the soul together with the body too much favours of Atheism Mat. 10.28 Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul Is it not then a childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 5. Because they will have fewer sins to repent of Did it not lie near Pauls heart that he was in Christ no sooner Rom. 16.7 Youthful sins may prove Ages terrour said that heavenly Preacher Mr. Burroughs Salute Androniens and Junea my Kinsmen which are of note among the Apostles which also were in Christ before me Oh had not Paul cause to repent that he was in Christ no sooner that he concerned his soul with the concerns of his soul no sooner might not this have bin his complaint Oh that I had not lived to have been a Man a blaspheming man a persecuting man before I went to Christ and concerned my soul with the concerns of my soul Oh that I had not breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord and haled men and women to prison Oh that I had not consented to Stephens death a man full of faith and of the holy Spirit but had concerned my soul with the concerns of my soul in the days of my youth Did not the sins of Davids youth lie near Davids heart Psal 25.7 Remember not against me the â—e sins of my youth nor my transgressions Is â—tâ—â—t now a childs mercy to concern his 〈◊〉 with the concerns of his soul in the days of â—â—â—th 6. Because the Time of Youth is the best Time for Service As the Morning Time is the best Studying Time Aurora Musis amica so the Morning Time is the best Serving Time Oh young ones now your Parts are Lively now your Senses are Fresh now your Memories are Strong now your Nature is Vigorous the days of your Youth are the Spring and Morning of your Time Now that God might Shadow out your Duty in the days of your Youth he required that the first fruits and the first born should be offered to him Is it not then a Childs mercy Exod. 22.29 to Concern his Soul with the Concerns of his Soul in the dayes of his Youth 7. Because the Promise is made to a Timely Seeking and serving I love them that love me and they that seek me early shall find me He that seeks me early or in the Morning shall find me They that seek me in the Spring Prov. 8.17 and Morning of their days shall find me As the Israelites went early in the Morning to seek Manna and as Students rise early in the Morning and go to their Studies so saith VVisdome they that seek me in the morning and Flower of their Youth shall find me Is it not then the Childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of hiâ— soul in the days of his youth 8. Because an Eternity of Felicity aâ—â— Glory hang upon a few moments of time Hence that counsel Heb. 3.7 To day if you will hear his voice Was it not a good question the Lawyer put to Christ Luk. 10.25 What shall I do to inherit eternal life As if he had said Sir I know that I shall be eternally happy or eternally miserable eternally blessed or eternally cursed eternally saved or eternally damned Good Sir what shall I do to inherit life Oh my cares and feares my thoughts and troubles they are all conversant about an eternity No time can reach eternity No age can extend to eternity no tongue can express eternity U num perpetuum hodie Eternity is that one perpetual day which shall never have an end What shall I do what shall I not do that I may be happy for an eternity Oh get the impressions of an eternity upon thee in the days of thy youth As the Painter painted for an eternity so do thou hear for an eternity read for an eternity believe for an eternity pray for an eternity do from life for an eternity Is it not now the Childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 2 2. The Improving of it I have onely one Vse to make of this and that 's by way of counsel Are those that are young to concern their souls with the concerns of their souls in the days of their youth Suffer then the words of Exhortation But this Vse hath a double Aspect looking unto those that are old 1. To the old and then to those that are young Now these are either in a state of Nature or a state of Grace To those in a state of Nature 1. To those in a state of Nature 1. Art gray and yet graceless repent then and believe the Gospel Haft gray hairs upon thy head Mar. 1.15 Heb. 1.6 and not grace in thy heart 't is high time then for thee to have repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Oh soul there are but a few sands in thy Glass look about thee yea look above thee look within thee â—sa 45.22 yea look without thee Look unto me all ye ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else But will looking amount unto any advantage yea Look unto me and be ye saved When any are old in sin wo to such an old Age. It s better to die young then live to be old and die in sin Oh how sad is it to live to be old and yet die before the old man dies Then only is old age good when we are good in old age Pro. 16.31 not only die in a good old age but are good dying old The glory of young men is their strength but the beauty of old men is their gray head The gray head is a crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteousness Oh soul are grny hairs here and there upon thee hast scarcely an eye to see with hast scarcely a Foot to walk with hast scarcely a Hand to work with and hast not yet Concerned thy Soul with the Concerns of thy Soul Certainly then thou art in danger of hell fire 2. Art Gray and yet Grace-less despair not ther 's hope for thee at the eleventh hour Art going upon the last hour despair not Matt. 20.9 for he that came the eleventh hour received a penny Did not the Thief go from a Cross to a Crown Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise But their things are not written for your Imitation but to prevent your Desperation Wee say so long as there is Life there is Hope Are going off the Stage and yet hast not gone to Christ ther 's great ground for thy Faith and Repentance but not for thy Desperation the reason is Obvious for as God is the Author of Mercy so he is the Timer of Mercy And as he calls whom he will so he
and say The snare is broken Ps 124.7 and I am escaped 3. Must the heart be kept above all keeping Know then as the heart is the man is before God as the hand is the man is before man but as the heart is the man is before God Men judge of our hearts by our words and our works but God judges of our words and our works by our hearts Jehovah seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance 1 Sam. 16.7 or according to the Margent on the eyes for Man looketh on the eyes but Jehovah looketh on the heart 4. Must the heart be kept above all keeping Up then and be doing May not I advise concerning keeping as Israels Sage do concerning getting Pto. 4.7 With all thy getting get understanding so with all thy keeping keep thy heart yea keep thy heart above all keeping You must not say concerning the heart as Cain said concerning Abel Am I my Brothers Keeper Gen 4.9 Do not say Am I my hearts Keeper Above all keeping let this be kept 5. Must the heart be kept above all keeping Multiply cries then that God would keep it The Mother loves to hear from the Child though it can but stammer and stutter God loves to be enquired of by the House of Israel God hath a greater respect to the chattering and lisping of a Saint then to the greatest Eloquence and Orâ—tory of a sinner God wâ—ll lend and laâ— his ear to a Daniel when he hath no great variety of matter and can as it were but just speak witness this place Dan. 9.19 Oh Lord hear Oh Lord forgive Oh Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake Oh my God! for thy City and thy People are called by thy Name Soul get into a Corner get into a Closet and cry there Lord keep my heart for 't is to be kept above all keeping Oh I have a base and a bruitish heart a hard and a haughty heart Lord keep it Oh I have an unbelieving and a misbelieving heart a proud and a passionate heart Lord keep it Oh I have a dark and a dead heart a corrupt and a carnal heart Lord keep it for 't is to Be kept above all keeping Thus the Psalmist did Oh Lord Ps 25.20 keep my soul and deliver me let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in thee But here I shall advise unto a making faith of the Power of God the Presence of God and the Guard of God 1. Make faith of the Power of God God is as able to keep it as he was to make it as able to keep it as he was to enlighten it as able to keep it as he was to enliven it Great is the Lord and of great Power 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am Perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day But what is God able to keep He is able to keep the soul able to keep grace in the soul able to keep glory for the soul Whatsoever the soul hath deposited into the Hand of God he is able to keep it Now the heart is a main thing that is committed to God Psa 37.5 Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass Commit thy way to the Lord Roll thy way upon Jehovah thy way but what way the way of thy heart or thy inward way the way of thy hand or thy outward way That is concern Jehovah which is the Father or the Son with all thy concerns especially with the heart which is the greatest concern Art a son or daughter of Abraham make faith then of the Power of God believe that the Power of God is greater to help thee then the Power of Sin or of Satan can be to hurt thee Oh soul the Lord can do whatsoever he will though he will not do whatsoever he can Gods Power hath no limit but his pleasure 2. Must the heart be kept above all keeping make faith then of the Promise of God As there is the Power of God so there is the Promise of God in order to the keeping of the heart God hath Promised to keep his People and he will keep his Promise He is God that hath Promised and he will Perform Gods Word may be taken though Mans can scarcely be such is the Immorality of the last of the latter days Soul plead the Promise of God for keeping thy heart Thou wilt keep him in perfect Peace or according to the Hebrew in Peace Peace whose minâ—â— is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Isa 26.3 Now there can be no Peace no inward and abiding Peace when the heart is not kept There can be no Peace no perfect Peace no constant and continuing Peace when the heart is not kept For as there is no Peace no true Peace to the wicked so there is no abiding Peace when the heart is not kept but like some mighty Torrent it overflows its Banks God speaking of his Vineyard saith Is 27.2 3. I Jehovah de keep it I will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day 3. Must the heart be kept above all keeping Make faith then of the Guard of God God hath appointed and approved a Guard for the heart There 's a possibility yea a probability for the keeping of the heart because there is an appointed and approved Guard in order to the hearts keeping He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways 'T is true Ps 91.11 these words when Christ was tempted by Satan were applied by Satan to Christ If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down for it is writter He shall give his Angels Charge concerning thee Mat 4 6. and in their hands shall they bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone Wonder not that these words are applied to Christ for if they belong to all sanctified believers in general as Interpreters agree much more eminently to the Head and Husband of these Christ Jesus who is the Beginner and Consummator of Grace The most mighty and magnificent Monarchs in the World have not such a Train such a Retinue at home nor such a Life Guard when they go abroad as the meanest Saint hath for he hath a Guard of Angels a Convoy of Angels and this is approved as well as appointed of God in order to the keeping of the heart 6. Must the heart be kept above all keeping Mourn then over that in the heart which hath made it so treacherous Sin is the greatest Treason in the world and this makes the heart so treacherous May not I say of Corruption as the Queen did of Calice Rip me open when I am dead and you will find Calice at my heart Should ye rip open a person would ye not find
Remember the Son so as to believe 〈◊〉 him and rest upon him Remember the Spâ—rit so as to feel his Power and his Presenâ—â— and to experience his Influence Thus yeâ— much more then thus remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Meditation That young ones must concern their â—â—ls with the Concerns of their souls 〈◊〉 the days of their youth It is a duty â—â—umbent upon those that are young â—â—d that while they are young to concern â—â—eir souls with the Concerns of their souls â—â—ose that are young even while they are â—ung are to remember that is call to mind â—â—d keep in mind the Concerns of their â—â—ls In the managing of this meditation as I 〈◊〉 more or less under a divine Gale and â—ust I shall propound two things by way of â—â—thod Method the Proving and the Improving 〈◊〉 it 1. Now here I shall make an innocent â—nquiry after two things 1. What these Concerns of the soul are The Proving of iâ— â—herewith those that are young are to conâ—â—rn their souls in the days of their youth 2. Why those that are young are to conâ—â—rn their souls with their soul-Concerns in â—â—e days of their youth 1. What these Concerns of the Soul are â—herewith those that are young are to conâ—â—rn their souls in the days of their youth I can but touch upon the Concerns of the â—â—ul and therefore can give you but a Tasâ— â—f soul-concerns I am conscious to my self â—â—at my line is too short to sound this bottom â—nd fathom this Depth But what are the Concerns of the Soul Quest The concerns of the Soul are Grace and Glory Solution holiness here and happiness hereafter a heaven here and a heaven hereafter a believing in Christ here and a being with Christ hereafter Grace here and Glory hereafter are undoubtedly the great concerns of the soul But to speak to these distinctly 1. Grace Grace Grace must needs be a great concern of the soul whether ye consider the Excellency of it or the Necessity of it The Excellency of it 1. The Excellency of it Grace in the soul is the Ornament of the soul As the Firmament is without the Sun so is the soul without grace As the body without the soul so is the soul without grace Now what would the world be without the Sun but darkness perfect darkness It s perfect night to the soul before Christ and Grace arise there What 's the body without the soul but a dead carcass 't is action-less and motionless because soul-less and life-less for as the soul is the life of the body so Christ is the life of the soul Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me yea Christ does not only live in me but He is my life When he who is our life shall appear Gol. 3 4. To me to live is Christ Grace and Truth do not only come by Christ come along with Christ John 3.16 but Christ himself is a gift of Grace So God loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Grace is of such worth and of such weight as that 't is not for me to say of what worth it is of what weight it is And not only Grace in God but grace in the soul the work of grace there and grace wrought out there is worth a world a thousand worlds ten thousand worlds if there were so many 2 2. The Necessity of it The Necessity of it Salvation is a great concern of the soul and therefore this must needs be a great thing but no salvation without grace Is not that a blessed Parenthesis Eph. 2.5 By grace ye are saved The Grace of God which bringeth salvation Tit. 2.11 Certainly Salvation is a great thing a glorious thing but this is by Grace The free-grace of God is the primum mobile the wheel that sets all a going the moving cause the active and passive obedience of Christ the meritorious cause of this salvation Ask the Papists what pains do he seemingly take witness his Expence witness his Fasting witness his whipping witness his Pennance Pilgrimage c. Ask the Sinner that 's sailing by the Gates of Hell and what would he not give for salvation if he could have it for money Ask the Saint the man or the woman that is under doubt and darkness Lord do what thou pleasest Lord do when thou pleasest lead me thorough the water lead me thorough the fire so thou wilt but lead me to thy self that I may be saved at last This Soul cries out as one did Lord August here beat me and buffet me here bleed me and burn me so thou wilt but hereafter save me 'T is true the word Grace hath a variety of Acceptations in the holy Scriptures of Truth but by Grace I principally Intend the Graces of the Spirit Grace wrought in the Soul and Grace wrought-out for the Soul that it may be Holy and Heavenly which is the great Concern of the Soul Thus Grace here a heaven here holiness here a being in Christ here is the souls great concern 2. Glory Glory As Grace here So Glory hereafter is the Souls great Concernment Grace is the way to Glory Holiness is the way to Happiness H. b 12.14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Grace is the Seed Glory is the Flower Grace is Glory in the Bud Glory is Grace in the Flower Oh where is the Soul that have a Hell here but would have a Heaven hereafter Oh say the Soul let me get to Heaven at last though I Swim through a Sea of Blood Now for a Soul to be created in Christ and Glorified with Christ for a Soul to have a Being in Christ through Grace here and a Being with Christ in Glory hereafter must needs be a great Concernment of the Soul The great Doctor of the Circumcision looked upon Grace from Christ and Glory with Christ to be the great Concerns of the Soul and therfore presseth to ascertain the one that the other may be certain for the one Entitles unto and Entails the other Lend both eares to what he says Give diligence the word in the Greek seems to be Emphatical and hath the signification of Study and Diligence as if the Apostle had said Hoc agite make it your Business let it be the great Concern of your Souls But what to make your Calling and election sur that is firme and Constant Why for this he gives two reasons 1. To Prevent a Final falling For if ye doc hese things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1.10 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or according to the Greek ye shall not not fall 2. To be Estated in an everlasting Kingdome For so an entrance shall be ministred unto yeu abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Is a Crown nothing a Kingdom nothing but who is able to say what
THE Young Mans GUIDE TO Blessedness OR SEASONABLE DIRECTIONS FOR YOUTH IN their unconverted state By R. MAYHEW Minister of the Gospel ECCL XII 1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth c. LONDON Printed for John Hancock at the Three Bibles in Popes-Head-Alley Cornhill 1677. To my Dear Children Dear Children T Was Jacob that said to Pharaoh Gen. 33.5 These be the Children which God hath graciously given thy Servant Oh that I could say Ye are the Children which the God of Grace hath indulged the Grace of God! Grace is a Pearl of that worth and weight that the whole Universe is not able to weigh against it The Topaz of Ethiopia is but a Pebble to this Pearl 'T is Grace that entitles and entails Glory Grace is Glory in the bud Glory is Grace in the flower Grace and Glory differ not in kind Non specie sed gradu but in degree Grace is Glory Militant Glory is Grace Triumphant 'T is the same state in another stature when Time shall go into Eternity then Grace shall go into Glory Ioh. 4.1 The water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of water springing up into everlasting life As it is true no Sun no light no tree no fruit It is as true no Grace no Glory no Holiness no Happiness If therefore a Grave-change do antecede a Grace-change wo wo wo to that soul for an Eternity Good Parents good Tutors good Masters and good Guardians with whom children are are a great mercy 'T is true godless Parents may have godly children Amnon had a Josiah Abijam had an Asa But when the Mother is an Hittite and the Father an Amorite the Daughter seldom proves an Israelite 'T is as true godly Parents may have godless children Adam had a Cain as well as an Abel Abraham had an Ishmael as well as an Isaac Isaac had an Esau as well as a Jacob Jacob as he had by Rachel an advancing Joseph so by Leah an abasing Simeon Now though Parents cannot entail their personal perfections or imperfections upon their posterities for as the child cannot go to Hell for his Fathers sin but for his own Eze. 18 Mar. 16.16 The soul that sinneth shall die so the Child cannot go to Heaven by his Fathers Copy he must believe or be damned yet the Children of Believets are nearest a blessing and their probabilities for mercy are fairest Such children have great Advantages above others They have a stock of prayers and Tears a going they have the example of Parents and instruction from Parents Gen. 12.19 Did not Abraham read Divinity-Lectures to his Family Was not Monica a fervent and frequent a cordial and constant Suppliant at the Throne of grace for her Son Augustine and was not the success sweet Train up a Child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Grace Pro. 22 6 runs as it were in a Line When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy Grandmother Lois Tim. 1.5 and thy Mother Eunice and am perswaded is in thee also The Children of Parents truly gracious and godly are under promise I will poure water upon him that is thirsty Isa 44.3 and Floods upon the dry ground I will poure my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine Offering As for me this is my Covenant with them saith Jehovah Isa 59.21 my Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever A mans Children are himself the Child is a Father multiplied Those Children are not lost to their Parents when they die who are not lost to God while they live Children the Glory of God should be our first and last Primum Ultimum this should be the white in our eye at which we should level every Arrow this must be propounded as the utmost and ultimate end of all our actions Now next unto this glory and your good together with the good of others for two Reasons have I prepared this for the Press that the Press might prepare it for your perusal 1. Because God was pleased to give 〈◊〉 welcom to a little Tract of mine that was formerly printed Entituled Love to the Life 2. Because I have little if any thing else to leave you I am reduced to an astonishing ebb I have but a very â—ittle Meal in my Barrel and Oyl in my Cruse but blessed be God for a Crum for a Drop He that deserves nothing should be content with any thing Nature is satisfied with a little Grace with less Take â—his therefore that hath for its Title A Paternal Gift for a Paternal Portion Mr. Bolton It was the Charge of a worthy Minister upon a dying bed to hiâ— Children that they should not darâ— to meet him at the last day in an unregenerate state Mat. 25.34 41. Oh that I may noâ— meet you in a Christ-less and Grace less state then Oh! the thoughts oâ— these words cause me to tremble leâ— Christ should say to Parents Come yâ— blessed and to Children Go ye cursed Now Gal. 3.26 that ye may be all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus that ye may not have Oil onely iâ— your Lamps Mat. 25.4 but also in your Vessels Rev. 3.1 that ye may not have onely name to live 2 Tim. 3.5 but also the naturâ—â— of life that ye may not look one waâ— and vow another Having a forme Godliness Gal. 2.20 but denying the Power therâ—of that ye may not hang on thâ— out-side of the Ark but have a liâ—â— from Christ and for Christ anâ— with Christ 2 Co. 5 15. that the eternal Goâ— may be your Refuge and underneaâ— you everlasting armes that the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob Iohn 17.24 Deut. 33.27 may be your God Guide and Guard blessing your souls and this Mite unto your souls humbly and heartily prays Dear Children Your dear Father according to the Flesh RI. MAYHEW To the READR Reader A Writing may speak when the VVriter do not when the Writer dare not when the VVriter cannot yea which is â—ore when the Writer is not Books may speak when men are speechless yea when men are lifeless Though there be many good Books and these may be read yet thero is the Bible which is the Book of Books and this must be read Blessed is he or she which readeth that Book and keepeth those things which are written therein Rev. 1 3â— As it is true there is a so believing but of them that believe to the saving of the soul A so doing Heb. 10. ult Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing
the Kingdom of Heaven is what the Kingdom of Glory is Is not a Sinless state a Sorrow-less state a Temptationless state a Time-less state worth the hearing worth the having Oh Soul 't is a Heaven to hope it what then is it to have it Now Glory hereafter Happines hereafter a Being with Christ hereafter a Heaven hereafter must needs be a great Concern of the Soul which leads me to the next Head proposed 2. Why those that are Young are to Concern their Souls with their Soul-Concerns in the dayes of their Youth 1. Because 't is their Duty so to do To this my Text speaks Remember thy Creators in the dayes of thy Youth Here is a positive Precept and Prescript now as divine Commands are not to be Dispenced with so they are not to be Disputed but Dispatched Oh you that are young your Lot is cast where ye may seek after the Lord you have the meanes and Opportunities of Grace Oh how many Young Persons laid in everlasting Chains of Darkness would give Ten-thousand Worlds had they so many VVorlds to give for an Opportunity to hear one Sermon more to Read one Chapter more to make one Prayer more to Keep one Lords day more may not I therefore say to you as the Apostle did with a very little Variation How shall ye escape if ye neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2.3 2. Because 't is their Dignity so to do Oh what a rare sight is it to see Nature and Grace Contemporaries to see Grace and Nature Budding together Blossoming together Oh how honourable is it but Beginning to Act Rationally beginning also to Act Spiritually was not this the honour of Aâ—ijah 1 Kings 14 1 12 13. to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth was not this the honour of Obadiah to fear the Lord in the days of his youth was not this the honour of Josiah 1 Kings 18.12 2 Chro. 34 1 2 3. that precious and promising Prince to seek after the God of David his Father in the days of his youth was not this Timothy's crown that he knew the holy Scriptures from a child which are able to make wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 thorough faith which is in Christ Jesus And was not this the Apostles joy that he found children walking in the truth 2 ep Jo. 4 3. Because 't is their Mercy so to do Hast Mercy in thine eye 't is thy mercy and that in a manifold respect to concern thy soul with the concerns of thy soul in the days of thy youth 1. Because childhood and youth are vanity Solomon speaking to the young man to remove sorrow from his heart Eccl. 11.10 and put away evil from his flesh gives this reason for Childhood and Youth are vanity Young ones in the days of their youth are loytering when they should be labouring playing when they should be praying singing when they should be sighing merry when they should be mourning Childhood and Youth are not only vain but vanity it self 'T is not long after Children have been breathing but they are belching out hideous and horrid Oaths Do not children bring original sin with them into the world Psal 51.5 I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me Now 't is not long before they act sin and the soul that sinneth shall die Are not there many children that have not long began to speak but begin to take the sacred Name of God in vain yea desperately to curse and to swear Is it not now the Childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 2. Because the truth of Grace is a Childs greatest Ornament This pur-blind Gentry and Age look to the Face but not to the Heart upon beauty in the face but not upon grace in the heart Absalom was a perfect beauty as to his body but a perfect black as to his soul for he was Christless and graceless and Godless Grace is the Image of God stampt upon the soul and such a child is lovely in the eyes of God though it be loathsom in the eyes of man How crooked soever deformed soever poor soever weak soever this child be as to body yet 't is beautiful as to soul having grace stamped upon it 'T is a beauty in the eyes of a God and of a Christ though it be a black in the eyes of a man that is Godless and Christless Thy Renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect thorough my comeliness Ezek. 16 14. which I had put upon thee saith Jehovah God As if God had said thou wert a black but thou art now a beauty Oh Child thou art by nature as black as sin can make thee and art like to be as miserable as hell can make thee Is it not now thy mercy to concern thy soul with the concerns of thy soul in the days of thy youth 3. Because their Glass is running God doth as it were turn up a Glass when we come into the world and this is running running apace and die thou must What man is he that liveth and shall not see death i.e. shall not die Child die thou must yea die thou mayest and that in a little time Thou art in health to day thou mayst be sick tomorrow thou art upon a down-bed to day thou mayest be upon a dying-bed tomorrow thou art upon earth to day thou mayst be in hell tomorrow Is it not now the concern of the child to remember his Creator in the days of his youth We say Time and Tide stay for no man My days are swifter then a Post Job 9.25 they flie away they see no good The Ancients emblem'd time with wings not running but flying Time is like the Sun that never stands still but is ever a running his race The Sun did once stand still yea went back but so Time never did The Shunamites son was short-liv'd and so was Davids that he had by Bathsheba 2 Sam. 12.18 Is it not now a childs mercy to concern his soul with the concerns of his soul in the days of his youth 4. Because children have immortal souls Children have souls as Parents children have souls as well as men And these souls of theirs have a stamp of excellency and a stamp of Immortality They have a stamp of excellency The body that 's the cask the soul that 's the wine the body that 's the cabinet the soul that 's the jewel the body that 's the work of God the soul that 's the Breath of God And as the soul hath a stamp of excellency so of immortality Death can kill bodies but it cannot kill souls The soul lives though the body dies The soul is a blossom of eternity and hath a stamp of immortality Every child hath a soul which death it self despaireth how to kill That opinion of the mortality of
calls when he will Caesar when he saw Alexanders Statue wept having though young done so much when himself had done so little Dost thou see a green one in the way to Heaven when thou a gray one art in the way to Hell Here 's cause for mourning but not for despairing because God who can have mercy on whom he will will have mercy when he will 2. To those in a state of Grace 1. Art gray but gracious make then death familiar There are few that have much familiarity with Christ when they die but those that have made death familiar before they die That 's the soul that goes singing home when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives That 's the soul that can laugh death in the face when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives This is the soul that through grace can say Oh death where is thy sting Oh grave 2 Tim. 4.6 where is thy victory Paul had not only a knowledge that he should not long live before he died for he could say I know the time of my departure is at hand Phil. 1.23 but he had made death very familiar while he lived for he could say I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far much better Man is a Mass of Mutabilities be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mutability Man is but a wink of life be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mortality the Heathens Embleme for life Oculus apertus oculus clau 〈◊〉 was an eye opâ—n and for death an eye shut as if there were no more difference between the living and the dying but the twinkling of an eye 2. Art gray and gracious multiply cries then for thy children if thou hast children Thus Abraham did Oh that Ishmael might live in thy sight Now he having such a spirit of Prayer would not only pray for the life of his body but also for the life of his soul according to my Charity towards him Thus David did for the child he had by Bathsheba at first the child was sick He prayed and fasted and lay upon the earth all night Now David 2 Sa. 12.16 having such a spirit of Prayer such is my charity concerning him also did not only pray for the life of the body but also for the life of the soul Have not many sick children and some sinful children multiply cries then for these Oh Lord make this Ishmael an Isaac Oh Lord make this Esau a Jacob Oh Lord make this Cain an Abel Oh Lord make this Benoni a Benjamin this son of sorrow a son of my right hand Oh Lord make this Dinah a daughter of Abraham this wandring daughter a believing daughter 3. Art gray and gracious and hast children concern thy soul then with their Education Good Parents good Masters good Tutors and good Guardians are many times great Blessings to Children Now that Parents are to look after the Education of their Children ther 's both Precept and President Precept Commands are Obligatory the Commands of God and Christ are not to be Dispenced with these are to be Dispatched not Disputed a Dispensation from the Italian-Monster is altogether Insignificiant as to these Commands Now that there is a Parental obligation for a filial Education is evident And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath lest they be discouraged Eph. 6.4 but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Nutriment of Soul as well as Nourishment of Body should be in the Parents Eye If the Father be desirous that the Body of the Child should grow bigger he is to be more then desirous that the soul of the Child should grow better Only take heed to thyself Deu. 4.9.10 and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons Specially the day that thou stoodst before the Lord thy God in Horeb when the Lord said unto me Gather the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the dayes that they shall live upon the Earth and that they may teach their Children This is still evident by what follows These words which I command thee this day Deu 6.6 7. shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Once more Isa 38.9 The Fathers to the Children shall make known thy Truth 2. President How careful were the Heathen that Chidren might have Education Morally good Now not Christian Parents Believing Parents endeavour an Education Spiritually good An Vnbroken heart and an Vnchatechised head Gen. 18 19. will keep distance enough between a Sinless Creator and a Sinfull Creature Is there not sufficient President for this Practise Did not Abraham read Divinity Lectures to his Family Take the Testimony of God himself For I know him that he wlll Command his Children and his Household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to doe Justice and Judgment c. Thus Abraham did and did there not grow upon the Stalk of his Instructions as as eminent service and obedience to the Father of flesh and to the Father of spirits as ever was was not Isaac willing to offer his Throat to the sacrificing Knife was not Isaac's faith great as well as Abrahams the sons as well as the fathers And was not the son's life as dear to him as the fathers son was to him Once more and no more as to this I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their childrer shewing to the generation to come the Praises of the Lord c. for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israâ—l which he commanded our fathers that they should makâ— them known to their children that the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children Ps 78.2 3 4 5 6 7. That they might set their hope in God and not forget the Works of God but keep his Commandments Question 1. But what Reasons may be given besides Precept and President why Parents should Concern their Souls with the education of their Children Solution 1. Because of its ordinary Tendency Train up a Child in the way he should goe what then and when he is old he will not depart from it In which words Pro. 22. â— you have the Fathers Duty and the Childs Mercy the one to train up when young the way he should goe the other to be trained up when young the way he
sufficiency of grace for a Christian Method under temptation 5. What Vse may be made of this that the grace which is in Christ is sufficient for a Christian under temptation 1. Whether there be a sufficiency of grace in Christ for a Christian under temptation Will it not be lost labour and as it were to hold a candle to the Sun at noon to go about to prove this That there 's a fulness of grace in Christ is Evident Herein the great Doctor of the Gentiles is positive Col. 1.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell The word Father is supplied in the English Translation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it pleased so the Greek that is if I mistake not it pleased both the Father and the Spiit that in the Son should dwell but what fulness yea all fulness For it pleased that in him should all fulness dwell All fulness of grace or a fulness of all grace Col. 2.5 In Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead Personally Here 's fulness yea all fulness yea all the fulness of the Godhead yea all the fulness of the Godhead and that Personally Once more the Apostle speaking of Christ as Head and the Church as Body speaks of the Church as the fulness of Him and of Him as the fulness of the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And gave him to be Head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Or according to the Greek filling all things in all things 2 VVhat manner of grace this grace is that is in Christ and is sufficient for a Christian under temptation 1. Grace in Christ is free grace 'T is Grace and therefore free 't is free and therefore Grace 'T is Grace no way unless free every way Wine and Milk may be had without money and without price yea Grace and Glory are had without money and without price Jehovah God is a Sun and a Shield he giveth Grace and Glory Grace here glory hereafter grace upon earth glory in heaven are given they are Donatives Grace in Christ and from Christ is free Eph. 4.7 t To every one of us is given graâ—e according to the measure of the gift of Christ 2. Grace in Christ is formidable grace Grace in Christ is able to weather any storm every storm How prodigious soever the winds of temptation be and how impetuous soever the waves of tribulation be grace in Christ is able to weather all The temptations of Christ were great but grace in Christ weathered all He went out conquering and to conquer And as grace in Christ so grace from Christ weathers all As the temptations of Christ were great so the temptations of a Christian are great and yet grace from Christ weathers all When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy Oh Lord held me up Psal 94.18 3. Grace in Christ is attracting grace There is not a greater naturalness in the Loadstone to draw Iron to it then there is in the grace of Christ to draw the soul to Christ. The grace of God and of Christ have a mighty Influence Moses spake from Mount Sinai Christ spake from Mount Zion Moses by his thundering did not draw to Christ but Christ by his grace draws to himself Can. 1.4 I drew them with cords of a man with bands of love And as Christ draw unto himself so after himself in a way of grace Draw me and we will run after thee 4. Grace in Christ is abounding grace Grace in Christ is grace in the Fountain now grace in the Fountain is for Quality and Quantity ever the same Grace in Christ is grace in the Ocean now how empty soever the channel is the Ocean is full always full I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely Ther 's abundance of grace in Christ so much I cannot tell how much grace in Christ is a wonderful Deep and my Line cannot sound this Depth In Christ there are deep Ditches which cannot be sounded and rich Deeps which cannot be Exhausted Where sin abounded grace did much more abound Rom. 5.20 5. Grace in Christ is abiding grace Grace in a Christian though it may decay yet it cannot dye Grace in a Christian must continue until grace goes into glory when Time goes into Eternity Now if grace be thus in the stream what is it then in the fountain Grace in Christ is lasting yea everlasting As from Eternity to Eternity Christ is God so from Eternity to Eternity he is good and gracious and can as soon cease to be God as to be good Psal 103.17 cease to be God as to be gracious The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting or thus The mercy of Jehovah is from eternity to eternity upon them that sear him and his righteousness unto childrens children The Mercy of the Lord endureth for ever 6. Grace in Christ is commodious grace Is not Advantage in every mans eye Grace is very Advantagious it brings Salvation along with it By grace ye are saved Is not Salvation a great thing Bâ—n 2.5 Is not Damnation a bitter Pill and potion Is not Salvation a sweet morsel This is by grace and this grace is laid up in Christ This Gold layes in this Ore Salvation and all in a Tendency unto Salvation runs in the veins of free-grace The whole Fabrick of Salvation is laid in grace 7. Grace in Christ is Efficatious grace The Man that fell among Theeves was left by the Priest and the Levite as they found him but Christ by his grace had compassion on him What men and means cannot do Christ by his grace can do without men and means What men and Angels cannot do Christ by his grace can do That grace which bringeth Salvation teacheth also to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts that we may walk soberly and righteously and godly in this present world Tâ—â— 2.11 12. 8. Grace in Christ is suitable grace What so suitable for a sinner as a Saviour What so sovereign against sin as grace Ther 's no Physick more suitable for the Body then grace is for the Soul Is not Bread suitable for the hungry Water for the thirsty so is grace for the soul that is sick of sin If any man thirst let him come unto me Joh. 7.37 and drink If any man if any one so the Greek Man or Woman let that man and that woman come unto me and drink Bread and Water are suitable for the hungry and thirsty 9. Grace in Christ is seasonable grace Every thing we say is beautiful in its season and the more seasonable any thing is the more beautiful it is The season of a mercy greatly accent the mercy As the Death of Christ was in season While we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us and in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly So
the grace of Christ and in Christ is seasonable when the soul is under temptation and under Affliction Is not that a lofty and a lovely expression For peace I had great bitterness Isa 38.17 but thou in love to my soul hast delivered it from the pit of corruption for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back 10. Grace in Christ is surpassing grace Sin is an evil thing Sin is an evil the evil of evils Ther 's evil and nothing but evil in sin Sin is evil but grace is good sin is worse but grace is best Sin is a large Field a large Territory but grace is a larger Sin is the largest Territory in the World but grace Mans Ephah is full of sin but Gods Ephah is fuller of grace Mans cup is full but Gods cup is over full and that for an Eternity For as sin has reigned unto Death Rom 5. 〈◊〉 so hath grace reigned through righteousness unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Here is sin reigning unto death but here 's grace reigning unto Eternal life The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal life Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ther 's sin enough in man to damn man ther 's grace enough in Christ to save man Ther 's sin enough in man to damn man and that for an Eternity ther 's grace enough in Christ to save man and that for an Eternity 3. How this grace is in Christ that is sufficient for a Christian under temptation Grace is in Christ two wayes Formally and causally 1. Formally Grace is in Christ Formally as in the subject of it Christ is the God of grace In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God But what then The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us and we beheld his glory Jo. 1.1 14 the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth 2. Causally Grace is in Christ Causally as in the fountain of it As Christ is the God of it so he is the giver of it for he is thee head of the Church Col. 1.13 And he is thee head of the body the Church Now thus Christ is in a manifold respect 1. Because Christ is above the Church and ruleth it as the Head guideth the body Christ is soveraign as well as Saviour and Surety He is therefore called King of Saints Rev. 15.3 2. Because Christ conveyeth Life into the Church as the Head to the Members Christ giveth life to the Church Maintaineth life in the Church yea Christ in the Churches life Col. 3.4 When he who is our life shall appear 3. Because Christ provideth for the Church as the Head doth for the Members Christ gives the Church Manna yea Christ doth not onely feed the Church but is the Churches Food and he is at once Meat and Medicine I am the bread of life Jo. 9.48 4. Because Christ Participates with the Church in the same nature with it as the Head doth with the Members For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin 4. Why there is in Christ for a Christian a sufficiency of Grace under temptation In a three-fold respect God Christ and the Christian. 1. In respect of God God 2 Tim. 2.16 because his foundation standeth sure The foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth them that are his God knoweth those all those that he hath given unto Christ and he hath laid up in Christ a sufficiency of grace for these that they may not miscarry for an Eternity 2. In respect of Christ because he is to lose none that are given unto him Christ While Christ was in the World he kept his and upon his going out of the World he ingaged the Father to keep them As God knows all that are given unto Christ so Christ is to keep all that are given unto him Jo. 17.11 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy Name those that thou hast given me have I kept and none of them is lost but the Son of perdition that the Scripture may be fulfilled Jo. 17.12 But where did the Scripture speak this of Judas Let his dayes be few and let another take his Office Psa 109.8 3. In respect of the Christian As there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ upon Gods account and upon his own Christian so upon the Christians 1. In order to the strengthening of the Christian Ther 's a fulness of grace in Christ for Christians that Gods power may be made known yea 2 Cor. 12.9 10. made perfect in mans weakness This appears by the words after the Text for speaking of his grace as sufficient in the Text he gives this reason For my power is made perfect in weakness and when I am weak then am I strong When I am weak in flesh I am strong in Spirit when I am weak in my self I am strong in my Saviour Christ can say Paul thou art weak but I am strong yea I am strength The strength of Israel that cannot lye Now there is a Sufficiency of grace in Christ that a Christian may be strengthned under all his troubles and trials under all his Temptations and Tribulations 2. In order to the smiling of the Christian We use to say a Christian life is like a Courtiers life for upon the favour or disfavour of the Prince depends the Comfort or discomfort of the Courtier Thus upon the smiles or frowns of Christ depend the comfort or discomfort of the Christian A Christian is like the Marigold concerning which they say that it opens with the shining and shuts with the setting of the Sun If the Sun of Righteousness set in a Cloud 't is as Death to the Christian but if this Sun of Righteousness break thorough a Cloud 't is as life to the Christian Christ will not alwayes frown lest the Spirit should fail before him and the soul which he have made If ever a drooping desponding despairing soul be comforted Christ must be the Text and the Preacher too I even I am he that comforteth thee Now there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ in order to a Christians comfort Jo. 6.63 The words that he speak they are Spirit and they are Life 3. In order to the feeding of a Christian Ther 's a sufficiency of grace in Christ that the Christian may feed upon the promiss that when he hath nothing in his purse he may find enough in the promiss and when he hath nothing in his private hand he may find enough in his publique head Feeding upon the promise is believing in the promiss for the promiss is a ground for Faith as the precept is a Rule for Obedience
Man liveth not by bread only how then but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Now the promiss is a full breast Mat. 4.4 and God delights that Faith should draw it 4. In order to the fraughting of the Christian Christ will lade the soul with Experiences and that in a double respect 1 In respect of himself Christ would have every Christian to have something in hand something in store against a rainy day against a winter day Christ would have the Christian to lay up in store a good Foundation for the time to come and to remember the days of Old Agracious reflection of former experiences is a good relief to the soul under future Extremities Oh say the soul I was in the Depths at such a time but Christ kept my head above water VVe had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead 2 Cor 1.9.10 who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Apostle argues from former Experience 〈◊〉 future Deliverance 1. In respect of Others There 's a sufficiency of grace in Christ that a Christian may not only have a word for himself but also a word for others VVho comforteth us in all our tribulations Why That we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1.4 but how By the comforts wherewith we our selves are comforted of God Christian converse often prove thorough the riches of free-grace Christian comfort Now as there is a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted For instance so that we may comfort one another Ch saith one I am tempted tempted to curse God and dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Bless and curse not 2. Oh Rom. 12.14 saith another I am under various temptations my temptations are many and mighty too Oh saith the other so have I been but then this word was given in Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Iam. 1.12 3. Oh saith another but I am afflicted afflicted and ready to dye Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in In all their affliction he was afflicted He was affected with their affliction â—sa 63.9 and under their affliction they had his affection 4. Oh saith another I am reproached They lay to my charge things that I know not Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Mat. 5.11 .. 5. Oh saith another but I am persecuted and persecution in plain English is hunting a hunting after the soul to take it Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in persecuted but not forsaken 2 Cor. 4.9 6. Oh saith another but I am hated hated of Neighbors hated of Relations Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Marvel not my brethren if the World hate you 1 Jo. 3.13 7. Oh saith another but I am impoverished I am reduced to a low Ebbe I have very little Meal in my Barrel and Oyle in my Cruse Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in Mat. 6.36 Take no thought for the morrow for the morrow shâ—ll take thought for the things of it self 8. Oh saith another I am unbelieving and my Faith is at a low Ebbe Oh saith the other so have I been but then that word was given in 2 Ti. 2.13 Though we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself 9. Oh saith another but I have high and hard thoughts brutish and blasphemous thoughts wanton and Worldly thoughts Oh saith the other so have I had but then that word was given in I know the thoughts that I think towards you Jer. 29.11 saith Jehova thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end Or according to the Margent End and Expectation 10. Oh saith another my grace is weak and my Corruption strong yea my corruption is sometimes stronger then my grace Oh saith the other thus it have been with mee but then this good Text and great Truth was given in My grace is sufficient for thee Thus a Christian converse prove a Christian comfort and to this End among others is thâ—re a sufficiency of grace in Christ that we may be comforted and consequentially comfort one another What Vse may be made of this But Fifthly that the grace which is in Christ is sufficient for 〈◊〉 Christian under temptation I have only one Vse to make of this Vse and that 's by way of Counsel If there be in Christ for a Christian a sufficiency of grace under Temptation suffer then the â—ords of Exhortation But here I would speak to two sorts of Persons Those out of Christ those in Christ 1. To those out of Christ 1. Art out of Christ Tremble then for thou art without Grace As no Sun no Light no Fountain no Stream no Fire no Heat So no Christ no grace and no grace no glory Oh who that hath grace in his private Hand and in his publique Head would if he could be in thy condition for a World for a thousand Worlds if there were so many for thou art Christ-less and so Grace-less As the Apostle upon the believing Hebrews imposeth this so he encourageth the believing Hebrews unto this Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy Heb. 4.16 and find grace and help in the time of need But oh soul what wilt thou do when a Storm come when a tempest come what wilt thou do when sickness come when death the King of Terrors come if thou hast not Christ thou hast not grace to help in that time of Need But what shall I do whither shall I go Quest If to be Christ-less be so be Grace-less if to be Grace-less be to be Glory-less what shall I do whither shall I go Go unto Jesus If thou wouldest have grace go unto Jesus for it Did Pharaoh say go unto Joseph may not I then sâ—y unto thee go unto Jesus There is no grace out of a Christ Solu Gen. 41.55 Jo. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ As Christs grace is sufficient for the supportation of a soul in himself so for the Salvation of a soul out of himself As his grace is sufficient for the Sustentation of a soul in himself so for the Sanctification of a soul out of himself My grace is sufficient for thee Art in Christ Triumph then ther 's grace enough in Christ for thee Secondly to those in Christ under the greatest Trials and Troubles under the
confirming of it the applying of it 1. The Explaining of it Now here I shall enquire after three things 1. What this Sin is that Fools make a mock at 2. What this Mocking is that Fools make at Sin 3. What these Fools are that make a mock at Sin 1. What this Sin is that Fools make a mock at Description Sin in the Nature and Notion of it is a transgression of the Law Sin supposeth a law in being for where there is no law there is no transgression But where there is sin Ro. 4 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is a law a transgression of that Law Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law Or according to the Greek text And Sin is Lawlesness Yea Sin is not only the transgression of a Law but of a good Law Ro. 7.12 For the Law is holy and the Commandment holy just and good Yea the transgression Ps 89.30 31. not only of a good Law but also of Gods Law If his children forsake my Laws and walk not in my judgements If they break my Statutes and keep not my Commandments So that Sin is the transgression of a Law of a good Law of Gods Law Now the Law forbids not onely the doing of evil whether in thought word or deed but also commands the doing of good So that to omit the good commanded as well as commit the evil forbidden is Sin As it is true against the Fruits of the spirit there is no Law no Law of Condemnation It is as true Gal. 5.23 Gal. 5.19 20 21. against the works of the flesh there is Law for they are all against the Law Whatever then doth transgress the Law of God in whole or in part for Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point Jam. 2.10 he is guilty of all Is therefore a sin and therein a sin whether it brake an Affirmative or a negative precept that is whether it be the Omission of Good or Commission of Evil. 2. What this mocking is that Fools make at sin To this Negatively and Positively 1. To mock Negativly is to beguile Thou hast mocked me these three times said Delilah to Sampson Judg. 16.15 But thus you are not to unstand it here 2. To mock is to deride Now this Derision is either inward or outward 1. Inward Then persons are said to mock when from their hearts they deride God in his Goodness VVord and Ordinances with hypocritical mockers in feasts Psa 35.16 2. Outward Now this is by Gesture and by Actions 1. By Gesture All that see me laugh me to scorn Psa 22.7 they open the lip they shake the head But thus you are not to understand it here 2. By Actions Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings yea Heb. 11 3â— moreover of bonds and imprisonments But thus you are not to understand it here 2. Positivelâ— 2. To mock is to speak lightly and sparingly of sin A person then mocks at sin when he speaks of it as Lot of Zoar Is it not a little one Thus the wicked Papists Gen. 19.20 wickedly distinguish between sins Venial and Mortal a distinction not legible in the holy Scriptures of truth Paul who was of the highest stature in grace though not in Nature speak expresly The wages of sin is Death Not only the wages of this sin Ro. 6.23 and that sin but of any sin is death the second death Eternal death When persons speak of sin as many do of Ceremonies are not these little ones to wear this that to read and bow c. are not these little ones so to speak this and do that are not these little things To speak thus is to make a mock at sin and thus you are to understand it in the Text Fools make a mock at sin that is they speak lightly and sparingly of it 3. Who these Fools are 1. Negatively that make a mock at sin To this Negatively and positively But to this Generally and then particularly 1. Generally A Fool liberally is an Ideot one destitute of wit a Person of little or no Capacity or Discretion Thus the wise and the foolish are opposed Eccl. 2.1 Who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool 1. By Fools sometimes understand those that acknowledge themselves to be so 2 Particuâ—â—â—ly 1. Cor. 3.18 Let not a man deceive himself if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise That is saith Musculus let him be a Believer Christians formerly were called Credentes believing ones as if their Faith had been their Folly when 't is the greatest Folly to be without Faith But thus you are not to understand it here 2. By Fools sometimes understanding those that are accounted by others so â— Cor. 4. â—0 We are fools for Christs sake Accounted so by the World thus not to be understood here 3. By Fools sometimes understand those that have onely Oyle in their Lamps Five of them were wise Mat. 25.2 and five were foolish The wise were those that had Oyle in their Vessels as well as in their Lamps the foolish were those that had Oyle in their Lamps but not in their Vessels but thus you are not to understand it here Fools make a mock at sin 4. By Fools sometimes understand those that though they have knowledge and faith yet they have much Ignorance and unbeleif remaining in them Luke 24. â—5 Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken But thus you are not to understand it in the Text Fools make a mock at sin 5. By fools sometimes understand worldly men Thou fool Lu. 12.20 this night shall thy soul be required of thee But thus you are not to understand it in the Text. 2. Positivly 2. By fools sometimes understand wicked men The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Thus you are to understand it in the Text. Fools make a mock at sin Psa 14.1 Wicked men that do not only work wickedness but make wickedness their work are the fools that make a mock at sin They that play with sin as the Fish with the bait and sport with the Devil they are the fools that make a mock at Sin Fools make a mock at Sin But if we look no farther then the Text and Context 't is legible for fools are opposed to the righteous Fools make a mock at sin but with the righteous there is favour These righteous ones are those that are spiritually and actually so that are concerned in an imputed and imparted righteousness 2. The confirming of it Now here I shall enquire after two things Whether fools make a mock at sin and why fools make a mock at sin 1. Whether fools make a mock at sin If to make a mock at sin
be to think or speak lightly or spearingly of it if to make a Mock at sin be to sport with it as undoubtedly it is then that fools thus make a mock at sin is evident It is a sport to a fool to do mischiefe but a man of understanding hath wisedom Pro. 10.23 As a mad man that casteth fire-Brands Arrows Pro. 26.18 19 and Death so is the man that deceiveth his Neighbour and saith am not I in sport To make a mock at sin is to sport with sin And to sport with sin is to take pleasure and delight in sin Thus Israel according to the flesh sported themselves with their Whorish Idolatries Gen. 3.4 and this their mocking at sin lay neer the heart of God Against whom do you sport your selves Against whom make ye a wide mouth and draw out the tongue are ye not Children of Transgression Isa 57.4 a seed of falshood Did not this lay neer the heart of God 2. Why Fools make a mock at sin 1. Because 't is possible for these so to do Look upon Adam which was the first man and there was in him under the first Creation an innate potentialit or power unto sinning 'T is true sin never had a being from God though God Created Adam he did not Create sin in him but Adam had in himself a power to sin which is the Original of sin Had there not been a possibility for man to sin and a potentiality in man unto sinning in vain had that Threatning been The day thou eatest thereof dying thou shalt dye Gen. 2.1 That is no sooner shalt thou begin to live but thou shalt begin to dye and continue dying 'till thou beest swallowed up of death This Threatning dying thou shalt dye God gave in Charge and against this threatning the Serpent laid his siege Ye shall not dying dye Now certainly had there not been a possibility and potentiality in man to sin God had not given this in Charge for he cannot without great blasphemy be charged with vanity Besides the Effect which the siege and Temptation from the Serpent Gen 3.12 and the woman had upon Adam sufficiently proves that there was a possibility for man to sin The woman whom thou gavest to be with me she gave me of the Tree and I did eat 2. Because 't is connatural unto these to do so As it was possible for an unfallen man to sin so 't is connatural unto fallen man to sin Look upon man in his Conception I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me Psa 51.5 As there is the Original of sin so there is Original sin Look upon man in his natural Constitution And God saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evil Jen. 6.5 not onely evil but onely evil and that continually As there is the Original of sin and Original sin so there is actuall sin Look upon men in their Naturals and they are Enemyes to God Col. 1.21 to good to goodness And you who were sometimes alienated and enemyes in your mind by wicked works Or enemies by your mind in wicked works Yet now hath he reconciled The Apostle hath yet a higher strain Because the carnal mind or the minding of the flesh is Enmity against God 'T is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 't is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be 'T is Enmity not an Enemy for an Enemy may be reconciled but Enmity is irreconcileable 3. The Applying of it I shall make onely one use of this Vsus and that 's by way of Counsel If fools make a mock at sin suffer then the words of Exhortation But here I would speak to two sorts of Persons the spiritually wise and sinfully foolish 1. To the wise 1. To those that are spiritually wise 1. Do fools make a mock at sin Mourn then over this sinful mocking Did the suffering of a place lay so near Nihemiah's heart and shall not the sinning of a place or people lay near our hearts The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the Gates thereof are burnt with fire Neh. 1.3 4. and when I heard these things I wept and mourned certain days and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven A Jesting with sin makes a man a fool in earnest Lot had an express from the Angels to go out of Sodom and all that he had but Lot Ge. 19.12 upon his intimation of the destruction of that vitious City and his Invitation out of that City Ge 19 14 seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law Let but one man reprove another for his cursing and swearing for his dancing and drinking for his roaring and whoring he is as one that mocketh and is mocked for his Reproof Now shall not this be laid to heart and mourned over Oh how near did the violating and vitiating of the Law of God lay the heart of the Psalmist Rivers of tears run down mine eyes but what 's the matter Ps 119.136 The Psalmist is ready as it were to weep out his eyes and drown himself in his own tears but what 's the matter because they keep not thy Law They that keep not the Law break the Law and they that break the Law keep not the Law and this lay near the Psalmists heart May we not joyn issue with him and make it the matter of our request as he did Oh that mine head were full of water and mine eyes a fountain of tears Why because Fools make a mock at sin Let this then be for a Lamentation 2. Do Fools make a mock at sin Bless God then for the difference Grace hath made Ther 's a vast difference between making a mock at sin and a mourning for sin between a boasting of sin and a being burdened for si between a glorying in sin and a being grieved for sin Now soul dost thou gr eve for sin when and while others glory in sin Art thou burdened for sin when and while others boast of sin Dost thou mourn for sin when and while others make a mock at sin Oh bless God then for the difference that the God of race and the grace of Goâ— hath made between thee and others Oh let that word ring in thine eares and bâ— ready always to avouch the truth of it wee maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou 1 Cor. 4.7 that thou didst not receive 3. Do Fools make a mock at sin Stand then in awe and sin not Believe it a Christiâ—â— cannot sin at a cheap rate sin cost the Saint dear Oh the pains of Body and pangs of soul that sin cost Oh! 't is far better suffering then sinning for a man may suffer and not sin In all this Job sinned not but a man cannot sin but he must suffer
â—zek 18. â—0 so iniquity shall not be your ruine Now Soul is sin thus and wilt thou make a mock at it 5. Ther 's but one thing in all the world contrary to the Image of God and that 's sin Grace and Holiness stampt upon the soul is the Image of God upon the soul God made Man in his own likeness that is in righteousness and holiness for so the Apostle wordeth it And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness â—ph 4.24 and holiness of truth Now Sin is as contrary to holiness as deformity to beauty as darkness to light as death to life as Hell to Heaven Sin is the Devils Image Grace is Gods Image Sinners are like Satan â— Jo. 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the Devil He is not only a servant but a child of the devil â—ohn 8 44 Ye are of your Father the devil said a sinless Jesus to the sinful Jews Never was a child more like a father then a sinner is like Satan Now wilt thou make any longer a mock at sin 6. Ther 's but one thing in all the world that 's opposite to the people of God and that 's Sin 'T is Sin and Sin onely that wars against the seed of God and of Grace in them 〈◊〉 5.17 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit 'T is true Sin and Satan cannot hate thee so much as God loves thee nor do thee so much hurt as God can do thee good but Sin and Satan too will do their worst Dearly beloved 2 Pet. 2.1 I beseech you as Pilgrims and Strangers abstain from fleshly lusts Why which war against the soul Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at sin 7. There 's but one thing in all the world that 's contrary to the Nature of God and that 's Sin God is holy his Name is holy his Nature is Holiness As his Name is so is He Holy all holy yea he is so and cannot but be so God is without compare for holiness Who is like unto thee Jehovah among the Gods Ex. 15.11 who is like unto thee glorious in holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Now as God is holy all holy altogether holy alway holy so sin is sinful all sinful altogether sinful alway sinful In me that is Ro. 7.18 in my flesh in my corrupt nature dwelleth no good thing As in God there is no evil so in sin there is no good As God is the chiefest of Goods so sin is the chiefest of evils As no good can be compared with God for goodness so no evil can be compared with sin for evil Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at sin 8. Ther 's but one thing in all the world that 's an enemy to the Trinity and that 's sin As God is the greatest enemy to sin so sin is the greatest enemy to God Sin is against the very essence and existence of God Sin is an enemy to the Father Son Spirit 1. Sin that 's an enemy to the Father They are Sinners that say Depart from us for we desire not the knowlâ—dge of thy wayes Iob 21.14 2. Sin that 's an enemy to the Son They were Sinners that said Crucifie him crucifie him Io. 19.6 3. Sin that 's an enemy to the Spirit They are Sinners that resist the holy Spirit As your Fathers did Acts 7.51 so do ye Thus Sin is an enemy to Father Sin Spirit Though Sin be against all good yet not so much against any good as against God and that because he is the chiefest good Now wilt thou any longer make a mock at Sin But as I did begin so I must end Oh soul hug no longer this Monster this Monster of Monsters Play no longer with this bait Oh do not any longer play with Hell and sport with the Devil Oh flee from Sin as from a most Pestilential plague Oh let this Text and Truth ring in thine eares whensoever and whithersoever thou goest Fools make a mock at Sin Fools make a mock at Sin but with the Righteous there is favour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 6.23 FINIS Books Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes-Head-Alley in Cornhil TWelve Books lately published by Mr. Thomas Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New Fish-street 1. Precious Remedies against Satans Devices Or Salve for Believers and unbelievers sores being a Companion for those that are in Christ or out of Christ that slight or neglect Ordinances under a pretence of living above them that are growing in spirituals or decaying that are tempted or deserted afflicted or opposed that have assurance or want it on 2 Cor. 2.11 2. Heaven on Earth Or A serious discourse touching a well-gâ—ounded Assurance of Mans everlasting happiness and blessedness discovering the nature of Assurance the possibility of attaining it the causes Springs and Degrees of it with the resolution of several weighty Questions on Rom. ch 8. v. 32 33 34. 3. The Vnsearchable Riches of Christ Or Meat for strong men and milk for babes held forth in two and twenty Sermons from Eph. 3.8 Preached on his Lecture-nights at Fish-street-hill 4. His Apples of Gold for Young Men and Women And A Crown of glory for Old Men and Women Or the happiness of being good betimes and the Honour of being an Old Disciple clearly and fully discovered and closely and faithfully applied With the young mans objections answerd and the old mans Doubts resolved 5. A String of Pearls Or The best things reserved till last delivered in a Sermon preached in London June 8. 1657. at the Funeral of that triumphant Saint Mrs. Mary Blake late Wife to his worthy friend Mr. Nicholas Blake Merchant 6. The Mute Christian with sovereign Antidotes against the most miserable Exigents Or A Christian with an Olive-leaf in his mouth when he is under the greatest afflictions the sharpest and forest trials and troubles the saddest and darkest Providences and changes with Answers to divers Questions and Objections that are of great importance all tending to win and work souls to be still quiet calm and silent under all changes that have or that may pass upon them in this world c. lately printed and dedicated to all afflicted distressed dissatisfied disquieted and discomposed Christians throughout the World 7. An Ark for all Gods Noahs in a stormy day Wherein is shewed the transcendent Excellency of a Believers Portion on Lam. 3.24 8. The Crown and Glory of Christianity Or Holiness the only way to Happiness discovered in 48 Sermons on Heb. 12 14. 9. The Privy Key of Heaven Or A Discourse of Closet-Prayer Twenty Arguments for it with the Resolutions of several considerable Questions c. 10. A Heavenly Cordial for all that have had or escaped the Plague c. 11. A Cabinet of Precious Jewels or a Box of Precious Oyntments 12. Londons Lamentations Mr. Calamy's Godly Mans Ark. Christ Communion with his Church Militant by Nicholas Loâ—kver Sin the Plague of Plagues by Ralph Venning The Accurate Accomptant or London Merchanâ— â—eing Instructions for keeping Merchant Accounts by â—homas Brown Accountant Short-writing the most Easie Exact Lineal and â—peedy Method that hath ever yet been obtained by Thomas Metcalf Also a Book called a School-master to it explaining the Rules thereof A Copy Book of the newest and most useful Hands Bridges Remains being Eight Choice Sermon 's by â—hat Reverend Divine Mr. William Bridges heretofore Minister at Yarmouth A Discourse of Christs coming by Theophilus Gale King James his Counterblast to Tobacco A Brief Deâ—cription of New York The Shepherds Legacy or forty years Experience of the Weather Venninâ—'s Remains or Christ School consisting of four Classis of Christians viz. Babes Children Young-men and Fathers being the substance of many Sermons by Ralph Venning Prepared for the Press by him self before his Death A Disswasive from Conformity to the World as also Gods severity against Impenitent Sinners with a Farewel Sermon by Henry Stubs Minister of the Gospel Baxters poor mans Family-Book Luthers 84 special and Choice Sermons Comae Berenices or the Hairy Comet The Young mans Conflict with and Victory oveâ— Devil by Faith or a True and Perfect Relation of thâ— Experiences of Thom. Powel begun in the fifteenth anâ— Continned till the seventeenth Year of his Age Gospel-Love heart-prurity atd the Flouishing oâ— Righteous being the Last Sermons of the Late Reverend Mr Joseph Caryl All sold by John Hancock as aforesaid FINIS