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
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
on Earth he will bestow A Token of his Love his chosen shall it know 1 John 16. Yea as an earnest of Glory to come True saving Grace shall flow from Christ the Son Heb. 4.16 1 Cor. 15.55 Grace he 'l afford to help us in our Life And comfort us therewith in time of Death Rev. 21.4 The promise of his Grace will us revive And in the hour of death make us alive Joh. 14.18 2 King 2.9 His Spirit choice will us uphold in trouble If faithful we shall be on us he will it double While we do live a comfort it shall be Rom. 8.37 And take away the sting of Death you 'l see Mat. 25.34 The faithful shall the Presence of Christ find And after death to such he will be kind 1 Pet. 5.4 If faithful we do keep unto the Death Christ will bestow on us a Crown of Life Observation IV. Gen. 3.6 Gal. 5.1 Though Transgressors the Law doth say we be Dear Jesus will from Bondage set us free Gal. 3.13 2 Cor. 5.19 Yea from the curse redeem'd we are by him And from the Father's Wrath that 's due for sin Though Enemies we were unto the Lord of Life Ephes 2.1 Hos 2.19 By Faith united are and his espoused Wife Though to the Bond-Woman we did relate Gal. 4.22 By the Free-woman the promise we partake Now from the Pow'r of sin our Christ has set us free Rom. 6.14 Job 1.7 That by the power of Satan we cannot harmed be The World shall not then such insnare 2 Cor. 4.3 1 Cor. 7.29 That are Christ's Free-men do not fear The promises most sweet insured are to them 2 Pet. 1.4 Ephes 4â— That are made free by Christ the Son of man For Heaven such shall trade without control Pr. 3.13 And traffect in the rarest things more choice then Gold All rareties in Earth are not for to compare Prov. 8.28 Pro. 1â— 16 Unto the Merchandize of Heaven that is rare Those that are free to trade for Pearls indeed Are sealed ones of Christ and of the Royal Seed Prov. 4.5 Whose Freedom is confirm'd and that by him Ephes 1.14 Mat. 25.34 Who is indeed our Lord and eke our King Such as do trade for Christ now day by day Their needs to him they 'l tell yea every way Heb. 4.16 We may be free to tell our minds to him A promise of relief to us he 'l bring John 6.37 Your persons he 'l present without a spot To his Father our sins out he will blot Ephes 5.27 That full Communion sweet we may injoy Joh. 12.26 1 John 1.3 With Father Son and none shall us anoy The promise of the Spirit it shall flow in Acts 2.17 2 Cor. 3.6 Then our choice sweet communion will begin From Bondage yoaks our Lord will us Redeem Gal. 5.18 â—al 2.16 Unto the Law of Works let us not lean For the end of the Law Christ is to those That in him do believe and with him close Roâ— 10.4 From the Bondage of sin he 'l set such free 〈◊〉 6. â—4 Isa 43.25 And will produce to them their Liberty 1 Cor. 15.54 Rev. 21.4 Our Jesus dear from death will us deliver From that Bondage he will us free for ever Isa 26.19 Hos 13.14 Yea from the Grave he will also discharge His tender Lambs and set then then at large Job 6.4 The terror of the Lord it shall not come Near to afright all such that Christ doth own Cant. 1.13 But in Christ's bosom such indeed shall lie Their God their Guide Oh! they shall Magnifie Heb. 12.22 Gal. 4.26 In his Sweet Glorious Blessed Scituation The New Jerusalem the New Creation Ephes 2.19 1 Thes 4.17 Christ's Citizens Oh! then shall sing for ever The high praises of God and part shall never A DIALOGUE BETWEEN Christ and a Sinner Christ OH welcome Sinner thou may'st be to me and of my Fountain drink John 6.37 Rev. 22.17 Isa 55.1 2. Come take thy fill it nothing shall cost thee what ever thou dost think Sinner But Lord I am a Sinner great indeed not worthy for to come For I am one that made thee Bleed who art the holy One Christ What though thy Sins are of a Scarlet dye Isa 1.18 Luk. 22.44 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 9.12 or like the Crimson too My Blood upon the Cross it â—â—â—keth high a Pardon that will do Sinner It 's true dear Lord if La Pardon have I chearfully shall come A Pardon sealed therefore I do crave of thee the mighty One Chr. Come wait on me and on me now depend Isa 43.25 Isa 57.16 Mar. 11.24 your Sins I will blot out And from the Fathers Wrath I 'l thee defend If that thou dost not doubt Sin But Doubts and Fears dear Lord do me surprise I little Peace can have Corruptions greatly doth in me arise Thy help dear Lord I crave Chr. Eph. 2.8 Psa 86.11 Act. 15.8 9 Rom. 6.14 True Faith on thee poor Sinner I 'l bestow it shall dispel thy fear Faith as my gift shall come I 'l have thee know thy Sins shall not appear Sin How shall I know whether my Faith be true and of a Divine stamp That deceived I may not be anew for often I am damp Chr. Faith is the substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 Isa 26.3 1 Pet. 1.9 it makes forth things not seen Faith stills the Soul it makes no stir it feeds upon Gods Being Rom. 5.9 Psa 9.18 Psa 27.4 Psa 34.6 If Faith be true on Christ thou wilt depend for all things thou dost need And on this Christ alone thou wilt attend till he supply thy need Jam. 2.17 vers 21. Cant. 2.14 Psa 84.10 True Faith attended is with Works most choice according to God's Will It leads the Soul to hearken to Christ's Voice and in his Presence dwell Sin Christ doth indeed me now invite But Lord how must I come To come in truth the way aright to thee the pretious Son Chr. John 14.6 John 10.7 Luk. 12.32 Heb. 11.6 The way to come for to obtain the Fathers Love indeed And also the Kingdom to gain for Faith it must you lead Sin But in the Way we meet with that which doth us much dismay The thoughts of Sin doth lay us flat our Sins yea day dy day Chr. Isa 53.5 Luk. 22.43 It was my Father's Pleasure to bruise me for Sinners fault He caus'd my Blood forth for to Run 1 Pet. 2.22 though I did never halt Isa 53.11 Heb. 8.12 Upon my back he laid thy Sins and there condemn'd they be The Debt I paid and that to him Heb. 9.26 Mat. 27.27 which Jew and Gentile see Sin How shall I know Christ di'd for me and blotted out my Sins That his choyce Love I might now see when his Kingdom begins Chr. If
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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