Acts of their Masters Grace and Bounty for those according to the Flesh would sooner retract their conceived Favours when another shall put in mind and give notice of what they would have voluntary from themselves and unexpected of others And therefore for my part I dare not speak out what God knows are my desires and innermost thoughts in submission to his Will and consistent with his Glory and other Attributes But as a fellow-Creature do intreat Men that they would not commit those things against which God hath manifested his severe Displeasure O that we may all behave our selves in the mean while though we cannot deserve the least Mercy yet to be in some measure worthy to escape those things which we have been fâ—reâ—old of and then we must not Sin yet more against him All the World may be assured it was never yet seen in any Nation Countrey or Language Ezek. 6. 10. for the Laws thereof to be Elusory or Vain but due Punishment doth overtake those who are Stubborn Despisers and continued Offenders There are abundance of Expressions of Gods Mercy in Scripture but they are commonly joyned with his Truth or something else to keep of people from presuming too much upon it as Psal 57. 3 10. 62. 12. 86. 5. 100. 5. And that Gracious Manifestation Exod. 34. 5 6. Where it is repeated many times that Mercy rejoyceth over Judgment yet there comes in a limitation That will by no means clear the Guilty The Threatning is as firm and abiding as any part of his Word and they are of Judgment when our Lord saith Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my VVords shall not pass away Mat. 24. 35. The Promise is confirmed by two immut able things wherein it was impossible for God to lie Heb. 6. 8. So of some he hath sworn that they Isa 54 10. shall not enter into his Rest Heb 3. 18. Both parts are ratified as much as can be Known to God are his Decrees and how he will be pleased to distribute to every one But the safest way is for us to have Apprehension of them according to Truth that we may be more careful to partake of his Favour and avoid his Wrath. Beware of those Doctrines which beget Presumption and Unconcernedness for the things are true as God hath Established if all the Learned in the World did argue or determine which way they would It is better to do those things required and avoid what is forbidden and so escape then to follow after what ends in Death to be unmindful or to dispute against it for now several things happen which we did either not think or say would not come Though some would release or mitigate yet they do not deny future Punishments but if they were only as the more favourable conception of them allows yet the Pain and Loss is much beyond the Pleasure or Conveniency of a short sinful Life for what is that to countervail the Romanists Purgatory or the opinion of a Thousand Years Torment and then a fiâ—al Dissolution The seeming good though present can never be a sufficient exchange for such an evil and deprivation of Happiness much less when the Torment is both Intolerable and Eternal The Commands of God are enforced with the greatest Arguments that can be And yet how few do regard them How is the World grown to be so Wicked and Ungodly And of those who come unto God how few do conform unto his whole Will Love and Serve him with all their Hearts One would admire unless he did consider the causes of so great Apostacy viz. Mans Corruption Unbelief Ignorance Deceits Satans Temptations there are many oâ—tward Objects to divert him Carnal and Temporal things do make him forget those that are Spiritual and Eternal which have a light and transient impression upon us and such like But all these hindrances may be taken away by the Grace and Revelalation of God. It is so ordered that Man must strive and give Diligence if ever he would be Happy there is enough left to prove him and to exercise his Care and Watchfulness Upon the whole There is a wise Establishment of things There The general Conclusion is a just Disposal for assistance is given and the means are put in our power The Members that have been yielded unto Sin and Iniquity may be made Members of Righteousness unto Holiness the Faculties and Powers were first designed and now may be restored unto good as they have been employed in evil It is a gracious Dispensation in that God encourages to those things which are for our Good and Happiness It is true for we are only taken from deceit and falshood from shew and appearance which ends in what is worse then nothing and are called forth to what is true and assured and real as any thing is All that we now see is but the Figure of the true even that Heaven and Earth which are to suceed Hearken and come near Oye Sons of Men do but Learn Know and Practice the things pertaining to Gods Kingdom for they are Just Wise and Conceivable also I want words to express their excellency I have written the Great things of thy Law but they were accounted as a strange thing Hos 8. 12. The like Imputation may be here cast upon what is brought out of the same Book of Scripture Many odd passages uncouth They know not what to make of them But let me tell any one that thinks so where the Strangeness of all lieth Even in Mans Transgression either the not observance of what is Commanded or doing those things which are contrary to the Laws of God and Truth When there was occasion to speak of those things uncommon expressions might fall The nature of things is the same but differently apprehended for some do live according to the Principles of Good and others do not some use the means to have their first Blindness and Ignorance taken away and others do not But where is universal Obedience and alike Knowledge what is Truth and sutable to one is likewise to another Where it is half and imperfect Prov. 8. 9. let him reflect upon that Duty or Sin which himself observes or avoids and see how that is explained by that he may measure whereof himself is Conscious and Guilty Had all continued alike Obedient as the Man after Gods own Heart they would give the same Praise and Commendation of his Law as is done Psal 119. but according to their several Sins Men think severally as they will. T is Lust and Iniquity That we might turn from our Iniquities and understand thy Truth Deu. 9. 13. that corrupt the Judgement or at least the outward Faculty from whence they think speak and do to vindicate themselves before their Acquaintance otherwise then they should But there is even in the Disobedient unless mightily defaced and suppressed the Spirit of the mind by which they can judge that the Law is
into things nor look beyond the present unto the end and consequent of them for if they did this they would not be deceived in that greatest Concern for every Soul would have the one and escape the other of Happiness or Misery Judge not according to appearance but righteous judgment That excessive Laughter and outward Noise which sometimes accompany the Pleasures of sin make ignorant undiscerning Persons stand in Admiration of it But is it not all like crackling of Thorns under a Pot which gives a blaze but no solid heat and is suddenly extinct Ye which rejoyce in a thing of nought Amos 6. 13. Is not your heart even in the midst thereof sorrowful How many Damps and uâ—heard Sighs are perceived from within by your selves amongst merry Company Are you not more pensive afterwards When you are alone if you can endure that and reflect the next morning are they not all vanished away as last nights Dream What odds between that and yesterdays Enjoyments Is this your utmost Happiness that is mixt broken of and interrupted Which day by day grows more tiresome and ceases to delight A whole Life so spent as between the last rising of the Sun and setting thereof doth not satifie at the instant utterly perishes and seems as if it had never been those Delights are not greatest which make most noise but rather shallow and hastily run away when true Satisfaction like deep Water is silent and full We may indeed shew forth outward Signs of Rejoycing for wherefore hath God given us Powers so to do if we might not Laugh He that doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men I am perswaded doth not delight to see a sad Countenance disfigured Faces or a Head hanging down like a Bulrush but Loves a cheerful Aspect as well as a Giver We may be Christians and Men still Both merry and facetious as far as consistent with the perfect Law of Liberty We may use the Creatures and Recreations in a moderate way and so they rellish more then running to the full Excess of Riot In the mean while we do not place our happiness in them We esteem them as Blessings and are thankful but do not rest contented being designed for greater things we do not use them as the chiefest Good nor consume most of our time and care in them as the manner of some is Who therefore term us Melancholly and stupid but themselves are more properly brutish Why should they accuse any one for not being exceeding Cheerful in those things which cannot make the Owners so That Aspersion is generally cast upon all Gods Servants as if his ways were nothing but Sowreness and Misery and so discourage others It is unworthy to bring an evil Report of the Land they never searched their words are not much minded who speak evil of the things they know not But it is much worse in the Spies who say they have knowledge and experience if they do lessen it in a whispering and indirect manner it is because themselves did flightly view and so away they had a secret Prejudice before and came in as it were by force and for their own safety But had they went through and into the midst of it diligently observed all things dwelt there for some time the longer the better they will perceive the Goodness thereof By that time they have continued as long there as in the wilderness of sin they will like it much more somewhat is to be allowed to a state of Tryal consequently Temptations an imperfect knowledge those remainders of Original corruption which are so many weights that we must carry along in the Christian race but still by Gods aid we can go through here with more Contentment then others in their ways But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righâ—eousness and all these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. Such Provisions and Accomodations as are necessary for your Journey if you have them not in so great abundance yet you shall in a more excellent way your Life is more sweet and comfortable then those who have Riches or Estate The Apostle ranks those among the enemies of the Cross of Christ who mind Earthly things Phil. 3. 18 19. and therefore 't is improper to insist upon Considerations drawn from them unless they lead up towards the Heavenly The knowledge of God and Eternity make all things besides seem little and momentary for the greater will obscure the less as the Sun doth the Light of Moon and Stars Now because most say with their mouths God is their chiefest good Heaven their end when their Heart runs after temporal things unless his Word did discover it in plain and true Sayings we should be at a loss how to find out their Hypocrisie or put a difference between making them the principal or subordinate end Where is such a cumbring about many things and so little or lazy regard to the one thing needful That earnest care and greater degree of affection after one then the other will manifest their Pretences to be lying and vain for it is a certain Rule Where is Faith and Love of God that Man will not commit sin or leave Duty undone to accomplish present things And if he did sincerely intend for Heaven he would not do those things which lead contrary as that Word which makes known the place and way doth expresly declare Men would not be so mightily concerned for a moment no more then they are for one Nights Lodging upon a journey if they had a real Sense of Eternity If it was not for this great end all Mens doings are vain their Divertisements would be as the flyings of a Swallow during its appointed time their heaviness and misery as the Mournings of a Dove which would be ended Whatever delights or afflicts soon passeth away and we are gone To talk of their Good and Evil would be as impertinent as now it is to lay down Rules for having the tickling of a Feather or prevent the scratchings of a Pin. Their goings up and down would be as the moving of a shadow which is lost in darkness The deep thoughts of Heart dreams followed with a dead and eternal Sleep Great swelling words like a voice crying in the wilderness instantly perish and signifie nothing Those fancied worthy and great Actions just carry on that small Variety which is in the course of the World but little more then what Beasts do in their several kinds all things would be small and inconsiderable in this Life of Vanity barely appear and be forgotten If there was an utter end and no more it would be an idle as it is now unacceptable Office to use any words about them But seeing the Case is otherwise there is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58. 11. He hath given a Law to those several Generations that pass through here to govern them by All those things which seem to be vanished and gone by
burning by a meer perswasion only then also men might escape the damnation of Hell by only thinking there is no such thing To argue there is no God because the Foâ—l hath said so in his heart Psal 14. 1. is as ridiculous as it would be for one to pretend to extinguish the light of the Sun by shutting his eyes Let them think he is not or he sleepeth doth not concern himself with the affairs of Mankind yet himself hath said I AM THAT I AM Exod. 3. 14. and declares himself in that Magnificent manner Deut. 32. 40 41 42 43. So let all the world say to the contrary it signifieth not The word he hath spoken shall stand and he will do according to it let all mankind dispute or think what they will. If they will not believe they must perish in their unbelief if they do that but will not give heed to obey the truth thereof they also shall be punished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Both these are follies so great that there wants a name to express them yet this last seems to be greatest for there are in Scripture such forcible arguments to obedience that who believes must be as absolute a fool or madman if they do not work upon him as he who refuses a great Estate when offered or run himself into a fire when he may pass by and avoid it Go ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. said our Lord to his Disciples Which may prevent the Whispering of Court-Chaplains that Christ gave no command to Kings if they are not Creatures they have an immunity from Gods Law otherwise not When only in Judah God was known he expected Obedience from the King thereof all one as from the People yea rather more for the spirit of God takes particular notice who served him and who did not with account of those Mercies and Judgments they received accordingly as every one knows who doth read the Old Testament But now the fulness of time is come to which belongs that â—rophesie Kings shall be her nursing Fathers and Queens her nuâ—sing Mothers It was some considerable time after Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth before any King or Emperour was converted to the Faith and even now it is only so of one part of the World defaced with much Corruption Wickedness and Ignorance So we are to expect a further and universal fulfilling of Isa 60 3. 11. Psal 72 11. Psal 102. 15 22. Rev. 11. 15. and chap. 21. vers 24 26. Themselves are subject to the only Potentate the King immortal invisible and only Wise God if they are so â—reely he accepts thereof but if they will reign wholly themselves and not let him reign over them if they do not glorify the God in whâ—sâ— hand their breath is Dan. 5. 23. he will account with them when that is taken away and manifest that he is stronger They are Potsherds of the Earth though of the largest size yet between them and their Maker is but alike difference being infinite in both as between the High and Lofty one and the meanest Man. They came here to the same end and purpose as others they also were designed to set forth the glory of God though in a more eminent manner they are made to act according to his Laws both as they relate to their private capacity as Men and to the publick of Kings as they must answer for themselves to the Lord who is high above all the Earth who is exalted far above all Gods Psal 97. 9. Happy is he who doth comply with this will of the Almighty That hath learnt to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of his Law and his Statutes to do them whose heart is not lifted up above his Brethren and doth not turn aside from the Commandment to the right hand or to left to the end he may prolong his days in his Kingdom he and his Children in the midst of Israel Deut. 17. 19 20. In his own Country and Dominion that ended he may be received up into Gods Kingdom above for this promise is come in under the Gospel Neither is the other taken away but rather obscured that is not so much mentioned under the Manifestation of the Greater the like promise remains still annexed to the first Commandment Ephes 6. 2 3. And here is the alike reason The observation of the conditions of the promise do according to Gods establishment of things tend towards the obtaining of it and so on the contrary it is of the threatnings which come on by sin and ignorance But further Gods special providence is over his own People and more particularly over his Anointed It is he that giveth Salvation unto Kings Psal 144. 10. Not that all good Kings have always temporal deliverances for there is the example of Josiah who had that excellent Character 2 Kings 23. 25. The reason of whose untimely Death seems to be given in the verse following If God doth sometimes let the Righteous fall his wayes are justice and goodness it is not for ever for it will be abundantly made up in the day of recompence But Jehosaphat sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments and not after the doings of Israel therefore the Lord established the Kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehosaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance 2 Chron. 17. 4 5. Something may be hence gathered for God is the same still No accepter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. Let the King be assured that if he cleaves unto God with his whole heart and puts away Idolatry and false Worship he shall have Temporal or Eternal Salvation that most commonly this most certainly but rather both It is so well pleasing unto God when those obey him whom he hath placed in the highest Room on Earth that he rewards them here and hereafter To rule according to Gods Commandments is the most safe way to preserve them in the Royal Seat of their Ancestors In mercy shall the Throne be established and he shall sit upon it in Truth in the Tabernacle of David judging and seeking judgment and hasting Righteousness Isa 16. 5. Did not thy Father Eat and Drink and do Judgment and Justice and then it was well with him be judged the cause of the Poor and Needy then it was well with him was not this to know me saith the Lord Jer. 22. 16. Every one that hath but the common sence of humanity must love honour and obey him and these will be such a safe-guard to his person that those his implacable Enemies whom no goodness can overcome will be forced to lick the dust for a Good
Wrath is kindled but a little They should fully consider whether those things God forbids and they will do can yield them more contentment and satisfaction in proportionable degree and duration then the things he commands and they refuse otherwise their Disobedience will be most unreasonable and foolish for they lose exceeding and eternal happiness and expose themselves to the like misery Certainly all the Enjoyments of this present time cannot make recompence for the torments to be revealed hereafter but what if it should be said further The pleasures of Sin for a season even whilst that season is do deprive of greater happiness then they bring and men are made more miserable by them In the very time they are so eagerly followed and had it would be better if the man had not used them If it can be made evidently to appear that living according to the Gospel renders more happy in this Life then taking the full swinge of Licentiousness and besides there is the consideration of a different futurity then it will be clearly demonstrated that there 's no such Fool as the Sinner And God is most gracious in providing so well for mankind and they without cause are malicious evil imprudent Psal 25. 3. and stubborn in not complying with his Grace and Goodness With the greatest Reason and Equity Judgments are prepared for Scorrers and Stripes for the back of Fools Prov. 19. 29. What more could have been done to bring men unto Heaven then by so ordering the matter that they shall be more happy in going the way to it then they could in the broad way that leads to destruction Here a doubt may arise from being thus differently named Mat. 7 13 14. They are thus called by reason of the difficulty of the one and out of observation and prophetick foresight that it hath and will have so few Travellers until the time of universal Reformation spoken of Isa 60. 15 21 22. And the other because of its easiness at first and those many who walk therein Now it doth not follow because a thing is more easie it is more satisfying for then slothful Persons would be more happy then those who undertake good and noble designs which are attended with difficulty Since our Nature is so much depraved by the fall we should of our selves slide down insensibly into Hell And that saying of our Lord Mat. 7. 13. Luke 13. 24. doth respect us as we are in our natural condition for we must put forth strength to go upwards to the holy Hill. It is said Strive to enter in at the strait Gate the Word imports exerting the utmost might but no mention is made of such exceeding striving when one is in It is indeed called the narrow Way but the way of the Righteous is made plain Prov. 15. 19. And one may better travel in a Road inclosed of both sides then those who stumble in their wayes from the ancient Paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Or in those crooked Paths which whosoever goeth in shall not know Peace Isa 59. 8. Or who wander over Mountains Rocks and Deserts where lies no way these meet with greater Hardship Danger and uncertainty at long run The great difficulty and unpleasantness is in coming into the way of the Lord in passing by the other which is crowded with so many Gallants and a great multitude of all sorts which also hath a shew of smoothness and making choice of this which at first seems rugged a dry Ground and nothing of invitation therein The Devil makes big and noble Promises of what he will give to those who serve him All the Pleasure and Contentment in the World this they shall have presently and not tarry for it When the Son of Man comes He hath no Form or Comâ—lâ—nâ—ss and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him He is desâ—ised and rejected of Men a Man of Sorrowâ— and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our Faces from him Isa 53. 2 3. We do not at first discover any Loveliness in him there is no external Pomp or Greatness nor outward shew to ravish our Eyes He is laughed at in the World and we are apt to be ashamed of him Such we should be our selves look pitiful and little not worthy to be accounted of And then he makes no such Proffers of present advantage but Talks of Self-denial cutting of ones right hand hating Father and Mother and abundance of hard sayings so that who would come unto him If we were to confer with Flesh and Blood that is for present ease And will not admit what is in the least harsh and irksome Yet if we would consult with the Spirit of our Minds which can try and foresee things which willingly submits to a less trouble for Attainment of a greater good and avoiding a worse Evil Which doth not judge according to appearance but righteous Judgment which looks upon so much boasting and pretending as the usual Concomitants of Emptiness and Deceit On the other hand spies out a great deal of Excellency under a little outward shew Which is apt to suspect those who make large Promises and gives Credit when no more is promised then will be certainly performed Such an one will go after Christ He speaks in a modest way Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my yoâ—e upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest to your Souls Mat. 11. 28 29. Only Rest the easiness of a Yoke and Lightness of a burden may seem but small things in Comparison to those offered on the other hand for there is one holds forth a Marvellous Lightsomeness and Cheerfulness of mind to them who are melancholy and sad If they come unto him he will not bring them at all into Subjection or Bondage Nothing shall be laid on their Necks yet their Souls shall enjoy all Happiness his Service is pleasant and easie He is wonderful frank he is for giving at one time all the Kingdoms of the World and Glory of them But stop Do they all make good that Satisfaction which mankind so eagerly desire and the Deceiver so much boasts of Do they set at Liberty or the more bring into Bondage For all the high Talk of him who was a Lyar from the beginning those seeming little and Contemptible offers of our Lord and Saviour do exceed all his That Joy Peace and substantial Blessedness Christ gives unto his Servants may appear more excellent then all those Pleasures and lying Vanities with which Satan beguiles his followers Perhaps he hath the advantage at the beginning but not at long run his Proselites seem jocund and brisk at first but they are not so always And if the Servant of the Most High God is dull and heavy at first setting out neither shall he be so always His joy increases but the
rather wilful perverting some places of the Old Testament have cryed up Zeal for the Lord of Hosts have rebelled against and even killed the Lords anointed on this wicked Pretence He re again the Teachers of the People did cause them to err But suppose the utmost should be granted they did counted for which yet is not That Rebellion was lawful to the Jeâ—s it can be no more inferred that it is lawful to us Christians then Revenge of private Injuries which was allowed to them We live under another Law and Dispensation Ye have heard that it hath been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn to him the other also Mat. 5. 38 39. there the Doctrine of Non-resistance is set down and further enforced Rom. 13. 1 2. No Zeal is according to the Gospel which stirs up to Sedition and Rebellion If we would have it approved by God it must be ordered according to the Rules laid down there otherwise it is Sin and Madness There is another mistake concerning Zeal of those who punctually observe their own Traditions and are very exact in paying Tythe of Mint Anise and Cummin but omitted the weightier Matters of the Law Judgment Mercy and Faith Mat. 23. 23. Thus did the Pharisees of old And whether some of late have not been more zealous for a Ceremony then Holiness and the Love of God their own Conscience knows and their Actions have discovered We should be zealous for every thing according to its Proportion for the Commandments of God in the first place then for the things which Minister unto Decency and Order for seeing they may both stand together those are necessâ—ry and must be done the other if Authority had not established them might have been left undone however they are to be preferred which are of Divine Institution and Substantials of Religion before those which are Humane and Circumstantials only Hope is a right Application of the Promises in Scripture unto Of Hope our selves Those were many in the Old Testament But by Jesus our Lord are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1. 2 4. This is the Promise that he hath Promised even eternal Life 1 John 2. 25. In hope of eternal Life which God that cannot lye promised before the World began But hath in due times manifested his word through Preaching Tit. 1. 2 3. for Discovery hath been made thereof by little and little It was contained in those general Expressions The Lord the hope of their Fathers Jer. 50. 7. Hope in God Psal 146. 5. and so Heb. 11. 13 16. He was not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City They had Confidence God would do something more for his Servants then temporal and present Mercies for they were also common to others But as he is just and good so he would make some requital for obedience that Hardship and Inconvenience they met with from the World for his sake Which they did expect hereafter in another place God was the same then and his Decrees alike sure though they were not so clearly made known unto Men. And therefore now it is called Hope which entreth into that within the Vail Heb. 6. 19. a better Hope Heb. 7. 19. a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1. 3. all in opposition to those faint Guesses and imperfect Knowledge they had thereof under the Law. They had but a dull and glimmering Prospect beyond tâ—e Earthly Canaan but now Christ hath brought Life and immortality to Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. Herein is comprised greater and more durable Happiness then is possible to conceive That may serve to stir us up but otherwise it doth not signifie to expect or talk of great things if we did not know how to come at or should be disappointed of them But blessed be God we are both taught the way and if we use the means as they are put in our Power we shall certainly obtain for he is faithful that promised Heb. 10. 23. The way and means are shewed in Scripture and may be briefly comprehended in these Texts Lord I have hoped for thy Salvation and done thy Commandments Psal 119. 166. And every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 John 3. 3. Hope puts upon Obedience and Action otherwise it is vain and false It is an idle and dangerous Delusion to flatter our selves with the good things God hath prepared for them that love him if we do not or if we say we do and yet not keep his Commandments If hope alone will bring a Man to Heaven Why will it not get him Money 1 John 5. 3. or Estate here on Earth Why will it not provide him necessaries for Life Every one Laughs at him who doth neither Plow nor Sow and yet saith He hopes for a good Crop at Harvest It is alike foolish and deceiving in him who expects to be an Inhabitant of the New Jerusalem and yet walks not in the way which leads thither He may now â—ooth himself with what fancies he will but in the end will find his thoughts shall be as a Dream of a Night Vision as when an hungry Man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his Soul is empty His idle imagination may suggest unto him that he is just ready to receive the Crown of Glory but when he comes to appear before God in Judgment and is throughly rouzed out of Carnal security he may be sent another way If only thinking would secure a Man none would go to Hell for the wicked and ungodly hope to escape that Which makes them go on still in their Course for did they really believe themselves should be cast into a Furnace of Fire for having done iniquity Mat. 13. 42. they would no more do so then one now will drink a Glass of seeming pleasant Liquor in which he knew was rank Poison Either men do not believe that place or Fancy they shall some way avoid or they must be the veriest Fools to go the direct way to it They dare not think God to be a Lyar for fear he should manifest the contrary on themselves And then they must not deny the immutability and truth of his Word which is confirmed so often Isa 40. 8. Isa 55. 10 11. Mat. 24. 35. John 12. 48. 1 Pet. 1. 25. And then how can thou hope O Man when that saith The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolaters nor Thieves nor Coveâ—ous nor Drunkards shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. And yet thou shalt when some of them thou Art and dost continue We are sure the Judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things And then how canst thou hope to escape it See Rom. 2. v.
more upon their own Head. We see how far the Corruption in us would go if not hindred even to all manner of Evil and iniquity like a mighty Torrent would bear down all before it If Men were left to themselves and might do what was right in their own eyes as they were once in such a Condition when there was no King in Israel as is declared before the most horrible Judg. 19. Relation ever done under the Sun there would be nothing but Tribulation and Anguish Weeping and Lamentation through the Earth continual Fears would arise from the strivings of the People But Blessed be our God who stilleth the noise of the Waves when they arise and ruleth the raging of the Sea and the madness of the People If that had no bounds it would quickly over-spread the Face of the Earth and the other if not kept in would bring an universal Dâ—lâ—ge not only upon the Vngoaly but the Servants of God and the Compass of this lower World would be one entire Aceldama a Field of Blood. He hath sent Kings and Governours for the Punishment of evil doers and for thâ— praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. The Word which God sent unto the Children of Israel preaching Peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. Amongst other Dâ—ties doth Command submission to Kings and Magistrates and forbids the contrary No Rebellion whatsoever is lawful A real good end will not sanctifie it much less those false and specious Ones wherewith it is often accompanied It is a slanderous Report of the Gospel That some affirm thereof as if it did allow to do evil that good may come Rom. 3. 8. God revealed himself otherwise of Old. He is the Rock his Work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity Hab. 1. 13. For I the Lord love judgment I hate Robbery for Burnt-offering Isa 61. 8. Will ye speak wâ—â—kedly for Gâ—d and talk deceitfully for â—im Job 13. 7. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal 145. 17. More Texts might be alledged to manifest that his Glory is not to be advanced by sinful means Indeed this cannot be for it would be contrary to his infinite purity and uprightness with whom dwells no shadow of Evil. But Experience hath discovered that when some have designed Rebellion for their own Ambition Interest and Revenge they must have a Fig-leave to hide it from simple People whom they 2 Sam. 15. 8. 11. draw on their side And what can be better then Absoloms Vow Religion and the Glory oâ— God as hath been the method of former Ages this hath been made use of as a Pretence to further their own damned Enterprizes Good God! That thy Name should be so abused by vile Miscreants that thou who dost abhor and hast revealed thy Wrath against all unrighteousness of Men shouldst Rom. 1. 18. be made use of to Patronize it as if thou werâ— such an one thy self I am astonished to think of this horrible perverting of thy Ways and Nature Men would not dare do thus but thou holdest thy Tongue Hab. 1. 13. Otherwise there could be no Tryal whither they would do thus or not But notwithstanding all the Practices of wicked Hypocrites through which Strangers and the Ignorant may mis-apprehend the God whom we serve thou wilt be justified when thou speakest and clear when thou judgest at the last and great day And even now thou art in this and all other Matters as thou speakest in thâ— Word The Author of the New Testament observed by his own Example what he taught and commanded to others when he was betraâ—ed into the hands of wicked Men though he could have had more then twelve Legions of Angels yet made â—ot the least opposition He was the Son of God King of Kings and Lord of Lords and consequently exempt from paying of Tribute to Mat. 17. them yet rather then he would give offence he wrought a Miracle for the Payment thereof And hath left this standing Commandment to all his Followers Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesars Mat. 22. 21. which is more particularly explained Rom. 13. Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Ye must needs be subject not only for Wrath but for Câ—â—science sake These things are as much due to the Supreme Magistrate as it is from a Child to a Parent he hath Right to them from his Subjects as they have to their own Goods or Estate The Doctrine of Loyalty and Obedience to Governors is laid down in as plain Terms as any other Duty in the Gospel and are sufficient to convince him who Acts in Sincerity and Truth But those which are Presumptuous Self-willed 2 Pet. 2. 10. of turbulent and factious Spirits have found out some little and trifling Evasions against these express Texts There is a way in the World of putting Interpretations when there is no more need of them then of the most plain obvious Expression But this is a Trick either to wrest or make the Commandments of God of none effect The wicked thus vindicate or palâ—iate their Transgression and others in alike manner justifie Rebellion Let all Men in general remember and take heed that the great â—aw-giver when every one comes to give Account before him will not be trifled with Such ways and devices will not now pass in Humane Courts and Judicatories They have so much the more to Answer for by prevaricating the way of the Most High making his Word as it were a Nose of Wax some have Blasphemously called it so to stamp any Impression and mould it to any shape as serves their base Sinister turns In the end such Men will find that the All-wise God will not be outwitted by them The Criminals are not to make their own Construction of the Laws against which they have offended but must receive according to his righteous Judgment when what is written Rom. 1. 18. Rom. 2. 8. Shall be executed and found true Thus some who seem to be Religious Confess Men ought to pay Obedience unto Governours but then they say these Commands extend only to those Kings who love Christ and themselves live obedient to his Law. And whether they do or not private Persons are made Judges and if they think such an one doth not Subjects may lawfully disobey and rebel against him If this should be granted No King howsoever good or righteous would be safe in his Person for so apt are Men in judging the worst especially of those above them that they would censure him to be a prophane Prince or Hypocrite If he was another David a man after Gods own heart why he was hated and spoken
man some would even dare to die Rom. 5. 7. But for preservation of a good King thousands will venture their lives and undergo the greatest extremity He is happy in the good-will and affection of his Subjects they will rejoyce and praise God on his behalf to see him also zealous for his glory that he would suffer all Godly and Faithful Ministers that a stop may be put to that torrent of iniquity which is a vexation to behold In his dayes shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moon endureth Prayer also shall be mane continually for him and daily shall he be praised Psal 72. 4 7 15. The Common-wealth will be then happy when Kings are Christians not in name or title but when they live and govern according to the Rules of the Gospel When they are Obedient to God diligent in his Worship and Ordinances exercise all manner of Righteousness and Justice towards their people and themselves observe Temperance and Sobriety and so manage all their Actions as Men that indeed look for a Judgment to come There is an excellent Scheme laid down better then that of Antient or Modern Polititians which stands in no need of them for it hath Providence and Wisdom from above and will make a Prince renowned for all Ages It will give him satisfaction of mind that is in beginning for the utmost happiness here is Light Sowen Psal 97. 11. A laying in of Joy and Peace as Seed to the future Harvest of Extasy and Glory His glory is great in thy Salvation Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him Psal 21. 5. I hope none of the Grandees of the Earth think otherwise that Religion doth not thus much but seems to them an undervaluing of Majesty as rather calculated for low sneaking and not for noble Spirits Least any who term themselves brave Souls should say so in the heart for they will not with the tongue for fear of betraying their own infidelity and ignorance let this short question be put to them the first words of the Creed Whether they do believe in God And those descriptions given of him confirmed by his visible works Deut. 10. 17. 1 Kings 8. 27. Psal 18. vers 7. to vers 16. Psal 113. 4. Job 11. 7 8 9. 37. 22. Isa 40. throughout Jer. 10. 6 10. Dan. 4. 35. 7. 10. Rom. 11. 36. 1 Tim. 6 15 16. and many other like places It may not be surmised that the Spirit bearing Witness of it self should over magnify for there seems to be an higher strain then all these Wisd 11. 22. Ecclus 43. 27. 30. Who considers but the least of such an infinite Glorious Being can no more think it a dishonour for the greatest Emperor to prostrate himself with his face to the ground in Dust and Ashes before this High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity then it would be for the most abject fellow to kneel before him This comparison is sufficient proof but comes not near for the distance between Almighty God and the greatest personage on Earth exceeds that between him and the most contemptible fly Now if the vilest inâ—ect should open its Mouth and say it was as Man should we therefore think so Or if the meanest beggar should speak out that it was a disgrace for him to be uncovered before My Lord the King we could not but be moved with indignation at his Pride and Folly. Yet I wish it be not thus among too many who are neither Kings nor Lords but take as much upon them who being purse proud have not only lifted up their hearts above their Brethren it is for the poorer sort to be Religious forsooth they think themselves too good to be in subjection Deut. 8. 13 14. unto the Lord their Maker If Kings and Princes are not much less are they for if the matter be considered aright it must be acknowledged Whatever the World esteems greatness there is none greater then he that feareth the Lord It is meet and right so to do even for Angels and Arch-Angels and all the Host of Heaven much more is it for those that dwell in Houses of Clay for they also are in this little mouldring Tenement who inhabit Palaces and larger Buildings and therefore let them not absurdly conceive that an under-valuing which is their Highest Honour to be Servants of the Lord. An illustrious Example of this we have in David 2 Sam. 6. When the Ark was brought up himself played before the Lord and Danced with the rest of the People And Michal Sauls Daughter looked through a Window and saw King David Leaping and Dancing before the Lord and she despised him and came out to meet him and said How glorious was the King of Isrâ—â—l to day who uncovered himself to day in the Eyes of the Handmaid of his Servants as one of the vain Fellows shamelesly uncovereth himself * To be Noted by the way of the silly proud Women of this and former Ages who have mean thoughts of their Husbands if they serve God as if not so Gentile and Men of Honour as others they will use to them or others privately the like contemptuous Language David here was so far from being discouraged that he is more confirmed in his Duty I will be yet more vile then thus and will be base in mine own sight His resolution was to do as he ought before he examine other consequences I will play before the Lord. His praise was not of Men but of God he had rather be approved of by him and despised of them then to be had in honour by them and despised by him Such must be the mind of those of the more exalted condition who will enter into his service and expect his favour I am the Lord that is my Name and my Glory I will not give to another neither my praise to graven Images Isa 42. 8. Nor yet to living Men he will not allow of that the things which please him shall be dispensed withall for pleasing others Whosoever will not come unto him or afterwards leave undone several Acts of Duty for fear of diminishing his Honour and Reputation in the World he may stay away for he lightly esteems of the Rock of his Salvation He is unworthy of the Favour and Blessing of God who will part with them for a puff of breath from talking Worms of the Earth which neither is so High Universal or Loud as the Wind which passeth away Here will arise another short Gale of Exhortation As for Man his days are as Grass as a Flower of the Field so he flourisheth for the Wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more Psal 103. 15 16. An exact resemblance of our Condition in this World but of a different Reflection to two several sorts of Men. It is matter of Vexation to them who have their Portion in this Life and have none assurance of that which
13. 18 Yet they shall be sure to receive the just recompence of them in that which is to come There is no holding the Spirit in it will fly out there do what thou canst and least it should be then nothing but shivering and horrour Repent therefore of thy Wickedness if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee Acts 8. 22. Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God. When this is done thou 2 Cor. 10. 5. wilt think it as much thy duty and business to obey God as it is of the poorest Man. To the Poor the Gospel is Preached Luke 7. 22. Those who are rich and high in their own conceits will not receive it so far as to obtain the benefits thereof Christ is a Prince and a Saviour they are both joyned together and his government reaches to the inward Man to allay those swelling thoughts and order them aright Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5. 3. They are meet partakers thereof for 't is not riches but trusting in them that hinder from thence Neither need they fear from Luke 16. 19. For poor Lazarus was in rich Abrahams Bosome so there are of both sorts If they that buy be as though they possessed not and they that use this world as not abusing it although they have never so much thereof yet through the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ they shall be saved as well as others They may still conceive themselves to be so as who have not such abundance and with what remains over deducting for the necessity and conveniency of their Families out of which also a portion is to be laid aside for the Poor give Alms and maintain gook Works This seems to be the design of the Gospel as appears by the several precepts and the practise of primitive Christians not only of those Acts 2. 45. for that community was not then of necessary obligation Acts 5. 4. but those further on for some centuries who if they were rich did mightily abound in Liberality and Alms giving for relief of Christs poor Brethren I am moved with indignation as often as I think of that Emperor who in a pious disposition resigned the Throne or hear of any other who by a single and imprudent refusal at once deprives himself of Ability for exercising a thousand Acts of Charity and opportunity of well doing and consequently of a greater reward Whereas the higher station Men are in they may do God more service and their goodness be exemplary If we search to the bottom this mistaken way doth rather proceed from pride then self-denial for the reason thereof seems to be that they could not so well come down to those base things of the World and the things which are despised 1 Cor. 1. 28. Which they rightly think themselves in Conscience bound to do but they can better do it once for all then several repeated times whereas Humility is more acceptable the more often it is used and from those of more exalted condition That thing of Gentility if strictly examined is but a vain Word according to the judgment of reason and therefore people need not be so offended because the Christian Profession requires not to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Persons Jam. 2. 1. The Apostle doth not design to confound all the order that is in the World but chiefly intends those rich Men who were Heathens and without the Church as appears vers 6. 7. For such a Character could not belong to Christians at that time But still it is so far obligatory that we are not to give reverence as the World gives only upon the account of their fine clothes or wealth Nor are they hence to take liberty to wax proud and despise their poor Brethren whom God hath chosen rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him and therefore others should not keep them of Nor are they to imagine the distance between God and themselves is not quite so great as between him and the Poor for what now makes the difference Will â—e esteem thy Riches no not Gold nor all the forces of strength Job 36. 19. That accepteth not the person of Princes nor regardeth the Rich more then the Poor for they are all the work of his hands Job 34. 19. so Psal 62. 9. He seeth not as Man seeth for Man looketh on the outward appearance and if there be gayety without hath a wonderful conceit of him as some goodly one but the Lord looketh on the Heart and if that be evil notwithstanding the fine out-side Amos. 6. 8. such an one is as odious in his sight as the most abject contemptible person is in ours Let none say in his heart My obedience is so much the more acceptable and I deserve better of Gods hands because I am Noble or Rich in the World and I come to serve him when I could serve divers lusts and pleasures What then It is thy bounden duty so to do as well as it is of the meanest What thanks doth he deserve who doth only what is Luke 17. his duty to do As our Lord hath told us in a familiar instance but thou sayest thou canst do otherwise as others of like Condition do So likewise can your Servants do contrary to what you Command them but what must they expect then To incur thy Displeasure and be turned out of thy Service and it may be thou mayest Command him to be beaten and kicked off this is all thou canst do And if thy self dost not obey our Master which is in Heaven but do thine own Will his Indignation and Punishment will be worse then all this Thou mayest enjoy the Pleasures of sin for a Season if thou wilt but in so doing thou shalt not only lose the recompence of Reward but procure to thy self never ending Pains and then what wilt thou get by the Bargain Some will surmize this to be strange Doctrine to Gentlemen especially whose peculiar priviledge it is to be devoted unto Pleasure if it were not for this they would not differ from others But are not all under the same God and equally obliged to do according as he requires And surely also it is their principal design to be Happy both now and hereafter all one as they desire to live pleasantly next Year as well as this They are whether they think of it or not Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth as their Fathers were So the present Condition is not to be accounted of for it is nothing in Comparison of what shall succeed and therefore it should be ones whole business to neglect this and do all things to secure a future Happiness for this in a short time will be done away and seem all one as if it had never been Even at this instant it may be observed
into such a Sleep that he knows not whether he is tumbling notwithstanding he comes to a fearful end One dead in Trespasses and Sins perceives not whether he tends when he is just dropping into the Fire yet as soon as he is there he is sensible to a Witness and so will remain for evermore Whatever gnorant By-standers may think such a sort of Death must be a sad sight to all knowing Christians for who can approve of what is occasioned by unbelief gross Ignorance or habitual Wickedness All which Seal men up to the Day of Destruction There is a great difference between this and the end of the Righteous for the one is Senceless and Calls not upon God but in a general way as Lord have mercy upon me or the like which any one may do if he be never so ungodly But the other can express his Peaceable Condition and shew forth good Grounds of hope and call upon God his Saviour with that feelingness which no Stranger to the Covenant of Grace can Righteousness delivereth from Death Prov. 11. 4. It preserves from all the dreadfulness thereof which nothing besides doth Wickedness shall not deliver those who are given unto it but is the cause of all that Misery which this binds Men over unto Let them ruffle and sport themselves never so much their End is coming They must sicken and go away to Account for all their Frolick and Madness There is set before thee a good and evil Death one you must have and therefore be sure to choose the best Be good and do Good and thou shalt never die amiss When thou art wearied with Labour all the days of thy Life this will set thee at Rest but if thou art not willing and obedient thou mayest drudge on still without any hope for after toil here will succeed endless pains according as now thou behavest thy self thou shalt fare well or ill hereafter So will it be with Thee and Me. For we must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. When the Sun shall become black as a Sackcloth of Hair and the Moon become as Blood and the Heavens shall depart as a Reâ— 6. scroll roled together The trump of the Arch-Angels shall sound and the Dead shall hear and leap out of their Graves like frighted Men. Neither greatness nor smallness shall excuse from coming forth The mighty Men and every bond Man and every free Man hid themselves This will be more dreadful then a blazing Comet or the greatest Thunder and Lightning It may be we have no business at those Assizes which are holden twice a Year but at this general Grave-delivery which is kept once for all our dead bodies shall arise and every one of us shall give account of himself to God Rom. 14. 12. Mens hearts will fail them for fear and if conscious to themselves of evil will wish that they might return into this World again to live over their past life for then they would be better provided But when the Prisoner comes to be tried is he let go free only upon his bare saying he will not Steal nor commit Murder any more No he must answer for what he hath done We know it before hand that when it shall come we may have no excuse or plea that of this and every day of our life after years of Discretion we are in danger to be called to account Although at present we make a mock of sin we follow it with Greediness and Merriment valuing it as a matter of naught yet when God enters into Judgment what was formerly so light in Opinion will â—â—nk them down into the bottomless Pit. There is no other way to escape this but now even now to judge our selves that we be not judged nor condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 31 32. God now commandeth all Men every where to repent because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained Acts 17. 30. 31. The good have no reason to fear because they are to be judged by him who is now their advocate with the Father and the propitiation for their sins 1 John 2. 1 2. They may have boldness in the day of Judgment because as he is so are they in this World 1 John 4. 17. But as for those who by continued doing the Works of the Devil in as much as in them lies build up that which he came to destroy shall receive from his Mouth that terrible Sentence Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels When the Words are gone forth these shall go away into everlasting Punishment Mat. 25. 46. Did we see this doleful herd as they are going we should fear What God hath said by his Son must come to pass so it will be as certainly as if we now saw it with our eyes What can be more forcible to make us take the utmost heed that our selves be not among them To whom the Summers heat seems so grievous and every little spark that falls upon the body so painful How can they abide to lye down in everlasting fire Who now think it so irksome to tarry a few and evil days here on Earth though they have several good ones intermingled How can they endure to be in Hell for thousands and millions of Years without an hour of comfort or the least freedom from Misery Let me ask thee O Man suppose thou â—awest a Fiery Furnace and there thou mightest continue alive for a thousand Years how much of the Worlds pleasure wouldst thou require to undergo the torment thereof for that time I am confident thou wouldst not take all the delights under the Sun all thy life long And why then wilt thou for the pleasures of sin for a season bring upon thy Body and Soul those Eternal Plagues The damned are set forth in Scripture suffering all those evils which are now accounted greatest in the World. What is all this for But to make the more hast to escape from the Stormy Wind and Tempest By the same reason that we flee from the face of a Serpent the Sword of a devouring Enemy to save our selves from Fire or Water or any thing which would hurt We are also obliged to avoid the damnation of Hell for this will more torment then all those things pâ—t together That is to be done by fearing the Lord our God and keeping his Commandments for he hath prepared those things only for the wicked and disobedient that none should be so As the Punishments are severe enough to frighten from Transgression so is the Reward sufficient to encourage any Soul to Obedience It is described by those things which are now most apt to raise our desires and stir up our industry towards obtaining of
his days though with the utmost Skill and Dexterity He that is very diligent in gathering Straws and leaves none behind him will never pass for a Wise man. Let the bundle be every day bigger yet if never so great it is all to a vain Purpose The result of the whole is that God hath provided for mankind Bags which wax not Old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Luke 12. 33. unto which he now calls and invites them to accept of in the mean while he Commands to abstain from what is an hindrance to this which also is hurtful and disquieting It is better trusting unto him then seeking unto the Creature His Goodness and Wisdom are justified yea to be admired and complyed withal Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 15. CHAP. X. Of Anger Wrath Hatred Malice Envy BEfore hath been considered that inordinate Love and Desire after Meat Drink Women and Money the several Idols of this lower World which draw after them such a multitude of Followers by holding forth the outward shew of Good and Happiness But upon the strict and through inquiry every one must acknowledge it is not in me The Man is cheated all the while he may stumble over among and within them all seeking Rest and finding none God is the chief and only Good Who ever left him and prospered It is as impossible to be Happy without him as that there should be light of Noon-day when the Sun is under this part of the Earth Nothing is more miserable and yet nothing more Proud then Man was the observation of a very Heathen but we know whence to derive this accursed Nature It came down from his Forefather who would be as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3. 5. the Author of his own Happiness We are his Children and would be working it out of our selves Let the only Wise God declare unto them it is in the way of his Commandments that he is the Lover of mankind and ordained such for their Good yet they will think otherwise and so despise his Wisdom and Truth Which is such an iniquity as themselves shall find their own Conceit of Happiness to be Folly falshood and disappointment and shall be recompenced with abhorring and Confusion of Face for evermore Isa 66. 24. If that wherein they most trust deceive them much more will those things wherein they do not place so great Expectation If the Principal faculties of Soul when they stand in opposition to God will not afford true and real contentment much less will the inferiour Passions which disjointed from him do nothing but torment and make miserable When neither desire nor love with their several Objects are able to make a wicked Man happy much less will the other parts of his Soul which condemn and vex him His understanding doth reprove his Ways the other Passions do torture or Discompose If it were not to keep him in life he had rather have no Soul at all but would become altogether flesh and sence that he might have all things to relish but nothing to embitter his delights This wish is impossible as it is mean and degenerous for He who fashioned every part of us both of Soul and body hath likewise so ordained that if they be not brought into Obedience Sanctified and made Happy then as they were the instruments of sin so of punishment and to render Miserable Pain and Sickness to the body or if that be not Grief and Indignation to the Soul. As hereafter there is no middle state between Heaven and Hell nor any standing still now between both so it is of Happiness and Misery If that which is given to promote the one is not made use of accordingly it will tend to the other If the Soul is not brought into Obedience unto Happiness then it falls down into Destruction and Misery How we are to be regulated throughout hath been shewed Chap. 2. Where the whole Man was taken in pieces that he might be set in a right frame The Understanding Will and Affections were surveyed In the two first both the good and evil were discovered the affections were treated of as tending to good if Governed by the Law of God. Now it remains according to the proposed method to speak of that evil and misery they occasion by being ruled according to the Law of the Flesh The corruption and abuse of Love as to its several Objects hath been handled in the last foregoing Chapters When the good and evil of a thing is laid open the one may be chosen and the other avoided And hereby it may be a little more particularly manifested unto Men would God it were done by a better instrument but here it is endeavoured according to the ability himself hath been pleased to give Thou art good and dost good teach me thy Statutes Righteous art thou O Lord and Vpright are thy Judgments The Testimonies that thou hast commanded are exceeding Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 68 137 138. Though he hath the greatest Sovereignty over Creatures and he might as some earthly Potentates do by their Vasâ—als have exercised his authority over them by enjoyning them such and such things which would not be for their good but only expose them to hardship and inconvenience But God is not as the Son of Man who is Ignorant Proud and Cruel for there is an intrinsick worth and excellency a real goodness in the very nature of all things our gracious Lord requires as on the other hand there is Baseness Deformity and Evil in forbidden things Seek Good and not Evil that ye may live Hate the Evil and love the Good Amos 5. 14 15. Beloved follow not that which is Evil but that which is Good 3 Joh. 11. This is the Law and the Prophets It is the sum of all the Commandments of God. We are required to put off Anger Wrath Malice Col. 3. 8. Hatred Variance Envyings Gal. 5. 20 21 26. So certainly there is Evil in them and they hinder our Happiness All anger is not sinful nor forbidden but when without cause and immoderate Either without Provocation or upon little and trivial things Such a temper is contrary to the Peace and Tranquility of Mind When the Winds blow and Storms arise there succeeds a troubled Sea the Waves roaring Not much unlike is the Soul of Man when Contempt Affront or other cause hath moved him that which before was Calm and Smooth begins to Rise and Swell and violently beats upon the Banks The fierceness of the inward Man may be discerned when the Eyes shall roul up and down like sparks of Fire among the Stubble the form of his Visage changed Multitude of Words do press at the door of Dan. 3. 19. the Mouth that none are able to get forth but stammering and confused noise The Hands are with difficulty
it is the height of impiety I will judge you according to the Fruit of your doâ—ngs O House of Israel Is your Faith at an uncertainty and doth that make you regardless Why you are required to use the means to attend unto the things that are spoken and weigh fully with your selves whether indeed they are â—o Before the Gospel was written Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10. 17. So it doth now and also by reading that Testimony Miracles Arguments and Demonstrations which must prevail when admitted into sincere Consideration but this you will not do Beware therefore least that come upon you which was spoken of in the Prophets Behold ye Despisers and Wonder and Perish for I work a Work in your days a Work which ye shall in no Wise believe though a Man declare iâ— unto you Acts 13. 40 41. God will â—ot take advantage over mankind without first making known his Good-will and Pleasure what he requires of them For we may be bold to say it would not have been consistent with Justice to punish Creatures for what they knew â—ot or could not know Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right Gen 18. 25. The Case of the Heathen World is shewed Rom. 1. throughout and Rom. 2. 12 14 15. Acts 15. 17. And though of old Revelation was more * Exod. 19. 5. peculiar to the Land of Judea yet that was further a sign to all the Nations of the World but he will be pleased to deal with them most certainly according to Equity and Right But to us the Gospel is fully made known It was necessary God should discover himself to Man some way where he did it by implanting natural Principles of good and discerning of Evil within himself he will judge by them But in these latter days he hath revealed his Word more fully and universally and ordered it to be written in a Book that it may be for the time to come hereafter Nothing in the whole World can be said to be the written Will of God besides the Scripture wherein are Prophecies fulfilled God bearing them VVitness both with Signs and VVonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own VVill Heb. 2. 4. Who spoke this Word that is come down to us which testifies of Resurrection of the dead eternal Judgment Heaven and Hell in as plain Words as possibly things can be expressed How fain would People either cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them Isa 30. 11. or themselves cease and come to nothing That whilst they were living they sinned against him so when Dead be as nothing and not the Objects of Punishment They would willingly exempt his Providence from them but not lay aside their Transgressions against him and then would utterly perish to avoid his Truth and Justice What Tricks and Shifts are Men put unto to gain truce and safety for their Wickedness But they may have a Truce for a little while but all their Devices cannot attain unto safety They may take the several kinds of Opium Ignorance Unbelief Negligence hardness of Heart perverse Disputings but they will be all spent as soon as their Souls depart from the Body If it was for a thousand or ten thousand years all that would have an end it were something but when only for seventy or eighty years their Crafts and sinful Provocations are the more foolish To be soothed up a little when it ends in Ruin when this manner of doing doth the more ascertain Destruction to themselves and make it worse for they might otherwise have prevented it What can be more imprudent Let them take as much Pleasure in the mean while as the World affords their whole Life is but running towards Death And therefore let them make speed and hasten out of the Evil way for God hath most certainly ordered a Life after this either of eternal Happiness or Misery This is taught this is affirmed constantly And though some may raise Questions and Scruples How can these dry bones live Or the Soul exist separately Yet they err not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. He can do more then we conceive or imagine We are not to measure his Omnipotence by our weak understanding He hath said it shall be and we are to leave that to him which himself will accomplish For the Lord God of Recompences shall surely requite Jer. 51. 56. He could always do so in this Life if he pleased but his general Decree is to spare Men here this is the space of Forbearance and Long-suffering but afterwards is Punishment This is the time of Tryal but hereafter is retribution Why will not Man know of this before-hand Yea the Stork in the Heaven knoweth her appointed times and the Turtle and the Crane and the Swallow observe the time of their coming but my People know not the Judgment of the Lord Jer. 8. 7. They will not throughly consider thereof They may just call to mind how they shall be deprived of all things in this World of that Pain and Sickness distortion of Countenance pale Aspect that Death makes they are forced to think of these things because they are visible but the only useful part is neglected as it is an inlet into Eternity If there was no more in Death then what we now see in its worst Circumstances it were not worth while to concern ones Self so much concerning it but endure it when it comes and there is an end If attended with some weeks Sickness or Pain we suffer as much in the Course of our Lives and for the last strugling or gasp that is seldom longer then a single day and then the most acuâ—e Pain do destroy the sensible parts and a dangerous Sickness is least felt There is no need of making so much Provision against it But now we have assurance that this current of time is swallowed up in the Gulph of Eternity and therefore it is worthy the business of all our days to take heed into what kind thereof it enters Especially when by the Grace and Power put into our hands we may make it to end into which we will. And though none covet Death yet God hath ordered that if we will not accept of his Goodness we must be liable to the severity of his indignation Here Man would draw back and not run the hazzard of either He would be immortal and not die this is a fore-shewing of his future Condition but it cannot be here Then he would live as long as he can In Gods name let him endeavour so but withal go the way to make Death Comfortable Is he afraid when it approaches nigh And will he not take away the cause of his Fea Let him repent and turn from every Evil way and then it will do him no harm come when it will. In past Ages many were desiâ—ous to live some few years longer yet they are dead
this shews him where it is My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 72. 26. We know him as yet by Faith and our rejoycing in him is according to the measure of that Whatever good and comfort is in pure and undefiled Religion in an universal and constant complyance with it which is much every way as may be partly seen by what hath been and is to be said but much more would be perceived by him who makes a through experience of it all this comes in by repentance which is the beginning thereof for it forsakes sin and keeps the Commandments This was the first Doctrine John the forerunner and Christ himself Preached Mark. 1. 4 15. And it was also the message in which the Prophets before came Moses speaks very little thereof He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. God gave his people at first severe and strict Commandments without making so full a discovery of Pardon and Forgiveness but then those who became obnoxious to the guilt and judgment of the Law did not know how to escape The Lord who is rich in Mercy did in time reveal it more and more to those who would turn from their evil doing Before the last threatning there goes out another warning and invitation to submit Thus saith the Lord Behold I frame evil against you and devise a device against you return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good and they said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart Jer. 18. 11 12. Strange Stubbornness that Men should be thus provoking to God and act so madly against themselves we see what a mighty force there is in Lust and Pride They sinned yet more in not believing his wonderful offer they incensed him yet more in not being overcome by his goodness but he abounded in this as they did in iniquity confirming the truth of the Prophet Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learn Righteousness Isa 26. 10. All Gods doings are gradual and successive both his Works of Nature and Grace The most inestimable and accomplishment of all Mercies was in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ of this discovery was made to the Fathers by little and little If I may so speak with the greatest reverence and adoration with thanksgiving for such his gracious Methods God shewed himself the most hard Master at first The Law given Gen. 2. 17. was peremptory and penal then he begins Gen. 8. 21. Gen. 9. to release off his severity and then to Moses he proclaims himself Merciful and Gracious long Suffering Exod. 34. 6. But yet did not so fully make known to him the Doctrine of Repentance as he did afterwards to the Prophets Then comes John the Baptist Mat. 3. 2 3. Afterwards He who was bringing into the World so long before and to whom all the Old Testament hath Relation came Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand Repent ye and believe the Gospel Mark 1. 14 15. And now it is established for all persons times and places as appears Luke 24. 46. Man must not presume to sin yet more upon hopes of more Mercy For as Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. So for those who despise and sin wilfully there is a dreadful threatning Heb. 10. 26 27 28 29. God now commandeth all Men every where to repent Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the dead Acts 17. 30 31. The whole Counsel of God is contained in Faith and Repentance compare Acts 20. vers 20 21. with vers 26 27. To believe and to do is the substance of all That is Faith and Repentance puts upon the second Cease to do Evil learn to do VVell It is not only to be sorry for the past or a little displeased for Of Obedience the present but shews it self by Obedience for the future To this the promises belong If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments Mat. 19. 17. said he VVho though he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8 9. The Book of Deuteronomy is wholly on this subject there is scarce one Chapter throughout the Law of Moses the Psalms Prophets Gospel and Epistles but hath somewhat relating to this Every where is line upon line line upon line precept upon precept precept upon precept here a little and there a little and all to this purpose that Man should obey God for he hath an absolute Dominion over us all by Creation Preservation and Redemption Ye shall do my Judgments and keep mine Ordinances to walk therein I am the Lord your God Ye shall therefore keep my Statutes and Judgments which if a Man do he shall live in them I am the Lord Lev. 18. 4 5. So in the Preface to the Ten Commandments I am the Lord thy God and as he was the God of the Israelites by bringing them out of the Land of Aegypt so he is of us Christians by redeeming us from Spiritual Aegypt the Bondage of Satan Sin and Death Even we require Obedience and Service from the Horse and Ox nay from the very same Creatures as our Selves Children Mal. 1. 6. and Servants and they do such things only because we command them and think it no shame or discredit And we may allow our selves to be ten thousand degrees more inferiour to Almighty God then they are unto us neither should we be unwilling or ashamed to do such things purely and principally for his Commandment This is properly Obedience and no other God will accept of When ye fasted and mourned on the fifth and seventh Month did yet at all fast unto me even to me Zech. 7. 5. Observe the patheticalness thereof in that it is twice repeated and this is applicable to all the actions of our life do we this or that thing only 1 Cor. 10. 31. to glorifie God thereby and have we no other motive but in Subordination to that And when ye did eat and when ye did drink did ye not eat and drink for your selves vers 6. Some private ends of your own or moral considerations Do not dissemble for one knows the very secrets of your hearts There is a proud principle nourished by some who are willing to save their Soul and think if such a thing is done
to judge and make application of his Word to our several Actâ—ons Let others censure such an one as a rash unadvised Fool an ignorant deluded Soul or an hundred kind of surmises by which if it was at their disposing he should lose his Reward in Suffering for the Truth and Well-doing yet God is Judge himself Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls unto him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let others suspend their verdict and judge nothing before the time There is as much certainty in this Duty as any and here we may go upon sure grounds As heretofore Christ Crucified was to the Greeks Foolishness 1 Cor. 1 23. so even at this day that Appendix to it the thing of loss and inconvenience is reckoned Folly by those who hold fast the Name of Christ but unless they have denied the Faith they cannot really think so for before them this Wisdom is justified and may be done before the Heathen World. It hath been demonstrated beyond all contradiction by our antient Apologists and Writers that Christianity is the best Wisdom in opposition to that of Philosophers and Wise-Men of the World. Theirs was defective could not reach any assurance and for the most part was about things of this Life which are but Dreams and Bubbles the exercises of a Childish mind for all things of this World are not worthy of the utmost concern and regard of the Rational and noble faculties of Man unless now as we are assured it be in order to those great perfect and durable things to come They of old did talk bravely but by actions did manifest that themselves were not Perswaded so Though they did pretend to set at naught the World the greatness thereof it was because they had it not for when it came in upon them they became Servants to it The like we have in our days who will talk yet higher in contempt of those things and yet more eagerly seek after them who catch at what they can get as much as they are able and then speak forth in contempt of the rest I am afraid this will be the Condemnation that Men will not do that for the Grace and Fear of God what others formerly did by Philosophy and vain Boasting That we who know and profess to believe greater things enforced with Promises and Threatnings yet will not do so much towards renouncing unlawful and abstracting from present things as they did The Wisdom set before us is greater but Man will not believe or not conform to it both which are unreasonable and foolish There is certainly some secret Enemy of mankind whom they see not that keeps them off Men could not do this of themselves for they may be assured Heaven will not drop into their Mouth it is as worthy to be sought after as the things of this World and doing but the same would bring us to the other Only as to this nothing stops but to that One doth let and will let until he be taken away He stands at our Elbow therefore let us know so much bid him stand off pray against his Temptation go to the Word of God and we shall not be ignorant of his devices and so be too cunning for him as we may by the assistance offered us If it was a matter of indifferency we could never be so backward to a thing that appears so very reasonable and makes such exceeding and assured Proposals of Good. Who is Wise and he shall understand these things Prudent and he shall know them Hos 14. 9. And unto Man he said Behold the Fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Vnderstanding Job 28. 28. CHAP. XIV Of RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE THerefore all things whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you do you even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Mat. 7. 12. Consider your selves exactly in the same circumstances and condition as the Person is with whom you deal and then let sincere and impartial Reason determine what thou wouldst have done to thee and so do unto him Here is a plain Rule given to know what is Just or not whether one doth Right or Wrong Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self is the Epitome of the second Table and the particular Precepts thereof are but to give him what is just and equal according to the relation he stands in and that we should do him no wrong in those Instances or whatsoever comes under them The Prophets did mightily insist and press to the observation of the Law throughout all their Writings are Inculcations to Judgment Justice and Righteousness and much Threatning from God against Oppression Theft Deceit Lying Bribery and such like Isa 1. Jer. 7. 9 10 11. They did unvail the Hypocrisie of those who did make pretences to Devotion and thence think they might commit injurious Practices because they did ask God forgiveness and yet retain the Sins of griping the Poor spoiling the Fatherless and Widow and the several acts of Unrighteousness This enraged the People for so doth any thing which lights upon Lust or fancied Interest And they to conceal or excuse their own Shame did fall from one Wickedness to another from a lesser to a greater degree of Wrong from being injurious to their common Neighbours to Persecuting their own Prophets also They might thus Palliate the matter before short-sighted Men But all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. And by this way they did provoke him yet more Even now Whosoever is an Enemy to Religion or to those set up in defence of it he doth something which that condemns and therefore shews forth Spite and Malice There doth not arise such a bitter rancour in the minds of Men against the Word and Ways of God if it is only for Sin as to themselves because for this they may have some Extenuation and Pitty from others through infirmity or pleasing of the Flesh But the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of Men Rom. 1. 18. and for the several acts of the last they become destitute and odious to all that know thereof We are strictly commanded whatever is Just Honest and of good Report and we are forbidden the contrary Justice is more enjoyned in Scripture then Piety towards God which is in the first place or Sobriety to our selves Whether the holy Spirit fore-seeing it would be more difficult to keep people unto it for they sooner decline and turn aside there being more Temptation of Worldly Advantage then is to be had by Ungodliness or they might mistake and suppose to have Devotion pass for an Atonement and Commutation of their Sin Or God willing the Happiness of his Creatures as they lived in a community yet he hath aid more throughout his Word of our
now for this short time If both cannot stand together there the least must give place to the greater for more concern is to be had for a Year then for a Minute only Said one Who received the Spirit which did lead into all Truth Know ye not that the Vnrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. So what are accounted the ways of thriving in the World are an absolute hindrance to their Title unto that Men are to be judged by the Scriptures and according as they have done or transgressed are to be admitted or shut out Now this Book Condemns all the proposed Schemes of advantage What is a Man profited if he shall gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Or what shall he give in exchange for his Soul Mat. 16. 26. The Word of God is different from â—ain and common received Opinion The Tempter first instils those principles of Dishonesty Have they not read how he was a Liar from the Beginning He insinuated to our Parents that the forbidden Fruit should do them no harm he beguiled them with a promise and appearance of Good but we have found the contrary The Commandments of God have a shew of inconvenience and Transgression may seem expedient at first but examine things throughly and see how it will be then The great Objection against this Duty and therein it hath a shew of Folly that hereby we become liable to be imposed on suffer Loss and are deprived of opportunity of more Gain Our Lord's Counsel and Command is Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves Be cautious that you do not receive any Injury and be sure to do none Every Man may preserve his own and use a lawful redress where it is taken away by Wrong The fault found by the Apostle 1 Cor. 6. 6. is when they go to Law before Unbelievers but in the fore going verse he seems to admit thereof before a Christian Magistrate or rather in the first place they should refer it to an Arbitrator Or if it be for trifles there one may suffer himself to be defrauded and pass it over as not worth a wise Mans regard for that is not extended to little things Christianity and Prudence are not in themselves inconsistent but the Error is that some frame notions of Wisdom according to the Opinion and Practice of the World and by that would state the obligations of Duty whereby they make the Commandments of Christ of none effect or by distinctions would correct them But let nothing be done contrary to the least of them whatâ—ver inconveniences may ensue If we suffer Shame or Loss for the Doctrine of Jesus we may trust him a more enduring substance in Heaven will be a sufficient requital It doth seldom happen that any considerable disadvantage doth fall upon any for keeping stedfastly to his Laws when that only and no other is the Reason or if it should it would be made up another way here or hereafter The Meek shall inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. He dwells safely and none cares to molest or disturb him And though the baseness of some little poor Souls may extend so far as to Cheat Defraud and take Advantage over his simple Honesty as they phrase it yet this is done privately and in small instances which either he doth not know or not mind and so lives well and contented for all The Vnjust knoweth no Shame Zeph. 3. 5. He may come at length to be so brazen-faced that he doth not value the judgment of Men but so far only is kept in least humane Law take hold of him yet through restraining Providence he will sooner do Wrong to any one then the universally sincere and good Man. Who did ever want Food and Raiment convenient for him only by keeping Gods Commandments It is somewhat hard to Flesh and Blood but it is safe Blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O Fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him The young Lyons do lack and suffer Hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 34 8 9 10. It is Gods Will that they shall comply with his Ordinance of Labour and not be slothful in Business so they being in some Calling and adding there to Honesty and Diligence do not want what is good or necessary for them The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous but then they must not tempt God or expect a Miracle that he should feed them as once he did the Prophet with Ravens but they are to use the means he hath appointed Though we do live by Faith and God is not willing that any thing should be made too evident for that would destroy this noble Principle and take off from the excellency of Obedience yet to establish our Trust and Dependance on him he discovers himself more then in any thing We may as it were see with our Eyes his Watchful and especial Providence over his own Servants Those peculiar ones redeemed from all Iniquity do get a livelyhood Or if they are disabled and hindred from Work or Imployment he provides some other way Still he acts most wisely who lives so in this World that he may live for ever He that walketh Righteously and speaketh uprightly He that despiseth the gain of Oppression that shaketh his hands from holding of Bribes Isa 33. 15. Who useth Lawful and prudent means according to the Trade and Occupation he is in and rejects whatever is of Craft and Evil. It is sometimes seen that he may prosper and increase in the World. His Seed shall be mighty upon Earth the Generation of the Vpright shall be Blessed Wealth and Riches shall be in his House Psa 112. 2 3. This was often fulfilled in old time under the Jewish Dispensation who had great measure of temporal Blessings At this time it may be observed whether for their Worship and Service of God or the favour he retains to the Children of Abraham the Sons of Jacob and Joseph or whatever Reason we may in Humility guess at yet they are generally in good estate and plenty though scattered in the World. But to us Christians are promises of better things of the Life that now is and that which is to come one in order to the other as the divine Wisdom thinks fit Those who are Heirs of Salvation for whom the greater things are reserved do commonly live by his Grace and good Providence here in expectation and pursuit after that More is not desired then sufficient for this They look further then barely to live but do something worthy of Life which is only towards that to come As they get means for the first they press forward to the high and eternal Calling There is much talk of living and living well in the World this is the principal Mark at which most aim to get in