from the multitude of business Eccles 5. 3. Not to be heeded but by the Physitian as they may somtimes be caused by the temper of the Body Diabolical which are filthy superstitious deluding forbidden as by no means to be observed Deut. 13. 1 3. Heavenly proceeding from God Acts 26. 19. Known to be such by their agreeableness unto his Word and whereby he is pleased more evidently to manifest his Will touching things past present to come Such was this which was now represented before the eye of my soul That every one is bound to believe and diligently to endeavour to gain a particular assurance unto himself of his salvation is evident 2 Pet. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 13. 5. This Assurance is to be attained By the Light of Faith John 3. 36. By the Presence of the Spirit in the Soul 1 John 4. 13. By the Testimony of the Spirit Rom. 8. 16. By applying of the Promises with Comfort Hebr. 6. 18. By Confidence in Prayer Heb. 10. 22. Which Assurance when in some measure attained the Lord by special Revelation if he so please may make it yet more evident and more strongly confirm it as he did To Peter 2 Pet. 1. 3. To Paul 2 Tim. 4. 8. as Augustine observes on that place To the Apostles Luke 22. 29 30. To the Seventy Disciples Luke 10. 20. To my self in this Vision Or he may reveale unto man his Salvation without a former assurance of it as To Mary Magdalen Luke 7. 47 48 50. To the Malefactor on the Cross Luke 23. 43. I was never a waiter for Revelations The Scripture is full and contains enough to bring us to Heaven â— Tim 3. 16 17. Nor have I been an Observer of Dreams I know that in them are divers Vanities Eccles 5. 7. This how long and how much I slighted it I have before set down But being now so freshly and strangely brought back unto my memory I could not but take special notice of it as I do of the way of Gods dispensation in discovering of its meaning First He only in an evident way manifested unto me so much of it as in answer to my Prayer served to settle me touching those missed expectations My entertainment whereof with due thankfulness and blessing of his Name prepared the way for a further discovery For many moneths after having upon his former lateâ— great Mercies a perswasion raised in me that as to my soul I was in a happy condition and being desirous to attain a more evident assurance thereof I purposely made choice of that text to preach upon both to my self and my people 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore the rather give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Wherein I took some pains and before I had fininished it I was made clearly to understand the meaning of my Apprehenders hand being taken off me at the Prison Gate of my descent into the Building those most material things in the Vision touching my soul which before I had not so much as minded The faithful Witness who cannot lye in whom all Gods Promises are Yea and Amen 2 Cor 1. 20. so making good those unto me Seek and ye shall â—ind Mat 7. 7. To them that seek for Glory Honour and Immortality he will render eternal life Rom. 2. 7. And that with such a strong undoubted and full perswasion that nothing can ever move me from it Which unspeakeable Mercy I trust by Gods powerful support and assistance I shall alwaies be so far from abusing that as thereupon the Comforts of my soul are unutterable so I shall strive to the utmost in my power earnestly beseeching his help without whom I can do nothing John 15. 5. To proportion my Love and Thankfulness to the greatness of it Luke 7. 47. To purifie my soul from sin 1 John 3. 3. To walk holily and without blame before my God Eph. 1. 4. To fear and serve him in truth with all my heart 1 Sam. 12. 24. To go on chearfully and confidently in mine obedience unto his Will Psal 119. 32. With all diligence putting in practise those duties as all other to which he hath now directed me from Heaven This high favour for which I can never sufficiently magnifie my Gracious Lord was revealed To me seeking for assurance of mine effectual Calling Do thou seek and trust the Lord Christ upon his Promise To me who had been so wicked a man O with me give God the Glory of the riches of his Mercy And whosoever thou art that readest this though thy sins be never so â—ainous despair not of it To me a lawfully called setled Minister maintained by Tithes O slight not this eye-salve from Heaven Rev. 3. 28. Open your eyes poor blinded people The Lord open them for you that you may see and return from the errours of your waies Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed Texts Joâ— 33. 14. In a dream in a Vision of the night c. Then he openeth the ears of men and â—ealeth their instruction c. Acts 2. 17. Out of Joel 2. â—t shall come to pass in the last daies I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh c. and your young men shall see Visions and your old men shall dream Dreams Inst Peter thought on the Vision of the great Sheet wherein were all manner of Beasts creeping things and Fowls and doubted in himself what it should mean Acts 10. 17 19. The Lord spake to Paul in the night by a Vision be not afraid c. Acts 18. 9. Reas 1. God calls by them to repentance Job 33. 14 c. 2. They are a means of enlightning Acts 10. 28. 3. They are given to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. Use 1. Compare them with the Word that thou maist be sure they are from God Acts 2. 2 3 4 16. 2. Mind diligently what Gods end is in them Acts 10. 28. 3. Pray to God to enlighten thee that thou maist understand them Mat. 13. 36. 4. Improve them for thine own for others benefit 1 Cor. 12. 17. Resol Sâ—nce thou hast given me O Lord this manifestation of thy Spirit to profit withal as I am stedfastly purposed to obey thy will as to my self thy Grace assisting so I will and cannot but speak those things unto others for the good of their souls which I have seen and heard Acts 4. 24. O Lord for thy Servants sake and according to Ejac. thine own heart hast thou done all this Greatness in making known all these great things O Lord there is none like thee neither is there any God beside thee 1 Chron. 17. 19 20. The Vision AT London I was apprehended by a shag-hair'd Fellow without an Hat of a deformed Countenance He led me on I knew not whither untill we came unto a Prison scituated where Westminster-Hall stands at the Entrance into the Hall The Front of the Prison was toward the Thames The Gate was wide and stood wide open The chief Prison-House was
are united unto him abiding in him and he in us John 15. 4. There the soul is cleansed from sin and the new life of Grace is begun in it Col 2. 12. as to habit by the holy Spirit then â— B. D. in Col. given unto it Acts 2. 38 39. This Habit doth not act it cannot presently in Infants it doth not in any though baptized at ripeness of years until the Spirit which worketh where when and how it listeth John 3. 8. pleaseth to stir it up For which he takes his own time Luke 16. 17. Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. It is then stirred up when being drawn by the Father we come unto Christ John 6. 44. Gods ordinary way of drawing is by teaching and instructing of man by the preaching of the Word John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14. The Word Preached is the ordinary means to beget and stirre up Faith and all other Graces in the heart Rom. 10. 14 17. Faith stirred up begins to work by Love in an holy Life Gal. 5. 6. And when it thus works in any answering Gods call with a good Conscience 1 Pet 3. â—1 then is Christ actually received into the soul John 1. 12. then is it evident that he is effectually called 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 10. That his Baptism was unto him a Laver of Regeneration and that then he was renewed by the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. The Word preached however hath not this power in it self though delivered by one never so holy never so able never so zealous It is but the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. Who by it Instructs the Understanding John 6. 45. Moves the Affection Acts 16. 14. Inclinâ—â— the Will 2 Cor. 4. 7. Man propounds the Doctrine of Faith Rom. 10. 17. The Spirit stirs up the assent of the heart to embrace it Acts 16. 14. The Preaching of the Word then being Christ's only ordinary way to change the heart to stirre up Faith as also to encrease it and all other Graces 1 Pet. 2. 2. My Bowels cannot but yern over my poor Brethren throughout the Kingdom and I cannot but heartily pity beâ—oan and pray for the return unto Christ's Fold of those his wandring sheep those â—educed souls who being miâ—led by blind Guids stumble in their waies from the ancient paths to walk in paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Refusing to walk in the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. Forsaking the Fountain of living waters for broken Cisterns Jer. 2. 13. Leaving the healthful Pool John 5. 4. For stinking Sinks and Puddles Withdrawing from and slighting the Preaching of the Word and despising the lawful Ministers thereof â— As for their deceiving deceived Teachers 2 Tim. 3. 13. St. Paul shews Whose Ministers they are 2 Cor. 11. 15. What their Practise is v. 13. What their Aim Col. 2. 18. What their present Desert Gal. 5. 12. What without repentance their future Reward â— 2 Cor. 11. 15. When the lawful Ministers of Christ faithfully dispensing of the Mysteries and winning souls unto him shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. Obs The Word Preached by a Lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart Texts Rom. 1. 15 16. The Gospel preached is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that beleeveth Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God preached v. 2. is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Inst. Lydia hearing Paul preach the Lord opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken by him Acts 16. 14. Three thousand were converted at Peter's Sermon Acts 2. 41. Reas 1. God hath appointed that it shall be so Isa 55. 11. 2. It is the only ordinary means to beget Faith in the soul Rom 10. 14 17. 3. It is the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. 4. For the Glory of Gods Wisdom and Power in confounding the wise by foolish things mighty things by weak things things that are by the base and despised things of the world yea by things which are not 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. Use 1. Wouldst thou be hired into the Vineyard Stand in the Market place Mat. 20. 3. Wouldst thou be cured Wait at the Pool Joâ—n 5. 3. Attend upon the Means If God hath given thee to Christ thou shalt come unto him John 6. 37. but in his time and way 2. Pray unto God that the door of thy heart may be opened otherwise the door of utterance opened to the Minister will be in vain Col. 4. 3. 3. Barrenness under the Means is dangerous Heb. 6. 7. 4. Slight not Preaching God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1. 21. 5. They who will not hear Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16. 31. 6. Account the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace beautiful Rom. 10. 15. Esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 13. 7. They that despise them despise Christ and God himself Luke 10. 16. Resol I am but thy earthen Vessel the excellency of the Power is of thee O God I will as my duty is present thy Treasures unto thy people not handling thy Word deceiâ—fully but by manifestation of the truth commend my self unto every ones Conscience in thy sight 2 Cor. 4. 2 7. Of whom is all my sufficiency 2 Cor. 3. 5. Ejac. O let thy holy Spirit work in me mightily that with all Faithfulness preaching Christ the hope of Glory I may labour and strive according to his working to warn those whom thou hast entrusted me with and to teach them in all wisdom that I may present them perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 2. â—8 29. Paral. The Vision in General Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed OUR Lord Christ when he lived upon the earth his constant way of teaching was by Parables Mat. 13. 34. This way before his Inâ—arnation he frequently used Numb 12. 6. In Dreams and Visions of the night and now still he useth it though not so commonly Acts. 2. 17. For a Vision is nothing else but a Parable or certain visible words in an Emblematical way represented before the eye of the mind when the outward senses are bound up with sleep It is an acting of that before the eye of the soul for its clearer Information and that it may there take the deeper impression which spoken to the â—ar awake would not so much be minded and attended unto by reason of the multiplicity of diverting cares business passions c. A Parable in it self being only the first part of a similitude is aenigmatical and dark but add the Interpretation it is plain to an easie capacity Of Visions there are three sorts Natural usually arising
so it is utterly to be condemned Filial fear is a reverential fear of Gods Majesty and Power Gen 28. 17. A trembling at his Judgments Psal 119 120. This fear hath a special regard unto the offence as sin by its guilt separates from God Isa 59. 2. This is enjoyned Psal 3â— 9. and Blessings promised to it Psal 25. Psal 112 c. as necessary to a Christian through his whole life and to continue in Heaven as to the act of our reverence of God arising from the consideration of the excellency of his Nature and Justice in his punishment of the damned Psal 19. 9. Initial fear is a middle fear between these two causing man to abstain from sin to do good with a respect partly to the punishment and partly to the offence However it proceeds not from the first but is the beginning of Reverential or Filial Fear and arising from Love upon effectual Calling begun in the soul and there shewing it self as the working of Faith as yet but in a weak measure Which Fear as Faith and Love gather strength is by degrees expelled 1 John 4. 18. This way by fear the Lord at the beginning took with Adam First he had wrought in him an apprehension of fear of the Curse threatned against him upon his disobedience Gen. 3. 10. And then after followed the Promise of the Seed of the Woman who should break the Serpents head v. 15. This way he still continues First Moses must be believed then Christ John 5. 45. First there must be an apprehension of Gods Justice and then of his Mercy in his Son sweetned by the foregoing severity of the sharp Schoolmaster of the Law Gal. 3. 24. Upon this account it is that the Ministers of the Gospel do yet preach the Law We preach it to the Regenerate as a Rule of life Jam 1. 25. and to stir them up to thankfulness for their freedom from its Curse obtained by Christ Gal. 3. 13. To the Unregenerate as a Rule of Life likewise Luke 10. 28. And that by its Terrours they may be brought unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. Thus the Commandment is ordained unto Life Rom. 7 10. And this life is alone to be had in Christ Acts 4. 12. Obs Upon effectual Calling the fear of Hell is a principal Means to bring the Soul un to Christ Texts Deut. 5. 28 29. I have heard the voice of the words of this people c. They have well said all that they have spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes c. Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by Faith â—ast Paul upon the great Light shining about him and the Voice from Heaven trembling and astonished said Lord What wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. The Jaylor came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. Reas 1. It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. 2. It prepares the way for perfect Love 1 John 4. 18. Use 1. The Law is to be taught Jam. 1. 25. 2. Beware of worldly fear Rev. 21. 8. Ostâ—nd not God for fear of man Mat. 10. 28. 3. Take heed of hardning thine heart Prov. 28. 14. 4. Get assurance that thou hast the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Resol I will take heed how I offend knowing that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Ejac. Enter not into judgment with thy Servant O Lord For in thy sight shall no man living be justified The enemy hath persecuted my soul O deliver me for I flee unto thee to hide me Psal 143. 2 3 9. Paral. V. Circ Being perswaded that in that Building I might secure my self from my Pursuer I gat down into it Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ SIN sets and keeps up a Partition-wall between God and the Soul Isa 59. 2. Fear is a means to break it down Prov. 3. 7. My fear made me hasten down the stairs upon which being entered I plainly saw the Building whereon they set me and had a perswasion in me that there I might secure my self from my Pursuer which Perswasion was my Faith I had not nor could I have such thoughts until I saw the Building that I saw not until I entred upon the stairs Faith and Repenrance are begotten in the Soul at the same time and in the order of Nature repentance follows Faith But Repentance is first discovered and afterwards Faith A sinner cannot perswade himself that he shall obtain Salvation by Christ which is the act of Faith until he find in himself an hearty turning from sin which is the act of Repentance First there must be a forsaking of sin and then follows assurance of Pardon Prov. 28. 13. Heb. 6. 1. The Priviledges of Gods Children are many They are received into his Family Eph. 2. 19. They have his Name put upon them Rev. 3. 12. They receive the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. They have accesse with boldness to the Throne of Grace Eph. 3. 12. They are enabled to cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. God their Father pities them Psal 103. 13. Protects them Prov. 14. 26. Provides for them Mat. 6 30 32. Corrects them for their good Heb. 12. 6. 10. They are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. They inherit the Promises Heb. 6. 12. They are heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. With many other Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! 1 John 3. 1. To this Love and these Priviledges the certain effects and discoveries thereof although God from all eternity hath predestinated some in Christ for the praise of the Glory of his Grace Eph. 1. 5 6. Yet they are not made partakers of them until they partake of that redemption which Christ hath wrought for them Gal. 4. 5. Of this Redemption none can be partakers until by the Spirit it be actually applyed unto them Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Which Application is then wrought when we are united unto Christ Eph. 1. 7. We are united unto Christ upon effectual Calling When receiving of him we are admitted to that high Priviledge to be the Sons of God John 1. 12. Christ is received by Faith John 1. 12. Which Faith though it hath a general respect unto the Word upon the authority of the Author thereof believing to be true what therein is revealed 1 Thes 2. 13. And thereupon Yielding Obedience to his Commands therein Rom. 16. 26. Trembling at the Threatnings Isa 66. 2. Embracing the Promises Heb. 11. 13. Yet it hath a special eye unto Christ in those Promises relying upon him alone for salvation Acts 4. 12. Faith thus relying upon Christ is a certain
particular perswasion in the soul of the Believer that his sins are pardoned and that God accepts of him as righteous in his Son Who By his Passive Obedience having undergone what we had deserved hath reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 21 22. And By his Active Obedience having fulfilled the Law for us this his Righteousness being imputed unto us we by and for it are reputed righteous and so are justified in the sight of God Isaiah 53. 11. Which Faith though it be the alone Instrument of Justification Rom. 3. 28. yet it works by Love in whomsoever it is Gal. 5. 6. From which it cannot be separated Because the Soul by Faith apprehending God as the Author of its Salvation by Christ cannot but with Love answer so great a Mercy Luke 7. 47. Because by Faith the heart is purified Acts 15. 9. Which without Love it cannot be Because the faithful have a just Title unto Heaven John 3. 36. Which without Love they cannot have This Faith at first is but weak Mat. 6. 30. Yet where there is A Desire of Union with Christ Phil. 3. 9. A Longing after the Word as its spiritual Food 1 Pet. 2. 2. A Cleansing of the soul from sin Acts 15 9. True Love towards God 1 John 4. 19 and towards his Children 1 John 5. 1. It is unquestionably true Faith which Gathering strength by degrees Rom 1. 17. grows up dayly towards a fulness of Perswasion Rom. 4. 21. Being furthered in the way thereunto By the Spirit assisting 1 John 2. 27. By stedfastness in the Faith Eph. 4. 14. By the Word 1 Pet. 2. 2. By the Sacrament John 6. 56. With John 15. 5. By Prayer Luke 17. 5. Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ Texts John 15 4 5. Abide in me and I in you c. For without me ye can do nothing 1 John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath Life Inst Abraham staggered not at the Promise of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform Rom. 4. 20 21. Paul counted all things but â—â—ung that he might win Christ and be found in him not having his own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Without Faith we cannot partake of that Redemption which Christ hath wrought for us Eph. 1. 7. 2. Without Faith we are not justified Rom. 5. 1. Not adopted John 1. 12. We cannot be saved 1 Pet. 1. 9. 3. They who by Faith abide in Christ and he in them bring forth much Fruit John 15. 5. 4. They who abide not in Christ are fruitless branches fit only for the fire John 15. 6. Use 1. By Faith man is justified without the deeds of the Law Rom. 3. 28. 2. Get assurance that thou art united unto Christ 1 John 3. 24. 3. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 1. 4. They who by Faith are united unto Christ are sure to have their Prayers granted John 15 7. 5. Pray that thy Faith may be encreased Luke 17. 5. 6. All Unbeleevers and temporary Beleevers are excluded from partaking in the Benefits of Christ John 3. 36. Rom. 11. 22. Resol Thou who hast begun the good work wilt perform it until the day of thine appearing Phil. 1. 6. I will therefore with a conâ—ident assurance look unto and wait upon thee O my Lord Christ for the perfecting of my Faith who art the Author and finisher of it Heb. 12 2. Ejâ—c Lord I beleeve help thou mine Unbeleef Mark 9. 24. Paral. VI. Circ Attempting to get down into the Building upon my Perswasion of being there secured from my Pursuer I was strongly opposed by men within it who thrust at me with an Halberd c. Obs The Souls Enemies upon Effectual Calling are most violent against its Faith I Was now upon the building and for my security was resolved to get down into it but met with strong opposition from those within it My resolution proceeded from my fear My Perswasion of safety there to be had was my Faith and this was it that mine enemies so violently opposed Faith is the souls chief defence under Christ Eph. 6. 16. It is the Soul's Life Heb. 10 38. If Satan can overthrow this the Soul sinks with it This he thrust sore at in Peter but he was assisted by Christ's Prayer for him Luke 22. 32. In Christ who beat him off with It is written Mat. 4. 3 4. So teaching us how to defend our selves Our Adversary chuseth out the most piercing and deadly of his â—iery darts which with all his force he casts against the faith of the effectually called upon his change Charging him Thon art an hainous sinner and therefore caâ—st not have faith This fiery dart is quenched with It is written Though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red as crimson they shall be as Wool Isa 1. 18. But thou art an inveterate sinner This is quenched with It is written Lazarus was raised though he had lyen in the grave four dayes until he stank Luke 11. 39 44. But thou art Gods enemy whom he hates This is quenched with It is written And you that were alienated and enemies yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 21. But all thy sins are not pardoned such and such are still upon the Score This is quenched with It is written He will cast all our sins into the depths of the Sea Mich 7. 19. But thou hast no share in the obedience of Christ This is quenched with It is written Christ it made unto us of his Father Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1 30. But thou art still blind in spiritual things This is quenched with It is written The path of the Just is as the shining Light that shineth more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4. 18. And these his endeavours to over throw our Faith though not with the like violence as upon effectual Calling yet are continued against it through our whole Lives Somtimes he chargeth it with Barrenness This fiery dart is quenched with It is written Walk in Christ stablished in the faith Col. 2. 7. Fruitfulness will follow where faith is stedfast Somtimes he would perswade us that we have no Faith because we are under the effects of Gods displeasure This is quenched with It is written That the Son of his Love yet cried out My God! why hast thou forsaken me Mat 27. 46. Gods favour and the effects of his wrath may consist together Rev. 3. 19. Somtimes in that our Faith doth not encrease This is quenched with It is written The Seed springs and grows up the Husbandman knows not how Mark 4. 27. Somtimes he chargeth with hainous sins of
believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
The Only SOVEREIGN SALVE FOR THE Wounded Spirit Approved by the Author in himself Delivered by him in several Sermons after his Recovery And now Published for the Glory of his most Gracious Restorer and for the Comfort and Settlement of any Afflicted Soul that doth or may labour under that weighty Burden By Richard Wortley Minister of Christ in his Church in Edworth in Bedfordshire This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain in Goldsmths Row in Cheapside 1661. To the Reader Courteous Reader ST Paul who had the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7 40. having by and from that Spirit assured us 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God that it is profitable for Doctrine Reproof Correction Instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughâ—â— furnished unto all good works 〈…〉 16. That â—â— Gospel is the power of God unto Salvatioâ—◠〈…〉 â—e that believeth â—pon the Spirit 's such assurance by him I do rely with â—â—sidence And as in my soul I do believe the Scripâ—â—â—es to be the very Word of God so as I boldly may 〈◊〉 ought taking heâ—d unto that sure Word of Proâ—â—ie 2 Pet. 1. 19. I do teach the Truths which there I â—â— as Parts of that inspired powerful perfecting and â—very good work throughly-furnishing Word not â—ting to seek further or to wait for the revelation of â—â— Truths not there set down lest I be found in the â—â—mber of the blasphemous adders thereunto and so beâ—â—e liable to that fearful punishment threatned against â—â—h Rev. 22. 18. Moses and the Prophets are to be heard Lu. 16. 29 The Scriptures are to be searched John 5. 39. However sinâ— as the natural man cannot aâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ings wanting a spiritual eye to discern 〈…〉 â—evealed unto them 1 Cor. 2. 14. â—â— the â—â—generate though diligent hearers and searchers cannot clearly discern them unless revealed unto them Luke 24. 45. The Lord is pleased in such a measure as he sees fitting to give unto them the Spirit of wisdoâ— and revelation in the knowledge of him and to enlighten the eyes of their understandings Eph. 1. 17 18. and by the spirit of Truth to guid them into all needful Truths as he hath promised John 16. 13. This ordinary way of the Spâ—rit of Truth 's enlightening to the glory of the same Spirit I speak it I have experimentally found in my soul from the time that with a total resignation I have given my self up to bâ—led by it Which further to encouâ—â—◠〈…〉 a confident and chearful going on in the service of my Lord Christ in his Ministry hath lateâ—◠〈◊〉 an extraordinary and not so usual a 〈…〉 most unworthy dust and ashes of so low 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—cention of my great God! been pleased not only to assure me That I have escaped the Corruption that is in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. A blessed and most sweet assurance but likewise Clearly to manifest unto me The dangerous estate of the Natural man while such The manner of the great work of his Conversion To instruct me in the right understanding of many Scripture-truths relating thereunto To shew unto me and to all that are effectually called the path of life and by way of guiding of my steps to Heaven-ward secrâ—tly to say unto my soul this is the way walk in iâ— Isa 30. 21. Of which great Mercies with soâ—e other vouchsafed to him not worthy to be beloved not worthy to be minded this following Narration will more fully inform thee The Narration IN my younger years being bred up in the University and having taken a Degree there I was admitted into one of the Inns of Court Where having spent about two years Means now failing for my support and continuance in that course I was received into the Family of an Honourable Personage mine Employments being in the way of a Scholar as to write Letters to read Divinity to pen Sermons to pray with the Family in the Chaplains absence c. It pleased God so to dispose the heart of the Honourable Governour toward me that great secular preferments were endeavoured for me But none of them succeeding I was at length by Mandate from his then Majesty procured by the means of that Noble Personage replanted into my old Nursery a Fellow of a Colledge there I yearly payd mine acknowledgment by attendance where I had received so much Favour the good will and endeavour of worldly preferments for me still continuing One at last was freely offered unto me of such a nature as I most desired with visible almost certainties of great wealth and temporal advancement had it been accepted but Providence had otherwise disposed of me For when upon the offer my answer of acceptance was expected I was surprized with a sudden amazement and standing silent like a Statue had not one word to speak by way of acknowledgment of mine own unworthiness or of the greatness of the intended Favour much less to express my ready acceptance thereof and due thankfulness for it and so for some time continuing was dismissed for the present and within shorttime after became a stranger to those Relations Having after this as I esteemed it unhappy rejection spent some years in the Colledge vainly and idly enough God knows it was the Lords pleasure to transplant me into his Church abroad And having by a remarkable manuduction brought me unto the Living which I now hold he was pleased at my first enâ—rance by a great though not total distemper in the right use of my Reason to break and fit me in some measure for his Service there and to prepare the way for that great Work which he had to do many years after I could here tell thee how in that distemper God did set me before my self aâ—ter a strange manner presenting to my view my hainous sins to that time and shewing me how many deaths I had deserved by them But I have acknowledged and humbled my self for them unto him who hath graciously assured me of his Pardon Upon my recovery I had some good motiâ—ns and faint stirrings in my soul toward God and Goodness which so long I had forgotten and indeed flighted My first Subject which I handled was the broken heart Psal 51. 17. The way which I should have taken but neglecting it the work was not throughly wrought Though I proceeded so far as to a just restitution as near as I could call to mind where I had wronged any and I remember the fâ—ax begâ—n to smoak in some weak dislike often stiâ—ring in my heart against those sins in which formerly I hâ—d livâ—d and wherewith it was over-run and I began by degrees to break off from them I had now continued at my Living five or six years or more when I do not remember that the day before or
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
which he encreaseth by degrees 2 Cor. 10. 15. There is a passing on from strength to strength Psal 84. 7. Gods righteousness is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1. 7. And this improvement ought to be observed and may with ease be known First we are Babes 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so grow up observeably when grown towards perfection of Manhood in Christ Ephes 4. 13 14 16. Obs The effectually-called may discover and ought to observe how sin is weakned in them and how far they are improved in Grace Texts 2 Cor. 4. 16. Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 2 Cor 6. 1. We beseech you that you receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst St. Paul counted himself not to be perfect not to have apprehended Phil. 3. 12 13. The Church of Thyatira is commended in that her last works were more than the first Rev. 2. 19. Reas 1. That they may be thankful to him by whom they are bettered Rom. 6. 17. 2 Thes 1. 3. 2. That they may be quickned to a further improvement Eph. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Use 1. There is no perfection here Sin may dayly be more weakned Grace more improved Phil. 3. 12. 2. Reach forth to those things that are before Phil. 3. 13. 3. Bless God for thine Improvement It is he that worketh in thee to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. 4. Fall not from thy first love Rev. 2 4. Resol I will go from strength to strength until I appear before my God in Zion Psal 84. 7. Ejac. Remember not O Lord the sinful barrenness of my Youth O grant that being now planted in thine House I may still bring forth fruit in mine age and that I may be fat and flourishing Psal 92. 13. 14. Paral. VIII Circ Looking back I saw a Gentleman who having stopped my Pursuer was beating of him Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called ALthough I had made an escape and he who had brought me forth into a large place was pleased to make my way perfect to enlarge my steps under me that in my flight my Feet did not slip Psal 18. 32 36. And though I had gotten some way before my Apprehender yet he followed hard after me saying unto himself I will pursue I will evertake saying of my soul there is no help for him in God Psal 3. 2. God hath forsaken him I will persecute and take him for there is none to deliver him Psal 71. 11. But behold as formerly enlargement so help unexpectedly did arise unto me from him who had commanded deliverances for me Psal 44. 4. He who at first had taken his hand off me did now withhold him and would not suffer him again to lay it upon me Such is the weakness of a Christian though effectually called that in the course of his life Corruption doth often captivate him Rom. 7. 23. and endeavours what in him lies to reduce and subject him again to the Dominion of Satan But in these his Assaults and prevailings yet here is our Comfort here our Help We have an High Priest who in all points was tempted like as we are though without sin and so is touched with a feeling of our Infirmities Heb. 4. 15. Who in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour those that are tempted Heb. 2. 18. And according to this his Power he doth succour them in time of need He takes off the edges and Points of whatsoever weapons are formed against them Isa 54. 17. He hath given his Angels charge over them to keep them in all their waies Psal 91. 11. He ever liveth to make Intercession for them and is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 7. 25. He strengthens them with all might according to his Glorious power Col. 1. 11. He backs and encourageth them by his Spirit John 15. 26 He communicates his Victory unto them John 16. 33. He will shortly bruise Satan and their Corruption under their feet Rom. 16. 20. And through him that loves them they shall in the end be more than Conquerers Rom. 8. 37. Thus he that abideth under the shadow of the Almighty none evil shall befal him The Lord shall cover him with his Feathers he shall trust under his wings his Truth shall be his shield and buckler Psal 91. 1. 4. 10. Obs The Holy Spirit restrains Corruption in the effectually-Called Texts Psal 118. 13. Thou hast thrust fore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 1 Cor. 10. 13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempâ—ed above that yeare able to bear but will with the temptation also make a way â—â— escape Inst. The Lord troubled the Egyptians and took off their Chariot-wheels that they drave them heavily Exod. 14. 24 25. Elisha said unto his Servant fear not for they that be with us are more then they that be with them c. And behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 Kings 6. 16 17. Reas 1. He knows we have to deal with a powerful enemy Eph. 6. 12. 2. He knows and pities our weakness Heb. 4 15. Use 1. The effectually called are weak unable of themselves to master their Corruption Rom. 7. 18. 2. Pity thy weak Brother when fallen and restore him in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6. 1. 3. Fear not thine enemy God is on thy side Rom. 8. 31. 4. Pray for assistance Exod. 17. 11. 5. Trust in God he will make perfect his strength in thy weakness 2 Cor. 12. 9. Resol I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills whence cometh my help my help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth Psal 121. 1 2. Ejac. Stand up for my help O Lord stop the way against them that persecute me Say unto my soul I am thy salvation Psal 35. 2 3. Paral. IX Circ The Gentleman beating of my Pursuer had pulled him down upon his knees by his long Hair Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all Affected Vanities and Pleasures THE Hair too short is superstitious or servile too long the shameful shameless dotage of the Times as much unmanly 1 Cor. 11. 14. This of my Pursuer as before I look upon as a cautionary Item against that and all other Vanities and Pleasures whatsover With this about the hair amongst many in my younger years I was much transported at the time of my last happy unsettlement with others more prevailing But the great work being done my heart was wholly taken off from them and set upon those better things from which they had been too long too powerful avocations No man can serve two Masters Mat. 6. 24. How can Gods Service but be neglected by him who serves his own pleasure 2 Tim. 3. 4. The tast of it dulls the souls Appetite
is a sad sign of a Soul yet under the Dominion of Satan of one in whom sin reigns that is ready to take any occasion to obey it in the Luâ—ts thereof I must tell such that as yet they are not of the number of the Lords people that they are none of his Saints If they were they would make a better use of the fals of their Brethren they would pity them mourn over them and pray for them and that not only out of a sense of their weakness but likewise and chiefly out of a sad apprehension of those disturbances and unsettlements which they cannot but know will follow in their souls upon such their follies upon such their fals which is the Third Branch of the Point Branch 3. That when the Lords people and Saints do fall into the folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls This is clear out of v. 6. a little above the Text Where you may perceive that the Lords hand was so heavy upon his people that they were brought down even to the very gates of death Wilt thou not revive us again Reviving is a restoring to life as if they had been in a manner stricken dead with the sense of the Lords wrath upon them they were so distracted so disturb'd and unsetled They lâ—ved as to the natural life but as to Gods Favour in I which alone is true life Psal 30. 5. to this they were dead as to their sense and apprehension It is not thus with men of Brawny benummed Consciences Custom in sin hath beâ—eft them of all sense either of it or of wrath deserved by it But the Lords people their souls are of a more tender and soft temper and as in all known sins so especially in sins of an hainous nature in devouring sins that lay the Conscience wast their Conscience faithfully performs its Office and tels them thus and thus hast thou done Whereupon their former peace vanisheth and their souls are filleâ—â—ith peâ—plexities and perâ—urbations upon application of the Word unto their actions Reas The Word that sets down thâ— sentence of God against such and such sins so and so wâ—ll I deal saith God with such and such sinners The soul assumes by acknowledgment of its own wicked state accusing it self as guilty of those sins And thereupon it cannot but conclude and pass Judgment upon it self that it is justly liable unto the punishments threatned And hence upon serious consideration of what it hath done and what it hath deserved it becomes much troâ—bled perplexed unsetled Somtimes indâ—ed it so fals out that the Lords people do not presently upon their fals make this application by reason they do not presently consider their actions and weigh them and compare them with the Law of God as it was with David 2 Sam. 2. 5. 6. Who was quick and sharp in his sentence agaiâ—st the rich man that had taken away the Ewe-lamb from the poor man but considered not what he had done to Uâ—iah in taking away his wife and his life nor what he had deserved by it But whensoever the Application is made and it shall be at some tâ—me or other the soul loseth its former peace and becomes exceedingly troubled perplexed unsetled even to the breaking of the bones Psal 51. 8. to the wounding of the spirit Prov. 18 14. the smart whereof is insusterable and the weâ—ght insupportable O! unlâ—ss the Lord himself uphold the soul in this sad condition under this pain and pressure who can endure it Who can bear it or who is able to express it The heart knows its own grief as to temporal sufferings or its sorrow for sin but for that pain and load and trouble and horrour that accompanies the wounded spirit it is as its contrary peace past utterance past understanding Yet that I may in part acquaint you with the wofulness of that condition which the sin-burdened soul lies groveling and labouring under Know That when it is brought into this condition by the Application of the Word unto its actions the Word hath truly performed the Office of a sharp two-edged sword to which it is compared Heb. 4. 12. cutting on both sides and making two great gashes or deep wounds in the heart Two wounds In the apprehension of the losse of God In the fear of his Wrath. We have both of them before the Text. Wilt thou not revive us There is the Apprehension of the losse of Gods Favour the life of the soul v. 6. Shew us thy Mercy and grant us thy salvation ver 7. There they deprecate wrath and sue to have it removed from the seizure whereof they knew that without Mercy they could not be saved But it would burn against them and be drawn out and continue upon them 1. Then the Lords people and Saints when fallen into the Folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and are disturbed and unsetled in their Souls and deeply wounded with the Apprehension of losse Of the losse of God Christ the Spirit God hides his Face and they are troubled Their Faith in Christ is seemingly dead and his Blood to them as a Fountain sealed up They cannot find any effectual workings no not so much as those discoveries of life the least stirrings of the Spirit in their souls They cannot pray with Confidence They cannot as formerly rely upon and shrowd themselves under Gods wing for Protection their hedge of defence is broken down and the Tents of those heavenly Guardians the Angels formerly pitched about them for their safety are overthrown So that in this regard they are in a worse-estate for the time then when first freed from the power of Darkness Then they were wounded and pricked at their hearts and had fearful apprehensions of wrath But now beside that they feel the smart of this wound of losse And this is all the good we get by sin it robs us of our God it makes a separation between him and us and causeth him to hide his Face from us Isa 59. 2. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. Ult. He is all-sufficient the Saints enjoy all things in him while they are his and he theirs all things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22. 23. But on the other side when he is lost Christ is lost the Spirit is lost all is lost and gone And the loss is yet the greater and the wound the deeper and more smarting according to the Saints love towards God It goes to the heart of a man to lose what he loves Take away the worldly mans wealth which is his god you rob him of his life Micha thought he had lost all when he had lost his Idol Judges 18. 24. Mary Magdalen loved much and when she could not find the body of her beloved Lord in the Sepulcher how â—adly doth she mourn John 20. 15. Much more must it needs
go near unto the Saints when labouring under the burâ—en of sin they seek for him whom their soul loveth and he is gone and not to be found This this stâ—ikes deep and makes a wide gash and wound in the Soul Yet this is not all the misery the Lords pâ—ople find and feel when fallen inâ—o the folly of heinous sins For beside this of losse they undergo 2. The fear of wrath another smarting wound upon the soul Wrath or Vengeance or Punishmâ—nt follow sin as the shadow doth the body A wicked world called for a deluge of water Gen. 6. 5. The loud crying and grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah fetched fire and brimstone from Heaven upon them Gen 18 20. 19. 24. Job by a question sets it beyond all doubt oâ— dispute that destruction is to the wicked and a strange punishment to the workers of Iniquity Job 31. 3. Evil saith the Psalmist shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him Psal 140. 11. It follows a wicked man upon the sent like a Bloud hound and shall never leave till it overtake him And the Saints know that the Lord is just that though he delights not in the destruction or punishment of his Creature yet he delights in his Justice according to which punishment is executed upon sinners They know that God who is the God of Order suffers nothing to be out of order and therefore that he will bring their sins which in themselves are nothing but Aâ—axy and disorder that he will bring them into order by punishment By sin they have run out and broken out of the order of his Mercy and now they cannot but fear that he will force them into the order of his Justice For there is no respect of persons with him but every soul that doth evil must expect tribulation and anguish Rom. 2. 9. Thus in the former wound of losse God hides his face from them and now in this they are as ready to flee from and hide themselves from him For though the eternal and secret bond of his Love of good will depending upon their Election cannot be broken Yet that of Friendship which depends upon Faith and Holiness as to sense and exercise is for the time dissolved So that while thâ—y continue in their sins God deals with them as with enemies and they cannot apprehend him under any other Notion then as an incensed provoked God Nor can they look for any thing from him but the dreadful effects of enmity and wrath Thus they are not only troubled with the hiding of his face from them but they likewise suffer his terrors with a troubled mind being in a manner distracted under them and cut off by them while his fierce wrath goeth over them Psal 88. 14 15 16. Ob. But if the Lord deal thus with his people Saints how doth he spare them as he promiseth Mal. 3. 17. Are these the effects of his Fatherly pity towards them Answ I answer The Lord deals thus with them for their good his punishments are unto them medicinal â—e wounds them for the health of their souls he hides himself from them That they may know what it is to want him That they mourn for his absence That being lost they may seek him with the more diligence and having found him May prize his presence May cleave more closely unto him May take heed how they lose him again He makes them sensible of his wrath That they may the more detest and more warily shun the folly of sin for the time to come which drew his wrath upon them That they may set the higher esteem upon their Peace when he hath spoken it unto their souls Use 1. Here then we may have a guesse at the infinite sufferings of the Lord Christ which in his soul he underwent for sinful man For doth the Lord deal thus sharply with his people and Saints to lay load upon them to wound them to hide himself from them to affright them with terrors and that but for some few sins it may be but for one or two What then did the King of Saints himself in our Nature undergo when he had the weight of the sins of an whole woâ—ld lying heavy upon him when he was wounded for thâ— transgressions of an whole world of sinners When in his Agony in the Garden he sweat many great drops of blood When on the Crosse his Father had so hid his Face from him upon the Divinities momentany withdrawing the sense of its support from the Manhood that he cried out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me When he had such a true sense of his Fathers wrath due to man for sin that he might well take up those words of his Prophet Lam. 1. 12. O all you that passe by behold and see if ever sorrow were like unto my sorrow wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce wrath Did he undergo thus much for us Let not us then think any thing too bitter or sharp which we may undergo for him or for our own sins Alas our woundings are but gentle stroakings to what our Lord Christ suffered who is pleased in wounding of his people to conform them in some measure to his own sufferings that afterwards they may reign with him in Glory Rom 8. 17. Use 2. When therefore you see any of the Lords people in this distressed condition labouring and languishing under the burden of their sins passe not your censures upon them rashly as if they were distempered and beside themselves but know That they are under Gods sore pressing hand that he hath wounded them for the health of their Souls that he hath cast them into the hot Furnace of his fiery indignation that being purged and purified from the drosse they may come forth like refined Gold fit to make Vessels of honour for himself Use 3. Here let us be taught to walk warily to work out our salvation with fear and trembling to serve our God with fear and trembling to serve our God with reverence and godly fear knowing that he is a consuming fire and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God Use 4. Doth the Lord deal thus severely with his people and Saints when fallen into the folly of heinous sins to raise such tempests in their souls Yet let them not when brought low under his heavy hand despair of Mercy The Lord is pleased somtimes to bring his own people even to the brink of despair as I could instance in a Gentlewoman I suppose the Grand-mother to a Family of good note and worth in Essex I had the Relation from a true servant of God who at that time or not long after lived in the Family And therefore I do confidently believe it and so set it down for a known truth This Gentlewoman labouring under the burden of her sins had so far cast away all hope of Mercy that having a pure Venice-Glass in her hand in
The right hand or right eye if they offend must not be spared but cut off or pulled out That soul that can mince its sins is it not a little one that can excuse its Sins it doth not truly hate them When a man can say to his before dailing sin as the Prophet commands to be said to Idolatrous Relicks get thee hence or as Ephraim repenting of his Idolatry What have I to do with Idols It discovers a hearty vehemency and earnestness in his hatred against sin 3. The Saints in their hatred of sin must beware of Inconstancy they must never again be reconciled unto it or so much as enter into a Truce or Parly with it St. Augustine in his Confessions saith of himself that his old Favourites his sins which he had left pulled him by the sleeve of his Flesh suing to be re-entertained but he shook them off There must be no more turning to the vomit of sin not only as to act but not so much as in the least unchecked reflexion of the thought Where true hatred of sin is it will be universal vehement constant Act 4. The last Act of true Repentance is contained in the changing of the mind and it is resolution against sin and for better Obedience for the time to come Without such Resolutions the mâ—nd is not changed but continues the same and so long it is impossible that the soul should be setled Gods Favour regained and Peace obtained This changing of the mind St. Paul cals transforming or renewing of the mind Rom. 12. 2. A being renewed â—n the spirit of our minds Eph. 4. 23. It is called a coming to a mans self Luke 15. 17. When the Prodigal came to himself he said I will arise and go unto my Father When he came to himself there was the change of his mind till then he went on in his folly and madness of sin and upon this his change he resolves within himself and saith I will arise and go c. And until it cometh to this that a mans Will is let and bent against sin and for holiness that he would not do that which is evil and would do that which is good as St. Paul speaks Rom. 7. 19. Till it be thus there is no settlement no peace to be expected A man may know whether he hath entertained such resolutions or not in his heart by these discoveries Marks 1. By the sâ—mness and fixedness of his resolutions He is stedfast and unmoveable 1 Cor. 15. ult He that is thus resolved it is not an easie temptation that shall unsettle him He will break through all difficulties and go on notwithstanding any opposition whatsoever No Adversaries 1 Cor. 16. 9. Not a Lion in the way Prov. 22. 13. shall daunt him to turn him back Thus Joshua was resolved I and my House will serve the Lord. So David here in the Text I will hear what the Lord will speak 2. Where the mind is thus resolved there will be a cherishing of such resolutions A wicked man may somtimes have thoughts of leaving such or such a sin but finding that it will not consist with his profit or pleasure so to do such his thoughts are soon smothered and do quickly vanish But the truly penitent soul whose mind is changed and he resolved against sin and upon better obedience he will as Paul exhorts 1 Thes 5. 19. take heed how he quencheth the Spirit in him from which he knows such resolutions do proceed 3. He will be very watchful over his enemies For he knows that though while he continued in his Folly of sin they let him alone and did not trouble him Yet now having shkaen them off he shall not be so rid of them but that they will use all the means they can to regain him into their power The Devil will tempt the Flesh dispose and the World allure and therefore he knows he must stand upon his Guard continually and watch them and their wayes of assault lest he be again foyled by them 4. A man that is thus resolved there shall hardly a word thought or action pass from him without strict examination Did I not offend God in it in such a Company at such a time did I not neglect a fair opportunity of doing good of glorifying God Did I not give occasion of scandal to the weak Did I not seem to countenance such a sin c. Thus the truly penitent soul that is resolved against sin and for holiness will call his wayes to remembrance and will sift and winnow them that if he hath done evil he may be humbled for it and may walk more waâ—ily and circumspectly for the time to come 5. He will endeavour faithfully and speedily to put these his resolutions in exâ—cution and to derive them into act For he knows that all a mans purposes and resolutions they are but empty nothings without practise without fruitfulness The Moralist directs that upon just and irreconcileable distast between friends they should as it were unpick their love by a gentle withdrawing of their affections from each other We must not deal so by our beloved sins but must rend our affections from them and break off from them by righteousness Dan. 4. 21. 6. He that is thus resolved being sensible of his own weakness and how easily he is foyled and overthrown unless the Lord help him he directs his Prayer unto him with all earnestness beseeching him to work for him and in him by his good Spirit to support and uphold him by his Almighty power to enable him by his Grace to do and act according to his resolutions that for the time to come he may discover temptations resist sin and walk more holily before God 7. Lastly He is exceedingly grieved that he is no better that he can â—o no better that he is so weak and so easily prevailed over He is assured that his Will is rightly disposed to will is present with him but because he finds that notwithstanding the Spirit is willing yet the Flesh is weak and he hath no power in himself to do according as he will this makes him mourn and bewail his weak condition Means 2. The second Means for resetling and recovering the wounded Spirit and obtaining its peace is Faith in Christ Sin estrangeth from God By Faith we come unto him Heb. 11. 6. By sin our Souls are defiled By Faith they are purified Acts 15 9 By sin we provoke God By Faith we please him Heb. 11. 6. By sin we make God our Enemy By Faith we are at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. Yet it is not every kind of Faith that makes our peace with God A general assent unto whatsoever God hath revealed in his Word which is called an Historical Faith For a man to believe that the Word is the very Word of God and proceeded from him that Christ came into the world to save sinners that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish c. to
them through Christ in the Gospel Of these two Offerers or Givers of Peace mention is made John 14. â—7 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you God giveth Peace the world giveth peace The world gives it freely God upon terms and conditions Whether of these two now are the Lords people to hear Flesh saies the World that stands not upon terms and reservations that ties not to any conditions of bewayling confessing hating resolving applying here needs no breaking or rending of the heart or changing of the mind the dear price which they must pay who have their peace from God But the Spirit sayes beware take heed how you listen to the World hearkâ—n unto God the Lord and to him alone For he is God the Lord and ye are his people he speaks peace and he speaks peace unto his people and Saints In which words are couched and contained a threefold reason why in speaking of peace the Lords people and Saints are to hear him and him alone 1. Because he is God the Lord and they are his People He loves them he knows and pities the sad condition the wounded Spirit is in and is alone able to help it 2. Because he will most certainly speak peace unto the soul He will assure it that he is at peace with it 3. Because he speaks peace that which the soul shall find to be truly such He neither gives what the world gives nor as the world gives 1. The first Reason is taken from that near relation between God and his People and from those two titles God the Lord and so it is taken from his Power his Knowledge his Love He is the Lord and therefore able to cure the wounded Spirit He is a Lord of great power such that as he can work by weak means by contrary means so without means He can create peace for the unsetled soul Isa 45 7. He can make it of nothing and indeed so he doth there being no prepared prejacent matter in the soul out of which it should be prâ—duced He is God he knows the soul in iâ—s adversity Psal 31. 7. He it is who wounded it and therefore knows the anguish and danger of its wounds what remedy is fittest for it and when and how it is to be applyed And the Saints though in this sad condition yet are his people whom he loves Col. 3. 12. Towards whom he is tender-hearted very pitiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5. 11. He pitieth those that fear him as a Father pitieth his Children Psal 103. 13. And therefore as he is able and skilful so he is most ready and willing to help them to settle them to cure their wounds The World is a Physition of no value a meer Empyrick a bold Mountebank that neither is able to compose any Soveraign Remedy nor knows how to apply it being altogether ignorant of the state of the soul in its distress Beside the Lords people and Saints are most hateful unto it Jo. 15. 19. And shall they believe that their deadly enemy if it were able and had skill would be willing to settle and recover them 2. The second Reason why in speaking peace the Lord alone is to be heard is taken from that assurance which the Lord rayseth in the soul that he is at peace with it For he speaks peace to it He makes the soul as strongly perswaded of peace and as confidently to build upon it as if it heard the Lord himself speak it immediatly from Heaven The Grounds whereon this assurance is built in the soul are His Decree which is stable unchangeable Heb. 6. 17. His Promise which is Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. His Oath which he will not break Heb. 6. 17. His Hand for it in his written Word which he will not deny Rom. 15. 4. His Seal to it his Spirit which he cannot but own â— Cor. 1. 22. His Delivery of this Assurance which he will not revoke John 14. 27. The Witness to all this his Spirit which cannot lye Rom. 8. 18. Thus the Lord speaks peace unto the Soul by thus assuring of it that he is no more an enemy or a stranger unto it which must needs settle it and fill it with strong Consolation Heb. 6. 18 When the World can afford to the unsetled and wounded Spirit such grounds of assurance of Peace and Settlement it may then hope the Lords people may be perswaded to hearken unto it till then it may forbear its frank but empty Tenders 3. The Third Reason is taken from the quality of that Peace which the Lord speaks to the Soul He speaks unto it which is truly such being 1. A solid Peace 2. A satisfying Peace Peace fourfold 3. A Fortifying Peace 4. A lasting Peace 1. It is a solid Peace grounded upon Christ who is our peace Eph 2 14. Who hath made peace for us and reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 20. Having purchased peace for us at a dear raâ—e by the bloud of his Cross being wounded for our Transgressions the chasâ—â—sement of our peace being upon him and he healing our wounds by his stripes Isa 53. 5. He is both our propitâ—ation and our advocate for peace unto his Father 1 John 2. 1 2. My Peace I give unto you John 14. Well may he call it his which he hath bought so dear The greatness of the Price speaks the Truth and Solidness of the Peace It is Christ's Peace dearly bought His Father gives it at his request it is the peace of God Phil. 4. 7. And from him proceeds nothing but what is true real and solid The Peace which from it the world would have the soul to accept of it deserves not the name of peace being but a light flash but a shadow of Peace The World cries Peace where there is none Jer. 6. 14. And so if its tender might be accepted would it heal the hurt of Gods People slightly And indeed what more is to be expâ—ctâ—d from the World when it hath but one Receipt or Remedy consisting of three Ingredients which like a bold unskilful Empyrick it applyes to every Mâ—lady What these Ingredients are St. John tells us 1 John 2. 16. All that is in the World are the Lusts of the flesh or Pleasures the Lust of the eyes or Wealth the Pride of life or Honour And alas What can these do to the recovery of a wounded Spirit which cannot prevent or remove a disease from the body or in the least measure abate its Pain The Vermin seized upon Herod and devoured him alive though a great King who had Wealth and Pleasure at his Command Acts â—2 23. 2. The peace which God speaks unto the wounded Spirit it is a satisfying peace Upon the speaking of this the before-disturbed soul returns unto its rest and settlement It hath now its desire it was wounded with the apprehension of losse and fear of wrath and its