me and my prayer unto the God of my life Psal 42. 7 8 9 11. Object But against what hath been last said some may Object and say But are not godly persons oftentimes short-liv'd in this world are not their days as few in number as other mens are and sometimes fewer are they not untimely removed out of this world as well as those that live ungodly Answ To this objection I shall desire to return some answer in these following particulars Namely 1. Sometimes such as are godly in the main may be guilty of some great and provoking miscarriages and thereby procure to themselves an untimely cutting off and so they may say of themselves as good King Hezekiah did of himself namely our age is departed and is removed from us as a shepheards Tent we have cut off like a Weaver our lives Isa 38. 11 12. Thus it was with Moses and Aaron those two eminently holy ones because they believed not God to sanctify him in the eyes of the Children of Israel therefore said the Lord to them ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them Numb 20. 11 24. Though he forgave their iniquities yet he took vengeance of their inventions as Psal 99. And doubtless many of them whose Carcases fell in the wilderness and who were cut off before their time were good men in the main and yet were cut off for their unbelief Numb 14. Whence the Apostle admonishes the believers to be warned by their harmes and miscarriages Heb. 3. and chap. 4. 1 11. And when David out of a prudential consideration was dumb with silence and held his peace even from good then God threatned to cut him off by his afflicting hand which made him cry out unto God for mercy saying remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand O spare me a little that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Psal 39. Job 36. 17 21. But now this nothing opposes what we have been speaking of for these and such like plous persons were not so punished or untimely removed because they exercised themselves to godliness but because at some times they did not exercise themselves thereto but did partake with others in their sins and so did partake with them in their judgments here that they might not be condemned with the world hereafter as Rev. 18. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. And thus it hath fared and may do so again with many such as were good persons in the main 2. Sometimes God in mercy removes good persons before he pours out some heavy Judgments on the Nation or place in which they lived so the Lord saith concerning Abijah the Son of Jeroboam King of Israel concerning whom the Prophet in the name of the Lord saith all Israel shall mourn for him for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel 1 King 14. 1 13. And the same may be said in part concerning that very excellent and good Prince King Josiah concerning whom the Lord saith Behold I will gather thee to thy fathers and thou shall be gathered to thy grave in peace neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and upon the Inhabitants of the same 2 Chron. 34. 26 27 28. And to this purpose some understand those words of the Lord spoken by the Prophet Isaiah namely Come my people enter thou into thy Chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment until the indignation be over-past For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity c. Isa 26. 20 21. with Job 14. 13. Or God may in much mercy remove some Timerous and feeble-minded upright-hearted ones before a day of Fiery Tryal come which might be too hot and too heavy for them lest they should put forth their hand to iniquity to save themselves and secure themselves from such sufferings Psal 125. 3. So our Lord Jesus speaking to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia which had but a little strength saith Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the world c. Rev. 3. 8 9 10. Now in such Cases or in others of a like nature it would not be good for them which are so removed to have their lives longer continued to them but it is profitable for them to be taken away Isa 57. 1 2. 3. Sometimes pious men are taken out of this world as a gracious reward of their more Eminent piety and abundant goodness that is found with them above what is found with others As by reason of the great and more hainous wickedness committed by some evil men their iniquity is more speedily full and they are in judgment untimely cut off even before they have lived out half their days Psal 55. 21. Eccl. 7. 17. So also on the other hand some pious persons may in much mercy to themselves be removed and taken out of this world into a better before old age and decrepid years come upon them Thus Enoch was the shortest liver by far of all mentioned in Gen. 5. But the very reason of his being so early removed from hence was his signal and more abundant piety and goodness Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Gen. 5. 22 24. with Heb. 11. 5 6. To which things I shall not though I might further enlarge But to conclude this particular as I have said so again I say godliness hath the promise of this life of the life it self namely of the continuance thereof while the only wise God judges it good and profitable for them 2. And in order to the preservation and continuance of this natural life while it may be useful and good for them godliness hath the promise of needful provision for them that sincerely exercise themselves thereunto and are diligent in their lawful vocation Trade or way of Imployment Indeed God out of his general mercy and bounty doth provide for all man-kind during the day of his grace and patience the Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works for the good of mankind Psal 145. 8 9 17. He giveth food to all flesh for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 25. He maketh his Sun to Rise upon the evil as well as upon the good and he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil Mat. 5. 44 45 48. Luk. 6. 35 36. He left not himself without witness towards the Heathen but did them good and gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 16 17. and chap. 17. 24 28. But now as with respect to them that serve him acceptably with
THE GAIN OF Godliness BEING A Consideration of 1 Tim. 4. 8. By Charles Phelpes Can a Man be profitable unto God as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself Job 22. 2. Riches profit not in the day of Wrath But Righteousness delivereth from Death Prov. 11. 4. Godliness with Contentment is great Gain 1 Tim. 6. 6. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the three Crowns and Bible at the lower end of Cheap-side 1682. TO THE READER Christian Reader IT is a general and necessary enquiry of the Sons of Men which is mentioned by the Psalmist to wit There be many that say Who will shew us that which is good That which is truly profitable for us Psal 4. 6. We All need to be shewn what is for Benefit and to be Directed thereunto for though Empty Man would be Wise yet Man is Born like a wild Asses Colt to wit most void of Understanding Job 11. 12. with Psal 32. 9. Every Man is brutish by his Knowledge Jer. 10. 14. Aud this doth Evidently appear by their undertakings and pursuits whatever their words and expressions are For generally they are seeking after the World as their chiefest good And their Wisdome which is Earthly directs them so to do It commends unto them and Glorifies before them the Riches Honours and Pleasures of this vain and transitory Life as the most profitable and valuable Things which can be pursued or procured by them and therefore excites and provokes them to Labour only or chiefly for this Meat which perisheth for these Objects which endure not unto everlasting Life For the things which are seen are Temporal 2 Cor. 4. 18. Hence the Wise Man gives this Caution and Dehortation to the Sons of Men Labour not to be Rich cease from thine own Wisdome Wilt thou cause thine Eyes to flee upon that which is not For Riches certainly make themselves Wings they flee like an Eagle toward Heaven Prov. 23. 4 5. And indeed if we could have never so sure and certain an Enjoyment of them while we are here continued in this World which yet we cannot promise to our selves or assure our selves of yet without all peradventure when we leave this World we must leave all the things of it behind us For we brought nothing into this world And it is certain we can carry nothing out 1 Tim. 6. 7. Be not thou fraid when one is made Rich when the Glory of his House is increased For when he Dyeth he shall carry nothing away his Glory shall not descend after him Psal 49. 16 17 20. And Alas What is our Life Is it not even a Vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Within a few Years or Dayes we shall go the way whence we shall not return Job 16. 22. Yea though we should Live a Thousand Years twice told and yet have not seen or sought after that which is truly eminently and eternally Good What will All then avail us when we go to the Place appointed for all Living Will he esteem thy Riches No not Gold nor all the Forces of strength Job 36. 8 9. What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gained when God taketh away his Soul Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him Job 27. 8 9. What is a Man Advantaged saith our Lord and Saviour if he gain the whole world and lose himself or be cast away Luk. 9. 24 25. The World then and the things thereof are not Profitable for all things They are not the good we should mainly enquire after or exercise our selves to the Attainment of For they are not of the Father 1 Joh. 2. 15 17. Yea indeed the inordinate Love of the World is Enmity with God and hinders from serving and pleasing Him For no Man can serve two Masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other Ye cannot serve God and mammon saith our Lord Jesus Jam. 4. 4. with Mat. 6. 24. But now the only wise God and our Saviour and therefore also the only good and gracious God doth give a satisfactory Answer to that Enquiry of the Many or Multitude before-mentioned in Psal 4. 6. As the Prophet signifieth saying He hath shewed thee O Man what is good what is truly well-pleasing unto him and everlastingly profitable beneficial for thy self and what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to humble thy self in walking with thy God And so to believe in him For Without Faith it is impossible to walk with and please him Mica 6. 8. with Heb. 11. 5 6. and Gen. 5. 22 24. This is that which God doth Require of us for our Good and Benefit Compare Mica 6. 8. with Deut. 10. 12 13. And suitably thereto the Apostle Paul as directed by the Spirit of Truth speaks in the Words which are the Subject of the ensuing Discourse saying Godliness is profitable unto all things c. And could Men but be perswaded and prevailed withal to Believe this with all their Souls How would it Metamorphose and Transform their Hearts and Lives and make them Christ's Disciples not in Name and Profession only but in Truth and Reality But Alas How many Unbelieving Believers are there in the outward Court of the Church and therefore how many Unchrist-like Christians Jer. 9. 25 26. How many are there that stand up at and profess to Assent and Consent to the Belief concerning whom it may be said They are Children in whom is no Faith as Deut. 32. 20. How many call themselves The only true Sons of the Church while they Actually and openly appear to be The Children of this World or Members of a Worldly Sanctuary And such manner of persons may be forward to suspect That they design their prejudice who endeavour to Moderate their Affections unto and pursuits after these low things and to excite and quicken them to exercise themselves unto true Piety and Purity And St. Paul saw it needful to Assure the Believing Corinthians That he intended no hurt to them when he Exhorted them to have their Conversation without Carefulness and Covetousness But that he endeavoured their certain and stable Interest and Advantage For when he had been saying Brethren the time is short It remaineth that they that Weep for any worldly Loss or Deprivation be as though they Wept not and they that Rejoyce for any present Gain or Increase as though they Rejoyced not and they that Buy as though they Possessed not And they that use this world as not abusing it for the Fashion of this world passeth away But I would have you without Carefulness c. He then presently after thus Writeth unto them And this I speak not for your Disadvantage or Detriment but for your own profit not that I may cast a Snare upon you but for that which is Comely And that you may attend upon
unto God doth plainly appear from what the Apostle speaks to the believing Hebrews saying but without faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 5. 6. As also the Truth hereof doth further appear in those Commands which the Apostles have given by the Lord Jesus to the believers As so run that ye may abtain 1 Cor. 9. 24. Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men c. Gal. 6. 9. 10. And when the Apostle had been saying as before we took notice I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus He then immediately addes thereto let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded c. To wit as he himself was Phil. 3. 14. 15. 1 Tim. 6. 12. 7. And lastly as to this a reward is particularly propounded to us and needful to be respected and expected by us to make us willing to perform those Tasks of Christ which appear to be very difficult chargeable and unpleasant to us as to say that we may patiently and chearfully take up the Cross of Christ and endure affliciton as good Souldiers of his for the Word and way of truth it is doubtless very requisite and needful to have such respect unto the Crown of Glory as that none of the things we suffer may move us and therefore that is proposed to us to strengthen us to suffer adversity and persecution Blessed are ye saith our Saviour when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the Son of man's sake rejoyce ye in that day and leap for Joy for behold mind and consider this seriously attentively your reward is great in heaven Luk. 6. 22 23 Mat. 5. 10 12. For which things sake we faint not saith the Apostle for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. and chap. 5. 1. 9. And the Apostle Peter thus admonishes and encourages the believers to partake of the afflictions of the Gospel think it not strange concerning the fiery Tryal as if some strange thing happened unto you but rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs Sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye also may be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 12 13. It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer we shall also reign with him Of these things put them namely the believers in Remembrance intimating that the believing remembrance hereof is very proper and profitable for them to strengthen them to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness in all their Tribulations 2 Tim. 2. 11 14. 2 Cor. 1. 7. Again that we may chearfully and liberally according to our several abilities give to the poor and exercise our selves in works of mercy and charity in administring to the necessities of such as are needy and indigent it is needful and requisite for us to consider the reward set before us to excite us thereto otherwise we shall be back-ward to undertake or continue in this good work And therefore oftentimes the future advantage of this pious work is proposed that we might be forward thereto Thus our Lord saith to the young-man whom he loved if thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Mat. 19. 21. And to the same purpose our Saviour speaks unto his Disciples also saying sell that ye have and give Almes provide your selves bags which wax not old a Treasure in the heavens that faileth not where no Thief approacheth nor Moth corrupteth Luk. 12. 33 34. And to the end the Apostle Paul might provoke the Corinthians to a liberal distribution toward their poor and necessitous brethren he thus writes unto them he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9. 6 9. with Psal 1 12. 9. Eccles 12. 1. And he thus Commands Timothy charge them that are rich in this world that they do good that they be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate and that they might so be he signifies that this would turn to their own future account and advantage in the day of Christ saying laying up in Store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 17 19. Once more to the end we may really love our enemies and such as hate and persecute us and may do good to them and be Cordially kind to them according to their needs and our Capacity it is very behoveful and requisite for us to mind and have respect unto the encouragement of a future reward assured to them that exercise themselves in that work of Perfection To this purpose when our Lord gives this command to his disciples namely I say unto you which hear love your enemies do good to them which hate you bless them that curse you and pray for them that despightfully use you and Persecute you he afterwards in the same discourse assures them that their observing and obeying this command would be for their own profit and advantage for he thus saith Love ye your enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again and your reward shall be great he not only propounds and promises to them a reward but also a great one that they might perform this difficult and excellent duty and then presently after addes Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful Luk. 6. 27 28 35 36. Mat. 5. 44 47 48. It may be said of this duty of heartily loving our Enemies as sometimes some said in another Case this is an hard saying who can hear it but that we may hear and obey it our bountiful Lord doth hire us to the performance thereof and so makes it easy Wherefore as the wise man saith if thine Enemy be hungry give him bread to eat and if he be thirsty give him Water to drink for thou shalt heap coales of fire on his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prov. 25. 22 23. And thus we have largely shewed that it is no mercenary or reprovable thing to exercise our selves to godliness out of a respect to and hope of a reward of grace upon our so doing but that which is Lawful Laudable yea and in some sense and Cases requisite and needful so to do and I shall adde no more to this
he was more Godly and holy then his Fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. He was one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth but he always did those things that pleased his father And when the due season was come he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross as he received commandment from his father And because in obedience to his father he laid down his life and hath taken it up again therefore the father loveth him and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his hands Joh. 10. 17 18. with chap. 3. 35. And unto him the promises were made Originally and most fully now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made he saith not unto seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ Gal. 3. 16. And he is become the root and foundation of godliness for us 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without whose Abasement Death Resurrection and Exaltation there had been no forgiveness of sins for us nor could we have been made partakers of the favour of God nor would Repentance and Faith have availed us any thing Heb. 9. 22. 1 Cor. 15. 12 17 20 Nor could we have come unto God so as to have received mercy and salvation from him Joh. 14. 6. Act 4. 11 12. But now in Him who by the grace of God tasted death for every man and rose again all the promises of God are yea and in him Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. And if we be Christ's to wit in a special consideration then are we Abraham's seed and Hears according to promise Gal. 3. 16 26 29. And Heirs of the promises in being united by Faith unto him who is the Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. The promises are not made with or absolutely assured unto any person in a personal Consideration but to such manner of persons as do exercise themselves unto Godliness and Righteousness Thus the everlasting Covenant which did contain exceeding great and precious promises was not made with Abraham as a man known by that name simply but it was made with him as he was a Truly Pious and upright man Thus it is said the Lord appeared unto Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect or sincere and I will make my Covenant between me and thee c. Gen. 17. 1 2 7 8. And to the same purpose it is else-where said thou foundest his heart faithful before thee and madest a Covenant with him Neh. 9. 7 8. And this Covenant was thus made with him not for himself onely but for his spiritual Seed also and so it was made with him as a father of many Nations Gen. 17. 4 5 8. Rom. 4. 16 17. And so those that are sincere like unto him are Heirs of the same Covenant as to the choice things therein contained and assured Rom. 4. 16 17 24. As the Apostle saith know ye therefore that they which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham So then they which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham Gal. 3. 7 9. with Rom. 4. 11 13 16. It is out of God's love to righteousness that God doth delight in and is well-pleased with them that heartily follow it and walk in it the righteous Lord loveth righteousness and therefore his countenance doth behold the upright Psal 11. 7. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward Righteousness tendeth to life Prov. 11. 17 18. In the way of righteousness is life and in the path way thereof there is no death ch 12. 26 28. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way chap. 13. 6. and chap. 8. 20. 21. And this is the general and constant Current of the holy Scriptures both of the Prophets and Apostles that not such persons meerly but such manner of persons graciously qualified persons are the Heires of the promises of life and salvation and shall so abiding in due season inherit the blessings therein propounded and thereby assured Who shall Ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation This is the generation of them that seek him that seek thy face O God of Jacob. Selah Psal 15. and 24. 3. 6. When the Evangelical Prophet largely treats of the Everlasting Covenant and of the blessings thereof in Isa 54. He then in the close of that Chapter gives us to understand who are the Heirs of it and shall inherit the Blessings and Benefits of it saying This is the Heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. And then by his servant the Prophet he makes this Proclamation and Invitation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money no worth no worthiness Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David As if he should say if ye will indeed learn the way of my people as Jer 12. 16. and sincerely become my servants also then upon these terms you shall be heirs with them of the same Covenant and inherit the same blessing with them Isay 54. 17. and chap. 55. 1 2 3. Psal 84. 11 12. and 125. And to the same purpose our Lord and Saviour and his Holy Apostles have spoken to us in the Word of the Lord My Sheep saith our Lord Jesus hear my voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand John 10. 27 30. and chap. 14. 21 23. Matth. 7. 24 27. Col. 1. 22 23. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4 8 10 11. 1 John 2. 24 28. Rev. 22. 12 14. The way of the Lord even sincere Holiness and Righteousness is strength to the upright Prov. 10. 29. And he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Prov. 16. 17. But as for them that turn aside to their crooked paths the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel even upon the Israel of God Psal 125. 5. with Gal. 6. 15. 16. For Persons therefore to rely on and bolster up themselves with the Promises while they walk ungodlily and their way is perverse before the Lord this is to turn the grace of our God into Lasciviousness and Wantonness as Jude 4. And this is that which is highly provoking unto the Holy Lord God Hence Moses gives this caution to the People of Israel when they
promise of that because it is not profitable for us And as with respect to the life to come some may conceive they shall then marry and have their fills of Love and Carnal delights and pleasures as Mat. 22. 28 30. But now Godliness hath not the promise of these sensual and contemptible Enjoyments but of that which is infinitely better of all spiritual and heavenly delights and satisfactions Psal 36. 7 9. Rom. 8. 23. And so it hath the promise of all that which is and only of that which is profitable for us in our present and future state Like unto what the Scripture elsewhere speaks saying the young Lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 34. 9 10. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield he will give grace and glory no good thing here during the kingdom of his grace or hereafter in the kingdom of his glory will he withhold from them that walk uprightly O Lord of hosts Blessed is and for ever shall be the man that trusteth in thee Psal 84. 10 12. And thus also our Saviour when he excites and encourages his disciples to exercise themselves to pious devotion in addressing themselves unto God saying Ask and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you He presently after signifies to them what they shall receive and find and so intimately directs them what to ask and seek for to wit that which is really good for them saying unto them if ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him Mat. 7. 7 9 11. Deut. 28. 1 12. To which I shall enlarge no further in this place Now then having premised and noted these three things which deserve our most serious consideration we come to consider and speak unto the Motive and enforcement as it is here more particularly and distinctly exprest and evidenced to us by the Apostle and so Godliness is profitable 1. Having promise of the life that now is of this present frail state we are now upon while we are in this old passing and corruptible world and so it hath the promise of the good things directly appertaining to this passing short and transitory life 2. And it hath the promise of a first-fruits of the life of God or of a new spiritual life which will be compleat and consummate hereafter in our abiding in the saith of our Lord Jesus 1. I say Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is even of the good things more directly appertaining to the continuance and comfort of this short transitory and uncertain life as may appear to us in the following particulars 1. Godliness hath the promise of this life it self and of the continuance of it while it may be for the glory of God and so while it may be truly profitable for them that unfeignedly apply themselves unto the power of Godliness Their times of health and life are in the hands of God as David saith of his and it is not in the power of Satan or of any of their enemies to put an end to their lives when they please Psal 31. 13 15. Indeed in his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind Job 12. 10. Mat. 10. 29 31. But he is especially the Saviour of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 8 9 10. Job 1. 9 10 and chap. 2. 6. And while the continuance of this life is profitable for them it shall be granted unto them Hence it is observable that when the Psalmist had been saying as we before noted that they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing He then immediately addes come ye children hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord what man is he that desireth life and loveth days that he may see good and then he directs them to apply themselves to Piety and the fear of the Lord that they may enjoy life as long as it is good for them saying keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile Depart from evil and do good seek peace and pursue it For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous c. Psal 34. 10 12 15. And this assurance encouragement to follow vertue and goodness did not only respect them that lived before our Lord took upon him our nature in which times they had as to the outside of them however more and more frequently temporal blessings set before them and assured to them but the same Motive is made use of by the Apostle Peter since to move and prevail with us to abhor that which is evil and cleave unto and pursue that which is good before God 1 Pet. 3. 10 11 12. Thus also when the Psalmist pronounceth them blessed that exercise love and mercy towards such as are indigent and necessitous saying blessed is he that considereth the poor the weak or sick he then declares this as one partiticular in which a merciful person shall be blessed namely the Lord will preserve him and keep him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth Psal 41. 1 2. All things are theirs who are Christ's and so particularly life even this present life is theirs also 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Hence we have such sayings as these in the book of the Proverbs The labour of the righteous tendeth to life Prov. 10. 16. Righteousness tendeth to life chap. 11. 19. The fear of the Lord tendeth to life and he that hath it shall abide satisfied chap. 19. 23. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life chap. 21. 21. The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is life chap. 22. 4. All which Proverbs though they may have a principal respect unto a more excellent life than is here enjoyable yet they have also respect unto our enjoyment of this present life while the continuance of it is a mercy to us if we be and abide in the true fear of the Lord. God is the God of the righteous in a peculiar consideration and the God of their lives therefore they need not fear with any fear that hath torment in it 1 Joh 4. 18. What their enemies can do unto them Psal 118 6 9. Heb. 13. 5 6. To this purpose the Psalmist speaks saying the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal 27. 1. And when he was in great afflictions and had many enemies that conspired and endeavoured to destroy him he encouraged himself herein that God was the God of his life Hence when he saith Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water-spouts all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me He doth then thus comfort himself yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the day-time and in the night his Song shall be with
perform the truth unto Jacob and the mercy to Abraham Mica 7. 18 20. If God should be severe to Mark against the pious and righteous persons the manifold iniquities and miscarriages found with them both in their Omitting that which is good and Committing that which is evil they could not stand before him nor receive the benefits of his promises Psal 130. 4 5. And as that perfect man Job saith how should man be just before God namely if he should enter into judgment with him for so it immediately follows If he will contend with him he cannot answer him one of a thousand Job 9. 2 3. with Psal 143. 2. And therefore such as are upright in the main need to Rejoyce in and Implore the mercy of God daily and continually And it is observable that David the man after Gods own heart thus expresseth himself I will sing of thy Power yea I will sing aloud of thy Mercy c. Psal 59. 16 17. And again he saith I will sing of the Mercies of the Lord for ever Psal 89. 1 4. And when he thus speaks of himself in his Prayer unto God saying I have done Judgment and Justice and doth acknowledge himself to be The Servant of the Lord to wit in an especial consideration one that did desire to fear his name and to serve and please him yet then he humbly and earnestly Implores the mercy of God saying Deal with thy Servant according to thy Mercy Psal 119. 121 124 125 and 143. 2. And Daniel a man greatly beloved of his God and an eminently Holy man doth thus address himself unto God in his Prayer We do not present our Supplications before thee for our Righteousness but for thy great Mercies O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do Dan. 9. 7 9 18 19. with Isa 64. 6. And when the Apostle Jude gives this counsel and exhortation unto the Believers who were Sanctified in God the Father and Preserved in Christ Jesus and Called to wit But ye Beloved Building up your selves on your most Holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God He then Immediately further adds thereto Looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life To signify to us that the most upright and holy Ones do continually stand in need of the Mercy of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ and without that they could not have Eternal Life Jude 1. 2 20 21. Heb. 4. 16. Luke 17. 9 10. The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting upon them that fear him Psal 103. 17 18. with 52. 8. Where is Boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith Rom. 3. 25 26 27. Yet let none from what hath been said Abuse the Mercy and Grace of God as evil ones are two forward and prone to do Rom. 5. and chap. 6 1 2. and cry Peace to themselves Where there is no Peace For though it be certainly true that God is a God of Mercy towards mankind rich in Mercy the Father and Fountain of Mercies 2 Cor. 1. 3. Ephes 2. 4 5. yet he will not be merciful in an especial consideration To any wicked trangressors Psal 59. 5. He that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no Favour I mean if they continue and go on still in their Trespasses Isa 27. 11. Psal 68 18 21. But this is a very great and considerable encouragement to them whose hearts are perfect with the Lord That he who hath entail'd the Promise on Godliness is one who delights in mercy And therefore he will perform the Covenant to them that keep his Testimonies and seek him with the whole heart though they be subject to Passions and have many Infirmities and Frailties found with them in their due and diligent addressing themselves to the Throne of Grace that they may obtain mercy in the forgiveness of their Sins These are The Vessels of special Mercy which he hath prepared unto Glory Rom. 9. 23. with 1 Tim. 4. 10. Hence the Apostle Paul thus votes As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be upon them and Mercy even upon the Israel of God Gal. 6. 14 15 16. Heb. 8. 10 11 12. 2. The God whose the Promise is that Godliness hath is also a God of Ability and Power one who is strong and able to perform all his Gracious Promises And so he is able to give unto the truly Pious Persons now those things which he knows to be needful for them for this present Life and State Whatsoever is under the whole Heaven is his Job 41. 11. Thine O Lord saith David is the Greatness and the Power and the Glory and the Victory and the Majesty For all that is in the Earth is thine Thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as head above all Both Riches and Honour come of thee c. 1 Chron. 29. 11 13. Deut. 10. 14. He can open his good Treasure and give unto us out of that whatsoever is needful and useful for the Body and outward man as Deut. 28. 1 12. And so also the Heaven and all Heavenly things are his in his hand and at his Dispose 1 Chron. 29. 11. Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords Deut. 10. 14. Psal 115. 16. And saith the Apostle Paul Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath Blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. 3. Jam. 1. 5 17. Luk. 11. 13. Thus God in former times made known himself to Abraham Isaac and Jacob by the Name of God Almighty Gen. 17. 1. Exod. 6. 3. And Abraham glorified God in believing him to be such an one as he made himself known by his Word to be namely the Powerful the Almighty God and that therefore he could give a Being to his word and and perform the Promise which he had made unto him notwithstanding all appearing difficulties and unlikelyhoods So when the Lord promised him saying So shall thy Seed be It is said by the Apostle He considered not his Body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarahs Womb. He staggered not at the Promise of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God And being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform Rom. 4. 18 21. There were some staggerings at that Promise of God as to his Ability to perform it in Sarah it may seem for which she was somewhat reproved by the Lord in his thus speaking unto Abraham Wherefore did Sarah laugh Is any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18. 13 14. But no such thing was charged upon her Husband And again when the Lord tried Abraham commanding him to Offer up his Son his only Son Isaac for a Burnt-Offering concerning which Son the Lord had thus promised In Isaac shall thy
6. is ratified and made sure by the most precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot Indeed the first Testament was confirmed and Dedicated with blood For Moses took the blood of Calves and of Goats with water and Hysop and sprinkled the book saying This is the blood of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you Exod. 24. 3 8. with Heb. 9. 18 20. But this better and far more excellent Covenant and Promise which is entail'd on sincere Piety is ratified and established by the blood of the Son of God who is the Mediatour of it Thus when our Lord Jesus instituted his Supper in the night in which he was betrayed He took the Cup and gave it unto his Disciples saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of Sins Matth. 26. 27 28. This Testament of exceeding great and precious Promises is confirmed by the Blood of himself who is the Testator For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be brought in the Death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. Hence this Covenant is called The New Testament in his Blood Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. And his Blood is said to be The Blood of the New Testament or Covenant Mark 14. 24. Heb. 10. 29. and the Blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. And our Lord Jesus who hath obtained sealed and ratified this New Testament with his own Death is raised again from the Dead and is now Alive a 〈…〉 ives for evermore and is the Mediator 〈…〉 is New Covenant to see to the faithful Execution and Performance of his own last Will and Testament As the Apostle saith And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament That by means of Death for the Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the First Testament They which are called to wit called according to purpose so as they unfeignedly obey the call might receive the Promise of the eternal Inheritance Heb. 9. 14 15. So that the Promise being thus Confirmed by the Oath of the ever-living and eternally unchangeable God and by the Blood of the eternal and Immutable Son of God Heb. 13. 7 8. appears hereby to be a faithful and true saying and therefore as we have said is worthy of all hearty and honourable Acceptation and Entertainment from us all To conclude all then in a few words Let us all so carefully and seriously minde and consider the General Gainfulness of sincere Piety and Goodness both in this present State which we are now in and in that future and eternal State which we must hereafter enter upon which is fully and abundantly evidenced in this that it hath the Promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come And that the Author and Maker of this Prom 〈…〉 s the living God the Incorruptible God the most Merciful most Powerful and Faithful God And that this Promise is ascertained and confirmed by his most solemn Oath to shew unto the Heirs of his Promise the Immutability of his Counsel and that it is also Ratified and Established by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7 8. And who ever liveth to see to the performance of his Covenant and Promise Heb. 1. 10 12. that we may resolvedly and constantly deny Impiety and all sinful and worldly lusts and affections by the aid and assistance of the Spirit of Grace lest we come short of enjoying the Benefit and advantage of this excellent and most beneficial promise as Heb. 4. 1. And let us uprightly and perseveringly follow after and exercise our selves not to the Form only or mainly but to the Power and Practice of real Godliness that so we may have an Interest in and an enjoyment of The Gain and Advantage of Godliness both now in this present Day and to the Day of Eternity O let us not by observing lying Vanities which cannot save us from evil nor satisfy us with good forsake our own Mercies God hath Inseparably joyned together our Duty and our Interest that we cannot Possibly have the Latter unless we sincerely perform the Former nor can we heartily exercise our selves to the Former but we shall without all doubt be made Partakers of the Latter What God therefore hath so joyned together let no man fondly imagine or foolishly endeavour to put asunder As by annexing and assuring this general and most valuable advantage to Godliness God doth Intimate our backwardness to exercise our selves thereto and our averseness therefrom So in that he proposes and promises such a Reward to Piety He doth plainly give us to understand that it is his gracious Mind and Will that we should be Good and Pious that we may be truly Blessed and Happy We must indeed take Christs Yoak upon us and unseignedly undertake his service if we will meet with and find Refreshing to our Souls But that we may heartily and willingly so do He doth assure us that it is an easie that it is a gainful one and so draws us to take the Yoke upon us with the Bands and Cords of Profit and Advantage both Earthly and Heavenly And thus he did allure his people in former times to the well-pleasing service of him by assuring them that it would conduce unto their own Advantage and Interest And now saith he by Moses What doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his wayes and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul to keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statutes which I command thee this day for thy Good But for what Good should they do this surely for their present and for their future good for their earthly and for their heavenly advantage And so much may be signified in what immediately follows with a note of attention perfixed thereto namely Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords thy God the Earth also with all that therein is Deut. 10. 12 13 14. O then Let us Exercise our selves unto Godliness For Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation THE END Books to be Sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside A Hundred select Sermons on several Texts by Tho. Horton D. D. Sermons on 4 select Psalms viz. 4th 42 51 63. by Tho. Horton D. D. Mr. Baxters Christian Directory Sermons on the whole Epistle of Saint Paul to the Collossians by Mr. J. Daille translated into English by F. S. with Dr. Tho. Goodwins and Dr. John Owens