joy God poures the golden oyle of comfort into broken Vessels the Mourners heart is emptied of pride and God fills the empty with his blessing the Mourners tears have helped to purge out corruption and after purging physick God gives a Julip The Mourner is ready to faint away under the burden of sin and then the bottle of strong water comes seasonably The Lord would have the incestuous person upon his deep humiliation to be comforted lest he should be swallowed up with over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7 This is the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted the Valley of tears brings the soul into a Paradise of joy a sinners joy brings forth sorrow the mourners sorrow brings forth joy John 16.22 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy The Saints have a wet seed-time but a joyful Harvest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They shall be comforted SECT I. Showing the mourners comforts here NOw to illustrate this I shall show you what the comforts are the mourners shall have These comforts are of a divine infusion and they are two-fold either Here or Hereafter * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 1. Comforts here 1. COMFORTS HERE They are called the consolations of God Job 15.11 That is Great comforts such as none but God can Give they exceed all other comforts as far as heaven doth earth The root on which these comforts grow is The blessed Spirit he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter John 14.26 and comfort is said to be a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Christ did purchase peace the Spirit speaks peace Quest How doth the Spirit comfort Answ Either Mediately or Immediately 1. Mediately By helping us to apply the Promises to ourselves and draw water out of those Wells of salvation we lie as dead children at the breast till the Spirit helps us to suck the breast of a Promise and when the Spirit hath taught Faith this Art now comfort flows in O how sweet is the breast-milk of a Promise 2. The Spirit comforts immediatly The Spirit by a more direct act presents God to the soul as reconciled it sheds his love abroad in the heart from whence flows infinite joy Rom. 5.5 The Spirit secretly whispers Pardon for sin and the sight of a Pardon dilates the heart with joy Matth. 9.2 Be of good chear thy sinnes are forgiven thee That I may speak more fully to this point I shall show you the qualifications and excellencies of these comforts which God gives his mourners 1. These comforts are real comforts the Spirit of God cannot witness to that which is untrue There are many in this age do pretend to comfort but their comforts are meere impostures the body may as well swell with wind as with flesh a man may as well be swelled with false as true comforts * Distinguendum est inter Gaudia Veritatis Vanitatis Aug. The comforts of the Saints are certain they have the seal of the Spirit set to them Ephes 1.13 2 Cor. 1.22 A seal is for confirmation when a Deed is sealed it is firme and unquestionable When a Christian hath the seal of the Spirit stamped upon his heart now he is confirmed in the love of God Quest Wherein do these comforts of the Spirit which are unquestionably sure differ from those which are false and pretended Answ Three ways 1. The comforts of Gods Spirit are laid in deep conviction John 16.7 8 and when he that is the Comforter verse 7. is come he shall reprove or as the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall convince the world of sinne Quest Why doth conviction go before consolation Answ Conviction fits for comfort by conviction the Spirit doth sweetly dispose the heart to these two things 1. To seek after Christ When once the soul is convinced of sin and the hell that follows it now a Saviour is precious When the Spirit hath shot in the arrow of conviction now saith a poor soul where may I meet with Christ In what Ordinance may I come to enjoy Christ saw ye him whom my soul loves All the world for one glimpse of my Saviour 2. The Spirit by conviction makes the heart willing to receive Christ upon his own termes man by nature would article and indent with Christ he would take half Christ he would take him for a Saviour not a Prince he would accept of Christ as he hath an head of gold Cant. 5.11 but not as he hath the government upon his shoulders Isa 9.6 But when God le ts loose the spirit of bondage and convinceth a sinner of his lost undone condition now he is content to have Christ upon any termes When Paul was struck down to the ground by a spirit of conviction he cries out Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9.6 Let God propound what Articles he will the soul will subscribe to them Now when a man is brought to Christs termes to beleeve and obey then he is fit for mercy when the Spirit of God hath been a Spirit of conviction then it becomes a spirit of consolation when the plough of the Law hath gone upon the heart and broken up the fallow ground now God sows the seed of comfort Those who brag of comfort but were never yet convinced nor broken for sin have cause to suspect their comfort to be a delusion of Satan It is like a mad mans joy who fancies himself to be King but it may be said of his laughter it is mad Eccles 2.2 The seed which wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13. that comfort which wants depth of earth deep humiliation and conviction will soone wither and come to nothing 2. The Spirit of God is a sanctifying before a comforting Spirit as Gods Spirit is called the Comforter so he is called a spirit of grace Zach. 12.10 Grace is the work of the Spirit Comfort is the seal of the Spirit the work of the Spirit goes before the seal the graces of the spirit are compared to water Isa 44.3 and the comforts of the spirit are compared to oyle Isa 61.1 First God pours in the water of the spirit and then comes the oyle of gladnesse The oyle in this sence runs above the water Hereby we shall know whether our comforts are true and genuine Some talk of the comforting spirit who never had the sanctifying Spirit they boast of assurance but never had grace these are spurious joyes these comforts will leave men at death they will end in horror and despair Gods Spirit will never set seal to a Blank First the heart must be an Epistle written with the finger of the Holy Ghost and then it is sealed with the Spirit of Promise 3. The comforts of the Spirit are humbling Lord saith the soul What am I that I should have a smile from heaven and that thou shouldest give me a privy seal of thy love The more water is poured into a Bucket the lower it descends the fuller the ship is laden
it comes to a Duty by Examination and Ejaculation When the Earth is prepared then it is fit to receive the seed when the Instrument is prepared and tuned it is fit for Musick 2. Watching the heart in a Duty An holy heart labours to be affected and wrought upon his heart burns within him There was no Sacrifice without fire a pure Saint labours to have his heart broken in a duty Psal 51.17 The incense when it was broken did cast the sweetest favour Impure souls care not in what a dead perfunctory manner they serve God Ezek. 33.31 They pray more out of fashion than out of faith They are no more affected with an Ordinance than the Tombs of the Church God complains of offering up the blind Mal. 1.8 And is it not as bad to offer up the dead O Christian say to thy self How can this deadness of heart stand with pureness of heart Do not dead things putrifie 3. Outward reverence Purity of heart will express it self by the reverend gesture of the body the lifting up of the eye and hand the uncovering the head the bending the knee Constantine the Emperour did bear great reverence to the Word When God gave the Law the Mount was on fire and trembled Exod. 19.18 The reason was that the people might prostrate themselves more reverently before the Lord. The Ark wherein the Law was put was carried upon bars that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.11 14. To shew what reverence God would have about holy things Sitting in prayer unless in case of weakness and having the Hat half on in prayer is a very undecent irreverent practice let such as are guilty reform it We must not only offer up our souls but our bodies Rom. 12.1 The Lord takes notice what posture and gesture we use in his worship If a man were to deliver a Petition to the King would he deliver it with his Hat half on The careless irreverence of some would make us think they did not much regard whether God heard them or no. We are run from one extream to another from superstition to unmannerliness Let Christians think of the dreadful Majesty of God who is present Gen. 28.17 How dreadful is this place this is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven The blessed Angels cover their faces crying Holy holy Isa 6.1 An holy heart will have an holy gesture 6. A pure heart will have a pure life 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Where there is a good Conscience there will be a good Conversation Some bless God they have good hearts but their lives are evil Prov. 30.12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness If the stream be corrupt we may suspect the spring-head to be impure Aaron was called the Saint of the Lord Psal 106.16 He had not only an holy heart but there was a golden plate on his fore-head on which was written holiness to the Lord. Purity must not only be woven into the heart but engraven upon the life Grace is most beautiful when it shines abroad with its golden beams The Clock hath not only its motion within but the finger moves without upon the Dyal Pureness of heart shews it self upon the Dyal of the Conversation 1. A pure soul talks of God Psal 37.30 His heart is seen in his tongue the Latines call the Roof of the mouth Coelum Heaven He that is pure in heart his mouth is full of heaven 2. He walks with God Gen. 6.9 He is still doing Angels work praising God serving God he lives as Christ did upon Earth Holy duties are the Jacobs Ladder by which he is still ascending to heaven Purity of heart and life are in Scripture made Twins Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within them there is purity of heart and they shall walk in my statutes there is purity of life Shall we account them pure whose Conversation is not in heaven * Phil. 3.20 but rather in hell Micah 6.11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances and with the bag of deceitful weights How justly may others reproach Religion when they see it kicked down with our unholy feet a pure heart hath a golden Frontispice grace like new wine will have vent it can be no more conceal'd than lost The Saints are called Jewels Mal. 3. because of that shining lustre they cast in the eyes of others 7. A pure heart is so in love with purity that nothing can draw him off from it 1. Let others reproach purity he loves it as David when he danced before the Ark and Michal scoffed if saith he this he to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 So saith a pure heart If to follow after holiness be to be vile I will yet be more vile Let water be sprinkled upon the fire it burns the more The more others deride holiness the more doth a gracious soul burn in love and zeal to it If a man had an inheritance befallen him would he be laughed out of it what is a Christian the worse for anothers reproach 't is not a blind mans disparaging a Diamond that makes it sparkle the less 2. Let others persecute holiness a pure heart will pursue it Holiness is the Queen every gracious soul is espoused to and he will rather dye than be divorced Paul would be holy though bonds and persecutions did abide him Acts 20.23 The way of Religion is oft thorny and bloody but a gracious heart prefers inward purity before outward peace I have heard of one who having a Jewel he much prized the King sent for his Jewel Tell the King saith he I honour his Majesty but I will rather lose my life than part with my Jewel He who is enriched with the Jewel of holiness will rather dye than part with this Jewel When his honour and riches will do him no good his holiness will stand him instead Rom. 6.22 Ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life SECT 5. Exhorting to heart-purity Use 3 3. LET me perswade Christians to heart-purity the Harlot wipes her mouth Exhort Prov. 30.20 But that is not enough Wash thy heart o Jerusalem Jerem. 4.14 And here I shall lay down some Arguments or Motives to perswade to heart-purity 1. The necessity of heart-purity it is necessary 1. In respect of our selves Till the heart be pure all our holy things are polluted they are splendida peccata Titus 1.15 To the unclean all things are unclean their offering is unclean Under the Law if a man who was unclean by a dead body did carry a piece of holy flesh in his skirt the holy flesh could not cleanse him but he polluted that Hag. 2.12 13. He who had the Leprosie whatever he touched was unclean if he had touched the
THE BEATITUDES OR A DISCOURSE Upon part of CHRISTS Famous Sermon ON THE MOUNT Whereunto is added Christs various fulnesse The preciousnesse of the Soul The Souls Malady and Cure The Beauty of Grace The Spiritual Watch. The Heavenly Race The Sacred Anchor The Trees of Righteousnesse The Perfume of Love The good Practitioner By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the Word at Stephens Walbrook in the City of London 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the Bible in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1660. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE JOHN EARLE of CLARE And his Vertuous and Pious Consort ELIZABETH Countesse of CLARE Right Honorable THE many civilities and favors received from your Honours have laid no small obligations upon me and I knew not wherein I might better testifie my gratitude to you both than by presenting you with something of this kinde as a specimen of that solemne respect and service which I owe to you My Lord the soul being a blossome of eternity what should so preponderate and bear sway with us as those things which help to raise the soul to its full 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of happinesse and set it off in its orient splendor Blood may enoble learning may adorn but Religion puts the Garland of salvation upon a man In this consists true Wisdom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My Lord the study of this subject which I here offer to your view will with the blessing of God much expedite and help forward the true progress of Religion For the Author of this Sermon on the Mount behold a greater than Solomon is here Christ himself is the Preacher as his lips did ever drop like an hony-comb so most eminently in these Divine Aphorismes The duties here enjoyned are weighty the rewards annexed glorious Here we may see a Christian clothed in his white linnen of purity and scarlet-robe of Blessednesse Here we may see grace and glory meeting together and kissing each other Let no man ever think to get heaven who doth not ascend this Jacobs ladder * Gratia divina necessario requiritur ad beatitudinem consequendam Aquin. Would he be rich he must be poor in spirit would he enjoy happinesse he must espouse holinesse My Lord I could not be so exact as I desired in discussing this subject having much other work lying on my hands but I know such is your noble candour that you will rather cover than censure what you see amisse I will not farther Preface it but craving your Lordships patrociny and favourable acceptance of these impolite labours of mine I shall continue an earnest Oratour at the throne of grace for the distillation of all heavenly benedictions upon you and your nobly descended family and remaine Your Lordships humble Servant in Christ THOMAS WATSON From my Study at Steph. Walbrook July 6. 1660. Mr. Watson's Beatitudes TO THE Reader Christian Reader I Here present thee with a Subject full of Sweet Variety This Sermon of Christ on the Mount is a piece of Spiritual Needle-work wrought about with divers Colours here is both Utile Dulce In this portion of Holy Scripture thou hast a Breviary of Religion the Bible Epitomized Here is a Garden of Delight set with Curious Knots where thou mayest pluck those Flowers which will deck the Hidden man of thy heart Here is the Golden Key which will open the gate of Paradise Here is the conduit of the Gospel running Wine to cheer such as are Poor in spirit and Pure in heart Here is the Rich Cabinet wherein the Pearl of Blessedness is lock'd up Here is the Golden Pot in which is that Manna which will feed and refocillate the Soul unto Everlasting life In a word here is away Chawlked out to the Holy of Holyes Reader how happy were it if while others take up their time and thoughts about Secular things which Perish in the using thou couldest minde Eternity and be guided by this Scripture-clue which leads thee to the Beatifical vision Hoc patens unum miseris asylum Boetius de Consol If after God hath set life before thee thou shalt indulge thy sensual appetite and still Court thy lusts how inexcusable will be thy neglect and how unexpressible thy misery The Lord grant that while thou hast an opportunity and the wind serves thee thou mayest not lye idle at anchor and when it is too late begin to hoyse up Sailes for Heaven Ob now Christian let thy Loines be girt and thy Lamps burning that when the Lord Jesus thy blessed Bridegroom shall Knock thou mayest be ready to go in with him to the Marriage-supper which shall be the Prayer of him who is Thine in all true affection and devotion Tho. Watson ERRATA Reader be pleased diligently to Correct these mistakes in the Printing else the sense cannot be clear Page 76. margent for plungenda read plangenda p. 84. line 30. for donatus r. Novatus p. 100. l. 17. for that he may be saved r. that thinks he may be saved p. 116. marg for Naturam agens r. naturam agentis p. 127. l. 18. for deny r. envy p. 132. l. 3. for in r. it p. 148. l. 5. for judicial r. juridical p. 215. l. 2. for bemercified r. bemercied p. 223. l. 33. for soil r. soul p. 285. marg for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 238. l. 24. for straine r. stream p. 331. l. 13. for world r. word p. 384. l. 10. for least r. last p. 435. l. 17. for obnoxious r. obvious p. 454. l. 1. for rig r. ring p. 495. l. 9. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 513. l. 24. for of another r. to another p. 553. l. 13. for Hannibal r. Cannibal p. 570. l. 25. for must be saved r. may be saved 580. l. 7. for transforms him r. transforms us p. 584. l. 10. for purifying r. purifieth p. 617. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 615. l. 11. for scriptural r. spiritual p. 625. l. 9. for zeal of the spirit r. seal of the spirit p. 619. marg for charitatum r. charitatem p. 623. l. 26. for should r. would p. 639. l. 11. for laid r. lead THE BEATITVDES Or a Discourse upon Christs Sermon ON THE MOUNT MATTH 5.1 2. And seeing the multitudes he went up into a mountain and when he was set his disciples came unto him And he opened his mouth and taught them CHAP. I. The Introduction into the ensuing Discourse THE blessed Evangelist Saint Matthew the Penman of this Sacred History was at first by profession a Publican or gatherer of Toll * Publicani aut vectigaliarii Cael. Rhod. Antiq. and Christ having called him from the Custom-house made him a gatherer of souls This holy man in the first Chapter sets down Christs birth and Genealogy in the second his dignity a Starre ushers in the Wisemen to him and as a King he is presented with Gold and
of Davids life-guard would have beheaded Shimei No saith King David Let him alone and let him curse 2 Sam. 16.11 And when Saul had wronged and abused David and it was in his power to have taken Saul napping and have killed him 1 Sam. 26.7 12. yet he would not touch Saul but called God to be Umpire Ver. 23. Here was a mirror of meekness 3. The examples of Heathens though their meekness could not properly be called grace because it grew not upon the right stock of faith yet it was beautiful in its kind Pericles when one did revile him and followed him home to his gate at night rayling upon him he answered not a word but commanded one of his servants to light a Torch and bring the Raylor home to his own house Frederick Duke of Saxony when he was angry would shut up himself in his Closet and let none come near him till he had mastered his passion Plutarch reports of the Pythagoreans if they had chanced to fall out in the day they would embrace and be friends ere Sun-set Cicero in one of his Orations reports of Pompey the great he was a man of a meek disposition he admitted all to come to him so freely and heard the complaints of them that were wronged so mildly that he excelled all the Princes before him he was of that sweet temper that it was hard to say whether his enemies did more fear his valour or his subjects love his meekness Julius Caesar not only forgave Brutus and Cassius his enemies but advanced them he thought himself most honoured by acts of clemency and meekness Did the spring-head of nature rise so high and shall not grace rise higher shall we debase faith below reason let us write after these fair Copies 2. Meekness is a great Ornament to a Christian 1 Pet. Motive 2 3.4 The ornament of a meek spirit How amiable is a Saint in Gods eye when adorned with this jewel what the Psalmist saith of praise * Psal 33.1 the same may I say of meekness it is comely for the righteous no garment more becoming a Christian than meekness therefore we are bid to put on this garment Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God meekness A meek spirit credits Religion silenceth malice it is the varnish that puts a lustre upon holiness and sets off the Gospel with a better gloss 3. This is the way to be like God God is meek towards Motive 3 them that provoke him * Cum crebris exacerbatur offensis iram suam temperat Cypr. how many black mouths are opened daily against the Majesty of heaven how do men tear his Name vex his Spirit crucifie his Son afresh they walk up and down the earth as so many Divels covered with flesh yet the Lord is meek not willing that any should perish 2 Pet. 3. How easily could God crush sinners and kick them into hell but he moderates his anger though he be full of Majesty yet full of meekness in him is mixed Princely greatness and Fatherly mildness as he hath his Scepter of Royalty so his Throne of grace Oh how should this make us fall in love with meekness hereby we bear a kind of likeness to God it is not profession makes us like God but imitation where meekness is wanting we are not like men where it is we are like God 4. Meekness argues a noble and excellent spirit a Motive 4 meek man is a valorous man he gets a victory over himself * Immensae virtutis est non sentire te esse percussum Passion ariseth from imbecillity and weakness therefore we may observe old men and children are more cholerick than others strength of passion argues weakness of judgement but the meek man who is able to conquer his fury is the most puissant and victorious Prov. 16.32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit then he that taketh a City To yield to ones passion is easie 't is swimming along with the Tyde of corrupt nature but to turn head against nature to resist passion to overcome evil with good this is like a Christian this is that spiritual Chivalry and Fortitude of mind as deserves the Trophies of victory and the garland of praise Motive 5 5. Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy When Saul lay at Davids mercy and he only cut off the skirt of his Robe how was Sauls heart affected with Davids meekness 1 Sam. 24.16 17. Is this thy voyce my son David and Saul lift up his voice and wept and he said to David Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand thou killedst me not wherefore the Lord reward thee good c. This heaping of coals melts and thaws the heart of others it is the greatest victory to overcome an enemy without striking a blow the fire will go where the wedge cannot mildness prevails more than fierceness passion makes an enemy of a friend meekness makes a friend of an enemy the meek Christian shall have letters testimonial even from his Adversary It is reported of Philip King of Macedon that when it was told him Nicanor did openly rail against his Majesty the King instead of putting him to death as his Council advised sent Nicanor a rich Present which did so overcome the mans heart that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King and did highly extoll the Kings clemency Roughness hardens mens hearts meekness causeth them to relent 2 Kings 6.22 When the King of Israel feasted the Captives he had taken in War they were more conquered by his meekness than by his sword 2 Kings 6.23 The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel 6. Consider the great promise in the Text The meek Motive 6 shall inherit the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Argument perhaps will prevail with those who desire to have earthly possessions * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Some may object If I forbear and forgive I shall lose my right at last and be turned out of all No God hath here entred into Bond the meek shall inherit the Earth The unmeek man is in a sad condition there is no place remains for him but hell for he hath no promise made to him either of Earth or Heaven 't is the meek shall inherit the earth Object How do the meek inherit the Earth when they are strangers in the earth Hebr. 11.37 Answ The meek are said to inherit the Earth not that the Earth is their chief inheritance or that they have always the greatest share here but 1. They are the inheriters of the Earth because though they have not always the greatest part of the Earth yet they have the best right to it The word inherit saith Ambrose notes the Saints title to the Earth * Fruuntur
off the ruggedness in mens spirits grace turns the Vulture into a Dove the Bryar into a Myrtle Tree * Isa 55.13 the Lyon-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa 11.7 8. The wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid c. It is spoken of the power which the Gospel shall have upon mens hearts it shall make such a Metamorphosis that those who before were full of rage and antipathy shall now be made peaceable and gentle The Leopard shall lie down with the Kid. SECT 1. Peaceableness a Saints Character Use 1 IT shews us the Character of a true Saint he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Inform. given to peace he is the Keeper of the peace he is filius pacis a son of peace Caution Not but that a man may be of a peaceable spirit yet seek to recover that which is his due if peace hath been otherwise sought and cannot be attained a man may go to Law and yet be a peaceable man It is with going to Law as it is with going to War when the Rights of a Nation are invaded as 2 Chron. 20.2 3. and peace can be purchased by no other means than War here it is lawful to beat the Plough-share into a Sword so when there is no other way of recovering ones right but by going to Law a man may commence a suit in Law yet be of a peaceable spirit Going to Law in this case is not so much striving with another as contending for a mans own it is not to do another wrong but to do himself right it is a desire rather of equity than victory I say as the Apostle 1 Tim. 1.8 The Law is good if a man use it lawfully Quest Is all peace to be sought how far is peace lawful Answ Peace with men must have this double limitation 1. The peace a godly man seeks is not to have a league of amity with sinners though we are to be at peace with their persons yet we are to have war with their sins we are to have peace with their persons as they are made in Gods image but to have war with their sins as they have made themselves in the Divels image David was for peace Psal 120.7 but he would not sit upon the Ale-bench with sinners Psal 26.4 5. Grace teacheth good nature we are to be civil to the worst but not twist into a cord of friendship that were to be Brethren in iniquity Eph. 5.11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Jehoshaphat though a good man was blamed for this 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord The fault fault was not that he entertained civil peace with Ahab but that he had a league of friendship and was assistant to Ahab when he went contrary to God therefore there was wrath upon Jehoshaphat from the Lord Ver. 2. We must not so far have peace with others as to endanger our selves If a man hath the plague we will be helpful to him and send him our best Receits but we are careful not to have too much of his company or suck in his infectious breath So we may be peaceable towards all nay helpful pray for them councel them relieve them but let us take heed of too much familiarity lest we suck in their infection In short we must so make peace with men that we do not break our peace with conscience Hebr. 12.14 Follow peace and holiness we must not purchase peace with the loss of holiness 2. We must not so seek peace with others as to wrong truth Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not Peace must not be bought with the sale of truth truth is the ground of faith the rule of manners truth is the most orient gem of the Churches Crown truth is a depositum or charge that God hath intrusted us with we must God with our souls he trusts us with his truths we must not let any of Gods truths fall to the ground * Petius ruat coelum quam pereat una mica veritatis Luth. the least filings of this gold are precious we must not so seek the flower of peace as to lose the pearle of truth Some say let us unite but we ought not to unite with Errour What communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 There are many would have peace with the destroying of truth peace with Arminian Socinian Antiscripturist this is a peace of the Divels making Cursed be that peace which makes War with the Prince of peace though we must be peaceable yet we are bid to contend for the faith Jude 3. We must not be so in love with the golden Crown of peace as to pluck off the jewels of truth rather let peace go than truth the Martyrs would rather lose their lives than let go the truth SECT 2. Containing a Reproof of such as are unpeaceable IF Christians must be peaceable-minded what shall we Use 2 say to those who are given to strife and contention Exhort who like Flax or Gun-powder if they be but touch'd are all on fire how far is this from the spirit of the Gospel 't is made the note of the wicked Isa 57. They are like a troubled Sea there is no rest or quietness in their spirits but they are continually casting forth the fome of passion and fury We may with Strigelius wish even to dye to be freed from the bitter strifes which are among us There are too many like the Salamander who live in the fire of broyles and contentions Jam. 3.14 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife this wisdom descends not from above but is Divellish the lustful man is Brutish the wrathful man is Divellish Every one is afraid to dwell in an house which is haunted with evil spirits yet how little afraid are men of their own hearts which are haunted with the evil spirit of wrath and implacableness And which is much to be laid to heart the divisions of Gods people Gods own Tribes go to War In Tertullians time it was said See how the Christians love one another but now it may be said See how the Christians snarle one at another Saevis inter se convenit Ursis Wicked men agree together when those who pretend to be led by higher principles are full of animosities and heart-burnings Was it not sad to see Herod and Pilate uniting and to see Paul and Barnabas falling out Acts 15.39 When the Disciples called for fire from heaven Ye know not saith Christ what manner of spirit ye are of Luk. 9.56 As if the Lord had said This fire you call for is not zeal but is the wilde-fire of your own passions this spirit of yours doth not suit with the Master you serve the Prince of peace nor the work I am sending you about which is an Embassage of peace 't is Satan who kindles the fire of contention in mens
Faith shows a Christian the land of promise Hope sails thither with patience Thus you see how Faith and Hope differ but these Twins must not be parted Faith strengthens Hope and Hope comforts Faith as Elm supports the Vine and the Vine loads the Elm with its fruit Faith is the Cable and Hope the Anchor and both these help to keep the soule steady that it doth not dash upon Shelves or sink in the Quick-sands Thus much for the first what hope is 2. What a Christian hopes for This is set down 1. Emphatically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That blessed hope Hope here is put by a Metonymie for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The things hoped for That blessed hope is the hope of blessedness A Christians hope is not in this life then he were in the Forlone-hope here is nothing to be hoped for but viciscitudes all the world rings changes but looking for that blessed hope This is the difference between the Seamans Anchor and the Believers Anchor The Seaman casts his Anchor downwards the Believer casts his Anchor upwards in heaven looking for that blessed hope The Believer is a rich heir Hebr. 6.17 and he waits till the Crown-royal shall be set upon his head According to our Common Law there are two sorts of Free-holds There is a Free-hold in Deed and a Free-hold in Law a Free-hold in Deed is when a man hath made an entrance upon Lands and Tenements and is actually seized of them but a Free-hold in Law is when a man hath right to Lands but hath not yet made actual entrance upon them Heaven is a Believers Free-hold in Law he hath a right to it it is promised by the Father it is purchased by the Son it is assured him by the Holy Ghost but he hath not the Free-hold in Deed but waits Gods leasure and looks for that blessed hope till the time comes that he shall actually enter upon possession of the inheritance 2. The Object of a Christian hope is set down Specifically The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christ Where by the way the Deity and Godhead of Christ is strongly proved from hence against the Arrians as Hierom and Chrysostom well observe The Apostle shows who this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this great God is it is saith he our Saviour Jesus Christ but that only in transitu To speak then of the Object of a Christians hope set down here Specifically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour There is a threefold Epiphany or appearing of Christ 1. There is an appearing of Christ to us as when he was Incarnate Isa 9.6 To us a Child is born This was a happy appearing when this morning Star appeared then salvation appeared to mankind when Christ took flesh he did marry our humane nature to the divine nature The Virgins womb was the place consecrated for the tying that knot Great is this Mystery God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 'T is such an aenigma as the Angels adore 1 Pet 1.12 God said the man is become as one of us Gen. 3.22 but now we may say God himself is become as one of us he made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the likeness of men Phil. 2.7 This was Christs first appearing 2. There is an appearing of Christ in us that is when he appears in our hearts which is called a forming of Christ in us Gal. 4.19 Christ is said to appear in us when by the operation of his grace he transforms him into his own image In the Incarnation Christ made himself like to to us by Sanctification he makes us like to him holy as he is holy and this is a comfortable appearing What are we better for Christs appearing in our flesh unless he appear in our hearts what are we the better for a Christ without us unless we have a Christ within us Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory 3. There is an appearing of Christ for us and that two wayes 1. Christ appears for us as an Advocate Hebr. 9.24 He is entred into heaven there to-appear in the presence of God for us 'T is a Metaphor borrowed from our Law-Courts where the Atturney pleads for the Client so Christ pleads as an Advocate for the Saints Satan is the accuser but Christ is the Advocate he answers all bills of Indictment brought in and he appears saith the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the presence of God for us the High Priests under the Law appeared before the Ark and the Mercy-seat which was but a Type of Gods presence but Christ appears in the very presence of God for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the face of God he spreads his merits before his Father and in the vertue of his bloody sufferings pleads for mercy and if Christ appear for us in heaven shall not we appear for him upon earth 2. Christ appears for the Saints as a Judge and this appearing is meant in the Text looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christs first appearing in the flesh was dark and obscure his beauty was vail'd over Isa 53.2 all that saw the Man did not see the Mesiah But his second appearing as our Judge will be a glorious appearing like the Sun breaking out of a Cloud * Tunc ejus sâ—lgor Majestas omnibus innâ—rescet Esti it will be a glorious appearing both in respect of Christ and the Saints 1. In respect of Christ himself and that thee manner of wayes 1. His Person will be glorious That light which shone upon Saint Paul surpassing the glory of the Sun Acts 26.13 was but a part of Christs beauty as a sparkle of the Sun of Righteousness what will it be when he shall appear in all his Spiritual embroidery 2. His throne will be glorious he shall sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the throne of his glory Matth. 25. he shall have his Chair of State set him more rich than Ivory or Pearl a Throne most sublime and magnificent 3. His attendants shall be glorious Matth. 25.31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him The Angels are the Courtiers of heaven they are compared to lightning Matth. 28.3 in regard of their sparkling lustre and these glorious sublimated spirits shall be Christi satellitium part of Christs Train and Retinue accompanying him to his Throne thus it will be a glorious appearing in regard of Christ 2. It will be a glorious appearing in regard of the Saints Christ will appear to do three things 1. Christ as a Judge will appear to acquit his people and that is by pronouncing the sentence Come ye blessed of my Father The debt-book shall be crossed in the blood of the Lamb. 2. Christ as a Judge will appear to vindicate his people The names of the godly many times lie buried in reproach but at that day they shall as
not the Divel dispute you out of your hopes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Souldier that hath the higher ground and is gotten upon an hill he will not let the enemy beat him off his ground but will keep it to the last breath Hath God set you on the higher ground hath he raised your hopes as high as heaven be not beaten off your ground maintain your hopes to the last pray to God that he would further clear your Title to heaven that you may be as Mount Sihon which cannot be moved 3. How should this make us abound in the work of Branch 3 the Lord. Spes sulcis credit aratis Semina quae magno foenore reddet ager He who hath a well-grounded hope of heaven how fervent should he be in duty how zealous in the cause of God! the hope of glory should spirit and animate a Christian If there could be grief in heaven sure it would be that we have done God no more service what an infinite disproportion is there between our work and reward Let Divine Hope be as Oyle to the Lamp as Wind to the Sailes to excite and to blow us forward in holy activity for God we sow in hope Gal. 6.9 Let us not bâ— weary in well-doing for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in due season we shall reap if we faint not Branch 4 4. Let us live suitable to our hopes in an holy Angelical walking They who have heaven in their hopes should have heaven in their lives let us walk after that golden pattern whith Christ hath left us 1 Joh. 2.6 As we hope to have Christs death for our justification we must have his life for our imitation I will conclude with that Philip. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ The trees of Righteousness blossoming and bringing forth fruit Phil. 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse which are by Iesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God THE blessed Apostle in this Chapter makes a solemn Prayer to God for these Philippians and among the rest he puts up two rare Petitions for them 1. That they might be sincere Ver. 10. 2. That they might be fruitful in the words of the Text Being filled with the fruits of Righteousness c. Where is observable 1. The Matter being filled with fruits 2. The Manner of Production by Jesus Christ 3. The End which are to the glory and praise of God Doctrine from whence this great truth doth result Doctr. That Christians should above all things endeavour after fruithfulness The Saints are called trees of Righteousness Isa 61.3 These rational trees must not only bring forth leaves but fruit Being filled with the fruits of righteousness For the further amplifying of this there are two things to be enquired into 1. How a Christian brings forth fruit 2. What is the fruit he brings forth 1. How a Christian brings forth fruit I answer he brings forth fruit in the Vine by nature we are barren there is not one good blossome growing on us but when by faith we are engraffed into Christ then we grow and fructifie Joh. 15.4 As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me Jesus Christ is that blessed Root which shoots up that sap of grace into his Branches The Pelagians tell us we have sufficiency of our selves to bring forth good fruit but how improper is this doth not the Root contribute to the Branches is it not of Christs pretious fulness that we receive Joh. 1.16 Therefore it is observable Christ calls the Spouses grace his grace Cant. 5.1 I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spice Christ saith not thy myrrhe but my myrrhe Emissiones istae bone Jesu sunt emissiones tuae Bern. in Cant. If the Saints bear any spiritual fruit they are beholding to Christ for it it is his wine it is his myrrhe Hose 14.8 From me is thy fruit found 2. What that fruit is which a good Christian brings forth Answer it is 1. Inward fruit 2. Outward fruit 3. Kindly fruit 4. Seasonable fruit 1. A Christian brings forth inward fruit Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith c. Gal. 5.22 This fruit is sweet and mellows growing under the Sun of Righteousness this is that ripe fruit God delights to taste of Micah 7.1 2. A Christian brings forth outward fruit 1. The fruit of good discourse Prov. 15.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life Gracious speeches fall from the lips of a godly man as fruit from a tree 2. The fruit of good works Col. 1.10 God will say at the last day show me thy faith by thy works Jam. 2.18 A true Saint doth all the good he can honouring the Lord with his substance he knows he is to be in the world but a while therefore lives much in a little time and crowds up a great deale of work in a little room it was Christs speech not long before his suffering I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Joh. 17.4 How can they be said to finish their work that never yet began a good work 3. A Christian brings forth kindly fruit The godly man bringeth forth his fruit Psal 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is he brings forth that fruit which is proper for him to bear But what is this kindly and proper fruit I answer when we are good in our Callings and Relations In a Magistrate Justice is kindly fruit Deut. 16.19 in a Minister Zeal Acts 17. â—6 In a Parent Instruction Deut. 4.10 in a Child Reverence Ephes 6.1 in a Master good example Gen. 18.19 Ephes 6.9 in a servant Obedience 1 Pet. 2.18 in the Husband Love Ephes 5.25 in the Wife Submission Ephes 5.22 in a Tradesman diligence Exod. 20.9 in a Souldier innocence Luke 3.14 A tree of Gods planting brings forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his fruit that which is suitable and proper I shall never believe him to be good that doth not bear kindly fruit a good Christian but a bad Master a good Christian but a bad Parent doth not sound well That Minister can no more be good which wants zeal than that wine is good which wants spirits that Magistrate can no more be good which wants Justice than that Pillar is good which is not upright * Remota justitia quid sunt Regna nisi magna latrocinia Aug. That Child can no more be good who doth not honour his Parent than a Traitor can be said to be loyal When Absalom did rise up in rebellion against his Father the Mule which he rode upon as if she were weary of carrying such a burden resigns up her load to the great thick Oak and there left him hanging by the head betwixt Heaven and Earth as neither fit to ascend the one nor worthy to tread upon the other Let Christians be perswaded to bring forth proper and genuine fruit and shine forth in
you may light others to heaven with you I will conclude with that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.58 Therefore my Beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. SECT 2. Secondly LET me turn my self to the Flock of God Use 2 If Ministers must take all opportunities Branch 1 to preach you must take all opportunities to hear If there were twice or thrice a week a certain sum of money to be distributed to all comers then people would resort thither now think thus with your selves when the Word of God is preached the bread of life is distributed which is more precious than thousands of gold and silver Psal 119.72 In the Word preached heaven and salvation is offered to you in this Field the Pearl of price is hid How should you flock like Doves to the windows of the Sanctuary Isa 60.8 We read the gate of the Temple was called beautiful Acts 3.2 The gate of Gods house is the beautiful gate lye at these posts of wisdomes doores Prov. 8.34 Branch 2 2. Not only hear the Word preached but encourage those Ministers who do preach 1. By liberal maintaining of them Though I hope all who have Gods Urim and Thummim written upon them can say as the Apostle 2 Cor. 12.14 I seek not yours but you yet that Scripture is still Canonical 1 Cor. 9.14 So hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Are not labourers in a Vineyard maintained by their labours saith Peter Martyr And the Apostle puts the question Who plants a Vineyard and eateth not the fruit of it 1 Cor. 9.7 Hypocrites love a cheap Religion they like a Gospel that will put them to no charges they are content so they may have golden bags to have woodden priests How many by saving their purses have lost their souls Julian the Apostate robbed the Ministers pretending conscience I need not tell you how vengeance pursued him Is it not pity the fire on Gods Altar should go out for want of pouring on a little golden oyle David would not offer that to God which cost him nothing 2 Sam. 24.24 2. Encourage Gods Ministers by your fruitfulnesse under their labours when Ministers are upon the Mount let them not be upon the Rocks What cost hath God laid out upon this City never I believe since the Apostles times was there a more learned orthodox powerful Ministry than now Gods Ministers are called Stars Rev. 1.20 In this City every morning a Star appears besides the bright constellation on the Lords day Oh you that feed in the greene pastures of Ordinances be fat and fertil you that are planted in the Courts of God flourish in the Courts of God Psalm 92.13 How sad will it be with a people that shall go laden to Hell with Gospel-blessings The best way to encourage your Ministers is to let them see the travel of their souls in your new birth It is a great comfort when a Minister doth not only woe souls but win souls Prov. 11.30 He that winneth souls is wise This is a Ministers glory 1 Thes 2.19 For what is our joy or crown of rejoycing are not even ye A successeful Preacher wears two crowns a Crown of righteousnesse in heaven and a Crown of rejoycing here upon earth Are not ye our Crown 3. Encourage your Ministers by praying for them Branch 3 Their work is great it is a work will take up their head and heart and all little enough it is a work fitter for Angels * Opus Angelicis humeris formidaudum Erasm than men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who is sufficient for these things 1 Cor. 2.16 Oh pray for them Christ indeed when he ascended the Mount and was to preach needed none of the peoples prayers for him He had a sufficient stock by him the Divine nature to supply him but all his under-officers in the Ministry need prayer If Saint Paul who abounded in the graces of the Spirit and super-natural revelations did beg prayer 1 Thes 5.25 then surely other Ministers need prayer who pretend not to any such revelations And pray for your Ministers 1. That God will direct them what to preach that he will cut out their work for them Jonah 3.2 Go preach the preaching that I bid thee It is a great matter to preach suitable truths these are acceptable words Eccles 12.10 2. Pray that God will go forth with their labours for else they toyle and catch nothing Gods Spirit must fill the sails of our ministry * Cathedram habet in caelo qui corda docet in terra Austin It is not the hand that scatters the seed which makes it spring up but the dewes and influences of heaven So it is not our preaching but the Divine influence of the Spirit that makes grace grow in mens hearts We are but Pipes and Organs it is Gods Spirit blowing in us that makes the Preaching of the Word by a Divine Enchantment allure souls to Christ Ministers are but Stars to light you to Christ the Spirit is the load-stone to draw you All the good done by our Ministry is per virtutem efficaciam Domini * Bucer Oh then pray for us that God will make his work prosper in our hands this may be one Reason why the Word preached doth profit no more because people pray no more perhaps you complain the Tool is dull the Minister is dead and cold you should have whetted and sharpned him by your prayer if you would have the door of a blessing opened to you through our Ministry you must unlock it by the key of prayer CHAP. II. Shewing that there is a Blessedness in Reversion Matth. 5.3 Blessed are the Poor in Spirit 4. The Sermon HAving done with the occasion I come now Fourthly to the Sermon it self Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Christ doth not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the Mount Mandatis Minis with commands and threatnings the Trumpet sounding the Fire flaming the Earth quaking and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear but our Saviour whose lips dropped as the honey-comb begins Promissis Illectamentis with Promises and Blessings So sweet and ravishing was the Doctrine of this heavenly Orpheus that like Musick it was able to charme the most savage natures yea to draw hearts of stone to him To begin then with this first word Blessed If there be any blessedness in knowledge it must needs be in the knowledge of blessedness For the Illustration of this I shall lay down two Aphorisms or Conclusions 1. That there is a blessedness in Reversion 2. That the godly are in some sense already blessed 1. That there is a blessedness in Reversion The people of God meet with many knotty difficulties and sinking discouragements in the way of Religion their march is not only tedious but
the first link of the chaine in his hand hath the whole chaine The Saints have the Spirit of God in them 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us How can the blessed Spirit be in a man and he not blessed a godly mans heart is a Paradise planted with the choicest fruit and God himself walks in the midst of this Paradise and must he not needs be blessed 2. The Saints are already blessed because their sins are not imputed to them Psal 32.2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity Gods not imputing iniquity signifies Gods making of sin not to be 't is as if the man had never sinned the debt-book is cancel'd in Christs blood and if the debtor owe never so much yet if the creditor cross the book it is as if he had never owed any thing Gods not imputing sin is that God will never call for the debt or if it should be called for it shall be hid out of sight Jer. 50.20 In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found Now such a man who hath not sin imputed to him is blessed and the reason is because if sin be not imputed to a man then the curse is taken away and if the curse be taken away then he must needs be blessed 3. The Saints are already blessed because they are in Covenant with God This is clear by comparing two Scriptures Jer. 31.33 I will be their God and Psal 144.15 Happy is that people whose God is the Lord This is the crowning blessing to have the Lord for our God impossible it is to imagine that God should be our God and we not blessed This sweet word I will be your God implies 1. Propriety that all that is in God shall be ours his love ours his Spirit ours his mercy ours 2. It implies all Relations 1. Of a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you The sons of a Prince are happy how blessed are the Saints who are of the true blood Royal 2. It implies the relation of an Husband Isa 54.5 Thy Maker is thy husband The Spouse being contracted to her husband is happy by having an interest in all he hath The Saints being contracted by faith are blessed though the solemnity of the Marriage be kept for heaven 3. It implies terms of friendship They who are in Covenant with God are Favourites of heaven Abraham my friend Isa 41.8 'T is counted a Subjects happiness to be in favour with his Prince though he may live a while from Court how happy must he needs be who is Gods Favourite 4. The Saints are already blessed because they have a Reversion of heaven as on the contrary he who hath hell in Reversion is said to be already condemned John 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already He is as sure to be condemned as if he were condemned already So he who hath heaven in Reversion may be said to be already blessed a man that hath the Reversion of an house after a short Lease is run out he looks upon it as his already this house saith he is mine So a believer hath a Reversion of heaven after the Lease of life is run out and he can say at present Christ is mine and glory is mine he hath jus ad rem a title to heaven and he is a blessed man that hath a title to shew nay faith turns the Reversion into a Possession 5. The Saints are already blessed because they have Primitias the first fruits of blessedness here We read of the earnest of the Spirit and the seal 2 Cor. 1.22 and the first fruits Rom. 8.23 Heaven is already begun in a believer Rom. 14.17 The Kingdome of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost This Kingdome is in a believers heart Luk. 17.21 The people of God have a prelibation and taste of blessedness here As Israel tasted a bunch of grapes before they were actually possessed of Canaan So the children of God have those secret incomes of the Spirit those smiles of Christs face those kisses of his lips those love-tokens that are as bunches of grapes and they think themselves sometimes in heaven Paul was let down in a basket Acts 9.25 Oftentimes the Comforter is let down to the soul in an Ordinance and now the soul is in the Suburbs of Hierusalem above a Christian sees heaven by faith and tasts it by joy and what is this but blessedness 6. The Saints may be said in this life to be blessed because all things tend to make them blessed Rom. 8.28 All things work for good to them that love God We say to him that hath every thing falling out for the best You are an happy man the Saints are very happy for all things haue a tendency to their good prosperity doth them good adversity doth them good nay sin turns to their good every trip makes them more watchful their maladies are their medicines are not they happy persons that have every wind blowing them to the right Port 7. A Saint may be said to be blessed because part of him is already blessed he is blessed in his head Christ his head is in glory Christ and believers make one body mystical their head is gotten into heaven Use 1. Inform. Branch 1. See the difference between Use 1 a wicked man and a godly Inform. let a wicked man have never so many comforts still he is cursed let a godly man have Branch 1 never so many crosses still he is blessed let a wicked man have the candle of God shining on him Job 29.3 let his way be so smooth that he meets with no rubs let him have success yet still there is a curse entailed upon him you may read the sinners Inventory Deut. 28.16 17 18. He is not more full of sin than he is of a curse though perhaps he blesseth himself in his wickedness yet he is heir to Gods curse all the curses of the Bible are his portion and at the day of death this portion is sure to be paid but a godly man in the midst of all his miseries is blessed he may be under the cross but not under a curse Branch 2. It shews the priviledge of a believer he Branch 2 not only shall be blessed but he is blessed blessedness is begun in him Psal 115.15 You are blessed of the Lord Let the condition of the Righteous be never so sad yet it is blessed he is blessed in affliction Psal 94. Blessed is he whom thou chastenest Blessed in poverty James 2.5 Poor in the world rich in faith Blessed in disgrace 1 Pet. 4.14 The Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you This may be a cordial to the fainting Christian he is blessed in life and death Satan cannot supplant him of the blessing Branch 3 Branch 3. How may this take away murmuring and melancholy from a child of
God Wilt thou repine and be sad when thou art blessed Esau wept because he wanted the blessing Gen. 27.38 Bless me even me also O my Father and Esau lift up his voice and wept But shall a child of God be immoderately cast down when he hath the blessing Adam sin'd in the midst of Paradise how evil is it to be blessed and yet murmure Branch 4 Branch 4. What an encouragement is this to godliness we are all ambitious of a blessing then let us espouse Religion Psal 112.1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. But you will say this way is everywhere spoken against 't is no matter seeing this is the way to get a blessing Suppose a Rich man should adopt another for his heir and others should reproach him he cares not as long as he is heir to the Estate So what though others may reproach thee for thy Religion as long as it entails a blessing upon thee the same day thou becomest godly thou becomest blessed CHAP. IV. MATTH 5. â— Blessed are the Poor in Spirit HAving spoken of the general notion of blessedness I come next to consider the Subjects of this blessedness and these our Saviour hath decyphered to be the Poor in Spirit the mourners c. But before I touch upon these I shall a little Preface or Paraphrase upon this Sermon of the Beatitudes 1. Observe the Divinity in this Sermon which goes beyond all Philosophy The Philosophers use to say contrarium contrarium expellit one contrary expels another but here one contrary begets another poverty useth to expel riches but here poverty begets riches for how rich are they that have a Kingdom mourning useth to expel joy but behold here mourning begets joy They shall be comforted Water useth to quench the flame but the water of tears kindles the flame of joy Persecution useth to expel happiness but here it makes happy Blessed are they that are persecuted These are the sacred Paradoxes in our Saviours Sermon * Evangelicam Philosophiam à Paradoâ—is inchoavit Dominus â—nd Clâ—â— 2. Observe how Christs Doctrine and the opinion of carnal men differ They think beati divites blessed are the rich The world would count him blessed who could have Midas wish that all he touch'd might be turn'd into gold But Christ saith Beati pauperes blessed are the poor in spirit The world thinks Blessed are they on the Pinacle but Christ pronounceth them blessed who are in the Valley Christs reckonings and the worlds do not agree 3. Observe the nature of true Religion Poverty leads the Van and Persecution brings up the Reare Christianus quasi Crucianus Every true Saint saith Luther is heire to the Crosse Some there are who would be thought religious displaying Christs Colours by a glorious profession but to be poor in spirit and persecuted durus hic sermo they cannot take down this bitter pill they would weare Christs Jewels but wave his Crosse these are strangers to Religion 4. Observe the certain connexion between grace and its reward they who are poor in spirit shall have the kingdom of God They are as sure to go to heaven as if they were in heaven already Our Saviour would encourage men to Religion by sweetning Commands with Promises he ties duty and reward together As in the body the veines carry the blood and the arteries the spirits so one part of these Verses carries Duty and the other part carries reward As that Scholar of Apelles painted Helena richly drawn in costly and glorious apparel hung all over with orient pearl and precious stones So our Lord Christ having set down several qualifications of a Christian poor in spirit pure in heart c. draws these heavenly vertues in their fair colours of blessednesse and sets the magnificent crown of reward upon them that by this oriency he might the more set forth their unparallel'd beauty and entice holy love 5. Observe hence the concatenation of the graces poor in spirit meek merciful c. where there is one grace there is all As they say of the Cardinal vertues virtutes sunt inter se connexae the vertues are chained together so we may say of the graces of the Spirit they are link'd and chain'd together he that hath poverty of Spirit is a mourner he that is a mourner is meek he that is meek is merciful c. The Spirit of God plants in the heart an habit of all the graces the new creature hath all the parts and lineaments as in the body there is a composition of all the Elements and a mixture of all the humours The graces of the Spirit are like a Row of pearl which hang together upon the string of Religion and serve to adorn Christs Bride This I note to shew you a difference between an hypocrite and a true child of God The hypocrite flatters himself with a pretence of grace but in the mean time he hath not an habit of all the graces he hath not poverty of spirit nor purity of heart whereas a child of God hath all the graces in his heart at least radically though not gradually These things being premised I come in particular to those heavenly dispositions of soul to which Christ hath affixed blessedness And the first is POVERTY of SPIRIT Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Chrysostom and Theophylact are of opinion that this was the first Sermon that ever Christ made therefore it may challenge our best attention Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Our Lord Christ being to raise an high and stately Fabrick of blessedness lays the foundation of it low in poverty of Spirit but all poverty is not blessed * Non omnis paupertas beata Bâ—ugensis I shall use a four-fold distinction 1. I distinguish between Poor in Estate and Poor in Spirit there are the Divels poor poor and wicked whose cloaths are not more torn than their conscience There are some whose poverty is their sin who through Improvidence or Excess have brought themselves to want these may be poor in Estate but not poor in Spirit 2. I distinguish between spiritually Poor and Poor in spirit he who is without grace is spiritually poor but he is not poor in Spirit he knows not his own beggery Rev. 3.17 Thou knowest not that thou art Poor He is in the worst sense poor who hath no sense of his poverty 3. I distinguish between Poor-spirited and Poor in spirit They are said to be poor-spirited who have mean base spirits who act below themselves 1. As they are men such are those Misers which having great Estates yet can hardly afford themselves bread who live sneakingly and are ready to wish their own throats cut because they are forced to spend something in satisfying Natures demands This Solomon calls an evil under the Sun Eccles 6.2 There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun a man to whom God hath given Riches so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desireth yet
of price is only precious to the poor in spirit he that wants bread and is ready to starve will have it whatever it cost he will lay his garment to pledge bread he must have or he is undone So to him that is Poor in spirit that sees his want of Christ how precious is a Saviour Christ is Christ and grace is grace to him he will do any thing for the bread of life therefore will God have the soul thus qualified to raise the price of his Market to inhance the value and estimate of the Lord Jesus Reason 3 3. Till we are Poor in spirit we cannot go to heaven Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven this doth tune and prepare us for heaven By nature a man is big with self-confidence and the gate of heaven is so strait that he cannot enter now poverty of spirit doth minorare animam it doth lessen the soul it pares off its superfluity and now he is fit to enter in at the strait gate The great Cable cannot go through the eye of the Needle but let it be untwisted and made into small threads and then it may Poverty of spirit untwists the great Cable it makes a man little in his own eyes and now an entrance shall be made unto him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Richly into the Everlasting Kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 Through this Temple of Poverty we must go into the Temple of Glory SECT 1. Use 1 Use 1 IT shews wherein a Christians riches do consist namely in poverty of spirit Some think if they can fill their bags with gold then they are rich but they who are poor in spirit are the rich men they are rich in poverty This poverty entitles them to a Kingdom How poor are they that think themselves rich how rich are they that see themselves poor I call it the Jewel of poverty There are some Paradoxes in Religion that the world cannot understand for a man to become a fool that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3.18 to save his life by losing it Matth. 16.25 and by being poor to be rich Reason laughs at it but blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom Then this poverty is to be striven for more than all riches under these rags is hid cloth of gold out of this carcasse comes hony SECT 2. Use 2 IF blessed are the poor in spirit then by the rule of contraries Cursed are the proud in spirit Prov. 16.5 There is a generation of men who do commit idolatry with themselves no such idol as self They admire their own parts moralities self-righteousnesse and upon this stock graft the hope of their salvation There are many are too good to go to heaven they have commodities enough of their own growth and they scorne to live upon the borrow or be beholding to Christ These bladders the Divel hath blown up with pride and they are swell'd in their own conceit but it is like the swelling of a dropsie-man whose bignesse is his disease thus it was with that proud Justiciary Luke 18.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed God I thank thee that I am not as other men are extortioners unjust adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the week I give tythes c. Here was a man setting up the top-sail of pride but the Publican who was poor in spirit he stood a far off and would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smot upon his brest saying God be merciful to me a sinner This man carried away the Garland I tell you saith Christ this man went down to his house justified rather than the other Saint Paul before his conversion thought himself in a very good condition Touching the Law blamelesse Phil. 3.6 He thought to have built a Tower of his own righteousnesse the top whereof should have reached to heaven but at last God shewed him there was a crack in the foundation and then he gets into the Rock of ages Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him There is not a more dangerous praecipice than self-righteousnesse this was Laodicea's temper Rev. 3.17 because thou sayest I am rich and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable c. She thought she wanted nothing when indeed she had nothing How many doth this damne we see some ships that have scaped the rocks yet are cast away upon the sands so some who have scaped the rocks of grosse sins yet are cast away upon the sands of self-righteousnesse and how hard is it to convince such men of their danger they will not believe but they may be help'd out of the Dungeon with these rotten rags they cannot be perswaded their case is so bad as others would make it Christ tells them they are blind but they are like Seneca's maid who was born blind but she would not beleeve it Ait domum esse coecam The house saith she is dark but I am not blind Christ tells them they are naked and offers his white robes to cover them but they are of a different perswasion and because they are blind they cannot see themselves naked how many have perished by being their own saviours O that this might drive the proud sinner out of himself a man never comes to himself till he comes out of himself and no man can come out till first Christ come in SECT 3. Use 3 IF poverty of spirit be so necessary Trial. How shall I Use 3 know that I am poor in spirit Answ By the blessed effects of this Poverty which are 1. He that is poor in spirit is weaned from himself Psalm 131.2 My soul is even as a weaned child 't is hard for a man to be weaned from himself The Vine catcheth hold of every thing that is near to stay it self upon There is some bough or other a man would be catching hold of to rest upon how hard is it to be brought quite off himself The poor in spirit are divorced from themselves they see they must to hell without Christ My soul is even as a weaned child 2. He that is poor in spirit is a Christ-admirer he hath high thoughts of Christ he sees himself naked and flies to Christ that in his garments he may obtaine the blessing He sees himself wounded and as the wounded Deere runs to the water so he thirsts for Christs blood the water of life Lord saith he give me Christ or I die conscience is turned into a fiery Serpent and hath stung him now all the world for a brazen serpent he sees himself in a state of death and how precious is one leaf of the tree of life which is both for food and medicine The poor in spirit sees all his riches lye in Christ wisdome righteousnesse sanctification c. In every exigence he flies to this magazine and store-house he adores the all-fulnesse in Christ They say of the oyle in Rhemes though they are continually almost spending it yet it never wasts
spirit paves a Cawsey for blessedness Blessed are the poor in spirit Are you poor in spirit you are blessed persons happy for you that ever you were born If you ask Wherein doth this blessedness appear Read the next words Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven CHAP. V. Shewing that the poor in spirit are enriched with a Kingdom Matth. 5.3 Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here is high preferment for the Saints they shall be advanced to a Kingdom there are some who aspiring after earthly greatnesse talk of a temporal reign here but then Gods Church on earth should not be Militant but Triumphant but sure it is the Saints shall reign in a glorious manner Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven a Kingdom is held the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and top of all worldly felicity and this honour have all the Saints so saith our Saviour Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven All Christs subjects are Kings By the Kingdom of heaven is meant that state of glory which the Saints shall enjoy when they shall reign with God and the Angels for ever sin hell and death being fully subdued For the illustration of this I shall show first wherein the Saints in heaven are like Kings SECT 1 Wherein the Saints glorified may be compared to Kings KIngs have their insignia or regalia their ensignes of Royalty and Majesty 1. Kings have their Crowns so the Saints after death have their Crown-royal Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Believers are not only pardoned but crowned * Corona insignem habet praeceteris ornamentis dignitatem Bern. the Crown is an ensigne of honour A Crown is not for every one it will not fit every head it is only for Kings and persons of renown to wear Psal 21.3 The Crown which the poor in spirit shall wear in heaven is an honourable Crown God himself installs them into their honour and sets the Crown-royal upon their head And this Crown the Saints shall wear which is divinely orient and illustrious exceeds all other 1. 'T is more pure Other Crowns though they may be made of pure gold yet they are mixed mettal they have their troubles A Crown of gold cannot be made without thornes * Non ita corona circundat caput sicut animam sollicitudo it hath so many vexations belonging to it that it is apt to make the head-ache Which made Cyrus say did men but know what cares he sustained under the Imperial Crown ne humi diadema tollerent he thought they would not stoop to take it up But the Saints Crown is made without crosses it is not mingled with care of keeping or fear of losing What Solomon speaks in another sence I may say of the Crown of glory it addes no sorrow with it Prov. 10.22 This Crown like Davids Harp drives away the evil spirit of sorrow and disquiet there can be no more grief in heaven than there is joy in hell 2. This Crown of glory doth not draw envy to it Davids own son envied him and sought to take his Crown from his head A Princely Crown is oftentimes the mark for envy and ambition to shoot at but the Crown the Saints shall wear is free from envy one Saint shall not envy another because all are crowned and though one Crown may be larger than another yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every one shall have as big a Crown as he is able to carry 3. This is a never-fading Crown Corona haec non fit ex rosis aut gemmis * Tertul. c. Other Crowns quickly wear away and tumble into the dust Prov. 27.4 Doth the Crown endure to all generations Henry the sixth was honoured with the Crowns of two Kingdoms France and England the first was lost through the faction of his Nobles the other was twice plucked from his head The Crown hath many heirs and successors The Crown is a withering thing death is a worm that feeds in it but the Crown of glory is immarcessible it fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 'T is not like the Rose that loseth its glosse and vernancy this Crown cannot be made to wither but like the flower we call Semper vivens it keeps alwayes fresh and splendent Eternity is a Jewel of the Saints Crown 2. Kings have their Robes The Robe is a garment wherewith Kings are arayed The King of Israel and the King of Judah sate cloathed in their robes 2 Chron. 18.19 The Robe was of scarlet or velvet lind with Ermyn sometimes of a purple colour whence it was called Purpura sometimes of an azure brightnesse Thus the Saints shall have their Robes Rev. 7.9 I beheld a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and kindreds clothed in white Robes The Saints Robes signifie their glory and splendor and white Robes that is to denote their sanctity they have no sin to taint or defile their Robes in these Robes they shall shine as the Angels 3. Kings have their Scepters in token of Rule and Greatness King Ahashuerus held out to Esther the golden Scepter Esth 5.2 and the Saints in glory have their Scepter and Palms in their hand Rev. 7. It was a custome of great Conquerors to have Palm-branches in their hand in token of victory So the Saints those Kings have Palms an Emblem of victory and triumph they are Victors over sin and hell Rev. 12.11 They overcame by the blood of the Lamb. 4. Kings have their Thrones When Caesar returned from conquering his enemies there were granted to him four Triumphs in token of honour and there was set for him a Chair of Ivory in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre Thus the Saints in heaven returning from their victories over sin shall have a Chair of State set them more rich than Ivory or Pearl and a Throne of glory Revel 3.21 This shall be 1. An high Throne 't is seated above all the Kings and Princes of the earth nay 't is far above all heavens Ephes 4. There is 1. the Aery heaven which is that space from the earth usque ad spheram lunae to the sphere of the Moon 2. The Starry heaven the place where are the Stars and those superiores Planetae as the Philosophers call them Planets of the higher elevation as Saturn Jupiter Mars c. 3. The Empyraean heaven which is called the third heaven 2 Cor. 12.2 In this glorious sublime place shall the Throne of the Saints be erected 2. It is a safe Throne Other Thrones are unsafe they stand tottering Psal 73.18 Thou hast set them in slippery places but the Saints Throne is sure Rev. 3.21 He that overcomes shall sit with me upon my Throne The Saints shall fit with Christ he keeps them safe that no hand of violence can pull them from their Throne O ye people of God think of this though now you may be called to the Bar yet shortly you shall
give them a Kingdom above all the Princes of the earth nay far above all heavens God thinks nothing too good for his children We many times think much of a tear a prayer or to sacrifice a sin for him but he doth not think much to bestow a Kingdom upon us How will the Saints read over the Lectures of free-grace in heaven and Trumpet forth the prayses of that God who hath crowned them with loving kindness Infer 3 3. It shews us that Christianity is no disgraceful thing Wise men measure things by the end what is the end of godliness it brings a Kingdom a mans sin brings him to shame Prov. 13.5 Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye in those things whereof you are now ashamed but Religion brings to honour Prov. 4.8 it brings a man to a Throne a Crown it ends in glory it is the sinners folly to reproach a Saint 't is just as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King it is a Saints wisdom to contemn a reproach say as David when he danced before the Ark I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 If to pray and hear and serve my God be to be vile I will yet be more vile This is my excellency my glory I am doing now that which will bring me to a Kingdom O think it no disgrace to be a Christian I speak it chiefly to you who are entring upon the wayes of God perhaps you may meet with such as will reproach and censure you binde their reproaches as a Crown about your head despise their censure as much as their praise remember there is a Kingdom entailed upon godlinesse Sin draws hell after it grace draws a Crown after it 4. See here that which may make the people of God Infer 4 long for death then they shall enter upon their Kingdom Indeed the wicked may fear death it will not lead them to a Kingdom but a Prison hell is the iayle where they must lie rotting for ever with the Divel and his Angels To every Christlesse person death is the King of terror but the godly may long for death it will prefer them to a Kingdom When Scipio's father had told him of that glory the soul should be invested with in a state of immortality why then saith Scipio do I tarry thus long upon the earth why do I not hasten to die * Tully in Somn. Scip. Believers are not perfectly happy till death When Croesus asked Solon who he thought happy he told him one Tellus a man that was dead a Christian at death shall be compleatly installed into his honour the anointing oyle shall be poured on him and the Crown-royal set upon his head The Thracians in their funerals used musick The Heathens as Theocritus observes had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Funeral banquet because of that felicity which they supposed the parties deceased were entred into The Saints are now heirs of the Kingdom James 2.5 Doth not the heir desire to be crowned Truly there is enough to weane us and make us willing to be gone from hence The Saints eate ashes like bread they are here in a suffering condition Psalm 141.7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth When a man hewes and cuts a tree the chips flie up and down here and there a chip so here a Saint wounded there a Saint massacred our bones flie like chips up and down for thy sake are we killed all the day long Rom. 8.36 But there is a Kingdom a coming when the body is buried the soul is crowned Who would not be willing to saile in a storm if he were sure to be crowned as soone as he came at shore How is it that the godly look so gastly at the thoughts of death as if they were rather going to their execution than their Coronation though we should be willing to stay here awhile to do service yet we should with Saint Paul desire to be dissolved and be with Christ The day of a believers dissolution is the day of his inauguration SECT 5. Containing a scrutiny and tryal whether we belong to this Kingdom Use 2 BUT how shall we know that this glorions Kingdom shall be setled upon us at death Trial. 1. If God have set up his Kingdom within us Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of God is within you by the Kingdom of God there is meant the Kingdom of Grace in the heart Grace may be compared to a Kingdom it swayes the Scepter it gives out Lawes there is the Law of love Grace beats down the Divels garrisons it brings the heart into a sweet subjection to Christ Now is this Kingdom of Grace set up in thy heart Do'st thou rule over thy sins Canst thou binde those Kings in chaines * Psal 149.8 Art thou a King over thy pride passion unbelief Is the Kingdom of God within you While others aspire after earthly greatnesse and labour for a Kingdom without them do'st thou labour for a Kingdom within thee Certainly if the Kingdom of Grace be in thy heart thou shalt have the Kingdom of glory If Gods Kingdom enter into thee thou shalt enter into his Kingdom But let not that man ever think to reign in glory who lives a slave to his lusts 2. If thou art a believer thou shalt go to this blessed Kingdom James 2.5 Rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith is an heroical act of the soul it makes an holy adventure on God by a promise this is the crowning grace Faith puts us into Christ and our title to the Crown comes in by Christ By Faith we are borne of God and so we become children of the blood-royal By Faith our hearts are purified Acts 15.9 and so we are made fit for a Kingdom rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith paves a Causey to heaven believers die heirs to the Crown 3. He that hath a noble Kingly spirit shall go to the heavenly Kingdom set your affection on things above Col. 3.2 Dost thou live in mundo supra mundum in the world above the world The Eagle doth not catch flies she soars aloft in the aire dost thou superna anhelare pant after glory and immortality Hast thou a brave majestick spirit an heavenly ambition dost thou mind the favour of God the peace of Sion the salvation of thy soul Dost thou abhor that which is sordid and below thee Alexander would not exercise at the Olympick-games Canst thou trample upon all sublunary things Is heaven in thy eye and Christ in thy heart and the world under thy feet He who hath such a Kingly spirit that looks no lower than a Crown he shall dwell on high and have his throne mounted far above all heavens SECT 6. A serious exhortation to Christians Use 3 USE 3. Exhortation And it hath a double aspect it looks Exhort 1. towards the wicked Is there a Kingdom to be had a
Kingdom so enamell'd and bespangled with glory Oh then do not by your folly make your selves uncapable of this preferment do not for the satisfying a base lust forfeit a Kingdom do not drink away a Kingdom do not for the lap of pleasure lose the Crown of life if men before they did commit a sin would but sit down and rationally consider whether the present gain and sweetness in sin would countervail the losse of a Kingdom I beleeve it would put them into a cold sweat and give some check to their unbridled affections Jacob took Esau by the heele Look not upon the smiling face of sin but take it by the heele look at the end of it it will deprive you of a Kingdom and can any thing make amends for that losse * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 5.11 O is it not madnesse for the unfruitful works of darknesse †to lose a Kingdom How will the Divel at the last day reproach and laugh at men that they should be so stupidly sottish as for a rattle to forgo a Crown Like those Indians who for pictures and glasse-beads will part with their gold Surely it will much contribute to the vexation of the damned to think how foolishly they missed of a Kingdom 2. The Exhortation looks towards the godly and it exhorts to two things 1. Is there a Kingdom in reversion then let this be a motive to duty do all the service you can for God while you live spend and be spent The reward is honourable the thoughts of a Kingdom should adde wings to prayer and fire to zeale what honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai saith King Ahashuerus Esther 6.3 Inquire what hath been done for God What love hast thou shew'd to his Name what zeal for his glory where is the head of that Goliah lust thou hast slain for his sake Methinks we should sometimes go aside into our Closets and weep to consider how little work we have done for God What a vast disproportion is there between our service and our reward what is all our weeping and fasting compared to a Kingdom oh improve all your interest for God make seasons of grace opportunities for service And that you may act more vigorously for God know and be assured the more work you do the more glory you shall have Every Saint shall have a Kingdom but the more service any man doth for God the greater will be his Kingdom there are degrees of glory * Sicut varie Deus sua dona sanctis in hoc mundo distribuens eos inaequaliter irradiat ita in caelis patet non fore aequalem gloriae modum Calv. l. 3. Instit which I prove thus 1. Because there are degrees of torments in hell Luk. 20. ult They shall receive greater damnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They who do make Religion a cloak for their sin shall have an hotter place in hell Now if there be degrees of torment in hell then by the rule of contraries there are degrees of glory in the Kingdom of heaven 2. Seeing God in his free-grace rewards men according to their works therefore the more service they do the greater shall their reward be Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his works shall be He that hath done more shall receive more he whose pound gained ten was made Ruler over ten Cities Luk. 19.16 This may very much excite to eminency in Religion the more the lamp of your grace shines the more you shall shine in the heavenly orb Would you have your Crown brighter your Kingdom larger your Palm-branches more flourishing be Christians of degrees do much work in a little time while you are laying out God is laying up the more glory you bring to God the more glory you shall have from God 2. Walk worthy of this Kingdom 1 Thes 2.12 That ye would walk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worthy of God who hath called you to his Kingdom Live as Kings let the Majesty of holiness appear in your faces those who looked on Stephen saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel Acts 6.15 A kind of Angelical brightness was seen in his Visage when we shine in zeal humility gravity this doth beautifie and honour us in the eyes of others and make us look as those who are heirs apparent to a Crown SECT 7. Use 4 HEre is comfort to the people of God in case of poverty Consol God hath provided them a Kingdom Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven A child of God is oft so low in the world that he hath not a foot of land to inherit he is poor in purse as well as poor in spirit but here is a fountain of consolation opened the poorest Saint who hath lost all his golden Fleece is heir to a Kingdom a Kingdom which excels all the Kingdoms and Principalities of the world more than Pearl or Diamond doth excel brass 't is pearless and endless The hope of a Kingdom saith Basil should carry a Christian with courage and chearfulness through all his afflictions and it is a saying of Luther The sea of Gods mercy overflowing in spiritual blessings should drown all the sufferings of this life What though thou goest now in rags thou shalt have thy white robes What though thou art fed as Daniel with pulse and hast courser fare thou shalt feast it when thou comest into the Kingdom here thou drinkest the water of tears but shortly thou shalt drink the wine of Paradise be comforted with the thoughts of a Kingdom CHAP. VI. MATTH 5.4 Blessed are they that mourn M 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness they may be compared to Jacobs Ladder the top whereof reached to heaven we have already gone over one step and now let us proceed to the second Beati Lugentes Blessed are they that Mourn We must go through the valley of tears to Paradise Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on were it not that it hath blessedness going before and comfort coming after Mourning is put here for Repentance it implies both sorrow which is the Cloud and tears which are the Rain distilling in this golden showre God comes down to us The words fall into two parts 1. An Assertion that Mourners are blessed persons 2. A Reason because they shall be comforted I begin with the first the Assertion Mourners are blessed persons Luke 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep now Though the Saints teares are bitter teares yet they are blessed teares Quest But will all mourning intitle a man to blessedness Answ No there is a twofold mourning which is far from making one blessed There is a Carnal Mourning Diabolical Mourning 1. There is a Carnal Mourning when we lament outward losses Matth. 2.18 In Rama there was a voice heard lamentation and weeping and great Mourning Rachel weeping for her children c. There are abundance of these
without cutting or forcing Mary Magdalens repentance was voluntary she stood weeping Luke 7. She came to Christ with ointment in her hand with love in her heart with teares in her eyes God is for a freewil-offering he loves not to be put to distrain 2. Gospel-mourning is spiritual that is when we mourn for sinne more than suffering Pharaoh saith Take away the plague he never thought of the plague of his heart A sinner mourns because judgement follows at the heeles of sinne but David cries out my sinne is ever before me Psal 51. God had threatned that the sword should ride in circuit in his family but David doth not say the sword is ever before me but my sinne is ever before me The offence against God troubled him he grieved more for the treason than the bloody axe thus the Penitent Prodigal Luke 15.21 I have sinned against heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and before thee he doth not say I am almost starved among the husks but I have offended my father In particular our mourning for sinne if it be spiritual must be under this threefold notion 1. We must mourn for sinne as it is an act of hostility and enmity Sinne doth not only make us unlike God but contrary to God Levit. 26.40 and that they have walked contrary unto me Sinne doth affront and resist the Holy Ghost Acts 7.51 Sinne is contrary to Gods nature God is holy sinne is an impure thing sin is contrary to his will if God be of one minde sinne is of another sinne doth all it can to spight God The Hebrew word for sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies rebellion a sinner doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now when we mourn for sinne as it is a walking Antipodes to heaven this is a Gospel-mourning nature will not bear contraries 2. We must mourn for sin as it is a piece of the highest ingratitude it is a kicking against the breasts of mercy God sends his Sonne to redeeme us his Spirit to comfort us we sinne against the blood of Christ the grace of the Spirit and shall we not mourn We complaine of the unkindnesse of others and shall we not lay to heart our own unkindnesse against God Caesar took it unkindly that his son Brutus should stab him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou my son may not the Lord say to us these wounds I have received in the house of my friends * Zach. 13.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Theocr. Israel took their jewels and ear-rings and made a golden Calfe of them the sinner takes the jewels of Gods mercies and makes use of them to sin ingratitude dies a sin in grain hence they are called crimson sinnes Isa 1.18 sinnes against Gospel-love are worse in some sence than the sinnes of the Divels for they never had an offer of Grace tendred to them Diabolus peccavit in innocentia constitutus ego vero restitutus ille perstitit in malitia Deo reprobante ego vero Deo revocante ille obduratur ad punientem ego vero ad blandientem sic uterque contra Deum ille contra non requirentem se ego vero contra morientem pro me ecce cujus imaginem horrebam in multis aspicio me horribiliorem Anselm de Casu Diab Now when we mourn for sin as it hath its accent of ingratitude upon it this is an Evangelical mourning 3. We must mourn for sinne as it is a Privation it keeps good things from us it hinders our communion with God Mary wept for Christs absence John 20.13 they have taken away my Lord. So our sinnes have taken away our Lord they have deprived us of his sweet presence Will not he grieve who hath lost a rich jewel When we mourn for sinne under this notion as it makes the Sun of righteousnesse withdraw from our Horizon when we mourn not so much that peace is gone and trading is gone but God is gone Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawn himself this is an holy mourning the mourning for the losse of Gods favour is the best way to regaine his favour If thou hast lost a friend all thy weeping will not fetch him again but if thou hast lost Gods presence thy mourning will bring thy God again 3. Gospel-mourning cogit ad Deum it sends the soul to God When the Prodigal sonne repented he went to his father Luke 15.18 I will arise and go unto my father Jacob wept and prayed Hos 12.3 The people of Israel wept and offered sacrifice Judg. 2.5 Gospel-mourning puts a man upon duty the reason is because in true sorrow there is a mixture of hope and hope puts the soul upon the use or means That mourning which like the flaming sword keeps the soul from approaching to God and beats it off from duty is a sinful mourning 't is a sorrow hatch'd in hell such was Sauls grief which drove him to the Witch of Endor 1 Sam. 28.7 Evangelical Mourning is a spur to prayer the childe who weeps for offending his father goes into his presence and will not leave till his father be reconciled to him Absalom could not be quiet till he had seen the Kings face 2 Sam. 14.32 33. 4. Gospel-Mourning is for sin in particular Dolosus versatur in generalibus It is with a true penitent as it is with a wounded man he comes to the Chyrurgion and shews him all his wounds here I was cut with the Sword here I was shot with a Bullet So a true penitent bewails all his particular sins Judg. 10.10 We have served Baalim they mourned for their Idolatry And David layes his finger upon the sore and points to that very sin that troubled him Psal 51.4 I have done this evil he means his blood-guiltiness a wicked man will say he is a sinner but a child of God saith I have done this evil Peter wept for that particular sin of denying Christ Clemens Alexandrinus saith he never heard a Cock crow but he fell a weeping there must be a particular Repentance before we have a general pardon 5. Gospel-tears must drop from the eye of faith Mark 9.24 The father of the childe cryed out with tears Lord I believe our disease must make us mourn but when we look up to our Physitian who hath made a playster of his own blood we must not mourn without hope believing tears are precious when the clouds of sorrow have overcast the soul some Sun-shine of faith must break forth the soul will be swallowed up of sorrow it will be drowned in tears if faith be not the bladder to keep it up from sinking though our tears drop to the earth our faith must reach heaven after the greatest rain faith must appear as the Rainbow in the cloud the tears of faith are botled as precious wine Psal 56.8 6. Gospel-Mourning is joyned with self-loathing the sinner doth admire himself the penitent doth loath himself Ezek. 20.42 Ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your
that could finde out a new pleasure but the comforts of the Spirit are satisfactory they recruit the heart Psal 94.19 Thy comforts delight my soul There is as much difference between heavenly comforts and earthly as between a banquet that is eaten and one that is painted on the wall 6. The comforts God gives his Mourners in this life are glorious comforts 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy full of glory 1. They are glorious because they are a prelibation and fore-taste of that joy which we shall have in a glorified estate * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys These comforts are an handsel and earnest of glory they put us in heaven before our time Ephes 1.13 14. Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit which is an earnest of the inheritance the earnest is part of the sum behind so the comforts of the Spirit are the earnest the cluster of grapes at Eshcol * Num. 13.23 the first-fruits of the heavenly Canaan 2. The joyes of the Spirit are glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to other joyes which compared with these are inglorious and vile A carnal mans joy as it is aery and flashy so it is sordid he sucks nothing but dregs Amos 6.13 Ye rejoyce in a thing of naught A carnal spirit rejoyceth because he can say this house is his this estate is his but a gracious spirit rejoyceth because he can say this God is his Psal 48.14 For this God is our God for ever and ever The ground of a Christians joy is glorious he rejoyceth in that he is an heir of the promise the joy of a godly man is made up of that which is the Angels joy he triumphs in the light of Gods countenance his joy is that which is Christs own joy he rejoyceth in the mystical union which is begun here and consummate in heaven Thus the joy of the Saints is a joy full of glory 7. The comforts which God gives his Mourners are infinitely transporting and ravishing so delightful are they and amazing that they cause a jubilation which as some of the Learned speak is so great that it cannot be expressed * Jubiliatio dicitur cum cordis laetitia oris efficacia non expletur of all things joy is the most hard to be deciphered 't is called laetitia inenarrabilis joy unspeakable 1 Pet. 1.8 You may sooner taste honey then tell how sweet it is the most pathetical words can no more set forth the comforts of the Spirit then the most curious Pensil can draw the life and breath of a man the Angels cannot express the joyes they feel some have been so overwhelmed with the sweet raptures of joy that they have not been able to contain but as Moses have dyed * Plurimis mortem attulit gaudium ingens Gell. with a kiss from Gods mouth Thus have we seen the glass oft breaking with the strength of the liquor put into it 8. These comforts of the Spirit are powerful they are strong cordials so the Apostle phraseth it Hebr. 6.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong consolation Divine comfort 1. Strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength Joy whets and sharpens industry a man that is steeled and animated with the comforts of Gods Spirit goes with vigour and alacrity through the exercises of Religion he believes firmly he loves fervently he is carried full sail in duty the joy of the Lord is his strength 2. Divine comfort supports under affliction 1 Thes 1.6 Having received the Word in much affliction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with joy The wine of the Spirit can sweeten the waters of Marah * Amaritudines mundi dulces reddit Aug. They who are possessed of these heavenly comforts can gather grapes of thorns and fetch honey out of the Lyons carcass They are strong consolations indeed that can stand it out against the fiery tryal and turn the flame into a bed of Roses How powerful is that comfort which can make a Christian glory in tribulation Rom. 5.3 A believer is never so sad but he can rejoyce the Bird of Paradise can sing in Winter 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowing yet alwayes rejoycing Let sickness come the sense of pardon takes away the sense of pain The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick Isa 33.24 Let death come a Christian is above it O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 At the end of the Rod a Christian tastes honey these are strong consolations 9. The comforts Gods Mourners have are heart-quieting comforts they cause a sweet acquiescence and rest in the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Ech. The heart of a Christian is in a kind of ataxy and discomposure like the Needle in the Compass it shakes and trembles till the Comforter comes Some creatures cannot live but in the Sun a Christian is even dead in the Nest unless he may have the Sun-light of Gods countenance Psal 143.7 Hide not thy face from me lest I be like them that go down into the pit Nothing but the breast will quiet the child 't is only the breast of consolation quiets the believer 10. The comforts of the Spirit are abiding comforts as they abound in us so they abide with us John 14.16 He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Worldly comforts are still upon the wing ready to flie they are like a land-flood or a flash of lightning Mart. Saepe fluunt imo sic quoque lapsa sinu All things here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the comforts with which God feeds his Mourners are immortal 2 Thes 2.16 Who hath loved us and hath given us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 everlasting consolation Though a Christian hath not always a full beam of comfort yet he hath a dawning of it in his soul he hath still a ground of hope and a root of joy there is that within him which bears up his heart and which he would not on any terms part with Use Use Behold the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted David who was the great Mourner of Israel was the sweet singer of Israel The weeping Dove shall be covered with the golden feathers of comfort O how rare and superlative are these comforts Quest But may not Gods Mourners want these comforts Answ Spiritual Mourners have a title to these comforts yet they may sometimes want them God is a free Agent he will have the timing of our comforts he hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a self-freedom to do what he will The holy one of Israel will not be limited he will reserve his Prerogative to give or suspend comfort pro libitu and if we are awhile without comfort we must not quarrel with his dispensations for as the Mariner is not to wrangle with Providence because the wind blows out of the East when he desires it to blow out of the West nor is the Husbandman to murmure when God stops the bottles of heaven in
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son God predestinates us to Christs image which image consists in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 So that till thou art holy thou canst not shew any signe of election upon thee but rather the Divels brand-mark 5. Purity is the end of our redemption if we could have gone to heaven in our sins Christ needed not have died Why did he shed his blood but to redeem us from a vain conversation 1 Pet. 1.18 19. and Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people Christ shed his blood to wash off our filth the Crosse was both an Altar and a Lavor Jesus Christ died not only to save us from wrath 1 Thes 1. ult but to save us from sin Matth. 1.21 Out of his sides came water which signifies our cleansing as well as blood which signifies our justifying 1 John 5.6 The truth is it were to make the body of Christ monstrous if the head should be pure and not the members 2. Reasons for heart-purity 2. Why Purity must be chiefly in the heart 1. Because if the heart be not pure we differ nothing from a Pharisaical Purity the Pharisees holinesse did consist chiefly in externals their 's was an outside Purity they never minded the inside of the heart Matth. 23.25 Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye make cleane the outside of the cup and of the platter but within ye are full of extortion and verse 27. Ye are like unto whited Sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward but are within full of dead mens bones The Pharisees were good only in superficie they were not Albi but dealbati whited over not white they were like a rotten post laid in Vermilion colour like a fair Chimny-piece guilded without but within nothing but Soot O such Hypocrites Salvian complains of who had Christ in their mouths but to no purpose we must go farther be pure in heart like the Kings daughter all glorious within Psal 45.13 Else ours is but a pharisaical purity and Christ faith Matth. 5.20 Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven 2. The heart must especially be kept pure because the heart is the chief seat or place of Gods residence God dwells in the heart he takes up the heart for his own lodgings Isa 57.15 Ephes 3.17 therefore it must be pure and holy A Kings Palace must be kept from defilement especially his Presence-chamber The heart is Gods Presence-chamber How holy ought that to be If the body be the Temple of the holy Ghost †* 1 Cor. 6.19 the heart is the Sanctum Sanctorum Oh take heed of defiling the room where God is to come let that room be washed with holy tears 3. The heart must especially be pure because it is the heart sanctifies all we do if the heart be holy all is holy our affections holy our duties holy The Altar sanctified the gift * Mat. 23.19 the heart is the Altar that sanctifies the offering The Romans kept their springs from being poysoned the heart is the spring of all our actions let us keep this spring from poyson be pure in heart SECT 1. Shewing the true beauty of the soul 1. SEE here what is the beauty that sets off a soul in Use 1 Gods eye viz. Purity of heart Inform. Thou who art never so beautiful art but a spiritual Leper till thou art pure Branch 1 in heart God is in love with the pure heart for he sees his own picture drawn there Holinesse is a beam of God it is the Angels glory They are pure virgin-spirits take away purity from an Angel and he is no more an Angel but a Divel thou who art pure in heart hast the Angels glory shining in thee thou hast the Embroydery and Workmanship of the Holy Ghost upon thee The pure heart is Gods Paradise where he delights to walk 't is his lesser heaven the Dove delights in the purest Aire the Holy Ghost who descended in the likeness of a Dove delights in the purest soul God saith of the pure in heart as of Sihon Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell God loves the fairest complexion the pure in heart is Christs Bride decked and bespangled with the jewels of holiness Cant. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes Thine eyes that is thy graces these as a Chain of Pearl have drawn mine heart to thee of all hearts God loves the pure heart best Thou who dressest thy self by the glass of the Word and adornest the hidden man of thy heart * 1 Pet. 3.4 art most precious in Gods eyes though thou mayst be blear-eyed as Leah lame as Barzillai yet being pure in heart thou art the mirrour of beauty and mayst say Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord Isa 49.5 How may this raise the esteem of purity this is a beauty that never fades and which makes God himself fall in love with us SECT 2. That Christians must not rest in out-side purity Branch 2 2. IF we must be pure in heart then we must not rest in outward purity civility is not sufficient a Swine may be washed yet a Swine still civility doth but wash a man grace changeth him civility like a Star may shine in the eyes of the world but it differs as much from purity as the Chrystal from the Diamond civility is but strewing flowers on a dead corps a man may be wonderfully Moralized yet but a tame Divel how many have made civility their saviour Morality may as well damn as Vice a Vessel may be sunk with gold as well as with dung Observe two things 1. The civil person though he will not commit gross sins yet he is not sensible of heart-sins he discerns not the Law in his members Rom. 7.23 He is not troubled for unbelief hardness of heart vanity of thoughts he abhors Jayle-sins not Gospel-sins 2. The civil person hath an aking tooth at Religion his heart riseth against holiness the Snake is of a fine colour but hath a deadly sting The civil man is fair to look to but hath a secret antipathy against the ways of God he hates grace as much as vice zeal is as odious to him as uncleanness so that civility is not to be rested in The heart must be pure God would have Aaron wash the inwards of the Sacrifice Lev. 9. Civility doth but wash the out-side the inwards must be washed Blessed are the pure in heart SECT 3. Shewing the signs of an impure heart LET us put our selves upon the Trial Trial. whether we are Use 2 pure-hearted or no. Here I shall do two things to shew the signs of 1. An impure heart 2. A pure heart 1. An ignorant heart is an impure
up as it did Korah and Dathan These are Divels covered over with flesh they have damnation written on their foreheads Lucian who in the time of the Emperor Trajan had professed Religion afterwards became so profane as to make a mock at the Christians and by his jeeres and taunts went about to rend Religion at last he himself was rent asunder and devoured by dogs When the scab of the Leper did appear he was to be shut out of the Camp Levit. 13.9 Those who flout at Religion if God give them not repentance are sure to be shut out of the Camp of heaven SECT 4. Shewing the signes of a pure heart Signs of a pure heart I Shall next shew you the signs of a pure heart 1. A sincere heart is a pure heart Psal 32.2 In whose spirit there is no guile There are four Characters of a sincere-hearted Christian 1. A sincere heart serves God with the whole heart First He serves God with the heart The Hypocrite doth but make a shew of obedience Jer. 12.2 Thou art near in their mouth and far from their reins there may be a fair complexion when the Lungs and Vitals are rotten The Hypocrite is fair to look on he hath a devout eye but a hollow heart but he who is sincere his inside is his best side In the Law God would have the inwards offered up Levit. 4.11 A good Christian gives God the inwards when he prays his heart prays 1 Sam. 1.13 Hannah prayed in her heart In his Thanksgivings the heart is the chief instrument of praise Psal 111.1 Then is the sweetest musick when we make melody in our hearts to the Lord Col. 3.16 Secondly The sincere Christian serves God with the whole heart Psal 119.2 Hypocrites have a double heart Psal 12.2 An heart for God and an heart for sin Hos 10.2 Their heart is divided God loves a broken heart but not a divided heart an upright heart is a whole heart the full straine and torrent of the affections runs out after God a sincere heart follows God fully Num. 14.24 2. A sincere heart is willing to come under a trial Psal 139.23 Search me O God and try me That mettal is to be suspected which men are afraid to bring to the Touch-stone a sound heart likes the Touch-stone of the Word he is for a searching Ministry Hypocrites are veritatis lucifugae * Tertul. they flie from that light which would discover sin they hate that Physick of the Word which meeting with their ill humours begins to make them sick and trouble their conscience A gracious soul loves that preaching best which makes an Heart-Anatomy 3ly A sincere heart dares not act in the least against his conscience he is the most magnanimous yet the most pusillanimous he is bold in suffering Prov. 28.1 but fearful of sin Gen. 39.9 He dares not get an estate by sinful shifts or rise upon the ruines of another Jacob got his fathers blessing by fraud but that is not the way to get Gods blessing Fourthly a sincere heart is a suspitious heart The Hypocrite suspects others and hath charitable thoughts of himself the sincere Christian hath charitable thoughts of others and suspects himself he calls himself often to account O my soul hast thou any Evidences for Heaven are they not to seek when they should be to shew Is there no flaw in thy Evidences thou mayest mistake common grace for saving Weeds in the Corn-fields look like flowres The foolish Virgins Lamps looked as if they had oyle in them O my soul is it not so with thee The sincere soul being ever jealous playes the Critick upon himself and doth so traverse things in the Court of conscience as if he were presently to be cited to Gods Bar. This is to be pure in heart 2. A pure heart breaths after purity If God should stretch out the golden Scepter and say to him Ask and it shall be given thee to half the Kingdom he would say Lord a pure heart let my heart have this inscription Holiness to the Lord let my heart be thy Temple and do thou dwell in it Lord what should I do in heaven with this unholy heart what converse could I have with God or Angels A gracious soul is so in love with purity that he prizeth a pure heart above all blessings 1. Above riches he knows he may be cloathed in purple and fine linnen and yet go to hell * Divitiae sunt in sinistra Domini Bern. he is content to be poor so he may be pure he knows heart-purity is a special Certificate of Gods love the pure in heart shall see God 2. Above gifts gifts do not at all set us off in Gods eye a pure heart is the jewel Matth. 15.28 O woman great is thy faith It was not her Rhetorical language Christ was taken with but her faith Hypocrites have had rare gifts Saul had the spirit of Prophesie Judas no doubt could make an Elegant Oration Hypocrites have come into Gods Church loaden with Egyptian gold videl Humane learning There may be Illumination without Sanctification A small Diamond is better than a great deal of brass A little grace excels the most flourishing parts Now if the out-goings of thy soul are after holiness thou desirest rather a pure heart than an eloquent tongue thou hast the oyle of the Spirit poured on thee and thou shalt be crowned with a sight of God 3. A pure heart abhors all sin A man may forbear and forsake sin yet not have a pure heart 1. He may forbear sin as one may hold his breath while he dives under water and then take breath again And a man may forbear sin 1. For want of occasion The Gun-powder makes no noise till the fire be put to it the Clock stands still till the Weights are put on Let a tentation come which is like the hanging on of the Weights and the heart goes as fast in sin as ever 2. He may forbear sin formidine poenae for fear A man forbears a Dish he loves for fear it should bring his disease upon him of the stone or gout There is a conflict in a sinner between the passion of desire and fear Desire spurs him on to sin but fear as a Curben-bit checks him nor is it the crookedness of the Serpent he fears but the sting of the Serpent 3. He may forbear sin out of a design he hath a plot in hand and his sin might spoile his plot Some rich heir would flie out in excess but he carries it fair to prevent a cutting off the Entail How good was Joash while Jehoiada the Priest lived Prudence as well as Conscience may restraine from sin 2. A man may forsake sin yet not have a pure heart it is a great matter I confess to forsake sin so dear is sin to men that they will part with the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls †* Micah 6.7 Sin is the Dalilah
God is good to such as are of a clean heart 7. Heart purity makes way for heaven the pure in heart shall see God Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness purity of heart is heaven begun in a man holiness is called in Scripture the anointing of God 1 John 2.27 Solomon was first anointed with the holy oyle and then he was made King 1 Kings 1.39 The people of God are first anointed with the oyle of the Spirit and made pure in heart and then the Crown of glory is set upon their head * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar And is not purity to be highly valued it lays a Train for glory purity of heart and seeing of God are linked together 8. The examples of those who have been eminent for heart-purity the Lord Jesus was a pattern of purity John 8.46 Which of you convinceth me of sin in this we are to imitate Christ we are not to imitate him in raising the dead * Non mundos fabricare non mortuos susciâ—ere Aug. or in working miracles but in being holy 1 Pet. 1.16 Besides this golden pattern of Christ we are to write after the fair copy of those Saints who have been of a Dove like purity David was so pure in heart that he was a man after Gods heart Abraham so purified by faith that he was one of Gods Cabinet-counsel * Gen. 18.17 Moses so holy that God spake with him face to face what were the rest of the Patriarchs but so many plants of Renown flourishing in holiness The fathers in the primitive Church were exemplary for purity Gregory Nazianzene Basil Augustine they were so inlaid and adorn'd with purity that envy it self could not tax them * Stabilitatem habuerunt in fide sanctitatem in opere therefore as Caesar wished he had such Souldiers as were in the time of Alexander the great so we may wish we had such Saints as were in the Primitive times so just were they in their dealings so decent in their attire so true in their promises so devout in their Religion so unblameable in their lives that they were living Sermons walking Bibles real Pictures of Christ and did help to keep up the credit of godliness in the world 9. Heart-purity is the only jewel you can carry out of the world Hast thou a child thou delightest in or an Estate you can carry nothing out of the world 1 Tim. 6.7 Purity of heart is the only commodity can be with comfort transported this is that will stay longest with you usually we love those things will last longest we prize a Diamond or piece of gold above the most beautiful flower because fading heart-purity hath perpetuity it will go with us beyond the grave SECT 6. Means for heart-purity BUT how shall we attain to heart-purity 1. Often look into the Word of God John 15.3 Now ye are clean through the Word Psal 119.140 Thy Word is very pure Gods Word is pure not only for the matter of it but the effect because it makes us pure John 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth By looking into this pure Chrystal we are changed into the image of it the Word is both a glass to shew us the spots of our souls and a lavor to wash them away the Word breaths nothing but purity it irradiates the mind it consecrates the heart 2. Go to the Bath There are two Baths Christians should wash in 1. The Bath of tears * Lavacrum lachrymarum Go into this Bath Peter had sullied and defiled himself with sin and he washed himself with penitential tears Mary Magdalen who was an impure sinner stood at Jesus feet weeping Luk. 7.38 Maries tears did wash her heart as well as Christs feet Oh sinners let your eyes be a fountain of tears weep for those sins which are so many as have passed all Arithmetick this water of contrition is healing and purifying 2. The Bath of Christs blood * Lavacrum sanguinis this is that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 A soul steeped in the brinish tears of Repentance and bathed in the blood of Christ is made pure this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the legal washings and purifications were but Types and Emblems representing Christs blood this blood layes the soul a whitening 3. Get faith 'T is a soul-cleansing grace Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith The woman in the Gospel that did but touch the hem of Christs garment was healed a touch of faith heals If I believe Christ and all his merits are mine how can I sin against him we do not willingly injure those friends which we believe love us Nothing can have a greater force and efficacy upon the heart to make it pure than faith faith will remove Mountains the Mountains of pride lust envy faith and the love of sin are inconsistent 4. Breath after the Spirit it is called the holy Spirit Eph. 1.13 It purgeth the heart as Lightning purgeth the Aire That we may see what a purifying vertue the Spirit hath it is compar'd 1. To fire Acts 2.3 Fire is of a purifying nature it doth refine and cleanse mettals it separates the dross from the gold the Spirit of God in the heart doth refine and sanctifie it it burns up the dross of sin * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 2. The Spirit is compared to wind Acts 2.2 There came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost The wind doth purifie the Aire * Ventus aerem expurgat when the Aire by reason of foggy vapours is unwholsome the wind is a Fan to winnow and purifie it Thus when the vapours of sin arise in the heart vapours of pride and covetousness earthly vapours the Spirit of God ariseth and blows upon the soul and so purgeth away these impure vapours The Spouse in the Canticles prays for a Gaâ—e of the Spirit that she might be made pure Cant. 4.16 3. The Spirit is compared to water John 7.38 39. He that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living water but this spake he of the Spirit The Spirit is like water not only to make the soul fruitful for it causeth the desert to blossome as the Rose Isa 32.15 Isa 35.1 But the Spirit is like water to purifie Whereas before the heart of a sinner was unclean and whatever he touch'd had a tincture of impurity Num. 19.22 when once the Spirit comes into the heart it doth with its continual showres and lavors wash off the filthiness of it making it pure and fit for the God of the spirits to dwell in 5. Take heed of familiar converse and intercourse with the wicked One vain mind makes another one hard heart makes another the stone in the body is not infectious but the stone in the heart is One profane spirit poysons another Beware of the
of God the Saints are compared to living stones built up for a spiritual house 1 Pet. 2.5 You know the stones in an Arch or Fabrick do help to preserve and bear up one another if the stones be loosned and drop out all the Fabrick falls in pieces When the Christians in the primitive Church were of one heart Acts 4.32 what a supporting was this how did they counsel comfort build up one another in their holy faith We see while the members of the body are united so long they do administer help and nourishment one to another but if they be divided and broken off they are no way useful but the body languisheth therefore let us endeavour to be peace-makers the Churches unity tends much to her stability 3. Peace makes the Church of God on earth in some measure like the Church which is in heaven the Cherubims representing the Angels are set out with their faces looking one upon another to shew their peace and unity there are no jarrings or discords among the heavenly spirits one Angel is not of an opinion differing from one another though they have different orders they are not of different spirits they are Seraphims therefore burn but not in heat of contention but love The Angels serve God not only with pure hearts but united hearts by an harmonious peace we might resemble the Church Triumphant 4. He that sowes peace shall reap peace Prov 12.20 To the Counsellors of peace is joy The peace-maker shall have peace with God * Tranquillus Deus tranquilli◠omnia peace in his own bosome and that is the sweetest Musick which is made in a mans own breast he shall have peace with others the hearts of all shall be united to him all shall honour him he shall be called instaurator ruinae the repairer of the breach Isa 58.12 To conclude the peace-maker shall dye in peace he shall carry a good conscience with him and leave a good name behind him So I have done with the first part of the Text Blessed are the peace-makers I proceed to the next CHAP. XIX MATTH 5.9 They shall be called the children of God IN which words the glorious priviledge of the Saints is set down Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among Brethren * Per nomen pacifici itur ad nomen filii this is the great honour conferred upon them They shall be called the children of God They shall be called that is they shall be so reputed and esteemed of God God never miscalls any thing he doth not call them children which are no children Luk. 1.76 Thou shalt be called the Prophet of the highest that is thou shalt be so they shall be called the children of God that is they shall be accounted and admitted for children Doctr. The Proposition resulting is this That peace-makers are the children of the most High God is said in Scripture to have many children 1. By Eternal Generation so only Christ is the natural Son of his Father Psal 2.7 Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee 2. By Creation so the Angels are the sons of God Job 1.6 Job 38.7 When the Morning Stars sang together and all the sonnes of God shouted for joy 3. By Participation of dignity so Kings and Rulers are said to be children of the High God Psal 82.6 I have said ye are gods and all of you are children of the most High 4. By Visible profession so God hath many children Hypocrites forge a title of son-ship Gen. 6.2 The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair 5. By Real Sanctification so all the faithful are peculiarly and eminently the children of God That I may illustrate and amplifie this and that believers may suck much sweetness out of this Gospel-flower I shall discuss and demonstrate these seven particulars 1. That naturally we are not the children of God 2. What it is to be the children of God 3. How we come to be made children 4. The signs of Gods children 5. The love of God in making us children 6. The honour of Gods children 7. The priviledges of Gods children SECT 1. Shewing that by nature we are not Gods children 1. THAT naturally we are not the children of God We are not born Gods children but made so * Facti sumus non nascimur filii Hierom. By nature we are strangers to God Swine not sons 2 Pet. 2. ult Will a man settle his Estate upon his Swine he will give them his Acorns not his Jewels By nature we have the Divel for our father John 8.44 Ye are of your father the Divel A wicked man may search the Records of hell for his Pedigree SECT 2. Shewing what it is to be children 2. WHAT it is to be the children of God This childship consists in two things 1. Adoption 2. Infusion of grace 1. Childship consists in Adoption Gal. 4.5 That we might receive the Adoption of sons Quest Wherein doth the true nature of Adoption consist Answ In three things 1. A Transition or Translation from one Family to another He that is adopted is taken out of the old Family of the Divel and Hell Ephes 2.2 3. To which he was heir apparent and is made of the family of heaven of a noble family Ephes 2.19 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God is his Father Christ is his Elder Brother the Saints Co-heir the Angels fellow-servants in that Family 2. Adoption consists in an immunity and disobligement from all the Laws of the former Family Psal 45.10 Forget also thy fathers house He who is spiritually adopted hath now no more to do with sin Ephraim shall say What have I any more to do with Idols Hos 14.8 A child of God hath indeed to do with sin as with an enemy to which he gives battel but not as with a Lord to which he yields obedience He is free from sin Rom. 6.8 I do not say he is free from duty Was it ever heard that a child should be freed from duty to his parents this is such a freedom as Rebels take 3. Adoption consists in a Legal investiture into the Rights and Royalties of the Family into which the person is to be adopted these are chiefly two 1. The first Royalty is a new name He who is divinely adopted assumes a new name before a slave now a son of a sinner a Saint this is a name of honor better than any title of Prince or Monarch Rev. 2.17 To him that overcomes I will give a white stone and in the stone a new name written The white stone signifies remission the new name signifies adoption and the new name is put in the white stone to shew that our Adoption is grounded upon our Justification and this new name is written to shew that God hath all the names of his children enrolled in the book of life 2. The second Royalty is a giving the party adopted an interest in the
the children of God present Christ in the Arms of their Faith 2. The prayers of Gods children indited by the Spirit are ardent prayers Ye have received the Spirit whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Father that implies Faith we cry that implies fervency The incense was to be laid upon burning coals Lev. 16.12 The incense was a type of prayer the burning coals of ardency in prayer Elias prayed earnestly Jam. 5.17 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbis addita verbalia apud Hebraeus vehementiam significant Grot. IN PRAYING HE PRAYED that is he did it with vehemency †in prayer the heart must boyle over with heat of affection Prayer is compared to groans unutterable * Rom. 8.26 it alludes to a woman that is in pangs We should be in pangs when we are travelling for mercy such prayer commands God himself Isa 45.11 3. The prayers of Gods children are heart-cleansing prayers they purge out sin many pray against sin and sin against prayer Gods children do not only pray against sin but pray down sin 3. The Spirit of God hath a witnessing work in the heart Gods children have not only the influence of the Spirit but the witness Rom. 8.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God There is a three-fold witness a child of God hath the witness of the Word the witness of Conscience the witness of the Spirit the Word makes the major Proposition He who is in such a manner qualified is a childe of God Conscience makes the minor but Thou art so divinely qualified the Spirit makes the conclusion therefore Thou art a child of God The Spirit joyns with the witness of Conscience Rom. 8.16 The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits The Spirit teacheth Conscience to search the Records of Scripture and finde its evidences for heaven it helps conscience to spell out its name in a promise it bears witness with our spirit Quest Quest But how shall I know the witness of the Spirit from a delusion Answ Answ The Spirit of God always witnesseth according to the Word as the Eccho answers the voyce Enthusiasts speak much of the Spirit but they leave the Word That inspiration which is either without the Word or against it is an imposture The Spirit of God did indite the Word 2 Pet. 1.21 Now if the Spâ—rit should witness otherwise than according to the Word the Spirit should be divided against it self it should be a spirit of contradiction witnessing one thing for a truth in the Word and another thing different from it in a mans conscience 4. The fourth sign of Gods children is Zeal for God they are zealous for his Day his Truth his Glory they who are born of God are impatient of his dishonour Moses was cool in his own cause but hot in Gods when the people of Israel had wrought folly in the golden Calf he breaks the Tables When Saint Paul saw the people of Athens given to Idolatry his spirit was stirred in him Acts 17.16 In the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his spirit was imbittered or as the word may signifie he was in a Paroxysme or burning fit of zeal He could not contain but with this fire of zeal dischargeth against their sin As we shall answer for idle words so for sinful silence it is dangerous in this sense to be possessed with a dumb Divel David saith the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up Psal 69.9 Many Christians whose zeal once had almost eaten them up now they have eaten up their zeal they are grown tepid and neutral the breath of preferment blowing upon them hath cooled their heat I can never believe that he hath the heart of a childe in him that can be patient when Gods glory suffers Can an ingenuous childe endure to hear his father reproached though we should be silent under Gods displeasure yet not under his dishonour When there is an holy fire kindled in the heart it will break forth at the lips zeal tempered with holiness is the white and sanguine which gives the foul its best complexion Of all others let Ministers be impatient when Gods glory is impeached and eclipsed A Minister without zeal is like salt that hath lost its savour Zeal will make men take injuries done to God as done to themselves It is reported of Chrysostom that he reproved any sin against God as if he himself had received a personal wrong * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let not Ministers be either shaken with fear or seduced with flattery God never made Ministers to be as false glasses to make bad faces look fair for want of this fire of zeal they are in danger of another fire even the burning lake Rev. 21.8 into which the fearful shall be cast 5. Those who are Gods children and are born of God are of a more noble and celestial spirit than men of the world they minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things above * Col. 3.2 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 overcometh the world The children of God live in an higher Region they are compared to Eagles Isa 40.31 in regard of their sublimeness and heavenly-mindedness their souls are fled aloft Christ is in their heart Col. 1.27 and the world is under their feet Rev. 12.1 Men of the world are ever tumbling in thick clay they are terrae filii not Eagles but Earth-worms the Saints are of another spirit they are born of God and walk with God as the childe walks with the father Noah walked with God Gen. 6.9 Gods children shew their high Pedigree in their heavenly Conversation Phil. 3.21 6. Another sign of Adoption is love to them that are children Gods children are knit together with the bond of love as all the members of the body are knit together by several nerves and ligaments If we are born of God then we love the brotherhood 1 Pet. 2.17 Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem he that loves the person loves the picture The children of God are his walking pictures and if we are of God we love those who have his Effigies and Pourtraiture drawn upon their souls If we are born of God we love the Saints notwithstanding their infirmities Children love one another though they have some imperfections of nature a squint-eye or a crooked back We love gold in the Oar though it have some drossiness in it the best Saints have their blemishes We read of the spot of Gods children Deutr. 32.5 A Saint in this life is like a fair face with a scar in it If we are born of God we love his children though they are poor we love to see the image and picture of our father though hung in never so poor a Frame we love to see a rich Christ in a poor man And if we are children of the Highest we shew our love to Gods children 1. By prizing their persons
above others He who is born of God honoureth them that fear the Lord Psal 15.4 The Saints are the dearly beloved of Gods soul Jerem. 12.7 They are his jewels Mal. 3.17 They are of the true blood-royal and he who is divinely adopted sets an higher estimate upon these than upon others 2. We shew our love to the children of God by prizing their company above others Children love to associate and be together the communion of Saints is precious Christs Doves will flock together in company pares cum paribus c. Psal 119.63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee though a childe of God is courteous to all * 1 Pet. 3.8 We read that Abraham bowed himself to the children of Heth Gen. 23.7 A childe of God hath a love of civility to all but a love of complacency only to such as are fellow-heirs with him of the same inheritance By this persons may try their Adoption it appears plainly that they are not the children of God who hate those that are born of God they soile and black the silver wings of Christs Doves by their aspersive reproaches they cannot endure the society of the Saints As Vultures hate sweet smells and are killed with them so the wicked love not to come near the godly they cannot abide the precious perfume of their graces they hate these sweet smells it is a sign they are of the Serpents brood who hate the seed of the woman 7. The seventh sign of Gods children is to delight to be much in Gods presence Children love to be in the presence of their father where the King is there is the Court where the presence of God is there is Heaven God is in a special manner present in his Ordinances they are the Ark of his presence Now if we are children we love to be much in holy duties in the use of Ordinances we draw near to God we come into our Fathers presence in prayer we have secret conference with God the soul while it is praying is as it were parlying with God In the Word we hear God speaking from heaven to us and how doth every childe of God delight to hear his Fathers voyce In the Sacrament God kisseth his children with the kisses of his lips he gives them a smile of his face and a privy-seal of his love oh it is good to draw near to God Psal 73.28 It is sweet being in his presence every true child of God saith a day in thy Courts is better than a thousand Psal 84.10 Slighters of Ordinances are none of Gods children because they care not to be in his presence they love the Tavern better than the Temple Cain went out from the presence of the Lord Gen. 4.16 not that he could go out of Gods sight Psal 139.7 but the meaning is Cain went from the Church of God where the Lord gave visible signs of his presence to his people 8. The eighth sign is compliance with the will of our heavenly Father A child-like heart answers to Gods call as the eccho answers to the voyce it is like the flower that opens and shuts with the Sun so it opens to God and shuts to Tentation this is the Motto of a new-born Saint Speak Lord thy servant hears 1 Sam. 3.9 When God bids his children pray in their Closets mortifie sin suffer for his Name they are ambitious to obey they will lay down their lives at their Fathers call Hypocrites court God and speak him fair but refuse to go on his errand they are not children but rebels 9. The last sign is He who is a childe of God will labour to make others the children of God the holy seed of grace propagates Gal. 4.19 Philâ—m 10. He who is of the seed-Royal will be ambitiously desirous to bring others into the Kindred Art thou divinely adopted thou wilt studiously endeavour to make thy childe a childe of the most High There are two Reasons why a godly parent will endeavour to bring his childe into the heavenly Kindred 1. Out of conscience A good parent sees the injury he hath done his childe he hath conveyed the plague of sin to him and in conscience he will endeavour to make some recompence In the old Law he that had smitten and wounded another was bound to see him healed and pay for his cure Parents have given their children a wound in their souls and therefore must do what in them lies by admonition prayers tears to see the wound healed 2. Out of a flaming zeal to the honour of God He who hath tasted Gods love in Adoption looks upon himself as engaged to bring God all the glory he can if he hath a childe or acquaintance that are strangers to God he would gladly promote the work of grace in their hearts it is a glory to Christ when multitudes are born to him How far are they from being Gods children who have no care to bring others into the Family of God! Too blame are those Masters who mind more their servants work than their souls too blame are those parents who are regardless of their children they do not drop in principles of knowledge into them but suffer them to have their head they will let them lye and swear but not ask blessing read Play-books but not Scripture Object 1 Object 1. But say some to chatechise and teach our children is to take Gods name in vain Answ 1. Is the fulfilling Gods command taking Answ 1 his name in vain Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children Prov. 22.6 Train up a childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Ephes 6.4 Ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This three-fold cord of Scripture is not easily broken 2. The Saints of old were continually grafting principles Answ 2 of holy knowledge in their children Gen. 18.19 I know that Abraham will command his children and they shall keep the way of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart Sure Abraham and David did not take Gods name in vain What need is there of instilling holy instructions to over-top the poysonful weeds of sin that grow as Husbandmen when they have planted young Trees they set stayes to them * Ut Agricolae stiâ—pibus pedimenta apponunt to keep them from bending Children are young Plants the heavenly precepts of their parents are like stayes set about them to keep them from bending to errour and and profaness when can there be a fitter season to disseminate and infuse knowledge into children than in their minority Now is a time to give them the breast and let them suck in the sincere milk of the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 2. But it is to no purpose to teach our children the
children of God are servants to the Angels 2. Gods children are above the Angels because Christ by taking their nature hath ennobled and honoured it above the Angelical * Naturam humanam nobilitavit Aug. Hebr. 2.16 He in no wise took the nature of Angels God by uniting us to Christ hath made us nearer to himself than the Angels the children of God are members of Christ Eph. 5.30 This was never said of the Angels how can they be the members of Christ who are of a different nature from him Indeed Metaphorically and improperly Christ may be called the head of the Angels as they are subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 But that Christ is head of the Angels in that near and sweet conjunction as he is the head of believers we nowhere finde in Scripture in this respect therefore I may clearly assert the children of God have a superiority and honour even above the Angels though by Creation they are a little lower than the Angels yet by Adoption and Mystical Union they are above the Angels Use How may this comfort a childe of God in midst either of calumny or penury he is a person of honour he is above the Angels A Gentleman that is fallen to decay will sometimes boast of his Parentage and Noble blood so a Christian who is poor in the world yet by vertue of his Adoption he is of the Family of God he hath the true blood-royal running in his veins he hath a fairer Coat of Arms to shew than the Angels themselves SECT 7. The high priviledges of Gods children 7. THE seventh particular to be explained is To shew the glorious priviledges of Gods children and what I shall say now belongs not to the wicked it is Childrens bread The fruit of Paradise was to be kept with a flaming Sword so these sweet and heart-ravishing priviledges are to be kept with a flaming Sword that impure sensual persons may not touch them There are twelve rare Priviledges which belong to the children of God 1. If we are children then God will be full of tender Privi ∣ ledge 1 love and affection towards us a father compassionates his childe Psal 103.13 Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Oh the yearning of Gods bowels to his children Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son Is he a pleasant childe my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. Towards the wicked Gods wrath is kindled Psal 2.12 Towards them that are children Gods repentings are kindled Hosea 11.8 Mercy and pity doth as naturally flow from our heavenly Father as light doth from the Sun Object 1. But God is angry and writes bitter Object 1 things how doth this stand with love Answ Gods love and his anger towards his children Answ are not opposita but diversa they may stand together he is angry in love Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten we have as much need of afflictions as Ordinances A bitter Pill may be as needful for preserving health as a Julip or Cordial God afflicts with the same love as he adopts God is most angry when he is not angry †his hand is heaviest when it is lightest * Deus irascitur cum non irascitur Bern. affliction is an argument of son-ship Heb. 12.7 If you endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sons Oh saith one * Hos 4.14 sure God doth not love me I am none of his childe because he doth follow me with such sore afflictions Why it is a sign of childship to be sometimes under the Rod God had one son without sin but no son without stripes God puts his children to the School of the Cross and there they learn best * Correctio est efficaâ— virtutis gymnasium God speaks to us in the Word Children be not proud do not love the world walk circumspectly * Ephes 5.15 But we are dull of hearing nay we stop the ear Jer. 22.21 I spake to thee in thy prosperity but thou saidst I will not hear Now saith God I shall lose my childe if I do not correct him then God in love smites that he may save Aristotle speaks of a Bird that lives among Thorns yet sings sweetly Gods children make the best melody in their heart when God hedgeth their way with thorns Hos 2.14 Afflictions are refining Prov. 17.3 The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Fiery Trials make golden Christians afflictions are purifying Dan. 12.10 Many shall be tryed and made white We think God is going to destroy us but he only layes us a whitening Some Birds will not hatch but in time of thunder Christians are commonly best in affliction God will make his children at last bless him for sufferings the eyes that sin shuts affliction opens * Oculos quos peccatum clâ—u dit plena aperiâ— when Manasseh was in chains then he knew the Lord was God 2 Chron. 33.13 Afflictions fit for heaven first the stones in Solomons Temple were hewen and polished and then set up into a buâ—lding First the Saints who are called lively stones * 1 Pet. 2.5 must be hewen and carved by sufferings as the corner stone was and so made meet * Col. 1.12 for the celestial building and is there not love in all Gods fatherly castigations Object 2 Object 2. But sometimes Gods children are under the black clouds of desertion is not this far from love Concerning desertion I must needs say this is the saddest condition that â—an betide Gods children when the Sun is gone the Dew falls when the Sun-light of Gods countenance is removed then the Dew of tears falls from the eyes of the Saints In desertion God rains hell out of heaven to use Calvins expression The arrows of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirits Job 6.4 This is the poysoned arrow that wounds to the heart Desertion is a taste of the torments of the damned God saith in a little wrath I hid my face from thee Isa 54.8 I may here glosse with Saint Bernard Modicum illud vocas Domine Lord dost thou call that a little wrath when thou hidest thy face is it but a little What can be more bitter to me than the eclipsing of thy face God is in Scripture called a light and a fire the deserted soul feels the fire but doth not see the light But yet thou who art adopted mayest spell love in all this They say of Hercules his club that it was made of the wood of Olive the Olive is an emblem of peace so Gods club whereby he beats down the soul in desertion hath something of the Olive there is Peace and Mercy in it I shall hold forth a spiritual Rain-bow wherein the children of God may see the love of their Father in the midst of the clouds of desertion
from the Proposition 1. IT shews us what the nature of Christianity is viz. Use 1 Sanctity joyned with suffering Inform. a true Saint carries Christ in his heart and the Cross on his shoulders 2 Tim. Branch 1 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Christ and his Cross are never parted 't is too much for a Christian to have two heavens one here and another hereafter * Delicatus nimis es si hic vis gaudere cum saeculo postea regnare cum Christo Hier. Christs Kingdom on earth is Regnum Crucis What is the meaning of the shield of faith the helmet of hope the breast-plate of patience but to imply that we must encounter with sufferings It is one of the titles given to the Church Afflicted Isa 54.11 Persecution is the Legacy bequeathed by Christ to his people John 16. ult In the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye shall have tribulation Christs Spouse is a lilly among thorns Christs sheep must expect to lose their golden Fleece this the flesh doth not like to hear of therefore Christ calls persecution the Cross Matth. 16.24 Because it is cross to flesh and blood we are all for reigning Acts 1.7 When wilt thou restore the Kingdom again to Israel But the Apostle tells us of suffering before reigning 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him How loth is corrupt flesh to put its neck under Christs yoke or stretch it self upon the Cross but Religion gives no Charter of exemption from suffering to have two heavens is more than Christ had Was the head crowned with Thorns and do we think to be crowned with Roses 1 Pet. 4.12 Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial If we are Gods gold it is not strange to be cast into the fire Some there are that picture Erasmus half in heaven and half out Methinks it represents a Christian in this life in regard of his inward consolation he is half in heaven in regard of his outward persecution he is half in hell Branch 2 2. See hence that persecutions are not signs of Gods anger or fruits of the curse for blessed are they that are persecuted If they are blessed who dye in the Lord Are not they blessed who dye for the Lord We are very apt to judge them hated and forsaken of God who are in a suffering condition Matth. 26.40 If thou be the Son of God come down from the Cross The Jewes made a question of it they could hardly believe Christ was the Son of God when he hung upon the Cross Would God let him be reproached and forsaken if he were the Son of God When the Barbarians saw the Viper on Pauls hand they thought he was a great sinner Acts 28.4 No doubt this man is a Murtherer So when we see the people of God afflicted and the Viper of persecution fastens on them we are apt to say These are greater sinners than others and God doth not love them this is for want of judgement Blessed are they that are persecuted Persecutions are pledges of Gods love badges of honour Hebr. 12.7 In the sharpest trial there is the sweetest comfort Gods fanning his wheat is but to make it purer SECT 7. Containing a sharp reproof Use 2 1. IT reproves such as would be thought good Christians Reproof Branch 1 but will not suffer persecution for Christs sake their care is not to take up the Cross but to avoid the Cross Matth. 13.21 When persecution ariseth because of the Word by and by he is offended There are many professors who speak Christ fair but will suffer nothing for him these may be compared to the chrystal which looks like pearle till it comes to the hammering then it breaks many when they see the Palme-branches and garments spread cry Hosanna to Christ but if the Swords and Staves appear then they flink away as King Henry the fourth then of Navar told Beza who urging him to engage himself in the Protestant Religion said he would not launch out too far into the deep but that if a storm should arise he might retreat back to shore 'T is to be feared there are some among us who if persecutions should come would rather make Demas his choice than Moses his choice and would study rather to keep their skin whole than their conscience pure Erasmus highly extolled Luthers Doctrine but when the Emperour threatned all that should favour Luthers cause he unworthily deserted it Hypocrites will sooner renounce their Baptisme than take up the Cross if ever we would shew our selves Christians to purpose we must with Peter throw our selves upon the water to come to Christ He that refuseth to suffer let him read over that sad Scripture Matth. 10.33 Whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven 2. It reproves them who are the opposers and persecutors Branch 2 of the Saints how great is their sin they resist the Holy Ghost Acts 7.51 52. Ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost which of the Prophets have not your Fathers persecuted Persecutors offer affront to Christ in heaven they tread his jewels in the dust touch the apple of his eye pierce his sides Acts 9.4 5. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me When the foot was trodden on the head cried out as the sin is great so the punishment shall be proportionable Rev. 16.6 They have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy Will not Christ avenge those who dye in his quarrel what is the end of persecutors Dioclesian proclaimed that the Christian Churches and Temples should be razed down their Bibles burned he would not permit any man that was a Christian to hold an office some of the Christians he cast alive into boyling lead others had their hands and lips cut off only they had their eyes left that they might behold the tragedy of their own miseries what was the end of this man he ran mad and poysoned himself Felix Captain to Emperour Charles the fifth being at Supper at Auspurg vowed he would ride up to the spurs in the blood of the Lutherans a flux of blood came up that night into his throat wherewith he was choaked it were easie to tell how Gods hand hath so visibly gone out against Persecutors that they might read their sin in their punishment SECT 8. That Christians should possess themselves before hand with thoughts of suffering Use 3 1. LET it exhort Christians to think before hand and make account of sufferings Exhort this reckoning before hand can do us no hurt it may do us much good 1. The fore-thoughts of suffering will make a Christian very serious the heart is apt to be feathery and frothy the thoughts of suffering persecution would consolidate it Why am I thus light Is this a posture fit for persecution Christians grow serious in the casting up
the recompence of reward not all the silks of Persia the spices of Arabia the gold of Ophir can be compared to this glorious reward How should the thoughts of this whet and steel us with courage in our sufferings when they threatned Basil with banishment he comforted himself with this that he should be either under heaven or in heaven * Aut sub coelo aut in coelo It was the hope of this reward which did so animate those Primitive Martyrs who when there was incense put into their hands and there was no more required of them for the saving of their lives but to sprinkle a little of that incense upon the Altar in honour of the Idol they would rather dye than do it this glorious reward in heaven is called a reigning with Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him First Martyrs then Kings Julian honoured all those who were slain in his battels so doth the Lord Jesus after the Saints Crucifixion follows their Coronation they shall reign The wicked first reign and then suffer the godly first suffer and then reign The Saints shall have an happy reign it shall be both peaceable and durable who would not swim through blood to this Crown who would not suffer joyfully Christ saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be exceeding glad Ver. 12. The Greek word signifies to leap for joy * Gâ—sticulationem sonat laetantis Erasm Christians should have their spirits elevated and exhilarated when they contemplate the weight of glory 11. If you would be able to suffer pray much beg of God to cloath you with a spirit of zeal and magnanimity Phil. 1.29 To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake It is a gift of God to be able to suffer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pray for this gift do not think you can be able of your selves to lay down life and liberty for Christ Peter was over-confident of himself John 13.37 I will lay down my life for thy sake but Peters strength undid him Peter had habitual grace but he wanted auxiliary grace Christians need fresh gales from heaven pray for the Spirit to animate you in your sufferings as the fire hardens the Potters Vessel which is at first weak and limber so the fire of the Spirit hardens men against sufferings pray that God will make you like the Anvil that you may bear the stroaks of persecutors with invincible patience 1 JOHN 5.3 His Commandments are not grievous CHAP. XXII Containing an Appendix to the Beatitudes YOU have seen what Christ calls for Poverty of spirit Purity of heart meekness mercifulness chearfulness in suffering persecution c. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ I thought good as a closure to the former Discourse to take off the surmises and prejudices in mens spirits by this sweet mollifying Scripture His Commandments are not grievous The censuring world objects against Religion that it is difficult and irksome Mal. 1.13 Behold what a weariness is it therefore the Lord that he may invite and encourage us to obedience draws Religion in its fair colours and represents it to us as beautiful and pleasant in these words His Commandments are not grievous This may well be called a sweetning ingredient into Religion and may serve to take off that asperity and harshness which the carnal world would put upon the wayes of God For the clearing of the terms let us consider 1. What is meant here by Commandments Answ By this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commandments I understand Gospel-precepts faith repentance self-denial c. 2. What is meant by not grievous The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies they are not tedious or heavy to be born there is a Meiofis in the words His commands are not grievous that is they are easie sweet excellent Doctr. Hence observe Doctr. That none of Gods commands are grievous when he calls us to be meek merciful pure in heart these Commandments are not grievous Matth. 11.30 My burden is light the Greek word there for burden 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies properly the ballast of a ship which glides through the waves so swiftly and easily as if the ship had no weight or pressure in it Christs Commandments are like the ballast of a ship useful but not troublesome all his precepts are sweet and facil therefore called pleasantness Prov. 3.17 To illustrate and amplifie this consider two things 1. Why Christ layes commands upon his people 2. That these commands are not grievous 1. Why Christ layes commands upon his people there are two Reasons 1. In regard of Christ it is sutable to his dignity and state he is Lord Paramount this name is written on his Thigh and Vesture King of Kings Rev. 19.16 And shall not a King appoint Laws to his subjects it is one of the jura regalia the flowres of the Crown to enact Laws and Statutes what is a King without his Laws And shall not Christ by whom Kings reign * Prov. 8.15 put forth his Royal Edicts by which the world shall be governed 2. In regard of the Saints it is well for the people of God that they have Laws to binde and check the exorbitancies of their unruly hearts how far would the Vine spread its luxuriant branches were it not pruned and tyed the heart would be ready to run wilde in sin if it had not affliction to prune it and the Laws of Christ to binde it the precepts of Christ are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a yoke Matth. 11.30 The yoke is useful it doth keep the Oxen in from stragling and running out so the precepts of Christ as a yoke do keep the godly from stragling into sin whether should we not run into what damnable opinions and practises did not Christs Lawes lay a check and restraint upon us Blessed be God for precepts That is a blessed yoke which yokes our corruptions we should run to hell were it not for this yoke The Lawes of Christ are a spiritual hedge which keeps the people of God within the pastures of Ordinances some that have broken this hedge and have stragled are now in the Divels pound Thus we see what need the Saints have of the Royal Law 2. The second thing I am to demonstrate is That Christs commands are not grievous I confess they are grievous to the unregenerate man to mourn for sin to be pure in heart to suffer persecution for righteousness sake Durus hic sermo this is grievous to flesh and blood therefore â—hrists commands are compared to bands and cords Psal 2. because carnal men look upon them so Gods commands restrain men from their excess and binde them to their good behaviour therefore they hate these bonds and instead of breaking off sin say Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us Psal 2.3 A carnal man is
but so it is Prov. 1.22 How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity Sin is the poyson of the soul yet men love it and he who loves his sin hates a reproof 2. Sin possesseth men with a lunacy Luke 15.7 People are mad in sinne Jeremiah 50.38 THEY ARE MAD ON THEIR IDOLS When sickness grows so violent that men lie raving and are mad they then quarrel with their Physitian and say he comes to kill them So when sin is grown to an head the disease turned to a frenzy then men quarrel with those that tell them of their sins and are ready to offer violence to their Physitians it argues wisdom to receive a reproof Prov. 9.8 Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee A wise man had rather drink a sharp potion than dye of his disease 4. If sin be a soul-sickness then do not feed this Branch 4 disease he that is wise will avoid those things which will increase his disease if he be feaverish he will avoide wine which would inflame the disease if he have the stone he will avoid salt meats he will forbear a dish he loves because it is bad for his disease why should not men be as wise for their souls Thou that hast a drunken lust do not feed it with wine thou that hast a malitious lust do not feed it with revenge thou that hast an unclean lust make not provision for the flesh Rom. 13.14 He that feeds a disease feeds an enemy Some diseases are starved Starve thy sins by fasting and humiliation Either kill thy sin or thy sin will kill thee 5. If sin be a soul-disease and worse than any other Branch 5 then labour to be sensible of this disease There are few who are sensible of their soul-sicknesse they think they are well and ayle nothing they are whole and need not the Physitian 'T is a bad Symptom to hear a sick dying man say he is well The Church of Laodicea was a sick Patient but she thought she was well Rev. 3.17 Thou sayest I am rich and have need of nothing Come to many a man and feele his pulse ask him about the state of his soul he will say he hath a good heart and doubts not but he shall be saved What should be the reason that when men are so desperately sick in their souls and ready to drop into hell yet they conceit themselves in a very good condition 1. There is a spiritual cataract upon their eye they see not their soars Laodicea thought her self rich because she was blind Rev. 3.17 The god of the world blinds mens eyes that they can neither see their disease nor their Physitian Many blesse God their estate is good not from the knowledge of their happinesse but from the ignorance of their danger when Hamans face was covered he was near execution Oh pray with David Lighten mine eyes that I sleep not the sleep of death Psal 13.3 2. Men that are sick think themselves well from the haughtinesse of their spirits Alexander thought himself awhile to be the son of Jupiter and no lesse than a God what an arrogant creature is man though he be sick unto death he thinks it too much a disparagement to acknowledge a disease either he is not sick or he can heal himself If he be poysoned he runs to the herb or rather weed of his own righteousnesse to cure him* Rom. 10.3 3. Men that are sick conceit themselves well through self-love He that loves another will not credit any evil report of him Men are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-lovers 2 Tim 3.2 Every man is a Dove in his own eye therefore doth not suspect himself of any disease he will rather question the Scriptures verity than his own malady 4. Self-deceit and the deceit of the heart appears in two things 1. In hiding the disease the heart hides sin as Rachel did her fathers images Gen. 31.34 Hasael did not think that he was so sick as he was he could not imagine that so much wickednesse like a disease should lie lurking in him 2 Kings 8.13 Is thy servant a dog that he should do this great thing As the Viper hath his teeth hid in his gums so that if one should look into his mouth he would think it an harmlesse creature So though there be much corruption in the heart yet the heart hides it and draws a vail over that it be not seen 2. The heart holds a false Glasse before the eye making a man appear fair and his estate very good The heart can deceive with counterfeit grace hence it is men are insensible of their spiritual condition and think themselves well when they are sick unto death 5. Men take up a reverend opinion of themselves and fancy their spiritual estate better than it is through mistake And this mistake is double 1. They enjoy glorious priviledges they were born within the sound of Aarons bells they were baptiz'd with holy water they have been fed with Manna from heaven therefore they hope they are in a good condition Judg. 17.13 Then said Micah Now I know the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest But alas this is a mistake outward priviledges save not What is any one the better for Ordinances unlesse he be better by Ordinances A childe may die with the breast in its mouth Many of the Jews perished though Christ himself were their Preacher 2. The other mistake is set down by the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.12 They measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves amongst themselves are not wise Here is a double Error or mistake First They measure themselves by themselves That is they see they are not so bad as they were therefore they judge their condition is good A Dwarf may be taller than he was yet a dwarf still the Patient may be lesse sick than he was yet far from well a man may be better than he was yet not good Secondly They compare themselves amongst themselves They see they are not so flagitious and profane as others therefore they think themselves well because they are not so sick as others This is a mistake one may as well die of a Consumption as the Plague One man may not be so far off heaven as another yet he may not be near heaven One line may not be so crooked as another yet not strait To the Law to the Testimony the Word of God is the true Standard and measure by which we are to judge of the state and temper of our souls Oh let us take heed of this Rock the phancying our condition better than it is let us take heed of a spiritual Apoplexy to be sick in our souls yet not sensible of this sicknesse What do men talk of a light within them the light within them by nature is not sufficient to shew them the diseases of their souls This light tells them they are whole and have no need of a Physitian Oh what
were requisite as none but Christ could give 3. Christ came as a Physitian out of the sweetness of his Nature he is like the good Samaritan who had compassion on the wounded man Luke 10.33 A Physitian may come to the Patient only for gain not so much to help the Patient as to help himself but Christ came purely out of sympathy there was nothing in us to tempt Christ to heal us for we had no desire of a Physitian nor had we any thing to give our Physitian as sin made us sick so it made us poor so that Christ came as a Physitian not out of hope to receive any thing from us but was prompted to it out of his own goodness Hos 14.4 I will heal their back-slidings I will love them Love set Christ awork not only his Fathers Commission but his own Compassion moved him to his spiritual Physick and Chyrurgery King David banished the blinde and lame out of the City 2 Sam. 5.8 Christ comes to the blinde and lame and cures them it is the sounding of his bowels that causeth the healing under his wings 3. The third particular is That Christ is the Only Physitian Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other c. There 's no other Physitian besides Verinus Non plures medici sed satis unus erit The Papists would have other healers besides Christ they would make Angels their Physitians all the Angels in heaven cannot heal one sick soul indeed they are described by their wings Isa 6.2 but they have no healing under their wings Papists would heal themselves by their own merits Adam did eat that Apple which made him and his posterity sick but he could not finde any herb in Paradise to cure him our merits are rather damning than healing to make use of other Physitians and medicines is as if the Israelites in contempt of that brazen Serpent which Moses set up had erected other brazen Serpents O let us take heed of that turba medicorum Indeed in bodily sickness it is lawful to multiply Physitians when the Patient hath advised with one Physitian he desires to have others joyned with him but the sick soul if it joyns any other Physitian with Christ it surely dies 4. How Christ heals his Patients Answ There are foure things in Christ that are healing 1. His Word is healing Psal 107.20 He sent his Word and healed them His Word in the mouth of his Ministers is healing when the Spirit is wounded in desertion Christ doth create the lips that speak peace Isa 57.19 The Word written is a Myrothecium or Repository in which God hath laid up Soveraign oyles and balsomes to recover sick souls and the Word preached is the pouring out of these oyles and applying them to the sick Patient He sent his Word and healed them We look upon the Word as a weak thing What is the breath of a man to save a soul but the power of the Lord is present to heal Luke 5.17 Christ makes use of his Word as an healing medicine the Receits which his Ministers prescribe he himself applies he makes his Word convincing converting comforting Caution Not that the Word heals all to some it is not an healing but a killing Word 2 Cor. 2.16 To the one we are a savour of death unto death Some dye of their disease two sorts of Patients dye 1. Such as sin presumptuously though they know a thing to be sin yet they will do it Job 24.13 They are of those that rebel against the light this is dangerous * Num. 15 30. David prays Psal 19. Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins 2. Such as sin maliciously when the disease comes to this head the Patient will dye Hebr. 10.29 But to them who belong to the election of grace the Word is the healing medicine Christ useth He sent his Word and healed them 2. Christs wounds are healing Isa 55.3 With his stripes we are healed Christ made a medicine of his own body and blood the Physitian dyed to cure the Patient * Ille Colaphizatus lauceatus spinis corenatus in cruce suspensus ut per ejus mortem nobis medelam pararet Aug. in Evang. Joh. The Pelican when her young ones are bitten by Serpents feeds them with her own blood to recover them Thus when we were bitten by the old Serpent then Jesus Christ prescribes a Receit of his own blood to heal and restore us Sanguis Christi salus Christiani * Corpus Christi est aegris medicina languorem sanans sanitatem servans Bern. The blood of Christ being the blood of him who was God as well as man had infinite merit to appease God and infinite vertue to heal us This this is the balme of Gilead that recovers a soul which is sick even to death Balm as Naturalists say is a juyce which a little shrub being cut with glass doth weep out This was anciently of very precious esteem the favour of it was odoriferous the vertue of it Soveraign it would cure ulcers and the stinging of Serpents * Pliny This balm may be an emblem of Christs blood it hath a most Soveraign vertue in it it heals the ulcer of sin the stinging of tentation it merits for us justification Rom. 5.9 O how precious is this balm of Gilead by this blood we enter into heaven 3. Christs Spirit is healing the blood of Christ heals the guilt of sin the Spirit of Christ heals the pollution of sin the Spirit is compared to oyle it is call'd the anointing of the Spirit Isa 61. to shew the healing vertue of the Spirit oyle is healing Christ by his Spirit heals the rebellion of the will the stone of the heart though sin be not removed it is subdued 4. Christs rod is healing Isa 27.9 Christ never wounds but to heal the rod of affliction is to recover the sick Patient * Unguento utitur medicus item ferro igue Bern. Davids bones were broken that his soul might be healed God useth affliction as the Chyrurgion doth his Launce to let out the venome and corruption of the soul and make way for a cure Quest But if Christ be a Physitian Quest why are not all healed Answ 1. Because all do not know they are sick they Answ 1 see not the sores and ulcers of their souls and will Christ cure them who see no need of him many ignorant people thank God they have good hearts but that heart can no more be good which wants grace than that body can be found which wants health 2. All are not healed because they love their sickness Answ 2 Psal 52.3 Thou lovest evil many men hug their disease Augustine saith before his conversion he prayed against sin but his heart whispered Non adhuc Domine Not yet Lord he was loth to leave his sin too soon how many love their disease better than their Physitian while sin is loved Christs medicines are loathed 3. All are not
destroy them had not Moses his chosen stood in the breach to turne away his wrath Let us never leave imploring our heavenly Physitian till he lay a Fig on ENGLANDS Boyle and cause it to recover 1 PET. 1.2 Grace unto you and Peace be multiplyed The beauty of Grace THE blessed Apostle having felt the Efficacy and Soveraignty of grace is taken up with the thoughts of it and so sweet is this wine of Paradise that he commends it to these dispersed Christians to whom he writes wishing them all encrease Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied The words run in the forme of a Salutation Grace unto you and Peace When we salute our friends we cannot wish them a greater blessing than Grace and Peace Other mercies lie without the Pale and are dispersed in common to men but Grace is a special Congiary and Gift bestowed on them who are the Favourites of heaven In the words observe 1. The Connexion 2. The Order 1. The Connexion Grace and Peace 1. The Connexion The way to have peace is to have grace grace is the breeder of peace the one is the root the other the flower peace is the sweet water that drops from the limbeck of a gracious heart 2. The Order 2. The Order First grace then peace grace hath the priority Grace and peace are two sisters but grace is the elder sister * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theoph. and give me leave at this time to prefer the elder before the younger Grace unto you be multiplied For the illustration consider 1. What is meant by grace 2. The Authour of it 3. Why it is called grace 4. The Cogency of it 1. What is meant by grace This word GRACE is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it hath various acceptions in Scripture 1. Grace is sometimes taken for the favour of God Gen. 6.8 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord God did cast a gracious aspect upon him 2. Grace is taken for beauty as we say such a thing is graceful Jam. 1.11 The flower falleth and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth 3. Grace is taken figuratively and improperly for the shew of grace as we call that a face in the glass which is but the idaea and resemblance of a face so John 2.23 Many believed in his Name that believing was but a shew of faith as Austin and Theophilact note 4. Grace is taken in a genuine and proper sense so in the Text Grace be multiplied it may admit of this description Grace is the infusion of a new and holy principle into the heart whereby it is changed from what it was and is made after Gods own heart Grace makes not only a civil but sacred change it byasseth the soul heaven-ward and stamps upon it the image and superscription of God 2. The Authour or Efficient of grace namely the Spirit of God who is therefore call'd the Spirit of grace Zach. 12.10 The Spirit is the fountain from whence chrystal streams of grace flow * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoret. Man as Clemens Alexandrinus observes is Gods Harp or Timbrel the Harp will not sound unless touched with the finger so the heart of man cannot put forth any gracious harmony till first it be touched with the finger of Gods Spirit this blessed Spirit works grace in the Subject 1. Universally 2. Progressively 1. Universally 1 Thes 5.10 The God of peace sanctifie you wholly The Spirit of God infuseth grace into all the faculties of the soul though grace be wrought but in part yet in every part in the understanding light in the conscience tenderness in the will consent in the affections harmony therefore grace is compared to leaven Matth. 13.33 because it swells it self into the whole soul and makes the Conversation to swell and rise as high as heaven 2. The Spirit of God works grace progressively he carries it on from one degree of another The Pelagians hold that gratia operans the beginning of grace is from God but gratia cooperans the progress of grace is from our selves so God shall be the Authour of faith and we the finishers God shall lay the first stone and we the Superstructure but alas there needs the continual influence of the Spirit to the carrying on the work of grace in our hearts Should God withdraw his Spirit from the most holy men their grace might fail and annihilate †* Sublata causa tollitur effectus If the Sun withdraw its light though never so little there follows darkness in the Ayre we need not only habitual grace but assisting exciting subsequent grace The Ship needs not only the Sails but the winde to carry it there needs not only the Sailes of our Abilities and Endeavours but the winde of the Spirit to blow us to the heavenly Port. 3. Why the work of holiness in the heart is called grace Answ 1. Because it hath a super-eminency above nature * Caelitus delapsa Beza it is a flower which doth not grow in natures garden 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a Divine extraction Jam. 3.17 By reason we live the life of men by grace we live the life of God 2. It is called grace because it is a work of free-grace * Gratia quasi gratis data every link in the golden chain of our salvation is wrought and enamel'd with free-grace That one should be sanctified and not another this is of grace that God should pass by many of the Noble Rich Learned and graft his heavenly endowments upon a more wilde luxuriant Stock a crabbed nature weaker parts well may it be called grace Quest Quest But why is not grace bestowed upon all Answ Answ We must hold with Zanchy there is alwayes a just reason of Gods will but in particular I answer 1. God gives grace to one and denies it to another to shew his Prerogative God is not bound to give grace to all Rom. 9.15 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy Suppose two Malefactors brought before the King one he will pardon but not the other if any demand the reason he will answer 't is his Prerogative So God will give grace to one not to another he will make one a vessel of mercy the other a vessel of wrath this is his Prerogative The Apostle hath silenced all disputes in this kinde Rom. 9.20 21. Who art thou that replyest against God hath not the Potter power over the clay If we could suppose a Plant to speak Why was not I made a Bird or a Beast Why should not I have reason just so it is when vain man enters into contest with God Why should not I have grace as well as another Dispute not against Prerogative let not the clay syllogize with the Potter 2. I answer God may justly deny his grace to any wicked man for two reasons 1. Because once he had grace and lost it if a father give his son a stock to trade
with and the son breaks the father is not bound to set him up again God gave Adam a stock of grace to begin the world with Adam did break and make all his children Banquerupts God is not tyed to give him grace again 2. God may justly deny his grace to every wicked man because he is a despiser of grace he tramples this pearle under foot Prov. 1.7 Is God bound to give grace to them that despise it If a Kings pardon be rejected once he is not bound to tender it any more but I shall not launch forth any further into this 4. The cogency and necessity of grace it is most needful because it fits us for communion with God 2 Cor. 6.14 What communion hath light with darkness God can no more converse with an ungracious soul than a King can converse with a Swine it is by grace that we keep a constant intercourse with heaven 1. Let me with the greatest zeal and earnestness perswade Use 1 all who have souls to save Exhort to endeavour after grace this is the Unum Necessarium grace will be desirable at death it is as useful now and more seasonable to look after Prov. 4.7 With all thy getting get understanding Alexander being presented with a rich Cabinet of King Darius he reserved it to put Homers works in as being of great value The heart is a spiritual Cabinet into which the jewel of grace should be put we should desire grace above other things above the gifts of the Spirit nay above the comforts of the Spirit Comfort is sweet but grace is better than comfort bread is better than honey we may go to heaven without comfort not without grace it is grace makes us blessed in life and death I shall shew you twelve rare Excellencies in grace I shall set this fair Virgin of grace before you hoping that you will be tempted to fall in love with it Excellency 1 1. Grace hath a soul-quickning excellency in it Hebr. 10.38 The just shall live by faith Men void of grace are dead they have breath yet want life they are walking ghosts Eph. 2.1 The life of sin is the death of the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A sinner hath all the signs of one that is dead he hath no pulse the affections are the pulse of the soul his pulse doth not beat after God he hath no sense Eph. 4.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who being past feeling Dead things have no beauty there 's no beauty in a dead flower dead things are not capable of priviledge the dead heir is not crowned but grace is the vital artery of the soul it doth not only irradiate but animate therefore it is called lumen vitae the light of life John 8.12 And believers are said to have their grave-cloaths pulled off and to be alive from the dead Rom. 6.13 By grace the soul is grafted into Christ the true Vine John 15.5 and is made not only living but lively 1 â—et 1.3 Grace puts forth a Divine Energy into the soul 2. Grace hath a soul-enriching excellency 1 Cor. 1. Excellency 2 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye are enriched in all knowledge As the Sun enricheth the world with its golden beams so doth knowledge bespangle and enrich the mind * Vera divitiae non opes sunt sed virtutes Bern. Faith is an enriching grace Jam. 2.5 Rich in faith plus fulget fides quam aurum faith brings Christs riches into the soul it intitles to the promises the promises are full of heavenly riches Justification Adoption Glory Faith is the key that unlocks this Cabinet of the promises and empties out their treasure into the soul The riches of grace excell all other riches the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver Prov. 3.14 1. These riches make a man wise wisdom is the best possession * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand other riches cannot make one wise A man may ditescere delirare he may have a full purse and an empty brain Many a rich heir though he lives till he be of age yet he never comes to years of discretion But these riches of grace have power to make a man wise Psal 111.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom The Saints are compared to wise Virgins Matth. 25. Grace makes a man wise to know Satans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his devices and subtilties 2 Cor. 2.11 It makes him wise to salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Grace gives the Serpents eye in the Doves head 2. These spiritual riches sanctifie other riches Riches without grace are hurtful they are not divitiae but insidiae they are golden snares they are the bellows of pride the fuel of lust they set open hell gates for men * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand they are unblest blessings but grace sanctifies our riches it corrects the poyson it takes away the curse it makes them beneficial to us riches shall be Certificates of Gods love wings to lift us up to Paradise Thus grace by a Divine Chymistry extracts heaven out of earth and gives us not only the venison but the blessing 3. Grace satisfies other riches cannot Eccles 5.10 Riches can no more fill the heart than a Triangle can fill a Circle but grace fills up every chink and hiatus of the soul it dilates the heart it ravisheth the affections with joy Rom. 15.13 which joy as Chrysostom saith is a foretaste of heaven Excellency 3 3. Grace hath a soul-adorning excellency it puts a beauty and lustre upon a person 1 Pet. 3.4 5. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating the hair and of wearing of gold but let it be the hidden man of the heart even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price for after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves If a man hath Plate and Jewels Cloth of Gold Hangings of Arras these adorn the house not the man the glory of a man is grace * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chaysost Prov. 4.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace The graces are a Chain of pearle that adorns Christs Bride the heart inlaid and enamel'd with grace is like the Kings daughter all glorious within * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoret. Psal 45.13 A gracious soul is the image of God curiously drawn with the Pensil of the Holy Ghost an heart beautified with grace is the Angels joy Luke 15.7 and is Gods lesser heaven Isa 57.15 Eph. 3.17 Reason doth not so far exceed sense as grace doth reason grace changeth corruption into perfection nothing so graceth a man as grace doth grace is the purest complexion of the soul for it makes it like God Grace is the flower of delight which Christ loves to smell to grace is to the soul as the eye to the body as the Sun to the
Anselm say Let me rather fall into hell than sin wouldst thou keep thy heart environ it with love death cannot break this fence 3. Faith this is call'd a shield Ephes 6.16 The shield Fence 3 fenceth the head guards the vitals this blessed shield of faith preserves the heart from danger The shield defends all the Armour the Helmet and Breast-plate The shield of faith defends the other graces the Breast-plate of love the Helmet of hope the Girdle of truth When Satan strikes at a Christians heart faith beats back the blow and wounds the head of the old Serpent 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in faith faith is the best safeguard faith brings in peace Rom. 15.13 Peace in believing And peace fortifies the heart Phil. 4.7 The peace of God shall keep your heart 4. A good conscience The heart is placed in the midst Fence 4 of the body and as it is strongly secured with ribs about it so it hath a film over it in which it is kept call'd by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the ribs about the heart which fence it I may compare the graces to the film in which the heart is kept I may compare a good conscience this keeps the soul that nothing can annoy it Murus Aheneus esto c. Good conscience is a brazeen wall about the Castle of the heart these are the fences that keep the heart Answ 9 9. If you would have your hearts kept beg of God that he would keep them for you set not about this work in your own strength but look higher go to God he is the great Lord-Keeper Psal 121.5 The Lord is thy Keeper * Utinam ut mihi semper à dexteris fis bone Jesu Bern. it is good to go alwayes with such a Keeper this is the reason none of the Saints are lost because the Lord is their Keeper 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God Every Ward hath a Guardian to keep him choose God for thy Guardan they are safe whom God keeps lock up thy heart with God and give him the Key Motives to heart-custody The Motives that may perswade us to look after the keeping of our hearts are these 1. If we do not keep our hearts the Divel will keep them shall we let Satan have them when a rude Army gets into a Town what work do they make what Rapines Plunders Massacres when Satan possesseth hearts he carries them at last violently as he did the Swine into the Sea Satan is first crafty then cruel 1. He is crafty his work is to fish for hearts and he is very subtile he hath his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his policies and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 1. He observes the humours of the body and layes sutable baits the Divel cannot know the heart but he may observe the temper and constitution * Novit Diabolus cui illecebras carn◠ingerat cui virus invi diae insundat omnium discurit mores Leo. he tempts a sanguine man with beauty a covetous man wich gold as the Husband-man knows what ground is fit for Barley what for Wheat Satan hath not been a Tempter so long but by this time hath gained experience having commenced Master of his black Art 2. Satan baits his hook with Religion he tempts to sin under a pretext of piety thus transforming himself into an Angel of light He tempts some to make away themselves that they may not live any longer to sin against God Who would suspect Satan when he comes as a Divine and quotes Scripture Thus cunningly doth the Divel angle for hearts 2. Having once gotten his prey he is cruel his cruelty exceeds the rage of all Tyrants we read of Hannibal Antiochus Nero who caused the Christians to be put in Coats laid over with pitch and brimstone burning all night that they might be a living Torch to them that passed by this is nothing to the unparallel'd barbarisme and cruelty of Satan his name is Apollyon Devourer he rent and tore the man in whom he was and threw him into the fire Matth. 17.15 If he was so fierce when he was chained what will he do when he hath full power when he had taken away all Jobs Estate smitten his body full of soars and thrown the house upon his children yet all this was in the Divels account but a touch of the finger Job 1.11 If the touch of his finger be so heavy what will the weight of his loyns be Oh then if Satan be so subtile in fishing for hearts and so savage when he gets mens hearts let us have a care to keep our hearts if we do not keep them Satan will keep them for us and then see what havock he will make 2. He that keeps his heart keeps his peace whence are our perturbations and disquiets but from the neglect of our spiritual watch he that keeps his heart all day may lie down in peace at night Psal 4.8 What a comfort will this be to a Christian in every condition in a low condition when he thinks thus with himself Though I have lost my friends and estate yet I have kept my heart in a sick condition we shall shortly be chained to a sick-bed but when a Christian shall keep his bed it will be no small comfort to him that he hath kept his heart in a dying condition death may take away the life but not the heart that jewel God layes claim to and it is kept for him The heavenly race 1 COR. 9.24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one receiveth the prize So run that ye may obtain REligion is a business of the greatest importance the Soul which is the more Noble and Divine part is concern'd in it and as we act our part here so we shall be for ever happy or miserable the advice of Solomon in this case is most seasonable Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Eccles 9.10 The business of Religion requires our utmost zeal and intension Mat. 11.12 1. Sometimes the work we are to do for heaven is set out by striving Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strive as in an agony strive as for a matter of life and death so Cornelius à lapide though we must be men of peace yet in matters of Religion we must be men of strife 't is an holy strife a blessed contention indeed the Apostle saith Let nothing be done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through strife but though strife doth not do well among Christians yet it doth well in a Christian he must strive with his own heart or he will never get to heaven 2. Sometimes our work for heaven is compared to wrestling Ephes 6.12 We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers c. Our life is a
Run the race we must run 2. There 's no other way to get to heaven but by running the race by nature we are far distant from the gole and if we would have heaven we must run for it a man can no more get to heaven that doth not run this race than one can get to his journeys end that never sets a step in the way 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure for so an entrance shall be ministred to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom 3. Our time alotted to us is short Job compares our life to a swift Post Job 9.25 My dayes are swifter than a Post The Poets painted Time with wings if Time flies we had need run the night of death hastens and there is no running a race in the night Use 1 1. It shows us that the businesse of Religion is no idle thing Informat we must put forth all our strength and Branch 1 vigour Herculem duri celebrant labores Ille Centauros domuit superbos Cerberum traxit triplici catena Ultimus coelum labor in reflexo Sustulit collo c. Claud. Religion is a race we must run and so run 't is an hard thing to be a Christian alas then what shall we say to them that stand all the day idle Come to many and one would think they had no race to run they put their hand in their bosome Pro. 19.24 Is that a fit posture for him that is to run a race They stretch themselves upon their couches Amos 6.4 they had rather lie soft than run hard many would have heaven come to them but they are loth to run to it if salvation would drop as a ripe fig into the mouth of the eater Nahum 3.12 men could like it well but they are loath to set upon running a race but never think to be sav'd upon such easie terms * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mâ—nand the life of a Christian is not like a Noblemans life the Nobleman hath his rents brought in by his Steward whether he wake or sleep think not that salvation will be brought to you when you are stretching your selves on your beds of ivory if you would have the prize run the race The passenger in the ship whether he sit in the Cabinet or lie on the Couch is brought safe to shore but there is no getting to the heavenly port without rowing hard Zacheus ran before to see Jesus Luke 19.4 If we would have a sight of God in glory we must run this race we cannot have the world without labour and would we have heaven 2. If the life of Christianity be a race this is that Branch 2 may justifie the godly in the haste which they make to heaven Psal 119.60 I made haste and delayed not to keeep thy Commandements Carnal spirits say What need you make such haste why are you so strict and precise why do you runne so fast fair and softly a more easie pace will serve oh but may a Christian reply Religion is a race I cannot run too fast nor hardly fast enough If any had ask'd St. Paul why he ran so fast and pressed forward to the mark he would have answered he was in a race Here is that may justifie the Saints of God in their zeal and activity for heaven they are Racers and a race cannot be run too fast The blind world is ready to judge all zeal madness but have we not cause the to put on with all speed when it is a matter of life and death if we do not run and so run we shall never obtain the prize if a man were to run for a wager of three or four millions would he not run with all celerity and swiftness 1 Sam. 21.8 The Kings business requires haste If any should say to us Whether so fast why so much praying and weeping we may say as David The Kings business requires haste God hath set me a race to run and I must not linger or loyter The haste Abigail made to the King 1 Sam. 25.34 prevented her death and the massacre of Nabals family our haste in the heavenly race will prevent damnation This may plead for a Christian in his eager pursuit after holinesse against all the calumnies and censures of the wicked Use 2 1. It reproves them that run a contrary race not the race God hath set them Reproof but the race the Divel hath Branch 1 set them the race of iniquity qui virilius peccant * Sen. who sacrifice their lives to Bacchus they make haste but not to heaven they make haste to fulfill their lustâ— Prov. 6.18 they make haste to swear to be drunk they are swift to shed blood Isa 59.7 their feet run to evil The sinner in regard of the haste he makes in sin is compared to a swift Dromedary Jer. 2.23 a wicked mans swiftness in sin is like Absaloms riding on his Mule 2 Sam. 18.9 The Mule went under the thick boughs of an Oake and his head caught hold of the Oake and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth Sinners make haste to sin as a bird hastens to the snare they run as the swine possessed with the Divels ran into the Sea and were drowned Mark 5.13 Oh what haste do men make to hell as if they feared the gates would be shut eâ—e they could get thither what needs this speed why do they run so fast to prison the sins men commit in haste they will repent at leasure Achan make haste to the wedge of gold but now he hath time enough to repent of it Sin is an unhappy race a damnable race will it not be bitterness in the end 2 Sam. 2.26 when men come to the end of that race instead of a Crown behold chains of darkness Jude 6. 2. It reproves them who instead of running the race Branch 2 of Gods Commandements spend all their time in joviality and mirth as if their life were rather a daunce than a race Job 21.12 13. They take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ they spend their dayes in mirth they are at their musick when they should be at their race Amos 6.4 That chaunt to the sound of the Viol that drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the chief oyntments 'T is hard to have two heavens some are all for pleasure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are like those hunting-dogs Diodorus Siculus speaks of while they run among the sweet flowers they smell to the flowers and lose sent of the Hare and leave off their game So while many are among the sweet flowers the delights and pleasures of the world they fall a smelling to these flowers and leave off their race 〈◊〉 sub dulci melle latent venena These go merrily to hell I may say as Solomon Prov. 14.13 The end of that mirth is heaviness Branch 3 3. If Religion be a race it reproves them that
Experience worketh hope A Believer can bring in a Catalogue of experiences Psal 119.65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant So can a Believer say God hath dealt well with him In several cases he hath had experiences of God when his sins and tentations have been strong God hath come in with Auxiliary Forces and his grace hath been sufficient When his heart hath been sinking under fears God hath boyed him up out of quicksands and lifted up his head out of deep waters Psal 3.3 Thou art O Lord my glory and the lifter up of my head When his heart hath been dead in duty the Spirit of God hath been sweetly tuning of his soul and now he makes melody in his heart to the Lord Ephes 5.19 A godly man hath many signal experiences of Gods favour to him and experience breeds hope So that a godly mans hope hath a foundation it is a well-built hope that hope must needs stand strong which stands with one foot upon a promise and with the other foot upon an experience But a wicked mans hope is tela aranea a Spiders Web he hath nothing to ground his hope upon his hope is an imposture a golden dream Isa 29.8 It is as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty The hope of a sinner is like a dying mans will that hath neither seal set to it or witnesses in the will he promiseth to bequeath such a Mannor and Lordship so many thousand pounds to such a one but the will being without seal and witnesses it is null and void in Law just such is the hope of a wicked man his hope promiseth him great matters that Christ is his and all the priviledges of heaven are his but alas it is a meer delusion of his false heart when things come to be examined he wants both seal and witnesses he wants the seal of the Word to confirm his Title and the witness of the Spirit Plurimi spe periclitantur * Aug. this is a sad thing for a man to go to hell with the hope of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Eurip. 2. The Spider spins the web out of her own bowels she fetcheth all from her self The Bee fetcheth all from without the matter of her Comb and Honey the sucks from the flower The Spider fetcheth all from within her self A true Christian like the Bee fetcheth all from without he sucks from the sweet flower of Christs Righteousness Isa 45.24 In the Lord have I righteousness and strength But a wicked man like the Spider fetcheth all his hope from within â—he spins the thread of his hope out of himself his duties and moralities thus his hope is like the Spiders Web. 3. The Spiders Web is but weak the least blast shakes it the least touch breaks it Such is the sinners hope the least terror of Conscience shakes it Job 8.14 whose hope shall be cut off commonly before a wicked mans life is cut off his hope is cut off The godly man hope is a good hope it is solid and scriptural the other is a spiders Web. 4. A true hope is a Persevering hope Heb. 3.6 Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence of hope firm unto the end True hope doth not faint it is not broken with affliction it is an Adamantine grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hope makes us endure therefore it is compared to an Anchor which holds the ship in a storm and to an Helmet 1 Thes 5.8 The Helmet keeps off the blow of the sword or arrow from entring So hope as an helmet keeps off the stroke from a Christian that it shall not hurt or dismay him In time of publick calamities hope keeps the soul from sinking Joel 3.16 The Lord shall roar out of Sihon the heavens and earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Though heaven and earth be ready to come together yet a Believers hope abides Sola spes in miseriis consolatur * Cicero A Believer doth never cast away his Anchor The Jews were prisoners in Babylon yet prisoners of hope Zach. 9.10 Turn to your strong hold ye prisoners of hope When a Christan is on his death-bed and all hope of life is taken away yet his hope in God is not taken away 3. What unspeakable comfort is this to a child of Use 3 God that upon a serious trial finds he hath a well-built hope * Solamen vitae mortalis est spes vitae immortalis Austin when Christ shall appear Consolation â—t will be a glorious appearing to a believer Credula vitam spes fovet A Christian is like a rich heir that hath great Lands in Reversion he hath much in hope Alexander having given away almost all he had in Greece and being asked what he had left for himself answered Hope his meaning was he had hope to conquer more Kingdoms as afterwards he did So if a Christians outward comforts were taken away and one should ask him what he had left he might say The Anchor of hope he hath a confident hope of those eternal Mansions which Jesus Christ is gone to prepare for him John 14.2 When Christ who is his life shall appear then shall he also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 Oh what comfort is this how may this lighten and sweeten the crosse after the waters of Marah comes the wine of Paradise after a wet Spring a joyful Harvest Use 4 1. Be exhorted to chearfulness Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Exhort Timorâ— contristatur animum Branch 1 fear begets sorrow hope begets joy Spes non potest esse sine gaudio Divine hope saith Austin cannot be without some mixture of joy hath a Christian hopes of heaven and not rejoyce Prov. 10.28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness Object Object But may some say It is long before we shall enter upon possession of heaven and hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 Answ Answ It is not long Rev. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me This glorious reward we hope for is quickly in faiths account faith makes things future present what hope saith shall be faith saith it is already Christs coming is at hand the bright morning Star begins to appear as a Perspective glass makes those things which are a good way off seem near to the eye So faith makes Christ and heaven and the day of recompence seem to be near it gives a kind of possession of them in this life Oh then Christians rejoyce turn your lamentations into Halelujahs it is but a while and you shall be made partakers of those blessed things you hope for think of the certainty of Christs appearing Behold I come and think of the celerity I come quickly 2. Maintain your hopes against all discouragements Branch 2 either of fear or tentation Christians let
I know saith St. Paul whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 there was the applying blood to the Root of the tree and how fruitful was he in zeal love to Christ Heroical courage 2 Cor. 12.15 He that believes Christ dyed for him never thinks he can do or suffer enough for Christ When we read and pray now we do but water the Branches when we believe now we water the Root of the Tree and make it fruitfull 2. Apply the Promises Husbandmen have an art to comfort the spirits of the Root to make the tree bear better Apply the Promises these are for comforting the spirits of a Christian and then he puts forth fruit more vigorously It is an experiment in nature the Root of the Pine tree watered with wine doth cause it to flourish the Promises are as wine to water the Trees of Righteousness whereby they spread and augment more in grace Ever preserve the spirits of the tree if you would have it bear a pensive dejected soul is less fruitful but when through the Promises a Christians heart is cheared and comforted now he is enriched with pleasant fruits Camphire and Spiknard and Frankincense he is like a Tree laden with fruit 5. Another means to fruitfulness is humility The low grounds are most fruitful The Valleys are covered with Corn Psal 65.13 The humble heart is the fruitful heart It is observed in some Countreys as in France that the best and largest Grapes which they make their wine of grow upon the lower sort of Vines The largest and fairest Fruits of the Spirit grow in a lowly Christian 1 Pet. 5.5 God gives grace to the humble St. Paul calls himself the least of Saints yet he was the chief of the Apostles The Virgin Mary was low in her own eyes Luke 1.48 but this lowly Plant did bear that blessed Vine which brought the Fruit of salvation to the world 6. If you would be fruitful in grace be much in good conference Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another There is an observation some have concerning the Sympathy of Plants some plants will bear better near other trees than when they grow alone as is seen in the Myrtle and Olive This holds true in Divinity the trees of righteousness when they associate and grow near together thrive best in godlinesse The communion of Saints is an excellent means for fruitfulness Christians encrease one anothers knowledge strengthen one anothers Faith clear one anothers evidences When the Trees planted in Gods Orchard stand at a distance and grow strange one to another they are less fruitful 7. If you would be fruit-bearing trees be near the waters of the Sanctuary Jer. 17.8 He shall be like a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out the roots by the River her leaf shall be green nor shall it cease from yeilding fruit The Word preached will not only make us knowing Christians but growing Christians Ministers are compared to Clouds Isa 5.6 their Doctrine drops as the rain and makes the trees of God fruitful Those that sit under these silver drops the wind of the Spirit blowing are like that flock of sheep Cant. 2.4 whereof every one bears twins and none is barren among them I wonder not that they are barren trees and nigh unto cursing * Heb. 6.8 that are not under the droppings of the Sanctuary a Christian can no more be fruitful without Ordinances than a tree without showres 8. And lastly if you would fructifie apace go to God and desire him to make you fruitful God is call'd the Husband man John 15.1 and he hath an art above all other Husbandmen they can plant and prune trees but if they be dead they cannot make them bear God can make the barren tree bear he can put life into a dead tree Ephes 2.5 It is not Pauls planting but the Spirits watering must give the encrease Pray to God to make you fruitful though it be by affliction oftentimes God makes us grow in grace this way Hebr. 12.11 No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness The bleeding Vine bears best It is an observation that the pulling off some of the blossoms of a tree makes the fruit fairer the reason is because the sap hath the less to nourish some Writers say they have known a tree by having too many blossoms hath blossomed it self dead The notion holds true in a Scriptural sence God by pulling off some of the blossoms of our outward comforts makes us bring forth fairer fruit some have so blossom'd in prosperity that they have blossom'd themselves into hell It is an ancient experiment that the planting of some tender trees near the West sun doth them hurt and parcheth the Fruit the Sun being so extream hot Too much prosperity like the West sun doth Christians much hurt and parcheth all good affection Jer. 22.21 Oh pray to God that he would make you fruitful though it be by bleeding Say as Luther Lord wound where thou wilt prune and cut me till I bleed so that I may have my Fruit unto holiness and my end everlasting life Rom. 6.22 The perfume of Love 1 Pet. 1.22 See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently THE holy Scripture makes the love of the brethren the surest note of a man that shall go to heaven 1 Joh. 3.14 and I find Christ and his Apostles beating much upon this string of love as if this made the sweetest musick and harmony in Religion The consideration whereof hath put me upon this subject All the graces have their beauty but there are some that do more adorn and set off a Christian in the eye of the world like some of the Stars that shine brighter as humility and Charity These two graces like pretious Diamonds cast a sparkling lustre upon Religion I have designed to speak of the last of these at this time See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently Love is a Grace alwayes needful therefore never out of season though too much out of use My Text like the River of Eden * Gen. 2.10 parts it self into four Heads 1. Here is a Commission or charge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See that ye love 2. The Extent of this Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One another 3. The Manner of this Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a pure heart 4. The Degree of this love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fervently 1. Love purely that is opposed to Hypocrisie Love must be with the heart it must not be a complement which is like a painted fire dissembled love is worse than hatred 2. Love fervently that is opposed to Neutrality love must flame forth it must not be as the smoaking flax but as a burning Lamp so much the Hebrew word for love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports an ardent and zelous affection * Ardens vehemens
affectio no waters must quench it Doctr. Christians must love one another cordially and fervently Col. 3.14 Above all these things put on charity 1 Pet. 4.8 Above all things have fervent charity among your selves as if the Apostle had said whatever you neglect do not neglect this grace Hierom reports that when St. John was old he was fain to be led up into the Pulpit and there he repeated these words Little children love one another and then came down from the Pulpit Oh that this grace of love were engraven as in letters of gold upon our hearts by the finger of the Holy Ghost Here the question will be asked what love is I answer Love is a sweet and gracious affection whereby we wish the good of another and promote his welfare as our own Love is a sacred fire kindled in the heart by the Spirit like that fire which came from heaven 2 Chron. 7.1 I shall endeavour to preserve this fire in Christians hearts as the fire the Vestal Virgins kept in Rome that it may not go out There are several Arguments to enforce Love upon us 1. We must love virtute praecepti by vertue of Command Joh. 13.34 A new Commandement I give unto you that ye love one another Love is both a new Commandement and an old 'T is an old Commandement because it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Law written in the heart of man by the pen of nature as with the point of a Diamond And it is old because it is written in the ancient Statutes and Records Levit. 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self I am the Lord and yet it is a new Commandement 1. Because newly purged from Pharisaical glosses before it was love thy neighbour but now it is love thy enemy Matth. 5.44 here is a new Comment upon an old Law 2. Love is said to be a new Commandement because of a new Edition it came out of the new mint of the Gospel and was pressed by a new example Joh. 13.34 As I have loved you so that it is not Arbitrary but a duty 't is a new Commandement and an old The second Argument enforcing love is the excellency of this grace it is a lovely grace * Color gratiae purpurcus ob scurior esset si nâ—n charitate vestiretur Ber. all the other graces seem to be Eclipsed unless love shine and sparckle forth in them Faith itself hath no beauty unless it work by love the tears of repentance are not pure unless they flow from the spring of love Love is the Jewel Christs Bride weares it is the Diamond in the ring of the graces love is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrysostom calls it This is the grace that seasons all our actions and makes them savoury love is aroma amp opo balsamum it is like musk among linnen which perfumes it So love makes all our Religious services 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sweet Odour to God Ephes 5.2 Prayer is compared to incense Psal 141.2 Now incense if it be laid on the Altar and have no fire put to it doth not smell so sweet the incense of Prayer doth not cast such a fragrant smell unless kindled with this fire of love love is the badge and cognizance of a true Saint Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye love me another not if ye work miracles but if ye love one another by this livery ye are known to belong to me St. Bernard calls love ros gratiae the sweet dew that distills from a Christian and refresheth all whom it drops upon love is the golden clasp that knits hearts it is opus signinum the cement that soders Christians together it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 if this bond be broken all falls to pieces Love is radix omnium bonorum it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.10 * Omne praeceptum ad charitatum refertur Aug. All the duties of the first and second Table Piety toward God and Equity towards our neighbour are comprehended in this Thou shalt love O how sweetly doth the Apostle Paul descant and paraphrase upon this grace how doth he extoll it he plaies aswell the Oratour as the Divine how doth he delineate this grace of love how doth he pensil and draw it out to the life in all its beauty and spiritual embroidery That he may extoll this grace 1. First he doth it exclusive he shows that the most glorious things are nothing without it * Aug. Si desit charitas frustra habentur coetera â— Cor. 13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men If a man could speak in so many Languages as Mithridates of whom it is said he understood 22. sundry Tongues if he had the golden mouth of Chrysostom if he could do with his Oratory as the Poets fain Orpheus did with his Harp move the very Rocks and stones yet without love it were nothing Nay saith the Apostle though I speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the tongues of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass or as a tinkling Cymbal Were it not a brave thing to have the eloquence of Angels yet this without love were but Cymbalum tinniens the tinkery of the Cymbal to love as Christians is better than to speak as Angels And though I understand all mysteries and all knowledge ver 2. If a mans head were a Library of all learning if he could know all that is knowable if he could with Solomon discourse from the Cedar in Lebanon even to the Hysop and hath not charity hoc aliquid nihil est all is nothing Knowledge without love makes a man no better than a Divel And though I have all faith so that I could remove Mountains Were it not admirable to have the Faith of Miracles to unhinge Mountains to cast out Divels to take up Serpents and drink poison and it should not hurt us Matth. 16.16 Yet if I have no charity I am nothing Nullius sum pretij I am of no account with God the Miracles of faith without the mystery of love profit nothing And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor ver 3 Suppose I give away all my Estate in Almes yet without love it avails me nothing 't is like a Lamp without Oyle And though I give my body to be burned and have not love it is nothing the fire of Martyrdom avails not without the fire of Charity Let a man come to Church pray receive Sacraments yet if his heart burn in malice it is but going to hell in a more Saint-like manner O quam pulchra charitas Oh how precious a jewel saith Austin is love how rare a grace that if this be wanting all other â—hings though never so glorious are in vain 2. The Apostles sets forth this grace of love Positive by deciphering its nature and excellency 1. Charity is kind
to be gray-headed in Religion what a credit when it shall be said of him His last works are better than his first Revel 2.19 A good Christian is like wine full of spirits which is good to the last drawing A Limner makes his last work more compleat and curious blessed is that man who the nearer he is to death moves swifter to the heavenly Center FINIS THE TABLE Alphabetical A. ABusers of their souls page 462 Acceptance through Christ 422 Adoption wherein it consists 291 Afflictions no sign of Gods anger 321 322 Afflictions light 395 Angels in some sence inferiour to Saints 319 Anger opposite to meekness 133 Appearance of sin to be avoided 242 Appearing of Christ 579 Arguments to brotherly love 618 Assurance to be laboured after p. 437 Assurance though feisible yet difficult to be attained 440 It is useful 441 How this jewel of assurance may be had 442 B. BAlm of Gilead 490 Beauty of grace 511 Blessedness in reversion 17 Wherein blessedness doth not consist 18 Wherein it doth consist 24 Believe a blessedness to come 27 The godly in some sense blessed in this life 31 32 Blood of Saints pretious 317 C. CHearfulness 588 Childship a state of freedom 332 Children of God 290 291 They labour to make others Gods Children 310 They have boldnesse in Prayer 331 All things turn to their gaod 335 They shall never finally perish 338 They should endeavour to carry themselves as Children 343 Christ the best of Preachers 2 Christ our Righteousness 421 Christ a most transcendent blessing 432 Christ a soul-Physitian 485 Why a Physitian 486 The best Physitian 493 Christs love to his Patients 495 Christ can cure a relapse 504 Christianity no disgraceful thing 60 The nature of Christianity 363 Christians should shine forth in their Relations 594 Comforts belonging to mourners in this life 108 111 In the life to come p. 125 Commands of God not grievous 402 Concatenation of the Graces 38 Conversation must be pure 246 Covetousness a multiplying sin 234 235 D. DAnger of despair 98 99 Dangerous to phancy sin less than it is 101 Deceit of the heart 538 539 Dead in sinne healed by Christ 498 Debt of love differs from other debts 624 Degrees of fruit 607 Deriding holiness a fatal sinne 237 Desertion 323 Differences between true and false desires 194 195 Differences between the Christian race and other 559 Divisions dangerous 626 E. EMissaries of Satan 8 Examples of meekness 143 Excellency of grace 516 Excellency of the mourners comfort 113 Exhortation ton to mutual love p. 627 F. FAith in our heavenly Physiitian 505 Faith makes us Children 952 Faith a suffering grace 381 How faith enables to suffer 382 Fences about the heart 550 Fear an enemy to suffering 370 Fickleness of the heart 540 Flesh not to be listned to 371 Forethoughts of sufferings 366 Forgiving of injuries 138 Forsaking of sinne may have its deceits 241 Fruitfulness 591 Fruit in the season 595 Exhortation to fruitfulness 604 Fulness of Christ 417 G. GOod Conscience 373 Glory proportioned to the service we do for God 65 Godly have cause to long for death 61 Gospel-precepts facill compar'd with the severity of the Law 409 Grace severally taken in Scripture 512 Grace not bestowed on all p. 514 Grace quickneth the soul 516 Grace enricheth 517 Grace adorneth 518 Grace a Spiritual perfume 520 Grace the ballast of the soul 523 Grace fits for glory 523 524 How grace is to be obtained 526 H. HArdness of heart dangerous 87 Heart-custody 529 Heart kept with all kind of keeping 531 At all times 534 Heart the Fountain of our actions 541 Motives to heart-custody 552 Hindrances of the successe of the Word 9 10 Honour of Gods children 315 Honour to suffer for Christ 391 Hope of a Christian 576 Hope and Faith differenced 577 Signs of a true hope 583 How Christ heals 489 Hunger of the soul described 153 A reproof of those who have no spiritual hunger 156 Who hunger after unrighteousness 160 Signs of Spiritual hunger 162 Helps to spiritual hunger p. 170 Hungry shall be filled 172 173 I. IMpure hearts deciphered 229 230 Interest in Christ to be laboured after 431 Joys of heaven resembled to a feast 116 K. KEeping the heart 531 Kingdom of heaven excells other Kingdoms 56 57 How we may know we belong to it 62 Thoughts of this Kingdom sweetens poverty 66 Knowledge alone will not make a man happy 633 634 L. LIfe to be denied for Christ 377 Loss of the soul foolish 464. Fatal 465 Love of God in making us his children 313 Love to be centred on Christ 445 Love to Gods Children 307 Love of the world an enemy to suffering 369 Love among Christians 616 617 M. MAlice mental murder 134 Manner of the Spirits comforting p. 111 112 Manner of our seeing God in heaven 259 Means of a Spiritual cure 507 Meekness what it is 132 Motives to meekness 145 146 Directions for meekness 152 Mercifulness 180 Mercifulness to mens souls 183 Names 188 Estates 193 Offences 194 Wants 195 Exhortatâ—â—n to mercifulness 206 Motives to mercifulness 210 Rules about showing mercy 218 Ministers must take all opportunities for soul-service 6 Ministers Seedsmen 7 Their dignity 12 Ministers under the torrid zone of persecution 354 What need there is of Ministers in the Church 477 Misery of a Christless person 428 Mourners are blessed 67 Sin the object of mourning 69 What is not the right mourning for sin 70 What is the right mourning p. 72 Mourn for the sins of others 80 For the miseries of the Church 82 Seasons of mourning 83 Degrees of mourning 85 Motives to mourning 91 Hinderances of mourning 98 Helps to mourning 106 N. NAmes of others not to be wronged 188 189 Nicities in Religion too much minded 159 This discovers want of appetite ibid. O. OBjections of sinners answered 501 502 Opposites to meekness 133 Opposite to mourning 86 Ordination needful for Preachers 4 5 6 Outward things not suitable to the soul 20 Not durable 21 P. PAssions to be watched over 548 Patience abused grows furious 105 Patience a Christians Armour of proof p. 386 Peaceable mindedness 269 Motives to it 277 Peace-makers blessed 285 People to encourage their Ministers 14 15 Persecution 347 VVhy it must be 351 352 What that persecution is which will not make a man blessed 358 What that is will make him blessed 359 A reproof to such as refuse to suffer persecution 364 To such as inflict persecution 365 How to prepare for persecution 368 Persecution cannot hinder blessedness 397 Poverrty of spirit 41 How poverty of spirit differs from humility 42 How from self-denial ibid. Why Christians must be poor in spirit 43 Signs of poverty of Spirit 47 Practice of Religion makes us happy 638 What it is hinders practice 642 Pretiousness of the soul 451 Pride of spirit dangerous 45 Priviledges of Gods Children 320 Procrastination dangerous 103 Promises made to suffering p. 388 Purity of heart 222 Why we must be pure 224 Why the heart must be 226 Purity the souls beauty 227 Signs of a pure heart 238 An exhortation to peart purity 248 Means for heart purity 254 R. REasons why mourners want comfort 122 123 Reasonings of the flesh dangerous 379 Recompencing good for evil 140 141 Regarding iniquity what it is 231 Regeneration 301 Rejoycing in Christ 448 Religion a Race 554 Reproof to be taken kindly 479 Reverence in Gods worship 245 Rewards for Christs Martyrs 399 Righteousness what it implies 154 Righteous person who 368 S. SAints perseverance 524 Saints glorified are Kings 53 Scandals p. 415. Self-denial needful for suffering 375 Scripture to be resorted to 374 Signs of Gods Children 298 Signs of sincerity 238 Sins commands grievous 411 Sin a deadly evil 106 Sin a soul desease 469 How resembled to sickness 469 470 Sin the worst sickness 475 Sick souls think themselves well 481 The reasons of that mistake 482 Sin spreads over the whole soul 470 471 Sin a spiritual sleep 545 Soul more precious than a world 458 Spirit of Adoption a Spirit of supplication 302 303 Sufferings of Christ 392 Suffering-graces 381 T. TEaching 330 Tears pretious 92 Tenderness of heart 299 Thankfulness for Christ 450 Thoughs to be watched over 549 Tongue-persecution 350 Torments of the damned unexpressably grievous 412 Trial of grace p. 526 Truth to be prized 373 V. VAnity of the Creature 425 Vindication of the Church of England 200 Vision of God in heaven glorious 260 It will be speedy 264 Unbelief how great a sin 233 Unfruitfulness 600 Unmercifulness reproved 203 Unworthiness should not keep us from Christ p. 501 W. WAant of love reproved 625 Watchfulness needful in prosperity 537 Witness of the Spirit 305 Word of God healing 489 Works commendable 201 Z. Zeal 305 FINIS
with sweet spices the lower it sails the more a Christian is filled with the sweet comforts of the Spirit the lower he fails in humility the fuller a Tree is of fruit the lower the bough hangs the more full we are of the fruits of the Spirit joy and peace Gal. 5.22 the more we bend down in humility St. Paul a chosen Vessel * Acts 9.15 fill'd with the wine of the Spirit * 2 Cor. 5.1 did not more abound in joy than in lowliness of mind Eph. 3.8 Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given c. He who was the chief of the Apostles calls himself the least of Saints Those who say they have comfort but are proud they have learned to despise others and are climb'd above Ordinances their comforts are delusions the Divel is able not only to transform himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.4 but he can transform himself into the Comforter 'T is easie to counterfeit money to silver over brass and put the Kings image upon it the Divel can silver over false comforts and make them look as if they had the stamp of the King of heaven upon them the comforts of God are humbling though they lift the heart up in thankfulness yet they do not puff it up in pride 2. The comforts God gives his Mourners are unmixed they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients worldly comforts are like wine that runs dregs there is that guilt within checks and corrodes in midst of laughter the heart is sad Prov 14.13 Queen Mary once said if she were opened they would find Callis lying at her heart if the breast of a sinner were anatomized and opened you would find a worm gnawing at his heart guilt is a Wolf which feeds in the breast of his comfort a sinner may have a smiling countenance but a chiding conscience his mirth is like the mirth of a man in debt who is every houre in fear of arresting the comforts of wicked men are spiced with bitterness they are worm-wood wine Hi sunt qui trepidant ad omnia fulgura pallent Hor. Cum tonat exanimes primo quoque murmure coelum But spiritual comforts are pure they are not muddied with guilt nor mixed with fear they are the pure wine of the Spirit what the Mourner feels is joy and nothing but joy 3. These comforts God gives his Mourners are sweet Eccles 12.7 Truly the light is sweet so is the light of Gods countenance How sweet are those comforts which bring the Comforter along with them John 14.16 Therefore the love of God shed into the heart is said to be better than wine Cant. 1.2 Wine pleaseth the palate but the love of God chears the conscience the lips of Christ drop sweet smelling myrrhe Cant. 5.13 The comforts God gives are a Christians Musick they are the golden Pot and the Manna the Nectar and Ambrosia of a Christian they are the Saints Festival their banquetting stuffe so sweet are these Divine comforts that the Church had her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fainting fits for want of them Cant. 2.5 stay me with flagons Metonymia Subjecti pro adjuncto the flagons are put for the wine by these flagons are meant the comforts of the Spirit the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies all variety of delights to show the abundance of delectability and sweetnesse in these comforts of the Spirit Comfort me with Apples Apples are sweet in taste fragrant in smell so sweet and delicious are those Apples which grow upon the tree in Paradise These comforts from above are so sweet that they make all other comforts sweet health estate relations they are like sawce which makes all our earthly possessions and enjoyments come off with a better relish So sweet are these comforts of the Spirit that they do much abate and moderate our joy in worldly things he who hath been drinking spirits of wine or Alkermes will not much thirst after water and that man who hath once tasted how sweet the Lord is Psal 34.8 and hath drunk the cordials of the Spirit will not thirst immoderately after secular delights Those who play with dogs and birds it is a signe they have no children such as are inordinate in their desire and love of the creature declare plainly that they never had better comforts 4. These comforts which God gives his mourners are holy comforts they are call'd the comforts of the holy Ghost Acts 9.31 Every thing propagates in its own kind * Omne agens operatur secundum naturam agens the holy Ghost can no more produce impure joys in the soul than the Sun can prduce darknesse he who hath the comforts of the Spirit looks upon himself as a person engaged to do God more service Hath the Lord looked upon me with a smiling face I can never pray enough I can never love God enough The comforts of the Spirit raise in the heart an holy antipathy against sin the Dove hates every feather that hath grown upon the Hawke so there is an hatred of every motion and temptation to evil he who hath a principle of life in him opposeth every thing that would destroy life he hates poison so he that hath the comforts of the Spirit living in him sets himself against those sins which would murder his comforts divine comforts give the soul more acquaintance with God 1 John 1.4 Our fellowship is with the Father and his Sonne Jesus 5. The comforts reserv'd for the mourners are filling comforts Rom. 15.13 The God of hope fill you with joy John 16.24 Ask that your joy may be full When God pours in the joyes of heaven they fill the heart and make it run over 2 Cor. 7.4 I am exceeding joyful the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I overflow with joy as a Cup that is filled with wine till it runs over Outward comforts can no more fill the heart than a Triangle can fill a Circle Spiritual joyes are satisfying Psal 63.5 My heart shall be satisfied as with marrow and I will praise thee with ioyful lips Davids heart was full and the joy did break out at his lips Psal 4.7 Thou hast put gladnesse in my heart worldly joyes do put gladnesse into the face 2 Cor. 5.12 they rejoyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the face but the Spirit of God puts gladnesse into the heart divine joyes are heart-joyes Zach. 10.7 John 16.22 Your heart shall rejoyce a believer doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 1.47 My spirit rejoyceth in God And to show how filling these comforts are which are of an heavenly extraction the Psalmist saith they create greater joy than when wine and cyle encrease Psal 4. Wine and Oyle may delight but not satisfie they have their vacuity and indigence we may say as Zach. 10.2 they comfort in vaine outward comforts do sooner cloy than chear and sooner weary than fill Xerxes offered great rewards to him
that they have no time to practice better things the world is like a Mill it makes such a noise in carnal hearts that it drowns the sound of Gods silver Trumpet Mens affections are somtimes kindled by the preaching of the word and we begin to hope that the flame of godliness will break forth in their lives but then comes the earth and puts out this fire how many Sermons lie buried in earthly hearts More die then are put in the Bill of Mortality Oh that the want of Practice in this age were more laid to heart This is a Lamentation and shall be for a Lamentation many Professors are all ear if we should see a Creature made up of nothing but ear it were a monster in nature how many such monsters are there in Christianitie They hear and hear and are never the better like the Salamander which lies in the fire but as Naturalists say it is never the hotter Some satisfie themselves with the having of Ordinances Judg. 17.13 Then said Micah Now know I that the Lord will do me good seeing I have a Levite to my Priest But what is Physick if it be not applied what is it to have the sound of the word in our ears unless we have the savour of it in our hearts It will be little comfort to men on their death-beds to think that Christ hath been preached in their streets and they have been lifted up to heaven in Gospel administrations when their Consciences shall tell them they have been unholy and unreformed they have come into Gods House as the beasts did into the Ark they came in unclean and went out of the Ark unclean Use 2 2. It exhorts all to become Practitioners in Religion Exhort There are three steps leading to heaven Knowledg Assent Practice it is not the taking the two first steps but the third step which will make you happy Obedience is the Grand precept both of the Law and Gospel in this stands a Christians duty in this consists his felicity 1 Sam. 15.22 To obey us better than Sacrifice Per victimas aliena caro per obedientiam vero propria voluntas mactaâ—ur T is grateful to God t is graceful to a Christian What is the excellencie of a thing but its practicalness and usefulness what are the fine feathers of a bird if it cannot sing what is a plant though decked with leaves if it brings not forth fruit What is it we commend in an Horse his eyes or his good mettle Cant. 5.5 My hands dropped with Myrrhe I may allude not only a Christians lips must drop knowledge but his hands and his fingers must drop Myrrhe that is by working the works of obedience Let me use some Divine Motives to tempt Christians to the practique part of godliness 1. Gospel-obedience is an evidence of sincerity as our Saviour Christ said in another sence Joh. 10.25 The works which I do bear witness of me Though never man spake like Christ yet when he comes to put himself upon a trial he will not be judged by his words but by his works they bear witness of me so it is not a Christians golden words but his works which testifie of him Psal 119.59 I have turned my feet unto thy statutes David did not only turn his ears to Gods Testimonies but he turned his feet to them he walked in them we judge not of the health of a mans body by his high colour but by the pulse of the arm where the blood chiefly operates so we judge not of a Christians soundness by his knowledge or high expressions what is this high colour Saul may be among the Prophets but the estimate of a Christian is to be taken by his obediential actings towards God 2. To be practitioners in Religion will not only do your selves good but others This will both honour Religion and propagate it 1. It will honour Religion the Gospel may be compar'd to a beautiful Queen the fruitful lives of Professors are so many jewels that do adorn this Queen and make her shine forth in greater glory and magnificence what a honour was it to godliness when the Apostle could say the faith of the Romans was trumpeted abroad in every place Rom. 1.8 I thank my God that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world That is faith flourishing into obedience 1 Thes 1.2 3. We give thanks to God for you remembring your work of faith and labour of love Christians should be ambitious to keep up the credit of Religion 2. The practice of those truths we know will much propagate Religion Practice is the best Syllogisme and Argument we can use to prevail with others this will confirm them in the truth of Religion The Emperor Jovinian said to the Orthodox and Arrian Bishops I cannot judge of your Doctrine but I can judge of your lives their practice would preach loudest If others see us make a profession and yet live in a contradiction to what we profess if they hear Jacobs voice but see Esaus hands they will think Religion is but a devout complement a severe policy why doth the Father forbid his Children to swear when he himself swears would you gain many Proselytes to Religion be doers of the Word say as Abimilech to his fellows Judg. 9.48 What ye have seen we do make hast and do as I have done Would ye be as load-stones to draw your children and servants to heaven set upon the practice of holiness Basil observes that Julian in one of his Epistles writing to Arsatius saith that the Christian Religion did much flourish by the sanctity and liberality of them who professed it 3. Thus we show our love to Christ Joh. 14.21 He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me We use to say If you love me do such a thing This me thinks should be a great Argument to obedience by the love ye bear to Jesus Christ obey his Word Every man would be thought to love Christ I but try your love by this touch-stone Are ye cast into a Gospel-mould do you obey It is a vain thing for a man to say he loves Christs person when he slights his commands * Qui Dei praecepta contemnit Deum non diligiâ— neque enim principem veneramur si odiâ— ejus leges habemus Isidor 4. Without practice you will come short of them who have come short of heaven Herod did many things Mar. 6.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was in many things a practiser of Johns Ministry Those who rest in the speculative part of Religion are not so good as Herod 5. What unspeakable comfort will obedience yeild both in life and death 1. In life is it not a comfort to a man when he hath been casting up his Accounts and finds that he hath gained in his Trade you come hither in the use of Ordinances Word and Prayer to trade for heaven now if ye find upon a true account that ye
have gain'd in the Trade of godliness and are fill'd with the fruits of the Spirit will not this be a great comfort to you he who is full of good works God will gather the fruit and blesse the Tree 2. Obedience gives comfort at death what a joy was it to St. Paul when he came to die that he could make that sweet appeal 2 Tim. 4.7 I have kept the faith that is Paul had kept the Doctrine of Faith and had lived the life of faith Oh with what comfort may a Christian lay his life down when he hath laid his life out in the service of God! This was a death-bed Cordial to King Hezekiah Isa 38.3 Remember O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth A man may repent of his fruitless knowledge but never did any man repent of his obedience when he came to die never did any Christian who is going to rest with God repent that he had walked with God 6. What is the end of all Gods administrations but obedience what are all Gods Promises but perswasions to obedience what is the end of all Gods threatnings which stand as the Angel with a flaming sword in their hand but to drive us to obedience Deut. 11.28 A curse if ye will not obey What is the voice of mercy but to call us to duty the Father gives his child money to bribe him to ingenuity The fire under the Still makes the Roses drop the fire of Gods mercies is to make the sweet water of obedience distill from us mercy as Ambrose saith is a medicine which God applies to us to cure our barrenness what are all the examples of Gods justice upon non-proficients but allarums to awaken us out of the bed of sloth and put us into a posture of service Gods rod upon others is a Fescue to point us to obedience if God hath not his end in respect of duty we cannot have our end in respect of glory 7. Motive consider what a sin disobedience is that is a sad Scripture Jer. 44.16 As for the word thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not do Disobedience is 1. A sin against Reason are we able to stand it out in defiance against God 1 Cor. 10.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger than he it is as if the thorns should set them selves in battel array against the fire will the sinner go to measure arms with the great God what Solomon saith of laughter Eccles 2.2 the same may be said of Rebellion it is mad 2. Disobedience is a sin against Equity we have our subsistence from God in him we live and move and is it not equal that as we live upon him we should live to him justitia jus suum cuique tribuit is it not just and fitting that as God gives us our allowance we should give him our allegiance If the General give his Souldier pay the Souldier is to march at his command not only by the Law of Arms but the Law of equity 3. Disobedience is a sin against Conscience God by Creation is our Father so that Conscience binds to duty Mal. 1.6 If then I be a Father where is my honour 4. Disobedience is a sin against our Vows We have taken the oath of Allegiance Thy vows are upon me O God Psal 65.12 We have many vows upon us our Baptismal vow our Sacramental our National our Sick-bed vows here are four cords to draw us to obedience and if we slip these Sacred Knots and cast these cords from us will not God come upon us for Perjury If oaths will not bind us God hath chains that will 5. Disobedience is a sin against our Prayers We pray Thy will be done So that by Non-obedience we confute our selves and live in a contradiction to our own prayers That man who is self-confuted is self-condemned 6. Disobedience is a sin against Kindness 'T is a disingenious sin it is a kicking against Gods bowels a despising the riches of his goodness Rom. 2.4 Therefore the Apostle links these two sins together 2 Tim. 3.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Disobedient Unthankful and this dies a sin of a Crimson colour One calls ingratitude The Seminary of sin * Pet. Crinitus l. 2. Poem It is an epitomizing sin Brutus his unkindness went deeper to Caesars heart than the stab Ingratus hoc unum benefacit cum perit 7. Disobedience is a sin against Nature Every creature in its kinde obeys God 1. Animate creatures obey him God spake to the Fish to set Jonah ashore and it did it presently Jonah 2.10 What are the Birds thankful Hymms as Ambrose calls them but tributes of obedience 2. Inanimate creatures obey God The Stars in their course fought against Cisera Judg. 5. The Wind and the Sea obey him Mar. 4.41 The very Stones if God give them a Commission will cry out against the sins of men Hab. 2.11 The stone shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber shall answer it If men should be silent the stones would in some manner have testified of Christ Luk. 19.40 At Christs Passion the Rocks did rend Mat. 27.51 Which tearing Rhetorique was a voice to tell the world that the Messiah was now crucified Shall every creature obey God but man O Christian think thus with thy self if God had made me a stone I should have obeyed him and now that he hath made me rational shall I refuse to obey This is against Nature There are none that disobey God but Man and the Divel and can we finde none to joyne with but the Divel 8. Disobedience is a sin against Self-preservation * 1 Pet. 4.17 Disloyalty is treason and by treason the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God 2 Thes 1.7 8. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them who obey not the Gospel He that refuseth to obey Gods will in Commanding shall be sure to obey his will in Punishing The sinner while he thinks to slip the Knot of Obedience twists the Cord of his own Damnation Thus ye have seen the sin of Disobedience set out in its bloody colours Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear Kiss the Son left he be angry Kiss Christ with a kiss of love Kiss him with a kiss of loyaltie When his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2. ult 9. The Benefit of obedience Psal 19.11 In keeping his precepts there is great reward Obedience is Crowned with happiness So saith the Text happy are ye c. If this argument will not prevaile what will Quest But what happiness Answ All kind of blessings are poured upon the head of Obedience as the precious oyl was poured on Aarons head 1 Temporal blessings Deut. 28.3 4 9. Blessed shall be