Scripture yet gathered no ears of Corn have not you matter enough in the Word to furnish you with discourse Let me suggest a few things to you When you meet speak one to another of the Promises No Hony so sweet as that which drops from a Promise The promises are the support of Faith the springs of joy the â—aints Royal Charter Are you Citizens of Heaven and not speak of your Charter Speak of the preciousness of Christ he is Beauty and Love he hath laid down his blood as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or price of your Redemption Have you a friend that hath redeemed you and never speak of him Speak one to another of Sin what a deadly evil it is how it hath infected your Virgin-nature and turned it into a lesser Hell Speak of the Beauty of Holiness which is the Souls Embroidery filling it with such Oriental splendor as makes God and Angels fall in love with it The Graces are as Damascen saith the Sacred Characters and Impressions of the Divine nature Speak one to another of your Souls enquire whether they are in health Speak about Death and Eternity can you belong to Heaven and not speak of your Country Speak one to another of the Times wherein God is the Greatest sufferer let your hearts bleed for his dishonours Thus you see here is matter enough for Holy conference Why then do you not set good discourse on Foot I perswade my self one main reason of the decay of the Power of Godliness is want of Christian conference people when they meet talk of Impertinencies but God and Heaven are left out of their discourse That I may perswade you in your converses to put in a word about your Souls let me offer these few things to your consideration 1. It was the practice of the Saints of old Elijah and Elisha went on talking good discourse till the Chariot of Heaven came to part them 2 Kin. 2.11 Davids Tongue was Tuned to the Language of Canaan Psalm 71.24 My Tongue shall talk of thy Righteousness The Primitive Christians into whatever company they came were speaking of a Glorious Kingdom they expected insomuch that some thought they were ambitious of worldly honour which made Iustin Martyr Apologize for them that the Kingdom they looked for was not of this World but a Kingdom with Christ in Heaven Ierom saith of some of the Roman Ladies They did spend much of their time in communing together and they would not let him alone for asking him Questions about their Souls 2. We are bid to Redeem the Time Eph. 5.16 The Poets painted time with Wings because it flies so fast Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora Time lost had need be redeemed and is there any better way to redeem time than to improve it in trading for Heaven and speaking of God and our Souls 3. Jesus Christ hath set us a Pattern his words were perfumed with Holiness Luke 4.22 All bare him witness and Wondred at the Gracious words which proceeded out of his Mouth Christ had Grace poured into his Lips Psalm 45.2 In all companies he set good discourse on foot When he sate on Iacobs Well he falls into an Heavenly discourse with the Woman of Samaria about the Water of Life Iohn 4.14 And so when Levi made him a Feast Luke 5 He feasts him again with Heavenly discourse And no sooner was Christ risen from the Grave but he was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Acts 1.3 The more Spiritual we are in our speeches the more we resemble Christ should not the Members be like the Head Christ will not be our Saviour unless we make him our Pattern 4. Good discourse would prevent sinful discourse Much sin passeth in ordinary talk as Gravel and Mud pass along with the Water How many are Guilty of Tongue-sins Good discourse would prevent evil as labour prevents idleness By inuring our Tongues to the Heavenly Dialect the Devil would not have so much Power over us 5. We may guess at mens Hearts by their common discourse Words are the Looking-glass of the Mind As you may Judge of a Face by the glass whether it be fair or foul So by the words we may Judge of the Heart A lascivious Tongue shews a lustful heart an earthly Tongue a covetous heart a Gracious Tongue a Gracious Heart The Ephraimites were known by their Pronunciation saying Sibboleth for Shiboleth Judg. 12.6 So by the manner of our speech we may be known who we belong to The Tongue is the Index of the Heart If you broach a Vessel that which is within will come out by that which comes out of the Mouth you may Guess what is within in the Heart Luke 6 45. Out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth speaketh 6. Good discourse is beneficial Iob 6.23 How forcible are rights words A word spoken in season may make such a powerful impression upon anothers Heart as may do him Good all his Life One single coal is apt to dye but many coals put together keep in the heat Christians by their Heavenly talk do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up one anothers Grace into a flame Monica Austins Mother hearing others discourse of Heaven was greatly affected and cryed out What do I do here Why is my Soul held any longer with this Earthen fetter of my Flesh When the Daughters of Ierusalem had conversed a while with the Spouse and had heard her describe Christs admirable beauty their Affections began to be enflamed and they would seek him with her Cant. 6.1 Whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among women that we may seek him with thee A Christian by divine discourse may enlighten another when he is ignorant warm him when he is Frozen comfort him when he is sad confirm him when he is wavering Latimer was much strengthened by discourse with Mr Bilny in Prison and hearing his confession of Faith A good life adorns Religion a good Tongue Propagates it When the Apostle would have us edifie one another what better way could he prescribe than this to have such Holy speeches proceed out of our Mouths as might Minister Grace unto the hearers Eph. 4.29 7. We must be accountable to God for our speeches Words are judged light but theyweigh heavy in Gods Balance by our words we shall be either saved or damned Mat. 12.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned If our words have been seasoned with Grace then the acquitting sentence is like to go on our side 8. Good discourse is a Christians Honour The Tongue is called our Glory Psalm 30.12 Because it is the Instrument of Glorifying God When our Tongues are out of tune in murmuring then they are not our Glory but when these Organs sound in Holy discourse then our Tongues are our Glory 9. Good discourse will be a means to bring Christ into our company While the two Disciples were
be steeped in holy Thoughts It is not enough to have a few Transient Thoughts of God by the By but there must be an immoration or staying our Minds on God till our Hearts are warmed in love to him and we can say as they Luk. 24.32 Did not our Hearts burn within us But what should be the matter of our holy Musings 1. Think of Gods Immense Being Adore his illustrious Attributes which are the Beams by which the Divine nature shines forth Think of Gods Omnisciency he makes a Curious and Critical descant upon all our Actions and enters them down into his day-book Think of Gods Holiness which is the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Think of Gods Mercy this makes all his other Attributes sweet Holiness without Mercy and Justice without Mercy would be terrible Think of Gods Veracity Exod. 34.6 Abundant in Truth that is God will be so far from coming short of his word that he doth more then he hath said He shoots beyond the Promise never short of it 2. Think of the Works of God Psalm 77.12 I will meditate of all thy Works Gods works are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence here is sweet matter for our Thoughts to expatiate upon CHAP. X. Swasives and Incentives to Holy Thoughts LET me to inforce the Exhortation propound some Swasives and Inducements to be frequent in the Thoughts of God 1. The end why God hath given us this thinking faculty is that we may think on his Name When our Cogitations run out in Impertinencies like water running beside the Mill we should think with our selves thus did God give us a Talent to misimploy did he give us Thoughts that we should think of every thing but him were these Arrows given us to shoot beside the Mark 2. If we do not inure our selves to Good thoughts we cannot be Good Christians Thinking seriously on Heavenly things makes them stay in our Mind causeth delight in them and makes them Nutritive Musing on Holy Objects is like concocting food which turns it to Blood and Spirits so that without Holy Cogitation no Religion Can a man be Religious and scarce ever think of it 3. We are deeply obliged to think on God 1. God is our maker Psalm 100.3 It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Our bodies are Gods curious needle work Psalm 139.15 And as God hath wrought the Cabinet so he hath put a Jewel in it the Precious Soul Hath God made us and shall not we think of him 2. God hath sweetned our Lives with Various Mercies The city of Syracuse in Sicily was so curiously scituated that the Sun was never out of sight God hath so placed us by his Providence that the Sun-shine of Mercy is never out of sight We are Bemiracled with Mercy Mercy feeds us with the Finest of the wheat the Bread of Life Mercy guards us with a Guard of Angels it makes the Rock pour forth Rivers of Oyl and shall not the Stream lead us to the Fountain shall not we think of the God of our Mercies this were high Ingratitude 4. To have frequent and Devout Thoughts of God witnesseth Sincerity No truer Touchstone of Sanctity than the Spirituality of the Thoughts that a man is that his Thoughts are Prov. 23.7 For as he thinketh in his Heart so is he Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than words one may speak well for applause or to stand right in the Opinion of others but when we are alone and think of Gods Name and admire his Excellencies this shews the Heart to be Right Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than an Unblamable Life A man may in his outward carriage be fair yet have a Covetous Revengeful mind The Acts of Sin may be forborn when the Heart sits brooding upon Sin but to have the Thoughts Spiritualized and set upon God is a truer Symptom of sincerity than a Life free from Vice Christians what do your Thoughts run upon where do they make their most frequent Visits can you say Lord our Hearts are still Mounting up to Heaven our Thoughts are lodg'd in Paradise though we do not see thy face yet we think on thy Name this is a good Evidence of Sincerity We Judge of men by their Actions God Judgeth of them by their Thoughts 5. Thinking much on God would Cure the Love of the World Great things seem little to him that stands high To such as stand upon the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem little Villages they who are Mounted High in the contemplation of Christ and Glory how do the things of the World disappear and even shrink into nothing A Soul elevated by faith above the Visible Orbs hath the Moon under his feet A true Saint intermedles with Secular Affairs more out of Necessity than Choice St. Pauls Thoughts were sublime he lived in the Altitudes and how did he scorn the World Gal. 6.14 The world is crucified to me * 6. Thinking on God would be expulsive of Sin Whence is Impiety but from Incogitancy Did men Ruminate upon Gods Holiness and Justice durst they sin at that rate as they do That which check'd Ioseph was the Thoughts of a Sin-revenging God When the delights of sin Tickle let the Thoughts of God come into mens Minds that he is both the Spectatour and the Iudge and after the Golden Crowns and Womens Hair come the Lions Teeth Rev. 9.8 This would put them into a cold Sweat and be as the Angels drawn Sword it would scare them from sin 7. Thinking on God is an admirable means to encrease our love to God As it was with Davids musing on Mortality Psam 39.3 As I was Musing the fire burned so it is with our Musing on the Deity while we are thinking on God our Hearts will kindle in love to him The Reason our Affections are so chill and cold in Religion is because we do not warm them with the Thoughts of God Hold a Burning-glass to the Sun and the glass burns that which is near to it So when our Thoughts are lifted up to Christ the Sun of Righteousness our Affections are set on fire No sooner had the Spouse been thinking on her Saviours Beauty but she fell sick of love Cant. 5.8 O ye Saints do but let your Cogitations dwell upon the Love of Christ who did pass by Angels and think of you who was wounded that out of his wounds the Balm of Gilead might come to heal you who leaped into the Sea of his Fathers wrath to save you from drowning think of this unparallel'd love which sets the Angels a Wondring and see if it will not affect your Hearts and cause Tears of love to slow forth 8. Thinking on God will by degrees transform us into his Image As Jacobs Flock looking on the Rods that had White streaks conceived and brought forth like them Gen. â—â— 39. So by contemplating Gods Holiness we are in some
when Conscience is awake when Death strikes when the last Trump sounds And shall not we Fear this God Ier. 5.22 Fear ye not me saith the Lord will ye not tremble at my presence The Fearing Gods Justice is the way not to feel it And let it not seem strange to you if I tell you that in respect of Gods infinite Majesty there will be some of this blessed Fear in Heaven Not a Fear that hath Torment in it for Perfect love will cast out Fear But an Holy Sweet Reverential fear Though God hath so much beauty in him as shall cause love and joy in Heaven yet this beauty is mixed with so much Majesty as shall cause a Veneration in Glorified Saints 5. The Fear of God tends to life Pro. 19.23 It is true 1. In a temporal sence Prov. 10.27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth daies in the Original it is It addeth dayes Long life is Promised as a blessing Psalm 91.16 With long Life will I satisfie him The best way to come to an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Good Old age is the Fear of God Sin curtails the life many a mans excess wasts his Vitals enervates his strength and cuts him short of those years which by the course of nature might be arrived at You that desire to live long live in the Fear of God Deut. 6.24 The Lord commanded us to fear the Lord our God that he might preserve us alive 2. It is true in a Spiritual sence The Fear of the Lord tendeth to life namely to life Eternal Life is sweet and Eternal makes it Sweeter The Life of bliss hath no Tearm of Years wherein it expires 1 Thes. 4.17 Ever with the Lord The Lamp of Glory shines but doth not spend so that divine Fear tends to Life a life with God and Angels for ever 6. The Fear of God gives full satisfaction Prov. 19.23 He that hath it shall abide satisfied Such as are destitute of Gods Fear never meet with satisfaction Iob 20.22 In the midst of his sufficiency he shall be in straits This is a riddle to be full yet not have enough The meaning is there is still something wanting he who Fears not God though his Barns are full yet his Mind is not quiet The sweet Waters of Pleasure do rather inflame the thirst than satisfie it Omnia fui et nihil expedit I have run through all the delights and Grandures of the world and could never find full contentment said the Emperour Severus But he who hath the Fear of the Lord shall abide satisfied 1. He shall be satisfied His Soul shall be filled with Grace his Conscience with peace an Holy man said when God had replenished him with inward joy It is enough Lord thy Servant is a clay vessel and can hold no more 2. He shall abide satisfied This satisfaction shall not cease it shall be a Cordial in death and a Crown after death 7. The fear of God makes a little to be sweet Prov. 15.16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord. Why is a little better because that little a Believer hath he holds in Capite in his Head Christ that little is sweetned with the love of God He hath with that little a contented mind and contentment turns Daniels Pulse into Venison Again that little is a Pledge of more that little Oyl in the Cruse is but an earnest of that Golden joy and bliss which the Soul shall have in Heaven Thus a little with the Fear of God is better than all unsanctified riches Lazarus's Crumbs were better than Dives his Banquet 8. The Fear of God is a Christians safety He is invulnerable nothing can hurt him Plunder him of his Money he carries a treasure about him he cannot be robbed of Isa. 33.6 Cast him into bonds his Conscience is free Kill his Body it shall rise again He who hath on this Breast-Plate of Gods Fear may be shot at but can never be shot thorow 9. The Fear of God makes all things go well with us Psalm 128.2 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee Is it not well with that man who hath all things go on his side and hath nothing wanting that may do him Good Psalm 84.11 If God sees Health or Riches Good for him he shall have them Every Providence shall center in his happiness O what an inducement is here to solid Piety Come what times will it shall be well with them that Fear God When they dye they shall go to God and while they live every thing in the world shall do them good 10. The Fear of God is a great Cleanser Psalm 19.9 The fear of the Lord is clean It is so 1. In its own nature it is a pure Christal Orient grace 2. It is clean Effective in the effect of it it cleanseth the Heart and Life as a Spring works out the mud so it purgeth out the love of sin The Heart is the Temple of God and Fear sweeps and cleanseth this Temple that it be not defiled 11. The Fear of God makes us accepted with God Act. 10.35 In every nation he that Feareth God is accepted with him What was St. Paul so ambitious of 2 Cor. 5.9 We labour that we may be accepted with him Divine Fear ingratiates us into divine Favour Such as are Fearless of God neither their Persons or Offerings find acceptance Amos 5.21 22. I despise your Feast dayes and I will not smell in your solemn Assemblies though ye offer me burnt-offerings I will not accept them Who will take a Gift from one that hath the plague 12. The Fear of God layes a train for spiritual joy some may think the Fear of God breeds sadness no it is the in-let to joy The Fear of God is the morning Star which ushers in the Sun light of comfort Acts 9.31 Walking in the Fear of the Lord and in the comforts of the Holy ghost The Fear of God hath solid joy in it though not wanton Oecolampadius an holy man being on his sick-bed was asked if the Light offended him he putting his hand to his heart said Hic sat lucis Here I have light enough God mixeth joy with Holy Fear that fear may not seem slavish 13. The Fear of God drives out all other base Fear Carnal fear is an enemy to Religion The Fear of God frights it away it causeth Courage Exod. 18.21 Able men such as Fear God some Translations render it Men of Courage When a Dictator Governed in Rome all other Offices ceased Where the Fear of God rules in the Heart it expells fleshly Fear When the Emperess Eudoxia threatned to banish Chrysostom Tell her saith he I fear nothing but sin The Fear of God swallows up all other Fear as Moses Rod swallowed up the Magitians Rods. 14. To be void of Gods Fear is Folly Psalm 75.4 I said to the Fools
Profession to lose Heaven What think you of the Foolish Virgins They are called Virgins because they were not tainted with any gross Sin yet these Virgin-Professors were shut out Mat. 25.10 Balaam a Prophet Iudas an Apostle both cashiered We have seen some Ships have had glorious names given them the Good-speed the Hope the Safe-guard yet cast away at Sea 2. It is possible to come near to Heaven yet fall short of it Mark 12.34 Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God yet he was not near enough Men may countenance the Ministry of the Word have their Affections moved at an Ordinance and in outward show out-go the Children of God yet not having the Oyl of Sincerity in their Vessels they may be frustrated of happiness And how dismal is that to lose God to lose their Souls to lose their Hopes The Millions of Tears shed in Hell are not sufficient to bewail the loss of Heaven Well may such as have Heaven in them Fear their coming short of it Thus much for the Use of Trial. How shall we arrive at this Blessed Fear 1. Let us set God ever in our eye study his Immensity He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Almighty Gen. 17.1 He gives laws to the Angels binds the Consciences of men cuts off the Spirit of Princes Psalm 76.12 The Thoughts of Gods incomprehensible Greatness would strike an Holy awe into our Hearts Elijah wrap'd his face in a Mantle when Gods Glory passed by The reason men Fear not God is because they entertain slight thoughts of him Psalm 40.21 Thou thoughtest I was such an one as thy self 2. Let us pray for this Fear of God which is the Root of all Holiness and the Mother of all Wisdom Psalm 86.11 Vnite my Heart to Fear thy Name the Lord hath Promised to put his Fear in our Heart Ier. 32.40 Let us pray over this Promise while some pray for Riches and others for Children let us pray for an Heart to Fear God To conclude this you who have this Fear planted in your Souls bless God for it Psalm 135.20 Ye that Fear the Lord bless the Lord. God hath done more for you than if he had made you Kings and Queens and caused you to ride upon the High places of the Earth He hath enriched you with that Jewel which he bestows only upon the Elect. O stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing The Fear of God is an Immortal Seed springing up into Glory Psalm 22.23 Ye that fear the Lord praise him Begin the Work of Heaven now be Spiritual Quiristers sound forth Holy Doxologies and Triumphs say as David Psalm 71.8 Let my Mouth be filled with thy Praise and with thy Honour all the day God hath but little praise in the world Who should pay him this Quit-rent if not they that fear him CHAP. V. Shewing the first Character in special of the Godly namely Speaking of God 2. HAving done with the Character of the Godly in General I proceed next to their Special Characters 1 They spake often one to another When the Wicked said It is Vain to serve God then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another The meaning of this word they spake often is they did discourse Religiously together their Tongues were Divinely tuned by the Holy Ghost Christians when they meet together should use holy Conference This is not only an advice but a charge Deu. 6.6 These words shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up Indeed where there is Gratia infusa it will be effusa Grace changeth the Language and makes it Spiritual When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles they spake with other Tongues Act. 2.4 Grace makes Christians speak with Other Tongues A good Christian hath not only the Law of God in his Heart Psalm 37.31 but in his Tongue vers 30. The body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 The Tongue is the Organ in this Temple which sounds in Holy discourse Prov. 10.20 The tongue of the Iust is as Choice Silver He drops Silver sentences enriching others with Knowledge Mat. 12.35 A Good man out of the Good treasure of his Heart bringeth forth good things In his heart is a Treasure of Goodness and this is not like a bag of Mony Sealed but he brings something out of the Treasure within to the enriching of others Grace is of the Nature of fire which will not be pent up like new Wine it will have Vent There is a principle within constrains to holy Conference Job 32.18 The Spirit within me constraineth me CHAP. VI. Containing the Applicatory part IT shews the Genius and temper of true Saints they speak often one to another their Lips drop as an Hony-comb A man is known what country he belongs to by his Language He who belongs to the Jerusalem above speaks the Language of Canaan none of Gods children are dumb their mouth is a well-spring of Wisdom Prov. 18.4 Here I may draw up a bill of Indictment against five sorts of Persons 1. Such as are silent in matters of Religion They would be counted Good but he must have good eyes that can see it I know not whether it be Ignorance or Bashfulness that makes good discourse waved Many are so mute in Religion as if their Tongues did cleave to the roof of their Mouth had they any love to God or had they ever tasted how sweet the Lord is their mouth would talk of his Righteousness Psalm 71.24 Friends what should we mind but Salvation what are the things of this world they are neither Entia nor Manentia Do not we see men heap up Riches and on a sudden death as Gods Serjeant Arrests them What should we talk of but the things Pertaining to the Kingdom of God Let this cause blushing among Christians that their meetings are so unprofitable they leave God out of their discourse Why is there no good conference Have you so much Knowledge that you need not have it encreased Have you so much Faith that you need not have it Strengthened Silence in Religion is a loud sin We read of one who was possessed with a Dumb Devil Mark 9.12 How many are Spiritually possessed with a Dumb Devil It is a rebuke to such as when they meet together instead of speaking of Heaven they have idle frothy discourse They do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Plutarch said of Alcibiades Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb but run as a Spout their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling Psalm 12.2 They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbour If Christ should ask some as he did the two Disciples going to Emaus Luk. 24.17 What manner of Communications have you as you walk they could not say as they did concerning Jesus of
And besides this he hath his Book of Remembrance where he sets them down are they not in thy Book Especially God writes down such Tears as are shed for the sins of the times Ezek. 9.2 One was clothed with linnen with a writers Inkhorn by his side this was to write down the Tears of the Mourners and to set a mark upon the foreheads of them that sighed for the Abominations done in the midst of the City ver 4. 4. God writes down the Thoughts of his People We can write down mens Words but we cannot write down their Thoughts It would pose the Angels to write mens Thoughts but be assured never an Holy cogitation comes into our Mind but God writes it down So in the Text a Book of Remembrance was written for them that Thought upon his Name Two things are silent yet have a Voice Tears and Thoughts 5. God writes down the desires of his People Psalm 38 9. All my desire is before thee That is it is set down in thy book Desire is the Spiritual Appetite or the Souls Anhelation and breathing after God Psalm 84.2 In this Life we do rather desire God than enjoy him Can we say we take our Souls è Corporis Pharetra out of the quiver of our Bodies and shoot them into Heaven do our Affections sally forth towards Christ do we desire him superlatively and uncessantly Every such desire is put down in Gods Register Book all my desire is before thee 6. The Lord writes down the prayers of his People Ionah 2.7 Prayer though it be not Vocal only Mental is Recorded 1 Sam. 1.13 Hannah spake in her Heart That prayer God did write down and Answer God was better to her than her prayer she prayed for a Son and God gave her a Prophet When the heart is so full of grief that it can only groan in Prayer yet a Groan is sometimes the best part of a Prayer and God writes it down Psalm 38.9 Lord my Groaning is not hid from thee If we cannot speak with elegancy in Prayer if it be only lisping and chattering God puts it in his Book of Remembrance Isa. 38.14 Like a Crane so did I chatter yet that prayer was heard and registred Ver. 5. I have heard thy prayer I have seen thy Tears 7. God writes down the Alms of his People Works of Mercy must be done out of Love to God as Mary out of love brought her Ointments and sweet Spices and anointed Christs dead body so out of pure love we must bring our Ointments of Charity to anoint the Saints which are Christs living body Such Alms are not lost Heb. 13.16 With such Sacrifices God is well pleased And that we may see how well the Lord is pleased with them he hath a Book of Remembrance for them he writes them down Item so much lent to the Lord Acts 10.4 Cornelius thine Alms are come up for a memorial before God 8. God hath a Book of Remembrance for the Sufferings of his People The Saints Purgatory is in this life But there are two things may bear up their Spirits 1. Every Groan of theirs goes to Gods Heart Exod. 6.7 I have heard the Groanings of the Children of Israel In Musick when one string is touch'd all the rest sound when the Saints are stricken Gods bowels sound 2. God hath a Book of Records to write down his Peoples injuries The wicked make wounds in the backs of the Righteous and then pour in Vinegar God writes down their Cruelty 1 Sam. 15.2 I Remember what Amalek did to Israel Amalek was Esaus Grandchild A bitter enemy of Israel The Amalekites shewed their Spight to Israel two wayes 1. They did lye in ambush and as Israel passed by fell upon their rear and cut off the feeble in their army 1 Sam. 15.2 2. They did openly give Battel to them and would have hindred them from going into Canaan Exod. 17.8 Now God took Notice of Israels sufferings by Amalek I Remember â—hat Amalek did to Israel I have my Book of Remembrance I write it down Ver. 3. Go and smite Amalek CHAP. XV. Several Corollaries flowing from the Proposition IT shews us that it is not in Vain to serve God The Wicked who know not God think him an hard-master and say as they Iob 21.15 What profit should we have if we pray to him But the Text shews us that God records all the Services of his People a Book of Remembrance was written before him Gods writing in a Book is 1. An honour to the Saints the Romans wrote the names of their Senators in a Book and in token of Honour they were called Patres conscripti so Gods Book of Remembrance shews his high esteem of his People and their services he writes them down 2. Gods writing in a Book denotes the special favour God bears to his People he Registers them and their services with an intent to Crown them Tamerlain wrote down all the Memorable deeds of his Soldiers whom he afterwards preferred to places of dignity Gods service is most eligible let us make Ioshua's Choice Josh. 24.15 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. If we should desert Gods service whither shall we go when Christ asked his Disciples will ye also go away saith Peter Lord to whom shall we go John 6.68 As if he had said if we leave thee we do not know where to mend our selves Let us adhere to God he hath his Book of Memorials to record our Allegiance We may be losers for him we shall not be losers by him See from hence that as God doth Register the good works of his People so he hath a Book of Remembrance to write down the sins of the wicked Isa. 30.8 Go write it before them in a Table and note it in a book that it may be for the time to come for ever that this is a Rebellious People that will not hear the Law of the Lord. Mens sins are written in the book of Conscience and the Book of Gods Omnisciency They think because God doth not speak to them by his loud Judgements therefore God doth not know their sins but though God doth not speak he writes Jer. 17.1 The sin of Iudah is written with a Pen of Iron and the Point of a Diamond God scores down every act of Oppression Bribery Uncleanness Hos. 7.2 They consider not in their Heart that I remember all their wickedness King Belshazzer was carousing and drinking wine in bowls and praising his Gods of Gold and Silver but while he was sinning God was writing Dan. 5.6 In the same hour came forth fingers of a mans hand and wrote upon the Plaister of the Wall of the Kings Palace and the King saw part of the hand that wrote then the Kings countenance was changed We read of Gods Book Rev. 20.12 The books were opened and his Bag Job 14.17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag It seems to allude to
God saith to us ye are mine then we have great immunites 1. We are freed from the revenging wrath of God We are not free from Gods anger as a Father but as a Iudge God will not pour his vindictive Justice upon us Christ hath drunk the Red wine of Gods wrath upon the Cross that Believers may not tast a drop of it 2. We are freed from the Predominancy of sin Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion or as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall not Lord it over you Though Believers are not freed from the In-being of sin nor from the Combate with it yet they are freed from its Imperious command As it is said of those beasts in Daniel they had their Dominion taken away yet their Lives were prolonged for a season Dan. 7.12 So sin Lives in the Regenerate but its Dominion is taken away And to be thus freed from the jurisdictive power and tyranny of sin is no small blessing A Wicked man is at the command of sin as the Asse is at the command of the driver the curse of Cham is upon him Gen. 9.25 A Servant of Servants shall he be He is a slave to his Lusts and a slave to Satan O what a priviledge is it to have ones neck out of the Devils Yoak 3. We are freed from the accusations of Conscience The worm of Conscience is part of the Torment of Hell But God being our God we are freed from the Clamors of this hellish Fury Conscience sprinkled with Christs blood speaks Peace a good Conscience like the Bee gives Hony it is like the Golden pot which had Manna in it 2 Cor. 1.12 6. If God saith to us ye are mine we shall be his for ever Psalm 48.14 This God is our God for ever and ever You cannot say you have health and you shall have it for ever you have a Child and you shall have it for ever but if God be your God you shall have him for ever The Covenant of Grace is Sacrum diploma a Royal Charter and this is the Happiness of it it is eternized The interest between God and his people shall never be broken off How false therefore is the Opinion of falling from Grace Shall any that God makes his own by Federal union Fall finally Indeed if Salvation hath no better Pillar to rest upon than mans will as the Arminians hold no wonder if there be falling away but a Christians stability in Grace is built upon a surer basis namely Gods inviolable Covenant Isa. 55.3 Once in Christ and ever in Christ. A Star may sooner fall out of its orb than a true Believer be pluck'd away from God 7. If God saith to us ye are mine he will take us up to himself at death Death breaks the union between the Body and the Soul but perfects the union between God and the Soul This is the Emphasis of Heavens Glory to be with God What is the Joy of the blessed but to have a clear transparent sight of God and to be in the sweet and soft embraces of his love for ever This hath made the Saints desire death as the Bride the wedding day Phil. 1.23 Lead me Lord to that glory said an Holy man a glimpse whereof I have seen as in a glass darkly Let this be a Consolatory to the Saints there is a Covenant-union between God and them God is theirs and they are his they shall be mine saith the Lord. Here is a standing cordial for the Godly God looks upon them as having a propriety in them they shall be mine This is Comfort 1. In respect of Satans accusations he accuseth the Saints first to God then to themselves but if God saith ye are mine this answers all Satans Bills of Indictment Christ will shew the debt-book crossed in his blood It was a saying of Bucer I am Christs and the Devil hath nothing to do with me 2. It is Comfort in respect of Poverty Believers are match'd into the Crown of Heaven and all that is in God is theirs The Philosopher comforted himself with this that though he had no Musick or Vine-trees yet he had the houshold Gods with him So though we have not the Vine or Fig-tree yet if God be ours and we are his this Creates joy in the most indigent condition And that which may raise the comfort of the godly higher and cause a jubilation of Spirit is that shortly God will own his people before all the world and say these are mine At present the elect are not known 1 Iohn 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be The Saints are like Kings in disguise but how will their hearts leap for joy when God shall pronounce that word these are mine These the lot of Free-grace is fallen upon these shall lye for ever in the Bosom of my love To all who are yet strangers to God Labour to get into Covenant with him that he may say ye are mine Why doth God woo and beseech you by his Ambassadours if he were not willing to be in Covenant What shall a poor forlorn Creature do to get into Covenant with God 1. If you would be in Covenant with God break off the Covenant with sin 1 Sam. 7.3 What King will be in league with him that holds correspondence with his Enemy 2. Labour for Faith 1. Faith in the Mercy of God Jer. 3.12 I am merciful saith the Lord and will not keep anger for ever As the Sea covers great Rocks as well as little Sands so Gods Mercy covers great sins Manasseh a bloody sinner was held forth as a pattern of Mercy Some of the Jews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ yet their sins were forgiven 2. Faith in the merit of Christ. Christs blood is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only a Sacrifice to appease God but a Propitiation to ingratiate us into Gods favour and make him look upon us with a smiling aspect CHAP. XVIII The Second part of the Saints Reward Gods Honouring them 2. THE Second part of the Saints reward is Gods Honouring them in that day when I make up my Iewels Here are three Propositions 1. That God hath a great honour for his People 2. That Gods People are his Jewels 3. That there is a day when God will make up his Jewels 1 st That God hath a great honour for his People He speaks of them here with Honour in that day when I make up my Jewels Isai. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Honour attends Holiness That the Lord doth highly honour the fearers of him is evident by four demonstrations 1. In that he prefers them before others He chooseth them and passeth by the rest Mal. 1.2 Was not Jacob Esaus brother saith the Lord yet I hated Esau and loved Jacob. 2. In that God gives them frequent Visits 'T is counted an