Conscience is Good because it is quiet When the Devil keeps the Palace all is in peace Luke 11.21 The Philosopher saith one Great sign of an Earthquake is excessive Calmness of the Air ungrounded peace doth presage an Earthquake in the conscience 3. A secure sinner is careless about the main Chance The Soul is the princely part which is crowned with reason it is a glass of the Trinity as Plato calls it A secure sinner provides for his Body but neglects his Soul like one that waters his Flowers but never minds his Jewels Behold here a secure person who is in a spiritual Lethargy he hath no sence of the life to come he is destitute of the fear of God It reproves Scoffers who are the vilest of sinners 2 Pet. 3.3 There shall come in the last daies Scoffers Such were Lucian and Porphiry These Ishmaels jeer at holy walking and make all Religion a Ridicule They throw Squibs of reproach at the Saints Quintinus scoffed at Christs Apostles In the Massacre at Paris the Papists cried out to the Protestants when they murdered them Where is now your God what is become of all your Psalms now and your Prayers Some Martyrs in Prague as they were at Supper being the next day to suffer comforted themselves saying That this was their last Supper upon Earth and that to morrow they should sup with Christ in Heaven a Great Papist flouted them saying Hath Christ Cooks for you in Heaven These are Devils in the likeness of men They are far from the fear of God The Scorners chair stands at the mouth of Hell It exhorts us to get the fear of God planted in our hearts Prov. 28.19 Happy is he that feareth alway The fear of God would influence all our actions It would make us Good in both Tables It would make us Holy towards God and Righteous towards men We would be true in our Promises just in our dealings Mat. 7.12 That I may press you to this Holy Fear let me shew you the dignity and excellency of it 1. The fear of God is the very Badge and Livery of a Saint The Saints of old were men fearing God Gen. 22.12 Act. 10.22 1 Kin. 18.3 Obadiah feared the Lord Greatly Not all the Moral Vertues in their Highest elevation make a Saint but here is his true Character He is one that Fears God Saint Austin said of himself that he did knock at Heaven-gate tremibunda manu with a trembling hand Christ calls his Elect his sheep John 10.27 Sheep are of a trembling nature The Saints are tremulous they dare not take that liberty as others do 2. The Fear of God is a main branch of wisdom 'T is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Head of wisdom Prov. 1.7 Wisdom is more precious than Rubies Prov. 3.15 No Jewel we wear doth so adorn us as wisdom now the fear of God is our wisdom Iob 28.28 And unto man he said the fear of the Lord that is wisdom Wherein is the fear of God the true wisdom 1. The fear of God is Wisdom as it makes us careful about our spiritual accounts Wisdom lies in nothing more than in keeping accounts exactly The fear of God teacheth one to examine the state of his Soul critally O my Soul how is it with thee dost thou gain or lose is thy Faith in it's Infancy being but newly laid to the breast of a Promise or is it Grown to some stature how is it doth Grace prevail or Sin Thus the fear of God makes us wisely ballance our accounts and see how matters stand between God and our Souls Psalm 77.6 I commune with my own heart and my spirit made diligent search 2. The fear of God is Wisdom as it makes us understand divine secrets Psalm 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him He must needs be wise who is acquainted with the Arcana coeli the secrets of Heaven A fearer of God is acquainted with the secret of Election 1 Thess. 1.4 of Gods love Rev. 1.5 of the holy unction 1 John 2.20 He knows Gods mind 1 Cor. 2.16 We have the mind of Christ. 3. The fear of God is Wisdom as it makes us considerative Psalm 119.59 I considered my wayes A great part of wisdom lies in consideration He who fears God considers how Vain the world is therefore dares not love it how short Time is therefore dares not lose it how precious Salvation is therefore dares not neglect it 4. The Fear of God is Wisdom as it makes us walk wisely Col. 4.5 Walk wisely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 towards them that are without 1. The Fear of God makes us walk affably Gen. 23.7 Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the Children of Heth. Piety doth not exclude Curtesie 2. The Fear of God makes us walk inoffensively it prevents not only Scandals but Indecencies 2 Cor. 11.12 That I might cut off occasion from them that desire occasion The Veneration of a Deity causeth circumcision of Heart and circumspection of Life 5. The Fear of God is Wisdom as it preserves us from Hell 't is wisdom to keep out of danger fear makes us fly from the wrath to come 3. The Fear of God is the best Certificate to shew for Heaven Have you knowledge so hath Satan have you Profession so hath Satan he transforms himself into an Angel of light But have you filial fear herein you excel him The fear of God is though not our Plea yet our Evidence for Heaven 4. There is that in God which may command fear Iob 37.22 With God is terrible Majesty 1. With God is Majesty 1. There is Majesty in Gods Name Iehovah It comes from an Hebrew Radix which imports Gods absolute Eternal and Independent being 2. There is Majesty in Gods Looks Iob had but a glimpse of God and he was even swallowed up with divine amazement Iob 42.5 Now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhorr my self 3. There is Majesty in Gods Words he speaks with Majesty as when he gave the Law in thundring insomuch that the people said Let not God speak with us lest we dye 4. There is Majesty in Gods Attributes his Holiness Power Justice which are the Irradiations of the divine Essence 5. There is Majesty in Gods Works Psalm 145.5 I will speak of the Honour and Majesty of thy wondrous works Every Creature sets forth Gods Majesty we may see the Majesty of God Blazing in the Sun Twinkling in the Stars Gods Majesty is discernable in those two Wonders of nature Behemoth and Leviathan Iob 40.18 chap. 41.19 In short the Majesty of God is seen in humbling the Children of Pride He turned King Nebuchadnezzar to grass and made him Fellow-commoner with the Beasts Doth not all this call for Fear 2. With God is Terrible Majesty Psalm 76.12 He is terrible to the Kings of the Earth There is a time coming when God will be dreadful to his enemies
the love of many to the Truth Though only Christs blood doth Save yet the blood of Martyrs may strengthen St. Paul's Prison Chain made Converts in Nero's Court two of which were afterwards Martyrs as History relates Mr. Bradford's holy advice and example so confirmed Bishop Farrar that he would not touch with the Roman Pollution 4. How sad will it be for Christians to fall off from their former Profession and espouse a novel Religion Iulian Bathed himself in the blood of Beasts Offered in Sacrifice to the Heathen Gods and so as much as in him lay wash'd off his former Baptism In the time of Iulius Cesar this Prodigy happened after a plentiful Vintage there were wild Grapes appeared upon their Vines which was looked upon as Ominous When men seemed to bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness and afterwards bring forth the Wild Grapes of Impiety it is a sad Omen and Prognostick of their Ruine 2 Pet. 2.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness than after they have known it to turn from the Holy Commandment Let all this make us maintain the power of Holiness in the worst Times Though others wonder we do not sin after the rate that they do yet remember it is better to go to Heaven with a few than to Hell in the Crowd How may we keep up the briskness and fervour of Grace in times of Apostacy 1. Let us beware of having our hearts too much linked to the World The World damps zeal as Earth chokes the fire We are bid to love our Enemies but the World is such an Enemy as we must not love 1 Iohn 2.15 Love not the World The World bewitcheth with her Blandishments and kills with her silver Darts He who is a Demas will be a Iudas a lover of the World will for a piece of Money betray a good Cause and make Shipwrack of a good Conscience 2. Let us be Voluntiers in Religion that is Choose God's service Psal. 119.30 I have chosen the way of truth It is one thing to be good out of Design and another thing to be good out of Choice Hypocrites are good only out of worldly design they embrace the Gospel for secular advantage and these will in time fall away The Chelidonian Stone keeps its Vertue no longer than it is inclosed in Gold take it out of the Gold and it loseth its vertue False Hearts are good no longer than they are inclosed in golden Prosperity take them out of the Gold and they lose all their seeming Goodness But if we would retain our Sanctity in Backsliding times we must serve God purely out of Choice He who is good out of Choice loves holiness for its beauty and adheres to the Gospel when all the Jewels of preferment are pulled off 3. Let us be inlaid with sincerity If a piece of Timber begin to bend it is because it is not sound Why do any bend and comply against their Conscience but because their hearts are not sound Psal. 78.37 Their hearts were not right with him neither were they stedfast Sincerity causeth stability When the Apostle exhorts to stand fast in the evil day among the rest of the Christian armour he bids them put on the Girdle of truth Ephes. 6.19 Stand fast therefore having your loins Girt about with truth The Girdle of Truth is nothing else but sincerity 4. Let us get love to Christ. Love is an holy transport it fires the affections steels the Courage carries a Christian above the love of life and the fear of death Cant. 8.7 Many waters cannot quench Love Love made Christ suffer for us If any one ask what Christ died off it may be answered he died of Love If we love Christ we will own him in the worst times and be like that Virgin Basil speaks of who not accepting deliverance upon sinful terms cried out Let Life and Money go welcome Christ. 5. If we would keep up the sprightly Vigour of Grace in evil times let us harden our Hearts against the taunts and reproaches of the wicked David was the Song of the Drunkards Psal. 69.12 A Christian is never the worse for reproach The Stars are not the less Glorious though they have ugly names given them the Bear the Dragon c. Reproaches are but Assulae Crucis the Chips of the Cross. How will he endure the Stake who cannot bear a Scoff Reproaches for Christ are Ensigns of Honour Badges of Adoption 1 Pet. 4.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let Christians bind these as a Crown about their Head Better have men reproach you for being good than have God Damn you for being wicked Be not laughed out of your Religion If a Lame man laugh at you for going upright will you therefore halt 6. If we would keep up the Vigour of devotion in a General Epilepsy let us beg of God confirming Grace Habitual Grace may flag Peter had habitual Grace yet was foyled he lost a single Battel though not the Victory We need exciting assisting corroborating Grace not onely Grace in us but Grace with us 1 Cor. 15.10 Auxiliary Grace which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fresh gale of the Spirit will carry us undauntedly through the Worlds blustering storms Thus shall we be able to keep up our Heroick zeal in corrupt times and be as Mount Zion which cannot be moved CHAP. II. Shewing the Character in general of the Godly and what the Fear of God is 1. HAving done with the frontispiece of the Text I begin 1 with the Character in General of the Godly they are Fearers of God they that feared the Lord. What Fear is meant here 1. Negatively It is not meant 1 of a natural Fear which is a tremor or palpitation of Heart occasioned by the approach of some imminent danger Eccles. 12.5 Fears shall be in the way 2. It is not meant of a sinful Fear which is twofold 1. A Superstitious Fear An Hare crossing the way is by some more dreaded than an Harlot lying in the Bed 2. A Carnal fear this is the Ague of the Soul which sets it a shaking He who is timorous will be treacherous he will decoy his friend and deny his God Three times in one Chapter Christ cautions us against the fear of Men Mat. 10. Vers. 26 28 31. Aristotle saith the reason why the Camelion turns into so many colours is through excessive fear Fear makes men change their Religion as the Camelion doth her Colours 1. Carnal Fear is discruciating 1 Ioh. 4.18 Fear hath torment in it the Greek word for Torment is sommetimes put for Hell Mat. 25.46 Fear hath Hell in it 2. It is Pernitious 1. It Indisposeth for Duty The Disciples under the power of Fear were fitter to Fly than to Pray Mat. 26.56 2. It puts men upon indirect means to Save themselves Prov. 26.25 The Fear of man bringeth a Snare what made Peter deny Christ and
feaâ— Assurance and Fear are diversa but not Opposita different but not contrary A Child may have assurance of his Fathers love yet hath a fear of offending him Who more fearful of Sin than St. Paul 1 Cor. 9.27 Yet who had more assurance Galat. 2.20 Who Loved me and Gave himself for me Faith procures assurance fear preserves it Is it a duty to Fear God what strangers then are they to Religion who are void of this Holy Fear The Godly fear and sin not the wicked sin and fear not They are like the Leviathan who is made without Fear Iob 41.33 Want of the fear of God is the innate Cause of all Wickedness Rom. 3.14 Whose mouth is full of Cursing and bitterness their feet are swift to shed blood Whence was this vers 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes Abraham surmized the men of Gerar would stick at no Sin why so Gen. 20.11 I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place The Judge in the Gospel is called an unjust Iudge Luke 18.6 And no wonder for vers 2. he feared not God There must needs be an excess of Sin where there wants the Fear of God to restrain it The water must needs Overflow where there are no banks to keep it out We live in a Godless age durst men Sin at that rate as they do if the fear of God were regent in their hearts durst they swear be unclean use False weights bear false witness hate purity deride Gods signs in the Heaven Forge Plots Persecute Christs body if they had the fear of God before their eyes these men proclaim to the World that they are Atheists they believe not the Immortality of the Soul They are worse than brutish a Beast fears the fire these fear not Hell Fire They are worse than Devils for they believe and tremble Jam. 2.19 Let us bewail the want of the Fear of God Terras Astraea reliquit Whence is it so few fear God 1. Because they have not the knowledge of God Prov. 1.24 They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord did men know God in his immense glory they would be swallowed up with divine amazement When the Prophet Isaiah had a glimpse of Gods Glory he was stricken with holy consternation Isaiah 6.5 Wo is me I am undone for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts But the Ignorance of God banisheth fear 2. Men fear not God because they presume of his Mercy God is merciful and they doubt not of the Vertue of this soveraign Balm But who is Gods mercy for Luke 1.50 His mercy is on them that fear him Such as fear not Gods Justice shall not tast his Mercy Let this be for a Lamentation that the fear of God is so vanished Where almost is it to be found Some fear shame others fear danger but where is he who fears a Deity Diogenes came into a full Market with a Candle and Lanthorn they asked him what he sought saith he Hominem quaero I seek a man that is a wise man So in the Crowd of people we may go and seek a man fearing God And not only among the Commonalty but even among Professors how sew fear God in truth Profession is often made a Mantle to cover sin Absalom palliated his Treason with a Religious Vow 2 Sam. 15.7 The Pharisees made long Prayer a preface to Oppression Mat. 23.14 This is sordid to carry on wicked designs sublarva Pictatis under a pretext of Piety The Snow covers many a dung-hill A snovvy vvhite Profession covers many a foul heart The sins of Professors are more odious Thistles are bad in a Field but vvorse in a Garden The sins of the vvicked anger God but the sins of Professors Grieve him It reproves Iovial Sinners vvho are so far from fearing God that they spend their time in mirth and vvantonness Luke 17.27 They did eat they drank they married till the flood came and destroyed them all There is a place in Affrica called Tombutium where the Inhabitants spend all the day in piping and dancing What sensual effeminate lives do the Gallants of our age live They spend their Life in a Frolick As if God had made them to be like the Leviathan who plays in the Sea Job 21.13 They take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ They ride to Hell upon the back of Pleasure and go merrily to damnation Though the Times are sad they have no fear in regard of the publique Doth not God call us to trembling our sins are the fiery Comets that presage evil May not we fear the Glory is departing may not we fear the death of Religion before the birth of Reformation May not we fear some portentous calamity should bring up the rear of former Judgments and as the Prophet Ezekiel saith Should me then make-mirth Ezek. 21.10 But Jovial spirits have banished the fear of God Amos 6.4 5. That lye upon beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches that drink wine in Bowls and anoint themselves with the chief Oyntments Sinners whose hearts are hardned with soft pleasures let them have their lusts and farewell Christ and his Gospel Iude 12. Feeding themselves without fear But they Forget death will bring in the reckoning and they must pay the reckoning in Hell The Great Turk when he intends the death of any of his Bashaws invites them to a Sumptuous Feast and then causeth them to be taken away from the Table and strangled so Satan Gluts men with sinful pastimes and delights and then strangles them Foolish Gallants are like the Fish that swim pleasantly through the Silver streams of Iordan till at last they fall into the dead Sea It reproves secure Sinners who have no Fear of God Like Laish of old Iudg. 18.27 A people quiet and secure Those who are least safe are most confident Security casts men into a deep Sleep Birds that build and roost in Steeples being used to the continual ringing of Bells the noise doth not at all disquiet them So Sinners who have been long used to the sound of Aarons Bells though ever and anon they have a peal rung out against their sins yet being used to it they are not startled A secure sinner is Known thus 1. He lives as bad as the worst yet hopes to be saved as well as the best He doth bless himself saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination of my heart Deut. 29.19 As if a man should drink Poison yet not doubt but he shall have his health A secure sinner lies in Delilahs lap yet hopes to be in Abrahams bosom 2. A secure sinner thinks all is well because all is in peace He hears others speak of a Spirit of bondage and the terrors they have felt for sin he thanks God he never Knew what Trouble of spirit meant he thinks his
deal not Foolishly and to the wicked lift not up the Horn. 1. Are not they Fools who gratifie their Enemy They who want the Fear of God do so Satan baits his hook with pleasure and profit and they swallow bait and hook and all this pleaseth Satan mens sins feast the Devil Who but a Fool would humour his enemy 2. Is it not folly to preferre Slavery before Liberty if a Slave in the gally should have his freedom offered him but he should say he had rather Tug at the Oar and be a slave than have his liberty would not he be Judged indiscreet Such is the case of him who Fears not God The Gospel offers to free him from the miserable captivity of Sin but he chooseth rather to be a slave to his lusts He is like the Servant under the Law Exod. 21.5 I love my Master I will not go out free He was displeased with a year of Iubilee The Foolish sinner had rather have his Ear bored to the Devils service than be translated into the Glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 3. Is not he a Fool who having but one Jewel will venture the loss of it The Soul is this Jewel and the sinner is fearless of it he will throw it away upon the world as if one should throw Pearls and Diamonds at Pear-trees Ephrem Syrus used to say He who Pampers his body and neglects his Soul is like him who feasts his Slave and starves his Wife 4. Is not he a Fool who refuseth a rich offer if one should offer to adopt another and make him Heir of his Estate and he should refuse it would not his discretion be called in question God offers Christ to a sinner and promiseth to entail all the riches of Heaven upon him but wanting the Fear of God he refuseth this Great offer Psalm 81.11 Israel would none of me Is not this a Prodigy of madness may not the Devil beg every sinner for a Fool at the last day 15. The Fear of God is a Soveraign Antidote against Apostasie the Devil was the first Apostate How rife is this sin more shipwracks are at Land than at Sea men make shipwrack of a Good Conscience Apostates are said to put Christ to open shame Heb. 6.6 The Fear of God is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a preservative against Apostacy Ier. 32.40 I will put my Fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me I will so love them that I will not depart from them and they shall so Fear me that they shall not depart from me 15. There are excellent Promises made to them that Fear God Malach. 4.2 Vnto you that Fear my Name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his Wings Here is a promise of Christ he is a Sun for Light and Vivifical Influence and a Sun of Righteousness as he diffuseth the Golden beams of Justification And he hath healing in his Wings the Sun heals the Air dries up the Cold moistures exhales the Vapours which would be Pestilential so Christ hath healing in his Wings he heals the hardness and impurity of the Soul And the Horison in which this Sun ariseth is in hearts Fearing God To you that Fear my Name shall the Sun of righteousness arise And there is another Great Promise Psalm 115.13 He will bless them that Fear the Lord both Small and Great God blesseth such in their Name Estate Souls And this blessing can never be reversed As Isaac said I have blessed him and he shall be blessed Gen. 27.33 Such as Fear God are priviledged Persons none can take away from them either their birth-right or their blessing 16. Fear is an admirable Instrument in Promoting Salvation Philip. 2.12 Work out your Salvation with Fear Fear is that flaming Sword which turns every way to keep sin from entring Prov. 6.16 Fear stands Sentinel in the Soul and is ever upon it's Watch-Tower Fear causeth circumspection he who walks in Fear treads warily Fear begets Prayer and Prayer engageth the help of Heaven 17. The Lord is much pleased with such as Fear him Psalm 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that Fear him In the Septuagint it is The Lord bears Good will towards them that Fear him Pagnin and Buxtorf render it The Lord delights in them that Fear him Never did Suitor take such pleasure in a Person he loved as God doth in them that Fear him they are his Hephsibah or chief solace Isa. 62.4 He saith of them as of Sihon Psalm 132.14 Here is my rest for ever here will I dwell A sinner is a vessel in which is no pleasure Hosea 8.8 But Fearers of God are Favourites 18. Such as Fear God are the only persons that shall be saved Psalm 85.9 Salvation is nigh them that Fear him Salvation is said to be far from the Wicked Psalm 119.155 They and Salvation are so far asunder that they are like never to meet But Gods Salvation is nigh them that Fear him What do we aspire after but Salvation 'T is the end of all our Prayers Tears Sufferings Salvation is the Crown of our desires the flower of our joy And who shall be enriched with Salvation but the Fearers of God His Salvation is nigh them that Fear him Let these cogent arguments perswade to the Fear of God Let us put our selves upon a strict Scrutiny and Tryal whether we have the Fear of God planted in our hearts How may we know it 1. The Fear of God will make a man fear sin Gen. 39.9 How can I do this Great wickedness and sin against God indeed sin is the only Formidable thing this is the Gorgons Head that affrights it is the Evil of Evils 'T is the Poison the Old Serpent hath spit into our Virgin-nature In Sin is both Pollution and Enmity Sin is compared to a Thick Cloud Isa. 44.22 which not only hides the light of Gods Face but brings down showers of Wrath. Sin is worse than all penal evils there is more evil in a drop of Sin than in a Sea of Affliction 1. Sin is the cause of Affliction it conjures up all the Winds and Storms in the World Out of this Viperous womb come Mutinies Divisions Massacres and the cause is worse than the effect 2. In Affliction Conscience may be quiet the Hail may beat upon the Tiles when there is Musick in the room but Sin terrifies the Conscience Nero in the midst of Feasts and Roman sports was full of horrour of mind the numbers of men he had Killed troubled him Cataline was frighted at every noise Cain in Killing Abel stab'd half the World at one blow yet could not he Kill the Worm of his own Conscience Sin is the Spirits of Mischief distilled it puts a Sting into death 1 Cor. 15.56 It is worse than Hell 1. Hell is a burden only to the sinner but sin is a Burden to God Amos 2.13 2. There
be steeped in holy Thoughts It is not enough to have a few Transient Thoughts of God by the By but there must be an immoration or staying our Minds on God till our Hearts are warmed in love to him and we can say as they Luk. 24.32 Did not our Hearts burn within us But what should be the matter of our holy Musings 1. Think of Gods Immense Being Adore his illustrious Attributes which are the Beams by which the Divine nature shines forth Think of Gods Omnisciency he makes a Curious and Critical descant upon all our Actions and enters them down into his day-book Think of Gods Holiness which is the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Think of Gods Mercy this makes all his other Attributes sweet Holiness without Mercy and Justice without Mercy would be terrible Think of Gods Veracity Exod. 34.6 Abundant in Truth that is God will be so far from coming short of his word that he doth more then he hath said He shoots beyond the Promise never short of it 2. Think of the Works of God Psalm 77.12 I will meditate of all thy Works Gods works are bound up in three great Volumes Creation Redemption Providence here is sweet matter for our Thoughts to expatiate upon CHAP. X. Swasives and Incentives to Holy Thoughts LET me to inforce the Exhortation propound some Swasives and Inducements to be frequent in the Thoughts of God 1. The end why God hath given us this thinking faculty is that we may think on his Name When our Cogitations run out in Impertinencies like water running beside the Mill we should think with our selves thus did God give us a Talent to misimploy did he give us Thoughts that we should think of every thing but him were these Arrows given us to shoot beside the Mark 2. If we do not inure our selves to Good thoughts we cannot be Good Christians Thinking seriously on Heavenly things makes them stay in our Mind causeth delight in them and makes them Nutritive Musing on Holy Objects is like concocting food which turns it to Blood and Spirits so that without Holy Cogitation no Religion Can a man be Religious and scarce ever think of it 3. We are deeply obliged to think on God 1. God is our maker Psalm 100.3 It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Our bodies are Gods curious needle work Psalm 139.15 And as God hath wrought the Cabinet so he hath put a Jewel in it the Precious Soul Hath God made us and shall not we think of him 2. God hath sweetned our Lives with Various Mercies The city of Syracuse in Sicily was so curiously scituated that the Sun was never out of sight God hath so placed us by his Providence that the Sun-shine of Mercy is never out of sight We are Bemiracled with Mercy Mercy feeds us with the Finest of the wheat the Bread of Life Mercy guards us with a Guard of Angels it makes the Rock pour forth Rivers of Oyl and shall not the Stream lead us to the Fountain shall not we think of the God of our Mercies this were high Ingratitude 4. To have frequent and Devout Thoughts of God witnesseth Sincerity No truer Touchstone of Sanctity than the Spirituality of the Thoughts that a man is that his Thoughts are Prov. 23.7 For as he thinketh in his Heart so is he Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than words one may speak well for applause or to stand right in the Opinion of others but when we are alone and think of Gods Name and admire his Excellencies this shews the Heart to be Right Thoughts are freer from Hypocrisie than an Unblamable Life A man may in his outward carriage be fair yet have a Covetous Revengeful mind The Acts of Sin may be forborn when the Heart sits brooding upon Sin but to have the Thoughts Spiritualized and set upon God is a truer Symptom of sincerity than a Life free from Vice Christians what do your Thoughts run upon where do they make their most frequent Visits can you say Lord our Hearts are still Mounting up to Heaven our Thoughts are lodg'd in Paradise though we do not see thy face yet we think on thy Name this is a good Evidence of Sincerity We Judge of men by their Actions God Judgeth of them by their Thoughts 5. Thinking much on God would Cure the Love of the World Great things seem little to him that stands high To such as stand upon the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem little Villages they who are Mounted High in the contemplation of Christ and Glory how do the things of the World disappear and even shrink into nothing A Soul elevated by faith above the Visible Orbs hath the Moon under his feet A true Saint intermedles with Secular Affairs more out of Necessity than Choice St. Pauls Thoughts were sublime he lived in the Altitudes and how did he scorn the World Gal. 6.14 The world is crucified to me * 6. Thinking on God would be expulsive of Sin Whence is Impiety but from Incogitancy Did men Ruminate upon Gods Holiness and Justice durst they sin at that rate as they do That which check'd Ioseph was the Thoughts of a Sin-revenging God When the delights of sin Tickle let the Thoughts of God come into mens Minds that he is both the Spectatour and the Iudge and after the Golden Crowns and Womens Hair come the Lions Teeth Rev. 9.8 This would put them into a cold Sweat and be as the Angels drawn Sword it would scare them from sin 7. Thinking on God is an admirable means to encrease our love to God As it was with Davids musing on Mortality Psam 39.3 As I was Musing the fire burned so it is with our Musing on the Deity while we are thinking on God our Hearts will kindle in love to him The Reason our Affections are so chill and cold in Religion is because we do not warm them with the Thoughts of God Hold a Burning-glass to the Sun and the glass burns that which is near to it So when our Thoughts are lifted up to Christ the Sun of Righteousness our Affections are set on fire No sooner had the Spouse been thinking on her Saviours Beauty but she fell sick of love Cant. 5.8 O ye Saints do but let your Cogitations dwell upon the Love of Christ who did pass by Angels and think of you who was wounded that out of his wounds the Balm of Gilead might come to heal you who leaped into the Sea of his Fathers wrath to save you from drowning think of this unparallel'd love which sets the Angels a Wondring and see if it will not affect your Hearts and cause Tears of love to slow forth 8. Thinking on God will by degrees transform us into his Image As Jacobs Flock looking on the Rods that had White streaks conceived and brought forth like them Gen. â—â— 39. So by contemplating Gods Holiness we are in some
God saith to us ye are mine then we have great immunites 1. We are freed from the revenging wrath of God We are not free from Gods anger as a Father but as a Iudge God will not pour his vindictive Justice upon us Christ hath drunk the Red wine of Gods wrath upon the Cross that Believers may not tast a drop of it 2. We are freed from the Predominancy of sin Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion or as the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall not Lord it over you Though Believers are not freed from the In-being of sin nor from the Combate with it yet they are freed from its Imperious command As it is said of those beasts in Daniel they had their Dominion taken away yet their Lives were prolonged for a season Dan. 7.12 So sin Lives in the Regenerate but its Dominion is taken away And to be thus freed from the jurisdictive power and tyranny of sin is no small blessing A Wicked man is at the command of sin as the Asse is at the command of the driver the curse of Cham is upon him Gen. 9.25 A Servant of Servants shall he be He is a slave to his Lusts and a slave to Satan O what a priviledge is it to have ones neck out of the Devils Yoak 3. We are freed from the accusations of Conscience The worm of Conscience is part of the Torment of Hell But God being our God we are freed from the Clamors of this hellish Fury Conscience sprinkled with Christs blood speaks Peace a good Conscience like the Bee gives Hony it is like the Golden pot which had Manna in it 2 Cor. 1.12 6. If God saith to us ye are mine we shall be his for ever Psalm 48.14 This God is our God for ever and ever You cannot say you have health and you shall have it for ever you have a Child and you shall have it for ever but if God be your God you shall have him for ever The Covenant of Grace is Sacrum diploma a Royal Charter and this is the Happiness of it it is eternized The interest between God and his people shall never be broken off How false therefore is the Opinion of falling from Grace Shall any that God makes his own by Federal union Fall finally Indeed if Salvation hath no better Pillar to rest upon than mans will as the Arminians hold no wonder if there be falling away but a Christians stability in Grace is built upon a surer basis namely Gods inviolable Covenant Isa. 55.3 Once in Christ and ever in Christ. A Star may sooner fall out of its orb than a true Believer be pluck'd away from God 7. If God saith to us ye are mine he will take us up to himself at death Death breaks the union between the Body and the Soul but perfects the union between God and the Soul This is the Emphasis of Heavens Glory to be with God What is the Joy of the blessed but to have a clear transparent sight of God and to be in the sweet and soft embraces of his love for ever This hath made the Saints desire death as the Bride the wedding day Phil. 1.23 Lead me Lord to that glory said an Holy man a glimpse whereof I have seen as in a glass darkly Let this be a Consolatory to the Saints there is a Covenant-union between God and them God is theirs and they are his they shall be mine saith the Lord. Here is a standing cordial for the Godly God looks upon them as having a propriety in them they shall be mine This is Comfort 1. In respect of Satans accusations he accuseth the Saints first to God then to themselves but if God saith ye are mine this answers all Satans Bills of Indictment Christ will shew the debt-book crossed in his blood It was a saying of Bucer I am Christs and the Devil hath nothing to do with me 2. It is Comfort in respect of Poverty Believers are match'd into the Crown of Heaven and all that is in God is theirs The Philosopher comforted himself with this that though he had no Musick or Vine-trees yet he had the houshold Gods with him So though we have not the Vine or Fig-tree yet if God be ours and we are his this Creates joy in the most indigent condition And that which may raise the comfort of the godly higher and cause a jubilation of Spirit is that shortly God will own his people before all the world and say these are mine At present the elect are not known 1 Iohn 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be The Saints are like Kings in disguise but how will their hearts leap for joy when God shall pronounce that word these are mine These the lot of Free-grace is fallen upon these shall lye for ever in the Bosom of my love To all who are yet strangers to God Labour to get into Covenant with him that he may say ye are mine Why doth God woo and beseech you by his Ambassadours if he were not willing to be in Covenant What shall a poor forlorn Creature do to get into Covenant with God 1. If you would be in Covenant with God break off the Covenant with sin 1 Sam. 7.3 What King will be in league with him that holds correspondence with his Enemy 2. Labour for Faith 1. Faith in the Mercy of God Jer. 3.12 I am merciful saith the Lord and will not keep anger for ever As the Sea covers great Rocks as well as little Sands so Gods Mercy covers great sins Manasseh a bloody sinner was held forth as a pattern of Mercy Some of the Jews who had an hand in Crucifying of Christ yet their sins were forgiven 2. Faith in the merit of Christ. Christs blood is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only a Sacrifice to appease God but a Propitiation to ingratiate us into Gods favour and make him look upon us with a smiling aspect CHAP. XVIII The Second part of the Saints Reward Gods Honouring them 2. THE Second part of the Saints reward is Gods Honouring them in that day when I make up my Iewels Here are three Propositions 1. That God hath a great honour for his People 2. That Gods People are his Jewels 3. That there is a day when God will make up his Jewels 1 st That God hath a great honour for his People He speaks of them here with Honour in that day when I make up my Jewels Isai. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Honour attends Holiness That the Lord doth highly honour the fearers of him is evident by four demonstrations 1. In that he prefers them before others He chooseth them and passeth by the rest Mal. 1.2 Was not Jacob Esaus brother saith the Lord yet I hated Esau and loved Jacob. 2. In that God gives them frequent Visits 'T is counted an
the Cup of Affliction and God will shortly say Transeat Calix Let this Cup pass away from them Isa. 35.10 Sorrow and sighing shall fly away As Affliction hath a Sting to torment so it hath a Wing to fly 15. When God puts his Children to the School of the Cross he deals well with them because these Afflictions are Manuductions to lead them to Heaven Per crucem ad coelum 2 Cor. 4.17 Our light Affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory Upon the dark Colour of Affliction God layes the Golden Colour of Glory O thou weeping Saint what a blessed change shalt thou shortly have Thou shalt change thy Pilgrimage for Paradise Thou shalt have thy wish Are riches desirable thou shalt have Gates of Pearl Is Honour desireable thou shalt have white Robes Is Pleasure desireable thou shalt enter into the Joy of thy Lord. O think what it will be to be sweetly immersed in the River of Life and Bathe in the Hony-streams of Gods Love for ever think what the Beatifical Vision will be what it will be to wear a Garland made of the Flowers of Paradise think what it will be to have the Soul thicker set with Jewels of Glory than the Firmament is bespangled with Stars O what a Compensation will this be for all a Christians Tryals A sight of this bliss will make him forget his Sufferings One Sun-beam of Glory will dry up the Water of his Tears If God dealswell with us when he chastiseth us then it becomes us to Cherish good Thoughts of God We are apt in Adversity to think hardly of God this ariseth from Pride Such commonly as are of high Spirits are of high Passions they think themselves better than others and that they have deserved better at Gods hands and now Pride vents it self in murmuring O let us take heed of having hard Thoughts of God The Patient hath no cause to think ill of the Physician when he prescribes him a bitter Potion seeing it is in order to a Cure Gods afflictive Providences are the strokes of a Father not the Wounds of an Enemy God smites that he may save Out of the bitterest Drug God distils his Glory and our Happiness Let us Think well of God nay in all adverse Providences let us learn to bless God 1 Thes. 5.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In every thing give thanks if in every thing then in Affliction And good reason because God deals well with us Iob blessed God in Affliction cap. 1.21 The smiting of Jobs Body was like the striking upon a musical Instrument he sounded forth Thankfulness A gracious Soul should bless God that he will take so much Notice of him as to Visit him with the Rod and is so kind as rather to Afflict him than lose him This shews an high degree of Grace not only to Iustifie God in Affliction but Magnifie him Believers are Gods Temples and where should his Praises be sounded forth but in his Temples FINIS * Eccles. 12.12 * 2 Cor. 1.1 †Mundi facundiam non venditavit Vorstius * Dan. 10.21 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †Drusius * Nihil erat integrum neque in sacerdotibus neque in vulgo laxis quasi habenis in omni genere scelerum grassati fuerunt Calvin Doct. * Iste vir totius orbis impetum sustinuit Quest. Answ. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bias. * Non quâ eundum sed qua itur Sen. * Fox Acts Mon. Quest. Answ. * Quid iste faceret in igne qui Christum rubuit in nube Hierom * Chrysost. Quest. Answ. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. Rhet. lib. 2. c. 6. * Pessimus in dubijs timor augur * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Nehem. 1.11 Doct. * Mat. 25.25 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. rhet * In gehenna nec qui torquet fatigatur â— nec qui torquetur moritur Bern. flor Object Answ. * Quem metuunt oderunt 1 Vse Confutation * Ephes. 1.13 2 Vse Information Use 3. Lamentation Quest. * Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia Answ. Vse 4. Reproof 1 Branch * Cantabat moestis tibia funeribus Ovid. * 1 Tim. 6.9 2. Br. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 26.26 3. Branch Use 5. Exhortation * Homo Time Deum minantem mundum ridebis * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sophocles * Corona sapientiae Timor Domini Aug. Tom. 9 Quest. Answ. * Arcana Evangelii per internam spiritus illuminationem enunciat Deus Piscator * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Cur scelere mortem acceleras Eccles. 7.17 Mercer †AEterna Vita verae vita Aug. * Dan. 1.12 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. †Si vis esse securus semper time †Eccles. 8.12 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. ad pop Antioch Hom. 18. * Quid timet homo in sinu Dei positus Aug. †Vitia hominum sunt epulae daemonum * Stulti est compedes licet aureas amare Seneca †Numquid Deus stultis daturus est regnum coelorum Aug. * Radiis justitiae suae pâ—rsundens animum Tremel * Custos animae timor Aug. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vse 6. Trial. Quest. Answ. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Object Answ. * An liceat an deceat an expediat †Cui nihil satis est eidem nihil turpe Tacitus * Princeps imperio magnus exemplo major Paterculus †Multitudo errantium non parit errori patrocinium Hierom * Psalm 102.1 †Antonini blandimenta magis timebantur quam iracundia * Virg. AEn 2. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †Multae sunt in animo latebrae Cicero * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristor Quest. Answ. †Gen. 49.30 * Si amor Dei te non teneat timor Iudicis te terreat Hugo * Veniet veniet dies Iudicii ubi plus valebunt pura Corda quam astuta verba Bernard Quest. Answ. Quest. Answ. * Descendamus in infernum viventes ne descendamus morientes Bern. Quest. Answ. †Prov. 22.14 * Prov. 9.17 †Magis intuentur quid fecerit Jupiter quam quid docuit Plato Aug. * Durum est quod non cedit tactui †Ephes. 4.19 * Jer. 44.16 17. †1 Thes. 1.10 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Num. 23.1 2. Quest. Answ. 1. Special Character Doct. * Acts 4.20 1 Vse Inform. 2 Vse Reproof 1 Br. * Pro. 23.5 †1 Cor. 7.3 2 Branch * Foliis leviora caducis verba Ovid. 3 Branch * Magnoque irarum fluctuat aestu Virgil. * Majora sunt linguae Vulnera quam gladii Aug. †1 Tim. 3.11 3 Vse Exhortation * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Verba sunt speculum mentis Bernard * Acts and Mon. 1 Caution Second Caution 2 Special Character Quest. Answ. * Cogitationes sunt rerum imagines Moller Doct. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quest. Answ.