of Christ Doubtless this was one among the rest the Vertue and Tendency of his Words was unto the Aâ—tainments of Holiness and Heavens Happiness to her Soul the words of Eternal Life This is that Lyon of the Tribe of Juda and Root of David that hath prevailed to open the Sealed Book Revel 5.5 even the Mysteries of the Kingdom and way of Holiness which from the beginning was hid in God but now made manifest for the Obedience of Faith This is that great Prophet of whom Moses spake saying A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you and it shall come to pass that every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be cut off from his people or I saith the Lord will require it of him Deuter. 18.18 Act. 3.22 23. Whence note by the way First That God the Father according to his fore-determination and ancient Promise hath raised up Jesus Christ and orâ—ained him chief Prophet to his People Secondly Christ the Mediator between God and Man Jesus Christ is here said to be a Prophet like unto Mosâ—s that is as Moses in that day did stand as a Mediator between God and his People to receive the holy and lively Oracles of the Mind and Will of God from the Mouth of God and dispence the same unto the People in that Dispensation so Christ is the Mediator between God and Man now under the New Covenant to receive of the Father the lively Oracles of the Mind and will of the Father and to communicate them unto the Sons and Daughters of Men in this Dispensation of the New Covenant Thirdly An Advertisement to all persons to observe the Voice of Christ in the Ministry of his Word a third thing to be noted here is the Injunction or Command of the Father Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Fourthly the Danger that will ensue to that Soul that doth not hearken to this Prophet I will require it of him saith the Lord Deut. 18.19 Fifthly One thing more is considerable in vers An Advertisement to all Preachers to take heel they preach not any thing that the Voice of Christ in his Word doth not own 20. that if any Prophet shall presume to speak a Word in my Name saith the Lord that I have not commanded him or that shall speak in the Name of other Gods that Prophet shall die Would a poor Soul attain to Holiness so as to have an Interest in that comely Ornament then consider Jesus Christ in the Execution of his Prophetical Office which standeth in a revealing or discovering the Mind and Will of God the Father unto the Sons and Daughters of men with Advertisements and Perswasions to a Reception of the same and a walking answerable thereunto The Prosecution of which Office he did perform doctrinally in his own person in the days of his Humiliation and in the days of his Exaltation by his Spirit in his Apostles by immediate Inspiration whose Doctrine and Practice for Church-Constitution Order of Worship and Discipline he confirmed to all succeeding Generations with Signs and Wonders and Gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 2.4 and since more ordinarily by the Ministry of the word confirmed as aforesaid I say more ordinarily by the Offices and Officers as Pastors and Teachers gifted for the work of the Ministry to teach those confirmed Truths of Jesus Christ contained in his Gospel unto the Sons and Daughters of Men for their Conversion Edification Comfort and Confirmation of them in the Faith and Practice of all his holy Laws Ordinances and Order of Government and Discipline according to his own Institution Pattern and Appointment together with all those Promises and Priviledges in his Word of Truth given out to them that in Love and Loyalty unto him and his Soveraignty subject unto him and walk with him in the same Hereunto doth the Holy Ghost by the Apostle Paul witness Eph. 4.8 When he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive and gave Gifts unto men and vers 11. he gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the Fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning Craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ Ephes 4.11 12 13 14 15. Some few things I would here note by the way The Gospel Verities are Gods Oracles by him confirm'd to us for standing truths to be highly prized and faithfully embraced the Fountain from whence they flow being considered First that the Gospel-Dispensation is the lively and holy Oracles or Word of God the Father which Christ by his Prophetical Office hath received of the Father and made known to us the Sons and Daughters of Men and confirmed to us by the witness of the Father not only by the Resurrection of his Son but also by signs and wonders and Gifts of the Holy Ghost for the Glory of his Name and the Salvation of those that so embrace it as the Oracles of God so confirmed Secondly those Pastors and Teachers that in Love and Obedience to the Lord do make the Apostolical confirmed-Doctrine and Practice their Rule and Ground of Doctrine and Practice for Conversion of Souls to Christ An Advâ—rtisement to Gods people both Preachers and Hearers to keep close to the Gospel-Rule Constitution of Churches Admittance of Members Order of Government and Discipline accordingly are such as Christ hath given and gifted as Ministers in his hand Revel 1.20 whereby he doth prosecute perseveringly from age to age his Prophetical Office in order to Mans Salvation Thirdly the natural Use The Gospel is of great excellency and concernment to poor sinners the use tendency of is being coâ—sidered Vertue and proper Tendency of the Gospel Apostolically taught observed and confirmed as aforesaid is the ordinary means by the Father put into the Heart and Hand of Christ for Mans Edification in the Knowledg of Christ Unity in the Faith of Christ a Participation of the Fulness of Christ unto an attainment of Perfection in Christ together with Stability in Christ unto Salvation by Christ through believing in Christ and conforming to Christ in the Teachings and Administrations thereof wherefore as I am upon an Use of Direction to the enquiring Soul after the way to Holiness Attainments or the Attainment to Holiness so I have set before thee Jesus Christ in his Offices as an Object whom
enquiring Soul in order to its Attainment to Holiness forasmuch as Baptism as before considered is a holy Ordinance instituted by the holy God unto holy ends and uses neither is it of the Matter of putting on of Christ as before asserted in order to the Attainment of Holiness but is comprehended in the same that is to say his Offices Qualifications and Example of Walkings In order whereunto consider those Words asserted by the Apostle Paul Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and so I shall proceed to the next perticular which is to abide in him Fourthly as we are concerned to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as aforesaid in order to our Attainment unto Holiness so also we are concerned to abide in him It is a piece of Divine Counsel delivered by our Lord and blessed Saviour Jesus Christ unto his Disciples Joh. 15.4 5. Christians must abide in Christ in order to their perfecting Holiness Abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me I am the Vine ye are the Branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing Sometimes in Scripture we have this abiding in him set forth by the terms continuing and persevering The Apostle Paul Col. 1.21 22.23 putting the Colossians in mind of the End of Christs Death for them which was First to reconcile them unto himself and unto the Father in him Secondly to present them unto the Father holy unblameable and unreproveable in his sight he addeth this proviso If ye continue in the Faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard Whence note by the way that a well-grounded Faith in Christ attended with stability therein according to the Apostolical Ministration is the principal way to attain to Holiness to the Fathers acceptation such will Christ adorn with the holy Robes of his own Righteousness and therein justifie them to the Fathers acceptation unto Life eternal Therefore as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him rooted and built up in him as ye have been taught abounding therein with Thanksgiving Col. 2.6 I may not omit Saint Johns Exhortation and Advice in his first Epistle chap. 3.24 25 28. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father and this is the Promise that he hath promised us even eternal Life And now little Children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming Whence note by the way First that as persons are concerned to put on Christ in order to Holiness and Heavens Attainments so it is their stability or abiding in it that crowns them with the same Hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy Crown Revel 3.11 Secondly note that a person near conformity to and abiding in the Apostolical Doctrine in all things wherein the Faith and Practice of a Christian is concerned is the best visible Demonstration of a Souls being and abiding in the Father and the Son see 2 Joh. v. 9. Thirdly note that a people abiding in the Gospel-Doctrine and so in the Father and the Son by Faith they do thereby much augment the joy comfort and confidence of the true Gospel-Minister in the day of Christs second appearing under whose Ministry they have been conducted into that estate And now little Children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2.28 For what is our Hope or Joy or Crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming for ye are our Glory and Joy for now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord 1 Thess 2.19 20. chap. 3.8 Thus having briefly laid down these four Rules for the enquiring Soul to observe in its progress towards the Attainment of Holiness as 1. That he look to Jesus with an eye of Faith as he is held forth in the Gospel-Administration 2. To consider him in his Undertakings for us and in his Benefits to us 3. To put him on in the particulars afore-premised And 4. To abide in him Now whereas there was three particulars proposed in order to the putting on of Christ as 1. Wherein he is to be put on 2. How he is to be put on and 3. Why he must be put on in order to that Attainment Having laid down something to the first and second it remains that something be said to the third Why Christ must be put on by those that would attain to Holiness And First because he is the Center in whom all the means appertaining to Holiness is by the Father centered In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and ye are compleat in him Coloss 2.9 10. Christs Person is holy his Word is holy his Works are Holy his Name is holy his Nature is holy his Laws Ordinances Government Councel yea all in himself and proceeding from himself is holy he is the Fountain of Holiness full of the Springs of God Secondly Persons must put on Christ in that Attainment because it is the Will of God and his fore-determination and appointment from Eternity that in Christ should that Attainment of Holiness be unto all persons through believing or putting on him as aforesaid There is no other way standing in the Election or Counsel of God to attain unto Holiness but only in Jesus Christ as saith the Apostle According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be Holy and without blame before him in love Ephes 1.4 Wherefore would we attain unto an Estate in the Ornament of Holiness would we have Christ formed in us and we transformed into his likeness so as to bare his Image his Name and Nature Would we answer God the Fathers Predestination Election and Calling Would we have the assurance thereof sealed unto our Souls and have an entrance into his Kingdom Then put on the Lord Jesus Christ and abide in him as afore considered in his Offices Qualifications and Example of walking it s the great design of God in Christ from Eternity it s the joy of every faithful Gospel-Minister to behold such effects wrought in a people fulfil ye my joy saith the Apostle that ye be like minded having the same love It s the Beauty of a Christian the very quintescence of Christianity the honour of Religion to the glory of God O put on the Lord Jesus Christ and abide in him and make not provission for the Flesh to fulfil the Lusts thereof
in this ensuing Treatise the Filthiness of Sin and the Excellency of Holiness the Covering of a Sinner and the Ornament of a Saint Nothing makes a Wicked man so much like the Devil as Sin nor nothing makes a Saint so much resemble Christ as doth Grace and Holiness Grace makes man more man yea more than a man but Sin un-mans man yea makes him worse than a Beast Sin is the Brat and Spawn of the Devil but Grace is the Seed and Off spring of Christ God loaths nothing so much as Sin yet wicked men love nothing better Gods great design and labour is to destroy Sin but man resolves to keep and cherish it O what a Rebel is man to God! Sin is the greatest Thief and Deceiver in the World for every one has more or less been cheated thereby yet the most of men are greedy to entertain the Cheater Nothing is such an Enemy to man as Sin yet but few men will make War against it Sin seeks to destroy the soul yet some men will rather dye then leave their Sin O what blindness and madness is in the heart of man Sin separates man from God and hides his face from him yet man resolves to hug and hide his Sin That must needs be the greatest evil that deprives man of the â—reatest good and exposes man to the â—reatest misery He that makes a â—â—ock at Sin now will change his Note when the Sentence shall be proâ—ounced Go ye Cursed If Sin be â—o odious and Grace so excellent what â—ause have we to take up a lamentation â—hat their should be so much of the one â—nd so little of the other in the world â—hat sin should be so countenanced and â—ncouraged and Grace and Holiness so â—uch slighted and contemned Never was there greater need to â—tand up against Sin and contend â—or Holiness then in such days as these â—â— Loosness and Licensciousness This â—orthy Authour has cast in his Mite in seasonable time there are abunâ—ance of Professors but too too few â—hat strive after the power of Godliness Many strive to Preach well and Disâ—ute well but few to Live well I â—are not say a man who is of a false Reâ—igion cannot be saved yet I will â—ay he that walks not holily and uprightly with God cannot though externally doth profess the truth This Book Reader whosoever thâ— art may with-Gods blessing proâ—â— of great advantage to thee for here seasonable Councel for Saints and Sâ—â—ners both for the Professor and Pâ—â—phane First Art thou a Sinner I meâ—â— one not truly converted one that hâ—â— not as yet put on the Ornament Holiness then read the latter paâ—â— wherein thou maist clearly perceiâ—â— what a Cursed and Miserable state thâ— art in whilst thou dost remain uncâ—â—verted May-be thou art one thâ— makes a mock at Religion and Convâ—â—sion for alas there are some miserâ—ble Wretches that stick not to contâ—â—dict and revile the very Word of Goâ— so ripe are they grown in Sin aâ— Wickedness What Sinner soever tâ— art let me mind thee with these two three things 1. Consider thou hast an immorâ—â— soul that is of a precious worth and vâ—lue and that this soul thou art in danger to loose to all Eternity 2. Consider the shortness and uncertainty of thy days how soon thou maist be cut off and remember if thou dyest in thy Sins having no interest in Christ thou art undone and damned for evermore there is no Repentance after death let not the Devil tell thee that thou shalt dye like a Beast and have no Resurrection 3. Consider what Gods Word says Unless ye Repent ye shall all likewise Perish Luk. 13.5 And a man must be born again or else cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.3 and without Holiness no man shall see the Lord. 4. Consider with thy self to what end God has given a Law or Light in thy Conscience and know assuredly that if thou dost go on in Sin minding not these inward reprovings of Conscience that it will rise up against thee and Condemn thee in the dreadful day Conscience truly enlightened doth judge for God I may say before hand and pass judgment too and men may in part know how it is like to go with them hereafter if they did but mind the Testimony of their Consciences for if Conscience judges condemns thee by the light of Gods Word you have cause to tremble at those Reprovings and to flye to the Lord Jesus Christ for he is I may say Gods Vice-roy and doth whilst rightly informed judge for his Soveraign in Truth and Righteousness The Lord help thee to consider these things before Repentance be hid from thy eyes 5. Consider if thou wouldest put on the comely or becoming Ornament of Christ and Holiness then thou must put off thy filthy garments of Sin and Corruption before thou canst put on the New man thou must put off the Old And as to you that are called Saints one word further let me say since I have this opportunity in my hand take heed you rest not contented with the name of Saints the form of Godliness without the power will do you no good in the day of Christ 2. Remember the foolish Virgins were shut out 't is not enough to be Virgins unless you and I have Oyle in our Vessels O labour for Grace you know not what times of need are at hand he that has the most will have none to spare and some will seek it too late 3. Remember and think upon the man that had not on the Wedding Garment Know assuredly that none will be made welcome and lovingly entertained by the Bridegroom but those only that have that excellent Garment on of Christs Righteousness Holiness and Humility and how many will the day of Christ find unprovided notwithstanding the time and space which God doth afford us to make ready O look upon it as your chief work and business to dress trim and make your selves ready for at a time you think not of the Son of man cometh and that the labours of our Brother in the ensuing Treatise may be blessed to your advantage upon this very account shall be the Prayers of him who is willing to serve you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as strength shall be Communicated Benja Keach THE CHVRCHES GLORY OR THE Becoming Ornament Being a Seasonable Word tending to the Provoking of Holiness in Believers raised from Psal 93.5 Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for ever CHAP. I. Wherein the words are Opened and Explicated SEveral things are in these words very considerable for our Christian Edification First by way of Division Secondly by way of Explication Thirdly by way of Doctrine Fourthly by way of Application First By way of Division First we have in the words a subject bearing the Denomination of an House Secondly the person to whom the right of Propriety doth belong And that is the Lord Thine House O Lord. Thirdly we have the Ornaments of the
The time cometh meaning the time of his Exaltation that I shall shew you plainly of the Father That Soul that would obtain a true and saving knowledg of God the Father must take Jesus Christ for his Counsellor And lest there should be any scruple or doubt arise that they should not perform the Duty aright or not so perfect without Imperfections as to be heard of the Father and answered by him he annexeth this Promise also unto the rest for their Encouragement in the Duty in that day saith he meaning his Exaltation ye shall ask the Father in my Name and I say to you that I will pray the Father for you Joh. 16.25 26. O excellent Priviledg Christ the Saints advocate an excellent priviledg wouldst thou pertake of the priviledg be active in the duty to that Soul for whom the perfection of Wisdom Knowledg and Fidelity is exercised to plead its cause Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God is become an High-priest for ever to intercede with the Father in the behalf of those Souls that come unto the Father with a dependency by Faith upon his Intercession for their Acceptation with the Father wherefore as saith the Holy Ghost having an High-priest over the House of God let us draw near in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure Water let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised Heb. 10.21 22 23. O! did we really consider this High-priest Jesus Christ as in his Humiliation so also in his Exaltation executing his Priestly Office upon our account that we might experimentally partake of the benefits and Priviledges thereof how would it engage our Love to him our Delight in the enjoyments of him and our utmost Endeavours to answer his End in all his undertakings for us which is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Ephesians CHAP. VI. Containing a Word of Advice to consider Christ in his Kingly Office and by Faith to embrace him in the same in order to our better Attainment unto Holiness SIxthly would we attain unto Holiness be found in the Ornaments thereof then we are concerned to exercise our eies of Understanding and Faith upon the Dignity and Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ beholding and considering of him and submitting to him in his Kingly Office wherein the Father hath exalted him unto his own right hand of Power and Throne of Majesty on high to sway the Scepter of Rule and Government in Righteousness by his righteous Laws Statutes and Ordinances Heb. 1.8 and to execute Justice and Judgment accordingly against all opposers The Prophet Isaiah speaking of Jesus Christ saith of him he shall not judg after the sight of his eyes neither reprove after the hearing of his ears but with Righteousness shall he judg the Poor and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth Isa 11.3 4 5. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand or into his Power and Jurisdiction Joh. 3.35 Paul to the Ephesians saith that He meaning the Father hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his Body Eph. 1.22 Christ a King by the Fathers Ordination whose Laws and Subjects are his Kingdom By Headship is signified Supremacy Soveraignty or his Kingly Office and Authority to give forth Laws Statutes and Ordinances with Order of Rule and Government with Power to command Obedience thereunto with Power to defend his Subjects in the proper Rights and Priviledges of his Kingdom to plead their Cause to revenge their Wrongs and to crown them his Subjects with an immortal recompence of heavenly Glory all the oppositions of the Devil wicked men notwithstanding as the Lord by his Spirit in his Word hath of old declared saying Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. The word Yet is a Relative to what is in the foregoing Verses related as if the Lord should say Although the Kings of the Earth and Rulers yea though Herod and Pontius Pilate the chief Priests and Elders the Scribes and Pharisees yea all the rude multitude of the people consult together set themselves against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their Bands and cast their Cords from us yet for all whatever they can do I have exalted him set him at my right Hand of Power and Majesty Act. 5.31 far above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come hath put all things under his Feet Eph. 1.20 21 22. that is to say all persons of what Rank and Quality soever by what Names Titles or Dignities soever distinguished together with all earthly Dominions Rules and Governments whatsoever to be at his disposing or deposing according to his own Will and Pleasure all shall be brought in subjection unto him either by active Obedience to his Laws and righteous Government or passively to submit unto the Execution of his Justice as it is written At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow Phil. 2.9 10 11. the which bowing of every Knee doth intend Subjection to his Laws as aforesaid or Submission to his Justice unto one of which all the whole Creation of Men and Angels shall be forced to submit unto Such a Construction the Apostle Paul seemeth to put upon the words Rom. 14.11 But why dost thou judg thy Brother or why dost thou set at naught thy Brother we shall all stand before the Judgment-Seat of Christ his ground and reason is because it is written As I live saith the Lord every Knee shall bow to me and every Tongue shall confess to God the which Expressions the Apoâ—â—le asserteth to prove the certainty of Christs sitting on the Seat of Judgment and that all persons in particular none excepted shall be forced to app ar before him to give an account how they in this life have acted in order to the Supremacy of Christ and to receive the Sentence of Absolution into Glory or the just and righteous but dreadful Sentence of Condemnation into everlasting Perdition as the Apostle Paul by the Spirit of God doth testifie that will render to every Soul of Man that doth evil Indignation and Wâ—ath But Glory Honour and Peace Immortality and eternal Life to every Soul of Man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile for God is no respecter of persons Rom. 2.9 10 11. every man shall give an account of himself unto God Rom. 14.12 Surely it will then be in vain for ungodly and wicked men be they of what Degree Rank or Quality soever to call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne
with the Laver of brinish tears and lamenting sorrow yet had not infinite Mercy come in to his help how had he been foyled under the same wherefore admire God's Mercy but presume not upon the same for any allowance to sin for he hath said Rom. 9.15 I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy Esau found no place of Repentance although he sought it carefully with tears Heb. 12. Therefore of Sin in time beware If you 'd prevent an after care But Secondly All ye that have begun in the spirit and set your faces Sion-wards O be very cautious and take great heed and be very watchful against sin because as it is of a defiling nature so is it also of a depriving nature Sin in God's people many times deprives them of many comfortable enjoyments which otherwise they might happily enjoy Sin depriveth Angels of their Heaven Man of his Paradice Israel of his Canaan and many a poor soul of the manifestation of God's favour both in temporal and spiritual enjoyments as is evidenced by the word of the Lord in many Testimonies whereof let us consider one testimony Jer. 2.2 Thus saith the Lord concerning Israel I remember thee the kindness of thy Youth the love of thine Espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness in a Land that was not sown Israel was Holiness to the Lord and the first-fruits of his increase all that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord. In which words the Lord puts them in mind of their former kindness and love unto him and their walking with him in that their former state then Israel was holiness unto the Lord and yet in the next verses the Lord is taking up this complaint against them What Iniquity have your Fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after Vanity and become vain and in chap. 5. he saith Your sins have with-holden good things from you From which words we may note four particulars First That God's people are very apt to decline from their first degree of holiness obtained in their first Illuminations and Experiences of God They were holiness to the Lord in their first Espousals but now become vain and gone from God the Church of Ephesus was eminent for God but now fallen from her first love Rev. 2. Secondly Note that the people of God are usually most holy and walk most close with God when they have but little of these outward things to depend upon When thou wentest after me in the Wilderness in a Land that was not sown then Israel was Holiness to the Lord. Thirdly Note that the more close God's people keep to him in the way of Holiness the sooner shall their Adversaries in their enterprises be defeated All that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord. Fourthly Note that God's people declining the way of Holiness deprive themselves of comforts very great and not their Enemies but themselves do oft thereby defeat Hos 8.3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good the Enemy shall pursue him But Thirdly by way of Caution As God's people are greatly concerned to take heed and be very cautious of medling with sin because it is of a defiling nature and also of a depriving nature so is it also of a destroying nature Sin suffered in the Creature and not washed out by true Repentance and rich Mercy as aforesaid and especially when entertained with delight O how will it not only stain our Ornaments of Grace and Holiness but also eat up and destroy by degrees like the Moth in the Garment and the Worm in the Nut the very life marrow and quintescence of Christianity or power of Godliness even that love zeal reality and sincerity of heart with all those gifts and spiritual endowments and enjoyments formerly attained until there be nothing left but an out-side form of Godliness if that so that the Creature becometh as to spiritual performances and acts of grace in the life and power thereof but like unto a man whose soul is departing or departed little left but an out-side Carkass and if a little yet but weak in motion as the Holy Ghost doth seem to testify concerning the Estate of the Church of Sardis Rev. 3.1 2. I know thy works saith the Lord Thou hast a name that thou livest but art dead be watchful and strengthen the things that remain and are ready to dye Whence observe here was only a name that is to say an out-side form or shew of Godliness but as for the power of Godliness the very marrow and quintescence of Christianity that was as it were even at the last gasp in a dead or a dying condition and this seemeth to be the state of most in that Church excepting a few names saith the Lord that have not defiled their Garments from whence we are given to understand that the main ground and reason that the life and power of Godliness were thus destroyed in them was their want of watchfulness against sin but suffering it to grow and increase in them either by omision of duties required or committing sins forbidden or both they being allowed and continued without a true Repentance to a Reformation To this doth the Estate of the Churches of Ephesus and Laodicea witness as also many other presidents in holy Scripture the which to run over so large a field my present time and occasions will not permit wherefore let us be very cautious how we meddle with it but watch against it take heed and be ware of it and the occasions thereof whether they be sins of Omission or Commission all sins are of a destructive nature and especially sins against Knowledge and Grace received being allowed and approved of or winked and connived at How plentifully doth the Scripture set forth the destructive nature of sin and particularly those Grandees Infidelity Hypocrisy Heresy Drunkenness and Gluttony prophane Swearing and Blasphemy Whoredom and Adultery Coveteousness and Idolatry Pride Presumption and Oppression and the like The which sins are with many other not only destructive to soul and body gifts and graces but also unto Families and Church-fellowships Cityes and Countrys Kings and Kingdoms as the Scriptures do plentifully evince as saith the Lord by Samuel chap. 12.25 But if ye shall still do wickedly ye shall be consumed both you and your King in which words are intimated as to Israel so to us that if a people do live in such a wicked vicious life as highly to provoke God's Justice against them that then God would consume them with such Judgments as they nor their King should be able to withstand Whence note by the way that men of a wicked vicious Conversation thereby endeavour ruine to their King Nation concerned therefore is the Kings Authority for to suppress such wickedness and grand impiety Secondly Note by the way that men in whom is civil honesty and Godly sincerity are the best Subjects
Purchased with his own blood unto himself and his Fellow-heirs to possess Eternal Glory with himself unto whom every wrong done he taketh as done unto himself Act. 9.4 5. and Recordeth it every Tear by them shed through their Oppression he bottleth up for a Witness against the Oppressor in the day of his Vengeance Psal 56.8 when he maketh Inquisition for blood he remembreth them then will he not only take account of actions done against his people but also of the omission of that good they might have done unto them and should have ministered to them in the day of their distress In as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these ye have done it unto me Matth. 25. See this Omission is rewarded with go ye Cursed with what reward then will the Act of Oppression be rewarded the Lord hath spoken he will also bring to pass the Lord will perform and none shall hinder his proceedings Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh shall he find Faith on the Earth Luk. 18.8 True Faith in Christ works by Love to Christ a stability in the way of Christ the which by the words of Christ is likely to be very rare and scarce to be found among the Sons and Daughters of men in the latter days immediatly before his coming unto which the Apostles in their holy writings do bear their Testimonies Therefore when ye shall see but little true Faith on Earth as it were but here and there a man or a few that are stedfast in the Profession of Christ as the truth is in Jesus according to the primitive Institution and Law of Love but great instability in ways of worships turning and twisting soon this way and soon that way and but few performing obedience as to the Lord by the rule of God's Word and when ye shall see the Iniquity of prophaneness in actions and erronious opinions to abound Mat. 24.11 12 23 24. and the love of many to wax cold and actions of Charity to be almost grown out of use scarce here and there a man acting in the principle of true love to Christ in obedience to him neither towards God in his worship nor the Neighbour in civil Curtesies but almost all carryed on by a self-ended principle of self-love in their actions 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. all which are evidences of want of true faith then lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh then behold the Judge standing at the door as it were ready to plead your Cause and to revenge your wrongs and to give you a full and free Possession of his glorious Kingdom He that shall come will come and will not tarry even so come Lord Jesus Now the Just shall live by Faith but if any man draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in him saith the Lord Heb. â—0 37 38. 1 Pet. 4.19 Wherefore as the Apostle Peter teacheth Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator for we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted even as we are yet without sin Heb. 4.15 for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succor them that are tempted Heb. 2.18 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 O let every one of us in this our present Pilgrimage endeavour to have the word of Christ dwelling richly in our hearts and Heavens glory in our eye and let us run with patience the holy Race for holy Attainments considering that holiness is an Ornament ever becoming the people of God to be found therein is a matter of great concernment First Because therein God's people do most resemble the Image of God their Heavenly Father and Christ their Redeemer Secondly Because thereunto they were Elected in Christ from Eternity Thirdly Because thereunto they are called with an holy calling Fourthly Because thereunto they are enjoyned by special Command Fifthly Because holiness is a beautiful Ornament well becoming a Christian and Christianity Sixthly Because God's people are a people to whom precious promises appertain Seaventhly Because holiness is an excellent Ornament is respect of its duration the more made use of and improved the more comely and perfect it is Eighthly Because there is a great necessity of it for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Ninethly Because there is a sure Attainment of a holy state in pressing after it in the way of God Tenthly Because thereunto is anexed a sure reward of an Eternal Inheritance Eleventhly Because holiness puts a Soul in a capacity to see the Lord and to enjoy Union and Communion with him in a state of glory to its Eternal Consolation Twelfth Because negligence and carelesness in improving the means appointed of God for holy Attainments puts a Soul in a capacity of possessing God's great displeasure under his Eternal wrath Wherefore dearly Beloved having an holy God that requires holiness in us and holy Services to be performed by us in the way of his own holy appointments to the glory of his Name and he having made out unto us such great and precious Promises in the same Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God always considering that holiness is an Ornament well becoming the House of God his people for ever to be found therein is a matter of great concernment and so with that Exhortation 1 Sam. 12 24. I shall conclude Only fear the Lord and serve him in Truth with all your heart for consider how great things the Lord hath done for you A GLASS FOR THE UNREGENERATE TO BEHOLD Their Heart-Conceptions OR A brief discourse tending to the Discovery and Removal of some grand Obstructions to Spiritual Health and Heavens Attainments with some Directions and Motives necessary thereunto By JOSIAS BONHAM of Byfield in Northamptonshier And Judah said the strength of the Bearers of Burthens is decayed and there is much Rubbish so that we are not able to build the Wall Neh. 4.10 Printed in the Year 1674. A Glass for the Unregenerate to behold their Heart-Conceptions WHen Honest-hearted Nehemiah had tidings of the decays and breaches made upon Jerusalem that the Walls were broken down and the Gates burnt with fire and the Inhabitants Captivated by their Enemy he so lays it to heart as to become sencible of Jerusalems condition and in the sence thereof he mourns with tears he fasts from food he humbles himself and intercedes with God by Prayer on Jerusalems behalf Yea the sadness of his Countenance did demonstrate the sorrow of his Heart to over-weigh all the honours profits and pleasures that he did possess in King Artaxerxes Court Yea so did he prise Jerusalem and