be or what others are yet let not this discourage vs in our present measure or from attaining further because he which hath giuen others more is the same also vnto vs and will bee in like measure both accepting what he giues for the present and perfiting of his owne worke in due season 2. That though wee are sometimes ebbing and sometimes flowing in the measure of holinesse yet our God is alwayes the same vnto vs. And therefore measure wee not his loue by our different measure of increase but rather resolue we that as when we increase more we haue more cause to loue him because hee answers our endeauours so when we seeme to goe backward we haue then cause to loue and trust him more that so hee may recouer vs as wee haue more need of his loue when wee faile to lead vs forward againe so we haue as great need of his loue when we haue done our best to emptie vs of all carnall respects of vaine-glory c. that so it may appeare his onely loue hath occasioned this increase all this seruice shall redound to his glory 3. That in the worke of grace wee must liue by Faith and not by sense not measuring our estate by what wee are in our selues but by what wee are in Christ not what we are for the present but what wee shall be in the life to come And therefore comfort we ourselues that as the least sparke of grace is an euidence that we are ingrafted in the Vine so being the Vine we shall be daylie purged and prepared to bring foorth more fruite that what wee doe for the present shal be accepted as perfect in Christ and the more sense wee haue of the imperfection thereof the more may we be assured of our interest in Christ Iesus the more shal we be prouoked still to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse that so in him and through him the worke may be perfited Fourthly Make wee tryall of increase by these markes 3. That wee grow in euery part aswell inward as outward 2. That we discerne our corruptions more and are more humbled for them 3. That our affections to the world are more lessened and quieted 4. That we are more contuetned with our estates and can more cast our care on God 5. That we are more willing to endure afflictions and ready to lay downe our liues for the Name of Christ 6. That wee can more grieue for the sinnes of the time and yet labour more hartilie the conuersion of sinners 7. That wee are more sober and wise in the vse of Christian libertie 8. That wee are more cheerefull and able to holy dueties and so doe more hunger after our dissolution and are willing to die 9. That he can be emptied of all by respects yea of all respect vnto our selues for the glory of God 10. That wee finde such sinnes most weakened to which formerly we haue bene most subiect 11. That howsoeuer we differ in practize yet still our desires are more enflamed especially vpon our fayling to more constant obedience Lastlie For our comfort learne wee that our God that commands perseuerance giues grace to the same and therefore we shall continue and not finally decay wee shall leaue out first loue but not loose it altogether 1. Philip. 6. Iohn 13. Luke 22.33 Wherein note That euery conuert hath a first loue that is Doct. 7. Euery true conuert hath a first loue when God hath reuealed his loue vnto him in Christ and by the Spirit of God it is shed abroad in his heart then is the heart of a sinner inflamed to loue God againe then is it enlarged with ioy vnspeakable and glorious 1. Pet. 17. for so great saluation then doeth it striue to expresse it thankfulnesse vnto God for so great mercie then is loue as strong as death much water can not quench it Cant. 8. And this is called his first loue and it is discerned by these markes 1. By his renouncing of all in comparison of it and parting with the dearest for the enioying of it First loue discerned by markes Matth. 13. Ioh. 6. Coloss 3.1 so did the Apostles forsake all in act so must we forsake all in affection and in act too so farre as it may hinder our enioying of Christ Zacheus Luke 19.6.7 2. When we endure any affliction for the Wordes sake 1. Thess 1.9.10 and that with great ioy in the holy Ghost Hebr. 10. Ephes 1. submitting our selues to the power of the word though it be neuer so bitter to the flesh and crosse the lusts thereof 3. When we reuerence highly the Ministers of the Gospell Galath 3.4 thinking nothing too deare for them Act. 16. 4. When we cleare our conscience of all sinne by which our sweet fellowship with Christ may bee hindred so Zacheus Luke 19. not being ashamed to confesse our particular sinnes and renouncing them vnfainedly 5. When for Christs sake we loue his poore members 1. Tim. 1.15.16 17. and impart of our worldly goods bountifully to their reliefe Luke 19. Zacheus 1. Ioh. 2. Ioh. 13. Psal 16.2 6. When wee continue in the powerfull meanes of the diuine worship Act. 2. 7. When we consult not with flesh and blood nor communicate with it but doe vtterly renounce the same in regarde of heauen Act. 9. Galath 2. Matth. 8. c. 8. And being rauished with the sweetnesse of the loue of Christ Luke 22.33 wee enlarge our selues to declare the same to our brethren labouring to bring them to Christ by plucking them out of the fire Ioh. 1.18 Iude 22. The wisedome and mercie of our God in vouchsauing his children vpon their conuersion this liuely and ardent affection of holy loue is manifold Reasons of this first loue First hereby to scale vnto them the trueth and assurance of this blessed Change by this sensible and sweet change of their affections that whereas before they could not relish and brooke the power of the worde neither had any delight in the excellent but esteemed their persons contemptible and odious deemed of their wayes as madnesse or hypocrisie now finding by the mercie of God their hearts enflamed to the loue of the worde though it vtterly confound all former hopes and cut off wholly all future expectations for the flesh and withall pretending such to bee most deare vnto them who are hated of the world and in regarde of outward appearance are not able to requite our loue and yet because they are in Christ are therefore for his sake to be beloued may wee not hence assuredly conclude vnto our soules that wee are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren is not this our euidence that wee are now chosen out of the world because we loue those whom the world hates is not this an argument that wee are now in Christ because his loue onely constraines vs to loue his members and seeing our loue vnto them is to make them like
lasteth but a moment hee is like to bee beaten with more stripes because hee knowes his masters will and doth it not Math. 12.47 yea though it commeth also to passe that for carnall respects as vaine-glorie credit satisfaction of others whom they desire to be like the hypocrite also may do many things according to the letter of the word though not answerable to the power thereof nor from the purpose of his heart renued by the holie Ghost but executing therein the lust of his heart as spirituall pride hypocrisie c. Yet neither shall he be able to continue in any substance of well-doing because he hath no root how soeuer for his credit and profite he must sometimes shew religious yet by reason of difference of companie change of times and occasions he must euen for the same ends of credit and profite cast off his visour of holinesse and so appeare in his true likenesse to the satisfying of such to whom nothing but grosse and desperate wickednesse will giue any contentment This is certaine that as the hypocrite in his best deuotions aymes onlie at carnall ends so in his best worship he fashions himselfe to the world and measures himself by it loue either he must only goe and so farre as the time will beare or his leaders go before or flesh and blood will brooke and it is his wisedome to turne with the time to be ruled by his betters to bee indifferent to all straines that so hee may gaine by all Nay doth not this necessity lie vpon the hypocrite that howsoeuer for a time he must glose and fawne vpon the truth while it is his pack horse to further him to promotion riches c. yet when by plunging himselfe into worldly courses he must necessarily crosse in his outward actions the power of that truth which he makes profession of and so thereby wound and gall his conscience must he not now for his credit abase and vilifie that truth which before hee so magnified as being either too seuere and precise because he cannot reach it 1. Cor. 1.21 or being foolishnes and madnesse and therefore he is now more wise more sober then to be guided by it you must pardon his former folly and giddinesse he will do no more so he will be more wise moderate c. And all this but a colour to hide or ease his wounded conscience which not being able to endure the power of the word must therefore in wisedome reiect it and so flie vnto carnall Physicke to purge out melancholie and yet still vnder pretence of Christian libertie that hee hath knowledge enough and yet more desperately to deceiue himselfe hereby and others as preseruing an opinion of his righteousnesse as if hee were vniustly chalenged and therefore may iustlie except against this euidence and so preuenting sound repentance and thereby casting off the bridle giues libertie to sinne and so hasteneth vengeance This is the issue of an hypocrites supposed conuersion answerable euen vnto the measure thereof which being not rooted in the heart nor aiming at Gods glory no maruell if the glory of an hypocrite prooue his confusion And is hee not iustly deceiued in this fancie of regeneration Is he not hereby excluded from the power of conuersion because hee resteth in the shadow thereof But to admit a true conuersion Is the combate now at an end or not rather now begun Is there any place here for idlenesse security remisnesse in our calling Surely though the foundation standeth sure in respect of God 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Pet. 1.10 who knoweth who are his yet it lieth much in vs either to make sure and beautifie the building by being watchfull and diligent in well-doing 2 Phil. 12 Psal 51 Psal 73 Malach. 3 or else by our negligence and security to deface and interrupt it yea many times to our sense and feeling euen vtterly to ouerthrow the same For proofe heereof take wee wisely a scantling of the times wherein we liue and then lay we thereto such experience as this Treatise affoordeth Concerning our times it may not bee denyed but that our meanes might haue yeelded such a growth in holinesse as by the time wee might all haue been teachers of others in regard of our aboundant measure of knowledge yea we might haue been leaders to other Nations in the power and practise of godlinesse hauing by Gods mercy such liuely presidents of sanctification set before vs And therefore as wee stand only vpon our name and credit of profession it must be assumed that seeing we haue had such meanes therefore the Lord shall finde no iniquity in vs that were shame and wickednesse Ose 12 1 Reg. 22 seeing God hath a few names among vs that walke in white and keepe themselues vndefiled from the great offence Therefore when went the spirit of God from vs vnto them why should they that haue had the same meanes yeeld also like fruit of conscionable obedience why should not we stand vpon our holines with the best seeing we haue found out riches in all our labours God prospereth vs in our affaires abroad and all is peace and husht at home Zach. 11.5 Reuel 31 7 and therefore blessed be God for we are rich and increased with goods and haue need of nothing Thus as the bountifull loue could doe nothing vnto vs which he hath not done so if our owne words will be taken Saul 1 Sam. 15 Esay 66.5 Ioh. 26.1 wee haue fulfilled the commandement of our God all the Congregation is holie whatsoeuer we doe let the Lord be glorified we thinke we doe God good seruice in casting out of the Synagogues Thus continuance of gratious meanes brings vs to a forme of godlinesse and the forme of godlinesse prouokes vs to deny the power thereof that so we might be more inexcusable because we cannot plead ignorance nor iustly chalenge our God of any failing towards vs and hasten hereby vpon vs the iust iudgement of God because we hate that in others whereof we assume the glory and deny that in our obedience which we arrogate as our chiefest hold in the fauour of God the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord. And shall not then our glory be our shame because we are earthly minded and doth not our securitie in this estate presage speedie vengeance And is not the sickle alreadie put in haue wee not sharpened the sword that threatens our destruction shall the Lord repent him of any euill he intends towards vs seeing wee harden our hearts daylie and will not repent Will the Lord be mercifull vnto vs seeing mercie and compassion is banished from among vs Euery one seekes his owne and not each others good our mercies are plaine cruelties our tables snares our loue to the flesh the betraying the soul thus lest we should be counted non proficients we presume of practise answerable to the meanes And hereby we would seeme to haue hit the iust measure of holinesse
this serueth further 4. Of reproofe 1. For reproofe of our times who may bee iustly charged to haue left our first loue by trying our selues by the former meanes whereby this first loue is slaked 2. And yet lest this generall reproofe may bee peruerted to the disgrace of the power of godlinesse and discouragement of such who desire to walke with God in a dayly encrease therefore seeing God hath a few names in Sardis that endeauour to keepe themselues vnspotted of the world and so are not onely signes and wonders in the world because they will not runne with it into the same excesse but are therefore chalenged of reuolting and falling from their loue for their further establishing and comfort Know wee that wee may bee subiect to a false imputation of leauing our first loue in many respects As 1. The Saints may be vniustly charged to haue left their first loue and how Math. 22. And that first in the true discerning vse of our Christian libertie wherby wee submit ourselues to lawful authoritie 2. In that we are endowed with outward prosperity when vpon the iust consideration of the nature of our Christian liberty as being spirituall wee limit our zeale within the bounds of our callings so giuing vnto God the things that are his that wee deny not also vnto Cesar that which is This moderation howsoeuer with the Anabaptist it be traduced as lukewarmenesse and temporizing with the world to auoyd affliction yet indeed it is an holy rectifying and ordering of our zeale by humility and wisedome that so it may hold out and bee perfited through patience and that from the commandement of the Lord our God Rom. 13. 2. We may be falsely charged to haue left our first loue when wee are outwardly encreased with temporall blessings As if because prosperity is apt to coole by making vs secure and forgetfull of our God therefore it must needes follow that wheresoeuer there is outward abundance there is inward leannesse and barrennesse Psal 106.15 Which imputation is heereby proued to be most vniust 1. Both because the Saints of God haue increased outwardly and thriuen inwardly too as Abraham Dauid c. 2. The vertue of that promise makes hereunto that if all things then surely outward blessings shall worke together for the good of the elect Rom. 8.29 especially seeing the Lord giueth grace to vse these gifts aright 1. Tim. 4.8 1. And seeing godlinesse hath the promise of this life aswell as of a better and the more the Saints partake of the mercy of God the more their thankfulnesse and obedience doeth increase and beeing knit vnto the Lord with more bonds seeing the more they receiue the more they feare themselues and so by imparting liberally vnto others doe ease themselues of the burthen 1. Iohn 4.20 Gen. 20. and approue their loue vnto God by their vnfained loue vnto his Saints as hereby they are more deepely interessed in the prayers of the Saints so is heauen more enlarged to the encrease of their loue The Lord heares the prayers of the poore and enlargeth the hearts of his stewards 2. Cor. 1.7.8 to loue that God more feruently that so enables them to comfort others And so being faithfull in a little they are still encreased See the dayly sacrifice for the right vse of prosperity 3. Spirituall wisedome in auoyding of troubles an occasion to charge vs with losse of first loue vntill being full of grace and abounding in euery good worke they are made meete partakers of that glorious inheritance 1. Colloss 12. Math. 25. 1. Cor. 15. And may not out spirituall wisedome in auoyding of vnnecessary troubles expose vs sometimes to this false imputation that we haue left our first loue 1. Yea surely if either by wise and modest answers we auoyd troubles 2. Or by concealing of that trueth which wee are not bound in conscience to discouer we so escape 3. Or by auoyding the rage of our enemies when our time is not yet come wee are yet freed from troubles by remouing from our habitations 4. Or by changing our habits and features wee so auoyd the fury of the aduersary if by any of these through the blessing of God we escape such troubles which others for want of this wisedome are ouertaken with presently we are charged with want of zeal we are condemned to bee lukewarme to haue left our first loue and c. 5. Especially if wee vse our goods as a meanes to redeeme the body from trouble oh this is censured as vnlawfull and so auoyding troubles as by vnlawfull meanes wee are challenged of cowardize want of zeale corruption c. An imputation how vniust and vncharitable it is may appeare by these circumstances 1. And cleared from this imputation Faith how and whom to be giuen account of 1. To the magistrate and minister and why Because we are not bound to giue an account of our faith to euery priuate man but only to the Magistrate and whomsoeuer hath lawful authority to require it at our hands as the Minister and such as haue charge ouer vs. And that because Hereby they may haue comfort in discharge of their duety that they haue not laboured in vaine or 2. May be humbled in our want of profiting and growing in knowledge and so encrease their paines and prayers for vs. 3. They are in Gods stead and in refusing to giue an account vnto them wee deny and renounce euen God himselfe 4. They may be prouoked hereby to perseuerance and maintenance of the trueth 5. Though they must not bee Lords ouer the conscience to make or alter the trueth yet they are witnesses vnto the conscience concerning the trueth yea they are approuers and maintainers thereof to the comfort of the beleeuer and furtherance of his faith And therefore Though we giue not account of our faith either 1. To the scorner that hereby will take occasion to insult and blaspheme our God and his sacred truth 2. Or to the open enemy that as he hath no calling to require Faith to whom not to be giuen account of so we haue warrant to conceale it as being bound to preserue life and not cast pearles to swine 3. Or to the ignorant that desireth not information thereby lest we beare the aire run before we are called expose our profession to contempt c. 4. Or to the priuate Christian otherwise then in a case of necessity on our parts to remoue a false imputation and on his part to guide him that is in darkenesse and desires our helpe Yet doe we not herein betray our faith but rather wisely maintaine the honour and preserue the vertue therof both in defending the same from the reproches of the wicked as also in reseruing the vse thereof to it fit season and occasion when our God shal be best glorified our profession iustified and brethren informed and confirmed thereby And this is 1. When wee haue an especiall calling to
either of doubting in faith or corruption in life 1. Cor. 8. Rom. 14. 4. That herein also wee not onely auoyde what may hurt but in all spiritual wisedome doe that which may further to the best good euen the saluation of the soule 1. Cor. 9. 5. And all this to the onely praise of our glorious God through Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10.31 Thus may wee bee falsly charged to haue left our first loue and thus may we be established against these false imputations But say what others fasten vpon me 8. Whether want of feeling of former comforts may be a iust imputation that we haue left our first loue that I feare in my selfe I feele not that joy and inward comfort I sometimes had these ouerflowings and extraordinary sweetnesse though I faint after them and refresh my soule with the meditation thereof yet I finde them not so abound and runne ouer as in former times may I not hereby conjecture that I haue lost my first loue nay may I not feare that all is lost Nay now I finde it contrary with me insteed of ioy I am ouerwhelmed with sorrowes insteed of Gods gratious presence I feare hee hath forsaken mee I haue no answere in prayer no comfort in any duety the sorrowes of the deepe doe seaze vpon me and the jawes of hell doe gape vpon me Surely the Lord giue thee wisedome heerein that thou doest not wrong thine owne heart and prejudice the wisedome and mercy of thy God Remember that thou liuest by faith not by sense 2. Cor. 3.7 though thou seest no outward meanes yet thy saith will assure thee that God is able will prouide him a sacrifice Gods prouidence discouered herein Iob. 13 15. Gen. 22. Yea though thou hast no inward feeling of comfort yet shalt thou trust in God euen though he kill thee And this is the victory of thy faith euen to beleeue aboue feeling thus is thy faith perfited euen laying holde on things not seene when it is depriued of the sense of things past Heb. 11.1 present And may not thy God withdraw these comforts from thee for the further tryal of thy faith and loue vnto his Maiestie that thogh thou want that comfort which heretofore thou hast had yet stil thou canst giue glory vnto thy God in beleeuing his word and enlarge thy loue vnto his Maiesty Rom. 4.20 euen when he seemes to haue forsaken thee And canst thou haue a better tryall of the power purenes of thy faith then aboue hope to beleeue vnder hope in the promises of thy God subiecting thy chiefest good vnto the glory of thy God and through want of present sense being guided to forget what thou hast enioyed lest through spirituall pride thou mightest rest therin rob God of his glory thou doest the rather make haste to that which is before by the power of thy faith seeing a farre off yea laying fast hold on eternall life by renuing thy strength in Iesus Christ And seeing wee are now assured of the trueth of our conuersion by this seale of Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts working in vs a feare of his Maiesty and refreshing our hearts with vnspeakeable cōforts haue we now such need of the continuance of them as if all were lost because we still feele them not or we could not goe forward without the daily sence thereof will we still be children that haue neede of dandling and entticing with such toies or rather are we not growing to be men and so to be hardned with trials and strange abasings And is it not best to be abased within that so we may be fitter for any outward emptying Is it not fit to be a while disused of these spirituall ioyes that so we may most hunger after euerlasting ioy that we more earnestly labour and hasten thereafter And may we not giue our God iust cause to withdraw his countenance from vs by falling into grosse sinne doting on the fading ioyes of the world c. and so we may be so wisely scanted of perfect ioy as that still we shal be recompenced with what is fitter for vs for the present with what may further vs to eternall comforts Is not the Lord herein wonderfull that by withdrawing sense of present ioy he both purgeth vs of such euils as may corrupt the same namely spirituall pride and security and also causeth vs hereby to lay faster hold on Iesus Christ who only must perfect the worke that is begun in vs And canst thou expresse thy loue in greater measure vnto thy God then to loue him then when he seemes to haue forsaken thee then to follow after him when he seemes to run from thee doth not this aduance the sincerity of thy loue doth not this exceedingly approue thy conformity to thy Sauiour that as he was contented to be abased in himselfe yea to become of no reputation that thou maist be accepted so thou art contented to be emptied that God may be glorified thou canst willingly want present comfort that thy God may haue vnfained worship when now not so much for thine owne sake as for his glory thou dost beleeue in him when though he kill thee yet thou wilt trust in him And canst thou be a looser where the Lord is such a gainer by thee canst thou leaue thy loue when the Lord doth purpose to trie the soundnesse of it when the Lord prouoketh thee to liue by faith when by the power of faith he will thus enable thee to lay hold of eternall life Note Surely as this is the life of faith to exceed present sense so this want of present comfort thus conceiued and applied shall be both a meanes to enable thee to make better vse of such ioy when the Lord shall againe turne his countenance vpon thee and in the meane time minister exceding comfort vnto thy soule that thou dost constantly beleeue in Resolution herein and vnfainedly loue the Lord thy God And therfore doubt not herein of any decay of thy loue vnto thy God because the Lord in his wisedome for thy triall withdrawes the present pledges of his loue from thee For neither couldst thou endure at all in thy sense of this want of present comfort if thy God did not secretly vphold thee with inward and vnspeakable consolations And in that thou discernest want of ioy may it not be so much because thou wantest that which thou hast had Note as that by faith thou apprehendest that vnspeakeable ioy which thou hast not which that it doth euacuate and empty thee of sense of present comfort it is no more maruell then that the glorious light of the Sun should obscure the light of a candle or that a drop shold not be discerned being cast into the main ocean Only for thy full satisfaction herein examine thy heart in this case by these rules Triall hereof First that thou hast not giuen thy God iust occasion to withdraw these
him doth he not recompence thee bountifully in teaching thee patience to wait vpon him and must not patience bring foorth the perfect worke hadst thou not then need of patience when thou hast done the will of God that thou mayst receiue the reward and what is the reward thou waitest for is it only that thy prayers may bee granted for the present mayst thou hereby happily haue thy reward already and so to bee depriued of that great recompence of reward And doth not the Lord begin this recompence in answering thy prayers to what is fit for thee doth he not prepare thee to this recompence by enabling thee hereby in patience to possesse thy soule and to waite the good pleasure of God doth hee not hereby teach thee to commit thy soule in well doing into the hand of thy gratious Creator that so thou mayst work out thy saluation in feare and trembling and so be made meet for that glorious inheritance To auoyd idlenesse and walke faithfully in our callings tenuring our repentance for former failings 3. And therefore let my adjure bee pretious vnto thee not to disquiet thy selfe for delay of comfort but rather to take heed of idlenes and curiousity whereunto Satan will now labour to draw thee as taking aduantage of thy dumpishnes and distraction Be diligent in Gods feare so farre as thou knowest in thy calling God hath placed thee in iudge thy heart soundly for former sailings and then I dare assure thee thou shalt not want comfort in thy obedience vnto God if fit for thee for the present and the more thou fittest thy selfe hereby for ioy the sooner it shall returne either in this life if thy wayes are now constant and more spirituall or else in the life to come neuer to faile againe But of this more hereafter and commenced and especially in a treatise if God will to bee published to this purpose called the Cure of a wounded Spirit If yet thou art doubtfull of thy abiding in loue As thou maist decay so thou art iealous of thy self herein I say vnto thee Prou. 28.13 How to know whether we haue left our first loue By these markes Blessed is the man that feareth alwaies And that thou maist be resolued whether thou art decaied or no obserue for thy triall these markes therof which are apparant symptomes of the leauing our first loue 1. Know thou that if thou hast lost that peace of conscience wherby thou wast wont to come with boldnes into the presence of thy God and powre out thy soule in strong cries and teares vnto thy God and so canst not pray with that euidence as in former times with that patience and constancy ouercomming thy God 2. If thou growest fearefull of troubles and vsest carnall policy to preuent them 3. If thou growest worldly and couetous withdrawing thy hand from the necessities of thy brother and neglecting the occasions of charity c. 4. If thou growest negligent in hearing the word contenting thy selfe either with none or an vneffectuall Ministery 5. If thou canst dispense with thy selfe in vaine sports and recreations gaming vaine talke c. wherof heretofore thou madest some conscience wasting thy time and wit in them 6. If thou canst frame to all companies and temporize with each as presuming vpon thy protection from thy Christian calling Ephes 5.1 7. If thou art afraid of death and neglectest the daily and constant examination of thy waies and holy duties in priuate vnto thy God 8. If thou canst so ioy in these earthly things as either not to feele a loathsomnesse in them or not to vse them as sparkes to increase the fire of thy spirituall ioy 9. If thou measurest the happinesse of the life to come by that sense which for the present thou hast thereof thou dost not liue by faith and therefore thou hast left thy first loue Symptomes that follow the leuuing of our first loue And for thy comfort obserue herein an especiall mercy of thy God that there will follow this losse of loue 1. Inward trouble of conscience which will giue thee no rest till thou hast resolued thy case with God and recouered Psal 6.38 c. 2. Some outward sensible stripe either in thy goods person children to open thine eyes the better and bring thee to repentance Iob. 33.15.16 3. Now the world will not faile to flatter thee and as it were to owne thee that so thou maist suspect thy selfe the rather 4. And yet that thou maist discerne the worlds loue thou shalt not want some mocke and reproach to cast the durt of thy decay in thy face that so thou maist be ashamed and confounded in this decay 5. And happily thou maist be giuen vp to some grosse sinne the more to discredit thee with the world that so thou maist not be corrupted with the flattery thereof And therefore thus thou maist recouer out of this decay How to recouer first loue 1. Rest vpon the promises of thy God that thou shalt recouer out of any effects that proceed from thence and thy latter end shall be better then the beginning 2. Meditate on the former experience of the ioy of the spirit that so thou maist presse the Lord from his wonted mercies Psal 77. 1. Sam 17. 3. Consider the meanes that the Lord vsed to plant this ioy and loue in thy heart and by the same know that he will renue this worke and therfore at no hand be driuen from the meanes Cant. 1. Cant. 4.5 4. Resolue that thy former estate was better then now Ose 2.8.9 and therefore returne to thy first loue againe that so the Lord may renue and increase thy loue vnto him 5. Acquaint the experienced souldier with this thy estate that so he may be a meanes to quicken thee againe 6. Giue we not ouer our pursuit of these comforts spare we no paines thinke we all time too little impose we extraordinary afflictions as fasting and so groning vnder the burden and detesting our selues giue we the Lord no rest till he hath returned to his rest and recouered our decaies Cant. 5. To this end vse we the meanes before set downe to recouer from Apostasie And be we comforted that we shall not altogether loose our labour though we haue left this loue How far we shall recouer 1. Either we shall recouer what we haue lost in the same kinde namely the like ioy and extraordinary comforts of thee 2. Or else if we haue it not in this fruit of our loue yet we shall be sure to recouer in another kind which shall be more profitable to further vs to happinesse 3. As the lesse we feele this loue the more we shall expresse our care to vse all holy meanes whereby we may recouer it againe 4. The more we shall learne to liue by faith in the expectation of a greater measure 5. The more compassionate thou shall be to others that are cast downe by this affliction and so labour more
sinne Rom. 7. 7. Endure reproofe patiently and amend 8. If we feele the power of sin daily weakned in vs. 9. Especially of such sinnes which haue most preuailed heretofore 10. And mourne vnfainedly for the sinnes of others 10. Labouring to pluck others out of the fire and warning them by our example 2. Vse Of comfort That we haue right in Christ Thirdly this serues for comfort and that many wayes As 1. In that God hath left infirmities in vs therefore haue we hence assurance of our right in Christ who came to saue sinners and shall haue experience of the power of Christ in the dayly subduing and mastering of our corruptions And therefore To preuent despaire 2. Let vs not despaire in our greatest tentations seeing the greater miserie the greater mercie As it is God our Father that hath left sinne in vs yea in the dearest 1. Ioh 1.8 Eph. 5.19.20.21 Rom. 5.3 4. Galat. 4.6 7. to aduance his free and constant loue so hath he giuen his Sonne to reueale this loue vnto vs by the operation of the Spirit shedding it abroad in our hearts through the dayly assurance of the pardon of our sinnes and continuall enabling to conquer the same Rom. 5.2 3. Not to imagine our case singular 3. To this end let vs not thinke our case singular seeing the best haue not been exempted from infirmities whereby Satan would driue vs to despaire but rather the greater our infirmities are the greater experience may we looke for of the mercies of our God who will lay no more vpon vs then we shall be able to endure 1. Cor. 10.13 but will giue an issue with the temptation that so wee may be able to beare it That infirmities shall not fester in vs. Iob 33.15 Acts 2.36 37 38. 4. Lastly though we haue infirmities yet let this comfort vs that our God wil not let them fester in vs but by the power of our conscience or ministerie of the word or by some outward chastisment c. we shal know our iniquitie that so we may performe seasonable repentance and this is the next obseruation that followeth in the text out of the practise of our Sauiour with his Church who doth not flatter her in her sinne by concealing the same as a false Prophet would haue winked at it and onely stood vpon commendation yea happily ascribe that which was not true but deales faithfully with her As he commends her for her good parts so hee reproues her for that euill of her decay And this teacheth vs 3. Doctrine Sinne to be reproued Leuit. 19.17 Reasons that Wee must reproue our brother plainely for his sinne So doe wee testifie and approue 1. The faithfulnesse of our calling and dutie vnto God in deliuering the whole counsell of God as well reproofe for sinne as prayse for well doing 2. Tim. 3.16 2. Tim. 4.2 2. Our loue to our brother both in preuenting Gods iudgements by our reproofes or else sanctifying them vnto a sinner 3. At least we iustifie God 4. and make the sinner without excuse Ezech. 33. 5. and saue our owne soules 6. As also hereby wee prouoke him to repentance and so by renewed repentance to perfection Leuit. 19.17 And shall wee not hereby put the Christian to the tryall of his soundnes If he will endure reproofe there is hope of him he is best able to beare it he will make best vse of it Tit. 1.15 or is not this the meanes to make him sound Is not this a meanes to cast off the hypocrite and so to rid the Church of her most dangerous enemy And this 1. condemneth the flatterer Vse 1. Of reproofe to the flattering teacher that either will see no euill in his brother but is still beating vpon the good that is in him puffing him vp with conceit thereof or if he see any euill will not reprooue him plainely but either excuse it or diminish it or daube it vp hardning him in his sinne c. Ezech. 13. 2. They are here reprooued 2. Of the peruerse and malitious that cals darkenes light and light darkenes 3. Of the respecter of persons that iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous Esay 5.21 whereas our Sauiour iustifies the good and condemnes the euill 3. As also they that stumble at strawes and make mole-hils mountaines omitting the sinnes of great ones or the great sinnes of their brethren for fauour and affection but enforcing to the vtmost euery light escape in the godly or their enemies putting more thereto yea taking occasion thereby to disgrace their profession c. Whereas our Sauiour Christ heere spares not the greatest and most famous Church and whatsoeuer is amisse in her lets her know plainely of it 2. Of the people 2. Tim. 4. Galat. 4. The people also are here condemned that hate those that reprooue them and rather heape vnto themselues such teachers as will flatter them in their sinne then intertaine those that deale faithfully in reproouing Amos 5.11 Micah 2. 2. Vse of instruction Hos 6 5. Esay 58.1 Iohn 16.2 Secondly here is instruction 1. to prayse God for faithfull teaching when God cuts downe by his Prophets and conuinceth the world of sinne 2 And also to mourn where the Church is pestered with flatterers that cry all is well Peace peace all the congregation is holy Ieremy 6. Numb 16. Ieremy 28. Ezech. 34.13 14. 3. Heere is matter of tryall both for Minister and People If the one will rebuke sharply and the other brooken If the Minister wil not cease to reprooue till â—e haue either conuerted or conuinced If the hearer will desire to be smitten till he doe amend yea when he doth his best still desires to be humbled searched that still he may increase 4. Wee learne heere by our Sauiours example how to reprooue for sinne namely 1. Exemplary not being pertakers with him in his sinnes but by our contrary constancie and good example iustifying our reproofe taking away all exceptions and this hath place alwayes when other meanes of reproofe will not be admitted 2. Truly not chalenging of what is not not condemning all for some nor being caryed with heare-sayes or surmises but as we know and what we know Thou hast lost thy first loue Sinne how to be reproued 3. Plainely Thou art the man 2. Sam. 12. 4. Particularly Letting him see his particular sinne not in the clouds not generally and yet here we may vse sometimes Parables and propose it in another case to prouoke vs to apply vse to our selues 2. Sam. 12.2 3. 5. Louingly not with reproachfull tearmes not with imperious and insolent vpbraydings but with grace and compassion considering our selues and preuenting obstinacie and imputation of malice vsing to this end insinuations of our loue to preuaile the better Rom. 9. and hazarding our vttermost to saue a soule not behinde his backe but to his face adding the promises of the Gospel if he doe repent and
vnto vs is it not our testimony that we are conuerted vnto Christ and could wee submit to that word which is so reiected of the world so irkesome to our corruptions vnlesse the loue of Christ did constraine vs in obedience to his Maiestie vnlesse this loue of Christ did hereby prouoke to haue all our imaginations brought in subiection by the power thereof that so wee might retaine nothing to grieue the blessed Spirit vnlesse we were ouercome by the power of Christs loue to receiue the stampe of his Spirit and furniture of his graces whereby wee might in some measure shewe our loue vnto our Christ could wee possibly receiue the worde in such affliction and yet with such ioye in the holy Ghost vnlesse the loue of Christ did ouerflow in our hearts to so allow vp all those troubles vnlesse all such troubles were hereby counteruailed with vnspeakable Comforts And had we not need of some speciall meanes also to preserue vs from falling away though we haue tasted how sweet the Lord Iesus is yea certainely our old enemie will now seeke by all meanes to re-enter againe and hee wants not his occasions euen from the estate of our first conuersion to attempt the same For either now vpon our conuersion the world will steppe in with it glorious and pleasant baites of prosperity and great matters to search and blast if it be possible the birth in the bud or if it cannot diuert and withdraw vs from the right end of our calling yet at the least to coole and hinder vs in the pursuit of the true end and that by pretence of our Christian libertie because now we haue right in the best and why may we not vse them who more fitly for these who are better able to vse them especially if we shal be caried to measure our inward estate by them Or if this will not preuaile but that it is the will of our gratious God that by manifold tribulations wee must enter into the kingdome of heauen then Satan will put in on the other side to drowne the birth by whole flonds of tribulations Reu. 12. stirring vp our own house to become our enemies because we wil not be ruled by them because our contrary courses doe secretly condemne them stirring vp the great ones to persecute vs as enemies to gouernment disquieters of the common peace yea rather then fayle adding affliction to affliction labouring to perswade vs that because we are thus afflicted therefore God hates vs and so we are deceiued in our estate we are not the beloued of God Against all these serues this speciall grace of our first Loue the power whereof is such that it proues both an excellent preseruatiue against the allurements of prosperity as hauing so rauished the heart taken it vp to an higher quest that the loue of the world is esteemed no better then doung in steed of louing the same our holy feare is procured lest it may infect vs and therefore holy wisedome gained to haue as little to doe with as we may lest it do infect vs and so also becomes a gratious remedy against the flames of affliction as so selling our hearts in the assurance of Gods loue that all things shall worke together for the best so preparing vs by the loue of Christ to encounter any afflictions so enabling vs for the loue of Christ to endure the greatest troubles so assuring vs that through Christ Iesus we shal be more the conquerours ouer them so sweetning all our troubles vnto vs that we shal be prouoked to loue our God the more in that hee accounts vs worthie to suffer with his sonne Iesus so confirming vnto vs that those light afflictions which are but for a moment shall procure vnto vs an inestimable weight of glorie in the Heauen This is our first loue these are the markes thereof and by the same it is graciously preserued and encreased Vse To condemne flashes and tastes To trie our conuersion 1. Whereby all those sudden flashes and fained and inconstant affections of hypocrites are reiected Heb. 6.4 and 2. We put to the tryall for the soundnesse of our conuersion if we haue found such a loue in our hearts by such euident markes 3. The world is heere condemned that boasts of the fauour of God when it hath no argument of it conuersion by this loue To reprooue the worlds deceit To comfort the Saints nay esteemeth it a wonder and madnesse to be conuerted 4. And the Saints are comforted that seeing their loue vnto God dependeth on his loue vnchangeable to them 1. Ioh. 4.1 Therefore as his is vnchangeable Ioh. 13.1 so shall theirs bee well they may leaue it but they shall neuer lose it And yet it is a great affliction that they leaue their loue Although of a certaintie Doct. 6. The Saints may leaue their first loue so did Dauid Peter Salomon c. Psal 51. Galat. 2. 1. King 11. The Elect may leaue their first loue And the reasons are Because as the fire is slacked by two meanes either by withdrawing fuell from it or putting water or ashes thereto So there are two meanes And by what meanes whereby the loue of the Saints doth decay in them Either when they faile in such meanes as doe nourish the same or Doo adde such as may corrupt and coole Namely Meanes of leauing first loue 1. Withdrawing and neglecting that should nourish it when either they 1. Neglect the powerfull ministerie of the word c. 1. Thess 5.19.20 submitting to carnal or lucklesse meanes 2. The constant practize of priuate and publike prayer 3. Or the fellowshippe of the Saints Hebr. 10.24.25 4. Or the motions of the Spirit 5. Or neglect to examine their hearts dayly 6. Or faile in daylie repentance 7. Or neglect to conoert others 8. Or abate of holy order and discipline which holds vp the power of godlinesse as if now wee could be lawes vnto our selues Or else doe adde that which may corrupt 1. As spirituall pride of Gods graces 2. Carnall policie subiecting religion to the same 2. adding what may coole and quench it 3. Prosperitie and setting their hearts thereon through couetousnesse Psalm 119. Luke 18.1 Tim. 6. 4. Abuse of Christian libertie in the enioying of pleasures c. 1. Cor. 10 1. Cor. 8. and vse of things in different 5. A corrupt and carnall Ministery 1. Spirituall pride an occasion to leaue our first loue and hovv Concerning spirituall pride as Conuerts are subiect hereto in regard 1. That now not being as others yea as themselues were yea being in some measure made partakers of the diuine nature and aduanced to the hope of so glorious an inheritance 2. Pet. 1.3 may they not hereby be entised to iustifie themselues and despise their brethren to condemne where they should endeauour to conuert c. Esay 5.6 2. Euen their desire to keepe themselues in this estate may bee an occasion to Satan
the Lords and depend only vpon him Mat. 11. 4. If we cannot become all vnto all that so we may win some vnto Christ 1. Cor. 9. Thus may we discerne some footsteps of spirituall pride thus haue you heard how to master the same Secondly touching policy by it 2 Policie a meanes of cooling our first loue I meane that wisedome which ciuill gouernment discouereth in managing it affaires for the adorning preseruing thereof This how soeuer it may be an handmaid to Religion yet carrieth some sway in the manner thereof as 1. In ordering the time and place Policy how a friend to Religion and outward decency for the diuine worship 2. In compelling the outward man to the outward forme and meanes of religion 3. As also in executing the holy censures of the Church vpon the refractary and obstinate 4. And in protecting the innocency and vprightnesse of the Saints from the rage and wrongs of the wicked and 5. Punishing the enemies of the Church Yet may it also proue an enemy to sincerity and so be an occasion if we be guided thereby to leaue our first loue and that in these respects As First How an enemy and so a meanes of leauing our first loue when it vndertakes to iudge and authorize the rule of religion namely the word of God 2. When it adioynes to the same the inuentions of man making it equall with the word of truth 3. When it stands more vpon the forme then the power of godlinesse 4. When it excludes the substance of religion for the outward complement thereof The practise of popery in maintaining their religion 5. When it becomes a meanes to iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous Esay 5. Mat. 27. 6. When it presumes to limit sincerity to times persons and 7. When it insulteth and lords it ouer the conscience by inquisition into the secrets of the heart and violent forcing the same contrary to the tendernesse and true information thereof 8. When it fashions the forme of religion according to the frame of worldly gouernment as Antichrist patched vp his anarchy partly from the Iewish Synagogue partly from the forme of the heathnish Empire Thus may policy be an enemy to Religion and so a meanes of the leauing of our first loue And thus may we learne to preuent this great mischiefe 1. That in matter of religion we consult not with flesh and blood pinning neither our iudgement nor practise vpon the sleeues of men Gal. 2. 2. That we admit no humane inuention as part of Gods worship Mat. 15. 3. And considering that the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God resolue we to endure the contradictions of the world in the worship of God and that that is sincerest which the word most condemnes 4. That in all matter of diuine worship we be ordered and informed according to the word as well for matter as manner agreeable thereunto 5. That we do all things as in the presence of God out of the good purpose of our hearts to be approued of him in the inward man and not with bodily seruice to be seene of men Mat. 6. 6. That we are more conscionable in priuate duties in the closet family sanctifiyng the publike worship by priuate preparation and trying the publike worship by priuate examination 7. That we measure not the worship of God either by any measure we haue already attained as if we had holinesse enough or by any outward successe thereof in the world 8. As by the acceptance of men by prosperity or by any particular issue 9. For the present that in the greatest measure of sanctification we stand not vpon the euidence of our owne conscience As to be iustified thereby though we know nothing by our selues but still deny our owne righteousnes that we may be found in Christ to be still enabled by his righteousnesse to haue the testimony of the acceptance of our persons and so to haue the comfort not only of the acceptance of present seruice but to be enabled by Christ to constant obedience 1. Cor. 4.4.5 Phil. 3.10.11.12 10. That in the worship of God we be not misled by carnall ends as profit pleasure vaine-glory c. But that in all things we purpose the glory of God and the saluation of our soules subordinate thereunto 1. Cor. 10.31 11. That in our best measure we acknowledge our selues vnprofitable seruants and so cast our selues vpon the meere mercie of God in IESVS CHRIST Luke 17.10 Thirdly And so may also Prosperity coole first loue 1. If either hauing much we set our hearts vpon it Prosperity an occasion to coole our first loue and how Psal 62.10 and so are withdrawne to execute the lusts of our hearts 2. Or are afraid of afflictions and decline them by carnall meanes 3. Or measure our estate in grace by our prosperity 4. Or are not willing to be abased as we do abound 5. Or grow secure and vncharitable hereby either despising our poore brethren or insulting ouer them 1. Pet. 5. much lesse being inlarged in compassion of their affliction Psal 30.6 or open handed to relieue them or promise constancy of this ticklish estate vnto our selues 6. Or grow to despise the simplicity of the Gospell as if it were then but in it infancy And so as power is in our hands adorning the worship of God with vaine pompe and outward complements As if this were an argument of the increase and perfection of religion that it is now more glorious acceptable to the world 7. Lastly whereas prosperity vsually puffes vp with a conceit of goodnes if now therfore being aloft when we haue brought religion to our lure as to countenance our greatnesse and sort with our excesse we shall now as the manner is grow to esteem basely of religion as stooping to our lusts and so either neglect the power thereof in our obedience thereunto or rest in the forme thereof contenting our selues with carnall and corrupt meanes will not this corrupt the iudgement and so make way for apostasie will not this coole our zeale and dead our hearts making vs confesse indifferent lukewarme c. And therefore that prosperity may not work these effects in vs 1. Know we that where God giues more there he requires more at our hands 2. That hereby we are preuented of many lets which might hinder our proceeding and supplied with many helps to do more good to abound in thanksgiuings And therefore carry we our selues thus in our outward encreasing 1. Acknowledging that from God we haue receiued it and therefore shame we to honour God with our substance and with the first fruits of our increase 2. Be we alwaies jealous of estates especially when we most aboūd that so being humbled in our outward measure we may grow in the inward 3. Imploying our Talents now more plentifully to the good of others especially to further them to grace not contenting our selues to giue almes for bodily
done by God and the case different Feature Adde we hereunto that not only we haue not any president in the Scripture for the like in this case but also this changing of names is practised by such as either in their iudgements or liues or both deny the Lord that hath bought them namely Iesuites Seminaries Theeues Couseners c. For our feature so farre as that may be altered by changing the fashion of the haire beard c. this being but ciuill and differing according to the diuers guise of each nation so no painting or disfiguring abhorring to nature or denied by ciuility and religion be added I see not but this liberty may be vsed in a case of necessity for the preseruation of life so it stand with our callings and tend to Gods glory Apparell may be changed The like we may determine concerning change of apparell as being a ciuill thing and therefore both subiect to a religious end the preseruation of life with a good conscience and also subiect to change according to the diuers guise of nations callings condition and occasion of prosperity or aduersity keeping our selues within the boūds of our Christian liberty becomming all vnto all as to win others so to preserue our selues for their good 1. Phil. as most desirous to be with Christ which is the best of all yet ready to follow the Lord in any good occasion for the preseruation of life to benefit the Saints and make sure our owne election Prouided that we 1. Keepe our selues within the compasse of our religious and ciuill callings Deut. 22. 2. That we change not that which is vsuall to the other sex 3. That wee deny not our profession if this meanes will not conceale vs being demanded particularly 4. That wee simply intend in our preseruation Gods glory for the benefiting of others A fourth occasion of this false imputation that wee haue left our first loue A fourth occasion is the vse of spiritual wisedome in reprouing for sinne is our discretion in reproouing sinne when either wee cease to reproue scorners although our soules doe not cease to weepe in secret for them and our contrary conuersation is a conuiction of them or reproue priuatly and generally If in publike yet making difference of persons in regard of their calling and quality of their sinne sauing some with feare and yet raising vp others with the spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6.1 c. 1. Which imputation how vnjust it is may appeare by the rules of the holy Ghost 1. Tim. 5. 1. Mat. 19. And also 2. By the practise of the Saints Nathan 2. Sam. 12. Paul Compare the practise in reprouing the Church of Corinth first Epistle 11. chap. and the Church of Galat 3. chap. but aboue all the practise of our Sauiour is peerelesse in his different reproofe of the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 23. Luke 11. and of his disciples Mat. 8. Mat. 26.27 A fift occasion of this vniust challenge A fifth occasion is outward and inward afflictions that wee may loose our first loue is when the hand of God lying heauily vpon vs in some outward emptying because our estate is decayed outwardly therefore the world concludes a decay within especially if wee surcease in a measure such dueties of charity wherein before when our cup ouerflowed we abounded towards others 2. Cor. 8.12.13 Which by this may appeare to be most vnrighteous because it is the purpose of the heart which God respects which may bee no lesse open to our brother though our purse bee straitned yea beeing scanted of this outward deuotion A sixth occasion is the hohonest prouision for our families 1. Tim. 5. may be more enlarged in spirituall almes to procure mercy for the soule and contentment in all estates Act 3.6 A sixth occasion there is also of this false imputation when we rectifie our charity by wisedome to our selues so distributing to others as that we prouide for our owne lest we be worse then infidels and so louing our neighbour as that wee prooue not cruell to our selues so diuiding to others that wee preferre the houshold of faith Gal. 6.10 both doing the best good and as wee may continue and hold out longest therein For which seeing we haue the warrant of the holy Ghost as we ought to auoyd all appearance of this euil by moderation in our procuring and vsage of these things so need we not feare hereby any cooling of our loue Onely make we this vse of this vniust imputation as to suspect our selues inregard of our carnal loue and to try our abyding in the loue of God by such a loue vnto our selues as may prouide for the flesh to the humbling and mortifying of the same as may further our selues and others to those durable riches which are at the right hand of our God for euermore A seuenth occasion to this vniust challenge that we haue lost our first loue is the vse of our Christian liberty in things indifferent Act. 10. Rom. 14. 1. Cor. 3. 2. Tim 4.5 Tit. 1.15 Lastly wee may be falsely charged to haue left our first loue When encreasing of knowledge of our right in Iesur Christ and from him in these outward things wee take liberty for the vse of some things which before wee refrained as being either not informed or not throughly resolued concerning them either because they are indifferent and so are all ours in Christ and being sanctified by the word and prayer may be lawfully vsed seeing to the pure all things are pure Or else being simply good are now of conscience to bee embraced and cheerefully practised that they may further vs to the chiefest good Which how false an imputation it is seeing the rules of the Word and practise of the Saints haue made good 1. Cor. 9. Gal. 2. c. Therefore let vs feare the cooling of our loue The right vse of Christian liberty in things indifferent Phil. 1.9 in the vse of this liberty so that our consciences be perswaded and practise warranted by these rules namely first 1. That the meanes of our encrease in knowledge be the word of trueth not the authority of man 2. That wee be able to discerne betweene things that differ not stumbling as euil things vnder the pretence of indifferencie not subiecting things simply good to the nature of things indifferent making the necessary worship of God a matter of indifferency as the preaching of the Gospell catechising fasting c. yea thrusting out the substance of holinesse for the complement thereof That as wee despise not order so it further true deuotion so we rest not in the outside and make an idole of bodily seruice Rom. 14.1 Philip. 9.10 3. That in this liberty we offend not our Christian brother neither the Magistrate by refusing what hee lawfully imposeth nor the weake brother Rom 13. by not informing him in the true vse of these things or vsing what may justly giue occasion
comforts from thee either Occasions of leauing our first loue 1. By not prising them highly and inualuably 2. Or by not being throwly humbled with them else 3. Through beholding of the Sun when it shined thou wast dazled and puffed vp therewith 4. And so didst not imploy them to the best vse of thy Master aduancing his glory and to the good of thy brother 5. Either thou didst measure the infinite loue of thy God by them so didst ouerrate these comforts 6. Or else thou didst corrupt them by mingling them with the flesh and making them serue the lusts thereof 7. Either thou conceiuedst basely of the meanes that conuaied these comforts vnto thee namely the ministery of the word dreaming of reuelations and extraordinary meanes 8. Or else being ouerioyed with these comforts thou becamest presumptuous and idle neglecting thy calling which God hath appointed to humble thee and thereby to fit thee to greater comforts Or if thou hast giuen thy gracious God iust occasion as who doth not yet still thou art ready to iustifie thy God and condemne thy selfe and therefore here Secondly examine thy iudgement and affections in the want of these present comforts 1. Yet that thou esteeme not thy case desperate for want of them Neither 2. Be so contented with this dispensation of thy God but that it reioyceth thee vnfainedly to remember what thou hast felt and so esteem thy case formerly better then now That thou acknowledge it iust with God to strip thee of this measure yea that thou hast deserued vtterly to be forsaken of him 3. Yea it reioyceth thee at the heart to obserue the happy end glorious condition of such excellent ones that are rauished with this loue of Christ that are thus enflamed with zeale of Gods glory walke thus cheerfully and constantly in their holy calling that so though thou hast cause to mourne for thine owne particular yet withall thou canst reioyce for the publike ioy and so interest thy selfe hereby in the same 4. Thou dost vnfainedly mourne for the want of this gratious aspect and withall 5. Dost vnfainedly hunger after the returne and increase thereof And to this end 6. Dost vse conscionably and reioyce in the meanes of the preaching of the Gospell and effectuall prayer for the recouery of the same Cant. 1. 5. 7. Yea dost labour to confer with the Saints and holy ones making triall of their feelings and quickning thereby thy dulnes by prouoking their prayers c. 8. And waitest patiently the leisure of thy God for the returne of comfort as may stand with his glory resoluing thy selfe that his grace is sufficient for thee Thus if thou art resolued in thy iudgement and art thus established in thy affections The lesse thou feelest the loue of thy God the more is the triall of thy loue towards him and the more he tries thy loue the more is his loue towards thee and therefore thy loue to him must needs be enlarged which thou dost expresse by thy faith in beleeuing beyond thy feeling and hereby giuing glory vnto God thou dost grow in his fauour by the power whereof thou art increased in his obedience and so followest hard after the marke to obtaine that crowne of glory If now it shall please thy gratious God to humble thee yet more and more and so leauing thee yet further to be buffeted by Satan who will now step in to take aduantage of this thy iealousie and doubting of the losse of thy first loue thereby to call in question the truth of thy conuersion And so inferring that thou hast been vtterly deceiued that all thy former labovr hath been in vaine shall thereby confound all thy present hopes and so prouoke thee to a kind of despaire as if now it were in vaine or loo late to begin againe and so hereby procure thee to neglect the true meanes As being that which rather will now more condemne thee and so shall tender thee the vse of carnall remedies either for the present comfort of thy appalled conscience or at least to dampe and lay it asleep in desperate security That thou mayst now resist the deuill and gratiously preuent an vtter and irrecouerable downefall haue thou alwayes in readinesse these preseruatiues First that thou neuer wast neither canst euer be so low brought in this pit of despaire 1. Remember the sufferings of thy Sauiour c. but that thy blessed Sauiour tasted farre more deepely of this cup for thy sake when his soule being heauy vnto the death he cryed out in the anguish and bitternes of his soule that his God had forsaken him And seeing he is such an high Priest as therefore was subiect to our infirmities that he might haue compassion on vs and sanctifie all our greatest infirmities and abasings vnto vs by these his sufferings seeing hee was therefore thus tempted that he might succour vs in our greatest tentations and by his agonies hath taken away the sting of our greatest defections His glorious conquests that so they shall not onely not hurt vs but also prooue gratious preseruatiues vnto vs to preuent worse euils seeing hee hath ouercome that heauy distresse and now triumphs for vs in Heauen and makes continuall intercession for vs in our greatest emptyings seeing his fulnesse of joy is ours already in title and possession yea so farre in vse as may fit vs to the like fulnesse therefore also in Christ are we more then conquerours and that wee may haue experience of our glorious victory in him therefore it pleaseth our good God to leaue vs thus far to this heauy distresse that so in these our sufferings wee may bee conformable to our Head and thereby haue a testimony that wee are his true and louing members who in all our sorrowes had his portion at the full And so suffering with our Sauiour in this bitter agony we may not onely as liuely members fulfill in our soule and body the sufferings of our Sauiour but seeing he is now gone vp and will draw vs all after him therefore will he also plucke vs vp vnto him euen out of this horrible pit and make our triumph and victory to bee more glorious by how much wee haue endured with him and for him greater afflictions 2. That it is an argument wee are truely conuerted because Satan chalengeth the same and seekes to re-enter Especially if we consider that were wee not pluckt out of Satans possession did not the stronger man now possesse vs we should be quiet and nouzelled in security That strong man would not now seeke to reenter in againe hee would not thus question and labour to confound our blessed hope if our hope were onely in this life because now wee are trauayling towardes Heauen therefore doth hee thus labour either to disappoynt or at least to interrupt our journey thither and at least hereby to make it more vncomfortable and tedious vnto vs. And is it not good for to haue this experience
earnestly to raise them vp againe that so together with them thou maist be perfected Heb. 11. vlt. that so maintaining the fellowship here on earth thou maist be better fitted to the communion in Heauen 6. And as thou hast hereby greater occasion to aduance the mercy of thy God in not leauing thee altogether in sustaining thee so wonderfully and saue thee in this thy decay so shalt thou be prouoked hereby to trust more perfectly thy God though he should abase thee further not only in leauing thee to this inward triall of a languishing spirit and eclipse of ioy but as the manner of Gods prouidence is to prepare vs by these inward afflictions to outward troubles for the further triall of our faith and increase of his power and mercy in our protection and deliuerance If now it shall please our glorious God to lead vs through fire and water to pronounce a sentence of death against vs that we may not trust in ourselues but in the liuing God which raiseth from the dead That so after we haue suffered a little we might be fitted to eternall ioyes that so in our outward sufferings our inward consolations may abound Is not here a gracious recompence of our former losse Is not here a maruellous meanes so to restore the same that God may haue the glory that we by this meanes may be prepared vnto glory shall not our loue be now gloriously tried in suffering for the will of God shall it not be much more testified in enduring so great afflictions shall it not hereby be purged of all selfe-loue and carnall respects that so it may be fitted to fulnesse of ioy shall not our patience here be tried in waiting the good pleasure of our God that so we may be perfect and intire wanting nothing 1. Iam. 3.4 Surely howsoeuer it fall yet let it comfort vs that the holy Ghost doth not here challenge the Church of Ephesus that it hath lost all her loue or that it hath absolutely lost her first loue but only that it hath left it for a time and therefore it may recouer againe And it hath but left her first loue not altogether is bereft of all loue well may it leaue it first loue but it shall not loose all And for our further satisfaction take we these rules that we are soundly in some measure recouered and haue regained true ioy and comfort of our saluation 1. If our ioy beeing restored wee are also more enabled in the practise of godlinesse growing more in grace and in obedience to the word 2. If our ioy bee daylie accompanied with sorrow for sinne and feare of our selues that wee may fall againe with more sobriety in the vse of worldly comforts and more hunger after durable ioyes 3. If wee are more weaned from the loue of the world and take lesse ioy in the flesh and earthly things knowing no man after the flesh 4. If we can reioyce in the further encrease of the Church and flourishing estate thereof abroad though it go not so well with our owne particular 5. And can also weepe with them that languish abroad though our owne cup run ouer 6. Still submitting our selfe to the crosse 7. And triumphing in our greatest tribulations 8. If our ioy be powerfull to raise vs daily from sinne that so renuing our repentance it may be increased 9. If it be sincere and pure not so much resting in our selues as that God may haue the glory euen comforting our selues that for Gods sake principally we haue done his will and not for any by respects vnto our selues And this is the last lesson to be obserued out of this Scripture Namely That the Saints shall not loose vtterly Doct. 7. The Saints shall not loose their first loue Reason 1. Ose 2.19 Esa 49. Esa 27. though they may leaue for a time their first loue Luk. 11. Psal 92. 2 Tim. 4.19 1. Because the Lord hath promised to continue his loue towards them Ioh. 13. 1. Ioh. 17. Ierem. 31.33 c. 2. Their afflictions doe tend to their perseuerance as purging out their sinnes Esay 1.25 3. Their sinnes turne to their continuance in grace 1. as making them afraid of sinne 2. and more expert to conquer the same 3. more fit for grace by making them more humble and hungry after it 4. more mercifull to others and therfore mouing the Lord to haue more compassion on them 4. His hand is continually put vnder vs in our greatest failings and therefore wee shall rise againe Psal 37.24 5. His end in leauing vs for a time is to make vs take faster holde on him to make vs more deny our selues that we may be found in Iesus Christ in heauen 6. Their Sauiour liueth and triumpheth to make them more then conquerours Rom. 8.36.37 Ioh. 12.32 and to draw vp all after him 7. The spirit and word shall abide in them to hold them on in grace Ioh. 15. And therefore 1. This condemneth the blasphemie of Papists who teach that the Saints may fall finally and therein doe impeach the power and faithfulnesse of God or that they may so loose their faith for the present that it must be repaired anew againe 2. It checketh the insolencie of the wicked that reioyceth at the fals of the Saints and insult ouer them seeing that though they fall they shal rise againe Mic. 7.9 Psal 41.11 3. As also it reprooueth the infidelity of the Saints who doubt of their recouery and wrong the faithfulnesse of God and power of their faith grieue the blessed Spirit and deny in a sort the merit of Christ 4. Heere is first instruction for the world to iustifie Gods faithfulnesse seeing hee doth not forsake for euer Lam. 3.24.25 5. Heere the Saints are lessoned as to feare their fals and not to sinne vpon presumption of recouery so not to distrust of Gods mercy in their greatest failings seeing the Lord is faithfull and they shall recouer thogh not so sensible a measure as before they had yet sufficient to fit thē to the enioying of that happinesse that the Lord Iesus hath purchased for them And therefore let them vse the holy meanes that they may recouer namely such as are before laid downe in the recouery out of apostasie and regaining first loue and hold out to the end And if happily with all our labour we shall yet be to seeke of what we would haue For the further satisfying and comforting of the conscience obserue we thdse two things First that it is one thing to leaue our first loue and to be luke-warme neither hot nor cold We may not haue such feeling of Gods loue as formerly we had Difference between leauing first loue and lukewarmnesse and this may prouoke vs to more industry to recouer againe as the ioy of Gods spirit may be an occasion by reason of spirituall pride that we may remit of our zeale and yet we may still be resolute in iudgement what should be done though happily in our practise we may abate of what we haue formrly done 1. Wheretas luke-warmnesse ariseth frome a peruerse and deceiued iudgement that we are rich we want nothing and therefore what need we now be so earnest and painful why may we nor abate of our labours and sit downe and take our ease may we not be wholly c. 2. Hereupon it is another note of luke-warmnesse to grow indifferent to any side to be between both ready to entertaine what may stand with the streame and so to runne with the tide as occasion serueth But it is not so with such as haue simply lost their first loue they are neuer quiet till they haue recouered againe they cannot endure any other loue to share in their affections oh it reioyceth them to consider what a true and faithfull loue they had they are now more fond of him when he absents himselfe at euery stone must be rowled all corners searched to find him againe Cant. 5. and they giue not ouer till they haue recouered him 2. That there is great oddes between leauing our first loue and loosing it altogether we may leaue in regard of a former measure and yet hold a true gaine which shall cleere vs of luke-warmnesse and though we leaue a measure yet we loose not all because the least remaining will be a meanes to recouer againe if not so much as we haue had yet so much as shall serue both to keepe from finall apostasie and further to eternall glory 6 And therefore here is matter of exceeding consolation to the elect of God not to trust their owne vnbeleeuing hearts much lesse Satans lies but to rest on the faithfulnesse of God not iudging themselues by what they are in their decay but by what they were in their first loue and so pressing the Lord in his faithfullnesse and their former experience they shall be vpheld in their greatest failings by a secret power and in good time the Lord will appeare vnto them to bring foorth their righteousnesse as the light and their wel-doing as the noone day that so their latter end may be better then their beginning Glory be to the Lord Iesus