changed into his Image 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding the glory of the Lord therein I have begotten you saith Paul through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4.15 This is God's work-house where he shapes and forms this New Creature of how many an Ordinance may it be said this and that man was born there Psal 87.5 Oh therefore be constantly waiting at the Posts of VVisdom hear the most warm lively Preachers prepare for hearing set your selves as in the presence of God Say thus with thy self I am going to hear the VVord of the Living God which is the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.8 apt and able to give life to dead Souls 1 Thes 2.15 It is not so much the word of Men but of God Oh that it may work effectually in my Soul It is not Man but God that is now treating with me God himself is now beseeching me the Minister praying me in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 I perceive it sticks at me God hath declared he is Friends with me if my naughty Heart were at last prevail'd with to be reconciled to him O that this may be the Day this the Sermon wherein and whereby thou wilt mould and melt my Soul for thy self now Lord let thy words be as Spirit and Life to my Soul Oh for renewing Grace 5. Own Convictions by the VVord strike while the Iron is hot let not Impressions dye or wear off this lost both Felix and Agrippa their Souls Acts 24.25 26 27. stifled Convictions leave the Heart harder heated water cooled again is sooner frozen who knows how long the Spirit may strive when God is working work then put not off warnings when God convinceth thee of the evil of a Sin presently discard it when of a Duty fall close to the practice of it when a wound is made take heed left the Wind get in and it begin to fester and at last grow incurable Our Lord is standing at thy Door and knocking Rev. 3.20 He will not always wait thy leisure the Spirit will not always strive with thee Gen. 6.3 You must sail when the VVind blows There are candida tempora proper Seasons for every thing It s a dangerous thing for a Man not to know his time Eccles 9.12 If you miss the nick of opportunity it may never return the Market lasts not all the Year If the Tide have brought you thus far go with it it may never return to fetch you off Now is the accepted Time now is the Day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Not to morrow O quench not the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 that would set you on a Fire for God Think you thus I have sitten out many a day of Grace lost many a golden Season 't is infinite mercy God is still calling if I lose this I may never have more yea I may be in Hell before another Sermon yea before Morning O that I could know the Day of my Visitation Luk. 19.4 O that now at last my Soul were effectually changed 6. Get thy Heart affected with thy Sin and Misery by nature and practice look on thy self as dead in Trespasses and Sins and so uncapable of quickening thy self Alas my Praying Reading hearing Reforming will never do the cure or effect the End I am sunk far below the possibility of humane or angelical help Means must be used but Means must not be rested in they cannot effect the End nay alas I am without strength Rom. 5.6 and can do nothing In me that is in my flesh dwells no good thing Rom. 7.18 I am a miserable Leper full of wounds bruises putrified sores Isa 1.5 Wo is me I am defiled in Adam and actually polluted I am a Sink a Sty a Dunghill of Sin a lump of Sin averse to all good propense to all Evil I am in the gall of bitterness and bonds of Iniquity Act. 8.23 Satan is leading me Hell-wards I must be chang'd or damn'd for ought I know I stand tottering over the brink of Eternal Misery I hang by the small Thread of my natural Life over everlasting Burnings my case is worse then the Beasts that are not capable of moral Evil or pain Acts 3.18 I am already condemned and waiting for the execution of the righteous Sentence in a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation Heb. 10.27 Another Step may set me past hope for any thing that I know This night Luk. 12.20 may Devils require my Soul and hurry it into the Infernal Lake O what will become of me whither am I going Lord awake my sleepy Conscience to see my danger that I may haste out of the Sodom of Fire and Brimstone to the Mountain God forbid I should stay another day in my unregenerate State 7. Learn to know and improve Jesus Christ The Life of Holiness as well as Righteousness is in him I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 There 's no Spiritual Life but what is derived from Christ who saith Because I live you shall live also John 14.19 Sinners are dead the nearer they come to Christ the more hope of Life as the nearer to the Sun the more light we only come to have the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Nothing doth so transform a Sinner as looking on God through Christ the VVoman had vertue from him that did but touch the Hem of Christ's Garment none are Branches of this Vine but they have Life and Fruitfulness John 5.5 All that are grafted in this Olive partake of the root and fatness of that Olive-tree Rom. 11.17 Labour after Faith and Love Faith unites the Soul to Christ for he dwells in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 Love doth assimilate the Soul to God and the more we are like to God the more of his Image we have Faith is the radical ligament of a Soul to Christ Love is a voluntary mover of the Soul to Christ Faith is the receiver Love the worker Faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 and both are absolutely necessary to the New Creature Christ is the Image of God and the New Creature is the Image of Christ and so of God Love sees all good in God-enjoyment as its End and in conformity to him as its means to attain that End Faith unites the Soul to God mystically Love morally there can be no New Creature without both these therefore to believe in God and to love God are both the only means to be like God and therein consists the New Creature â—erefore study these or you 'l never be New Creatures 8. Get divorced from Sin and Sinners you may and must amend your ways Jer. 1.3 if you cannot mend your Hearts Cease to do evil learn to do well Isal 1.16 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and return to the Lord Isal 55.7 Be no more slaves to your Lusts which are as
this Pearl of Pirce some are content with a Christ to pardon and save them but like him not as a King to rule them and mortifie their Lusts look to it there 's more sorts of Faith then saving the Apostle supposeth a man to have all Faith 1 Cor. 13.2 Yet not that which worketh by Love 1 Tim. 1.5 Feigned Faith is one thing Unfeigned is another 8th Plea But I confess all my Sins from the bottom of my Heart repent of them and am heartily sorry I have done amiss Answ So have many Hypocrites Reprobates so did Pharaoh Exod. 9.27 I have sinned this time the Lord is righteous and I and my People are wicked 1 Sam. 24.16 17-26 21 Twice did Saul confess his Folly yea lift up his Voice and wept and ingenuoussy said I have sinned So did Ahab humble himself King 21.27 And you find Judas repenting himself yea restoring and saying I have sinned in betraying Innocent Blood Matth. 27 34. Oh see yours be not a worldly Sorrow 2 Cor. 7.10 9th Plea But I take up strong Resolutions of better and new Obedience and do actually reform is not this the New Creature Answ No the New Creature always produceth Reformation but Reformation may be without the New Creature Herod feared John Baptist and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly Mark 6.20 Partial Reformation is no sound Evidence of Regeneration the unclean Spirit of scandalous sinning may go out of the Devil's Slave for a Season Matth. 12 43-45 Men may escape gross Pollutions yet be intangled in the Devil's Fetters 2 Pet. 20.23 10th Plea I do not only Reform but also Conform to the Will of God in keeping all his Commands this surely shews Grace Answ Yes if done from a right Principle according to rule for a right end with Faith in Jesus Christ but deceive not your selves outward Compliance doth not always testifie a New Creature the Young Gentleman in Matth. 19.20 said concerning the Commandments All these things have I kept from my Youth up what lack I yet Alas poor man he lacked the main Paul before Conversion saith of himself touching the Righteousness of the law blameless Phil. 3.6 11th Plea But I do not only Reform Conform but I Perform many good Duties I Read Pray Fast am serious in God's Worship Answ It 's well so far all do not so but remember those Hypocrites in Isa 58.2 That sought God daily delighted to know his ways yea the Pharisees made long Prayers Matth. 23.14 Yea they fasted and that twice a Week Luke 18.11,12 They were famous for Religious Exercises yet gross Hypocrites 12th Plea Those were only for Externals in Religion but I am for Internals also that God may have my Heart Answ Very well but it 's one thing to be sound in the Doctrinals another to be sincere in Practicals Experimentals it 's one thing to say it another thing to feel it and do it The Scribe in Mark 12.32 33. subscribed to the Truth of this great Doctrine of Loving the Lord with all the Heart Understanding Soul and Strength and repeats it yet was not of but only not far from the Kingdom of God vers 34. Yea you may take delight in approaching to God yet be bad Esay 38.2 13th Plea But I am upright in what I do I know nothing to my self but Integrity Conscience doth not accuse me to be an Hypocrite Answ It may be so because Conscience may be asleep and saith nothing or nothing to the purpose being blinded with Ignorance or besotted with self-conceit and want of self-searching But know there may be a moral Integrity in particular Acts when there is not a Gospel-integrity in point of State as in Heathen Abimelech see God's attestation to it Gen. 20.5 6. 14th Plea I have a Love to God Jesus Christ and follow him out of my dear and tender respects to him Answ It 's well if so but is it not self-self-love that engageth you to follow him as those John 6.26 Ye seek me not because ye saw the Miracles but because ye did eat of the Loaves and were filled Aug. complained 1200 Years ago vix diligitur Jesus propter Jesum Jesus is scarcely loved for Jesus sake he pays well for his Entertainment in the World's Coyn Let Christ and Carnal Interest part and then you 'l see what is the Master you 'l follow then a discovery will be made 15th Plea Well but I have suffered much for Christ his Cause and a Good Conscience a tryal hath been made of my Integrity Answ You have not yet resisted unto Blood striving against Sin Heb. 12.4 Yea the Apostle seems to suppose a Man may give his Body to be burnt and yet not have Charity 1 Cor. 13.3 And it may be as possible some may suffer in an humor for a good Cause as others pertinaciously in a bad the Thorny Ground Hearers past the brunt of Persecution Matth. 13.20 22. falling on the Stony Ground but were naught And the Apostle Paul supposeth the Galatians to have suffered many things in vain Gal. 3.4 Many things make up a Christian sufferer Men may bear the Cross and not follow Christ 16th Plea But I give liberally to the Poor of my Substance am much in the exercise of Charity to persons in necessity Answ The Apostle supposeth still that a Man may bestow all his Goods to feed the Poor yet not have Charity 1 Cor. 13.3 You 'l say this is a strange Paradox what is Charity but a free distribution But the Apostle distinguisheth betwixt an Hand-Charity and a Heart-Charity the poor Widow with half a Farthing and a free Heart gave more then all the other rich mens large distributions Matth. 6.1 2. Mark 12.41 44. Some give for Ostentation others of Necessity yea out of Covetousness you give nothing unless you give your selves first to God 2 Cor. 9.5 7.2 Cor. 8.5 17th Plea I am forward for Reformation in my place appear against Prophaneness Sabbath-breaking and am of a publick Spirit Answ It 's well done but see you mistake not how oft did the Jews find fault with our Lord for healing on the Sabbath day and his Disciciples for plucking Ears of Corn. Mark 12.1 2. Take heed blind Zeal transport you not but suppose it be against Sin see whether Self bear not sway as it did Jehu who was partial in his Reformation 2 King 10.28 29. At least temporary as Joash who was very zealous for Reforming whilst his good Uncle Jehoida lived 2 Chron. 24 2-18 18th Plea I thank God I have good Gifts in Discourse in Prayer and can edifie others that are apt to admire me Answ Gifts are one thing Grace another all gifted men are not gracious men who more eminent than Judas the traytor yet an Apostle and some will say in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesyed in thy Name Mat. 7.22 23. To whom he 'll say I never knew you depart from me The Devil hath finer Gifts then any of
Objects my Soul is as a weaned Child Psal 13 1.12 New light begets new love new desires new delights Truth in the Understanding darting upon the Affections contracted in the Glass of Meditation inflames the Soul Did not our Hearts burn within us while he opened to us the Scriptures Luk. 24.32 The Sun in the Firmament sheds his Influence into the Bowels of the Earth but Light and Heat come together into Souls knowledge affects the Heart◠the more the Christian knows God the more he loves him The Soul risen with Christ cannot but set his affections on things above Col. 3.2 For where the treasure is there will the heart be also Matth. 6.21 Oh saith this Christian how good is God I love the Lord from my inmost Bowels Psal◠18.1 Mat. 22.37 With all my heart soul mind and might with my Soul have I desired thee in the night Isa 26.9 Even as the Hart panteth after the Water-brooks When shall I come and appear before God Psal 45.1 God even God alone is my exceeding joy Psal 43.4 I will take pleasure in nothing but in God This this is both my Duty and Privilege I hope I can call the Sabbath a delight Isa 58.13 14. And he promiseth I shall delight myself in the Lord My Comfort and Content is in communion with God and 't is an anticipation of Heavenly Joys I love the Word of God his testimonies are the rejoycing of my heart and I have rejoyced in the ways thereof more then in all Riches and delight my self in the Lord's Statutes Psal 119.14 Oh how the good Soul is ravished and transported in the Galleries of Love the Pleasures of the Soul are infinitely beyond the Pleasures of Sense Oh then Christian feel how the Pulse of thy Soul beats in a constant motion is thy Heart working God-wards in Duties of God's Worship or in daily Converse which way tends the bent of thy Soul Art thou truly troubled that thou canst not delight thy self in the Lord Psal 37.4 as thou oughtest Would thou give all the World that thou hadst but an Heart to love God more Canst thou say as Peter Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Joh 21 15-17 A Flame may be painted but a painted Flame cannot be felt I find the workings of Love kindled in my Bosom if I know any thing of my Heart and I have searched the Characters of true Love in the Scriptures and I find my Heart ecchoing thereto harmonizing therewith and I am told that this Love is the proper Character of this New Creature connatural with ingraven in the New Nature for he that dwells in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 Thus much for the Preparatives to and parts of this New Creature I proceed briefly to the Third Head which is the Properties of this New Creature and they are these Seven 1. It is an universal New Creature it 's not in part of the Soul but runs through the whole man soul body and spirit 1 Thes 5.23 It 's extensive and comprehensive takes in all Internal Powers External Members all Acts in all Faculties at all times in all employments as in the Law the whole Sacrifice was to be offered to God Lev. 18.9 So it is not acceptable to God if any part be with-held from God Rom. 12.1 This New Creature is as Leaven that runs through the whole lump Matth. 13.33 and puts a gracious Tincture into all the Faculties This is not a Limb or Member but a whole New Man yea the Christian is a perfect man having all the parts of a Saint though defective in point of degree our heavenly Father begets no Blind Lame Mad or Maimed Children there 's no Idiots in his Family A Christian indeed hath all Graces radically but the Hypocrite is mainly defective in something essentially requisite to make up a Saint he is a Cake half baked Dough on one side the Legs of the Lame are not equal 2. It is a vital self-moving New Creature I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 It s true it is hid from outward Observation as the Spring that moves the visible Hand for our Life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 But a vital Principle it is this gracious habit is to the Soul as the Soul is to the Body it 's a spark of divine Life kindled by the holy Spirit a Seed of God 1 Joh. 3.9 quickned within the Womb of the Earth by the influence of Heaven putting forth gracious Acts precious Fruits by excitations of assisting Grace after a nipping winter of Temptations or cold Autumn of Spiritual Decays his Spirit makes him willing Oh saith the Christian I am restless as a Bird out of the Nest or a Fish out of its proper Element of Water unsatisfied till I return to my God But the Hypocrite is but like a Pupper drest like a Saint moved by Art or as a Machin by something outward which the workman fastens to it but not informed by a Soul of its own so it s at last worn or broken and crumbles to nothing so doth the Hypocrite as one saith There is a vast difference betwixt Wool on the Sheep's back which clipt will grow again and the Wool on the Sheep's Skin on the Wolf's back which grows no more The living Saint still works upwards the graceless Soul is dead and puts forth no vital acts 3. It s a sensible new Greature it s not a dead inanimate Log but of a tender quick sensation and can easily discern what Profits or Prejudiceth it what helps or hurts it it groans under what it feels doth make against its being or well-being nothing doth it hurt so much as Sin or what hath a tendency to it any act of omission or commission lies heavy upon it pricks and wounds it and makes it bleed hence 't is called an heart of Flesh which is a soft and sensible thing defects of Grace inroads of Temptation intermissions of Duty or worldliness are more laid to heart by the New Creature then gross out-breakings of Sin in the Hypocrite whatsoever it perceives to be anoyance or disturbance is a grievous Affliction Oh saith the Soul I found at such a time God's withdrawing the assistance of his Spirit I puzzled and bungled in a Duty and could make nothing of it Wo is me what had I done to banish my God I find a weight on me and a Sin that easily besets me Heb. 12.1 Did I not quench grieve resist the Spirit was I not sluggish heartless formal Lord forgive me that Sin and quicken me with thy Grace The Hypocrite hath none of these Experiments Soul-exercises Agonies but runs on 〈◊〉 heartless Formality and customary Performance but knows nothing of God's access and his recess coming or going 4. It is a growing New Creature it never stands at a stay the Godly Man is compared to the Sun that shineth still brighter to the perfect day Prov. 4.18
Work though Ministers are oft calling on you Sinners to look about you we tell you there 's a Cheat in the case Satan is busie to lay his Brats in God's Bed Counterfeit Coin is common our Warnings now will be thought of these frequent Summons will ring in your Ears our Sermons will have a Repetition in this or in another world Conscience will gall you and you cannot plead Ignorance or say non putâram I thought not of such a day How often do we tell you of the danger of dying in your old state and of that Sulphurous Lake that thousands are scolded in that once lived as securely as you now do and they are in an hopeless helpless Eternity and how can you tell but this may be the last day the last warning or overture of Grace the last knock at your Door God may say Away be gone out of my sight take him Devil I will no more be troubled with such a Miscreant But if after all this you be senceless and lie still while you are nailed in your Coffin you are dead twice dead and this Security is a confutation of that Principle that Adam and his Posterity by the Fall is not dead but sleepeth or only in a swound and languor but life is in him No no this sad Stupor or Spiritual Lethargy shews it 's not an excitation of a principle but an infusion of new Life all our shouting and rubbing and pricking will not recover Sinners we must leave them to a creating Power and to him that can raise the Dead But let me rather persuade you to look after this New-Creation-Work from the Advantage it will be to all sorts of Persons of every Age and Relation Oh! you Old Persons that are going off the Stage of the World dropping into the Grave and Eternity that have been long and not yet lived begin at last to turn over a new leaf seek a New Life that you may have Comfort and not terrour in your expiring Pangs yet there is hope God still waits to be gracious and stands knocking at your Door rise out of your Bed of sloth put back the Barr admit him with all his Graces make out for this Change against your last Change You Young People that have lately step'd into the World and slip'd thus far before you know where you are it may be young in Years old in Sin you are entring into a wicked world with wicked hearts Oh! look after this blessed Antidote that may prevent Infection be sure of a Pilot that may row you through this boisterous Sea safe to the Haven without new hearts you will make this bad World worse and be worse by it rather seek to amend it You that are entring into Callings or for changing Conditions you will be fit for nothing without this you will bring a Curse into every Relation and Vocation without this but this will make you fit for any thing and you will be attended with God's Blessing in all you set about You Married Persons I recommend this New Creature to you that you be sure to marry in the Lord then you will be Heirs together of the Grace of Life and pray praise God together have this sweet Relation perfum'd and meet in Glory You Rich Persons are Beggars without this this will make you rich and honourable the excellent in the Earth God's Jewels Favourites of Heaven And you poor that cannot get daily Bread this will make you rich in Faith Heirs of a Kingdom Oh what a Treasure is this fear of the Lord You poor Athenians that are always inquiring after News new Opinions new Inventions new Fashions here 's a brave and blessed piece of Novelty for you this New Creature will stand you in stead not so much to please your itching Ears as to profit your Languishing Souls Well I have done my poor Endeavour to effect this work upon your Hearts When we have said and done all we can we have done nothing at all except the Eternal Jehovah strike with the great Hammer O thou infinite Almighty God that hast made the Earth by thy Power hast established the World by thy Wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by thy discretion Jer. 10.12 Look into the Hearts of Sinners see what a Chaos of Confusion is by Sin brought upon the noble Soul go o're thy Work again mend what Sin hath marred put Light in the Understanding Power into the Will Rectitude into the Affections make Conscience do its office O that Corruption may be mortified Satan cast out a sound Principle introduced the Soul redintegrated and everlastingly saved I commend these my poor Labours into the Hands of God to use them as he sees good and to you that heard these Sermons and to others that shall take the pains to read them having delivered my Conscience in some measure of Uprightness whether the Effect answer my Pains and Aims or no And in this labour of Love I am willing to take my Leave of the World as to troubling it any further in this kind and commend you my Brethren to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to renew your hearts and build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified Acts 20.32 which is the daily Prayer of A Poor Watch-man for Your Souls O. H. May 3. 95. THE CONTENTS Chap. I. THe Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled Page 1 Chap. II. What is meant by a New Creature Doctrine raised Page 13 Chap. III. Why this is called a New Creature A Parallel betwixt the Old Creation and this New Creation Page 30 Chap. IV. Wherein the New Creature is available to Souls Page 43 Chap. V. Some Inferences by way of Question and Answer from the Premises Page 56 Chap. VI. An Use of Reproof and Conviction of sundry sorts Page 69 Chap. VII An Use of Correction for Reforming Sinners Mistakes Page 94 Chap. VIII Some Objections of Sinners answered against their Endeavours to be New Creatures Page 110 Chap. IX Instructions for the Tryal of our Spirits whether we be indeed New Creatures Page 124 Chap. X. A further Tryal of the New Creature as to the Will and Affections the Subjects of it and its Properties Page 138 Chap. XI A Tryal of the New Creature by its Effects Consequences and Proper Operations Page 152 Chap. XII Directions what Means may be used for the obtaining this New Creature Page 164 Chap. XIII Instructions how those must behave themselves that are indeed New Creatures Page 177 Chap. XIV An Answer to some Cases of Conscience Page 189 Galatians vi 15. For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but a New Creature CHAP. I. The Text opened a Doctrine raised and handled SOme Interpreters think that this Text comes not in so much as a proof of the Assertion immediately preceding of the Apostle's glorying in Christ's Cross and his being crucified to the world ver 14. As it is a
thing as Nominal without Real Christianity some have a Name to live but are dead Rev. 3.1 Have high Titles but bad Hearts vicious Lives profess they know God but in Works they deny him Tit. 1.16 That have Heaven in their Mouths and Hell in their Minds that soar high but design low there may be a real Heathen under a Christian Name Ad Ecclesiam non pertinent omnes qui sunt intus All Church-Members are not Members of Christ they are not all Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9.6 A fine Title may be on some Boxes that have nothing within to Answer it Judah that was uncircumcised in heart may be ranked with Aegypt Edom Moab Ammon some may cry out The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord Jer. 9.26 The Church the Church they are right Church-Members that yet do wickedly and think their Privileges will excuse them as though thereby they were delivered to do all manner of abominations Jer. 7.4.16 They shall know one day that an empty Name without the Thing is but a great crime that it will rather aggravate their Condemnation then tend to their Salvation Alas how many are providential not principled Christians that have nothing more to plead for their Christianity then that they were born in a Christian Country and in their Infancy were baptized and since do as other Folks do go to Church and carry civilly and pass amongst men for down-right honest men But God judgeth not as man judgeth when Persons stand before the awful Tribunal of the righteous Judge Names and Titles and Privileges will signifie nothing such Varnish will melt off before the Fire of God's wrath nothing then will signifie but the inner Garment of Sanctification and the upper Garment of Christ's Righteousness for our Justification to cover all defects of the former this is fine Linnen clean and white Rev. 19.8 This is the Righteousness of Saints 4. Yet Privileges are not to be slighted nor Ordinances to be despis'd As you are not to rest in Circumcision or Baptism as tho' this were enough so you are not to cast off God's Institutions as if they were of no worth there 's a medium betwixt an abuse and total neglect Men may abuse Meat and Drink yet must not lay them aside Ordinances can do us no good without the concurrence of Divine Grace man lives not by Bread only but by God's blessing therewith Deut. 8.3 Must Bread be cast out upon this Pretence Surely no it becomes us to obey God in Hearing Praying Reading Meditating and Attending on God in his own ways the Seals of the Covenant are not insignificant Ceremonies Ordinances are canales gratiae Channels and Conduit-Pipes through which God conveys his Grace to Souls These are Golden Pipes through which the Olive Branches empty the golden Oyl out of themselves Zech. 4.13 Souls shall the Bucket be thrown away because it hath not Water in it self without letting it down into the Well by the Chain of Faith Shall the Bridge or Boat be slighted because of it self it cannot carry us over the River Nay rather let us get upon it and walk get into it and Row and wait for the Gale of the Spirit to waft us over Privileges are good the Fruits of Christ's purchace the Pledges of God's Love they must be made use of tho' not trusted to or boasted of you must be very thankful for fruitful under pure and powerful Ordinances let God have the glory look you after the advantage of Privileges set them in their places not in God's room let none say thè Table of the Lord is contemptible Mal. 1.7 Nor on the other hand let not presuming Souls say Let us fetch the Ark of the Covenant that it may save us 1 Sam. 4.3 Alas what can the Ark of God avail us if the God of the Ark leave us Let our dependance be on God in the way of his appointments Affect not to be above but go beyond all Ordinances God is present in all that we may despise none he withdraws in some sometimes in all that we may idolize none when you enter upon a Duty look up to the blessed Jesus make Conscience of yea make it your business to get communion with God therein If you miss of God in Ordinances you lose your end yea you lose your Souls If you find God glory in the Lord boast not of the Duty or Ordinances sit not down in the Porch but make forward to the Holy of Holies press to the City of Refuge lay your Sacrifices at the Door of the Tabernacle put your Offering into the High-Priest's hand thank God for inlargements but depend not on them If you make your Services your Saviours you will perish with them when you have done all say I am still an unprofitable Servant Luke 17.10 I have but done my Duty nay I have not done my Duty my best Righteousnesses are not only too scant a Covering but also filthy Rags Isa 64.6 My very Duties as well as Sins may undoe me yea I find Hell-Torment the upshot of Privileges and further Advancement by Privileges through a non-improvement of them sinks deeper in Hell as Corazin Capernaum Mat. 11.21 24 For Privileges to graceless Souls do take away the Cloak that might cover the foulness of Sin and so do rather aggravate than extenuate it John 15.22 24. I must therefore look for something else than Privileges that is a New Creature Chap. II. What is meant by a New Creature Doctrine raised THe main Point in the Text and which I principally designed is concerning the New Creature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 New Creation locutio est Christiana it s a Speech peculiar and proper to the New-Testament dispensation 2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature i. e. If a man be a true Christian formed to the Gospel Pattern and Rule and Ends he is and must be and cannot but be of a new Frame and Stamp So it was prophesyed of Old concerning Gospel Times and Dispensations Behold the former things are come to pass and new things do I declare Isa 42.9 ch 65.17 Behold I create new heavens and new earth yea all things new So here he frames a Work of Saving Grace in the Hearts of all his Saints It signifies a new noble heavenly Disposition opposed to the antiquated corrupt state of Nature derived from the first Adam called the Old Man Que. Why is this called a Creature Ans 1. Because it is produced only by the Almighty Power of God whose peculiar prerogative it is to Create 2. Because as a Creature it hath a real Existence as this visible frame of the Universe hath If there be a Heaven and Earth there is a new Creation in the Soul of Man it s no Fiction Chimaera or Imagination of man's brain 3. Creation makes a mighty change so doth this Work of Conversion vehementem mutationem significat as Creation changeth a thing from a non-existence to a real
or good Works done by man nay it also excludes Faith it self as the work of man any otherwise then as laying hold on Christ's Righteousness But this I affirm that this New Creature or the best Inherent Righteousness cannot justifie a Sinner before God's Tribunal For a Man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the Faith of Jesus Christ Gal. 2.16 And lest any should say it was by the Works only of the Ceremonial Law it s apparent the Apostle includes the Moral Law that observance thereof cannot justifie for the Gentiles were never bound to the Ceremonial Law yet he proves both Jews and Gentiles to be both under sin Rom. 3 9.-2.28 30. and both alike justified by Christ in the way of believing But where there is no Law there is no Transgression Rom. 4.15 Besides that Law that shews Sin is the moral Law For by the Law is the knowledge of sin Rom. 3.20 And 't is that Law that drives us out of Self to Christ and therefore it can never justifie us God hath nailed up that Door that none since the Fall can enter into Happiness by Law-Righteousness This way to Heaven is like the Northern Passage to the Indies whoever attempts it is sure to be frozen up before he gets half way thither Obj. But if a legal Righteousness by our own strength will not justifie a Sinner yet this New Creature or the habit or exercise of Evangelical Righteousness will surely justifie The Apostle himself Answers No and he instanceth in two famous Saints in the Old-Testament the one is Abraham the other David Rom. 4.1 6 Faithful Holy Abraham though no Idolater but circumcised offering his Son must not glory in any Habit or Acts of Grace And David though a Man after God's own Heart yet saith Enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 If the Lord mark iniquity who can stand Psal 130.3 Holy Paul dare not stand in his own Righteousness at God's Bar but in the Righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3.7.8 9. Indeed this imparted or inherent Holiness was infused into the Soul for other Ends than to justifie a Sinner before God from the guilt of any one Sin and yet this New Creature is very available to the Souls of men in these 12 cases 1. This New Creature rectifies the Soul's Faculties that were marred by Adam's Fall The former Structure though once a famous Edifice by the Fall was not only tottering but a ruinous House and lies in Rubbish this New Creation re-edifies it in a more stately sumptuous manner yea it is richly adorned thereby Prov. 1.9 They shall be an Ornament of Grace unto thy Head and Chains about thy Neck Prov. 12.26 ch 17.27 Thereby the Christian is more excellent then his Neighbour and of an excellent Spirit more excellent then himself was he is by this become like the Angels yea like God himself and though he be short of Adam in the degree of Grace yet upon better terms in point of duration and now great Grace is upon all true Believers Acts 4.33 Man by his Fall became like the Beasts that perish Psal 49.12 But this New Creature makes him better then other men All men are level as to God till this New Creation sets a divine Stamp on some The tongue of the Just is as choice Silver but the heart of the wicked is little worth Prov. 10.20 God only hath Soveraignty and Authority to rate his Creatures this is the Estimate he sets on his 2. This New Creature is the fruit and Evidence of Electing-Love this is the legible print of God's Heart from Eternity He hath chosen us Eph. 1.4 that we should be holy This is the proper product of free undeserved Grace Gal. 1.15 God calls by his Grace This is the glorious display of his Banner of Love over Souls In the Old Creation there was the strength of God's Arm in this there is the working of God's Bowels God found all mankind alike involved in Sin and Misery but Grace makes some to differ from others 1 Cor. 46.7 As a curious workman seeing a Forrest overgrowing his Ground marks some Trees designing to make of them some rare pieces of workmanship thus God carves his own Image on a common Log and sets it apart for himself this is an act of discriminating Love and when the Sinner sees it he must cry out Who am I O Lord God that thou hast brought me hitherto 2 Sam. 7.18 By the Grace of God I am what I am 1 Cor. 5.10 This this is a shedding abroad his love in my Heart Rom. 5.5 I read Love in every Line and Letter of this new Impression and doth not this avail a Soul much 3. This New Creation consecrates the Soul to be a receptacle for God and renders the Person acceptable to him God dwells in the humble and holy Heart Isa 57.15 There only he takes up his lodging when he hath perfumed the Heart with Mirrh and Frankincense Cant. 3.6 He lays himself in that sweet Bed Having builded this Mansion-House it becomes an habitation of God through the Spirit a Temple of the Holy Ghost Ephes 2.22.1 Cor. 6.17 19. God hath two Thrones in Heaven and in an Holy Heart The Soul and Body is a Sacrifice holy and acceptable to God Rom. 12.1 Happy Soul that is thus owned by the Great God no matter if men reject you if God accept you if men desert you yet if God possess you you are are happy when God casts out the Devil's baggage and saith This is my Rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 132.14 15. No bad House will be kept there where God dwells for he makes all welcome this is available 4. The first instant of this New Creation commenceth a Communion with God this is a consequence of the former and the peculiar privilege of a Saint Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son 1 John 1.3 This communion with God is a mystery to most men Every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King many meddle with Duties but meet not with God It is good for me to draw night to God Psal 73.28 How oft doth the Christian cry out Oh when shall I come and appear before God Psal 63.2 This New Creature puts a Biass in the Soul God-wards it naturally mounts the Soul upwards to ingage his heart in approaching to God Jer. 30.21 And the Lord meets him that rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness Isa 64. Birds cannot converse with Men there 's not a suitableness of Nature an Hypocrite cannot dare not come before God Job 13.16 But a Saint dare draw near with boldness through Christ for he is like God and communio fundatur in Similitudine Communion is founded in Similitude 5. This New Creature evidenceth a Soul's interest in Christ and his union to him yea puts the poor Believer in
God's prerogative and he is a free Agent 1 Pet. 1.21 to work or suspend his Grace Object But doth not Baptism now save Answ But it is when there 's the Answer of a good Conscience and it is by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Rom. 1 16.-10.14 The Gospel-preaching is the Power of God to Salvation yet all are not saved by it Faith comes by hearing Jam. 5.3 Yet all that hear do not believe For who hath believed our Report Ordinances are but Channels not Springs of Grace the Blessing upon them depends only on Soveraign Grace how many Thousands have gone to Hell with Baptismal Water on their Face Ishmael Esau and all the House of Israel that were uncircumcised in Heart Jer. 9.26 Rest not satisfied with this but see you be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Matth. 3.11 6. Quest Wherein doth this New Creature excel shining morality or the splendid common Graces of the Hypocrites Answ 1. In the Root or Principle begot by a Saving change from Nature to Grace carnal men though they have never so fair a Flower yet want the Root of the matter John 19.27 This unsoundness of Heart is the Hair in the Moralists Pen that blurs all his fair Writing as he said of a Person of such and such Vertues tamen est Romanus yet he 's a Leper as was said of Naaman the Syrian still graceless unprincipled 2. In the Universality Zechariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments of the Lord Luk. 1.6 But of the Moralist and Hypocrite it may be said the Legs of the Lame are not equal they are addicted to halting and halving they are always partial seem excellent in one Grace but defective in another yea totally want what is essentially necessary to constitute a Saint The Moralist is defective in compliance with the first Table of the Law the Hypocrite with the Second but the New Creature lies square to all Commands and Duties at all times Psal 106.3 The New Creature acts for a right End God's glory and communion with him but the Moralist and Hypocrite always and in every action hath a squint Eye at himself profit pleasure honour as Jehu and the Pharisees 4. The New Creature always improves Jesus Christ both for assistance and acceptance the Moralist and Hypocrite stand upon their own Legs and think their Penny current Money with God but the gracious Soul denys himself in all his Works are wrought in God John 3.21 He is accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45.25 7. Qu. Wherein lies the difference betwixt this New Creature which consists in Sanctification and the state of Justification The Reason of this Query is because Papists and some others confound them Answ 1. The New Creature in Sanctification is an Inherent Work done within us A New Spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36.26 And the Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17.21 And though at first it be immediatly infused by the Spirit yet the Christian is an Agent in promoting his Sanctification 2 Cor. 7.1.1 John 3.3 they may and must cleanse themselves But now Justification is a Work done without us by the Lord Christ with his Father by his Satisfaction of Divine Justice on the Cross and by his Intercession at God's Right Hand we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of Sins Ephes 1.7 The Red Lines of Christ's Blood blot out the Black Lines of our Sins out of God's Debt-book he washeth us from our Sins in his own Blood 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 He was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 No other Person or Thing is interposed no Faith it self as a Work hath not any causality in this Work its only God's free Work of Grace for Christ's sake to forgive Sins 2. The New Creature in Sanctification is not wrought in the same measure or degree in all the Saints of God some that are sincere come far short of others there are some Babes others strong men Heb. 5.13 14. It 's said of some Kings of Israel there was none like them Neh. 7.2 Hananiah feared God above many There was none like Job in the Earth Job 1.8 So there was different products of the Seed yet all in good Ground Matth. 13.23 Some Christians abound in Faith Love Humility Patience Knowledge Mortification others are defective But Justification is alike to all and upon all that believe for there is no difference Rom. 3.22 The meanest weakest Believer hath as large a Store as the strongest I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name 's sake 1 John 2.12 They are as much justified as Fathers and Young Men Mary Magdalen the Penitent Thief are as much justified as Peter the reason is because they are all partakers of like precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 The least measure whereof attains its End of receiving Christ as the greater for it 's Christ received by Faith that justifies a weak Hand may receive a Gift as well as the stronger though not so steaddily but it s the Gift that inricheth not the strength of the Hand 3. The New Creature comes on by degrees it s not compleat as it shall be at the first instant it 's first an Embryo Christ formed in the Heart and then increaseth with the increase of God till it come to a perfect man Col. 2.19 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 The Apostle thanks God for the Thessalomans that their Faith did grow exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 and Charity It s like the Sun that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 A good Man grows stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But now Justification is compleat at first every whit as much at first ingrafting into Christ as afterwards All that believe are justified from all things Acts 13.39 No Condemnation can be laid in against them Rom. 8.1 He forgiveth all trespasses blotting out the hand-writing Col. 2.13 14. God throughly washeth away his Childrens blood Ezek. 16.9 There 's not a Spot to be seen on them no Charge can be drawn up against them Rom. 8.33 Quest Why then are Christ's Disciples bound to pray daily for Pardon Matth. 6.12 Answ 1. Because we are daily committing new Sins in many things we offend all James 3.2 We miss it in every thing Oh how many are our secret Faults Psal 19.12.2 God would have us daily lie under the sence of our former guilt the desert of Sin and the worth of pardoning Grace David was assured of Pardon by Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 yet afterwards prays for it Psal 51.2 The prodigal Son confesseth his fault after his Father had fallen on his Neck Luk. 15.20 21.3 Pardoning Grace may be clouded in the sence and assurance of it and in this respect the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 From a less
Fightings from without and Fears within I am shifting from Post to Pillar let me be dissettled till my Soul fix on Christ then shall not my Heart be troubled if believing in God I believe also in Christ John 14.1 Let me never be at rest till all ways are blockt up but this If I sit still I dye 2 King 7.4 If I go to the World I pine I will venture upon God's Promises Christ's Purchase if I must dye I will dye there but never did any dye at his Door 7. At last the troubled Spirit issues out its perplexed Thoughts in Complaints and Prayers God faith I have surely hearth Ephraim bemoaning himself Jer. 31.18 So methinks I see the disquieted Soul creep into a Corner to ease his burthened Spirit into God's Bosom in this manner Lord here I am as wicked a Malefactor as ever stood at thy Bar and as miserable a Beggar as ever lay at thy Door I was condemned as soon as convinced and have too too wofully improved the Stock of Original Sin in thousands of actual Rebellions I am twice dead in danger to be pluck'd up by the Roots Jude 1. and flung into the Fire of Hell many means hast thou used but nothing doth me good yet now thou hast brought me into the Wilderness Oh speak to my Heart Hos 2.14 Every Sin deserves damnation Oh how many Hells then do I deserve Thou art Righteous if thou damn me my Mouth is stopt I am found guilty before God Rom. 3.19 I am self-condemned thou shalt need no other Witness or Jury to find me guilty but Christ suffered and satisfied Justice for some poor Sinners and why not for me the chiefest of Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 I find not one word in Scripture against it but a Proclamation of a general Pardon to all Christ with all his Benefits is offered to me in the Ministry of the Word upon the condition of Faith and Repentance It s true I can neither repent nor believe but they are both included in the absolute Grant of the Gospel-Covenant which gives what it requires Lord give me a Gospel-Repentance unto Life and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I hang on thee sweet Jesus who wast exalted on purpose to give Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins Acts 5.31 and the Faith of God's Elect. Thus much for Preparatives 2. The Parts of this New Creature lie in the renewing of the several Faculties of the Soul which consists 1st In the Mind and Understanding 2dly In the Conscience 3dly In the Will 4thly In the Affections which are the Motions of the Will 1. The New Creature consists much in the Mind which is called a renewing in the Spirit of the Mind Eph. 4.23 Interpreters have been much perplexed to know what is meant by the Spirit of the Mind Calvin saith Ego Simpliciter accipio Calv. in loc acsi dixisset renovemur non tantum quod ad inferiores Appetitus ant Concupiscentias quae palam sunt vitiosae sed etiam quod ad partem illam animae quae nobilissima praestantissima habetur i. e. be renewed not only in the inferiour Appetite and concupiscible Faculties but in that part of the Soul which is esteemed the most noble and excellent For the Mind is accounted a Queen and almost adored by Philosophers Now the Mind is renewed when there is 1. New Conceptions of things otherwise than ever before for a new Light set up in the Soul to see things after another manner the eyes of the understanding are now enlightned Eph. 1.18 Now he sees more Wickedness in his bad Heart then ever he did which makes him cry out as Job Behold I am vile Job 40.4 Lord thou art Heaven I am Hell said Mr. Hooper Now the Soul sees more Poyson and Malignity in Sin then ever before he sees it exceeding sinful Rom. 7.9 17. As striking at the Majesty clouding the Glory of the Holy God as crucifying Christ grieving the holy Spirit The New Creature begets other Conceptions of Christ as the Rose of Sharon Cant 5.9 the chief of ten thousand He looks on God's Commands as not at all grievous 1 John 5.3 but pleasant comfortable and profitable he looks on the Saints as the most excellent in the Earth Psal 16.3 Prov. 3.18 He hath got Eye-Salve to judge of things as they are The spiritual man judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.15 2. The New Nature bringeth a New Memory he forgets Injuries and remembers Truths his Memory is sanctified and fortified he lays up things in his Heart as the Pot of Manna was laid up in the Ark he can abundantly utter the Memory of God's great goodness Psal 145.7 The New Creature is as a Phylactery to prompt and put him in mind of God's Law Numb 15.39 If he hath not a great Memory yet he hath a good Memory God brings Sins to remembrance committed many Years ago and the Soul is humbled for them as if but newly committed and though sometimes the best of God's Children are subject to slippery Memories and do need Monitors yet they have Minds clarified and apt to be tenacious of the things of God 2 Pet. 3.1 I stir up your pure minds by way remembrance An hint will bring God and good things into their Thoughts again but wicked men are described by this Character of forgetting God Psal 50.22 Do you make it your business to remember God upon your Beds and in all Places Psal 63.6 3. The New Creature hath a new Councellor formerly the Soul consulted with carnal Interest and base and by-ends even in things of Religion if the Practice of Religion did cross his low and selfish Designs he laid it down but as soon as this Principle is put within him he saith as Paul immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1.16 God's glory the good of his own and others Souls lay uppermost Now the Christian goes to the Sanctuary in arduous cases Psal 73.14 and makes the Scriptures those divine Oracles the chief Counsellors Psal 119.24 in his Works Natural Civil Spiritual and dare venture upon nothing but what he hath warrant from God for not What saith this Friend or the other Relation but what saith God in the case directly or by good Consequence See the difference betwixt good Jehoshaphat and Ahab 1 King 22.5 6. the former said Enquire I pray thee at the Word of the Lord to day The other made nothing of it they soâ—n forgat his Works they waited not for his Counsel Psal 108.13 And God gives them up to walk in their own Counsels Psal 81.12 4. The New Creature hath new Admiration the Carnal Heart wonders at trifling Novelties David prays Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law Psal 119.18 There indeed he spies wonders of Power Wisdom Holiness Faithfulness and a display of all God's Attributes but especially of free Grace and Love in the Work of Redemption he sees no reason to admire any thing but things
the world even our Faith yea we are more than conquerors through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 And 't is often said To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life Rev. 2.7 Mark it it s not said to him that hath overcome but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to him that is overcoming Dost thou keep thy ground fight still though sometimes thou art foiled Yet dost thou not gain ground by thy falls mourn for Sin and grow more watchful As long as thou art in the Field against Sin Sin is not on the Throne in thy Heart And if sin have not dominion over you you are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6.14 This Victory may be to acceptation with God though not with satisfaction to thy self Chap. XI A trial of the New Creature by its Effects Consequences and proper Operations 4. THe last way of discovering the truth of the New Creature in the Soul is by its proper Fruits and Effects as the Tree is known by its Fruits and the quality of the Spring by its Streams that issue from it I can but name these 1. The New Creature produceth a New Tongue New Speech New Expressions the Soul that was wont to speak the Language of Ashdod now speaks the Language of Canaan his Tongue was wont to Swear Lye Curse rail at Religion or vain Jangling idle Tales impertinent Stories or at best but of Weather Trading News now he changeth his Note The mouth of the Righteous speaketh Wisdom and his tongue talketh of Judgment Psal 37.30 31. Why so the law of his God is in his heart Out of the abundance of the Heart his Mouth speaks Matth. 12.34 What say you Sirs do you speak as becometh Saints not Filthiness foolish Talking or Jesting Eph. 5.3 4. Is your Speech always with Grace seasoned with Salt Col. 4.6 Not corrupt Communication but that which is good to the use of edifying Eph. 4.29 31. Do you exhort and provoke one another to Love and good Works Heb. 10.24 25. Do you speak reverently of God his Word and Works Do you with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God Rom. 15.6 Edifie Saints and convince Gainsayers Ribauldry Barbarology and Railing are far from a Godly man's Mouth rather giving of Thanks asking and answering serious Questions with his Tongue which is his glory 2. New Works Not only New Expressions but New Actions The New Creature ingageth Men to a New Course of Life to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light to walk honestly as in the day Rom. 13.12 13 14. What a change doth it make in mens Employments their Backs are now where their Faces were and their Faces where their Backs were This Grace of God teacheth them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously godly yea to be zealous of good works Tit. 2.11 12 14. They are wont to work hard for the world now they work out their Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 They used to follow Sports and Stage-playes now they find other employments Reading Praying Meditating examining their Consciences mortifying Lusts they find something else to do now then to spend their time in Idleness and inventing Pastimes to pass away their time they have many Graces to exercise Duties to perform personal and relative they have no time to be Idle but must fill up their time with profitable Employment to God's glory and their own good account Oh how busie is a Child of God striving to enter in at the strait gate Luk. 13.24 taking the kingdom of heaven by violence Matth. 11.12 And giving diligence to make their calling and election sure 1 Pet. 1.10 and that their Master may not find them idle but that they may be found of him in Peace 3. A New Rule suitable to the New Creature alas in time past the poor Sinner walked according to the course of this World Eph. 2.2 1 Pet. 1.18 The old Traditions and Customs of men were wont to be the carnal man's Canon he followed the multitude by conformity to the world but now the rule of the new creature is the Star he Stears his Course by Rom. 12.2 Gal. 6.16 Bring me a warrant from the Word in a plain Text or a direct unstrained Consequence to bottom my obedience upon or you say nothing God's will is my rule of obedience that only binds Conscience and the New Creature lies square to every Command The authority of God sways it because there 's something in the Soul that suits and lies square to every precept if he cannot keep any yet he hath respect to all God's Commandments Psal 119.6 He is as it were four-square lies square to every thing God makes his duty but an Hypocrite is like a round Globe toucheth in some Corner omits all but what his Interest or Fancy calls him to in that juncture yea if he should keep all yet offend in one point he is guilty of all James 2.10 A true Christian is of a Catholick Spirit an Universalist like Zechariah and Elizabeth that walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1.6 These were indeed righteous if there be Circumcision of Heart there will be circumspection in Life See then you walk circumspectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 5.15 according to command and to the height of every Command baulk none abate nothing of what God makes Duty 4. A new End design Alas Self is the End and great Idol of a carnal Heart till Grace rectifie and regulate it All seek their own Phil. 2.21 Matth. 6.2 self-ease pleasure self-profit self-honour or applause the Water will rise no higher then the Spring New Grace changeth the Biass of the Soul as a Ship sailing Westward there comes a strong Gale of Wind and carries it directly into the East Self-seeking is so natural that till Grace alter the constitution of the Soul the sinner will never be beaten off self-denyal is the first and last Lesson our Lord teacheth his Disciples Matth. 16.24 This is the first Step and highest Round in Jacob's Ladder hath thy soul so far learned it as to makes God's glory communion with him the chief aim of thy Duties Studies Endeavours canst thou soul throw thy self in the Dust that God may be on the Throne disappear that God may only be seen as John Baptist said He must increase but I must decrease John 3.30 If any good be done it s not I but the grace of God with me 1 Cor. 15.10 Let him alone have the glory let the Crown be set no where but on Christ's Head Psal 151. Cant. 3.11 It becomes him best I will cast down my Crown before the Throne and say Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power Rev. 4.10 11. As all the Lines tend to the center so shall all my Actions tend only to thy glory Let God in all things be glorified though I be vilified 1 Pet.