But these being additional services to what he hath commanded which many times make them neglected and if that was not perfect or as though the God-head needed any thing Acts 17. 25. They will oblige and give him more ex abundanti And therefore it is to be feared they are not so very pleasing in his sight even thus much we may judge of our selves that if we shew unto those under us the manner how they shall do such things we had rather they keep to that then do it another way out of their own head for as that argues self-conceit in him so a distrust of our Wisdom in that they know better and we cannot tell how we would be served If there be any such thoughts in Mortal Men or Spiritual Pride God knoweth all their performances signifie nothing and are
so far from being acceptable that they are an abomination unto him Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keep the Commandments of the Lord your God which I command you Deut. 4. 2. Let him strive to perform all them to the utmost and if he doth so letting alone those of Humane Invention he will be preferred before those who have been very frank and diligent in doing those things which were never required at their hands 'T is not multitude of outward Acts but deep Isa 1. Humility of Mind which hath more acceptance with God He that shall humble himself shall be exalted Mat. 23. 12. Who is of such a disposition as to be content with all his heart to be least in the Kingdom of Heaven if he may be there and is well pleased with whatsoever God doth If so he cannot grudge at the good Man of the House for doing what he will with his own if he seeth another who was not so long in the Vineyard as himself have an equal reward seeing he hath what was promised He cannot fume or rage to see the beloved Disciple lie in his Saviours Bosome or other favourites of Heaven admitted to a nearer Familiarity with Jesus He is not discontented or envious to behold white Robes given them who were slain for the Word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 6. 9 11. They all receive according to their Works and if he had done the same things he should have had the same honour The different Crowns are set upon their heads according to their deeds and those which were eminent for Sufferings or Christian Graces the chiefest whereof is Humility shall have a proportionable Reward So that wouldst thou be great in the Kingdom of Heaven Learn of the good Patriarch to take up this resolution The Lord shall be my God Gen. 28. 21. and to esteem thy self not worthy of the least of his Mercies Gen. 32. 10. Not to say from the Mouth only but the ground of the Heart Lord I am not worthy to be â—ed with the crumbs that fall from thy Table and yet to be as obedient Children not fashioning himself according to the former lusts in his ignorance but as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet 1. 14 15. To be contented for his finall portion with the least mite of Gods bounty and yet heartily labour in the mean while not to offend him in the least point of his Law to fulfil all Righteousness to do all that is commanded him and say he is an unprofitable Servant he hath done that which was his duty to do He will indeed have an eye to the recompence of reward in General for hereby he will better despise the Pleasures of Sin and not be weary of Well-doing but of what sort it shall be whether above or below others that he leaves to the alone disposal of him Such are the thoughts of the sincere and humble Christian his expectation is not so very great but that shall never be an hindrance but further his advancement If he would be contented to be made as one of the hired Servants Luke 15. yet he may have the best Robe put on by his most Bountiful and Gracious Father Before honour is humility Prov. 15. 33. By this way the great example thereof as may astonish Men and Angels came to be highly exalted Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9. And whoso will follow his steps being meek and lowly in heart may in some measure be exalted likewise You shall lose nothing in the end if you would at present lose that just esteem of your selves for that the pride of the World calls so which is but Fancy and Usurpation And whatsoever Station ye are in the command reaches you Be ye of the same mind one towards another Mind not high things but condescend to Men of low Estate Rom. 12. 16. This is the way to be had in Honour by God and preferred even above those who call it a Sordid and base Spirit Lowliness of mind say they is sneaking and doth not become a noble Birth and Extraction But are these Men of a better Parentage then the Son of Goâ— Is their Family better then his who also according to the flesh was descended from the Antient Kings of Judah Are they wiser then he If they would acknowledge they are not they must think the Apostle spoke both Reason and Sence when he enforced this duty from his Example Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it not Robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men. If God be above Man and yet humbled himself to be as the meanest certainly it can be no disgrace for him who doth not differ from another but by an Estate fine Clothes aiery Titles of Honour to shew that civility which is due to a fellow-Creature partaker of the same flesh and blood and heir of the same common Salvation Behold God is Mighty and despiseth not any he is Mighty in Strength and Wisdom Job 36. 5. The Proudest two-footed Creature on Earth must not vie in Glory with him and if he doth not abhor Men of low Estate why should they who are of the same mould and stand in the very same Relation to him who is Lord over all Why should they trample over those of their own kind Love Horses better and look upon them with more scorn then if another sort of Creatures They are incensed perhaps because those which seem so despicable in their Eyes are of the same nature with themselves as if they were angry at themselves because they are but Men or have such an high value of themselves that they would have nothing look like them but what is Glorious and Lovely How far will Pride proceed Wherefore should Earth and Ashes be so lofty in its own conceit Why should he swell so much who when his breath is gone becomes one of the most loathsome Spectacles in the World Why should he shew himself more imperiously and disdainfully over those who are Flesh of his Flesh and Bone of his Bone then the Lord and Maker of them all unto whom all the Nations of the Earth are as the drop of a Bucket It was commanded the King who is as much above Nobles as they above Beggers his heart should not be lifted up above his Brethren Deut. 17. 20. Much less may they who not only presume to be exalted in their own conceits above but account them more inferiour then brute Beasts although they be made in the Image of God and are his workmanship as well as themselves and therefore in no sort should be despised This temper though so frequent in the World it being
another Nothing hinders but that in the midst of our Work there may be a constant Sence of God over our mind and a fixed purpose not to offend in any thing So is the Will of God that none should live unto himself but unto him who hath called us in one hope of our Calling and also some manner of Life that we may get necessaries for our Being here And if we have them already yet to work with our hands to give to him that needeth Eph. 4. 28. If we have that also yet still we are to be beneficial unto others Not one of a thousand who is in a Trade or Employment neglects that for the business of Religion and who is in none not this but something else is the real Cause Men generally run to the other extream and will not allow that time they might conveniently for the Service of God. If one should employ an hour or two more then ordinary in a Week he would be more accused of negligence then who consumes thrice the time in Drinking-houses or Fruitless Recreations so apt are we to grudge in ourselves every minute more then needs must Who hears the word Preached or goes to publick Prayers on Week-days doth Act as one that believeth the Gospel and lives accordingly Acts 26. 7. David and Daniel were both engaged in much Worldly business and matters of State yet we read what they did Psal 55. 17. Psal â—19 164. Dan. 6. 10. and any one now may do the like and will lose nothing by it The Blessing of the Lord maketh rich which is sought for and had by Prayer So that time which others think lost may be gainful as to the present but most certainly it is to the future We have known several instances of those who through Sin or Carelesness have came to Poverty but never any by thus doing That of the Apostle is observable as if he had foreseen what People would make a Pâ—etence to neglect the one or thrust out the other and therefore he joyns them all in one Verse as very Consistent Not slothful in Business fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. If one did behold all the Transactions and Labour under the Sun how those several Stations and Employments are appointed unto Men Every one conduces to the benefit of the whole and hath Connexion one to another he ought to Praise him who ruleth over all O Lord how manifold are thy works in Wisdom hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy Riches Psal 104 24. In another kind it is shewed in things of an higher Nature It is all done by the same God which worketh all in all and those several gifts are for every one to profit withal which should be once 1. Cor. 12. more considered by the useless Men of the World. Every single Tradesman and Labourer doth further the Need and Delight of mankind even those which seem to be meanest and less honourable do necessarily conduce towards it as Husbandry The several Employments in the World tend to our Good in the different Capacities of Mind Body and Estate None is to be despised for we have all our Treasure in Earthen Vessels and the lower kinds of Labour are fitted to the Sustenance and Well-being of them So they likewise do contribute to the benefit of our better part He that is in the most worthy Station stands in need of the unworthy as well as this Man doth of him The whole Body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual Working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the Body unto the â—difying of it self in Levâ— Eph. 4. 16. Let there be no strife which is most beneficial to the whole for all are so though some must be above others or otherwise there would be a Schism in the Body The higher sort of Employments have proportionable sorrow and weariness going along with them especially such as require plodding and contrivance Whereas it is not so in handicrafts for when the Art is once learned there is no vexation or doubt of mind to work in it The Son of God is sâ—pposed to have been a Carpenter Mark 6. 3. And to have laboured in that till thirty Years of Age and also the Apostle of the Gentiles did work in the Occupation of a Tent maker both which are reputed mean Trades yet they having been thus honoured none hath reason to be ashamed of his of alike kind Eyes were given to see Ears to hear and also hands to work withall so it can be no disparagement to employ them to that for which they were designed Those who would account it so and make a mock of the labour of the Poor may be despised by their great Master when those who have been used to hardship and diligence in the World may be admitted into the Rest that remaineth for the people of God. They are in the ready road to Heaven if to their Pains they will add Godliness Righteousness and Sobriety if they do these things they shall never fail The temptations of the World Flesh and Devil will not so easily prevail against them whose time is taken up with honest labour The promises are more peculiar to them Mat. 11. 5. Luk. 6. 20. Jam. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 1. 27. Our Lord chose for his Disciples none of the learned Pharisees or Rabbins but Fishermen and of other mean Occupations he called them at that very time As Levi when he was sitting at the receit of custom Luke 5. 27. Simon Peter and Andrew his Brother as they were casting a Net into the Sea. And going on from thence he saw two other Brethren James the Son of Zebedee and John his Brother in a Ship with Zebedee their Father mending their Nets and he called them Mat. 4. 18 21. The good News of his coming into the World was first told to the Shepherds abiding in the Field and keeping watch over their flock by Night Luke 2. 8. So God appeared to Moses Exod. 3. 1 2. To Gideon as he was threshing Judg. 6. 11 12. Thus acceptable it is unto him when Men abide and are diligent in their calling he doth not esteem them the less but rather chooses them for the meanness thereof In his Holy Word there are many particular allusions to the several Trades in the World as the Husbandman Carpenter Smith Potter Shepherd and such like they are upon such sure grounds of obtaining a future Happiness and there is so much reason these should seek diligently after it that it would be an admiration if any should miss thereof Yet alas God is not known amongst them all no nor the greatest part though they are more encouraged as having the promises of which sort was Christ himself and the Apostles It is exceedingly to be pityed that the Word of God upon them also should have no more effect Hearken my beloved Brethren Hath not God chosen the
Gentile World were not able to suppress though they did try with their utmost skill and might Which had no aid from the World yet obtained the victory over it Which still increased though who entertained it got nothing at present but cruel Mockings and Scourgings Moreover Bonds and Imprisonments nay further the most horrid and Tormenting Deaths that was possible for Flesh and Blood to suffer yet through Faith hereof endured them all with more Constancy and Resolution then was ever seen in the Mightiest Men of Valour If these and several other Arguments were duly considered and weighed it would be the greatest wonder that for all these any yet should not believe So more then abundantly hath God provided for Mankind to bring Mark. 6. 6. them to Heaven and Happiness But as if all this were nothing worth Men will not know or not believe what he hath told unto them otherwise they would be never so regardless thereof When they reverence their Land-lord but do not mind the great Lord of Heaven and Earth When they earnestly court the favour of a Mortal Man and think themselves never sufficiently diligent in getting Money but are not careful after those things above Do they verily believe God is and that he is a Rewarder of them who diligently seek him When they like Beasts are only for the present things before them but negligent of what shall be hereafter and never cast an eye towards the things that are not seen certainly these do not live by Faith Whose understanding is waxed gross that can conceive of nothing but what may be felt or seen Who can relish nothing but what goes between the Teeth these do not live the common lives of Men being led by sence and not reason It is an amazing thing to consider of the stupidity and dulness of those of lower degree as concerning their Spiritual State and Condition 'T is not so much down right Atheism and Unbelief but a dead Faith which is in them It is not equal to that of Devils for they believe and tremble but this hath no such effect upon them They fancy there may be such a thing as Heaven they are not suâ—e to the contrary They look upon it as a place of reserve where they would be when they can no longer abide in the World it is appointed for the poor and needy so it will receive them whether they take any care or no. Such thoughts as these may enter into their minds for notwithstanding they may still go on in their course But were they really perswaded there are two places for all to go into after this life Heaven and Hell And how it is set down in Scripture what is to be done to obtain entrance into the one and avoid the other Did they really think what an happiness the one is much greater then Riches and all Pleasures in this World and the other to be a worse Torment then any Pain or Sickness now is they would as willingly go to Church and be as devout to set them forward in the way to Heaven as now they go to Fairs and Markets and are intent upon their Business to get some small gain On the other hand they would take as much care to flee from the Wrath to come as now they do to keep themselves in health and prevent the beginnings of a bodily Distemper They would labour as earnestly for the exceeding great reward God hath prepared for them that keep his Commandments as now they do for a little Money from another Man. They would act in the very same manner to obtain the things pertaining to his Kingdom as now they do for the things of the Earth It is the property of Faith to make things which are not seen to be as if they were seen and though were they both of the same value it could not be expected we should so willingly run after what we have never seen as after that which is most certain and our Eyes see Yet there being such an exceeding odds and worth in the things that are to be believed over the things that are now seen this turns the Scales and make them hang even yea and weigh down the things of Sense If we have the full assurance of Faith that upon doing such things we shall receive an everlasting 1 John 5. 4. Kingdom we should no more grudge to do them then we do now a days work upon anothers Promise of so much for our Pains We may as reasonably trust for what he hath promised as we do the Word of a sinful Man when we Labour for him And there being such a vast difference between what the Almighty will vouchsafe to bestow upon us worthy of God to give and as much as a Creature can receive over what we can impart to another then surely there is as much reason I say infinitely more why we should serve God as do the like for another Would we be as diligent to be made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. 6. as now we are to be Servants unto great Men endeavour as much to get an eternal Crown of Glory as now for those Corruptible things of Gold and Silver Labour as earnestly after the great things of Eternity as is now done for the little things of Time we should certainly come to possess them Neither can the World condemn us of Folly for we Act according to the same measure as themselves who are accounted Wise in their Generation If we do indeed settle it in our Hearts that these things are we should be as careful and industrious to have them as others are of the things here and if so our Labour would not be in vain But what a faithless and stubborn Generation are we fallen into A Generation that will not believe or will not set their Heart to obtain them A Company of Infidels and Fools for so are all those who do not walk in the way to the New Jerusalem If you will not consider you must perish in your Folly. Look and bethink your selves you are Men Stand upon your Feet and shake off that drowsie and benum'd Disposition Be throughly rouzed out of Negligence and Sottishness Come to thy self and hear what shall be said unto thee The Lord made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Prov. 16. 4. He will be glorified in all his Works and thou also being the work of his hands art not to think thy self unconcerned or nothing related to that God with whom we have all to do If thou wilt have nothing to do with him he will have to do with thee Thou art his Creature and he will deal so with thee as the rest of mankind according to their deservings Thou must be either a Partaker of his Mercy or Wrath There is mercy O Lord with thee that thou mayest be feared And his Wrath is likewise revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1.
the same Mould he fashioned them all The poorest acknowledge that they are as much minded by God as the rich and so far they are right but then they go further Exod. 30. 15. and make themselves his only Favourites The ground of this Error is through Mis-application of those Promises in Scripture concerning this Condition But let them not be deceived for where is any mention made of spiritual good things it is to those Poor only who walk in their Integrity Hath not God chosen the Poor of this World the Apostle doth not say all of them but those who are rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 5. 2. So they must believe and love God and then they must avoid sinning against him otherwise they have no place in Heaven Indeed many of them do so and more would if they did apply themselves to God and the Word of his Grace which is able both to bring in and build up Those whom the Proud ones call the ordinary sort of People will make the greater number in Heaven We see more of them allowing for their multitude that Practice Simplicity and Godly Sincerity then we can amongst those of higher rank for these have altogether broken the Yoke and burst the bands Jer. 5. 5. Being governed by Self-will and their own humour more then the Laws of God but the others are not altogether so forgetful and refractory And have a good will towards God in General but the Prophet remarks truly how Jer. 5. 4. they have not that knowledge which is to be desired for They understand not the things of Religion so well as they should but follow their own Opinions and Fancies Satan which deceiveth the whole World Rev. 12. 9. Hath taken advantage thereof instilling into them errors and deceits If you would indeed be in the right way to Heaven and not miss thereof at last give attendance to that Word which is to shew unto all the Path of Life When some have well resolved then they are distracted about Of different Communious the way one saith it is this another that It is agreed by all that the Scriptures do shew what is right so what they point out it is good to â—oâ—â—ow They give the Character of some who Taught the way of God in Truth Mat. 22. 16. Acts 16. 17. And therefore according to what is Written those both said and did it may be most surely trusted unto There have been Questions and different Opinions in past Ages but little is said of them in Holy Writ The Prophets make no mention of them speaking against Idolatry but say nothing as to Modes of Worship Our Saviour Speaks little concerning those Separate Meetings in his time and doth not express much zeal one waâ— or another His Apostles followed the same steps One witnesseth In every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts. 10. 35. Being applyed to Cornelius a Gentile as may be gathered from Acts 11. 18 The diversity here was greater then amongst several Communions of Christians aâ— this day and therefore much more will they be saved in each Another Apoâ—â—le saith Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing b 〈…〉 thâ— kâ—â—p 〈…〉 of the Commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. In Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing noâ— uncircumcision but Faith which worketh by love Gal. 5. 6. A new Creature Gal. 6. 15. That was as important a Question as those in controversie now bâ—t there is not so much in them as Obedience and Holiness To which aâ—â—â—e the promises of God are and nothing at all to those distinguishing terms of Perswasion among us It is evident from Psal 25. 12 14. John 7. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Phil. 3. 15. That whosoever sincerely fears God with his whole heart shall be directed into all necessary and saving Truth and then he must lay aside all Prepossessions and Prejudice Pride Humour Wordly Reasons coming in simplicity of Soul only out of a desire to be right and receive the love of the Truth that he may be saved 2 Thes 2. 10. For this is evident Continuance in a willful and known error is as dangerous as a willful and known sin and therefore to be equally avoided The Word doth discover Good and Evil Truth and Falshood so the Duty of every one is to set his Conscience as in the light of God with a readiness to think and do what is most according to his revealed Will and then he shall never perish through errour or falshood All Worship is designed to please and obtain acceptance with Almighty God. The hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4. 23. But this doth in no wise excuse from an humble bodily gesture and reverence of the outward Man the Subjection of both is to be shewed Therefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 20. Certainly this Apostle knew what was a Gospel and Spiritual Worship yet He kneeled down and Prayed Acts 20. 36. The like did our Saviour Luke 22. 41. And Stephen and Peter Acts 7. 60 Acts 9. 40. It is to be observed in Publick Worship for so did Paul that being more Solemn and whereby God is Glorified Though the Lolling sort of behaviour is so much in use among the Country People when they come into the presence of God let them use it before their Governour or Great Men How will they be pleased with it And if they will not neither will he who even now remains a Great King and his Name is dreadful among the Heathen Mal. 1. 8 14. And though some may think that no more then another place yet they may consider what our Lord did John 2. 16 17. Mark 11. 15 16 17. Signifying plainly that more regard is to be had to the House of Prayer so called of all Nations and People extending to the Gospel Isa 56. 7. times when they come in The Apostle finds fault with the Corinthians abusing of the Sacrament making a Common Meal of it Have ye not Houses to eat or drink in or despise ye the Church Psal 29. 9. of God 1 Cor. 11. 22. The subject of that Chapter is about a comely behaviour in the Holy Assemblies What can be said to these plain Scriptures or how can they excuse themselves from Sin in not observing them Let Men put what meaning they will God is judge himself and they may at the last day be severely reproved for not obeying that command the reason whereof is eternally Obligatory Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my Sanctuary I am the Lord Lev. 19. 30. The design of the whole Gospel is Peace Unity and Love see Rom. 12. 18. Rom. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Phil.
is it after such an impious manner to provoke the Lyon of the tribe of Judah For their liberty to follow all excess to be drunk with good Liquor and good Company is reckoned by some to be worth all the lusts of the flesh because it is of longer continuance Yet this doth not last always for labour and other affairs of life call of they have some sober times and then what thoughts are in their mind Call to remembrance all thy former Drunken Fits and merry Meetings What satisfaction doth now remain What pleasure dost thou perceive of those Cups thou hast taken off in all thy past Years In the time of Health and Enjoyment those delights are vanished like Smoke and seem as if they had never been much more will they appear so when you come to lie upon a Death-bed Indeed you may before that have several other jovial Fellowships but they will likewise pass away as the former have done all will come to an end and there will be so much the more guilt to answer for Several Drunkards to thy knowledge are already dead and gone and it will be a sad thing to be in roll of those who shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. The wicked Man doth falsly think that Death shall make an utter end of him for as sure as Mat. 25. 32. John 5. 28 29. 2 Cor. 5. 10. and all Scripture is true so certainly is he deceived in his expectation for he must arise to Judgment and if he still continueth in his hard and impenitent heart as there are so many plagues and threatnings which should move him with all speed to be converted and escape he must remain a living Monument of Eternal Vengeance He might all one conclude the Heavens and Earth should be dissolved though the Son of God except the death of millions of millions hath not in the least shaked them as imagine he shall not come forth to a fearful Judgment Perswade thy self what thou wilt but as sure as God made us and not we our selves as he hath power over us and we once stand here upon the Earth so certainly will he account with us for our doings in another place Men take up with the common saying of Mortality an end and no more which yet is false as themselves shall know In this as in other things they speak according to their wish and not according to their real thoughts The sensual intemperate person would fain it might be so with him that as the Beasts die so he might die who made himself like them in his life by having no understanding by gorging with the Dog ready to the Vomit and in his sottish moodes wallowing as a Sow in the Mire so he would his death might not be divided from them for thy part thou dost endeavour and desire to be like them in both The former was in thy power and thou didst so the latter is not for God hath decreed otherwise such are to be reserved to his just Judgment What was it for which he must be liable to all this When he was in the most flourishing condition and did prove himself daily with Mirth this did not satisfie him His heart was dull and heavy when he did seem chearful to outward appearance he found but little sincere joy but few delights which were not attended with inward damp and sorrow if any they were quickly over and gone Hardly the tenth part of his short life was spent in Jollity for deduct Child-hood the time of going to School sleep and necessary business of the World there is little remaining to enjoy the pleasures of sin if considered strictly they do not extend to the hundredth I should not be found a great liar iâ— I did say not to the thousandth part of our life What a little must this be to lose an interest in a blessed Eternity The residue of time was spent in the common actions of Mankind and these were the more unpleasant to him who had not God for his portion He did work for the belly and did eat buâ— was not satisfied in his mind for that would be empty again and then he must laboâ—r to fill it and so round in a circle He could not see any good or end thereof He did not labour in hope He could not expect to increase or get higher He toiled all his life time and got nothing of true satisfaction What profit is it to spend our days in Heaviness and after Death to look for Punishment Many troubles did befall him vexation upon vexation sorrow upon sorrow in his declining years seldom a day without grief or discontent In the midst whereof he cannot tell whither to resort for true ease or comfort many a ruful exclamation within himself Why came I forth into the World It had been better for me to have remained what I was an hundred years since to have never seen the light of the living My life is irksome and grievous and I know nothing to the contrary but when I die it will be yet worse fain I would not live but I fear to die O that I might sleep for evermore or return into my first nothing and then welcome the Grave I would as willingly lie down there as in a bed of Roses but my heart can give no such assurance It seems to foreshew more and greater misery when the breath is gone out of my body I could sometimes say there would be an end of me but I tremble it will be no such thing O wretched Man that I am Who can deliver me from present grief and preserve me from that expectation of worse things to come Thus may be seen his sad condition and indeed it would make an heart of stone compassionate him and gush into Tears but it is considered all this is come upon him through his own fault for his contempt and stubbornness against our Most Gracious God. Who would have brought him unto Heaven afforded him means and power but he did reâ—use and not value them said he in his heart wherefore should I keep the Commandments It is vain to serve God Mal. 3. 14. I did observe several to go to Worship and diligently frequent his Ordinances who did Walk mournfully before the Lord of Hosts for in his Opinion they were pitiful Melancholly Souls they got no good by it Not discerning future promises and present peace and therefore he blindly resolved to go on in his wonted course which was all his life long to disregard or shew himself despitefully against the Author of his being But let others see and fear what his ungodliness is come unto If one behaves himself Proudly and Rebelliously against the King who received maintenance and continual favour from him and comes to suffer for it the voice of the Multitude is Hang him he is an ungrateful Traytor And then if one acts in like manner against God who is loving to every Man sendeth Rain upon the just
Wrath is kindled but a little They should fully consider whether those things God forbids and they will do can yield them more contentment and satisfaction in proportionable degree and duration then the things he commands and they refuse otherwise their Disobedience will be most unreasonable and foolish for they lose exceeding and eternal happiness and expose themselves to the like misery Certainly all the Enjoyments of this present time cannot make recompence for the torments to be revealed hereafter but what if it should be said further The pleasures of Sin for a season even whilst that season is do deprive of greater happiness then they bring and men are made more miserable by them In the very time they are so eagerly followed and had it would be better if the man had not used them If it can be made evidently to appear that living according to the Gospel renders more happy in this Life then taking the full swinge of Licentiousness and besides there is the consideration of a different futurity then it will be clearly demonstrated that there 's no such Fool as the Sinner And God is most gracious in providing so well for mankind and they without cause are malicious evil imprudent Psal 25. 3. and stubborn in not complying with his Grace and Goodness With the greatest Reason and Equity Judgments are prepared for Scorrers and Stripes for the back of Fools Prov. 19. 29. What more could have been done to bring men unto Heaven then by so ordering the matter that they shall be more happy in going the way to it then they could in the broad way that leads to destruction Here a doubt may arise from being thus differently named Mat. 7 13 14. They are thus called by reason of the difficulty of the one and out of observation and prophetick foresight that it hath and will have so few Travellers until the time of universal Reformation spoken of Isa 60. 15 21 22. And the other because of its easiness at first and those many who walk therein Now it doth not follow because a thing is more easie it is more satisfying for then slothful Persons would be more happy then those who undertake good and noble designs which are attended with difficulty Since our Nature is so much depraved by the fall we should of our selves slide down insensibly into Hell And that saying of our Lord Mat. 7. 13. Luke 13. 24. doth respect us as we are in our natural condition for we must put forth strength to go upwards to the holy Hill. It is said Strive to enter in at the strait Gate the Word imports exerting the utmost might but no mention is made of such exceeding striving when one is in It is indeed called the narrow Way but the way of the Righteous is made plain Prov. 15. 19. And one may better travel in a Road inclosed of both sides then those who stumble in their wayes from the ancient Paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Or in those crooked Paths which whosoever goeth in shall not know Peace Isa 59. 8. Or who wander over Mountains Rocks and Deserts where lies no way these meet with greater Hardship Danger and uncertainty at long run The great difficulty and unpleasantness is in coming into the way of the Lord in passing by the other which is crowded with so many Gallants and a great multitude of all sorts which also hath a shew of smoothness and making choice of this which at first seems rugged a dry Ground and nothing of invitation therein The Devil makes big and noble Promises of what he will give to those who serve him All the Pleasure and Contentment in the World this they shall have presently and not tarry for it When the Son of Man comes He hath no Form or Comâ—lâ—nâ—ss and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him He is desâ—ised and rejected of Men a Man of Sorrowâ— and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our Faces from him Isa 53. 2 3. We do not at first discover any Loveliness in him there is no external Pomp or Greatness nor outward shew to ravish our Eyes He is laughed at in the World and we are apt to be ashamed of him Such we should be our selves look pitiful and little not worthy to be accounted of And then he makes no such Proffers of present advantage but Talks of Self-denial cutting of ones right hand hating Father and Mother and abundance of hard sayings so that who would come unto him If we were to confer with Flesh and Blood that is for present ease And will not admit what is in the least harsh and irksome Yet if we would consult with the Spirit of our Minds which can try and foresee things which willingly submits to a less trouble for Attainment of a greater good and avoiding a worse Evil Which doth not judge according to appearance but righteous Judgment which looks upon so much boasting and pretending as the usual Concomitants of Emptiness and Deceit On the other hand spies out a great deal of Excellency under a little outward shew Which is apt to suspect those who make large Promises and gives Credit when no more is promised then will be certainly performed Such an one will go after Christ He speaks in a modest way Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my yoâ—e upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest to your Souls Mat. 11. 28 29. Only Rest the easiness of a Yoke and Lightness of a burden may seem but small things in Comparison to those offered on the other hand for there is one holds forth a Marvellous Lightsomeness and Cheerfulness of mind to them who are melancholy and sad If they come unto him he will not bring them at all into Subjection or Bondage Nothing shall be laid on their Necks yet their Souls shall enjoy all Happiness his Service is pleasant and easie He is wonderful frank he is for giving at one time all the Kingdoms of the World and Glory of them But stop Do they all make good that Satisfaction which mankind so eagerly desire and the Deceiver so much boasts of Do they set at Liberty or the more bring into Bondage For all the high Talk of him who was a Lyar from the beginning those seeming little and Contemptible offers of our Lord and Saviour do exceed all his That Joy Peace and substantial Blessedness Christ gives unto his Servants may appear more excellent then all those Pleasures and lying Vanities with which Satan beguiles his followers Perhaps he hath the advantage at the beginning but not at long run his Proselites seem jocund and brisk at first but they are not so always And if the Servant of the Most High God is dull and heavy at first setting out neither shall he be so always His joy increases but the
Lascivionsness which they have committed 2 Cor. 12. 21. The Lord Jesus will not condemn them if they go and sin no more John 8. 11. Was not Rahab the Harlot justified And from the Examples of Lot David we may be assured God hath Mercy on such Sinners if they do not abuse his goodness but leave off their Transgression and do Works acceptable and holy in his sight This full and plain manner of Writing was necessary to manifest the very Truth let none suck Poison out of that which was designed for an Antidote nor presume to sin yet more from what God knows was only intended to lead to Repentance The temptation which leads Men over to these lusts is that they think they shall be happy in so doing here it is discovered to be a delusion only and Men would be more happy as to this present time if they had nothing to do with them or make use of the lawful remedy there is the same invitation offered to leave of as before was to follow them So much of lust in the General now briefly run over the particulars Every one knoweth what Adultery is Stolen Waters are said to be sweet and it is matter of sport to beguile the poor Husband Of Adultery Yet O Man shalt thou boast for ever Knowest thou not it will be bitterness in the end Yea there is Trouble and Vexation Fear and Guilt all along By the Jewish Law which wâ—s of Divine Appointment the Adulterer and Adulteress shall be sâ—râ—ly put to death Lev. 20. 10. And so it is at this day in several Nations of the World Christian Mahometan and Heathen but here it is rather fashionable and of plaufible report Whatever credit Adulterers or Adulteresses get it is only among the Children of Disobedience but the Righteous have them in Abomination in this life they labour under continual Disquiet Tribulation and Anguish everlasting Shame and Contempt wait for them in that which is to come The injustice and wrong is somewhat less in Fornication but Of Fornication it is a provoking sin and offensive unto God. If any Man dâ—files the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is Holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3. 17. Flee Fornication every sin that a Man doth is without the body but he that committeth Fornication sinneth against his own Body 1 Cor. 6. 17. A great part of the Chapter is against this particular so that any thing may as well be denyed to be a Sin as Fornication If the Spiâ—it of God saith it is a sin and wicked Men say it is none whose Words shall stand his or theirs Jer. 44. 28 29. And by whose Judgment must they abide When he punisheth for the same let them dispute away the Smart of it if they can Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them giving themselves over unto Fornication and going after strange Flesh are set forth for an Example suffering the Vengeance of Eternal Fire Jude 7. The end of being set forth for an Example is that others should take heed for the like will happen to them if they do the same things There doth too often go along with this an abomination of iniquity as Murder in the Womb those preventives of getting with Child and wicked means to cause Abortion or Miscarrying Moreover there is killing of Infants to hide their shame from the World a manifest proof how tormenting this is that they dare upon such Sinful and Barbarous Actions to concâ—al it If they are not so unnatural and desperately wicked as to stifle the poor Infant then it remains a Witness of the Parents Transgression But if made away that is a double sin and shall rise up an evidence against them at the Bar of the General Judgment to their Eternal shame and confusion before God Angels and Men. There are several other evils too many to be recited but may be known by observation which do sufficiently shew that it is best for Mankind to comply with the VVill of God even your sanctification that you should abstain from Fornication 1 Thes 4. 3. There are several sorts of uncleanness as if a Man lie with Mankind as he lieth with a VVoman both of them have committed Abomination Of Uncleanness they shall be surely put to death And if a man lie with a Beast he shall be surely put to death and ye shall slay the Beast Lev. 20. 13. 15. so that described Rom. 1. 26. 27. There is another kind by self pollution If there be among you any Man that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by Night Deut. 23. 10. Which is no great fault because it is matter of infirmity contingency and not wilfullness but how much worse is he who of set purpose forceth himself to be thus unclean It is detestable to think or speak of much more it is to act such things But Fornication and all Vncleanness let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks for this know that no VVhoremonger nor unclean Person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. 5 3 4. 5. Lasciviousness imports Light and wanton Actions Dalliances Of Lasciviousness and rude Gestures lustful Thoughts immodest glances of the Eye curious inspection upon the faces of Women Whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5. 28. Said Christ who came to interpret some Laws give others and finally is to be the judge of all Those several Inclinations and Tendencies to unlawful lust are comprehended under this Word VVhen lust hath conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Jam. 1. 15. It suggesting pleasing thoughts will be apt to procure a consent which makes the sin and therefore should be stifled in its first rise The way of avoiding Lust is to eschew all occasion and provocations thereof The great design of the Gospel is to prepare and bring People to Heaven and then they must be pure and spiritual to fit them for the Holy of Holies to qualifie them for the promise Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Mat. 5. 8. Now lust and filthiness is an hindrance to this and therefore must be taken away before we are made meet for the Celestial Happiness To refrain from the aforementioned things would be to destroy the Briskness and refined Breeding of the World the principal whereof is to make complemental Addresses to young Women What Mirth and Laughter do they stir up amongst Promisâ—uous Company of both Sexes So the use thereof may appear not only agreeable to right Education but also it conduces to divertisement and happiness It must be acknowledged that here and in other things Christianity is directly opposite to the present Fashion God and the
World are contrary one to another his thoughts are not as our thoughts his commands are vastly different from the humours and actions of Men. That which is highly esteemed amongst Men is abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 15. So again that which he commands and will reward is accounted little and despicable among Mâ—n But he hath the Breath of all the Sons of Men in his hand which he can and doth take away in his own order Say unto God how terrible art thâ—u in thy Works Through the greatness of thy Poâ—â—r shall thine Enâ—mies submit themselves unto thee Psal 66. 3. in the Margent it is Yeild feigned obedience They shall be forced to it just like Captives led away by a more potent Enemy for God will set himself in array against wicked Men. He will manifest his Power to their utter Confusion if they still hate him that will provoke him to Plague them yet more These things will certainly be he might even now pour forth his full Displeasure upon them but he hath been pleased to permit their hour and the Power of darkness Luke 22. 53. In which they might rebel against his Will and not be immediately punished It is called their hour a very little time in reâ—erence to Months and Years and the whole Course of sinning ever since Adam unto this Day and what is yet more behind is not so much as that in Comparison of the Ages of Eternity God now Commands and either doth not at all or very seldom here execute the Penalty of disobedience Therefore the Hearts of the Sons of Men is fully set in them to do Evil Eccles 8. 11. But when their short time is ended he will no more wave the Scepter of Justice or Mercy over their Heads but then he will Rule them with a Rod of Iron If they would obey his righteous Laws to take off the smart from themselves yet he will not accept of their counterfeit and slavish Subjection because they would not when they might have performed unto him a Free and reasonable Service Things thus standing it is not Peevish Humour nor Self-conâ—eited singularity but bounden Duty even at the present time to hearken unto and obey our God when he saith Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed by the renewing of your â—â—nd that ye may prove what is that Good and acceptable and perfect Will of God Rom. 12. 2. When the apprehensive faculty is rightly set in Frame it may judge this to exceed those evil and sinful Customs of People in whatever Vogue and Estimation they are for what are the Follies and Exorbitances of a wanton Age How do they contribute to our real Happiness They may afford a faint and languishing Delight but this like giving a single mouthful of Bread to an hungry Man rather excites then fiâ—ls the Appetite It raises Anguish for it is short and insufficient of a true Satisfaction Man is carried with a natural desire towards the Female Sex and therefore is more inclined to do all things to gratifie them Indeed he doth well herein as long as he keeps within the set bound but as in the beginning the Woman did prevail over the Man in the Transgression so doth she now sooner draw to Sin 1 Kings 11. 4. then the common Temptations But ye Daughters of Sion who are haughty and walk with stretched out Necks and wanton Eyes Whether have you caused your Shame to go What is become of that Isa 3. 6. Modesty which formerly used to adorn the Virgin State You seem to come near a Whores Forehead if you once refuse to be ashamed How can you admit of that loose Language which though wrapâ— up Mic. 7. 3. in the Gentile waâ— is intelligible to those Conversant therewith or those lascivious Actions with young Men which go under the Name of Play and â—port The Virgins of old did fly from the least familiar converse with Men and were never worse esteemed by them but also given in Marriage They did it when there was more invitation to catch at all present Good for there was not so much Manifestation of future Happiness but now more Grace hath appeared to the World. And whosoever would have the Beneâ—iâ—s thereof must both know and also shew it by a sutable Conversation that whilst others give themselves over unto Lasciviousness which is the first and next step To work â—ll Vncleanness with Greediness But ye have not so learned Christ Eph. 4. 19 20. Let Men consider what a meer Cheat the Devil makes use of A general â—xhortâ—tion to defraud them of a Kingdom and drag down to the bottomless Pit. How they â—ell their Souls for naught and delectable things which do not Profit They may seem luâ—cious to a meer Wanton yet saith one How sweet is it to want those Sweetnesses To have Chaâ—â—e reins and thoughts Not to have the Soâ—l defiled or darkened with the filthy smoke of Lust but always continuing clear and bright To be troubled with no Desires or â—nclâ—nations after strange Lusts Either to have the gentle Stream run one way only or to stand smooth and calm The single Life is preferred in Pauls jâ—dgment 1 Cor. 7. who there speaks by Permission and not by Commandment If they continue spotless and innocent they are Happy in so abiding But if all were of this Opinion A Godly Seed Mal. 2. 15. would be wanting And Children would not be born to praise the Lord. It is his good Pleasure one Generation should succeed another and therefore he also doth well who is Instrumental to that Every Man hath his proper Gift of God one after this manner another after that If to one is given Continency He may serâ—e the Lord without Distraction But where is not there is an Expedient for him even to have his own Wife He is to remember the ends of Marriage Procreation of Children and to avoid Fornication the bare quelling of Lust and therefore this is not to be made an occasion of heightening it In the Marriage Bed Temperance is to be observed The great Happiness of this Condition arises from constant Love of one another from the Endearment and Unity of heart and affections not from the sudden and momentary Enjoyments which also cease to be such if repeated as often as strength and outward Provocation would give leave Those Delights perish in the using for they have no Relation or Affinity with the Happiness of Heaven Indeed that is sâ—t forth by Feasts Wine Riches and Honour so the Glutton Drunkâ—â—d Covetous and Proud have an invitation by the Promise of the like things but there is none to the lustful Person The Son of God is not like the Impostâ—r Mâ—hoâ—et who draws principally with this A 〈…〉 ctive for we are told before In the Râ—surrâ—ction they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage but are like the Angels of God in Heaven Mat. 22. 30. And there shall in no wise enter into
it any thing that dâ—fileth neither whatsoever worketh Abomination Rev. 21. 7. What comes nearest to his Delight is to behold the extraordinary Beauty of that place which will ravish the Eye and fill with wonder this shall not be like gazing upon the Beauty of a Woman but as one born blind who suddenly hath his Eyes opened and seeth the Sun in its rising Splendour which doth only transport the Soul with Admiration and not affect the corporal faâ—â—lties At present it peeps through the Windows of the Body seeing only the surface and outside of things The Flesh also is weak and cannot endure an excellent Object But when this Body shall be made spiritual and that which now looks through two little holes shall see through every part and through into every Object there it will be never tired Especially there being an infinite and inexhaustible Fountain of Goodness and Glory Behold now we are the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 3. Who is the Eternal incomprehensibly Great and Glorious God and to see him as he is in his very Nature will take up the whole length of Eternity Whilst we behold the sum of all Perfection the Quintessence of all Loveliness and Excellency the Subject of all Good and Glory who made containeth and is all things He will be a most full and delightsome Object to short and finite Creatures for evermore My thoughts fail on this Subject which it is not possible for the Heart to conceive much less for Words to express here we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 12. And therefore am only to exhort the Reader and my Self to use the utmost diligence that we may come to this Blessed Vision The way is shewed Every Man that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure 1 John 3. 4. Having therefore these Promises let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. So that the Adulterer Fornicator unclean lascivious Person must cease to do Evil or he shall be shut out from this Glorious sight He must wash make himself clean rub out the Defilements Purge away all the remainders of sinful Lust other wise he shall no more stand in the Presence of the King of Glory then now he can fly up into Heaven and of his own strength cause it to be opened to receive him Who would lose seeing him that is ten thousand times brighter then the Sun only now for a little staring upon well-coloured Dust Who would sell his part in those Celestial Joys which shall transport the Partakers with Exstacy for evermore for Gratification of a pitiful Lust which presently vanisheth and comes to nothing If he is esteemed a Fool that sells the Reversion of a great Estate which would be certainly his own if he would wait a little time for a single draught of Ale A much greater is he who for a few sudden foolish and empty Nothings parts with his Birth-right to Heaven Especially considering further that if he is deprived of that he must take up his abode in a worse place The abominable and Whoremongers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Hearken you that cannot deny a wicked Inclination because it is urgent and importunate how can you endure to lye down under everlasting burnings The Pruriency of Lust seems hard and grievous to you to be resisted and do you not think it is much more to dwell with devouring Fire What a sad Portion must that Man have to submit to those Evils he at present chooses with the Sin and then shall be given in full measure those dreadful Threatnings which shall as certainly be fulfilled in their time as we see of the things that have already been It may be thou still cherishest thy self in thy sweet Sin accounting it the only Happiness of Life but it hath been weighed in the Ballance and sound light in Comparison of that heavy Load of Guilt and Pain that follow at hand but less and worse then nothing of what is to succeed hereafter I have seen thine Adulteries and thy Neighings the Leudness of thy Whoredom and thine Abomination on the Hills in the Fields Wâ— unto thee O Jerusalem wilt thou not be made clean VVhen shall it once be Jer. 13. 27. CHAP. IX Of COVETOUSNESS COvetousness is an inordinate Love and Desire after Money as when one is more earnest after that then God and the things of his Kingdom The Covetous Man is an idolater Eph. 5. 5. and so Col. 3. 5. for he hath a greater Love and Veneration for corruptible Gold and Silver then for the immortal God. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon Luke 16. 13. Yet the last seems to be the Prince of this World for it bears greatest sway It Commandeth all things procureth all things hath in subjection Man and Beast and hath exceeding Estimation for what is due only to the Lord Jehovah is applied secretly within the Heart to this Idol How excellent is thy Name in all the Earth Thus hath it robbed God of his Glory for there is more Service â—zek 14. 〈◊〉 and Valuation given to it by sottish Children and blind Fools then is had to the invisible Being Some through this are dissemblers with God who pretend to serve him are zealous for the outward Ordinances and abstain from the chargeable Sins but do grind the Faces of the Poor Isa 3. 15. Cheat and defraud others are greedy after Gain and use sinful means And yet seem to have a good mind towards God for they are diligent in his Worship And they come unto thee as the People cometh and they sit before thee as my People and they hear thy VVords but they will not do with them for with their Mouth they make a shew of much Love but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness Ezek. 33. 31. As if they could put a Cheat upon him also by putting him off with good words only when in the mean time they will think and do what they List Thou understandest my thought afar off Psal 139. 2. At the very Rise and Conception before we know it our selves Let this be duly considered of by Hyppocrites and formal Professors It will not be accepted to be double-minded to have one place for God and another for the World. Neither is he to be thrust out from the Heart into the Mouth or Lips. He knoweth where he is used with neglect and will recompence accordingly as also where he is not obeyed from the Heart and where he hath not the whole The Commandment is repeated over and over Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul. He requires to have the
his days though with the utmost Skill and Dexterity He that is very diligent in gathering Straws and leaves none behind him will never pass for a Wise man. Let the bundle be every day bigger yet if never so great it is all to a vain Purpose The result of the whole is that God hath provided for mankind Bags which wax not Old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Luke 12. 33. unto which he now calls and invites them to accept of in the mean while he Commands to abstain from what is an hindrance to this which also is hurtful and disquieting It is better trusting unto him then seeking unto the Creature His Goodness and Wisdom are justified yea to be admired and complyed withal Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 15. CHAP. X. Of Anger Wrath Hatred Malice Envy BEfore hath been considered that inordinate Love and Desire after Meat Drink Women and Money the several Idols of this lower World which draw after them such a multitude of Followers by holding forth the outward shew of Good and Happiness But upon the strict and through inquiry every one must acknowledge it is not in me The Man is cheated all the while he may stumble over among and within them all seeking Rest and finding none God is the chief and only Good Who ever left him and prospered It is as impossible to be Happy without him as that there should be light of Noon-day when the Sun is under this part of the Earth Nothing is more miserable and yet nothing more Proud then Man was the observation of a very Heathen but we know whence to derive this accursed Nature It came down from his Forefather who would be as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3. 5. the Author of his own Happiness We are his Children and would be working it out of our selves Let the only Wise God declare unto them it is in the way of his Commandments that he is the Lover of mankind and ordained such for their Good yet they will think otherwise and so despise his Wisdom and Truth Which is such an iniquity as themselves shall find their own Conceit of Happiness to be Folly falshood and disappointment and shall be recompenced with abhorring and Confusion of Face for evermore Isa 66. 24. If that wherein they most trust deceive them much more will those things wherein they do not place so great Expectation If the Principal faculties of Soul when they stand in opposition to God will not afford true and real contentment much less will the inferiour Passions which disjointed from him do nothing but torment and make miserable When neither desire nor love with their several Objects are able to make a wicked Man happy much less will the other parts of his Soul which condemn and vex him His understanding doth reprove his Ways the other Passions do torture or Discompose If it were not to keep him in life he had rather have no Soul at all but would become altogether flesh and sence that he might have all things to relish but nothing to embitter his delights This wish is impossible as it is mean and degenerous for He who fashioned every part of us both of Soul and body hath likewise so ordained that if they be not brought into Obedience Sanctified and made Happy then as they were the instruments of sin so of punishment and to render Miserable Pain and Sickness to the body or if that be not Grief and Indignation to the Soul. As hereafter there is no middle state between Heaven and Hell nor any standing still now between both so it is of Happiness and Misery If that which is given to promote the one is not made use of accordingly it will tend to the other If the Soul is not brought into Obedience unto Happiness then it falls down into Destruction and Misery How we are to be regulated throughout hath been shewed Chap. 2. Where the whole Man was taken in pieces that he might be set in a right frame The Understanding Will and Affections were surveyed In the two first both the good and evil were discovered the affections were treated of as tending to good if Governed by the Law of God. Now it remains according to the proposed method to speak of that evil and misery they occasion by being ruled according to the Law of the Flesh The corruption and abuse of Love as to its several Objects hath been handled in the last foregoing Chapters When the good and evil of a thing is laid open the one may be chosen and the other avoided And hereby it may be a little more particularly manifested unto Men would God it were done by a better instrument but here it is endeavoured according to the ability himself hath been pleased to give Thou art good and dost good teach me thy Statutes Righteous art thou O Lord and Vpright are thy Judgments The Testimonies that thou hast commanded are exceeding Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 68 137 138. Though he hath the greatest Sovereignty over Creatures and he might as some earthly Potentates do by their Vasâ—als have exercised his authority over them by enjoyning them such and such things which would not be for their good but only expose them to hardship and inconvenience But God is not as the Son of Man who is Ignorant Proud and Cruel for there is an intrinsick worth and excellency a real goodness in the very nature of all things our gracious Lord requires as on the other hand there is Baseness Deformity and Evil in forbidden things Seek Good and not Evil that ye may live Hate the Evil and love the Good Amos 5. 14 15. Beloved follow not that which is Evil but that which is Good 3 Joh. 11. This is the Law and the Prophets It is the sum of all the Commandments of God. We are required to put off Anger Wrath Malice Col. 3. 8. Hatred Variance Envyings Gal. 5. 20 21 26. So certainly there is Evil in them and they hinder our Happiness All anger is not sinful nor forbidden but when without cause and immoderate Either without Provocation or upon little and trivial things Such a temper is contrary to the Peace and Tranquility of Mind When the Winds blow and Storms arise there succeeds a troubled Sea the Waves roaring Not much unlike is the Soul of Man when Contempt Affront or other cause hath moved him that which before was Calm and Smooth begins to Rise and Swell and violently beats upon the Banks The fierceness of the inward Man may be discerned when the Eyes shall roul up and down like sparks of Fire among the Stubble the form of his Visage changed Multitude of Words do press at the door of Dan. 3. 19. the Mouth that none are able to get forth but stammering and confused noise The Hands are with difficulty
kept from doing mischief the Teeth grind and chatter Reason is banished and nothing but Rage to be seen all these outward signs do discover that strange agitation and restlessness the Soul is in This is properly Wrath the highest degree of Anger Man is despicable to look upon abstractedly but when thus stirred one would admire so little a Creature should do so great things His Soul is never so much discerned to be confined and pent up in a narrow Room as then it would break through the Walls and causes those about him to fear Then is raised a ferment and heat of the Blood which is no more true courage though it hath a shew thereof then desperate acts and ravings of distracted Persons Neither is it Wisdom The Fool rageth and is confident He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly Prov. 14. 16 17. The discretion of a Man defereth Anger and it is his Glory to pass over a Transgression Prov. 19. 11. Who knows the utmost that is in an injury is least moved with it and also this is a sign of a truly great and exalted Spirit for Reeds and not Oaks are shaken with the Wind. A little and empty Soul is tossed to and fro with every breath of provoking Language He serves like the fightings of Wild Beasts to divert Spectators only such an one is worse and more destitute of understanding for they bite others but he teareth himself in his Anger Job 18. 4. The whole Man is hurry and division from himself for the time he knows not what he doth That inward Vexation and Perplexity that Impatiency and desire of Revenge those Malicious Wishes of Hurt if they should not come forth into Act do certainly hurt himself But commonly it proves Mischievous to others both to Multitudes and single Persons Many thousands in the prime of Age have went down to the Slaughter have joyned to Butcher one another as if they were to make a Feast of their own Flesh to the Destroyer Surely he laughs and Smiles if we may suppose that of the infernal and accursed Spirit to see poor Mortals do the work themselves and of their own accord fall a Prey into his Teeth Let none say this evil is from God for he hath no pleasure in the destruction of the living He maketh VVars to cease unto the end of the Earth Psal 46. 9. So Isa 2. 4. Miâ— 4. 3. Psal 68. 30. Which with the Parallel places shall be yet fulfilled He hath sent his Son the Prince of Peace who hath promulged such a Law to the World that if observed there would be no VVars and fightings among us but they come from Mens lusts Jam. 4. 2. Ambition and Revenge are the great Incendiaries which sprang from him who would be like the Most High and thence fell from Heaven And therefore now continues his hatred against God by with-drawing as many as he can from his Obedience and also his own envy at the Happiness to which Men are appointed which he hinders as much as he can It is his employment to nourish and instil in the hearts of Men all things that may do hurt amongst which Rage is one Principal Instrument for carrying on his Pestilent design It works Transgression against God and Mischief to Men both the Actors and Sufferers It goes forth by Armies or two by two When People have not opportunity to assemble themselves by Troops to shed Blood the Devil takes care they may do it by single parcels If he who is placed under God for this purpose keeps the whole Community in Peace and Qâ—ietness yet the Spirit which worketh in the Children of Disobedience stirreth them up severally to kill or maim one another which it is impossible for Humane Government wholly to prevent for that doth not reach within and therefore can no more stop the beginning of Passion then the first breaking forth of fire If it be possible as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all Men. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto Wrath For it is Written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Rom. 12. 18 19. This is pished off and slighted without duly considering the reason of the Command It is matter of the greatest astonishment that so little and contemptible a being as the Son of Man is should behave himself stoutly and disdainfully against the Lord his God that he who in himself is very fearful and trembles at every thing should dare to provoke his Maker The reason of such abominable presumption is That God having here ordained a life of Tryal and Obedience of Faith The place of his Especial residence is in Heaven which is afar of And he remains invisible undiscovered to the blinded world So they either not know or not think of him and therefore use so much boldness and contempt towards him But should he be pleased to manifest himself a little more had they but the least beholding of his Majesty and Greatness these same persons would creep who now lift up themselves against the Holy One of Israel No Question there were some of as daring Spirits as any now among us who stood by Mount Sinai when God descended there and we know what effect it had upon them The like is not to be expected again in this World but yet they shall be summoned to meet with that God against whom they have been disobedient and shall have a more sensible and lasting apprehension then the Israelites had for their Souls will be terrour round about Men may be Rebellious and so indeed are in the days of their Flesh but when they shall drop out of that Nothing hinders from certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the Adversaries Heb. 10. 27. Go to the proud Men and tell them they must not revenge their Injuries but leave them to God for he saith Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my Treasures To me belongeth Vengeance and Recompence Deut. 32. 34 35. They will be ready to Answer like unto Pharoah Who is the Lord that I should obey him They are for using it themselves To which it may be replied in the Words following Their foot shall slide in due time for the day of their Calamity is at hand and the things that shall come upon them make haste And then they shall know who is the Lord and wherefore he Commanded so It is a received Rule among the Men of Fashion if any receives an Affront his own Sword must do him Right and he will venture his Life to accomplish it Thinking that if he is killed there is an end of all his Vexation for the given Injury and he had rather die then endure it but if he should overcome then he gets Honour and is revenged on his Enemy But is â—e resolved to kill or be killed Let him be told before he goes that he Acts like a Fool for if he gains the Field
sign of their Fearfulness of Spirit so it is most unreasonable and foolish To flee from that which is frightful in your imagination and your selves have made so into a real Danger to run from that God who would have you be saved into the Pâ—ws of the roaring Lyon who walketh about seeking whom he might devour is a Fear without knowledge The striving to put out the Thoughts of what you do Fear is the certain way to bring your Fears upon you It is only smothering them for a little time when they will Rise up worse and more tormenting It is the Sense of us all that when we have offâ—nded God like our Fore-father Gen. 3. 10. We are afraid and would hide ouâ—selves Indeed if the Godhead were in no wise appeasable it would be natural and prudent to keep off our Punishment and alâ—o the Thought thereof as long as we could But now seeing we have so plain Revelation throughout his whole Word what the Apostle saith 2 Cor 5. 1â— 19 20. He is to be reconcilâ—d and he caâ—â—s upon all Let thâ— VVickâ—d forsake his way and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts Aâ—d let him retâ—â—n unâ—o the Lord and he will have Mâ—rcy upon him and â—o our God for he will abundantly Pardon Isa 55. 7. The guilty Sinner will be apt to imagine his offence greater than can be forgiven Himself Answers that in the Words following My Thoughts are not as your Thoughts He speaks by another Prophet Thou hast played the Harlot with many Lovers yet return again to me saith the Lord Jer. 3. 1. Whatever any Mans past Sins have been yet still he need not Fear to come unto God through Jesus Christ who came not to Call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance These Doctrines are good and true but trifled with and abused What was designed to give all People Comfort and Hope for amendment of Life the wicked make use of for Presumption and continuance in Sin but they will find God is not so easie as they would think or wish him They must not dally with him as they dare not with their Superiours on Earth Remember he is Almighty so he is the All-wise God and will no more admit of those repeated Provocations then now Men of Authority and Wisdom do with those who carry themselves despitefully and disdainfullâ— towards them This slighting Temper is very common among People they say God is merciful and though they sin against him yet he will be pacified again which is as they make it as if he was what I am unwilling but to name However these Proud Scornful Sinners laugh inwardly at their own conceits but if they did consider throughly trembling would arise within them that it may be otherwise then they imagine and so it will be But to pass by them Come again to those who are less Wicked who stand of in some dread and reverence who think they have so highly displeased God that they dare not approach to him to beg Pardon Herein is some manners and goodness and such may be assured there is mercy with him sufficient to do away their Transgressions notwithstanding all their Multitude and Aggravation Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow though they be Red like Crimson they shall be as Wool Isa 1. 18. Sinners need not be afraid to return unto him from his Word or Nature there is notâ—ing afâ—rightfâ—l in him to the VVilâ—â—â—g and Obediâ—nt those beginning the good work or who are perfecting the same There is one who sâ—cretly represents God and Religion to be very dismal and happy is he that hath least to do with them But they are false and lying Words There may be some difficulty at first in the act of Repentaâ—ce and Conversion but when that is got over the way is smooth and plain But if it were never so rugged as it is noâ— yet lâ—t those fearful Souls whom the Devil holds Captive by this snare consider God hath the upper hand in the World He hath sent a Message to the Inhabitants of the Earth commanding subjection from them He hath given them a Law whiâ—â— if they do they shall live by otherwise theâ— shall die eternally This present life is appointed for time of Tryal Things thus standing What safety doth Satan provide for those he draws unto Rebellion surely none other then this not to think of their Case and Danger A poor miserable shift by not seeing to run into it whereas had thy seen they had avoided it Be astâ—nished O Heavens be confounded O Earth If I might call the Angels to come and behold the utmost folly of the Sons of Men. Were they so as those who befool them in the state of Devils irreversibly doomed to Damnation then in truth to put in mind of God and Eternity would be to Torment them before their time But seeing they have a day of Grace and Salvation it is both natural and reasonable to consider that they may make sure of it and to be told of the Wrath to come that they may flee from it for it were something if they could turn away the evil by not thinking thereon but the Gulph is fixed the fire is prepared and they cannot be removed or quenched only by the carelessness of those who go the ready way to plunge themselves in They foolishly think to escape by this their design not attending to what is Written The wicked is snared in the VVork of his own hands The Vvicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9. 16 17. There is no safety for the negligent and careless World. If their heart was not darkened or become altogether inconsiderate they might reason thus with themselves Am I terrified with the uneasiness of Religion and shall I to avoid that for a little time bring upon my self Eternal Anguish of Mind Are the strivings of Gods Spirit irksome now for a Season They are only so because you will not comply with them yet will you by resisting them draw on the Spirits of Darkness to Torment for evermore If that be so grievous which is now for a short time it will be much more so that shall last to all Eternity and therefore the less is to be submitted unto to avoid the greater We count him Childish and Foolish who will not take a bitter Pill to recover Health And it is ten thousand times more so in him who will not sorrow after a Godly sort 2 Cor. 7. 9. To prevent the damnation of Hell. That is afraid to shed a few Penitential Tears to avoid Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth To stand in awe of a little thing and run into a greater is as if we should run from the shaking of a leaf into a place of Dragons and Scorpions Men conceive more hardship in the ways of Godliness then really there is Strangers are affrightened at that which the
deliberation all Men are Lyars With him my Soul is contented to embarque for the Land of Eternity upon this perswasion and confidence God must be good and true He hath made known his Will concerning us Men by him that is the true and Faithful Witness who hath done it accordingly God hath appointed a day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17. 31. By Christs Resurrection the Apostle spends a whole Chapter 1 Cor 15. To prove the necessity of ours And in other places of Scripture are such convincing Arguments which are able to beget in us a lively Faith as is equal to knowledge and demonstration in other matters which we cannot so properly have of any thing that is unseen and future as this Article of Faith is Now my days are swifter then a Post they flee away they see no good Job 9. 25. It is evident they do roul over our heads we have no true and lasting Happiness but what is in expectation of that to come nothing we do signifies but which tends to that We cannot well think that God who made this lower part of the World for our use hath pâ—t all things under our feet Psal 8. 6. Whose works are manifold and in Wisdom hath made them all Should make us to serve to no purpose that we should not have also our proper end and we have no end at all unless it is to glorifie our Maker We have no work to do unless it is that he hath revealed for us here to do Is it to shine in Pomp or wear fine Clothes In all our Glory we are not arrayed as the Lilies of the Field Is it to shew our care by provision before hand for Earthly things The Ants and Bees do the same only we are found more unreasonable they lay up only for the Winter time but we who know our selves Mortal covet as if we were to abide here for ever Is it meerly to sport and play The Leviathan takes his Pastime in the deep Is it only to keep company There are some sorts of Birds and Beasts that continually flock and herd together still this is not all God made Man for himself hath endued him with Powers which rise higher then any of these ends To know and serve him here in order to more fully praise and enjoy him hereafter He hath provided other kind of things for us then we now see or have Every one that is not Brutish in his Imagination doth find in himself Expectations after that which this World cannot give something that points out beyond the compass of the Earth and the Deep saith it is not in me The good and allwiseCreator will not couzen or beguile him with that which is not will not always feed him with bare longings or false hopes No doubt but if Man will believe and have patience for a little while he shall have his full satisfaction These things are superfluous to Mention buâ— there are many unbelievers in these latter days who by sayings and caâ—eâ—ess actions cause the Faith of some to stumble Others have taken up Christianity as a thing of course and outward custom of the World they know nothing more in it I have heard it Talked and Whispered as if dead and gone there is an end and no more It was needful to say somewhat that these might in due time have perfect knowledge of another World before they are actually entred into it for otherwise it is sad and lamentable And also that those who have some belief and not bare profession might be under a more lively sence thereof for this very much helps to ordering the conversation aright Nay who have all faith and come to the greatest degree that usually Men arrive unto yet these have need still to seek out further establishment and confirmation thereof God having reserved that in Heaven and it being not so agreeable to a state of Tryal is pleased not to give unto any of us absolute perfection in Spiritual Graces or natural accomplishments Who hath received a faith which cannot be shaken at least in some of its Branches It doth lie upon us all to make it as sure as ever we can by the means given that it may help in time of need When we come near to Death that is such a time the greatest Temptation with whichSatan doth at last assail us is commonly to unbelief taking advantage over bodily weakness and drooping So that he who is wise will endeavour to lay up in store against that time and also it is necessary in the midst of life then indeed it may be accompanied with little doubts but at last with desperate plangings It is requiâ—te to do all things to believe yea and stedfastly to believe No Man can be too well assured of the Truth of Scripture and which is included in them a life to come Let him endeavour still to be more and more for then he may securely triumph over the last Enemy Death look it in the face and yet not be dismayed His business is when he believes the Scriptures to be most certainly true to act accordingly and then he is safe When he can apply those promises to himself in Truth and without deceit he is as sure as iâ—possible for any to be on this side of Heaven Saith Christ Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise Man which built his House upon a Rock and the rain descended and the flood came and the Winds blew and beat upon that House and it fell not for it was founded upon a Rock Mat. 7. 24 25. This he applyed to his whole Sermon on the Mount Who doth observe that particularly what is said Mat. 5. 19 20 29 Mat. 7. 21. Shall have this commendation in the mean while and shall at last find it to be true to his endless comfort But there is a deceit amongst Christians who think if they can apply one single Beatitude to themselves they are well enough Indeed if they are so not because natural disposition is more inclined to such a Grace but purely out of obedience to Christ and no other reason the blessing may be theirs And if they were so alone out of that Principle the very same would oblige them to other things also He that is careful to approve his Obedience sincerely unto God will do it in all things he requires as well as such a particular instance If he is acted by love and subjection unto him he will do a thing at his command contrary to natural inclination or fleshly interest In all the Law given us there is no exception left to the natural humours and desires of Men those are to be contradicted and brought into Obedience If some are more prone to this sin and again some to another kind their forbearance and
that lived under the Old Testament which doth not so clearly manifest immortality as the Gospel doth Luke 16. 22 23. Luke 23. 43. Phil. 1. 21 23. Heb. 9. 27. Rev. 6. 9. Besides are innumerable places to prove Resurrection eternal Judgment and Life everlasting Things are fixed and not according to Mens Fancies one way or another those Decrees and Ordinances remain still the same in Heaven Of which we could know no more unless they had been â—old unto us by the Son of God who came down from Heaven and the Spirit from above then one now lying in the lowest Dungeon doth know of what is done in this World. And they do not vary change or alter with our several apprehensions of them whether of assurance or doubt no more then the Sun ceases from shining when only a Cloud comes between Let the sick Person use continual Ejaculations Lord increase my Faith And God will not leave him But he shall receive the end of his Faith the Salvation of his Soul. There cannot be too much Strength or Comfort laid up against this Day it should be the business of a Christians whole Life before for it is the entrance into an endless Life It is the fulfilling and Manifestation of whatever he hath heard Read or done in Truth pertaining to God and Religion And indeed it is worth while to do all things to go off safely He will have Peace in his Life and strong Consolation in his Death Let him observe all parts of Duty to God his Neighbour and himself throughout the Course of his Days Let him do what he can in Sincerity and Truth Whoso doth these things shall never be moved He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second Death Rev. 2. 11. Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ Pâ—â—l 1. 6. We may be certain of using the means of perseverance for God hath put them into our Power and as long as we rightly use those means we shall infallibly persevere So that in the mean while we may be assured and at last have true and cercertain hopes of Resurrection unto eternal Life And there cannot be such Fright and Amazement concerning that which is to make the everlasting Decision either when it is far off or near at hand If any one hath let him search and examine his Conscience impartially either he doth something which he ought not to do or he leaves something undone which he ought to do this makes him horribly afraid and must be amended before he can be freed from the Danger which the Fear gives warning of A true Christian can contentedly look for the blessed Hope even in the midst of Life he can find Comfort and sweet in the thoughts of Death as that which will free from the disturbances of Flesh and Blood the Molestations of an unthankful unbelieving ignorant World from the Miseries and Labours of Life and send him over unto eternal Rest and Rejoycing To come to the Enjoyment of our Lord Jesus Christ to be admitted into Fellowship with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Prophets Apostles Martyrs all the Good and Wise Men since the World began to be gathered unto his Fathers to see his Godly Friends and Acquaintance of the same Generation with himself just gone before all this must be a desirable thing The dead may be supposed to be about five hundred to one more then the living now are those whom thou leavest behind shall in a little time follow thee and the People which shall be born shall die in like manner and shortly God will accomplish his whole Elect. None hath advantage who goes before or after And seeing the River must be gone over it is small difference who hath a longer or shorter Passage so we avoid the Rocks and Dangers in the way The pious Soul will be in a Strait willing to stay and yet have a mind to go and there is some Irksomeness to leave the World as now it is to change the place where we have long dwelt Our Nature is something made up of Contraries willing and yet unwilling but if God doth really send as we know not his Pleasure until after the use of all prudent Remedies the Sickness proves unto Death Fear not to go for he calls thee Remember that Petition thou hast often made Thy Kingdom come and when it is wilt thou then shrink back One end of Sickness is to make us the more willing to leave the World. Whatever is sudden doth surprize for the time but then it is soon over whereas that which comes on by Degrees and expected is longer but then more easily born Good Men have been divided in Opinion about this thing those who have been for a sudden departure have rightly thought the only Preparation is by an holy Life for the Gospel speaks of no other It Commands to Watch to have our Loyns girt and our Lamps burning and this is to be done in the midst of Health Life and Vigour There is much Talk in the World about providing for ones latter End but unless to settle temporal Affairs from the example of Hezekiah there is not so much said thereof throughout the whole Word of God. It is the beginning of Error and Deceit when People depart from that It is Non sense and Contradiction to the saying of our Saviour John. 9. 4. to put off the working while it is day till the night cometh when no Man can Work. Who purposely put off the working out their Salvation till that time had best have a great Care what they do for besides the hazard of being taken away by sudden Death yet if they should have considerable time of Sickness or Old decrepit Age they have no such Warrant of being accepted Hear what God saith Mal. 1. 8. of offering the Blind the Lame the Sick for Sacrifice But if some are against Death by the ordinary way of Sickness because that is tiresome and may be an occasion of murmuring Distrust Unbelief blasphemous Speeches which proceed from violent Distempers yet we should not refuse to suffer whatever God thinks fit to lay upon us He knows our Condition and will not enter into Judgment for the meer Sin of the Disease no more then he imputes the Follies of Childhood We are to receive for the things done in the Body 2 Cor. 5. 10. to be judged according to the general Tenour and Bent of our Life Neither will our most merciful God take advantage of any infirmity or slip at the last He will not suffer us for any Pains of Death to fall from him The Church prays so for more abundant security and also to deliver from sudden Death O Lord thou knowest what is best for every one of us Thy Will be done Whether this first coming of the Son of Man finds in the
that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the Day dawn and the day Star arise in your hearts 2 Pet. 1. 19. The meerest unbeliever and natural Man may look upon the Scriptures which testifie to the contrary and give a lustre to his dark mind it may be otherwise then he is apt to wish or fancy But would he come to be more intimately acquainted with them and once begin to direct his Actions accordingly he would have that inward Assurance and Satisfaction that his former ignorance and unbelief would vanish away Whosoever applyeth to that Holy Book with candour and ingenuity to search whether these things are so if he comes with an upright sincere mind to be informed God will reveal it more perfectly to him Grace doth accompany the appointed means He that thus reads shall both understand and believe He cannot meet with so much assurance in all the Books of the Learned in all humane Reasoning in all the Tricks and Devices the wit of Man can find out as in that one expression of our Lord and Saviour Verily verily I say unto yâ—u Hâ— that heareth my VVord and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is pâ—ssed from Death unto Life Joh. 5. 24. The only danger that threatens Mankind after this life is from a greater Power and here we have assurance from the greatest that is or can be from God himself and his Son Jesus Christ that to do thus is the Way to get his Favour and avoid his Indignation We have as much assurance from his Goodness and Truth as if we were placed above all hurt or injury He commandeth all the powers of Darkness hath in subjection every thing that can be Named so that they cannot possibly hurt without his Allowance and he will never suffer any of his Servants to be in the least Toâ—mented by them In this life God spares Sinners and chastises the Righteous but in the next he will spare them and condemn the others He will not forget the insulting of his Enemies or the contempt and low estate of his own peculiar People Shall the wicked Blaspheme God for ever and vex his Servants No it cannot be Whilst they are in the way they may be exercised with Sâ—orms Tempests Troubles but not when they are at the end Blessed are the dead which die in the Lordâ— from henceforth yea saith the Spirit Rev. 14. 13. We have his Testimony for it and what is wonderful to agree therewith the consent of the whole World both good and bad The wicked will confess the same however they vary from them in course of life they account the Godly more happy in their end In the time of Health and Jollity they may put off Holy things with a contemptuous smile look with an Eye of scorn and disdain upon the Religious Fools but when themselves come upon the bed of Sickness then Horrour and Vexation succeed for former Laughter When the shadow of Death sits upon their eyelids then they look otherwise The Scales of Lust and prejudice fall off from the heart of the Sinner just before opening into the other World then he is changed in Opinion and hath other kind of Thoughts What would himself give if he had been such a fool whom now he knows to be the only prudent Men Wishes are vain and to no purpose that miserable saying I did not think of this before doth no good to the person himself but serves to warn others that they be not such fools and even he might have known as much before When Wisdom is not only justified of her Children but approved of by the disobedient what they utter against it is nothing but the effect of Folly and Madness but when they come to their right Wits and Sobriety they turn and pronounce of her Side When Malice and Envy are forced to speak Truâ—h Stubbornness is overcome but above all lust the great blinder of the mind begins to vanish away and it apprehends all things in their true shape Every thing besides is cryed out for Vanity and Vexation of Spirit and this judged the only real and substantial good all the rest have been deceivers and this alone true The pleasures and conveniencies of sin did not afford Peace and Happiness whilst had and yet are fled away as if they had not been Now it is fully discerned what was best to have done and what is the only thing to be trusted unto It is certain there is no profit in Wickedness for it stands in no stead and again there is a certain fearful expectation of the end of those things which is Death If they own not as much in Word or Action yet they are forced to it in serious thought and inward apprehension there is the real assent of every kind of Men He that walketh uprightly walketh surely Prov. 10. 9. We all make haste towards the finishing of our course and there is no way to be safe and blessed in ones Death but by an Obedient and Christian Life CHAP. XII Of Religion Faith Repentance Obedience against Vngodliness Of Preaching Prayer Praise the Sacrament That Religion doth not consist only in the outward Ordinances but a Divine inward Frame and Disposition which if universally complyed withall will give Peace and Rest to the Soul. VVIthout Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. A firm belief is sufficient that he is greater then we can conceive or imagine Whilst we are absent from Him in the Body it is not possible to see or know him as he is known This puzling thought often recurs What is he in whom thou believest God is a Spirit infinite Eternal And we that are flesh limited and our Age is as nothing cannot have a full apprehension of him We easily judge thus much that he must be greater then we can know Shall the Mole deny there is any such thing as Man because under ground he doth not see him And we are altogether as unable with these eyes of sence to see him that is Spiritual and Invisible Shall even brute Beasts who look upon us conclude we have no Reason Society or Government beâ—ause they do not understand the manner of it It would be alike impious and absurd to disbelieve the maniâ—old Wisdom and Works of God because we do not know them all or any perfectly God is ten thousand times ten thousand greater then Man more then he doth exceed the Creatures under him A more full discovery is reserved in Heaven for now we see through a Glass darkly but then face to face 1 Cor 13. 12. He hath â—een pleased to discover himself in the Works of Creation Providence and Holy Scripture We plainly perceive by the things made that he is and he hath also given us so much
power that we may do the things he doth require of us they are made known in Scripture which is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. We are to believe him to be true and then all must be so which is contained in that Book God doth encourage to his service with a Reward so that he who labours to please him acts after the very same manner tho in a much more eminent and greater degree as another who studies to recommend himself to the â—avour of the Kâ—ng or any Superiour The utmost visible greatness is Low and but a shadow of Majesty in comparison of this High and Lofty One dark as to his Brightness and soon passeth away when He inhabiteth Eternity However Religion which is our whole Duty towards God is looked upon as a little contemptible thing laughed at by the Ignorant Scornful and Proud Men yet is as much greater then any Temporal Design or Business as God is greater then Man Heaven then Earth Eternity beyond time a most perfect and everlasting Happiness above the fading imperfect trivial conveniencies here We may as well trust God for the great things to come and labour after them as we do for our daily Food and those little things that are present And though he now gives common Mercies to the unthankful yet they must use some means after them but for the better hope the exceeding great and precious promises of unseen and future things those are only for them who glorifie him here and seek after them Faith makes these things as absolutely true and certain as those now before us Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. 11. Faith towards God is reckoned among the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6. It being that upon which not only those there recited but whatsoever is said throughout the whole Book of God doth depend Which whosoever believeth stedfastly must necessarily be a Christian not in Name and Profession but in manner of Life or otherwise he will act more unreasonably and foolishly then ever any one yet did as to the things of this World. The Scripture doth contain things to be believed and things to be done The first are comprized in a brief form of sound Words commonly called the Apostles Creed which is believed as it stands upon certain and eviâ—ent places of Scripture and the outward confession of them is necessary to Salvation according to what may be gathered from John 5. 24. Rom. 10. 9. Mat. 16. 16. John 3. 15 16 17 18 36. Luke 6. 47. The great danger in not believing any Scripture is what the Apostle Speaks He that believeth not God hath made him a Lyar 1 John 5. 10. Which is more provoking then living in known Sin and Wickedness But this none that believes other things will dare to do the General Question and debate is what God intended in such a place It is agreed on both sides of the Truth of some sence and meaning but what that is is the rise of controversie and dispute In Paul's Epistles are things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. But since we have had those who were learned and resolute in their way who have done the same to carry on an interest to maintain the grandeur and infallibility of such a Church to espouse and propagate all the errours of such and such parties There hath been horrible pervâ—â—ting and seeking out Evasions not to the establishment but ovâ—rthrow of the Truth The pure and true Word of God hath beâ—â— made use of to defend corruptions and mâ—iâ—tain errour abâ—â—dance of this kind of iniquity will be disclosed at the revelation of all things It is sad to reflect that the only thing necessary in Religion is the only thing neglected how people fly about the skirts and borders not coming into the substance thereof The Church is pulled asunder into this or that parcel of Christians every little difference in Opinion must forthwith make a distinct party they cursing and damning one another It is the greatest part of the Christianity of some to be exclaiming against such a Sâ—ct or Communion so that if our merciful God should proceed according to the Anathemas Excommunications Wishes and Impretions of one against another No flesh would be saved What is the cause of all this stir and madness The VVisdom from above is fiâ—st Pure then Peaceable Gentle and Easie to be intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie Jam. 3. 17. The Gospel is good and plain made up of simplicity and purity so that is not the occâ—sion thereof But an enemy hath sown these tares of division who works mightily in the hearts of Men to deceive and hath taken this course to hinder the good seed to stiâ—le those practical truths which would bring forth fruit unto everlasting life Men rightly think they must have something to do with the things of God and some falsly think these vain disputations will serve the turn These are speculative not falling upon lust and they hope a zeal for this one way or another it is something for God and therefore shall come in for atonement of other sins And in conclusion tends to that he fain would save himself by condemning others What else makes him so extraordinary zealous for such a way and against such an opinion when himself in the mean while lives in Habitual sin and unrighteousness which is more dangerous to Souls then errours of the understanding if they were really such Here some drive on an interest of their own but who do not are led by such an impulsive cause In those that have set up for Guides and Teachers there hath been Doting about Questions and Strifes of words whereof cometh Envy Strife Railing evil Surmisings perverse disputings of Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that gain is Godliness 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. This was their end but the silly people were by them told that was most for Salvation which made for their own profit and thus they have came to that height of zeal and giddiness Do they not place more in their petty differences then in the weightier matters of Law Judgment Mercy and love of one another That all this is a meer delusion may be further seen because it quite vanishes when the Man approaches near to Death and apprehends things according to sincerity and Truth How earnestly doth the Apostle express himself against these disputes even at their first beginning Rom. 14. 1. Phil. 2. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 6 7 6. 20 21. 2 Tim. 2. 14 23. But what would he say if he had lived at this day to see so many volumes of controversie to have heard of so many go about as have troubled Christians with words subverting their Souls Acts 15. 24. Shattering if not making to fall the
Creature A certain token there is something more in him then that receptacle of Flesh we see and whence came that But by creation from God. And should that just now come forth into Being start up and disown its maker Which hath received a capacity to imagine high things should that presently do so against him from whom it was derived But wilt thou know O vain Man unless he had made thee in this exalted State thou couldst not if thou wouldst never so fain thus magnifie thy self against him Because he made thee to serve him and gave thee power to do it freely what an horrible thing is it that any should instantly turn and refuse subjection unto him I know the heart of the Reader will rise at this Who ever arrives to such strange kind of Wickedness and most base ingratitude In plain terms all those do who make no Prayer unto God for they shew no submission unto and dependance on him Have the Workers of Iniquity no knowledge Who eat up my people as they eat bread they have not called upon God Psal 53. 4. A â—it preceeding Isa 64 78. Question for the other is consequent to it and then this ignorance the not calling on him is refusing Obedience unto him or a secret disowning of their dependance on him for all High and Low People as well as Priest are strictly commanded in sundry places of Scripture to do both It signifies little to say with the Mouth according to the common form if one thinks otherwise in the heart God knows that or if he doth really Judge God is to be obeyed and Worshipped it is to be shewed forth by outward Action As in the publick Assemblies * Jer. 10. 25. family-Worship which is rather to be done though it be taken notice of and perhaps laughed at by our ungodly Neighbours for then we do it not to get praise but out of a sence of Duty Sayings and the custom of others are not so much to be regarded but every one in his House ought to shew forth a visible subjection unto God before the World. By Prayer we acknowledge Gods Authority over us we confess our selves Servants Subjects and Children that live upon his good Providence and that all things come from him We believe on him whom we have not seen We give credit to his gracious promises and stand in aw of his threatnings and thereupon most of our Petitions are founded We are in our proper Office when we lift up our Soul and our Desire is unto him God is most pleased in actual Obedience working of Righteousness and bringing forth fruits of Well-doing yet by Prayer there is a tendency and inclination in the Soul to them there is a begging help and willing mind to do according to the power given us there is an asking forgiveness for what we have done amiss and to perform better Obedience for the time to come What can God require more of his poor imperfect Creatures then to do according to their Ability and to help out their infirmities by humbly craving a Pardon for them and sincere desires that they were better He is Faithful and Good knowing our frailty and condition We have an High Priest that is touched with the feeling of our Infirmities he hath purchased a Salvation and Reward if we do according to them his Righteousness and perfect Obedience supply our defects Hear what he saith and how he affirmeth it Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give 〈◊〉 you John 16. 23. Now the desirable thing is Heaven and Happiness but there is no leaping into it without going in the way for this is Gods immutable decree and nothing can be granted contrary to that which is by Obedience and Holiness the contrary is sin And therefore we are to beg forgiveness of that and to ask for the Holy Spirit by which we may be enabled to live according to the Will of God in all things Provided when that prompts to do such a thing we be sure to comply with it and so when we have dictates to leave another thing undone for God will not be so put off that when he inclines towards the doing of his Will and we do it not but only pray that we may do it If thy Servant should come from time to time for aid and assistance to do such a thing for thee and thou grantest him his request yet he never doth that which he pretends he would if he had such help wouldst thou not say he did mock and slight thee The beginning of a thing is a desire towards it when that is then if there is power it will be certainly done So that if there is an unfeigned desire to keep Gods Commandments this will seek out for strength and ability to do so Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7. 7. The command and promise is not given only to Disciples or chosen Ones for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened vers 8. Here Man will fly back again and say he cannot ask But yet he can ask Bread Fish or any good thing of another and why then will he not ask good things of our Father which is in Heaven Hath he a real desire to be saved Why there is a willingness in all Men to this Blessed end But here is the difference between the Fool and Wise Man the first would have it without the means the latter knows it is impossible and therefore must have both or neither Indeed there is an aâ—kwardness against the way to Heaven a rumour of the Sons of Anak some strange difficulty next to impossibility The Man is frightened and gives back and therefore it is necessary for him to have a true report abstracted from the lies and false Imaginations to have all the encouragement that can be given to be urged with the absolute necessity and that it is an exceeding Good land all that Men can possibly do is little enough to get possession there They do already submit to more hardship in getting those things which are not the ten thousandth part so valuable such like perswasions by degrees change the mans mind for he did not hear or not know of as much before this conquers natural aversation and puts him upon a firm advised resolution and the next thing is to get ability to go through with it In the work of Mans Salvation the Word and Preaching are before Prayer for how shall they pray for what they have not known or for what they have not heard And therefore it would be a good Method in the Education of Children to instruct them with some principles according as their tender Years will bear before they are taught to say Prayers by Rote or to make them somewhat understand what they say In those of riper
will not alter his doings to gratifie any one We must live by Faith in this World all the days of our appointed time we are to wait till our change come What is promised at present is granted now according to our Faith so it is and so will be as to what shall be revealed hereafter There is encouragement and sufficient certainty that our Breath is not spent in vain The Incense after it is gone off from the Altar presently vanishes out of sight and after those breathings of the Soul are passed forth the door of the lips they may seem to be lost and gone but they ascend up unto Heaven to the Vials full of Odours which are the Prayers of Saints Rev. 5. 8. Some descend again into invisible but sensible Blessings working for us an exceeding great reward against the time we shall be admitted there For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found Psal 32. 6. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the Heavens Lam. 3. 41. There is one thing destroys the Nature and Efficacy of Prayer viz. Want of Attention wandring Thoughts that heavy yawning and negligent way of devotion now this cannot be utterly hindred for the flesh is weak corruption clogs a Multitude of outward and sensible objects do press into the mind The necessary affairs of life are too apt to intermingle with holy things Yet this being offensive and unbecoming the Majesty of God Those who love and fear him will endeavour what they can against it Look up unto Heaven and think unto whom ye speak who dwelleth on High and filleth all things this will stir up Reverence and Godly fear With how great awe and seriousness do the Seraphims praise him Isa 6. 3. And canst thou pour out words before him with sluggishness and negligence of Soul Look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who in the days of his flesh offered up strong crying and tears And why mayst thou not strive to do so likewise Call to mind thy past acts of Supplication how happy it would be for thee if they had been performed in an attentive earnest manner let this quicken thee the next time to give heed to the present and use diligence for the future that no opportunity may slip from thee without effectual fervent Prayer Say every Sentence with all thy might for there is no Praying in the Grave whither thou art going If thou canst mind one why not another So a Third and thus go through thy whole Devotion Suppose thou wert to die to Night and make thy Supplications all one as thou wouldst do then And though it may be ten thousand to one whither this is thy Case yet certainly this is and of us all that we must ere long appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive for the Good or Evil we have done so it is near the same thing Reflect on the gliding Nature of time and as that passeth on try to make it as it were stand still by the most intense Prayer and other Good Works for all other things fail and perish when these are done in Order to what shall endure for ever Do not grudge at the loss of tirâ—â— for can it be laid out to better purpose Canst thou with more Comfort give up thy Account for this precious Talent then so many hours expended in the Worship and Service of God It will turn to more advantage then worldly Pleasure or Profit Trade and Employment idle Company or Recreations for all these with the living are just ready to be done away as they are already with those that are gone before But for what time is improved in the means of Grace and a Life answerable to them it tends unto immortal Glory There is more then a thousand years recompence for every minutes Work here on Earth For what dost thou come before the most High God Are they not The things that belong to thy Peace of greater Concern then Houses or Lands No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Souldier 2 Tim. 2. 4. It is not said he doth not meddle at all but doth not involve plunge himself in for this is a mighty hindrance to the things of God. There can be no Prayer made unto him whilst the desire sticks here below and again take it off and the Man can lift it up to God his Lot and Portion And therefore let him drive away all Earthly Cares or leave them behind when he goes up to Sacrifice If Prayers are offered up in a right manner they will stand in more stead then getting an Estate and labouring to be Rich. We should take as much Care in them as others do in their proposed Ends which quickly come to nothing The more one is abstracted from the World and present things he is better enabled for the Worship of God. In private he may shut his Door endeavouring to keep out all Divertisements In publick look to himself not observing others Devotions and neglect his own Every Person shall receive the Reward of his own Labour What others do what is that to thee Mind thy Self The World imagine this to be flat dull and tedious they speak as they find for it is so where the Heart is unrenewed and under the Power of any Sin. Who are alienated and Enemies through wicked Works it is aukward to draw nigh unto God It is violent and contrary to lift up their Souls unto a pure and Holy Being But it is not so with them who are cleansed from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit who hate every false way and in some measure are Holy as he is Holy and therefore he is sutable to their Desires Those fervours of Spirit that Joy of the inward Man are Riddles and Mysteries to those that pass by who have only a little taste by lip Labour or bodily Service but not throughly acquainted what true Prayer is The Morning and Evening oblation are acceptable to the obedient and devout as their Meat and Drink yea more as the Gratification of the Soul doth exceed that of the Body It is an exceeding satisfaction to propose a right and sure end to ones self and then all the mediate Acts towards this yield present Comfort and a blessed Expectation The great end of mankind is God He is worthy of all they can do for him of their utmost endeavour to please and approve themselves unto him For thou Lord art good and ready to forgive And plenteous in Mercy unto all them that call upon thee Psal 86. 5. There is a rejoycing when we do any thing according to Gods Will a certain Argument that we were made and sent here for this purpose only The Sun rejoyceth as a strong Man to run his Race Psal 19. 5. So it is in all created Beings We are the disobedient part
Face whom we now remember but Praise abideth to eternal Ages I will be bold to say When we shall be invested with this exceeding and enduring Happiness our thanks will not be so much now is the only time of Faith and Thanksgiving This is the only day to magnifie our God for giving unto us exceeding great and precious Promises Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the Earth Psal 113. 5 6. He who made doth now preserve govern and dispose of them according to the good Pleasure of his Will. So we are to acknowledge and offer up thanks for all his Mercies and wonderful Works towards us Whether in Relation to Soul or Body this Life or that to come It is an imperfection of ours to judge any Mercies to be small for God gives nothing unworthy of his Majesty but the littleness is in our selves his Mercies are fitted to our mean Capacity Knowledge and Instruction are not imparted to Horse or Mule neither are we to expect the understanding of an Angel for our present Condition could not bear it According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1. 3. Even what belongs to this dying Life and vile Body yet there is such a necessity and Connexion of them in order to greater that they call for our most humble and hearty thanks That prepares for an immortal Being and we have all our Treasure in this earthen Vessel which also is to be changed and made Glorious and Incorruptible In our Body every Bone Artery and Vein is Subservient to the whole so the manifold Blessings of God are for our present and eternal Good. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father and in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 5. 20. This is a most just and reasonable Command notwithstanding it may seem odd and precise in the sight of the World when done as to common things But if it were not thus esteemed the Duty would not be so Excellent for that more appears when one is contented to suffer shame and be accounted strange and ridiculous only for the sake of God. It seems uncouth through Zech. 3. 8. disuse and because it is not generally Practised The want whereof is through Pride and Sullenness disobedience and ungodliness ignorance and unbelief which in these corrupt times bear sway over the greater part of mankind But if these wicked hindrances were removed there would be giving of thanks at all times and in all places from the greatest to the least A Son honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master Mal. 1. 6. Themselves would not like to have a kindness and good turn requited with slight Forgetfulness and Ingratitude But they do not perceive the Goodness and Mercies of God as they do other things which come from one another which they bring take Or get by their own Power Let any one that imagines so stand forth Deut. 8. 18. and answer Who made him to be a Man and gave him Power to do whatsoever he doth What hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it Why art thou not thankful One cause is what is of all Irreligion and Wickedness that thou hast these things nevertheless God is kind to the unthankful and evil Luke 6. 35. observe who is ranked first and therefore they remain so If God should make known himself and his Works a little more then he hath done already there would be no Tryal of any ones Submission or Thankfulness Because now he would prove whether Men will bless his Holy Name therefore they refuse But let such know they may have their good things and Consolation and hence pass to his Judgment Seat of whom they have been unmindful and sullen Hear ye and give Ear be not Proud for the Lord hath spoken Give Glory to the Lord your God before he cause Darkness and before your Feet stumble upon the dark Mountains Jer. 13. 15 16. If I may use such a familiar Phrase Do but behave your selves Civil towards God in this World that you may meet him with Comfort in the next Let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually that is the Fruit of our Lips giving thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. This is no hard thing It is so small a Duty and under the Majesty and Greatness of God that we need an express Revelation to assure that he accepts thereof If himself had not said Whoso offereth Praise glorifieth me Psal 50. 23. A considering Person could not believe it for he might easily think thus There is more distance in respect of Superiority between God and Man as between Man and Flies Now if they should buz forth in Commendation of us What Glory would it be God is gracious and infinite in Condescention If he doth set his Heart upon Man Job 34. 14. That he doth at all look upon our low and mean Services He is Glorified in all his Works and this with ordering our Conversation aright is the utmost we can do Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced to him again Rom. 11. 35. But he hath first given unto us and expects the return of good words to our Maker Only acknowledge and Confess with the mouth what we have received and have Good-will towards him and speak out of Things truly as they are Lord Who would not Praise and magnifie thee Forasmuch as among all the Beings of the World there is none like unto thee thou art the Maker of all and they from thee Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things and for thy Pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4. 11. The larger Potsherds of the Earth lifted up with Pride and Vanity do not value nor mind the good Expressions of a Beggar and a mean Person though they believe it to be sincere 'T is their Sin and Weakness to slight their Brother of the same likeness and as much a Man as themselves with all the Priviledge and Advantages of humane Nature But God is not like unto them He that first made doth not forsake the Work of his hands Psal 138. 8. 1 Sam. 12. 22. Isa 44. 21. He is pleased with and hearkens unto the Voice of his Children He who formed them after that manner and for this purpose doth accept the Fruit of our Lips. They that know God and have such raised thoughts of him as his visible Works do set forth are apt to doubt that he who is so much above and greater then mankind should at all mind them they being little and below his Cognizance But Scripture doth most evidently satisfie to the contrary There is the very Image of the Godhead upon our selves and a Capacity to know and Worship him all which give perfect assurance
that we are related and the Objects of his Concern That 〈◊〉 doth and will punish the World for their Evil and the wicked for their iniquity Isa 13. 11. is manifested when his wrath is kindled a little for sometimes Punishment doth begin to seize on the ungodly Sinner even before he goes to receive the full recompence of his doings By that abundant Misery which is every where he doth let all the Earth know that he hath indignation against Sin and this the place thereof Again on the other hand By seeing the felicity of his Chosen by that little taste of Happiness he gives unto his dutiful Children He doth thereby assure that he designs to bring them unto greater to encourage here and reward hereafter Their affliction and trouble doth manifest the Sin even these have They are chastened of the Lord that they should not be Condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 32. That liberal Provision and plenty the Evil and unthankful have is for Tryal or Retribution for even these do some little good So that a Man shall say Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58. 11. The Lord looketh from Heaven He beholdeth all the Sons of Men from the place of his Habitation he looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth He fashioneth their Hearts alike he considereth all their VVorks Psal 33. 13 14 15. God doth care for us and we have to do with him Heb. 4. 13. notwithstanding his infinite Greatness for he hath been pleased to admit thereof The VVord Prayer and Praise do keep up this astonishing intercourse They expel the former Hatred Aversation and Strangeness Can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 3. But they may when they are Acquaint now thy self with him and be at Peace Job 22. 21. Abraham was called the Friend of God Jam. 2. 23. Many like sayings the Holy Ghost makes use of as may create Humble Boldness and love to him There is nothing affrightful in him to good Men but perfect love casts out Fear 1 John 4. 8. When this once begins to be established and rooted it is no harshness to make mention of his name then to talk and think of him must be exceeding delightful The very reason why natural and disobedient people cannot endure to hear or speak of God is for want of what is here mentioned and they judge of others by themselves But examine your selves is there any torment to speak of what one loves There is such a thing as love of God if themselves would turn from every evil way and come nearâ—â— they might be happy partakers and not only conceive but be sensible thereof It is the whole required of Man to love God with all his Heart all his Soul all his Strength and all his Mind to love him better then any yea all things besides As much as he can and to use sincere endeavours to love him more The first thing to be done before any can come unto that is to hate evil Psal 97. 10. And then we may love the Lord which gives a delicate relish of every duty we owe unto him O how love I thy Law it is my Meditation all the Day Psal 119. 97. My Meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord Psal 104. 34. My Mouth shall be satisfied with Marrow and Fatness whilst my tongue praiseth thee with joyful lips Psal 63 5. Praise ye the Lord for it is good to sing praises unto our God for it is pleasant and praise is comely Psal 147. 1. But God commendeth his love towards us in that while were yet sinners Of the Sacrament Christ died for us Rom. 5. 8. Now it is just and reasonable that wonderful and gracious works should be had in remembrance To this end our Lord instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood that we may call to mind the one was broken the other shed for us to obtain the forgiveness of our sins This do in remembrance of me Luke 22. 19. Here is a positive command and the refusal is an act of Disobedience It is called by his own name the Communion of the body of Christ and the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. The Psalmist seems to have intended it in a prophetick Spirit when he said I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116. 13. So that it may be applyed to this Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. Again He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. That Soul which did not receive the Passover was to be cut off from his people And ought not the Marke 12. 6. Son of God himself be as much reverenced in the Commandments he gave us Did he not work for us a greater Salvation then the other did for our Fore-fathers in delivering them from the Land of Aegypt May it not be fearfully expected that those who either contemn or wilfully neglect this divine institution shall not be admitted into that eternal inheritance Christ hath purchased for us And where I am there shall my Servant be John. 12. 26. But he is none who will not do the things Christ saith and commands Let all consider of this and fear and lay hold of opportunity for this duty That of 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. should not keep people away for this is a certain Rule That if one truly repents and discerns the Lords Body that is esteem it more then common Bread and Wine he can never eat or drink unworthily A common and ordinary capacity doth not judge of more then he sees or handles Indeed there are too many especially in Country Towns and Villages that are sunk into gross Ignorance and Darkness as to spiritual things who was in the fault will be judged at the last day There being throughout our Land like Priest like People both backward and unwilling the one to give the other to receive instruction Yet any one that is a Man and reasonable Creature otherwise he could not do the common business of life may conceive thus much that God is who made the World and all things therein The Bible is his Word and whatsoever is written therein is most true and certain When this is heard or read sincerely it will by degrees let in more Light into his Soul Especially if he goes to the place where it is Preached and Expounded He may come to understand the sence and meaning for the Scripture in necessary things is very plain and then to conceive thereof in his mind There he may learn that under the old Law God instituted many Ceremonies and required the punctual observation of them and though the beggarly Elements and carnal Ordinances are done away for they were Types of Christ our Passover who is now risen yet since his supper is ordained to be kept in
come in and then conceive who is more Honourable The Servant of him whose is the World and the Fulness thereof or a Lord of so many Acres of Land. Those Palaces and great Houses are not so much as the Dwelling of Ants to that Habitation of his Holiness the House Eternal in the Heavens prepared for all those who diligently seek to come there I ask no Mans Faith for this but appeal to his very Sence if he looks upward or how far the East is from the West The Eyes of our Vnderstanding being enligâ—tened do as clearly perceive the invisible things within as the outward Eye doth what is before us So that let none talk of uncertainty and fiction neither put off the minding them The Proud and Scornful Men are in truth low-Spirited A Glass of Liquor or the sparklings of Wine the gratifying of a lower lnclination a Whore and well coloured Dust a few little parcels of Land is what they concern themselves about Not regarding the Rivers in the Paradise of God the Glory and Exstacy of that Place the Inheritance reserved there You are for a blast of Wind which doth no good but puffs up a bubble for the lightness thereof You are for a small Reputation and Applause from talking Worms and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only John 5. 44. That gaudy shew goes away As a Dream when one awakâ—th Isa 23. 9 So O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their Image Psal 73. 20. As they are mistaken in their conceit of Greatness so likewise of Happiness being there for little and Vain things for trifling and fading delights before Great and enduring Peace They are for those things which depart and come to nothing with the day before that satisfaction which is just begun here but finished and perfected through infinite Ages Is this your Honour It is such as hath no Vnderstanding Is this your Pride it is both a Deceit and a Lye for small things it bereaves you of greater it makes a shew of what is not pretends to Great and Honourable but it is Pitiful Low and Contemptible Are these fit to be made an occasion to forget God or despise what belongs unto him Their Heart was Exalted therefore have they forgotten me Hos 13. 6. 'T is by reason of those paltry things that some come to that pass as to do according to their will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary if not to speak out yet to think Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. This doth shew forth the great and enlarged faculties in Man that can stretch thus far but again this betrays his Degeneracy and Folly that he should do it upon such a small and light occasion For one that might be partaker of the Divine Nature to Jer. 2. 11. vaunt himself in beastly inclinations and desires this really brings down to the Earth And didst debase thy self even unto Hell Isa 57. 9. For him that is called unto Precious and Inestimable things to Pride himself in those of no value to be listed up with meer Vanities when they are capable to inherit great Excellencies which they set at naught because they understand them not It will be the Exclamation at last What hath Pride profited us or what good hath Riches brought us But this voice signifies nothing to Men in Desperation and Misery Whereas if now they would lay it to Heart it might bring them out of this Temptation and Snare of the Devil Every one would willingly be Happy and use the means to be so Now there are but two ways in the general Either by following Gods Grace and Direction or their own Fancies and Thoughts which they have from a sligâ—t apprehension of the thing or the opinion and multitude of others That the generality of Mankind are not yet in the right is as sure as Gods Word is true Even in this doubt wherein the World stands divided One that hath common Wisdom and discerning in every Action he takes in Hand or in every thing he proposes to himself might reduce it all this Whether the good or evil of a thing will be greater considering both what is present and what is to come for this will as certainly be here as the other And this should determine every ones choice in the way to Happiness which indeed must if he would make sure and not be deceived therein We call the Proud Happy Mal. 3. 15. Mark the Phrase for it is only so with word of Mouth but we cannot conclude it so upon Consideration and Discourse for that will make to appear it brings more Evil then Good unto Men. It is the cause of Disobedience unto God for it foolishly disdaines to be in subjection unto him and prefers its own will before the Will of God. This is a very great temptation for t is not so much the Pleasures of a Wicked Life but a Proud thinking to have the alone Command over himself and his own Actions to be governed by none and who shall controul him This makes to slight and seem to laugh at the Word of God They reckon it a piece of Bravery that they can do contrary They despise the means of Grace and Salvation They pish at Instruction and those who are appointed to make it known Shall a few Men take upon them to be Wiser then the rest or to Reform others or shall they do according as they are bid But all this is easily answered for God fpeaks unto the World by those of the same likeness with our selves it is nothing to us let Men do as they will no more then it is to the Poste whether the Proclamation be complyed withal or not His Laws are set before us by his Servants the Prophets Dan. 9. 10. We observe them not as the words of Moses Prophets Evangelists Apostles but as the very Commands of God and his Christ There is an Obedience due to the Rom. 2. 8. Truth as being from him but not at all because such a fellow Creature saith or would have it so Tribulation and Anguish is denounced against those who will not obey it now and they will really wish they had And those who purposely go against those Pillars of Truth will find that they had better run their Head against a stone-Wall which may dash out their own Brains but that remains unshaken But the Proud Men will not hear nor read or if they do they will not obey for say they in the deep of the Heart they have power over themselves which is the beginning of their Disobedience and Transgression they are liable to the Misery and Threatning annexed which will certainly come upon them if they continue in that wicked mind The Stubbornness and Contempt is much worse to the great God over all then if a Son or a Servant is perversly resolved not to †hear Jer. 13. 15. and know what his Father or Master would say or not give
Call to mind how Evil came into the World through Sin though it is not taken away yet Help is ordained against it It is Written and found true of the Benefits of the second Adam unto whom all the Scripture hath Relation Surely he hath born our Griefs and carryed our Sorrows Isa 53. 4. It is but reasonable we should have some sence of them also That as he had Compassion on the Afflicted Heb. 2. 10. so we should perceive how great things he endured for us to raise our Love Thankfulness and Obedience unto God through him Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them Happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very Pitiful and of tender Mercy James 5. 10 11. CHAP. XIX AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE and FEAR of God The CONCLUSION of the Whole NOw therefore stand still that I may Reason with you before the Lord of all the Righteous Acts of the Lord 1 Sam. 12. 7. It is as certain that God is as any thing is for he made all things Consider how great he must be whose Works are so how Glorious Good and Excellent he is as those Manifestations do set forth And then think further how we the Inhabitants of the Earth who walk up and down as so many Grashoppers should behave our selves towards him If we were not his Offspring and Workmanship we might justly think he would have nothing to do with us but that shews the contrary nay moreover our Rebellion proves the Relation What might be known by Obedience is also shewed by Transgression But how unreasonable doth this last appear for reflect upon God and our selves What are we to despise or be stubborn against him He is great and we little Other things do his Will and why should not we comply therewith Would the vain Swearer walk out and as he beholds the Heaven or Earth he treads which was first Created and now sustained by an Almighty power And is it fit he should be spoken lightly of His Glorious and Fearfuâ— Name be used upon every frivolous and idle account when he hath so expresly Commanded to the contrary So it may be said of every Sin May not the God who formed us preserveth us giving whatever we enjoy give also Laws and Directions to his Creature for him to be governed by To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I Command thee this day for thy Good Deut. 10. 13. Thy Testimonies that thou hast Commanded are Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 138. As for God his Way is Perfect the Word of the Lord is tryed Psal 18. 30. Look impartially upon his whole Revelation in Scripture survey every particular Precept and Judge Whether it is not equal Psal 119. 128. for God to enjoyn and for Man to comply therewith As for Worship Praise and Prayer none denies them There is the general Consent that such are to be rendred We are zealous and prone But here Satan the Enemy hath two Wiles the one in some Ungodly people who are frightned with a little Dulness and Iâ—ksomeness at first but even they unless very Ignorant and Stupid cannot satisfie themselves without some Worship That Aukwardness would go off if they would accustom themselves to Duty Another Subtlety The Adversary hath found concerning the manner thereof for the Substance is agreed by the far greater part of Mankind But here they are fierce and hot so angry and displeased at contrary Opinions So stiff for their own an Evidence of what is in our nature to have to do with Religion Here again creeps in another Device of the old Serpent by which he takes advantage for he would confine the whole of Religion to this which is but a part and also raises a Dust about outward Circumstances which are not essential to Worship for seeing that God is to be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth but hath prescribed no exact Pattern thereof in Scripture away might be found out for Union Love and Peace Neither in the mean while should we be angry with our Brother that doth not go according to the same precise manner for as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 12. 4 5 6. Why may it not be likewise supposed If there be now some Diversity of Worship yet as long as it is the same God to whom it all relates if each way is Spiritual and True free from Idolatry Jewish and Heathen Superstition God is Glorified every way for all fall down and Worship him and God is in them of a Truth He doth actually manifest his Favour Grace and Acceptation to those of the several Perswasions among us Yea all the Idolatries in the World do some what discover that natural Inclination in Man to Worship God for all Falshood and Fiction doth suppose somewhat true and real But it hath been the Stratagem of the Devil who is permitted to resist either to take away or where he cannot do that to corrupt To move Men to forget God or deceive them in their Duty towards him As reasonable Creatures They can thus conceive That if they should lose the sence of him or harden themselves against his Fear yet still be remaineth The Lord sitteth King for ever Psal 29. 10. He is always above Thou compassest my Path and my lying down and art aquainted with all my ways Psal 139. 3. Though we do not think of him The Scripture in sundry places threatens severely against forgetfulness of him for it casts off his Kingdom which is over the Hearts of Men. Besides it is unnatural to forget God that formed us Every thing we see are his Works which do remind His Word His Servants Every Affliction or Evil and a Thousand things do stir up our Remembrance of him which before was stifled with other things The sence of him is paturally imprinted in our minds and appears forth when Stupefactions and Hindrances are taken away Corrupt Man is willing to lose it for it Occasions aw and dread which he doth not like But God would have it retained and therefore forbids Excess Sensuality and all things which clog and suppress it He doth requires us to walk Humbly with our God Mic. 6. 8. He hath established Love to be mixed with Fear both make up Reverence and Good will So we may be in the Fear of God all the day long without Torment yea with Satisfaction and Complacency Another Reason of our willingness to forget is because a continual Remembrance implies Subjection and we are inclinable to that which was our Fore-fathers Fall. But why should we not think our selves as we are indeed Creatures We are only in subjection to the Most High We are not put under Principalities and Powers The more excellent created Beings do not exercise Dominion over us We are subject to none but God
Acts of their Masters Grace and Bounty for those according to the Flesh would sooner retract their conceived Favours when another shall put in mind and give notice of what they would have voluntary from themselves and unexpected of others And therefore for my part I dare not speak out what God knows are my desires and innermost thoughts in submission to his Will and consistent with his Glory and other Attributes But as a fellow-Creature do intreat Men that they would not commit those things against which God hath manifested his severe Displeasure O that we may all behave our selves in the mean while though we cannot deserve the least Mercy yet to be in some measure worthy to escape those things which we have been fâ—reâ—old of and then we must not Sin yet more against him All the World may be assured it was never yet seen in any Nation Countrey or Language Ezek. 6. 10. for the Laws thereof to be Elusory or Vain but due Punishment doth overtake those who are Stubborn Despisers and continued Offenders There are abundance of Expressions of Gods Mercy in Scripture but they are commonly joyned with his Truth or something else to keep of people from presuming too much upon it as Psal 57. 3 10. 62. 12. 86. 5. 100. 5. And that Gracious Manifestation Exod. 34. 5 6. Where it is repeated many times that Mercy rejoyceth over Judgment yet there comes in a limitation That will by no means clear the Guilty The Threatning is as firm and abiding as any part of his Word and they are of Judgment when our Lord saith Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my VVords shall not pass away Mat. 24. 35. The Promise is confirmed by two immut able things wherein it was impossible for God to lie Heb. 6. 8. So of some he hath sworn that they Isa 54 10. shall not enter into his Rest Heb 3. 18. Both parts are ratified as much as can be Known to God are his Decrees and how he will be pleased to distribute to every one But the safest way is for us to have Apprehension of them according to Truth that we may be more careful to partake of his Favour and avoid his Wrath. Beware of those Doctrines which beget Presumption and Unconcernedness for the things are true as God hath Established if all the Learned in the World did argue or determine which way they would It is better to do those things required and avoid what is forbidden and so escape then to follow after what ends in Death to be unmindful or to dispute against it for now several things happen which we did either not think or say would not come Though some would release or mitigate yet they do not deny future Punishments but if they were only as the more favourable conception of them allows yet the Pain and Loss is much beyond the Pleasure or Conveniency of a short sinful Life for what is that to countervail the Romanists Purgatory or the opinion of a Thousand Years Torment and then a fiâ—al Dissolution The seeming good though present can never be a sufficient exchange for such an evil and deprivation of Happiness much less when the Torment is both Intolerable and Eternal The Commands of God are enforced with the greatest Arguments that can be And yet how few do regard them How is the World grown to be so Wicked and Ungodly And of those who come unto God how few do conform unto his whole Will Love and Serve him with all their Hearts One would admire unless he did consider the causes of so great Apostacy viz. Mans Corruption Unbelief Ignorance Deceits Satans Temptations there are many oâ—tward Objects to divert him Carnal and Temporal things do make him forget those that are Spiritual and Eternal which have a light and transient impression upon us and such like But all these hindrances may be taken away by the Grace and Revelalation of God. It is so ordered that Man must strive and give Diligence if ever he would be Happy there is enough left to prove him and to exercise his Care and Watchfulness Upon the whole There is a wise Establishment of things There The general Conclusion is a just Disposal for assistance is given and the means are put in our power The Members that have been yielded unto Sin and Iniquity may be made Members of Righteousness unto Holiness the Faculties and Powers were first designed and now may be restored unto good as they have been employed in evil It is a gracious Dispensation in that God encourages to those things which are for our Good and Happiness It is true for we are only taken from deceit and falshood from shew and appearance which ends in what is worse then nothing and are called forth to what is true and assured and real as any thing is All that we now see is but the Figure of the true even that Heaven and Earth which are to suceed Hearken and come near Oye Sons of Men do but Learn Know and Practice the things pertaining to Gods Kingdom for they are Just Wise and Conceivable also I want words to express their excellency I have written the Great things of thy Law but they were accounted as a strange thing Hos 8. 12. The like Imputation may be here cast upon what is brought out of the same Book of Scripture Many odd passages uncouth They know not what to make of them But let me tell any one that thinks so where the Strangeness of all lieth Even in Mans Transgression either the not observance of what is Commanded or doing those things which are contrary to the Laws of God and Truth When there was occasion to speak of those things uncommon expressions might fall The nature of things is the same but differently apprehended for some do live according to the Principles of Good and others do not some use the means to have their first Blindness and Ignorance taken away and others do not But where is universal Obedience and alike Knowledge what is Truth and sutable to one is likewise to another Where it is half and imperfect Prov. 8. 9. let him reflect upon that Duty or Sin which himself observes or avoids and see how that is explained by that he may measure whereof himself is Conscious and Guilty Had all continued alike Obedient as the Man after Gods own Heart they would give the same Praise and Commendation of his Law as is done Psal 119. but according to their several Sins Men think severally as they will. T is Lust and Iniquity That we might turn from our Iniquities and understand thy Truth Deu. 9. 13. that corrupt the Judgement or at least the outward Faculty from whence they think speak and do to vindicate themselves before their Acquaintance otherwise then they should But there is even in the Disobedient unless mightily defaced and suppressed the Spirit of the mind by which they can judge that the Law is