thus imployed in striving to crucify sinne and in some good measure they have obtained victory this is an excellent imployment to be wrastling against corruption beating downe the body bringing it into subjection But it will be objected That sinne is in the best of Gods children Object and notwithstanding all their strivings and struglings they cannot get rid of sinne whilest they are in this world Ans 1. You must know that in this life there are imperfections Ans in the best and an absolute perfection cannot be attained till we come to heaven 2. Sinne though it is yet it Reignes not in the Regenerate Rom. 6. 12. vers 14. 3. The Regenerate make not a trade of sinne 1 Joh. 3. 9. They are said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Sinne is the griefe disease burthen of Regenerate men wherefore they grieve that they sinne and would faine be in that condition where they may sinne no more hereupon they crye out for a deliverer Rom. 7. 24. 5. It 's the endeavour of Regenerate persons to conquer every sinne they allow not themselves in sinne they strive to destroy bosome sinnes Ps 18. 23. 6. God accepts of Evangelicall Perfection i. e. sincere Intentions and endeavoâ—rs for action the will for the deed Wherefore then though flesh remaines as well as spirit yet the spirit at length will prevaile and returne conqueror and herein consists the great conquest of Christians to conquer the flesh to subdue all inordinate affections and insatiable desires and this is that which I have prest from my Text To crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts GODS LOVE IN CHRIST DISCOVERED From Rom 5. vers 8. But God commendeth his love towards us in that whilest we were yet sinners Christ died for us THE Apostle having disputed at large the Doctrine Sermon 6. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. March 20. 1658. of Justification by faith concludes by way of inference that singular priviledges graces and benefits are the peculiar portion of a justified person Justification is the root and the following graces are the fruit Justification the mother grace they the issue or Daughters viz. Peace of conscience vers 1. Accesse to the Throne of Grace vers 2. Joy in tribulation vers 2. Patience vers 3. Experience vers 4. Hope vers 4. And the ground of this hope is the love of God vers 5. Not that love whereby we love him but whereby he loveth us It 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have a sensible feeling of this love and this is not a delusion of our owne fancy but it is the effectuall working of the Holy Ghost A singular Instance of this love appeares by the death of Christ wherein we have 1. The season 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the due time and fittest 1. The season season this is the accepted time 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation The most conveninient time even now when the fulnesse of time was come Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law c. 2. The condition of the persons for whom it 's expressed by two 2. The Condition of the Persons words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 infirme impotent persons unable altogeather to help and deliver themselves And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ungodly such as left Gods true worship and defil'd themselves with Idolatry Now the love of Christ is further amplified by a comparison vers 7. let 's compare Christ's love with the love of men vers 7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one dye yet per adventure for a good man some would even dare to dye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By a righteous man we understand an innocent godly inoffensive just dealing man By a good man here we understand an usefull serviceable man a publick spirited man a Patriot for his countrey one that hath shewed much goodnesse to us Justus reddens cuique quod suum est Bonus qui beneficus est ac bene à multis meritus as some of the Learned observe But what 's this in comparison of the love of Christ All the love of creatures in comparison of Christ's love is not so much as the drop to the Ocean Note the incomparable unparrelled love of Christ to sinners in my Text. But God commendeth his love unto us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Wherein observe these Remarkable Particulars 1. The greatnesse of Gods love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commendat verbum Insignem summe commendabilem esse ostendit Beza Commendare significat aut confirmare as Aretius observes It signifieth testatum facere as Budaeus and Demosthenes use the word 2. The Proofe or Evidence of this love by Christ's death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. The condition of the persons sinners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rebellious sinners such in whom sinne raigned who were wholy under the power of sinne in their blood in a loathsome filthy condition All are sinners they have no truth in them that deny it 1 Joh. 1. 8. But here by sinners saith * Qui toti vitiosi sunt ac peccato addicti Calv. in Loc. Calvin are understood such Who are wholly vitious and addicted unto sinne We read that God heareth not sinners Joh. 9. 31. For these sinners Christ died for enemies rebells polluted lyeing in their filth these Christ loved and washed No fore sight of their faith repentance moved him to pitty them only his love For these he died and this is an unparrellel'd demonstration of the love of God and of Jesus Christ I shall comprise the whole of my meditations in one fundamentall Doctrine That the death of Christ for sinners is an evident demonstration Doct. of the love of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ This I shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unfold by Explication Confirmation and particular Application 1. For Explication I propound these Queries Query 1. Wherein consists this love of God the Father Ans In sending of his Sonne his beloved Son his only Son the Son of his bosome God might have impowred an Angell and sent him but the mission of his Son sets forth love inexpressible There 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 3. 16. He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten sonne that whosoever believâ—â—â— in him shall not perish but have everlasting life And further we read 1 Joh. 4. 9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten sonne into the world that we might live through him God left the fallen Angells without a Saviour but took pitty on lost man God would never be reconciled to the fallen Angells but from eternity he contrived a way to reconcile man unto himselfe 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live He found none at all godly lovely holy but made them so How many of those that imbrued their hands in Christ's blood were converted by one of Peters sermons Christ prayed upon the Cross for his enemies Luk. 23. 34. Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they doe The Duties we ought to learne from the consideration of this great love of Christ in laying down his life for sinners are First That in Zach. 12. 10. And I will poure upon the house of Dut. 1. To mourne over Christ David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have peirced and thâ—y shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only sonne and shall be in bitnernesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first borne Seconly To crucify sinne which crucified Christ Thus the Dut. 2. To crucify sin Apostle professeth Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Christ Neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himselfe for me Thirdly Set an inestimable price upon the meanes of our redemption Dut. 3. Set a high value upon the price of our redemption that price of blood 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. For asmuch as yee know that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vaine conversation received by tradition from your Fathers But with the pretious blood of Christ as of a lambe without blemish and without spot Fourthly Look for no salvation else where Act. 4. 12. Neither Dut. 4. Look for salvation through Christ only is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men that man Christ Jesus Joh. 17. 3. And this is life eternall that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Fifthly Let us live unto Christ which died for us 2 Cor. 5. Dut. 5. Live unto Christ 15. And that he died for all that they which live should not hence forth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Sixtly Let our hearts be warmed with love to Christ 2 Cor. Dut. 6. Be warm'd with love to Christ 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraines us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead The apprehension of Christs great love unto us should ingage us to love him againe Qâ—ry 3. Is this so great a matter for Christ to dye and to lay downe his life for publick good Did not many others lay down their lives for the publick as Codrus for the Athenians Meneceus for the Thebans Curtius threw himselfe into a gulfe to preserve Rome from pestilence Nisus would have died for Euryâ—lus Pilades for Orestes c. Where then lieth the difference Ans 1. Heathens that laid downe their lives were not innocent persons they were sinners Christ was innocent no sinner a Lamb without blemish no gâ—ile was found in his mouth 2. Heathens laid downe their lives out of principles of praise and vaine glory Christ laid his life in love to his Father love to the elect 3. Heathens gave their lives at the instigation of Satan having no thought to please God but Christ gave himselfe in obedience to his Father to do his will 4. Heathens died that their deaths might be esteemed glorious and honourable but Christ offered himselfe to the ignominious death of the Crosse 5. They died for to obtaine some temporall deliverance but by Christ we obtaine eternall deliverance 6. They died for their Countrey and friends but Christ died for his enemies These things being premised by way of Explication I come now to the Confirmation of the point To which purpose I shall lay downe these Propositions and they are Aeternae veritaâ—is 1. God the Father from all Eternity contrived this admirable Proposit 1. God from all eternity contrived the way of Redemption by Jesus Christ way of redemption by Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wiâ— that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Rev. 13. 8. And all that dwell upon the face of the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the Lamb slaine from the foundation of the world This transaction was not of yesterday but decreed and contrived and intended from all eternity God reprobated the fallen Angells and left them without a Saviour for Christ shed not a drop of blood for them They before the foundation of the world were decreed to eternall punishments But for lost man a Saviour was decreed and this was God's intendment before all time Questionlesse this is exceeding great love and an evident Character of the love of God the Father 2. Christ was an innocent holy person without the least sinne Proposit 2. Christ was an innocent Person There was no deceit in his mouth Isai 53. 9. And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death Because he had done no violence neither was any deceit in his mouth He was most holy harmlesse undefiled 1 Pet. 1. 19. We were redeemed with the pretious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot Christ was the beloved Son of God in whom the Father was well pleased Matth. 3. 17. And â—â—e a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved sonne in whom I am well pleased Christ was the only Son and beloved Son now for God the Father to send his Son his only Son his beloved Son not to raigne but to serve not to live a life of honour and glory in the world but to be despised rejected wounded and endure the shamefull painfull and cursed death of the Crosse Never was any love like unto this Of this we read Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And likewise 1 Joh. 4. 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sinnes 3. Christ who was sent was God God-man in one person Proposit 3. Christ is God-man in one Person The divine person assumed an humane nature Christ was the Word and the Word was God and Christ that substantiall Word was made flesh Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only
borne neither having done any good or evill that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth It was said unto her the elder shall serve the younger as it is written Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated 4. This love is incomprehensible inexpressible Eph. 3. 18 19. 4. This love is incomprehensible That yee may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that yee might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 5. It is an eternall love Joh. 13. 1. Now before the feast of the 5. This love is eternall passeover when Jesus knew that his houre was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawne thee The second Use is for Examination whether we are of that Vse 4. For Examination number which hath interest in this love We are to distinguish of severall sorts of love There 's Amor benevolentiae Complacentiae For that there is Amor benevolentiae hence appeares munificentia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God doth good to all makes the Sun to shine on the just and unjust That which we are to inquire of is that which is called Amor complacentiae appropriated only unto Gods children What evidences may be given that we have interest in this distinguishing love The 1. Signe is Sanctification it 's God's order and we may Signe 1. Sanctification not break it Rev. 1. 5. Vnto him that loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood If thou canst prove that thy nature is changed by the sanctifying vertue of God's spirit thou maiest conclude that thou art one that hath interest in the speciall love of God 2. Those that have interest in this speciall love of God feele a Signe 2. Constraining love of Christ constraining power in this love to ingage them to obedience to Gods commands 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Christ constraines us because we thus judge that if one died for all then we are all dead 3. By the sincerity of our love to God we may conclude his Signe 3. Sincerity of love to God love towards us 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us Gods love to us is the ground of our Assurance our love to him is the ground of our Evidence Let Gods children as Bradford that pretious man of God used to advise lay this down for a foundation That God loves them and where this love is it will shed abroad love in their hearts even love to God love to the brethren love to the Ordinances love and longing for the appearance of Christ 4. Christ manifests his love to his people Joh. 14. 21. He that Signe 4. Christ manifests his Love to his people hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my selfe to him Though he may hide himselfe for a time yet he will embrace them with everlasting kindnesse Isai 54 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from them for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer 5. Those whom God loves with a speciall distinguishing love Signe 5. Christ is Lord and King have Christ their redeemer their Lord King and Ruler their Prophet to instruct them their Priest to make satisfaction and intercession for them This is the greatest evidence of Gods love in giving thee his son as in the place forecited Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Which is plainly applyed to believers and takes not in all universally but a peculiar select company even such only as believe And Rom. 8. 32. He that spareth not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 6. Those who have interest in this great speciall love have Signe 6. Gods spirit dwells in them Gods spirit and this dwells in them Rom. 8. 9. But yee are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Christs spirit dwells as an Inhabitant and Ruler and this is a witnesse Rom. 8. 16. The spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God And this sealeth and giveth earnest 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts and where this dwells it may be knowne by the fruits which it bringeth forth Gal. 5. 22 23. But the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance The third Use is for Exhortation and your duty I shall branch Vse 2. For Exhortat into these following particulars 1. Stand admiring contemplating this great love of God the 1. Admire Gods love Father to give thee Christ and that Christ should becomeman be made sin a curse whilst that greater and nobler richer learneder then thy selfe should be past by and God should give Christ for thee that he should love thee and wash thee and make thee a King and a Priest unto God thou can'st never admire enough this unparralleld love of God Eternity would even be too little to set forth this wonderfull love of God As there is a depth of wisdome so there is a depth of mercy in God which cannot be fathom'd 2. Let thy heart be filled with the praises of the Lord. Lift up 2. Be filled with the praises of God advance what in thee lyeth the honour of God the love of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ God gives his Son Christ's merits are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a price meritorious and the Holy Spirit maketh application How then ought we for ever to abound in praises to the Lord The Samaritan returned back and gave God thanks for his cleansing So should we blesse God that he hath made a difference by his grace between us and the very vilest of men what ever Thus did Paul 1 Tim. 1. 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me for that he counted me faithfull putting me into the Ministery Now unto the King Eternall immortall invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 3. Love should beget reciprocall love even Love unto God the 3. Love should
himselfe not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation This is love beyond compare The duty that belongs unto us is 1. To admire at this great infinite love to get our hearts raised up in the high contemplation of this love 2. Le ts be thankfull we can never be thankfull enough Eternity will be too little to praise God and blesse him for so great love 3. Let love beget love love must be reciprocall 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us 4. Let this love of God cause us to love one another 1 Joh. 4. 11. Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another 5. Let this ingage us to obedience and holynesse in our conversations Joh. 14. 15. If yee love me keep my Commandments Query 2. Wherein consists this love of Christ Ans In dyeing for us The greatnesse of Christs love in dyeing for us may be inhanced in these singularities 1. In that he died voluntarily 2. If we consider the greatnesse of his sufferings 3. If we consider the persons for whom 1. Christ died voluntarily I gave my back to the smiter and 1. Christ died voluntarily my cheeks to those that pluckt of the haire I hid not my face from shame and spitting Isai 50. 6. And Joh. 10. 17 18. Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay downe my life that I may take it againe No man taketh it from me but I â—ay it down of my selfe I have power to lay it downe and power to take it againe This commandment have I received of my Father Christ if he pleased could have defended himselfe from his enemies he could have had legions of Angells in his defence but in obedience to his Father to fulfill the scripture in love to his owne he freely and voluntarily resigned himselfe to his Fathers pleasure and drunk that cup which his Father gave him And question lesse this was great love for Christ freely and willingly to lay down his life 2. Consider the greatness of Christ's sufferings 2. Consider the greatnesse of Christ's sufferings He endured contempt reproach spitting buffetting reviling they called him Samaritan Impostor Devill they scourged him crowned him with thornes wagged their heads at him Insulted over him and at last they put him to suffer that most shamefull painfull cursed death of the Crosse This Crucifixion was a Roman punishment That 's evident from Joh. 18. 31 32. Then said Pilate unto them take ye him and judge him according to your law The Jewes therefore said unto him it is not lawfull for us to put any man to death that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake signifying what death he should dye And to set forth the humiliation of Christ you may read Phil. 2. 8. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himselfe and became obedient unto death even the death of the Crosse Implying this was the greatest of Punishments Quid dicam in crucem tollere saith Cicero In this punishment of Crucifixion we are to consider these Aggravations 1. Shame 1. The Shame they were crucified usually stark naked Most writers say Christ was so crucified Believe not your painters who put a cloath before him they are teachers of lyes The common custome was that they who were cruciâ—ied were stript naked as they came into the world and so they suffered ignominy And a further shame and disgrace appeares in this that Christ was crucified without the walls as unworthy to be within the walls Barabbas a theife and murtherer was released and Christ was crucified between two theives as if he had been their Captaine this Circumstance sets forth the ignominy and disgrace put upon Jesus Christ 2. In this punishment of Crucifixion we are to consider a curse 2. A Curse Deut. 21. 23. His body shall not remaine all night upon the tree but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day for he that is hanged is accursed of God that thy land be not defiled which the Lord thy God gives thee for an inheritance There was a legall curse put upon this death Gal. 3. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Now for the Son of God the fountaine of all blessings in whom all Nations of the earth should be blessed to stand upon the Crosse like an accursed man the Sun was ashamed and withdrew his light and the earth trembled 3. In this punishment consider paine extremity of paine a lingring 3. Paine death This was a terrible and dolorous paine His body was extended stretched out like stretching out upon a Rack Of the Passion of Christ we are to understand Psal 22. 14 16. I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joynt my heart is like wax it s melted in the midst of my bowells For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me they peirced my hands and my feet Where the sinewes met in the palmes of his hands and in the feet where the paine was most acute there they peirced him It was not with Christ as with many who are stupefied and in whom extremity of paine blunteth the sense thereof but Christ was in perfect sense all the while And six houres in extremity of paine he hung upon the Crosse and was sensible as much at the last as at the first Never was any sorrow like unto his sorrow He sweat drops of blood was in an agony was despised rejected reproached and at last was crucified All these Considerations inhance the greatnesse of Christs sufferings and his love towards us 3. Consider for whom Christ died not for friends but enemies 3. For whom Christ died Vers 10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life Not for righteous and good men but for sinners and bad men not for strong but weak not for faithfull subjects but rebells Christ died Now this love is beyond all compare Now the consideration of Gods love and our unworthynesse should ingage us to love and thankfulnesse as * Tantae dilectionis Dei indignitatis nostrae consideratione demittamus Cristas in Dei judicio ac toto corde eum redamemus ut non totos in â—ivam gratitudinis hostiam vicissim consecremus Pareus in Loc. Pareus observes on the place To lay downe his life for his friends had been great love Joh. 15. 13. greater love hath no man then this that a man lay downe his life for his friend But to lay downe his life for enemies for sinners unworthy persons this love is a none such Christ died for the ungodly He said live when they were in their blood Ezek. 16. 6. And when I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in
beget love to God Father and Christ If there be any spark of love it will inkindle into a flame of Serapicall affections David professeth Psal 18. 1. I will love thee O Lord my strength 4. This should beget love to the Brethren Joh. 13. 35. By 4. Gods love to us should cause us to love our brethren this shall all men know that yee are my disciples if yee love one another 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren 1 Joh. 4. 21. And this commandment have we from him that he who loveth God loveth his brother also 5. We should place our love where God placeth his and our 5. love where God loveth hatred where he placeth his hatred God loveth holinesse holy people holy Ordinances so should we God hateth every sinne so should we Psalm 97. 10. Yee that love the Lord hate evill 6. We should be often inquiring whether we be of the number 6. Enquire whether thou hast interest in Christs speciall love Vse 4. For Consolation of those that have Interest in Christs speciall love for whom he died This we should frequently and seriously examine our hearts about as I gave some evidences before unto which I referre you The fourth and last Use is for comfort unto all those who have interest in this speciall love Their speciall Benefits are these 1. They are admitted to the Throne of Grace through Christ Benefit 1. They are admitted unto the throne of grace Eph. 2. 18. For through him we have both an accesse by one spirit unto the Father They are his favorites friends Jewells a Crown and Diadem of Glory and therefore they are exhorted to draw neare with full assurance of faith Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtaine mercy and find grace to help in time of need It 's said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with freedome boldnesse or confidence 2. All things work together for their good Rom. 8. 28. And Benefit 2. All things worke together for their good we know that all things worke together for good to them that love God to them who are called according to his purpose They love God God loveth them and nothing shall be able to hinder God's love Their crosses hardships reproaches all shall conduce unto their good 3. They shall feele the benefit of this love unto all Eternity Heb. Benefit 3. They shall feele Christs love unto all Eternity 7. 25. Christ ever liveth to make Intercession for them Though Satan roare and men condemne yet the love of Christ will comfort thee against all Rom. 8. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that Justifieth Thy sinnes and corruption administer continuall matter of Humiliation and these will cost thee deare whilest thou art in the valley of Bacha but the time will come when there will be no more sighing for sinne Sorrow and sighing will flye away For there shall be no sorrow in heaven 4. This may Arme us with courage against feare of death Ben 4. Gods love armes us wth courage against fear of death Christ hath died and tooke away the sting Christ hath perfumed the grave He hath conquered sinne Satan lead captivity captive Therefore in doubts feares troubles inward and outward have recourse to this love of God in Christ and this will be a Cordiall a Salve for every sore The consideration of Gods love unto thy Soule will make thee undergoe hardships cheerefully kisse the Rod that beates thee Gods love manifested in Christ will make thee willing to live and willing to dye so that God may be glorified in thee and by thee For thou that hast Interest in this distinguishing love of God reconciled in Christ know to thy comfort that whether thou livest or whether thou dyest Jesus Christ will be unto thee in life and in death advantage THE REALL PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIANITY DISTINGUISED FROM THE NOMINALL 2 Tim 2. vers 19. And let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from Iniquity THE Apostle in the precedent words gives advertisement Sermon 7. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. July 24. 1659. concerning some notorious Hereticks such whose words eat as a canker or Gangren Their names are upon record to their eternall infamy V. 17. Their words will eat as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus And their Heresy likewise hath a brand upon it V. 18. Who concerning the truth have erred saying that the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some * Allegoricam nescio quam resurrectionem fingendo Calv. in loc Calvin understands that they feigned an Allegoricall resurrection Estius and Gorrâ—n concurre in the same judgment and †Non suo tempore defuisse quâ—â—esurrectionem â—ortuorum manifeste annâ—â—tiatam in imagâ—â—ariam resurrectionem distorquerent Tertull. de Resurrectione carnis cap. 19. Tertullian is cited in his Book de resurrectione carnis cap. 19. In whose time there were not wanting some who did openly say that the Resurrection of the dead was imaginary The names of the men are Hymeneus and Philetus a Anuptiarum â—eo Hymeneus from the God of marriage b Nomen quasi Optatum Desideratum Hugo Grot. Philetus that is a name as it were desirable as some of the Learned observe Their doctrine and their mischievous consequences follow First For their doctrine an erroneous and hereticall tenet is there laid downe viz. That the resurrection is past already i. e. as Gorran and Estius produce the opinions of those times that the resurrection was compleated by Regeneration And * Completam ex mente istorum interpretantur resurrectionem in quotidiana animarum renovatione Aug Ep. 119 ad Januarium Augustine himselfe in Epist 119. unto Januarius fastens the same opinion upon them Or else they might incline to the opinion of Marcion that Notorious Heretick That there was no resurrection of the body but of the soule only 2. Secondly Let 's consider the great mischiefe of this opinion The Apostle tâ—llâ— us that their words eate as doth a Gangren The Gangren some assimilate to a Canker or a wolfe which spreadeth further and further to the consumption of the whole body The Originall as Hesichius observes is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 depascor †Gangraenam medici de carnosa parte inflammationis emortuâ intelligunt Scultet Scultetus saith that by Gangren Phisitians understand a fleshy and dead part of inflammation What further I shall say is this that as a Gangren frets the flesh runs thorough the blood and creepeth further and further till it infect the whole body so Heresies infect the whole man speedily mortally and uncurably Wherefore let not any make a slight matter of Error and Heresy and plead that every one should have liberty of judgment and that a Toleration of all sorts of opinions
ever did nor shall ever goe away a looser by Gods service God keeps the wages 'till afterwards Here we may have an earnest part of payment but the great summe is reserved for another world And they that honour God in bringing converts to the Gospell and making Proselytes to Jesus Christ they are highly honoured of God Them that honour me saith God I will honour 1 Sam. 2. 30. And what honour God will one day put upon them you may read Dan. 12. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse is the stars for ever and ever such honour hath all his Saints When Andrew shall come in with Achaia by him converted to the truth John with Asia Thomas with India Peter with the Jewes and Paul with the Gentiles and all the Ministers of the Gospell and others whom God hath made instrumentall in this great service when these shall be able to say Behold Lord here we are and the children which thou hast given us then will the Lord say to them well done good and faithfull servants enter into your masters joy And thus I have dispatcht the first head propounded in the second 2. Head The Characters of him that win neth soules Charact. 1. He must abound in love place I am to give in the character of him who of all others is likeliest to win soules how such a one should be qualified I shall represent unto you in these ensuing Characters 1. He must abound in the grace of love his heart must be enflamed with seraphicall love unto Jesus Christ It 's a passage frequently used in Ignatius Epistles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my love is crucified It 's an excellent saying in Paul 2 Cor. 5. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of Christ constrains us A faithfull Minister acts altogether from a principle of love to Jesus Christ He prayeth preacheth giveth almes fasteth watcheth and hee 's indefatigable in his labours and what 's the reason or ground of all Because the love of Christ constrains him Then onely are we upon sure grounds when the love of Christ is that primum mobile that sets all the other orbes in their motion and where there 's a principle of love to Jesus Christ there will be shed abroad mutuall love towards our brethren such love was unparalleld in Moses who wish'd himselfe blotted out of the boâ—ke of life Exod. 32. 3. And in Paul who wished himselfe an Anathema for the Jewes Rom. 9. 3. Here 's soule love indeed beyond compare O what an ardent affection and tender compassion ought Ministers to have to the soules of their people Love to their soules will make them runne through fire and water grapple with beasts of Ephesus sons of Anak even Herculean labours But where 's love to the fleece onely Mercenary hopes of promotions dignities carnal interest all such self-ends and sinister respects will be but as so many Ignes fatui to lead men away into dangerous and destructive ways It 's onely love to the soul that will set thee a working to good purpose And further he that is thus set on fire with love to Christ and to his Brethrens souls must be a man of such wisdom as to temper all his counsels in love In all his Meditations and Exhortations Love is one main Ingredient in the composition He abhors sin in any and reproves it but whilest he hates the sin he loves the person and whilest he endeavors to slay and utterly to destroy the sin he would gladly be instrumental to save the soul of the sinner This is the rule which the Apostle gives Eph. 4. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some render it speaking some following some doing the truth But if the English word may be admitted it 's rendred most suitable to the Original truthing of it in love 2. He must be a man of a willing minde God expects his offering Charact. 2. A man of a willing minde of the willing hearted Exod. 35. 5. And the people are commended for willingly offering themselves Judg. 5. 2. The question was asked 1 Chron. 29. 5. Who then is willing to consecrate his service to the Lord and it 's said v. 6. Then the chief of the Fathers and the Princes of the tribes of Israel c. offered willingly And Gods people are a willing people people of willingnâ—sse Psalm 110. 3. Every one set apart for the Ministry must have such a Spirit as Amasiah the Son of Zichri had who willingly offered himself unto the Lord And this was as eminent in Paul And I will very gladly spend 2 Chro. 17. 16. 2 Chro. 12. 15. and be spent for you Necessity and constraint may not put any upon a Ministerial Function Quasi ultimum refugium not an Advowson purchased by the Father and intended for the Son nor an Impropriator who intends his Son for his Substitute at a venture A strange Soloecism saith Mr. Boltâ—n that holy man of God a Lay-Rector and not Preach nor a Collegiate Education by Statute enjoyning at such a standing to enter into Orders whereas alass many venter thus upon this calling who have neither heart nor hand to put forth to the work but onely that they might keep their places I say none of those can be a sufficient warrant in point of conscience to take upon them so high a Calling This Calling must be took upon choice and serious deliberation It must be willingly entred upon and willingly performed No thinking of putting thy hand to the Plough and looking back such are not fit for the service of the Lord This must be thy resolution come good report come evil report honor dis honor prosperity or adversity I will give my self up to God as Hannah gave Samuel for a loan all the days of my life 3. He must be a man of a meek spirit such a singular spirit was Charact. 3. A man of a meek spirit in Moses Numb 12. 3. And beyond all parallel in Christ He propounds himself the pattern of our imitation Matth. 11. 29. How must the servant of the Lord be qualified 2 Timothy 2. 24 25. And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all mâ—n apt to teach patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves And how must an erring brother be dealt withal you may observe the rule Gal. 6. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage in the cause of God Every Charact. 4. He must be a man of zeal and courage thing is beautiful in its season There 's a season for meekness and a season for zeal Moses who was meek in his own cause yet was highly transported with zeal in the cause of God Some are Boanergesses Sons of Thunder and others are Barnabasses sons of consolation It 's observed that notwithstanding many failings there 's some good spoken of all the
Christ and him crucified And he calls other things in comparison of this knowledge Phil. 3. 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Above all knowledge labour to get this knowledge and above all your gettings labour to get this understanding And unless you be newborn you can never attaine unto a savory knowledge of Christ An ignorant person will ask what is thy beloved more then an other beloved but the Spouse answered my beloued is white and ruddy the cheifest of ten thousand Here lyes our duty to pray for the spirit and wait upon God in his word the word is the seed the spirit that formative vertue that makes it effectuall O prize Gods ordinances and wait upon God in them Happy will it be for any of you of whom it can be truely said Loe there was he born Loe there was he new born and wash'd with the laver of Regeneration In such a place and at such a Sermon God came in and chang'd the heart This is the Nail we are a driving we let down the Casting-net of the Gospel hopeing to catch some and it 's the desire of our soules to be instrumentall to beget soules unto Jesus Christ Let 's all doe our duties faithfully and leave the success with God The 2d Use is for Information To handle this use more distinctly 2 For Information my work will be 1. To shew you negatively what Regeneration is not 2. To shew positively what it is 1. Negatively and this I shall discover in these ensuing particulars 1. It consists not as Nicodemus grosly apprehended in a second 1. Regeneration is not understood in Nicodemus his sense entring into the wombe Suppose that a naturall man could be born in a natural way a thousand times over yet there is such defilement in his naturall being and birth by reason of Original sinne that it 's infinitely different and disagreeing with spiritual Regeneration this natural birth would be but flesh and our Saviour tells us that which is born of the flesh is flesh 2. Regeneration consists not in a New Physicall being i. e. to 2 Regeneratiom consists not in a Physicall being loose the essentials we had of a soul and the faculties thereof We have some Familists and vain Dreamers who talk of being Goded and Christed and tell of a strange Deification of being made God with God This is Blasphemy in a high measure see 1 Pet. 1. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have by Christ not a new substance put into us but new qualities In a Theologicall sense he is wholly a new man who is changed in quality from bad to good yet the substance remaines still the same The alteration is not in the essence but in the operations and qualities of a man 3. Regeneration is not Civility and morall honesty 3. Regeneration is not civility and morall honesty though civility and moral honesty are both commendable and a shame for any Christians to be strangers to them yet men may be morally honest just in dealings and yet not outstrip heathens who never heard of Christ A Socrates a Plato a Regulus a Fabritius by their principles may goe a great way walk inoffensively to the eye of the world and yet may be a meer Ignoramus of Regeneration What 's the reason the Apostle will tell us 1 Cor. 2. 14. The naturall man receives not the things of the spirit of God Heathens have called the new moulding of their life a new birth Seneca tells us Nobis ad arbitrium nostrum nasci licet Yet this is farre short of that heavenly birth which the Scripture discovers How were Heathens new moulded but according to those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common naturall principles according to those institutions which they had in the Schooles of Plato Zeno and Aristotle It s the property of Gods word only to beget this new nature It 's call'd Incorruptible seed 1 Pet. 1. 23. Now not only a proâ—ane man must be born again but a civill man Joh. 3. 3. It 's spoken Indefinitely except a man be born again c. A man outwardly vertuous a man of a sweet disposition a man of a good nature he must be born againe It was a Blasphemous Hyperbole used in commendation of Bonaventure In hoc homine non peccavit Adam yet let the nature be nere so ingenuous it must be born from above 4. Regeneration consists not in great parts and abilities Many 4. Regeneration consists not in great Parts and Abilities may have great learning both naturall and acquired parts to admiration and yet remaine altogether ignorant of Regeneration The learned Orators and Philosophers attain'd unto a great measure of knowledge and yet were ignorant of the mystery of Regeneration Where Regeneration is ther 's a wonderful change wrought upon the heart the inward man is purified the thoughts are sanctified the heart cleansed But all the Documenta and Principia of the cheifest of Philosophers and Orators mention not one syllable of heart cleansing heart purifying they direct no further then the outward man 5. Regeneration consists not in common graces There may be a 5. Regeneration consists not in common Grace coÌ„mon Faith a coÌ„mon Love and a coÌ„mon Hope in such as are unregenerate To have a temporary opinionative Faith to have a coÌ„mon verbal Love a presumptuous Hope these are common to those that perish But to have a Faith that purifieth the heart a Love without dissimulation a Hope that maketh not ashamed these appertain only to regenerate persons 6. Regeneration consists not in a bare profession of Christ and 6. Regeneration consists not c. acknowledgement of the Gospel Many have an external profession and profess that they believe in Christ and yet cannot tell what this New birth means Many may be turned from Paganism to Popery from Popery to Protestantism and yet be unregenerate all the while There must be a conversion from an outward profession at large to a holy conversation There must be a saving work of grace upon the heart Wee must not onely be externally professors but internally and really changed in our natures we must be took off the old stock and planted into the new we must not be contented to be accounted nominal professors unlesse we be really wrought upon and throughly changed Now as I have shewed you in six particulars wherein Regeneration is not I shall now endeavour to shew in six particulars wherein it consists viz. in a new Nature a new Understanding new Will new Affections a new Heart and a new Life and Conversation 1. For the new Nature this is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4. 1. There 's a new nature 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 5. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 5. 7. This consists not onely in the change of some particular actions but the change of the whole Nature 2. There 's a new Understanding Eph. 4. 23. Rev. 3. 18. 1 Joh. 2.
and leave deep impression upon all your Consciences Serm. 10. At S. Mary's Oxon Nov. 1. 1657. HAveing lately made some entrance on this text in this place I proceed on in the same use of Exhortation to drive the naile to its full head pressing upon you all this great duty of the weightiest importance i. e. to give God your Male without blemish that is in all your services worship and duties that you performe to give the best of the best unto the Lord. To set this use home I le press somewhat closer the duty of the text in these seven ensuing considerations Consider the transcendent greatness and majesty of God In my Consid 1. Thetranscendent majesty of God text he is called a great King and Lord of Hosts which sets forth the majesty and soveraignty of God who is absolute Ruler Governour and Commander of all All the Creatures are made by God all are sustained and preserved by him Therefore it 's a cogent reason ro ingage all creatures to subjection and obedience to their Creatour and Governour Seneca was wont to say when we are about a business of great consequence we should imagine that Scipio Cato Laelius c. were our Overseers Much more ought we to remember the soveraignty Dominion and omnipresence of God Such serious considerations might prevaile with us to offer the best sacrifices and services unto the Lord. Gods greatness and power commands our fear and reverence It 's an excellent observation of Mr. Calvin on the place The greatness of God ought so to Magnitudo Dei debet nos humiliare ne eum colamus pro sensu carnis nostrae sed offeramus tantum quod ejus coelesti gloria dignâ—Ì„ est Calv. in loc humble us as not to worship God according to our carnal sense But to offer to him what beseemes his heavenly Glory Constantine the great Valentinian and Theodosius called themselves Christs vassâ—ls and well they might because he is absolute Monarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All other things are his servants All creatures are at his sole command According to our capacities there 's but a shaddowing forth and that very darkly of the glory of God Ezek. 1. Isai 6 Dan. 7. The Throne is there said to be stately costly and magnificent Hence Bernard infers a good note Omnino oporlet nos orationis tempore c. i. e. At prayer time when we enter into the Court of Heaven where the King of all Kings sits in state we should approach with reverence humility and fear considering that we are dust and ashes and we make our addresses unto the great God of Heaven and Earth A second consideration shall be drawn from the infinite Holines Consid 2. Drawn from the holyness of God of God This layeth a strong ingagement upon us in all our services to put forth our selves to the utmost to present unto the Lord an acceptable sacrifice The Lord is holy in his essence holy in all his wayes his name is holy his word holy his people holy his worship holy in Levitical ordinances all ought to be holy As for instance the flesh was holy Lev. 6. 27. Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place The Instruments holy Numb 31. 6. And Moses sent them unto the War a thousand of every Tribe them and Phineas the Son of Eleazar the Priest to the Warre with the holy Instruments and the Trumpets to blow in his hand The Vessels holy 1 Chron. 22. 19. Now set your hearts and your soules to seek the Lord your God build the Sanctuary to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord and the holy Vessels into the hoâ—se that is to be built The Offerings holy 2 Chron. 35. 13. They rosted the Passeover with fire but the other holy Offerings sod they in pâ—ts c. The â—ifts holy Exod. 22. 38. The Oyntment holy Exod. 30. 25. The Garments holy Exod. 35. 21. So likewise in Evangelical Ordinances all must be holy as we may read Zech. 14. 20 21. All this is to be understood of the spiritual service in the Christian Church The ingraving of the Priests Mitre was Holynesse unto the Lord. And this Motto must be upon our hearts and lives We serve a holy God who is infinite in holynesse of purer eyes than to behold the least iniquity Holynesse becomes his house his day is holy his service must be holy God will be sanctified in all that we approach unto him His Name ought to be sanctified by us let 's not then be so vile as to offer unholy services to a holy God let 's not offer the lame and the blind to the holy Lord God A third consideration shall be drawn from the equity of the Duty Is it not most equall to return by way of gratitude to God Consid 3. From the equity of the duty again that which he hath given unto us All the cattel on a thousand Mountains are at Gods disposing all the parts and abilities thou hast are Gods gifts all strength vigour marrow in thy bones are Gods bounty and largenesse to thee What hast thou which thou hast not received The Male in the flock is Gods great bounty to thee and wilt thou not give it back again unto God Wee read how David prepared with all his might for the house of God as Brasse Iron Silver and Gold and precious Stones Read his humble acknowledgement 1 Chron. 29. 14 16. Now shall not we render a Miâ—e in returne for Millions received shall not we render a drop of Praises for an ocean of Mercies Quid retribuam saith David David thought no cost great enough for â—od Solomon spared for no cost in building the Temple no more ought Christians to love cheap services and lazy wayes of devotion We must think nothing good enough for God An onely sonne Abraham would offer Gen. 22. 12. Hast thou a good memory is that thy best treasure then employ it to remember thy Creator hast thou a great judgement and understanding labour more and more to know God thy self and communicate what thou knowest for the edification of thy brethren Hast thou strong Affections as Love Joy Desire c let them be placed on God as that onely centrum quietativum Hast thou great substance in the world Consider thou hast the worlds goods but lent and entrusted to thee as a Steward for a little time and therefore thou must honour God with thy substance by dealing out thy bread to the hungry and relieving of the distressed members of Jesus Christ In a word whatever thou art or hast all the members of thy body and faculties of thy soul must be employed as instruments in the service of God All come from God and must be employed for God what he gives to us must be given back again Wherefore we conclude this Motive
opinion of Religion and think any thing will serve as if any thing were good enough for God Such a slight service was done by Gehazi he went on before and layd his staffe upon the child and there was no appearance of life in the child but the Prophet Elisha layd his hand on the childs hand his mouth on the childs mouth c. and in good earnest set upon the work and the spirit of the child revived It 's the observation of a Reverend Mr. Jerem. Burroughs and precious Divine that of all spirits hee desired to be delivered from a frothy spirit it 's therefore a matter of lamentation and ought in good earnest to be bewailed to consider with what irreverence formalities and slightnesse of the spirit many set upon duty some will pray partly between sleeping and waking so drowsily that they can scarce pronounce their words aright Others will mumble over a few words of course in their beds Neither of these think of that reverence that belongs to the great God of heaven and earth and that he requires the Male the best we can offer unto him A third Impediment is a worldly spirit A heart swallowed up Imped 3. A wordly spirit with the love of the world will never give God the best such spirits wil grudge any thing for God because the world hath seized on their spirits and took up their affections Their breath words conversations even all favours of the world Now this love of the world is the root of all evill and enmity against God Demas forsook the Apostles society The young man preferred earthly treasures before heavenly where the world sits close and the heart is enamoured with the love of the world there Christs riches and his excellencies are undervalued A fourth Impediment is an unbeleeving heart Christ is not a Imped 4. An unbeleeving heart whit regarded amongst unbeleevers onely beleevers account him precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. He that knew the worth of the pearl of price and beleeved there was such vertue in it sold all to purchase it Mat. 13. 46 47. These Impediments being removed some speciall duties ought to be practised 1. Alwaies set before thine eyes the great God of heaven and Dut. 1. Set God before thine eyes earth as omnipresent pure and omnipotent who seeth knoweth and searcheth all hearts This consideration will make thee afraid to present any thing vile and refuse unto so great so holy a Lord God How thou prayest in thy closet what thy secret reserved thoughts are what thy intentions are in any duty all are naked unto that great and glorious Majesty with whom thou hast to deale 2. Labour for sincerity of heart That 's it which will carry thee Dut. 2. Labour for sincerity of heart through all brakes bryars difficulties and perplexities whatsoever It 's said Asa's heart was upright there 's a neverthelesse put in 2 Chron 15. 17. It 's this which comforted Hezekiah when the sentence of death was past against him 2 King 20. 3. It 's that which God requires even truth in the inward parts Ps 51. 6. It 's that which is the cause of rejoycing 2 Cor. 1. 12. Nathaniels character to be an Israelite indeed without guile Joh. 1. 47. The upright are they which love Christ Cant. 1. 4. And they are Gods delight Prov. 11. 20. Their Tabernacle shall flourish Prov. 14. 11. Their high way is to depart from evill Prov. 16. 17. They walk surely Prov. 10. 9. and no good thing will God withhold from them Ps 84. 11. Their end is peace Psal 37. 37. Upright walking with God will carry a man through all troubles whatsoever and in life and death will yeeld matter of abundance of consolation 3. Embrace the present season of Grace Seek ye the Lord whilst Dut. 3. Embrace the present season he may be found call ye upon him whilst he is near Isa 55. 6. Now give God your strength and marrow and lay aside all delayes Apologies and Procrastinations 4. Be much in Prayer and Supplication that what ever thou Dut. 4. Be much in Prayer dost what duty whatsoever service thou offerest unto God that he would accept thee through Jesus Christ As the Ancients held the Plough and prayed so hear and meditate on Gods Word keep the Lords Sabboth holy and pray for a blessing upon all from heaven Blesse Lord his substance Deut. 33. 11. 5. Make Religion thy work the grand design thou drivest Let Dut. 5. Make Religion thy work thy generall calling as a Christian have the preheminence of thy particular calling in the world Seek first the Kingdome of God Mat. 6. 33. The last Use is for Consolation unto those who to the utmost in Vse 5. For Consolation sincerity of heart endeavour to walk before the Lord. Thus Enoch walked with God Gen. 5. 24. Zachary and Elizabeth walked in Gods Commandments blameless Luk. 1. 6. David was a man after Gods own heart Yet the best of Gods children have their failings Jacob confest himself not worthy of the least of Gods mercyes c. David confest himself as foolish as a bruit Beast and wise Agur acknowledged that he had not the understanding of a man It 's a great cause of greif and a burthen to the spirits of Gods dearest children to consider how much they faile in duties Their dulnesse deadnesse disorder of spirit much afflicteth them What I shall further adde shall be comprised in these ensuing considerations Consid 1. Infirmities are incident to the best 1. Infirmities are incident unto the best of Christians I sleep saith the Spouse Paul complains of a body of sin and of flesh and of an antipathy between flesh and spirit 2. Gods children allow not themselves in sinne but mourn Consid 2. Gods childrē allow not themselves in sin Consid 3. Sincerity is accepted Consid 4. Where sincerity is there is an endeavour after more grace Consid 5. Others examples are not just standards Consid 6 Perseverance shall obtaine the Crown for sinne Sinne is their exceeding great grief and burthen 3. Where the heart is sincere it is accepted a willing mind is accepted 2 Cor. 8. 12. 4. Where the heart is sincere it is not contented with what it hath already attained but labours for more grace Phil. 3. 13 14. 5. Consider that others examples and attainments are not that standard for every one to measure himself by No examples but that of Jesus Christ is every way authentique Some will say on one hand Such and such goe no further and will not this serve my turne others say such goe so farre and if I cannot come near them I may justly suspect my self to be an Hypocrite Neither this nor that must determine us 6. And lastly consider that Perseverance shall obtain the Crown Rev. 2. 15. Many beginne well and fly back Of all Apostates are most hated by God But as for such who persevere in Grace and