foolish or rather thus They say as wisemen say and do as fooles doe vaine men that did pretend the contempt of the world but that very contempt was of the world and therefore our Sauiour auoucheth it to bee Impossible with man Mat. 19.23 c. that a rich man should enter into heauen but with God saith hee euery thing euen this is possible He cā teach vs to reioyce as if we reioyced not to buy as if we possessed not to vse this world as if we vsed it not He can teach vs to seeke these things as our daily bread with a secondarie care after his kingdome and righteousnes Hee can teach vs not to resolue and say I will bee rich the high way into temptations and snares 1. Tim. 6.9 into foolish and noysome lusts which drowne men in perdition but to pray with AGVR Giue me neither pouertie nor riches feede mee with foode conuenient for me Pro. 30.8 Hee can teach vs to subordinate all our labors and endeauours vnto prouidence saying If the Lord will Iam. 4.15 I will doe this and that He can teach vs to keepe vnder these Treasures as dangerous subiects in seruitute not to set them vp in imperio èo magis Domini quo minus cupidi saith S. Barnard hee can teach vs to reckon these blessings as our Lords Talents the onely meditation to inure vs both to Vse them with care for his aduantage and resigne them with comfort as glad of our discharge Hee can teach vs to lay vp euen these earthly possessions in heauen by Almes and Well-doing whereof this Treasure is the fewell 1. Tim. 6.19 so laying a good foundation not of merite but of assurance against the time to come and making vs friends with the riches of iniquitie Luk. 16.9 to bid vs welcome into euerlasting habitations And indeed so onely are riches laide vp in safetie Lay them vp on earth and make them as sure as thou canst either the moth and canker that breede in them will corrupt them or the theefe will breake thorough and steale them from thee But hee that conuerts his riches into Almes and good workes Luk. 12.33 puts Treasure that cannot faile into bagges that cannot waxe old And relies henceforward not vpon Lockes and Barres but vpon the credit and trust of God his debtour both for the principall and for the interest for the aduenture and for the returne Oh it is good being Lenders when God is the borrower and Merchants where Christ is the Assurer Let others then distrust their Lord and put their confidence in their seruant Psal 10.3 Let them blesse themselues in their couetousnesse with contempt of God Let them trust in incerto diuitiarum 1. Tim. 6.17 the doubtfull and inconstant lot of Earthly Treasure But let vs take heede of this Cardiacapassio this poysonous and pestilent humour of worldlinesse that by a naturall proprietie strikes instantly to the Heart so setting it on fire that as the fire Pro 30.16 it neuer saith it is enough So poysoning it with worldly loue that where it lights it kils the loue of God and will make euen the Magistrate transgresse for a morsell of bread as Solomon speakes Pro. 28.21 Ezek 13.19 and the Minister to pollute God among his people for handfulls of Barly as the Prophet Ezekiel saith and which is yet worse if worse may be so possessing it with self loue which as Aug saith is vermis diuitiarum the canker-worme of riches that there is litle or no hope of amendment Pro. 28.11 for the rich man saith Salomon is wise in his owne eyes Pro. 26.12 therefore more hope of a foole then of him Wherefore let vs leaue these worldly wretches these Antipodes to God and his Kingdome who as men reenversed more like trees then men haue rooted both head and heart into the earth and set heauen at their heeles who haue their portion in this life if indeed it may be called a portion which they shal answer for as for pillage and robberie being without any right in Christ vnto the least morsell of bread without any assurance by couenant of the continuance of their wealth honour pleasure c. who like the horse are mastred and commanded by their burden and yet this is all their consolation while they can keepe it and the beginning and praeludium of hell when they are depriued of it who happily may feele no bands Psal 73.4 but assuredly shall haue no comfort no peace in their ends Ier. 17.19 whose names being written in the earth Psal 49.18 howsoeuer while they liued they blessed their soules and were praised of men while they were able to make much of themselues yet being entred into the generation of their fathers Vers 19. proue that to be true that man being in honor without vnderstanding becomes like the beasts that perish Vers 20. who yet herein are worse then the beasts that they must be dragged out of the prison of their graues to behold him whom they haue pearced Reuel 1.7 at what time there shall bee no Moses to stand in the gap for them no Aaron to step betweene the liuing and the dead no Noah Daniel or Iob to pity or pray for them yea when there shall be no more mercie no more patience no more repentings in God towards them but iudgment without mercie or mitigation God laughing at their destruction Pro. 1.26 Psal 58.10 and the Saints reioycing to see the vengeance that they may at length wash their feete in the bloud of the wicked when there shall bee no rocks Reuel 6.16 nor mountaines to fall vpon them 2. Pet. 3.10 when the earth and workes therin which they made their treasure shall melt with heat and bee consumed Oh hopelesse wretches what treasure then will they haue to trust to shall not the prouerb then be verified with them Mal. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their treasure turned into coales not only because that day of the Lord that burneth as an Ouen shall consume the earth where they laid vp their treasure but also because euen these treasures wherein they trusted shall then rise vp in iudgement against them Iam. 5.3 and eate their flesh as it were fire so farre are these earthly treasures from auailing in the day of wrath Pro. 11.4 as Salomon speaketh To leaue these men Beloued and to conclude let vs embrace those heauenly treasures of righteousnesse which are only able to deliuer from death let vs cast in our lot with the children and friends of God who like God himself in some sort haue heauen for the throne of their heart and the earth for a footstoole vnder their feet who euen in this life haue right to all things by couenant and promise and therefore whatsoeuer they enioy is their owne neither Man nor God can impleade them for it who whatsoeuer their fare be eate of the labour of their hands Psal 128.2 and are blessed and it is well with them to whom whatsoeuer their lodging be the Lord giueth rest as vnto his beloued Psal 127.2 with whom all the creatures are in league Iob. 5.23 affoording them a commodious thorow fare and many a comfortable baite in the way of this life who haue the Saints for their companions Psal 91.11 the Angels for their guard Ianisaries for whose sake euen Kings are reproued Psal 105.14 and curbed that they can doe them no harm of whom there is no prayer but being perfumed with odours by that Angell Reuel 8.3.4 our Lord Iesus Christ it ascendeth vp into remembrance before God no word spoken in Gods behalf but it is written in that booke of remembrance Mal. 3.16 which the Lord keepeth for them that feare him and thinke vpon his name no teare shed for their owne or the common sinnes Psal 56.8 but it is put into that bottle and register of God who in the time of this pilgrimage haue many a mount Nebo many a Sabbath many an holy exercise many a greeting from the holy Spirit the comforter that giues them a token and inkling of the land of their inheritāce who in death are full of hope and blessed comfort being now to passe in soule vnto the celestiall Ierusalem Heb. 12.22.23 to the company of innumerable Angels to the congregation of the first borne to God the Iudge of all to the Spirits of iust and perfect men and to Iesus the Mediator who shall receiue this depositum this gage of their bodie at the last day but changed Phil. 3.21 and fashioned according to the glorious body of our Lord Iesus Christ Oh how spirituall shall the spirit bee when euen the body shall be spirituall how glorious when euen the bodie shall be glorified oh how blessed shall both soule and body be when we shall be one with God our Sauiour when God shall be all in all vnto vs 1. Cor. 15.28 Reuel 21.3 and our God for euer with vs our Sunne to shine vpon vs our Temple to hallow vs our foode to nourish vs our treasure our heauenly and euerlasting treasure to enrich vs That we may therefore so choose this better part the treasure of grace in this life as we may not faile of the treasure of glorie in the life to come The Lord for the riches of his mercie vouchsafe vs in and thorow our Lord Iesus Christ To whom c. Pro. 10.2 The Treasures of wickednesse profit nothing but Righteousnesse deliuereth from death
gifts calling authoritie time labour or reward but in that they are seruants of the same God teachers of the same truth builders of the same house workers after the same modell enabled euery one in his measure by the same grace partakers of the same spirit of amity and vnitie Thus if wee were one oh what strength what beauty what blessing would accrew vnto our spirituall building 3 Gods fellow-labourer oh what an honour what a burden what a protection what a caution what an assurance what a curbe to carnall presumption What an honour To communicate with the blessed Angels in office Reuel 1.20 and name for Christs Ministers are Christs Angels to communicate with Christ the Lord of Angels who in the daies of his flesh vouchsafed to be a Minister of the Circumcision and now in Heuen remaineth the Prophet of his Church Heb. 3.1 the Apostle and high Priest of our profession To joyne handes with God the Father of our LORD Iesus Christ in that worke whereby hee principally setteth forth the glory of his wisdome faithfulnesse power and mercie Who now will be ashamed of this honourable office and paines yea though it be his lot which was his Lords lot to feed the sheep of the slaughter Zech. 11.7 the poore of the flock 2 What a burden Honour is not without burden and this honour least of all For had not the seruant need be carefull that workes in his Masters eye by whose diligence or sloth his Masters worke and thrift goes backward or forward So we least when euery priuate mans field lies like a garden and his garden like a Paradise our Lords garden should bee by our default Prou. 24.30 31 like the field of the sluggard It is not sufficient thou hast sowen no weeds thou art culpable of iudgement that thou hast not pulled them vp Thou hast hindred Gods worke in not doing thine owne part Hee would haue no season omitted and thou if thou caredst to set forward his busines wouldest be instant in season and out of season 2. Tim. 4 2 Eccles 11.6 In the morning wouldst thou sow thy seed and in the euening thy hand should not rest because thou knowest not whether shall prosper this or that or whether both shall be alike good Thou wouldest learne wisdome of the Husbandman not to wait too long for an opportunitie but considering the necessitie of the worke make vse sometimes of an incommodious season for hee that obserueth the windes shall not sowe Eccles 11.4 and hee that regardeth the cloudes shall not reape 3 What a protection Our Lord and wee haue common friendes and common foes Do my Prophets no harme Psal 105.15 Zech. 3.1.2 saith God If Sathan himselfe stand vp against Iehoshuah to resist him the Lord himselfe is at hand to rebuke Sathan Sinfull men are like vnruly Patients that fall out with their Physitian What then Sint illi ini mici medico tu morbo saith Saint Augustine Be they if they wil needs be enemies to the Physitian but feare not thou to bee an enemie to the disease 4 What a caution God assures vs against others that we might feare before him Feare not their feare Esay 8.12.13 but sanctifie the Lord God of hosts and let him bee your feare c. And he shall be vnto you as a Sanctuarie And the nearer wee are admitted vnto him the greater should be our feare Moses cried in the mount I feare and quake The Lord with a fearefull example and vehement asseueration inculcates this When Nadab Leuit. 10.3 and Abihu were deuoured with fire from heauen for pressing with strange fire into the Lords presence I will bee sanctified saith the Lord in them that come neare me and before all the people I will bee glorified When the Lord presented himselfe to the Prophet Esay to set him a worke about this businesse the Holy Prophet not holy enough to endure his presence before whome the Seraphins hide their faces cried out Esay 6.5 woe is mee I am vndone for I am a man of polluted lips c. No man better knew the mercies of God then blessed Paul the patterne of Gods mercy yet when he thinkes of this worke he cals to minde the terrours of the Lord. Knowing therefore the terrours of the Lord 2. Cor. 5.11 wee perswade men c. Oh! if these terrours of the Lord were well fastned vpon vs wee would neither rashly intrude our selues into this ministration being Saints and Wise men but of one dayes standing saith Nazianz. and as potters vessels thinke to be formed able Ministers in one day nor being entred looke backe from the Plough whereto wee haue put our hands Luke 9.62 but studie to shew our selues approued 2. Tim. 2.15 workemen that need not be ashamed of our worke or afraid of our account 5 What an assurance Assurance of successe assurance of reward Assurance of successe Say the peoples hearts bee stonie as indeed in this sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may well be deriued from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Yet Is not my word like fire saith the Lord and like the hammer that breaketh the stone yea Ier. 23.29 Mat. 3.9 God is able of these stones to rayse vp children vnto Abraham that afterward of these children of Abraham 1. Pet. 2.5 he may make stones for his spirituall Temple But if he do not yet thy labor is not in vaine Curam exigeris nō curationem saith Bernard Erogatorem posui te non exactorem saith Augustine Assurance therefore of reward thou hast Secundum laborem accipies non secundùm prouentum saith Bernard Esay 49.4 I haue spent my strength in vaine saith the Prophet but my iudgement is with the Lord and my worke with my God Dan. 12.3 And what reward To shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the starres for euer and euer To sit on twelue thrones Mat. 19.28 and to iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel To be with his Lord as his Lord. With his Lord. Iob. 12.26 For where I am there shall also my seruants bee saith Christ As his Lord. Mat. 24 Vers 46.47 For Blessed is the seruant whome his Master when hee comes shall finde so doing verily I say vnto you he shall make him ruler ouer all his goods 6 What a curbe to carnall presumption Most men euen in this worke well may I say most when the Apostle saith all Phil. 2.21 but that all is almost most men seek themselues their owne things not those that are Christs Christi iacturam patientius ferimus quam nostram The credit of the Gospell is subordinate vnto our credit wee make Christ a stirrop to climbe to promotion the word as a trumpet to blazon our owne commendation the Pulpit as a Stage or as a shop to set so to view and sale our owne good parts This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 2.17 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
sleeping or waking by reason of the stupidity that is in him more then in other liuing creatures but in Diuinity it is without doubt that since first our nature fell asleepe in Adam euery man taketh his beginning of beeing in this sleepe of sinne Behold saith Dauid I was borne in iniquity Psalm 51.5 and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me and Zophar deriding the fond conceit men haue of their owne wisedome Iob 11.12 vaine man saith hee would bee wise though man borne that is Iohn 3. till he be borne againe be a wild Asse colt 2 Called but not chosen wakened but fallen asleep againe and that more dangerously then before 2. Pet. 2. whose latter end is worse then their beginning These besides the hereditary habite of sluggishnes haue by relapse doubled the disease and are giuen ouer to the spirit of slumber Esa 29.10 Heb. 6. from henceforth neuer or very hardly to be awakened 3 Effectually called and conuerted in whom the originall sluggishnesse of nature is in part corrected and the relapse into the spirt of slumber by grace preuented yet euen in them the remainders of naturall corruption haue place and power vntill by that almighty voice of the sonne of God Ioh. 5 28. Psalm 17.15 they shall bee wakened the second time vnto immortality and perfection In this third ranke is the spouse of Christ in this place and all Gods children in the time of this life to wit sleeping but not wholy waking but not throughly Rom. 7.19 neither willing the euill that they doe nor doing the good that they would The vapours of worldly lusts not yet so dispelled but that feeling in their heart what Rebecca felt in her wombe Gal. 5.17 an intestine warre they are manie times brought on their knees to pray with Dauid Psal 119.36.37 Incline mine heart vnto thy testimonies and not vnto couetousnesse Turne away mine eies from behoulding vanity and quicken me in thy Law and many times to crie with Paule Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death Adde heereto much wearinesse and vnwieldinesse in holy exercises much couldnesse in maintaining Gods cause and partie much partiality in zeale maintaining a priuate spirit of enmity vnder colour of the cause of religion much preiudice in hearing the word readie to count him an enemy that telleth an vntoothsome truth Galath 4. much lingering and listening after the voice of the charmer flatterie neuer wants welcome while selfe-loue is at home who hauing more of the serpent to beguile then we to beware will at times get within vs and lull vs asleepe in security and sensualitie In a word to this trueth the confessions of all the Saints touching both their generall inclination to sinne and particular falls many of them extant vnder their owne hands doe prooue plentifull testimonie shewing that as all men dwelling in houses of clay betweene whiles will they nill they sleepe by reason of bodily infirmitie and though by an vnwelcome heauinesse nod toward the earth as it were pointing to their naturall Element so euen the best of Gods children compassed with flesh and bloud cannot but at times bewray their folly and vnstedfastnesse Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus The best Artist hath not alwaies his wits awake and the most circumspect Christian doth not alwaies stand vpon his gard of faith and a good conscience In prosperitie we are apt to be secure presuming that We shall neuer be moued Out of this sleepe the Lord seeth it needfull to waken vs by afflictions Securitie and safetie meete not together He that said Psal. 30.6.7 I shall neuer be moued immediately confesseth Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled But hee that said my foot slideth found cause to acknowledge Psal 94.18 Thy mercie O Lord staied me vp In time of triall and trouble least cause indeede but manie times most minde to slumber at least most temptation The three Disciples neuer more heauie-headed then when Satan was now readie to sift them and good men wee see neuer more in danger to be in loue with life loath to die or vnmindefull of death then when the arrest is now granted forth The storme it selfe is not sufficient Sathan must if it be possible cast Palinurus into a sleepe that when the Pilot I meane Christian watchfulnesse is ouer-board he may be in hope to bring the Barke vnder water In times of holy exercises when the eye should bee most broad awake to behold the beautie of the Lord Psal 27.4 in visiting his Temple the eare as it were a fresh boared to heare what the Lord God will say Psal 40 Psal 85. and heart and lips enlarged to shew forth his praise euen then manie times doth Satan and our owne flesh watch vs a shrewd turne and labour to take vs napping What affinitie hath an Oratorie with a Dormitorie Ierem. 7 Ezek. 33.31 Yet euen the house of prayer is many times a priuie witnesse of our noddings or of the wandering of our hearts after couetuousnesse Pro. 5.14 and wee are in danger to be brought into all euill in the midst of the Congregation and Assembly Finally which requireth speciall consideration if euer a Christian bee like him that sleepeth in the toppe of the mast Prou. 23.34 compassed with danger voide of care it is after some spirituall feast of grace or victorie ouer sinne Wee vse to say When the belly is full the bones would be at rest In such like manner it fared here with the spouse of Christ Shee had feasted her welbeloued and was feasted by him in the verse immediately foregoing instantly shee betakes herselfe to her vndermeale or afternoones nap 2. Sam. 11.2 like Dauid with like perilous consequent Hee slipt into occasion of euill and shee letteth slip an opportunitie of grace It was a feast vnto Peter to heare that voice of Christ Matt. 16.17 Blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Iona c. but it was sower sauce that followed shortly after when vnmindfull of his confession and tendering his master but after the flesh 2. Cor. 5.16 without respect to his office hee gat a curse instead of a blessing Mat. 16 Get thee behind mee Sathan thou art an offence vnto mee c. Blessed Paul extraordinarily admitted to a tast of heauenly glorie in the Paradise of God 2. Cor. 12.2 Vers 4 how hee fared he is not able to expresse but how through infirmitie hee was in danger to haue beene transported another way that he willingly acknowledgeth and how by Gods appointment Vers 7 the messenger of Sathan was sent to buffet him and to pricke him that he might be kept awake from the danger of ouer-weening Our flesh counterpoized with the spirit maketh vs like the ballance of which if one scale be lifted vp the other will assay to goe as high as
it and turne downe the former as low as it selfe And Sathan as Hannibal said of Marcellus is neuer quiet conquering or conquered but conquering pursues his Victories and conquered labours to recouer his losse If these things be so and that we be all of so heauie a mould Oh how highly are we to esteeme the goodnes and patience of God that is content to entertaine such dullards into his seruice Hee that is serued of Cherubims and Seraphims that flie swiftly to doe his Commaundement in obeying the voice of his Word Psal 103.20 and yet findeth not due stedfastnesse in such seruants Iob. 9.18 but is able to lay folly vpon his Angels that he should take delight in the children of men Prou. 8.31 admitting vs into his schoole who are as Children weaned from the milke Esa 21.9 and drawne from the breasts Vers 10 to whome precept must bee giuen vpon precept precept vpon precept line vnto line line vnto line there a little and there a little That hee should accept the will for the deed and through the weaknesse of the flesh Mat. 26.41 discerne and approoue the readinesse of the spirit That he should not deale vpon aduantages with so vnprofitable seruants but spare vs as a man spareth his owne sonne that serueth him Mal. 3.17 Psal 19.11 yea appoint great reward for weake or rather no seruice Who would not loue and honour so kind a Lord Who would denie anie of that little hee can doe vnto so indulgent a master Who would not take his part striuing against sinne Who in vnspeakeable mercie forgiueth and couereth iniquitie transgresson Exod. 34.7 and sinne On the otherside how meanly ought wee to account of any seruice that we can performe and When wee haue done our best confesse that we are vnprofitable seruants Luke 17.10 If therefore vnprofitable because we haue done no more then dutie much more because wee haue done much lesse Let Papists and Familists and what other broods soeuer of the selfe-righteous Pharises dreame vnto themselues a Legall perfection in this life Mat. 5.20 Oh Let our righteousnesse labour to exceed theirs but let our opinion of it come as short as our endeauor striueth to exceed For how can our Lord but bee a looser by such drowzie-headed seruants that euer and anone are nodding and slumbring yea sometimes falling with Eutychus into a dead sleep Act. 20.9 Ioh. 11 if not with Lazarus lying foure dayes in this sleepe of death till wee stinke againe and haue neede of that loud voice of Christ to awaken vs and by a new Resurrection Psal 51.10 or Creation to restore vs to the life of grace The Crabtree though grafted with the best grafts yet sendeth forth manie wilde shoots from the natiue stocke which if they be not cut off wil starue the better fruit Ioh. 15.2 and in the best branches of the vine of Christ there is somewhat continually to be pruned away And what greater comfort can there bee to a poore Christian labouring of infirmities then to haue the seuerall confessions of the best seruants of God in all ages concurring with this generall acknowledgement of the whole Church militant and confirming that they were as the Holy Ghost speaketh of Elias all subiect to the like passions as wee are Iam. 5.17 As ill might we spare such precedents for consolation as the examples of their vertues for imitation For why should wee doubt of that mercie from God wherof they haue had and recorded the experience Nay the good Lord will see a difference betweene the sleeping Christian and the dead worldling and will say of thee as of Lazarus Ioh. 11 he is not dead but sleepeth Or if this sleepe bee as in it selfe it is a death yet so deare art thou vnto Christ in regard of his worke of grace in thee and the manifesting of his glorie by thee that he will certainly rayse thee vp and reuiue thee Finally it concerneth vs all in Christian prouidence for our soules safetie Luc. 21.36 as to watch and pray continually that wee be not lead into temptation so obseruing the fore-mentioned times and aduantages of Sathan and our owne corruption to plant a double guard when the danger is more then ordinarie And namely in time of prosperitie to meditate often and seriously of the vanitie and inconstancie of all earthly comforts that so wee may come to reioyce as if we reioyced not 1. Cor. 7.30.31 and to vse the world as if we vsed it not In the daie of wrath be of good comfort sayth Salomon Eccles 7.16 yet euen that while the dayes of darknes are to bee remembered Eccles 11.8 which shall certainly come and shal be manie Eccles 7.16 In the daie of affliction Consider saith the wise King Hee that in the calme prepareth not for a storme is manie times greatly endangered but he that in the storme sticketh not close to the helme is sure neuer to see the port In peace to prouide for defence is of wholsome policie but in time of warre and in the day of battle to stand vpon our guard against a vigilant Enemie is of meere necessitie Inordinate sleeping is an enemy to the best health but in a case of extremitie such as the trauaile of childbirth the Lethargie or the sweating sicknesse euen to slumber is accounted mortall So for a Christian at any time to bee secure importeth danger but in affliction to bee sencelesse Ier. 5.3 to be smitten and not to sorrow as the Prophet complaineth of he desperate Iewes and when the Lord calleth vnto weeping and mourning Esa 22.12 c. vnto baldnesse and sackcloth then to say with the carelesse world 1. Cor. 15.32 Let vs eat and drinke for to morrow wee shall die is an iniquitie inexpiable and betokeneth destruction vnauoidable It is a plausible delusion to put farre away the euill day Amos 6.3 and to catch at the Eagle of worldly prosperity Pro. 23.5 when shee hath allready taken wing but let that voice sound in our eares wherewith the Lord rowzed Baruch sleeping this very sleepe seekest thou great things for thy selfe Ier. 45.5 seeke them not for beholde I bring a plague c. In seed-time the Crow is busie therefore the Husbandman sleepes not Sathan if hee cannot hinder the Plough labours to preuent the Sickle and to that end followes the Seedesman sowing the Word of grace Mat. 13.3 c. that if it lie vncouered or vnwatched he may immediately catch it away Mar. 4.15 Ecâ—lâ—s 4.17 Wherefore the counsell of the wise Preacher is to take heed to thy foote when thou entrest into the house of God and bee more neare to heare then to offer the Sacrifice of fooles Wilt thou preuent the rauening crow hide the word in thine heart Psal 119.11 as one that heareth for afterwards and intendeth to reape and liue vpon that which is
that hideth and fauoureth his sinnes on the other side to him that confesseth and forsaketh them assureth mercy Nothing is more easie or familiar then for a wicked man to deceiue himselfe speaking peace vnto his owne soule whiles the Lord denounceth warre and hostility against him 2. Pet. 2.19 and promising himselfe liberty whiles hee is the seruant and bondslaue of corruption apt to thinke that the infirmities of the Saints confessed and complained of should beare him out resting and reioycing in the same or the like sinnes loath to bee perswaded that any one sinne vnrepented of should proue and pronounce him to be in the gal of bitternesse Acts 8.23 and in the bond of iniquity ready to plead for his sinne as Lot for Zoar It is but one Gen. 19.20 it is but a little one and to account it little lesse then meritorious that he obserueth the publique exercises of piety is restrained from grosse and odious crimes by good nature as they terme it that is a calme temperature of body good nurture ciuility policy feare of shame and punishment desire of honour and reward or some such like snaffle whereby God keepeth vnsanctified men in peace and outward order But alas There is no peace Esa 48.22 Psalm 85.8 saith the Lord vnto the wicked He speaketh peace indeed but it is onely vnto his people and to his Saints and that with condition that they turne not againe to folly To none therefore but such as count their sinne their folly and reproach Ier. 31.19 and so turne from it that they intend neuer to returne thereto againe Peace shall bee vpon Israel saith the Psalmist Psalm 125.5 but such as turne aside by their crooked waies them shall the Lord lead with the workers of iniquity Whither but to fearefull destruction Psalm 68.21 For surely God will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalpe of him that walketh in his sinnes What a folly for him to dream of liberty who is taken by his owne iniquities and holden with the cordes of his owne sinne Prou. 5.22 or to rank himselfe with the penitent saints who goeth farâ—e beyond them in sinning neuer assayeth to follow them in repenting Iam. 2.10 or to count that one sinne which implieth by iust consequence the breach of the whole law and that a little sinne that is not mortified by any measure of sanctifying grace not other mens sinnes from which the Pharisee thinketh hee can cleere himselfe but thine owne wickednesse must correct thee Luke 18.11 â—er 2.19 and thine owne turnings backe reprooue thee Mar. 6.17 c. Yea amongst and aboue the rest thy speciall sinne thine Herodias best beloued of thee most preuailing with thee shall affoord a speciall triall with or against thee Against this as against the Arch-rebell euery vpright souldier of Christ chiefly warreth I was vpright also with him Psalm 18.23 saith Dauid haue kept me from my wickednes Iob. 20.12.13 This thou fauourest and wilt not forsake it but keepest it close in thy mouth and hidest it vnder thy tongue desiring secretly to suck the sweetnesse of that morsell loath by any meanes to spit it out Yea so well dost thou loue it that if at anie time thy stomacke made queazie by the threats of Gods Law or tokens of his wrath doe vomite it vp 2. Pet. 2.22 it is not long ere with the dog thou returne and licke it vp againe 1. Iam. 15.13 c. Let such a man say while hee will with Saul I haue fulfilled the commandement of the Lord I haue slaine the Amalekites c the lowing of this fat Oxe the bleating of this choice sheepe this Agag yet liuing and not fearing death will conuince him of rebellion of casting away the Word of the Lord. But as for those that possessed with the spirit of the spouse doe feelingly acknowledge and bewaile their infirmities and sins they may assure themselues to find the same fauor from the heauenly Bridegroome who in this case is faithfull and iust to forgiue our sins 1. Iohn 1.9 and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes This is that voice of which hee saith Let mee heare thy voice Cant. 2.14 for thy voice is sweet So sweet that it instantly procureth both audience answer from the Lord. No sooner doth the spouse say I sleepe but immediately shee is both heard of her beloued and heareth the voice of her beloued hasting to awaken her When Ephraim lamented Ier. 31.18 v. 20. the Lord hearkned and heard him and so heard that his bowels were troubled for him Psal 32.5 And Dauid resoluing with himselfe to confesse his sinne against himselfe found present pardon both of the guilt and punishment of his sinne And if the Lord iustifie who shal condemne If a mourning sinner shall stand before the great Iudge of all the world what need he feare the iudgment of any consistory either opposite to that high court or inferiour Satan is ready for his malice vnto Christs kingdom and subiects to shew himselfe the accuser of the brethren Reu. 12. vers 10. traducing those whom hee cannot seduce as he desireth Thus he dealt with Iob with Iehoshua charging them both with sinne though vpon contrary presumptions Iob. 1.9.10 the one with temporizing in religion because of his prosperity the other with vnworthinesse to doe God seruice by reason of the badge of afflictioÌ„ and smoake of the fiery triall Zach. 3.1.2 which was vpon him But loe the Lord vndertaketh for his weake seruants Euen the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem reprooueth Sathan and disprooueth his accusations causing the iniquities of his elect to depart from them and cloathing them with change of raiment And not Satan only but euen men also transported with malice or with preiudice are apt seeing the infirmities of Gods children to charge their whole profession with hypocrisie and to say Is not this thy feare thy faith Iob. 4.6 thy patience and the vprightnes of thy waies It is hard not to be an hypocrite in his eyes that maketh no profession of godlinesse But that man of all others hath set his face farthest from God goodnesse that doe what he will feareth not the imputation of hypocrisie such mens censure as it is most ruthles and reasonlesse so it is least of all to be regarded For what can be more contrary to the iudgement of God and of truth The Lord seeing thy repentance turneth away his eies from beholding thy sinne but these men are so glad to see thy sinne that they are loath to take knowledge of thy repentance Against such therefore thy iust defence is to appeale to him that iudgeth righteously 1. Pet. 2.23 Iob. 16.19 saying with Iob my witnesse is in the heauens and my record is on high But of all accusations and censures that of conscience as it is neerest and most inward so doth
as the ground which drinking in the Raine that commeth ost vpon it and bringing forth hearbes meete for the vse of them by whom it is dressed receiueth blessing of God not as that which bearing thornes and briars is nere vnto cursing whose end is to bee burned The Maniches abhorred husbandrie counting it murther to kill the weeds c. This is no Heresie for a good husband to bee of Gods ground must not receiue seed among thornes but into an heart well manured purged from the loue of sin and of this world into an honest a good and a patient heart Luke 8.15 If not thornes then what fruit surely such as the Lord soweth or planteth the sweet milde and wholesome fruits of sinceritie humilitie pietie mercie and sobrietie c. These fruites must they bring forth that will bring forth fruit vnto God that hauing their fruit in holinesse Rom. 6.22 they may haue in the end eternall life But ah beloued if the Lord come to take a tast of our fruites how soone shal his teeth be set on edge If hee looke for sinceritie hee shall meete with palpable hypocrisie if for humilitie selfe-loue and singularitie if for pietie prophanesse and blasphemie if for mercy oppressō vsury robberies if for sobrietie surfeiting and drunkennesse all manner of loosenesse and superfluitie And all those vnder a visor and vaile of the profession of Christianitie and with names of excuse and pretences of neighbourhood and good fellowship of frugalitie of libertie and in genuitie and I know not what to blere the eyes of men that are easily deceiued with sowre grapes with wildings and with starued corne and tares instead of Grapes Apples and good graine Gal. 6.7 But bee not deceiued God is not mocked If these be the fruits wee yeeld in recompence of his care and husbandrie Esay 5.5 hee will take away the hedge and wall of protection from bodily and spiritual enemies Psal 80.12.13 and then the wilde Bore out of the Forrest will root vs vp and the roaring Lion that seeketh for his prey may quickly deuoure vs he will giue off his care and cost of dressing vs by his word and then the Bryars and Thornes will grow vp the seeds of vice wil horribly breake forth and ouer grow vs he will commaund the cloudes aboue Esay 5.5 that they raine no Raine vpon vs that is hee will restraine his grace euen his restraining grace shall be taken away and the curse of euerlasting barrennesse and filthinesse pronounced Mat. 21.19 Ezek. 24.13 neuer more fruite grow on thee because I would haue purged thee and thou wouldest not bee purged neuer bee thou purged from thy filthinesse Fruit vnto Gods seruants 1. Cor. 9.7 and fellow-labourers Who feedeth a flocke and eateth not of the milke of the flocke It is a hard bargaine that will not maintaine both the Housholder and his charge especially so many as beslow their trauell vpon it The earth is the Embleme of Iustice and of her Vsurie may be taken with a good conscience and what vsurie one of tenne nay tenne for one Loc then how God deales with thee for temporall matters giuing thee with thy trauaile where to hee enables thee ten for one hee demaunds of thee for the maintenance of his seruants the Ministers one of tenne ten in the hundred They are bound to impart to thee all the counsell of God the treasures of his wisedome loue Act. 20 27 truth c. Oughtest not thou then that art taught in the word make him Gal. 6.6 that hath taught thee partaker with thee of all thy goods partaker of all that is of euerie kind some share must come to Gods fellow-laborer who whiles hee sowes vnto thee spirituall thinges an emploiment 1. Cor. 9.11 that disables him frō worldly busines yet freeth him not from the cōmon necessities of other mē is it a great matter if he reap thy carnal things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to haue the Gospell without cost were a thing would like this age well But the Age is past that could afford it and yet did not alwayes afford it much lesse enioyne it for perpetuitie I meane the Apostle age wherin men extraordinarily called were immediatly furnished to preach the gospel called without preparation furnished without premeditatiō Now the case is otherwise Vbi nō est farina ibi non est lex no maintenance no Ministrie Men must serue more then one Apprenticehood in the schooles of the Prophets ere they bee fitted for this calling and euery exercise if performed with care and conscience will set a worke both head and heart And couldest thou find in thy hart 1. Cor. 9.9 to muzzle the mouth of this Oxe that treadeth out the corne for thee 2. Sam. 24.24 Dauid would not serue God of that which cost him nothing How farre from Dauids spirit are they that thinke nothing so well gained or saued as from the allowance appointed for Christs Ministers But how fearefully far off or rather contrarie are they who to scrape a little pelfe Act. 8.20 that shal perish with them open no doore vnto the pastor of soules but that of indirect Symonie and direct periury no maruel if the charg so sold and so bought prooue Aceldama a field of bloud both to the seller Act. 1.19 and to the buyer If ye be Gods building beloued ye must be squared to his model fitted furnished for his entertainmēt squared to his model The pattern platforme of Gods building cōsisteth in faith loue 1 Faith whereby we relie on Christ the foundation being spiritually glued and cimented to him that we may be one spirituall bodie with him in which sence it is said Hee that is glued to the Lord is one spirit Cords will binde 1. Cor. 6.17 so will the cords of loue Hos 11.4 Zech. 11.7 and bands of discipline but cords may be vnknit nailes will fasten and wee haue the wordes of the wise as nailes fastened by the Masters of the Assembly but nailes may slippe or leaue a chinke But the glew of faith ioynes close or rather all these together will cause vs Act. 11.23 with purpose of heart to cleaue vnto the Lord. 2 Loue whereby wee are knit one vnto another euery stone so fashioned to that hee ioynes withall that it may seeme as one saith there is not in Gods building a stone vpon a stone but all the stones are one entire stone Thus is Ierusalem built euen as a Citie compact together in it selfe Psal 122.3 c. where there is vniformitie of worship the Tribes goe vp to praise the Lord and vniformitie of gouernment the thrones are set for iudgement Woe worth they that renting themselues 1. Tim. 1.19 from the foundation by shipwrack of faith or from the building by breach of loue or rather first falling out with the walles and then with the foundation for this is the