Canaan and the Glory of the new Jerusalem she takes a survey of those blessed immunities eternal felicitys and that Immortal glory the Saints shall be invironed and invested with when they come to injoy Christ who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all and in all Col. 3.11 and from the blessed Prospect of these things Faith makes a return and descent into the Soul implets and fills it with divine joy even to the supream confines of it it tells such storys of the Love of God and Christ and the blessed Spirit to the believer that it doth conflagate and inflame the Soul and makes it rejoice perpetually in the Lord according to that exhortation of the Apostle rejoyce in the Lord always May I speak with reverence Faith penetrates into the very Bosome of the Almighty and sees there is Love Peace and reconciliation for the believing Soul it looks into the records of Heaven and can read Thy Sins are forgiven and thy Iniquitys are blotted out It can look into the Lambs book of Life and read the name of the believer imprinted there this makes the Soul exalt and triumph with Songs of praise what made Paul and Silas Sing and Rejoyce when their Feet was incastriated their Bodys with Stripes vulnerated Act. 16.22 23 24 25. in an interior obscure Prison denyed the solace of that which nature is very ambitious of scil their Eyes to behold the Sun but this a lively Faith which devocated and fetched down new comfort to their Souls Faith when Active makes the Soul rejoyce in God and Christ and in divine and spiritual objects 2ly Peace is another effect of that Faith which is wrought by the Spirit of God as in that forequoted place Rom. 15.13 The God of Peace fill you with all joy and Peace in believing Peace of Conscience from sound principles is a happy priviledge and great blessing To be under the racks of a disquieted and tormented Conscience O what a mercy is it to injoy peace and a Calm within the Soul when there is nothing but tempests and tumults abroad what a comfortable condition is this God hath made a promise of Peace to believers Isa 26.3 I will keep him in Peace whose mind is Staid upon me because he trusteth in me Christ gives his Peace to Believers as he did to his Disciples Jo. 14.27 My Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you The Believer is at Peace with the Law of God because it is satisfied by the Death of Christ at peace with God the Father because he is well pleased in his Son to be reconciled to poor Sinners he is at peace with himself because his Sins are pardoned but he is never at peace again with Sin or Satan because they are Enemys to this true Peace which believers do partake of The believers peace is not remaining in Sin but it is a peace from Sin from the guilt and power of it 3ly In those who are come unto Christ the Spirit hath wrought the grace of Love for as the Apostle saith 1 Jo. 4.8 He that Loveth not knoweth not God for God is Love This is the great Gospel-grace as the Apostle Paul calls it 1 Cor 13.13 Jo. 13.35 Now there abideth Faith Hope and Love these three but the greatest of these is Love This is the distinguishing grace by which we are known to be Christs Disciples it declares our Divine original That we are Born from above 1 Jo. 4.7 it manifests our near union and communion with God 1 Jo. 4.16 God is Love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him But I shall speak to this Query how may one know that the grace of Love is wrought by the Spirit in the Soul The Resolution of which may be known by these two means scil the propertys and objects of it 1. As to the propertys of it it is Divine for the Spirit of God is the Author of it Gal. 5.22 it descends from above Jam. 1.17 Every good gift and every perfect gifts is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights Now Love is one of these good perfect gifts 1 Jo. 4.7 for there is not any thing in the new Creature which is not the Finger-work of God all grace flows from him through Christ by his holy Spirit into the Soul Love is a grace that is Immortal for when Faith is turned into fruition and hope into possession this divine Love Remains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 13.8 Love never faileth It is a Seed that never dies a fire that once being kindled never more will be extinguished it transformes the Soul into the very Image of God and makes it most like unto its maker it is Divine in that it Loves Joys and takes complacency in pure holy and divine objects it is not Like Carnal Love which findes nothing but the perishing Creature to diligate and delight in but it seeks better and more durable objects because it is of a Divine original 1 Jo. 4.7 Love is from God Therefore there are reflex acts towards the Author and giver of it 2ly This Love is sublime it is high and lofty although not puffed up with vain pride because it scorns to fix its felicity in a vain Perishing world the base things of this World are not objects noble enough for this excellent grace it is of a noble extraction and therefore Loves and delights in Divine and noble objects David who was a Man after Gods own Heart was full of this Divine and sublime Love therefore we have him often expressing his Love to God to the Law far above Gold or Silver or the perishing trash of a sinful World Psal 119.72 The Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of Gold and Silver The beauty of this inferior World is but deformity and blackness compared with the Splendor and glory of those divine objects which this Love is fixed upon the Honours and Riches of this World are but Dung and Dross to the Soul who hath this sublime Love Phil. 3.8 Ye doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dogs-meat that I may win Christ What made the Apostle thus to trample upon these terrene things and so to stain the glory of those things which are most excellent in the Eyes of most men why his Heart overflowed with this divine sublime and seraphick Love this is the true nature of evangelick Love it Loves the World and the things of it with a World-like Love which is cold indifferent and mutable the Heart that flows with this Love ever ebbs and runs low to the things of this world because it looks upon them as not worthy of its Love 3ly It Loves superlatively all divine things it doth not only Love in a high degree but in
the things of the World for if any man love the world the love of the father is not in him Here the divine Apostle gives a reason which withal proves that these two are not consistent for as Christ said Luk 16.13 You cannot serve God and Mammon one will have the preheminence and where this true evangellick Love is there the Love to the World is but flat and cold 2ly And possitively what are the true adequate and constant objects of this Evangellick Love in general all spiritual divine holy objects to which our Love is commanded or required by the Holy Word of God there is nothing which the believer apprehends to be truely divine but the Soul Loves entirely fervently and constantly for these objects are sutable to the State of a Believer he can perceive a greater excellence in them then in any other therefore the Soul is carried forth to love them above all others but more particularly and yet succinctly 1. God is the object of this Evangellic Love he is the chief and supream good therefore supreamly to be beloved even with all the heart with all the Soul and with all the strength Mat. 22.37 The Soul that is come to Christ by believing in him loves God not only as a Creator but as a reconciled Father in and through Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 Now it looks upon it self as oblieg'd and bound to love God who hath manifested such Love Joh. 3.16 as to give his only begotten Son that whoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life if God out of his infinite love had not been willing to give his Son to die for Sinners Christ would not have been willing to come and give himself for and to those who are his The Father out of his Love elected some to be Heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Now the consideration of these things doth inflame the heart with Love to God as the Apostle saith 1 Joh. 4.19 We love him because he first loved us The fruits and effects of the Love of God shed abroad in the Soul makes it now to love God with an impartial and superlative Love Modus diligendi Deum est sine modo Bern. it Loves God as one saith the measure of loving him should be without measure 2ly Christ Jesus is the object of this Love O how the Believer loves Christ the Soul is so fired with Love to the Lord Jesus that it knows not how to express it words are too mean actions too low and the Soul thinks all too little to express and manifest its Love unto the Lord Jesus When the Believer considers Christ in the transcendent excellency of his person that he is God blessed for ever that he is the Eternal Son of God beloved of him adored of Angels then he says with the Spouse Cant. 5.10 My beloved is the chiefest among ten thousand and as it is in the 16. vers He is altogether lovely Further when he considers the extremity infiniteness and ignominy of the Passion and Suffering Christ underwent for him and that he should express his Love at so dear a rate to one altogether indeserving it doth so inflame the Soul that it vehemently longs to get above the clouds into the bosom of Jesus and that it may drink of the celestial Fountain and Springs of life Rev. 7.17 Moreover when it considers what Christ hath purchased and what he is doing now for his Elect and Redeemed ones that he hath procured Pardon Reconciliation with God Grace and Glory Life and eternal Bliss for those who were sometimes dead in Trespasses and Sins 2 Tim. 4.8 1 Pet. 5.4 Eph. 2.5 and that he continues interceeding by the vertue of his Blood and Merits that all his may have these blessings confered upon them and at last be crowned with a Diadem of Righteousness and Glory O the consideration of these things doth so incendiate the Soul with the flames of Divine Love that many waters cannot quench it neither can floods drown it Cant. 8.7 nay Afflictions Persecutions or Death cannot seperate this Soul from the Love of Christ When the Believer looks upon Christ in his Offices and in that near Relation between them this doth still elevate and heighten his Love so that the Soul is full and as it were immerged and swallowed up with Love to Christ who is the Head and the all of Believers Col. 3.11 3ly This Divine Evangelick Love hath for its object the holy Spirit he who is the alone Author is now become the Object the Spirit is he who infuseth and operateth this grace in the Soul Gal. 5.22 The Fruit of the Spirit is Love now seeing this is a Fruit of the Spirit it has reflex actings so that it leads the Soul to love affectionately and intirely the holy Spirit knowing that except he cooperates nothing can profit the Soul and that if he work not Joh. 16.15 there will be no exception of grace it is he which leads and guides into the way of all truth which is the alone way of Salvation he teacheth the Soul to know God and Christ and to know it self he fills the heart with Divine blessings which make the Believer greatly to admire and love him Try your Love by these objects see whether Carnal or Divine objects have the Supremacy in your affections for these are infallible ways to try your Love by and to discern a true Evangelic Love from all others whatsoever 4ly Holy Angels are greatly beloved of Believers because they are to be their Companions to Eternity and bear part in that Celestial quire where they shall sing eternal Hallelujahs to their God and Father in the Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 and further because they are a Life-guard to them here and Ministring Spirits sent forth for the good of all those who are Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 5ly All Saints as such are the objects of this Divine Love without any distinction or difference Because they perceive their Fathers Image shine forth in such therefore that which is so amiable in them doth attract and draw their affection to it The Apostle John in several places puts this down as a Character by which we may prove our Love if it be right nay the only way to know whether we Love God or no 1 Joh. 4.20 If a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a Lyar for he who loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen David saith Psal 16.2 3. O my Soul thou hast said unto the Lord thou art my Lord my goodness extendeth not to thee but to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the excellent ones in whom is all my delight Here this holy man declares that the Saints were excellent in his eye and all the delight of his Soul but why were they so but because they were Saints they were holy ones born from above and
the children of the most high 6ly Faithfull Ministers of the Gospel in an especial manner have an interest in this love The persons that have this right love cannot but esteem of the Ministers of Christ and love them because they are Messengers and Embassadors sent from God for the good of their Souls 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God Their feet are beautiful because they proclaim the glad tidings of Salvation and are Co-workers with God in the conversion of sinners from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to serve the living God 1 Cor. 3.9 for we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Co-labourers with God now upon these and the like considerations this Evangellic Love flows forth toward the Ministers of Christ and it is manifested three ways 1. by obeying them in the Lord and doing those things which they injoyn from the word of truth as Christ saith He that heareth you heareth me and he that receiveth you receiveth me and he that keepeth my sayings will keep yours also Jo. 15.20 Obedience in these things is a great demonstration of a real and sincere Love 2. It is manifest by the high estimation of them 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maximè principally those who are laborious in preaching the Doctrines of the Gospel it is evident that we do not love that person who we esteem not according to his deserts and degree 3. In allowing them a chearful and competent maintenance according to the capacity of them over whom the Lord hath set them to feed them in the way to life eternal 7ly The objects of the Love are the word of God and his Commandments and this is a certain rule to try thy Love by for if a person should propose this Question to me how may I do to know whether I have a true Evangellic Love which is a fruit of the Spirit of God I would answer by this See if you love the Commandments and the word of God as the Apostle John saith 1 Epist 5.3 By this we know we are the Children of God if we love God and keep his Commandments he that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings Here we may clearly and evidently perceive that a Love to the Commandments doth demonstrate our Love to God and Christ to be real and if it be so then we may conclude that it will never fail as 1 Cor. 13.8 But will indure for ever How did David declare himselfe to be a man after Gods own heart but by this in expressing the greatness of his Love to the law of God as in Psal 119.72.97 vers 163. O how I love thy Law it is my Meditation all the day long I love it above Gold and silver So in Psal 19.10 But how few Davids are there How few are there of his Spirit to be found in the World on the contrary most trample under foot the Law of God and esteem Gold and trash and Lusts above it but yet the true believer and disciple of Christ doth greatly love that holy law and with the Apostle delights in it after the inward man Rom. 7.22 8ly This Love has Souls for its objects As it was the greatness of Christs Love to Souls next to the obedience to his Fathers will which brought him from Heaven to Earth and made him willing to devest himself of his glory and take upon him the form of a Servant Phil. 2.6 7 8. So they who have this Love of Christ wrought in their Souls by the holy Spirit are vehemently carried out with Love and desire after the good of Souls He that in some measure apprehends what a great thing 't is to be saved cannot but desire the Salvation of all others If upon inquiry you find no sensible and real Love to Souls then conclude there is but little of this grace of Love within you The person in whose heart this grace is implanted pants after nothing more than the eternal Salvation of his own Soul and the Souls of his Relations Friends and acquaintance It may be said of them as it is of God 1 Tim. 2.5 They would have all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth What was it that made the Apostles and Servants of Christ in all Ages suffer so much and yet willingly It was these two Principles First their Love to Christ 2 Cor. 5.14 For the Love of Christ constraineth us Secondly their zealous love and desire of the everlasting salvation of Immortal Souls they were willing according to that Scripture to lay down their Lives for the good of the Brethren scil Believers Now see if your Love be such that you earnestly desire the well being of the Souls of those who are about you or related to you 9ly The objects of this Love are all the institutions of Christ O how lovely are his Ordinances to his beloved ones Prayer is Lovely and aimable because it is the Key that unlocks the Gates of Heaven and opens the very Bosome of God so that he is ready to confer plentiful treasures of grace upon this divine Lover hearing of Gods word is delectable to such an one because therein the Love glory and Transcendent excellencys of Christ are displayed and the will of the Father clearly revealed to the Soul and thence the Soul derives finds grace communicated out of the fulness of Christ because it is the means of conveyance the Sacraments are amiable because they are Seals of Heaven by which God makes over himself and all to believers assures them of the stability faithfulness and everlastingness of his Love in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the believer by Faith beholds Christ broken and bleeding for his Sins and it becomes nourishment to the Soul in it the Soul injoys communion with God Christ and Blessed Saints these Priviledges render the ordinances very lovely delectable to Believers I might run through others as Reading Meditating and holy conferrence which are all very lovely to the Evangellic Lover 10ly and lastly Grace and Holyness these bare so much of God in them that the Apostle calls them the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given to us exceeding great and pretious Promises that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the World through Lust Grace hath a lovely aspect and holyness shines forth like a Beam of Heaven in the Eyes of them whose Hearts are full of Love to Divine objects Grace and Holyness being the Image of God and the way and means through Christ to Heaven and happiness are intirely beloved the Divine Lover is so enamoured with the excellency and true worth of Grace that he esteems it above all terrene
that he will not pass by the least Sin without full satisfaction to his justice or else in equity he will punish every Sinner with infinite punishment till then I say the Soul doth not so much regard coming to Christ that it may be made partaker of his righteousness when the Sinner is made to see Gods righteousness then he flys to the Horns of the Alter scil to lay hold of Christs righteousness tendered to Poor Sinners in the Gospel 6ly I might add further that the Spirit doth inlighten the understanding to discern the Love Pity and mercy of God in Christ and his readiness and willingness to accept of those who come unto him in and through his Son Jo. 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life God is ready to give and be reconciled Psal 86.5 But there is no coming unto him but by Christ Jo. 14.6 these considerations do incourage the Poor Soul to come to Christ because God is full of Pitty and faithfulness to forgive 1 Jo. 1.9 7ly The Spirit inlightens the mind in the knowledg of Christ 1. What he is 2 What he hath done 3. What he is doing in the behalf of Poor Sinners 1. What he is I have declared in the beginning of this Book that he is God blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 the true God and eternal life 1 Jo. 5.20 that he is the eternal delight of the Father the Glory of Angels admired by Saints and the Saviour of poor lost Sinners that he is God-man in two distinct natures and one person for ever as he was Man he suffered but as he was God-Man he satisfied infinite Justice by laying down an infinite price for infinite transgressions It was the blood of him that was God as well as Man that was effused and poured forth for our sins Acts 20.28 1 Job 3.16 2dly What he hath done for lost sinners he who was in the form of God took upon him the form of a Servant Phil. 2.6 7. he put himself into a capacity to fulfil all righteousness and to undergo all misery for our iniquities that he might save us from the wrath of God wch will consume all those who believe not in Christ he hath compleated the work of Redemption for we are made compleat in him Col. 2.10 In short he hath fulfilled the whole Law in way of obedience he suffered the penalty due unto those whom he redeemed he was made a Curse for them Gal. 3.13 that they might obtain the blessing even life for evermore he died that they might live for by dying he conquered Death and brought life and immortality to light he broke through the Prison of the grave and by his own power brought Salvation and ascended on high and lead captivity captive that he might give gifts unto men Eph. 4.8 3. He is now sitting at the right hand of God till his Enemies be made his foot-stool Psal 110.1 and his Saints crowned and glorified with him in his Kingdom he prayed for them when he was here on earth Joh. 17. but now he is interceding at the right hand of God in the behalf of his redeemed ones 1 Joh. 2.1 These things and many more the spirit reveals unto them that are come to Jesus Christ Christ is the head of the Body his Church Eph. 1.22.23 And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him who filleth all in all * Sicut vita ex solo capite in omnia membra propagatur sic ex un◠Christo in omnia membra spiritus ipsius spargitur non autem ex uno membro in aliud Ursin de doc Chris pa. 249. for as life from the head alone is propagated into all the Members so from one Christ his spirit is poured out into all his Members but not from one member into another as the Head is sons omnis vitae the fountain of all life so Christ is the fountain from which his Members derive continual supplies Now seeing Christ and Believers are so nearly related as to be one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 he the Head and they the Members there must needs be an intimacy and knowledge of each other for as Christ saith Job 10.14 I am the good Shepheard I know my Sheep and am known of mine so I say if thou art come unto Christ the Spirit hath revealed Christ Jesus to thee he hath enlightned thy understanding to know in some measure what he is what he hath done and what he is doing for thy Soul 2dly If thou art come to Christ thy conscience hath been convinced by the holy spirit it is his work to convince a person of sin Joh. 16.8 and when he is come to wit the holy Spirit he shall convince the world of sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is beyond the power of man to convince the conscience it is proper to the holy Ghost 1. Then he hath convinced thee of thy original sin which is the source and spring from which all other sins flow it is not Fons vitae the fountain of life but Fons corruptionis Mortis of corruption and death from this spring flows forth the bitter waters of Meribah which prove destructive to Mankind the whole man being vitiated and corrupted by original sin which made the Apostle say I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Rom. 7.18 he calls it The Law in his Members Vers 23. The Body of Death ver 24. Thus he was convinced of his Original sin and therefore he saith We are all the children of Wrath by Nature Eph. 2.3 which Scriptures are fully and excellently declared to be meant of Original sin by that worthy Minister of Christ Mr. Anthony Burgess in his Doctrine of Original sin The Prophet David confesseth it Psal 51.5 Behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me he was convinced of his pollution even in the very womb and so art thou if the Spirit hath been effectually at work in thy Soul from the heart naturally proceeds no good thing but thence come Thefts evil Thoughts Murders Adulteries Fornications false Witness Blasphemy Mat. 15.1.9 All which defile and pollute a Man 2. Thou art convinced of the evil of thy actual sins thy manifold transgressions and violations of the Law of God those sins which thy hand thy heart thy tongue thy ear and eye have been imployed in as David was convinced of his Murther and Adultery which the 51. Psal declares Paul of his Persecution injuriousness and blasphemy 1 Tim. 1.13 Peter of denying his Lord and Master Mat. 26.74 75. Thou art now convinced that Sin is exceeding sinful Rom. 17.13 and that thy great work and business in thy unconverted state was to Sin against God 3ly Thou art convinced that every Sin doth contaminate and defile thy Soul Psal 19. Cleanse thou me
the highest even with all the Heart with all the Mind and with all the Strength God and Christ are to be beloved beyond all measure as one saith the right manner of Loving God is Modus diligendi deum est ut diligatur quantum potest diligi Bern. that he may be beloved as much as he can be beloved This evangellick Love seats it self in the most superlative place of the Soul there is no comparison between this Love and the Love of the Creature 4ly This Love is sincere Grace be with all those who Love the Lord Jesus in Sincerity Eph. 6.24 If there is not Sincerity at the Root besure the Fruit is corrupt Hypocrisie is the distruction of many but Sincerity Integrity and Uprightness preserveth the Soul wherefore were Noah Job and others counted Perfect it was not because they were Perfect in their obedience but because their Love was Sincere this makes the Scripture give such an excellent Charactor of them Sincerity is as it were the Salt which seasons every duty and a Sincere Love although but weak in the actings is that which savours of a right Gospel Spirit 5ly It is a fervent Love Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit Serving the Lord. It is true that this Love may not always Seraphin like be in a bright burning flame but yet where once it is wrought by the Spirit it never after is quite extinguished for when it flames not it does burn and when it burns not clearly there are some scintilla's and Sparks which keep it from quite going out and when the Cinders of Corruption are blown away it kindles up into a flame again Let one who hath this fervent Love through invigilancy fall into Sin or neglect duty it cools and damps the fire of his affection for a time but let him come again to the ordinances and by Faith Drink a draught of the warm Blood of Christ and by Prayer blow up the heat of his affections it will prove but like the Water the Smith Casts upon the fire which seemingly Puts it out but when he hath blown a while it flames more violently I say not this to incourage any to make tryal by Sin but if it be so with any that now find their Love but cold which formerly was fervent they may see the cause be wise to improve and apply the Remedy this Love I say is Ardent Love which warms the heart for it is a ray from the Sun of righteousness which sets the Soul all in a Divine feaver 6thly This Love is total I mean it is with the whole heart God hates a divided Heart or as the Hebrew hath it a Heart and a Heart one as it were for God and another for the World and Sin but God will have the whole or none therefore it is said Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God Mat. 22.37 Deut. 6.5 with all thy Heart with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind See here how many Times 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all is expressed as God is of an indivisible essence so he would not have that which is his due to be divided now the true Saint is very well content that God should have all he would have none to be Copartner with God and Christ but desires that his Love and affections may wholly be fixed and set upon the right objects when God saith to the person who hath this Love my Son give me thy heart he is ready to respond and say Lord here am I take the whole of my heart nay take the all of my all let me be but thine and that for ever 7thly and lastly It is a constant and permanent Love as Christ said unto his Disciples Jo. 15.9 Continue ye in my love so may I say to you See that this love abide and continue in you For if your Love be of an Evangellick nature it is a permanent Love 1 Cor. 13.8 Love never faileth Christ spake of some whose Love should fail them but that which is durable ends in Salvation Mat. 24.12.13 Because Iniquity shall abound the Love of many shall wax cold but he that indures to the end the same shall be saved He whose Love keeps warm and abideth shall certainly obtain Salvation as the love of God towards his People is an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 So he expects that their love should be a permanent love God hates those who draw back Heb. 10.38 but it is the nature of this love to press forward to increase and aspire till it comes unto the Center from whence it came He that hath this love maintains it in adversity as well as prosperity when the Clouds do darken the Face of God as well as when the Sun-shine of this love beams forth upon the Soul many of the Saints have experienced this they have found their love hottest when their afflictions have been heavyest when most shaken by the World they have been most confirmed in their love to God and Christ I come now to the objects of this spiritual evangelick love and I shall speak of them first negatively shewing what are not the objects of this love 2ly possitively what they are 1. Negatively what are not the objects 1. Not Sin neither in ones self or in another The Soul that hath this Divine love in it cannot but hate all Sin Psal 119.101 and 104. I have refrained my feet from every evil way v. 104. I hate every false way v. 113. I hate vain thoughts but thy law do I love As God is said to be of purer Eies then to behold Iniquity so the Saints are of purer Hearts then to love Iniquity Sin hath brought bitterness to their souls therefore they now abhor it they have no love or liking at all for Sin it doth not fix upon Iniquity as a delectable and lovely object but hates and flees from all base lusts which seek to insnare the Soul 2ly It is not fixed upon Satan for although no Creature mearly as a Creature is to be the object of our hatred because it declares something of the wisdom and power of the Creator in giving existence and being to such a Creature yet Satan in his Sinful lapsed State and condition as an Enemy to God Christ and the well being of our immortal Souls ought to be the object of our hatred 1 Pet. 5.8 For he goes about like a Roaring lyon seeking whom he may devour He makes it his great imployment to effect the ruin of poor Souls therefore he is become the object of hatred 3ly It is not placed upon this teâ—rene dying and perishing world love to God and Christ in that measure and degree as it should be cannot consist with an eager and earnest love of the world Jam. 4.4 Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses know ye not that the Friendship of the World is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God This is further manifest in 1 Jo. 2.15 Love not the World neither
when the Apostle Paul could say I use plainness of Speech But I think if this be well considered we should not so much stand off from coming to Christ because of this for suppose a person was going a journy into a strange Country but knew not the way and should come into a great Wilderness where many Paths present themselves but he knew not which would bring him to his journnys end and he meets a man there who knows the way very well of whom he makes inquiry to know the right way but this man answers in a Dialect or Language he understands not notwithstanding he could have answered him in his own Language in the first place would not he look upon his inquiry of him as unprofitable in the second place would he not condemn him of cruelty and unmercifulness Just thus it is between Ministers of the Gospel and poor sinners who are the travellers and in a wilderness there are many teachers who propose various ways of Salvation and the Minister of Christ is the man who meets the poor sinner in this bewildred condition and he enquires of him who knows the way to Sion but he answereth in a Language he cannot understand would not this savour of cruelty and affected pride is it not more grateful to speak so as to be understanded by the inquiring party yea certainly and most profitable to the soul therfore do not contemn Christs Doctrine or his Ministers for preaching of it plainly but rather rejoice Christ hath taken such care for thy soul that the way to happiness may be easily known if thou humbly seekest and enquirest into it I have been told that a Learned divine who in his preaching used much plainness and had done great service for the Gospel the good of souls but it happened that some more curious than wise reproached and scandalized him in secret saying he was no scholler c. He always used such a plain stile he being informed of it by some freinds prepares his Sermon for next Lords day composed most of Hebrew Greek and Latin and coming to preach he takes his text and delivers his Sermon in those languages The people being amazed for few or none understood him began to be troubled because they came there to be instructed but understood nothing so he took an occasion to ask them what they profited by that Sermon and withall sharply reproved them for their folly and madness in censuring his plainness in preaching which he intended only for their good It was that kind of preaching the Apostle Paul most affected 1 Cor. 1. chap. 2. And this if it be the pure Gospel is the most effectual for the conversion of sinners unto Christ there is the love the Wisdom and the power of God discovered in the Simplicity of Gospel truths therefore let not this hinder thee from coming to the Lord Jesus for undoubtedly he who gave to his Apostles all kinds of Tongues could much more have so spoken himself if it had been either for his or his Fathers glory or the good of poor Souls 2. The strictness of the Gospel it will not allow that Latitude and liberty which corrupt nature requireth therefore they refuse Christ and his Doctrine If the Gospel saith Christ hath redeemed us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 We must no longer live in sin 1 Cor. 15.34 Awake to righteousness and sin not You must leave your former vain conversation you must be holy as God is holy you must take up the Cross of Christ and follow him Mat. 10.38 1 Pet. 1.15 Sinners are ready to reply with those disciples Jo. 6.60 This is a hard saying and who can bear it if we can have more liberty I only allude to it under Rehoboam which we may term the Gospel than under Solomon the Law we will serve if not Israel to your tents House of David look to thy self for we have no lot or inheritance with the son of Jesse 1 Kings 12.16 If they may have Christ and their lusts the pleasures honours and unjust profits of the world if the Love of Christ and the love of Mammon will agree together if the Samaritan Religion will serve i. e. to fear the Lord 2 Kin. 17.33 and worship their own Gods they would imbrace Christ and the Gospel but seeing those will not conjoin and stand together give us our swine but let Christ be gon if they come to him it is but to beg his retreat and that he would leave their coasts not at all desiring his presence but oh the folly of sinners to refuse coming unto Christ upon this account it would be their honour Lucurgus Solon their happiness their priviledge to be holy and free from the tyranny of base inslaving lusts which bring nothing but shame and detriment to the Soul Rom. 6.21 Mat. 16.26 Among the Heathens those Lawgivers were ever in most account who made the strictest and severest Laws against vice as being destructive to common wealths and shall not Christ the great Legislator be esteemed and imbraced for his holy and stricct precepts against sin which is destructive to precious Souls 1 Pet. 2.11 Obtain from fleshly Lusts which war against the Soul Observe this sinner Christs making his precepts strict which extend not only to the external but the internal man Mat. 5. chap. 10. Not because he hates but because he loves poor souls therefore let not the strictness of his Doctrines be an obstacle or let unto thee for none are more just in imposing precepts on their Subjects then Christ is Agesilaus King of Sparta said Plutarch when he heard the King of Persia called the great King Nemo me major nisi justior No man is greater than I unless he be more just and I say none can be more just than Jesus Christ is in his injunctions and commands therefore none more excellent or that doth better deserve thy obedience than the Lord of Glory 3. The powerfulness of his Doctrine Luk. 4.32 And they were astonished at his Doctrine for he spake with power Christ taught not as the Scribes and Pharisees for he loved to awaken sleepy consciences which they never reguarded they thought it sufficient to cleanse the outside but never reguard the internal part when Peter Preached that excellent Sermon Act. 2. and proved the Deity of him whom they had crucifyed vers 36. and vers 37. It is said they were pricked in their hearts it did not only reach the eare but it did affect and touch the heart but we may see an instance in Felix that when the word comes with power they cannot bear it Acts. 24.24.25 Felix sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ v. 25. And be reasoned of Righteousness Temperance and Judgment to come Felix trembled and answered go thy way for this time when I have a convenient season I will call for thee Here it seems the Word came with power and touched his Conscience made Felix
23. to 28. See there what befell them and thou must expect no better also Heb. 11. There is no peace in that way it is full of Thorns and briers thou must expect to be pricked and wounded therefore spare thy self as Peter said to Christ Mat. 16.22.23 Be it far from thee but Christ terms it the language of Satan get thee behind me Satan said he for thou savourest not the things that are of God Thus he deludes poor souls with promises of peace which is no true peace for here is not a word of the peace of God which passeth understanding such a peace that the world cannot give Jo. 14.27 Neither can the world take it away for as it is said of the Nightingale she sings with her breast against a thorne so the people of God have such peace and joy within that when the thorne of affliction is against their brests they can rejoice as Paul and Silas did in prison although they have not peace with the world yet they have peace with God Christ and their own Consciences which is the best of all therefore let not Satan keep thee by this wile from coming to Christ for he tells thee in the text he will give thee rest which implys all peace as far as it is good for thy Soul but Satan cannot give one moment of true peace or tranquility to the Soul 8. If peace will not do then he promises the world the pleasures the honours and the profits of this world as he did to Christ but in vain so he doth to all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All these things I will give unto thee do but fall down and worship me Mat. 4.9 O how many Souls doth he catch by this bait notwithstanding he frequently deceives the Soul and gives a blear-eyed Leah instead of a beautiful Rachel Tuta frequens via est sub amici fallere Nomen Vnder the name of kindness and friendship he frequently deludes the sinner And these are brave alluring baits and do most usually insnare the poor silly creature being so sutable to flesh and blood and that corrupt part of man which is like tinder easily fired with the desire of these things these have kept thousands from coming and have drawn back many that were gon a fair way toward Christ this made Judas instead of believing in Christ for his Saviour betray him as a Malefactor the Love of the world drew away Demas who had followed Christ a great way the Devil knows full well how to impede and hinder sinners from coming to Christ I have read a story of one Hippomenes who fell in Love with a beautiful Woman called Atalanta who had vowed Virginity only she proposed this to her Wooers that they should run a Race with her unarmed she having a dart in her hand and if she won the Race she was to kill them with her dart she having ended many so Himpomenes was to run with her and he had gotten three Golden Apples given him by Venus which in the midst of the race when she drew nigh unto him he severally throws down and she being allured by them runs to gather them up and so he wins the race and her which I apply thus for the moral of it is good This Hipomenes is Satan who falls in love with the soul which is Atalanta who has vowed Virginity in its baptismal covenant he goes to Venus which is the world and gets three Golden Apples which are profit pleasure and honour and when the soul is as it were half way to Zion he throws down these before it and whilst it stops to gather them the Race is lost and the soul is undone for ever Satan works most effectually by these which are but perishing vanitys and thousands of souls are swallowed up in this Gulfe who believe Satan that is the Father of lyes when he promiseth only a dirty world and neglect to come to Christ when he promiseth an eternal glorious Kingdom Satan promiseth the earth and he too often prevails but Christ offers Heaven with all the immunitys glory and happiness imaginable and yet is refused Satan promiseth that which he cannot perform without divine permission but Christ promiseth that which he will certainly bestow upon the believing soul therefore let not these Cobwebs hold thee seeing he Commands thee and it is thy duty to obey 9ly He perswades the sinner that he shall live a Malancholly life if he come to Christ and then produces various instances then shews him such a one and such a one who when they followed the course of the world and had their conversation as other men they lived chearfully and merrily but since they turned out of that way and have gone in another new way they are sad and disconsolate persons now ye shall not see them rejoyce but hang down their heads as a Bullrush This I say is another of his devices to keep back poor Souls when they are coming to Christ although there is no reason why it should for if they are sorrowful and pensive it is not with the sorrow of the world which is deadly 2 Cor. 7.10 Godly sorrow worketh Repentance to Salvation never to be Repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death and as the wise man saith In the midst of laughter the heart is sad thus it is usually with the men of the world but the Godly though they have a dejected countenance yet then they have a chearful heart as their sorrows are not alike so their joys cant be compared the Apostle can say to the Godly rejoice evermore 1 Thes 5.16 And rejoice in the Lord always when he saith to the wicked Go weep and howl for the misery that shall come upon you James 5.1 Satan lies when he saith the ways of God are Melancholy for as the wise man saith Rom. 3.17 All her ways speaking of wisdom are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace and he may truly say all because all her paths are holiness I could give several instances besides scriptural ones of persons who have found it and declared it to be the most pleasant way all the godly more or less Galeaceus Carraciolus have experienced this I shall mention only that of the Noble Marquess who had experienced what comforts the world could afford and what were to be found in the ways of God could say Cursed be that Man who shall preferr all the Gold and Silver in the world before one days Communion with the Lord Jesus See here how he esteemed the comforts and delights he met with in the ways of God Therefore let not this deter thee and I will add mine own experience I never had such joys and delights as in the holy ways of God I cannot express it but come thou to Christ and thou shalt tast it nay satiate thy soul out of his superabundant fullness for he has rivers of pleasure by him and he doth often here give
our works in us and for us Isa 26.12 The property of true Repentance is not only to drop a tear for sin or to lament a little whilst the Soul is under some apprehensions of future Judgement and then in a short time to turn again to folly but it immediately buds and brings forth fruit and so continues to the end Now humility grows on the same Tree which before was heavy laden with Pride now there is Love Meekness Charity exerting and puting forth their several fruits where formerly there was nothing but Envy Hatred Impatiency 1 Cor. 7.11 and Uncharitableness Now the Soul doth not only hate fear and forsake sin but it is constant in bringing forth fruit of obedience to all the known Precepts of God and Christ Jesus Psal 34.14 It departs from sin and doeth good and it seeks peace all the ways that tends to peace 3dly This Repentance may be known by the effects of it in the soul it hath various influences upon the heart and conscience 1. It works a deadly hatred and enmity in the Soul to sin both internal and external sin in it self and in the being of it as well as in the practise of it Rom. 7.15 For what I would that do I not but what I hate that I do here the Apostle had a Combat and was sometimes overcome to do that which he would not but yet he hated it with his whole Soul for he had tasted of the bitterness of sin and therefore could have no Love or likeing for it Psal 119.4 saith the holy prophet I hate every false way and vers 113. I hate vain thoughts but thy Law do I Love This goodman had sometime been tutored in the School of repentance and had learned the Lesson of the Rod by which he was Lashed for his transgressions he felt the smart of it and Learned the cause which was Sin and Iniquity therefore now he abhors and detests every vain way therefore you may make tryal by this whether your repentance hath been true for as it is in nature we are apt to hate those things we are sensible have prejudiced or pained us so the Soul cannot but hate Sin which it now finds and is sensible that it is wronged by it Pro. 8.26 2ly A timidity and fearfulness of falling into Sin any more or to be insnared by the devices of Satan This effect Godly sorrow and repentance had upon the Corinthians 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you what indignation yea what fear The Soul now is so fearful of Sin when grace is active that it is afraid to look upon temptations therefore it crys out with David Turn away mine Eyes from beholding vanity When the Soul hath been scorched with a sence of Gods wrath and displeasure for Sins and Iniquitys perpetrated and committed against him it is made afraid of Sin when before like the silly Child it could play with the fire of Sin till it had burned it self and brought griefs and wounds upon the Soul the Soul is so terrified at the sight of Sin that it flys from the very appearance of Evil 1 Thes 5.2 3ly It works a watchfulness in the Soul against all Sin for the future 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly Sorrow what carefulness it wrought in you The word signifies a careful Studiousness with great intensness of mind O how careful and watchful is the Soul now Magna animi intentio desiderium Phil. Mel. lest it be caught in the Devils Trap again it is very mindful of that duty Christ injoyned his disciples to be found in Mat. 13.33 Take ye heâ—d watch and pray vers 37. what I say unto you I say unto all Watch. The true repentant lays a charge and command upon every faculty of the Soul and every member of the Body to stand upon their particular guard because of the Enemys continual assaults 4ly Fixed resolusions and covenanting with God to keep his Law in violably as far forth as the Soul is assisted by the blessed spirit David saith I have sworn and I will perform it Ezra 9.4 5 6. to 15. that I will keep thy righteous judgments in the 9. Chap. of Ezra Ezra and the People were assembled together and they confessed and bewailed their sins and transgressions in the bitterness of their Souls and in the 10. Chap. They are covenanting with God vers 3. Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God They were ready to covenant with God to put away all their abominations and to keep his righteous judgments The like we find in the 9. of Nehem. They had kept a sollemn Fast and the Levites confessed Gods goodness and their wickedness in departing from the Living God vers 38. And because of this we make a sure covenant and write it and our Princes Levites and Priests Seal unto it What effect this true Godly sorrow had upon them in general where it is right it hath the same upon every one in particular the Soul that hath smarted by Sin and sincerely lamented over it and repented for it O what resolves what ingagements what sollemn promises doth it make that it will not live in Sin but will walk in the paths of Gods commandments and keep his precepts to the end This is the resolved purpose I say of every individual person that hath evangelically repented of his transgressions 5ly Another effect is a constant Love to and sincere desires after holyness 2 Cor. 7.11 what vehement desire saith the Apostle hath this Godly sorrow wrought in you a desire after holyness after more grace the Soul pants after it because it loves it there is Sacra fames non auri sed sanctimoniae a greedy and a vehement appetite not after Gold but after Grace and Sanctity 2 Pet. 1.4 Heb. 12.14 Exod. 15.11 now it clearly perceives that holyness is a most excellent thing a beam of the Son of Righteousness a Ray of Glory the Finger-work of the divine Spirit the very Image of the Eternal being the nature and essence of the glorious Jehovah the meet quallification of those who expect a fruition of the beatificial vision Where this hath gotten possession there is peace exhaltation tryumphing in God and Christ therefore the Soul loves it with a permanent and fixed Love shee greatly Loves it and also the means that tend to the obtaining of so great and glorious a good The Soul Loves the Spirit because he is the efficient the word of God which is the instrument Psal 119.9 6thly and Lastly Peace of conscience by the application of the Blood of Jesus Christ now there is a sweet and pleasant calmness in the Soul when before there was nothing but continual preturbations one wave tossing and rolling upon the neck of another scil Trouble and vexation of Spirit Where Lusts domineer and corruptions prevail there
it do make it manifest 1. It cleanseth and puryfieth the heart true Faith and an unsanctified Heart are never concomitants or coinhabitants Acts 15.9 And put no difference between us and them Purifying their Hearts by Faith A defiled Gentile as well as a chosen Jew is purified by Faith for Faith apprehends the right means of purifying scil the Blood of Christ it will not suffer corruption to remain predominant in the Soul therefore the People of God are said to be a holy Temple for the Holy God to dwell and abide in 2 Cor. 6.16 2ly It lifts the Heart above the World and makes it come off Conquerer 1 Joh. 5.4 5. Whosoever is Born of God overcometh the World and this is the Victory that overcometh the World even our Faith Vers 5. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God Faith is a World-conquering Grace it can presentiate future things it looks to the Land that is a far off Isa 33.17 Faith cloaths the Soul with the Sun of Righteousness and gets the Moon of this World under his Feet it regards these things but as perishing and transitory the things of the future and sempiternal world to be most Glorious Permanent and abiding It was by Faith that all the Worthy Champions of Christ have conquered this Base World and followed their Lord and Master through the greatest difficultys I might instance in many Moses Refused all the Pomp and Splendor of Pharaohs Court the Riches and Grandeur of the World and made a voluntary choise of suffering with the People of God and esteemed the reproach of Christ greater Riches then all the Riches of Egypt but how did this valliant Conquerer break through all these difficultys what could not Courts nor Kingdoms nor Terrors of a King nor Treasures nor Horrors nor Displeasures conquer one Moses such an Army as here was set in aray against him the least of which is enough to foil if not to conquer the greatest Monarch if Faith be not his sheild Eph. 6.16 Heb. 11.24 25. 26 27. but all these cords were too weak to hold him whilst the seven-fold Lock of Faith remained his strength abode firm and his bow abode in strength it was by Faith he did all this and there were two main Pillars which supported him and his Faith the first was looking to him who is invisible i. e. God The second was the prospecting and looking forward to the recompence of reward I might number up many more Instances but in short all the Servants of Christ have this conquering Faith Rom. 8.37 for the nature of it although one acts inferiour to another by reason of the different degrees some being not called to that tryal as others are but all have a measure of this Rom. 8.37 Nay in all these things speaking of several sorts of afflictions we are more then Conquerers through him that Loved us Every Christian is to Fight the Fight of Faith and Righteousness and in a Combat there is a conquerer and the Conquered either we Conquer the World or the World Conquers us but if we come off Conquerers it must be by the Shield of Faith 3ly It is a labouring working Faith in opposition to an Idle Faith Jam. 2.22 Seest thou how Faith wrought with his Work and by Works was Faith made perfect That is by his works it was manifest that his Faith was a perfect and right Gospel one true Faith is opperative it is active in puting the Soul upon all obedience unto God as it did Abraham in that difficult Service he was called to by Faith he went through with it Heb. 11.17 By Faith Abraham when he was tryed offered his Son Isaac Faith put Noah upon his obedience unto God when all others neglected their Salvation and the Preach-of Noah unto them Heb. 11.7 By Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet he being religiously afraid as the word may be rendred prepared an Ark to the saving of his house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A right saving Faith whereever it is Religiose solisite cavet ne Deum offendat puts the Soul upon the performance of all dutys injoyned and commanded by God it doth not rest only in a bare assent to the revealed will of God saying it is true and so sits down there and proceeds no farther but it is up and doing for God Christ and the Soul 4ly It is a Living Faith it works a principal of Life in the Heart where it is wrought The just shall live by Faith In opposition to a dead faith Rom. 1.17 Heb. 10.38 It is a quickening Principle which inlivens all other graces and keeps them in motion they would all faint and Dye if Faith did not keep them alive Gal. 2.20 I am Crucified with Christ nevertheless I Live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the Life I now Live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Here the Apostle clearly manifests how he lived it was by a living Principle of saving Faith apprehending a living Jesus 5ly and Lastly It is a lasting and permanent in opposition to a temporary and perishing Faith many pretend to believe but it is for a time like the Stony-ground Hearers which rejoyce to day and by reason of some afflictions are offended to morrow but now true Faith is abiding Mat. 13.20.21 growing and increasing dayly 1 Jo. 3.9 Whosoever is born of God sineth not for his seed remaineth in him This Seed remains firm there because it is sowed not by Satan but by the Spirit of God Heb. 10.39 We are not of those who draw back into perdition but them who believe to the saving of the Soul According to that of Christ he that induers to the End shall be saved There must be a Perseverance in Faith if we expect the Crown of Righteousness for Christ will Crown none but conquerers and none can conquer unless they believe and none believe but them who persevere in it 4ly It is known by its effects I shall mention only these two Joy and Peace 1. Joy and exaltation Rom. 15.13 Now the God of Peace fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing Joy is a Fruit that Grows upon the root of Faith what hath made the Servants of Christ in all Ages Rejoice when they met with nothing in the Inn of this World but rough Entertainment but their believing in Christ 1 Pet. 1.8 The Apostle in vers 7. tells the believers of the tryal of their Faith and the preciousness of it in the day of Christ and saith in the 8. vers whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of Glory Faith assends by the wings of Love and Zeale and fixeth it self above the Clouds and takes a view of the celestial
come unto him neglect not but come For Christ came that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 Jo. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest that he might destroy the Works of the Devil By nature we are slaves to Satan and he tiranizeth over us and the way to be effectually delivered from it is by coming to Christ and being weary of and willing to throw away his Yoke and to yield subjection unto Christ I say the way to be eased of these Burthens is to come to Christ as weary and heavy laden with them 6ly Come unto the Lord Jesus repenting and believing I put these both together because I would contract Christ is ready to behold the Watery Eye and bleeding heart caused by a sence of the heinousness of Sin with a gracious aspect he loves a broken and contrite Spirit he is willing to heal the wounds of a broken heart and set at liberty them that are bruised with the intollerable Burthen of Sin Luk. 4.18 and a sence of the wrath of God and because of that are willing to turn to Christ and become wholly his Those who are Heirs of the Crown of glory are for the most part brought to the Kingdom by weeping Cross Luk. 13.3 Except you repent ye shall all likewise Perish So likewise there must be a believing or else there is no true closing with Christ for Faith is the Hand that lays hold on Christ the Mouth that feeds upon him and derives out of his fulness Jo. 1.16 That Soul is in a dead and deplorable state and condition that hath not a saving Faith in Christ Jo. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him There is nothing but Wrath for that Soul that believes not in the Lord Jesus 7ly and lastly Come unto Christ with high estimations and valuations of that rest which Christ hath Promised for this will discover thy sincerity and true love to divine and spiritual things and hereby thou wilt honour Christ when thou believest in him and preferrest his Rest above all that this vain World can afford The World is a fading Perishing thing and the best rest that it gives is full of disquietness fears perplexities but now the rest which Christ will give hath so much contained in it that the World cannot compare with it therefor I say keep up a high valuation of this rest which leads me to the Motives that may induce us freely and chearfully to come unto Christ and they shall be taken from the consideration of what kind of rest this is which Christ will give unto them that come unto him 1. In regard of this World 1. It shall be a rest from the Dominion of Sin and I think it is a happy rest and priviledge to be free from the dominion of Sin if it was only this rest that should be obtained it would be very well worth coming unto Christ for who would be a slave and servant to Sin Humanorum nullum est grave malorum nisi Peccatum Chrisost which brings trouble and vexation of Spirit now those the Son makes free they are free indeed Jo. 8.34 35 36. Whosoever commiteth Sin is the Servant of Sin and the Servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever if the Son therefore shall make you free you shall be free indeed It is Christ alone that can make any free from the raigning power of Sin therefore come unto him that thou mayest partake of this Blessedness not to be a Servant of Sin whilst thou art here it is a base servitude and very dishonourable most uncomfortable and hath the least and worst security for he that is Servant to Sin hath abundance of Enemys but no real Friends therefore he is obnoctious to miserys every moment both temporal and eternal 2ly It is a Rest from the tyranny of Satan although not from his temptations Snares whilst thou abidest in this sinful world and art a sojourner as all thy Fathers were the Devil will hunt and tempt thee to commit Iniquity but yet if thou comest unto Christ he will give thee rest from the tiranical power of this grand enemy for he will do and say unto thee as he did unto Paul when buffered by the Messenger of Satan My Grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in thy weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 And if thou hast the strength of Christ for thee although thou art weak in thy self Yet thou wilt be strong to resist Satan Vers 10. of that Chap. 3ly It is an inward Soul-rest that thou shalt have if thou comest unto him it is not such a Rest as the world gives neither can the World deprive thee of it the World may afflict and perplex thy outward man and give no rest unto it but it can never touch thy internal peace rest if Christ is pleased to confer it upon thee if thou hast rest for thy Soul thou art most happy even in the midst of Worldly disquietments for it is the affliction and trouble of the Soul that is the Soul of affliction but now Christ hath promised to give this Soul-rest to those that come unto him Mat. 11.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Spirit and ye shall find rest for your Souls This indeed is the best of rests for suppose a man hath never so many temporal injoyments yet if his Soul be not at rest and peace all these blessings seem to be cursed to him because his Soul is under preturbations or if not so yet under sleepy sinful security which is worse but O the serene calmness peace sedateness that the saints injoy in this life for I am not speaking of that rest the Righteous shall inherit hereafter but whilst we are here in the Wilderness and journy to Canaan God hath promised to give them peace Isa 26.3 Whose minds are stayed upon him and the Saints experience this dayly 2ly What kind of peace and rest this is in regard of the future World 1. It is a true rest not any fiction of the Poets but a certain and firm rest that Christ hath purchased for Non expectationem fallit and promised to believers they shall be sure of it for he that cannot lye hath promised it he who is the Amen Rev. 3.14 He in whose mouth was found no guile therefore he will not deceive poor Souls for The foundation of God standeth sure 2 Tim. 2.19 Men many times promise themselves rest but it proves false to them for the most part and they never find that rest which they imagined would be their lot but now this rest will prove true even beyond expectation 2. The rest that Christ will give to them that come unto him shall be perfect and compleat rest it is not part rest and other