Spirituall pride spoiles all Spirituall performances when men think there is a worth and merit in what they do though but their duty If a man be proud of his humility and charity and that he can pray much and as he thinks well and when he looks contemptuously upon those beneath him in gifts of the Spirit knowledge religious discourses and ability of disputing for or against the Truth and thinks himself every way above instruction and stands in need of no farther direction from Gods word but living in his pride as above ordinances and conceits himself perfect in all excellencies free from infirmities and any the least spot of sin in thought word or deed this is the height of pride vain glory and arrogancy and all that have lifed up themselves thus Pro. 3.17 are fallen at once from grace low into the sin of Pride as the proud Angels from heavenly excellencies to hellish shame and horrour and so wilt thou that art guilty in this kind except thou repent S. 81 Again if thou art envious at those above thee and discontent with thy portion and talent because not so much as anothers and refusest to do any thing in thy duties because thou can not do better then others and get thee praise to thy self from others this is the Pride of thine heart too S. 82 If thou takest pride in thy shame if thou gloryest in thy wickednesse and declarest thy sin with an impudent forehead and a profane tongue and wretched actions then hast thou lost modesty and all that is morally good and art become a damned catiffe a devil incarnate S. 83 And farther if thou scornest admonition and spirituall counsell for thy soul if thou slightest the most hearty and serious invitations directions exhortations and reproofs from Gods word and his Ministers and thinkest thy self more fit to teach then to be taught more able to give then receive good cousell then art thou also a proud person S. 84 I exhort thee therefore in the examination of thy self to search deep after this sin for t is a sin so hid from a mans own eyes that he himself hardly finds it out but oftentimes more discernable to another then thy self for the expressions of it are many as boasting words though oftentimes gilded with seeming self-deniall and a lofty gate and countenance high looks vain apparel costly ornaments undervaluing expressions of others censorious scofs and gybing rayling at others uncivil carriage uncourteous behaviour reducing all degrees and qualifications of men to an equality allowing no more to those above thee in civil respect then to thy equals all these are the expressions of Pride and some of them under a shew of humility S. 85 When thou art seeking after the Pride of thy heart do it by the help of humility and prayer and whatever is Pride in thy heart or life or like unto it bring it down repent of it hate it forsake it for the proud man had he no other sin yet his own sin of pride would keep him out of Heaven and throw him into Hell and take heed when thou dost reprove pride in another do not do it proudly considering that so thou maist be guilty again of that thou hast condemned in another Leave off pride and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud and he gives grace to the humble Remember thou art warned to repent for and speedily to forsake pride and vain-glory §. XV. Schism and Heresie S. 86 Schism and Heresie are near akin both works of the flesh the wicked product of depraved nature forged in an ill head and a naughty heart where pride and parts meet in any one there Heresie and Schism will not long be strangers Heresie is the greater an over-grown Schism nullum schisma non sibi aliquam confingit Haeri sin Hier. Com. in Tit. and Schism is a less Heresie growing and tending to it He that is guilty of Schism wil not long be free of Heresie a schismatick is but an heretick concealed and an heretick is a schismatick revealed S. 87 Heresie is a perverse opinion contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of Christ and Schism is a peevish separation from the Communion of the Church of Christ The first is against the Truth of the Church Schisma vin culum pacis dirumpit charitatem scilicet Muse lib. cap. de schismate Gal. 5.19 the other against the Peace and Charity of the Church of God Both injurious to Christ and both destructive to thy own soul if thou art either Heretick or Schismatick and continuest therein both excluding Heaven see Galat. 5.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest sedition i. e. The raising or furthering divisions and disorders in the Church and Heresies i. e. venting strange opinions cunningly devised fables or teaching such for truths as were thus invented or yielding to them 2 Pet. 1.16 or maintaining of them contrary to the Scriptures and received professions of the holy true Catholick Church They which do such things saith Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 2.2 shall not inherit the Kingdom of God and heresies are called damnable and bring swift destruction upon the inventors of such evil things and the teachers of them and the followers of them too the Apostle bids all good Christians to avoid as a pest all such as make rents and divisions in the Church Now I beseech you brethren Rom. 16.17 mark them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have heard and avoid them for they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple v. 18. S. 88 Now it may be thou that readest this art one of parts and desightest thy self in novel and curious speculations and hast taken liberty to let thy thoughts and inventions run from the simplicity and incorrupt truth that is in Christ framing to thy self and others some other articles of faith then what the Sciptures assert and the true Church in all ages hath received or it may be thou art one that doth contradict gainsay and oppose the revealed and received Truths concerning God Jesus Christ and holy Ghost or any other foundation Truth if so I intreat thee if pride obstinacy or implacable malice against the truth have not possessed thee that you would recant your damnable opinions and become sober humble penitent and a lover of that truth which formerly you have opposed and if thou hast been a leader or seducer of others and hast infected them then thy sin is the greater and thy labour must be to undeceive them if thou canst and if thou hast been a professor of Religion and hast used the form of godlinesse the better to accomplish thy ends and propagate thy damnable Doctrines and to corrupt the judgements of others then yet the greater is thy sin and thou hast made seeming holinesse a cloak for thy mischievous wickednesse which
to be the true Messias nor acknowledgest him to be HE that was promised and in time was sent into the world born of a virgin and took humane nature into his Godhead and suffered here on earth death for the Redemption of mankind who were lost by sin and under the curse and power of Satan if thou takest him not for thy Saviour and Lord if thou yeildest not up thy self thy mind Will affections and actions to be sanctified and ruled by him thou art yet an Infidel S. 11 If thou believest not the Holy Ghost to be God and proceeding from the Father and the Son and yet equall with the Father and the Son and that the FATHER SON and HOLY GHOST are one onely God in essence nature power dignity infiniteness according to the Scriptures thou art an Infidel Nay if thou believest not the holy Scriptures of the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT to be of God given unto us for a full Revelation of the mind of God concerning our faith and life If thou believest not the promises and threats of the Gospell If thou believest not reward for the Godly and punishment for the wicked a day of Judgment where and when all mankind shall be Judged according to their workes done in this present World in the Resurrection of all the dead at the last day when men shall receive the finall sentence from the mouth of Christ either for the enjoyment of Heaven or the torments of Hell from that time for ever S. 12 If thou believest not all this thy state is Infidell thou art yet an unbeliever and if thou continuest so this must be thy doom read it and tremble * Mar. 16.16 He that believeth not shall be damned * John 3.36 He that believeth not the Son which is Jesus Christ shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him †Rev. 21.8 The unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Consider this and see if thy case be unbelief whether it doth not concern thee speedily to reform in this particular and become a true believer §. III. Unrighteousness S. 13 Art thou an unrighteous person I mean one that is unjust in thy dealings with men doest wrong either friend or foe in goods name or life Is it thy custome in trafficking with others to cheat deceive defraud any one dost thou keep back for thy own use that which is not thine own by consent or purchase or gift from the right owners hast broken thy promise and covenant made with man wilfully hast thou stollen from or robbed any man of what was his or anothers in his keeping hast received stollen goods knowingly and consenting to theeves and robbers dost usually doe to others in any case what in no case thou wouldest have them doe to thee Then art thou an unrighteous person injurious to man a wronger of thine own soul and highly offensive to the Just and Righteous God who loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity and hast sinfully transgressed that excellent Rule of thy blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who hath said that whatsoever you would that men should doe unto you Luke 6.21 Mat. 7.20 doe ye even so unto them S. 14 Now if thou art guilty of unjust and unrighteous dealing you must repent of it speedily and quit it absolutely away with this evil frame and wicked practice S. 15 Leave off to walk unrighteously if thou meanest to be reformed and saved but if thou wilt not then take notice that this remaines against thee Deut. 25.16 Rom. 1.18 1 Cor. 6.9 All that doe unrighteously are an abomination unto the Lord thy God And then know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God S. 16 Now will you dare to doe unrighteously any more or wilt thou not much rather reform in time then undergoe thy exclusion of heaven and loss of thy happiness to the ruine of thy soul for ever for thy unrighteous dealing S. 17 Then be perswaded to rid thy hands of unjust gain and thy heart and mind from all unjust and unrighteous thoughts and contrivances that it may be said of thee such was I indeed but now I am reformed I have left off all my unjust unrighteous dealing through the grace of God convincing me of my sin warning me and helping me to forsake it Adde this consideration to further thee in thy REFORMATION what will it profit thee yea what is any man profited if he shall gain the whole world by unrighteousness Mat. 16.26 and lose his own soul alas what will all thy getting doe thee good when thou shalt pay so dear for it even the unvaluable losse of thy precious soul at last §. IV. Idolatry S. 18 Is Idolatry thy sin Art thou guilty of that If thou hast worshipped a false God any of the Heathen Idols instead of the true God Hast thou worshipped or prayed to or before an image directing thy service to it or to God by an image of mans making Hast thou adored or worshipped a piece of bread as though it were really and materially the very body of Christ or hast thou adored a crucifix and prayed unto it Or attributed any divine power to a piece of gold silver brass wood made after the fashion of a cross Dost thou give the honour and worship due unto God to any creature or likeness of any thing thou then art guilty thou art found a gross Idolater S. 19 Nay further Rom. 1.21 if thou in thy fancie dost conceive of the eternall invisible GOD who is a pure spirituall being as though he were like unto any thing thou ever sawest and dost worship him under that imaginary shape thou wrongest God and hast set up an Idol in thy imagination and so art thou an imaginary Idolater though thou hast no picture before thine eyes yea further if thy heart mind will affections be laid out upon earthly things and thou payest more true love to and devotest thy self to the pleasures profits and honours of this world If thou servest the creature more constantly affectionately and willingly then the great God then art thou an Idolater for what is Idolatry else but the setting up the creature in the place of God and to give the creature the preeminence in our hearts and minds and what is it to commit Idolatry but a serving the creature and adoreing it * Rom. 1.25 more then the Creator who is blessed for ever And therefore the covetous worldling is branded with this abominable title of Idolatry †Eph. 5.5 For this ye know that no covetous man who is an IDOLATER hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ and of God S. 20 Now it mightily concerns thee to examine thy self speedily and narrowly whether thou art guilty of Idolatry any of the forementioned wayes whether thou worshippest an Idol for thy God or the true God by an Idol whether thou servest and
to those thou hast wronged and for the future be thou resolved never to steal or rob or cheat any more for ever t is the holy counsel of St. Paul Let him that stole steal no more Eph. 4.28 and that no man go beyond or defraud his brother in any matter because that the Lord is the avenger of all such as I have forewarned and testified 1 Thes 4.6 1 Thes 4.6 §. XIII Disobedience and Rebellion S. 63 And now because in these later times iniquity doth abound and therefore souls are in great peril of being tainted with every wickedness and that both natural and religious ties and obligations are broken to the wounding of mens consciences and shipwrack of Faith and it may be thou mayst be one of those that art guilty of the sins of these perilous times and amongst others these are specified 2 Tim. 3.1 to verse 6. Disobedience to Parents Truce-breakers Treason or Rebellion S. 64 Such kind of sinners there are too many who notwithstanding the command of God Eph. 6.2.3 1 Pet. 2.13 14 15 17. Eph. 6.5 1 Tim. 6.1 Tit. 2.9 10 which is that we should honour and obey our superiors 1. Such as are our natural parents from whom we descend 2. Our superiors by Gods appointment as 1. the King as supreme or 2. Governors appointed by him for so is the will of God 3. and also Masters and Heads of families must be obeyed by their servants in all lawful possible and just commands or else servants trangress the Gospel rule 4. And Ministers such as have a power over the people to rule and guide them in the business of their souls Eph. 4.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Pet. 4.19 who are called Pastors spiritual Guides and Embassadors of Christ and Ministers of the grace of God for the good of souls and to such we must give obedience in the Lord Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves Heb. 13.17 for they watch for your souls S. 65 Now it may be thou hast been under all these relations and yet art under them and hast been a transgressor of the Laws of the Gospel concerning these several relations as a child as a subject as a servant or as under the Gospel Ministry Examine thy heart and actings and see wherein thou hast been faulty And S. 66 1. If thou hast at any time or art now in a state of disobedience to thy natural parents in their lawful commands if thou hast reviled reproched strucken cursed them or thy heart rise up against them in hatred or contempt or scorn of them or if thou bearest not due respect to them Ex. 21.19 Lev. 20 9. Pro. 20.20 Deut. 27.17 Pro. 15.20 if thou hast crossed and vexed them by thy looseness vanity and wickedness to the grief of their souls and undoing of thy self by thy naughty courses if thou hast already engaged in any company course and marriage or intendest to do any of these contrary to the counsel and consent of thy natural Parents who intend and seek thy good then I advise thee to repent and leave off to be disobedient and learn obedience and exercise love reverence respect and hearken to Parental admonitions and follow their counsel cease to displease them for assuredly as long as thou art in a state of disobedience to thy Parents thou canst not be assured of the favour of God not his blessing nay thou art all this while under the displeasure of God and a rebell to his commands and untill reformation come thy Case is sad read the texts Deut. 21.18 Rom. 1.30 2 Tim. 3.2 1 Sam. 2.25 S. 67 2. If thou being a subject a person born or living within the dominions of a lawfull King whose right it is to Rule under Christ within his dominions over the outward man by Gods appointment and art bound in conscience to submit unto him and yeild obedience in all things lawfull according to the will of God as t is Gods will thou shouldest for Magistracy is the ordinance of God Therefore let every Soul be subject unto the higher powers ordained of God Rom. 13.1 2 3 4 5. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves DAMNATION For he is the Minister of God to thee for good Therefore must ye needs be SUBJECT not onely for wrath but also for CONSCIENCE sake And another command is 1 Pet. 2.13 14 15. submit your selves for the Lords sake to the KING AS SUPREME or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that doe well For so is the will of God that you Love the brotherhood v. 17. Fear God Honour the King Now this being a clear duty as thou art a Christian to submit to and obey the cheif Christian Magistrate in all things lawfull and honest and to honour him and love him Therefore if thou hast at any time resisted his person or office or hast a rebellious disposition against him seeking by secret and treacherous conspiracie to subvert his rule or mischeif the life or safety of thy Soveraign If thou hast spoken reprochfully of him or cursed him with thy mouth or despised government If thou hast done these things then art thou to be accounted of as such who are condemned for presumptious leud sinners and hast this mark on thee who dost boldly speake evil of dignity Jude v. 8. 2 Pet. 2.10 and despise dominions and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness ver 13. And they that RESIST their lawfull owned Prince and Soveraign SHALL RECEIVE DAMNATION for so Resisting If they repent not Traytors and Rebells shall not escape the revengefull hand of God Rom. 13.2 his Justice will find them out Zimri that slew his Master had not immunity 2 Sam. 20.22 nor Sheba that rebelled against his Soveraign nor Absolon that rose up against king David 2 Sam. 18.9 10. Num. 16.1.32 nor Korah and his associates who appeared against Moses their Prince S. 69 Therefore if thou hast been guilty of this disobedience and rebellion Repent thee speedily lest thou come to ruine both body and soul S. 70 And if thy sin be aggravated by thy actuall fighting against his person and authority and in pursuance of thy Malicious design hast shed the blood of others or hazard thy own life to accomplish thy rebellious purpose then hast thou added murther to rebellion and if thou hast violated a sacred oath and perfidiously broken a Covenant then is thy sin yet the greater by perjury And if thou hast imbrued thy hands in the blood of thy Soveraign or contrived his death or consented to it then hast thou heightned thy guilt to an ABOMINABLE CRIME such as nature and nations and all good men and true Christians abhor and such as the Scripture condemneth and the righteous holy God will one day punish
finall chastisement and eternal punishment S. 34 4ly For this I consider that the least sin that can be named be it but the sin of a vain word an irregular thought an impertinent and unprofitable action is able to undoe and overthrow millions of angels and a world of men if laid and charged on them and the reason is because of that poyson that is in it and 't is enough that it is sin and whatever hath the nature thereof is insupportable by any or all the concurrent strength of angels and men S. 35 Now if I have but the least exercise of my reason or religion how can I contentedly keep my sin how can I but I must forthwith renounce suppresse and cast quite away my sins be they great or small many or few For first when I shall seriously consider these following things 1. I consider that every sin is against God and every time I sin I fight against God and use it as my weapon with which I oppose resist offend contradict the GLORIOUS MAjESTIE of my gracious God that 't is a contrariety against him S. 36 1. To the holy nature of God sin is set forth in Scripture and that doth shew the maliciousness and exceeding desperateness of it where sin is termed a Rom. 8.7 enmity against God b Act. 7.51 resisting the holy Ghost c Act. 5.39 fighting against God and sinners are said while in their sins to walk d Levit. 26.21 28. contrary to God and e Isai 45.9 striving against God yea rising up in f Micah 2.8 rebellion against God And all these are expressions which demonstrate the nature of sin in the root and every branch and spring of the tree is of the same venomous quality in its measure and proportion and can any man think well of that which sets him against the glorious God and renders me an enemy to God and provoketh Gods displeasure against me Wo unto that soul that striveth with his maker Isai 45.9 how can the pot-sheard prevail against his maker how can chaffe stand before the wind how can a bramble withstand the fire S. 37 2. Sin is against the holy and righteous laws of God and by my sin I go about to evacuate and null the just and holy laws of God made to rule us by and when I sin I do in effect say I will not be ruled by those laws of God nor obey the will of God but I will resist his will and break his commands and will not have God for my God to reign over me but follow my own will the will of the flesh and obey the devill and his commands will I follow whatever the issue may be and what a damnable resolution is this yea what a desperate conclusion what wofull and dreadfull consequences will my sinning bring upon my soul if thus I set my self act against the commands of God which one day will be justified against me vile sinner S. 38 3. My continuance in sin in any sin is contrary to that most gracious design and purpose of God by which he willeth my freedome from the dominion filth and guilt of my sin and to put me in a state of holiness and happiness 1. God sent Christ his dear Son into the world on this design and on this errand he came and for this he spent his precious blood and laid down his life to redeeme me from my sins to be a sacrifice for me to destroy the work of the devil in me to wit my sin to slay that enmity in my cursed nature to abolish sin to rid me of my sin to make me a new creature to purge out the old leaven to separate me and my sin he gave himself for me to redeem me from all iniquity Tit. 2.12 14. and to purifie me and make me holy to teach me this lesson by his holy life and holy doctrine to avoid sin to resist temptations to live spotless in the world to renounce all ungodliness to call me to repentance for all my sins past and to lead a sober righteous and godly life in this present world and by his meritorious life and death hath procured this grace for me that through him I might be able to crucifie all my corruptions overcome all my sins and free me from every damning practise and so reconciling me to God and to turn my enmity against God to a harred of every false unholy disobedient way and practise and to be at peace with God And doe I not by my continuing in my sin frustrate this mercifull design and render my blessed Saviour undertaking and his great expence of no such great effect to me do not I while I keep my sin and act my shame and misery put a scorn upon Christs undertakings and trample his precious blood one drop of it being more worth then mountains of gold and precious stones 1 Pet. 1.19 Heb. 10.27 under foot as an unholy thing as a thing not effectual to redeem me from my vain conversation do I not by my continuance after all this in my sin render my self in such a state in which there is nothing can be expected less then a certain fearfull looking for of judgment see it plain Heb. 10.26 If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaines no more sacrifice for sins but a certain fearfull looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversary c. S. 39 2. My continuance in my sin is contrary to the gracious design of the Gospel and ministry of it which is appointed of mercy to my soul and to this end published to thee Act. 26.20 that it might be the happy instrument of thy conversion and to work thee off from thy sin and to perswade thee to let thy sins go Act. 20.21 and to build thee up in a most holy faith and life to turn me from sin to God from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God S. 40 And what are all those calls intreaties invitations wooings complainings menaces promises in the Gospel-administrations and all the labours watchings prayings and preachings and studies and teares and admonitions and warnings and to what end are sermons and sabbaths and sacraments for me why doth God rebuke and correct and inflict punishments upon sinners what are all these from the gracious God to me but so many varieties of arguments and so many importunities and instruments for this very end that I might leave off and cease to doe evil and learn to doe well to what purpose is all this cost but to bring my soul my life and sin asunder what is it for but this to cause me to leave and forsake that which God hates perfectly and that will undoe me certainly if â—â—ept 't is to perswade me to yeild to do no more any such act as God hates O doe not the thing that I hate saith God by all these his