but to cut off prolixity Psal 108 1. Luke 10. ult I shal rather convert the former ten particulars with the like into some spiritual Soliloquies since all of them exhibit some excellent benefits flowing from Christ alluring the soul to him as by the smell of those precious ointments wherewith he was affused and inaugurated into all his offices by the Holy Ghost which was signified by the inunction of the Aaronieal Priesthood of old in type by a choice composition of myrrhe or Benzoin cinamon sweet calamus cassia lignea Exod. 30.24 and oil-olive So was our holy Lord conse crated a Priest for ever over the house of God. Psal 45.7 Let us now breathe out our warm desires and flowing hopes in some few Ejaculations as to all the ten particulars into his own bosom The Soliloquies 1 O Blessed Lord I am scorchd and burnt up with the sense of thy wrath the thunders of thy Law amaze my soul Death and Eternity make my bexes to quake Psal 22.15.119.13 I am dryed like a pot-sheard or as a bottle in smoke Vox faucibus haeret my tongue is ready to cleave to the roof of my mouth But I come to thee as a gracious Saviour inviting calling promising to help me in those fainting agonies I thirst after thee as the fountain of Siloam and more than David after the water of Bethlehem 2. I faint and my soul quivers upon my pale lips nay is upon the wing to take flight into eternâ—ty I look up for some reviving smiles from the light of thy countenance Do thou look down O blessed Lord with one beam of mercy and it cures me for ever speak Lord for my soul waits to hear that peace which is the fruit of thy lips Psal 45.2 and that grace which was poured out into them O let me not faint nor sink into the dust of death and perish for ever For I have chosen to exhale my soul into thy bosom and dye at thy feet These are the sweet ardours of Faith. 3. Now then since I am come to thee O my blessed Saviour and that with my whole soul and come at the call of thy Word and Spirit For I heard thy voice in the woods of the wilderness and am returned to lie down at thy foot shall the hungry go emty away from the feast of such a Solomon Thou didst invite me by thy Ministers in many a choice calling Sermon and I made no excuse Luke 1.53 Prov 9.3 though too much delay so speaks my sorow yet the feet of those who brought the glad tidings of thy love were to me more beautiful and enamouring than the ruddy morning 4. Moreover O searcher of Reins thou knowest that I am inwardly willing to receive thee upon all the terms in thy holy Gospel signified by thy heavenly call since then my bended will inclines its bowing head towards thy bosom and my whole soul cries after thee since my hands are stretcht out towards thy holy place and my parched mouth wide open to receive that Nectar of heaven the waters of life O fail not â—he expectation of the needy that commits his soul to thee be not silent to my cries Psal 40.2 that ascend out of the deep and dark pit and from the horrible clay 5. Thou hast O Saviour full of bowels given strength to my feet and restored the nerves and sinews that hung shriveld about my anckle bones as thou didst to the cripple at the Temple-gate so deal with me thy Lazarus that 's spiritually lame and full of fores Acts 3.7 yet limps towards the throne of grace the Temple of mercy Strengthen my hands O Lord that I may as firmly take hold of thy love as I am freely come to thee for thy Salvation 6. Yea most blessed Saviour I begin to be encouraged by the warm beams of thy love and feel some vertue flowing from thee to invigorate all the muscles and tendons of my affections and whatever incites and inspirits the motive faculty of my soul so that I now most humbly and reverently beg leave and permission to lean upon thee and to lay my soul down by thee and in thy bosome to repose as far as thou shalt graciously please to admit me into thy communion for succor suâ—port and comfort 7. O stay me with flaggons for I am faint by the strong and over coming beams of divine love and yet resolved in thy strength to cleave to the arm of thy power 1 Cor. 6.17 and by the unction of thy spirit to be united into one spirit with the Lord. 8. And to embrace thy love that everlasting love which sprang from thee in thine electing mercy and pity before the world began 9. And am now become more solicitous by thine aid and help to cast all my cares upon thee then ever I was anxious and distressed as to events while those pressures caused my foul to groan out to heaven 10. I am now determined by thy power to breathe out my soul at last only into thy compassionate bosome Col. 1.11 to be kept to the day of Redemption and being strengthned with all might by thy glorious power humbly resolve to wait with all patience in the fresh actings of Faith till I see thy face in the joyful morning of the resurrection The soul having in these few panting Soliloquies poured forth its breakings of heart before God desires yet further to be resolved in one question to help its joy and therewith I shall conclude this chapter Quest How may I discern the truth and integrity of these breathings of the soul to be the true actings of Faith. Answ I answer labour to feel the pulse of thy soul as once a Greek Physitian touching the arterial pulse of a young Prince of Macedon knew whether his heart wâ—nt So may we assuredly know where our treasure is seated and where our love is planted if we find our hearts to be where Christ is set down even at the right-hand of God. But le ts reply a little more distinctly Col. 3 1 2. 1. Consider where thy soul doth most acquisce where dost thou feel thy soul at most rest and quiet He that bids his soul take ease in a fat barn was but a gross fool Luke 12.18 and he that puts his hope or trust in a clod of yellow clay bows down to a dumb Idol that cannot profit But if as David when dying we have all our hope and salvation in the covenant of a living God 2 Sam. 23. establisht to us in all things and sure If thou repose thy weary spirits in the bosome of Christ and findest thy lingring weariness to wear away in the warm bath of his Love and resignest thy self into his tuition and under the canopy of heaven and exercising thy self in applying precious promises suitable to thy captive state by the rivers of Babylon and patiently waitest for his bright and blessed appearance and Kingdom
the water-brooks Psal 27.13 And at other times he had totally fainted had not Faith fed his hope with a seeing of God in the land of the living The promises of mercy are made to such thirstings and strong desires after God. Isai 55.1 2. 26.8 9 12. Psal 97 12. The desire of our soul sayes the Church is to thy Name and at the remembrance of thine holiness do we rejoyce Again with my soul have I desired thee in the night when others are folded in the arms of the deepest sleep I am musing with deep meditation and am still awake with thee Then follows that holy confidence dropt in from heaven Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works in us whence it follows that when the breathings of the soul are inspired by God thâ—n his ordinance of peace shall issue from the throne of grace Besides The thirst of the soul through defect of the dewes of Zion sometimes proves so extream that it falls into a flaming Fever and lies tossing and tumbling and feeling after cool places Song 2.4 but finds no rest till it comes to the chambers of Christ and then with holy longings and bitter ejaculations cries out My heart and my flesh faileth Oh when shall I come and appear before him when shall I see bis face enjoy his love and rest in his bosom This is a sure act of Faith when the soul prises Christ above all delights in none but him as the incomparable object of his souls satisfaction if it take any comfort in sublunary things t is but in ordine ad Christum in subordination to him and in order to his glory The soul doth anhelare breath and thirst more after him than all the pleasures and treasures of Egypt the Gums of Arabia the Spices of India the Diamonds of Golcondah or the peculiar riches of Princes nay than the fragrant Rivers of Balsam in heaven it self besides him as the holy Psalmist flames it out Whom have I in heaven but thee and whom in earth in comparison with thee Psal 73.25 2. Sometimes Faith is represented by looking up to Christ with a stedfast eye and an earnful countenance till all the visive spirits pass the optick nerve and land in his bosom All the bowels of the Soul are wrackt and torn with convulsive motions and iliack passions the heart faint and sick with many a swounding fit the vital moisture having spent it self at the eyes Psal 38 10. Lam 2.11 is almost blind with the saltness of her tears and ready to give up the ghost in deep sighs and profound palpitations of heart â—ong 1 7. has only a few minutes wherein to cry out O thou whom my soul loveth hungers longs and pants after and being now set down under a Palm in the vally of tears and terrors sinks down and yet looks towards him when flying away like a young Hart upon the Mountains of Lebanon and leaving it in a desolate case forlorn and exposed to the mercy of Tigres and young Leopards Yet the Soul cries out as long as breath and life remains will I look to the place where thine honour dwells as the only one of my soul my Lord and Maker who hast commanded me to look towards thee and be saved Thy Word says Behold me behold me Isai 17.7 45.22 and my heart in obedience replies Thus will I spend my dayes and end my life This Looking to Christ is sometimes shadowed by the stung Israelites looking up to the brazen Serpent Joh. 3.14 In imitation whereof t is thought the Gentiles composed their Talismanical figures whereof the Learned often treat But letting them pass let us call to mind that Israel after their many murmurs in the Wilderness and refractary deportments toward the Rock of ages felt at length the dreadful wrath of God in sending upon them those Alati Serpentes the fiery flying Serpents of Arabia Plin. Epiyhan those angry venomous creatures which having once fastened their needle teeth and dropt their yellow poyson into the wound the stung persons tanquam a dipsade percussi were painted as said of some with various spots of the colour of Serpents and swelld immensely died with an insatiable thirst as in the deadly Calenture at Sea. But such as lookt up to the copper Serpent made at Punon Phâ—nnâ—sia metal la in Arabia and set on a Pole presently received cure as if the flesh of the adder had been laid to the wounds to extract the malignant venom Had they lookt any whither else but to this type of our Saviour all was in vain Had their eye been upon Moses in the moral Law or on Aaron in the ceremonial observances it would have performed no cure it was Christ alone who overcame the great Serpent of the bottomless pit and was lifted up on the cross for this blessed view of Faith. 3. This work of Faith is set forth by coming to Christ at his call Mat. 11.28 according to that sweet invitation of his Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden c. For the burden of sin the Law Gods wrath hell and eternity lie very heavy upon conscience and will prove unsupportable unless eased by his bosom When the soul is ready to starve pines away and lockes black with famine John 6.35 then to hear that blessed voice Whoso cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst Where our holy Lord himself explains coming by believing pedibus fidei with the feâ—t of faith and affections 44 45 46 we come to him for salvation and so 't is used in the neighbour verses Psal 63.8 Sometimes 't is exprest by the souls following hard after God hebr cleaving that is following so closely as if it held him by the garment and drag'd after him In the times of fear and desertion it runs after God Song 1. â— 4. Bern being allured and drawn by the perfumed ointments of his name the rich odours of the promises as powerful attractives to needy and distressed persons othertimes this work is exhibited by the flying of guilty persons in old time to the city of refuge Thus David points at God as his refuge and high rock to fly to and be safe Of ancient times t is reported that the gatâ—s of these cities stood continually open that all the ways were made plain and even that every stumbling block was removed and the passages maintained with accurate care above all the high-ways in Canaan Isa 57.14 and some of the cities might be sâ—ated in plains as Bezer was that difficult ascent might not retard the speed of the flâ—er that so the soul guilty of bloody crimes Deut. 4 43. Numb 35 12 might scape the dreadful avenger that holy Law of God and having retired to the city of Christ might there continue so long as this Eternal High-priest after the order
without great mercy to the innocent party For the truth is Sancâ—ior copulâ— cordis quam corporis it can be no less than an original cheat and a wicked action when a Woman accepts a Husband meerly for gain or honour when her heart was never honestly and truly towards him It was the false act of a strange or whorish heart in the sight of God when others whose spirits were right might have stood sincere and faithful being filld with candor and sweetness in conjugal Relations Even so it is as to outward hypocritical and feigned Professors who take Christ in the Sun-shine of the Gospel and in hope of a great inheritance when the will in its personal adherence to Christ for his righteousness and holiness never came to a true and real union Whereas the Will is the main point in Marriage according to the determinate rule of the civil Law Consensus non concubitus efficit matrimonium Cod. Justin T is consent and not the bed that makes it So in all moral actions contracts and agreements neither is it otherwise in this grand spiritual concernment of the soul when the Judgment has declared the undone and ruined estate of any out of Christ and proclaimed the rare excellencies that are in him and how appropriate a Saviour to scatter all our fears root out all despondencies and to supply all its wants and indigencies Then comes in the Will and chooses his person as the most lovely in Heaven and Earth consents to all his gracious offers and sincerely embraces his love and mercy with unspeakable joy and thankfulness and delightful resolutions of new and constant Obedience The soul then being invited by Christ in such sweet alluring terms Rev 24 17 Isa 551 Song 1 3 as these Whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely and ho every one that thirsteth c. it finds a sweet inclination smelling fragrantly of the precious anointings of the Spirit when this powerful faculty is turned about renewed and filled with the balsome of heaven and thereby through infinite grace and irresistable power allured to look and run after him to accept him and close with him on the terms of the New Covenant of grace In Scripture therefore the Will is often phrased and signified by the bea rt Thus Solomon prayes at the Dedication that the Lord would incline their hearts that is 1 King 8 58 Psal 119 36 112. sweetly bend their wills to keep his laws and David thus incline my bea rt unto thy testimonies and to perform thy Statutes To incline the will is when divine light has set before the understanding the knowledge of the true good this divine power inwardly moves the will to it Lactant. de Orig c 3 de fals sap l. 3. c. 10 de ira Dei c 7. Bp Wilkins in a set discourse 8. Lond. 1678. not by any force or coaction but by a sweet melting and moulding it into the Will of God. Man is a rational creature and a religious as Lactantius seems to make the last his specifick difference from bruits So that when the stony heart is by infinite power changed into golden oar then 't is melted by the fire of divine love in the furnace of godly repentance and by degrees cast into the mould of the divine will and effigiated or shaped into the exact image of his Son. After this great work the renewed soul finds its will determina ely carried to blessed objects and turned quite about to delight in heavenly persons and things There 's no compulsion in the point but natura renovata fertur the soul being changed is now by its own spontaneous freedom carried with a spiritual naturality to that which is coadequate to its essence and hath received from God a blessed recovery to an enjoyment of and a complacency in this supreame and everlasting good Now though the soul can do no otherwise as far as 't is renewed yet it is no way compelled but acts according to its own delight and pleasure For the whole soul whole heart whole will so far as renewed is carried out with all the Sails of its desires and satiated with the sense and comfort of this most happy change and when come to heaven will be fully concentred in those enjoyments and bathed in that Ocean of bliss no otherwise in their though minute proportion than God himself the humane nature of our Lord then holy Angels and the Saints in glory After which manner some of the Ancients and several of the Moderns express themselves I shall a little touch upon what Strangius declares to this point Libertas naturae est ab omni necessitate Strangig de Voluntate Dei amstel 1657. p. 683. l 3 c. 14 p. 686. quae repugnat naturae voluntatis Liberty of nature is when free from all necessity which is a thing repugnant to the nature of the Will. Again Necessity doth not overthrow our Liberty Again p. 687. Indifferency lies then in the nature of Liberty when it can act or not act about the same object when it may choose either that or another and afterward instances in God in Angels and in the blessed Saints 690. and so Pemble p. 87. Ant Burges of sin p. 312. whose will is determined to true Good c. This powerful and sweet motion and inclination of the will of a believer by the spirit of God may be happily shadowed forth by the inclination of the mind in persons carried towards union in the Marriage-covenant It is of God and generally little or no reason to be given of many of their choices but an influence or impulse from heaven in those that out of pure and honest affection give mutual consent to that relation and not for any base and sinister ends but for personal delight in each other wherein that unspotted intaminated love in rational beings so vastly differs from bruitish lusts and draws nigh to an Angelical Excellency like that of an honourable Lady to a Philosopher in Scotland mentioned by Burton in his book of Melancholly How much more and transcendently excellent is that joyful and heavenly love moving in the heart by the finger of God in a soul that thirsts after spiritual espousals to the Lord of Life There is no adumbration of our union to the Lord Jesus more proper or pertinent than this wherein the Scripture doth so greatly delight To the accomplishment whereof the drawing of the Father is requisite and 't is performed by inward teaching Eph. 5.32 Rev. 19.7 Johae 6.44 45 and thereby producing a heavenly inclination to this union and communion with his Son as the most excellent person and most beloved of the Soul. This secret work being formed upon the heart makes up that inseparable conjunction with Christ which shall triumph in the same chariot to eternity Moreover when 't is freely consented to by the Soul For the gracious heart acts voluntarily tho by
of Melchizedeck shall continue in being and that 's according to the Law of an endless life for evermore Hâ—h 7.6.28 4 This acting of Faith is shadowed forth by our receiving of Christ and therefore must be an act of the will and affections when being sensible and convinced of his being the most adequate good for the soul stretches forth its hand like a ragged indigent beggar after a bag of gold when frankly held to him by some munificent prince or as a drooping sinking languishing patient holds out his cup for a physitians cordial For to as many as will receive him he gives out the right and priviledge of adoption to a glorious inheritance above the starry heavens John 1.12 Col. 2 6. John 17.24 Rev. 3.21 O Blessed Saviour wilt thou give thy heaven thy glory thy joy thy crown thy throne by mystical union to as many as do but accept of this motion of mercy grot de jure c. Will acceptation bring us into acquisition and a just perception of all the territories of this vast immense and eternal patrimony Who would not open his arms his heart the penetralia cordis the most intimate chambers of his soul according to all thy tenders in all thine offices and to all thy blessed purposes and cry out with vehement and ardent moans Are not the doors wide open come bright morning star come Lord Jesus come quickly True Prov. 22 16. Son. â— 5 Faith indeed is but the hand that turns the lock of the souls closet to entertain her blessed Lord But 't is the spirit of Christ who lays his powerful hand upon the hand of Faith else would continue shut and never open But this instrument of instruments as the Philosopher calls the hand acts and works in the power of that great efficient the spirit of God and is co-operative in him with him and by him Yea the spirit hath a co-essential communion with Christ himself who stands at the door and knocks by the call of his Ministers and leaves sweet smelling myrrh dropping upon the handles of the lock which like the famed oil of Lunaria beare with the comparison will eat throrow all and make the iron bolts to fly in sunder O then my soul since the Lord of glory is come to these everlasting gates take heed of a third knock lest he take unkindly depart and leave thee in the dark night of desertion 5. Another medium to set forth the actings of Faith is laying hold of him and his most blessed covenant This is called Isa 56.4.27 5. Isa 27.5.56.2 6. taking hold of Gods strength that is the ark of his strength that so we may make peace with him that dwells between the Cherubims The fame with laying hold on Gods righteousness and salvation in flying to the horns of the Altar of propitiation viz. the brazen by blood and the golden by incense Levlt 19.30 Isa 56 6.58.13 It is further deciphered by loving the name of the Lord Jehovah wherein is everlasting strength and in keeping the Sabbath from being polluted which is a special part of Gods covenant and a true token of a gracious and godly man in this his laying hold of God. Nay we find that the Lord complains of the church that few or none did lay hands on him a kind of holy violence in fervent prayers and Faith mixt with ardent desires and coming to him with earnest resolves to hang upon him as Mary did on Christ at his resurrection The Lord knew the soul of Mary would be clinging upon him and therefore with a gracious requital manifests himself to her and sends her with an errand of love to his Disciples There is a sort of holy violence and gracious impudence to be used in those cases as Chrysostome expresses it of the woman of Canaan that would have no denyal When we seek the kingdom of God Mat. 11.12 we must seek it with vehemence and take it by violence We are commanded to lay hold on eternal Iâ—se in allusion to the swift courses at the Olympick stadium in Greece 1 Tim. 6 12. who coming near the prize or garland stretcht out the hands and leapt up with some violence to take hold of the crown of victory 1 Tim 6.12 Heb 6 18 So the Apostle exhorts us lay hold on the hope that is set before us as Jacob held the Angel fast and would not let him go before he was blest Yea the Spouse in the song having found whom her soul loved Song 3.4 held him close and let him go no more 6. In the sixth place When we are now come to him and have laid hold of his strength and are sweetly solaced with his favour then begin we to relie Prov. 325 leane and rest upon him with some holy confidence For leaning and trusting are in Solomons language terms equivalent A posture this is of great sweetness and satiates the soul that it seeks no further All sublunary relations and enjoyments leaves a windy emptiness in the soul but here 's Jacobs enough which indeed contains all things and so indeed should be translated Jer 33 11. Song 8.5 Such high contentment of spirit fills the soul in her walking out of the wilderness towards Canaan leaning upon her Beloved The same posture we find the beloved disciple in John 21 20 Psal 37.5 22.8 leaning upon the bosom of our blessed Lord Thus are we encouraged in our streights to rowl our selves and our affairs upon the Almighty revolve te tua Vsher Divin p. 161. Lond. 1677. To the same purpose that holy man Bishop Vsher is much pleased with the term of the souls hanging upon Christ for life and salvation when he is setting out the nature of Faith Isai 10.20 Sometimes the Scripture useth the expression of the souls staying it self upon the Lord the Holy One of Israel in allusion to the support of a staff imployed by weak or aged persons to preserve from stumbling and falling Accordingly they find a holy rest and repose of spirit with a sweet recollection from the trembling of heart and quivering limbs by an happy settlement in his arms Yea when the feet have been swelled and blistred with rambling up and down in a weary and thirsty land Dan 8 4 here they find the shadow of a high rock with pleasant chrystal streams powring out of its cavernes to revive the faint and recal their flying spirits But now le ts search what are the great ends of the souls recumbency innitency resting and quiet reposing it self on this blessed Lord in the Arhâ—retum sacrum or paradise of his love why certainly such things that asswage its vehement thirst quell and subdue its fears compose its trem blings and allure its confidences and are no other than these following viz. Remission of all sin Justification by free grace peace of conscience when sprinkled with the blood of atonement adoption into Sonship
then to it again Dare men thus impose upon God and even wrest and force mercy against the Promises which are alway connext with obedience to precepts or do they think to lay the load upon Gods Soveraignty and with a bold face lay the cause of their wickedness at his door who is bound to none 't is mercy and free grace to any They know full well in their Consciences that they have a natural power to perform external duty to external commands as to hearing reading praying c. nay somewhat of internal as in meditating examining resolving and watching to perform their souls convictions They can do these things as well as go to Taverns Gaming 's Suffrage of Brit. Divines at Dort. p. 68. Lotteries and 't is justly to be feared to worse Cannot they as well repair to the assemblies hear reverently resolve humbly perform uniformly to the unspeakable comfort of their own Consciences under whose Discipline they so often tremble and after that to the joy of their godly Relations resolutely bid an eternal Farewel to all their foolish vain and treacherous Companions they would be loth to meet them in Hell the next bout and to dwell with them in everlasting burnings O then while the golden sands of time are yet running take hold of good Advice to cast off such reprobate Sons of Belial and abjects of the earth and hope by this method to arrive at divine mercy in Christ by trusting in Gods Covenant upon reformation and after some time well spent in Holiness may obtain the Joy of Faith which will end in the Salvation of their Souls T is but a little courage and the work is done O venture not the damnation of thy soul on the punctilio's of Dastardy as afraid to displease such brain-sick fools who after the thread is snapt by death will curse one another for ever as being mutual promoters of each others eternal ruine But I shall transmit this useful Satyr to the sixth Chapter and close the present with a question or two and so end it Quest 1. How to discern the first beginnings of Grace Ans As it was with Thomas he had at first but a confused knowledg whether Christ was going when told of his departure and as the blind man being under Christs cure saw imperfectly at first men walking like Trees but at length came to more perfect sight so t is here good souls at first see but darkly and feel but grosly yet thus much they may surely know and therefore infer a work of Grace surely begun within them by serious enquiry into their own hearts what their inmost thoughts when in a good frame do principally run upon what their earnest desires do most constantly thirst after and pitch upon what the secret wishes of their Souls are bent upon and herein Conscience will be a faithful witness whether it be for Salvation in the true way of Faith and Holiness which is accepting of Christ on the terms of grace and Gospel tenders as I have often mentioned to be the matter of our most close and secret enquiry and impartial resolution from an honest and unbribed Conscience Prov 23.7 On which account I may remember what ouce Mr. Rogers of Hassam being desired by Mr. Knightly a worthy Gentleman in Northamptonshire when one time he could not sleep in the night to help him to a Scripture to meditate on told that of Solomon As the man thinketh so is he which is so in truth For at what stairs the heart and its continued thoughts are plying there lies the true index of the souls state and its future happiness Quest 2. Whether desires of Grace are Grace Ans The former hint at this le ts a little enlarge and determine for a Scripture-truth if those desires be true and sincere of which take two or three tokens 1. If such desires are followed with faithful and speedy endeavours to promote and accomplish in the use of proper means Eccl. 9.10 Psal 27.8 Prov. 1.3 4.18.1.21.21.22.1 One thing have I desired sayes David and that will I seek after the soul of a sluggard desires and has nothing but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat Again the desire of the slothful killeth him for â—is hands refuse to labour he 's alwayes roaring within that there 's a Lion roaring without Ruine is the end of lazy wishes but he that is diligent in this business shall stand before the Prince of Princes 2. If thy desires grow and encrease having been attended with success He that gathereth by Labour shall increase Holy desires will grow by knowledg and the teachable grace of humility Prov. 18.11 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace sayes Peter but how he Answers by the knowlâ—dg of our Lord and Saviour Yet there is a stated measure to which we are appointed and can proceed no further tho we know it not and to whatever point our study is bent we can know but in part in this life and therefore Faith of the choicest Believers is but in part on this side glory 3. If thy desires prove uncessant and impatient till accomplishment and enjoyment then will they prove a tree of life Thruâ— desire sayes Solomon a man having separated himself Prov. 13.12 Prov. 18.1 seeketh and intermedleth with all wisdom He must alienate from all impertinencies and dedicate himself to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the work in hand the matter and end proposed which is a fair token that a man 's in earnest and will never cease till he arrives at his Haven by the fair wind of Providence Desire is a restless affection and pursues its end against all opposition round the whole Globe Like a Spring that breaks out at the foot of the high Mountain of Resolution and quickly spreads to a well a brook a river till at last it unbosome in the vast Ocean Orlike the Morning Star that ushers in the dawning twilight which gradually ascending swells over the Eastern Mountains and prophecies the bright Suns appearance who never leaves climbing the horizontal hills till he shines in his lustre and at last sits down in his Throne in the mid-heaven Prov. 4.18 guarded with Lions Such is the path of the just which shineth more and more to the perfect noon day of eternal glory But to end after all considerations of the nature of desires and the meanest state in grace be but sure and clear that thy Faith is of the right stamp and your enquiry about the lowest degree of Grace will be rather superfluous and too full of critical ambiguities and niceties CHAP IV V. THe Title of the fourth Chapter concerns the Doctrine of Justification by Faith as before related Page 54 and was fitted for Publication but because of necessary avocations calling me from the Press which the sharpness of the Winter and other delayes had too much congealed from Motion I found it expedient at present to lay it aside till another season if
in his study upon an high hill near Padua he enjoyed the bright and warm beams while it rained all day in the vally and he himself saw the dark and heavy clouds under the hill Few be like to Moses to whom it s granted to walk on tho top of Pisgah till they dye Wherefore such as have once obtained Assurance and a lively hope of glory 1 Pet 1.3 blame them not if they are very desirous to preserve increase and imbellish it more and more For since Assurance may be lost for a season as it was in David Heman and Peter and as in the case of that wounded deserted soul that askt Mr. Dod once Was ever any soul in so dreadful a case as I Yes says that great and skilful comfortor of a wounded conscience Christ on the Cross was in as sad a case Clars Lives when he cried out of the Fathers forsaking him I think it therefore most meet to subjoyn some rules with divine help to maintain and preserve it 1. Take heed of what impairs and darkens assurance as the defect of quickning influences against that pray for the supplies of the Spirit Phil. 1.19 If it rise from a weakness of judgment read more meditate more and cry after knowledg as for hid treasure If the seriousness of your spirits be hurt by minding vanities and the rattles of pride and finery and over-valuing the trifles of this world Pray for a more noble and judicious and generous frame and judg of all wordly mens Jewels as indeed the word jocalia imports as so many whistles and hobbies for children to play with If thou hast lost thy comforts by neglect of holy walking take heed hereafter of damping thy joyes by froth and foolishness Take heed of a vain heart of vain and manifold words Prov. 10.19 and especially fiery tongues wherin Solomon says there wants not sin and of vain converse with their apish and childish tales and jests which are not convenient and tend to corrupt the mind by deceitful lusts Eph. 5.4 These things will blot thy evidences and quench the Spirit of God. Pray that God would not lead thee by his providence into tentations If thou wouldst have the Lord to know or acknowledge thee for his depart from all iniâ—uity and that will prove the foundation to be sure â— Tim. 2.19 Keep the divine commands though you find mixtures of weakness yet in an holy fear and love to the purity of the precept labour to walk in your house with a perfect heart Psal 101.2.112.1 2 Tim. 1.17 â— John 2.3 â— 13 For we may be sure that we know him and be humbly confident that he is our God in Covenant if we keep his Commandments 2. When under great darkness for every stitch we must not run to a Doctor repair to your faithful Interpreter that may reveal and open to a man his righteousness Jâ—b 33.23 some blessed soul that 's higher in acquaintance with heaven then your self as you may humbly judg some experienced christian some faithful grave and prudent friend no babler nor revealer of secrets nor scoffer at the workings of the Spirit as if enthusiasmes he is an unjudicious person and if you cannot well wrestle out the point your self but still your soul droops and drives in the mire and no light of joy comes in then open your soul to some prudent friend and give him leave nay intreat him to search out the coare and conscientiously follow his advice and it may prove a most happy day to your soul by comparing mutual experiences yet remember in matters of weight that might prove a scandal if he should not be wise and faithful be very cautious of discovering what thou shouldst only pour out before the Lord. Psal 142.2 For if he be of a weak envious spirit and once used to speak evil of friends behind their backs use him not he 'l prove a foolish serpent and double your misery 3. Judge not thy grace always by its flowers but search out its sap and root One may be a well spread and weighty christian and yet not flower in much discourse The flowers of some trees fall off quickly and never set in to much visible fruit and some have no flowers at all as the fig and yet yields a wholsome and pleasant fruit 'T is so with some choice and serious christians you shall not hear them talk much unless you pump and draw out the spirits by questions I like them the better For the little they produce is usually much to purpose and of good weight Yea further you may if critical observe that the graces of good men may vary in fruit and have their different seasons but never alter their grain or root Grace may lie hid as the corn under ground after first Sowing yea after 't is come up may bow and hide its green head under a flight of snow And when there 's least of sense or present experience yet the root of Faith like strong winter-corn may grow more inward and downward being covered and kepâ— under by pinching North-east blasts and sharp black frosts till it recover head by an early Spring So indeed the power and strength of grace is best seen and discerned when it persists and stands its ground under a shock of tentations and adversities At length the Sun will return Northward and the sharper the past winters were they l make the new spring the pleasanter Comforts their proper nature lies in being restoratives from bitter troubles and a sweet May-morning is most delightful after a dark and thunder night 4. Take heed of denying the works of the Spirit within thee and labour to discern the gracious fruits of the Spirit as distinct from moral actions and vertues and principally observe your conflicts againâ—â— sin when followed with success Godly jealousie not to be deceived is good therefore search and try thy heart and if thou find sound footing for grace then bless God and honour the Spirit and grieve him not by froward and foolish self-accusations which savour of the spiritual pride of humility but in all meek and humble modest manner own free grace adore divine mercy and testifie to it when thou judgest by the best of thy wisdom that thou art called to give in thy testimony as the Apostle Peter requires and David performs in telling what God did for that poor mans soul as he calls himself Or as Ambrose cited by Mr. Philpot Take away the Law Tolle legem 〈◊〉 fiet certamen See Ambrose as he is cited By Mr. philpot in Fox Martyrs vol. 3. p. 542. 2 Pet. 3.15 Psal 34.6 and then we will dispute against you 5. Assurance should be earnestly prayed for and diligently wrought out by holy labour and it will come Give diligence to make it sure says Peter Surely 't is blessed working in these golden mines It proves with the diligent hand like the works of Chimical Phisitians who
work was whither then sound or not but do as Dr. Thomas Goodwin was wont to counsel troubled consciences Begin the work a new and lay your foundation better and build the materials of holiness upon the precious foundation of Faith in Christ alone and never gather your principal and fundamental comfort and hope from works and duties that will fail you because of their many and great imperfections yet having planted your Faith aright on the Doctrine of free grace then exercise daily a more accurate care of pleasing God and thereby comfort your consciences and beautifie your holy profession in all manner of godly conversation and this brings me to the tenth and last Assertion 10. In the tenth and last place Labour to keep up the verdure and lustre of holy walking with God. 1 Pet. 1.3 Lively Faith breeds lively hope and both make a lively Christian who draws his vertue from the death and rising of Christ for a conformity to him Imitate holy Abraham under the Oak by Hebron in teaching thy Family and keeping up pure Worship in it It s a great piece of a Christians work Remember the morning and evening Sacrifice a little Lamb must be offered twice a day or else the juge Sacrificium the daily Worship will be lost under the Gospel times Walaei comment in N.T. libr. histor ex Petito Lug. â—at 1653. 4 to ad Act. 2 16. C 3.1 It is judged by their antiquities that the godly Israelites went to Prayer in their Houses at the times or hours of Prayer and Sacrifices of the Temple To incline godly Families to this practice I might call to mind that we are taught in our Lords Prayer to pray in joint fellowship the words are plural and I might also remember that God hath threatned to curse the Families that call not on his Name where tho Families there be a comprehensive term as to Nations and Countries Jer. 10.25 yet it must contain Housholds within it If it be presented as a free-will Offering 't will be accepted in mercy and returned in Family preservations and rewards Deut. 6.7 Psal 92 2. Morn even day night Act. 10.2 Teach then thy Children and Relations when thou liest down and risest up that is evening and morning to whet divine precepts upon their hearts exercising thy self and thine to godliness As Cornelius the Centurion being a devout man and scared God with all his house gave Alms and prayed to God alway in which words if his devoutness or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as t is in the Greek be explained of Worship then it s plainly connexed with all his house but I shall not urge it nor the phrase of fear for reverence in Worship according to the language of the Old Testament This is certain that Family mercies call for Family Prayers and Family praises and whoso useth to wait upon God in such Family addresses will find a holy awe of God to fall upon their inferiors and preserve their obedience and shall enjoy many a deliverance and many a blessing Besides in the constant practise of holiness you 'l have need of patience every day in doing and submitting to the Will of God Heb. 10.36 wicked Neighbours if powerful will oppress you and false pretended Friends wily Relations and faithless Servants will endeavour to betray your Children and your Daughters to themselves or theirs use all wisdom but especially a quietness of Spirit if you have none good in power to defend or avenge you Walk on with a humble submissive frame to God till you receive the promises and then your reward will be abundant In your Family-duties be prudent because of Servants and Children render not holy duties burdensome by tediousness Eccles 5.2 God is in Heaven and we upon Earth let your words be weighty considerate and few There will surrepere creep on a desidia or listlessness upon our weak and corrupt flesh and a too much perfunctory formality in the constancy of Duties especially when growing in years do what you can unless you be endued with good natural strength and vigor of body and use great watchfulness and help from heaven Which calls to mind that advice in golden Letters upon the outside of the Pulpit in Pauls London before the Fire Concionandi satietas ne sit erit Take heed of too much length in Preaching satiety will come without sending for Endeavour if possible to beautifie and put a gloss upon all the duties you engage in with some quickness of Spirit craving Heavens influence and assistance They 'l be the more delightful and set a pleasant verdure and vernish upon Religion with the more lustre to intice and allure others into the same blessed paths of life Labour also to enjoy and improve all thy mercies and blessings in a chearful manner Eccles 9.9 with the pleasant Wife of thy desire and delight and with the precious Olive-plants about thy Table If the Lord of Heaven shall think good to bestow upon thee so great a mercy as one of a meek and quiet spirit Prov. 5.19 Psal 128.3 which is of so great price with God. If such a mercy and happiness be thy portion under the Sun 1 Pet. 3.4 and therein to enjoy the good of thy labour it is the gift of God and must be sacrificed in whole hecatombs of Peace-offerings Services and Praises to the Majesty of Heaven Hortature But to draw to a final period Be exhorted to keep thy accounts even thy faith vigorous thy evidences clear Maintain society among the Excellent in the Earth pious and fruitful Christians multiply not relations nor too much acquaintance they are burdensome and chargeable robbers of time and if possible to be had in the neighbourhood Psal 16.3 such as are of sweet tempers planted with grace they are like Pomgranates dipt in spiced wine like diamonds or rather green Berils or Emeralds that most lovely of all colours set in gold the most precious of all Mettals It 's better to sit alone in sweet contenting silence on the top of an house or in the corner of a wilderness then with a sower and exceptions creature you may quickly know them they are forward malipert contentious and imperious and have all the talk in company Sweet tempers will sweeten thy journy to heaven and make it excceeding amiable As the Ancient said of some Travellers toward Rome cantantes minus ut via laedat eamus chearfulness cuts off the tediousness of the way and if moderate without vanity does good like a Cordial Medicine Prov. 17.22 Above all let thy love to Christ be unspotted and inflamed then thou needest not be anxious about the foolish censures of ignorant men either of the world or amongst false brethren whose persons or censorious judgings and juglings blessed Paul weighed not at all Let 's imitate him They are but the hissings of the old Serpent the ignita jacula Satans false-pious firebrands flung in thy way to molest thy journey towards thy Heavenly