blinde dull to discerne acknowledge the living God the author of this life therefore they approach neere unto us bite us though it cost them their life for it they will have us by the face or hands sleeping or waking night day they will tast of our blood this by divine providence that by these little monitors we might be rowsed up out of our senseles behaviour to looke unto that welspring of life from whence they come Though these creatures be small contemptible in the eyes of many yet doe these small things carry in them the glorious evidences of the living God and as effectuall for our instruction as are to be found in the great Oxe Elephant or Leviathan Psa 104.25 Exo. 8.18.19 He that rayseth these living soules out of the ditches rotten ground sometimes maketh many of these lives to spring from one dead carcasse how easily can he rayse our dead bodies out of the grave restore one life to one body yea quickē the soule from the mire of sinne He that longeth after life let him looke to this fountaine c Besides this ordinary flood of life flowing from that generall word com mall spirits with them the faculty both of sense motion over all To preserve our being he hath made the liver a fountaine of blood from thence drawne the veines dispersed them over the whole body to carry abroad the blood the naturall spirits therein to the nourishment of every part With these living threeds more precious then any golden wires thē fine twined linnen blue purple scarlet the ornaments of the Tabernacle hath God beautifyed the body of man which is also compared to a Tabernacle 2. Cor. 5.1.4 2. Pet. 1.13.14 With these feeling mooving nourishing strings hath the Lord covered embroydered curiously wrought the vaile of our flesh Psal 139.15 Iob 10.11 And each of these life-strings doth the living God still hold in his hand maintaining their faculties inspiring life quickening vertue into them And besides this in the very tunicles or coates of each of these hollow strings hath the Lord wrought a curious network woven together another sort of subtile threeds thousands of them more fine small then haires some of them drawne right along of an attractive power some round circular crossing the other with right angles of an expulsive vertue others drawne athwart both the other with oblique angles of a retentive faculty all for the service of life in great variety some draw some hold some drive out superfluities of nature all these held and upheld in their severall functions by the finger of God extending his quickening power unto every one of thē Neither are these particular streames and waves of the river of life flowing from God to be neglected of us the workes of God are to be sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 Distinct knowledge and consideration hereof brings clearer comfort and it is great sinne unthankfulnes and contempt of Gods glorious wisedome to looke cōfusedly over those things that God propounds distinctly in many severall formes and particular acts To proceed therefore from these faculties and functions of life sensitive common to the brute creatures with man we are to behold another well of life in that reasonable soule which God hath placed in men when as he formed the spirit of man within him Zacch 12.1 The stirrings motions and acts of life flowing with vers 30. the Lord even then offered unto him to have opened his well of life as wide for him to have made of him a greater mightier nation then Israel was Num. 14.12 Oh how great are the treasures of life which God hath in store for them that love him even worlds of life to give to every one of them Well might the Psalmist say of this God With him is the vvell of life and in his light we shall see light Psa 36.9 In which words David pointeth at two glorious workes gifts of God specially noted in the six dayes of the creation In three dayes God beautifyed the world with light the first day he created light the second day he created a pure transparent firmament or an expansion through which the beames of the heavenly light being diffused spread forth might so come to us without such a meane or middle passage our sight the light could not have met together the fourth day God created heavenly lights the Sunne Moone starres gathering abundance of light into them by their motion distributed that light unto the divers parts of the world successively for the greater benefit thereof Gen. 1.3.6 c. In three other dayes God created life in the divers degrees thereof the third day God opened a box of life powred out that vegetative life which appeareth in the growing plants herbes trees the fift day God opened another box powred out a streame of sensitive life such as appeared in the foules fishes the sixt day God opened againe another box beside the sensitive life in the beasts cattell powred out the treasure of an intellectuall life which appeared in the reasonable soule of man which he then created Gen. 1.11.12.20 c. And from that first week unto this day both the beames of light the streames of life have flowed out incessantly to his praise the comfort of man f And yet all this is but the little finger of God in respect of his mighty arme all this is but the power of life naturall vouchsafed even to his enimies to the reprobats There is a new life a more high precious life to be found in God even a well of spirituall life opened by him immediately after the fall Then was made the promise of this life of victory over death by breaking the serpents head Gen. 3.15 that word was the Gospell of Salvation preached instantly to Adam upon the kindes of life natural are made to serve as shadowes of the life spirituall which God giveth to his elect See it in the plants that doe live a vegetative life As the earth bringeth forth her bud as the garden causeth the things that are sowne therein to spring forth so the Lord God will cause righteousnes praise to spring forth before all the nations Esa 61.11 The Lord doth as easily make men to be trees of righteousnes as he maketh thorns or briers to grow Esa 61.3 with ch 55.13 Yea the plants that exceed others in growth the tall cedars the flourishing palme Psa 92.12 the greene olive the fruitfull lillies Hos 14.5 6. the willowes by the water-courses Esa 44.4 the flovving spices Sol. song 4.16 the trees that bring forth new fruit according to their moneths Ezek. 47.12 are all but shadowes of this grace of life flowing from the Lord. See it in the creatures that live a sensitive life The sheep that are
eyes sometimes set upon our heads as witnesses and pledges of the glorious kingdome to be enjoyed hereafter In Baptisme is represented both the washing away of our sinnes Act. 2.38 our fellowship with the holy Trinity whose names are put upon us Matt. 28.19 The names of the Father Sonne H. Ghost are set like three pearles shining in our crowne of glory set upon our heads Esa 28.5 In the Supper of the Lord being called unto his Table to the participation of the body blood of Christ we are thereby set together in heavenly places with him Eph. 2 6. like olive plants round about his Table as a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord Esa 62.3 even a crowne about our head Christ in the middes of his Church As the children of Israel in the wildernes to guide support them in the way were led by a pillar of cloud fed with manna water out of the rock so by a like favour for the same spirituall use hath Christ our King given us the Sacraments of the new Testament 1. Cor. 10.1.2.3.4 therefore looke what joy comfort the most faithfull in Jsrael had when they saw the cloud of the Tabernacle going before them such joy comfort ought we to be filled withall at the administration of Baptisme and looke with what joy and thankfulnes they went forth to gather Manna with as great ought we to be affected in going to the Table of the Lord giving thankes unto Christ for such a staffe of comfort to quicken strengthen us in our journey way unto the Kingdome of Heaven f But for a further view of this unspeakable grace comfort exhibited in these three offices of Christ we are to looke upon the dignity of his person whereupon depends the vertue power 33.15.16 When for sinne the Lord threatned a departure of this presence yet offered to send an Angel with them to destroy their enimies Exod. 33.2.3 that would not content him no presence of prophets or angels would serve the turne without this divine presence united to the Tabernacle for their guidance And even so according to this type when the word was made flesh he dwelt among us as in a Tabernacle as the word signifyes Ioh. 1.14 escenose His body was the true Tabernacle which the Lord pight and not man Heb. 8.2 In him dwelt all the fulnes of the Godhead bodily Coll. 2.9 Out of this Tabernacle he spake Heb. 1.1 and wrought miracles Matt. 4.23 Act. 10.38 and remooved up and downe and conversing among men led his sheep in the way of life Ioh. 10.27.28 No man nor angel had bene sufficient for this worke but he being very God as well as man bearing up all things by his mighty word Heb. 1.3 caries along his sheep unresistably and safely unto the glory exspected He is Lord of all and at his right hand we may see all his blessed angels attending to whom he hath given charge to watch over his sheep in this way and to carry them in their hands that they dash not their feet against a stone Psal 91.11.12 At his left hand he hath the Devill his angels in a chaine and bindes them at his pleasure Rev. 20.1.2 2. Pet. 2.4 so that they cannot hurt a swine or any uncleane beast without his permission Matth. 8.31 and much lesse can they hurt them that are washed in his blood and he having given commandement to prepare the way of his people to cast up an high way to gather out the stones and to remoove the stumbling blockes Esa 62.10 57.14 they shall goe in the way of life as Israel marched out of Egypt with an high hand Exod. 14.8 a dog shall not moove his tongue against them Exod. 11.7 further then is for their good Rom. 8.28 and in due season they shall come to the Lord the wel-spring of all glory life comfort in heaven g The comfort which ariseth from this consideration of Christ is marvellous great for all the faithfull and in speciall for afflicted consciēces that desire to be established and confirmed in faith for t out of his fullnesse Thus the soules that come dayly to Christ as their Prophet may dayly be refreshed by him h If any through weaknes of faith cannot lay hold on the promises of God touching the pardon of sinne and the free gift of salvation set before us let them bring these promises to the ground of them even to Christ applying them first to Christ then to themselves for in him all the promises of God are Yea and in him they are Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 not onely in their owne nature truth but also in respect of our apprehension He that cannot assent unto the promise looking on the promise onely may better assent sooner beleeve when he lookes on Christ the ground of the promise for example God promiseth unto the repentant that their crimson skarlet sinnes shall be taken away and they made white as snow wooll Esa 1.18 now the troubled soule that cannot say Yea to this promise by particular application let the same looke upon the sacrifice of Christ bearing their sins satisfying the justice of God behold his blood powred out to wash them so they shall sooner conceive apprehend their sins to be done away and their soules to be cleansed and made white as snow There is a promise that where sinne abounds there grace aboundeth much more Rom. 5.20 The perplexed consciences that faine would but cannot say Amen unto this promise by applying it unto themselves let the same looke upon Christ and behold the dignity of his person his deity divine majesty being the brightnes of glory the character or engraven forme of his Fathers person his equall and his fellow Heb. 1.3 Phil. 2.6 Zach. 13.7 when they see his eternall Godhead and almighty power to whom nothing is hard or impossible withal consider how he stoops downe to help and puts his hand to this work to give worth price unto the sacrifice for sinne to make the blood of redemptiō more precious meritorious to redeeme the vilest sinners then shall they more easily receive the promise of abundant grace with more faith say Amen unto it There is a promise that God will be mercifull to the sinnes of his people Heb. 8.12 receive them with everlasting kindenes Esa 54.8 pity thē as a father merit of life to justify us v. 54. the spirit of life for our sanctification Rom. 8.10 the crowne of life for our glorification Rev. 2.10 He is all in all Coll. 3.11 and therefore we are to be nothing in ourselves but all in him and wholly renouncing ourselves our owne righteousnes we are to cast ourselves altogether upon him for the hope of eternall life To him be praise for ever Amen CHAP. III. Of Mortification or the death of sinne The nature necessity thereof in generall a
doth trouble disturbe the minde and disables it that it cannot orderly quietly dispose it selfe unto godly comfortable meditations but being overcome with impatiēce frets murmures is tossed up downe without fruit Therefore are these extremities of anguish compared to a cup of intoxicating wine making men as it were drunken with greefe Esa 51.17 21.22 Lam 4.21 and even mad with woe sorrow that they know not what to doe Deut. 28.34 Ier. 25.16 Eccles 7.7 And what folly is it then for men to be unprepared through forgetfulnes of their latter end to remaine drunken with security all their life till they be drowned in a gulfe of misery Perplexity extreme anguish may justly come as a snare upon them that abuse their present peace ease promising themselves liberty power to dispatch all that is needfull for their salvation in one moment of their last distresse g And commonly when death approcheth our adversary the devill that prince of darknes that hath gone about as a roaring lyon watching to devoure us at all opportunities before doth thē especially rage knowing that his time is short Rev. 12. 12. and withall seekes to take advantage by the present infirmitie of the sick persons insinuating himselfe into each of the former troubles adding fearfull dreames to their slumbers strong fancies to their distraction aggravating their paines with divers terrours Experience shewes what great temptatiōs many have undergone upon their death-bed And therfore the consideratiō of this last great combat should warne every one betimes to arme thēselves to gather strēgth every day against the last day to furnish thēselves with grace to seek truth righteousnes faith patience store of comfortable promises out of the word of God layd up in their hearts kept in readines to nourish themselves in hope to watch pray uncessantly that having concluded this last combat obtained the victory they may then be translated from a state militant to a state triumphant for ever h THese forewarnings are such as serve chiefly for the instruction of those that feele them on whose persons they are inflicted but beside these forewarnings the dead leave unto the living many after-warnings of their mortality which admonish the succeeding generation that they must follow their praedecessours And here first of all observe how it is ordered by divine providence that in death the soule body be separated one from the other In this separation the Soule is carried away invisibly no man knoweth how nor whither No humane sense cā discerne the spirit of man ascending Ecc. 3.21 The Lord in his unsearchable counsell would have the opening of the gates of the second world to be kept secret close from us If godly parents should see the soules of their children carried away to destruction in the clawes of an hellish dragon crying unto them with a lamentable and desperate voyce what horrour woe would this be unto them to make their dayes more uncomfortable so lōg as they should live on earth God in great mercy conceales it from them If wicked ungodly men should see their children or companions soules haled away by evill spirits after they were separated frō their bodies withall should heare thē shrike cry curse their cōpany what a stroke of terrour might this be unto them but God in justice hides these things from thē will not satisfy the curiosity of profane men that despise his Gospell and the means of life revealed therein This secret manner of translating the separated soules in carrying some close prisoners to Hell and transporting others in covered wagons invisible chariots unto Glory serves to warne and admonish us by the very forme thereof so much the more to remember the other evident monuments of our frailety When secret things are restrayned to the Lord the things revealed are immediately thereupon the more enforced upon us to observe the same Deut. 29.29 When the Spirit recordes how some persons men or angels have vanished out of the sight of those they had spoken withall we are to observe how they were occasioned thereby to thinke the more of that which they had seene heard from such and not to prye into that which was withdrawne from them Luke 24.31.32 Act. 8.39 Iudg. 6.21.22 c. Yea the Lord appointed that they should not be suffered to live which went about to talke with the dead soule or to rayse the spirits Levit. 20.27 1. Sam. 28.8 9. c. But by all this we are so much the more led to observe the common visible memorials of mortality shewed unto us in them that die before us i It is further to be observed that when the spirit is carried away presently to God that gave it yet the body remains behinde returnes to dust from whence it came Eccles 12.7 If God by death had taken away both the soule the body together at the same time if it had pleased God to take away all men as Henoch Elias were Heb. 11.5 Gen. 5.24 2. Kin. 2.11.17 or to bury all men so as Moses was Deut. 34.6 namely so that their bodies should be seene no more among men yet even then there were cause enough to remember that wonderfull great finall translation but now seing every man departing this life leaves a peece of himselfe among his friends on earth yea the one halfe of his person and that halfe which is the visible part even the body that was best knowne among men the Lord by this fragment of man that is left gives us occasion to thinke what is done with the rest and to keepe in memory the death past to prepare us for death to come As Elias ascending to heaven let his mantle fall for a remembrance so much care for our bodies as we doe for the soules according to this example of God who shewes more love respect to the soules taking them first into his heavenly Kingdome glory when as he suffers the body so long a time after to lodge in dishonour to remaine in the pit of corruption 1. Cor. 15.43 l The sequestration of the body from the place where the soule is and the corruption of it being separate are memorialles wrought immediately by Gods owne hand beside these there are other after-warnings of death effected by the providence of God mediately by the services of men that seeke the honour of the dead comfort of the living For honour of the dead holy men of old have shewed great care to provide sepulchers tombes monuments for them Such were the cave of Machpelah purchased by Abraham Gen. 40.30.31 and 23. the pillar on Rachels grave that Iaakob set up Gen. 35.20 that continued so many generations to Samuels time 1. Sam. 10.2 the title on the sepulcher of the man of God that prophesied of Iosias 2. Kin. 23.17.18 the sepulcher of David that continued twise fourteene generations from David to
of Christian life we are taught every day continually to remēber this our latter end All dueties both of doing good through faith hope and love or of suffering evill for doing good through patience are so many memorials thereof The end of faith is the salvation of our soules which it beleeveth 1. Pet. 1.9 the object of hope is life eternall which it embraceth Tit. 1.2 3.7 2.13 the comfort of love is translation from death unto life whereof it assureth us 1. Ioh. 3.14.18.19 the reward of patience is rest in the kingdome of heaven and an eternall weight of glory which it looketh for Matth. 5 10-12 2. Cor. 4.17 And thus the comfort of this blessed end is ever carried in the eye of faith in the armes of hope in the bosome of love borne as it were upon the shoulders of patience And as all that is done by mē being well considered should bring this latter end to their remembrāce so all the works of speciall grace that are wrought by God for his children before this world in this world or after this world if we looke upō them with a right eye they doe every one carry in them a remembrance of this glorious end provoke us to thinke thereof We cannot be assured of our election but we see it as a booke of life wherein we reade our happy end Phil. 4.3 and behold the kingdome prepared for us before the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 We cannot rightly thinke of our calling unles we behold that marvellous light glory where unto we are called 1. Pet. 2.9 5.10 2. Pet. 1.3 We doe not conceive sufficiently the cōfort of our justificatiō by faith ūles eye on this end and for the joy that was set before him endured the crosse and finished his course the work committed unto him Heb. 12.2 Oh let us not breake the band that drew on Christ himselfe Oh forgive us Lord that we have bene so profane carnall to forget this end so often from henceforth keep it in our mindes fix it in our memories that it never slip away CHAP. VI. The latter end of the faithfull compared vvith the primitive estate of the old vvorld Of the communion which man had with God being created after his likenesse a The image of God in the soule though perfectly beautifull excellent b yet inferiour to the image of Christ in the faithfull the perfection perpetuity thereof in the world to come c The body at first though naked yet without shame pain erect upright in all the senses fitted for communion with God d but hereafter endued with more noble heavenly qualities spirituall transparent light agile ever vigilant in feeing communicating with God e The dominion over the creatures given at first illustrated by the remnants thereof yet apparent f not to be compared with that which shall be in regard of heaven earth all that is therein Of their mutuall fellowship with one another g Marriage the first band of society ground of all other to that end instituted honoured of God for their mutual comfort h yet nothing like the glorious bands of communion with Saints Angels in heaven i What blessed communion Adam Evah might have had with their posterity living to this day if neither had sinned k In a right line descendent viewing the long race of their progeny with great joy to themselves l and no lesse happines to their childrē who though living at greatest distance might then with ease abundance of comfort have visited them and communicated with them m In the collaterall line extended on each side to brethren sisters all rejoycing in one another in their loving easy pleasant visitations n Yet all this comes short of the heavenly communion in the world to come the love of Christ the manifold rivolets of sweet fellowship the free glorious motions in the kingdome of heaven THat we may the better comprehend that happy communion wherewith the latter end of the faythfull shall be glorifyed let us somewhile leave our speech of the world to come as also of this present world and let us looke back into the world that is gone past let us behold the glory that is lost that by the greatnes thereof first considered in it selfe then compared with this to come the glory hereof may more evidently appeare That we may the better observe the difference we are to set ourselves as it were in a middle gate betwixt two worlds the old and the new where we may have an open and free prospect into them both and from thence we are to cast a look first into the old world then into the new with one eye to behold the first paradise in Eden and with another the second paradise in the third heavens with one look to view the first Adam his gifts his children and with an other look to behold the second Adam Christ Iesus his gifts his children and so to compare the glory of their estates together In such a middle gate or tower of prospect into these two worlds the Prophets Apostles did often set themselves when they compared them together as appeareth in those texts Old things are past away behold all things are become new 2. Cor. 5.17 Behold I create new heavens a new earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into my minde Esa 65.17 The first man Adam vvas made a living soule the last Adam vvas made a quickening spirit 1. Cor. 15.45 so v. 49. c. a The glory of the old world in the primitive estate thereof consisted also in a blessed fellowship with God and fellowship with men This blessed fellowship of God with man appeared first in that he communicated his image and similitude with man the beauty of which image shined especially in that wisedome holines righteousnes which God imprinted in the soule Gen. 1.26.27 with Eph. 4.24 Coll. 3.10 Eccl. 7.29 By that wisedome he knew God saw his glory by that holines he did cleave unto him embrace him with love reverence confidence and so in both communicated with God At the bestowing of this image each Person in the holy Trinity did work together each gave precious excellent gifts unto man for the beautifying of his soule with variety of graces such as might make him a lovely creature in whom the Lord himselfe might take delight Rev. 4.10.11 with Ioh. 1.3 Coll. 1.16 Iob 33.4 and therefore is the Trinity described consulting about this work Let us make man in our image after our likenes all are noted with the title of creatours or makers Eccl. 12.1 boreêcha Iob. 35.10 ghnosai As upon the losse of this image when Adam begate a sonne in his owne likenes Gen. 5.3 all hatefull ugly deformity of sin succeeded every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evill continually Gen. 6.5 so
are we called of God to remember same offences of striking or cursing committed against others were not so though some childrē might happily have as much wisedome as their father mother yet their authority alone being despised brought such woe Now the authority of God the heavenly father over his creature being infinitely greater then the authority of any earthly father over his children the contempt thereof doth accordingly procure an infinite woe unto those that disobey God that reject his Law make their owne lust their law prefer the doing of their owne vile wills before the obedience of his holy heavenly will So in like manner the infinite evill of sinne appeareth distinctly in this that it is committed against the infinite goodnes mercy of God There are in creatures manifold degrees of love kindnes the love of one doth an hundred times exceed the love of some other both in tendernes of affection in multitude of benefits And in such case the treachery of such as deale falsely wickedly against their cheefest friends becomes an hundredfold greater evill then the sin of some others Now the Lord is love it selfe 1. Ioh. 4.8.16 herein is love not that we love God but that he loved us vers 10. his grace the gifts of his eternall free grace doe infinitely exceed all other love he gave himselfe to be our God portion his Sonne to be our ransome And therefore to sin against this high immeasurable grace to contēne this love to love that which is vanitie of vanities more then God doth make the sin of such to be out of measure sinfull deserveth an infinite hatred misery to ensue thereupon And thus the greevousnes of sinne is to be considered conceived in respect of the other divine attributes whereby we may see as it were ten infinites in one behold many windowes of contemplation opened before us through which we may have a huge vast prospect of the endles unsearchable woe of sinne that is to be felt in the second death Though there be many other aggravations of sinne yet this so farre exceeds the rest as if they all were nothing in comparison of this therefore doth the Spirit often urge this consideration upon men saying to the sinners Ye have lyed not unto men but unto God Act. 5.4 he that despiseth despiseth not man but God vvho hath also given us his holy Spirit 1. Thes and it containes more then a world of bookes can expresse c This fierce wrath of God is often in Scripture compared unto burning devouring fire Deut. 32.22 Ier. 15.14 17.4 Ezek. 21.31 22.21 36.5 Zeph. 1.18 accordingly is the tormēt in hell described unto us by the name of hellfire Matt. 5.22 18.9 The smarting paine caused by fire is well knowne by the common use thereof among us And yet above the nature of common fire which is made for the comfort of man to cheere him to make him laugh Esa 44.16 this dolefull fire of hell is propounded unto us of God by many strange descriptions It is a fire not like unto ours that may be quenched but an unquenchable fire Esa 66.24 Mark 9.44 Rev. 14.11 an everlasting fire Matt. 18.8 25.41 which so burnes the wicked as that it doth not consume them but keeps them alive in death that they may burne for ever and ever It is a fire that will not onely burne stones melt yron brasse but a subtile piercing fire that burnes even the spirits soules of men being a fire prepared for the devill his angels which are spirits Matt. 25.41 Rev. 20.10 and therefore farre more terrible then our fire by which tyrants burne the bodies of martyrs but cannot burne their soules Mat. 10.28 For the greatnes of it it is a bottomlesse pit Rev. 9.1.2 deep large Esa 30.33 a lake or sea of fire Rev. 20.14.15 for the names of lake or sea are sometimes in Scripture indifferently put one for another Matt. 8.24 with Luk. 8.23 and this burning sea is withall called a lake of brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 which makes the fire to burne more cruelly to choake strangle such as are plunged into this lake And for the forme of it it is sometimes compared to an oven or furnace of fire Mal. 4.1 Mat. 13.42.50 in which the fire being kept close strait may be made seven times more hote fierce then it was before Dan. 3.19 To make this fire yet more abhominable it is compared unto Tophet Esa 30.33 where children were burnt in horrible lothsome manner being sacrificed unto devils Ier. 7.31 with Psa 106.37 so more horrible would it be to see the soules sacrificed in Hell-fire Were there now but a witch to be burned at a stake how many thousands would flock together to behold the sight how many would loose a dayes work be content to misse their dinners rather then to misse the sight of it But if it were to see a King or an Emperour burnt to see a Pope or a Cardinall which having burnt many martyrs should at length have their owne flesh burnt with fire how many farre and neere would run and ride and spare no cost or labour to become spectatours of such a judgment how long how often how earnestly would men talke of it afterwards And yet this fire of the second death is for such by faith we see it faith makes us spectatours thereof if we beleeve the Scriptures which shew us how Tophet is prepared for kings Esa 30.33 how the beast and the false prophet the Popes are to be cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 and with them the multitude of their idolaters and other abhominable persons Rev. 21.8 And how are men bewitched that they forget this latter end of sinners that they more regard the light and momentany judgments of men then the eternall and severe judgments of the everlasting God This lake of fire is so forgotten and contemned of many which stand dayly at the brink of the pit ready to sinke downe into it for their sinnes as if that fire were already quenched yea the very common knowledge and confession thereof by all sorts hath quenched the thought of it and extinguished the memory and mencion of it with many as if it were so well knowne that it needed no more to be spoken of And for this cause are many tumbled into it overwhelmed in the depth of it before they be aware of it d The power of Gods wrath in kindling this fire may further be perceived if we behold the great variety of strange fires which God in his works of creation providence hath already kindled and set before us to shew what he is able to doe In the bowels of the earth below the Lord hath as it were sowne the seeds of fire in the divers minerals thereof as in the
further apprehend that in Christ we shall be accepted notwithstanding the weake measure of mortification that is in us And this faith of acceptance is a great encouragement for us to proceed further in the subduing mortifying of the flesh with the lusts thereof to abound dayly therein when as we know that our weake labour in the Lord is not in vaine 1. Cor. 15.58 when this perswasion abides within us that the day of small beginnings is not to be despised Zech. 4.10 that the Lord doth both accept the willing minde notwithstanding many wants 2. Cor. 8.12 will also in due season perfect accomplish that which he hath begun in us Philip 1.6 b That we may the better apprehend the comfort of this acceptance through faith there are divers poynts to be observed touching the nature of true Mortification which is yet acceptable to God 1. First that it is still imperfect in this life even in the most excellent servants of Christ who cōfesse themselves wretched transgressours of the law of God feeling in themselves another law power of sinne rebelling against the law of their minde leading them into captivity to the law of sinne that is in their members Rom. 7.23.24 II. Secondly true mortification of sinne as it is imperfect so it is nnequall every man having a portion of grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 The same measure of the spirit is not to be exspected in all All have not the same measure of sorrow for their sinnes that some others have yet it may be true and unfained and so accepted of God The fruits of repentance are in some thirty in some sixty in some an hundred-fold Matt. 13.23 Though every true beleever have the spirit of God Rom. 8.9 be a spirituall person 1. Cor. 2.14.15 yet some truely spirituall are so weake that in comparison of others they are not spirituall 1. Cor. 3.1 And therefore ought not any for this to be discouraged if they finde themselves inferiour unto others III. Thirdly true Mortification as it is unequall so it is in some respects unlike in the faithfull as there are divers measures thereof so are there divers manners of it The gifts graces of God are not onely many but manifold or divers of different kinde in divers persons 1. Pet. 4.10 and therefore some that have not mortifyed the outward actions of sinne may have striven more in the mortifying of their inward lusts affections Some that have not mortifyed the more hainous sinnes but have sometimes fallen into notorious scandals may yet in their ordinary course of life farre exceed those in true mortification which yet never fell into such grosse outward offences 1. Kin. 15.5 2. Sam. 24.3.4 c. And some that proceed further unto dayly mortification of the actions of sinne may yet want that great contrition sorrow for sinne which is in others that fall oftner doe lesse abstaine from the ordinary practise of sinne It is hard for any to determine whether it was greater grace in Ioseph a servant resisting the temptation not committing adultery with his mistresse or in David after his fall to humble himselfe so farre as being a glorious king to shame himselfe by publick confession of his adultery Psa 51. title For as God magnifies his mercy by sinne in forgiving it more then if no sinne had bene Rom. 3.4 5.20 so the godly may sometime manifest their grace and godlines by open and effectuall repentance more then if that speciall sin had not bene committed by them Luk. 7 38-34 IIII. Fourthly that Mortification which ariseth from the liveliest faith and feeling of Gods favour in Christ is most acceptable unto God rather then that which hath the extreamest griefe feare and terrour joyned with it or then that which hath a greater restraint of sinfull actions For as by faith men please God Heb. 11. 5.6 so according to the measure of faith in any action men doe more or lesse please God therein Though the degrees of mortification be many though the working of faith be sometimes revealed more at one degree then at another yet whatsoever is wrought at any degree is still by faith whether it be at the chāge of the disposition the motion affection will or action or in contrition after the sinfull action whether it be in divers men according to their different measure of grace or in the same men according to their divers assistance at severall times it is all by faith Faith is the root of other graces Col. 2.7 every act of mortification is a branch springing from this root no branch may boast against the root that beareth it Rom. 11.18 This is the victory that overcommeth the world evē our faith 1. Ioh. 5.4 by it mortification is wrought by it each act of mortification becomes most acceptable to God And therefore above all things we are to labour that this blessed grace of faith may be stirred up within us that though it have as it were slept at one assault of sin it may yet be awakened at another degree of mortification in the progresse of our spirituall combates And seing the spirit of God is the spirit of faith 2. Cor. 4.13 therefore should we seek to be filled with the spirit Eph. 5.18 that by it we may both become strong in the Lord in the power of his might may withall in the middes of our weakenesses be comforted encouraged through this faith of being made acceptable unto God in Christ c Furthermore besides this working of faith for the mortification of all kinde of sin in generall there is yet also a more particular consideration of the power of faith for the mortification of some speciall sinnes against God man By faith the spirituall pride of nature is subdued and confidence in a mans owne selfe is overthrowne whiles such a way of salvation by free grace without our owne works merits is taught us by faith Thus is humility utter denyall of a mans self wrought in the soule as the Spirit declareth by that threefold emphaticall interrogatiō the answer thereof when as he saith Where is boasting then it is excluded By what law of vvorkes Nay but by the law of faith Rom. 3.27 And so also in respect of men it may in like manner be demāded Where is hatred revenge it is excluded By what law of workes Nay but by the law of faith Faith teacheth men to be kinde mercifull tender hearted forbearing one another and forgiving one another if they beleeve the pardon of their owne sinnes and that God in Christ hath forgivē them Eph. 4.32 Col. 3.13 Though the law of workes require both humility in respect of God meekenes in respect of men though it condemne both boasting revengefulnes yet it is the law of faith that workes these graces required mortifyes the contrary sinnes d Having heard how the
so right a manner thinke of their end as those that thus doe mortify their sins making their owne spirituall meditations the graves wherein to bury their lusts CHAP. V. Of the outward meanes of Mortification The ordinances the workes of God a The primary ordinances the Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline b The secondary ordinances Fasting Watching c Ordinances of a third degree Vowes c Covenants d The Sacraments Sacrifices of the old Testament e Legall purifications there was more pollution by the touching of an uncleane or dead man then by the touch of any uncleane beast in seven respects f The Law of the Nazarite g The workes of Creation both in generall particular h The workes of Providence all the good that is done for us or performed by us i all the evils either of sinne committed by ourselves or others k or of punishment suffered by our selves or others l The due consideration of Death serves to mortify all kindes of lust THe Spirit of God working inwardly is the principall meanes of our mortification yet ordinarily he chooseth those times for this his work when as we observe the outward meanes which he hath appoynted to this purpose These meanes are either the use of his ordinances or the consideration of his workes The primary ordinances of God whereby the Spirit killes sinne are his Word Prayer Sacraments Discipline that he hath appoynted These are the weapons of our warfare not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe strong holds 2. Cor. 10.4 a His Word is the Hammer of Mortification that breakes the stony heart makes it contrite Ier. 23.29 As he himselfe is so is his word lively mighty in operation sharper then any two-edged sword that pierceth deep cuts the soule spirit Heb. 4.12.13 and hewes the old man in pieces as Samuel once hewed king Agag in pieces before the Lord. 1. Sam. 15.33 This sword of the Spirit is to be taken into the hands of every Christian that would obtaine the victory over the world Eph. 6.17 This word is to be heard publickely to be read privately to be meditated upon continually out of it a store of divine sentences commandements promises and threatnings is to be gathered kept in readines Col. 3.16 according to every mans necessity and speciall temptations so to be applyed against the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life for the mortification thereof These divine testimonies words of God are like so many sharp nayles Eccl. 12.11 to be fastened into the hands and feet of the old man that so he may be crucifyed As it was the honour of Iael she was blessed above women because she put her hand to the nayle and her right hand ro the hammer and smote Sisera and stroke through his temples till the enimy of Gods people was slayne Iudg. 5.24.26.27 so shall they be blessed above other men and women that having furnished themselves with store of divine oracles doe then put their hands to the nayles hammer of the Spirit so strike downe every lust sinful motion as soone as it beginnes to lift up the head and to stirre within them by applying the counsell of God against the same By Prayer the spirit of mortification is obtained both when it is desired by petition according to the precept promise Luk. 11.13 Matt. 26.41 as also by the very act exercise of prayer though this grace in particular be not desired but other things in as much as the very comming into Gods presence and the very presenting of the soule before him doth strike downe proud thoughts set the soule in a way of mortification Gen. 18.27 Psa 59 2-7 The Sacraments being due ly administred and received serve also in speciall manner to mortifye the old man In Baptisme there is as it were a grave of mortification when being baptised into the death of Christ we are buryed with him by baptisme Rom. 6.3.4 Col. 2.12 1. Cor. 15.29 The reverent and due meditation of this ordinance the beholding of the administration thereof is more effectuall for the mortifying of sinne then travelling to Ierusalem to behold the sepulcher of Christ as many have done In the Supper of the Lord the body and blood of Christ is so lively represented unto us that with Thomas we doe put our fingers into the hands and side of Christ into the print of the nayles speare Ioh. 20.27 in the due consideration thereof we cannot but crucifye our owne flesh with the affections and lustes In the exercise of Discipline by admonitions rebukes for sin the heart is humbled and broken Psal 69.20 with Zech. 13.6 and the censures are administred for the destruction of the flesh shaming of the offendour 1. Cor. 5.5 2. Thess 3.14 that by such meanes he might be truely mortifyed They serve also for the mortifying and humbling of the persons by whom they are administred giving them just cause of mourning bewayling both their owne others miseries by reason of sinne 1. Cor. 3.2 2. Cor. 7.8 and 12.21 even as under the Law he that did that which tended to the cleansing of others became uncleane himselfe Num. 19.7.8.10.21 b The secondary ordinances of God are such meanes of mortification as serve to help further us in the use of the former as namely Fasting Watching that we may be better prepared to pray to meditate to heare the word to receive the Sacraments to performe other religious dueties By fasting we understand either abstinence from meat altogether for a shorter time as in David others 2. Sam. 1.12 3.35 or abstinence from pleasant meat for a longer time as in Daniel Dan. 10.2.3 vvith vers 11.12.13 The use of both is to humble the soule that it may be better fitted for the exercise of mortification to this end are we called thereunto of God Ioel 2.12 and for the same purpose are the examples of the Saints that have bene frequent therein commended unto us in Scripture Dan. 9.3 Psa 35.13 69.10 2. Cor. 11.27 either to cast off their sins or themselves to be cast out of the Church they say in that covenant conditionally as Ionas sayd when he offered himselfe to be cast into the sea Ion. 1.12 binding themselves at their entrance into the Church either to beware of offences disturbing the peace thereof or to yeeld unto those courses whereby themselves deserve to be troubled d Having considered the ordinances of the New Testament the subordinate helpes whereby we are furthered in the exercise of mortification let us now see what may be observed to this purpose from the ordinances of the old Testamēt Though the practise of them cease in the ceremony yet not the meditation of thē nor the practise of those dueties which are signifyed by the ceremonies And all of them in speciall manner preach mortification unto us and call us
leads men with comfort through the gates of death overcomes the pangs thereof ferries conveyes men over all the floods of sorrowes a This grace of Vivification is to be considered in six especiall degrees answerable to those six degrees of Mortification before noted each of them may better be understood when they are mutually compared together I. The first degree of Vivification is a new disposition or habit of quickening grace infused by the Spirit of God whereby they are inclined to imbrace Christ to glory in his merit to live unto him This new disposition is like a new borne babe or at least as a babe newly conceived in the wombe of the soule is called the new creature Gal. 6.15 the new man Eph. 4.24 the inward man Rom 7.22 the law of their minde vers 23. the newnes of spirit vers 6. the consideration of this gift is cause of great joy thankesgiving unto the faithfull that doe therefore break out into the praise of God and blesse him that hath begotten them againe 1. Pet. 1.3 As it is matter of joy unto a mother to have a living childe borne though for that present it lie bound in swadling clothes without stirring hand or foot so it is great joy unto the regenerate to have this new habit of life though they doe not alwayes feele it actually stirring within them Yea this is a comfort that supporteth the godly in the midst of manifold temptations when notwithstanding their great imperfections present impotency unto good they yet can remember this habit of spirituall life formerly discerned in themselves by sundry joyfull apprehensions fruits of faith in time past This is that seed of God which remaineth abideth ever in those hearts where it is once sowne 1. Ioh. 3.9 This is that heavenly drop of divine grace which being once distilled into the soule is never dryed up but becomes a fountaine of living water springing up into everlasting life Iohn 4.14 This is that precious spark of spirituall life which though it be sometimes raked under the ashes of worldly cares and feares yet is it never extinguished but upon occasion breakes forth burnes more bright then before II. A second degree of vivification of the new man consisteth in the motions of new life and in the stirrings of the spirit which are a further comfort demonstration of spirituall life As the mother that hath conceived in her wombe yet for a long time together feeles not her childe to stirre within her doth then begin to feare and to doubt of the life thereof so the godly having bene long without the lively motions of the spirit beginne to feare sometimes and to doubt of their estate But upon the new motions of the spirit they are filled with comfort thereby feele their sweet babe the new creature as it were to spring in their wombe againe These motions are divine inspirations whereby the minde is illuminate to discerne and know the will of God to give assent and approbation unto it when it is knowne and to remember it also when it is approoved Eph. 1.17.18 Phil. 1.9.10 Col. 1.9 Without these gracious operations of the spirit many having the truth propounded unto them doe not apprehend it others apprehending the meaning thereof approove not of it others approoving of it doe yet forget the same and so it vanisheth and is lost As the Spirit of God is sayd to moove Samson at certaine times and to ring in his eare like a bell as the originall word imports Iud. 13.25 with Exod. 28.33.34.35 so these motions and impulsions of the spirit in the godly are as the sound of an heavenly bell ringing them many peales of consolation and exhortation for their warning night day These are the counsels of God and whisperings of the H. Spirit like divine cymbals and high sounding cymbals tinckling and ringing in the eares of the regenerate Psal 16.7 and 51.6 Esa 30.21 for which they give thankes to God that illuminateth wakeneth their dead dark hearts thereby when as of themselves they are not sufficient to conceive or think any thing that is good holy 2. Cor. 3.5 Pro. 30. ◠3 As wicked motions are the messengers of Satan to buffet us so these are the messengers of God to quicken us therefore as welcome guests are to be welcomed entertained with all thankfulnes III. Besides the motions of spirituall life in the understanding judgement and memory there is a third degree of vivification to be observed when as this life is further spread abroad into the affections worship and care for the poore Saints harmlesse life and innocency in respect of all men and bowels of compassion towards them in necessity Esa 5.2.4.7 Hereby men shew that they are not strangers from the life of God but being rich in good workes the workes of spirituall life they doe hereby lay up in store for themselves a good foundatiō against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life 1. Tim. 6.18.19 VI. Lastly it is a further manifestation of spirituall life when after the former degrees of vivification the new creature beholding this grace of God in it selfe doth with all joyfull thanksgiving acknowledge the same cōtinually As David his people considering how God had opened their hearts quickened them to his service rejoyced with great joy because they had offered willingly praysed God because he had mooved them to praise him 1. Chron. 29.9.10.13.14.17.20 so the regenerate that are borne of God can rejoyce in the Lord doe know the joyfull shout they doe therefore againe rejoyce because they rejoyce Psal 89.15.16 And as one Rainebow by the reflexion doth often beget another that other sometimes begets a third so that three Rainebowes have sometimes appeared at once so in the new creature one joy begets another one light begets another and one grace is the seed of another Rom. 5.4.5 When Paul saw the constancy of the Thessalonians it quickened him when he saw their faith joy in the holy Ghost it made him give thankes for them and to conceive great joy 1. Thes 1.2.3.6 and when he considered the comfort of his owne joy for them it made him give new thankes againe unto God for that joy 1. Thes 3.8.9 And thus is spirituall life propagated multiplyed in the faithfull whē as both by the sense of quickening grace in themselves Coll. 1.12 by the sight of it in others they take new occasion of glorifying God for his unspeakable gift 2. Cor. 9 12-15 b The meanes whereby this grace of vivification is wrought in the elect is principally the Spirit of God which quickeneth and giveth life Ioh. 3.5 Rom. 8.10.11 2. Cor. 3.6 By it we are brought unto Christ Ioh. 16.14.15 15.26 comming unto him as unto a living stone we also are made living stones full of life 1. Pet. 2.4.5 We come unto him when we quicken
Lord that whether we live or die we may be the Lords Rom. 14.7.8.9 This murder of a mās self is a grievous sin of which are guilty not onely such as lay violent hands on themselves but even those also that rashly expose themselves to unnecessary dangers combatants rash adventurers such as without a calling or any necessity goe to infectious places which are as the shadow of death As souldiers set to keep watch may not leave their station till the time appointed of their Captaine no more may we offer to depart hence untill we be dismissed or called away of our Commander Every man is bound to preserve life so long as by good meanes he can doe it or els he breakes the sixth cōmandemēt In like manner doe many offend by impatience vaine wishes of death Ion. 4.3.8.9 whether they doe it without sense having obdurate and feared cōsciences or with extremity of sēse without faith as in thoughts of despaire b Secondly this poynt of doctrine touching the feare of death is wisely to be considered in respect of many weake and infirme persons which have true faith hope love and yet are not so ready to selves feeling some present unpreparednes for the recovery of their strength that they may in better manner be fitted to appeare before God Psa 39.13 As a faithfull loving wife having had her husband long absent in a farre countrey or a spouse her bridegroome though she cannot but long for his returne yet if it should so fall out that about the time of his returne she should have the yellow jaundies or some greevous sore and deformity in the face would wish that her bridegroome might stay a week or two lōger till her sores were healed her strength recovered or as a Nobleman that unfainedly desires that his Prince should come to his house may yet in respect of some want of reparations in his house desire and wish in his heart that the Kings comming might be deferred a while till his house were repaired even so the spouse of Christ and his faythfull servants though they love him dearely desire nothing so much as to enjoy his presence to the full may yet sometimes wish that his comming might be prolonged for some space of time till they be in better plight to entertaine him Secondly they may be loth to depart this life in respect of others for their benefit insomuch that though for their owne part they have an unfained desire to be dissolved yet for the good of others they are content desirous to live as a parent for his childrens education a Prince for the reformation a Minister for the instruction of the people in dangerous times Thus it was with Hezekiah Esa 38.18.19 Paul Phill. 1 21-24 d And yet even in all these distresses when death approcheth God calles mē away there is comfort against every want Christ makes supply of all if there be any blemish sore or deformity he is such a bridegroome as suddenly heales all and presents us to himself without spot or wrinckle or any such thing Eph. 5.27 He is the father of the fatherlesse the great Shepheard of the sheep Heb. 13.20 he will gather feed defend his flock he hath abundance of spirit whereby to fulfill all his good pleasure he is all in all Hezekias had great desire to live to see his children to teach them and yet behold when God had prolonged his life added unto his dayes fifteen yeares presently he offēds heares a woeful threatning of judgmēt Esa 39.6.7 Yea Manasses his sonne whom he got three yeares after his recovery and who entred into the kingdome when he was twelve yeares old Hezekias his fifteē yeares being expired became a most abominable Idolater murderer witch c. 2. Kin. 21.1.2 c. Had Hezekias knowne so much whē he desird to live lōger to teach his children it is not likely that he would have bene so desirous of life Therefore if God call us away we must be content to depart whatsoever inconveniences be in the way consider how great a fault sin it is to be unwilling to goe at his call e To this end it will be profitable to think often of the greatest hindrances and encumbrances in death yea to consider of them as if we were now upon our death-bed lay presently a dying gasping for breath that we may learne to arme ourselves against all lets difficulties that make men unwilling to leave this world For example Obj. I. Some are happily loth to leave the world because of their friends kinred children acquaintance c. whose company they still desire to enjoy Ans For one friend whom we leave here we finde a thousand in heaven For I. Of men in this world we see but one as it were our owne generation and of this generation not the thousandth person we never saw all the countries of the world scarce heard of them much lesse their cities townes particular persons II. Of those we have seen we know not one city much lesse are we acquainted with all the inhabitants there are many from whom we receive no love nor any fruits of love yea some that proove our enimies from whom much evill is received III. For that small number of those that are our true friends indeed how weake are they in comparison not so amiable in soule or body by an hundred degrees as those to whom we goe IV. If men on earth were as gracious vertuous unblameable as in heaven yet in this earthly condition our communion with them is most imperfect defective lame in respect of present necessities layd upon us as 1. Our drossy nature whereby we are like snailes cannot travell about the world in such swift and glorious motions as in heaven 2. Our many trades and vocations binding men like prisoners to sit the whole week at their work confining them to their severall imployments The world is like a Rasp-house or Bridewell where by the rod of necessity men are made to work the twigs or cords of this whip are hunger thirst cold nakednes the smart and shame of these doth scourge force men to labour thus it is with men here in respect of heavē where there is no hindrance from continuall making of acquaintance 3. Our wearines sleepy nature making us spend our nights in the shadow of death as dead men whereas in heaven there is no night no shadow of the earth which reacheth little further thē the sphere of the Moone and therefore is farre from causing any darknes in the third heavēs in the paradise of God What darknes or night can approch thither where al the righteous shine as the Sun for ever Matt. 13.43 4. The weaknes of our senses bodily communion whereas here two soules sitting together cānot impart their mindes to one another without the outward organs instruments of sense there the spirits