the edification and comfort of Gods people according to the measure of the gift given And to this Saint Peter witnesseth 1 Pet. 4.10 11. As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God If any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability that God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and cominion for ever and ever Amen The like mind also was in Paul who exhorteth the Corinthians to covet earnestly the best gifts follow after Charity saith he and desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may Prophesie Because he that Prophesies speaketh unto men to Edification and Exhortation and Comfort 1 Cor. 14.3 So likewise Moses when his Servant would have had him forbid Eldad and Medad of Prophesying in the Camp he answered him thus Envyest thou for my sake would to God all the Lords people were Prophets and the Lord would put his Spirit upon them And although there be now no Prophesying by extraordinary Revelation but only that which is ordinarily wrought in the soul through the operative power of the spirit in the exercise of the mind and meditations in the word of God yet the day of small things is not to be despised for God will accomplish his work not by might nor by power but by his own spirit and although these ensuing considerations be not adorned with variety of tongues nor such eloquence as humane Wisdom teatheth yet now in love they are tendered to thy consideration If they bear an harmonious sound to the wisdom of God and thou receive any Edification or Comfort thereby let God have the glory and me thy prayers for my further growth and increase in the grace of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom I desire to be an obedient Subject and faithful Servant although unworthy of so high a calling and remain thine in all Christian Office Josias Bonham And now my Friend art thou for Heaven design'd And to the way of Holiness inclin'd Lend me thine eye thine ear thy heart and hand These lines with me to read and understand Would we an holy state and glory win Le ts search our hearts and there the work begin By application of Gods word thereto Preventing evils that from thence ensue The heart is naturally Corruptions seat Whence flows great sins that do us often cheat Obstructions great from thence doth often rise Like filthy Rubbish in our way it lyes The which in wisdom must removed be If we an holy state and Heaven would see Therefore with diligence let 's fall to work To search what Vermin in our hearts do lurk Unanimous let 's be go hand in hand Corruptions Laws and Power to withstand That we from slavery may be set free To serve the Lord in holy Sanctity Thine in the Lord J. B. AN EPISTLE TO THE READER Of this Ensuing Treatise IT is mans misery since the Fall having lost his God and therewith his Happiness that he knows not the way to return to Happiness again Indeed every man in the world aims to make himself happy but is at a loss where or in what to place his happiness not considering the first make of mans noble Soul which was like God which can never be happy or content without something Infinite and Eternal Hence it is that man placeth happiness in Goods not in Goodness crying Who will shew us any Good any good serves turn though but a shew of good in the mean time the one thing needful is neglected they see no need of this one thing needful he is concerned with trifles and trifles with his great concernment And as he is to seek where or in what to place his happiness to the way by which happiness is to be obtained forgetting that irrevokable decree of the Almighty viz. That without Holiness no man shall see the Lord. This way of Holiness thou hast here discovered in this Book now this thoâ— mayst assure thy self that of all those things disputable this is without alâ— dispute on all hands that holiness is thâ— great thing designed by God hiâ— threatnings are that we should be Holy his promises are that we should efect Holiness all his Afflictions â—â—â—t we should be partakers of his Holiâ—â—ss Christ prays that we should be Holy â—â—d pleads that we should be Holy the â—â—d of all Preaching and of all the Orâ—â—â—ances is that we should be Holy â—ver did any perish but for want of â—â—liness God glorys in this that he is Holy God He is glorious in Holiâ—â—ss Christ is the Holy Child Jesus â—s a Holy Saviour he had his Name â—â—sus that he might save us from our 〈◊〉 Wouldest thou go in that way toâ—â—rds Heaven as not to miss as many â—ost Christians and foolish Virgins â—â—ve done why Holiness is this way â—â—e wayfaring man though a Fool â—ll not err therein Esa 35.8 Let me therefore intreat thee whoâ—â—er thou art that may be the Reader of â—t Book to consider the great thing â—â—igned herein viz. which is to shew â—â—t what is the only becomeing Ornaâ—â—et viz Holiness as for all other â—â—raments they may perish but this becomes thee for ever Possibly â— may say if I be Holy I must â—â— with many frowns from an unwâ—â— world matter it not there 's â— in Gods love than the worlds haâ—â— frowns and smiles from the world not long one smile from Christ â— dying Bed will make amends for Therefore fear not what will becomâ— thee study what becomes thee as Wise man once said Yet I knoâ— shall be well with them that fear Gâ—â— but it shall not be well with the Wicâ—â—â— Therefore I beseech you consider near you walk on the brink of Eterâ—â—â— what provision is made for the world Vessels of glory are afore pared for glory and be sure of that though you may own your seâ— and others may own you yet God never own you if you be not 〈◊〉 Now art thou one that saist as the â—â—â—ciple once to Christ Rabbi wâ—â— dwellest thou and he answâ—â—â— Come and see So say I woâ—â—â— thou know the Excellency the Neâ—â—â— Beauty the Glory of Holiness come â—â—d see read this Treatise pray that 〈◊〉 eyes may be anointed with eye-â—â—ve and that he which is Truth may â—â—d thee into all Truth who is sanctiâ—â—tion that he would sanctifie thee â—o shed his precious blood to wash us â—t we might be Holy who before the â—â—â—ndation of the world hath chosen us â—â—t we should be Holy and that he â—â—ld bless all means leading thereto â—â—t his blessing may go along with the â—â—ours of that his Servant the Auâ—â—ur of this Eook is the unfained deâ—â—â— of him who is an unworthy Servant Jesus Christ and thy Friend Jo. Norcott TO THE READER IN Commendation of this Book Reader TWo things are chiefly treated of
which was in Christ Jesus c. See here is a Unity of Qualifications required between Christ and his People the same Mind the same affectionate Love the same bowels of Compassion and Mercies the same Humility the same Patience in the Quality though we cannot reach the Quantity To this purpose is that Divine Exhortation Coloss 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of Mercies Kindness humbleness of Mind long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another even as Christ forgave you so also do ye and above all things put on Charity which is the Bond of Perfectness as if he had said And above all things put on a real Love unto the Lord and unto one another for the Lords sake and let all your Actions flow from that Original and be therewith compounded This is my Commandment saith Christ to his Disciples that ye love one another as I have loved you Joh. 15.12 O see Christ and Christians Oneness in the matter of Qualifications according to what Christians do or ought to press after in order to the Attainment of Holiness Those Souls that would attain to Holiness must put on Christ in his Offices also in his Qualifications Thirdly as it is the great concernment of Souls to put on Christ in his Qualifications and Offices in order to Holiness so also in example of walking sutable to those Qualifications It is not enough to receive Grace and to have the Qualifications of Grace wrought in us but there must be a bringing forth the Fruits thereof by a visible motion and action in all those ways wherein the Glory of God and the Benefit of his People is concerned after the example of Christ according to our measure received Jesus Christ in the days of his Humiliation was active to administer Grace unto poor Sinners for their Conversion Edification and Salvation according to what he had received of the Father so Divine Counsel doth require every man as he hath received the Gift so to administer the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Graces of God 1 Pet. 4.10 Edifie one another as also ye do 1 Thess 5.11 building up your selves on your most holy Faith Jude 20. exhort one another Heb. 3.13 admonish one another Col. 3.16 forewarn and reprove in the case of Sin These are some of the footsteps of Christ that he had his motion and walking in these are some of the footsteps of the Flock of Christ wherein they are by Divine appointment to follow Christ in and he that saith he abideth in Christ ought so to walk even as he walked 1 Joh. 2.6 It was commendable in the believing Romans that they so improved the Word of Christ to an increase of Grace and Knowledg to an ability to admonish one another Rom. 15.14 The Thessalonians were under Commendations for their edifying and comforting one another in things of God while the Hebrews lay under Reproof in that they for the time that they had received the Gospel ought to have been Teachers of others they were become such as had need to be taught again the first Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5.12 The Corinthians were commended for keeping the Ordinances to them delivered but at the same time reproved for not observing of them in manner and form according to the order of the first Institution or Delivery therefore he that saith he abideth in Christ ought so to walk even as he walked To this agreeth those words of Paul to the Corinthians Be ye Followers of me even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 even so not otherwise Christ must be the Pattern for Matter Manner and Form Christ walked in the observation of all the Laws and Ordinances in Matter Manner and Form wherein his Fathers Will his Worship and Service was concerned he that saith he abideth in him ought so to walk even as he walked Should I by the way give one instance of Christs Observation in that holy Ordinance of Divine Institution unto a holy Use and End that in these days is by most people laid aside and by many violently opposed and abused calling it a low carnal empty thing a Shadow without a Substance and a Shell without a Kernel and the like or worse and the Observers of it had in gteat reproach the which Ordinance is that Baptism where a Gospel-Minister is the Administrator and the Subject a Believer demonstrating Faith in Christ and much Water the Matter and both going down into the Water the Administrator dipping or overwhelming the Subject in the Water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Ghost the Manner and Form This Baptism as low as some would lay it is from Heaven appointed by God the Father as a Branch of his Mind and VVill. To this Ordinance of Baptism in VVater did Christ the Son of God and Head of his Church submit unto in obedience to his Fathers VVill as an act of Righteousness thereby confirming it as the VVill of God and an act of Righteousness unto his People for to observe and do in obedience to the will of God the which Ordinance Christ hath ratified and confirmed unto his Church and every Soul exercising Faith in him by his Authority and Command as a standing Ordinance to be observed in its place and to its Ends Uses for and during the time of the Gospel-Administration the which is like to be until time shall be no longer Revel 10.6 or the great and terrible day of the Lord come in which the Lord will judg all men and those living under the Dispensation of the Gospel according to their embracing or rejecting of his Counsel contained in the Gospel as it is written The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power 2 Thessalon 1.7 8. Therefore seeing the afore-recited Baptism was by God the Father instituted as a Branch of his VVill and an Act of Righteousness for Believers to observe and do and Christ his Son hath confirmed it unto us by his personal Act therein and also by his word of Command and Counsel thereunto He that saith he abideth in Christ ought so to walk so to observe the same it being by Divine Authority made one of the footsteps of the Flock of God But here is one thing liable to the Inquisition of the enquiring Soul unto which I would say something before I pass this particular Quest What is the End and Vse of Baptism Ans Baptism is an Appointment of God to stand as a visible sign or token of his Covenant of Grace made in Christ for the Remission of Sins and Acceptation of Persons that through a supernatural Illumination do see themselves siinners loft by sin
must expect the greater Judgments from the Lord There is in a day of Prosperity more danger of a peoples growing into Carnal Security and forgetting of their God than in a day of affliction if we take not heed as the Lord said to Israel of old When ye shall come into the good Land and have Houses builded and Vineyards and Olives planted and your Cattel multiplyed and ye have eaten and are full then beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God in not keeping his Commandements and Judgments and Statutes which I Command thee this day that then thou forget not the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Deut. 6.12 Whence note that God's People that have had great experiences of God are in times of peace and plenty very apt to forget the Lord and to turn aside from a due observation of his ways and thereby defile themselves with the sins of ingratitude and great disobedience under eminent mercies highly provoking the Lord would we be a holy people unto the Lord Let Israels and others sins and punishments for the same make us timely to beware lest we stain our chiefest Ornaments thereby and watch and pray against such ingratitude the neglect whereof may cause God to neglect us of those supplyes of grace necessary to uphold us and in all our approaches to the Lord we are also to take heed and be careful that our end be right that we might glorify God in our act of Prayer and our end of asking any thing of God may be for our better glorifying of his Name the end many times crowns the action as the words of Saint James doth imply Ye have not because ye ask not and ye ask and have not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your Lusts Jam. 4.2 3. Wherefore would we have God to supply and support us let us not omit our duty in seeking to him would we have him answer us in our seeking to him then let us take heed that we omit not a right end in what we seek unto him for The omission of one thing more I would present to mind that we take heed of lest it should become sin unto us and that is of omitting the ministring of our temporal things unto such as perform the Office of ministring unto us in spiritual things especially if it be by the Minister required for as much as the Lord hath so required and ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel The Apostle Paul would have the Churches know their duty in this point and the Ministers power to require it although he voluntarily would rather work with his hands then to be chargable to the Churches But as for me as I have not been chargable hitherto in that nature for what hath by me been done upon that account so do I not desire to make the Gospel chargable to any except the greater necessity yet as Paul would so would I have Christians know their concernment in this point as well as other points of Christianity and to take heed lest Omission here do not become a sin of deep pollution since it is doubtless the requirement of God see 1 Cor. cap. 9. Gal. 6.6 And let the Minister on the other hand take heed and beware that he make not temporal means and honour the chiefest end and master-wheel of his motion in the work of the Ministry and it become a pollution of the Ornaments of holiness unto him Also take heed and beware of omitting actions of charity towards the poor and it become our sin For as much saith Christ as ye have not done it to one of the least of these my Brethren ye have not done it unto me go ye therefore into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels but he that giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord and he will repay it Blessed is the man that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble And so I shall conclude this Use by way of Caution with those words of Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget the things that thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons CHAP. XI Containing a Use of Encouragement unto Believers to Press after the attainment of Holiness and to Persevere therein THe first consideration I shall propound for Encouragement in the prosecution of this design for an Estate of Holiness is the warrantableness of the design it is highly approved of God insomuch that God doth command the prosecution of this design Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy Persons prosecuting this design for holiness in God's way out of which there is no attainment they do hereby answer God's Will and a good Conscience the which is a good encouragement in the prosecution of a design a good issue and success thereof may be expected But Secondly A second ground of encouragement in the prosecution of this design may arise upon the consideration of the promise of assistance in the management of this design for holiness made to the prosecutors of the said design A man having a design for his advancement in this world either for the obtaining some great Estate of Land or place of Honour and Dignity and having the word of a King for his assistance by his Countenance his Court and Counsel his Laws and Authority for the accomplishment thereof how doth this raise up and enlarge the heart of this man with encouragement in the prosecution of his design and confirm his hope of attaining his end therein How much more may the Christian-Soul be raised up with confidence and his heart enlarged with incouragements in his design for holiness and hope of attaining unto the perfection thereof Considering he hath not only the command but also the promise of him who is the King of Kings the Omnipotent Immortal and Omni-present Majesty of Heaven and Earth with all his Heavenly Court and Counsel Laws and holy Appointments to protect and assist us in the management of this great design for our attainments unto holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. O what an assistance is this for a poor Soul to have the whole Court of Heaven to assist him in his design and management thereof where God the Father by his holy appointment doth ordain his holy Word and Counsel therein to inform us his holy Spirit to enable us his holy Angels to encamp about us to minister security to us in the said design and his holy Son Jesus Christ to Crown us with the perfection of Holiness in himself considering also that he is faithful that hath promised who also will do it O what great encouragement is this that the Lord hath laid before us What rich grace is this that God doth
troubles and oppositions the world would raise against them in their faithful obedience unto him so that as the reward of Inheritance is sure and certain to the faithful so the more full accomplishment thereof will at the second coming and glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be performed But of the day and hour knoweth no man saith our Saviour no not the Angels in Heaven but the Father only Matth. 24.36 But as a Thief in the Night will it come suddenly upon all that dwell upon the Earth the which doth invite every soul to a diligent watchfulness in the way of God and a patient waiting in the expectation thereof Matth. 24.42 The Husband-man saith Saint James waiteth with long patience for the precious fruits of the Earth until he receive the former and latter Rain Be ye also Patient stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Jam. 5.7 Cast not away therefore your cenfidence which hath great recompence of reward for ye had need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise for he that shall come will come and will not tarry now the Just shall live by Faith c. Heb. 10.35 36 37. Saint John saith he saw under the Alter the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and the Testimony that they held crying how long Lord wilt thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth and white Robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until their fellow Servants also and their Brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled Rev. 6.9 10. It may be the Lord hath some of his Servants yet to suffer for his sake that his comeing is yet prolonged And white Robes were given them and it was said that they must rest for a little season c. whence Note first That Innocent blood cryeth for the hastening of Christ's coming to judge and revenge its cause against its Persecutors and the Lord will assuredly in due time answer the cryes thereof Secondly Note That Christ's Perfection with the Reward of Salvation being sealed and assured to a Soul by the influences and opperations of the spirit of Christ as a pledge of the Fathers love and special favour should be unto every such soul of an inducing nature to move and draw forth the soul to exercise faith and patience to wait upon the Lord with a dependency upon him to plead its cause and to revenge its wrongs and to perform the accomplishment of all his promises in his own time he that believeth maketh not hast he waiteth God's time as the best time Wherefore considering that the management of a design for holy attainments is attended with such encouragements as God's Approbation and Command and his promise of assistance in the way of attainment and his crowning our endeavours with perfection in his Son and with a Reward of an Eternal Inheritance to be fully possessed by the holy people the Saints of the most high God at the second coming of Christ personally bringing his reward with him therefore Beloved Building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life Jude v. 20. CHAP. XII Containing a Use of Comfort and Consolation unto those persons that are industrious in the management of a design for holy attainments in the way of God's Counsel CHristian Friends having related something in the former Chapter concerning a Reward of Inheritance or Kingdom to be possessed by the holy people at the second comeing of Jesus Christ personally as a matter or ground of encouragement unto Holiness so for a ground of Consolation I would put into consideration something of the priviledges the heirs of this Inheritance shall possess in the possession thereof But I must confess that my capacity is too narrow to comprehend and tongues of Men and Angels too short to declare the excellencies of those priviledges in the latitude thereof But when we shall come to experience the priviledges of that Inheritance by a full possession thereof in the glorious presence of the Majesty of the Eternal Deity in the Heavenly Mansions we may with admiration say as the Queen of Sheba concerning Solomons Wisdom and Magnificence that the one half had not been declared to us And as the Queen of Sheba was by the report she had heard drawn forth to make an experiment of Solomons Magnificence by putting her self upon a Journey to his Court So hoping that some souls may be provoked to put forth it self upon a journey towards the Heavenly Court in the paths of Holiness upon the report of the excellent priviledges thereof to an experiencing of the Magnificence of the same although not the one half be declared Consider with me these few particulars as privilegdes appertaining to the heirs of the aforesaid Inheritance or Kingdom to be experienced by a perfect possession at the second coming of Christ personally The first general priviledge including many particulars we shall consider to consist in that excellent and glorious change of the body which at that day shall be effected in the Resurrection thereof with a uniting of body and spirit in which glorious change the body will be Immortal no more subject unto death a spiritual body no more subject to hunher thurst cold sickness nor any putrifaction whatsoever an Incorruptible body no more subject to sin temptations sorrow fears tears nor terrors neither from the apprehensions of any oppression by man nor any displeasure of Almighty God but a glorious body altogether capable of beholding the glorious Essence beautifical presence of the glorious Majesty of the Lord which excelleth the beholding with a mortal eye for evidences hereunto see 1 Cor. 15. Rev. 7.16 Rev. 21.4 Our Conversation is in Heaven saith the Apostle from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phil. 3.20 21. We know saith Saint John that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now we know in part but then shall we know as we are known 1 Cor 13.12 He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure O thou that art in the management of a design for Holy Attainments here is a ground of comfort encouragement and consolation to thy soul although men may kill this vile body and cut thee off in the way they cannot deprive thee of thy end thou shalt be raised again a glorious body like unto him who is able to subdue all things unto
unexpressible by the tongue of Men or Angels whereby Faith is the more confirmed and hope revived patience the more perfected the affections the more enflamed with desires and holy longings after further communion and fellowship with Christ whence these streams of living waters flow Stay me with Flagons saith the Espoused Soul For I am sick of Love Cant 2.5 chap. 8.6 chap. 2.14 chap. 5.16 chap. 1.2 Set me as a seal upon thy heart as a seal upon thine arm Let me see thy Countenance let me hear thy Voyce for sweet is thy Voyce and thy Countenance is comely he is altogether lovely Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for his love is better than Wine Thy Name is as oyntment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee And hence it is that Paul so highly esteemeth the knowledge of Christ as the most excellent of all knowledge and his Being in Christ the most excellent Being There he might drink his fill of the River of the most excellent pleasures even the pleasures of God and the joy of the Saints And therefore if ever we would overcome our corruptions and break off our affections from self and the world if ever we would have our hearts cleansed of sin and furnished with the qualifications of grace and evidences of assurance of eternal life then let us run the race that is set before us improving the means given out unto us looking to Jesus that spiritual Rock in whom all the the springs of free grace is centured and from whom all the streams thereof do flow unto Believers for their comfort support strengthening refreshing and confirming of them in the assurance of a possession in the promised Inheritance and weight of glory far exceeding all the glory of this present world If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink Thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water Joh. 4.10 Motive the Sixth A sixth Motive and encouragement to a careful improvement of the aforesaid means against the aforesaid distempers may arise from the consideration of our sad estate whilst we are slaves unto those corrupt Lusts what heart so hard as will not a little commiserate the condition of such as are in captivity and slavery under the dominion of the Turks What poverty and want what hard service and cruel bondage such under-goe we have had related to us O what would such poor slaves give if they had it to be freed from such a bondage that they might enjoy the liberty and plenty of their Fathers house O how welcome would a Ransom be to such how readily would they accept thereof And shall not we consider and commiserate the sad estate of our selves whilst we are in bondage and slavery under the dominion of sin the Horseleach and her Brood Corrupt Lusts which war against the soul 1 Pet. 2.11 and force the Creature to run and go at every beck wait all opportunities and improve all means to satisfie the greedy appetites of carnal desire and unsanctified love to self and the world whilst the poor soul is faint to feed on Husks and pine and starve for want of food and bread enough in the Fathers house and a Ransom given for liberty thereunto and invitations to partake thereof and acceptation promised upon return and the poor carnal is so blinded with the God of this world and so enslaved to its Lusts through that contract between the affections and self and the world That although there be a price put in the hand to get Wisdom as Solomon saith yet he hath no heart thereunto Motive the Seaventh Seaventhly We may be moved and encouraged to a careful improvement of the means aforesaid in order to a Cure of our aforesaid disease by the due consideration of that eternal woful misery that this slavery to our Lusts will bring upon us if the aforesaid conjunction be not timely broken and the heart cleansed of the lusts therein conceived through that contract when God shall say unto us Go unto the Gods your Lusts whom ye have served Remember now in Youth and Age Thy sinful Lusts to mortifie For they sad Evils do presage To those that to them live and in them dye and let them deliver you then shall they call upon me saith the Lord but I will not answer they shall seek me early but shall not find me for that they hated knowledg and did not chose the fear of the Lord they would none of my Counsel they despised all my reproofs therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own doings the turning away of the simple shal slay them And as the Apostle Paul affirmeth 2 Thes 8 9. The Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power O sad slavery and servitude that bring-forth such sad effects To be Slaves to the Turks is but a temporal slavery of the body for a short time but the slavery to the lusts of Corruption tendeth to eternal wo and misery if not timely prevented Wherefore as ye have yeilded your Members servants to your Lusts unto Iniquity so now yeild your selves Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness For whilst ye are the Servants of sin ye are free from Righteousness and the end thereof is death Rom. 6.19 20 21 22. Motive the Eighth The eighth Motive to the aforesaid work may be the consideration of the little time we have in this life to mortifie our Corruptions and subdue our Lusts and crucifie the world and to deny self and so follow Christ in the way of his Commandements in holy sanctity to the glory of the Father and honour of the Son and edification and comfort and encouragement of his people and to get a stock of grace to help us in a time of Need. When our time is over our opportunities cease and therefore as Solomon faith Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do i. e. in answer to the will of God Do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Eccle. 9.10 Therefore saith the Holy Ghost To day if ye will hear his voyce harden not your hearts that is neglect not the time reject not the means while they are afforded for time and means will not always attend upon us as saith the Holy Ghost Now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation i. e. now Christ with Salvation in him is freely tendred now the voyce of Christ in the Gospel is clearly demonstrated and the true light now shineth with the bright and beautiful beams of the Son of Righteousness now Christ waits upon us in the dispensation of his precious
Gall and Bitterness to his Soul and become his miserable Comforters to the greater horrour of his Conscience and the furtherance of his condemnation See Rom. 2.9 When tribulation and anguish shall be upon the Soul then will the poor Soul bewail his former Folly and careless Negligence in slighting the Means of Grace and the precious Price put into his hand and he had not a heart to improve it Prov. 17.16 and all those things whereon his heart was fixed shall be dissolved according as it is written But the Day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3.10 11. Fourthly let us consider this Ornament of Holiness in respect of the Duration of it Holiness is an everlasting Ornament unto the people of God it becometh Gods House for ever It is the Wisdom of the Children of this world That when they want any Commodity as Apparel or otherwise they will endeavour to obtain it with these three considerations in their eye first where they may buy at the best hand or cheapest rate secondly which Commodities are likely to be of longest continuance thirdly which are most beautiful and fashionable Now let us cast our eye upon this Ornament of Holiness of which there is so much necessity that without it no man shall see the Lord and we may behold it tendred unto us at a very cheap rate as on our part for although Gold and Silver will not purchase it yet God doth freely give it in the use of the means that he hath ordained to effect it Let us then improve the means and God hath promised a Blessing It will indeed cost us the parting with our rotten rags of the Old man but what are they in comparison to the Ornaments of the New man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness it may be it will cost us the parting with our former Companions in worldly vanities and not only our gross sins but our own Righteousness which is of the Law Phil. 3. It may be it will cost us the parting with a good Name among men and with our Goods Liberty and Life which are things near and dear unto us but if we part with all these for Holiness we shall be abundantly gainers by the hand for what are corrupt Lusts and carnal Vanities in comparison of the Gifts and Graces and spiritual enjoyments of Christ and what is the Fellowship of carnal Friends and vain Companions unto the Communion of God in Jesus Christ and the Fellowship of the Saints and what are the Sufferings of Gods people though in Name Person and Estate in comparison of that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory promised unto a holy life Holiness doth far surpass all valuations that can be laid in opposition to it wherefore let us lay out for Holiness it is a rich bargain at the highest Rate Secondly Holiness is an Ornament exceeding durable in respect of its Use and Service the more it is made use of the more excellent it is Holiness is every way serviceable to the Creature it helps the Creature to glorifie God in obedience to his Commands as to find acceptance with him it helps towards peace of Conscience and Comfort in a dying hour it helps towards a sanctified use of all the Creatures with comfort in the enjoyments of them it helps a Soul to the sight of God and that blessed enjoyment of Communion with him in Glory Yea it is serviceable upon all accounts at all times in in all places in all companies in all conditions provided the Creature cast it not off as a Garment out of fashion esteem but put it on and gird it to him and be always found in it and it will be so serviceable to him that as abovesaid the more it is made use of the more excellent it is For Thirdly Holiness is never out of fashion and esteem with God and good men it is that which God in Christ designed from Eternity to accomplish in his people and Holiness shall be the Ornament of the people of God unto Eternity when all these outward things shall be dissolved holiness shall remain in its primitive beauty Holiness accompanieth and beautifies a Soul not only in this life but also in the life to come as saith the Text Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for ever O let us be exhorted and moved therefore by all these forementioned considerations to run the Race set before us to press after the Mark for the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 to follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 CHAP. V. Containing some Directions how to puâ— on the Ornament of Holiness I Shall now apply my self to the enquiring Soul which happily may propound this question You exhort us to Holiness and to press after it because iâ— is excellent and of great necessity buâ— what course may we take that we may so press after Holiness as to obtain it In answer hereunto I shall lay before you these ensuing Considerations by way of Direction First I shall propound to your consideration the center where Holiness togetheâ— with the means for the obtaining thereof is placed Secondly the way in which a man must walk and the manner how he must press on to the Center where Holiness is centered so as to obtain the same First as Holiness in its perfection resideth in God the Father so Holiness together with the means for the effecting the same in the Children of Men is of the Father centered in God the Son Jesus Christ both God and man and by the holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son in its powerful influences and operations upon the inward man is wrought and effected in them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be Saints through the exercise of Faith in Christ Now for the clearing up of these things to our understanding let us consider some Scripture-Testimonies The Apostle Paul speaking of Jesus Christ hath these Expressions For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Coll. 1.19 And in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 Saint John saith And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1.14 in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Col. 2.3 and of his Fulness have all we received and Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 So that in Christ is centered both Holiness and the means to produce Holiness in the Sons and
Daughters of men unto whom he tenders Holiness in the Gospel as John the Evangelist teaches He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Joh 1.11 12. And hence it is that God hath chosen his people in Christ that they should be holy even because the perfection of Holiness is inherently in Christ with sufficiency of the Spirit of Grace to effect Holiness in his people through believing If then thou wouldst press after Holiness so as to attain such a degree thereof that thou mayst have the comfortable sight of God and be enabled to stand before him with joy then observe these ensuing particulars The Eye fixed on Christ by Faith is a great help towards the attainment of Holiness 1. In all thy undertakings look unto Jesus have an eye of faith fixed on him he is the Center where Holiness is centered if we look short of the Center we are like to fall-short of our purpose let us therefore take the counsel of the Apostle Let us run with patience the Race set before us looking unto Jesus the Authour and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 2.1 2. Yea whether we read the Word pray or perform any other Christian Duty whatsoever let us still look to Jesus with desire that we may have more Knowledg of him more Faith in him and more Love and Obedience to him let us look unto Jesus with an Eye of Faith fixed on him and behold his performances on our behalf let us behold his humility who was very God and yet assuming the human Nature became also Man and taking upon him the form of a Servant became obedient not only to the divine Precepts of his Fathers Law but also unto Death even the most shameful Death of the Cross O let us look unto Jesus and behold him in his Sufferings and in the Cause and End of his Sufferings The Cause of his Sufferings was our Sins the End of his Sufferings was to free us from Divine Wrath due to us for Sin and to obtain Eternal Salvation for us To look unto Jesus and with an Eye of Faith to behold him as aforesaid Gods way is a sure and a safe way is to take Gods way to hearken to his Call and to observe his counsel for our better attainments unto Holiness and Heavens Happiness as saith the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles Isai 42. I said behold me behold me unto a Nation that was not called by my Name Isai 65.1 Secondly let us not only look unto Jesus and behold him but also consider him this is a piece of Divine Counsel A due Consideration of Christs sufferings a great help towards the attainment of Holiness also consider the Apostle and High-priest of our Profession Christ Jesus Heb. 3.1 O let us consider the Greatness of his Burthen in his Sufferings of Death wherein he did not only suffer a natural Death but also did bear the burthen and weight of Divine Wrath due to Mankind for Transgression the which being set home upon his precious Soul by the hand of Divine Justice forced him into that Agony that his Sweat was as if it were great Drops of Blood falling down to the ground and to cry out Luk. 22.41 Matt. 27.46 O my God my God why hast thou forsaken me as if the sense of Divine Wrath had so overwhelmed his precious Soul that all the appehensions of his Fathers Love had been ecclipsed from him One sin set home to the Soul by the hand of Divine Justice is a heavy burthen how great then is the weight which Christ underwent for us Surely saith the Prophet he hath born our Griefs and carried our Sorrows yet we did esteem him stricken smitten of God and afflicted but he was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities the Chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his Stripes we are healed All we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all Isa 53.4 5 6. Certainly if the Sons and Daughters of Men did but look through all their outward transitory and fading Felicities unto Jesus Christ with a serious consideration of those hard things he hath undergone to procure Redemption for their poor sinful Souls it would more draw up and endear their Affections to the Lord and produce in them a delightful endeavour to honour him in the way of Holiness Thirdly as we should look unto Jesus and consider him in his great Undertakings for us so ought we to consider his Faithfulness towards his Father in respect of the Trust he reposed in him and towards Man also in the prosecution of poor fallen Mans Redemption Had he shrunk back in those great and hard Undertakings how had the Father lost his Glory and Man his true Felicity but he like a faithful and valiant Souldier set his Face like a Flint * Isai 50.6 7. against all the oppositions the World and Devils could raise against him until he had faithfully compleated his Undertakings to the Glory of his Father so that he could boldly make up his accounts saying Father I have glorified thee on Earth I have finished the Work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was Joh. 17.4 5. O let us look unto Jesus with a serious consideration of his Faithfulness to our Cause and it will both quicken and direct in the way to Holiness and we being faithful after his example shall have boldness in the day of account Consider Christs Love which is strong of great power Fourthly let us look unto Jesus and consider with a due consideration his tender affectionate Love and yerning bowels of Compassion towards Mankind manifested in his great Undertakings for us Surely if ever that Saying of Solomon in his Song of Songs be made good in any it was abundantly manifested in Christs Love to Man his Love indeed was strong as Death Cant. 8.6 the many Waters of Affliction nor Flouds of the Ungodly nor Death the King of Terrors could not be able to quench the Flames thereof greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his Life for his Friend but so great was the Love of Christ to poor worthless Creatures that while we were ungodly and enemies to him he died for us Rom. 5.6 8 10. so that Redemption Justification Sanctification and Glorification are the effects of
Divine Love the which if we could behold with a believing Eye and seriously consider it would be an excellent means to raise up our affections to Love and Delight in the Lord and to quicken us in our motions towards the Attainment of Holiness for every Performance of Christ in the days of his Humiliation was so perfumed with Love towards us that did we truely apprehend it and really consider it it would be of force to draw our feet out of those crooked paths of carnal vanities and to place them in those pleasant paths where Peace with Holiness doth dwell Fifthly A due consideration of Christs Exaltation is a great help towards the Attainment of Holiness let us look upon and consider Jesus Christ in his Exaltation The Scripture saith that Christ is entred into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 to carry on the Execution of his Office as High-priest to be Interceder and Advocate with the Father on the behalf of his People to perfume their Prayers and Praises which are offer'd up in his Name with the sweet Perfumes of his own Merits wherein the Father doth accept them and therefore as the Apostle saith he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he hath an unchangeable Priesthood and ever liveth to make Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Heb. 7.24 25. Rom. 8.27 Should I transgress the Kings Law in some high nature whereby his Displeasure is so provoked against me that all that I can do cannot appease his Wrath nor stop the proceedings of Justice against me unto Death in this sad condition should a Friend arise on my behalf who is of near Relyance to the King and in tender Love and Pity to me should take my Case upon himself and make an atonement for me not only to the appeasing of the Kings Wrath but also to the procuring of his Favour so far as not only to save my Life and Possessions forfeited but also to endow me with such Benefits and Priviledges in his Kingdom as far surpass all my former Enjoyments yea farther this Friend in Court doth so engage himself by Promise unto me that if I should again transgress the Kings Commandment provided it be not wilfully but only through weakness infirmity and inability to resist the Strength of the Tempter that then he will become my Advocate and Interceder with his Majesty to make an Atonement on my behalf O how great is the Love and tender Affection of this my Friend how may these his Actions prevail upon my Heart to rejoyce in him and engage my dearest Affections to him to love him and so delight in him as to desire more communion with him to hearken to his Counsel and to obey his Will in whatsoever he commands me And indeed while I exercise mine Eye upon this happy Object with a serious consideration of the excellent Benefits I received by him there is nothing more dear unto my Soul but if I cast mine eye considerations upon lower Objects of less concernment and short of my Friend I may soon forget his loving Kindness and suffer my Love and Delight to grow dead towards him Surely herein is our Condition represented for we unworthy Creatures have transgessed not only a Law of an Earthly King but even of an Eternal God the King of Kings and Lord of Lords at whose Wrath the Earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation the which is due unto every Transgressor of the Law of God And such is our weak and frail estate now since the Fall yea such is our wilful Stubbornness that in many things we offend all and become guilty before God whose Law condemns us and whose Justice calls for Satisfaction so that every Soul is liable to his Indignation and Wrath which we are no ways able of our selves to appease nor stop the Proceedings of Justice from inflicting upon us the heavy Horrors and Terrors of Divine Wrath and the Indignation of the Almighty no not so much as for one day much less for time without end or for Eternity Now in this our sad condition which we are fallen into by reason of our Transgression a Friend is risen up on our behalf even Jesus Christ the Son of Righteousness with Healing in his Wings Mal. 4.2 who hath not only performed the Office of an High-Priest in the days of his Humiliation in offering his own Body upon the Cross to make an Atonement for us and to free us from the Wrath to come Heb. 10.10 Ro. 5.11 but also is entred into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 to enrich us with such Benefits Priviledges as Grace Glory doth afford If now a poor Soul lie under the apprehensions of Gods Displeasure for some sin committed if he want an increase of Faith in Gods Promises if he want inward peace and assurance of Gods Favour if he want Power against Corruption and Temptation if he be oppressed by the violence of men and want Patience to bear it if he want Wisdom or Knowledg in the things of God or any Grace or good thing whatsoever would this poor Soul make its humble address unto God the Father of all Mercies and Fountain of all Supply to all our Wants from whom every good and perfect Gift proceedeth that he would grant a continual Supply of all good things according as the conditions of his poor Creature doth require Then behold O thou poor Soul behold thy Friend at Court Jesus Christ in his unchangeable Priesthood and ever glorious Exaltation on the right hand of the Majesty on high there to appear in the presence of God for us in all the approachings of thy Soul unto God take this Friend with thee he is able to save them to the utter most that come unto God through him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for us Heb. 7.24 There is no approaching to the Father without the assistance of the Son our faithful High-Priest Mediator and Advocate as he himself hath said I am the way saith Christ the Truth and the a Life no man commeth to the Father but by me Joh. 14.6 I am the Door saith Christ by me if any man enter he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find Pasture Joh. 10.9 as if he should have said I am the way or place of entrance to the Father by me if any man enter he shall go in and out that is he shall have free access unto the Father Ephesians 2.18 and he shall find Pasture even such spiritual enioyments as shall abundantly refresh replenish and content the Soul even to its full satisfaction When Christ foretold to his Disciples his Exaltations to the Father and the great concernment he should be unto them therein as their High-Priest to intercede for them he leaveth these Expressions with other upon
to inform us by his Spirit to enable us his Angels to secure us and by his Son to Crown our weak performances with his own perfections to his gracious acceptation He hath made us accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Thus having briefly presented three general grounds comprehending many particulars for encouragement to the Christian soul that in love and loyalty to the Lord entereth a design for holy attainments As first The warrantableness of the design God manifesting his approbation of it by his command thereunto Seconddly God's promise of assistance Thirdly His faithfulness in performing of his Promise I shall only present a fourth ground of encouragement which is as followeth A fourth ground of encouragement in this design is The sure reward that is annexed by promise unto those souls that in the way of God do manage a design for the attainment of a holy state unto such souls there is a sure reward as saith the Spirit of God by Solomon The Wicked worketh a deceitful work but to him that soweth Righteousness is a sure reward Prov. 11.18 This Reward is sometimes in Scripture called the Reward of Inheritance as in Col. 3.24 Whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ also this Inheritance is said to be an Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 and an Inheritance incorruptible 1 Pet. 1.4 Sometimes it is called a Kingdom as in Matth. 25.34 and in Luk. 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom a Kingdom that cannot be moved Heb. 12.28 Sometimes in Scripture this Inheritance or Kingdom is called Eternal Life as in Joh. 10.28 My Sheep hear my Voyce and they follow me and I give unto them Eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand See further Matth. 25.46 Rom. 6.23 Quest But where is this Inheritance or Kingdom saith the enquiring soul that I may behold it Answ The Apostle Peter tells us It is reserved in the Heavens for you that are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Note it s by the power of God that ye are kept thereunto the power of God in the operation of his Word and efficacy of his Spirit working in and by the Word therefore love the Word delight therein hold it fast it s the power of God unto Salvation unto every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 Note also it s through faith therefore look well to your faith make not shiprack of faith but keep up faith in its due exercise for ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation The Servants of God of old did behold the promised Inheritance by faith to their great comfort and encouragement as saith the Authour to the Hebrews chap. 11. These all dyed in faith not having received the Promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth Moses by faith beheld this recompence of reward and in respect thereunto he chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season for he had respect to the Recompence of Reward Quest But when will it be that this promised Inheritance and Reward shall be possessed by the Believer pressing after holiness many have been in the expectation of such a thing indeed but since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation 2 Pet. 3.4 Answ The Apostle Peter affirmeth That the Lord is not slack as some men count slackness but is long suffering to usâ— ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 It may be that God hath some people yet to Convert and to add unto his Church that his coming is prolonged But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the Night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noyse and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness It is enough for us that we have the word of promise made out and confirmed to us by the Eternal and Infinite God to exercise our faith and hope upon and it is our duty to wait upon him in faith and patience for the performance of the same unto us in his time It is his own free gift not our deserts and that he will at last accomplish it to any soul it is infinite mercy to be admired The spirit of God hath signified unto us that it will be performed at the second coming of Christ personally as in Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in Glory whereunto agreeth the words of Paul to the Thessalonians chap. 4.16 17 18. which words are these For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Arch-angel and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Ayr and so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words and in chap. 5. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do vers 11. Whence Note by the way that it is the duty of Christians and the property of souls espoused to Christ so to apply and improve the promise of Christ's second personal coming as to make it a ground of comfort and encouragement one to another of edification in and the observation of all his holy appointments perseveringly Our Saviour Jesus Christ a little before his sufferings being conversant with his Disciples and fore-seeing the sorrow and trouble that would attend them after his departure he for their better support encouragement and comfort under the same leaveth them this Cordial to feed upon Let not your hearts be troubled saith he ye believe in God believe also in me in my Fathers House are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am ye may be also Joh. 14.1 2 3. The Lord hath furnished the holy Scriptures with plenty of provision of this nature as if his faithful Servants were likely to have great need of encouragements support and comfort after his departure by reason of the many