Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	let_v	lord_n	name_n	9,327	5	5.7485	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85733	The buddings and blossomings of old truths: or, Severall practicall points of divinity, gathered out of that sacred evangelist, St. John, chap. the third, from verse 22. ad finem. By that worthy light and lamp of heaven, Alexander Gross, Bach. of Divinity, and late preacher of Ashberton, in Com. Devon.	Grosse, Alexander, 1596?-1654.	1656 (1656)	Wing G2068; Thomason E1577_2; ESTC R209389	251,205	463

before the Lord with sincere and unpright hearts and then Ps 145.18 19. Let us have no more to do with sin but say as Ephraim to his Idols Hos 14.8 let us take us Words vers 2.3 and then vers 4.5 6 7. Let us win on God with patience and constancy and the Lord at length will look upon us in mercy Heb. 10 35. Whatsoever be our want in the Lord is all fullnes all readiness to supply us therefore as Ia. 1.5 So if thou want faith knowledge patience if thou want tendrings of heart peace of conscience sence of Gods love or any other good blessing aske it the Lord will surely bestow it on thee Hanna was troubled with her barrenness cryed to the Lord he opened her womb Solomon considered the weightines of his calling sought wisedome and the Lord gave him wisedome Sampson was much oppressed with thirst called on the Lord and the Lord gave him water Iud. 15.18 19. In like manner when the barrenness of grace want of knowledge doth afflict thee seek it at the hands of the Lord and the Lord shall grant the supplication of thy Soul unto thee had we but hearts to seek we might enjoy what now we want the ignorant might be full of knowledge the empty Lamp might be full of oile the weake faith which shaketh like a withered reed might be like a Cedar of deep and strong roots the Soul which is like a barren vineyard might be full of grace like the valleys overspread with Corn and good pasture the naked Soul might be well armed richly apparelled the dejected Spirit might be full of comfort the mind that is pressed down with worldly cares like a cart with sheaves might soar aloft as on eagles wings unto the heavens the unstable Soul might be as well fastned the wilderness of the life might be made a Paradise a sweet Communion with God a holy fellow ship with the saints might be maintained much delight might be found in Gods Ordinances Isa 41.17 18 19. Isa 44.3 This must teach us to receive all as from God whatsoever our care labour industry hath been yet let us not look upon what we possesse as upon yarne of our owne weaving fish of our owne taking Hab. 1.16 Upon a house of our owne building as Dan. 4.30 But let us looke on all we have as on Gods blessing a gift from Gods hand a light shining from the sun of Gods bounty though Paul plant and Apollo water the encrease is Gods though Israel fight the victory is the Lords whatsoever evill is in us whatsoever evill is committed by us is the seed of our owne sowing whatsoever evill is inflicted on us is a wages of our owne deserving whatsoever good we work it is the labour of Gods finger whatsoever good we receive it is of the fulnes and freedome of Gods bounty therefore we must all say as 1 Cor. 29 11 12 13.14.15 16. for Prov. 21.31 Therefore let us fasten our eyes on all both internall and externall endowments as on shewers falling from the cloud of Gods love as on gifts given by the Lords hand even the least the meanest as well as upon the fairest of our possessions this will make us the more sensible of Gods love the more ashamed of our ingratitude and disobedience this will the more endeare and oblige our hearts to God this will make us the more thankfull the more circumspect and heavenly minded in the use of them nothing doth more occasion the abuse of Gods blessing than forgetfulnes of the hand whence they have there originall and beginning Ps 78.10 11. 4. This may acquaint us with a sure way how to be provided for in all estates to find a supply in all our wants to have some liccour alwayes in our vessel to refresh us some fruit upon the barrenest tree to relieve us God you see is the giver of every good blessing all cometh from him therefore get into his favour and you shall want no good thing be regenerate become a new creature make God your Father and your wants shall be supplied let the prodigall returne and in his Fathers house there is all manner of provision his Father kindly entertaining him Luc. 15. So let us do c. for as Mat. 7.11 this hath the promise Psal 84. ●● Used as a motive to stirre up men to feare God Psal 34.10 to follow Christ Matth 19.29.30 This will bring us within the Covenant giveth us interest in all Gods blessings we shall be in league and Job 5.23 24 25 26. We shall enjoy security boldnes towards God tranquility and cheerfulnes in our hearts Job 11.13 14 15 16 17 18. It is not a carnall vexing care a greedy heaping up of things of the earth that will be sufficient defence a never setting light a never failing streame but the fruition of Gods love is the way to win it Mat. 6.33 this Psal 23. ● If God be Shepheard he will provide pasture and Ps 37.25 it is iniquity an ungracious conversation that bringeth want Pro. 13.25 Eccles 5.13.14 5. Is every good gift from God cometh it all from him then let us remember that we must give an accompt of all we do enjoy we are not Lords but stewards of Gods blessings such as must yield accompt to God of all our abilities though it be long before the Lord call us yet he will at length require a strict accompt of all our doings how we spent our time our strength our temporall blessing our spirituall graces how they have been improved what increase hath been made therefore as the Apostle said in another case 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2 3. So in this case use what you have received not as Lords to do with it what you list but as they who must be accountable to the Lord that not onely for the greatest but also for the least blessings as our Saviour said we must render accompt of every idle Word so we must render accompt of every little favour which God hath bestowed on us the time will come Luc. 16.2 Therefore we should think of this that we might be able to do it with joy Heb. 13.16 6. As it is all from God so let us be carefull to imploy it to the honour of God his good ground receiving good seed yieldeth a good increase as the good servant Mat. 25.20 as it cometh from heaven so let us use it in a heavenly manner to the praise of him whose dwelling is in the heavens this their very originall doth challenge Ro. 11.36 This the Dominion that God hath over all doth claime this the end which God proposeth to himselfe in all his works doth require Prov. 16.4 Rev. 4.11 Ephes 1.5 6. and it is the charge 1 Cor. 6.20 and if we neglect this we abuse the gift we have received it is a wrong to the creature to restraine it from the service of the Creator I. It is a wrong to the light

art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred and tongue and people and nation The grounds of the point are these Reas 1 Because Gods Mercy and goodnes is the more abundant and illustrious his name the more glorious The farther the light of the Sun is extended the more illustrious it appeareth the farther the Sea sends her water the more abundantly the fullnes thereof is discovered hence are those expressions Isa 11.10 In that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an ensigne of the people to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shalt be glorious And in Isa 55.5 Behold thou shall call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that know not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified the. And hence God is said to will the salvation of some of all nations 1. Tim. 2.4.6 Reas 2 Because God will have it appear that he is no respecter of persons that he is not bound to any people for any externall endowments but that he is free in the communication of his favours having mercy on whom he will have mercy and hardening whom he pleaseth Rom. 9.15 causing light to shine on them that sat in the shadow of death Math. 4.16 found of such which sought him not Isa 65.1 Reas 3 Because he will have all left without excuse calling some by the voice of the Gospell others refusing to return are the more excuseless They that have received the Gospell will be witnesses against them they cannot but say they had a Prophet among them look into these Scriptures Ezek. 2.5 and Rom. 10.18 Reas 4 Because the efficacy of Christs death is the more fully manifested the power of God in his Ordinances is the more abundantly disclosed in that by the Scepter of his Word he bringeth into subjection some of all nations and of all conditions even the most insolent stif-necked and obdurate What greater earthly honour than for a King to subdue all nations for a Physician than to cure all manner of diseased persons as in Dan. 2.44 the strength of the stone is commended in dashing in pieces that great and goodly image Reas 5 Because he will not have any nation or people to despaire of salvation but attend the means lay hold on the word of eternall life because the fountaine of life is opened to all sorts Christs arms are spread abroad to imbrace all comers as you may gather from these places Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be saved all the ends of the earth c. Isa 59.20 So Act. 10.34 God is no respecter of persons but in every nation c. Vse This may acquaint us with the riches of Gods mercies and abundant goodnes towards his chosen in gathering them like lost sheep out of every Nation and Kingdom where they are scattered and bringing them home to his fold Luk. 15.4 Iohn 10.16 Sounding the trumpet of the Gospell in their ears awakening them out of sin when they sleep like Lazarus in the grave Ioh. 11.44 Casting in the drawnet of the Gospell fetching them like fish out of the bottome of the Sea Math. 13.48 As a man diggeth for jewels out of the deep places of the earth Mal. 3.17 As a shepherd goeth upon the mountains for his lost sheep Luk. 19.8 As the Husbandman fetcheth out his corne among much chaffe Math. 3.12 So doth our God gather his people some from the East and some from the West As he caused of all beasts to come into the Arke Gen. Hence are those passages Isa 49.6 and 22. and Isa 60.11 and Ier. 3.14 one of a city two of a family Some he fetcheth out of one family some out of another some from there nets Math. 4.22 Some from the receipt of custome Mat. 9.9 Some from the plough some from behind the ewes as David to be a King Hos 1.10 Vse 2 This must teach us wheresoever we come to seek the conversion of the people to labour there reconcilement unto God No nation so ignorant dissolute degenerate but God may have his people among them Even in Sodom God hath his Lot In Pharaohs Court his Joseph in Ahabs house his Obadiah No soil so bad but being well manured may hear some good fruit he that can out of stones raise children unto Abraham can turn the most stony hearted to be an obedient people His chosen are every where dispersed and therefore let us be every where imployed in gathering them to God let us sow our seed in every barren field administer Physick to every diseased soul apply some eye-salve to every blind eye with the Samaritan pouring oile and wine into every wounded soul with David delivering the sheepe out of the jawes of the bear with Lot perswading our bretheren to come out of the Sodom of sin being converted our selves let us labour to convert others Did we conscionably exercise this duty these things would follow 1. The earth would be full of knowledge as the Sea of waters the light of the moon would be as the light of the Sun the clouds of ignorance would vanish like the vapour before the Sun and every man would know the Lord from the greatest to the least the great things of Gods Law would be no more as a strange language Hosea 8.12 or as a sealed book Isa 29.11 2. The consciences of men would be no more like seared flesh as in 1. Tim. 4.1 they would not rest so securely in sin as in 1. Thes 5.3 but this like the cock would remember them as in Mat. 26.74 like a goad would awaken them Eccl. 12.11 3. They should not take such pleasure in sin iniquity should not be so tooth-some to them that which is now as honey should become as gall to their Palate what now is as a delightfull way should become as a thorney path As the hand writing made Baltazar tremble Dan. 5.5 as hue and crie to theefs as the looking glasse to the spots in the face this would rend the Vyzar scatter the refuge and hiding place which they have made for their sin 4. They should be brought to repent of their sin to humble thēselves under the mighty hand of God to cast away their iniquities as a menstruous rag or garment to turn of God to break off from their sins by repentance as in Acts 2.37 and 2 Sam. 12.13 5. They should not be so barren in the graces of the Spirit they should not be like a child sucking dry breasts like a Tree whose rootes have no moisture like the sluggards field Prov. 24.32 grown over with thorns and nettles but as trees standing by the rivers side they should bring forth much fruit like children sucking at a full breast they should grow apace Prov. 10.21 Deut. 32.2 6. They should not be so earthly minded the world

By the delight it breedeth in the wayes of holines It hath made that which was once as an iron yoke to thy neck to become as a garment about thy back what was once as a thorney way to become a plain a smooth path what was once as a moate to thy eye is now become as the light a pleasant thing thereunto it is no more a trouble but meate and drinke to do thy Fathers will Iohn 4.34 Psal 40.8 1 John 5.3 all these places intimate as much Signe 3 By the firme Union holy Communion it doth work between Christ and thee it causeth thy heart to cleave to him as the heart of the bride cleaveth to the bridgroome as the stones in the building cleave unto the foundation with firmeness with affection it taketh thee out of the wild Olive and grafteth thee into the living vine it separateth thee from the World causeth thee to give a bill or divorce thereunto it maketh the World whom thou once entirely affected to become as a Husband that is dead and it doth contract thee unto Christ and whereas heretofore thou hast lived towards Christ as towards a stranger whom thou knewest not affectedst not regardedst not now you live to him as a wife to her Husband you know Christ converse with Christ open the secrecies of your Soul to him aske his counsell know the excellencie of his love towards you obey him delight in him meditate upon him study in all things how to please him Much more might be said but this will sufficiently discover it 4. Is the long continuance of the Gospel such a blessing then let us be carefull so to walke towards the Lord that it may shine like the Sun to the end of the World that it may be to us our posterity as an everlasting fountaine whose waters may never be dryed up that may shine like the fiery Pillar from one end of our jorney to another And for that end let us be carefull 1. To remove our transgressions far from us God will ever be our friend it we handle sin as an enemy if we cast this out of our bosome he will most graciously embrace us most abundantly communicate his mercies to us It is sin onely that causeth God to estrange himselfe from us to deprive us of his blessings the thornes and bryars occasion the Husbandman to withhold the soile from the vineyard the sower grapes cause God to pull down the hedge Isa 5.4 5 6. Ungodlines setteth God against us and us against his Ordinances if the Philistins love his Dagon the Arke cannot long continue if Ahab keep his resolution of going up to Ramoth Gilead Michaia shall surely lose his freedom 2. We must take heed of losing our first love we must not put our hand to the plough and look back we must not with Israel long again for the flesh-pots of Egypt but grow more and more in love with God and his wayes thirst more after Gods goodnes and God shall replenish you with his mercies 3. We must not grow weary of Gods Ordinances as Israel of their Manna as diseased stomacks of their food as soar eyes of the light as ulcerous bodies of a straite garment as bruised backs of a heavy burden But we must strive to take more delight and comfort therein to feel more sweetnes to perceive more efficacy to find a greater stability of faith thereby wrought The longer a man travelleth in the heate of the Sun the more his body is warmed the longer a man doth exercise in any trade the more contentement and delight he findeth in it make it then your delight Isa 58.13 14. Hunger and you shall be fed seek and you shall find But if we grow weary of the Ordinances as they in Amos 8.5 The Lord will remove the Ordinances as in vers 11. 4. We must not oppose reproach nor disgrace the Messengers of the Lord abuse the Kings Messengers he will send no more When Hanun abused his Messengers he sent no more in Kindnes abuse the Physitian and thou maist languish without cure Acts 13.45 46. Mar. 6.11 Let then their feet be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Let him be as one of a thousand Job 33.23 5. We must bring forth the fruits of the Gospel let it be as seed sowne in good ground as soile about the rootes of a good tree as milk from the Mothers breasts making the child grow 1 Pet. 2.2 Lastly Is the long continuance thereof such a blessing then the taking away thereof must needs be a curse if the one be a testimony of Gods favour the other must needs be a testimony of Gods anger Therefore likened to a famine what greater punishment than to be deprived of bodily sustenance Likened to the extinguishing of the light what more uncomfortable than to be left in darkenes This is our weapon what more dangerous than for a man to be left without any instrument of defence in the midst of his enemies These are the wells whence we draw the waters of salvation what more lamentable than to stop up the running streams which water the adjoyning countrey Therefore wretched is the condition of that people where this Lamp doth not shine of that vineyard where these dewes do not distill heavy is Gods indignation upon the people whose ears hear not the sound of the Gospel But more than miserable is the estate of such as have it and do not regard it The last thing here considerable is his action his work what he did He baptized not that he did it by his one hands but by others as appeareth in that place John 4.1 2. Yet he is said to do it To teach us Doct. That the efficacy of the Sacrament is not from the Minister but from Christ the Ordainer he must be a Minister called and Sanctified of God thereunto that doth administer it But yet it is the Lord that giveth efficacy unto it Moses smiteth the rock but it is the Lord that standeth before him and causeth the water to gush out Exod. 17.6 The Priests and the People compasse the walls of Jericho and sound the rams hornes but it is the Lord doth overthrow the citie Iosuah 6.16 It is Paul plants c. but God that giveth the encrease 1 Cor. 3.6 And this the Baptist acknowledged Math. 3.11 Reas 1 Because the ministers are but the instruments God is the chief agent they are but the rod in the hand of God the power is not mans but the Lords as in another case it is spoken 2 King 6.27 So if God do not help we cannot Our duty is to use the means it is Gods goodnes and mercy to give the blessing as Prov. 21.31 The Horse is prepared against the day of battle but salvation is of the Lord so faithfull and able ministers must be provided but yet the Lord giveth the blessing 1 Cor. 3.5 Reas 2 Because it is not mans but Gods Ordinance and the efficacy of every Ordinance dependeth

roabs of Christs righteousnesse the Needle-wrought Garment of sanctification will abundantly supply that want if a man want dainty food have nothing but the bread of adversity and the water of affliction the spiritual dainties which God affordeth his servants will be sufficient he who hath Christ hath all things hath him who is above all things he hath Lands Gold Silver honour peace pleasure more than all this as he who hath the Sun hath the light which is in many Torches and more again if a man want an earthly object whereon to fasten his love his trust whereon to expresse his joy whereto to reveal his minde yet Christ is above all and on him and about him he may with more delight and fulnesse of contentment expresse his love his joy his trust desire speech than to any creature in the world so that this should exceedingly comfort us in all our wants for Ephes 1.21.22 6. Against the fiercenesse of Gods anger the mighty force of Gods displeasure though it be a fire which all the water in the world cannot quench as the roaring of a Lion that maketh all the beasts in the forrest to tremble like a mighty wind rending the rocks Nah. 4.5 like that 1 Kings 19.11 an Arrow that drieth up the spirits Job 6.4 a burthen which no created shoulder can bear a Sword whose prickings a Scorpion whose slingings a rod whose lashings none can without desperation endure though it makes profane men at last say as once Job in the extremities of his anguish did Job 3.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. that Rev. 6.16 though like the appearing of the hand-writing Dan. 5.4 5. like the tidings Jos 5.1 though it be of all terribles the most terrible of all noises the most hideous of all fires the most hot the most fervent of all Arrows the most sharp of all Gall the most bitter of all Clouds the most dark of all wayes the most Thorny of all burthens the most heavy of all tidings the most dismall yet fear not the Lord Iesus is above all he is at the right hand of his Father interceding for us he will stand between us and his fathers indignations his bloud speaketh better things than the bloud of Abel Rom. 5.9 10. 1 Thes 1.10 by him we have accesse to God Rom. 5.1 Eph. 2.17 he will turn the consuming fire into a warm and shining Sun the exceeding winde into a still voice the stormy Tempest into a calm the dreadfull voice into a joyfull sound Mount Synai into Mount Syon he will bring us from Mount Ebal to Mount Gerizim Deut. 11.29 7. Against the difficulty of attaining grace working perfecting true holinesse though it be a work of the highest transcendency a work not to be wrought by the finger of men or any angel not sound in any earthly Mine a flower not growing in our Gardens a Tree not to be planted by the Art of the choisest husband-men though Iob 15.14 though 2 Cor. 3.5 though Ier. 13.23 though Mat. 7.15 16. though Isa 11.6 though Ier. 2.24 Ier. 17 9. though as Martha told Christ Ioh. 11.39 so we stink in the grave of sin yet Christ is above all though Abana and Pharpar cannot wash away Naamans Leprosy yet Jordan can though the Disciple cannot cast out the unclean Spirit yet Christ is able he can turn the Lion into a lamb the thorne into a vine as he turned water into Wine he can open the eyes of the blind the ears of the deaf heal the hands that are withered the feet that are lame he can stop the bloudy issue cure all diseases he can send his Spirit into our hearts 1 Ioh. 1.7 Ioh. 1.29 Ioh. 8.36 1 Pet. 2.9 1 Thes 5.23 Ephes 5.26 27. therefore think on this and be comforted Thus of Christs excellency next let us look upon mans indignity described by his originall of the earth Man is resembled to the earth in regard of the bodily part whereof he consisteth he was made of the dust and in regard of the corruption he hath contracted dishonorable condition whereinto his sin hath brought him for as the earth of all the other Elements is most subject to mens feet tendeth downward is ful of slime corruption and the receptacle of worms vermines and many noisome creatures so are the bodies of men brought into a low estate even as low as hell thorough sin the minds of men are altogether downward upon the things of the earth dens of all uncleaness such doth the Baptist shew mans originall to be to his Disciples to teach them not to magnify man nor to think over highly of him but to ascribe all honour unto God and the Lord Jesus who is from above whence learne Doctr. THat Man is of a very low and weak originall and beginning dust and ashes Gen. 18.27 composed of the dust in regard of his bodily visible parts Gen. 2.7 his foundation is said to be laid in the dust to note his frailty easily cast down as a house builded on no better foundation than the dust Iob 4.19 Use 1 This must teach us humility we are but earth dust weak poor frail vessels of a very base beginning the earth which our eyes always behold whereon our feet continually tread should teach us this lesson this earthly garment of the flesh which covereth us by day and is not put off by night should always minde us hereof be as water to quench as a warlike instrument to throw down all high thoughts which exalt themselves the flowers have beauty the trees have blossoms leaves fruit the Cattle have strength the starres have brightness and glory but what hath the dust whereof to glory no Creature hath lesse cause of glorying than man hath of himself if we look either upon his earthly originall or corrupt condition since the fall of Adam therefore as the blackness of the Peacocks feet take away the pride he would otherwise take in his feathers so must the dusty condition of man take away all occasion of glorying which may arise from the other endowments God hath bestowed on him Use 2 This teacheth us to acknowledge the freedom of God in the Donation of his favours it is earth and dust that God hath advanced therefore let us not dream of any worthiness in our selves of any thing in us that might move God hereunto but 1 Cor. 1.20 Ioh. 3.8 Exod. 3.2 3. Zeph. 3.12 Use 3 This must teach us so much the more to admire the goodness and the singular love of God in advancing us into so high estate as to have sonship with him hership with Christ David thought it much that he having stood behinde the Ewes should be advanced in marriage with an earthly Kings Son how much more should we magnify the Lord for advancing us to Wed-lock with Christ the Sonne of a Heavenly King so did the Psalmist Psal 8.3 4. Oh! let this till our hearts with love to God with joy

and confidence in God let this cause us to study how to walk worthy of the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord let us in nothing provoke him Thus of his originall next of his disposition earthly before we proced any further in it how the Baptist could say he was of the earth and earthly whether in saying so he did not offer wrong and injury to his Doctrine in so saying since it is said Ioh. 1.6 and Mat. 21.25 also Luc. 7.30 Resp this is a comparative speech between the Baptist and our Saviour in regard of whom he was as nothing no more than no nor so much as the Earth to Heaven the Servant to his Lord the Candle to the Sun 2. the Baptist sheweth what man is being once set in opposition against Christ even the most excellent then he becometh earth dust corrupt unprofitable intimating plainly that if his Disciples did so fasten their eyes on him as thereby to neglect Christ then how holy how Heavenly how excellent soever yet he should be to them as an earthly and a carnall man 3. He sheweth what man is being considered in himself and of himself nothing but earth and earthly disposed 4. Though his Doctrine and commission were from heaven yet this was not a stream from his own fountaine a light of his own kindling but he had it from above it was the Lords and not his thus you see how and why the Baptist said he was of the earth and earthly thereby teaching Doctr. That mans naturall disposition is altogether earthly and carnall a stream whose waters are altogether slimy bitter unsavoury like the waters of Mara unwholesome like the pottage in the Prophets pot till grace be infused as the tree was cast into the water by Moses and the meal into the pot by the Prophet therefore likened to a corrupt tree whose nature and fruit are both naught Mat. 7.17 to a vine bearing no other but sower grapes Isai 5.4 to evill ground bearing thornes and briars Heb. 6.8 to swine wallowing in the mire of sin trampling the precious pearles of the Gospel and sanctification under their feet Math. 7.6 to a sick man whose Palate is altogether disordered Rom. 8.7 2 Cor. 2.14 to a dead man whose inclination is wholy to the earth Ephes 2.1 and therefore Psal 14.3 Gen. 6.5 5. and this is moreover manifest 1. By the absence of all true saving grace there is nothing of heaven remaining in him their souls like the pit whereinto Joseph was cast are empty having no water of grace in them Gen. 37.24 like a barren wombe that hath neither birth nor conception a barren Tree that beareth no fruit Hosea 10.1 like a man fallen into the hands of thieves like him Luk. 10.30 stript of all the apparell which should cover his soul robbed of all the jewels of grace wounded and half dead in his very naturall abiliaments of whom that may be verified which the Prophet speaketh of Niniveh Nah. 2.10 the naturall man is empty and void and wast blackness covereth his soul he is full of uncleanness there is no heart nor courage for God remaining in him and which the Prophet said of Nebuchadnezar Jer. 51.34 the naturall man may much more say of sin and Satan the great Nebuchadnezar the great Babylonish Prince of darkness He hath crushed them and made them empty vessels taken away their heavenly riches and hath cast them out of Gods favour and gracious presence made him as a naked house wherein is no inhabitant no houshold implement Rom. 7.18 all their abilities to good are now become like Jeroboams withered hand which he could neither put forth nor take in so they are neither able to reach forth to any good nor take their hands in from any evill 2. By the presence and the fulnesse of all sin being full of uncleannesse as pits in a rainy day of water as an Adder of poyson as a grave of rottenesse as a Lion of fiercenesse as a Cage of unclean Birds as the sluggards field of thorns and bryars as the Prophet said of the people Ezek. 7.23 the Land is full of bloudy crimes the City is full of violence so is the body of man full of iniquity and the Soul is full of uncleannesse as the waters in Aegypt which were clear were turned into bloud so that the fish died and the Rivers stunk so that all the faculties in the Soul and Members of the body are corrupted perverted and the grace which once was in them is utterly dead and man is now become as an unsavoury carkasse in the nostrils of God 3. By the Dominion and sway of Satan he rules like a King Eph. 2.3 leads like a Tyrant 2 Tim. 2.26 works like a Black-smith upon his Anvill Eph. 2.2 is worshipped like a God 2 Cor. 4.4 affected reverenced obeyed like a father Ioh. 8 44. as ready to execute his commands as the servants of Absolon were to accomplish his 2 Sam. 13.28 29. If he bid then wait an opportunity to do mischief they waite bid them open their mouths to revile blaspheme use filthy communication presently they swear reproach and utter unseemly and corrupt language c. 4. By the wonderfull agreement which is between the carnal heart and sin and the world these like Simeon and Levi they are brethren in evil like Herod and Pilate they conspire against Christ the truth the life the power of Godlinesse like Jehu Jehonadab they give the right hand of fellowship one to another and ride both in one Chariot and what combates soever may seem to be between them however sin may sometime trouble the natural mans conscience how sick soever it may make him for the present yet with the Dog he will eat up again his vomit he will never so fall out with sin but he will soon be friends he will be able still to call it brother as Ahab after his wars with Benhadad could ask is my brother Benhadad yet alive and though the Lord command him to destroy his sin give it into his hand gave him all advantage over it yet as Ahab made a Covenant with Benhadad and let him goe so will the natural man with his sin sin is the natural mans Absolon David warred against Absolon but hath had no purpose to destroy him so the natural man when his sin doth sometime disturb him begins to make a little war against it but never means to set himself so to work as to destroy it sin is the natural mans Paradise wherein he doth desire to live his path wherein he would alwayes walk the companion with whom he delighteth to communicate the forbidden Tree of whose fruit he delighteth to eat the fountains of whose waters he thirsteth to drink the onely recreation wherewith they desire to be refreshed Prov. 14.9 they can say of sin and the world as Ruth of Naomi Ruth 1.15 6. they will not be intreated to leave it but when it goeth they will go

15. for Isa 55.1 As the cloud freely poureth down his raine upon the thirsty ground so doth God his blessings upon the thirsty Souls of men blessings of every kind both spirituall and temporall of the right hand and of the lest are freely bestowed touching blessings of the most eminent nature our Saviour speaketh Rev. 22.17 touching favours of inferiour condition Psal 104.28 Yea the very wicked drink of the water of this Fountaine and are relieved by the bounty of this hand Iob 22.18 So that the Apostles question may well be proposed to every person 1 Cor. 4.17 and the reason hereof is Reas 1 Because God is the Fountaine of all goodness all blessings are in his store house he is the vine whereon all the grapes grow which nourish our Souls bodies he is the Sun which giveth us light the nurse whose breasts afford us refreshment the Olive tree which filleth our Lamp full of Oile this Nehemiah doth acknowledge Neh. 9.25 Psal 68.9 10. and thus the Prophet ascribeth all the welfare of Gods people to his goodnes Zach. 9.15 16 17. Reas 2 Because we cannot claime nor challenge any blessing or favour at the hands of God we have forfeited all by our sin Ephes 2.12 All things are become impure Tit. 1.15 We have broken the Covenant and have made forfeyture of all we did enjoy so that we can lay claime to nothing by vertue of any promise from God till we be in Christ according to that of the Prophet Hos 2.19 20 21 22. Reas 3 Because the whole praise of all we enjoy belongeth unto God Rom. 11.36 1 Cor. 1.30 31. so 1 Cor. 4.6 7. This is a jewell of which God will not suffer himselfe to be robbed the onely thing that God aimeth at in all his works Isai 42.5 6 7 8. Use This therefore overthroweth the proud and insolent Babel of Popish merit challenging eternall life and glory as a wages due to their labours as a fruit growing upon the trees of their owne planting a harvest arising from a vineyard of their owne manuring for thus they teach Opera bona justorum ex seipsis absque ullo pacto acceptatione digna esse remnueratione vitae eternae 2. Operibus iustorum nullum dignitatis accrementum provenire ex meritis aut persona Christi c. Whereas the Baptist a man of a more sanctified Spirit and profound judgment than any sly and subtle Jesuite taught his disciples that a man could receive nothing unles it were given not merited and whatsoever these Rom●sh Doctours do now teach their Apostatized Romans yet Paul a chosen vessel of God a man that was extraordinarily converted richly endued with the grace of the Spirit in labour more abundāt than any other Apostle taught the Romans of his time that the wages of sin was death but the gift of God was eternall life Rom. 6.23 and our Saviour taught his Disciples Luc. 17.10 Whereupon Hierome si inutilis qui fecit omnia quid de illo dicendum qui explere non potuit and St Paul teacheth that not onely the actions but the passions also added thereunto hold no proportion of condignity with life eternall Rom. 8.18 For should we be able to merit eternall life by our works win the crowne by our owne strength then we should turne the fountaine of Gods favour into a well without water where should there be any place for Gods bounty If we could merit and make salvatiō a due debt then Christ should have spent his labours borne the heavy burthen of afflictiōs undergone the ignominy of the crosse shed his blood in vaine Gal. 2.21 Then there should be no more place for grace Rom. 11.6 Non est in quo gratia intret ubi meritum jam occupavit Bernard in Cant. Ser. 67. therefore Ephes 2 8. and yet we do not take away the reward because we deny the merit of good works for in the keeping of Gods commandements Psa 19.11 and Prov 11.18 But the question is whence he that soweth must expect to reape so great and sure a harvest whether from Gods justice which he must do if he stand upon merit or from his mercy as a recompence freely bestowed out of Gods gracious bounty and not injustice due for the worth of the work performed which question the Prophet Hosea hath sufficiently resolved Hos 10.12 The Lord doth crowne his graces adding an encrease to that which he hath given and inabled us well to use Psal 62.12 giving an encrease of glory according to the measure of grace bestowed so that originally and in it selfe this reward proceedeth merely from Gods free bounty mercy but accidentally in regard God hath bound himselfe by his Word and promise to comferr such a reward so it proveth after a sort an act of justice as 1 Joh. 1.9 The thing promised is free and by us undeserved and if God should faile in performance yet do us no wrong but wrong himselfe and therefore Canaan was called a Land of promise not of merit Dut. 9.5 Neh. 9 8. Ja. 1.12 2 Tim. 4.8 Not just because of our merit but because of Gods promise therefore Augustine fidelis homo est credens promittenti Deo fidelis Deus exhibens quod promisit homini teneamus fidelissimu debitorem quia tenemus misericordissimum promissorem Vse 2 Is every good blessing Gods gift doth it all come from heaven then in all our wants let us addresse our selves to God Whatsoever we want let us seek it at the Lords hand let us not go to Endor Baalzebub Aegypt or Assyria as if there were no God in Israel as if there were no Oile in Gods Lamp no strength in Gods arme no light left in the Sun or his favour let us not go to broaken cisternes but say with Peter Ioh. 6.68 this is that we are commanded to do Amos 5.4 5 6. It is at the Lords gate that we must knocke one begger doth not make supplication at another beggers doore but at the gates of the rich what are all creatures in respect of God but beggars they have no water in their owne wells but what distilleth from the cloud of Gods bounty therefore Mat. 7.7 8. the Lords eares open to heare his hands are open to relieve Exo. 22.23 Though Baal be deafe and cannot heare his suppliants yet the God of Israel will surely attend to the cry of his people let us silence out crying sins let us turne our feet into the path of Gods precepts and the Lord shall heare our requests Job 22.23 to 28. Let us in the sence of our wants in the humility of our Souls draw nigh unto the Lord and then Psa 102.17 Let us pour out our Souls before the Lord as the full clouds do their raine let us cry out as a woman in travell and though we were as dead men yet we shall live Isa 26.16 17 19. Let us not waver but believe we shall obtaine Ia. 16. Let us come