we are here we are complaining of our wants weeping over our sins but there we shall be praising God How will the Birds of Paradise chirp when they are in that Caelestial Country There the Morning Stars will sing together and all the Saints of God shout for joy O what should we aspire after but this Country above Such as have their eyes opened will see that it doth infinitely excel An ignorant man looks upon a Star and it appears to him as a little silver spot but the Astronomer who hath his Instrument to judge of the dimension of a Star knows it to be many degrees bigger than the earth So a natural man hears of the heavenly Country that it is very glorious but it is at a great distance and because he hath not a spirit of discerning the world looks bigger in his eye but such as are Spiritual Artists who have the Instrument of Faith to judge of Heaven will say it is far the better Country and thither will they hasten with the Sails of desire SECT XV. 15. A godly man is a zealous man grace turns a Saint into a Seraphim it makes him burn in holy zeal zeal is a mixed affection a compound of love and anger it carries forth our love to God and anger against sin in the most intense manner Zeal is the flame of the affections a godly man hath a double baptism of water and fire he is baptized with a spirit of zeal hee is zealous for Gods honour truth worship Psal. 119. 139. my zeal hath consumed me it was a crown set on Phineas his head hee was zealous for his God Numb 25. 13. Moses being touched with a coal from Gods altar in his zeal hee breaks the Tables Exod. 32. 19. our blessed Saviour in his zeal whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Ioh. 2. 17. the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up But there is a Praeternatural heat something looking like zeal which is not a Comet looks like a Star I shall therefore show some differences between a true and a false zeal 1 A false zeal is a blinde zeal Rom. 10. 2. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge this is not the fire of the spirit but wild-fire The Athenians were very devout and zealous but they knew not for what Acts 17. 23. I found an Altar with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To the unknown God Thus the Papists are zealous in their way but they have taken away the key of knowledge 2 A false zeal is a self-seeking zeal Iehu cries come see my zeal for the Lord 2 King 10. 16. but it was not zeal but ambition he was fishing for a Crown Demetrius pleads for the Goddess Diana but it was not her Temple but her Silver shrines he was zealous for Such zealots Ignatius complains of in his time that they made a Trade of Christ and Religion thereby to enrich themselves 'T is probable many in King Henry the eights time were forward to pull down the Abbies not out of any zeal against Popery but that they might build their own houses upon the ruines of those Abbies like Eagles which fly aloft but their eyes are down upon their prey If blind zeal be punished seven fold hypocritical zeal shall bee punished seventy and seven fold 3 A false praeposterous zeal is a misguided zeal it runs out most in things which are not commanded It is the sign of an hypocrite to be zealous for traditions and careless of institutions The Pharisees were more zealous about washing of their cups than their hearts 4 A false zeal is fired with passion Iames and Iohn when they would call for fire from heaven were rebuked by our Saviour Luk. 9. 54. Yee know not what spirit yee are off it was not zeal but choller many have espoused the cause of Religion rather out of faction and humour than out of zeal to the truth But the zeal of a godly man is a true and holy zeal which evidenceth it self in the effects of it 1 True zeal cannot bear an injury done to God zeal makes the blood rise when Gods honour is impeached Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labour and patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil hee who zealously affects his friend cannot hear him spoken against and be silent 2 True zeal will encounter with the greatest difficulties when the world holds out a Gorgons head of danger to discourage us zeal casts out fear it is quickned by opposition Zeal doth not say there is a Lyon in the way zeal will charge through an Army of dangers it will march in the face of death Let news be brought to Paul that he was way-laid in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him this sets a keener edge upon his zeal Acts 21. 13. I am ready not only to bee bound but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus as sharp frosts do by an antiparistasis make the fire burn hotter so sharp oppositions do but inflame zeal the more 3 True zeal as it hath knowledge to go before it so it hath sanctity to follow after it Wisdome leads the van of zeal and holiness brings up the rear an hypocrite seems to be zealous but he is vitious the godly man is white and ruddy white in purity as well as ruddy in zeal Christs zeal was hotter than the fire and his holiness purer than the sun 4 Zeal that is genuine loves truth when it is despised and opposed Psal. 119. 126. They have made void thy law therefore I love thy commandements above gold the more others deride holiness the more we love it what is Religion the worse for others disgracing it doth a Diamond sparkle the less because a blinde man disparageth it the more outragious the wicked are against the truth the more couragious the godly are for it When Mical scoffed at Davids religious dancing before the Ark if saith he this be to be vile I will yet be more vile 2 Sam. 6. 22. 5 True zeal causeth fervency in duty Rom. 12. 11. fervent in spirit Zeal makes us hear with reverence pray with affection love with ardency God kindled Moses his sacrifice from heaven Lev. 9. 24. There came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering when we are zealous in devotion and our heart waxeth hot within us here is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice how odious is it for a man to be all fire when he is sinning and all yâ—e when he is praying A pious heart like water seething hot boils over in holy affections 6. True zeal is never out of breath though it be violent 't is perpetual no waters can quench the flame of zeal it is torrid in the frigid zone The heat of zeal is like the natural heat coming from the heart which lasts as long as life That zeal which is not constant was
sense of Gods love Use 3. You who have this saluifical sanctifying knowledge flourishing in you bless God for it this is the Heavenly Anointing the most excellent objects cannot be seen in the dark but when the light appears then every flower shines in its Native beauty So while men are in the midnight of a natural estate the Beauty of Holiness is hid from them but when the light of the Spirit comes in a saving manner then those truths they slighted before appear in that glorious lustre as transports them with wonder and love Bless God ye Saints that he hath taken off your Spiritual Cataract and hath given you to discern those things which by Natures Spectacles you could never see How thankful was Christ to his Father for this Mat. 11. 25. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes How should you admire Free-grace that God hath not only brought the light to you but given you eyes to see it that he hath inabled you to know the truth as it is in Iesus Ephes. 4. 21. That he hath opened not only the eye of your understanding but the eye of your Conscience This is a mercy you can never be enough thankful for that God hath so enlightned you that you should not sleep the sleep of death SECT II. 2. The godly man is a man acted by Faith as gold is the most precious among the metals so is Faith among the Graces Faith cuts us off from the wild Olive of Nature and inoculates us into Christ Faith is the vital artery of the Soul Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his Faith Such as are destitute of Faith though they breathe yet they want life Faith is the quickner of the Graces not a Grace stirs till Faith sets it awork Faith is to the soul as the animal spirits are to the body they excite lively operations in the body Faith excites Repentance it is like the fire to the Still which makes it drop When I believe Gods love to me this makes me weep that I should sin against so good a God Faith is the Mother of Hope first we believe the Promise then we hope for it Faith is the Oyl which feeds the Lamp of Hope Faith and Hope are two Turtle-graces take away one and the other languisheth If the sinews be cut the body is lame if this sinew of Faith be cut Hope is lame Faith is the ground of Patience He who believes God is his God and all Providences work for his good doth patiently yield up himself to the Will of God thus Faith is a living Principle And the life of a Saint is nothing else but a life of Faith his prayer is the breathing of Faith Iam. 5. 15. His obedience is the result of Faith Rom. 16. 26. A godly man by Faith lives in Christ as the beam lives in the Sun Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me A Christian by the power of Faith sees above Reason trades above the Moon by Faith his heart is finely quieted he trusts himself and all his affairs with God As in a time of War men get into a Garrison and trust themselves and their treasure there So the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower Pro. 18. 10. and a Believer trusts all that ever he is worth in this Garrison 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day God trusted Paul with his Gospel and Paul trusted God with his Soul Faith is a Catholicon or remedy against all troubles it is a godly mans sheat-anchor that he casts out into the Sea of Gods mercy and is kept from sinking in despair Si modo firma fides nulla ruina nocet Use. Let us try our selves by this Character Alas how far are they from being godly that are destitute of Faith such as are altogether drowned in Sense Most men are spiritually purblind they can see but just before them 2 Pet. 1. 9. I have read of a people of India who are born with one eye such are they who are born with the eye of Reason but want the eye of Faith who because they do not see God with bodily eyes they do not believe a God they may as well not believe they have Souls because being Spirits they cannot be seen O where is he who lives in Excelsis who is gotten into the upper Region and sees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things not seen Heb. 11. 27. Did men live by Faith would they use sinful policy for a livelihood Were there Faith would there be so much fraud Did Faith live would men like dead fish swim down the stream In this Age there is scarce so much Faith to be found among men as there is among the Devils for they believe and tremble It was a grave and serious speech of Mr. Greenham that he feared not Papisme but Atheisme would be Englands ruine But I shall not expatiate having been more large upon this Head in another discourse SECT III. 3. A godly man is fired with love to God Psalm 116. 1. Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns A true Saint is carried in that Chariot the midst whereof is paved with love Cant. 3. 10. As Faith doth quicken so love doth sweeten every duty The Sun mellows the fruit so love mellows the services of Religion and makes them come off with a better relish A godly man is sick of love Ioh. 21. 16. Lord thou knowest I love thee Though dear Saviour I did deny thee yet it was for want of strength not for want of love God is the Fountain and Quintessence of goodness his beauty and sweetness lay constraints of love upon a gracious heart God is the Saints portion Psalm 119. 57. And what more loved then a portion I would hate my own Soul saith Austin if I found it not loving 〈◊〉 A godly man loves God therefore delight to be in his presence he loves God therefore takes comfort in nothing without him Cant. 3. 3. Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth Lilia nigra videntur Pallentesque rosae nec dulce rubens hyacinthus Nullos nèc myrtus nec laurus spirat odores The pious Soul loves God therefore thirsts after him the more he hath of God the more still he desires a sip of the Wine of the Spirit provokes the appetite after more The Soul loves God therefore rejoyceth to think of his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8. He loves him therefore longs to be with him Christ was in Pauls heart and Paul would be in Christs bosome Phil. 1. 23. When the Soul is once like God it would fain be with God A gracious heart cries out O that I had wings that I might flie away and be
High Priest Heb. 2. 17. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmity every bruise of the soul goes to his heart none refuse Christ but such as do not know him He is nothing but love incarnated He himself was bruised to heal them that are bruised 3. See then what encouragement here is for Faith Had Christ said he would break the bruised reed then indeed there were ground for despair but when Christ saith he will not break a bruised reed this opens a door of hope for humble bruised souls Can we say we have been bruised for sin why do we not believe Why do we go drooping under our fears and discouragements as if there were no mercy for us Christ saith He will heal the broken in heart Psal. 147. 3. No saith Unbelief he will not heal me Christ saith he will cure the bruised soul No saith Unbelief he will kill it Unbelief as it makes our comforts void so it goes about to make the Word void as if all Gods Promises were but forgeries or like Blanks in a Lottery Hath the Lord said he will not break a bruised reed can Truth lie O what a sin is unbelief Some think it dreadful to be among the number of drunkards swearers whoremongers let me tell you it is no less dreadful to be among the number of Unbelievers Unbelief is worse than any other sin because it brings God into suspition with the Creature it robs him of the richest Jewel of his Crown and that is his truth 1 Ioh. 5. 10. He that believeth not hath made God a lyar Oh then let all humbled sinners go to Jesus Christ Christ was bruised with desertion to heal them who are bruised with sin If you can show Christ your sores and touch him by faith you shall be healed of all your soul-bruises Will not Christ break thee then do not undo thy self by despair Use 2. Will not Jesus Christ break a bruised reed then it reproves those who do what in them lies to break the bruised reed and they are such as go about to hinder the work of Conversion in others when they see them wounded and troubled for sin they dishearâ—en them telling them that Religion is a sowre melancholly thing they had better return to their former pleasures when an Arrow of Conviction is shot into their Conscience these pull it out again and will not suffer the work of Conviction to go forward Thus when the soul is almost bruised they hinder it from a thorow bruise This is for men to be Devils to others If to shed the bloud of another makes a man guilty what is it to damn anothers soul Use 3. This Text is a spiritual hony-comb dropping consolation into all bruised hearts as in the body when there is a Lipothimy or fainting of the vital spirits we apply cordials so when sinners are bruised for their sins I shall give them some cordial-water to revive them This text is comfortable to a poor soul who sits with Iob among the Ashes and is dejected in the sense of its unworthiness Ah! saith the soul I am unworthy of mercy what am I that ever God should look upon me those who have greater parts and Graces perhaps may obtain a look from God but alas I am unworthy doth thy unworthiness trouble thee what more unworthy than a bruised reed yet there is a promise made to that a bruised reed he will not break the promise is not made to the Fig-tree or Olive which are fertile plants but to the Bruised reed Though thou art despicable in thy own eyes a poor shattered reed yet thou mayest be glorious in the eyes of the Lord let not thy unworthiness discourage thee if thou seest thy self vile and Christ pretious this promise is thine Christ will not break thee but will binde up thy wounds Quest. But how shall I know that I am savingly bruised Answ. Did God ever bring thee upon thy knees hath thy proud heart been humbled didst thou ever see thy self a sinner and nothing but a sinner didst thou ever with a weeping eye look upon Christ and did those tears drop from the eye of faith This is a Gospel-bruising canst thou say Lord though I do not see thee yet I love thee though I am in the dark yet I cast Anchor this is to be a bruised reed Object 1 But I fear I am not bruised enough Answ. 'T is hard to prescribe a just measure of humiliation it is in the new birth as in the natural some bring forth with more pangs some with fewer but would you know when you are bruised enough when your spirit is so troubled that you are willing to let go those lusts which did bring in the greatest income of pleasure and delight when sin is not only discarded but disgusted then you have been bruised enough then the Physick is strong enough when it hath purged out the disease then the soul is bruised enough when the love of sin is purged out Object 2 But I fear I am not bruised as I should be I finde my heart so hard Answ. 1 Wee must distinguish between hardness of heart and an hardâ—heart the best heart may have some hardness but though there be some hardnesse in it it is not an hard heart denominations are from the better part if we come into a field that hath Tares and Wheat in it we do not call it a field of Tares but a Wheat-field so though there be hardnesse in the heart as well as softnesse yet God who judgeth by that part which is more excellent looks upon it as a soft heart 2 There is a great difference between the hardnesse in the godly and the wicked the one is natural the other is only accidental the hardnesse in a wicked man is like the hardnesse of a stone which is an innate continued hardnesse the hardnesse in a childe of God is like the hardnesse of Ice which is soon melted with the Sun-beams perhaps God hath at present withdrawn his spirit whereupon the heart is congeal'd as Ice but let Gods spirit as the Sun return and shine upon the heart now it hath a gracious thaw upon it and it melts in love 3 Dost not thou grieve under thy hardnesse thou sighest for want of groans thou weepest for want of tears the hard reed cannot weep if â—hou wert not a bruised reed all this moisture could not come from thee Object 3 But I am a barren reed I bring forth no fruit therefore I fear I shall bee broken Answ. Gracious hearts are apt to overlook the good that is in them they can spye the worm in the leaf but not the fruit Why dost thou say thou art barren if thou art a bruised reed thou art not barren The spiritual reed ingrafted into the true Vine is fruitful there is so much sap in Christ as makes all who are inoculated into him bear fruit Christ distils grace as drops of dew
grace shine in his soul and the next day his light put out in obscurity This would spill a Christians comfort and break asunder the golden Chain of Salvation but be assured O Christian he who hath begun a good work will ripen it into perfection Christ will send forth judgement unto victory he will make grace victorious over all opposite corruption If grace should finally perish what would become of the smoaking flax And how would that title properly be given to Christ Finisher of the Faith Object No question this is an undoubted priviledge to such as are smoaking flax and have the least beginnings of grace but I fear I am not smoaking flax I cannot see the light of grace in my self Answ. That I may comfort the smoaking flax why dost thou thus dispute against thy self What makes thee think thou hast no grace I believe thou hast more than thou wouldst be willing to part with thou valuest grace above the gold of Ophir How couldst thou see the worth and lustre of this Jewel if Gods Spirit had not opened thy eyes Thou wouldst fain believe and mournest that thou canst not believe are not these tears the Initials of Faith Thou desirest Christ and canst not be satisfied without him this beating of the pulse evidenceth life The iron could not move upward if the Loadstone did not draw it the heart could not ascend in holy breathings after God if some heavenly Loadstone had not been drawing it Christian canst thou say sin is thy burden Christ is thy delight and as Peter once said Lord thou knowest I love thee This is smoaking flax and the Lord will not quench it thy grace shall flourish into glory God will sooner extinguish the light of the Sun than extinguish the dawning light of his spirit in thy heart 2. Let a Christian pursue his duty There are two duties required of believers 1. Love 2. Labour 1. Love Will not the Lord quench the smoaking flax but make it at last victorious over all opposition how should the smoaking flax flame in love to God Psal. 31. 23. love the Lord all ye his Saints The Saints owe much to God and when they have nothing to pay it is hard if they cannot love him O ye Saints it is God who carries on grace progressively in your souls He is like a Father who gives his son a small stock of money to begin with and when he hath traded a little he adds more to the stock So God adds continually to your stock he is every day dropping oyl into the lamp of your grace and so keeps the lamp burning This may inflame your love to God who will not let the work of grace miscarry but will bring it to perfection The smoaking flax he will not quench How should Gods people long for heaven when it will be their constant work to breathe forth love and found forth praise 2. The second duty required of Christians is labour Some may think if Christ will not quench the smoaking flax but make it burn brighter to the Meridian of glory then we need take no pains but leave God to bring his own work about Take heed of drawing so bad a Conclusion from such good premises What I have spoken is to encourage Faith not to indulge sloath Do not think God will do our work for us and we sit still As God will blow up the spark of grace by his spirit so we must be blowing it up by holy endeavours God will not bring us to heaven sleeping but praying The Lord told Paul all in the Ship should come safe to shore but it must be in the use of means Act. 27. 21. Except ye abide in the Ship ye cannot be saved So the Saints shall certainly arrive at Salvation they shall come to shore at last but they must abide in the Ship in the use of Ordinances else they cannot be saved Christ assures his Disciples None shall pluck them out of his hand Ioh. 10. 28. But yet he gives that counsel Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Mat 26. 41. The seed of God shall not die but we must water it with our tears the smoaking flax shall not be quenched but we must blow it up with the breath of our endeavour The second comfort to the godly is that godliness advanceth them into a near and glorious union with Jesus Christ But of this in the next CHAP. XII Shewing the Mystical union between Christ and the Saints CANT 2. 16. My beloved is mine and I am his IN this Book of the Canticles we see the love of Christ and his Church running toward each other in a full torrent The Text contains three general Parts 1 A Symbol of affection my beloved 2 A term of appropriation is mine 3 An holy resignation I am his Doct. That there is a conjugal union between Christ and beleevers The Apostle having treated at large of marriage he windes up the whole chapter thus Eph. 5. 32. This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church what nearer than union what sweeter there is a twofold union with Christ 1 A natural union this all men have Christ having taken their nature upon him and not the Angels Heb. 2. 16. but if there be no more than this natural union it will give little comfort thousands are damned though Christ be united to their nature 2 There is a sacred union whereby we are mystically united to Christ the union with Christ is not personal if Christs essence were transfused into the person of a beleever then it would follow that all which a beleever doth should merit But the union between Christ and a Saint is 1 Faederal my beloved is mine God the Father gives the bride God the Son receives the bride God the Holy ghost tyes the knot in marriage he knits our wills to Christ and Christs love to us 2 This union is vertual Christ unites himself to his spouse by his graces and influences Iohn 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace Christ makes himself one with the spouse by conveying his Image and stamping the impress of his own holiness upon her This union with Christ may well be called mystical it is hard to describe the manner of it as it is hard to shew the manner how the soul is united to the body so how Christ is united to the soul but though this union be spiritual it is real Things in nature work often insensibly yet really Eccles. 11. 5. we do not see the hand move on the Dial yet it moves the Sun exhales and draws up the vapours of the earth insensibly yet really so the union between Christ and the soul though it be imperceptible to the eye of reason yet is real 1 Cor. 6. 17. Before this union with Christ there must be a separation the heart must be separated from all other lovers as in marriage there is a leaving of
as is pretended Oh yee Saints of God forget not consolation let others see that you repent not of your choice 't is joy that puts liveliness and activity into a Christian Nehem. 8. 10. The ioy of the Lord is your strength Then the soul is swiftest in duty when it is carried upon the wings of joy 4. Adorn this Marriage-Relation that you may be a crown to your husband 1. Wear a vail We read of the spouses vail Cant. 5. 7. This vail is humility 2. Put on your Jewels These are the graces which for their lustre are compared to rows of Pearl and chains of gold Cant. 1. 10. These precious Jewels distinguish Christs Bride from strangers 3. Carry your selves as becomes Christs Spouse 1. In chastity 2. In sanctity 1. In chastity Be chaste in your judgments defile not your selves with error error adulterates the mind 1 Tim. 6. 5. 't is one of Satans artifices first to defile the judgement then the conscience 2. In sanctity It is not for Christs Spouse to do as Harlots a naked breast a wanton tongue doth not become a Saint Christs Bride must shine forth in Gospel-purity that she may make her husband fall in love with her A woman being asked what Dowry she brought her husband answered she had no Dowry but she promised to keep her self chaste so though we can bring to Christ no Dowry yet he looks we should keep our selves pure not spotting the breasts of our Virginity by contagious and scandalous sins FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE A AFflictions on the Saints various 172 Afflictions may lye long ibid. Affliction compared to a Net 173 Apostasie dangerous 301 Arguments to patience in affliction 174 Assurance to be endeavoured after 308 B Benefits by Christ precious 56 Bruised reed what 318 When a soul is bruised enough 326 Bruised Reed not barren 328 C Caution to the Godly 315 Characters of a godly man 15 Children to honour their Parents 225 Christ of a merciful disposition 322 Christ full of preciousness 53 Christ prized by a Saint 57 Comfort to the real Christian. 317 Company of the godly to be frequented 299 Complexion-sin how known 210 Contentment with our condition 247 Covetousness to be avoided 301 Counsel to the godly 316 D Danger in allowing one sin 215 Decay of Charity to be bewailed 200 Diligence in a mans calling 242 Disobedient children punished 226 Distinctions about humility 103 Distractions in duties whence they arise 232 How they may be cured 233 E Earthly and godly a contradiction 146 Endeavours of a Christian to be quickned 342 Examples of patience 171 Examples speak louder than precepts 267 Excellency of the Word written 83 F Faith excites all the graces 28 Few know the mystery of Faith 30 Faiths encouragement 323 Falling from grace refuted 334 Fathers to instruct and pray for children 223 Forgiveness of sin 2 How sad to want it 4 How sweet to have it ib. G Gainful sins make men loosers 209 God the best Master 46 Godliness what 5 Seven maxims about godliness 6 Godly man like God 34 Godly man a lover of the Word 77 Godly man exact about the worship of God 39 Godly man instrumental for the good of others 263 Godliness exhorted to 273 Godly men prudent 284 Godly men the Bulwark of a nation 285 Helps to godliness 295 Grace to be promoted in our relations 268 One grace in truth hath all linked with it 272 H Hardness of heart differenced from an hard heart 327 Haters of Saints put in Gods black Book 206 Heart to be called toaccount 240 Heart to be watched 296 Heavenly mindedness the note of a Saint 141 How many wayes a godly man is heavenly 142 Heaven-aspiring motives 147 How heaven is a better country 150 Holiness Gods glory 35 Holiness of Saints wherein discovered 36 Honouring of Parents wherein it consists 225 Humble Soul Characterized 104 Humility exhorted to 113 How to be attained 115 Husbands must love their Wives 221 Hypocrisie a vile sin 138 Hypocrites partial in matters of Religion 239 I Ignorance in Gospel-times inexcusable 22 Indulging sin what 206 Ingratitude odious 193 Injuries to be forgiven 245 K Divine Knowledge how qualified 16 To be sought after 24 How obtained 25 L Life of a Saint a life of believing 29 Love of God to his people 283 Love to God 31 Love to the Scriptures how shown 79 Love to the Word Preached 84 Whether we are Lovers of the Word 85 Love to the Saints how qualified 196 Motives to Love 201 Love how gotten and preserved 205 Luke-warm temper abominable 161 M Magistrates must put on Iustice as a robe 218 Masters to be good at home as well as at Church 224 Ministers must sweat in Gods Vineyard 218 Ministers ought to be zealous 219 Mischieving of Souls three waies 267 Misery of a natural estate 275 Moral Righteousness to be observed 243 Mystical union sweet 343 O Obedience to God must be universal 238 How a godly man obeys all Gods commands 249 Object Touching hardness of heart answered 327 Object Touching smoaking flax answered 339 Offices of Christ precious 55 Opposites to patience 166 P Patience in waiting 164 Patience in bearing 165 Patience what it is ib. Patience how attained 177 Persecution for Christ. 248 Perseverance in the profession of godliness 299 Means to perseverance 301 Motives to perseverance 309 Persons of the godly precious 280 Praise a God-exalting work 181 Prayer the badge of a godly man 117 Prayer spiritual what it is 119 A perswasive to Prayer 128 Pretenders to godliness 8 Pride an horrid sin 114 Persons who do not prize Christ. 60 Whether we are prizers of Christ. 62 A perswasive to all to prize Christ. 67 Promises to persevering Christians 310 Proud men unmasked 110 R Relative holiness 218 Motives to be good in our relation 228 Reproof to them who pray not at all 126 Reproofs when loved 87 Religion to be entred upon out of choice 305 S Secret sins 207 Self-denial needful 307 Servant of God described 43 Service of God excellent 47 Serving of men when sinful 51 Servants how to carry themselves to their Masters 226 Sincere Christian deciphered 131 Sincerity the ingredient into all the graces 134 Sincerity a jewel of incomparable worth 135 Sins of a justified person odious 73 Smoking flax what it signifies 328 Why smoking flax shall not be quenched 331 Spirit of God known by its motions 89 Spirits motions how distinguished from the impulse of a natural conscience 90 Spirit known by its vertues 91 How the spirit of God comforts 94 Spirit deriders far from Godly 99 Spirits in-dwelling to be laboured after 100 Such as have the spirit how they are to carry themselves 101 Spiritualness in duty what 230 How we may grow more spiritual in the service of God 236 Superstitions persons seldome converted 41 Support in the death of godly relations 168 Sympathy with Sion 246 T Thankfulness a work proper for a Saint 179 Thankfulness in adversity as well as