Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	judgement_n	sin_n	sinner_n	2,057	5	7.5058	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91363	A little cabinet richly stored with all sorts of heavenly varieties, and soul-reviving influences. Wherein there is a remedy for every malady, viz. milk for babes, and meat for strong men, and the ready way for both to obtain and retain assurance of salvation: being an abridgement of the sum and substance of the true Christian religion; wherein the cause of our salvation, the way, the guide, the rule, the evidence, the seals, &c. and the connection of these points together, and dependancy of them one upon another: this I have endeavoured to do orderly, exactly, methodically, with much plainness and clearness. / By Robert Purnell.	Purnell, Robert, d. 1666.	1657 (1657)	Wing P4237; Thomason E1575_1; ESTC R209217	254,040	517

in himself Joh. 16. Col. 1. 19. all other Angels and Saints have but their measure some more some less according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. but Christ hath received the Spirit not by measure but in the fulness of it Joh. 3. 34. Now whatsoever fulness of grace there is in Christ he hath received not for himself but for us that he might communicate unto us and we might receive from him Psal 68. 18. it is said he received gifts for men not for himself but for men that we might receive from him and thence it is that in Joh. 1. 16. of his fulness we receive grace for grace his wisdom is to make us wise his meekness and patience is to make us meek and patient and Christ is faithfull to distribute to us all such graces that he hath received for us he is faithfull in all his house what shall I say more in this Covenant God unbosoms himself unto us and shines forth upon us and there is now and then a sweet entercourse of love between him and thy soul in the blessing of this Covenant there is remedy for every malady promises sutable to every condition for being and well being for this life and that which is to come I omit here to mention such blessings of the Covenant as I might and the nature of the same having spoken something to it inthe former part of this Treatise c. The twelfth thing to be enquired into is this viz. notwithstanding this blessed Covenant of grace contained in the Gospel whether most men and women in the world be not under a Covenant of works THE Covenant of works remains in full force and vertue to all unbelievers Rom. 10. 4. For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to none but to those that believe Oh did we but consider the misery of all such as are under the Law it might awaken us He that is under the Law is under a Covenant of works and they must come and stand before God the Judge of all and have their sins set in order before him and the Law pass sentence of death upon them and their own consciences terrifying them and there shall be none to plead for them or to stand betwixt Gods warth and them but they shall be left to themselves to die and perish in their sins this Covenant hath no Mediator for then Christ hath not a word to speak for them he telssuch John 17. 19. he prayeth not for them he pleads only for them that fly to grace and take hold of that Covenant but as for all others they have God against them the Law against them they have all creatures to accuse them and to testifie against them but have no Christ no Mediator to appear for them and there shall be no grace shewed but strict Justice without any mercy Oh that such would bethink themselves what a God they must meet withall even a just God a God of judgement a God of vengeance that will not spare their misdeeds what ever Justice can require of them they must satisfie to the uttmost farthing there will be Justice without mercy Oh when nothing but Justice shall judge you who can stand what flesh may abide it Psal 78. 5. A wicked man hath no true right before God unto the good things of this life for if any say they have I ask by what Covenant is it by the Covenant of works then they must fulfill it which they do not nor can do is it then by the Covenant of grace but they are not within that Covenant they are within the Covenant of works but cannot fulfill it they are without the Covenant of grace and therefore they can claim nothing by it again faith and holiness can no more be separated then light can be separated from the Sun Such as lay claim to the Covenant of grace and yet live loosly carnally unconscionably they do but deceive themselves they may be in Covenant with hell and death but have no part in the Covenant of life and peace John 5. 45. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father ther● is one that accuseth you even Moses in whom you trust the Law in which you trust will condemn you if ye continue not in every thing written therein and yield a perfect personall perpetuall obedience thereto it will accuse you to the Father Of Justification by Grace THE question is not so much about the time and terms and matter of our Justification but how we are made righteous in the sight of God which the Scriptures do affirm to be by the perfect righteousness of Christ alone which God doth impute to all his seed freely without works and conditions performed by us 1. Consider if the righteousness by which we are justified be a perfect righteousness then we are not justified by our obedience to Gospel precepts but the righteousness whereby we are justified is a perfect righteousness which is the righteousness of Christ alone Heb. 1. 8. Mat. 6. 33. Rom. 4. 6. and everlasting righteousness Psal 119. 142. Psal 22. 31. 35. 28. that righteousness which justifieth us before God as it is not ours so it is not in us But as it is Christs righteousness so it is in him In me you shall have righteousness and strength Psal 71. 15 16 19 24. I will make mention of thy righteousness even of thine only Justice and mercy do both meet in this Justification Justice in that he will not justifie a sinner without a perfect righteousness and yet mercy in that he will accept him for such a righteousness that is neither in him nor done by him but by his surety for him 2. Consider the Apostles all along were very carefullto keep this Doctrine of Justification by grace distinct from all other things they all along do oppose the Law and grace works and faith our righteousness and Christs righteousness teaching us thereby how needfull it is they should be kept asunder Justification by grace hath been and will be the bone of contention till the next coming of Christ why so because learning cannot reach it naturall wisdom is confounded at it evill Angels do not know it most men do persecute it as being bereaved of the knowledge of it or else corrupt in the simplicity of it The Papists say if we be freely justified by grace we need not do any good works and if we cannot fall from grace we need not fear to commit sin And they hold that we are not justified by the righteousness of Christ imputed but by the righteousness of Christ inherent in us and righteous actions done by us 3. Consider we should not be justified by grace if any condition were required of us in order to our justification for the condition whensoever persormed makes the Covenant a due debt then justification should not be of grace but of debt contrary to the express words of Scripture Rom. 4. 4.

c. 6. This Doctrine is that by which Satan is overthrown and his Kingdom turned up side down So that being a Reprobate and a fallen Angel maketh it his great work to bring all that possibly he can into the same state with him although through this grace of God he can do nothing but by permssiion God doth keep him in a powersul chain wicked Angels are Potent only our good God is omnipotent when he doth give way one Devil doth overthrow a Legion a million of men but till God doth lengthen out his chain a Legion of Devils cannot hurt one man Satan cannot hurt us unless he get us within the compass of his chain if we go not to him he cannot come to us All the wai●s of Satan are swarving from the way and rule of the Word he cannot touch one man or woman that endeavours to walk according to rule he can but suggest sin to us he cannot force us to sin he cannot infuse wickedness into us but only stir up sin in us All the forces of hell cannot scale the walls of heaven It s true Satan will sometimes stand up as the Philistian did and say Who is the man that will redeem this and that soul that are in my snare and in my power am not I the God of this world and is it not written that I am the Prince of the air who shall rescue them out of my hand then cometh the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah as David against the Philistian and saith to Satan thou hast defied the Armies of Israel I will try thy power and pull down thy pride here Christ hath a single duel with them and the issue was that Satan bruised the heel of Christ and Christ wounded his head and so fulfilled that Prophesie Gen. 3. 15. And so Chtist after he wounded his head cast him out John 12. 31. The Prince of this world is cast out so that now Satans power is already taken away the Devil it is true doth challenge a right to many of Christ servants till they are called converted and brought from under the power of darkness by the appearance of this free grace Titus 3. 4 5. But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy-Ghost it was Satan that tempted our first parents to rebell it was Satan that provoked David to number People it was Satan that put Peter upon perswading of Christ not to suffer it was Satan that put Cain upon murthering Abel therefore he is called a Murtherer from the beginning it was Satan that put treason into the heart of Judas against Christ it was Satan that put Annanias upon lying Now there is no weapon but spiritual weapons that will steed the soul in combating with the Devil Ephes 6. 13 16. It was not Davids sling nor his stone that gave him the advantage of setting his feet upon Goliah but his faith in the free grace of God 1 Sam. 17. 45. Luther reports of a German Minister that he acknowledged himself that before he came to understand aright the free and powerful grace of God he vowed and resolved above one hundred times against some particular sin and never could get power over it at last he saw the reason to be his ignorance in the Doctrine of grace and his too much trusting to his own resolution at last he could resist Satan stedfastly in the faith and he would flie from him James 4. 7. we read in 1 John 5. 4. This is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith 7. This is the Doctrine that Satan doth make war against either to pervert or corrupt 1. He seeks to pervert it by putting out of order or turning up-side-down to bring in that which should be kept out Prov. 10. 9. He that perverteth his way shall be known 2. If he cannot prevail with men to pervert this Doctrine he shall leave no means unattempted no stone unturned to corrupt it by keeping people in a foolish unsound perswasion that all is well with them Psalm 143. They are all corrupt that is they have not understanding to perceive the things which God offereth to them There be two main things in which Satan doth busie himself to deceive souls 1. By laying the greatness and vileness of a mans sins before him and then falls to perswade him there is no mercy in God for such a sinner 2. By presenting God to the soul as one made up all of mercy 1. By laying the greatness and vileness of ones sins before him and then perswades him there is no mercy in God for such a sinner What saith Satan dost thou think that ever thou shalt attain mercy by Christ that hast sinned with so high an hand in slighting the tenders of grace and grieved the Spirit of grace and despised the Word of grace that hast trampled under foot the blood of Christ by which thou mightest have been pardoned purged justified and saved What dost thou think saith Satan that ever Christ will own receive or embrace such an unworthy wretch as thou art Thou art unworthy to entertain Christ in thy house much more unworthy to entertain him in thy heart thou fool thou knowest thou art not prepared thou art not thus and thus humbled thou art not heart sick of sin thou hast not been under horrors and terrors as such a man and such a woman thou must stay till thou art prepared and qualified to receive Christ for albeit Christ is able yet he is not willing to save such a rebell as thou art that hast been in open Rebellion against him all thy daies now for answer hereunto That there is mercy for such miserable creatures if they will receive it and not dispair will more at large appear in these choice places of Scripture Micah 7. 18 19. Isa 43. 25. Jer. 3. 12. Joel 2. 13. Isa 55. 7. 1 Tim. 1. 13 15. Psalm 66. 18. Iohn 6. 37. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. Heb. 7. 25. Isa 1. 18. It is hard to find any one place in the whole Book of God requiring any worthiness in the creature before a souls believing in Christ and resting upon him for happiness and blessedness I read of none that obtained mercy and pardon from Christ but unworthy souls pray what worthiness was in Zachens Mary Magdalen Paul and Lydia before their coming to and believing in Christ 2. If Satan cannot catch men in this first pit then he turns over leaf and comes a new way to work viz by presenting God to the soul as one made up all of mercy Oh saith Satan you need not make such a matter of sin nor to be so unwilling to sin for God is a God of mercy a God that delighteth in mercy ready to shew mecry a God that is never weary of shewing mercy he is a God more prone to pardon his people then to punish them and why then

work of the spirit our seeking after faith is the effect of the saving work of the Spirit external Actions shall have externall answers spiritual actions shall have spirituall answers c. We read in four Scriptures of Iniquity Transgression and Sin Exod. 34. 7. Mic. 7. 18. Levit. 16. 21. Iob 13. 23. Quest What difference is there between Iniquity Transgression and Sin are not these three one Answ Iniquity is that which is done against another man Sin that which is done against a mans self and Transgression that which is done immediately against God 1 Sam. 2. 25. But the Scriptures in some places make them all one but where we find these three words Iniquity Transgression and Sin laid down together we are to understand that the Lord doth speak of our sin with all its aggravations with all its haynous circumstances sin with all its malignity Quest Whether God may forgive a man his sin and yet the man himself not know it Answ A mans sins may be forgiven him and he not know it Lam. 3. 42. We have transgressed and have rebelled and thou hast not pardoned c. yet God had pardoned and God had forgiven them and yet they lay under suspence of pardon and this is the case of many souls at this day Quest If God pardons sin whether or no doth he afflict and punish men for it afterward Answ God in his despensation of Justice doth punish no man but where sin is Sin entered into the world and death by sin it is true sometimes the Lord doth afflict for tryall and not for sin so was Jobs affliction Now that God doth punish his people for sin though their sins be pardoned will appear from these two Scriptures 2 Sam. 12. 14. How be it because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child shall surely die I will punish thee in thy child I will pardon thy sin yet I will punish thy sin So likewise in 2 Sam. 7. 14 15. I will be his father and he shall be my son if he commit Iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men but my mercy shall not depart away from him this was a promise to Solomon so the Psalmist quoting this expression Psalm 89. 31 32. If they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments then I will visit their transgressions with a rod Amos 3. 2. You have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your Iniquities Object Did not Christ fuffer for our sins and must we suffer too how can this hang together Answ When we say we are punished for sin we are to take notice that there is a great deal of difference between our sufferings for sin and Christs our punishment for sin is not by way of satisfaction to divine Justice for so Christ was punished Isa 53. The chastisement of our Peace is laid upon him Quest Whether pardon of sin goes before faith and repentance or follows after Answ Doubtless in the court of heaven according to election Christ being a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world our sins are forgiven and done away but as to our apprehension and manifestation God doth pardon sin after a man repents and believes Act. 3. 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out see Acts 26. 18. Ephes 2. 3 12. That at that time ye were without Christ being Aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world Quest Whether it be consistent with the state of pardon to fall into the same sin again and again over and over Answ Pardoned men have fallen often into the same sin Gen. 42. 15. It was a gross sin for Joseph to swear an heathenish oath by the life of Pharoah ye shall not go forth hence except your youngest brother come hither send one of you for him and you shall be kept in prison or else by the life of Pharoah surely you are spies so that Joseph swore twice by the life Pharoah so we read of Jehosaphat he fell twice into the same sin 2 Chron. 20. 35 36 37. Besides consider that although grace doth free us from the dominion of sin and from the damning power of sin and from the love of sin yet grace doth not free any man from the seeds of any one sin and therefore it is possible for a soul to fall again and again as for instance Lot was twice overcome with wine John twice worshipped the Angel Abraham out of fear often dissembled and laid his wife open to adultery to save his life see Gen 20. 13. and Gen. 12. David was resolved to kill Nabal and all his innocent family and a little after he fell into the foul murther of Vriah Jacob twice told a lie for compassing the blessing Gen. 27. 19 21. Lot was twice made drunken and committed Incest with both his daughters Gen. 19. Peter thrice denies his Master and every time worse then another Mat. 26 c. These things are written to caution us that stand that we fall not and to comfort them that are fallen that they despair not Quest How should a Christian come to see the greatness and vileness of his sin or how shall I aggravate my sin that I may see it as it is in its colours Answ 1. Consider first how osten thou hast sinned against the motions of Gods Spirit and so grieving the spirit by withstanding Divine motions 2. So sinning against the frequent manifestations of Gods Love to thy soul this doth grea●ly aggravate sin this did aggravate Solomons sin 1 Kin. 11. 3. Consider how thou hast sinned against the rebukes and checks of thine own conscience Jam. 4. 17. To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin 4. To sin against Gods warnings or Judgements either against others or our selves this doth heighten our sin see Dan. 5. 22 23. compared with 2 Chron. 28. 22. 5. To sin against mercies is an aggravation of sin 2 Sam. 12. I delivered thee out of Sauls hand I gave thee thy Masters house if all this had been too little for thee I would have given thee such and such things wherefore hast thou dispised c. 6. There is a resisting of the Spirit Acts 7. 51. And there is a vexing the Spirit Isa 63. 10. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit therefore he was turned to be their enemy and fought against them 7. Sin is aggravated when a man doth frequently fall into the same sin 8. Sin is aggravated when it is done in a way of complacencie when we love and delight in it 9. Sin is aggravated when it is done by one that lives under much means of Grace this made a woe to be pronounced against Chorazin and Bethsaida 10. This also doth aggravate sin when it is done against vows purposes promises

benefit by it So also we should examine our Faith 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 15. and repentance Heb. 10. 22. James 4. 8. and see whether this to us be attended with the love of God Zach. 12. 10. and of our Brethren 1 Cor. 16. 4. and a fervent praying for a blessing upon this ordinance of God Mat. 26. 26. In thy preparation look much upon thy unworthiness as first the wickedness of thy nature ready to all evil and backward to all that is good Secondly consider thy blindness of mind sleepiness of memory hard heart and stubborn will unholy affections Consider if thou wast cursed in the womb born a child of wrath what art thou now having lived so long in Sin but the child of hell far more then thou wast before Psal 58. 3. Job 20. 11. If for one sin a●l the curses of the Law do lie upon thee as Gal. 3. 10. James 2. 10. What is due to thee for all thy sins if single sins deserve death what do thy double and treble sins deserve consider thy rebellious backsliding sins against knowledge conscience covenants purposes promises protestations do not all these deserve double and deeper damnation not knowing of God he will not have mercy upon thee Isa 27. 11. not repenting thou shalt perish Luke 13. 3. not fearing him he will make thy plagues wonderful not believing in him thou shalt be damned John 3. 18. not loving him thou art and shalt be cursed 1 Cor. 16. 22. not being zealous he will spew thee out of his mouth Rev. 3. 16. not being meek thou art an abomination to the Lord Prov. 3. 32. not being mercifull thou shalt have judgement without mercy not eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God thou hast no life in thee John 6. 53. And eat his flesh and drink his blood thou canst not unless thou dost examine thy self and by Faith discern the Lords body Of the actions of the administrator of this blessed Ordinance FIrst the minister is to take the bread and wine and to separate it from ordinary bread and wine which doth signifie Gods separating Christ from other men to be our alone mediator and that he was by the father set a part to that office and so separated from sinners Exod. 12. 5. Heb. 7. 26. Then he comes to bless and consecrate the bread and wine by the word and prayer which doth signifie Gods sanctifying and furnishing him with all gifts needful for a mediator Then he cometh to break the bread and pour out the wine which doth signifie the passion of Christ with all the torments which he endured for our sins viz. to accomplish our salvation see what he endured consider that he that was equal with God should come in the form of a Servant that he that the heaven of heavens could not contain should be cradled in a manger that the Judge of all flesh should be condemned that the Lord of life should be put to death that he that was his fathers joy should cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me that that head that was crowned with honour should be crowned with thorns that those eyes that were as a flame of fire should be closed up by the darkness of death that that tongue that spake as never man spake should be accused of blasphemie that those hands that swayed the Scepter and feet that were as fine brass should be nailed to the cross and himself hanged on a tree between two thieves and then they pierced his side with a spear his precious blood shed and his righteous soul poured forth unto Death Isa 53. 5 10 12. Heb. 9. 14. Surely as the bread nourisheth not if it remain whole and unbroken so there is no life for us in Christ but in as much as he died for us Then the Minister gives the bread and wine to the receivers which doth signifie that God gave Christ and Christ gave himself to us and in this is Christ Jesus with all his merits offered to all sorts of receivers and that God hath given him unto the faithful receivers to feed their souls unto eternal life John 3. 14 15. 6. 50 51. Of the actions of the receiver or duty in recieving FIrst he is to take the bread and wine presented to him which doth signifie the recieving of Christ into our souls with all his benefits by Faith and that they and only they have benefit by Christ which thus apply Christ to themselves by a true and lively Faith John 1. 12. To as many as did receive him to-them he gave power to become the Sons of God Secondly the communicants are to eat the bread and drink the wine receiving them into their bodies and digesting them 1 Cor. 11. 26. Which doth signifie our uniting to Christ and enjoying of him and so with delight apply him and his mercies to all the necessities of our Souls Spiritually feeding upon him and growing up by him and as God doth bless these elements to preserve and strengthen the body of the receiver so Christ apprehended and received by faith doth nourish our Souls and preserve both body and soul unto eternall life John 6. 50 51. 1 Cor. 10. 3 11 19 17. As the bread passeth through many alterations before it is fit to be eaten as cutting down threshing grinding and the parching heat in baking so the blessed body of Christ was pittifully bruised and rent with drops of blood scourges nayles thorns and with a spear before it could be a fit sacrifice for sin and as bread feeds the body so doth Christ the soul and as bread drives away natural hunger so doth Christ spiritual hunger and as bread is given to the hungry and poor so Christ effectually to the broken in heart and to the contrite Spirit and to the hungry soul if any ask what it is to receive Christ then I answer to accept of him to be thy Priest and Jesus to save thee by his blood and to be thy Prophet and Christ to teach thee by his word and to be thy Prince and Lord to reign in and over thee by his Spirit making thee to learn and live by his Laws now if thou hast thus received Christ thou wilt part with any thing in the world rather then him and so it will make thee to take heed of that which may cause Christ to depart from thee 1. By committing any of thy old sins 2 Pet. 1. 9. 2. By neglecting any of his Services 2 Pet. 1. 10. 3. By not loving all his commandments John 15. 14. 4. By not waiting for his second coming in power and great glory Who they are that may partake of this Ordinance ALL who are of years and sound judgement to discern the Lords body and to examine themselves and are received by consent into the body of the Church of Christ these are to repair to this ordinance for none partake of it worthily but those who profess the true

in the world 19. For a multitude of unknown sins that thou hadst totally forgotten committed in the child-hood youth and man-hood all thy omissions and commissions will then come into thy mind and if thou wouldest thou canst not put them out I know of two precious Christians being a long time weak and like to dye that did witness to this truth all the sins of their youth that they had forgotten came in remembrance as fresh as if but now committed 20. And lastly there comes in a long bill that thou never dreamedst of much less couldest repent of ignorance will be no plea in this court God will say thou oughtest and mightest have known al these things to be sinful out of the holy Scripture and therefore art utterly unexcusable Oh consider if ever any bill were like to this and bring it home to your own consciences for it is your own case it is true that in all courts of Justice exception against witnesses is allowed but thou canst except against none of these except it be the Devil who bears malice to thee yet malice is a good informer though a bad Judge but to cashier his testimony what canst thou say against thy partners in sin do not they know all thy waies what canst thou say against good men that with grief beheld thy sinfull courses what against good Angels that will not belie thee what canst thou say against thy own conscience what canst thou say against the most true and knowing God that cannot lie And whilst thy soul is thus within out of peace and order thy wife children and friends trouble thee as fast to have thee put thy goods in order some crying some craving some pittying some chearing well In this extremity the soul looks every way for help and she finds her self every way helpless I shall here acquaint the Reader of a passage that I read at least twenty years ago which God made of great use to me viz. The soul being in this misery desires to hear the least word of Comfort she directs this or the like speech to the Eyes Oh Eyes who in times past were so quick sighted can you spie no comfort not any way how I might escape this dreadful danger Alas the eye-strings are broken they cannot see the candle that burneth nor discern whether it be day or night The soul finding no comfort in the eyes speaks to the ears Oh Ears who were willing and wont to recreate me with hearing new pleasant discourses and musick can ye hear the tidings of the least comfort for me but the ears are either so deaf that they cannot hear at all of the sense of hearing is grown so weak that it cannot endure to hear his dearest friends to speak So the ear cannot minister any comfort Then she intimates her grief unto her Tongue Oh Tongue who was wont to bring it out with the bravest where are now thy big and daring words now in my greatest need canit thou speak nothing in my defence canst thou neither daunt these enemies with threatning words nor intreat them with fair speeches But alas the tongue cannot in his greatest extremity so much as call for a little drink or desire a friend to take away with his finger the flegm that is ready to choak him Finding here no hope of help she speaks to the feet where are ye oh feet which sometimes were so nimble in running and carrying of me from place to place can ye carry me now no where out of this dangerous place But alas the Feet are as it were dead already if they be not stirred they cannot stir Then she directs her speech unto her hands Oh hands who have been so often approved for Manhood in Peace and War wherewith I have so often defended my self and offended my Foes never had I more need then now Help now or I perish for ever But alas the Hands are so weak and do so tremble that they cannot reach to the mouth a spoonfull of supping to relieve languishing Nature Whilst The poor man lyeth in this misery in comes all his wealth to give her master a visit and in effect saith this to him Thus far have I gone with thee but farther I will not I have nothing to do in another world Now therefore master shift for your self I will go seek me a new Master Nay saith his Master I hope thou wilt not serve me so now I have most need of thee many a nights rest have I broken for thee Wealth The more fool thou Master who bid thee do so not God I am sure but the Prince of the air the God of this world And therefore now to him thou must go or whither thou dost go I know not nor care not but farther to go with thee I will not for I will seek me a new Master Master Nay Wealth I pray thee say not so that goeth to my very heart go answer for me or at least speak a good word for me Wealth Not I nay I am sure you shall answer for me and your self too and to tell you the truth I doubt the place is too hot for me where thou art going Look Look here comes death quivering in your lips quaking in your joynts staring in your eyes I cannot endure the sight of him oh draw the curtain shift fot thy self Master and I will shift for one Master Oh base vagrant have I thus entertained thee like a Prince for this Oh all ye people of the world be warned by me a dying man Lay up Treasure in Heaven improve thy Talent redeem thy Time and give Diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure Oh how suddenly hath death stollen upon me like the Sun which the eye perceives not to move though it be most swift of motion The God of Mercy hath utterly forsaken me and the Devil who knows no mercy waites for me my joyes in this life were gone before I could scarce enjoy them my miseries are eternal and never shall know end Oh that I had spent the hours that I consumed in carding dicing and other exercises in reading the Scriptures in hearing Sermons and meditating thereon in conferring with the Lords people in weeping for my sins in fasting watching and praying and beliveing that I might have now departed in the assured hope of everlasting salvation Oh that I were now to begin my life again how religious and purely would I lead my life But now my glass is out the Sun is set the golden Scepter is taken in once I had a reconcileable God bowels of Mercy were not totally restrained but Repentance might have enlarged them The treasury door of Mercy and Grace was not lockt up but Faith could have opened it and the hour of Grace might have procured the oyl of Gladness and there was still a blank in the leaf for the sinners name to be put in upon coversion but now every door of hope is shut and lockt up and now is my case more

deeds of the flesh art thou willing to be searched by any Christian in any thing dost thou approve thy heart to God in all thy duties and services dost thou do what thou dost for God at least in desire and endeavour to obey him freely universally and constantly then thou hast a title for these are flowers of Paradise that grow not in natures garden when thou comest to dye God doth but take a flower out of the wilderness and plant it in Paradise or takes a rose out of the field and puts it in his bosom surely death to a Christian is but an unloading him of all his burdens and freeing him from all his troubles Rev. 21. 4. Rev. 14. 13. 3. If we would dye comfortably let us improve the present opportunity for we have a great deal of work to do and but a little time to do it in this work deferred will be still greater the time to do it in will be shorter the strength to do it by will be less our understanding will be more dark our hearts more hard our wils more crooked our affections more disordered our conscience more benummed the work we have to do is as followeth viz. We have a God to honour a Christ to rest on a race to run a crown to win a hell to escape a heaven to obtain we have weak graces to strengthen and strong corruptions to weaken we have many temptations to withstand and afflictions to bare we have many mercies to improve and many services to perform If Hester had not improved the present opportunity she and her fathers house had been destroyed If Abigal had not improved the present opportunity many a mans life had been cut off 1 Sam. 25. 34. There was an opportunity that the children of Israel had to enter in the Land of Canaan upon the return of the spies but they not improving of it were fain to stay longer in the wilderness Jerusalem had an opportunity to be gathered together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings but for want of improving it it was destroyed Let us now redeem the time lest our candlestick be removed Rev. 2. 5. Lest as Paul and Barnabas said to the Jews to you is the word of this salvation sent but seeing ye put it from you lo we turn to the Gentiles Act. 13. 46 c. Yet the dayes of plenty are amongst us let us with Joseph lay up in store lest we dye in the famine yet the weather is calm and the season fair let us with Noah build up an Ark lest with the rest we perish in the flood Gen 7. 21. Yet the Angel tarryeth at the gates of Sodom let us with Lot depart thence lest we be destroyed Gen. 19. 24. Yet the bridegroom tarryeth and waiteth let us hast to enter in with him lest with the foolish Virgins we be repelled Mat. 25. 12. Yet wisdom cryeth in our streets Oh then now let us harken to her Yet the Lord setteth open his storehouse of mercy let us now turn to him for a blessing lest coming too late with Esau we find none Heb. 12. 17. Yet the Lord knocketh at the door of our hearts let us now open to him lest he say to us as he did to Jerusalem Luke 19. 42. Now it is hid from thee yet the Lord waiteth for our return from Babylon oh then let us now return whilst we have time lest hereafter he say to us as the Angel sware there shall be no more time Rev. 10. 6. Yet the Lord is saying to us as in Prov. 1. 23. Turn ye at my reproof behold I will pour out my spirit upon you lest he say to us as in ver 24. Because I called and you refused you shall call and I will not hear you yet the Lord is saying to us as to Nineveh Jonah 3. 4 5. yet forty dayes and you shall be destroyed let us repent as they did lest we be destroyed indeed 4. The next thing to be practiced of all that would live sweetly and dye comfortably is first store up a stock of faith Secondly store up a stock of promises Thirdly store up a stock of prayers and thou shalt attain the art of dying well 1. Store up a stock of faith and that will shew us that Christs death is a death concerning death 1 Cor. 15. 56 57 c. Christ in his death put death to death Again faith will assure the dying party that the Lord will be with him in the hour of death Psalm 23. 4. Though I walk in the valley of death I will fear none ill c. Again faith will make a Christian willing to dye Luke 2. 28 29. Now let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 2. Store up a stock of promises against that day I will be with thee in the fire and in the water saith the Lord in one promise and in another promise he saith I will never leave thee nor forsake thee the labour of the Olive may fail our nearest and dearest friends may fail our eyes may fail our tongue may fail our strength may fail our flesh and heart may fail our spirits may fail yet saith the Lord I will be with thee I will not fail thee see these precious Scriptures Josh 1. 5. Josh 21. 45. and 23. 14. 1 King 8. 56. 3. Store up a stock of prayers amongst all thy requests to God in all thy addresses to him intreat him not to forsake thee at that time 5. The fifth thing to be practiced is to endeavour to live every day as thy last day Psalm 90. The Prophet speaks of death ver 10. see what follows ver 12. So teach me to number my dayes that I may apply my heart to wisdom a natural man considers of death notionally their senses tell them that all must dye but as for preparation for it that they put off till the last year and when that is come to the last moneth and when that is come to the last week of that moneth and when that is come to the last day of that week and when that is come to the last hour of that day and when that is come to the last minute of that hour and so knock when the gate is shut Mat. 25. 12. the gate of grace is shut and the gate of mercy and the gate of indulgence and the gate of repentance and the gate of hope and the gate of comfort c. But let a Christian live every day as his last day and make sure his interest in God whilst God is reconcilable and whilst his bowels of mercy are not totally restrained and whilst the treasury door of mercy and grace is open and whilst there is a blank in the leaf for the sinners name to be put in before the glass is out and the Sun set and the golden scepter taken in 6. Gather up all thy evidences and spiritual experiences and keep them in thy heart and memory