the sphericall Zones Could he not onely wish for with Alexander but also obtaine other worlds as an immeasurable addition to his former inheritance yet is there no more comparison betwixt this onely imagined soveraignty and the reall inheritance of Gods children then there is betwixt corruption and incorruption pollution and perfit purity lasting eternity and a fading moment heavenly treasure and earthly trash 1. Pet. 1. 4. To an inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in the heavens 6. Parents provide marriages for theit children Even so 6. Marriage the Lord of heaven hath provided such an husbād for his children That if all the renowned excellencies of all mankind from Adam to the dreadfull day of judgement and of all angelicall beings which are and have bene were confer'd upon on men His comely feature should be hatefull deformity his amiable beauty loathsome ilfavourdnesse his quick-witted understanding blockish ignorance his angeliall eloquence rude barbarisme and his other perfections meere frailties in respect of those extraordinary transcendencies of Christ Iesus the husband of Gods children Rev. 19. 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Duty 1. Saints must love God IF God he our father we ought to love him Not onely Duty 1. doth Religion command children to love their parents but also nature it selfe requireth this duty some therefore derive Pilius of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifying a sonne of a greeke word which signifieth a lover And I verily thinke this being so much talked off and practised in conceipted ostentation few which heare me this day thinke I need tell them they ought to love God nor perswade them to put the same in practise The simplest here present beeing ready to say though they come to the Church for fashion sake as their neighbours doe although they are not very bookish although they give little eare to the Word of God preached yet they know as much as the best preacher can tell them they knowing that they must love God above all and their neighbour as themselves and this they doe or else it is pittie they should live Loath I am to have you spend time to no purpose much lesse at a Sermon for if all words should be gracious much more of a Minister in publique to a congregation as from God And therefore did I not thinke it more then needfull to perswade you to love God Did I not heare painted sepulchers satanicall lyars and other cursed impes of that damned Apostata say theylove God Did I see him lou'd in deed as well as in word in truth as in tongue in practise as in profession I would willingly have spent my paines about some filiall duty lesse thought upon then on this so much talked of yet little practised For if we but inquire at the oracle of this our father we shall find recorded in indelible characters that such who truly love God Hate that which is evill Psal 97. 10. Signes 1. 2. Keepe Gods commandements Exod. 20. 6. Ioh. 15. 10. sc sincerely although imperfectly desiring and endeavouring to performe things commanded Behave themselves conscionably in their calling Ioh. 21. 15. Conforme themselves to God 1. Ioh. 4. 17. being followers of him as deare children Love not the world 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Love truely Gods children 1. Ioh. 4. 20. Often thinke upon God as their chiefest treasure Mat. 6. 21. And love Christs appearing or comming to judgement 2. Tim 4. 8. Iam. 1. 12. And then having surveyed-with a carefull inquisitive view the carriages and conditions of most men I much feare after a diligent scrutiny 1. We having compared such who detest sinne because its a breach of Gods law and therefore eschue and flie from it as from a serpent With those who thirst after impiety as greedily as the chased deare after the water brookes or the gaping earth after the dew of heaven and solace themselues with as great delectation in silthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse as Leviathan in the restlesse Ocean 2. Such who keepe Gods commandements with sincerity of heart they to the vtmost of their power leaving undone all evill forbidden and doing all good duties commanded not for any sinister aime or by-respect but for the Lords sake because he hath commanded these and forbidden those and being universall in this their obedience neither appliable like the starre Mercury to every adjacent nor the turning weather cocke hurried about with every blast of contrary winde remaining the same in all companies places and at all times like the greene ivi◠keeping the same colour in the sharpest winter that it hath in the pleasant summer With those who no whit regard those sacred lawes written with the finger of the worlds creator and those who unequally and unjustly share their obedience betwixt the Lord and his grand enemie the devill such who have their changeable suites sometimes seeming to observe Gods commandements for sinister respects otherwhiles namely in secret and amidst their villanous complices no whit regarding those divine and more then angelicall direction 3. Compare we those who walke conscionably in their callings being carefull to have the soules of their children and servants deck'd with the invaluable robes of Christs Righteousnesse nourished and strengthened with the food of eternall life With that carelesse company which regard no more so that they be of comely feature neately trimd finely fedde of liberall education and richly provided for and those vilest of men who by their wicked examples staine their purest times with the blackest dye of hellish impieties Sathans cognisance feeding their immortall soules with the damned art of swearing lying cursing and such like venome and poyson of Aspes 4. Those who conforme themselves to the glorious example of our heavenly father doing their vtmost devoir that they may be holy pure perfect and mercifull as their father in heaven is With that degenerating company of men which will doe the lusts of the divell Could we segregate those which are crucified to the world and have it crucified to them and although they love the good creatures and gifts of God yet it is neither preposterously irreligiously nor unequally but in order sc first God then godlinesse then good men enemies then profit then pleasure 6 Those whose hearts are fast glued to the Lord Iehouah and his crownes of immortality as their only treasure 7. Those who love with all entirenesse of affection the sonnes of God And Those who love the appearing of our blessed Saviour having a comfortable assurance of his love and a sincere care to please him in all things From those which love the world servilely sensually preposterously immoderatly disorderly and undiscreetly Those whose chiefest treasure is on earth Those who are inraged with implacable malice against the children of God and their sincerity And from such who love the Lords appearing no more then villanous malefactours the comming of a just and righteous Iudge And it will manifestly appeare I much feare that few onely
yet respectively and for conscience sake towards God as Magistrates Parents husbands c. 3. The Lord himselfe is to be feared yea this is such a grace that it characters out a righteous man Acts 10. 2. Who shunnes evill and doth good Iob 1. 8. Who delighteth in Gods Commandements Psal 112. 1. Who succours the persecuted Saints 1 Reg. 18. 3 4. Who honoureth God Mal. 3. 16. Is obedient to the Lord Gen. 22. 12. And hath true faith Heb. 11. 7. 1. Feare Gods judgements so as to avoid them 2. Feare we sinne so as to flee from it 3. Feare man for the Lords sake so that we may be carefull to obey him loath to offend him Rom. 13. 7. 4. Feare we the Lord so as to be loath to displease him by sinne in respect of his great goodnesse and mercies and for love we beare to righteousnesse Psal 130. 4. But feare not the wickeds feare Isa 8. 12 13. sc their Idols and Devils with a distrustfull feare withdrawing the heart from God and his promises Feare not dangers death creatures tyrants want c. Math. 10. 26. 28. 31. viz. Immoderately faithlesly Feare not such a feare which troubleth the conscience so as to hinder the operation of salvation and worke of the Holy Ghost Feare not touching the pardon of your sinnes for Christ hath satisfied for them Feare not death for Christ hath plucked out its sting Feare not Sathan for Christ hath vanquished him Feare not condemnation for there is none to them which are in Christ Feare not you little flock you having fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God but be you comforted and encouraged you having interest in that society which affoords such plenty of consolations and comfortable blessings that I need not say behold I have shewed you by cleare demonstrations and infallible proofes that this is the most beautifull most honourable most sure most rich most joyfull and the most peacefull society that is what can I therefore say more for thee O sweet communion as Isaac said to Esau of Iacob Behold I have given to him for servants all his brethren with corne and wine have I sustained him and what shall I now do to thee my sonne Gen. 27. 37. Neither shall you need to question like Esau Hast thou but one blessing O my Father Ver. 38. and say hast thou but sixe blessings O lovely societie there belonging to it such plentie of consolations that could I live the age of Methuselah had I a heart and head furnished with the wisdome and ingenie of all learned men should I spend all that time and those onely supposed endowments in finding out and had I the tongue of men and Angels to expresse the numberlesse transcendent excellencies of this communion yet could I not be able to delineate the incomparable and blissefull felicities thereof Howbeit give me leave to cheare and refresh your soules with some few of the many millions of gladsome rayes which streame and flow from this Sunne of righteousnesse Are we in league and communion with Christ Iesus Then he loves us with all those loves which are most ardent and excelling Consol 1. he loves us with the love 1. Of a Master for we are servants 2. The love of a King for we are his subjects 3. The love of a brother for we are his brethren Heb. 2. 11. and sisters sc By profession and affection Math. 12. 50. 4. The love of a friend for we are his friends Luke 12. 4. Iohn 3. 29. 15. 15. 5. The love of a childe for wee are his mother Marke 3. 75. Being neare and deare to him as mothers are to their children bearing and conceiving Christ in our hearts as mothers do children in their womâ—es Gal. 4. 19. 6. The love of a father for we are his children 7. The love of a husband for we are his spouse 8. The love of himselfe for we are his members Then which what love more free more tender so great and during Then which what better honour What greater happinesse then to have such love of such a Saviour Who loving us so entirely will surely pardon our many sinnes 2. Passe by our frailties and infirmities 3. Shelter us against the wrath of God 4. Defend us safe against the malicious attempts of Sathan 5. Provide all necessary good things 6. And hereafter crowne us with immortall and unspeakable glory Have we fellowship with Christ Iesus Then we are surely Consol 2. justified Iustification being an action of the Father absolving a believing sinner from his sinnes and from the whole curse due to his sinnes and accounting him just in his sight and accepting him to life everlasting freely of his owne mercy through the perfect obedience and sufferings of Christ imputed to his faith unto the everlasting praise and glory of the mercy justice and truth of God Rom. 3. 24 25. Being justified freely of his grace c. Iustification is the office of Homil. of sal D. 3. God onelâ— and is not a thing which we render to him but which we receive of him not which we give to him but which we take of him This is a benefit of benefits whereupon our salvation doth depend for whosoever shal be saved must be justified All graces are present in him that is justified yet they Hom. sal D. 1. justifie not altogether Now as the finall cause of justification is Gods glory and our owne salvation 2. The instrumentall is faith within and the Gospell without 3. The efficient is Gods free grace 4. So the matter is Christ our Redeemer 5. And the forme is the imputation of our sinnes to him and his justice to us As our sinne being imputed to Christ made M Burton pag. 66. him become sinne for us even so are we made the righteousnesse of God in him that is by imputation of his righteousnesse which righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us is no more inhaerent in us to our justification thou our sinne imputed to Christ was inhaerent in him to his condemnation Therefore all Gods Elect being joyned to Christ and having an heavenly communion with him being in themselves rebellious sinners Gods enemies and firebrands of hell by meanes of Christ Iesus with whom they have fellowship must needs be accepted of the Lord as perfectly righteous before him being justified by faith in him Rom. 3. 28. Not that faith doth justifie in regard of it selfe either because it is a grace for although it is an excellent vertue yet it is imperfect and mixed with unbelâ—efe 2. Nor in regard it is the worke of God in us for then all graces might be meanes of justification as well as it 3. Nor as it containes other graces in it for then it should be the principall part of our justice But in respect of the object thereof Christ Iesus whom faith apprehends as he is set forth in the Word and Sacraments We are justified by the act of M. Burton Truths triumph
fellowship 219 c. Grace how like 4. Its spreading nature and excellencie 19 c How it may be lost how not 118 c. We must labour to worke it in others and why 19 c. We must grow in grace if we wil be like Christ 262 263. H HAte sinners and how 10. Sinne and why 39 Hearing of Gods Word needfull and excellent 142 c. Obiections against it answered 143 How to heare and faulty hearers 14â— c. How we must heare and why 172. 181. Heaven hoped for in vaine by many 88. Holinesse See sanctification How the Saints are holy Honour due to God How God is honoured Why with soule and body both Why with the soule especially How with the tongue and life 72 c. Motives to honour God 84 c. Honour of the Saints 198. And of their communion See glory Hope of Saints its excellency 236. Hosts are Gods 122. Husbands duty 203. Saints husband transcendent 46 203. Hypocrites how hurtfull 26 55. I IGnorance hurtfull its fruits 97 273. Inheritance of Saints unparalel'd 45. Inhabitation in Christ See Christ Whence it is 270 271. Ingrossers of corne censured 67. Imitation of God wherein 138 c. Of Christ wherein and why 257. Of men wherein 262. Imprecations to be shunned though Saints have imprecated and why 76. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 235. Ioy of the Saints 129 192 224. Why they reioyce 239. Iustice of God by whom abused Obiections against it answered 77. Iustification handled with its causes and fruits 233 c. Whence it is how it differs from sanctification 237. How once iustified are alwayes 240. K KNowledge saving honoureth God 73. It is needfull to do Gods will 97. and necessary to enioy Gods Spirit 272. L LAbour in lawfull callings commendable 24. When not to be taxed of covetousnesse 68 103. Labour on the Lords Day See workes Lords Day why so called 150. Duties of the Lords Day See Sabbath Law how it is kept by the Saints 187. It binds How Christians are under the Law how not 184 192. How free from the Law 243 c. Liberalitie See mercy It s excellency 224. Liberty of Christians frees not them from Gods service 192. Not from authority gives not liberty to sinne Frees not from sinne 243. Not from the obedience of the Morall Law 243 c. Wherein Christian liberty consists and its excellency 248 c. Life godly honoureth God 83. Love of God to us how great Gods lovelinesse 49 c. We ought to love God Who truly love him 46 c. Their paucity 47 c. Love to God greatly rewarded the first and great commandement and how 49 c. It honoureth God 74. By it we cleave to God 190 The rule of love 194 c. What the Saints do love 239. Motives to love God 49 c. Love all men why and how all Saints and how 9 c. Love of Saints whence M MAn an excellent creature 85. Serves himselfe sinfully served sinfully how Disswasives Meditation for the Lords Day 165. Delightfull meditations 173. See thoughts Mercy of God what 79 60. To whom it belongs no incouragement to sinne 60 79. By whom it is abused 79. Mercifull workes of diverse sorts Their excellency 170 c. Who must give when how much of what how 13 c. N NEw creatures How Saints have all parts new 238 c. O OAths haÌ„dled by creatures 81. Rashnes Disswasives 81. Excuses answered 82. See swearing Obedience to Gods Law part of the Covenant of mans part 182. P PEace of Saints excellent with them necessary 34 c. What we must yeeld to for peace 36. It s excellency 235. Wicked have no peace 226 c Perfection how Saints perfect how not 139 242. Obiections answered 55. Persecutors of good men wofull 126 c. 209 c. Pharisees what who like them in these dayes 56. Piety a cause of persecution 212. Please God what pleaseth God that is to be chosen 177. Poore of two sorts 68. They must depend upon God 68. Be content 109. Poverty not to be feared 123. Christs poverty 222. Prayerlesse persons woefull 140. What prayers are fruitlesse 140. What kind of prayer is prevailing 141. It is a duty for the Lords Day 170. Yea delightfull 172. It is part of the covenant 182. Needfull 272. Whence it is 270. To pray for earthly things lawfull 103. Preachers are builders 207. Their faults may not keepe us from hearing 143 c. Priviledges of the Saints 218 c. Prophanest people usually the greatest persecutours 212 Profession is good though some Professors are bad 29 c. Providence good and lawfull 68 103. See depend on Gods providence Pure how Saints are pure 141 242. Puritanes what meant 29 212 No Pharisees 56. Not covetous 69. Not of wicked life 214. Scarce any of them begge 70. Or come to the gallowes 113. R REading Scripture and good Bookes a Sabbath duty and how to read 169. Recreation for the Lords Day 171. What is unlawfull 160. Redemption for Gods honour 80 86. It s excellency 86. Regeneration whence 270. It s necessity Danger of its want â— 72. Reliefe See mercy Remission of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 224. See forgivenesse Repentance late very dangerous 61 c. Reproofs how to be used who faulty Why we should reprove 32 c. Restitution 17 39. Riotous persons usually covetous 66. Revenge a great sinne 39. Reproches for Christ should not discontent 110. Not to be feared 123. Riches uncertainty 105. Vanity 106. Of the Saints 222 c. S SAbbath Day to be kept holy the name is Morall it s many names Motives to keep it holy and what then lawfull and unlawfull 149 c. Sacraments of the Iewes and ours how the same how differ Excellency of ours 181 c. Saints fellowship See fellowship Their excellency 127. Their portion to be afflicted 126 210 Sanctification handled with its fruits how it differs from iustification 237 c. It is necessary 272. Whence it is 270. Sathan not to be feared 124. His obiections against perseverance answered 119. Scripture though alledged by Hereticks decides controversies 2â—6 Seeking of God a needfull duty what it is manner and meanes of seeking and motives to seeke God 146 c. Servants of God who who not Services of God and of others How to serve God and why bad Masters hindering this service of God 191 c. Sicke persons duty 170 Visiting them a Sabbath duty 170. How to visit who faulty in visiting 170. Sincerity needfull 92 272. Its signes 93. 〈…〉 a Sabbath 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 Sinnes 〈◊〉 be concealed 23. And why 28. Sinne 〈◊〉 shunned 53. Yea secret sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 57 9â— Least degrees of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sinne and why sweet sinner 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sins of Saints and wicked men 57 c. How good men sinne ibid. What they do having sinned 59. How they are free from sinne 124 245. Their sinnes no incouragements to sin 62 c. 〈◊〉 encouragements answered 60 c. Disswasives from sinne 63 136 c. Sinne must be shunned if we imitate Christ 262. How sinne is infinite 78. God no author of sinne 77. It is an evill master by whom it is served disswasives from serving it 198. Sinnes of former times â—s great as now 254 255. Why seeme greater now 255. Sheepe of Christ their duty 276. Sonnes of God who 201. Their duty See Father Society See fellowship Soule is to honour God and first 73. Sparing how commendable 25. Spirit of God dwels in Saints Its fruits in them their miserie who want and scorne this co-habitation 270 271. Who falsly boast of the Spirit Who have who want the Spirit 272 273. Duties of both 274. How the Spirit is grieved how quenched how gotten how kept 275. Sports whether lawfull on the Lords Day Reasons Disswasives 160 c. Strength Spirituall whence 207. Swearing now an honour to God 80 Anabaptists confuted Disswasives from all evill kinds of swearing 80 c. Excuses answered 81 c. Sorrow of Saints 239. Sufferings See afflictions T TOngue is to honour God 74. Many wayes 74 c. Thoughts unlawfull on Gods Day 164. Time-serving hurtfull 93. V VIsiting the sicke a Sabbath duty How who faulty 170 Vsury a filthy sinne 92 100. W VVAnts temporall how supplied to the Saints 123. Will of God must be done 88. It s reward 88. It must be done totally 90 Faithfully 92. Timely 93. Continually 95. Meanes motives let removed 96 c. Mans will contrary to Gods 97. Word of God a Word of faith grace salvation reconciliation life 142. It s excellency 75 172. It is to be talked of 74. Not to be iested with 75. No to defend vice nor disâ—hearten vertue 75. Not to be used in charmes 76. Words not fit for the Lords Day 163. What then commendable 167 c. Workes of God for his glory mans good 165. Workes unlawfull for the Lords Day with disswasives 157. World by whom served disswasives from serving it 197. Wrath a great sinne 39. Wicked men are fooles 128. Their society to be shunned and why 6 c. 135 c. Y YOung people should do Gods will and why 93.
and goodnesse as lovely in one as in another Doubtlesse it is and therefore if I love any one because he is is indued with saving grace because he is the child of God because he is a member of Christ I cannot but love all who are indued with saving grace c. Can there be any thing vpon earth more amiable then those of this assembly 1. If birth may allure who more noble Gods Sons Christs Spouse a heavenly of-spring 2. If vertue who more wise then these who are wise unto salvation who more couragious then these that overcome the world mortifie the flesh and quell the fierie darts of Sathan 3. If alliance who more neerely allyed then children of the same parents 4. If beauty who more amiable Insomuch that although the glorious sunne euer shining with such radiant splendour although the pompe and glory of the whole world could not allure the Sonne of God yet the inward beauty of the Saints Christs Spouse doth strike as it were his heart with a vehement affection passion of love Cant. 4. 9. Thou art faire c. 1. 14. all glorious within Psal 45. 13. Love therefore all those of this fraternity Ob. An. 1 Be it that they are of another nation yet all are one in Christ Be it they are poore ignoble and thou honourable God loves them not the lesse for their basenesse But he hath beene vngratefull to me Thou also hast bene more unthankfull to God and yet thou wouldst have him love thee But he hath many frailties So hast thou and yet thou lovest thy selfe and desirest the love of the Saints These proceed not from the spirit but the flesh Canst thou beare with faults in thy selfe beare with some in thy brother Let not hatred of his sinne hinder thy love to him hate the sinne yet love thy brother God hateth thy sinnes yet loveth thee But he is mine enemy then endeavour to make him thy friend Vice is taken away by vertue hatred by love Love But how Indeed and in truth 1. Ioh. 3. 18. Without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. So as to lay downe our lives for the brethren 1 Ioh. 3. 16. Thus renowned Hester 4. 16. If I perish c. Thus a Bishop answered a judge commanding him Firmus Pagastensis episcopus Mentiri nesâ—â—â— prodere nolo Aug. de mend pag 19. Au bros de virgin lib. 2. p. 81 82. to disclose his fellow Christians I know not how to lie I will not betray Thus Didymus to save the chastity of Theodora condemned to the stewes changed apparell safely dismissed her died for her and with her And greater cause have we thus to doe then had Pylades for Orestes or those Pythagorean Philosophers Damon and Pythias CHAP. V. Vse 3. Saints must relieve others Vse 3 WEe having fellowship each with other ought to See M. Boulton walking with God pag. 257. c. communicate such gifts and graces God hath given us to the benefiting one of another In a body all members have not the same vigour neither are the same gifts granted to all in the mysticall body Bodily members intrude not into each others office neither in the mysticall body should they thrust themselues into one anothers calling All the members of the body doe whatsoever they doe to the common good or profit So likewise should Christians referre all their actions to the utilitie of the whole body 1. The Church We should therfore relieve one another as members of the same body This duty is so perspicuous that it needs no large discourse to procure credence for not onely diverse undeniable confirmations which might be drawne from Gods sacred truth and many unanswerable reasons declare its necessity but even experience the mistresse of more wisedome then folly teacheth us that stones in a building support each other That branches of a tree doe so draw nourishment from the stocke that each hath sufficient sappe and proportionable to its necessity That members of our bodies are not onely carefull of themselves but of their fellowes Insomuch that the eye is busie to adorne the body yet not it selfe the hands to cover the whole themselves remaining naked That faithfull friends are in prosperitie a pleasure a solace in adversitie and in griefe a comfort yea such who account a mans mishap their misery the pricking of our finger the piercing of their heart And this Doctrine I have now in hand doth tell us that all comforts of this goodfellowship are stones of the same building then which there cannot be a more firme connexion Branches of the same vine then which there cannot be a more inherent inoculation Members of the same body in the which there is a most sweet concordance Are all in an inviolable league of friendship in which fellowship there ought to be no falshood where simpathy of manners should make conjunction of minds and therfore those of this consociation cannot but relieve the distresses each of other Instead therefore of proving the point which is undeniable let me perswade you to practise the duty so tragicall to many men To this end consider that 1. by relieving our fellow-members we become creditours to the worlds Creatour Prov. 19. 17. 2. By succouring Gods Saints we take the way to enrich our selues Prov. 11. 25. 3. And we do a worke acceptable to God Heb. 13. 16. 4. Which shall be rewarded Eccl. 12. 1. Psal 41. 1. Mat. 25. 35. If we come short in this duty God will not heare us Prov. 21. 13. Dives could not get a drop of cold water to coole his tongue 6. The poore Saints haue right to our substance We say not give me my bread but give us our dayly bread And therefore one of the Fathers Famelici panis est quem tu tenes nudi tunica quem in conclavi conservas discalceati calceus qui apud te marcescit indigentis argentum quod possidemus inhumatum Eslote vos divites primi in conferendo qui estu primi in discernendo estote primi in larguate rerum Salv. lib. 5. pag. 153. saith It is the starvelings bread which thou dost keepe back it is the garment of the naked which thou lockest up it is the shooe of the unshod which corrupts by thee it is the mony of the needy which we possesse unburied with us Give therefore 1. But who should give All of this society Be you rich men saith holy Salvian first in giving who are the chiefe in judging be you the chiefe in bountifulnesse of substance which are chiefe in liberalitie of words You who have this worlds good 2 Tim. 6. 17. For you are best able David sent therefore to Nabal for succour Lazarus lay at the rich mans gate 2. You have received most from the boundlesse sea of Gods mercy and therefore by distributing to the poore you must send backe most againe Eccl. 1. 7. Be not you therefore like those rich usurers Neh. 5. Nor those rich oppressours Iam. 2. 6. most cruell
1. With a fore-thinking premeditation of the weightinesse of that important duty we are going about our owne weaknesse and worthinesse and the dreadfull Majesty of the Lord to whom we pray thus we are commanded to take words and turne to the Lord Hos 14. 3. Thus dealt the penitent prodigall Luke 15. 17. 8. I will go to my father and say father I have sinned c. 2. With a sincere purity of heart Heb. 10. 22. Let us draw neare c. I know it is impossible for man to be pure save only 1. In regard of former times of unregeneration 2. In regard of their desires and endeavours 3. In regard of other men scil sonnes of Belial 3. With a lowly and submisse humility thus did the father of the faithfull pray stiling himselfe dust and ashes Gen. 18 27. That prevailing Canaanitish woman petitioner Math. 15. 27. Truth Lord yet the dogges c. Luc. 18. 11 12. God be mercifull to me a sinner Thus are we all commanded Psal 95. 6. Let us bowe c. 4. With knowledge and understanding 1 Cor. 14. 14 15. I will pray with understanding 5. With a faithfull assurance that our prayers shal be granted What els meaneth the Apostle St. Iames 1. 6. 7. Let him aske in faith Saint Paul 1 Tim. 2. 8. Without doubting And our Saviour Christ Math. 21. 22. All things whatsoever you aske in Prayer believing 6. With zealous earnestnesse Iames 5. 16. Cold prayers lose their fruit and force 7. With hearts reconciled to God by true repentance Isa 1. 16. 8. With hearts reconciled to our brethren by brotherly love and condonation Math. 6. 14. 9. With an unwearied constancy Crying day and night Luc. 10. 7. Holding him fast till he blesse us Gen. 32. 28. And never giving over untill we prevaile Math. 15. 22 23. 28. 10. In the name and mediation of Christ Iesus the sole Saviour of mankind and the alone Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name c. Iohn 16. 23. 11. For things agreeable to Gods will 1 Iohn 5. 14. viz. For things which are good holy lawfull possible profitable and needfull Prayer thus qualified is good and acceptable in the sight of God 1 Tim. 2. 3. Is an extraordinary yea beyond imagination prevailer with the Lord in the courts of heaven bringing such who effectually use it to salvation Rom. 10. 13 14. And therefore to an happy enjoyment of fellowship with the Father CHAP. X. The fift Meanes and Duty is hearing of Gods Word DEsire we with the most earnest longings strive we amaine 5. Meanes Duty with our utmost endeavours to heare the Lord speake to us in his Word and delight we extraordinarily in such desires and endeavours This is the word of Gods grace Acts 20. 32. 1. Comming Mot. 1. from Gods grace 2. Shewing Gods grace 3. Working grace in those who believe and obey it 2. This is the Word of faith Rom. 10. 8. 1. Requiring faith to believe it 2. Teaching what faith is 3. Begetting and strengthening the same Rom. 10. 17. 3. This is the Word of life Iohn 6. 68. Thou hast the Word of eternall life 1. Begetting a Spirituall life 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2. Nourishing and strengthening our Spirituall life 1 Pet. 2. 2. And 3. Offering eternall life Iohn 5. 35. 4. This is the Word of salvation Acts 13. 26. In regard of its fruits and effects declaring to us the way of salvation 5. This is the Word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19. 1. Shewing how men are reconciled to God 2. Instrumentally working the same reconciliation betwixt God offended and man offending And therefore a speciall meanes to obtaine fellowship with the Father Let not the examples of the world whose desires after the enjoying of transitory delights and momentany treasures are boundles and their endeavors endlesse no whit at all or very litle regarding this heavenly voice of the Lord of glory neither let the strange and preposterous practice of diverse greater persons whose use was ordinary to have Thursday meetings for bowling but not Friday for hearing thus sleighting if not contemning the Divine Ordinance of God alienate or estrange your longing desires from this saving and reconciling Word of God 1. Say not you my beloved brethren you could heare with all reverence and diligence might it please the Lord himselfe to speake to us For 1. should the Lord himselfe speake from heaven you durst not heare Exod. 20. 19. Could not they And can you 2. For the Lord doth speake by us his Ministers as Kings by Ambassadours 2 Cor. 5. 20. 2. Say not with your selves I could willingly heare was the Messenger this or that famous man but such and such are meane and base fellowes in mens esteeme For were not the Prophets and Apostles so accounted of Yet they were to be heard and we see it is the good pleasure of God to save them that believe by the foolishnesse of preaching 1 Cor. 10. 21. Foolishnesse not in regard of it selfe but in the opinion of worldly men Yet is it the savour of death unto death or of life unto life 2 Cor. 2. 16. But be it they are meane yet they being Gods mouth heare them Is gold or silver of greater weight or worth out of a parse of velvet deckt with curious imbroiderings then out of a plaine or homely pouch of leather May not meat be as pleasing to the palate as wholsome in the stomack and as nourishing to the body of an hungry man out of a clean earthen or woodden platter as out of a plate of silver Doth not a candle shine as bright and profitably from of a plain woodden candlestick as from of another made of the purest gold and framed after the most curious forme the exactest skill of the cunningest artificer could invent And shall the Lords Word better then thousands of gold or silver the most nourishing meate of each sanctified soule a light to the feet and a lanterne to the paths of godly men suffer losse or diminution of its peerlesse valuation be disabled from nourishing the new-borne Christian babes that they may grow thereby Or have its more then sun-like light for that cannot guide to heaven ecclipsed by the meannesse of the messenger 3. Say not my brethren I cannot heare such or such they being reputed naughty men It was we know the portion of Eliah Ieremie Paul Iohn Baptist and our Saviour Christ that man without sin the best Preacher that ever spake upon earth to be accounted pestilent fellowes troublers of states ring leaders of Sectaries deceivers of the people and therefore not to be heard No marvell therefore though the envious man still strives to ecclipse the brightest lights and to darken their bright shining rayes of sincere Doctrine and soundnesse of life by some hellish exhalations of slanderous imputations drawne out of the misting fogs of the dunghill dispositions of earthly worldlings by the heat
Ioh. 4. 13. 6. They are in league and amity with all the creatures the numberlesse kinds whereof are all serviceable to and ready prest to profit and protect them from the most contemptible vermine to the glorious Angels which glorious creatures encampe round about them Psal 34. 7. They are invincible being able to do all things through Christ which strengtheneth them Philip. 4. 13. So that tribulation distresse persecution famine nakednesse perill sword nor death nor life nor angels are able to seperate them from the love of God in Christ our Lord Rom. 8. for in all these they are more then conquerours through him that loved them Yea by Christ Iesus the world is crucified to them and they unto the world Gal. 6. 14. By their faith and new birth they overcome the world 1. Iohn 5. 4. they mortifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof and valiantly resist the divell and victoriously vanquish the furious assaults and fiery darts of Sathan 8. They are assured from the most true and faithfull word of the unchangeable IEHOVAH who cannot lie that plenty and penury solace and sorrow yea sinnes and sufferings their owne and others yea all things else worke together for their good they loving God and being the called according to Gods purpose Rom. 8. 28. Thirdly this is the nearest and surest conjunction in the world for the nearenesse you have heard how Christ is theirs and they are his for the inseperable firmenesse we see our Saviour affirming that they cannot perish and that no man can plucke them out of his hand Iohn 10. 27. He dwels in them and they in him so that the gates of hell cannot prevaile against them Mat. 16. 18. yea neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature is able to separate them from the love of God which in Christ Iesus Rom. 8. 38. 39. This is the richest company in the world Many rich and wealthy companies there are in the world The East-Indian trading through many and long during hazards for costly spices the West-Indian hazarding for gold and precious stones some one way some another But all the factories in the world if they were but one conjoyned company is not comparable for wealth and riches to this society for whose sake Christ became poore to make them rich 2. Cor. 8. 9. poore not by violent robbery or compulsive enforcement not by profuse prodigality or superfluous wasting not by fraudulent guile or craftie deceipt not by due desert he was neither driven by force nor drawne by due desert to make himselfe poore but of his owne accord free fauour and good will he became poore First in respect of his outward estate which was very poore for his parentage was poore Luke 2. 7. his education poore Luke 2. 5. his maintenance poore Luke 9 58. and his attendance poore Matth. 4. 18. Secondly in respect of his estimation in the world amongst men Mark 6. 2. is not this the Carpenter the Sonne of Mary c. Iohn 6. 42. is not this the Sonne of Ioseph whose father and mother we know Iohn 7. 18. have any of the rulers or Pharisees beleeved on him Thus he became poore to make those who have fellowship with him rich 1. Both in earthly things for through Christ they have a religious right to worldly wealth and substance being owners whereas others have onely a civill and 2. As also in heavenly things by the same right and interest Which heavenly spirituall riches consist 1. In the abundance of sound and saving knowledge 1. Cor. 1. 5. being enriched in every thing by him in all utterance and in all knowledge 2. In the full assurance of Gods favour grace and mercy Col. 2. 2. their hearts being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding Ephes 2. 4. 7. 3. In the fruition of Christ his merits and benefits who of God is made to them wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redâ—mption 1. Cor. 1. 30. 4. In the plentifull possession of saving graces so that they are behind in no gift 1. Cor. 1. 7. but abound in every thing in faith and utterance and knowledge 2. Pet. 1. 5. Adding to their faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance c. 1. These are rich in the feare of God the feare of the Lord being their treasure Isa 33. 6. and this is treasure indeed the true feare of God being a badge and character of a perfect and upright man Iob 1. 8. having a protecting guard of glorious Angels Psal 34 7. and a large and ample promise of the fruition of all good things Psal 34. 9 10. 2. These are rich in heavenly wisedome consisting in true godlinesse and this is unparalleâ—d wealth length of daies being in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Prov. 3. 6. 3. These are rich in saving knowledge they having an unction from the holy one and knowe all things 1. Ioh. 2. 20. which knowledge is riches of such a nature that it is the true cause of spirituall glorying Ier. 9. 24. yea it is life eternall Ioh. 17. 3. yea doubtlesse all things are to be counted but losse for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Phil. 3. 8. 4. They are rich in faith Iam. 2. 5. rich in faith then which what greater riches bringing to God Heb. 11. 6. begetting to God Iohn 1. 12. justifying Rom. 5. 1. sanctifying Acts 15. 9. overcomming the world 1. Ioh. 5. 4. and the divel 1. Pet. 5. 9. making prayer powerfull Iames 5. 17. and the enjoyer to continue in grace 2. Cor. 1. 20. 5. They are rich in hope Rom. 15. 13. they abounding in hope through the power of the holy Ghost Then which what better wealth 1. It being an helmet of salvation wherewith the vitall parts of a christian souldiour are protected from receiving any deadly wound in this their sharpe warfare Ephes 6. 17. 2. This being an anchor of the soule sure and stedfast Heb. 6. 19. wherewith the Saints sustaine themselves in all the boysterous stormes of this turbulent and unquiet sea of misery By this they rejoyce Rom. 5. 2. By this they are kept from apostasie and many unkindly feares By this they are purified 1. Iohn 3. 3. By this they have plenty of patience and consolation 6. They are rich in liberality 2. Cor. 8. 2. the riches of their liberality c. i. e. good workes 1. Tim. 6 13. then which what wealth more advantageous By this they laying up in store a good foundation 1. Tim. 6. 17 18. This being a principall preservative against the contagious Gangrene Covetousnesse the root of all evill This being a plentifull seed which will procure a superabundant harvest 2. Cor. 9. 6. This having a gracious promise of a rich reward Psal 41. 1. And this being one of those good workes which accompany these to
abide in you or not For not onely Fantastique Familists Anabaptisticall dreamers and such like factious sects and Sectaries but many other children of Beliall who in truth are as yet habitations for the uncleane spirit and the seven other spirits more wicked to dwell in Math. 12. 43 44. Boast and glory of the happy fruition of Gods Spirit like the false Prophet Zedekiah who notwithstanding was possessed with a lying spirit 1 Reg. 22. 23 24. Search therefore the Scriptures for they testifie of these things and from them you may learne what spirit you are of The Scriptures tell us 1. That where Gods Spirit abideth there is the Spirit of Prayer Rom. 8. 15. We have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we crie Abba Father Verse 16. The Spirit maketh intercession for us 2. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is a new birth regeneration a new creation Ioh. 3. 4. Borne of the Spirit 3. Where Gods Spirit abideth there is holinesse and sanctity 1 Pet. 1. 2. Sanctification of the Spirit Rom. 1. 4. Spirit of holinesse 4. Where Gods Spirit is there is knowledge of all things sc Necessary to salvation 1 Ioh. 2. 20. 5. Where the Spirit of God abideth there must needs be sincerity or uprightnesse 6. Where the Spirit of God abideth there is a testification to a mans owne spirit that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit beares witnesse with our Spirits that we are the children of God From which grounded Maximes and undeniable Theses drawne from the Word of truth these following inferences must necessarily be concluded 1. That the prayerlesse person sc such a one who prayes not at all or not so with such graces which Gods Spirit prescribes in the Word as necessary companions of pious prayer viz. Knowledge faith sincerity zeale c. in some measure 2. That the unregenerate not converted man who is the same he was ever no changeling having the same mind will affections c. And he who is changed from one evill to another as bad or worse neither of these being truly converted so as to become new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. New men Eph. 4. 24. To have new hearts Ezek. 11. 19. And new lives yea all things new 2 Cor. 5. 17. sc wils lives affections sc love hatred c. New eyes Eph. 1. 18. Eares Psal 40. 6. And tast Rom. 8. 5. 3. That the meere civill honest man although he walke as inoffensively as did ever any Heathen Worthy and as plausibly as those justiciary Pharisees being no oppressour paying every man to the mint and anniseed Much lesse therefore the prophane Belial which wallowes in all wickednesse wholly regardlesse of piety of God and righteousnesse to man 4. That the man ignorant and unacquainted in those truths which are necessary to be knowne and the man who although he hath plenty of knowledge floting in the braine and flowing from the tongue yet wants the necessary practique knowledge So that although he is able to discourse learnedly and profoundly yet doth he not believe that he knowes is to be believed love that he knowes is to beloved and do that he knowes is to be done c. in some measure 5. That the flourishing Formalist performing those many excellent and praise-worthy duties he doth onely outwardly for by-ends without the pith marrow and substance of Christianity uprightnesse of heart 6. That the man wholly and altogether wanting the testimony of his owne conscience grounded upon the testimony of Gods Spirit that he is the child of God and he who in stead of the testification of Gods Spirit which ever agreeth to the Word glads and contents himselfe with the wicked spirit of presumption for his living willingly constantly and contentedly in those wicked wayes the Word of God condemnes to hellish torments argues an absence of the testimonie of Gods Spirit for is it possible that Gods Spirit should peremptorily affirme in the Word that no drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. shall inherite the kingdome of heaven and yet testifie to the conscience of a drunkard covetous person hypocrite c. that he is Gods child and shall go to heaven That none of these have the Spirit of Christ abiding in them and therfore no fellowship with Iesus Christ may safely must necessarily be inferred from the forenamed propositions First all you of the former ranke which have the Spirit of prayer true conversion holinesse saving knowledge sincerity of heart and a warrantable assurance in your owne consciences that you are the children of God consequently have the Spirit of God abiding in you and therefore fellowship with the Lord Iesus 1. Be perswaded highly to praise and glorifie the Lord so loving and liberall who hath bestowed such an inestimable treasure upon you as is the Spirit of the Lord the Spirit of wisdome and understanding to teach you the Spirit of counsell to counsell and advise you the Spirit of might to protect and defend you the Spirit of knowledge to instruct you Isa 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord inabling you to pray and making your prayers acceptable Rom. 8. 26. Bringing you to liberty 2 Cor. 3. 17. Helping your infirmities enlightening your understandings rectifying your judgements reviving your spirits stirring your affections sanctifying all inward gifts and seasoning the use of all outward things unto you assuring you of all the rich treasures in Iesus Christ This being the gift of gifts the head the height the depth the bredth and length of all good things 2. Not to grieve this Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. By doing any thing contrary to the light which is set up in your consciences by the Word of God and this Spirit least if you vexe him he turnes to be your enemie Isa 63. 10. 3. Not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19. Doe not therefore by your security and negligence lose the fruits and effects of the Spirit nor abate the working of grace To lose wholly the saving graces of the Spirit which a man once had as if a man should extinguish fire wholly is not possible the Spirit abiding with such for ever Ioh. 14. 16. But to lose some fruits and effects of the Spirit and to abate the working of grace as if a man should slacke the heate and lose the light of fire doth oft befall the Saints by meanes of their carelesnesse and security 4. To walke after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Which are in Christ walke after the Spirit Gal. 5. 25. If you live in the Spirit walke in the Spirit i. By minding liking wishing desiring and affecting the things of the Spirit Rom. 8. 5. And by endeavouring in the whole course of your lives and callings to order your selves according to the will and Word of God for that which is commanded in the Word is enjoyned by the Spirit and to leade a mans life according to the Word is to walke after the Spirit