love Christ in the excess MARY LOVED MUCH Luke 7.47 but not too much if Christ cannot be prized enough he cannot be loved too much the Angels in heaven cannot love Christ to his worth 3. When you love other things you love that which is worse than your selves if you love a fair house a pleasant garden a curious picture these things are worse than your selves if I would love any thing more intensly and ardently it should be something which is better than my self and that is Jesus Christ He who is all let him have all give him your love who desires it most and deserves it best Minus te amat qui aliquid tecum amat 3. Make Christ all in your abilities do all in his strength Ephes 6.10 Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might When you are to resist a tentation to mortifie a corruption do not go out in your own strength but in the strength of Christ Be strong in the Lord. Some go out to duty in the strength of parts and go out against sin in the strength of resolutions and they come home foiled Alas what are our resolutions but like the green wit hs which did binde Sampson a sinful heart will soon break these do as David when he was to go against Goliah saith he I come to thee in the Name of the Lord. So say to thy Goliah-lust I come to thee in the Name of Christ Then we conquer when the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah marcheth before us Christ is called an horn of salvation Luke 1.69 The strength of a creature lies in his horn so the strength of a believer lies in this horn of salvation Oh make Christ all do all in his strength The Bird may as well flie without wings as we can do any thing prevailing without Christ 1 Sam. 2.9 For by strength shall no man prevail 4. Make Christ all in your aimes do all to his glory 1 Pet. 4.11 Let Christ be the center to which all the lines of your actions are drawn the hypocrite pretends Christ but drives on some self-interest Hos 10.1 He is like one who pretends to woe for his friend but is a sutor for himself Simon Magus would have given money for the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 8.18 but probably the reason was because he intended to have sold that gift to others how many make the Name of Christ a stirrup to get into the saddle of honour and preferment it is well if some have not made the Crown delinquent for its jewels and the Church for its Lands The squint-ey'd hypocrite is the Divels wind-fall oh make Christ all in your aimes and designs in every action propound this question Will this make for the honour of Christ will this bring any Revenues into his Exchequer how happy were it if it might be said of us as the Angel speaks to the two Maries Matth. 28.5 I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified If a man doth not take a right aime he can never hit the mark he who doth not aime at Gods glory can never hit the mark of his own salvation 5. Make Christ all in your affiance trust to none but Christ for salvation the Papists make Christ something but not all they trust partly to Christ and partly to their own merits they pray to Christ and Angels to Christ as a Mediator of Redemption and to Angels as Mediators of Intercession they invocate the Virgin Mary for mercy so mingling her milk with Christs blood but what is given to others superstitiously is taken from Christ sacrilegiously they have their Masses Pennance extream unction they confess indâ—ed Christs blood doth wholly satiâ—fie for Original sin but sins after Baptisme committed they have fountains of their own to wash in The Eagles feathers will not mix with other feathers Christ will not endure to have his blood mixed either with the merits of Saints or prayers of Angels Christ will be all in all or nothing at all And is there not naturally a spice of Popery in our hearts we would be grafting happiness upon the stock of our own righteousness every man saith Luther is born with a Pope in his heart How ready are we to Idolize our duties and graces and to draw so much from the stream as to neglect the Spring Oh make Christ all in regard of recumbency let him be your City of refuge to flie to your Ark to trust to It was a good speech of Luther If I could keep the whole Moral Law I would not trust to this for justification I would vail and stoop to Christs merits 6. Make Christ all in your joy Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Luke 1.47 My spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour The Virgin Mary did not so much rejoyce that she was Christs Mother as that Christ was her Saviour she did not so much rejoyce that Christ was conceived in her womb as that he was formed in her heart how glad was Simeon when he had taken Christ in his arms Luke 2.29 How chearful may that man be who hath taken Christ in the arms of his faith The wise men when they saw the star rejoyced with exceeding great joy Matth. 2.10 O Christian hast thou seen the Lord Jesus hath this morning Star shined into thy heart with its enlightning quickning beams then rejoyce and be exceeding glad Shall others rejoyce in the world and will not you rejoyce in Christ how much better is he than all other things God hath given the men of the world a Crutch to lean on he hath given thee a Christ to lean on oh rejoyce in Christ Shall the Malefactor rejoyce and shall not the Favourite rejoyce it reflects disparagement upon Christ when his Saints are sad and drooping is not Christ yours what would you have more Object 1. But saith one I am low in the World Object 1 and that takes off the Chariot wheels of my joy and makes me drive heavily Answ But hast thou not Christ and is not Christ all Answ Psal 16.5 6. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly heritage Christ is omnibus Thesauris opulentior an inexhaustible Treasury Aug. and he who by faith is united to him hath a title to all Christs riches A beggar being married to a Prince she hath a right and title to all his Revenues Object 2. If indeed I knew Christ were mine then I Object 2 could rejoce but how shall I know that Answ 1. Is thy soul fill'd with anhelations and pantings after Christ Answ dost thou desire as well water out of Christs sides to cleanse thee as blood out of his sides to save thee These sighs and groans are stirred up by the Spirit of God by the beating of this pulse judge of the life of faith in thee a wicked man hath
malitious person is of no a kin to God for God is love he knows nothing of the Gospel savingly for it is a Gospel of peace we read in Scripture of the bond of peace Ephes 4.3 and the bond of iniquity Acts 8.23 him whom the Gospel hath not bound in the bond of peace Satan hath bound in the bond of iniquity 2. Uncharitableness is a leaven that sowres the whole lump 1 Cor. 5.8 1. It sowres your good qualities Naaman an honourable man a mighty man in valour but he was a Leper 2 King 5.1 that but was like a dead fly in the Oyntment it spoiled all the rest So it may be said Such a man is a man of parts a man of great moral endowments he is just affable temperate but he is a leper he will not be in charity he payes every one their own but there is one debt he will not pay though he rot in hell for it viz. the debt of love this is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a brand of infamy upon him 2. Uncharitableness sowres your good duties you pray and come to Church but refuse to be tyed in a knot of amity what profit is there of all your seeming devotion we are bid to lift up pure hands without wrath 1 Tim 2.8 The uncharitable person doth not lift up pure hands in prayer but leprous hands bloody hands 1 Joh. 3.16 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer Prayer saith Chrysostom may be compared to a fine Garland the hands that make a Garland had need be clean So the heart that makes a prayer had need be clean wrath and anger do sully a Christians prayers and will the Holy God touch them the uncharitable man poisons his own prayers and will the Lord accept of a poisoned sacrifice Oh that all this might at last perswade to cordial and fervent love let us turn all our censuring into praying let us pray to God that he would quench the fire of contention and encrease the fire of fraternal love among us let us pray that the Lord would heal our Schismes repair our breaches that he would make us like the Cherubims with our faces looking one upon another let us pray that God will make good that promise that we shall serve him with one consent or * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in the Hebrew with one shoulder and that this may be the golden Motto written upon England Cor unum via una one heart and one way * Jer. 32 30. 2. It Exhorts us that as we would be amicable to all Branch 2 so especially that we would love those who are of the houshold of Faith viz. the Saints and people of God Exhort Psalm 16.2 We must love as God loves he loves them most who are like him he loves piety though it be espoused to poverty so must our love run out especially to those who have the image and superscription of God upon them Joseph loved all his brethren but Benjamin most the people of God must have a Benjamins portion in our love The Saints are called Jewels Mal. 3.17 which we must love and prize they are called the apple of Gods eye Zach. to show how tender they should be in our eye The Saints are partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 not by an incorporation into the Divine Essence but by a conformity to the Divine likeness these we must love amore complacentiae with a love of complacency and delight These are near alied to Christ by faith they are of the blood Royal of heaven these must be higher in our thoughts and deeper in our affections than others Hierom loved Christ dwelling in Austin When I say the Saints must have the largest share in our love I mean not all that call themselves Saints such as under a mask of holiness commit sin hypocritical Saints * Quid tibi prodest vocari quod non es Aug. but such as the Scripture calls Saints such as excel in vertue Psal 16. such as walk humbly with God Mich. 6.8 such as have aliquid Christi as Bucer saith something of Christ in them these Saints must we place our entire love upon Indeed there is that in them which may excite and draw forth love they have the beauty of inherent holiness and they have an interest in the unspotted holiness of Christ which may be a sufficient loadstone to draw love to them But what shall we say to those who instead of loving the people of God because they are Saints hate them ea ratione because they are Saints as Tertullian Confessio nominis the very confession of the Name of a Christian was enough to bring them into an odium and was laid against them as a matter of crime It was said of Aristides that he was banished out of Athens quia justus because he was just Sanctity is the thing that is reproached and hated in the world wicked men Panther-like would tear the picture of God drawn in the New man let one have all kind of accomplishments Learning Morality Piety though men will love him for his Learning and Morality they will hate him for his Piety Holiness is become the crime the Serpent is known by his hissing they are the seed of the Old Serpent that hisse at Religion Let me speak my mind freely There is generally among men a secret antipathy against the power of godliness they are for some showes of devotion they keep up a form but such as have a spirit of zeal and sanctity shining in them their hearts rise against let me tell you there is not a greater sign of a rotten and divellish heart than to hate a man for that very thing for which God loves him namely his holiness 'T is an high affront to abuse the Kings Statue what vengeance think we shall they be counted worthy off who maligne and do what in them lies to tear in pieces the image of the living God Oh take heed of this the hating the grace of the Spirit comes near to the despighting of the Spirit of grace To conclude let us beg the spirit of amity and unity that we may love one another especially that we may be endeared in our affections to them who are of the family of God and whose names are enrolled in the book of life The good Practitioner Ioh. 13.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them IN this Chapter our Blessed Saviour the great Doctor af the Church falls upon teaching his Disciples he taught them 1. Doctrinâ by doctrine ver 34. A new Commandement give I unto you that ye love one another Christ was now going out of the world and as a father when he is dying leaves a charge with his children that they love so our Saviour leaves this solemn charge with his disciples that they did love one another 2. He taught them emblemate by embleam ver 4. he took a Towel and girded himself Thus teaching them by a
lived a very civil life go home and mourn because thou art but civil many a mans civility being rested upon hath damned him 'T is sad for men to be without repentance but 't is worse to need no repentance Luke 15.7 9. Tears are but finite 't is but awhile that we shall Motive 9 weep after a few showres that fall from our eyes we shall have a perpetual sunshine in heaven the bottle of tears is stopt Rev. 7. ult God shall wipe away all tears when sin shall cease tears shall cease Psal 30.5 Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning in the morning of the Ascension then shall all tears be wiped away Motive 10 10. The benefit of holy mourning the best of our commodities come by water 1. Mourning doth make the soul fruitful in grace When a showre falls the herbs and plants grow Isaiah 16.9 I will water thee with my tears O Heshbon I may allude to it tears water our graces and make them flourish Psal 104 10. he sends his springs into the vallies that is the reason the vallies flourish with corn because the springs run there where the springs of sorrow run there the heart bears a fruitful crop Leah was tender-eyed she had a watry eye and was fruitful the tender-eyed Christian usually brings more of the fruits of the Spirit a weeping eye is the water-pot to water our graces 2. Mourning doth fence us against the Divels Tentations Tentations are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fiery darts Ephes 6.16 because indeed they set the soul on fire Tentations enrage anger inflame lust now the waters of holy Mourning quench these fiery darts wet powder will not soon take the fire when the heart is wetted and moistned with sorrow it will not so easily take the fire of Tentation tears are the best Engines and Water-works to quench the Divels fire * Faciem nostram debemus magis lachrymis rigare quaem lavacris and if there be so much profit and benefit in Gospel-sorrow then let every Christian wash his face every Morning in the Lavor of tears †11. And lastly to have a melting frame of spirit is Motive 11 a great sign of Gods presence with us in an Ordinance 't is a sign the Sun of righteousness hath risen upon us when our frozen hearts thaw and melt for sin it is a saying of St. Bernard By this you may know whether you have met with God in a duty when you find your selves in a melting and mourning frame we are apr to measure all by comfort we think we never have Gods presence in an Ordinance unless we have joy herein we are like Thomas unless saith he I shall see in his hands the print of the nails I will not believe John 20.25 So are we apt to say Unless we have incomes of comfort we will not believe that we have found God in a duty but if our hearts can melt kindly in tears of love this is a real sign that God hath been with us as Jacob said Gen. 28.16 Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not So Christian when thy heart breaks for sin and dissolves into holy tears God is in this duty though thou knowest it not Methinks all that hath been said should make us spiritual Mourners perhaps we have tryed to mourn and cannot but therefore as a man that hath digged so many fathoms deep for water and can find none at last he digs till he finds a spring so though we have been digging for the water of tears and can find none yet let us weigh all that hath been said and set our hearts again to work and perhaps at last we may say as Isaacs servants Gen. 26.32 We have found water When the herbs are pressed the watery juyce comes out these eleven serious Motives may press out tears from the eye Quest But may some say My constitution is such that I cannot weep I may as well go to squeeze a Rock as think to get a tear Answ But if thou canst not weep for sin can'st thou grieve Intellectual mourning is best there may be sorrow where there are no tears * Curae loves loquuntur ingentes stupent the Vessel may be full though it wants vent it is not so much the weeping eye God respects as the broken heart yet I would be loth to stop their tears who can weep God stood looking on Hezekiahs tears Isa 38.5 I have seen thy tears Davids tears made Musick in Gods ears Psal 6.8 The Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping 'T is a sight fit for Angels to behold tears as pearls dropping from a penitent eye CHAP. IX Shewing the hindrances of mourning Quest BUT what shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame Answ Do two things 1. Take heed of those things which will stop these Channels of mourning 2. Put your selves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning 1. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears there are nine hindrances of mourning Hindr. 1 1. The love of sin the love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water the love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin-bewitcheth the heart Saint Hierom saith it is worse to love sin than to commit it A man may be overtaken with sin Gal. 6.1 And he that hath stumbled upon sin unawares will weep but the love of sin hardens the heart keeps the Divel in possession in true mourning there must be a grieving for sin but how can a man grieve for that sin which his heart is in love with oh take heed of this sweet poyson the love of sin freezeth the soul in impenitency Hindr. 2 2. Despair despair affronts God undervalues Christs blood damns the soul Jerem. 8.12 They said there is no hope but we will walk after our own devices and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart This is the language of despair there is no hope I had as good follow my sins still and be damned for something despair presents God to the soul as a Judge clad in the garments of vengeance Isa 59.17 Judas his despair was in some sense worse than his Treason Despair destroys Repentance for the proper ground of Repentance is mercy Rom. 2.4 The goodness of God leads thee to Repentance But despair hides mercy out of sight as the cloud covered the Ark Exod. 39. Oh take heed of this Despair is an irrational sin there is no ground for it the Lord shews mercy to thousands why mayest not thou be one of a thousand the wings of Gods mercy like the wings of the Cherubims are stretched out to every humble penitent though thou hast been a great sinner yet if thou art a weeping sinner there 's a golden Scepter of mercy held forth Psal 103.11 Despair locks up the soul in impenitency 3. A conceit
mites terrâ tanquam possessione haeriditaria Ambr. The Saints title is best being members of Christ who is Lord of all Adam did not only lose his Title to Heaven when he fell but to the Earth too and till we are incorporated into Christ we do not fully recover our Title I deny not but the wicked have a civil right to the Earth which the Laws of the Land give them but not a sacred right Only the meek Christian hath a Scripture-title to his Land we count that the best title which is held in capite the Saints hold their right to the Earth in capite in their head Christ who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 In this sense he who hath but a foot of Land inherits more than he who hath a thousand Acres because he hath a better and more judicial right to it 2. The meek Christian is said to inherit the Earth because he inherits the blessing of the Earth the wicked man hath the Earth but not as a fruit of Gods favour he hath it as a Dog hath poysoned bread it doth him more hurt than good a wicked man lives in the Earth as one that lives in an infectious Aire he is infected by his mercies the fat of the Earth will but make him fry and blaze the more in hell so that a wicked man may be said not to have what he hath because he hath not the blessing but the meek Saint enjoys the Earth as a pledge of Gods love the curse and poyson is taken out of the Earth Psal 37.11 The meek shall inherit the Earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace on which words Austin gives this gloss Wicked men saith he may delight themselves in the abundance of Cattle and Riches but the meek man delights himself in the abundance of peace what he hath he doth possess with inward serenity and quietness Caution Caution When it is said the meek shall inherit the Earth not that they shall inherit no more than the Earth they shall inherit Heaven too if they should only inherit the Earth then saith Chrysostom how could it be said Blessed are the meek the meek have the Earth only for their sojourning-house they have Heaven for their mansion-house Psal 149.4 He will beautifie the meek with salvation The meek beautifie Religion and God will beautifie them with salvation salvation is the Port we all desire to sail to 't is the Harvest and Vintage of souls the meek are they which shall reap this Harvest the meek shall wear the embroidered robe of salvation The meek are Lords of the Earth and heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 7. The mischief of an unmeek spirit 1. There is nothing Motive 7 makes such roome for the Divel to come into the heart and take possession as wrath and anger Ephes 4.26 27. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Divel when men let forth passion they let in Satan the wrathful man hath the Divel for his bedfellow 2. Passion doth hinder peace the meek Christian hath sweet quiet and harmony in his soul but Passion puts the soul into a disorder it not only clouds reason but disturbs conscience he doth not possesse himself whom Passion possesseth it is no wonder if they have no peace of conscience who make so little conscience of peace wrathfulnesse grieves the Spirit of God Ephes 4.30 31. and if the Spirit be grieved he will be gone we care not to stay in smoaky houses the Spirit of God loves not to be in that heart which is so full of the vapours and fumes of distempered Passion 8. Another argument to coole the intemperate heat Motive 8 of our curst hearts is to consider that all the injuries and unkind usages we meet with from the world do not fall out by chance but are disposed of by the all-wise God for our good many are like the foolish Curre that snarles at the stone never looking to the hand that threw it or like the Horse who being spurred by the rider bites the snafflle did we look higher than instruments our hearts would grow meek and calm David looked beyond Shimei's rage 2 Sam. 16.11 Let him curse for the Lord hath bidden him What wisdome were it for Christians to see the hand of God in all the barbarismes and incivilities of men Job eyed God in his affliction and that meekned his spirit The Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1.21 He doth not say the Caldeans have taken away but the Lord hath taken away what made Christ so meek in his sufferings he did not look at Judas or Pilate but at his father John 18.11 The Cup which my Father hath given me when wicked men do revile and injure us they are but Gods Executioners who is angry with the executioner And as God hath an hand in all the affronts and discurtesies we receive from men for they do but hand them over to us so God will do us good by all if we belong to him 1 Sam 16.12 it may be saith David that the Lord will look upon mine affliction and will requite me good for his cursing usually when the Lord intends us some signal mercy he fits us for it by some eminent trial as Moses his hand was first leprous before it wrought salvation Exod 4 6. so God may let his people be belepered with the cursings and revilings of men before he showre down some blessing upon them It may be the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day Motive 9 9. Want of meeknesse evidenceth want of grace true grace enflames love and moderates anger grace is like the file which smoths the rough iron it files off the ruggednesse of a mans spirit grace saith to the heart as Christ did to the angry Sea Mark 4.39 Peace be still So where there is grace in the heart it stills the raging of passion and makes a calm He who is in a perpetual phrensie letting loose the reines to wrath and malice never yet felt the sweet efficacy of grace â—t is one of the sins of the Heathen Implacable Rom. 1.31 a revengeful cankred heart is not only heathenish but divellish Jam. 3. 14 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts this wisdom descendeth not from above but is devillish The old Serpent spits forth the poyson of malice and revenge Motive 10 10. If all that hath been said will not serve to master this bedlam-humour of wrath and anger let me tell you you are the persons whom God speaks of who hate to be reformed you are rebels against the Word read and tremble Isa 30.8.9 Now go write it before them in a table and note it in a book that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever that this is a rebellious people children that will not hear the Law of the Lord. If nothing yet will charm down the wrathful
up as it did Korah and Dathan These are Divels covered over with flesh they have damnation written on their foreheads Lucian who in the time of the Emperor Trajan had professed Religion afterwards became so profane as to make a mock at the Christians and by his jeeres and taunts went about to rend Religion at last he himself was rent asunder and devoured by dogs When the scab of the Leper did appear he was to be shut out of the Camp Levit. 13.9 Those who flout at Religion if God give them not repentance are sure to be shut out of the Camp of heaven SECT 4. Shewing the signes of a pure heart Signs of a pure heart I Shall next shew you the signs of a pure heart 1. A sincere heart is a pure heart Psal 32.2 In whose spirit there is no guile There are four Characters of a sincere-hearted Christian 1. A sincere heart serves God with the whole heart First He serves God with the heart The Hypocrite doth but make a shew of obedience Jer. 12.2 Thou art near in their mouth and far from their reins there may be a fair complexion when the Lungs and Vitals are rotten The Hypocrite is fair to look on he hath a devout eye but a hollow heart but he who is sincere his inside is his best side In the Law God would have the inwards offered up Levit. 4.11 A good Christian gives God the inwards when he prays his heart prays 1 Sam. 1.13 Hannah prayed in her heart In his Thanksgivings the heart is the chief instrument of praise Psal 111.1 Then is the sweetest musick when we make melody in our hearts to the Lord Col. 3.16 Secondly The sincere Christian serves God with the whole heart Psal 119.2 Hypocrites have a double heart Psal 12.2 An heart for God and an heart for sin Hos 10.2 Their heart is divided God loves a broken heart but not a divided heart an upright heart is a whole heart the full straine and torrent of the affections runs out after God a sincere heart follows God fully Num. 14.24 2. A sincere heart is willing to come under a trial Psal 139.23 Search me O God and try me That mettal is to be suspected which men are afraid to bring to the Touch-stone a sound heart likes the Touch-stone of the Word he is for a searching Ministry Hypocrites are veritatis lucifugae * Tertul. they flie from that light which would discover sin they hate that Physick of the Word which meeting with their ill humours begins to make them sick and trouble their conscience A gracious soul loves that preaching best which makes an Heart-Anatomy 3ly A sincere heart dares not act in the least against his conscience he is the most magnanimous yet the most pusillanimous he is bold in suffering Prov. 28.1 but fearful of sin Gen. 39.9 He dares not get an estate by sinful shifts or rise upon the ruines of another Jacob got his fathers blessing by fraud but that is not the way to get Gods blessing Fourthly a sincere heart is a suspitious heart The Hypocrite suspects others and hath charitable thoughts of himself the sincere Christian hath charitable thoughts of others and suspects himself he calls himself often to account O my soul hast thou any Evidences for Heaven are they not to seek when they should be to shew Is there no flaw in thy Evidences thou mayest mistake common grace for saving Weeds in the Corn-fields look like flowres The foolish Virgins Lamps looked as if they had oyle in them O my soul is it not so with thee The sincere soul being ever jealous playes the Critick upon himself and doth so traverse things in the Court of conscience as if he were presently to be cited to Gods Bar. This is to be pure in heart 2. A pure heart breaths after purity If God should stretch out the golden Scepter and say to him Ask and it shall be given thee to half the Kingdom he would say Lord a pure heart let my heart have this inscription Holiness to the Lord let my heart be thy Temple and do thou dwell in it Lord what should I do in heaven with this unholy heart what converse could I have with God or Angels A gracious soul is so in love with purity that he prizeth a pure heart above all blessings 1. Above riches he knows he may be cloathed in purple and fine linnen and yet go to hell * Divitiae sunt in sinistra Domini Bern. he is content to be poor so he may be pure he knows heart-purity is a special Certificate of Gods love the pure in heart shall see God 2. Above gifts gifts do not at all set us off in Gods eye a pure heart is the jewel Matth. 15.28 O woman great is thy faith It was not her Rhetorical language Christ was taken with but her faith Hypocrites have had rare gifts Saul had the spirit of Prophesie Judas no doubt could make an Elegant Oration Hypocrites have come into Gods Church loaden with Egyptian gold videl Humane learning There may be Illumination without Sanctification A small Diamond is better than a great deal of brass A little grace excels the most flourishing parts Now if the out-goings of thy soul are after holiness thou desirest rather a pure heart than an eloquent tongue thou hast the oyle of the Spirit poured on thee and thou shalt be crowned with a sight of God 3. A pure heart abhors all sin A man may forbear and forsake sin yet not have a pure heart 1. He may forbear sin as one may hold his breath while he dives under water and then take breath again And a man may forbear sin 1. For want of occasion The Gun-powder makes no noise till the fire be put to it the Clock stands still till the Weights are put on Let a tentation come which is like the hanging on of the Weights and the heart goes as fast in sin as ever 2. He may forbear sin formidine poenae for fear A man forbears a Dish he loves for fear it should bring his disease upon him of the stone or gout There is a conflict in a sinner between the passion of desire and fear Desire spurs him on to sin but fear as a Curben-bit checks him nor is it the crookedness of the Serpent he fears but the sting of the Serpent 3. He may forbear sin out of a design he hath a plot in hand and his sin might spoile his plot Some rich heir would flie out in excess but he carries it fair to prevent a cutting off the Entail How good was Joash while Jehoiada the Priest lived Prudence as well as Conscience may restraine from sin 2. A man may forsake sin yet not have a pure heart it is a great matter I confess to forsake sin so dear is sin to men that they will part with the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls †* Micah 6.7 Sin is the Dalilah
Object 2 knowledge of God they have no sense of spiritual things nor are they the better for our instructions 1. We read in Scripture of children who by vertue Answ 1 of instruction have had their tender years sanctified Timothies Mother and Grand-mother taught him the Scriptures from his Cradle 2 Tim. 3.15 And that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures Timothy sucked in Religion as it were with his milk we read of young children who cried Hosanna to Christ and did trumpet forth his praises Matth. 21.15 And sure those children of Tyre had some seeds of good wrought in them in that they shewed their love to Paul and would help him on his way to Sea-shoar Acts 21.5 They all brought us on our way with wives and children Saint Paul had a Convoy of young Saints to bring him to take ship Answ 2 2. Suppose our counsel and instruction doth not at present prevail with our children it may afterwards take effect The seed a man sowes in his ground doth not presently spring up but in its season it brings forth a crop he that plants a Wood doth not see the full growth till many years after If we must not instruct our children because at present they reap not the benefit by the same reason we should not baptize our children because at present they have not the sense of baptisme nay by the same reason Ministers should not preach the Word because at present many of their hearers have no benefit Answ 3 3. If our counsels and admonitions prevail not with our children yet we have delivered our own souls There is comfort in the discharge of conscience we must let alone issues and events duty is our work success is Gods All which considered should make parents whet holy instructions upon their children they who are of the Family of God and whom he hath adopted for children will endeavour that their children may be more Gods children than theirs they will travail in birth till Christ be formed in them A true Saint is a load-stone that will be still drawing others to God Let this suffice to have spoken of the signs of Adoption I proceed SECT 5. Discovering Gods love in making us children THE next particular to be discussed is the love of God in making us children 1 John 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! God shewed power in making us creatures but love in making us sons Plato gave God thanks that he had made him a man and not a beast but what cause have they to adore Gods love who hath made them children the Apostle puts an ecce to it behold * O aeterna vera charitas Aug. That we may the better behold Gods love in making us children consider three things 1. We were deformed Ezek. 16.6 8. When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood it was the time of love Mordecai adopted Esther because she was fair but we were in our blood and then God adopted us he did not adopt us when we were cloathed with the Robe of innocency in Paradise when we were hung with the jewels of holiness and were white and ruddy but when we were in our blood and had our leprous spots upon us the time of our loathing was the time of Gods loving 2. As we did not deserve to be made children so neither did we desire it No landed man will force another to become his heir against his will if a King should go to adopt a beggar and make him heir of the Crown if the beggar should refuse the Kings favour and say I had rather be as I am I would be a beggar still the King would take it in high contempt of his favour and would not adopt him against his will Thus it was with us we had no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or willingness to be made children we would have been begging still but God out of his infinite mercy and indulgence not only offers to make us children but makes us willing to embrace the offer * Psal 110.3 Behold what manner of love is this 3. Which is the wonder of love that God should adopt us for his children when we were enemies If a man would make another heir of his Land he would adopt one that is near akin to him no man would adopt an enemy but that God should make us children when we were enemies that he should make us heirs to the Crown when we were Traytors to the Crown oh amazing astonishing love Behold what manner of love is this We were not akin to God we had by sin lost and forfeited our Pedigree we had done God all the injury and spight we could defac'd his image violated his Law trampled upon his mercies and when we had angered him he adopted us What stupendious love was this such love was never shewn to the Angels when they fell though they were of a more noble nature and in probability might have done God more service than we can yet God never vouchsafed this priviledge of Adoption to them he did not make them children but prisoners they were heirs only to the treasures of wrath * Rom. 2.5 Use Let all who are thus nearly related to God stand admiring his love when they were like Saul breathing forth enmity against God when their hearts stood out as Garrisons against him the Lord conquered their stubborness with kindness and not only pardoned but adopted them 't is hard to say which is greater the mystery or the mercy this is such amazing love as we shall be searching into and adoring to all eternity the bottom of it cannot be fathomed by any Angel in heaven Gods love in making us children is 1. A rich love it is love in God to feed us but it is rich love to adopt us it is love to give us a Crumb but it is rich love to make us heirs to a Crown 2. It is a distinguishing love that when God hath passed by so many millions he should cast a favourable aspect upon thee most are cut out for fuel and are made Vessels of wrath and that God should say to thee Thou art my son here 's the mirrour of mercy the meridian of love Who O who can tread upon these hot coals and his heart not burn in love to God SECT 6. Declaring the honour of Gods children 6. THE sixth particular is the honour and renown of Gods children for the illustration of this observe two things 1. God makes a precious account of them 2. He looks upon them as persons of honour 1. God makes a precious account of them Isa 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight c. A father prizeth his childe above his Estate How dearly did Jacob prize Benjamin his life was bound up in the life of the Lad Gen. 44.30 God makes a precious valuation of his children
Drunkards who drown reason and stupifie conscience these declare their sin at Sodom they are children indeed but cursed children 2 Pet. 1.14 Use 2 Use 2. Exhortation which consists of two branches Exhort 1. Let us prove our selves to be the children of God 2. Let us carry our selves as the children of God Branch 1 1. Let us prove our selves to be the children of God there are many false and unscriptural evidences 1. Saith one the gravest Divines in the Country think me to be godly and can they be mistaken Are the seers blind Answ Others can but see thy outward carriage and deportment if that be fair they by the rule of charity judge well of thee but what saith God and conscience Are these thy Compurgators Art thou a Saint in Gods Kalâ—nder 't is a poor thing to have an applauding world and an accusing conscience 2. Oh but saith another I hope I am a childe of God I love my heavenly Father Answ Why dost thou love God perhaps because God gives thee corn and wine this is a mercenary love a love to thy self more than to God you may lead a sheep all the field over with a bottle of Hay in your hand but throw away the Hay now the sheep will follow you no longer So the squint-ey'd hypocrite loves God only for the Provender when this fails his affection fails too But leaving these vain and false evidences of Adoption let us enquire for a sound evidence the main evidence of Adoption is Sanctification Search O Christian whether the work of Sanctification hath passed upon thy soul Is thy understanding sanctified to discern the things which are excellent Is thy will sanctified to embrace heavenly objects Dost thou love where God loveth and hate where God hateth Art thou a consecrated person This argues the heart of a childe God will never reject those who have his image and superscription upon them 2. Let us carry our selves as becomes the children of Branch 2 God and let us deport our selves as the children of the high God 1. In obedience 1 Pet. 1.14 As obedient children If a stranger bid a childe do a thing he regards him not but if his father command he presently obeyes Obey God out of love obey him readily obey every command If he bid thee part with thy bosome-bosome-sin leave and loath it Jer. 35.5 I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine and cups and I said unto them Drink ye wine but they said We will drink no wine for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us saying Ye shall drink no wine neither ye nor your sons for ever Thus when Satan and thy own heart would be tempting thee to a sin and set cups of wine before thee refuse to drink say My heavenly Father hath commanded me not to drink Hypocrites will obey God in some things which are consistent either with their credit or profit but in other things they desire to be excused Like Esau who obeyed his Father in bringing him Venison because probably he liked the sport of Hunting but refused to obey him in a business of greater importance namely in the choice of his wife 2. Let us carry our selves as Gods children in humility 1 Pet. 5.5 Be ye cloathed with humility 't is a becoming garment Let a childe of God look his face every morning in the glass of Gods Word and see his sinful spots this will make him walk humbly all the day after God cannot endure to see his children grow proud he suffers them to fall into sin as he did Peter that their Plumes may fall and they may learn to go on lower ground 3. Let us walk as the children of God in sobriety 1 Thes 5.8 But let us who are of the day be sober Gods children must not do as others they must be sober 1. In their speeches not rash not unseemly Col. 4.6 Let your speech be seasoned with salt Grace must be the salt which seasons our words and makes them savoury our words must be solid and weighty not feathery Gods children must speak the language of Canaan many pretend to be Gods children but their speech bewrayeth them their lips do not drop as an honey-comb but are like the sink * Prov. 15.2 where all the filth of the house is carried out 2. The children of God must be sober in their opinions hold nothing but what a sober man would hold errour as Saint Basil saith is a spiritual intoxication a kind of phrensie if Christ were upon the earth again he might have Patients enow there are abundance of spiritual Lunaticks among us which need healing 3. The children of God must be sober in their attire 1 Pet. 3.3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold c. But let it be the hidden man of the heart Gods children must not be conformed to the world Rom. 12.2 't is not for Gods children to do as others taking up every fashion What is a naked breast but a glass in which you may see a vain heart What is spotting of faces but learning the black Art God may turn these black spots into blew walk soberly 4. Let us carry our selves as the children of God in sedulity we must be diligent in our Calling Religion doth not seal Warrants to idleness it was Hieroms advice to his friend to be alwayes well employed Six dayes shalt thou labour God sets all his children to work they must not be like the lillies which toile not neither do they spin heaven indeed is a place of rest Rev. 14.13 They rest from their labours there the Saints shall lay aside all their working-tools and take the Harp and Vial but while we are here we must labour in a Calling God will bless our diligence not our laziness 5. Let us carry our selves as the children of God in magnanimity and heroicalness The Saints are high-born they are of the true blood-royal born of God they must do nothing sneakingly or sordidly they must not fear the faces of men as that brave-spirited Nehemiah Shall such a man as I flie Nehem. 6.11 so should a childe of God say Shall I be afraid to do my duty Shall I unworthily comply and prostitute my self to the lusts and humors of men the children of the most High should do nothing to stain or dishonour their noble birth A Kings son scorns to do any thing which is below him 6. Let us carry our selves as Gods children in sanctity 1 Pet. 1.16 Holiness is the diadem of beauty in this let us imitate our heavenly Father a debauched childe is a disgrace to his father there 's nothing doth more cast a reflection on our heavenly Father than the irregular actings of such as profess themselves his children What will others say Are these the children of the most High is God their Father Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed through you
nothing to do with us we are not in his Commission he is not sent to such sinners as we then we might despair but he is willing that we should have him he calls Come unto me all ye that are weary he would fain have the match made up between us and him oh that we were but as willing as Christ is Now then if there be all this variety of excellency in Jesus Christ * Multifaria suavâ—tatis dul cedo exubeâ—at in pectore Domini Jesu Bern. it may make us ambitiously desirous of an interest in him Quest But how shall I get a part in Christ Answ 1. See your need of Christ know that you are undone without him How obnoxious are you to Gods eye how odious to his nature how obnoxious to his justice O sinner how near is the Serjeant to arrest thee The Furnace of hell is heating for thee and what wilt thou do without Christ 't is only the Lord Jesus can stand as a screen to keep off the fire of Gods wrath from burning thee Tell me then is there not need of Christ though Christ be offered to sinners yet he will not have his love abused he will not throw away himself upon such as see no need of him see thy self wounded and then Christ that good Samaritan will poure in wine and oyle into thy wounds think often of that Scripture John 3.18 He that believeth not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is condemned already He that dies in his sin not laying hold on Christ by faith is as sure to be condemned as if he were condemned already 2. Be importunate after Christ Lord give me Christ or I die As Acsah said to her father Caleb Josh 15.19 Thou hast given me a South land give me also springs of water So should a poor soul say Lord thou hast given me an estate in the world but this South-land will not quench my thirst give me also springs of water Give me those living springs which run in my Saviours blood Thou hast said Let him that is athirst come and whosoever wil let him take the water of life freely Rev. 22.17 18. Lord I thirst after Jesus Christ nothing but Christ will satisfie me I am dead I am damned without him oh give me this water of life When the blind man was importunate Jesus stood still Luke 18.40 and wrought a cure upon him verse 42. Christ cannot deny a praying soul As the tender mother opens the breast when the child cries for it so when an humble thirsty sinner cries importunately to heaven God will open the breast of free-grace and say Here take my Christ be satiated with him let him be to thee all in all both for food and medicine 3. Be content to have Christ as Christ is offered a Prince and a Saviour Acts 5.31 Be sure you do not compound or indent with Christ Some would have Christ and their sins too Is Christ all and will you not part â—â—th something for this all Christ would have you part with nothing but what will damn you if you keep namely your sins Vomit up this poyson by repentance and Christ will pour in the wine of his blood to chear your heart There are some bid fair for Christ they will part with some sins but keep a reserve Jacob would let all his sons go but Benjamin whereas if you leave but one sin in your heart it will be as an Egge for Satan to brood upon If a man part with many lovers and retain the love but of one Harlot he is an Adulterer so if thou partest with many sins and dost retain the love but of one sin thou hast an adulterous heart and Christ will not make up a match with thee Doth that man think he shall have Christs love that feeds sinne in a corner O part with all for him who is all Part with thy lusts nay thy life if Christ calls 3. It exhorts us not only to get Christ but to labour Branch 3 to know that we have Christ Exhort 1 John 2.3 hereby we know that we know him This reflex act of faith is more than the direct act Some Divines call it sensus fidei the perception or sensible feeling of faith now concerning this knowledge that Christ is ours which is the same with assurance I shall lay down these four Corollaries or conclusions 1. That this knowledge is feasible it may be had 1 John 5.13 These things have I written to you that believe that ye may know ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God The meaning is the Apostle wrote to these believers that they might know they were believers and might be assured Christ was theirs Indeed the Papists deny this certainty of knowledge it is inserted in one of their Canons Anathema sit Let him be Anathema who holds assurance But that we may arrive at it I shall evince by these demonstrations 1. Why else doth God bid us make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 if assurance may not be had and to prove our selves whether we are in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 if we cannot come to this knowledge that Christ is ours The Greek word there for proving 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to boar or pierce thorow a piece of mettal to see whether it be gold within or no a Christian may thus pierce his heart by examination and self-reflection to see whether Christ be formed within him or no. 2. What are all the signes which the Scripture gives of a man in Christ but so many ciphers if the knowledge of this interest may not be had 1 John 3.14 We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren and 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Here are two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evident characters of a man in Christ now these signs are in vain if assurance may not be arrived at 3. There are some duties enjoyned in Scripture which to perform is utterly impossible if the knowledge of an interest in Christ be not attainable we are bid to rejoyce in God Phil. 4.4 and to rejoyce in tribulation 1 Pet. 4.13 How can he rejoyce in suffering who doth not know whether Christ be his or no 4. Why hath Christ promised to send the Comforter John 14.16 whose very work it is to bring the heart to this assurance if assurance that Christ is ours may not be had Therefore in Scripture we read of the seal of the Spirit Ephes 1.13 The earnest and first-fruits 2 Cor. 1.22 Rom. 8.23 The promise of the Comforter were in vain the earnest and witness of the Spirit were but phantasmes and nullities if the assurance of union with Christ be not feasible 5. Some of the Saints have arrived at this certainty of knowledge therefore it may be had Job knew that his Redeemer lived Job
the nature of the Sun is light so Gods nature is love The three persons in the Trinity are all love 1. God the Father is love Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that God should part with Christ out of his bosome the Son of his love and lay this jewel as it were to pawn for our salvation oh unparalleld love never was such love showed to the Angels 2. God the Son is love how did Christ love his Spouse when he died for her his sides drop'd blood his heart drop'd love such a vein of love was opened in him that our sins could not stench love was the wing on which Christ did fly into the Virgins womb Christ incarnate hre was love covered over with flesh and Christ on the Cross here was a book of love laid open before us to read in Per vulnera viscera 3. God the Holy Ghost is love his appearing in the likeness of a Dove show'd his nature the Dove saith Pliny is an amicable creature it is without gall what are all the motions of the Spirit but tenders of love what is the Zeal of the Spirit but the print of love why doth this blessed Spirit as a suitor come a woing to sinners but that they may know he is in love thus all the persons in the Trinity are love and the more we shine in the grace of Love the more we resemble the God of Love 6. Argument enforcing love is from the sweet Relations we stand in one to another we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-Citizens Ephes 2.19 we all expect one heaven we shall shortly live together and shall we not love together we are souldiers of the same band 2 Tim. 2.3 ours must be the fight of faith not the fight of contention our strife must be who shall love most we are branches of the same Vine and shall we not be united we are stones of the same building and shall we not be cemented with love nay we are brethren Acts 7.26 Sirs ye are brethren why do ye wrong one to another Use 1. I might here take up a lamentation and steep my Use 1 words in tears to consider the decay I had almost said the funerals of this grace among Christians Terras Astraea reliquit the fire of brotherly love is almost ready to go out instead of the fire of love the wildfire of passion I have read of one Vitalis who hazarded his life to succour his distressed friend but sure such Vitales are dead in this age fratrum quoque gratia rara est The Text saith See that ye love one another but our times have made a bad Comment upon this Text how do Christians reproach censure maligne one another the Text saith love fervently but they hate fervently instead of the bond of love behold the apple of strife we live in the frigid zone the love of many waxeth cold Many live as if they had been born upon the Mountains of Bether the Mountains of division and as if they had been baptiz'd in the waters of Meribah the waters of strife Do the wicked unite nay do the Divels unite there was in one man a Legion which is according to Varro seven thousand six hundred twenty two shall there be more harmony among Divels than among Christians For these divisions of the godly there are great thoughts of heart Oh Christians turn your hot words into salt tears how do the enemies of Religion insult to see not only Christs Coat but his Body rent for these things let our eyes run down Consider the ill consequence where love is wanting the absence of this grace brings forth divisions and they are dangerous For 1. Divisions bring an opprobrium and scandal upon Religion they make the wayes of God evil spoken of as if Religion were the fomenter of envy and sedition Julian in his Invectives against the Christians said that they lived together as Tigers rending and tearing one another and shall we by our animosities and contentions make good Julians words this will make others affraid to embrace the Christian Faith There is a story in Epiphanius of Miletius and Peter Bishop of Alexandria both Confessors of the Orthodox Religion both condemned to suffer who being together in prison upon a small difference sell into so great a Schisme that they drew a partition between each other in the prison and would not hold communion in the same worship of Christ for which notwithstanding they both suffered which division grew scandalous and did more hurt than their persecution did good 2. Divisions advance Satans Kingdom The Divel hath no hope but in our discords * Nibil spei nisi per discordias Cornel. Tac. St. Chrysostom observes of the City of Corinth when many zealous converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to damme up the current of Religion than by throwing in a bone of contention and dividing them into parties one was for Paul and another for Apollo but few for Christ Use 2. Be Exhorted to cordial and fervent love See that Use 2 ye love one another Exhort Oh that this sweet spice might send forth its fragrant smell among Christians Oh that the Branch 1 Lord would rain down some of these silver showers of love upon the hearts of Christians which are for the most part like the Mountains of Gilboa which have none of this heavenly dew upon them They say of the stones of the Temple they were so closely cemented as if there had been but one stone in the Temple it were to be wished that the hearts of Christians were so sweetly cemented in love as if there were but one heart Let me commend this grace of amity and love to Christians under a double notion 1. As you are members of a body politick The whole nation is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Political body now it should be with the body Politique as it is with the natural body all the members of the body have a sweet sympathy they all work for the good of the whole that there be no Schisme in the body 1 Cor. 12.25 So it should be in the body politique 2. You are membra Ecclesiae members of the Church of God you bear Christs Name you wear his Livery therefore you must be sodred together in affection It is a sad Omen and presage when the joynts of the same body shall be loosed and the knees shall smite one against another If yet men will live at variance nourishing a Viper in their bosoms I shall offer two things to their serious consideration 1. An uncharitable person is an unregenerate person Titus 3.3 We were sometimes disobedient serving divers lusts living 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in malice and envy as if he had said Before grace came we were fill'd and ready to burst with this poyson of malice the Apostle describing a natural condition calls it the gall of bitterness Acts 8. He that lives in bitter strife is in the gall bitterness A
the first link of the chaine in his hand hath the whole chaine The Saints have the Spirit of God in them 2 Tim. 1.14 The Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us How can the blessed Spirit be in a man and he not blessed a godly mans heart is a Paradise planted with the choicest fruit and God himself walks in the midst of this Paradise and must he not needs be blessed 2. The Saints are already blessed because their sins are not imputed to them Psal 32.2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity Gods not imputing iniquity signifies Gods making of sin not to be 't is as if the man had never sinned the debt-book is cancel'd in Christs blood and if the debtor owe never so much yet if the creditor cross the book it is as if he had never owed any thing Gods not imputing sin is that God will never call for the debt or if it should be called for it shall be hid out of sight Jer. 50.20 In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found Now such a man who hath not sin imputed to him is blessed and the reason is because if sin be not imputed to a man then the curse is taken away and if the curse be taken away then he must needs be blessed 3. The Saints are already blessed because they are in Covenant with God This is clear by comparing two Scriptures Jer. 31.33 I will be their God and Psal 144.15 Happy is that people whose God is the Lord This is the crowning blessing to have the Lord for our God impossible it is to imagine that God should be our God and we not blessed This sweet word I will be your God implies 1. Propriety that all that is in God shall be ours his love ours his Spirit ours his mercy ours 2. It implies all Relations 1. Of a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you The sons of a Prince are happy how blessed are the Saints who are of the true blood Royal 2. It implies the relation of an Husband Isa 54.5 Thy Maker is thy husband The Spouse being contracted to her husband is happy by having an interest in all he hath The Saints being contracted by faith are blessed though the solemnity of the Marriage be kept for heaven 3. It implies terms of friendship They who are in Covenant with God are Favourites of heaven Abraham my friend Isa 41.8 'T is counted a Subjects happiness to be in favour with his Prince though he may live a while from Court how happy must he needs be who is Gods Favourite 4. The Saints are already blessed because they have a Reversion of heaven as on the contrary he who hath hell in Reversion is said to be already condemned John 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already He is as sure to be condemned as if he were condemned already So he who hath heaven in Reversion may be said to be already blessed a man that hath the Reversion of an house after a short Lease is run out he looks upon it as his already this house saith he is mine So a believer hath a Reversion of heaven after the Lease of life is run out and he can say at present Christ is mine and glory is mine he hath jus ad rem a title to heaven and he is a blessed man that hath a title to shew nay faith turns the Reversion into a Possession 5. The Saints are already blessed because they have Primitias the first fruits of blessedness here We read of the earnest of the Spirit and the seal 2 Cor. 1.22 and the first fruits Rom. 8.23 Heaven is already begun in a believer Rom. 14.17 The Kingdome of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost This Kingdome is in a believers heart Luk. 17.21 The people of God have a prelibation and taste of blessedness here As Israel tasted a bunch of grapes before they were actually possessed of Canaan So the children of God have those secret incomes of the Spirit those smiles of Christs face those kisses of his lips those love-tokens that are as bunches of grapes and they think themselves sometimes in heaven Paul was let down in a basket Acts 9.25 Oftentimes the Comforter is let down to the soul in an Ordinance and now the soul is in the Suburbs of Hierusalem above a Christian sees heaven by faith and tasts it by joy and what is this but blessedness 6. The Saints may be said in this life to be blessed because all things tend to make them blessed Rom. 8.28 All things work for good to them that love God We say to him that hath every thing falling out for the best You are an happy man the Saints are very happy for all things haue a tendency to their good prosperity doth them good adversity doth them good nay sin turns to their good every trip makes them more watchful their maladies are their medicines are not they happy persons that have every wind blowing them to the right Port 7. A Saint may be said to be blessed because part of him is already blessed he is blessed in his head Christ his head is in glory Christ and believers make one body mystical their head is gotten into heaven Use 1. Inform. Branch 1. See the difference between Use 1 a wicked man and a godly Inform. let a wicked man have never so many comforts still he is cursed let a godly man have Branch 1 never so many crosses still he is blessed let a wicked man have the candle of God shining on him Job 29.3 let his way be so smooth that he meets with no rubs let him have success yet still there is a curse entailed upon him you may read the sinners Inventory Deut. 28.16 17 18. He is not more full of sin than he is of a curse though perhaps he blesseth himself in his wickedness yet he is heir to Gods curse all the curses of the Bible are his portion and at the day of death this portion is sure to be paid but a godly man in the midst of all his miseries is blessed he may be under the cross but not under a curse Branch 2. It shews the priviledge of a believer he Branch 2 not only shall be blessed but he is blessed blessedness is begun in him Psal 115.15 You are blessed of the Lord Let the condition of the Righteous be never so sad yet it is blessed he is blessed in affliction Psal 94. Blessed is he whom thou chastenest Blessed in poverty James 2.5 Poor in the world rich in faith Blessed in disgrace 1 Pet. 4.14 The Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you This may be a cordial to the fainting Christian he is blessed in life and death Satan cannot supplant him of the blessing Branch 3 Branch 3. How may this take away murmuring and melancholy from a child of
give them a Kingdom above all the Princes of the earth nay far above all heavens God thinks nothing too good for his children We many times think much of a tear a prayer or to sacrifice a sin for him but he doth not think much to bestow a Kingdom upon us How will the Saints read over the Lectures of free-grace in heaven and Trumpet forth the prayses of that God who hath crowned them with loving kindness Infer 3 3. It shews us that Christianity is no disgraceful thing Wise men measure things by the end what is the end of godliness it brings a Kingdom a mans sin brings him to shame Prov. 13.5 Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye in those things whereof you are now ashamed but Religion brings to honour Prov. 4.8 it brings a man to a Throne a Crown it ends in glory it is the sinners folly to reproach a Saint 't is just as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King it is a Saints wisdom to contemn a reproach say as David when he danced before the Ark I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 If to pray and hear and serve my God be to be vile I will yet be more vile This is my excellency my glory I am doing now that which will bring me to a Kingdom O think it no disgrace to be a Christian I speak it chiefly to you who are entring upon the wayes of God perhaps you may meet with such as will reproach and censure you binde their reproaches as a Crown about your head despise their censure as much as their praise remember there is a Kingdom entailed upon godlinesse Sin draws hell after it grace draws a Crown after it 4. See here that which may make the people of God Infer 4 long for death then they shall enter upon their Kingdom Indeed the wicked may fear death it will not lead them to a Kingdom but a Prison hell is the iayle where they must lie rotting for ever with the Divel and his Angels To every Christlesse person death is the King of terror but the godly may long for death it will prefer them to a Kingdom When Scipio's father had told him of that glory the soul should be invested with in a state of immortality why then saith Scipio do I tarry thus long upon the earth why do I not hasten to die * Tully in Somn. Scip. Believers are not perfectly happy till death When Croesus asked Solon who he thought happy he told him one Tellus a man that was dead a Christian at death shall be compleatly installed into his honour the anointing oyle shall be poured on him and the Crown-royal set upon his head The Thracians in their funerals used musick The Heathens as Theocritus observes had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Funeral banquet because of that felicity which they supposed the parties deceased were entred into The Saints are now heirs of the Kingdom James 2.5 Doth not the heir desire to be crowned Truly there is enough to weane us and make us willing to be gone from hence The Saints eate ashes like bread they are here in a suffering condition Psalm 141.7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth When a man hewes and cuts a tree the chips flie up and down here and there a chip so here a Saint wounded there a Saint massacred our bones flie like chips up and down for thy sake are we killed all the day long Rom. 8.36 But there is a Kingdom a coming when the body is buried the soul is crowned Who would not be willing to saile in a storm if he were sure to be crowned as soone as he came at shore How is it that the godly look so gastly at the thoughts of death as if they were rather going to their execution than their Coronation though we should be willing to stay here awhile to do service yet we should with Saint Paul desire to be dissolved and be with Christ The day of a believers dissolution is the day of his inauguration SECT 5. Containing a scrutiny and tryal whether we belong to this Kingdom Use 2 BUT how shall we know that this glorions Kingdom shall be setled upon us at death Trial. 1. If God have set up his Kingdom within us Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of God is within you by the Kingdom of God there is meant the Kingdom of Grace in the heart Grace may be compared to a Kingdom it swayes the Scepter it gives out Lawes there is the Law of love Grace beats down the Divels garrisons it brings the heart into a sweet subjection to Christ Now is this Kingdom of Grace set up in thy heart Do'st thou rule over thy sins Canst thou binde those Kings in chaines * Psal 149.8 Art thou a King over thy pride passion unbelief Is the Kingdom of God within you While others aspire after earthly greatnesse and labour for a Kingdom without them do'st thou labour for a Kingdom within thee Certainly if the Kingdom of Grace be in thy heart thou shalt have the Kingdom of glory If Gods Kingdom enter into thee thou shalt enter into his Kingdom But let not that man ever think to reign in glory who lives a slave to his lusts 2. If thou art a believer thou shalt go to this blessed Kingdom James 2.5 Rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith is an heroical act of the soul it makes an holy adventure on God by a promise this is the crowning grace Faith puts us into Christ and our title to the Crown comes in by Christ By Faith we are borne of God and so we become children of the blood-royal By Faith our hearts are purified Acts 15.9 and so we are made fit for a Kingdom rich in faith heirs of the Kingdom Faith paves a Causey to heaven believers die heirs to the Crown 3. He that hath a noble Kingly spirit shall go to the heavenly Kingdom set your affection on things above Col. 3.2 Dost thou live in mundo supra mundum in the world above the world The Eagle doth not catch flies she soars aloft in the aire dost thou superna anhelare pant after glory and immortality Hast thou a brave majestick spirit an heavenly ambition dost thou mind the favour of God the peace of Sion the salvation of thy soul Dost thou abhor that which is sordid and below thee Alexander would not exercise at the Olympick-games Canst thou trample upon all sublunary things Is heaven in thy eye and Christ in thy heart and the world under thy feet He who hath such a Kingly spirit that looks no lower than a Crown he shall dwell on high and have his throne mounted far above all heavens SECT 6. A serious exhortation to Christians Use 3 USE 3. Exhortation And it hath a double aspect it looks Exhort 1. towards the wicked Is there a Kingdom to be had a
without cutting or forcing Mary Magdalens repentance was voluntary she stood weeping Luke 7. She came to Christ with ointment in her hand with love in her heart with teares in her eyes God is for a freewil-offering he loves not to be put to distrain 2. Gospel-mourning is spiritual that is when we mourn for sinne more than suffering Pharaoh saith Take away the plague he never thought of the plague of his heart A sinner mourns because judgement follows at the heeles of sinne but David cries out my sinne is ever before me Psal 51. God had threatned that the sword should ride in circuit in his family but David doth not say the sword is ever before me but my sinne is ever before me The offence against God troubled him he grieved more for the treason than the bloody axe thus the Penitent Prodigal Luke 15.21 I have sinned against heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and before thee he doth not say I am almost starved among the husks but I have offended my father In particular our mourning for sinne if it be spiritual must be under this threefold notion 1. We must mourn for sinne as it is an act of hostility and enmity Sinne doth not only make us unlike God but contrary to God Levit. 26.40 and that they have walked contrary unto me Sinne doth affront and resist the Holy Ghost Acts 7.51 Sinne is contrary to Gods nature God is holy sinne is an impure thing sin is contrary to his will if God be of one minde sinne is of another sinne doth all it can to spight God The Hebrew word for sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies rebellion a sinner doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now when we mourn for sinne as it is a walking Antipodes to heaven this is a Gospel-mourning nature will not bear contraries 2. We must mourn for sin as it is a piece of the highest ingratitude it is a kicking against the breasts of mercy God sends his Sonne to redeeme us his Spirit to comfort us we sinne against the blood of Christ the grace of the Spirit and shall we not mourn We complaine of the unkindnesse of others and shall we not lay to heart our own unkindnesse against God Caesar took it unkindly that his son Brutus should stab him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou my son may not the Lord say to us these wounds I have received in the house of my friends * Zach. 13.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Theocr. Israel took their jewels and ear-rings and made a golden Calfe of them the sinner takes the jewels of Gods mercies and makes use of them to sin ingratitude dies a sin in grain hence they are called crimson sinnes Isa 1.18 sinnes against gospel-Gospel-love are worse in some sence than the sinnes of the Divels for they never had an offer of Grace tendred to them Diabolus peccavit in innocentia constitutus ego vero restitutus ille perstitit in malitia Deo reprobante ego vero Deo revocante ille obduratur ad punientem ego vero ad blandientem sic uterque contra Deum ille contra non requirentem se ego vero contra morientem pro me ecce cujus imaginem horrebam in multis aspicio me horribiliorem Anselm de Casu Diab Now when we mourn for sin as it hath its accent of ingratitude upon it this is an Evangelical mourning 3. We must mourn for sinne as it is a Privation it keeps good things from us it hinders our communion with God Mary wept for Christs absence John 20.13 they have taken away my Lord. So our sinnes have taken away our Lord they have deprived us of his sweet presence Will not he grieve who hath lost a rich jewel When we mourn for sinne under this notion as it makes the Sun of righteousnesse withdraw from our Horizon when we mourn not so much that peace is gone and trading is gone but God is gone Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawn himself this is an holy mourning the mourning for the losse of Gods favour is the best way to regaine his favour If thou hast lost a friend all thy weeping will not fetch him again but if thou hast lost Gods presence thy mourning will bring thy God again 3. Gospel-mourning cogit ad Deum it sends the soul to God When the Prodigal sonne repented he went to his father Luke 15.18 I will arise and go unto my father Jacob wept and prayed Hos 12.3 The people of Israel wept and offered sacrifice Judg. 2.5 Gospel-mourning puts a man upon duty the reason is because in true sorrow there is a mixture of hope and hope puts the soul upon the use or means That mourning which like the flaming sword keeps the soul from approaching to God and beats it off from duty is a sinful mourning 't is a sorrow hatch'd in hell such was Sauls grief which drove him to the Witch of Endor 1 Sam. 28.7 Evangelical Mourning is a spur to prayer the childe who weeps for offending his father goes into his presence and will not leave till his father be reconciled to him Absalom could not be quiet till he had seen the Kings face 2 Sam. 14.32 33. 4. Gospel-Mourning is for sin in particular Dolosus versatur in generalibus It is with a true penitent as it is with a wounded man he comes to the Chyrurgion and shews him all his wounds here I was cut with the Sword here I was shot with a Bullet So a true penitent bewails all his particular sins Judg. 10.10 We have served Baalim they mourned for their Idolatry And David layes his finger upon the sore and points to that very sin that troubled him Psal 51.4 I have done this evil he means his blood-guiltiness a wicked man will say he is a sinner but a child of God saith I have done this evil Peter wept for that particular sin of denying Christ Clemens Alexandrinus saith he never heard a Cock crow but he fell a weeping there must be a particular Repentance before we have a general pardon 5. Gospel-tears must drop from the eye of faith Mark 9.24 The father of the childe cryed out with tears Lord I believe our disease must make us mourn but when we look up to our Physitian who hath made a playster of his own blood we must not mourn without hope believing tears are precious when the clouds of sorrow have overcast the soul some Sun-shine of faith must break forth the soul will be swallowed up of sorrow it will be drowned in tears if faith be not the bladder to keep it up from sinking though our tears drop to the earth our faith must reach heaven after the greatest rain faith must appear as the Rainbow in the cloud the tears of faith are botled as precious wine Psal 56.8 6. Gospel-Mourning is joyned with self-loathing the sinner doth admire himself the penitent doth loath himself Ezek. 20.42 Ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your
evils A true penitentiary is troubled not only for the shameful consequence of sin but the loathsome nature of sin not only the sting of sin but the deformed face How did the Leper loath himself Lev. 13.45 The Hebrew Doctors say the Leper pronounced unclean was to put a covering on his upper lip both as a Mourner and in token of shame * Maimony cap. 10. The true Mourner cries out O these impure eyes this heart which is a conclave of wickedness he not only leaves sin but loaths fin he that is fallen in the dirt loaths himself * Hos 14.1 7. Gospel-Mourning must be purifying our tears must make us more holy we must so weep for sin as to weep out sin our tears must drown our sins we must not only mourn but turn Joel 2.12 Turn to me with weeping What is it to have a watry eye and a whorish heart 't is foolish to say it is day when the Aire is full of darkness So to say thou repentest when thou drawest dark shadows in thy life It is an excellent saying of St. Austin He doth truly bewail the sins he hath committed who never commits the sins he hath bewailed * Ille vere plaugit commâ—ssaqui non commutit plungenda Aug. True Mourning is like the water of jealousie * Num. 5.12 it makes the Thigh of sin to rot Psal 74.14 Thou breakâ—st the heads of the Dragons in the waters The heads of our sins these Dragons are broken in the waters of true Repentance true tears are cleansing they are like a Flood that carries away all the rubbish of our sins with it the waters of holy Mourning are like the River Jordan wherein Naaman washed and was cleansed of his Lepâ—osie 'T is reported there is a River in Sicilia where if the blackest sâ—eep are bathed they become white so though our sins be as scarlet yet by washing in this River of Repentance they become white as snow Naturalists say of the serpent before it goes to drink it vomits out its poyson in this be wise as serpents before thou thinkest to drink down the sweet cordials of the promises cast up the poyson that lies at your heart do not only mourn for sin but break from sin 8. Gospel-Mourning must be joyned with hatred of sin 2 Cor. 7.11 What indignation We must not only abstain from sin but abhor sin the Dove hates the least feather of the Hawk * Aldrovand a true Mourner hates the least motion to sin a true Mourner is a sin hater Amnen hated Tamar more than ever he loved her 2 Sam. 13.5 To be a sin-hater implies two things 1. To look upon sin as the most deadly evil a complicated evil it looks more ghastly than death or hell 2. To be implacably incensed against it a sin-hater will never admit of any terms of peace the War between him and sin is like the War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam 1 Kings 14.30 There was War between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their dayes Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot true Mourning begins in the love of God and ends in the hatred of sin 9. Gospel-Mouâ—ning in some cases is joyned with Restitution 't is as well a sin to violate the name as the chastity of another if we have eclipsed the good name of others we are bound to ask them forgiveness * Fama pari passu ambulat cum vita if we have wronged them in their Estate by unjust fraudulent dealing we must make them some compensation Thus Zacheus Luk. 19.8 If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him four-fold according to that Law Exod. 22.1 Saint James bids us not only look to the heart but the hand James 4.8 Cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts if thou hast wronged another cleanse thy hands by Restitution be assured without Restitution no Remission * Non remittitur peccatura nisi restituatur ablatum Aug. 10. Gospel-Mourning must be a speedy Mourning We must take heed of adjourning our Repentance and putting it off till death as David said I will pay my vows now Psal 116.18 so should a Christian say I will mourn for sin now Luke 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep now as Popilus the Roman Legat when he was sent to Antiochus the King made a Circle round about the King and bade him make his answer before he went out of that Circle so God hath incircled us in the compass of a little time and chargeth us presently to bewail our sins Acts 17.30 Now God calleth everywhere to repent we know not whether we may have another day granted us Oh let us not put off our Mourning for sin till the making of our will Do not think holy Mourning is only a death-bed duty you may seek the blessing with tears as Isaac when it is too late Quamdiu cras saith Austin How long shall I say I will repent to morrow why not at this instant Mora trahit periculum Caesars deferring to read his letter before he went to the Senate house cost him his life The true Mourner makes haste to meet an angry God as Jacob did his brother and the Present he sends before is the sacrifice of tears 11. Gospel-Mourning for sin is constant there are some who at a Sermon will shed a few tears but this land-flood is soon dryed up the hypocrites sorrow is like a vein opened and presently stopped the Hebrew word for Eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies also a Fountain to shew that the eye must run like a Fountain for sin and not cease but it must not be like the Lybian Fountain of the Sun which the Ancients speak of in the Morning the water is hot at Mid-day cold the waters of Repentance must not overflow with more heat in the Morning at the first hearing of the Gospel and at Mid-day in the midst of health and prosperity grow cold and be ready to freeze no it must be quotidianus planctus a daily weeping as Paul said 1 Cor. 16.31 I dye daily so should a Christian say I mourn daily Therefore keep open an issue of godly sorrow and be sure it be not stopped till death Lam. 2.18 Let not the apple of thine eye cease It is reported of holy Mr. Bradford scarce a day passed him wherein he did not shed some tears for sin daily mourning is a good antidote against back-sliding I have read of one that had an Epilepsie or falling sickness and being dipped in Sea-water was cured the washing of our souls daily in the brinish waters of Repentance is the best way both to prevent and cure the falling into Relapses Even Gods own children must mourn after pardon for God in pardoning doth not pardon at one instant sinnes past and furure but as repentance is renewed so pardon is renewed should God by one act pardon sinnes future as well as past this would make void part of Christs Office What need were
is too soone Satan but have presently embraced his tentation have you not put the Devil off and will you put God off 4. It is a foolish thing to adjourn and put off mourning for sin for 1. The longer you put off holy mourning the harder you will finde the work when you come to it A bone that is out of joynt is easier set at first than if you let it go longer A disease taken in time is sooner cured than if it be let alone till it comes to a Paroxysme * Sero medicina paretur cum mala per longas invaluere moras You may easily wade over the waters when they are low if you stay till they are risen they will be beyond your depth O sinner the more treasons thou committest the more dost thou incense heaven against thee and the harder it will be to get thy pardon the longer thou spinnest out the time of thy sinning the more work thou makest for repentance 2. To adjourn and put off mourning for sin is folly in respect of the uncertainty of life how doth the procrastinating sinner know that he shall live to be old What is your life it is but a vapour James 4.14 how soone may sicknesse arrest thee and death strike off thy head may not thy sun set at noone Oh then what imprudence is it to put off mourning for sin and to make a long work when death is about to make a short work Caesar deferring to read the Letter sent him was stab'd in the Senate-house 3. 'T is folly to put off all till last in respect of the improbability of finding mercy though God give thee space to repent he may deny thee grace to repent When God calls for mourning and thou art deaf when thou callest for mercie God may be dumb Prov. 1.24 28. Think of it seriously God may take the latter time to judge thee in because thou didst not take the former time to repent in 4. To respit our solemn turning to God till old age or sicknesse is high imprudence because these late acts of devotion are for the most part dissembled and spurious Though true mourning for sin be never too late * Sera poenitentia raro vera yet late mourning is seldome true †That repentance is seldome true-hearted which is gray-headed 'T is disputable whether these Autumn-tears are not shed more out of fear of hell than love to God The Mariner in a storm throws his goods over-board not but that he loves them but he is afraid they will sink the ship when men fall to weeping-work late and would cast their sins over-board it is for the most part only for fear lest they should sink the ship and drown in hell 'T is a great question whether the sick bed penitent doth not mourn because he can keep his sins no longer All which considered may make men take heed of running their souls upon such a desperate hazard as to put all their work for heaven upon the last hour Hindr. 8 8. Delay of the execution of justice Eccles 8.11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the sonnes of men is fully set in them to do evil God forbears punishing therefore men forbear repenting He doth not smite upon their back by correction therefore they do not smite upon their thigh by humiliation Jer. 31.19 The sinner thinks thus God hath spar'd me all this while he hath eeked out patience into long-suffering sure he will not punish Psal 10.11 He hath said in his heart God hath forgotten God somtimes in infinite patience adjourns his judgements and puts off the Sessions awhile longer he is not willing to punish 2 Pet. 3.9 The Bee naturally gives hony but stings only when it is angred The Lord would have men make their peace with him Isa 27.5 God is not like an hasty creditor that requires the debt and will give no time for the payment he is not only gracious but waits to be gracious * Poenitentiam expectat tuam dum patientiam exercet suam Isa 30.18 but God by his patience would bribe sinners to repentance but alas how is this patience abused Gods long-suffering hardens because God stops the Vial of his wrath sinners stop the Conduit of tears That the patience of God may not through our corruption obstruct holy mourning let sinners remember 1. Gods patience hath bounds set to it Gen. 6.3 Though men will not set bounds to their sin yet God sets bounds to his patience there is a time when the Sun of Gods patience will set and being once set it never returns any degrees backward the Lease of patience will soon be run out There is a time when God saith My Spirit shall no longer strive The Angel cryed the houre of his judgement is come Rev. 14.7 Perhaps the next sin thou committest God may say Thy houre is now come 2. To be hardned under patience makes our condition far worse incensed justice will revenge abused patience God was patient towards Sodom but not repenting he made the fire and brimstone flame about their ears Sodom that was once the wonder of Gods patience is now a standing Monument of Gods severity all the plants and fruits are destroyed and as Tertullian saith that place still smels of fire and brimstone * Olet adhuc incendio terra Long forbearance is no forgiveness God may keep off the stroak a while but justice is not dead but sleepeth God hath leaden feet but iron hands the longer God is taking his blow the sorer it will be when it comes the longer a stone is falling the heavier it will be at last the longer God is whetting his Sword the sharper it cuts sins against patience are of a deeper dye these are worse than the sins of the Divels The lapsed Angels never sinned against Gods patience how dreadful will their condition be who therefore sin because God is patient for every crumb of patience God puts a drop of wrath into his Viol the longer God forbears a sinner the more interest he is sure to pay in hell Hindr. 9 9. Mirth and Musick Amos 6.5 That chant to the sound of the Viol and drink wine in Bowles instead of the Dirge the Antheam many sing away sorrow and drown their tears in wine the sweet waters of pleasure destroy the bitter waters of mourning How many go dancing to hell like those fish which swim down pleasantly into the dead Sea Let us take heed of all these hindrances of holy tears Let our Harp be turned into mourning and our Organ into the voyce of them that weep Job 30.31 CHAP. X. Shewing some helps to mourning HAving removed the obstructions let me in the last place propound some helps to holy mourning 1. Set Davids prospect continually before you Psal 51.4 My sinne is ever before me David that he might be a mourner kept his eye still upon sin See what sin is and
then tell me if there be not enough in it to draw forth tears I know not what name to give it bad enough one calls it the Divels excrement sin is malorum colluvies it is a complication of all evil it is the spirits of mischief distilled 1. Sin dishonours God it denies Gods Omnisciency it derides his Patience it distrusts his Faithfulness sin tramples upon Gods Law slights his Love grieves his Spirit 2. Sin wrongs us 1. Sin shames us Prov. 14.34 Sin is a reproach to any people sin hath made us naked it hath plucked off our Robe and taken our Crown from us it hath spoiled us of our glory nay it hath not only made us naked but impure Ezek. 16.6 I saw thee polluted in thy blood Sin hath not only taken off our cloth of gold but it hath put upon us filthy garments Zach. 3.3 God made us after his likeness Gen. 1.26 but sin hath made us like the Beasts that perish Psal 49. ult We are all become brutish in our affections nor hath sin made us only like the Beasts but like the Divel John 8.44 Sin hath drawn the Divels picture upon mans heart 2. Sin stabs us the sinner like the Jaylor draws a Sword to kill himself * Acts 16.27 he is bereaved of his judgement and like the man in the Gospel possessed with the Divel he cuts himself with stones * Mark 5 5. though he hath such a stone in his heart that he feels it not Every sin is a stroak at the soul tot vitia tot vulnera so many sins so many wounds every blow given to the Tree helps forward the Felling of the Tree Every sin is an hewing and chopping down the soul for hell-fire if then there be all this evil in sin if this forbidden fruit hath such a bitter Core it may make us mourn our hearts should be the Spring and our eyes the Rivers 2. If we would be Mourners let us be Orators Beg a spirit of contrition * Da Domine Deus cordi mee poenitentiam oculis lachrymarum fontem Austin pray to God that he will put us in mourning that he will give us a melting frame of heart let us beg Achsahs blessing Josh 15. Springs of water Josh 15.19 Let us pray that our hearts may be spiritual limbecks dropping tears into Gods bottle Let us pray that we who have the poyson of the Serpent may have the tears of the Dove the Spirit of God is a Spirit of mourning let us pray that God would poure that Spirit of grace on us whereby we may look on him whom we have pierced and mourn for him Zach. 12.10 God must inspirare before we can suspirare he must breath in his Spirit * Velle bonum nisi gratiae adminiculo non possumus Aug. de grat lib. arbit before we can breath out our sorrows the Spirit of God is like the fire in a Still that sends up the dews of grace in the heart and causeth them to drop from the eyes 'T is this blessed Spirit whose gentle breath causeth our spices to smell and our waters to flow and if the spring of mourning be once set open in the heart there can want no joy as tears flow out comfort flows in which leads to the second part of the Text they shall be comforted CHAP. XI Shewing the comforts belonging to Mourners Matth. 5.4 They shall be comforted HAving already presented to your view the dark side of the Text I shall now shew you the light side they shall be comforted Where observe 1. Mourning goes before comfort as the launcing of a wound precedes the cure the Antinomian talks of comfort but cries down mourning for sin he is like a foolish Patient who having a Pill prescribed him licks the sugar but throws away the Pill The Libertine is all for joy and comfort he licks the sugar but throws away the bitter Pill of Repentance if ever we have true comfort we must have it in Gods way and method sorrow for sin ushers in joy Isa 57. I will restore comfort to him and to his Mourners That is the true Sun-shine of joy which comes after a showre of tears we may as well expect a crop without seed as comfort without Gospel-mourning 2. Observe that God keeps his best wine till last first he prescribes mourning for sin and then sets abroach the wine of consolation the Divel doth quite contrary he shews the best first and keeps the worst till last First he shews the wine sparkling in the glass then comes the biting of the serpent Prov. 23.32 Satan sets his dainty dishes before men he presents sin to them coloured with beauty sweetned with pleasure silvered with profit and then afterwards the sad reckoning is brought in He shewed Judas first the silver bait and then struck him with the hook This is the reason why sin hath so many followers because it shews the best first first the golden Crowns and then come the Lyons teeth Rev. 9.7 8. But God shews the worst first first he prescribes a bitter potion and then brings a cordial they shall be comforted 3. Observe Gospel-tears are not lost they are seeds of comfort while the penitent doth poure out tears God poures in joy if thou wouldst be chearful saith Chrysostom be sad * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Psal 126.5 They that sowe in tears shall reap in joy It was the end of Christs anointing and coming into the world that he might comfort them that mourn Isa 61.3 Christ had the oyle of gladness poured on him as Chrysostom saith that he might poure it upon the Mourner well then may the Apostle call it a repentance not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7.10 A mans drunkenness is to be repented of his uncleanness is to be repented of but his repentance is never to be repented of because it is the inlet to joy Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Here is sweet fruit from a bitter stock Christ caused the earthen Vessels to be filled with water and then turned the water into wine John 2.9 So when the eye that earthen Vessel hath been filled with water brim full then Christ will turn the water of tears into the wine of joy Holy mourning saith Saint Basil * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil is the seed out of which the flower of eternal joy doth grow The Reason why the Mourner shall be comforted is 1. Because Mourning is made on purpose for this end Mourning is not prescribed for it self but in ordine ad aliud that it may lay a train for comfort therefore we sowe in tears that we may reap in joy Holy mourning is a spiritual medicine now a medicine is not prescribed for it self but for health-sake so Gospel-mourning is appointed for this very end to bring forth joy 2. The spiritual Mourner is the fittest person for comfort When the heart is broken for sin now it is fittest for
joy God poures the golden oyle of comfort into broken Vessels the Mourners heart is emptied of pride and God fills the empty with his blessing the Mourners tears have helped to purge out corruption and after purging physick God gives a Julip The Mourner is ready to faint away under the burden of sin and then the bottle of strong water comes seasonably The Lord would have the incestuous person upon his deep humiliation to be comforted lest he should be swallowed up with over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7 This is the Mourners priviledge he shall be comforted the Valley of tears brings the soul into a Paradise of joy a sinners joy brings forth sorrow the mourners sorrow brings forth joy John 16.22 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy The Saints have a wet seed-time but a joyful Harvest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They shall be comforted SECT I. Showing the mourners comforts here NOw to illustrate this I shall show you what the comforts are the mourners shall have These comforts are of a divine infusion and they are two-fold either Here or Hereafter * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 1. Comforts here 1. COMFORTS HERE They are called the consolations of God Job 15.11 That is Great comforts such as none but God can Give they exceed all other comforts as far as heaven doth earth The root on which these comforts grow is The blessed Spirit he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Comforter John 14.26 and comfort is said to be a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Christ did purchase peace the Spirit speaks peace Quest How doth the Spirit comfort Answ Either Mediately or Immediately 1. Mediately By helping us to apply the Promises to ourselves and draw water out of those Wells of salvation we lie as dead children at the breast till the Spirit helps us to suck the breast of a Promise and when the Spirit hath taught Faith this Art now comfort flows in O how sweet is the breast-milk of a Promise 2. The Spirit comforts immediatly The Spirit by a more direct act presents God to the soul as reconciled it sheds his love abroad in the heart from whence flows infinite joy Rom. 5.5 The Spirit secretly whispers Pardon for sin and the sight of a Pardon dilates the heart with joy Matth. 9.2 Be of good chear thy sinnes are forgiven thee That I may speak more fully to this point I shall show you the qualifications and excellencies of these comforts which God gives his mourners 1. These comforts are real comforts the Spirit of God cannot witness to that which is untrue There are many in this age do pretend to comfort but their comforts are meere impostures the body may as well swell with wind as with flesh a man may as well be swelled with false as true comforts * Distinguendum est inter Gaudia Veritatis Vanitatis Aug. The comforts of the Saints are certain they have the seal of the Spirit set to them Ephes 1.13 2 Cor. 1.22 A seal is for confirmation when a Deed is sealed it is firme and unquestionable When a Christian hath the seal of the Spirit stamped upon his heart now he is confirmed in the love of God Quest Wherein do these comforts of the Spirit which are unquestionably sure differ from those which are false and pretended Answ Three ways 1. The comforts of Gods Spirit are laid in deep conviction John 16.7 8 and when he that is the Comforter verse 7. is come he shall reprove or as the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall convince the world of sinne Quest Why doth conviction go before consolation Answ Conviction fits for comfort by conviction the Spirit doth sweetly dispose the heart to these two things 1. To seek after Christ When once the soul is convinced of sin and the hell that follows it now a Saviour is precious When the Spirit hath shot in the arrow of conviction now saith a poor soul where may I meet with Christ In what Ordinance may I come to enjoy Christ saw ye him whom my soul loves All the world for one glimpse of my Saviour 2. The Spirit by conviction makes the heart willing to receive Christ upon his own termes man by nature would article and indent with Christ he would take half Christ he would take him for a Saviour not a Prince he would accept of Christ as he hath an head of gold Cant. 5.11 but not as he hath the government upon his shoulders Isa 9.6 But when God le ts loose the spirit of bondage and convinceth a sinner of his lost undone condition now he is content to have Christ upon any termes When Paul was struck down to the ground by a spirit of conviction he cries out Lord what wilt thou have me to do Acts 9.6 Let God propound what Articles he will the soul will subscribe to them Now when a man is brought to Christs termes to beleeve and obey then he is fit for mercy when the Spirit of God hath been a Spirit of conviction then it becomes a spirit of consolation when the plough of the Law hath gone upon the heart and broken up the fallow ground now God sows the seed of comfort Those who brag of comfort but were never yet convinced nor broken for sin have cause to suspect their comfort to be a delusion of Satan It is like a mad mans joy who fancies himself to be King but it may be said of his laughter it is mad Eccles 2.2 The seed which wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13. that comfort which wants depth of earth deep humiliation and conviction will soone wither and come to nothing 2. The Spirit of God is a sanctifying before a comforting Spirit as Gods Spirit is called the Comforter so he is called a spirit of grace Zach. 12.10 Grace is the work of the Spirit Comfort is the seal of the Spirit the work of the Spirit goes before the seal the graces of the spirit are compared to water Isa 44.3 and the comforts of the spirit are compared to oyle Isa 61.1 First God pours in the water of the spirit and then comes the oyle of gladnesse The oyle in this sence runs above the water Hereby we shall know whether our comforts are true and genuine Some talk of the comforting spirit who never had the sanctifying Spirit they boast of assurance but never had grace these are spurious joyes these comforts will leave men at death they will end in horror and despair Gods Spirit will never set seal to a Blank First the heart must be an Epistle written with the finger of the Holy Ghost and then it is sealed with the Spirit of Promise 3. The comforts of the Spirit are humbling Lord saith the soul What am I that I should have a smile from heaven and that thou shouldest give me a privy seal of thy love The more water is poured into a Bucket the lower it descends the fuller the ship is laden
Basil calls anger drunkennesse and Hierom saith there are more drunken with passion than with wine Seneca calls anger brevis insania a short fit of madnesse sometimes it suspends the use of reason in the best things we are coole enough in Religion we are all yce in contention all fire How unbeseeming is rash anger how doth it disguise and disfigure Homer saith of Agamemnon that when he did moderate his passion he resembled the gods he was like Jupiter in feature like Pallas in wisdom but when he was in his fury he was a very Tyger nothing of Jupiter did appear in him as Plato counselled the great Revellers and drinkers of his time that they should view themselves in a glasse when they were in their drunken humour and they would appear loathsome to themselves So let a man disguised with passion view himself in the glasse and sure he would ever after be out of love with himself Ora tument ira nigrescunt sanguine venae Ephes 4.26 27. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Divel Oh saith one he hath wrong'd me and I will never give place to him but better give place to him than to the Divel an hasty spirit is not a meek spirit Caution Caution Not but that we may in some cases be angry There is an holy anger that anger is without sin which is against sin meeknesse and zeal may stand together in matters of Religion a Christian must be cloathed with the spirit of Eliah and be full of the fury of the Lord Jer. 6.11 Christ was meek Mat. 11.29 yet zealous John 2.14 15. The zeal of Gods house did eat him up 2. Meekness is opposed to malice malice is the Divels picture John 8.44 Malice is mental murder 1 John 3.15 it unfits for duty How can such a man pray I have read of two men that lived in malice who being asked how they could say the Lords prayer one answered he thank'd God there were many good prayers besides The other answered when he said the Lords prayer he did leave out those words As we forgive them that trespass against us But Saint Austin brings in God replying Because thou dost not say my prayer therefore I will not hear thine * Quia tu non dicis meam ego non audiam tuam Were it not a sad judgement if all that a man did eat should turn to poyson to a malicious man all the holy Ordinances of God turn to poyson the table of the Lord is a snare he eats and drinks his own damnation a malicious spirit is not a meek spirit 3. Meekness is opposed to revenge malice is the scum of anger and revenge is malice boyling over malice is a vermin lives on blood revenge is Satans Nectar and Ambrosia * Nihil Diabolo gratius Luth. this is the savoury meat which the malicious man dresseth for the Divel the Scripture forbids revenge Rom. 12.19 Dearly Beloved avenge not your selves this is to take Gods office out of his hand who is called the God of recompences Jer. 51.56 and the God of vengeance Psal 94.1 This I urge against those who challenge one another to Duels indeed spiritual Duels are lawful it is good to fight with the Divel James 4.7 Resist the Divel 'T is good to Duel with a mans self the regenerate part against the carnal Blessed is he that seeks a revenge upon his lusts 2 Cor. 7.11 Yea what revenge but other Duels are unlawful Avenge not your selves The Turks though a barbarous people did in Ancient times burn such as went to Duel in their sides with hot coals of fire they who were in heat of revenge were punished sutably with fire Object But if I am thus meek and tame in bearing of injuries and incivilities I shall lose my credit it will be a stain to my reputation Answ 1. To pass by an injury without revenge is no Eclipse to a mans credit Solomon tells us it is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression Prov. 12.11 'T is more honour to bury an injury than revenge it and to slight it than to write it down †* Melius est injurias ignoscere quam vindicare The weakest creatures soonest turn head and sting upon every touch the Lyon a more Majestick creature is not easily provoked the Bramble tears the Oak and Cedar are more peaceable passion imports weakness a noble spirit over-looks an injury Answ 2. Suppose a mans credit should suffer an impair with those whose censure is not to be valued yet think which is worse shame or sin Wilt thou sin against God to save thy credit surely it is little wisdom for a man to adventure his blood that he may fetch back his Reputation and to run into hell to be counted valorous 1. Not but that a man may stand up in defence of himself Caution 1 when his life is endangered Some of the Anabaptists hold it unlawful to take up the sword upon any occasion though when they get the Power I would be loth to trust them their river-water often turning to blood but questionless a man may take up the sword for self-preservation else he comes under the breach of the sixth Commandment he is guilty of self-murder in taking up the sword he doth not so much seek anothers death as the safe-guard of his own life his intention is not to do hurt but prevent it self-defence is consistent with Christian meekness the Law of Nature and Religion justifie it that God who bids us put up our sword Matth. 26.51 yet will allow us a buckler in our own defence and he that will have us innocent as Doves not to offend others will have us wise as serpents in preserving our selves Caution 2 2. Though revenge be contrary to meekness yet not but that a Magistrate may revenge the quarrels of others indeed 't is not revenge in him but doing justice The Magistrate is Gods Lieutenant on earth God hath put the sword in his hand and he is not to bear the sword in vain he must be in terrorem for the punishment of evil doers 1 Pet. 2.14 Though a private person must not render to any man evil for evil Rom. 12.17 yet a Magistrate may the evil of punishment for the evil of offence this rendring of evil is good Private men must put their sword into the sheath but the Magistrate sins if he doth not draw it out As his sword must not surfeit through cruelty so neither must it rust through partiality Too much lenity in a Magistrate is not meekness but injustice for him to indulge offences and say with a gentle reproof as Eli 1 Sam. 2.23 24. Why do you such things nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear This is but to shave the head that deserves to be cut off such a Magistrate makes himself guilty 4. Meekness is opposed to evil-speaking Eph. 4.31 Let all evil-speaking be
Divel let me tell you God hath charg'd every man not to meddle or have any league of friendship with you Prov. 22.24 Make no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man thou shalt not go What a monster is he among men that every one is warned to beware of and not come near as one who is unfit for humane society make no league saith God with THAT MAN if thou takest him into thy society thou takest a Snake into thy bosome with a furious man thou shalt not go Wilt thou walk with the Divel the furious man is possessed with a wrathful Divel Oh that all this might help to meeken and sweeten Christians spirits Object But it is my nature to be passionate Answ 1. This is sinful arguing it is secretly to lay our sin upon God we learned this from Adam Gen. 3.12 The woman whom thou gavest to be with me she gave me of the tree and I did eate rather than Adam would confesse his sin he would father it upon God the woman thou gavest me as if he had said it thou hadst not given this woman to me I had not eat So saith one it is my nature this is the froward peevish nature God hath given me oh no thou chargest God falsly God gave thee no such nature he made man upright Eccles 7.25 God made thee straight thou madest thy self crooked all thy affections at first thy joy love anger were set in order as the Stars in their right orb but thou didst misplace them and make them move Excentrick at first the affections like several Musick-instruments well-tuned did make a sweet consort but sin was the jarring string that brought all out of tune vain man plead not 't is thy nature to be angry thank thy self for it natures spring was pure till sin poysoned the spring Answ 2. Is it thy nature to be fierce and angry this is so far from being an excuse that it makes it so much the worse it is the nature of a Toad to poyson that makes it the more hateful if a man were indited for stealing and he should say to the Judge Spare me it is my nature to steal were this any excuse the Judge would say Thou deservest the rather to dye Sinner get a new nature flesh and blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of God SECT 3. How to attain this grace of meekness Quest HOW shall I do to be possessed of this excellent grace of meekness Answ 1. Often look upon the meekness of Christ the Scholar that would write well hath his eye often upon the Copy 2. Pray earnestly that God will meeken thy spirit God is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 He hath all the graces in his gift Sue to him for this grace of meekness if one were Patron of all the Livings in the Land men would sue to him for a Living God is Patron of all the graces let us sue to him mercy comes in at the door of prayer Ezek. 36.26 37. I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them Meekness is the commodity we want let us send prayer as our Factor over to heaven to procure it for us and pray in faith when faith sets prayer on work prayer sets God on work all divine blessings come streaming to us through this golden channel of prayer MATTH 5.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after Righteousness CHAP. XIII Describing the Nature of spiritual hunger WE are now come to the fourth step of blessedness Blessed are they that hunger The words fall into two parts 1. A Duty implied 2. A Promise annexed 1. A Duty implied Blessed are they that hunger 1. The Duty implied Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger Doctr. Quest 1. What is meant by hunger Answ Hunger is put for desire Isa 26.9 Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most sutable and proportionable to it self Quest 2. Whence is this hunger Answ Hunger is from a sense of want he who spiritually hungers hath a real sense of his own indigence he wants righteousness Quest 3. What is meant by righteousness Answ There is a two-fold righteousness 1. Of Imputation 2. Of Implantation 1. Justitia imputativa 1. A righteousness of Imputation viz. Christs righteousness Jer. 23.6 He shall be called the Lord our righteousness This is as truly ours to justifie as it is Christs to bestow by vertue of this righteousness God looks upon us as if we had never sinned Num. 23.21 this is a perfect righteousness Col. 2.10 Ye are compleat in him this doth not only cover but adorn he who hath this righteousness is equal to the most illustrious Saints the weakest believer is justified as much as the strongest this is a Christians triumph when he is defiled in himself he is undefiled in his head in this blessed righteousness we shine brighter than the Angels this righteousness is worth hungring after 2 Justitia implantativa 2. A righteousness of Implantation that is inherent righteousness viz. the graces of the Spirit holiness of heart and life which Cajetan calls universal righteousness this a pious soul hungers after This is a blessed hunger bodily hunger cannot make a man so miserable as spiritual hunger makes him blessed this evidenceth life a dead man cannot hunger hunger proceeds from life the first thing the child doth when it is born is to hunger after the breast spiritual hunger follows upon the new birth 1 Pet. 2.2 Saint Bernard in one of his Soliloquies comforts himself with this that sure he had the truth of grace in him because he had in his heart a strong desire after God * Certus sum per gratiam defiderium â—ui habere me in toto corde Bern. Solil 't is happy when though we have not what we should we desire what we have not the appetite is as well from God as the food SECT I. The Inferences drawn from the Proposition 1. SEE here at what a low price God sets heavenly Use 1 things it is but hungring and thirsting Inform. Isa 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters buy Branch 1 without money We are not bid to bring any merits as the Papists would do nor to bring a sum of money to purchase righteousness Rich men would be loth to do that all that is required is to bring an appetite Christ hath fulfilled all righteousness we are only to hunger and thirst after righteousness this is equal and reasonable God requires not Rivers of oyle but sighs and tears the invitation of the Gospel is free if a friend invite Ghuests to his Table he doth not expect they should bring money to pay for their Dinner only come with an appetite so saith God T is not pennance pilgrimage self-righteousness I require only bring a stomack hunger and thirst after righteousness God
this true hunger are blessed and may take comfort in it Object 2. But my hunger after righteousnesse is so Object 2 weak that I fear it is not true Answ 1. Though the pulse beats but weak it shows Answ 1 there is life and that weak desires should not be discouraged there is a promise made to them Matth. 12.20 a bruised reed he will not break a reed is a weak thing but especially when it is bruised yet this bruised reed shall not be broken but like Aarons dry rod bud and blossome In case of weakness look to Christ thy high-Priest he is merciful therefore will bear with thy infirmities he is mighty therefore will help them Answ 2. If thy desires after righteousnesse seeme to Answ 2 be weak and languid yet a Christian may sometimes take a measure of his spiritual estate as well by the judgement as by the affections What is that thou esteemest most in thy judgment Is it Christ and Grace This is a good evidence for heaven it was a signe Saint Paul did beare entire love to Christ because he esteem'd this Pearl above all he counted other things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but dung that he might win Christ Phil. 3.8 Object 3 Object 3. But saith a child of God That which much eclipseth my comfort is I have not that hunger which once I had Time was I did hunger after a Sabbath because then the Manna fell I called the Sabbath a delight I remember the time when I did hunger after the body and blood of the Lord I came to a Sacrament as an hungry man to a Feast but now it is otherwise with me I have not those hungrings as formerly Answ 1 Answ 'T is indeed an ill signe for a man to lose his stomach but though it be a signe of the decay of grace to lose the spiritual appetite yet it is a signe of the truth of grace to bewail the losse 't is sad to lose our first love but it is happy when we mourn for the loss of our first love Answ 2 2. If thou hast not that appetite after heavenly things as formerly yet be not discouraged for in the use of means thou mayest recover thine appetite the Ordinances are for the recovering of the appetite when it is lost in other cases feeding takes away the stomach but here feeding on an Ordinance begets a stomach SECT 6. Containing a persuasion to spiritual hunger Use 5 Use 5 IT exhorts us all to labour after this spiritual hunger Exhort Parum est justitiam velle sed esurire quod ingens desiderium prae se fert Novarinus Hunger lesse after the world and more after righteousnesse say concerning spiritual things Lord evermore give me this bread Feed me with this Angels food That Manna is most to be hungred after which will not only preserve life but prevent death John 6.50 that is most desirable which is most durable Riches are not for ever Prov. 28.24 but righteousnesse is for ever Prov. 8.18 The beauty of holinesse * Psal 110.3 never fades the robe of righteousnesse * Isa 61.10 never waxeth old Oh hunger after that righteousnesse which delivereth from death Prov. 10.2 This is the righteousnesse which God himself is in love with Prov. 15.9 he loveth him that followeth after righteousnesse All men are ambitious of the Kings favour alas what is a Princes smile but a transient Beatitude This sunshine of his royal countenance soone masks it self with a cloud of displeasure But thou who art endued with righteousnesse art Gods Favourite and how sweet is his smile Psal 63.3 Thy loving-kindnesse is better than life SECT 7. Containing an excitation to spiritual hunger TO perswade men to hunger after this righteousnesse consider two things 1. Unlesse we hunger after righteousnesse we cannot obtain it God will never throw away his blessings upon them that do not desire them If a King shall say to a Rebel Do but desire a pardon and thou shalt have it if through pride and stubbornnesse he disdains to sue out his pardon he deserves justly to die God hath set spiritual blessings at a low rate Do but hunger and you shall have righteousnesse but if we refuse to come up to these termes there is no righteousnesse to be had for us God will stop the current of his mercy and set open the sluce of his indignation 2. If we do not thirst here we shall thirst when it is too late if we do not thirst as David did Psal 42.2 my soul thirsteth for God we shall thirst as Dives did for a drop of water Luke 16.24 They who thirst not for righteousnesse shall be in perpetual hunger and thirst they shall thirst for mercy but no mercy to be had Heat encreaseth thirst when men shall burn in hell and be scorch'd with the flames of Gods wrath this heat will encrease their thirst for mercy but there will be nothing to allay their thirst O is it not better to thirst for righteousnesse while it is to be had than to thirst for mercy when there is none to be had Sinners the time is shortly coming when the draw-bridge of mercy will be quite pulled up I shall next briefly prescribe some helps to spiritual hunger 1. Avoid those things which will hinder your appetite As 1. Windy things When the stomach is full of wind a man hath little appetite to his food so when one is fill'd with a windy opinion of his own righteousness he will not hunger after Christs righteousnesse he who being puff'd up with pride thinks he hath grace enough already will not hunger after more These windy vapours spoil the stomack 2. Sweet things destroy the appetite so by feeding immoderately upon the sweet luscious delights of the world we lose our appetite to Christ and Grace You never knew a man surfeit himself upon the world and sick of love to Christ while Israel fed with delight upon Garlick and Onions they never hungred after Manna the soul cannot be carried to two extremes at once as the eye cannot look intent on heaven and earth at once * Oculus non potest caelum terram simul inspicere Cyprian so a man cannot at the same instant hunger excessively after the world and righteousness the earth puts out the fire the love of earthly things will quench the desire of spiriritual 1 John 2.15 Love not the world the sin is not in the having but in the loving 2. Do all that may provoke spiritual appetite There are two things provoke appetite 1. Exercise a man by walking and stirring gets a stomack to his meat So by the exercise of holy duties the spiritual appetite is encreased 1 Tim. 4.7 Exercise thy self to godlinesse Many have left off Closet-prayer they hear the Word but seldome and for want of exercise they have lost their stomack to Religion 2. Sawce Sawce whets and sharpens the appetite there is a twofold sawce provokes holy appetite 1.
be said worse Thou to whom the Lord hath given an estate thy cup runs over but hast a miserly heart and wilt not part with any thing for good uses 't is death to thee to relieve them that are dying know that thou art in the highest degree ungrateful thou art not fit for humane society The Scripture hath put these two together unthankful without natural affection 2 Tim. 3.2 3. God may repent that ever he gave such men estates and may say as Hos 2.9 Therefore will I return and take away my corn and my wine in the season thereof and will recover my wooll and my flax 2. The unmerciful man wants love to Christ all men would be thought to love Christ and would be very angry with them that should question their love but do they love Christ who let the members of Christ starve No these love their money more than Christ and come under that fearful Anathema 1 Cor. 16.22 Arg. 9 9. Lastly I shall use but one argument more to perswade to works of mercy and that is the reward which follows Alms-deeds giving of Alms is a glorious work and let me assure you it is no unfruitful work * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theod. Whatsoever is disbursed to the poor is given to Christ Mat. 25.40 Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me The poor mans hand is Christs Treasury * Manus pauperis est Christi gazophylacium Chrysolog and there is nothing lost that is put there Quicquid in terra jacenti porrigitis sedenti in caelo datis The text saith the merciful shall obtain mercy in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall be bemercified What is it we need most is it not mercy pardoning and saving mercy What is it we desire most on our death-bed is it not mercy Thou that shewest mercy shalt find mercy thou that pourest in the oyle of compassion to others God will pour in the golden oyle of salvation into thee Matth. 7.2 The Shunamite woman shewed mercy to the Prophet and she received kindnesse from him another way 2 Kings 4. She welcommed him to her house and he restored her dead child to life they that sow mercy shall reap in kind they shall obtain mercy such is the sweetnesse and mercifulnesse of Gods nature that he will not suffer any man to be a loser No kindnesse shewed to him shall be unregarded or unrewarded God will be in no mans debt for a cup of cold water he shall have a draught of Christs warme blood to refresh his soul Heb. 6.10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which you have shewed toward his name in that you have ministred to the Saints c. Gods mercy is a tender mercy a pure mercy a rich mercy mercy shall follow and overtake the merciful man he shall be rewarded 1. In this life 2. In the life to come 1. The merciful man shall be rewarded in this life he shall be blessed 1. In his Person Psal 41.1 Blessed is he that considers the poor Let him go whether he will a blessing goes along with him he is in favour with God God casts a smiling aspect upon him 2. Blessed in his name Psal 112.6 He shall be had in everlasting remembrance When the Niggards name shall rot the name of a merciful man shall be embalmed with honour and give forth its scent as the wine of Lebanon 3. Blessed in his Estate Omni rerum copia affluet Prov. 11.25 The liberal soul shall be made fat He shall have the fat of the Earth and the dew of Heaven He shall not only have the Venison but the blessing 4. Blessed in his Posterity Psal 37.26 He is ever merciful and lendeth his seed is blessed He shall not only leave an Estate behind but a blessing behind to his children and God will see that the entail of that blessing shall not be cut off 5. Blessed in his Negotiations Deutr. 15.10 For this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto The merciful man shall be blessed in his building planting journying whatever he is about a blessing shall empty it self upon him Quicquid calcaverit rosa fiet He shall be a prosperous man the honey-comb of a blessing shall be still dropping upon him 6. Blessed with long life Psal 41.2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive * Restituet eum Deus qui aâ—ea morti vicinus fuit longiore vita donabit Mollerus He hath helped to keep others alive and God will keep him alive Is there any thing then lost by mercifulness it spins out the silver thread of life many are taken away the sooner for their unmercifulness because their hearts are streightned their lives are shortned 2. The merciful man shall be rewarded in the life to come Arist Rhet. Aristotle joyns these two together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 liberality and utility God will reward the merciful man hereafter though not for his works yet according to his works Revel 20.12 I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works As God hath a bottle to put our tears in so he hath a book to write our alms in as God will put a vail over his peoples sins so he will in free-grace set a Crown upon their works The way to lay up is to lay out other parts of our Estate is left behind * Eccl. 2.18 19. but that which is given to Christs poor is hoarded up in heaven that is a blessed kind of giving which though it makes the purse lighter it makes the Crown heavier You that are mercifully inclined remember whatever alms you distribute 1. You shall have good security Eccles 11.1 Luk. 6.38 Prov. 19.17 He that gives to the poor lends to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again There is Gods Counter-band to save you harmless which is better security than any PUBLICK FAITH yet here is our Unbelief and Atheism We will not take Gods bond we commonly put our deeds of mercy among our desperate debts 2. You shall be paid with over-plus for a wedge of gold which you have parted with you shall have a weight of glory for a cup of cold water you shall have Rivers of pleasure which run at Gods right hand for evermore The interest comes to infinitely more than the principal Pliny writes of a Country in Affrica where the people for every bushel of seed they sowe receive an hundred and fifty fold increase For every penny you drop into Christs Treasury you shall receive above a thousand fold encrease your after-crop of glory will be so great that though you
not like the Medlar which is never good till it be rotten A covetous man may be compared to a Christmas-box he receives money but parts with none till death breaks this box in pieces then the silver and gold comes tumbling out Give in time of health these are the Alms which God takes notice of and as Calvin saith putteth into his book of accounts 6. Give thankfully They should be more thankful Rule 6 that give an Alms than they that receive it We should saith Nazianzene give 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thank-offering to God that we are in the number of Givers and not Receivers Bless God for a willing mind to have not only an Estate but an Heart is matter of gratulation MATTH 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God CHAP. XVI Describing Heart-purity THE holy God who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity calls here for heart-purity and to such as are adorned with this jewel he promiseth a glorious and beatifical Vision of himself they shall see God Two things are to be explained 1. The nature of Purity 2. The subject of Purity The nature of Purity 1. The nature of Purity Purity is a Sacred refined thing it stands diametrically opposite to immunditia or whatsoever defileth we must distinguish of purity 1. There is a Primitive Purity which is in God Originally and Essentially as light is in the Sun Holinesse is the glory of the Godhead * Septuag Exod 15.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glorious in holiness God is the Pattern and Prototype of all holinesse 2. There is a created Purity Thus holinesse is in the Angels and was once in Adam Adams heart had not the least spot or tincture of impurity We call that wine pure which hath no sophistication and that gold pure which hath no drosse mingled with it Such was Adams holinesse it was like the wine which comes from the grape having no mixture but this is not to be found on earth we must go to heaven for it 3. There is an evangelical purity when grace is mingled with some sin like Gold in the Oare like aire in the twilight like wine that hath a dash in it like fine cloth with a course list like Nebuchadnezzars image part of silver and part of clay Dan. 2.35 This mixture God calls purity in a Gospel-sence as a face may be said to be fair which hath some freckles in it Where there is a study of purity and a loathing our selves for our impurity this is to be pure in heart Some by pure in heart understand chastity others sincerity Psal 32.2 But I suppose purity here is to be taken in a larger sence for the several kinds and degrees of holiness they are said to be pure who are consecrated persons having the oyle of grace poured upon them This Purity is much mistaken 1. Civility is not Purity a man may be cloath'd with moral vertues justice prudence temperance yet go to hell 2. Profession is not purity a man may have a name to live and yet be dead Rev. 3.1 He may be swept by civility and garnished by profession yet the Divel may dwell in the house The blazing Comet is no Star The Hypocrites tongue may be silver yet his heart stone Purity consists in two things 1. Rectitude of minde a prizing holinesse in the judgment Psal 119.30 2 Conformity of will an embracing of holinesse in the affections Psal 119.97 A pure soil is cast into the mould of holinesse holinesse is a blood runs in his veines The subject of Purity 2 The subject of purity The Heart Pure in heart Purity of heart doth not exclude purity of life no more than the pureness of the fountain excludes the purenesse of the stream But it is call'd Purity of heart because this is the main thing in Religion and there can be no purity of life without it A Christians great care should be to keep the heart pure as one would especially preserve the spring from being poysoned In a Duel a man will chiefly guard and fence his heart so a wise Christian should above all things keep his heart pure take heed the love of sin doth not get in there lest it prove mortal Doctr. Christians should above all things breath after heart-purity 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience justification causeth our happinesse sanctification evidenceth it Reasons for 1. Purity 2. Heart-purity 1. Reasons for Purity The Reasons for Purity are 1. Purity is a thing called for in Scripture 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy It is not only the Minister bids you be holy but God himself calls for it what should the holy God do with unholy servants 2. Because of that filthy and cursed condition we are in before purity be wrought in us we are a lump of clay and sin mingled together sin doth not only blind us but defile us it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 filthiness James 1.21 And to shew how befilthying a thing it is 't is compar'd to a plague-soar 1 Kings 8.38 To spots Deut. 32.5 To a vomit 2 Pet. 2.22 To the infants tumbling in blood Ezek. 16.6 To a menstruous cloath Isa 30.22 which as Hierom saith was the most defiling thing under the Law All the legal washings which God appointed were but to put men in mind of their loathsomnesse before they were washed in the blood of Christ If all the evils in the world were put together and their quintescence strain'd out they could not make a thing so black and polluted as sin doth a sinner is a Divel in mans shape When Moses his Rod was turn'd into a Serpent he fled from it would God open mens eyes and shew them their deformities and damnable spots they would be afraid and flie from themselves as Serpents This shews what need we have of Purity When grace comes it washeth off this hellish filth of Ethiopians it maks us Israelites it turns Ravens into Swans it makes them who are as black as hell to become white as snow 3. Because none but the pure in heart are interested in the Covenant of Grace covenanted persons have the sprinkling with clean water Ezek. 36.25 Now till we are thus sprinkled we have nothing to do with the new Covenant and by consequence with the new Jerusalem If a Will be made only to such persons as are so qualified none can come in for a part but such as have those qualifications So God hath made a Will and Covenant that he will be our God and will settle heaven upon us by entaile but with this clause or proviso in the Will that we be purified persons having the clean water sprinkled upon us Now till then we have nothing to do with God or mercie 4. Purity is the end of our election Ephes 1.4 He hath chosen us that we should be holy not for holinesse to holinesse Rom. 8.29 Whom he did foreknow he also
that doth bewitch and it is much to see men divorced from it this is some fruit of the Ministry to civilize but there may be a forsaking of sin yet no heart-purity sin may be forsaken upon wrong principles 1. From Morality Moral Arguments may suppress sin I have read of a debauched Heathen who hearing Socrates read an Ethick Lecture of Vertue and Vice though he came with a purpose to deride Socrates yet he went away changed and did no more follow his former Exorbitancies Cato Seneca Aristides seeing a beauty in Vertue did lead unblameable lives 2. From Policy A man may forsake sin not out of respect to Gods glory but his own credit Vice will waste his Estate eclipse the honour of his Family therefore out of policy he will divorce his sin 3. From Necessity Perhaps he can now follow the Trade of sin no longer the Adulterer is grown old the Drunkard poor his heart is to sin but either his purse fails him or his strength as a man that loves Hunting but his Prison-fetters will not suffer him to follow the sport This man who is necessitated to put a stop to sin doth not so much forsake sin as sin forsakes him But now he is pure in Gods eye who abhors sin Psal 119.104 I hate every false way This is excellent indeed because now the love of sin is crucified A hypocrite may leave sin yet love it as the Serpent casts her coat yet keeps her sting but when a man can say he abhors sin now sin is killed in the root a pure heart abstains from sin as a man doth from a Dish that he hath an antipathy against This is a sign of a new nature when a man hates what once he loved and because he hates sin therefore he fights against it with the sword of the Spirit as a man that hates a Serpent seeks the destruction of it 4. A pure heart avoids the appearance of evil 1 Thes 5.22 Abstain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from all shew of evil A pure heart avoids that which may be interpreted evil He that is loyal to his Prince not only forbears to have his hand in Treason but he takes heed of that which hath a shew of Treason A gracious heart is shy of that which looks like sin When Josephs Mistriss took hold of him and said Lie with me he left his garment in her hand and fled from her Gen. 39.12 He avoided the appearance of evil he would not be seen in her company Now a pure heart avoids whatever may have the suspition of sin 1. In regard of himself and that two ways 1. Because the appearance of evil is oftentimes an occasion of evil Effeminate Daliance is an appearance of evil and many times occasions evil Had Joseph been familiar with his Mistriss in a wanton sporting manner he might in time have been drawn to commit folly with her Some out of Novelty and Curiosity have gone to hear Mass and afterwards have lent the Idol not only their ear but their knee In our times are there not many who have gone with itching ears into Sectarian company and have come home with the plague in their head When Dinah would be gadding she lost her chastity Gen. 34.2 A pure heart fore-seeing the danger avoids the appearance of evil 'T is dangerous to go near an Hornets Nest The men who went near the Furnace were burned Dan. 3.22 2. Because the appearance of evil may eclipse his good name A good name is a precious oyntment 't is better than fine gold Prov. 22.1 It commends us to God and Angels which riches cannot do * Opera salutis sine fama boni odoris non satis praelucent Hierom. Now a godly man avoids the appearance of evil lest he wound his good name what comfort can there be of life when the name lies buried 2. A pure heart avoids the suspition of sin out of reverence and respect to the holiness of God God hates the very appearance of evil God abhors hypocrites because they have no more than the appearance of good and he is angry with his children because they have so much as the appearance of evil A gracious heart knows God is a jealous God and cannot endure that his people should border upon sin therefore he keeps aloof off and will not come near the smell of infection 3. A pure heart avoids the shew of sin in regard of the godly The appearance of evil may scandalize a weak brother A gracious heart is not only fearful left he should defile his own conscience but lest he should offend his brothers conscience were it only in a thing indifferent yet if it be an appearance of evil and may grieve another we are to forbear * 1 Cor. 10.25 28. For when we sin against the Brethren and wound their weak conscience we sin against Christ 1 Cor. 8.12 The weak Christian is a member of Christ therefore the sinning against a member is a sinning against Christ 4. A pure heart avoids the very appearance of evil in regard of the wicked The Apostle would have us walk wisely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 towards them that are without 1 Thes 4.12 The wicked watch for our halting how glad would they be of any thing to reproach Religion Professors are placed as Stars in the highest orb of the Church and if there be but the appearance of any Excentrick or irregular motion the wicked would presently open their mouths with a fresh cry against Religion Now to a godly heart the fame and honour of the Gospel is so dear that he had rather dye than impeach or eclipse it by this then let us try our selves whether we are pure in heart Do we avoid the least apparition of sin alas how many run themselves into the occasions of sin they tempt the Divel to tempt them some go to Masks and Comedies the very fuel and tentation to lust Others frequent Erroneous Meetings and truly God oft in just judgement leaves them to the acts of sin that do not avoid the appearance of sin Psal 106.35 They were mingled among the Heathen and learned their works Pure hearts flie the occasion John would not endure the company of Cerinthus in the Bath as Nicephorus notes Polycarp would have no conference with Marcion the Heretick but called him Primogenitum Diaboli the Divels first-born Basil saith that the Christians in his time avoided the Meetings of Sectaries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the very Schools of Errour Oh avoid the appearance of evil the Apostle bids us to follow those things which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of good report Phil. 4.8 5. A pure heart performs holy duties in an holy manner This holy manner or due order consists in three things 1. Preparing the heart before a duty An unholy heart cares not how it rusheth upon an Ordinance it comes without preparation and goes away without profit The pure heart is a prepared heart it dresseth it self before
it comes to a Duty by Examination and Ejaculation When the Earth is prepared then it is fit to receive the seed when the Instrument is prepared and tuned it is fit for Musick 2. Watching the heart in a Duty An holy heart labours to be affected and wrought upon his heart burns within him There was no Sacrifice without fire a pure Saint labours to have his heart broken in a duty Psal 51.17 The incense when it was broken did cast the sweetest favour Impure souls care not in what a dead perfunctory manner they serve God Ezek. 33.31 They pray more out of fashion than out of faith They are no more affected with an Ordinance than the Tombs of the Church God complains of offering up the blind Mal. 1.8 And is it not as bad to offer up the dead O Christian say to thy self How can this deadness of heart stand with pureness of heart Do not dead things putrifie 3. Outward reverence Purity of heart will express it self by the reverend gesture of the body the lifting up of the eye and hand the uncovering the head the bending the knee Constantine the Emperour did bear great reverence to the Word When God gave the Law the Mount was on fire and trembled Exod. 19.18 The reason was that the people might prostrate themselves more reverently before the Lord. The Ark wherein the Law was put was carried upon bars that the Levites might not touch it Exod. 25.11 14. To shew what reverence God would have about holy things Sitting in prayer unless in case of weakness and having the Hat half on in prayer is a very undecent irreverent practice let such as are guilty reform it We must not only offer up our souls but our bodies Rom. 12.1 The Lord takes notice what posture and gesture we use in his worship If a man were to deliver a Petition to the King would he deliver it with his Hat half on The careless irreverence of some would make us think they did not much regard whether God heard them or no. We are run from one extream to another from superstition to unmannerliness Let Christians think of the dreadful Majesty of God who is present Gen. 28.17 How dreadful is this place this is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven The blessed Angels cover their faces crying Holy holy Isa 6.1 An holy heart will have an holy gesture 6. A pure heart will have a pure life 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Where there is a good Conscience there will be a good Conversation Some bless God they have good hearts but their lives are evil Prov. 30.12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness If the stream be corrupt we may suspect the spring-head to be impure Aaron was called the Saint of the Lord Psal 106.16 He had not only an holy heart but there was a golden plate on his fore-head on which was written holiness to the Lord. Purity must not only be woven into the heart but engraven upon the life Grace is most beautiful when it shines abroad with its golden beams The Clock hath not only its motion within but the finger moves without upon the Dyal Pureness of heart shews it self upon the Dyal of the Conversation 1. A pure soul talks of God Psal 37.30 His heart is seen in his tongue the Latines call the Roof of the mouth Coelum Heaven He that is pure in heart his mouth is full of heaven 2. He walks with God Gen. 6.9 He is still doing Angels work praising God serving God he lives as Christ did upon Earth Holy duties are the Jacobs Ladder by which he is still ascending to heaven Purity of heart and life are in Scripture made Twins Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within them there is purity of heart and they shall walk in my statutes there is purity of life Shall we account them pure whose Conversation is not in heaven * Phil. 3.20 but rather in hell Micah 6.11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances and with the bag of deceitful weights How justly may others reproach Religion when they see it kicked down with our unholy feet a pure heart hath a golden Frontispice grace like new wine will have vent it can be no more conceal'd than lost The Saints are called Jewels Mal. 3. because of that shining lustre they cast in the eyes of others 7. A pure heart is so in love with purity that nothing can draw him off from it 1. Let others reproach purity he loves it as David when he danced before the Ark and Michal scoffed if saith he this he to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 So saith a pure heart If to follow after holiness be to be vile I will yet be more vile Let water be sprinkled upon the fire it burns the more The more others deride holiness the more doth a gracious soul burn in love and zeal to it If a man had an inheritance befallen him would he be laughed out of it what is a Christian the worse for anothers reproach 't is not a blind mans disparaging a Diamond that makes it sparkle the less 2. Let others persecute holiness a pure heart will pursue it Holiness is the Queen every gracious soul is espoused to and he will rather dye than be divorced Paul would be holy though bonds and persecutions did abide him Acts 20.23 The way of Religion is oft thorny and bloody but a gracious heart prefers inward purity before outward peace I have heard of one who having a Jewel he much prized the King sent for his Jewel Tell the King saith he I honour his Majesty but I will rather lose my life than part with my Jewel He who is enriched with the Jewel of holiness will rather dye than part with this Jewel When his honour and riches will do him no good his holiness will stand him instead Rom. 6.22 Ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life SECT 5. Exhorting to heart-purity Use 3 3. LET me perswade Christians to heart-purity the Harlot wipes her mouth Exhort Prov. 30.20 But that is not enough Wash thy heart o Jerusalem Jerem. 4.14 And here I shall lay down some Arguments or Motives to perswade to heart-purity 1. The necessity of heart-purity it is necessary 1. In respect of our selves Till the heart be pure all our holy things are polluted they are splendida peccata Titus 1.15 To the unclean all things are unclean their offering is unclean Under the Law if a man who was unclean by a dead body did carry a piece of holy flesh in his skirt the holy flesh could not cleanse him but he polluted that Hag. 2.12 13. He who had the Leprosie whatever he touched was unclean if he had touched the
God is good to such as are of a clean heart 7. Heart purity makes way for heaven the pure in heart shall see God Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness purity of heart is heaven begun in a man holiness is called in Scripture the anointing of God 1 John 2.27 Solomon was first anointed with the holy oyle and then he was made King 1 Kings 1.39 The people of God are first anointed with the oyle of the Spirit and made pure in heart and then the Crown of glory is set upon their head * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar And is not purity to be highly valued it lays a Train for glory purity of heart and seeing of God are linked together 8. The examples of those who have been eminent for heart-purity the Lord Jesus was a pattern of purity John 8.46 Which of you convinceth me of sin in this we are to imitate Christ we are not to imitate him in raising the dead * Non mundos fabricare non mortuos susciâ—ere Aug. or in working miracles but in being holy 1 Pet. 1.16 Besides this golden pattern of Christ we are to write after the fair copy of those Saints who have been of a Dove like purity David was so pure in heart that he was a man after Gods heart Abraham so purified by faith that he was one of Gods Cabinet-counsel * Gen. 18.17 Moses so holy that God spake with him face to face what were the rest of the Patriarchs but so many plants of Renown flourishing in holiness The fathers in the primitive Church were exemplary for purity Gregory Nazianzene Basil Augustine they were so inlaid and adorn'd with purity that envy it self could not tax them * Stabilitatem habuerunt in fide sanctitatem in opere therefore as Caesar wished he had such Souldiers as were in the time of Alexander the great so we may wish we had such Saints as were in the Primitive times so just were they in their dealings so decent in their attire so true in their promises so devout in their Religion so unblameable in their lives that they were living Sermons walking Bibles real Pictures of Christ and did help to keep up the credit of godliness in the world 9. Heart-purity is the only jewel you can carry out of the world Hast thou a child thou delightest in or an Estate you can carry nothing out of the world 1 Tim. 6.7 Purity of heart is the only commodity can be with comfort transported this is that will stay longest with you usually we love those things will last longest we prize a Diamond or piece of gold above the most beautiful flower because fading heart-purity hath perpetuity it will go with us beyond the grave SECT 6. Means for heart-purity BUT how shall we attain to heart-purity 1. Often look into the Word of God John 15.3 Now ye are clean through the Word Psal 119.140 Thy Word is very pure Gods Word is pure not only for the matter of it but the effect because it makes us pure John 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth By looking into this pure Chrystal we are changed into the image of it the Word is both a glass to shew us the spots of our souls and a lavor to wash them away the Word breaths nothing but purity it irradiates the mind it consecrates the heart 2. Go to the Bath There are two Baths Christians should wash in 1. The Bath of tears * Lavacrum lachrymarum Go into this Bath Peter had sullied and defiled himself with sin and he washed himself with penitential tears Mary Magdalen who was an impure sinner stood at Jesus feet weeping Luk. 7.38 Maries tears did wash her heart as well as Christs feet Oh sinners let your eyes be a fountain of tears weep for those sins which are so many as have passed all Arithmetick this water of contrition is healing and purifying 2. The Bath of Christs blood * Lavacrum sanguinis this is that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 A soul steeped in the brinish tears of Repentance and bathed in the blood of Christ is made pure this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the legal washings and purifications were but Types and Emblems representing Christs blood this blood layes the soul a whitening 3. Get faith 'T is a soul-cleansing grace Acts 15.9 Having purified their hearts by faith The woman in the Gospel that did but touch the hem of Christs garment was healed a touch of faith heals If I believe Christ and all his merits are mine how can I sin against him we do not willingly injure those friends which we believe love us Nothing can have a greater force and efficacy upon the heart to make it pure than faith faith will remove Mountains the Mountains of pride lust envy faith and the love of sin are inconsistent 4. Breath after the Spirit it is called the holy Spirit Eph. 1.13 It purgeth the heart as Lightning purgeth the Aire That we may see what a purifying vertue the Spirit hath it is compar'd 1. To fire Acts 2.3 Fire is of a purifying nature it doth refine and cleanse mettals it separates the dross from the gold the Spirit of God in the heart doth refine and sanctifie it it burns up the dross of sin * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost 2. The Spirit is compared to wind Acts 2.2 There came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost The wind doth purifie the Aire * Ventus aerem expurgat when the Aire by reason of foggy vapours is unwholsome the wind is a Fan to winnow and purifie it Thus when the vapours of sin arise in the heart vapours of pride and covetousness earthly vapours the Spirit of God ariseth and blows upon the soul and so purgeth away these impure vapours The Spouse in the Canticles prays for a Gaâ—e of the Spirit that she might be made pure Cant. 4.16 3. The Spirit is compared to water John 7.38 39. He that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living water but this spake he of the Spirit The Spirit is like water not only to make the soul fruitful for it causeth the desert to blossome as the Rose Isa 32.15 Isa 35.1 But the Spirit is like water to purifie Whereas before the heart of a sinner was unclean and whatever he touch'd had a tincture of impurity Num. 19.22 when once the Spirit comes into the heart it doth with its continual showres and lavors wash off the filthiness of it making it pure and fit for the God of the spirits to dwell in 5. Take heed of familiar converse and intercourse with the wicked One vain mind makes another one hard heart makes another the stone in the body is not infectious but the stone in the heart is One profane spirit poysons another Beware of the
Therefore I answer 1. In time of desertion God leaves in his children a seed of comfort 1 John 3.9 his seed remaineth in him Answ 1 This seed of God is a seed of comfort Though Gods children in desertion want the seale of the Spirit yet they have the Unction of the Spirit 1 John 2.27 Though they want the Sun yet they have a day-star in their hearts as the tree in winter though it hath lost its leaves and fruit yet there is sap in the root So in the winter of desertion there is the sap of grace in the root of the heart as it is with the Sun masking it self with a cloud when it denies light to the earth yet it gives forth its influence so though Gods dear adopted ones may lose the light of his countenance yet they have the influence of his grace Quest What grace appears in the time of desertion Ans 1. An high prizing of Gods ove If God should say to the deserted soul what wilt thou and it shall be granted to half of the Kingdom he would reply Lord that I might see thee as I was wont in the Sanctuary That I may have one golden beam of thy love the deserted soul slights all other things in comparison it is not gardens or orchards or the most delicious Objects that can give him contentment they are like musick to a sad heart he desires as Absalom to see the Kings face 2. A lamenting after the Lord. 'T is the saddest day with him when the Sun of righteousnesse is eclipsed a child of God can better bear the worlds stroak than Gods absence he is even melted into tears the clouds of desertion produce spiritual rain and whence is this weeping but from love 3. Willingnesse to suffer any thing so he may have a sight of God A child of God could be content with Simon of Cyrene to carry the Crosse if he were sure Christ were upon it he could willingly die if with Simeon he might die with Christ in his armes Behold here the seed of God in a believer the work of sanctification when he wants the wine of consolation Answ 2 Answ 2. I answer God hath a design of mercy in hiding his face from his adopted ones First it is for the trial of grace and there are two graces brought to trial in time of desertion 1. Faith 1. When we can believe against sence and feeling when we want an experience yet can trust to a ptomise when we have not the kisses of Gods mouth yet can cleave to the word of his mouth this is faith indeed here is the sparkling of the Diamond 2. Love When God smiles upon us it is not much to love him but when he seems to put us away in anger * Psal 27.9 now to love him and be as the Lime the more water is thrown upon it the hotter it burns this is love indeed That love sure is strong as death * Cant. 8.6 which the waters of desertion cannot quench Secondly It is for the exercise of grace we are all for comfort if it might be put to our choice we would be ever upon Mount Tabor looking into Canaan we are loth to be in trials agonies desertions as if God could not love us except he had us in his armes 'T is hard to lie long in the lap of spiritual joy and not fall asleep Too much Sun-shine causeth a drought in our graces oftentimes when God lets down comfort into the heart we begin to let down care As it is with Musitians before they have money they will play you many a sweet lesson but as soon as you throw them down money they are gone you hear no more of them Before joy and assurance O the sweet musick of prayer and repentance but when God throws down the comforts of his Spirit we either leave off duty or at least slacken the strings of our Viol and grow remisse in it Thou art taken with the money but God is taken with the musick Grace is better than comfort Rachel is more fair but Leah is more fruitful Comfort is fair to look on but grace hath the fruitful womb now the only way to exercise grace and make it more vigorous and lively is sometimes to walk in darknesse and have no light Isa 50.10 Faith is a star that shines brightest in the night of desertion I said I am cast out of thy sight yet will I look again toward thy holy Temple Jonah 2.4 Grace usually puts forth its most heroical acts at such a time 3. I answer God may forsake his children in regard Answ 3 of Vision but not in regard of Union Thus it was with Jesus Christ when he cryed out my God my God There was not a separation of the Union between him and his Father only a suspension of the Vision * Non suit divulsio unionis sed tantum suspensio visionis Gods love through the interposition of our sins may be darkned and eclipsed but still he is a Father The Sun may be hid in a cloud but it is not out of the firmament The Promises in time of desertion may be as it were sequestred we have not that comfort from them as formerly but still the believers title holds good in Law Answ 4 4. I answer when God hides his face from his child his heart may be towards him as Joseph when he spake roughly to his brethren and made them believe he would take them for Spies still his heart was towards them and he was as full of love as ever he could hold he was faine to go aside and weep So God is full of love to his children even when he seems to look strange And as Moses his Mother when she put her child into the ark of bulrushes and went away a little from it yet still her eye was toward it the babe wept I and the mother wept too So God when he goes aside as if he had forsaken his children yet he is full of sympathy and love towards them God may change his countenance but not break his covenant It is onething for God to desert another thing to disinherit Hosea 8.11 How shall I give thee up O Ephraim c. 'T is a Metaphor taken from a father going to disinherit his son and while he is setting his hand to the Deed his bowels begin to melt and to yearn over him and he thinks thus within himself Though he be a prodigal child yet he is a child I will not cut off the entail So saith God How shall I give thee up though Ephraim hath been a rebellious son yet he is a son I will not disinherit him Gods thoughts may be full of love when there is a vail upon his face the Lord may change his dispensation towards his children but not his disposition he may have the look of an enemy but the heart of a Father So that the beliver may say I am adopted and let God do what
he will with me let him take the rod or the staffe 't is all one he loves me 2. The second adoptional priviledge is this if we are Privi ∣ ledge 2 children then God will bear with many infirmities A father bears much with a child he loves Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him We oft grieve the Spirit abuse kindnesse God will passe by much in his children Numb 23.21 he hath not seene iniquity in Jacob his love doth not make him blind he sees sin in his people but not with an eye of revenge but pity He sees sin in his children as a Physitian doth a disease in his Patient He hath not seene iniquity in Jacob so as to destroy him God may use the rod 2 Sam. 7.14 not the Scorpion O how much is God willing to passe by in his children because they are children God takes notice of the good that is in his children and passeth by the infirmity God doth quite contrary to us we oft take notice of the evil that is in others and over-look the good Our eye is upon the flaw in the Diamond but we observe not its sparkling But God takes notice of the good that is in his children God sees their faith and winks at their failings 1 Pet. 3.6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord the holy Ghost mentions not her unbelief and laughing at the promise but takes notice of the good in her viz. her obedience to her husband she obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. God puts his finger upon the fears and infirmities of his children how much did God wink at in Israel his first-born Israel oft provok'd him with their murmurings Deut. 1.27 but God answered their murmurings with mercies he spared them as a father spares his son 3. The third priviledge is this If we are children Privi ∣ ledge 3 then God will accept of our imperfect services A Parent takes any thing in good part from his child God accepts of the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 oftentimes we come with broken prayers but if we are children God spels out our meaning and will take our prayers as a grateful present a father loves to hear his child speak though he doth but lisp and stammar Isa 38.14 Like a Crane so did I chatter Good Hezekiah looked upon his praying as chattering yet that prayer was heard ver 5. a Sigh and groan from an humble heart goes up as the smoak of incense Psal 38.9 My groaning is not hid from thee When all the glistering shews of Hypocrites evaporate and come to nothing a little that a child of God doth in sincerity is crowned with acceptance a father is glad of a letter from his son though there are blots in the letter though there are false spellings and broken English O what blottings are there in our holy things what broken English sometimes yet coming from broken hearts it is accepted though there be weaknesse in duty yet if there be willingnesse the Lord is much taken with it Saith God it is my child and he would do better Ephes 1.6 He hath accepted us in the beloved Privi ∣ ledge 4 4. If we are children then God will provide for us a father will take care for his children he gives them allowance and layes up a portion 2 Cor. 12.14 so doth our heavenly Father 1. He gives us our allowance Gen. 48.15 The God which fed me all my life long unto this day Whence is our dayly bread but from his dayly care God will not let his children starve though our unbelief is ready sometimes to question his goodnesse and say Can God prepare a Table See what arguments Christ brings to prove Gods paternal care for his children Matth. 6.26 Behold the fowles of the aire they sow not neither do they reap yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Doth a man feed his bird and will he not feed his child Luke 12.27 Consider the Lilies how they grow they toyl not they spin not if then God so cloath the grasse c Doth God cloath the Lilies and will he not cloath his Lambs 1 Pet. 5.7 the Lord careth for us As long as his heart is full of love so long his head will be full of care This should be as physick to kill the worm of unbelief 2. As God gives his children a viaticum or bait by the way so he laies up a portion for them Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom our Father keeps the purse and will give us enough to bear our charges here and when at death we take shipping and shall be set upon the shore of eternity then will our heavenly Father bestow upon us a Kingdom immutable and immarcessible lo here a portion which can never be summed up 5. If we are children then God will sheild off dangers Privi ∣ ledge 5 from us a father will protect his child from injuries God ever lies Sentinel to keep off evill from his children 1. Temporal evil 2. Spiritual evil 1. God screens off temporal evil There are many casualties and contingencies which are incident to life God mercifully prevents them he keeps watch and ward for his children Psal 7.10 my defence is of God Psal 121.4 he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep The eye of Providence is ever awake God gives his Angels charge over his children Psal 91.11 a believer hath a guard of Angels for his life-guard we read of the wings of God in Scripture as the breast of his mercy feeds his children so the wings of his power cover them how miraculously did God preserve Israel his first-born he did with his wings sometimes cover sometimes carry them Exod. 19.4 He bare you as upon Eagles wings an emblem of Gods providential care the Eagle fears no Bird from above to hurt her young only the Arrow from beneath therefore she carries them upon her wings that the Arrow must first hit her before it can come at her young ones Thus God carries his children upon the wings of Providence and they are such that there is no clipping these wings nor can any Arrow hurt them 2. God shields off spiritual evils from his children Psal 91.10 There shall no evil befall thee God doth not say no afflictions shall befall us but no evil Quest Quest But sometimes evil in this sense befalls the godly they spot themselves with sin Answ Answ But that evil shall not be mortal as quick-silver is in it self dangerous but by oyntments it is so tempered that it is killed so sin is in it self deadly but being tempered with Repentance and mixed with the sacred oyntment of Christs blood the venemous damning nature of it is taken away Privi ∣ ledge 6 6. If we are children then God will reveal to us the great and wonderful things of his Law Matth. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these
Governours and Pastors of the Church The Reasons why the storm of persecution hath chiefly fallen upon the Ministers are 1. They have their corruptions as well as others and least they should be lifted up through the abundance of Revelation God le ts loose some Messenger of Satan to vex and persecute them God sees they have need of the flaile to thresh off their Husks the fire God puts them into is not to consume but refine them 2. The Ministers are Christs antesignani his Ensigne-bearers to carry his colours they are the Captains of the Lords Host therefore are most shot at Phil. 1.17 I am set for the defence of the Gospel The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alludes to a Souldier that is set in the fore-front of the Battel and hath all the Bullets flying about his ears The Ministers work is to preach against mens sins which are as dear to them as their right eye and they cannot endure this Every mans sin is his King to which he yields love and subjection now as Pilot said Shall I crucifie your King men will not endure to have their king-King-sin crucified this therefore being the work of the Ministry to divide between men and their lusts to part these two old friends no wonder it meets with so much opposition When Paul preached against Diana all the City was in an uproar We preach against mens Diana's those sins which bring them in pleasure and profit this causeth an uproar 3. From the malice of Satan The Ministers of Christ come to destroy his Kingdom therefore the old Serpent will spit all his venome at them if we tread upon the Divels head he will bite us by the heel the Devil sets up several Forts and Garrisons in mens hearts pride ignorance unbelief now the weapons of the Ministry beat down these strong holds 2 Cor. 10.4 therefore Satan raiseth his Militia all the force and power of hell against the Ministry The Kingdom of Satan is a Kingdom of darkness Acts 26.18 Revel 16.10 And Gods Ministers are called the lights of the world Matth. 5.14 They come to enlighten those that fit in darkness this enrageth Satan therefore he labours to eclipse the lights to pull down the stars that his Kingdom of darkness may prevail the Divel is call'd a Lyon 1 Pet. 5.8 The souls of people are the Lyons prey the Ministers work is to take away the prey from this Lyon therefore how will he roar upon them and seek to destroy them Use 1 Use 1. It shews us what a work the Ministry is though full of dignity yet full of danger the persecution of the tongue is the most gentle persecution can be expected 't is not possible saith Luther to be a faithful Preacher and not meet with trials and oppositions Use 2. It shews the corruption of mens nature since Use 2 the fall they are their own enemies they persecute those who come to do them most good What is the work of the Ministry but to save mens souls to pull them as brands out of the fire yet they are angry at this We hate not the Physitian who brings such physick as makes us sick because it is to make us well nor the Chyrurgion who lanceth the flesh because it is in order to a cure Why then should we quarrel with the Minister What is our work but to bring men to heaven 2 Cor. 5.20 We are Embassadors for Christ c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We would have a peace made up between you and God yet this is the folly of depraved nature to requite evil for good Aristoxenus did use to moisten his flowers with wine honey and perfumes that they might not only smell more fragrantly but put forth more vigorously So should we do with our Ministers give them wine and honey encourage them in their work that they might act more vigorously but instead of this we give them gall and vineger to drink we hate and persecute them Most deal with their Ministers as Israel did with Moses he prayed for them and wrought miracles for them yet they were still quarrelling with him and sometimes ready to take away his life Use 3. If the fury of the world be against the Ministers Use 3 then you that fear God had need pray much for them 2 Thes 3.2 Pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have free course and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men People should pray for their Ministers that God would give them the wisdom of the Serpent that they may not betray themselves to danger by indiscretion and the boldness of the Lyon that they may not betray the truth by fear SECT 5. Shewing what that persecution is which makes one blessed 5. THE next thing to be explained is What that suffering persecution is which makes a man blessed 1. I shall shew what that suffering is which will not make us blessed 1. That suffering is not reckoned for Martyrdom when we pull a cross upon our selves there is little comfort in such suffering Austin speaks of some in his time that were called Circumcelliones who out of an itch rather than zeal of Martyrdom would run themselves into sufferings these were accessory to their own death like Saul who fell upon hi◠own sword we are bound by all lawful means to preserve our own lives Jesus Christ did not suffer till he was called to it suspect that to be a tentation which bids us cast our selves down into sufferings when men through precipitancy and rashness run themselves into trouble it is a cross of their own making and not of Gods laying upon them 2. That is not to be accounted Martyrdom when we suffer for our offences 1 Pet. 4.15 Let none of you suffer as an evil doer Luke 23.41 We indeed suffer justly I am not of Cyprians mind that the Thief on the Cross suffered as a Martyr no he suffered as an evil doer Christ indeed took pity on him and saved him he dyed a Saint but not a Martyr When men suffer by the hand of the Magistrate for their uncleanness blasphemies c. these do not suffer persecution but execution they dye not as Martyrs but Malefactors they suffer evil for being evil 3. That suffering will not make men blessed when they suffer out of sinister respects to be cried up as the head of a Party or to keep up a Faction The Apostle implies that a man may give his body to be burned yet go to hell 1 Cor. 13.3 Ambitions men may sacrifice their lives to purchase same these are the Divels Martyrs Vicit amor Patriae laudisque immensa cupido 2. What that suffering persecution is which will make us blessed and shall wear the Crown of Martyrdom Answ 1. When we suffer in a good cause so it is in the Text Blessed are they which suffer for righteousness sake 't is the cause that makes a Martyr * Causa non poena facit Martyrem When
like an untamed Heifer which will not endure the yoke but kicks and flings or like a wilde Bull in a net Isa 51.20 Thus to a person in the state of nature Christs commands are grievous Nay to a childe of God so far as corruption prevails for he is but in part regenerate Christs Laws seem irksome the flesh cries out it cannot pray or suffer the Law in the members rebels against Christs Law only the spiritual part prevails and makes the flesh stoop to Christs injunctions A regenerate person so far as he is regenerate doth not count Gods Commandments grievous they are not a burden but a delight Divine commands are not grievous if we consider them first positively in these eight particulars 1. Positively 1. A Christian consents to Gods commands therefore they are not grievous Rom. 7.16 I◠consent to the Law that it is good What is done with consent is easie if the Virgin give her consent the Match goes on chearfully A godly man in his judgement approves of Christs Laws * Rom. 7.12 and in his will consents to them therefore they are not grievous a wicked man is under a force terror of conscience hales him to duty he is like a slave that is chained to the Gally he must work whether he will or no he is forced to pull the Rope tug at the Oare but a godly man is like a free subject that consents to his Princes Laws and obeyes out of choice as seeing the equity and rationality of them Thus a gracious heart sees that beauty and equity in the commands of heaven as draws forth consent and this consent makes them that they are not grievous 2. They are Christs comands therefore not grievous Take my yoak Matth. 11.29 Gospel commands are not the Laws of a Tyrant but a Saviour The husbands commands are not grievous to the wife it is her ambition to obey this is enough to animate and excite obedience Christ commands As Peter said in another sence Matth. 14.28 Lord if it be thou bid me come unto thee upon the water So saith a gracious soul Lord if it be thou that wouldest have me mourn for sin and breath after heart-purity if it be thou dear Saviour that biddest me do these things I will chearfully obey Thy commandments are not grievous A souldier at the word of his General makes a brave onset 3. Christians obey out of a principle of love and then Gods commandments are not grievous Therefore in Scripture serving and loving of God are put together Isa 56.6 The sons of the strangers that joyne themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord c. Nothing is grievous to him that loves love lightens a burden it adds wings to obedience an heart that loves God counts nothing tedious but it s own dulnesse and slownesse of motion love makes sin heavie and Christs burden light 4. A Christian is carried on auxilio Spiritus by the help of the Spirit and the Spirit makes every duty easie Rom. 8.26 The Spirit helpeth our infirmities The Spirit works in us the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both to will and to do Phil. 2. When God enables to do what he commands then his commandments are not grievous if two carry a burden it is easie the Spirit of God helps us to do duties to bear burdens it draws as it were in the yoke with us If the Scrivener guides the childs hand and helps it to frame its letters now it is not hard for the childe to write If the Loadstone draw the iron it is not hard for the iron to move if the Spirit of God as a Divine Loadstone draw and move the heart now it is not hard to obey When the birds hath wings given it it can flie Though the soul of it self be unable to do that which is good yet having two wings given it like that woman in the Revelation * Rev. 12 24. the wing of faith and the wing of the Spirit now it flyes swiftly in obedience Ezek 11.1 the Spirit did lift me up The heart is heavenly in prayer when the Spirit lifts it up The sails of a Mill cannot move of themselves but when the wind blows then they turn round when a gale of the Spirit blows upon the soul Now the sails of the affections move swiftly in duty 5. All Christs commands are beneficial therefore not grievous Deut. 10.12 13. And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to love him to keep his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy good Christs commands carries meat in the mouth of them and then surely they are not grievous salvation runs along in every precept To obey Christs Laws is not so much of duty as our privilege all Christs commands centre in blessednesse Physick is in it self very unpleasant yet because it tends to health no man refuseth it Divine Precepts are to the fleshy part irksome yet having such excellent operation as to make us both holy and happy they are not to be accounted grievous the apprentise is content to go through hard service because it makes way for his freedome The Scholar willingly wrastles with the knotty difficulties of Arts and Sciences because they serve both to enoble and advance him How chearfully doth a believer obey those Laws which reveal Christs love That suffering is not grievous which leads to a Crown This made Saint Paul say I take pleasure in infirmities in persecutions 2. Cor. 12.10 6. 'T is honourable to be under Christs commands therefore they are not grievous The precepts of Christ do not burden us but adorn us * Omnia quae praestari jubet Christus non onerant nos sed ornant Salv. 'T is an honour to be employed in Christs service How chearfully did the rowers row the Barge that carried Caesar the honour makes the precept easie a Crown of gold is in it self heavy but the honour of the Crown makes it light and easie to be worn I may say of every command of Christ as Solomon speaks of wisdom Prov. 4.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee 'T is honourable working at Court The honour of Christs yoake makes it easie and eligible 7. Christs commands are sweetned with joy and then they are not grievous Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a burden which is carried with joy and pleasure * Utrum onus appellandum quod laetitiá fertur Cicero When the wheeles of a Chariot are oyled they run swiftly when God poures in the oyle of gladnesse how fast doth the soul run in the wayes of his commandments Joy strengthens for duty Nehem. 8.10 The joy of the Lord is your strength and the more strength the lesse wearinesse God sometimes drops down comfort and then a Christian can run in the
wonder Saint Paul was willing to be bound and dye for Christ Acts 21.13 when he knew that Christ loved him and had given himself for him Gal. 2.20 Though I will not say Paul was proud of his chain yet he was glad of it he wore it as a chain of pearle Quest Quest But how shall I get this jewel of assurance Answ Answ 1. Make duty familiar to you when the Spouse sought Christ diligently she found him joyfully Cant. 3.4 The Ordinances are the Lattice where Christ looks forth and gives the soul a smiling aspect As Christ was made known to his Disciples in the breaking of bread Luke 24.35 so in the use of holy Ordinances in the breaking of bread Christ makes a glorious discovery of himself to the soul Christs parents found him in the Temple Luk. 2.46 They who would find Christ with comfort and have the kisses of his lips shall be sure to meet with him in the Temple 2. Preserve the virginity of conscience when the glass is foule you will not poure wine into it but when it is clean so when the soul is cleansed from the love of every sin now God will poure in the sweet wine of assurance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socrat. Hebr. 10.22 Let us draw near in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Guilt clips the wings of joy he who is conscious to himself of secret sin cannot draw near to God in full assurance he cannot come with boldness but blushing he cannot call God Father but Judge assurance is a flowre that grows only in a pure heart before David prayes for joy he first prayes for a pure heart Psal 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God 3. Be much in the actings of faith the more active the childe is in obedience the sooner he hath his fathers smile if faith be ready to dye Rev. 3.2 if it be like Armour hung up or like a sleepy habit in the soul never look for assurance God will not speak peace to thee when thou art asleep it is the lively faith which flourisheth into assurance Abraham had a vigorous sparkling faith Rom. 4.18 who against hope believed in hope That is against the hope of sense he believed in the hope of the promise and how sweetly doth God manifest himself to Abraham he calls him his friend he makes him of his Cabinet-counsel Gen. 18.17 Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do Wouldst thou have Christ reveal his love to thee kâ—ep faith upon the wing this is the Bird which soars aloft and plucks a bunch of grapes from the true Vine 4. If Christ be all then make him so to Branch 4 you 1. Make Christ all in your understanding be ambitious to know nothing but Christ 1 Cor. 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ The Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I judged not I did not think any thing in my judgement worth knowing in comparison of Christ Austin saith of Cicero he liked his eloquence but he could not take so much delight in reading him quia Nomen Christi non erat ibi because he could not finde the Name of Christ there what will all other knowledge avail a man at his death who is ignorant of Christ Si Christum nescis nihil est si coetera noscis What is it to have knowledge in Physick to be able with Esculapius and Galen to discourse of the causes and symptomes of a disease and what is proper to apply and in the mean time to be ignorant of the healing under Christs wings What is it to have knowledge in Astronomy to discourse of the Stars and Planets and to be ignorant of Christ that bright morning star which leads to heaven what is it to have skill in a shop and ignorant of that commodity which doth both enrich and crown what is it to be versed in Musick and to be ignorant of Christ whose blood makes atonement in heaven and musick in the conscience what is it to know all the stratagems of War and to be ignorant of the Prince of peace O make Christ all be willing to know nothing but Christ though you may know other things in their due place yet know Christ in the first place let the knowledge of Jesus Christ have the preheminence as the Sun among the lesser Planets This is the crowning knowledge Prov. 4.18 The prudent are crowned with knowledge 1. We cannot know our selves unless we know Christ he it is who lights us into our hearts and shews as the spots of our souls whereby we abhor our selves in dust and ashes Christ shews us our own vacuity and indigency and untill we see our own emptiness we are not fit to be filled with the golden oyle of mercy 2. We cannot know God but through Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Out of Christ God is terrible he is a consuming fire it is through Christ that we know God as a friend oh then treasure up the knowledge of Christ he is the golden ladder by which we ascend to heaven to be ignorant of Christ is as if a man were poysoned and there were an herb in the garden could cure him but he is ignorant of that herb 2. Make Christ all in your affections 1. Desire nothing but Christ he is the accumulation of all good things Ye are compleat in him Col. 2.10 Christ is the Christians perfection what should the soul desire less what can it desire more * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignatius Psal 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee David had his Crown and his Throne to delight in I but it was the presence of Christ he chiefly thirsted after without Christ all his other comforts were not only emptiness but bitterness 2. Love nothing but Christ love is the choycest affection it is the purest stream of the soul it is the richest jewel the creature hath to bestow oh if Christ be all love him better than all let your Rivers still run into this golden Sea Every mans heart is set upon his treasure in Christ there are unsearchable riches Ephes 3.8 Though the Angels have lived so long in heaven yet to this day they know not how rich Christ is Take the most precious pearle or Diamond that is and the Jeweller can set the full value of it he can say This is worth so much and no more but the riches of Christ are unsearchable it cannot be said he is worth so much and no more neither man or Angel are able to set the full value of the pearle of price and shall not Jesus Christ lie nearest our hearts shall he not have the cream of our love Consider 1. If you love other things when they dye your love is lost but Christ lives for ever to requite your love 2. You may love other things in the excess but you cannot
Judges 11.35 Alas my daughter thou hast brought me very low so may the soul say Alas my sin thou hast brought me very low thou hast brought me almost to the gates of death 3. Sickness doth eclipse the beauty of the body This I ground on that Scripture Psal 39.11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man thou makest his beauty to consume away like a Moth. The Moth consumes the beauty of the cloth so a fit of sickness consumes the beauty of the body Thus sin is a soul-sickness it hath eclipsed the glory and splendor of the soul it hath turned ruddiness into paleness that beauty of grace which once sparkled as gold now it may be said How is this gold become dim †* Lam. 4.1 That soul which once had an orient brightness in it it was more ruddy than Rubies its polishing was of Saphyr the understanding be spangled with knowledge the will crowned with liberty the affections like so many Seraphims burning in love to God now the glory is departed Sin hath turned beauty into deformity as some faces by sickness are so disfigured and look so ghastly they can hardly be known So the soul of man is by sin so sadly Metamorphiz'd having lost the image of God that it can hardly be known Joel 2.31 The Sun shall be turned into darkness Sin hath turned that Sun of beauty which shined in the soul into a Cimmerian darkness and where grace is begun to be wrought yet the souls beauty is not quite recovered but is like the Sun under a cloud 4. Sickness takes away the taste a sick man doth not taste that sweetness in his meat so the sinner by reason of soul-sickness hath lost his taste to spiritual things The Word of God is pabulum animae it is bread to strengthen wine to comfort but the sinner tastes no sweetness in the Word A childe of God who is spiritualized by grace tastes a savouriness in Ordinances the promise drops as an honey-comb Psal 19.10 but a natural man is sick and his taste is gone since the tasting of the forbidden Tree he hath lost his taste 5. Sickness takes away the comfort of life a sick person hath no joy of any thing his life is a burden to him So the sin-sick soul is void of all true comfort and his laughter is but the pleasing dream of a sick man he hath no true title to comfort his sin is not pardoned he may be in hell before night for any thing he knows 6. Sickness ushers in death it is the prologue to death sickness is as it were the cutting of the Tree and death is the falling of the Tree so this disease of sin if not cured in time brings the second death 2. What the diseases of the soul are Adam by breaking the box of original righteousness hath filled the soul full of diseases the body is not subject to so many diseases as the soul I cannot reckon them all up Psal 19.12 Who can understand his errors * Psal 40.12 Only I shall name some of the worst of these diseases Pride is the tympany of the soul lust is the feaver error the gangrene unbelief the plague of the heart hypocrisie the scurvy hardness of heart the stone anger the phrenzy malice the Wolf in the breast covetousness the dropsie spiritual sloth the green sickness apostasie the epilepsie here are eleven soul-diseases and when they come to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the full heigth they are dangerous and most frequently prove mortal 3. The third thing to be demonstrated is that sin is the worst sickness To have a body full of plague sores is sad but to have the soul which is the more noble part spotted with sin and full of the Tokens is far worse as appears 1. The body may be diseased and the conscience quiet Isa 33.24 The Inhabitant of the Land shall not say I am sick He should scarce feel his sickness because sin was pardoned but when the soul is sick of any reigning lust the conscience is troubled Isa 57. ult There is no peace to the wicked saith my God When Spira had abjured his former faith he was put IN LITTLE EASE his conscience burned as hell and no spiritual physick that Divines did apply could ever allay that inflammation 2. A man may have bodily diseases yet God may love him Asa was diseased in his feet 2 Kings 15.23 He had the Gout yet a Favourite with God Gods hand may go out against a man yet his heart may be towards him diseases are the Arrows which God shoots pestilence is called Gods Arrow Psal 91.5 This Arrow as Gregory Nazianzene saith may be shot from the hand of an indulgent father But soul-diseases are symptoms of Gods anger as he is an holy God he cannot but hate sin he beholds the proud afar off Psal 138.6 God hates a sinner for his plague-sores Zach. 11.8 My soul loathed them 3. Sickness at worst doth but separate from the society of friends but this disease of sin if not cured separates from the society of God and Angels The Leper was to be shut out of the Camp this leprosie of sin without the interposition of mercy shuts men out of the Camp of heaven Rev. 21.8 This is the misery of them that dye in their sins they are allowed neither friend nor Physitian to come at them they are excluded Gods presence for ever in whose presence is fulness of joy Use 1 1. See into what a sad condition sin hath brought us it hath made us desperately sick Inform. nay we dye away in Branch 1 our sickness till we are fetch'd again with the water of life O how many sick bed-rid souls are there in the world sick of pride sick of lust sin hath turned our Houses and Churches into Hospitals they are full of sick persons What Davids enemies said reproachfully of him is true of every natural man Psal 41.8 An evil disease cleaveth fast unto him He hath the plague of the heart 1 Kings 8. And even those who are regenerate are cured but in part they have some grudgings of the disease some ebullitions and stirrings of corruption nay sometimes this Kings Evil breaks forth to the scandal of Religion and from this sin-sickness ariseth all other diseases * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys de poen hom 5. Plague Gout Stone Feaver 1 Cor. 11.29 30. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself for this cause many are weak and sickly among you Branch 2 2. If sin be a soul-sickness then how foolish are they that hide their sins it is folly to hide a disease * Insipientium malus pudor ulcera celat Job 31.33 40. If I covered my transgression as Adam by hiding my iniquity in my bosome let thistles grow instead of wheat c. The wicked take more care to have sin covered than cured if they can but sin in private and not be suspected they
think all is well there is a curse belongs to him who puts sin in a secret place Deutr. 27.15 The hiding and concealing a disease proves mortal Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper 3. If sin be a soul-sickness then what need is there Branch 3 of the Ministry Ministers are Physitians under God to cure sick souls God hath set in his Church Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4.11 The Ministers are a Colledge of Physitians their work is to finde out diseases and apply medicines 't is dura provincia an hard work while Ministers are curing others they themselves are nigh unto death Phil. 2.30 They finde their people sick of several diseases some have poysoned themselves with error some are surfeited with the love of the creature some have stab'd themselves at the heart with gross sin O how hard is it to heal all these sick gangren'd souls many Ministers do sooner kill themselves by preaching than cure their Patients * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but though the work of the Ministry be a laborious work it is a needful work while there are sick souls there will be need of spiritual Physitians How unworthy then are they who malign and persecute the Ministers of God 1 Cor. 4.9 O unkind world thus to use thy Physitians Can there be a greater injury to souls would it not be a piece of the highest cruelty and barbarism if there were an Act made that all Physitians should be banished out of the Land And is it not worse to see multitudes of sick souls lie bleeding and to have their spiritual Physitians removed from them which should under God heal them This is a wrath-procuring sin 2 Chron. 36 16. They misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy See what is inscribed in Levies blessing Deutr. 33.8 11. And of Levi he said Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy One bless Lord his substance and accept the work of his hands smite through the loyns of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they rise not again The Lord will wither that arme which is stretched out against his Prophets Use 2 1. If sin be a soul-disease let this serve to humble us Exhort the Scripture often calls upon us for humility 1 Pet. Branch 1 5.5 Be ye cloathed with humility if any thing will humble this consideration may sin is a soul-disease if a woman had a fair face but a cancer in her breast it would keep her from being proud of her beauty So Christian though thou art endued with knowledge and morality which are fair to look upon yet remember thou art diseased in thy soul here is a cancer in the breast to humble thee this certainly is one reason why God leaves sin in his own children for though sin be healed as to the guilt of it yet not as to the stain of it that the sight of their sores may make their Plumes of pride fall There are two humbling sights a sight of Gods glory and a sight of our diseases Uzziah the King had no cause to be proud for though he had a Crown of gold on his head he had the Leprosie on his fore-head 2 Chron. 26.19 Though the Saints have their golden graces yet they have their leprous spots seeing sin hath made us vile let it make us humble seeing it hath taken away our beauty let it take away our pride if God saith Saint Austin * Si Deus superbientibus Angelis non pepercit did not spare the proud Angels will he spare thee who art putredo vermis but dust and rottenness Oh look upon your boyles and ulcers and be humble Christians are never more lovely in Gods eyes than when they are loathsome in their own those sins which humble shall never damn 2. If sin be a soul-disease and the most damnable Branch 2 disease let us be afraid of it Had we diseases in our bodies an ulcer in the lungs or hectick feaver we would fear lest they should bring death oh fear sin-sickness lest it bring the second death Thou who art a Drunkard or a Swearer tremble at thy soul-maladies I wonder to see sinners like the Leviathan made without fear Why do not men fear sin why do they not shake with this disease surely the reason is 1. Stupidity as they have the Feaver of sin so withall a Lethargy 1 Tim. 4 2. Having their conscience sear'd with an hot iron He that hath an unbelieving heart and a sear'd conscience you may ring out the Bell that mans case is desperate 2. Presumption Many fancy that they can lay a fig upon the boile though they be sick they can make themselves well it is but saying a few prayers 't is but a sigh or a tear and they shall presently recover but is it so easie to be healed of sin is it easie to make old Adam bleed to death is it easie when the pangs of death are on thee in an instant to have the pangs of the new birth oh take heed of a spiritual lethargy fear your disease lest it prove mortal and damnable Physitians tell of a disease which makes men dye laughing so Satan tickles many with the pleasure of sin and they dye laughing 3. If sin be a soul-distemper then account them your Branch 3 best friends that would reclaim you from your sins The Patient is thankful to the Physitian that tells him of his disease and useth means to recover him When Ministers tell you in love of your sins and would reclaim you take it in good part the worst they intend is to cure you of your sickness David was glad of an healing reproof Psal 141.5 Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyle which shall not break my head Ministers are charged by vertue of their office to reprove 2 Tim. 4.2 They must as well come with Corrosives as Lenitives * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Titus 1.13 Rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cuttingly as a Chyrurgion searcheth a wound and then lanceth and cuts out the gangren'd flesh or as a Physitian useth Leeches and Cupping-glasses which put the Patient to pain but it is to restore him to health so must the Ministers of Christ rebuke sharply that they may help to save their dying Patients Who is angry with the Physitian for prescribing a bitter potion Why should any be angry with Christs Ministers for reproving when in regard of their office they are Physitians and in regard of their bowels they are fathers but how few are they who will take a reproof kindly Amos 5.10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate But why do not men love a reproof 1. Because they are in love with their sins a strange thing that any should love their disease
were requisite as none but Christ could give 3. Christ came as a Physitian out of the sweetness of his Nature he is like the good Samaritan who had compassion on the wounded man Luke 10.33 A Physitian may come to the Patient only for gain not so much to help the Patient as to help himself but Christ came purely out of sympathy there was nothing in us to tempt Christ to heal us for we had no desire of a Physitian nor had we any thing to give our Physitian as sin made us sick so it made us poor so that Christ came as a Physitian not out of hope to receive any thing from us but was prompted to it out of his own goodness Hos 14.4 I will heal their back-slidings I will love them Love set Christ awork not only his Fathers Commission but his own Compassion moved him to his spiritual Physick and Chyrurgery King David banished the blinde and lame out of the City 2 Sam. 5.8 Christ comes to the blinde and lame and cures them it is the sounding of his bowels that causeth the healing under his wings 3. The third particular is That Christ is the Only Physitian Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other c. There 's no other Physitian besides Verinus Non plures medici sed satis unus erit The Papists would have other healers besides Christ they would make Angels their Physitians all the Angels in heaven cannot heal one sick soul indeed they are described by their wings Isa 6.2 but they have no healing under their wings Papists would heal themselves by their own merits Adam did eat that Apple which made him and his posterity sick but he could not finde any herb in Paradise to cure him our merits are rather damning than healing to make use of other Physitians and medicines is as if the Israelites in contempt of that brazen Serpent which Moses set up had erected other brazen Serpents O let us take heed of that turba medicorum Indeed in bodily sickness it is lawful to multiply Physitians when the Patient hath advised with one Physitian he desires to have others joyned with him but the sick soul if it joyns any other Physitian with Christ it surely dies 4. How Christ heals his Patients Answ There are foure things in Christ that are healing 1. His Word is healing Psal 107.20 He sent his Word and healed them His Word in the mouth of his Ministers is healing when the Spirit is wounded in desertion Christ doth create the lips that speak peace Isa 57.19 The Word written is a Myrothecium or Repository in which God hath laid up Soveraign oyles and balsomes to recover sick souls and the Word preached is the pouring out of these oyles and applying them to the sick Patient He sent his Word and healed them We look upon the Word as a weak thing What is the breath of a man to save a soul but the power of the Lord is present to heal Luke 5.17 Christ makes use of his Word as an healing medicine the Receits which his Ministers prescribe he himself applies he makes his Word convincing converting comforting Caution Not that the Word heals all to some it is not an healing but a killing Word 2 Cor. 2.16 To the one we are a savour of death unto death Some dye of their disease two sorts of Patients dye 1. Such as sin presumptuously though they know a thing to be sin yet they will do it Job 24.13 They are of those that rebel against the light this is dangerous * Num. 15 30. David prays Psal 19. Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins 2. Such as sin maliciously when the disease comes to this head the Patient will dye Hebr. 10.29 But to them who belong to the election of grace the Word is the healing medicine Christ useth He sent his Word and healed them 2. Christs wounds are healing Isa 55.3 With his stripes we are healed Christ made a medicine of his own body and blood the Physitian dyed to cure the Patient * Ille Colaphizatus lauceatus spinis corenatus in cruce suspensus ut per ejus mortem nobis medelam pararet Aug. in Evang. Joh. The Pelican when her young ones are bitten by Serpents feeds them with her own blood to recover them Thus when we were bitten by the old Serpent then Jesus Christ prescribes a Receit of his own blood to heal and restore us Sanguis Christi salus Christiani * Corpus Christi est aegris medicina languorem sanans sanitatem servans Bern. The blood of Christ being the blood of him who was God as well as man had infinite merit to appease God and infinite vertue to heal us This this is the balme of Gilead that recovers a soul which is sick even to death Balm as Naturalists say is a juyce which a little shrub being cut with glass doth weep out This was anciently of very precious esteem the favour of it was odoriferous the vertue of it Soveraign it would cure ulcers and the stinging of Serpents * Pliny This balm may be an emblem of Christs blood it hath a most Soveraign vertue in it it heals the ulcer of sin the stinging of tentation it merits for us justification Rom. 5.9 O how precious is this balm of Gilead by this blood we enter into heaven 3. Christs Spirit is healing the blood of Christ heals the guilt of sin the Spirit of Christ heals the pollution of sin the Spirit is compared to oyle it is call'd the anointing of the Spirit Isa 61. to shew the healing vertue of the Spirit oyle is healing Christ by his Spirit heals the rebellion of the will the stone of the heart though sin be not removed it is subdued 4. Christs rod is healing Isa 27.9 Christ never wounds but to heal the rod of affliction is to recover the sick Patient * Unguento utitur medicus item ferro igue Bern. Davids bones were broken that his soul might be healed God useth affliction as the Chyrurgion doth his Launce to let out the venome and corruption of the soul and make way for a cure Quest But if Christ be a Physitian Quest why are not all healed Answ 1. Because all do not know they are sick they Answ 1 see not the sores and ulcers of their souls and will Christ cure them who see no need of him many ignorant people thank God they have good hearts but that heart can no more be good which wants grace than that body can be found which wants health 2. All are not healed because they love their sickness Answ 2 Psal 52.3 Thou lovest evil many men hug their disease Augustine saith before his conversion he prayed against sin but his heart whispered Non adhuc Domine Not yet Lord he was loth to leave his sin too soon how many love their disease better than their Physitian while sin is loved Christs medicines are loathed 3. All are not
never thinks he hath fully healed us till he hath drawn his own beautiful image upon us Cant. 2.13 Arise my fair one fair with justification fair with sanctification Christ doth not only heal but adorn he is called the Sun of righteousness Mal. 4.2 Not only because of the healing under his wings but because of those Rayes of beauty which he puts upon the soul Rev. 12.1 12. And lastly Christ is the most bountiful Physitian Other Patients do enrich their Physitians but here the Physitian doth enrich the Patient Christ prefers all his Patients he doth not only cure them but crown them Rev. 2.10 Christ doth not only raise from the bed but to the Throne he gives the sick man not only health but heaven 1 Good Newes this day there is balm in Gilead Use 1 there is a Physitian to heal sin-sick souls the Angels that fell had no Physitiâ—â— sent to them we have there are but few in the world to whom Christ is revealed they that have the gold of the Indies want the blood of the Lamb but the Sun of righteousness is risen in our Hemisphere with healing in his wings If a man were poysoned what a comfort would it be to him to hear that there were an herb in the Garden could heal him if he had a gangrene in his body and were given over by all his friends how glad would he be to hear of a Chyrurgion that could cure him O sinner thou art full of peccant humours thou hast a gangren'd soul but there is a Physitian that can recover thee There is hope in Israel concerning this though there be an old Serpent to sting us with his tentations yet there is a Brazen Serpent to heal us with his blood Use 2 2. If Christ be a Physitian then let us make use of this Physitian for our diseased souls Luke 4.40 When the Sun was setting all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him and he laid his hands on every of them and healed them You that have neglected a Physitian all this while now when the Sun of the Gospel and the Sun of your life is even setting bring your sick souls to Christ to be cured Christ complains that though men are sick even to death yet they will not come or send to the Physitian John 5.40 Ye will not come to me that ye might have life In bodily diseases the Physitian is the first that is sent to in soul-diseases the Physitian is the last that is sent to But here there are many sad Objections that poor souls make against themselves why they do not come to Christ their Physitian Object 1 Objâ—ction 1. Alas I am discouraged to go to Christ to cure me because of my unworthiness just like the Centurion who sent to Christ about his sick servant Luke 7.6 Lord trouble not thy self for I am not worthy that thy thou shouldest enter under my roof Christ was coming to heal his servant but the Centurion would have slaved off Christ from coming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am not worthy So saith many a trembling soul Christ is a Physitian but who am I that Christ should come under my roof or heal me I am unworthy of mercy as Mephibosheth said to King David 2 Sam. 9.8 What is thy servant that thou shouldest look upon such a dead Dog as I am Now to such as have their hearts broken with a sense of their unworthiness and are discouraged from coming to Christ to heal them let me say these five things by way of reply 1. Who did Christ shed his blood for but such as are unworthy 1 Tim. 1.15 Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Christ came into the world as into an Hospital among a company of lame bed-rid souls 2. Though we are not legally worthy we may be evangelically it is part of our worthiness to see our unworthiness Isa 41.14 Fear not thou worme Jacob. Thou mayst be a worme in thy own eye yet a Dove in Gods eye 3. Though we are unworthy yet Christ is worthy we do not deserve a cure but Christ hath merited mercy for us he hath store of blood to supply our want of tears 4. Who was ever yet saved because he was worthy What man could ever plead this title Lord Jesus heal me because I am worthy What worthiness was there in Paul before his conversion what worthiness was there in Mary Magdalen out of whom seven Divels were cast but free-grace did pity and heal them God doth not find us worthy but makes us worthy 5. If we will never come to Christ to be healed till we are worthy we must never come and let me tell you this talking of worthiness savours of pride we would have something of our own had we such preparations and self-excellencies then we think Christ would accept of us and we might come and be healed this is to see our Physitian oh let not the sense of unworthiness discourage * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 go to Christ to be healed Arise he calleth thee Mark 10.49 Object 2 2. Objection But I fear I am not within Christs Commission I am not of the number of those that shall be saved and then though Christ be a Physitian I shall not be healed Answ 1 Answ 1. We must take heed of drawing desperate conclusions against our selves 't is high presumption for us to make our selves wiser than the Angels All the Angels in heaven are not able to resolve this question Who are elected and who are reprobated Answ 2 2. Thou that sayest thou art not within Christs Commission read over Christs Commission see who he comes to heal Luke 4.18 He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted Hath God touched thy heart with remorse dost thou lay to heart thy Gospel-unkindnesses dost thou weep more out of love to Christ than fear of hell then thou art a broken-hearted sinner and art within Christs Commission a bleeding Christ will heal a broken heart Object 3 3. Objection But my sins are so many that sure I shall never be healed I am sick of many diseases at once Answ Answ Thou hast the more need of a Physitian one would think that was a strange speech of Peter to Christ Luke 5.8 Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord rather Lord come near to me Is it a good Argument to say to a Physitian I am diseased therefore depart from me No therefore come and heal me Our sins should serve to humble us not to beat us from Christ I tell you if we had no diseases Christ would have no work to do in the world Object 4 4. Objection But my disease is inflamed and grown to a Paroxysme my sin is greatly heightned Answ Answ The playster of Christs blood is broader than thy sore 1 John 1.7 The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin The blood of the Lamb takes away the poyson of the Serpent all diseases are alike
with and the son breaks the father is not bound to set him up again God gave Adam a stock of grace to begin the world with Adam did break and make all his children Banquerupts God is not tyed to give him grace again 2. God may justly deny his grace to every wicked man because he is a despiser of grace he tramples this pearle under foot Prov. 1.7 Is God bound to give grace to them that despise it If a Kings pardon be rejected once he is not bound to tender it any more but I shall not launch forth any further into this 4. The cogency and necessity of grace it is most needful because it fits us for communion with God 2 Cor. 6.14 What communion hath light with darkness God can no more converse with an ungracious soul than a King can converse with a Swine it is by grace that we keep a constant intercourse with heaven 1. Let me with the greatest zeal and earnestness perswade Use 1 all who have souls to save Exhort to endeavour after grace this is the Unum Necessarium grace will be desirable at death it is as useful now and more seasonable to look after Prov. 4.7 With all thy getting get understanding Alexander being presented with a rich Cabinet of King Darius he reserved it to put Homers works in as being of great value The heart is a spiritual Cabinet into which the jewel of grace should be put we should desire grace above other things above the gifts of the Spirit nay above the comforts of the Spirit Comfort is sweet but grace is better than comfort bread is better than honey we may go to heaven without comfort not without grace it is grace makes us blessed in life and death I shall shew you twelve rare Excellencies in grace I shall set this fair Virgin of grace before you hoping that you will be tempted to fall in love with it Excellency 1 1. Grace hath a soul-quickning excellency in it Hebr. 10.38 The just shall live by faith Men void of grace are dead they have breath yet want life they are walking ghosts Eph. 2.1 The life of sin is the death of the soul * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A sinner hath all the signs of one that is dead he hath no pulse the affections are the pulse of the soul his pulse doth not beat after God he hath no sense Eph. 4.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who being past feeling Dead things have no beauty there 's no beauty in a dead flower dead things are not capable of priviledge the dead heir is not crowned but grace is the vital artery of the soul it doth not only irradiate but animate therefore it is called lumen vitae the light of life John 8.12 And believers are said to have their grave-cloaths pulled off and to be alive from the dead Rom. 6.13 By grace the soul is grafted into Christ the true Vine John 15.5 and is made not only living but lively 1 â—et 1.3 Grace puts forth a Divine Energy into the soul 2. Grace hath a soul-enriching excellency 1 Cor. 1. Excellency 2 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye are enriched in all knowledge As the Sun enricheth the world with its golden beams so doth knowledge bespangle and enrich the mind * Vera divitiae non opes sunt sed virtutes Bern. Faith is an enriching grace Jam. 2.5 Rich in faith plus fulget fides quam aurum faith brings Christs riches into the soul it intitles to the promises the promises are full of heavenly riches Justification Adoption Glory Faith is the key that unlocks this Cabinet of the promises and empties out their treasure into the soul The riches of grace excell all other riches the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver Prov. 3.14 1. These riches make a man wise wisdom is the best possession * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand other riches cannot make one wise A man may ditescere delirare he may have a full purse and an empty brain Many a rich heir though he lives till he be of age yet he never comes to years of discretion But these riches of grace have power to make a man wise Psal 111.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom The Saints are compared to wise Virgins Matth. 25. Grace makes a man wise to know Satans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his devices and subtilties 2 Cor. 2.11 It makes him wise to salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Grace gives the Serpents eye in the Doves head 2. These spiritual riches sanctifie other riches Riches without grace are hurtful they are not divitiae but insidiae they are golden snares they are the bellows of pride the fuel of lust they set open hell gates for men * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand they are unblest blessings but grace sanctifies our riches it corrects the poyson it takes away the curse it makes them beneficial to us riches shall be Certificates of Gods love wings to lift us up to Paradise Thus grace by a Divine Chymistry extracts heaven out of earth and gives us not only the venison but the blessing 3. Grace satisfies other riches cannot Eccles 5.10 Riches can no more fill the heart than a Triangle can fill a Circle but grace fills up every chink and hiatus of the soul it dilates the heart it ravisheth the affections with joy Rom. 15.13 which joy as Chrysostom saith is a foretaste of heaven Excellency 3 3. Grace hath a soul-adorning excellency it puts a beauty and lustre upon a person 1 Pet. 3.4 5. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating the hair and of wearing of gold but let it be the hidden man of the heart even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price for after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves If a man hath Plate and Jewels Cloth of Gold Hangings of Arras these adorn the house not the man the glory of a man is grace * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chaysost Prov. 4.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace The graces are a Chain of pearle that adorns Christs Bride the heart inlaid and enamel'd with grace is like the Kings daughter all glorious within * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoret. Psal 45.13 A gracious soul is the image of God curiously drawn with the Pensil of the Holy Ghost an heart beautified with grace is the Angels joy Luke 15.7 and is Gods lesser heaven Isa 57.15 Eph. 3.17 Reason doth not so far exceed sense as grace doth reason grace changeth corruption into perfection nothing so graceth a man as grace doth grace is the purest complexion of the soul for it makes it like God Grace is the flower of delight which Christ loves to smell to grace is to the soul as the eye to the body as the Sun to the
used Jobs wife as a Ladder by which he would have scaled the impregnable Tower of Jobs faith Still retain thy integrity a cutting kind of speech as if the Divel had said God hath pull'd down thy hedge he hath smitten thee in thy children and art thou so sensless as still to serve and worship God what hast thou got by his service where are thy earnings what hast thou to shew but thy Boiles Throw off Religion Curse God and dye Satans physick alwayes poysons Mal. 3.14 Ye have said It is vain to serve God and What profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance We have mourn'd and fasted and have almost fasted away all we have we will fast no longer When a mans estate is low and his spirit troubled now Satan begins to throw in his Angle and oftentimes Satan makes use of poverty to put a man upon indirect courses Agur fear'd his heart in poverty Prov. 30.8 9. Oh keep thy heart in adversity beware of taking the forbidden fruit 5. Keep thy heart in time of prosperity The Moon the fuller it is the more remote it is from the Sun and oftentimes the more full a man is of the world the further his heart is from God Deutr. 32.15 Jesurun waxed fat and kicked 't is hard to abound in prosperity and not abound in sin a full cup is hardly carried without spilling the Trees are never more in danger of the winde than when they blossome pride idleness luxury * Multos felicitas pâ—rataiâ— paâ— victâ—s reddidiâ— are the three daughters which are bred of plenty Sampson fell asleep in Dalilahs lap millions in the lap of prosperity have slept the sleep of death Agur prayed Give me not riches Prov. 30.8 He knew his heart would be ready to run wilde the worlds golden apple bewitcheth When God sets an hedge of prosperity about us we had need set an hedge of caution and circumspection 3. Reasons enforcing heart-custody 3. The next thing is why we must be so careful about keeping of our hearts the Reasons are 1. Because the heart is a slippery piece Jer. 17.9 The heart is deceitful above all things in the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the heart is a Jacob above all things the heart is a supplanter if we are not very cautious and watchful our hearts will put a cheat upon us There is deceit in coyne in friends in books but the heart hath an art of deceiving beyond all 't is a desperate impostor * Grande profundum est homo Aug. the way of the heart is like a Serpent upon a Rock O the pleats and folds the subtilties and labyrinths of a self-deceiving heart Let us a little trace the heart in its fallacies and stratagems and see if there be not reason to lie sentinel continually and set a strong guard about it The heart will deceive us about things sinful lawful religious 1. The heart will deceive us about things sinful 1. The heart will tell us sin is but small and being small it is venial 2. The heart will apologize for sin masking over bad transactions with golden pretences 3. The heart will tell a man he may keep his sin and keep his Religion too 2 Kings 17.33 They feared the Lord and served their own gods The heart will secretly suggest to a man thus as long as he goes to Church and gives almes he may secretly indulge corruption as if duty gave a man a Pattent and License to sin 4. The heart will quote Scripture to justifie sin 1 Cor. 9.20 22. To the Jewes I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jewes I am made all things to all men c. This Text the heart will bring for sinful compliance O subtile heart that canst finde out Scripture to damn thy self though Saint Paul in things indifferent would conform to others that he might save their souls yet he would not to gratifie them violate a Law or deny an Article of his Greed and if the heart is so treacherous being alwayes more ready to excuse sin than examine it what care and circumspection should we use in keeping our hearts that they do not decoy us into sinne before we are aware 2. The heart will deceive us about things lawful in two cases 1. It is lawful to endeavour to preserve our credit A good name is a precious oyntment but under a pretence of preserving the name the heart is ready to tempt a man to self-seeking and make him do all to get a name John 12.43 Thy loved the praise of men more than the praise of God 2. It is lawful to take comfort in estate and relations Deutr. 26.11 But the heart will be ready here to overshoot how oft is the wife and childe laid in Gods room the full stream of the affection runs out to the creature and scarce a drop of love to Christ this is the deceit of the heart it makes us offend most in lawful things more are killed with wine than poyson they are afraid of poyson but take wine in the excess Gross sins affright but how many surfeit upon lawful things when we overdo we undo 3. The heart will deceive us about things religious 1. Our duties 2. Our graces 1. Our duties The heart will tell us it is enough to come to Word and Sacrament though the affections are not at all wrought upon this is like the Salamander which lives in the fire but as Naturalists say it is never the hotter Will this be any Plea at Gods bar to tell the Lord how many Sermons you have heard surely it will be the bringing of Uriahs letter it will be an evidence against you How subtile is the heart to plot its own death and bring a man to hell in the way of duty 2. Our graces the heart is like a flattering glass that would make the hypocrite look fair the foolish Virgins thought they had oyle many strongly conceit they have grace but have none The hypocrites knowledge is no better than ignorance 1 John 2.4 He hath illumination but not assimilation he is not made like Christ The hypocrites faith is fancy he believes but his heart is not purified * Acts 15.9 he pretends to trust God in greater matters but dares not trust him in lesser he will trust God with his soul but not with his estate Well if the heart be thus deceitful what need have we with all keeping to keep the heart do with the heart as with a cheater we will trust a cheater no further than we can see him the heart is a grand cheater it will supplant and cozen try it but do not trust it Prov. 28.26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool 2. We must excubias agere keep the heart with watch and ward because it is not only false but fickle God complains of Israel that their goodness was as the early dew Hos 6.4 The Sun ariseth and the dew vanisheth the
heart let thy delight be in them that excell in vertue Psal 16.3 The Saints carry the Lanthorn of the Word along with them it is good to walk with them that carry the light Answ 3 3. If you would keep your heart watch over your passions the heart is ready to be destroyed by its own passion as the Vessel is to be overturned with the Sail the heart doth sometimes sink in sorrow swell with anger and abound excessively with carnal joy Diagoras seeing his three sons in one day crowned Conquerors dyed for joy Passion transports beyond the bounds of reason 't is a kind of phrensie that possesseth Lay the curben-bit of restraint upon your passions or your hearts will run wilde in sin take heed of enflaming your spirits as a man would avoid those wines and strong waters that may heat his blood cut off all occasions that may awaken this FURY take away the fuel that feeds this fire When this viper of passion begins to gather heat pray it down Prayer saith Luther takes down the swelling of the soul and abates the heat of inordinate affections How dangerous are these fiery exhalations Moses in a passion spake unadvisedly with his lips Psal 106.33 A man in a rage is like a ship in a Tempest that hath neither Pilot or Sails or Oars to help it but is exposed to the Waves and Rocks how many have lost their hearts in a storm Answ 4 4. If you would keep your heart keep all the passages to your heart he that would keep a City keeps the Forts and Outworks keep especially the two Portals of the heart fast the eye and the ear 1. Keep the eye the eye oft sets the heart on fire Job did make a Covenant with his eyes Job 31.1 * Voluit reducere speciem sensus externi ad tandem speciem cum inteâ—o The Serpent sometimes creeps in through the Window or Casement into a Room the old Serpent the Divel creeps through the Casement of the eye into the heart the eye is taster to the appetite First Eve saw the Tree was good for food then she took of the fruit Gen. 3.6 Look to the eye some of the Heathens have pulled out their eyes because they would not be enticed by impure objects I say not pull out the eye only keep the Portal shut the Romans never did let their prisoners go abroad but their Keepers went with them never send thine eyes abroad but send their Keepers with them 2. Keep the ear much sin is conveyed to the heart through the ear the Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corrupt communication Eph. 4.29 Because impure discourse corrupts and poysons the heart Keep thy ear open to God and shut to sin deafen thy ears to the lies of the slanderer and heretick let not him have thy ear who comes to rob thee of thy heart 5. If you would keep your heart get Christ into your Answ 5 heart Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your heart Nothing can hurt but sin if Christ be in the heart he will purifie it his Spirit is the refiners fire Mal. 3.2 If Christ be in the heart he will adorn it he will bring in the rich furniture of his graces and so beautifie the hidden man of the heart 1 Pet 3.4 If Christ be in the heart he will defend it the Castle of the heart can never be taken if Christ be in it Let Satan dig his Mines lay his Train of powder shoot his Balls of wilde-fire if the Lord of Hosts pitch his Tent in the heart it can never be taken by storm 6. If you would keep your hearts have a care to keep Answ 6 your thoughts Jer. 4.14 How long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee What though you set a watch before the door of the lips if you let your heart run out in vain impure thoughts the heart is the presence-chamber which is to be kept for God vain thoughts defile the Room and make it unfit for God to come into The thoughts make way for sin while the mind is musing the heart burns David let his heart rove into wanton thoughts and that made way for the act of adultery 2 Sam. 11.4 Thoughts are Purveyers for sin they do first start sin and then the heart hunts it Answ 7 7. If you would keep your heart keep your accounts well bring thy heart often to trial put queries to thy heart O my heart what dost thou whether goest thou see what work lies undone what sin thou hast to bewail what grace to strengthen search thy evidences examine thy title to Christ 2 Cor. 13.5 Traverse things narrowly in thy soul see if there be no sin countenanced search as Israel did for Leven keep a Diary in thy heart see how things go in thy soul be not a stranger at home for want of this pâ—lying with the heart many are kept in the dark and understand not the true state of their souls they live known to others but dye unknown to themselves O what wisdom is it for a Christian to be much with his own heart he that would keep his Estate must keep his Account-books well Christian redeem time every day to turn over the book of conscience trade with thy own heart it will be stealing out to sin call it often to account Seneca would every night when his candle was out ask himself what he had done that day often reckonings keep God and the conscience friends Answ 8 8. If you would keep your heat set fences about your heart those who would keep fruit or flowers fence them in There are foure Fences we should set about our hearts to keep them Fence 1 1. The fear of God Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long As in natural fear the spirits recoil to the heart to keep it so the fear of God preserves the heart fear puts an holy awe upon the soul and keeps it from sinful excursions fear bolts the door of the heart against vanity Prov. 16.6 By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil As a Noble-mans Porter stands at the gate to keep out every thing that is unseemly from being brought into the house so the fear of God stands as an armed man at the gate of the heart to keep out tentations from entrings fear lies sentinel it stands as a Watchman on the Tower and looks every way to see what danger is approaching fear will not admit any thing into the soul which is dishonourable to God 2. Love without fear makes us presume and fear Fence 2 without love makes us despair the love of God is the most forcible Argument to prevail with an ingenious spirit Thus love argues Hath God given me Christ hath he joynted me in the promises hath he setled a Reversion of heaven upon me and shall I walk unworthy of this love shall I voluntarily sin against this God No I will rather dye than sin this made
Anselm say Let me rather fall into hell than sin wouldst thou keep thy heart environ it with love death cannot break this fence 3. Faith this is call'd a shield Ephes 6.16 The shield Fence 3 fenceth the head guards the vitals this blessed shield of faith preserves the heart from danger The shield defends all the Armour the Helmet and Breast-plate The shield of faith defends the other graces the Breast-plate of love the Helmet of hope the Girdle of truth When Satan strikes at a Christians heart faith beats back the blow and wounds the head of the old Serpent 1 Pet. 5.9 Whom resist stedfast in faith faith is the best safeguard faith brings in peace Rom. 15.13 Peace in believing And peace fortifies the heart Phil. 4.7 The peace of God shall keep your heart 4. A good conscience The heart is placed in the midst Fence 4 of the body and as it is strongly secured with ribs about it so it hath a film over it in which it is kept call'd by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the ribs about the heart which fence it I may compare the graces to the film in which the heart is kept I may compare a good conscience this keeps the soul that nothing can annoy it Murus Aheneus esto c. Good conscience is a brazeen wall about the Castle of the heart these are the fences that keep the heart Answ 9 9. If you would have your hearts kept beg of God that he would keep them for you set not about this work in your own strength but look higher go to God he is the great Lord-Keeper Psal 121.5 The Lord is thy Keeper * Utinam ut mihi semper à dexteris fis bone Jesu Bern. it is good to go alwayes with such a Keeper this is the reason none of the Saints are lost because the Lord is their Keeper 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God Every Ward hath a Guardian to keep him choose God for thy Guardan they are safe whom God keeps lock up thy heart with God and give him the Key Motives to heart-custody The Motives that may perswade us to look after the keeping of our hearts are these 1. If we do not keep our hearts the Divel will keep them shall we let Satan have them when a rude Army gets into a Town what work do they make what Rapines Plunders Massacres when Satan possesseth hearts he carries them at last violently as he did the Swine into the Sea Satan is first crafty then cruel 1. He is crafty his work is to fish for hearts and he is very subtile he hath his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his policies and stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 1. He observes the humours of the body and layes sutable baits the Divel cannot know the heart but he may observe the temper and constitution * Novit Diabolus cui illecebras carn◠ingerat cui virus invi diae insundat omnium discurit mores Leo. he tempts a sanguine man with beauty a covetous man wich gold as the Husband-man knows what ground is fit for Barley what for Wheat Satan hath not been a Tempter so long but by this time hath gained experience having commenced Master of his black Art 2. Satan baits his hook with Religion he tempts to sin under a pretext of piety thus transforming himself into an Angel of light He tempts some to make away themselves that they may not live any longer to sin against God Who would suspect Satan when he comes as a Divine and quotes Scripture Thus cunningly doth the Divel angle for hearts 2. Having once gotten his prey he is cruel his cruelty exceeds the rage of all Tyrants we read of Hannibal Antiochus Nero who caused the Christians to be put in Coats laid over with pitch and brimstone burning all night that they might be a living Torch to them that passed by this is nothing to the unparallel'd barbarisme and cruelty of Satan his name is Apollyon Devourer he rent and tore the man in whom he was and threw him into the fire Matth. 17.15 If he was so fierce when he was chained what will he do when he hath full power when he had taken away all Jobs Estate smitten his body full of soars and thrown the house upon his children yet all this was in the Divels account but a touch of the finger Job 1.11 If the touch of his finger be so heavy what will the weight of his loyns be Oh then if Satan be so subtile in fishing for hearts and so savage when he gets mens hearts let us have a care to keep our hearts if we do not keep them Satan will keep them for us and then see what havock he will make 2. He that keeps his heart keeps his peace whence are our perturbations and disquiets but from the neglect of our spiritual watch he that keeps his heart all day may lie down in peace at night Psal 4.8 What a comfort will this be to a Christian in every condition in a low condition when he thinks thus with himself Though I have lost my friends and estate yet I have kept my heart in a sick condition we shall shortly be chained to a sick-bed but when a Christian shall keep his bed it will be no small comfort to him that he hath kept his heart in a dying condition death may take away the life but not the heart that jewel God layes claim to and it is kept for him The heavenly race 1 COR. 9.24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one receiveth the prize So run that ye may obtain REligion is a business of the greatest importance the Soul which is the more Noble and Divine part is concern'd in it and as we act our part here so we shall be for ever happy or miserable the advice of Solomon in this case is most seasonable Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Eccles 9.10 The business of Religion requires our utmost zeal and intension Mat. 11.12 1. Sometimes the work we are to do for heaven is set out by striving Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strive as in an agony strive as for a matter of life and death so Cornelius à lapide though we must be men of peace yet in matters of Religion we must be men of strife 't is an holy strife a blessed contention indeed the Apostle saith Let nothing be done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through strife but though strife doth not do well among Christians yet it doth well in a Christian he must strive with his own heart or he will never get to heaven 2. Sometimes our work for heaven is compared to wrestling Ephes 6.12 We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers c. Our life is a
end of the Creature to bring glory to God better lose our lives than lose the end of our living 3. The fuller we are of Fruit the more we are like Christ who was full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 he received Spirit without measure Joh. 3.34 This Tree of life was ever bearing and he brought forth several sorts of Fruit Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. The more we are filled with the fruits of righteousness the more we resemble the Sun of Righteousness We were elected to this end to be made like Christ Rom. 8.30 and then are we most like this blessed Vine when we bear full clusters 4. The more fruit a Christian brings forth the more will Christ love him Now saith Leah will my husband be joyned unto me because I have born him three sons Gen. 29.34 When we bear much fruit now will Christs heart be joyned to us If Christ builds a nest of comfort it is in those Trees which fructifie most though the Lord Jesus doth accept of the truth of grace yet he commends only the degrees of grace Matth. 8.10 I have not found so great faith no not in Israel he sets a trophy of renown upon that Faith Christ will pardon a weak Faith he will honour a great Faith It was not a sparckle of love Christ commended in Mary Magdalen but love flaming Luke 7.74 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she loved much Christians would you be as that beloved Disciple which leaned on the bosome of Jesus would you have much love from Christ let him have much fruit from you 5. Bearing much fruit will usher in abundance of comfort into the soul in these two Exigences 1. In the hour of tentation Satan wiil be sure to besiege the weakest Christian all his darts fly that way and a strong tentation may overcome a weak faith but a flourishing Faith stands like a Cedar and is not blown down by the wind of tentation a strong Faith can stop the mouth of the Divel that roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.9 2. Store of fruit will give comfort in the hour of death a little danger will make us above the danger of death but degrees of grace will make us above the fear of death O what joy will it be on the death-bed when a Christian can bring his sheaves full of Corn when he can show his five Talents that he hath gained by trading when there is not only a drop or two of Oyle but his Lamp full of Oyl what though the Divel show God our debts if we can show him our fruit O how sweet will death be it will not be interitus but introitus not a destruction but a deliverance * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost Death like a whirlwind may blow down the tree of the body but it cannot blast the Fruit of our graces The Trees of Righteousness carry their fruit with them Rev. 14.13 Their works follow them The Christian who abounds in holiness may say as Simeon Luke 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace He who bears but a little fruit departs in safety but he who bears much fruit departs in peace 6. Consider what need we have to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 putting forth still more Fruit our graces are yet in their non-age indeed in heaven this Doctrine will be out of season we shall not need to hear it then we shall have done growing being arived at our full stature then our light shall be clear and our love perfect but while we live here there is something * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lacking in our faith 1 Thes 3.10 therefore we had need encrease the stock of grace and bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more fruit Our grace is eclipsed with sin our Faith is full of unbelief now as when the Sun is Eclipsed it is by degrees getting out of the Eclipse and it shines brighter and brighter till it recover its perfect lustre so it must be with us we must be getting out of the Eclipse till we shall arrive at our perfect lustre in glory 7. He who doth not encrease to more fruitfulness will soon be on the losing hand he that hath not more faith will quickly have lesse non progredi est regredi Rev. 2.4 Thou hast left thy first love It is with grace as it is with fire if it be not blown up and encreased it will soon decay Such as thrive not in their spiritual estate we may perceive sadly to decline Though a Christian cannot lose the seed of grace 1 John 3.9 yet he may lose the actings of grace and the comfort therefore bring forth more fruit no sooner doth a Christian begin to stand still but you may perceive him going backward 8. The more your fruit is encreased the more your glory will be encreased he whose pound gained ten was made Ruler over ten Cities Luke 19.16 17. If you would have your Crown hung full of jewels let your boughs be hung full of fruit 4. The last use is of Direction I shall lay down some Use 4 means to fruitfulness Direction 1. Be sensible of unfruitfulness Many might have been fruitful in grace if they had not conceited themselves so he that thinks himself fruitful enough is barren enough be sensible of your wants 't is better to complain than presume 2. If you would be fruitful remove those things which will hinder fruitfulness 1. Cherishing any secret lust in the heart sin lived in is like Vermin to the tree which destroyes the fruit grace cannot thrive in a sinful heart In some soil plants will not grow the cherishing of sin is the withering of the Fruit. 2. The love of riches The cares of the world choaked the seed Matth. 13. The love of sin poisons the Fruit the love of riches choaks it This is like a blast upon trees it destroyes the pretious Fruits of godliness Love not the world 1 Joh. 2.15 3. The third means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin Moisture helps germination in trees holy tears do water the trees of God and make them more fruitful Mary Magnalen a weeping plant how fruitful was she in love to Christ moist grounds as your Marshes are more fertile the soul that is moistened and steeped in tears is most frugiferous never did Davids graces flourish more than when he watered his Couch with tears When the Plant hath been pricked whereby it lets forth gumm or tears it is fuller of Fruit and the Fruit is sweeter That Christian who hath been pricked at heart for sin whereby he lets forth plenty of tears beareth the sweetest Fruits of grace Moisture helps fruitfulnesse 4. If you would be fruitful often apply the blood of Châ—ist and the Promises 1. Apply the blood of Christ Naturalists say that blood applyed to the Root of some trees makes them bear better Sure I am the blood of Christ applyed to the heart makes it flourish more in holiness None so fruitful as a Believer
affectio no waters must quench it Doctr. Christians must love one another cordially and fervently Col. 3.14 Above all these things put on charity 1 Pet. 4.8 Above all things have fervent charity among your selves as if the Apostle had said whatever you neglect do not neglect this grace Hierom reports that when St. John was old he was fain to be led up into the Pulpit and there he repeated these words Little children love one another and then came down from the Pulpit Oh that this grace of love were engraven as in letters of gold upon our hearts by the finger of the Holy Ghost Here the question will be asked what love is I answer Love is a sweet and gracious affection whereby we wish the good of another and promote his welfare as our own Love is a sacred fire kindled in the heart by the Spirit like that fire which came from heaven 2 Chron. 7.1 I shall endeavour to preserve this fire in Christians hearts as the fire the Vestal Virgins kept in Rome that it may not go out There are several Arguments to enforce Love upon us 1. We must love virtute praecepti by vertue of Command Joh. 13.34 A new Commandement I give unto you that ye love one another Love is both a new Commandement and an old 'T is an old Commandement because it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Law written in the heart of man by the pen of nature as with the point of a Diamond And it is old because it is written in the ancient Statutes and Records Levit. 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self I am the Lord and yet it is a new Commandement 1. Because newly purged from Pharisaical glosses before it was love thy neighbour but now it is love thy enemy Matth. 5.44 here is a new Comment upon an old Law 2. Love is said to be a new Commandement because of a new Edition it came out of the new mint of the Gospel and was pressed by a new example Joh. 13.34 As I have loved you so that it is not Arbitrary but a duty 't is a new Commandement and an old The second Argument enforcing love is the excellency of this grace it is a lovely grace * Color gratiae purpurcus ob scurior esset si nâ—n charitate vestiretur Ber. all the other graces seem to be Eclipsed unless love shine and sparckle forth in them Faith itself hath no beauty unless it work by love the tears of repentance are not pure unless they flow from the spring of love Love is the Jewel Christs Bride weares it is the Diamond in the ring of the graces love is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrysostom calls it This is the grace that seasons all our actions and makes them savoury love is aroma amp opo balsamum it is like musk among linnen which perfumes it So love makes all our Religious services 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sweet Odour to God Ephes 5.2 Prayer is compared to incense Psal 141.2 Now incense if it be laid on the Altar and have no fire put to it doth not smell so sweet the incense of Prayer doth not cast such a fragrant smell unless kindled with this fire of love love is the badge and cognizance of a true Saint Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye love me another not if ye work miracles but if ye love one another by this livery ye are known to belong to me St. Bernard calls love ros gratiae the sweet dew that distills from a Christian and refresheth all whom it drops upon love is the golden clasp that knits hearts it is opus signinum the cement that soders Christians together it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 if this bond be broken all falls to pieces Love is radix omnium bonorum it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.10 * Omne praeceptum ad charitatum refertur Aug. All the duties of the first and second Table Piety toward God and Equity towards our neighbour are comprehended in this Thou shalt love O how sweetly doth the Apostle Paul descant and paraphrase upon this grace how doth he extoll it he plaies aswell the Oratour as the Divine how doth he delineate this grace of love how doth he pensil and draw it out to the life in all its beauty and spiritual embroidery That he may extoll this grace 1. First he doth it exclusive he shows that the most glorious things are nothing without it * Aug. Si desit charitas frustra habentur coetera â— Cor. 13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men If a man could speak in so many Languages as Mithridates of whom it is said he understood 22. sundry Tongues if he had the golden mouth of Chrysostom if he could do with his Oratory as the Poets fain Orpheus did with his Harp move the very Rocks and stones yet without love it were nothing Nay saith the Apostle though I speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the tongues of Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass or as a tinkling Cymbal Were it not a brave thing to have the eloquence of Angels yet this without love were but Cymbalum tinniens the tinkery of the Cymbal to love as Christians is better than to speak as Angels And though I understand all mysteries and all knowledge ver 2. If a mans head were a Library of all learning if he could know all that is knowable if he could with Solomon discourse from the Cedar in Lebanon even to the Hysop and hath not charity hoc aliquid nihil est all is nothing Knowledge without love makes a man no better than a Divel And though I have all faith so that I could remove Mountains Were it not admirable to have the Faith of Miracles to unhinge Mountains to cast out Divels to take up Serpents and drink poison and it should not hurt us Matth. 16.16 Yet if I have no charity I am nothing Nullius sum pretij I am of no account with God the Miracles of faith without the mystery of love profit nothing And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor ver 3 Suppose I give away all my Estate in Almes yet without love it avails me nothing 't is like a Lamp without Oyle And though I give my body to be burned and have not love it is nothing the fire of Martyrdom avails not without the fire of Charity Let a man come to Church pray receive Sacraments yet if his heart burn in malice it is but going to hell in a more Saint-like manner O quam pulchra charitas Oh how precious a jewel saith Austin is love how rare a grace that if this be wanting all other â—hings though never so glorious are in vain 2. The Apostles sets forth this grace of love Positive by deciphering its nature and excellency 1. Charity is kind
to be gray-headed in Religion what a credit when it shall be said of him His last works are better than his first Revel 2.19 A good Christian is like wine full of spirits which is good to the last drawing A Limner makes his last work more compleat and curious blessed is that man who the nearer he is to death moves swifter to the heavenly Center FINIS THE TABLE Alphabetical A. ABusers of their souls page 462 Acceptance through Christ 422 Adoption wherein it consists 291 Afflictions no sign of Gods anger 321 322 Afflictions light 395 Angels in some sence inferiour to Saints 319 Anger opposite to meekness 133 Appearance of sin to be avoided 242 Appearing of Christ 579 Arguments to brotherly love 618 Assurance to be laboured after p. 437 Assurance though feisible yet difficult to be attained 440 It is useful 441 How this jewel of assurance may be had 442 B. BAlm of Gilead 490 Beauty of grace 511 Blessedness in reversion 17 Wherein blessedness doth not consist 18 Wherein it doth consist 24 Believe a blessedness to come 27 The godly in some sense blessed in this life 31 32 Blood of Saints pretious 317 C. CHearfulness 588 Childship a state of freedom 332 Children of God 290 291 They labour to make others Gods Children 310 They have boldnesse in Prayer 331 All things turn to their gaod 335 They shall never finally perish 338 They should endeavour to carry themselves as Children 343 Christ the best of Preachers 2 Christ our Righteousness 421 Christ a most transcendent blessing 432 Christ a soul-Physitian 485 Why a Physitian 486 The best Physitian 493 Christs love to his Patients 495 Christ can cure a relapse 504 Christianity no disgraceful thing 60 The nature of Christianity 363 Christians should shine forth in their Relations 594 Comforts belonging to mourners in this life 108 111 In the life to come p. 125 Commands of God not grievous 402 Concatenation of the Graces 38 Conversation must be pure 246 Covetousness a multiplying sin 234 235 D. DAnger of despair 98 99 Dangerous to phancy sin less than it is 101 Deceit of the heart 538 539 Dead in sinne healed by Christ 498 Debt of love differs from other debts 624 Degrees of fruit 607 Deriding holiness a fatal sinne 237 Desertion 323 Differences between true and false desires 194 195 Differences between the Christian race and other 559 Divisions dangerous 626 E. EMissaries of Satan 8 Examples of meekness 143 Excellency of grace 516 Excellency of the mourners comfort 113 Exhortation ton to mutual love p. 627 F. FAith in our heavenly Physiitian 505 Faith makes us Children 952 Faith a suffering grace 381 How faith enables to suffer 382 Fences about the heart 550 Fear an enemy to suffering 370 Fickleness of the heart 540 Flesh not to be listned to 371 Forethoughts of sufferings 366 Forgiving of injuries 138 Forsaking of sinne may have its deceits 241 Fruitfulness 591 Fruit in the season 595 Exhortation to fruitfulness 604 Fulness of Christ 417 G. GOod Conscience 373 Glory proportioned to the service we do for God 65 Godly have cause to long for death 61 Gospel-precepts facill compar'd with the severity of the Law 409 Grace severally taken in Scripture 512 Grace not bestowed on all p. 514 Grace quickneth the soul 516 Grace enricheth 517 Grace adorneth 518 Grace a Spiritual perfume 520 Grace the ballast of the soul 523 Grace fits for glory 523 524 How grace is to be obtained 526 H. HArdness of heart dangerous 87 Heart-custody 529 Heart kept with all kind of keeping 531 At all times 534 Heart the Fountain of our actions 541 Motives to heart-custody 552 Hindrances of the successe of the Word 9 10 Honour of Gods children 315 Honour to suffer for Christ 391 Hope of a Christian 576 Hope and Faith differenced 577 Signs of a true hope 583 How Christ heals 489 Hunger of the soul described 153 A reproof of those who have no spiritual hunger 156 Who hunger after unrighteousness 160 Signs of Spiritual hunger 162 Helps to spiritual hunger p. 170 Hungry shall be filled 172 173 I. IMpure hearts deciphered 229 230 Interest in Christ to be laboured after 431 Joys of heaven resembled to a feast 116 K. KEeping the heart 531 Kingdom of heaven excells other Kingdoms 56 57 How we may know we belong to it 62 Thoughts of this Kingdom sweetens poverty 66 Knowledge alone will not make a man happy 633 634 L. LIfe to be denied for Christ 377 Loss of the soul foolish 464. Fatal 465 Love of God in making us his children 313 Love to be centred on Christ 445 Love to Gods Children 307 Love of the world an enemy to suffering 369 Love among Christians 616 617 M. MAlice mental murder 134 Manner of the Spirits comforting p. 111 112 Manner of our seeing God in heaven 259 Means of a Spiritual cure 507 Meekness what it is 132 Motives to meekness 145 146 Directions for meekness 152 Mercifulness 180 Mercifulness to mens souls 183 Names 188 Estates 193 Offences 194 Wants 195 Exhortatâ—â—n to mercifulness 206 Motives to mercifulness 210 Rules about showing mercy 218 Ministers must take all opportunities for soul-service 6 Ministers Seedsmen 7 Their dignity 12 Ministers under the torrid zone of persecution 354 What need there is of Ministers in the Church 477 Misery of a Christless person 428 Mourners are blessed 67 Sin the object of mourning 69 What is not the right mourning for sin 70 What is the right mourning p. 72 Mourn for the sins of others 80 For the miseries of the Church 82 Seasons of mourning 83 Degrees of mourning 85 Motives to mourning 91 Hinderances of mourning 98 Helps to mourning 106 N. NAmes of others not to be wronged 188 189 Nicities in Religion too much minded 159 This discovers want of appetite ibid. O. OBjections of sinners answered 501 502 Opposites to meekness 133 Opposite to mourning 86 Ordination needful for Preachers 4 5 6 Outward things not suitable to the soul 20 Not durable 21 P. PAssions to be watched over 548 Patience abused grows furious 105 Patience a Christians Armour of proof p. 386 Peaceable mindedness 269 Motives to it 277 Peace-makers blessed 285 People to encourage their Ministers 14 15 Persecution 347 VVhy it must be 351 352 What that persecution is which will not make a man blessed 358 What that is will make him blessed 359 A reproof to such as refuse to suffer persecution 364 To such as inflict persecution 365 How to prepare for persecution 368 Persecution cannot hinder blessedness 397 Poverrty of spirit 41 How poverty of spirit differs from humility 42 How from self-denial ibid. Why Christians must be poor in spirit 43 Signs of poverty of Spirit 47 Practice of Religion makes us happy 638 What it is hinders practice 642 Pretiousness of the soul 451 Pride of spirit dangerous 45 Priviledges of Gods Children 320 Procrastination dangerous 103 Promises made to suffering p. 388 Purity of heart 222 Why we must be pure 224 Why the heart must be 226 Purity the souls beauty 227 Signs of a pure heart 238 An exhortation to peart purity 248 Means for heart purity 254 R. REasons why mourners want comfort 122 123 Reasonings of the flesh dangerous 379 Recompencing good for evil 140 141 Regarding iniquity what it is 231 Regeneration 301 Rejoycing in Christ 448 Religion a Race 554 Reproof to be taken kindly 479 Reverence in Gods worship 245 Rewards for Christs Martyrs 399 Righteousness what it implies 154 Righteous person who 368 S. SAints perseverance 524 Saints glorified are Kings 53 Scandals p. 415. Self-denial needful for suffering 375 Scripture to be resorted to 374 Signs of Gods Children 298 Signs of sincerity 238 Sins commands grievous 411 Sin a deadly evil 106 Sin a soul desease 469 How resembled to sickness 469 470 Sin the worst sickness 475 Sick souls think themselves well 481 The reasons of that mistake 482 Sin spreads over the whole soul 470 471 Sin a spiritual sleep 545 Soul more precious than a world 458 Spirit of Adoption a Spirit of supplication 302 303 Sufferings of Christ 392 Suffering-graces 381 T. TEaching 330 Tears pretious 92 Tenderness of heart 299 Thankfulness for Christ 450 Thoughs to be watched over 549 Tongue-persecution 350 Torments of the damned unexpressably grievous 412 Trial of grace p. 526 Truth to be prized 373 V. VAnity of the Creature 425 Vindication of the Church of England 200 Vision of God in heaven glorious 260 It will be speedy 264 Unbelief how great a sin 233 Unfruitfulness 600 Unmercifulness reproved 203 Unworthiness should not keep us from Christ p. 501 W. WAant of love reproved 625 Watchfulness needful in prosperity 537 Witness of the Spirit 305 Word of God healing 489 Works commendable 201 Z. Zeal 305 FINIS