believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
again their Friend and affording them a continual Feast of Joy in their souls He is good to them in admonishing of them for the time to come to beware of turning again to Folly so to prevent a new and wider breach which such relapses might cause Let them not turn again to Folly O It is a dangerous thing for the Lords People when having been in such a wâ—ful condition under the smarting wounds of loss and wrath and the Lord hath graciously spoken peace unto their souls and hath assured them of his Love and Presence It is I say a most dangerous thing for them after Peace spoken to turn again to the Mire to the Vomit to the Folly of sin For so doing they make themselves justly liable to a severer punishment by more highly provoking the Lords wrath against them by a new and greater guilt which now they have drawn upon their souls If you ask the skilful Physitian why in the diseases of the body a Relapse is so dangerous as it is commonly said and found to be I suppose he will say Because the malâ—gnity of the humour which formerly nourished the disease returning upon a new distemper finds a readier entertainment in the parts and the spirits are so weak and unable to resist and struggle with it that if it do not wholly oppress the heart and so bâ—reave the life Yet it renders a second recovery far more difficult So is it with the soul after its recovery upon peace spoken to it If it relapseth and turns again to the folly of sin sin finds a more welcome entertainment in the carnal part and the spiritual part is so weak that it is not able to resist it So that though it do not nor can bereave the soul of spiritual life yet the recovery will be the more difficult and it will cost such a man many a heart-pang many a sad sigh and bitter Tear before he can again be â—id of it I might uâ—ge this as one reason why the Lords people are to be waâ—y how after peace spoken they fall into the folly of sin because upon such their backsliding they will find it an hard matter to shake it off and to rid the soul of it But the main Reason which I intend to speak of is because by their turning again unto Folly after Peace spoken they draw a greater guilt upon their souls and so do more provoke the Lords wrath against them and thereupon cannot but justly fear and expect to be corrected with a more stinging rod with a sharper and more smarting punishment Now the guilt of the soul turning again unto the Folly of sin after peace spoken unto it is heightened and enlarged exceedingly by the concurrence of many grievous sins committed in such backsliding For Aggrav Here is a falling back from those resolutions in Repentance wherein the soul in its distress did bind it self by promise and vow unto God that it would for the time to come abhor and decline the wayes of sinful Folly and walk before him in better Obedience If it did but barely resolve so yet not to keep up such resolutions and so to cherish them that they may be derived into act this failing and falling from them discovers a want of due care and diligence the neglect whereof after peace spoken renders the soul more guilty But if to such resolutions there were added a Promise and Vow so to walk before God which it was but meet the Soul should do surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born Chastisement I will not offend any more If I have done Iniquity I will do so no more Job 3â— 31 32. It is meet the soul should say thus in its distresse and if it hath and I am confident that whosoever haâ—h been under the horrours of a wounded spirit hath thus promised and vowed unto God if the soul hath thus said thus promised and thus vowed and yet breaks such Promise and Vow by relapsing and backsliding it must needs lay a greater guilt upon it selâ— For What is it but to mock God What but to take his Name in vain And so to do is it not a new and high provoking Folly Will the Lord hold such an one guiltless Pay that thou hast vowed God hath no pleasure in Fools Eccles 5 4. 2. The guilt is aggravated by forgetfulness of that deliverance which the Lord hath wrought David in Psal 103. cals upon his soul at the beginning of the Psalm and all that is in him to bless God to remember his Benefits who forgiveth saith he all thâ—ne Inâ—quity and healeth all thy diseases Thine Inâ—quity was high yet God hath forgiven it Thy Diseases and Wounds were painful and dangerous yet he hath healed them He hath restored thy peace he is become thy Friend thy near Friend dwelling in thy soul he hath delivered thee from all thy Fears and Terrours and hath crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercy and canst thou so soon forget him who hath dealt thus by thee It was an high aggravation of Israels sin that they forgat God their Saviour Deliverer Ps 106 21. The Lord hath saved thee he hath delivered thee he hath had a regard to thine affliction he hath heard thy cry when thou wast brought low for thine Iniquity and yet dost thou forget him Dost thou provoke him again with new Follies 3. The guilt is aggravated by despising of Gods Rod by slâ—ghting and setting lâ—ght by it lâ—ke Pharaoh who returned to his Râ—bellion against God asâ—oon as the Plague was but removed Hath God corrected thee as his Son whom he loves in whom he delâ—ghts Prov 3. 11. And dost thou despise his Chastisemâ—nt Is that man happy whom God correcteth Jâ—b 5. 7. And dost thou slight the Chastening of the Almighty They who despise the reproof of Wisdomâ— can they expect other then to eat of the fruit of their own wayes and to be filled with their own devices Prov 1 31. 4. The guilt is aggravated and heightened by Presumption of new Peace or of the former to be continued It is a good â—â—m that is given Ecclus 3. Be not without fear after the sin is pardoned Neither add sin unto sin Say not Gods Mercy is great he will have mercy upon the multitude of my sins Is it not a bold wickedness springing from that root that beareth Gall and Wormwood for a man to bless himself and to say God is a God of Mercy and I shall have Peace though I walk in the Imagination of mine own heart adding Drunkenness to Thirst Deut. 29. 19. For a man so to say it is an high Provocation much more to add sin to sin upon such Presumption For what is it but a tempting of God in an high degree Had Christ cast himself down from the Pinacle of the Temple when there were stairs to come down by he had tempted God Wouldst thou have Peace use the Means forbear the Folly of sin if
hath fore-determined to bring to pass How vain then without Him are all man's designs and undertakings Psal 127. 1 2. He may have many devises in his heart which though carried on with all possible secrecy being subtilly contrived profoundly intricate interwoven with many collâ—teral reaches Yet the counsell of the Lord that shall stand Prov. 19. 21. and mans which he hath sought so deep to hide from him Isa 29. 15. shall even when upon the very point of execution be frustrated and prevented For who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth it not Lam. 3 37. My then neglect of him gave him just cause to blow upon those mine expectations However I am now assured that it was in great mercy though the way was sudden and strange that I was withheld from their enjoyment Mans Tongue is his Glory as it may be used Psal 57. 8. Otherwise it may prove his ruine Psal 64 8. Life and death are in the power of it Prov. 18. 21. I was at that present under the power of most subtil malicious potent enemies then in the Family whom it nearly concerned if possible to abortive my Rising How their former then not suspected since evidently discovered vile practises to that end might now have been seconded upon mine acceptance of the offered Favour the Lord alone knows This is not to be questioned the Vision clears it in that course to which I was designed my soul had been exceedingly endangered and there was no apparent way but death or silence to escape it Upon this Brink of Ruine He who made the mouth and at his pleasure opens the lips or maketh dumb Exod. 4. 11. From whom alone are the answers of the tongue Prov. 16. 1. did set a watch over my mouth and kept the door of my Lips that he might keep me from the paths of the destroyer and by a blessed miscarriage prevent the hazard at least of a ruining success For that which followed no less was to be expected Mans Nature delights in change and great ones are not well pleased with the presence of the supposed slighters of their Favours Former Professions of Parental care are now forgotten and an eye of dislâ—ke my entertainment Though thus forsaken yet He who never leaveth nor forsaketh his was pleased to take me up Psal â—7 10. and not to leave my soul destitute Psal 141. 8. Obs Gods Negative Mercies are great Texts 2 Cor. 12 9. My Grace is sufficient for thee Mat. 8. 21 22. And another of his Disciples said unto him Lord suffer me first to go and bury my Father But Jesus said unto him Follow me and let the dead bury their dead Inst. Christ as man prayed thrice that the Cup of his Passion might pass from him yet was denied Mat. 26. 39 12 44. Saint Paul besought the Lord thrice that the Thorn in his flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet him might be removed yet prevailed not 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9. Reas Man thinks that what he desires will be beneficial unto him The Lord knows it will prove hurtful Mat. 8. 22. Use 1. There is a particular over-ruling Providence Prov. 21. 1. 2. Thy Judgment may erre Leave all to God Psal 37. 5. 3. In every thing give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 4. The desires of the Godly are alwaies granted Mat. 21. 22. if not acccording to their will yet for their good Resolution I will direct my Prayer unto God and look up Psal 5. 3. and wait as his time so his way of answering Ejâ—culation Not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26. 39. Paral. II. Circ The Mercy though long concealed was discovered seasonably to settle me Obs God takes fittest time for Mercy THere had now passed many years from the time of the secret conferring before I became sensible that it was a Mercy Had it been manifested sooner my not yet-throughly-humbled heart had been a most unmeet Receptacle for it God finds not the heart prepared But he first fits and prepares it that it may be capable of Mercy and then communicates himself and his Favour unto it and that still most seasonably Seasons or Moments of time as they move and encline unto action so they add gravity and easiness to the performance and render the action beautiful Every thing is made beautiful in its time Eccles 3. 11. Words or actions how are they set off by being fitly spoken or done Prov. 25. 11. How good are they Prov. 15. 23. The knowledge and Choice of these belongs unto Prudence which being the Eye and Director of all Vertues they cannot be perfect if they fail as in other Circumstances so in their proper time This Prudence as to choice of opportunities and fit seasons is afforded unto Bruit Creatures The Ant knows when to make her provision for the Winter Prov. 6. 8. The Stork knows her appointed times The Turtle Crane Swallow know the time of their coming Jer. 8. 7. The wild Beasts when to creep forth for their Prey Psal 104. 20. Yea inanimate Creatures the Sun and Moon observe the Seasons for which they are appointed Psal 104. 19. But these follow the Instinct of Nature and the Law of their Creation Man hath reason to guide him and being able of himself to judge of the fitness of Times Is Commanded to lay hold on opportunities Eph. 5. 15 16. Is commended for so doing especially as to the actings of Grace Psal 1. 3. Mark 4. 28. Is condemned for neglecting of them Prov. 6. 8. For not discerning of them Luke 12. 56. What the Creature hath by participation is in God in the height of eminency Who Being free from all mixture of Matter Having made all things in his Wisdom Ps 104. 24. Having appointed a time for all things Eccl. 8. 6. must necessarily know as all other things so all times Which he doth know not by a discursive but by an intuitive knowledge For his Knowledge as his Essence being measured by his Eternity and his Eternity comprehending all time without succession He beholds whole time with every part thereof as present before him and so knows and is able to make choice of the fiâ—â—est seasons for execution restraint prevention permission discovery c. having them all present under his eye Heb. 4. 13. and in his own power Acts 1. 7. Obs God takes the fittest time as for punishment so for mercy For Punishment Text. Rev. 14. 18 19. Thrust in thy sharp Sickle and gather the Clusters of the Vine of the earth for her Grapes are full ripe c. And the Angel cast it into the Winepress of the Wrath of God Inst Though the Land of Canaan was promised unto Abrahams Seed yet the Amorites were not cast out until their Iniquity was full Gen. 15. 7 16. For Mercy Offered Conferred Discovered For Mercy Offered Texts Psal 95. 7. To day if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the day
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
an unworthy Member rejoycing in her unlikely unhoped return from her captivity and say When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion we were like them that dream The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad Psal 126. 1 3. Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods free Grace Texts Isa 65. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that â—ought me not Ezek. 11. 19. I will put a new spirit within you I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh Inst The Ephesians when dead in sins were quickned together with Christ c. to shew the exceeding riches of Gods Grace in his kindness toward them Eph. 2. 5 6 7. The Word of Truth or the Gospel came to the Colossians not they to it Col. 1. 6. Reas Gods great love to man Eph. 2. 4. Proceeding from the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1. 5. Use 1. Attribute nothing to thine own will or to thy wary walking according to Natures rule Rom. 9. 16. 2. Give God the praise of the glory of his Grace Eph. 2. 6. Resol I will never boast of any works of mine It is by Grace I am saved through Faith not of my self it is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Ejac. Turn thou me and I shall be turned Jer. 31. 18. Lord let thy Kingdom come to me For I am not able by any strength in my self to come to it Mat. 6. 10. Paral. III. Circ My Apprehender's Hand was taken off me when others were within the Grates Obs The Lord hath mercy on whom he will havâ— Mercy THE Losse of the sight of God and The Sense of Pain are the torments of the damned in Hell Isa 66. 24. Infinite in extention as to time Mat. 25. 46. Mitigated in their intention and extremity as tâ— the Sufferers desert Psal 145. 9. These the condemned wretches within the Grates did and shall for ever undergo And What had I deserved that I should be freed froâ— them Nay what had I not deserved that I shoulâ— have felt them in the greatest height and horrour They who appeared at the grates were it may be oâ— those strict moral Ancients of whom we read who liveâ— most exactly according to Natures Rule Or of thosâ— who in Christs Name had prophesied cast out Devils done many wonders Mat. 7. 22. As for me I remember my own evil waies and my doings that were not good and cannot but be ashamed and confounded and loath my self in mine own sight for mine iniquities and abominations Ezek 36 31 32. Yet these are condemned to eternal torments tâ— me polluted in mine own bloud yea in my bloud it was said unto me Live Ezek. 16. 6. These are Vessels of wrath fitted unto Destruction I a Vessel of mercy prepared unto glory The Potter hath power over the Clay to make one Vessel unto honour another to dishonour Ro. 9. 21 22 23. Two shall be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left Two women shall be grinding at the Mill the one shall be taken and the other left Mat. 24. 40 41. Obs The Lord hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy Texts Exod. 33. 19. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy Rom. 19 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth Inst I loved Jacob and I hated Esau Mal. 1. 2 3. The Malefactors on the Cross the one of them was received to mercy the other died in his sin Luke 23. 40. Reas God is a free Lord Rom. 9. 21. Having from before the foundation of the world by his unchangeable decree predestinated Some to eternal happiness for the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy Eph. 1. 5 6. Others to eternal punishment for the manifestation of the glory of his Justice Prov. 16. 4. Use 1. Despair not thou maist belong unto Gods Election 2. Judge not any to his own Master he standeth or falleth Rom. 14. 4. 3. Give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. 4. Rejoyce that thy Name is written in Heaven Luke 10. 20. Resol Thou hast predestinated me to be conformable to the Image of thy Son Rom. 8. 29. Thou hast noâ— effectually called me I will therefore strive more and more to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 3. 24. Ejac. O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. Paral. IV. Circ My Apprehender's hand was taken off me at the Prison-Gate Obs God sometimes effectually calls men when they are at the Mouth of Hell O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed c. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Psal 137. 8 9. So should sin be dealt with This Cockatrice should be crushed in the Egge resisted in it's beginning I way be given unto it it grows and gathers strength and in time contracts an hardness upon the Soul and What is then to be expected but ruine For wheâ— Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1. 15. Sin is not finished on a sudden Neither doth it bring unto death by an hasty and violent precipitation But it hath certain steps and degrees by which as by stairs it sâ—iely leads down thâ— Soul unto the Mouth of the Pit It begins by Suggestion Upon that follows delight Delight wins to Consent Consent proceeds unto Act. The Act brings on Custom Custom Necessity Necessity is attended with Blindnesse Blindnesse by hardnesse And the Close of all is an utter Exclusion from Gods Eternal Rest Psal 95. 8 11. I was now full ripe for Hell and had not great unexpected Mercy intervened I had for ever been one of those unhappy Exiles But He who with groaning in himself and crying with a loud voice thereby shewing the difficulty of the work as to the Soul to recover a customary sinner raised Lazarus when stinking in the Grave He was pleased to manifest his Almighty Power in raising me long long dead and stinking in my sins and trespasses and thereby deserving that with loathing he should have turned his face from me He who of stones is able to raise up Children unto Abraham Mat. 3. 9. was pleased to break my rocky heart to take away my heart of stone and to give unto me an heart of flesh Ezek. 36. 26. Obs God somtimes effectually calls men when they are at the very Mouth of Hell Texts Mat. 20. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out c. And he saith unto them go ye also into the Vineyard c. Rev. 3. 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are
not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet Inst Mary Magdalen so notoriously drowned in voluptuousness that she is branded with the name of sinner Luke 7. 37. as if all others had been Saints to her Yet she had seven Devils cast out of her Mark 16. 9. Her sins which were many were forgiven her Luke 7. 47. The Thief on the Cross a wicked Malefactor though he had but newly mocked Christ Mat. 27. 44. and reviled him Mark 15. 32. Yet but a little before his death had his heart changed and was received to Mercy Luke 23. 40 43. Reas 1. To shew his Almighty Power Eph. 4. 8. 2. To shew forth his Long suffering towards sinners 1 Tim. 1. 16. 3. For the greater Glory of his superabundant Grace Rom. 5. 20. 4. To lay the greater obligation unto Love and Thankfulness upon that soul so recovered Luke 7. â—2 Use 1. Let not the most wicked cast away all hope The day of Mercy lasts till death Luke 23. 43. John 9. 4. 2. Sin not that Grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. 3. Defer not thy Repentance Hear Gods Call to day Psal 95. 7. Presumptuous delaies are dangerous Mat. 24. 48 50. 4. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness to the greatness of the Mercy vouchsafed unto thee Luke 7. 47. Resol I will praise the Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie his Name for evermore for great is his Mercy toward me who hath delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell Psal 86. 12 13. Ljac Much hath been forgiven me O that I could love thee answerably to thy great Mercy Lord thou knowest I love thee John 21. 15. Paral. V. Circ I ran from my Apprehender Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin AS it was not in me to free myself from my Apprehender so neither was it in me as of myself to flee from him That alone Divine Power which secretly and unexpectedly had freed me did both stir up my Will and enable me to make an escape Such is Christs goodness to sinful man that he is so faâ— from taking pleasure in his death that his desire is that he should turn from his wicked ness and live Ezek. 33. 11. He prayes and beseecheth him by his Ambassadors to be reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 20. He stands at the door of the heart and knocks that He may be entertained Rev. 3. 20. He waits there with much patience until his head Is filled with dew and his Locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2. In a word What can be done more than he doth to bring him to himself Isa 5. 4. And yet how few are there that open at his knock that answer to his Call What 's the Reason They are while in their natural estate so foundly asleep in sin Eph. 5. 14. So dead in it Eph. 2. 1. that they cannot hear they cannot open 2 Cor. 3. 5. There is no way then but for himself to open the heart to receive him to open the ear of the heart to hearken unto him This he doth but not unto all The Reprobate is outwardly called but it is only to leave him without excuse John 15. 22. His Elect Children they with the outward Call of the Word receive the inward and effectual Calling of the Spirit Acts 16. 14. Whereby Faith is infused for the enlightning of the before-darkned Understanding Eph. 1. 17 18. Grace is conferred for the changing and healing of the before-depraved Will Eph. 4. 24. The Will thus changed God's Image in which man was created and which by his own negligence he had lost is again restored in the sanctification of all the powers and inclinations of the Soul and in their conformity to the Will of God Eph. â— 24. To which Will he now yields all ready obedience Acts 9 6. Flying from sin and doing what is acceptable unto him Col. 1. 10. For the performance whereof he hath received upon his Change not only a will but a power having a new spiritual being infused into him 2 Cor. 5. 17. He lives a new life and hath in him a new Principle upon which follow new operations A new Principle not inbâ—ed Concupiscence but infused Grace New Operations or Fruits not those works of the Flesh Gal. 5. 19. But the Fruits of the Spirit v. 22. In which he now lives v. 25 and walking after it doth no longer fulfil the lusts of the Flesh v. 16. But dayly mortifies them more and more Col. 3. 5. Being thereunto assisted by a continual Supply of Grace from above John 15. 4 5. Which special assistance though Adam needed it not in his state of integrity being wholly void of Corruption yet the effectually-called by reason of the continual importunities and assaults of the Flesh can do nothing without it John 15. 5. Let it be withdrawn how weak is man David Peter and other of the Saints have â—ound the sad experience hereof My self unworthy to be numbred amongst them even while studying of this Parallel was taught to know the necessity of it Our endeavours in goodness are none unless stirred up and vain when stirred up unless he please to assist from above who worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26. 12. Who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin He hath a Will Texâ—s Luke 15. 17 18. And when he came unto himself he said c. I will arise and go to my Father and say to him c. Make me as one of thine hired Servants John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father draw him Inst Peters Auditors being upon his Sermon pricked at their hearts said unto him and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Acts 2. 37. The Jaylor upon his Conversion came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. He hath a Power to flee from sin Texts 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the Grace of God which was with me 2 Cor. 6. 1. We as Workers together with him beseech you that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst Timothy is commanded to â—lee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Colossiâ—ns are exhorted to mortifie their earthly Members Col 3 5. Reas He is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. He hath a new spiritual being infused into his soul and with it new Powers and Faculties by which he is enabled to will and act according to that new life that is in him Gal. 5. 25. Use 1. Man is not able to change his own Will John 1. 13. 2. Be diligent in exercising of that Power wherewith thou art indued 2 Pet. 3. 18. 3. Pray for assisting Grace that thou mayest be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner
man Eph. 3 16. 4. Give God the glory both of thy willing and acting what is good Phil. 2. 13. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom 9. 16. 5. If sin be not more and more weaâ—ned in thee it is thine own Fault James 1. 14. Resol Old things are past away and all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 17. I will now exercise that power wherwith I am endued in dayly mortifying of the old man with his Members and putting on the new man with his Graces Col. 3. 5 12. Ejac. To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Rom. 7. 18. O my Lord Christ do thou assist me For without thee I can do nothing John 15. 5. Paral. VI. Circ My Apprehender pursued me Obs Corruption pursues the effectually-called to re-inslave them THis brings to mind a Passage in my first distemper which may here not unseasonably be related I was walking by an hedge side and not far before me perceiving a Snake to draw back into an out growing shrub when I came at it I looked down and espying of her put down the end of my staffe upon her head and thought I had dispatched her Returning that way again and looking in to see what was become of her she being come to her self dâ—rted out and striking at my foot had bitten and spoyled me had I not been there well fortified Thus Corruption though Christ by his death hath bruised and broken his head yet assaults and would sting the soul were it not strengthened against its attempts by a stedfast Faith in him Eph. 6. 16. Upon the account of their Baptism St. Paul salutes the Ephesians by the name of Saints Eph. 1. 1. The soul is sainted or sanctified in Baptism by being by vertue of Christs Death and Resurrection into which we are baptized Rom. â— 3. cleansed from sin and endued with an habit of Grace infused Acts 2. 38. Where foreseen Infidelity doth not interpose a Bar. When the Lord is pleased to stir up this habit to manifest it self in act and exercise for which he takes his own time Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. then are we effectually called The Souls true Sanctification being the end of our effâ—ctual Calling Rom. 1. 7. consists in Faith Col. 1. 2. And Obedience Psal 50 5. With 1 Sam. 15. 22. These in the course of a Christians life from the time that he first begins to act do find great opposition from the carnal part from Corruption from which the soul is not so cleansed but that it still resides there It is purged out in Baptism That it may not hurt Not that it may not be The Soul is freed from it As to Dominion it reigns not Rom. 6. 14. As to Guilt it condemns not Rom. 8. 1. Yet it remains As to its Nature Rom. 7. 17. As to its rebellious Motions Rom. 7. 23. Between this and the Spirit there is a continual warring Gal. 5. 17. And it often gets the upper hand Rom. â— 23. However Where the Will is against it Rom. 7. 18. Where there is not an allowing of it but an hatred against it Rom. 7. 15. Where there is an earnest desire of its utter extirpation Rom. 7. 24. With a Constant Tenour of life according to Gods Will 1 John 3. 9. Although it doth pursue assault and often prevail yet it shall never wholly regain the soul under its power John 10. 28. Obs Corruption pursues the effectually Called to re-inslave them Texts Rom. 7. 20. If I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me Gal. 5. 17. The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one unto the other So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Inst The Lord hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued after the Children of Israel who went out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14. 8. St. Paul found a Law in himself that when he would do good evil was present with him Rom. 7. 21. Reas 1. Satan is unwilling to lose his Prey Mark 9. 26. 2. His Malice continues though his Power be broken 1 Pet. 5. 8. Use 1. Escape for thy life look not behind thee with a lingring desire after thy former sins Stay not in all the Plain shun all occasions of falling again escape to the Mountain of Gods powerful Support and Protection Gen. 19. 17. 2. Delight in the Law of God after the inward man Rom. 7. 22. 3. Walk in the Spirit and thou shalt not fulfil the Lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. 4. Return not to thy Vomit Prov. 26. 11. Resol I am now no longer in the Flesh but in the Spirit Rom. 8. 9. Wherefore though with the flesh against my will I somtimes serve the Law of sin yet with my mind I will serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 25. Ejac. There is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. Paral. VII Circ I looked back to see at what distance I had left my Pursuer and saw him a good way off Obs The Effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace SIN in Scripture is compared unto darkness Grace unto light Isa 9. 2. Our great God whose first work in the Creation was to make light Gen. 1. 3. In mans recreation first infuseth the light of Faith into the soul 2 Cor. 4. 6. Darkness being but the privation of Light when the â—ight appears it withdraws and as the Light increaseth so it is more and more by degrees dispelled A Sinner upon his effectual Calling is translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1. 13. And he is no sooner out of that but he is immediatly in the Kingdom of Christ in his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2. 9. Upon his first Translation Light is but begun in him but he clears up more and more Mark 8 24 25. Sin decayes in him and Grace encreaseth The Path of the just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. Though man knows not by what way the Light is parted Job 38. 24. How the Vayl of Darkness is put off how the Light gathers strength yet the perfect day is easily discerned from the Dawning Light is sown for the righteous Psal 97 21. It is sown The seed that is cast into the ground by the Husbandman though it springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 26 27. Yet its growthâ—n few moneths iâ— plainly seen To every one is given Grace â—ccording to the measure of the Gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. With his Blessing upon it Increase and multiply First he gives in a lesser proportion afterwards a larger James 4. 6. First a weak Faith
Faith to obtain pardon Isa 1. 16 17. 18. Use 1. Think on Gods goodness to thee Psal 145. 7. 8. 2. Do that which is so pâ—easing to thy good God Psal 51. 19. 3. There is Mercy for the truly penitent Prov. 28. 13. 4. Repent not thy repentance 2 Cor. 7. 10. 5. Beware of Impenitence it hardens the heart and treasures up wrath Rom. 2. 5. Resol I will go to my Father and say unto him Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy Son Luke 15. 18 19. Ejac. God be merciful to me a sinner Luke 18. 13. Paral. II. Circ I ran down a pair of stairs at the Savoy Entrance Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins O My most Gracious Lord how infinite hath thy Mercy been towards me Me so sinful a wretch so deserving of the full Vials of thy wrath to have been poured forth upon me in the extremity of thy Fury How much did my Lord Christ suffer for me How long did thy Patience wait for me What Pains hast thou taken to new-make me How have thy blessed Ministring Angels been troubled about me And yet since my reforming How often have I and yet do I grieve thy good Spirit wherewith thou hast sealed â—e unto the day of redemption Eph. 4. 30. Thy Memorial O Lord endureth for ever Psal 135. 13. The Memorial of the riches of thy goodness towards me As for my high Provocations against thee their memorial is perished with them For though I have made thee to serve with my sins and wearied thee with mine Iniquities yet thou hast blotted them out and wilt not remember them Isa 43. 25. However it is thy pleasure that the remembrance of them should continue with me The Descent and Place have a very significative though secret reference to this Observation which I do verily believe was of prime intention in the Visâ—on My Conscience cannot accuse me of any hainous sin there committed yet by them the Lord was pleased to put me in mind of those my former wayes whereof I am now ashamed Many such Monitors I had in my first distemper by which as by this I am dayly warned to look back upon my former life with blushing yet thankful reflexions Is it good unto God that he should oppress that he should despise the work of his hands Job 10. 3. God taketh not pleasure in afflicting of his humbled Children with unwelcome exprobrations yet he would have them to remember their sins To which end he is pleased by the by to mind them of them Thus he dealt with his people under the Law though their many Ceremonies seemed to promise an expiation of their sins yet they were rather tacit Memento's of them on Gods part and confessions of them on theirs and so are said to be against them Col. 2. 14. Thus with David Peter and others Thus now with my â—lf Upon a mans first Conversion if as he had with me he hath a Rock to break Jer. 23. 29. he usually in the Glass of the Law presents a wicked mans sins unto his eye and sets them in order before him in their true affrighting horrour and deformity to send him unto Christ Afterwards not so directly but oft times by certain gentle overtures and circumstantial Items The least hint is sufficient to the tender Conscience which he who is wise for his Soul will observe and ponder and therein understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107. 43. Obs The Lord gives unto his Children oblique Memento's of their sins He gives them Memento's Texts Rom. 6. 19. As you have yielded your Members to Uncleanness and to Iniquity unto Iniquity So c. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you Inst The Ephesâ—ans are to remember what their condition was while Gentiles in the flesh Eph. 2. 11 12. The Colossians are put in mind that they had walked in heinous sins Col. 3. 7. He gives them oblique Memento's Texts Psal 51. 3. My sin is ever before me 1 Tim. 5. 1. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father Inst Absalom after his murdering of his Brother Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 29. His presence was a constant remembrancer to David of his Murder of Uriah When he beheld Bathsheba he could not but call to mind what he had done to her Husband and to her self 2 Sam. 11 4 17. Christ by his thrice saying unto Peter Lovest thou me John 21. 15 16 17. put him in mind of his thrice denying of him Mat. 26. 70 72 74. Reas Why he gives them Memento's 1. That they may be ashamed of their sins Deuter. 9. 6 7. 2. That they may be thankful unto him who hath forgiven them 1 Tim. 1. 23 3. That they may not insult over others in their falls Tit. 3. 2 3. Reas Why oblique Memento's Because he is most unwilling to grieve them Lam. 3. 33. Use 1. Blush at the remembrance of thy Follies Rom. 6. 21. 2. Bless God that thou art freed from thy former â—lavery Rom. 9. 17. 3. Speak evil of no man but shew all Meekness to all men remember what thou thy self hast been T it 3. 2 3. 4. Take notâ—ce of and glorifie God in the sweetness of his Mercy to thee Psal 34. 8. Resol It is of thy great Mercy O Lord that thou hast given me warning I will think on my ways and turn my feet into thy Testimonies Psal 119. 59. Ejac. Though thou causest grief yet wilt thou have Compassion according to the multitude of thy Mercies For thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of men Lam. 3. 32 33. Paral. III. Circ The Stairs delivered me on to a square Brick-Building left imperfect having Beams and Jyces laid ready for a Floor and Second Story Obs The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a square Brick-Building c. GRace begun in the Soul may well for many of the reasons following be meant by this Resemblance as I understood it in my first general Interpretation of the Vision However upon more mature thoughts I now look upon it as chiefly pointing out the Church whereunto by humiliation and Faith the effectually called are initiated The Church in Scripture is set forth by several similitudes As by 1 An Army in Battelarray Caâ—â— 6. 4. In respect Of its General Obedience Order Terribleness Preparedness to encounter the Enemy c. 2. A Kings Daughter Psal 45. 13. In respect Of Her high Extract from Heaven Her Beauty Inward being glorious in the sincerity of her Graces Outward in her Rich Attire As to Order External Performances c. 3. A City Psal 122. 3. In respect Of Unity Laws Priviledges c. 4. A Flock of sheep Acts 20. 28. In respect Of Meekness Innocency The Necessity of a Shepherd to watch it Feed it 5. A Vine Psal 80. 8. In respect Of Fruitfulness Pruning Weakness c. 6. A Body Eph. 5. 30. In respect Of Life
21. 13. Sure Mercies Isa 55. 3. He hath a Multitude of them Lam. 3. 23. He is rich in them Rom. 10. 12. They are new every Morning Lam. 3. 23. They endure for ever Psal 106. 1. But among all his Mercies there is none so rich as that in his quickning us with Christ when we were dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. 4. None so great as that whereby he hath saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. None so abundant as that whereby he hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. For all his other Mercies we are to give him thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. But for this our every thought of it should be accompanied with the strongest and heartiest Breathing forth from our souls of his due Praise and Glory Blessed be the Lord who hath visited and redeemed us Luke 1. 68. Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have redemption through his Bloud Eph. 1. 3. 7. We give thanks unto the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his Dear Son Col. 1. 12 13. Glory is a clear knowledge of the worth and excellency of him whom we glorifie with an answerable praise of him This God willeth us to have a respect unto in our Praises of him Psal 150. 2. In offering thanks and praise unto him we glorifie him Psal 50. 23. â—nd the more we publish and tell of his Excellency unto oâ—â—ers the more and the further off do we make this clearness to be discerned and so make his Praise to be Glorious Psal 66. 2. Thankfulness shews it self In Acknowledgment of Mercies Jam. 1. 17. In Remembring of them Psal 106. 7. In requiting of them Psal 116. 12. We acknowledge them with our Toâ—gues Psal 57. 8. We remember them in our Hearts Psalm 103. 2. We require them as by Praise in our Lips so by Obedience in our Lives 1 Cor. 6. 20. This we are bound unto 2 Thes â— 13. It is Gods Will we should do it 1 Thes 5. 18. It is all that he expects from us Psal 50. 15. It is the utmost that we are able to render unto him Psal 116. 12 17. Obs As for all other Mercies so especially for Soul-deliverances God expects that man should be thankful For all other Mercies Texts Eph. 5. 20. Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God Col. 3. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks by him Inst. David blesseth God for all his Benefits Psal 103. 2. The Thessalonians are to give thanks in all things 1 Thes 5. 18. For Soul-deliverances Texts Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my soul Col. 1. 12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Inst David is resolved to offer the Sacrifice of thanksgiving unto God because he had delivered his soul from death and broken his Bonds Psal 116. 8 16 17. Saint Paul thanks God for strengthening him against his Corruption Rom. 7. 25. Reas 1. It is Gods Will 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. It is Gods Rent reserved for those Blessings which the soul holds of him Psal 50. 15. 3. It is good pleasant and comly Psal 147. 1. 4. God is thereby glorified Psal 50. 23. 5. It prepares the way for new mercies Col. 1. 4. Use 1. In all things give thanks 1 Thes 5. 18. 2. Let thy thanks be active and obediential as well as verbal Psal 50. 14. 3. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness unto the greatness of the Mercy Luke 7. 43. 4. Get a clear assurance of the Mercy that thy thanks be not in vain Rom. 7. 25. 5. Beware of unthankfulness that brings all thy sins back again upon the score though not as to act yet as to guilt which is exceedingly aggravated thereby Mat. 18. 34. Resol Mine enemies are turned back they are fallen and perished at thy presence thou hast lifted me up from the gates of death therefore will I shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and will rejoyce in thy salvation Psal 9. 3 13 14. Ejac. To him that hath loved me and washed me from my sins in his own bloud and hath made me a King and Priest unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Rev. 1. 5 6. Paral. IX Circ Being transferred into the Tower of the Temple-Church I stood where the Essigies of the Knights-Templers lie Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven THE Tower of the Temple-Church into which I was now translated I look upon as a place made choyce of by the Spirit as most apt for the following imaginary representations as also in reference to that middle part of the Pavement whereon I was set and where lie the Essigies of the Knights-Templers Who they were what their Order where their chief Seats how they troubled the Christian world in those times when they flourished is set down to satisfaction by Mr. Fuller in that his excellent piece of the Holy War I am only to mind their Honour which is the chief of worldly things and most agreeable to the Heroick magnanimous height of mans soul comprising under it Wealth and Pleasure If in our way to Heaven this is not to be minded but to be esteemed as the dust under our feet Phil. 3. 8. Much less are we to idolize thick clay Hab. 2. 6. Or so much to forget the honour of our Creation as to stoop to brutish and sensual delights Psal 49. 20. Whatever that savage Spirit of Scythianism with which many are possessed teacheth our Religion destroyeth not civil regards but enjoyns them Honour is to be rendred to whom it is due Rom. 13. 7. It is due as to natural and spiritual Parents so to civil Exod. 20. 12. To Magistrates as such God is honoured in them they having a more than ordinary Impression of his Image upon them John 10. 34. Out of Psal 82. 6. For others God himself gives a rule in our honouring of him Psal 150. 2. There must be some excellent worth otherwise Honour is not due This Dignity can neither be conferred by the Prince nor purchased with a price Where it is not to render Honour is Injustice Where it is wanting it is servile flattery to give it As for that due to those who are eminent in Piety the sâ—wly mind will esteem others better than it self Phil. 2. 3. and accordingly will prefer them in honour Rom. 12. 10. He that feareth the Lord
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them
5. Thou hast long mourned and gasped for peace Wouldst thou be sure that it is spoken unto thee thou maist know whether it be or not by these discoveries Marks 1. There will be by degrees an improvement in thy knowledge of spiritual things The eyes of thine understanding will be more and more enlightned thou wilt be more acquainted with the secrets of God and with his Covenant Psal 25. 14. And thou wilt find a clearer manifestation of Christ in thy soul John 14. 21. 2. Thou wilt walk more chearfully uprightly more firmly and stedfastly in the wayes of God The Holy Spirit will stablish and uphold thee Psal 51. 12. It will set thee in the way of his steps v. ult of this 85th Psal Or as the old Translation hath it it shall direct thy going in the way 3. If the Lord hath spoken peace unto thee thou wilt exceedingly rejoyce in this Mercy there will follow an exulting and triumphing in the soul as here beneath in the Text Mercy and Truth are met together The Soul will say with Joy I was under the sad effects of Gods Justice but the Lord in Justice hath remembred Mercy Mercy and Truth are met together and Mercy hath gotten the upper hand Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other The Lord hath looked upon my sincerity in my humiliation he hath looked upon the Righteousness of the Lord Christ which in the Promises I have made mine by a particular application and thereupon hath embraced me with Peace and filled me with all sweet manifestations of his Love Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 4. There will follow a forwardness in teaching of others and winning them unto God a teaching of Gods wayes unto the wicked that sinners may be converred unto him Psal 51. 13. An acquainting them with what the now setled and recovered soul hath experimentally found the danger of the Folly of sin the Lords readiness to forgive it and to speak peace upon a sinners true Repentance and Faith in Christ To acquaint them with his faithfulness and Justice how faithful he is in performing of his Promises how Just in requiring no more of a poor sinner having accepted the Lord Christs satisfaction for his sins Such I have found him and such you will find him if you will make Trial and do as I have done Thus the sinner that hath now peace spoken to his soul endeavours to perswade others and to convert others by his own experience of Gods mercy in speaking peace unto him 5. Upon peace spoken there will â—ollow in the soul a great enlargement of its love towards God Much was forgiven her for she loved much Luke 7. 4. To hear that comfortable speech in the soul Thy sins are forgiven thee it may be heinous often repeated exceedingly aggravated yet to hear These thy sins are forgiven thee the soul cannot but with all dearness of affection answer such a Mercy The Lords way to wash away the filth of the Daughters of Zion is by the Spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of Burning Isa â— 4. By the spirit of Judgment he wounds the Soul and brings it low for its filth and follies of sin And after upon its true humiliation and Faith speaking peace unto it by the spirit of burning he heats and enflames it with a true sense and exceeding love of his Goodness and Mercy towards it 6. There will follow true thankfulness where peace is once-spoken When the soul haâ—h found â—he Lord thus gracious and merciful in delivering it from its disturbances in curing of its wounds and speaking peace unto it as it will break forth into free proâ—essions of its love and say I love the Lord because he hath dealt so and so with me Psal 16. 1. So it will proceed to a quid retribuam What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me v. 12. And because it can find nothing else to render but Praise and Obedience it will give him the glory of his Mercy by â—elling those that fear him what he hath done for â—t Psal 66. 6. And in lieu of its Mercy it will give up its self with its body as a living sacrifice unto him in its reasonable serving of him Rom. 12. 1. 7. Lastly Where Peace is spoken to the soul and the Lord is again united to it in love there will be an earnest desire of a nearer union with him To this end as there will be a careful shunning of whatsoever may dissolve this Union principally under that Notion as it may cause a separation between God and the soul so there will be a diligent use of all Means which may bring him nearer to us and us to him Eâ—pecially there will be an earnest longing â—or the full enjoyment of him in Heaven there will be a desiring to be with Christ which is best of all a wishing for the day of his appearing and the hastning thereof Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev 2. 20. Thus you have heard how the Lord upon the unfaigned humiliation of his people and their Faith in Christ will in his good time most certainly speak peace unto them for the resetling and recovery of their disturbed and wounded Spirits Who now would not hear such a God who would hear any other but him Who would not be very slâ—y lest he again provoke him Which is the Doct 3. That when the Lord upon their unfaigned Humâ—atâ—on and Faith speaks peace unto his people and Saâ—nâ—s they are to hear him and him alone And Peace being spoken they are to be very wary how they turn again unto â—olly This Point hath two Branches 1. That in speaking peace unto the Soul God the Lord alone is to be heard 2. That peace being spoken his People and Saints ought to be very wary how they turn again unto folly The first Branch That in speaking peace unto the unsetled and wounded soul God the Lord alone is to be heard When the Lords people are labâ—uring and languishing under his heavy hand under those fore mentioned smarting wounds of Loss of wrath the Devil useth all his skill to bring them if possibly he may to despair of Mercy and Peace When he finds that he cannot prevail that way but that the Lord doth still uphold the Soul though under a weighty burden he sets on the World which he hath at his Command to offer them Peace and that very freely and liberally to give it unto them without any conditions proviso's or reservations and he secretly suggests unto the carnal part that peace and settlement is there to be had and perswades them to accept of it The world comes and makes a very free tender of it And at the same time the Lord he offers Peace likewise but upon condition that they must humble themselves by true repentance for their â—ollies and must by Faith apply unto themselves the Promises of Pardon and peace made unto