your troubled soul found rest and peace from his Blood yea the soul saith truly This I have felt in some measure why here is true Faith and Assurance and yet many a poor soul not considering that this is the saving work but seeing that it comes short in many things doth question whether it be in Christ or no whereas open and unravel but the work of Grace and say Have you gone this step and the other step and it can say truly that These things God hath wrought in me How much means is used to many and yet they can find no comfort and peace of conscience The Covenant of Grace is clearly opened to them servent prayers are put up to God for them the experiences of other Saints are made known to them but all will not do it for indeed the Lord only can speak peace to the soul he is the God of peace But let those that have peace of conscience and Assurance be thankful for it as a great mercy for all Saints have it not indeed it is a great mercy it yields much present refreshment to the soul what will make us glad if the light of Gods Countenance will not And so doth Assurance of Gods Love stand us in great stead in time of Afflictions it keeps the soul from sinking in great Afflictions it keeps Satan from many advantages yea when we come to die and look that King of Terrours in the face Assurance of Gods Love makes grim Death look smilingly in our Eye CHAP. X. The Ministry of Angels and their serviceableness to the Church THough curious and unscriptural Notions about the Angels are to be avoided yet these things that the Scriptures reveal of them and their Ministry are very profitable to be known The Angels are called spirits and a flame of fire Heb. 1.7 They are active and quick at the Lords work they are as a flame of fire not only for their terribleness but for their quikness how quick fire goes out of a Gun and how quick is a flash of lightning The Angels were very forward to perform their service to the Lord Jesus an Angel brought news to Mary that she should be the mother of our Lord Luke 1.27.28 An Angel at Christs birth told the Shepherds the glad tidings of Christs coming into the world and a multitude of them praised God saying Glory be to God in the Highest on earth peace and good will to men Luke 2.9,13,14 They had command to worship the Lord Jesus Heb. 1.6 When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him but why must all the Angels of God worship Christ when he came into this world and was made flesh 1. To own and acknowledge Christ to be God now in that mean estate the form of a servant that he had put himself into for worship only belongs to him that is God 2 To acknowledge the benefit of confirmation that they have by the Lord Jesus by whom they are made immutably happy 3. To shew an example unto men to worship and honor Christ when as the Angels that are more excellent creatures do it 4. To shew their admiration of that glorious and wonderful way of Salvation by Jesus Christ And then at Christs death the Angels came and ministred unto him and strengthened him And as the Angels were forward to do service to Christ so they are to minister to the Saints for the Lord hath made them ministring spirits to them that shall be Heirs of Salvation The Lord makes use of them to keep his people out of many dangers Psalm 21.11,12 He hath given his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou shouldst dash thy foot against a stone indeed God is so careful of his people that he would not trust all the Angels in heaven wholly with the safety of his people but hath given them unto Christ to be their Leader and Commander and bring them unto Glory who will lose none of all that the father hath given him who hath Infinite Power and Wisdom to manage all their concernments but the Angels are Ministers under Christ to be helpful to the Saints as the Pastors of Churches are Overseers and have the charge of the flock under him also And so the Angels lift up the Saints many times as Nurses do little children that they don't dash their feet against a stone whom every little thing would throw down They have their Orders from Christ whose Ministers they are to do his pleasure therefore Christ is said to sit between the Cherubins Psal 99.1 to shew how he hath the Angels fit to send upon his Designs and how often doth he send them to encamp round about the Saints in their dangers and deliver them and because of the Angels serviceableness to the Saints they are called their Angels Matth. 18.10 The Lord giveth them great Power for to perform this service and Ministry to the Saints we see that the Angel Act. 20.7,10 that was sent to fetch Peter out of prison he did but touch him and his chains fell off and when they came to the Iron gate it presently opened the Lord giveth the Angels power over the fiercest creatures that when Daniel was thrown into the Lions Den the Lord sent an Angel and shut the Lions mouthes that they should not hurt him Dan. 6.32 And as they serve the Saints in other things so in destroying of their enemies as an Angel smote Herod with death Act. 10.23 Yea 1 Kings 19.35 in that great strait that Hezekiah and the people of God were in when that huge Army of the Assyrians came against them the Lord the text saith sent an Angel that smote in one night on kundred fourscore and five thousand of them whom they left all dead corpses It s a wonderful Execution When Lazarus died he was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16. As they do rejoyce in the conversion of a soul so in the finishing of our course and are joyful to bring us home to our Fathers house yea the Scripture tels us that the Lord will send the Angels at the last day to gather his people together from the four Winds who will know them all in the utmost corners of the earth having been ministring spirits unto them may be stirring affections and freedom of speech from the apprehension of popular applause in some Auditories but gracious men know a difference between those inlargements and the soul-humbling assistance of Gods spirit 10 Gods Spirit gives to his servants many times a more then ordinary assistance in their labors amongst the Saints for their sakes for their quickning comforting strengthning and edification whose building up was one great end of the ordinance of the Ministry Eph. 4.10,11,12 11 Gods Spirit gives his servants affections in preaching as Zeal Compassion to souls and the like but though something of this may
the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith CHAP. XVIII The true Humility that is in the Lords People ALL Saints have more or less a humble frame of heart that whatsoever Grace or Gifts God bestoweth upon them they have low thoughts of themselves 1. How a humble frame of heart is shewn towards the Lord. 2. How a humble frame of heart is shewn in our carriage towards other Saints I. Towards the Lord. 1 When after all our duties and performances we look upon our selves but as unprofitable servants and infinitely unworthy that God should deal so graciously with us but we look upon all as free grace without this a man hath no Gospel humility but is a proud Pharisee whose heart is puffed up with his own righteousness and doth not glory only in the Lord. Where there is true humility of heart the Soul saith with Jacob Genesis 32.10 I am not only unworthy of of Christ and Heaven but I am less then the least of all the mercies and faithfulness which the Lord hath shewn to his servant but a man under legal workings only hath a desperate proud heart against God still and is fit to stand upon terms with God that he hath no cause to damn him though he in words confess he might do it 2 This is true humility of heart when a man can loath and abhor himself for sin as David Psalm 51.3,4 Job 42. But when a man can think of old sins and new sins and no way affected it s a sign of a proud unhumbled heart 3 When a soul is in some measure submitted to all Gods dealings to all chastisements and afflictions as David Psalm 39.9 I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it there is much humility of heart seen in this when we are willing God should do with us our Estates Relations and enjoyments as it seemeth good in his own eyes a proud heart will not bear to be crossed but saith a humble heart Though it be a grievous affliction that is befallen me yet it is from the Lord and I will be dumb and not open my mouth against it because he doth it 4 When a soul goes on to wait for a mercy and beg for a mercy when God delays a mercy and seemeth to slight the soul and yet now for the soul to wait and not to stir from the door of Mercy but beg the Alms more humbly and submissively this is like the woman of Canaan indeed she doth not go away in a snuff let Christ call her dog and she saith Truth Lord I am no better yet Lord give the dog a few crums but hearts that have not been truly humbled will fling up praying and hearing presently if they cannot find Comfort soon like a sturdy Beggar that if the Alms do not come presently goeth away in a rage O but there is many a humble heart waits and prays many a year for a mercy 5 When a soul can submit to God when he takes away a mercy that he had given us but a little before O saith a proud heart when God takes away a mercy If God had never given me it it had been better I could have been content to have been without it but did God give me Estate Children Honour to take them away so presently again O but saith an humble heart I was unworthy to have this mercy at all I have cause to bless God that I have had any sun-shiny weather in my jorney 6 It shews humility of heart when after God hath made great use of a man and God will now lay him aside that yet now we are well content and take great care that Gods work may go on though we be not imployed in it as Moses Num. 27.14,15,16,17 when the Lord told him that he should die and not lead the people into Canaan because of that sin at the water of Meribah he doth not stand upon terms and say After I have done such great service wilt thou be angry for such an offence that I who have had such a great deal of care and trouble with this people should not see the end of the work No No he doth not say a word to excuse his sin or to shew the least discontent that he was laid aside but takes care for the work going on when he is laid aside saith he Lord set a man over the Congregation that may go in before them and go out before them that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a Shepheard a proud heart would have been so offended that he would not have cared what became of the work if he were laid aside So secondly Humility of heart is seen in our carriage towards other Saints As 1 when we look upon our selves as the least of all Saints as Paul saith of himself saith an humble heart Though it may be I can discourse better yet I cannot pray so well as younder poor Saint or I cannot trust God in straits and difficulties so well as he or I have not that Gospel simplicity that he hath or I am not so forward to heavenly discourse as he is or saith an humble heart Younder Saint can submit better in affliction then I or surely he hath not so vain a heart as I or surely he hath not such distractions in duties as I so that an humble heart in one respect or another doth truly look upon himself as the least and unworthyest of all Saints 2 When we can take a reproof from the meanest Saint in the world the meanest for Estate or Gifts whereas a proud heart saith If such a one had told me of my fault I could have born it but for such as you to reprove him he cannot take it well but saith an humbly heart Lord I bless thee that thou openst the mouths of any to deal faithfully with my soul 3 Where there is an humble heart we are desirous to partake of the Light and gifts of others as well as shew our own 4 An humble heart doth not envy others that out go him in Gifts and Grace and success and are more honoured then he is as John did not envy Christ that he out-stripped him John 3.26,27,28 but could cheerfully bear witness unto Christs deserts though he ecclipsed him 5 An humble heart can condescend to the meanest office to be serviceable to poor Saints a proud heart is fit to think it a disparagement to go to the houses of poor Saints and to be seen with such mean people but saith an humble heart It s a great Mercy and favour that I may enjoy Communion with the Lords people or be any way serviceable to them though they be never so mean and poor 6 An humble heart is not so delighted and tickled and puffed up with applause and commendation from others but many times is the more humbled upon it and is more sensible of his own unworthiness All Saints have cause enough to be humble
mans sins to be unpardoned unforgiven the strength and power that sin hath to damn is from the Law that it is the breach of Gods holy Law but he tels us that Believers are freed from the damning power of sin and from the curses of the Law through Christ Jesus as terrible as death is to nature flesh and blood and to a man that fears hell because it is the day of execution to all that are out of Christ yet a Saint may look upon death with comfort for though it be a dark entry yet it leads to our Fathers House where are many Mansions though it be a rough passage yet it lands us safe in Heaven infinite advantage comes to a Believer by death 1. Perfect enjoyment of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost the sight of whose blessed face shall fill us in Heaven with unconceivable joy for ever 2. Clear understanding of God his Grace and the mysterie of all his dealings with us in the world now we see all these darkly but the Apostle saith then we shall see face to face now how poor and confused is our knowledge how little a portion know we of the Almighty and of his Grace to us then all will be clear 3. Freedom from sin which though it doth not raign in Believers now yet then it shall not in the least remain but they shall be Holy throughout 4. Freedom from afflictions whereof all Gods children are partakers more or less in their Pilgrimage 5. Freedom from all Temptations either to sin or for sin 6. Spiritual and full enjoyment of the Saints and not of Saints in their weaknesses and mistakes which yet we in our Pilgrimage do rightly judge to be a great mercy but then we shall enjoy communion with Saints full of the Spirit Saints made perfect Many particulars might be added to these which shall be omitted for brevities sake but two questions must here be briefly resolved Quest 1. How comes it to pass that many natural men will often wish they were dead and many time die like lambs and others murder themselves Answ 1. It s seldom a real desire that ignorant people have to die but a sinful customary expression 2. If they be in good earnest it ariseth from ignorance 1 Ignorance what a serious thing it is to die 2 Ignorance of their own condition they think they are in Christ and that so death will be an end of all troubles to them 3 Ignorance of the torments of hell as if they were not greater then the troubles they have here for which they wish themselves dead 3 Those that murder themselves are either so distracted by excess of Melancholy or so dejected by some outward crosses or so overwhelmed with despair or so confounded in their understandings by Satan that they are not able to put forth scarce a serious or rational thought but are carried with a strange confusion and hurry of thoughts into any thing 2. But then it will be asked Why many gratious persons seem to be wonderfully a fraid of death before it come and die with very little Comfort seemingly upon their spirits but rather trouble Answ 1. So far as a Saint is flesh and blood and so far as there is corruption in him so far death will be terrible to him yet in the mean while the regenerate part in him desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ as that which is best of all but as Ridley said when he came to die I am not afraid but the flesh will have its course 2 A Saint knoweth more then other men what a serious thing it is to die he considereth the account that is to be given to God and the straitness of the way that leadeth to eternal Life and many times is not so assured of Gods love in Christ and this damps his spirit as to death 3 Though a Saint sometime seems to be unwilling to die yet before the Lord takes them away he usually makes them not only willing but desirous to die to be with Christ and that is a wonderful thing how God can in one moment turn the scales in these things and make that Saint that even now trembled at the thoughts of death now to say Lord here am I When wilt thou send for me home This the Saints have sometimes experience of 4 Their Comfort at death may be damped much and seeming trouble appear to standers by through some secret strong temptations of Satan or through violence of their disease CHAP. XV. The Holiness of Believers HOliness is most properly to be urged upon Believers more then upon natural men the great thing and the first thing that they are to do is to believe in Christ and after they are in Chrst then they are to be urged to walk holily in him Believers are to be holy both in soul and body not only in the thoughts of their hearts but in all the actions of the outward man The Apostle Paul urgeth the holiness of the outward man of the body as well as the heart by six arguments all laid down in the sixth chapter of the first epile to the Corinthians His first Argument is v. 13. How the body is not for fornication but for the Lord and the Lord for the body that is the Lord he is for the body of believers as well as the soul he hath a care of their bodies of their outward man and bestowes many mercies upon the outward man and therefore saith the Apostle there is all the reason in the world that the body the outward man should be for the Lord. His second Argument is in the 14. verse he saith that God will raise up our bodies at the last there is much in that if God will at last raise up the bodies of Believers and glorifie them and make them like to Christs glorious body O how should they glorifie God with their bodies now in the mean while His third Argument is That our bodies are the members of Christ v. 15. His fourth Argument is That our bodies are the temples of the holy Ghost v. 19. His fift Argumentis That we are not our own neither bodies nor souls v. 19. His last argument is that we are bought with a price v. 20. All these Arguments are very strong for a Believers glorifying of God with his body as well as with his soul both which are the Lords Several Arguments may be brought for the Saints holiness in general as 1 the Grace of God in Christ should be such a prevailing Argument to holiness that where there is any Gospel-ingenuity we should reason as the Apostle doth We were dead and we judge that Christ having died for us to save us that it s but reason we should live to him saith he in that place 2 Cor. 5.14,15 the love of Christ constrains us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifies it keeps in it stops restrains bridles we have corrupt and wicked hearts by nature but when
under their convictions remain all their days in a stoutness and sullenness against God and will turn their heels upon duties and means and cry out All is in vain I shall be damned and thus their hearts were never truly humbled to lie at Gods feet Lord if thou damn me thou art righteous but O let me live and I shall praise thee but their hearts rise up against the Lord and are fit to curse God and die thus it is with many And if they perform any duties and use any means of Grace and God do not reveal his Love and pardoning Mercy they will take it ill at Gods hands and say as they did We have fasted and he regardeth it not and so under all legal workings and convictions there remains a desperate proud heart in a man still If mens Convictions arise so high as to see that they are Unbelievers and to be convinced of the greatness of that sin whereas many that have much trouble for sin never go so far then many times if God do not give them true Faith they will content themselves in a faith of their one making which is only a work of their understanding whereby they say that they will be justified by Christ but it will be such a dead faith that for the most part it hath no Sanctification not so much as outward Sanctification accompanying it Neither doth it truly humble the Soul and lay it prostrate at the Lords feet for a pardon meerly from his own good Will and free Grace but the soul is still full of its self and confident in its own qualifications Neither doth this Faith bring joy in the holy Ghost though there be some flashes of Joy as there was in the stony ground Hearers Mat. 13. For men to be convinced of sin both in general and particular is a thing worth the desiring yet this is not the saving work of Gods Spirit But how many are convinced of many gross sins and sins that are more plainly forbidden in the Law and their Consciences are troubled for them but yet it may be all their days never see these more secret sins of trusting in their own righteousness trusting in their own strength speaking evil of the Saints and ways of God quenching the motions of the Spirit neglect of duties and means of Grace These sins many are never convinced of that yet will cry out they are damned for some gross sins CHAP. VI. The ways and Temptations by which many souls miscarry under legal Terrors and a Spirit of Bondage WHen a soul is awakened with a sight of sin and hath legal terrors and warnings to flee from the wrath to come Satan soon takes the Alarum and bestirs himself to keep the Soul still in an unregenerate â—…ate To find out all the stratagems of this cunning and long experienced enemy the devil is a difficult thing his ways are like the way of a Serpent upon a rock or like the way of a ship upon the sea which leave no fotsteps to trace them by Were it not that our Lord Jesus knows all his divices and wiles and is able to prevent all his designs no flesh would be saved but all by one means or other would be devoured by this roaring Lion yet by the Light of the word and by the observation that Believers are helped to make of the motions of Satan we are not wholly ignorant of his divices not to speak here of the way he taketh to keep them from Christ who are wholly ignorant and had never any common workings nor to speak of the innumerable temptations upon Believers and those who are sealed by the Spirit of God whereby he endeavoureth to pluck them out of Christs hands only that they are kept by the mighty power of God through faith to Salvation only here to speak of the ways and temptations by which Satan endeavoureth to ruin them that are awakened with a sight of sin and are under legal terrors and fear of the wrath to come 1. Satan endeavoureth to keep such as are thus awakened and troubled for sin ignorant of the righteousness which is by faith in Christ Jesus that free Justification of a sinner which is by the blood of Christ insomuch that Satan the god of this world doth so blind the eyes of many that have been much awakened by the sight of sin that they never understand all their days the remedy that is provided for them no not so much as in a notional way with brain-knowledge but they set themselves in their own strength to reform their lives and think that God will accept of their doings for satisfaction for the wickedness of their former life and they have a kind of peace and satisfaction in their Spirits that God is at peace with them thus many are everlastingly cheated never knowing the things that belong to their everlasting peace and being ignorant of Gods righteousness under all their zeal of God and legal performances go about to establish their own righteousness where none but Christs will be accepted and so never submit to the Righteousness which is of God by faith Rom. 10.3,4 2. Satan endeavoureth to perswade such that those legal terrors and breakings are true conversion that they bless themselves in their legal humiliation as if it were Gospel-repentance and the heart of flesh that is promised in the new Covenent 3. Satan otherwhile puts those that are thus convinced and troubled for sin upon some way of opinion and Judgement and there by his delusion and the deceitfulness of their own hearts they find much peace and quiet their sore is skinned over and they are so far now from questioning their own Salvation as they did a little before that they now question every bodies Salvation but their own that do not fall in with that opinion that they are fullen upon 4. If the Gospel be preached in the hearing of men under legal terrors Satan will endeavour to make them rest in a bare notion of Christ and a faith of their own making that they will either conclude Christ and all his benefits is theirs because they have been so humbled and broken with the Law and have so reformed and amended their ways or else they will resolve in their own strength to believe in Christ and so though it may be they were convinced that they could not keep the Law in their own strength yet they think that its an easie thing to believe in Christ and so never saw themselves so fully undone that as they could not keep the Law so they could no more believe in Christ then they could raise the dead that now they were undone for ever if the Lord did not work faith by an Almighty power 5. It is commonly known and observed how Satan doth give ease to many in these troubles and terrours by turning their thoughts to something else sending them to company and pleasures to be cured of their wound which so cures them that they are no
more sad but will grow as loose and prophane as ever they were but if that soul belong to God he will not let the soul sleep thus as if a man should sleep upon the top of a Mast but will awaken the soul and hunt it out of those wayes that it shall find there is no peace and rest out of Christ 6. But in these legal terrors and fears if true peace do not come from the Lord to settle and quiet the troubled and perplexed Conscience nor Satans Receipts put by these troubles Satan tempts these unto despair and many times to self-murder and many in this temptation have been wonderfully delivered by mercy yet O with what violence wil Satan put these thoughts upon poor souls yea and strangely answer the Objections that arise in the heart against it As one that was in great troubles when Satan tempted her to cut her throat there was this Objection presently in her heart O I have made profession of Religion and how will this open mens mouthes against the good wayes of God and say This will be the end of them all that are these forward professors Unto this Satan presently hinted this that she might put a little penknife down her throat and that would do it and would remain there and never be seen and so no dishonour would come to religion but now when the Temptation was strengthened behold sudden and unexpected comfort and Discoveries of Gods Love came that brought peace to her spirit and made the Devil go away with shame O a cunning Devil and O a gracious God that comes many times when there is but a step between the soul and destruction and makes it to live in his sight Many ways might be mentioned whereby God hath delivered poor creatures from murdering themselves as sending some to knock at their doors when they have been going to hang themselves sending some providentially to be in those places where they intended to drown themselves sometimes sending some to discourse with them about spiritual things whereby they have got some light and hope and so have been put by that wicked intention sometimes rebuking the Devil and not suffering him to tempt them further when they have been even almost overcome But here it must be noted that but few of them that have made away themselves in the world have done it from despair of mercy though Judas did so the only man that we read of in Scripture that murderd himself under terrours of Conscience for sin which doubtless was permitted by God among other ends for to clear the Innocency of the Lord Jesus our Mediatour and to shew the greatness of that sin in betraying the Lord of Life But though some few in the world have made away themselves through inward despair of Gods mercy yet others have done it out of worldly discontent and pride as Ahitophel that the Scripture speaks of that because his Counsel was not followed went home in a discontent and hanged himself and how did Nero and many of the Heathens and many of the Jewes horribly murder themselves when they were in danger because they would not fall into their enemies hands how many of those Heathens whose wisdom and sayings many foolishly adore did thus destroy themselves sometimes great companies of them together The greatness of this sin of self-murther might be many wayes made out It is a breach of the sixth Commandement Thou shalt do no murther and self-murder is the greatest murder it is an unnatural sin for all creatures indeavour self-preservation it takes men away from the means of Grace for ever for there is no work nor device nor wisdom in the grave whether they go Eccles 9.10 Self-murder refuseth the common courtesie that is in Gods proceedings in giving a Reprieve for a time before the day of execution if men fear they shall be damned yet there is no ground for self-murder for while a man liveth there may be mercy for ought he knoweth God having pardoned such great sinners and if a man be damned at last yet self-murder being such a great sin will make mens damnation greater and though men in despair would fain be dead yet if they die out of Christ they will wish themselves upon the earth again for though they have great terrours of Conscience yet they will have greater in Hell Selfemurder exceedingly pleases the Devil and therefore as he is forward to put men upon it so he is forward to be their Executioner To say it is impossible for a man to be saved that commits this wickedness and thus sins against God is not so clear but thus to aggravate the sin may well be done it being a sin so great as cannot be exprest Yet hath Satan drawn the wicked heart of man many times to it sometimes in terrours of Conscience but for the most part in excess of Melancholy and in worldly sorrows and discontents though those persons will many times pretend that sin is their great trouble yet the Lord knows and experienced Christians oftentimes find it out to be but the sorrow of the world the distractions about earthly things If God leave a man he is like a Reed shaken with every wind of Temptation and trouble till he be broken in pieces CHAP. VII The saving work of Gods Spirit upon the Heart IT s a mighty work of God to make a man a New Creature and he alone can do it we are his workmanship Ephes 2.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Artificial work a work wherein the Lord hath shewn singular skil and God when he makes a man a Saint works very powerfully therefore Conversion is compared to making children of stones Mat. 3. to raising the dead Eph. 2.1 To make our rebellious hearts to stoop to Christ to turn Satan out of doors requires Omnipotency How doth God in Conversion arm some word to turn a sinners heart the same word that he hath heard often before and it took no impression upon him Is not thy word as an Hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces Jer. 23.29 But then the Lord must strike with it A blow of this Hammer with his hand will break a rocky heart in pieces one blow of his hand though we strike and strike again sinners hearts are not broken God works very mysteriously in the Conversion of a soul that the soul it self we see is able to give but a poor account of it Gods workings are compared to the wind Joh. 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof but thou knowest not whence it cometh nor whether it goeth so it is with every one that is born of the Spirit the wind as it blows freely so is it a mysterious thing we see nothing but the Trees shake and tremble And Gods workings are compared to the way of the Spirit which is a very mysterious thing Eccl. 11.5 If thou knowest the way of the Spirit and how the bones do grow in the womb of
her that is with child then mayest thou know the works of God who worketh all and what a Mystery is this the way of the Spirit if we understand it of the Angels or if we understand it of the Spirits of men children how the Spirit comes into the child in the womb and whetherin the Spirit be formed of some matter and of what and how the Spirit and Life should be in the child so long and it not to be stifled in the womb These are mysterious things and so saith he is it to know the works of God Again the workings of God in Conversion are compared to the secret Influences of Leaven Matth. 13.33 The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a woman that hid a piece of Leaven in three measures of meal until the whole was leavened A mysterious thing how a little leaven spreads it self and leavens the whole Lump and so how God speaks but a word to the Heart doth but say to Matthew Follow me and the soul leaves all and follows Christ this is a mysterious thing It is Infinite Grace that God sheweth in the Conversion of a soul that he should put forth his Almighty power to convert us which he might put forth to damn us and torment us for ever that he should work Grace when he was not desired when we sought him not God first calls and not the creature and O that he should work though the creature resist and hang back we linger in our natural Estate as Lot did in Sodom and we should tarry in our natural estate till God raigned down fire and brimstone upon us as he did upon Sodom and now as the Angel while Lot lingred pulled him forcibly out so doth the Lord pull us forcibly out Col. 1.13 He snatcht us out of the power of darkness so the word signifies and O how doth God work Grace oftentimes upon the most cross and crabbed natured men that if they had not Grace there were no living with them In Conversion the Spirit convinceth the soul of sin as John 16.9 stops it in its sinful course and the soul seeth the Law meet him many times as the Angel met Balaam in the way with a drawn sword in his hand and convinces the soul of Righteousness in Christs perfect Righteousness and draws the soul abandoning all other Refuges to pitch upon Christ for Life and Acceptance with God that the soul now it seeth its wound doth not go to the Law but to the blood of Christ that the soul saith Lord thou providedst me a Garment of Righteousness in Adam one that is worn out and is all menstruous rags and now Lord thou hast provided me a new Garment of Righteousness the Righteousness of thine own Son a Garment that will never wax old Lord I accept of this Righteousness I put on this garment of mine elder Brother to come to thee in When the soul is converted Christ becomes the souls all in all for Justification Sanctification Consolation Whom have I in Heaven but thee and what do I desire in the earth but thee all but dung all but dross in comparison of Christ Communion with God becomes the greatest nourishment and refreshment to the soul Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me for thou art my exceeding Joy this is the language of a true Saint Sin grows irksom and a tedious burthen to the soul and not so much for fear of Hell as from the Love we have to God and Christ our dear Redeemer Now the soul thinks that much that God doth for him and that nothing that he doth for God he thinks as Solomon when he dedidated the temple The Heaven of Heavens is not able to contain thee What is my poor prayers and preaching and service I with all my duties am less then the least of all the Mercics and kindness that thou hast shown to thy servant The soul now is much in the admiration of of Gods love and in desires after it and in thankfulness for it Thy loving kindness is better then Life Psal 63,3 though skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his Life Life is so dear yet thy loving kindness is better then Life If a soul that is converted were going to die for Christs sake that the Grace of God in him costs him his Life yet he cannot but bless God that ever he had Grace wrought in him The soul that is converted misseth God soon and cannot miss him long Psal 63.1,2 My soul thirsteth to see God as I have seen him in such an Ordinance in praying hearing meditating breaking of bread and I long to see him as I have seen him in such a Promise in which he hath sometimes strengthned me quickned me and revived me when I walkt in trouble And the nature of a soul that is converted is to fear sin most when he fears sin least that is to fear to commit sin most when he through the assurance of Gods pardoning mercy to him fears sin least for damning of him In Regeneration the Lord infuseth a new life the seed and habit of Grace wherein in the Soul is passive at first God by a Work of his own plucks up all other foundations and laies down Christ for a foundation in the heart Isa 28.16 Thus saith the Lord Behold I lay in Zinn for a foundation Stone a tryed Stone c. which tryed stone and sure foundation is the Lord Jesus Now its God that laies in Zion that is in the heasts of his people this Foundation behold I lay It s my work saith the Lord no man himself can lay this Foundation right O This is the saving work of Gods Spirit when as God hath laid Christ for the Foundation in a Soul that the soul builds all upon Christ he beareth the stress and weight of all as the foundation bears the weight of the building that all our comfort and peace and strength is built upon Christ and there is now an union between Christ and the soul as there is between the foundation and the rest of the building and this union the Lord makes by the Spirit and by the faith whereby the soul is glued and cemented for ever unto Christ CHAP. VIII The woful Backsliding of many Professors and the way of their Recovery MAny Professors are gone back mightily from the Lord some by error of Judgment some by loosness of Conversation and deadness and formality as if they had never been acquainted with the Lord It s hard to come to a true sense of it because a man may keep up the outward profession of Religion he may grow in Gifts may be in Church-fellowship and yet be much backsliden in his Spirit if the Lord will make use of any thing here written to make any sensible of it and recover them out of it it were a great Mercy Several signs of a backsliding Professor shall be laid down 1. Sign If the Conscience be not so tender as
Bathsheba was born for in the fourteenth v. Nathan told him that the child that was born to him should die and so verse fifteen The Lord strake the child and so for his sin in numbring the people 2 Sam. 24.8,9,10 it was nine moneths and twenty days that the people were numbring and all that time David was not sensible of the sin but in the end of that time the Text saith His heart smote him and he said I have done very foolishly and what a sad thing is it that a sin should be three quarters of a year unrepented of and such great sins A Saint of all men in the world had need have his eyes about him and if it be possible have a thousand things in his eye together and surely if there are some sins that we commit and don't know them and mourn only in the general for them we should mourn the more for these sins we are convinced of and apply Christs blood to cleanse us from secret faults 11. Think daily of the greatness and freeness of Gods Love to us who hath taken such a course of mercy to us when he might have taken a course of Judgement well saith the Scripture That as the Heavens are higher then the Earth so is his mercy towards them that fear him and so are his thoughts of Mercy above ours What is all our mercy and pitty unto His Peter talks to Christ of forgiving seven times a day Christ tels him Ay seventy times seven such is Gods forgiveness his Mercy our mercy to others is commanded and is our duty but Gods mercy is free our mercy to others ariseth from Gods mercy to us but Gods mercy ariseth from him self our mercy is but to some few his to thousands and ten thousands we oftentimes repent of our Mercy he repenteth not O whilst we live and when we die think much and speak much of free Mercy O the infinite expressions of it in the giving of Christ for us and to us What a Miracle of Mercy is our perseverance notwithstanding all our backslidings the daily meditation of free Grace is an approved receipt against hardness of heart this will soften the heart and bring it to godly sorrow for sin to admiration we are said to have hearts like an Adamant stone Zech. 7. Now the Adamant stone is the hardest stone in all the world it will cut glass with ease no hammer nor fire will stir this stone yet this Adamant stone being steeped in Goats blood new and warm that will soften it so will our adamant hearts be softened being steeped in the thoughts of Gods free Grace being steeped in the blood of the Lord Jesus that scape-goat that carried away our sins into the Land of forgetfulness 12. Though we shall have daily infirmities whilst we are here below yet watch against sin and especially have a care we make no eminent turns from God there are some sins that grieve Gods Spirit above others David had many sinful failings he told a lye to Abimelech 1 Sam. 21.2 feigned himself mad 1 Sam. 21.13 made a rash oath concerning Nabal 1 Sam. 25.22 was very cruel to the Ammonites 2 Sam. 12. numbred the people in self-confidence 2 Sam. 24. commited Adultety with Bathsheba 2 Sam. 11. Yet it is said of David 1 King 15.5 that he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of his life but in the matter of Vriah Some think it is spoken of his Government that that only was amiss in his Government that he murdered Vriah but I rather think that this is only mentioned because it was the most eminent turn from the Lord that ever David made the sin that grieved the Spirit of God above all other in comparison of which God did not take notice of other failings that sin of murdering Vriah was a mighty deliberate contrived sin 2 Sam. 11. He wrote letters about it and plotted it which is a great aggravation of any sin and he might have many checks of conscience that while it was a bloody sin it was a very disingenuous sin to take away his life that was fighting for him it was a cloaked sin 2 Sam. 11.25 He put it upon the chance of war it was a very scandalous sin and his Adultery might be comprehended in it for that was against Vriah as well as the murder it was the effect of his Adultery and where one sin is the effect of another it is a great aggravation of it O therefore watch and pray that though we have many weaknesses and much deadness yet that we may not so wickedly depart from our God 13. Labor to be heavenly in the night season we are but a little heavenly in the day time we had need be heavenly in that time of retirement in the night season David meditated of the Lord in the night watches and at the dawnings of the day commit our thoughts to God in the night seasons to prevent vain and sinful dreams God can leave a sweet savour upon our spirits in the night 14. Observe when we pray for others what hints of Gods Spirit we have that he will hear us God hath a secret way to bring some into our prayers and to cast others out of our prayers as Jer. 7.16 God bad Jeremiah not pray for the people it s a sad thing when a Minister finds no enlargement of Gods Spirit to pray for the people where he liveth but I say observe when we pray for any wicked man or for our relations what hints of Gods spirit are upon our hearts that we shall be heard a praying Father sometimes praying for his child in the cradle may have such faith in Prayer such hints of Gods Spirit that he knows God will answer these Prayers though it be twenty years hence and he be dead and gone others again when they pray earnestly for their Children find no Faith no Ptomise no impressions of Gods Spirit all their days that God will hear them for them 15. Lay up Prayers for jorneyes and travails that God would make us heavenly and holy abroad as well as at home besides the need we have of his protection from the dangers that are in Travail but the danger of sin is most to be taken heed of many men will commit those sins abroad that they will not at home Iudah Gen. 38.14 at Timnah a City of the Philistines fell into the sin of whoredom with his daughter in Law unknown this sin he committed abroad in his jorneying which he was zealous against at home and would have his daughter in law burnt for it Therefore I say Lay up Prayers afore hand for all our travails not only for outward Protection and success in our affairs but for our Spirits that God would keep them holy and in communion with himself for abroad we may have these temptations that we have not at home and we may want the company of Saints which hath a secret strange influence upon
devils and over all flesh that he should give eternal life to them that he hath given him and them Christ saith he must bring home and they shall hear his voice John 10.16 3 The Lord hath made many free and absolute Promises as Ezek. 36.26 A new heartwill I give you Gen. 3.15 The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head Now these must be made good to some in their effectual Calling and salvation and that is to the elect for all the free and absolute Promises shew what God both can do and will do for his elect so though they sometimes live a long time in an unconverted estate yet the Lord doth in his appointed time give them a new heart writes his Laws in their hearts and puts his fear in their hearts and causes them to walk in his Statutes and Judgements to do them according to the free and absolute promises of the New Covenant that they are all taught of God and he will be their God and they shall be his people And therefore when we are converted what an engagement have we upon us to live to God and lift up his Name in the world O all you that have been converted and after all your sinfulness have been pluckt as brands out of the fire O shew forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Consider 1 you have but a short time to bring glory to God in the exercise of grace in this world 2 There ariseth a great deal of comfort to a mans own soul in the exercise of grace 3 There are but few converted and therefore those that are savingly converted had need bestir themselves to glorifie God with that grace they have received 4 Natural men do evil with both hands and lay out all their strength against the Lord and therefore how should you that are such monuments of his mercy bring glory to him 5 You may more comfortably and cheerfully die when you have improved that talent of grace that you have received for to bring glory to God in your generation 2 Tim. 4.6,7 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course not that when we come to die Paul or any Believer doth look for heaven for his service for when we have done all we say we are unprofitable servants but we rejoyce that God hath used us and imployed us to lift up his name in the world 6 The more you lay out your selves to bring glory to God the more cause others will have to bless God for you in the day of their visitation seeing your good works they will glorifie your Father which is in heaven and say I bless God for the holy life and heavenly discourse and winning conversation of such a one of thy children for it was a means to convince me and convert me to Jesus Christ but O what a sadder thing would it be if a natural man should have cause to say upon his death-bed or in hell that the life and conversation of such a professor hardened himagainst the waies of God he saw such a professor so deceitful in his calling another so vain in his discourse another so proud in his carriage and apparel another so worldly another so loose in his conversation that he looked upon Religion but as a fancy and was hardened in his sins O then be afraid lest you should receive the grace of God in vain though not as to the salvation of your own soul but in that respect it be well with you for ever yet fear lest you should not glorifie God in the world and make his name as ointment poured forth to others O therefore 1 hold forth Religion in an holy humble heavenly winning conversation the good conversation of Believers may draw others to enquire into Religion and so the Lord may catch them 2 Lay out that grace you have received for the comforting and strengthening of weak Brethren How do men of great gifts and experiences through sinful bashfulness or too much habit of vain discourse become of little use to their Brethren yea to those Brethren with whom they are joyned in Church-fellowship We have got an habit of jesting and vain discourse in our converse together when as the old Saints were serious and spiritual and this same way of idle talking and jesting is almost every where and should this prevail that spiritual communion that should be among Saints would soon be lost but O never come into one anothers company but do or receive good communicate your knowledge and experiences to the weakest Saints and poorest Saints Christians must not be like some Philosophers that we read of that would as soon part with an eye as with some curious notions that they found out in their studies but Christians should comfort one another with the comforts wherewith they have been comforted of God and inform one another in all doubtful cases with the light which the Lord hath given them 3 Lay out your selves to convert others thus did Paul after his conversion Rom. 15.19 compassed Sea and Land took many a weary step went through innumerable dangers to convert souls to Jesus Christ O how do many professors grow careless of Family-worship O labour that those that dwell with you may be converted in your Families and may have cause to bless God that ever they came to such a service where they got the knowledge of Jesus Christ 4 When the Lord laies afflictions upon you have a care that you do not dishonour him then by murmuring and impatience that carnal men will say Are these the people that speak of such high things of Communion with God and the Seal of the Spirit and yet none more impatient when any cross befalls them and thus they will be ready to think that Religion is but a Notional thing that hath no power to subdue the heart to the Lord few are converted amongst us and one cause of it may be that the carriage and conversation of professors is very low and carrieth little in it to hold forth conviction to those that are without FINIS