ashes an unbeliever is like Reuben unstable as water he shall not excel Gen. 49.4 A believer is like Joseph who though the Archers shot at him his Bowe abode in strength Cast a believer upon the waters of affliction he can follow Christ upon the water and not sink cast him into the fire his zeal burns hotter than the flame cast him into prison he is enlarged in spirit Paul and Silas had their prison-songs Psal 91.13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon and the Adder A Christian arm'd with faith as a coat of Male can tread upon those persecutions which are fierce as the Lyon and sting as the Adder get faith Quest Quest But how comes faith to be such Armour of proof Answ Answ Six manner of wayes 1. Faith unites the soul to Christ and that blessed head sends forth spirits into the members Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ c. Faith is a grace lives all upon the borrow as when we want water we go to the Well and fetch it when we want gold we go to the Mine so faith goes to Christ and fetcheth his strength into the soul whereby it is enabled both to do and suffer hence it is faith is such a wonder-working grace 2. Faith works in the heart a contempt of the world faith gives a true map of the world Eccles 2.11 Faith shews the world in its night-dress having all its jewels pul'd off faith makes the world appear in an Eclipse the believer sees more Eclipses than the Astronomer faith shews the soul better things than the world it gives a sight of Christ and glory it gives a prospect of heaven as the Mariner in a dark night climbs up to the top of the Mast and cries out stellam video I see a star so faith climbs up above sense and reason into heaven and sees Christ that bright morning star and the soul having once viewed his superlative excellencies becomes crucified to the world oh saith the Christian shall not I suffer the loss of all these things that I may enjoy Jesus Christ 3. Faith gets strength from the promise faith lives in a promise take the fish out of the water and it dies take faith out of a promise and it cannot live the promises are breasts of consolation the childe by sucking the breast gets strength so doth faith by sucking the breast of a promise When a Garrison is besieged and is ready almost to yield to the enemy Auxiliary forces are sent in to relieve it so when faith begins to be weak and is ready to faint in the day of battel then the promises muster their forces together and all come in for faiths relief and now it is able to hold out in the fiery trial 4. Faith gives the soul a right notion of suffering faith draws the true picture of sufferings what is suffering saith faith it is but the suffering of the body that body which must shortly by the course of nature drop into the dust Persecution can but take away my life an Ague or Feaver may do as much now faith giving the soul a right notion of sufferings and taking as it were a just measure of them enables a Christian to prostrate his life at the feet of Christ 5. Faith reconciles providences and promises as it was in Saint Pauls voyage providence did seem to be against him there was a cross winde did arise called Euroclydon Acts 27.14 but God had given him a promise that he would save his life and the lives of all that sailed with him in the Ship Ver. 24. therefore when the winde blew never so contrary Paul believed it would at least blow him to the Haven so when sense saith Here is a cross providence sufferings come I shall be undone then saith faith all things shall work for good to them that love God Rom. 8.28 This providence though bloody shall fulfill the promise affliction shall work for my good it shall heal my corruption and save my soul Thus faith making the winde and tyde go together the winde of a providence with the tyde of the promise enables a Christian to suffer persecution 6. Faith picks sweetness out of the Cross faith shews the soul God reconciled and sin pardoned and then how sweet is every suffering The Bee gathers the sweetest honey from the bitterest herb Saepe tulit lassis succus amarus opem So faith from the sharpest trials gathers the sweetest comforts faith looks upon suffering as Gods love token Afflictions saith Nazianzene are sharp arrows but they are shot from the hand of a loving Father faith can taste honey at the end of the rod faith fetches joy out of suffering John 16.20 Faith gets an honey-comb in the belly of the Lyon it finds a jewel under the cross and thus you see how faith comes to be such Armour of proof above all taking the shield of faith a believer having cast his Anchor in heaven cannot sink in the waters of persecution 2. Suffering grace is love get hearts fired with love to the Lord Jesus love is a grace both active and passive 1. Love is active it layes a Law of constraint upon the soul 2 Cor. 5.14 The love of Christ constrains me love is the wing of the soul that sets it a flying and the weight of the soul that sets it a going love never thinks it can do enough for Christ as he who loves the world never thinks he can take pains enough for it love is never weary it is not tired unless with its own slowness 2. Love is passive it enables to suffer a man that loves his friend will suffer any thing for him rather than he shall be wronged The Curtii laid down their lives for the Romans because they loved them love made our dear Lord suffer for us per vulnera viscera as the Pelican out of her love to her young ones when they are bitten with Serpents feeds them with her own blood to recover them again so when we had been bitten by the old Serpent that Christ might recover us he did feed us with his own blood Jacobs love to Rachel made him almost hazard his life for her Many waters cannot quench love Cant. 8.7 No not the waters of persecution love is strong as death Cant. 8.6 Death makes it way through the greatest oppositions so love will make its way to Christ through the Prison and the Furnace But all pretend love to Christ how shall we know that we have such a love to him as will make us suffer 1. True love is amor amicitiae a love of friendship which is genuine and ingenuous when we love Christ for himself there is a mercenary and meretricious love when we love divine objects propter aliud for something else a man may love the Queen of truth for the jewel at her ear because she brings preferment a man may love Christ for his head of gold * Cant. 5.11 because he enricheth with glory
God is good to such as are of a clean heart 7. Heart purity makes way for heaven the pure in heart shall see God Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness purity of heart is heaven begun in a man holiness is called in Scripture the anointing of God 1 John 2.27 Solomon was first anointed with the holy oyle and then he was made King 1 Kings 1.39 The people of God are first anointed with the oyle of the Spirit and made pure in heart and then the Crown of glory is set upon their head * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar And is not purity to be highly valued it lays a Train for glory purity of heart and seeing of God are linked together 8. The examples of those who have been eminent for heart-purity the Lord Jesus was a pattern of purity John 8.46 Which of you convinceth me of sin in this we are to imitate Christ we are not to imitate him in raising the dead * Non mundos fabricare non mortuos susciâ—ere Aug. or in working miracles but in being holy 1 Pet. 1.16 Besides this golden pattern of Christ we are to write after the fair copy of those Saints who have been of a Dove like purity David was so pure in heart that he was a man after Gods heart Abraham so purified by faith that he was one of Gods Cabinet-counsel * Gen. 18.17 Moses so holy that God spake with him face to face what were the rest of the Patriarchs but so many plants of Renown flourishing in holiness The fathers in the primitive Church were exemplary for purity Gregory Nazianzene Basil Augustine they were so inlaid and adorn'd with purity that envy it self could not tax them * Stabilitatem habuerunt in fide sanctitatem in opere therefore as Caesar wished he had such Souldiers as were in the time of Alexander the great so we may wish we had such Saints as were in the Primitive times so just were they in their dealings so decent in their attire so true in their promises so devout in their Religion so unblameable in their lives that they were living Sermons walking Bibles real Pictures of Christ and did help to keep up the credit of godliness in the world 9. Heart-purity is the only jewel you can carry out of the world Hast thou a child thou delightest in or an Estate you can carry nothing out of the world 1 Tim. 6.7 Purity of heart is the only commodity can be with comfort transported this is that will stay longest with you usually we love those things will last longest we prize a Diamond or piece of gold above the most beautiful flower because fading heart-purity hath perpetuity it will go with us beyond the grave SECT 6. Means for heart-purity BUT how shall we attain to heart-purity 1. Often look into the Word of God John 15.3 Now ye are clean through the Word Psal 119.140 Thy Word is very pure Gods Word is pure not only for the matter of it but the effect because it makes us pure John 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth By looking into this pure Chrystal we are changed into the image of it the Word is both a glass to shew us the spots of our souls and a lavor to wash them away the Word breaths nothing but purity it irradiates the mind it consecrates the heart 2. Go to the Bath There are two Baths Christians should wash in 1. The Bath of tears * Lavacrum lachrymarum Go into this Bath Peter had sullied and defiled himself with sin and he washed himself with penitential tears Mary Magdalen who was an impure sinner stood at Jesus feet weeping Luk. 7.38 Maries tears did wash her heart as well as Christs feet Oh sinners let your eyes be a fountain of tears weep for those sins which are so many as have passed all Arithmetick this water of contrition is healing and purifying 2. The Bath of Christs blood * Lavacrum sanguinis this is that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 A soul steeped in the brinish tears of Repentance and bathed in the blood of Christ is made pure this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the legal washings and purifications were but Types and Emblems representing Christs blood this blood layes the soul a whitening 3. Get faith 'T is a soul-cleansing grace Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith The woman in the Gospel that did but touch the hem of Christs garment was healed a touch of faith heals If I believe Christ and all his merits are mine how can I sin against him we do not willingly injure those friends which we believe love us Nothing can have a greater force and efficacy upon the heart to make it pure than faith faith will remove Mountains the Mountains of pride lust envy faith and the love of sin are inconsistent 4. Breath after the Spirit it is called the holy Spirit Eph. 1.13 It purgeth the heart as Lightning purgeth the Aire That we may see what a purifying vertue the Spirit hath it is compar'd 1. To fire Acts 2.3 Fire is of a purifying nature it doth refine and cleanse mettals it separates the dross from the gold the Spirit of God in the heart doth refine and sanctifie it it burns up the dross of sin * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 2. The Spirit is compared to wind Acts 2.2 There came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost The wind doth purifie the Aire * Ventus aerem expurgat when the Aire by reason of foggy vapours is unwholsome the wind is a Fan to winnow and purifie it Thus when the vapours of sin arise in the heart vapours of pride and covetousness earthly vapours the Spirit of God ariseth and blows upon the soul and so purgeth away these impure vapours The Spouse in the Canticles prays for a Gaâ—e of the Spirit that she might be made pure Cant. 4.16 3. The Spirit is compared to water John 7.38 39. He that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living water but this spake he of the Spirit The Spirit is like water not only to make the soul fruitful for it causeth the desert to blossome as the Rose Isa 32.15 Isa 35.1 But the Spirit is like water to purifie Whereas before the heart of a sinner was unclean and whatever he touch'd had a tincture of impurity Num. 19.22 when once the Spirit comes into the heart it doth with its continual showres and lavors wash off the filthiness of it making it pure and fit for the God of the spirits to dwell in 5. Take heed of familiar converse and intercourse with the wicked One vain mind makes another one hard heart makes another the stone in the body is not infectious but the stone in the heart is One profane spirit poysons another Beware of the
when we come to heaven only at present I shall lay down these nine Aphorisms or Maxims 1. Our sight of God in heaven shall be a transparent sight here we see him per aenigma through a glass darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 But through Christ we shall behold God in a very illustrious manner God will so far unvail himself and shew forth his glory as the soul is capable to receive if Adam had not sinned yet it is probable he should never have had such a clear sight of God as the Saints in glory shall 1 John 3.2 We shall see him as he is now we see him as he is not he is not mutable not mortal there we shall see him as he is in a very transparent manner then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13.12 that is clearly Doth not God know us clearly and fully then shall the Saints know him according to their capacity as they are known as their love to God so their sight of God shall be perfect 2. This sight of God will be a transcendent sight it will surpass in glory such glittering beams shall sparkle forth from the Lord Jesus as shall infinitely amaze and delight the eys of the beholders Imagine what a blessed sight it will be to see Christ wearing the Robe of our humane nature and to see that nature sitting in glory above the Angels If God be so beautiful here in his Ordinances Word Prayer Sacraments if there be such excellency in him when we see him by the eye of faith through the prospective glass of a promise O what will it be when we shall see him face to face when Christ was transfigured on the Mount he was full of glory Matth. 17.2 If his transfiguration were so glorious what will his inauguration be what a glorious time will it be when as it was said of Mordecai we shall see him in the presence of his Father arrayed in Royal apparel and with a great Crown of gold upon his head Esth 8.15 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There will be glory beyond Hyperbole if the Sun were ten thousand times brighter than it is it could not so much as shadow out this glory in the heavenly Horizon we shall behold beauty in its first magnitude and highest elevation there we shall see the King in his glory * Isa 33.17 All lights are but Eclipses compared with that glorious Vision Appelles pensil would blot Angels tongues would but disparage it 3. This sight of God will be a transforming sight 1 John 3.2 We shall be like him The Saints shall be changed into glory as when the light springs into a dark Room the Room may be said to be changed from what it was The Saints shall so see God as to be changed into his image Psal 17. ult Here Gods people are black'd and sullied with infirmities but in heaven they shall be as the Dove covered with silver wings they shall have some rayes and beams of Gods glory shining in them as a man that rowles himself in the Snow is of a Snow-like whiteness as the Chrystal by having the Sun shine on it sparkles and looks like the Sun so the Saints by beholding the brightness of Gods glory shall have a tincture of that glory upon them not that they shall partake of Gods very essence for as the iron in the fire becomes fire yet remains iron still so the Saints by beholding the lustre of Gods Majesty shall be glorious creatures but yet creatures still 4. This sight of God will be a joyful sight Acts 2.28 Thou shalt make me glad with the light of thy countenance After a sharp Winter how pleasant will it be to see the Sun of righteousness displaying himself in all his glory Doth faith breed joy 1 Pet. 1.8 In whom though now you see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable If the joy of FAITH be such what will the joy of vision be the sight of Christ will amaze the eye with wonder and ravish the heart with joy If the face of a friend whom we intirely love doth so affect us and drive away sorrow O how chearing will the sight of God be to the Saints in heaven then indeed it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your heart shall rejoyce John 16.22 And there are two things which will make the Saints vision of God in heaven joyful 1. Through Jesus Christ the dread and terror of the Divine Essence shall be taken away Majesty shall appear in God to preserve reverence but withal Majesty cloathed with beauty and tempered with sweetness to excite joy in the Saints We shall see God as a friend not as guilty Adam did who was afraid and hid himself * Gen. 3.10 but as Queen Esther looked upon King Ahashuerus holding forth the golden Scepter * Esth 5.2 surely this sight of God will not be formidable but comfortable 2. The Saints shall not only have vision but fruition they shall so see God as to enjoy him Aquinas and Scotus dispute the case whether the formalis ratio the very formality and essence of blessedness be an act of the understanding or the will Aquinas saith Happiness consists in the intellectual part the bare seeing of God Scotus saith Happiness is an act of the will the enjoying of God but certainly true blessedness comprehends both * Illi acu rem tangunt qui in visione amore Dei simul consistere volunt beatitudinem Dr. Arrows it lies partly in the understanding by seeing the glory of God richly displayed and partly in the will by a sweet delicious taste of it and acquiescence of the soul in it we shall so see God as to love him * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so love him as to be filled with him the seeing of God implies fruition Matth. 25.21 Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord not only behold it but * Non tantum aderit gloria sed incrit Bern. enter into it Psal 36.9 In thy light we shall see light there is vision Psal 16. ult At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore there is fruition So great is the joy which flows from the sight of God as will make the Saints break forth into triumphant Praises and Hallelujahs 5. This sight of God will be a satisfying sight Cast three worlds into the heart and they will not fill it but the sight of God satisfies Psal 17.15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Solomon saith the eye is not satisfied with seeing Eccles 1.8 But there the eye will be satisfied with seeing God and nothing but God can satisfie The Saints shall have their heads so full of knowledge and their hearts so full of joy that they shall find no want 6. It will be an unweariable sight Let a man see the raâ—est sight that is he will soon be cloyed when he comes into a Garden and sees delicious walks fair Arbours
changeth the soile and makes it peaceable How can faith grow in an unpeaceable heart for faith works by love Impossible it is that he should bring forth the sweet fruits of the Spirit who is in the gall of bitterness if a man hath received poyson into his body the most excellent food will not nourish till he takes some antidote to expel that poyson Many come to the Ordinances with seeming zeal but being poysoned with wrath and animosity they receive no spiritual nourishment Christs body mystical edifieth it self in love Eph. 4.16 There may be praying and hearing but no spiritual concoction no edifying of the body of Christ without love and peace 9. Peaceableness among Christians is a powerful loadstone to draw the world to receive Christ not only gifts and miracles and preaching may perswade men to embrace the truth of the Gospel but peace and unity among the Professors of it When as there is one God and one faith so there is one heart among Christians this is as Cummin seed which makes the Doves flock to the windows The Temple was adorn'd with goodly stones Luk. 21.5 This makes Christs spiritual Temple look beautiful and the stones of it appear goodly when they are cemented together in peace and unity 10. Unpeaceableness of spirit is to make Christians turn Heathens 't is the sin of the Heathens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implacable Rom. 1.31 They cannot be pacified their hearts are like Adamant no oyle can supple them no fire can melt them 't is a Heathenish thing to be so fierce and violent as if with Romulus men had suck'd the milk of Wolves 11. To adde yet more weight to the Exhortation it is the mind of Christ that we should live in peace Mark 9.50 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have peace one with another Shall we not be at peace for Christs sake if we ought to lay down our life for Christs sake shall we not lay down our strife for his sake To conclude if we will neither be under counsels nor commands but still feed the peccant humour nourishing in ourselves a spirit of dissention and unpeaceableness Jesus Christ will never come near us The people of God are said to be his house Hebr. 3.6 Whose house are we c. When the hearts of Christians are a spiritual house adorned with the furniture of peace then they are fit for the Prince of peace to inhabit but when this pleasant furniture is wanting and instead of it nothing but strife and debate Christ will not own it for his house nor will he grace it with his presence who will dwell in an house which is smoaky and all on fire SECT 4. Shewing some helps to peaceableness Quest HOW shall we attain to peaceableness 1. Take heed of those things which will hinder it There are several impediments of peace which we must beware of and they are either outward or inward 1. Outward as whisperers Rom. 1.29 There are some who will be buzzing things in our ears purposely to exasperate and provoke among these we may rank Tale-bearers Lev. 19.16 The Tale-bearer carries reports up and down the Divel sends his letters by this Post the Tale-bearer is an Incendiary he blows the coals of contention Do you hear saith he what such an one faith of you Will you put up such a wrong will you suffer your self to be so abused thus doth he by throwing in his fire-balls foment differences and set men together by the ears we are commanded indeed to provoke one another to love Hebr. 10.24 but nowhere to provoke to anger We should stop our ears to such persons as are known to come on the Divels Errand 2. Take heed of inward lets to peace As 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-love 2 Tim. 3.2 Men shall be lovers of themselves And it follows they shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fierce Ver. 3. The setting up of this Idol of Self hath caused so many Law-suits Plunders Massacres in the World All seek their own Phil. 2.21 Nay it were well if they would seek but their own Self-love angles away the Estates of others either by force or fraud Self-love sets up Monopolies and Enclosures it is a Bird of prey which lives upon rapine Self-love cuts asunder the bond of peace lay aside Self The Heathens could say Non nobis solum nati we are not born for our selves 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pride Prov. 28.25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife Pride and Contention like Hippocrates Twins are both born at once A proud man thinks himself better than others and will contend for superiority Joh. 3.9 Diotrephes who loveth to have the preheminence A proud man would have all strike sail to him Because Mordecai would not give Haman the Cap and Knee he gets a bloody Warrant signed for the death of all the Jewes Esther 3.9 What made all the strife between Pompey and Caesar but pride their spirits were too high to yield one to another When this wind of pride gets into a mans heart it causeth sad Earth-quakes of division The Poets fain that when Pandora's box was broke open it fill'd the World with diseases When Adams pride had broken the box of Original righteousness it hath ever since fill'd the World with debates and dissentions Let us shake off this viper of pride humility soders Christians together in peace 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 envy envy stirreth up strife the Apostle hath linked them together 1 Tim. 6.4 Envy strife Envy cannot endure a Superiour this made the Plebeian faction so strong among the Romans they envied their Superiours An envious man seeing another to have a fuller Crop a better Trade is ready to pick a quarrel with him Prov. 27.4 Who can stand before envy Envy is a vermin that lives on blood take heed of it peace will not dwell with this inmate 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Credulity Prov. 14.15 The simple believeth every word A credulous man is akin to a fool he believes all that is told him and this doth often create differences As it is a sin to be a Tale-bearer so it is a folly to be a Tale-believer A wise man will not take a report at the first bound but will sift and examine it before he gives credit to it 2. Let us labour for those things which will maintain and cherish peace As 1. Faith faith and peace keep house together faith believes the Word of God the Word saith Live in peace 2 Cor. 13.11 And assoon as faith sees the King of heavens Warrant it obeyes faith perswades the soul that God is at peace and it is impossible to believe this and live in variance nourish faith faith knits us to God in love and to our Brethren in peace 2. Christian communion There should not be too much strangeness among Christians the primitive Saints had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 love-feasts * Tertul. The Apostle exhorting to peace brings this as an
Therefore I answer 1. In time of desertion God leaves in his children a seed of comfort 1 John 3.9 his seed remaineth in him Answ 1 This seed of God is a seed of comfort Though Gods children in desertion want the seale of the Spirit yet they have the Unction of the Spirit 1 John 2.27 Though they want the Sun yet they have a day-star in their hearts as the tree in winter though it hath lost its leaves and fruit yet there is sap in the root So in the winter of desertion there is the sap of grace in the root of the heart as it is with the Sun masking it self with a cloud when it denies light to the earth yet it gives forth its influence so though Gods dear adopted ones may lose the light of his countenance yet they have the influence of his grace Quest What grace appears in the time of desertion Ans 1. An high prizing of Gods ove If God should say to the deserted soul what wilt thou and it shall be granted to half of the Kingdom he would reply Lord that I might see thee as I was wont in the Sanctuary That I may have one golden beam of thy love the deserted soul slights all other things in comparison it is not gardens or orchards or the most delicious Objects that can give him contentment they are like musick to a sad heart he desires as Absalom to see the Kings face 2. A lamenting after the Lord. 'T is the saddest day with him when the Sun of righteousnesse is eclipsed a child of God can better bear the worlds stroak than Gods absence he is even melted into tears the clouds of desertion produce spiritual rain and whence is this weeping but from love 3. Willingnesse to suffer any thing so he may have a sight of God A child of God could be content with Simon of Cyrene to carry the Crosse if he were sure Christ were upon it he could willingly die if with Simeon he might die with Christ in his armes Behold here the seed of God in a believer the work of sanctification when he wants the wine of consolation Answ 2 Answ 2. I answer God hath a design of mercy in hiding his face from his adopted ones First it is for the trial of grace and there are two graces brought to trial in time of desertion 1. Faith 1. When we can believe against sence and feeling when we want an experience yet can trust to a ptomise when we have not the kisses of Gods mouth yet can cleave to the word of his mouth this is faith indeed here is the sparkling of the Diamond 2. Love When God smiles upon us it is not much to love him but when he seems to put us away in anger * Psal 27.9 now to love him and be as the Lime the more water is thrown upon it the hotter it burns this is love indeed That love sure is strong as death * Cant. 8.6 which the waters of desertion cannot quench Secondly It is for the exercise of grace we are all for comfort if it might be put to our choice we would be ever upon Mount Tabor looking into Canaan we are loth to be in trials agonies desertions as if God could not love us except he had us in his armes 'T is hard to lie long in the lap of spiritual joy and not fall asleep Too much Sun-shine causeth a drought in our graces oftentimes when God lets down comfort into the heart we begin to let down care As it is with Musitians before they have money they will play you many a sweet lesson but as soon as you throw them down money they are gone you hear no more of them Before joy and assurance O the sweet musick of prayer and repentance but when God throws down the comforts of his Spirit we either leave off duty or at least slacken the strings of our Viol and grow remisse in it Thou art taken with the money but God is taken with the musick Grace is better than comfort Rachel is more fair but Leah is more fruitful Comfort is fair to look on but grace hath the fruitful womb now the only way to exercise grace and make it more vigorous and lively is sometimes to walk in darknesse and have no light Isa 50.10 Faith is a star that shines brightest in the night of desertion I said I am cast out of thy sight yet will I look again toward thy holy Temple Jonah 2.4 Grace usually puts forth its most heroical acts at such a time 3. I answer God may forsake his children in regard Answ 3 of Vision but not in regard of Union Thus it was with Jesus Christ when he cryed out my God my God There was not a separation of the Union between him and his Father only a suspension of the Vision * Non suit divulsio unionis sed tantum suspensio visionis Gods love through the interposition of our sins may be darkned and eclipsed but still he is a Father The Sun may be hid in a cloud but it is not out of the firmament The Promises in time of desertion may be as it were sequestred we have not that comfort from them as formerly but still the believers title holds good in Law Answ 4 4. I answer when God hides his face from his child his heart may be towards him as Joseph when he spake roughly to his brethren and made them believe he would take them for Spies still his heart was towards them and he was as full of love as ever he could hold he was faine to go aside and weep So God is full of love to his children even when he seems to look strange And as Moses his Mother when she put her child into the ark of bulrushes and went away a little from it yet still her eye was toward it the babe wept I and the mother wept too So God when he goes aside as if he had forsaken his children yet he is full of sympathy and love towards them God may change his countenance but not break his covenant It is onething for God to desert another thing to disinherit Hosea 8.11 How shall I give thee up O Ephraim c. 'T is a Metaphor taken from a father going to disinherit his son and while he is setting his hand to the Deed his bowels begin to melt and to yearn over him and he thinks thus within himself Though he be a prodigal child yet he is a child I will not cut off the entail So saith God How shall I give thee up though Ephraim hath been a rebellious son yet he is a son I will not disinherit him Gods thoughts may be full of love when there is a vail upon his face the Lord may change his dispensation towards his children but not his disposition he may have the look of an enemy but the heart of a Father So that the beliver may say I am adopted and let God do what
lived a very civil life go home and mourn because thou art but civil many a mans civility being rested upon hath damned him 'T is sad for men to be without repentance but 't is worse to need no repentance Luke 15.7 9. Tears are but finite 't is but awhile that we shall Motive 9 weep after a few showres that fall from our eyes we shall have a perpetual sunshine in heaven the bottle of tears is stopt Rev. 7. ult God shall wipe away all tears when sin shall cease tears shall cease Psal 30.5 Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning in the morning of the Ascension then shall all tears be wiped away Motive 10 10. The benefit of holy mourning the best of our commodities come by water 1. Mourning doth make the soul fruitful in grace When a showre falls the herbs and plants grow Isaiah 16.9 I will water thee with my tears O Heshbon I may allude to it tears water our graces and make them flourish Psal 104 10. he sends his springs into the vallies that is the reason the vallies flourish with corn because the springs run there where the springs of sorrow run there the heart bears a fruitful crop Leah was tender-eyed she had a watry eye and was fruitful the tender-eyed Christian usually brings more of the fruits of the Spirit a weeping eye is the water-pot to water our graces 2. Mourning doth fence us against the Divels Tentations Tentations are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fiery darts Ephes 6.16 because indeed they set the soul on fire Tentations enrage anger inflame lust now the waters of holy Mourning quench these fiery darts wet powder will not soon take the fire when the heart is wetted and moistned with sorrow it will not so easily take the fire of Tentation tears are the best Engines and Water-works to quench the Divels fire * Faciem nostram debemus magis lachrymis rigare quaem lavacris and if there be so much profit and benefit in Gospel-sorrow then let every Christian wash his face every Morning in the Lavor of tears †11. And lastly to have a melting frame of spirit is Motive 11 a great sign of Gods presence with us in an Ordinance 't is a sign the Sun of righteousness hath risen upon us when our frozen hearts thaw and melt for sin it is a saying of St. Bernard By this you may know whether you have met with God in a duty when you find your selves in a melting and mourning frame we are apr to measure all by comfort we think we never have Gods presence in an Ordinance unless we have joy herein we are like Thomas unless saith he I shall see in his hands the print of the nails I will not believe John 20.25 So are we apt to say Unless we have incomes of comfort we will not believe that we have found God in a duty but if our hearts can melt kindly in tears of love this is a real sign that God hath been with us as Jacob said Gen. 28.16 Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not So Christian when thy heart breaks for sin and dissolves into holy tears God is in this duty though thou knowest it not Methinks all that hath been said should make us spiritual Mourners perhaps we have tryed to mourn and cannot but therefore as a man that hath digged so many fathoms deep for water and can find none at last he digs till he finds a spring so though we have been digging for the water of tears and can find none yet let us weigh all that hath been said and set our hearts again to work and perhaps at last we may say as Isaacs servants Gen. 26.32 We have found water When the herbs are pressed the watery juyce comes out these eleven serious Motives may press out tears from the eye Quest But may some say My constitution is such that I cannot weep I may as well go to squeeze a Rock as think to get a tear Answ But if thou canst not weep for sin can'st thou grieve Intellectual mourning is best there may be sorrow where there are no tears * Curae loves loquuntur ingentes stupent the Vessel may be full though it wants vent it is not so much the weeping eye God respects as the broken heart yet I would be loth to stop their tears who can weep God stood looking on Hezekiahs tears Isa 38.5 I have seen thy tears Davids tears made Musick in Gods ears Psal 6.8 The Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping 'T is a sight fit for Angels to behold tears as pearls dropping from a penitent eye CHAP. IX Shewing the hindrances of mourning Quest BUT what shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame Answ Do two things 1. Take heed of those things which will stop these Channels of mourning 2. Put your selves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning 1. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears there are nine hindrances of mourning Hindr. 1 1. The love of sin the love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water the love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin-bewitcheth the heart Saint Hierom saith it is worse to love sin than to commit it A man may be overtaken with sin Gal. 6.1 And he that hath stumbled upon sin unawares will weep but the love of sin hardens the heart keeps the Divel in possession in true mourning there must be a grieving for sin but how can a man grieve for that sin which his heart is in love with oh take heed of this sweet poyson the love of sin freezeth the soul in impenitency Hindr. 2 2. Despair despair affronts God undervalues Christs blood damns the soul Jerem. 8.12 They said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart This is the language of despair there is no hope I had as good follow my sins still and be damned for something despair presents God to the soul as a Judge clad in the garments of vengeance Isa 59.17 Judas his despair was in some sense worse than his Treason Despair destroys Repentance for the proper ground of Repentance is mercy Rom. 2.4 The goodness of God leads thee to Repentance But despair hides mercy out of sight as the cloud covered the Ark Exod. 39. Oh take heed of this Despair is an irrational sin there is no ground for it the Lord shews mercy to thousands why mayest not thou be one of a thousand the wings of Gods mercy like the wings of the Cherubims are stretched out to every humble penitent though thou hast been a great sinner yet if thou art a weeping sinner there 's a golden Scepter of mercy held forth Psal 103.11 Despair locks up the soul in impenitency 3. A conceit
children of God are servants to the Angels 2. Gods children are above the Angels because Christ by taking their nature hath ennobled and honoured it above the Angelical * Naturam humanam nobilitavit Aug. Hebr. 2.16 He in no wise took the nature of Angels God by uniting us to Christ hath made us nearer to himself than the Angels the children of God are members of Christ Eph. 5.30 This was never said of the Angels how can they be the members of Christ who are of a different nature from him Indeed Metaphorically and improperly Christ may be called the head of the Angels as they are subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 But that Christ is head of the Angels in that near and sweet conjunction as he is the head of believers we nowhere finde in Scripture in this respect therefore I may clearly assert the children of God have a superiority and honour even above the Angels though by Creation they are a little lower than the Angels yet by Adoption and Mystical Union they are above the Angels Use How may this comfort a childe of God in midst either of calumny or penury he is a person of honour he is above the Angels A Gentleman that is fallen to decay will sometimes boast of his Parentage and Noble blood so a Christian who is poor in the world yet by vertue of his Adoption he is of the Family of God he hath the true blood-royal running in his veins he hath a fairer Coat of Arms to shew than the Angels themselves SECT 7. The high priviledges of Gods children 7. THE seventh particular to be explained is To shew the glorious priviledges of Gods children and what I shall say now belongs not to the wicked it is Childrens bread The fruit of Paradise was to be kept with a flaming Sword so these sweet and heart-ravishing priviledges are to be kept with a flaming Sword that impure sensual persons may not touch them There are twelve rare Priviledges which belong to the children of God 1. If we are children then God will be full of tender Privi ∣ ledge 1 love and affection towards us a father compassionates his childe Psal 103.13 Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Oh the yearning of Gods bowels to his children Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son Is he a pleasant childe my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. Towards the wicked Gods wrath is kindled Psal 2.12 Towards them that are children Gods repentings are kindled Hosea 11.8 Mercy and pity doth as naturally flow from our heavenly Father as light doth from the Sun Object 1. But God is angry and writes bitter Object 1 things how doth this stand with love Answ Gods love and his anger towards his children Answ are not opposita but diversa they may stand together he is angry in love Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten we have as much need of afflictions as Ordinances A bitter Pill may be as needful for preserving health as a Julip or Cordial God afflicts with the same love as he adopts God is most angry when he is not angry †his hand is heaviest when it is lightest * Deus irascitur cum non irascitur Bern. affliction is an argument of son-ship Heb. 12.7 If you endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sons Oh saith one * Hos 4.14 sure God doth not love me I am none of his childe because he doth follow me with such sore afflictions Why it is a sign of childship to be sometimes under the Rod God had one son without sin but no son without stripes God puts his children to the School of the Cross and there they learn best * Correctio est efficaâ— virtutis gymnasium God speaks to us in the Word Children be not proud do not love the world walk circumspectly * Ephes 5.15 But we are dull of hearing nay we stop the ear Jer. 22.21 I spake to thee in thy prosperity but thou saidst I will not hear Now saith God I shall lose my childe if I do not correct him then God in love smites that he may save Aristotle speaks of a Bird that lives among Thorns yet sings sweetly Gods children make the best melody in their heart when God hedgeth their way with thorns Hos 2.14 Afflictions are refining Prov. 17.3 The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Fiery Trials make golden Christians afflictions are purifying Dan. 12.10 Many shall be tryed and made white We think God is going to destroy us but he only layes us a whitening Some Birds will not hatch but in time of thunder Christians are commonly best in affliction God will make his children at last bless him for sufferings the eyes that sin shuts affliction opens * Oculos quos peccatum clâ—u dit plena aperiâ— when Manasseh was in chains then he knew the Lord was God 2 Chron. 33.13 Afflictions fit for heaven first the stones in Solomons Temple were hewen and polished and then set up into a buâ—lding First the Saints who are called lively stones * 1 Pet. 2.5 must be hewen and carved by sufferings as the corner stone was and so made meet * Col. 1.12 for the celestial building and is there not love in all Gods fatherly castigations Object 2 Object 2. But sometimes Gods children are under the black clouds of desertion is not this far from love Concerning desertion I must needs say this is the saddest condition that â—an betide Gods children when the Sun is gone the Dew falls when the Sun-light of Gods countenance is removed then the Dew of tears falls from the eyes of the Saints In desertion God rains hell out of heaven to use Calvins expression The arrows of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirits Job 6.4 This is the poysoned arrow that wounds to the heart Desertion is a taste of the torments of the damned God saith in a little wrath I hid my face from thee Isa 54.8 I may here glosse with Saint Bernard Modicum illud vocas Domine Lord dost thou call that a little wrath when thou hidest thy face is it but a little What can be more bitter to me than the eclipsing of thy face God is in Scripture called a light and a fire the deserted soul feels the fire but doth not see the light But yet thou who art adopted mayest spell love in all this They say of Hercules his club that it was made of the wood of Olive the Olive is an emblem of peace so Gods club whereby he beats down the soul in desertion hath something of the Olive there is Peace and Mercy in it I shall hold forth a spiritual Rain-bow wherein the children of God may see the love of their Father in the midst of the clouds of desertion
a man a fearful man is versed in no posture so much as in retreating Oh take heed of this be afraid of this fear Luke 12.4 Fear not them that can kill the body Persecutors can but kill that body which must shortly dye the fearful are set in the fore-front of them that shall go to hell Rev. 21.8 Let us get the fear of God into our hearts as one wedge drives out another so the fear of God will drive out all other base fear 3. Take heed of a facil spirit a facil-spirited man will be turned any way with a word he will be wrought as wax he is so tame that you may lead him whither you will Rom. 16.18 With fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple A facil Christian is malleable to any thing he is like wool that will take any dye he is a weak reed that will be blown any way with the breath of men one day you may perswade him to engage in a good cause the next day to desert it he is not ex quercu sed ex salice he is made of willow he will bend every way Oh take heed of a facil spirit 't is not ingenuity but folly to suffer ones self to be abused A good Christian is like Mount Sion that cannot be moved Psal 125.1 He is like Fabricius of whom it was said a man might as well alter the course of the Sun as turn him aside from doing justice A good Christian must be firme to his resolution if he be not a fixed he will be a falling star 4. Take heed of listning to the voyce of the flesh St. Paul conferred not with flesh and blood Gal. 1.16 The flesh will give bad counsel first Saul consulted with the flesh and afterwards he consulted with the Divel he sends to the Witch of Endor oh saith the flesh the Cross of Christ is heavy there is a nail in the yoke which will tear and fetch blood be as a deaf Adder stopping your ears to the charmings of the flesh 3. Promote those things which will help to suffer 1. Inure your selves to suffering 2 Tim. 2.3 As a good Souldier of Christ endure hardship Jacob made the stone his pillow Gen. 28.18 'T is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth Lam. 3.27 The bearing of a lighter cross will fit for bearing an heavier Learn to bear a reproach with patience and then you will be fitter to bear an iron chain * Quid iste faceret in igne qui Christum rubuit in nube Saint Paul did dye daily he began with lesser sufferings and so by degrees learned to be a Martyr as it is in sin a wicked man learns to be expert in sin by degrees * Nemo repente fit turpis first he commits a lesser sin then a greater then he arrives at custome in sin then he grows impudent in sin then he glories in sin Phil. 3.19 so it is in suffering first a Christian takes up the chips of the Cross a disgrace a prison and then he carries the Cross it self Alas how far are they from suffering who indulge the flesh Amos 6.4 that lie upon beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their Couches a very unfit posture for suffering That Souldier is like to make but poor work of it who is stretching himself upon his bed when he should be in the field exercising his Arms * Quid dicam de his quibus cura est ut vestes bene oleant ut crines calamistro rorentur ut digiti a nulis radient si via humi dior fiat vix in cam pedes compriment Hier. What shall I say saith Hierom to those Christians who make it all their care to persume their cloaths to crisp their hair to sparkle their Diamonds but if sufferings come and the way to heaven hath any water in it they will not endure to set their feet upon it Most people are too effeminate they use themselves too nicely and tenderly those delicatuli those silken Christians as Tertullian calls them that pamper the flesh are unfit for the School of the Cross the naked breast and bare shoulder is too soft and tender to carry Christs Cross inure your selves to hardship do not make your pillow too easie 2. Be well skil'd in the knowledge of Christ a man can never dye for him he doth not know 2 Tim. 1.12 For which cause I suffer these things for I know whom I have believed Blinde men are always fearful a blinde Christian will be fearful of the Cross enrich your selves with knowledge know Christ in his Vertues Offices Priviledges see the preciousness in Christ 1 Pet. 1.7 To you that believe he is precious his Name is precious 't is as oyntment poured forth his Blood is precious 't is as balm poured forth his Love is precious 't is as wine poured forth Jesus Christ is made up of all sweets and delights Ipse totus desideria he is light to the eye honey to the taste joy to the heart get but the knowledge of Christ and you will part with all for him you will embrace him though it be in the fire an ignorant man can never be a Martyr he may set up an Altar but he will never dye for an unknown God 3. Prize every truth of God the filings of gold are precious the least ray of truth is glorious Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not Truth is the object of faith 2 Thes 2.13 The seed of Regeneration Jam. 1.18 The spring of joy 1 Cor. 13.6 Truth crowns us with salvation 1 Tim. 2.4 If ever you would suffer for the truth prize it above all things he that doth not prize truth above life will never lay down his life for the truth The blessed Martyrs sealed to the truth with their blood There are two things God counts most dear to him his glory and his truth I will saith Bishop Jewel deny my Bishopwrick I will deny my name and credit but the truths of Christ I cannot deny 4. Keep a good conscience if there be any sin allowed in the soul it will unfit for suffering A man that hath a Bile upon his shoulders cannot carry a heavy burden guilt of conscience is like a Bile he that hath this can never carry the Cross of Christ if a Ship be sound and well rigged it will sail upon the water but if it be full of holes and leaks it will sink in the water If conscience be full of guilt which is like a leak in the Ship it will not fall in the bloody waters of persecution An house will not stand in a storm the pillars of it being rotten if a mans heart be rotten he will never stand in a storm of tribulation how can a guilty person suffer when for ought he knows he is like to go from the fire at the stake to hell-fire Let conscience be pure 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of faith in a
wonder Saint Paul was willing to be bound and dye for Christ Acts 21.13 when he knew that Christ loved him and had given himself for him Gal. 2.20 Though I will not say Paul was proud of his chain yet he was glad of it he wore it as a chain of pearle Quest Quest But how shall I get this jewel of assurance Answ Answ 1. Make duty familiar to you when the Spouse sought Christ diligently she found him joyfully Cant. 3.4 The Ordinances are the Lattice where Christ looks forth and gives the soul a smiling aspect As Christ was made known to his Disciples in the breaking of bread Luke 24.35 so in the use of holy Ordinances in the breaking of bread Christ makes a glorious discovery of himself to the soul Christs parents found him in the Temple Luk. 2.46 They who would find Christ with comfort and have the kisses of his lips shall be sure to meet with him in the Temple 2. Preserve the virginity of conscience when the glass is foule you will not poure wine into it but when it is clean so when the soul is cleansed from the love of every sin now God will poure in the sweet wine of assurance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socrat. Hebr. 10.22 Let us draw near in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Guilt clips the wings of joy he who is conscious to himself of secret sin cannot draw near to God in full assurance he cannot come with boldness but blushing he cannot call God Father but Judge assurance is a flowre that grows only in a pure heart before David prayes for joy he first prayes for a pure heart Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God 3. Be much in the actings of faith the more active the childe is in obedience the sooner he hath his fathers smile if faith be ready to dye Rev. 3.2 if it be like Armour hung up or like a sleepy habit in the soul never look for assurance God will not speak peace to thee when thou art asleep it is the lively faith which flourisheth into assurance Abraham had a vigorous sparkling faith Rom. 4.18 who against hope believed in hope That is against the hope of sense he believed in the hope of the promise and how sweetly doth God manifest himself to Abraham he calls him his friend he makes him of his Cabinet-counsel Gen. 18.17 Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do Wouldst thou have Christ reveal his love to thee kâ—ep faith upon the wing this is the Bird which soars aloft and plucks a bunch of grapes from the true Vine 4. If Christ be all then make him so to Branch 4 you 1. Make Christ all in your understanding be ambitious to know nothing but Christ 1 Cor. 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I judged not I did not think any thing in my judgement worth knowing in comparison of Christ Austin saith of Cicero he liked his eloquence but he could not take so much delight in reading him quia Nomen Christi non erat ibi because he could not finde the Name of Christ there what will all other knowledge avail a man at his death who is ignorant of Christ Si Christum nescis nihil est si coetera noscis What is it to have knowledge in Physick to be able with Esculapius and Galen to discourse of the causes and symptomes of a disease and what is proper to apply and in the mean time to be ignorant of the healing under Christs wings What is it to have knowledge in Astronomy to discourse of the Stars and Planets and to be ignorant of Christ that bright morning star which leads to heaven what is it to have skill in a shop and ignorant of that commodity which doth both enrich and crown what is it to be versed in Musick and to be ignorant of Christ whose blood makes atonement in heaven and musick in the conscience what is it to know all the stratagems of War and to be ignorant of the Prince of peace O make Christ all be willing to know nothing but Christ though you may know other things in their due place yet know Christ in the first place let the knowledge of Jesus Christ have the preheminence as the Sun among the lesser Planets This is the crowning knowledge Prov. 4.18 The prudent are crowned with knowledge 1. We cannot know our selves unless we know Christ he it is who lights us into our hearts and shews as the spots of our souls whereby we abhor our selves in dust and ashes Christ shews us our own vacuity and indigency and untill we see our own emptiness we are not fit to be filled with the golden oyle of mercy 2. We cannot know God but through Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Out of Christ God is terrible he is a consuming fire it is through Christ that we know God as a friend oh then treasure up the knowledge of Christ he is the golden ladder by which we ascend to heaven to be ignorant of Christ is as if a man were poysoned and there were an herb in the garden could cure him but he is ignorant of that herb 2. Make Christ all in your affections 1. Desire nothing but Christ he is the accumulation of all good things Ye are compleat in him Col. 2.10 Christ is the Christians perfection what should the soul desire less what can it desire more * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignatius Psal 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee David had his Crown and his Throne to delight in I but it was the presence of Christ he chiefly thirsted after without Christ all his other comforts were not only emptiness but bitterness 2. Love nothing but Christ love is the choycest affection it is the purest stream of the soul it is the richest jewel the creature hath to bestow oh if Christ be all love him better than all let your Rivers still run into this golden Sea Every mans heart is set upon his treasure in Christ there are unsearchable riches Ephes 3.8 Though the Angels have lived so long in heaven yet to this day they know not how rich Christ is Take the most precious pearle or Diamond that is and the Jeweller can set the full value of it he can say This is worth so much and no more but the riches of Christ are unsearchable it cannot be said he is worth so much and no more neither man or Angel are able to set the full value of the pearle of price and shall not Jesus Christ lie nearest our hearts shall he not have the cream of our love Consider 1. If you love other things when they dye your love is lost but Christ lives for ever to requite your love 2. You may love other things in the excess but you cannot
unsent for Isa 65.1 I am found of them that sought me not He doth prevent us with mercy he entreats us to be healed if Christ had not first come to us and with the good Samaritan poured in wine and oyle we must have dyed of our wounds 3. This Physitian lets himself blood to cure his Patient Isa 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions per vulnera viscera through his wounds we may see his bowels 4. Our repulses and unkindnesses do not drive Christ away from us Physitians if provoked by their Patients go away in a rage and will come no more We abuse our Physitian thrust him away we bolt out our Physitian yet Christ doth not forsake us but comes again and applies his Soveraign oyles and balsomes Isa 65.3 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people Christ puts up wrongs and incivilities and is resolved to go thorough with the cure Oh the love of this heavenly Physitian 5. Christ himself drank that bitter cup which we should have drunk and by his taking the potion we are healed and saved Thus Christ hath shewn more love than ever Physitian did to the Patient 5. Christ is the most cheap Physitian sicknesse is not only a consumption to the body but the purse Luke 8.43 Physitians fees are chargable but Jesus Christ gives us our physick freely Medicipecuniis Christus autem precibus placatur he takes no fee Isa 55.1 Come without money and without price He desires us to bring nothing to him but broken hearts and when he hath cured us he desires us to bestow nothing upon him but our love and one would think that were very reasonable 6. Christ heals with more ease than any other other Physitians apply pills potions bleeding Christ cures with more facility with a word Christ made the Divel go out with a word speaking Mark 9.25 So when the soul is spirituall possessed Christ can with a word heal nay he can cure with a look When Peter had fallen into a relapse Christ looked on Peter and he wept Christs look melted Peter into repentance it was an healing look If Christ doth but cast a look upon the soul he can recover it Therefore David prayes to have a look from God Psal 119.132 Look thou upon me and be mercifull unto me 7. Christ is the most tender-hearted Physitian He hath ended his Passion yet not his compassion How doth he pity sick souls He is not more full of skill than sympathy Hos 11.8 My heart is turned within me Christ shews his compassion in that he doth proportion his physick to the strength of the Patient Physick if it be too sharp for the constitution endangers the life Christ gives such gentle physick as shall work kindly and savingly Though he will bruise sinners yet he will not break the bruised reed Oh the soundings of Christs bowels to poor souls that feel themselves heart-sick with sin He holds their head and heart when they are fainting he brings the cordials of his promises to keep the sick Patient from dying away Christians you perhaps may have hard thoughts of your Physitian Christ and think he is cruel and intends to destroy you but O the workings of his bowels towards humble broken-hearted sinners Psal 147.3 He heals the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds Every groan of the Patient goes to the heart of this Physitian 8. Physitians oft prescribe such physick as is prejudicial to the Patient in two cases 1. Eitheir in case they finde not out the cause of the disease and then they may give that which is contrary hot things in stead of cooling Or 2. In case they do finde out the cause they may give that which is good for one thing and bad for another As it falls out when the liver and spleen are both distempered the physick which helps the liver may hurt the spleen But Christ alwayes prescribes that physick which is suitable and withal he blesseth the physick * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys hom de â—oen If the disease of the soul be pride he humbles it with affliction God turned Nebuchadnezzar to grasse to cure him of his Tympany If the disease of the soul be sloth Christ applies some awakening Scripture Matth. 12.11 Luke 13.24 1 Pet. 4 18. If the disease be the stone of the heart Christ useth proper medicines sometimes the terrors of the Law sometimes mercies sometimes he dissolves the stone in his own blood If the soul be fainting through unbelief Christ brings some Scripture-cordial to revive it Matth. 12.20 A bruised reed he will not break Isa 57.16 I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the souls which I have made Thus the Lord Jesus alwayes prescribes that physick which is proper for the disease and shall work effectually to the cure 9. Christ never fails of success Physitians may have skill but not alwayes success Patients often dye under their hands but Christ never undertakes to heal any but he makes a certain cure John 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost Judas was not given to Christ to be healed but never any who was given to Christ did miscarry Quest Quest How shall I know that I am given to Christ to be cured Answ Answ If it be with thee as with a sick Patient who sees himself dying without a Physitian Art thou undone without Christ dost thou perceive thy self bleeding to death without the balm of Gilead then thou art one of Christs sick Patients and thou shalt never miscarry under his hands How can any of those be lost whom Christ undertakes to cure as he poures in the balsome of his blood so he poures out the perfume of his prayers for them John 17.11 Holy Father keep through thy own Name those whom thou hast given me Satan could never upbraid Christ with this that any of his sick Patients were lost 10. Other Physitians can only cure them that are sick but Christ cures them that are dead Ephes 2.1 You hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins A sinner hath all the signs of death on him the pulse of his affections doth not beat he is without breath he breaths not after holiness he is dead but Christ is a Physitian for the dead of every one whom Christ cures it may be said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He was dead and is alive again Luke 15.32 11. Christ cures not only our diseases but our deformities The Physitian can make the sick man well but if he be deformed he cannot make him fair Christ gives not only health but beauty Sin hath made us ugly and mishapen Christs medicines do not only take away our sickness but our spots he doth not only make us whole but fair Hosea 14.4 I will heal their back-slidings ver 6. his beauty shall be as the Olive-tree Jesus Christ