Oftentimes it is that the eye affects the Heart something we may conclude was in the way Job 31.1 that made Job enter into a League or Covenant with his eye often it is so and by experience we find that if the eye be affected with Spiritual Objects the heart is engaged to those things that are truly Spiritual and Honourable As for Example When once the Spouse had got a true sight of Christ Cant. 3.4 She holds him fast and upon no terms will part with him A true sight of Christ doth produce Spiritual desires in the Soul after Christ that incomparable Object that you may see is evident by what she doth express Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth the Reason is at hand for his Love is better than Wine A sight of the Excellency of Christ indears her heart much to him and nothing short of Christ her dear Love will give her content that makes her to cry out Oh my Dove whose dwelling is in secret Cant. 2.14 let me see thy Face and hear thy Voice her Reason is for his voice is sweet and his countenance is comely Such is her Love to him that she glories in him And when she comes to speak of her Beloved Cant. 5.10 she gives this relation of him That he is the chiefest of ten thousand and if you come to comparisons there is none to be compared with him among all the Sons of men Christ is so beautiful to the Soul truly Spiritual that there is not so much as a spot for to be found about him Cant. 4.7 Oh! when the Soul comes for to cast up his accounts concerning him it amounts to this That Pretious Jesus the onely Object of its hearts delight is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 full of beauty from head to foot That we may rightly understand who it is she has such an excellent approbation of her language is This is my Beloved yea this is my Friend Here is a lively Charactar of a Soul freed from the Carnal Mind whose Affections are setled and Heart is seated upon an Object very rare for delights Whose Honour and Beauty is unparalel'd Cant. 6.1 4. And that Soul that doth thus fall in love with Christ will fall out of love with all things short of Christ so that this is the onely means to come up unto this Blessed Attainment to have the mind freed from carnallity and truly exercised on things that are Spiritual The fourth Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Fourthly The fourth Means prescribed by which we may get into a spiritual Frame of Heart is to exercise our Thoughts on Spiritual Concernments Let us be much thinking upon what Christ hath done for us and likewise considering what we should be doing for him Jer. 31.3 Eze. 16 3. the thoughts of Christs enlarged Bowels of Love and Mercy to us should be as food to us that our minds might be feeding thereon and the more we exercise our thoughts thereon the more we shall take delight therein Christ's Love to us clearly seen and understood is that which will draw out our love to him We love him 1 John 4.19 sayes the knowing Apostle because he first loved us the love of Christ is a drawing love and when once Christ doth begin to draw by the cords of his Divine Love the Soul will be then ingaged to run after him Draw me and I will run after thee Cant. 1.4 Oh! when he comes to witness Divine drawings from above then will the Carnal Mind be banished out of the Soul and the Soul is ingaged in a new and better work it minds now a close pursuit after Christ who is pretious to him and in his esteem 1 Pet. 24. and by Faith sees him so to be for to them that believe Christ is Pretious If any should call this Truth into question the Answer is nigh wherein it doâ—h appear that Christ is Pretious First Christ is Pretious in his Person as was before expressed and sufficiently proved Secondly Christ is Pretious in his Power and glorious works in the Soul and it pleaseth the Father Col. 1.19 that in him should all fulness dwell In Christ is fulness of Love fulness of Light fulness of Peace fulness of Liberty fulness of Grace and fulness of Glory In a word all fulness is in him the onely Beloved of the Father who is full of Grace and Truth 1 John 17. So it is clear that Christ is Pretious Thirdly Christ is Pretious in his Promises there are given unto us exceeding great and pretious Promises that we may be thereby made partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Luk. 12 33. such promises that gives us a â—ight and title unto the Kingdom Oh Pretious indeed Fear not little Flock it is your Fathers good pleasure for to give you the Kingdom Fourthâ—y Christ is Pretious in his Blood Oh! it is pretious Blood for it serves for the doing away of sin For we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold from our vain conversation received by tradition by our Fathers 1 Pet. 1.18 19. but with the Pretious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish or without spot Fifthly Christ is Pretioâ—s in his Word so it is Recorded The Word of the Lord was pretions in the dayes of Samuel the Prophet when there was no open Vision 1 Sam. 1.3 Sixthly Christ is Pretious in his Ordinances Oh! it was that which made the Prophet David so much desire them and long after them Psal 84 10. I had rather be a door keeper in the House of my God then dwell in the Tents of wicked men And this pretious Prophet wâ—s so much in love therein that he tells us his experience further in this matter One thing have I desired of the Lord Psal 27 4. and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and the Glory of his Temple And the more we injoy communion with God in his Pretious Ordinances the more shall we long and desire after them as this Servant of the Lord did Seventhly Christ is Pretious in his Rod so when he comes to afflict us his end is to try â—s that we might be found to praise and Honour for the Tryal of our Faith being much more pretious then of Gold that perisheth 1 Pet. 1 7. 1 Cor. 3.12 and though God try us by fire it shall prove for our good and advantage for by fire every mans work must be tryed of what sort it is The end of God is that we might be found to Praise and Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Eighthly Christ is not onely pretious in his Rod but in his Staff also as he sees it good with his Rod for to correct us so he hath his Staff also
Mind are under the Sentence of Death For the clearing of this Truth we shall endeavour to prove three Things First What it is to be Carnally Minded Secondly Lay down Helps to prevent our Carnal Mindedness Thirdly We shall also endeavour to lay down the Danger â—hat those Persons are in that are Carnally Minded The first Discription of the Carnal Mind First To be Carnally Minded is to have our Affections or our Heart setled on things that are below Such a Carnal Minded man was the rich man we read of in the Gospel Luk. 12 18 19 20. who said This will I do I will pull down my Barns and build greater and there will I bestow all my goods and will say unto my soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years Take thy ease eat drink and be merry But carnal minded persons may do well for to hearken a little to what God shall say in the midst of their Cups and carnal Jollatry Oh! shall not such a word as this from God strike thee into astonishment when he shall say unto thee in the midst of all thy carnal pleasure thou must be gone and leave all Luk. 12 20. Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee What wilt thou do then when in the midst of thy merriment thou shalt hear of Imprisonment and in the midst of thy present joy thou must have thy joy turned into perpetual sorrow Mat. 8.12 where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for evermore when God shall say unto thee for thy Carnallity Thou shalt perish to all Eternity This may teach us for to beware of a carnal frame of heart The second Discription of the Carnal Mind Secondly To be Carnally Minded is to have our Minds running out unto that which tends unto the Dishonour of God Of such the noble Apostle speaks of with great sorrow of heart Phil. 3.18 19. yea with bitter tears For many walk of whom I have told you often and now must tell you weeping that they are enemies unto the Cross of Christ whose end is Destruction whose God is their Belly whose glory is their shame who mind earthly things So that which may be gathered from hence is That a carnal frame of Heart is not only a God-dishonouring but a Soul-destroying frame and it doth not only tend unto the great dishonour of God Jer. 5.25 but it is that which is also prejudicial unto a Christians good The carnal Mind is a means for to enlarge our love to the creature and so thereby weakens our love to the Creator it is that which weakens our Affections to the things above and strengthens our Affections to the carnal things that are below Objection But if it be Objected That it may be proved that the best of Saints have been and still are guilty of the Carnal Mind Answer To this I Answer It is not that which is commended but rather condemned yea though it be found in a dear child of God Something to the purpose you may observe in David though without doubt he was a good man yet interrupted by a bad mind which did not onely prove destructive unto David's Communion but also dishonourable unto David's God namely Psal 51 9. ver 10. ver 11. Psa 51.7 8 9. in the matter of Uriah But note a word by the way When once the man comes to have a true sence of the evil he witnesses a heart truly broken with bitter sighs and tears for the same that so his mind is altered and the man is changed The third Discovery of the Carnal Mind Thirdly To the Carnal Minded is to have our eyes fixed upon Carnal Objects which doth wholly take off the Mind from God The Carnal Object is that which satisfieth the lust of the eyes or that by which the Carnal Mind is fed and kept alive and for to fulfil the lust of the flesh is for to fulfil the Carnal Mind which mind is of the world and while persons are in such a state let them profess what they will of Christ they are wholly ignorant of him and witness not his Power but do still live in the Carnal Mind in the lust of the flesh and are of the World Of this the Blessed Apostle treats very plainly saying All that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes 1 John 2.16 and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world Therefore in truth if we would not be counted those that are of the world though in the world we must then learn to get above the world and no longer live in the Carnal Mind but fix our eye upon Objects far beyond what the world can afford and the more we get into a Spiritual Frame of Heart the more we shall be out of love with the Carnal Mind and by experience shall feelingly say with the Apostle Rom. 7.28 That in my mind I serve the Law of God Oh then and not till then will Carnal Objects prove thy burden and not thy delight The fourth Discovery of a Carnal Mind Fourthly To be Carnally minded is for to have the Mind exercised upon sinful concernments so the Life thereby proves vain and Carnal That so if you take the Carnal man into examination you shall find that he has not so much as a thought for God What David speaks of the Wicked Psal 10 4 may in this case be applyed The Wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God and the best character he can give of him is this God is not in all his thoughts We may conclude upon it that man may be truly counted Carnal that hath not a thought for God in all his wayes Therefore miserably Carnal may we conclude that soul to be that doth at no time or season set his Mind on the things of God The Apostle doth further speak in this case Tit. 1.15 saying That unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing Pure but even the Mind and Conscience is defiled and being left in the Carnal Nature it comes to pass that they reject the Truth and become opposers of it to this day Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses 2 Tim. 3.8 so do these also reject the Truth men of corrupt minds reprobate or may be read of no judgement concerning the Faith That you see it is clear and evident that the Carnal man doth place his thoughts upon Carnal concernments The fifth Discovery of a Carnal Mind Fifthly In a word to be Carnally minded is to walk in that Path which is attended with sin which leads to the Chambers of Death James 1 15. For when lust is conceived in the Mind it brings forth sin in the life and when sin is finished it brings forth Death That let the Carnal minded man go where he will he cannot take one step but in much danger and the farther he goes in
true sence of the same Secondly As the Spirit works up the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin so it makes the Soul out of love with sin Joseph without all doubt did injoy much of the assistance of the Spirit when he met with that sore temptation that was presented unto him by his Mistris who tempted him to uncleanness see Joseph's modest Answer to her wicked desire How shall I do this great evil Gen. 39 7 8 9. and sin against God An evident Testimony to prove the man out of love with sin for by no means can he condescend unto that which tends not unto the Glory of God We find David to be out of love with sin in as much as he doth declare his sorrow for sin Psal 38 18. The more we are in love with the Spirit the more we shall be out of love with sin the more the Spirit of God is at work in us the more sin shall be bewailed by us Poor Job makes a sad out-cry about his sin he cries out I have sinned what shall I do unto thee Job 7.20 O thou preserver of men Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burthen unto my self Mark Sin is to the Soul truly Spiritual become a burthen here is an evident Character of a Soul out of love with sin and such a Soul will say unto sin Hos 14 8. as Ephraim said unto his Idols Get ye hence sin get you out of my sight for there is a great contrariety between the Flesh and the Spirit the Spirit proclaimes open war against sin in the Soul the Spirit gives the first Onset and never leaves fighting till it comes away a Conqueror and so gets the Day Rom. 8.37 Job 33.27 28. and the Lord will preserve the Soul from going into the Pit and his life shall see the light if he shall say he hath sinned and perverted that which is writ and it profiteth me not all which must be by the help of the Spirit and if once the Spirit of God doth but enter the Castle of the Soul then all thy Carnal enemies must lay down their Arms and march out for the spirit will not admit of any under its command but such 〈◊〉 be obedient thereto oh then sin will not be thy love or deâ—ight but thou shalt see it an open enemy against God and the good of thy soul all no quarter shall it have from thee or entertainment by thee Rom. 8.7 when the spirit of God is upon thee Thirdly As it is the Work of the Spirit for to make us out of love with sin so it is the work of the Spirit to inform the Soul fully and freely of Christ It is the spirit of God that doth acquaint us with Christ's readiness to give it entertainment for the spirit in the Bride faith Come and drink of the Water of Life freely Rev. 22 17. it is the Word of God that tells us we may be welcome but it is the spirit of God that makes all welcome the free and full spirit of God is that which conveys life into the soul and makes the bitter waters that sometimes we meet with in the way to Heaven prove sweet Oh! it is the spirit that leads the soul unto the Water streams of Christs Divine Love and gives it a taste of his Excellent sweetness and begets a longing desire after Christ Oh! on such it is Christ intends to bestow his choisest Gift upon Rev. 21 6. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Waâ—ers of Life freely such in whom the spirit doth beget this thirsting frame in the soul shall have the priviledge for to taste of the Living Water of Christ himself who is Living Water and what Christ doth he will do it freely the soul shall have the injoyment of the Living streams and his fill thereof if he will but come for it Oh! it is the spirit of God that will enjage a soul for to come unto Christ and it doth likewise beget a Holy Admiration in the soul of Christ that it cries out with David How excellent is thy loving Kindness Psal 36 7 8 9. O God Therefore the Children of Men put their trust under the shadow of thy Wings they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy House and thou shalt make them drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures for with thee is the Fountain of Life and in thy Light we shall see Light Such is the excellency of the spirit when it comes that it doth maintain the soul at a high rate with God the provision and royal entertainment that the soul finds in the House of God begets in the soul a dislike unto Carnal Inâ—oyments And if any person desires to be fed at this rate he must come unto Christ John 7.37 by the help of the spirit the way lies open for if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink and he shall witness in him the overflowings of Christ's sweet streams in his soul By this time you may plainly see the spirit gives us a full and free description of Christ the Excellency of his Love to us Fourthly As it is the Spirits work for to inform us of Christ so the Spirit doth beget in us a choice delight in Christ After the spirit hath given us a sight of Christ it begets in the soul a love or delight in Christ Oh! the spirit of God makes the soul in love with the very Courts of God and then it cries out with great Admiration Psal 84 1 2. How aimiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my Soul longs yea fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My Heart and my Flesh cryeth out for the Living God The spirit sets the soul in a holy flame yea in a longing frame after God and in an excellent frame to Praise God in a word it makes the soul for to esteem of God as its chief good Fifthly As the Spirit works up the Soul for to take delight in Christ so it helps the Soul for to walk unto the Honour of Christ Oh! the spirit is an excellent help unto a Christian to help him forward in the work of holy walking Psal 31 21. Blessed be the Lord said David for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness The spirit of God will direct a Christian in the way and not suffer him to walk out of it the spirit will also support him and comfort him in his Journey and make his way pleasant in the midst of all discouragements it meets with John 16 13. the spirit will not leave us in the dark in dubious matters it will teach the soul what course it must steer that it may arrive at the right Port at last the spirit will beget in us a still and quiet frame of Heart in all our storms we pass through that we may be in a fit capacity to hear what
which they shall injoy by Christ is Life Eternal Oh! it is an endless Life and though they die before they live they die in order unto a better life such a life as none can deprive them of Secondly Is Christ a Christians Prince and is this Prince a Prince of Peace This may add unto a Christians comfort also They serve a most Noble Prince 1 Tim. 6 15. Rev. 17 14. one that will not onely make their Life comfortable but Honourable also who will not onely invest them with Peace but also will furnish them with Grace and such as attend on Christ the Prince of Peace shall wear the Livery of the Spotless Robes of the Righteousness of our dear Lord Jesus and their Wages will be Phil. 3.10 Eternal Life and Glory and they shall have choice varieties to feed upon yea fare delicately every day the best Provision in their Fathers House the Prince of Peace they shall be welcome unto and their drink shall be on the Fountain of Living Waters the Living Streams that makes glad the City of God we shall find our dear Lord our Protection as well as our Consolation Oh! such shall drink their fill at the Fountain and be very high in his estimation for he will not suffer any to do them harm such shall find this Prince and his Court attended with Holiness 2 Chron. 16. ver 20 21 22. Holiness is in his Borders yea round about his Dominions Oh! this is our King who is called Salem the Prince of Peace The consideration of all these things may afford us Divine comfort and choice consolation in abundance Thirdly Hath God called thee and blessed thee with Peace who is a God of Peace Rom. 15 33. 1 Cor. 7.15 come let us then follow our calling and Spiritual Vocation and much rejoyce that we are called to Peace Oh! let us endeavour for to promote Peace in all we set our hand unto to do and do nothing that may not tend to Peace Oh! then shall we have much cause for to rejoyce when our Peace with God is maintained Job 22.21 when our dear Lord and we are one when we find it our joy for to be with God then it will be evident God is with us Oh! it is matter of great joy Psal 29 11. for to come under the Fathers Blessing who doth use to bless his children with Peace therefore let us much rejoyce in our Portion namely our Fathers Blessing and that we are acquainted with the God of Peace and know him to be our Peace-maker who was graciously pleased for to make himself one with us Ro. 5.8 who was enemy to him Oh! this is matter of great consolation indeed Fourthly Hath God made with us a Covenant of Peace and therein hath ingaged himself for to lead us in the Path of Peace Oh! bless the Lord who hath in his Râ—â—â— Love provided food for thy Faith for here is much communicated to us by God for to strengthen our Faith in God for God is ingaged in the Covenant of Grace to be our God Jer. 31.33 Ps 144 15. and hath entred into a League of Peace with us Oh! Happy is that People whose God is the Lord yea happy is that People that is in such a case Soul thou hast no cause to mourn let what times will come though never so bad or never so sad Man God is thine and he is much concerned to own thee to protect thee to feed thee Ps 121 15. Joh. 21 15. Rev. 3.18 Psal 34 15. Isa 59.1 Psal 23 2. to cloath thee and for to have an Eye and Heart of love to thee at all Times and Seasons Oh! here is matter of joy and comfort to such indeed he will lead thee into no condition but his Eye of Love shall be upon thee our dear Lord will walk with thee and he will not venture thee alone in the World he will not onely cast an eye of love upon thee but will also stretch forth his hand of love to thee for thy relief yea he it is that will guide thee with his Eye and with his Hand and will bring thee into the green Pastures and lead thee besides the still Waters where thy Soul shall meet with the feedings and fillings of Divine consolation where no beast of prey shall ever have their will upon thee any more but our dear Lord in rich Love will be a wall of defence unto thee Psal 59 9 10 16. and none shall come at thee to do thee harm and then he will make the Paths of Peace very pleasant Paths unto thee wherein thy Soul shall walk with much delight for there it is that Christ thee must walk live together yea there it is where thee and thy Love must imbrace each other Oh! it is in the Pleasant Path of Peace Prov. 3.17 that thee and thy Love shall converse together upon the high and choice and mighty things of his Royal Law Oh! this Path of Peace will prove a Path of Grace All these things cast up and put together it will easily be made appear there is ground sufficient for a true Christian for to be rejoycing in as much as Christ is his Portion his Crown his All and in all Lam. 3.24 for Christ and a true Christian never meets but he meets with a Blessing although a Christians communion with Christ is oftentimes attended with a cloud Exo. 40 36 37. yet our dear Lord will vouchsafe for to speak choicely unto him yea though it be through a cloud as he was pleased for to speak unto his Servant Moses in the Mount and for as much as God is a God in Covenant with us Heb. 13 5. Psal 73.24 he will never leave us nor forsake us but will be a choice good to us in all our straits and difficulties and will guide us by his Counsel and afterwards receive us into his Glory MEDITATIONS By Way of OBSERVATION Observation I. Mat. 15.36 Mat. 26.39 COme immitate the Lord of Life this Day In Holy fear let 's walk and talk alway Mat. 3.13 vers 17. Oh! follow Christ's Example choice and rare In God's appointment walk and do not fear Hosea 2.14 vers 15. Though in the Wilderness our Lord doth go Let us attend him there and we shall know The Canaan Fruit his Manna and choice dew Rev. 2.27 Injoy we shall and feed thereon a new God's poor let 's love and to them now be kind James 2.5 For such he 'l own his presence they shall find Unto the Cross come bend and bow also Mat. 10.38 Then have the Crown at last we shall I know Psal 110.3 Isaiah 1.19 And willingly let us obey his Voice Come serve our Lord our King our onely choice Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 9.7 And chearfully in his choice works let 's go His streams of Love to us shall overflow Luk. 19.48 Rev.
good to manifest thy Light Christ Ezek. 16.4 John 14.16 John 15.10 My Skirt of Love I spred on thee thy nakedness to hide That my sweet prensence thou might'st see and with me might'st abide Christian Thy eye of pitty to me was made known at a high rate In washing me from filth that day and life thou did'st create Christ When I past by and saw the lie Eze. 16.6 7 polluted in thy blood In love to thee I did draw nigh and holp thee for thy good Christian Oh! praised be thy great high Name for what thou didst for me Thy tender Love I must proclaim and what of thee I see Christ A conversation choice and sweet Phil. 1.27 Amos 4.12 will honour me indeed Oh! then I will thy poor Soul meet on Manna thou shalt feed Christian Oh! help me Lord to live to thee a Godly Holy Life And in Communion let me be indeed thy married Wife Christ Isa 54.5 John 6.37 Cant. 7.10 A Husband then I 'le be to thee for none I will cast out That doth in truth now come to me thine I am without doubt Christian How shall I know Lord thou art mine and I am one with thee The perfect Union let me find and now united be Christ Isa 43.1 Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.3 I know thy name Oh! thou art mine in Covenant we be My love indeed shall not decline more of it thou shalt see Christian Of Covenants two Lord we do read In thy most Blessed Word Which of them Lord hast thou now made to me O Blessed God Christ My Covenant that I have made Jer. 31.31 Heb. 8.10 Jer. 31.32 is new and choice also Not like to that of Israel's said they brake yea long agoe Christian What difference pray may there be between the Old and New The difference Lord Oh! let me see let 's know what we must do Christ The Old it comes from Mount Sina Gal. 4.24 Mich. 4.2 Gal. 4.26 a Covenant of Works The New it comes from Mount Zion a Covenant of Grace Christian Doth God require no works of me that by them I may live That by my works may Heaven see Or for my works he 'l save Christ No works at all do I require Ephes 2.9 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 5.1 1 John 1.7 nor can they produce Life But Faith in me doth God require it 's I must end the strife Christian The terms of thy sweet Covenant dear Lord What may they be Let 's understand Oh! out of hand come let us know of thee Christ The Covenant of Grace it is conditions on my part Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 Wherein I am ingag'd to thee to write upon thy Heart My Royal Law of Grace indeed and be to thee a God Psal 32.8 Luke 1.97 Thou unto me a People be I 'le also be thy guide As for thy sins and transgressions no more will I remember Jer. 33.34 Isa 43.25 But will make known to thee I own a blotting out for ever Christian My Love my Lord my King my Choice thy path let me behold And daily hear thy lovely voice thy love to me unfold Christ Cant. 2.4 Into my banquetting-house come and take thy fill my Love Cant. 4.8 Of Flagons sweet I will thee meet and there embrace my Dove Cant. 2.6 The banner of my love display I will on thee indeed Cant. 2.5 And quickly come I 'l not delay on apples thou shalt feed Christian My Love my Dove my Joy my Crown oh come oh come away The Foxes spoil thy Church renown make hast and do not stay Rev. 21.2 My Bride I come with motions swift my Vineyard to maintain Cant. 2.15 Psal 2.6 The Fox I 'l slay my crowning day my Kingdom I shall gain Christian Oh Bridegroom dear when thou appear my robes do thou put on And cause my Lamp to burn most clear and with thee make me one Christ 1 Joh. 2.20 My Bride the unction thou shalt have that will thy Lamp here trim Mat. 25.4 Joel 2.28 And cause thy Light to shine most bright this oyl I will put in Mat. 25.10 The door against thee shall not shut but entrance thou shalt have Mat. 25.12 Mat. 25.8 When other Virgins be kept out for oyl they then will crave When they for oyl shall make a-do Mat. 25. thy Bridegroom then will come And in the kingdom thou shalt be when oyl they shall find none Christian Dear Lord oh hear the cries and groans that the oppressed make And hearken to the daily moans their bonds oh do thou break Psal 23.4 Christ My present rod shall prove for good to humble them thereby Deut. 8.16 Then privy search I 'l make for blood Rev. 6.10 and all my foes shall dy Isa 10.10 The work on mount Sion must be before that I will come Then will I break Assyrians heart and ruine Babylon Christian Come Lord and purge thine own people by thy refining fire Let affliction refine us clean as thou dost now desire Christ That is my end in what I do in love I do chastise Rev. 3.19 Micah 6.8 Isa 48.18 That better fruit you may bring out and learn for to be wise Christian Thy wisdom Lord oh from above let me enjoy I pray Then love I shall the Turtle Dove and him obey this day Christ My wisdom pure and peaceable Jam. 3.17 thou shalt possess indeed That teaches thee gentle to be Jam. 3.17 and on it thou shalt feed Christian How long thy absence shall I see thy presence I desire Oh when in Canaan shall we be and walk with thee entire Christ My Love the glorious land is near 2 Sam. 22.19 Isa 52.9 10 my presence thou shalt see And in my bosom thou shalt ly there thee and I will be Christian It is my grief and sorrow great that a stranger I be That I indeed cannot relate what I would have of thee Christ Rev. 22.1 2 Psal 36.8 Psal 46.4 Thy wants I know supply shall come yea from the living tree The Rivers of my love shall run and comfort thou shalt see Christian When thou dost speak I do forget thy message choice and sweet Therefore to me afford some help oh Lord I do intreat Christ John 14.26 Luk. 1.78 79. Luk. 1.75 I am at hand poor soul indeed thee memory I will give Yea by the hand I will thee lead as long as thou dost live Christian My burthen Lord is very great that earthly things I mind Oh help me Lord I do intreat thy presence let me find Christ Col. 3.3 Psal 94.19 Psal 27.4 Isa 35. last On things above oh thou my love delight thou shalt therein And live with me yea day by day and Hallelujah sing Christian Dear Lord arise and manifest thy power and thy might Pull Babel down and wear the Crown put Babylon to flight Christ Rev. 3.11 Rev. 18.4 Rev. 14.1
My day is near oh do not fear for Babel that shall down And gloriously I will appear in glory and renown Christian When Lord shall I behold the day that Zion shall rejoyce And Judah then the Scepter sway come let us hear thy voice Christ Isa 32.1 Jer. 31.7 Isa 51.1 Behold the day is very nigh my kingdom I must have Zion shall sing and eke rejoyce the Captives I will save Christian Come Jesus come come quickly Lord we long to see thy Face Oh! do not stay we do the pray and furnish us with Grace Christ My Grace to you I will afford Psal 84.11 2 Cor. 1.3 Cant. 1.13 and comforts of all kind For you with me shall bed and board and know more of my mind Christian Oh! take me up in ravishment and let me take my fill That die I may to earth this day and witness Heavenly skil Christ Soul take thy fill abundantly Cant. 5.1 Isa 40.11 Hab. 3.18 on Heaven feed then more And in my Father's Bosom lie and joy in him therefore Christian To Heaven Lord how shall I get there do I long to be That with my Father I may sit the Earth no more may see Christ I am the way by which you may obtain to your desire John 14.6 Psal 37.4 1 Cor. 3.13 And if to Heaven you go this day you must pass through the fire Christian That would I do rather than lose my Fellowship indeed With Father Son and Angels choice and Manna Angels food Christ Come Soul then follow me this day a Kingdom thou shalt gain Mat. 16.24 Luk. 12.32 Isa 1.19 If that thou do my Law obey the Father's Love obtain And liberty thou shalt in joy Rev. 12.8 9 Rev. 20.2 Rev. 14.3 from sin and Satan too Then my high Praises thou shalt sing and taste of Heavenly dew Where joyes there are for evermore Isa 35.10 sighing shall fly away Rev. 21.4 Psal 65.1 Come of this joy now taste therefore and praises sing alway Rev. 19.6 Isa 42.8 2 Tim. 2.12 Yea Hallelujah you shall sing this Glorying none shall stain And you shall be ever with me and with me you shall reign CHRIST THE Afflicted Christians RELIEF Christ COme thou afflicted Soul to me Psal 18.27 Ps 119.71 Num. 20.12 and I will thee relieve I 'le make afflictions sweet to thee if in me thou believe Afflicted Dear Lord I come make hast to help on thee I do depend My God thou art come cleanse my heart and also me defend Christ Psal 34.15 Ps 119.67 Hos 11.4 Rom. 5.5 Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry and sanctifie I will Thy affliction and will make known my Love come take thy fill Afflicted Oh! Pretious Lord now grace afforâ— to me I do thee pray And let thy Rod now prove for good that I may thee obey Christ Afflicted Soul hold up thy head Luke 21.28 John 16.13 Psal 37.11 my Grace it is at hand By my sweet Spirit thou shalt be led thou shalt injoy the Land Afflicted Sweet Lord Oh! When wilt thou begin my wearied Soul to chear Come me revive and make alive Oh Jesus now appear Christ I come dear heart for to impart Rev. 22.12 Lam. 3.24 Isa 53.3 a Portion choice and sweet Thy Soul I 'le chear Oh do not fear though troubles thou do meet Afflicted My Portion Lord Oh! wilt thou be that on thee I might stay Come signifie Lord unto me my God thou art this day Chr. Afflicted Soul I have made choice Hos 14.4 Isa 48.10 Deut. 8.16 of thee to love indeed In the Furnace of Affliction for of it there is need Afflict True Lord afflictions are needful by them teach me to mend My life that I reform'd may be yea now unto the end Chr. My Spirit on thee will I bestow Joel 2.28 Mal. 3.2 Hos 2.20 John 16.13 that doth reform indeed Then to the end thou shalt me know my Spirit shalt thee lead Afflict Dear Lord Oh come now give it out the Clouds gather a pace And put an end unto all doubt come help me run thy race Chr. Afflicted Soul I come I come Rev. 3.11 the Clouds they shall dispel Cant. 2.17 Resolve I will thy doubts Oh then Rev. 21.3 and with thee I will dwell Oh! welcome Lord thou art to me let thee and I not part The more of thee that I now see is Joy unto my Heart Chr. All Troubles hear come do not fear Psal 34.6 Luk. 12.32 Psa 118.8 I 'le put them to an end My reigning day is very near on me therefore depend Afflicted Dear pretious Lord on Earth there 's none that trust I can put in But only thee and thee alone who art indeed my King Chr. Soul do not fear I will draw near Rev. 3.11 Rev. 19.7 Psa 115.1 my Kingdom for to take If thy trust be alone in me of it thou shalt partake Afflicted It is my Burden Lord indeed and sore Affliction too That more on thee I do not feed and witness thy sweet dew Chr. Come my Table is richly deck'd Psa 36.8 Rev. 22.17 James 4.8 with Dainties of all kind And welcome thou may'st be to me and my sweet Presence find Afflicted Thy Presence Lord is that I want I fain would it obtain Thy Dainties choice I relish not makes me for to complain Chr. Come Soul and taste a little then Psal 34.8 Psal 36.7 Psal 30.5 for sweetness thou shalt find In what I give and thou shalt live and to thee I 'le be kind Afflicted Lord to my Sorrow my Soul loaths thy Honey and thy Combe And with thy Food I cannot close nor think thou wilt me own Chr. A hungry and a thirsting frame Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 5.1 Cant. 7.11 on thee I will bestow My pleasant Meat thou then shalt eat and with me thou shalt go Afflicted Lord let me feel now Nourishment in Bonds and Misery Let me not sink but on thee think who art true Liberty Chr. I will arise for thy relief Psa 9.9 Isa 41.10 and free thee in due Season Uphold I will thy Soul now still and bring thee out of Prison Psal 146.7 Afflicted Darkness dear Lord in me dispel come manifest thy Power And in sweet Canaan let me dwell in this afflicting hour Chr. My Light shall come waite for me then and Canaan thou shalt see Psa 97.11 Rev. 21.4 Rev. 21.25 Then Affliction quite shall be gone thy night then day shall bee Afflicted Thou day Star when wilt thou arise my Soul for to revive And with thy Wisdom make me wise that I may daily thrive Chr. Out of the Rod Sweetness shall come my Teaching choice also Prov. 29.15 Psal 23.4 Mal. 4.2 I will arise for thee my Son the Nations shall it know Afflicted Prepare O Lord thine Afflicted that ready we may be Thee to attend and us defend From Satans Cruelty Chr. I will you
at this Day First The Voice of God at this day bespeaks you Oh ye Saints to Act Faith 2 Chron. 20.20 And hear O ye Saints pray as the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase our Faith for if we believe all things shall be possible Mark 9.23 Hard things shall be made easie Heb. 11. from the 33. to the 38. Yea the crooked wayes shall be made streight rough wayes smooth and whilest we are going in this Wilderness to comfort us Faith will give us a view of the Good Land Heb. 11.1 Yea it will lead us up to the top of Mount Nebo yea let me say as David Psal 145.11 12. Consider Faith is that which Honours God that God hath engaged himself to honour them who honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 Faith will tell us He will never leave us nor forsake us Faith will prevent despair in our Souls Psalm 27.13 We should faint if we did not believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Faith will teach us that all things shall work for good Rom. 8.28 Faith will help us to know that our Redeemer lives John 19.25 and to say with Thomas My Lord and my God John 20.28 What should I say more it is pretious 2 Pet. 1. yea it is very necessary Heb. 11.6 Secondly The Voice of God speaks us to be patient and therefore O ye Saints beg patience let it have its perfect work in your Souls James 1.4 Patience will gain thee a look from God when frowardnesse will make him stand a-loofe off it is that will make a long way short James 5.7 8. The Spirit of patience is opposite to a murmuring frame of Spirit Mark Israel got nothing by a murmuring Spirit Psal 106.23 29. Patience will prevent from tempting God and limitting of God it will help thee to submit to the Lord and it will teach thee to know that the Lord is just in afflicting Mich. 7.9 Remember the Counsel of your Lord Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls Thirdly The Voice of God speaks us to love And O ye Saints How ought you to love one another Oh! that this Grace of love might abound in your Souls John saith Love is of God 1 John 4.8 Yea he that loves not his Brother hath not the love of God in him Consider O ye Saints it become the Servant to be obedient to his Master hark Christians it is the command of your Lord to love one another John 15.12 Would you be accounted the Friends of Christ then love one another Saints there lies the greatest engagement in the World upon you to love 1. The Father hath loved you he chose you out of love Ephes 1.5 Hos 14.4 John 3.16 2. The Son hath loved you Oh! height of love Christ's love to us was self-abasing love Phil. 2.7 compared with Prov. 8. from 22. to 31. it was wrath-appeasing love Ephes 2.14 it was a Justice-satisfying Love Mat. 27.46 It was bleeding Love Luke 22.44 Heb. 9.12 It was dying Love Rom. 5.6 8. 3. The Spirit Loves you 1 Cor. 3.16 What shall I say more they all wrought equally in the Work of our Redemption and Salvation and this was Love again Oh ye Saints consider The World hates you John 15.18 19 20. Oh! therefore love one another it is enough Saints the Lord whips you but that is love too Heb. 12.6 But consider the Enemy hates therefore do you love let not Saints he smiting one another that is the work of the unprofitable Servant Oh! let not Saints come under this reproof to afflict the afflicted Zach. 1.15 Sion is now in the Furnace and Saints it is the great design of God to burn up this dross the want of love Zeph. 3.8 9. What shall I say more O love the Lord all ye his Saints and ye who love the Lord love one another Fourthly The Voice of God at this day speaks Saints to be Humble Dost thou hope to be exalted Saint then be Humble Psal 113.7 8. Numb 12.3 Wouldst thou have the Commendation of God then lie low humility will help thee to say less then the least of all Saints Ephes 3.8 Would you O ye Saints be taught of God be Humble Would you have God to dwell with you be Humble he takes care to revive the Humble I shall have done onely beging that God would imprint that word upon all our Souls Phil. 2.3 4. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem others better then themselves A Word to the Faithful Unbyassed Reader as to the ensuing Treatise Friend Thou wilt find those things contained in this Treatise very soundly and sollidly handled thou wilt find but little of the inticing words of mans Wisdom but doubtless thou mayest find much of the Teachings of God in plainness of Speech As to the Author of it I have this to say That he hath been in the Furnace wherein I hope he hath lost much dross and so is become a Vessel more fit for his Masters use Reader What thou readest weigh in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and thou wilt find God speaks much by it If thou gettest nothing blame thine own heart for the Heart of man is deceitful If thou art a gainer give God the Glory and let the Author have thy Prayers The Treatise discovers the Carnal Mind what it is and to what it leads If thy Heart be Carnal tremble and be timely warned if by it thou findest thy self in a Spiritual Frame beg of the Lord to keep thee so To conclude be like the Noble Bereans which were more Noble than they of Thessalonica why because they searcht the Scriptures to see if those things which were spoken by Paul were so Now the God of Grace fill you with streams from that full Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ So prayes he who is the least of all Saints begging as he stands in need of a great part of your Prayers Benjamin Minzes The 16th day of the 11th Moneth 1662. The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT c. A Discovery of the Carnal Mind ROMANS 8.5 To be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace I Shall omit what might be spoken unto the Verses going before my Text and immediately come unto the Words here mentioned to be spoken unto From whence two Things may be observed for the opening of the Words First The blessed Apostle makes mention of a twofold Mind and the Events thereof First he speaks of the Carnal Mind and tells us that tends to Death Secondly And when he comes to speak or make mention of the Mind truly Spiritual he tells us that tends unto Life yea such a kind of Life which is attended with Peace From the first Branch of the Text this general Position I shall lay down to be soberly and seriously weighed and considered Doct. 1. That such Persons who live in or feed upon the Carnal
his Carnal Mind the deeper he falls into sin and the more he sins the higher he aggravates his misery and if his Carnal Mind is not changed and so leave him before Death seize on him the man is for ever undone without recovery Now all these things considered it should make us dread the thoughts of being Carnally minded So I proceed to the second Particular namely to lay down some Particular Helps which may with the Blessing of God prevent a Carnal frame of Heart The first Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart First Soul wilt thou prevent a Carnal frame of Heart from seizing on thee Labour and likewise endeavour to get thy heart in Heaven whil'st thou art upon earth It is that which is much the concernment of a Christian to settle his Heart upon his Treasure Now where is a Christians Treasure but in Heaven therefore a Christians Heart should be in Heaven Oh! this was the Blessed Doctrine that flowed from the Lips of our dear Lord Jesus Where your Treasure is Luk. 12 34. there will your hearts be also It is usually seen in things Temporal that where mens Treasure is there is their Hearts as for example the Rich mans Treasure is his Riches where is the mans heart upon his Riches The Honourable mans Honour is his Treasure and his heart is upon it Another mans Treasure is his Pleasure and his Heart is setled there so a true Christians Treasure is in Christ and his heart is affected with none but Christ It was the Fathers pleasure to enrich his Son with the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge to the end that we might be enriched by him Col. 2.3 For of his fulness shall we all receive Grace for Grace Do we live by him and shall we not be in love with him Joh. 1.16 Shall all our comforts and special enjoyments of Grace and Happiness flow from him and shall not we live to him Shall Dear Jesus protect us and also bless us with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly places and shall we not own him to be our Soveraign Lord the King Oh! shall Christ manifest love to us and shall we manifest unkindness unto him Shall Christ set his Heart upon us and shall we set out Hearts upon any besides him Oh! shall Dear Jesus be willing to give Royal entertainment to us and shall we be unfree for to entertain him Oh! what an unbecoming frame is this that the Lord of Life shall vouchsafe for to stoop unto us and what shall we not bow unto him Shall the Prince of Darkness have entertainment by us and shall not the Prince of Peace have room in out Hearts What Soul is Christ free to die that thou mayest live and wilt not thou live to him that died for thee If this should be true doth it not plainly appear our Hearts are not where they should be on Christ a Christians Treasure Soul learn to live more in the sence of his Love to thee and then it will grieve thee that he is not more loved by thee labour to keep in remembrance the excellency of his love Rom. 8.32 Ho 14 4. Jer. 31.3 the freeness of his Grace the fulness of his Bowels and Affection and the everlastingness of his kindness towards thee and then see whether or no he will not be the object of thy love and delight continually To get our hearts in Heaven will conduce much to the weaning of our hearts off from the Earth The more we exercise our thoughts upon Heaven and Heavenly things the more we shall loath those things that are Carnal Yea the more we exercise our minds upon those things that are Spiritual the less we shall mind the things that are Carnal and the more we set our affections on things that are above the less we shall affect the things beneath In a word Soul wouldst thou enjoy more the Spiritual and less of the Carnal mind Labour for to carry thy self a stranger to that which is a stranger to Christ and be not a companion for those that will not keep company with Christ The second Means to prevent the Carnal Mind If thou wouldst be set free or delivered from a Carnal Frame of Heart exercise thy self then in those things that tend much unto the Honour of God Prov. 3.9 1 Sam. 2.20 1 Thes 4.4 Study more the Honour of God than thy own good let God be Honoured by thee what ever becomes of thee If thou wouldest have thy Heart kept from a Carnal Frame be active for God labour for to promote the Works of Holiness let every opportunity be improved for Christ and let our works be so managed that in what we do let us propound unto our selves such aims and ends that may tend to the advancing of the Name and Glory of Christ Jer. 13.16 Acts 12 23. 1 Cor. 1.31 that it may evidently appear to the view of all that our minds in such proceedings are not Carnal If we would Honour God in what we would do for God let nothing be attributed unto the creature but let us set the Crown upon the Head of Christ If any thing be done that savours of the Spiritual Mind know that it is Gods own Work and Stamp in thy Soul therefore ascribe all Glory to him are we redeemed from the Carnal Mind in any measure the work of the flesh or the old Nature then here is no cause of boasting for us For it is not by Works of Righteousnesse that we have done but according unto his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit which is richly shed on us Tit. 3.5 6. through Jesus Christ our Lord. So that God hath left nothing to feed the Carnal Mind with but if we have any thing to Glory in it is in the Free and Rich Grace of God in Christ for it is by his Grace that we are justified and not by our works Tit. 3.7 It is by the Grace of God in Christ we become Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life It doth much tend unto the Glory of God and the preventing of the Carnal Mind to give that Honour to Christ that is due unto him and then it will appear that we so do when we can lay our own Righteousoness or what ever it is that we can call ours at the Foot of Christ and be found in him not having our own Righteousness which is by the Law Phil. 3.9 and to be found in the Righteousness of God by Faith Oh! this is that which tends to the Glory of God when we thus advance Christ and make him the top of our Glory and not our own Righteousness yea this is that which is a great means to prevent the Carnal Mind The third Means to prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart Thiâ—â—ly The third Means by which we may prevent a Carnal Frame of Heart is For to fix our eyes upon Spiritual Objects
of the Spirit of GOD. ROMANS 8.6 But to be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace Doct. 2. That Mind which is truly and throughly Spiritual doth produce Life and Peace FOr the clearing of this Truth observe these following Particulars in the General First What the Spirit of God is Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Thirdly How a Christian comes to attain unto the Spirit Fourthly The Characters of a true Spiritualized Christian Fifthly The Glorious priviledges of a Heavenly Christian First What the Spirit of God is First The Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit The Creature in its first state was in a state of Darkness Ephes 5 8. Eze. 11 19. Zech. 12.1 For ye were sometimes darkness but now are you Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light It is evident till Christ appears in the Soul the Soul is in a State of Darkness and the Way that God doâ—h usually appear is bâ— his Spirit for his Personal Presence is in Heaven but his Spiritual Presence is in the Believer This is seen by his Promise he made unto his Disciples Acts 1.11 while he was Personally among them and taking his leave of them when they expressed their trouble at the sayings of Christ when he spoke of taking of his leave of them John 16 5 6. our dear Lord is pleased for to encourage them with the Promise of his Spirit as if Christ should say though I be absent in my Person yet I will make it up with the Presence of my Spirit John 19 7. I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you And this Spirit of Truth that shall come â—â—â—m the Father shall be an excellent Guide to us Joh. 16.13 it shall lead us 〈◊〉 â—o all Truth so the Spirit in man is called the Candle of the Lord it is that which giveth Light to man and inlightens our dark understandings the Spirit of God is that which makes a discovery of the Deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 Jer. 31.33 Rom. 1.16 to the Soul which cannot be understood but by such as have the Spirit yea it gives the Soul an insight into the deep Things of his Law and it is by the Spirit of God that we come to have a knowledge of our intrest in Christ and our Priviledges that we injoy by him for it is the Spirit it felf that bears witness with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God Yea it is the Golden Key of the Spirit that doth unlock the Cabinet of the Heavenly Treasure unto us till we have the Spirit we know not where our Wealth is or what it is 1 Cor. 2.9 for Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him To the end that the glorious things of God might not lie hid from us God in rich Love hath sent his Spirit for to reveal his pleasure unto us 1 Cor. 2.10 By this we may see that the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit Secondly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-enlightning Spirit so it is a Soul-Comforting Spirit also In the forementioned place in John our dear Lord Jesus is pleased for to put that Honourable Title upon his Spirit and calls it the Comforter Joh. 15.26 whom he did upon his word engage to send into the World the Comforting Spirit of God is a Christians Companion and the truth is let the work be never so excellent and the duty never so choice yet if the Soul meets not with the Spirit as its guide and assistant therein Psal 51 12. it comes off with loss with the want of Comfort and Refreshments from God in the duty Oh! it is the Spirit of God applying of the Promises of God in the hour of Temptation that proves a true comfort unto a Christian yea Ps 119 50. it is the Spirit of God that proves a comfort unto a Saint in all straits and difficulties if in a state of Bondage the Spirit of God procures him liberty if the World frown on him Psal 51 12. the Spirit of God will smile upon him if the Soul doth meet with inward trouble the Spirit will convey inward peace if thou lyest under the state of unbelief the Spirit will convey Faith unto thee In a word Ps 119 156. Psal 34 9. let thy wants be never so many this pretious Spirit will supply all thy wants for thee a Comforter indeed the Lord teach us to prize it Thirdly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Comforting Spirit so it is a Soul quickening Spirit likewise It is the Spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth little Oh! John 6.63 that duty proves for comforting in which the Spirit appears for quickening It is the Spirit of God that makes us active for God it is the Spirit that brings us to be truly acquainted with the Word and then it is the Word that quickens us Ps 119 50. when we meet with afflictions from God And this is the comfort of a Christian in the hour of his affliction Fourthly As it is a Soul-quickening so it is a Soul-humbling Spirit That Soul that lives under the teachings of the Spirit is taught for to be humble and that soul that hath by the help of the Spirit attained unto humility is a fit Habitation for God in whom God will take delight for to dwell in and the more God doth dwell in us the more we shall live to him Isa 57.15 and the more we live to him the more we shall be free from sin and if at any time sin should get the upper hand of us it will conduce to a humbling of us if God dwell in us the work of humility is the proper work of the Spirit and the more we have of the Spirit the more we shall be in love with it Gal. 5.22 and the more humble in the enjoyment of it for it is the work of the Spirit for to keep the Creature low under the highest enjoymen s of God that Christian that knows much and boasts little in his knowledge of God it argues Col. 3.12 he hath obtained much of this humble frame of heart and lives in the enjoyments of the Spirit of God that doth prove for humbling the Soul in the sight of God the true spirit of God admits of no boasting but brings â—he Soul into a dayly sence and feeling of its own insufficiency Jer. 9.23 24. and to a sight of Christ the Fountain from whence his â—â—eams come Gal. 4.6 Oh! it is the Spirit that brings Christ and the Soul to be acquainted and the more we are acquainted with Christ the more we shall be humbled at every remembrance of our unworthiness to him
Psal 51 4. and our uneven walking before him and this spirit of God will present objects sufficient enough to us for the true humbling of us Fifthly As the Spirit of God is a Soul-Humbling so it is a sin-destroying Spirit Where the Spirit hath took up its abode in a Soul to rule every thing must be brought into subjection to it the Spirit of God must and will have the preheminence 1 Cor 1.30 God wiâ—l make all our corruptions bow and bend when once he hath given commission unto his Spirit to take dominion of the Soul for as Conscience is Gods Vicegerent on Earth Ps 119 59. v. 113. and speak it will for God So the Spirit will bear Rule and Sway for God and will never leave working in the Soul where it is until it hath brought the thought as well as the heart of man into subjection to our Lord Jesus The Spirit of God makes thorow work when it comes it is that which purifies the heart The Spirit begins at the root of the matter and if the root be good it is like the fruit will not be bad Acts 15.9 Rom. 6.12 Jam. 4.8 when the Spirit purifies the heart it proves death to our Sins and Life unto our Graces The Spirit of God will admit by no means sin to Rule in that Heart that God doth Reign in The old Man must be turned out and the new man must be received in the least sin must not have entertainment by the consent of the Spirit upon any terms for as much as sin is an enemy to Christ and a Christan Oh! Jer. 5.25 it is that which robs Christ of his Honour and a Christian of his Crown yea sin is that which keeps Christ and a Christian at a distance also and makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3 17. As it is sin that breaks a Christians communion it is the Spirit that Reconsiles Christ to the Soul and makes up the breach again and produces peace unto the Soul where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty no Liberty is or can be allowed unto sin but Liberty in the Spirit for to serve Christ By this we see the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit Sixthly As the Spirit of God is a Sin-destoying Spirit so it is a Grace-inlarging Spirit in the Soul too When the Soul lives in the injoyment of the Spirit oh then it is Graces bud forth and blossom in the Soul and bear lovely Fruit John 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 Luk. 7.30 Rom. 5.3 Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.21 Rev. 2.10 for the Spirit is that which gives life and being unto all Graces where the Spirit is wanting Graces are dying Oh! it is the Spirit of God that supplies the Soul with good things and inriches the Soul with the Glorious Treasures of Heaven with pretious Faith in the Day of straits with patience in the hour of Tryal and Temptation with Spiritual joy in the midst of worldly sorrow In a word the Spirit will furnish the Soul with the injoyments of all things in the midst of wants What shall I say of this excellent Spirit may not I say it is Gods Messenger and a Christians Friend Oh! when ever the Spirit comes into a Soul it comes with a Message from God sometimes it hath a Commission from God to comfort and encourage us and then its Language is Be faithful to Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life At another time it is like the Message of the Spirit is for to instruct and Counsel the Soul that is when it shall hint such a thing as this to us secretly to inform us to be careful that we do not grieve it least we displease it Mark Grieve not the Holy Spirit Ephes 5 30. by which we are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Oh! let the Message the Spirit comes with be royally entertained and bid it welcome sometimes the Spirit comes with a glorious promise of Grace and Love from God and then it comes with such like language as this to the Soul Jer. 33.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love and with my loving kindness have I drawn thee A Blessed Message and a Blessed Messenger See the work of the Spirit a Christians Help Secondly How the Spirit is a Christians Excellent Help The Spirit is an excellent Help unto a Christian at all times and in all places a true Christian knows not how to live without the Spirit he knows not how to love without it nor how to walk without it If we live in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh therefore we must conclude the Spirit is a Christians Help For the proof hereof observe these following observations First It is the work of the Spirit to help the Soul unto a true sight and sence of sin It was by the help of the Spirit the Noble Apostle of the Gentiles namely Paul came to a sight of sin Sin sayes he Rom. 7.13 14. that it might appear sin worketh death in me by that which is good meaning the Spirit of God is that thing that is good and thereby sin becomes exceeding sinful unto him it makes him cry out when he was sensible of his present state The Law is Spiritual but I am Carnal sold under sin Mark The Spirit of God doth declare the Rice and Race of sin James 1 15. for when lust is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished it brings forth Death so we see it is the Spirits work to make a clear discovery of sin unto the Soul and when once the Soul comes by the help of the Spirit unto this pitch of attainment to see sin as it is in its own appearance the Soul will not onely confess sin but bewale himself for it as David did crying out in the bitterness of his Spirit when he had a true sence upon him of it Psa 51.4 Against thee and thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight In a feeling sence doth he speak it When he is awakened by the Spirit he points at the very sin the like presidence we have in the Prodigal son when the Spirit of God gave him a sight with the sence oâ— sin the man cries out now of going unto his Father and he is resolved to say Father I have sinned against Heaven Luk. 15 18. he falls upon sin immediately and before thee though we are prodigal yet the Spirit of God it will make such fall down upon the knee of confession of sin and help them to witness sorrow for the same Luk. 15 19. And though I am not worthy to be called thy Son let me be a Servant a Token of Humility By this you may see what Blessed Work the Spirit of God makes when it comes into a Soul that it doth not give a bare sight of sin but a
it sayes when it doth direct its speech unto us Jer. 10.23 our God doth well know the unfitness that is in us to do him service therefore in rich love he sends his spirit abroad for our help and assistance This we may conclude upon if we have the help of the Spirit 1 Sam. 2.30 we shall then walk to the Honour of God such that Honour him shall be Honoured by him Oh! it is our living in and walking by the spirit that makes our Lives Honourable and also Comfortable for the Spirit will not admit of any work but that which tends to the promoting of the Honour of God if we walk according unto the spirit we must walk according to Rule John 14 6. and observe what direction the spirit gives the spirit may be tearmed Gods Overseer or the Fore-man of the work for nothing must be done without its Direction Consent or Approbation and if we do not observe the spirits Direction we shall soon be turned out of our Imployment but in case it be observed then will our walking tend unto the Honour of God and without doubt for our everlasting good Lastly It is the Spirit of God that helps a Christian to a choice and sweet communion with Christ Such indeed as injoy the spirit 1 John 1.3 have fellowship with the Father and the Son It is the work of the spirit to acquaint the soul with the Father and the Son and the more we live under the conduct of the spirit the more we shall in joy Communion with the Father and the Son for as a Father takes delight in his children so doth the Lord delight in them that fear him As the Lord doth take delight in us so likewise the spirit will inable us for to delight in him and his Ordinances by which means our Communion with Christ is inlarged Mark what the Apostle layes down The Cup of Blessing which we bless 1 Cor. 10.16 is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ By which we may see that Gospel Ordinances doth present Christ to us and sweetness doth redound from them to us also by the help of the spirit which doth plainly demonstrate unto us that we are not onely related to God 2 Cor. 6 16 but God is also related unto us as we have God to be our God so we are his People and Temple in whom his Honour dwells Oh! that Communion must of necessity appear to be choice where God himself hath the management of it Have we fellowship with God Eph. 5.11 This may teach us then For to have no fellowshlp with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them So I have done with this Particular also Thirdly How or by what means doth a Christian come for to attain the Spirit of God First A Christian comes unto the injoyment of the Spirit as a free Gift that is bestowed upon him by God The spirit is Gods own gift which he sends forth freely to all such who are of the Blood Royal that have been made partakers of the Divine Nature the Royal Nation that are of the Royal Priesthood 2 Pet. 1 4. 1 Pet. 2.9 a people of a peculiar stamp as God gave his Son for us so he gives his spirit to us that is very freely so that the spirit is our due Oh! it is the Fathers Legacy that he hath left behind him to put us in mind of him till he and we meet by this gift we may come to see what right and propriety we can claim in Christ Gal. 4.6 Because we are Sons he hath sent the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts whereby we are able to cry Abba Father The knowledge of the in-dwelling presence of the spirit of Christ in our Hearts helps us to a sight of our Relation to him 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Mark that word without controversie then the spirit is Gods gift Oh! it is a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover Christ to us but to be in us Mark farther If the spirit were to be gained by our good works or what ever it is in the power of our hand to do it would not come to us as a free gift but as our due so we should claim a Right to the spirit for our work which is not to be for God will give it freely and leave no room for our boasting James 4 16. for were it to be obtained by works we have whereof to boast so then we may conclude upon it the spirit comes in as Gods gift a pretious gift indeed for it doth not onely discover our dwelling with God but Gods dwelling with us and in us also John 3.33 And that Soul that hath received this testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true Such as live in the spirit can tell you that it was given them by the Father as a Token of his special Love and Favour and they can set to their Seal the truth of it Query But if the soul should query Must I do nothing at all fot it that I may injoy it Answer To this I answer Nothing doth God require of thee but ask and you shall have it seek and you shall find it for it must come as his free gift Luk. 11 13. Observe what Christ saith to this case If you who are evil know how for to give good things unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that seek it That you may see it is but ask and have let but God know your wants he will send down supplies from himself his spirit shall come as his gift Objection I have saith the soul sought the Lord but I have no answer neither can I obtain the thing I desire and sure it is but in vain for to wait any longer Answer To this I answer It may be soul the reason is why you seek and cannot obtain because you do not seek in the right way nor in the right spirit it may be you ask James 4 3. but you ask amiss to spend it upon your lusts such ends God will not answer therefore when thou seekst for the spirit inquire into thy own heart whether thy end be to Honour God with it or whether thou wouldst have it to get thy self a name or applause by it It is true Simon Magus did make after the spirit Acts 8.18 but could not obtain unto it because his ends was unsound and instead of having of it must hear his own Doom read unto him ver 19. ver 20. ver 21. ver 22. ver 23. that is the man was in the Gall of Bitterness and in the Bond of Iniquity Oh! when thou comest to God consider with thy self what doth
Spiritually Minded are united unto Christ and such as are made one with Christ are blessed with Peace The man truly Spiritual and Christ are one that can say in truth I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine Cant. 6.3 they lie together yea and they live together there is no parting of them that it is with Christ and a Believer as it was with Naomi and Ruth Ruth 1.14 15. ver 16. ver 17. That when Orpah shall part with her Mother in Law with a Kiss Ruth shall cleave unto her So the man that is Spiritual but in pretence shall put off Christ with a complement or a kiss the man truly Spiritual shall cleave fast unto Christ and no Arguments that can be produced shall make him leave Christ's company or to return from following of him for where Christ goes he will goe and where Christ lodges he must lodge Christ's People shall be his People and Christ's God his God and nothing must part Christ and that Christian but Death nor that neither for after death Christ and a Christian renews their acquaintance and are better acquainted then ever Oh! Psal 27 11. here is a Soul truly United unto Christ and shall go away with the Blessing for God will bless his people with peace The tenth Priviledge of a Christian Tenthly To be Spiritually Minded is to know the Works of Righteousness and such know them for to be works of Peace Holy Words and Holy Works doth tend much to the promoting of the Honour of God yea they are such Works that do produce comfort unto the Soul and helps a Soul unto a true sight of Christ For without Holiness Heb. 12 14. no man shall see the Lord. Mark I pray Good works doth not serve for the justifying of our persons but for the justifying of our Faith before God Jam. 2.26 For Faith without Works is dead We are not Holy to the end we might be happy for we are first made happy and then holy we are not justified because we are called but we are first called and then justified that so good works do not go before justification Rom. 8.28 but follow after we do not work that we might live but work because we do live that it is plain we do not work for Life but from a Principle of Life that take works in the right sence they tend to Peace the sayings of the Prophet lie plain The Works of Righteousness shall be Peace Isa 32.17 and the Effects of Righteousness Quietness and assurance for ever Those Works that are performed from a right Principle to a right end they tend to God's Honour and our Spiritual advantage The eleventh Priviledge of a Christian Eleventhly Such as are Spiritually Minded do know God to be in Covenant with them And such as know the Covenant of Grace know it to be a Covenant of Peace To know the Covenant of Grace a right is for to know our selves intrusted therein and United to Christ by it that is to know God our God in Covenant with us and to have our ear open to hear what God shall say unto us Isa 55.3 Hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David The Covenant of Grace is a firm Covenant there is no breaking of it it abides for ever though God for good Reasons may hide his Face for a time from a Soul in Covenant with him yet God will not hide his Face continually for he is obliged in his Covenant not to depart for ever Isa 54.7 vers 8. For a small Moment have I forsaken thee but in great Mercy will I gather thee In a little wrath have I hid my Face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have Mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Mark Is God gone he hath ingaged himself upon the word of his Faithfulness for to come again though God may for a moment withdraw yet he and a Covenanted Christian must not part for ever he will manifest everlasting kindness which denotes to us God's unchangeable love Jer. 31.3 to such that he hath entred into Covenant with of his Love there is no end If God be thy Redeemer Mark he binds his Covenant with an Oath For this is as the Waters of Noah unto me for I have Sworn Isa 54.9 10. the Waters shall no more go over the Earth So have I sworn That I will not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my Kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy on thee God's Covenant which he hath made with his People is called a Covenant of Peace Oh! blessed News to such indeed whom God hath taken into covenant with himself Christ and they shall never part but more of this hereafter God willing The last Priviledge that I shall lay down of a Christian The spiritual minded Man is one that walks in the pleasant Paths of Christ and such as walk therein shall find them Paths of Peace There is no Path so pleasant and profitable as the Paths of Christ are every step thou takest therein more or less thou shalt enjoy the sweet company of Christ he will not let his Spouse the spiritualized Christian walk alone Prov. 3.17 but Christ thy King will come and take a turn with thee for Wisdoms Wayes are called The Wayes of Peasantness and her Paths Peace The Wayes of God are attended with a Blessing that makes them pleasing Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh Righteousnesse Isa 64.5 those that remembers thee in thy Wayes Oh! it will prove a sweet Soul refreshing Meeting Cant. 5.2 when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! what sweet greeting is there then with them then It is my Love my Dove my Faire one come away When Christ and a Christian meets in the way of wisdoms pleasant Paths Oh! Then it is I come into my Garden my Sister Cant. 5.1 my Spouse I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spices I have eaten my Honey-comb with my Honey I have drunk my Wine with my Milk yea when Christ and a Christian meets then it is Eat my Friend abundantly and drink oh my Beloved Oh! What admirable Entertainment doth the Soul find here in wisdoms pleasant Wayes yea as Christ doth embrace the Spouse when they meet Cant. 1.2 Cant. 3.7 so the Spouse imbraces her dearly beloved and sets him forth choicely Let Him kiss me with the Kisses of his mouth for his Love is better than Wine Her Judgement of Christ is Thou art all Fair my Love there is no spot in Thee To such a Soul Christ is beautiful in the Cross as well as in the Crown Oh! when Christ and a Christian meets Oh! Cant. 8. â— then it is Thou art my Brother that sucked the
Breast of my Mother when shall I find Thee without Oh! I would have a Kiss of thee dear Jesus I would not be despised Oh! It is a choice Meeting indeed when Christ and a Christian meets together they are loath to part one from another Oh! this should teach us for to inquire out this pleasant path Cant. 3.4 that we might walk therein for it is a Christians Priviledge to walk with Christ whose Path is pleasant and lovely also So I come to Application The first Use of Information Is it true as hath been here laid down that the pretious Spirit of God is a Soul-Enlightning a Soul-Comforting a Soul-Quickning a Soul-Humbling a Sin-Destroying and a Grace-Inlarging Spirit this may teach us then for to have an high and honourable esteem of the Spirit of God Oh! make it the Man of thy Counsel take it in and give it royal Entertainment for the more entertainment we give it the more spiritual Advantage shall we gain by it Psa 34.9 Oh! it is a Salve for every Sore it will produce Light unto the blind Eye Comfort to the sad and dejected Soul it will quicken the dead and drousie Christian it serves for the molifiing of the proud hard and obstinate Heart and it will bring the Soul into a humble holy frame and put the Soul into a choice capacity to be serviceable for God Psal 25 9. Ephes 6 10. for The Meek will he guid in Judgement and the Humble will he teach his Way Oh! the Spirit will bring down the stoutest Lust or Corruption that is which makes a poor Christian to groan the Spirit will draw our Affections to a holy Conformity and blessed Subjection to the Will of Christ and it is the Spirit of God that causes Grace to bud and blosom in the Soul Zech. 12.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Psa 84.11 and to bring forth increase of Fruit for God Oh! it doth much concern us to set an high estimation of the Spirit therefore for it is the Messenger that brings us good news from Heaven continually Let us therefore bid it welcome and give it royal Entertainment when it shall come and let us open the doors of our Hearts to it for it is a Friend that will be mighty helpful to us in the puting of us forward unto the good Land Acts 20.32 it will give us an Inheritance with the Saints in Light for if any appear in the last day before Jesus Christ without the Seal and witness of the Spirit it will prove a sad day unto them they shall find the Gates of Heaven fast shut against them when the Bridegroom wiâ—h his Bride shall enter into the Kingdom and with his glorious Train and heavenly Attendance Isa 35.10 shall be singing of the Songs of Hallelujah in the heighth of Zion Therefore in a word let us make it our first and our choice Work to get a true Acquaintance with the Spirit of God and indeavour at all times to cherish the least appearance of it in our Souls and by no means at any time grieve it when it comes with its divine Message from its Master the Lord of Life 1 Thes 5.19 least the Spirit of God come in as a swift Witness against us in the Day of Christ saying Lord when I came with thy Message unto the creature they would upon no terms hearken unto it Pro. 28.10 Matt. 13.16 Matth. 13.22 Mark 4 19. Isa 28.10 1 Thes 5.19 but did stop their ears and set their Hearts against my Message at other times my Message was drowned by the confused noise of Carnal Reason and worldly care unlawful doubts and slavish fears at other times they did violence unto me by smothering my Powerful Raps that I made at the door of their consciences and would not hear a word if it were to save their Lives and Souls also Lord oftentimes I have come Line upon line and Precept upon precept with a little at one time and with a little at another time Oh! then they used all means for to squench my sweet Motions and grieve me till at last dear Lord I was fain to leave my message behind me as a testimony against them This charge amounts very high What remains now saith God but a fearful looking for judgment sinner notwithstanding all my Long-suffering forbearance Rom. 2.4 John 3.16 and my great love that I manifested unto you in sending of my Son to die for you and my sweet Spirit to manifest my Son to you Have you thus sinfully denyed me and shamefully rewarded me evil for good what may we expect now but the dreadful sentence from God to be uttered Matth. 25.41 Prov. 1.24 to 30. Depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity I know you not Nay God will say The time was that when I wo ed you and Intreated you by my Messenger early and late that you would not hearken unto my counsel and would hear none of my reproof I will mock when your fear cometh and then you shall call but I will not answer and though you shall seek me early you shall not find me Oh! let the consideration of these things therefore put us speedily upon the work of giving real and royal entertainment unto the Spirit when it comes and by no means turn it back least it be grieved and we wounded thereby so much may suffice for this Use The second Vse of Examination Is it true as you have heard that it is the work of the Spirit of God for to help the Soul to a true sight and sence of sin and to work the Soul out of love with sin and help a Soul to a sight of the Excellency of Christ and beget in the Soul a delight in Christ and direct the Soul to walk unto the Honour of Christ by which means it attains unto choice Communion with Christ Isa 3.9 Isa 5.18 Numb 32.23 Gen. 4.7 2 Cor. 7.11 Rom. 8.7 It is much our concernment for to make a strict and diligent search into our own Hearts to inquire whether we are sensible of what dishonour sin doth bring unto God besides a wound unto our own Souls for it is sin that breaks the Peace between us and our dear Lord Jesus it makes Christ and a Christian strange one to another Oh! how should this beget a Spiritual revenge in our Souls against this grand Enemy that is continually making war against us Oh! this should beget in us enmity against that which is a constant enemy unto the Lord come let us examine our selves whether we see sin in its right shape Oh! then it will beget a dislike in our Souls to it for when Satan that cunning deceiver comes for to deceive he puts a new face upon an old sin Gen. 3.4 vers 5. and gives it a new name to the end we may be taken with his Bates as covetousness is called by the name of Good Husbandry and drunkenness by the name of Good-Fellowship
to the end he may the better carry on his design for to deceive but the Spirit is an excellent help unto us for to find out the cunning deceit of Satan and where ever it comes Psal 51 7. it will never leave the Soul till it hath made it out of love with sin Come let us examine our selves Is that sin which was before our love and delight become now our great burthen Is that sin which was as a right eye Mat. 5.29 or as a right hand to us that was so near and dear once that it must be dandled in the lap of our Affections and lie in our Bosome Is it now turned out and discovered as the great disturber of the Family and by no means must have aboad therein Oh! then it is plainly known and understood who hath the full possession of the House namely the Spirit who brings Joy and Peace along with it for the Messenger of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 is an Embassador that makes Peace Oh! hast thou a sight of Christ and art thou not made thereby in love with Christ for a true sight of Christ doth oftentimes beget a true love to Christ Soul hast thou heard his Voice and seen his Face Cant. 2.14 tell me what is thy approbation concerning him then Is he not excellent in Beauty and Virtue Is not he become your Lord as well as your Love to rule you as well as to comfort you Examine is it not your joy when you can but hear from him and much more your joy when you can get a sight of him O! is not his company your delight is not his absenting the cause of your lamenting Oh! is dear Jesus so much become your joy and delight that you can say None but his presence will content you Phil. 3.7 that if you have the injoyment of all things and have not Christ it will not content you In truth can we say he is so much loved by us that upon no terms would we do the thing that may displease him Cant. 3.5 Eph. 4.1 Eph. 5.15 Col. 1.10 Col. 2.6 Col. 4.5 Gen. 5.22 Prov. 3.13 Cant. 3.4 or grieve him Oh! do we make our study so to walk that we may be an Honour unto Christ a credit unto the Gospel and a comfort to our souls can we say That path where Christ is not I find no content to walk therein Doth our walking conduce unto the promoting of Christ's Honour and Glory Oh! then let sin or Satan rap at our door for entertainment they shall find none Nay though Satan should be very solicitous to have a lodging in the room of our Hearts yea but for one night the Soul will sharply give him his answer with a flat denyal the Reason is saith the Soul My Lord is at home as for sin and Satan they must be gone here is no entertainment can be had no not for a night for our dear Lord hath took full possession and where Christ hath took full possession in a Soul sin nor Satan cannot have a Habitation Soul hast thou Communion with Christ Oh! happy art thou then prize thy Communion what ever thou dost let not Christ and thee part but labour to set thy heart upon that which will conduce to the enlargement of thy Communion Oh! the more acquaintance thou getest with the Spirit of God the higher thou shalt be in Communion with Christ Eph. 4.30 Art thou very tender of the Spirit for it is a tender thing soon grieved and soon gone and if once the Spirit takes its leave of thee then farewel Christ and Communion too for it is the Spirit of Christ that maintains our Peace and Communion with God this doth much concern us for to secure the Spirit and keep it in our possession Rom. 8.9 or else all is like to run to ruine then Satan will make a prey of us is the Spirit active and at work within examine Soul danger is near when the Spirit hath lost its Motion it is not like to go well with that Soul in whom the Spirit is clouded by sin therefore if we intend to take our fill of Christ let us take our fill of the Spirit Ephes 5 18. and drink deep draughts thereof yea then shall we be fit and free to serve the Lord and witness choice eminent sweet and constant Communion with Christ Oh! let us set an high and Honourable esteem on the Spirit therefore for it will prove ouâ— friend in the time of need Rom. 8.26 and be a help to us when all other helps shall fail us The third Use of Exhortation Oh! doth God give forth his choice Spirit as his gift by virtue of his Promise in the way of the New Covenant Then here is blessed encouragement for poor sinners for to make out after Christ Isa 55.6 for it is his delight for to do them good in order for their good he gives down his Spirit for their further encouragement Soul remember it comes as a free gift it is not what you have Isa 55.1 2. or can have shall buy it for our dear Lord is resolved for to give it freely God requires no more but ask and you shall have it Oh! let but Christ know thy mind and he will supply thy wants he will bestow upon thee such a Spirit as shall Administer help and Spiritual relief to thy poor distressed Conscience in all straits be they never so bad if thou art blind he will annoint thy Eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Rev. 3.18 if thou art cast down under the sight and sence of sin by which thou art ready to cry out Thou art undone The Spirit will bring a Promise of the pardon of sin for thy comfort Isa 43.25 26. John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 Eze. 11 19. Rom. 6.14 if thou complainest of deadness in Holy Duties or Spiritual Gospel Ordinances the Spirit of God serves for the quickening of thy heart therein Soul if thou lyest under the bitter complaints of a hard Heart the Spirit of God will soften it for thee and make it new in a moment and humble thy Heart for thee and if thou findest sin too hard for thee and thy iniquities too many for thee to incounter with the Spirit will conquer thy sins for thee Soul if thy complaint be Graces are dead and thou art undone the Spirit will renew Grace in thee and keep it alive in thy Soul and make thee live a comfortable life indeed Remember Soul when ever thou goest to God in the true sence of the want of the Spirit to put God in mind of his own promise for he hath ingaged by promise Joel 2.28 for to give down the Spirit a Christians Excellent Help and forget not to put God in mind how he hath bound himself by covenant by the confirmation of an Oath to give down the spirit All which doth much conduce to our encouragement to wait at the
Throne as the Disciples did Wait at Jerusalem for the Promise of the Spirit and if thou hast but the least dram of it consider Acts 1.4 it is a rich Favour and the way to gain more of the spirit is for to make good improvement of what we have already attained if the Lord see that we do improve what we have unto his Honour it will not be long before we shall injoy more to our comfort wait therefore for the Promise of the spirit for it will assuredly come and though it seem to tarry wait for it Hab. 2.3 for that God who hath ingaged himself by Promise Oath and Covenant will perform his ingagement to a tittle This know for thy comfort poor soul our God is a God keeping Covenant Exo. 20 6. Gal. 6.9 with thousands of them that love him and keep his Commandments therefore wait upon the Lord the Blessing is at hand For we shall reap if we faint not wait I say on the Lord. Oh! learn to get thy heart much affected with the choice and excellent things of Heaven Col. 3.1 which will conduce much to thy spiritual advantage the inlarging of the Heart of Christ to thee and he will cause thee to feed upon Divine contentment then no food will be digested by the Spiritual pallat but that Manna that comes from above and therein thy soul shall much delight the sweet Meditations of the Glory of Heaven will rap thee up that no room shall be left for Carnality but the Heavenly Habitation shall be thy Scituation for ever Oh! let the great and grand endeavour of our souls be to see vanity writ upon all our creature comforts short of Christ Eccles 12.8 the consideration of this if it be much pondred on will abundantly weaken our love unto the world 1 John 2 14. and much strengthen our love unto our dear Lord Jesus Oh! it will much ingage our Hearts to God and disingage our Hearts unto all short of him Then yea and not till then shall we be in a fit frame to Honour Christ when the great clog of Worldly injoyments shall be removed out of the way Oh! then let dear Jesus come when he will he shall be welcome unto that soul and then if Christ request the soul for to take up the Cross Luk. 9.23 he will do it freely and be contented therewith yea if Christ his Love or Beloved call him into the Wilderness or where his Honour will or to what work he please the soul having an injoyment of the spirit will not be daunted at it Oh! no work shall seem a burthen or grievous to him but he will chearfully undergo it with joy and delight and glad he is that he can any way serve his Lord Rev. 22 12. or be serviceable to him Oh! this will prove a blessed frame indeed in the end when our dear King shall come with the Crown of Reward Oh! let us strive to get and also attain unto a heart much inlarged for God let it not content us that we have a heart ingaged but much inlarged for God Oh! let not a day content us in the Courts of God but let us learn to take up our abode there Psa 27.4 that with the Prophet we may chuse to dwell in the House of God all our Dayes Oh! that we may at all times be imployed in that service that may tend unto the Honour of our Lord that we might not be at leasure when sin Satan or the World would put in or croud in upon us in a croud of Worldly concernments that we may give the enemy his Answer and acquaint him that we are so busie in the high concernments of our Lord that we cannot spare so much time as to hearken unto their unreasonable demands much less do what is desired by them Oh! this would be a much becoming frame indeed to be wholly taken up with God and Godliness then shall we triumph in the spirit Psal 84 10. and walk to the Praise and Honour of God In a word let us make it our business also for to look into the Holy Law of God and make it the Object of our Meditations In that Law we shall find directions sufficient to inform us how we may set forth the praise of our Emmanuel and then shall we come in a feeling experience to find out the sweetness of the spirits excellency Mat. 13 11. 2 Cor. 10.4 which will unfold to us the deep Misteries of the Kingdom of God that are wrapt up in his Law and then shall we also be taught skill and understanding to bring forth the Weapons of the Sanctuary to encounter with the Enemy of all sorts Oh! then it will be that Christ and a Christian shall be better acquainted Psal 34 8. Psal 119.127 when once we get a taste of the incomparable sweetness of God's Love to us we shall prize it at a high rate yea as the Prophet did above Gold The Law of God will then be so near and dear unto us that it will not onely take up our Hearts but time also the night as well as the day will be little enough for us to Meditate therein the Lord help us Psal 1.2 for to come unto a true knowledge of this by blessed experience So much as to this Use also The fourth Vse of Consolation Soul Is Christ thy Life this may Administer unto us choice comforts in as much as the Living Streams and choice springs of Divine Consolations are running forth to us Psal 46 4. from the Pretious Fountain for our relief if Christ be thy Life he will be the Life of thy Graces yea all that we have is preserved and maintained by him and because he lives thou shalt live also thy life is a hidden life there is no enemy can prevail against thee Rom. 8.33 because Christ thy life is ingaged in the Front of the Battel yea our Lord Jesus the Captain of thy Salvation is usually first in the Field and before the Enemy can get into Battel Array our Captain is upon them Heb. 2.10 and puts them to the rout before thy are aware of him at his return he comes off with the Victory with his Colours displaying and if at any time the Enemy makes any bold attempt to rally up notwithstanding before they can do any thing in order to their design Christ a Christians Captain the Man of Gods Right Hand is upon them and fall they must before the Bow Sphear and Sword of the Almighty for our dear Lord Jesus is greatly concerned in the behalf of a Christian for a Christians Life is in the Hand of Christ safe and secure all the Potent Enemies in the World are in no capacity to take away his Life or Portion from him Joh. 10.28 and this doth much tend unto a Christians great consolation and that which doth further contribute unto a Christians consolation there Life
15.3 Oh! due attention let us give to him Who is our Lord and also our dear King Prov. 8.34 vers 35. And constantly his Royal Throne attend Supplies shall come from Christ he 'l be thy Friend Cant. 4.7 Cant. 5.10 The Person of his Majesty is rair Unto the King of Kings none can compair Psal 45.2 Adorn'd he is with Graces of all kind And such as know him well they will it find He 's liberal and free in giving out Gifts rare and choice and sweet without all doubt Mat. 28.18 On his chosen a Portion he 'l bestow Psal 84.11 Luk. 10.42 That none shall from them take that we do know The Father's Honour then shall such obtain And to them he will give yea a new name Rev. 2.17 The new Nature they shall injoy indeed On the new Covenant they then shall feed 2 Cor. 5.17 Jer. 33.34 The white and lovely Robe they shall put on And Honoured be by God and his dear Son Rev. 3.18 Upon such then a Kingdom he 'l bestow His Kingdom love to such shall overflow Luk. 12.32 They then shall live and reign with him for ever Psal 45.6 Rev. 3.21 And gain the love of Christ our Elder Brother Observation II. Such may indeed at last come to obtain Luk. 15.17 vers 18. An interest in the Son who doth complain For want of Christ the Lord of Life indeed Cant. 5.8 He 'l be at hand and help them at their need When that we come to see and eke behold Cant. 5.10 vers 16. The worth of Christ he 'l love to such unfold They then shall see the choiceness of his Grace Also behold the sweetness of his Face Cant. 2.14 And with dear Christ we shall delight to dwell Cant. 5.8 Cant. 3.4 In Grace most choice Oh! such shall then excel Contented such will be that Christ should Reign And ever Rule in them Oh! Rev. 22.20 they would fain Prove Subjects to so wise a Pretious King Luk. 15.19 And count of it a rare and choice sweet thing Luk. 15.29 On dear Jesus come let us place our love Cant. 4.9 With all our heart and learn to live above With Holy Joy and shouting too also Haâ— 3.18 Psal 16.11 Let 's entertainment give to Christ the Roe And by no means let us now part with him Cant. 3.4 Who is our Joy our Crown and eke our King Tit. 2.14 He made us Sons and that by Redemption And this we know by his choice sweet Unction Regeneration-work when in us is begun Mat. 19.28 Renews the Soul throughout in every one Ezek. 11.19 Acts 2.37 Yea where it is in truth it doth beget A love to Christ it doth renew the heart Eph. 5.8 Rom. 12.2 The man is not the same he wont to be When God hath wrought a change then we shall see Rom. 8.6 7. Cant. 1.2 He 'l then begin to hate all Carnal things Delighting to be under Christ's sweet Wings Col. 3.1 2. And bid adieu to all things here below Oh! then with Christ to Canaan such shall goe Gal. 4.5 Ephes 1.5 They that are Sons and that by adoption Are mighty high sure in Gods affection Rev. 3.20 Ps 23.5 6. And at his Table rare Oh! such shall sit That are God's Sons indeed whom Christ begat Isa 55.1 Cant. 2.4 5. On his provision choice all such shall feed And sweet content shall find in him indeed Refreshings we shall have then of all kind Cant. 7.13 And entertainment rare also shall find Wine well refin'd upon the Lees shall come Isa 25.6 Such shall attended be by Christ the Son Joel 2.28 1 John 2.20 The Holy Unction such indeed shall have And freely it shall come if we do crave 1 Pet. 5.7 Psa 121.3 For Protection a Shield our God will be To shelter us from evil we shall see Lam. 3.24 Luke 12.32 A Portion choice will Christ on us bestow No less than a Kingdom that we shall know Not onely Sons are we but Heirs also Rom. 8.17 Belonging to this Kingdom come let 's go To this Kingdom that removed be shall never Heb. 12.28 In Glory we shall Reign with Christ for ever Observation III. If faithful we be to the Lord indeed Then him obey we shall and that with speed Rev. 2.10 And on the means of Grace we shall attend Col. 4.2 James 2.25 Our Pretious Soul from harm he will defend Christ's Counsel choice come let us then observe Psal 119.6 John 8.31 Our feeding shall be sweet we shall not starve The Manna from on high it shall come down With adornments of Grace Christ will us Crown Psal 84.11 Like children dear let 's walk with God this day Ephes 5.1 John 10.4 And none but his sweet voice let us obey Come let our love run forth onely to him Psal 73.25 Our chiefest Joy who did Redemption bring Yea from the Grave Death Hell and Wrath also Hos 13.14 Isa 51.1 Us captives free did Christ our Lord we know After this Christ let us now go with speed Heb. 9.12 That freely did let out his Blood and bleed That so he might the Fathers wrath appease 2 Cor. 5.19 Isa 53.5 Us wounded sinners heal and give us ease In this sweet Jesus come let us delight Psal 37.4 Micha 7.19 That will proud lust destroy corruptions smite Communion choice we then shall have with him 1 John 1.3 Acts 5.31 That is our High Priest Prophet and our King The Unction rare on such it shall come down 1 John 2.20 vers 27. That on the Head of Christ doth set the Crown That reverence him yea honour and adore Prov. 3.9 Acts 5.31 The Lord of Life our Prince for evermore Such to the death that do contend for him Rev. 2.10 Psal 149.6 Shall in his Kingdom the High praises sing A Faithful frame of Heart doth much adorn A Christian in his race and profession Gen. 39.9 And much well pleasing is it to the Lord Gen. 22.9 A faithful frame of heart if he afford This jewel rare if on us he bestow Hos 2.19 Oh! more of his choice love then shall we know Rev. 3.21 And sweet profit by it we shall then find Such in this race Christ will not leave behind Rev. 3.21 Col. 3.4 Upon his Royal Throne all they shall sit And honour Christ alone none shall it let Rev. 14.4 Rev. 15.3 The lovely Songs of Christ the Lamb most choice The faithful they shall sing and hear his voice Tim. 2.4 vers 8. Then Crowned such shall be by Christ their King With the Crown of Glory and they shall bring Isa 10.22 Honour and Praise to him whom it is due And reign with him this number is but few Psal 84.11 On such our Lord
that my Blood you can apply 1 John 1.7 Jer. 31.3 Cant. 6.3 Cant. 7.11 by promise sweet and choice Then sure for you I then did die Oh! hearken to my Voice That calls you up into my Throne Rev. 21.9 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 14.7 Rev. 2.17 to reign with me indeed To Worship me and me alone and on my Dainties feed Sin A Rebbel I have been to thee wilt thou such Rebbels own From Rebellion I am not free nor have I thy Lawes known Chr. Oh! Psa 68.18 John 17.5 Ephe. 4.8 Isa 29.28 for Rebbels I did ascend unto my Father dear That gifts on them I might bestow that they might my Law hear Sin A Prodigal Lord I have been and wasted my Estate Guilty have been yea of all Sin thy sweet wayes I did hate Chr. If thou return I will thee meet Luk. 15.18 Luk. 15.20 vers 22. Heb. 12.1 with Kisses I 'l imbrace And tenderly I 'l thee intreat to run the Canaan Race The fatted Calfe I will prepare Luk. 15.32 Pro. 9.1 2 3 Rom. 5.1 Isa 65.1 and Dainties of all kind I 'l visit thee with Love most rare my Presence thou shalt find The best of Robes thou shalt put on Luk. 15.22 Psa 45.13 Psal 149.6 and cloathed be therein My rich Attire it is at band and Praises thou shalt sing Sin A Back-slider Oh! sure am I a Mighty one also And for Back-sliding I must die unto Hell I must go Chr. Come thy Back-slidings I will heal and love thee too also Hos 14.4 My Love is free come thou shalt see to thee thou shalâ— it know Sin Oh! 〈…〉 and sure undone there 〈…〉 me My misery is â—ureâ—â—â—un from it I cannot flâ—e Chr. For such as are judg'd to be lost Luk. 19.10 Heb. 7.25 I did come to seek out And will them save yea from the Grave John 17.12 of Hell without all doubt Sin My Sin is great yea unbelief Jesus what shall I do To Hell I go yea I do know to Heaven must goe but few Chr. Ephe. 2.8 Rev. 3.12 Heb. 9.28 Rev. 2.17 I 'le give thee Faith as my free gift and mark thee for my own Hell do not fear I will appear and give you the white Stone Sin But the new Name I do not know nor yet do understand How shall I then to Heaven go and with the Lamb there stand Chr. 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 8.17 Psal 23.6 The new Name and the Nature too thou shalt come for to know A better Name than Sons indeed my Love shall overflow Sin The old Nature seems to abide Jesus what shall I do It ofteâ—â—r 〈◊〉 thy Presence hide my Graces are but few Chr. The Divine Nature it shall come 2 Pet. 1.4 thy Vessel to possess The Presence of the holy One Psa 23.2 Cant. 5.1 with Grace shall thy Soul bless Sin How long O Lord will it then be before that thou wilt come That thy sweet Presence I might see Oh! thou the mighty One Chr. Behold I come yea like a Roe Cant. 2.17 Rom. 8.32 over the Mountains great My Father's Love you then shall know come to him I intreat Sin Will not my Sins prevent thee Lord and keep thy Presence out That thy sweet Voice may not be heard of this I am in doubt Chr. True Sinner Jer. 5.25 1 John 1.7 't is thy Sin that doth prevent the Lord of Life It hinders thy Communion sweet my Blood shall end the strife Sin Lord from my Sins I would depart come help me now I pray To follow thee with all my Heart and honour thee alway Jer. 32.40 Isa 43.25 Chr. My fear in thy Heart I will put from me thou shalt not part As for thy Sins I 'le blot them out Eze. 11.19 and give thee a new Heart Sin Oh! welcome Christ let Sin then die and never more now reign That I thy Name may magnifie also thy Love proclaim Chr. Sin shall not have dominion then but conquered shall be Rom. 6.14 Psal 71.8 Luk. 16.22 My Praises then Oh! thou shalt sing and in my Bosom be Thou shalt indeed then take thy fill of Joy for evermore Psal 16.11 Psal 47.7 Prov. 2.6 Luk. 24.45 And witness dayly heavenly skill my Praise set forth therefore Sin Sin still doth reign makes me complain therewith I burthened am Lord set me free in Bonds I be help me to see the Lamb. Chr. Rom. 6.12 vers 14. Rev. 13.8 1 John 29. Sin shall not reign Satain would fain a Captive make of thee I am the Lamb for thee was slain to set the Captive free Sin Lord let me know how for to go by Faith unto thy Son A promise fain I would obtain or else I am undone Chr. Ephes 2.8 Faith I 'le thee give and thou shalt live a promise it shall come Acts 1.4 I 'le the Unite thou shalt relate John 14.3 to 'th Father and the Son Sin One smile from thee Lord let me see and then I shall rejoyce Come set my soul at liberty that I may hear thy voice Chr. Soul I am nigh to hear thy cry Psal 34.15 vers 17. Psal 145.19 supply to thee shall come I 'le set the free from misery for thee I will then own Sin Unworthy Lord I am indeed of such choice favour to Injoy from thee Oh! let me see what for me thou wilt do Chr. I will present thy great complaint Heb. 7.25 Jer. 31.34 Jer. 32.40 unto my Father dear And thou shalt see that he will be thy God Oh! do not fear Rom. 6.6 Exo. 33.19 Exod. 34.6 2 Cor. 3.18 Thy sin shall die he 'l Magnifie his Rich his choice free Grace In setting thee at Liberty and thou shalt see his Face Sin Oh! pretious Lord do thou afford to me thy Grace most sweet Come cleanse my heart to me impart a change I do intreat Chr. I 'le cleanse thy heart I will impart Deut. 30.6 Luk. 11.13 Jer. 31.3 Phil. 2.13 Psal 110.3 Luke 1.79 Psal 16.11 Jer. 50.20 my Spirit thou shalt find I will thee give a cleansed heart and to thee I 'le be kind I 'le change thy will I will be still thy God and eke thy guide In my sweet presence thou shalt dwell and thy great sins I 'le hide A Pretious Conference BETWEEN CHRIST and a CHRISTIAN Christ COme take thy fill of Love most choice and Consolation high Cant. 5.1 Rev. 2.29 Cant. 1.13 And give attention to my Voice and in my bosom lie Christian True Lord thy love it is most rare Communion I would have Oh! give it down and do not spare thy bosom loves I crave Christ When thou an out-cast wert indeed Ezek. 16.5 Prov. 9.2 Cant. 2.4 I then did take thee in And at my Table made thee feed on dainties choice and sing Christian Yea Lord when unlovely I was yet lovely in thy sight I in my Blood thou seest it
keep as my dear Sheep Satan shall not you harm Isa 49.11 Psal 121.5 vers 7. And you shall be preserv'd by me in the most dreadfull storm That on the Earth shall surely come before that I appear Joel 3.16 Rev. 2.10 Isa 41.10 To try all those that I have chose you have no cause to fear Afflicted Our trouble is that thou seems strange unto thy Heritage And lets them be a daily Prey to Beasts that are savage Chr. Isa 54.7 8. Deut. 8.16 Isa 3.12 Isa 61.1 Though for a time I do seem strange that humble they may be I will appear their Souls to chear and bring sweet Liberty Isa 54.11 The Afflicted and tossed Ones with tempest very high vers 12. Shall comfort find I will be kind vers 13. and they shall magnifie Luk. 1.46 vers 47. Psa 20.7 My great and glorious name indeed for in me they shall trust And in Canaan they then shall be I am their God most just Isa 54.1 Zeph. 3.14 verse 15. Rev. 3.21 Then the Afflicted shall rejoyce and never more complain But hearken will unto my voice then they with me shall reign A WORD to the REMNANT OF THE VVomans Seed 1. OH Virgin Daughter of Zion Zeph. 3.14 rejoyce in thy dear King The marriage Day is nigh at hand verse 15. then Praises thou shalt sing Rev. 19.7 2. Thy Bridegroome choice thou shalt behold Mat. 25.6 and in his Bosome be His tender Love he will unfold Isa 40.11 Oh! thou his Bride shalt see Rev. 21.9 3. Though Clouds are here come do not fear Isa 42.16 thy Lord he is at hand Jam. 5.9 And gloriously he will appear though we are at a stand Col. 3.4 4. Come do not doubt for you shall shout because of Zions King Isa 12.6 Zech. 9.9 Ps 72.9 11 His Foes shall bend though they are stout and Praises you shall sing 5. The Lamb is nigh come magnifie Rev. 21.23 his Name and Works Oh! then His glorious Cause shall never die Psa 74.22 Hab. 2.3 but will revive again 6. Though in the Grave it seem to lie Psa 72.7 Psal 2.6 Psal 89.27 Psal 72.8 the day is nigh at hand That God his Cause will magnifie for Christ must rule the Land 7. Ps 2.2 3.4 5. Ob. 15.17 18 21 Rev. 18 8 9 10 11 Though Christ's Foes plot and do contrive his Cause for to prevent Yet sure it will at last revive his Foes shall then lament 8. The Resurrection Day is nigh Mat. 28.1 5 6. with Mary wait oh then And at the sweet Sepulchre lie till you hear of your King 9. Gen. 22.15.9 Rev. 1.7 Cant. 5.10 For in the Mount God will be seen all clouds shall pass away On this God sets an high esteem Oh! Israel this day 10. Though Bonds Imprisonments befal Psal 69.33 Psal 79.11 Psal 146.7 God's Heritage this day A loud unto the Lamb let 's call for Liberty I pray 11. Psal 9.12 Psal 34.15 Ps 145.19 Let bitter cries attend the Throne Oh Remnant of the Lord And never let our God alone until our cries are heard 12. Come be in pain and travel then Oh Zion in this day Mich. 4.10 Isa 62.6 7. And no rest take till God create deliverance I pray 13. Isa 66.7 8. Isa 9.6 Psal 45.6 7 When travelling throws do come a-pace conclude the Mercy nigh The Man-child then he shall be King his Name let 's Magnifie 14. Psa 132.18 Psal 45.3 4 Psal 72.11 Upon his heâ—d the Crown shall sit and flourish too also In Tryumph and in Glory let this all the Nations know 15. Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.26 vers 15 17. 2 Sam. 18.9 Then Govern shall the King of Kings in opposition to Usurpers all and they shall fall with Absolon his crew 16. Psalm 2.6 Pfal 72.2 Christ's Crowning Day is very nigh lift up your heads oh then His Majesty now Magnifie Oh Children of the King vers 15 17. 17. The Adonijah's they must down King Solomon must reign 1 Kin. 1.13 Zech. 3.9 For Christ alone must wear the Crown their Glory he will stain 18. The Royal Robes Christ must put on and on the Throne shall sit Rev. 1.13 Isa 61.10 Rev. 3.21 Rev. 4.4 Before his Majesty shall stand his chosen and Elect. 19. Upon his Royal Throne shall sing Mat. 24.30 31. Rev. 11.15 Re 19.4 5 6 his Angels round about His chosen then to him shall bring a Hallelujah shout 20. And magnifie his Statute Law Isa 2.2 3. Psal 45.11 Zeph. 3.8 vers 17. That from Sion shall come Him thou obey our King alway who is the Holy One. 21. His Law proclaim set forth his fame in all the Earth throughout Psal 45.2 Psal 27.8 Psal 31.23 And evermore love Christ therefore with Hallelujah shout 22. Babel shall down Christ our renown Tryumphingly shall reign Gen. 11.8 9 Ps 45.3 5 6 Ps 71.8 9. Pharaoh must die his crew shall fly before King Solomon 23. The rightful Heir unto the Crown Psal 89.27 28. Psal 2.6 8. Zach. 9.9 of all the Nations here His Majesty up now let 's cry our Lord the King is near 24. The Scarlet Whore shall not no more deceive the Nations then Rev. 17.1 vers 4 8. Her Cup of Gold Christ will unfold poyson to be within 25. Babylon shall fall her Merchants call Rev. 29.2 vers 15 16. Ps 146.10 for help when there is none Dagon shall down Christ in renown shall reign upon his Throne AN EXHORTATION to SAINTS AS SAINTS To Love one another 1. COme all you chosen of the Lord Ps 133.1 vers 2 3. that on the Lamb attend Oh! learn to walk with one accord unto Christ's Scepter bend 2. Oh! let the Golden Rule of Love now square our Actions here Gal. 6.16 Col. 3.2 Come learn the art to live above till Christ our King appear 3. And in the lovely Path of Love Isa 30.21 Ephes 5.1 let us delight to walk Oh! imitate dear Christ our dove yea of sweet Canaan talk 4. Jer. 9.24 Ephes 4.2 vers 3. 13 Love is indeed God's great delight come walk in Love Oh then And learn in truth for to unite it is a comely thing 5. It doth adorn our profession Gal. 5.13 John 14.16 1 John 5.3 that of the Lamb we make And makes us free yea day by day his work to undertake 6. 1 Cor. 3.7.6 Gal. 5.22 Rom. 12.9 Col. 3.4 If love indure it will procure great joy and peace also If it be pure we shall be sure to live with Christ the Roe 7. Love is the thing that doth fulfil 1 Pet. 1.22 Rom. 13.18 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 13.7 the Royal Law of God And doth ingage the Soul now still to bear the Fathers Rod. 8. Oh! love is that which doth adorn John 13.34 1 Cor. 13.7 Gal.
5.22 a Christian in his race And bears him up now in the storm it decketh him with Grace 9. Love makes all yoaks easie to him that on the Lamb depend 1 Cor. 13.4 1 Cor. 13.6 And makes the Soul with joy to sing to Christ who doth defend 10. From clouds and storms that doth arise 2 Cor. 4.8 Ja. 3.16 17 John 10.3 yea troubles high and great Love is the thing that makes us wise and proves Christ's waiting sheep 11. Come learn to walk and live in love all Children of the King Mat. 5.9 Tit. 3.9 Vain jangling shun and live above then we shall honour him 12. And love where ever you do see Col. 1.4 1 Cor. 11.16 Ephes 1.4 the Image of the Lord No more contentions let there be but walk with one accord 13. Come in the grace of love abound also therein delight 1 Thes 3.13 2 Cor. 8.7 2 Cor. 9.8 For all things else that are not sound now labour for to slight 14. It is the want of love indeed that makes poor Zion groan Heb. 13.1 1 Cor. 13.3 Unto the Law of Love take heed least we make further moan 15. For if afflictions will not make Ps 119.67 Rev. 2.23 Rom. 13.10 Gods Children to unite In peices he 'l the Churches break because his Law we slight 16. If that in love we do not walk 2 Cor. 13.11 Ephes 4.2 and tender be also Our God he will not mind out talk 1 Cor. 3.13 but will us overthrow 17. 2 Tim. 3.5 1 John 3.8 Rev. 15.16 A bare profession will not stand but fruits of love must be The Day of Christ it is at hand our love he 'l try you 'l see 18. By the touch-stone of his choice Word Rom. 12.9 1 John 3.13 if love do not agree According to his sweet record then own us will not he 19. Eph. 5.1 2. Isa 51.8 9. vers 12. Come walk therefore as children dear and now unite apace The Babylonions do not fear with joy let 's run our race 20. Rev. 14.1 Rev. 3.21 Then Hallelujah shall you sing and reign with Christ indeed Upon the Throne of the High One in Canaan you shall feed 21. All whisperings and back-bitings 2 Cor. 12.20 Prov. 16.26 Psal 37.4 abhorred let them be Let us delight in better things then plainly shall we see 22. 1 Col. 4. 1 Thes 3.22 1 Th. 4.9 10 Our Love appear to all Saints here love to them will increase To such that do dear Jesus fear we shall them then imbrace 23. 2 Cor. 10.5 Jam. 3.13 Ga. 5 14 15 Let no hard thoughts in us arise surmisings at no rate Such things proves us not to be wise but will our Union break 24. Let 's follow after all those things Rom. 14.19 Prov. 6.16 vers 19. that tends to peace indeed All discords shun from such things turn of Love there is great need 25. Ro. 12.9 10 Psal 133.1 vers 2 3. Learn to unite in Bonds of Love like God's chosen of old It 's well pleasing yea a choice thing as God hath us fore-told 26. Dear Jonathan David the King 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. united were indeed In love most rare it did appear as in Gods word we read 27. A presedent most choice and rare 1 Sa. 20.17 Heb. 13.1 Psal 121.2 Oh! follow them herein Come love intire of God desire his help in this choice thing 28. Then Saints as Saints shall love sincere Col. 1.4 Phil. 1.10 1 Jo. 5.7 8. they shall not disagree But walk in Love and much desire the union of the three 29. Therefore unto God's Royal Law of Love let us take heed Gal. 5.14 Col. 2.6 Rom. 12.9 And it obey yea day by day and walk in love indeed 30. Like children dear let Love appear Eph. 5.1 2. Psal 101.5 John 6.37 in Love now be as one Slanders cast out then without doubt you shall injoy the Son 31. His Righteous Beams and Heavenly Streams Psal 46.4 Psal 36.8 Luk. 12.32 Hos 14.5 shall alwayes you revive Though you are few Christ's Heavenly dew will make you for to thrive 32. Chear up oh then depend on him Psal 32.11 Psal 36.9 Ps 119.104 Isa 64.5 who is the Fountain sweet At his foot lie all sin defie your pretious Souls he 'l meet 33. In Holy Fear to God draw near Psal 5.7 Heb. 4.16 Psa 34.15 Psa 145.19 his Throne of Grace attend He 'l hear thy cry in faith draw nigh his Ear to thee he 'l bend 34. Who di'd for us that we might live Rom. 5.6 Isa 26.19 Col. 3.3 4. and that eternally Come die to sin and live to him and we shall never die THE END
The AFFLICTED and RETIRED Mans Meditations Concerning the EXCELLENCY of the SPIRIT With a Discovery of the Twofold-Mind the Danger of the one the Comfort and safety of the other First Here is observed what it is for to be Carnally minded Secondly Means to suppress a Carnal frame of Spirit Thirdly The dreadful state of a Carnal minded Man Fourthly How the Spirit is a Christians Help Fifthly Means to obtain the Spirit Sixthly The Characters of a Spiritualized Christian Seventhly The glorious Priviledges of a Spiritual minded Man And a few Meditations by way of Observation With a Dialogue between Christ and a Sinner Christ and a Christian Christ and the Afflicted Person As also a Word to the Remnant of the Womans Seed With a Loud Call to all Saints to Love one another upon the account of Son-ship and not onely upon the account of Fellowship Written by SAMUEL BRADLEY who hath Love for all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity who prayes for Zions Unity Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the Body ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye Love one another Printed for the Author in the year 1663. TO THE Impartial Reader READER FOr the satisfaction of many or any who desire to follow the Lord Jesus in sincerity I am here engaged to write a small Epistle to the furtherance propagating and owning of this following Treatise wherein is contained and couched many glorious Truths which did concern all persons to look after in former Ages of the World but now more especially we that live in this last Age wherein Errors do abound and great Mistakes do arise in many whom I desire the Lord would be pleased to help to understand between Truth and Error by his own Spirit Mat. 22.29 which is the best Teacher in the world though at this day it is much slighted and little looked after by the sons of men Christian Reader my desire is that thou wouldest be pleased carefully to read and seriously consider this following Treatise with a single heart and eye 1 Chron. 12.33 Acts 2.46 and impartial affections then doubtless in the conclusion thou wilt not think thy time ill spent I do further desire that thou mayest daily search the Scripture and bring the things contained in the ensuing Treatise to the Touchstone of God's Word to the end thou mayest with the noble Bereans of old Acts 17 11. be enabled to discern between Truth and Error between Life and Death to know wherein thy Life lieth yea wherein it doth consist 1 Thes 5.21 and labour to be obedient unto that command Try all things and hold fast that which is good And also remember my dear Friend that the Bereans were counted more noble than them of Thessalonica they hearing the words of Paul which were cried up for strange Doctrine yea Heresie at that day they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things Paul asserted and preached were truth or not Even so although many things herein contained may be counted rediculous or erroneous Yet courteous Reader let me desire thee to prove thy self a Berean in this matter Search the Scripture and see whether it be so or not Further my desire is that the Message may not be slighted by reason of the meanness of the Messenger but rather look upon him that sends this Message into the World observe when the great Men of the world have a Token to send unto a Friend they do not alwayes make use of rich great or noble Men to conveigh it but many times employ the meanest Servant of the family in that service to give out the token though it be never so rich a gift or pretious a jewel Rev. 17 14. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 19 16. Heb. 12 25. So many times it is with the great God of Heaven and Earth who is the King of kings and Lord of lords he hath in this little Cabinet a token of his choice love for to present to you his friends nay further it is presented to you that are yet Enemies if you will but imbrace it the imbracing of it tends to Life the rejecting of it tends unto Death though sent by a mean servant and think it not strange if it be refused slighted or counted erroneous And you my Friend the Messenger be not discouraged in your labour for consider the best Doctrine the truest Doctrine the gloriest Tidings and rarest Sermon that ever was preached by the mouth of our dear Lord Jesus himself was by the Scribes and Pharisees rejected and also questioned where he had his Doctrine and said He had a Devil and was Mad. The blessed Apostle Paul was also counted and called a Pestilent fellow a teacher of strange Doctrines a Ringleader of Sectaries a Turner of the World upside down Acts 17 6. vers 18 Acts 24 14. and what not yet after that way which they called Heresy did this blessed Apostle worship the God of his Fathers believing all that was written Reader if in this little Treatise you meet with any thing doth not agree with the Word of God and the doctrine according to godliness after diligent search and due enquiry into the Scripture the pretious word of God renounce it as not worthy the owning or imbracing I shall speak by way of allusion to the noble Apostle in another case I do judge the Author hath the Spirit of God by which this ensuing Discource was penned I speak the truth of God I lie not Though true it is the dearest of Gods children are subject to miscarry yea many failings and temptations doth attend them and the Lord did formerly suffer the Author hereof in measure to fall yet through mercy not totally nor finally but he is recovered out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay and the Lord hath set him upon a rock Psal 40 2 3. and established his goings and put a new song into his mouth in making of him since instrumental in turning many souls to righteousness notwithstanding those foul Jer. 20.10 false and scandalous reports are gone forth concerning him yea many hard speeches thoughts have arisen not only from the world but from many who I hope Job 19.2 vers 3. vers 4. are the pretious Sons of Sion This one thing as one who doth tender the Cause of Christ and much honour the pretious Sons and Daughters of Sion do I beg of you Let no hard thoughts or evil reports any more take place in your affections without good enquiry of the same This I urge the more for that tender love I bear unto Christ and his Truths Cause Kingdom and People and I dare not speak or write more then I do know or can affirm concerning the Author Mark since
the work of repentance has been wrought in his Soul I am one that have had very much familiar acquaintance with him with whom I do and for some season have walked in the Faith and Order of the Gospel and I hope in sincerity of heart I speak it I have not I say since the work of repentance was manifested known any thing but his Conversation his Life his Behaviour namely his whole Conversation is as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ And that he hath made it his whole work at all opportunities to propagate the Gospel to be instructing building up and helping forward of poor sinners in the pretious ways of dear Jesus and what he could not do by way of publick Preaching he hath laid hold of an opportunity by way of Writing not desiring to hide his talent in a napkin Further Reader know our lot is fallen in this last age of the world upon whom the ends of the earth is come in which the hour of temptation shall be which shall try all them that dwell upon the earth Rev. 2.10 Therefore 't is not a day for Ephraim to vex Judah nor Judah to vex Ephraim but every one of us in our places to meditate on the Royal Law of Love Jam. 2.8 and very profitable will it be for us to be looking into the Prophecies of the last times and to be learning of obedience that being fore-warned we may be fore-armed against the storm comes for who may abide when he appears Mal. 3.2 Rev. 14.1 but such who have been the faithful followers of the Lamb and they alone shall come to enjoy that glorious Paradise that was lost by our transgression in the first Adam and shall be restored again by the Lord Jesus into the primitive glory at his second and glorious appearance and Kingdom which God the Father will give unto his Son Jesus which is the man from Heaven whose heavenly Paradise will far exceed the Paradise of the Earth and be far more glorious it is that New Jerusalem the Wals thereof are garnished with all manner of pretious stones the Streets thereof are pure gold Rev. 21 18 19. as transparent glass which Paradise shall not be of the Earth nor from the Earth nor of a carnal mind as is shewn by the Author in this Book and yet it shall be placed upon the Earth for Rev. 21.2 Heb. 11 10. It shall come down out of Heaven from God being that City which the faithful Patriarchs look for which has a foundation whose builder and maker is God and it shall be the glorious habitation of Christ in the day of his reign The sight of this City by faith in the Promises of God made the holy men of old to acknowledge themselves to be but strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth and to seek a better Country ver 37 40. Heb. 11 24 25 26. It was that glorious Inheritance that Moses saw when he slighted Pharaoh's royal Court and Daughter choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the Lords People here than for to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and so come short of the Inheritance hereafter From hence Observe That those who will follow God here must look for their Reward hereafter For our blessed Lord saith Behold I come quickly Rev. 22 12. and my reward is with me to give to every man as his work shall be Therefore one word unto the World to poor sinners for my Lord and Master had a tender love to such The time would fail me to tell you what he underwent for you who wept over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things belonging unto thy peace Luk. 19 42. Sinner through grace it is yet thy day England it is yet thy day London it is yet thy day It is yet your day Rulers Oh that you would be perswaded to begin to learn those things that belong to your peace Ma. 3.2 break off your sins by repentance for it belongs to your peace Kiss the Son least he be angry with you for it belongs unto your peace Beg of God to give you faith in the Promises for it belongs to your peace For being justified by faith Ro. 5.1 we have peace with God Come learn obedience to Christ for it belongs to your peace Leave off breaking up the Meetings of the Saints and persecuting of them for it belongs to your peace Break off the banishment imprisoning and hard using of the People of God Isa 1.16 for it belongs to your peace Wash you make you clean and put away the evil of your doings cease from all these evils from blaspheming swearing reproaching and learn to do well for it belongs to your peace for God will reckon with you for it 'T will not be long before it be hid from your eyes and then you will call Prov. 1.24 25 26. but God will not hear you shall cry but God will not answer but will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh as desolation Therefore be invited to come and embrace the Lord Jesus and the Lord give you understanding in what is here presented or enclosed and in all the truths of God for you here will read what it is to be Carnally Minded Ro. 8.7 and how such as live in the Carnal Mind must never expect to live with Christ therefore examine try and learn to know how to be Spiritually Minded which will produce Eternal Life with Christ in that Kingdom here treated on and in the Father's Kingdom to all Eternity Which is the desire of him who is the meanest in God's House the lowest of all Saints yet through grace a lover of Righteousness and a friend to Zion and a well-wisher to all Truth a Brother to all that love Christ in sincerity John Glyde The 16th day of the 11th Month 1662. To all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and who desire to be Faithful followers of the Lamb Grace Mercy and true Peace be multiplyed Dearly beloved in the Lord AMong many of the Providential appearances of the Lord to me I judge this to be none of the least that I should speak by Epistle in Print which was the least of my thoughts Surely Saints the Lord is about to speak when he opens the mouths of Babes and Sucklings Psalm 8.2 And seeing God hath put this opportunity into my Hand I shall endeavour to deal Faithfully between God and you and my own soul And so I shall crave your patience to consider three or four things which the Lord hath put into my Heart to commend to your consideration Me-thinks I hear the Lords people speaking in the Language of them in Isa 21.11 Watchmen What of the Night Give me leave to whisper among you O ye Saints among the loud cry of your Watchmen that the Lord speaks at this Day four-fold that is to say four things God speaks to be our work