have had both in inward and outward Mercy 26. Beware of covetousness and greediness after the things of this world for there is no satisfaction in the creature we think if we had so much as some others have we could be satisfied but this is certain nothing but God can set bounds unto the desires of mens hearts after worldly things but our hearts if they be set upon the world will cry Give still all the world cannot redeem us from death nor all our Silver or Gold buy off any of the pangs of death and though men are earnest upon the world for their Children that they may leave them great matters to be some body in the world yet we must know that the happiness of our Posterity doth not lie in our leaving them great estates for if they never have Christ it usually makes them more sinfull in this world and more miserable in the world to world to come yea God oftentimes raiseth poor Children to greater Estate in the world then they ever come to and blasteth and crusheth the great Estate that men leave without his fear and though the next Heirs it may be may keep it together yet their Heirs may suddenly consume and too often the more money men lay up for their Children the fewer Prayers they lay up for them besides as Christ bids us beware of covetousness upon that account Luke 12.17 a mans life that is the comfort of it doth not consist in the multitude of that we possess not only the true comfort of a mans life doth not lie in multitude of riches but in Communion with God but the outward comfort of a mans life doth not consist in the multitude of riches many men of ordinary estates do enjoy more outward comfort then men of great Estates How many great men have no comfort in their Estates either God denies them of Heirs and that is a torment to them or gives them not Power to eat of that which they possess or God sendeth them such pains and sickness of Body that they spend their days with grief and their years with sighing Some way or other God sends them such crosses and troubles that eat out all the comforts of their Estates therefore let our Conversation be without covetousness and be content with the things which we have though it be little for God hath said He will never leave us nor forsake us 27. Beware of distracting cares fears sorrows about earthly things for these heart-distracting cares are mighty contrary to the life of faith they work not only death of soul but the sorrow of the world and grief about these things do hasten death of the body they drink and suck up the juyce of our natural Spirits All our distracting cares cannot add one Cubit unto our statures they cannot keep any of those crosses off yea they provoke God to bring those troubles and crosses that we in an unbelieving way care and perplex our Spirits about they make the troubles of our Pilgrimage more then otherwise they would be for they provoke God to continue the rod longer upon our backs and make the afflictions we have more tedious as a man in the stocks to take on and gall his legs to get out makes his suffering a great deal more then it would be if he sat quiet there is no way but to submit to God in all that befals us and not to distract our hearts in a carnal way about troubles before they come and be impatient and murmuring when they do come yet a Christian will find this a hard lesson to learn 28. Beware of the leaven of Hypocrisie as Christ calls it leaven indeed that leaveneth and sowreth our duties exceedingly beware not only of gross Hypocrisie such as declareth a man to be an Hypocrite but lay aside all other Hypocrisie that is more secret as in such particulars as these 1 When we are to pray before others not to depend upon the assistance of Gods Spirit as we do at other times but to fetch in some fine expressions by the strength of memory which we have used or read heretofore this is an evil to be watched against 2 It s the working of Hypocrisie in our hearts when we are enlarged in secret prayer to have a thought in our hearts to wish that such and such might hear us that they might think highly of our gifts 3 And so when we purposely give others occasion to commend us in conference 4 Or when we undervalew our selves not in the humility and truth of our hearts but purposely that others might commend us 5 Or when we boast of things beyond or live and speak at too high a rate of those things that God hath wrought by us too highly commend those that God hath wrought upon by us that we might have more praise 29. Watch against spiritual pride seeing that we have nothing but what we have freely received Spiritual pride is of all things most contrary to the dispensation of Grace in Christ wherein the Lord hath taken a way to save us wherein we are nothing but his free Grace is all in all let all Saints look upon themselves as the greatest of sinners for though we have not commited many great sins as Murder and the like that others have committed yet we have the same corrupt nature that the worst of men have and our sins have aggravations that make us greater sinners as the light we have of the love of God to us in Christ the Ordinances and means of Grace all these aggravate the sins of Believers and though we may be higher in Gifts and in place then many Saints yet be not high-minded but fear knowing that you are therefore a City set upon a hill which cannot be hid and God having given you eminent Gifts and brought you to some eminent place God will be more dishonoured by your falls and miscarriages which is a mighty humbling consideration that religion may have more dishonor by you then by twenty other Saints failings 30. Reprove sin for though some may turn again and rent you yet sometimes you may be an instrument of converting a soul and if this fall out but once in all thy life it s a great Mercy however it is thy duty to leave it to the Lord to give success in it 31. Be not peremptory and too earnest for the suddain removing of any affliction for if that it lasts long usually the more good is done thy soul by it 32. Be not weary of prayer and other duties because you do not always find such extraordinary joys and communion with God as sometimes you have done as sometimes the Lord hath been so present in prayer with a Saint that he cryed out Lord I could spend eternity thus Eternity thus Then hours and days to be in duty is no wearisomness to the Spirit though to the body but at other times the souls is tyred with a short walk a short duty but continue in
their natural estate and have been very wicked chap. 20 READER What literal faults escaped either in the copy or the printing let your Candor and understanding in reading mend them the Author being so far from the Press must be excused Some Books printed and sold by Thomas Brewster at the three Bibles near the West end of Pauls AN Epitome of all the Common and Statute Laws of England in Fol. The Faithful Counsellor or the Marrow of the Law in English in 4. to The Priviledges of the People vindicated in 4. to All three by William Sheppard Serjeant at Law The Retired Mans Meditation or the Mysterie and Power of Godliness by H. Vane Knight The Prerogative of Popular Government A Political Discourse in two Books the former containing the first Preliminary of Oceana enlarged interpreted and vindicated The second concerning ordination against D. H. Hammond Dr. L. Seaman and the Authors they follow In which two Books is contained the whole Common-wealth of the Hebrews or of Israel Senate People and Magistracy as also the different Policies introduced into the Church of Christ during the time of the Apostles by James Harrington Esquire Vindiciae Justificationis Gratuitae Justification without Condition or the free Justification of a Sinner Explained Confirmed and Vindicated by W. Eyre Minister of the Gospel at New-Sarum Mr. Baxter's Aphorisms of Justification Examined and Answered by J. Crandon in 4o. Seasonable Instructions for these evil times also Christ as a Father sitting up with his Children in their swooning state being the sum of many Lectures painfully preached upon the 1. Chap. of Paul to the Colossians c. by Nicholas Lockyer Mr. of Arts. An Exposition of the whole Book of Canticles wherein the Text is explained and useful Observations raifed thereupon by J. Robotham in 4o. The Extents and Limitation of Gospel-liberty wherein is laid down an exact way to end the present dissentions and to preserve future Peace among the Saints whereunto is added good news from heaven to the worst of sinners on earth Gospel-holiness or a Saving Sight of God and the glorious Priviledge of the Saints Both by Walter Graddock Preacher of the Gospel in 4o. A Description of Jerusalem and the Suburbs thereof as it florished in the time of Jesus Christ with a Map by H. Jesse in 4o. A Little Cabinet richly stored with all sorts of heavenly Varieties and soul-reviving influencs wherein there is a remedy for every Malady viz. Milk for Babes Meat for strong men being an abridgment of the Sum and substance of the true Christian Religion No Power but of God and yet a Power in every Creature wherein is shewed that the Almighty God is not wanting to us in impowering of us but we are wanting to him in not improving our Talents for him Both written by Robert Purnel A Store-house of Provision for further Resolution in several Cases of Conscience viz. of living above Ordinances of walking in Fellowship with the unbaptized of Laying on of hands c. Also a small Catechism for Babes and little Ones all three by H. Jesse Zions Glory discovered in the Churches and Ordinances before the fulness of the Jews come in by J. Proud A Treatise containg three things viz. A Discovery of the unsupportable Burthen of sin to a heart that is throughly convinced of sin 2. The Restlesness of a soul to return to God who is so sensible of his with-drawing 3. A Discovery of the sweet entertainment that wandring hearts meet with in their Returns to God by P. Hobson The Right Constitution of a Common-Wealth with some Errors of Government and Rules oâ— Policy as laid down by Machiavel and others in 8o. A Brief History containing most of those notable Occurrences and Revolutions that happened in those late Contests between King and Parliament being a short mention of things from 1637. to 1648. by T. May Esquire Milk for Bubes in Christ or Meditations Observations and Experiences with divers cases of Conscience resolved the glorious Priviledges of them that are Christs with the way to know whether we are of that blessed number Also Election before the foundation of the world asserted and the Faith of Gods Elect what it is by Martin Finch Preacher of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ at Tetney in Licoln-shire 8o. An Anti Diatribe or the Apologie of some Ministers and godly people asserting the Lawfulness of their administring the Lords Supper in a select Company proving also the necessity of Examination in order to a more holy Church fellowship being an answer to Mr. Humphrey's general Admission by H. Saunders Minister of Hollesworth in Devon Lazarus and his Sisters discourse of Paradise or a Conference about the excellent things oâ— the other world A Discoverer of some plots of Lucifer and his Councel against the Children of men An Essay upon two of Virgil's Eclogues and two Books of his Aeneids translated by James Harrington Esquire The Gate of Tongues unlocked and opened or a Seed-time of all Tongues and Sciences being a Short way of teaching and throughly learning the Latine English French c. Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus his Divine Pimander in 17 Books together with his second book called Asclepius containing 15. Chapters with a Commentary done into English by Dr. Everard Some Sermons preached on several occasions by P. Sterry viz. The clouds in which Christ comes in a Sermon from Rev. 1.7 The Teaching of Christ in the soul from Mâ—t. 23. and 10. The coming forth of Christ in the power of his death from Psal 18.1 Divine Astrologie or a Scripture Prognostication of the sad Events which ordinarily arise from the good mans fall by death being the substance of a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Col. Will. Vnderwood by George Cokayn Preacher of the Gospel Soper-lane London Christian Experiences from Scripture-evidences under these several heads viz. 1. Comfort for Believers against their fears and dismayings 2. Comfort for Believers from their spiritual Incomes 3. Mans fruitlesness without saving faith 4. Counsel unto Saints as sojourners and strangers 5. Mans folly in determining by present Events or State of things by R. Coler Preacher of the Gospel in Wiltshire A Lamenting word shewing how there is a Dissertion come upon us and what are the Evils with whom they are found that have procured it unto us A Collection of the Armies Declarations Engagements Remonstrances c. These written by T. Collier viz. The Right Constitution of a visible Church of Christ with its Order and Ordinances The Day Dauning relating to the Calling of the Jews and Christs second Coming The Confession of Faith of several Churches of Christ in the West signed by several Officers of the said Churches A Catechism for the Instruction of youth A Dialogue between a Minister of the Gospel and an enquiring Christian about the Authority of the Scriptures and the Principles of the Quakers The Personal Appearing and Reign of Christs Kingdom on the Earth stated An Antidote
not the spirit of Christ hath not Christ to present his Duties to God the Father and to take away the Iniquity of them and then what can he do acceptible to God It s the way of our hearts by nature that if we do any thing that is good for the matter of it we make use of it to keep us at a further distance from Christ and closing with him by faith that we trust to our Duties for Salvation and thus if we do any thing for God it is out of base ends as Jehu did either for applause to be accounted Religious and zealous for God or to stop the mouth of conscience or else we think to make our good works a Ladder to climbe up to Heaven by We are blind in spiritual things having our understandings darkned and alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in us and blindness of our minds Eph. 4. that all the my steries of the Gospel are Riddles to us and till we plough with the Lords Heifer the Spirit of God we cannot understand those Riddles when the Lord came to convert Nicodemus how blind and ignorant did he find him Joh. 3. and when he came to convert the woman of Samaria how ignorant did he find her we may see John 4. It s a wonderful thing how in conversion God makes the ignorant to understand Doctrine how in a month or two God helps them to pray and discourse so knowingly and spiritually that before were perfect sots and almost as ignorant of God as the Beast that perishes And in the Description of our natural estate Tit. 3.3 we are said to be foolish we are like fools and mad men and indeed men will call themselves fools first or last either here if they are converted or in Hell What fools are we to prefer the world before Christ For this the Lord called the rich man fool Luke 12. and what fools are we that having but one precious Jewel our souls that we will fell it for every base lust we are more foolish then Esau was in selling his Birth-right for a mess of pottage And what fools are we to make no provision for Eternity The Ant is wiser that provideth her meat in the Summer but we take no care for the long winter of eternity And what fools are we to set our selves against the Saints of God who are as dear to him as the Apple of his Eye Christ tels Paul its hard for him to kick against the pricks Act. 9. He makes the persecuting of the Saints to be as foolisâ— and dangerous a thing as for a man to kick knock his shins against the pricks And what fools are we that though we will not neglect Fairs and Markets yet will neglect the means of Grace and opportunities of getting Christ And what fools are we that when Christ knocks at our doors will not let in such a blessed guest that brings the Spirit and a new Heart and a pardon and eternal life with him And what fools are we that will build our eternal condition upon the sands of our own Righteousness and not upon Jesus Christ If a man should build a house upon the sands we should say he is a fool indeed the next Tide will wash it away and the ground will sink and give way all this folly and a thousand times more is in our hearts by nature but we see it not There is a strange forwardness and earnestness in us naturally to sin and a lothness to leave sin insomuch that men will be in a rage against those that would stop them in their sinful courses and though God send many afflictions as upon Pharaoh yet men turn not to the Lord indeed when men can scarce turn them in their beds they will say they will leave their wicked courses but when the affliction is over they will be as bad as ever men are so loth to part with their sins naturally that they will undo their souls unto all eternity rather then part with their lusts as Nero's mother enquiring whether her son should be Emperour she was told that he should be Emperour but then he should kill her she out of the pride and ambition of her spirit said Let him kill me so he be but Emperour so the Word of the Lord tels us that if we go on in our sins and are not converted our souls will be damned to all eternity and men say in their hearts Let me be damned so I may enjoy my base lusts O what wickedness is in the heart Men will not fall out with themselves and sins until they come to hell except they be converted but in hell men will fall out with their sins and say O thou cursed pride O cursed drunkenness O cursed uncleanness O cursed unbelief that hath undon our souls for ever And if the Lord never convert us but leave us in a state of Nature to die out of Christ how infinitely miserable shall we be for ever The wages of sin is death Rom. 6.14 Rom. 1.18 Eph. 5.6 The wrath of God like a huge Mountain will lie upon a sinners back in hell to crush him to pieces you will alwayes see God frowning upon you O think of this if thou beest not brought out of the state of Nature and ingraffed into Christ thou wilt be separated for ever from the Lord you shall never enjoy communion with him a glimpse of whose Reconciled face in Christ is worth ten thousand Worlds you will never taste one drop of those Rivers of Gods pleasures for ever of which the Saints shall have their fill O that will be a dreadful word Depart from me ye cursed Depart from me whose Loving kindness is better then Life Depart from me a day in whose Courts is better then a thousand elswhere go among the Devils who like roaring Lions seek to devour you When once men come to Hell there will be no means of Grace for ever Eccles 9.10 No work nor device nor knowledge in the grave No more dealings of Gods Spirit with men no inward nor outward comfort nothing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth which shews extremity of torment in Hell The Saints indeed when they die their places and Relations know them no more nor they them but then they know a better place Heaven and enjoy better Relations but a natural man leaveth all his outward comforts and goes into infinite torments O thou that are in thy natural condition give ear to this and flee from the wrath to come it may be now thou knowest not how to spend a day without some pastime or other O how wilt thou spend eternity in Hell where thou shalt never have a drop of water to cool thy tongue O consider what heart-distracting heart tormenting thoughts you will have in Hell if the Lord never convert you here how sadly will you remember what great sins you committed and with what hardness of heart how will it torment you
your troubled soul found rest and peace from his Blood yea the soul saith truly This I have felt in some measure why here is true Faith and Assurance and yet many a poor soul not considering that this is the saving work but seeing that it comes short in many things doth question whether it be in Christ or no whereas open and unravel but the work of Grace and say Have you gone this step and the other step and it can say truly that These things God hath wrought in me How much means is used to many and yet they can find no comfort and peace of conscience The Covenant of Grace is clearly opened to them servent prayers are put up to God for them the experiences of other Saints are made known to them but all will not do it for indeed the Lord only can speak peace to the soul he is the God of peace But let those that have peace of conscience and Assurance be thankful for it as a great mercy for all Saints have it not indeed it is a great mercy it yields much present refreshment to the soul what will make us glad if the light of Gods Countenance will not And so doth Assurance of Gods Love stand us in great stead in time of Afflictions it keeps the soul from sinking in great Afflictions it keeps Satan from many advantages yea when we come to die and look that King of Terrours in the face Assurance of Gods Love makes grim Death look smilingly in our Eye CHAP. X. The Ministry of Angels and their serviceableness to the Church THough curious and unscriptural Notions about the Angels are to be avoided yet these things that the Scriptures reveal of them and their Ministry are very profitable to be known The Angels are called spirits and a flame of fire Heb. 1.7 They are active and quick at the Lords work they are as a flame of fire not only for their terribleness but for their quikness how quick fire goes out of a Gun and how quick is a flash of lightning The Angels were very forward to perform their service to the Lord Jesus an Angel brought news to Mary that she should be the mother of our Lord Luke 1.27.28 An Angel at Christs birth told the Shepherds the glad tidings of Christs coming into the world and a multitude of them praised God saying Glory be to God in the Highest on earth peace and good will to men Luke 2.9,13,14 They had command to worship the Lord Jesus Heb. 1.6 When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him but why must all the Angels of God worship Christ when he came into this world and was made flesh 1. To own and acknowledge Christ to be God now in that mean estate the form of a servant that he had put himself into for worship only belongs to him that is God 2 To acknowledge the benefit of confirmation that they have by the Lord Jesus by whom they are made immutably happy 3. To shew an example unto men to worship and honor Christ when as the Angels that are more excellent creatures do it 4. To shew their admiration of that glorious and wonderful way of Salvation by Jesus Christ And then at Christs death the Angels came and ministred unto him and strengthened him And as the Angels were forward to do service to Christ so they are to minister to the Saints for the Lord hath made them ministring spirits to them that shall be Heirs of Salvation The Lord makes use of them to keep his people out of many dangers Psalm 21.11,12 He hath given his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou shouldst dash thy foot against a stone indeed God is so careful of his people that he would not trust all the Angels in heaven wholly with the safety of his people but hath given them unto Christ to be their Leader and Commander and bring them unto Glory who will lose none of all that the father hath given him who hath Infinite Power and Wisdom to manage all their concernments but the Angels are Ministers under Christ to be helpful to the Saints as the Pastors of Churches are Overseers and have the charge of the flock under him also And so the Angels lift up the Saints many times as Nurses do little children that they don't dash their feet against a stone whom every little thing would throw down They have their Orders from Christ whose Ministers they are to do his pleasure therefore Christ is said to sit between the Cherubins Psal 99.1 to shew how he hath the Angels fit to send upon his Designs and how often doth he send them to encamp round about the Saints in their dangers and deliver them and because of the Angels serviceableness to the Saints they are called their Angels Matth. 18.10 The Lord giveth them great Power for to perform this service and Ministry to the Saints we see that the Angel Act. 20.7,10 that was sent to fetch Peter out of prison he did but touch him and his chains fell off and when they came to the Iron gate it presently opened the Lord giveth the Angels power over the fiercest creatures that when Daniel was thrown into the Lions Den the Lord sent an Angel and shut the Lions mouthes that they should not hurt him Dan. 6.32 And as they serve the Saints in other things so in destroying of their enemies as an Angel smote Herod with death Act. 10.23 Yea 1 Kings 19.35 in that great strait that Hezekiah and the people of God were in when that huge Army of the Assyrians came against them the Lord the text saith sent an Angel that smote in one night on kundred fourscore and five thousand of them whom they left all dead corpses It s a wonderful Execution When Lazarus died he was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16. As they do rejoyce in the conversion of a soul so in the finishing of our course and are joyful to bring us home to our Fathers house yea the Scripture tels us that the Lord will send the Angels at the last day to gather his people together from the four Winds who will know them all in the utmost corners of the earth having been ministring spirits unto them may be stirring affections and freedom of speech from the apprehension of popular applause in some Auditories but gracious men know a difference between those inlargements and the soul-humbling assistance of Gods spirit 10 Gods Spirit gives to his servants many times a more then ordinary assistance in their labors amongst the Saints for their sakes for their quickning comforting strengthning and edification whose building up was one great end of the ordinance of the Ministry Eph. 4.10,11,12 11 Gods Spirit gives his servants affections in preaching as Zeal Compassion to souls and the like but though something of this may
mans sins to be unpardoned unforgiven the strength and power that sin hath to damn is from the Law that it is the breach of Gods holy Law but he tels us that Believers are freed from the damning power of sin and from the curses of the Law through Christ Jesus as terrible as death is to nature flesh and blood and to a man that fears hell because it is the day of execution to all that are out of Christ yet a Saint may look upon death with comfort for though it be a dark entry yet it leads to our Fathers House where are many Mansions though it be a rough passage yet it lands us safe in Heaven infinite advantage comes to a Believer by death 1. Perfect enjoyment of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost the sight of whose blessed face shall fill us in Heaven with unconceivable joy for ever 2. Clear understanding of God his Grace and the mysterie of all his dealings with us in the world now we see all these darkly but the Apostle saith then we shall see face to face now how poor and confused is our knowledge how little a portion know we of the Almighty and of his Grace to us then all will be clear 3. Freedom from sin which though it doth not raign in Believers now yet then it shall not in the least remain but they shall be Holy throughout 4. Freedom from afflictions whereof all Gods children are partakers more or less in their Pilgrimage 5. Freedom from all Temptations either to sin or for sin 6. Spiritual and full enjoyment of the Saints and not of Saints in their weaknesses and mistakes which yet we in our Pilgrimage do rightly judge to be a great mercy but then we shall enjoy communion with Saints full of the Spirit Saints made perfect Many particulars might be added to these which shall be omitted for brevities sake but two questions must here be briefly resolved Quest 1. How comes it to pass that many natural men will often wish they were dead and many time die like lambs and others murder themselves Answ 1. It s seldom a real desire that ignorant people have to die but a sinful customary expression 2. If they be in good earnest it ariseth from ignorance 1 Ignorance what a serious thing it is to die 2 Ignorance of their own condition they think they are in Christ and that so death will be an end of all troubles to them 3 Ignorance of the torments of hell as if they were not greater then the troubles they have here for which they wish themselves dead 3 Those that murder themselves are either so distracted by excess of Melancholy or so dejected by some outward crosses or so overwhelmed with despair or so confounded in their understandings by Satan that they are not able to put forth scarce a serious or rational thought but are carried with a strange confusion and hurry of thoughts into any thing 2. But then it will be asked Why many gratious persons seem to be wonderfully a fraid of death before it come and die with very little Comfort seemingly upon their spirits but rather trouble Answ 1. So far as a Saint is flesh and blood and so far as there is corruption in him so far death will be terrible to him yet in the mean while the regenerate part in him desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ as that which is best of all but as Ridley said when he came to die I am not afraid but the flesh will have its course 2 A Saint knoweth more then other men what a serious thing it is to die he considereth the account that is to be given to God and the straitness of the way that leadeth to eternal Life and many times is not so assured of Gods love in Christ and this damps his spirit as to death 3 Though a Saint sometime seems to be unwilling to die yet before the Lord takes them away he usually makes them not only willing but desirous to die to be with Christ and that is a wonderful thing how God can in one moment turn the scales in these things and make that Saint that even now trembled at the thoughts of death now to say Lord here am I When wilt thou send for me home This the Saints have sometimes experience of 4 Their Comfort at death may be damped much and seeming trouble appear to standers by through some secret strong temptations of Satan or through violence of their disease CHAP. XV. The Holiness of Believers HOliness is most properly to be urged upon Believers more then upon natural men the great thing and the first thing that they are to do is to believe in Christ and after they are in Chrst then they are to be urged to walk holily in him Believers are to be holy both in soul and body not only in the thoughts of their hearts but in all the actions of the outward man The Apostle Paul urgeth the holiness of the outward man of the body as well as the heart by six arguments all laid down in the sixth chapter of the first epile to the Corinthians His first Argument is v. 13. How the body is not for fornication but for the Lord and the Lord for the body that is the Lord he is for the body of believers as well as the soul he hath a care of their bodies of their outward man and bestowes many mercies upon the outward man and therefore saith the Apostle there is all the reason in the world that the body the outward man should be for the Lord. His second Argument is in the 14. verse he saith that God will raise up our bodies at the last there is much in that if God will at last raise up the bodies of Believers and glorifie them and make them like to Christs glorious body O how should they glorifie God with their bodies now in the mean while His third Argument is That our bodies are the members of Christ v. 15. His fourth Argument is That our bodies are the temples of the holy Ghost v. 19. His fift Argumentis That we are not our own neither bodies nor souls v. 19. His last argument is that we are bought with a price v. 20. All these Arguments are very strong for a Believers glorifying of God with his body as well as with his soul both which are the Lords Several Arguments may be brought for the Saints holiness in general as 1 the Grace of God in Christ should be such a prevailing Argument to holiness that where there is any Gospel-ingenuity we should reason as the Apostle doth We were dead and we judge that Christ having died for us to save us that it s but reason we should live to him saith he in that place 2 Cor. 5.14,15 the love of Christ constrains us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifies it keeps in it stops restrains bridles we have corrupt and wicked hearts by nature but when
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a young plant in Christ he must not be one that is newly converted then surely he must not be one that is not converted at all 3 The Duty of a Pastor requireth it also as it is set down 1 Tim. 3.5 that he is to take care of the Church of God now a natural man hateth the Saints of God and will sooner devour and make havock of the Church of God then take care to preserve and comfort and help it so they are said Heb. 13.17 to watch for the peoples souls And how can they do this that do not watch over their own souls 4 We may consider also what rules the Apostle gives to Titus about this business Tit. 1.8 He saith that they that are called to this office must be Lovers of good men and that none can be but a Saint hereby we know that we are passed from death to life if we love the Brethren and he saith also that he must be holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word that is used Act. 13.35 concerning Christ and verse 9. he saith he must be one that will hold fast the faithfull word which there is no hopes that wicked men should do when persecution ariseth because of the word 5 Men that are not visibly Saints and called are not to be members of a Church notwithstanding any parts and accomplishments they may have much less should they be Pastors of Churches 6 A carnal Minister ascribes all to his parts and learning in his work and not to the ability that God giveth 1 Pet. 4.11 and so God hath not the glory 7. The Scripture saith that the prayers of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord and a stinch in his Nostrils 8 Though many of them may have good parts and may be seemingly sound in the matters of Religion yet we have no ground to think that they will continue sound because the Scripture saith that because they have received the truth not in the Love and power of it God will send men strong delusions 2 Thess 2. 9 Though Christ sent Judas yet he was never a Pastor of a Church of Saints and he was outwardly a Saint so in the esteem of the Apostles and Christ did it not for our imitation Christ limits us though we must not limit him and there is a particular Reason given of it that the Scriptures might be fulfilled 10 Christs words concerning hearing the Pharises that sit in Moses chair was rather a dispensation then an injunction and its one thing to hear occasionally and another thing to sit down under a mans Ministry and it was only upon some points about the Law not in all things for they taught that Christ was the Prince of Devils and a Deceiver least of all did Christ countenance their Ministry in these words to be good and lawfull for see how Christ inveigheth against those Pharisees Mat. 15. as if he he had been made up of invectives 11 The Apostle 1 Cor. 2.14 having spoken in the verse before of the spiritual man judging all things and he himself is judged of none propounds that question Who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him By him is meant the spiritual man for of him he is speaking not of instructing the Lord but saith he we have the mind of Christ and therefore can instruct them unto edification so then this Argument is taken from their insufficiency for the work that a natural mancannot reach a Saint who is above him 12 So the Apostle 2 Tim. 2.6 speaking of Ministers useth that comparison the husbandman that laboureth must first be parraker of the fruits of the earth How else can he sow So hath a Minister need to be partaker of some experience of the blood of Christ and comforts of the Spirit How else can he preach Christ feelingly and powerfully unto others 13 We see whom God hath used for conversion Those that went under the name of Puritans and Nonconformists in the Bishops times and go now under many more names in the world but it is with those that are his servants that he is present it is to them that he hath Promised to bless what they put their stands unto and to be with them to the end of the world it is not what God can do or sometimes hath done for we must not limit him but whether the Lord hath appointed the preaching of wicked men as an Ordinance of his for conversion of sinners or the building up of Saints 14 In other things that are not of that concernment that this is men will not trust those that have not experience as in Physick though a man hath read several Physick books and is able to define diseases and to talk pretty well yet you will not choose such an one to be your Physician if he want experience much less should you trust that man with your soul that hath only read some Divinity books and so is able to speak something if he have no experience of the power and sweetness of the truths of God himself CHAP. XVII The right use of the Law THE Law we are speaking of is the moral Law the ten Commandments with what comment and exposition is upon it in the Scripture This Law is of excellent use 1 It discovereth to us the holiness of God that he would have his creatures live according to rule and not in sin and Confusion 2 It serveth to discover sin to men Rom. 7.7 and to this end all are to get knowledge of the Law Rom. 7.1 and we are often to examine our hearts and lives by the Law and to know the Law in the spirituality of it that we may see spiritual and secret sins 3 The Law serves to awaken the consciences of natural men with the fear of hell and damnation and to set them more seriously to look after their eternal condition but those that are in Christ they are not to fear hell by the Law because they are freed by Christ from the damning power of it 4 The Law rightly understood will shew a soul an utter impossibility that ever he should get life by own works and righteonsness for the Law requires perfect obedience gives no strength to obey admits of no repentance neither will be satisfied to inflict temporal punishments and afflictions but throws the sinner into hell and lays him up there for ever except the soul hath interest by Faith in the perfect righteousness of Christ which fully answereth the Law 5 To Believers the Law may be a constant help to thankfulness they see the strength of sin 1 Cor. 15.56,57 that is the power that sin hath to damn is from the Law because it is the breach of Gods holy and righteous Law now to see how Christ hath delivered them from all the curses and damning power of the Law this may make them cry out Thanks be to God that hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6
prayer and all duties whether our Communion with God be more or less in them FINIS CHAP. XX. How the Lord is pleased effectually to call some after they have been long in their natural Estate and have been very wicked GOd is pleased to suffer some of his Elect to go on a great while in Ignorance and to fall into great sins before he convert them as Matthew Zachaeus Mary Magdalene an elect person yet God leaveth her to be possest with seven devils and to be a Harlot before he convert her Paul an elect person yet God leaveth him a great while to go on in a Pharisaical way and to be a grievous Persecutor before the Lord convert him The Thief upon the Cross was an elect person yet the Lord let him run on a long time in his sins for these he is sentenced to die theâ—… the Lord converts him now there are many reasons why the Lord in his insinite wisdom suffers many elect persons to fall into so much sin before the Lord convert them As 1 because God will make it more eminently appeare that it was his meer Grace to save them and convert them God doth convert many in their young time before they have run into much prophaness others God leaveth to go on a long time in prophaness and though he could have converted them before yet he doth it to magnifie his own Grace 2 And God doth it that men might be the more humble after their Conversion remembring what great sins they fell into before the Lord called them 3 Hereby mens conversion is more remarkable to themselves and to others and tends much to the awakening of others when they shall see a notorious sinner so changed it may startle others exceedingly 4 That the worst of sinners might not be hardned and go on desperately in their sins and say There is no hope no but seeing others converted after they have gone on so long in sin that they might now come to Christ and say I will have no more fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but cast my self upon the free mercy of God in Christ 5 That we might use means to convert the greatest sinners and not say There is no hope that that Drunkard and that Worldling should ever be converted and so never use means to discover sin and Christ to them 6 That God might shew the certainty of Election that those that he hath chosen shall be called according to Gods gracious purpose which purpose shall stand By this we see that all the Father giveth to Christ shall come to him and be effectually called though they are long before they are converted 7 Hereby God will shew us the infinite merit of his Sons blood that it will cleanse from all sin that though an elect person hath so abounded in sin yet the blood of Christ is able to save him to the utmost 8 And thus God sheweth the power of his Spirit that he is able to convert men not only when they are less sinners but when they are mightily hardened in sin and have long accustomed themselves to do evil Question But doth God love an elect Person and hath he care of them before they be converted Answ Yes God loved them from eternity God loved Jacob Rom. 9. before he had done good or evil God doth not then begin to love a soul when he is converted though then the effects of his love do more appear 2 God gave his blessed Son for his elect while they were enemies then they were reconciled to God by the death of his Son he died for the ungodly Rom. 5.9,10 and this was infinite love 3 If God did not love the Elect before they were converted they would never be converted It s his infinite love to them that he unites draws them to Christ without which drawing they could never come to Christ 4 God Hath such a love and care towards an elect person that he never suffers them to fall into the sin against the holy Ghost though they fall into other great sins 5 God hath such a care towards them that they never die unconverted Rom. 8,30 Whom he did predestinate them he hath also called God either converts them in their young time or else lengthens out their days upon the earth and brings them to Christ though it be at the eleventh hour As God called some of all sorts of sinners excepting those that commit the sin against the holy Ghost so he calleth at several ages some in their child-hood some in their middle age and some in their old age but God calleth most in their young time whilst their hearts are yet tender How hath the Lord been pleased to work Grace in them that have been mightily prejudiced against the powerfull preaching of the word as it s recorded in the life of that gracious man Mr. Robert Bolton that before his conversion he hearing Mr. Perkins preach he said He was an empty dry fellow but after he was converted he had high thoughts of his powerfull Ministry Another was that afterwards one of the most eminent in grace and gifts that our times have known when the Bel went for Mr. Perkins secretly was glad in his heart that he was dead that he might not be so startled by his heart-searching ministry which thought did exceedingly humble him afterwards and God pleased powerfully to work upon him and make him a burning and shining light Thus where sin abounds Gods grace sometimes cals a soul and so abounds much more then sin abounded If we knew all passages concerning those whom the Lord converteth what prophaness in some what strange ignarance in others what wicked resistance of the Spirit it would make us cry out O the wickedness of the creature and O the unsearchable riches of Gods free grace some have gone to an Ordinance to sleep and the Lord hath made such a noise by his Spirit in their hearts that they have been past sleeping their souls have been so effectually awakened some have gone to ensnare the Preacher and the Lord hath changed their hearts and opened their eyes some have gone boldly to outface the Lord in his Ordinances and the Lord hath made their stout hearts tremble at his word some have gone only out of novelty to hear a man because he was a stranger or was a noted Preacher and the Lord hath converted them some have gone with their hearts as full of prejudice against the Preacher as could be and yet the Lord hath bowed their heares before they came away and made them say Surely God is in this man and in his Ministry of a truth Some shall certainly be converted and must enter into Gods rest Heb. 4.6 1 because God hath ordained some to eternal life Acts 13.48 and the Election must obtain it 2 The Lord Jesus hath died for them and hath made their peace by the blood of his cross And God the Father hath given him power over all the