God or man he acts right that bids his enemy be judge of his doings if any spy faults enemies will Saints are for pleasing God that 's their aime they are company for such whose journey is heaven-ward Christ is gone before they follow after He goes fastest to heaven that goes on most speedily in Gods worke that as it tends to Gods glory so to the actors glory A soul will soone be glorified it selfe that glorifies God they that are for God shall be with God heavenly work is recompens'd with good wayes Christ did his work is entred into his joy doe yours and enter also like doers shall have like pay 5. Christ is for fellowship and communion with his people Mat. 18.20 where two or three are gathered together in his name there he is in the midst of them so Saints the friends of Christ desire fellowship with those that are Christs christians this Lesson hath not been well learn'd of late outward appearances like our selves t is feard have drawne us many times more then Christ in Spirit dwelling in souls That part of Arethmeticke division hath beene in use too much at least Numeration too little we should be more like Christ were we more for society I meane with Saints Davids Spirit was gratious and was much affected with such company if like Christ sociable but 't is with Saints 6. Christ delights to see men holy embracing truth in this Saints are like Christ Saint John rejoyced greatly that he found the children of the Elect Lady walking in truth Epist Ioh. 2.4 so this exercise was pleasing to Paul Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus of the love which ye have to all the Saints As he rejoyced to see this amongst the Colossians for it pleased him to see others followers of the Lord 1 Thes 1.6 and embracing that truth which the churches of God embraced 1 Thes 1.14 to the exceeding growth of faith and the abounding of charity each towards others 2 Thes 1.3 They that were holy amongst the Jews rejoyced at the Gentiles conversion And at this day there is no greater joy to Saints then to hear of others turning to the truth and living holily That which makes carnal men displeas'd which is newnesse of life pleaseth those that have received of the same life Ezech. 33 7. Jesus Christ hates sin in every one yet no mans person he pitties their persons Why will you die O house of Israel He loath'd Jerusalems sin yet he wept over the city as pittying the people sorrowing through foreseeing of the misery that was coming towards them ' and did afterwards befal them They that are like Christ are thus qualified they hate sin in all men yet hate not the persons of any no not of their deadly enemies but with Stephen they can desire eternal life for those that will not let them enjoy a temporal life a crown for their enemies that hale them to the crosse There 's much of the image of Christ in those that to the utmost do good to the men whose sins they hate And though they seek the death of their sin yet desire life the life of Christ for their souls Christ shewed man most mercy when he shewed sinne none he kill'd sin and quickn'd man A man may be merciful to his neighbour yet strive to be a slaughter-man to his sin They must needs be like Christ that from a gratious pitty are helpful to others and omit no meanes to do them any kindnesse furthering the salvation of their souls and good of their bodies helping them in any thing or way but what is sinful 'T is the calling of Saints to do good yea to all you have none of a more free spirit then they they go up and down on this imployment 't is the errand that Christ sends them on Like Master like Servants all good and their actions like themselves The master cannot erre the servants may but they shall be set right again These are no cheats that do good to all as much as possible they may harm none no not enemies render to none evill for evil but contrariwise blessing 8. Saints are very much like Christ in that they are couragious souls couragious in what is good not bad some men have too much courage in an evil way but to what is good they have no heart 'T is not so with the children of God they die rather then yield to any basenesse shall such a one as I flie a gallant speech of a noble soul Neh. 6.11 of one that believed God had given commandment to save him Psa 71.3 Salvum me facias ab inimicis meis Daniel would not omit his duty though he knew the Lions den was to be his punishment God should have his honour whatsoever he suffered The three children feared not the wrath of the King nor the fiery Furnace God should not be dishonoured by them they would die rather Tyrants may kill Saints but not conquer them Christ was slaine but not overcome so it may be with those are Christs That 's good mettal will endure the fire a good Ship that holds sound and firm in all storms good cloth that shrinks not in wetting wel-grounded colours that fade not brave souls that nothing can daunt discourage or turn from the truth one of these is better then a thousand that have great words but when hardship comes to be undergone prove low and weake he 's a friend that owns a man in need and in a strait he 's a Saint that from inward grace is made so couragious that nothing shall separate him as from the love of Christ 2 Tim. 1.7 so from the worke of Christ The Mettall of a souldier is tried in the Battel the spirit of a Christian in times of opposition 9. Christ is all for drawing souls to himself Joh. 12.32 if he be lifted up from the earth he will draw men to him he is not a scatterer but a gatherer I mean of souls His businesse is to seeke and to save to find and preserve he woes and willing he is to marry soules that they might be his for ever christians in this are spirited like Christ they endeavour to drive a trade for Christs gain they are for their masters profit they love Christ find exceeding benefit by him and they think others should love him also Pretious Christ is pretious to them and faine would they have him so to others They have an enlarg'd heart and an open mouth crying to souls oh love the Lord all ye people turne in hither souls come buy wine and milke without noney and without price we have found Excellent entertainment from Christ come he will shew you kindnesse good soules will not conceale the bountifull mercy of the Lord 2 Chro. 7.9 if they neglect to publish
fashioned like Christ it matters not how different you are from all others you are as you should be if like Christ The choice work of Christ is about souls Reas and here as his skill is required so hee shews it in bringing forth so beautifull a piece and rare that was formerly deformed and vile in making a brat of Satans a Saint that which was like hell to be like heaven that which was most ugly to be like himself that is the holy of holies Saints are very like Christ because whatsoever is found in a Saint as a Saint it is really one with Christ some thing flowing out from Christ In Saints there is plenitudo vasis the fullnes of a vessell but in Christ is plenitudo fontis a fountain-fullnesse The Schoolmen say that Christ is as the fire Christians as things lighted at that fire Vt ignis ignita the fullness of the fire is such that light a thousand torches at it it is not diminished Fire is not diminished by what is lighted at it but by the abatement or diminution of the fuel now Grace in Christ cannot be diminished 't is not subject to any decay 't is as he himself is the same to day and for ever Christ could not be perfect if subject to change I conceive without offence I may say that as a thing lighted at a fire is like the fire that lighted it so Saints receiving grace from Christ are like Christ from whom they receive that grace Joh. 1.16 as children are like their Parents so Saints like this everlasting Father Isa 9.6 who is their father Reas Christ lives with them in them and in this he delights and all is of likenesse Like is pleased with like so is Christ Saints are like him and he rejoyceth to be with them Affections meeting with a right object drawe all after If the affections be won the whole man is obtain'd so t is with Christ where his love is pitched all his excellences will fasten If Christ meet with one in whom his soul takes pleasure that soul cannot doe amisse How kind are men where pleased and what pleaseth but somewhat is sutable Somewhat in David that lik'd Jonathan 1 Sam. 18.1 caus'd him to close with that soul-friendship and to continue to the hazarding of his own life Davids friend Men love to live where they like and with whom so doth Christ that is in Saints they are the persons he likes and in them are the places he desires to make his places of residence Let a man find a place that hee likes it s of force enough to bring him to live there You need no other argument to draw him thither the mind is of force sufficient to make him effect what he effects let the place be in the way to heaven or hel The mind hath a great hand in the salvation or damnation of men Rom. 8.6 God make our mindes spiritual that so we may love what is spiritual A gracious Christ loves gracious soules here is nothing more like him nor nothing more delightfull to him his heart is ravished with them exceedingly taken with them so that nothing satisfies him but being in them and by being in them appears the unity and by the unity the amity and by the amity is manifested likenesse Paul agreed with Saints he being made like them wonder not then at Christs friendlines with Saints 't is but the society of the Bride-groom with the bride of the head with the members of a man with himself As Christs love hath its perfect work on beleeving soules so he that is the perfect worker hath his dwelling there happy hoste that hath such a guest blessed spouse that hath such a Husband blesed soul that hath such a friend happy body that hath such a head The Lord fashion us like Christ and we doubt not of enioying him Reas The thing begotten is like that which begat now Saints as Saints are begotten of Christ and having Christ for their father they are children like him 1 Pet. 1.23 Jam. 1.18 Simile generat sibi sâ—…iâ—â— time for time as the first Adam begat a son in his own likenesse so the second Rom 5.19 Nature makes us like the first Adam grace like the second there 's a Certaine likenes betwixt the birth of nature and the birth of grace Much of the birth of Saints as Children of Christ may be held out as in an emblem by the naturall birth God shewed much mercy to let thee bee a man such an excellent Creature That God that hath set thee so high Psal 8.6 that made thee to have dominion over the sheep oxen the beasts of the field the foul of the aire and the fish of the Sea might have made thee the lowest the contemptiblest of all these this is not all the mercy yet heares more in that thou hast thy lot in heaven amongst Saints in the good land where the gospell shines and wherein God in mercy dwels It is a poor businesse for all this to brag of these things unlesse thou art born a-again of the spirit for it is the new birth that makes thee inheritour of the glorious things of Christ Once born is not enough Judas had that but not the second the execellent name of Christians of right is by the second birth Thou maiest by thy first birth be a play-fellow with Saints as children meanly descended may be with the children of Nobles yet not Noble nor share in the inheritance or titles of honour The five foolish Virgins were companions a while with the wise Math. 25. but at length separated so may carnall men men once borne with Saints men twice borne but God wil find them out when he separates the precious from the vile when he makes up his jewels and gathers the wheat into his barne then it will little advantage a soul that it hath had a good name when 't is found with a bad soul Quid tibi prodest vocari quod non es that it hath eat and drunke with the Saints when it shall enjoy no inheritance with them but be shut out into outer darknesse Mat. 22.13 Quid tibi prodest ista memoria si ubi es torquris et ubi non es laudaris Cor. 15.21.22 It may be thou maiest leave somewhat behinde thee that Carnall men may commend thee for what comfort is this if you should be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone in a word the first birth let it be never so perfect sets us but in a miserable world higher it cannot advance Neither King nor Noble happy by natures birth t is the second birth gives perfection By this souls are very holy what Conceptions are in soules by Christ they are very like Christ himself holy Spiritus Jesus spiritus bonus spiritus sanctus spiritus rectus spiritus dulcis c. spirituall heavenly The seed of man may corrupt but not the
such multitudes of men and women in the world and so few of them good so few gracious 'T is sad to see a throng in the way to hel men pressing forwards to destruction and to everlasting perdition and to see but now and then one going towards glory towards everlasting salvation Wickednesse hath many that owne it and wicked waies are ful of footsteps but for goodnesse 't is not look'd upon nor the waies of goodnesse travel'd in holinesse is become like a poor man Cognatus pauperi nullus Diviti cognatus est quilibet none cares for being of his kindred or acquaintance but wickednesse like the great men of the world have many followers This is a trouble to Saints to behold yet as there may be by a Traveller some Englishmen found in a remote country though but a very few in comparison of the Natives so some heavenly souls some new-born christians here in the world though but a few in respect of what are are earthly and born onely after the flesh As a man may rejoyce much in finding one piece of gold or some one pretious stone so if you find but some one that is Godly yet be comforted in hopes that there are more though you for present know them not And rest assured that there are precioos Saints in this age in the world as wel as in former ages and that you shal meet them all in glory It may give you some hint who they Vse 2 are that are such precious souls such rare Creatures such jewels souls like Christ holy as Christ is holy pure as Christ is pure that are excellent here upon earth that are Kings and raigne in life by one even Jesus Christ 1. They are such that enjoy a Christ within that have Christ himself dweling in them many dwel where Christ dwelleth and so content themselves never considering whether Christ dwel in them we have nothing nor are worth nothing if Christ be not in us all that a man hath perish and faile and come to nothing if he hath not Christ 'T is Christ that is the souls all he is the onely good and the onely lasting good and such soules may be said to have some thing that have him yea al things but they that enjoy him not have nothing they have no oyle in their lamps and being so wil be shut out and not enter with the bridegroome into joy But now all are ready to say they have Christ in them have you so examine your souls are they delighted with Christ is Christ that which delights you doth Christ give peace doth Christ drawe your hearts heaven-wards lovers whose hearts are delighted with one they love how are they drawn towards such places where they may enjoy their love Love is a loadstone drawing souls to Christ We cannot forbeare we cannot abstaine from longing to be in more ful enjoyments of Christ if so be that Christ be in us Christ is the great the infinit good that is given out to men they rejoyce infinitly that have this infinit good their portion they that have Christ have him that is good beyond compare and this is he that makes souls precious There are as many precious souls in this congregation as there be soules enjoying Christ And there are so many enjoyers of Christ as there are lovers of Christ that love him as their owne souls as their owne lives nay much better then either There are many that talke of loving Christ but their love to Christ is but such as the hosts to his guest he is bid welcome more for his money sake then for any desire of communion and fellowship If they may gain by Christ they wil waite on him if not they wil be strange to him you that talke of loving Christ what doe you know of Christ Ex aspectu nascitur amor love riseth from knowledge what have you seene of him have you seene his beauty seen his glory seen his comlines He is altogeather lovely have you seen this lovelines have you tasted of his love love is mighty in ' its operation love the love of Christ coming in Socrates putat animam immersam corpori velut expergisci amoris stimulis c. stirs the soul wonderfully it rouseth it up it sets it a worke for Christ Love produceth action it sets men upon difficulties and makes them go through hardships doth Christs love do so with you try you may know if you deal faithfully in this thing you know who dwels in your house much more in your hearts you know why you do this and that what is it of all you do that you do for Christ and that from the life of Christ Paul was precious in his actings and precious in himself and all was by Christ that liv'd in him as many of you as have receiv'd Christ are happy Consider wel of it whatsoever you are outwardly in appearance in forme in possessions in friends c. I speak not of 't is nothing you are precious if you have Christ within precious children precious souls precious Saints all of you precious all of you jewels that have Christ 2. They that are precious are such whose iniquities are hid and whose sins are done away such in whom the Lord sees no guile such that are holy such that are nourished and carried in the bosome of the mercy and goodnesse of God Obj. But is not every soul a sinner do not all complain of their corruptions weaknesses failings errors c Ans A Christian man is both righteous and a sinner holy and profane an enemy of God and yet a child of God for a christian man by the force of his natural coruption may doe such things as the word of God forbids and as he himself as spiritual abhorres Paul himselfe did many things which were repugnant to the law of God therefore he had cause to say he was not already perfect Phil. 3.12 Scriptures are not altogether silent as concerning Abraham Jacob Rebeccah Sara Moses Job David Hezekiah All good and godly souls take them as Saints and walking after the Spirit yet take them as in the body and sometimes they did not alone doe good things unperfectly and leave some good things undone but also do some evil actions See Rom. 7 c. which were directly repugnant to the rule of Gods law and to their own renewed minde thus may they be stil sinners unholy in respect of their failings weaknesses imperfect sanctification or sanctification in part but take them as justified believers and in Christ they are righteous holy just the sin which they slip into is not laid to their charge but is done away for Christs sake in whom they believe whose righteousnesse is their righteousnesse and their sin Christs sin Vt Christus fuit peccator ita nos justâ— sumus His by imputation who is most just and innocent of himself yet was the curse and punishment imposed upon Christ to whome sin
encouragment enough to him that truth defendeth favours him Christ hath all his affection and he hath from Christ all power to do what Christ cals him to through Christ that strengthens him he can do all things By the power and strengh of Christ he is carried up on high above sense above reason above the world he is raised above feares above frownes his soul like Jehosaphats is lifted up in the wayes of God 2 Chro. 17.6 Christ puts in a holy magnanimity insomuch that in Christs cause it feares neither fire nor sword cross nor loss breaking of bones tearing of members men or Devils so it may be one with Christ In a word a soul that is truly Christs borne of him living to him is one whom neither poverty nor death nor bonds nor any outward Evils can terrifie Oh! souls you that this day heare me what wil you do in bad daies what in persecuting daies in the daies that fiery trials come wil you then owne truth wil love to Christ make you cleave to Christ suffer for Christ die for Christ if it doth then may it be said that you are Christs and that you are no changelings but true bred spirits children of God in bad places and times like Christ The Lord grant that though friends faile riches faile times alter peace should be remov'd yet your faith may not faile but that you may be baptiz'd with the baptisme wherewith Christ was baptiz'd though a bloudy baptisme and so being like Christ in life and death you may be like him in glory Vse 3 Were I in a more publique place I might speak a word to the Parliament the great counsel of the Kingdom exhorting them praying them to have a care of such that are godly of such that are like Christ to deal wel with them to preserve them make provision for them for they shal be sure of the help of them whilst they stick to Christ the Saints wil stick to them We have seen a miserable defection by abundance of men I will not say all but doubtlesse most have fallen off because they were not like Christ and did not cleave to Christ I shal forbear speaking in this place what I might were the auditory sutable Good men are too much slighted many times and bad men over much favoured Equidem Jehova contempum effudit in Principes God hath in a great measure cast them out with shame that were not friends to his precious Saints but rather to the adversaries I trust God wil give the Parliament a heart to cast their eies upon and have respect of such that are the called the faithful and chosen of Christ Whosoever deserts ths Parliament the Saints will never unlesse they forsake Christ which God forbid If the Parliament should be in straits Saints wil go in with them if they should be oppos'd Saints wil help them with body soul estate their purse prayers strength shall help If they should meet with bad times the Saints would stand with them in the storme I fear if the Parliament should have the need of any hereafter they wil finde few closing faithfully with them but what are the faithfully of Christ Methinks I hear a secret muttering amongst many that are ready to say if troubles come the Parliament wil have but few to take their parts few that wil joyn with them to such whisperings I shal give a loud answer if the Parliament follow Christ and take his part as I trust they wil they shal be sure of the Saints all Christs friends and have they these I beleeve they need not care who is against them or what opposition they meet withal no though all the people of the earth be gathered together against them Zach 12.3 Let the Parliament set up Christ and favour those are Christs and then if all the Nations of the world were gathered together against them they need not fear for Christ would help them and take part with them and if he be of their side they need not fear what man can do unto them for Christ wil make their enemies fall before them God wil make our Parliament-worthies such to all their enemies Isti incredibili ardore atque successu gentes omes de bell aâ—unt subjicient vel potius stirpitus cacindeut Zach. 12.6 as is spoken of the Governor of Judah they shal be like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf And they shall devour al the people round about on the right hand and on the left All that oppose them shall be but as a little wood laid on fire or straw put upon fire coales which would soon be consumed God grant the Saints may be favoured they that are truly godly be respected and car'd for by the Parliament then I doubt not of their flourishing and having friends to side with them for they shal have all the faithful and they are through Gods blessing many If this come to any of those worthies sights I pray God it may be a means to advise them to have a care of Christs people and then let them be sure those people of Christ wil have a care of them And though they must venture all nay die they wil stand with them God grant our Parliament-worthies may consid er that though they have not the most with them yet they have the best though the Saints be least for numebr yet they are the strongest for might and such that can though but a few subdue many five shall chase an hundred Lev. 26.8 and an hundred shall put ten thousand to flight Great hath been the experience that this Kingdome hath had of the Saints victories of those that went against their enemies 1 Sam 17.45 as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of hoasts Keep close together Saints keep with the Parliament Deus favet justis piis consiliis and then I doubt not but all wil be wel for God wil blesse the proceedings of good-men in a good cause and what better cause can be taken in hand then what is now in hand in England the bringing Christ to his Throne Let me conclude all with a word of consolation to such that fear bad times and that have spirits troubled with the various tossings in the world and defections of men from truth and other molestations that are all ready in the world and that they fear wil come on to the further grief and suffering of Saints Indeed there are troubles the dayes are evil times bad and 't is likely may be worse yet be sure of this they that are Christs people wil continue his people they that are gracious there will be some good still in sad times in the worst times some that in assured hope and confidence of Gods mercy in all necessities and tribulations cleave to the truth knowing that Gods power is Allmighty his promises most true his mercies infinite and that 't is for their souls everlasting happinesse to follow Christ let what sufferings soever come yea though they loose their lives There are a remnant that are enlightened and from that enlightening they know what is best to be embraced they know that whatsoever of troubles come now yet to al that are in Christ that are like Christ that love his appearing there will berest there will be peace there wil be blessednesse there wil be glory Those that are engrafted really into Christ wil by vertue receiv'd from Christ flourish Bad times make not them bad they will be good in any times in any company in any place If exalted good if abased good if rich good if poor good if in distresse good if in prosperity good Christ was a precious Christ in every condition and they precious Saints in every condition I know not what the times may be but I know what they that are Christs will be they wil be like Christ As some trees continue green in every season of the year in winter and summer in heat and cold so some men good in all times they are no changelings they are stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord. Immobiles sunt super solido fundamento Christo Dominum in ipsum sincera fide perfecta recumbertes Let others totter they stand others shake they are unmoveable others fal they rise others be idle they Labour others be against God they are for him Consider of this I pray and let it cheer up your spirits I know you are apt to say times are so bad you know not whom to trust al ready men are so deceitful wicked and if they should be worse you know not what to do nor what wil become of you Christ comfort you and encourage you and let what wil happen in the world and let whose wil desert you if he never leave you nor forsake you you wil do well enough you wil be brought at the last to glory You may receive comfort in hopes of meeting with some friendly souls some Saints in the most naughty times but suppose you be left alone and there be none to be found yet in this be glad in this rejoyce in this be comforted that you shall find Christ and he will be to you insteed of friends and helpers and companions he wil be all to you The Lord grant that none of you be disheartned nor fal backe nor asham'd of the Gospel of the Lord but that you may beare witnesse to the testimony of Jesus and of this be confident your labour wil not be in vaine nor any suffering unrewarded that is undergone for Christ and his truth Christian friends whatsoever may make for your comfort I pray God give it you let it be peace within good company without the benefit of ordinances any mercy that so you may be Christs and continue like Christ let places times men the world with what is therein be never so bad FINIS