15.3 Oh! due attention let us give to him Who is our Lord and also our dear King Prov. 8.34 vers 35. And constantly his Royal Throne attend Supplies shall come from Christ he 'l be thy Friend Cant. 4.7 Cant. 5.10 The Person of his Majesty is rair Unto the King of Kings none can compair Psal 45.2 Adorn'd he is with Graces of all kind And such as know him well they will it find He 's liberal and free in giving out Gifts rare and choice and sweet without all doubt Mat. 28.18 On his chosen a Portion he 'l bestow Psal 84.11 Luk. 10.42 That none shall from them take that we do know The Father's Honour then shall such obtain And to them he will give yea a new name Rev. 2.17 The new Nature they shall injoy indeed On the new Covenant they then shall feed 2 Cor. 5.17 Jer. 33.34 The white and lovely Robe they shall put on And Honoured be by God and his dear Son Rev. 3.18 Upon such then a Kingdom he 'l bestow His Kingdom love to such shall overflow Luk. 12.32 They then shall live and reign with him for ever Psal 45.6 Rev. 3.21 And gain the love of Christ our Elder Brother Observation II. Such may indeed at last come to obtain Luk. 15.17 vers 18. An interest in the Son who doth complain For want of Christ the Lord of Life indeed Cant. 5.8 He 'l be at hand and help them at their need When that we come to see and eke behold Cant. 5.10 vers 16. The worth of Christ he 'l love to such unfold They then shall see the choiceness of his Grace Also behold the sweetness of his Face Cant. 2.14 And with dear Christ we shall delight to dwell Cant. 5.8 Cant. 3.4 In Grace most choice Oh! such shall then excel Contented such will be that Christ should Reign And ever Rule in them Oh! Rev. 22.20 they would fain Prove Subjects to so wise a Pretious King Luk. 15.19 And count of it a rare and choice sweet thing Luk. 15.29 On dear Jesus come let us place our love Cant. 4.9 With all our heart and learn to live above With Holy Joy and shouting too also Haâ— 3.18 Psal 16.11 Let 's entertainment give to Christ the Roe And by no means let us now part with him Cant. 3.4 Who is our Joy our Crown and eke our King Tit. 2.14 He made us Sons and that by Redemption And this we know by his choice sweet Unction Regeneration-work when in us is begun Mat. 19.28 Renews the Soul throughout in every one Ezek. 11.19 Acts 2.37 Yea where it is in truth it doth beget A love to Christ it doth renew the heart Eph. 5.8 Rom. 12.2 The man is not the same he wont to be When God hath wrought a change then we shall see Rom. 8.6 7. Cant. 1.2 He 'l then begin to hate all Carnal things Delighting to be under Christ's sweet Wings Col. 3.1 2. And bid adieu to all things here below Oh! then with Christ to Canaan such shall goe Gal. 4.5 Ephes 1.5 They that are Sons and that by adoption Are mighty high sure in Gods affection Rev. 3.20 Ps 23.5 6. And at his Table rare Oh! such shall sit That are God's Sons indeed whom Christ begat Isa 55.1 Cant. 2.4 5. On his provision choice all such shall feed And sweet content shall find in him indeed Refreshings we shall have then of all kind Cant. 7.13 And entertainment rare also shall find Wine well refin'd upon the Lees shall come Isa 25.6 Such shall attended be by Christ the Son Joel 2.28 1 John 2.20 The Holy Unction such indeed shall have And freely it shall come if we do crave 1 Pet. 5.7 Psa 121.3 For Protection a Shield our God will be To shelter us from evil we shall see Lam. 3.24 Luke 12.32 A Portion choice will Christ on us bestow No less than a Kingdom that we shall know Not onely Sons are we but Heirs also Rom. 8.17 Belonging to this Kingdom come let 's go To this Kingdom that removed be shall never Heb. 12.28 In Glory we shall Reign with Christ for ever Observation III. If faithful we be to the Lord indeed Then him obey we shall and that with speed Rev. 2.10 And on the means of Grace we shall attend Col. 4.2 James 2.25 Our Pretious Soul from harm he will defend Christ's Counsel choice come let us then observe Psal 119.6 John 8.31 Our feeding shall be sweet we shall not starve The Manna from on high it shall come down With adornments of Grace Christ will us Crown Psal 84.11 Like children dear let 's walk with God this day Ephes 5.1 John 10.4 And none but his sweet voice let us obey Come let our love run forth onely to him Psal 73.25 Our chiefest Joy who did Redemption bring Yea from the Grave Death Hell and Wrath also Hos 13.14 Isa 51.1 Us captives free did Christ our Lord we know After this Christ let us now go with speed Heb. 9.12 That freely did let out his Blood and bleed That so he might the Fathers wrath appease 2 Cor. 5.19 Isa 53.5 Us wounded sinners heal and give us ease In this sweet Jesus come let us delight Psal 37.4 Micha 7.19 That will proud lust destroy corruptions smite Communion choice we then shall have with him 1 John 1.3 Acts 5.31 That is our High Priest Prophet and our King The Unction rare on such it shall come down 1 John 2.20 vers 27. That on the Head of Christ doth set the Crown That reverence him yea honour and adore Prov. 3.9 Acts 5.31 The Lord of Life our Prince for evermore Such to the death that do contend for him Rev. 2.10 Psal 149.6 Shall in his Kingdom the High praises sing A Faithful frame of Heart doth much adorn A Christian in his race and profession Gen. 39.9 And much well pleasing is it to the Lord Gen. 22.9 A faithful frame of heart if he afford This jewel rare if on us he bestow Hos 2.19 Oh! more of his choice love then shall we know Rev. 3.21 And sweet profit by it we shall then find Such in this race Christ will not leave behind Rev. 3.21 Col. 3.4 Upon his Royal Throne all they shall sit And honour Christ alone none shall it let Rev. 14.4 Rev. 15.3 The lovely Songs of Christ the Lamb most choice The faithful they shall sing and hear his voice Tim. 2.4 vers 8. Then Crowned such shall be by Christ their King With the Crown of Glory and they shall bring Isa 10.22 Honour and Praise to him whom it is due And reign with him this number is but few Psal 84.11 On such our Lord
good to manifest thy Light Christ Ezek. 16.4 John 14.16 John 15.10 My Skirt of Love I spred on thee thy nakedness to hide That my sweet prensence thou might'st see and with me might'st abide Christian Thy eye of pitty to me was made known at a high rate In washing me from filth that day and life thou did'st create Christ When I past by and saw the lie Eze. 16.6 7 polluted in thy blood In love to thee I did draw nigh and holp thee for thy good Christian Oh! praised be thy great high Name for what thou didst for me Thy tender Love I must proclaim and what of thee I see Christ A conversation choice and sweet Phil. 1.27 Amos 4.12 will honour me indeed Oh! then I will thy poor Soul meet on Manna thou shalt feed Christian Oh! help me Lord to live to thee a Godly Holy Life And in Communion let me be indeed thy married Wife Christ Isa 54.5 John 6.37 Cant. 7.10 A Husband then I 'le be to thee for none I will cast out That doth in truth now come to me thine I am without doubt Christian How shall I know Lord thou art mine and I am one with thee The perfect Union let me find and now united be Christ Isa 43.1 Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.3 I know thy name Oh! thou art mine in Covenant we be My love indeed shall not decline more of it thou shalt see Christian Of Covenants two Lord we do read In thy most Blessed Word Which of them Lord hast thou now made to me O Blessed God Christ My Covenant that I have made Jer. 31.31 Heb. 8.10 Jer. 31.32 is new and choice also Not like to that of Israel's said they brake yea long agoe Christian What difference pray may there be between the Old and New The difference Lord Oh! let me see let 's know what we must do Christ The Old it comes from Mount Sina Gal. 4.24 Mich. 4.2 Gal. 4.26 a Covenant of Works The New it comes from Mount Zion a Covenant of Grace Christian Doth God require no works of me that by them I may live That by my works may Heaven see Or for my works he 'l save Christ No works at all do I require Ephes 2.9 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 5.1 1 John 1.7 nor can they produce Life But Faith in me doth God require it 's I must end the strife Christian The terms of thy sweet Covenant dear Lord What may they be Let 's understand Oh! out of hand come let us know of thee Christ The Covenant of Grace it is conditions on my part Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 Wherein I am ingag'd to thee to write upon thy Heart My Royal Law of Grace indeed and be to thee a God Psal 32.8 Luke 1.97 Thou unto me a People be I 'le also be thy guide As for thy sins and transgressions no more will I remember Jer. 33.34 Isa 43.25 But will make known to thee I own a blotting out for ever Christian My Love my Lord my King my Choice thy path let me behold And daily hear thy lovely voice thy love to me unfold Christ Cant. 2.4 Into my banquetting-house come and take thy fill my Love Cant. 4.8 Of Flagons sweet I will thee meet and there embrace my Dove Cant. 2.6 The banner of my love display I will on thee indeed Cant. 2.5 And quickly come I 'l not delay on apples thou shalt feed Christian My Love my Dove my Joy my Crown oh come oh come away The Foxes spoil thy Church renown make hast and do not stay Rev. 21.2 My Bride I come with motions swift my Vineyard to maintain Cant. 2.15 Psal 2.6 The Fox I 'l slay my crowning day my Kingdom I shall gain Christian Oh Bridegroom dear when thou appear my robes do thou put on And cause my Lamp to burn most clear and with thee make me one Christ 1 Joh. 2.20 My Bride the unction thou shalt have that will thy Lamp here trim Mat. 25.4 Joel 2.28 And cause thy Light to shine most bright this oyl I will put in Mat. 25.10 The door against thee shall not shut but entrance thou shalt have Mat. 25.12 Mat. 25.8 When other Virgins be kept out for oyl they then will crave When they for oyl shall make a-do Mat. 25. thy Bridegroom then will come And in the kingdom thou shalt be when oyl they shall find none Christian Dear Lord oh hear the cries and groans that the oppressed make And hearken to the daily moans their bonds oh do thou break Psal 23.4 Christ My present rod shall prove for good to humble them thereby Deut. 8.16 Then privy search I 'l make for blood Rev. 6.10 and all my foes shall dy Isa 10.10 The work on mount Sion must be before that I will come Then will I break Assyrians heart and ruine Babylon Christian Come Lord and purge thine own people by thy refining fire Let affliction refine us clean as thou dost now desire Christ That is my end in what I do in love I do chastise Rev. 3.19 Micah 6.8 Isa 48.18 That better fruit you may bring out and learn for to be wise Christian Thy wisdom Lord oh from above let me enjoy I pray Then love I shall the Turtle Dove and him obey this day Christ My wisdom pure and peaceable Jam. 3.17 thou shalt possess indeed That teaches thee gentle to be Jam. 3.17 and on it thou shalt feed Christian How long thy absence shall I see thy presence I desire Oh when in Canaan shall we be and walk with thee entire Christ My Love the glorious land is near 2 Sam. 22.19 Isa 52.9 10 my presence thou shalt see And in my bosom thou shalt ly there thee and I will be Christian It is my grief and sorrow great that a stranger I be That I indeed cannot relate what I would have of thee Christ Rev. 22.1 2 Psal 36.8 Psal 46.4 Thy wants I know supply shall come yea from the living tree The Rivers of my love shall run and comfort thou shalt see Christian When thou dost speak I do forget thy message choice and sweet Therefore to me afford some help oh Lord I do intreat Christ John 14.26 Luk. 1.78 79. Luk. 1.75 I am at hand poor soul indeed thee memory I will give Yea by the hand I will thee lead as long as thou dost live Christian My burthen Lord is very great that earthly things I mind Oh help me Lord I do intreat thy presence let me find Christ Col. 3.3 Psal 94.19 Psal 27.4 Isa 35. last On things above oh thou my love delight thou shalt therein And live with me yea day by day and Hallelujah sing Christian Dear Lord arise and manifest thy power and thy might Pull Babel down and wear the Crown put Babylon to flight Christ Rev. 3.11 Rev. 18.4 Rev. 14.1
at this Day First The Voice of God at this day bespeaks you Oh ye Saints to Act Faith 2 Chron. 20.20 And hear O ye Saints pray as the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase our Faith for if we believe all things shall be possible Mark 9.23 Hard things shall be made easie Heb. 11. from the 33. to the 38. Yea the crooked wayes shall be made streight rough wayes smooth and whilest we are going in this Wilderness to comfort us Faith will give us a view of the Good Land Heb. 11.1 Yea it will lead us up to the top of Mount Nebo yea let me say as David Psal 145.11 12. Consider Faith is that which Honours God that God hath engaged himself to honour them who honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 Faith will tell us He will never leave us nor forsake us Faith will prevent despair in our Souls Psalm 27.13 We should faint if we did not believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Faith will teach us that all things shall work for good Rom. 8.28 Faith will help us to know that our Redeemer lives John 19.25 and to say with Thomas My Lord and my God John 20.28 What should I say more it is pretious 2 Pet. 1. yea it is very necessary Heb. 11.6 Secondly The Voice of God speaks us to be patient and therefore O ye Saints beg patience let it have its perfect work in your Souls James 1.4 Patience will gain thee a look from God when frowardnesse will make him stand a-loofe off it is that will make a long way short James 5.7 8. The Spirit of patience is opposite to a murmuring frame of Spirit Mark Israel got nothing by a murmuring Spirit Psal 106.23 29. Patience will prevent from tempting God and limitting of God it will help thee to submit to the Lord and it will teach thee to know that the Lord is just in afflicting Mich. 7.9 Remember the Counsel of your Lord Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls Thirdly The Voice of God speaks us to love And O ye Saints How ought you to love one another Oh! that this Grace of love might abound in your Souls John saith Love is of God 1 John 4.8 Yea he that loves not his Brother hath not the love of God in him Consider O ye Saints it become the Servant to be obedient to his Master hark Christians it is the command of your Lord to love one another John 15.12 Would you be accounted the Friends of Christ then love one another Saints there lies the greatest engagement in the World upon you to love 1. The Father hath loved you he chose you out of love Ephes 1.5 Hos 14.4 John 3.16 2. The Son hath loved you Oh! height of love Christ's love to us was self-abasing love Phil. 2.7 compared with Prov. 8. from 22. to 31. it was wrath-appeasing love Ephes 2.14 it was a Justice-satisfying Love Mat. 27.46 It was bleeding Love Luke 22.44 Heb. 9.12 It was dying Love Rom. 5.6 8. 3. The Spirit Loves you 1 Cor. 3.16 What shall I say more they all wrought equally in the Work of our Redemption and Salvation and this was Love again Oh ye Saints consider The World hates you John 15.18 19 20. Oh! therefore love one another it is enough Saints the Lord whips you but that is love too Heb. 12.6 But consider the Enemy hates therefore do you love let not Saints he smiting one another that is the work of the unprofitable Servant Oh! let not Saints come under this reproof to afflict the afflicted Zach. 1.15 Sion is now in the Furnace and Saints it is the great design of God to burn up this dross the want of love Zeph. 3.8 9. What shall I say more O love the Lord all ye his Saints and ye who love the Lord love one another Fourthly The Voice of God at this day speaks Saints to be Humble Dost thou hope to be exalted Saint then be Humble Psal 113.7 8. Numb 12.3 Wouldst thou have the Commendation of God then lie low humility will help thee to say less then the least of all Saints Ephes 3.8 Would you O ye Saints be taught of God be Humble Would you have God to dwell with you be Humble he takes care to revive the Humble I shall have done onely beging that God would imprint that word upon all our Souls Phil. 2.3 4. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem others better then themselves A Word to the Faithful Unbyassed Reader as to the ensuing Treatise Friend Thou wilt find those things contained in this Treatise very soundly and sollidly handled thou wilt find but little of the inticing words of mans Wisdom but doubtless thou mayest find much of the Teachings of God in plainness of Speech As to the Author of it I have this to say That he hath been in the Furnace wherein I hope he hath lost much dross and so is become a Vessel more fit for his Masters use Reader What thou readest weigh in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and thou wilt find God speaks much by it If thou gettest nothing blame thine own heart for the Heart of man is deceitful If thou art a gainer give God the Glory and let the Author have thy Prayers The Treatise discovers the Carnal Mind what it is and to what it leads If thy Heart be Carnal tremble and be timely warned if by it thou findest thy self in a Spiritual Frame beg of the Lord to keep thee so To conclude be like the Noble Bereans which were more Noble than they of Thessalonica why because they searcht the Scriptures to see if those things which were spoken by Paul were so Now the God of Grace fill you with streams from that full Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ So prayes he who is the least of all Saints begging as he stands in need of a great part of your Prayers Benjamin Minzes The 16th day of the 11th Moneth 1662. The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT c. A Discovery of the Carnal Mind ROMANS 8.5 To be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace I Shall omit what might be spoken unto the Verses going before my Text and immediately come unto the Words here mentioned to be spoken unto From whence two Things may be observed for the opening of the Words First The blessed Apostle makes mention of a twofold Mind and the Events thereof First he speaks of the Carnal Mind and tells us that tends to Death Secondly And when he comes to speak or make mention of the Mind truly Spiritual he tells us that tends unto Life yea such a kind of Life which is attended with Peace From the first Branch of the Text this general Position I shall lay down to be soberly and seriously weighed and considered Doct. 1. That such Persons who live in or feed upon the Carnal
Oftentimes it is that the eye affects the Heart something we may conclude was in the way Job 31.1 that made Job enter into a League or Covenant with his eye often it is so and by experience we find that if the eye be affected with Spiritual Objects the heart is engaged to those things that are truly Spiritual and Honourable As for Example When once the Spouse had got a true sight of Christ Cant. 3.4 She holds him fast and upon no terms will part with him A true sight of Christ doth produce Spiritual desires in the Soul after Christ that incomparable Object that you may see is evident by what she doth express Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth the Reason is at hand for his Love is better than Wine A sight of the Excellency of Christ indears her heart much to him and nothing short of Christ her dear Love will give her content that makes her to cry out Oh my Dove whose dwelling is in secret Cant. 2.14 let me see thy Face and hear thy Voice her Reason is for his voice is sweet and his countenance is comely Such is her Love to him that she glories in him And when she comes to speak of her Beloved Cant. 5.10 she gives this relation of him That he is the chiefest of ten thousand and if you come to comparisons there is none to be compared with him among all the Sons of men Christ is so beautiful to the Soul truly Spiritual that there is not so much as a spot for to be found about him Cant. 4.7 Oh! when the Soul comes for to cast up his accounts concerning him it amounts to this That Pretious Jesus the onely Object of its hearts delight is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 full of beauty from head to foot That we may rightly understand who it is she has such an excellent approbation of her language is This is my Beloved yea this is my Friend Here is a lively Charactar of a Soul freed from the Carnal Mind whose Affections are setled and Heart is seated upon an Object very rare for delights Whose Honour and Beauty is unparalel'd Cant. 6.1 4. And that Soul that doth thus fall in love with Christ will fall out of love with all things short of Christ so that this is the onely means to come up unto this Blessed Attainment to have the mind freed from carnallity and truly exercised on things that are Spiritual The fourth Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Fourthly The fourth Means prescribed by which we may get into a spiritual Frame of Heart is to exercise our Thoughts on Spiritual Concernments Let us be much thinking upon what Christ hath done for us and likewise considering what we should be doing for him Jer. 31.3 Eze. 16 3. the thoughts of Christs enlarged Bowels of Love and Mercy to us should be as food to us that our minds might be feeding thereon and the more we exercise our thoughts thereon the more we shall take delight therein Christ's Love to us clearly seen and understood is that which will draw out our love to him We love him 1 John 4.19 sayes the knowing Apostle because he first loved us the love of Christ is a drawing love and when once Christ doth begin to draw by the cords of his Divine Love the Soul will be then ingaged to run after him Draw me and I will run after thee Cant. 1.4 Oh! when he comes to witness Divine drawings from above then will the Carnal Mind be banished out of the Soul and the Soul is ingaged in a new and better work it minds now a close pursuit after Christ who is pretious to him and in his esteem 1 Pet. 24. and by Faith sees him so to be for to them that believe Christ is Pretious If any should call this Truth into question the Answer is nigh wherein it doâ—h appear that Christ is Pretious First Christ is Pretious in his Person as was before expressed and sufficiently proved Secondly Christ is Pretious in his Power and glorious works in the Soul and it pleaseth the Father Col. 1.19 that in him should all fulness dwell In Christ is fulness of Love fulness of Light fulness of Peace fulness of Liberty fulness of Grace and fulness of Glory In a word all fulness is in him the onely Beloved of the Father who is full of Grace and Truth 1 John 17. So it is clear that Christ is Pretious Thirdly Christ is Pretious in his Promises there are given unto us exceeding great and pretious Promises that we may be thereby made partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Luk. 12 33. such promises that gives us a â—ight and title unto the Kingdom Oh Pretious indeed Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure for to give you the Kingdom Fourthâ—y Christ is Pretious in his Blood Oh! it is pretious Blood for it serves for the doing away of sin For we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from our vain conversation received by tradition by our Fathers 1 Pet. 1.18 19. but with the Pretious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish or without spot Fifthly Christ is Pretioâ—s in his Word so it is Recorded The Word of the Lord was pretions in the dayes of Samuel the Prophet when there was no open Vision 1 Sam. 1.3 Sixthly Christ is Pretious in his Ordinances Oh! it was that which made the Prophet David so much desire them and long after them Psal 84 10. I had rather be a door keeper in the House of my God then dwell in the Tents of wicked men And this pretious Prophet wâ—s so much in love therein that he tells us his experience further in this matter One thing have I desired of the Lord Psal 27 4. and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and the Glory of his Temple And the more we injoy communion with God in his Pretious Ordinances the more shall we long and desire after them as this Servant of the Lord did Seventhly Christ is Pretious in his Rod so when he comes to afflict us his end is to try â—s that we might be found to praise and Honour for the Tryal of our Faith being much more pretious then of Gold that perisheth 1 Pet. 1 7. 1 Cor. 3.12 and though God try us by fire it shall prove for our good and advantage for by fire every mans work must be tryed of what sort it is The end of God is that we might be found to Praise and Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Eighthly Christ is not onely pretious in his Rod but in his Staff also as he sees it good with his Rod for to correct us so he hath his Staff also
the mire his Riches will stand him in no stead in the day of Wrath Prov. 11.4 when God shall pass the dreadful Sentence of Death upon him Oh! how should this be as an Alarm before the judgment Day unto us all it may serve for the beating up of the Quarters of the Carnal Men of this World Oh! that it may be a means for to drive us out of our Carnal Security to make sure of a right grounded Evidence for heaven for no Evidence will pass in the day of the Lord but that which is sent by the hand of Christ and sealed by the Spirit What Christ said unto Jerusalem Luke 19.42 I shall say unto the Carnal Men of this World Oh! that you would consider in this your Day the things that tend unto your Peace before they be hid from your Eyes Oh! when will it once be that thou mayest shake hands wiâ—h all thy Carnal Wealth and bid adew unto it all yea with a cheâ—â—ful Heart say unto it farewel and say I have found out a better Friend that will stand me in more stead Oh! a Pearl of great worth that will make me rich for ever and oh that thou wert once forced for to say I would not be without Christ for a thousand Worlds Oh! that this might be the Language of a Carnal Man when he finds his Heart Running out to Carnallity giving of himself an heavenly check What is thy meaning Soul what undo thy Soul for a triffle what for a little Honour and Worldly Estimation when thou hast done all wearied out thy Body and hazzared thy Soul to all Eternity and when thou hast got all thou canst get of the World why thou hast got that which will melt away like Snow yea let me tell thee also upon the best of worldly Injoyments God hath writ Woe thereon Oh! What good will our outward Honour do us Jam. 5.1 when we must look the Judge in the Face and be accountable unto him how we came by it with our Consciences flying in our Faces as a swift witness against us in the Day of Christ I leave it unto the Right Honourable that are so titled in this World to consider This may inform all Carnal men that take pleasure in all Worldly Delights and Pleasure that God hath writ wo upon that also Oh Soul What a miserable man wilt thou be when thou shalt swim in thy Pleasures to Hell It is not thy Wealth Honour nor thy good Friends that thou hast boasted in in the Day of the Lord will stand thee in any stead Oh! if thou dost not make Christ thy Friend here thou art undone man for ever when God shall accuse thee thy Conscience Condemn thee and thou lying under the sentence of a Severe Judge Oh! of what use will any thing that the World can afford be unto thee Oh! let a word of Counsel be acceptable unto thee then and make hast after dear Jesus and cleave and cling about him for a better Heart and better Pleasures or else Soul thou must go into the Pit where there will be no ransom found for thee Psal 9.17 whilst thou remains in the Carnal Mind thou art going thither a pace in a full career to Hell Oh man thou art near the end of that uncomfortable journey and not sensible whither thou art a going The Lord awaken such with the powerful Raps of his Spirit and give them the Portion of an awakened Conscience with the gift of a better Heart and then it is that thou shalt attain unto a better Mind Alas man upon all thy ill-gotten goods and unlawful gain that thou hast got with a defiled Conscience God writes Death yea upon the Posts of thy Doors Isa 33.15 Gen. 3.8 Rev. 6.16 Numb 32.23 And where art thou then man What will become of all thy Gain of Oppression then when God shall enter into judgement with thee when thou shalt go about to hide thy self with thy Father Adam God will find thee out There is no Mountain will hide thee from the presence of the Lord then nor when thou betakes thy self unto the Rocks shalt thou find them a sufficient shelter to thee for go where thou wilt thy sin will find thee out Poor man thou hast got a very bad bargain of it for thy rising up early and going to bed late and eating the bread of carefulness when at last thou must by Gods everlasting decree turn down to Hell for ever Truly that man is but a miserable poor man that is outwardly rich but inwardly poor that hath for many years took care to feed his Body and live deliciously and in the mean time hath starved his Soul Oh! that the Lord would awaken such persons that they might not sleep the sleep of death but consider the Day that will overtake them as a Thief in the night Rev. 16 15. before it be too late Oh! that such would go to Christ and intreat his favour to reconcile them unto the Father and as a token of his love be very earnest with him for to bestow upon them the earnest of the Spirit as a Pledge and Token of his Favour which will prove an excellent help unto them to conquer and overcome the Carnal Mind a Rock upon which thousands have split themselves in the world a Sand that hath sunk many into perdition Oh! it doth much concern all persons that live in the Carnal Mind to make no stay but run with all speed with the blind man of the Gospel to Christ as he brought his blind eyes to Christ so do thou bring thy blind Mind and intreat the Lord Jesus to enlighten thee and help thee to a true sight of himself Jer. 29.13 to the end thou mayest have thy mind stayed upon him without doubt if thou seekest aright thou mayest obtain thy desire yea wo and misery to the Carnal Man for let him injoy what he will it is sent him with a curse as you have already heard Oh! this should teach us for to be careful how we come nigh the dwellings of such who are Carnal and to have no more to do with them then necessity requires Learn to love their Persons but to hate their sins pitty them pray for them and do them any good to help them forward to Christ if thou canst but let thy Soul abhor their wayes come not near their secrets and learn to Honour that God that sent his Son to die for thy good Oh! Learn to be out of love with thy Carnal Mind thy Carnal Heart thy Carnal Wealth thy Carnal Honour thy Carnal Pleasure thy Carnal Gain in a word all thy Carnal Injoyments yea every thing that hath the Stamp of Carnality upon iâ— Rom. 6.23 Oh! let us seriously take the words of Paul into consideration and I shall conclude The wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A DECLARATION Of the EXCELLENCY
5.22 a Christian in his race And bears him up now in the storm it decketh him with Grace 9. Love makes all yoaks easie to him that on the Lamb depend 1 Cor. 13.4 1 Cor. 13.6 And makes the Soul with joy to sing to Christ who doth defend 10. From clouds and storms that doth arise 2 Cor. 4.8 Ja. 3.16 17 John 10.3 yea troubles high and great Love is the thing that makes us wise and proves Christ's waiting sheep 11. Come learn to walk and live in love all Children of the King Mat. 5.9 Tit. 3.9 Vain jangling shun and live above then we shall honour him 12. And love where ever you do see Col. 1.4 1 Cor. 11.16 Ephes 1.4 the Image of the Lord No more contentions let there be but walk with one accord 13. Come in the grace of love abound also therein delight 1 Thes 3.13 2 Cor. 8.7 2 Cor. 9.8 For all things else that are not sound now labour for to slight 14. It is the want of love indeed that makes poor Zion groan Heb. 13.1 1 Cor. 13.3 Unto the Law of Love take heed least we make further moan 15. For if afflictions will not make Ps 119.67 Rev. 2.23 Rom. 13.10 Gods Children to unite In peices he 'l the Churches break because his Law we slight 16. If that in love we do not walk 2 Cor. 13.11 Ephes 4.2 and tender be also Our God he will not mind out talk 1 Cor. 3.13 but will us overthrow 17. 2 Tim. 3.5 1 John 3.8 Rev. 15.16 A bare profession will not stand but fruits of love must be The Day of Christ it is at hand our love he 'l try you 'l see 18. By the touch-stone of his choice Word Rom. 12.9 1 John 3.13 if love do not agree According to his sweet record then own us will not he 19. Eph. 5.1 2. Isa 51.8 9. vers 12. Come walk therefore as children dear and now unite apace The Babylonions do not fear with joy let 's run our race 20. Rev. 14.1 Rev. 3.21 Then Hallelujah shall you sing and reign with Christ indeed Upon the Throne of the High One in Canaan you shall feed 21. All whisperings and back-bitings 2 Cor. 12.20 Prov. 16.26 Psal 37.4 abhorred let them be Let us delight in better things then plainly shall we see 22. 1 Col. 4. 1 Thes 3.22 1 Th. 4.9 10 Our Love appear to all Saints here love to them will increase To such that do dear Jesus fear we shall them then imbrace 23. 2 Cor. 10.5 Jam. 3.13 Ga. 5 14 15 Let no hard thoughts in us arise surmisings at no rate Such things proves us not to be wise but will our Union break 24. Let 's follow after all those things Rom. 14.19 Prov. 6.16 vers 19. that tends to peace indeed All discords shun from such things turn of Love there is great need 25. Ro. 12.9 10 Psal 133.1 vers 2 3. Learn to unite in Bonds of Love like God's chosen of old It 's well pleasing yea a choice thing as God hath us fore-told 26. Dear Jonathan David the King 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. united were indeed In love most rare it did appear as in Gods word we read 27. A presedent most choice and rare 1 Sa. 20.17 Heb. 13.1 Psal 121.2 Oh! follow them herein Come love intire of God desire his help in this choice thing 28. Then Saints as Saints shall love sincere Col. 1.4 Phil. 1.10 1 Jo. 5.7 8. they shall not disagree But walk in Love and much desire the union of the three 29. Therefore unto God's Royal Law of Love let us take heed Gal. 5.14 Col. 2.6 Rom. 12.9 And it obey yea day by day and walk in love indeed 30. Like children dear let Love appear Eph. 5.1 2. Psal 101.5 John 6.37 in Love now be as one Slanders cast out then without doubt you shall injoy the Son 31. His Righteous Beams and Heavenly Streams Psal 46.4 Psal 36.8 Luk. 12.32 Hos 14.5 shall alwayes you revive Though you are few Christ's Heavenly dew will make you for to thrive 32. Chear up oh then depend on him Psal 32.11 Psal 36.9 Ps 119.104 Isa 64.5 who is the Fountain sweet At his foot lie all sin defie your pretious Souls he 'l meet 33. In Holy Fear to God draw near Psal 5.7 Heb. 4.16 Psa 34.15 Psa 145.19 his Throne of Grace attend He 'l hear thy cry in faith draw nigh his Ear to thee he 'l bend 34. Who di'd for us that we might live Rom. 5.6 Isa 26.19 Col. 3.3 4. and that eternally Come die to sin and live to him and we shall never die THE END
the work of repentance has been wrought in his Soul I am one that have had very much familiar acquaintance with him with whom I do and for some season have walked in the Faith and Order of the Gospel and I hope in sincerity of heart I speak it I have not I say since the work of repentance was manifested known any thing but his Conversation his Life his Behaviour namely his whole Conversation is as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ And that he hath made it his whole work at all opportunities to propagate the Gospel to be instructing building up and helping forward of poor sinners in the pretious ways of dear Jesus and what he could not do by way of publick Preaching he hath laid hold of an opportunity by way of Writing not desiring to hide his talent in a napkin Further Reader know our lot is fallen in this last age of the world upon whom the ends of the earth is come in which the hour of temptation shall be which shall try all them that dwell upon the earth Rev. 2.10 Therefore 't is not a day for Ephraim to vex Judah nor Judah to vex Ephraim but every one of us in our places to meditate on the Royal Law of Love Jam. 2.8 and very profitable will it be for us to be looking into the Prophecies of the last times and to be learning of obedience that being fore-warned we may be fore-armed against the storm comes for who may abide when he appears Mal. 3.2 Rev. 14.1 but such who have been the faithful followers of the Lamb and they alone shall come to enjoy that glorious Paradise that was lost by our transgression in the first Adam and shall be restored again by the Lord Jesus into the primitive glory at his second and glorious appearance and Kingdom which God the Father will give unto his Son Jesus which is the man from Heaven whose heavenly Paradise will far exceed the Paradise of the Earth and be far more glorious it is that New Jerusalem the Wals thereof are garnished with all manner of pretious stones the Streets thereof are pure gold Rev. 21 18 19. as transparent glass which Paradise shall not be of the Earth nor from the Earth nor of a carnal mind as is shewn by the Author in this Book and yet it shall be placed upon the Earth for Rev. 21.2 Heb. 11 10. It shall come down out of Heaven from God being that City which the faithful Patriarchs look for which has a foundation whose builder and maker is God and it shall be the glorious habitation of Christ in the day of his reign The sight of this City by faith in the Promises of God made the holy men of old to acknowledge themselves to be but strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth and to seek a better Country ver 37 40. Heb. 11 24 25 26. It was that glorious Inheritance that Moses saw when he slighted Pharaoh's royal Court and Daughter choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the Lords People here than for to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and so come short of the Inheritance hereafter From hence Observe That those who will follow God here must look for their Reward hereafter For our blessed Lord saith Behold I come quickly Rev. 22 12. and my reward is with me to give to every man as his work shall be Therefore one word unto the World to poor sinners for my Lord and Master had a tender love to such The time would fail me to tell you what he underwent for you who wept over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things belonging unto thy peace Luk. 19 42. Sinner through grace it is yet thy day England it is yet thy day London it is yet thy day It is yet your day Rulers Oh that you would be perswaded to begin to learn those things that belong to your peace Ma. 3.2 break off your sins by repentance for it belongs to your peace Kiss the Son least he be angry with you for it belongs unto your peace Beg of God to give you faith in the Promises for it belongs to your peace For being justified by faith Ro. 5.1 we have peace with God Come learn obedience to Christ for it belongs to your peace Leave off breaking up the Meetings of the Saints and persecuting of them for it belongs to your peace Break off the banishment imprisoning and hard using of the People of God Isa 1.16 for it belongs to your peace Wash you make you clean and put away the evil of your doings cease from all these evils from blaspheming swearing reproaching and learn to do well for it belongs to your peace for God will reckon with you for it 'T will not be long before it be hid from your eyes and then you will call Prov. 1.24 25 26. but God will not hear you shall cry but God will not answer but will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh as desolation Therefore be invited to come and embrace the Lord Jesus and the Lord give you understanding in what is here presented or enclosed and in all the truths of God for you here will read what it is to be Carnally Minded Ro. 8.7 and how such as live in the Carnal Mind must never expect to live with Christ therefore examine try and learn to know how to be Spiritually Minded which will produce Eternal Life with Christ in that Kingdom here treated on and in the Father's Kingdom to all Eternity Which is the desire of him who is the meanest in God's House the lowest of all Saints yet through grace a lover of Righteousness and a friend to Zion and a well-wisher to all Truth a Brother to all that love Christ in sincerity John Glyde The 16th day of the 11th Month 1662. To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and who desire to be Faithful followers of the Lamb Grace Mercy and true Peace be multiplyed Dearly beloved in the Lord AMong many of the Providential appearances of the Lord to me I judge this to be none of the least that I should speak by Epistle in Print which was the least of my thoughts Surely Saints the Lord is about to speak when he opens the mouths of Babes and Sucklings Psalm 8.2 And seeing God hath put this opportunity into my Hand I shall endeavour to deal Faithfully between God and you and my own soul And so I shall crave your patience to consider three or four things which the Lord hath put into my Heart to commend to your consideration Me-thinks I hear the Lords people speaking in the Language of them in Isa 21.11 Watchmen What of the Night Give me leave to whisper among you O ye Saints among the loud cry of your Watchmen that the Lord speaks at this Day four-fold that is to say four things God speaks to be our work
his Carnal Mind the deeper he falls into sin and the more he sins the higher he aggravates his misery and if his Carnal Mind is not changed and so leave him before Death seize on him the man is for ever undone without recovery Now all these things considered it should make us dread the thoughts of being Carnally minded So I proceed to the second Particular namely to lay down some Particular Helps which may with the Blessing of God prevent a Carnal frame of Heart The first Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart First Soul wilt thou prevent a Carnal frame of Heart from seizing on thee Labour and likewise endeavour to get thy heart in Heaven whil'st thou art upon earth It is that which is much the concernment of a Christian to settle his Heart upon his Treasure Now where is a Christians Treasure but in Heaven therefore a Christians Heart should be in Heaven Oh! this was the Blessed Doctrine that flowed from the Lips of our dear Lord Jesus Where your Treasure is Luk. 12 34. there will your hearts be also It is usually seen in things Temporal that where mens Treasure is there is their Hearts as for example the Rich mans Treasure is his Riches where is the mans heart upon his Riches The Honourable mans Honour is his Treasure and his heart is upon it Another mans Treasure is his Pleasure and his Heart is setled there so a true Christians Treasure is in Christ and his heart is affected with none but Christ It was the Fathers pleasure to enrich his Son with the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge to the end that we might be enriched by him Col. 2.3 For of his fulness shall we all receive Grace for Grace Do we live by him and shall we not be in love with him Joh. 1.16 Shall all our comforts and special enjoyments of Grace and Happiness flow from him and shall not we live to him Shall Dear Jesus protect us and also bless us with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places and shall we not own him to be our Soveraign Lord the King Oh! shall Christ manifest love to us and shall we manifest unkindness unto him Shall Christ set his Heart upon us and shall we set out Hearts upon any besides him Oh! shall Dear Jesus be willing to give Royal entertainment to us and shall we be unfree for to entertain him Oh! what an unbecoming frame is this that the Lord of Life shall vouchsafe for to stoop unto us and what shall we not bow unto him Shall the Prince of Darkness have entertainment by us and shall not the Prince of Peace have room in out Hearts What Soul is Christ free to die that thou mayest live and wilt not thou live to him that died for thee If this should be true doth it not plainly appear our Hearts are not where they should be on Christ a Christians Treasure Soul learn to live more in the sence of his Love to thee and then it will grieve thee that he is not more loved by thee labour to keep in remembrance the excellency of his love Rom. 8.32 Ho 14 4. Jer. 31.3 the freeness of his Grace the fulness of his Bowels and Affection and the everlastingness of his kindness towards thee and then see whether or no he will not be the object of thy love and delight continually To get our hearts in Heaven will conduce much to the weaning of our hearts off from the Earth The more we exercise our thoughts upon Heaven and Heavenly things the more we shall loath those things that are Carnal Yea the more we exercise our minds upon those things that are Spiritual the less we shall mind the things that are Carnal and the more we set our affections on things that are above the less we shall affect the things beneath In a word Soul wouldst thou enjoy more the Spiritual and less of the Carnal mind Labour for to carry thy self a stranger to that which is a stranger to Christ and be not a companion for those that will not keep company with Christ The second Means to prevent the Carnal Mind If thou wouldst be set free or delivered from a Carnal Frame of Heart exercise thy self then in those things that tend much unto the Honour of God Prov. 3.9 1 Sam. 2.20 1 Thes 4.4 Study more the Honour of God than thy own good let God be Honoured by thee what ever becomes of thee If thou wouldest have thy Heart kept from a Carnal Frame be active for God labour for to promote the Works of Holiness let every opportunity be improved for Christ and let our works be so managed that in what we do let us propound unto our selves such aims and ends that may tend to the advancing of the Name and Glory of Christ Jer. 13.16 Acts 12 23. 1 Cor. 1.31 that it may evidently appear to the view of all that our minds in such proceedings are not Carnal If we would Honour God in what we would do for God let nothing be attributed unto the creature but let us set the Crown upon the Head of Christ If any thing be done that savours of the Spiritual Mind know that it is Gods own Work and Stamp in thy Soul therefore ascribe all Glory to him are we redeemed from the Carnal Mind in any measure the work of the flesh or the old Nature then here is no cause of boasting for us For it is not by Works of Righteousnesse that we have done but according unto his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit which is richly shed on us Tit. 3.5 6. through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that God hath left nothing to feed the Carnal Mind with but if we have any thing to Glory in it is in the Free and Rich Grace of God in Christ for it is by his Grace that we are justified and not by our works Tit. 3.7 It is by the Grace of God in Christ we become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life It doth much tend unto the Glory of God and the preventing of the Carnal Mind to give that Honour to Christ that is due unto him and then it will appear that we so do when we can lay our own Righteousoness or what ever it is that we can call ours at the Foot of Christ and be found in him not having our own Righteousness which is by the Law Phil. 3.9 and to be found in the Righteousness of God by Faith Oh! this is that which tends to the Glory of God when we thus advance Christ and make him the top of our Glory and not our own Righteousness yea this is that which is a great means to prevent the Carnal Mind The third Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Thiâ—â—ly The third Means by which we may prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart is For to fix our eyes upon Spiritual Objects
Psal 51 4. and our uneven walking before him and this spirit of God will present objects sufficient enough to us for the true humbling of us Fifthly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Humbling so it is a sin-destroying Spirit Where the Spirit hath took up its abode in a Soul to rule every thing must be brought into subjection to it the Spirit of God must and will have the preheminence 1 Cor 1.30 God wiâ—l make all our corruptions bow and bend when once he hath given commission unto his Spirit to take dominion of the Soul for as Conscience is Gods Vicegerent on Earth Ps 119 59. v. 113. and speak it will for God So the Spirit will bear Rule and Sway for God and will never leave working in the Soul where it is until it hath brought the thought as well as the heart of man into subjection to our Lord Jesus The Spirit of God makes thorow work when it comes it is that which purifies the heart The Spirit begins at the root of the matter and if the root be good it is like the fruit will not be bad Acts 15.9 Rom. 6.12 Jam. 4.8 when the Spirit purifies the heart it proves death to our Sins and Life unto our Graces The Spirit of God will admit by no means sin to Rule in that Heart that God doth Reign in The old Man must be turned out and the new man must be received in the least sin must not have entertainment by the consent of the Spirit upon any terms for as much as sin is an enemy to Christ and a Christan Oh! Jer. 5.25 it is that which robs Christ of his Honour and a Christian of his Crown yea sin is that which keeps Christ and a Christian at a distance also and makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3 17. As it is sin that breaks a Christians communion it is the Spirit that Reconsiles Christ to the Soul and makes up the breach again and produces peace unto the Soul where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty no Liberty is or can be allowed unto sin but Liberty in the Spirit for to serve Christ By this we see the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit Sixthly As the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit so it is a Grace-inlarging Spirit in the Soul too When the Soul lives in the injoyment of the Spirit oh then it is Graces bud forth and blossom in the Soul and bear lovely Fruit John 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 Luk. 7.30 Rom. 5.3 Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.21 Rev. 2.10 for the Spirit is that which gives life and being unto all Graces where the Spirit is wanting Graces are dying Oh! it is the Spirit of God that supplies the Soul with good things and inriches the Soul with the Glorious Treasures of Heaven with pretious Faith in the Day of straits with patience in the hour of Tryal and Temptation with Spiritual joy in the midst of worldly sorrow In a word the Spirit will furnish the Soul with the injoyments of all things in the midst of wants What shall I say of this excellent Spirit may not I say it is Gods Messenger and a Christians Friend Oh! when ever the Spirit comes into a Soul it comes with a Message from God sometimes it hath a Commission from God to comfort and encourage us and then its Language is Be faithful to Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life At another time it is like the Message of the Spirit is for to instruct and Counsel the Soul that is when it shall hint such a thing as this to us secretly to inform us to be careful that we do not grieve it least we displease it Mark Grieve not the Holy Spirit Ephes 5 30. by which we are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Oh! let the Message the Spirit comes with be royally entertained and bid it welcome sometimes the Spirit comes with a glorious promise of Grace and Love from God and then it comes with such like language as this to the Soul Jer. 33.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love and with my loving kindness have I drawn thee A Blessed Message and a Blessed Messenger See the work of the Spirit a Christians Help Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Excellent Help The Spirit is an excellent Help unto a Christian at all times and in all places a true Christian knows not how to live without the Spirit he knows not how to love without it nor how to walk without it If we live in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh therefore we must conclude the Spirit is a Christians Help For the proof hereof observe these following observations First It is the work of the Spirit to help the Soul unto a true sight and sence of sin It was by the help of the Spirit the Noble Apostle of the Gentiles namely Paul came to a sight of sin Sin sayes he Rom. 7.13 14. that it might appear sin worketh death in me by that which is good meaning the Spirit of God is that thing that is good and thereby sin becomes exceeding sinful unto him it makes him cry out when he was sensible of his present state The Law is Spiritual but I am Carnal sold under sin Mark The Spirit of God doth declare the Rice and Race of sin James 1 15. for when lust is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished it brings forth Death so we see it is the Spirits work to make a clear discovery of sin unto the Soul and when once the Soul comes by the help of the Spirit unto this pitch of attainment to see sin as it is in its own appearance the Soul will not onely confess sin but bewale himself for it as David did crying out in the bitterness of his Spirit when he had a true sence upon him of it Psa 51.4 Against thee and thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight In a feeling sence doth he speak it When he is awakened by the Spirit he points at the very sin the like presidence we have in the Prodigal son when the Spirit of God gave him a sight with the sence oâ— sin the man cries out now of going unto his Father and he is resolved to say Father I have sinned against Heaven Luk. 15 18. he falls upon sin immediately and before thee though we are prodigal yet the Spirit of God it will make such fall down upon the knee of confession of sin and help them to witness sorrow for the same Luk. 15 19. And though I am not worthy to be called thy Son let me be a Servant a Token of Humility By this you may see what Blessed Work the Spirit of God makes when it comes into a Soul that it doth not give a bare sight of sin but a
to the end he may the better carry on his design for to deceive but the Spirit is an excellent help unto us for to find out the cunning deceit of Satan and where ever it comes Psal 51 7. it will never leave the Soul till it hath made it out of love with sin Come let us examine our selves Is that sin which was before our love and delight become now our great burthen Is that sin which was as a right eye Mat. 5.29 or as a right hand to us that was so near and dear once that it must be dandled in the lap of our Affections and lie in our Bosome Is it now turned out and discovered as the great disturber of the Family and by no means must have aboad therein Oh! then it is plainly known and understood who hath the full possession of the House namely the Spirit who brings Joy and Peace along with it for the Messenger of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 is an Embassador that makes Peace Oh! hast thou a sight of Christ and art thou not made thereby in love with Christ for a true sight of Christ doth oftentimes beget a true love to Christ Soul hast thou heard his Voice and seen his Face Cant. 2.14 tell me what is thy approbation concerning him then Is he not excellent in Beauty and Virtue Is not he become your Lord as well as your Love to rule you as well as to comfort you Examine is it not your joy when you can but hear from him and much more your joy when you can get a sight of him O! is not his company your delight is not his absenting the cause of your lamenting Oh! is dear Jesus so much become your joy and delight that you can say None but his presence will content you Phil. 3.7 that if you have the injoyment of all things and have not Christ it will not content you In truth can we say he is so much loved by us that upon no terms would we do the thing that may displease him Cant. 3.5 Eph. 4.1 Eph. 5.15 Col. 1.10 Col. 2.6 Col. 4.5 Gen. 5.22 Prov. 3.13 Cant. 3.4 or grieve him Oh! do we make our study so to walk that we may be an Honour unto Christ a credit unto the Gospel and a comfort to our souls can we say That path where Christ is not I find no content to walk therein Doth our walking conduce unto the promoting of Christ's Honour and Glory Oh! then let sin or Satan rap at our door for entertainment they shall find none Nay though Satan should be very solicitous to have a lodging in the room of our Hearts yea but for one night the Soul will sharply give him his answer with a flat denyal the Reason is saith the Soul My Lord is at home as for sin and Satan they must be gone here is no entertainment can be had no not for a night for our dear Lord hath took full possession and where Christ hath took full possession in a Soul sin nor Satan cannot have a Habitation Soul hast thou Communion with Christ Oh! happy art thou then prize thy Communion what ever thou dost let not Christ and thee part but labour to set thy heart upon that which will conduce to the enlargement of thy Communion Oh! the more acquaintance thou getest with the Spirit of God the higher thou shalt be in Communion with Christ Eph. 4.30 Art thou very tender of the Spirit for it is a tender thing soon grieved and soon gone and if once the Spirit takes its leave of thee then farewel Christ and Communion too for it is the Spirit of Christ that maintains our Peace and Communion with God this doth much concern us for to secure the Spirit and keep it in our possession Rom. 8.9 or else all is like to run to ruine then Satan will make a prey of us is the Spirit active and at work within examine Soul danger is near when the Spirit hath lost its Motion it is not like to go well with that Soul in whom the Spirit is clouded by sin therefore if we intend to take our fill of Christ let us take our fill of the Spirit Ephes 5 18. and drink deep draughts thereof yea then shall we be fit and free to serve the Lord and witness choice eminent sweet and constant Communion with Christ Oh! let us set an high and Honourable esteem on the Spirit therefore for it will prove ouâ— friend in the time of need Rom. 8.26 and be a help to us when all other helps shall fail us The third Use of Exhortation Oh! doth God give forth his choice Spirit as his gift by virtue of his Promise in the way of the New Covenant Then here is blessed encouragement for poor sinners for to make out after Christ Isa 55.6 for it is his delight for to do them good in order for their good he gives down his Spirit for their further encouragement Soul remember it comes as a free gift it is not what you have Isa 55.1 2. or can have shall buy it for our dear Lord is resolved for to give it freely God requires no more but ask and you shall have it Oh! let but Christ know thy mind and he will supply thy wants he will bestow upon thee such a Spirit as shall Administer help and Spiritual relief to thy poor distressed Conscience in all straits be they never so bad if thou art blind he will annoint thy Eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Rev. 3.18 if thou art cast down under the sight and sence of sin by which thou art ready to cry out Thou art undone The Spirit will bring a Promise of the pardon of sin for thy comfort Isa 43.25 26. John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Eze. 11 19. Rom. 6.14 if thou complainest of deadness in Holy Duties or Spiritual Gospel Ordinances the Spirit of God serves for the quickening of thy heart therein Soul if thou lyest under the bitter complaints of a hard Heart the Spirit of God will soften it for thee and make it new in a moment and humble thy Heart for thee and if thou findest sin too hard for thee and thy iniquities too many for thee to incounter with the Spirit will conquer thy sins for thee Soul if thy complaint be Graces are dead and thou art undone the Spirit will renew Grace in thee and keep it alive in thy Soul and make thee live a comfortable life indeed Remember Soul when ever thou goest to God in the true sence of the want of the Spirit to put God in mind of his own promise for he hath ingaged by promise Joel 2.28 for to give down the Spirit a Christians Excellent Help and forget not to put God in mind how he hath bound himself by covenant by the confirmation of an Oath to give down the spirit All which doth much conduce to our encouragement to wait at the
My day is near oh do not fear for Babel that shall down And gloriously I will appear in glory and renown Christian When Lord shall I behold the day that Zion shall rejoyce And Judah then the Scepter sway come let us hear thy voice Christ Isa 32.1 Jer. 31.7 Isa 51.1 Behold the day is very nigh my kingdom I must have Zion shall sing and eke rejoyce the Captives I will save Christian Come Jesus come come quickly Lord we long to see thy Face Oh! do not stay we do the pray and furnish us with Grace Christ My Grace to you I will afford Psal 84.11 2 Cor. 1.3 Cant. 1.13 and comforts of all kind For you with me shall bed and board and know more of my mind Christian Oh! take me up in ravishment and let me take my fill That die I may to earth this day and witness Heavenly skil Christ Soul take thy fill abundantly Cant. 5.1 Isa 40.11 Hab. 3.18 on Heaven feed then more And in my Father's Bosom lie and joy in him therefore Christian To Heaven Lord how shall I get there do I long to be That with my Father I may sit the Earth no more may see Christ I am the way by which you may obtain to your desire John 14.6 Psal 37.4 1 Cor. 3.13 And if to Heaven you go this day you must pass through the fire Christian That would I do rather than lose my Fellowship indeed With Father Son and Angels choice and Manna Angels food Christ Come Soul then follow me this day a Kingdom thou shalt gain Mat. 16.24 Luk. 12.32 Isa 1.19 If that thou do my Law obey the Father's Love obtain And liberty thou shalt in joy Rev. 12.8 9 Rev. 20.2 Rev. 14.3 from sin and Satan too Then my high Praises thou shalt sing and taste of Heavenly dew Where joyes there are for evermore Isa 35.10 sighing shall fly away Rev. 21.4 Psal 65.1 Come of this joy now taste therefore and praises sing alway Rev. 19.6 Isa 42.8 2 Tim. 2.12 Yea Hallelujah you shall sing this Glorying none shall stain And you shall be ever with me and with me you shall reign CHRIST THE Afflicted Christians RELIEF Christ COme thou afflicted Soul to me Psal 18.27 Ps 119.71 Num. 20.12 and I will thee relieve I 'le make afflictions sweet to thee if in me thou believe Afflicted Dear Lord I come make hast to help on thee I do depend My God thou art come cleanse my heart and also me defend Christ Psal 34.15 Ps 119.67 Hos 11.4 Rom. 5.5 Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry and sanctifie I will Thy affliction and will make known my Love come take thy fill Afflicted Oh! Pretious Lord now grace afforâ— to me I do thee pray And let thy Rod now prove for good that I may thee obey Christ Afflicted Soul hold up thy head Luke 21.28 John 16.13 Psal 37.11 my Grace it is at hand By my sweet Spirit thou shalt be led thou shalt injoy the Land Afflicted Sweet Lord Oh! When wilt thou begin my wearied Soul to chear Come me revive and make alive Oh Jesus now appear Christ I come dear heart for to impart Rev. 22.12 Lam. 3.24 Isa 53.3 a Portion choice and sweet Thy Soul I 'le chear Oh do not fear though troubles thou do meet Afflicted My Portion Lord Oh! wilt thou be that on thee I might stay Come signifie Lord unto me my God thou art this day Chr. Afflicted Soul I have made choice Hos 14.4 Isa 48.10 Deut. 8.16 of thee to love indeed In the Furnace of Affliction for of it there is need Afflict True Lord afflictions are needful by them teach me to mend My life that I reform'd may be yea now unto the end Chr. My Spirit on thee will I bestow Joel 2.28 Mal. 3.2 Hos 2.20 John 16.13 that doth reform indeed Then to the end thou shalt me know my Spirit shalt thee lead Afflict Dear Lord Oh come now give it out the Clouds gather a pace And put an end unto all doubt come help me run thy race Chr. Afflicted Soul I come I come Rev. 3.11 the Clouds they shall dispel Cant. 2.17 Resolve I will thy doubts Oh then Rev. 21.3 and with thee I will dwell Oh! welcome Lord thou art to me let thee and I not part The more of thee that I now see is Joy unto my Heart Chr. All Troubles hear come do not fear Psal 34.6 Luk. 12.32 Psa 118.8 I 'le put them to an end My reigning day is very near on me therefore depend Afflicted Dear pretious Lord on Earth there 's none that trust I can put in But only thee and thee alone who art indeed my King Chr. Soul do not fear I will draw near Rev. 3.11 Rev. 19.7 Psa 115.1 my Kingdom for to take If thy trust be alone in me of it thou shalt partake Afflicted It is my Burden Lord indeed and sore Affliction too That more on thee I do not feed and witness thy sweet dew Chr. Come my Table is richly deck'd Psa 36.8 Rev. 22.17 James 4.8 with Dainties of all kind And welcome thou may'st be to me and my sweet Presence find Afflicted Thy Presence Lord is that I want I fain would it obtain Thy Dainties choice I relish not makes me for to complain Chr. Come Soul and taste a little then Psal 34.8 Psal 36.7 Psal 30.5 for sweetness thou shalt find In what I give and thou shalt live and to thee I 'le be kind Afflicted Lord to my Sorrow my Soul loaths thy Honey and thy Combe And with thy Food I cannot close nor think thou wilt me own Chr. A hungry and a thirsting frame Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 5.1 Cant. 7.11 on thee I will bestow My pleasant Meat thou then shalt eat and with me thou shalt go Afflicted Lord let me feel now Nourishment in Bonds and Misery Let me not sink but on thee think who art true Liberty Chr. I will arise for thy relief Psa 9.9 Isa 41.10 and free thee in due Season Uphold I will thy Soul now still and bring thee out of Prison Psal 146.7 Afflicted Darkness dear Lord in me dispel come manifest thy Power And in sweet Canaan let me dwell in this afflicting hour Chr. My Light shall come waite for me then and Canaan thou shalt see Psa 97.11 Rev. 21.4 Rev. 21.25 Then Affliction quite shall be gone thy night then day shall bee Afflicted Thou day Star when wilt thou arise my Soul for to revive And with thy Wisdom make me wise that I may daily thrive Chr. Out of the Rod Sweetness shall come my Teaching choice also Prov. 29.15 Psal 23.4 Mal. 4.2 I will arise for thee my Son the Nations shall it know Afflicted Prepare O Lord thine Afflicted that ready we may be Thee to attend and us defend From Satans Cruelty Chr. I will you
keep as my dear Sheep Satan shall not you harm Isa 49.11 Psal 121.5 vers 7. And you shall be preserv'd by me in the most dreadfull storm That on the Earth shall surely come before that I appear Joel 3.16 Rev. 2.10 Isa 41.10 To try all those that I have chose you have no cause to fear Afflicted Our trouble is that thou seems strange unto thy Heritage And lets them be a daily Prey to Beasts that are savage Chr. Isa 54.7 8. Deut. 8.16 Isa 3.12 Isa 61.1 Though for a time I do seem strange that humble they may be I will appear their Souls to chear and bring sweet Liberty Isa 54.11 The Afflicted and tossed Ones with tempest very high vers 12. Shall comfort find I will be kind vers 13. and they shall magnifie Luk. 1.46 vers 47. Psa 20.7 My great and glorious name indeed for in me they shall trust And in Canaan they then shall be I am their God most just Isa 54.1 Zeph. 3.14 verse 15. Rev. 3.21 Then the Afflicted shall rejoyce and never more complain But hearken will unto my voice then they with me shall reign A WORD to the REMNANT OF THE VVomans Seed 1. OH Virgin Daughter of Zion Zeph. 3.14 rejoyce in thy dear King The marriage Day is nigh at hand verse 15. then Praises thou shalt sing Rev. 19.7 2. Thy Bridegroome choice thou shalt behold Mat. 25.6 and in his Bosome be His tender Love he will unfold Isa 40.11 Oh! thou his Bride shalt see Rev. 21.9 3. Though Clouds are here come do not fear Isa 42.16 thy Lord he is at hand Jam. 5.9 And gloriously he will appear though we are at a stand Col. 3.4 4. Come do not doubt for you shall shout because of Zions King Isa 12.6 Zech. 9.9 Ps 72.9 11 His Foes shall bend though they are stout and Praises you shall sing 5. The Lamb is nigh come magnifie Rev. 21.23 his Name and Works Oh! then His glorious Cause shall never die Psa 74.22 Hab. 2.3 but will revive again 6. Though in the Grave it seem to lie Psa 72.7 Psal 2.6 Psal 89.27 Psal 72.8 the day is nigh at hand That God his Cause will magnifie for Christ must rule the Land 7. Ps 2.2 3.4 5. Ob. 15.17 18 21 Rev. 18 8 9 10 11 Though Christ's Foes plot and do contrive his Cause for to prevent Yet sure it will at last revive his Foes shall then lament 8. The Resurrection Day is nigh Mat. 28.1 5 6. with Mary wait oh then And at the sweet Sepulchre lie till you hear of your King 9. Gen. 22.15.9 Rev. 1.7 Cant. 5.10 For in the Mount God will be seen all clouds shall pass away On this God sets an high esteem Oh! Israel this day 10. Though Bonds Imprisonments befal Psal 69.33 Psal 79.11 Psal 146.7 God's Heritage this day A loud unto the Lamb let 's call for Liberty I pray 11. Psal 9.12 Psal 34.15 Ps 145.19 Let bitter cries attend the Throne Oh Remnant of the Lord And never let our God alone until our cries are heard 12. Come be in pain and travel then Oh Zion in this day Mich. 4.10 Isa 62.6 7. And no rest take till God create deliverance I pray 13. Isa 66.7 8. Isa 9.6 Psal 45.6 7 When travelling throws do come a-pace conclude the Mercy nigh The Man-child then he shall be King his Name let 's Magnifie 14. Psa 132.18 Psal 45.3 4 Psal 72.11 Upon his heâ—d the Crown shall sit and flourish too also In Tryumph and in Glory let this all the Nations know 15. Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.26 vers 15 17. 2 Sam. 18.9 Then Govern shall the King of Kings in opposition to Usurpers all and they shall fall with Absolon his crew 16. Psalm 2.6 Pfal 72.2 Christ's Crowning Day is very nigh lift up your heads oh then His Majesty now Magnifie Oh Children of the King vers 15 17. 17. The Adonijah's they must down King Solomon must reign 1 Kin. 1.13 Zech. 3.9 For Christ alone must wear the Crown their Glory he will stain 18. The Royal Robes Christ must put on and on the Throne shall sit Rev. 1.13 Isa 61.10 Rev. 3.21 Rev. 4.4 Before his Majesty shall stand his chosen and Elect. 19. Upon his Royal Throne shall sing Mat. 24.30 31. Rev. 11.15 Re 19.4 5 6 his Angels round about His chosen then to him shall bring a Hallelujah shout 20. And magnifie his Statute Law Isa 2.2 3. Psal 45.11 Zeph. 3.8 vers 17. That from Sion shall come Him thou obey our King alway who is the Holy One. 21. His Law proclaim set forth his fame in all the Earth throughout Psal 45.2 Psal 27.8 Psal 31.23 And evermore love Christ therefore with Hallelujah shout 22. Babel shall down Christ our renown Tryumphingly shall reign Gen. 11.8 9 Ps 45.3 5 6 Ps 71.8 9. Pharaoh must die his crew shall fly before King Solomon 23. The rightful Heir unto the Crown Psal 89.27 28. Psal 2.6 8. Zach. 9.9 of all the Nations here His Majesty up now let 's cry our Lord the King is near 24. The Scarlet Whore shall not no more deceive the Nations then Rev. 17.1 vers 4 8. Her Cup of Gold Christ will unfold poyson to be within 25. Babylon shall fall her Merchants call Rev. 29.2 vers 15 16. Ps 146.10 for help when there is none Dagon shall down Christ in renown shall reign upon his Throne AN EXHORTATION to SAINTS AS SAINTS To Love one another 1. COme all you chosen of the Lord Ps 133.1 vers 2 3. that on the Lamb attend Oh! learn to walk with one accord unto Christ's Scepter bend 2. Oh! let the Golden Rule of Love now square our Actions here Gal. 6.16 Col. 3.2 Come learn the art to live above till Christ our King appear 3. And in the lovely Path of Love Isa 30.21 Ephes 5.1 let us delight to walk Oh! imitate dear Christ our dove yea of sweet Canaan talk 4. Jer. 9.24 Ephes 4.2 vers 3. 13 Love is indeed God's great delight come walk in Love Oh then And learn in truth for to unite it is a comely thing 5. It doth adorn our profession Gal. 5.13 John 14.16 1 John 5.3 that of the Lamb we make And makes us free yea day by day his work to undertake 6. 1 Cor. 3.7.6 Gal. 5.22 Rom. 12.9 Col. 3.4 If love indure it will procure great joy and peace also If it be pure we shall be sure to live with Christ the Roe 7. Love is the thing that doth fulfil 1 Pet. 1.22 Rom. 13.18 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 13.7 the Royal Law of God And doth ingage the Soul now still to bear the Fathers Rod. 8. Oh! love is that which doth adorn John 13.34 1 Cor. 13.7 Gal.
which they shall injoy by Christ is Life Eternal Oh! it is an endless Life and though they die before they live they die in order unto a better life such a life as none can deprive them of Secondly Is Christ a Christians Prince and is this Prince a Prince of Peace This may add unto a Christians comfort also They serve a most Noble Prince 1 Tim. 6 15. Rev. 17 14. one that will not onely make their Life comfortable but Honourable also who will not onely invest them with Peace but also will furnish them with Grace and such as attend on Christ the Prince of Peace shall wear the Livery of the Spotless Robes of the Righteousness of our dear Lord Jesus and their Wages will be Phil. 3.10 Eternal Life and Glory and they shall have choice varieties to feed upon yea fare delicately every day the best Provision in their Fathers House the Prince of Peace they shall be welcome unto and their drink shall be on the Fountain of Living Waters the Living Streams that makes glad the City of God we shall find our dear Lord our Protection as well as our Consolation Oh! such shall drink their fill at the Fountain and be very high in his estimation for he will not suffer any to do them harm such shall find this Prince and his Court attended with Holiness 2 Chron. 16. ver 20 21 22. Holiness is in his Borders yea round about his Dominions Oh! this is our King who is called Salem the Prince of Peace The consideration of all these things may afford us Divine comfort and choice consolation in abundance Thirdly Hath God called thee and blessed thee with Peace who is a God of Peace Rom. 15 33. 1 Cor. 7.15 come let us then follow our calling and Spiritual Vocation and much rejoyce that we are called to Peace Oh! let us endeavour for to promote Peace in all we set our hand unto to do and do nothing that may not tend to Peace Oh! then shall we have much cause for to rejoyce when our Peace with God is maintained Job 22.21 when our dear Lord and we are one when we find it our joy for to be with God then it will be evident God is with us Oh! it is matter of great joy Psal 29 11. for to come under the Fathers Blessing who doth use to bless his children with Peace therefore let us much rejoyce in our Portion namely our Fathers Blessing and that we are acquainted with the God of Peace and know him to be our Peace-maker who was graciously pleased for to make himself one with us Ro. 5.8 who was enemy to him Oh! this is matter of great consolation indeed Fourthly Hath God made with us a Covenant of Peace and therein hath ingaged himself for to lead us in the Path of Peace Oh! bless the Lord who hath in his Râ—â—â— Love provided food for thy Faith for here is much communicated to us by God for to strengthen our Faith in God for God is ingaged in the Covenant of Grace to be our God Jer. 31.33 Ps 144 15. and hath entred into a League of Peace with us Oh! Happy is that People whose God is the Lord yea happy is that People that is in such a case Soul thou hast no cause to mourn let what times will come though never so bad or never so sad Man God is thine and he is much concerned to own thee to protect thee to feed thee Ps 121 15. Joh. 21 15. Rev. 3.18 Psal 34 15. Isa 59.1 Psal 23 2. to cloath thee and for to have an Eye and Heart of love to thee at all Times and Seasons Oh! here is matter of joy and comfort to such indeed he will lead thee into no condition but his Eye of Love shall be upon thee our dear Lord will walk with thee and he will not venture thee alone in the World he will not onely cast an eye of love upon thee but will also stretch forth his hand of love to thee for thy relief yea he it is that will guide thee with his Eye and with his Hand and will bring thee into the green Pastures and lead thee besides the still Waters where thy Soul shall meet with the feedings and fillings of Divine consolation where no beast of prey shall ever have their will upon thee any more but our dear Lord in rich Love will be a wall of defence unto thee Psal 59 9 10 16. and none shall come at thee to do thee harm and then he will make the Paths of Peace very pleasant Paths unto thee wherein thy Soul shall walk with much delight for there it is that Christ thee must walk live together yea there it is where thee and thy Love must imbrace each other Oh! it is in the Pleasant Path of Peace Prov. 3.17 that thee and thy Love shall converse together upon the high and choice and mighty things of his Royal Law Oh! this Path of Peace will prove a Path of Grace All these things cast up and put together it will easily be made appear there is ground sufficient for a true Christian for to be rejoycing in as much as Christ is his Portion his Crown his All and in all Lam. 3.24 for Christ and a true Christian never meets but he meets with a Blessing although a Christians communion with Christ is oftentimes attended with a cloud Exo. 40 36 37. yet our dear Lord will vouchsafe for to speak choicely unto him yea though it be through a cloud as he was pleased for to speak unto his Servant Moses in the Mount and for as much as God is a God in Covenant with us Heb. 13 5. Psal 73.24 he will never leave us nor forsake us but will be a choice good to us in all our straits and difficulties and will guide us by his Counsel and afterwards receive us into his Glory MEDITATIONS By Way of OBSERVATION Observation I. Mat. 15.36 Mat. 26.39 COme immitate the Lord of Life this Day In Holy fear let 's walk and talk alway Mat. 3.13 vers 17. Oh! follow Christ's Example choice and rare In God's appointment walk and do not fear Hosea 2.14 vers 15. Though in the Wilderness our Lord doth go Let us attend him there and we shall know The Canaan Fruit his Manna and choice dew Rev. 2.27 Injoy we shall and feed thereon a new God's poor let 's love and to them now be kind James 2.5 For such he 'l own his presence they shall find Unto the Cross come bend and bow also Mat. 10.38 Then have the Crown at last we shall I know Psal 110.3 Isaiah 1.19 And willingly let us obey his Voice Come serve our Lord our King our onely choice Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 9.7 And chearfully in his choice works let 's go His streams of Love to us shall overflow Luk. 19.48 Rev.