The Farewell SERMONS of Mr. Calamy Mr. Watson Mr. Sclater Dr. Iacomb Mr. Case Mr. Baxter Mr. Ienkins Mr. Lye Dr. Manton Mr. Ashes funerall Mr. Collins An EXACT COLLECTION OF Farewel Sermons PREACHED By the late London-Ministers VIZ. Mr. Calamy Mr. Watson Dr. Iacomb Mr. Case Mr. Sclater Mr. Baxter Mr. Ienkin Dr. Manton Mr. Lye Mr. Collins To which is added Their PRAYERS before and after Sermon AS ALSO Mr. Calamy's Sermon for which he was Imprisoned in Newgate His Sermon at Mr. Ashe's Funeral And Dr. Horton's at Mr. Naltons Funeral The last Edition being much Enlarged and more Perfect than any yet Extant 2 SAM 23. 1. Now these are the last Words of David the sweet Singer of Israel Printed in the Year 1662. THE PUBLISHERS TO THE READER THE words of dying men usually are very serious weighty and much regarded The ensuing Notes being the Preachers last Legacies to their several Congregations a little before their Civil though Voluntary Death by reason of the great Concourse of people that were then assembled in all Churches to hear their dying Pastors preach their own Funeral Sermons whilest they were yet alive many being too distant from them or too much disturbea by the crowd fell short of their share and portion in them others having lost much of what they committed to their memories addressed themselves to their friends that writ But it being found too tedious a work to satisfie the desires of all by Transcriptions some who had taken after them as followeth by the importunity of many have been prevailed with for the satisfaction of their friends to expose their Notes to publick view It is not to be expected though all care and faithfulness hath been used that the Picture should answer the Person in all things what defects therefore in any kind may be found herein we humbly pray may not be imputed to the Reverend Authors but unto the Publishers hereof We conceive we need not adde any thing to take off that clamour that is cast upon them as if out of an humour faction or which is worse disobedience to Authority they refused to conform Enough is said by themselves to give an account why they chose to take up their Cross and follow Christ in a way of conscience and fidelity Reader we will detain thee no longer from partaking of the fruit we here present thee with but conclude praying that the Lives of these worthy Ministers Hearers may be their legible Epistles seen and read of all men and that their Conversations may be such as becomes the Gospel of Christ that whether they yet again come and see them or else be absent they may hear of their affairs that they stand fast in one spirit striving together for the Faith of the Gospel Farewell Mr. Calamy's Prayer at Aldermanbury OH most Holy and ever â—…lessed Lord God! thou fillest Heaven and Earth with thy presence we pray thee fill all our hearts with the presence of thy Grace and let it appear that thou art in the midst of us with that powerful assistance of thy Spirit that we may receive a token of love from thee at this time It is a singular favour that the doors of thy Sanctuary are open to us and that yet we may meet together in thy Name we pray thee continue it to us and sanctifie it to us that every Sabbath may add to our Staturâ—… in Iesus Christ. We confess we have forfeited all our mercies we have heard much of God and Christ and Heaven with ouâ—… ears but there is little of God Christ and Heaven in our hearts We confess many of us by hearing Sermons are grown Sermon-proof we know how to scoff and mock at Sermons but we know not how to live Sermons It is a miracle of free Grace that thou hast not taken thy Gospel from us ere this time but thou art a merciful God and though we cannot please thee yet Mercy pleaseth thee and we have no argument to bring along with us to beg thy â—…avour but thy mercy in Iesus Christ. We pray thee that thou wilt glorifie thy Sovereignty in being gracious to us and pardon our many and great transg essions Thou makest use of the malice of men for thy glory thou killest Goliah with his own sword oh help us to put our trust in thee thou that canst kill and cure by killing Bless these Nations of England Scotland and Ireland and find out yet a way to save us pour down thy blessings upon the head and heart of our Sovereign CHARLES by thy Grace King of Great Britain thou hast done great things for him let him do great things for thee bless him in his Royal Consort in his Royal Relations in his Council bless the Magistrates and Ministers oâ—… this Realm Lord forgive us for we live as if we had been delivered to work wickedness we cannot sin at so cheap a rate as others do we pray thee humble us under our great and grievous sins give us Repentance unto Salvation and a lively faith through the bloud of Jesus Christ quicken our graces forgive our sies make alive our souls let us be such as thou wouldst have us to be make us Christians not only by an outward profession but an inward conversation that we may live in Heaven while we are on Earth and come to Heaven when we shall leave the Earth To that purpose bless thy Word unâ—…o us at this time and give us all grace to make conscience what we hear and how we hear And all for Jesus Christ his sake to whom with thy blessed Self and Spirit be all glory and honour Amen Mr. Calamy's Farewell Sermon August 17. 1662. 2 SAM 24. 14. And David said unto Gad I am in a great strait let us fall now into the hand of the Lord for his mercies are great and let me not fall into the hand of man IN which words we have three Parts 1. Davids great perplexity and distress I am in a great strait 2. Davids resolution 1. Affirmative Let us fall into the hand of the Lord. 2. Negative Let me not fall into the hand of Man 3. We have the Reason of Davids choice for the mercies of God are great The mercies of wicked men are cruel therefore let me not fall into the hands of men But the mercies of God are many and great therefore let uâ—… now fall into the hands of God 1. For the first that is Davids great Distress wherein we must speak 1. To the distress it self Then â—… To the person thus perplexed I am in a great strait David a great man David a godly man 1. In the perplexity it self we shall consider 1. The reality of this perplexity 2. The greatness of it 1. For the reality of it after David had sinned in numbring the people God sends the Prophet Gad to him and puts three things to his choice as you may read in vers 12. God was determined to make David smart for numbring
dust and ashes not worthy to tread thy Courts and it is of thy mercy that we are not consumed How often have we pluckt fruit from the forbidden tree We have sinned presumptnously against the clearest Light and the dearest Love always have we sinned thy footsteps have dropt fatness thou hast shown mercy to us but the better thou hast been to us the worse we have been to thee thou hast loaded us with thy mercies and we have wearied thee with our sins when we look into our selves oh the poison of our natures what ever the Leper did touch was unclean thus do we by our spiritual leprosiâ—… infect our Holy things our Prayers had need have pardon and our tears had need have the blood of sprinkling to wash them how vain are our Vows how sensual are our affections We confess we are untuned and unstrung for every Holy action we are never out of tune to sia but always out of tune to pray we give the world our male affections and our strongest desires we should use this world as if we used it not and alas we pray as if we prayed not and serve thee as if we served thee not there is not that reverence nor that devotion nor that activeness of saith that there should be Lord if thou shouldest say Thou woulâ—…st pardon all our sins to this time only judge us for this prayer we unto us what breathingâ—… of unbelief and hypocrisie is there now when we approach unto thee we pray thee pardon us for Christs sake Who can tell how oâ—…t he dotâ—… offend we can as well reckon the drops of the Ocean as number 〈◊〉 sins we have filled the number of the Nations sins but have not fillâ—… thy bottle with our tears This is that that doth exceedingly aggravate 〈◊〉 sins that we cannot mourn for sin we can grieve for our losses but 〈◊〉 cannot mourn for our unkindnesses we have crucified the Lord of life sin has not only defiled us but hardened us nothing can melt us but the love of Christ nothing can soften us but the blood of Christ oh withold not thy mercies from us oh help us to eat the Passeover with bitter herbs let us look on Christ and weep over him let us look on a broken Christ with broken hearts and on a bleeding Christ with bleeding hearts let us mourn for our dis-ingenuity that we should grieve that God that 〈◊〉 â—…wayes doing us good Oh humble us for our unkindness and for 〈◊〉 sake blot out our transgressions they are more then we can number 〈◊〉 more than God can pardon Though we have lost the duty of Children thou hast not lost the goodness of a Father let us be held forth as patterns of mercy so shall we trumpet forth thy praise to all eternity whatever afflictions thou layesâ—… upon our bodies let not our sins be unpardoned let not sin and affliction be together upon us let there be peace in Heaven and peace in the Court of Conscience we have found this part of thy word true In the world we shall have trouble let us find the other part true In Jesus Christ we shall have peace Oh let peace and holiness go together make 〈◊〉 new creatures that we may be glorious creatures without faith Christ will not profit us when we can call nothing in the world ours let us call Christ ours Lord draw thine Image every day more lively upon us a more lively hope and a more inflamed love to Christ. Let us have a spirit of courage and resolution keep us from the fallacies of our own hearts keep us from the defilements of the times make us pure in heart that we may see God that we may have Gospel-spirits humble spirits meek spirits As Christ did take our flesh let us partake of his Spirit Why dost thou imbitter the breast of the creature to us but that we should find the sweetness of the promises There is as much in the promises as ever let us live upon God let us cast anchor in Heaven and we shall never sink Showr down thy blessings even the choisest of them upon the head and heart of our dread Soveraign Charles by thy appointment of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith Let Him see wherein His chiefest interest lies let Him count those His best Subjects that are Christs Subjects Bless Him in His Royal Consort iâ—… His Royal Relations the Lords of his privy Council let them be a terror to evil doers and encouragers of those that do well Bless all thine Ordinances to us make them to be fulness of life to every one before thee we are come this day to partake of them oh pour in wine and oyl into our souls let us be as a watred Garden let this blessed Sacrament be a poison to our lust and nourishment for our grace Hear â—…s be our God follow us with mercy crown us with acceptance and all for Christ his sake whom not feeing we love in whom believing we rejoyce To Christ with Thee and the holy Spirit be glory honour and â—…raise now and for ever Amen Mr. Watson's Farewell Sermon 2 COR. 7. 1. Having these promises dearly Beloved let us cleanse our selves IT is the Title that I intend now by the help of God to insist upon that sweet Parenthesis in the Text Dearly beloved wherein you have the Apostle breathing forth his affections unto this people he speaks now as a Pastor and he speaks to them as his spiritual Children Dearly beloved where you have First the Title Beloved Secondly The Exhortation to Holiness Let us cleanse our selves Thirdly The Means how we should be cleansed and sanctified Having these promises It is the first of these that I intend the Title that the Apostle gives to his children Dearly beloved From hence observe this Doctrine That the affections of a right Gospel-Minister towards his people are very ardent Dearly beloved there are two things in every Minister of Christ that are much exercised his head and his heart his head with labour and his heart with love his head with labour in the work of the Ministry Iâ—… done aright it is a work fitter for Angels than for menâ—… it is our work to open the Oracles of God even thosâ—… sacred profound things that the Angels search into and if God did not help us we might soon sink under the weight of such a burden and as a Minister's head is exercised with labour so his heart is exercised with love and it is hard to say which of the two exceeds his Labour or his Love Thus is it here in the Text my dearly beloved In these words we have Saint Paul laying siege to these Corinthians and labouring to make a happy victory to conquer them with kindness dearly beloved Saint Paul's heart was the spring of love his lips were the pipe the Corinthians were the cistern into which this spring did run This holy Apostle was a mirror and pattern of love
that man Forgiveness of sin in Scripture is called The lifting off of sin so it is in the Hebrew Iob 7. Lord why dost thou not lift off my sin It is a Metaphor taken from a weary man that goes under a burthen ready to sink under it and another man comes and lifts off this burthen so doth the great God when the burthen of sin is ready to sink the Conscience Gods lifteth off this burthen from the Conscience and lays it upon Christs shoulders and he carries it now he that hath his burthen thus carryed it is well for him however things go Pardon and forgiveness of sin it is a crowning blessing it is a Jewel in a Believers Crown Pardon of sin is a multiplying mercy it brings a great many mercies along with it whom God pardons he adopts whom God pardons he invests with holiness and with glory Pardon of sin is such a mercy that it is enough to make a sick man well Isa. 32. 24. The Inhabitants shall not say They are sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity The sense of pardon takes away the sense of pain it must needs then be well with the righteous his greatest evil is removed Secondly However things go It shall be well with the righteous because God is his portion Psal. 16. 5. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places In God all things are to be found and all that is in God is engaged for the good of the Righteous His power is his to help him His wisdom is his to teach him His spirit is his to sanctifie him and His mercy is his to save him God is the righteous mans portion and can God give a greater gift to us than to give Himself to us God is a rich portion the Angels riches God is a safe and a sure portion for his Name is a strong Tower He is a portion that can never be spent for he is infiniteness and he is a portion can never be lost for he is Eternity Thou art my portion for ever Psal. 73. 26. And surely it is well with them that have God for their portion Is it not well with them that are happy Why if God be our portion we are happy Psal. 144. 16. Happy is the people whose God is the Lord. And so much for the Doctrinal part The Application of this point may afford abundancâ—… of comfort to every godly man to every person fearing God in this Congregation God hath sent me this day with a Commission to comfort you O that I might drop in the oil of gladness into every broken and troubleâ—… spâ—…rit Say to the righteous it shall be well with him Here'â—… good news from heaven however things are yet still iâ—… is well with the righteous But here 's a great question to be answered How dotâ—… it appear that it is well with the righteous for we ofteâ—… see it is worst with him he is deprived of his comforts he is made the reproach of the world for Christ yeâ—… many times he loseth his life how then is it well witâ—… the righteous I answer yet still is it well with the righteous thougâ—… he meet with trouble in the world and one wave riseâ—… upon the neck of another yet is it well with the righteous as appears in these following particulars First All the troubles that a righteous man meets with turn to his good and so it is well with him That 's a famous Scripture Ier. 24. 5. Whom I have sent out of this place into the Land of the Chaldeans for their good Gods own Israel were transported into Babylon among their enemies for their good The troubles of the righteous are only a means to purge out their sins and that 's for their good I have read a story of one Peleus who running at another with a sword to kill him by accident the sword only run into his Impostume and broke that Thus all the evils and troubles of the righteous do but serve to cure them of the Imposthume of pride and to make them more humble When the body of a Saint is afflicted his soul that revives and flourishes in grace like two Lawrel trees that I have read of that when one withered the other flourished so when the body is afflicted yet grace flourishes God doth distil out of the bitterest drugs his glory and our salvation That that the world looks upon as a punishment that God makes medicinal to heal the soul. Well then may it be well with the righteous the rod of God upon a Saint is but only Gods pencil whereby he draws his Image more lively upon the soul. God never stretcheth the strings of his Viol but to make the musick so much the sweeter Secondly In the midst of all the troubles that befal the righteous yet still it is well with them in regard of those inward heart-revivings that God gives them we see a godly man in misery but we see not his comforts we see his prison grates but we hear not that sweet musick that he enjoys in his Conscience God sweetens to his people outward troubles with inward peace It is the title that is given to God 2 Cor. 6. 7. The God that comforteth them that are cast down The Bee can gather Honey as well from the Thiâ—…tle and bitter Herb as from the sweet Flower and a Child of God can gather joy out of his sorrow out of the very Carcass sometimes he fetcheth Honey When the body is in pain the soul may be at ease as when a mans head akes yet his heart may be well Thus it is well with the Righteous God gives him inward comforts that revive him and sweeten his outward pain 3. In times of calamity and trouble yet still is it well with the Righteous because many times God hears his people in the time of trouble in a storm God will have a care of his Jewels he will hide them and suffer them not to be carryed away and thus he makes good that Scripture literally Psal. 91. 4. He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust no evil shall touch thee God oftentimes verifies this Scripture literally he makes his Angels to be his Peoples Life-guard to hide them and to defend them When a Flood was coming on the World God provided an Ark to hide Neah in When Israel was carryed and transported into Babylon God hides Ierâ—…my and gives him his life for a prey Iâ—…r 39. 11 12. And in this sense the Saints of God are called his hidden Ones Psal. 83. 3. Why so not only because they are hid in Gods decree and hid in Christs wounds but oftentimes God hides them in time of common danger and calamity they are hidden Ones Thus God reserved to himself seven thousand that had not bowed the Knee to Baal the Prophet knew not of any but God knew of seven thousand that he
with every one of you so to carry your selves in your several places and capacities that whatever you do you may please God It was a blessed testimony that was given of Enoch Before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God Oh how happy will they be at the great day of Judgement who shall be singled out by Christ before Angels and Men and Christ shall say of them This was the Man or this was the Woman that pleased God! There is a great deal of pleasing in the World but there are 〈◊〉 very few that make this their business to please God therefore I would have you shun that which is sinfull and press after that which is matter of Duty 1. There are some that mind nothing but to please themselves to promote their own interest to love their own ease to indulge themselves in their own carnal delights but they never mind the good of others or the pleasing of God the Apostle speaks of and against these Rom. 15. 1 2 3. 2. There are others that look no further than the pleasing of men if they can but keep fair with men and shun the displeasure of men that is all they aim at but my Brethren what a poor thing is it to please man and displease God what a poor thing is it to have Man to be our Friend and God to be our Enemy to have the smiles of a poor dying perishing Worm and to lye under the frowns of the great God Indeed there is a good pleasing of men to please them for their Edification as the Apostle speaks Rom. 15. 2. and so the Apostle speaks of himself 1 Cor. 10. 32. Even as I please all men in all things that is in all things that are of an indifferent nature not simply civil nor simply good in all such things This Apostle was of a yielding and complying spirit that he might thereby the better insinuate himself into the affections of men and be more instrumental to the glory of God in the work of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 22. To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some and this I do for the Gospel sake But now in matter of Duty such things as are expresly determined by God and so are either good or evil in these things the Apostle would be no pleaser of men If I should please men I should not be the servant of Christ Gal. 1. 10. It is good to please otherâ—… to their Edification but we must not please others to their own ruine and condemnation It is good to please men when we can so do and not grieve God Instead of pleasing men let it be your constant care best endeavour in all things to please God my Brethren this is a duty of so great importance that was I now to take my leave of you and should certainly know that I should never speak to you more as we are come very near to that for though I speak to you as a living man yet I speak to you as a dying Minister this I say is a duty of that weight and importance that I know not what to press upon you more material then this consult but two places of Scripture Col. 1. For this cause we do not cease to pray for you What was the thing the Apostle in this his constant Prayer did begg of God for them It was this That they might please God and when he was taking his leave in the winding up of his Epistle to the Hebrews Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Iesus the great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight I need not go beyond the Text for Motives to stirre you up to these Endeavours For Motive 1. First Consider what that God is which I would have you endeavour to please He is that God which made Heaven and Earth that God before whom all this World is as nothing but as a little dust in the ballance and as a drop of water to the bucket that God whom Angels adore and worship that God who by a word from his mouth is able to bring the whole Universe into nothing Will not you study to please this God But further consider what this God is to you He is the fountain of your being he is the God of all your mercies he is your Creator and Soveraign he is your Maker Law-giver It is he that by a smile can make you happy and by a frown can make you miserable it is he that hath Heaven and Hell at his disposal who openeth and none can shut who shuts and none can open He that must iudg every one of you either to eternal blessedness or else to eternal torments it is he in whose hands your breath your life your soul your All is will you not endeavour to please this God as the Prophet argueth in point of fear Isa. 51. 12. Who art thou that art afraid of a man that shall die or of the Son of man that shall be made as grass and forgettest the Lord thy maker Oh poor Creature Who arâ—… thou that goest about to please a mortal dying man and dost not go about to please the Great God thy Creator and Soveraign 2. Consider that relation wherein you profess your selves to stand to God he is your Master you his Servants he is your Father you his Children he is your Lord you his Subjects You know all that are in close Relations will study to please them that are above them as the Servant his master the child his father the subject his Prince All persons that are in a state of inferiority will study to please their Superiours especially when they do depend upon them Oh! how infinitely is God above those Relations Alas there is but a very little distance betwixt you and your Servants and yet you expect they should please you will you not therefore please God especially considering your dependance upon him 3. You shall not lose by pleasing God that is enough to put us upon this He that pleaseth God profiteth himself in that very act wherein we please God we profit our selves Men can do but little for us and yet upon what they can do we study to please them Let me open this in a few particulars 1. If you will sincerely endeavour in all things to please God God will give you a gracious return to all your prayers Oh what a mercy is this for a man to have his prayers answered by God! 1 Joh. 3. 22. Whatever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandements and do those things that are pleasing in his sight Never expect that God should hear any Prayers if we do not endeavour to do those things that
and God must needs lay that upon them Lam. 1. 12. 3. 1. 5. 10. 2. Sometimes of instruments thus Esau complains of his brother Is he not rightly called Iacob a Supplanter of his Father Hast thou but one blessing c. Gen. 27. 3 4. of any thing rather than of himself he doth not say Am I not rightly called Esau What a wretch am I that have despised and sold my blessing Mostly we complain of that which deserves no blame the guilty of the innocent 1 King 18. 7. Isa. 10. 5. Ier. 8. or we pore too much upon second causes or complain of instruments not of our selves or of wicked men not of wickedness of their Cruelty more than of their Blasphemy of their injuries against us more than as Gods enemies or more of revenge in our Complaints than murmuring our complaints concerning their afflicting us not accompanyed with our Prayers for their Conversion c. 3. Sometimes of God himself not as one of his children who complains 1. To God not of God thus Christ My God my God c. 2 With a holy Considence My God my God two words of faith for one word of fear c. 3. In his complaints is very tender of Gods glory affraid to think or speak a hard or uncomely thought or word of God 4. Carefully distinguishes between what God doth and what man doth observes and separates the unrighteousness of men from the righteousness of God 5. With humble inquiry what cause there may be of this dispensation Iob 10. 2. 34. 31. 6. With a disposition to bring up his will to God not that God should bring down his will to him if it be possible let this Cuppass however glorifie thy Name provide for thy own glory and do with me as thou pleasest But a sinful Creature is sometimes ready to call Providence in question Ezra 8. 12. or to break forth and charge God foolishly either of too much severity Ez. 18. 2. 25. or of too long delay Isa. 49 14. or their mournings are turned into murmurings Numb 14. 27. or their complaints are mixed with unbelief Psal. 78. 19. or their punishment not for their sin and nothing will satisfie them but deliverance Now this is not the way for this way of complaining is 1. Fruitless a House on Fire is not quenched with tears Murmuring will not scatter the Clouds 2. Causeless Thou hast thy life for a prey Ier. 4. 5 6. What a living man and complain and that when 't is for the punishment of his sins This kind of complaining is causeless if you compare sin and punishment together there 's no proportion for sin is a transgression against an infinite God punishment but an affliction upon the finite Creature Sin is an evil-against God punishment an evil against the Creature Or if you consider what sin is in its nature 't is a contrariety to Gods natureâ—… God is holy Sin impurity A contradictiou to God's will God saith Do this the Sinner saith I will not God saith Do not this abominable thing which I hate the Sinner saith I will It is the transgression of God's pure and holy Law nay it is a practical blaspheming against all the Names of God the rape of God's mercy and the dare of God's Iustice the challenge of God's Power Sin gives the lye to God's Truth and the fool to God's Wisdom And what can Sin do more than to take away God's good Name God's Being and that Sin would do Or 't is causeless if you consider against whom sin is i. e. God himself who is a jealous God now a Sinner takes another Lover into his bosom before his eyes yea he is a holy righteous omnipotent almighty living God Thoughts of this may well keep us from complaining Indeed whatever our affliction be we have as much cause to give thanks as to mourn whether you consider whatever the punishment be it might be worse or do but look well into it you will see more Mercy than Affliction Psal. 119. 75. 3. Sinful There is in it 1. Unthankfulness while we complain of one Affliction we overlook a thousand Mercies whereas true Grace is ingenuous and can see a little Kindness mingled with a great deal of Severity The Church of God in captivity comparing her afflictions with her mercies breaks forth It is of the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed Lam. 3. 22. Blessed be God it is not yet so bad but it might be worse 2 Cor. 4. 8. We are troubled on every side yet not distressed though laid wait for beset on every side put to strive aud struggle yet we escape God gives an issue in the Temptation we are perplexed but not in despair we are not so helpless that we know not whither to turn our selves we have a God to go to as bad as things are the name of the Lord is a strong Tower persecuted but not forsaken we are shaken out but not to shivers persecuted but not conquered our God hath not utterly forsaken us Cast down but not destroyed Ps. 118. 13. we are cast down but not cast off Thus Luther They may thrust me back but they cannot thrust me down they may crush me but they cannot kill me or they may kill me but they cannot hurt me they may shew their teeth but they cannot devour Is it a Feaver it might have been eternal flames Is it Scarcity it might be universal famine Is it the danger of losing the Gospel 't is the mercy of God it is not gone already Are we in Captivity we might have been in Hell Are we in Prison it might have been Tophet The Lord hath chastened me sore but he hath not given me over unto death Psal. 118. 18. Though men have lost their Bowels Gods compassions fail not God's as faithful as ever he hath taken away some of our mercies but he hath not taken away all he hath left us more than he hath taken They are new they are renewed every morning when old mercies are spent God sends us new he is the Father of Mâ—…rcies begets new mercies every moment Who can number or measure his mercies of one day whatever our Fears are Oh blessed be God he loads us with mercies Now the Complainer over-looks all these there 's much unthankfulness in it and that 's a kind of Atheism She knew not that I gave her corn and wine c. Hos. 2. 8. 2. Pride Only by pride comes contention men never quarrel with God about their Condition but 't is long of the pride of their heart Proud man would fain sin and not hear from God would take liberty to sin but would not have God take liberty to punish I say 8. 3. God must take notice of our Duties not our Sinâ—… God shall hear of it if he take not notice of our prayers but it shall be by complaining if he take notice of our sins A proud man whatever he hath it is no more than his due and
a word here is matter of encouragement that yet there is Balm in Gilead Physick of Christs own composition for the reviving and healing of a back-sliding people Christians Christ Jesus is become your Physitian he hath prescribed you a potion made up of these 3. ingredients Self-Reflection Holy Contrition Thorow Reformation Christians now take this Receipt Christ advises you if you will not there is no way but one Or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick There is yet a means or two I find in Scripture for the preventing of threatned ruin that hath been very near that God hath prescribed for a people or person in great danger when ready to be cut off and destroyed Now that which I would commend unto you in reference to what you should beg of God for England is First In your addressing your self to God for that mercy your souls are set upon and you wrestle with God for that you would make some special Vow to God I find the Saints have done so when reduced to great Straits not knowing what to do Thus Iacob vowed a Vow saying If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on so that I come again to my fathers house in peace then shall the Lord be my God And this Stone which I here set for â—… pillar shall be Gods house Gen. 28. 20 21 22 The specialed thing Iacob vow is that he would continue in the pure worship of his forefathers that he would still honour God as his God in that way he would be worshipped the special thing is that he would build a house for the worship of God here he would erect a place of publick worship And thus Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord and said if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand then I will utterly destroy their Cities Numb 21. 2. They vowed a vow they would not spare any of the enemies of God it he would deliver them into their hands Thus Iepthah Hannah David c. Iudg. 11. 30. 1 Sam. 1 11. Psal. 132 1 2. Certainly in times of great distress 't is not improper or uncomely but that which God may expect and take well that you make some special Vow if God would prevent your fears if God would continue forfeited mercies dearer to you then your lives you would set apart some special thing for God something for the propagation of the Gospel abroad for the maintenance of a godly Ministry at home for setting up the preaching of the Gospel in the dark coâ—…ners of the Kingdom c. This must have some cautions with it as 1. We must be sure our Vow be of what is in our own power we must not make vows of that which is none of our own I hate Robbery for burntâ—…offerings We must not make a vow to God of that which hath been unjustly or untighteously taken away or withheld from any 'T is Sacriledge instead of a Sacrifice 2. It must be of things warrantable and justifiable by the Word 3. It must be of such things that we are not bound to do before vows by the standing obligation of Religion and of our Profession but of something that is in our own choice that we will voluntarily make a free-will offering to God 4. We must take heed that we do not entertain a fupeâ—…itious thought of our own Vows as if we had merited a mercy at Gods hands by our vowes God looks for some special vow at our hands that we may shew how much we prise and value the mercy we would have that we would be content to part with any thing though to the half of our Estate for it 2. Another thing I find is that in the mean time we should do something by way of extraordinary bounty and charity to the relief of Gods indigent Servants Thus the Prophet Daniel Wherefore O Kingâ—… let my counsel be acceptable to thee Breakoff thy Sins by Righteousness and thine Iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity Dan. 4. 27. The Prophet advises him to break off his sins by righteousness there 's Reformation besides Reformation that he would do something in an extraordinary way to the relief of the poor Mercy to the poor what 's that Interpreters conceive by the poor here he understands Gods poor i. e. the poor Iews that were now in the Babylonian Captivity he advises he would do something by way of sympathy to the Iews to ease their yoaks and oppressions break off thy iniquities by pitying shewingâ—… mercy to thy poor Captives under thy power now at this time take off their yoak ease their burdens and restore them to their liberties again Thus do ye to those that have been the instruments of your Conversion or Edification set apart something extraordinary for their relief and supply The Prophet Daniel seems to advise this to the King as it were by way of satisfaction Theâ—…e be two things in Repentance in wrongs we have done there must be Confession and Satisfaction or Restoration He seems to advise this to make up compleat Repentance namely to make Restoration and Retribution of what he had injuriously taken from the Iewes Oh then let me say without breach of Charity that whatsoever except it be in this case of extraordinary supplyes for his poor it will be found but making Restitution and Satisfaction It may be upon a two-fold ground 1. With some it may be truly Restitution and Restoration of what he hath taken away by unjust means God knows how that 's between God and their own Souls what unlawfull means hath been used to augment the heap and swell their Estate If there be any that hears me this day whose Consciences shall tell them that they have increased their Estate by undue and unwarrantable means Oh Restoreâ—… Restore break off your Iniquities by shewing mercy c. by making Reparation as you can it will be but like Zacheus giving half his goods to the poor and restoring four fold c. in a liberal Contribution to the poor 2. It will be Restitution in another sense in reference to an unjust withholding some have got injuriously and I am afraid too too many have kept injuriously Have we not rob'd the poor by an unjust denying of what God hath commanded us to distribute to their necessities There is that withholdeth more then is meet c. Prov. 3. 17. 11. 24. It may be God hath given you so much there 's God's share there 's the Ministers portion c. Now all that you have withheld beyond the Rule of Scripture is all stoln goods and like a Wheat-sheaf on fire will burn down the whole baâ—…n of Corn. That which I would exhort you to is Every one to set apart some considerable part of your Estate and account it as a hallowed thing dedicated
Title inrich his noble Soul with all the graces of thy most holy Spirit the Lord make him as holy as high that he may as much exceed in goodness as in greatnesse O Lord give him a Spirit of Wisdom to know how to go in and out before this great people and be able to discern between friends and flatterers O that he may be a true friend to thy friends and a real enemy to thy enemies the Lord make him the most glorious Instrument for promotion of the power of godliness that ever sway'd the Scepter in these Lands that under him we may live a peaceable and holy life in all godliness and honesty O Lord bless him in his Royal Consort Queen Katharine the Illustrious James Duke of York the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council the God of all grace give them graces suitable to that high and honourable imployment thou hast intrusted them with do thou rule our Rulers and teach our Senators wisdom any that are in authority over us give them to improve their power for thee blesse the Nurseries of learning Cambridge and Oxford Dear Father bless all thy faithful Ministers thou that art the Lord of the Harvest send forth Labourers and keep out loyterers preserve those that are that they may be faithful to thee and to those over whom thou hast made them Overseers that they may neither be ashamed of thee nor thy ways truths worship however stiled and disowned by men O remember thy ancient people the Iews call in the fulness of the Gentiles that we may be all one Sheepfold under thee the great Shepherd of Souls In mercy look down upon this great City bless the Governour and Government thereof that thy Sabbath may be more strictly observed that piety may be more encouraged and profanesâ—… discouraged in the midst of us Blesse this great Congregation let them be all taught of God and more truly find that thou wert speaking to the heart when that a poor worm was speaking to the ear Bless them in their basket and their store but especially in their souls let them grow heaven-ward every one that hath spread a Bill before us do thou read them over and be a present help according to their several wants and necessities O God pardon all our sins bottle our tears rebuke the Tempter reform our lives and save our souls that by all these enjoyments we may be the more fitted for an immediate un-interrupted enjoyment of thy self in glory whereas there shall be no more tears in our eyes neither shall there be any more sin in our souls these and whetever else thou in thy wisdom sees necessary and good for us we most humbly beg in the Name and for the sake of our dear and blessed Redeemer Iesus Christ the righteous for whom we bless thee to him together with thy self and God the Holy and ever blessed Spirit the Comforter we desire to be inabled to render as we acknowledge to be most due all honour praise power might Majesty and dominion from us and all thine now and for evermore Amen Dr. Manton's Prayer at Covent-Garden OH Lord God all that we can do is-nothing of our selves we can do nothing oh let us have the gracious assistance of thy Spirit at this time let thy love constrain us say unto us thou art our salvation Do not say that we shall fill up the measure of our iniquities and there shall be no hope for us Oh Lord we are ashamed that we have waited so long in thine Ordinances and have got no more profit to our poor souls but we have given up our heart to the pleasures and vanities of this world that are but for a season even those that thou hast drawn out after thee do not walk worthy of thee answerable to that blessed hope of future happiness in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation Iesus Christ is to many of us become a stumbling-block and a rock of offence while our hearts are carried out after the world with such strong affections Oh when shall we carry our selves so as those that profess themselves to be seekers of a better life we come into thy presence now for strength do thou manifest thy self to us thou hast promised to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh oh let it be unto us according to thy promise Oh Lord our hearts naturally are averse to thee so that of our selves we shall never be able to do any thing that may be well pleasing to thee but do thou regulate us by thy blessed Spirit that we may observe thy Statutes and do them and that thy Commands may not be grievous to us that it may not be burdensom to us to do the work of God O Lord when shall our hearts be made sound in thy Statutes we wait upon thee in the use of thine Ordinances that we may have a new supply from thee that at length we may come to see that thou art at work with us to save our souls O help us to be followers of them who with faith and patience do follow thee and to do nothing unbecoming our holy call suffer us not to swerve from thy Commandments but let us have a constant and earnest desire after thee Let the choicest of thy mercies come down upon our Soveraign CHARLES King of England Scotland France and Ireland let his heart be guided by thee and let him alwaies set thee before his eyes that under the shadow of his Government we may have peace in all godliness and honesty Blese him in his Relations in his Councels teach our Senators wisdom bewith all thy faithful Magistrates and Ministers let them be a terror to evil doers and an encouragement to them that do well Be with us in the way of thy worship we are here met together to hear and handle thy holy word oh do thou command it to light upon all our hearts let it come in the evidence and demonstration of thy Spirit and all for Christ his sake for whom we bless thee to him with thee and thy holy Spirit be praise glory for evermore Dr. Manton's Farewell Sermon Heb. 12. 1. Therefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the Race that is set before us IN the former Chapter you have a Spiritual Chronicle or a Catalogue of the Lord's Worthies and all the emiâ—…ent effects of their Faith and now the Apostle comes to make use of this History that he had produced through â—…o many successions of Ages of all the holy men of God â—…at excelled in Faith Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses c. The Text is wholly Hortatory In it observe 1. The premisses or principle the Apostle worketh upon seeing we are compassed c. 2. The practical Inferences which are deduced from â—…ence and
conversion sins against prayers vows promises covenants and oaths O Lord if thou didst prefer thy bill against us we could not stand if we were weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary we should be sound too light But holy Father remember not against us our former sin â—…t rather have mercy upon us according to thy loving kindness cross and blot out our iniquitres blot them out so fully and wholly that it may be to us as to Judah in the promise that the sins of Judah should be sought for and not found Oh bathe our souls in that fountain that was set open for Judah and Jerusalem though our sins have been as scarlet let them be as white as snow though they be red like crimson let them be like wool We have read that a flood of sin brought down a deluge of water that they covered the tops of the mountains O let thy deluge of mercy cover the tops of the mountains of our sins It is the glory of a God to pardon great sins we desire to turn unto thee with our whole hearts do thou subdue our iniquities let us be not only cleansed but let us have the efficacy of the Spirit of Christ to wish us from the guilt of sin because we boast we are not under the law but under grace Be gracious to our Soveraign Lord Charles King of England Scotland France and Ireland it is thy promise that Kings shall be nursing fathers to thy children grant that under the shadow of his Majesty thy people may be protected that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty oh let thy people possess the land from Dan to Bersheba oh give us Scripture-Magistrates and Gospel-Ministers as long as the Sun and Moon endures Let thy Word be sanctified to us let it not be only as water to get out our spots but as a refiners fire to purge our dross take away our tin And Holy Father where thou hast begun a good work do thou go on and bring it to perfection let not the light that is in us be like the glimmering light of the evening but as the light of the morning that shineth more and more to the day Let our best wine be kept till the last let the end of our lives be the end of sinning Thou hast cast our lot in the midst of temptations of all sorts thou hast brought many of us through the red Sea but yet we are in the wilderness with Zeba and Zâ—…lmunna and those that dwell at Tyre the children of Ammon Moab and mount Seir and all the forces that Hell can make against us oh put upon us all the whole armour of God Now in these dayes of error gird us with the girdle of truth oh now in these dayes of falsily give us a â—…etmet of hope Now the devil darts at us give us the shield of faith oh give us the sword of the Spirit of the Word of God that it may enable us to confute the gain sayings of foolish men Oh help us to pray with all manner of prayer constantly servently faithfully feelingly that we may stand and not fall and that not in our strength but in Gods To this end be with us upon this thine own day our Manna falls every day and is doubled upon the Lords day oh let us be as thy servant John in the spirit upon thine own day let God by his spirit come into our spirits understandings consciences wills memories and affections that all our conversations without and affections within may be obedient to thy word Enable thy servant to deliver thy word faithfully God forbid thy servant should stand upon so sandy a foundation as the wisdom of man one Iota of thy word has more wisdom in it then all men and Angels have Good Father give thy people a hearing ear it is too much they have played by the light of thy candle and slighted thy Manna so long oh now therefore to day give us to hear and know and believe and do the things that concern our everlasting peace hear us for Christ his sake to whom with thy blessed self and Spirit be glory now and for ever Mr. Lye's Forenoon Sermon Phil. 4. 1. Therefore my Brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved MY Beloved I do very well remember that upon the four and twentieth day of this instant month 1651. I was then under the sentence of Banishment and that very day did I preach my farewell Sermon to my people from whom I was banished because I would not swear against my King having sworn to maintain his just Power Honour and Greatness and now behold a second tryal Then I could not forswear my self the God of Heaven keep me that I never may I am apt to think I could do any thing for this loving Congregation only I cannot sin But since beloved there is a sentance gone out against us that we that cannot subscribe must not subsist this is the last day that is prefixed to us to preach I shall now speak to you God assisting me if my passion will give me leave just as if I would speak if I were immediately to die therefore hearken my Brethren dearly beloved and longed for my Ioy and Crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved Paul was now a Prisoner at Rome for the Gospel of Christ it was his second imprisonment and he was not far from being offered up a sacrifice for the Gospel he had preached This Gospel the Philippians had heard him preach and the godly Philippians having heard of his imprisonment they sent from Philippi to Rome to visit him and to supply his wants a gracious temper which I hope the eternal God hath given the Saints in London and for which if for any thing God hath a blessing in store for them Paul is not so much concerned in his own bands as in the Philippians Estate Epaphroditus tells him that there were Heresies and false Doctrines got in amongst them but yet the Philippians stood fast and herein Paul rejoyces writes this Epistle bids them go on stand fast keep their ground and to be sure not to give an inch but to stand fast knowing that at a long run their labour should not be in vain in the Lord. A most melting Compellation and a most serious Exhorâ—… 1. A melting Compellation My Brethren dearly beloved c. 2. A serious Exhortation and in it 1. the matter of the duty stand and stand it out and stand fast 2. The manner 1. So stand so as you have stood stand fast 2. In the Lord stand so and stand in the Lord in the Lords strength and in the Lords Cause to stand in your own strength would be the ready way to fall and to stand in your own cause for your own fancy would be the ready way to expose your selves to all manner of temptations Therefore my Brethren dearly
and they have not one word to speak nor any thing at all for to venture in suffering for the wayes and truths of Jesus Christ Moses had such a holy zeal that when Aaron was an example to the people to lead them to Idolatry he contended with him earnestly to his face The zeal of Gods servants is so small now that though Balaam be about the work we have not a word to speak Though the false prophets of Antichrist be about the businesse yet no Christian hath courage to speak The holy Apostle Paul when Peter walked with an uneven foot and began to Iudaise he tells us he did resist him to his face shall Paul resist Simon-Peter and shall not the Saints of God resist Simon-Magus shall they resist Hymenaeus and Philetus and shall we not contend with Alexander the Copper-smith 't is but sutable to what God expects and the Exhortation here given us That we should maintain it with might and main as that which is our Treasure which we will not let go the Faith once delivered to the Saints To put you upon this I might encourage you with several things all the Reasons mentioned as are so many Motives to this holy spiritual contention Shall I tell you of three words further 1. The mercy of Gods delivering the Truth to you should engage you to this holy contention 't is such a mercy as is a non-such mercy Psalm 147. the two last Verses He that hath given his Iudgements to Iacob and his Statutes to Israel He hath not dealt sâ—… with every Nation How many of the greatest part of those that we call Christians in the world are put like Sampson to grinde among the Philistims Superstition Popery Idolatry Will-worship such things as Jesus Christ never delivered to his Saints having both their eyes out the Scripture light that should have shewed them the truth taken from them and their Consciences that should teach them carried in the pocket of some base Priest that dare not think any other then what he will tell them How many are there even of the very reformed of the world who onely get upon some broken plank of Ship-wrackt truth whereby they swim to the Lord Jesus But God does not deal thus with us you have had the whole Counsel of God revealed to you a glorious light set up in the Nation for a hundred of years past which hath been like the light of seven dayes for these twenty years past the running to fro of men hath increast knowledge you have learned the truth from Gods faithful Ministers you have received it with much affliction with many temptations it hath cost Jesus Christ dear to send it it hath cost you dear to receive it and will you let it go Your sin above all others will be most provoking to the Lord Jesus 2. I might tell you that 't is a time wherein many let go the faith and methinks the Lord Jesus does by his poor unworthy messenger speak to this great Congregation as sometime he did to his Apostles Will ye also go away There are many that have been forward and eminent professors of the faith delivered to the Saints that have made ship-wrack of faith and good conscience will you split upon the same rock God hath kept the truth for you and kept you in the truth hitherto and is coming to see whether you will leave it and keep it or no. We have been sucking at the breasts of the Ordinances and dandled upon the Knees of providence and gone on in a smooth way of profession but what will you do now when you must come possibly to suffer persecution for it to keep the faith you may lose your Liberty Life Estate And there 's a great deal of hazard upon this account because it hath pleased God so to dispose it as that those that should be your guides into truth the Lord is removing them into corners Possibly while they have been with you you have kept the faith but what will you do when they are gone While Moses was with the people they cleaved to the Lord when once he was gone into the Mount they fell to their Idolatry and worshipped a Calf While Paul was at Ephesus the flock was kept pure but saith he I know after my departure grievous Wolves shall break in not sparing the flock c. So while you have heard of God who sends voices and warnings to scare away the Wolves and Foxes from you possibly you may keep the faith but what will you do when God removes them 3. God hath ever had in all ages of his Church a word of his Patience to be kept to try his Saints and therefore it does concern you for to be valiant for the truth In all the series of Gods dispensations with his Church there hath been something or other of the faith of Christ that hath cost them resisting to blood to sacrifice their lives to lay down all that they have for it by suffering Now even as they so we if not in the same thing yet in the same faith we have still some word or other of Gods patience to keep therefore we need to have on the Armour of Light you must wrestle with the fierie Tryal for there is some Jewel that Jesus Christ puts upon you to wear that Persecutours Persecutions 〈◊〉 Hereticks will scratch at which you must hold out with loâ—…s of life to keep and this must be till the latter part of the rage and reign of Antichrist is out and even as you keep that so will God keep you Rev. 3. 10. As you honour the word of Gods patience so God will honour you As you are faithfull to him so will he give you the Crown and no otherwise Hence therefore it concerns us all to be armed with a holy confidence and resolution as to this spiritual warfare in contending for the faith delivered to us But the great thing I shall speak to is Wherein may Christians be helped in this holy strugling and contenâ—…ion I shall onely mention five or six things some to fit you for it others to help you in the management of it I shall name them mixtly and not distinct Rule 1. First bring all Doctrines that are offered you to believe and all Practices that are put upon you to practise to the Scriptures the word of God try them there whether they be to be retained or to be rejected You will have this double advantage by it 1. To discover what is right and what is wrong 2. To have on the best part of your Armour whereby to contend against it 1. To discover what is right and what is wrong for the Scripture alone is the Touchstone of Doctrines and the Tryal of Spirits The Scripture does discover it self and doth discover all things that are contrary to it when you are bidden to try all things 't is not by practising all things as some poor giddy-headed Christians of late dayes have done