now as two friends will and nill the same thing Psal 40.6 7. As the Will is a servant it is now chearfully subject to its Master in heaven its voice is Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9.6 And speak Lord for thy servant heareth 1 Sam. 3. do but shew it your commission from the King of Kings for what you require and it presently doth obey not dispute your commands As a Master for 't is a Centurion in authority which hath many at its command it saith to one faculty go and it goeth to another come and it cometh to a third do this and it doth it it ruleth now according to Divine Writ and gives Laws to all under it according to the Orders which it receiveth from God its Commander in chief were the Christians power but answerable and equal to his will he would be as holy on earth as he shall be in heaven Psal 119.5 Rom. 7.15 18 19. The iron gate indeed of mans Will is far from opening of its own accord the Will is hardest won of any Faculty it is like the strong fort of Zion in Ierusalem which Joshua himself could not surprise the Son of David alone can do it But the Spirit of God doth powerfully though sweetly incline it to chuse God and for God The Understanding discovering to the Conscience the necessity excellency and benefit of proclaiming and prosecuting an open and eternal war against all sin and of accepting and embracing an everlasting covenant with God in Christ and of submitting to the guidance and government of the Spirit conscience doth in the name of God whose Officer it is charge the will to close with these things the will the spirit striking in yieldeth contentedly and resolveth accordingly God perswades this Japhet to dwell in the tents of Shem. 4 The Affections are likewise renewed The Understanding and Will the superiour Officers being won these like faithfull private Souldiers readily follow their leaders or as dutifull handmaids they obey the commands of their Master and Mistris They are called by some the shapings or formings of the will in severall motions according to the object presented so that the will like the Sun moving heavenward these like Sun-flowers must necessarily follow its motion Before these affections were in severall regards full of corruption but now they are purified for the Masters use Before they were carried out towards wrong objects hatred was set upon God Rom. 1 30. his word Prov. 1.29 Psalm 50.17 and people John 15.19 Love was bestowed on sensual delights Psalm 4.3 Jer. 5.31 2 Tim. 3.2 and 4. and sin Micah 3.2 Prov. 1.22 But now the man loaths what formerly he loved and loves what formerly he loathed though sin were the luscious meat which did so exceedingly please his pallat that his teeth were alwayes watering after it and he roll'd it as a sweet morsel under his tongue yet now he serves it as Amnon did Tamar the hatred wherewith he hates it is far greater then the love wherewith he loved it Psalm 119.104 Rom. 7.15 he cannot see this knife with which he had cut the throat of his precious soul and dearest Saviour but his eye affects his heart with sorrow and anger O 't is a killing look which he now gives his most beloved lust he cannot meet this brat of hell this ugly guest in any room of the house but his heart riseth against it And as hatefull as God was to him before Psalm 14.2 Rom. 8.5 7. yet now he alone is the savoury meat which his soul loveth Psal 18.1 and 73.25 If this dish stand on his table though all others be removed he hath that dish which he loveth best His joy before in the creatures is now in Christ Amos 6.13 Prov. 2.14 Rom. 5.2 3 4. Phil. 4.4 his sorrow was before for sufferings but 't is now for sin 2 Cor. 7.9 10 11. His fear was before lest he should lose his flocks or his friends or outward mercies but now 't is lest by sin he should lose Gods favour Psalm 4 6. Isa 8.12 13. His desire was before enlarged after go'd as hell but now 't is after grace as heaven Hos 7.14 Psalm 42.1 Matth. 5 6. Psal 63.1 The desire of our soul is thy name and to the remembrance of thee Isa 26.8 Before the affections were also carried out inordinately after objects that were lawfull The man was like to be drown'd in the shallows of lawfull enjoyments when he joyed in the creatures he would over-joy and turn thereby his mirth into madnesse when he loved his relations he would over-love them and change thereby his love to them into self or soul-hatred so for his anger Eph. 4.26 it would exceed its limits even where it was lawful For these passions of the mind are like the water of the sea usefull and profitable if kept within their bounds but if they overflow the banks they are very hurtfull and threaten a Deluge but the regenerate person doth moderate and rectifie these affections Col. 3.1 1 John 2.15 1 Cor. 7.29.30 He keepeth his fire so watchfully that it doth not burn his house Besides the affections were corrupt before in regard of the contrariety which is in them They did torture and tear the child of disobedience one drawing him one way another plucking him the contrary way but grace composeth the affections which could never agree one with another before Conversion hope and fear joy and grief humility and resolution were repugnant each to other but regeneration makes them good friends when the new creatures heart leaps with hope of heaven he is then fullest of fear lest he should displease God when he is mourning for sin he can rejoice in his Saviour as the heavens can shine and shown at the same time he can be meek and fiery as Moses Numb 12. humble and resolute as Paul and yet not like Rebeckah have two contrary Nations struggling within him The understanding will and conscience are the chief strings in the soul to which all the rest are tuned now they being by the spirit set up to their due height and holinesse the affections are wound up accordingly and so make a compleat harmony of the whole and yields a gratefull sound in the ears of God 5. The Memory is renewed This master of the Rolls or keeper of the antient Records was formerly as a grate suffering the pure and clear water to go through retaining only the mud and filth but now it is like a fan casting away the chaff and keeping the good corn it was before as a sive letting the fine flower go through and holding still the bran but now it is like the Ark wherein the two Tables are safely laid up The sanctified mans memory is a spirituall Treasury he layeth up the things of God as Mary in his heart Luke 2.19 and as occasion serveth bringeth them forth and layeth them out in his life he remembreth the commandments of God to do them Exod
no solid food for his hungry and thirsty soul heareth at last Christ calling to him Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters buy wine and milk without money and without price cast thy sins thy soul on me and thou shalt finde rest Lord thinks he I have tried creatures and they cannot help me I have tried duties and they cannot ease me I have taken much pains and caught nothing and should I come to thee wouldst thou open thine eye upon such a wretch my unworthiness makes me mistrust the success nevertheless at thy command I will do it and now he cometh in his sinking estate to take hold on the arm of the Lord which the Gospel stretcheth out to him and thereby he is saved The last step is a resolution of the sinner to give up himself to all the Laws of Christ or an hearty acceptation of the Redeemer as Saviour and Soveraign The heart of the man is so melted by Evangelical sorrow for sin and the heat of Gods love to his soul that he is like soft wax for any impression God may command him what he pleaseth he cleaveth to the Lord with full purpose of heart Before he was like the Prodigal he must go as far as he could from his Fathers house the orders there were too pure the Laws there too strict the discipline there too severe he travelleth therefore into a far Country but now the man is hungry he will submit to do the duty of a Son so he may but have the childrens bread and diet nay now he is come to himself it is his meat and drink to do the will of God he seeth such equity in Gods will such beauty in his worship such excellency and comfort in his wayes that he would not part Jesus Christ and his holy precepts which he now savoureth for all earthly pleasures he is tied so firmly to his Master with the bond of unfeigned love that Satan himself will but work at the labour in vain when he goeth about to separate him and his service He writes Holiness to the Lord upon his body soul estate family relations and all that he hath thankfully acknowledgeing Gods propriety in all and his own felicity to consist in improving all for God He considereth how infinite his obligations to God are what an hell of endless horror he is redeemed from what an heaven of love and happiness he is called to and wisheth that he had or could do something worthy of such a God And because he hath nothing more or better he gives himself to God as Aeschines when he saw his fellow-schollers give their Master Socrates large presents being poor and having nothing to give went and gave himself to his Master acknowledging that he was his devoted servant The sinner before was unbroken and so as unfit for subjection as the unbroken colt for the saddle but now the heart being humbled the eare is heedy to whatever God speaketh Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9.6 It is with an humbled M. Fenner of the kiling power of the Law and with an unhumbled sinner as with two men that are going to market whereof the one hath need he and his family are in extreme want ready to perish for bread now this man will go what ever weather come if it raine never so fast he will go when he comes there whatever the price be he will buy though he pawn his cloaths he will have bread why he is like to famish for want of it bread he comes for and bread he must have The other hath no great need therefore if he like the weather he will go if not he will stay at home if he goeth when he comes to the Market he will buy or forbear as the price of things pleaseth him he is indifferent whether he lay out his money or no if commodities are held at an high rate he will go as he came and buy nothing and all because he hath no need he can do well enough without them thus an humbled sinner seeth nay feeleth his extreme need of Christ that he must perish everlastingly without an interest in him and therefore what ever it cost him he will have Christ he is resolved to deny himself to crucifie the flesh to hate father mother house name land all for Christ let God hold the price of his Son never so dear he will sell all but he will buy this pearl and what is the reason truly because this man hath need he knoweth the absolute necessity which he standeth in of Christ that none but Christ can deliver him from the weight of his sins the Almighty Gods fury and the vengeance of eternal fire therefore a Saviour he comes for and a Saviour he will have what ever commands or prohibitions are joyned with him but an unhumbled finner feeth not his extream need of Christ and therefore though when he heareth of the infinite perfections in Christ and the unspeakable priâ—iledges which the regenerate have by Christ he will acknowledg that the wares are good he hath nothing to say against them but the price is too dear he will not come up to it and why truly because he seeth not his need of Christ he thinks he can do well enough without Christ If God would let him serve Christ and the world and flesh with him he would not care much if he did buy but if he cannot have Christ at his own price farwel Christ and pardon and mercy and God and eternall life Mat 9.12 farwel for ever for him and all because the man is an whole man unbroken unhumbled But you have read in the former steps that the sinner before he comes thus far is throughly melted and therefore he is for any mould which God thinks good Yet I believe that a man or woman whom the Spirit of God hath brought over to Jesus Christ doth by the new nature bestowed on them or the law of God written within them resolve upon all known duties and against all known iniquities more out of love to God and holiness then out of any slavish fear of wrath and hell The man seeth by the law the contrariety of sin to the image of God and consequently to his own real and spiritual good whereby there ariseth within him not onely an estrangedness from but an emnity against sin though it were the object of his affections before yet t is the object of his passions now So for duties the soul is brought through working of the Spirit to approve and delight in the good and perfect and acceptable will of God Communion with God and conformity to God are the utmost of his desires and indeavours O how willingly doth this Christian take upon him the yoak of Christ not complaining of its uneasiness but of his own unholiness The man formerly was as a Virgin before marriage she standeth upon her terms she will indent with her Sweet heart what shall be setled upon
the soul that this New creature is conceived and brought forth godliness is not natural but adventitious to man not by propagation but by donation Man cannot generate himself naturally much less regenerate himself spiritually they which are born of the flesh contribute nothing to their own beings neither do they which are born of the Spirit bring any thing to their new beings unless it be a passive receptiveness as they are reasonable creatures Some read the Text and not unfitly for the original will fully bear it Except a man be born 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from above or from heaven and therefore in the fifth verse of this third Chapter of John Christ telleth us Except a man be born of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God and in Tit. 3.5 it is called a renewing of the holy Ghost so 1 Joh. 12.13 Jer. 31.18 19.2 Cor. 3.5 1 Pet 1.1 2 3. Ephes 2.10 1 Pet. 2.9 10. This work is somtimes called a transplanting out of the natural wilde olive-tree and ingraffing it contrary to nature into a true good Olive-tree Rom. 11.24 out of the first into the second Adam now the Cions cannot transplant or ingraff it self It is termed a new creation 2 Cor. 5.17 To create or bring something out of nothing is beyond the power of the strongest creature it is above the strength of all men and Angels to create the least pile of grass God challengeth this as his prerogative royal Isa 40 26. As the old heaven and earth were the work of his hands Gen. 1.1 so are the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Isa 65.17 Austin said truly To convert the little world Man is more then to create the great world It is further stiled a Resurrection from the dead Ephes 5.14 and 2.5 It is a great work to recover a dying body a far greater to restore one that is dead to life but the greatest of all to enliven a dead soul in the former there is no opposition in this there is much In spight of man and devils to pull down the ugly rotten frame of sin and set up the lovely lasting Fabrick of sanctity requireth no less strength then Omnipotency The Almighty God putteth forth the exceeding greatness of his power in forming the New creature Ephes 1.19 20. nay the same power which he did in raising up Iesus Christ from the dead who had beside the watch of Romans and the malice of hell such an heavy weight as the sins of the world to keep him down Repentance and Faith are the two chief ingredients in this rare composition and neither of them are such drugs as grow in Natures Garden no they are fetched from far It is God that giveth to the Gentiles repentance unto life Acts 11.18 2 Tim 2.25 The stones will as soon weep as mans heart of stone unless he that smote the rock force water out of it by turning it into a heart of flesh for Faith also it is the gift of God Ephes 2.8 Phil. 1.29 None come to the Son but such as are drawn by the Father Joh. 6.44 He alone that caused iron to swim 2 King 6.6 can keep the humbled sinner that is pressed down with the burden of innumerable iniquities from sinking in the gulf of desperation To part a man from his dearest carnal self and to make him diligently seek the destruction of what before he sought the preservation to make him cut off his right hand and pluck out his right eye hate father mother wife childe name house land u◠do all he had done go backward every step he had gone see things with a new light understand things with another heart and in the whole course of his life to swim against the stream and tide of nature and winds of example to bring a soul to this I say which is all done and much more in conversion requireth the infinite God's operation Flesh and blood can neither reveal these things to a man nor work these things in a man but the Father which is in heaven The Minister like the Prophets servant Instrumentum non movet nisi moveatur may lay his staff on the dead childe but he cannot raise it to life till the Master cometh Paul may plant and Apollo water but God only can give the increase Cor. 3.6 Without him we can do nothing John 15.3 We may preach out our hearts unless God affords his help our people will never be holy As Protogenes when he saw a picture in a shop curiously drawn cryed out None but Apelles could do this So when thou seest the beautiful image of the blessed God lively portrayed on the soul thou mayst say This is the finger of God None but a God could do this Secondly I say Whereby God out of his meer good pleasure here is the impulsive or moving cause of Regeneration Of his own will begat he us again by the word of truth Jam. 1.18 Gods good will is the highest moving cause of this gracious work 't was not any fore-sight of Faith or good works not any thing without him that turned the scale of his thoughts for thy purity and peace but only his own good pleasure and pity Ezek. 36.21 22. therefore he is said to give a new heart verse 26 27. because he bestoweth it freely not for mans merit but from his own mercy The gift of grace is meerly of grace For we our selves saith the Apostle were sometimes disobedient foolish serving divers lusts and pleasures But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Titus 3.3 4 5. so Ephes 2.1 to 6. verse If you would know the grand reason why some are taken by the net of the Word let down in the sea of the world when others are left why some like wax are melted before this fire of Scripture when others like clay are hardned why some have the light side of this glorious pillar towards them when others have the dark side of it why the same path of the red sea is salvation to some when it is destruction to others why the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to babes when they are hid from the wise and prudent I must give you the same reason which Christ himself doth Even so Father because it seemeth good in thy sight Matth. 11.27 his will and mercy are the cause of all our felicity Rom 9.18 1 Pet 1.3 Deut 7.7 8. Grace chuseth thee Rom 11.5 There is a remnant according to the election of Grace so Ephes 1.5 Grace calleth 2 Tim 1.9 Who hath called us according to his purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began so Gal 1.15 Grace distinguisheth and differenceth thee from others By the grace of God I am what I am 1
others all spiritual children are not brought forth with the same strength and labour I shall mention three or four sorts of persons who are not so soon as others perswaded to real and unfeigned piety and truly my end is that they may be powerfully roused and effectually renewed before they be eternally ruined First The meer civil moral man This man Narcissus like dotes on himself and thereby is hardly brought to deny himself the more the tooth is fast'ned to the gum the harder it is to part them the more the man like a tree is rooted in the earth of self the more difficult to stock him up The civil man looks on himself in the glass of scandalous sinners lives and finding his face so clean and fair in comparison of theirs he falls extraordinarily in love with himself which many times proves his destruction He takes his civility for sanctity that which is less then the shadow for the substance and without question 't is not easie to make him eager after godliness when he is confident he hath it already a profane person is not seldom sooner convinced and converted then this conceited civilian for that man will sooner acknowledge himself sick but this Patient though sick unto death looks on himself as whole and so to have no need of a Physician In this sense I suppose the words of our Lord are spoken That Publicans and Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before Scribes and Pharisees Matth. 21.31 As a ship that is under sail though in a contrary course is sooner brought about then one that lieth aground in the Harbor can be lanched forth so he that is in motion though in a sinful conversation is often sooner reduced then he that lieth still in the thoughts of his own good condition As I can sooner overtake a childe that runneth from me then my shadow which tarrieth nigh me so it s easier to recover a gross offender then this shadow of the Civilian for though he run not so far from grace as the other yet he will be sure to keep his distance He useth his outward unblameableness as a shield to fence off the power of godliness he usually compareth himself with them that are very evil as a coward choosing a weak adversary and because he much excelleth them therefore concludeth that he is very good Reader It is far from my thoughts to discourage civility much less to encourage open impiety though the whole will of God must be taught what use soever corrupt hearts will make of it but to make thee watchfull that thy outward harmlesness prove not a hinderance to inward holiness Secondly The Hypocrite is one who is with more difficulty then ordinary converted Hypocrisie is like a fistula which hath a very small orifice but many turnings and windings in the body like coney-burrows so that 't is very hardly discerned and cured this man seems to be what a Saint is indeed and because he is like a godly man performing the same duties and forbearing the same iniquities as to the external part therefore he gathers that he is one indeed but he embraceth a cloud instead of Juno he appeareth to be near the Kingdom of God but never careth to come at it as a parallel line he keeps a scantling with the way of godliness but never meeteth with it There is some particular exception which this man hath taken against Christ and his ways that though he may often cheapen yet he seldom buyeth the pearl of price he escapes storms and Pirats at Sea and makes shiprack in the Haven where destruction is no less sure but much more miserable he escapes the gross lusts of Publicans and Harlots and yet is further then both from eternal life It is harder to convince this man of his sins then others If I tell a drunkard a swearer or an adulterer of his transgressions and the necessity of conversion this mans foul conversation is a forcible conviction to him yea and his own conscience will possibly flye in his face take part with me and give evidence against him but if I tell an Hypocrite of the necessity of sanctification and pursue him with the pieces of the Law he presently betakes himself like the beasts to his den of duties and therein shelters himself nay his naturall conscience being fed and bribed with a few performances may plead for him at least not say a word against him Besides when this man is convinced of his lost estate it s harder to break this mans heart then anothers for his heart hath not onely a naturall hardness but an extrordinary acquired hardness such an hardness as is acquired by duties and ordinances Now as where the Sun is most powerful there are the hardest mettalls so where the Sun-shine of spirituall blessings is most plentifully enjoyed and thus wretchedly abused there are the hardest hearts No softning like Gospel softening no hardening like Gospel hardening Tell a man that never heard of the Gospel or very seldom when he is convinced of his sins and misery of the love of God in sending his onely Son into the world to die that poor sinners might not perish tell him of the infinite love of Christ in giving himself a Sacrifice for his soul how freely Christ invites him how fully he provides for him how willing he is to accept him how welcome he will make him O how this man sometimes falls a weeping wringing his hands and renting his heart that ever he should abuse such love and mercy refuse such incomparable merits walk in the whole course of his heart and life unworthy of such a blessed glorious holy and gracious God the word of God doth wound this man to the soul but say all this and much more to an Hypocrite his heart is like the rock not at all moved The promises of God do not cleanse him from pollutions but they are as physick to which his body hath been much used which stirs him not at all nor purgeth away any ill humours Threatnings do not work with him be they never so dreadful and terrible as a Smiths Dog being accustomed to it he can sleep securely though the sparkes of the Forge flye about him nay though the flames of hell flash in his face Reader if thou shouldst be one of this sort for the Lords sake mind soundness with speed for hypocrisy will harden thine heart insensibly and every day widen the breach betwixt God and thy soul Thirdly The rich man The man that is rich in this world is hardly brought to mind the riches of the other world his heavy load of earth doth much hinder him in his journey to heaven His riches claspe about his affections as the Jvy about the Oake sucking out the heart of it for its own leaves and berries This man taketh up with his present possessions in comparison whereof he disesteemeth the Saints reversions As a Vessel that is exceedingly laden when it meets with storms and tempests
whereby it breatheth after exerciseth and delighteth it self in the wayes and worship of God there is an inward frame and disposition infused into the new Creature different from nay contrary to his former inclinations The stream of his heart and life before ran swiftly after the flesh and the world The creature sate upon the throne in his inward man commanding all things at pleasure earth was the mans heaven the world lay in his heart and all the mans affections and actions were ordered and disposed for the advancement of that interest But now the tide is turned the waters run in another channel the Lord is exalted in his affections as his chiefest good and in his conversation as his utmost end the Law of God is written in the heart and commented upon in the life the inward man is of a good constitution and the outward man of a good complexion Grace is a tendency of the soul Godward his understanding knoweth God to be the greatest good John 17. His will chooseth him his affections love him his desire is after him his delight is in him his fear is of him his trust is on him his care and endeavor is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleasing Joh. 17.3 Psal 16.5 6. 73.25 26. Isa 7.8 Psal 37.4 Gen. 42.18 like the Sun-flower he followeth the motion of the Sun of righteousness Now Reader try thy self Art thou alive to God Doest thou take him in Christ for thy happiness and make him thine end Is it thy business and trade to do his will thy calling and employment to finish his work Is thy heart devoted to his fear and thy life to his honor how art thou affected to his word and worship Dost thou perform duties out of love to God with complacency in God It it thy ment and drink to obey his precepts How is thy soul ravished with the sweetnesses of his promises Art thou joyful in the house of prayer Is the Sabbath thy delight Is the Scripture sweeter to thee then the honey and the honey-comb At the Sacrament canst thou fit under Christs shadow with great delight and finde his fruit sweet unto thy taste Doest thou esteem the yoke of thy Saviour easie his service liberty his wayes wayes of pleasantness and all his paths peace Canst thou say One day in Gods Courts is better then a thousand elsewhere Hast thou found that 't is good for thee to draw nigh to God If thou wert put to thy choice hadst thou rather solace thy soul with sensual recreations or in communion with the Father and Jesus Christ his Son Examine thine heart for if thou hast the divine nature divine and spiritual things will be natural and so pleasant to thee A man whose nature is covetous how exceedingly doth he delight in viewing and feeling money as the Roman Emperor would putt off his cloaths and tumble up and down in heaps of silver If a mans nature be proud how exceedingly pleased is he in the cap and the knee in being flattered and respected it is meat and drink to him as we say to be reverenced in mens carriage and honored in their language men love those things a life because they suit with their natures So when a man hath a new nature a spiritual holy nature things which are spiritual and holy will be acceptable to him because they are suitable to his nature the word will be welcom prayer will be pleasant ordinances will be as savory as food to the hungry the man will love the habitation of Gods house and the place where Gods honour dwelleth though his flesh be weak his spirit is alwayes willing He may be weary at a duty that the wheels of his soul should so be clog'd with the dirt of infidelity and make him to drive so heavily but he is never weary of duties though corruption and Satan now dog him at and disturb him in his performances yet 't is the comfort of his soul that he now drags them in chains after the triumphant chariot of Grace and he rejoyceth to think how he shall leave the body of death behinde him at the entrance of his soul into the Capitol of Glory His heart leaps now when his feet do but creep in the way of obedience when he goeth to the house of God it is with the voice of joy unto the altar of God yea his God and excceeding joy Whatsoever a man doth from an ingrafted propensity he doth it not onely in sincerity but also with alacrity He delights in it as the fish in the water as the mole in the earth it is his proper element God and the things of God are his element He would still be and live in this element He delights to know God to worship him to believe in him to meditate on him to sanctifie his day to glorifie his name to observe his Laws to view his children he is never so well as when he is walking with God if there were no heaven to prefer the obedient and no hell to punish the disobedient yet he would fear the Lord and delight greatly in his commandments But on the other side speak Friend Art thou listless and dead to spiritual things are they irksom and tedious to thee Probably the commandments of God are bonds and cords the Sabbath thy toilsom day not a day of rest and refreshment the Sanctuary is thy prison the service of God is snuft at by thee and wearisom to thee thou art glad that the duty is done the day is over thy conscience quieted like a Tenant who is glad his rent is paid to his Landlord but took no pleasure in parting with his money thou rejoycest at the end not at the beginning of thy duty thou countest Amen the best word in a prayer not because it 's the fruit of thy faith but because it puts a period to thy petitions the Blessing is the best part of Divine Worship thou esteemest no part to be before it because that is last and nothing comes after it Religion is but possibly thy by-business and a Lacquey to thy lusts a pass and a convoy which thou hast need of in thy travelling through the world It may be thou goest to duty as a Bear to the stake it goeth against the hair with thee to walk in the way of holiness though necessity compel thee sometimes or once or twice a day to take a turn in the path of piety Conscience will roar unless it may finde rest in some outward performance Or thou mayst now and then perceive good company walking in the narrow way which leadeth to life and so as travellers care not if they go a mile or two out of their way for company especially if the way be fair and the company pleasing so thou mayst go out of thy own way sometimes and walk a little with the Saints for company Reader be faithful to thy soul A real fire differeth from a painted one by its heat and so doth
sunshine of the Gospel the table of the Lord is to thee the table of devils the leaven of thy unregeneracy turneth that passover into pollution Christ himself is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence 1 Peter 2.8 This Sun of Righteousness which the sound eye of the regenerate beholds with much pleasure is not beheld by thy sore eyes without much pain The Red-sea of his blood through which the true Israelites pass safely into the celestial Canaan is destruction to thee being an uncircumcised Egyptian The very Grace of God is turned by thee into wantonness Jude vers 4. Thou makest sowre vinegar of that sweet wine and makest use of those gales to help thee to Hell which were sent to help thee to Heaven Vnto thee who art unbelieving and defiled is nothing pure Tit. 1.15 As the Earth hath the greatest cold in the bottom of it when the Sun shineth on it with the greatest heat to qualifie it So is thine heart dead and cold under all the warm influences of ordinances What a dreadful condition art thou in that those priviledges which are choice blessings to others should be cursed to thee and greaten both thy sin and suffering The fruit of those trees which stand in the Sun groweth greater then of those which grow in the shade so do thy sins under the Gospel of Christ wax greater then of those which want it Matth. 11.21 22 23. Hebr. 10.28 29. And as these sacred advantages increase thy corruption so also thy destruction When the physick which should remove the distemper cooperates with it it brings death with the more speed and pain No creature more terrible then fire and no fire so terrible as that which is taken from the Altar Take fire from the Altar and scatter it over the City Ezek. 10.2 they thought the fire of the Altar had been onely for the expiation of sin Calv. in loc but God makes them know that t was for the desolation of their City But thou art not onely cursed in what thou hast but also in what thou doest All thine actions whether inward or outward whether worldly or religious are all sinful and cursed Like the Leper under the Law thou taintest what ever thou touchest and makest it unclean Thy thoughts the first-born of thy soul and thy purest off-spring are all vain thine heart is a sink of sin an ocean of corruption and therefore is ever sending forth and bubbling up mire and dirt The imaginations and thoughts of thy heart are evil only evil and that continually Gen. 6.9 Thy words are wicked the inward wheels of thy spirit being disordered the clock of thy tongue cannot strike true The inward dunghil reaketh and sendeth forth its stench much this way Rom. 3.13 14. Thy mouth is full of cursing and bitterness The poison of Asps is under thy lips thy throat is an open Sepulcre like a grave when opened sending forth noisom and stinking exhalations Thy calling is not without its corruption The ploughing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4 Thy very eating drinking sleeping buying selling what ever thou dost is evil though such actions are indifferent in themselves for all indifferency lieth in generals yet as done by thee from wicked principles and for wicked ends they are stark naught Nay thy very religious actions are sinful and unacceptable to God The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 Thine incense stinks of the hand that offereth it therefore the heart of God cannot away with it Isa 1.13 14 15. 66.3 The vessel of thine heart is not clean and God will not taste of the liquor which cometh out of it because thy person is not accepted thy performances are all rejected Thou art in the flesh and therefore canst not please God Rom. 8.8 Thy duties are done without heart or heat and being dead carcases without spiritual life must needs be unsavory Thus man art thou miserable who art in a state of nature thine unregenerate heart being like some filthy fen or as some write of the Lake of Sodom which continually sendeth up poysonous vapors O into what dangerous Dilemmas doth thine unregeneracy bring thee If thou enjoyest the means of Grace by abusing them thou increasest thy misery Hebr. 10.28 If thou neglectest them thou leavest thy self without remedy and perishest unavoidably Prov. 29.18 Rom. 10.15 If thou art in prosperity the sunshine thereof doth but ripen thee for ruine as the Sun the grape for the wine-press of the Lords wrath Prov. 1.31 Psal 69.22 If thou art in adversity the fire thereof doth but harden thine heart of clay 2 Chron 28.22 Thy misery as Plutarch writes of drums to Tygers maketh thee mad Plutarch lib. de uper sat thou frettest like one in a frenzy 2 Kings 6.33 against the Lord If thou rejoycest thy laughter is from the teeth outward Is not thine heart many a time heavy when thy looks are lively Prov. 14.13 Doth not conscience when thou like Belshazar art carousing in thy cups spread forth an hand-writing before thee a black List of thy sins and Gods wrath which turneth all thy mirth into mourning at best thy laughter is but like the crackling of thorns under a pot which maketh a short blaze and busling noise and then vanisheth into smoak and ashes Dan. 5.5 6. Isa 57.21 If thou weepest thy tears are puddle-water and so thy worldly sorrow here but a pledge and earnest of thy sufferings hereafter If thou livest long thou heatest Hell the hotter every day treasuring up wrath upon thine head against the day of wrath Rom. 2.5 If thou diest soon thou makest the more haste to Hell taking a short cut to thy long and doleful home If thou lookest upward thou maist see God frowning and his wrath revealed from Heaven against thee Rom. 1.18 thou mayst behold as it were the Heavens and their Host ready every moment to discharge Gods curse like a thunderbolt upon thee if thou lookest downward thou mayst see hell gaping as the earth did to Corah and opening its mouth wide to swallow thee up quick if thou lookest within thee thou mayst see conscience which thou hast abused as the Philistines did Samson by putting out its eyes causing it to grind at the divels mill and making sport with it resolving when it shall recover its strength to be avenged on thee and to make thee perish though it perish with thee If thou lookest without thee there is no sight but what may call thee to sighs and sobs If thou lookest upon the creatures are not they armed with stings and murdering Instruments on the behalf of their Creatour and alwayes ready to let fly at thee who art a Rebel against his Majesty If thou lookest into Scriptures there is a table richly spread which they that are born of God sit at with Adoption remission peace love the purchase of Christ the comforts of the Spirit which thou as the unbelieving Lord mayst see but
will be so heavy So now thou art born up with the streams of worldly comforts thy sins are easie and light but when thou comest once to touch at land at thy long home they will be so poysonous for their nature and so ponderous for their weight that thou wilt cry out sadly and despairingly what Paul did sorrowfully yet believingly O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death Rom. 7.24 The god of this world now blindeth thine eyes that thou neither seest their number nor colour but in that long long night of blackness of darkness all those Ghosts will walk and then they will be gastly indeed Those arrows of sin which now thou shootest out of sight will then fall down upon the head of the Archer 4. It will teach thee the worth of a Saviour when thou feelest the want of a Saviour thou shalt know by woful experience the worth of a Saviour Sickness now probably teacheth thee the worth of health and pain the comfort of ease truly those torturing pains and wracking diseases with which thou shalt be eternally affected will teach thee though 't will be a miserable learning the great price and worth of the Physitian of souls Jesus Christ is more worth to a Saint in this world then the whole world If all the rocks were rubies and all the dust gold or the whole Globe a shining Chrysolite yet he would count all but dross and dung in comparison of Christ nay of one hours or moments communion with him But thou seest here no such vertue in his blood no such value in his passion no such beauty in his person no such excellency in his precepts But when thou shalt feel the wrath of God the curse of the Law the torments of Hell the poyson and sting of sin then a Redeemer will be a Redeemer indeed Now the Son of the ever blessed God tendereth himself to thee with many entreaties goeth after thee up and down night and day knocking at the door of thine heart with all his graces comforts and fruits of his death by the ministry of his word the motions of his spirit multitudes of temporal and spiritual mercies but thou unworthy wretch slightest both him and his precious Attendants and esteemest thy shop and stock thy corn and carnal comforts far before him but when thou shalt see what a weight of glory what Rivers of pleasures others enjoy through the Saviour and thy self feel more torment and pain then thou canst now possibly think or fear for want of a Saviour surely thou wilt have other manner of thoughts of him then now thou hast 'T would be as much worth to thee as Heaven now to know Jesus Christ and him crucified but 't will be the Hell of thine Hell to know him there O how deeply it will cut thine heart with horror to think that that Christ whom thou shalt see at his Fathers right hand waited on thee till his head was wet with the dew and his locks with the drops of the night called frequently and fervently after thee Turn turn O sinner why wilt thou die and run thus upon thy ruin and yet thou wert as deaf as an Adder and wouldst not hear the voice of that sweet Charmer 5. It will teach thee the preciousness of time Eternity will learn thee the value of time when in that long evening and night which shall never have a morning thou shalt remember and consider that thou hadst a day of Grace O Thou wilt think Time was when I had the tenders and offers of all that love and life mercy and merits heaven and happiness of which yonder blessed souls are possessors when mercy came kneeling to me for acceptance Grace came a begging at the door of my heart for admittance it followed me to bed and board abroad and at home beseeching me for the love of God for the sake of my poor soul to turn from lying vanities to the living God how often did the Minister with many entreaties invite exhort beseech me to pitty my dying soul to leave my damning sins 2 Cor. 6.2 and heartily to embrace my loving Saviour with all speed assuring me from the word of the Eternal God that then was the onely accepted time then was the onely day of Salvation but I despised and deferred all I thought I had time enough before me and wo and alas it is now too late the sun of my life is set the gate of mercy is shut I did not work in my day and now the things of my peace are for ever hid from mine eyes Alas alaâ— poor creature what wilt thou do in such an hour Now thou wantest wayes to spend thy time were it not for the Ale-house or good fellowship or some sinful or vain sports thou couldst not tell what to do with thy time Now thou esteemest it as a meer drug that hangs upon thy hand How many a precious hour dost thou throw away though the revenues of the whole world cannot purchase or call back a moment but then thou wilt cry as that foolish Lady on her death-bed who wantoned it away in her life time Plutarch in Pelopid Call time again Call time again but all in vain When thou art once entred upon thine Eternity there can be no recalling of Time I have read of Archias the Lacedemonian that whilst he was carousing in his cups amongst his jovial companions one delivers him a letter purposely to acquaint him that some lay in wait to take away his life and withal desired him to read it presently because it was matter of concernment O saith he Cras seria serious things to morrow but he was slain that night so whilst thou art wallowing in the mire of sensual pleasures a messenger from God is sent purposely to tell thee that Satan and Sin lie in ambushment to murther thy soul and withal intreateth thee to minde it speedily that thou mightest prevent it but thou cryest at least in thy heart and practice Serious things to morrow Repentance Faith and Holiness hereafter but before that hereafter come thou art in Hell and then present time will be precious when its past Thou wilt then remember how exceeding careful thou wast to plough and sow thy ground in its season and how mad and foolish to put off the ploughing up the fallow ground of thy heart and sowing to the Spirit till the season of Grace was past 6. It will teach thee the knowledge of Eternity though indeed this Lesson will be ever learning by thee and never learned Thou shalt suffer the vengeance of eternal fire Jude v. 7. and be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev. 14.10 Thou wouldst not burn an whole year no not one day in one of thy Kitchin fires for a Kingdom But O then thou shalt be in a ten thousand times hotter fire and for ever Ah! Who can dwell in everlasting burnings who can endure unquenchable flame Isa
shall inherit the earth Matth. 5.5 If heaven can make thee blessed thou shouldst be blessed Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5.3 If all things could make thee blessed thou shouldst be blessed Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. two last verses Reader I shall do my utmost so to set forth the felicity of the regenerate which no pen can fully that thou mayst admire it How goodly are thy tents O. Jacob and thy tabernacles O Israel Numb 24.5 and not only as Balaam desire their deaths Let me die the death of the righteous and let my latter end be like his Numb 23 10. but also endeavour to live their lives and to have thy conversation like theirs While thou continuest in this world thou shouldst be a blessed soul and when thou entrest into the other world thou shouldst be a glorions Saint In this world thou shouldst be a blessed soul in every condition into which thou couldst come in every relation in which thou dost stand at all times and in all places whatsoever All the Providences of God should be profitable to thee If Gods hand were enlarged in mercy thy heart should be enlarged in duty If God should prosper thee in temporals the streams of his bounty should lead thee as the water course either upward to the spring or downward to the ocean to the source and fountain of all thy happiness Thy heart would still be in heaven where thy best things were even then when thy body were busied among earthly good things 1 Cor. 7 29 30 Phil. 3.19 Some observe of the seed called Henbane that it killeth all birds save sparrows and to them it is nourishing food and they give this reason because their veines are so narrow that the fumes of the seed cannot passe through them to their hearts truly thus t would be with thee though thou sands of others are poisond with their worldly portions because the fumes thereof penetrate into their vitals but if riches increase thou shouldst not set thine heart upon them nay thou shouldst get nourishment from them As Jehosaphat the more honour and wealth thou hadst the more thy heart would be lifted up in the ways of God 2 Chro. 17.5 6. If thine estate were but little yet t would be perfumed with love and that lump of sugar in thy cup would make the liquor sweet be it never so small As the waters which flow from the hils of some of the Islands of Molacca taste of the Cinamon and Cloves which grow there so should thy guift though it were but water taste of the good will and special grace of the giver Thy little with the fear of the Lord would be better then the riches of many wicked men Psal 37 15. As a little ring with a very costly Diamond in it is far more worth then many great ones without it so thy estate though it were but a penny should be joyned with the pretious jewel of that love which is better then life and enjoyed by special promise and thereby be infinitely more worth then the thousands and millions of others bestowed meerly from common bounty and enjoyed onely by a generall providence If the black frost of adversity overtake thee thou shouldst as Conies thrive the better thy soul being hail thou wouldst become thereby the more healthy By affliction thou shouldst be partaker of Gods holiness Heb. 12.10 The waters of affliction should wash out the diri of thy corruption and the more they increased they would raise thee as the flood the Arke higher above the earth and mount thee nearer to heaven Torches burn the better for beating Spices smell the sweeter for pounding Vines bear the more for bleeding and the more thy soul were kept down by those weights like the Palm-tree the more thou shouldst grow That scouring and rubbing which fretteth others should make thee shine the brighter Psal 94.12 Divine corrections should make thee learn thy sacred lessons It is said of the Lacedemonians that when all other people were undone by war they onely grew rich Truly thus when ungodly ones are the worse for outward miseryes and wants like Ahaz in their distress they sin more against the Lord thou shouldst thrive the better grow the richer in grace and good works The diminution of thy temporal should be an addition to thy spiritual estate Job 36.9 10. As spring-water smoaketh when other waters are dried up because that is living and these are dead nay t is observed waters arising from deep springs are hotter in winter then in summer the outward cold keeping in and doul â—â—g the inward heat So the waters of thy graces should not onely continue having a living principle when the Sun of calamity scorcheth and drieth up the dead ponds of unregenerate professors Mat. 13.21 but also increase in spiritual heat Job 17.8 9. Philip. 1.14 If the Devil assaulted thee with temptations they should never be for thy perdition but probation Rev. 2.10 The Captain of thy Salvation would so strengthen thy soul with the Shield of Faith and Sword of the Spirit that thou shouldst not onely defend thy soul from all deadly wounds but offend thine Enemy and be more then a Conqueror over Principalities and Powers through him that loveth thee It would possibly be grievous and terrible to thee to be tempted but if God did not see it needful he would not suffer it nay if he could not make it useful he would not send it by those thorns of the flesh he would prick the vein and let out the ranck blood of thy spirit It is said of Telephus that he had his impostume opened by the dart of an Enemy which intended his hurt Truly so God would make to thee the fiery darts of the Devil though they were intentionally mortal to be eventually medicinal 1 John 5.18 The evil one should not touch thee that is with a mortal or deadly touch As a sound tree shaken with the winde thou shouldest not fall but root thy self the â—â—â—ter thou shouldest like Sampson fetch meat out of the Eater and out of the Strong sweetness thou shouldst get honey even out of this roaring Lion thy Regeneration like Pollium would be a special preservative against the poyson of that croocked Serpent Nay when thou shouldest fall into the evil of sin even that should turn to thy good God no thanks to thee like the skilful Apothecary would make wholsom treacle of such poisonus drugs If thy corruption should at any time get the mastery and break out in thy life thou shouldst be so well purged by the Physician of souls with the bitter Aloes of Repentance that as those who have had ill humors of their bodies getting head and breaking out in the small-pox and do well thou shouldst be the healthier in thy soul
while thou livest As a burnt child thou shouldest ever dread that fire thy broken hone being once well set would be stronger then before Compare 2 Sam. 11.4 and 15. with 1 Câ—ron 11.18 19. Mark 14.29 with Iohn 21.15 16 17. thou shouldst after thy falls walk more dependingly on Christ more compassionately towards others and more watchfully over thine own heart What ever thy condition were it should tend to thine eternal consolation Every wind that blew whether the nipping North-winde of adversity or the cherishing South-winde of prosperity should neither of them wrong thee for Christ would give them a charge concerning thee as David his Captains concerning Absolom Do this young Convert no harm no discourtesie but deal gently with him for my sake yea they should both blow a blessing to thy soul though the providences of God might be sometimes painful to thine outward yet they should be alwayes profitable to thine inward man Infinite love would send all infinite wisdom would temper all and infinite power would dispose all for thy benefit the rod would ever be in the hand of a loving Father and therefore never used to ruine or harm thee but ever to reform and heal thee As in the revolution of the Heavens every Planet moveth in its proper orb their motions are various nay opposite yet by the wheeling round of the primum mobile they are all brought about to one determinate point And as the wheels of a watch though they move contrary wayes yet all serve to carry on the end of the workman to tell us the time of the day So though the providences and dealings of God be never so cross seemingly yet they should all tend to thine advantage really and finally and to carry on Gods design which is thy spiritual and eternal felicity In a word if afflictions did wait upon thee if temptations watch against thee if mercies did flow in or by iniquity thou didst fall down whether the dayes of thy pilgrimage were cloudy or clear shining or showring whatever weather thou travellest in towards thy Father House All things should work together for thy good if thou didst once love God and wert called according to his purpose Rom. 8.28 As all Gods providences should be profitable to thee so also in all thy performances thou shouldst be acceptable to God When thou shouldst approach the Lord of Glory he would give thee a meeting in the means of Grace he would bid thee welcom into his presence and warm thine heart with his spiritual influences thou mightest hear him speaking to the solace and wonder of thy soul O my Dove shew me thy face let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely Cant. 2.14 The Spirit of God would assist thee in all thy performances enabling thee to offer up to God what came first from God and O how exceedingly would the Father be taken with and delight in his own childe The fruits of his Spirit would be pleasant fruits indeed Rom. 8.26 Cant. 4. ult Thou shouldst in every sacrifice give God thine heart which he could not but take kindly at thy hands Thy prayer would be his delight Sozomen said of Apollonius 〈◊〉 at he â—ever as â—ed that thing of God which was denied Prov. 15.8 Thy sweet breath would abundantly please him no musick could be so melodious to thee as thy prayers to him thou shouldst never ask any thing but he would grant it either in specie or pondere in money or money-worth The King of Heaven is not he that could do any thing against thee as that earthly King said Jer. 38.5 Thy prayer should come before him like incense and the lifting up of thine hands as morning and evening sacrifices which his soul would smell a sweet savour in His eyes would be alwayes open upon thy person with acceptance and therefore his ears would be open to thy prayers with audience Gen. 4.4 Thou like Esther shouldst be arrayed in thy best raiment the robes of thy Saviours righteousness and so appearing in the presence of the King shouldst finde such favour in his eyes that thy Petition should be granted and thy request performed though it were to the half to the whole of his Kingdom Thy duties should be performed with sutable graces At a Sacrament or in a Prayer thou shouldst draw nigh to him by faith Hebr. 10.22 Know thy distance from him by godly fear Hebr. 12.28 be made one with him by love John 17.23 which would enlarge thy heart in desires after him and ravish thy soul with delight in him Psal 73.25 Job 22.26 and thou shouldst walk with him throughout the duty with one foot of hope and the other of humility Thus graciously shouldst thou look up to him and he would graciously look down upon thee little dost thou think what powerful loadstones these Graces would be to draw forth his love Observe and admire Thou hast * Taken away my heart or behearted me Hebr. ravished my heart my sister my spouse thou hast ravished mine heart with one of thine eyes with one chain of thy neck How fair is thy love my sister my spouse how much better is thy love then wine and the smell of thine oinments then all spices Cantic 4.9 10 11. to the end Besides all thy performances would be perfumed by the Mediator There would indeed still be imperfection in thy graces which are poured by the Spirit into thy soul as pure liquor into a foul vessel Spring waters as they pass thorow the veins of the earth will taste of the minerals which they there salute so would thy gracious actions have their faults and defects because thou wouldst have stil an unregenerate part therefore duties as they came from thee would not have a good savour but Christ the Angel would stand at the Altar with sweet incense intercepting thy sacrifices and prayers in their passage to heaven purge away the iniquities of thy holy things with his own blood perfume thy duties with his infinite merits and so present them to his Father in his own name without the least defilement and then O then how pleasing and acceptable must they needs be to him Revel 8.3 4. As when a Servant is with a Master upon liking he doth his business so coldly and carelesly and is so indifferent about it that his Master takes little notice either of him or his work and all that time is lost But when he is once bound and the Indentures sealed and his father engaged for his faithfulness the Apprentice falls to his work with another manner of spirit and the Master now esteems it as service carrieth himself towards him as a Master resolves to teach him his trade and his time every day goes on So whilst a man is unregenerate he serveth God so coldly hypocritically and carnally that God accepts it not nay loaths it his performances they are as the cutting off of a dogs neck or the offering up of swines
individual promise hath its vertue and value It is the saying of one Mallemus carere sale coeâ—o c Selveccer in Paedag. Christian We had better want meat drink air light all the elements then that one sweet sentence of our Saviour Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 Mr. Burroughs saith that there is more of God in that one verse John 3.16 then in heaven and earth beside God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And Mr. Baxter I remember In his Everlasting â—est hath an expression to this purpose That he would not for all the world that that verse John 17.24 had been left out of the bible Father I will also that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory One promise hath revived the saints when they have been almost dead with sorrow and held their heads up that they have not sunk in deep waters Melib. Adamus in vit Beza was refreshed by that John 10.27 28 29. Mr. Bilney that blessed Martyr by that 1 Tim. 1.15 Father Latimer at the stake by that 1 Cor. 10.13 Mr. Robert Bolten that famous preacher and eminent saint was comforted under a sad affliction by that Isa 26.3 Now if one promise be so pretious how happy shouldst thou be wert thou but regenerated to have an interest in all the promises That whole book should be thine wherein every leafe drops myrrhe and mercy love and life Thou mightst walk in the garden where those choice flowers pleasant fruits and sweet spices grow and abundantly delight thy soul with their fragrant smell and luscious taste The promise is to you and to your children and to then that are a far off and to as many as the Lord our God shall call Acts 2.39 Observe the silver thread upon which all the jewels of the promises hang To as many as the Lord our God shall call When thou art called and born of him all the promises would be thy portion As all the rivers meet in the Ocean so all the promises meet in regeneration I will name two or three promises that thou mayst see how well t would be with thee wert thou once in Christ All thy sins should be pardoned though they were never so great and greivous yet the blood of Jesus Christ would cleanse thee from them Didst thou but know what a great price was laid down to procure a pardon Heb. 9.22 14. what dreadful punishments sinners undergo in hel for want of pardon Jude 7. what sorrows and sighs broken bones and waterd couches the Saints suffer when they are but doubtful of their pardon Psa 38.1 2 3 4. thou wouldst say O blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sin is covered blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth not sin Psal 32.1 2. Now thou shouldst obtain this blessedness God would esteem thee perfectly righteous Solinus reports of a river in Boetia which maketh black sheep if washed therein white truly wert thou never so black a sinner yet thou shouldst be made white by the blood of the lamb Rev. 7.14 As all thy sins should be remitted so thy person should be adopted Thou shouldst of a child of wrath become the child of God Joh. 1.12 David reckoned it a great honour to be the Son in Law of King Saul Seemeth it saith he to Sauls servant A light thing to you to be a Kings son in Law seeing that I am vile and lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 18.23 O what is it then to be the Son of God of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Behold what manner of love hath the father loved us with that we should be called his children 1 John 3.1 The greatest admiration is too little for such infinite condescention yet this priviledge should be thine The boundless God who hath millions of glorious Angels for his servants would own feed cloath protect maintain and portion thee as his son Thou shouldst be sure to persevere in grace Being once in Christ thou shouldst be ever in Christ though the wind should blow and the waves beat against thee yet thou shouldst not fall being built upon the true rock The very gates of Hell should not prevail against thee Though thou mighst fall foully yet thou shouldst never fall finally because the seed of God would remain within thee 1 John 3.9 Phil. 1.6 1 Thes 5.23 24. Thy life would be hid in Christ as the sap in the root and therefore though thou mightst have thine Autumne yet thou shouldst spring again Thy stock of grace would not be in thine own but in Christs hands and for this cause thou couldst not possibly prove as Adam a bankrupt Though the flame of a zealous profession might be abated yet there would be fire on the hearth under the ashes true grace in thine heart the love of God to thy soul would be everlasting love Jer. 33.3 The kindness of thy Redeemer to thee everlasting kindness Isa 54.8 The Spirit of Grace would abide in thee for ever Joh. 14.16 The Covenant into which thou shouldst enter with God would be an everlasting Covenant Hebr. 13.20 And in that very Covenant thy Saviour would undertake for thee that thou shouldst never depart away from him but abide in him for ever Jer 31.33.34 and 32.40 Christ himself would be ever in thee and Christ saith one may as soon die in Heaven at his Fathers right hand as in the heart of a Believer To sum up all the promises in one God would be thy God And how much wealth is in this golden mine would nonplus the tongues of all the men in the world to express and the understandings of all the Angels in Heaven to conceive This is the great new-Covenant Promise Hebr. 8.8 9 10. I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people The Author of all Promises is the matter of this Promise Surely t is the Main the Ocean a large Promise indeed when it contains him whom the heavens and Heaven of heavens can never contain The Book of Promises is as a glorious Crown but this is the most sparkling Diamond in it Friend dost thou consider what it is to have God for thy God All that God is would be thine the Father thine to adopt thee for his own Son the Son thine to purisie and present thee acceptable to the Father the Spirit thine to dwell in thee as a witness seal and earnest of thine everlasting inheritance All that is in God should be thine all his attributes and perfections should be laid out for thy profit His wisdom would be thine to direct thee his power thine to protect thee his grace thine to pardon thee his mercy thine to pitty thee his goodness thine to comfort thee and his glory thine to crown thee Thou canst not
well-head and therefore needest not fear the least want Thine appetite there would be ever fresh after God and thy satisfaction ever ful in God God would be to thee any thing every thing all things which thy heart could possibly desire God is so sweet and satisfying a good to his people on earth that they have found the loss of other things abundantly made up in his favour and love Hab. 3.16 17. 1 Sam. 30.6 though he communicated himself but in small drops by slow degrees unto them O then what would God be to thee in heaven when he would give of himself abundantly and continually unto thy soul If all the delightful objects and pleasures which the whole creation here below affordeth were united into one and bestowed upon thee and thou wert to live a thousand years in the enjoyment of it this were not worth one day in Gods courts in this world much less one hour or one moments enjoying him in the other world In his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore Psalm 16. ult Though all words are too weak to utter the Saints happiness there yet David speaks much in this verse For quality there is joy there is pleasure What canst thou wish which is not contained in those two words hope of future joy made the man of sorrows contented under his shameful and bloody cross how comfortable wilt thou be when thou shalt have it in hand For quantity fulness of joy or a torrent of which thou shouldst drink full draughts without interruption or intermission Thy joy would be pure without mixture and perfect without measure The Masters joy or the joy of thy Lord In his presence the fruition of God is the fairest flower in the Garland of Honor and that alone which gives compleat satisfaction to the soul He is the Heaven of Heaven and other things are but accessary to this Principal yet other things there would afford comfort through the God of consolation The sights there would please thine eyes for thou shouldst behold not onely perfect Saints but the pearless Saviour thine eyes should see the King in his glory there is a great difference between seeing a King in his ordinary attire and on his throne with his robes and all his signs of Majesty The sight of the Saints would much delight thee to see those heirs in the possession of their inheritances When Cyneas the Ambassador of Pyrrhus had beheld the state and magnificence of the Roman Senators and People he was so exceedingly taken with it that at his return from that City of Rome being asked how he liked it and what he thought of that state he answered That he saw as many Emperors as Senators and that it was a Commonwealth of Kings Such would Heaven be to thine eyes a Common-wealth of Emperors and Kings wherein every Saint would have a robe of honour a scepter of power a throne of majesty and crown of glory Surely such sights would fill thee with wonder and joy to behold all the children in their Fathers house so richly clad so daintily feasted and so highly advanced as they shall be there But O the joy which will possess thee at the sight of the Lord Jesus who as the Sun will shine gloriously indeed in the midst of those Stars and as a Judge be known by his robes from all the Justices on the Bench. If it were so good to behold him here in his estate of humiliation and in his mourning weeds what will it be to behold him in his estate of exaltation and in his bright sparkling and glorious robes Truly that light will be sweet and it will be pleasant to behold that Sun As the sights there would please thine eyes so the sounds there will please thine ears I have read of a Divine that when he heard rare musick on Earth he was much taken with it presently cried out O the ravishing musick which is in Heaven How will thy spirit be taken when thou shalt hear the new song the song of the Lamb sung by the pleasant voices and play'd upon the harps of the thousand thousands that are before the throne of God who rest not day or night but say and sing Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power For thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4 8. and ult O how much might I expatiate here and shew thee that whatever is requisite to happiness would be enjoyed by thee there If honor could make thee happy thou shouldst there have an eternal weight of glory such a weight that if thou wert not upheld by the power of God would press thee down If pleasures can make thee happy thou shouldst drink of the rivers of pleasures which flow from the blessed God for ever such pleasures as thine eyes never saw thine ears never heard and thine heart can never conceive If a gallant glorious seat could make thee happy thou shouldst be happy Thou shouldst dwell in a City Rev. 21.19 20. whose Builder and Maker is God its gates are of pearl and its pavement of pure gold The house which thou shouldst live in is the Fathers house that house which the mighty Possessor of Heaven and Earth hath erected with his own hands to be the place wherein he will shew all his riches magnificence grace goodness and glory If rest could make thee happy thou shouldst rest from all thy labours enjoy an eternal Sabbath There the spiritual oppressors cease from troubling there the weary are at rest If good company could make thee happy thou shouldst have the society of all the Saints sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob the Prophets Apostles and all the children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven thou shouldst enjoy the many millions of holy Angels the dearest Jesus and the ever blessed God If food can make thee happy thou shouldst eat of the hidden manna of the bread which came down from Heaven of the tree of life which groweth in Paradice and drink of the water of life Rev. 22.1 2. which is clear as Crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. If life can make thee happy thou shouldst have that eternal life which is from God in God and with God In a word whatever were needful for thee or could be joyful to thee or desired by thee in order to thy happiness thou shouldst have it Thirdly Thou shouldst know the vertue and preciousness of the blood of Christ the Apostle doth not without cause when he compares the blood of Christ with silver and gold infinitely prefers it before them and call it precious blood 1 Pet. 1.19 Indeed 't is that which as the diamond to the ring addeth worth and value to what ever 't is joyned The two Testaments are precious because they are both sprinkled with the
blood and confirmed by the death of the Testator Hebr. 9.16 17 18 19. The Lords Supper is precious because it sheweth forth the Lords blood and death 1 Cor. 11.26 pardon of sin peace of conscience the affection of the Father the sanctification of the Spirit are all precious because they are the fruits and effects of this precious blood 1 John 1. and 7. Rom. 5.1 Hebr. 9.14 Ephes 2.13 All our comforts run in this channel the blood of Christ is the stream which bears them up and brings them to us yea Heaven it self and the Crown of Glory have weight and worth from this precious sparkling stone Heaven is the purchased possession Ephes 1.14 'T is the blood of Jesus which giveth boldness to enter into that holy place Hebr. 10.19 The precious price paid for it will speak it and make it a glorious place If thou wert once regenerated Christ would be so precious to thee at this day that all things would be dung and dross in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus thy Lord to them that believe Christ is precious 1 Pet. 2.7 O the price which true Christians set upon Christ The wise Merchant sold all for this Pearl I have read that the Duke of Burgundy had a Jewel which was afterwards sold for twenty thousand duckets But Christ to a Saint is better then silver and more desirable then choice gold more precious then rubies yea then many millions of worlds When the Athenian Ladies were boasting to Phocion's wife of their Jewels she told them My jewels are my husband Phocion When Alexander was asked where his treasure was he shewed them his friends Such a Jewel such a Treasure is Jesus Christ in the esteem of his Spouse his Friends Christ is all in all The pious soul is of the same minde with John of Alexandria sirnamed the Almoner when at the years end he had given all he had left to the poor and made even with his Revenues he looks up to Heaven and thanked God that he had nothing left but his Lord and Master Jesus Christ to whom he longed to flye with unlimed and untangled wings The face of none is so comely to the Saints eye the voice of none so lovely to his ears the taste of nothing so pleasant in his mouth as Jesus Christ But the Christian hath a choice room in his soul for the blood of his Saviour He prizeth the shameful cross of Christ above the most glorious crown of the greatest earthly Potentate Gal. 6.14 Thus Friend it would be with thee here if thou wert conveted thou wouldst determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified O the honey which thou wouldst suck out of the Carkass the death of this Lion of the Tribe of Judah When thou shouldest consider that this blood of Jesus Christ is that alone which hath satissied Gods justice Rom. 3.25 Rom. 5.9 Col. 1.20 Heb. 9.14 Rev. 1.5 6. pacified his anger justified thy person sanctified thy nature removed the curse of the Law from thee and thee from the eternal wrath of God and unquenchable torments of Hell would it not be precious blood in thine esteem think of it what a price thou wouldst set upon it but when thou shouldst in Heaven for ever behold the blessed body of Christ shining with incomprehensible beauty far above the brightest Cherub and consider that every vein of that body bled to bring thee to glory when thou shouldst see thousands and millions in matchless and endless burnings from which thou wert delivered and behold thy body made far more glorious then the Sun in his high noon attire and thy soul filled brim-full with unspeakable joy nay every part of thy body and soul enlarged to the utmost and fully fatisfied with unconceiveable delight and thou shouldst be confident and assured to enjoy this for ever and know clearly all this to be the travel of Christs soul and the fruit of his blood Friend friend what thoughts then wilt thou have of the blood of Christ Surely 't will be precious blood indeed thou wouldst have other manner of thoughts of him that came by water and blood then thou ever hadst here below The work of our redemption will be the matter of the Saints communion and the great subject of their eternal admiration Their delivery from sin Satan wrath and hell into a state of liberty love grace and salvation by the blood of Jesus will fill their eyes and hearts with wonder love and joy for ever All the voices there shall sing this song and all the vials there shall be set to this tune Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and nation and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and glory and blessing Rev. 5.9.10 11 12 to end If the Queen of Sheba when she beheld the wisdom and magnificence of Solomon was so transported that there remained no more spirit in her how will thine heart be transported to see the love and glory of the true Solomon who wept and bled and lived and died to bring thee to heaven Fourthly Thou shouldst know what God is and truly this would be no smal part of thy felicity Knowledge is the excellency of a man and differenceth him from a bruit divine knowledge is the excellency of a Christian and differenceth him from a Heathen The knowledge of humane things hath been so highly esteemed by some of the Heathen that they have profest they would give their whole estates to enjoy their books without interruption what then is the knowledge of divine things worth Aristotle saith That a little knowledge of heavenly things though but conjectural is better then much certain knowledge of earthly things what then is the knowledge of the God of heaven worth The excellency of the object doth much dignifie the act In this world thou canst see but little of him thy sight is so weak but there thou shouldst see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.3 Now the Christian rather seeth and knoweth God as he is not then as he is we describe him for indeed he is infinitely above all definitions by way of negation to be a Spirit Infinite Unchangeable and the like which particulars tell us what God is not He is a Spirit that is a being without a body for God is not a Spirit as the souls of men and as Angels are I mean not of such a substance The Spirit of God in that expression God is a Spirit Joh. 4. condescendeth to our capacities because we are not able to conceive
Martyrs he was earnest to know what it was which carried them through with so much courage One of them there being two and twenty at that time under the tormentors hands answered Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Upon the hearing of which words Adrian was converted and sealed the truth with his blood Thou hast heard much more concerning the happiness of the Saints in the other world then one verse of Scripture how art thou taken with it Doth the joy there nothing affect thine heart nor enlarge it in salleys out after it O that that joy that glory that house that eternal heaven were mine Doth it nothing resolve thee against sin and for Christ answer God in thy conscience Some write that forty one of Alexanders friends drunk themselves dead for a crown of gold of One hundred and eighty pound weight which the King had provided for them which drank most God offereth thee a crown of glory not corruptible as silver and gold are but eternal art not thou ashamed that those swaggerers should cursedly lose their lives and souls for a fading crown when thou wilt not leave thy lusts thy sins for an ever-flourishing crown of glory O man bethink thy self whilst thou hast time and do not as prophane Esau prefer thy mess of pottage before these spiritual priviledges and the eternal purchase Cleopatra the Egyptian Princess told Marcus Antonius when she saw him-spending his time vainly and meanly much below the quality of a Prince It is not for you to fish for Gudgeons or Trouts but for Towns and Cities and Castles and Kingdoms So say I to thee It is not for the to lie spending thy time and strength and beating thine head and heart for an hoard of dust or an heap of earth which shall shortly take its eternal leave of thee but for spiritual riches for durable riches and righteousness it 's not for thee to busie thy self about toyes and trifles but about the image of God the blood of Christ the Covenant of Grace the Kingdom 〈◊〉 Heaven the eternal weight of Glory O these are worthy of all thy thoughts and words and actions of all thy time and strength and health of all thy name and estate and interest whatsoever If thou att a rational creature Swinham Court of Wards and Liv. let reason prevail with thee and shew thy self a man of understanding It was the custom formerly in England to try one that was beg'd for a fool in this manner an apple or a counter with a piece of gold was set before him if he take the apple or the counter he is cast for a fool in the judgement of the Court as one that knoweth not the true value of things or how to make choyce of what was best for him Truly thus it is with thee God setteth before thee the counters and carnal comforts of this world the true gold and unutterable happiness of the other world nay he layeth before thee the eternal pains of hell and the eternal pleasures of Heaven to try which thou wilt take now if thou wilt take a poor portion below and leave the purchased possession above if thou wilt to abide in thy sensual lusts chuse the torments of hell and refuse by not submitting to the rule of Christ the joys of heaven art thou not a fool in grain surely the Devil will beg thee for a fool for ever therefore shew thy self wise by chusing that which is of greatest worth I call heaven and earth to record this day against thee that I have set before thee life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life that both thou and thy seed may live Deut. 30.19 The third Subject of Consideration The Excellency of Regeneration THirdly Consider the excellency of that which the Lord requireth of thee for the avoiding of that easeless endless misery of the damned and the attaining the unspeakable and unchangeable felicity of the saved Reader I pray thee speak to God in thine heart and tell him what is the reason thou art so willing to go to Hell and so unwilling to go to Heaven Sure I am as thou art a living creature much more as a rational man thou hast a natural inclination and propensity towards thine own good and felicity and therefore thou canst not love Hell directly as it is torturing and wracking of thy soul and body though thou dost love it eventually as 't is the end of thy fleshly ungodly life Well I le undertake for once to dive into thine heart and tell thee the reason of thy backwardness towards heaven and thy forwardness for hell The reason is this thou lookest on the power of godliness as distasteful to thy flesh or disgraceful to thy name the yoke of Christ is too strict t is not the end that displeaseth thee thou couldst contentedly be happy but t is the narrowness of the way and the straitness of the gate with which thou art dis-satisfied 't will not afford thee room enough for thy beloved lusts is it not so let conscience speak Well I hope by the help of God to make thee of another minde when thou hast throughly read this Head which I am now writing of It is the saying of Plato That if moral Philosphy could be seen with moral eyes it would draw all mens hearts after it Sure sure I am that if Regeneration or the Divine nature were seen with divine eyes 't would draw mens hearts and heads and hands and all after it All that ever struck at it did it in the dark They spake evil of things which they knew not Reader what is that which God requireth of thee Is it not to leave thy slavery to Satan thy bondage to sin and to accept and enjoy the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Is it not that thou shouldst be divorced from sin that mishapen monster and spawn of the Devil whose person is deformed whose company is defiling and whose portion is damnation and that thou shouldst be married to Jesus Christ the fairest of ten thousands the heir of all things who would adorn thee with the jewels of his graces beautifie thee with the Imbroydery of his Spirit wash thee with his own blood array thee with his own righteousness and present thee to his father without spot to be blessed in his full immediate enjoyment for ever Is it not that thou shouldst cease thy drudgery to Hells-Jaylor live above the perishing profits bruitish pleasures empty honors of the world and flesh and that thou shouldst walk after the Spirit walk with God warm thine heart at the flame of his love bathe thy soul in angelical delights have thy conversation in Heaven here and thy habitation there hereafter Is not this Man the sum and substance of what the Lord requireth of thee and art thou not shroudly hurt would not these
prophaning it either by idleness or worldly labours or omission of duties and ordinances against the fifth in not carrying himself according to his duty towards them that are above him equal to him or below him Against the sixth seventh eighth ninth and tenth in wronging his neighbours either in regard of life chastity goods name relations either in thoughts words or actions It sheweth him the darkness of his understanding the stubbornness of his will the disorderedness of his affections the hardness of his heaâ—t the searedness of his conscience the mis-improvement of his outward parts how his eyes have beheld vanity his ears been open to iniquity all his senses been through-fares to sin all the members of his body instruments of unrighteousness how from the crown of the head to the soals of his feet there is no sound part in him nothing but wounds bruises and putrified sores It is not one or two sins that trouble this sinner but innumerable evils compass him about whole swarms of these Bees flie in his face and sting his conscience it may be one sin did first set upon him some sin against the light which God had given him and now that creditor hath cast him into prison all the rest come and clap their actions upon him to keep him there his sins in his dealings with men in his duties to God his sins against seasonable corrections against merciful dispensations his sins against the motions of Gods Spirit against the conviction of his own spirit against light love purposes promises they all compass the sinner round that he cannot escape now he sees the ugly loathsomness of all his lusts how they are against an infinite God against a righteous Law against a precious soul how by reason of them he is wholly unlike God and become the very picture of the Devil and truly now he is far from having those flattering thoughts of himself and favourable thoughts of his sins which formerly he had for sins part t is abounding polluting poisonous sinful sin He seeth the wrinckles of this Jezabels face under her paint and O how ugly is she in his eyes and for himself he is more out of love then ever he was in love with himself Some say after they have had the Small-pox that they come to see themselves in a glass they look so ugly by reason of their spots that they cannot endure to see themselves Truly this poor sinner beholding himself in the glass of the Law and viewing those hellish spots of sin all over his soul and body he abhorreth himself in dust and ashes This is the first thing the Spirit convinceth the soul of and that is sin When he is come he shall convince the world of sin Joh. 16.8 God never cured a spiritual Leper but he caused him to fall down first and cry out unclean unclean Secondly The Spirit convinceth him of his miserable and dreadful condition Now the commandments of God come to the soul sin reviveth and the sinner dieth He thought before that he was whole a sound man to have little need of a Physician but now he both seeth his sores and feeleth his wounds Ministers before had frequently told him of his dangerous damnable estate but he had a shield to keep off all their darts He was not so bad as they took him to be somewhat they must say for their money and besides though he were as bad as such precise censorious Preachers would make him to be yet God was a merciful God and Jesus Christ died for sinners and he hoped to be saved as well as the best of them but now God comes to him as he did to Adam after his fall Adam where art thou Hast thou eaten of the tree of which I said unto thee thou shalt not eat Sinner where art thou Dost thou know what thou art doing and whether thou art going how darest thou prophane my day blaspheme my name scoff at my people neglect my worship cast my Laws behinde thy back and hate to be reformed Darest thou provoke the Lord to anger art thou stronger then he how will thine heart endure or thine hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee Dost not know poor dry stubble that 't is a fearful thing to fall into my hands for I am a consuming fire Now the sinner heareth the voice of God and is afraid Alas alas thinks he I am a dead a damned man the Almighty God is angry the weight of my sins at present is heavy but the sufferings which I am every moment liable to are infinite and eternal O that I should ever be born to do as I have done Now the lightnings of divine fury flash in his eyes and the canons of the Laws curses thunder in his ears he seeth a sharp sword of pure wrath hanging by a slender thread of life over his head he feeleth the stingings of his sins those fiery serpents at his heart There is no rest in his flesh because of Gods anger nor quietness in his bones because of his sins the arrows of the Almighty are within him and the poison thereof drinks up his spirit the waves and billows of God go over his soul and he sinketh in deep waters God writeth bitter things against him and makes him to possess the sins of his youth Now the man is calmed he will hear what God speaketh before though God himself had told him out of his word what a wicked wretched man he was he would not minde it but storm and rage at it he was like a wilde Ass snuffing up the wind and as an untam'd heifer impatient of the yoke he would kick and fling like a mad man What he give credit to the doctrine and submit to the severe discipline of a few whimsical Puritans that must be wiser then all their neighbors no not he though they shewed him the very hand of God in Scripture to those warrants which they desired him to obey But now he is of another mind for the Law hath shut him up under sin and guilt Gal. 3.22 The Law hath pent him in and shut him up that he cannot possibly get out As Lions Bears and wilde beasts are tamed by being shut up and kept in so the Law causeth wrath Rom. 4.15 shuts the sinner up under it and keeps him in that his former starting holes cannot help him and thereby tames him While he was unconvinced of his sins and misery his conscience was seared not troubled at all the threatnings which were denounced against him but now his conscience is sore touch it which way you will you put him to pain tell him under this conviction of his drunkenness or swearing or atheism or eagerness after this world heartlesness about the things of the other world his neglecting God in secret of not instructing and praying with his family tell him how cold and customary he was in his devotion saying to others that they took more pains for heaven
the House of which thou descendest nor disgrace the Family of Faith to which thou belongest Should such a man as I flie said Nehemiah Think with thy self Should such a man as I that am inrollâ—d in the Book of life regenerated by the Spirit of God redeemed from my vain conversation with the precious blood of Christ should such a man as I dishonor my Father grieve my Comforter by frothy language unseemly carriage or being guilty of any thing in my practices that is unsutable to my great and honorable priviledge The Father hath chosen me to be a vessel of honor shall I defile my self with the filth of sin The Son hath bought me with a vast sum shall not I yield my self up wholy to his service The Spirit hath made my heart its habitation and shall I suffer in it the least unholiness I can never pay God for his boundless love but I will endeavor to praise him by a spotless life O Friend walk worthy of the calling wherewith thou art called Ephes 4.1 There is a comliness peculiar to thine effectual calling If a Scholler hath another manner of carriage then a Scullion and a Courtier then a Carter surely a Christian must lead a different life from them that are dead in sins and trespasses Thy calling is high Phil. 3.14 and therefore thou shouldst walk above the men of the world Men that are called to high Offices will carry themselves answerable to their places Princes do not live like Peasants Thou art called to be a Son of God a coheir with Christ a Citizen of Sion The Son of a King must like Absolom be without blemish from top to toe That ye may be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebuke Phil. 2.15 Adoption is a translation out of one Family into another and doth disoblige thee from the Laws of Satan and his Family and oblige thee to the rules and orders of Christ and his House into which thou art taken Thou art called to be a King Rev. 1.5 It is not for Kings to drink wine nor Princes strong drink Pro. 31. that is immoderately such a sin is very bad in a Subject but much worse in a Soveraign as a spot in scarlet is worse then in sackcloth The transgressions of others have much rebellion and obstinacy in them but thy sins have more of unkindness and treachery as being against the Covenant Thou art called to reign with Christ in Heaven O walk worthy of him that hath called thee unto his Kingdom and glory 1 Thes 2.12 Thou that hast hopes to be like Christ in glory shouldst labour as for life to be like him in grace 1 John 3.3 Plutarch in vit Iul. Caes Caesar when he heard that Brutus conspired against him would not believe it but said He looks for this skin meaning he expecteth to be my heir to succeed me in the Empire and therefore he will not be so unworthy as to plot against me Reader hath not Christ more cause to expect that thy present deportment should be answerable to thy future preferment Thy calling is holy 2 Tim. 1.9 and therefore thy carriage should be holy other callings may put glory upon a man but cannot infuse grace into a man other callings may change thy condition but this hath changed thy disposition Thou art called to be a Saint shouldst thou not then live as a Saint 1 Cor. 1.2 Alexander would often bid a Captain of his name Recordare nominis Alexander Remember that thou art called Alexander that the Captain remembring his name might do nothing unworthy of it Truly so say I to thee Remember that thou art called to be a Saint to be a Christian and do not by the unexemplariness of thy life cause that worthy name by which thou art called to be blasphemed Thy calling is heavenly Hebr. 3.1 and therefore thy conversation should be in Heaven it is from God and therefore must lead thee to God O how stately is the deportment of wordlings when they are called to high employments how little should all the things on earth be in thine eyes who art fixed in heaven Themistocles walking with one by the Sea-side and seeing a precious treasure on the earth said to his fellow-traveller Do thou take it up fer thou art not Themistocles If the men of the world whose portions are in this life have their affections set on things below and their conversations on earth remember that thy treasure is in heaven and thine heart must be there also live as one that belongs to another Country In a word study strive labour endeavour watch pray hear read meditate that thou mayst in private in publick upon all occasions in all companies in all manner of conversation shew forth the praises of him who hath called thee out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 10. Secondly As thou shouldst be thankful to God so also faithful to men Thou art converted thy self do thine utmost to convert others The Lepers coming into the Syrian Camp and finding food enough to relieve themselves and many others ready to perish with hunger they first feasted themselves and afterwards say one to another We do not well this day is a day of good tydings and we hold our peace if we tarry till the morning light some mischief will befall us now therefore come that we may go and tell the Kings houshold 2. Kings 7.9 The time was when thou like the Lepers wast famishing thy soul with the huskes of the world now God hath fed thee with the fat things of his house dost thou well to hold thy peace Consider them that are pinched with hunger and call them to Gods Courts tell them what large provision he maketh how the table is spread his oxen his fatlings are killed all things ready he wanteth onely comers and company thou dost well to take hold for thy self but thou dost ill if thou with-holdst from others Israel was commanded to pity strangers because they were once strangers in the Land of Egypt Shouldst not thou compassionate them that are strangers from the Covenant of Promise aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel carried captive by the Devil at his will considering that thou wast in that house of bondage in as great slavery to Satan and subjection to sin as others and it was nothing but Grace and Mercy that redeemed thee Put them in minde saith the Apostle to be gentle shewing all meekness unto all men Why upon what consideration For we ourselves also were sometimes foollish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost 3 Tit. 1. to 8. Wicked men are like those that are drowning they catch hold on others and if it be possible make them sink with