Believing in him the All-sufficient Saviour you will come to Reign as Kings and Priests and sit with him in Heavenly places This will bring you to the General Assembly and Church of the First born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Whatsoever your hand finds you to do do it with all your might and work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trembling Live as those that are concerned for Heaven and Eternity Be Faithful and Diligent in your Generation that you may be Rich towards God Rich in the Love of God and in Peace with God These are Heavenly Treasures which Moth and Rust cannot corrupt nor Thieves break through nor steal from you Walk in the way of Righteousness and in the Paths of Judgment that you may have your fruit unto Holiness and the end Everlasting Life My Friends that which should exercise your Minds and which all should have an Eye unto is this that your Hearts be fixed upon God and your Affections set upon things above that walking in the Spirit you may beled by the Spirit of God as the Children of God and Heirs of God to the Inheritance above where you shall be for ever with the Lord. Friends This is my Exhorration to you that you will keep near to the Lord and Live under his Guidance and Government and Rely upon Christ alone for Salvation and live in the Light as becomes Children of Light Trust to nothing that will fail you in the Day of your Dissolution for then you will be under an Everlasting disappointment see that it be a true Foundation that you build upon and see what it is that you build upon it that it be not Hay and Stubble that cannot stand the Fire Build upon a Right Foundation the Eternal Word of God and build right things upon it That you may be always under the Guidance and Power and Government of the Blessed Spirit of the Living God that the Exercise and desire of your Hearts be towards the enjoyment of his Living Presence of his pure Power and quickening Spirit This is a Building which will abide the Fire This is a Building upon a Right Foundation What is that The Light of the Lord the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Light of the World here is the Right Foundation let us be found in him and keep close to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him This is the way to be preserved You that have got into a good state and condition keep in it and live near to the Lord and you will feel his Daily his Refreshing Presence and his Assisting Power to carry you on and conduct you in your Travel and Pâ—grimage that you may not faint in the way but in the end Reap the Crown of Immortal Glory that God hath laid up for those that fear him My Friends â—e was the Glorious Light of the Lord and the 〈◊〉 of the â—â—ving Eâ—â—rnal God by which you were 〈◊〉 in your Early Days Nay â—â— the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we have often had in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good Spirit of the Lord and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lue 〈◊〉 among us Praised and 〈◊〉 be the Lords Everlasting Power that 〈◊〉 beeâ— extended to us The Lord Grant that that 〈◊〉 was our Alpha may be our Omega that that which began to turn our Hearts and Minds God â—â—d may â—atch over us and continue with us that we may be kept as an experienced People a Holy Pecuâ—â—ar People Zâ—alous of good Works that God may have all the Honour and Praise to whom it belongs who is God over all who is worthy to be Praised Adored and Magnified by us and all his People henceforth and for ever and ever Amen The Prayer after Sermon MOST Glorious and Infinite God of Heaven and Earth in thy great and unspeakable Mercy thou Vifitest the Children of Men and extendest thy Love from one Generation to another and yet in this Age in which we live thy Day of Grace and Mercy reaches unto our Souls and we have been called by thee unto Righteousness and Holiness that so it might be well with us when we shall be removed out of this World and be no more seen of Men. Everlasting God If we consider aright thy dealing towards us the exceeding Riches of thy Grace in Christ Jesus It may provoke us and constrain us to Love thee and fear thee and serve thee in our Generation Lord thy Visitation hath been effectual upon the Hearts of many of the Children of Men who are Devoted to thy fear and service and give up themselves to Worship thee in the Beauties of Holiness Lord thou hast Gathered a People to thy self and thou hast brought them through many trials and Exercises and resined them by a Spirit of Judgment and they have been Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire O Lord God of Life thy Mercy is exceeding great and thy Love unspeakable in all the Dimensions of it we pray thee that thou wilt be pleased to grant according to the Riches of thy Glory that we may all be strengthened with might by thy Spirit in our inner man that Christ may dwell in our Hearts by Faith that we being rooted and grounded in Love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the Breadth and Depth and Height and length and to know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulness of God Blessed Father of Mercies deliver us from this present evil World and the corruptions and pollutions that are in it let us not live as the Children of this World as those that are of it but as those that are of it but as those that are hasting out of it to the coming of the Day of God and help us to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who hath Redeemed us from all Iniquity not with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with his own precious Blood us of a Lamb without blemish and without spot that we might live to him that Died for us and be holy in all manner of Conversation O Let the Lion of Tribe of Judah deliver us from that Roaring Lion of Hell that goes about seeking to Devour us make it our Delight O God to do thy Will and let thy Law be written in our Hearts that by patient continuance in well-doing we may seek for honour glory Immortality and eternal Life and that while we are engaged in the Christian Warfare we may take unto us the whole Armour of God and resist the Devil and overcome the World and be more than Conquerors through Christ that hath loved us that having fought the good fight of Faith we may lay hold
that they may see thy Power in tnrning their minds and Hearts to thee and in renewing and clâ—â—nging them that they may be made the objects of thy Love and brought into a nearness to thee and that they may be made acquainted with the feeling of thy Vertue and power upon their Souls Blessed God of Life do thou fill our Cup with thy Blessings and refresh us with the Incomes of thy Love Thou causest thy People to drink of the streams of those Rivers of Pleasure that are at thy Right hand and thou causest the Rain to Descend and drop upon thy tender Plants that they may grow and be fruitful in every good Word and Work and live to thy Praise and that they may exalt thy Gteat Name and magnifie thy Power manifested to them Lord remember thine every where those especially which are under Affliction and Exercise of body and mind open thy hand and send help to then according to their needs and necessities that they may be kept and supported under all their tryals that they may not be discouraged nor despond in their minds nor despair of thy love and goodness to them O Lord be thou known in thy Love and shed it abroad upon us by thy Spirit that we may all be brought nearer to thee and be more acquainted with thee who art the Fountain and Well-spring of all our Mercies and Comforts and have cause to bless and praise thee that hast made us Heirs of that Life and Blessedness that shall never have an end We desire to return living praises to thy Name for this days mercies for the Incomes of thy Love and thy presence in the midst of us Lord our Hearts are engaged to return thanks and praise to thee and to give Glory to thy Holy Name Lord keep us when we are gone and parted from one another and keep us that we may live to thee and not to our selves and that we may be Instrumental in turning many from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to thee the living God that they may receive Remission of Sins and an Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by Faith in Christ Jesus And that they may shew forth the Vertues of Christ in their Lives and Conversations and bring Honor and Praise to thy Name who art worthy of all praise To whom we desire to give Honor and Glory and Thanks giving and Praise not only at this time but for Ever and Ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. SAMUEL WALDENFIELD At Devonshire House March 11. 1693. THERE is a Day of Visitation which the Lord hath extended unto the Children of Men that we might every one of us observe our Season and time that so we might be Exercised in those things that relate to our Everlasting Peace and welfare in the World to come For we are like to be accountable to the Great God for the Deeds done in the Body Therefore every one had need to weigh and measure their ways and doings that they may stand Justified in the sight of God through Jesus Christ by whom we are Visited who hath been given of the Father not only to be a Light but a Leader to us and blessed will all they be that come to be led by the Lord Jesus Christ For that is a very precious state to know this One way for he is the alone way to the Kingdom of God and all those that make a Profession of him and reject his Leadings and his Counsel they will fall short they will meet with many things in the way that will turn them from the right Way to the Kingdom of God But all those that follow the Lord Jesus Christ it is they that shall receive the Crown of Immortal and Everlasting Life and Glory For this following of Christ is a Crucifying the Old Nature of Man it is a regenerating of Man in his Inward parts without which none of us can come to see the Kingdom of God This is not an outward Birth nor an outward Generation nor a growing into any outward comprehension of things but it is an Inward mortifying of the Deeds of the Flesh and that you know no Man can do but by and through the Spirit If Men walk after the flesh they must dye but if through the Spirit saith the Apostle ye mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall Live I do not speak of outward living in this World only but of living to God Eternally People in this World should live to the Lord then it will be well with them whom they come to Dye When this outward Earthly Tabernacle and House of Clay shall be dissolved all such as live to the Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God they shall have an Habitation and a Dwelling with him in his Fathers Kingdom they will be made Vessels of Honor to glorifie the Lord Therefore the greatest matter and thing that we can press after in this Life the most profitable the most advantagious of all things is to press after an Inward walking with God through Jesus Christ for saith Christ to his Disciples You that have followed me through the Work of Regeneration it shall be given to you to sit with me in my Fathers Kingdom Now most People believe that these things are true most that are called Christians believe that they are profitable but to pursue and press after them a great many are short in it Some it may be are hindred by the delights and pleasures and vanities of this World others it may be are hindred by some great Excercise that they meet withal and some and some sore Affliction not knowing that Power that carries through and gives Victory and that is the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ so that the Knowledge of Christ is a very profitable thing I look upon it to be as necessary to be Preached to many that call themselves Christians as to a great many that are Heathens for if a Man or Woman profess to be a Christian and be not of a Christian Spirit and Conversation What will it signifie The Instance that the Apostle Paul gives concerning the Heathen will be more prevalent in the Day of the Lord and that is this Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the Work of the Law written in their Hearts No doubt but they were accepted of the Lord according to their Integrity and Sincerity The Apostle Paul was an experienced Man and understood the Nature Quality and greatness of the Law of God which was dispenced to the Jews and given them for peculiar Instruction and for a School-Master to bring them to Christ for it was never given to compleat Salvation to any Man without Christ the Apostle tells you it was a School-master till Christ come And if you observe that in the time of the Law the Jews time Christ
a peculiar People to thy self Zealous of good Works O Eternal God of Power let the Souls of the Children of men come to enjoy thy Presence that their Bodies may become Living Temples for thee to dwell in O Eternal God of Life exalt thy own Name and Truth and make thy self known more and more to the Nations of the Earth that they may come to believe in thy Dear Son Christ Jesus and that they may come to know Redemption and Salvation and the things that belong to the Everlasting Peace of their Souls O Lord we pray thee be with the Families of thy Children and People in all their Exercises in all their Afflictions and in all their Temptations be thou near to them to preserve them and keep them and uphold them by thy free Spirit that thou may'st guide them by thy Consel and afterward receive them into Glory O Eternal God of Life be with the Young Generation of the Children of thy Servans that they may serve thee in their Day and keep their Hearts O Lord by thy mighty Power and let them receive the Word of thy Truth in the Love of it and seal them by thy good Spirit to the Day of Redemption And O Blessed God of Life let thy Work prosper in the midst of the Earth and subdue all that is contrary to thy pure Mind and Heavenly Will and exalt the Kingdom of thy Dear Son and let his name be known and trusted in among all the Nations of the World that they may believe in him who is the Author of Eternal Salvation to al them that obey him that so Glory and Honour and Everlasting Renown and Pure praises and Living Thanksgivings may Ascend to thee and let all thy sensible Ones offer them up to thee through Christ the Dear Son of thy Love in whom thou art well pleased for thou alone art worthy to receive all Glory and Praise who art God over all Blessed for ever and ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. JAMES PARK At Ratcliff April 19. 1694. THEY that come to wait upon the Lord and draw nigh to him and diligently attend upon him they shall receive Wisdom and strength from him and Power to enable them to do the Will of God to fear the Lord and call upon his Name to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and to Work Righteousness in their Time Day and Generation knowing him in whom thay have believed and whom a Remnant are come to and are Baptized into him and walk in him as they have received him and by whom they have been taught All are to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and to Walk in him who is the Lords Anointed the Judge of Quick and Dead all are to have a certain knowledge of him by receiving and embracing him Did we ever know God aright and the Lord Jesus Christ his only begotten Son till we received him and knew him to be in us the Hope of Glory Many of us have received the Lord Jesus Christ and walked in him as we have received him and then we came to know the witness of him in our selves such as know him experimentally can set to their Seals that God is true We have known God the Father at Work in us and his Son Christ Jesus Working mightily by his Almighty Power in and through whom we come to Work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling This causeth a great fear of God to come upon Man I have known in my time a great Trial to come upon Man and then he came to serve the Lord with Fear and that is good service and that undoubtedly will manifest a good servant when a man comes to serve the Lord with Fear and to rejoice with trembling not with an exalted Mind not with a puft up Mind keep out of that beware of that Friends I beseech you all in the Name of the Lord and in the Fear of God wait all in Gods fear and then you will be capable of drawing nigh to God It is Written in the Epistle of James Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you then will you feel the Lord to work in you mightily and to wash you and make you clean and then by the help of the Spirit of Lord you will put away the Evil of your Doings cease to do Evil and learn to do well and endeavour to please God in all things The Children of God are all taught of him and their Peace is great and they are established in Righteousness and they have a living Experience of that Promise of the Lord by the Prophet They shall be all taught of God their Heavenly Teacher and you that are taught of him shall find him near you that Teacher cannot be removed into Corners There shall be an Invisible Eyeâ— an Heavenly and Spiritual Eye opened to you that you may see the Lord near you Draw near to him in Faith and with a true Heart and with fuil Assurance and you will certainly know and you will see clearly that God is no Respecter of Persons but that in every Nation he that feareth God and Worketh Righteousness is accepted of him God is no Respecter of Persons his Love is of large extent with respect to the Sons and Daughters of Men Those thou gave sâ— me saith our Saviour I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled The Mercy of God through Christ Jesus the Son of his Love reacheth all there is Good Will towards Men Luke 2. 9 10. The Angel of the Lord came upon the Shepherds abiding in the Field and watching over their Flock by Night and said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great Joy which shall be to all People for unto you is born this Day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host Praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth Peace Good Will towards men And the Prophet Isaiah tells us For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his Shoulder and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace You shall have Christ Jesus for your Lord and King and Counsellor and Instructer Christ Jesus the Son of the Highest he will instruct you and Counsel you safely and then great will be your Peace who can disturb the Peace of such a one or bereave him of it Such a one is also established in Righteousness and Christ is made to them of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption that they may be all endued with that Wisdom that is from above which is pure and peaceable and gentle and easie to be intreated Let the same mind be in you saith the Apostle which was in Christ Jesus that great Lord and
whereby they may be supported through all Tryals and Adversities and through all Oppositions and Temptations that they may meet withal for the tryal of their Faith and for the exercise of their Patience that all their Afflictions and Exercises may be sanctified to them for the bringing them nearer and nearer to thy self and into a more lively inward and single Dependance on thee and thy Divine Grace and Truth which thou hast made known by Christ Jesus our only Mediatour by whom alone we have access to thee and whereby we are made capable of beholding the light of thy Countenance and partake of thy Divine goodness and blessing and of those pretious promises which thou hast left upon Record and Impressed upon our Minds and Hearts Thou hast poured into us a living and inward sense of that pure Life of thy Dear Son whereby we may be enabled to live to thy Praise and O Blessed Powerful Lord God those that are not convinced and persuaded of thy Way and blessed Truth that are not come into it and to partake of the Life of it that are not yet come to live to thee and to live in Obedience to thy Blessed Son the Lord Jesus Christ who are not come under the Power of his Cross that they may be Crucified to the World and have the World Crucified to them Lord awaken them utter thy Voice that shakes the Mountains rend the Vail and draw in their Hearts and Minds and Affections from earthly and fading Objects that they may come to breathe after thee and feel that Spirit in them wherewith thou dost Inspire thy People whereby they may supplicate thee for relief for strength and Victory over the Spirit of the World and over the Temptations of the Devil and the Flesh which do easily beset Men and whereby many are led Captive who cannot yet make mention of thy Name and walk in thy Truth Lord awaken them by thy Powerful Voice and incline their Hearts to seek thee while thou art to be found and call upon thee while thou art near that thou mayst be known in thy glorious Visitation The Cords of thy Love thou hast extended that they may lay hold thereon that they may be drawn out of the Pollutions of the World and of Sin and Sathan that have brought Death over them let the fear of God take place that they may be affraid to offend thee as knowing that thou art a Jealous God and thine Eyes are upon all the ways of the Sons of Men thou art the Heart searching God there is no secret can be hid from thine All seeing Eyes Vnder that Consideration O Lord let many come unto thee and reverence thy Great Name and not provoke thee to Displeasure against them And O blessed God thou hast been graciously pleased to begin a good Word a glorious Work of Righteousness in our days and timâ—s Blessed God and Father we humbly pray thee carry it on and make it prosper Prosper the Souls of thy People in it that they may be a growing thriving and increasing People in thy Holy ways and in thy blessed Work and as thou hast sown a precious seed and Planted a Noble Vine by thine own Almighty hand and given us a Root of Life the Foundation of our Faith Love and Obedience which Foundation thou hast laid in Zion Lord keep thy People sensible of it that they may mind it and wait upon thee and be preserved in that Root of Life wberein thy Blessing is that thy People may partake of thy Blessing and grâ—w up into the Nature of that Life to bring forth Fruit to â—hee to encrease in Faith and Love in Obedience and Humility and Meekness that the Life of true Christianity may be Promoâ—ed and Incâ—eased among thine Heritage that they may live in it and shine forth in it as thy Workmanship which thou hast Created in Christ Jesus unto fruitfulness unto all good Works that they may walk in them That so Powerful God and living Creator they may live unto thee and Act intirely to thy Praise Hâ—nâ—ur and Glory in their Day Age and Generation and that their bright shining forth in the Light if Truth and Righteou'ness may appear more and more as an Invitation to thâ—se that are afar off That in this thy Day wherein thou art setting up â—be Tabernacle of David the Kingdom of thy Belâ—ved Son and Repairing the Ruins and wast Places thereof Lord God Eternal grant that the Residue of Men may seek after thee and be sensible that thou art at Work and raising an Hâ—use for thine Honour and promoting the Kingdom of thy Son which is a Kingdom of Righteousness that of his Government there may be no end that all those that desire after Peace and after Happiness in the Kingdom of thy Dear Son may wait to see him Rule and Govern to see him Reign whose Right it is That Sin may not Reign in their Mortal Bodies that Sinful Lusts and Vile Affectiâ—ns and an Earthly mind may not have Power over them and prevail against them that so their Souls may be lifted up to thee That Blessed Eternal God they may wait upon thee and Renew their Strength and Renew their Thankfulness for the Renewing of thy Mercies and the Incomes of thy Love which are fresh and New every Morning That they may fear thee and wait upon thee and Diligently seek after thee and have sweet Communion with thee in the Enjoyment of thy Presence And Blessed be thou O Lord God Eternal for all thy Mercies Preservations and Encouragements so frequently Afforded to thy People whose Eyes and Hearts are towards thee Our Souls are deeply engaged to thee and we have cause to Bless and Praise and Honor thy Great and Excellent Name and through tâ—y Dear Son to offer up praise and Thanks giving to thy Great and Excellent Majesty for thou alone O God art worthy to Receive the Honour and Praise of all thy Mercies Benefits and Blessings by all the â—iving here and elsewhere who art God only over all Heaven and the whole Earth Blessed and Praised for Ever and Ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. WILLIAM DEWSBERY At Grace-Church-Street May 6. 1688. My Friends Except you be Regenerated and Born again ye cannot inherit the Kingdom of God THis is the Word of the Lord God to all People this day this lies not in airy Profession and in vain Imagination and whatsoever else it is that you deck your selves with all you must every particular Man and Woman be born again else you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven This was the Doctrine of Christ in that prepared body wherein he appeared in the World and Preached to Nicodemus That standing Doctrine to this moment of time and will be so while any man breaths upon the Earth there is no other way no other gate to enter into Life by but this great work of Regeneration Now to enforce People to come to this great Work and to set forward
Christ and let not any content themselves with a bare Profession of Christ and the name of Christians but make us Christians indeed true Israelites in whom their is no Guile We pray thee let the Power of Godliness shine forth in our Hearts and Lives let none be found among us that Crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to open shame and tramplâ— upon the Blood of the Covenant and do despite to the Spirit of Grace Bring such we beseech thee to true Repentance as have made light of Christ and Salvation that they may seek thee while thou mayst be found and call upon thee while thou art near Glorious God of Lise and Love thine Eye is over all thy People at this time and their condition is known to thee and the living sense which thou hast given thy Servants of the state and condition of thy People makes them humble Mourners before thee and and doth bow down their Spirits in thy sight O Lord God of Glory let not thy wrath and Indignation break forth like Fire against the People of this Land but look down with an Eye of Compassion from the Throne of thy Glory and make bare thy Victorious Arm and make them a willing People in the Day of thy Power that they may be moved and excited to Repent and turn to thee and cease from their vain Conversation and serve thee in sincerity and in the beauties of Holiness Let the Spirit of Life quicken them that arâ— dead in Sins and Trespasses and remove the Stupidity Darkness and Ignorance of those that are strangers to thee and know not the things that belong to their Peace and open their Hearts and Minds that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent And O tender Father of Life thou art at this Day threatning this Nation and shaking thy Rod over the Land of our Nativity cause the Inhabitants thereof to humble themselves under thy mighty hand and bow before thee and to consider how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God If thy wrath be kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in thee Blessed God of Glory Whom have we in Heaven but thee And there is none upon Earth that can help like thee thy loving kindness is better than Life and thy displeasure more terrible than Death When thou hidest thy Face we are troubled but when thou liftest up the Light of thy countenance upon us and smilest upon our Souls and with a Ray of thy excellent Glory shining on us speakest peace unto us and openest a Door for us into the secret of thy Presence then we are filled with Joy unspeakable and satisfied as with Marrow and Fatness then we dwell safely as in the Munition of Rocks Most Glorious excellent Fountain of Divine Goodness be present with all thy People keep them as the Apple of thine Eye under the shaddow of thy Wings and in all their solemn Assemblies when they meet together to Worship thee O Lord meet with their Souls and let them see that thou Rulest and art present in the midst of them who art the Fountain of living Waters to those that thirst for thee the living God Let them in their Assembling together drink of the Brook of Shilo which runs with pleasant streams and there let them find Refreshment to their Souls we pray let them see the great design of thy love to them in that thou sendest them plentiful supplies from Heaven and givest the streams of Life where thou feedest thy Flocks and makest them to rest at Noon and to lyâ— down in Green Pastures and leadest them by the stil Waters though they walk through the Valley of the shaddow of Death they shall fear no Evil for thou art with them Thou preparest and furnishest a Table for them in the presence of their Enemies and they are abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thine House and thou makest them to drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures But everlasting God of Life thou hast a Controversie with those that dwell at ease in Zion that do not lamen and mourn for the Sins and Abominations committed is the midst of them shew them that their Rest is not the Rest of God Let them cease from their own Works and serve and Worship thee in truth and Sincerity And let them know there is a Sabbath an Heavenly Rest for such to partake of Shew them the many secret working of the Enemy that they may watch against him aâ— not be Ignorant of his devices who is going about like Roaring Lyon seeking to devour them and to destâ—â—â— their Souls Arise O God of Glory and appear in Jacobâ— Dwellings and search Jerusalem as with Candles â—â— not thy People spare or hide any Darling sin froâ— the Slaughter nor keep Amaleck alive nor sâ—â—â— those Enemies which thou hast determined to Destruction Lord God of Life and Love thou Soveraign Lâ—â— of Heaven and Earth do thou graciously strengthâ—â— and keep in all tenderness thy People every where â—â— all their Travels Labours and Exercises let them fâ—â—â— Favour and Acceptance with thee in and through thâ— Lord Jesus Christ the Great Mediatour Let them know thy Heavenly Gatherings and there let them abide under thy Shaddow Let their Quiver be filled with the Arrows of the Almighty that may reach the Hearts of many by thy Power and let their Bow abide in strength let them hear the Heavenly Sounding of thy Trumpet from the Holy Mountain of thy Glory and in all their Assemblies let the pleasant Streams of life flow from thee upon their Souls and 〈◊〉 pray thee let them grow green and flourish and be as a Watred Garden bringing forth pleasant Fruits Then Blessed Father of Life and Glory thy love will be discovered to thy People when they are in the daily exercise of thy Grace and under the living Influences of thy good Spirit when thou takest them into thy Banquetting-House and thy Banner over them shall be love Blessed Lord God of Glory when it shall be thus with us we shall behold thy Heavenly Countenance shining upon us and thy glory in the Face of Jesus Christ and we shall be taken and delighted with the excellency thereof Thy Blessed Banquet will be sweet to our Tast and we shall be satisfied and overcome with thy Love then will thy Glory shine and thy Voice be heard Eat O Friends Drink yea Drink abundantly O Beloved Now for all thy Mercies and Blessings and wonderful patience forbearance and Longsuffering towards us We desire to offer our Thanksgivings to thee for thy tender Compassions extended to those that are sorrowful Afflicted and bowed down before thee Father of Life thou hast opened thy Bosom of Love and given them some ease and Refreshment thou hast Remembred us in our low Estate and thou hast been with us and kept us in all our Exercises and Labours and Travels
Name of the Lord is a strong Tower The Righteous shall fly unto it and be safe and when they are assaulted with the Enemy the Spirit of the Lord shall be with them and when the Enemy comes upon them as a Flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard for them against the Adversary and they shall stand still and see the Salvation of God And they shall find the Power of Gods Spirit come upon them for Sanctification and they shall be as the purest Wheat gathered into the Garner of God Therefore My Friends let the Testimonies of Truth which the Lord is pleased by his Servants and Messengers to send to you take hold of you and go along with you and have a place in your secret thoughts It is an Exhortation of the Word of Truth which God gives by his Spirit to you therefore let it be retained While you are in the Light walk as Children of Light and have no Fellowship with the Vnfruitful Works of Darkness and you shall dwell safely and be set upon a Rock that is higher than you you shall be as Stars shining in a Dark World and though there be darkness upon the Earth yet here is Light here is Beauty Those that are in Zion and in Goshen the Songs of the Night shall be given to them When others are in distress these are they that have their Habitation in the Lord and find a Spiritual repose and enter into Rest and enjoy that peace which God through Jesus Christ his Beloved Son doth give unto the Souls of his People that Peace that Passeth Vnderstanding Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your Hearts unto the Lord. Salvation and Praise be ascribed unto our God continually for all his Mercies and Favours for to him Honour and Glory and Thanks giving belongs And as you render Praise to the Lord in the Name of his Beloved Son you shall find acceptance with him and an answer of Peace returned into your Bosoms when you pray as the Psalmist Psal 141. 1 2. Lord I cry unto thee make bast unto me give ear to my Voice when I cry unto thee let my Prayer be set forth before thee as Incense and the lifting up my hands as the Evening Sacrifice Hereby you shall enjoy Divine Rest and Repose and Refreshment from the presence of the Lord and that Joy that is unspeakable and full of Glory This is my Desire and Souls Travel and the end of my Labour among you that this may be your Lot and Portion with the Lord. The Prayer after Sermon BLessed Lord God who hast in this day of thy Power made manifest thy Self unto thy Children and People who are this day waiting upon thee O Lord God we pray thee let thy Infinite Mercy more and more be extended to us and we humbly pray thee do thou preserve us a sensible People that as thou hast afforded the Visitation of thy Love unto us we may delight in it Lord reveal thy Love more and more to us that we may obey thee and delight to do thy Will Lord thou hast an Eye of Pity and Compassion upon the Sons and Daughters of Men whom thou seest in a lost and perishing condition and thou wilt remember them in their low estate because thy Mercy endureth for ever extend the Riches of thy Goodness to such as are strangers to thee that they may come to the knowledge of thee through the Son of thy Love for this is Life Eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent O Lord manifest thy Love to us more and more and appear is thy excellent Glory for the bringing down of every thing contrary to thee Blessed Father and Fountain of Life set up thy Throne and Reign in the Hearts of the Children of Men that they may own thy rightful Government and submit to thy Wisdom and become a willing People in the Day of thy Power and be reconciled to thee in the blood of thy Son Be with us in all the Dispensations of thy Grace and Love and manifest the operation of thy Power upon us in our attendances on thee from Day to Day and from one season to another Lord thou that hast revealed thy Glorious Arm and Power to thy People in their many Travels Exercises and Afflictions that have come upon them for the tryal of their Faith and the exercise of their Patience and Humility and other Graces let our Patience have its Perfect Work and let the trial of our Faith be found unto Praise Honour and Glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ and let our humility lay us low before thee that being humbled under thy mighty band we may be exalted in due time for the sake of Jesus Christ whom thou hast hast exalted at thine own Right Hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to us and Remission of Sins Lord our desires are to thee and our expectations are from thee do thou supply us with all things needful for our Souls and Bodies as thou hast mercifully sustained us hitherto O Lord do thou Bless all the Manifestations of thy Love and Power unto us that we may be sanctified and made meet to serve and glorifie thee that we may give up our account with Joy at thy Tribunal that we may then be found in Christ not having our own Righteonsness but being Justified freely by thy Grace through the Redemption that is in him we may enter into Glory and be for ever with the Lord. Blessed Father of Life Remember all those that are scattered up and down upon the Hills and Barren Mountains and are wandring up and down as Sheep without a Shepherd Remember them in this Day of thy Love and mighty Power and bring them home to the Sheep-fold of Christ who is the true Sbepherd and Redeemer and Saviour of Souls Lord go along with us from this place to our several Habitations and Imployments Let the Angel of thy presence attend us Let the Word that hath been preached dwell richly in us in all Wisdom Dearest God of Love and Life one Plants and another Waters but thou alone dost give the encrease we pray thee go along with us and be near unto us when we are separated one from another Now Lord for all thy Mercies and Benefits and Blessings renewed to us from day to day and from one season to another we desire to offer up to thee a pure and living Sacrifice of Praise and Love and Thanks giving for thou alone art worthy who art God over all who with thy Blessed Son and Eternal Spirit Livest and Reignest for ever and ever One God World without end Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. WILLIAM BINGLEY At Grace-Church street March 4. 1693. Friends IT is weighty upon my Spirit this Day to call upon you all to take
our Duty is to endeavour to shew forth our Love in Justice Equity and Truth in all things and to be so far from going beyond or seeking to defraud or over reach our Neighbour as that we should upon all occasions manifest our care and love to him that he may be gained and brought over to the Love of the Truth This is that which God hath made us Witnesses of in his blessed day and Gospel and it should be our great care and concernment to answer this Duty that lyes upon us one towards another faithfully and to encourage one another and Watch ovâ—â— one another for Good and not with an Evil Eye or prejudice in our minds against any nor to let in any sourness or bitterness of Spirit against any I Counsel and Exhort you in the Love of God to perform your Duty to God whereby ye may receive an Answer of peace and acceptance with him an answer of well done from God which we shall if we keep and abide in his Love this will bring you to the Fountain of Wisdom and the opening and springing of it This is the Wisdom that is from above that is pure and peaceable and gentle and easie to be intreated and we shall be preserved in the Conduct of it we shall not be short in our Duty We shall Love one another and Converse one with another This is a particular Mark and Token and a certain distinction whereby the Disciples of Christ are manifested and known to the World Hereby saith Christ shall all men know ye â—e my Disciples if ye have Love one to another 13 John 35. Abide in this Love and in the Truth and shew forth the vertues of it They that do profess the truth but act otherwise and are carried away with any of the Lusts or pleasures and delights of the World or with the Pride Haughtiness Bitterness and Sourness of the Spirit of the World they that are carried away with these all their love to their Neighbour will be hindered and there will not be a sincere exercise of it There are some that make a profession of the truth and come among us whose Conversations shew they have a Root of Covetousness remaining in them they will defraud and over-reach and cheat their Neighbour and so bring a Reproach upon the truth they have an ill Fame they do not perform their Duty to their Neighbour in Love and Kindness neither are they under the Conduct of that Power that should direct and guide them in their duty to God Therefore my Friends Watch against the Enemy in these things be not Ignorant of his devices then the designs of the wicked one will not overcome you and prevail against you live in the fear of God which is true Wisdom keep your selves in the love of God and in love to one another O what Oneness and concord will there be And what sweetness and Harmony will be among us And with what a Heavenly Lovelyness will our Conversations shine in the World when we abound in all the Fruits of Righteousness and in love one to another Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity and Amity This is beautiful indeed It is like the precious Ointment on the head that runs down to the skirts of the Garment O the Heavenly Garment the Garment of Praise that shall cloth those that live in the love of God and of one another O the Holy Robe of the Righteousness of Christ shall cover such Souls O this is that which shines forth gloriously they that live in love shall have this beautiful Garment to cover and adorn them O my Friends the weight of this was upon me O that every one of you may be gathered and made willing to discharge your selves of this great duty to God and to one another that an Heavenly opening may be known This love to God and our Neighbour will be as a Munition of Rocks where our Bread shall be sure and our Waters shall not fail when the Life we live in the Flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God This Union and mutual love will Cement us together when we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for aâ— Habitation of God through the Spirit If we live in loves as the living Members of Christ the Blood will Circulate into the life of every Member from the Head and we shall know the Vertues of it If we live in love Gods name will be honoured and his Truth will be promoted from Sea to Sea and from Land to Land from one part of the World to another and many shall be brought to behold the Rising of the Sun of Righteousness and his Glory shining in our Day and be preserved in an Holy fear and awe of God and kept from all Evil If we discharge our selves of this solemn and indispensible duty of love to God and one another then we shall have an Answer of our Prayers and of Peace in our own bosoms and know that God will accept of us and we shall be supported under whatsoever trouble or Affliction shall befal us God will be our strength and our stay and we shall have no cause to murmure or complain God will bear us up by his Divine power and keep us in a tender sense of his love to us while we are living in the daily performance of this great Duty of Love to God and mutual love to one another His Prayer after Sermon BLessed and Everlasting Father and Fountain of Life What cause have we to admire thy goodness and Worship thee and Reverence thy Great Name who dost manifest thy self in thy Love and thy tender Compassions from Day to Day in affording us one Visitation after another and in causing thy Love to be shed abroad upon our Hearts in our waiting on thee and crying and breathing after thee Thou openest thy hand from Day to Day and fillest us with thy Spirit and thou makest a Remnant to be as a Watred Garden to spring and bud and blossom O Lord God of Life those that are Plants of thine own Planting they have a Greenness upon them they grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and bring forth the fruits of Righteousness before thee O God of Infinite Power and Love keep them we pray thee that they may be coming nearer and nearer to thee and be more and more acquainted with thee that they may come to know and Witness their being built upon that Foundation which cannot be moved Let the desires and supplications of thy living ones reach to them that are scattered and and are yet unacquainted with thee that know not thy ways nor what thy worship is nor how to perform it Do thou open their Understandings
man spareth bis Son that serveth him The Lord will bave mercy upon Sion and spare his People in the Day of his fierce Anger until his Indignatioa be over-past The Walls of Sion are the Walls of Salvation and they are a Bul wark to Gods People when did these Walls and Bulwarks fail you Have you not been preserved in your Day and Generation if these Walls of Salvation had failed we had not been preserved in Christ Jesus we had not now been a Peâ—ple we have stood the Brunts we have been kept safe in the strong City where Salvation is for Walls and Bulwarks And so I shall commit you to the Lord Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World I desire you all to look to him and fix your Hearts upon him who is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that believe in him and obey him to him be Glory Praise and Dominion who is God over all Blessed forever Amen His Prayer after Sermon MOST Blessed Lord God thou art Lord of Heaven and Earth Infinite in Love and Life and Glory the God of the Spirits of all flesh in whom we live and move and have our Being who art neaâ— to every one that draweth near to thee and call upon thee in Truth Thou openest thy bountâ—ful hand and refreshest our Hearts with thy Mercy and Blessing O Lord God of Power thy Mercies are manifold and they are over all thy Works and the Works of thine own hands do all praise thee and thy Saints bless thee and magnifie thy excellent Name thou art pleased to magnifie thy Law â—nd to send forth thy Light and Truth and to make it honour able in the Hearts of many in the Day of thy Love in the Day of thy Power Thou art Redeeming thy People from Iniquity and purging away all their dross and taking away all their Tin O Lord God of Life and Power Let all that believe in thy Son Jesus Christ be purged and purified more and more let them be washed and sanctified that all that may be done away and removed out of their Hearts that is contrary to thy self that the Glory of thy Truth may arise and shine in their Souls and let all feel the Power of thy Truth and be sensible of it and believe it and obey it that they may follow the Lâ—adings of thy Holy Spirit and answer thy requirings and glorifie thy name and do thy Will on Earth as it is done in Heaven Let us all receive our daily Bread from thee and have the Light of thy Countenance to shine upon us Comfort the Hearts of all thine every where be thou their strength and stay and a presâ—nt help in trouble and solace their Souls with the sense of thy Lâ—ve which is better than Wine and with thy favour and loving kindness which is better than Life Strengthen the weak hands that hang down and coâ—firm the feeble knees and succour those that aâ—e tempted and comâ—ort them and relieve them O Righteous Lord of Heaven and Earth make known thy Mighty Power in working upon the Hearts of thy People here and every where make known by Name and Glory thrâ—ughout the Whâ—le Earth Let thy glorious everlasting Gospel be sounded forth and Preached in all Naâ—ions of the World And let thy renown go forth and thy fame be spread abroad in all Nations let all the enemies of thy Peâ—ple be scattered and all that make opposition against thy Truth be conquered and overcome by the Power of it and submit themselves least â—hey perish in their opposition And let thy People receive thy Truth in the Love of it and become willing in the Day of thy Power to serve thee in the Beauties of Holiness and gird up the Loyns of their Minds and be kept sober and vigilant and hope to the end and live in love and unity with one another and keep themselves in the love of God and by Patient continuance in well doing seek for Honour Glory Immortality and Eternal Life Let us delight our selves in thee that thou mayst give us the desire of our Hearts whom have we in Heaven but thee And there is none upon Earth that we can desire besides thee Thou hast many times refreshed us with the sense of thy Love in Christ Jesus and thou hast brought us into thy Banquetting House and thy Banner hath been spread over us we have been satisfied with the Fatness of thy House and drunk abundantly of the Rivers of thy Pleasures we have sat under thy shaddow with great delight and thy fruit hath been sweet to our tast Bless us and all thine every where and mind us of our latter end that all the Days of our Appointed time we may wait till our change come and be so prepared for our great account that we may give it up with Joy and not with grief Now Blessed God of Heaven and Earth for all thy Mercies and Favours that we have received and the Blessings and Benefits which thou hast bestowed upon us and continued to us and for preserving us from time to time by the Arm of thy Power and for opening our Hearts at this time to receive the Word of thy Truth and the Influences of thy Spirit take thou the Honour and Glory Thanksgiving and Praise which we humbly and sincerely offer up to thee for to thee it doth belong and thou alone art worthy who art God over all blessed for ever and ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. FRANCIS STAMPER At Devonshire-House May 3. 1694. God hath laid help upon one that is Mighty to seve to the uttermost all that come unto God by him THis Mighty One that the Almighty Lord Jehovah hath laid help upon for Man it is the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of his Love and they are blessed of God that come to partake of the help that is in him who said to his Disciples and Followers in the days past without me ye can do nothing Friends This is a deep and a very near word and it stands us all upon to consider whether we have him or no for we all owe Service a Duty and a Worship to the Everlasting God and of our selves we cannot perform it without the help and assistance of his Beloved Son the Lord Jesus Christ and the comfort of all that believe in him and love him is this that he is not only able to help but willing to help Blessed be the Lord God for ever may all you say that have been made partakers of his Vertue and of his Power and Life that have found a willingness in him to assist you in all your troubles in all your exercises in all your afflictions in all the bowings of your Souls and Spirits before the Lord who have said in your Prayers and Supplications Lord lend me thy help let me have thy gracious aid and assistance Without this help of the Lord Jesus Christ we cannot do that good that sometimes
that have their Pleasures in this World it looks not to the things of this World it comes from Heaven and tends to Heaven again it raiseth the Soul that is Quickned by it They that are born of it are made Heavenly by it it makes all Heavenly that are Quickned by it By this we may know that we have the Son of God by this we have an Understanding of him and are brought into him that is true And this is the Living Manifestation of Christ whereby he cometh into thy Soul and into my Soul This is the Gift of God We Receive Gods Gift that we may receive Life from and by him that we may Live this Life This is that which makes the Yoke of Christ easie and his Burden Light and his Commandments not Grievous to us The Life of Christ doth the work of Christ naturally Those that are in the Flesh-mind the things of the Flesh those that live a Carnal Life they mind the Works of the Flesh it is their Joy their Delight and their Pleasure that which their Hearts are carried after They Rise early and Lye down late and all for this end it is that which their Hearts Run after all the Day long What is the Reason of it They are in the Flesh in the Life of Lust That Life moves them and Acts them and Governs them That Life useth and Imployeth all their Faculties their Understandings Wills Affections and Imaginations and it useth all the Members of their Bodies to please the Flesh and fulfil the Lusts thereof these are the Consequences of a Life of Unrighteousness in those things that are Unrighteous But those that have Received the Spirit of God they have Received Jesus Christ the Son of God and this is the Consequence they are become Dead to the Life of Unrighteousness All that are Dead in Sins and Trespasses he hath Quickned Now when you have received the Son of God you have received a New Life another Life then your Affections are set upon things that are above and you are come to sit in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus you sit no more in the Earthly place nor Live an earthy Life but in the Heavenly place where the Heavenly Life abounds For this end the Eternal Son of God came into the World that we might have Life and that we might have it more abundantly that we might abound in the Life of Jesus and in the abundance of it This is that which is recommended to us that we might receive the Son of God into our Souls and by receiving him partake of his Life and then let this Life produce its Actions Let the Word of God dwell Richly in you in all those things that are Divine in all those things consequences that it brings forth amongst the Children of God For it is not the things of the Earth that we are to remember and to have dwelling in us but the Word of God and that which proceeds from the Life of the Son of God All Words and Testimonies Preachings Prayer Exhortation and Spiritual Counsel if it be not from the Life of the Son of God it edifies not the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ in Love Let us receive that which comes from the life of the Son of God which is manifest amongst us and shed abroad in our Hearts let us Watch and take care that whatsoever is not of this Life may not appear may not be manifest and made known among us And this Life that we receive from the Son of God is that which will stand us in stead in the Day of Tryal and as many as live unto God in this Divine life he is well pleased with them and the Tempter the Wicked one cannot touch them at all nor reach them nor hurt them This is my Testimony unto you from the Life of God which to the Glory and Praise of his Name hath risen in my Soul in some measure It is the desire and Labour and Travel of my Soul that you may be inwardly gathered into this Heavenly Life that all my Dear Brethren and Sisters who are of the Household of Faith may be inward in this Life that the Fruit thereof may be manifest that the Notice thereof the Sound thereof the Language thereof may be heard in this Assembly at all times that the Lord our God may be made known to us through this Word of Life in our Hearts to the Praise Honour and Renown of his Name who alone is worthy To whom be Glory for Ever and Ever Amen The Prayer after Sermon O. Most Powerful Lord God of Life and of Glory and Blessedness pretious in thy sight are thy People whom with thy Power thou hast Visited with the Day Spiring from on high and upon whom thou hast breathed with a Divine Inspiration and made them alive to thy self through thy tender Mercy and Goodness which in the Son of thy Love thou hast freely extended to us whereby we are made capable of drawing nigh to thee and of having access into thy Blessed Presence to enjoy Communion with thee through the Lord Jesus Christ We desire to wait upon thee and seek fervently after thee All our expectation is from thee from Day to Day and from time to time that we may receive Relief that we may receive strength from thee who art the God of all our Mercies Thou hast not been wanting to us in the needful time thou hast had regard to the sighing of the Poor to the breathing and Supplieation of the Needy whose desires have been truly after thee and the sweet enjoyment of thy Presence the feeling of thy blessed Power and the beholding of the light of thy Countenance wherein there is Life and Salvation Blessed be thy Name for ever all living praises and Holy Thanks givings be in truth and Humility offered up to thee through the Dear Son of thy Love by all thy Children and People whom thou hast sought out by thy blessed Spirit and whom thou hast gathered by the Arm of thy blessed and mighty Power that they might be a People to thy praise serving thee in newness of Spirit Worshipping thee in the beauties of Holiness and in Spirit and truth and not according to the oldness of the Letter not according to an empty and outward formality but in the sense of the Springings up of that pure Life of that fresh Spring of Life that thou hast placed in the Heart of a Remnant by thy blessed Power O Righteous and Holy God the Sense and feeling thereof is beyond Words beyond Expression and beyond utterance Therefore we humbly entreat thee by the blessed Arm of thy Power gather thy People more and more into an Inward Sense of the Springings of Life that they may attend upon thee and feel Life in their Souls and breathings after thee in their Hearts that in their Daily attendance on thee they may receive day by day of those living suitable supplies of Life Vertue Wisdom and Power
will be your cry it was once my cry O let not your Eyes slumber nor your Eye-lids take any rest till you be sure the Lord is your God If you find these Qualifications you are on your way otherwise you will be like a deceitful Bow and never abide in Judgment If you reject the Counsel of God against your selves and refuse to be Crucified with Christ and to be Baptized with his Baptism you will never have Life But by his Baptism and through the Heavenly operation of his Spirit if thou hast Faith in Christ's name thou shalt be Married to him in Everlasting Righteousness Salvation shall be brought to us and Eternal Life be bestowed upon us even that Life that is hid with Christ in God he will give to every poor mournful Soul that submits to his blessed will and believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ This is not a faith of our own making nor a Garment of our own Embroydery but that which the Lord hath given to us O happy Man or Woman that obtainest this gift of God! O! Who will not lose their lives for this Everlasting Life Who will not die for this Eternal Life Now the matter lyes in the Death of your own Wills when you have done the will of God then watch that your own wills be slain and that your cursed self take not the Jewels of God and his Bracelets and Ornaments and bestow them upon self and Paint and Deck cursed self and take not the Members of Christ and make them the Members of an Harlot If you be dead to your own wills you are risen with Christ and shall receive a Resurrection to Eternal Life Crucifie self and set the World at naught and trample upon it and all things of it and count them as dross and dung in comparison of Christ that the Father hath revealed to be our Life in the days of our Sorrow and Mourning in the day of our calamity in the day when we cryed our hope is lost Thus it hath been with the Holiest People on Earth it is not by works of righteousness of thy own that thou canst be saved Christ comes to cut all these down that thou mayst be Ingrafted into him and justified by his Grace Do not make this matter of Talk and say I have heard this and that but look into you own hearts and see what Heavenly workings are there What there is of the Power of the Lord Jesus that hath made you to loath this World and the inordinate Love of the Creature that you may enjoy all these things as if you enjoyed them not We cannot when we are slain and Crucified to this World but say my life is in Christ when we come to ascribe nothing to our selves and all to Christ here is a blessed Harmony broken Hearts melted Spirits and yet joyful Souls poor Creatures that were mourning and sighing and crying before the Lord in retired places and yet rejoycing in Christ Jesus I am risen with Christ I said my hope is cut off I will lye down in thy will O God do what thou wilt with me it is in thy Soveraign pleasure and free gift whether thou give me life or deny it to me There must be a resignation of our selves to the will of God it was so with the Lord Jesus and it is so with every true Saint of God you must be humbled as little Children before judgment be taken away and the loving kindness of God sealed up to your Souls if you seek this work of God you will find it if you seek it upon your Beds in all your Labours and concernments in all your Stations and Relations if you press after the new Birth you must use this World as if you used it not and live a Married life as if you were Un-married for the fashion of this of World passeth away This is not Rantism But let me tell you a New World comes by Regeneration a Man is not lifted up in his own mind but laid low in his own Eyes he waits for the Wisdom of God to govern him and he is as a Steward of the Grace of God to give to them that stand in need when a Man is regenerated and born again he is as contented with Bread and Water as with all the enjoyments of this World what is the matter His own will is gone and put down under his feet and whatsoever it is that gives life to all his vain desires and Affections there is a Harmony of all within a Man praising of God and blessing his Holy Name there are no Intanglements shall draw away the Heart from serving of God and seeking his Glory and if God shall call the Husband from the Wife or the Wife from the Husband for the Glory of his Name there is no whining and complaining and crying out but giving them up and a praising and blessing God when they are called to such an exercise and if they are not called to that then they set their Hearts to glorifie God in their several places and stations then they have a full content in a blessed resignation Here their Wills are slain but they praise God they have no desire but Lord thy will be done always praising God always having the fear and the glory of God before their Eyes All the mischief is hatched in pleasing mens own Wills That is the Counsel of every Heart that Christ doth not govern Will you live as the Quakers then you must live contemptibly the Mistriss and Maid are Hail-fellow well met No every one must walk in humility and live in acquaintance with the God of Heaven sâ—e that is wrought upon by the same Spirit must with all diligence behave her self as becomes a Servant of the Lord. Here is now a New World and the fashions of the Old World are gone all Pride Haughtiness Crosness and Trampling upon one another are all gone all slain through the operation of Christ What remains now Christ is in me and we are all one in him Christ laid down his Life for thee and me Now he reigns in me and he hath prepared my body to die for the truth as his prepared body was laid down for my Sin It is a kind of Foolish Profession to make Profession of Christ and live in Covetousness Profaneness Sensuality and the like they that are come to this Heavenly Birth seek the things that are above thou canst do no other Make the Tree good and the Fruit will be good You must be Ingrafted into the Vine of Gods righteousness O! slight not the Day of your Visitation What was it to me to read of any being born again till I was slain and knew the Heavenly Baptism of Christ Jesus Till I saw the Flaming Sword ready to slay me in every way in every turning The Light of Christ convinced me of Sin and his Righteousness justified me and those Works were abominable to me that hindred my Souls passage to Christ Christ Jesus in
Marrying my Soul to himself seized upon me and did work effectually in me There is the Testimony of Christ in me he hath Sealed up my Soul to the Day of my Redemption here is a certain passage and a certain way which never any miss of that lose their Lives for Christ If you be not ready and willing to lose your Lives for Christ you shall never come here The Gate is strait and the way is narrow none come hither but those that die into an Heavenly Oneness with Christ O Friends let us empty our selves that Christ may fill us let us be nothing in our own Eyes that we may be all in him and receive of his fulness Now I commend you to God's Witness that you may remember what hath been spoken among you but consider if you do not harken to it it will follow you and be a plague to you to all Eternity if you will not yield up your selves to Christ this day that burns like an Oven this Fire you must dwell with when out of the Body there will be no quenching of this Fire for ever but if you be so wise for your Souls as to resign your selves up to Christ and come to him as little Children this will not hinder your Earthly concerns though the World may account thee a Fool yet thou hast that part of Heavenly Wisdom to do what thou dost as unto God thou carriest to thy Wife as in the sight of God that she may be Sanctified to thee and thou to her and thou carriest becomingly to thy children and Servants and thou wilt abound in Grace and in every good work which will be for thine Eternal wellfare O I beseech you People for the Lord's sake wait for the light of Christ to guide you learn of him to be meek and lowly then happy are you for he dwelleth with the humble but he beholdeth the Proud afar off This New Birth which is a true work a sincere and heavenly work it will make you for ever O make room for Christ in your Hearts or else he is never like to dwell with you he loveth to dwell with the poor and humble and contrite Spirit he abhors the Proud he will empty your Souls that he may fill them And so I commend you to God I have been long held in durance under great weakness and I was restless till I could come up to this Great City of London to Preach the Everlasting Gospel among you and you see I am among you here pray every one of you turn Inward let not these Words passing through a mean Vessel be as a bare empty Discourse of Truth to you which you only hear and take no further care of your Salvation Take heed of despising the light that shines in the midst of you and be pressing forward to the Heavenly work that is laid in the Power of Christ Jesus even through Judgment into Death and then he will give Eternal Life the Lord confirm this that it may rest upon your Hearts that you may be dead to the things of World We are not come to Mount Sinai that genâ—ers to bondage but we are come to Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumeâ—able company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are wrâ—tten in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made Perfect and to Jesus â—be Mediatour of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel This is the Inheritance of the Redeemed of the most High blessed be the name of the Lord let us rest in hope till he bring us to Humility and Lowlyness of mind that he may cloth us with Heavenly Glory according to his Promise I will Beautifie my House with Glory saith the Lord. This is the Portion of a Poor People that cast down themselves before the Lord that he may lift them up and be all in all to them In whose blessed Presence they shall have of Joy and Rivers of Pleasures at his right hand for ever more The Prayer after Sermon BLessed and Glorious God thy presence and power is with thy People every where and thou art stretching forth thy Almighty Arm for the Salvation of thy chosen ones and thou art Influencing their Souls with thy Grace and Spirit in all their solemn meetings and Assemblies we desire to extoll and magnifie thy great and excellent Nause for all thy Mâ—rcies and blessings we pray thee bow down thy Heavenly Ear and 〈◊〉 ken to the Cries and supplications of thy People that are breathing forth the desire of their Sâ—uls to thee that art a God hearing Prayers supply their wants and establish their Spirits and uphold them with thy free Spirit Crown all thy chosen ones with thy loving-kindness and tender mercy rend the Cloud of darkness that hangs over us and take away the Vail and bow the Heavens amongst us and visit us with thy Salvation and reveal the mysteries of thy Truth unto us and in all our ways let us acknowledge thee and do thou lead us in the way everlasting Righteous God of Love while we live on Earth let our Conversaâ—ion be in Heaven where Christ our Mediatour sits aâ— thy Right-hand let us follow his Example who was Holy Harmless and undefiled that we may sit in Heavenly places with him Be thou a Sun and Shield to us in our earthly Pilgrimage whom have we in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that we desire besides thee let us walk before thee in sincerity and truth and do thou conduct us in the way of truth and righteousness by thy blessed Spirit Blessed be thy Name for the light of thy saving truth that hath shined in our minds and the light of thy Countenance that hath been lifted up upon us in our meetings thou hast furnished a Table for thy People as in the days of old we cannot but Admire thy great love and condescention towards us and extol and bless thy Holy name for thy abounding mercies and the Riches of thy Goodness to us we desire to give thee honour and renown and praise and Thanks giving for thy renewed mercies and Spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus for whom we bless thee and in whom we desire to be found not having our own Righteousness to him with thy self and thy Holy Eternal Spirit be Glory for Ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. GEORGE WHITEHEAD At Grace-Church-Street Octob. 4. 1693. THE Great God who made Heaven and Earth the God of our Salvation he hath prepared a Sacrifice for himself in the hearts of a Remuant whom he hath gathered by the Arm of his Mighty Power and he hath kindled that Sacrifice that is of his own preparing and this to a Remnant is a manifest Token of the Love of God and of his Divine and special Providence for their safety and preservation that trust
of their ways this is a sign that God is waiting to be gracious He may visit a People and Nation with Chastisements and Judgments yet I am sensible it is for his Peoples sake even a Remnant that he hath gathered out of the empty Professions and Forms that are in the World that the Lord is still waiting to be Gracious and extending his Patience and Long-suffering that he may convince them humble them and overcome them with his Love and when he corrects and punisheth yet he hath Reserves of Mercy for them if they will repent and turn from Sin and humble themselves under the mighty hands of God that he may in due time exalt them and bring them from under the weight of their Iniquities and the guilt of their transgressions that they may receive mercy for his Name 's sake and for his dear Son's sake This is the Breathing and the Travel of the Souls of a Remnant and we may truly say the Lord hath left a Seed a small Remnant that look to him and trust in him though a People and Nation have sinned against the Lord who otherwise had been as Sodom and Gommorrah if God had not left us a Seed yet for the sake of a little Seed even for the sake of the Worm Jacob that wrestled with him by Prayer and Supplication the Lord hath spared many and waited to be Gracious to them they are truly a People that are a Praying People that have the Advantage of all others yet I do not condemn all forms of Profession there are some that have a secret sincerity and a fear of God and a desire after the Lord that are as Sheep scattered upon the barren Mountains that yet the Lord will gather there are those that have a secret longing and thirsting after the living God that desire to know the things that belong to their Peace There are other Sheep of Christ which are not of this Fold them also will he bring home that they may know where the Green Pastures are and be led by the still waters and find relief and refreshment from the Lord. Therefore all those that the Lord hath gathered and preserved and kept to this moment and helped them and supplied them and continued his mercy to them should be thankful and sensible of his loving kindness that by an Invisible Power hath given them comfort and refreshment while they have been waiting on him let their minds and hearts be still fixed upon the Lord and staid on him and he will preserve them in quientness and peace and they shall know he will shew his Providence with them that their Bread may be sure and their Waters may not fail the Lord will preserve them to the end of their Days in humility and lowlyness wherein they may be capable of Instruction and by his Holy Spirit he will lead them in the way they should walk those that come unto the Lord with weeping and supplication the Lord he will lead them by the Rivers of Water in a plain way where they shall not stumble The Lord our God hath prepared a Sacrifice and he will accept that Sacrifice which is of his own preparing and this I say to a Remnant is a manifest token of his Love God Almighty Preserve you and bless the labours of his Servants among you who labour in the Word and Doctrine and in the Gospel of your Salvation whilst they are among you that you may know the Goodness of the Lord that waiteth to be gracious and have renewed experiences of his Love and observe for your encouragement the tender care he is pleased to manifest towards his Heritage both in this and other places We have great cause humbly to be thankful to our God for what favours we enjoy and to be diligent to make the best Improvement we can of all the Seasons of Grace and opportunities for Working out our own Salvation which the Lord is pleased in his abundant mercy to afford unto us His Prayer after Sermon GLorious and Blessed God who art the God of all Grace and Mercy and of all our helps and Preservations unto this moment thou hast been with us unto this Day we have had thy Gracious presence with us even in the needful time Thou hast gathered us to be a peculiar People unto thee thy presence is the very Life of our meetings and the Beauty and Glory of our Assemblies wherewith from time to time thou hast succoured and relieved and revived thy People whose Eyes have been towards thee and whose expectations have been from thee to be supplied and saved by thy bountiful band those Living Divine and Heavenly supplies wherewith thou hast from time to time Relieved thy People the poor and needy those whose Souls are bowed down in deep Humility in thy sight and presence so that Powerful Father of Life we have great cause to remember thee in thy ways We have cause to fear thee O Lord and to think upon thy Name We desire to wait upon thee and cry to thee and breath after thee and trust in thee We bless thee for the continuance of thy Love and Goodness for thy renewed blessings and multiplied favours we have abundant cause to bless and praise and honour thee O Lord to magnifie thy great and excellent name for thy Love and great Goodness for making bare thy mighty Arm and stretching it forth to help the helpless and to relieve and support the poor and needy whose trust is in thee whose confidence thou hast raised up by thy Power to stand in thy Presence O Righteous Powerful Father of Life Gather thy People more and more into an inward sense and feeling and experience of thy Power and Goodness that their Hearts may be engaged to thy self to walk before thee in an Holy Awe and reverence and with such Sincerity Humility Lowlyness and tenderness of Heart as becomes those that have the enjoyment of thy Presence and as becomes our solemn meeting and appearing before thee from time to time that all thy People who are called by thy Grace who are convinced and persuaded of thy blessed truth may be truly and livingly awakened and stirred up into a sense of thy Glorious Power that they may know what it is to appear before thee and how they ought to come before thee the most glorious and most high and holy God who inhabitest Eternity who dwellest in the highest Heavens and yet hast a place in the lowest Hearts in the Hearts of those that with a true Reverence and holy fear desire to worship thee with such a frame of Spirit and temper of mind and heart as thou requirest in all them that approach thy Presence We beg the influence of thy Grace and Divine Spirit that we may be thereby comforted and refreshed and uouchsafe unto us O Lord such sweet incomes of thy Love and such renewings of thy blessing as may settle and establish our minds and hearts in a sense of thy Goodness and
reached to us Thy Divine Comforts O Lord have been our portion from one day to another and we have tasted thy goodness and our hearts have been deeply affected with it blessed God and Fathe when we consider how thou hast nourished us thy Children and brought us up in troublous times and made a way for us in the Wilderness and a path in the Desart and brought us through the deep waters When we were ready to be overwhelmed when our Souls cried to thee Lord to be present with us then thou hast been near unto us when we have been seeking thy face and thy glory thou hast refreshed us with the light of thy Countenance when we have been walking in thy way thy Banner over us hath been love and Lord out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast brought forth praise and glory to thy self O that all that partake of thy Divine goodness may magnifie and praise thee This hath been our Supplication O Lord from year to year Lord reach to the Nations gather a People under the shadow of thy wings secure them from all dangers and let them have great delight in thy ways and let thy word be sweet to their tast Most tender and everlasting Father of life and God of all grace we humbly intreat thee to gather the Inhabitants of this Island and bring down all haughtiness and pride to the dust and bring all thy people to humility and self abasement before thee the God of glory that the knowledge of the Lord may cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea that thy great Name may be exalted Lord we entreat thee gather together those that are broken and contrite and are as dead and dry bones can these dry bones live Thou knowest O Lord. Shall I ever be capable of praising the Lord saith one by a sense of thy favour to my Soul Lord thou caâ—st reach these and gather to thy self a numberless number that no man can number that everlasting God of Power shall stand before thee without spot and blemish in whose mouths there is no guile Lord encrease the number of those that seek after thee the living Fountain of all goodness with tears flowing from their eyes and sorrow in their hearts Everlasting God of life let the day of our Tranquility be lengthned out and preserve the Land of our Nativity and let no desolation be among us Father of Mercies many have been visited with dreadful Judgments from thy hand in other Nations O preserve this sinful Land and let thy continued mercies and blessings and thy long suffering prevail upon us that we may be turned to thee with all our hearts and cry mightily to thee from one day to another that we may be as so many Jacobs wrestling with thee to the break of the day that thou wouldest bless us and that thy blessing may never depart from this Island O Lord hear the cries of thy People that are seeking thy glory and the good of their own Souls let thy mercy prevail for us and let thy blessing be with all thy Servants that cry to thee we beseech thee for the sake of Jesus Christ let not thine anger be kindled against us least we perish and O Lord let thy judgments which are impendent be diverted and stir up thy People to wrestle with thee with all their Souls that thou wouldest save this Nation that England may live in thy sight cover us under the shadow of thy wings and let the hearts of all thy People be turned to thee and turned from Sin to Righteousness that they may be preserved in thy fear and love and partake of ihe Fountain of life and may be delivered from the snares of death Father of life preserve all thine that have waited on thee thou art a God that changest not therefore we are not consumed Glory Honour and Praise be rendred to thee for all thy love and favour blessings and benefits vouchsafed to us and for all the opportunities which we have had for our Souls break and soften the hearts of all thy Children and kindle in their Souls a Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving that we may say it is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes that we may rejoyce and Triumph in thy great Salvation through Jesus Christ who alone is worthy and God over all blessed for ever and ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. JOHN BOWATER At St. John's-Street March 18. 1693. To as many as have received Christ Jesus the Lord to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Now my Friends they that have believed are to wait to receive his power according to the Exhortation of our Lord Jesus Christ to his Disciples wait until you be endued with a Power from on high Luke 24. 49. Many People make a profession of belief in the Lord Jesus Christ but do not come to know this mighty power to work Sanctification Redemption and Salvation Let all and every one of you be concerned in waiting upon God and attending upon him that you may receive strength and power and ability from him whereby you may be enabled to perform your bounden duty which God requireth of you he hath shewn unto Man what is good and what the Lord requires of him which is to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with God Every one of us that have believed let us wait for power to perform that which may answer the requirings of God that we may receive ability from him to enable us to perform our duty that we may not only be Professors of the blessed truth of God but possessors of it that we may not only be Professors but Possessors of life whereby we may live to God through Jesus Christ and perform our duty acceptably to God It is a blessed to be found in that which gives acacceptance with God now there is no acceptance with God but as we are found in Christ Jesus in him that was the promised Seed whom God promised should break the Serpents head the Serpent beguiled Eve through subtilty Now God promised that the Seed of the Woman that is Christ Jesus should break the Serpents head It is through him that Redemption and Salvation is known It is through Christ Jesus the Mediator between God and Man that Man becomes reconciled to God and no otherwise He tasted Death for every man and he died that he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil It is through Christ the Mediator that we are reconciled to God and for this saith the Apostle was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil Sin in all Ages hath been the work of the Devil and the Devil is the Author of Sin but the Lord Jesus Christ the Mediator he is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him So that whatsoever your Profession may be
the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh Friends you see the Foolish Virgins came when it was too late therefore prize your Day and keep your Watch I cannot but Admire the Mercy of God that hath extended a Day of Grace and favour to us God hath not only striven for a little time but hath continued striving Take heed that you harden nor your Hearts in this Day of your Visitation least it be said to to thee The Harvest is past and the Summer is ended and thou not saved Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure While it is the good pleasure of God to work upon thy Heart give up thy self in Holy Obedience to him even while the good Spirit of God moveth upon the face of the Waters The Day of your Visitation is not yet over yield up your selves to the striving of Gods Spirit that you may be found a willing People in the Day of his Power There is Balm in Gilead there is a Physician of Value there Prize the Love and Mercy and forbearance and long suffering of God and bless God that hath not cut thee off in thy Sin and in the midst of thy Iniquites and that thou hast not thy Portion with Hypocrites where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth His Prayer after Sermon Most Blessed and Holy Lord God thou art full of Grace thou art the same yesterday thou art the same to day and thou remainest the same unchangeable God for ever unchangeable in thy Nature and unchangeable in thy Love Thou hast not said to the Seed of Jacob seek ye my Face in vain Where thy People have been gathered there thy Presence hath been Where two or three have met together in thy Name thou hast been in the midst of them thou hast not been wanting to us when we have called upon thee but hast been a present help unto us in the needful time when we have been under Tryals and Exercises and when Troubles and Temptations have come upon us like a Flood thou hast been with us in all our Conflicts and covered our Heads in the Day of Battle and stood by us and preserved us by thy Almighty Arm. Thou art a Gracious and Merciful God and hast regard to the Work of thy hands We commit our Souls to thee as into the hands of a Faithful Creatour We pray thee watch over us and go a long with us and when we are â— parated from one another Let us not be separed from thee Everlasting God of Glory let thy presence be with us and accompany us and lead us into the way wherein thou wouldest have us to walk and enlarge every one of our â—eaâ—â—s â—o follow hard after thee O Infinite Everlasting God of Glory Prosper thy Servants in tâ—â—r Labours and Travel to whom thou hast given any abilities to speak in thy Name that they may declare thy truth as it is in Jesus and deliver the whole Counsel of God to thy People O Sanctifie those Mercies thou hast vouchsafed to us at this time and the blessed priviledge we have had in meeting together to be partakers of thy Grace and Favour We thank thee for thy unspeakable Love in giving thy Beloved Son to die for us and to Redeem us from all Iniquity We desire to Magnifie and bless thy Name that thou hast drawn near to us when we have drawn near to thee and that thou hast beautified our Assemblies with thy Living Presence We desire in all Humility to Walk before thee with a single Heart and an upright Mind and that we may give thee for all thy Mercies and Blessings through the Son of thy Love the Lord Jesus Christ Praise Honour and Glory and Thanks giving not only at this time but so Ever and Ever for thou alone O Lord art Worthy who art God over all Blessed for ever more Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. WILLIAM PENN Upon occasion of the Death of Mrs. Rebecca Travers an Aged Servant of God June 19 1688. TIMES and Seasons pass away but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever And it is that which hath been the Root of Life to the Heritage of God in all Ages and Generations that from whence their Joy and Hope always sprung that in which their Faith was finished It was their Alpha and it was their Omega In this the Righteous begun and set forth and by this they were preserved in their Heavenly Race till they came to their great end the prize of their High Calling the Heaven of Everlasting Rest after all the Storms and Tempests of time It was this they had their Eye to in the beginning and it was their Joy that opened in the Eternal Word by which they were Quickned and Revived and that caused them to endure to the end without fainting and you shall likewise by patient continuance in well doing in due time Reap if you faint not It was the Word of God to the Children of God of Old and it is his Word in this Day to us you shall Reap if you faint not Blessed are you that are called into the Vineyard you shall have an Everlasting Harvest If you faint not now you shall Reap then What shall you Reap Vanity and Vexation of Spirit and disappointment No you shall Reap Glory Honor Immortality and Eternal Life So Friends though every Day we have Renewed occasions of remembring our latter end yet there is that which never shall have end hath dawned unto us which hath been presented to our View in this glorious day of our Visitation if we lift up our Eyes to it and have regard to it in our rising up and lying down in our going out and coming in and in all we put our hands unto and if we place our Interests and Portion therein then our minds will be established and we shall not be ashamed now nor blush before the Lord hereafter If our Hearts condemn us not we shall have boldness before God So shall all Travellers that have regard to the Word of Truth while they are in their Heavenly Pilgrimage They set their Faces Sion ward and go on not Fainting not Doubting not desponding they have an Eye to the Lord Jesus Christ and have their Hearts kept by that Word that abides for ever Their Belief and Hope is beyond Time fixed upon that which God hath owned to be his Word before the World was and shall be when Time and this World shall be no more The outward Garment which shall be worn while it last shall then be put off Blessed are they that know the White Linnen that which is whole and all of a piece that God giveth to his Children that Love the Lord Jesus in Sincerity who is the Resurrection and the Life He that comes to know and experience this The Second Dâ—ath shall have no Power over him Now this change is not only in
on Eternal Life And Blessed and Heavenly Father for all thy abounding Mercies and Blessings vouchsafed to us and all thy People and for the refreshing we have had from thy Presence in our present Meeting we desire to render Praise Honour Renown and Thanksgiving to thy Great and Excellent Name for thou alone art worthy who art God over all blessed for ever and ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. CHARLES MARSHAL At the Close of a Meeting in Grace-Church-street March 11. 1693. With his Prayer after Sermon My Friends THE Testimony which lives in my Soul at this time is unto the excellency of the Love of God in Christ Jesus which Love is indeed â—ncomprehensible and unspeakable the Love of the Everlasting God through his Beloved Son Christ Jesus which because of the hardness of the Hearts of Men and for want of understanding and of a feeling Heart and of a perceiving mind many of the Children of Men have not the Knowledge of Herein was the greatness and extensiveness of the Love of God unto mankind in sending his Son into the World who came from the Bosom of the Father that he that knew no Sin might be made Sin foâ—us that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him O the Wonderful Mystery of the Incarnation of Christ Jesus Great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh The Professors of this Age have been strangely â—gnorant of it and have been ready to reflect on those that Admire it and have an high esteem of it But blessed be the Lord our God that we can say in Truth that we have an esteem of that one offering of the Eternal Son of God that we can say as the Apostle did in his Day By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified This is that which hath opened upon my Soul this Morning The Lord God of Glory in this Age and Generation hath laid a necessity upon us to Preach Christ under the Denomination of a glorious Light for he is the Light of the World and the only Saviour and so we are to have Faith in him The Apostles made it their Work to persuade the People from Morning to Evening that Jesus was the Christ the true Mesiah that made a good Confession before Pontius Pilate and that he was Crucified Died and Rose again and ascended up into Heaven and sitteth at the Right hand of God and lives for ever to make Intercession for us This was the Labour Travel and Exercise of the Apostles to Preach Christ Crucified and Risen from the Dead But the Jews Assembled with the Chief Priests and Elders to take Counsel together and gave large Money to the Souldiers saying say ye his Disciples came by Night and stole him away while we slept This was the Labour of the Apostles and Servants of the Lord to persuade the People in their Day that Jesus was the Christ and that after he was Crucified and Died he was risen from the Dead but the Jews the Scribes and Pharises they did oppose this and said he was not the Promised Messiah But in process of time through the powerful Preaching of the Gospel the Children of Men did Receive and believe this Testimony that Jesus was the Christ the Eternal Son of God and only Saviour and when the Enemy could no longer withstand that Belief when it came over the Nations then the People were turned about and then there was an Admission of that Belief that Jesus was the Christ and many contented themselves with the bare Name of Christ and with a Profession of the Word without the Power But the Lord of Glory hath raised a People in this Age and Generation as Instruments that might shew forth the Power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Spiritually not thereby denying or not in the least opposing his manifestation bodily which died without the Gates of Jerusalem for this was the end of his manifestation For this purpose saith the Apostle was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil So that now Friends That which opens and lives in my Soul and that which I have to say and demonstrate to you at this time is this That the Lord God of Heaven and Earth hath raised up a People in our Day to Preach Christ under that Denomination that the Servants of the Lord Preached Christ in former Days Ages and Generations They gave testimony on this wise In the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made in him was Life and that Life was the Light of Men and the Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not There was a man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear Witness of that Light that all men through him might believe He was not that Light but was sent to bear Witness of that Light that was the true light that Lighteth every man that cometh into the World he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not He came to his own and his own received him not But as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God to them that believe on his Name Did the Apostle John that gave Testimony of Christ as the Light of the World oppose his Appearance in that Body that was prepared for him of the Father to do his Will in No no more then the Apostle Paul who Preached his Spiritual Appearance and manifestation opposed his bodily Appearance and being manifest in Flesh when he saith The Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that Denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and Godly in this present World No more do we deny or oppose Christ's bodily appearance who Died without the Gates of Jerusalem Though we are misunderstood and misrepresented by many in this Generation The Lord in mercy by his Heavenly power remove this misunderstanding and take away this Vail from the Hearts of the Children of Men and so bring them to a sense and knowledge of the Spiritual Appearance of Christ Jesus and the blessed end of his coming in that blessed body wherein he suffered and tasted Death for every man not that any man might live in Sin because he dyed a Sacrifice for Sin He did not dye for Sin that men should live in Sin but that they might dye to Sin and live to God so likewise we do not Preach any thing opposite to Christs appearance in that blessed Body who was God manifest in the Flesh for therein he wrought Salvation for us He is the Captain of our Salvation and was made Perfect through sufferings He is the First begotten of the Dead the Prince of the Kings
of the Earth that hath loved us and cleanseth us from our Sins â—n his own blood The Lord open the understandings of the Children of men that they may come to know the Excellency of his Life and love When the Lord comes to open and manifest to the Children of Men his great Love in sending his Son out of his Bosom in the fulness of time to dye for us for Christ had a being before the World began when Mens Eyes and Hearts I say are wonderfully opened to see this Love of God then their Hearts will be melted and broken and their prejudices removed and they will be brought to the Obedience and Service of God We own the Doctrine of the Life and Death Resurrection and Ascension and Intercession of Christ Jesus And for any to say we denâ— this how inconsistent is it with what we have Preached and declared and how shameless is it for any to misrepresent or falsely Charge us with the contrary since we have gâ—â—e through many Exercises and suffered many Persecutions Buffetings and Imprisonments for Declaring the Truth as it is in Jesus so that if in this Life only we had hope we were of all men most miserable And if Christ be not risen from the Dead our Preaching is vain and your Faith is also vain We have spoken the Truth according to the Scriptures of Truth yet how have the Children of Men been prejudiced against us How many have been bewildred and led into Errour and into misapprehension concerning what we have plainly declared among you And now to give a little ease to my Spirit I would speak something briefly to you let the Love of God in Christ Jesus extended to you affect your Hearts if you are in the living sense of this love it will engage you to live in Obedience and subjection to this Heavenly Light by which you were brought out of Darkness and Redeemed from Iniquity to be a peculiar People Zealous of good Works It will engage you to live to Christ that died for you and as you know a Translation from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of God's dear Son you will Reap the Fruits and benefits of his Death Resurrection and Ascension and Intercession at God's Right hand The Lord God of Heaven and Earth open all your Hearts that while you have a little time and are on this side the Grave and on this side Eternity you may serve the Lord in your Generation and fulfil his blessed Will and finish the Work which he hath given you to do that you may Glorifie the Name of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who is worthy of all Praise Glory and Renown Worshipâ— Love Service and Obedience who is God over all Blessed for Ever and Ever Amen His Prayer after Sermon MOst Glorious Heavenly and Divine Fountain of Love and Life who hast let us see the beginings of thy Excellent Day and participiate of thy Love in making bare thine Arm of Salvation which thou hast Revealed and made bare in our Age. O God of Glory and Soveraign Lord of Heaven and Earth it is in the Power of thy hand to open the Hearts of thy People as thou didst open the Heart of Lydia that the things that belong to the Peace of every Soul may be seen known and experienced Lord God of Glory our Eyes are unto thee and our Souls are bowed before thee for the shewing of mercy and the handing forth of the blessings which thou promised'st to the Children of Israel by the mouth of thy Holy Prophets That thou living Father of Life wilt bless them in turning every one from their Iniquities and the Evil of thtir ways for Lord God of Life this is greatly wanting both in this City and throughout the whole Nation Thy mercies and Favours have been received by many and thy loving kindness hath extended it self wonderfully O Glorious Fountain of Heavenly Love and Life be pleased to remove that Insensibility that is ready to come over the minds of men that the nearer thy Wrath and Judgments do approach to us by reason of that Inundation of Sin and Wickedness that overflows the Land the less Sense and Apprehension there is of it Lord open the Peoples Eyes and Hearts that they may see and consider the danger of their State and Condition and be humbled for their Sin and seek thy Face and turn to thee with all their Hearts that Glorious God of Life the Souls of thy Children may be affected with thy Goodness Patience and Long-suffering that this may be the blessed effect of thy Goodness that it may lead all to Repentance never to Repented of that we may mourn before thee for the manifold Sins and Transgressions of the Land against thy Divine Majesty That Glorious God of Love and Life we may not again provoke thee to anger O Rend the Vail of Darkness that is spread over this Land that it may not hinder the bright beams of Gospel Light from shining nor the Children of Men from seeing their Spiritual State and Condition Lord God of Life let trembling and astonishment take hold of the wicked that they may have a deep sense of the Sins and Provocations this ungrateful Land is guilty of that they may lament and mourn before thee O Lord O Tender God of Love and Life thy mercy and loving kindness was extended to the Inhabitants of Niniveh that great City wherein were more then Six score thousand persons that could not discern between their Right-hand and their Left Didst thou not enlighten their minds and melt their Hearts when thou hadst a Controversie with them and denounced'st Judgment by thy Prophet against them Did not the Mighty come down from their Seats and the King from his Throne and lay his Robe from him and the Nobles and all the People of the Land did they not all put on Sackcloth and sit in Ashes and mourn before thee and Cry mightily to thee and turned from their evil ways and thou didst turn away thy Wrath and Repent of the Evil which thou saidst thou wouldst do unto them and didst it not but extended'st thy mercy and favour to them and saved'st them with a great Salvation Blessed Lord thou art our God O save us for we have none in Heaven but thee and none upon Earth that we can desire in Comparison of thee we have none to make our moan to but thy self our Eyes and Hearts are towards thee Let us hearken to thy Counsel and turn at thy Reproof and let sorrow take hold of their Hearts thaâ— have rejected thy Favours and Mercies O give Repentance unto Life that thy wrath may not wax hoâ— against the Nation and the Inhabitants thereof and that thy Fury and Jealousie may not Consume and burn them up O make them sensible of the Sins that have been committed and of the misery they have deserved that they may come to thee for Pardon and Reconciliation with thee through the Lord Jesus
we know a perserving and holding on in thy way Living Father we pray thee let us feel every day the Conduct of thy Grace and good Spirit that we may admire thy love and praise and glorifie thy great and excellent Name O Powerful God thou blessest the Assemblies of thy People that meet together in the Name of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ for the enjoyment of thy Comfortable Presence Lord blessand Prosper all the Meetings of thy People every where and the labours of those whose mouths thou hast opened to refresh the sorrowful and to bring glad tidings to the poor distressed Needy and weary Souls that would be glad of Rest and deliverance and those in whom thou raisest desires and breathings after the knowledge of thee and thy blessed ways Lord bear up the Hearts of those and strengthen all those good desires and breathings which thou hast begotten in any that they may come to the know ledge of that blessed Rest where thou makest thy Flock to lie down at Noon and feedest them with living Bread and openest a living Fountain to refesh and satisfie their thirsty Souls that they may praise thy great an excellent Name which is pure and precious above every Name Thou hast brought many to the knowledge of it Let thy Truth be exalted and thy Everlasting Gospel be still Preached in the Land of our Nativity and in other Nations for the Day of Grace the time of love is now come and the Day of thy Power is broken out in the midst of us Arise O Lord in thy Power more and more and send forth thy Light and thy Truth that many may be Called and Converted and brought from far from the utmost ends of the Earth to the knowledge of thy self and thy Son Jesus Christ whom to know is Life Eternal and let many arise and praise thy excellent and Glorious Name from the Rising of the Sun to the going down thereof Blessed Father of Life make thy Dear Son Christ more and more known to the World that they may be no longer Enemies but be reconciled to thee by Jesus the Great Mediatour of the New Covenant Lord the way is thine and the work is thine Let truth and Righteousness be brought in more and more and bring down the Kingdom and Man of Sin and the Power of Darkness and make thy Jerusalem the Praise of the Earth We have seen the beginnings of thy glorious Work and the light of thy glorious Heavenly Day thou hast raised and brought in many to walk in the Light and to love thy Holy ways blessed Father of Life our Eyes are unto thee and our dependance is upon thee Whom have we in Heaven but thee And there is none upon Earth that we can desire in comparison of thee Therefore our cry is What shall we do in this World without the enjoyment of thy self In thy presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right Hand are pleasures for evermore Lord thou hast afforded us thy refreshing presence in this our Solemn Meeting Glory and Honor and Living Praises ascend to thy Name which is as a precious Ointment poured forth therefore our Souls do love thee O thou that didst open the Heart of Lydea open the Hearts of all thy People before thee that they may go away with a sense of thy love and kindness towards them Blessed Father of Mercies bless this opportunity to us all that are here before thee and extend thy blessing to the Meetings and Assemblies of all thy People where ever they are one may Plant and another Water but the increase is from thee Our Eyes are towards thee we wait upon thee whether can we go but unto thee who hast the Words of Eternal Life Lord God of Life go a long with us when we are separated one from another and let the sense of thy mercy remain upon our Spirits and be an obligation upon us to walk in Faithfulness Meekness and Humility before thee that being led by by Spirit we may when we have finished our Pilgrimage lay down our Heads in Peace and know an abundant entrance into that Everlasting Kingdom which thou hast prepared for them that love and fear thee And for thy Mercies and Favours Benefits and Blessings which thou hast made us partakers of in and through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Dear Son and our alone Mediatour all living Praises and Glory be rendered to thee for thou alone art worthy who art God over all Blessed for Ever Amen A SERMON Preached by Mr. JOHN VAUGHTON At Grace-Church street April 1st 1694. IT is a great mercy and kindness that God hath been pleased to open the way of Life and Salvation unto the Souls of many People that in this our Day and generation were in great distress for want of the knowledge of it and this knowledge is given unto us through the blessed appearance and Revelation of the Power and Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to which my Friends Blessed be the Name of the Lord we have been turned in our Day and Generation For the Message and Testimony that God raised up his Servants to bear among us in our Day and time who came in the Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ having been made the Monuments of Gods mercy through Faith in him that died for our Sins and rose again for our Justification That Blessed message and Testimony which they bare among us was in the Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus For they came indeed to Preach the Gospel of Life and Salvation and the way they took to Preach the Gospel to us in our Day was the same way that the Holy Apostle Paul in his Day was sent to Preach the Gospel who said we are sent of God To turn People from Darkness unto Light and from the power of Satan unto God The Holy Apostle he proposed the end for which they were sent to turn the Sons and Daughters of Men from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan to the Power of God that they might receive remission of Sins and an Inheritance among them which are Sanctified through Faith which is in Christ Jesus O Friends This Faith in Christ it is a living Faith it is a Faith of the operation of God God worketh it in us by his own Spirit and Power there are many that pretend to have Faith in Christ that are strangers to the operation of the Power and Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and so do not know nor are made partakers of that Faith which worketh by Love that giveth them Victory over the World and preserveth them and keepeth them out of the Evil of the World Now Friends it is my desire that you may turn from Darkness unto Lighâ— That you may all believe in Christ and walk in him that you may be sensible that the Blood of Jesus Christ the Dear and Blessed Son of God cleanseth from
of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever Therefore see to it you that make a profession of it see that as you have received the Lord Jesus Christ you walk as he walked that you live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh that you live not in malice envy or bitterness and so grieve the good Spirit of God and bring a burthen upon the Souls of the Righteous We that are come to the sight and vision of Heavenly things and have the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God opened to us we are come to be Partakers of the gift of Charity which is a more excellent way if this be wanting all is wanting what doth the Apostle say though I speak with the Tongue of Men and of Angels and have not Charity I am become as sounding-Brass or a Tinkling Cymbal and though I have the gift of Prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have alâ— Faith so that I could remove Mountains and have no Charity I am nothing and though I bestow all my Goods to the Poor and though I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profits me nothing These things have been often said and declared to you Friends and I have now this General Testimony to give in the dread and fear of the Lord God They that love God above all will Love their Neighbour as themselves they will love those that are the Friends of God and of his People nay it is a duty incumbent on them A New Commandment saith our Saviour I give unto you that ye love one another as I have lovtd you that ye also love one another By this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another And we are not only to love one another but to love our Enemies this our Lord Jesus Christ commandeth us Mat. 5. 44. But I say unto you love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you that ye may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he causeth his Sun to shine on the evil and on the good and sendeth Rain on the just and on the unjust Now my Friends that you may keep in this love of God and love to one another it is the desire and breathing of my Soul That so your Faith may stand not in the wisdom of Mens words but in the power of God this power will bring down every high thought and imagination into subjection and obedience to Christ that we may walk before bim to all well pleasing that when we come to die we may lay down our heads in peace and be found of him in peace without spot and blameless and at the end of our days we may receive the end of our Faith the Salvation of our Immortal Souls Friends to the Grace of God I commend you the Lord God of life preserve and keep you that you may be safe in the hands of God and abide under the shadow of his wing and be surrounded with his Almighty Arm which hath hitherto preserved us in all our Solemn Meetings and Assemblies when the Enemies of Gods truth have risen up against us The remembrance of it should be sweet and pleasant to us When the floods of the Vngodly were mustred up against us and sometimes halled us out of our Meetings to Goals and Prisons for bearing Testimony to the Truth of God in our day O the sweet and comfortable presence of the Lord that then attended us and blessed be his Name he waited to be gracious to us and did work manifold Deliverances for us and Praise and Glory be given to the Eternal and Almighty God whose Divine Power and Providence hath brought a calm over the Nation so that now we enjoy our Meetings without Trouble and Molestation O that we may be sensible of the wonderful Love and Mercy of God to us And Friends it greatly concerns us to be careful in the whole course of our Lives that we may not give any occasion for the obstructing or hazarding of the present Peace and Liberty we enjoy O there should be a serious care and tender regard to Gods Glory and the Honour of his Great and Excellent Name and also a care and concern for the Reputation of our Religion and Religious Societies that none may have any occasion or just ground to bespatter and reproach us and render us odious to the Government under which we live Blessed be the Name of the Lord for the freedom and quiet Seasons we enjoy and that are continued by the Mighty Arm and Power of the Lord let all our Souls bow before him and let us walk and live in a continual subjection to his Divine Wisdom and Will that our Souls may be all bound up in the bundle of Life that we may serve the Lord with sincerity and perrserverance to the end of our days that then an abundant entrance may be Ministred to us into the everlasting Kindom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ His Prayer after Sermon GLorious God of Life the Visitations of thy Love in thy Day of Grace and Salvation are very sweet and precious to the Souls of thy Children O Lord we have cause to bless thy Name that thou hast extended a Day of Mercy to us a Day wherein thou art visiting the Sons and Daughters of Men a Day wherein thou hast caused the Heavenly Divine Light of thy Son Christ Jesus to shine into our Hearts Thou hast given a Remnant to believe in it the Eyes of our Vnderstandings have been opened by it and wehave come to see and partake of the Visitations of thy tender Love to our Immortal Souls O the shining of this Divine Light hath made us see our way out of Darkness and the Day of thy Glorious Power hath Dawned upon us when many have been in the Region and Shaddow of Death And thou hast manifested thy Loving kindness to the Souls of men in and through our Lord Jesus Christ O Lord be thou graciously pleased to be nigh to thy People Preserve them and Guide them in thy Way the Way of Holiness and Righteousness which thou hast led them into O that they may Perservere therein and obtain Salvation to their Immortal Souls O Eternal God of Life and Glory we humbly pray thee send forth thy Light and thy Truth and open the Eyes of the Vnderstandings of the Sons and Daughters of Men and make them willing in this thy Day to embrace the Appearance of the Dear Son of thy Love in the shinings of his Light and Grace and Truth in their Hearts that they may be Sanctified and Purified and made
we desire but we are even like to poor Israel when they had forgotten the Lord when they had been cleaving to that that led them in the steps the end whereof was destruction The Lord thus complained by his Prophet O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but thy help is in me And O Friends what greater love could the Lord God have shewn to the lost Sons of Adam then to have sent his Son his only begotten Son from the bosom of his Heavenly Love to Redeem Man up to God again to restore Man again and bring him back again out of that alienated state and out of that undone condition that he was fallen into by his disobedience and transgression against the Lord God hath hath laid help upon one that is Mighty Mighty to save Is there any poor Soul here this day that wants the Salvation of God that wants to be saved from Sin that so it may be saved from Hell saved from woe saved from distress saved from misery O come and lay hold on him by Faith that God hath laid help upon My Friends Turn your Minds inward this day have an eye and aâ—â—egard in your selves to that pure and Divine Manifestation of his Light and Grace and Spirit vouchsafed to you in that Light look unto him Holy Men and Holy Women Godly Men and Godly Women waired for this in the days of old and one of them expressed his joy and satisfaction even Old Simeon when he saw the Lord Jesus Christ brought into the Temple he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all People a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy People Israel that he might be for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Now here Simeon beheld and saw that which he long waited for and desired after and he had this manifested to him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ he saw him and beheld him that he might see he was come So some Souls at this day that are now under another dispensation they have waited long and cry'd to the Lord and said Lord when will the time come when will the day come that thou wilt open to me that which my Soul hath longed for Lord I have sinned against thee when will the time come that I shall have help and power against sin and find strength against sin and receive power from on high against my sins and to resist and overcome Temptations and obtain thy favour and through Jesus Christ be reconciled to thee whom I have offended Friends You that have long waited for the Consolation of God's Israel hold fast your hope keep your confidence unto the end keep your Faith and Patience Remember the words of Christ to the Church of Philadelphia These things saith he that is holy and true thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denyed my name because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the Earth My Friends The hour of Tribulation is coming apace and hastning it is even at the very door therefore lay hold on Christ that God hath laid help upon O my Friends that you may find this help extended to you in this day of your Trial and Temptation that they that are the hindmost of the Flock may come up the poor in Spirit that are poor in body too they that are groaning and crying and mourning in solitary places that they may come according to the words of Christ into his John 10. 16. And other Sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one Fold and one Shepherd This one Shepherd is present here my Friends pray here his voice this Afternoon his voice is sweet and lovely and pierceth the very heart it calls upon you Open to me my well-beloved It calls you out of sin and out of iniquity and out of that which offends the Lord O Friends this Voice calls open to me my Beloved you that are turned from this World from the love of Vanities and Pleasures from those vain delights that perish in the using and the desire of your hearts is that you may be more acquainted with him that is the good Shepherd of your Souls that saith I call mine own Sheep by Name blessed be you that have this new Name I go before them and they follow me and I will give to them Eternal Life saith Christ what greater gift can you have what better reward can you have you that have the help of the Lord you that have the strength of the Almighty you that have your dependance upon him you that can truly say the Lord hath laid help upon one that is mighty I feel his Mighty Arm and his Mighty Power that hath helped me and overcome great things that I thought I could never overcome Open the door of thy heart saith Christ and I will overcome that by which thou hast been overcome All praise glory and thanksgiving be returned through Christ to the Living God and Father of all O My Friends feel your Minds gathered into a sense of Gods love into a pure exercise of his Heavenly life and love that in this we may go on and travel together that in this we may be exercised together for the Glory of God and the good and peace and welfare of one another Friends God's care is over his People his Divine Providence is daily extended towards them in a plentiful and wonderful manner There is one promise of the Lord that comes into the view of my Mind even that promise made to them in ancient times My People shall dwell in a sure dwelling and shall rest in a quiet habitation Let us pray that every one of us may be in the number of God's People that have a sure dwelling for my Friends great disappointments great exercises and trouble will overtake the Habitations of the Wicked that are hard hearted and forgetters of God Let us keep humble and tender and reverent in the sight of the God of Heaven all our strength will fail us and all our own wisdom if we do not keep faithful to him that God hath laid help upon What are we poor Worms in Comparison of the Almighty he can do in Heaven and Earth whatsoever he pleaseth Man is to be wrought upon according to his Divine will and pleasure we are to submit to him and to be resigned and given up to the Lord God of Heaven and Earth and to lie low before him and to come to that in practice which People have been speaking of in words It is part of that
Prayer that our Blessed Lord taught his Followers and Disciples wherein he said thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven There is no Man or Woman can really come to Christ but those that have their Wills submitted to the will of God this is the will of God your sanctification it is the will of God that we should all be sanctified that we should be holy and pure then the blessing of the God of Heaven will be upon us Among the many blessings that Christ uttered on the Mountain one was this Blessed are the pure is heart for they shall see God it doth bespeak this that the sight of God shall be very clear to those that are pure in heart that come to have their hearts and minds subjected to the will of God for he worketh in them both to will and to do according to his good pleasure O then they shall know the vertue of this purity of heart they shall see God O how precious a thing is it to have that purity that can behold the Lord no confession of acknowledgment will be sufficient Thus it was when Nicodemus a Pharisee and a a Ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night he said unto him Rabbi we know that thou art a Teacher come from God for no Man can do these Miracles that thou dost except God be with him here was a large Confession that Christ was the Teacher of the way of God aright yet that would not serve for Jesus answered and said unto him except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Friends It is a near word that should come home to us and Convince us of this truth of God that we fall short not of this Regeneration and of having our hearts and spirits renewed by the God of Heaven except we be born again we cannot see the Kingdom of God This New Birth is that by which the Blessings of the God of Heaven are conveyed to the Soul and that through the Lord Jesus Christ God hath sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our Iniquities and from the evil of our ways from our Sin and Vanity from our Corruption and Wickedness to the pure everlasting God They know it to be thus that come to fear God and be partakers of that Wisdom that leads to Righteousness Prov. 8. 20. I Wisdom lead in the way of Righteousness in the midst of the Paths of Judgment that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their Treasures Can the Treasure of any heart be better filled O That these words of Wisdom might take impression upon every one of your hearts that you might feel the love of the Mighty God shed abroad upon your hearts by the Holy Ghost that your desires and breathings may ascend like Incense and be a sweet smelling Sacrifice to the Lord this evening O that every one was so qualified as to Worship the Living God aright that in the conclusion of this Meeting every ones heart may burn within them and may come with tender breathings and inflamed affections unto Gods Altar and find acceptance My Friends the goodness of the Lord hath been very great towards you and his Long suffering and patience hath been largely extended he willeth not the death of a Sinner but desires that they should Repent return and live As I live saith the Lord I delight not in the death of a Sinner turn you turn you from your evil ways why will ye die O House of Isael Now if thou sayst I would fain turn from the evil of my ways I would fain have power and strength to do good and overcome evil then come to him that is mighty upon whom God hath laid help who is able to save to the the uâ—termost not from one or two sins only but from all Pollution and Wickedness in all those that come unto God by him I am God Almighty saith God to Abraham a faithful Servant that followed him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect But say some that is impossible but pray consider God hath laid help upon one that is mighty and thou mayst do all things through Christ that strengthens thee By his Divine Power working in thy heart he can effect that work in thee which thou canst not do in thy own strength that work which he will accept of the work of Righteousness Holiness and Purity in which State the Blessing of the God of Heaven is conveyed to thy Soul Blessed are the Pure in Heart for they shall see God their eyes being opened to look unto him in whom Salvation is In vain do Men look for Help and Salvation from the Hills and from the Mountains Look unto me saith the Lord and be saved all ye ends of the Earth Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord I change not therefore the Sons of Jacob are not consumed O here is a good encouragement for you who are wrestling with the Lord God to receive a Blessing from his Divine hand here is good encouragement for you to wrestle Jocob was a Wrestler and he Wrestled with God and as a Prince he prevailed and he said I will not let thee go except thou bless me Will you be Wrestlers with the God of Heaven for a blessing from his Divine hand Labour to be gathered with a pure mind into the will of God as humble lowly and meek Creatures submitting your selves to him being sensible of your unworthiness and that you are less than the least of all his Mercies Say Lord what am I that thou shouldest be mindful of me What I have received thou gavest me I have no breath no good thing but what thou gavest me I depend on thee for all and will give thee the praise of all that I have and hope for Thus you must labour to keep your selves humble meek and tender and in a self-denying frame that you may be fit to follow the Lord Jesus who invites such to come to him Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your Souls for my Yoke is easie and my Burthen is light Learn of me saith Christ for I am meek and lowly It is as if he had said be you so too learn that Lesson and you shall find rest to your Souls What more excellent Reward then to have peace with the Eternal God and not only so but in all our Tryals Afflictions and Exercises in this Life to be kept in a quiet and peaceable frame when the Soul can throw it self upon God and say Lord I will cast all my care upon thee for thou carest for me My Friends Look unto the Lord there will be great need for it many have been the warnings given to the Inhabitants of this Nation and of
this City of the dreadful Judgments of God that he will certainly bring upon the wicked and hard-hearted and upon the stiffnecked and Rebellious and I hope that through the Divine workings of the Divine Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ and through his Divine and Heavenly light that hath attended these warnings and testimonies many will be stirred up to Repentance And I have this more to say that the Lord God in the opening of his Divine Word hath commanded me This say to my People in the City of London and elsewhere where I have ordered thy Lot Be of believing hearts for the Vials of my wrath shall be poured out upon the Transgressors Therefore charge the Daughters of Sion that they touch not with the Daughters of Babylon and tell them that if they partake with them in their Sins they shall partake with them in their Plagues and in the punishments that God will pour down and execute upon the workers of Iniquity and greater will be their Condemnation if they do not repent and believe than of those that have not had such opportunities Therefore Children of Sion look unto the Lord Jesus Christ that Mighty one upon whom help is laid in whom is Divine strength and Power and from whom you may have Divine Assistance that we may perform the good that is required at our hands and that is incumbent upon us and that we owe to our Creator that we may Worship him from day to day and from one time to another they that perform this service in the strength of Christ they will feel the savour of his life upon them and find the sweetness of joy and peace in their Souls and when we are in our Imployments and Callings and Business we shall feel the savour of Divine Life going along with us and in all our Converse and Communion one with another and in our Families we shall instruct and correct and direct our Children and bring them up in the fear of the Lord that they may not do as the Children of Israel when some of their Judges were dead every one did that which was right in their own eyes Let them do what they will saith Joshua chuse you this day whom you will serve as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. O get your wills subjected to the will of God that you may obey his Righteous Law and feel your selves engaged in his service and have the powerful working of his Holy Spirit in your Souls God will by his own Almighty Arm and Heavenly Grace enable you to do what he requires and is pleasing in his sight he will work in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure By Grace ye are saved saith the Apostle not of your selves it is the gift of God To this Divine Gift we are all recommended Now the Lord God Almighty gather you all into a sense of it The Apostle when he wrote to the Churches he committed them to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ for Guiding and Governing them in the whole course of their Conversations that they might live in the pure fear and love of God and obedience to him and in Love and Concord one with another that God in all things may be glorified and Praise and Honour and Thanks givings may be offered up to him through Jesus Christ his Beloved Son and our alone Saviour who alone is worthy who is God over all Blessed for ever and ever Amen The Prayer after Sermon BLessed God of Life who art the Fountain of all our Mercies the God from whom we receive all the good we enjoy our eyes are unto thee and we wait and attend upon thee thou art pleased O Lord to give unto us all things that we stand in need of which should engage us always to have an eye unto thee for thou never failest any that put their trust in thee many a time O Lord have thy People cryed to thee in the sense of their wants and have bowed before thee and lifted up their supplications to thee and Lord thou hast had regard to them many a time and for the cry of the Poor and the groaning of the distressed thou hast risen and been a present help unto them So that O Lord we have had encouragement from time to time to draw near to thee for that thou dost appear in the midst of the Assemblies of thy People that do meet together in thy Name and in thy Holy fear O Powerful Father of Life we have cause to bless thy Name for that we have had a real tast of thy Goodnefs and of thy Mercy to our Souls Thou O Lord it was that didst appear in the time of thy Love and visitedst the Souls of many that were strangers unto thee and unacquainted with the way of Life and Salvation Thou O Lord it was that hadst mercy upon us in the day when there was none to help us when there was none that could save and deliver then didst thou make bare thy Almighty Arm and didst bring many to the knowledge of thy living way and all thine whose eyes have been to thee thou hast Crowned them with thy loving kindness and tender mercy Praises Praises be to thy Great and Excellent Name who livest for ever and for evermore Living God of Life let all thine be preserved by thy Eternal Arm of Power that they may live in the World to the Honour of thy Great Name Powerful God of Life our eyes are unto thee and thou hast given us to see thee and to have the light of thy Countenance lifted up upâ—n us Father of Mercies we are not able to keep our selves and preserve our selves but the eyes of all thine are unto thee that they may be acquainted with thee and have that Divine help and strength which thou affordest to thy People and to thy Children that they may be enabled to run on in that Race that thou hast set before them that at the end of their days they may come to lay down their heads in peace and have an abundant entrance into that Everlasting Kingdom which thou hast prepared for those that love and fear thy Name Blessed God of Life be with all thy People here and every where draw off their minds from the love of this World and the Spirit of it that they may be brought nearer and nearer to thee in their Love and Affections Blessed God of Life we have been waiting upon thee and thou hast graciously appeared in the midst of us blessed be thy Name Thy living presence is the comfort of all thine that wait upon thee How poor and empty and hungry and thirsty have we come into thy presence yet thou dost not send us empty away but thou hast filled the hungry with good things and opened a Living Fountain that the Thirsty Souls have known the Drinking of Our Souls are constrained to offer Praises to thee this Evening that we have found Comfort and Refreshment from thy Blessed Presence Lord God of Life go along with us and bless us and keep us in the fear of thy Holy Name that we may live in the World to the praise of thy Name Lord bless the present opportunity to all that are here before thee that we may go away rejoycing in the sense of thy love and goodness to us and be engaged to walk in humility before thee Lord let our cry come up to thee keep us every day and preserve us and pity and help all those that are crying to thee that are under Exercises Temptations Afflictions Tryals and Weaknesses of Body and Mind Be near to them to help them in their distress and save and deliver them and us from the Enemy of our Souls that goes about like a Roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour O Powerful God of Life be with all thine every where and bless them and keep them while they are in the World from the evil of it that Living Father of Life both they and we for all thy Mercies and Blessings which in the dear Son of thy Love thou hast bestowed upon us from time to time may render Living Praises unto thee And for thy affording us thy Presence at this time and for all the Seasons and Opportunities we have enjoyed for the benefit and advantage of our Immortal Souls we desire to return thee Praise Honour and Glory through thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ in whom thou art well pleased for thou alone art Worthy Worthy Worthy who art God over all blessed in thy self for ever and evermore Amen FINIS ADVERTISEMENT There is newly Publish'd THE General History of Earthquakes or An Account of the most Remarkable and Tremendous Earthquakes that have happened in divers parts of the World from the Creation to this time and particularly those lately in Naples Smrrna Jamaica England and Sicily With a Discription of the famous Burning Mount Aetna and the several dreadful Conslagrations thereof for many Ages To which is added an Appendix containing several other late strange Accidents and Occurences As I. A Surprizing Account of Angels Singing Psalms In the Air over the Ruins of the Protestant Church at Orthez a City in the Province of Bearne and other places in France in the year 1686. with the Words they Sang in the hearing of many hundred Auditors at once Papists as well as Protestants II. The Life of a Great Person of near an Hundred years old who is now an Hermit in a Forrest in France with the Devotions Cloathing Diet and Subsistance of him and his Companions c. III. The wonderful Army of Locusts or Grashoppers that were seen near Breslaw in Silesia Septemb. 7. 1693. and in other parts of Germany which in their March took up 16. Miles devouring every Green thing IV. Three Miraculous Cures wrought by Faith in Christ in 1693. As 1. Of Mary Maillard the French Girl suddenly healed of an extream Lameness 2. The Wife of Mr. Savage Cured of a Lame Hand 3. A Shepperd near Hitchin in Nartfordshire instantly healed of the Kings Evil under which he had languished Twenty Years Price one shilling FINIS
in him and that are sincerely devoted to his service and fear and that walk in humility before him and this my Friends is matter of weighty and tender concernment upon my Spirit to mind all of you that come to our Meetings and hear the Truth declared from time to time that you seriously consider the great work that the Lord is about to bring to pass that every one should wait for that they may feel his Mighty Power preparing their hearts for himself and raising up Breathings and Supplications to him that is a God hearing Prayers that are offered in uprightness and sincerity from a broken heart and a contrite Spirit which are Sacrifices that the Lord hath regard to And as it was said of Old when Manoah took a Kid asith a Meat Offering and offerâ—d it upou a Rock unto the Lord and the Angel did wondrously and Manoah and his Wife looked on for it came to pass when the flame went up toward Heaven from off the Altar that the Angel os the Lâ—rd ascended in the Flame of the Altar and Manoah and his Wife looked on and fell on their faces to the ground and Manoah said to his Wife we shall surely die because we have seen God But his Wife said unto him if the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a Burnt-Offering and a Meat-Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things He would not have manifested so great Love to us surely a Remnant may say at this day from a sense of the great things that the Lord hath shewn us and of his blessed Power working in their hearts and inward parts a tenderdess and subjection to him that we owe obedience to the Lord and we believe that the Lord intends good to his People in that he will exalt his Name in us and prosper his own work of Righteousness that Righteousness may be exalted that many may come to behold the great things and the worthy things which the Lord our God will bring to pass in our Day These things have been foretold for the encouragement and for the strengthning of the Faith of those whose Faces are Sion-ward whose eyes are turned towards the Lord their Maker who have tasted in some measure of the Power and of the Goodness of the Lord our God that they may continue in the Faith whereby their hearts may be drawn after the Lord that those who have been made partakers of the true and living Faith of the Son of God in his Name and Power may keep the Faith and not let go the Faith that they may hold fast the Profession of their Faith without wavering that the Enemy may not be suffered upon any account either to weaken or destroy the Faith of any who have known some degree of Faith in the work of God and concerning his Goodness and special care and Providence for the safety and for the preservation of them that fear him who are the called of the Lord who are chosen out of the World and out of the corruptions of it that they may be a living and a peculiar People and a chosen Generation to shew forth the praise of him that hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light He hath called us and chosen us for that very end that in our Lives and Conversations we might answer his Call of Grace and the truth that we are made partakers of and thereby shew forth his praise and such now have cause to bless the Lord and praise his Holy Name for all his Mercies for preserving of them and helping them in their Way and in their Spiritual Journey and Progress that they are brought into Therefore dear Friends be ye concerned and be inward with the Lord and attend upon him without distraction that nothing may hurry discompose nor distract your minds or turn them about from the Faith trust and Confidence you have in the Lord which he hath gathered his People into that every one may be exercised in a Watchful state and in Lowlyness and Humility and look unto and depend upon the Lord for strength for help and Power to enable us to stand against all the Wiles of Satan that none may be led into any extream from the sense of Truth and from a feeling of that Power that doth prepare the Heart for God and fix it upon him That none may be drawn out either into carelesness negligence slothfulness or presumption on the one hand or into diffidence distrustfulness or despair on the other but that all may look unto Jesus who is the Author and finisher of their Faith that they may be sensible of the benefits of his Death on Earth and of his Intercession in Heaven of the Effect and benefit of his Prayer unto the Father that their Faith when they shall be tryed and tempted may not fail that all may witness and partake of this that he told unto Peter I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Satan hath desired to Winnow thee to toss thee and blow thee about but I have prayed for thee that thy Faith may not fail So my Friends and Friendly People let your Faith stand in that Power that hath gathered you in that Arm of the Lord that he hath made bare and stretched forth to bring a People to himself that every one may live by Faith and have their dependance upon the Lord for strength and for relief that they may partake of the immediate influence of his Spirit which he he is ready to Minister and Communicate to those that are given up to serve the Lord that your Prayers and Supplications may be in the Spirit to that God that poureth out a Spirit of Grace and Supplication upon his People and he is daily pouring out his Holy Spirit upon his People that their Prayers and supplications may reach to him who is a God hearing Prayers That they may be prevalent with God for the Preservation of themselves and others and for the good of all Nations that they may awaken many to repent and seek the Lord whil he may be found and call upon him while he is near that they may be turned from the evil of their ways and from the many Provocations whereby the Inhabitants of the Earth have greatly incurred the Displeasure of God and that they may be sensible how ready the Lord is to turn away his wrath from them This is the desire of the Hearts and Souls of a Remnant on the behalf of many whom the Lord will yet visit and reach unto and call out of the dark ways and by Paths of Sin and Corruption that they may be brought into a Capacity to know the way of Truth and Righteousness and Peace And my Friends while People are sensible that there are true breathings and desires after God and that there is a particular Travel of Soul for the good of a Nation and for the converting of Sinners from the Evil