be or what others are yet let not this discourage vs in our present measure or from attaining further because he which hath giuen others more is the same also vnto vs and will bee in like measure both accepting what he giues for the present and perfiting of his owne worke in due season 2. That though wee are sometimes ebbing and sometimes flowing in the measure of holinesse yet our God is alwayes the same vnto vs. And therefore measure wee not his loue by our different measure of increase but rather resolue we that as when we increase more we haue more cause to loue him because hee answers our endeauours so when we seeme to goe backward we haue then cause to loue and trust him more that so hee may recouer vs as wee haue more need of his loue when wee faile to lead vs forward againe so we haue as great need of his loue when we haue done our best to emptie vs of all carnall respects of vaine-glory c. that so it may appeare his onely loue hath occasioned this increase all this seruice shall redound to his glory 3. That in the worke of grace wee must liue by Faith and not by sense not measuring our estate by what wee are in our selues but by what wee are in Christ not what we are for the present but what wee shall be in the life to come And therefore comfort we ourselues that as the least sparke of grace is an euidence that we are ingrafted in the Vine so being the Vine we shall be daylie purged and prepared to bring foorth more fruite that what wee doe for the present shal be accepted as perfect in Christ and the more sense wee haue of the imperfection thereof the more may we be assured of our interest in Christ Iesus the more shal we be prouoked still to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse that so in him and through him the worke may be perfited Fourthly Make wee tryall of increase by these markes 3. That wee grow in euery part aswell inward as outward 2. That we discerne our corruptions more and are more humbled for them 3. That our affections to the world are more lessened and quieted 4. That we are more contuetned with our estates and can more cast our care on God 5. That we are more willing to endure afflictions and ready to lay downe our liues for the Name of Christ 6. That wee can more grieue for the sinnes of the time and yet labour more hartilie the conuersion of sinners 7. That wee are more sober and wise in the vse of Christian libertie 8. That wee are more cheerefull and able to holy dueties and so doe more hunger after our dissolution and are willing to die 9. That he can be emptied of all by respects yea of all respect vnto our selues for the glory of God 10. That wee finde such sinnes most weakened to which formerly we haue bene most subiect 11. That howsoeuer we differ in practize yet still our desires are more enflamed especially vpon our fayling to more constant obedience Lastlie For our comfort learne wee that our God that commands perseuerance giues grace to the same and therefore we shall continue and not finally decay wee shall leaue out first loue but not loose it altogether 1. Philip. 6. Iohn 13. Luke 22.33 Wherein note That euery conuert hath a first loue that is Doct. 7. Euery true conuert hath a first loue when God hath reuealed his loue vnto him in Christ and by the Spirit of God it is shed abroad in his heart then is the heart of a sinner inflamed to loue God againe then is it enlarged with ioy vnspeakable and glorious 1. Pet. 17. for so great saluation then doeth it striue to expresse it thankfulnesse vnto God for so great mercie then is loue as strong as death much water can not quench it Cant. 8. And this is called his first loue and it is discerned by these markes 1. By his renouncing of all in comparison of it and parting with the dearest for the enioying of it First loue discerned by markes Matth. 13. Ioh. 6. Coloss 3.1 so did the Apostles forsake all in act so must we forsake all in affection and in act too so farre as it may hinder our enioying of Christ Zacheus Luke 19.6.7 2. When we endure any affliction for the Wordes sake 1. Thess 1.9.10 and that with great ioy in the holy Ghost Hebr. 10. Ephes 1. submitting our selues to the power of the word though it be neuer so bitter to the flesh and crosse the lusts thereof 3. When we reuerence highly the Ministers of the Gospell Galath 3.4 thinking nothing too deare for them Act. 16. 4. When we cleare our conscience of all sinne by which our sweet fellowship with Christ may bee hindred so Zacheus Luke 19. not being ashamed to confesse our particular sinnes and renouncing them vnfainedly 5. When for Christs sake we loue his poore members 1. Tim. 1.15.16 17. and impart of our worldly goods bountifully to their reliefe Luke 19. Zacheus 1. Ioh. 2. Ioh. 13. Psal 16.2 6. When wee continue in the powerfull meanes of the diuine worship Act. 2. 7. When we consult not with flesh and blood nor communicate with it but doe vtterly renounce the same in regarde of heauen Act. 9. Galath 2. Matth. 8. c. 8. And being rauished with the sweetnesse of the loue of Christ Luke 22.33 wee enlarge our selues to declare the same to our brethren labouring to bring them to Christ by plucking them out of the fire Ioh. 1.18 Iude 22. The wisedome and mercie of our God in vouchsauing his children vpon their conuersion this liuely and ardent affection of holy loue is manifold Reasons of this first loue First hereby to scale vnto them the trueth and assurance of this blessed Change by this sensible and sweet change of their affections that whereas before they could not relish and brooke the power of the worde neither had any delight in the excellent but esteemed their persons contemptible and odious deemed of their wayes as madnesse or hypocrisie now finding by the mercie of God their hearts enflamed to the loue of the worde though it vtterly confound all former hopes and cut off wholly all future expectations for the flesh and withall pretending such to bee most deare vnto them who are hated of the world and in regarde of outward appearance are not able to requite our loue and yet because they are in Christ are therefore for his sake to be beloued may wee not hence assuredly conclude vnto our soules that wee are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren is not this our euidence that wee are now chosen out of the world because we loue those whom the world hates is not this an argument that wee are now in Christ because his loue onely constraines vs to loue his members and seeing our loue vnto them is to make them like
so vsing all meanes to giue him hope of recouery 6. Powerfully To humble him for his sinne by denouncing the wrath of God against the same I haue somewhat against thee that is I haue a controuersie with thee I am angrie I will be auenged of thee for it adding to our reproofe denunciation of vengeance 7. Constantly and seasonably not letting him lye in it taking the fit time c. as Abigail did 1. Sam. 25. meeting with the beginnings of euill and not giuing ouer till either wee haue reclaymed or made inexcusable 8. Impartially and sincerely not sparing the greatest nor dearest vnto vs no nor the house of Iudah Amos 7.8 1. Sam. 12. Esay 58.1 no not the most excellent Church not Dauid though a King not our children not any Eli 1. Sam. 2. Lastly heere is great comfort 3. Vse of comfort that being reprooued for sinne we are iudged in this life and so by the grace of God being brought to repentance we shall not be iudged in the life to come 1. Cor. 11.31 32. Thirdly in that the holy Ghost testifieth heere Doctrine 4. The least sin in the Saints is sufficient to make the that Christ doth come against his Church for this sin here we learne That though God loueth alwayes the person of his children yet he is displease with their sin he will come agaīst them for it and chastise them for the same Psal 89. 2. Sam. 8. c. Ezech. 18. And that because he is 1. Righteous and hateth iniquitie Psal 5.4 and therefore will not endure it in his owne 2. He is mercifull and therefore will not suffer sinne to dwell in his children but by his corrections will clense them Esay 1.25 Esay 27. Iere. 19. Psal 89. 3. The sinnes of his children doe more grieue him and indeed are more grieuous in themselues First because They haue more grace to resist Secondly doe giue more offence to the weake Thirdly open the mouth of the wicked more to blaspheme God and his truth 2. Sam. 12. 4. That the wicked may haue their vengeance hereby sealed vp in that the Lord spareth not his owne children Prou. 11.32 6 That his children might not be condemned finally 7 That he might weane them from the world and prouoke them to draw neere vnto him in prayer and so haue in our selues further experience of his loue in the issues thereof 8. Their sinne is not theirs but proceeds from Satan and the old man which he therefore remoueth by his chastisements that so he might manifest and confirme his loue more and more to their persons in fitting them to glorie But how stande it with Gods iustice to punish sinne in the Elect which he hath punished in his Sonne Answere He doth not punish sinne in vs as he did in his Sonne according to the exactnesse of his iustice and defect of our sinne for then we shall neuer be able to abide it 2. He doth not intend to punish sinne but to amend the sinner and so qualifies his corrections accordingly As accompanying them with the word giuing vs strength to beare them or framing them to our weaknesse ministring abundant consolations to conteruaile them and giuing a gratious issue out of them either taking away the rod or geuing patience to endure it And this serueth 1. Vses 1. Of conuiction to those that by reason of prosperity flatter themselues in integritie 2. Those that are impatient vnder the rod deseruing the same To condemne the wicked that flatter themselues in their righteousnesse because they prosper and are not plagued like others nor afflicted as the sinners seeing they are fatted vp hereby to the day of slaughter and the elect by afflictions prepared to happinesse Ierem. 12.3 Act. 14.23 24. Iob. 21. Psal 17.14 2. To reprooue the sinners that prouoke the Lord by their sinne to become their enemie and then being afflicted complaine of wrong and condemne the loue and faithfulnesse of God as if in chastising them he hated them seeing of very loue and faithfulnesse he doth correct them Psal 119. Psal 73. Iob 6.9 3. 3. Those that iudge peremptorily the estates of men by outward things Vse 2. Instruction how to keepe God our friend 2. To be patient vnder the rod. 3. To try our estate by the vse of the crosse To reprooue the world that iudge of men by these outward things seeing all things are alike vnto all men Eccl. 9.1 Secondly here is instruction 1. To teach vs how to keepe God to be our friend namely by keeping our selues from sinne or else by renued repentance dayly renouncing and reforming the same 2. To beare patiently the hand of God seeing we haue deserued hell and this affliction which is but for a moment will procure vnto vs an inestimable weight of glory 2. Cor. 5.16 3. To trie our estate vnder the rod namely 1. if we feele the Lords displeasure and so feare and depart from euill Prou. 14. 2. If wee can finde comfort in the word 3. And wait patiently on our God in our greatest afflictions 4. Not seeking so much the remoueall as to haue the corrections sanctified vnto vs. 5. Either by bringing some sinne past to light and iudging for it or else preuenting sinne to come 6. Making vs more tender in conscience 7. More compassionate to our brethren 8. More out of loue with the world 9. More to long after heauen 10. More zealous in holy duties more iealous of our selues more confident on God more readie for death And thus doth the holy Ghost amplifie the sinne of this Church by signifying that the Lord is angrie with her for the same 1. But let vs consider what this sinne is namely That she hath left her first loue a sinne of omission she hath failed in that zeale c. How the saints though leauing their first loue yet may be iustified that they faint not Quest But how may she be sayd to haue left her first loue seeing she hath formerly the testimonie that she endured patiently and did not faint Answ She might faile in the measure of her loue though not in the substance and trueth thereof 2. She might faile in the outward action though not in the inward purpose 3. She might haue been formerly zealous but now she was decayed and her present decay might not being preuented breed a further relapse and so threaten either some grieuous scourge to pluck her out of this pit or else might occasion finall Apostasie 4. She might maintaine the doctrine of the Gospell though to the enduring of manifold afflictions for the same and yet neglect the holie discipline and so grow remisse and carelesse in the practice of godlines 5. She might not be so zealous as she was and yet haue so much zeale as not to giue ouer finally for a time she might be cooled but not quenched in her zeale c. And yet wee see the Lord is not satisfied herewith but she must recouer what
a yeerely remembrance for that great deliuerance from the gunpowder Treason and doth the glorious Lord still giue new occasions to reuiue that great deliuerance Are not his mercies renued euery morning vnto his so great is his faithfulnesse and shall not we renew our thankfulnesse by renewing our repentance Shall wee not remember from whence wee are fallen by remembring from whence we haue been deliuered that so we may iustifie the free mercie of our God in our great deliuerances and renewing our right in Iesus Christ that so we may recouer our first loue and be enabled to walke worthy of the mercies of our God in strengthening the things that are readie to die and continuing with all patience and perseuerance that no man take away our Crowne from vs Are not our earthly Crownes often shaken that so we may bee sure of the heauenly inheritance which cannot bee shaken that so we may hasten from this prison to that citie which is aboue And hath not our gratious God giuen vs euen Eagles wings that we may mount vp from the loue of this world that we may flie away from the entising vanities theeof so come to that eternall rest May we not liue by faith in the experience of these so strange and vnexpected deliuerances that he which hath deliuered doth all still deliuer vs yea for his Names sake will deliuer vs from all vnreasonable men yea from euery euill worke that so we may be made meet for that glorious inheritance And shall not this litle sparke yeeld some light hereunto till the depth of mischiefe being further discouered the candle may be lighted and set vp vpon the hill to direct all to come out of Babylon to further the Saints in their iourney to the heauenlie Ierusalem surely as it pleaseth God to lend oportunity and libertie so shall I not be wanting by Gods grace from that light to kindle such a torch that may either burne vp all the stubble of Popery or else may sufficientlie warne vs to auoid the danger thereof Meane while I haue thought good to take this occasion to maintain the soundnes of our spirituall standing and recouery out of any decayes therein that so wee may bee thereby fitted to those further mercies which the Lord hath in store for vs. And seeing it hath pleased God to make you instruments beloued of my setling in the Citie and exercise of my calling I haue accounted it my duetie to consecrate these first fruits of my setled labours vnto you beseeching the Lord to giue you vnderstanding in all things and to preserue you blamelesse and vnspotted in these euill times vnto the day of Iesus Christ to whose gratious protection I doe most hartily commend you resting in him Your worships poore remembrancer at the throne of Grace THOMAS COOPER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER WISDOME TO DISCERNE HIS Estate aright and grace to grow forward to perfection BEloued in the Lord Iesus it is a most dangerous and yet very easie and plausible delusion to conceit vnto our selues an estate in grace when as yet we remain the bond slaues of Satan And it is a very difficult and yet most necessarie triall to discerne our constant abiding and proceeding in this estate of grace For to passe by these who make a mocke of conuersion as being a touch of noueltie a brand of inconstancie and imputation of hypocrisie who is there almost that flatters not himselfe to bee in the fauour of God and so interessed in his grace And hath hee not many such pretences and colours hereunto which may so abuse his iudgement Galat. 6.5 that he may thinke himselfe to bee somewhat when he is nothing and so refusing to bee found in Christ by being lost and emptied in himselfe thereby become worse then nothing Better neuer to haue beene borne then so to be deceiued Oh how the wisedome of the flesh prooues heere enmitie against God! Rom. 8.7 Iohn 9 43. Occasions to conceiue a false conuersion 1. Complexion 2. Natures impotencie Is not this the iudgement vpon the world that they which see not might see and that they which see might bee made blinde Consider first I pray you how nature occasions this deceit Is any lesse badlie disposed by the benefit of his complexion Is any restrained from some act of euill by natures impotencie and deformitie Behold euen these to the naturall man prooue very dangerous stumbling blockes to rest in nature as affoording some shew of good more then is of others of an harder constitution as breaking out lesse into grosse euils then such who by natures ability are more prone and prouoked thereto and so to reiect the holy meanes of conuersion and is it not esteemed a sufficient measure of goodnesse to bee lesse euill then others howsoeuer the desire and fountaine of corruption be the same in all Is not the seeming good which by natures benefit shewes foorth in the world accounted currant holinesse and thereby excludeth the true power of well-doing For is this any more then what brute beasts may boast of Is the heart lesse euill because the hand cannot act nay is it not more rebellious the lesse it hath it desire do not such wish for and talke delightfully of what they cannot doe will they not sport themselues in others that can do the same will they not take their fill if power be restored or is the heart the better because through benefite of complexion we are ingenuous sociable c. are not these fitter matter for Satan to worke on to draw vs into fellowship in euill to make vs instruments to deceiue our selues and others 3. Education Especially if to this shew of natures righteousnesse Education be adioyned whereby the minde being informed in knowledge and restrained by ciuilitie natures euill is heereby more kept vnder and it seeming good set out more saleable and beautious to the sinister iudgement howsoeuer now nature being puft vp hereby hath gained no other then a weapon of vnrighteousnesse to fight against God and his word to commit sinne more dangerously by how much it is enabled to couch it more closely and smooth it more cunuingly yet this with the world passeth for a currant conuersion Must we not onely not doe euill but also doe good and can wee doe any good of our selues vntill we be in Christ and will we hunger of Christ vntill we deny our selues especially if some such change now appeare in the outward man whereby wee may either differ from the rudenesse and grosse abuses of our parents or differ from the barbarous and desperate sprouts of our childhood and vntamed youth Is it not hence conceiued that we are now conuerted seeing now our childish and youthfull vanities are restrained seeing wee are growne more sober and regular although all tends to no better then ciuill honestie to fit vs for the world that so we may more hopefully and easily swallow the baites thereof although when wee are from vnder the
as before they were fierie rash indiscreet c. Vse 2. Of instruction how to increase Meanes of Apostasie 1. Corrupt iudgement Secondly here is instruction and that first we must labour to increase and grow constant in godlinesse and that by these meanes 1. By auoyding the meanes of Apostasie which are 1. Corruption of iudgement and that First concerning Holinesse 1. We may be too holy 2. That our forefathers were saued with lesse and therefore what need we striue for more 3. That wee haue beene too forward already and therefore it is now wisedome to abate to be more indifferent 4. Or measure the worship of God by prosperitie 5. That seeing we cannot be perfect therefore it is in vaine to labour thereto 6. That there is no time past to serue God If wee can doe it on our death beds it will serue the turne 7. That the best and freest seruice of God is to make no bones of sin because this is true peace of Conscience liberty this argues the abolishing of sinne by his death to commit it greedily without remorse 8. That wee may serue God and the world too Luke 16. 9. That lesse will serue the turne because many doe lesse and we hope are saued Acts 14. 10. That Gods mercie doth more abound in our failings Rom. 6.1 11. That we need not to be so perfect seeing Christ hath finished all for vs seeing Christ hath therefore perfited all things that we might grow to perfection Heb. 12.1 2. Iohn 15. 12. That the seruice of God is a matter of indifferencie if we doeit it is well but if we faile God will be mercifull Secondly Wee must take heed of corrupt iudgement concerning Apostasie And that on the right hand As that 1. Decay in former zeale and measure of sanctification is not Apostasie but rather a reedifying of former rashnesse and ignorance by spirituall wisedome teaching vs more moderation and humility not to presume aboue others to maintaine society and peace by returning rather vnto others then to be so strict as to bring them vnto vs. 2. That it is Apostasie to admit any change of iudgment seeing we know but in part and so are subiect vnto error and therefore we may be and are often deceiued and therefore must change our opinions and this change is not a decay but rather meanes to increase in godlinesse 3. Thar it is Apostasie to differ in iudgement and so in practise from a Church otherwise truely grounded and established seeing the Lord giues not to all a like measure of light neither to all at one time what is necessary And therefore either we may not yet see what is fit and so are not to bee condemned Apostates for what wee know not And can wee consent with good conscience to what we know not or else it may please God to let vs see more then happily is discerned or will be acknowledged Rom. 14. for what Church is without it imperfections And shall we shut our eyes against any light that shineth ought wee not to practize as we are conuinced and being conuerted ought wee not to strengthen the brethren ought wee not to grow vp to perfect holinesse And therefore seeing we forsake not the society for it imperfections but rather walke therewith in the common light and if we differ from it wherein it is short of perfection do we not hereby let it see it imperfection and so by our wise difference lead it to perfection and shall wee then be accounted reuolters from the Church Especially if Bethel become to be Bethauen if in the beginning it was not so if Ephesus haue forsaken her first loue If the faithfull Citie whose faith was once published through the world bee now become an harlot shall wee bee condemned as Apostates from that cursed Synagogue which is so fallen away from it former purity Ought wee not rather to prouoke her to doe the first workes and if shee will not hearken shall wee not still protest against her shall wee now measure our selues by her crooken lines that so being partaker with her in her sinnes wee may bee partaker with her in her plagues But of this more hereafter Secondly Wee must auoyde corrupt iudgement on the left hand concerning Apostasit As 1. That euery fayling in Religion euery breach of Gods holy will is properly Apostasie for then the best must be Apostates all will bee subiest hereunto Because though euery sinne yea the least makes way for Apostasie if we lie therein without repentance and fall to excuse and allow our selues therein yet by the mercy of God the Saints recouer and so their faylings by the speciall indulgence of the Almighty are meanes of their more sound and speedy proceeding in the worke of grace 2. And therefore farre bee it from vs to conclude That any the most grieuous sinne in the Elect is Apostasie That is such as excludes all hope and meanes of repentance seeing though in it selfe it deserue that God should vtterly forsake vs and so giue vs vp vtterly to forsake him and fall away from him yet because God is our father and wil not reward vs after our sins nor deale with vs after our iniquities but howsoeuer he forsake vs for a while leauing vs to these corruptions yea to be chastened for them yet in wrath hee remembers mercy sanctifying these corrections to bring vs to repentance by opening our eyes to see our sin and humbling vs with the sense of them hereby that so wee might deny our selues and hunger after mercy in Christ Iesus Doeth hee not now returne vnto vs in great compassions enabling vs by faith to lay holde vpon Christ in him to apprehend the pardon of former sinne through him to obtaine grace to preuent future sinnes and so to walke more humbly and constantly with our God and so by him to perfect the worke which he hath begun in vs. A second meanes of Apostasie is Corrupt practize 2. Corrupt practize And that on the left hand 1. When either wee liue by examples of the greatest 2. Or by the louer of the word of God Matth. 5. 3. Or by the streame of the time 4. Or onely by the lawes of men 5. Or follow the most in religion Secondly On the right hand 1. When we grow spiritually proud of well doing 2. Or grow to singularitie and so to forsake the fellowshippe vpon pretence of their corruptions that wee may not bee defiled with them Esay 65.5.6 Hebr. 10.23 3. Or affect curious and vnnecessarie knowledge to puffe vp and not to edifie 1. Cor. 8.2 4. Or studie onely to know making no conscience to practize as we know 2. Col. 4. 5. Or stand more vpon trifles and circumstance then many matters 6. Or serue God onely so farre as we gaine thereby auoyding afflictions as hinderances thereto 7. Or pretending because of afflictions that either now we haue no leasure or else it is in vaine or too late to serue him 8. Or
grow secure and dead in the performance of holy duties performing them for custome carnally hypocritically c. Libertine 9. Or grow inconstant in holy duties intermitting the set times of prayers hearing the word c. 10. Or grow negligent in conuerting others 11. Or admit of humane inuentions with the worship of God 12. And vpon pretence of peace giue way in the least against conviction of conscience 13. Or prooue vnthankfull vnto God for his particular mercies 1. Rom. 14. Or fall into grosse sinnes and lie in them without repentance Psal 51. 15. Or iudge vncharitably of our brethren withdrawing our compassions from them Secondly Motiues to prouoke vs to constancie in weldoing consider we these motiues to make vs abound in good workes and grow constant therein 1. Consider we the faithfulnesse of our God who loueth to the end Ioh. 13.1 2 Remember we the continual seruice of the Saints in heauen they incessantly glorifie God and also continually 1. Thess 4. Reuel 4. 3. Consider wee the power of Iesus Christ still remaines to couer our imperfections and to strengthen vs to perfection Heb. 12.1 2. and to this end makes continuall intercession for vs. 4. Know wee that the Comforter doth abide with vs for euer Ioh. 17. to lead vs into all trueth and so forward in all holinesse Ioh. 15.16 5. 1. Pet. 4 15. Consider we that the righteous can scarcely be saued 1. Pet. 4.15 and what paines the best haue taken toward heauen 6. Remember we that Iesus Christ hath taken away all the rigour of weldoing and yet enables vs by his spirit to perfection accepting our weakest endeuours so they bee sound and enabling of vs to fulfill all righteousnesse in due season 7. Discerne we often how wee haue failed heretofore and this shal prouoke to more industrie hereafter 8. And lay wee to heart the sudden comming of Christ and so we shall be prouoked to make haste 9. And propose wee vnto our selues that glorious Crowne and so we shall fight that good fight of faith and finish our course with ioy 10. Obserue we the prouidence of our gratious Father in turning about all things that they shall worke together for the best to further vs to happinesse Rom. 8.28 1. As causing our greatest afflictions to be meanes of remoouing all lets especially our sinnes and spurres to perfection Esay 1.25 2. And making our very sinnes matter to preuent or subdue sinne and so to prouoke vs to more endeauour of holinesse by how much we haue bene cast behinde and what shall then separate vs from the loue of God what shall not further vs to hasten to perfection Rom. 8.33.34.35 11. To this end take we a view of the speciall priuiledges of godlinesse which are 1. That it onely hath the promise of this life aswel as of a better 2. It onely can giue vs sound Comfort in our greatest troubles 3. And giue vs certaine victory ouer them all Onely this sanctifieth all Gods blessings vnto vs that they may bee pledges of eternall life 1. Tim. 4.5 This onelie giues contentment in all occasions and so doeth possesse vs of heauen in this life 1. Tim. 6. 12. And seeing that in our Fathers House are many Mansions and those that are most faithfull shall haue greater increase of glorie Therefore let this encourage to increase in grace that so we may bee partakers of greater happinesse Lastlie 13. Consider wee how vnwearied the wicked are in euill what policie they vse to continue therein vsing variety of Obiects to preuent loathsomenesse and satiety arming themselues with diuersitie of meanes whereby they may bee better able to accomplish their lustes and with more pleasure enioy them longer And shall they take more paines to goe to hell then 〈◊〉 to Heauen Shall they bee still striuing and neuer wearie to their owne Condemnation and shall not wee bee still endeauouring to make sure our Election Thirdly practize we these meanes of Growth and Constancie 1. Retaine wee soundnesse of iudgement concerning the power of godlinesse 2. Doe we all things from the ground of the heart as in the sight of God 1. Thess 1. 3. Cleaue wee still to the power of the worde and striue wee to increase in knowledge 1. Phil. 1. Coll. 4. Practize we constantly the dueties of pietie and charitie not seruing God by spurs but keeping a constant course in holinesse that so the seruice of God may be more easie and comfortable 5. Watch wee daylie ouer our hearts in a true searching and examining the same Psalm 4.5.6 6. See that wee renew our repentance as often as we sinne 7. Labour wee the conuersion of our brethren and iudge we charitably of them 8. Make wee conscience especially of Sabbaoth duties because our powerfull practize thereof shall better enable to a generall encrease and to constancie therein And 9. Auoide we curiositie of knowledge and medling in others affaires 10. And sticke we not in the beginnings and elements of Religion Hebr. 6.1 11. And because wee shall bee sure to encounter many enemies that will seeke to hinder vs in this spirituall groweth therefore put wee on the whole armour of God that so we may resist in the euill day Ephes 6.11.12 12. Especially seeing the loue of the world will mainely endeauour to presse vs downe and hinder our proceeding vpon pretence of prouiding things necessarie c. therefore that wee may in nothing be carefull let our requests be manifest vnto God in prayers 13. And labour wee true contentation in whatsoeuer outward measure the Lord hath dispensed that so we may still hunger after spirituall graces 14. And prepare we our soules daily to afflictions submit we to whatsoeuer our louing Father shall lead vs into that so carnall securitie may bee preuented our corruptions purged and wee daily prouoked to perfection 15. Quicken we and enlarge our desires of heauenly things and this wil be a meanes to spurre vs forward to practize Measure wee not our condition by any measure atetained but still forget we what is behinde and hasten to that before 16. Walke wee alwayes in feare of our selues and suspect we all our workes yea then most when we enioy greatest graces Pro. 28.13 and maintaine wee tendernesse of Conscience in all things 17. Remember we our ends and vncertaintie of our life and the account we must make 2. Cor. 5.10.11 18. And resigne we our selues daily into the hands of our God resting on his prouidence 1. Pet. 5. Mat. 6. 19. Entertaine wee cheerefully the motions of the Spirit and put them in practize diligently Eph. 4. Thus shall we grow constant in well doing and perseuere vnto the end Meane to preuent Apostasie in the sense of our failing 1. Meane while let it stay vs from Apostasie that our gratious God requires no more then hee giues if hee giue vs but one Talent hee wil not require according to three and therefore though wee be farre from what we should
vnto vs is it not our testimony that we are conuerted vnto Christ and could wee submit to that word which is so reiected of the world so irkesome to our corruptions vnlesse the loue of Christ did constraine vs in obedience to his Maiestie vnlesse this loue of Christ did hereby prouoke to haue all our imaginations brought in subiection by the power thereof that so wee might retaine nothing to grieue the blessed Spirit vnlesse we were ouercome by the power of Christs loue to receiue the stampe of his Spirit and furniture of his graces whereby wee might in some measure shewe our loue vnto our Christ could wee possibly receiue the worde in such affliction and yet with such ioye in the holy Ghost vnlesse the loue of Christ did ouerflow in our hearts to so allow vp all those troubles vnlesse all such troubles were hereby counteruailed with vnspeakable Comforts And had we not need of some speciall meanes also to preserue vs from falling away though we haue tasted how sweet the Lord Iesus is yea certainely our old enemie will now seeke by all meanes to re-enter againe and hee wants not his occasions euen from the estate of our first conuersion to attempt the same For either now vpon our conuersion the world will steppe in with it glorious and pleasant baites of prosperity and great matters to search and blast if it be possible the birth in the bud or if it cannot diuert and withdraw vs from the right end of our calling yet at the least to coole and hinder vs in the pursuit of the true end and that by pretence of our Christian libertie because now we haue right in the best and why may we not vse them who more fitly for these who are better able to vse them especially if we shal be caried to measure our inward estate by them Or if this will not preuaile but that it is the will of our gratious God that by manifold tribulations wee must enter into the kingdome of heauen then Satan will put in on the other side to drowne the birth by whole flonds of tribulations Reu. 12. stirring vp our own house to become our enemies because we wil not be ruled by them because our contrary courses doe secretly condemne them stirring vp the great ones to persecute vs as enemies to gouernment disquieters of the common peace yea rather then fayle adding affliction to affliction labouring to perswade vs that because we are thus afflicted therefore God hates vs and so we are deceiued in our estate we are not the beloued of God Against all these serues this speciall grace of our first Loue the power whereof is such that it proues both an excellent preseruatiue against the allurements of prosperity as hauing so rauished the heart taken it vp to an higher quest that the loue of the world is esteemed no better then doung in steed of louing the same our holy feare is procured lest it may infect vs and therefore holy wisedome gained to haue as little to doe with as we may lest it do infect vs and so also becomes a gratious remedy against the flames of affliction as so selling our hearts in the assurance of Gods loue that all things shall worke together for the best so preparing vs by the loue of Christ to encounter any afflictions so enabling vs for the loue of Christ to endure the greatest troubles so assuring vs that through Christ Iesus we shal be more the conquerours ouer them so sweetning all our troubles vnto vs that we shal be prouoked to loue our God the more in that hee accounts vs worthie to suffer with his sonne Iesus so confirming vnto vs that those light afflictions which are but for a moment shall procure vnto vs an inestimable weight of glorie in the Heauen This is our first loue these are the markes thereof and by the same it is graciously preserued and encreased Vse To condemne flashes and tastes To trie our conuersion 1. Whereby all those sudden flashes and fained and inconstant affections of hypocrites are reiected Heb. 6.4 and 2. We put to the tryall for the soundnesse of our conuersion if we haue found such a loue in our hearts by such euident markes 3. The world is heere condemned that boasts of the fauour of God when it hath no argument of it conuersion by this loue To reprooue the worlds deceit To comfort the Saints nay esteemeth it a wonder and madnesse to be conuerted 4. And the Saints are comforted that seeing their loue vnto God dependeth on his loue vnchangeable to them 1. Ioh. 4.1 Therefore as his is vnchangeable Ioh. 13.1 so shall theirs bee well they may leaue it but they shall neuer lose it And yet it is a great affliction that they leaue their loue Although of a certaintie Doct. 6. The Saints may leaue their first loue so did Dauid Peter Salomon c. Psal 51. Galat. 2. 1. King 11. The Elect may leaue their first loue And the reasons are Because as the fire is slacked by two meanes either by withdrawing fuell from it or putting water or ashes thereto So there are two meanes And by what meanes whereby the loue of the Saints doth decay in them Either when they faile in such meanes as doe nourish the same or Doo adde such as may corrupt and coole Namely Meanes of leauing first loue 1. Withdrawing and neglecting that should nourish it when either they 1. Neglect the powerfull ministerie of the word c. 1. Thess 5.19.20 submitting to carnal or lucklesse meanes 2. The constant practize of priuate and publike prayer 3. Or the fellowshippe of the Saints Hebr. 10.24.25 4. Or the motions of the Spirit 5. Or neglect to examine their hearts dayly 6. Or faile in daylie repentance 7. Or neglect to conoert others 8. Or abate of holy order and discipline which holds vp the power of godlinesse as if now wee could be lawes vnto our selues Or else doe adde that which may corrupt 1. As spirituall pride of Gods graces 2. Carnall policie subiecting religion to the same 2. adding what may coole and quench it 3. Prosperitie and setting their hearts thereon through couetousnesse Psalm 119. Luke 18.1 Tim. 6. 4. Abuse of Christian libertie in the enioying of pleasures c. 1. Cor. 10 1. Cor. 8. and vse of things in different 5. A corrupt and carnall Ministery 1. Spirituall pride an occasion to leaue our first loue and hovv Concerning spirituall pride as Conuerts are subiect hereto in regard 1. That now not being as others yea as themselues were yea being in some measure made partakers of the diuine nature and aduanced to the hope of so glorious an inheritance 2. Pet. 1.3 may they not hereby be entised to iustifie themselues and despise their brethren to condemne where they should endeauour to conuert c. Esay 5.6 2. Euen their desire to keepe themselues in this estate may bee an occasion to Satan
sunne when it shineth 6. At the best iudge wee wisely of our best measure of grace is it either any other then what the Saints haue gone before vs in who yet notwithstanding through pride Math. 26. and the effects thereof haue taken many a foul fall Remember we Peters vaine boasting and what a plunge it put him to Consider Dauids pride in numbring of his people did he not smart deeply for the same was not his humilitie the best meanes to make his peace againe 2. Sam. 24.15 16. Or is it such but that still wee are not perfect and therefore must wee not forget what is behinde that wee may hasten to what is before Philip. 3.12.13 7. And alas what is all wee haue in comparison of our Lord and Master Iesus Christ hath hee not commanded vs to bee lowly and meeke hath hee not done all for vs that wee may boast of nothing did hee not walke before vs in great patience and humility euen humbling himselfe to the death for our sakes is not all our holinesse a drop of that Ocean lesse then a drop in comparison thereof and shall seruants ride on horsebacke when their master went on foote Eccl. 10 shall wee bee proud of his graces when hee was so abased in the greatest measure of his owne And therefore practise wee thus 1. View we our selues often in the glasse of the Law to abase vs throughly 2. And see wee a farre off into the glorious inheritance How to preuent this pride so farre exceeding any worth of our weldoing are the afflictions of this life worthy of the glory that shall bee reuealed Rom. 8.24 who are wee that God should thus aduance vs 3. In steed of iudging others let vs dayly examine our selues so shall wee bee more compassionare of our brethren considering our selues Galat. 6.1 so shall we still thinke vilelyer of our selues that so we may be fitter for mercy from our God 4. And labour wee dayly to renue our life in Christ that wee may haue still to reioyce in him and not in our selues that his glory may swallow vp all pride of flesh and his loue may still preuaile in vs to the further denyall of our selues that so still wee may be found in Christ not hauing our own righteousnes that being dayly perfited by his grace we may bee found of him in peace at his glorious appearance 5. To this end bee wee willing to endure afflictions and maintaine we tendernesse of conscience in all our wayes 6. And obserue we wisely our inward corruptions labour we to discerne the deceitfulnesse of our hearts and shall we not abhorre our selues because we know not our hearts shall wee not much more bee abased knowing them to be so abominable so froward so rebellious so touchie and full of horrible wickednesse such blasphemous thoughts such filthy motions if we do not tremble hereat is it not because yet the feare of God hath not seized vpon vs because yet we do not endeauour to worship God in Spirit and truth Ioh. 4.24.25 7. And so dayly prepare we our selues to death and iudgement Is here any time to be puffed vp seeing we must passe through horrors is it not wisedome to fight loe that we may enter in at the straight gate shall the righteous very hardly bee saued and shall wee not then work out our saluation with feare and trembling Phil. 2.12 Math. 7.11.12 8. And seeing many seeke to enter in and shall not bee able Luke 13.21 ought wee not dayly to suspect our selues shall not he that standeth take heed lest he fall shall we be high minded or not rather euer feare our selues least we also bee deceiued in our standing and so depryued of our hope Lastly That we be not deceiued in the judgement of spitituall pride and so be justly chalenged therewith 1. To stand vpon assurance of saluation no pride Know we that it is not pride and presumption to be assured of our saluation as the Papists chalenge seeing God hath commanded vs to make sure our election and hath giuen vs his word and Spirit to seale it vp vnto vs but rather pryde to question Gods truth not to beleeue his word not to accept so pretious a jewell 2. Neither to labour to perfection 2. It is not spirituall pride to labour to perfection though we exceed our selues and goe before others not shuting our religion to the will and ability of man but extending it wisely to the rule of the word and example of Christ seeing God hath commanded it and Christ hath begun it and hee will perfect it and all things worke together for the best vnto his Elect rather it is pride to dreame of perfectiō when we wil vse no meanes thereto nay grosse presumption and impudency in such as seeme to condemne vs of pride for labouring after perfection seeing they all perswade themselues that they haue already attayned it is it not the common voyce that all is well wee need no meanes of building we hate to be reprooued we haue bene alwayes of the same beleefe we feare we may be too holy are not these the ordinary dreames of generall perfection and therefore if they haue attayned this perfection with such ease will they fault vs that take such paynes for it should they not rather pity vs and further that we may attayne it more easily or if they condemne for labouring to perfection doe they not condemne themselues 3. No not to confesse Christ in the time of triall that they neuer had it seeing it cannot be had without great labour 3. Neither is it spirituall pride to make a good profession of the truth to confesse the Lord before men to sticke to the truth in time of trial is not this a denying of our selues to confesse the Lord Is it not an abasing of our selues that God may haue the glory Will it not be a pride in the flesh to humble vs Is it not a triall of our soundnesse that we will endure for Christ Is it not a spurre to perfection Rather it is pride to deny our Master as if we were ashamed of him It is horrible Pride of life and loue of the world that causeth this deniall we dare not confesse him because we loue the praise of men more then the praise of God If we were truely humbled we would in all things glorifie God If we set not by our flesh we would not quitch at any troubles Remember what caused Peter to deny his Master and the Lord giues vs vnderstanding in all things 4. And is it not an imputation of pride when we are vniustly challenged to maintaine our Innocency We iustifie our selues we will be found in no fault we will condemne our Iudges of wrongfull measure Is it not the practise of the world to iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous And yet it thinketh to doe God good seruice in censuring the children of God because they are contrary to
it in excusing and approuing the wicked because they sort with it waies Are the best without faults and may they not therefore be condemned Is not the best done in hypocrisie And therefore are they not worthy to be cast out of the Synagogues Thus doth the world stumble at the infirmities of the Saints and because they are faulty in some things doth therefore conclude that nothing is sound And ought we then to giue way vnto these their slanders Is not the cause the Lords that is herein challenged shall we not harden them in their suit hereby and so preuent them from sound repentance shall we not betray the peace of our consciences and cause the Lord to take that from vs which we dare not iustifie Indeed though man compared with God cannot be righteous though we must daily deny our own righteousnes before God that we may be found in Christ to be cloathed with his righteousnes yet seeing the Lord hath done great things for vs shall we not in thankfulnesse acknowledge Gods graces in vs shal we not propose our selues heere by examples to our brethren Nay saith holy Iob God forbid that I should iustifie you I will neuer take away mine innocency from my selfe Iob. 27.6 And is it not humility in vs to acknowledge what we haue receiued had we not need of lowly spirits to incounter the malice of the world because we will not forsake our Innocency and vndergoe such afflictions which hence will be raised against vs Is it not an argument of sound deniall of our selues that hereby we seeke rather the glory of God then our owne that hereby we labour the confirmation of the weake And seeing the gifts of grace are such wonders to the world such eye-sores and in so base account therewith is it not a gracious abasing of our selues to reioyce in that which is so offensiue to the world to triumph and boast of such gracious gifts which are so debased by it surely if we shall take our ayme aright it is rather pride in the world to condemne another mans seruant do they know our hearts will they generally censure vs hypocrytes because some are such and because the best are not without their failing they condemn our profession as if it taught no better Blessed be God we esteeme not to be iudged of them nor of mans iudgement 1 Cor. 44. he which iudgeth vs is the Lord to him we stand to him we fall as for the world well may it discouer it malice and pride in condemning the generation of the iust but they must know that the Saints shall iudge the earth if they condemne vs because we faile then do we much more condemne them that are so far behind vs. And is it not a wonderfull condemnation of the world that they which with one blast condemn vs to be too short that so they may iustifie themselues do also euen with the same breath condemne vs that we are too forward to zealous that so their deceitfull measure may passe more currantly do they not herein condemne themselues wherein they censure vs If wee haue our faults why do they not helpe vs forward and if we haue got some ground why doe they then condemne vs for increase seeing they condemne vs for failings shall we happily diue into the mystery thereof do they not condemne vs for failing because they would discourage vs to go forward do they not condemne vs for going forward because we condemne them for being behind vs do they not condemne our faâ—â—ings because they would hereby take occasion to condemne the word as if it occasioned and iustified such 〈◊〉 that so they might harden their hearts in the base account of the word and pu suit of their worldly courses and thereby also put vs from the most liuely meanes which should raise vs vp againe and so enable vs to perfection And do they not condemne on the other side our proceedings in grace is counterfeitings madnes c. because the wisedome of God is foolishnesse vnto them they neuer yet tasted of the loue of Christ else would they thinke they could neuer do him too much seruice And therfore seeing that which is highly esteemed of men is abhomination in the sight of God as we might haue cause to distrst our condition if it were approued of the world so haue we a found euidence of the truth of grace that the world hates vs not for our euils as they pretend for they could let vs alone if our wayes did not shame and confound them but for the Image of our God renewed in vs. And shall not the haters of God be found lyars shall they not wish to die the death of the righteous do they not imitate our waies though they deny the power of them they dare not set foot to foot by vs. Who so is wise let him vnderstand these things 5. To conclude it is the common censure of the world that whatsoeuer iumpes not with it stoopes not to it lure it is pride vaine-glory and whereas though it may be a marke of an abiect and degenerate spirit to be swayed thereby yet to be contrary to the fashion thereof must needs argue great humility so to leaue our greatest earthly content so to expose our selues to a world of troubles Thus the world calles light darknesse and darknesse light esteeming that pride which indeed is true humility Shall we now take a further scantling what this spirituall pride may be surely I take it it consists in these things First in presuming aboue that is meet in matter of knowledge And that when we prie into those hidden mysteries which either are fit to be knowne of or are apparant only to the diuine Nature Secondly when we vanish in idle and curious speculation tending only to sense and singularity and not to edification 1 Tim. 4. Thirdly when we affect knowledge for complement or ornament and not for reformation of life Secondly spirituall pride is seene in matter of action and that either in respect of our selues or others In regard of our selues we may be ouertaken with spirituall pride 1. If we stand more vpon publike deuotions then priuate humiliation 2. If we rest more in the forme then in the power of Religion 3. If we rest in our selues for well doing and not on the power of Christ 4. If we challenge merit for our workes and not rely on the mercy of God 5. If we arrogate more vnto our selues then either is truth or conuenient 6. If imagine that we may be present in this life and haue an ouerplus of righteousnesse for others And will not follow our Master through the fire In regard of others we may be tainted with spirituall pride 1. If we forsake the fellowship and are not equall with those of the lower sort leauing the Church for corruptions therein 2. If we iudge peremptorily of any before the time 3. If we giue not vnto each his due howsoeuer we are
done by God and the case different Feature Adde we hereunto that not only we haue not any president in the Scripture for the like in this case but also this changing of names is practised by such as either in their iudgements or liues or both deny the Lord that hath bought them namely Iesuites Seminaries Theeues Couseners c. For our feature so farre as that may be altered by changing the fashion of the haire beard c. this being but ciuill and differing according to the diuers guise of each nation so no painting or disfiguring abhorring to nature or denied by ciuility and religion be added I see not but this liberty may be vsed in a case of necessity for the preseruation of life so it stand with our callings and tend to Gods glory Apparell may be changed The like we may determine concerning change of apparell as being a ciuill thing and therefore both subiect to a religious end the preseruation of life with a good conscience and also subiect to change according to the diuers guise of nations callings condition and occasion of prosperity or aduersity keeping our selues within the boūds of our Christian liberty becomming all vnto all as to win others so to preserue our selues for their good 1. Phil. as most desirous to be with Christ which is the best of all yet ready to follow the Lord in any good occasion for the preseruation of life to benefit the Saints and make sure our owne election Prouided that we 1. Keepe our selues within the compasse of our religious and ciuill callings Deut. 22. 2. That we change not that which is vsuall to the other sex 3. That wee deny not our profession if this meanes will not conceale vs being demanded particularly 4. That wee simply intend in our preseruation Gods glory for the benefiting of others A fourth occasion of this false imputation that wee haue left our first loue A fourth occasion is the vse of spiritual wisedome in reprouing for sinne is our discretion in reproouing sinne when either wee cease to reproue scorners although our soules doe not cease to weepe in secret for them and our contrary conuersation is a conuiction of them or reproue priuatly and generally If in publike yet making difference of persons in regard of their calling and quality of their sinne sauing some with feare and yet raising vp others with the spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6.1 c. 1. Which imputation how vnjust it is may appeare by the rules of the holy Ghost 1. Tim. 5. 1. Mat. 19. And also 2. By the practise of the Saints Nathan 2. Sam. 12. Paul Compare the practise in reprouing the Church of Corinth first Epistle 11. chap. and the Church of Galat 3. chap. but aboue all the practise of our Sauiour is peerelesse in his different reproofe of the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23. Luke 11. and of his disciples Mat. 8. Mat. 26.27 A fift occasion of this vniust challenge A fifth occasion is outward and inward afflictions that wee may loose our first loue is when the hand of God lying heauily vpon vs in some outward emptying because our estate is decayed outwardly therefore the world concludes a decay within especially if wee surcease in a measure such dueties of charity wherein before when our cup ouerflowed we abounded towards others 2. Cor. 8.12.13 Which by this may appeare to be most vnrighteous because it is the purpose of the heart which God respects which may bee no lesse open to our brother though our purse bee straitned yea beeing scanted of this outward deuotion A sixth occasion is the hohonest prouision for our families 1. Tim. 5. may be more enlarged in spirituall almes to procure mercy for the soule and contentment in all estates Act 3.6 A sixth occasion there is also of this false imputation when we rectifie our charity by wisedome to our selues so distributing to others as that we prouide for our owne lest we be worse then infidels and so louing our neighbour as that wee prooue not cruell to our selues so diuiding to others that wee preferre the houshold of faith Gal. 6.10 both doing the best good and as wee may continue and hold out longest therein For which seeing we haue the warrant of the holy Ghost as we ought to auoyd all appearance of this euil by moderation in our procuring and vsage of these things so need we not feare hereby any cooling of our loue Onely make we this vse of this vniust imputation as to suspect our selues inregard of our carnal loue and to try our abyding in the loue of God by such a loue vnto our selues as may prouide for the flesh to the humbling and mortifying of the same as may further our selues and others to those durable riches which are at the right hand of our God for euermore A seuenth occasion to this vniust challenge that we haue lost our first loue is the vse of our Christian liberty in things indifferent Act. 10. Rom. 14. 1. Cor. 3. 2. Tim 4.5 Tit. 1.15 Lastly wee may be falsely charged to haue left our first loue When encreasing of knowledge of our right in Iesur Christ and from him in these outward things wee take liberty for the vse of some things which before wee refrained as being either not informed or not throughly resolued concerning them either because they are indifferent and so are all ours in Christ and being sanctified by the word and prayer may be lawfully vsed seeing to the pure all things are pure Or else being simply good are now of conscience to bee embraced and cheerefully practised that they may further vs to the chiefest good Which how false an imputation it is seeing the rules of the Word and practise of the Saints haue made good 1. Cor. 9. Gal. 2. c. Therefore let vs feare the cooling of our loue The right vse of Christian liberty in things indifferent Phil. 1.9 in the vse of this liberty so that our consciences be perswaded and practise warranted by these rules namely first 1. That the meanes of our encrease in knowledge be the word of trueth not the authority of man 2. That wee be able to discerne betweene things that differ not stumbling as euil things vnder the pretence of indifferencie not subiecting things simply good to the nature of things indifferent making the necessary worship of God a matter of indifferency as the preaching of the Gospell catechising fasting c. yea thrusting out the substance of holinesse for the complement thereof That as wee despise not order so it further true deuotion so we rest not in the outside and make an idole of bodily seruice Rom. 14.1 Philip. 9.10 3. That in this liberty we offend not our Christian brother neither the Magistrate by refusing what hee lawfully imposeth nor the weake brother Rom 13. by not informing him in the true vse of these things or vsing what may justly giue occasion
him doth he not recompence thee bountifully in teaching thee patience to wait vpon him and must not patience bring foorth the perfect worke hadst thou not then need of patience when thou hast done the will of God that thou mayst receiue the reward and what is the reward thou waitest for is it only that thy prayers may bee granted for the present mayst thou hereby happily haue thy reward already and so to bee depriued of that great recompence of reward And doth not the Lord begin this recompence in answering thy prayers to what is fit for thee doth he not prepare thee to this recompence by enabling thee hereby in patience to possesse thy soule and to waite the good pleasure of God doth hee not hereby teach thee to commit thy soule in well doing into the hand of thy gratious Creator that so thou mayst work out thy saluation in feare and trembling and so be made meet for that glorious inheritance To auoyd idlenesse and walke faithfully in our callings tenuring our repentance for former failings 3. And therefore let my adjure bee pretious vnto thee not to disquiet thy selfe for delay of comfort but rather to take heed of idlenes and curiousity whereunto Satan will now labour to draw thee as taking aduantage of thy dumpishnes and distraction Be diligent in Gods feare so farre as thou knowest in thy calling God hath placed thee in iudge thy heart soundly for former sailings and then I dare assure thee thou shalt not want comfort in thy obedience vnto God if fit for thee for the present and the more thou fittest thy selfe hereby for ioy the sooner it shall returne either in this life if thy wayes are now constant and more spirituall or else in the life to come neuer to faile againe But of this more hereafter and commenced and especially in a treatise if God will to bee published to this purpose called the Cure of a wounded Spirit If yet thou art doubtfull of thy abiding in loue As thou maist decay so thou art iealous of thy self herein I say vnto thee Prou. 28.13 How to know whether we haue left our first loue By these markes Blessed is the man that feareth alwaies And that thou maist be resolued whether thou art decaied or no obserue for thy triall these markes therof which are apparant symptomes of the leauing our first loue 1. Know thou that if thou hast lost that peace of conscience wherby thou wast wont to come with boldnes into the presence of thy God and powre out thy soule in strong cries and teares vnto thy God and so canst not pray with that euidence as in former times with that patience and constancy ouercomming thy God 2. If thou growest fearefull of troubles and vsest carnall policy to preuent them 3. If thou growest worldly and couetous withdrawing thy hand from the necessities of thy brother and neglecting the occasions of charity c. 4. If thou growest negligent in hearing the word contenting thy selfe either with none or an vneffectuall Ministery 5. If thou canst dispense with thy selfe in vaine sports and recreations gaming vaine talke c. wherof heretofore thou madest some conscience wasting thy time and wit in them 6. If thou canst frame to all companies and temporize with each as presuming vpon thy protection from thy Christian calling Ephes 5.1 7. If thou art afraid of death and neglectest the daily and constant examination of thy waies and holy duties in priuate vnto thy God 8. If thou canst so ioy in these earthly things as either not to feele a loathsomnesse in them or not to vse them as sparkes to increase the fire of thy spirituall ioy 9. If thou measurest the happinesse of the life to come by that sense which for the present thou hast thereof thou dost not liue by faith and therefore thou hast left thy first loue Symptomes that follow the leuuing of our first loue And for thy comfort obserue herein an especiall mercy of thy God that there will follow this losse of loue 1. Inward trouble of conscience which will giue thee no rest till thou hast resolued thy case with God and recouered Psal 6.38 c. 2. Some outward sensible stripe either in thy goods person children to open thine eyes the better and bring thee to repentance Iob. 33.15.16 3. Now the world will not faile to flatter thee and as it were to owne thee that so thou maist suspect thy selfe the rather 4. And yet that thou maist discerne the worlds loue thou shalt not want some mocke and reproach to cast the durt of thy decay in thy face that so thou maist be ashamed and confounded in this decay 5. And happily thou maist be giuen vp to some grosse sinne the more to discredit thee with the world that so thou maist not be corrupted with the flattery thereof And therefore thus thou maist recouer out of this decay How to recouer first loue 1. Rest vpon the promises of thy God that thou shalt recouer out of any effects that proceed from thence and thy latter end shall be better then the beginning 2. Meditate on the former experience of the ioy of the spirit that so thou maist presse the Lord from his wonted mercies Psal 77. 1. Sam 17. 3. Consider the meanes that the Lord vsed to plant this ioy and loue in thy heart and by the same know that he will renue this worke and therfore at no hand be driuen from the meanes Cant. 1. Cant. 4.5 4. Resolue that thy former estate was better then now Ose 2.8.9 and therefore returne to thy first loue againe that so the Lord may renue and increase thy loue vnto him 5. Acquaint the experienced souldier with this thy estate that so he may be a meanes to quicken thee againe 6. Giue we not ouer our pursuit of these comforts spare we no paines thinke we all time too little impose we extraordinary afflictions as fasting and so groning vnder the burden and detesting our selues giue we the Lord no rest till he hath returned to his rest and recouered our decaies Cant. 5. To this end vse we the meanes before set downe to recouer from Apostasie And be we comforted that we shall not altogether loose our labour though we haue left this loue How far we shall recouer 1. Either we shall recouer what we haue lost in the same kinde namely the like ioy and extraordinary comforts of thee 2. Or else if we haue it not in this fruit of our loue yet we shall be sure to recouer in another kind which shall be more profitable to further vs to happinesse 3. As the lesse we feele this loue the more we shall expresse our care to vse all holy meanes whereby we may recouer it againe 4. The more we shall learne to liue by faith in the expectation of a greater measure 5. The more compassionate thou shall be to others that are cast downe by this affliction and so labour more
earnestly to raise them vp againe that so together with them thou maist be perfected Heb. 11. vlt. that so maintaining the fellowship here on earth thou maist be better fitted to the communion in Heauen 6. And as thou hast hereby greater occasion to aduance the mercy of thy God in not leauing thee altogether in sustaining thee so wonderfully and saue thee in this thy decay so shalt thou be prouoked hereby to trust more perfectly thy God though he should abase thee further not only in leauing thee to this inward triall of a languishing spirit and eclipse of ioy but as the manner of Gods prouidence is to prepare vs by these inward afflictions to outward troubles for the further triall of our faith and increase of his power and mercy in our protection and deliuerance If now it shall please our glorious God to lead vs through fire and water to pronounce a sentence of death against vs that we may not trust in ourselues but in the liuing God which raiseth from the dead That so after we haue suffered a little we might be fitted to eternall ioyes that so in our outward sufferings our inward consolations may abound Is not here a gracious recompence of our former losse Is not here a maruellous meanes so to restore the same that God may haue the glory that we by this meanes may be prepared vnto glory shall not our loue be now gloriously tried in suffering for the will of God shall it not be much more testified in enduring so great afflictions shall it not hereby be purged of all selfe-loue and carnall respects that so it may be fitted to fulnesse of ioy shall not our patience here be tried in waiting the good pleasure of our God that so we may be perfect and intire wanting nothing 1. Iam. 3.4 Surely howsoeuer it fall yet let it comfort vs that the holy Ghost doth not here challenge the Church of Ephesus that it hath lost all her loue or that it hath absolutely lost her first loue but only that it hath left it for a time and therefore it may recouer againe And it hath but left her first loue not altogether is bereft of all loue well may it leaue it first loue but it shall not loose all And for our further satisfaction take we these rules that we are soundly in some measure recouered and haue regained true ioy and comfort of our saluation 1. If our ioy beeing restored wee are also more enabled in the practise of godlinesse growing more in grace and in obedience to the word 2. If our ioy bee daylie accompanied with sorrow for sinne and feare of our selues that wee may fall againe with more sobriety in the vse of worldly comforts and more hunger after durable ioyes 3. If wee are more weaned from the loue of the world and take lesse ioy in the flesh and earthly things knowing no man after the flesh 4. If we can reioyce in the further encrease of the Church and flourishing estate thereof abroad though it go not so well with our owne particular 5. And can also weepe with them that languish abroad though our owne cup run ouer 6. Still submitting our selfe to the crosse 7. And triumphing in our greatest tribulations 8. If our ioy be powerfull to raise vs daily from sinne that so renuing our repentance it may be increased 9. If it be sincere and pure not so much resting in our selues as that God may haue the glory euen comforting our selues that for Gods sake principally we haue done his will and not for any by respects vnto our selues And this is the last lesson to be obserued out of this Scripture Namely That the Saints shall not loose vtterly Doct. 7. The Saints shall not loose their first loue Reason 1. Ose 2.19 Esa 49. Esa 27. though they may leaue for a time their first loue Luk. 11. Psal 92. 2 Tim. 4.19 1. Because the Lord hath promised to continue his loue towards them Ioh. 13. 1. Ioh. 17. Ierem. 31.33 c. 2. Their afflictions doe tend to their perseuerance as purging out their sinnes Esay 1.25 3. Their sinnes turne to their continuance in grace 1. as making them afraid of sinne 2. and more expert to conquer the same 3. more fit for grace by making them more humble and hungry after it 4. more mercifull to others and therfore mouing the Lord to haue more compassion on them 4. His hand is continually put vnder vs in our greatest failings and therefore wee shall rise againe Psal 37.24 5. His end in leauing vs for a time is to make vs take faster holde on him to make vs more deny our selues that we may be found in Iesus Christ in heauen 6. Their Sauiour liueth and triumpheth to make them more then conquerours Rom. 8.36.37 Ioh. 12.32 and to draw vp all after him 7. The spirit and word shall abide in them to hold them on in grace Ioh. 15. And therefore 1. This condemneth the blasphemie of Papists who teach that the Saints may fall finally and therein doe impeach the power and faithfulnesse of God or that they may so loose their faith for the present that it must be repaired anew againe 2. It checketh the insolencie of the wicked that reioyceth at the fals of the Saints and insult ouer them seeing that though they fall they shal rise againe Mic. 7.9 Psal 41.11 3. As also it reprooueth the infidelity of the Saints who doubt of their recouery and wrong the faithfulnesse of God and power of their faith grieue the blessed Spirit and deny in a sort the merit of Christ 4. Heere is first instruction for the world to iustifie Gods faithfulnesse seeing hee doth not forsake for euer Lam. 3.24.25 5. Heere the Saints are lessoned as to feare their fals and not to sinne vpon presumption of recouery so not to distrust of Gods mercy in their greatest failings seeing the Lord is faithfull and they shall recouer thogh not so sensible a measure as before they had yet sufficient to fit thē to the enioying of that happinesse that the Lord Iesus hath purchased for them And therefore let them vse the holy meanes that they may recouer namely such as are before laid downe in the recouery out of apostasie and regaining first loue and hold out to the end And if happily with all our labour we shall yet be to seeke of what we would haue For the further satisfying and comforting of the conscience obserue we thdse two things First that it is one thing to leaue our first loue and to be luke-warme neither hot nor cold We may not haue such feeling of Gods loue as formerly we had Difference between leauing first loue and lukewarmnesse and this may prouoke vs to more industry to recouer againe as the ioy of Gods spirit may be an occasion by reason of spirituall pride that we may remit of our zeale and yet we may still be resolute in iudgement what should be done though happily in our practise we may abate of what we haue formrly done 1. Wheretas luke-warmnesse ariseth frome a peruerse and deceiued iudgement that we are rich we want nothing and therefore what need we now be so earnest and painful why may we nor abate of our labours and sit downe and take our ease may we not be wholly c. 2. Hereupon it is another note of luke-warmnesse to grow indifferent to any side to be between both ready to entertaine what may stand with the streame and so to runne with the tide as occasion serueth But it is not so with such as haue simply lost their first loue they are neuer quiet till they haue recouered againe they cannot endure any other loue to share in their affections oh it reioyceth them to consider what a true and faithfull loue they had they are now more fond of him when he absents himselfe at euery stone must be rowled all corners searched to find him againe Cant. 5. and they giue not ouer till they haue recouered him 2. That there is great oddes between leauing our first loue and loosing it altogether we may leaue in regard of a former measure and yet hold a true gaine which shall cleere vs of luke-warmnesse and though we leaue a measure yet we loose not all because the least remaining will be a meanes to recouer againe if not so much as we haue had yet so much as shall serue both to keepe from finall apostasie and further to eternall glory 6 And therefore here is matter of exceeding consolation to the elect of God not to trust their owne vnbeleeuing hearts much lesse Satans lies but to rest on the faithfulnesse of God not iudging themselues by what they are in their decay but by what they were in their first loue and so pressing the Lord in his faithfullnesse and their former experience they shall be vpheld in their greatest failings by a secret power and in good time the Lord will appeare vnto them to bring foorth their righteousnesse as the light and their wel-doing as the noone day that so their latter end may be better then their beginning Glory be to the Lord Iesus