for my sins To be stedfast in the Faith Couragiously to resist my Spiritual enemies To take off my heart from the things of the world To mind Heavenly things To improve in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein To keep a diligent watch over my spiritual enemies To prepare my self for afflictions Acquainting me with many other instructing comforting directing Truths observable both from the Occasion and from the several Particulars of the Vision Which Truths the manifestation of the Spirit being given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. I have parallel'd with those material Circumstances whence they are collected I have set down in Doctrinal Conclusions I have further cleared and confirmed by Scripture by Instance by Reason as they would bear them I have drawn from them some Uses which I commend to thy Practise in thy Life to a confident and chearful diligence wherein thou hast here an encouragement from Heaven even from him whose Secret is with them that fear him and to whom he will shew his Covenant Psal 25. 14. Glory be to God on High The Observations From the occasion of recalling of the Vision 1. GOds negative Mercies are great Pag. 1 2. God takes the fittest time for Mercy p. 5. 3. God will be sued unto p. 9. 4. Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing Power p. 15. 5. God recompenceth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies p. 18. 6. The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue vnto him for p. 22. By way of Introduction to the Vision 1. OUR Lord Jesus Christ approves of humane Learning in his Ministers p. 24. 2. Christs way is for an orderly-called setled Ministry in his Church p. 28. 3. The Word preached by a Lawful Minister is Christs ordinary way for changing of the heart p. 34. From the Vision in general 1 Heavenly Visions are to be observed Pag. 41. From the Branches of the Vision From the Danger 1. REigning Corruption renders a sinner vain bold in sin and loathsom in the eyes of God p. 51. 2. Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell p. 56. 3. God hath his Ministers of Justice and his Prison for punishment p. 59. 4. The number of the Damned will be great their punishment endless p. 63. 5. Satan is the Prince of Darkness 67. 6. A seeming Godly House may be Satans Habitation p. 73. 7. The Course of the Law to some is the mouth of Hell p. 75. 8. The Lord is most ready to satisfie the doubtings of his Servants p. 78. 9. Satan and Corruption conspire against the soul p. 81. From the Deliverance 1. VVHen the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave p. 84. 2. Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace p. 87. 3. The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy p. 90. 4. God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very mouth of Hell p. 92 5. Man effectually called hath a will and power to flee from sin p. 95. 6. Corruption pursues the effectually called to re-enslave them 99 7. The Effectually-Called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace p. 102. 8. The holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called p. 105. 9. Upon Effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected vanities and pleasures p. 108. 10. The power of Corruption being once broken it shall never again recover it over the Effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory p. 112. From the Duties accompanying Effectuall Calling 1. THE Effectually-called are to humble themselves for sin p. 116. 2. Tbe Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins p. 119. 3. The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. p. 123. 4. Upon Effectual Calling the Fear of Hell is a principal means to bring the soul unto Christ p. 129. 5. Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ. p. 133. 6. The Souls Enemies upon Effectual Calling are most violent against its Faith p. 138. 7. The Souls Enemies resisted with Courage will flee away p. 142. From the Duties to be performed after Effectual Calling 8. AS for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful p. 145. 9. All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven p. 149. 10. Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the World is freed from the fear of hell p. 253. 11. The Effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things p. 157. 12. God hath an invisible Paradice to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto p. 161. 13. The Effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein p. 165. 14. Our spiritual Enemies are to be watched with diligence lest they hinder us in our improvement in Grace p. 171. 15. Each true Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect afflictions and prepare himself with Patience to undergo them p. 175. The Occasion of Recalling of the Vision Paral. I. Circ When the Favour was offered unto me I was surprized with a sudden Amazement and stood silent c. and soon after became a stranger to the Family Obs Gods Negative Mercies are great VVHat could be required more to Enjoyment then A Real Intention to confer An unquestionable ability to effect A Chearful freedom in offering An earnest desire of what was offered A most willing readiness to accept And yet fail by a successeless Miscarriage What should be the reason God was lefâ— out I am certain he was on my part I fear on the other and so all doated upon expectations and byassed Designs were blasted Although the Semi-atheist confines God unto Heaven as not minding not knowing what is done here below Job 20. 13 14. Yet the undoubted Word of Truth teacheth that as all other things so the actions of men are ordered and disposed by the Divine Providence which stoopeth even to those lesser things of making of our Beds Psal 41. 3. of numbring of the hairs of our heads Mat. 10. 30. The River or Brook that it runs on with a free and constant Channel this it hath from the continual Supply from the Fountain That it runs this or that way it hath it from the ordering of the skilful Deriver God doth not impose a fatal necessity upon mens actions but leaves them to their own Freedom However he that knows mans Thoughts before he thinks them Psal 139. 2. who fashioneth the hearts of men Psal 33. 15. hath them so in his hand yea the heart of him who is most free and least subject to the power of any Prov. 21. 1. that he can and doth most wisely incline and order them as he pleaseth for the effecting of those ends which he
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
super-add that clear manifestation of my being freed from the slavery of my Corruption with all those other soul ravishing comforts certainly following upon that freedom That He who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven Psal 113 6. Should stoop so low as to guid me with his Counsel and to shew unto me the path of life Psal 16. 11. What can I do What can I suffer enough for such a God What shall I render unto him for all his unspeakable benefits toward me who hath dealt so bountifully with me I will offer the Sacrifice of thanksgiving I will call upon his Name I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people Let all his Saints with me praise him Psal 116. 12 17 18 19. Let them praise him according to his excellent Greatness Psal 150. 2. And let them know that as in all other his great Favours so in his magnificent Goodness in answering of their suits He is highly to be praised For Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for Texts Psal 21. 3 4. Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness He asked life of thee and thou gavest him length of dayes for ever and ever Rom. 10. 12. The Lord is rich unto all that call upon him Just. Solomon craved onely an understanding heart God gave him that with Riches and Honour which he did not ask 1 King 3. 12 13. The Servant that owed his Lord ten thousand Talents craved but his Lord's patience and forbearance and he forgave him the whole debt Math. 18 24 26 27. In my distress under my heavy burden I sued but for crums of mercy The Lord granted me a continual Feast in my Soul Prov. 15. 15. I sued for peace in any the least measure The Lord extended it to me like a River Is 66. 12. Reas God would be glorified in the riches of his bounty Psal 50. 15. Use 1. Do thou magnifie him according to the greatness of his magnificent goodness Psal 145. 3 6 7. 2. Sue unto him with confidence according to his Will He that gives more will not deny that which thou cravest of him 1 Jo. 5. 14. 3. Walk uprightly and no good thing shall be withheld from thee Psal 84. 11. Resol I will first sack the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and then all these things shall be added unto me Math. 6. 33. Ejac. Unto him That is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think unto him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen! Eph. 3. 20 21. The Introduction BEfore I come to those Observations raised from the material circumstances of the Vision I think it not unseasonable here to premise these three following Parallels by way of Introduction This place where I am now Minister being the stage or Theatre where most of these great things were acted and the good of this little Flock I hope by all of them intended by the great Shepherd who hath intrusted me with it Paral. I. Circ I was sent back to the University Obs Our Lord Christ approves of humane learning in his Ministers THat all these other intended endeavoured preferments for me though more facile and feisible yet miscarried That this for my return to the Colledge with no little difficulty as the Times then were to be obtained yet succeeded it is not to be let pass without special observation Though I had not in that interval of my discontinuance lost all I had gathered when formerly a Gremial yet it was my Lord Christ's pleasure intending me now for his Ministry that I should take a larger draught from that Fountain and renew mine acquaintance with the Arts which absence and desuetude had in part worn out Had I then improved my hours as I might and ought I needed not now to have blushed at this mine acknowledgment that I have onely attained to that first step to learning to know mine own weakness and ignorance I am far from idolizing of humane learning but that it is not by any to be trampled upon that Doctor 's in these late Times being in a manner striken dumb when about to strangle it in the Nursery and to cry it down in his Pulpit even in the University gives a loud item to it's proudest Opposers whose either Ignorance might hope in the general Mist to pass undiscovered or Malicious subtilty would be glad of such an advantage that so their naked Adversaries might lie open to their mercy Our late fears indeed were great the Cloud began to look black and the stinking Fog to spread apace But blessed be God the Sun is risen seasonably whose bright beams we trust will soondispel them and restore our Hemisphere to it's former clearness Each Art and Profession hath it's proper instruments without which it cannot work We are God's Husbandmen we are his Builders 1 Cor. 3. 9 10. The Husbandman cannot carry on his tillage without his Plough and other necessary instruments of Husbandry The Flail Fan Skreen c. are required for preparing of the Seed for purging of the Floor Math. 3. 12. And Christ will not have the spiritual Structure reared upon him the alone Foundation 1 Cor. 3 11. with Gold and Silver in the Ore with precious Stones uncut unpolished much less with wood hay stubble 1 Cor. 3. 12. with untempered morter Ezck. 13. 10 11. Obs Our Lord Christ approves of humane learning in his Ministers Texts Prov. 12. 10. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable or delightful words 1 Cor. 12. 8 10. To one is given the Word of Wisdome to another the Word of Knowledge to another divers kind of Tongues to another the interpretation of Tongues Inst St. Paul bred up at the Feet of Gamalicl Acts 22. 3. accused by Festus to be mad with too much learning Acts 26. 24. yet was chosen to be an Apostle Aâ—ts 9. 15. Timothy is exhorted to give himself to reading to meditation to give himself wholly to these things 1 Tim. 4. 13 15. Reas It is a necessary hand-maid to Divinity and seâ—ves 1. For the unfolding of many places of Scripture which cannot otherwise be fully understood as Job 37. 38 39. Chap. Psal 104. with many other 2. To inable the mind to judge and discern between truth and falshood certainty and uncertainty of the truth of consequences deduced from Principles set down in the Word 1 Thes 5. 21. 3. For the instruction of those who have not heard of Christ who yet will readily hear the voice of Nature Acts 17 24. 4. To confound the Atheistical opposers of the Christian Religion and to beat them with their own weapons Acts 17. 18. 5. To prepare the Understanding and to clear it's passages for the more ready entertainment of the highest Knowledge 6. To quicken the Souls appetite after it's spiritual food Use 1. Miraculous assistance since the Apostles times is very rare God is pleased
from the multitude of business Eccles 5. 3. Not to be heeded but by the Physitian as they may somtimes be caused by the temper of the Body Diabolical which are filthy superstitious deluding forbidden as by no means to be observed Deut. 13. 1 3. Heavenly proceeding from God Acts 26. 19. Known to be such by their agreeableness unto his Word and whereby he is pleased more evidently to manifest his Will touching things past present to come Such was this which was now represented before the eye of my soul That every one is bound to believe and diligently to endeavour to gain a particular assurance unto himself of his salvation is evident 2 Pet. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 5. This Assurance is to be attained By the Light of Faith John 3. 36. By the Presence of the Spirit in the Soul 1 John 4. 13. By the Testimony of the Spirit Rom. 8. 16. By applying of the Promises with Comfort Hebr. 6. 18. By Confidence in Prayer Heb. 10. 22. Which Assurance when in some measure attained the Lord by special Revelation if he so please may make it yet more evident and more strongly confirm it as he did To Peter 2 Pet. 1. 3. To Paul 2 Tim. 4. 8. as Augustine observes on that place To the Apostles Luke 22. 29 30. To the Seventy Disciples Luke 10. 20. To my self in this Vision Or he may reveale unto man his Salvation without a former assurance of it as To Mary Magdalen Luke 7. 47 48 50. To the Malefactor on the Cross Luke 23. 43. I was never a waiter for Revelations The Scripture is full and contains enough to bring us to Heaven â— Tim 3. 16 17. Nor have I been an Observer of Dreams I know that in them are divers Vanities Eccles 5. 7. This how long and how much I slighted it I have before set down But being now so freshly and strangely brought back unto my memory I could not but take special notice of it as I do of the way of Gods dispensation in discovering of its meaning First He only in an evident way manifested unto me so much of it as in answer to my Prayer served to settle me touching those missed expectations My entertainment whereof with due thankfulness and blessing of his Name prepared the way for a further discovery For many moneths after having upon his former lateâ— great Mercies a perswasion raised in me that as to my soul I was in a happy condition and being desirous to attain a more evident assurance thereof I purposely made choice of that text to preach upon both to my self and my people 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Wherein I took some pains and before I had fininished it I was made clearly to understand the meaning of my Apprehenders hand being taken off me at the Prison Gate of my descent into the Building those most material things in the Vision touching my soul which before I had not so much as minded The faithful Witness who cannot lye in whom all Gods Promises are Yea and Amen 2 Cor 1. 20. so making good those unto me Seek and ye shall â—ind Mat 7. 7. To them that seek for Glory Honour and Immortality he will render eternal life Rom. 2. 7. And that with such a strong undoubted and full perswasion that nothing can ever move me from it Which unspeakeable Mercy I trust by Gods powerful support and assistance I shall alwaies be so far from abusing that as thereupon the Comforts of my soul are unutterable so I shall strive to the utmost in my power earnestly beseeching his help without whom I can do nothing John 15. 5. To proportion my Love and Thankfulness to the greatness of it Luke 7. 47. To purifie my soul from sin 1 John 3. 3. To walk holily and without blame before my God Eph. 1. 4. To fear and serve him in truth with all my heart 1 Sam. 12. 24. To go on chearfully and confidently in mine obedience unto his Will Psal 119. 32. With all diligence putting in practise those duties as all other to which he hath now directed me from Heaven This high favour for which I can never sufficiently magnifie my Gracious Lord was revealed To me seeking for assurance of mine effectual Calling Do thou seek and trust the Lord Christ upon his Promise To me who had been so wicked a man O with me give God the Glory of the riches of his Mercy And whosoever thou art that readest this though thy sins be never so â—ainous despair not of it To me a lawfully called setled Minister maintained by Tithes O slight not this eye-salve from Heaven Rev. 3. 28. Open your eyes poor blinded people The Lord open them for you that you may see and return from the errours of your waies Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed Texts Joâ— 33. 14. In a dream in a Vision of the night c. Then he openeth the ears of men and â—ealeth their instruction c. Acts 2. 17. Out of Joel 2. â—t shall come to pass in the last daies I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh c. and your young men shall see Visions and your old men shall dream Dreams Inst Peter thought on the Vision of the great Sheet wherein were all manner of Beasts creeping things and Fowls and doubted in himself what it should mean Acts 10. 17 19. The Lord spake to Paul in the night by a Vision be not afraid c. Acts 18. 9. Reas 1. God calls by them to repentance Job 33. 14 c. 2. They are a means of enlightning Acts 10. 28. 3. They are given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. Use 1. Compare them with the Word that thou maist be sure they are from God Acts 2. 2 3 4 16. 2. Mind diligently what Gods end is in them Acts 10. 28. 3. Pray to God to enlighten thee that thou maist understand them Mat. 13. 36. 4. Improve them for thine own for others benefit 1 Cor. 12. 17. Resol Sâ—nce thou hast given me O Lord this manifestation of thy Spirit to profit withal as I am stedfastly purposed to obey thy will as to my self thy Grace assisting so I will and cannot but speak those things unto others for the good of their souls which I have seen and heard Acts 4. 24. O Lord for thy Servants sake and according to Ejac. thine own heart hast thou done all this Greatness in making known all these great things O Lord there is none like thee neither is there any God beside thee 1 Chron. 17. 19 20. The Vision AT London I was apprehended by a shag-hair'd Fellow without an Hat of a deformed Countenance He led me on I knew not whither untill we came unto a Prison scituated where Westminster-Hall stands at the Entrance into the Hall The Front of the Prison was toward the Thames The Gate was wide and stood wide open The chief Prison-House was
not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet Inst Mary Magdalen so notoriously drowned in voluptuousness that she is branded with the name of sinner Luke 7. 37. as if all others had been Saints to her Yet she had seven Devils cast out of her Mark 16. 9. Her sins which were many were forgiven her Luke 7. 47. The Thief on the Cross a wicked Malefactor though he had but newly mocked Christ Mat. 27. 44. and reviled him Mark 15. 32. Yet but a little before his death had his heart changed and was received to Mercy Luke 23. 40 43. Reas 1. To shew his Almighty Power Eph. 4. 8. 2. To shew forth his Long suffering towards sinners 1 Tim. 1. 16. 3. For the greater Glory of his superabundant Grace Rom. 5. 20. 4. To lay the greater obligation unto Love and Thankfulness upon that soul so recovered Luke 7. â—2 Use 1. Let not the most wicked cast away all hope The day of Mercy lasts till death Luke 23. 43. John 9. 4. 2. Sin not that Grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. 3. Defer not thy Repentance Hear Gods Call to day Psal 95. 7. Presumptuous delaies are dangerous Mat. 24. 48 50. 4. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness to the greatness of the Mercy vouchsafed unto thee Luke 7. 47. Resol I will praise the Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie his Name for evermore for great is his Mercy toward me who hath delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell Psal 86. 12 13. Ljac Much hath been forgiven me O that I could love thee answerably to thy great Mercy Lord thou knowest I love thee John 21. 15. Paral. V. Circ I ran from my Apprehender Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin AS it was not in me to free myself from my Apprehender so neither was it in me as of myself to flee from him That alone Divine Power which secretly and unexpectedly had freed me did both stir up my Will and enable me to make an escape Such is Christs goodness to sinful man that he is so faâ— from taking pleasure in his death that his desire is that he should turn from his wicked ness and live Ezek. 33. 11. He prayes and beseecheth him by his Ambassadors to be reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 20. He stands at the door of the heart and knocks that He may be entertained Rev. 3. 20. He waits there with much patience until his head Is filled with dew and his Locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2. In a word What can be done more than he doth to bring him to himself Isa 5. 4. And yet how few are there that open at his knock that answer to his Call What 's the Reason They are while in their natural estate so foundly asleep in sin Eph. 5. 14. So dead in it Eph. 2. 1. that they cannot hear they cannot open 2 Cor. 3. 5. There is no way then but for himself to open the heart to receive him to open the ear of the heart to hearken unto him This he doth but not unto all The Reprobate is outwardly called but it is only to leave him without excuse John 15. 22. His Elect Children they with the outward Call of the Word receive the inward and effectual Calling of the Spirit Acts 16. 14. Whereby Faith is infused for the enlightning of the before-darkned Understanding Eph. 1. 17 18. Grace is conferred for the changing and healing of the before-depraved Will Eph. 4. 24. The Will thus changed God's Image in which man was created and which by his own negligence he had lost is again restored in the sanctification of all the powers and inclinations of the Soul and in their conformity to the Will of God Eph. â— 24. To which Will he now yields all ready obedience Acts 9 6. Flying from sin and doing what is acceptable unto him Col. 1. 10. For the performance whereof he hath received upon his Change not only a will but a power having a new spiritual being infused into him 2 Cor. 5. 17. He lives a new life and hath in him a new Principle upon which follow new operations A new Principle not inbâ—ed Concupiscence but infused Grace New Operations or Fruits not those works of the Flesh Gal. 5. 19. But the Fruits of the Spirit v. 22. In which he now lives v. 25 and walking after it doth no longer fulfil the lusts of the Flesh v. 16. But dayly mortifies them more and more Col. 3. 5. Being thereunto assisted by a continual Supply of Grace from above John 15. 4 5. Which special assistance though Adam needed it not in his state of integrity being wholly void of Corruption yet the effectually-called by reason of the continual importunities and assaults of the Flesh can do nothing without it John 15. 5. Let it be withdrawn how weak is man David Peter and other of the Saints have â—ound the sad experience hereof My self unworthy to be numbred amongst them even while studying of this Parallel was taught to know the necessity of it Our endeavours in goodness are none unless stirred up and vain when stirred up unless he please to assist from above who worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26. 12. Who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin He hath a Will Texâ—s Luke 15. 17 18. And when he came unto himself he said c. I will arise and go to my Father and say to him c. Make me as one of thine hired Servants John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father draw him Inst Peters Auditors being upon his Sermon pricked at their hearts said unto him and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Acts 2. 37. The Jaylor upon his Conversion came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. He hath a Power to flee from sin Texts 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the Grace of God which was with me 2 Cor. 6. 1. We as Workers together with him beseech you that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst Timothy is commanded to â—lee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Colossiâ—ns are exhorted to mortifie their earthly Members Col 3 5. Reas He is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. He hath a new spiritual being infused into his soul and with it new Powers and Faculties by which he is enabled to will and act according to that new life that is in him Gal. 5. 25. Use 1. Man is not able to change his own Will John 1. 13. 2. Be diligent in exercising of that Power wherewith thou art indued 2 Pet. 3. 18. 3. Pray for assisting Grace that thou mayest be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner
the extremity of her Agony she threw it with violence against the ground saying she was as sure she should be damned as she was that that Glass would break But the Lord was pleased at that instant to raise her to an hope of pardon upon her repentance and so to an hope of salvation by a strange means For the Glass though so pure and cast with such violence did not break but was taken up whole Whosoever then may be or are in this sad condition let them by all means take heed of offering so high an indignity and affront unto God as to despair of his mercy as if his mercy which is above all his works were overcome by our sins or his hand so shortned that he could not save or the Fountain of Christ's Bloud opened for sin and for uncleanness were dried up Our sins may be greater then we can bear but they cannot be greater or more then he can forgive Neither let any defer the Cure of their wounds until they do stink and corrupt through such their Foolishness of delaying but let them hasten with speed unto the only soveraign remedy for their recovery Let them bath and supple them with the tears of true repentance Let them apply unto them the Balm of Christ's Merits and they will find in Gods time health and settlement in their Souls their broken bones shall rejoyce and the Lord will again cause the light of his countenance to shine upon them and will speak peace unto them Which is the 2 Observation Doct. 2. That when the Lords people do by unfeigned Repentance and true Faith in Christ turn from their Folly of sin the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them This oint hath Two Branches 1. That Repentance and Faith are the only means to recover the wounded soul and to obtain its Peace 2. That when the Lords People do so turn from their folly of sin the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them Branch 1. The first Branch directs us to a two-fold way or Means for the recovery of 2 Means the wounded Spirit Repentance and Faith The first Means is Repentance We speak noâ— of that Repentance at present which is required upon mans first Conversion but of that which is required afrer the fals of the Saints which is called Tabula post Naufragium a Board or Plank to bring a sinner safe unto the shore of Mercy when his soul is wracked upon the Rock of sin Which Repentance is nothing else but an hearty bewayling of sin with a serious study and endeavour in the use of all other good means to regain the lost favour of God This in Scripture is called by several names which do include the distinct acts of true Repentance It is called the breaking of the heart Psal 51. 17. A rendiâ—g of the heart Joel 2. 14. Changing of the mind Rev. 2. 5. Where the Word whâ—ch is there rendred repent doâ—â— properly signifie a changing of the mind from evil to good In these Three words of breaking rending changing the parts of true Repentance are contained The heart is broken in the Confession of sin It is rent in sorrow for and detestation of sin The Mind â—s changed in resolutions against sin and for better Obedience These then are the Four Particulars I shall briefly speak of The Lords People being by reason of hainous sins wounded in their souls if they desire recovery to regain the Lords Favour and to be restored to their former Peace and Settlement they must repent them of their sins that is They must confess them They must be sorry for them Four Acts of Repent They must hate them They must resolve against them and all other and upon better obedience for the time to come Act 1. Wouldst thou have Peace spoken to thy soul confesse thy sins unto God If we confesse God is Faithful and just to forgive 1 John 1. 9. If we confess and forsake we shall have Mercy Prov. 28. 13. Crude indigested matter in the stomack causeth much gnawing and trouble there but assoon as it is cast up the stomack is at ease The Comparison is but homely but it is the Spirits own Dialect good enough for sin which cannot be made too loathsom But with it then vomit it up by Confession and thy soul will be setled and at ease But what need we confess our sins to God doth not he already know them Yes he doth but he would have thee to know them he would have thee sensible of their hainousness and of that Corruption of thine heart which secretly conspiring with thine Arch Enemy hath insensibly led thee to those Follies whereby thou hast lost thy God and provoked his wrath against thee That thou maist perform this duty in an acceptable manner take notice of these requisites to and discoveries of true Confession Marks 1. There must be a pre-disposing and preparing of the heart unto this Duty by fore-consideration of the necessity thereof I said I will confess my sin faith David Psal 3â— 5. I will go unto my Father and say unto him c. said the Prodigal Luke 15. 18. 2. There must be a performance as well as a preparation He that rests himself at I will confess may be far enough off from Mercy from Peace David proceeded to an actual Confession The Prodigal arose and came to his Father and said Father I have sinned c. 3. Confession must be particular of all known sinâ— This is the true breaking of heart which must not only be attrite or broken into great pieces in the acknowledgment of some notorious scandalous sins but it must be contrite broken and pounded to powder in the confession of all our known Foâ—lies all our known sins especially those of newest discovery and of latest Commission Thus did David his secret faults were wraped up in a general Confession Psa 19. 12 But his Murder and Adultery acknowledged in particular Psal 51. So the Israelites 1 Sam. 12. 19. They confessed in general that their sins were many but in particular that to them they had added that evil to ask a King Paul thought it not enough to confess in general that he was sold under sin Rom. 7 But makes a particular acknowledgment of his hainous known sins 1 Tim. 1. 13. 4. In true Confession there will be an aggravating of sin a striving to set it forth in its own loathsomness and deformity I have sinned against Heaven and against thee said the Prodigal aâ—aâ—nst thee so loving so tender a Father who so carefully madest a Provision for me which most profusely I have wasted So the Israelites we have sinned in asking of a King we have shewed our selves weary of that Government the Lord had appointed over us We have most unthankfully rejected his Prophet who hath carried himself so uprightly that none of us can charge him with the least act of Injustice and so we have rejected
believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
Psal 42. 1 4. The remembrance of Gods Benefits Psal 103. 2 3. are two excellent means to quicken the soul unto Prayer which will ascend to Heaven with the more speed being carried up upon the wings of Fasting 1 Cor. 7. 5. Alms-giving Acts 10. 4. Provided that it be Reverend Fervent Constant Confident If thine be so qualified thou maist be assured that the Lord will not turn it away Psal 66. 20. Obs God will be sued unto And that With Reverence Fervency Constancy Confidence God will be sued unto Texts Psal 50. 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble Mat. 7. 7. Ask and it shall be given you Inst Hezekiah in his sickness prayed unto the Lord Isa 38. 2. Cornelius's Prayers came up for a Memorial before God Acts 10. 4. With Reverence Texts Psal 95. 6. Let us worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 99. 5. Worship at his Footstool Inst Paul bowed his knees unto God in behalf of the Ephesians The foul and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped and cast their Crowns before him that sate on the Throne Rev. 4. 10. With Fervency Tâ—xâ—s Psal 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide Psal 119. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee Inst. Moses cried unto God Exod. 14. 15. The King of Nineveh commanded his People to cry mightily unto God Jonah 3. 8. With Constancy Texts 1 Thes 5. 17. Pray continually Job 27. 10. Will the Hypocrite alwaies call upon God Inst David called daily upon the Lord Psal 88. 9. Christ spake a Parable to this end that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint Luke 18. â— With Confidence Texts Jam. 1. 6. Ask in Faith nothing wavering Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence Inst David assured himself that God would hear him Psal 4. 3. The Sons of God have the Spirit of Adoption whereby they cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15. Amen that Seal of our Prayers signifies as an earnest desire so a certain perswasion that God will hear us Col. 4. 18. Reas 1. By Reverend confident Prayer God is glorified in his Attributes Col. 1. 9. The word there signifies a devout lifting up of the mind unto God and our glorifying of him in his Majesty Power c. 2. Fervent Prayer puts the soul into a fit capacity for Mercy Psal 81. 10. 3. Constant Prayer manifests encreaseth strengthens Faith Psal 5. 3. Luke 18. 1. Use 1. Let God have his due Glory Psal 123. 2. 2. Let not thy Prayer want its due qualifications Jam. 4 3. 3. Cleanse thy soul from sin A wicked heart obtains nothing from God Psal 66. 18. 4. He that is only earnest for temporal things howls not praies Hos 7. 14. 5. Inconstancy in Prayer discovers a bad heart Job 27. 10. 6. The distrustful Prayer is sure to be denied Jam 17. Resol In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me Psal 86. 7. Ejac. Lord let thy Spirit help mine Infirmities heaâ— thou its groanings in me and for me Rom 8 26 â—7 Paral. IV. Circ The Mercy was discovered upon my Prayer Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing Power I Do not dare not arrogate any thing to my self as if my Prayer as mine had any the least power to encline God to hear me God is unchangeable man unworthy to be heard to be eyed to be minded The best Prayers have so much of self in them that in stead of an open ear unto them we might justly expect the dung of the Sacrifice of our polluted lips and hearts to be cast in our faces But we have to deal with a Gracious God who is not only ready to hear the weak desires of the reverent fervent constant faithful Suppliant but so far to submit his own Almightiness unto their so qualified Prayers that he cannot but hear them What is said of the wrath of man Jam. 1. 20. may be said of all the rest of the Passions when transgressing the workings of Reason they work not the righteousness of God and so render the soul unfit for Prayer Yet Abraham Jacob Moses Joshuah Elijah Hezekias though men subject to like passions as we are Jam. 5. 17. their Prayers were most powerful and effectual Their Power in Prayer was from God their passionate weakness of themselves which being by them taught to wait upon Reason and their sense of it keeping of them humble was a means to preserve that power Abraham was afraid of the Egyptians Gen. 12. 12. Of the men of Gerar Gen. 20. 11. that they would have slain him for his Wives sake Yet he had so prevailed with God upon his Intercession for Sodom that had there been but ten righteous persons in it it had not been destroyed Gen. 18. 32. Jacob though encouraged by a Vision of Angels greatly feared his Brother Esau coming against him Gen. 32. 7 11. Yet wrestling with God by Prayer had such power over him that he would not let him go before he had blessed him Gen. 32. 26. 28 29. Moses feared when he knew that his killing of the Egyptian was discovered and fled Exod. 2. 14 15. Yet by Prayer held Gods hands that he could not destroy the people when so highly provoked by their making and worshipping of the Golden Calf Exod. 32. 10. Joshua envied Eldad and Medad who prophesied in the Camp Numb 10. 29. Yet at his Prayer the Sun and Moon were stayed in their course Josh 10. 13. Elijah upon Jezebels threatnings Message fled for his Life 1 Kings 19. 2 3. Yet upon his earnest Prayer it rained not on the earth for three years and a half Jam. 5. 17. And Fire came down from Heaven and destroyed the Captains with their Fifties 2 Kings 1. 10 12. Hezekias was much grieved at that Message of death brought unto him by the Prophet yet upon his Prayer the Sun went backward ten degrees Isa 38. 1 2 3 8. With what confidence may now the humble Supplianâ— whose Prayer hath its due qualifications say I know that whatsoever I ask according to his Will I have my Petitions which I desired of him 1 John 5. 14 15. When by these examples he sees and is confirmed in the experience and assurance of the effectualness of it which is such that it hath power not only Over the Elements Jam. 5. 17. 2 Kings 1. 10. Over the Fabrick of Heaven Josh 10. 12. Over earthly Forces Exod. 17. 11. Over Death Isa 38. 5. Over Devils Mat. 17. 21. Over Angels 2 Kings 6. 17. But Over God himself Exod. 32. 10. O the prevailing power of a rightly qualified Prayer It takes Heaven by violence it overcomes the Invincible and binds the Almighty Obs Rightly qualified Prayer hath a prevailing power Texts Jam. 5. 16. The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much Exod. 32. 10. Let mâ— alone that my wrath may wax hot c. And Moses besought the Lord. Inst Jacob when the man
Faith to obtain pardon Isa 1. 16 17. 18. Use 1. Think on Gods goodness to thee Psal 145. 7. 8. 2. Do that which is so pâ—easing to thy good God Psal 51. 19. 3. There is Mercy for the truly penitent Prov. 28. 13. 4. Repent not thy repentance 2 Cor. 7. 10. 5. Beware of Impenitence it hardens the heart and treasures up wrath Rom. 2. 5. Resol I will go to my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 18 19. Ejac. God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18. 13. Paral. II. Circ I ran down a pair of stairs at the Savoy Entrance Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins O My most Gracious Lord how infinite hath thy Mercy been towards me Me so sinful a wretch so deserving of the full Vials of thy wrath to have been poured forth upon me in the extremity of thy Fury How much did my Lord Christ suffer for me How long did thy Patience wait for me What Pains hast thou taken to new-make me How have thy blessed Ministring Angels been troubled about me And yet since my reforming How often have I and yet do I grieve thy good Spirit wherewith thou hast sealed â—e unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. Thy Memorial O Lord endureth for ever Psal 135. 13. The Memorial of the riches of thy goodness towards me As for my high Provocations against thee their memorial is perished with them For though I have made thee to serve with my sins and wearied thee with mine Iniquities yet thou hast blotted them out and wilt not remember them Isa 43. 25. However it is thy pleasure that the remembrance of them should continue with me The Descent and Place have a very significative though secret reference to this Observation which I do verily believe was of prime intention in the Visâ—on My Conscience cannot accuse me of any hainous sin there committed yet by them the Lord was pleased to put me in mind of those my former wayes whereof I am now ashamed Many such Monitors I had in my first distemper by which as by this I am dayly warned to look back upon my former life with blushing yet thankful reflexions Is it good unto God that he should oppress that he should despise the work of his hands Job 10. 3. God taketh not pleasure in afflicting of his humbled Children with unwelcome exprobrations yet he would have them to remember their sins To which end he is pleased by the by to mind them of them Thus he dealt with his people under the Law though their many Ceremonies seemed to promise an expiation of their sins yet they were rather tacit Memento's of them on Gods part and confessions of them on theirs and so are said to be against them Col. 2. 14. Thus with David Peter and others Thus now with my â—lf Upon a mans first Conversion if as he had with me he hath a Rock to break Jer. 23. 29. he usually in the Glass of the Law presents a wicked mans sins unto his eye and sets them in order before him in their true affrighting horrour and deformity to send him unto Christ Afterwards not so directly but oft times by certain gentle overtures and circumstantial Items The least hint is sufficient to the tender Conscience which he who is wise for his Soul will observe and ponder and therein understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107. 43. Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins He gives them Memento's Texts Rom. 6. 19. As you have yielded your Members to Uncleanness and to Iniquity unto Iniquity So c. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you Inst The Ephesâ—ans are to remember what their condition was while Gentiles in the flesh Eph. 2. 11 12. The Colossians are put in mind that they had walked in heinous sins Col. 3. 7. He gives them oblique Memento's Texts Psal 51. 3. My sin is ever before me 1 Tim. 5. 1. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father Inst Absalom after his murdering of his Brother Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 29. His presence was a constant remembrancer to David of his Murder of Uriah When he beheld Bathsheba he could not but call to mind what he had done to her Husband and to her self 2 Sam. 11 4 17. Christ by his thrice saying unto Peter Lovest thou me John 21. 15 16 17. put him in mind of his thrice denying of him Mat. 26. 70 72 74. Reas Why he gives them Memento's 1. That they may be ashamed of their sins Deuter. 9. 6 7. 2. That they may be thankful unto him who hath forgiven them 1 Tim. 1. 23 3. That they may not insult over others in their falls Tit. 3. 2 3. Reas Why oblique Memento's Because he is most unwilling to grieve them Lam. 3. 33. Use 1. Blush at the remembrance of thy Follies Rom. 6. 21. 2. Bless God that thou art freed from thy former â—lavery Rom. 9. 17. 3. Speak evil of no man but shew all Meekness to all men remember what thou thy self hast been T it 3. 2 3. 4. Take notâ—ce of and glorifie God in the sweetness of his Mercy to thee Psal 34. 8. Resol It is of thy great Mercy O Lord that thou hast given me warning I will think on my ways and turn my feet into thy Testimonies Psal 119. 59. Ejac. Though thou causest grief yet wilt thou have Compassion according to the multitude of thy Mercies For thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of men Lam. 3. 32 33. Paral. III. Circ The Stairs delivered me on to a square Brick-Building left imperfect having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and Second Story Obs The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. GRace begun in the Soul may well for many of the reasons following be meant by this Resemblance as I understood it in my first general Interpretation of the Vision However upon more mature thoughts I now look upon it as chiefly pointing out the Church whereunto by humiliation and Faith the effectually called are initiated The Church in Scripture is set forth by several similitudes As by 1 An Army in Battelarray Caâ—â— 6. 4. In respect Of its General Obedience Order Terribleness Preparedness to encounter the Enemy c. 2. A Kings Daughter Psal 45. 13. In respect Of Her high Extract from Heaven Her Beauty Inward being glorious in the sincerity of her Graces Outward in her Rich Attire As to Order External Performances c. 3. A City Psal 122. 3. In respect Of Unity Laws Priviledges c. 4. A Flock of sheep Acts 20. 28. In respect Of Meekness Innocency The Necessity of a Shepherd to watch it Feed it 5. A Vine Psal 80. 8. In respect Of Fruitfulness Pruning Weakness c. 6. A Body Eph. 5. 30. In respect Of Life
late commission as inconsistent with Faith This is quenched with It is written I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Luke 22. 32. Thus by his Example hath our great Captain instructed us how to use the Sword of the Spirit at the point whereof if we keep our enemy though his Assaults be never so violent against our Faith yet he shall not be able to overthrow it Obs The Souls Enemies upon effectual calling are most violent against its Faith Texts 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith Rev. 12 12. Wo to the Inhabiters of the earth and of the Sea for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time Inst The evil Spirit being charged by Christ to come out of the young man and to enter no more into him cried and rent him sore and came out of him Mat. 9. 25 26. The Dragon stood before the Woman which was ready to be delivered for to devour her child assoon as it was born Rev. 12. 4. Reas 1. His Hatred of God whose Glory upon mans effectuall calling and Adoption being much enlarged Eph. 16. He endeavours what in him lyes to hinder it 2. His Pride he would have all to be his Subjects even Christ himself Mat. 4. 9. 3. His Malice against Mankind which he seeks to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. 4. His Envy at the Joy of the Blessed Angels who rejoyce at the conversion and repentance of a sinner Luke 15. 7. Use 1. Be not entangled in the affairs of this life otherwise thou wilt be unfit for the spiritual Warfare 2 Tim. 2. 4. 2. Be sober and watchful 1 Pet. 5. 8. 3. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might Eph. 6. 10. 4. Put on the whole Armour of God that thou maist be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil Eph. 6. 11. 5. Be stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. 6. Call to God for Help Eph. 6. 18. Resol I will take unto me the Shield of Faith wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6. 16. Ejac. O my most dear Lord Christ Thou knowest what it is to be tempted Mat. 4. 3. c. Thou art able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. O teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight Psal 144. 1. Communicate thy Victory unto me and then through thee who hast loved me I shall be more than Conqueror Rom. 8. 37. Paral. VII Circ Getting down into the Building in despight of mine Opposers they presently dis-appeared Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with Courage will flee away IN War it is no mean Point of wisdom in a General before he engage to consider the strength of the Enemy whether with his Troops he be able to encounter him if not that a Treaty and Terms of Peace may in time be propounded Luke 14 31 32. Had I had this respite and freedom yet these mine enemies were such as with whom a covenant of Peace was not to be expected but upon Nahash's dishonourable conditions to have put out the right eye of my Faith which they with such violence opposed 1 Sam. 4. 2. But I was in a great straight and had no time to parly I fled from a Lion and a Bear met me Amos 5. 19. I fled from the Egyptians the proud Waves were ready to overwhelm me Exod. 14. 2 10. My Pursuer was behind me these mine Opposers before me who having the advantage of Number Arms place did thrust â—orely at me How was it then that I prevailed against them to put them to flight The Lord fought for me He who at the Prison Gate had rescued me had stopped my Pursuer when following of me was pleased still to carry on the work and in the greatness of his excellency to overthrow those who rose up against me Exod. 15. 7. The Holy Spirit is the Power of God Luke 24. 49. and it is a Glorious Power Col. 1. 11. Glorious carrying alwayes with it an assurance of victory where it assisteth Rom. 8. 37. It were not Glorious if overpowered by any Glorious in perfecting his own strength in mans weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. It doth not immediatly of it self confound our Adversaries but enables weak sinful man to master Principalities Powers spiritual Wickednesses and to get the Victory over their most violent Assaults With this his Glorious Power the Lord doth strengthen all his Servants and it is derived unto them By Christ's Donation John 16. 7. By his Intercession John 14. 16. Do thou make God thy Refuge and the most High thine Habitation and in thy greatest Straits thou shalt not want this Helper who will so protect that none evil shall befall thee and so encourage that undaunted thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder and shalt trample the young Lion and Dragon under feet The Lord will be with thee in trouble and deliver thee and shew thee his Salvation Psal 91. 9 10 13 15 16. Obs The Souls Enemies resisted with courage will flee away Texts Luke 4. 13. And when the Devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season Jam. 4. 7. Resist the Devil and he will slee from you Inst Christ though strongly assaulted by Satan yet ovâ—râ—ame him and drave him away Maâ— 4. 11. St. Paul was enabled by the sufficiency of Gods Grace though not to remove yet to master the Messenger of Satan that was sent to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Reas 1. They are overpowered by the assistance of the Spirit Eph. 3. 6. 2. They withdraw that they may return upon the greater advantage Mat. 12. 45. Use 1. Give God the Glory of thy Victory over whatsoever temptation Psal 115. 1. 2. Have Faith in Chrisâ—'s Victory John 16. 33. 3. Oppose them with courage 1 Cor. 13. 16. 4. Stand continually upon thy Guard they will return Mat. 12 44. 5. If they prevail over thee it is thine own fault Jam. 1. 14. Overcome thy self and thou hast overcome them Resol Thou hast given me the shield of thy Salvation thou hast girded me with strength by thee I have run through a Troop and leaped over a Wall Thou art my God my strength in whom I will trust Psal 18. 2. 29 32. 35. Ejac. Lâ—t God arise and mine enemies shall be scattered and they that hate me shall â—lee before me and as smoak shall be driven away at his Presence Psal 68. 1 2. Paral. VIII Circ The Duties in General to be performed after Effectual Calling Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful THE best are unworthy of the least of all Gods Mercies Gen. 32. 10. Yet for his Children the Lord hath Tender Mercies Psal 25. 6. Great Mercies 2 Sam. 24. 14. Very great Mercies 1 Chron.
21. 13. Sure Mercies Isa 55. 3. He hath a Multitude of them Lam. 3. 23. He is rich in them Rom. 10. 12. They are new every Morning Lam. 3. 23. They endure for ever Psal 106. 1. But among all his Mercies there is none so rich as that in his quickning us with Christ when we were dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. 4. None so great as that whereby he hath saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. None so abundant as that whereby he hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. For all his other Mercies we are to give him thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. But for this our every thought of it should be accompanied with the strongest and heartiest Breathing forth from our souls of his due Praise and Glory Blessed be the Lord who hath visited and redeemed us Luke 1. 68. Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through his Bloud Eph. 1. 3. 7. We give thanks unto the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Glory is a clear knowledge of the worth and excellency of him whom we glorifie with an answerable praise of him This God willeth us to have a respect unto in our Praises of him Psal 150. 2. In offering thanks and praise unto him we glorifie him Psal 50. 23. â—nd the more we publish and tell of his Excellency unto oâ—â—ers the more and the further off do we make this clearness to be discerned and so make his Praise to be Glorious Psal 66. 2. Thankfulness shews it self In Acknowledgment of Mercies Jam. 1. 17. In Remembring of them Psal 106. 7. In requiting of them Psal 116. 12. We acknowledge them with our Toâ—gues Psal 57. 8. We remember them in our Hearts Psalm 103. 2. We require them as by Praise in our Lips so by Obedience in our Lives 1 Cor. 6. 20. This we are bound unto 2 Thes â— 13. It is Gods Will we should do it 1 Thes 5. 18. It is all that he expects from us Psal 50. 15. It is the utmost that we are able to render unto him Psal 116. 12 17. Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful For all other Mercies Texts Eph. 5. 20. Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks by him Inst. David blesseth God for all his Benefits Psal 103. 2. The Thessalonians are to give thanks in all things 1 Thes 5. 18. For Soul-deliverances Texts Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul Col. 1. 12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Inst David is resolved to offer the Sacrifice of thanksgiving unto God because he had delivered his soul from death and broken his Bonds Psal 116. 8 16 17. Saint Paul thanks God for strengthening him against his Corruption Rom. 7. 25. Reas 1. It is Gods Will 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. It is Gods Rent reserved for those Blessings which the soul holds of him Psal 50. 15. 3. It is good pleasant and comly Psal 147. 1. 4. God is thereby glorified Psal 50. 23. 5. It prepares the way for new mercies Col. 1. 4. Use 1. In all things give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. Let thy thanks be active and obediential as well as verbal Psal 50. 14. 3. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness unto the greatness of the Mercy Luke 7. 43. 4. Get a clear assurance of the Mercy that thy thanks be not in vain Rom. 7. 25. 5. Beware of unthankfulness that brings all thy sins back again upon the score though not as to act yet as to guilt which is exceedingly aggravated thereby Mat. 18. 34. Resol Mine enemies are turned back they are fallen and perished at thy presence thou hast lifted me up from the gates of death therefore will I shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and will rejoyce in thy salvation Psal 9. 3 13 14. Ejac. To him that hath loved me and washed me from my sins in his own bloud and hath made me a King and Priest unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Paral. IX Circ Being transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church I stood where the Essigies of the Knights-Templers lie Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven THE Tower of the Temple-Church into which I was now translated I look upon as a place made choyce of by the Spirit as most apt for the following imaginary representations as also in reference to that middle part of the Pavement whereon I was set and where lie the Essigies of the Knights-Templers Who they were what their Order where their chief Seats how they troubled the Christian world in those times when they flourished is set down to satisfaction by Mr. Fuller in that his excellent piece of the Holy War I am only to mind their Honour which is the chief of worldly things and most agreeable to the Heroick magnanimous height of mans soul comprising under it Wealth and Pleasure If in our way to Heaven this is not to be minded but to be esteemed as the dust under our feet Phil. 3. 8. Much less are we to idolize thick clay Hab. 2. 6. Or so much to forget the honour of our Creation as to stoop to brutish and sensual delights Psal 49. 20. Whatever that savage Spirit of Scythianism with which many are possessed teacheth our Religion destroyeth not civil regards but enjoyns them Honour is to be rendred to whom it is due Rom. 13. 7. It is due as to natural and spiritual Parents so to civil Exod. 20. 12. To Magistrates as such God is honoured in them they having a more than ordinary Impression of his Image upon them John 10. 34. Out of Psal 82. 6. For others God himself gives a rule in our honouring of him Psal 150. 2. There must be some excellent worth otherwise Honour is not due This Dignity can neither be conferred by the Prince nor purchased with a price Where it is not to render Honour is Injustice Where it is wanting it is servile flattery to give it As for that due to those who are eminent in Piety the sâ—wly mind will esteem others better than it self Phil. 2. 3. and accordingly will prefer them in honour Rom. 12. 10. He that feareth the Lord
I could if not match him yet closely follow him in his humiliation and amendment By the Grace of God I am what I am Which Grace of his to new mould and make me what I am hath most richly yet strangely wrought Some heaâ—ts are by the Holy Spirit gently softned for gracious Impressions some dealt with more roughly that they may be new made and reformed God hath his Oyl and his Hammer to work upon those who are ordained to Eternal Life to bring them home What the one doth not dissolve the other shall break This last way the Lord was pleased to use towards me First and that some years since by a great and long distemper in the right use of my Reason from which in much mercy he released me The work upon that being not throughly wrought hath given him just occasion now lately to visit me by laying upon me the weighty burden of a wounded spirit whereof by a sweet and I trust lasting peace in my Soul he hath at length graciously eased me Lord What is man What sinful man What I the chief among all sinful men That thou shouldst so mind me so wait for my Amendment and use so many means for my Reclaiming Thy Justice which with a remarkeable retaliation hath often paid me in my own coâ—n might long since have made a quick dispatch and have cast me into Hell But if ever any I may experimentally say thy Mercy is above thy Justice That thou O â—ord maist receive the due Glory of thy Mercy O come hither all you that fear God â—nd I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul I was under his smarting Rod under the without his support as-to the-soul-intollerable burden of a wounded spirit for some sins whereof some of them at least I knew not formerly though I had often called my wayes to remembrance my self to be guilty But the Lord was pleased after a wonderful manner not only to set them before me but to make me so sensible of their heinousness of my desert by them of his terrours then upon me for them that I was exceedingly troubled in my spirit almost to distraction while his fierce wrath went â—ver me I humbled my self low before the Lord for them and thereupon expected Peace and settlement but for some dayes could not find or feel any tâ—ough earnestly with Tears I often sued for it At length taking into my hands that rich cellar of Cordials for the sin-sick Soul the Book of Psalmes and beginning at the First I read on until I came unto the 8 v. of the 85th Psalm at those words I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints but let them not turn again to Folly At which it was the Lords pleasure I should stay and fix my thoughts upon them Which I had not loâ—g done but I found a river of unspeakaâ—le comfort flowiâ—g into my Soulâ— Which I then â—â—uld not but entertain with nor can I now mention without abundance of Tears of unfeigned Thankfulness and exceediâ—g Joy I found that Bâ—east of Consolation full of sweetness And that I might suck it to satisfaction I made choyce of the word of the next Suâ—jâ—ct which I would insist upon by way of discharge of my Pastoâ—al Office when the Lord should please in such a measure to restore me to my self that I might in some degree be though most most unworthy yet not unfit as to the right use of my Reason to appear again to serve my Lord Christ in his Ministry Having now finished my weak Meditations upon them I should be most unthankful to my Great and Gracious Restorer should I nâ—t tâ—us render unto him the due Glory of the Riches of his exceeding Mercy toward me by communicating them unto you mâ— Brethren that you may know whithâ—r to go for Peace if ever the Lord should please to bring any of you into the like Condiâ—ion I have been in O blesse the Lord with me who of very Faithfulnesse brought me into iâ— by his Glorious power suâ—ported me under it and of his abundant Goodnesse led me out of it Blessed be the God of all Comfort who haâ—h comforted us in our Tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble with the comfort wherewith we our selves have been comforted of God 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Yours For Ye are Christs R. W. put them into the like or a worse condition Let them not turn again to Folly The Text consists of three Clauses in every of which each word hath its weight I shall by way of Illustration touch upon each of them and after a brief Paraphrase for their further clearing I shall propound the Doctrines The first Clause is I will hear what God the Lord will speak I will hear what he will speak to the distressed Soul by his Word by his Spirit I will hear what he will speak for I know it will be Comfort and Caution I will hear what God the Lord will speak He sees knowes and pities his people in their distresse and is most ready and able to help them I will hear God the Lord and him only I will hear him I will attend diligently to his Will that I may know it obey it acquaint others with it I will hear him My Resolutions are fixed to hear him against all gainsayers I will hear him My Greatness though a King exempts me not from this duty My holiness as a Saint and his true Servant binds me thereunto I will hear him I will give good example unto others I will teach exhort encourage pray for them But if notwithstanding all this they neglect their duty yet I will hear c. For c. In these two last Clauses are set down a twofold reason why the Psalmist in behalf of the Saints is so resolvedly set upon it to hear God the Lord and him alone The first being taken from that Comfort which the Lord would afford unto the Soul in speaking Peace to it The second from that good which might redound thereunto by his Fatherly Caution and Admonition He will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints Unto his People not to the world not to stubborn impenitent sinners And to his Saints such are all his People and he owns none other for his but those who are truly such He will speak Peace Comfort Settlement Reconciliation Pardon Acceptance He will speak Peace by a full assurance thereof in the Soul He will speak Peace when his People shall have turned from their sins by true repentance and Faith in Christ He will speak Peace if not presently upon their humiliation and Faith yet most certainly in his good time But â—et them not turn again to Folly But let them not c. How tender is the Lord over his People How unwilling that they should provoke him Let them not turn again to Folly to the Folly of sin Let
is a sad sign of a Soul yet under the Dominion of Satan of one in whom sin reigns that is ready to take any occasion to obey it in the Luâ—ts thereof I must tell such that as yet they are not of the number of the Lords people that they are none of his Saints If they were they would make a better use of the fals of their Brethren they would pity them mourn over them and pray for them and that not only out of a sense of their weakness but likewise and chiefly out of a sad apprehension of those disturbances and unsettlements which they cannot but know will follow in their souls upon such their follies upon such their fals which is the Third Branch of the Point Branch 3. That when the Lords people and Saints do fall into the folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls This is clear out of v. 6. a little above the Text Where you may perceive that the Lords hand was so heavy upon his people that they were brought down even to the very gates of death Wilt thou not revive us again Reviving is a restoring to life as if they had been in a manner stricken dead with the sense of the Lords wrath upon them they were so distracted so disturb'd and unsetled They lâ—ved as to the natural life but as to Gods Favour in I which alone is true life Psal 30. 5. to this they were dead as to their sense and apprehension It is not thus with men of Brawny benummed Consciences Custom in sin hath beâ—eft them of all sense either of it or of wrath deserved by it But the Lords people their souls are of a more tender and soft temper and as in all known sins so especially in sins of an hainous nature in devouring sins that lay the Conscience wast their Conscience faithfully performs its Office and tels them thus and thus hast thou done Whereupon their former peace vanisheth and their souls are filleâ—â—ith peâ—plexities and perâ—urbations upon application of the Word unto their actions Reas The Word that sets down thâ— sentence of God against such and such sins so and so wâ—ll I deal saith God with such and such sinners The soul assumes by acknowledgment of its own wicked state accusing it self as guilty of those sins And thereupon it cannot but conclude and pass Judgment upon it self that it is justly liable unto the punishments threatned And hence upon serious consideration of what it hath done and what it hath deserved it becomes much troâ—bled perplexed unsetled Somtimes indâ—ed it so fals out that the Lords people do not presently upon their fals make this application by reason they do not presently consider their actions and weigh them and compare them with the Law of God as it was with David 2 Sam. 2. 5. 6. Who was quick and sharp in his sentence agaiâ—st the rich man that had taken away the Ewe-lamb from the poor man but considered not what he had done to Uâ—iah in taking away his wife and his life nor what he had deserved by it But whensoever the Application is made and it shall be at some tâ—me or other the soul loseth its former peace and becomes exceedingly troubled perplexed unsetled even to the breaking of the bones Psal 51. 8. to the wounding of the spirit Prov. 18 14. the smart whereof is insusterable and the weâ—ght insupportable O! unlâ—ss the Lord himself uphold the soul in this sad condition under this pain and pressure who can endure it Who can bear it or who is able to express it The heart knows its own grief as to temporal sufferings or its sorrow for sin but for that pain and load and trouble and horrour that accompanies the wounded spirit it is as its contrary peace past utterance past understanding Yet that I may in part acquaint you with the wofulness of that condition which the sin-burdened soul lies groveling and labouring under Know That when it is brought into this condition by the Application of the Word unto its actions the Word hath truly performed the Office of a sharp two-edged sword to which it is compared Heb. 4. 12. cutting on both sides and making two great gashes or deep wounds in the heart Two wounds In the apprehension of the losse of God In the fear of his Wrath. We have both of them before the Text. Wilt thou not revive us There is the Apprehension of the losse of Gods Favour the life of the soul v. 6. Shew us thy Mercy and grant us thy salvation ver 7. There they deprecate wrath and sue to have it removed from the seizure whereof they knew that without Mercy they could not be saved But it would burn against them and be drawn out and continue upon them 1. Then the Lords people and Saints when fallen into the Folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and are disturbed and unsetled in their Souls and deeply wounded with the Apprehension of losse Of the losse of God Christ the Spirit God hides his Face and they are troubled Their Faith in Christ is seemingly dead and his Blood to them as a Fountain sealed up They cannot find any effectual workings no not so much as those discoveries of life the least stirrings of the Spirit in their souls They cannot pray with Confidence They cannot as formerly rely upon and shrowd themselves under Gods wing for Protection their hedge of defence is broken down and the Tents of those heavenly Guardians the Angels formerly pitched about them for their safety are overthrown So that in this regard they are in a worse-estate for the time then when first freed from the power of Darkness Then they were wounded and pricked at their hearts and had fearful apprehensions of wrath But now beside that they feel the smart of this wound of losse And this is all the good we get by sin it robs us of our God it makes a separation between him and us and causeth him to hide his Face from us Isa 59. 2. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. Ult. He is all-sufficient the Saints enjoy all things in him while they are his and he theirs all things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22. 23. But on the other side when he is lost Christ is lost the Spirit is lost all is lost and gone And the loss is yet the greater and the wound the deeper and more smarting according to the Saints love towards God It goes to the heart of a man to lose what he loves Take away the worldly mans wealth which is his god you rob him of his life Micha thought he had lost all when he had lost his Idol Judges 18. 24. Mary Magdalen loved much and when she could not find the body of her beloved Lord in the Sepulcher how â—adly doth she mourn John 20. 15. Much more must it needs
God himself So St. Paul aggravates his sins calling himself the chief of sinners That he that had been so bred and knew so much that he should be such a cruel Persecuter and Blasphemer O I have sinned against knowledge Mercies Patience Chastisements Vows Promises Means Motions Checks after this manner doth the soul aggravate its sinful Follies in its Confession 5. In true Confession there will be shame A Saint will blush in secret to think that his soul which Christ hath married to himself in righteousness should be so polluted and defiled What fruit had you then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6. 21. Sin is alwaies attended with shame either with a reproachful shame from others or a penitent shame in secret or a confounding shame in the end Some indeed are so hardned that as Jeremy speaks Jer. 3. 3. They have Whores Forheads and refuse to be ashamed But the truly penitent soul in its Confession acknowledgeth with Daniel Dan. 9. 7. That righteousness belongeth unto God but unto us Confusion of Face because we have sinned against him 6. Lastly In true Confession there will be an acknowledgment of our unworthiness Jacobs Language is I am not worthy of the least of all thy Mercies Gen. 32. 10. The Prodigals I am not worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 21. St. Pauls I am not meet to be called an Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 9. The soul casts it self low at the Foot-stool of God with humble thoughts of it self The confessing Penitent calling himself dust and ashes with Abraham a worm with David a dog with the Syro-Phenician thinking that he never keeps distance enough or is low enough in his Acknowledgments Act 2. The second Act of true Repentance is sorrow for sin This with the next of hatred of sin is included in the word rending which the Prophet Joel useth alluding therein to the practise of the Jews who did use to rend their Garments upon the sight or hearing of any sad or loathsom thing as Jacob did for the loss of his Son Joseph Gen. 37. 34. and the High Priest at the supposed Blasphemy of Christ when he said he was the Son of God Mat. 27. 65. Wouldst thou then have thy wounded soul recovered and thy lost Peace restored rend thine heart in unfaigned sorrow for thy sinful Follies Sorrow in it self is a grief of the mind arising froâ— a mans suffering by that which he abhors as hurtful to him In relation to sin it is twofold Vâ—cious Sorrow And Godly Sorrow The first hath only respect to that punishment which sin hath deserved Such was that in Cain in Judas and is in many wicked men who have somtimes a kind of sorrow and remorse but it is not so much for the sin it self or indeed not at all for â—hat but in respect of that punishment whereunto by sin they have made themselves liable Such doubtless is in the Damned in Hell who are grieved for the punishment which they feel but not for the sâ—n â—hat dâ—served it The second namely Godly â—orrow is such as is in the Lords people upon their Repentance after their Falls Which may have a subordinate respect unto the punishment unto the wrath of God who is a consuming fire as St. Pauls exhortation thereupon makes it clear Heb. 12. ult And so likewise his perswading of men upon his knowledge of the Terrors of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. But the principal Object which godly sorrow hath a prime and special respect unto is the offence against God as it is a violation of and transgression against his most holy Will O the Saint of the Lord grieves and mourns in his soul that by his Follies he hath offended his good God his loving Father so gentle so merciful so gracious so patient so slow to anger so ready to pardon This goes near him this doth exceedingly afflict him Though it may be the temper of his Body is such that not a Tear fals from his eye yet he would willingly if he could that his heart should weep tears of Bloud for those his sinful Follies whereby he hath provoked such a God such a tender and loving Father This Sorrow is known to be true and unfaigned by those six effects of Godly Sorrow which the Apostle sets down 2 Cor. 7. 11. Which are Marks 1. Carefulness 2. Indignation 3. Fear 4. Zeal 5. Desire 6. Revenge The Apostle there adds a Seventh Effect of the godly Sorrow in the Corinthians which he cals defending or clearing of themselves in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies defence which I conceive was an act pâ—oper only unto them in reference to the incâ—stuous persons sin which they by way of defence cleared themselves of as not being guilty of approving thereof much less of glorying therein as they are charged and so cannot be taken in as a constant Mark of true godly sorrow in whomsoever 1. Then True sorrow for sin makes a man careful to shun all sin for the time to come especially that or those late Follies wherewith he was overtaken He will with all wariness shun the occasions which may draw him again into it He that hath once fallen into a dangerous Pit and is escaped out of it will take heed how he comes near the Brink of it again The sorrowful Soul will not only be shy of known sins which he knows to be such but he will abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5. â—2 If he hath but the least suspition of it he carefully declines and avoyds it 2. The Second Effect is Indignation which in it self is a grief at the prosperity of those whom we think unworthy of it In reference to sin it is a mixture of grief and anger against a mans own Corruption that it should so prevail over him and enslave him that he should be compassed about with such a body of death from which he knows not which way to be delivered Such a mixture of Passion was doubtless in St. Paul stirring against his cross Flesh or Corruption that warred against the Law of his mind and was still at his Elbow and present with hâ—m to hinder him in doing good and to put him on to do that which he hated his indignation was â—o stirred against it that he cries out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death What a wretched condition am I in Is there no way for me to be freed from it Rom. 7. 24. 3. True sorrow for sin is fearful of falling again The Saint of God upon his Follies which he now bewayles is made sensiâ—le of his own weakness he hath fallen and may again and therefore he walks in continual fear He knows his carnal part is as treacherous as ever and the Devil as malicious against him as ever and his Assaults as violent and he knows not how soon the Lord may leave him to himself and then in what case he shall
faithful soul because he is Faithful and Just Confession of sin is an act of true Repentance and S. John cells us 1 John 1. 9. that if we confess our sins joyning with our Confession the other acts of true Repentance God is faithful and just to forgive them He is faithful He hath promised Pardon and peace to the humbled and faithful soul pardon as there in St. John peace as here in the â—ext Now all his promises are Yea and Amen â— Cor. 1. 20. And he is not as man that he should lye Hath he promised and shall he not perform Doth he severely punish unfaithfulness in others and will he approve of it and practise it himself Who then shall give him the Glory of his Truth and Faithfulness Again he is just to forgive And indeed the soul being in such a temper truly broken and humbled for sin and closely applying unto it self the Promises of Grace Pardon and Peace made unto it in Christ being thus disposed it would be great Injustice to deny it Peace For hath not Christ layd down â—n all sufficient satisfaction for our sins Hath not his Father accepted of this satisfaction Hath not the Lord Christ deleâ—ved at his Fathers hands by the Merits of that his satisfaction that he should be no longer displeased with the humbled soul which doth closely apply this satisfaction And yet notwithstanding this full satisfaction made by Christ notwithstanding the infinite Merit thereof notwithstanding Gods acceptance of it shall God still require a further satisfaction from poor sinners He will not he cannot be so unjust And therefore in reference to Christ's Merits and satisfaction and for the glory of his own Justice he cannot but speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul Obj. But the yet unsetled soul will be ready to say If the Lord cannot but speak peace to the humbled and faithful soul why are my wounds still thus smarting Why is the Lord yet a stranger unto me Why do I yet undergo his Terrours Answ 1. I answer It is possible that Peace is spoken and yet thou maiest not have heard it The day of Joy may be broken and sprung in thine heart and yet not discerned but the sault is in thy self Thou lookest upon the greatness of the Mercy and the haâ—nousness of thine own Follies and thereupon thy â—â—ul is wrapped up as it were in the dark mists of Insiâ—â—â—ry so that thou canst not as yet bâ—ing thine heart to a fiâ—m belief that so great a Majesty so highly provokâ—d by thee will vouchsafe so great a Mercy to so vile and unworthy a Wretch as thou art 2. I answer again If Peace be not yet spoken unto thee it is but deferred it is not denied and iâ— may be some settlement to the soul to be assured that it shall have peace God will speak peace unto his people and Saints bâ—r he doth not promise that he will do it immediatly upon their humiliation It is enough that they that mourn shall be comforted that there shall be a 〈◊〉 in joy God will take his own time and he best knows which is fittest for thee Reas 1. It may be thou art not yet ready for Peace not fit to entertain it 2. It may be thou art not yet sensible enough what it is to lose thy God 3. It may be thou art not yet purified enough from thy Drosse and Dregs of sin 4. It may be thou hast not sufficiently bewailed thy Follies 5. It may be it is the Lords pleasure to try whether thou canst wait upon him Or 6. It is his pleasure not to bring a disesteem upon his Mercy by its easiness 7. Or to make thee sensible of the exceeding riches of his Mercy He intends thee a River of peace but he will first bring thee to be glad of a few drops of it He intends to dwell in thee but he will first bring thee to be glad if he will but vouchsafe to lookupon thee He intends thee a Feast a continual Feast in thy soul but his pleasure is first to bring thee so low that thou shalt be glad of but the Crums of his Mercy Mat. 15 27. Whatsoever his reason is why he defers thy Peace yet this be assured of that he will at length most certainly speak it unto thee and that even this his deferring thereof shall tend to the furtherance of thy good Use 1. Here is set before us the blessed condition of those who are at peace with God to whom the Lord hath spoken Peace He is their Friend They enjoy a continual Feast of Comfort in their souls And by the by here we may take notice of the wretched and woful estate of those to whom the Lord is an enemy That I say no more they are strangers to his Love and to all the effects and manifestations thereof And though they abound in a most plentiful affluence of all things yet in the mean time even amidst their plenty their souls are samished for want of that soul-nourishing repast of inward peace There is no peace to the wicked Isa 48 22. Use 2. Here is Encouragement for the unsetled and wounded Spirit to hasten with all speed to its only remedy for its recovery true repentance and saith in the Promises made unto it in Christ If it mouâ—n for its Follies confess them abhor them resolve against them and upon better obedience If it bring the Promises home unto it self by a particular and close application its labour shall not be in vain in the Lord the Lord cannot but speak peace unto it Use 3. May Peace be spoken to the soul and the soul not be sensible of it by reason of its Infidelity in respect of the greatness of the Mercy and its own unworthiness It is to be exhorted to shake off this its Infidelâ—ty and want of Faith Let the bright Rayes of Gods Glory and Christ's Merits dispel those Mists which cause thee to fear thy self still to be under the night of Gods displeasure Though thou art unworthy of Peace yet the Lord Christ hath merited it for thee Though thou art unworthy of Peace yet the Lord for his own Glory will be faithful and just and rich in his mercy unto thee Use 4. Is the Lord pleased many times to defer peace Let it teach the yet unsetled soul to wait upon God It may be that may be the very thing his pleasure is to try thee in whether thou canst wait upon him or not and so to try thy Faith True Faith is not hasty Isa 28. 16. Satisfie thy self with this that the Lord is faithful and no Promise breaker that he is just and cannot but do what is just and right Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart Wait I say on the Lord Psal 27. ult Or as it is in the old Translation Tarry the Lords Leisure be strong and he shall comfort thine heart and put thou thy trust in the Lord. Use
5. Thou hast long mourned and gasped for peace Wouldst thou be sure that it is spoken unto thee thou maist know whether it be or not by these discoveries Marks 1. There will be by degrees an improvement in thy knowledge of spiritual things The eyes of thine understanding will be more and more enlightned thou wilt be more acquainted with the secrets of God and with his Covenant Psal 25. 14. And thou wilt find a clearer manifestation of Christ in thy soul John 14. 21. 2. Thou wilt walk more chearfully uprightly more firmly and stedfastly in the wayes of God The Holy Spirit will stablish and uphold thee Psal 51. 12. It will set thee in the way of his steps v. ult of this 85th Psal Or as the old Translation hath it it shall direct thy going in the way 3. If the Lord hath spoken peace unto thee thou wilt exceedingly rejoyce in this Mercy there will follow an exulting and triumphing in the soul as here beneath in the Text Mercy and Truth are met together The Soul will say with Joy I was under the sad effects of Gods Justice but the Lord in Justice hath remembred Mercy Mercy and Truth are met together and Mercy hath gotten the upper hand Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other The Lord hath looked upon my sincerity in my humiliation he hath looked upon the Righteousness of the Lord Christ which in the Promises I have made mine by a particular application and thereupon hath embraced me with Peace and filled me with all sweet manifestations of his Love Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 4. There will follow a forwardness in teaching of others and winning them unto God a teaching of Gods wayes unto the wicked that sinners may be converred unto him Psal 51. 13. An acquainting them with what the now setled and recovered soul hath experimentally found the danger of the Folly of sin the Lords readiness to forgive it and to speak peace upon a sinners true Repentance and Faith in Christ To acquaint them with his faithfulness and Justice how faithful he is in performing of his Promises how Just in requiring no more of a poor sinner having accepted the Lord Christs satisfaction for his sins Such I have found him and such you will find him if you will make Trial and do as I have done Thus the sinner that hath now peace spoken to his soul endeavours to perswade others and to convert others by his own experience of Gods mercy in speaking peace unto him 5. Upon peace spoken there will â—ollow in the soul a great enlargement of its love towards God Much was forgiven her for she loved much Luke 7. 4. To hear that comfortable speech in the soul Thy sins are forgiven thee it may be heinous often repeated exceedingly aggravated yet to hear These thy sins are forgiven thee the soul cannot but with all dearness of affection answer such a Mercy The Lords way to wash away the filth of the Daughters of Zion is by the Spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of Burning Isa â— 4. By the spirit of Judgment he wounds the Soul and brings it low for its filth and follies of sin And after upon its true humiliation and Faith speaking peace unto it by the spirit of burning he heats and enflames it with a true sense and exceeding love of his Goodness and Mercy towards it 6. There will follow true thankfulness where peace is once-spoken When the soul haâ—h found â—he Lord thus gracious and merciful in delivering it from its disturbances in curing of its wounds and speaking peace unto it as it will break forth into free proâ—essions of its love and say I love the Lord because he hath dealt so and so with me Psal 16. 1. So it will proceed to a quid retribuam What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me v. 12. And because it can find nothing else to render but Praise and Obedience it will give him the glory of his Mercy by â—elling those that fear him what he hath done for â—t Psal 66. 6. And in lieu of its Mercy it will give up its self with its body as a living sacrifice unto him in its reasonable serving of him Rom. 12. 1. 7. Lastly Where Peace is spoken to the soul and the Lord is again united to it in love there will be an earnest desire of a nearer union with him To this end as there will be a careful shunning of whatsoever may dissolve this Union principally under that Notion as it may cause a separation between God and the soul so there will be a diligent use of all Means which may bring him nearer to us and us to him Eâ—pecially there will be an earnest longing â—or the full enjoyment of him in Heaven there will be a desiring to be with Christ which is best of all a wishing for the day of his appearing and the hastning thereof Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev 2. 20. Thus you have heard how the Lord upon the unfaigned humiliation of his people and their Faith in Christ will in his good time most certainly speak peace unto them for the resetling and recovery of their disturbed and wounded Spirits Who now would not hear such a God who would hear any other but him Who would not be very slâ—y lest he again provoke him Which is the Doct 3. That when the Lord upon their unfaigned Humâ—atâ—on and Faith speaks peace unto his people and Saâ—nâ—s they are to hear him and him alone And Peace being spoken they are to be very wary how they turn again unto â—olly This Point hath two Branches 1. That in speaking peace unto the Soul God the Lord alone is to be heard 2. That peace being spoken his People and Saints ought to be very wary how they turn again unto folly The first Branch That in speaking peace unto the unsetled and wounded soul God the Lord alone is to be heard When the Lords people are labâ—uring and languishing under his heavy hand under those fore mentioned smarting wounds of Loss of wrath the Devil useth all his skill to bring them if possibly he may to despair of Mercy and Peace When he finds that he cannot prevail that way but that the Lord doth still uphold the Soul though under a weighty burden he sets on the World which he hath at his Command to offer them Peace and that very freely and liberally to give it unto them without any conditions proviso's or reservations and he secretly suggests unto the carnal part that peace and settlement is there to be had and perswades them to accept of it The world comes and makes a very free tender of it And at the same time the Lord he offers Peace likewise but upon condition that they must humble themselves by true repentance for their â—ollies and must by Faith apply unto themselves the Promises of Pardon and peace made unto
thou sin upon Presumption of Gods Mercy thou dost tempt God and so lay a new and greater guilt upon thy Soul What Shall we sin that Grace may abound 5. Lastly The guilt is aggravated and that in the highest degree by unthankfulness I forgave thee all that thy debt Mat. 18 32. He who hath had Talents 10000 Talents forgiven him many hainous sins and yet is such an unthankful wretch as to provoke his Gracious Lord by cruelty towards his Fellow-Servant or by any other hainous Follyes he must look to be delivered to the Tormentors until he hath paid all the debt which returns upon the Score not in respect of act but in respect of that high guilt which such ungratefulness layes upon the soul far exceeding the guilt of those sins whatsoever they were before peace spoken After all this is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great Trespasses seeing that God hath punished us less then our Iniquities deserved and hath given us such deliverance as this should we again break his Commandments Would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us Ezra 9. 13 14. And would not his anger be yet the more provoked against us if we turn again to folly when upon peace spoken The understanding by Christs manifesting of himself unto it is more cleared to know Gods Will. When the Soul by the Spirits dwelling in it is more inabled to do his Will When so great an Obligation lies upon it calling for all ready Obedience unto his Will Now lay all these together Breach of Promise Forgetfulness of deliverance Despising of the Rod. Presumption of Mercy Unthankfulness for Peace All these meeting in backsliding into sin after Peace spoken and what is it but to increase Iniquity above our heads to cause our trespasses to grow up to Heaven Ezra 9. 9. What is it but to add Rebellion unto sin Job 34. Ult. And what a fearful case is the Soul in when by new Follies it hath thus provoked its God How will its former wounds of Loss of wrath lately by a sweet peace drawn together and cured rend themselves open afresh The much enlarged and longer continuing smart whereof it must unavoydably undergo He that sins again after that he is made whole must look for a worse thing to come unto him John 5. 14. He that hath been under Gods smoaking and kindling anger Psal 74. and yet again provokes him such a one must look to feel his burning anger the heat of his great anger Deut. 29. 24. His consuming anger Ezra 9. 14. And if his former Rod was so stinging and intolerable what will his Scorpions be Use I trust that what I have already said concerning backsliding and relapsing into the Folly of sin after peace spoken will make such an impression in your hearts that I shall but lose time to enâ—arge my self further in exhorting you to beware how by new Follâ—es you provoke the Lord. Neither shall I need to say much to stir you up to be careful to preserve Peace when it is spoken to your souls Motives Do but cast your thoughts back upon the anguish and horrour of the wounded Spirit upon the loss of its peace Cast them back upon that love of God and that exceeding Joy which Peace spoken doth assure the soul of and â—ill the Soul with and you will need none other motives Only I conceive it needful that I give you some brief Directions how to preserve peace when it is spoken to your Souls When the Church had found him whom her soul loved whom she had formerly lost Cant. 3. 4. she held him fast The Lord Christ is our Peace That thou mayest hold him fast and noâ— lose him again use these Means Means 1. Love his Word they who do so have great peace Psal 119. 165. 2. Get spiritual Wisdom all her pâ—ths are Peace Prov 3. 17. 3. Live in Unity and the God of Love and Peace will be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 4. Love Christ and he will make his abode with you John 14. 23. 5. Be obedient to his commands and you shall have Peace as a River Isa 48. 18. 6. Be spiritually minded to be so is Liâ—e and peace Rom. 8. 6. 7. Let God rule in thine heart his Kingdom consists in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. 8. Let thy mind be sâ—aâ—â—d on God trust in him and he will keep thee in perfect peace Isa 26. 3. 9. Constrain Christ by fervent Prayer and he will tarry with thee Luke 24. 29. and cannot depart from thee Gen. 32. 26. The Authors Hymn upon his wounded Spirit recured Comprising many of the Principal Heads of the Former Discourse VVHen I felt that Heart-stinging Rod Of my Soul-wounding-Salving God In his Losse I was lost his eye Shot Beams of threatning Enmity I bath'd those wounds with Tears for sin Christ's Merit-Balm Faith poured in He came and gently them up-bound Spake Peace Joy Love and I was sound Bless him my Soul while Life doth last Prize Peace and hold thy Dear Christ fast O strengthen me my God most Holy That I return no more to Folly His Farewel to the World VVOrld since to sin to thee I 'm dead To new life rais'd where Christ my Head Doth dwell I 'le seek those things above Disdaining thy now Trash to love There my heart 's set In longing Cries To him my Clay-restrain'd Soul flies He there what doth it here It 's home Is Heaven Lord Jesu quickly come HEnce Bubble-Honour thy swoln gay Light Empty shews are blown away With a just Scorn I now despise Thy once ador'd great Nullities And well I may slight thy proud state Through Christ 'bove thee b'ing made so great Earth bounded thine Ambition I 'm Heavens great King 's Adopted Son VVEalth take thy Wings flie where thou list I 'l be no more a Mammonist To lade me with thick Yellow Clay Poor helpless Idol in wrath's day Gold 's not my hope My hope I 'le place On him who hath my Soul with Grace Inrich'd and made him mine me his In whom are hid all Treasuries PLeasure away away be gone Fair Sorceress thy Potion Is amber'd Poyson thy Songs Spell Wreaks in a Calm and lulls to Hell Welcom sweet Peace thou dost immure With Brass and set my soul secure Rapt from my self in Extasie To Heavens Joyes on thy wings I fly VVEalth Honour Pleasure all adieu My Rescued Heart once slave to you Hath now that best of Objects found Whose Rod hath cur'd your Balm-made Wound You neither last nor satisfie Fulness and Perpetuity Of Blisse he will my Soul afford Who cannot lie I 'le trust his Word 1 John 2. 15. Love not the World neither the things that are in the world If any man love the World the Love of the Father is not in him FINIS
The Only SOVEREIGN SALVE FOR THE Wounded Spirit Approved by the Author in himself Delivered by him in several Sermons after his Recovery And now Published for the Glory of his most Gracious Restorer and for the Comfort and Settlement of any Afflicted Soul that doth or may labour under that weighty Burden By Richard Wortley Minister of Christ in his Church in Edworth in Bedfordshire This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain in Goldsmths Row in Cheapside 1661. To the Reader Courteous Reader ST Paul who had the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7 40. having by and from that Spirit assured us 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God that it is profitable for Doctrine Reproof Correction Instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughâ—â— furnished unto all good works 〈…〉 16. That â—â— Gospel is the power of God unto Salvatioâ—◠〈…〉 â—e that believeth â—pon the Spirit 's such assurance by him I do rely with â—â—sidence And as in my soul I do believe the Scripâ—â—â—es to be the very Word of God so as I boldly may 〈◊〉 ought taking heâ—d unto that sure Word of Proâ—â—ie 2 Pet. 1. 19. I do teach the Truths which there I â—â— as Parts of that inspired powerful perfecting and â—very good work throughly-furnishing Word not â—ting to seek further or to wait for the revelation of â—â— Truths not there set down lest I be found in the â—â—mber of the blasphemous adders thereunto and so beâ—â—e liable to that fearful punishment threatned against â—â—h Rev. 22. 18. Moses and the Prophets are to be heard Lu. 16. 29 The Scriptures are to be searched John 5. 39. However sinâ— as the natural man cannot aâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ings wanting a spiritual eye to discern 〈…〉 â—evealed unto them 1 Cor. 2. 14. â—â— the â—â—generate though diligent hearers and searchers cannot clearly discern them unless revealed unto them Luke 24. 45. The Lord is pleased in such a measure as he sees fitting to give unto them the Spirit of wisdoâ— and revelation in the knowledge of him and to enlighten the eyes of their understandings Eph. 1. 17 18. and by the spirit of Truth to guid them into all needful Truths as he hath promised John 16. 13. This ordinary way of the Spâ—rit of Truth 's enlightening to the glory of the same Spirit I speak it I have experimentally found in my soul from the time that with a total resignation I have given my self up to bâ—led by it Which further to encouâ—â—◠〈…〉 a confident and chearful going on in the service of my Lord Christ in his Ministry hath lateâ—◠〈◊〉 an extraordinary and not so usual a 〈…〉 most unworthy dust and ashes of so low 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—cention of my great God! been pleased not only to assure me That I have escaped the Corruption that is in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. A blessed and most sweet assurance but likewise Clearly to manifest unto me The dangerous estate of the Natural man while such The manner of the great work of his Conversion To instruct me in the right understanding of many Scripture-truths relating thereunto To shew unto me and to all that are effectually called the path of life and by way of guiding of my steps to Heaven-ward secrâ—tly to say unto my soul this is the way walk in iâ— Isa 30. 21. Of which great Mercies with soâ—e other vouchsafed to him not worthy to be beloved not worthy to be minded this following Narration will more fully inform thee The Narration IN my younger years being bred up in the University and having taken a Degree there I was admitted into one of the Inns of Court Where having spent about two years Means now failing for my support and continuance in that course I was received into the Family of an Honourable Personage mine Employments being in the way of a Scholar as to write Letters to read Divinity to pen Sermons to pray with the Family in the Chaplains absence c. It pleased God so to dispose the heart of the Honourable Governour toward me that great secular preferments were endeavoured for me But none of them succeeding I was at length by Mandate from his then Majesty procured by the means of that Noble Personage replanted into my old Nursery a Fellow of a Colledge there I yearly payd mine acknowledgment by attendance where I had received so much Favour the good will and endeavour of worldly preferments for me still continuing One at last was freely offered unto me of such a nature as I most desired with visible almost certainties of great wealth and temporal advancement had it been accepted but Providence had otherwise disposed of me For when upon the offer my answer of acceptance was expected I was surprized with a sudden amazement and standing silent like a Statue had not one word to speak by way of acknowledgment of mine own unworthiness or of the greatness of the intended Favour much less to express my ready acceptance thereof and due thankfulness for it and so for some time continuing was dismissed for the present and within shorttime after became a stranger to those Relations Having after this as I esteemed it unhappy rejection spent some years in the Colledge vainly and idly enough God knows it was the Lords pleasure to transplant me into his Church abroad And having by a remarkable manuduction brought me unto the Living which I now hold he was pleased at my first enâ—rance by a great though not total distemper in the right use of my Reason to break and fit me in some measure for his Service there and to prepare the way for that great Work which he had to do many years after I could here tell thee how in that distemper God did set me before my self aâ—ter a strange manner presenting to my view my hainous sins to that time and shewing me how many deaths I had deserved by them But I have acknowledged and humbled my self for them unto him who hath graciously assured me of his Pardon Upon my recovery I had some good motiâ—ns and faint stirrings in my soul toward God and Goodness which so long I had forgotten and indeed flighted My first Subject which I handled was the broken heart Psal 51. 17. The way which I should have taken but neglecting it the work was not throughly wrought Though I proceeded so far as to a just restitution as near as I could call to mind where I had wronged any and I remember the fâ—ax begâ—n to smoak in some weak dislike often stiâ—ring in my heart against those sins in which formerly I hâ—d livâ—d and wherewith it was over-run and I began by degrees to break off from them I had now continued at my Living five or six years or more when I do not remember that the day before or
of salvation Inst Jerusalem had her day wherein she might have known the things which belonged unto her peace Luke 19. 42. Chorazin Bethsaida Capernaum had their time for repentance Mat. 11. 21 23. For Mercy Conferred Texts Exod. 12. 41. And it came to pass at the end of the Four hundred and thirty years even the self-same day it came to pass that all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the Land of Egypt Gal. 4. 4. When the Fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. Inst. Mordecai was advanced Hest 6. 10. When Haman had prepared the Gallows to hang him Hest 5. 14. The Snare was broken and the Church escaped when her proud Enemies were ready to swallow her up quick Psal 124. 3 7. For Mercy discovered Texts Eph. 3. 8 10. Unto me is this Grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ c. to the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Col. 1. 26. The Mystery hid from ages and generations is now made manifest unto the Saints Inst. When Jacob was under heavy affliction for his Son Joseph whom he believed to be dead for Simeon who was in bonds for his Darling Benjamin who was taken from him Gen. 42. 36. Then was that joyful Message brought unto him that Joseph was alive and Lord of all Egypt Gen. 45. 26. When Peter was in doubt whether he might go unto Cornelius it being unlawful for a Jew to converse with a Gentile then did the Lord reveal unto him the meaning of the Vision of the great sheet c. Shewing him that he should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10. 11. 28. Reas 1. God would be glorified in his Omniscience Rev. 2. 23. 2. He would have man to set a due value on his Mercies Psal 86. 12 13. 3. He would have them chearfully entertained Psal 35. 9 10. Use 1. Let not God fail of his end Psal 139. 1 17. 2. Accuse him not of delayâ—ng Psal 13. 1 2 3 Slight not the day of Grace Psal 95. 7 8. 4 Wâ—lk wisely and redeem the time Col. 4. 5. Purchase opporâ—unities so the word signifies for goodness at any rate Resol Though Mercy be deferred yet will I never think that long which once I shall certainly enjoy so sweetned and made welcome by its seasonableness when it comes Mark 16. 7. Ejac. Hear thy Servant who takes pleasure in the stones and favours the dust of thy Zion Arise Lord and have Mercy upon her for the time to favour her yea the set time is come Psal 102. 13 14. Paral. III. Circ The Mercy was not discovered until I prayed Obs God will be sued unto GOd is our Father ready to supply our wants He is our Heavenly Father able to supply them knowing what we have need of before we ask him Mat. 6. 8. My condition was not unknown unto him he could have setled me though I had not prayed unto him But it was his pleasure to be sought into Prayer is the souls conversing with God Being the Interpreter of those holy Desires therein stirred up by the Spirit of Supplication Zech. 12. 10. That the Lord is pleased to admit dust and ashes to speak unto him is an high honour Gen. 18. 27. Yet higher to be assured of his ear that he will hear and grant whatsoever we sue unto him for Mat. 21. 22. As it is a dignity to man so is it an honour to God himself which is the chief end why he would have man to pray unto him In Prayer we serve him Luke 2. 37. In Prayer we worship him Therefore is it compared to Incense Psal 141. 2. Sending up an acceptable savour unto him and sweetning all our other Services In Prayer we glorifie him in his Majesty Power Goodness Love and other his Gracious Attributes In our eyes waiting upon him Psal 123. 2. For the kinds of Prayer they are Four Deprecation of evil That it may be averted Dan. 9 16. That being upon us it may be removed Psal 25. 22. Or That it may be mitigated Psal 85. 4 5. This kind best suits the time of Affliction Jam. 5. 13. Petition of what is good That it may be conferred Psal 119. 34. That it may be established Psal 68. 28. That it may be encreased Luke 17. 5. Here the Rule must be that our Prayer be according to Gods Will 1 John 5. 14. Otherwise we are not like to speed Jam. 4. 3. Intercession for others For all men 1 Tim. 2. 1. For the Church Psal 122. 6. For Kings and all in authority 1 Tim. 2. 2. For the Ministry Rom. 15 30. For Sinners 1 John 5. 16. For our Enemies Mat. 5. 44. For this we have our Saviours Form Our Father c Give us Forgive us c. Which whosoever hath wholly laid by it is to be feared that with it he hath laid by true Christian Charity Thanksgiving For benefits received Psal 116. 12 13. Upon craving of new ones Col. 1. 3. When they are deferred When they are denied 1 Thes 5. 18. And this that the abundant Grace may through our Thanksgiving redound to Gods Glory 2 Cor. 4. 15. Our Infirmities in Prayer are such That we know not what to pray for as we ought Rom. 8. 26. That we know not how to pray Luke 11. 1. But the Spirit helps our Infirmities Directing us what to pray for in our Lords Form prescribed to his Disciples which we are to use either in those very words Luke 11. 2. Or framing all our Petitions according thereunto Mat. 6. 9. Assisting us in the manner of our Prayers helping Our backwardness by disposing of the heart unto the duty 2 Sam 7. 27. Our want of words by opening of our lips Psal 51. 15. Our wandring thoughts by scattering of them and keeping the heart attent unto Prayer Psal 68. 1. Our coldness By heating of the heart Psal 39. 3. By the Spirits making Intercession for us in others with groanings which cannot be uttered as some understand that Rom. 8. 16. By Christ's tears shed over his Church Luk. 19. 41. By his strong Cries offered up unto his Father in the daies of his flesh Heb. 5. 7. By his now interceding for us Rom. 8. 34. As for posture I speak of secret Prayer that is best so for the voice or silence which most may quicken devotion 1 Kings 18. 42. For Place holy hands are to be lifted up every where 1 Tim. 2. 8. Especially when thou art withdrawn from Company Devout Soliloquies have More of the Spirit Less of Temptation A Secret Observer An Open Rewarder Mat. 6. 6. For time Let it be the Key of the day the Bar of the night Let it ascend morning and evening as the Incense Psal 141. 2. Pray without ceasing whensoever occasion shall be offered 1 Thes 5. 17. The sense of our wants
Inst Ananias laid his hands on Paul and gave him Instructions Acts 9. 6 17. He was separated unto the Gospel of God Rom. 1. 1. Timo by is warned to be wary in laying of his hands upon any before due trial of his sufficiency 1 Tim. 5. 22. For a setled Ministry Texts 1 Thes 5. 12. We beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account Inst Epaphras was a Faithful Minister of Christ for the Colossians Col. 1. 7. The Seven Churches of Asia had each its several star Angel or Minister Rev. 1. 20. Reas 1. Christ is the God not of Confusion but of Order and will have all things done in order in his Church 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 2. He would have people to love their Ministers Propriety is a strong Motive to love Col. 1 7. 3. He would have his Ministers to be faithful in their several Charges Acts 20. 28. Use 1. Take heed to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee Overseer Acts 20. 28. 2. Remember the account thou must give Heb. 13. 17. Wo be unto thee if thou preach not the Gospel whereof a dispensation is committed unto thee 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. 3. Serve God with thy Spirit in the Gospel of his Son Rom. 1. 9. Jer. 48. 10. 4. Obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your souls Heb. 13. 17. 5. Beware of false Prophets which come unto you unsent by Christ they are ravening Wolves Mat. 7. 15. 6. Turn away From House-creepers They will lead thee captive 2 Tim. 3. 6. From such as separate themselves They are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. From wandring Stars They go in the way of Cain and run greedily after the Error of Balaam for reward Jude 11 13. From Gatherers of Congregations They gather not with Christ but are Scatterers Mat. 12. 30. Resol Being set over this his Houshold according to the dispensation of the great Lord thereof my care shall be as becomes a faithful and wise Steward to give unto them their portion of wholsom Food in due season Luke 12. 42. Ejac. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Luke 12. 43. Paral. III. Circ The Change in my Soul was first wrought upon hearing of a Sermon preached by a lawful Minister Obs The Word preached by a lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart WHen I first entered into the Ministry God knows I was a most unfit man for so high and Holy an employment and so continued until I came unto this Place The Sermons which I then preached before my Change it is possible might be a means to open the Gate of Heaven to others while I my self stood without Being setled here my Lord Christ was pleased as he dealt by his chosen Vessel St. Paul Acts 9 6 15. by a rough breaking to put my heart into a new frame and in part to fit me for the great Work to which he had called me I had now attained to the top of the Hill of man's age and was descending The sixth hour of my day was past yet then was I sent into the Vineyard Math. 20. 5 No time while the day of life continues can bar man from mercy 10. 9. 4. Being in the City I would needs on the Lord's day go to the new Church in Covent-garden whose inside I had never seen I went I confess more out of novelty then devotion My end was not to seek God Yet there I happily found him and was found by him Rom. 10. 20. The Minister was unknown to me His Text was about the unclean Spirit 's returning to his House c. and taking to him seven other Spirits more wicked than himself c. Math. 12. 43 44 45. Although for some time I did not much mind him yet at length upon his well-handling of his Matter I was perswaded with an attentive ear to listen unto him and before the conclusion of his Sermon somewhat was delivered by him which the Spirit was pleased to carry home to my heart and to make use of it as an Hammer to break that Rock in pieces Ier. 23. 29. I was there rouzed out of my security and began to think what a dangerous condition my Soul was in and could not forbear saying to the servant of the Inn who at night lighted me up to my Chamber We that teach others to be good should be good our selves which he departing answered with a curse My terrours increased upon me to the disturbance of my Reason and so I continued for some weeks after my return home Being somewhat come to my self upon the perswasion of a Neighbour-Minister my living being not many miles from the University I went to the Colledge of which I was yet a Fellow hoping there better to recollect my self and to shake off my melancholy amongst my old pleasant Companions And the truth is my thoughts by conversing with them were soon taken off from where they should have been fixed The Lord called to mourning and there followed indeed A Sermon of repentance A just restitution A weak dislike of my bad wayes A discovery of some tenderness in my Soul which one of my Companions a Minister slighting I forbear to say in what words afterwards came to a sudden and sad end But I found carnal men to be a means sooner to extinguish the smoaking flax then to inflame it which danger the Lord was pleased to prevent by withdrawing me from thence and bringing me back hither where my amendment following but slowly he saw it fit for the perfecting of the Work he had begun to wound me in my Soul and since his former rod when the sorrows of many temporal deaths compassed me had done but little good sharply to chastize me with his Scorpions The fear and horrours of Hell taking hold upon me Psal 116 3. The weight for the time was very heavy but I was Powerfully supported Graciously delivered Most richly recompenced They and onely they whom God by his eternal Decree hath freely predestinated unto Glory shall certainly enjoy it and be brought unto it by those means which to that end he hath fore-appointed Rom. 8. 30. The principal of these means are effectual Calling and Justification as there to which all others do refer To effectual Calling are required an offering of Christ a receiving of Him Christ is off râ—d in the Word Col. 2. 28. He is received by Faith 10. 1 12. The receiving of Christ is passive or active He is received passively in Baptism where he is put on Gal. 3. 27. We are ingraffed into him Iohn 15. 5. And becoming Members of his Body 1 Cor. 12. 12 13.
an unworthy Member rejoycing in her unlikely unhoped return from her captivity and say When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like them that dream The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad Psal 126. 1 3. Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace Texts Isa 65. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that â—ought me not Ezek. 11. 19. I will put a new spirit within you I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh Inst The Ephesians when dead in sins were quickned together with Christ c. to shew the exceeding riches of Gods Grace in his kindness toward them Eph. 2. 5 6 7. The Word of Truth or the Gospel came to the Colossians not they to it Col. 1. 6. Reas Gods great love to man Eph. 2. 4. Proceeding from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1. 5. Use 1. Attribute nothing to thine own will or to thy wary walking according to Natures rule Rom. 9. 16. 2. Give God the praise of the glory of his Grace Eph. 2. 6. Resol I will never boast of any works of mine It is by Grace I am saved through Faith not of my self it is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Ejac. Turn thou me and I shall be turned Jer. 31. 18. Lord let thy Kingdom come to me For I am not able by any strength in my self to come to it Mat. 6. 10. Paral. III. Circ My Apprehender's Hand was taken off me when others were within the Grates Obs The Lord hath mercy on whom he will havâ— Mercy THE Losse of the sight of God and The Sense of Pain are the torments of the damned in Hell Isa 66. 24. Infinite in extention as to time Mat. 25. 46. Mitigated in their intention and extremity as tâ— the Sufferers desert Psal 145. 9. These the condemned wretches within the Grates did and shall for ever undergo And What had I deserved that I should be freed froâ— them Nay what had I not deserved that I shoulâ— have felt them in the greatest height and horrour They who appeared at the grates were it may be oâ— those strict moral Ancients of whom we read who liveâ— most exactly according to Natures Rule Or of thosâ— who in Christs Name had prophesied cast out Devils done many wonders Mat. 7. 22. As for me I remember my own evil waies and my doings that were not good and cannot but be ashamed and confounded and loath my self in mine own sight for mine iniquities and abominations Ezek 36 31 32. Yet these are condemned to eternal torments tâ— me polluted in mine own bloud yea in my bloud it was said unto me Live Ezek. 16. 6. These are Vessels of wrath fitted unto Destruction I a Vessel of mercy prepared unto glory The Potter hath power over the Clay to make one Vessel unto honour another to dishonour Ro. 9. 21 22 23. Two shall be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left Two women shall be grinding at the Mill the one shall be taken and the other left Mat. 24. 40 41. Obs The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy Texts Exod. 33. 19. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy Rom. 19 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth Inst I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Mal. 1. 2 3. The Malefactors on the Cross the one of them was received to mercy the other died in his sin Luke 23. 40. Reas God is a free Lord Rom. 9. 21. Having from before the foundation of the world by his unchangeable decree predestinated Some to eternal happiness for the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy Eph. 1. 5 6. Others to eternal punishment for the manifestation of the glory of his Justice Prov. 16. 4. Use 1. Despair not thou maist belong unto Gods Election 2. Judge not any to his own Master he standeth or falleth Rom. 14. 4. 3. Give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 4. Rejoyce that thy Name is written in Heaven Luke 10. 20. Resol Thou hast predestinated me to be conformable to the Image of thy Son Rom. 8. 29. Thou hast noâ— effectually called me I will therefore strive more and more to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 3. 24. Ejac. O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. Paral. IV. Circ My Apprehender's hand was taken off me at the Prison-Gate Obs God sometimes effectually calls men when they are at the Mouth of Hell O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed c. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Psal 137. 8 9. So should sin be dealt with This Cockatrice should be crushed in the Egge resisted in it's beginning I way be given unto it it grows and gathers strength and in time contracts an hardness upon the Soul and What is then to be expected but ruine For wheâ— Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1. 15. Sin is not finished on a sudden Neither doth it bring unto death by an hasty and violent precipitation But it hath certain steps and degrees by which as by stairs it sâ—iely leads down thâ— Soul unto the Mouth of the Pit It begins by Suggestion Upon that follows delight Delight wins to Consent Consent proceeds unto Act. The Act brings on Custom Custom Necessity Necessity is attended with Blindnesse Blindnesse by hardnesse And the Close of all is an utter Exclusion from Gods Eternal Rest Psal 95. 8 11. I was now full ripe for Hell and had not great unexpected Mercy intervened I had for ever been one of those unhappy Exiles But He who with groaning in himself and crying with a loud voice thereby shewing the difficulty of the work as to the Soul to recover a customary sinner raised Lazarus when stinking in the Grave He was pleased to manifest his Almighty Power in raising me long long dead and stinking in my sins and trespasses and thereby deserving that with loathing he should have turned his face from me He who of stones is able to raise up Children unto Abraham Mat. 3. 9. was pleased to break my rocky heart to take away my heart of stone and to give unto me an heart of flesh Ezek. 36. 26. Obs God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very Mouth of Hell Texts Mat. 20. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out c. And he saith unto them go ye also into the Vineyard c. Rev. 3. 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are
go near unto the Saints when labouring under the burâ—en of sin they seek for him whom their soul loveth and he is gone and not to be found This this stâ—ikes deep and makes a wide gash and wound in the Soul Yet this is not all the misery the Lords pâ—ople find and feel when fallen inâ—o the folly of heinous sins For beside this of losse they undergo 2. The fear of wrath another smarting wound upon the soul Wrath or Vengeance or Punishmâ—nt follow sin as the shadow doth the body A wicked world called for a deluge of water Gen. 6. 5. The loud crying and grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah fetched fire and brimstone from Heaven upon them Gen 18 20. 19. 24. Job by a question sets it beyond all doubt oâ— dispute that destruction is to the wicked and a strange punishment to the workers of Iniquity Job 31. 3. Evil saith the Psalmist shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him Psal 140. 11. It follows a wicked man upon the sent like a Bloud hound and shall never leave till it overtake him And the Saints know that the Lord is just that though he delights not in the destruction or punishment of his Creature yet he delights in his Justice according to which punishment is executed upon sinners They know that God who is the God of Order suffers nothing to be out of order and therefore that he will bring their sins which in themselves are nothing but Aâ—axy and disorder that he will bring them into order by punishment By sin they have run out and broken out of the order of his Mercy and now they cannot but fear that he will force them into the order of his Justice For there is no respect of persons with him but every soul that doth evil must expect tribulation and anguish Rom. 2. 9. Thus in the former wound of losse God hides his face from them and now in this they are as ready to flee from and hide themselves from him For though the eternal and secret bond of his Love of good will depending upon their Election cannot be broken Yet that of Friendship which depends upon Faith and Holiness as to sense and exercise is for the time dissolved So that while thâ—y continue in their sins God deals with them as with enemies and they cannot apprehend him under any other Notion then as an incensed provoked God Nor can they look for any thing from him but the dreadful effects of enmity and wrath Thus they are not only troubled with the hiding of his face from them but they likewise suffer his terrors with a troubled mind being in a manner distracted under them and cut off by them while his fierce wrath goeth over them Psal 88. 14 15 16. Ob. But if the Lord deal thus with his people Saints how doth he spare them as he promiseth Mal. 3. 17. Are these the effects of his Fatherly pity towards them Answ I answer The Lord deals thus with them for their good his punishments are unto them medicinal â—e wounds them for the health of their souls he hides himself from them That they may know what it is to want him That they mourn for his absence That being lost they may seek him with the more diligence and having found him May prize his presence May cleave more closely unto him May take heed how they lose him again He makes them sensible of his wrath That they may the more detest and more warily shun the folly of sin for the time to come which drew his wrath upon them That they may set the higher esteem upon their Peace when he hath spoken it unto their souls Use 1. Here then we may have a guesse at the infinite sufferings of the Lord Christ which in his soul he underwent for sinful man For doth the Lord deal thus sharply with his people and Saints to lay load upon them to wound them to hide himself from them to affright them with terrors and that but for some few sins it may be but for one or two What then did the King of Saints himself in our Nature undergo when he had the weight of the sins of an whole woâ—ld lying heavy upon him when he was wounded for thâ— transgressions of an whole world of sinners When in his Agony in the Garden he sweat many great drops of blood When on the Crosse his Father had so hid his Face from him upon the Divinities momentany withdrawing the sense of its support from the Manhood that he cried out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me When he had such a true sense of his Fathers wrath due to man for sin that he might well take up those words of his Prophet Lam. 1. 12. O all you that passe by behold and see if ever sorrow were like unto my sorrow wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce wrath Did he undergo thus much for us Let not us then think any thing too bitter or sharp which we may undergo for him or for our own sins Alas our woundings are but gentle stroakings to what our Lord Christ suffered who is pleased in wounding of his people to conform them in some measure to his own sufferings that afterwards they may reign with him in Glory Rom 8. 17. Use 2. When therefore you see any of the Lords people in this distressed condition labouring and languishing under the burden of their sins passe not your censures upon them rashly as if they were distempered and beside themselves but know That they are under Gods sore pressing hand that he hath wounded them for the health of their Souls that he hath cast them into the hot Furnace of his fiery indignation that being purged and purified from the drosse they may come forth like refined Gold fit to make Vessels of honour for himself Use 3. Here let us be taught to walk warily to work out our salvation with fear and trembling to serve our God with fear and trembling to serve our God with reverence and godly fear knowing that he is a consuming fire and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God Use 4. Doth the Lord deal thus severely with his people and Saints when fallen into the folly of heinous sins to raise such tempests in their souls Yet let them not when brought low under his heavy hand despair of Mercy The Lord is pleased somtimes to bring his own people even to the brink of despair as I could instance in a Gentlewoman I suppose the Grand-mother to a Family of good note and worth in Essex I had the Relation from a true servant of God who at that time or not long after lived in the Family And therefore I do confidently believe it and so set it down for a known truth This Gentlewoman labouring under the burden of her sins had so far cast away all hope of Mercy that having a pure Venice-Glass in her hand in
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them