and delighteth in his Commandments shall not want an honourable regard in life and an honourable remembrance after death Ps 112. 1 2 9. However in our way to Heaven our Affections must be taken off from all honour and all other worldly things Col. 32. Use them we may but not abuse them 1 Cor. 7. 31. and our selves in our earnest pursuit of them and resting in them Luke 12. 19. The enjoyment of God is the only satisfying and lasting happiness of the soul Psal 16. 11. Without Holiness no man shall see him Heb. 12. 14. He that loves him not cannot be holy John 14. 24. We cannot love him if we love the world or the things that are in the world 1 John 2. 15. The things of the world are The lust of the flesh or pleasure The lust of the eyes or wealth The pride of life or Honour 1 John 2. 16. The Vices attending upon these are Luxury Covetousness Ambition the three Spring heads whence flow all sins whatsoever And that man whose heart is taken up with the love of these hath no room left for the entertainment of the Love of God Which being excluded let him enjoy all worldly things in the greatest height in the most plentiful affluence with the most possible desired Freedom yet what shall it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven Texts Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ set your Affections on things above not on things on the earth 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world Inst Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the Treasures in Egypt Hebr. 11. 24 25 26. Paul counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus hâ—s Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung that he might win Christ and be sound in him Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Thou art dead to them Col. 3. 3. 2. They keep from the great Supper prepared for the Soul Luke 14. 18 1â— 20. 3. They choak the Word and make it unfruitful Mark 4. 19. 4. The love of them cannot consist with the Love of God 1 John 2. 15. 5. They are of no continuance 1 John 2. 17. Use 1. Have a low esteem of them Phil. 3. 8. 2. Think of thy greatness by thine Adoption which sets thee far above them John 1. 12. 3. Set thine Affection on things above Col. 3. â— Resol The World being crucified unto me and I unto it Gal. 6. 14. I will be no more a friend unto it For whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4. Ejac. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Thou O Lord art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73. 25 26. Paral. X. Circ Being set in the Tower of the Temple-Church where the Effigies lie all fear of my Pursuer and the Prison immediatly ceased Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the fear of Hell THE Natural man while he so continues is subject unto Bondage Heb. 2. 15. God is his enemy Col. 1. 21. Upon which account he doth and cannot but fear the effects of enmity from him Christ came to deliver man from this fear Heb. 2. 15. When he by Faith is received into the Soul it is banished and in stead thereof the spirit of Adoption succeeds Rom. 8. 15. Although the Bond-woman be cast out yet her son for so Initial fear though arising from Love yet as it hath wrath for its Object may be esteemed remains still to be ejected Gal 4. 30. While it remains it performs a twofold Office in the soul It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. It afflicts and torments that the soul may seek more and more unto Christ for peace and ease 1 John 4. 18. and so helps on towards the perfecting of Love Love once perfected this fear is likewise cast out 1 John 4. 18. Love is perfected as By keeping the Commandments 1 John 2. 5. By the Love of our Brethren 1 John 4. 12. By sollowing of Christ's Example 1 John 4. 17. So especially When the heart is wholly taken off from the world 1 Jâ—hn 2. 15. Not that here such a Perfection of our Love is to be attained as will admit no further perfecting That is not to be expected until we arrive at ouâ— Heavenly Countrey Our forgetting of those things behind and reaching forth to those before is the perfection of our Love here The perfection of this Perfection will then be when we shall lay hold upon the Prize Phil. 3. 13 14 15. Our Love thus perfectâ—d and that fear which as the Needle hath drawn it in being now removed this our Love constraineth us to what that our fear before did awe us 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Believer thus rid of his fear of wrath begins to have his soul filled with exceeding Comfort upon his now confident assurance That God is at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. This he could not have did the least fear of punishment remain That he is the Adopted Son of God Rom. 8. 15. and thereupon That his Father will grant his Requests Romans 8. 15. That he will make a temporal Provision for him Mat. 6 32 33. That the Spirit is and shall continue his Guide and Director Rom. 8. 14. That he is an Heir of Glory Rom. 8. 17. Which sweet Comforts though upon the prevailing of the Carnal part they are by doubtings sometimes interrupted Psal 51. 12. yet these new Fears are soon scattered by Faith sumly adhearing to the Promises Initial fear is now cast out However God will not have our Love to be fearless Filâ—al reverential Fear must still accompany it To mind us of our Imperfection Prov. 28. 14. To keep the heart from hardning Prov. 28. 14. To keep us from security Cant. 3. 1. To quicken us to Perseverance Jer. 32. 40. Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the Fear of Hell Texts Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 5. 9. Being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath by him Inst Zacharias blesseth God for making good his Oath c. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear all the dayes of our life Luke 1. 68 74 75. The Thessalonians are asâ—ured by St. Paul that they with all others that serve the living God and wait for his Son from Heaven are by that his Son
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
so it is utterly to be condemned Filial fear is a reverential fear of Gods Majesty and Power Gen 28. 17. A trembling at his Judgments Psal 119 120. This fear hath a special regard unto the offence as sin by its guilt separates from God Isa 59. 2. This is enjoyned Psal 3â— 9. and Blessings promised to it Psal 25. Psal 112 c. as necessary to a Christian through his whole life and to continue in Heaven as to the act of our reverence of God arising from the consideration of the excellency of his Nature and Justice in his punishment of the damned Psal 19. 9. Initial fear is a middle fear between these two causing man to abstain from sin to do good with a respect partly to the punishment and partly to the offence However it proceeds not from the first but is the beginning of Reverential or Filial Fear and arising from Love upon effectual Calling begun in the soul and there shewing it self as the working of Faith as yet but in a weak measure Which Fear as Faith and Love gather strength is by degrees expelled 1 John 4. 18. This way by fear the Lord at the beginning took with Adam First he had wrought in him an apprehension of fear of the Curse threatned against him upon his disobedience Gen. 3. 10. And then after followed the Promise of the Seed of the Woman who should break the Serpents head v. 15. This way he still continues First Moses must be believed then Christ John 5. 45. First there must be an apprehension of Gods Justice and then of his Mercy in his Son sweetned by the foregoing severity of the sharp Schoolmaster of the Law Gal. 3. 24. Upon this account it is that the Ministers of the Gospel do yet preach the Law We preach it to the Regenerate as a Rule of life Jam 1. 25. and to stir them up to thankfulness for their freedom from its Curse obtained by Christ Gal. 3. 13. To the Unregenerate as a Rule of Life likewise Luke 10. 28. And that by its Terrours they may be brought unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. Thus the Commandment is ordained unto Life Rom. 7 10. And this life is alone to be had in Christ Acts 4. 12. Obs Upon effectual Calling the fear of Hell is a principal Means to bring the Soul un to Christ Texts Deut. 5. 28 29. I have heard the voice of the words of this people c. They have well said all that they have spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes c. Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by Faith â—ast Paul upon the great Light shining about him and the Voice from Heaven trembling and astonished said Lord What wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. The Jaylor came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. Reas 1. It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. 2. It prepares the way for perfect Love 1 John 4. 18. Use 1. The Law is to be taught Jam. 1. 25. 2. Beware of worldly fear Rev. 21. 8. Ostâ—nd not God for fear of man Mat. 10. 28. 3. Take heed of hardning thine heart Prov. 28. 14. 4. Get assurance that thou hast the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Resol I will take heed how I offend knowing that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Ejac. Enter not into judgment with thy Servant O Lord For in thy sight shall no man living be justified The enemy hath persecuted my soul O deliver me for I flee unto thee to hide me Psal 143. 2 3 9. Paral. V. Circ Being perswaded that in that Building I might secure my self from my Pursuer I gat down into it Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ SIN sets and keeps up a Partition-wall between God and the Soul Isa 59. 2. Fear is a means to break it down Prov. 3. 7. My fear made me hasten down the stairs upon which being entered I plainly saw the Building whereon they set me and had a perswasion in me that there I might secure my self from my Pursuer which Perswasion was my Faith I had not nor could I have such thoughts until I saw the Building that I saw not until I entred upon the stairs Faith and Repenrance are begotten in the Soul at the same time and in the order of Nature repentance follows Faith But Repentance is first discovered and afterwards Faith A sinner cannot perswade himself that he shall obtain Salvation by Christ which is the act of Faith until he find in himself an hearty turning from sin which is the act of Repentance First there must be a forsaking of sin and then follows assurance of Pardon Prov. 28. 13. Heb. 6. 1. The Priviledges of Gods Children are many They are received into his Family Eph. 2. 19. They have his Name put upon them Rev. 3. 12. They receive the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. They have accesse with boldness to the Throne of Grace Eph. 3. 12. They are enabled to cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. God their Father pities them Psal 103. 13. Protects them Prov. 14. 26. Provides for them Mat. 6 30 32. Corrects them for their good Heb. 12. 6. 10. They are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. They inherit the Promises Heb. 6. 12. They are heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. With many other Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! 1 John 3. 1. To this Love and these Priviledges the certain effects and discoveries thereof although God from all eternity hath predestinated some in Christ for the praise of the Glory of his Grace Eph. 1. 5 6. Yet they are not made partakers of them until they partake of that redemption which Christ hath wrought for them Gal. 4. 5. Of this Redemption none can be partakers until by the Spirit it be actually applyed unto them Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Which Application is then wrought when we are united unto Christ Eph. 1. 7. We are united unto Christ upon effectual Calling When receiving of him we are admitted to that high Priviledge to be the Sons of God John 1. 12. Christ is received by Faith John 1. 12. Which Faith though it hath a general respect unto the Word upon the authority of the Author thereof believing to be true what therein is revealed 1 Thes 2. 13. And thereupon Yielding Obedience to his Commands therein Rom. 16. 26. Trembling at the Threatnings Isa 66. 2. Embracing the Promises Heb. 11. 13. Yet it hath a special eye unto Christ in those Promises relying upon him alone for salvation Acts 4. 12. Faith thus relying upon Christ is a certain
set upon God and the most certain Evidence of its love towards him being an holy life in a ready obedience unto his Will John 14. 23. to which by the Scaffolds as in the next I was directed the Lord was pleased first to encourage me to a forward chearful constancy therein by that glorious reward prepared for me above whereof by this cloudy resemblance I was now put in mind Are the blind able to discourse of Light How much less is man able to speak of that Glory of which we have him who saw it testifying that it is unutterable 2 Cor. 12. 4. inconceivable 1 Cor. 2. 9. The Holy Spirit is pleased notwithstanding in part to withdraw this Cloud in the Word by affording a weak glimpse of this Glory in the holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. from v. 10. to 24. in assuring the faithful Citizens thereof who are written in the Lambs Book of life that they shall be adorned with white Robes of Glory Rev. 7. 9. 14. as to their souls and bodies As to their Souls Their Faith whereby here they see but as through a Glass darkly shall be changed into a manifest Vision of God whom they shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. Their Hope whereby here they patiently wait for this reward Rom. 8. 25. shall be changed into Fruition into the perfect enjoyment of him who shall fully satisfie their longing desires and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. Their imperfect love of God here shall be heightned to such a perfection as shall be incapable of enlargement 1 Cor. 13. 8. Thus that which is perfect as to all these being come that which is imperfect shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 10 Their Bodies though sown in dishonour shall be raised in Glory 1 Cor. 15. 43. Which Glory shall consist In Clearness and Brightness they shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13. 43. In Impassibility and Freedom from Corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption this mortal immortality 1 Cor. 15. 53. In swiftness of motion they shall be like the Angels Mat. 22. 30. In a word they shall be changed that they may be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ Philip. 3. 21. This Glory they shall enjoy in all fulness and to all Eternity which is set forth by the figure of a Crown Rev. 2. 10. Which is circular a circle being a Figure of the largest capacity and without end Whatsoever we perform in our obedience unto Gods Will He worketh it for us Phil. 2. 13. He is not benefitted by it Psal 16. 2. It is our duty Luke 17. 10. It is most disproportionable to this Glorious Reward Isa 64. 6. and therefore far from deserving of it Which however that in Gods Service it may be eyed We have God enjoyning of it Mat. 6. 33. We have the Saints Practise for it Heb. 11. 26 c. It is one end why Godliness hath the Promises of it 1 Tim. 4. 8. Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto He hath an invisible Paradise for them Texts 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 John 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall bâ— but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Inst. Paul being caught up into Paradise heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful or possible for a man to utter 2 Cor. 12. 4. The Holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. 10 c. They may have a respect to this reward Texts Psal 119. 12. I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end or for the reward Col. 1. 5. Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven Inst Moses had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 26. Paul pressed toward the Mark for the price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14. Reas For thâ— invisible reward 1. To shew the riches of his Bounty Mat 25. 23. 2. To encourage us to serve him with Chearfulness 1 Tim. 48. 3. To encourage us to bear the Cross with Patience Rom. 8. 18. 4. That we may patiently wait for it Rom. 8. 25. Reas For having a respect unto the reward 1. The Example of the Saints Heb. 11. 26. Phil. 3. 14. 2. It is Gods Command Mat. 6. 33. 3. It is the end of our Faith 1 Pet. 1. 9. Use 1. Be chearful in Gods service and stedfast therein thy labour shall not be in vain 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2. Bear afflictions patiently If thou suffer with Christ thou shalt reign with him Rom. 8. 17. 3. Attribute no merit to thy self the reward is his free gift Rom. 6. 23. 4. Cleanse thy soul from sin He that hath this hope purifieth himself 1 John 3. 3. Resol I will fight the good fight I will finish my course I will keep the Faith and so doing I am assured there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto me 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Ejâ—c O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee Psal 31. 19. Paral. XIII Circ Round about the Tower were Scaffolds equi-distant one above another Obs The effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein THE Heart set upon God will manifest its love by Obedience John 14. 23. To Obedience are required The Knowledge of Gods Will Eph. 5. 17. The doing or practising of his Will John 13. 17. Gods Will is put in practise in the exercise of holy Graces 1 Thes 4. 3. Wherein there must be an universal gradual constant Improvement 2 Pet. 3. 18. To an improvement in all Grace the Ascent of the Scaffolds directs To an Improvement in Grace the Scaffolds round about To an improvement by degrees the equi-distance of each step from other Constancy or perseverance to which the closing Parallel likewise gives direction is implied in the improvement which ceaseth if we hold not out unto the end 1 Cor. 15. 58. Improvement in Grace St. Peter compares to the growth of an Infant 1 Pet. 2. 2. To the Souls growth in Grace is required Food This Food is the Word 1 Cor. 3. 2. Which must be wholsom 1 Tim. 6. 3. Sincere Milk 1 Pet. 2. 2. Not sweetned by affected Eloquence 1 Cor. 2. 4. Not corrupted with humane Inventions Mark 7. 7. Not poysoned with wrested Interpretations 2 Pet. 3. 16. Proportionable seasonable Luke 12. 42. Administred by a lawful Nurse 1 Thes 2. 7. Or Steward appointed to
way of Instance by which you may judge of the choyceness Priviledges of Saints and preciousness of the rest The Lord is their King Rev. 15. 3. He keeps their feet from falling 1 Sam. 2. 9. He preserves their Souls Psal 97. 10. He preserves them for ever Psal 37. 28. Their death is precious in his sight Psal 116. 15. He will spare them Mal. 3. 17. The Lord Christ prayes for them John 17. 9. The Holy Spirit prayes for them Rom. 8. 27. God admits them into the number of his Children 1 John 3. 1. And being so they have Him their Father The Church their Mother The Lord Christ their Brother Kings and Queens their Nurses The Holy Spirit their Tutor The Angels their Guardians All the Creatures their servants The Bread of life their Food Christ's Righteousness their Cloathing Heaven their Palace A Kingdom of Glory their Inheritance Such many many such Priviledges have the Lords People Such Honour have all his Saints Use 3. Doth the Lord own those only for his people who are true Saints true believers truly obedient Let us labour to gain an assurance to our selves that we are such and then we may confidently build upon it that we are Gods people That you may know whether you have true Faith take these three Marks of true Marks of Faith Faith in stead of many 1. True Faith is accompanied with a sweet peace in the soul arising from the assurance that our sins are pardoned and Christ's Righteousness made ours Being justified by Faith we have peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. True Faith purifies the heart Acts 15. 9. He that hath true Faith will still be cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. True Faith where it is begets love towards God appâ—â—hending him as the Chief Good Hence the faithful have this Character in Scripture that they are lovers of God Rom 8. 28. It stirs up likewise love unto all Gods Children as bearing his Image 1 John 5. 1. That you may know whether your Obedience Marks of Obed. be true or not take these Marks of true Obedience True Obedience prefers Gods Will before our own or any Commands of men Acts 4. 19. 2. True Obedience is universal unto all and every part of Gods Will Psal 119. 6. 3. True Obedience is alwayes accompanied with fear of offending God Heb. 12. 28. 4. It is sincere and hearty Rom. 6. 17. 5. It is zealous in good duties Tit. 2. 14. Now examine thy self by these Marks Hast thou true peace in thy soul Dost thou strive to cleanse thy soul from sin Dost thou love God and his Children Thou hast true Faith Dost thou prefer Gods Will before thine own or before mans Hast thou a respect to all his Will Art thou afraid to offend him Art thou sincere and zealous in the Service of him Thine Obedience is true And thy Faith and thine Obedience being true thou art a true Saint thou art of the number of Gods people and interessed in all those Priviledges which belong unto them Use 4. Doth the Lord own the Saints for his people Let wicked men take heed how they despise them how they oppress vex and persecute them The Lord whose they are is very tender over them They who touch them touch the Apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. They that persecute them persecute Christ himself Acts 9. 4. They who vex and persecute them vex and persecute those who shall be their Judges 1 Cor. 6. 2. Who shall one day wash their feet in their blood Psal 58. 10. and shall break them in pieces as a Potters Vessel Rev. 2. 27. Not by way of avenging of themselves that belongs not to them but in approving of the just Sentence of Christ against them and rejoycing in the justness of that Vengeance which according to that Sentence they shall see exâ—cuted upon them at that day when the great Judge of the world will be so far from owning such as dye in their Infidelity and disobedience that he will deny them before his Father and the holy Angels Mat. 10. 33. Use last This may serve much for the Comfort of all Gods truly Faithful obedient servants and keep their spirits under the worlds Contempt and Despight What though the World hate and reject them and count them as the Off scowring of all things Yet the Lord owns them they are his people and so interessed in those sweet Promises and high Priviledges wherein they that hate them shall not be sharers Here likewise the Lords People to their exceeding Comfort may as St. Peter adviseth 2 Pet. 1. 10. make their Calling and Election sure For thus they may argue upon Infallible Grounds If I am a Saint whereof by my true Faith and Obedience I am assured then am I effectually called For I am what I was called to be Rom. 1. 7. If I am a Saint then I am sure I am elected For I am what I was elected unto Eph. 1. 4. If I am elected then I am predestinated to Glory and shall most certainly enjoy it For he that elected me predestinated me Eph. 1. 4. And whom he predestinated them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Rom. 8. 30. In his eternal Decree which in his good time he will most certainly accomplish From hence I say may the Lords people draw exceeding Comfort However these sweet Comforts of theirs cannot but be much allayed by their sense of their weakness and frailty For though they are Saints though the Lord ownes them for his People yet are they subject unto sin and are prevailed over by it and fall into the Folly of it Which is the next Particular in this Second Branch of the Point Partic. 2. That the Lords own people his Saints may and do fall into the Folly of sin This is clear from the Text they could not turn again to it unless formerly fallen into it Which is the present sad condition they are now in guilty of the folly of some hainous sins for which they under-lye the sharp sense of Gods high displeasure I do not say that they live or walk in sin as do the Children of disobedience but they may and do fall into it and that often seven times a day Prov. 24 16. In many things Jam. 3. 2. And many many wayes By Omission Commission Ignorance Forgetfulness Infirmity by sinning against knowledge Motions Checks Vows Promises Blessings Patience Chastisements Mercies Judgments by Rashness Inconsiderateness Inconstancy Negligence Beside their other-mens-sins whereof they become guilty by Commanding Exhorting Provoking Conâ—enting Commending Concealing Conniving Parâ—aking Defending not Reproving and other wayes That this is a most certain and sad truth is evident by those many â—xâ—mples of the Lords own people and Saints recorded in the Scripâ—ure who have been thus overtaken and thus fallen and some of them
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them