not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time that thou maist be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal 17.1 Hear the Right O Lord attend unto my Cry give ear unto my Prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest Praiers unto thee shall all flesh come Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his Heritage He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth V. 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal 50.15 And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Dan 9.14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth for we obeyed not his voice Mat. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 21. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven 1 John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God V. 14. And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us V. 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions we desired of him Psal 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Eph. 6.18 Praying alwaies with all praier and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honesty Jam 5.16 Confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent praier of a righteous man availeth much Maâ— 5.44 But I say unto you love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you 2 Sam. 7.29 Therefore now let it please thee to blesse the House of thy Servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the House of thy servant be blessed for ever 1 John 5.16 If any man see his Brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto unto death there is a sin unto death I do not say he shall pray for it Gen. 18.27 And Abraham answered and said behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Luke 18.13 And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eies unto Heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner V. 14. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Job 22.27 Thou shalt make thy praier unto him and he shall hear thee aad thou shalt pay thy vowes 1 Sam. 1.15 And Hannah answered and said no my Lord I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Mark 11.24 Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting Mat. 26.39 And he went a little farther and fell on his face and praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but praier was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Mat. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Luke 11.2 And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done as in Heaven so in earth Thanksgiving Col. 3.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Heb. 13.15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Psal 67.2 That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations V. 3. Let the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee Psal 86.12 I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy Name for evermore V. 13. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Hell Psal 103.1 Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name V. 2. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all
his appearing CHAP. XIX Directions to the Healthy and to the Sick LET such as enjoy health of body the right use of their understandings entirenesse of limbs and senses humbly blesse God for so great a mercy Few people value their health enough 'T is an ancient saying He that is in health is rich and knowes it not Want would teach us the worth of mercies Let such therefore often call to mind and consider how many distracted diseased maimed deformed people there are in the world and 't is Gods peculiar mercy that they are not such or worse Let this consideration make them very humble and thankful Let them be often lifting up their hearts to the Lord and saying with holy David What shall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits towards me Psal 116.12 Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me blesse his holy Name Blesse the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits Psal 103.1 2. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give glory Psal 115.1 And let their main care be in time of health to work out their Salvation to secure their state in Grace and their title to Glory and to lay a good foundation against the time of sickness 'T is sad exceeding sad when a dying person is then to be instructed in those Graces he should now exercise He that prepares not for death before his last sickness as one saies well is like him that begins to study Philosophy when he is going to dispute publickly in the faculty In health while a man has a right and steady use of his reason before the Acts of his understanding are disturbed with pain or his mind clouded or his heart annoyed with fear and amazement he should apply himself to learn this great Art and Skill how to die well Let the following Directions therefore that are given to the sick be carefully minded and regarded by them that are in health To turn to God in health to seek reconciliation with him in and through Christ to devote and consecrate our hearts then to him to walk in a steady course of sincere obedience before him and to do all this out of judgment and choice out of love to God and a desire to please him before death seem to make any neer approach unto us will be a huge argument of sincerity and a great foundation of comfort when sickness attaches us Whereas they that are negligent and carelesse of these things must needs run themselves upon such desperate hazards and such great incertainties that a wise and considering man would not for all the world be in their condition Directions to the Sick There is hardly any thing wherein a Minister is at a greater losse than what to say to sick persons the condition of most being such that they need a serious awakening and rouzing out of the deep sleep of carnal security and to be made sensible of the great danger they are in as to their everlasting state But while we do this the sick party and those that attend are apt to think we go about to drive them to despair not understanding the true nature thereof For to despair I mean utterly and finally is this when a man shall conclude that his sins are greater than cna be forgiven that God is irreconcileable to him and therefore 't is in vain to set himself to repent or humble his soul or turn from his sins but seeing his condition is desperate resolves to go on in his former course to enjoy the pleasures of sin here while he may have them seeing when this life is done nothing remaines for him but certain damnation Such a man as this may be truly said to despair But for any person to be so awakened as to see himself for the present in a lost condition and under the wrath and curse of God by reason of his sins to see his own utter inability to help himself to be enquiring and earnestly sollicitous what he must do to be saved to have his heart full of doubts and fears and troubles concerning the state of his soul this is such a despair as is usually the forerunner of a saving conversion And therefore for people that have spent their time in sin and vanity in ignorance and worldlinesse in living to themselves and to the flesh and have never felt any work of Grace upon their hearts nor ever have been truly humbled under an apprehension of the evil and danger of their sins to expect a Minister should speak comfort to them is to desire to be sooth'd and flattered to their own destruction The Directions therefore I think needful for sick persons are these following I. Let them consider that no sicknesse disease or distemper of body comes by chance but by the wise and orderly guidance of the hand of God that 't is his messenger and sent by him unto them And therefore let them hear the rod and who hath appointed it Micah 6.9 II. Let them set themselves before the Tribunal of Christ before whom they may for ought they know shortly appear And let them consider he is a Judge that cannot be deceived nor will be mocked That he is just as well as merciful righteous as well as gracious and all their sins original and actual of omission of commission against the Law and against the Gospel against mercies against judgments against promises and vowes of better obedience all their sinfull thoughts and sinfull affections and motions of their hearts all their sinful words and sinfull actions with the several aggravations of all these are known unto him yea their secretest sins are set in the light of his countenance III. Let them seriously examine themselves and put these six questions home to their Consciences First What abiding sense they have had upon their hearts in the whole course of their lives of their own vilenesse and wretchednesse by nature the odiousnesse and defilement of their sins their just desert of wrath their natural impotency and inability to good their pronenesse to evil Whether they have ever been deeply sensible of the darknesse of their minds stubbornnesse of their wils deceitfulnesse of their hearts inordinatenesse of their affections sinfulnesse of their practise If they have what effects has the consideration of these things produced what sorrow what fear has been stirred in them What course has it put them upon for remedy What industry have they used what pains have they taken to be delivered out of this miserable estate Let their Consciences have liberty to speak freely to them and to tell them the truth whether ever they have been affected in any considerable degree with these things or no. Secondly Whether they ever rightly apprehended what are the conditions of the new Covenant the Covenant of Grace Most will grant Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ are necessary to salvation but then their apprehensions and conceptions are different
that I am he ye shall die in your sins Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved John 14.6 Jesus saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me John 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Gal. 1.6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel V. 7. Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ V. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye beleeved ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise V. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his Glory Eph. 2.4 But God who is rich in mercy for his great love where-with he loved us V. 5. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by Grace ye are saved 2 Cor. 4.13 We having the same Spirit of Faith according as it is written I beleeved and therefore have I spoken we also beleeve and therefore speak Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 1.23 But we preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishnesse V. 24. But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdome of God 1 Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ Concerning Repentance Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand for to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sins Mat. 4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say repent for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Mark 1.14 Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome of God V. 15. And saying the time is fullfilled and the Kingdome of God is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 20.20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publikely and from house to house V. 21. Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 26.19 Wherefore O King Agrippa I was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision V. 20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus and at Jerusalem and throughout all the Coasts of Judea and then to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy 1 John 1.9 If we confesse our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Josh 7.19 And Joshua said unto Achan my son give I pray thee Glory to the Lord God of Israel and make confession unto him and tell me now what thou hast done hide it not from me Acts 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life Ezek 18.30 Therefore will I judge you O house of Israel every one according to his waies saith the Lord God repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine V. 31. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O House of Israel Ezek. 36.31 Then shall ye remember your owne evil ways and your doings that were not good and shall loath your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations V. 32. Not for your sakes do I this saith the Lord God be it known unto you he ashamed and confounded for your owne waies O house of Israel Joel 2.12 Therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning V. 13. And rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of the evil 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort what carefulnesse it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things ye have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent Luke 13.3 I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Acts 17 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men every where to repent V. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Isa 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 1.16 Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil c. V. 18. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as wool Luke 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance Heb. 6.1 Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of Faith towards God Luke 17.3 Take heed to your selves if thy brother trespasse against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him V 4. And if he trespasse against thee seaven times in a day and seaven times in a day
are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your Spirit which are Gods Rom. 2.6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds V. 7. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and immortality eternal Life V. 8. But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the Truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath V. 9. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile Mat. 16.24 Then said Jesus unto his Disciples if any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Crosse and follow me 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the Grace of God we have had our Conversation in the world and more abundantly to you-wards Isa 38.3 And said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight And Hezekiah wept sore Acts 24.16 And herein do I exercise my self to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men Tit. 2.11 For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men V. 12. Teaching us that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world V. 13. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ V 14. Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works these things are good and profitable unto men Mat. 5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Mat. 22.36 Master which is the great Commandement of the Law V. 37. Jesus said unto him thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all soul and with all thy mind V. 38. This is the first and great Commandement V. 39. And the second is like unto it thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self V. 40. On these two Commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets Mark 12.32 And the Scribe said unto him well Master thou hast said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but he V. 33. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength and to love his neighbour as himself is more than all whole burnt offering and sacrifice Rom. 3.31 Do we then make void the Law through Faith God forbid yea we establish the Law CHAP. V. Of Communion with God 5. LAbour to maintain a daily close Communion with God in these particulars following 1. Awake with God in the morning 2. Forget not to poure forth thy soul in secret prayer and praise before him 3. Read the Scriptures 4. Live continually as in the sight and view of God 5. Live by Faith 6. Observe all the passages of his Providence towards thee 7. Be continually watchful First Awake with God in the morning When I awake I am still with thee sais holy David Psal 139.8 The morning is an embleme of the Resurrection when our bodies shall awake from the sleep of death and that long day shall arise upon us that shall never have any night O how shouldst thou then when sleep fals from thine eyes lift up thy soul in praises and thanksgivings to the Lord for his gracious Providence over thee in the night season Had not he been exceeding gracious thou mightst have slept the sleep of death and from the darknesse of the night been sent away into outer darknesse Let not the commonnesse of this mercy diminish but the continualness of it rather encrease thy thankfulnesse O when thy body awakens how shouldst thou awaken and stirre up thy soul also to some holy and pious Ejaculations such as the sweet Singer of Israel used to send up to God O Lord thou art my God early will I seek thee I laid me down and slept and thou hast sustained me I have been safe under the shadow of thy wings thy faithfulnesse and truth have been my shield and buckler And now Lord lift up the Light of thy Countenance upon me instruct me in the way wherein I should go and guid me with thine eye Teach me thy way O Lord and I will walk in thy Truth O knit my heart to thee that I may fear thy Name And hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Let me walk circumspectly this day redeeming the time Let my soul put on the Lord Jesus and be clothed with the white robe of his righteousnesse and adorn me with the saving Graces of thy holy Spirit c. After some such pious ejaculations sent up to the Throne of Grace labour to get thy heart possessed with deep strong and powerful apprehensions and impressions of Gods holinesse Majesty Omni-presence Omniscience Consider with reverence and humbly admire and adore his glorious wisdome his almighty power his gracious Providence his truth and faithfulnesse and especially his tender love and mercy in Christ Jesus And if such thoughts as these make strong and deep impressions in thy mind in the morning thou art the more like to be in the fear of God all the day after and to have thy mind possessed both with reverential and delightful thoughts of his Majesty Psal 139.18 When I awake I am still with thee Job 7.17 What is man that thou shouldest magnifie him and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him V. 18. And that thou shouldst visit him every morning and try him every moment Lam. 3.22 It is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not V. 23. They are new every morning great is thy faithfulnesse V. 24. The Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore I will hope in him V. 25. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him to the soul that seeketh him Psal 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon the Earth that I desire besides thee Eph. 5.14 Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee Light Rom. 13.11 And that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation neerer than when we believed V. 12. The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darknesse and let us put on the
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you 1 Cor. 7.35 This I speak for your own profit that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction Psal 119.49 Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal 25.10 All the paths of the â—ord are mercy and truth to such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Psal 89.33 Neverthelesse my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Psal 62.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanity 2 Chron. 14.8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and speares out of Judah three hundred thousand and out of Benjamin that bare shields and drew bowes two hundred and fourscore thousand all these were mighty men of valour V. 11. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God for we rest on thee and in thy Name we go against this multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevail against thee 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God! wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eies are upon thee Rom. 4.19 And being not weak in Faith he considered not his own body now dead when he was about one hundred years old neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb Psal 73.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staied on thee because he trusteth in thee Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeieth the voice of his servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Psal 1â— 14 The poor committeth himself unto thee thou art the helper of the Fatherlesse Psal 62.5 My soul wait thou only upon God for my expectation is from him V. 6. He only is my rock and my salvation he is my defence I shall not be moved 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the Glory of God by us Josh 21.45 There fail'd not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to passe Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Mat. 6 30. Wherefore if God so cloath the grasse of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the Oven shall he not much more cloath you O ye of little Faith Psal 34.9 O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him V. 10. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 84.11 For the Lord is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Isa 54.17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse is of me saith the Lord. 2 Chron. 16.9 For the eies of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him John 11.40 Jesus saith unto her said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the Glory of God Sixthly Observe all the passages of his Providence towards thee whether of justice or mercy Take notice of every frown and every smile from God and that will much direct thee how to order thy services of praier and praise and teach thee submission to his holy will Many duties depend on the consideration and taking notice of Gods Providential dispensations How blame worthy then are they that do not care to observe or regard the works of God Certainly it is our duty to observe and acknowledge Gods soveraignty and dominion in the world and over all events here below not a sparrow not a hair fals to the ground without our Heavenly Father And where we cannot understand the waies of God let us with an humble reverence believe and admire the wisdome of them The deep and unsearcheable waies of God are not to be judged before the Tribunal of mans reason Labour therefore to get a firm belief of this great truth setled in thy soul that God governs all humane affairs and thou wilt find it of great efficacy against those damps and dejections of mind that in afflictions we are too prone unto and it will be a singular antidote against all murmurings and repinings How did this consideration quiet and compose the heart of old Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord. And David on the same account saies I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it Psal 39.9 So when a sore and terrible affliction fell upon Aaron his two sons Nadab and Abihu being consumed by fire from Heaven all that the Scripture reports of his carriage and demeanour is this And Aaron held his peace Lev. 10.3 As therefore thou art dilgently to observe and mind Gods Providential dispensations towards thee so remember it is thy duty and ought to be the posture of thy Spirit that whatever he takes from thee or whatever he does unto thee perfectly and absolutely to submit to his will Remember there is no resisting the Almighty Shall a Grashopper contend with an Eagle Shall we that are wormes contend with our maker If we consider our sinfulnesse and guilt we have reason to admire he afflicts us no more If as the unjust steward in the Gospel for one hundred set down but fifty so if God for an hundred stripes due to us inflicts but fifty nay but ten have we not reason to be patient and to say He punisheth lesse than our iniquities deserve Labour therefore to be patient under his hand Murmuring and repining does but increase our guilt and provoke God to double our punishment The Parent takes up the child for whimpering and crying as well as for any other fault not patiently to let God have his will is the way to beg another
nor from the rebukes and scourgings of an awakened Conscience which are no small punishments 3. Let it be thy care to suppresse and crush bad thoughts at the very first rising Do not at all consent or comply with them but abhor and abandon them presently and cry out unto the Lord for help against them Take heed of representing or acting sin in thy thoughts If thou wouldst keep thy soul pure beware of speculative sinfulness 4. Be carefull to have a stock of good materials alwaies in readinesse for thy thoughts to work upon Have some good subjects ready to present and offer to thy mind to entertain thy thoughts with A good man hath a good treasure in his heart out of which he bringeth forth good things Mat. 12.35 Let thy mind therefore have alwaies some good heads to meditate on As the evil and danger of sin the necessity of conversion thy absolute need of Christ the vanity of the creature the shortnesse and uncertainty of this life the everlastingness of thy future state c. 5. Avoid Idlenesse and allow not thy self in melancholy If thou dost not employ thy mind about that which is good it will busie it self about evil The mind of man if it be not well emploied will be ranging and roving all over the world and will be intent on things it should not The spirit of man is active and restlesse 'T is like a mill it will be either grinding of that which is put into it or else working upon it self wearing and wearying it self in foolish fruitless and unconcerning thoughts Idlenesse is a grand occasion of impure and impertinent thoughts 'T is the devils hour in which he takes advantage to fill and defile mans mind with wicked suggestions and melancholy disposeth the mind to strange absurd incoherent unreasonable imaginations to many sad perplexing afflicting thoughts Man disquieteth himself in vain saith the Psalmist Psal 39.6 framing many imaginary evils and grievances to himself which God hath not really laid upon him Let it be thy care therefore to keep thy mind well employed either in the duties of Piety or the works of thy particular calling When thou dost relax thy mind at any time from being intent on serious things for thy necessary refreshment be careful to allow thy self onely in innocent cheerfulnesse When the loines of thy mind are ungirt and thy thoughts let loose to run at random and have not Conscience set over them as a Governour thou art in great danger of sinning against God 6. Do not cumber thy self with too much worldly businesse that will overcharge thy mind with solicitude and force too many earthly thoughts upon it it will fill thee with distracting disturbing thoughts and torturing cares When Martha was careful and troubled about many things she neglected the one thing necessary Luke 10.41 42. 7. Leâ—rn to spiritualize earthly objâ—cts and to raise holy meditations from them This will be an excellent and advantageous employment for thy mind This was our blessed Saviours practise and canst thou follow a better example 8. Learn to divert and put by bad thoughts by introducing and bringing in some good thoughts that are contrary to them into their roomes Thus overcome evil thoughts by good thoughts If self magnifying thoughts come in bring in self abasing If distrustful put thy soul upon thinking of Gods Faithfulness If revengefull think how much thou needest forgivenesse from God Thus let one wedge drive out another 9. Beg of God to new mould thy mind and to put it into such an holy and heavenly frame that it may be fit to produce good thoughts as a good tree doth bring forth good fruit Beg that Grace may be the Law of thy mind Rom. 7.23 Pray earnestly act Faith and put thy trust in the power and promise of God for the casting down of all sinful imaginations in thy soul and subduing thy thoughts to the obedience of Christ 10. If thou wouldst keep bad thoughts out of thy mind be ready to entertain the gracious motions of the blessed Spirit of God Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me O do not grieve this holy Spirit do not repell so blessed a guest who knocks at thy heart in many a sermon and by many a providence and sues for entrance that he may make thee happy What! shall the devil with his wicked suggestions be let in and shall the King of glory with his train of Graces be shut out O let it not be 11. Remember that if thou willingly entertainest and lodgest in thy mind wicked thoughts now and diest in an impenitent and unconverted state thy thoughts will be thy executioners and tormenters in Hell As light as thou makest of evil thoughts now they will then prey upon thy soul as so many vultures and be a never-dying worm in thy Conscience And the more to quicken thee to practise these directions Consider This will be a great argument of thy sincerity and of the truth of Grace in thee if thou art conscientiously watchfull over thy thoughts Many restraints lie upon the outward man to over-awe it and keep it from evil but the power of Grace does then much appear when it commands the inward man and laies restraints upon our thinking faculty that we dare not allow our selves in any sinful thoughts Psal 119.97 Oh how love I thy Law it is my meditation all the day V. 113. I hate vain thoughts but thy Law do I love Mat. 12.35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things Mat. 15.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts murders adulteries fornications thefts false witness blasphemies V. 20. These are the things that defile a man Isa 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Psal 63.5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips V. 6. When I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches Psal 94.11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity Jer. 4.14 O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Psal 49.11 Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever their dwelling places to all generations they call their lands after their own names Psal 119.59 I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy testimonies Prov. 16.3 Commit thy workes unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established Prov. 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Secondly Watch over thy
sing Davids Psalms 3. Answer the Objections made against it 4. Give some Rules and Directions how Christians may practise this Ordinance to the Glory of God and to their own great benefit and spiritual advantage For the First Singing of Psalms was once an Ordinance of God in the Church and a part of Divine Worship and never repealed under the Gospel Psal 95.1 2. O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to him with Psalms And 't is sorted with other duties that are of a perpetual obligation as Prayer Hearing the Word c. v. 6. 7. 'T was practised by those eminent Saints of God Moses Deborah Barak David the sweet Singer of Israel Solomon and others whose Songs and Hymnes we have recorded in the old Testament 2. The Prophesies in Scripture that foretel the state of the Church under the Gospel do speak of Psalms to be used as a part of Gods Worship and Service then Compare Rom. 15.9 with Psal 18.49 Rom. 15.9 And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy as it is written for this cause I will confesse to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy Name Psal 18.49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee O Lord among the Heathen and sing praises unto thy Name 3. We have several exhortations to it in the New Testament Eph. 5.18 And be not drunk with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit V. 19. Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymnes and Spiritual Songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spirituall Songs singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord. Jam. 5.13 Is any among you afflicted let him pray is any merry let him sing Psalms 'T is spoken generally Is any merry let him sing c. not that it is unlawful to sing at other times for then it might be argued as well that 't is not lawful to pray but when sad but as prayer is the best remedie for sorrowes so thanksgiving or singing to Gods praise is the proper duty in the time of Mercies and Comforts In Misery the proper duty is prayer In Prosperity giving thanks 4. We have Directions and Rules given us how to sing in a right manner Namely with Grace in our hearts unto the Lord Which directions were needlesse if singing of Psalms were not a duty under the Gospel 5. We find it practised by our blessed Saviour and his Disciples Mat. 26.30 And when they had sung an Hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives And by Paul and Silas Acts 16.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them 6. In the primitive times it was frequently practised insomuch that the Heathens took notice of this use and custome among the Christians Pliny writing to Trajan the Emperor tels him of the Christians morning Hymns or Psalms to Christ and God as an usual practise in their solemn Worship I come now to the Second thing That 't is lawful and warrantable to sing Davids Psalms 1. Because no composures can be equal to those of Gods Spirit If any Psalms therefore are to be sung then surely such as are given by Divine inspiration as Davids were Those excellent composures being part of the Word of God and full of Heavenly matter tending to instruction and consolation and being consigned to the use of the Church ought to be preferr'd before the composures of private persons ordinarily gifted and not infallibly assisted Observe that 2 Chron. 29.30 Moreover Hezekiah the King and the Princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the Seer and they sang praises with gladness As for that extraordinary gift of composing Psalms by the sudden suggestion of the holy Ghost which was given to some of the members of the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14. it is now ceased with other extraordinary gifts as that of Tongues and Healing c. 2. The Apostle in those two places before mentioned Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 by using those three words Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs does seem plainly to point at Davids Psalms for they answer exactly to those three Hebrew words Shirim Tehillim Mizmorim whereby Davids Psalms were called divided and distinguished 3. 'T was the custome of the Jewes to sing some of Davids Psalms in the night of the Passeover as Scalliger Buxtorfius and others skill'd in their customes inform us Those Psalmes were those six from the 113th to the 119th which were call'd the great Hallelujah And 't is more than probable Christ with his Disciples followed their custome herein because in other things he observed their usual Passeover Rites I come now to the Third thing to answer the Objections usually made against this duty Obj. 1. Some scruple to sing in a mixt Congregation where wicked men joyn that praise not God in a right manner Ans To render praises is a duty all men owe to God David cals on all creatures to sing praises to God Psal 145. And all the Kingdomes of the Earth are bidden to praise the Lord Psal 68.32 Though therefore wicked men do not praise God as they should yet they sin more in not doing it at all then in not doing it in a right manner 2. In Exod. 15. We find Moses and the Children of Israel sang praises to God together And yet surely there were some wicked persons among them Paul in the ship Acts 27.35 gave thanks to God before Infidels and professed Heathens If the presence of wicked men should hinder the acceptation of those that are sincere the people of God were in a most sad condition being never certain but some secret Hypocrite may be in the most pick'd Assembly But the best is God will accept us according to our integrity not our company God will hear the bleating of one sheep though in the midst of a thousand wolves If the wicked take the Name of God in vain sin lies at their own doors We warn them against it If they do not their duties as they should must we therefore neglect ours Obj. 2. Why should we sing Psalms Cannot we read them for our instruction Ans Singing will affect and raise and quicken the heart to praise God more than reading The voice is a great matter to quicken our hearts both in prayer and singing The people of God formerly did not think it enough to say what God had done for them but they did sing it that their hearts might be more affected warmed raised enlivened and lifted up in the praises of God Obj. 3. Some are offended we sing on daies of fasting and humiliation Ans All Psalms are not fit for all occasions There ought to
state of corruption to a state of Glory Would we enter into Glory let us labour to secure our state in Grace Grace and Glory do not differ specifically but gradually When a soul is brought into a state of saving Grace it is entred into a state of Glory For as God hath prepared Heaven for his children so he prepares his children for Heaven Grace is the Nursery of Glory As the plants of righteousness grow fit for Heaven they are removed to Heaven and shall be for ever with the Lord. O Lord prepare and fit my soul for this new Jerusalem into which no unclean thing can enter Give me true repentance for all my sins and wash away the guilt of them in the blood of thy dear Son my Lord and Saviour Sanctifie me throughout both in soul and body by thy Grace and holy Spirit and enable me to glorifie thee in this life that I may hereafter enter into thy Kingdom into that eternal state of Glory bliss and purity O let me not have my portion in this life but when thou sendest for me out of this world by death Lord receive my soul for thy free mercy and my Saviours merits sake into those Heavenly mansions where there is fulnesse of joy and pleasures at thy right hand for evermore Amen John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle be dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Col. 1.12 Giving thankes unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Heb. 10.34 For ye took joyfully the spoyling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 12.22 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels V. 23. To the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just men made perfect 1 Thes 4.17 And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Heb. 6.19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vail V. 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entred even Jesus made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek Mat. 25.23 His Lord said unto him well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 2 Cor. 12.4 How that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter Luke 16.22 And it came to passe that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Heb. 11.10 For he looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God 1 Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 1 Pet. 5.4 And when the chief Shephard shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Glory be to God in the highest On earth peace Good will towards men FINIS BOOKS Printed for and are to be sold by JOHN ROTHWEL at the Fountain and Bear in Cheap-side A Mr. AInsworth Arrow against Idolatry in fol. 12 Dr. Ames Cases of conscience Engl. Marrow of Divinity 4 On Peter 4 D. Arrowsmith Tactica Sacra sive de milite spirituali pugnante Vincente Triumphante Annotations on the Bible by the Dutch Ministers fol. Assembly Confes Catechism large and small in 4 with Scriptures at large B M. Bradshaw Sin against the H. Ghost 12 M. Bridges Babylons downfal 4 M. Bohemus on 100 Scriptures opened 8 M. Broxolme on Perkins Six Principles 8 M. Bucklers Assize Sermon C M. Church Miscelanies of the Attributes of God The Creatures of God 4 Good mans Treasury 12 Of Ejaculations 12 His Golden Sayings 12 Pocket companion 12 M. Culverwells Light of nature 4 White stone alone 8 M. Clark Of Persecution and Lives of Ministers folio M. Cravens Catechisme 8 M. Cotton of singing of Psalmes 4 Catechising and Conference by the Ministers of the Isle of Wight D M. Dales Shepherdizing of Lambs 8 D. Drake De sanguine 4 M. Dyke of Epping His Right Receiving of Christ 8 Safety in case of danger 8 Select Sermons of Quenching the Spirit and Pardon of sin c. 8 F Mr Fenner of Affections 4 Of Conscience 4 Alarm for drousie Saints 4 Wilful Impenitency 4 Catechism On the Creed Lords Prayer Ten Commandments M. Ford of Baptism Catechising and first Fruits of Davids Government 8 His Catechise against the Anabaptists G Germany Lamentations Octavo Invasion Octavo Prodigies Octavo H M. Hughes Of Affliction the benefit of it 4 Funeral Sermon 4 Parliament Sermon 4 M. Hooks New-Englands Tears 4 New-Englands Sense 4 M. How of Universal Redemption 4 Pagan Preacher silenced 4 M. Haines Grammar 8 M. Hanmer Of Confirmation L M. Lockier Balm for bleeding England and Ireland 8 Communion of Church Militant Discovery of Sincerity 8 Olive Leafe 8 Parliament Sermon 4 Englands Wounds 4 Love Grace with its different degrees 8 Zealous Christian 4 Heavens Glory and Hels Terror 4 Effectual Calling 4 Combat between the Flesh and Spirit 4 Directory of a Christian 4 The Penitent Pardoned 4 The Dejected Souls Cure Administration of Angels 4 Gods Omni-presence The Sinners Legacy to their posterity 4 By Mr. Calamy By Mr. Whitaker By Mr. Ashe By Mr. Taylor Longland On the four last things Death Judgment Hell and Heaven 12 M M. Milton His Reason of Church-Government 4 Apology for Smectymnuus M. Mathers Catechism 8 Reply to M. Rutherford 4 P M. Pool His Answer to Biddles Denial of the H. Ghost to be God 12 His Vindication of the Ministry 4 A Pacification between the Lutheran and Reformed Churches 8 M. Perrot The Scripture Stability R Bp. Richardson his choice Observations on the Old Testament as a supplement to the large Annot. fol. M Robouroâ—gh against Goodwin about Justification 4 Mâ— Robinson Christ is all in all 4 M. Ruttons Sermon before the Lord Mayor S Smectymnuus redivivus first and second Parts about Episcopacy and Presbytery 4 M. Shepherd on the Sabbath with Cases of Conscience 8 Of Subjection to Christ 8 On the Parab of the 10 Virg. 4 D. Sibbs Miracle of Miracles 4 Glorious feast of the Gospel 4 His Glance of Heaven 12 Spiritual mans aim 12 His Charter of a Christian 12 Conference between Christ and Mary after his Resurrect 12 On 2. Epist Cor. Chap. 4. 4 D. Stoughtons Sermons in his younger years 4 His form of sound words with the righteous mans plea to true Happinesse 4 Heavenly conversation Two Sermons 12 D. Seaman of Ordination 4 His Solomons choice 4 Head of the Church 4 Glasse for the times 4 Mrs. Scots exemplary life and death drawn up by several Minist T Thaesaurus Poeticus 12 D. Tuckney Balm for Gilead 12 Death disarmed A Sermon at D Hills Funeral 12 None but Christ 12 M. Tutty Funeral Sermon V M. Venning Orthodox Parodoxes 8 New Command octavo Mysteries Revelat. octavo Milk and Honey Second Part. octavo Warning to Backslid octavo Way to Heaven 4 octavo Sermon on the 5th of November W Wise Virgin A Narrative of Gods dealing with a child of eleven years of age and her gracious speeches in time of her affliction Published by three Ministers 8 M. Whitlock and M Reinolds Funeral Sermon of Francis Pierpointe Esq
a malicious thing to endeavour to save a soul from sin and Hell 10. Take heed of prejudices against a strict and holy walking with God The Lord deliver you from that mad opinion of the world that like not serving God so much nor making so much ado to be saved Consider is there any thing in the world doth better deserve your care and diligence and will better pay you for it I know carnal people think the way of Religion a melancholick and sad way But I must not spare to tell them the truth They will never live a truly safe peaceable and comfortable life till they are converted and have engaged their hearts in an humble holy walking with God They ignorantly flee from Godlinesse as from sorrow and trouble but the truth is they flee from joy and peace What should trouble that man that is a member of Christ and has escaped out of the power of Satan and is freed from the wrath of God and the danger of everlasting misery O Neighbours let not the ignorant scorns and senselesse reproaches of wicked men discourage you He that hath good grounds to believe that he shall live for ever in Glory With God and his holy Angels as soon as his soul parts from his body I think is a happy man and so will be acknowledged by every one that has not lost his reason and understanding There is a time coming when the proudest and most stubborn sinner will be glad to change condition with the meanest Saint Let me therefore intreat all those that have entertain'd any hard thoughts of the waies of Godlinesse but to make triall what a holy life is and if they do not find more comfort in a serious turning unto God and in a sincere endeavour to approve their hearts unto him then in the waies of sin let them take their course let Heaven go 11. Nourish and maintain a tendernesse of Conscience Be very circumspect in your daily walking Look upon sin as the greatest evil Make up every breach between God and your souls betimes Pray earnestly for the guidance of the Spirit of God and to be kept from Temptations 12. Have a care of your Families that true Piety and Godlinesse may be countenanced encouraged and promoted in them Let your houses be Bethels houses of God and not Beth-avens houses of iniquity If you neglect family-duties and the religious observation of the Lords day and private instruction and so let those under your care be nuzled up in ignorance prophanenesse and ungodlinesse provide to answer it to God when he shall call for you Remember I faithfully warned you of the sin and danger of such neglects I cannot expect Religion should ever much thrive among us till Governours of Families be careful to train up those under their Government in the Principles of true Piety and in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Lastly Labour to maintain peace and love among your selves Mark 9.50 Have salt in your selves and peace one with another Labour to get your hearts seasoned with the graces of humility self-denial and true Charity and this will keep you in peace among your selves Let there be no heart-burnings contentions brawlings backbitings or defamings heard of among you Help one another on towards heaven Imitate that which is good wherever you find it but learn evil of no man Encourage one another in the waies of Godlinesse Abhor to draw or intice one another to any sinfull course or practise Do all offices of kindnesse and humanity one for another As you have opportunity let it be your desire and endeavour to do good to every body hurt to no body Learn that hard lesson of forgiving wrongs and injuries and praying for and wishing well to those that are your enemies 'T is a hard lesson but Gods Spirit can teach it you Remember our Saviours Words in Matth. 6.14 15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses And the words of the Apostle Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long-suffering V. 13. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye V. 14. And above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectnesse V. 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful I shall conclude with that divine and affectionate exhortation of the same Apostle Phil. 4.8 Fâ—nally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things And now O Lord thou who hast put into the heart of thy unworthy servant to write these things for the good of this people be thou pleased by the gracious and effectuall working of thy holy Spirit to make them useful to them and to all others into whose hands they shall come for the promoting knowledge Faith and obedience among them and the furthering of their salvation What is here agreeable to thy holy Will write upon their hearts O let it not be in vain that this help is afforded them Grant successe I humbly beseech thee to this poor endeavour and take thou all the Glory Good Lord give this people a right understanding in all things Guide them in the way wherein they should go to attain eternal life Open the eyes of the ignorant among them turn the hearts of the prophane reduce the erroneous and encrease thy Graces daily more and more in the hearts of those whom thou hast savingly wrought upon O let thy blessing be on this people God Almighty blesse them Let Truth and Holinesse reall Piety and the power of Godlinesse Let soundnesse of mind and uprightnesse of heart and life let true Faith and fervent love let charity and good works through the operation of thy holy Spirit abound among them That so living here in thy fear and serving their generation according to the Will of God they may at last through thy infinite mercy and the merits of our blessed Lord and Saviour be received into thy Heavenly Kingdom This is the earnest and hearty Prayer of Your very affectionate though unworthy Pastor Samuel Cradock Dr. Reynolds his EPISTLE TO THE READERS AS in humane bodies some parts are vital others only integrall some necessary to the being others to the well being integrity and beauty of them So it is in Theologicall Doctrines some are more fundamental and immediatly necessary to life and Godliness others such as do greatly accomplish and adorn Christians that have attained unto them and are of singular use for the edification of
Cephas then of the twelve V. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep V. 7. After that he was seen of James then of all the Apostles V. 12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no Resurrection of the dead V. 14. And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain V. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept 1 Thes 4.14 For if we beleeve that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right Hand of God Ascended into Heaven Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God Luke 24.50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany and he lift up his hands and blessed them V. 51. And it came to passe while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Acts 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight V. 10. And while they looked stedfastly towards Heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparell V. 11. Which also said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him goe into Heaven 1 Pet. 3. â—2 Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and powers being made subject unto him Col. 2.15 And having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it John 14.2 In my Fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you Heb. 6.20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered even Jesus made an high Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led Captivity Captive and gave gifts unto men V. 9. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth V. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast Captivity Captive thou hast received gifts for men John 16.7 Neverthelesse I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you V. 28. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world I leave the world and go to the Father Sits at Gods right Hand Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightness of his Glory and the expresse Image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sat downe on the right hand of the Majesty on high V. 13. But to which of the Angels said he at any time sit on my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy foot stoole Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy footstoole Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the summe We have such an high Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb. 10 12 But this man after he had offered sacrifice for sins sat down on the right hand of God Luke 22.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God Acts 7.55 But Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God V. 56. And said behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Eph. 1.19 According to the working of his mighty power V. 20. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places V. 21. Far above all Principality and power and Might anâ— Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come V. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church Luke 24 26 Ought not Jesus to â—ave suffered these things and to enter into his Glory Heb. 2.9 But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death Crowned with Glory and Honour that he by the Grace of God should tast death for every man Rev. 3 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rom 8.34 Who is he tâ—at condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of tâ—e true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 4.14 Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession V. 16. Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he iâ— able to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that thâ—y may behold my Glory which thou hast given me for thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world Head of the Church Eph. 1 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church V. 23. Which is his body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Eph. 5.23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the body V. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or
the world he declared that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 3. The Angels in Heaven rejoyce at the repentance of a sinner Luke 15.10 Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth 4. Consider who are for thy repentance and who are against it God the Father Son and holy Ghost good Angels and glorified Saints all good Ministers and sincere Christians are for it None but the Devil and his Instruments are against it And which of these two parties wilt thou encline unto 5. Consider 't is not onely a Gospel duty but a Gospel priviledge The Law allowes no place for repentance 'T is an high favour God will pardon us upon our repentance and Faith in his Son 6. Consider All will sooner or later commend true repentance Be not thou one of them that will commend it when it is too late 7. Consider there is no other remedy For Without RepentaÌ„ce t is not consistent 1. With Gods justice we should be pardoned though repentance does not satisfie his justice yet sins unrepented of continued in cannot be pardoned without injustice 2. With his Mercy God is very merciful but 't is to penitent humbled sinners not obdurate impenitent transgressours 3. With the undertaking of Christ who came to call sinners to repentance to seek save those that were lost in their own eies He was exalted to be a Prince a Saviour to give repentance remission of sins Act. 5.31 8. If thou dost seriously and in good earnest repent of all thy sins it will be a great foundation of comfort to thee in time of distress If the Devil in time of temptation or the hour of death shall bring thy sins to thy remembrance and charge them upon thy Conscience to drive thee to despair O what a comfort will it be if thy Conscience can then truly answer though I have been guilty of such and such sins yet through the riches of Gods Grace I have in time of my health particularly humbled my soul for them I have retracted and undone them again by a serious repentance Believe it he that has truly repented of all his sins and has the bent of his heart turned towards God and is walking in a new course of life a steady course of Godlinesse has a surer foundation of comfort in his own soul than if an Angel should come from Heaven and tell him he should be saved Upon all these considerations let me advise thee begging the assistance of the Spirit of God to set upon the speedy practise of this so great so necessary yea so comfortable a duty Let not the deceitfulnesse of sin the cunning of Satan the hope of long life a vain presumption on the Mercy of God or any mistakes or prejudices against the Doctrine of repentance keep the off but laying aside all pretences excuses demurs whatever set upon it seriously and speedily and thou wilt find thereby through the blessing of God abundance of ease comfort satisfaction and settlement to thy Mind and Conscience Psal 32.5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confesse my transgression unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prâ—sper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy 1 John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 9. If we confesse our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Psal 19.12 Who can understand his errours cleanse thou me from secret faults Psal 90.8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all Job 13.26 For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth Psal 38.4 For mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burdeÌ„ they are too heavy for me Job 34.32 That whiâ—h I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Psal 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindnesse according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions V. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin V. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me V. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me V. 7. Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow V. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities V. 10. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me V. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me V. 16. Thou desirest not sacrifice else would I give it thou delightest not in burnt offering V. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise See more Scriptures concerning repentance pag. 102. CHAP. III. Of Faith in Christ. UPon serious consideration of the evil and danger of thy sins renouncing all Confidence in thy self or any thing thou canst do to procure thy pardon and peace with God deliberatly and advisedly betake thy self unto Christ Jesus the only Mediatour and Peace-maker between God and man who once offered up himself a sacrifice on the Crosse for sin and is now in Heaven making intercession and presenting the Merits of his Obedience Sufferings and Death in the behalf of all such who being lost and undone in themselves do flie to him for help and relief and take him for their only Lord and Saviour With judgment and understanding give up thy self to this Saviour Cast thy penitent soul at his feet Rest and rely on him wholly and alone to be justified acquitted and discharged of all thy sins by his Merits to be sanctified by his Spirit to be commanded and disposed of by him and to be enabled by his Grace to persevere in the waies of Truth and Holinesse all thy daies and at last to be brought to Eternal life Intrust all thy hopes of pardon only on him Enter into a real Covenant with him to be for ever his resolving to live and die his faithful Disciple and servant And because really to close with Christ and savingly to believe on him is a matter of such exceeding high Concernment I shall 1. Explain the Nature of it 2. Lay down some Conclusions about it 3. Give some Motives and Incouragements to it Know therefore there is a two-fold Act of Faith 1. Of Adherence 2. Of Assurance I. When a poor sinner doth cast himself wholly on Christ crucified for pardon and life upon the warrant of
do many delude themselves both in the nature of Repentance and Faith never rightly understanding what a repenting frame of heart means nor what it is savingly to beleeve in Christ I desire them therefore to read over once and again those two Chapters concerning Repentance and Faith which are the second and third in this part of the Treatise and to examine themselves thereby that so they may not think they are true penitents and true beleevers when indeed they are not And let them take heed of building their hopes of Heaven upon such deceiving foundations as these now mentioned VI. Ancient persons should redeem the time that yet remaines unto them for the working out of their salvation They have but a little while to stay here and they have a great deal of work to do to retract the sins of a long life and to secure their interest in Christ. They should not content themselves with a little formal devotion and the performance of some few religious duties as too many old people are apt to do They should rid themselves of worldly employments and businesses and the cares of this life as much as they can that so they may have the more time to bestow upon their soules Bernard saies Time were a good commodity in Hell if it were there to be bought Oh how much would the damned give for a little time wherein they might have liberty and power to recover themselves out of that woful state How much then should all of us both young and old prize and improve the time now allowed us to settle the great affairs of our soules before we go hence and be seen no more VII If they have not been well instructed before they shou'd think it no disparagement to apply themseâ—ves to their Minister or some faithfull spiritual guide to be shewed and taught what they must do to be saved If a traveller hath most part of the day been travelling out of his way though it may trouble and vex him at length to understand his errour and wandring yet there is no remedy for it he must enquire and labour to get into the right way at last Let old persons consider knowledge they must have or they will die in a sad condition And therefore let them not stand upon their terms and think instruction only belongs to young people If the old be ignorant the old must be instructed or they will die in their sins And therefore it will be wisdom in all ancient people to associate themselves with the most knowing and experienced Christians that they may thereby benefit their soules and daily grow both in knowledge and Grace VIII They should study to bring much honour and glory to God in their latter daies Tit. 2.1 2. But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in Faith in Charity in patience 1. They should be exemplary in piety and goodness contrary to other trees bringing forth most fruit in their old age Psal 92.14 They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing They should like old Noah be preachers of righteousness to the younger sort exhorting them earnestly to consecrate their youth and best daies to God Multitude of years should teach wisdom as t is Job 32.7 2. They should be very charitable according to the proportion of their estates And not as too many old covetous misers do grasp the world with a dying hand Dan. 4.27 Wherefore O King let my counsel be acceptable unto thee break off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor c. Luke 11.41 But rather give almes of such things as you have and behold all things are clean unto you IX And Lastly They should be often meditating on the four last things and the life to come and make it their great businesse to prepare for their dissolution Tit. 2.1 But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine V. 2. That the aged men be sober grave temperate sound in Faith in Charity in patience V. 3. The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh holinesse not false accusers nor given to much wine teachers of good things V. 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober to love their husbands to love their children V. 5. To be discreet chast keepers at home good obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed Prov. 16.31 The hoary head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse Job 32.7 I said daies should speak and multitude of years should teach wisdom Job 5.26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age like as a shock of Corn cometh in in his season Psal 71.9 Cast me not off in the time of old age forsake me not when my strength faileth V. 18. Now also when I am old and gray headed O God forsake me not c. Isa 46.3 Hearken unto me O House of Jacob and all the remnant of the House of Israel which are born by me from the belly which are carried from the womb V. 4. And even to your old age I am he and even to hoary hairs will I carry you I have made and I will bear even I will carry and will deliver you Job 20.11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth which shall lie down with him in the dust Psal 25.7 Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodnesse sake O Lord. Job 13 26. For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth 2 Sam. 19.35 I am this day fourscore years old and can I discern between good and evil can thy servant tast what I eat or what I drink can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden to my Lord the King Acts 21.16 There went with us also certain of the Disciples of Cesarea and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus an old Disciple with whom we should lodge Psal 92.14 They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint 2 Tim. 4.6 For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand V. 7. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith V 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love
into their Masters joy As the tree falleth so it lieth There is no change to be wrought in man within those flames no purgation of his sins no sanctification of his Nature no justification of his person and therefore no salvation for him Without the mediation of Christ no man shall ever enter into Heaven And when he hath delivered up the Kingdom unto God even the Father then shall the office of the Mediator cease The condition then of the damned is unalterable their condemnation irreversible their torments remediless their miseries eternal See Mr. Manton's excellâ—nt Comment on Jude p. 430. The Reasons hereof are conceived by Divines to be these 1. Because of the greatnesse of the Majesty against whom they have sinned We are finite creatures and so not fit to judge of the nature of an offence against an infinite God The Law-giver best knowes the merit of sin which is the transgression of his Law 2. With man offences of a quick execution are judged to deserve a long punishment and the continuance of the penalty is not measured by the continuance of the Act of sinning therefore no wonder if it be so with God 3. The damned sinned here as long as they could if they had to eternity been allowed to live they would have improved it altogether in sin They would have dallied with God longer grieved his Spirit longer had they lived longer yea dispositively and in respect of their inclinations did so In Hell the desire of sinning is not extinguished nor mortified The damned have not their hearts there changed 4. They despised an eternal happinesse therefore do justly suffer an eternal torment 5. Their obligations to God are infinite and their punishment ariseth according to the greatnesse of their obligations against which they sin'd As the damned therefore shall not be taken from their punishment by annihilation or destruction of their persons so their punishment shall not be taken off from them by any compassion shewed unto them III. We come to consider the dreadfulnesse of the infernal torments Hell is set forth unto us in the Scriptures under sundry dreadful notions viz. By the worm that never dieth and the fire that never goeth out by a lake of fire and brimstone by outer darkness and blackness of darknesse for ever That which is most intelligible concerning the woful state of the damned I conceive may be reduced to these four Heads 1. They shall be tormented with the pain of losse in being for ever banished from the presence of God and the joyes of Heaven 2 Thes 2.9 Being punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2. With the pain of sense inflicted on them by the wrath of God which abideth on them represented to us by a lake of fire In this life if his anger be but kindled a little and a spark of it fly into the Conscience the poor creature is at his wits end But how dreadful will their portion be against whom he stirreth up his fierce wrath Who knowes the power of his anger Ps 90.11 We that cannot endure the gripes of the Cholick the paines of the stone or a violent tooth-ach how can we think of enduring the paines and torments of Hell 3. They shall be tormented with the worm of Conscience that is with a cutting reflexion upon and remembrance of their former enjoyments and by past pleasures Luke 16 2â— Son remember thou in thy life time hadst thy good things or when Conscience shall repeat over the passages of their lives past and set before them their precious time wasted and mispent opportunities of Grace sleighted the folly of their own choice their turning their backs upon eternal life offered in the Gospel their grosse neglect of their souls their eager pursuit of sensual satisfactions their disregarding admonitions stifling convictions quenching the motions of the Spirit of God hating to be reformed O these will be sad woful sad remembrances The scourges of Conscience we meet with here are too great a price for the short pleasure of a brutish lust O then what a raging pain will such reflections as these cause hereafter What will they do that are tormented day and night for ever and ever 4. As they will have a sharp sense and feeling of their present woful state and a bitter discontent and vexation that by their own folly they brought it upon themselves so they will be tormented with despair of ever coming out of it They will see they must continue for ever in this remediless condition under an everlasting pain of loss because there is no hope of Heaven under an eternal pain of sense because there is no meanes to appease the wrath of God which abideth on them And this despair of ever coming out is the very Hell of Hells O wo and alas 't is for ever for ever they must be tormented Drexellius a learned Authour writing upon this Argument hath this awakening passage If God saith he should speak thus to a damned soul let the whole world be filled with sand from the earth to the Empyrean Heaven and then let an Angel come every thousand year and fetch only one grain from that mighty sandy mountain and when that immeasurable heap is so spent and so many thousand years expired I will deliver thee out of Hell and those extream torments That most miserable forlorn wretch notwithstanding that he were to lie through that unconceiveable length of time in those intollerable hellish torments yet upon such a promise would infinitely rejoyce and deem himself not to be damned But alas when all those years are gone there are thousands upon thousands more to be endured even through all Eternity O sad and woful condition O Eternity Eternity Eternity This word ever breaks the heart O Lord to depart from thee for ever to lose the sight and fruition of thy pleased countenance to be hurled down among devils and damned fiends into a lake of fire and brimstone to be alwaies burning yet never consumed ever dying yet never dissolv'd alwaies gnawed upon by the worm of Conscience yet never devoured alwaies gnashing the teeth weeping howling vexing without any glimpse of hope or one drop of comfort What heart can think on these things without splitting in pieces O Lord whatever thou deniest me for this life whatever shall be my lot and portion here yet deny me not I humbly beseech thee the effectual assistance of thy Grace to enable me to work out my salvation to enable me unfeignedly to repent of all my sins and forsake them and to give up my soul to Christ Jesus for pardon and life that by him I may be justified and sanctified and saved from this dreadful wrath to come Even so let it be O Heavenly Father for thy rich mercy and my sweet Saviours merits sake I shall conclude this discourse of Hell with a few serious meditations Let us consider 1. How great how inexcusable