the Glory of such Good Men have been offended at the prosperity of the Wicked we hear frequently thereof in the Old Testament but not so much in the New. Those who had chiefly Temporal Promises to Encourage them to Obedience might well startle when the Disobedient also received the same in effect Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain Psal 73. 13. Tâ—ere was not then a clear revelation of a judgment to come and the succeeding Eternity which is to make a vast difference between the Righteous and the Wicked This would have instantly satisfied all their doubts But now Christians who are assured of all this have no reason to let their thoughts be disturbed this way Yet Do ye think the Scripture saâ—th in vain the Spirit that dwâ—llâ—th in us lusteth to Envy Jam. 4. 5. The difference between sins of Regenerate and Unregenerate is The first have little motions and tendencies towards them which are crushed and kept short but the others suffer them to break foâ—th into open act And so there are in sincere good People some little inclinations to Envy They are apt to be grieved that those who provoke God should flourish and seem outwardly in better plight then themselves There is a carnal intermixture something for themselves when they cry out How long wilt thou suffer them to do in this wiâ—e Such thoughts are evil perhaps God gives them their portion in this life However we are to let him alone with the ways of his providence for he and not we poor Wretches knoweth what he hath to do How he deals with others What is that to us We may rest fully satisfied with what the Wise Man saith Tho' a sinner do evil an hundred times and his days be prolonged yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God which fear before him Eccles 8. 12. God cannot be unrighteous and if he deals more bountifully with the wicked in this life then with you Certainly you will fare better then they in that which is to come Faith and Knowledge will cure all manner of Envy The Grace of God doth not destroy our Affections but only turn them from evil upon that which is good Anger and Wrath may be changed into Zeal for the Glory of God and Indignation at every thing that displeaseth him There is a Godly kind of Revenge 2 Cor. 7. 11. to be acted upon our selves All Hatred and Malice may be confined to a constant Detestation and Abhorrence of sin in our selves or others with this caution that nothing of private Spleen doth come in hating the Wickedness in them but not the Men. Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee I hate them with perfect haâ—red I count them mine Enemies Psal 139. 21. 22. Saith the Psalâ—ist It must be only for this Reason because they 2 Chron. 19. 2. Rev. 2. 2 〈…〉 hate the Lord And whosoever loves him most necessarily be vexed with such who without cause do haâ—e him that is most Good and Gracious It is the utmost perverseness that makes any to be malicious and stubborn Offenders It is observable what our Lord commands Love your Enemies bless them that cuâ—se you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecuâ—e you Mat. 5. 44. But are we to do all this to those who carry themselves after this manner against God himself Let us do any thing to reform them pray for them endeavour by kindness and all ways to perswade them off from their evil ways But if they continue froward and despisers let no fawning be used towards them Let nothing be done to nourish them up in their Rebellion We are in no wise to bless them that Blaspheme the Holy One of Israel and curse by his Name or to do good to them that hate him no otherwise then to draw off not encourage them in their Transgression And lasty Envy is to give place to an honest emulation for those only which have affiâ—it to Hatred Varâ—ance Wraâ—h and Sâ—rife amongst which it is ranked Gal. 5. 21. are sinful and excluding Every one would fain be as Happy as another Improve that principle to the utmost but go only in that way God hath shewed for there is no other and there try who can walk fastest A blessed contention when Christians strive who can most grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Who can most abound in Good Works and live in all manner of Obedience Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and Good Works Heb. 10. 24. A noble competition and well pleasing unto God when his Children strive together who shall lay up the best Foundation against the time to come who shall get most of his Love and Favour who shall give most Diligence to make his Calling and Election sure In this good Emulation none envies another every one trys what he can do for his part if another doth better he is glad and glorifies God on his behalf He is quickened thereby to do more for himself but in the Name of God let every one seek to serve him to the utmost It is a common Salvation and the more earnestly others contend for it there is room left still for thee If others glorifie God by their light shining before men you may make it up another way in Humility and Thankfulness It may be you have not such opportunity as he hath if thou hast and dost not come upon him it is thy own Omission thou mayst do more To apply here Phil. 1. 17 18 19. If others serve God more then thy self thou dost rejoyce seâ—ing that God is served yea and thou wilt rejoyce for thou knowest that this shall turn to thy Salvation through the Prayer of your Brethren and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ Even those Passions which through Disobedience do cause misery to the Sons of Men may be Converted into Vessels of the Sanctuary help them now their daily Ministration and tend to their Reward hereafter CHAP. XI OF FEAR FOrasmuch as Fear is implanted in all Men and hath relation to somewhat the subject of this ensuing Discourse will be Whether it is better to stifle disregard or to provide against that Fear Not to Fear at all is impossible so not desirable by a prudent Man for it serves to divers good Ends and purposes but not to be afraid with any Amazement 1 Pet. 3. 6. Not to be so horribly afflicted with it as generally People are is a thing which may be attained And if Religion sheweth us the only good and wise way which is more safe then any other herein it tends very much to the Happiness of Mankind We are all poor imperfect Creatures Men and not Gods yet of such a strange aspiring Temper that we are apt to forget what we are So it is necessary as
against the Obedience of Christ yet this one thing is more then them all and which God principally insists upon He that Prayes gives Thanks or receives the Sacrament doth he them out of Obedience Then that is to oblige him to other things of Duty Doth he not them to the intent that he may be better enabled to this Or is he determined not to do this and put God of with only begging Pardon When a matter is in Controversie and the adverse party will not give it up unto him who hath Power and Right on his side but think to come of by asking formal Forgiveness for the Omission What would your selves conclude of such dealing God is neither to be mocked nor trifled wiâ—hal he will not accept of Lip-Labour instead of Obedience of the Heart outward Services will not pass with him for inward Transgression of the Will. If I regard iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear meâ— Psal 66. 18. It is rather a Voice of babling or whining then of Prayer and Supplication if there is the Spirit of Stubbornness within But however if done in a right manner still he is better pleased when we have a good and honourable Esteem of his awful Majesty then by speaking forth of the same with our Lips. If he did hear only by the hearing of the Ear our Voice how loud soever would not reach unto Heaven and if it did What are a few good Words unto him unless our selves do really assent that it is so What do signifie putting up Petitions unto him unless we endeavour after the things we pray for We do rather dishonour him by asking for Grace and his Holy Spirit if when he gives we receive them in vain by not working together with them In the Sacrament we express our Love to the Lord Jesus we try to exalt him and shew our selves thankful as much as we can but still there is something more he looks after then strains of gratitude and Complemental Expressions Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say Luke 6. 46. The end of all the Commandments of all the Duties of Religion of all those Transactions that ever passed between God and Man and whatsoever he hath revealed of himself is Obedience We cannot imagine any other way of approving our selves unto him those who have the best Esteem of us and are willing to do every thing we would have they get our Love and Favour Would we carry our selves after the same manner to the God of all things He is pleased Oh infinite Condescention and Goodness to manifest his Love call us Friends Jam. 2. 23. John 15. 14. and hath promised a Reward We have Kings and Governors of our Flesh which rule over us and we give them reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits and live For they verily for a few days here on Earth exercise Dominion over us after their own Pleasure and for the publick Good but he for our Profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness have some little Taste of good things here and be ever Happy with him hereafter There are the Arguments of his Soveraignty Acts 17. 28. Greatness Right and Propriety but there is one more to which the Judgment of an Heathen and the Sense of all mankind besides Witnesseth Saith Aristoâ—le All People obey that which is profitable for them And upon this Reason our God doth deserve Arist Rhet. lâ—b 1. cap. 8. Obedience from all Nations and People of the World for now he hath made them so as they are that he might set before them the good and the evil He hath most excellently consulted for their Being by giving them Statutes so righteous and holy as he hath done which are to make them as Happy as considering their imperfect Condition they can be whilst in this World. O what great Exhortation hath our God given to bring all the Sons and Daughters of Adam over unto him that if they will hearken unto and consider thereof if they would * Psal 22. 27. Remember they must be turned unto the Lord their God. He would be reconciled to the World or he would never make known so many pressing Motives to it that whosoever would attend to them and not suffer the Temptations of Satan or his own Flesh to draw him aside it is impossible he should stand out still in Rebellion against God. There is some mis-apprehension which is one cause of that Enmity and Backwardness in the Heart of Man towards him If it was the Pleasure of our God that the greater part of mankind or that any should perish he would never have done so much as he hath that all should come to Repentance He hath given them Power to 2 Pet. 3. 3. Act freely and of themselves suffering them so to do as is very agreeable to a Life of Tryal God hath done all that lies on his part affording to Man Revelation his Word without his Spirit within and hath Commanded to comply with them But if he will not do this if he continues willingly ignorant if he of set purpose refuses to hear or read Gods Truth If he will not make use of those means of Grace and Salvation which are appointed and he is Commanded to do this is despising knowledge and refusing Subjection unto the Almighty Vpon this Hinge turns the whole of Mans Salvation for by Thought and Reason he Acts none is mad at all times but hath Consideration even of that kind of Life and if he first determines not to be acquainted with the ways of God then that natural Aversation which is too much in us all and would likewise hinder the best if not thus prevented will certainly keep him off and that will increase more by Sin and evil Habits and so Satan will get him at the first Assault Strange that this wilful and stubborn Temper should creep into that Ingenuity which all pretend unto That this way of Destruction should be chosen against that Self-preservation and willingness to be Happy which is in all Men. That reasonable Creatures should obstinately stick to that which is so full of Danger and forsake that wherein is all imaginable Security Is there in the only way of Peace any thing hard and aâ—kward Why should he lie under those Thoughts Consult throughly and they will prove otherwise Incline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live Isa 55. 3. Knoweth he not that if he will do this he shall be saved And what is he unwilling or afraid of that If he would weigh the Arguments he must both believe and consider and then let him Act contrary if he can but he doth not care to be perswaded to be a Christian Then O Man thou hast destroyed thy self Who can Pity him that perishes by Hunger and Thirst when Victuals are set by him and he might receive them if he would If People are
Heart are It is no matter now for his business may be as well done at another time the longer it is staved of so much the better for then there will be the less time to serve him and if they can so much as to get Heaven it is soon enough Are these the secret Imaginations which some keep so close to themselves But they do not in the mean while throughly consider how all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. so he knoweth these innermost Thoughts all one as if they were wrote legibly upon the Forehead of those who conceive them How disingenuous is this And will he not so judge of it As if he must have those things put on him which they would not suffer from their Servants For would they like those who will do just enough to receive Wages but no more and less if they could Can it be reasonably expected God will reward those base and Mercenary People who do not esteem of him but only the good things he hath prepared Who would willingly receive his Gifts but have neither Love nor Reverence for the Giver If thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments said he who is to judge every Mans work What those are himself hath likewise told us they are two The first is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind and all thy Strength How can he do this who hath such unworthy Thoughts Such an one unless he repents of the Evil will never be judged a Lover of God and then notwithstanding all his Policy he may come short of his Expectation God doth confound the Wisdom of the Wise and taketh them in their Craftiness Those which fancy and propose to themselves some new fine and â—asie way to Heaven of their own invention it is a thousand to one but they perish in their Projects for Men must not think any way to avoid the force and obligation of Gods Commandments Indeed they may choose whether they will observe them or not but then they must not choose to themselves the reward that is promised for keeping of them Neither let them imagine to draw up new Articles of Agreement besides that Covenant of Grace God hath been pleased to establish with Man for that is only of his own making and it is merciful enough it is not come to such Familiarity that he should accept what sinful Creatures would give him It is most just that God who made us without ourselves never asked our Advice whether we should be formed Vessels to Honour or Dishonour should also give us what Laws he please making his own Terms and Conditions upon which we are to receive the Happiness whereof himself is the only Giver We are not to frame any out of our own Brain and offer them unto him for seeing he hath created us to serve him shewed us how lent us Life for a time to do it We are not to seek out new Devices or to Parcel out this time as we see best for doing thereof This is here mentioned that those may beware who think it sufficient if they allot the least Portion nay the last moment for doing that wherefore the whole was given them These are the Statutes and Judgments which ye shall observe to do all the days ye live upon the Earth Deut. 12. 1. which is not taken away but rather more confirmed under the Gospel as appears from Luk. 1. 75. Who then would be saved We learn from the Prodigal Son the Publicans and Sinners the joy over them that repent those many gracious Texts concerning it that if we do go astray and come home again we shall be received to Grace and Favour But if Men from hence take occasion to spend their days in wickedness and their Life in disobedience if they turn the Grace of God into wantonness it is an horrible abuse and who thus pervert the ways of the most High may notwithstanding their vain purposes perish for ever If they go on in their wicked Course they may unawares be given over to a reprobate mind and all their Thoughts whereby they intended to be reconciled unto God at such a time come to nothing It is both unworthy and sinful to put him of from day to day and he who doth not Love to be mocked or despised may reward such after their deservings withdraw his Grace and let them go on in their own imaginations What if one should come into the Vineyard a little sooner then needs must Is not Heaven worth Labouring all the day for And can too much be done to avoid Hell Is it not better in a thing of so great moment to come more early and to wait for your Lord that when he cometh and knocketh you may open immediately Luke 12. 36. then to â—arry till the Critical time of his coming for you know not when this will be Who knoweth That certain day that is limited after so long a time Heb. 4. 7. Who can tell exactly how far and how long he may go in the way of wickedness and return The utmost bounds are not set down But this we are assured of the further we go the more way is to come back which will require so much the more Labour and Pains Hast thou any degree of the Love of God Wouldst thou not trifle with him Dost thou seriously expect to inherit his Promises and avoid his Threatnings Hast thou any regard to the eternal Welfare or Misery of thy own dear self Art thou so Wise as not to hazard when there is no need such an exceeding good set before thee and on the other hand so great an evil Break of presently thy Sins by Repentance Turn you Turn you and then Iniquity shall not be your ruin That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 23 24. Then the Fruits of the Spirit recited Gal. 5. 22 23. and other practical Duties are as agreeable to our Nature as before the Works of the Flesh were When men are transformed by the renewing of the mind they prove what is that Good that acceptable and perfect Will of God. It seems so even to their real Sense and Disposition they find more Comfort and Happiness in what is good then formerly they did in evil Be not doubtful or suspicious you are in no wise required to go softly all your years in the Bitterness of your Soul But you are invited forth to what Is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her Prov. 3. 18. As those can further assure you out of their own experience who sought her early Who being partakers of
sufficient to do what is required of them Some hence take occasion to live habitually in gross sin and others in all manner of Wickedness but the great judge of all Men will be no more put off with such kind of tricks then themselves will be by such sayings from their servants and it is strange that they should be such Deceivers of themselves as willfully to keep off from what would bring them to Obedience and Happiness the way to which is not to do our own will but the will of him that sent us into this place of Tryal Let none accuse God as an hard Master for though the unprofitable servant will be apt to lay the blame upon him to excuse his own Sluggishness yet he doth not reap where he doth not sow neither will he require the improving of a Talent but according to what he hath given See I have set before thee this day Life and Good Death and Evil Deut. 30. 15. Some may think this last sad thing is but not the other We cannot come nor be perswaded to that why the prophet Moses for further assurance repeats it vers 19. with the most solemn Testimony I call Heaven and Earth to record this day against you that I have set before you Life and Death Blessing and Cursing therefore choose Life The affections have much influence over the will to move it Of the Affections and Passions this or that way these have been likewise tainted with original corruption which hath infected the whole Man. To speak of their irregularity and abuse is referred to some distinct Chapters hereafter the present design is to shew that God hath ingrafted them into our Nature and what is their right end how they are to be ordered towards Happiness as they are governed by the everlasting Gospel The Passions are a Torment to the Wicked and occasion of Evil so unto the Righteous are a comfort and instrument of good The one pervert these manage them aright but considered abstractedly in their own Nature are not only useful but necessary to accomplish the great end To begin with the most noble Affection Love which is the fulfilling of the Law. The first of all the Commandments is Hear Of Love. O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Strength and with all thy mind This is the first Commandment And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Mark. 12. 30 31. For this thou shalt not commit Adultery thou shalt not Kill thou shalt not Steal thou shalt not bear false Witness thou shalt not Covet it is briefly comprehended in his saying Rom. 13. 9. Love to God and ones Neighbour is the Whole Duty of Man That keeps from offending the Most High and also from doing the least injury to our fellow Creature for self-love cannot endure any should be done to our selves Saith the beloved Disciple who makes good the denomination by inculcating and repeating this word over to the utmost delight This is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous 1 John 5. 3. By these two general judge of all that come under them there is no Torment in Love but all Happiness and Satisfaction it receives greater degrees according to its object And then how exceeding must that be which arises from the infinite God The joy of that Soul is unexpressible who perfectly love him That strangers may conceive somewhat thereof and come over to partake of it if they would be fully convinced in the Heart what every one will own with the Mouth it is requisite to lay down particularly there is all the reason in the world that we should love God yea the very same why we love any thing This is either the excellency of the thing it self or the kindness and actual good it doth unto us upon all which God deserves our utmost and whole affection He is the excellent One the Sum of all perfection Speak of him as much as you can and yet you will come short for he doth exceed The Lord is great and greatly to be praised â—sal 96. 4 It is not possible for any flattery and complement that is only for poor imperfect Creatures to be used towards him for we cannot say more then really he is nor attribute more Good Glory and Honour then doth belong and is in him We love a single Man for his Goodness Wisdom Uprightness Beauty now they are but shadows and little in the Creature but he is the Original and Fountain of all much more then all then the Ocean is to a single drop All lovely perfections that can be thought of or named or are any where to us unknown as there are millions yet come from him who is the Author of all with whom all fulness and eminency dwells As for the relation he humbleth himself to have towards us there is a jealousie in the heart of the Natural Man to that And if here should be used fine expressions the greatest Wit and smooth Language to assure Men of Gods goodness towards them they would suspect it more under a flourish of words and therefore cannot be directed any where better then to his revealed Will in Scripture which speaketh plainly John 3. 16. Rom. 5. 6 7 8. 1 John 3. 16. Psal 63. 3. Psal 73. 1. Deut. 7. 9. Psal 145. 20. Jer. 29. 11. Jer. 31. 3. Psal 68. 19. Look upon his whole Book that excellent Law he hath given that Love and Grace manifested by Jesus Christ Examine it altogether consider throughly the design of the whole He will have all Men to be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. Even Heathens and those without He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. This is said as to the Scoffers mentioned vers 3. and the worst of Men Reflect further on those good and comfortable things he hath given us to enjoy He doth good and give us rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness so much for the use and delight of our outward Man and then it is certain he never designed the misery of that He hath done the same equally extensive Isa 55. 1 John 7. 37. as to our better part which appears by the Frame Powers and Tendency thereof All things are established for the present contentment and Eternal Happiness of us all both Body and Soul and Spirit to bring us to the greatest Glory and Exaltation we are capable of If we would suffer our selves to be throughly made sensible God hath a love to us the enmity in our nature would be taken away and we should be reconciled unto him as will appear more and more by a full knowledge of his ways and our doing according to them Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Jam.
4. 7. Have an honourable esteem and good will towards him and his kindness will be discovered to you Whatever hard thoughts arise or are subministred by the Tempter they all proceed from our ignorance and sin some remainders whereof are in good Men though they should labour all they can to have the same done away If any Man love God the same is known of him Many make a shew of much love but if true and sincere it will be manifested by the very nature thereof for if we love God we must be careful to please him above all things as Profit or Pleasure Favour or Good-will of Men. We must be zealous for his Glory contented to suffer Shame Reproach or any Inconvenience for him We are to side with him against the World and the corruption therein a sence of his favour and assurance of his See Exod. 32. 26. reward will make amends for all the seeming disadvantages the other may bring on us All Acts and Offices of Religion are Pleasant and this keeps in all Obedience Love is a constant Principle always abiding on the Soul for it hath a Complacency therein and Dictates at all times to do all things well-pleasing in his sight whom we Love. Take good heed therefore unto your selves that ye Love the Lord your God Else if ye do in any wise go back Josh 23. 11 12. Implying that if this be not in their Minds they would do so This suggests that they can never do too much for God makes them do every thing Willingly and Cheerfully carries them through all the Varieties of this Life sweetens their Enjoyments and for Sickness Pain Loss Affliction this gives that Patience and Resignation that they are as none adversity for they can apply Rom. 8. 28. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Prov. 3. 11 12. The apprehension of a good God above makes every thing Happy unto them As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue in my Love John 15. 9. and he that loveth the Son loveth the Father also Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace Good-will towards Men was sung at the Birth of Christ our Lord who Of Love to ones Neighbour fulfilled it by that excellent and improved Law he gave unto us Ye have heard that it hath been said thou shalt love thy Neighbour and hate thine Enemy But I say unto you love your Enemies Mat 5. 43. 44. This seems an unreasonable Command to Flesh and Blood but only as it is corrupt and unbelieving for otherwise it may be justified If thine Enemy be hungry give him bread to Eat and if he be thirsty give him water to drink for thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prov. 25. 21 22. Thou shalt by this means stop his further Violence and Malice In point of prudence it is better to bear a little Evil then by resisting receive greater and trust to the recompence of God for having obeyed his Command We are obliged to do more then is common to Men to manifest our Faith and Dependance on him as may be seen by what is required Mat. 5. 44 45 46. The Reason is added That ye may be Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and good and sendeth rain on the iust and unjust God is provoked every day yet he is strong and patient He loadeth Men with Benefits which they make occasion to sin yet more which he suffers to try if his Goodness will lead them to Repentance but if they offend yet worse their Malice doth only hurt themselves but he is highly exalted and looses nothing if all the World were as Stubborn and Rebellious against him as is possible for such small and limited Creatures to be His Glory and Goodness and Happiness is still the same for all the ungodly Deeds and hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners commit and speak against Jud. 15. him His obedient Servant who is but Dust and Ashes a Worm and nothing in Comparison of the Great Lord of Heaven and Earth Who hath and shall receive every thing from him is here in Duty bound to imitate his Maker and all through his Gracious ordering cannot receive the least disadvantage by it By loving Enemies they become reconciled unto him or not Iâ— the first then it is granted by all to be better then revenge But suppose the worst They are still malicious and resolved to do him all the mischief in their Power the whole in the end will fall on themselves and not on him Will they say all manner of Evil of him â—alsly for Christ's sake his Religion and Good Conscience They cannot torment him in this for he applys the Blessing Mat. 5. 11 12. and the Promise Psal 31. 20. He may be just sensible but doth not lie under Vexation and Discomposure The light breath which sends forth evil Words can never make any Wound in his Soul who hath on the Breast-plate of Righteousness Sayings of one another signifie nothing We are all to stand at Gods Judgment Seat and who have assured Evidence of being approved Detraction there doth no harm but increases our reward that we can heartily forgive the Authors thereof Will they do their utmost and persecute him to the Death As they did to the Prophets the Lord Jesus and his Saints yet after they have done that they have no more that they can do They intitle him to a Crown which the Lord hath promised to such so when he comes to suffer he may well say with him Who suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps Father forgive them for they know not what they do When by the Eye of Faith he seeth the Heaven opened he may with real Charity and sincere Affection cry out Lord lay not this Sin to their Charge If it be reasonable to love Enemies so it is to love Friends this we do as Men that as Christians A new stone is laid and both are raised above the common pitch A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 13 34. from whence the Disciple that leaned on Jesus Bosome makes this necessary inference Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Lives for the Brethren 1 John 3. 16. To do the highest Act thereof that can be expressed There is nothing more enjoyned in the Gospel then Love. The Primitive Christians who did live exactly according to the Rule given them were remarkable for this See how they love one another was observed by the Heathens concerning them who herein fulfilled that Saying of their Lord and Master By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another John 3. 35. But we that are reserved to the dregs of time are
he thinks fit None thinks hardly of an Earthly Prince for punishing obstinate and ungrateful Rebels Nay themselves if they have any Reason must acknowledge they suffer their deservings So it is of Gods dominion over us His infinite Majesty and Greatness require all Honour and Subjection His goodness appears that he had rather People would live quietly and obediently under his Laws I drew them with Cords of a Man with Bands of Love Hos 11. 4. So that if there was any remainders of Noble Nature and ingenuity they might be prevailed upon by his Goodness But alas we are averse to him the Author of all Good we ever received we struggle we give backwards and break these Bands asunder His love is despised then he sends forth Threatnings if they will reduce to his obedience and if they do not Sentence is to be executed accordingly If men will not love him they should fear him and that will bring them over unto his love He should be the chief Object of all the Powers of our Soul. Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread Isa 8. 13. It is Idolatry to love the Creature more then him so it is a Provocation and Contempt to fear any thing more then him Either to neglect Duty or commit Sin for any 1 Pet. 3. 14 15. terrour of men Is he not more to be feared And I say unto you my Friends Be not afraid of them that kill the Body and after that have no more that they can do but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell yea I say unto you fear him Luke 12. 4 5. forewarned fore-armed according to the Old true Proverb and we are therefore told hereof that we may avoid it We are warned to flee from the wrath to come this we should never do unless we did fear it It is so represented to us that if we believe we must tremble for we do fear things less terrible and grievous Who is he that dares wander alone in some Desert without the least Glimmering of light That doth not shrink at being thrust down into a horrible and deep Dungeon for a few Months and Years He must much more abhor to be reserved unto the blackness of darkness for ever Jud. 13. It is sufficient to startle the boldest worker of iniquity and make him leave of to do so any more Would not he who now commits Sin because it seems to him sweet and pleasant fear to drink of the bitter dregs of the Cup of Gods wrath and to suck them out He that is now all for mirth and jollity and will purchase it at the price of wickedness not enduring any thing that is dull and tedious must be frightned with weeping and gnashing of Teeth neither can be bear with the groans and tediousness of a miserable Eternity Those which run after any thing to hinder a little Discontent of Mind and Melancholy which if turned aright would prevent all this how can they suffer the knawing Worm which never dieth The Sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites Who among us can dwell with devouring Fire Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings Isa 33. 14. for they would be rid of a little pain and uneasiness Even those gallant Spirits who pretend to fear nothing must be moved at such things Perhaps you do resolutely suffer those Wounds received in defence of King and Countrey which are marks of Honour and they will be cured in a little time or you will be past Sense of them But you cannot so easily bear that not one single Part or Member but your whole Body should be cast into the fire which shall never be quenched where all Sufferings are full of Shame and Ignominy To have no rest but in a Bed of Flames not for one night only but another and so a third through innumerable Ages Here Courage must fail and thy brave Spirit be cast down Flesh and Blood must abhor Pain so great and of so long Ezek. 22. 14. continuance Though some are apt to say Tush God we care not for him yet if they â—eriously consider of his Judgments they must tremble and fear before him Rev. 6. 15 16 17. However those seem to swagger with big words with their horrible Oaths and Blasphemies as if they could not be Men of valour and renown unless they did contemn and provoke the Almighty yet let them prepare to meet the Lord of Hosts the God mighty and terrible Are they stronger then â—e But should a 1 Cor. 10. 22. Potsherd strive with his Maker What is vain Man whose breath is in his Nostrils to contend with that God in whom he lives moves and hath his Being who takes away his breath and he Deut. 32. 41. dies who will repay to every one according as he deserveth Let him whilst he is yet in the way hearken to those gracious Words Fury is not in me Who would set the briers and thorns against me in Battel I would go through them I would burn them together Or let him take hold of my strength that he may make Peace with me and he shall make Peace with me Isa 27 4 5. God doth not delight in Punishment it is twice called his strange Act Isa 28. 21. like a merciful good Judge unwilling to pronounce what in justice he is bound unto And 't is this utmost degree of wickedness which none arrives unto without his own perversness and fault that hath made him prepare it And he tells the Sinner he shall be too hard for him yet invites him again to Reconciliation and Favour Let him take hold of my strength that he may make Peace with me and he shall make Peace with me If he doth here slight it insinuating that Religion is an Act of Cowardise he pretends to be above that and fears nothing What an unaccountable thing is it that a little Earth-worm should affront or despise the Great Lord of all the World And if he continue so to do nothing is so just and righteous as that he should suffer for the same Even now he hath inward tremblings of the Great God and those Punishments prepared for them who hate him and will not obey his Laws As he looks out or is alone an horrible dread seizes him of the invisible Power whom he hath wickedly offended Those prophane abominable Wretches resort to continual Company and Sensuality to stifâ—e the Sense thereof By this way which must fail they strengthen themselves against the Almighty Job 15. 25. otherwise it were not possible to come up to such an height of wickedness and transgression against him Fear is implanted in all Men and the Divine Threatnings are sufficient to work upon it for the same things do terrifie now and if those were present and visible in like manner the stoutest Hearts would run
and be at their Wits end It would be a more amazing sight then when Abraham looked toward Sodom and toward all the Land of the Plain and lo the Smoke of the Country went up as the Smoke of a Furnace Gen. 19. 28. we should all think we could never get far enough off from so terrible a thing If there were no Promises nor Threatnings Who would be the Servant of the Lord For now there being both and other Arguments to yield to his obedience that if we believe and consider of them it is impossible that we should do otherwise then assent and be actually perswaded by them yet still for want of that few are throughly brought over But if these were taken away none would serve God and his Church would be like the wilderness No Homage though most just and due from us without would have been paid unto him without Expectation of future reward Neither is he worshipped as though he needed any thing Acts 17. 25. for he wants not the Services of Angels much less of sinful Men. His Glory and Happiness was infinite and compleat before the World began and cannot receive the least addition He created man to take him up unto himself and out of the good pleasure of his will hath ordered him to dwell on the face of the Earth to try whether he will be obedient and a fit inhabitant for Heaven and hath placed on the other side of him a Land of Darkness of Dragons and Scorpions where the Shadow of Death and no Light is that if he will not come whither he calls and invites him he may as a just recompence of his stubbornness and transgression fall into the other In the mean while it is made known and he is liable thereto that he may flee and get away it is decreed he must take up his everlasting habitation some where and seeing that is so full of misery he should now seek out the new Heaven and new Earth where dwelleth Righteousness If we were to sleep for ever or to be as we were before our Birth we should not esteem of and consequently not labour after the rest that remaineth for the people of God But now it is his Decree and Ordinance that if we should miss thereof we must necessarily drop where is no rest day nor night so we are obliged out of self-love to endeavour more diligently after the other There have been some of Opinion that to talk of Hell is not agreeable to the Gospel Dispensation and that fear should be banished alledging 1 John 4. 18. For what end did God put it in Man but that hereby he might be stirred up to shun the approaching Evil Why hath he told the World thereof by his chosen Messengers but that they might escape it If it be not agreeable with the Gospel Wherefore is it so often spoken of therein John who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord Preaches of the Wrath to come and unquenchable Fire Mat. 3. 7 12. A little after the Author of the New Testament speaks of utter Darkness weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 8. 12. Everlasting Fire and Punishment Mat. 25. 41 46. The like was the Doctrine of his Apostles 2 Pet. 2. 9. 2 Pet. 3. 7. Rev. 9. 6 14. 10 11. 16. 10 11. 21. 8. Jam. 2. 19. 5. 5. Jude 5 6 7 13. Lastly he who came after them all as one born out of due time delivered the same 2 Thes 1. 9. Knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord we perswade Men 2 Cor. 5. 11. So those who make this objection differ in judgment from him and other Holy Men moved by the Holy Ghost for they used this kind of Doctrine Should they not now Teach as Christ himself did whose Embassadors and Stewards they say they are Have they not him for an Example Are they wiser then he Why should not all the Arguments which God hath given in Scripture be made use of to exhort unto Duty amongst which this is powerful and apt to prevail for though indeed Love is the most excellent and abiding principle of Obedience yet the terrours of the Lord do more effectually perswade Men which will drive when the other grows faint and languishing Because of the little smart and irksomness there is an unwillingness to speak or hear thereof but it is an odd kind of Mercifulness to let Souls drop into Hell rather then a little disturb them before hand with the rumour thereof and they had better suffer that then the thing it self This brings most people unto repentance for they look about themselves and think what will be the event of a wicked life continued in The word every where denounces Wo and Cursing Tribulation and Anguish against it and their own Conscience accusing them of sin and that they are now subject unto all those threatnings which they will certainly feel unless some way avoided All men even the wicked and ungodly do abhor misery and would flee from it if they saw it coming and therefore they turn from iniquity least it should be their ruin This conversion proceeding from such motives as God hath given in his Word is acceptable with him By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear observe that prepared an Ark to the saving of his House Heb. 11. 7. And others save with fear Jud. 23. After our Lord assures us of the joy over one sinner that repenteth Luke 15. He brings in the parable of the Prodigal Son who was ready to perish for hunger the consideration of that and not any love to his Father caused the resolutions of going home yet he was kindly received who was so little worthy of it So one rouzed up with fear comes to repentance and seeing Gods wonderful compassion towards him notwithstanding his former sins and provocation which are all pardoned according to his gracious promise Isa 1. 18. Now his former hatred and aversness is turned into good will and reconciliation to his Heavenly Father and he lâ—ves much much being to him forgiven This is increased more and more by further acts of Divine Goodness he is sensible of so what was at first begun by fear is now grown perfect and consummate by love and then living and being stablished in all Obedience he comes to that perfect love which casteth out fear 1 Joh. 4. 18. For having peace towards God and forgiveness of past sins he is not tormented with affrightful thoughts of Damnation for though heretofore he was an Adulterer or Covetous or a Drunkard now he is Washed â—e iâ— Sanctified he is justified by the Name of our Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 11. He hath not that fear which he had at first which hath Torment There is a Godly fear Heb. 12. 28. Which is to be retained all the days of our life Love and this kind of fear are consistent Deut. 10. 12. The distance is infinite between
the most mighty Lord of all Psal 2. 11. Psal 89. 6 7. things and a poor Worm so it is requisite to preserve a reverence for his awful Majesty and not to think or speak of him as an equal It is the constant stile of the Old Testament and also a Gospel precept Fear God Luke 12. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 7. We are likewise obliged to be somewhat fearful concerning our own Salvation Heb. 4. 1. Rom. 11. 20. Phil. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 17. To do this is not Tormenting but stirs up carefulness and puts upon all things to secure it Happy is the Man that feareth always Prov. 28. 14. From which proceedeth a good Life thence a good Conscience and then is no fear none that is Slavish or hath Torment A third Passion is Joy which word denotes Happiness and is often Of Joy. enjoyned in Scripture for thou commandest all things which may do good O thou Lover of Souls Let the Righteous be glad let them rejoyce before the Lord yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 3. Behold my servants shall rejoyce Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart Isa 65. 13. Thou shalt rejoyce before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 12. 18. This joy is not taken away but increased under the Gospel The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads Isa 35. 10. This the Prophet who saw his coming foretold and so it was at the first appearing of Christ our Lord Luke 2. 10 11. He having now accomplished the work for which he was sent into the World there is sufficient matter of gladness Many righteous Men have desired to see these days The whole Gospel by which is established a better Covenant imports what the Apostle doth repeat in his exhortation as if it could never be pressed enough Rejoycing in the Lord always and again say rejoyce Phil. 4. 4. This is the Lord we have waited for we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isa 25. 9. Which is the happiness of Heaven the clear manifestation thereof to the World and the possibility we are put in to partake of it As then it will be a delight to remember how we came through this dark and troublesome Vale so whilst we are here we should lift up our hearts with expectation thereof Accordingly the good Men of old time did who had but the Glimmering whereof we have the fuller Light If the heir of a Kingdom or a good Estate is so transported with conceits and fancies of future good it cannot be thought absurd that who have the evidence and hope of such an exceeding eternal blessedness which will be one day revealed should be proportionably pleased with the foresight and John 16. 22. Gal. 3. 22. assurance thereof Accordingly that Christian who hath a real interest hath also a sensible rejoycing therein which doth exceed all the pleasures and imaginations here What results from gross and sensual things is not worthy to be compared with pure and spiritual yet God as a most Bountiful Master to his Servants hath given them many things here for recreation and delight He doth deny nothing which is good and convenient for us We are all to admire and comply with the Riches of his Mercy and Love who hath placed into our frame this affection of joy and hath provided things proper for it and hath done as much as lieth on his part to compleat the great end of our being happy How then came Sorrow in God made it not neither hath he pleasure in the grief of the living but it came in through Sin and Of Sorrow Transgression Gen. 3. 15 16. It was the effect of mans own disobedience and was justly inflicted on him as a Punishment so it is continued of every sin besides As such God ordained it but in the beginning when he made Male and Female he did not implant it into our nature we now come into the World crying for we fell and were corrupted with our fore-father Sin is interwoven into our very flesh and as the necessary consequent thereof sorrow also The Conception and Birth of our Lord was different from ours in him was no sin yet when he came into the World to make his Soul an offering for sin He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity Isa 53. Mark 14. 34 of us all yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief so great that he poured out his Soul unto Death and bore the sins of many But now since he hath borne our grief and carried our Sorrows O astonishing goodness of the Son of God we are so far from sinking under them that these also I speak Mysteries tend to our Happiness Whilst we look on him whom we have Pierced and Mourn for him as one Mourneth for his only Son Zec. 12. 10 Isa 63. 9. 1 Thes 1. 10. even then considering how in his love and in his pity he hath redeemed us and hath delivered us from the wrath to come an holy joy will arise When we reflect that he who did drink of the Brook in the Way hath now lifted up his head above Angels Principalities and Powers Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him Phil. 2. 9. a Name which is above every Name Our Sorrow is turned into Joy for the exceeding and glorious condition Jesus whom our Soul Heb. 12. 1. loveth is in at this time If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I Cant. 1. 6. said I go unto the Father This he said before his bitter Death John 14. 28. and Passion and now may seem to speak to all the World what he did once to the Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for me but for your selves Are you troubled at those cruel sufferings I have undergone My Fathers indignation is past they are all over and the remembrance is not in the least grievous now I am crowned with Glory and Honour But weep for your selves who are in the Wilderness for the tribulation in the World and more especially weep for those sins which occasioned what I did suffer forsake them and come to me If ye pretend to be sorry for me and this doth not follow that is to cry out Hail King of the Jews and crucifie him afresh and put him to open Shame He hath instituted an holy Feast for the continual remembrance of his Passion the reasons thereof are to stir up our love towards him and the hatred of our own Sins God hath manifested his displeasure against them by the Death of his own beloved Son who came out of his Bosome yet when he took sin upon him had the full Vials of wrath poured forth as is evident by his Agony and bloody Sweat by the pains he endured on the Cross His sufferings were so exceeding that
all former things are gone as a shadow that departeth nothing remains but a faint remembrance which doth not yield the least Pleasure but rather Anguish We press nearer to the things which are not seen but eternal Refreshment or Misery If one Man was to suffer all that could be laid on him in this World and to come to Heaven at last he is no more to be pitied then that common Labourer who doth but his ordinary Days-work and hath an hundred Pounds for his Reward So again if another did enjoy all the Honours and Pleasures that were to be had spent forty or sixty Years in the greatest Mirth without intermixture of trouble or weariness as none ever did all would not be a Compensation for the first hour in Hell. We cannot reasonably grudge to pass through this present Life which is not so much in reference to the other as a minute to a Year if the greatest Affliction and Hardship were to be laid on us as long as hereby we shall come to receive an infinite good through the Gift of God and avoid a like inconvenience If instead of a Barren and dry Wilderness we were to march through a fiery Furnace to the Heavenly Canaan if instead of having Prosperity mingled with Adversity all the days of our Pilgrimage were to be continually evil If instead of denying Lusts we were absolutely Commanded to cut off our right Hand and pluck out the right Eye and to do violence to the least natural Inclination yet considering the Greatness of the Joy and Sorrow set before us these would have been most equal Terms if it had pleased the Great Law-giver who is able both to save and destroy to have given them He might have done so and still be most just and bountiful But so gracious hath been our God Break forth into singing all ye Inhabitants of the Earth and Praise his Name which you can never do so much as this Love deserves to lay no more upon us then what is summed up Deut. 10. 12 13. And now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Which are contrived to make us as Happy in this Life as is possible for us to be And though this had been sufficient requital of it self yet further throughout his Holy Word is manifested eternal Life Do this and live under which was more comprehended then barely living here for Transgressors did so This hath been more clearly made known by him who came since who hath brought Grace and Truth along with him Who came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it and make it yet more for our Good for albeit the Jews by reason of the Carnality of their Hearts were allowed a more free Enjoyment of the things of this Life then we are now under the Gospel which is upon better Promises The intent whereof is to Cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and to perfect Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. So that Sensual Enjoyments are contrary to the Nature of our Holy Calling They are not absolutely forbidden but to be used with the greatest Moderation and so they do not in the least diminish from our real Happiness Christianity doth refine the Delights of Sence and make them more excellent We are to remember how we are way-faring Men and may receive them so far only as to refresh But in no sort to run after or when obtained to dwell so long on them as hinder our Journey And therefore to make Pleasure the business of Life or the greater part thereof as the manner of some is both contrary to Duty and Happiness For thouâ—h it be imagined such do take great Delight in them or otherwise would not follow them yet there are other Reasons as they know nothing better or not how to spend the time and idleness is so wearisome that any thing is to be done rather then endure that the Humour and Mode of the Age which they must comply with or they shall not be reputed Gentile and such like for they could forsake those esteemed Divertisements which if they reflect on in the very midst are tiring empty and unsatisfying The Pleasures of this Life choke the good Sâ—ed in the Heart which should spring up and bring forth Fruit unto everlasting Life They do alienate the Heart from God. If any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 John 2. 15 16. No Man will say he loves these more then God himself would then affirm his own Damnation to be just Who is so wicked as this amounts unto But what are Words to be minded when Deeds manifest the contrary When one who saith he loves God yet wiâ—â— rather break his Laws then deny his own Will who to follow a sinful Pleasure will omit a necessary Duty it may be determineâ— of him for those we love we will do what they will have us He that will not part with a Paltry Lust for the sake of God when he requires it if he doth with his mouth make a shew of much Love his Heart runs after that Ezek. 33. 31. God who knoweth all things and from whom Dissimulation cannot be hid will judge accordingly for if any loves sincerely he will also forsake whatever offends his Beloved If the Pleasures are not simply unlawful in themselves yet all Excess is evil and to be avoided and that is â—o when the end for which they are used is sufficiently answered Or if they be attended with ill Circumstances and prove needlâ—ss occasions why others and our selves sin they are to be abstained from for if we love God we must have a care of the least thing that doth disp ease him Only let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. There are several mistakes which hinder this for People take Of mistakes in Religion up with less of Religion then they ought And least I speaking as to them should be thought to run upon a mistake my self therefore let it be considered all along and not only here but throughout the whole whether I speak these things as one willing to find fault or whether the Scripture nay the gracious Gospel in which they so much trust do not say the very same It is that common deciet of outward Profession and resting in the Ordinances This is reputed Religion but it is shut out from governing their Thoughts Words and Actions Let them be any how at Mens own Power and Command following their own
it is well enough but do not regard with what mind vainly imagining God would have his Work done any way so it be done but doth not regard with what affection they do it And therefore if they practise Righteousness or Temperance though they will speak out to the World that they do it for Health or Reputation and if they have a little respect to God in the heart they refuse to utter that They will declare openly they do such a thing because the King or some Superiour enjoyn them to do it but either through bashfulness or pride on which that is founded will not make it known that they do such things because it is the Commandment and Will of God. They may talk of the fashionable Vertue but not of Grace They will speak in the Words of Seneca but not the Language of Canaan but if they have a serious mind to get the favour of God and be saved let them consider what is Written Joel 2 26. Mark 8. 38. If their actions are not principally because God requires such howsoever specious and upright they may appear before Men he is no more pleased with it then you with the work of your Servant when he doth it of his own head and is ashamed or disdainful to do it upon your commanding him When Courtiers and Servants of Noble Men will own their condition before all and speak of their respective Masters should we not much more do so as to our Master which is in Heaven Is he not greater and better then they Let your light so shine before Men that others may see your good Works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. His Servants may praise him for such an ones well doing and glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel 2 Cor. 9. 13. And strangers may conclude God is in him of a Truth that he hath some real and invisible principle of action which he keeps unto through good report or evil report notwithstanding all profit or inconvenience It tends to the Glory of God here on Earth when things pertaining to him are done openly before all and not in a Corner He that was not heard to cry or to lift up his Voice in the Street who did not love to be taken notice of for his Miracles and doing good neither did for affectation shew â—orth his Extraordinary zeal and service to God yet hath two observable sayings John 3. 21. John 18. 20. If one designs nothing but pure Obedience neither credit nor interest not the least leaven of by-respects the more publickly it is done the better it is If he finds himself ashamed of well doing let him do violence to that sinful humour and make it more visible unto Men if on the other hand he believes he may have praise of Men there let him do it in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly Mat. 6. 4. The reason of things is to be attended unto Our God whom we serve is a Jealous God and his Glory he will not give unto another So is he more pleased with Mens Obedience when it is pure uncorrupt and nothing a sharer with it How doth he resent it VVhen their fear towards me is taught by the precept of Men Isa 29. 13. Which makes directly against compulsion to Religious Duties for that destroys the Nature of true Obedience Doth God want the aid of Man to make others Obedient unto him If it could be done What Glory would it be unto him But they cannot by outward violence they may bring one like a Beast to the Sacrifice but still there is nothing of the subjection of the mind God cares not for Hypocritical Services or a bare outward Submission He may as well be glorified in Beasts the Blood of slain Bullocks of Goats for there is a subjection of those Creatures even unto Death The Brute is knocked down before the Lord but he is better pleased when the Will of a free and reasonable Creature is Obedient unto his Will. When we do not follow our own ways in opposition to the guide of the Lord When self-will is not cringed unto but the Word of God complyed withal He created all things for his own Glory and Man the Principal inhabitant of the Earth cannot shew it forth in a more excellent way Let him offer up every Creature for a Sacrifice do more then Solomon did to set forth the Magnificence of his Temple yet he adds nothing to what God had before for the VVorld is mine and the fulness thereof Psal 50. 12. The merciful God delights not in the blood of dumb Creatures he received them only as some atonement for Mans transgression and as a type of that great Sacrifice which was once offered for all Herein he shewed Mercy that he would accept of the life of a Beast for a more noble offender Sacrifice and burnt Offerings thou wouldst not but the doing of thy will. He is subject to no necessities imperfection or low desires and therefore thousands of Gold and Silver are nothing to him they are his own already He did first create and now disposeth of them but there is something still which I do in no wise say he hath put out of his own power yet he is pleased not to accept of it unless freely bestowed My Son give me thine heart Prov. 23. 26. O that there was such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments that it might be well with them and their Children forever Deut. 5. 29. He seems to long for it and that for their good for he who hath so much already and will be likewise glorified on them if they refuse cannot receive any addition by so small a Mite It is only that another should do all things to obey him Yet wretched and froward Man who knows not nor will be perswaded what is for his good who would fain be reconciled unto God a Being so much above and mightier then he though it be more out of fear and selfishness then love for that he is willing to give any thing rather then the right one with what anguish and earnestness but upon mistaken Grounds doth he expostulate Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my first born for my Transgression or the fruit of my body for the sin of my Soul He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do Justice and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Mic. 6. 7 8. Then thou must submit thy Will unto his Will. Many do offer up the Sacrifice of Praise use much Devotion will bestow liberally Alms to the poor frankly part with their Money but not their Lusts make a shew of Subjection unto God yet keep their own Humours and will not cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self
hinders the Accommodation that it may be taken away and then the business is done It is not to lead People on in a bare outward Profession or a partial Observation of the Law but to bring them over unto universal Obedience And he who either will not or dare not do this is not fit to be a Labourer in the Vineyard But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy Mouth Psal 50. 16. He had better seek any other way for a Livelihood then to take the oversight of the Flock of God for filthy lucre 1 Pet. 5. 2. and be negligent thereof Why a good Nature cannot endure to disturb but he must when it is to prevent a greater Evil. Who finds fault with a Surgeon that Pricks to let Blood in order to Health which as it is common so most kind and reasonable All the irksomeness that can be to further our everlasting Happiness and hinder alike Misery allowing for the exceeding Greatness thereof will not amount to so much as Men endure and take it patiently in Case of a slight temporal Good or Evil. Aâ—d I beseech you Brethren suffer the VVord of Exhortation for I have written a Letter unto you in few words Heb. 13. 22. There must some haâ—sh sayings now and then drop from the Preachers mouth if he doth according to the Apostolical injunction make full Proof of his Ministery 2 Tim. 4. 4. The Hearers must bear them patiently and do thereafter if they intend to be saved They are to receive as Eli did from the Child Samuel who told him every whit and hid nothing from him and he said It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3. 18. Or as Hezekiah heard the Prophets sad Message to his Posterity Good is the VVord of the Lord which thou hast spoken Isa 39. 8. There is an unwillingness to speak of Gods threatnings The Prophets of Old would fain excuse themselves yet they would not be disobedient to the Spirit of God and it was with kindness to the People by first exhorting them to Repentance to prevent the approaching Ruin. And I do not believe any good Man doth love to tyrannize over the Hearts of others by putting them into fear and dread but knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade Men 2 Cor. 5. 11. They do not otherwise declare the whole Counsel of God and they must to keep People from falling under the severity thereof for it would be an odd kind of Mercifulness to let them slide down into Hell because we will not before-hand disturb them a little with the Rumour thereof Doth any one who forewarns another such an Evil or Inconvenience will come upon him unless he hinders it such a way therefore meet with unkindness In no wise but on the contrary all thanks and Good-will There is altogether the like Reason it should be the very same as to the things of God and Eternity Besides it is not he but the Word which doth it No Post or Herald can be justly blamed for publishing what we Fancy severe Edicts and Proclamations for they are Servants and must do what their King Commandeth but if any injury is offered them Mark 12. 4 5 9. He takes it as upon himself and will punish accordingly He that is sent a Minister of Christ's Church did never descend into the deep nor hath he seen any of those dreadful things of the invisible World. He is only to make known and proclaim what he finds in the written Word of God. Who considering his infinite Greatness more then the Ocean is to a single drop over those who are but meer Creatures the Work of his hands hath made righteous Ordinances enforced with sutable Rewards and Punishments notwithstanding the latter may seem hard and grievous to us Yet how great soever they are miserable experience sheweth they are necessary to preserve his Government and to keep us in Subjection and Obedience In Truth we cannot well shew it otherwise then by a reverent Regard and Conformity to his Word No Man hath seen God at any time John 1. 18. Nor doth now hear his Voice In what manner then shall he shew himself subject to this infinite Being Let him shew forth never so much will-Worship Humility or neglecting of the Body think to gratifie with something of his own as corrupt Nature is too fond of its own Inventions yet if he hath not regard to the prescribed Pattern all is esteemed as cutting off a Dogs neck the Reason is added Yea they have chosen their own ways If he offers up never so much or seeks to please Isa 66. 2 3. him that signifies nothing For all these things have been saith the Lord But to this Man will I look even to him that is of a poor and contrite Spirit and trembleth at my VVord If God should shake the Heavens and the Earth the most stout Inhabitants here would tremble and they could not do otherwise But now he sanctifies the Lord and makes him his dread who shews himself awful and pliant at hearing or reading of his revealed Will. If he did roar from Mount Zion or utter his Voice from the Battlements of Heaven then the People would presently cry out after their wonted manner All that the Lord hath spoken we will do But when the noise is gone and the fear is over they would forget that and return to their own ways Now it remains written in a Book that it may not be once but for ever and there is the still Voice of the Spirit which would set it home to our Hearts and by this way he is pleased to try our Obedience And indeed how can it be better shewn forth then by sincere doing according to that which we surely believe to be the very mind of God what he would have us to do Yet alas What strugling and contesting is there against this A manifest Token of that disobedience which lies hid in the heart of Man and puts it self forth by Cavil Distinguishing Evasion or setting themselves against those who keep close to it All this proceeds from that Root of Enmity and unwillingness to comply therewith He that is of God heareth Gods words John 8. 47. VVhen ye received the word of God ye received it not as the word of Men but as it is in Truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 1 Thes 2. 13. All is but vain and deceitful words which have not Relation to this Rule either by necessary Consequence or Connexion God is Truth and his word is Truth John 17. 17. and if we say we love God we must also in the Apostles Phrase receive the love of the Truth that we may be saved 2 Thes 2. 10. That People may not be left at uncertainty to know what it is it may be discerned by the Touch-stone and also it hath a full
that we are related and the Objects of his Concern That 〈◊〉 doth and will punish the World for their Evil and the wicked for their iniquity Isa 13. 11. is manifested when his wrath is kindled a little for sometimes Punishment doth begin to seize on the ungodly Sinner even before he goes to receive the full recompence of his doings By that abundant Misery which is every where he doth let all the Earth know that he hath indignation against Sin and this the place thereof Again on the other hand By seeing the felicity of his Chosen by that little taste of Happiness he gives unto his dutiful Children He doth thereby assure that he designs to bring them unto greater to encourage here and reward hereafter Their affliction and trouble doth manifest the Sin even these have They are chastened of the Lord that they should not be Condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 32. That liberal Provision and plenty the Evil and unthankful have is for Tryal or Retribution for even these do some little good So that a Man shall say Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal 58. 11. The Lord looketh from Heaven He beholdeth all the Sons of Men from the place of his Habitation he looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth He fashioneth their Hearts alike he considereth all their VVorks Psal 33. 13 14 15. God doth care for us and we have to do with him Heb. 4. 13. notwithstanding his infinite Greatness for he hath been pleased to admit thereof The VVord Prayer and Praise do keep up this astonishing intercourse They expel the former Hatred Aversation and Strangeness Can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 3. But they may when they are Acquaint now thy self with him and be at Peace Job 22. 21. Abraham was called the Friend of God Jam. 2. 23. Many like sayings the Holy Ghost makes use of as may create Humble Boldness and love to him There is nothing affrightful in him to good Men but perfect love casts out Fear 1 John 4. 8. When this once begins to be established and rooted it is no harshness to make mention of his name then to talk and think of him must be exceeding delightful The very reason why natural and disobedient people cannot endure to hear or speak of God is for want of what is here mentioned and they judge of others by themselves But examine your selves is there any torment to speak of what one loves There is such a thing as love of God if themselves would turn from every evil way and come nearâ—â— they might be happy partakers and not only conceive but be sensible thereof It is the whole required of Man to love God with all his Heart all his Soul all his Strength and all his Mind to love him better then any yea all things besides As much as he can and to use sincere endeavours to love him more The first thing to be done before any can come unto that is to hate evil Psal 97. 10. And then we may love the Lord which gives a delicate relish of every duty we owe unto him O how love I thy Law it is my Meditation all the Day Psal 119. 97. My Meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord Psal 104. 34. My Mouth shall be satisfied with Marrow and Fatness whilst my tongue praiseth thee with joyful lips Psal 63 5. Praise ye the Lord for it is good to sing praises unto our God for it is pleasant and praise is comely Psal 147. 1. But God commendeth his love towards us in that while were yet sinners Of the Sacrament Christ died for us Rom. 5. 8. Now it is just and reasonable that wonderful and gracious works should be had in remembrance To this end our Lord instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood that we may call to mind the one was broken the other shed for us to obtain the forgiveness of our sins This do in remembrance of me Luke 22. 19. Here is a positive command and the refusal is an act of Disobedience It is called by his own name the Communion of the body of Christ and the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. The Psalmist seems to have intended it in a prophetick Spirit when he said I will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116. 13. So that it may be applyed to this Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Heb. 2. 2. Again He that despised Moses Law died without Mercy Heb. 10. 28. That Soul which did not receive the Passover was to be cut off from his people And ought not the Marke 12. 6. Son of God himself be as much reverenced in the Commandments he gave us Did he not work for us a greater Salvation then the other did for our Fore-fathers in delivering them from the Land of Aegypt May it not be fearfully expected that those who either contemn or wilfully neglect this divine institution shall not be admitted into that eternal inheritance Christ hath purchased for us And where I am there shall my Servant be John. 12. 26. But he is none who will not do the things Christ saith and commands Let all consider of this and fear and lay hold of opportunity for this duty That of 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. should not keep people away for this is a certain Rule That if one truly repents and discerns the Lords Body that is esteem it more then common Bread and Wine he can never eat or drink unworthily A common and ordinary capacity doth not judge of more then he sees or handles Indeed there are too many especially in Country Towns and Villages that are sunk into gross Ignorance and Darkness as to spiritual things who was in the fault will be judged at the last day There being throughout our Land like Priest like People both backward and unwilling the one to give the other to receive instruction Yet any one that is a Man and reasonable Creature otherwise he could not do the common business of life may conceive thus much that God is who made the World and all things therein The Bible is his Word and whatsoever is written therein is most true and certain When this is heard or read sincerely it will by degrees let in more Light into his Soul Especially if he goes to the place where it is Preached and Expounded He may come to understand the sence and meaning for the Scripture in necessary things is very plain and then to conceive thereof in his mind There he may learn that under the old Law God instituted many Ceremonies and required the punctual observation of them and though the beggarly Elements and carnal Ordinances are done away for they were Types of Christ our Passover who is now risen yet since his supper is ordained to be kept in
will rise up again for we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his Body according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. We are only proved here how we will behave our selves towards God. It is worth while to look further to consider Man in his several Circumstances State and Condition in this World with some general Heads of Good and Evil that are set before him if he may be stirred up or put in mind of some things for his own Happiness and Safety CHAP. II. Of Man confidered in his threefold Condition Original Corrupted and Restored Of his Thoughts VVords and Actions Infancy Youth Manhood therein of Company and Marriage Of Old Age Body Senses and sensual Pleasure Of the Soul Vnderstanding VVill Affections as Love Fear Joy Sorrow Anger Hope Of Temptations The Close THou hast made Man a little lower then the Angels and hast Crowned him with Glory and Honour Psal 8. 5. One part is of the dust of the ground the other the breath of Life a reasonable Soul in which he hath resemblance to the angelical Nature and is exalted above Beasts His Happiness in the state of Innocency and how it was lost by Transgression is known by every one that reads the Scripture again he was redeemed by our Lord and Saviâ—ur Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17 18 19. 1 Pet. 3. 18. If we are not wanting to our selves he hath restored us to as great a Capacity of good as we should have had if our Forefather had not sinned God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God towards us because he laid down his Life for us and greater love then this hath no Man then to lay down his Life for another 1 John 3. 10. The holy Spirit inspires Grace and good Motions into our hearts whom if we do not resist and so grieve he will Seal us to the day of Redemption We feel the mischievous workings of Original Corrruption and we have the same quality of our first Parent to Lust after forbidden things A coveting after Evil and averseness to Good. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Moâ—her conceive me Psal 51. 5. It is intermixed and grows up with every part that we all are as prone to Evil as the Sparks to fly upward Indeed goodness doth appear reasonable and lovely yet our Inclinations are backwards to the Practise of it there is a Close hankering after and Preference of the contrary The whole Man is defiled Mark 7. 21 22 23. Gen. 8. 21. Eccles 3. 9. He deviseth iniquity in his Bed he studies to do mischief His Thoughts are vain He takes no delight in Good but rather on Lust Pride and all manner of Concupisence Every mouth speaketh folly Isa 9. 17. Evil Communications Filthiness Deceit Lying and all sorts of Evil proceed out of it With Blasphemies and horrid Oaths he is dishonoured who enabled it to Speak With this Sword it is endeavoured to give our blessed Redeemer more Wounds and to crucifie him afresh The tongue is a fire a World of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our Members that it defileth the whole Body and setteth on fire the course of Nature and is set on fire of Hell. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we Men which are made after the simitude of God Jam. 3. 6 9. Our Actions proceeding from the same corrupt Stock are of the like Nature Wise to do evil and forward to put in Execution what our wicked hearts conceive Every Member is wicked and abominably wicked Their inward part is very wickedness Psal 5. 9. and as it is further described Rom. 3. 10. to ver 18. Man is become as sinful as is possible for such a poor Creature to be with short Faculties and Powers they are stretched forth to the utmost he sins till he hath not Ability to sin any more though he hath not wherewithal to vent yet the malicious and corrupt Desire is infinite in a little finite Being The Seeds of Evil came in with the forbidden Fruit. But we must not accuse Adâ—m of our Transgression more then is due for it is our own fault if we suffer it to grow forth and improve it to that monstrous height It may be hewn down and destroyed but still the stump of the Dan. 4. 23. Roots is left in the Earth The holy One that came down from Heaven hath got this Priviledge and Power for us The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World could even at this present time extirpate it quite Root and Branch but that he is not pleased to do for wise Reasons yet now he puteth in such a Condition and Ability to perform so much as in and through him will be accepted and we shall come to that place where this accursed thing with all its remainders shall utterly be done away If we come unto him and sincerely do what is required under the second Covenant Christs righteousness will supply our defects The filthy Rags Isa 64. 6. Shall be cast away and we shall be arrayed in fine Linnen clean and White For the Fine Linnen is the righteousness of Saints Rev. 21. 8. What then shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound God forbid Those which make this damnable inference do mistake the Gospel Covenant which requires obedience and good Works Tit. 2. 11 12 13. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 5. 9. Christ hath brought good tidings and published Peace and brought good tidings of good and published Salvation Isa 52. 7. The same Jesus hath said Those which do iniquity shall be cast into a Furnace of fire Mat. 13. 41 42. Luk. 13. 27 28. He hath proclaimed the acceptable Year of the Lord and the Day of vengeance of our God Isa 61. 2. The Gospel is commonly said to be all mercy yet therein the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men Rom. 1. 18. so 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. The end of both Law and Gospel is obedience by this we are freed from the Curse Gal. 3. 10 13. We have further the assistance of the holy Spirit to resist Temptations and keep Gods Commandments The stony Heart is taken away and an Heart of flesh is given Whereas the whole Man is corrupted now he is put into a way to be right again if he will use the Grace given him He may run counter to his natural State and be sanctified throughout A good Man out of the good Treasure of the Heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 12. 35. After those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their Hearts Jer. 31. 33. So we may draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having
Holiness insinuating as if God's Law was too strict it curbs free nature and deprives of Happiness Why should not a young Man enjoy pleasure He furnishes with several Commendations of Drunkenness Lust and other deeds of darkness He uses all tricks and devices to get our first years for if he misses them he very seldom recovers the following so contrary it proves to the forementioned saying If a man keeps all Gods Commandements from his Youth knowing that therein is great reward and having respect still to that he despises the present pleasures of Sin finding more satisfaction in the way he walks in He knows the necessity and encouragement of Perseverance 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 John verse 8. Rev. 2. 10. It cannot be denied but there have been some Apostates the Scripture never supposes or cautions against a vain and impossible thing see Ps 125 5. Ezâ—k 18. 24. Heb. 6. 4 5 6. 10 26 38. 12 15. 2 Pet. 2. 21 22. but these are few in comparison of those who hold out unto the end If they are well grounded in the Faith and lay a good Foundation If they are quite gone out of Egypt and leave not a hoof behind Exod. 10. 26. forsaking every evil way the Sin as dear to them as their right Eye And then if they sincerely endeavour still and are not lazy or negligent not omitting the means of Grace there is no great fear but these will receive the end of their Faith the Salvation of their Souls These love God and are loved by him Who loves with an everlasting Love Jâ—r 31 3. These shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. If Satan desires to sift them as Wheat yet our blessed Advocate prevails that their Faith fail not The ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 14. Ps 91. 11. 2 Kings 6. 16. preserve against the destroying We are put in mind of good to defeat the suggestions of evil endued with spiritual Wisdom to discern and avoid the Crafts and Deceits of our Adversaries Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heâ—d least he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. And having done all to stand Eph. 6. 13. for Christianity is not an idle state but compared to a Pilgrimage which is always going forward aâ—d using care not to be out of the way there is no doubt that the aforementioned Speech will ever be found true in him which ought to be razed out of the number of Proverbs whose nature is to be true for the most part but this is most commonly false and rules are laid down that it may be always Let none hence be discouraged from early walking in the way to Heaven We have a long Journey to go the sooner we set out so much the better If in the Spring time he hath all the year before him observing the directions in Scripture he shall neither miss the way nor be disappointed of the end which he proposes to himself For the Lord never said to the House of Jacob nor any one else Seek ye my face in vain Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh O most mighty with thy Glory and Majesty And in thy Majesty ride prosperously because of Truth and Meekness and Righteousness Ps 45. 3 4. Looking unto Jesus there Prophesied of the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Consider him least you be weary and faint in your mind Heb. 12. 2 3. Grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. till thou come to the fulness of Stature to be a Perfect Man both in the divine and common acceptation which is the third stage of Life In which we are properly Men and reasonable Creatures the Body being at its utmost pitch the understanding ripe and sound Of Manhood Now we have a right estimate of things in their own nature what we formerly admired and were pleased with we daily disesteem The gayeties of Youth appear foolish and despisable Our thoughts are altered to more substantial things Company and getting of Money are two principal things this time is taken up with and therefore it is not to step much besides the Subject matter to treat severally of them according to our purposed method in their rightful use and contrary abuse all in pursuance to the general Argument Company is thought one Of Company and Solitariness of the chief good things belonging to the Sons of Men which whosoever doth not care for is pitied as Melancholy and Miserable Indeed we are made for Society and there is implanted an inclination in our Nature towards it Our Lord when he dwelt among us did freely converse with mankind So did his Apostles They did endeavour to turn many into the right way from whence they had strayed and did effectually answer the end of Society by doing good to others As for those who retire and shut themselves from the World upon the account of Religion do otherwise then those who did understand and Practice it most Let them spend much time in Devotion yet What receiveth he of thine hand Thy Righteousness may profit the son of man Job 35. 7 8. but who runs away he doth not exercise Acts thereof How can he love his Neighbour as himself which is one half of his Duty who never performs Offices of kindness unto him The Saints of old did not lurk in Dens and Caves of the Earth till driven there by Persecution And John Baptist was in the Deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel Luk. 1. 80. but after he Preached and lived among Men. There is no example or precept in Scripture for the solitary Life The wilful Hermite who is for pleasing God in a way he hath not shewed nor commanded doth also violence to his own just Inclinations is continually discontented and wishes he had never been for he lives only to be sensible of sad Reflections He frets at the heavy Yoke he bears which as God ordained is easie and Light but himself by Additions hath made insupportable His Life through his own Foolish choice is become like the Owl in the Desert or the pensive Inhabitants of the Wilderness Let not the Reader mis-apprehend here or in any other place for the things themselves are not so much spoken against as the Excess and abuse of them Mans Nature which must be Coâ—â—ected in order to Happiness is addicted to extreams in declining one he runs to the other and leaves the middle way of Truth so turning aside into the by-paths of Error Some being sensible of the inconvenience of too much Solitariness therefore will not use it at all and yet great advantage may be thereby received One may better converse with God by Prayer and good Thoughts Our blessed Lord would go up to a Mountain to that intent upon it was transfigured and thence ascended into Heaven And who would follow him thither it is now expedient he should sometimes go alone up to high
and Reason he hath received And suffer himself to be admonished for none is so wise or knowing but he may both learn and be put in mind of several things from those who seem weak and foolish in the Eye of the World. Every one Eccles 4. 9. 19. should endeavour to get a convenient number of good acquaintance for there is such a mutual Love amongst real Christians that they will do one another all the good they can When these meet they take as great delight in the language of Canaan as others in prophane talk They are more pleased to build up one another in our most holy Faith then others in discoursing of the best way for getting Offices or Preferment Money or Estate Honour and Pleasure Whoever thinks this strange it is because himself takes no delight in such kind of conference for want of Faith and the Love of God. Society is not confine only to Heavenly discourse there is as much subject matter for uâ— as others we can supply the defect of evil Communicationâ— wâ—â—h good And then that variety of the occurrences of the World is common to all But 〈◊〉 whose mind asâ—â—ndâ— above â—hese lower regions is indâ—â—d diverted with 〈…〉 g of the several changes and accidents here and he turns them into a good use yet his chief delight is in such discourse which relates to his better part and that Life which shall never end He finds more real satisfaction in what is good to the use of edifying then in the other kind which râ—creates only for the present concerning those things which in a short time are to be done away The Apostle finds fault with Foâ—â—â—h Talking or Jesting which are not convenient Eph. 5. 4. They render Christianity as a vain and light thing such a deportment is offensive to those within and will be apt to disgrace the Profession to those without as if it was not equally yea more grave and substantial then Philosophy and human Wisdom A good Man will guide his affairs with discretion Ps 112. 5. He knows how to behave himself with Company and how without He is endued with that self-sufficiency through God that he will not thrust himself among all sort of People good and bad for he is well contented alone and had rather be so then sit among vain persons or have fellowship with the ungodly He will not refrain from any out of a pharisaical superciliousness or say unto his Neighbour Stand thou by and come not near me for I am holier then thou Isa 65. 5. The Son of God did eat and drink with Publicans and Sinners and therefore he will not scruple to converse with any except those who are arrived at the height of Wickedness who do not at all esteem but mock the good Way With such an one he is not to keep company no not to eat 1 Cor. 5. 11. Only let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. Of all Company Marriage is the most near and Honourable It was Instituted in Paradice by God Gen. 2. 18 24. and after Of Marriage confirmed by our Saviour Jesus Christ Mat. 19. 4 5 6. This is the established means for the propagation continuance and succession of mankind The Author of our nature hath implanted Mal. 2. 14. 15. a strong desire and tendency towards it We are not let loose to unbounden Lust for that would bring strange disorder and confusion into the World None would know which were his own Besides such a mixture and variety of Seed hinders Conception as appears by common Prostitutes There would be much inconvenience and ruin unless the great Law-giver had prescribed Hos 4. 10. such Rules concerning this Ordinance which as his other Commandments are wisely contrived both to carry on the Course of the World and also for tryal of Mans Obedience In which last if he approves himself he is promised Peace here and Glory hereafter Adultery Fornication strange Lusts are forbidden in the old and new Testament they being contrary to this excellent order of Life which would be miserable if the Bed were not kept undefiled the Apostle immediately adds Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 14 All the commands in Scripture relating to Husband and Wife are exactly fitted for their mutual Comfort which again is presently lost by disobedience and variation from them That Vexation and Discontent so common amongst Married persons is because they 1 â—et 3. 7. do not fulfil the Law of Love and of bearing the Infirmities of one another Husbands do not dwell with their Wives according to knowledge giving Honour unto them as the weaker vessel or they observe not their Duty in submitting unto and obeying their Husbands They have not the Love of God in them for here to apply that of the Apostle He that loveth not his own Wife 1 Joh. 4. 20. which lies in his Bosom whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen If he did love he would keep his Commandments and not deal Treacherously against the Wife of his Youth who is his Companion and the Wife of his Covenant Mal. 2. 14. Neither would she behave her self despitefully against her Husband Some enter upon this state for worldly and carnal ends as when Beauty Riches and a good Family as it is commonly stiled are the reasons why they determine their choice on such an Object Who instead of complying with those ends of Marriage God hath ordained frame others of their own Invention what he Instituted as an happy state of Life themselves going according to their own thoughts render miserable 〈…〉 This is not so to be understood that none should propose to himself any worldly â—â—d for he may lawfully but that must not be made chief We have an example in Abraham's Steward Gen. 24. of sâ—â—king unto God in the first place All our Actions should bâ— to hâ—s Glory and then this of so great moment is not to be exempted We are to prefer his Commandment before all other things and thâ—â— temporal considerations may come in subordinatâ— to that â—ut to have those worldly things the only or principal inducement is both sinful and foolish for the Man doth noâ— take counsel of God nor rightly consult for his own Haâ—piness To begin with Beauty which indeed is Gods Blessing and Gift Of Beauty perfect through his Comeliness but when it is trusted unto Ezek. 16. 15. and made an occasion to draw off from him then it is necessary to discover the Truth and Nature thereof It is one of the admired Idols of the World which is had in Estimation for supposed good though it be thin and vain What is a well coloured Skin Now Colour is no substantial thing and therefore cannot give satisfaction which in it self hath so little reality A faâ—r Woman hath Life and Motion otherwise she differs little from a well drawn Picture which doth delight the outward
that Happiness he 〈◊〉 provided for Men and therefore do not seek of him should be 〈…〉 ted with the eager pâ—rsuit and much more with a miserable disappointment that their Mouth may be stopped and forced to acknowledge As they cannot live nor move so neither be Happy without him If they were really convinced of this they would not be so often deceived with an Egyptian Reed on which if a Man Lean it will pâ—eâ—ce into his hand nor in this important Concern set up false Ends and Superior to those of his ordaining The Apostle hath a whole Chapter 1 Cor. 7. on this Subject and towards the Close gives instruction to Marry in the Lord. Whoever sincerely Lives according to his Commandment cannot be an ill Wife Christianity endows with that Grace and Perfection a meek Humour and Disposition such an obedient and humble frame of mind that if the Man hath the least Ingenuity or good Nature he must Love and Honour her If these be wanting let her make what Pretence she will by going to Church Devotion or sanctified Talk it is to to be feared for by the Fruits you may know them she is an Hypocrite for she cannot be a good Christian who is not a good Wife for that obliges to all that is commanded in Scripture concerning this Relation Whoso findeth aâ— Wife findeth a good thing and obtainetb favour of the Lord. Let him rejoyce with her let her be as the loving Hind and pleasant Roâ— let her Breasts satisfie him at all times and let him be always râ—visht with her Love Prov. 5. 18 19. Live joyfully with the Wife whom thou lovest all the days of the Life of thy Vanity for that is thy Portion in this Life and in thy Labour which thou takest under the Sun Eccles 9. 9. When a Man hath taken a new Wife he shall not go out to War neither shall he be Charged with any business but he shall be free at home one Year and shall cheer up his Wife which he hath taken Deut. 24. 5. When they live together according to Gods Ordinance there is no tormenting Jealousie no strife nor brawling Discontent Upbraiding Forwardness nor scornful exasperating Language but all kindness and tender Affection is to be seen among them Their Hearts are comforted being knit together in Love. They are one Flesh and Members one of another If one suffers the other doth also and by a pleasant Sympathy joyntly partake of their several Condition He Mourns with her that Mourns and rejoyceth with her that rejoyceth It is thought by some that all difference of Sex will cease when those things shall be laid aside that relate to Mortality and Imperfection for in the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage but are as the Angels of God in Heaven Mat. 22. 30. Who are all of the same kind As to the present time There is neither Male nor Female but ye are all one â—n Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 28. Who was born of a Woman that as the Transgâ—ession came by her so through her was conveyed the greatest Good that ever came to mankind Both are of the same Nature Heirs of the same Promises and it is equally the interest of each sort to endeavour through Gods Grace to be Happy So much of Company and Marriage The other thing Men Of Getting Money are taken up with is Riches and getting of Money Now if any cunning Rules were laid down for the procuring thereof they would be read earnestly and attentively with the utmost Examination But do they not endeavour after it as a means to live happily And as such it is to be treated of It is expedient to obtain the things pertaining to this Life which are Meat Drink Raiment Habitation Honour Pleasure and such like We cannot be ascertained of them without Money this need not to be insisted on but only to put in mind for what end Money is necessary The end is the Principal thing which is or should be morâ— desired then what tends only by the way towards it and therefore if we can attain the end without so much assistance of those Collateral means they signifie nothing The Goodness of Riches consists only that through Custom other things are under the Power of them which may be bought and had and also in using them to this purpose â—ood and Clothing are in their own Nature of more Worth and Excellency but then as they Minister to Pride and Pleasure they are no end but false and mistaken means to Happiness as hereafter may be shewed The absurd Acting of the World lies in making that an end which is a means only nay which are wrong and contrary to the thing desired Happiness is sought for by the ways of Pride Sensuality and Covâ—tâ—â—sâ—ess now there is no need of going round about when there is a direct Path and further they will appear upon the diâ—igent Search to lead an opposite way into Dâ—â—â—ruction and Mâ—â—ery The so much beloved Interest is sought after in order to Satisfaction for otherwise some would not by injustice and wrong endanger the loss of their immortal Souls to obtain Wealth or Estate Some fond Conceits do spur them on as they fancy it for their Honour and Credit to be the Stock and Foundation of a great Family so they shall be talked of through many Generations when it will not extend further then that single House and with them be forgotten in two or three Discents And all is but the Breath of others a weak and transitory thing for his whole Happiness to subsist 〈…〉 on When by Commission of Sin and Omission of Duty they enhance their future Account mis-employ that Diligence which might be spent on a more excellent thing waste their Spirits not enjoy what they have deprive themselves of beloved Sleep in Service of dear Maâ—â—mon If these make Pretences to Religion that which would moderate and rectifie is made a furtherance to worldly Designs This is to give them outward Reputation and Honesty so to get a Trust or Power committed to them by falsifying of which they raise themselves or to carry on close unjust Practises There have been too many Examples of those who lift up their hands in the Sanctuary and seemingly praise the Lord Whose right hand is a right hand of Falsehood Who appear to sanctifie the Lords Day but practise Deceit and Guile all the Week long So universal hath been the Corruption this way that considering People will most suspect them who are Godly But there are more Knaves to be found amongst the wicked and prophane then Hypocrites Indeed those remain longer undiscovered for these have the Eyes of all fastened on them who mark their steps and are glad to find out such a great fault in what hath a resemblance to Goodness and many times it is a false imputation of wrong Charged on such who neither did nor intended any Bâ—t in this corrupt World innumerable are the Tricks and Devices
strangely â—egenerated from the Practise of our Fathers living as if there was no such Command How few among us do observe the Royal Law Without are dogs Rev. 22 15. but these would be thought of the Christian Church who bite and devour one another Gal. 5. 15. If restrained by Laws of the Countrey which preserve outward Peace yet still are snarling at one another These go to Prayers as if there was no such Petition Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that Trespass against us which must be begging a Curse and Condemnation instead of Blessing and Pardon These hear the Gospel which saith Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Eph. 5. 2. One would think there was no such thing as Love mentioned if he were to judge by the Actions of some People This is no slighting Matter or as some would make it a piece of Bravery in that they can live contrary to Rules and Preaching for it will be determined what the end of those must be who obey not the Gospel Hatred is contrary to Christianity as bitter to sweet or is possible for things to be one to another Let one do never so many Acts of Worship and Devotion yet if he liveth in Malice and Revenge Strife and Envying Hatred and Variance he hath the Name and shew of Religion but nothing of the benefit and reward thereof In this the Children of God are manifest and the Children of the Devil Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 John 3. 10. If he saith he is a Christian he is not but of the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2. 9. the Author of all black and corrupt Principles There should be a greater measure of Love amongst those who have not only the form of Godliness but the Power thereof for they also are found defective in this Duty They love indeed but somewhat of Dissimulation and Partiality goes along with it The first is thought a thing so necessary that the common Saying is He that knows not to dissemble knows not how to live It is esteemed an Act of Prudence what the Apostle calls Fleshly Wisdom but contrary to that simplicity and Godly sincerity and the Grace of God 2 Cor. 1. 12. which did give him so much Comfort and not only unto him but to all that will alike observe it Who have Conscience towards God do as in his sight speak unto Men knowing that from him Dissimulation cannot be hid What John saith is observable which he applies to this My little Children let us love not in Word neither 〈◊〉 Tongue but in Deed and in Truth Why so Hereby we know that we are of the Truth and shall assure our Hearts before him for if our Heart condemn us God is Greater then our Hearts and knoweth all things 1 John 3. 18 19 20. A smiling Countenance or flattering Speech is not enough but you must attain unto unfeigned Love of the Brethren and see that ye love one another with a pure Heart fervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. Neither is it to be confined to one particular Sect or Party as if all the Elect of God were comprised in a National Church or such a Congregation While one saith I am of this another saith I am of that ye Hate Reproach and speak Evil of one another 1 Cor. 1. 12. Hatred Variance Emulations Strife Seditions Heresies exclude out of the Kingdom of God Gal. 5. 20 21. and therefore not to be kept up by those who equally hope to be Partakers thereof It would be better if there was no distinguishing Terms or Nick-names Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8. The Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch Acts 11. 26. and ought to have never been called any thing else for Mens Persons seeing that the Apostles refused it should not be had so much in Admiration as to give Denomination to their Followers and assume unto themselves that Honour which is due unto the Son of God only It hath given occasion to Divisions raised Heart-burnings and the utmost Malice among Men to the Destruction of Charity and Luke 10. 29. Peace It is observable that Christ explaining who was Neighbour to him that fell among Thieves instances in a Samaritan and there was Division and separate Meetings between the Jews and Samaritans as among us at this Day so it is the natural and necessary Construction of the great Commandment to shew Mercy and Love to those of a different perswasion We are all Members of one another and ought to be united under Christ our Head. Behold how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together Ps 133. 1 in Vnity Much Happiness arises from true Friendship and there is none comparable to that which is built upon the firm Foundation of Christianity Nothing can be more lasting and sure if upon that alone without the rotten Prop of Worldly and sinister Respects Whatever some pretend to generous Nature or Civility none is like that which results from Goodness and Duty The chiefest Love is to be shewed forth to those of our own Profession but yet to be extended unto all Mat. 5. 45. 1 Tim. 2. 1 3 4. for though at present some are Strangers from the Covenant of Grace yet we know not how soon they may come in however we are to love them as they were made after the similitude Jam. 3 9. of God and are our Fellow Creatures Honour all Men Love the Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. If it be possible as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all Men Rom. 12. 28. What can be more reasonable Hereby a Man is freed from all the torment of malice envying and strife he is not disturbed with thoughts of revenge or knawing reproach of others which are as so many Wracks and Instruments of Cruelty to those who give way to these Sins On the other hand if there be any Satisfaction in Love any Blessing in Peace any good in mutual kindness and affection he enjoys all this In this word Love all the Law is contained and obedience so as a necessary Conclusion from this all manner of Happiness A Second Passion is Fear At first sight it may seem strange Of Fear that this which troubleth and afflicts Man should also conduce towards his Happiness But God having set down such Decrees for our Salvation as expressed in Scripture this is necessary to attain it God was pleased to take this way to be glorified as to the Inhabitants of the Earth to declare his Sovereignty over the work of his hands to set up his Kingdom and Government over us to which are annexed Rewards and Punishments proportionable to the great King who hath prepared them Mal. 1. 14. Ps 95. 43. He may justly forbid a thing upon as severe a Penalty as
sound a Trumpet and blaze them abroad your selves but â—â—ey praise you in the Gates you cannot help that your reward is still with the most High as long as you are careful to approve your selves in his sight and not as unto Men. None should refrain from doing good because others may come to bear of it no more then forsake the assembling of our selves together because others see us go to Church Neither as the manner of some is this to be done only on the Lords-day but as we have opportunity on every day for so they did in the first Ages of Christianity Luke 24. 53. Acts 2. 42 46. The Pastors were then an Ensample to the Flock Acts 3. 1. However strange or precise it seems now to go to publick Worship on a Week day it was as unusual then to neglect it Who considers the Relation we stand in towards the Great God of the World must think it a reasonable Service to pay our Homage and Praise him from every rising of the Sun unto the going down thereof Nor are we to avoid good and edifying Discourse because that will be likewise heard but the Obligation is greater from Psal 37. 30 31. Mat. 12. 34 35. If the heart be good good things will come forth God alone is the discerner of the Thoughts and they do not appear yet Words and Actions will. If they are good and just it is impossible but they must be discovered to be so But let it be cautioned from Isa 42. 2. Mat. 12. 16 18 19. against making too much outward shew There is a good and middle way between too much Affectation on the one hand sinful Shame and Lukewarmness on the other Both extreams are to be avoided but indeed the first is safe if the heart be sincere throughly purged from all Hypocrisie and Pride It is much better to be too zealous if that can be for there are no limits set in Scripture then of a careless and indifferent Temper for that is always spoken against But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing Gal. 4. 18. And if out of a good intention God knows the unfeigned love in the heart from whence it proceeds and so may approve thereof So there is no such Reason why that which is called a forward indiscreet Zeal should be hated and spoken against Every thing which doth exceed the ordinary and fashionable Godliness of the multitude is termed so We have seen that of our Saviour fulfilled Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold Mat. 24. 12. The judgment of God being different from that of Men perhaps he may judge that to be true and prudent which they thus call Those Opinions and Excuses in Religion which are vulgarly received are as commonly false But admit some were over Zealous Yet Charity envieth not thinketh no evil believeth all things hopeth all things 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 7. And here will make a good Construction that such is well meaning and therefore this takes off from prejudice and evil surmizings against him If some are more diligent in the Worship and Service of God we ought the more to rejoyce and glorifie God on his behalf But to hate a Man for no other cause but his well-doing is not what all but only the worse sort of wicked do Neither do thou too rashly condemn thy poor Brother for whom Christ died of Superstition that hath been so termed which in the Language of the Holy Ghost is to fear the Lord greatly 1 Kings 18. 3. But how knowest thou his heart It may be he doth what is Commanded or thinks to be plainly inferred from the Word If he is mistaken thou art rather to rightly instruct then malign or envy him but in no wise to laugh and make sport that cannot be justified on Fellow Christians It is sufficient to bear Reproach from those without but it is more grievous when it comes from the same Houshold of Faith. However Grace and Wisdom will despise the Shame and enable to take Pleasure in infirmities in Reproaches in Necessities in Persecutions in Distresses for Christâ— sake 2 Cor. 12. 10. Great heed is to be taken that Zeal be according to Knowledge for where blind and mis-guided it hath done much mischief to the World by horrid Cruelties Massacres Rebellions Persecutions The time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that That of Isa 11. 9. is observable for the reason there added he doth God service And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor Me John 16 2 3. Said our Lord to his Disciples and Followers which hath been fulfilled to a Witness Some have pretended for God and his Christ and their Sword hath made many Fatherless and Widows have after the most strange manner tormented to Death Women and Children ript up Infants out of the Mothers Belly shed the Blood of the Saints like water throughout Christendom All this and more hath been done by those who in their own Opinion Luke 9. 55. were zealous for the Prince of Peace He came to save mens lives but these have made it their business to kill and destroy The Disciples were reproved concerning the Samaritans Ye know not of what Spirit ye are of which plainly manifested that he allowed not of the murder of Men though for his own Honour the best of ends His whole Gospel Commands Love Peace Gentleness Meekness and forbids whatever is contrary to them But this Doctrine hath been concealed from some who have given up themselves to blind Teachers those Sanguinary Priests and Jesuites they have obtruded the Doctrine of Devils for that of the Holy Jesus and have put off for the Commandments of Christ the Dictates of their Blood-thirsty minds The silly People laden with Sins and perhaps willing to make Atonement by murdering of Hereticks which did increase their Guilt by slaying the Lords Heritage were taught ignorance makes the better Christians They might have so much used their own natural Reason as to have considered that Christ's Laws cannot be obeyed unless they are known and therefore they must search the Scriptures which he Commands John 5. 39. to see what they are or have them from honest Teachers But if they had done the first they would have found Ministers of Satan transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness 2 Cor. 11. 15. And they would have known them by this kind of Suggestions which come from none but the Destroyer for what seems hateful and cruel to us as we are Men can never be thought to have been delivered by him who came into the World to perfect not deprave Humane Nature The many sad Effects of wilde destructive Zeal have proceeded from their wilful Ignorance of the Law he gave us for they had been all prevented if Men had only acted according to the Directions of the New Testament Some on the other hand have read the Scriptures but through mis-interpretation or
find out some new thing or draw out that satiating Nature in the old Dress it several ways it is but the same Dish in substance still and fresh invented Sauces will not cure the loathing of a full Stomach The Pleasure of eating is when one is hungry otherwise the Taste of Dainties is no more then of the white of an Egg. The being accustomed makes them favour as common Meat if never so sweet it continues only in the mouth which is so short that it must be a mean and Paltry Happiness that depends upon so Transitory a thing The Taste of pleasant Liquors perishes in the draught and afterwards seems as if not received in but if the immoderate use makes an Alteration in the Man it is a drunken fit and the utmost good which arises from that is to be examined in another place As Chap. 7. for that of fair Women is no advantage Conjugal love except unless he gives himself over to sinful unbounden Lust the Consideration of which is referred to Chap. 8. This is one of the Pleasures of sin for a Season which destroyeth Kings Prov. 31. 3. as well as other Men. No unlawful delights can render a Man truly Happy but contrariwise miserable in reference to his future State. Even now they do not yield a sincere Satisfaction Company is one of the most noble Pleasures of a reasonable Creature yet if one is continually therein as such is the Condition of Princes it doth not always refresh but is tiresome There must be some intermission from Worldly delights or they will not Relish It is more Eligible to be sometimes alone then in a Croud he cannot esteem the sweetness of Conversation who never knows the want thereof If there be an intermixture and Succession both contraries are pleasant but otherwise neither is Let the Men you converse withal be of great Endowments of Wisdom and Eloquence if skilled in all the Arts of rendring themselves good Company and acceptable to others yet by continuance with them the Admiraâ—â—on will diminish till it comes to nothing In all visible things under the Sun there is a satiety and weariness Even the continual hearing of News is no Novelty and though several things do happen yet they are but the same under little differing Circumstances acted by Persons of other Names but in substance the same which hath been already so this Variety doth not still recreate Fine Buildings Plantations and other magnificient Works please a little at first but in Process of time not at all Lastly what is reckoned worth all abundance of Gold and Silver This doth serve only for the procurement of the things spoken of and if they do not afford a true Happiness much less will the other The reason hereof may be learned from Hab. 2. 13. Jer. 17. 13. and other places of Scripture which discover the vast Capaciousness of the Soul its proper End and the Vanity of the Creature We are designed for more noble things then what are here before us We are built up and to be prepared for the Mansions above And least we should be stopped in the way thither as we pass through this wilderness God hath suffered it to be barren and dry of the Water of true Comfort Such as is to be had here may a little refresh us in our Pilgrimage but cannot throughly satisfie our Thirst for that is only to be done there where he bids us come Isa 55. 1 2. John 7. 37. That we may be the more quickened to come when he calleth us he hath so ordered the matter that if we set at naught his Gracious invitation and going through this vale of Misery use it for a Well sit down and John 4. 11. 13. tarry here yet most have not to draw with that is such means but who have yet the Well is deep it is trouble to draw up and when we have drunk of it we shall Thirst again Do what we will if we only seek herein we shall never satisfie our Desires nothing here can do it they must cease after Earthly things and be turned unto the Heavenly But if we coâ—â—ne them here though we do pour in upon them we are therefore no more Happy then one in a continual Thirst because he hath drink as often as he calls for it The things of this Life may for the present a little stop our Desires but do not take off the * Which too many know not for what that is but it is not in vain neither was it designed for â—â—r torment craving somewhat more We still coveâ— after drink and yet are weary of drinking We use the things of this World and that not giving us content we try whether the abuse of them will but then we are deceived in our Expectations and the sooner wax weary of them They are insufficient For the Creature was made subject to Vanity not willingly for any fault of her own rather our Transgression but by reason of him who subjected the same in Hope Because the Creature it self also shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption Rom. 8. 202 1. God willing to retrieve poor lost Men sent his Son to dye for us and make known those better things and least we should be detained by the present hath rendred them hungry and empty We have here no Satisfaction but seek one to come Alas For all things are so we are too apt to rest on the Creature and expect Contentment from it but if we could once find that we should go no further fix here and never come to the place God hath appointed for us He is pleased Oh infinite Condescention to let us seek abroad if we can find better Entertainment and if after a vexatious and dangerous Pursuit we Luke 15. meet with nothing but Husks which may stuff but cannot satisfie which are meat for Swine but not fit and commensurate for reasonable Creatures we would return unto our Fathers House where is bread enough and to spare not such as the World giveth but which he giveth from Heaven that bread of Life unto which who so Joh. 6. 34. 34 35. cometh shall never hunger Here he feedeth us with the Bread of Tears we eat in the sweat of our brow having Labour and Sorrow intermingled and afterwards we hunger again But if we would pray unto him evermore to give us that know and accept it when offered for want wherâ—of those in John 6. 34 35. missed it and others at this day that is unleavened not sowred with Worldly Care a spiritual Manna sutable to our Taste fills our Souls with Gladness and endureth unto everlasting Life That we should come and partake is the design of our Heavenly Father Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things Psal 103. 5. Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Psal 81. 10. Stretch out thy Desires to their due extent a little Earnest and Relish is given they are now quieted with Faith and
blamed who call themselves Followers of Jesus to do according to all the Laws he hath given them Especially when himself hath said Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. If he calls them Friends there is no Reason why others should call them Fools unless who esteem his Doctrine Foolishness but most certainly they should not who name the name of Christ and do not depart from iniquity and therefore speak in Contempt of those which do hereby to excuse themselves from not living according to the Rules of their Profession But by thus doing They add iniquity to their iniquity and not come into thy Righteousness Psal 69. 27. It was the saying of one The Speculative Atheist was the greatest wonder in the World except one and he was the Practical Atheist Nothing can be so strange and foolish as he who believes the Gospel and yet doth live accordingly but the greatest part of Mankind being of this number they would reverse this if possible and account him a simple Fellow who lives according to it So mightily hath Satan prevailed in the hearts of Men as to make them believe any thing which may advance his Kingdom But this is the most unaccountable folly that can be and not fit to be entertained among reasonable Souls Good God! how ridiculous is it that they who profess to believe that keeping thy Commandments is the way to Eternal Life yet should account those foolish who do them They All agree it is a Mans highest Wisdom to use the right means to obtain the greatest Happiness they acknowledge Obedience to all Gods Laws is such and yet they would fain esteem him foolish who doth thus so they would raise a false conclusion from true and right premises which is impossible and here as absurd as any thing in the World can be One would admire that Men of understanding should swallow down such an Opinion it is taken in with the generality without consideration for they know that in wordly concerns when one is in pursuit of a Temporal Good as an Estate Office or preferment it is Wisdom to make use of all the probable means which may help towards obtaining thereof to leave no stone unturned for they say a Man can never be too sure Yet these believe there is an Heaven which doth exceed whatever is here below that it is every Mans business to get him an Interest therein that the most likely way to get thither is to do according to all those Directions in Scripture and why then should not such an one be reputed Wise He seems to Act most prudently if judged according to the measures of wordly Wisdom Much more is he approved of if determined by the true Notions of that which was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the Earth was Prov. 8. 23. Let all the World say or think what they will Wisdom and Truth are immutable and cannot be tossed too and fro by the Breath of foolish talking People they are Emanations from the Divine Nature and in this corrupted State where truth is hated Wisdom cryeth out but few hear the voice they are not to be found among the multitude so that one must be wiser then the Generality or he will not be wise at all as the end will prove When it shall be better to have been among Christ's little Flock then the common Herd It is better to shine as Stars for ever and ever although we now like them move contrary then to walk according to the Course of this World and to have a Portion with the Children of disobedience That Effect of Singularity which is so much feared intitles Of Singularity unto the Blessing Luke 6. 22 23. the Hatred of Men procures unto him the love of God. To be a Christian not only in Name but in Deed and in Truth is to be a Singularist in the common Opinion for if any observes all things whatsoever Christ hath Commanded he is a Man by himself an Humourist only because he will not serve his Lord by halves as the generality of Mankind do But let not this seem strange as if some new thing happened unto Jer. 12. 9. him for the Saints heretofore were Singularists Noah in the Old World Lot in Sodom Abraham in Chaldea Joseph in Egypt Moses in Midian Daniel in Babylon And by the way these were Men of higher Rank and yet were not ashamed to serve the Lord in wicked Generations Undoubtedly there were others in their days who did so likewise yet but few in Comparison of the Rom. 11. 3 4. ungodly Elias is recorded in that general Apostacy of the Jews to say I am left alone But what saith the Answer of God unto him I have reserved my self seven thousand Men who have not bowed the knee unto the image of Baal They were about one in an hundred computed according to the number of the Israelites and then they were liable to this Denomination God's faithful People have been the fewest in number ever since the World began his Church may be compared to an heap of Corn mingled with Chaff wherein a Grain appears here and there by it self compassed about witâ— the other but though it lies several in the heap it shall be gathered Mat. 3. 12. and Singularity shall at length cease and end in the Communion of Saints Whilst they are in the World they are not of the World A thing is called from the greater part and when it signifies the People contained therein it is in Scripture Language taken for the wicked because they are the most And not to do as the Generality doth is reckoned Singularity now to shew forth a Christian Conversation in good Works is not what the most but only few do And therefore it is thus accounted of But let none be discouraged with this term of Reproach for even the Men of this World who decry it so much would with all their Hearts be singular if they might none would refuse to be the only rich Man in his Parish neither would the Ambitious refuse an high Title of Honour because none in the Countrey besides had the like This is the thing they aim at to be more wealthy and honourable then the rest of their Neighbours Every private Person would willingly be more Happy then others and will use the means to be so And it is esteemed no fault to direct their Actions accordingly but Wisdom for every one to advance his own interest as much as he can although he gets above others This is the Sense of mankind as to wordly Matters and there is the very same Reason it should be so likewise in things pertaining to endless Life Every single Person would save his own Soul and be for ever Happy if he should miscarry he bears all the loss himself and others will never be able to help him Why then should he be blamed if he trys to secure himself And seeing there
is but one way which is Godliness wherefore should he be lessened for walking in it Because others do not that is their fault not his he must look to himself He is to stand upon his own Legs and therefore it must be his business to take heed he doth not fall for if he should and others fall with him he only would feel the Pain of it and they when fallen will not be able to help him up It is commonly said every Man hath Power over himself let him follow his own Humour and though if we are toucht with a feeling of Humane Nature we should endeavour to do another Good and be instrumental to his Happiness yet it must be a strange Savageness when instead of doing this we are Angry and Malign him only for endeavouring after it himself If he doth well who lives according to Gods word why do we not imitate him If ill then O Lord thou hast deceived him and he is deceived Jer. 20. 7. Such an one we neither envy nor hate but Pity But John 17. 17. the Lord who Sanctifies his Chosen through his Truth and gives them his Word which is Truth can in no wise be said to deceive any If then he that come unto him unfeignedly neither doth evil nor yet is in an Errour why should the World be so enraged against him Either this or nothing is to hate without a Cause See John. 7. 7. John 15. 18 19 23 24 25. There is an Enmity in the Seed of the Serpent against God's Children Gen. 3. 15. Rev. 12. 17. they will say all manner of evil of them falsly if they think their lying may be concealed and gain Credit with others How glad are they of an appearance of evil to object against them And to spread abroad a dubious Story aggravated with the most ill Circumstances that malicious Wit can invent If concerning a Religious Person it passes current and uncontradicted but if of another there will be enough to make Excuses for him to Examine throughly and detect it of Falshood in one part and so dash it in the whole but as to him they are ready to add something to render it more odious The wicked plotteth against the just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth Psal 37. 12. And therefore they cast Reproaches laugh and do any thing to blemish his Fame and Reputation This hath been and is the usage of the World. And who will come to serve the Lord in sincerity must provide accordingly If your Feet be shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Eph. 6. 15. You will find therein so many Blessings and Promises on this occasion that notwithstanding all hindrances you may run the way of God's Commandments Above all taking the shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the wicked Verse 16. for if you believe the good things God hath prepared for them that love him and on the other hand his Terrours for the disobedient certainly such a light thing as the unsavoury Breath of talking People cannot counterpoise the Love or Displeasure of so Merciful so Just a God. When any turn from sin they must expect Mockings and Reproaches from their old Acquaintance and Partners in iniquity for having done it already They think it strange that you run not with them to the same Excess of riot speaking evil of you 1 Pet. 4. 4 5. But rather Pity then be terrified by them For these speak evil of the things they understand not 2 Pet. 2. 12. There is no Reason why they should deride those who leave their Company and the evil of their doings for they are posting on in the wrong way and unless prevented in like manner their loud and impious Laughter will shortly cease in weeping and gâ—ashing of Teeth Thus hath been viewed the great stumbling Block which hinders Of Humility the Gallants of our Age from coming into the right way They have an inward Approbation and would fain save their Souls but Reproach or lessening of Reputation they cannot submit unto Hear what our Saviour saith Verily I say unto you except ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 3. There are no subsequent words of Exemption for Men of Honour and Renown He hath indeed shewed how they may be so there likewise Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little Child the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Verse 4. Let not the mighty Ones of the Earth think here is running out upon strange Doctrine for the end why they take Pride upon themselves is to be great and a way is shewed though it may seem odd yet true how to be so The Gospel runs contrary to things here If any Man among you seemeth to be wise in this World let him become a Fool that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. And so if he seems great let him become little that he may be great By doing those things which are little and despisable in the Eye of the World but great and highly esteemed by God. To lay in a greater Foundation by good Works to abound in Christian Graces and Vertues is the way to receive a greater Reward in Heaven It is commendable to be ambitious after that so far as to put upon using the means to obtain Accustoming himself to all Godly and Sober living and to have respect unto all the Commandments to lay out himself which way he shall most glorifie God and do good to mankind To improve time and every other Talent to the utmost and such like as may be learnt from Duty and Example in God's word It is worth any Mans pains to aim at the higher Degrees of Glory they being much beyond the greatest trouble that can be endured here To which he may be quickened by considering what Austerities some have suffered to gain the Kingdom of God how they have tumbled themselves naked in the Winter Snow rolled upon Thorns macerated the body with long fastings submitted unto all the inconveniencies of wilfull poverty and other hardships of Popish Superstition But these being additional services to what he hath commanded which many times make them neglected and if that was not perfect or as though the God-head needed any thing Acts 17. 25. They will oblige and give him more ex abundanti And therefore it is to be feared they are not so very pleasing in his sight even thus much we may judge of our selves that if we shew unto those under us the manner how they shall do such things we had rather they keep to that then do it another way out of their own head for as that argues self-conceit in him so a distrust of our Wisdom in that they know better and we cannot tell how we would be served If there be any such thoughts in Mortal Men or Spiritual Pride God knoweth all their performances signifie nothing and are
excellent in whom is all my delight Psal 16. 3. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me Psal 101. 6. The Scoffing World cry out such an one to be of a low Spirit for keeping mean Company who doth aim at as great things as they do and goes as right a way to accomplish them It will be discerned who is wise and who is not and even now they receive a mutual delight and satisfaction equivalent to the greatest Jollity But to answer others Who keeps the meanest Company He that Converses with Hawks Hounds and hath Dogs to feed at his Table Or who Associates with those of the same likeness with himself who are equally made in the image of God Is not a rational Creature better then brute Beasts If thou sayest not thou art a Turk and disparagest thy self besides him who hath created us Patterns of his own Eternity But they are more lovely who have those Beauties of Holiness those Divine impressions of goodness within them which are discerned by the spiritual Eye and more esteemed of then the utmost Bodily perfection They have that Righteousness which endureth for ever and therefore to be preferred before those pompous Titles of worth which shortly shall fail and that Honour which is to be laid in the Dust They are Children and Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. and if we believe these Relations do exceed those of the World it can be no more a Disparagement to Converse with them then the Son and Heir of a Nobleman though as yet he hath not one Farthing of his Fathers Demesnes By this we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. And so again if we love God that will be manifested towards his Chosen Ones his Sons his Elect his Servants and whom he vouchsafes to stile by all Expressions of kindness We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3. 14. Where is love there an Union is desired with the object beloved and accordingly will be had Let none dissemble God knoweth the Heart and for what Reason it is if any neglects his Duty in this particular If he despise the Poor and low Estate of faithful People What shall he do when God riseth up And when he visiteth what shall he answer him Job 31. 14. Let him shew that he doth not by a Christian Conversation with them let him be gentle easie to be entreated use Hospitality without grudging speak Friendly as one Man talketh to another without scornful or ruff Language And let them be advertised from Isa 3. 5. Gal. 2. 2. not to abuse or make an occasion of Contempt anothers Humility and Courteousness for we are in no wise to confound the distinction God hath made amongst mankind The Blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and addeth no Sorrow with it Prov. 10. 22. so in his Word he hath prescribed a most excellent way for their Station and Circumstances by which they are freed from those Miseries others of like Condition are subject unto and then they enjoy the Comforts here in a much better way The Service of God doing good to their Countrey Meditation and Reading the Affairs of humane Life those moderate and innocent Delights do take off from the Irksomeness and Tediousness of time so they live happily and pass through here with more Rest and Quietness then others who take no Care what shall become of them Thus saith the Lord Let not the wise man Glory in his Wisdom neither let the mighty man Glory in his might but let him that Glorieth Glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me Jer. 9. 23 24. 'T is not noble Birth and Extraction but that Relation which the Almighty vouchsafes to have towards mankind which makes them truly Honourable Have we not all one Father hath not one God created us Mal. 2. 10. Nay have we not the same Father after the Flesh Are we not all the Sons of a Gardiner In the most Ancient and illustrious Family if the several mean descents could be traced up those Ancestors would be found out whereof none hath Reason to be proud of What the Prophet saith Ezek. 16. 3 4 5 6. is sufficient to abase any one concerning his Original and should be an inducement not to trust in his own but to seek that Honour which cometh from God only John 5. 44. His Providence hath ordered the several distinctions in the World and hath placed them in several Seats to work out their own Salvation It is no diminishing but encrease of present Happiness to comply with the Good will of God. Wealth and Riches shall be in his House Psal 112. 3. they are already but there is somewhat better nearer within The Satisfaction of a good Conscience He is Clothed well suffers neither Hunger nor Thirst Cold nor Nakedness God hath given him both spiritual and temporal Blessings By the first he doth Love and Honour his Great Benefactor And he doth not set his Heart upon the things that are seen for that is the great danger of Worldly abundance but uses them to Minister only unto his Pilgrimage Being assured that though these are good yet God hath provided better things that when this Happiness which is imperfect and for a time is to be determined he is to arrive at that which is perfect and to endure throughout all Ages When such an one is to be taken away from his fine Habitation Estate Wife Children Servants and all that is esteemed dear amongst Men in the sight of the unbelieving World he may seem to die and his Departure be taken for Loss and Misery Whereas he shall enter into Peace They shall rest in their Beds each one walking in his uprightness Isa 57. 2. Then only his true and uninterrupted Felicity begins which shall never end Wouldst thou be in this Mans Condition Go thou and do likewise CHAP. V. Of the COMMON PEOPLE It is the Duty of all to be in some Calling An Exhortation to serve God Against Ignorance and Vnbelief Some Considerations of living in the World and further drawn from the four last things Of different Communions Of Deceits A Description of the Wicked and Godly in this World. OF this Order they are reputed in the World who do not live of their own but follow some Trade or Employment And here it may not be improper to speak somewhat concerning that and the Obligation all lye under to it As soon as God created Man he was appointed some work to do even in his best Estate of innocency But then was Labour without Sorrow and Tiresomeness for it was after added Gen. 3. 17 19. In Sorrow shalt thou eat all the days of thy Life in the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eat Bread. This was pronounced on him for us all for all have sinned in him and who can plead Freedom
18. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him anâ— his righteousness upon Childrens Children To such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his Commandments to do them Psal 103. 17 18. Here you are told how to have Title unto it And why shouldst thou stick or make any doubt to do thereafter If the King or a Great Man should require the same of thee only to do as they bid thee from time to time and would give Riches and Honour for it Wouldst not thou do as much Although that is the utmost they can bestow for they can neither give Health nor preserve thy Breath from going forth And wilt thou not fear the King of Kings the Lord of Lords who hath a much better reward with him Who holds thy Soul in Life and when he sends for it out of this Earthly house if it be rendred meet will receive it unto himself in Glory Thou dost not grudge to do any thing for thy Fellow-Creature if thou canst get a good Livelihood by him wilt thou refuse to serve the Lord thy Maker when by so doing thou shalt live for ever Thou art contented for that to Labour and Care this Points out something more If thou dost willingly so much for present Food and Delight from hence somewhat may be observed of the Equity of God's ways in alluring us to his Service by invisible and future Rewards which are fitred for the invisible part of us So this inference arises that if for the good and Conveniencies of a dying Body we readily Labour we should likewise do the same as to our immortal Soul. We Consent it is reasonable that we should Labour for the Meat which perisheth much more is it to Labour for that which endureth unto everlasting Life We are glad if we can have fading necessities by following our Trade and Employment and are resolved to do it much more should we rejoyce in our Heavenly Calling which is for the Attainment of true perfect and eternal Happiness And we should be determined with full purpose of Heart to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure for that will stand us more in stead it being both for Body and Soul in a Glorified and united State. When now all the Labour of Man is for his Mouth Eccles 6. 7. Meats for the Bâ—lly and the Belly for Meats but God shall destroy botâ— it and them 1. Cor. 6. 13. They shall perish when we are taken heâ—ce but the other shall endâ—re Every thing hath Relation to â—â—is end and I humbly conceive God therefore ordained things so that by what Mâ—n doth already in the less he should do the same in the greater to lay hold of the hope set before him That he should be moved with like Inducements to the endless Life as to this Vapour which câ—nâ—iâ—ueth not that he should take the same Care of the whole Man as he doth of the Shell only that he should alike pursue the Substantial Blessâ—dness as he doth some little Circumstances of what the World calls Happiness By what thou dost already thou art encouraged to more what thy self affirmest to be right by this thou art further perswaded It is just and equal that he who would have Food and Raiment should work for them when they are so to be had he who neglects that and famishes is a Fool and unpitied So the things of â—od's Kingdom are to be had by diligent seeking after and he who doth not deservedly perisheth and is miserable But the Generality of mankind do behave themselves wisely enough as for that and why not for this also And â—e will not come unto me that ye might have Life John 5. 40. Which manifestly imports they might if they would Those which do so much immediately in Religion for a short Livelihood should they not do a little more for the saving of the Soul Thou reckonest it a great Happiness to live well at present but consider of them who have whatsoever can be desired for Meat Drink and Raiment all doth but hold up Life for a time and less would serve turn But they do not continue it for Rich Men must die as well as the Poor and Needy We must not live here always and therefore are to live as People that must die and expect to be Happy after Death as it is desired to be so before Now reason with thy self I beseech thee all thy desire is to live handsomely in the World but if herein thou shouldst obtain thy Will thou câ—â—st not long enjoy it Look back to the former Generations What difference is between those who fared sumptuously every day and who had but common provision of Life when a great Candle and a small are both burnt out what odds is betweem them As is the Condition of those who are now gone off from the World so will ours be in a short time He will be in no better Condition who Riots and Sports himself in the Day-time who lives idly and yet enjoys fulness of Bread then he who eats it all along in the sweat of his brow So that a Wise Man should make it his choice rather to live in Obedience then Delicacy for that will bring him to everlasting Life whereas pleasant Meats and Drinks they shall fail and too often proving a Snare do sink down to that place where he is that received his good things in this Life Ho every one that Thirsteth Come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money Come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Wherefore do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread And your Labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye â—hat which is good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Isa 55. 1. 2. If a great Man gives forth that he will keep open House for all Comers and they shall have plenty of good Beef and Ale we should see the Countrey People flock thither in multitudes and what a Love is kindled in their Hearts for him but when God makes this Invitation scarce one moves a step a plain Evidence that they are a very froward Generation Children in whom is no Faith Deut. 32. 20. If another makes a feast for them then they will be sure to set all business aside and come to partake of his good Cheer but if the Son of God invite you to his Supper then your Farm or Oxen or some other little Excuse Are ye not partial in this That is too mild a Word But are ye not Idolaters for having more respect to a little Creature then the great and eternal Creator If you will evade that because you are not led away with a dumb Idol but a living Man yet what the Prophet hath pronounced will be fulfilled Cursed is he that trusteth in Man and maketh Flesh his Arm and whose Heart departeth from the
them If one should tell a poor Country Man how he might get Wealth he would lift up his ears and attend readily to this message there is none can bring him such tidings but let him hear what the Spirit saith I counsel thee to buy of â—me Gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich Rev. 3. 18. With what eagerness do others run after Pleasures which are unsatisfactory and sudden And it seems there should be the same diligence used to be abundantly satisfied with the goodness of the Lord to come into his presence where is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. The Men of this World will expose themselves to hardship and inconvenience to get Praise and Honour though for all their Souls continue restless But Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that worketh good Rom. 2. 10. Are as worthy to be sought after and had Heaven is represented by the so much admired Idols of this lower World and that with greater advantage to give more full and lasting contentment of mind then the best thing on Earth now doth If the good things before us do somewhat refresh these will much more and contrary to the present they shall never be taken from us nor we from them Conceive any thing that is delightful and pleasant it comes very short of the joys above as sounding brass and tinkling Cymbal compared to the best Musick sufficient for a Man to be assured that it is greater then he can expect or imagine if he hears or reads never so much of what words cannot express to the utmost yet when he comes to the enjoyment he will affirm as one did of the Wisdom of Solomon The one half was not told me Some are apt to think It is pity we may not have this great Happiness at present But who in his very thoughts doth murmur at the good will and pleasure of the Almighty None accuses his Bounty who freely gives the reversion of a good Estate every one bestows his gifts in what manner and at what time he pleases And may not the Sovereign Lord of the World do the like Is it not lawful for the good Man of the House to do what he will with his own The Mighty God who is so much above and independent from all his Creatures is pleased Oh the riches of his love and See Isa 40. 10. goodness to deal so with them as one dealeth with another None is payed till the work done and when we likewise have laboured in the Vineyard till the going down of the Sun we are to receive what he hath promised The prize is not given till the race is ended Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22. 12. Besides present peace all along there is somewhat given in hand the earnest and first fruits of the Spirit those little glimpses of future Glory the delights of the inward Man But these are not to be compared with what shall be revealed hereafter For since the beginning of the World Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Isa 64. 4. So it is his Ordinance that we should for some time patiently tarry for them It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord Lam. 3. 26. The great Men of the World have many waiting to speak with them who do not grudge if they can get any kindness from them yea they are contented with the promise of a future favour Is not the Lord of Lords as worthy to be waited for as they Are not his Blessings as much to be valued Are not his Promises as sure Nay if I may so speak we have more Civility from the Great God then from exalted Earth-Worms For they are Men of Pride look for Attendance and therefore will be hard to be spoken withal But the Lord will wait that he may be gracious for the Lord is a God of Judgment Blessed are all they that wait for him Isa 30. 18. The things he hath provided are as worthy to be waited for and it is meet we should pay the same and greater respect to Almighty God as is done to Man whose breath is in his Nostrils for wherein is he to accounted of Isa 2. 22. God doth wonderfully condescend to the Children of Men to let his doings be judged of by them Yet saith the House of Israel the way of the Lord is not equal O house of Israel are not my wayes equal Are not your wayes unequal Ezek. 18. 29. Are you not bold with your Maker by finding fault with his dispensations unless you presently know the reason thereof You have a reason but are to be put in mind he is a God of Majesty and Power Known unto him are all his Works Acts 15. 18. And he is not bound to give account of any sufficient for you to understand and refer them all to the good pleasure of his Will. Thus for his Promises and Threatnings he might accomplish them whensoever he would and so they shall be in the appointed time which though to come yet will be most certainly And considering how much every one of us are concerned in them they should more affect us then the things now do before us If it be just that he who builds an House should dwell in it or he that Plants an Orchard eat the Fruit thereof So is it most just and reasonable that who made Man should be served by him Upon this Account alone God might Challenge our Obedience and Homage without doing any thing more â—oâ— us but further as a most gracious and bountiful Lord he Promises a Reward though we deserve none And being most absolute over the work of his hands For hath not the Potter power over the Claâ— of the same Lump to make one Vessel to Honour another to Dishonour Rom. 9. 21. Yet he vouchsafes to give warning before he dashes any to the Ground Noâ— consider this ye that forget God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver Psal 50. 22. He hath not threatned with eternal Death and Misery unless we are disobedient which is only our own fault so that he is most righteous in his dealings towards the Children of Men. Hear this all ye People give ear all ye Inhabitants of the World. Both Low and High Rich and Poor together Such is the Statute and Decree gone out upon all Flesh Let none think because they are of low Degree therefore they shall not be regarded by the Most High For all Men are the same to God. He hath made of one Blood all Nations of Men Acts 17. 26. Out of the same Lump and according to
it any thing that dâ—fileth neither whatsoever worketh Abomination Rev. 21. 7. What comes nearest to his Delight is to behold the extraordinary Beauty of that place which will ravish the Eye and fill with wonder this shall not be like gazing upon the Beauty of a Woman but as one born blind who suddenly hath his Eyes opened and seeth the Sun in its rising Splendour which doth only transport the Soul with Admiration and not affect the corporal faâ—â—lties At present it peeps through the Windows of the Body seeing only the surface and outside of things The Flesh also is weak and cannot endure an excellent Object But when this Body shall be made spiritual and that which now looks through two little holes shall see through every part and through into every Object there it will be never tired Especially there being an infinite and inexhaustible Fountain of Goodness and Glory Behold now we are the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 3. Who is the Eternal incomprehensibly Great and Glorious God and to see him as he is in his very Nature will take up the whole length of Eternity Whilst we behold the sum of all Perfection the Quintessence of all Loveliness and Excellency the Subject of all Good and Glory who made containeth and is all things He will be a most full and delightsome Object to short and finite Creatures for evermore My thoughts fail on this Subject which it is not possible for the Heart to conceive much less for Words to express here we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. 12. And therefore am only to exhort the Reader and my Self to use the utmost diligence that we may come to this Blessed Vision The way is shewed Every Man that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure 1 John 3. 4. Having therefore these Promises let us cleanse our selves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. So that the Adulterer Fornicator unclean lascivious Person must cease to do Evil or he shall be shut out from this Glorious sight He must wash make himself clean rub out the Defilements Purge away all the remainders of sinful Lust other wise he shall no more stand in the Presence of the King of Glory then now he can fly up into Heaven and of his own strength cause it to be opened to receive him Who would lose seeing him that is ten thousand times brighter then the Sun only now for a little staring upon well-coloured Dust Who would sell his part in those Celestial Joys which shall transport the Partakers with Exstacy for evermore for Gratification of a pitiful Lust which presently vanisheth and comes to nothing If he is esteemed a Fool that sells the Reversion of a great Estate which would be certainly his own if he would wait a little time for a single draught of Ale A much greater is he who for a few sudden foolish and empty Nothings parts with his Birth-right to Heaven Especially considering further that if he is deprived of that he must take up his abode in a worse place The abominable and Whoremongers shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone Rev. 21. 8. Hearken you that cannot deny a wicked Inclination because it is urgent and importunate how can you endure to lye down under everlasting burnings The Pruriency of Lust seems hard and grievous to you to be resisted and do you not think it is much more to dwell with devouring Fire What a sad Portion must that Man have to submit to those Evils he at present chooses with the Sin and then shall be given in full measure those dreadful Threatnings which shall as certainly be fulfilled in their time as we see of the things that have already been It may be thou still cherishest thy self in thy sweet Sin accounting it the only Happiness of Life but it hath been weighed in the Ballance and sound light in Comparison of that heavy Load of Guilt and Pain that follow at hand but less and worse then nothing of what is to succeed hereafter I have seen thine Adulteries and thy Neighings the Leudness of thy Whoredom and thine Abomination on the Hills in the Fields Wâ— unto thee O Jerusalem wilt thou not be made clean VVhen shall it once be Jer. 13. 27. CHAP. IX Of COVETOUSNESS COvetousness is an inordinate Love and Desire after Money as when one is more earnest after that then God and the things of his Kingdom The Covetous Man is an idolater Eph. 5. 5. and so Col. 3. 5. for he hath a greater Love and Veneration for corruptible Gold and Silver then for the immortal God. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon Luke 16. 13. Yet the last seems to be the Prince of this World for it bears greatest sway It Commandeth all things procureth all things hath in subjection Man and Beast and hath exceeding Estimation for what is due only to the Lord Jehovah is applied secretly within the Heart to this Idol How excellent is thy Name in all the Earth Thus hath it robbed God of his Glory for there is more Service â—zek 14. 〈◊〉 and Valuation given to it by sottish Children and blind Fools then is had to the invisible Being Some through this are dissemblers with God who pretend to serve him are zealous for the outward Ordinances and abstain from the chargeable Sins but do grind the Faces of the Poor Isa 3. 15. Cheat and defraud others are greedy after Gain and use sinful means And yet seem to have a good mind towards God for they are diligent in his Worship And they come unto thee as the People cometh and they sit before thee as my People and they hear thy VVords but they will not do with them for with their Mouth they make a shew of much Love but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness Ezek. 33. 31. As if they could put a Cheat upon him also by putting him off with good words only when in the mean time they will think and do what they List Thou understandest my thought afar off Psal 139. 2. At the very Rise and Conception before we know it our selves Let this be duly considered of by Hyppocrites and formal Professors It will not be accepted to be double-minded to have one place for God and another for the World. Neither is he to be thrust out from the Heart into the Mouth or Lips. He knoweth where he is used with neglect and will recompence accordingly as also where he is not obeyed from the Heart and where he hath not the whole The Commandment is repeated over and over Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul. He requires to have the
his days though with the utmost Skill and Dexterity He that is very diligent in gathering Straws and leaves none behind him will never pass for a Wise man. Let the bundle be every day bigger yet if never so great it is all to a vain Purpose The result of the whole is that God hath provided for mankind Bags which wax not Old a Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not Luke 12. 33. unto which he now calls and invites them to accept of in the mean while he Commands to abstain from what is an hindrance to this which also is hurtful and disquieting It is better trusting unto him then seeking unto the Creature His Goodness and Wisdom are justified yea to be admired and complyed withal Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 15. CHAP. X. Of Anger Wrath Hatred Malice Envy BEfore hath been considered that inordinate Love and Desire after Meat Drink Women and Money the several Idols of this lower World which draw after them such a multitude of Followers by holding forth the outward shew of Good and Happiness But upon the strict and through inquiry every one must acknowledge it is not in me The Man is cheated all the while he may stumble over among and within them all seeking Rest and finding none God is the chief and only Good Who ever left him and prospered It is as impossible to be Happy without him as that there should be light of Noon-day when the Sun is under this part of the Earth Nothing is more miserable and yet nothing more Proud then Man was the observation of a very Heathen but we know whence to derive this accursed Nature It came down from his Forefather who would be as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3. 5. the Author of his own Happiness We are his Children and would be working it out of our selves Let the only Wise God declare unto them it is in the way of his Commandments that he is the Lover of mankind and ordained such for their Good yet they will think otherwise and so despise his Wisdom and Truth Which is such an iniquity as themselves shall find their own Conceit of Happiness to be Folly falshood and disappointment and shall be recompenced with abhorring and Confusion of Face for evermore Isa 66. 24. If that wherein they most trust deceive them much more will those things wherein they do not place so great Expectation If the Principal faculties of Soul when they stand in opposition to God will not afford true and real contentment much less will the inferiour Passions which disjointed from him do nothing but torment and make miserable When neither desire nor love with their several Objects are able to make a wicked Man happy much less will the other parts of his Soul which condemn and vex him His understanding doth reprove his Ways the other Passions do torture or Discompose If it were not to keep him in life he had rather have no Soul at all but would become altogether flesh and sence that he might have all things to relish but nothing to embitter his delights This wish is impossible as it is mean and degenerous for He who fashioned every part of us both of Soul and body hath likewise so ordained that if they be not brought into Obedience Sanctified and made Happy then as they were the instruments of sin so of punishment and to render Miserable Pain and Sickness to the body or if that be not Grief and Indignation to the Soul. As hereafter there is no middle state between Heaven and Hell nor any standing still now between both so it is of Happiness and Misery If that which is given to promote the one is not made use of accordingly it will tend to the other If the Soul is not brought into Obedience unto Happiness then it falls down into Destruction and Misery How we are to be regulated throughout hath been shewed Chap. 2. Where the whole Man was taken in pieces that he might be set in a right frame The Understanding Will and Affections were surveyed In the two first both the good and evil were discovered the affections were treated of as tending to good if Governed by the Law of God. Now it remains according to the proposed method to speak of that evil and misery they occasion by being ruled according to the Law of the Flesh The corruption and abuse of Love as to its several Objects hath been handled in the last foregoing Chapters When the good and evil of a thing is laid open the one may be chosen and the other avoided And hereby it may be a little more particularly manifested unto Men would God it were done by a better instrument but here it is endeavoured according to the ability himself hath been pleased to give Thou art good and dost good teach me thy Statutes Righteous art thou O Lord and Vpright are thy Judgments The Testimonies that thou hast commanded are exceeding Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 68 137 138. Though he hath the greatest Sovereignty over Creatures and he might as some earthly Potentates do by their Vasâ—als have exercised his authority over them by enjoyning them such and such things which would not be for their good but only expose them to hardship and inconvenience But God is not as the Son of Man who is Ignorant Proud and Cruel for there is an intrinsick worth and excellency a real goodness in the very nature of all things our gracious Lord requires as on the other hand there is Baseness Deformity and Evil in forbidden things Seek Good and not Evil that ye may live Hate the Evil and love the Good Amos 5. 14 15. Beloved follow not that which is Evil but that which is Good 3 Joh. 11. This is the Law and the Prophets It is the sum of all the Commandments of God. We are required to put off Anger Wrath Malice Col. 3. 8. Hatred Variance Envyings Gal. 5. 20 21 26. So certainly there is Evil in them and they hinder our Happiness All anger is not sinful nor forbidden but when without cause and immoderate Either without Provocation or upon little and trivial things Such a temper is contrary to the Peace and Tranquility of Mind When the Winds blow and Storms arise there succeeds a troubled Sea the Waves roaring Not much unlike is the Soul of Man when Contempt Affront or other cause hath moved him that which before was Calm and Smooth begins to Rise and Swell and violently beats upon the Banks The fierceness of the inward Man may be discerned when the Eyes shall roul up and down like sparks of Fire among the Stubble the form of his Visage changed Multitude of Words do press at the door of Dan. 3. 19. the Mouth that none are able to get forth but stammering and confused noise The Hands are with difficulty
right before thee Jer. 17. 16. They are bound to believe and speak â—orth Gods Truth but yet far from wishing the Misery of those who are Flesh of their Flesh and Bone of their Bone of the same common stock and likeness with themselves However they must love God more then Man and be more zealous for his Glory Truth and Justice then the welfare of others They had rather that wicked Men turn and live They would have such part with dâ—ceiâ—ful Lusts for true Happiness and do use their utmost endeavours to accomplish this blessed Work but if they continue still in an hard impenitent heart If they persist to hate provoke and despise the most Lovely Excellent Glorious One who hath not in the least deserved it from them If they abuse his Goodness and Long-suffering which at length is worn out and their day is past Let God arise and let his Enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As Wax melteth before the Fire so let the wicked perish at the Presence of God. But let the righteous be glad let them rejoyce before God yea let them exceedingly rejoyce Psal 68. 1 2 3. They will be pleased when they behold God glorified in his Justice upon the wicked as in his Mercy on themselves Even they will fully acknowledge the Lord is righteous he hath dealt with them accordingly to their deservings they had theâ—r Choice and he did all things to bring them to Heaven and avoid the evil but they maliciously refused the one and did run blindly into the other If now they would lay aside prejudice and false judgings and debate the Matter seriously in their minds they must Confess the Goodness and Justice of God in the Government of the World as to future Rewards and Punishments though we are now in the Flesh and have not so very clear a discovery of things much more will it appear when we shall be stript and dispossessed of all when the Judge himself shall testifie against us Psal 50. 6 7. And plead with the Inhabitants of the Earth give a large Account of what he hath done for his Vineyard and leave us to judge what he could do more that he hath not done Isa 5. that every mouth may be stopped and all the World become Guilty before God Rom. 3. 19. The Righteous will say If thou Lord hadst been extream to mark iniquity who might abide it Even they would be Condemned But they fled to him who was set forth for an Advocate and Propitiation for our Sins they entred into that Covenant of Grace which was made through him between God and Man and sincerely performed the Conditions thereof O what magnifying will there then be of the Mercy of the Father in sending him and his Love in doing so great things for mankind But for those his Enemies who would not have him Reign over them who did Call him Lord Lord but did not the things he said who did mock and trifle with him these shall find to be true what is written 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. Rev. 2. 23. The Secrets of all Hearts will be manifested all Tricks and Evasions will vanish and themselves will really assent to the Truth and uprightness of Gods proceeding against them They will be forced to know these things when knowledge will do them no good but to aggravate their own Folly that they would not know them before-hand that they were willingly ignorant 2 Pet. 3. 5. Who are now of a different Opinion from the Godly and so exasperated against them will find those things to be true they told them of and will wish they had hearkened to them In the Word of God is such abundant Conviction for all sorts of wicked Men but especially the worst sort of Persecutors that when they hear these things the former must be pricked in their Heart Acts 2. 37. and so bring them to Repentance the others cut to the Heart Acts 7. 54. which would stop the way of them But if they are desperately resolved and gnash with their Teeth then they must Cry with a loud voice and stop their Ears Verse 57. and run upon mischief Making the outward noise to silence the Cries within them Be sure not to hear what can be said against their wicked Designs for then they could not do them They must violently rush on for they cannot go soft deliberate and do this They hasten on with hurry and Passion for let them take sober Councel they will never Act such things If they take advice from Scripture they will be found mad and Enemies to themselves If by Reason that will pronounce them to be Fools and cruel to others And therefore if their Hearts are fully set in them to do evil they must consult with neither And this is the very Reason why they go on in their Course as is generally of a wicked Life to resolve first to hear nothing to the contrary But if one was throughly bent to commit Theft Robbery Treason and thereupon think himself safe because he would not know the Kings Laws should we think him so He would be hanged for all that In like manner God hath published his Word to the World and whether Men will take notice of the Truths of it or no they only lie dormant for a while but he will judge and condemn by it and their ignorance will not excuse but aggravate their Guilt because it was malicious and wilful They might have known in this their Day the things which belong to their Peace but when they are hid from their Eyes they will be plagued that they did not know them and what they now account a Priviledge will be one degree more of their Torment Let others have a Care how they become the Authors of Reproach and Persecution which begins by the steps of Malice and Ill-will Our Lord himself laid open the unreasonableness thereof for having before shewed why they should not he sâ—iâ—h Yet they both hated me and my Father but this comes to pass â—hat the word might be fulfilled which was written in their Law they hated me without a Cause John 15. 25. He told his Disciples that they also would be hated and so it hath appeared of his true Followers in all Ages ever since But why shouldst thou Labour so much in this Point Seeing those who are Hated Slandered and Persâ—cuted are Parâ—akâ—rs of the Blessing and obtain a Reward for it and consequently it is better for them to be so intreated This is a right Julian Scoff yet we have our Saviour for an Example in vindicating himself and the â—oly Apâ—stles maintaining their Innocency and shewing the uâ—reasonableâ—ess of their Adversaries rage against them However God is pleased to â—urn the Sufferings of his Servants into good recompence them with Comfort here and Glory hereafter yet they are to be put in mind not presently to suffâ—r without using all lawâ—ul
to be Religious and therefore it is judged of by them Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect for they are not all Israel which are of Israel Rom. 9. 6. The Scripture in what it asserts is nevertheless true though People will not come up to it There is a difference between outward Professors and who obey from the Heart Rom. 6. 17. And again is to be discerned between them who do with the whole Heart and who do not Who comply with all the Counsel of God and who keep some of the Commandments and neglect others Amongst all those multitudes who in these days flock after Christ hear him Preached and go under his Name there are but few who observe all things whatsoever he hath Commanded Mat. 28. 20. such are his Friends John 15. 14. and will find acceptance with him These are in Truth Religious and Peace shall be upon them for they can apply the Promises to themselves which will be made good to them for As sure as God is he is true These see themselves already acquitted in that Word by which all are to be judged at the last day Herâ—in is our Love made perfect that we may have Boldness in the Day of Judgment because as he is so are we in this World. There is no fear in Love but perfect Love casteth out Fear Because Fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in Love 1 John 4. 17 18. When the Life of Jesus is manifested in us and we love God then we expect nothing but good from him we are certain of it because we have his Word wherein it is impossible for God to lye so here must be strong assurance They are safe as to the things eternal and for temporal Evils they are well provided from Eccles 9. 1. Rom. 8. 28. Psal 34. 4. Psal 46. 1 2. Psal 56. 3. Now those and alike Promises may be applied to any particular Person who is obedient as the Saint was to whom they were first made See Rom. 15. 4. Heb. 13. 6. None have reason to Fear when they know Greater is he that is for us then those who are against us But of all Worldly Dangers that do beset the Sons of Men the greatest are from those of the same kind A Man is worse then a Wolf to another by Reason of his mischievous Nature otherwise he is Contemptible and of small Power he is exceeding dreadful to us Yet the good Christian is secured against him by the Promises of God. Will the Men of this World frown and look sternly upon him Be not afraid of their Faces for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord Jer. 1. 8. Do they threaten The Lord is on my side I will not fear what Man can do unto me Psal 118. 6. Do the greatness of Men terrifie him He need not fear the Wrath of the King seeing him who is invisible Heb. 11. 17. Do they endeavour to vex and torment him as much as they can I even I am â—e that comâ—orâ—â—th you Who arâ— thou that arâ— afraid of a Man that shall die and of the Son of Man which shall be made as Grass And forgâ—ttâ—st thâ— Lord thy Maker that hath sâ—râ—â—â—â—d forth the Heavens and laid the Foundation of the â—arth Isa 51. 12. 13. God is sometimes pleased not to interpose in mediately but suffers the Blood of his Servants to be shed yet still they â—ave no cause to be afraid for he will give strength that they may be able to bear and assuredly reward them plentifully in the other World who have endured so much for him in this In all troubles which do â—ot tend thus far his Grace is sufficient and sutable to them Are they despised by Men Yet they are esteemed by God and have a Sense of that favour and so would be of all good Men if they could alike discern their Sincerity and Uprightness We are troubled on every side yet not distressed We are perplexed but not in despair Persecuted but not for saken cast down but not dâ—sâ—â—oyed 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. All their Evils are outwards and seem grievous to those who judge according to the Flesh but themselves perceive that inward Rejoycing and Comfort which moâ—e then abundantly make up for all Whatever seeming hurt should come upon them God makes amends for it as to the present time so they have no Reason to fear or be troubled before hand at the thoughts thereof As long as they continue in his obedience and put their trust in God for otherwise they are none of his they live contented with the present and do not disquiet themselves for what may be hereafter They are only to look to the things that certainly shall be for they are revealed in his Word and to provide themselves accordingly But it is not for them to know the other particular Dispensations which the Father hath kept in his own Power In general we may think Shall we receive good at the hands of God and shall we not receive evil Job 2. 11. We know what hath been and what is just before us and we are told what shall be after this Life but of the things that may come to pass between this time and the day of our Death We are assured nothing can befall us without the Will of our Heavenly Father and we are contented to submit whatever it be That these things are concealed is one of the doings of the All-wise God. For he remembreth that we are Dust Psal 103. 14. He considers how impatient and fretful our Nature is And if we did certainly fore-know what might happen hereafter we should torment our selves before our time It would take away the Rellish of all mean Enjoyments and bitterness would be the Portion of every Cup by Reason of that we must such a day Drink of Take therefore no thought for to morrow for to morrow shall take thought for the things of it self sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Mat. 6. 34. All endure Vexation in this place but God is pleased to Comfort his People and shew them a way that it may not be so grievous unto them as to others Fears and Cares have filled the Earth and do fall upon the dwellings of the righteous but they are not so much afflicted under them as other Men. The great Fear is over and they have no constant dread He shall not be afraid of evil tidings His Heart is fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 112. 7. The wicked flee when no Man pursueth but the righteous are as bold as a Lyon. Prov. 28. 1. And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Isa 32. 17. More Texts might be alledged â—ut the great staggering and objection is in that they are so seldom fulfilled in the Persons of Men. They may talk hereof in a general way and seem to apply to themselves yet when it is come
upon them they faint We do not find any such effectual Remedy against Fears It is granted that Religion doth not unman us it doth not take away the Sense of Affliction nor root up that which is so fast implanted in our Nature but doth cure the Grievousness of them We are still in the Flesh and nothing is absolutely taken from us which is common to Men. And then the Faith of us all is subject to doubts from whence sometimes arise Fears in our minds but yet we do not Labour continually under them we are not troubled in that measure as others We may through God triumph over the worst Evils that nothing shall oppress or cast us down We trust we have a good Conscience willing to live honestly in all things Heb. 13. 18. And tho' that may not utterly take away all Fear yet it doth qualifie yea and destroy the unpleasantness of Fear Some will be apt to look upon this as Proud and Vain boasting but we owe it only to Psal 66. 16. the Goodness and Grace of God and therefore it is thankfulness to speak thereof It is Duty to encourage others that they may come and see how Gracious the Lord is Blessed is the Man that trusteth in him Psal 34. 2 8. Whosoever will perform the Condition upon which the Promises are may attain unto this But for want hereof it is that the Word of God hath so little effect upon Men either to allay their Fears or Comfort them in their trouble They do assent that is good and true but then is a secret Thought it doth not belong to them and therefore find no benefit They do not love God with their whole Heart nor continue stedfast in his Covenant and therefore cannot lay hold of the Gracious part thereof But those who are redeemed from all iniquity a peculiar â—eople Tit. 2. 14. come nigh to innocence it must be allowed for real infirmities and so are free from Guilt and Fear these do not dread any Punishment in the World to come Whether Men do comply with the Word of God or not that hath provided an effectual Remedy for Fear the more they conform thereto they are free from it and again when they turn aside they are subject unto it so that it doth either take away the Fears of Mâ—n or wiâ—ely provide against them Not by way of negligence or hardening for these make the frightfulness cease for a short time but brings into the real Danger whereas an hearkening and â—ielding Prov. 1. 33. unto the spiritual Wisdom doth also keep off the slavish dread and moreover sets safe and sure as to the very things themselves Herein it conduces exceeding much to the Happiness and saâ—ety of mankind This may be somewhat more manifested by a view of the contrary for let us look upon the Armour of Sin and Disobedience What Proof they are against the Evils that threaten us Consider its Devices to get out of the Danger Sin and Religion are contrary one to another as a Rebel is to his rightful Lord the one would have the Laws of God observed the other trangresses against them So upon first sight it may be discerned which is most likely to get the Favour or avoid the Displeasure of the Mighty God who made and is above us all He hath said I will punish the World for their Evil and the wicked for their iniquity And hath made as severe Declarations from Heaven against those who offend or despise him as any Earthly Isa 13. 11. King doth to those under him He is true as certain as he is God so that he will accomplish what he hath spoken And then the wicked and ungodly expose themselves to a real Danger from his Wrath and Indignation The fancied security they have against this is to forget God they conclude that as long as they do not think of him it is well enough Something may be done according to the Custom of the World and so far they go to Church and do some Religious Duties But after that they will have no more to do with God he must not be in their Feasts Worldly business nor Company they neither think nor speak of him but he is out of mind This Principle consists of Stubbornness and Contempt for they are not only resolved wilfully to break his Laws but also make him as it were an underling as not to suffer the Sense of him to be in their Heart and Mouth but when please them which is to thrust off his Authority and Government for that is over the Hearts of Men from this manner of evil doing there comes to be in them a slavish Fear and Dread that they cannot endure the alone imagination or to hear any thing of God by way of Truth and Seriousness How uneasie and disturbed are they to hear him declared faithfully in his Word Horror and Doubt do possess them instantly Who object to Christians as Guilty of Cowardice in fearing that themselves are affrightened at the very Thought and Rumour of the same thing It shall be a Vexation only to understand the Report Isa 28. 19. They are more afraid of hearing only the Words of God preached or spoken of then others are at what is signified by them Now who have most of tormenting Fear They who cannot endure to hear God named in Praise and Instruction or who can speak of him with Gladness and Comfort They who tremble to go into the Sanctuary or those who can boldly and reverently approach to the Throne of Grace They who cannot bear sound Doctrine or those who contentedly hear the whole Will of God. They are afraid to hear God speak unto them by Earthen Vessels Men of the same Passions and Fellow-Creatures but how astonisht and cast down would they have been to have heard him from Mount Sinah and will be when they come to die and after that to Judgment The boldest Workers of iniquity dare not go to hear those who expound and apply the Word in Truth but if to any they had rather sit under those deceitful handlers who most of all betray a Cause and hence others take Courage in their evil ways Even in the wicked there is an acknowledgment and perswasion that God is to be Feared and they could with they did likewise But here observe the strangeness of the Devils Work how subtle his devices are he drives them off through their own Fear there is a little harshness in Râ—ligion at first and by fear of this they are kept off Fear is by reason of any supposed evil and they have had some little experience or imagine it is so in Religion and therefore stand off The harshness is not in the thing it self but the fault is wholly in themselves their own contrary Nature and sinful Habits The whole head is sick Isa 1. 5. and therefore cannot Reâ—â—ish what is Good but it seems bitter Notwithstanding that they should be startled away as it is a
acquainted find to be Pleasantness and Peace All the uneasiness in Religion is at first or to those who will not conform wholly to it which true Courage and Resolution might go throughly with and then that would wear off The Grace of God doth very much assist those who seek and work together with it The two Principal hindrances are Fear and Enjoyment of Lust they may be comprehended under one for there is a Fear of Misery in missing it but the frightning of trouble of Mind and a little heaviness hinders from coming to Repentance That which was implanted in Man to bring him unto God is so transversed as to keep him off such is only a foolish and more exceeding Fear And yet these would be thought to have least who indeed have most The reason why thy seem Fearless in the â—ight of the World is because they make a shew not to care for God and Religion insinuating they let that alone for Fearful People It is manifest what sets them a talking at this rate their negligence and stâ—pidity Ignorance and unbelief their inconsideration and hardness of heart their continued endeavours to stifle the sence of God to be so narrowly confined within themselves that they look only upon themselves not into the World or who made that and gave them Being They grow up they know not how neither do they mind it and then they look only to the present time and what is just before them By such kind of ways they come to be Despisers and umindful but that it is not through want of Fear may be further illustrated by their fear in reference to other things That keeps them in ungodliness and transgression so it hath a main influence on the common actions of Life This being contrary to their Proud Nature they endeavouâ— to conceal and keep close as much as they can in their words they would make a shew of the contrary but truth will come forth Fear as hath been said is by reason of any thing apprehended as evil If they have had some experience of it theâ— dread the same thing for the time to come or if not they imagine it may be evil and consequently are afraid to fall into it Indeed those lesser and ordinary evils of life being so common it doth not put them into trembling and amazement but they are concerned so far as to avoid them When they fly from the least evil and the shadow thereof who cannot endure the least Pain Grief or Discontent and can only subject themselves to dangers because they are unknown and future this argues a timorous disposition Their resorting continually unto all Pleasures proceeds from a kind of Fear to lose them and also of suffering Vexation 'T is not altogether sweetness which invites for constancy makes them satiating but they are sought after as a preventive of inward Sorrow they should otherwise labour under What makes Men thrust themselves into all Company The delight whereof ceases when continually had but they are afraid to converse with themselves least their own thoughts should begin to accuse them They will offend God who is not seen if thereby they may please their superiours The lower sort are the instruments of great Mens Oppression and Injustice they accuse and inform of one another to get the favour and avoid the displeasure of such a Rich and mighty Neighbour And again he is afraid of those above equal or under him Even the greatest have inward tremblings and are willing to content the people If they do not fear God they do fear Men and who make a pretence not to regard them yet they are horribly afraid of many things besides as Disgraâ—e Pain Sickness and the event thereof So Fears do go round and tho' they do not fix on the right Object yet on every thing besides that hath the least power to do hurt and all is by reason of that They fear the Work of his hands but do not fear the Maker of them all And the only Reason of that is because they neither know nor see him and he keeps silence for would not these very Isa 57. 11. Men who adore visible Greatness and tremble at every thing do the like also if they perceived the least Glimpse of Gods Glory or had the least Manifestation of his dreadful Majesty They would then crouch and creep as now they lift up and exalt themselves An Exampâ—â— we have in Nebuchadnezar Dan. 3. Verse 15 19 24 27. Upon the least shewing himself â—orth the mighty Ones do submit presently But if he did so always or for the most part there could be â—o Tryal of free obedience It would be no thanks for them to fear the Lord for they could not help it And they might Fear him as Slaves and Captives not as Saints and Children They might stand in awe of and yet not obey him Those who commit so many Sins to avoid little temporal Inconveniencies it is because they are afraid of them And they venture upon the other because as yet they see no harm happen but did they behold that Furnace of Fire which shall be to the VVorkers of iniquity these same Persons would be as much afraid of that as now they are of the Temptation which leads them over to it Who are now fearful of every Evil would be the same as to those of the other World had they but such a sight thereof as departed Souls have The Wicked and Prophane would presently become as Religious as the most strict and rigid Fellow is now in the Worlds Opinion and still no thanks to them for what is it in any that arises out of Bed and Shifts for himself in a Night Fire There would be no Faith nor Love nor any thing worth the least Acceptation And those things are removed out of sight for exercise of them all There is that in the natural Man which if he would turn and order aright might bring him to Heaven and Happiness The Lord knoweth our Frame Psal 103. 14. And hath put those things in us all that if we would comply with them we must necessarily lay hold of the good and avoid the evil set before us That Fear which now drives from every little thing would much more oblige us to make haste to escape from the stormy Wind and Tempest the Damnation of Hell. It seems strange that though God hath done so much for Mankind who gives to the worst such offers and assistances of his Grace that they might do otherwise if they would yet so many should perish but none ever did or shall hereafter unless he both resists the Grace of God and doth violence to his own Inclinationâ— and Passions Self-preservation and Fear which make up so much of every Man would have kept him if he had wisely considered where the greatest dangers lay for all of this short and vain life are not much to be valued And yet the affrightfulness of them would have stirred up a
Field or in the Streets in the lower parts of our House or our Closet or upon a Sick-bed we may go hence securely though upon the last we may glorifie God shew our Faith and Sincerity Comfort and exhort By-standers manifest to this unbelieving Generation the truth and reality of Religion that it can free from the Fear of what hath been called the most terrible of Terribles The Sayings of Philosophers and Wise Heathens will make a fine jingling and noise they will sound magnificently or delight somewhat whilst Reading but even then it may be observed they do not afford sufficient Strength and Comfort against it but when it approaches nigh none at all Men may a little please themselves with a Sentence or two whilst they live but still it may be otherwise it doth not satisfie but when they come to die all those brave Words vanish and signifie nothing Nay all the Discourses of meer Reason wiâ—l not avail as to this thing for let there be never so much ingenuity or shew of arguing yet there is a Possibility of mistake and they can never reach to any assurance To Examine that admired Saying of Seneca Death is either an end or a passage if the first never Fear to cease to be for it is the same as not to have begun neither to pass because I shall never be so narrowly confined Sen. Ep 65. As for the first if it is so he argues rightly but not all the Wise Men of past Ages or the present can give certainty that it is so Neither their study and searching nor the ingenuity of some or Carelessness of others at this day can throughly satifie the mind of any considering Man. And so they could not secure the World from Danger for let them say and do what they will it may be otherwise which is as sure as the Scriptures are true But then it must be a passage according to the other supposal From that he Reasons weakly and deceitfully for it would be a poor relief to be out of the Prison of the Body and in more Misery In that it is dreadful because it consigns over to a State of Happiness or Misery What will the Disputer and Wise Man of the World say to this What help can the Philosophers find out against it And let them tell what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon all the Generations of mankind It is no more in our Power and Wisdom to hinder Punishment after Death then it was to hinder our own Being That God who took us out of our Mothers Womb if we are not reconciled unto him in the mean while will raise us up again to sâ—ffer worse things then we have dâ—ne here The sence of this being put into our frame is sufficient to make us afraid and not without cause Saith one It is â—est not to be born or to die very quickly But seeing we are born how can he assâ—re us of that To have but one Tryal for endless Happiness or Misery when all that can be done is little enough to make sure a thing of that importance as laâ—ing hold of the good and avoiding the evil this is not to be done hastily and well If he means to die quickly because we shall be as nothing Produce his strong reasons and all will not amount to a Certainty no nor a Probability The Spirit of God saith contrary It is appointed unto Men once to die but after this the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. He that made them and sent them into this World knows best what shall become of them when they are gone out and of him we have this Revelation Let the Wise and Prudent go away with their fine expressions let Infidels and Fools go on in their Denial and Negligence the Word of God abideth sure that will discover all their Errors and Mistakes A day of determination draweth nigh upon the living as it hath already passed upon many Generations If they were suffered to come from the Dâ—â—d and testifie of these things we should have a vast cloud of Witnesses God is not pleased to permit this and therefore doubts first and then unbelief do spring up in the hearts of Men Neither do any go there whilst living and return There is no intercourse betwixt the two Worlds Things then would be so certain and past doubt that none would serve God for â—ought for the alone hope and expectation of unseen things But people would traffick for Heaven as they do to Jamaica or the Indies and all still for love of themselves not out of any love to the Lord of that Country What a company of Meâ—cenary Souls should we have Then the Church would be flocked unto even upon Weeks days as the Exchange Then Worldly minded Men would become the best Christians those who are all for themselves use Religion only now to serve a turn or for a reserve but if there was such sensible profit such would do most therein and still do nothing only for Gods sake There would be no work of Faith or labour of Love but all selfishness God hath most wisely ordered it as it is that the Trial of Faith might be had that the excellency of Obedience may be seen We must needs die and are as Water spilt upon the ground which cannot be gathered up again 2 Sam. 14. 14. It appears so in our sight but the eye of Faith can reach further to an Immortality and Resurrection Again all things happen alike to all there is no visible and eminent reward to Righteousness or Iniquity this will manifest of what sort our Obedience is If we can deny present ease and pleasure submitting our selves to loss and inconvenience for that which no Man hath seen this is such love and trust in God to which he hath promised a recompence of Reward If we believe his Word speaking of Futurity though we see nothing in a dead Man to give Warrant or Ground for it there is some commendation in this Faith that the Soul which seems nothing but Breath vanished and gone doth yet live That such a clod of Flesh which must first turn into Stench then common undistinguishable Dust that the Bones shall be disjoynted and themselves though somewhat longer become Dust also that these shall become Bones again and there shall be Resurrection as described Ezek. 37. There shall be a shaking and the Bones come together Bone to Bone Sineâ—s and the Flesh came upon them and the Skin covered them which shall be performed in a literal sence at the last day and as they were dissolved so to be raised again though it will be done more suddenly This is something above what is common to believe As Acts. 1. 11. Christians we judge him faithful that hath promised As reasonable Men we can thus deem that he who made the World and our selves of nothing can also restore out of pre-existent matter VVe have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well
perpetual remembrance it must be by that way and manner himself hath prescribed As Parchment and Wax are little worth of themselves but yet useful and significative of conveying Land one to another So our Lord may Minister unto us his grace and benefits by the outward signes of Bread and Wine and when they are received in this Ordinance they are more to be esteemed in respect of the thing signified then in our common eating and drinking The Bread broken sets forth how the body of our Lord was torn upon the Cross the Wine poured out puts in mind of his side being pierced and the shedding of his blood As often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. That is not so much the sprinkling or dipping in Water as the thing signified The Apostle doth not speak to exclude it for himself used it and so did the other Apostles who had the Spirit of God and all the Church down ever since Now there is the same prejudice as to that What doth the meer Water signifie They might have put the same question to the Apostles themselves had they been in their time or to our Lord in the institution of his Supper There is not so much only in the outward sign but there is in the thing signified Many remain still in Ignorance and Sin but if they would be saved let them come out from among their Sheep and Oxen and lift up their eyes to Heaven considering who inhabits there They must not always be confined in a Barn or with Saul hide themselves among the Rushes or be wholly taken up with the little things of this short life for they are called out and invited to receive a Kingdom This is spoken in good earnest Your only end of coming into this World is to serve God and to know the things pertaining unto him and hence to be translated up to receive it If they do that for a while they will at length perceive there is something more in the Ordinances then what they at present imagine through the darkness and blindness that is in them None can think slightly but who do not understand If they do really believe on Christ it would seem no strange thing to come unto his Supper The Man is to raise up the highest Love for God and his Christ Remember the holy Covenant that hath passed between them with a continued firm stedfastness and sincere purpose to perform the same He may refresh and strengthen his Faith especially on the Death of our Lord and the Truth of his whole Gospel he is to lift up his Soâ—l in the most hearty Praises and lively Devotionâ— where is a constant â—ear and obedience to Almighty God if he comes unexpectedly where the Sacrament is Administred upon a little examination and reverence of mind he may receive But where he hath notice before hand and he may lay aside some of his Worldly Business as this may be done thrice in the Year at least there let him not approach to this Holy Mystery without Solemn preparation before for it is altogether of as high a nature and deserves as great reverence as the Passover of Old. We are always to have Oyl ready in our Lamps but then we should trim and make them ready at the meeting of the Bridegroom It is not an humbling or carefulness for a day nor a fit of holiness for a Season only for this is the practice of them Who are Foolish Disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures Tit. 3. 3. who fondly think to make atonement by this Ordinance not considering that some will be rejected who have eaten and drunk in Christs presence Luke 13. 26. But a due preparation consists in a constant course of keeping the Commandments of God There is a building up in our most holy Faith and a progress in the Christian Life so that whosoever is sincere and willing as to that may partake of this Supper to his comfort and benefit Give not that which is holy unto Dogs is the express command of the Master of this Feast Since the Church hath been remiss to this thing and promiscuously admitted all the Sacrament is become common and disesteemed When she kept to the rules of our Lord people were earnest and desirous to come and sorrowful to be kept away If the Government of God over the World were not in a manner made precarious by those who take upon them the Office and Administration thereof Men would be more willing and obedient under it Neither would themselves be so contemptible and base among the People if they had kept up that authority in word and power which the Lord had given When a thing stoops or becomes easie the consequent is to trample upon and not care for it they are to answer before him who in their several Generations have thus managed the cause of God. They have not done according to their direction in his Word for that is with Authority and would if truly Preached command the most Rebellious and Proud hearts of the sons of Men. God is greater then Men and as those who exercise Authority would not suffer it to be brought low neither should his Kingdom and rule over them diminish Truth was once stablished in the Earth the Kingdom of God was once set up with Power but now through the treacherous yielding of the supporters it hath been long falling away and loses strength God is not the least beholden to his Creatures for serving him as Gen. 4. 7. So afterwards his Commandments are given in a Majestick and Authoritative manner Exod. 20. And though the stubborn Sinner saith in his heart which he Manifests in practise I will do this and that just contrary yet he shall be answered again in Plagues and Punishment In like manner did the Lord Jesus give out his Commission of Teaching Go ye into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. If People do their duty it is accepted if not they are to expect the danger There hath been a wonderful deal of begging yea moreover civil Authority must be called in for aid to bring Mankind over to the ordinances of their God and all will not do When their fear towards him is taught by the precept of Men they may come to perform such a Worship as is described in the foregoing part of the verse of drawing near with their Mouth and honouring with their lips but have removed their heart far from me Isa 29. 13. and that cannot be hindred by all legal constitutions What Glory is it unto him to have a
God should be called Wise So he is stiled Only VVise Rom. 16. 27. Our Saviour checked one for calling him Good upon the same Reason In like manner none should be called Happy which is the Comprehension of all but we are in the way and do endeavour after Happiness only And when we shall come there we must with the four and twenty Elders fall on our Faces to ascribe Greatness and Blessedness unto our God only for he hath created all things and of him are all things and they do but partake of his Fulness and all they have is from him But hold we are now in the way and therefore are to be more careful about this then what shall be at the End. We should know and do what helps toward this perfect Happiness The Goodness of a thing lies in its right Temper and Equality Health of Body consists in a due Circulation of the Blood in the even and usual Proportion of moist and dry hot and cold So there is Peace in the Soul when the understanding doth its Office the Desires and Passions keep still in their just place and each doth what he should do For if they do nothing all as it is the wretched Condition of many Whose Soul as it were sleeps in the Body just keeping Life and Sense who in Laziness and Sloth do rather snort then live out their days this deceives into Misery It hath a shew of Peace but it is Stupidity descends into the lower parts and utterly hinders from coming up to Heaven And this though it makes no such great noise is the Destruction of the World their refusing to exercise that Ability God hath given them either by not using the powers of the Soul or not doing it to the utmost on its proper and excellent End. VVherefore is a price put into the hands of a Fool and he hath no heart to get Wisdom Let the latter sort consider this Command of our Lord strive to enter in at the streight Gate for many I say will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luke 13. 24. Do but really endeavour according to what thou canst for not those who Strive but Seek that is in a careless and negligent manner who miss thereof We being now in the way to the Rest that remaineth for the People of God must go on and be travelling or we shall never come to it Again all things succeed well when they keep within their own Station and bounds and move according to their several kinds more then this is Confusion and Disorder Iâ—ss is lying still and involves in the doom of unprofitable Servants In the things Commanded us some may seem to thwart our Nature yet only as it is corrupted but they are not contrary to it when considered in its Original purity If any thing seems harsh and iâ—ksome it is to better and to advance to heal that which was sick to restore the fallen to recover sight to the blind to give Liberty to the Captive It is reasonable to undergo a little trouble or inconvenience in order to a greater Good that also is in our selves for we sinned with our Father and have since added fresh Provocation to his Disobedience Now the Law is ordained to help and retrieve the Condition of poor Man that he may come to himself Luke 15. 17. take Care that he do not sink below himself to bring him into his due posture and then to raise him yet higher By setting before us and then stirring us up to endeavour after those great and precious Promises that by these you might be Partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. First to make us Men and then to be as Angels and thence to be translated into a Greater Similitude unto God himself The End of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and of a Good Constience and Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1. 5. Love to God and Men a right inward Disposition of the Soul is the whole required of us There are indeed some things given to prove our Love Obedience and Faith Of this sort are the Precepts of Self denial Taking up the Cross hating Father and Mother subjecting our selves unto Persecution rather then offend God. This exercises Faith and Love in a high Degree because we endure real present and visible inconveniences only out of Respect to him that is invisible for future but certain Rewards Even now he gives Grace and Strength to bear hereby assuring he will give Glory and Recompence hereafter God doth by inward Consolation or outward Help arm his Servants against all Sufferings There are none of his Commandments though they may seem austere to the ignorant and disobedient but tend to the Happiness of those who do thereafter God is good to all who believe wait and trust in him But these are extraordinary Precepts which are as Abrahams offering up his Son that the Tryal of us might be more perfectly had to which particular chosen Ones are called out They happen only at some Seasons according as his Gracious for so I will call it here Providence is pleased to Order Persecution Reproach Losses are not all the days of our Life these are shortened for the Elects sake For the Rod of the wicked shall not Rest upon the lot of the Righteous lest the Righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity Psal 125. 3. they also are but Flesh There is a taking up the Cross daily Luke 9. 23. but that may be understood of a Preparation against it or a suffering in lesser inconveniencies Yet still it is so ordered by the Goodness of God that his Servants may pass the greater part of their time in Rest and Quietness If they have Evil returned for Good this doth not arise from the Commandments of God but from the iniquity and perverseness of Men. Those are good and reasonable but the inconvenience Springs from the Malice and â—olly of others Take away that and there would not be the least outward harm in obeying God. The greater Persecution arises from hence for it is not through following of good only if they keep that to themselves The wicked may hereupon conceive secret Rancour and Indignation yet this doth not commonly break forth into open violence But then for the other part when they come to meddle with the People to tell them of their Transgressions and seek to reform them this was the unwelcome Message that stirred them up to Hatred and Cruelty Now consider the thing abstractedly a King sends a Messenger to his Subjects to acquaint them of the Violation of his Laws He would have them make acknowledgment and do so no more then they shall have Protection and Peace otherwise they shall be destroyed As God is greater then Man Why should he be hardly thought of for keeping up his Government over the work of his hand Wherein is his Messenger to be blamed What fault is
Duty to our Neighbour then that we ow immediately unto himself Though in Truth all is Homage and Suâ—jection unto God For we are to do Justly and love Mercy because he doth require it of us Mic. 6. 8. This is agreed to be good by all mankind Upright-dealing and Alms-giving have been are and will always continue Honourable and of good esteem amongst Men both good and bad We may see by this they have a real desire after Happiness for they countenance what they see furthers it and shew themselves displeased at whatever is prejudicial thereto They approve what is just and equal when Offices of Kindness and Compassion are done to one another and contrariwise they seek to hinder if no other way yet by casting Shame on the Authors of Wrong and Injury There is a general sence and good Nature to others though it may be brought home to self-Self-Love at last yet if he loves others also it is no harm for a Man to love himself he cannot do otherwise and where all things may stand together there is no need of shutting one from the other I might from this Observation just ask if this Principle be in all and Religion only comes on this Errand as certainly it doth and for no other for God sent not his Son into the World not to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved that is eternally Happy Why then should so many thoughts arise in the Hearts of Men concerning it as if it were a Troubler and Disturbance to them or as it were a Snare Exod. 10. 7. What mean those silent Murmurings those secret and strange Imaginations Concerning this one thing of Religion There are great Thoughts and searchings of Heart But it is only the Divisions and the not complyance with it in all things which occasions all this There is a secret Enemy which doth all he can to raise Prejudices and wicked suggestions to turn if possible all people from the good that is set before them but he doth the greater Part. There is something in the nature of Man which catches at every little thing that is present visible and certain but neglectful of what is not altogether so though Prudence would direct that in a thing of infinite greater concern he should also use the same Care and Caution He doth indeed wisely as to the little things of this Life but then he should go on as he hath begun doing the same as to those vast concerns of the succeeding and endless Life and then he acts like a Man indeed for a Beast hath that instinct to take care and provision about what is before and useful unto him and to avoid things hurtful and so far let him use those faculties he hath but for them which rise higher let them be advanced to the higher end The Principles of self-Love and willingness to be Happy are as fit to build the Doctrines of Christ on as any for as in the things of this World when a Man comes to know they tend to this he presently desires and seeks after them so if he understands the other are for his good and security it is then left unto him whether he will follow after and practice them None can so much as in thought accuse God for those Laws and Statutes he hath given to Mankind as they live in Neighbourhood and Society for those things to be done between Man and Man every one knows it would be happy living if they were by all persons and in all things observed that every Man might have his own and get what he can more that we might live Lovingly and Peaceable with one another But seeing the World is turned aside from this good Establishment The Answer is throughout the ensuing Discourse What shall we do now He that departeth from Evil maketh himself a Prey Isa 59. 15. One may do Wrong to make up for that which he hath received there is little to be got by the strict way of Justice If one will come to any thing he must make use of good and evil Arts the first to get a fair Reputation but it is good to have a double Advantage All people are for living in the World as well as they can If I had an Estate or sufficient besides I should never have been put upon this Temptation but it is hard to perish for want there can be no Sin when Necessity compels Moreover Honesty is poor and laughed at so it may seem neither agreeable to Wisdom nor Happiness One would admire when things were so well ordered and disposed of at first and such excellent Rules made concerning them that they should ever be departed from But Evil presently came into the World the Sons of Violence and Transgression sprang up Wickedness quickly got the greater part of its side But now hereby is had the exercise and tryal of Good for that could not be unless there was some of the contrary Nay it would not be so much commended unless there was great abundance of the contrary and much opposition as now there is so that Righteousness may appear more Righteous It relies on Faith and so is more precious then of Gold that perisheth then of the gains of Falshood which are quickly left behind and come to nothing though it be tryed with Fire that is with difficulty and resistance might be found unto Praise and Honour and Glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 7. If there was nothing more then what we now see only Buying Selling and getting Gain If after this busie Life we were to lye in the sluggishness of eternal annihilation nothing in the World besides Earth no Time shall be after we are gone out of the World or there should be an utter end of us if there was nothing besides what we in the hurry of worldly Business think of which is evidently false or nothing would ever befall us then what we consider of before hand as many things do now I say if things were so which are manifestly contrary then all that aforementioned would be wise Counsel and method of Action The Men of this World run a little too fast they would take up that for granted which is not so and then all along act upon a false and mistaken Principle for whether they first debate it in their minds or no they do after that manner as if there was no Immortality and Resurrection If they would allow an eternal Life after this as it is the same whether they do or do not it being not what Man fancies concerning himself but God hath Decreed all this stir of living in the World would fall to the ground for then natural Reason would make this inference That the time of our Sojourning here if Seventy or Eighty Years is not so much to that as the twinkling of an Eye to our whole Life and consequently there should be as much care had to live happily for ever as
thee a Crown of Life It is reserved in the Heavens for us The Inhabitants of the Earth see the outside they die and go away Many of them would God they were more perform the Work he requires of them we all depart hence and shall find whether he will fulfil his Promises for which now we have his Word and his Oath Two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie Ceâ—â—â—â—â— it is that those several designs of Pleasure Riches and Honour are little unsatisfactory pass away and come to an utter end When our selves act upon probable yea assured great and rational Principles Others have nothing but the multitude and common Practice to Recommend them How then comes that wide difference of the Actions of Mankind so many are led away by the worse as manifestly appears by the least Reason and Discourse and themselves at length find by sad and too late Experience The Apostle in the forementioned Place after summing up the Christian Graces saith But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar of 2 Pet. 1. 9. He is wholly taken up with present and sensible things which fasten his Eyes down to the Earth and hinder looking up whereas they were made to look upwards all one as downwards to see afar off as near at Hand His understanding was given to apprehend things to come and make reflections upon the past to conceive and know things proper for her To seek after and work out our true Happiness not only to mind perishing and trivial Conveniencies to propose and follow after an end which is worthy and not still to be deluded with the vain Fancies and Opinions of the People There is nothing which is seen and commonly practiced among Men but may be made an Argument for God and Religion Himself in the wise ordering of things hath been pleased to Establish it so that Men might have greater Motives and Exhortation to come unto him and be left more inexcusable if they do not As for those of a Generous temper who are acted by a sence of Honour who pretend unto Courage and Greatness of Spirit in their proposed ends they rub through Difficulties and go on still If we examine them in their very nature upon what grounds of Probability they are undertaken Theâ—e are long in expectation they do many things for what is a voice and nothing else or a Rattle which they know not how soon may be taken from them or they from that or those delectable things which expire like Lightning or the dim light of a Candle which gives a faint Refreshment but wearisome which only provides against a continual Darkness of Soul and of all these there must be an absolute Deprivation for evermore There cannot be used too â—lighting Comparisons to manifest how short these things come of the true Happiness of Man which also are of his own Invention and going after But if he would do the same for what God hath set before him in complyance with the Divine Will what others do out of their own use the same Constancy and be contented to live by Faith and Hope as they do by Expectation not sink under a little doubting as they go on notwithstanding their many Disappointments then he may accomplish his whole Warfare on Earth In all the steps of his Christian Course let him be fixed and taken up with that of the Psalmist Wait on the Lord be of Good Courage and he shall strengthen â—bine Heart Wait I say on the Lord Psal 27. 14. There is much need of it in performing those several Acts of Duty in resisting the Allurements of sensual Pleasure and the assaults of Evil To choose Labour and what is irksome to Flesh and Blood To take up the Cross suffering Reproach and Persecution to be subject unto hatred and solitariness To incur the Displeasure and Evil intreaties of Men rather then be carried away by them in Sinful Complyances To constantly speak out the Truth and thereby to draw on Hatred ill-will lessening of Reputation all which might be declined by little Acts of Excuse and Disobedience Which he will not admit of who is fully resolved to please God in all things There are many things at this day which will sufficiently exercise Courage to go through with and overcome When his Good shall be evil spoken of his fixed purposes not to offend shall be called Humour what are the effects of Faith and Love shall be reputed Ignorance To Arm our selves against all hard Speeches Not to be afraid of the Faces and Frowns of Men not to be shaken with the Blast of the terrible Ones to adhere universally unto the Will of God rather then do what others would have and further not to love their Lives unto Death entertaining it in the most terrible and afflicting manner and many other instances might be named whereby Holy Men have and do act Valiantly Not to be frightened but willingly sustain Evil and Hardship To do worthily for God and his Glory against all oppositions of the World and powers of Darkness yea the several Acts of the Christian Life are more properly Courage then is to be found in those generous Actions according to the estimation of the World. A wise Man in what he takes in hand proposes what good will come of it If it seems uncouth and contrary to his nature yet the Prospect of Good shall back him on Now he that doth not think the Recompence of Reward from God is as High Excellent and Worthy to be sought after as a little Honour Wordly Pelf or Rest it is because he doth not understand or not believe it There is no good even here to be had without Trouble or Labour so it is in the things of God. There must be a Striving working out our Salvation giving Diligence which is more unpleasant and aukward to the Flesh than secular designs and enterprises Yet this is not esteemed fortitude amongst Men but on the contrary lessened and despised It is no matter what they think but what God will judge at last their Opinion will do none or a very slight Good but his approbation is Life and Happiness Things shall be at length naked and opened they shall be throughly dissected and laid before the view of all and then they will appear contrary to what they do now The secrets of all Hearts shall be made known then private judgments shall be discovered against what they seem now outwardly to commend The close Acts of the mind shall be brought to light That Hatred and Averseness to God shall be manifested which was the cause of their Contempt Sullen Silence or speaking evil of the things pertaining to him That wilfull and affected Ignorance that partial knowledge of considering one side and obstinacy not to go further that self-Conviction which was stifled shall break forth and then will appear another face of things What shall at last be fully disclosed would somewhat even now if
for it passeth away an such is the event thereof if not rightly managed What an horrible Abuse and Prevarication it is That when they should â—e moâ—e Thankâ—â—l and Obedient to him who placed them in a higher Sâ—ation thence to lift up themselves as to contemn God and Sâ—n against him What is lent for a tryal of Humility and moderate Deportment they presently turn into Pride and insolent Carriage to others The nature of Man is extream prone to Pride and hardly restrained no other way but according to what is written Then he opâ—neth the Ears of Men and sealeth their Instruction That he may with draw Man from his purpose and hide Pride from Man Job 33. 16 17. Let them attend to what may be said of the nature of things and their Establishment of his own â—rame and constitution his own Vileness Weakness and Mortality how he is Dust and Ashes walking up and down like a Shadow a little dependant Being and much more there is to humble and keep him off from this Sin. The prevalency thereof arises from those enlarged Faculties wherewith Man is endued as also that Preparation and Tendency God hath put into him for greater things Now this is turned the wrong way and thence proceeds all the Transgression and Irregularity Those powers of Soul were designed to serve the Lord with all the Heart but turning aside they are taken up with vain things which cannot profit 1 Sam. 12 20 21. If Man were to be once made and so still to abide If there was no further Advancement and Exaltation for him If he were not capable of Increase and to be yet more Excellent What mean those aspirings after it that he is still reachâ—â—â—â— yet higher This being equally in good and bad which also prompts to things lawful and commendable as following ones Humour and vain Applause to keeping of the Commandments all one as breaking them which seems to shew this is not so much the voice of Depraved as Imperfect Nature Even before Sin came into the World these desires were so much was not revealed for wiâ—e Reasons yet our Fore-father was to have been Translated as Enoch if he had pleased God and to have a better Body then formed out of the Earth that to be changed into more Glorious His Soul was to have been more enlarged and converse with higher things then those of this Earth God would have led him up from one Degree to another But the fault was his Impatiency and he would not tarry the Lords leisure He did hearken and yield unto the first proposal and appearance of being greater when himself might have had an assurance of being so if he had been contented to have waited for some time Nothing is more reasonable then for a Creature to expect of his Creator That as he was first pleased to make him low until he should be raised and rendred more Excellent so according to his good Pleasure he would fill the Mouth which he hath made capable and commanded to be opened wide Psal 81. 10. That he would satisfie See and Observe Psal 145 16. 19 the desires he hath put in The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Psal 138. 8. And we are to wait his good time We see how our Fore-father fell how others at this day Transgress after the same manner so we may look on and be afraid using the utmost caution that we do not follow after them Man would be Happy and Great his own way and that presently God hath ordered another which is to be begun here and fully manifested hereafter The question is whose Will shall take place If Man follows his own he shall find nothing sutable to his Faculties but be carried along with Falshood and Deceit till he falls into Destruction and Misery But in Gods way and according to his appointment there let him stretch out as far as he can and he will meet with things proportionable with Reality and Truth according to his Promise and Covenant of our Sojourning here which ends in the greatest Safety and most compleat Happiness Humble your selves therefore under the Mighty Hand of God that he may Exalt you in due time 1 Pet. 5. 6. Those accomplishments of the inward Man are most worthy to be sought after and highly to be valued for they have real Worth and Excellency they give Peace and Blessed Expectation to the Soul and when the Body goes to the Earth remain together till they are perfected in eternal Happiness Indeed he that is discerning cannot have a thing but he knoweth he hath it and also the worth thereof As he sees others value themselves upon the account of such and such things comparing his with theirs he is subject to do the like Thence cometh spiritual Pride to be the greatest of all Pride as those Graces and Gifts are more excellent then any thing whatsoever But that all Glory may be unto God for stirring up Thankfulness unto him and quelling Self-conceit and also to take somewhat off from the Temptation to Hypocrisie it may be requisite to lay open this Proposition with the Reasons thereof viz. If a Man be Religious he deserves not the least Praise nor Reputation from others for it is matter of Duty as he is a Servant If he is only according to the common Standard of the World that is from a mercenary selfish principle out of respect to the promise of Eternal Life and fear of the threatnings of Eternal Death and that prudential security to saving of the Soul as to the uncertainty thereof Now there is no more Commendation in all this then an Hireling that works for his Pay or anothers doing to prevent an Evil that would beâ—all him or to secure ones self in a matter doubtful But for what is more and comes to the practice of things which are Honest Lovely of good Report Vertue Praise Phil. 4. 8. For the several Acts of Universal Obedience pure Faith and Love Free-will Offerings doing Good working with Grace all this is Answered from Rom. 2. 29. Whose Praise is not of Men but of God. 'T is not Man that doth this but the Grace of God in him Acts 18. 5. by strong impulses or quickenings which he must give way unto or he is uneasy And to keep his own Peace being acted he doth act For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive 1 Cor. 4. 7. God makes him both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure he is a meer Creature an Instrument only and also God hath made him thus So he alone is to be glorified in the Gifts he giveth unto Men. They are to stir up and comply therewith for which they receive a Reward Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace good Will towards Men Luke 2. 13. Those whom he sends forth should not be disturbed they desire only the common thing of good Will and Kind Reception but no
thou O Lord when I plead with thee Jer. 12. 1. Clouds and Darkness are round about him Righteousness and Judgment are the Habitation of his Throne Psal 97. 2. Though we cannot see through all yet we have sufficient revealed to be most fully assured that he is just and equal Here in the place of Faith and Tryal many things come to pass of which though we may in general be satisfied of the Goodness and Justice of God in ordering and suffering them so to be yet we cannot give so particular account how it is so in a strict sence and superlative degree as most certainly it is This is to be imputed to our blindness and want of understanding which shall be done away when he comes to judge the Earth Judgment will I lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Isa 28. 7. All things shall be exactly stated at last He is even now Righteous in all his ways and will give a clear account how he is so The things of this World are now loved and feared but then it will appear that there is so little in them that they are not worthy to be spoken of or had in Remembrance However God will not forget any Labour or Pain his Servants endured for him They shall be as a Dream when one awaketh and who is much concerned for the Pleasantness or Dreadfulness thereof after it is over Call to mind the days that are past recollect both the Good and Evil of them or what was done at such a place when you are removed from thence much more will it be so when you are translated from Time to Eternity from Earth to Heaven It is so meer a nothing that if the Creature might be bold to speak with his Maker it will not be insisted on or required from Gods Hands but what he will be pleased to do of his own Promise and Bounty for one would think Justice it self is not obliged to make amends for small Matters when the harm is over and the very same as if it had never been at all This single Consideration if throughly weighed would ease our mind in all Afflictions The Transitoriness of them as also they are vain and little for however we Groan and Murmur yet they are such as can be endured They are not so great as we weak and frail by Nature We further bring a delicacy and tenderness on our selves which makes us yet more unable to bear them Whereas if we would comply universally with his design God would ordain Strength out of our Weakness He would give us that Grace and Knowledge if we were meet to be partakers thereof and make use of them that would carry us through all trouble whatsoever for he suffers none to fall on us but what is common to Men. And how know we but he to manifest his own Glory doth lay the more heavy things on him that so weak a thing may endure them and intend its greater Happiness by a proportionable Reward For I reckon that the Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8. 18. If we did understand and consider of all things instead of being cast down and disquieted we might Rejoyce in Tribulation We make such a stir about Trouble but there is not so much in it We may rest with the most full assurance that God is good and for all those Adversities he sends on us he is all along accomplishing the Happiness of his Creatures which should stir up and continue our Love and Obedience unto him He would have that foretold which he will certainly do that Isa 42. 9. Luke 2. 25. they should be comforted in the mean time who shall be delivered that they should be joyful with Hope and Expectation where with they shall be Happy at last This hath been the Method of Gods working of old we have heard it with our Ears and it is very acceptable unto us How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of him that bringeth good Tidings that publisheâ—h Peace that bringeth good-Tidings of Good that saith unto Sion Thy God Reigneth Isa 52. 7. How welcome is every one that hath good news of prosperous Accidents and worldly Conveniencies How many Messages of this nature have been delivered from time to time to private Persons and Nations which were thankfully and kindly received What are they all come unto now their Memorial is perished with them They were shadows only of Good which just passed by and are gone this is the utmost of all Temporal Happiness and of this World. But what comes from our God is Great and Enduring which lately was beginning now carrying on till it be consummated to Eternal Ages Great is our Lord and highly to be praised for the least manifestation he ever made thereof and so is by his chosen People Vnto you therefore which belâ—eve he is precious 1 Pet. 2. Psal 89. 15. 7. You both understand and have assured Hope to be Partakers These prize it more then others do great Reversions and Expectancies they so much talk of and please themselves with Who is among you that seareth the Lord that obeycth the Voice of his Servant that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light Let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50. 10. Who gives a glimmering and sendeth Light into the Soul a comfortable Thought or sends him who can speak a Word in Season Comfort ye Comfort ye my People saith your God Isa 40. 1. They are to Preach the Gospel Heal the Sick administer Help and Remedy against all the Maladies of Mankind An hard Task and not to be performed who considers not from whom he cometh and whose means he makes use of Even God and his Word which are sufficient for all this and if they have not the due power and effect it is not from the weakness of them for that is stronger then Men and he that breaks can bind up but from the incapacity of the Subject Who are not turned to the Lord with their whole Heart they have no right to the Promises and therefore receive no true Comfort but where a People formerly Disobedient are turned unto the Wisdom of the Just and made ready for the Lord His Word doth good upon them who walk Vprightly Blessed be God there is Experience of this though not so much as were to be desired for it is but a little Flock and small Remnâ—nt of true Israelites Compared with the whole of Mankind Those who have the form of Godliness will cry out with the wicked World upon Fancy and Imagination but if it is a sensible Comfort against inward Evil then the effect is had and should not be slighted for it is such as the Trouble was and doth it away The matter is easily conceivable unless they absolutely disbelieve or cannot understand for if an Heir of a good Estate can contentedly rub
the other doth also The Souls that God hath made may be compared to so many Rivers which as they all come from him so are they to run through the Earth and to disembody themselves again into that infinite Ocean of Being and Happiness Now there is one Labours to divert the Stream to make it run another way or stop its course The first is sinful Pleasures the second is Negligence and Sloth The Soul hath some fore-Knowledge which way she is to go and an Inclination towards the right and thence whatsoever doth hinder and seek to turn aside doth also disturb If she would keep to this first Principle carefully observing the Original tendencies of her Nature and suspect every thing that doth in the least thwart that all the Devils in Hell could never deceive her for she might know the Connexion of Sin and Sorrow Indignation and VVrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil Rom. 2. 8 9. This contradicts the Pure and Spiritual part of us which raises those several kinds of Sorrow So the cure for it is by taking heed against Sin which is the Troubler of the Man By Repentance as to the past and watchfulness for the future Sorrow doth arise from other Afflicting Objâ—cts of Body and Estate and is the resentment of them but confine it to the Soul and it is occasioned by Sin only as that is divided in Evil Falshood and Folly all which are contrary to that Good Truth and Wisdom wherewith she is â—ndued and is to improve thâ—se Talents to the glory of our Master who will give a Reward according as every one is found Meet and Faithful There is a Vexation all along which would be sensible if not smothered when we do not Trade to his Use So on the other hand there is Joy and Complacency when we do Great Peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Psal 1. â—9 165. And the Raâ—soâ—ed of the Lord shall return and come to Sion with Songs and everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away Isa 35. 10. That propension and natural tendency which is in Mans nature Of Melancholy to know God and to come into the way of his Commandments the workings of Grace and regrets of Conscience that Dissatissaction and Restlesness of mind for not doing what he ought and all those several things which incline to Repentance and Obedience do pass in the World for pure Melancholy It is an Aspersion cast upon sincere Religion where it hath an influence upon the Life and Actions where is universal carefulness against Sin and who will not comply with the meer outward Divertisment of Evil Lying and Foolish Talking he shall be Obnoxious to the Character of a dull and mâ—serable Soul. All Thoughts of God and the things pertaining to him are by the Ignorant and Ungodly thus esteemed and further are those Having a Form of Godliness but dâ—nying the Power thereof 2 Tim. 3. 5. Whatever is more then their size they would impute to the blackness of Blood an heavy flegmatick Constitution or such like This is one of the Devises of Satan to keep people off from Reliâ—ion in general then fâ—om the Truth and Sinceâ—ity thereof by raising such a Report which is commonly received and whilst he suggests not to give way to Melancholy he turns Men aside from the way of Peace Life and Blessâ—dness All Religion is irksome and tedious to those who are unaâ—quainted therewith and so it is with them who practice it a little but not throughly The Scripture is fulfilled as it speaks of that Enmity against God Rom. 5. 10. Rom. 8. 7. that Root of bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Acts 8. 23. that Aversâ—ess and Alienation Col. 1. 20 21. that Hatred and Opposition of Good the Stubborn and Perverse Spirit the Trouble and Restlesness those Fears and sad Expectations in the Wicked which are the cause of all this They may come to the Ordinances and outward Profession and yet remain the same still not transformed by the renewing of the mind The Word is found true as â—â—â—peaks of the reason of these things and why may it â—ot be believâ—d as it mentions the Love of God being râ—â—â—â—iled to him delighâ—ing in God and that which is Good that Joy Peace and Gladness of Heart those loving and familiar Appellations of Father â—riend Hâ—â—band the expressions of Kindness to us and our Thankfulness and Praise The Lord Reigneth let the Earth Râ—jâ—â—ce Psal 97. 1. Truly God is Goud to â—srael even to such as are of a clean Heart Psal 73. 1. Are all these written in Vain or for our Comfort Do others by sad Experience confirm the Truth of what is aforementioned and have none the happy feeling thereof Surely there are some whom the Scripture calls Blâ—ssâ—d who have the favour of God and are careful to preserve it in all Duty and Obedience It may be observed there are two manner of ways in the World Some in all their Actions have Conscience towards God others not The Scriptures declare the effect of both by Peace and Trouble one part is sensible of the disorder within And why may not others feel know and testifie of the good Promises For themselves might also if they would do the same things It were easie to make things clear if that Prejudice was taken away of judging by Examples and humane Sayings more then from divine Testimony and Truth Hypocrites and many who seem to be Religious but the Apostle by failure in one Christian Duty pronounces their Religion to be Vain Jam. 1. 26. do most oppose what is the Doctrine of Scripture They accuse their Brethren of Melancholy who abound in the Work of the Lord who spend their time in Meditation of his Law. They call Contempt of the World Stupidity the avoiding of sinful Compliances and appearances of Evil a sowre morose Temper not fit to live amongst Men The not running too much after sensual Pleasures is sencelesly stiled an heavy and sluggish Disposition which is not refined enough to receive thâ—m And what is done by the Grace and Fear of God are the effects of meer Melancholy Every avoiding of Sin and good Action to which a Misconstruction can be applied is by them censured It is not so much minded what the prophane Sinner saith but what comes from them who make â— fair shew in the Flesh yea the Teachers of the Law this is entertained by Inquisitive and Considering Men. It is dangerous for Numb 13. 32. any to bring an evil Report upon the good Land but worse for those who pretend to have searched it for though not in express words yet by manifest Conclusion they do the same as We must serve God and that so much which is pleasant but what is more is Melancholy for so are those Calumniated who go further and find more Benefit then themselves It is
Call to mind how Evil came into the World through Sin though it is not taken away yet Help is ordained against it It is Written and found true of the Benefits of the second Adam unto whom all the Scripture hath Relation Surely he hath born our Griefs and carryed our Sorrows Isa 53. 4. It is but reasonable we should have some sence of them also That as he had Compassion on the Afflicted Heb. 2. 10. so we should perceive how great things he endured for us to raise our Love Thankfulness and Obedience unto God through him Take my Brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an Example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Behold we count them Happy which endure Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very Pitiful and of tender Mercy James 5. 10 11. CHAP. XIX AN EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE and FEAR of God The CONCLUSION of the Whole NOw therefore stand still that I may Reason with you before the Lord of all the Righteous Acts of the Lord 1 Sam. 12. 7. It is as certain that God is as any thing is for he made all things Consider how great he must be whose Works are so how Glorious Good and Excellent he is as those Manifestations do set forth And then think further how we the Inhabitants of the Earth who walk up and down as so many Grashoppers should behave our selves towards him If we were not his Offspring and Workmanship we might justly think he would have nothing to do with us but that shews the contrary nay moreover our Rebellion proves the Relation What might be known by Obedience is also shewed by Transgression But how unreasonable doth this last appear for reflect upon God and our selves What are we to despise or be stubborn against him He is great and we little Other things do his Will and why should not we comply therewith Would the vain Swearer walk out and as he beholds the Heaven or Earth he treads which was first Created and now sustained by an Almighty power And is it fit he should be spoken lightly of His Glorious and Fearfuâ— Name be used upon every frivolous and idle account when he hath so expresly Commanded to the contrary So it may be said of every Sin May not the God who formed us preserveth us giving whatever we enjoy give also Laws and Directions to his Creature for him to be governed by To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I Command thee this day for thy Good Deut. 10. 13. Thy Testimonies that thou hast Commanded are Righteous and very Faithful Psal 119. 138. As for God his Way is Perfect the Word of the Lord is tryed Psal 18. 30. Look impartially upon his whole Revelation in Scripture survey every particular Precept and Judge Whether it is not equal Psal 119. 128. for God to enjoyn and for Man to comply therewith As for Worship Praise and Prayer none denies them There is the general Consent that such are to be rendred We are zealous and prone But here Satan the Enemy hath two Wiles the one in some Ungodly people who are frightned with a little Dulness and Iâ—ksomeness at first but even they unless very Ignorant and Stupid cannot satisfie themselves without some Worship That Aukwardness would go off if they would accustom themselves to Duty Another Subtlety The Adversary hath found concerning the manner thereof for the Substance is agreed by the far greater part of Mankind But here they are fierce and hot so angry and displeased at contrary Opinions So stiff for their own an Evidence of what is in our nature to have to do with Religion Here again creeps in another Device of the old Serpent by which he takes advantage for he would confine the whole of Religion to this which is but a part and also raises a Dust about outward Circumstances which are not essential to Worship for seeing that God is to be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth but hath prescribed no exact Pattern thereof in Scripture away might be found out for Union Love and Peace Neither in the mean while should we be angry with our Brother that doth not go according to the same precise manner for as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 12. 4 5 6. Why may it not be likewise supposed If there be now some Diversity of Worship yet as long as it is the same God to whom it all relates if each way is Spiritual and True free from Idolatry Jewish and Heathen Superstition God is Glorified every way for all fall down and Worship him and God is in them of a Truth He doth actually manifest his Favour Grace and Acceptation to those of the several Perswasions among us Yea all the Idolatries in the World do some what discover that natural Inclination in Man to Worship God for all Falshood and Fiction doth suppose somewhat true and real But it hath been the Stratagem of the Devil who is permitted to resist either to take away or where he cannot do that to corrupt To move Men to forget God or deceive them in their Duty towards him As reasonable Creatures They can thus conceive That if they should lose the sence of him or harden themselves against his Fear yet still be remaineth The Lord sitteth King for ever Psal 29. 10. He is always above Thou compassest my Path and my lying down and art aquainted with all my ways Psal 139. 3. Though we do not think of him The Scripture in sundry places threatens severely against forgetfulness of him for it casts off his Kingdom which is over the Hearts of Men. Besides it is unnatural to forget God that formed us Every thing we see are his Works which do remind His Word His Servants Every Affliction or Evil and a Thousand things do stir up our Remembrance of him which before was stifled with other things The sence of him is paturally imprinted in our minds and appears forth when Stupefactions and Hindrances are taken away Corrupt Man is willing to lose it for it Occasions aw and dread which he doth not like But God would have it retained and therefore forbids Excess Sensuality and all things which clog and suppress it He doth requires us to walk Humbly with our God Mic. 6. 8. He hath established Love to be mixed with Fear both make up Reverence and Good will So we may be in the Fear of God all the day long without Torment yea with Satisfaction and Complacency Another Reason of our willingness to forget is because a continual Remembrance implies Subjection and we are inclinable to that which was our Fore-fathers Fall. But why should we not think our selves as we are indeed Creatures We are only in subjection to the Most High We are not put under Principalities and Powers The more excellent created Beings do not exercise Dominion over us We are subject to none but God