Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	jesus_n	lord_n	see_v	7,565	5	3.6443	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85733	The buddings and blossomings of old truths: or, Severall practicall points of divinity, gathered out of that sacred evangelist, St. John, chap. the third, from verse 22. ad finem. By that worthy light and lamp of heaven, Alexander Gross, Bach. of Divinity, and late preacher of Ashberton, in Com. Devon.	Grosse, Alexander, 1596?-1654.	1656 (1656)	Wing G2068; Thomason E1577_2; ESTC R209389	251,205	463

throne of grace in his name wee shall finde acceptance for his sake Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 2. though Jonathan could not appeas the anger of his father Saul against David yet our Jonathan will surely prevail with our God for us though wee are unworthy yet as the man of God looked on Jeboram for Jehoshaphat's sake 2 King 3.14 so will our God look favorably on us for Christ's sake 3 This must quicken and stirr up us to love the Lord Jesus the children use to love where the father doth the servants use to affect where their Lord God the Father loveth the Son therefore let us also get our hearts inflamed with love to him to them that love him all felicity is wished Eph. 6 24. to them that love him not all evils are denounced 1 Cor. 16.22 and many inducements there are to move us to set our affection upon 1. the dignity beauty majesty glory and excellency of his person Isa 45.3 Cant. 5.10 2. The love that hee hath shewed to us Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Jonathan's love to David caused David again to love him fire begetteth fire 3. The great afflictions hee hath suffered for us 4. The great endowments hee hath bestowed upon us 5. The many enemies hee hath conquered for us 6. The great things hee hath purchased for us in the heavens these are as so many load-stones to draw our hearts unto Christ Jesus as so many bellows to blow up the fire of our affections to inflame or hearts with fervent sacred and constant love unto the Lord Jesus and that so much the more because wee have hence seen Doctr. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness which cometh to God's servants as the waters come to us from the fountain by and thorow the cistern the light cometh from the sun to the eie by and thorow the aër so is Christ the medium whereby all the goodness of God cometh unto us and God's love to Christ is the original and prime cause hereof as Gen. 45.17 18. the love of King Pharaoh to Joseph was the moving caus of all the favor and kindness hee shewed to his father and brethren when they were in great distress by reason of the famine so the love of God the King of kings viz. Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness peace comfort which is derived and communicated to the brethren of Christ Jesus as the Ark was the caus of the wellfare of Obed-Edom's house so is God's love to Christ the caus of all our welfare this was shadowed out by the ladder in Jacob's vision Genes 28.11 12. reaching from heaven to earth the Angels ascending and descending to shew how all the goodness of God descendeth unto us by and thorow Christ this was also prophecied as the Lord hath put the grace of his spirit upon the son of righteousness to enlighten them that sit in darkness and why hath hee done so but because hee delighted in him and the Apostle speaketh plainly that wee are accepted in the beloved Ephes 1.6 Acts 2.33 Reas 1. Because wee are from all eternity elected in Christ as the Apostle witnesseth Eph. 1.4 saying wee are chosen in him before the foundation of the world in him noting the order in which wee are elected not the cause of election the grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him wee are not first elected and then Christ is chosen by reason of our fall but God out of his love did first chuse him to bee the head of the body mystical and then are wee chosen to bee his members as the head corner stone in the building is first chosen Psa 116.22 and then the other stones which are to bee put into the building hence hee is said to bee the first begotten amongst his brethren Col. 1.18 to have the preheminence to bee sealed John 6.27 set apart to be the prince of our salvation to be fore-ordained before the foundations of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 by how much more excellent things are by so much more timely and principally they bee in God's decree hee doth not think of electing and predestinating us first as a body and then come afterward by occasion to think of a him who is the head hee is the first pattern and wee are predestinated to bee like him Rom. 8.29 and as the master-picture and pattern is first and then the thing which is to bee drawn by it as in a naturall birth the head cometh first and then the feet after it so first was Christ chosen then as the head or the elect and fountain of grace and then are wee chosen in him things in their material existing have one order in their intentional another as for example a man that maketh a house intendeth to dwell under some covering 2 hee intendeth to build a house 3. to hire workmen 4. to prepare matter but in the execution hee 1. setteth stone and wood in place 2 hee hireth workmen then raiseth the frame and lastly entreth in and dwelleth there In order of materiall existing Christ is revealed promised exhibited after sin but intended before sin 1 Cor. 3.22 23. The Apostle reckoning the order in which things exist mentions 1. the world 2 the elect 3 Christ then God but giveth us to understand in order of intention that God intendeth first his own glory then Christ then the Church then the world out of which hee intended to gather such as should bee saved by Christ and thus Christ is the head of the elect and the fountain of grace 2. Because all the promises of God are to us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 hee is the cistern by which God hath promised to convey the waters of life to our souls It is hee who of God is made unto us all things behooffull to our salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 it is in him that God hath promised audience and acceptance to our persons Gen. 3.15 it is in him that the blessing was promised to all nations Gen. 12.34 it is in his dayes that all peace and felicity was promised to the Church Jer. 23.5 6. it is hee that brought good and joyfull tidings Micah 4.4 5. 3 Because God hath put all fulness in him for the good of his Church as hee hath put all fulness of light into the sun for the giving of light to the world all fulness of water into the sea for the watering of the earth so hath God put all fulness into him for our behoof that are in him that wee might receive grace needfull to salvation Col. 1.19 John 1.16 Isa 61.1 2. as all Aegypt fetched out of Joseph's store as the ointment on Aaron's head ran down to the beard even the skirts of his garment Psalm 133.1 2. 4. Because our life the life of grace is hidden in Christ even when wee were dead in sin Col. 3.3 as the life of the tree in the winter is in the root the

waters under thy feet if thou feed not on the one if thou drinke not of the other dost not thou starve between both What is a faire and stately building to thee if thou take up thy abode in the open field doth not dewes fall upon thee doth not the Sun scorch thee doth not the cold pierce thee What is remission of sin what is resurrection to a new life represented in Baptisme what is it to thee if thy lusts be not mortified if thou rise not by vertue of it to a new life What is it to thee that the word is a Lamp if thou apply it not to thy feet that it is as milk in the breast if thou suck it not that it is a spirituall weapon if thou gird it not about thee that it is a seed if not sown if not hidden in the field of thy heart Say not then as he did Iud. 17.13 Now I know the Lord will be good unto me seeing I have a Levite to be my Priest But if thou wilt have Gods Ordinance prove a blessing if thou wilt know thy self blessed in the having of them cease not till thou find it as a shining Starre a burning Lamp enlightning thy understanding filling thee with knowledge of Gods love to thy Soul in Christ as the candle filleth the house with light the waters the Sea till they wash thy sin from thy Soul as waters wash dirt from the body as the fan driveth chaffe from the corne as Jordan washed away Naamans Leprosy Till they stablish thy saith as a strong foundation supporteth the building as firm rootes sustaine the tree a strong hand upholdeth him that is led by it Till they warme thy heart inflame thy affections as the fire warmeth the house as the Summer Sun doth warm the aire Till it make thy love to God and his wayes as a vehement flame as coales of much fire Till it make thy peace as deep as the rivers even a peace passing all understāding 4. This must teach men to seek to God for the efficacy of his Ordinances desire him to make them as a launcing knife in the hand of the Physician as a Sword in the hand of the Spirit Desire him that when Moses strikes with the Rod upon the Rock when the Minister doth press the Word upon our stony hearts that he will stand before shew his powerfull and gracious presence there in making them to melt in causing them to become contrite and broken for as Psal 33.16 17. There is no King saved by the multitude of an hoast a mighty man is not delivered by much strength c. So without Gods blessing unlesse he put his hand to it it is but vaine as Psal 127.1 2. Except the Lord build the house they labour but in vain c. For as Prov. 10.12 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it so in this case Therefore as the Daughter of Caleb desired her father having given her south Land that he would also give her springs of water Iud. 15.19 So God having given us his Ordinances let us desire him with all to give us his Spirit As his ministers like seeds men sow the seed of his word so we must desire God to joyne therewith the dewes of heaven that it may not lye like seed in dry ground withering for want of moysture That the Messenger of the Lord may not stand knocking in vaine at the iron gates of our unregenerate hearts but that the Lord will open our eare and heart our eyes to see our hearts to attend believe obey as he opened the heart of Lydia that he will make his Ordinances as seed sowne in good ground as the bow of Jonathan which turned not back and the sword of Saul which returned not empty 2 Sam. 1.22 As the cake and cruse of water whereof the Prophet did eate and drinke and went in the strength thereof to Horeb the mount of God 2 King 19.8 That we may be so refreshed replenished herewith that we may thereby go from strength to strength till we appeare before God in Sion Psal 84.7 5. As the efficacy is the Lords so let the praise be Gods let the hand which doth the worke receive the honour the faithfull instrument which God useth is worthy of double honour of singular love for his works sake David may have the praise for giving Goliah the overthrow The wise men may rejoyce to see the Starre leading unto Christ Iesus The feet of the messenger must be beautifull in the eyes of the people as one of a thousand to them but yet still as he is Gods instrument as a Lamp that hath received his Oile from Gods Olive as a vessel filled with water flowing from the Ocean of all goodnes as a starre held in the hand and receiving all his light from the Sunne of righteousnes the Ministers must be so respected as that God must in and above all be honoured loved praised and rejoyced in If Iosua smite the countrey of the hils Ios 10.40 41. It is because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel vers 42. So if any or all the Lords Iosuahs the spirituall leaders of Gods Armies smite the sinnes of men which were high as the mountains or deep as the vale which were for Dominion like Kings for continuance like a living spring for extent like the deluge overflowing the whole man if these be beaten if their life be taken away it is because the Lord God of Israel hath fought for Israel If any tree of Pauls planting do grow if any field do flourish by the watering of Apollos it is because the Lord hath given the increase If any man learne wisedom if any man be presented perfect in Christ Iesus by Pauls labour in the ministrey it is thorough the working of God who worketh mightly in him Coll. 1.28 29. If David have escaped the Lion and the beare conquered slaine them delivered the lamb from them it is because God was with him wrought for him 1 Sam. 17.34 35 36. If any Shepheard of Gods flock have delivered any of Gods Lambs out of the jawes of the roaring Lion it is the Lords doing and as the Psalmist touching Israel deliverance from Aegypt So may we all say touching the deliverance of Gods Israel from their spirituall bondage Psal 44.1 2 3 4 5. We have heard with our ears O God! our Fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes in the times of old how thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand and plantedst them how thou didst afflict the people and cast them out c. Therefore let every Soul that hath tasted of Gods goodnes say in this kind that hath felt the mighty arme of God in the weilding of this weapon that hath had any comfortable experience of the moving of Gods Angle in this poole Let him blesse the Lord that hath given him counsell that hath caused his reines to instruct him in the

and confidence in God let this cause us to study how to walk worthy of the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord let us in nothing provoke him Thus of his originall next of his disposition earthly before we proced any further in it how the Baptist could say he was of the earth and earthly whether in saying so he did not offer wrong and injury to his Doctrine in so saying since it is said Ioh. 1.6 and Mat. 21.25 also Luc. 7.30 Resp this is a comparative speech between the Baptist and our Saviour in regard of whom he was as nothing no more than no nor so much as the Earth to Heaven the Servant to his Lord the Candle to the Sun 2. the Baptist sheweth what man is being once set in opposition against Christ even the most excellent then he becometh earth dust corrupt unprofitable intimating plainly that if his Disciples did so fasten their eyes on him as thereby to neglect Christ then how holy how Heavenly how excellent soever yet he should be to them as an earthly and a carnall man 3. He sheweth what man is being considered in himself and of himself nothing but earth and earthly disposed 4. Though his Doctrine and commission were from heaven yet this was not a stream from his own fountaine a light of his own kindling but he had it from above it was the Lords and not his thus you see how and why the Baptist said he was of the earth and earthly thereby teaching Doctr. That mans naturall disposition is altogether earthly and carnall a stream whose waters are altogether slimy bitter unsavoury like the waters of Mara unwholesome like the pottage in the Prophets pot till grace be infused as the tree was cast into the water by Moses and the meal into the pot by the Prophet therefore likened to a corrupt tree whose nature and fruit are both naught Mat. 7.17 to a vine bearing no other but sower grapes Isai 5.4 to evill ground bearing thornes and briars Heb. 6.8 to swine wallowing in the mire of sin trampling the precious pearles of the Gospel and sanctification under their feet Math. 7.6 to a sick man whose Palate is altogether disordered Rom. 8.7 2 Cor. 2.14 to a dead man whose inclination is wholy to the earth Ephes 2.1 and therefore Psal 14.3 Gen. 6.5 5. and this is moreover manifest 1. By the absence of all true saving grace there is nothing of heaven remaining in him their souls like the pit whereinto Joseph was cast are empty having no water of grace in them Gen. 37.24 like a barren wombe that hath neither birth nor conception a barren Tree that beareth no fruit Hosea 10.1 like a man fallen into the hands of thieves like him Luk. 10.30 stript of all the apparell which should cover his soul robbed of all the jewels of grace wounded and half dead in his very naturall abiliaments of whom that may be verified which the Prophet speaketh of Niniveh Nah. 2.10 the naturall man is empty and void and wast blackness covereth his soul he is full of uncleanness there is no heart nor courage for God remaining in him and which the Prophet said of Nebuchadnezar Jer. 51.34 the naturall man may much more say of sin and Satan the great Nebuchadnezar the great Babylonish Prince of darkness He hath crushed them and made them empty vessels taken away their heavenly riches and hath cast them out of Gods favour and gracious presence made him as a naked house wherein is no inhabitant no houshold implement Rom. 7.18 all their abilities to good are now become like Jeroboams withered hand which he could neither put forth nor take in so they are neither able to reach forth to any good nor take their hands in from any evill 2. By the presence and the fulnesse of all sin being full of uncleannesse as pits in a rainy day of water as an Adder of poyson as a grave of rottenesse as a Lion of fiercenesse as a Cage of unclean Birds as the sluggards field of thorns and bryars as the Prophet said of the people Ezek. 7.23 the Land is full of bloudy crimes the City is full of violence so is the body of man full of iniquity and the Soul is full of uncleannesse as the waters in Aegypt which were clear were turned into bloud so that the fish died and the Rivers stunk so that all the faculties in the Soul and Members of the body are corrupted perverted and the grace which once was in them is utterly dead and man is now become as an unsavoury carkasse in the nostrils of God 3. By the Dominion and sway of Satan he rules like a King Eph. 2.3 leads like a Tyrant 2 Tim. 2.26 works like a Black-smith upon his Anvill Eph. 2.2 is worshipped like a God 2 Cor. 4.4 affected reverenced obeyed like a father Ioh. 8 44. as ready to execute his commands as the servants of Absolon were to accomplish his 2 Sam. 13.28 29. If he bid then wait an opportunity to do mischief they waite bid them open their mouths to revile blaspheme use filthy communication presently they swear reproach and utter unseemly and corrupt language c. 4. By the wonderfull agreement which is between the carnal heart and sin and the world these like Simeon and Levi they are brethren in evil like Herod and Pilate they conspire against Christ the truth the life the power of Godlinesse like Jehu Jehonadab they give the right hand of fellowship one to another and ride both in one Chariot and what combates soever may seem to be between them however sin may sometime trouble the natural mans conscience how sick soever it may make him for the present yet with the Dog he will eat up again his vomit he will never so fall out with sin but he will soon be friends he will be able still to call it brother as Ahab after his wars with Benhadad could ask is my brother Benhadad yet alive and though the Lord command him to destroy his sin give it into his hand gave him all advantage over it yet as Ahab made a Covenant with Benhadad and let him goe so will the natural man with his sin sin is the natural mans Absolon David warred against Absolon but hath had no purpose to destroy him so the natural man when his sin doth sometime disturb him begins to make a little war against it but never means to set himself so to work as to destroy it sin is the natural mans Paradise wherein he doth desire to live his path wherein he would alwayes walk the companion with whom he delighteth to communicate the forbidden Tree of whose fruit he delighteth to eat the fountains of whose waters he thirsteth to drink the onely recreation wherewith they desire to be refreshed Prov. 14.9 they can say of sin and the world as Ruth of Naomi Ruth 1.15 6. they will not be intreated to leave it but when it goeth they will go

the Apostle so often to discover to the people the insufficiency and vanity of their works the impossibility of attaining salvation by their own abilities the necessity of cleaving unto and relying upon the Lord Jesus And the reason hereof is because natural men are strangers to Christ they know him not they have no feeling of his fulnesse and sufficiency 2. Because mens eyes are very strongly fastned upon their own strength and the worthiness of their own doings 3. Because corruption is strong sinne is pleasant the carnal heart is hardly brought to deny it a tree of deep roots a building of lime and sand a rock with many strong holds This must therefore cause us to search into and to meditate upon our vilenesse to be well acquainted with our unworthinesse with the sway which sinne and Satan beare within us with the propensity yea violent inclination of our hearts to sinne with the punishment due to us for our transgressions with our own emptinesse and all creatures disability to satisfie Gods justice that we may lift up our hearts unto and fasten our eyes wholly and altogether upon the Lord Jesus that being sensible of our own weakness we may rely on his strength being acquainted with our own emptiness we may seek to be filled with his fulnesse seeing our own nakednesse we may desire to be cloathed with the rich and royal robes of his righteousnesse beholding our own uncleannesse we may with Naaman have recourse to this Jordan seeing our own weakness and the strength of sinne and Satan within us against us wee may with Jehosaphat 2 Chro. 20.11 we may say with the Psalmist Psal 44.6 7. Seeing the insufficiency of all earthly Physitians looking upon all our earthly abilities as upon Physitians of no value we may as Mark 5.26.29 being affected with our sinne as with an insupportable burthen we may come to Christ to be eased Matth. 11.28 Being acquainted with the evil of our own estates we shall the more magnifie the Lords mercy and loving kindness towards us The more apprehensive the patient is of his disease the more he is affected with the skill of the Physitian curing him Tit. 1.15 16. This must cause us to endeavor to be throughly acquainted affected with that fulness and alsufficiency that is in Christ Jesus as the Baptist insisteth upon the same by repeating it againe that he is from heaven that he is above all so must we againe and againe fasten our meditations hereupon dayly search into the depth of this fountaine continually look upon the treasure in this storehouse be ever fixing our eyes upon this bright and glorious As Zacheus ranne and climb'd up aloft to see him so must we raise our hearts and our affections from the world and ascend up unto God in our affections that we may take a thorow view of Christ Jesus as Ezek. 8.8 9 15. So also in this case dig through a wall cast away all fleshly impediments remove the sin which standeth as a partition-wall betweene us and Christ labour for the key of knowledge to open this door and behold the wonderfull fulnesse that is in him Look once twice ten times and againe and still you shall behold and finde in him more then at the first As the Prophet bid his servant 1 Kings 18.43 44 45. so goe you up look towards the sea that ocean of goodnesse which is in Christ Jesus and if you returne and say you see nothing in him yet goe againe look and meditate seven times more upon him and you shall see a cloud arise at length which shall have fulnesse of raine in it you shall behold all abundance in him as Acts 6.15 So when we look stedfastly on Christ then we shal behold beauty brightnesse and glory in him then we shall see Col. 2.3 Phil. 3.8 1 Cor. 1.24 And with this fulnesse of Christ we should labour to be affected 1. Because this wil breed denial of our selves the contemplation of his holinesse will make us ashamed of our own uncleannesse As the looking-glasse maketh a man blush to behold his face which is full of spots so Isa 6.5 Job 42.5 6 his riches will make us ashamed of our poverty his beauty will make us blush to consider our own deformity his holinesse will make us ashamed of our profanenesse the contemplation of his all-sufficiency will make us see that in comparison of him our light is but a gloworm to the Sunne our treasure is but drosse to the choicest pearle our goodness but as the thorne and bramble to the Vine Olive and Fig-tree as Pharaohs lean kine to the fat 2. Because this will take off all confidence from the world and make men say as John 6.68 Hosea 14.3 This will make them see that all the world is sand and that he alone is a firm and sure rock that all the world like Egypt is a withered reed and Christ alone is an iron pillar a brazen wall a sure resting-place This will cause us to esteem the world a spiders web Job 8.14 15. as a moth-eaten garment as a rotten staffe as the fig-tree that beares no fruit as a cloud without rain a well without water This will make us look upon Christ as upon a tree loaden with the choisest fruit as upon a fountaine replenished with the purest water This will make us resort to him as the Eagles to the carkasse flow to him as the waters to the Ocean as Noah to the Ark when the earth was overwhelmed or leprous Naaman to Jordan as the lame man to Bethesda Psal 20.7 Isa 17.7 Isa 45.22 3 This will make us joyful in having Christ whatsoever we have besides be it much or little be our estate rich or poore honourable or ignominious we see enough in Christ and the more we see in him the more we shall rejoyce in having interest in him This will make us say of Christ as the Apostle of the Philippians Phil. 4.1 This will fill us with exceeding great joy as the star made the wise men rejoyce exceedingly Matth. 2.10 This will replenish us with joy unspeakable and glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 As a full feast reioyceth an hungry stomack a full hand reioyceth a poor beggar a full breast rejoyceth the hungry child so that fulnesse which is in Christ putteth much joy into the hearts of Gods servants Jer. 31.13 14. 4. This will ravish our hearts with love unto Christ this will make us long after him make us sell all to have him as a man wil give many pieces of silver for one precious stone This will make us serve in the heat and in the cold for him as Jacob for Rachel This will make us leave all we enjoy doe all he requireth suffer all that can be imposed nothing shall be too hard to be endured nothing shall be so deare to us but we will depart from it if the Lord require it when we behold the fulnesse of his beauty

a teachable and tractable Spirit the low shrubs are quiet when the trees of high tops are tossed and shaken with the winds no such enemy to peace as pride and haughtiness of Spirit Prov. 13.10 Prov. 28.25 Pride like the wind in the Sea maketh men to toss and roule to and fro troubleth the calme Waters but meeknes hath the promise of peace Psal 37.11 And is prescribed as a rule to preserve peace Eps 4.2 3. 2. To be truely wise unto salvation to see the things wich belong unto our peace to discerne the things wich differ ignorance of the manner of Gods proceeding of what is good and beneficiall for our salvation 1 Cor. 2.8 Want of ability to judge what is good for us is the cause of much strife But true wisedome Ia. 3.17 is the way to peace Prov. 3.17 3. To be patient in hearing the word of exhortation Heb. 13.22 Receive it gladly when it launceth as well as when it healeth Psal 141.5 Get thy heart so affected that thou mayest be able to say to every one that admonisheth thee as David to Abigal 2 Sam. 25.32 33. Why did Israel murmur and strive against Moses but because they wanted patience Why did the Libertines gnash the teeth on Stephen but because they were of an impatient mind and could not endure the word of exhortation 4. To live in no known sin but universally reforme thy wayes apply thy selfe to every commandement of God if thou leave but one unruly person in the family he will distrub the whole house if you leave but one leak in the Ship the water coming thereat will disturb all that are within the same What bred the strife between Herod and the Baptist but Herod allowing himself in that sin of incest Mar. 6.20 5. To love Gods Word unfainedly to delight in it as in the light of our eyes to feed upon it as upon the food of our souls to walke by it as by the rule of our conversation this is the means to breed true peace Isa 57.19 This hath the promise of peace Psal 119.16.5 6. To be of one mind and of one heart in things of the best nature to be guided by one Spirit to attend on Gods word with one consent as Acts 2.1 Phil. 2.1 2. Let us agree in this and we shall agree in all other things 7. To love one another unfainedly Ephes 4.31 32. This will cover many infirmities passe by many weaknesses 1 Cor. 13.5 6 7. 8. To construe all that is done and spoken in the best sence till the contrary doth evidently appeare the want of this breeds strife 2 Sam. 10.4 John 11.47 Matth. 2.2 9. To use the gifts we have received to the glory of God the good of his Church the edification of the faithfull in the knowledge of the truth the incouragement of our brethren in the way of godliness to the discountenancing of sin and not to the disgracing of the godly the maintenance of any evill 10. To beare with the weaknes of our brethren to suffer wrong rather than to contend or quarrell Abraham gave Lot liberty to chose Genes 13.8.9 Thus of the time next of the parties between whome some of the Disciples of Iohn and the Jewes which beleeved in Christ and were Baptized of him both parties were baptized attended Gods Ordinances yet contended Doctr. Sometimes there are contentions even among them that after a peculiar manner frequent Gods Ordinances the Sonnes of one family the souldiers of one army do sometime contend Acts 15.39 Gen. 27.41 Cor. 11.12 Reas 1 Because there is corruption remaining even in the best of Gods people some pride forwardness self will which being not well looked to getteth advantage and breaketh out 1 Cor. 3.3 4. Luc. 22.24 Reas 2 Because there be many make externall profession who want internall sanctifications are mere strangers to the power of godlines nay enemies to them that shine in holines Gal. 1.29 They were both circumcised 1 Tim. 3.4 5 6. Reas 3 Because some professe the truth but love not desire not but envy the spirituall welfare of their brethren Gen. 27.41 1 John 3.11 Like Iosephs brethren Reas 4 Because it is necessary that offences should come for the triall of Gods people whether they love him whether they will continue constant with him Matth. 18.7 1 Cor. 11.19 Use We may not rashly condemne the Gospel withdraw our heart from it because they are not all of one heart and mind that doe professe it there is no musicall instrument so well composed but sometimes there is jarring in it no army so well ordered but sometimes they are disordered no family but sometime heareth of more or lesse discord it is the perrogative and priveledge of heaven to enjoy that peace which is unchangeable to see that day which hath no cloud let not other mens contentions make us leave the Gospel of peace but let their strivings make us the more in love wich peace the more constant in attending the means of peace the more carefull to shun the hinderances of peace the more dilegent in persuading to peace 2. Let this occasion such as are called to the profession of the truth to do what in them is to have peace with all men specially among themselves that 1. Because such breaches are most advantagious to Sathan what maketh more for a forreine enemy than civill warres brawles and contentions between the people of that Kingdome or city wich he goeth about to possesse 2. Because this giveth greatest cause of scandall to the adversaries of the truth when Absolon the Sonne of Davids love rebelled against him then Shemei opened his mouth to revile David 3. This casteth great disgrace upon the Gospel of peace whereof we make profession We professe our selves to be ruled by the Gospel of peace to be the subjects of the Prince of peace to be travellers in the way of peace to be possessed by one and the same Spirit of peace If contrary to all this we live like Salamanders in the fire of contention do we not much dishonour the Gospel The Gospel teacheth us to be innocent as doves meek as Lambs and can we without the reproach thereof contend like Dogs and Lions 4 This exposeth the Gospel the Church to ruine a divided Kingdome cannot stand a distracted army flieth before the enemy a disjonted house soone falleth to the ground when the evill Spirit came between Abimelch and the men of Shechem it was not long before both came to ruine and this taketh away the comfort they might have in the Ordinances of God the sweet refreshment they might find in that holy mutuall Communion that ought and otherwise would be between them When the Wood is dispersed that fire extinquisheth wich otherwise would burne 5. Hereby the doing of much good to our brethren is hindered a divided streame cannot drive that mill which a full streame will one stick cannot give that heate wich many can 6. Hereby assaults afflictions become much

dominion as King over subjects Isai 43.15 Reas 2 In regard of the right he hath in them they are the work of his hands he is the potter and they are the clay the Creatour and they the thing formed by him trees of his planting tabernacles of his building Joh. 1.3 Reas 3 In regard of the price he hath paid for them not gold and silver hay stubble but his owne blood 1 Pet. 1.19 1 Cor. 6.20 The Captivne being ransomed must live to him that did redeeme him 2 Cor. 5.14 Reas 4 In regard of the relation between them Christ is the head they the members Christ the Husband they the Spouse Christ the Prince they the subjects therefore these must above all things seek the honour of Christ as the Apostle saith of the wife 1 Cor. 7.34 Reas 5 Because the honouring of the Lord Jesus is more dear to Gods Servants than their owne lives neither honours riches pleasures nor successe in worldly undertakings is so delightfull to them as the glorifying of the name of the Lord Acts 20.24 Acts 21.13 Reas 6 Because this is the most ready way to do good unto our selves the seeking of Gods glory will interest us in Gods favour make us capable of Gods blessing give us comfort and courage in all estates and much boldnes in the day of the Lord Iesus 1 Sam. 2.30 Reas 7 Because this is that which God hath chiefly and peculiarly reserved to himselfe this is to the Lord as the crowne to the King though the Lord graunt us many favours yet he will not graunt us this this is as the apple of his eye no man must touch it Isai 42.8 therefore Psa 148.13 Vse This discovereth the iniquity of such as regard not what become of the honour of God Christ so themselves may have honour that regard not though the Sun of Gods glory be overshadowed with an everlasting Eclipse so the corrupt meteor of their vaine glory may shine the extinguishing of the shining Lamp of the Gospel the ruinating of the Walls of Syon the breaking downe of the hedges of Gods vineyard the plucking off the grapes which grow on the Lords vine the entring of the wild boare Psal 80.12 13 16. All this doth not trouble them so the trees in their owne Orchard flourish bud blossome beare who knoweth not that Satan is now let loose his chaine lengthned his fury and his indignation great Whose eyes do not behold that as Rev. 6.12 thorough the insolency pride of Antichrist the glorious Sun of righteousnes is eclipsed The Doctrine the Sacraments the Worship of God is made black with heresies superstitious Idols and the Church bloody with warres tyranny oppression persecution Who seeth not the bottomles pit is now opened the smoak ascending the smoaky Doctrine of the Pope arising like smoake out of a great fornace to obscure the Doctrine of life salvation by Christ Who seeth not a fearefull Apostacy the starres falling from heaven Doctours Bishops learned men like vanishing Meteors to fall to the earth the World the flesh earthly honours Idols Who can but see how out of this smoake of Popish Doctrine there comes forth a multitude of locusts Priests Jesuits Monks who like the locusts leape from earth to earth flying aloft in the aire savour not the things of God but onely the things here below like the locusts go together in great troups singing the sonnet of their prosperity leape and delight in idlenes enter the meadowes green pastures and eate up all the green things Who seeth not bow they incroach upon us as the Sea upon the earth when it hath eate thorough the banks as a fire upon the towne when it hath once fired one house as the frogs on the Land of Aegypt till they made it stinke Besides who heareth not the bla●phemies and hideous swearings who seeth not the swinish drunkenes the matchles pride who heareth not of the whoredomes fornicacions amōg us of the strang contempt of the Gospel by all which the name of God is blasphemed Rom. 2.24 yet who almost regardeth this whose eyes gush out as David did Psal 119.136 Whose countenance us sad as Nehemiahs was Neh. 2.3 4. Who rend his garment and his Mantle as Ezra did Ezr. 9.3 If but the hemme of our owne garment be touched but the least spot of disgrace cast on us we are much displeased disquieted but who layeth to heart the dishonour done to God If men may keep up their owne Dagon they care not what become of the Lords Arke 1 Sam. 5.4 5. If their Ship may row in a secure haven they care not if the Ship of the Church sink in a storme Amos 6.6 If they may be rich they care not though the Church be poore if they may be crowned with the earthly glory they care not who take the crowne of Gods praise from him like Gallio they care for none of these things if they may be at ease in Syon Amos 6.1 6. Whereby it is manifest that they are not Gods Children for a good Child seeketh his Fathers honour more than his owne that they are not the spouse of Christ for the Wife is grieved to see her Husband dishonoured that they love not the Lord Jesus delight not in the Gospel seek not that honour which cometh from God but that which cometh from men were it otherwise the losse of their owne peace plenty revenew praise would not be so offensive to them as to see God dishonoured but as these men grieve not to see God dishonoured forbeare not to rob him of his praise so the time is at hand wherein God will cover them with shame 1 Sam. 2.30 Ezek. 28.2 to 9. Dan. 5.22 23 24. 1 Sam. 2.29 2. Therefore this must occasion every one of us neglecting our owne selves thoughts ends to seek the honour and the glory of our God and give the Lord the praise due to his name let this be the prime desire of our Souls Psal 71.8 Let us long after this as much as ever Rahel did after Children Gen. 30 1. And as we are or will make it appeare that we are the Children of God so let us set our whole hearts and all our strength to glorify him for this doth God challeng by vertue of our sonneship and his owne dominion Mal. 1.6 and this let us make the choise of our endevours Mat. 6.33 this let us value before our owne life Joh. 12.27 28. yea let us desire life chiefly for this end Psal 118.17 and unto this let us frame all the abilities we do enjoy whether inward or outward Prov. 3.9 Let every talent be imployed to the advantage of our great Lord and Master let every creature become a string to sound out Gods praise Psal 113.1 2. Let soule and body like well yoaked oxen draw in this yoake let all the members of the one and all the faculties of the other like an army of well trained souldiers fight these battles let