sinner For humiliation usually precedes and procures reformation As in Manasses 2 Chron. 33. 12. to 17. In the Prodigal Luk. 15. 17. to 22. In the penitent woman Luk. 7. 37 38 c. In Saul Act. 9. 6 c. In Peter's Hearers Act. 2. 37 c. And in most Bruising prepares for healing wounding for binding up Luk 4. 18. Burdening makes way for easing Mat. 11. 28. Godly sorrow works repentance not to be repented of 2 Cor. â— 10. 2. Yea an un-convinced sinner â—or humiliation as it makes way for reformation so it presupposeth a previous conviction So then conviction works humiliation humiliation inclines to reformation O do not thou still continue an un-cured sinner yea an un-convinced sinner by remaining an un-humbled sinner 3. Thine humiliation before the LORD for thy sinful and wretched condition will prove A grateful sacrifice to God A gainful exercise to thee 1. A grateful sacrifice to God The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Psal. 51. 17. See 2 Chron. 33. 12 13. and 15. 6 7. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. Bruised and broken hearts are fit cures for Christ Luk 4. 18. Isa. 61. 1 2. Yea when sinners lament and grieve for their sins Heaven is filled with joy Luk. 15. 7 10. Fletus peccatorum triumphus Angelorum Sinners tears are the very triumph of Angels 2. A gainful exercise to thee Humiliation for thy sinful state 1. Will help thee to a deeper sense of thy sinfulness and wretchedness As blots run abroad and appear far larger in wet paper 2. Will somewhat comfort thee in that thou beginnest to mourn for that wherein thou didst formerly rejoyce and to hate what thou didst formerly love c. 3. Will notably prepare thee to true repentance and recovery 2 Cor. 7. 10. II. But when thou humblest thy self before God for thy sinful and wretched Natural state humble thy self rightly viz. 1. Humble thy self secretly seriously and sincerely without hypocrisie Not as once Ahab of old did 1 King 21. 27 29. Nor as usually the hypocritical Pharisees were wont to do and after them the Papists in their fastings Mat. 6. 16. Only formally But as penitent Manasseh did 2. Chron. 33. 11 12. As the praying Publican did Luk 18. As the repenting Prodigal did Luk. 15. As the relenting Woman did Luk. 7. Cordially and really 2. Humble thy self unto deepest self-loathing and self abhorrency Consider the infinite holiness of God Isa. 6. 3. Hab. 1. 13. The wonderful purity and perfection of his Word Psal. 119. 140 96. And thine own extream sinfulness utterly repugnant unto both Rom. 5. 12. Psal. 51. 5. Ioh. 3. 6. Rom. 3. 9. to 19. Eph. 2. 1 2 3. And then loath thy self and even abhor thy self as in dust and ashes Ezek. 36. 31. Iob 42. 6. accounting thy self with humbled Paul chief of sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. 3. Humble thy self so for thy sins as to labour and be heavy laden with them and quite weary of them Mat. 11. 28. Be so pricked and wounded in heart for them as to cry out to Gods messengers Men and brethren what shall I do Act. 2. 36 37. Sirs what must I do to be saved Act. 16. 30. True humiliation for sin will make thee earnestly long and desire to be rid of sin 4. Humble thy self reformingly So as to repent and turn from thine iniquities unto God As did Manasseh 2 Chron. 33. 12 c. As did Saul Act. 9. 6 11 20. That 's right humiliation that works reformation That 's true godly-sorrow indeed that works repentance not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10. 5. Humble thyself Continually till thy God exalt thee and lift thee up with Comfort and restore thee from thy Sinful and wretched state of Nature into an holy and happy state of Grace The Sinful woman never ceased hmbling herself at Christs feet and washing his feet with tears till Christ comforted her and told her that her Sins which were many were forgiven her Luk. 7. 47 48. The Prodigal ceased not confessing his sin and humbling himself for it to his Father as no more worthy to be called his Son till the father called for the best robe to be put upon him and expressed many other most affectionate acts of a most tender paternal love unto him Luk. 15. 21. to 25. VIII Direction HOwever thou art by Nature O Natural man in a most Sinful and wretched state and hast remained therein from thy very Birth unto this day for which thou hast cause to be abased to the very dust yet know thou for thy Comfort thy Case is not Desperate there is Hope in Israel concerning this God hath in this valley of Achor in this valley of trouble opened a door of Hope for thee and of his meeâ— love and mercy hath Revealed in his Covenant of Faith in Christ a way how thou mayst be recovered out of this thy sinful and wretched state of Nature into an Holy and Happy state of Grace and how all Gods Elect though lapsed in the first Adam may be restored in a second Adam Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Gal. 3. 21 22. Rom. 3. 20 21 22. 26 27. I shall Illustrate this further to thy singular encouragement and comfort O Natural man in certain distinct Positions viz. 1. The LORD God of the meer good pleasure of his will according to his eternal Purpose which he purposed in himself elected a certain number out of mankind unto himself to the Adoption of children that they should be holy and without blame before him in love to the praise of the Glory of his Grace Ephes. 1. 4 5 6. 2 Though the only wise and righteous God who can bring good out of cvil Else he could not suffer it to be permitted Adam the common Root of Mankind and in him as in his loins all mankind and among them all his elect to fall into Sin and misery for the greater manifestation of the surpassing glory of his Freedom Mercy and Justice towards mankind yet hath he not cast away his people whom he foreknew nor left his Elect to perish in that lapsed state but hath most graciously and wisely contrived a way how all his Elect shall be recovered out of this state of Sin and misery into a state of Holiness and Happiness for evermore Compare Mat. 10. 29. 30. Act. 2. 23. and 4. 27. with Gen. 3. 1. c. Rom. 5 12 13 14. Rom. 11. 2. Ephes. 1. 4. to 12. Col. 1. 19 20. 3. God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us was pleased to contrive lapsed man's Recovery out of the exceeding riches of his meer Grace and mercy Eph. 1. 3. to 12. and 2. 4 to 10. Nothing at all foreseen in lapsed man could move or encline God at all to Contrive his Restitution Eph. 2. 8 9. Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. 4.
fruit oâ— the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. 6. Forget not the exemplary instances of Believers who though great offendors yet have received and apply'd Christ by Faith and have been graciously accepted and entertained by him and all this for the encouragement of thee and of all that afterwards should believe As The Jaylor Act. 16. 30 c. Paul 1 Tim. 1. 13. to 17. Act. 26. 9. 10 11. The penitent Woman Luk. 7. 37. to the end The Thief on the Cross Luk. 23. 42 43. The 3000 Hearers of Peter Act. 2. 36 37. c. 7. Ask seek knock importunately at the Throne of Grace for this soul-saving Grace The Spirit is promised to them that ask Luk. 11. 13. Fly unto Christ the Author and finisher of Faith Heb. 12. 2. And cry Lord increase my Faith Luk. 17. 5. Lord I believe help thou mine unbelief Mar. 9. 24. XVI Direction QUestion and examine the self often impartially touching the truth of thy Faith in Christ for thy Recovery and Salvation 2 Cor. 13. 5. For There is a counterfeit and fained Faith Luk. 8. 13. Act. 8. 13. Iam. 2. 14 17 20 26. And there is a Faith unfained 1 Tim. 1. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 5. 'T is the Faith unfained that accepts and applies Christ Ioh. 1. 12 13. Act. 8. 37. and will afford thee solid comfort Now Faith in Christ unfained may be discovered by these and the like Characters which if thou canst really find in thy self doubtless thou art a true Believer True saving Faith in Jesus Christ is 1. A Christ-applying Faith If Faith be sincere and salviâ—ical it never rests till it bring the soul to Christ till it possess the soul of Christ. It is the soul's eye that beholds Christ lifted up Ioâ— 3. 15. It 's the soul's feet whereby it comes to Christ Mat. 11. 28. Ioh. 6. 35 37. It 's the soul's hand whereby it receives Christ and arms wherewith it embraceth Christ Ioh. 1. 12. Heâ— 11. 13. It 's the soul's mouth wherewith it eats Christs flesh that bread of life and drinks Christs blood that water of life Ioh. 6. 47 53 54 55. By all which acts of Faith the soul comes to have Christ to possess and enjoy him and life in him 1 Joh. 5. 12. True Faith in Christ contents not it self only to know Christ or only to assent to the truth of Gods Record touching Christ that life is in him but it further proceeds to receive and apply Christ to the soul to appropriate him and enjoy him actually to the particular Believer 2. A Christ-retaining Faith True saving Faith in Christ not only entertains Christ but also retains him in the best room of the soul the heart That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith Eph. 3. 17. The Believer's heart is Christ's home And Faith gives Christ the acceptable entertainment 1. As it cleanseth the heart of every thing that might be offensive to him Act. 15. 9. 2. As it ascribes all salvation and sufficiency for it only unto Christ counting all self-excellencies loss and dung Phil. 3. 7 8 9 10. So then if Christ be dwelling in thine heart Faith is there also 3. A Christ esteeming Faith Faith most highly esteems Christ accounts him most precious Unto them which believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. So precious That he sells all that he hath for him Mat. 13. 44 45 46. That he denies all that he hath yea all that he is for him Phil. 3. 7 8 9 10. Luk. 9. 23. and 19. 43. That he disesteems and as it were hates all dearest Relations in comparison of Christ Mat. 10. 37. Luk. 14. 26 c. Yea so precious That it sets more store by Christ at his lowest then by all worldly treasures at their highest Heb. 11. 26 27. If Christ be truly precious to thy soul Faith is planted in thine heart 4. An heart purifying Grace According to that Purifying their hearts by Faith Act. 15. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 3. Faith makes the inside clean hypocrisie only the outside Mat. 23. 25 26. Faith purifies the heart 1. Formaliter formally as it is an holy inherent principle of Grace and Purity resisting sin and temptation Gal. 5. 17. 1 Ioh. 3. 3. Eph. 6 16. To this effect it 's stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most holy faith Jude verse 20. 2. Instrumentaliter Instrumentally it purisieth the heart by applying thereunto Christs imputed purity Phil. 3. 9. Christ's blood which purgeth the conscience from the guilt and power of dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 14. with Rom. 3. 25. By applying Christ's imputed purity and righteousness 5. A soul-purifying and heart-comforting Grace It affords peace with God which produceth two excellent effects 1. Ioy in hope of the glory of God 2. Glorying even in tribulation Rom. 5. 1 2 3. joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Now the peace of God passeth all understanding and keeps as in a Garrison the heart and mind in Christ Jesus viz. safe and secure Phil. 4. 7. 6. Most dutiful and obediential towards God and this against all interposing difficulties against Reason against Natural Affection c. As in Noah Heb 11. 7. In Abraham when he obey'd God to forsake his kindred and follow God he knew not whither Heb. 11. 8. And when he in a sort offered up Isaac for a Burnt-offering Heb. 11. 17. 7. Most abundant and fruitful in all good works Jam. 2. 14. to the end And this God expects Tit. 3. 8. Faith is a most working Grace it is the root of all good works of piety righteousness and sobriety 1 Tim. 1. 5. Hence that phrase The work of Faith 1 Thes. 1. 3. A workless Faith is as Iames intimates to us a worthless Faith Iam. 2. 17 26. 8. A Grace that acts and works by love Gal. 5. 6. How by love More generally Not by love as fire works by heat the formal property of fire as if love were the form of Faith as Papists say contrary to that in 1 Tim 1. 5. But by love as an external instrument external or outward as to the proper nature of Faith joyned or annexed unto Faith for the exerting of its acts as the soul works by the brain eye ear hand c. More particularly Faith works by love 1. As it tends to principle and store the heart with the love of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 7 8. Faith is as the captain-Captain-Grace that leads on all the rest 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. 2 As it actuates and incites love with a more ardent flame towards God Christ and all goodness Faith spreads open before the soul Gods love and Christs loveliness how transcendent how infinite So that the soul cannot choose but love them again Ioh. 3. 16 17. Rom. 5. 5 6 7 c. Ioh. 15. 13. 1 Ioh. 3. 16 19. 3. As it exerciseth it self in all duties and acts of obedience to God Christ c. not in a way of servile
slavish fear but in a sweet way of love because a man loves God and Christ loves the wayes of vertue loves his Commandements and counts them not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. Faith makes all obedience and duty come off lovingly sweetly chearfully 1 Tim. 1. 5. 9. A growing Grace It encreaseth more and more Your Faith groweth exceedingly 2 Thes. 1. 3. See also Rev. 2 19. Counterfeit Faith dead Faith is like a painted Tree or painted Flower upon a Wall seem it never so fair it grows not at all 10. Vigorous in resisting and victorious in conquering all sorts of Temptations viz. Of the World frowning or smiling 1 Ioh. 5. 4. Ioh. 16. 33. Of the Flesh Act. 15. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 3. Of the Devil â— Pet. 5. 9. Eph. 6. 16. 11. Fervent and continuing instant in prayer even against discouragements though prayer seem to be neglected repulsed denied As in the Canaanitish woman Mat. 15. 22. to 29. In Elijah who prayed seven times 1 King 18. 41. to 46. Iam. 5. 17 18. 12. Valiant in confessing Christ in professing and owning of his Gospel Truth and Cause in dayes of greatest danger and persecution 2 Tim. 1. 12. Saul converted to the Faith straightway preached Christ in the Synagogues that he was the Son of God though to the hazard of his life Act. 9. 20 23. The Angel of Pergamos held fast Christ's Name deni'd not his Faith even there where Satan's seat was and even then when Antipas was his faithful Martyr Rev. 2. 12 13. Rev. 13. 10. The Faith and patience of the Saints is most active and illustrious in midst of Antichristian cruelties and persecutions 13. Finally True Faith is constant and persevering False Faith believes but for a time in time of persecution falls away Luk. 8. 13. True Faith holds on unto the end Draws not back unto perdition but believes unto the saving of the soul Heb. 10. 39. The true Believer holds on believing till he attain the scope and end of his Faith the salvation of his soul 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. XVII Direction REpentance from head works not to be repented of Heb. 6. 1. 2 Cor. 7. 10. is an inseparable companion of true faith The Scripture usually coupling them together Mar. 1. 14. 15. Act. 20. 21. and 2. 37 38. and 26. 18. Heb. 6. 1. and therefore every one that would approve himself to believe in Christ sincerely must repent of all his sins unfeinedly as he expects to have his sins remitted freely and his soul saved eternally Luk. 24. 47. Act. 2. 38. and 5. 31. and 3. 19. Act. 11. 18. Ezek. 18. 30 31 32. Luk. 13. 3 5. To Repent is set forth by two Greek words very significant in the New Testament 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metanoein which properly signifies To have an after-wit wisdom or consideration a return to ones wits and wisdom again As did the Prodigal Luk. 15. 17. This word is used often Mat. 3. 8 11. and 9. 13. To sin is our folly to repent of sin is our after-wisdom 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metamelesthai To have an after-care to be heedful afterwards It 's through want of care and heed that men transgress 'T is Repentance that makes the offendor more careful to withstand and prevent sin for the future 2 Cor. 7. 8 11. This word is used in Mat. 21. 29 32. Repentance is two-fold 1. Initial fundamental and universal when a sinner at his first coversion repents of all his sins original and actual at once turning from them unto God Mat. 3. 2 8. Mar. 1. 14 15. Act. 11. 18. and 20 21. and 26. 18 20. Heb. 6. 1 2. 2. Secondary and particular when a penitent after his conversion lapseth into any sin or sins and renews Repentance for them particularly As David Psal. 51. tit c. Peter Mat. 26. 75. Here the former is â—hiefly intended but the latter not excluded Godly sorrow works Repentance not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10. But properly godly sorrow is not Repentance but an excellent Preparative Inlet and Harbinger to Repentance The proper Nature of Repentance stands in 1. Aversion from Sin and Satan 2. Conversion unto God and all goodness Act. 26. 18. Now there are very many cogent Motives that may incline a sinner to this initial fundamental and universal Repentance For 1. God himself greatly desires the sinners initial fundamental and universal Repentance Ezek. 18. 23. and 33. 11. and 18. 31 32. See how 1. He commands it Act. 17. 30. Mar. 1. 14 15. 2. He invites to it Isa. 1. 16 c. and 55. 7. Mat. 3. 2. Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. Ier. 3. 1. 3. He promiseth great things to the penitent Isa. 55. 7. Zech. 1. 3. Act. 2. 38. Hos. 14. 1 2 3 4. Ezek. 18. 21 22. Act. 26. 18. 4. He professeth yea sweareth he hath no pleasure in the death of the sinner but that he should repent and live Ezek. 18. 23. and 33. 11. 5. He receives penitents readily compassionately gladsomly Luk. 15. 3. to the end 2. Jesus Christ exceedingly endeavours the Sinners universal Repentance and Conversion Mat. 4. 17. Mar. 1. 14 15. Luk. 24. 47. Act. 26. 17 18. For 1. He sent Iohn Baptist his Harbinger preaching-Repentance Mat. 3. 1 2 3 8. Luk. 3. 3. to 15. 2. His first Sermon was of Repentance Mat. 4. 17. Mar. 1. 1â— 15. 3. He directs his Apostles first to preach Repentance to the Gentiles Luk. 24. 47. 4. He shows the Necessity of Repenting and Converting Luk. 13. 3 5. Mat. 18. 3. 5. He upbraids and laments the impenitent Mat. 11. 20. to 25. and 23. 37 38 39. 6. He accepteth penitents most compassionately Luk. 7. 37. to the end and 19. 8 9 10. and 23. 4 〈…〉 Act. 9. 6 c. 3. The Holy Ghost most frequently incites unto Repentance in Holy Scriptures Isa. 1. 16 17 c. and 55. 6 7. Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and 33. 11. Hos. 6. 1 c. and 14. 1 c. Ioel 2 12 c. Act. 2. 37 c. and 3. 19. and 17. 30. Heb. 3. 7 c. Rev. 2. 4 5. 4. The time of the Messias coming in the flesh foretold is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God the Messiah's New Testament-Kingdom is at hand yea as to us is already come therefore all should repent and believe Mark 1. 15. Why That thus they may be fitted and qualified for reception of Christ and of his Kingdom to their Salvation 5. There 's mention made in Holy Scripture of an whole cloud of Sinners initially repenting of their â—ins and turning from them unto God encouraging thee to imitate them in this narrow way of Life and Salvation 〈◊〉 Manasses â— Chron. 33. 12. to 18. Iohn Baptist's Hearers Mat. 3. 2 5 6 7 8. with Mat. 21. 32. The sinful Woman Luke 7. 37 c. Zacheus the Publican Luke 19. 7 8 9 10. The Prodigal Son Luke 15. 15. to the end Saul the Persecutor Act. 9. 3. to
7. 37. to the end of Saul that was injurious a Persecutor and a Blasphemer Act. 26. 9 10. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 16. of the Thief upon the Cross that even after his Crucifiction had railed upon Christ Mat 27. 44. compared with Luk. 23. 40. to 44. Yea of those that were guilty of his Death and Blood yet even some of them Christ washed from their Sins by the very blood which they shed Act. 2. 36 37. to the end Oh miracles of Christs mercy and Compassion to lost Sinners when Christ accepts such who would not hopefully come to him When Christ saves such who have cause to despair that desire truly to repent and believe in him XV. Direction POwer thus to believe in Iesus Christ God-man and by believing to accept and Apply him for thy Recovery O Natural man out of thy sinful and wretched state of Nature thou hast none at all of thy self But all thy sufficiency in this behalf is wholly of God Nevertheless thou mayst and oughtest to do some things for the furtherance of thy Faith in Christ. I. That of thyself thou hast no power or sufficiency at all to believe in Iesus Christ to receive and apply him effectually by believing without the supernatural influence and assistance of God Is plain For 1. The Testimony of Christ and his Apostles is clear for it No man can come to me i. e. by believing Except the Father which hath sent me draw him Ioh. 6. 44. He cannot of himself or by his own power come and believe till God influence him and enable him Again Without me ye can do nothing viz. nothing in fruit bearing either of Faith or any other good spiritual fruit Ioh. 15. 5. That of the Apostles is punctual By Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selve it is the gift of God Ephes. 2. 8. 2. True saving Faith in Christ and the acting of it unto the accepting and applying of Christ is the special work of God and fruit of the spirit of the Regenerating spirit of God Compare and consider well Ioh. 6. 44. Gal. 5. 22. with Ioh. 1. 12 13. 3. Faith in Christ is the Life of the Soul from Christ it is as the vital spirits from him Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Now can the Soul of natural man which is dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. â— quicken it self by believing Hence then these things must needs follow 1. That whosoever do believe in Christ truly and by Faith apply him effectually and savingly they owe all this wholly to the rich Grace and meer favour of God And are to render unto him all the praise thereof 2. That 't is a piece of gross Ignorance and groundless Presumption for any Natural man whatsoever to think he can believe and accept Christ at his pleasure This is impossible 3. Let every natural man take heed he reject not the divine offers of Faith unto his Soul nor resist the Spirits motions and operations inclining drawing and perswading the heart thereunto 1 Thes. 5. 19. Act. 7. 51. Eph 4. Ioh. 6. 44. For what if the Spirit of God draw and move the heart so no more And without God there 's no believing II. Notwithstanding Though the Natural man cannot of himself savingly believe in Christ or apply him by any self-sufficiency or power of his own yet something towards it and towards the furtherance thereof he may and ought to do Act. 8. 13. Luk. 8. 13. For what a meer Natural man hath done heretofore why may not a meer Natural man do again Now then O Natural man though thou canst not of thy self believe in Christ and apply him savingly yet neglect not to do what thou canst do in order to this believing in Christ and applying of Christ to thine own soul. Art thou grieved in thine heart thou canst not enough believe in him Art thou desirous to believe in him alone for Recovery and Salvation I would fain take this for granted Let me then draw thee thou poor trembling soul a few steps further towards Christ. Make use of these few Helps and Furtherances unto Faith in Christ Jesus For this thou canst and ought'st to do viz. 1. Know and Consider Jesus Christ well both in his Person Offices and the effects or acquirements of his Offices as all these are delineated in the Holy Scriptures Ioh. 17. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Heb. 9. 12 13 14. and 10. 7. to 19. Rom. 5. 9 10. And Assent fully to the Record that God hath given of his Son in his Word that eternal life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. Now Knowledge Heb. 11. 3. Isa. 53. 11. Ioh. 17. 3. Assent 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11. And Application Ioh. 1. 12. Gal. 2. 20. make up the Nature of true Faith 2. Ponder often and earnestly upon the Promises of God touching Christ and touching believing in him As That whosoever comes to him by believing shall not in any case be cast out by Christ Ioh. 6 35 37. shall not be ashamed or confounded Rom. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 6. shall not perish Joh. 3. 16. shall never hunger nor thirst more Joh. 6. 35. Isa. 55. 1. shall find rest from Christ unto his soul Mat. 11. 28 29. shall live though he were dead yea shall never die Joh. 11. 25. yea shall have eternal life and be saved Joh. 3. 16 17. Mar. 10. 16. Now these and such like Promises being Yea and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 20. they are Fundamentum Pabulum Fidei The very foundation whereupon Faith is bottomed and grounded and the food wherewith Faith is nourished See Rom. 4. 17. to the end Heb. 11. 11. 3. Consider well the Nature of God the Promiser For this will greatly encourage Faith to embrace the Promises and Christ in the Promises For Gods Truth is such he cannot lie Tit. 1. 2. 'T is impossible he should lie Heb. 6. 10. Gods Fidelity such he cannot will not deceive Heb. 11. 11. Gods Power such he can fully perform what he hath promised seem it never so improbable impossible incredible Rom. 4. 20 21. His love and free grace such in giving Christ for us Ioh. 3. 16 17. and offering Christ to us Rom. 3. 21 c. 2 Cor. 5. 18 c. That with him he will freely give all things Rom. 8. 32. 4. Be diligent and constant in attending upon Gods Ordinances whereby Faith is bred and nourished Especially be singularly careful and vigilant in hearing the Word faithfully and powerfully preached Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10. 14 15 17. The Word preached is the Seed of Faith and Regeneration 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. 5. Cherish and make much of every good motion stirring striving inclination operation of the Spirit of God in thine heart and soul tending to thine accepting and closing with Christ 1 Thes. 5. 19. Eph. 4. 30. Act 7. 51. For Faith is the proper
of true Repentance viz. 1. An hearty impartial self-abasing and self-condemning confession of sin to God Psal. 51. 17. and verse 1 3 5 14. Ezra 9. 6. Dan. 9. 5 6 7 8. Luke 15. 18 19. 2. Faith in Christ Mark 1. 15. Act. 26. 18. Heb. 6. 1. of which formerly 3. Penitential Desires and these vehement viz. Against sin that it may be pardoned subdued extirpated c. And for abundance of Grace to these ends 2 Cor. 7. 10 11. 4. Prayer Act. 9. 11. Even the Spirit of Prayer Zech. 12. 10. Psal. 51. 1. c. IV. Consequents of true Repentance aâ—e 1. More generally All good fruits and good works meet for Repentance Mat. 3. 8 9 10. and 7. 19. Luke 3. 8 9. with Gal. 5. 22 23. 2. More particularly These and such like 1. Vigilant care against sin for time to come 2 Cor. 7. 11. 2. Enlarged thankfulness for Gods mercies in Christ to the penitent and pardoned sinner 1 Tim. 1 13. to 18. Luke 7. 37 38. 3. Vehement and sincere Love To Christ for his Grace Luke 7. 47. Phil. 3. 7 8 9 10. To his Ministers for their Embassey 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. Gal. 4. 14 15. To his members for his image 1 Ioh. 3. 14. and 5. 1. 4. Singular joy in Christ and in all his wayes Acts 2. 46. and 8. 39. 5. Chearful new obedience to God in Christ. Acts 2. 42 c. Isa. 1 16 17 18 19 20. 6. Compassionateness to other sinners with desires and endeavours to gain them to Christ by Faith and Repentance Psal. 51. 12 13. 1 Cor. 9. 19. to 23. Luke 22. 32. Acts 26. 29. 7. Holy zeal to the peace and prosperity of Christs Church into which the penitent is now implanted Acts 2. 41. to the end 1 Cor. 9. 19 c. Psal. 51. 18 19. XIX Direction TUrn now unto God in Christ O Natural man by repenting Come now unto Iesus Christ and apply him by believing Delay not tarry not but make all speed all present speed in thy life in thy health in thy youth this day rather then to morrow as ever thou desirest to make surâ— of life and eternal salvation by Christ Iesus Eccl. 12. 1. Heb. 3. 7 8 13 15. 2 Cor. 6. 2. To incline thee forcibly hereunto consider seriously 1. God calls for the early sacrifices and services to be performed to him As The first-fruits of the Ground The first-fruits of Dough the first-fruits of all Fruit-trees Neh. 10. 35 36 37. The Firstlings of Beasts Exod 13. 1 2. The First-born of man Exod. 13. 1 2. The First-fruits of thy dayes Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth Eccl. 12. 1. The first-fruits of thy study care diligence affections c. First seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness Mat. 6. 33. And wilt thou put off God with the last with the dross and dregs of all 2. Gods Elect have come in to Christ repented and converted speedily immediately upon Gods call and dost thou still stand off after so many calls and invitations The Apostles immediately upon Christs call came to him and followed him Mat. 4. 18. to 23. The sinful Woman presently relented upon Christs preaching that sweet Sermon Mat. 11. 28 29 30. her History is thought next in order to succeed those words Luke 7. 37 c. Zacheus the Publican was presently converted upon Christs coming to him Luke 19. 6. to 11. The Thief upon the Cross who possibly never saw or heard Christ before was immediately converted and assured that that day he should be with Christ in Paradise Luke 23. 41 42 43. Cornelius and his Company were gained to Christ as Peter was uttering his Sermon Acts 10. 44 c. The Ethiopian Eunuch upon Philip's preaching instantly believed and was baptized Acts 8. 35 c. At one Sermon of Peter 3000 were brought home to Christ and added to the Church Acts 2. 36 37 c. The Hearers of the Apostles were speedily converted about 5000 Acts 4. 4. Saul upon Christs call instantly believed and repented so that of a Wolf he became a Lamb of a Persecutor a Preacher of Christ and of his Gospel Acts 9. 3 4 c. 19 20 c. At Paul's preaching Lydia's heart was presently opened to entertain Christ Acts 16. 14. The Jaylor presently believed upon the preaching of Paul and Silas Acts 16. 30 c. The Ephesians after they heard the Word of Truth speedily converted to God Eph. 1. 13 14 15. with Acts 19. 17 18 19 20. The Thessalonians upon Paul's entring in unto them with the Gospel turned from Idols to serve the living God 1 Thes. 1. 4 5 9. and 2. 1. And what shall I say more The Colossians believed and were converted speedily the Gospel bringing forth fruit in them from the very day they heard it Col. 1. 4 5 6. Now this Catalogue of early Repenters shall rise up in judgement against thee and condemn thee for thy delay 3. The present time is of all other the very fittest time in the world for thee and for every one to turn from sin by repenting and close with Christ by believing For 〈◊〉 God saith To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. 13. 15. and 4. 7. And dost thou with the Devil say Tomorrow 2. Now is the acceptable time now is the day of salvation 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Hereafter may be the un-acceptable time the day of damnation 3. Now God may be found is near hereafter God may be afar off and may not be found Isa. 55. 6 7. 4. The present time is the time of mercy God holds out to the sinner his white Flag his golden Scepter of many precious Promises The future time may be the time of judgement and he may hold forth the red and black Flags of blood and death Prov. 1. 24. to 32. Isa. 65. 12. and 66. 4. Iâ— 7. 13. 5. The present time is only thine Time past is irrevocably gone Time to come may never come to thee The rich fool that promised himself many years had not many hours to live that night his soul was taken from him Luke 12. 20. And then if that prove thy condition what will become of thy impenitent hardned unbelieving and Christless soul 4. Delays in this case are very dangerous For 1. While Repentance is delayed iniquity is daily increased and sin multiplied Such go on still in their trespasses Psal. 168. 21. 2. While Repentance is delayed the heart will be daily more and more hardned through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 13. 3. The more the heart is hardned the more impossible it will be for the sinner to repent Rom. 2. 5. 4. Late and long-delayed Repentance is seldom true alwayes difficult Unfit to day more unfit to morrow Long festering and rankling Sores are hardly cured if curable at all True Repentance indeed is never too late but late Repentance is seldom true Late
the Houshold of Faith Restrain not Prayer but pray continually with groans that cannot be uttered by the assistance of the Spirit Have no fellowship at all with Sin and Satan nor any needless fellowship with any workers of iniquity Eph. 5. 11. Psal. 1. 1. and 26. 4 5. Psal. 119. 115. Walk not disconsolately and dejectedly but in the fear of the Lord and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost Acts 9. 31. Be abundantly contented in all conditions allotted thee by God Fully expect good by the worst of afflictions that may befall thee and be ever carefull to keep thy Hopes and Evidences for Heaven firm and clear that when thou comest to die thou maist lift up thine head and triumph that thy Redemption and celestial Coronation with Christ draweth nigh XXI Direction WRastle also most vlgorously O thou that wast Natural but art spiritualized wast dead but art alive again against all thy sins spiritual enemies and their temptations Heb. 12. 4. Col. 3. 5. to 12. Eph. 6. 11. to 19. for all time to come that they may none of them in the least measure eclipse any of these thy spiritual Priviledges or embitter any other thy sweet enjoyments Holy David by his lapses brought many deep wounds and scarrs upon his Conscience Psal. 51. 3 8. some of which he probably carried to his Grave Loving and confident Peter by his triple denial of his Lord and Master Christ purchased to himself a torrent of bitter tears Mat. 26. 75. The Ephesian Angel by leaving his first love and first works was so offensive thereby to Christ that he threatned the removal of his Candlestick Revel 2. 4 5. The Church her self by her carnal sluggishness and security lost her sweet Communion with Christ for a season and was involved in deep spiritual distress Cant. 5. 2. to 9. Be thou warned by their examples which are written for thine admonition lest through thy spiritual oscitancy and sluggishness thou bring upon thy self like spiritual calamities and so far wound thy Conscience as to go bleeding to thy Grave XXII Direction EXpress upon all good occasions all possible tenderness of heart and bowels of compassion towards those that yet remain in the first Adam in their sinful state of Nature unregeâ—erate especially towards thy kindred according to the flesh using all good endeavours to convince convert and gain them to Christ that they as well as thy self may be eternally saved Luke 22. 32. Rom. 10. 1. and 9. 1 2 3. Acts 9. 20 with 1 Cor. 9. 19. to 23. For 1. Even thou thy self wast sometimes foolish disobedient serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating others Tit. 3. 3. An enemy to God by wicked works Col. 1. 21. Yea dead in sins and trespasses c. and a child of wrath as well as they or any of them Eph. 2. 1 2 3. But God who is rich in mercy hath saved thee by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Hast thou then experimentally felt the Wormwood and the Gall of thy Natural state of sin and misery And dost thou not commiserate such poor souls as are still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity Acts 8. 23. Hast thou had the sweet experience of the riches of Gods free-Grace and Love in restoring thee from death to life from thy Natural state of sin and misery into a supernatural state of sanctity and felicity And do not thy bowels yearn within thee after other lost souls especially those of thy kindred that they also may be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26. 18. 2. Are not their souls as well as thine own very precious O Consider 1. Their immortal Constitution which no Creature can kill or destroy Matth. 10. 28. 2. The invaluable price paid for their Restitution even the most precious blood and death of Jesus Christ the only Son of God 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. 3. The incomparable and transcendent value which the wisdome of God himself puts upon the soul as being of far more worth then the whole world Matth. 16. 26. And then think with thy self Shall not I endeavour to hinder the eternal loss and to promote the eternal salvation of such precious souls 3. What advantage will redound in sundry respects if God bless thine endeavours to the convincing and converting of their souls to Christ For Hereby 1. Thou shalt save a soul from death Jam. 5. 19 20. And what a great what a glorious work is it to have an hand in saving a soul from deathâ— 2. Thou shalt hide a multitude of sins Jam. 5. 19 20. Even an heap a sink a dunghil of hundreds and thousands of sins thou shalt hide from the revenging eye of God by Christs righteousness 2 Cor. 5. 20 21. 3. Thou shalt occasion great joy in Heaven among the blessed Angels of God who exceedingly rejoyce at the Conversion of sinners Luke 15. 7 10 22 23. 4. Finally Thou shalt hereby not a little further thine own eternal felicity Deut. 12. 3. Thou therefore commiserate thy Brethren in their sinful and wretched state of Nature as thy God hath in thy like condition had compassion on thee Canst thou lend an hand to pluck a Beast out of the mire or a Sheep out of a pit and wilt thou not lend an hand to help poor lost souls out of the mire of sin snares of Satan and pit of eternal destruction O warn them convince them counsel them exhort them rebuke them lament them pray for them weep over them do any good for them that thou maist by any means gain and save their souls XXIII Direction YIeld with all enlarged thankfulness all possible Praise Love and Obedience unto God and unto the Lamb who hath loved thee of the riches of his free-Grace before the world began who in fulness of time hath ransomed thee by the invaluable price of his death and in due time hath washed thâ—e from thy sins in his own blood aâ—d in the Laver of Regeneration by the renewing of the Holy Ghost Eph. 1. 3 4 5 6. 1 Iohn 4. 19. Gal. 4. 4 5. 1 Tim. 1. 15. and 2. 5 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20 Rev. 1. 5. Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. For 1. Thou oughtest to be thankful for all Gods blessings of all sorts the least of them being beyond yea contrary to thy deserts Eph. 5. 20. Col. 3. 17. 1 Thes. 5. 18. with Gen. 32. 10. but especially for those choicest spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Eph. 1. 3. Psal. 103 1 2 3. 2. The reality and sincerity of thy thankfulness will inwardly best approve it self in thy cordial affection and unâ—eigned love towards thy gracious God and Jesus Christ for all his love and all the fruits of his love in Christ. Kindness begets thankfulness and love breeds love as fire begets fire 1 Iob. 4. 19. Thus when
the Psalmist would signifie his great thankfulness to God for his great mercies he professeth his dearest love to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will love thee dearly Heb. I will love thee with inmost bowels O LORD my strength c. Psal. 18. 1 2 c. So Psal. 116. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have loved because the LORD hath heard my voice c. 3. The integrity of true love and thankfulness doth outwardly best discover it self in a chearful and sincere obedience to God and Christ Iob. 14. 15 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Such obedience is a real retribution of thankfulness Psal. 116. 12. to the end Then we praise God aright when we extol him not only with our hearts and lips but with our lives XXIV Direction ZEalously endeavour to promote the Glory of God and of Iesus Christ in all things throughout the whole course of thy life and to be where Christ is to behold his Glory that so thine inchoate happiness may be compleatly consummate in the immediate vision and full fruition of God in Christ unto all eternity 1 Cor. 10. 31. and 6. 20. 1 Pet. 4. 11. 2 Thes. 1. 12. Ioh. 17. 24. Mat. 5. 8. 1 Thes. 4. 17. Rev. 22. 3 4 5. For 1. Gods Glory and the Souls felicity in the full enjoyment of God in Christ unto all eternity are the two principal Ends of all which thou and every man should chiefly intend and aim at in his whole life 1 Cor. 10. 31. Rom. 11 36. Psal. 73. 24. to the end Godâ— made all things for his glory Pro. 16. 4. And all things ought to be levelled to his Glory Man is made capable of God and therefore he is restless till he can fully center in God in whom alone in Christ all his happiness is treasured up Augustine said sweetly Thou hast made us for thee And our heart is unquiet till it rest in thee As the Needle once touched with the loadstone is unquiet till it come to the Magnetick Center and point towards the Pole 2. Thou that wast dead in sin and a child of wrath but art quickened by God and made a child of Grace of the riches of his Grace Eph. 2. 1. 5 6 7. Canst never do enough for this God and for his glory And therefore he hath provided heaven for his people wherein they may glorifie him eternally Yet while thou art on earth glorifie him to the uttermost in thy momentany life for thy Redemption Reconciliation Vocation Sanctification Justification and hopes of Salvation So shalt thou by this heavenly imployment begin Heaven on Earth and prâ—possesâ— thyself of Paradise 3. If a little taste a short glimpse of Gods favour in Christ breaking thorough the thick clonds of thy manifold frailties here on earth be so sweet as to transcend incomparably all sublâ—nary enjoyments Psal 4. 6 7. Cant. 2 3 4 5 6 7 Then how sweet how delicious how ravishing will be the full Sun-shine of his Love unto thy Soul in Heaven for ever when all imperfections and infirmities shall be totally and finally done away Eph. 5. 27. Act. 3. 19. Rev. 21. 4. and 22. 3. To haev Communion with Christ in this world by Grace is a blessed Priviledge Ioh. 1. 3. Eph. 1. 3. But to be with Christ in Paradise and to have Communion with him in glory is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by much more better How elegantly Here being as it were 3 Comparatives Phil. 1. 23. viz. To be with Christ is far the best of all Herein our Blessed Saviour himself placeth the height of his peoples eternal felicity That they may be where he is to behold his glory Ioh. 17. 24. That will be an immediate vision Not as now through a glass darkly but face to face clearly 1 Cor. 13. 12. That will be a perfect Vision For we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3. 2. and know even as also we are known 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. That will be a glorious Vision we shall behold Christs Glory which is infinitely beyond all Celestial Angelical or Created Glory Ioh. 17. 24. That will be a transforming Vision for we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3. 2. Phil. 3. 21. That will be a Beatifical Vision for the chief blessedness Christ placeth in seeing God Mat. 5. 8. That will be a Vision with fruition we shall so see Christ as fully to enjoy him as our Head as our Husband as our Redeemer as our Happiness as our Treasure as our Glory as our All. That will be an eternal Vision and fruition for so we shall be ever with the LORD 1 Thes. 4. 17. There we shall said Augustine rest and see we shall see and love we shall love and laud. Lo what shall be in the end without end This will be the very Heaven of Heaven and Glory of Glory Unto this eternal Bliss the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb bring him that writeth these things and him that readeth them with an honest heart in his due time Amen and Amen Sept. 18. 1669. FINIS a Rom. 11. 1. b Math. 25. 34. c Joh. 17. 24. Phil. 1. 23. 3. 21. d Rom. 5. 12 c. with Gen. 3. e Eph. 2. 1 2 3. f Rom. 8. 8. g 1 Thes. 5. 5. h Ephes. 4. 18. i Ephes. 2. 2 3. k 1 Pet. 4. 4. l 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Gal. 5. 19 20 21. Rev. 21. 8. 27. 22. 15. m Ezek. 18. 30 31 32. Luke 13. 3. 5. n Rom 2. 5 6 c. o Joh. 16. 8 9. p Hoc enim peccatum quasi solum â—it prae caeteris posuit quia hoc manente caetera detinentur hoc discedente caetera remittuntur Aug. in Ioan. 16. Tract 95. Tom. 9. q 1 Cor. 12. 2. r 1 John 2. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Math. 25. 24. s 2 Thes. 2. 10 11 12. t Bishop Andrews in his Preface before his Expos. of the X. Commandâ—ments p. 40 c. Bishop Hall in his Serious Disswasive from Popery in fol. p. 613. to 624. And in his No peace with Rome p. 633. to p. 664. Dr. Willet's Synopsis of Popâ—ry throughout See his First Table shewing how Popery militates against the Person and all the Offices of Christ. Dr. Whitaker's also is to the like effect In Praefat. ad Auditores ante Disput. de S. Seriptura p. 258 259. Mr. W. Perkins in his Demonstration of the Pâ—obleme throughout p. 486 c. Vol. 2. And in his Assertion That a Papist by his Religion cannot go beyond a Reprobate p. â—96 to p. 404. Vol. 1. Lond. 1626. And in his Reformed Catholick p. 556 c. Vol. 1. u Mat. 7. 21 c. 25. 3. Tit. 1. 16. x 2 Tim. 3. 5. y Rev. 3. 1. z Luk. 8. 13. Mat. 13. 19 to 23. Heb. 6. 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. Mark 6. 2 0. Luke 1. 6. a Math. 13. 19 to 23.