Fightings from without and Fears within I am shifting from Post to Pillar let me be dissettled till my Soul fix on Christ then shall not my Heart be troubled if believing in God I believe also in Christ John 14.1 Let me never be at rest till all ways are blockt up but this If I sit still I dye 2 King 7.4 If I go to the World I pine I will venture upon God's Promises Christ's Purchase if I must dye I will dye there but never did any dye at his Door 7. At last the troubled Spirit issues out its perplexed Thoughts in Complaints and Prayers God faith I have surely hearth Ephraim bemoaning himself Jer. 31.18 So methinks I see the disquieted Soul creep into a Corner to ease his burthened Spirit into God's Bosom in this manner Lord here I am as wicked a Malefactor as ever stood at thy Bar and as miserable a Beggar as ever lay at thy Door I was condemned as soon as convinced and have too too wofully improved the Stock of Original Sin in thousands of actual Rebellions I am twice dead in danger to be pluck'd up by the Roots Jude 1. and flung into the Fire of Hell many means hast thou used but nothing doth me good yet now thou hast brought me into the Wilderness Oh speak to my Heart Hos 2.14 Every Sin deserves damnation Oh how many Hells then do I deserve Thou art Righteous if thou damn me my Mouth is stopt I am found guilty before God Rom. 3.19 I am self-condemned thou shalt need no other Witness or Jury to find me guilty but Christ suffered and satisfied Justice for some poor Sinners and why not for me the chiefest of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 I find not one word in Scripture against it but a Proclamation of a general Pardon to all Christ with all his Benefits is offered to me in the Ministry of the Word upon the condition of Faith and Repentance It s true I can neither repent nor believe but they are both included in the absolute Grant of the Gospel-Covenant which gives what it requires Lord give me a Gospel-Repentance unto Life and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I hang on thee sweet Jesus who wast exalted on purpose to give Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins Acts 5.31 and the Faith of God's Elect. Thus much for Preparatives 2. The Parts of this New Creature lie in the renewing of the several Faculties of the Soul which consists 1st In the Mind and Understanding 2dly In the Conscience 3dly In the Will 4thly In the Affections which are the Motions of the Will 1. The New Creature consists much in the Mind which is called a renewing in the Spirit of the Mind Eph. 4.23 Interpreters have been much perplexed to know what is meant by the Spirit of the Mind Calvin saith Ego Simpliciter accipio Calv. in loc acsi dixisset renovemur non tantum quod ad inferiores Appetitus ant Concupiscentias quae palam sunt vitiosae sed etiam quod ad partem illam animae quae nobilissima praestantissima habetur i. e. be renewed not only in the inferiour Appetite and concupiscible Faculties but in that part of the Soul which is esteemed the most noble and excellent For the Mind is accounted a Queen and almost adored by Philosophers Now the Mind is renewed when there is 1. New Conceptions of things otherwise than ever before for a new Light set up in the Soul to see things after another manner the eyes of the understanding are now enlightned Eph. 1.18 Now he sees more Wickedness in his bad Heart then ever he did which makes him cry out as Job Behold I am vile Job 40.4 Lord thou art Heaven I am Hell said Mr. Hooper Now the Soul sees more Poyson and Malignity in Sin then ever before he sees it exceeding sinful Rom. 7.9 17. As striking at the Majesty clouding the Glory of the Holy God as crucifying Christ grieving the holy Spirit The New Creature begets other Conceptions of Christ as the Rose of Sharon Cant 5.9 the chief of ten thousand He looks on God's Commands as not at all grievous 1 John 5.3 but pleasant comfortable and profitable he looks on the Saints as the most excellent in the Earth Psal 16.3 Prov. 3.18 He hath got Eye-Salve to judge of things as they are The spiritual man judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.15 2. The New Nature bringeth a New Memory he forgets Injuries and remembers Truths his Memory is sanctified and fortified he lays up things in his Heart as the Pot of Manna was laid up in the Ark he can abundantly utter the Memory of God's great goodness Psal 145.7 The New Creature is as a Phylactery to prompt and put him in mind of God's Law Numb 15.39 If he hath not a great Memory yet he hath a good Memory God brings Sins to remembrance committed many Years ago and the Soul is humbled for them as if but newly committed and though sometimes the best of God's Children are subject to slippery Memories and do need Monitors yet they have Minds clarified and apt to be tenacious of the things of God 2 Pet. 3.1 I stir up your pure minds by way remembrance An hint will bring God and good things into their Thoughts again but wicked men are described by this Character of forgetting God Psal 50.22 Do you make it your business to remember God upon your Beds and in all Places Psal 63.6 3. The New Creature hath a new Councellor formerly the Soul consulted with carnal Interest and base and by-ends even in things of Religion if the Practice of Religion did cross his low and selfish Designs he laid it down but as soon as this Principle is put within him he saith as Paul immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1.16 God's glory the good of his own and others Souls lay uppermost Now the Christian goes to the Sanctuary in arduous cases Psal 73.14 and makes the Scriptures those divine Oracles the chief Counsellors Psal 119.24 in his Works Natural Civil Spiritual and dare venture upon nothing but what he hath warrant from God for not What saith this Friend or the other Relation but what saith God in the case directly or by good Consequence See the difference betwixt good Jehoshaphat and Ahab 1 King 22.5 6. the former said Enquire I pray thee at the Word of the Lord to day The other made nothing of it they soâ—n forgat his Works they waited not for his Counsel Psal 108.13 And God gives them up to walk in their own Counsels Psal 81.12 4. The New Creature hath new Admiration the Carnal Heart wonders at trifling Novelties David prays Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law Psal 119.18 There indeed he spies wonders of Power Wisdom Holiness Faithfulness and a display of all God's Attributes but especially of free Grace and Love in the Work of Redemption he sees no reason to admire any thing but things
it to eternal happiness in the Enjoyment of God 1. Because such a Person may be and is in the Old Adam and is yet under the Old Covenant which brings a Curse and being out of Christ the Second Adam Gal. 3 10-13 All that he hath doth enjoyeth is accursed to him for every man must either keep the Law and satisfie for the breach of it in his own Person or another that is able must do it for him and that 's none but Christ our Surety and Chrst doth it not for any but such as by Faith have interest in him now he that is not a New Creature hath no interest in Christ for if any man be in Christ i. e. related to Christ intitled to him he is a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 And he that is not graffed in this true Vine and doth not partake of the root and fatness of this Olive-tree can bear no Fruit John 15.1 5. Rom. 11.17 Do nothing to any purpose nor improve any Privilege to his Spiritual profit for he is a dead Branch cast forth and withered and cast into the Fire John 15.6 Though he was in Christ by Profession yet because he was not planted in Christ by possession of him he is a woful cast-away he is graffed in a wrong Stock to be fruitful here or to shoot up as high as Heaven at last now we cannot be accepted but in the beloved Eph. 1.6 And without Faith in Christ it 's impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 for the first man Adam was made a living Soul and by his Fall himself and his Posterity are become dead condemned Sinners but the last Adam is made a quickning Spirit i. e. Christ becomes a Principle of Life to all his Spiritual Offspring and he will own none but such see 1 Cor. 15.45 49. 2. Because such Souls want the sanctifying operations of the Holy Ghost and we find that the offering up of the Gentiles is only acceptable by being sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15.16 God will own nothing from Men but what hath the Breathings of the Spirit in it For God knoweth the Mind of the Spirit Rom. 8.26 27. The least interpellations thereof in his Children though but a groaning that cannot be uttered is accepted by God but the most eloquent Rhapsodies and loudest Vociferations of graceless Souls are rejected by the Lord For if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 11 14. Here we read of the Spirit of God dwelling in Believers and As many as are led by the Spirit of God they and indeed none else are the Sons of God God will own none for his but them that have this stamp this seal upon them so 2 Cor. 1.22 VVho hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts and this is the Earnest of our Inheritance Ephes 1.13 14. Now all external Ordinances Privileges and Performances amount not to this and the Scripture tells us that He is not a Jew i. e. a sincere Christian for its an Old-Testament Title given to a New-Testament Saint that is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose praise is not of men but of God Rom. 2.28 29. There lies the Life and Vitals of our Religion the Tree must first be good or it can never bring forth good Fruit Operari sequitur Esse working attends the being of a thing If men be not good they can never do good now it is not any thing External that can make Persons good it must be the hidden man of the Heart 1 Pet. 3.4 that constitutes a Person good So Reason makes a Man not Jewels or outward Ornaments thus Grace constitutes a Christian not outward Privileges As nothing that is without a man can defile a man Mark 15. So nothing without can cleanse him I shall briefly apply this point and so pass to the next Is this so That the Richest Privileges and most Glorious Professions avail not any Man except he be a New Creature Then It follows that Religion consists not in Negatives but Positives It s false arguing to say I am not a Jew not a Turk no Heathen and therefore a good Christian nay it s not enough to say I am no Swearer Drunkard Whoremogner therefore a Saint good enough this was the Fallacy of the Pharisees Luke 18.11 God I thank thee that I am not as other men Extortioners Unjust Adulterers or even as this Publican Alas this would not do God disowned him Christianity consists in something positive Little Children saith the Apostle let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous 1 John 3.7 Christ became the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them and only them that obey him Heb 5.9 Alas Persons may gull and beguil themselves with airy Notions and Speculations of free Grace Christ's merits and trusting God and so build Castles in the Air which will drop with them into Hell for without practical Godliness they will be deceived and die with a Lye in their Right Hand Mistake not I say not that free Grace or Christ's Blood is but a fansie or that a Soul can be saved without them or that he that believeth with a Gospel sincere Faith shall miss of Heaven but many snatch at these and espouse a meer Chimaera a Fancy or Notion of these while they have not a Principle in their Hearts or the Power of Godliness in their Lives I may say with the Apostle Can Faith save thee No no such a Faith without Works is dead James 2.4 20. And being lifeless 't is lost thou must have something that hath existence 2. That Christianity doth not lie in meer Externals If men have no more Religion then is visible to others they have not that which will serve their turn true Godliness is a hidden mystical thing Our Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 It s a Pearl in the Shell it s an hidden Spring that moves the visible Hand God's Children are hidden Ones Psal 83. King 's in a disguise It appears not yet what they shall be 1 John 3.2 The best and worst of a real Saint is not obvious to mens view The King's Daughter is all glorious within Psal 45.13 If Privileges and Profession did denominate a Saint we might infallibly tell who should be saved but a Child of God hath two sides one God-wards another Men-wards A Merchant's Wares are in back Shops the best Goods are often under Deck In the hidden parts saith David thou shalt make me to know VVisdom Psal 51.6 Hypocrites are painted Sepulchres that outwardly appear beautiful but within are full of dead mens Bones and of all uncleanness Mat. 23.27 You must look at Internal Principles not at external Professions or Privileges 3. There is such a
to Calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 that are still growing as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 3. It s the duty of Saints yea their property to grow stronger and stronger Job 17.9 To perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 For the New Creature helps eggs on the Child of God to improve his Talents to use God's appointed means for increase to derive Vertue from Jesus Christ that he may increase with the increase of God Col. 2.19 This New Creature begets a new Appetite which in this imperfect state makes him gape and long after more and he never saith he hath enough in this lower World It s said of the Crocodile quamdiu vivit crescit so the Saint he grows as long as he lives Oh saith the Soul I am short still defective the greatest part of what I have attained is the least part of what I want Oh that I could be more like God! be changed into his Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 I can never be enough like God this is the clearest evidence of the Truth of Grace a dead Picture will not grow as a living Child a dead Stake grows not as a living Plant Lord make me more humble holy heavenly self-denying watchful fruitful 5. It is a depending New Creature it makes the Soul sensible of its own weakness it feels not its own Feet it cannot stand alone therefore leans on its Beloved Cant. 8.5 every step through this Wilderness state Wo be to me saith the Soul if I be alone I have long found it by too dear-bought Experience I am like a Staff and shall stand no longer then I am upheld by an Almighty Hand if God bid me come upon the fluid Waves and reach out his Hand I will venture as Peter my Feet shall not fail if Faith fail not Lord hold up my goings in thy path that my Foot-steps slip not Psal 17.5 Alas without thee I can do nothing John 5.5 But by thee I can run through a Troop and by my God I can leap over a Wall Psal 18.29 I am able to do all things through Christ that strengthens me Phil. 4.13 I find by experience that the least difficulty overmatcheth me without divine assistance and the greatest Mountains become a plain before Zerubabel My Lord of Hosts who out of weakness can make strong if he say My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.7 I will encounter a Goliah and in the Name of the Lord do wonders my only Strength is in thine all-sufficient Grace by the Grace of God I am what I am 1 Cor. 15.10 do what I do 6. It s a wakeful New Creature the Soul never sleeps Grace in the Soul is still waking I sleep but my Heart wakes Cant. 5.2 The wise Virgins as well as the foolish may take a Nod Matth. 25.6 7. But they are quickly awak'd with the Bridegroom 's coming Grace may lie in the dull habit or as a Spark of Fire in the Ashes but it will revive there needs not a new Life to be put in but a stirring up that vital Principle it may seem a Paradox that the Christian is distinguished from his Heart a suspension of the Actings of spiritual Liveliness and Vivacity there may be whereby the Senses are at present bound up by indisposition to Duty yet a Principle of Grace inclining to motion there may be thus there 's two different Natures in the Child of God like two distinct Persons so Paul Rom. 7.20 If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me So he distinguisheth oft betwixt I and I these different Natures have opposite Actings in the worst state of a Christian's spiritual dulness he is very apprehensive things are not right with him there 's some Convictions Challenges Purposes Protestations of the inward Man against this lazy frame it displeaseth him and he hath some faint and languid Struglings to raise himself The New Creature gives not full consent though it can act little vigorously but ther 's a lusting against each other Gal. 5.17 Peter's Faith did not act yet not totally fail when he denyed his Master For Christ's Prayer was heard for him Luk. 22.32 There is some tendency in the Heart God-wards in the Saints lowest Ebbs he 's not satisfied in his Sleepiness 7. It is an abiding New Creature it will remain and overcome all Oppositions and continue as long as the Soul continues as was said before it is an immortal Seed the world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.17 This anointing abideth in them and causeth them to abide in him ver 27. This Principle will be as a well of water springing up into everlasting Life Joh. 4.14 This fear of the Lord endureth for ever Psal 19.9 His Righteousness endureth for ever Psal 112.3 Morality withers and Decays but Sincerity will run paralel with the Life of God and Line of Eternity If thou art an Apostate thou wast never such a New Creature as I have described If you continue in my Word then are you my Disciples indeed John 8.31 Look you to your Sincerity and God will look to your Perseverance nay that Principle will be attended with an holy Jealousie which is the aw-band of the Soul and a special Preservation against Apostacy Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart from me This Fear will teach them to incline God-wards and abhor what tends to departing from God Scripture makes this a clear evidence of a state oâ— Grace Col. 1.21 23. of interest in Christ Heb. 3 6-14 And the contrary of a Soul going off 1 John 2.19 Try your selves by this Character Do you persevere Objection How can I evidence my self to be a New Creature I am not yet at the End of my Journey who knows what I may do or be I have a backsliding Heart I may fall away before I dye Answ It s true thou canst not presage what may come but thou mayst guess at time to come from what thou hast met with in times past thou hast had experience of the operations of Grace witnessings of God's Spirit healing of Backslidings conquest of some strong Lusts victory over the World vanquishing Satan's assaults so that thou canst set up Samuel's Stone Ebenezer Hitherto hath the Lord helped 2 Sam. 7.12 And dost thou not find it on Record Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it till the day of Jesus Christ Hath Doth Will is the Scripture-Logick its true you are not absolute Conquerorss till the last Enemy be destroyed which is Death but Scripture stile reckons sincere Combatants to be Conquerors Ye are of God little Children and have overcome them 1 John 4 4-5.4 And this is the victory that overcometh
4.11 This Rent will I daily pay as a Tribute to the Crown of Heaven I am resolved to glorifie God in my Body and Soul which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 Better lose my Life then lose the End of my Life God's glory 5. New Worship is always a Companion of the New Creature It s true the carnal man might hear and read the Word Pray receive the Sacrament and perform the external Acts of Religion before but formally heartlesly hypocritically God knows having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.5 But as soon as the Grace of God hath formed the New Creature in the Heart then 't is said as of Paul Behold he prayeth Acts 9.11 Why did not Paul pray before Yes doubtless he was a Pharisee and Pharisees made long Prayers its likely had a great Gift of Prayer ay but now a Paul had the grace of Prayer behold he prays now he prays with a witness his Prayer hath all the Requisites essential to Prayer Oh now if you could lay your Ear to the Closet of this new born Saint what sighs and groans would you hear Rom. 8.26 What throbs and tears what self-loathing Confessions what heart-rending Complaints what Heaven-piercing Expostulations would you have What believing pleading of Promises what improvement of Christ's mediatorship this is not formal or heartless Canting As soon as ever this New Creature was formed the Soul was turned from Idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thes 1.9 i. e. as such a God in a sincere and lively manner in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 If the Words be the same the workings of Heart are as different as a living man's tone from dead Organ-pipes the one hath Breath the other not The gracious soul engageth his Heart to approach unto God Jer. 30.21 Yea he also saith Let us lift up our Hearts with our Hands Lamen 3.41 i. e. oremus laboremus let us pray and use our utmost endeavour to obtain what we pray for the Hypocrites Tongue may wag but the New Creature sets the Heart a breathing Hands on working Feet on walking Oh how he is concerned in a Duty 6. A New War is commenced by the New Creature as soon as this New Creature peeps out Satan musters all the powers of darkness against it and now begins this holy War which never ceaseth while the Soul is in the â—ody and Oh how many a sharp skirmish hath the Christian with Satan and his armed Bands the carnal Heart holds correspondence with the Enemy and the Devil lets him alone and all his Goods or soul's Faculties are in peace Luk. 11.21 he sleeps quietly in the Devil's Tents little dreaming whither he is going or rather he is carried in a golden Dream into Satan's Territories or as Solomoâ—'s young Gallant with the Whore As an Ox goeth to the slaughter or as a Fool to the correction of the Stocks Prov. 7.22 But the converted soul sees his danger and struggles hard to extricate himself and when he is at liberty the Devil pursues him with rage sometimes otherwhiles with subtilty seeks to undermine him he is aware of both and is not ignorant of his devices 2 Cor. 2.11 One while he fights with spirituâ—â— weapons and so resists the Devil and he fleesâ— another while the soul retires to his strong hold by Faith and Prayer and is secured Thus the gracious soul is warring a good Warfare fighting the Fight of Faith 1 Tim. 1 18-6.12.2 Tim. 2.4 which is a good Fight he gets disintangâ— led from the affairs of this life and lays aside every weight that he may militate more strenuously and more successfully nor doth the good soul so fight as one that beats the Air 1 Cor. 9.26 laying about him at adventures but he spies his Enemy hath taken a view of them in Scripture-light le ts fly at the Faces of foreign and intestine Adversaries with spiritual scriptural Weapons and never sounds a Parly oâ— makes a Truce but disputes every Inch of hiâ— passage to Heaven thus this New Creature 〈◊〉 the Christian Champion 7. The New Creature finds out new company alas his old Companions grow stale wiâ— the Convert he cannot take delight in his old Comrades that would jest and be merry and seek to drive him out of his melancholy Dump with pleasant stories this is but as singing Song to an heavy Heart The good Heart is now sick of such vain company and bids them be gone they are of no use to him 'T is very observable three times and upon so many occasions doth David require all wicked men to depart from him Psal 6.8 Depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping q. d. I have got better company and comfort then you are Psal 119.115 Depart from me ye evil-doers for I will keep the Commandments of my God q. d. I have taken up other Resolutions and must have other Companions then you the last is Psal 139.19 Surely thou shalt slay the wicked O God depart therefore from me ye bloody men q. d. I am loath to fare as you fare and will not be found in your company this is Christian Policy as well as Piety 't is impossible the New Creature should take delight in his old Companions for what communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6.14 15 17. what concord hath Christ with Belial There are in the world persons more suitable to his temper even Saints not in Heaven but that are in the Earth men excellent in whom is all his delight Psal 16.3 These these are his Companions Psal 119.63 the delight of his soul he loves them dearly because they are so like his Father in Heaven these are they he hopes to live with in the other world and he must associate with them in this he loves to discourse with them joyn in Prayer with them none such content he hath on Earth as in the communion of Saints 8. The new Creature needs and requires new Cordials new Food and Physick the world and all that it can afford that are wont to be so pleasant are all but dry Meat have no more savour then the white of an Egg the Soul hath now a more dainty and delicate Stomach then to be satisfied with such Husks and trash he sues for the tender Mercies of God Psal 119.77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me that I may live q. d. I know not how to live a natural Life and I cannot live a spiritual Life without these tender Mercies the Lord knoweth my squeamish and delicate Stomach and crowns me withloving-kindness and tender mercies Psal 103.4 Luther called the whole Turkish Empire but a Crumb cast to Dogs and often protested to God that he would not be put off with these low things even when he had a Silver Mine offered him Even an Heathen Seneca could say major sum ad majora natus I am greater and born to higher things then terrene
Objects Will not a Christian much more say so The Christian hath Meat to eat that Men know not ofâ— spiritual Manna Angels Food is the Christians Diet John 4.32 the fatness of God's house yea marrow and fatness Psal 36.9 63.5 19.10 God's word is as hony and hony-comb better then necessary food yea Jesus Christ himself the bread of Life John 6.55 The New Creature finds full contentment in Christ through a promise It s worth observing that spiritual delights are suited to all the spiritual senses melos in aure mel in ore Musick in the Ear his Mouth is most sweet Wine to the taste yea his Love is better then Wine Cant 5.16 as Oyntment poured forth to the Smell ch 1.2.3 12 13. ch 2.6 8 3. yea as Spiknard Myrrh his Embraces to the touch and feeling His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me As for the sight my beloved is white and ruddy Cant. 5 10-16 he is altogether lovely in all his parts and comely proportion You see the New Creature hath its Senses as well as the Body and spiritual good things gratifie them who by reason of use have their Senses exercised to discern good and evil Heb. 5.14 9. The New Creature hath a new home our being upon Earth in these Houses of Clay Job 4.19 is our short home our being under the Earth is our long home Eccle. 12.5 7. Rom. 6.23 In the Grave Hell is the sinner's last and everlasting Home Heaven is the Saints best eternal home 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Knowing that whilst we are at home in the Body we are absent from the Lord but we are willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. A poor graceless Wretch is well where he is like that carnal Cardinal that would not change his part in Paris for his part in Paradise Such as these are men of the world whose portion is in this life Psal 17.14 These are written in the Earth possibly as recorded and renowned among the great Ones of it Jer. 17.15 But there 's a Generation of the Sons of men that are not of this world whose Names are written in Heaven John 15.9 And are travelling towards the New Jerusalem thence they came and thither they are bound Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all Gal. 4.26 'T is thither the New Creature tendeth there it would gladly be it is troubled at whatsoever stops it in its motion homewards Rom. 8.23 Not only they i.e. the other Creatures but our selves also which have the first fruits of the spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our Body Oh blessed Jubile when shall the dawning of that glorious day appear How long must I dwell in Meshech or in the Tents of Kedar Psal 120.5 How long shall I abide on this side Jordan Oh that once at last I might inhabit that goodly Mount and Lebanon Why is his Chariot so long in coming why stay the VVheels of his Chariot Come Lord Jesus come quickly break down the walls of this earthly Tabernacle and cloath me with that house from Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 2. How long shall â— be tost on this tumultuous Sea when shall I reach the Haven I long to be with Christ Phil. 1.23 among the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12 23-11.13 14 15 16. Here I am a Stranger and Pilgrim and am seeking another Country thither I am hasting there I would be that this disguise may be pluckt off that when he shall appear I may be like him and see him as he is 1. John 3.1 2. My best Life is yet hid but when Christ who is my Life shall appear then shall I also appear with him in glory Col. 3.3 4. For this I hope and wait and Pray and long 10. The New Creature begets new Apprehensions of it self in all this he was darkness but now he is light in the Lord Eph. 5.8 The poor old Creature thinks well of himself and his doings he imagines he can Pray perform Duty and when he hath by the strength of his Gifts come off finely then he applauds himself as Bernard said of himself bene fecisti Bernarde well done now God is beholding to thee and owes thee a kindness as the Hypocrital Jews Isa 58.3 And the Pharisees Luk. 18.11 But this New Creature will teach its possessour another Lesson when he hath done all alas he is an unprofitable Servant Luk. 17.9 My Righteousnesses are but as filthy rags Isa 64.6 Still I am an unclean thing I deserve nothing but wrath if I justifie my self mine own Mouth shall condemn me Job 9.20 My Spiritual Duties need Spiritualizing my Repentance needs repenting of my Exercise of Grace needs a gracious Pardon My Lord Jesus must take away the Iniquity of my holy things perfume my poor Services and offer my Prayers with his much Incense upon the golden Altar Exod. 28.58 before the Throne Rev. 8.3 I dare not stand before God in my best suit of Inherent Righteousness If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquity Oh Lord who can stand Psal 1 30.3 In thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 If I look at the New Creature there 's many defects therein if I reflect on the purest actings of Grace alas they are imperfect I must be found in Christ or I am lost for ever Phil. 3.9 Not having mine own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is by the Faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith Oh my Lord when I am standing before the Angel of the Lord Satan stands at my right hand to resist me and justly he may for I am cloathed with filthy Garments Oh speak the word that mine Iniquity may pass away from me and cloath me with change of Rayment Zech. 3.1 4. My change of Principles will not do without an upper Garment to cover all my Defects and Faults there I stick there I must stand righteous before God at the Great Day The summ of all this is contained in that excellent Text with which I conclude this Head Phil. 3.3 For we are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Chap. XII Directions what Means may be used for the obtaining this New Creature I Am sensible I have insisted too long upon the First Head of this last Use of Instruction concerning the Evidences of this work in our Souls from its Preparatives Parts Properties and Effects I shall be the briefer in the rest 2. The next is to give some Instructions to those that feel or fear they are not yet New Creatures how they are to behave themselves and what course they are to take that they may become New Creatures I am much prevented in this by the worthy labours of those excellent Men Mr. Baxter Mr. Jos Allein and many others in