because he is yet a youth a Gideon will make make them his (19) Judg. 8.21 ornament MOTIVE XIII To omit many others Motive 13. the last Motive which now presseth why thou shouldest return why if thou return thou shouldest return unto the Lord and why if thou return unto the Lord thou shouldest return unto him with thy whole heart is The (1) compare Ex. 7.13 with Job 23.16 Gen. 19 11. with 21.19 Numb 22. v. 25 with â— 31. 2 King 6.20 â— 18 17. Luk. 24.16 31 John 20.14 with Dan. 3.25 Deut. 29.4 with 2 Tim. 2.21 Deut. 5.29 with Isa 59.1 2 sim 6.9 power of God Whence was it that heretofore what evil thou wert loth to commit in the sight of man that thou couldest boldly perpetrate before the face of the (2) Gen. 16.13.39.9 ever-present God Whence was it that the very same affections of thine which have been (3) Phil. 3.19 so mindless of spiritual blessings have been so inordinate unto vile lusts or that the same understanding of thine which is so wise (4) Rom. 3.11 18. in the things of this world is so far to seek in the things of a better world If thou knowest not whence this is I will resolve thee the thing is of God viz. from the power of his justice Now the same God which can in justice leave thee to thy foolishness so far as to make thee fear (5) Rom. 3.18 man more then the face of the most holy The same God can in mercy bring unto thee thy right senses and make thee fear to do evil if for mans sake for Gods (6) John 5.9 Jer. 5.22 sake much more The same God which could suffer thine affections to go awhoring after their shame (7) Psal 25.12 can place them upon the things above and the same God which suffered thy brains to weary themselves in studying how to ensnare thy self in the world the same God can when he shall so please make thee (8) Psal 51.6 wise unto salvation True (9) 2 Cor. 3.5 were there not a power in God able to give unto thee what he expecteth from thee there were then some cloak for thy back-slidings but the same God which (10) Ezek. 18.32 biddeth thee turn is able (11) Jer. 31.18 Lam. 5 21 to turn thee and therefore he (12) Prov. 1.23 reproveth thee to this end that through his strength thon mayest turn unto him The same God which calleth thee unto (13) 2 Pet. 3.9 repentance can (14) Act. 5.31 give repentance and therefore he (15) Hag. 1.5 Rev. 2.5 instructeth thee to consider thy ways that thou mayest by his help gain repentance The same God which requireth (16) Deut. 28.58 thy fear can (17) Jer. 32.40 put his fear into thine inward parts and therefore he (18) Deut. 4.10.17.19 Prov. 3.2 Psal 19.7 directeth thee to the Scriptures that thou by them mayest learn to (19) Hos 3.5 fear the Lord and his goodness The same God which commandeth (20) 1 Joh. 3.23 thee to believe can (21) Phil. 1.29 give thee a power to believe and therefore (22) Rom. 10.14 instructeth thee that faith cometh by hearing The same God which (23) Eph. 5.18 willeth thee to be filled with the Spirit is able to (24) Joel 2.28 pour out spirit upon all flesh and therefore adviseth thee how (25) Luk. 11.13 Prov. 1.23 Gal. 3.5 thou shouldest obtain it In a word God who (26) Rev. 22.17 would have thee come unto Christ is able (27) Joh. 6.44 to draw thee unto him which that he may do he (28) Mat. 17.5 Heb â—2 25 calleth unto thee from heaven and a (29) John 1.37 9.38 smaller invitation then that by far hath served to make others deny themselves and follow Jesus Wouldest thou (30) Num. 23.10 have heaven drop into thy mouth open thy mouth wide and it (31) Psal 81.10 will so not (32) Mat. 7.21 Qui sicit te sine te non servabit te sine te else Wherefore O thou who hast so (1) Rom. 9.32 33 dangerously stumbled at the rock of offence that I have hitherto (2) Gal. 4.11 stumbled at thy fall thou gone so far (3) Joh. 13.30 from the person speaking in my Text that I have left my Text it self to follow thee thou whom I found with Judas but would bring back to Jesus with tears I ask thee What shall I do at the great and terrible day of the Lord Shall I call God to witness that thy (4) Hos 13.9 2 Pet. 3.9 1 Thes 1.10 5.9 perdition is of thy self Shall I call Judas to witness that thy damnation is (5) Joh. 3.19 just or may I with (6) Luk. 15.7 holy Angels joy at thy conversion Thy life may end before to morrow yet as short as thy life is before it doth end know One drop of the Lambs blood is able to dissolve even thine (7) 1 Pet. 1.2 adamant The Word of thy God is a (8) Jer. 23.29 hammer sufficient to deal with thy (9) Psal 19.7 nether-milstone it can make it a hewen stone it can carve it into several (10) Mal. 3.17 Jewels into Jewels engraven after the similitude of thy (11) 2 Cor. 3.18 Redeemer Destroy not thou that (12) Rom. 14.15 soul for which Christ died For my part what (1) 1 Kin. 19.20 have I done unto thee if a greater then Elijah hath cast his mantle of righteousness upon thee What (2) Joh. 13.17 Eccles 9.10 thou dost do quickly sacrifie (3) 1 Kin. 19.21 Rom. 12.1 thy self unto him minister unto him of thy (4) Luk 8.3 Mat. 3.8 substance bring for him thy (5) Luk 23.56 Mat. 25.4 best ointments See the (6) Luk. 23.55 Joh. 5.39 place where he is laid look (7) Mat. 28.1 Gal. 6.14 toward his sepulchre and while thou (8) Mark 16.4 Psal 32.5 lookest thou shalt find the stone rolled amay yea as undoubtedly as (9) Mat. 11.28 29 30. John 6.37 thou seekest Jesus who was crucified so undoubtedly the good Angel in my Text the person here speaking Jesus whom thou seekest shall number thee among his beloved Disciples and as he comforteth them so with the same affections and in the very same words he shall encourage thee Let not thy heart be troubled believe in God believe also in me in my Fathers house are many Mansions THrough a neglect of seeking the Lord while (1) Isa 55 6 Psal 95.7 2 Cor. 6.2 compared with Dan. 3.9.3 Mat. 7.7.22.29 John 5.39 he may be found To be believers the unbeliever conceiveth [2] Mat. 25.24 hard thoughts of his God conceiving so hard thoughts of his God he [3] Luk. 19.20 24 unthankfully wrappeth his talent in a napkin at last forfeiting [4] Luk. 19.26 that single talent for want of use he useth his
your comfort my repentance your peace The best thriving Creatures are they that are reared in the beginning of the Winter Ye may unhappy I can not make the best of your whole life Of the twelve hours ye have as yet lost few or none (*) He is not worthy of a place in Alexanders Army who will then be to provide Armes when he should use them Start betimes and win the day Get ground before the flesh lumber and the world cumbrâ— you He that would be well old must be old betimes Dear Children it is most easie entring in at the straight Gate while ye are now so little The Tree (5) Esay 65.22 early planted no wind hurteth the green Twig is pliant All the speed is in the morning Of all times of ones life the holy language is best learned when we first begin to speak Study that in your child-bood which hereafter be ye never so industrious ye shall never be so well able to learn Persons who are untaught to pronounce (6) Cheth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or (7) Gaaijin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 while they are yet in their infancy will hardly ever pronounce either of those two Letters well (8) Pro. 9.18 should they live (9) Eccl. 8.12 Esay 65.20 a hundred years Who are too young to (10) Dan. 1.4 conspire Rebellions they they are the Subjects whom the Lord Jesus maketh Denizens of his Kingdom In the City of God one of the first things a Child need be taught to learn is to know where to finde his Fathers house Answ 7. Answ 7. There is nothing more natural unto you Children then to be ever questioning ever learning ever informing of your selves ever in (1) Hence Maxima debetur pueris reverentia imitation Go on in the good Name of my God inform your selves of all that your Catechisms and your Teachers can instruct you As much as in you lieth learn the whole (2) Get the the Book so entituled made by Bishop Sterne Duty of man learn I say your own Duties and your Gods pleasure that ye may never be quite out of action imitate the great Exemplar [3] As represented by Bishop Taylor even the Person speaking in my Text who is now ready to embrace you in the armes of his free Mercies and loving Kindnesse if He by His [4] Luke 11.20 Finger teach you to go hold him with your [5] 1 Tim. 6 12 hand of Faith A second particular minding little Children to prevent troubles and practice (1) As is prescribed by Bishop Baity Mark 10.21 piety is As this their good beginning is safe so it is lovely A timely towardlinesse like a good presence carrieth with it letters of recommendation whether soever it goeth Early (2) Psal 63.1 Prov. 23.24 will I seek thee is wholsome resolution especially when found in a child I say early rising is not only your health but your praise The little one looketh merrily when he taketh out a new Lesson and pretty it is to see him well behaved Of all sacrifices the (3) Psalm 5.3 Morning-sacrifice is the most accept able Thou makest the out-goings of the (4) Psalm 65.8 Morning to praise thee O God even the Sun in his fullest strength is not one half so pleasant to look unto Neither doth the Rose of (5) Cant. 2.1 Sharon blush so much in the flower as it doth in the bud What (6) Mar. 10.16 Seat more becometh a little child then his Parents armes What word more endearing then (7) Gal. 4.6 Mark 14.36 Rom 8.15 Abba Father Pray unto our Father as he is in Heaven believe in God with Faith unfeigned Remember the ten Commandments to observe and do them and little as ye are I dare present you unto the great Bishop of our Souls St. Jerome recordeth children incredibly young which could by strength of memory rather by strength of assiduous industry repeat whole Catechismes nay the whole Book of Davids Psalmes My little children if you imitate their example God will raise up one St. Jerome or other to admire countenance and (8) 2 John 4 3 John 4 encourage you If from his childhood Timotheus knew the Scriptures he shall receive (9) 2 Tim. 3.15 praises from the great Apostle even from the Apostle St. Paul My soul desireth (10) Mic. 7.1 the first ripe fruits There is yet a third particular that may very justly affright you into goodnesse it will I hope like the Bedlam at the door make you run from your selves to your God and this particular is The certainty (1) Nihil est tam certum de quo nullum adeo sit dubium quod tamen apparet esse dubium quum tamea revera nulium sit dubium veluti mois of your uncertain Death Every Mothers child is born to dye therefore it is that the Grave keepeth no Calender When I bury the dead I like well to see children of themselves to flock about the pit hole they do well to peep in it for how soon they may be layed there is not easily known This I know One is old enough to day to dye to morrow True Children ye are but may (2) Old Camels carry the skins of young Camels to the Market dye like men Search the Register-books from Village to Village they will all shew you that every Year burieth more Infants then aged persons We Parents take care for you Children but to ease us of our cares God singleth out some of you some of you he taketh to himself feedeth them as David did Mephibosheth (3) 2 Sam. 9.7 10 11 at his own Table Be mindfull therefore of the pit that is digged for you yea and of the Table that is (4) Psal 23.5 Revel 3 20 spread for you In all the houshold most commonly the very first that goeâ—â—â— to Rest are the Little Ones these are packed to (5) Esay 57.2 bed (6) Esay 57.1 As saith the Proverb of the Ancients He liveth not long whom the Lord loveth out of the way Learn therefore to number your dayes so soon as ye can tell five That Child can best (7) Psal 39.4 Deut. 32.29 and soonest number fourscore years who undertaketh not to accompt above six or seven of them his own Vndress ye Little Children Vndresse (8) 2 Pet. 3.12 ye Ye know not how soon ye may fall asleep Leave off troubles before they be medled with Betake your selves unto that holy God who in your Baptism covenanted with you (9) Luk. 12.32 that if ye would through Jesus Christ our Lord believe in Him he would then accept your persons yea he would receive you within those Mansions which ye long (10) Psal 42.1 compared with Psalm 84.1 to see and love to think of Ye shall see ye shall enjoy ye shall inherite your Fathers house If Infants do give up the Ghost well may Youths To
young men and Maidens Therefore my next Counsell instructeth you young men That your heart be not overmuch troubled Know your selves I mean know your selves to be heady and therefore [1] Young men should serve at the Oare before they come to sit at the Stern as Sylla said of Marius Turn not away your ear from hearing reproof Moreover know your selves to be well conceited of your own abilities if therefore any one among [2] 1 Cor. 10.12 you thinketh that he standeth let him take heed lest he fall Childhood is [3] Eccl. 11.10 vanity Youth much more more addicted to disports then unto a walking with God and yet a charge is layed upon thee by the dayes of thy youth to [4] Eccl. 12.1 Remember thy Creatour Since jesting is not [5] Eph. 5.4 convenient say of laughter [6] Eccl. 2.2 it is madnesse and of mirth What dost thou Since evil words [7] 1 Cor. 15.33 corrupt good manners keep thee from the evil [8] Prov. 2.12 man from him the talk of whose tongue tendeth [9] Prov. 14.23 only unto poverty turn away thy self even from him in whom thou [10) Prov. 2.7 findest not the lips of understanding since thy flesh [11] 1 Pet. 2.11 warreth against thy soul defile [12] 1 Cor. 3.17 While the Duke of Burboa was accused of high Treason the Emperour Charls the fifth required one of Madrid to lodge him in his house The Spaniard told the Emperour Obey thee I will but so soon as the Duke is once out of it I will fire my house for that house of mine my Predecessors never built to harbour Traitors not that body which the Holy Ghost makes his Temple Know how to possesse thy Vessel [13] 1 Thes 4.4 in sanctification Though thy reins [14] Psalm 16.7 chasten thee in the night-season yet hate thou the [15] Jude 23. garment that is spotted with sin Flee I say [16] 2 Tim. 2.22 youthfull lusts and sanctifie [17] 1 Pet. 3.5 the Lord thy God in thy heart Sow not [18] Gal. 6.2 unto corruption but rather possesse [19] Job 13.26 the iniquities of thy youth let them ever humble thee [20] Psalm 51.3 Esay 66 2. in the presence of the pure God Thy Fathers house hath no [21] Ephes 5.8 mansions for an unclean wretch Therefore keep thine [22] Job 31.1 Prov. 4.25 eyes straight before thee avoid pass [23] Job 4.15 by come not near the house of her who flattereth with her lips She is but a [24] Job 22.14 Prov. 23.27 deep Ditch and will mire thee shamefully Whose heart is snares and nets [25] Eccles 7.26 and whose hands are bands her [26] Pro. 7 27 Chambers are the Chambers of Death Though thou wert as wise as Solomon I would counsell thee Remember Delilah [27] 1 Kings 11 1 4 Jude 6. Lust hath no mean but not to be at all for it is a dangerous fire which beginneth in the bed-cloathes He never thinketh that he fleeth fast enough who fleeth from a mischief The more shou eschewest evil the more leisure thou wilt have to do good and to ensue it When a [1] Quo semel imbutarecens Child thou wast trained up in the way wherein thou shouldest go therefore go on Let not the Christian in [2] As was spoken of one who habited in Orange-tawny tilted ill one day and habited in Green on the morrow tilted worse Herberts Apothegms green behave himself worse then the Christian in the Orange-tawny First that which was natural saith the [3] 1 Cor. 15.46 Text then that which is spiritual When thou wast nurtured in the Lord thou didst begin in the Spirit be not [4] Gal. 3.3 made perfect in the flesh Say unto Pleasure [5] Psal 5.4 Prov. 21.17 James 5.5 Tit. 3.3 Heb. 11.25 2 Tim. 3.4 Gentle Eve I will have none of your Apple Look not on pleasures as they come but goe fool not if thou art a beast [6] Jude 10. 2 Pet. 2.12 be [7] Jude 19. sensual if a man [8] Rom. 8.6 spiritual If thou likest [11] Dan. 4.33 9. Nebuchadnezzar better then thou likest Daniel take thy choice Whether is more desirable to be endued with the Spirit of a holy God or to be postessed [12] Eph. 5.3 2 Pet. 2.10 with an unclean Spirit A Wanton creature is [13] 2 Tim. 2.26 Mummy for the Devil Let him that loveth the flames [14] Hos 7.7 James 3.6 of Hell burn in lust as Sodom did Youth with what body wouldest thou arise with a [15] Phil. 3.21 body vile or glorious It was the idlenesse the foolishnesse the brutishnesse of youthfull lusts which made the [16] Aedituus Catullus Tibul. Hor. Javen Persius c. Roman Poets so salt Take away the abuse which lust putteth upon us and many an Epigram in Martial sim may like the Tragedies of Theognis be as cold [17] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as snow for any wit they have Were they as hot as are idle brains yet that person who is so impudent so ill-behaved that he can be acquainted can be familiar can be [18] 1 Cor. 6.16 all one with a [19] Pro. 5.21 22.14.26.16 strange woman may justly expect trouble of heart The French-pox is [20] Num 5.21 no new Disease Be it thou escapest [21] Hos 4.12 rottennesse in thy bones sure I am there is rottennesse in thy heart Let Pythagoras [22] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commend Souls unto [23] Jude 10 bruits as for thine Let thy soul [24] 1 John 3.3 expect Mansions in thy Fathers House The body is not for fornication but for the [1] 1 Cor. 6.13 Lord it is his [2] 1 Cor. 3.17 Temple the strength the abilities the gifts wherewith it is endowed are [3] Mat. 22.37 holy unto the Lord the more will be the trouble of thy heart if thou commit sacriledge Church-revenues like the Gold of Tholouse in Narbon consume such as do [4] Among all the Souldiers of Scipio not one of those which plundered the Temple at Tholouse escaped an unfortunate end Guebara alienate them Do not do not therefore impropriate unto the use of an [5] 1 Cor. 6.15 harlot those Endowments which of right belong unto the services of thy God Give not thy strength unto [6] Pro. 31.3 women much lesse unto an [7] 2 Pet 2.10 unnatural licentiousnesse Look upon their prodigious practices and thou wilt the lesse marvail at the degenerate faces of Apes Monkies and of Baboones Wo unto him who is alone if he [8] Eccl. 4 10 render himself like one of these Had Jacob allowed himself in [9] I am a shamed to read what I find in Tho. Shepherd upon the ten Virgins viz. on Mat. 25.5 p. 18. of the second part self pollutions he could never have called his [10] Gen 49.3
first-born his might his strength the beginning of his strength Oh then provoke not the holy Spirit to give thee over unto thine [11] Rom. 1.24 Esay 66.3 own hearts lusts Be not be not subjected under the power of that itchy idlenesse which scarcely ever yet found a name no not among the Gentiles Thou mayest be exalted [12] Heb. 2.13 6.20.9.24 above the Angels be not worse then a beast that nature which the Lord of Glory hath already extolled above the [13] Eph. 2.6 Heavens do not thou [14] Esay 57.9 debase that Humane Nature even unto hell We shall in Heaven be as free from any occasion of blushes as are the [15] Mat. 23.30 In Deum S. Jerum Ep. 143. In Dei naturam Lactan. non cadit sexus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Iraeneus l. 11. c. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 3.20 Angels Have thou thy conversation in heaven Meddle not with that nakednesse which is at the best thy [16] Gen. 12 25 13.7 shame Place it as the Hebrew Language doth too low to be thought of even at [17] Gen. 49.10 Deut. 28.57 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy feet Sensuality is in an unreasonable creature the highest [18] Jude 10 in a reasonable creature the lowest of seeming delights so low that the person speaking in my Text would be conceived of the holy Ghost of man he would [19] Mat. 1.20 not be begotten True The bed undefiled is honourable [20] Heb. 13.4 but why Not for that it [21] Gal. 6.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist de gen corrupt l. 1. soweth unto corruption but because it prepareth a [22] Mal. 2.15 holy seed Thus our uncomely parts have the more [23] 1 Cor. 12 23 abundant honour not so much from our Apparel as from our God while he by them preserveth inhabitants upon the earth successively supplieth his militant Church and raiseth colonies to people his heavenly Kingdom Do thou therefore cloath that with a sanctified chastity which the wisdom of God hath formed after a manner [24] Job 10.10 Psalm 139.13 15 16 Job 31.15 Psalm 22.9 Gen. 2.7 Ezek. 16.6 Numb 16.22 Phil. 3.21 Ephes 2.6 1 Thes 4.17 fearfull and wonderfull I say herein our uncomely parts will have the more abundant honour if we keep our hearts circumcised from all impure thoughts Wherefore reserve thine [25] Sapientia prima est Luke 1.27 Stultitiâ caruisse affections for spiritual Blessings and not for unmortified flesh There are other matters to take up thy mind if thou review my Text There are vain imaginations lodging in thy heart which call for [26] Gal. 5. thy troubles 16. vers 18.24 25 Thy thoughts have mansions within thy Fathers house to dwell in Thy sences should be exercising a faith in God Thine affections should enamour themselves upon the person speaking in my Text I say upon Him whom thy soul loveth even upon Jesus Christ our Lord. The dayes of thy youth should be so far from [1] Eccl. 12.1 being dayes of vanity uncleannesse and provocations that they call upon thee to follow hard after holinesse Quest Why of all days the dayes of thy Youth Quest Answ 1. If ever thine affections be inordinate Answ 1. they are inordinate in [1] Psalm 119.9 thy youth therefore in the dayes of thy youth remember thy Creator viz. while thou art yet a youth be [2] Prov. 7.7 14.26.15.33 so wise as not only to fear but to imitate thy Creatour that is be ever in action for No [3] Otia si tollas idlenesse no lust Answ 2. Answ 2. The midst of our age is [1] He that entereth into the world entreth into a spiritual warre lanched out into an Ocean of Turmoils The dayes of our Childhood they were not yet grown up unto years of discretion therefore remember thou thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth Childbood [2] Et discas oportet quod didicisti agendo confirmes Qui facienda ac vitanda percipit nondum sapiens est nisi in ea quae didicit animus ejus transfiguratus est Seneca Ep. 94. maketh a shift to gain the Elements Youth layeth them orderly together Childhood learneth to read Youth learneth to understand what it readeth Childhood findeth Moods and Figures youth frameth Syllogisms Childhood getteth the principles of the Doctrines of Christ Youth goeth on toward perfection Answ 3. Answ 3. As Education fitteth us for our distinct callings so youth fitteth us for our Education Then is Custome [1] Fran. L. Verulam most prevalent when it beginneth in our minority for then we are apprehensive active vigorous if ever we will learn to [2] 2 Tim. 2.3 James 5.11 endure hardnesse if ever we will [3] Eccl. 12.1 Ephes 6.13 withstand in the evil day we must be seasoned in our youth if ever we will acquire vertuous habits it must be in our younger age if the youths [4] Esay 40.3 shall faint well may others Answ 4. Answ 4. While Saul was young he was choice [1] 1 Sam. 9.2 and goodly While Jeroboam was young he was [2] 1 Kings 11.28 industrious They are young men whom [3] Ruth 2.9 Boaz employeth in his Harvest-work whom David sendeth [4] 1 Sam 25.5 for provision from Carmel whom Joshua sent to [5] Josh 2.1 16.23 espy Jericho Or Moses to [6] Exod. 24.5 sacrifice burnt-offerings Abraham appointeth [7] Gen. 22.3 young men to attend him in his Obedience and Elisha dispatcheth a [8] 2 Kin. 9.4 young man then when expedition was requisite The holy Order of Nazarites who more fit for it then [9] Amos 2.11 young men and of all his Subjects the young men are them whom the King [10] 1 Sam. 8.16 will deem goodliest and [11] Ezek. 23.6 most desirable Priamus himself [12] Plutarch in Agesilao was not unhappy while young as Agesilaus readily replied The Lord shall have [13] Esay 9.17 no joy in your young men if not in your young men in whom As (1) Seneca one observeth Had not Ovid reduced the acutenesse of his wit mind and matter unto boyish fancies he had been of all the Roman Poets the most ingenuous so I Did not young men and maidens mis-place the ingenuity of their youthfull age they would prove of all believers the most fervent There is an hour (2) Jer 3 4 saith the (3) Jacula Prudentum by Mr. Herbert Proverb wherein viz. wherefrom a man might be happy all his life could he (4) Eccl. 2.17 8.5 6 find it Such as are young may find this hour would they set themselves with full purpose of heart to believe in God through their Lord Jesus Christ Beloved I beseech you let not want of troubles be the (5) Luke 10.41 42 trouble of your heart It was said of Hesiod (6) By Plutarch that he was fed with
Laurels as for you beloved ye may be fed with (7) Revel 2.7 the Tree of Life Make Religion your (8) As Mr. Herbert Palmer in structeth businesse exercise your busie Soules in a lively faith and that knowing the season Brethren It is now your seed-time lose not such fair-weather in due season ye shall reap if ye sow unto the Spirit Ye are now in the flower of your age your month is the month of May if ye have not overcome many a (9) 1 John 2.14 spiritual wickednesse it is your sloth and no pity ye deserve if in you the Word of God (10) ibid. abideth not it is your indiscretion and ye may thank your selves He among you that is fullest of complaint were he well aware of it hath the (11) 2 Pet. 1.9 10 remedy from within himself If with (12) 2 Tim. 3.15 Timothy with (13) 1 Sam. 2.18 Samuel with (14) 2 Kings 22.19 Josiah c. ye have not been tender-hearted from your Child-hood yet at least with (15) 1 Kings 18.3 12 Obadiah fear the Lord with (16) Psal 71.5 David trust in the Lord from thy youth up Yea let God remember thy (17) Jer. 2.2 early Kindnesses Whom the Gentiles fancied to be (18) Apollo their God of wisdom Him they resembled unto a young man a truth it is wisdom in a young man seemeth somewhat divine Unto this reputed God of wisdom these Gentiles consecrated as the Emblemes of their manhood and prudence their first shaved beards the moral is good Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God Sacrifice the (19) Nihil videbant suum quoniam Dei totum Salvian de Dei guber lib. 8. first and the best of thine abilities While thou art now in the beginnings of thy strength follow him (20) Semper in amore cautela est Nemo enim melius diligit quam qui maxime veretur offendere Salvian Epist fully Serve him with all thy might Prepare thy Soul and thy Spirit as an (21) Rom. 12.1 offering in a clean Vessel and so (22) Esay 66.20 bring them into the house of the Lord In all thy wayes (23) Psalm 37.4 5. acknowledge him A young mans glory is his (24) Pro. 20.29 strength I have therefore written unto you young men because ye are strong strong I hope in [25] 1 John 2.14 Eph. 6.10 2 Tim. 2.1 Jer. 9.24 the Lord. To middle-aged men A Child is (1) Pro 22.6 ready to learn all things a young person is (2) 2 Sam. 18.22 ready to prove all things but neither of them is so apt to hold fast his profession as are ye ye who measure the midst of your age for ye have (3) He who is about the middle of his age may Janus-like at once look both behind him and before him climbed unto the height of the Hill of the Hill of Zion I hope Ye do or may perceive whither your travails bend He that is not setled in his estate not setled in his judgement not setled in his resolution at forty when will he be setled A wise man will provide rather for Children then for Orphanes and late Marriages are seldom proserous Therefore I presume thou art by this time constant unto thy self If a single life be thy choice and that choice thou canst (4) Matth 19.12 well bear I trust thou art (5) 1 Cor. 7.32 wedded unto thy Devotion I trust thou joynest thy self (6) 1 Cor. 6.17 unto that Lord who will give thee a Name (7) Esay 56.4 5 better then of Sons and of Daughters Neverthelesse in as much as God is the God of the married as well as of the unmarried If in a single life you find no joy If in a single life you find no joy Marriage (1) Sir Thomas Overbury his Wife your lust as 't were with fewel fire Will with a Medicine of (2) 1 Cor. 7 9 At contra hunc ignem Veneris si non Venus ipsa nu'la est quae possit vis alia opprin ere Val. Aedituus the same allay And not forbid but rectifie desire Where brash flames threaten Chimneys lay on wood That spends the flame and keeps the fabrique good Nor doth my marriage order lust alone A second self may (3) Gen 2.18 Eccles 4 9 Sir Thomas Overbury ubi supra help me ev'ry way And ' gainst my failings make me two for one My self 4 I cannot chuse my Wife I may And in the choice of her it much doth lie To 'mend my self in my Posterity Venus was Saturn is The heat of thy blood cooleth but thy love of this world waxeth feverish youthfull (1) 2 Tim. 2.22 lusts are pretty well spent but (2) 1 John 2.16 pride of life cometh on apace alas the lusts of thy flesh are (3) ibid. crept into thine eyes Thy disease removeth from thy (4) Psal 16.7 reines into thy (5) James 4.4 head from thy (6) Pro. 7.23 liver into thy (7) 1 Tim. 6.9 heart The Enemy who hitherto battered thy soul with (8) 1 Pet. 2.11 thine own flâ—sh doth now cast up Bulwarks against thee upon (9) Psalm 62.10 thine own ground That unclean Spirit which (10) 2 Tim. 2.22 haunted thee in thy youth doth now transform himself into a (11) 2 Cor. 4.4 God of this world The trouble of thy heart was (12) Rom 8.6 a carnall mind once the trouble of thy heart is (13) Phil. 3.19 an earthly mind now Wherefore the Holy Ghost proceedeth from adulteries and fornications (14) Mat. 15.19 unto theft and false witnesse from fornication and uncleannesse (15) Gal. 5.19.20 unto hatred variance emulations yea (16) Eph. 5.3 unto down-right covetousnesse For which cause having warned us that Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge He (17) Heb. 13.4 5 presently addeth Let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with what ye have Thus having endeared our Souls and bodies (1) Rom. 12.1 as a reasonable sacrifice unto our God the Apostle immediately forewarneth us against another of Satans stratagems Be not saith he (2) Rom. 12.2 be not conformed unto this world Beloved whether our life past hath been or hath not been consumed in a state of unbelief this Exhortation of St. Pauls remaineth very pertinent and seasonable First If from the womb (1) Esay 48.8 unto our infancy if from the dayes of our (2) Esay 65.20 infancy unto the yeares of our youth if from our youth up unto present maturity we have drank in iniquity as if it [3] Job 15.16 were wholsome water now that we are of a ripe understanding it doth so much the more (4) Jer. 13.27 concern us to provide for the health of our Souls after so long so many provocations we are I say the more neerly concerned now at length (5) 1 Pet. 4 2 3 to believe in God and
suat qui Phâ—losophantur Ulpian de excus leg 5. finde the promise of this life neverthelesse be it that Ahab speedeth the better for humbling his heart or that Israel procure corn and wine by howling [2] Hos 7.14 Uxor dicitur quae dotem habet concubina vero quae non habet upon their bed or that every hypocrite hath the whole reward which he looketh after yet still while he preferreth things temporal before things eternal his soul is more like a* concubine then a spouse Yea let a man suck out the [3] Disce gaudere caetera bilares levitates sunt mihi crede res severa est verum gaudium Quid sit islu l interrogas Dicam ex bonâ consciâ—nt á ex honest's consiliis ex rectis actionibus Seneca lib. 3. Ep. 13. ad Lucil. sweets of Vertue let his soul delude her self with the common works of the Spirit and mistake counterfeit grace for true grace I confesse no heathen Philosopher could ever attain so near no not unto this lifes happinesse I say the soul that perisheth cannot finde a more self-pleasing practice wherewith to feed empty hopes yet still this happinesse is only in this life it is but a perishing happinesse As young as he was that dying Prince of Loraine could say [4] O Domine Jesu quem meritò praecepisti muâ—di contemptum O Lord Jesu most deservedly hast thou required our contempt of this world And Philip the third of Spain [5] Nihil confert regemesse nisi ut in morte cruciet suisse Mendoza in 1 Sam. Tom. 1. Page ult protested All the sweet which I have found in being a King only serves to embitter my death Beloved it fareth not so with the Kingdome of grace To believe in God to believe in his Christ does as well in death as in life raise for us Matter of Thankfulnesse unto God viz. First For [1] Psalm 19.11 giving us to [2] Gen. 2.17 understand our [3] Rom. 7 8 9 lost condition Who [4] Gen. 3.11 told us that we were naked Children of wrath we [5] Ephes 2.3 are by nature but who hath warned us to [6] Matth. 3.7 flee from wrath If God say unto Abimelech Thou art [7] Ephes 2.1 Gen. 20.3 a dead man there is mercy [8] Ephes 2.7 intended for Abimelech Whether we heed it or heed it not Guilt dwelleth in us It is therefore of thy free mercy O our God that the Scripture hath [9] Gal. 3.22 concluded us all under sin Secondly For delivering us from so great a death Gnashing of teeth weeping wailing This was our portion for ever Ah who among us can abide darknesse which may be felt perpetual darknesse perpetual darknesse in a bottomlesse pit in a bottomlesse pit streaming with brimstone even with everlasting burnings With everlasting burnings kindled by the breath of the Lord by the breath of Him [1] Horresco resereas unto whom vengeance belongeth even of a provoked Judge of an enraged Father in short of a jealous angry furious God! O give thanks unto the Lord for his mercy endureth for ever Thirdly For redeeming us not only from torment but from damnation Friends though we must all appear before the judgement seat of God yet there is [1] Rom. 8.1 no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus A Malefactor reprieved at the place of Execution escapeth death yet was he in a peck of cares in a bodily fright he trembled every joint of him then when he held up his hand at the Bar he looked as pale as that death which he feared at what time sentence was pronouncing against him But ye Beloved give glory to the Father of mercies Although the ungodly [2] Psalm 1.5 cannot the righteous shall [3] Psalm 37.33 stand in judgement That great and last day terrible to unbelievers to you shall be a day of [4] Revel 12.10 absolution a day of [5] Ephes 4.30 redemption a day of [6] Acts 3.21 restitution a day of [7] Luke 21.28 exaltation yea of exultation rejoycing and triumph Christians you shall be so far from dreading judgement that you your selves shall [8] 1 Cor. 6.2 judge the Angels Fourthly For preserving us as in Judgement so in death Unto us death shall be not our fear but our hope not our sting but our gain When we shall like the Priests [1] Luke 1.8 in the Temple have sinished our course we shall then [2] Revel 14.13 Heb. 4.9 rest from our labours We shall not only rest but [3] Psalm 127.2 sleep sleep we [4] Dan. 12.2 shall and shall sleep [5] 1 Thes 4.14 in Jesus Thanks be unto God for our life in death Fifthly For begetting us unto a [1] 1 Pet. 3.1 lively hope We who [2] Esay 48.8 from the tombe unto [3] John 3.3 our new birth have [4] Esay 1.2 Jerem. 5.23 Ezek 2.7 fought against [5] Psalm 2.6 10.16 our King had high cause to despair of obtaining mercy Against our dread Soveraign even then when He Himself stood at at the door [6] Rev. 3.20 and knocked we have shut the door of our Imagination which should ever conceive of him not evil but good the door of our Memory which should never let him go the door of our Vnderstanding which should in all our wayes acknowledge him the door of our Affections which should rejoyce in him above all that can be desired the door of our Conscience which should ever admit him a witnesse unto all our deeds words and thoughts These [7] Psalm 24.7 everlasting doores have we bolted against him wherefore most equal it is that he should shut against us every [8] Hos 2.15 Matth. 25.10 Prov. 1.26 28 door of hope yet lo before we call He answereth yea He expostulateth [9] Ezek. 18.31 Why will ye dye He saith unto us [10] Ezek. 16.6 Live What compassions he bare unto his Brethren Joseph [11] Gen. 42.17 concealed How Esau would deal [12] Gen. 32.7 by Jacob Jacob was not worthy to foreknow but for the righteous light is [13] Psalm 97.11 sown Our life which is given us for a prey is [14] 2 Tim. 1.10 brought to light doth not hang in doubt before us Sixthly For the exercise of godlinesse When the (1) Saper King of Persia led about the Roman (2) Valeriames Emperour captive so often as he took Horse he trod upon the back of this Emperour the late Emperour of Rome was now made an Upping stock Beloved the King of Heaven doth not like that King of Persia Upon us he trampleth not His enemies he (3) Psalm 110.1 Esay 63.3 doth his redeemed ones he doth not make his footstool VVe are not handled we are not (4) Judges 1.7 thumbed as were those seventy Kings whom Adoni-bezek used worse then dogs God neither fettereth nor cageth us as Tamerlan did Bajazet
then religious I speak In this Text our Master of (2) Joh. 7.15 42. eloquence doth not so much mind his phrase that he forgetteth his Auditors He delivereth no airy stuff but heavenly Truths His endeavour is not to (3) Praeceptis Christi detrahit pondus Sacerdotum levitas Lactan. tickle the ear but to amend the heart He spareth not down-right Reproofs Let not your heart be troubled He is full of earnest exhortations Ye believe in God believe also in me He layeth down enforcing Motives In my Fathers house are many Mansions What shall I more say Christ was a (4) Joh. 1.18.3.2 13. Teacher sent from God and almost every word of his hath the efficacy of a coercive application Behold he hath given you an (5) Tanto majorem apud doctos habere gratiam debet quanto mino em apud indoctos hab t. example May therefore what was unto me a stumbling block be unto you betwixt you and your Jesus as that Pillar was between Jacob and Laban viz. a Mizpah a [6] Gen. 31.45 Watch-tower May your zeal like Elijahs fire from the Lord consume this [7] 1 King 18.38 wood this dust this stone this wooden stuff this dustie trash this stone of Offence so God who is a consuming fire God who pardoneth the Iniquity of our holy things will accept your sacrifice as he did Elijahs Fathers and Brethren let us be guided by this wise Master-builder let us imitate the workmanship of this precious this chief Corner-stone this Head-stone of us all so shall we grow up not only as polished corners of His Temple but also as the supporting Pillars of his glorious Church In the next place for so much as the birds round about her Observ from the persons spoken to are against the (1) Jer. 12.9 speckled bird since every Jew will have a fling (2) Joh. 8.59 at Jesus because most persons stumble most at the (3) Joh. 16.2 Mat. 9.14.10.25 Luke 6.2.23.31 Clergy-mans gate and the persons spoken unto in my Text are (4) Joh. 15.19 much spoken of in the world those rocks of offence which this world forceth upon us I will roll as far from our door as conveniently I can Our humane frailty to be sure or if that be born with our Prelacy or if Prelacy we gain none our Function it self hath been cast in our faces as (1) Nunquam deerunt hostes ubi adest Ecclesia Tertul. matter of Reproach but how causlesly I appeal unto these persons in my Text. To separate the Apostles themselves from their frailty is more then flesh and blood can do Of their failings Hos 6.7 they cannot chuse but err like men and may as soon shake off their dust as their sinfulness First then If instead of double honour we meet with undeserved contempt if our Failings if those infirmities of ours which humble our spirits encourage any unadvised ones to become our accusers the persons here spoken to may frame our replies 1. I. Reply Seeing the Purity of the Gospel requireth clean (1) Job 17.9 Psal 24.4 1. Tim. 2.8 hands clean (2) Psal 119.101 Isa 52.7 Luke 1.79 John 13.8 feet clean (3) Psal 50.16.51.15.71.23.141.3 Prov. 8.6 Isa 6.7 lips and clean (4) Psal 50.17.51.10 Rom. 2.1 hearts too since Pastors more especially should be examples unto Believers since Holiness becometh Gods house for ever far be it from us to despise the admonitions of any sincere Christian Let not our heart be troubled for such benefits but if when our foot slippeth ye magnifie your selves against us ye do not well Jesus Christ would not allow his Disciples frailty to be a grief of heart unto them and dare any of you delight to see our hearts troubled Do not malitiously do not over-narrowly watch our steps make us not Offenders for a word be not ye (5) Psa 38.16.56.6 Mark 9.42 Committe-men What wounds the Physitian in this Text bindeth up those expose not ye to open air or if ye do make use of these following salves 2. II. Reply Our thoughts for ought that ye know save your tongues the labor A Father telleth you (1) S. Chrysostom Hom. 5. in 2. Tim. That it is impossible that the heart of him who continually receiveth the words of the heavenly Doctrine should not be affected I will not say it is impossible but I am sure it is (2) Psal 19.7 improbable Self-examination is (3) 2 Cor. 13.5 required from every one Consider now not any Christian whatsoever hath so fair opportunities to look within himself as (4) Lectio assidua purificat omnia S. Aug. Serm. de tempere the Divine hath If we know not our own wickedness if our (5) Lucerna Domini scrutans in conscientia torquens in facinore Bernard sin be not ever before us it is in us who daily consult the Scriptures a daily a repeated quenching of the Spirit It is monstrous in a man of God to give place unto the Devil Can we supplicate for you and forget that we our selves are (6) Gen. 18.27 Dum alium steo meipsum desteo Ambros dust and ashes Our consciences would be very much seared should we (7) Rom. 2.1 complain of your faultiness and cherish our own The more we do search the holy Scriptures the more we do (8) Rom. 7.9 prie into our own lives I say the better we think of the Law of God the worse we think of our selves Gospel-light helpeth us to see many a mote in our (9) Mat. 5.29 2 Cor. 4.6.10.5 right eye then we make a progess in our studies when the fear of the Lord (10) Deut. 17.19 Prov. 2.5 10 11. giveth us understanding And the more we (11) Job 40.4.42.6 see God the viler we find our selves The higher Moses ascendeth upon Mount Sinai the more exceedingly doth he (12) Heb. 12.21 Psal 119.120 fear and tremble Exod. 28. Dress Aaron in his habits and the weight of his own vestments will keep him under Make St. Paul a (13) Rom. 11.13 Gal. 2.8 chief Apostle and he will proclaim himself the (14) 1 Tim. 1.15 chief of sinners St. John was one of those here spoken unto in my Text he professeth he voluntarily (15) 1 John 1.8 professeth That if he should say he had no sin he should be a deceiver St. James was a second of these Apostles he concealeth not that he sinned and that too (16) James 3.2 in many things Nor fell these confessions from a levity of brain but from an inward conviction of guilt For instance ye see a third of these Disciples bursting into tears at the (17) Luke 22.61 very first look he was the chief of the eleven here spoken unto and when Christ had once (18) Luke 5.8 revealed his power unto him he stood off at a distance prostrate because snful Ye therefore among all our Congregations who (19)
Gospel these very persons [21] Luke 6.13 he ordained to be His Apostles and Embassadors 6. Lastly VI. Reply Believers (1) Like Nicostratus in Aelian have another eye to view such Pictures with then disquiet spirits have In this Text very faulty our persons spoken unto are their hearts are overcharged with care they have little or no Faith in Christ they sin against heaven nevertheless their Master you see harboureth (2) Compare John 13.38 with Luke 22.16 and Mar. 16.7 against them no discontents forgiveth all maketh the best of all yea he here preventeth their trouble He doth not despise but pity not reject but assist their persons So many of you as are followers of Christ like dear Children Let the same (3) Eâ que nque ansâ prehendas quâ commodè teneri potest Epictetus mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus If we your Ministers err like men that is like these Apostles let this stir up in you not your corruptions but your Graces Ye will not therefore dash your feet against (4) Mat. 16.18 these stones Happily we your Ministers are therefore permitted to follow these persons here spoken to in their defects that ye our Congregations may have the praise of imitating the person here speaking in His perfections With joy may we draw (5) Isa 12.3 waters from these Wells of salvation if ye thus roll away the stone from your (6) Zech. 13.1 fountains (7) Jer. 15.19.2 Of their Prelacy mouth So long as friendship with the world is enmity against God so long will humane obstinacy be (1) Joh. 15.19 20.16.33 wounding Godliness Some whom natural light daunteth from opening their mouths immediately against God himself make bold and (2) Numb 16.3.11 spare not to ease their spleen upon Gods chosen Prest-hood as the Law so the (3) Jude 11. Gospel shall never want for such as unawares to themselves second the gain-sayings of Corah Let our Clergy mourn or pipe fast with the Baptist or feast with their Lord yet still as the (4) Isa 8.14 Master himself abideth a rock of offence to every unregenerate person so abideth his Minister too Before the Repairer of our breach had (5) See Dr. Washburn his 1661. May 29. Serm. upon Isa 58.12 prosperously disappointed them who took the Houses of God into their possession the rock of offence then was that the consecrated Levite was and alas he was made the very Off-scouring of his people Now that great Mountain cannot stand before our Zerubbabel the prejudice the scandal now taken is that the self same Levite is no longer continued the Scum and Off-scouring of his people that is the (6) Mal. 3.9 Deut. 12.19 Reproach and Guilt of his brethren He is now envied as too great or too rich or both Might some men prevail the person here speaking in this Text should have been neither Melchizedec nor the son of David no King of the Jews by birth nor High-Priest by Calling nor should his immediate servants his immediate successors in the work of his Ministry have received either Dignity or Revenue whereas that ineffable felicity which we do all of us partake from our Head Christ Jesus who so often as he pleased did in the days of his flesh in all holiness and wisdom exercise the power to him committed may seem unto me at least to justifie unto the Ministers of his Gospel both Dignities and Revenues First I see this holy Jesus blessed for ever 1. In Dignities anointed in the days of his flesh (1) Psal 45.7 above his fellows yet not ashamed to call them brethren I see him owning a (2) Joh. 10.16 Plurality but it is for the benefit of his Church I see him receiving (3) Mat. 2.11.21.5 Homage Presents and Triumphs yet still he ceaseth not to deny himself I see him (4) Heb. 8.6 dignified nay (5) Joh. 13.31 glorified mean while he taketh up his Cross all power was (6) Mat. 2.2.28.18 committed unto him nevertheless He so used (7) Joh. 18.36 Luke 9.58 this world as though he used it not An (8) Heb. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.25 Arch Bishop he is and blessed be God that he is such A Rabbi he (9) Joh. 1.38 was and therefore a (10) Joh. 3.2 Rabbi because a Teacher sent from God They called him (11) Joh. 13.13 Lord Lord but so far was he from lording it over Gods Inheritance that I advise you learn of him for he is meek Ye see now that a Samuel a Jehoiadah a Jesus may be a good Priest yet a good Ruler too Ye perceive that let a Preacher of Righteousness keep close unto the (12) In ea regula incedimus quam Ecclesia ab Apostolis Apostoli à Christo Christus à Deo accepit Tertul. de Praes c. 37. example of Christ Jesus and make him rich make him great give him a Plurality make him a Doctor make him a Prelate make him a Bishop make him a Lord Bishop make him a Lord Arch Bishop yet still the zeal of Gods house eateth him up His feet still not only continue but appear beautiful upon the mountains and He himself not only appeareth but continueth a Pastour according unto (13) Prov. 22.11 his King yea according unto his (14) Jer. 3.15 Gods own heart Trample not upon Aarons Rod for it (15) Num. 17.5 flourisheth Secondly 2. In Revenues I need not entitle the person or persons in my Text unto Church-Revenues where methinketh they defend themselves and have methinketh warrant so to do 1. First From the light of Nature Ask a Heathen what he (1) Videas quae Selden de Dits Syris Syatag 1. c. 4 c. 6. Syntag 2. c. 17. Videas Dan. 3. 1. Hos 2.8 Act. 19.24 can do what he can part with in service to his false gods The blinder his devotion the more mayest thou see Next From the (2) Ex. Le Num. Law of Moses for my part I cannot conceive that God who requireth Faith Purity and Sincerity as well under the (3) Isa 1.11 Law as under the Gospel God whose Spirit and Truth is opposed not (4) Mede on John 4.23 unto the Beauty but (5) 2 Cor. 3 8 11. unto the Ceremony of Levitical Rites I say I cannot conceive that this wise God who was so sumptuous in the (6) Heb. 10.1 shadow will have the substance less (7) Gen. 14.20 2 Chro. 29.31 costly Take in the third place Examples of good men He harpeth on another string then (8) 2 Sam 7.2.24.24 1 Kin. c. 5. c 6. c. 7. would David he maketh himself wiser then was Solomon who esteemeth any part of this worlds wealth too excellent for Gods Temple Fourthly From Evangelical (9) Isa 61.6 60 6 7 9. Deut. 33.19 compared with Mat. 4.15 Predictions these therefore promise unto us affluence of temporal blessings because plenty of
a successful marriage Authority they have to proclaim a [2] 1 Cor. 5.8 Isa 25 6. Solemn Festival and to espouse believers unto the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Yea lest the sons of men should not duly esteem the servants of the living God lest the persons spoken unto in my Text should otherwise want of a Reception answerable unto the Majesty of him whom they represent the Lord of Glory vouchsafeth to entitle them not only his Ministers but his Embassadours not only his Embassadours but his Angels Mean while such is if not our Inheritance our lot from this accreaseth one more stumbling stone a stone cast between Christians as Clergy and Laity The Laity so called for discrimination sake the Clergy so called for divers reasons One the Priest-hood once a part of (1) Gen. 25.31 the birth-right of the first born was [2] Deut. 10.8 9. 1 Sam. 2.28 29. afterward allotted unto a peculiar Tribe Another whereas Moses and Joshua divided the promised land among the other Tribes God himself (3) Num. 18.20 21. Josh 13.33 Ezek. 44.48 allotted unto the Levites their Inheritance A third the first (4) Act. 1.26 Cleros autem vel Clericos hinc appellatos Doctores nostri dicunt quia ut Matthias sorte clectus est sic omnes quos illis temporibus Ecclesiacum Principes ordinabant sorte eligebant Isidor de Officiis Eccles l. 2 c. 1. Successors of these Apostles here spoken unto were all of them chosen by casting of lots A fourth because God who still provideth for them God who taketh pleasure in the prosperity of his servants is still their (5) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 10.9 Clâ—â—icus dictus est quia de sorte Dornini vel quia Domiaus sors pars Clericoâ—um Papias inheritance and lot From some or all of these reasons it is that the (6) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas Ministers of Christ have from (7) From before Anno Dom. 160. Platina Primitive times been stiled the Clergy nor is this practice more ancient then iunocent For 1. The same God which separated the (1) Deut. 10.8 Levites separateth his Apostles to (2) Acts 13.2 Rom. 1.1 Gal. 1.15 minister unto him 2. While Christ chuseth to himself a (1) 1 Cor. â— 1 Ministery he (2) 1 Cor. 12.4 28. Ephes 4.11 12. giveth it as a Help and Benefit to his Church 3. The Holiness of our Profession we deny not but we claim unto our persons no other holiness or heaven then what the God of Grace indifferently vouchsafeth as well unto you as unto us in the same sense that there is neither bond nor free neither Male nor Female there is neither Clergy nor Laity for we are all one in Christ Jesus If while ye give diligence to walk worthy the Lord in your Callings we in our Callings neglect so to do as St. Augustine admiring Antonius told (1) Surgunt indocti coelum rapiunt nos cum doctrinis nostris sine corde ecce ubi volutamur in carne sanguine Alipius We Clergy-men may perish in Hell while ye no Clergy-men become Kings and Priests unto God in Heaven 4. There is one God one Saviour one Maker and Father of us all who is above us all among us all and in us all As well Laity as Clergy we have all of us one Lord one Faith one Baptism yea and one (1) Simul hoc sumimus simul bibimus quia simul vivimus S. August de Con. dist 22. Quia passus Tam Ministri qnam reliqui credentes Paschasius Munus oblatum totius populi sit quia in uno pane omnes significantur St. Ambros in 1 Cor. 11. Lords Supper too 5 Lastly As we are bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh so we are one (1) Ephes 4.4 1 Cor. 12.13 spirit We have a spiritual Communion Clergy with Laity Laity with Clergy both together making up that one Mystical body whereof Christ is the head so are we members one of another that this discrimination of Clergy and Laity like that in our English Diadem of the white and red Rose causeth not difference but Vnion I say it doth but mind us of the Vnity of the Spirit speaking not only our Peace but our Happiness While what diversity we have like that of the corner stones in the Temple is therefore such that it may the more strengthen the spiritual Building of God Wherefore we of the Clergy beseech you of the Laity that there be no strife between you and us for we are brethren Our Lord and Master is not ashamed to call you brethren much less we his servants yea we your servants for his sake We repute you not Ethnick or Heathen but The Laity the people of God Examples we would be Strangers we would not be unto Believers And ye brethren as without holiness ye cannot see God so without Peace ye cannot cherish Holiness a body so fitly joyned together as this (1) Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 body of Christ is then best edifieth it self when it most encreaseth in love When in sincerity we pray that God would save you his people and ye petition That God would bless us (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His inheritance When ye pray for us That we may be indued with Righteousness and we for you That ye may be spiritually joyful this is mutually a pledge to us all that God would give unto us clean hearts and will not with-hold his spirit from us Beloved It is our joy that while we are a chosen Ministery ye are a chosen Generation Our joy that while we are a royal Priest-hood ye are a peculiar people On the other side unto so many of you as acknowledge a God of (1) 1 Cor. 14.33 Order unto so many of you as seek (2) 1 Cor. 40. Decency and (3) Col. 2.5 Stedfastness the received distinction of Clergy and Lay-men will become not a Rock of Offence but a (4) 1 Cor. 11.16 Jer. 18.15 compared with Jer. 6.16 Monument of Antiquity Which Monument is such a foundation of Order and of Peace that I hope we shall (5) Isa 54.11 lay this foundation with Saphires If the word Clergy or the word Laity have through the Corruption abroad been made offences blessed be God such is our Reformation at home that we shall lay these stones formerly offences n (6) Ibid. fair colours whiles the discrimination it self like the stone (7) 1 Sa. 20.19 Ezel sheweth us the way viz. The Good old Way of Truth and of Peace Men Fathers and Brethren as it is (1) Isa 30.20 your blessing that your eyes may see us your Teachers as it is your blessing (2) Phil. 4.17 2 Cor. 9.8 that ye have a double honour for us so is it our burden our (3) Phil. 2.16 Luke 9.62 1 Cor. 9.16 17. humiliation that we are the Clergy Our true our spiritual happiness consisteth
in being such as every one of you ought to be viz. sound believers and zealous Followers of Christ Jesus our Lord. Consider the persons spoken unto in my Text that they were chosen Disciples called to be Apostles and Ministers we have already understood but withal we may observe that they had more troubles then the other Disciples had We may further note that although a chief part of their troubles arose from their office and Ministery yet a chief part of their Relief and Comfort arose unto them not from their being peculiar Apostles Disciples and Ministers of Christ but from their being such as you we trust are viz. followers of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. When our blessed Saviour comforteth them Let not your heart be troubled he doth not add Ye have the credit of being chosen Ministers ye have the honour of being great Apostles but ye believe in God He doth not bid them remember their preheminencies but believe in me neither doth he tell them In the Ministry of the Gospel is no small honour but In my Fathers house are many Mansions Now Faith in God Faith in Christ the Mansions in heaven are not peculiar unto Gospel-Ministers as Ministers (4) This one name Christian bindeth us a together leadeth us all hand in hand toward Heaven G. H. Serin on Numb 17.18 but common to Gospel-Profsessors as Believers Having therefore so fully considered the persons here spoken unto as they were called unto the Ministery of the Gospel I shall in the next place review them under that Notion which much more concerneth their Everlasting peace I shall consider them as called unto the Faith of the Gospel And this ye may justy expect from my hands For we were only in the Context when we found the persons here spoken unto chosen Ministers we find them professed Believers in the Text it self So many of you as believe in God so many of you as believe in Christ let not your heart be troubled In my Fathers house are many Mansions as well for you his Elect as for his Apostles themselves PArtly because our Saviour had with so much ease conveighed himself from the Jews Universal unto the Professors of the Gospel (1) Joh. 5.16.7.30.8.20.11.8.10.31 39.19.11 whensoever the Jews most malitiously attempted to kill him and partly because when at last our Saviour did not (2) Mat. 26.53 54. escape but suffer death the Traitors heart was so manifestly (3) Mat. 27.3.5 overcome with sorrow some (4) Jansea Concord Evan. cap. 140. pitifully conjecture that had it once entered into his thoughts that Jesus might not have delivered himself as well (5) Joh. 18.6 12. at this as at former (6) Joh. 10.31 39. times Judas would not for any (7) Mat. 26.15 moneys have betraied his Master Thus some fancy But First since Iscariots hand was in (1) John 12.6 what moneys he lost in the Spiknard he was (2) Mat. 26. V. 8. compared with v. 14. resolved he would gain by his Treason Secondly What good affection a [3] John 12.6 Thief had for an honest Master I know not Thirdly The Traitor could not [4] Mat. 16.21 be ignorant that the same Jews which bought his Master would with wicked hands crucifie him Fourthly as his covetous heart could not brook to see any cost go beside his bag so neither could his Hypocritical heart brook it that he was (5) John 6.70.13.26 Mat. 26.23 24 25. layed so open before his Fellow-Disciples Fifthly Of this I am sure the (6) Psal 41.5 9.109.4 5 16. Scriptures concerning him could not but be fulfilled Sixthly This ye will all say (7) 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus let him be accursed Judas he loved not the Lord Jesus he was [8] Joh. 15.25 his adversary without a cause He (9) Psal 41.9.109.5 rewarded him evil for good he lifted up his heels against his [10] Joh. 13.18 Head he was a very [11] Joh. 6.70 Devil unto him Therefore Judas was not ignorant but malicious not upright but a Thief not sincere but a Hypocrite not a Convert but a Caitiffe he loved not the Lord Jesus and was therefore a [12) Joh. 17.12 son of Perdition Now in as much as Judas is found to be a son of perdition he is utterly excluded from the comforts of this Text When Christ saith Let not your heart be troubled he speaketh not to Judas who (1) Joh. 13.30 left him but unto the Disciples who abode with him Here is therefore matter to be applied unto all of you and unto none of you First Unto none of you viz. Unto none of you in my Text unto you that are none of Christs Next Vnto all of you viz. Unto all of you in my Text unto all of you who are true Disciples of Christ unto all of you Disciples who faithfully continue sincere Followers of Christ To proceede then The person here speaking in my Text is one who is a Teacher sent from God To Unbelievers whom it one who rightly divideth the Word of Truth one who distributeth unto each his due portion one who separateth between the goats and the sheep between the chaff and the wheat between the vile and the precious as he will not break the bruised Reed will not quench the smoaking flax so neither will he speak peace unto the wicked Mention a Hypocrite and he shall have [1] Mat. 24.51 weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth Find out a Generation of Vipers and they shall [2] Mat. 23.32 fill up the measure of their Fathers guilt In my Text here Your is exclusivè ye who abide constant Followers let not your heart be troubled But as for Judas who [3] Joh 13.30 is departed from me well were it [4) Mat. 26.24 for him had he never been born let him do [5] Joh. 13.37.30 what he listeth let him go [6] Joh. 13.30 where he will let his heart be [7] Mat. 27 3. troubled let his heart be troubled till he [8] Mat. 27 5. On which see Hammond and on Act. 1.18 burst again Thus the same Gospel which publisheth glad Tidings unto you who continue Christs unfeigned Disciples the same writteth bitter things against you that forsake your own Mercy Methinketh the Genius of this present Text is much like unto that good Angel specified [1] Mat. 28.2 by S. Matthew such as seek for Iesus them it [2] Mat. 28.5 gratifieth them it filleth with holy [3] Mat. 28.8 fear them it filleth with great [4] Mat. 28.8 joy But as for the enemies of Christ them it [5] Mat. 28.4 shaketh of them it maketh [6] Mat. 28.4 so many dead men at the [7] Mat. 27.60 door of their heart it findeth a great [8] Mat. 27.60 stone a great stone [9] Mat. 27.66 sealed a great sealed stone [10] Ibid. watched and warded
holy fear thy slumbering conscience is thorough mercie a little awakened hath at length a little feeling dreameth now at last what an evil thou cherishest by maintaining enmities against the great God for (1) Esa 59 18 he will repay fury to his adversaries and recompence to his enemies Possibly thou beginnest to perceive what a desperate presumption it hath been to make it thy sport to crucifie (2) Heb. 6 6 Christ for had (3) 2 Kings 9.31 Zimri peace who slew his Master Possibly a fore-sight of judgement to come hath affected thy soul with present horrour for the (4) James 2.19 Devils themselves beleeve and tremble Which if thou according to thy wonted impenitencie canst not doe be confounded and astonished at the sense of thy (5) Esa 1.2 Jude 15. crying guilt Except thou repent and believe loe vengeance is at hand lieth ready in store (6) Mat. 3 10 Esa 65.6 and will in an hour which thou art not aware of swallow thee up for ever and ever Alas thou hast foolishly and childishly (7) Jer. 4.22 5.21 25 like one stupid or Starke madd with all contempt and heedlesnesse in the most unthankfull manner that malice it self can suggest from thy youth up despised thy (8) 2 Sam. 12.9 Num. 25.31 1 Sam. 2.30 Lords pleasure and thine own peace No marvell then if wrath already smoaketh against thee alas (9) Deut. 29.19 20. it already breaketh out and as it flasheth first into thy (10) Rom. 2.15 1 John 3.20 conscience scorching that so it will hereafter flash upon thy soul (11) Gen. 2.17 Rom. 6.23 Ezek. 18.4 affrighting that from thy body and will in the end seize again upon thine unclean body (12) John 5.29 forcing that lump of sin to accompany thy lost soul as well in suffering torments as in contracting guilt Now if the Lord hath a mind to destroy thee (13) Esa 63.17 2 Chron. 25.20 Mat. 13.14 15. Deut. 29.4 he will go on to hide from thee these sore evils but possibly the power of the Word hath wrought upon thee possibly thou art afraid of Gods judgements I trust the Lord hath caused thee to tremble at his threats I hope thy heart smiteth thee I hope thou seekest for Jesus If so then but not until then be of good cheer The Master calleth thee I beseech thee therefore whosoever thou art ponder thy life past the hours dayes weeks moneths years which thou hast spent not in service to but in rebellion against a God patient indeed but just and (1) Nahum 1.2 jealous Consider again and again that thou canst not be at the same time in a state of unbelief and in the state of salvation too it will cost more then so to work out thy salvation wouldest thou know in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace thou wouldest what pains soever it shall cost thee watch and pray and strive and strive to make thy calling and election sure Hell flames are about thine ears wilt thou lye still and be burnt in thy bed Art thou so foolish a Coward that thou wilt wink while the Devil stabbeth thee Is it more tolerable to endure torments in hell then to exercise repentance upon earth Are unquenchable flames more to be desired then the Mansions in heaven Is it safer to continue a Judas then to approve thy self a sincere convert and a sound beleever Wilt thou still refuse eternal life rather then accept of it upon Gods terms I deal plainly with thee unless thou canst truly say I (1) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Milesius Thales am not I except thou canst say I my self was (2) Joh. 3.7 Tit. 3.3 such another Judas as is here secluded from these Disciples here spoken unto in this Text except thou canst say such (3) 1 Cor. 6.11 a one was I but I am washed but I am sanctified but I am justified Until thou canst say I was (4) Ephes 2.1.2.3 a child of disobedience I was dead in Trespasses and sin but am now quickned am now a (5) 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 new Creature except thou canst say (6) Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord this stone of unbelief presseth thee for a mute if thou persist in this stubborness thy hard heart may well be called stony for it shall be nothing (7) Pro. 10.20 worth unless to make a fearful (8) Gen. 19.26 monument of inexcusable guilt and of ineffable Justice There is a (9) 1 Kin. 8.38 Plague in thy heart wilt thou not be made whole when (10) Si non modo quando shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Thou With Joy of whom I travail in birth until Christ be formed in thee the Prophet raised up (1) Deu. 18.15 like (2) Deu. 30.15 unto Moses hath set before thee this day Life and Death viz. Life that thou mayest escape death Death that thou mayest seek life I have heard of one in a Swoon who was mistaken for dead layed out for dead wrapped in a Winding sheet coffined A familiar but sad story related applyed and buried too for dead the same person awaking out of his Trance and finding himself coffined by struggling for life bruised his body to death Shall I apply this He when people thought him quite dead was alive thou O unbeliever hast a name that thou livest but art dead He when he found his body buried bruised it to death couldst thou complain that thou art dead there were hopes of thy life true thy body of sin hath indeed been hitherto merely a black Coffin for thy departed soul the worser Grave-stone of the two remaineth fixed on thy heart of unbelief as immoveably as ever the dust of death lay upon that interred friend nevertheless the good Angel in my Text can (3) Mat. 28.2 roll away this stone He who (4) Joh. 11.44 called Lazarus forth of his grave can speak to thee the dead (5) Joh. 5.25 have heard his voice and thou mayest the Author of this Gospel hath (6) 2 Tim. 1.10 abolished death and brought immortality and Life to light werefore he saith Awake (7) Eph. 5.14 thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee life Set thy soul in order for thou mayest live and not dye Object Object I am fitted for destruction and therefore (1) Rom. 9.22 for ought that I know am a vessel of wrath Answ Answer Though thou art fitted for destruction thou art for ought that thou knowest (1) Eph. 1.4 chosen in Christ Object Object I have in me all the signs of a (1) 2 Cor. 13.5 Reprobate Answ Answer Thou hast the more need to (1) Phil. 2.12 work out thy salvation for God (2) 2 Pet. 3.9 would not have thee perish he would have thee (3) 1 Tim. 2.4 saved Object Object The (1)
God Dub. This do and live Solut. Unfeignedly humble thy self confess thy Trespasses confess thy debts (1) Psal 51 per totum Jer. 31.19 Ezr. 9. Zech. 12.10 Nehem 9 Jam. 4.9 Dan. 9 Ezek. 16.63 Psal 130. Phil. 2.12 1 Pet. 1.17 2 Pet. 3 11 14 suffer thy Conscience to accuse thee and to accuse thee to the uttermost from time to time spare not to aggravate thy guilt be as well thou mayest vile in thine own eyes let thy sins be always before thee that thy heart may always condemn thee bear thine iniquities viz. the guilt of them and the shame of them the remaining days of thy mis-spent life mean while have an eye [2] Heb. 9.14 10.22 Rom 15.13 9 Ephe. 1.7 Col. 1.10 of faith unto that satisfactory blood which the Person speaking in my Text shed upon the Cross believe it if thou canst for joy believe it with that blood which thou Judas-like hast trampled under foot with that blood of Jesus and only [3] Heb. 1.3 Isa 53.5 63.3 with that blood is written thy free pardon thine absolute acquittance thy general release [4] Tit. 2.14 Rev. 5.9 from all guilt debts and trespasses whatsoever by thee committed or upon thee charged from the beginning of the world unto the great and last day that terrible day of the Lord. Sinner [5] John 20.27 29 be not faithless but believe Oh that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [6] Mat. 11.27 would seal this Truth upon thine unbelieving heart He that [7] Rom. 8.32 spared not his own Son but gave him up for thy ransome how shall he not with him also freely bestow upon thee the gift of faith Tell me hath God so [8] John 3.16 2 Cor. 5.18 loved thee and canst thou have hard thoughts of God This is life [9] John 17.3 eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent for us [10] Hos 6.7 Gal. 1.4 men and for our salvation Is the [11] Joh. 3.14 brazen serpent lifted up and wilt thou not look toward it Canst thou desire a more [12] Ephes 1.7 Acts 20.28 1 Tim. 1.14 sufficient discharge then an acquittance written with the blood of God Look unto the [13] Heb. 12.2 authour and finisher of thy faith this man [14] Mic. 5.5 shall be the peace The person here speaking in my Text is [15] Isa 63.5 mighty to save mighty to save [16] Mat. 1.21 from sin mighty to save from [17] 1 Thes 1.10 wrath to come he is able to save [18] Heb. 7.25 to the uttermost Ah thou wert a cursed wretch had not the innocent Jesus been made a [19] Gal. 3.13 curse for thee thy sins had been more then thou couldest ever have been able to bear had [20] 2 Cor. 5.21 not Christ been made sin for thee but now that Christ hath taken our sins upon [21] Isa 53.5.63.5 himself now that his [22] Mat. 27.46 angry father hath seized on him as on thy Surety He is (23) 1 Joh. 1.9 faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins Well is it with thee that Christ hath the (24) Rev. 1.18 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 keys of hell and of death for now that cursed Jaylor the Devil can have no claim to thee since he is wholly at the command of thy friend the Judge Thou hast not thou canst not obey one jot or one little of the [25] Hos 8.12 Cal. 2.16.3.11 Act. 3.19 Rom. 3.20.4.15 25. 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 Titus 3.5 Ephes 5.27 Col. 1.28 Jude 24 Heb. 8.12 Isa 44.22 43.25 great things of Gods Law but the person speaking in this Text he hath kept the whole Law in thy stead because he never brake the Law thy transgressions shall never be called in question unless on purpose that thou mayest be cleared at the general Aszises And because thou hast not wit to speak for thy self see the person speaking in my Text he [26] 1 Joh. 2.1 Heb. 8.6.9.15.12.24 goeth in thy stead before the great Tribunal he becometh thine Advocate he putteth in thy Plea not [27] Isa 53.11 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 6.11 2 Cor. 6.2 Ephes 1.6 Rev. 3.5 guilty he justifieth thee before men and Angels yea before the holy Angels and the terrible God and of this rest satisfied never never did any Cause fail that this Advocate undertook he rules the Court for he himself is both a [28] Heb. 2.11 14 party a [29] John 17.25 witnesse an [30] 1 Joh 2.1 Advocate and the [31] Rom. 8.34 2 Cor. 10.18 Judge too Christian for I am loth to term thee an unbeliever now darest thou [32] Heb. 4.16 10.22 put thy life into Jesus Christs hands if so I will warrant thee a [33] Luk. 24.47 remission of all thy sins through his alone [34] Heb. 10 14 mediation thou shalt have thy Clergy the benefit of this Clergy man the Judge shall tender thee the [35] Rev. 3.5 book of life and the person speaking in my Text shall be thine Ordinary he shall testifie for thee that thou canst therein read thy [36] Rev. 2.17 new name canst thou chuse but break forth I [37] Rom. 7.25 thank my God through Jesus Christ our Lord And now if so be thou hast heard the [1] Ephes 4.21 person speaking in my Text and hast been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus if thou [2] Col. 2.6 receivest the person speaking in my Text as [3] John 14.6 the way unto that Father of Mercies who can abundantly pardon as the truth of that God who declareth himself satisfied and as the life which is given thee for a prey if thou seest thy soul a brand scarcely yet [4] Zech. 3.2 snatched out from amidst everlasting burnings I adjure thee by the living God as ever thou wilt not [5] Jam. 1.22 deceive thine own soul as ever thou wilt not like another Judas make [6] Act. 1.25 hell thy home be plodding [7] Psal 32.5 be much in plodding upon thy former heedlesness ignorances and provocations Let not business let not company [8] Psal 132.4 5 compared with 2 Cor. 6.16 let not any affairs under the Sun interrupt thy godly [9] Psal 7.10 11 sorrow Think what a Judas thou hast been Take much time for thy privacies [10] Psal 13.5 and re-examinations see the exceeding [11] Rom. 7.13 sinfulnesse of thy whole man and of thy whole life too bring thy thoughts [12] 2 Cor. 10.5 into captivity hale thy conscience to stake bring conscience and God face to face I say Get alone and [13] Pro. 13.5 compared with Ezek. 6.9 loath and abhorre thy self in the presence of thy God let confusion [14] Jer. 31.19 22.22 cover that face of thine call thy sins by as bad [15] Jer. 3.2 names as they deserve search [16] Psal
two Sermons on this Text. others That even great afflictions may not perplex a true Believers heart I shall endeavour to prove unto you from within the confines of the Text in hand I shall endeavour to clear it unto you 1. Negatively The Doctrine proved from the last closing of my Text. 2. Affirmatively from the first entrance of it 1. Negatively from v. 2. Negatively if it were not so I would have told you Whether ye supply (1) Dan. Heinsii Exer. i at in locum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye accept (2) Thus Regia Biblia Hispan Tho. Moâ—tfortius MSS. Alexand. Nonnus MSS. Cantabr Sixtus Quintus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without a point before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether (3) Thus Tremellius and to him assenteth Lud. de Dieu in locum with an interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether ye reject both the interpunction and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 too (4) Thus the Versionâ—s Arah ut Lat. Vulgat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or whether as we in our best English Translations do ye (5) Thus Erasmus Piscator Ro. Stephanus drias Montanus Beza Vers Syr. Grotius reject the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but make sure of the interpunction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To omit several (1) Such as the Aethiop and Pe sick Versions I in short conclude Whether with some ye paraphrase the words thus There is in heaven (2) Hammond in locum room enough for both you and me so that I need not tell you of my going to prepare a place for you Or whether ye lay aside Paraphrases and follow the various readings in a nearer sense as In vain (3) Lud. de Dieu ubi supro should I go to prepare a place for you could I not assure you there are in my Fathers house many Mansions Or There are (4) Heinsius ubi supra already prepared in my Fathers house many Mansions else I had told you that I go c. Or Iu (5) Arias Montaaus Erasimus Bezâ— Piscator G otius and as Dr. Donne saith the Church of England c. my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were otherwise I would not conceal it I would have told you for I who will not leave you ignorant go c. If it were not so I would have told you Whether ye examine the variantes (6) Vide sis Waltoni Biblia Polyglotta lectiones whether ye follow the most obvious opinions of most Interpreters or whether ye keep strictly to the last and best copy and sense too This one phrase from the mouth of Jesus Christ our Lord this I would have told you Is Law from Zion Statute-Law standeth a good and a most undeniable proof From these few words If it were not so I would have told you that English (1) Act. 14.12 S. Paul of (2) Dr. Donn ours deduceth (3) Ubi sapra a Standard whereby to measure [4] 1 John 4.1 all Doctrines Judge therefore By the mouth of no one of all his servants in the Old Testament in the New Testament neither by his servants nor by himself did the Lord Jesus at any time either expresly or implicitly say He would have great afflictions perplex believers hearts Wherefore the constant silence of the Lord Christ calleth out aloud and giving unto this truth his free assent most undoubltedly assureth every one among us that in as much as Jesus Christ our Lord requireth no such [1] Isa 1.12 matter from our hands No afflictions how great soever may at all perplex a believers heart That 's my first proof My second Proof is from verse the first Affirmatively Let not From verse first c. Throughout this whole Context these Disciples of the Lord Jesus were and were to be under great and sore tryals All this while how doth this captain of their salvation lead them How doth their Lord and Master tutor them Answ He telleth them what they must accompt upon he forewarneth them how that In the world they must [1] Joh. 16.33 expect trouble in the world they must [2] 2 Tim. 1.8 partake of the afflictions of the Gospel they must [3] 2 Tim. 2.3 endure hardness must [4] 2 Tim. 2.12 suffer persecution must [5] Mat. 16.24 in quem locum vide sis Casparum Sibelium deny themselves must [6] Luk. 9.23 take up their daily cross But may they at all disquiet may they at all perplex their minds No saith our blessed Saviour Fear (7) Rev. 2.10 none of all these evils Take (8) Phâ—l 4.11 12 1 Pet. 5.7 Mat. 6.31 Luk. 12.11 nothought Possess your (9) Phâ—l 21.19 souls in patience and however ye speed Let not (10) Joh. 14.27 your heart be troubled My Brethren of the clearness of any truths whatsoever greater evidence hath no man then this the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the precept the command the testimony the authority of Him who is the wisdom and the truth even of Jesus Christ our Lord. Wherefore I beseech you be your tryals never so great be the removal of a near friend never so afflicting yet remember the words which the Lord hath spoken unto you Let not your heart be troubled While ye draw near [1] Mat. 28.1 toward the Sepulchre I beseech you take notice that the [2] John 20.1 stone is taken away take notice that it is [3] Mat. 28.2 rolled back by the good Angel in my Text nay cast an eye again and having [4] Luk. 24.2 found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre behold how this Angel sitteth upon that (5) Mat. 28.2 stone That is the next viz. uponwhat ground for what reason it is that our most compassionate Redeemer will not here allow no not any afflictions how great soever to perplex his Disciples hearts The Reasons are seven-fold From the whole Text. But ere ever I can bring forth my Reasons I must remove one more stone at which some few are peradventure willing to stumble Quest Dub. If I would have told you standeth a most undeniable prohibition then what Statute-Law have you for Bowing at the name of Jesus for Bowing towards the East and to instance in no more for placing Tapers upon the Altar Answ 1. Solut. Law from Zion which therefore because it nowhere declareth these practises contrary to Gods revealed will [1] 1 Cor. 6.12 See also Cases of conscience about things indifferent 1662. by an indifferent hand alloweth them to be lawful Answ 2. Thou canst not say that they oppose Decency and Order for the most learned Fathers of our Church to whom it appertaineth [1] Tit. 1.5 1 Cor. 14.40 11.34 to determine what doth and what doth not make for Dececcy and Order do if not enjoyn yet allow them especially in Cathedrals Answ 3 Thou canst not say We have [1]
Tit. 1.16 no such custom neither the Churches of God for our learned Fathers receive these practices from Primitive Antiquity Answ 4. Suppose Genu-flection first arose from a mis-interpreting of Phil. 2.10 Suppose bowing toward the East proceeded from as gross a mistake of Zech. 6.12 Suppose wax candles were originally placed upon the Lords Table in imitation of Jewish yea of heathenish Rites This notwithstanding these customes being now received may each of them have at least a blameless continuance for First what evil is it if a Christian if a sincere Christian bow (1) Eph. 3.14 his knees to the Lord Jesus so often as he pleaseth [2] A Similitude used by way of illustration solemnly in words at length to petition God for a blessing every time throughout the day wherein thou occasionally drinkest would probably not well consist with the duties of thy Calling thou art therefore the more to be pardoned nay the more to be commended if as a pledge of thy Thankfulness throughout the whole following day thou address thy self to the God of thy blessings at the first time every day wherein thou drinkest Just so sincere Christians which bow at the name of Jesus have an equal reverence for [3] See learned Mede upon Mat. 6.9 viz. his Sanctification of Gods name ever Attribute of God but seeing they cannot so conveniently express this reverence every time any divine Attribute of God is mentioned Look what reverence they would shew unto every name of their gracious God that they signifie so often as the holy Jesus is named For the second Where lieth the evil if he who [1] Psal 95.6 worshippeth before the Lord his Maker bow in the most [2] See Gr gory his Notes upon Zech. 6.12.3.8 convenient and usual manner which Antiquity hath prescribed If while he boweth thou wouldest stoop we should have no occasion of complaints that stone would be rolled away For the third Why (1) Tit. 1.15 1 Cor. 9.19 21 Rom. 12.18.14.22 Litigandi pruritus pessima Ecclesiae scabies And by how much the more one affecteth to wrangle by so much the lels he is a Christian Bp. Nicholsons Apology p. 4. art thou more set on fire then are those Tapers They wax not enflamed why dost thou So long as these continue unlighted do not thou burn thy fingers ends rather busie them about this young fancy [2] When I thought as a Child at Westminster-School upon [3] Mat. 1.18 19. Maria Hymenaeo Vxorem statuit Joseph me ducere jussit Afferri taedas O Hymenaee tuas Praegnantem metuit Joseph me ducere latas Accendi (4) We may receive most excellent light for these Tapers from the learned Notes and Observations of Mr. John Gregory of Ch. Ch. Oxon. Cap. XXII a Chapter justly entituled Light taedas O Hymenaee vetat Josephus Hymenaeo Uxorem statui praegnantem ducere nolo Auferri taedas O Hymenaee tuas Uxoris metui zonam dissolvere nolo Accendi taedas O Hymenaee tuas Hymenaeus utrÃque Joseph mox conjux vir nunquam credo futurus Uxor erit virgo virgo Maria parens Inde feram taedas sed has accendere nolim Mirac'lum tantum velâ—ibi lumen erit Answ 5. First What our Church speaketh (1) Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical 1603. Canon XXX of the use of the Cross that may be applied to bowing at the name of Jesus Secondly Daniel (1) Dan. 6.10 from Babylon and Jonah (2) Jonah 2.7 from the belly of the Whale worshipped as near as they could toward the Temple wherein (3) 1 Kin. 8.42 10 God appeared Take therefore no scandal if some Christians worship as near as they can toward that part of the heavens wherein they (4) Act. 1.11 1 Thes 4.17 expect that Christ at his next coming shall appear Custome from hence (5) See Gregory ubi supra viz. cap. XVIII obtaineth that thy Church thy grave digged within that Church and thy body when placed within that grave do all face the East and why nor a (6) Gen. 2.7 living soul as well as a dead body The same Jesus whom Malachi compareth to a Sun and (7) Mal. 4.2 others to a rising Sun is (8) The Chinois Jaâ—i Schiller praefat in Uranograph Christian p 6. col 2. the bright morning Star Worship him all ye Saints (9) Rev. 22.16 Thirdly The Tapers prepared upon the Lords Table tell us that we Gentiles who sat in darkness (1) Luk. 1.79 see great light saith S. Jerom. Answ 6. To the pure these are not only blameless but profitable Doth some one bow toward the Altar Look thou (1) Eccles 5.1 to thy feet when thou enterest the house of God Do others bow at the name of Jesus At the name of Jesus depart (2) 2 Tim. 2 19 thou from iniquity Are there Tapers on the Altar thou (3) Psal 18.28 shalt light my candle for me O Lord my God yea except Cathedral Clergy men be as well burning as shining lights Take they heed lest God remove their (4) Rev. 2.5 Candlestick out of his place once more Answ 7. These are rather practised then enjoyned Wherefore if yet thou deem these or the like Ceremonies neither expedient nor comely be (1) Jade 16. silent be (2) Rom. 12.18 Phil. 3.16 peaceable Let not thy heart be troubled these are no afflictions if they were 1. Reason from the troubles themselves even great afflictions may not trouble thy heart for these Reasons Reason 1. From the nature of the troubles Let not you heart be troubled for your grievances are but (1) 1 Pet. 1.7.4.12 tryals Afflictions arise (2) Job 5.6 not out of the dust they are (3) 1 Chron. 29 14 Psal 39.9 Amos 3.6 ordered from above and their use is (4) 1 Cor. 3.21 Rom. 8.28 heavenly A heaviness I (5) 1 Pet. 1.6 grant they have and may in that regard be truly compared (6) 1 Sam. 25.37 unto stones so apt they are to [7] Ibid. astonish but loe these stones how great soever are not [8] Rev. 6.16 mountains to fall upon us and [9] Rev. 9.6 hide us from God rather they are marble stairs to [10] Molleri praelect in Psal 120. lift us up by steps and by degrees while we approach the [11] Heb. 13.10 Altar So is it with our tryals as it is with our grave-stones in the grave there is [12] Psal 6.5 no remembrance upon the grave there [13] Memoriae sacrum is Double is the use of a tomb-stone the corruption of the body that it [14] Mat. 23.27 burieth but the memory of the person that it [15] Pro. 10.7 keepeth alive Much after the same manner these great stones these heavy afflictione are cast upon us for two distinct purposes they should [16] Psal 119.67.71 75 compared with 1 Cor. 9.27 keep under our corruptions but
they should [17] Psal 119.107 Heb. 12.11 James 1.12 advance our duties too they are brought not to flatten but to [18] 1 Pet. 5.10 quicken us to our sins they are [19] Rom. 6.11 compared with Col. 3.5 Exod. 20.20 sepulchres but unto our graces they [20] Rom. 1634 Deut. 8.16 Gen. 22.18 are Monuments if once they be sepulchres unto our duties then this good Angel in my Text [21] 1 Cor. 10.13 rolleth them away but where they are Monuments of his [22] 2 Cor. 12.9 power in our graces there he resteth there he 23 sitteth down upon them Reason 2. 2. Reason from the heart From the [1] Jer. 4.19 seat of these troubles the heart Let not your heart be troubled because a heart Chirurgeons in their Anatomies phrase such and such a part a vessel a vessel for the brains a vessel for the urine for the blood c. Now he that fashioned for himself all our limbs while as yet there were none of them he useth this language too Mans soul body and (2) 1 Thes 5.23 spirit they are (3) 1 Pet. 3.7 2 Cor 4.7 vessels in the hand of the Potter this vessel he formed for such and such uses and for (4) Rom. 9.22 Prov. 23.26 none other intents or purposes whatsoever I say the (5) Psal 2.9 1 Thes 4.4 whole man much more the (6) Mat. 25.4 heart is a vessel a vessel appointed like those of the Temple for (7) Pro 23.26 Gods service wherefore the heart may not at all be taken up (8) Luk. 21.34 with cares fill a heart with the (9) Hos 7.7 scalding waters of lust or with the (10) Phil. 3.19 muddy waters of an earthly mind and what (11) Hos 4.11 room can there be in that heart for either (12) 1 Joh. 3.3 purity or (13) Mat. 6.21 heavenliness So fill a heart with bitter waters of (14) 2 Cor. 7.10 unreasonable grief or with the unwholesome waters of (15) Isa 7.9 distrustful fears and what room is there in that heart for the exercise of faith waters of affliction are of a (16) Job 33.16 Isa 44.33 Hos 5.15 cooling (17) 〈◊〉 1.16 clensing (18) Psal 119.67 healing nature and the heart should be a vessel prepared to receive them as (19) Eccles 7.3 such Blessed are ye that (20) Isa 32.20 sow unto the spirit besides all waters for the Spirit of God delighteth to (21) Pro 1.23 move upon these and it concerneth us that he findeth a (22) Eph. 4.30 quiet habitation Let neither (23) Jam. 1.4 impatiency nor (24) Mat. 8.26 distrust nor (25) Job 33.16 compared with Pro. 15.32 21.11 insensibleness neither quench nor grieve in the least any motions of so holy a Spirit If we would find our chastisements chastisements of peaee let not the heart be troubled That a second Reason as the heart is the seat of the vital spirits so it should be the seat of spiritual graces too It is at lest it should be a vessel [26] 2 Tim. 2.21 compared with Heb. 10.5 prepared for the [27] Col. 2.12 operations of God It should be filled not with carefulness but with the [28] Eph 5 18 Spirit Reason 3. 3 Reason from You. From you your heart Let not the heart be troubled because yours because it is as a vessel so a [1] Isa 66.20 consecraâ—ed vessel As for the wicked the heart of the wicked [2] Pro 10.20 is little worth but the heart of a believer is a [3] Jer. 31.20 dear heart unto her Bridegroom The heart of a believer is a rich [4] Mat. 25.4 Ephet 3.19 cabinet which holdeth vertuâ—s more graceful then gems graces more precious then jewels The heart of a believer is a heart not taken up with the blood of the fabulous Duck at Hales no nor yet with the blood of bulls or of goats but [5] Heb. 10.22 1 Cor. 2.2 Gal. 2 20 Acts 20.28 with the blood of the sacrificed lamb it carrieth within it self the blood of the Lord Jesus It is I say the mansion (6) Vita est mansio animae in corpore rectiùs spiritus in animâ say I. where the spirit of God dwelleth and is it fit think you that such a Temple as this such a Mercy-seat as this should be prophaned with fears and jealousies 4. Reason from God with cares and with destructive sorrows Reason 4. From God Almighty Let not your heart be troubled for ye believe in God The true Christian hath a (1) Exod. 34.6 2 Chro. 30.9 Neh 9.17 Isa 30.18 Psal 84.11 86.15 116.5.145.8 gracious God to believe in an all-knowing a merciful an (2) Gen. 17.1 all sufficient God to believe in and shall he not endure affliction according to the [3] Rom. 16.25 Eph. 1.19.3.28 power of God working mightily [4] Col. 1.29 in him shall a believers heart stoop should such a man as Nehemiah (5) Nehe 6.11 flee The Disciples were at the [6] Mark 16 5 first affrighted with the sight of their good Angel but what [7] Mark 16 6 followed There is if ye mark it there is a good Angel in this burning (8) Exod. 3.4 Dent. 33.16 bush Be not far off O Lord for trouble is (9) Psal 22.11 hard at hand Do thine afflictions make thee cry out Be [10] Psal 34.18.85.9 145.8 of good chear If once the child cryeth the Nursing-mother runneth If troubles be upon us be ye sure God [11] Psal 46.1 is a present help in those troubles That a fourth Reason V. from me also Reason 5. From Christ beleive also in me Let not your heart be troubled for ye have the [1] Act. 26.18 Lord Jesus to beleive in True no man can upon a well-grounded and a well-experienced [2] 2 Tim. 1.12 Knowledge say that Jesus is [3] 1 Cor. 12.3 the Lord but [4] Mat. 3.17 1 Tim. 3.16 John 6.44 by the Holy Ghost neverthelesse where once the Holy Ghost enableth to say of Christ My Lord and my God there the soul [5] Phil. 4.4 rejoyceth in this Lord as in the horn of her salvation God revealeth much of his goodness in the [6] 1 Chro. 29 14. Psal 57.2 workes of his Common providence thus the Roman Seneca the Greek Aratus and other Gentiles saw that the Lord was good and that his mercy endureth for ever More of his goodnesse he revealeth in [7] as in Esa 41.10.13 14 his word of promise five several times is that one promise repeated I will never leave thee nor forsake thee But the goodnesse of God is (8) Hos 3.5 most of all revealed in his own [9] Joh. 1.18.14.9 10 11 Son in him are [10] 2 Cor. 1.20 all the promises Yea and Amen for a Son ye know resembleth his Father Hence it is that [11]
hundred and first Psalm Would some of our Ladies once a week read over the third Chapter of Esay it would be both their benefit and their wisdom I professe for my share I smell no harm in your perfumes and other your sweetnesses if they be not too luxurious Rather then put any Countesse to the blush I will not once mention forraign paints or home-made [2] Licitis perimus onns Wherefore let me advise you not to be too presumptuous upon the lawfulness of these but consider expedience that so all may be done that God may be glorified and your selves more and more edified in Christ if you look not to this that which is lawfull in it self will be found unlawfull in you Golden Topaz p. 133. Patches I will make the best construction I can of naked breasts provided the Soul be not naked too But I fear lest as Trajan was indulgent unto all his people saving only unto such of his Subjects as were Christians so some Ladies are tender of every part about them excepting their Souls Ladies were you once so wise as to maintain but not exceed your Quality no Christians under Heaven would have lesse cause to trouble their heart then you your selves would have True A woman and a glasse are ever in danger but a woman and a Bible are ever in safety It is said of that holy Martyr Polycarpus that while his body was burning his scorched flesh sent forth a smell fragrant as Frankinsence it self just so the exemplarinesse of that Lady who is crucified unto the world hath a sweet winning influence upon all about Her while the comlinesse of her body [3] Gratiorest pulch-oveniens de corpore virtus adorneth the lovelinesse of her duties Moreover what the Christian Lady reserveth from excesse that she improveth unto spiritual advantages Shee upon [4] Reade if my Pen be more copious in this then in other places Know I am so ready a writer here because here I fall upon a Description of a Lady now with God viz. the Lady Anne Overbury of a Lady now with us the Lady Hester Overbury of Mrs. Mary Whitlock of Mrs. Hester Cressewick and of others among us unto every of whom quod dedisti Viventi decus atque sentienti Rarae post cineres habent beatae Yet as they themselves seek the praise which is not of men but of God So neither seek I to slatter but to admonish My scope is to have Their sight so shine among men that they seeing their good works and imitating their good examples may together with them glorifie Him from whom alone cometh every good and perfect gift and to whom alone belongeth the glory and the praise all opportunities maketh friends of unrighteous Mammon Shee disperseth to the poor visiteth the sick countenanceth the Gospel and furnisheth her Closet rather with religious Books then with fancy-full Toyes Her very Sex maketh her tender-hearted Hence it is that shee is more zealous in love of the truth in love toward Christians and in love toward God then holy persons of a masculine judgement are Now as she buyeth the truth so she redeemeth the time shee weareth her watch on purpose because she would not confer more hours upon that body which must be covered with wormes then upon that Soul which is a companion for Angels Chambering she loveth but it is for meditation-sake Her Chamber is her Chappel and herein she getteth the start of Students themselves for as she delighteth to improve her spare-hours so she hath more hours to spart then any of any other profession whatsoever she is so meek so obliging so courteous so commanding over all her affections that if she were no Lady you would call her one It is not by chance that while we super-scribe Lords Honourable and Knights Right-Worshipfull we write their Ladies Vertuous That person which walketh worthy the Lord leadeth a life like a Lady so naturally do a Ladies Vertues adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ If afflictions be the trials of a sanctified Lady her sorrows exercise a godlinesse if prosperity be her trial she remaineth as good as prosperous Such is her moderation in worldly affairs that you will not find she aboundeth with Coin otherwise then from her works of charity of liberality of hospitality of bounty of piety and of munificence So full of leasure she is that you find her ever busied but it is in encreasing a spiritual knowledge in conversing with Believers in instructing Heir Families and to speak at once in rejoycing in Heir God Multitudes of Believers was St. Jerome throughly acquainted with but among all his Acquaintance he found no Christians so nearly resemble the Saints in heaven as Elect Ladies did In the holy Gospels more Women then Men are noted for ministring of their substance unto the Lord And if the wisest of Kings King Lemuel do at the last undertake to recommend a vertuous woman he runneth on in her praises unto the end of the Chapter I had almost said unto the end of the Book I conclude then that wise Ladies like the wise Virgins therefore keep their hearts from needlesse troubles that they may take oyl in their Lamps They resort so often to their Fathers house that they are perfect Courtiers for they have their conversation in Heaven they do with so much perseverance believe in God that they are ever cloathed if I may so speak with inherent Humility and imputed Righteousnesse Lastly while they study muâ—â— to please most THE man Christ Jesus Saints they seem and Saints they are 6. To have respect of persons is not good To men of low degree much lesse to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons Wherefore redeeming my time from persons of high degree in duty [1] Rom. 12.16 I apply my self unto men of low estate Beloved Once contrive ye to [1] Josh 9.5 dwell in the promised Land I shall then yield There is no craft unto the clouted shoes Let Dives [2] 1 Cor. 1.26 thrive in his [3] 1 Tim. 6.9 10. own grease As for you you know It is grace [4] 2 Cor. 1.12 not money that warmeth the man The Bustard cannot flee farre by reason of his [5] 1 John 2.15 great Wings but the wings of a [6] Rom. 8.6 Dove flee away and be at rest The lesse ye are laden with the [7] 2 Tim. 2.4 lumber of this World the [8] 1 Tim. 6.9 10. more easie is your pilgrimage toward Canaan Many a Merchant had [9] Luke 8.14 21 34. saved his life had he flung his goods Eccl. 11.1 into the Sea Beloved ye have no such [10] Jam. 1.9 temptation to ship wrack your faith as great Personages have Again should ye sow among [11] Jer. 4.3 thornes ye were but [12] Mat. 13.22 ill Husbands if ye plow not up the [13] Gal. 6.7 fallow ground of your hearts the thistles which grow up in
to believe in Christ It is the trouble of our hearts that we have parted from the innocency (6) Matth. 18.3 4 of our Childhood It is the grief of our minds that we have not improved (7) Pro. 22.6 our education and can we fool away our interest in the world too When we were Children we did not (8) 1 Cor. 13.11 put away childishnesse while we were youthfull we [9] Psal 25.7 served divers lusts Now that carnal pleasures have been the trouble of our hearts shall earthly cares be our vexations too we ought to sacrifice our bodies unto the Father of [10] Rom. 2.1 Heaven and dare we sacrifice our hearts unto the God [11] 2 Cor. 4.4 of this world On the other side If through mercy our Childhood hath been [1] Eph. 6.4 nurtured in the fear of the Lord or if God gave us the grace to remember [2] Eccl. 12.1 our Creator in the dayes of our youth how is it that we forget him now What iniquity [3] Jer. 2.5 have we found in our God that we should cast him off now in the midst [4] Psalm 102.4 of our age in the very (5) Psalm 29.5 best of our estate In our Infancy we entred into a Covenant with our God we were baptismally engrafted into Christ in our youth we blossomed now that we are in our Autumn shall all the fruits of our Faith fall to the ground shall we like the [6] Mat. 19.20 cursed fig-tree fail our Makers expectation When [1] Agesilaus in Plutarch Agesilaus having gained one Victory would animate his Souldiers for another he caused the Prisoners whom he had taken captive to be stripped then calling unto him his Souldiers he telleth them [2] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these effeminate small-limbed inconsiderable wretches are the enemies ye fight against these Ornaments costly Apparrel and Treasures are the spoil ye fight for Beloved if the [3] insoelix paupertas homines ridiculos facit contempt that accompanieth a mean estate be the Enemy we fight against how [4] Rom. 8.35 1 Cor. 4.8 9 contemptible is this enemy◠especially unto him that [5] Psal 27.1 hath a God to sustain him a God to rely upon◠the mansions in our Fathers house the Son of our God the Father of mercies the God of all blessings these are the prize we fight for Let us therefore in understanding shew our selves [6] 1 Cor. 14.20 men Every day bringeth its [7] Luke 11.3 bread had we the wit to trust [8] 1 Pet. 4 19 an all-sufficient Creatour if it be better for us to be rich [9] Pro. 30.8 then poor to be honourable then mean let not our heart be troubled our God needeth [10] Phil. 4.6 none of our shifts none of our carkings nor indirect means of ours to make us wealthy great or honourable the way to [11] Prov. 10.22 1 Cor. 3.22 be wealthy great honourable is to take God along with us If any man love this world [12] 1 John 2.15 with his first love if he love it otherwise then for (13) He loveth God too little who loveth any thing beside God except for Gods sake R. B. Gods sake the love of the Father is not in him Dare we in the ripenesse of our experience and understandings [14] James 4.4 commit so high an affront against the great God Dare we preferre [15] Mat. 6.31 our vain shifts before his daily Providence our worldly [16] Gen. 17.1 wisdom before his spiritual instructions Dare we love the [17] 1 John 2.16 things of this world before the mansions in our Fathers House Nay would any of us if we might occasion the King of Sodom to say [18] Gen. 4.23 I have made Abraham rich or would we accept of plenty [19] Pro. 15.16 16.18 peace pleasure or honour from any hand but Gods Commendable [20] Jam. 4.4 was that Souldier in Oxford-Garrison who as needy as he was would not accept of Gold from Him who was no friend unto his most gracious Soveraigne O my God as low as I and my Family are if [21] Exod. 33 15 thy presence go not with us carry us not up hence Beloved mine Exhortation is that this [1] Gal. 1.4 present evil world may not perswade us out of our Christian names By these we in ordinary converse call our Children Why Answ Because they had need be often minded of their Christendome and of their vow in Baptism Striplings we likewise call by their Christian names so subject are they to an inconstancy But he that is of full age he that is stled and stayed we repute him so much a Christian that ordinarily we term him Good-man Master sim The more unhappy they that create unto themselves [2] Jer. 2 36 needlesse troubles of heart by trying the [3] Eccl. 7.25 wickednesse of folly with Solomon or by [4] Ames 3.15 Esay 5.8 1 King 21.1 laying house to house and coveting Naboths Vineyard with Ahab or by building [5] Luke 12.18 Gen. 4.17 Castles in the ayr with Gain or by [6] Psal 10.3 2 Kings 20.13 boasting themselves in their own Treasures with Hezekiah Every field is a Garden to him that acquainteth [7] quaelibet herba deum himself with his God A mans wisdome consisteth not in coveting what he cannot easily compasse [8] Luke 12.15 Beatus est noa qui habet quae cupit sed qui non cup t quae non habet Desius Ausonius but in improving what he already hath unto the benefit of his soul would we not over-task [9] Eccl. 2.24 3.22.5.18 Hoc tandem di dicit Henricus Wotton Animas quiescendo fieri fapientiores our selves with needlesse law-suits projects and designs we should find in the world food and rayment Sun-shine and Star-light Rivers and Fountains Flowers and Prospects enough and enough prepared to our hand for our Recreations and Delights Instead of minding their Books and other their Duties Children scatter away their [10] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pindar precious time upon idle toyes and yet their Fathers which mourn for them [11] like Hermogenes who was among boys an aged man among aged men a boy Magno conatu nugae cherish the very same folly The Child is pinning and unpinning baby clouts the mother doth the same in affected Apparrel the child buildeth Ovens with untempered morter in the streets the Father is as vain in Housings and Enclosures How our children mis-spend their time and abilities we are sensible but alas many of us [12] He that hath time and looketh for better time Time will come he shall repent of his lost time are insensible that of the two we are the more blame-worthy our best experiences our best understandings our best estate what is it employed upon upon things which [*] Vivere Gallio frater omnes beate volunt
malum videri qaod naturae necessitas afferat Cicero de Senâ—ctute Christians you who have been at so much pains to obtain and at so much care to preserve Grace will not discontinue it in your last hour You will not lose the return of so many years prayers the [2] Conscientia bene actae vitae mullorumque benesactosum recordario jucundissima est ibid. comfort of all your former obediences the answer of your long expectations the recompence of our perpetual labours for want of a little pains taking now at the very last tryal Doubtlesse the longer ye have served your God the longer ye will [3] Qad enim est jucundius senâ—ctute stipatâ studiis juventut is ibid. delight to serve him you will follow the Captain of your Salvation whether soever he shall lead you In you aged Believers as natural strength decayeth so the Spirit of Grace [4] Ait senescere se multa indies addiscentem Solon ibid. getteth strength It is not with you as it is with Sathan the older the worse Your sensitive powers may dry and shrivel with their Organs your Souls not so much lesse the Spirit of your God Therefore since your day is far spent you will give the more diligence to finish your work Naturally the nearer the Centre the more violent the [1] viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aâ—st de Coelo lib. 4. cap. 3 motion Let it never be said of a Believer as [2] 1 Kings 15.23 it was of King Asa that in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet Now that he kenneth Sion he [3] Psam 84.7 will amend his pace The worst is past he will [4] Cant. 2.10.11 now onward chearfully A wearisome Pilgrimage it would be were he to run over [5] Psalm 120.5 84.10 1 Cor. 15 19 the same steps again but now that he is [6] John 14.3 17.24 within view of the City built without hands now that he hath gotten a sight [7] 1 John 3.2 of these Mansions he will by no [8] Hodie si exclusus fuero nunquam desistam means desist He will strive and strive [9] Luke 13 24 vehemently to enter in at the straight Gate now that he hath gotten on foot upon [10] 2 Tim. 2.11 the Threshold The [11] Aate obitum nemo soelix Evening praiseth the Day and [12] Psalm 37.37 2 Tim. 4.7 8. the life of Faith doth crown the hour of Death Having known the fellowship of his sufferings and the power of his Resurrection he will likewise [13] Phil. 3.12 13 14. accompany Christ unto the Mount of Olives nay from the Mount of Olives I say he will wing [14] Psalm 84.2.42 1 2 his thirsty soul with a stedfast faith and will [15] Heb. 6.18.20 with Joy unspeakable ascend after his most glorious Forerunner fain he would be [16] 2 Cor. 5.4 8. absent from the body that he may now at length be present with the Lord Nothing troubleth him more then that he cannot be so thankfull in this earthly Tabernacle as he [17] Psalm 35.9 62 5 6 7. 63 1-8 66.8 9. 68 3 4. 81.1 Psalm 110 103.1-5 149.5 Esay 12.2 4 5. 61.10 is assured he shall be when anon he appeareth before Jesus Christ in his Fathers House Aged as he is he complaineth Lord I believe help mine unbelief but he thanketh his God through Jesus Christ his Lord. As no Quality so no Age is we see priviledged from troubles of heart To all Christians of what degree or age soever In the last place therefore we shall apply our selves unto all Christians unto high and low rich and poor young and old In general one with another Christians as ever we would not have our hearts troubled let one main trouble of our hearts be not so much the evil of our doings as the evil of our hearts Beloved If Jeroboam the son of Nebat cease (1) 1 Kings 14.20 to make Israel to sin Nadab (2) 1 Kings 15.25 beginneth Baasha may (3) 1 Kings 15.27 conspire against Nadab yea he may smite all in Jeroboams house (4) 1 Kings 15.29 that breath yet he himself may continue (5) 1 Kings 16.2 wicked Baasha still Elah may (6) 1 Kings 16.6 step into Baasha's Room Zimri may conspire against (7) 1 Kings 16.10 Elah Omri may (8) 1 Kings 16.16 be a note above him Tibni may (9) 1 Kings 16.22 justle Ahab may (10) 1 Kings 16.28 succeed Omri Jehu he may cut off both Ahab and Ahabs (11) 2 Kings 10.16 House yea he may boast his Zeal and yet over Jehu Ahab Tibni Omri Zimri Elah Baasha and Jeroboam one and the same spirit of Rebellion might and did Reigne It mattereth not much who is Vice roy so long as (12) Mala mens malus ammus the King of Babylon beareth the Rule Let the youth lay aside childishnesse the middle-aged flee youthfull lusts the aged cease to love the World yet if our naturall corruption can make any one sin finde (13) Prov. 8.13 Psalm 119.128 113.139 21 22 acceptance from us the heart necessarily either is or should be troubled A Dog hung up by the heels disgorgeth himself but still it is his nature to return (14) Prov. 26.15 to his vomit you may wash a Sow clean but neverthelesse she hath a property (15) Naturam expellas surcâ licet usque recurret which would fain be wallowing so a Christian may restrain many a wicked work word yea and thought too yet still there abideth an innate corruption within him and untill this corruption be the grief of his heart he hath not (16) Psalm 78.37 set his heart aright We may fight against small and great evils yet if we bend not (17) See The sinfulness of sin Animalis homo by Bishop Reynolds and p. 185. of The Natural mans blindnesse by Hen. Hurst our greatest strength against that originall pollution which staineth our purest actions while we slay the Amalekites we preserve Agag alive When the holy Spirit hath once rolled aside the stone of unbelief the more abundant our life of Faith is the more we grieve under the weight of that stone David was ashamed that he had committed Adultery the murder of Vriah wounded his very heart-blood but that which stuck more close unto him then even these crying sins was that he was shapen in iniquity and (18) Psalm 51.5 conceived in sin the evil of his doings made him sensible of the evil of his (19) Gen. 6.5 Matth. 15.19 20 heart Thou hast weaned thy self from swearing well but doest thou (20) Prov. 28.14 Eccles 9.2 fear an Oath thou fearest an Oath but is it for conscience towards God If it be thy heart mourneth and bleedeth for that it cannot not not half enough (21) Rom. 7.15.17 8.7 Gal. 5.17 sanctifie this thy God in thy heart Thou
doest (22) Psalm 119.104 hate every false way but thou doest hate thy false heart more viz. for being so unwilling to have any evil way whatsoever So often as sin brancheth out and that isperpetually thou shouldest strike at the root I mean at the original sin which [23] Rom. 7.18 20 dwelleth in thee If the world is crucified to thee [24] Gal. 6.14 thou wouldest be crucified to the world that is if thou couldest Thy stiffe neck is ever [25] Rom. 7.24 painfull to thee the back-slidings of thy heart cast thee down while thou keepest it even with the greatest diligence that thou canst Long it was before thou couldst crucifie this [26] Gal. 5.24 affection or the other lust but the flesh that body of sin that doth to this hour keep thee wretched and low in thine own eyes Let not sin reign [27] Rom. 6.12 in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof This obedience is the outward actings of sin these lusts are the inward breathings of sin the sin it self which is so forward to reign is not some one partscular vanity but that [28] John 3.6 flesh of thine that [29] Rom. 7.23 Law in thy members that corrupt bent of thy soul and body and spirit which maketh [30] Rom. 7.21 25 thee so subject to revolt from God and his Christ Now if we would not have this sin [31] Rom. 6.12 14 reign in our mortal bodies we [32] Pro. 13.5 Job 42.6 Psalm 32.5.51.3.73.22 Ezek. 16.61 63 must loath it as that which aggravateth whatsoever evil thoughts words or deeds we are guilty of unlesse we be [33] Job 40.4 vile in our own eyes let us never expect to be precious in [34] Isa 1.18 43.4 Gods sight The [35] Jer. 8.22 Matth 11 28 balm of Gilead is not for us unlesse we complain of our wounds and bruises and putrified soares In that Fountain [36] Zech. 13 1 which is opened unto the house of David we see our Leopards spots and the heart is therefore troubled because it is not [37] Nahum 2.7 Psalm 31.10 Rom. 7.15 24 troubled enough The more the Holy Spirit delivereth it from the power of darknesse the more darknesse it [38] Psalm 19.12 25.4.26.2.31.3.139.2 3 4 23 24 complaineth of The more he beateth down Satan the more jealous we (39) 2 Cor. 2.11 are of Satans stratagems Heathen Moralists could lop off the (40) Rom. 2.14 branches of sin but we Christians must (41) Jer. 3.10 Col. 3.15 Rom. 8.1 lay the axe to the root of the Tree sin reigned in their hearts the Spirit of God must rule in ours We then bethink our selves of the Mansions in our Fathers House when we begin to believe in Christ we then begin to believe in Christ when we are turned (42) Acts 26.18 from the power of Satan unto God we are then turned from the power of Satan unto God when the sinfulnesse of our corrupt mind is (43) John 14.1 2. Rom. 8 11 14.7.24 25 so the trouble of our heart that it quickneth us to believe in God through Jesus Christ our Lord. To conclude If the Twins do not struggle in the womb it is a manifest Symptom of miscarriage for the (44) Gal. 5.17 Rom. 7.8 14 17 19 Heb. 12.1 4 Psalm 19.12.25 11 20 21 Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that you cannot do the things that ye would But if ye (45) Rom. 8.15 allow not of your evils if your sin doth not (46) Rom. 6.12 get dominion over you if you be (47) Rom. 8.1 13 14 led by the Spirit if you (48) Gal. 5.25 16.18 walk after the Spirit if your (49) 2 Cor. 4.16 renewed minds seeke (50) 1 John 3.3 Heb. 12.14 holinesse strive (51) Col. 4.12 after perfection chuse (52) Esay 66.4 whatsoever your Lord delighteth in making the Glory of your God the (53) 1 Cor. 10.31 Deut. 16.15 26.11.12.12 18. Psalm 119.14 Esay 61.10 Deut. 28.58 27.9 10. Phil. 4.4 Col. 3.17 businesse and joy of your Souls then though troubled it be let not your heart be troubled believe in God believe also in Christ In my Fathers House are many Mansions The Stone thus rolled away from every heart we all of us are raised unto life more abundant IN what sort the person here speaking In particular Uses applyeth himself [1] Page 11. unto Gospel Ministers restrictively and unto [2] Page 53 Gospel-Professours universally we have long since perceived We have heard him speak [3] Page 55 privatively to None of you Unbelievers [4] Page 109 positively to All of you that believe I shall now proceed from the persons spoken unto to the matter spoken of and that I [5] Page 2. 14 told you was matter of Reproof matter of Instruction and matter of Comfort And I beseech you Brethren [6] Heb. 13.22 suffer a word of Exhortation lest the Stone rolled away tumble back upon us again let us let us passe from the Duty here enjoin'd unto the means here recommended let us to say no more make application of our Text. Beloved Hitherto we have heard a Voyce [7] Matth. 3.3 crying in the Wildernesse we now more fully prepare the way of the Lord Hitherto we have examined to whom we would apply this Gospel we now enquire what this Gospel is which we would apply Hitherto we have beheld the [8] Mar. 16.4 Stone rolled away now rolleth [9] Esay 48.18 in upon us Life more abundant namely First The [10] Pro. 15.21.6.23 Life of Reproof Next The [11] Pro. 10.17.16.22 Life of Instruction Thirdly The [12] Pro. 3.18 22 Life of Consolation Lastly that which [13] Psalm 145.1 2 3 7 146.2.147.1 crowneth all our Consolations to wit a Thankful Life A Life thankfull while we overcome the troubles of the heart thankfull while we exercise Faith in God through Jesus Christ our Lord thankfull while we expect the Mansions in my Fathers House Uses 1 Of Reproof When you read how the Angels of the Lord [1] Mar. 28.2 came and rolled back the Stone from the door of the Sepulchre you will not imagine that this Augel heaved it lifted it and shouldered it as men shouldered away that other stone from [2] John 11.38 39 41 the Grave of Lazarus No who art thou [3] Zec 1.4.7 O great Mountain which standest before Zerubbable The very presence of an Angel of the Lord caused [4] Mat. 28.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great shaking viz. of that part where the Grave was Hammoad Annot on Matth. 27.51 the Earth to quake now beyond all peradventure the earth so quaked that the stone unsetled shook joggled tottered and could not choose but roll yea [5] Mar. 16.4 the more weighty it was the
14.32 sullen silence and edifying [79] Eph. 4.16 of Christs Church in love If otherwise It will be no [80] Luke 16.2 Heb. 13.17 sufficient answer at the great and last Day when [81] Mat. 10.36 the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed that we might [82] 1 Cor. 7.24 have abode in our holy Galling might have [83] 1 Cor. 9.16.22 won many of those Souls for whom [84] Act. 20.28 Christ dyed could have preached the Gospel could have traded [85] Mat. 25.28 with our ten Talents but we were so high-minded that we therefore would not because [86] James 3.16 we might not have forsooth our own wills and wayes Would we confesse a truth the [87] See Mr. Calamy upon this subject Percz Uzzi upon that Sermon of Mr. Calamies glory is not departed from Israel but we our selves are departed from the glory The garment [88] Isa 61.10 of Salvation is the same now which formerly it was but unthankfull we pick quarrels about the fringe if we would but touch the hem [89] Mat. 9.21 of our Saviours garment we might all of us be healed We have I say the [90] Ephes 4.4 5 6 same Lord still but the strife is [91] Luke 22.24 who among us shall be uppermost I had rather be [92] Psalm 84.10 a Door-keeper in the Tabernacles of my God then [93] Rom. 14.15 shut any of the Mansions in my Fathers House from any of the Disciples of Jesus Christ The Lord roll away from us his Ministers every stone of Offence the Lord preserve the Lord continue by us his Ministers abundance of life in the peace of his Gospel 2. Others there are of a long Robe too Unto some Lawyers who will not altogether escape reproof Wo unto you Lawyers if ye trouble your Clients hearts by rendring their defensive causes (1) Esay 1.17 58.6 burdensome and destructive Wo unto you Lawyers if ye plead so long for your Glients Mansions that ye your selves (2) Many a Lawyers house is built upon a foâ—ls bead get into their Fathers house I might add Wo unto you Lawyers if while ye gain Wealth by the Law ye lose the (3) Mat. 6.33 16.26.13.22 benefit of the Gospel I mean if ye covet so much the honours and profits of this world that ye allow (4) Luke 8.14 1 Tim. 6.17 nor leisure unto your neglected souls to effectually believe in God the righteous (5) Heb 12.23 judge of all men and in Jesus Christ your only (6) 1 Joh. 2.1 Mediator and Advocate The Trumpet soundeth (7) 1 Cor. 15.25 2 Cor. 5.10 in your eares Thirdly These words of my Text speak Reproof unto some Practitioners of Physick Unto some Physitians not for studying Galen or Hippocrates but for not studying the Word of Life viz. First The house of (1) Eccl. 7.2 mourning readeth frequent Divinity-Lectures especially against the flesh and the world Let Religio medici flatter her self how she pleaseth He is not far from an Atheist who while (2) Eccl. 7.4 he administreth Cordials unto dying bodies receiveth no experience for living Souls Secondly Although Theology be indeed no [1] Col. 3.16 part of the Physitians profession yet it is a very requisite accomplishment Be the other Ingredients what Physick shall see cause to direct godlinesse [2] 1 Tim. 4.8 should be ever be one of the prescriptions True it is not the Physitians errand to ease the heart from trouble but it [3] Heb 10.24 lyeth in his way though He hath a constant opportunity to shew some spiritual kindnesse unto persons sick at the very heart and having [4] Gal 9.10 opportunity he should do as [5] 1 Sam. 10. occasion shall serve he should lead his Patient from the chastisement [6] Heb. 12.11 of the body unto the comforts of the soul Thirdly It is not the Practitioner of Physick but the great God who disposeth of (1) 1 Chron. 16.12 King Asa the sick bed is a (2) Rev. 2.22 summons to Repentance We are chastened of the (3) 1 Cor 11.32 Lord that we may not dye in our sins the Herb can bring no healing Vertue which she doth not first (4) Mat. 4.4 borrow from her Creatour in short God is professedly the God both of our (5) Psalm 103 3 health and of (6) 1 Sam. 2.6 our life every of which particulars sufficiently convince us that the speediest mean to cure the body is to (7) 1 Sam. 41.4 Matth. 9 5. begin with the Soul so speedy so effectual a course is this that every one who is a good practitioner in Physick either is or should be like Saint Luke (8) Col. 4.14 not only a Physitian but an Evangelist To conclude By many Patients the Physitian (1) 2 Chron. 16.12 is sooner thought off then the Parson yea full often the Doctor of physick is admitted while the Doctor of Divinity (2) Jam. 5.14 is shut out Consider now a word spoken in season (3) Prov. 15.23 how good is it Pity pity it is that the heart of him who gaspeth for life should (4) Psalm 73.26 be almost spent through want of Balm from Gilead If the Minister cannot be may not be or is not in presence care (5) Jam. 5.15 must neverthelesse be timely had that for him who is just now giving up the ghost prayer and intercession be tendered unto the Father of Spirits Alas no Medicines (6) Psalm 94.19 116.8.119.81.42.1 2 84.1.62.5 are healing unto a Soul thus troubled There is no trusting unto Physick at any time a God a Jesus Christ may yea must be trusted in The merit of the person (7) 1 Joh. 2.1 here speaking in my Text drank off blood-warm transcendeth all other Receipts that can possibly be thought upon Where the Physitian feareth God there (8) Gen. 21.22 39.5 Psalm 1.3 God giveth a blessing for the Physitians sake Be it that the death of the Patient (9) Job 7.1 Psalm 31.15 seem to upbraid if not a want of skill yet a want of successe in the Artist yet O Death (10) 1 Cor. 15.55 where is thy sting the good Physitian findeth no reason at all why he should absent himself from his deceasing Patient he rather abideth and conducteth the departing soul toward the many Mansions in my Fathers House Fourthly The Mansions in my Fathers House a faith in God Unto Tradesmen and such as buy and sell yea and these troubles of heart do reprove innumerable followers not of Christ but of the world who most contentedly exchange godlinesse for gain In Queen Maries dayes so strong had nature made Sark-Island that [1] Sir Walter Raleighs History of the World lib. 4. cap. 2. sect 18. thirty Frenchmen could maintain it against all the Flemings in the world This stratagem was used Near unto the Isle with one ship
proprium Deipoteatis ac veri inexorata benesicia praebere Amobius advers Gentes lib. 3. henceforward affect and melt Chyrurgeans first purge the body and that done salve the lanced Ulcer Before I was afflicted I (11) Psalm 119.67 went astray If thou Lord sayest AMEN when thy judgements are in the earth the (12) Isa 26 9 Inhabitants of the world learn Righteousnesse Where thou ordainest peace there (13) Eccl. 7 3 by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better By providence high winds blow up (14) 1 Cor. 11.32 seasonable rains and waters of affliction soften (15) Hos 5 15.10.12 fallow grounds Whirl-winds Earthquakes and fire these these may be the immediate Trumpeters (16) 1 Kings 19.12 of a small still voyce If mighty rushings astonish anon may follow a (17) Acts 2 2 4 manifestation of the holy Ghost Jonah had cause to blesse God that ever the Seas were (18) Jonah 4 so unquiet and before the Law came came (19) Exod. 19.16 Thunder True vexation of Spirit doth (20) Pro. 1.26 Psalm 107.17 in no wise presage grace a forerunner of it it (21) Pro. 119.71 may be First that which is natural afterward that which is (22) 2 Cor. 15.46 spiritual Where worldly sorrow worketh death there (23) 2 Cor. 7.10 godly sorrow may work repentance unto salvation Pinch a man soundly in this sleep it is a marvail if he (24) Psalm 50.15 awaken not from his hypocrisies unto Righteousnesse Would we understand it the language of every trouble doth most plainly tell us that This is the (25) Compare 1 Thes 4.3 with Prov. 3.11.12 Lament 3.33 Hos 11.10 Gal. 6.8 1 Pet. 5.10 2 Cor. 9.8 will of God even our Sanctification Ah my Beloved instead of quarrelling at the trouble of your hearts examine (26) Compare 13.5 your selves whether ye be in the faith Know one main cause why multitudes who snatch up a form of godlinesse have no victory at all over their troubles is They have (27) Psalm 42.5 no trust in God no trust in Christ a dead faith (28) Such as Mr. Eaton describeth they swallow down a (29) Such as Mr. Baxter requireth See also his Saints Rest. Part. 3. Cap. 3. Sect. 2. lively faith they never yet obtained Sorry sorry I am to pronounce it Of them who (30) 2 Tim. 2.19 name the Name of Christ exceeding few depart (31) Acts 26.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Damascen from themselves to Him They are most of them saplesse branches Christlesse Christians nor is it any marvail at all if every one who accepteth seeming faith instead of saving faith gain no victory at all over the troubles of his heart Answ 3. Answ 3. As seeming faith gaineth no victory over real troubles so true faith is then only [1] Esay 64.7 Quid penna quae caret usu prevalent when stirred up and exercised Faith must [2] 2 Tim. 4.7 fight a good fight if it will be victorious Be Sampson never so stout eft-soon shall the Philistims over-match him if he betray his strength David was strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and yet even Davids soul was disquieted within him until he [3] Psalm 42.5 See Dr. Sibs Souls Conflict Mr. Scudders Christian daily Walk and Mr. Symonds his Case and Cure of a deserted Soul Mr. Youngs Victory of Patience and Joy in tribulation by Phinees Fletcher renewed his trust in God These Disciples in my Text believed neverthelesse because they did not as David did encourage themselves in the Lord their God you see how their heart was troubled Had they foreseen the Mansions in my Fathert House had they believed in Jesus Christ as in their mighty Redeemer had they believed in God as their [4] Psal 46.1 present help they had in all their troubles been more then Conquerers A good sure friend is a better help at a pinch then [5] Psal 62.1 5 Francis L. Verulam all the stratagems and policies of a mans own wit Your half-faced Christians lean upon Honor Riches Greatnesse Friends c. as if these could succour them against distresses but it is better to [6] Psalm 52.7 118.8 9 Prov 10.15 14.26 Jerem. 9.24 17.5 trust in the Lord then to put confidence in all these together Many were the Titles of the Emperour but this one Title [7] Franc. L. Verulam Psalm 34.2 King of France distinctly answered unto all them and more saving faith alone affordeth more and more solid comforts against all sorts of troubles at once then all the advantages of this world can be able to supply against any one trouble Jehovah [8] Judg. 6.24 Shallom a faith [9] See Triumph of faith by Tho. Goodwin and Capels Temptations Luke 12.15 springing from Christ and ascending to Christ overcometh all temptations whether darted upon us by Satan or heaped upon us from our own ignorances sloath and corruptions or brought upon us more immediatly from the good Hand of our God Brethren a mans life consisteth [10] Omnia cum seipso contulit Deus omaâ—a cum eo perdit avarus Beda Exhort 3.7 not in the things which he possesseth but [11] See None but Christ by Mr. Wall in the life of faith Dearly Beloved and longed for my Joy and Crown would ye find comfort would you find strong consolation Loe ye here Taste and see Sirs here is life life more abundant O all-sufficienr God O God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord In the multitude of my thought within me thy [12] Psalm 94.19 comforts delight my Soul I find here Comfort for the most desperate Caitiffe and comfort for the broken Spirit Comfort I say for the heart of unbelief but for the sound Believer the Life of Comfort First Comfort even for the heart of unbelief Of Comfort He that believeth not Even for Unbelievers viz. against their Unbelief is [1] John 3.18 condemned already because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God yea but as desperate a sinner as thou art this is thy comfort that the very circumstances of this one Text alone mind thee invite thee nay urge and constrain thee to believe in Jesus Christ as in [2] Esay 55.7 8 9 Ezek. 18.21 22 a Mediatour ready to seek and save even thy lost Soul Here are four circumstances within the compasse of my Text which do in Christ his stead beseech thee to be reconciled unto Him 1 Circumstance The main occasion of all these troubles Circumstance which thou seest thus tumbling in here upon these Disciples viz. Jesus Christs [1] John 13.1 being made an offering for sin His hour was come and it was [2] Mat. 16.21 compared with John 13.21 and 14.1 against the sad sight of his ineffable sufferings that He here engageth his Disciples Let not your heart be
troubled Sinner Bethink thy self Jesus Christ his sufferings [3] 1 John 22 are thy pardon Come unto him thou that art heavy laden [4] Mar. 11.28 Christ will ease thee Hate sin that Christ [5] Act. 26.18 may pardon it Did the Lord Christ suffer the death of his body and the fierce wrath of his own Father all to keep thee from Hell and wilt thou again pawn thy Soul unto the Devil [6] 1 Pet. 5.1 for some trifling sin Are fire and brimstone [7] Matth. 25.30 Jude 15. Esay 30.33 2.19 and everlasting darknesse such flea-bitings Are Peace and Glory and [8] Rev. 21.7 everlasting Joy so contemptible that whatsoever the Son of God hath suffered should not at all concern thy soul Cast off thy [9] Dan 4.27 Esay 30.22 sins thine unprofitable sins for for Thee Christ dyed Thy Thy Soul the Mercifull Jesus would pardon Thirst [10] Dan 55.1 Revel 22.17 thirst after Righteousnesse that Christ may impute it Jesus Christ hath [11] Isa 53.4 born thine iniquities and wilt thou pluck them from off His shoulders to again place them upon thine own Oh rather set thy face toward Heaven and look look up upon [12] Zech. 12 10 Him whom Thou hast pierced Let Christ but see once [13] Esay 53.11 of the travel of his Soul and He shall be satisfied and thou too The Son of God dyed and dyed to save thee from thy sins That is one Inducement to force [14] Foelix est periculum ad Deum consuge e. thine heart of unbelief to seek the Lord while he may be found 2. Circumstance Although this was or was near upon Circumstance the same night wherein he was betrayed from the beginning of Chap. 13. unto the end of Chap. 17. Christ taketh much thought not for his dying self but for his sinfull Disciples Sinner it will not repent him that He layed down his life for thy sake if where He hath layed it down there thou wouldest take it up for thy preservation he is solicitous for his own he was not 3. A third Circumstance Three other Evangelists Circumstance three other faithfull Pen-men Jesus Christ had of his most holy Gospel but such a subject as this This the turning of his bowels the unbosoming of his loving Kindnesses so choyce a portion of the Gospel as is this He peculiarly reserveth for his fittest Pen man His bosome Evangelist his beloved Disciple his darling JOHN shall be the Author of this Evangelical Scripture and this purposely that such a desperate Caitiffe as thou hast been may [1] John 20.31 believe and conceive hopes 4 Circumstance The tender compassion of Christ Jesus over the present troubles of these Disciples hearts Circumstance Sinner The heart which melteth to see a wound lanced will never have the power to see a Sword ripping up thine entrails What troubles these Disciples here met with were but only the troubles of this world yet see here the swooning of Christs bowels Tell me Would not Jesus Christ endure that these should perplex their hearts and will he take any pleasure in the eternal torments of thy lost Soul Believe it the merciful Jesus doth not willingly afflict To be gracious he waiteth at thy death he aimeth not Thy Spirit had long since failed before him had not He forborn to strike I tell thee Thy case thy state of unbelief is so desperate that God deferreth his just anger unto the very last minute He knoweth shouldest Thou to Hell once thou art then a lost man for ever After death no redemption Thy sins are so great that Christ would if possible forgive them although thou imaginest not so He would if thou wouldest assent heal all thy back-slidings lest otherwise thy Soul thy wretched Soul should unto all eternity be tormented miserably tormented in Hell in the nethermost Hell If the Disciples afflictions move Christ unto compassion know the vengeance due unto thy sins pierceth his heart Shouldest thou to Goale once thou wouldest be sure to be condemned and executed wherefore ere ever thou art questioned for thy life Thy Jesus would procure for thee the Kings pardon nay He hath procured it and willeth thee to accept it upon the Kings terms Sinner if thou hast grace to believe any one of these Circumstances these Circumstances will be unto thee Life from the dead Secondly Life of comfort for Believers For Believers First against all worldly distresses Against worldly distresses viz. Although the afflictions of the Righteous are [1] Psalm 34.19 many yet [2] 1 Pet. 4.12 think not that strange True as A Child of God in the anguish of her spirit [3] Mr. G. C. in his Epistle before his Sermon at the Funerals of Mrs. A. Childe of Northwick Worcestershire replyed unto her Minister A sharp Visitation seemeth to signifie displeasure but Let not your heart be troubled For First The very same afftictions are [1] Pet. 51 9 accomplished in your Brethren No temptation can take you but such as is [2] 1 Cor. 10.13 Bonus quicquid accidit ei aequo animo feret Sen. Epist 7. common unto men nay unto Saints Art thou afflicted Answ So were Christs chosen Disciples yea so was Jesus Christ Himself even in the compassions of this very Text His heart was troubled then when he said Let not your heart be troubled I say Secondly So kind a Master so loving a Brother is Jesus Christ that he is [1] Heb. 4.15 touched with a sense of our infirmities Who is afflicted and he [2] 2 Cor. 11.29 burneth not I say In all thine afflictions thy dearest Bridegroom is [3] Esay 63.9 afflicted with thee He in this Text forgat his own sufferings although so near at hand that he might [4] Dr. Sibs Sermon on John 14.1 comfort his Disciples in these their troubles Thirdly The same Redeemer who bringeth the trouble layeth this command Let not your heart be troubled Be ye sure now He who [1] John 14.1 Esay 54.5 7 8 40.1 2 Jerem. 31.20 Hos 11.8 9 will not give way that thy heart should be any whit troubled at all will in due time remove what He Himself dis-liketh If thy Plaister [2] Rom. 8.28 Phil. 3.21 hurt it shall be taken off and that quickly Or ever he find out a temptation for thee he will out a way for thy [3] 1 Cor. 10.13 temptations escape rather then thy heart should be over-much troubled What thou canst not [4] Heb. 7.25 Matth. 11.30 12.20 well bear shall never burden thy feeble shoulders Fourthly Suppose thy distresse burdensome I reckon that the sufferings of this [1] Rom. 8.18 present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us What yea what are these light afflictions which are but for a [2] 2 Cor. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Domum apud Patiâ—â—n habéo camque vòbis
quite over Hell There is now but a step [22] 1 Sam. 20.3 between us and Death and [23] 1 Thes 4.14 1 Cor. 15.52 1 John 3.14 not a step between Death and Heaven Death is swallowed up into [24] 1 Cor. 15.54 52 Victory that is as the phrase importeth into Eternity Could we not step beyond Death the foresight of Death would sting us unto the very heart but Jehovah [25] Judges 6.24 Shallom Faith vieweth every thing in the words of Jehovah who giveth being unto every Promise The mighty Jesus is ascended nor is it possible to [26] Christus etsi solus resurrexit tamen non totus Bernard detain the [27] John 6.39 54 56 11.25 26 14.19 20 17.23.24 redeemed from [28] Esay 43.1 49.24 their Redeemer a Christian from Christ his Lord a member on earth from [29] Esay 43.21 The Head in Heaven Wherefore unlesse thy heart be a heart of Vnbelief Let not thy heart be troubled Believe in God believe also in Christ Is thy desire toward thy Saviour thy Saviour reacheth forth his hand It shall be unto thee no trouble at all to [30] Rom. 7.24 compared with Job 19.27 passe from death which of an old enemy is made a new Friend unto life now no more mortal but everlasting Is thy [31] Matth. 25.6 24.44 midnight soul upon departure Let her go forth to meet him whom her soul loveth Behold her Bridegroom cometh yea rather is [32] John 14.8 already gone gone [33] John 14.3 to prepare a place for thee I say for thee In my Fathers house are many Mansions and because many one [34] Ibid. for Thee Verily there remaineth a [35] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Similitudo sumpta ab uno comitum qui in itinere praegressus ad diversorium ibi caeteris cubicula assignat efficitque ut venientibus parata sint v. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic ut c. 12.32 valet postquam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Continuatur similitudo nam solent qui primi in diversorium venerunt caeteris jam adventantibus obviam procedere eos inlroducere idem quod Christus Act. 1.11 redâ—â—â—s effecturus erit Grotius in Joan. 14.2 3 35. Heb. 4.9 See Mr. Baxter his Saints everlasting Rest. Rest for thy soul into thy Fathers bosome resign thy spirit 4. Thy greater trouble is Against the corruption of our sinful Nature not that thou shalt dye in the Lord but that thou dost live in the flesh I say not the shadow of death but the [1] Rom. 7.13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 23 body of sin dishearreneth a gracious soul Give me any death but the death of sin To do evil is to [2] Compare Isa 59 2. with Psalm 125.5 depart from God and this is indeed a [3] Compare Psal 28.3 with Luke 13.27 sad departure for this Let your heart be troubled provided your trouble be a sanctified trouble such a sorrow shall be turned into joy into a spiritual joy inasmuch as from this Gospel you who believe may [4] Isa 66.11 such strong consolations Thou broken and contrite heart as assuredly as thou mournest thou [5] Isa v. 2.57.15 Luke 6.20 21 shalt be comforted Watch over thine [6] Isa 21.36 Psalm 18.23 own sin Give thy self [7] 1 Thess 5.17 unto prayer Be ever [8] 2 Pet. 1.10 upon Duty Exercise thy self unto (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 godlinesse Giving all (10) 2 Pet. 1.5 3.18 diligence strive to grow in grace and in the delightfull knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord so doing Let not thy heart be dismayed Know Sin was a (11) Videbat eos commo'os de antccedentibus de abnegatione sermonibus Grotius in Joan. 14.1 chief trouble of these Disciples hearts To forsake Him who hath loved and chosen us To love our selves more then we do love him in whom the great God is so well-pleased This you will yield is a very great defection He (†) Luke 9.23 Mark 8.38 that taketh not up His Crosse his daily crosse neither followeth Christ crucified into whatsoever perils this his crucified Lord shall conduct him such a one is unworthy of so great so good a Master Whoso is ashamed of Jesus Christ of him Jesus Christ hath just reason to be more much more ashamed Meek he is yet the wrath of this Lamb hath as justly as mercifully threatened that Whosoever denyeth Him before (12) Matth. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 frail men here upon earth him will He deny before his dread Father in heaven In one word (13) Rev. 21.8 Hell is a portion for the fearfull and fearfull were these Disciples neverthelesse so far was Christ Jesus from not forgiving them their trespasses that he most compassionately preventeth them Let not your heart be troubled Wherefore all ye who (14) Ezek. 6.9 20.43 36.31 loath your selves for your iniquities loath your selves and them more and more Alas no (15) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Toad is so ugly in mans sight as mans venomous nature is in the holy eyes of the most pure God A sinfull condition is an (16) Psalm 51.5 Job 25.6 odious condition wicked deeds are shamefull deeds gracelesse practices are wretched practices practices better becoming the Devils who are accursed of God then the Disciples who were blessed of the Lord Mean while Give God the glory (17) Haec alia adduxerunt Gregorium ut clamaret O Faelix culpa quae talem meruit habere redemptorem Quae verba ego non facilè dicerem siquidem in illâ causâ nihil video quod non sit miserum flebile Pet. Martyr ubi infra 27. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save He can remove from us as well all our staines as all our guilt He who delivered us from so great a death could had he seen cause so to do have quite warded off the lesser wounds The Lord Christ could have strengthened his Disciples every whit as much before his Ascension as after his Ascension he did and would he so please He could since Adams fall make us every way as perfect as before that fall of Adam we were yea he is able to make us both as unspotted of sin and as gloriously gracious in this present evil world as we shall be in the next This he is able to do but he according to His wisdom seeth cause to the contrary this this alone may comfort us against our sinfull nature that God the infinite God is wise His wisdome is a Believers comfort And yet Why hast thou made us to err [1] Esay 63.17 from thy wayes Wretched men that we are whence is it that the sanctifying Spirit [2] Relictae quidem suat animi vires actiones verum destitutae suâ rectitudine atque idcirco pravae corruptae Pet. Martyr Lo. Com. Classis secnad cap. 1. sect 25. leaveth in our vile hearts the remainders the dregs
the seed the spawn of all uncleannesse and wickednesse soever It was not it could not be unknown unto the most holy Jesus how that Peter would deny him or how that these other disciples would all of them forsake him Fore-known unto Him it was prevented by him it was not Behold O Lord our Redeemer Thou hast dyed for sin and yet sin abideth in us Thou hast called us unto holinesse and yet we have no inherent holinesse at all alas we continue above measure sinfull Lord if thou wilt thou [3] Luke 5.12 canst make us clean Our seet thou hast washed Why [4] John 13.9 not also our hands and our head But [5] Gen. 32.10 beggers must not be their own chusers Oh wherefore doth living man [6] Lam. 3.39 22 complain What is dust and ashes that any thought of his [7] Jer. 18.6 Rom. 9.20 should at all reply against his King and his God Secret [8] Deut. 29.29 causes why while we are in the flesh sin dwelleth in us belong unto Him We may finde comfort from the reasons which he [9] Rom. 15.4 hath revealed whether in regard of himself or in regard of us 1. In regard of himself The glory of all his Attributes 1. While He as he is God the Father 1 Comfort taketh occasion to reconcile his justice unto his mercy c. in creating light out of darknesse good out of evil order out of confusion peace out of guilt grace out of sin and out of dishonour his most [1] Psal 35.27 34.3 40.16 Luke 1.46 Phil. 1.20 Eph. 1.10 12 unsearchable Glory 2. 2 Comfort While as he is God the Son Son of the Father and Son of man too he magnifieth that [1] John 5.27 compared with Prov. 29.2 and Job 36.22 authority which the Father hath put into his hands All power was [2] Matth. 28.18 1 Cor. 15.27 given unto Him and it is fit that [3] Matth. 28.28 Prov. 8.22 30 the world should know it In the work of his Creation he [4] John 1.3 Heb. 1.2 sheweth himself a free agent forming many Creatures quite void of life many capable of life among living creatures he giveth unto some a power vegetative as that of Herbs Trees c. but not sensible to others as that of brutes a power both vegetative and sensible but not rational but unto mankind he giveth a power vegetative sensible and [5] Gen. 1.27 reasonable too Just thus the Son of man to shew how absolutely his elect Vessels are [6] Eph. 1.22 Phil 1.10 Revel 4.11 at his pleasure His pleasure is that man before his souls conversion [7] Rom 11.32 Gal. 3.22 should abide void of all grace but full of all sin and should after his souls dissolution [8] Phil. 3.21 1 Cor. 15.42 remain void of all sin but filled with all grace but should be from his souls conversion to his souls dissolution [9] Gal. 5.17 divided between sin assaulting and Grace assisting 3. 3 Comfort While as he is God the [1] 1 Joh. 5.7 Holy Ghost he keepeth man [2] Jude 24 from falling raiseth man [3] Psalm 145.14 Rom. 8.11 when fallen The preserver of men delighteth [4] Prov. 8.3 in the habitable parts of the earth and since this is his will even [5] 1 Thes 4.3 our sanctification He will not fail of his Will if we [6] Cal. 6.8 his Vessels be not wanting unto our own selves 2. In regard of us He glorifieth himself many wayes by our inherent sin as 1. 1 Comfort The demeanour of Gods Children under their corruptions (1) Job 1.8 22 Deut. 32.5 Phil. 2.15 16 justifieth the severity of God against Reprobates We are Gods witnesses Are Vnbelievers sinfull so are sound Believers but (2) 1 Sam. 24 10 Psalm 32.5 51.3 Zeph. 3.5 Jer. 3.3 6.15 Esay 44.9 66.5 Ezek. 16.61 43.11 2 King 22.19 not with that high hand not with that greedinesse not with the like presumption fearlesnesse shamelesnesse or impenitency When we commit evil there is sooner or later some regret some remorse some compunction some mis-givings in our consciences St. Peter (2) Matth. 27.75 weepeth out of the Hall he getteth he avoideth the like temptations again The Disciples forsake Christ but the Disciples hearts are troubled Alas (3) John 14.1 sinfull (4) 1 John 1.8 we are but this is one comfort yet viz. The (5) Deut. 33.29 haters of God shall be found lyars They shall not say we (6) 1 John 3.3 take that pleasure in our evil doings which the unbeliever taketh 2. 2 Comfort Our continual guilt ever remembreth us [1] Rom. 6.23 Lam. 3.39 Psalm 103.3 4 from what everlasting burnings we are rescued Unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thy sins are forgiven thee If the men of Jabesh must lose every one their right eyes [2] 1 Sam. 11. 2 compare v. 9 with 2 Sam. 2.4 it must be because their lives were given unto them for a prey The Lords mercy it is [3] Heb. 12.29 that we are not eternally consumed 3. 3 Comfort Our corruptions mind us from what an (1) Psalm 51.6 Exod. 12.8.11 compared with Exod. 1.14 12 39 excessive sinfulnesse we are delivered Slay them not lest (2) Psalm 59.11 my people forget it Are the imaginations of our heart evil continually evil Blessed be our God that they are not (3) 2 Cor. 3.5 more evil I thank my God (4) Rom. 7.25 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 4. 4 Comfort Our sins teach us (1) Rom. 12.9 Acts 11.23 Jer. 13.11 Psalm 101.3 Josh 23.8 22.5 Deut. 10 20 21 11.22 13.4 18.13 28.47 58 30.20 self-denial for Who would serve divers lusts Who would love a false heart Who would maintain an enmity against holinesse Who would make provision for that flesh which warreth against his soul or cherish those affections which lust against the Spirit yea who would combine with Satan against God 5. 5 Comfort Our in-bred sin (1) Deut. 13.3 Gen. 22.12 Exod. 16.28 20.20 Deut 8.2 16.30.15 19.20 Judges 2.22 31 4. compared with Psalm 26.2 Rom. 12.2 8 6 2 Cor. 8 8 13.5 Gal. 6 4 5.25 James 2.27 3.18 Heb. 3.13 1 John 3.7 8 9.10.2.3 5.3.19 24.4.13 2 Pet. 1.10 Eph. 5.1 proveth us VVhat thanks is it unto the Sun that he daily runneth so even a course or that his beames are ever glorious just none at all for a necessity of Nature compelleth the Sun to be as he is and to do as he doth I say the Sun doth never run nor shine upon choyce But our God who worketh in us all our holy desires setteth before us as well evil as good that we (2) Dicet aliquis si Deus vellet isti boni essent sed melius voluit ut quod vellent essent August may have the comfort of chusing the better part Since God
worketh in us both to will and to do then when we loath our mis-doings we know whom we are for Did no sin dwell in us it would not then appear to us that we follow after Righteousnesse for our Gods sake We should then lose that satisfaction which we now partake of Namely while our hearts assure us that we hate every false way hate sin as sin nay as our nay as our Gods enemy we can then conclude we can then unto our Joy conclude that while we (3) Rom. 7.25 in the mind serve the Law of God His we are (4) Rom. 6.16 2 Kings 9.32 unto whom we obey By this we satisfie our selves Herein we rejoyce yea and will rejoyce 6. 6 Comfort The forwardly Disciple is therefore suffered to (1) John 13.38 Math. 26.34 deny his Master that while he standeth he may expect to fall if he lean not (2) John 15.5 upon Christs strength but upon his own Not I but (3) 1 Cor. 15 10 grace The affrighted Child clingeth (4) Jer. 10.23 delightfully upon his mothers bosome I have set the Lord alwayes before me because he is at my right hand I (5) Psalm 16.8 shall not be moved I live yet not I but (6) Gal. 2.20 Christ liveth in me 7. 7 Comfort His grace is (1) Qu Deo proximus est lapsui non est vicinus Ambros sufficient for us Of Christs fulnesse all we receive (2) 1 Cor 12 9 Psalm 124 1 grace for grace either grace pardoning or grace assisting God would never have suffered Adam to have forfeited (3) Heb. 4.9 Paradise if he could not have prepared a better Rest for his Saints Let Lazarus sleep (4) John 11.4 9.3 our comfort is the Lord Jesus will awake him Sin desileth but the Fountain opened (5) Zech. 13.1 Heb. 7.25 unto the house of David washeth out all our pollutions Our spirit within us is wounded but there is (6) Mal. 4.2 healing in Christs wings and as we have ever need of pardon so the (7) Heb. 4.16 Throne of grace is never taken down The Child that cryeth is (8) Heb. 4.15 pitied nor is he ever more indulged then (9) Esay 40.11 27 29 31 45.24 when he is most diseased Surely I (10) Jer. 31 8 heard Ephraim bemoaning himself We are susfered (11) Esay 55.1 Cant. 5.1 Revel 22.18 to thirst that we may drink abundantly Food is pleasant unto (12) Jer. 31.25 the hungry Soul and Wine refresheth the (13) Zech. 10.6 7 fainting spirit If you see Peter weeping bitterly observe Jesus Christ (14) John 14.1 wiping away his tears Peradventure the Disciples hearts are troubled on purpose (15) Hos 2.14 to wit that their Lord Jesus may have an occasion to speak comfortably unto them 8. 8 Comfort The Righteous (1) Psalm 58.10 shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance for by this we know (2) Psalm 41.11 that God favoureth us I say we endure assaults that (3) Psalm 112.8 our eye may see our desire upon our (4) Eph. 6.12 Enemies We lye in ambush to take the accuser of the Brethren in his own malice We are set to strive (5) Psalm 59.1 3 11 60.3 4 5 61.3 against sin that the Captain of our Salvation may take our Adversary in his own (6) Assiduā tentatione tentat diabolus ut saltem taedio vincat quod in paradiso egit hoc quotidie agere non desistit Greg. mor. 24.5 Revel 12.10 stratagems At Doomes-day Satan shall know to his cost that it was his good will 6 to have ruined the Elect of God for every wound every bruise every scar which lighteth upon us here he shall pay dearly at long running Every fall which he giveth us shall be his own one day He shall be talked with in the end for having dealt so despightfully with our Fathers children Let us therefore refist unto blood striving against sin The Lord of our hosts he is the defender of our faith It is unto us a pleasure to fight under the banner of Christ Jesus our Lord forasmuch as in Him we are more then Conquerors 9. 9 Comfort Our demerits (1) Ezek. 16.61 63 Rom. 8.5 endeer unto us the loving-kindnesses of our Redeemer VVill these Disciples forsake Christ deny Christ c. and yet may not their heart be troubled By this we know that Jesus Christ (2) Hos 14.4 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 2.12 John 15.16 Esay 64.6 63.7 Deut. 9.6 7 10.15 loveth his Disciples freely Herein is comfort the Rich Bridegroom of our Souls loveth His Spouse as well in sicknesse as in health He taketh us with all our faults He loveth us not for our sake but for his own He loveth us meerly because he delighteth to love us 10. 10 Comfort No Conquest (1) 2 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 9.24 Heb. 11.6 Revel 3.21 Phil. 4.17 2 Cor. 9.6 Gal. 6.7 8 Matth. 16.27 1 Pet. 5.4 no Crown no Victory no conquest no fight no Victory no sin against which to strive no fight Behold now O ye mortals it is a favour if we are singled out to be of the forlorne hope a favour if we are allowed to strive against that evil which the holy Spirit of our Almighty God overcometh for us The gracious and bountifull God fighteth in us and for us purposely that he may reward and crown us according unto our rather according unto his Victories So dealeth the most liberal Lord God by us as we deal by our little children We finde employments for our very little children not for any service which little Infants can do us but for that we do naturally delight to give them all possible encouragement We do every minute put them upon duty that we may every minute feed them with Rewards Oh my Beloved These troubles in these Disciples hearts are abundantly recompenced within the (2) Quomodo multas mansiones apud Patrem si non pro varietate meritorum Tertullian Scorpiaco mansions in my Fathers House Probably others may give better reasons for it then I do or can but that all of you may henceforward encourage your selves against the sins dwelling in you you will henceforward Against our want of grace often call unto your remembrance that in even one (1) John 13.38 14.1 and the same breath the mighty Jesus both forewarneth Peter thou shalt deny me thrice and forearmeth Peter Let not thine heart be troubled Now as here is life of comfort against our inherent silthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse so here is strong Consolation against our decay and want of grace When these Disciples were [2] John 13.38 foretold that as well resolved as they were they should forsake Christ when they had heard within how small a space Cephas should thrice at once deny his Master then there arose in their heart fears and jealousies doubtings and despair They then began to
saith Hosea Answ 5. I have seen indeed a cool Discourse [1] Printed 1662. but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of or rather against the Imposition of Liturgies but while it seemeth to plead for the glory of the Spirit in Gospel-times unto me it seemeth to [2] Rom. 16.17 18 14.19 undermine the glory of the Gospel and of the Spirit too for First Lamentable and [1] So late as our last civil Wars late experience evinceth that in Gospel-worship a [2] 1 Cor. 14. v. 26. compared with v. 1. with c. 13.1 want of Vniformity disturbeth Gospel-peace and we must needs know that a want of peace with the Gospel eclipseth the [3] 1 Cor. 12. v. 25. compared with v. 31. See Hammond upon Revel 19 6 7 8 9 glory of the Gospel Secondly That in these last dayes God poureth out more of his Spirit then he did then when taking them by their armes he [1] Hos 11.3 taught Ephraim to go is a truth [2] Acts 2.17 unquestionable Neverthelesse a lesser measure of Gods Spirit in the dayes of Temple-worship was [3] 2 Chion 6 41 compared with Psalm 132.8 and with Num. 10.35 36 c. 6.24 25 26 27. and with both the Psalms of degrees and the Titles of divers other Psalmes no reason at all of the set forms therein used For under the Law if not [4] Psa 106.30 1 Sam. 2.27 2 Kings 4.22 their Priests sure I am their Prophets were endued with the holy Spirit in a greater measure then since the Apostles dayes ordinarily any of us Christians are Wherefore if the duty and ability of Gospel-Ministers be a sufficient bar against set forms under the Gospel then had the duty and ability of [5] Gen. 20.2 compared with 1 Sam. 12 23 and with 1 Chron 25.1 all their Prophets and of some of their Priests been a greater bar against the imposition of Psalmes and of [6] See Mr. John Gregory upon 2 Sam. 1.13 other set forms in their Temple-worship Thirdly Whether Primitive Churches did or did not make use of Liturgies we of this Age and Kingdome have seen what will again quickly befall us if we do not all of us persist to [1] Phil. 3.16 walk by the same Rule to mind the same things yea and [2] 1 Cor. 1.10 to speak the same things too I conclude While those [1] 1 Cor. 12.28 compare 1 Tim. 3.1 with Eph. 4.8 11 12 helps and governments which the good hand of [2] Matth. 28.20 Rom. 13.1 our God placeth [3] Compare Rom. 13.1 2 5 and Heb. 13.17 with Deut. 17 8-12 over us have in a forme of wholsome words taught us how to pray in so doing they have imitated no worse an example then that of Saint John the Baptist yea [4] Luke 11.1 2 and John Gregory upon Matth. 6.13 then that of Jesus Christ himself and Christ ye know is as the Head of his Church so the Mouth and Wisdome of his Father Hitherto of glorifying God more remotely with our words properly and more immediately we glorify our God with our words when we sacrifice unto him the calves of our lips and then we (1) Hos 14.2 sacrifice unto him the calves of our lips 1. When we render thanks for the [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est gratum se declarare accepto beneficio illad agnoscendo authorem ejus praedicaudo Nam in hoc differt gratulatio religiosa à gratutatiobus civilibus In bisce solemus fortaam vel industriam vel prudentiam illorum belebrare quibus bonum aliquod magaum obtisse laetamar at gratulat â—â—a 〈…〉 aliud sunt quam simplices gratiarum actiones quibus celebrant benigaitatem Dei Patris qui doaavit hominibus bona spiritualia Davenantius in Coloss 1.3 great benefits which we have received at his hands 2. When we set forth his most worthy praise for praise is the reflection of that which is praise-worthy 3. When we tell of the Honour due unto his Name for honour is more then praise praise commendeth what is good honour esteemeth what we commend 4. When we blesse him as exalted above all blessings for blessing is more then honour Honour admireth that God whom we praise blessing adoreth that God whom we admire Men blesse men by their mutual prayers God blesseth man imperatively he blesseth when he maketh blessed Man blesseth God optatively then man blesseth God when he rejoyceth to know and make known how blessed a God God is Thanksgiving may be a forced act of meer justice Praise verbal complement Honour the result of a generous mind but blessing includeth these and more Blessing includeth an unfeigned thankfulnesse a serious praising a respectiful honouring and a reverend acknowledgement Praise may be matter of complement Blessing is matter of devotion ye that fear the Lord blesse ye the Lord. But secondly not ye who fear not the Lord. In works He that is one of [1] Psalm 15.1 2 this Quire must be cloathed in white for Thanksgiving consisteth more in good works then in good words Betwixt works and words the [2] Gen. 18.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holy language putteth no difference at all Thou until thou depart from iniquity hast [3] 2 Tim 2.19 no right at all to name the Name of Jesus Christ So long as thou hatest instruction what hast thou to do to [4] Psalm 50.16 17 take his Covenant in thy mouth Though thou sayest [5] Jer. 5.2 the Lord liveth surely thou swearest falsly Quest Wherein Answ It is a disparagement to be well spoken of by an unworthy person if thou livest not unto him little will the world believe that thy God is a living God As praise is [6] Psalm 33.1 comely for the upright so [7] Pro. 17.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nullus fatuus timet peccatum excellent speech becometh not a fool The wicked mans gift hath [8] Job 14.4 Psalm 5.9 Heb. 11.6 Gen 27.22 a touch of his Master and if the Lungs be corrupt the breath will certainly displease If thou wouldest have thy voyce the voyce of Jacob let not thy hands be the hands of Esau before thou lift them up unto Gods glorious Majesty lift them up unto [9] Psal 63.4 119.48 his Commandements first The pure God hath an [10] Jer. 8.6 ear for thy works and an eye for thy [11] Esay 59.15 16 words Awake up my glory awake [12] Psal 57.8 Psaltery and Harp Beloved then when David maketh good Musique he moveth his hands as well as his lips Ah with what [13] James 3.10 face can an unrighteous wretch speak good of the most righteous Lord or a cursed unbeliever of the blessed God Know that man whom the Lord setteth apart for himself is [14] Psalm 4.3 the godly man Wouldest thou that salvation should be shewed unto thee see that thou orderest thy conversation aright He and only be who offereth this
YOUR day sanctifying the Lord of hosts in your heart exalt him not only as a Diadem of beauty unto the residue of your people but as a crown of glory unto your Royal head And you the happy subjects of a (1) Ezra 7.27 serene Monarch why are ye the last (2) 2 Sam. 19 11 to defend the glory of your God Knowledge covereth our Island as waters cover the Sea the late Rod of Gods wrath we (3) Mic. 6.9 could not chuse but hear the present plenty peace and prosperity we (4) Psal 34.8 both see and taste neverthelesse multitudes multitudes from among us have (5) 1 Tim. 5.15 turned aside after Satan Beloved what wickednesse may we expect from forreign Dominions if in this Kingdom a Kingdom so (6) Esay 26.9 schooled by late judgements so (7) Psalm 144.14 endeared with preseut benefits so (8) Acts. 17.30 enlightened with the truth of the Gospel so small a remnant give glory to the Lord their God More knowledge then any beside us we have but we have likewise lesse grace then any beside us else what others have is excedeing little lesse then is a grain of Mustard seed for that brancheth forth Surely the fear of God is in very few places I had almost said in very few persons Ye then who fear the Lord (9) Matth. 3.16 speak often one to another Let not the Royal Standard fall to the ground since (10) 1 Joh. 5.19 the whole world lyeth in wickednesse see that ye (11) Phil 2.15 shine as lights in the world When other of Christs Disciples went back and walked no more with Jesus Jesus called unto these in my Text (12) John 6.66 67 Will ye also go away Brethren the more universal the defection the greater the alarm Wherefore take unto you the whole (13) Eph. 6.11 armour of God The Lord looketh out of his Chariot (14) 2 Kings 9.32 Who is on my side Who by this will he finde whether we be for him or against him if (15) 1 John 2.29 3.7 3 John 11. we seek after holinesse as he is holy should so small a remnant as list themselves under his Banner neglect to fight a good fight (16) Acts 1.8 of faith What will God do unto his great Name True His (17) Psalm 62.11 is the power but it more becometh the Majesty of the Emperour to look on then to fight or if fight he do let the Adversary know that the Generals Souldiers love their Commander The (18) Heb. 2.10 Captain of our salvation must have glory from his followers as well as from his own Prowesse The Lord subdueth our Canaanitish affections but (19) Josh 23.10 1.7 Phil. 2.12 31 Joshus must fight the Lords battel the sword of the Spirit is the Lords but (20) Judg. 7.18 Gideon must draw it God winneth the Victory but (21) 2 Sam. 23.12 Shammah must stand his ground too accursed are we if when God is ready to work in us and by us we our selves (22) Judg. 5.23 come not in unto the help of the Lord If we hold our peace His glory (23) Esther 4.14 Eph. 5.16 will not he give unto another but who knoweth whether we are born in this backsliding generation for such a time as is this if as Saint Paul did Christ should complain No man (24) 2 Tim. 4.16 stood with me but all were against me the Lord would lay this to your charge and mine But the (25) 2 Cor. 5.14 love of Christ and not a fear for our selves should constrain us to stand upon our guards Let us draw out our affections Have we a King and (26) 1 Pet. 1.17 18 Heb. 12.4 such a King let us then resist our corruptions unto blood let us (27) Judg. 5.18 jeopard our lives that is (28) Matth. 10.39 save them let us jeopard our lives unto the death that is (29) Mark 10.30 exchange the for an everlasting life If the conspiracy be strong if Achitophel be in the conspiracy of his own accord Hushai the Archite will (30) 2 Sam. 15.32 both rent his coat and cover his head with earth If David be in a strait Abishai the son of Zerviah (31) 2 Sam. 21.17 will succour him Christians stand to your Armes keep to your Colours follow your Leader even the Captain of your salvation for Legions of Devils and a world of men are risen up against him O be not ye like unto them whose damnation is just but resist (32) 1 Pet. 5.9 stedfast in the faith Though ten (33) 1 Kings 12.20 Hos 4.15 Tribes revolt let Judah walk with God and if nine Lepers neglect their duty let not the (34) Luke 17.15 17 tenth fail to testifie his thankfulness Let God instance in us as he did (35) Job 1.8 in his servant Job Let the Devil know that (36) 1 John 4.5 6 all are not of the world that are in the world Let not the Lord of our hosts want a Souldier to fight his spiritual battels so long as (37) Psalm 104.33 you and I have any breath in our bodies although all men should forsake him let us perfectly cleave unto him By how much the more he is dishonoured by others by so much the more let him be by us glorified Creatures void of reason cannot those void of grace should but will not but God give us grace that as well as we can we may zealously bring glory unto the Throne of his Holinesse Prophanesse spreadeth from one corner of the Land unto the other it is therefore high time for us to bestir (38) See Mr. Baxters Now or Never our selves it now concerneth us that our God be by us glorified more then ever Again Naturally a right understanding will no lesse desire to cleave unto the living God then a dying creature would struggle to prolong life Nor is it possible there can be invented a greater Doom then to be for ever justly separated from the only God When at length the last the just the terrible the avenging day is fully come Depart from me ye cursed will then [1] Matth. 7.23 21.41 be the last the blackest sentence The foreknowledge of this one truth makes [2] James 2.19 even the proudest of the Devils stoop and tremble yet is this sentence this dismal sentence the unadvised choyce of every gracelesse person Fight against God the ungodly will although they dye for it in the place they will rather [3] Jonah 2.8 2 Chron. 15.2 Ezra 8.22 Esay 1.28 Psalm 9.17 hazard rather damn body and soul then not depart from the presence of their holy God thus unadvised wicked men are but why they are thus unadvised they themselves can in no wise pretend a reason No [4] Matth 27.23 evil hath Christ done that the Jewes should all of them be thus maliciously bent against him nor is there iniquity
dicere hoc est quod trepidabam proferre Qui ergo se tanti patris silium consitetur credit respondeat vitâ generi moribus patri mente at que actu asserat quod caelestum consecutus est naturam Chrysologi Serm. 72. our God be by us few glorified Fourthly Reason 4. From grace assisting Therefore God must be by us glorified because if Christs Disciples we be we have the benefit not only of reason but of grace As unreasonable creatures want understanding to know there is a God so unregenerate creatures want grace to glorifie that God whom they know a rational power over all which is before them they may and [1] Rom. 2.8 must exercise a spiritual they should but cannot As ever they would [2] See William Fenner his Wilfull Impenitency Mr. Baxters his Call to the Unconverted his Now or Never c. obtain that glory which shall hereafter be revealed as ever they would work out their salvation as ever they would escape condemnation as ever they would quiet the barking of their guilty consciences as ever they would entitle God unto a protection of what they possesse nay since the fewer their offences the [3] Mat. 16.27 Luke 12.47 48 fewer their torments as ever they would mitigate the severity of eternal wrath let the vilest unbelievers see to it that they do ever make the best use which possibly they can of that little understanding they have David even then when he himself was [4] Psalm 109.4 all prayer made this imprecation against Judas [5] Psalm 109.7 Let his prayer become sin the meek Moses who [6] Exod. 32.32 petitioned rather then not forgive Israels sins blot me out of thy book against Dathan and Abiram brake forth [7] Num. 16.15 Respect not thou their offering Sirs the same is the [8] Mark 3.29 intercession of the merciful Jesus against such unbelievers as despising salvation harden themselves in their [9] John 3.18 accursed estate Such a one cursed he is and will not feel how [10] John 3.5 mortal his sins are he liketh his inbred corruption so well that he had rather be without the Spirit of Regeneration then endure the pangs of a new birth he serveth divers lusts and he liketh it well most contented is he to be Satans underling he [11] Rom. 6.12 7.22 Psalm 51.10 Gal. 5.24 Libera me à malo hom ne viz à merpso Aug. complaineth not that he was conceived in iniquity that he hath a heart rebellious c. In short nature cannot relieve him and he will not seek out for grace therefore is his whole life but a series of hypocrisie and of guilded sins So unreasonable is such a one that he is too [12] Psal 10.4 Homo sib obnoxium Deum exist mat non se Deo Spanhem proud to obey he scorneth instruction so fool-hardy he is that he feareth none of all that infinite power none of all that infinite justice which the Almighty glorieth in Since now the holinesse of God is an [13] Prov. 29.27 abomination unto his heart it is no marvail at all if his sacrifices are an [14] Prov. 15.8 21.27 abomination unto his God for he cannot be said to serve the Lord but [15] Qui facit ea solummodò quae vult facere non Dominicam voluutatem implet sed suam Salvian his own fancy Never never let such a nasty sloven dream that ever the King of glory will accept any confessions any thanksgivings any prayses any panegyricks from such a [16] Psalm 50.16 Prov. 17.7 rustical clown such a vagrant Tinker such a black-mouthed smuttifacâ—â— Chimney-sweeper as he silly unbeliever is Let him know it is for [17] Psal 4.3 33.1 City-Recorders for Vniversity-Orators and for select Ambassadors to receive audience from Princes if these will speak good of our Kings most excellent Majesty our King will graciously vouchsafe unto them this honour that their speeches shall if not please yet not offend What is his Royal Person [18] Job 22.3 4 bettered by any subjects applause Jesus Christ he refuseth Hosanna's if they proceed not from a sincere heart and unlesse you [19] Rom. 8.4 5 seek out for his quickning renewing and sanctifying Spirit vain are your pretences of seeking to glorifie your God Sinners For the Lords sake lay aside this idle this unreasonable unbelief of your hearts Give unto your God the right use [1] See Bishop Prideaux his Euchalogia or Doctrine of Prayer Part 2. cap 7. viz. Of Christian Atacrity of your Reason and of your natural affections It is impossible for him to sincerely seek to glorifie God who hath no apprehension of God other then of an enemy both denouncing judgments and ever likely to execute what judgments he denounceth Now he that drowneth the [2] See of this Book pag. 109. use of his Reason in a perverse unbelief can have no other I mean no other true apprehension of the infinitly just God then some such like disheartening notions Oh do not cherish such perverse such [3] Qualem te paraveris Deo talis oportel appareat tibi Deus Bernard in Cant. Ser. 69. distrustful thoughts He that nourisheth hard thoughts of so good a Lord as our Lord God is verbal thanks he may bring but such alas take not neither with himself nor with his God Not with himself for [4] Prov. 25.20 what are songs unto a heavy heart Zions Songs [5] Psal 137.4 unto an enthraled captive How can one conscious that he is dead in trespasses and guilt come [6] Heb. 4 16 with any boldnesse unto the throne of grace how can he give lively praises Shall the dead [7] Psal 88.10 praise thee O ever living Ood When their Daughter lay [8] Matth. 9.23 without life her weeping parents took small pleasure in the noise of minstrels and unto the prisoner that is guilty the Judges Trumpet giveth but an uncomfortable sound just so unto him whose soul affecteth to be gracelesse the remembrance of God is but a [9] See Bishop Reynolds third Sermon upon Hos 14. mihi p. 7. sad remembrance enlarge the heart it doth not aggravate and renew guilt it doth Neither doth God regard [10] Esay 19.13 such empty lip labours The same unbelief which discourageth man in his duties the same [11] Rom. 8.8 14.23 Heb. 11.6 rendreth his duties displeasing unto his God if God [12] 1 Sam. 25.35 accepteth not his person neither accepteth he his pretended services for as good never a whit as with an evil will and needs must [13] 1 Cor. 12.3 Rom. 8.9 Acts 7.51 that will be evil which hateth to be spiritual Where the heart is not Gods what valueth he the rest nay where the heart undervalueth his Spirit what valueth he the heart That heart which would [14] Ex arbitrio non ex Dei imperio Tertul. like Israel who when he saw without a God
he could not be said Exod. 32.8 unto the work of his hands Thou art my God Hâ—s 14.3 impose upon God without the intermediating righteousnesse of Jesus Christ offereth not prayses but affronts not thanksgivings but provocations The water which he bringeth he [15] Job 14.4 poureth forth of an unclean vessel the fruit which he tendereth he tendereth [16] Tit. 1.15 with a left hand with a left hand lame and leprous the prayer which he sacrificeth is no more then the cutting off of a dogs neck and his rejoycings are much like the shoutings of them who [17] Exod. 32.18 compared their glory unto a molten calfe Thus all the honour which God purchaseth from the heart refusing grace is only like unto that drudging work which just Masters [18] Quod faciunt contra voluntatâ—m Dei non impletur nisi voluntaâ— Dei Aug de praed Sanct. l. 1. c. 6. exact from their froward servants or much like those confessions which [19] Josh 7.19 Joshua extorted from accursed Achan like the assistance which wise Commanders squeeze from enemies taken in War else like that medicinal use which able Physitians make [20] As Philip of Macedon who made his enemies the Athenians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch of dangerous poysons In a word without faith it is impossible to please God for whatsoever is not of faith is sin viz. notoriously short of that reasonable service which the pure God may justly expect from every person since every person hath reason enough to thirst after the holy Spirit of Christ Jesus Sirs from those that do or may understand that such a Spirit is to be sought but seek it not all the honour which the Lord procureth is [21] Rom. 2.8 Job 21.30 Jude 15. Prov. 16.4 Rom. 9.22 Just as the Artist turnâ—th the natural violence of sire winds and water unto profitable works of Art as forced as that which through his transcendent power and wisdome he raiseth unto himself out of the hardnesse of Pharaohs heart or which is the same out of Adams disobedience out of sin as sin and out of Devils as Devils Wherefore the Lord perswade you to pant after the holy Spirit that you may with simplicity of mind endeavour to glorifie your God Object To pant after the holy Spirit of the holy God is a work of Regeneration and we are no more able to regenerate our selves then to beget our own substance in our mothers womb Answ To regenerate our selves in our power it is not we are meerly passive in our spiritual as well as in our natural birth It is tho [1] Ut letum Deo detur hâ—minis voluntatem boaaâ— praeparat adjuvandam adjuvat praeparatam Aug. sole work the sole act of the Holy Ghost to create anew The more [2] Ut velimus sine nobis operatur Deus cum autem volumus nobiscum co-operatur S Aug. de grat lib. arbitr cap. 7 observance and the more thanks is due from us unto that Father of Lights who is of his own will so ready to beget us with his word of truth that we should be any of us regenerated by his Spirit Object Though the word preached be spiritual we are [1] Rom. 7 carnal and sold under sin we are natural and [2] 1 Cor. 2 savour not the things of God Answ Naturally (1) Ratâ—o communionum opinionum consilii coelestis incapax hoc solum putat in naturâ rerum esse quod aut intra se intelligit aut praestare possit ex sese Hillar de Trin. lib. 1. we savour not the things that are of God but this we may do a natural man may be strength of reason so much as in him lyeth with humility and earnestnesse endeavour to know and taste of God as God is now manifested in his works and Word He may with (2) Plangendae tenebrae in quibus me mea facultas latet Aug. confess l. 10. cap. 32. the greatest of diligence he can observe and do the Will of God unto him in the holy Scriptures revealed As One most unworthy of so great a Treasure he may in a constant use of holy Ordinances wait for the (3) Luke 24.49 spirit of Promise moving causes for which the Spirit of grace is vouchsafed these are not Antecedent duties in which this Spirit is vouchsafed they are I say upon these waters of knowledge the Spirit delighteth to move Would a lost sinner patiently wait in the use of these appointed meanes should he never receive the Holy Ghost yet still he had done what in him lay he had submitted unto Christs Scepter he had glorified his God to his power he had made the best of a lost condition But the Scripture offereth more grace He that is faithful in a little natural abilities shall be entrusted with (4) Luke 119.17 16 16.10 gifts above nature True (5) See Mantoâ— upon James 2.4 confound nature with grace we may not sinful man may not justle the holy God may not reckon himself a co-adjutor in that wherein God will have the (6) See Bishop Reynolds Joy in the Lord in quarto mihi pag. 24. Videatur etiam Animalis homo habitus à D. D. Edvardo Reynoldo sole glory Mean while as we desire with all possible humility to acknowledge that the holy Spirit of the great God is infinitely a free Agent free as the wind which bloweth where it listeth so we are bound with all possible gratitude to confesse that this free Spirit hath tyed himself up * Deus promitteado se facit debitorem unto the truth of his Promises wherefore we dare not but expect to (7) Esay 64.5 meet God in those wayes wherein his free goodnesse hath appointed us to find him Saith one (8) Mr. Tillian a Dately of Banbury in his New Birth cap. 9. mihi p. 103. God hath appointed certain things to be done by men which they that will not refuse to do may do and the which they that shall do shall be Regenerate For saith (9) ibid. Neverthelesse Paedissequa noa praevia volantas saith St. Aug. Epist 106. he There is a common work of Illumination which so maketh way for Regeneration that it putteth into man a power of doing that which when he shall do the Spirit of God shall mightily work within him provided alwayes that he damp not the present motions of the Word and Spirit of God with procrastinations and delayes It is much-what in Regeneration by the Spirit as it is in generation of the flesh the fruit of Sarahs womb is expresly the gift of God but there was first a generation before a conception As to expect the fruit of the womb without generation so to expect the Regenerating Spirit without the use of meanes were to tempt nay to contradict and to controle the wise God Object The wind bloweth where it listeth Answ Most true it is that the blessed Spirit sanctifieth (1) John
more then when we through his mediation make use of his Spirit to glorifie our God Object If the holy Spirit may be so easily had if Jesus Christ be so forward to seize and seal us then may flesh and blood (1) Thus the urgodly Psalm 36.2 slat reâ—h herself in his own eye until his inequity be fâ—â—d to be hateful borrow a little more freedom Some piety and some pleasure some godlinesse and some worldlinesse may the one help out the other Though we go on in our practices a while longer we will be so wise unto salvation that before death surprize us we will settle our selves once for all to repent believe obey live strictly c. Answ [1] Psal 59.5 119. v. 119.155 Satan can furnish us every day in the year with as handsome a device as is this There is no resolution more common among the sonnes of men then this is but withal none more pernicious none more devillish This is Sir Politique Would-be his smooth forecast a project fit for a limb of the Devil for certainly no child of God (2) Nolite sperare in iniquilate nolite peccare in spe Bernardus Serm. 2. de Advent In viis custodict nunquid in Praecipitiis Idem in Psalm 91. dareth to harbour so prodigious a thought in his bosom What! Will you serve the Holy Ghost as you serve your dogs Will you (1) Ezek. 14.3 make use of the holy Spirit hereafter to hant and catch your prey but turn him quite out of doores now while you sit down at meales There is not a greater (2) Esay 26.10 spice of Atheism in the heart of man then this Then is the stone of unbelief (3) James 1.7 most unlikely to be rolled away from thy door when it sinketh deepest in such sandy Foundations Know son of Belial know To (4) Porcis comparandi sunt qui ca prius concupiscunt ut luto caenoque involvant quae mox avidè devorent Parker de antiq Brit. in praefat neglect God in our sicknesse To trample under foot the blood of Jesus hoping to serve our turn upon it hereafter This is not to glorifie but to delude God! This were not to obey but to command the Almighty It is not to have a true fear of the Lord but a false love of our selves Take it for a Rule although it glister never so much that is (1) James 2.17 26 1.27 no true grace which feedeth upon delayes One who now feareth he is now drowning (2) Sera nimis vita est crastina timor addidit alas 1 Tim 6.12 will not say To morrow I will strive to swim The finger which feeleth a burning coal will quickly hands off Whoso espyeth gold dropped in the street will not passe over it to day saying I will come and look after it at night nor will one who is a sincere follower of Christ Jesus ask (3) Matth. 8.21 suffer me first to bury my dead This (4) Vive hodie Nauseabit ad antidotun qui hiavit ad venenum Tertul. cont Gnost cap. 5. future repentance this future faith which you sinners store up in your idle imaginations is not Repentance but Ignorance not faith but fancy a meet (5) Sub lege est qui timore supplicij quod lex minatur non amore justitiae se sentit abstinere ab opere peccati noâ—dum liber nec alienus à voluntate peccandi In ipsâ caim voluntate reus est quâ mallet si fieri posset non esse quod timeat ut liberè faciat quod occultè desiderat Augast de nat grat cap. 57. Esecta in naufregio dominorum adbuc suâ—t quia non eo anâ—mo ejieiuatur quo lâ—eas habere nolint sed ut periculum effugiant lib. 41. cap. 9. Sect 8. glow-worm having no light at all except what it borroweth from darknesse Hypocrites if you see many such glow-worms it is night with you ye walk in darknesse and since ye know not wether ye go I will inform you you are going directly in the road way to hell although you want eyes to see him the Devil walketh with you step by step Do ye not feel him bearing sway in your hearts He laugheth at your security he laugheth but keepeth himself invisible he keepeth himself invisible and leadeth you onward to perdition Escape for your life return the Lord Jesus he calleth after you His Spirit giveth you to understand that To repent believe c. is not to flatter thy God that thou wilt forsooth hereafter become dutiful but to deny thy self forthwith viz. to stand in present (1) Therefore all commands in Scripture requiring us to repent believe c. enjoyn us to repent believe c. presently awe of Gods justice to fear his displeasure to delight in his Commandements to obey his Authority to (2) Deum colit quisquis imitatus est Seneca Ep. 95. reverence his holinesse to rejoyce in his praises c. which to do since we are of our selves so strangely indisposed we seek for a communion with and for assistance from the co-operating Spirit and this Spirit we cherish that by it we may be (3) Suavissima est vita indies sentire se fieri meliorem more and more enabled to glorifie our God Object Since the glory of the Eternal Power is so great that it cannot be (1) In this Book see pag. 280.281 encreased and so infinite that it cannot be diminished Whence is it that God expecteth glory from man and man seeketh to glorifie God Answ Seeing vain man is so selfish that though he is not (1) Non nobis so'uÌ„ nati sumus Cicero born for himself alone he would little benefit others were it not that he sought his own prayse rather then he (2) Of this Treatise see p. 239 240. should not be instrumental unto the service of the chosen of God there is indeed implanted in him an affectation of glory The numerous and excellent Writings of all heathen and many Christian Authors the invention and improvement of Arts and Sciences yea the most famous Works throughout the world may most of them be ascribed unto the vain glory of their performers But we may (3) See also pages 280 281 282 284 and there N. 5. conceive no such unworthy thoughts of the infinite God as there is in him no defect so there can be in him no affectation The great God willeth that we should glorifie him partly in regard of us partly in regard of himself 1. In regard of us God infinitely delighteth to communicate good giveth us occasion to glorifie him that thereby He Himself may take occasion First to relieve (1) Psalm 50.15 our necessities Many charitable Christians fall to building planting mounding sim for no other cause but that they may relieve the needy in finding work for them just so the liberal God (2) Esay 32.8 deviseth liberaâ—â— things Secondly to (1) Vere
of good affections most equal it is that whatsoever he leaveth with us should be [2] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. Strom. l. 7. not at our but at his sole pleasure and command Thirdly God hath vouchsafed unto us the blessings of the earth and of the heavens the precious truths of his Word the rich graces of his Spirit and those unsearchable Treasures given unto us his only Son upon [1] Qui esse vult fibi non tibi O Deus incipit nihil esse intâ—r omnia Ber. in Cant. Serm. 20. no other terms but that in them and for them his Name should be by us glorified Fourthly What wise man ever built a house for [1] True the Tree which cumbreth the ground shall be burnt but the Lord diggeth c. about it that it may bring forth fruit Luke 13.8 9. no purpose at all Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit Who feedeth a flock and drinketh not of the milk If God be a Lord where is his fear If a Father where is his honour c. Lastly Let a Souldier do what becometh a Souldier and let a Soveraign do as beseemeth the Majesty of a Prince When upon Darius his large offers Parmenio had said Surely I would accept these offers were I as Alexander said Alexander (1) Plut. Apothegm so would I were I as Parmenio Beloved as God wayes are not the same with our wayes so neither are his thoughts as our thoughts It (2) When Harpalus would have had his Kinsmans evil words escape unpunished No said Philip for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch ibid. consisteth neither with the justice nor with the wisdom nor with any other attribute of God to dispense with the glory ever due unto his Name Take the whole at once Should the infinite God cease to see himself glorified he would un-God himself Think upon it Sinners Ought Jehovah to be glorified as he is absolutely a God as he is relatively a Lord and dare any of you continue a Vessel of dishonour Be ye not as things without life but as living Creatures be not as bruits but as creatures reasonable and well affected Be not as they unto whom no Gospel is preached but as Gospel-professors O let not the Gospel of Jesus Christ be hid unto you but let it be unto you the ministration of the Spirit The Lord hath made his only Son a powerful (1) Istam gratiam non habuit homo primus quâ vellet nuaquaÌ„ esse malus sed saae habuit in quâ si permanere vellet nunquam malus esset Sed deseruit desertus Haec prima est gratia quae data est primo Adam Sed haec potentior est in secundo Adam Prima fit ut habe at Homo justitiam si velit Secunda fit criam ut velit tantum velit tantóque ardore diligat ut carnis voluntatem contraria concupiscentem voluntate spiritus vincat Aug. de corrept grat cap. 11. 12. Mediatour he hath shed forth the Spirit of his Son he hath prepared Ordinances to conveigh hath given both an understanding to seek and affections to yern after this Spirit of his Son and after all these mercies are even forced upon you are you as barren and as unfruitful as ever Be not O be not the thwarting the cross-grain'd matter of Gods severe glory but be the pliant instruments of his deserved honour not only be but seek his praise Object What if we are already predestinated to be Vessels of dishonour Then Answ 1. If you come too near (1) Deu. 29.29 unto the inaccessible Light I say if you stare the Sun in the face ye do but dazzle your eys Be (2) Nunquam verecundiores esse debemus quam cum de Deo agitur Seneca nat quest l. 7. sober Answ 2. Were you assured that you are Vessels fitted for destruction this assurance would but (1) Mat. 6.34 John 14.1 torment you before the time Answ 3. Suppose you are (1) See of this Treatise pages 76 77 78 79 80. unavoidably the Vessels of dishonour yet make the best of a forlorn estate dishonour neglect provoke (2) Quis coram Deo innocens invenitur qui vult fieri quod vetatur si subtrahas quod timetur the just Judge as little as you can saved or not saved your Duty is to obey Answ 4. Should all endeavours fail you can but perish Answ 5. If you will pluck eternal destruction upon your soules and bodies thank your selves As for the most merciful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel is brought home unto you He proclaimeth a (1) Dignaris eis quibus omnia debita dimittis etiam promissionibus tuis debitorem fieri Aug. Conf. l. 5 pardon and that general pardon is now particularly tendered unto you I say unto you Answ 6. Although your day be (1) Matth. 20.9 Luke 23.43 already far spent if the Lord will you may redeem the time God assisting you may run and so run that you may (2) Cesset voluntas propria non erit insernus Bernard obtain Answ 7. Obtain or obtain not forasmuch as the long-suffering God hath prolonged his patience toward you Do not any longer abuse his patience dishonour him (1) Consiâ—ium futuri ex praeterito venit Seneca Epist 83. henceforward as little as (2) Fructuarius nihil facere debet in perniciem proprietatis l. 13. sect 4. F. de usu fructu you can nay henceforward glorifie him as much as you can Answ 8. One way of glorifying your God is to (1] Au laciam existimo de bono divini praecepti disputare Tertul de poenit cap. 4. Prior est authoritas imperantis quam utilitas servientis Idem leave him unto the preheminence of his secret counsel Servants may not pry into their Masters mind nor Children into their Fathers will nor Subjects into the unsearchble hearts of Princes It is your wisdome to submit trust and obey Answ 9. His you are unto whom you obey if you harden your hearts ye do the work of a Reprobate (1) That is of a Devil see 1 John 3.8 for Alterius esse non possunt nisi Diaboli quae Dei non sunt Tert. de Idol cap. 18. if you seek to glorifie your God you take a course to (2) Phil. 2.12 work out your salvation nay to make your calling and election sure (3) 2 Pet. 1.10 Answ 10. Many that have sought to work out their salvation God hath rejected For why They sought themselves not their Ruler but unto him who unfeignedly sought to glorifie his God as God God never yet denied his Spirit of Regeneration This is a Gospel-truth God who (1) Modo mirabili ineffabili agens Aug. de praedest sanct cap. 20. doth sometimes most freely give of his Spirit unto such as once despised grace will never (2) Patrem miserico diarum esse
of my Son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatnesse of the earth and plenty of corn and wine Why all this Answ Jacob have (7) Mal. 1.2 Rom. 9.13 I thosen Religious persons like perfumed garments carry with them a (8) Gen. 26.28 39.23 1 Sam. 18.5 Psalm 1.3 Jer. 17.8 blessing whithersoever they go Pharaoh Abimelech Laban Saul c. shall speed the better for their acquaintance with Joseph Isaac Jacob David c. It is not in vain that where the Prophets foretel Gospel-times there (9) Joel 2 23-28 Zech. 9.9 17 Esay 66.12 65 20-25 62 1-5 60.14 61.6 11 Revel 21.24 they promise temporal blessings The (10) hos 2.22.21 corn and the wine and the oyle shall hear Jezreel And the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyle And the heavens shall hear the earth and I will hear the heavens saith the Lord But how shall Jezreel be assured of all this Answ I will (11) hos 2.20 even betroth thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. May Elijah prevaile with Ahab to cry down Baal he will soon prevail (12) 1 Kings 18 19-45 with God to pour down Rain Bring ye all your tithes and prove me now herewith saith the (13) Mal. 3.10 Lord of Hosts if I will not open for you the windowes of Heaven and empty out a blessing until I fill your Barns so full that you shall want room Wrest and misapply the Scriptures never so much yet from the Scritures (14) Mat. 5.5 Mark 10.30 1 Tim. 4.8 6.17 Psalm 144.15 122.5 7 128.5 125.4 35.27 1.3 119.165 81.16.147.14 148.14 36.7 8 Esay 60.6 7 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 61.4 5 6 62.7 8 9 65 20-25 66.10 11 12 clear it is that worldly riches are ordained not as a snare but as a promised blessing and that wheresoever Jesus Christ reigneth in the Gospel there he leadeth people from barbarism unto civility from civility to peace and from peace to the fruits of peace plenty The holy Spirit teacheth man to (15) Jam. 3.18 Hos 10.12 sow the fruits of righteousnesse the good Spirit to (16) Esay 28.24 29 Prov. 8.12 Exod. 31.3 6 cast abroad the sitches the cummin and principal wheat We mis-employ the encrease of the earth if we (17) Luke 16.9 12 Gal. 6.6 1 Tim. 6.18 19. spend it not upon the kingdome of heaven and the glory of this World [18] 1 Cor. 7.31 Esay 40.8 passeth away unlesse it may adorn the glory of the Gospel True where the Gospel is but yet in [19] Acts 14.22 planting or under [20] 2 Tim. 3.12 James 4.4 persecution or the like there if in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of [21] 1 Cor. 15.19 all men most miserable but I shall ever crave leave to think that where the Gospel flourisheth there the meek shall be sure to [22] Mat. 5.5 inherite the earth to be [23] Psa 149.4 beautified with salvation and to [24] Psa 22.26 eat and be satisfied The reason why I so think is this The meek on earth will [25] Zeph. 2.3 seek the Lord and the Lord will guide them [26] Psal 25.9 Esay 29.19 in judgement yea their meek and quiet Spirit is [27] 1 Pet. 3.4 in the sight of God of great price Hence The children of Israel never better bestowed their wealth then when they brought of it [1] Exod. 25.2 35.5 36 3 5 6 1 Chron. 29 2-13 willing Offerings for the service of the work of the Lord in his Sanctuary yea the followers of Christ even then when Jesus Christ was dead and buried would [2] Luke 8.3 John 8.40 Mark 16.1 2 3 See Learned Bishop Andrews his third Serm. on the Resurrection have ministred unto him of their substance And reason good for since the [3] Psal 24.1 earth is the Lords just it is that we [4] 1 Chro. 29.14 16 should give unto him of his own But this know God will not be behindhand with us in any [5] 2 Cor. 9.12 1 Cor. 15.58 Rom. 11.35 Hos 12.2 expressions of loving kindnesses whatsoever Though David did no more then [6] 2 Sam. 7.2 design to build a house for the Lord in requital the Lord built for David a [7] 2 Sam. 7. 11. sure House so far he is from desisting to [8] 1 Sam. 2.30 honour them who heartily [9] Prov. 3.9 honour him with their substance Christian remember thou that Temple of the Lord and forget the [10] Mat. 6.29 glory of Solomon if thou canst Recollect how zealous that Emperour Constantine [11] Enseb in vit Constantin was and then tell me whether he were not very deservedly stiled Constantine the [12] viz. The more good the more great Therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith to the Prince of Wales I had rather you should be Charles le Bon then Charles le Grand cap. 27. GREAT Yea whosoever sincerely loveth the peace of Jerusalem [13] Psalm 122.6 prospereth and if I once discern a person unfeignedly seeking the kingdome of heaven and the righteousnesse thereof then am I sure [14] Mat. 5.33 all other things shall be added unto him For although the [15] Pro. 3.18 Tree of life is like [16] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. other Trees best planted in winter although the children of the [17] Mat. 5.45 kingdome are like the gold of the Temple best purified [18] Mal. 3.3 by fire yet the peace of the Gospel most flourisheth [19] 1 Kings 10.7 Psalm 45.4 21.5 31.9 Eccles 7.14 Jerem. 33.9 Job 8.6 Zech. 1.17 7.7 8.12 13 in the midst of prosperity and where the purity of the Gospel aboundeth it aboundeth in the fulnesse as well of earthly [20] 1 Tim. 4.8 Phil. 4.19 2 Cor. 9.8 Esay 32.18 as of heavenly mercies I lay the foundations of the earth saith the Lord and I therefore lay them that I may say [21] 1 Tim. 51.16 unto Zion Thou art my people Are we Jesus Christ's If so all things are [22] 1 Cor. 3.22 ours to the prayse of our God be it spoken all things are ours Thus much of the sixth Revenue of the holy Catholick Church namely that secular happinesse which like the heat at noon-day accompanieth the light of the Gospel a matter worthy out perpetual thanksgiving unto him whom we gladly desire ever to glorifie as God The Seventh is a fellowship (1) Phil. 3.10 with Christs sufferings When in one and the same day message upon message brought several tidings of several Victories at once unto Philip King of Macedon Philip brake forth (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch Apotheg O Fortune among such and so great good tidings bestow upon me some ill newes Beloved although the World is not aware
house Compare 2 Sam. 13.6 with Psa 41.3 Cant. 1.13.2.6 make my bed Let my Beloved stay me with flagons or comfort me with apples and I 'le most willingly be (34) A weck together at Sir Thomas Overburies house Compare 2 Sam. 13.5 sick of love Let Saul encrease his fury it mattereth not so long as Jonathans heart is knit to David the more (35) 1 Sam. 20.4 Davids troubles encrease the more Jonathans loving (36) crescent illae crescetis amores kindnesses appear Good God In all our afflictions thou [37] Isa 63.9 art afflicted Can Heaven it self yield unto us many larger matters of thankfulnesse then this Blessed are they that [38] Rev. 14.13 rest from their labours I deny it not mean while I add Blessed are they who lead a [39] Mat. 5.4 heavy life viz. They shall still be praysing thy Spirit the [40] Joh. 14.16 Comforter thy Son saying in my Text Let not your heart be troubled and thy Self the [41] 2 Cor. 1.3 father of mercies Who hath none to still him may weep his eyes out but we know [42] 2 Tim 1.12 in whom we have believed The Rabbins [43] Elias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reckon twenty sorts of thorns mentioned in the old Testament were those twenty and twenty more in our sides the blood of the new Testament would [44] 2 Cor. 12.9 draw them forth unto the prayse and glory of the Testator Thorough our thanksgiving for many deliverances the [45] 2 Cor. 4.15 Christus Dominus veluti medicus anima rum summus ad curandum grav's ani ni morbos permittit electos suos morbis corporum graviter affligi Eâ— quod plus est ad curandum majora crimina permittit in cidere in minora etiam mortalia D. Tho. in 2 Cor. 12. lect 3. abundant grace will redound to the glory of God Ye who mourn in Zion seven-fold are your opportunities of glorifying God as God and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way We shall in Heaven [1] Rom. 8 17 2 Tim. 2.12 reign with Christ true but that which is on our part the [2] Acts 20.35 more blessed is this We here in this Kingdom of grace have the honour not only to [3] Rom. 5.17 rule with Christ but also to [4] Rom. 8.17 Acts 5.41 Phil. 3.10 Col. 1.24 suffer with Christ said Thomas [5] John 11.16 Let us also go that we may dye with him Brethren I protest by our rejoycing which we have in Christ Jesus our Lord we may with him [6] 1 Cor. 15.31 Non decent sub spinoso capite membra esse delicata dye daily There is an Elixar in ever godly mans sorrow This Kingdome of grace hath a Chimique power it extracteth Oyl out of Flints Silver out of Lead Gold out of Brass it sweeteneth the bitterest [7] Aâ—deo dicere superhis esse utile cadere in aliquod apertum manisestumque peccatum unde sibi displiceant quijam sibi placeddo ceciderant sâ—abrias eniâ— Petrus sibi displicuit quandâ— sleviâ— quam sibi placuit quandâ— praesumpsit August de civitate Dei l. 14 c. 13. Wormwood consecrateth every cross spiritualizeth every tribulation maketh whatsoever we suffer a suffering with Christ Ignatius his love was crucified and so is [8] Gal. 2.20 6.14 ours Beloved this is a matter worthy our thanksgiving a happinesse peculiar unto this present life that to us it is [9] Phil. 1.29 GIVEN to suffer with Christ a Talent which into the future Kingdom of glory we may in no wise carry with us Once more There is [1] Esay 45.3 a promise of Treasures of darknesse Oh Sirs The dark grief for the [2] Eph. 4.18 darknesse of ignorance the darknesse of [3] Jer. 13.16 sorrow for sin and every other darknesse of [4] Lom 3.6 affliction doth in This kingdome of Heaven bring forth Treasures which Treasures the holy Angels cannot but we sinners [5] Psalm 51.3 17 32.5 2 Cor. 7.10 12 Esay 57.15 66.20 Rom. 10.10 Dan. 9.10 Ezra 10.1 may and do dedicate unto our God Although they have in Heaven no such passions as anger indignation hatred fear sim of these Priviledges We partake In our [6] Eph. 6.12 warfare against sin and Satan these passions these spiritual [7] 2 Cor. 10.4 weapons we use and for them blessed be our God It is matter well worthy our most unfeigned thanksgivings that we have by these our [8] Heb. 5.14 senses (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 exercised unto godliness Worldly and carnally minded persons have such passions but no [10] 1 John 2.15 Rom. 8.9 godlinesse the Saints departed have a godliness but no [11] 1 Cor. 15.52 such passions whereas we of the kingdome of grace participate of both esteeming the exercise of godlinesse a [12] Acts 24.16 1 Tim. 4.7 8 Psalm 119.47 great refreshment a delightful recreation a ravishing delight After death it will be too too late to [13] Isa 25.8 attempt humiliation contrition sorrow self-denial repentance c. Let not your heart be troubled taketh no place within the mansions in my Fathers house we cannot [14] Revel 7.17 21.4 shed teares in Heaven we cannot sacrifice [15] Joel 2.13 Psalm 51.17 a sorrowful spirit in Heaven Friends this matter for our thanksgiving which here we in the Kingdome of grace daily rejoyce in they in the kingdome of glory have not Christians Let us [16] Joel 56.8 42.3 Jeb 16.20 Esay 38.5 Jerem. 9.1 Lam. 2.18 Mal. 2.13 Luke 7.38.44 Acts 20.19.31 2 Tim. 1.4 bottle up teares for Heaven while we may let us weep for our sins committed let us mourn for him whom [17] Zech 12.10 we have pierced while we yet may Teares and blood these are the white and red colours the [18] Gal. 6.14 Rom. 1.16 Matth. 16.24 Domine hic da mihi poenitentiam postea indulgentiam Fulgentius flourishing trophies peculiar not unto the Church triumphant but unto the Church militant oh that with religious sighs and loving teares we could daily glorifie our God as God! Hitherto of the Moon [1] Revel 12.1 under our feet now of the [2] Revel 1.16 Sun over our heads hitherto of the [3] Jer. 32.27 God of all flesh now of the Father of [4] Heb. 12.9 Spirits hitherto of the body which is [5] Matth. 6.24 more then raiment now of what the Lord hath [6] Psalm 66.16 done for our soules for in the kingdome of grace duly considered these are the [7] 2 Cor. 4.18 non inferiora secutus most principal points worthy our thanksgiving in these distinctly we glorifie God as God If from that consolation Let not your heart be troubled we have found so plentiful matter of thanksgivings what may we expect from the reason and ground of that consolation Ye believe in God believe also in me Few there are who [1] Rari
Rom. 13.14 our example and [27] Mat 17.5 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 merit His universal obedience hath [28] Gal. 2.16 fulfilled the whole Law [29] Gal. 3.13 in our stead His [30] 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification is made ours because he is holy we are reputed holy because he is righteous we are (31) Esay 13.11 reputed righteous nâ—y his very Sonship is (32) Gal. 4.5 6 ours He is Son of God by (33) Psalm 110.1 nature we by the (34) Eph. 1.5 adoption of his Spirit for this cause he is not (35) Heb. 2.11 ashamed to call us brethren and to acknowledge His Father to be (36) John 20.17 Our father But though Jonathan keepeth (37) 1 Sam. 18.14 his bow his sword and his robes to himself David will love Jonathan for (38) 1 Sam. 18.3 Jonathans sake True of the fulnesse of Christ we all (39) John 1.16 receive grace for grace and whatsoever duties we owe unto God them Jesus Christ performeth (40) Eph. 5.2 Tit. 2.14 in our name and stead but did he neither secure us from wrath nor procure us benefits yet still Jesus is the (41) Magni Parentis non minor filius Chara Dei sobo'es magnum Jovis incrementum Or as Aurelius Symmachus of Boethius Illud pretiocijsimum humani generis decus gracious Son of a gracious Father we should love Jesus both for his Fathers sake and for his own sake Mean while He who spared not his own Son but hath (42) Rom. 8.3 given him up to our nature to our infirmities to our sorrowes to the wrath and death due to us he that giveth to us and thus giveth to us his Son how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Wherefore thanks be unto God (43) Rom. 7.25 through Jesus Christ our Lord yea thandks be unto God for Jesus Christ our Lord. The last matter of Thankfulnesse which I now propose while we abide here within this kingdome of grace is Gods love to mankind The (1) 2 Cor. 4.6 face of Jesus Christ could never be so full of (2) 2 Cor. 3.18 smiles to us-ward but that the God and (3) 1 Pet. 1.3 father of our Lord Jesus Christ is toward us so (4) John 3.16 Rom. 5.8 infinitely compassionate We (1) Mat. 18.3 1 John 4.4 John 13.33 little children conscious of our demerit (2) Jer. 31.18 Zech 12.10 1 John 1.10 bemoan our selves we cry we (3) Mic. 4.9 cry out aloud because we have done (4) Rom. 3.23 a very great fault (5) Mc 5.5 Peace (6) Ephes 2.10 15 17 peace saith the father of our mercies wipe (8) Esay 54.4 6 8 30.19 away all tears from your eyes I will not (7) Jer. 31.34.33.8 punish you you be (9) Esay 43.12 44.22 blamelesse and (10) Esay 40.2 55.7 8 righteous and (11) Esay 53.11 John 1.29 perfect You did not (12) Num. 23.21 commit the offence but my (13) Isa 42.1 servant did with you I am well pleased I was angry not with you but with my (14) Isa 53.10 servant Ah (15) Mar. 15.28 2 Cor. 5.2 naughty servant I have (16) Isa 53 3-10 beaten him but you be (17) Eph. 1.6 good children Come turn (18) Isa 51.11 your sorrow into gladnesse and your mourning into joy Love me (19) 1 Joh 4.19 John 14.15 16 little children I your (20) 1 Joh 3.16 father love you kisse (21) 2 Sam. 14.33 Psalm 2.12 and be (22) Eph. 2.16 2 Cor. 5.18 Col. 1.20.21 friends Other Kings whip their high-born sons upon their Pages back this King of heaven and earth he spareth his vilest servants and scourgeth them upon the shoulders of his most glorious Son His justice against us the avenging God must satisfie but so he loveth us that rather then we should endure everlasting imprisonment he (1) Psalm 40.7 8 got his own Son to be (2) Heb 7.22 surety for us By this advantage the severity of his just execution he extendeth not against us who brake his whole Law but (3) Esay 53 3-10 against him who (4) Matth. 3.15 5.17 John 19.30 fulfilled every tittle of it not upon us who deserve eternal death but against him who hath right (5) 1 Tim. 6.16 unto a Crown of life not upon us who daily rebel against him but upon Him who (6) John 4.34 5.30 6.38 ever delighteth to do his will not upon us the guilty and ungodly but upon him (7) 1 Pet. 3.18 the innocent and righteous not upon us who were (8) Ephes 2.3 by nature the children of his wrath but upon him who is by nature (9) Matth. 3.17 the Son of his love So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that (10) John 3.16 whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life God is of (1) Hab. 1.13 purer eyes then to behold our (2) Zech. 3.4 filthy garments therefore he (3) Esay 61.10 adornetk us with the Robes of his only Son He cannot excuse us while we take our own courses therefore he (4) Eph. 5.26 27 Tit. 2.14 sanctifieth us by the Word and Spirit of his own Son He cannot affect us as we abide (5) Ezek. 16.6 polluted in our sins therefore he taketh the (6) Revel 1.5 1 Pet. 1.19 1 John 1.9 2.2 heart-blood of his dear Son and therewith washeth away our stains and guilt [7] Ephes 1.4 He cannot exalt us while we abide strangers and enemies therefore he electeth us to be his (8) Rom. 6.22 servants (9) John 15.14 15 friends and (10) 1 John 3.1 children and to (11) Isa 54.5 let us see how great a kindnesse he hath for us he (12) 2 Cor. 11.2 Ephes 5.30 Matth. 25.10 Revel 21.2 giveth us in marriage unto the Heir of all things even unto his only begotten Sonne whom he ever embraceth within his bosome infinitely loving him loving him every whit as dearly as he loveth himself yea the Lord God (13) Heb. 1.4 2.7 exalteth him in our nature (14) Phil. 2.9 Heb. 2.9 Esay 53.10 12 49.6 Psalm 2.8 because our nature is by him exalted In Jesus Christ the Wonderful God revealeth unto us unsearchable (1) Col. 2.3 1.26 Ephes 3.8 9 10 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Pet. 1.20 12 Treasures of wisdome infinite Riches of (2) Ephes 1.6 7 2.5 7 2 Tim. 1.9 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 2.12 Revel 21.6 22.18 free grace ineffable bowels of loving kindnesses I challenge all the Poets among the Heathens to invent nay to imitate (3) 2 Pet. 1.16 either such a Tragedy or such a Comedy as in relation as well unto us as unto themselves is divinely acted by the Father the Son and the holy Ghost three persons in one God for ever blessed Let Pharaoh (1) Gen 41.43 make Joseph Ruler of
Angels Him who did once give himself for us and doth ever since give himself to us Him unto whom God hath given (1) Nec patior me quicquam nescire de co quem amew Plin. Epist a name above every name Him we shall worship blesse admire and adore in my Fathers house But That which putteth so great a value upon my Fathers house is (1) Bonum mihi Domine in camino habere te â—â—â—cum quam esse sine â—e vel iâ— caelo Bernard principally my father himself The Refuge the Rest the Reward the Riches the Inheritance the Crown The Mansions the many Mansion the many Mansions in my Fathers house The eternal peace the infinite love the everlasting joy there set before us neither these nor the fellowship of the Saints nor the society of Angels shall be able to (2) Rom. 8.39 divert us from gloryfying our God as God For as all things appertaining unto life are therefore bestowed upon us here that here we may in body in soul and in spirit be (3) Testimonium credibile nimis gustatae sapientiae est esuries ipsa tam vehemens Idem Serm. 2. de duab mensis Oportebat quidem si fiâ—ri posset revivere me ut ita loquar denuo quod malè vixi srá saciam cogitaado quod reoperando non possum Idem Cant. de Serm. Hezekiae wholly taken up in obeying trusting loving honouring worshiping blessing and gloryfying our God as God so all the peace pleasures mansions joyes and glories which are treasured up for us in our Fathers house are therefore freely and everlastingly vouchsafed unto us that we may with a perfect love joy thankfulnesse and delight both admire and adore our everlasting Father Lastly as here upon earth no one mercy can so much require our thankfulnesse as the communion betwixt (1) Deus tuus totum tihi crit S. Aug. in Psalm 26. Et quem scmper habeat semper habere volunt our spirit and the sanctifying spirit of our most holy God so neither can any thing in heaven more excite our prayses and thanksgiving unto him who sitteth upon the Throne then the blessed Vision of our most glorious God even of God the Father of God the Son and of God the Holy Ghost ever for ever blessed and glorifyed In His presence is fulnesse of everlasting joy To him be the Kingdome the power and the glory ever ascribed Amen Dear Christians hear the [1] Eccles 12.13 conclusion of the whole Fear God and keep his Commandements love God and cleave unto him with your whole heart esteem [2] Solicitus incipit ambulare cum Deo suo ex omni parte scrutatur ne vel in le vissimà re tiemeadae illius maj statis offendatur aspectus Bernard Serm 3. in vigil nativ every thought word and deed misplaced which is not ordered to glorifie your God as God Oh let not your heart be troubled saving that it cannot be troubled enough for neglecting so merciful a God stretch out daily hourly stretch out and stir up your faith believe in God he hath [3] Esay 54.8 an everlasting love for you believe in his Son he is [4] 1 Cor. 1.30 made unto you wisdome and sanctification and redemption and righteousnesse believe in his Spirit he is [5] Jude 24. able to keep you from falling and to present you to your Bridegroom and to his Father with exceeding joy Look for and [6] 2 Pet. 3.12 hasten unto these mansions in my Fathers house Beloved this is life eternal this will be joy eternal to see God! Without holinesse it is [7] Heb 12.14 impossible to see God the Lord [8] Heb 13.21 perswade the Lord allure the Lord ravish your hearts Blessed for ever blessed are the pure in heart they shall possesse these mansions in my Fathers house they shall see God! Oh then for your own sakes yea for your Redeemers sake for your Gods sake improve [1] Luke 19.13 every talent of his which he in this your day putteth into your hands [2] Ephes 5.16 redeem [3] Cajus unius avâ—â—tia hotesta est Seneca time value time husband time do not oh do not content your selves with the lowest of these mansions in my Fathers house make you hearts more and more obedient more and more watchful humble faithful loving and thankful hearts the [4] Matth. 6.19 20 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Tim. 6.6 1 Cor. 15.58 Gal. 6.7 8 Mark 10.29 30 Revel 3.5.12 2.17 more grace the more glory you do treasure up for your selves the more you glorifie your God as God Be holy as the Spirit your Preserver is holy put on the Lord Jesus finde it [5] Consilium futuri ex praeterito venit Seneca Epist 83.9 your duty make it your businesse to glorifie the God and father of your Lord Jesus Christ so doing let not your heart be troubled believe in God believe in his Christ in my Fathers house are many mansions Oh thou who speakest in my Text speak [1] Psal 33.4 the word and our heart shall not be troubled Lord we believe help thou [2] Psal 33.2 our unbelief in Thy Fathers house are many mansions Brethren Unto these mansions after that we have [3] 1 Pet. 5.10 hoped trusted obeyed waited and suffered a while the God of all grace who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus will receive first our soules then our bodyes To him be [4] 11 Pet. 5.11 glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen D. Bernardus Epist 341. Erubescat anima conversa ad Dominum minori affectu sectari justitiam quà m iniquitatem antea sectaretur pudeat negligentius nunc in vitam quam prius in mortem ire minori studio salutis acquirere quam perditionis augmentum PSALM 105. v. 4.3 Seek ye the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore Glory ye in his holy Name Let the heart of them rejoyce that seek the Lord. FINIS Venial escapes the Reader is desired to impute unto the Authors absence from the Presse and to correct these or the like ERRATA Read P. 12. l. 31. our days p. 42. l. 13. a King p. 44. l. 9. this stone p. 47. l. 3. Aegyptians had p. 121. l. 5. sibi p. 123. l. 18. flatten p. 128. l. 28. I cleared p. 138. l. 12. affections p. 143. l. 5. Arnon p. 151. l. 19. to ply p. 152. for Tertullian r. Cyprian for Cyprian r. Tertullian p. 156. l. 18 19. Let them Who p. 122. l. 26. Three particulars p. 201. l. 31. This he considereth p. 240. l. 11. reprieve p. 245. l. 3 5. dele I say p. 319. l. 6. smutty-faced p. 356. l. 14. mett p. 401. l. 7. not ease p. 405. l. 3. deign p. 423. l. 2. womb The margin is referred to the Reader
of the holy One and the poor in spirit wax rich in grace MOTIVE VIII Thy natural averseness There is no such Trewant as the natural man Motive 8. Judas will rather hang himself then delight in his Masters pleasure but first meer shame will reduce thee from this ingratitude no love for thy father nor love for thy Redeemer nor love for thy preserver fie fie for shame the oxe (1) Isa 1 3 knoweth his owner and the dog at thy heels his master Secondly Let thy heart alone and thou (2) 1 Cor. 2.14 wilt love thy God less next day then thou wilt to morrow and less to morrow then to day thou dost Thirdly Thou must not follow but (3) Col. 3.1 lead thine affections we force our selves to delight in such diets such exercises such employments as most suit not with our pleasure but with our real good Fourthly What thanks is it if we place our affections upon that whereunto we are of our selves addicted but herein we know that we love our God if we deny (4) Mat. 16.24 our selves that we may love him Lastly remove thine ignorance and thy dis-affection is removed once see the beauty of holiness (5) Exod. 15.11 and be out of love with it if thou canst thou wilt therefore love God because God is glorious in holiness thy Lord most holy MOTIVE IX Motive 9. A ninth Motive which may stir up thy mind to follow God fully is thy desperate guilt The whole need not the Physitian but thou dost such a sinner as thou art may well cry God mercy all the days of his life He that hath wallowed in so much mire as thou hast done hath great reason to wish (1) Ezek. 36.25 for clean waters who should thirst after sanctification if thine Aethiopian skin should not the Leopards spots are white to thine if the blood of the Lamb can make thy crimson sins whiter then snow surely thou hast cause sufficient to bath in that warm blood thou hast sinned so prodigally against heaven and against God that it is the best of thy skill to make benefit of Christ merits Then then the holy Angels will (2) Luk. 15.7 rejoyce indeed when they see such a lost creature as thou hast been take the kingdom of heaven by violence and main force MOTIVE Motive 10. X. A tenth particular which helpeth thine unwearied soul to take the kingdom of heaven by violence is the present evil world viz. unless it were better then it is thou wilt no more (1) Jam. 1.27 dirty thy self with it the cares thereof may choak such as love them but thee they drive unto (2) 1 Pet. 4.19 thy faithful Creator to him that endured temptations in the wilderness Canaan is sweet pleasures upon earth may ensnare fools they only mind thee of thy masters joys thou translatest the whole book of nature into a book of grace well knowing that the things which are seen are transitory but the things which are not seen are eternal MOTIVE XI Motive 11. The next particular serving to awaken thee unto righteousness is the corruption of thine old man For first while [1] Gal 5.17 thy flesh is contrary to thy spirit his thou [2] Rom. 6.16 art unto whom thou yieldest obedience and if it was thy [3] Rom. 8.6 death to be carnally minded to be spiritually minded is a sign of life Again sometimes a (4] 2 Cor. 12.7 buffet or two doth Saint Paul a kindnâ—ss [5] 2 Cor. 12.9 while the flesh (6) 1 Pet. 2.11 warreth against thy soul thy soul is [7] Deut. 8.2 Judg. 2.21 22 3.2 kept upon her guard Rome is not secure so long as Carthage is standing nay opposition strengthneth the prevailing party as [8] 2 Sam. 3.1 Sauls rebellions established David in his Throne for infirmities of nature excite the power of grace Corruption is flesh and [9] Isa 31.3 not spirit MOTIVE XII Motive 12. The roaring lion at this instant seeking to devoure thee Among too too many Ministers who during our late detestable rebellions were most reproachfully tossed out of their livelyhoods one I knew who (1) Mr. Vade of Odington in Glocester-shire would full often with indignation enough boast himself a person more beholding unto Committee-men then unto all the kinred which be had his riddle was while he kept house in his Parsonage diseases cares and debts grew upon him but so soon as the Committee had once for ever sequestred from Him his Parsonage they from that time forward eased him of his debts by disposing his fifths for their payment they cured him of his disease while want of a horse made him walk away his Gout and withall they freed him from his cares for he had now no worldly thing to care for bear with me the condition is thine I may seriously affirme that next unto God himself this (2) Matt. 6.13 13.39 evil one is although full (3) Esa 10.7 sore against his will the very best friend whom thou hast in the world if thou hast but eyes of understanding in thy head this I will clear unto thee in three particulars The Devil (4) Eph. 6.12 1 Pet. 5.8 befriendeth thee first By deterring from sin Ah Sir this Bug-bear at the gate will make thee (5) 1 Tim. 3.6 7. keep within dores the saucer eyes of this spright will make thee look unto thy self espie once his cloven foot and adventure (6) Act. 24.16 abroad if thou darest Secondly By Temptations thou wilt not trust a reconciled enemy The Devil is so [7] Eph. 6.11 2 Cor. 2.11 well known that none of his chaff can catch old birds if he begin to tempt he will make thee glad to cling unto thy father Thy fear of this Pursevants Arrest [8] Heb. 4.16 will make thee take Sanctuary the more stratagems this subtle creature useth to (9) 2 Tim. 2.26 entice thee toward hell the more thy holy jealousies will draw thee toward heaven and all the while this Avenger lasheth thee [10] 1 Kin. 12.11 with Scorpions he [11] Gal. 3.24 schooleth thee unto Christ Thirdly [12] Ephes 6.11 by wrestlings carnal [13] 1 Pet. 2.11 lusts war against the soul but we wrestle not against flesh and blood alone these are no equal match for him that [14] Psal 23.4 27.12 undertaketh to be strong in the Lord that is a [15] Heb. 22.4 Sine periculo seiget ludus dull skirmish which hazardeth no blood Surely thou shalt see what thy servant can do saith the (16) 1 Sam. 28.2 Warriour As the Martyr Juliano kissed the step whereon he stood to suffer death so thou when valiant wilt kiss the turf whereon thou standest to fight thy Lords battel Glad is David if he may be but allowed to deal with (17) 1 Sam. 17.32 a Goliah if Jether (18) Judg. 8.20 fear Zebah and Zalmunna it is