presence of God deale plainly and impartially in this Examination 1. Then do we give God the best in our duties doe we give God our hearts our affections and wills Do we doe all our duties as in the presence of God in obedience to God with a single eye and respect unto Gods glory Such questions as these put home will search to the quick Amongst others I shall fix only upon these three instances eminenter non exclusive For in all the best is to be given to God This Rule admits no exception The question is 1. Whether in hearing of Gods Word we give God the best Q. 1. Whether in hearing wee give God the best This is a very weighty duty And we are often enjoyned to hear Jer. 22. 29. Faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10. 17. It 's a mark of Christs Sheep to hear his voice Joh. 10. 27. But amongst hearers three sorts in four miscarry according to Christs own computation for there are stony high-way thorny hearers the Word of God is lost in all these Onely the good hearer profits by the Word and brings forth fruit with patience Wherefore we are not only exhorted to the duty of Hearing but to the right manner of performing this duty Take heed therefore how ye hear Luk. 8. 18. Now whether in our hearing we give God the best we are to examine three particulars 1. How we prepare our selves before hearing 2. How we demean our selves in hearing 3. How we behave our selves after hearing First before hearing there is required preparation Eccles 5. 1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God Publius Scipio first went unto the Capitol to pray before he went to consult amongst the Senators Before we come to a Sermon our duty is to sequester our selves from earthly entanglements Abraham when he went up to the Mount to Sacrifice he left his Asses at the foot of the hill Before the Jews offered Sacrifice they used many washings and purifyings Exod. 19. 14. Mephibosheth dressed his feet when hee went to David O how should we wash our hearts before we come into Gods presence Before we come into the place where the name of God is recorded we should consider of that soveraignty power purity and Majesty of God We should get our hearts sequestred from the world our pride passion and all inordinate affections should be mortified we should have our spirits meekned we should approach with trembling reverence and awfull fear of the great and glorious presence of God 2. In hearing there are two things required Atteâ—tion of the ear and Intention of the heart 1. There must be a serious attention we read Luke 4. 20. The eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastned on him When we go to duty we should consider of the presence of God and Angels and should behave our selves with all reverence in the publick Assemblies The Preacher should be serious grave reverend and avoyd all affected phrases uncouth unscriptural speeches He should hold fast the form of sound words And hearers should deport themselves with all reverence Laughing at one another idle gazing wanton glances roving eys O! how unfit and unsuitable are they as at other times so especially in places of Worship 2. In hearing there is required intention of the heart The heart must goe along with the eare and what we hear we must labour to let it sink into our hearts and there make its residence The heart must be affected in hearing the heart must act vigorously and be fully bent upon God His Word is precious and none ought to fall to the ground Wherefore we must ruminate ponder meditate apply and labour for retentive memories This caution is of great concernment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 2. 1. VVe must remember that in hearing we deale for life and immortality we negotiate for Eternity and drive a trade for our immortall soules so we must hear to day as for ought we know we may never live to have another opportunity Wherefore the heart must be in good earnest with all the affections thereof set a worke The Love Joy Hope Desire all must bee seriously fixt and intent upon what wee hear Thirdly how we must demeane our selves after hearing To this purpose I shall mention onely two Duties which if put in practise it 's without all question that wee give God the Male. First it 's required that we meditate on what we have heard 1. We must meditate in the Word For Meditation is the spiritual digestion of a Sermon This Moses Isaac and David much practised It fareth with a good Sermon for the Soul as with a good meales meat for the Body By digesting what we receive we thrive the better Wherefore after we have heard a Sermon we must call our selves to a strict accompt rubbe up our memories and labour to make what we have heard our owne that this food may turne into our nourishment that we may eat and make a good meale and digest the food of our souls even to eat the roll as the Prophet did Jer. 15. 16. Secondly it 's required that wee yeeld ready obedience unto 2. Wee must yeeld obedience unto the Word the VVord of God For not the Hearers but the Doers of the Word shall be justified The life of a Preacher is the Application and the life of a Sermon in Preaching and hearing consists in the particular Application what wee heare wee must apply and practise in our lives Thus we give God the Male in our hearing A Second Duty wherein we are to examine our selves in is Q. 3. Whether we give God the Male in our prayers whether we give God the Males in our prayers and supplications Prayer is a great part of our religion a great part of worship wherein God is gloryfied wherefore I must take the best paines I can to examine this point whether in our prayers we give God the best whether we offer a Male and not a corrupt thing For tryall whereof I l'e lay down some distinguishing characters to differrence the pretious from the vile 1. Prayer must be humble so did Abraham pray Gen. 18. 27. so David prayed in a most humble manner 2 Sam. 7. 19. so Jacob 1 Prayer must be humble Gen. 32. 9. There 's required an humble reverentiall frame of spirit in our approaches and applications unto the throne of grace Consideration of Gods transcendent majesty and greatnesse and the apprehension of our own vilenesse should cause us in an humble manner to make our addresses and preferre our supplications unto the great God of Heaven and Earth Consider likewise thou art a Creature dust and ashes a worme and no man a sinner a Rebell an enemy to God by nature a child of wrath This Consideration should humble thee in the presence of the Lord. 2. Prayer must be in faith Mat. 21. 22. No prayer but that of faith can be accepted No service but of a Beleever
that are Masters of Families be exhorted to set up Holynesse in your Families Teach your children and servants to know God keep up your authority give not liberty to them under your roofe to live as they list Abraham gave no toleration he commanded his houshold to keep the way of the Lord. Let all sorts and sexes old and Gen. 18. 19. young learned and unlearned lay this Exhortation to heart I presse holynesse upon you all O that the Priests Motto were writ upon your hearts and lives Holynesse unto the Lord. You cannot say as Sheba the Son of Bichri said We have no portion in David c. as if this concerns not us but holynesse concerns you all you must all follow after holynesse To excite you to your duty I 'll lay down some moving considerations Consid 1. We are elected unto holinesse 2 Thes 2. 13. 1. Consider you are elected unto holynesse not for holynesse nor through praevision of holyness that 's a false Arminian glosse but unto holynesse 2. We are created unto holynesse All the members of our bodies Consid 2. We are created in holynesse Ephes 4. 24. and faculties of our soules should be instruments of holynesse The tongue should speak holily holy communication should drop from the tongue the heart and hand both should be clean as James specifies c. 4. 8. The feet must keep the wayes of Gods commandements Consid â— We are redeemed to be holy Luk. 1. 74. 75. the understanding will affections the whole man all must be holy to this purpose they were created 3. Consider we are redeemed for this end and purpose that we may be holy 4. It 's Gods will that we should be holy 1 Thes 4. 3. Now our Consid 4. It s Gods will that we should be holy wils must be subject unto Gods will He commands us to be holy we should pray for his grace to enable us to perform his command Holynesse is suitable to Gods will and wee have an encouraging promise 1 Joh. 5. 14. 5. â—olynesse is our calling 1 Pet. 1. 15. 1 Thes 4. 7. Wee can Consid 5. Holyness is our calling have no comfort but when we are in a lawfull calling when our wayes are according to Gods wayes wee may hope for Gods gracious protection according to the promise Psal 91. 11. When any commit wickednesse are unclean drunk associate themselves with wicked persons they are out of their calling and so out of Gods special pâ—ovidence Consider this seriously when you are tempted to Whoredom or any oâ—her sin God hath not called you unto unâ—eannesse but unto holynesse 6. Heaven is an holy place only appointed for holy persons Nothing Consid 6. Heaven is a holy place that 's defiled shall enter there Rev. 21. 27. Onely holy persons shall be acquitted before Christs Judgement-seat They only shall enter into the new Jerusalem 7. In heaven there shall bee no other but holy employment Consid 7. In Heaven there is holy employment singing Hosannahs and Hallelujahs to him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for evermore A prophane person hates holy Ordinances and holy employments here on earth Were it possible for him to be in heaven hee would be weary of the employment whereas the Saints shall have their hearts put into such an high and excellent frame as they shall without molestation weariness or intermission be ever setting forth the praises of the Lord. 8. And there will be in heaven the most holy company the holy Consid 8. In heaven there is holy company Trinitie God the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost the most holy blessed and glorious Trinity There will be holy Angels the spirits of just men made perfect holy Martyrs holy Ministers holy people No company there but all holy company 9. And lastly to close up all Now whilst we live on earth is Consid 9. The present time is the time to labor after holynes the time or never to labour after holynesse now I mean in this time of life we must make provision for eternity This is Gods summons to day if you will hear his voice Delay not a minute longer Resist not the movings of the Spirit great is the danger of resisting the Spirits movings The Lord set home all these considerations upon your hearts and if hereby the Lord should be pleased to gaine any soul to the love and practise of holynesse I should never be enough thankful for the mercies of this day The third Use is for Examination and Tryal Every one will Use 3. For Examination plead for himself and pretend to an holy conversation As it was said When the Son of man comes shall he finde faith on the earth So shall he find an holy conversation a formal Professor a Christian at large are every where to be found like Sycamoâ—es in the valley for abundance but the power of holynesse an holy circumspect walking are rarely found Now then because its the grand Ministerial duty to distinguish the precious from the vile according to that high commendation and priviledge given as to be the mouthes of God Jer. 15. 19. And because God hath gone forth in a signal exemplary blessing upon this way which hath been so frequently used by old Disciples faithful labouring Ministers whose plain Preaching would it were more revived now adaies It shall therefore be my task to lay forth some distinguishing characters and signs of a gracious sincere heart whose life is accordingly ordered in an holy conversation and by them you may put your selves upon the test and tryal as in the presence of God whether you are such manner of persons in all holy conversation and godlinesse The first sign is spiritual poverty and this consists in the emptying Charact. 1. Spiritual Poverty of the heart of self-confidence self-opinion self-sufficiency and self-righteousnesse whereby a Christian becomes nothing in himself altogether lost undone blind miserable poor and naked He is thoroughly sensible of his own misery and wretchednesse He is apprehensive of his own undone condition and what need he hath of a Saviour such an one Christ pronounceth to be in the state Mat. 5. 3. of blessednesse 2. There followeth the highest prizing and estimate of Jesus Charact. 2. High prizing of Jesus Chr. Christ That soul which is spiritually poor accounts Christ the greatest treasure it apprehends it self blind that Christ may give it eye-salve miserable and lost that Christ may save it naked that Christ may cloath it with his righteousnesse See what an high price the Spoâ—se puts upon Jesus Christ Cant. 5. 10 11 12 c. He is precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. a plant of renown Ezek. 34 29. Such an high price had the wise Merchant to sell all for him Mat. 13. 45 46. So Moses who preferred the reproach of Christ before Egypts treasure Bradford wept often even at meales because he could not bring his dul heart
1 Joh 3 3. Jam. 14 8 thy self to cleanse thy hands and purifie thy heart this is a needfull study its time well imployed in searching our hearts in washing and purifying of the inward man 3. Be much exercised in divine meditation Meditate frequently Rule 3. Be exercised the divine in art of meditation of the four last things Death Judgement Hell and Heaven Entertain frequent and serious thoughts of â—ternity It 's a poynt of understanding and wisdome to consider our latter end Meditate what a holy place heaven is what holy company and what holy employments aret here Nothing that defileth shall ever come there Get up into the Mount with Moses let thy affections soare aloft being carried aloft with the wings of heavenly meditation This was Isaacs practise Davids and Pauls Were you acquainted with the singular benefit of Meditation you would not lye groveling here below your words thoughts whole conversations would bee in heaven 4. Consider the omnipresence and omniscience of God whither Rule 4. Consider Gods omnipresence canst thou goe from his presence how canst thou escape his knowledge If I sinne saith Job he marketh me Job 10. 14 15. God seeth thy secret sinnes hee knoweth all thy reservations and cunning conveyances All things are naked unto him with whom thou hast to deale and without holynesse thou shalt never see the face of God with comfort The serious consideration of the Omnipresence and Omniscience of God through the grace of God may prevaile with us to a circumspect and holy conversation 5. Set an high estimate upon and frequent diligently the holy Rule 5 Consider Gods Ordinances Ordinances of God They are called The beauties of Holynesse Psal 110. 3. There is a cleansing virtue in the Word of God Psal 119. 9. Gods face is beautifull his holynesse is his beauty Now by the face of God Calvin understands the Ordinances of God Psal 27. 8. Wait then O Christian at the posts of Wisdoms gate lye in the way where Christ comes by tarry at these Bethesdaes The Ordinances are the golden Pipes to conveigh the golden Oyle take heed of sitting loose from them Blesse God that your eyes behold your Teachers and that your Gospel is not driven into corners Improve these prices and spiritual advantages for the good of your precious souls 6. And lastly associate your selves with holy company Love Rule 6. Associaâ—e your selves with holy company where God loves now the Lord loveth his Saints It was Davids profession that his delight was in the Saints Psal 16. 2 3. Bee a companion to those that fear God If a dead coale be neare a live coâ—le it may be inkindled by it but if two live coales be together what abundance of heate will they give We read Mal. 3. 16. That they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Let not Christians be strange and shie of one anothers company But let 's unite as one man to conserre all our interests to give each other a lift to heaven Make them thy companions on earth whom thou hopest to enjoy in heaven to all eternity The last Use and so in a few words to conclude is a word of Use 5. For Consolation Consolation unto holy persons true beleevers the adopted sonnes and daughters of God when the day of Judgement comes and the whole world is in a flame they shall bee of good comfort That day which will be a day of terrour and revenge to the wicked shall be a day of refreshing and restitution unto them The Saints that sleep in the grave shall be awakned at the sound of the Trumpet and their bodies and soules shall bee reunited and they shâ—ll receive the consummation of their happynesse The Saints that are alive shall be caught up together with those that are dead in Christ in the cloudes to meet the â—ord in the air and so shall be ever with the Lord. The inference the Apostle makes should be ours wherefore 1 Thes 4. 18. comfort one another with these words O but I cannot see this in me I would be holy yet I cannot find this growth of holynesse in me Is this thy case goe thy way to God challenge him with his promise put his bond in suit Hee commands make you a clean heart but doth he not promise to give it Ezek. 36. 25. Comfort thy self with Christs praier to the Father He prayes Father sanctifie them through thy truth And know there may be grace where feeling may be wanting It s an excellent Joh. 17. 17. Eph. 1. 13. saying of Mr. Greenham We hold Christ by faith and not by feeling Feeling is an after thing After ye beleeved ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise Is it the desire and endeavour of thy soule to be holy Notwithstanding infirmities yet is thy heart single and without guile be of good comfort thou shalt hold up thy head with comfort at that great day of accompt when the wicked shall wish that the mountains might fall upon them and the hills cover them from the face of the Lamb thou shalt behold Christ in the face with comfort when all these visible things shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat thou shalt be glad and rejoice at that day and enjoy eternall felloship with the blessed Trinity in whose presence there is fulness of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore Did we but seriously consider of Psal 16. 11. these things wee should desire to bee dissolved and to be with Christ we should cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly we should have the Moon under our feet we should negotiate for the great things of eternity May all things that have been said make deep impression upon our spirits and prevaile with us to the love and practise of holynesse looking for and hasting unto the comming of God Though at that day the world be on fire we shall be safe though there shall be a general Assize wee shall be acquitted and that day of Judgement will be the Saints refreshing day Christ is their Redeemer and Intercessour VVho would not now be in love with holyness holyness will be holyness indeed at that day Only holy persons shall hold up their heads with comfort they only shall be able to stand in judgement God onely that made the heart can cleanse it Christ doth love and wash his people Le ts therefore pray for holynesse follow after holynesse Thus our fruit being unto holynesse our end will be happynesse The Necessity of the Knowledge of Regeneration Discovered from Joh. 3. v. 10. Jesus answered and said unto him Art thou a Master of Israel and knowest not these things THE report of Christs Miracles being famous every where Serm. 5. at St. Maries Oxon. Aug. 14. 1654. v. 1. insomuch that multitudes followed him at last one of an eminent Rank comes to visit and conferre with Christ v. 1. By degree he
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
Three Decads OF SERMONS Lately Preached to the VNIVERSITY at St MARY'S Church in OXFORD BY HENRY WILKINSON D. D. Principall of Magdalen Hall Eccles 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no worke nor device nor knowledge nor wisedome in the grave whither thou goest 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the Love of Christ constraineth us ACADEMIA OXON IF SIS OXFORD Printed by H. H. for Thomas Robinson 1660. Almae Venerabili Matri ACADEMIAE OXONIENSI TRES CONCIONVM DECADES in Templo S. MARIae haud ita pridem habitarum In perennis Obsequii Gratitudinis Testimonium D. D. D. Q. L. M. Q. HENRICUS WILKINSONUS The AUTHOR'S Preface to the unprejudiced Reader BE pleased Reader with patience to take notice of and give Credence to this true though brief ensuing Information As for my part being conscious to my self of manifold Failings perhaps more then others can or will acquaint me withall I should have stood in more awe of a Press then in such a Critical Age to have exposed even the best of my Labors to publick view Had not some both eminently Godly and Judicious incouraged me much by their Approbation Amongst whom the * Dr. J. Conant Vice-Chancellor and * Dr. Edw Reynolds Dean of Christ-Church whose Judgements I highly value approved what now comes forth Likewise those several Sermons which I formerly Printed in another Language for the most part were communicated to a * Reverend and Dr. Harris President of Trinity Coll Oxon. Judicious Divine lately gone to Heaven with whom I had intimate acquaintance and always found a faithful Friend by whose Advice they were committed to the Press For Apologies and such like preliminary Discourses I purposely wave as superfluous altogether I have often thought not without great detestation of a proud vain-glorious speech of one not worth the naming Trajectum plantavit Lovanium rigavit Caesar dedit Incrementum Whereupon another made Answer Hic Deus nihil fecit I shall acknowledge Adwickium in Agro Eboracensi plantavit There I was born Oxonium rigavit There I had the greatest part of my Education Christus autem dedit Incrementum The increase and blessing of all I ascribe unto Christ alone Paul may plant and Apollo may water but God alone 1 Cor. 3. 6. giveth the encrease I have read that a Philosopher accounted it as his honor That he was a Man a Citizen and lived in the time of Socrates Much more do I account it my honor to be a Christian and born in a Land where Christ is known And through riches of Grace and Mercy to be born again And to be accounted worthy even such a worthless Instrument as I am to be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for whose sake to spend and be spent I account it a far greater honor then to be the Emperor of the World And if the Lord be pleased to make me more Instrumental to gain souls to Christ through Mercy I have already heard of some brought in to my comfort This Mercy I shall value at a higher rate then all the Kingdoms of the World and the glory of them Neither may I pass by in silence for which I cannot be thankful enough Gods gracious dealings with me in my younger years at Glocâ—ster where Mr. John Workman Mr. John Langly the Lord blest to my soul the Ministry of a * Holy man of God and likewise the Labors of a * Worthy School-master Further The Lord in mercy afforded unto me great advantages after I was placed in Magdalen-Hall under the Government of * Dr. John wilâ—inson Principal of Magdalen Hall 43 years my Honored Uncle the vigilant Principal one as I conceive endowed with the spirit of Government where likewise I was well accommodated with a * Dr. Henry wilkinson now Cannon of Ch Ch Religious Learned and Diligent Tutor now an eminent Professor of Divinity in this University These I mention with thankfulness unto God And with Pliny I conceive it Ingenuum confiteri per quos profecâ—rim As for many of my Brethren who have more Talents entrusted to them then my self I envy not any of them but heartily wish a diligent improvement of them as remembring where much is given much is required For what through Grace is given me I am obliged to be thankful and not hide in a napkin Those Scriptures are as Frontlets before mine eyes and frequent Monitors unto me viz. Eccles 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to doe doe it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Joh. 9. 4. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day The night cometh when no man can work And 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Christ constraineth us Upon these Principles I desire to manage all my undertakings and act accordingly Now in an especial manner I present these Sermons as Duty and Gratitude bindes me to the University before whom I Preach'd them I cannot conceal what my heart is so much affected with but must acknowledge with all thankfulness those signal Mercies from Heaven of late extended even to a Miracle that the Ministry and maintenance due thereunto the Universities and their Priviledges are yet secured and rescued from the malitious projects and attempts of unreasonable men who cry with a Stentorean voice against an Universitie as the children of Edom did in the day of Jerusalem Psal 137. 7. Rase rase it even to the Foundation thereof These are of John of Leydens and Wigelius his Faction lately consuted by a * Learned Dr. Arrowsmith in Orat. Aqtiweigâ—l Professor It 's sufficiently known that men of this Leaven have an evil eye against all Schools of Learning and therefore bespatter and calumniate them that they may more easily make a prey of their Revenues This was the Divelish design of Julian the Apostate to overthrow Schools of Learning and rob them of their maintenance and this was a subtle Stratagem used by him to hinder the succession of Ministers But all sober minded persons who have their eyes in their heads see and cannot but acknowledge the singular and daily use of Publick Nurseries of Learning Maugre all the Aspersions and out-crys of those false tongues set on Fire of Hell From these places of Learning have come forth a Noble Army of Martyrs viz. Cranmer Ridley Latimer Hooper Bradford Tindall Philpot c. who have resisted Popery unto Blood and sealed unto the truth of the Protestant Religion with their own Blood Our Vniversity of Oxford can produce a large Catalogue of eminent Champions for the Truth some whereof were Bradwardin Wickliffe Jewell Fox Jo Reynolds Hooker Ayry Crackenthorp Field Lake Hackwell Benefield Bolton Pemble c. Our publick Professors have been an Ornament unto that Chair and have opposed Rome Racovia Munster c. Their Names are like precious Oyntment poured forth leaving
contemnunt c. Rollocus in Joh. 6. 45. 1. Divine knowledg is humble Rolloc observes on the place And that you may know where this knowledge resides let me assure you That it ever lodgeth in an humble breast The knowledg taught of God is an humble knowledge But when God opens a mans eyes and gives him the spirit of understanding he then discernes in himselfe more ignorance and folly then knowledge After that he hath studied this domum interiorem his own conscience as Bernard stiâ—es it he knowes more ill by himselfe then all the world can acquaint him withall As the consideration of his primitive integrity may be scientia inflaens so the review of his originall praevarication may be scientia humilians As that may pusse up so this may humble It 's the greatest honour of the learned'st Rabbies to be men of the humblest spirits And the more humble they are the greater proficiency they make in knowledg Let them consider what they have is derivative Quid habes quod non accepisti Their abilities are not their own but so many talents concredited unto them of Quinto quis decrescit in despectione sui tanto amplius proficit in cogni tione Dei Bern. 2. It s a reforming knowledg which they must stand accomptable unto him who is their Lord and Master It 's undoubtedly true that the most ignorant are apt to think best of themselves The Laodiceans were well conceited of themselves and the reason was because their eyes were not opened Neither doth divine knowledge float in thy brain but secondly it workes a reformation upon thy heart and life To depart from evill is understanding Job 28. 28. Hereby we are sure that we know him if we keepe his commandements 1 Joh. 2. 3. this is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indeed of a man of knowledg Hath thy knowledg an effectuall influence upon thy life and conversation Doth it quicken thy love to Christ and inkindle thy zeale for his glory When the spirit of wisdome breaks in upon thy soule just as when the spirit of God came upon Saul it makes thee another manner of man this spirit is a fire to purge thy corruptions It 's water to allay thy passion It 's a winde to blow and scatter thy swelling thoughts of vanity May that popular rumor never be verify'd of our age that never was more knowledg and never lesse practise Now when knowledg abounds as the waters cover the seas where 's the returne of a sanctify'd conversation Hee 's truly the knowing man who reduceth his knowledg into practise Knowledg and practise should goe together in a mutuall equipage being conjoyn'd in an indissoluble union by the Holy-Ghost If then God hath advanced you to places of higher dignity God expects from you more duty and obedience If God hath bestowed greater gifts on you he expects better fruits of holinesse to be manifested throughout your whole life and conversation For where much is given much is required Hee 's a man of learning that is a man of a sanctify'd conversation I remember Berr Suber 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 37. that Bernard gives a direction or two for knowledg ut scias quo ordine quo studio quo sine For order that must be known in the first place which most nearly conduceth unto thy salvation For study that must be studied which is most worthy of thy love and as for the end that must not be curiosity but the edification of thy own and thy brothers soule These directions in my Text meet as lines in the same center Christ Jesus is first to be known worthiest of our love and the end of all our knowledg This puts me in mind of my second particular the object of my Apostles resolution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to know Jesus Christ 2. Part Concerning the Knowledg of Jesus Christ In these Epistles St Paul useth the name of Jesus above 500 times and no wonder for in this name there are above 5000 treasures Yea in it all the treasures of wisdome and knowledg are reposited If you would Anatomize all Pauls Epistles you should find the sacred name of Jesus written in the heart of them in golden characters as truely as they falsly report it was seen in the heart of Ignatius Loyola that grand Impostor I have read that Phidias made a buckler for Minerva wherein his own name was so curiously ingraven that it could not be took out without the dissolution of the whole frame So Christ hath divinely wrought his name in the Scriptures and that so accurately in so much that you cannot take it out but the truth will fall to the ground Christ is the complement and perfection of all science the ground of all consolation Hereupon the Prophet concludes triumphantly I will rejoice in the God of my salvation Hab. 3. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. strom 6. Our knowledge and spirituall paradise is our Saviour So * Clemens Alexandrinus O then above all thy gettings labour to get this understanding to know Christ and him crucisi'd Have this and thou needest no more It 's that unum necessarium the onely requisite A man may read 20 Lectures in Aristle and yet be never the more moralliz'd man All Platoes and Aristotles Precepts meddle not with heart pollutions nor tend to the Reformation of the inward man A man onely acted by principles of nature cannot correct the least vice It 's beyond the sphaere of it's activity to discover sin in it's proper colours I mean the siafulnesse and pollution that is in sin 'T is true a temperate Socrates a just Aristides a covenant-keeping Regulus shame many of us Christians and will rise up in judgment against us and condemne us but their morality could not advance them to the third Heaven The eye of naturall reason was too dimme to discerne Christ erected upon a pole Their charity then justly deserves the check who inlarge the way where Christ hath streightn'd it The text is expresse there 's no other name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved Till this truth be expung'd out of Canonicall Acts 4 12. Scripture I shall never admit any scientiam mediam or posterne dore to let in those who are without the pale of the Christian world As for those Jesuited persons who advance nature and deprave grace the time may come when upon conviction of conscience they may be forc'd to conclude with Bellarmines Tutissimum est c. It 's Bellarm. 1. 5. de Iustif the safest way to rely upon the grace of God when as that idolized 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will prove an Aegyptian reed to give them the slip in their greatest necessity Now it 's requisite that I should put a difference between the 3 Characters of Knowledg precious and the vile and distinguish that knowledg which is so in reality and truth from that which is counterfeit and only personates a Christian View it in these distinguishing
evil entreaties and unfruitfulness of our labors Le ts not bauk our duty because we fear we shal do no good let 's put that to the venture fall a working In the morning sow thy seed and in the evening with-hold not Eccles 11. 6. thy hands for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that or â— King 22. 24. whether they both be alike good We read That a certain man drew a bow at a venture and smote the king of Israel between the joynts of the harness So though Ministers shoot at a venture personating no man yet it may please God so to direct the word that it may hit the right mark Now let 's all become Merchant-Venturers The Church is the Ship tost up and down with Tempests and Storms It 's exceeding great folly to trim up our Cabbin if the Ship be a sinking Fear not this Ship will at last come to a safe Harbor here then let us venture Counsels Pains Prayers Estates Liberties Lives and all Deliverance will come to the Church of God we have received earnest already let 's tug harder at the Oar and wrestle with Prayers and Supplications as we read Isa 62. 1. v. 6 7. When deliverance comes as a Samuel of our Prayers when we apprehend it the returne of prayers O how welcome will be that deliverance To see the ship so well fraught in the returne will be our rejoycing that we have ventur'd so liberally in the stock Fourthly A Merchant must be a man of singular Patience his Prop 4. A Merchant must be a man of Patieâ—ce stock is in a ship whose voyage is to the Indies he therefore must wait patiently for the returne So must every spirituall Merchant venturer wait patiently upon God Learne hence O Christian to wait upon the God of thy salvation the Charriot wheeles of deliverance are long a coming sense failes reason is non-plus't but faith bids thee wait longer It bids thee leave off disputing and reasoning and learn to believe But when faith a little flags then hope encourageth as it did Ezrah amid'st multitudes of teares But Ezrah 10. 2 hope sayeth I have hoped long and hope dâ—forr'd makes the heart sicke then comes patience and bids thee wait and stay Gods time his time is the best time Do not Limit the holy one of Israell to times or meanes this or that instrument Eligat Oppâ—rtunitatem qui libere August dat misericordiam O be perswaded to possesse thy soule with patience Ther 's need of patience Heb 10 36. Ther 's a certaine Period or Limit of time set downe by God though unknowne to us when Deliverance shall come Thirty yeares was appointed to the impotent Cripple which time expired Christ healed him Eighteene yeares to the daughter of Abraham and then was shee healed 70. yeares to the Jewish captivity and then deliverance came Wee are to observe that ther 's a great talke amongst the houshold of Christs coming the feilds looke white to harvest the Gods of Babylon are in disgrace ther 's great powring out of the spirit and a gracious answer of prayers ther 's earnest thirsting and longing after deliverance And these are usuall Harbingers of Deliverance But to determine the punctuall time 't is above all our knowledge we can say no more then with the Psalmist We see not our signes there is no more Ps 4. 9. any Prophet neither is there amongst us that knoweth hâ—w long Le ts imitate those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises Le ts resolve come what will come to wait on God as the Church professes Is 8. 17 and Mich 7. 7. God waits to do us good let us wait for the reception of his mercy Is 30. 8 5. 5 A Merchant frequents the places of Merchandize where he may Prop. 5. A Merchant must frequents the places of merchandise heare of his factors and receive intelligence of his Merchandize He 's frequently at the Exchange or such like meeting places So doth every spirituall Merchant frequent the publike Assemblies which are as it were spirituall Exchanges Places of concourse where he may heare news from heaven and receive Intelligence for the best Emolument of his soule Wait then O Christian at these Bethesdaes wait at the Posts of wisedomes gate Lie in this way where Christ frequently comes by Omit not through Negligence any Sermon that peradventure may be a convincing a converting and a confirming word unto thee It 's a mercy promised to an afflicted people Isay 30. 20. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy teachers That you have publick Assemblies frequent opportunities inlarged meanes and that your eyes behold your faithfull teachers these are singular mercies vouchsafed to you your duty is to improve them to the glory of God and the best advantage of your pretious soules 6ly and lastly A Merchant must improve his estate to his best Prop 6. A Merchant must improve his estate to his best advantage Mat 25. 27. advantage He hath been at great paines cost and charges therefore hee 'l put off his commodities to his best emolument The Lord in the Parable expects his own 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with increase An honest gaine is commendable in the trade So a spirituall Merchant must improve all he hath his time Talents Graces Ordinances to the advantage of his pretious soule He must endeavour to gaine by various dispensations adversity as well as prosperity he must endeavour to prosit by every Sermon he heareth by every mans company with whom he converseth Hee 's skill'd in the soule thriving trade He stores up a stock of Divine graces faith love humility meeknesse c. And there with he would be adorned He stores up a stock of attributes he knowes there 's wisedom in God to counsell him mercy in God to pardon him power in God to defend him and with these he supports and stayes his spirit He stores up a stock of promises He reads and beleeves that they are pretious promises and that they are 2 Cor 11. 20. all in Christ Yea and Amen These he gathers up and applyes to his particular condition This spirituall Merchant this true beleever is the best Husband in all the world He not onely hath grace but is still a growing in more grace Hee 's a plant planted in Gods garden and therefore brings forth more fruit in his elder age Hee 's not contented with what grace he hath allready but with Paul he forgets those things which are behind and reacheth forth unto those things which are before pressing forward towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Hee 's still on the getting hand getting more Phil 3. 13. 14. accession unto his faith love and humility adding one degree
in Prayer What sweetness in Hearing What activity in Meditation Are your affections on the wing soaring aloft to Heaven Doth this joy quicken your spirits to a chearful performance of duty and make the Chariot Wheels of your souls move swiftly Then this is a spiritual joy Whereas natural joy makes a mans heart dead in spiritual things When men are full of worldly joy if you interpose some savory discourse of God and his ways those men who had fluent tongues before can say nothing they are as it were dead men their hearts are as Nabals as a stone within them Sixthly and lastly Spiritual joy will support the spirit and bear up Qual 6 the heart in the want of all outward joy and pleasantness Hab. 3. 17 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the vines the labor of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls yet I will rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of my salvation A soul that hath onely natural pleasantness is all amort and quite cast down when any affliction befalls it But a soul that hath spiritual pleasantness amidst all sorrows findes comfort in God to swallow them all up When crosses and afflictions befall a childe of God then is the time for tryal of his joy Rom 5. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoye in hope of the glory of God He kisseth the rod Amidst outward sorrows he feels inward consolations an exchange of worldly for spiritual joys The fourth Use shall be for Direction you will ask How shall we Vse 4. For Direction carry on the work of God chearfully A. 1. Take heed of allowing thy self in any secret sin A secret sin allowed of will dash all thy mirth I told you before aâ— saying of Luther for its excellency I reminde you of it again Vnaguâ—tula malae conscientiae totum mare mundani gaudii absorbet No way in the world so conducible hereunto as the purging out thy corruptions the exterminating of sin out of thy soul The fewer sins the more will be thy joy as I may instance in David who complain'd of broken bones and Prayes Restore unto me the joys of thy salvation that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce 2. Study seriously and frequently all the ways of godliness The more knowledge thou hast of the ways of God the more delight wilt thou take in them The saying is Ignoti nulla cupido Principle thy heart therefore aright in the ways of godliness and labor for more knowledge of them Labor to know the beauty and excellency and incomparable riches of Christ The ignorant people ask What is thy beloved more then another beloved Labor to comprehend with all Saints the heighth depth length and breadth of the love of God Be not content with that measure of knowledge which thou hast already attained but get accessions and additions to it Psal 9. 10. And thâ—y that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou O Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee 3. Put in practice the Divine Art of Meditation This is the spiritual digesting of the Food of Heaven O what abundance of comfort do Christians feel by Meditation Meditation is Animae vehiculum it carrys up thy Devotions to Heaven To go to duties with a barren dull spirit there 's no delight but to go to them after spiritual Meditation this is sweet and pleasant indeed Thus Isaac meditated in the fields Mary pondred Christs words in her heart Sequester therefore your souls apart from all worldly intanglements and meditate of the riches of Christ of the excellency of his ways and by this means your spirits will be elevated and you 'l perform duties with more vigour and alacrity of spirit Fourthly and lastly Be sure to walk uprightly Get an upright heart and thou mayest take comfort in whatsoever thou doest Pro. 10. 9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his way shall be known Many complain I cannot do as others do I want those joys they have I cannot perform duties as well as they I direct thee to be sure that thy heart be upright that what thou doest is in sincerity and God will accept sincerity in lieu of perfection Is then thy heart upright Is it the desire and endeavour of thy soul to close with God Dost thou not willingly allow thy self in any sin be of good comfort It becometh the upright to be joyful I have one Use more for consolation to the people of God who Vse 5. For Consolation by experience subscribe to the truth of the Doctrine That all the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness To these comfort appertains as their peculiar right and interest They find comfort coming in amidst all their religious services amidst their tears and sorrow for sin they feel joy coming in they have tasted and felt how sweet the Lord is And if there be now such comfort in via what will there be in patria Si adeo dulcis quaerenti saith a Father quid invenienti You therefore that are acquainted experimentally with these truths That the ways of godliness are ways of pleasantness I beseech you manifest the truth of these things Tell and discourse to one another speak what good God hath done for your souls Many are kept back from God hy reason of scandals and calumnies that Religion makes men of melancholy and dumpish spirits Confute therefore these mistakes both by your words and actions Tell others and strive to win them to God and allure them with the narration of the delights and soul-ravishing comforts that you have found in these ways O â—abor to comfort others with those comforts wherewith you your selves have been comforted in particular And so walk in the ways of God Let your actions be so carryed and the whole frame of your soul so ordered that it may appear to the whole world That all the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness Rejoyce therefore in the Lord. Delightfulness in the ways of godliness put a beauty upon them We have a sweet promise Isa 65. 18. But be ye glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create for bâ—hold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy A joy in the abstract and it 's Gods work of creation You therefore to whom God hath darted the beams of his reconciled countenance I counsel in the language of our Saviour Sons and Daughters be of good comfort and go on chearfully Let your hearts as Jehoshaphats was be lifted up in the ways of God When the Spirit of God witnesseth to your spirits that ye are the children of God there must needs be abundance of joy in your souls And here 's your ground of rejoycing that your names are written in the Book of
lives and keep strict Luk. 16. 2. sentinell over both That saying give an account of thy stewardship should be still ringing in the ears of Ministers Governours and Tutors We shall one day be called to an account let 's labour to be faithfull Stewards that so we may give up our account with joy and not sorrow It 's a known story that the young man committed by Euseb Hist the Apostle to the Elders care was dissolute and a companion of Theives and is there termed a dead man i. e. dead to God and goodness O let it not be our default our negligence that any under our charge are dead souls As the Captain beseeched that his life and the life of his fifty might be pretious in the Prophets eyes 2 Kings 1. 13 Whe her we have more or fewer let their souls be pretious and let us put forth our selves in all our places and capacityes to give one another a lift toward heaven A day of judgment is coming let that be a Frontlet before our eyes upon this consideration let Christians doe brotherly offices and manifest their love to the souls of their brethren Hereupon we are exhorted to avoid rash judgment Rom. 14. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 5. There 's wisdome understanding consideration all joyned together Deut. 32. 22. It s a patheticall speech and he 's a wiseman in the esteem of the Holy Ghost who considers his of latter end We should all of us fix this meditation upon our hearts entertain serious thoughts what will become of our our precious souls to all Eternity Will not a day of Judgement come May not thou or I be summon'd forthwith at that impartial Tribunal This being so What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness In the second place to confirm the Point by evidence of Reason why the consideration of the Day of Judgement should engage us unto holiness 1. Because onely holy persons shall be able to stand in Judgement Reas 1. Because only holy persons shall stand in Judgement When the wicked the Goats that stand on the left hand and shall wish that the Hills might â—all on them and that the mountains might cover them from the face of the Lamb Then shall the godly lift up their heads and behold Christ who is their Judge their Redeemer This comforted Job on the Dung-hill Rev. 20. 6. Job 19. 25. Matth. 5. 8. Heb. 12. 14. I Know that my Redeemer liveth They that are holy here shall be happy to all eternity They onely shall be partakers of the blessed Visâ—on Now it s much controverted whether the Saints shall have their sins mentioned at all at the day of Judgement some conceive that their sins shall be brought in onely as a cancell'd â—ond others are of opinion that they shall be mentioned that Gods mercy may the more be glorified in the greatness of the Pardon And others say they shall not be mentioned at all because in several Scriptures the Lord saith He will remember their sins no more and that he will câ—st all our sins into the depth of the Sea and that he casteth Isa 43. 25. Mich. 7. 19. Isa 38. 17. our sins behinde his back without all controversie that shall be done that conduceth most to â—ods glory and their happiness There 's no condemnation to the Saints the day of Judgement will be a day of refreshing to them an addition to their happiness soul and body being re-united and made companions in bliss unto all â—ternity Seeing then holy persons shall be able to look the Judge in the face since they onely shall stand in judgement the consideration of this great day should sink deep into our hearts and make deep impression upon our spirits exciting alluring and prevailing with us to a sanctified life and conversation 2. â—ecause the time of this life is the onely Season appointed 2 Reas This is the present time by God to labor after holyness The Exhortation runs in the present â—ense 1 Pet. 1. 15. 1 John 3. 3. Q. 3. But can we be perfectly holy A. We must have perfection of parts i. e. Sincerity In Heaven there will be perfection of degrees we must have truth of holyness we must begin here and strive after more In Heaven we shall attain the complement thereof we may not content our selves with what we have attained unto but we must labor after perfection pressing forward toward the mark for the price of the high calling that is in Jesus Christ as Id qui faciunt fructum colligent satione sua dignum coacervabunt enim quod male dispereat Calv in loc Gal. 6. 8. the Apostle did Phil. 3. 14. Now then consider the time of this life is the Seed-time the Harvest is reserved in Heaven As you sow so you shall reap If you sow to the flesh you shall of the flesh reap corruption if you sow to the spirit you shall of the spirit reap life everlasting Therefore in your most serious thoughts consider that you deal for life and immortallity your negotiations are for the great things of Eternity In this World in this present time of life you must labor to be holy Purgatory is a Blasphemous Popish dream No purgation left for another World No Prayer no Sermon will work upon thee after this life Here then holyness is wrought lay these things to heart 3. Because Judgement returns us just as death leaves us As the 3. Reas Because judgment returns us as death lest us Tree falls so it lies and as death leaves us so judgement will finde us He that is filthy let him be filthy still He that dies unreconciled to Jesus shall be so returned The day of Judgement is most impartially just in all proceedings And Judgement returns none neither better nor worse but as death leaves them Now then if thou livest and diest in an unregenerate estate so thou wilt remain unto all Eternity After death no tears no crys will prevail There 's no door of hope the damned are without hope and this heightens their misery Time is past time is past The Judge hath vail'd his face having past a Sentence irrevo cable Noâ— whilest you are alive on this side Hell and Eternity there 's hope left you are under the sound of the Gospel and the Ambassadoâ— are sent offering unto you terms of reconciliation We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God O follow after holyness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pursue it hard give not over This day is a working 2 Cor. 5. 20. Heb. 12. 14. day and it 's but short a day of Judgement which is a day of restitution and recompense is approaching So live as you desire to die Do you desire to be happy in your deaths Labor to live holy in your lives Thus much for the Doctrinal part Now to set all home by particular Application I have five Uses to make of this Doctrine
be such a day then 1. â—e counselled to break off your sins by repentance Be sensible of the evil of your doings 2. Kisse the Son hast and delay not to make your peace with Jesus Christ for he is our prayse Eph. 2. 14. 3. Make choice of other paths enter into the way of holyness Isa 35. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. Then to the godly Here lyeth your duty 1. To have your thoughts meditations and desires fixed on that day Be longing for the sight of Christ coming in the clouds and pray come Lord Jesus come quickly 2. Comfort your selves with the assurance of Gods love to you so was Paul comforted 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 3. Let your conversation be in heaven Phil. 3. 20 21. 4. Bee not afraid of death for to the Saints death is a conquered enemy the sting is taken away the Serpents teeth are knockt out What need they be afraid of death who shall be acquitted before the Judges And their Judge is their Advocate their friend their Redeemer Jesus Christ which brings in the last Doctrine Doct. 3 That at the day of judgement Jesus Christ shall be the Judge In handling of this Doctrine I shall give clear proof from Scripture and Reason then answeâ— several Queâ—ies and Objections and conclude with particular Application 1. For Scripture proof That Christ shall be judge is plain from 1 The Doctrine proved by Scripture several Scriptures viz. Joh. 5. 22 27. Act. 10. 42. Act. 17. 31. Mat. 28. 18. John 5. 21. Christ for this purpose rose again that he might be Lord over quick and dead Rom. 14. 9 10. and part of his dominion is the last judgement The Reasons why Christ shall be Judge are drawn 1 From equity Reas 1. From equity and retaliation retaliation Christ shall judge those that judged him Christ shall judge Pontius Pilate the High Priest the Jewes c. And this will be for the confusion of Christs enemies that though Christ was reproached buffered crowned with thornes and crucified set at nought by the wicked of the world yet now he shall be in triumph and be the judge of quick and dead Joh. 19. 37. They shall looke upon him whom they have pierced Reas 2. For the comfort of the godly Reas 3. For the terror of the wicked 2. Christ shall be Judge for the comfort of the godly Heb. 2. 11. Eph. 5. 30. Christ is their head redeemer elder-brother intercessour Christ hath promised everlasting life Joh. 3. 36. Joh. 5. 24. 3. For the terrour of the wicked Rev. 1. 7. But in the next place here are many questions to be resolved Q. 1. Is the Father excluded from judgement I answer Neither the Father nor the Holy Ghost are excluded The Father is said to judge by the Son Act. 17. 31. Now judgement is peculiarly by a kind of appropriation ascribed to the Son Joh. 5. 22. Pater occultus Filius manifestus as Austine observes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the whole Trinity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Son this judgement appertains â—ut 2. It will be asked How shall Christ appear at that day Ans â—e shall 1. Appear visibly This judgement the Father hath committed to Christ God and man â—nd Chrisâ— shall not onely judge according to his divine nature but also according to his humane nature So that Christ shall be seen vissibly and locally Act. 1. 11. Mat. 24. 30. 2. Christ shall come gloriously and this will be cleared in sour Particulars 1. Hee shall come in the glory of his Father Mat. 10. 27. 2. With an innumerable company of Angels Mat. 25. 31. 3. With the sound of the trumpet 1 Thes 4. 16. 4 With Power Mat. 24. 30. 3. Christ shall come suddenly as a theef Mat. 24. 4â— As a snare Luk. 21. 34. Unexspectedly Luk. 12. 46. 1 Thes 5. 2 3. A 3. Question is whom Christ shall judge Ans The Scripture is evident Men and Angels 1 For Men universally all Men Rom. 14. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. both quick â—nd dead Act. 10. 42. 1 Pet. 4. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2. For Angels Jude v. 6. Rev. 20. 10. A 4. Question is What will be the manner of Christs judging To answer this Question we are to consider the preparation to this judgement the Proceeding of this Judge and the â—ule of judging 1. For preparation That will appear in these particulars 1 1 Consider the preparations to the day of judgement There will be a transmutation of heaven and earth Rev. 21. 4 5. 2 Pet. 3. 10. 2. Christ will appear in a throne of glory Mat. 19. 28. 3. There will be a summoning of all sorts of men quick and dead shall be summoned to appear before the judgement seat of Christ Joh. 5. 28 29. 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 4 There will be a separation and division a placing of the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left hand Mat. 25. 32 33. 2 Consider the proceedings of the judge 2. Let us consider the proceedings of the Judge Wherein we are to note 1 The books shall be laid open Rev. 20. 12. The devil shall accuse Angels shall be witnesses And no need of their accusation or witness for each mans conscience shall be accuser and witness and judge Every book of conscience shall be opened and there shall be either excuseing or accuseing and Dan. 7. 10. There 's a book of Gods remembrance mentioned Mal. 3. 16. And there is a book of a mans owne conscience which shall be opened at that great day This is the book for rectifying whereof all other Ideoscribuntur omnes Labri ut unus emendetur conscientiae Bern. books were written Now there lyeth no appeal from these books no possibility of falsifying Gods book and the book of Conscience And if any one should plead not done not guilty conscience as good as a thousand witnesses would protest against it 2. In Christs proceeding we are to consider of a different sentence one of absolution the other of condemnation 1 For the sentence of absolution Mat. 25. 34. Come there is a gracious invitation ye blessed there is a comfortable appellation of my Father there is a glorious adoption inherit there is their title and donation the Kingdome there is the royalty of it prepared there is the predestination for you there is the propriety of the Saints from the foundation of the World there is the antiquity the antient tenure before the creation of Adam 2 There is a sentence of condemnation Mat. 25. 14 Depart there 's a barre of exclusion a dreadful dismission from mee there is the punishment of losse the heaviest of punishments Qui te non habet Domine Deus totum perdidit saith Bernard Ye cursed there 's their brand of infamy Into Bernard everlasting fire there 's poena Jensus exquisite unspeakable torments there 's fire to burn and torment and eternal fire no mitigation of pain unto all eternity prepared
God and Selah shall be put to the end of each prayse Their spirits shall be raised and fitted for that great imployment Their work will be their delight for ever to sing Hallelujahs unto him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever more Thankfulness runneth parallel with the longest line of eternity It 's the language of militant saints on earth and of triumphant in heaven to celebrate the praises of God and blesse his name Praise is comely It 's both good and pleasant to express the praises of God Eternity it selfe will be too little to speak forth the pralses of God 4. This imployment shall be in our Fathers house When once 4. This employment shall be in our Fathers house we come to Heaven we have fixed mansions never to be removed There we shal not sing the songs of Zion in a strange land but in our fathers house Oh! how sad a reproach was it when the men of Babylon tauntingly called upon the children of Israel sing one of the songs of Zion v. Psa 138. 1 2 3 4. 5. And lastly Glorified Saints shall keep an eternal Sabboth in Heaven They shall have but one Sabboth in eternity but that 5. Glorified Saints shall keep an Eternal Sabboth in Heaven shall be continued and never cease And in that Sabboth there shall be no tediousness Their spirits shall be suited for the greatness of that imployment There shall be no intermission nor interruption But there shall be one continued strain one constant act of glorifying God to all eternity There will be no complaining of double duties of wearysomeness of the flesh there shall be no tireing of the spirits In this Paradise all the spirits of the Saints shall for ever be fresh and green There shall be no decay of strength abilities and fitness for such high imployments Now put all these things together consider what we are freed from and what we get by this future condition of glory who of understanding would not be in love with these things who is there that hath but once tasted that would not desire to drink deeper of these rivers of pleasure Who is there that knoweth what an excellent life that is which is to come that would not study enquire and labour to get assurance of it And yet this is the madness and folly of the men of the world that preferre dross before gold the transient base things of the world before the pretious treasures of eternity What now remains but that I should set all home in an Usefull Use Of Exhort Application and so at present dismisse you Men Fathers and Brethren suffer the word of Exhortation to make it your business inquiry and care to make sure of your eternal condition O eternity eternity This word eternity should ly upon our hearts it should be in our frequent serious thoughts and in our retired meditations In our conversings with men in the world the consideration of eternity should abide upon us In our studies let us study for eternity It was a boasting speech of a Painter that said Aeternitati pingo I am sure we ought to study and drive our designes for eternity We should so improve our time husband our talents and so lay out the gifts and graces which God gives us as we may take comfort therein to all eternity O! that men addicted to pleasure would consider that all the pleasures of sin are bitter sweets And for all these things God will bring them to judgement Eccles 11. 9. And what Will yee be such fooles as for a few paultry vaine pleasures to hazard your immortal pretious soules unto all eternity O! that covetous Mammonists would take the consideration of eternity into their thoughts Wherefore doe you spend your mony for that which is not bread Isai 55. 2. How greedily doe men graspe riches how doe they make hast to be rich and put both their hands and both their shoulders to purchasse great estates and never think they have enough like the horse leaches daughter crying still give give And all this while they set their hearts upon perishing things upon that which is not v. Prov. 23. 4 5. But eternity cometh not into their thoughts Transient riches take up their thoughts heart all but eternal riches a durable substance is no whit regarded There is a sad example of that miserable rich fool of whom you may read Luk. 12. 19 20 21. O! that all dissemblers and hypocrites would lay the thoughts of eternity to heart How many dissemble and bely their consciences and pretend one thing openly when as they intend another secretly Their hearts give their lips the ly Did these consider of another world of an everlasting estate either in happiness or misery surely they durst not baffle their consciences and turne any way for temporary advantage and in the mean time wound their consciences Questionless if eternity was more in our thoughts we should be better in secret we should pray with more faith and fervency and be more watchful over our hearts more conscientious in all our carriages Did we entertain in our hearts the frequent thoughts of eternity we should be better in our capacities and relations better masters and servants better parents and children better husbands and wives It was the Motto of Meursius a learned man Aeternitateâ— cogita Did we think of eternity we should not be so loath to lay out our selves for God did we consider often how fraile our life is as a vapour a bubble swifter then a weavers shutle swifter then an arrow out of a bow swifter then a post then a thought Certainly we should not then be so hardly entreated to labour in Gods vineyard Did such who are intrusted with the inspection of others consider of the account they must give in another life they durst not neglect those Depositums the parents choycest jewels committed to their trust and excuse themselves with a distinction per se per alium which in eternity will prove an unsound rotten distinction and will not in the least helpe them out who eat the bread of idleness If this consideration of eternity were in the tradesmans thoughts hee durst not vend sophisticated waâ—es and couzen in his trade as if in his trade a mystery of over-reaching were tolerable O miserable gaine to be penny wise â—nd pound foolish to get a little petty profit in the trade and in the mean time adventure the losse of an immortal soul for ever Behold Brethren we all stand at the dore of eternity Thousands of diseases casualties molestations may dispatch us and send us to our long home Here lieth our great wisdome and understanding in making timely provision for our eternal condition This should be oâ—â— study this should be our inquiry to aske what means must we use to inherit eternal life What must we doe to be saved How must we make our peace with God Yet a little while and our soules shall be separated
from our bodies Yet a little while and grisly death the King of terrours will seize on us Here then must we be inquisitive what will become on our souls afterwards We see God writing vanity on all sublunary things and they are full of vexation The greatest riches are uncertain and perishing All the honours and riches in their greatest estate and confluence cannot helpe a man in the evil day nor satisfy an immortal soul nor bring a man to eternity Wherefore our great care and wisdome should be to get an endureing substance to get assurance of the love of God in Christ and his love isan eternal love We should be exhorted in the language of the Apostle Col. 3. 2 3. Set your affections on things above and not on things below For ye are dead c. Let me in a few words to press upon you the study of eternity adde these Moving considerations 1. This study of eternity is an honourable study It 's a most sublime noble study suitable to the soul The understanding of 1. Consid This is an honourable study man is a noble faculty of the soul and what more suitable for such a noble faculty to contemplate then the thoughts of eternity God and Christ and Glory the blessed vision communion with the Father and the Son these are objects fittest for the contemplations of an immortal soul What a degenerate sordid thing is it for Princes children to converse with base persons All Gods children are children of the great King of Heaven and Earth and for such to have their thoughts stuffed with trash and pelfe of the world O how unsuitable and unworthy is it The Lapwing is accounted an embleme of infelicity because she feeds on dung though she weares a Coronet upon her head Shall then our heavenly-born-being soules be prostituted to Mammon shall our thoughts be low and creeping Our thoughts and negotiations ought to be on life and immortality even the great things of eternity Our studyes and meditations should be on the things above heavenly treasures an inheritance that 's immortall undefiled that fadeth not away This is that noble that honourable study wherein we ought to be imployed 2. This study of Eternity is a most sweet delightsome soul-ravishing 2. Consid This study is sweet and delightsome study Job on the dunghill was comforted with the consideration of a better life and a glorious resurrection Job 19. 25 26 27. For I know that my redeemer liveth and this comforted Stephen when by the eye of faith he saw Christ even when the Acts 7. 55. stones were about his eares his temporall life was then a going away and he was hastening to a better That life was transient this permanent Oh! how sweet is the meditation of a God reconciled of a crowne of glory the price of our high calling This makes the Saints desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ The consideration of heavenly consolations sweeten the bitterest pills of afflictions For one moment in heaven will abundantly make amends for all our sufferings and sorrows on earth This serious consideration of Eternity will be a cordiall in all troubles I have read that Q. Eleanor suck'd the poyson out of the wound of the King her-husband I am sure the meditation of our everlasting estate will suck the poyson out of those wounds which affliction bring Oh! how delightfull is the thought of a haven to such as are tost up and down with stormes and tempests This world is a tempestuous sea rough and troublesome how delightfull is this meditation to a child of God to think I am passing through the rough sea of the world to an eternall Harbour 3. This is a most profitable study We read of treasures crowns 3. Consid This is a most profitable study high places inheritances layd up for the saints In this world riches fail in heaven is an induring substance In this world honours lie in the dust many are degraded in Heaven no degradation That honour is permanent Godliness hath the promise of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. Wherefore then should we carke and care and turmoile for the pelfe of this world and in the mean time neglect eternal riches What a doe What a hurry What sollicitous turmoyling is here to get estates in this world What projecting torturing of mens braines complying with men and times to get honours and riches in this world Whereas all these things are not bread they are not the true treasure nor abideing substance But in the mean time how few are there that labour for spiritual riches and lay up their treasures in heaven No treasure like this this onely inricheth the owners 4. And lastly this is a seasonable study What are our life 's but Consid 4. This is a most seasonable study a blast Our breaths soon depart and then all our thoughts vanish every affliction every disease puts us in minde that here is not our rest here we have not an abideing citty Revolutions of Providence read Lectures to us of the changeable condition of the world What then more proper and more seasonable then to have our hearts took off these transient things and fixed upon permanent things There is no certainty here but there is in another world The world with all it's bravery passeth away And there shall be a dissolution of this frame visible to our eyes How nearly doth it concerne us and how seasonable a duty is it to minde heavenly things to fix our thoughts meditations totum hominem totumque hominis upon those excellent things of eternity Let 's study this subject more then ever and let us make more diligent inquiry after our eternal condition THE MALE IN THE FLOCK OR The best must he offered to God Unfolded from Mal. 1. 14. But Cursed be the deceiver which hath in his Flock a Male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my Name is dreadfull among the Heathen THe first word But imports a Connexion on what went before Serm. 9. at S. Mary's Oxon Octob. 21. 1657 1 Gods love 2 The peoples ingratitude 1. Wherefore I hope it will be time well spent to premise a brief Analysis upon the whole chapter before I fall upon the words of the Text The whole chapter may be divided into two parts The former whereof containes a Protestation of Gods abundant love unto the people of the Jewes The latter containes a sad complaint and charge against them for their stupendious ingratitude Then here 's abundantly declared Gods singular love unto them and to their father Jacob v. 2. I have loved you saith the Lord yet ye say Wherein hast thou loved us was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord Yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Jacob was elected and Esau was reprobated Neither the election of the one nor the reprobation of the other
Testament unto the New we shall find the whole Church earnest for one man Act. 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in Prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Intentae So Beza referring to the ardor of the mind Sine intermissione so Erasmus And how speed these prayers Vers 7. The Angell of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the Prison and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up saying Arise up quickly And his chaines fell off from his hands Upon this Scripture I l'e give you that observation of an excellent Divine lately gone Dr Harris Pet. Enlargement from us to heaven in that rare Sermon called Peters enlargement The Enemies saith he shuts the Prison dore the Church opens Heavens dores so there 's old tugging for the prisoner but the Church will not let him go saith God if you will take no deniall there he is And as the whole Church prayed for the Apostle so did one Apostle Paul pray much for the whole Church Rom. 1. 9. For God is my witnesse whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospell of his Son that without ceasing I make mention of you alwaies in my prayers And Eph. 1. 16 17. I cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him 2. To these examples I l'e adde in the next place Scripture precepts for Proofe Ministers are in a peculiar manner in joynd this 2. The Doctrine proved by Scripture Precepts duty Joel 2. 17. Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord weep between the porch and the Altar and let them say spare thy people O Lord and give not thine heritage to reproach that the Heathen should rule over them wherefore should they say among the people where is their God All are in joyn'd Psal 122. 7. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee peace be within thy walls and prosperity he within thy Palaces And James 5. 16. Confesse your faults one unto another and pray one for another c. In the third place I l'e assign some grounds and reasons for confirmation and these I shall reduce unto three Heads 3. The Doctrine confirmed by Reasons 1. In respect of God 2. Of prayer 3. Of Jerusalem All these are strong Arguments to perswade 1. In respect of God who both expects and promiseth a blessing R. 1. In respect of God upon the meanes The Lord so expects prayer as that he will not grant great mercyes unto his Church but in and by his peoples prayers God hath ingaged himselfe in a Bond. His promise is his Bond and he will have it put in suit before he pay it See what God promiseth Psal 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me And Jer. 33. 6. Behold I will cure them and reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to returne and will build them as at the first So Zeph. 3. 20. In that time I will bring you again even in the time that I gather you For I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turne back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord. What a glorious Church is Prophecied and what transcendent beauty will the Lord put upon them Isai 54. 11 12. O thou afflicted tossed with tempest and not comforted behold I will lay thy stones with faire colours and lay thy foundation with Saphirs and I will make thy windowes of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy borders of pleasant stones By all these Hyperbolicall similitudes is set forth the glorious condition of the Church in the daies of the Gospell These are great Beauties and excellencies prophesied of the Church yet as they are worth praying for so in good earnest they must be sought of God Jer. 33. 3. Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not c. 36. Ezek. 37. Thus saith the Lord I will yet for this be enquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them I will increase them with men like a flock Now prayer is Gods Ordinance the language of his Spirit the musick which he loveth no Melody in Gods account like unto the prayers of his people Wherefore though God promiseth great things unto his people who will not faile one jot of his word yet he will have his Children plye the Throne of grace He is the great Master of Requests and loves to see his Court full of Suitors He is the great God that heareth prayers and delighteth in prayers and it is his pleasure that his people should be his remembrancers even to spread before him the condition of his Church For though it 's best known to him already yet he will have them call cry and seek with Importunity for the accomplishment of those good and great things which he intends for his own people Though deliverance was promised out of the Babylonish captivity at the expiation of 70 yeares yet they must pray for it Psal 126. vers 4. Turne again our captivity O Lord as the streames in the South A second Reason shall be taken from the great benefit of prayer R. 2. From the great Benefit of prayer It is an instrumentall meanes under God to obtain a blessing By some it is called Clavis viscerum Dei virtus omnipotens Their intentions are good I doubt not who use these expressions yet it is not safe to use them without an explanation of their sence Without question great help comes by prayer yet the help depends not upon what we do but upon God that gives to will and to do It is our duty to pray and the praise and glory of the successe and issue coming of prayer we must ascribe wholly unto the Lord that heareth prayers Now what helpes prayer affords may be represented in these following particular Instances 1. Prayer is an Universall help It 's Solomons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Prayer is an universall help when raine is wanting when enemies get the victory when there is death famine and pestilence then is a speciall time to pray and God promiseth audience 1 Chron. 7. 13 14. If I shut up Heaven that there be no raine or if I command the Locust to devour the Land and if I send Pestilence among my people If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face and turn from their wicked waies then will I heare from Heaven forgive their sinne and heale their Land This is a Soveraigne medicine of Gods owne appointment for all diseases
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
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