whom only God accepteth Heb. 7.26 28. That blessed Spirit who baptizeth with fire will not only inflame your hearts but kindle also your lips with all fervencie of prayer Prayer is a special sacrifice and sacrifices must burn upon the Altar Prayer is our Incense Psal. 141.2 which till it burneth in the fiery censer yields no odour or sweetness That holy Spirit will quicken you to frequent and continual prayer and doth not only whisper in your ear but draw out your heart to pray always with all manner of prayer Eph. 6.18 to pray without ceasing 1 Thes. 5.17 to continue in prayer and watch in the same Col. 4.2 not to slip any occasion but to improve all opportunities which God offers us in petition thanksgiving intercession deprecation supplication No marvel if the Ancients called it the key of Heaven for it opens all to us It opens the womb Gen. 20.17 18. It opens the prison Act. 12. It opens Heaven when it is bar'd with brass Iam. 5.18 It opens Gods ears when he hath even shut them against us 2 Chro. 7.13 14 15. The Doctours call it the scourge of the Divel It drives away his tentations Matth. 26.41 Nothing in the world so prevalent For it sets even God himself on work in whose hands are all creatures and with whom nothing is impossible Gird up therefore the loyns of your minds and whet your voyces to peirce through the Heavens And oh that I could be the means to put that perpetual motion of praying and crying into your hearts Look about you and you shall see abundant matter of crying of loud crying would we advisedly behold what we see there is hardly one object of our eyes which would not skrue up our voyces a note higher and set us a roaring Look upon the dark places of the earth and they are full of the habitations of crueltie Psal. 74.20 And should not this raise up a crie Remember Lord the enemie hath reproched and foolish people have blasphemed thy name oh deliver not the soul of thy Turtle dove unto the multitude of the wicked oh let not the oppressed return ashamed Psal. 74.18 19 21. when you look into the place of judgment and wickedness is there and to the place of righteousness and inquitie is there Eccl. 3.16 will not so crying a sin force a loud crie from your hearts when you consider all the oppressions under the Sun and behold the tears of the oppressed and they had no comâ—orter and on the side of the Oppressours was power but on their side no comâ—orter Eccl. 4.1 how can you forbear to weep with those that weep when you hear the grones of widowes the sighs of the fatherless the lamentations of the hungry naked distressed can you chuse but bear a part in this doleful musick when you look on the pride wherein the land is disguised in monstrous attires the prodigious excess in riotings the general lightness and impudence of all behaviour when you hear the vollies of blasphemous tongues thundering against Heaven the stench of drunkenness infecting the ayer with plagues poxes c. the ignorance superstition idolatrie profaneness Atheism in the world the hellish contempt of God and all his Ordinances In a word a deluge of corruption overwhelming all degrees sexes ages and the wrath of God flaming in revenge against such execrable provocations where can you find hearts large enough to hold or throats wide enough to utter cries and ejulations to Heaven But had you no eyes to look abroad yet look within and you shall find more matter of crying than possibilitie of expressing See there what ignorance unbelief deadness vanitie securitie pride hypocrisie obstinacie backsliding self-love self-seeking inordinate passion what a world what an hell of wickedness couches it self in a desperately wicked heart it will stretch out your throats and force you to a loud crie and bitter Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Certainly if you have any spirit in you it will fill your hearts with a fountain and your eyes with rivers of tears Were you heathens it would drive you to send out the proclamation of Nineve into every part of body and soul Let man and beast reason and sense flesh and spirit cry mightily unto God Jon. 3.8 Let us whet these things upon our hard hearts to sharpen our dull prayers that they may pierce the Heavens and prevent the birth of that decree which if it once bring forth will prevent all prevention Pour out day and night some such petition when you have prepared your hearts by some such like meditation Oh my drowsie soul canst thou ly down with Ionah and sleep in such a Tempest Seest thou not these waves of wickedness which mount up against Heaven and sink down again into bottomless depths and is not thy spirit melted because of trouble The floods have lifted up the floods of the ungodly have lifted up their voice and canst thou be silent See how that little Bark fraught with Christ and his Spouse is filled with water nay with blood see what a storm is come down into the lake and how the waves dash into the ship whilst thy Lord and Saviour â—s asleep in the stern upon a pillow and wilt thou not with loud cries awake him See what a troubled sea is in thine own heart foming out mire and dirt and canst thou rest Are not the waters come into thy soul Sinkst thou not in the deeps where is no standing Is not the belly of hell ready to swallow thee and canst thou cease crying Heark how sin cries and wilt thou be silent heark how the Saints cry and canst thou hold thy peace If thou hast no words in thy tongue hast thou no grones no sighs in thy heart Oh my soul is thy Lord so ready to hear and art thou so slow to speak Shall his ear stand so wide open to thee and thy mouth and heart so fast shut to him Do not his commands draw thee thy necessities drive thee do not his mercies invite his promises assure thee thy povertie enforce thee Art thou a child and canst not speak He hath provided thee two Almighty Intercessours one his Son to plead for thee the other his Spirit to plead in thee How should the weakest arm faint which hath such supporters such an Hur and such an Aaron to under-prop them Oh thou my gracious Saviour who in the days of thy flesh offeredst up prayers and supplications with strong cries accent my flat heart and voice with thy sharp cryings Thou who helpest the infirmities of our utterance teach my heart to grone beyond all power of utterance And Thou who knowest the mind of the spirit and art ever well pleased in thy beloved hearken graciously to the stammerings of my Infant spirit and accept them in him in whom thou art ever well pleased 4. Lastly for vowes I can give you no better direction than his Spirit to whom
and thou the Prince of peace The world is Israâ—ls type who blinded see Freedom in bonds and bonds in libertie Thee they proclaym an hard man hard to pleaseâ— Thy easy easing Yoke lades with disease But murthering Satan lust the soul oppressing The cheating world by pleasing most distressing These are their gentle Lords their cursed Yokes â—heiâ— blessingâ— III. Poor souls have you no eyes your eyes no light These old eyes nothing seeâ— see nothing true Get Perspectives oh help your feeble â—ight Blind eyes make night as day and day as night Turn to the light and your old eyes renew Shake off hells spectacles and better vieu Your Lords and service had you light and eyes How could you hate the truth and love these lies Despise what you admire admire what you despise IV. Their Kings are servants but his servants Kings Their rest an Iron Yoke his Yoke your rest His wounds are salves their salves are wounding stings His death brings life their liâ—e death surely brings Their â—east a pining â—ast his â—ast a feast His servants blest when curst theirs curst when bleâ—â— Poor souls be wise but if ye fools disdein To serve this Lord in rest serve those in payn Serve them in Hell who scorn with him in Heaven to reign CAP. XVI What kind of service it is which his Spouse gives unto Christ. THe hand is the bodies Steward and Faith the souls hand Both have a double office either to take in or give out to receive or distribute what God offers faith takes and gives what he demands There is a bargain driven betwixt God and man when God himself and his Kingdom is assured upon man and man and all his is passed and made over to God by way of exchange or sale Our Lord hath not only laid down a price for us even himself Tit. 3.14 and bought us as we say out and out 1 Cor. 6.20 but hath also set a price upon himself and we must come up to his full price or never have him We must buy that milk hony and feast of fat things the sure mercies of David Isa. 55.1 c. That gold tried by the fire whereby we are made rich that white raiment that eyâ— salve the riches of the Gentils the robe of righteousness the light of the world the Lord Iesus must be bought Rom. 3.18 We must buy the truth Prov. 23.23 The treasure in the field is bought and that Merchant sells all that he hath to buy the goodly pearl Matth. 13.44 46. Hence there is a mutual vouching The Lord openly voucheth us for his people and we vouch him for our Lord Deut. 26.17 18. And to make the bargain sure and infallible large and precious Earnest is given even that blessed and Holy Spirit 2 Cor. 1.22 Eph. 1.14 which binds both seller and buyer to stand to the bargain But what is the price at which God rates himself to us 1. He challengeth the soul. All souls are his Ezek. 18.4 he must have the heart Prov. 23.26 all the soul all the heart all the might Deut. 6.5 The whole body must be presented to him as a living sacrifice Rom. 12.1 He hath payd for all and so now we are no more our own 1 Cor. 6.19 20. If he call for health wealth life all must be given him Luk. 14.26 else we as that Ruler Mar. 10 goe away empty sad and hopeless But this seems to imply a contradiction for to sell for a price and to give freely are contraries Now Christ is given us Ioh. 3.16 eternal life is the gift of grace Rom. 6.23 Salvation is by gift and grace Eph. 2.8 We are freely loved Hos. 14.4 freely justified Rom. 3.23 Certain is it and cannot be denied that never any thing was more freely or bountifully given We were poor Rev. 3.17 able to give nothing unable to pay due debts and our debts infinite Math. 18.24 25. The Lord Iesus our Surety hath purchased this whole possession for us and us for God but he also most freely given us and all things with him Rom. 8.32 Nay even that which hereafter God demands of us of which only here we speak our trust in him love to him fear of him working for him all these his most free gifts He works all in us and for us Isa. 26.12 Will and deed Phil. 2.13 That therefore which we give him is his own and we cannot but confess with that holy Prophet All things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee 1 Chro. 29.14 Indeed he commands us to buy yet asks he neither mony nor mony-worth Isa. 55.1 Our righteousness bringeth him neither profit nor pleasure Iob 22.2 3. and 35.7 No good we can do reacheth to him Psal. 16.2 when we give our selves what give we but vanitie Psal. 39.5 and nothing 2 Cor. 12.11 The truth is God receives no benefit from us neither are they if we speak properly gifts to him from us but rather from him to us not only because we first receive what after we give but specially because it is a great grace and next to himself the greatest gift he can bestow on us that he will receive us or any thing from us It is our infinite blessedness and his infinite goodness that he is ours and how much less is it certainly next to that that we are his Cant. 2.16 He calls for our bodies and spirits and are they out filthy polluted abominable how unworthy of him But he calls for them to wash and cleanse them from all filthiness Ezek. 36.26 they are dead in sins he would have them to quicken them to put his Spirit into them Ezek. 36.27 they are old corrupt in lusts Eph. 4.22 he would have them to renew them Ezek. 36.26 where can they be safe but under his wings and how secure under his protection How miserable and wretched when banished from his sight but in his house how infinitely blessed Psal. 65.4 How empty in his absence but in his presence is fulness of joy and everlasting pleasures Psal. 16.11 And yet God calls it buying as well because he is pleased not only to demand it but accept it as our reasonable service and testimonie of our thankfulness As great persons lease out to some special servant or favorite a fair land for the annual payment of a pepper-corn so deals our most gracious God with us gives us Heaven and Earth and himself the Lord of both because we have found favour in his eyes and desires no other rent but our poor selves and service whose only riches it is to be his inheritance and servants Thus the same hand of faith receives from our Lord himself and his grace and gives to him our selves and service takes from him what he graciously offers and works for him by love what he justly commands Now our work and service to our Lord is by himself sometime contracted into one head or body sometime parted into three members That which in one word comprizes
their hearts rescued theiâ— macerated bodies and distracted wits and by parting with their money returned to their wonted peace and quietness This Ancient Couple and our own reason will assure us that felicity seldome dwelleth with riches never is patcht up with raggs of earth Philosophers prove it and Poets sing it Thus in English Boetius Libr. 2. Metr 2. If Mammon empty all his baggs to store The greedy mind as Seas heap sands on shore If earth with Heaven vie Angels for her lovers And every star with golden Pieces covers If Plenty hills of wealth and mountains heaps And what it largely gives as safely keeps The dropsie soul still whines still thirsts and pants For earth and feels not what it has but wants When God the mouth the throat the skin hath cram'â— With gold the heart still gapes and gasps as clam'd Nor earth nor seas nor heaven can quench this drouth As hell it ever yawns ne're shuts the mouth What rein what curb can bridle lustful fires And manage them in pace of just desires When all the gifts which from free Heaven came Are but as oyl and fuel to the flame He never can be full who feeds on ayre He never can be rich who dreams he 's poor and barâ— CAP. IV. Neither can Blessedness consist in honour and worldly advancement EArthly Honour and Greatness in the world is like a ponderous leaden weight in an earthly vessel it breaks out the bottom As too great a charge in a Musket either bursting the barrel or recoyling upon the discharger Great Babel had so blown up and bladdered the heart of great Nebuchadnezzar that swelling beyond the demensions of man he burst His vast thoughts shattered his brain-pan so that not only his Crown but his senses fell from his head While he soars above the pitch of man unto a God he falls beneath the lowest degree of man into a beast eats grass like an Oxe his Hairs metamorphosed into Feathers and his Nails into Claws Dan. 4.30 33. so he exemplified that infallible truth which is therefore doubled by God Man that is in honour abideth not but is like beasts that perish Psal. 49.12 20. 2. Secondly As it is with Riches so with honour even when they are ours they are not our own Riches are ours rather in the dispensation than possession They are anothers Luk. 16.12 The state in another in God and the benefit for others for our Brethren God is the true Owner Psal. 24.1 The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein Rich men are but his Stewards He gives substance and takes it away at his pleasure Iob 1.21 and we receive to give and distribute As God fills the clouds to empty them upon the earth so he poures in to the rich to poure out to the poor Eccles. 11.1 2 3. And therefore a righteous Steward thus dispenseth them He disperseth and giveth to the poor Psal. 112.9 Even thus is it with honour It is not our own It is in him that gives it not in him that receives it and we receive it not for our selves but for others Promotion proceeds from God Psal. 75.6 7. and ends in his people see 2 Sam. 5.12 1 King 10.9 2 Chron. 2.11 The root in another the fruit for other If then borrowed money cannot make rich much less can lent honour make blessed 3. Thirdly It is lyable to all those defects and failings of other creatures 1. Full of vanity and vexation Even Solomons greatness was but vanity Eccl. 2.9 11. It â—s gotten commonly by wicked arts flatâ—ery bribery treachery with grief fear envy And when it is best gotten yet come we to it with much danger hold it with much trouble and cannot part from it but with ruine How many have swam to it in the blood of others and sunk by it in their own read 1 King 16. Look upon David He rose from following the Ewes with young to feed Gods people Psal. 78.71 from the sheep-hook to the Scepter Never any more truly honourable He received it freely when he sought it not it was cast in to him 1 Sam. 16. He came to it innocently and would not stain his head with a bloody Crown 1 Sam. 24. 26. He managed it wisely justly Psal. 78.72 He lived long and dyed in it ripely yet the many and great dangers through which he made toward it the perils and sorrows by reason of those foul practices of his Son Absolom in passing through it The troubles and tumults of Adoniah disturbing him in the farewell of it will assure us that there is much vanity in honour no felicity and the Crown more heavy than happy 2. There is no power in Honour to satisfie the ambitious heart thirsting after it when he hath gathered to him all Nations and heaped to him all people his desire is still as death and hell and cannot be satisfied Habâ— 2.5 He cannot rest or quiet his soul iâ— the very top of earthly honour and glory covets to ascend above the height of the clouds stayes not there but will climb up to heaven neither are the Heavens high enough for him he will exalt his throne above the stars anâ— be like the most high Isa. 14.13 14. Thâ— Prince of Tyre cannot stop his glorious boasting in being wiser than Daniel but sets hiâ— heart as God Ezek. 28.2 3. And truly it iâ— worthy of observation that the heart oâ— man even when it is most carnal and much more when spiritual cannot settle or pitch upon any lower object than likeness to God But here lies the difference the carnaâ— would be like him in an absolute soveraignty and supream independancy Gen. 3.5 the spiritual in humility Psal. 113.5 6. Matth. 11.29 in holiness and purity 1 Pet. 1.15 1 Iohn 3.3 3. Neither is honour of any continuance Man in honour abideth not his glory shall noâ— descend after him Psal. 49.12 17. How many out-live all their honour Those that arâ— born in the Kingdom become poor Eccles. 4 14â— They may live like Gods and yet dye likâ— men Psal. 82.6 7. The life of man is but a flower of short continuance and momentary Job 14.1 2. But the flower of honour commonly budds long after him and is blasted before him certainly parts with him at his grave and returns to some other perhaps his enemy 4. This glittering Idol of honour is like the glaring Image of Beauty It hath strong cords to draw a carnal heart but weak threds to tye and bind the affection which it hath drawn how is the soul enâ—moured on those dazeling but false beams of honour not yet attained how soon it languisheth and loaths what it hath gotten and enjoyed It sparkles in our eyes when we look on it in distance but no sooner is it worn then soiled and loseth all the gloss and beauty That great Emperour and greater persecutor Diocletian how greedily did he hunt after the Imperial Robe and Diadem how
be our Lord a gift fully and only answerable to his love Some service is more honourable than some command A greater dignity to serve the King than to command sheep Whosoever hath tasted how good this Lord is Psal. 34.8 counts all things dung â—nd loss in comparison of his service Phil. 3.8 They prefer his livery and the meanest place in his house before their Princely Robes or any earthly honour Psal. 84.10 Even in our Creation when he gave himself to Adam to be his Lord he took Adam unto himself to be his Son Luk. 3.38 therefore formed him after his own Image Gen. 1.26 And to what higher dignity can the most vast ambition of the Creature aspire than to be like his Creator his Son and Heir Now that our gracious Lord offers himself to be our Portion himself frequently testifies He often takes upon himself this title the Portion of his people Ier. 10.16 51.19 their exceeding great Reward Gen. 15.1 And as frequently his people with glad hearts acknowledge The Lord is the Portion of my inheritance The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places Psal. 16.5 6. I have a goodly heritage Thou art my â—ortion oh Lord Psal. 119.57 Even in the deeps of bitter affliction when they are drunken with Worm-wood this upholds and strongly props them up The Lord is my Portion saith my Soul Lam. 3.15 24. A portion so full and saâ—isfying that even here the Saints utterâ—y reject all things in earth or Heaven as any way accessary or needful to make up any part of their happiness Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none in earth â—hat I desire besides thee My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength oâ— my heart and my Portion for ever Psal. 75.25 26. In this Portion lies all the the blessedness of man which who can more fully assure us than those blessed Saints who filled with his most blessed Spirit out of their experience and overflowing joy pour out abundantly such expressions Blessed is the man whom thou chusest oh Lord and causest him to approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy house we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house even of thine holy Temple Psal. 65.4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house they will ever be praising thee Psal. 84.4 He is only blessed and all Nations blessed in him only Psal. 72.17 Nay himself our Blessedness teacheth us Blessed is the man that hearetâ— me watching daily at my gates and waiting at the posts of my doors for who so findeth me findeth life Prov. 8.34 35. Saints sometime when either they are pressed down with afflictions or newly lifted up from their earthly burthens are ready to think and say Happy are the people who aâ—â— in such a case that is whose garners aâ—â—full whose sheep grounds fruitful no leadâ—ing into captivity no complaining c. buâ— they soon reclaim themselves and upon better thoughts recant yea happy is the people who have the Lord for their God Psalâ— 144.15 This will be yet much more clearly manifested if we look upon God first as our fulâ— defence Secondly as our full reward Thuâ— he Covenants to be unto us Gen. 15.1 Psalâ— 84.11 For the first God is a full and entire defence to all those who are under hiâ— protection They have indeed very many very strong and subtile yet more maliciâ—ous enemies some without some withinâ— but the Lord their Shield beareth off from them all their force frustrateth all theiâ— spite and turneth all their mischief to thâ— furtherance of his people and confusion oâ— their enemies Not an hair of them shall peâ—rish Luk. 21.17 18. I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee witâ— my right hand Behold they that were incenseâ— against thee shall be ashamed they shall be as noâ—thing As many as strive with thee shall perishâ— Isa. 41.10 11. No weapon that is formeâ— against thee shall prosper and every tongue thaâ— riseth against thee in judgement thou shalt conâ—emn This is the heritage of the Servants of â—he Lord and their righteousness is of me saith â—he Lord Isa. 54.17 See it in particularsâ— All Adversaries exercise a double enmity â—ither hostile in assaulting or civil in acâ—using Principalities and Powers wrastle â—gainst us in a dangerous conflict armed with â—ery darts and therefore we are charged with an whole armour of God Ephes. 6.11 â—2 16. 2. They are importunate Accuâ—ers Rev. 12.9 10. Even when God himself â—ad not only justified but so highly commended his servant Iob that shameless Spirit was not ashamed to tax him for an Hypocrite that served for hire not love Iob 1.8 9 10. 2. The World is an unreconcileable enemy warring not only within us by earthly lusts Iam. 4.1 but without persecuting oppressing and consuming Psal. 119.61 87 157 161. 2. Accusing also and pleading against us by contradiction slandering mocking c. Psal. 119.23 51 69. Lastly the Flesh warreth against our souls 1 Pet. 2.11 Rom. 7.23 and accuseth Rom. 2.15 Against all their assaults all their weapons and accusations the Lord is our full protection In war there is a twofold defence 1. Natural in situation as impassable Rocks Mountains Rivers Coverts or Shelters 2. Artificial made by hand and some morâ— distant walls towers fortresses and somâ— nearer shields and other armours Thâ— Lord is all these unto his servants 1. Mounâ—tains round about them Psal. 125.1 2. â— 2. The only Rock 2 Sam. 22.32 3. Broaâ— rivers where no ship can pass Isa 33.21 4. A Covert or hiding place Psal. 32.7 119.114 5. A Wall and that of fireâ— Zech. 2.5 6. A Tower Prov. 18.10 â— 7. A Fortress Psal. 18.2 8. A Shield â— Prov. 30.5 a compassing shield Psalâ— 5.12 like the Cherubims flaming sword turning every way for our protection 9. Our Advocate 1 Ioh. 2.1 to whom all the Saints confidently repair upon all occasions to plead their cause Psal. 35.1 119.124 10. Neither is he only our defensive but offensive armour also both Shield and Sword Deut. 33.29 He bears down our foes and plagues them that hate us Psa. 89.23 In a word he is our Foreward he our Rereward Isa. 52.12 compassing and enclosing us with his Almighty arms as with two invincible Armies This is his promise and the deed fully answers it Look upon it in some instances The Lord Covenants with Abraham Isaac and Iacob to be their shield They were few Pilgrims in strange and Heathen Counâ—reys What but this Almighty Shield could â—ave given them protection when it was in â—â—e power of Labans hand to have hurt Jacob â—od held his hands and lips also Gen. 31.29 â—hen he was not a little nor without cause â—ighted the Lord made his enemies more â—fraid of him than he of his enemies Gen. â—5 5 when he was to pass by Esau's Counâ—â—ey God gave him a royal convoy two â—â—mies of Angels to guard him Gen. 32.1 2. â—elted into tears the
shed his beams not only through the skies and ayer but down to the earth and every earthly Creature It gilds every weed and dung-hill and though it lends so bountifully to all yet it is self still as full as ever Such a reward is our Lord unto us Seeing theâ— he is first infinitely great and all Nations nothing before him and to him less than nothing Isa. 40.17 and secondly infinitely and incomprehensibly good abundantly surrounding the most vast desires in his goodness commanding us to open our mouths wide that is to enlarge our hearts in thirsting our mouths in asking and promises to fill them Psal. 81.10 certainly they can want nothing â—o whom he is all things And this is it which draws out the hearts of his servants to all thankfull acknowledgement The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want Surely mercy and goodness shall follow me all dayes of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever Psal. 23. It is altogether impossible for any Creature to think that God can be any such thing which can possibly be better'd or excell'd by any thing as being a good without limits which the more we know and enjoy the more we esteem and affect It cannot therefore be denyed that the highest and only happiness of man consists in the getting and enjoying him Hearken then to that sweet invitation of that so often before mentioned Philosopher and Poet. Boetius Libr. 3. Metr 10. Come hither come poor Captives you whose minds â—ith dust cast in your eyes Lust cheating blinds â—nd to base earth with willing â—etters binds Come weary souls here reâ—t here quiet bide Come anchor here 's your Port here safely ride Your guilt in this close Sanctuary hide Nor Golden Tagus nor bright Hemus streams Nor India's sâ—lf whose womb Sols hotter beams Fill with rich seed red white green glittering gems No sparkling Pearls your quenched snuff can tine The more ye cleave to their deceitâ—ul shine The more y' are buried in their Dungeon mine Their glistering rayes which kindle fond desire Are earthly and beget but â—atuous fire Shine but in night they rise and set in mire But this Eternal Sun whose splendour bright Rules quickens all gives you both life and light The eye that wistly views with fixed sight Will swear the Starrs the Moon the Sun it self is night But you will say How shall we possibly meet God is in Heaven we on earth Eccles. 5.2 he of purer eyes than to behold evil thaâ— cannot look upon iniquity Hab. 1.13 We all an unclean thing and our righteousness a filthy rag Isa. 64.6 He higher than the Heavens Heb. 7.26 we as low as Hell Observe therefore CAP. VIII How we attain this Portion SUch is the high favour which we poor dust have found in the eyes of our glorious Creatour that he hath not only set us out our Portion in himself but tyed himself to us and us to himself in the sure bond of an everlasting Covenant in which he hath passed himself to us and purchast us to himself he ours as before and we his Portion Deut. 32.9 Zech. 2.12 He our King Hos. 13.10 we his Kingdom Exod. 19.5 6. He to us a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 in love and providence Hos. 14.4 Matth. 6.26 we to him Children in love and obedience Deut. 10.12 Ier. 7.28 This his Covenant he hath frequently enâ—grossed for us that we might have it ever in our eyes not only in his word Gen. 17.7 Ier. 31.31 c. but in our hearts also Ier. 31.33 As Ionathan because he delighted in David 1 Sam. 19.2 and loved him as his own Soul regarded not the disparity of their condition but divested himself of his Princely robes to adorn his servant and having given and tyed his heart to him before now gives his hand and binds himself to him in a sure knot of a friendly Covenant 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. so our most gracious Lord having his delights with the Sons of men Prov. 8.31 loving us beyond knowledge Ephes. 3.19 so far descended in the depth of his love from the height of his Majesty that he even bound himself to the clay of his hands Perhaps the learned Heathen might have some dimm sight of this great Mystâ—rie and veiled it under the Fable of Pâ—gmalion who having framed a curious statue in the form of a Woman fell into love with it and when he had gotten it enlivened married it Love even desires unionâ— and communion with the beloved This incomprehensible goodness of God and great Mysterie of Godliness will be best opened unto us by way of Question and Answer Quest. 1. Hath God never made more Covenants with man than one Answ. God hath made divers Covenants as Gen. 9.9 c. but specially two the Old and New Jer. 31.31 or the first and second Covenant Heb. 8.7 Quest. 2. With whom did God make these Covenants Answ. With the two Adams the first with the first Adam and his seed the second with the second Adam and his seed the first made with a servant and therefore a Covenant of works in this tenure Do this and live Gal. 3.12 The second made with the Son and therefore a Covenant of Grace wherein God giveth what he asketh and worketh what he commandeth bids us Live and so gives us life Ezek. 16.6 commands his Covenant Psal. 111.9 and so writes it in our hearts Jer. 31.33 Thus our new Covenant is made first and immediately with Christ our Redeemer and mediately with us through him our Mediatour See Isa. 59.20 21. Gal. 3.16 Quest. 3. Was then that first Covenant broken Answ. By the first Adam it was utterly broken Gen. 3. and so by all mankind Ier. 31.32 And hence with the root dyed all the branches Rom. 5.12 And certainly never can we sufficiently admire or bless that miracle of Gods mercy in which after that by our treacherous revolture and rebellion we had broken Covenant and were utterly fallen into eternal death and misery he hath taken advantage by our breach of Covenant to make a better Covenant with us and by our sin and rebellion to glorifie his grace in doing us more good than ever that seeing we so waveringly fell in the first we mighâ— invincibly stand in the second Adam and having lost our selves and all our blessedness in the one we might regain and eternally reâ—ain iâ— in the other And hence the first is called the figure of the second Adam Rom. 5.14 because as the first was the Head and Root of our first Covenant in whom we were all blessed if he stood and cursed if he fell so the second is the Head of our second Covenant with whom because he cannot dye our liâ—e is hid up in God Col. 3.3 in whose eternal blessedness we are everlastingly blessed Quest. 4. What is our new Covenant and the matter of it Answ. In a word as Christ Iesus is the Head so is he also the matter of our Covenant For
whatsoever God bestows on us is in Christ and we receive it in him and whatsoever he requireth of us Christ doth it in us and we perform it in him so he all in all Col. 3.11 Hence he is often called our Covenant Isa. 42.6 49.8 Observe it in some particulars 1. He promiseth to save us from all our enemies Luk. 1.74 and gives Christ to be our Salvation Act. 13.47 He Covenants to make us blessed and gives him to be what he promiseth to give Gen. 22.18 2. He sees that we are filthy Psal. 14.3 and therefore demands of us that we wash Ier. 4.14 and be pure as he is pure Levit. 11.45 He knows how unable we are to do it For though we wash us with nitre and take much sope yet our iniquity is marked before him Jer. 2.22 As well can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots Jer. 13.23 Himself therefore undertakes it and covenants to wash and cleanse us from all our filthiness Ezek. 36.25 Hence he openeth a â—ountain to us even in the side of the Lord Iesus for sin and for uncleanness Zech. 13.1 gives us Christ and Christ washes us in his blood Rev. 1.5 3. He knows our foolishness My people are foolish sottish children Jer. 4.22 Tit. 3.3 that we are beasts and bruitish in our knowledge Jer. 10.14 And his infinite Wisdom can take no pleasure in fools Eccles. 5.4 commands us therefore to be wise Psal. 2.10 and often exhorts us to it Oâ— that they were wise Deut. 32.29 Again Ye fools when will ye be wise Psal. 94.10 but knows it is out of our reach Wisdom is too high for a fool Prov. 24.7 Himself therefore gives it liberally and upbraids not Jam. 1.5 gives Christ his wisdom 1 Cor. 1.24 to be our Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.30 4. The Lord knows we are Captives of Satan taken by him at his will 2 Tim. â— 26 servants or slaves to divers lustâ— Tit. 3.3 commands us to loose our â—elves from our bonds Isa. 52.2 to deliver our selves Zech. 2.7 knows we can never be free till the Son makes us free Joh. 8.36 Himself therefore proffers to be our Redeemer Isa. 41.14 and gives the Lord Iesus to be our Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 In a word we are dead and he our life we hunger-starved and he our food Joh. 6.35 we naked and poor he our cloathing and riches Rev. 3.17 18. Gal. 3.27 we blind and even darkness Eph. 5.8 he our light Joh. 8.12 we excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven he the Door to enter us Ioh. 10.9 we straying lost sheep â— he our way Joh. 14.6 and Shepherd to conduct us 1 Pet. 2.25 we dull he the Quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 we weak and can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 he our strength through whom we can do all things â— Phil. 4.13 we altogether empty no good thing in our flesh Rom. 7.18 he our fountain and fulness of grace Joh. 1.16 Quest. 5. What special benefit do we receive by him being now made the Head and matter of our Covenant Answ. Infinite and specially that fulness even now in him which we cannot yet have in our selves and that perfection whereby our weak persons and failing actions are accepted in himâ— Thus the righteousness of the Law is fulfilleâ— in us though not yet by us Rom. 8.3 4â— for he is the end or perfection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the law for righteousness unto every believer Rom. 10.4 we are in him unblameable in him accepted Ephes. 1.4 6. To which end he is made sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 Secondly we receive in him a sure and immoveable estate a Kingdom which cannot be moved Heb. 12.28 a life that cannot dye for being grafted in him we cannot â—ut live because he lives we shall live also Joh. 14.19 He dyeth no more death hath no more dominion over him and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the same manner are we dead unto sin but alive â—nto God in Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.9 11. And as grafts which are implanted â—n any stock receive continual sap from â—he root and by it live and grow and as â—hey increase in bulk increase also in the nourishment which is supplyed continually unto them through their stock till they come to their fulness so the branches of this â—rue Vine make increase Ephes. 4.16 havâ—ng nourishment ministred they increase with â—he increasing of God Col. 2.19 till we â—ome to a perfect man to the measure of the â—ulness of the stature of Christ Eph. 4.13 This is that great Prerogative of the second Covenant made with the second Adam in which the Saints rejoice triumph and sing Who shall separate c. Rom. 8.35 It was granted to Adam saith August de Correp grat c. 11. that he might persevere if he would but not that he would what he might but to us who are grafted into Christ both thaâ— we may and will persevere And in the next Chapter There is now given to the Saints not only such help as was given unto Adam but such as that perseverance it self is given them not only that without this gift they could not persevere but also that by this gift they cannot but persevere This is that unspeakable comfort to our drooping souls and so strong a prop to our weak faith that being grounded on this Rock we cannot be overthrown Therefore that holy Father writing upon those words of the 88 Psalm I will build up thy Throne to all Generations sets up this Trophy and breaks out into this Triumph Christ saith he sitteth in us reigneth in us and shall reign eternally in his Saints This hath God promised if that be not sufficient this hath God sworn Because therefore the promise iâ— sure not according to our merits but hiâ— mercies we must not Preach that with fear which we must not think of with doubt What an Heaven of joy and consolatioâ— floweth from this blessed estate we indeed in nature are bent to back-sliding Hos. 11.7 and therefore he undertakes to heal our back-slidings Jer. 3.22 Hos. 14.4 In us there is an evil heart of unbelief ready to depart from the living God Heb. 3.12 therefore he Covenants to hold our hearts by his fear that we shall not depart from him Jer. 32.40 we are gadding and changing our wayes Jer. 2.36 but he changeth not and therefore we are not consumed Mal. 3.6 It is a special part of his Royal stile Keeping Covenant Neh. 1.5 Dan. 9.4 Psal. 111.5 The Covenant consists of Promises and Duties but those duties promised for whatsoever Duty God demands of us he promiseth to give and whatsoever he promiseth he â—urely and fully performeth and exhibiteth in Christ so worketh all in us and for us Isa. 26.12 much more perfectly and acceptably than we can Object But if Christ be given us as our Fountain and we replenished from his fulness how then are
stormy ayers quiet stay Can Heavens find in swiftest raptures ease Has only man no Centre none to lay His weary soul to rest no place to â—ase His boundless thoughts Me thinks I see a ray A glorious bâ—â—â— break through Heav'ns Canopy Me thinks I hear a voice Come Soul and see Come here here lies thy rest rest in my word me V. It is thy lovely voice great Love oh where Where Lord of love where should I seek to find thee In every place I see thy footsteps cleer Yet find thee not what are the miâ—â—s that blind me I know Lord where thou art and seek thee there Yet there I find not thee before behind me On every side I see yet seeing blind I find not what I see but heark my mind He speaks again Soul seek seek thou and I will find A great encouragement which will much hearten us in this quest is that CAP. X. We shall certainly find when we rightly seek IF worldly and carnal men so zealously affect and hotly pursue their earthly objects the ambitious straining for honour till they crack their estates and brains in reaching after it and yet are often over-reached and lose their prize the covetous as horses drawing iniquity with Cartâ—ropes of vanity defrauding oppressing piercing their souls with many sorrows yet often put all their gains into a bag with holes Hag. 1.6 or at the least in their end are stript and turned out naked voluptuous persons hunt after pleasures till they run themselves off their leggs and are brought to a morsel of bread and yet commonly either lose their game or as that Huntsman are eaten up by their doggs how cheerfully should a Christian â—un his course in seeking that immortal honour of being a Son and Heir to the King of Kings those durable riches treasures laid â—p in Heaven those incorruptible pleasures which are at Gods right hand and press hard toward the â—â—rk for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ which following he shall surely obtain and having obtained shall never lose Never did our gracious Lord command his poor creatures Seek ye the Lord in vain Isa. 49.15 he hath past his word that in seeking him we shall certainly find and iâ— finding him shall be ever blessed His word is his deed what he speaks is done what he commands stands fast Psal. 33.9 Be assured therefore if thou seek him â—e will be found of thee 1 Chron. 28.9 2 Chron. 15. â—â— Matth. 7.7 If you seek for honour glory immortality you shall find eternal life Rom. 2â—7 Thus hath he frequently promised and all his promises are Yeâ— and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Iudah sought â—im and found him 2 Chron. 15.15 Even Hypocrites find him and some favour with him when they seek even as much and as far as they seekâ— Aâ—abs temporal humiliation obtained an answerable mercy 1 King 21.29 As long aâ— Vzziah sought God so long he prosperedâ—â— Chron. 26.5 It is an infallible dispensation of his Providence in general to give every man what he seeks He that seeketh good shall have favour and â—e that seeketh mischieâ— it shall come unto him Prov. 11.27 It cannot be otherwise For 1. 〈◊〉 â—st sui diâ—â—usivum Good iâ— oâ— a spreading nature It cannot but comâ—unicate it self proportionably to the power which it hath and to the object which iâ— finds He is good and doth good Psal. 119.68 He is infinitely good and therefore infinitely communicates himself as well to the 〈◊〉 by generation as to the Holy Ghost by procession yeâ— finitely as they are capable to all his Creatures as well in their Creation making them very good Gen. 1.31 as in his providence and dispensation his open hand fills them with good Psal. 104.28 and man being created after his own image and after his â—all capable of the divine nature he offers and imparts it to them who takes his offer 2 Pet. 1.4 Secondly He is Love 1 Iohn 4â—16 gracious Exod. 34.6 loving before above contrary to our deservingâ— Thiâ— love our Saviour thinks best to express in the relation of a Father Luk. 11.11 12 13â— so loving that he waits to be gracious unto us Isa. 30.18 that he is found of those that seek him not and makes himself manifeâ—â— to those that ask not after him Rom. 10.20 so unexpressably and unconceivably loving that when he had bestowed all his Creatures upon us he yet satisfied not his love till he had given a gift fully proportionable to his incomprehensible love the Son of his love his only begotten that we being destroyed by our selves Hos. 13.9 mighâ— through him never perish being dead in our selves might have eternal life in him Ioh. 3.16 being enemies in our nature might be reconciled in him Rom. 5.10 Thirdly He is the Truth Joh. 14.6 How frequently hath he promised that if we seek we shall find as before and faithful is he that promiseth who will also do it 1 Thes. 5.24 Thus Mercy and Truth meet together Psal. 85.10 And to this purpose are they met fully to assure us of success in seeking Deut. 4.25 to the 32. And observe that when for their rebellion the Lord had scattered his revolting people among the Heathen and given them up to their whorish hearts to serve wood and stone yet even from thence when they shall seek the Lord they shall find him And what is the reason that after such bitter provocations he will be found of them in their deepest misery 1. His mercy for the Lord thy God is a merciful God he will not destroy thee 2. His truth and faithfulness nor forget the Covenant of thy Fathers which he swore unto them ver 31. How then should any poor soul that seeks with loâ—ging miss in finding Thou lovest him he more infinitely loveth thee Thou seekest him he first seeketh thee Thou wouldst find him he will surely find thee thou desirest to meet him doth not he promise to meet thee Isa. 64.5 nay thou goest to meet him but he runneth to meet thee Luk. 15.18 20. But that cunning and lying Serpent and our own unbelieving hearts will put in a barr and lay a notable stumbling block in our way concerning this truth They will object It is not only apparent that many have not found the Lord who yet have earnestly sought but the Lord himself plainly testifies that many shall seek and not find Luk. 13.24 They shall go with their heards and with their flocks to seek the Lord and shall not find him Hos. 5. â— but we must know that as in other actions so in this that which is not right indeed is not It may seem to be but is not what it seems A lip-love is indeed no love 1 Ioh. 3.17 18. A dead faith no faith so that seeking which is not right is indeed no seeking What then is that right seeking to which God hath annexed this promise of finding Three things are necessarily required in seeking to make it
every limb is so placed grown and proportioned that it is apted for its office anâ— for the use of the body were the Eyâ— the Spy of the body placed elsewhere thaâ— in the Watch-towre were the hand or foâ—â— turned backward how should they execuâ—â— their office and discharge their duties Buâ— when the eye the ear and every part is 〈◊〉 seated and shaped as that it is most fitted and best enabled for the work unto which it is designed and no work of the body which some part is not able to effect for it then it is seemly and lovely So what is that All-sufficiency and Omnipotency in Christ but that infinite and excellent measure in all his divine Attributes whereby he is able to do and doth all things in Heaven and earth Look then upon the Lord Iesus and behold in him 1. His Almighty eye of Wisdom and providence running to and fro through the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect with him 2 Chron. 16.9 Consider that his Almighty ear of grace and mercy which hears â—rom the ends of the earth Psal. 61.2 and from the belly of Hell Jon. 2.2 Behold that his Almighty mouth which speaks and it is done commands and it stands fast Psal. 33.9 Take a view of the Almighty arm of his â—ower and hand of his justice effectually working and equally distributing whatsoever and howsoever he wills in Heaven and Earth subduing all things to himself and â—isposing all events and Creatures at his â—leasure As therefore it is the Comeliness of â—an that all his limbs are so ordered and â—amed that he can with all facility and agility do every work which concerns the good of the body so that which sets an excellent luster upon Christ in the eye of a Christian is that his Almightiness whereby in all his Attributes he is able perfectly to work whatsoever is necessary or convenient for his Body and Spouse and to do whatsoever he will in all the world 2. As all the limbs of the body are not a little commended to the eye by the fairness of the skin not dryed in the smoak of a burnt constitution nor drowned in the paleness of a phlegmatick complexion but every part drest in those colours of beauty red and white shining in their natural pureness so is there in Christ an excellence of spiritual purity far surmounting the exprâ—ssion of words or comprehension of thoughts in any creature This purity is nothing else but his holiness the beauty and glory of all the restâ— His wisdom is an holy wisdom his mercâ— an holy mercy His mouth aâ—m hanâ— altogether and infinitely holy Wheâ— comely proportions of body march undeâ— those lovely colours of Beauties ensignâ— how easily do they make a breach in thâ— eye conquer and lead captive the heart and swear it a willing servant to fleshly loveâ— But when the Lord Iesus looketh forth of 〈◊〉 Window when he sheweth himself but through a lattise Cant. 2. He wounds the hearts of men and Angels he ravishes the soul captivates the understanding fires the affection with unquenched longings no such hell as to be estranged from him no such Heaven as union with him We have a proverb that love will tune a very harsh and unstringed heart into poetry and singing But when the Creatures though with covered faces for who is able with open eye to behold the full blaze of his beauty look upon the face of his Holiness they are swallowed up in admiration of his excellence and fill their mouths and the world with songs of his beauty They call up one another in their Antiphones or Verses to praise him Psal. 30.4 97.12 and all men and Angels joyn in the Chorus chanting Holy Holy Holy Lord of hosts Isa. 6.3 Rev. 4.8 Clean wayes how easie and pleasant clean linnen how sweet and sightly pure ayer how wholesome pure metals gold or silver how precious what then is that purity of the divine essence how glorious in holiness Exod. 15.11 In this alone see the excellency of it It is a working beauty mightily almightily working on every obâ—ect that looks upon it How long may we behold the fairest Virgin on Earth and yet our selves be no whit the fairer But when we fasten our eyes upon this beauty of Christ it leaves the impression of the same glory and excellency upon us And as it is with that great Light the Sun it guilds the Heaven starrs earth trees and every Creature with which it converses and paints them with his light and luster so that greatest and uncreated Light that Sun of Righteousness when we behold him stamps his divine nature and glorious image upon us If Moses do but see his back only his face shines and glitters so that his Brother Aaron feared to approach him Exod. 34.30 If Christ in his humanity converses with his Father not only his face sparkles as the Sun â— Matth. 17.2 but his very rayment shines and glitters in pure whiteness Mar. 9.3 Luk. 9.29 and hence is it that when we shall see him as he is we shall be as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 Secondly Look to that relative excellency wherein we communicate with him wâ— must know that whatsoever is his is ouâ—â— also by participation when he is ours anâ— we are his He endows us with all his goodsâ— not only with these outward things Paâ—â—â— Apollos Cephas the World life death thingâ— present future all are ours 1 Cor. 3 22.â— but withall those excellencies which are iâ— himself His arm of power his hand of justice his ear of mercy his eye of Providence all is ours he with-holds nothing from us not his glory he will have us to see it and by seeing to have it Ioh. 17.22 24. Nay he so far is pleased to descend unto us that he not only gives himself for us but will himself be to us whatsoever we want We are excluded shut out from God without God in the World Ephes. 2.12 he becomes a Door to let us in Ioh. 10.9 we were strayed sheep wandring in our lost paths Isa. 53.6 he is the Way to bring us back to the Heavenly flocks and solds Ioh. 14.6 when we were darkness Ephes. 5.8 he would be our Light Joh. 8.12 we were harbourless without any continuing City Heb. 13.14 He will be our House we dwell in him 1 Joh. 4.13 for our house or mansion is not Heaven but in Heaven not made with hands but uncreated not temporal but eternal 2 Cor. 5.1 we were hungry and pined feeding on ashes Isa. 44.20 himself will be our Bread from Heaven Joh. 6.35 he our drink indeed Ioh. 6.55 we filthy and even stinking in our filthiness Psal. 14.3 he our Fountain for sin and uncleanness Zech. 13.1 we naked Rev. 3.27 he our cloathing Gal. 3.27 we in debt owed thousands of talents had nothiâ—â— to pay Matth. 18.24 he our Surety Heb. 7.22 who hath cancelled our bonds and blotted out the hand-writing
glittering of rotten wood in the night hold when the Creatour is in the other scale The third Stale is Pleasure a wanton petulant luxurious pack which in respect of your youth if God keep you not will easily draw away your hearts from the love of Christ. She hath all the properties of an Harlot By means of a whorish woman shall a man be brought to a piece of bread Prov. 6.26 and he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man Prov. 21.27 they that live in pleasure are dead while they live 1 Tim. 5.6 stinking coarses buried in living bodiesâ— Oh take heed of this perfumed piece of Carrion Perhaps she will send in her Brokers voluptuous vain persons nay perhaps shâ— will have your own hearts to plead for heâ— What should you bury the April of youâ— years in a Winter of sullen melancholyâ— May you not specially in youth enjoâ— some pleasure and refresh your selves witâ— the delights of the Sons of men Truly oâ—â— gracious Lord is far from interdicting us anâ— lawful or true pleasure To wallow as Swine in the mire to pollute our souls which he hath washed in that precious fountain opened in the side of Christ for sin and for uncleanness as a Dog to lick up our vomit as that Demoniack to dwell among the Tombs Mar. 5.3 and converse with the dead in their graves this if this be pleasure our Lord hath prohibited But surely whosoever account these things delightful must needs also rank themselves with hoggs doggs and demoniacks Your Father alloweth you a sober and wholsome use of all his creatures for your comfort and refeshing and lest this should be too little gives himself to be your Pleasure and joy bidds you â—o rejoice in him and again to rejoice Phil. â—4 4 he allows and gives you joy unspeakable and glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 provides for you fulness of joy and everlasting pleasures Psal. 16.11 He will be to you a fountain â—f life and will make you to drink and abunâ—antly satisfie you with rivers of his pleasures Psal. 36.8 9. The Lord of glory offers himself and his â—onjugal love unto you to endow you with â—ll his goods with himself the supream the â—nfinite Good Are there no pleasures in his â—mbraces If you sit down under his shadow â—ou will find great delight and his fruit will 〈◊〉 most sweet unto your taste Cant. 2.3 If a man who hath married some fair lovely and loving Spouse should yet doat upon a stinking but perfumed and painted Harlot who scorns not his folly who detests not his perfidious and perjurious wickedness who looks on him but as a man impotioned and with strong sorceries bewitched God proffers himself to you as a Father offers the Son and Heir of his glory into your bosome and shall we leave this glorious Spouse to follow those dirty Prostitutes sinks of all uncleanness and filthiness The good Lord keep our hearts from such a witchery Now therefore fence your hearts from such inchantments with these thoughts No other passage what no way but this Can bring my Pilgrim soul to rest and bliss Proud Seas in Gyant waves 'gainst Heaven riâ—e And casting mounts fight with loudâ—thundring Skies Skies charge their double Cannons and let fly Their fires and bullets waters hizz and fry How shall my tir'd Bark climb those mounts how shâ—â— It fall and not than hell much deeper fâ—ll How shall a Potsheard stand one Volly how Shall glass cut through such storms with brittle prow Were sails as wings to mount me o're those hills Who could secure me in those lesser rills Where Sirens fill the ear and eye with wonder I more fear calm than storms more songs than thunder Lend to the Latine Siren eyes and ears Her face will seem an Angel voice the Spheres The Belgian melts the soul with sugred strains Drops Wine and loosness into swilling veins A third Gold Plenty Wealth abundance sings And binds the captive car with â—ilver strings A fourth guilds all her notes with Thrones and Crownâ—â— So Heav'n in earth glory in honour drowns The last powrs honey from her pleasant Hive So stings and kills and buries men alive Lord steer my Bark draw thou mine eye and ear From those vain frights thy Word and thee to fear Lord tune my heart to hear in Saintly throngs More musick in thy thunders than their songs Make me to think in all these storms and charms In Sirens notes and thundring Worlds alarms Thy presence is my guard my Port thy Bed and armsâ— But is such a match feasable CAP. XIII There is no impossibility or very much difficulty to attain it TRue it is that Satan as an old and expert Pandar with exquisite art and cunning labours both to obscure the radiant beams of that Sun of Righteousness lest that great Light the Image of God and Brightness of his glory Heb. 1.3 should shine forth unto us 2 Cor. 4.3 4. and in dark shadows to kindle those rotten sticks of superstition errour profit pleasure preferment so with these glistering shews of false light to draw away our eyes and hearts from our Lord and true Spouse to the adulterous love of these painted Sâ—rumpets And truly it is with us as with some silly children we are more taken with the glaring dust of rotten wood than with those glittering beams of that great Light of Heaven yet were not these eyes and heart as wicked and as if not more deceitfuâ— as he deceitful above all things and desperately wicked Jer. 17.9 he could not sâ— â—asily bewitch us with those false blazings of plaistered and painted beauties But when he without and our hearts within are cunning to deceive hence it comes that these loathsome Harlots seem altogether lovely which indeed are sheer vanity and he who in truth is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 hath his visage so marred more than any man and his form more than the Sons of men that he hath in our eyes no form or comeliness and when we see him there is no beauty why we should desire him Isa. 52.14 53.2 I have therefore before as I could weakly endeavoured to uncover as well the loathsome deformity of those hellish Stales as also the glorious beauties of our gracious Lord. But who is suâ—â—icient 2 Cor. 2.16 and who less sufficient than am I Blessed be the Father of lights who hath in any measure purged and cleered our dimm and abused eyes to discern the abhorred filthiness of the one and the excelling excellency of the other Now if our poor souls enamoured on his perfections should say Blessed indeed is the hand that weds and the heart that beds him But I am a worm and no man what hope to match with so greaâ— a Lord I am a dead Coarse dead in sins and trespasses a painted Sepulchre a grave full of dead Corpses what possibility for such a wretch to rise up to so high an advancement How should such a Body of death be espoused and match with the