the great work next to the glorifying of his Father and therein he did glorifie his Father that was in his heart to accomplish in and by that mysterious work of his Incarnation in taking upon him Man's nature and for which he made himself of no reputation in the World for which he suffered so much and still doth so much by his intercession in Heaven to this day that as Isa 53.11 he might see the Travel of his own Soul and be satisfied in the complete and Eternal prosperity of all their Souls which God the Father gave unto him and for which he engaged himself John 6.38 39 40 For I came down from Heaven not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the Fathers will which sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day In 1 Pet. 2.25 Christ is said to be the Shepherd of Souls Now a faithful Shepherd though he will be ready to do his Master what good service he can in any thing yet his chiefest care is for his Master's flock Such a faithful Shepherd is Jesus Christ he highly minds the meanest thing wherein any of his are concerned Satan to his own great vexation cannot overlook this Job 1.10 Hast thou not made an hedge about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side And we know that when he was visibly in the World he was exceeding helpful to the Bodies of Men yet his chiefest care was over his peculiar flock as the Shepherd of Souls He laid down his Natural life to procure their Spiritual life That dead Souls might live and living Souls prosper That they might have life and live in abundance Joh. 10.10 11. For this end he ever lives to make intercession for those that come unto him that they might be saved to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 And as the effect of his intercession according to his promise Joh. 16.16 he sends the Spirit of Grace into their hearts to work in them all the graces that accompany Salvation And to abide in them to preserve what he hath wrought that in believing their Souls might be saved Heb. 10.39 And that they might receive the end of their Faith the Salvation of their Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 This is the first thing that Jesus Christ minded this most in our behalf that for this cause he came into the World to seek and to save lost Souls Luk. 19.10 2. This is the great end he aims to carry on by all his Ordinances The Law of God that is the whole Doctrine revealed in the word is for the Conversion of Souls Psal 19.7 And for Edification of Souls Act. 20.32 I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up The Sacraments are Spiritual Food for Souls 1 Cor. 10.3 4 And did all eat the same Spiritual meat And did all drink the same Spiritual drink Yea Excommunication that dreadful Ordinance so it be managed according to the mind of Christ for it is a delivering a Man to Satan yet it is with reserence to the good of his Soul 1 Cor. 5.5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus For this end he appointed the Ministry to be a standing Ordinance unto the end of the World that they might watch over Souls Heb. 13.17 This was that which the Apostles aimed at according to their Commission from Christ Paul saith That he was made all things to all Men that by all means he might save some 1 Cor. 9.22 In his removal from one place to another he aimed at the conveying of some Spiritual gift where ever he came for the good of Souls Rom. 1.11 For I long to see you that I may impart to you some Spiritual gift In all his prayers for those to whom he wished all the good that might be this was the great thing he desired in their behalf that their Souls might prosper Eph. 3.14 15 16 17 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner Man That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith c. Gal. 6.18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit Prospering Souls were his joy and Crown Phil. 4.1 3. This was and is the great end of all his Providential Dispensations They are or may be all them either Food or Physick for the Soul Thriving in holiness as ye have heard is Soul-thriving Now this is the end that all comforting desirable Providences seem to drive on Obad. vers 17. But upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance and there shall be holiness All afflicting saddening Providences are for the same purpose Heb. 12.10 God chasteneth us for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness Yea for this very cause it often goes very ill with many of those that live highly in the love of God in their outward condition that their spiritual condition may prosper and flourish Isa 27.9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his sin Which is the sickness and otherwise would be the death of the Soul and its destruction Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes And therefore he acknowledgeth to the praise of the wisdom and rich grace of God that in very faithfulness to the interest of his Soul the hand of the Lord had been upon him so as it was Now lay all this together That this was the great end of Christ's Incarnation Death and Suffering and Intercession The great end for which all Ordinances and Providences are appointed to be subservient unto and it will evidently appear that this was and is above all things else most upon the heart of Christ in our behalf that our Souls might prosper therefore it ought to be most upon our hearts and it is most rational it should be so 3. It is every way most agreeable to the best and highest principles of reason with all possible diligence and seriousness to mind that the neglect whereof will be our utter undoing to all Eternity and bring both Body and Soul under the most absolute and unavoidable wo and misery that ever befell or possibly can befall any Creature that ever God made next unto the Devil himself That principle of self-preservation planted in the heart of Man by Nature if improved cannot but teach him this That it is most rational for him to mind that the neglect whereof would bring this ruine upon him Now what wo and misery is laid up for a neglected perishing unprospering Soul ye have fully expressed beyond what can be conceived in one verse Matth. 25.41 whereof I shall mention but these two particulars
which are of all others most dreadful and terrible 1. Such a Soul is designed to be driven away from God with his curse upon them Never to see his face To be Eternally separated from those everlasting joys which Souls that live and prosper in a most absolute fullness do enjoy in the enjoyment of God whilst the everlasting God enjoys his own blessed self If this were all the misery were unspeakable It is said Act. 20.37 38. that when Paul took his leave of his friends at Ephesus it was a very sad partting They all wept very sore fell upon Paul 's neck and kissed him sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake unto them that they should see his face no more If this were such an heart-breaking unto them it must needs be impossible for any that ever tasted in any measure how gracious the Lord is to bear so much as a thought of never seeing of never enjoying God more Ye know for a Man to lose his sight were very sad though he should have no pain in his eyes Solomon saith Eccles 7.11 Truly light is sweet and it is a pleasant thing to behold the Sun So that a Man would scarce think that the greatest Worldly prosperity were enough to repair that loss What then would this blind person think of his condition if besides the loss of his sight one should stand by and continually be dropping scalding Lead into his eyes Yet so it is here For 2. A lost unprosperous Soul is not only designed to be thus driven away from God but it is designed to the same misery and the same torment with the Devils and this they can neither escape nor endure None can answer that question Ezek. 22.14 Can thine heart endure or thine hands be strong in the day when I shall deal with thee No it cannot For who knoweth the power of thine anger even according to thy fear so is thy wrath Psal 90.11 None is able to express yea nor to conceive what a dreadful thing it is to be buried as it were alive under the Tomb-stone of the infinite wrath of the ever-living God Heb. 10.31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Rev. 6.15 16 17 They shall hide themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains And say to the Mountains and Rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand This is that which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard nor can possibly enter into the heart of Man to conceive Ye find up and down in the Scripture that whatever is most terrible to sense is made use of to express the terribleness of it and yet comes far short of it Let but this one argument sink into your hearts and be if but once a week seriously thought on and possibly this alone may convince you of the truth of what I say That it is the most rational thing in the World for all those who believe they have immortal Souls in mortal Bodys to mind the well-fare and prosperity of their Souls above all things else in the World 4. Let me add one argument more It is the most rational thing in the World for every Man seriously to mind that which above all things else best answers God's great end in giving him his Being and with it all that is needful for support together with more understanding then the Beasts of the field And if ye ask what this is ye have an answer Prov. 16.4 God made all things for himself For the glorifying of his own blessed name Rom. 11 For of him and through him and to him are all things To whom be glory for ever Amen Now as no Man dishonours God but in doing that which tends to the ruine and destruction of his own Soul So no Man doth any thing or possibly can do any thing which really tends to the will-fare of his own Soul but therein he also glorifies God For instance To live in the exercise of Repentance confessing and humbling our Souls in the sight of God for our daily failings To live in the exercise of Faith applying our selves to Jesus Christ as interceding in our behalf for grace and mercy suitable to our daily necessities resting upon his truth and faithfulness in his promises notwithstanding all difficulties appearing in the way of accomplishment Walking in the fear of the Lord and fruitfulness in every good work These are all great fartherers of Soul-prosperity Josh 7.19 My Son give glory to God and make confession to him Revel 16.9 They repented not to give glory to God Rom. 4.19 20 but was strong in faith giving glory to God Isa 8.13 Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread Joh. 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit This is as certain as that Jesus Christ glorified his Father in finishing the work of Redemption and Salvation for lost sinners Joh. 17.4 Thus ye have the Inference made good Vse 2 If this be so That Soul prosperity is the most desirable prosperity and that it is therefore as ye have heard the most rational thing in the World to mind it above all things else Then be perswaded as the Prophet Isa adviseth ch 46.8 To remember this bring it again to mind resolve upon it and shew your selves to be Men that act according to principles of reason and not Brutes Let that sink into your hearts which ye may read Hos 11.4 The Lord there aggravates their unworthy dealing with him by this That though he knew their aversness to what he had required of them yet he had not drawn them to their duty by violence as unruly Bullocks to the yoak but in a way singularly obliging suitable to rational Creatures He had drawn them with the Cords of a Man with arguments from his bounty and goodness which of all others carry the highest grounds of reason with them why God should be obeyed This I say should be seriously considered that reflecting on our selves and finding that God deals thus with us draws us with the Cords of a Man in an argumentative way to perswaded us to this great duty O then let us be perswaded to stir up our selves with the uttermost bent of our endeavours from this day forward to mind it as the great business of our lives and pray as Gen. 9.27 that God would enlarge our hearts and fill them with desires and resolutions about this matter and diligently hearken to the counsel which God in his word prescribes you in this great affair To make way to acquaint you with what that is I must mind you a little of that which was more largely spoken unto when we first entred upon the explication of the point Two things were then endeavoured to be cleared
graces of Christ 1 Pet. 2.9 1 Thes 5.14 15 Be patient to all men not rendering evil for evil to any man but ever follow that which is good So far as any Man doth thus manage his worldly affairs for his prosperity in the World he shall not prejudice but thereby farther his Soul-prosperity And in order hereunto consider these few things 1. Remember that of Salomon Pro. 28.20 Make not haste to be rich Do not grasp more of the world into your hands then ye may manage without distraction This cannot any more be for the prosperity of the Soul then to eat more meat then the natural heat of the stomach can well digest can be for the health of the body Therefore in such a case it is a mans duty interest and wisdom to do as the Sea-men do when the Ship is overladen cast out some of the burden lest they hazard the loss of their lives Otherwise that will be found a truth when it may be too late to prevent it what the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich that are set upon it fall into temptations and snares and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in a Whirlpool of destruction and perdition 2. Remember that though ye ought to be diligent in your calling yet it ought to be with a holy indifferency of Spirit not as Rachel Gen. 30.1 Give me Children or I dye but as David in that great strait wherein he was 2 Sam. 15.26 Let the Lord do with me as it seemeth good in his sight Thus it ought to be and thus it may be if we desire our care for prosperity in this world may not hinder the prosperity of our Souls The strongest and highest workings both of our heads and hearts should be after our Soul concernments Thus did David Psal 63.8 My Soul followeth hard after thee 2 Sam. 6.14 David danced before the Lord with all his might But when a mans eyes and his heart as the expression is concerning Jehojakim Jer. 22.17 are but for the world i. e. he doth greedily affect it and most eagerly pursue it as if that Judgment were befallen him which literally befel Korah and Dathan the earth swallowed them However such may hold up and rub on in a formal profession and that it may be with some seeming forwardness yet their Souls can never prosper It is impossible they should Therefore labour not for that meat which perisheth but for that which endureth to everlasting life Joh. 6.27 3. Remember this That there is no absolute necessity of it upon one account or other that a man should be as rich as other rich men of the same calling That is necessary which cannot be supplyed with something instead of it As the light of the Sun is necessary for the day All the Candles in the world cannot supply the want of that No it will be night when the Sun is set for all the Stars Now the wealth and great things of the world may be supplyed by something else for neither mans life nor the comforts of his life consists in abundance Luk. 12.15 so Psal 4.6 7. There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us thou hast put gladness in my heart more then in the time that their Corn and their Wine increased But all the world cannot supply the want of Soul-prosperity Matth. 16.28 What can it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own Soul Therefore that is the only thing necessary Luke 10.42 4. Remember this That we manage the business of our calling with a holy fear and jealousy lest we should prejudice the wellfare of our Souls Job was afraid lest his Children whilest they were refreshing their bodies should have wronged their Souls Job 1.5 there is as much reason to be afraid in this case for the world is defiling Jam. 1.27 to keep himself unspotted from the world It his hard to touch Pitch and not to be defiled This was in the thoughts of Jesus Christ Joh. 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from evil 5. Remember this That the ruling predominant chief and principal end in labouring for the things of this world should be in reference to the world to come when David prayed for life it was not principally that he might live but that he might live and praise God Psal 119.17.175 So in labouring after all the things of this life we should desire them not as stops but as steps in our way to heaven and so accordingly use them reckoning this though not the only yet as one of the chiefest advantages we have by them that we have a price put into our hands whereby we may be the more useful and our light shine so much the more before Men that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven Matth. 5.16 6. Remember this That it is our duty and we ought to prepare for it by keeping the things of the world at a distance from our hearts to run the hazard of the loss of all when the keeping of them is inconsistent with the conscience of that duty and subjection we owe to Christ when it comes to that we should suffer joyfully the spoiling of our goods as they did Heb. 10.34 though we should go as naked out of the world as ever we came into the world He that will keep what he hath in a way that God doth not approve of may keep the thing but he will lose the comfort of it Even as they Exod. 16.20 that would keep Manna beyond the time that God allowed them they had the Manna but it did them no good it had worms in it and did stink Thus we have something toward the answering of that question and I do believe that ye will find that so far as these rules are observed the world will not prejudice your Souls FINIS
Though the darkness of the night may hide us from others and the darkness of our mind may hide us from our selves for Conscience may be hardened it may be seared but it can never be blind yet still it hath an eye open to see into our most retired thoughts which no eye can see but his who seeth all things And farther this is a faculty full of power that it can acquit or condemn torment or comfort a Man as the matter requires say all the World what they can to the contrary Rom. 2.14.15 3. It is endued with the faculty of the Will which hath a liberty of choosing what is good and refusing what is evil so that nothing can hurt us without our own consent Matth. 10.28 Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul Satan cannot make any of his Fiery darts stick unless we will our selves He did not by his power for he could not force Eve to eat the forbidden fruit though he found her alone without her Husband but by his subtilty he beguiled her It is true he is said to have filled the heart of Ananias so as to lye to the Holy Ghost but he could blame none but himself for it Act. 5.3 Why is it saith Peter that Satan hath filled thine heart to lye to the Holy-Ghost He could not deny but that it was his own doing The Devil only pulled the Latch and he opened the door himself These are excellent endowments Now of a Soul endued with all these excellent faculties in respect of its original constitution in every living Man even the poorest Cast-out like that infant Ezek. 16.5 upon that account only not considered as beautified with the excellencies of the new Creature it is that our Saviour saith Matth. 16.26 That it is far more worth then the whole World That the gaining of the one would not recompence the loss of the other Now as we say of a poor child idling and begging about the Streets that is of a good Complexion hath a good wit and a healthy constitution That it is a thousand pities that such a lovely hopeful Child should be undone for want of breeding and education So we may say much more and that upon many accounts That it is sad exceeding unspeakably sad that such an excellent Creature as the Soul of Man is should perish eternally perish and become the most miserable thing that ever God made next unto the Devil for want of good looking to and that the wellfare and prosperity thereof should never be minded It were a blessed thing if Men did but know the worth of their Souls and value them accordingly David indeed did so He counted it his Darling his only One Psal 22.20 He was so choice and tender of it as knowing the wellfare thereof did so much concern him that he would trust none but God with it Psal 31.5 Into thy hand I commit my Spirit But for the generality though called Christians yet for this deserve not the name of Men that they deal worse with their Souls than Joshua did with the Gibeonites He made them but hewers of Wood and drawers of water but it was for the service of the Tabernacle But they cause their Souls to attend the service of the World and that in the basest drudgery and to spend and wear away their strength in making provision for the lusts of the flesh the lust of the Eye and the pride of life But this I may speak to if the Lord please in the Application Only I would ask Who is he that can think of it without sadness that so noble a Creature should be so basely abused That being so Spiritual in its Constitution it should be so Sensual so Carnal in its Operations This is all that I shall say of the first branch of the first thing that was proposed What the Soul is in its original constitution Unless this be well considered we shall never be convinced That of all prosperity the prosperity of the Soul is the most desirable prosperity 2. I now proceed to the second branch In what case it is in its unconverted state by reason of original Corruption If I should say no more then this it were enough That it is in as bad a case as sin can make it having lost the image of God the favour of God and all communion with God as it is set forth unto us in that threefold Parable Luk. 15. of the lost Groat the lost Sheep and the lost Son But this is not all for what by reason of original sin imputed I mean the first sin of Adam in eating of the forbidden fruit and believing the Father of Lies before the God of truth This is charged upon every Soul because the common Soul of Mankind was then in Adam And even for this every Soul in its unregenerate state is a cursed Soul And then farther by reason of original sin communicated and imparted the very image of Satan is engraven upon it so that it is full of unrighteousness a very Seed-plot of all ungodliness I shall farther amplifie this in speaking a little and but a little of that woful desolation that is made hereby in all those faculties of the Soul mentioned but now Something of this had need be said and well considered of otherwise a Man will never be convinced of the absolute necessity of minding the prosperity of the Soul above all other prosperities 1. It is undeniable that a woful desolation is made in the understanding for it is filled with vile and unworthy apprehensions and misapprehensions of God Psal 50.21 Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self That he lookt upon the most notorious sins but as Human infirmities for so the man spoken of there did not any light at all in it to seek after Reconciliation with God in that way wherein it may be found Rom. 3.11 There is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God Full of Pride and fleshly Reasonings it is and contradictions against the truth No more able to discern Divine and Supernatural Truths as they ought to be discerned then a Beast can discern the things of Man 1 Cor. 2.14 But the natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned It is said Col. 2.23 to be a fleshly mind So that though every one be not born a Natural Fool yet every one is born a Spiritual Fool. The most refined unregenerate person is no better Those Virgins Matth. 25. that made so fair a profession are said to be foolish Virgins contenting themselves with Lamps without Oyl Thus the eye of the Soul is darkened How great then as our Saviour saith Matth. 6.23 is the darkness of the whole Soul So great it is that it is wholly thereby estranged from the life of God Ephes 4.18 2. No less desolation is made in the
as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord. Gifts may wither but grace will grow into glory These two things premised I come now to speak and that first of those things in general which are undenyable evidences of Soul-prosperity 1. When this thriving and growth is universal The Body prospers when there is a healthy constitution all over When the Head is well the Stomach is well and all the vital parts are sound within But in Children that have the Rickets the Head is only growing the inferiour parts of the Body being weak and feeble When it is so we say the Child prospers not It is oftentimes so with the Soul It may seemingly prosper in some things when it doth not really prosper in other things or indeed in any thing It was so with many in the Church of Ephesus Their zeal was warm in externals in a high and mighty opposition against false Teachers Errours and Heresies these they could not endure Rev. 2.6 But it was not so in other things in the best things there was a great decay in the inward Man in the vitals of Godliness in those graces that accompany Salvation ver 4 5 I have something against thee because thou hast left thy first Love Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works This is as far from true Soul-prosperity as a Tradesman from thriving who gains by some one pedling commodity and loseth thrice as much in greater matters The Soul prospers when it grows up in all things Eph. 4.15 But speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things in him who is the Head even Christ It were endless almost to reckon up the thriving and prospering in every grace I shall therefore instance in 2 things by the thriving whereof we may take an estimate of the rest 1. When the Soul thrives in those two graces which by experience are found to have as great an influence on the health of the Soul as Natural heat and Radical moisture so Physicians say and Reason saith so too have upon the health of the Body The just temperament of these is that which preserves life and health and strength So when these two graces that of Faith which is as the Natural heat and that of Repentance which is as the Radical moisture are thriving and growing toward their full height then the Soul is in a very prosperous way 1. When Faith grows which is the Natural heat as it did 2 Thes 1.3 because that your Faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth Now this growth is best discerned 1. When it grows in depth So as the Soul is more and more setled grounded rooted and built up in Christ Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the Faith grounded and settled And ch 2.7 Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith So that the heart is fixed and is at peace within when all without is shaken and the foundation of all Creature-comforts turned upside down As a Tree whose Root doth remain firm when the top doth shake Psal 56.3 What time I am afraid I will trust in thee He could keep his faith above his fears Psal 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evil Tydings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him As if he had said Though I read a sentence of Death upon what concerns this Life yet I have somewhat to trust him for beyond this Life No danger nor death shall beat me off from the holdfast of my faith in God through Christ Jesus When it is thus that promise will be made good Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee 2. When it grows in breadth so as it gives a firm absolute unlimited assent to the whole truth of God and receives the testimony of God as in one thing so in every thing which it apprehends to be of God and that purely because God saith so whatever Sense and Reason can object to the contrary So Act. 24.14 But I confess unto thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets Joh. 3.33 He that believeth his testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true in every thing I speak this of justifying faith not only considered in its most eminent act which is to receive Jesus Christ and rest upon him alone for whatsoever may give a title to or a fitness for eternal Salvation but in its most full compleat and perfect act assenting to whatsoever is historically delivered in the word believing every Command every Threat'ning every Promise both of this life and the life to come So as whatever is recorded in the word is so believed not without some gratious effect upon the Soul Observe it in four particulars 1. A growing thriving faith so believes what is Historically delivered concerning the Creation of the World as nothing is too hard for it Although the things believed do not yet appear yet that hinders not a full assurance of their future existence seeing the same power of God which created the World of nothing can give a Being to whatever he hath said shall be when it seems good unto him Psal 121.2 My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth As if he had said I will never distrust his power for whatever I stand in need of who could erect such a stately Fabrick from nothing 2. A growing thriving faith believes every Command of God Psal 119.66 I have believed thy Commandments He believes them to be holy just and good and brings down every thought more and more in subjection unto them all Thus Abraham's faith growing and thriving hath many eminent acts of obedience ascribed to it Heb. 11.8 By Faith Abraham when he was called of God to go into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance obeyed and he went out not knowing whither he went A hard tryal For as it is in the Proverb The smoak of a Man 's own Chimney is as good as the fire of another's So that Command which was yet more hard of offering up his only begotten Son that is of his wife Sarah the Son of the Promise in whose Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed yet he submitted to it Heb. 11.17 though he had but short warning Gen. 22.2 3. He received the Command over-night and went about it next Morning 3. A growing thriving Faith believes the threat'nings of the Word and this belief makes the Soul to stand in awe of them Psal 119.161 my heart standeth in awe of thy word So Heb. 11.7 Noah's Faith takes warning at the threat'ning He was moved with
the Soul exceedingly prospers Ye have likewise the first evidence of universal growth namely the growth of Faith and Repentance when these two grow in the Soul which are as necessary for the wellfare of the Soul as the Natural heat and Radical moisture are for the wellfare of the Body then the Soul prospereth The God of all grace bless us all with this prosperity This is prosperity indeed But with sadness of heart it may be said of these two graces what is observed of some Out-landish fruits that though with much cost and care they are transplanted into this Countrey yet they thrive not as they do in their native Soil because of the coldness of the Climate Even so it is with Faith and Repentance though they are much spoken of yet they thrive not Though in respect of their Root they may be in the Soul yet what through the coldness deadness sluggishness and unmortifiedness of our hearts they prosper not and therefore our Souls prosper not neither can they ever prosper while these are neglected 2. I proceed now to the second instance of universal growth and that is when that blessing laid up in that promise recorded Hos 14.5 is given forth when the God of all grace is as the dew to the Soul so that it grows as the Lilly and as the Cedars in Lebanon The dew ye know is a very sweet refreshing moisture to the dry and thirsty ground which soaking into the Earth makes it bring forth its fruits and the fruit thereof to grow So the dew of Heavenly influences and Divine supplies of grace when they fall upon the Soul they make the Root of Divine principles to bring forth fruit and the fruit to grow And when it grows as the Lilly and as the Cedar then the Soul prospers 1. When it grows as the Lilly The Lilly ye know is a very lovely Plant. Solomon in all his glory was not like it Now the Soul grows as the Lilly when it grows in those lovely graces mentioned Col. 3.12 Bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long suffering Forbearing one another forgiving one another What a lovely sight is it to see so far as Man can see a Soul clothed with these graces Lovely they are in the eyes even of those that are strangers to the life and power of Religion they cannot skill of the mysteries of Faith of Communion with God of the life of Faith of the comforts of the Holy Ghost but of these things they can judge and cannot but commend All commended Cranmer that holy Martyr for his meekness and kindness even to those that had wronged him that it grew to a Proverb Do him an ill turn and he will be your friend for ever So likewise it grows as the Lilly when it grows in gentleness peaceableness and easiness to be entreated when there is an ingenuous facility either to be perswaded to what is good or disswaded from what is evil though in those things that are contrary to our former apprehensions according to that in Jam. 3.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be entreated This is lovely as the Lilly Some there are who are guilty of that which is condemned 2 Pet. 2.10 Selfwilled that will not let go their prejudices as if to change their mind in what they are once engaged were a disparagement to them This is very unlovely for this is the greatest folly not to give place to right Reason This hath not been the way of those whose Souls have prospered David hearkened to the counsel of Abigail and thought it no disparagement unto him yielding to the strength of her reasons to alter his mind and blessed God that he so happily met with her 1 Sam. 25.32 33. It is Prophesied Isa 11.6 The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb c. When Souls prosper under the Government of Christ they will be so far subdued and changed through the Spiritual efficacy thereof that those who by nature were as fiery as violent as untamed and untractable as Wolves and Leopards and Lyons shall be so ductile teachable and perswadeable to what is good that a little Child shall lead them and prevail with them to alter their mind bringing Scripture and Reason with them This is lovely when these Principles of grace grow in the Soul the Soul grows as the Lilly 2. The Soul then prospers when it grows not only as the Lilly but as the Cedars in Lebanon which are much spoken of in the Scripture Of all Trees these shoot up highest and endure longest The Timber whereof not being subject to rot as other Timber So that the Soul grows as the Cedar when that deep inward rooted respect to things below which rules in an unmortified heart is so far mortified that a Man's Treasure is changed We now lay up our Treasure in Heaven and set our affections on things that are above mounting up as the Eagles Isa 40.31 Looking after the things that are not seen as the things our Souls delight in having chosen them for our portion preparing for longing after and rejoicing in hope of enjoying them When things that are seen afford us but little but matter of care and grief trouble and sorrow When the Soul creeps on the Earth life a Snail and is up in the things of the World as an Eel in the Mud then it never prospers 2. When a lasting durable frame of godliness is attained and preserved then likewise it grows as the Cedar As it said of Enoch Gen. 5.21 That he walked with God 300 years together So it may be said that our best works are at last as Rev. 2.19 I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more then the first And that our Salvation is nearer then when we first believed Rom. 13.11 But when good impressions wear off and hardly come on again when inward meltings quickly dry up as the morning dew when the Soul is as it were sick of the Staggers now goes forward and then goes backward it is far from prospering as it ought This is all I have to say to the first Particular that in the first Rise and Foundation of Soul-prosperity as to any possible evidencing that such a thing is begun is laid in those first principles of Spiritual life which are received by virtue of our union with Christ so the growth and progress thereof consists in their increase and then this increase where this thriving is is universal when growth in one principle is added to another as when Men add house to house and field to field they are said to prosper in the World Isa 5.8 So when Faith which is as the natural heat is added to Repentance which is as the Radical moisture and the growth of the Cedar is added to the growth of the Lilly then the Soul prospers I now proceed to the second Particular As the
ye continue in well-doing and nothing is well done where grace is not exercised But if it be so ye look for glory and immortality and eternal life Then following after righteousness holiness c. Eternal life is as it were within reach we may lay hold on it 1 Tim. 6.12 Thus Paul had reason on his side 2 Tim. 4.7 8. A good sight well managed a good course well finished a good faith well preserved Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness Not because of this but because of the free promise of God for though a Man's Soul prosper to his dying day yet eternal life is the gift of God Roman 6.23 Rev. 2.10 4. Much sweet peace Because there will be a sweet agreement between a Man's Resolutions and his Performances both in respect of Doing and Suffering the Will of God 1. In doing what God requires The principles of spiritual life the first day they are received so incline the heart heaven-ward that such resolutions are taken up as Psal 39.1 I said I will take heed to my ways Now when grace is not exercised and the Soul prospers not then there is no keeping up this resolution good purposes are broken off That divine principle which should keep the heart from back-sliding is kept under and oppressed by the contrary working of corruption Such a Soul deals with God as that Son did with his Father to whom he promised to go but went not But now so far as the Soul prospers Performances will be answerable to Resolutions See Paul's resolution Act. 24.16 And herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward Men. Heb. 13.18 Pray for us for we trust we have a good Conscience in all things willing to live honestly And see his performance Phil. 4.12 I know how to be abased and I know how to abound It must needs be so for the more the Soul prospereth every work of Religion will be the better performed with more delight with less wearyness with more constancy and less destraction 2. Sweet peace because of sweet agreement between a Man's resolutions and his performances in respect of suffering what God imposeth and inflicteth whether upon a Man's own personal account or upon the common account of Religion when the first principles of Soul-prosperity are infused the Soul is inclined to comply with Christs injunction Luk. 9.23 If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me And the more the Soul prospereth the more the Will is melted down into the Will of God to suffer what God will and that in submission to his Will Psal 39.9 I was dumb I opened not my mouth because thou didst it Or upon the common account of Religion Heb. 11.35 others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection Know then that all unquiet workings in our Spirits and all sinking discouragements in such a day and hour of tryal come not from our condition how sad soever it be or in how great danger soever we may apprehend our selves to be of losing all we have as from our Corruption because our Souls prosper no more It is observable what we have to this purpose in Matth. 5 Blessed saith our Saviour are the poor in spirit vers 3. The meek the mourners the pure in heart and those that hunger and thirst after righteousness in the following verses And then vers 10 Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake And why is this put in the last place but to shew unto us that now the Soul prospers There is poverty of spirit there is purity of heart there is meekness and hungring and thirsting after righteousness Now suffering in these is such as becomes a Christian This is enough to prove this That the more the Soul prospers there will be the more peace because the more agreement betwixt a Man's Resolution and Performance both in respect of Active and Passive obedience A prospering Soul makes this his business To magnifie Christ whether it be by life or by death Phil. 1.20 5. There is much sweet peace in a prospering Soul because of that sweet agreement which there is between God and such a Soul which if it be felt passeth all understanding Phil. 4.7 and therefore all expression But possibly this Peace may not be proclaimed so as every prospering Soul may hear it and believe it rather often doubting that it is not concluded But for certain it is and in due time God will let them know it Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace to his Pecple and to his Saints And it is as certain such Souls are at peace with God for then they follow hard after God as Psal 63.8 desiring nothing more then reconciliation with him their eyes dropping down tears as Lam. 1.16 because the Comforter which should relieve my Soul is far from me Blessed are such mourners for they shall be comforted Matth. 5.4 Thus we have some of the desirable effects of Soul prosperity in this life 2. For the effects and consequents of Soul-prosperity for the future in reference to the World to come thus in a word it hath a most blessed influence into Eternity Then Soul-prosperity is perfected in holyness Heb. 12.23 The Spirits of just Men made perfect Ephes 5.27 Without spot or wrinkle And perfected in happyness in the full enjoyment of God It sees God so far as seeing imports enjoying Then it may be said without a figure to such a Soul as Isa 60.1 Arise and shine thy light is come the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Thus ye have the reasons of the point SERMON VI. IF this be so Vse 1 That of all prosperities Soul-prosperity is the most desirable prosperity Then from hence we may infer That it is the most rational thing in the World for all those that believe they have immortal Souls in mortal Bodies to mind the well-fare and prosperity of their Souls above all things else in the World This is certainly to act according to the best and highest principles of reason that ever any Man did from the beginning of the World to this day It may be supposed by what ye have heard that ye are now fully satisfied in the truth of the Doctrine and believe that nothing prospereth in your hand with prosperity truly so called and as it is a blessing but when and where the Soul prospereth therefore none to be minded like that none but in subordination to that And seeing it is a principle planted by the God of Nature in the heart of Man by Nature to mind that above all things else wherein he firmly believes his happiness above all things doth consist And withal seeing to Prosper and to be happy though the words be two are but one and the same thing And that ye are perswaded a Man is only so far
really happy as his Soul prospers These things being so one would think I might forbear to press any thing farther and might say concerning this duty of minding Soul-prosperity as the Apostle doth of Brotherly love 1 Thes 4.9 ye need not that I should write any more concerning it But considering what a deep inward rooted respect for and reaching after the things of the World there appears to be in some who yet profess they are fully convinced of the vanity thereof and such a strong byass in others turning them aside into ways that are not good So far it may be charged upon them as Rom. 1.18 They hold the truth they believe in unrighteousness not suffering it to exercise its autority in their Consciences And feeing it is so difficult a thing yea impossible without the Almighty power of the Spirit of God to raise up a drosly earthy spirit sunk into the world to look after things that are not seen to mortifie the deeds of the flesh and to set their affections on things that are above or to six a vain light spirit so as to reduce it to a sober and serious consideration of the things of Eternity and yet both the one and the other must be done by all those that resolve to mind the prosperity of their Souls above all other prosperity I shall to what hath been said already before I come to shew the great work that is to be done for the welfare of Souls first give you some Arguments to prove the Inference That if Soul-Prosperity be the most desirable Prosperity Then is it the most rational thing in the world to mind it above all things else 1. It is a rational thing ye must all grant it for any man to part with any thing except the Peace of his own Conscience and to do any thing that is possible to be done except sinning against God for the preservation of natural life It is a Scripture expression Prov. 6.26 that Life is pretious It is indeed the most pretious thing in Nature Matth. 6.25 Is not the life more than meat Act. 27. They cast away the Lading of the Ship in hope to save their lives Esth 7.2 3 4 Let my life be given me at my petition For we are sold I and my people to be destroyed to be slain and to perish If we had beensold for Bond-men and for Bond-women I had held my tongue See how she pleaded for her life he valued not the one half of 127 Provinces in comparison of that And we read of a poor woman that had spent all that she had in hope of health which is a degree below life Mar. 5. Now if it should be asked as Jam. 4.14 What is this life that is so much valued we must answer as he doth That it is a vapour which appeareth for a very little time and then vanisheth away The frailty whereof is set forth by heaps of similitudes in Scripture from the most perishing things that come under observation It is but a little warm breath turned in and out at our nostrils a narrow passage and soon stopt Isa 2.22 Cease from Man whose breath is in his nostrils and wherein is he to be accounted of Now if it be so agreeable to reason by all lawful means to serve the Providence of God for the preservation of such poor and frail things as our lives are as indeed we are bound in obedience to God's command Is it not much more rational to do whatever God would have us to do for the life and well-fare of our immortal Souls Certainly if Nature teach a Man to prize his life above the World Grace should make a Man to prize his Soul above his Life Believe it To save our Lives and to save our Souls are two things This we find in Scripture that those who have learned to value their Souls according to their excellency and have understood how much their own happiness is concerned in them have willingly run the hazard of their lives to save their Souls not only as Paul 1 Cor. 9.27 I keep under my Body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away but also as they Revel 12.11 they loved not their lives unto the death They did not so love their lives as out of inordinate care to preserve them and so to escape death when God called them by their open profession to give in their testimony for Christ and his Gospel against the Anti-Christian Generation So Dan. 3.19 c. The three Witnesses chose rather to be thrown into the fiery Furnace then to worship the Golden Image Heb. 11.35 Others were tortured not accepting deliverance Yea so careless have some of the Saints of old been of their Bodies in comparison of their care for the well-fare of their Souls as if they had been other folks Bodies and not their own We read Act 7 that when the sentence of death was passed upon Stephen he prays not for the mitigation of his Enemies rage he is totally silent concerning his burial It 's true there were some good Men took care of it Act. 8.2 but not at his intreaty that we read of but that which his thoughts were most taken up withal ye read vers 59. They stoned Steven calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit So the Lord Jesus left his Body in the hands of Pilate but he commended his Spirit into his Father's hands Luk. 23.46 It is observable what we have Psal 141.7 8. when some of David's followers were hackt and hewed in pieces and left unburied or as some think when their dead Bodies after they were buried were digged up and their bones were scattered about the Grave's mouth When David saw or heard of this see what he had most in his thoughts Lord leave not my Soul destitute Thus ye have one argument to make good the Inference That it is the most rational thing in the World to mind the wellfare of our Souls above all things else because it is very rational above all outward things to mind the preservation of our lives And that though it be so those that have been wise to Salvation have minded the saving of their Souls above the saving of their Lives there being indeed no comparison between this Natural life and the Spiritual life of the Soul 2. It is every way most rational agreeable to the best and highest principles of reason to mind that most which Jesus Christ in whom dwelt all the Treasures of Wisdom minded most This none will deny but that as it is the highest pitch of our holiness that our Ends in all things fall in with his So it ought to be our greatest business that in all things we should be of the same mind with Christ Now that this was and still is the greatest work that Jesus Christ did and still doth mind in our behalf will appear by these particulars 1. This was
I resolve for this end to hear yea as I am commanded Isa 55.3 diligently to hear to hearken and to incline mine Ear And to make application to my self of what may be for my casting down and for my lifting up that according to the promise in that Text my Soul may live This do and Live SERMON VII HAving spoken something to the first Particular That every one ought to see it who desires that his Soul should prosper that he be Spiritually alive I now proceed to the second wherein two things are to observed That if indeed ye are spiritually alive then to see to it 1. That your Spiritual life be lively and prosper 2. That when it begins to be better than it hath been with you in the inward Man then to take heed that ye lofe not the things ye have wrought 2 Ep. of Joh. vers 8. I shall enter upon the former of these at present 1. To see to it that your Spiritual life be lively and prosper for therein the prosperity of your Souls consists And because every thing almost that I have to speak unto in handling this great and necessary Doctrine needs much enforcement because much neglected I shall before I come to the Directions speak something by way of argument to heighten your endeavours herein Consider then 1. A Soul that is alive to God though burdened with a weak Consumptive Body and with a considerable fullness of outward blessings both which many times are great disadvantages yet may prosper We see it exemplified in Gaius He was but of a weak and crasie Constitution that 's implyed in the Text. And he was withal a Man of some Estate in the World That 's implyed vers 6. Which have born witness of thy charity before the Church Yet neither the one nor the other hindered but that his Soul did prosper It was as John said for doubtless John was as far from giving flattering titles as Elihu said he was Job 32.22 2. Our Souls ought to be as dear unto us as the Soul of Gaius was to him If Gaius made Religion his business minding above all things that one thing which is necessary If he kept his heart above all keeping So that neither Corruption from within nor Temptation from without could set his Salvation-work backward If he laid up his treasure in Heaven valuing both the best things and the worst things of the World as something or as nothing unto him farther then as they might be improved to promote the Eternal well-fare of his Soul All which without doubt in a great measure he did and more then all this too otherwise he had never received this testimony from such a Man as John was which to his honour hath stood upon Record these 1600 years and shall do to the end of the World For as our Saviour said of Mary Matth. 26.13 So wherever this Epistle shall be read in the whole World this that Gaius did shall be told for a memorial of him That his Soul did prosper Therefore as our Saviour saith Luk. 10. We ought to go and do likewise For he was under no more obligation to do what he did then we are And our Souls ought to be as dear to us as his was to him 3. There is not one word to be found to the contrary in all the Scripture but that how short soever we come of this pattern at present yet if we set our selves to do as he did our Souls may prosper as much as ever his did Jesus Christ we are sure can make them prosper Joh. 10.10 I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly 2 Cor. 9.8 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he were rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we by his poverty might be made rich Eph. 3.20 He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us Neither which is much to be observed doth he speak of his absolute power by which he is able to do more then he will do but of his Ordinary working power for so it is in the latter end of the verse According to his power that worketh in us So that we may conclude that he hath not out-acted the greatness of his power in or for the prospering of any Man's Soul but he can work as much again for another Eph. 4.10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things As he filled up the whole work of his Mediatorship which was to be done upon Earth So he ascended up to Heaven to fulfil what remains and that is for ever to fill even all the living members of his mystical Body with the Principles of Spiritual life so that every one shall receive according to his measure Eph. 4.7 But unto every of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Neither doth he tell any Man that he hath given him so much that he will give him no more No Man knows how great his measure may be The grace that Christ intends to give he gives not all at once so that a Man may hope his works may be best at last as was said of them Rev. 2.19 For 1. There is no particular grace though it be in the Soul at present but as smoaking Flax but it may by daily exercise and good usage grow to a great eminency 2. There is no Corruption though more deeply Rooted then others in a Man's natural Constitution but that in time by walking in the Spirit bringing it to the Law of Christ to the death of Christ and to the love of Christ and joining his own endeavours to the Spirit of Christ he may get an eminent victory over it and see it by degrees fall down before him 3. There is no particular duty how backward and indisposed soever he may be to it at present or hath been a long time heretofore against it but he may grow to an eminency in the practice of it 4. There is no one temptation of what kind soever or how often soever he hath been overcome by it but by taking to himself the whole armour of God and strengthening himself in the strength of the Lord which is every ones duty to do but he may so resist it and conquer it that the Devil shall fly before him 5. There is no condition how many snares soever it may be compassed about withal but through the exercise of grace it may be managed to such Spiritual advantage as may exceedingly promote Soul-prosperity 6. There are no doubts no fears no sinking discouragements arising from what spring soever but they may be answered and scattered as a mist before the Sun shining forth in its full strength By all this we see that it is as I have said That as there is no reason for any Man absolutely to conclude though
themselves and their Families Eccl. 6.7 All the labour of Man is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not filled But it is not so here this is prepared ready for us Matth. 22.4 I have prepared my Dinner mine Oxen and my Fatlings are killed and all things are ready And freely offered it is but Come and eat Isa 55.1 2. 'T is true we are commanded to labour for this food more then for any thing else that the World affords what need soever we stand in of it Joh. 6.27 Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life which the Son of Man shall give unto you But it is with a labour like that of Adam in Paradise sweet easie and delightful The very labouring after it affords more content and satisfaction to the Soul truly so called then any Creature-comfort whatsoever Prov. 3.15 16 17. 2. There is no other food for our Souls but this we must feed upon it or starve Any thing that God appoints may supply the want of bodily food Deut. 8.2 3 Man doth not live by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth Man live But nothing can supply the want of Christ They that feed upon any thing else expecting any Soul-nourishment do but as they Isa 44.20 feed on ashes And indeed the complexion of some Mens Souls shews what their diet is so Earthly c. As young folks under some bodily Distemper eat Chalk or Lime c. How ill do they look Make the best of it To feed upon any thing else is but perishing food Joh. 6.27 And as well may we think that fishes of the Sea may live in the Air or the beasts of the Field in the bottom of the Sea as that the Soul may live and prosper by any thing either Providences or Ordinances without feeding upon Christ in them 3. There needs no other food Joh. 6.55 For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed And as all the sweetness desirableness and matter of nourishment that is in the meat is for the health and wellfare of the Body So whatever is in Christ and whatever Christ is and Christ is altogether lovely quantus quantus est all is for the life and health strength and prosperity of the Soul Joh. 10.10 It is said He came into the World that is to live and dye in the World to do and suffer what was to be done and suffered that dead Souls might live and living Souls have life in abundance that is might live and prosper Whether we consider Christ in his Person or in his Offices we shall see in both that there and there alone food is to be had for our Souls Before I mention either of these I shall first lay before you this Proposition That whatsoever may encourage a doubting Sinner experimentally under clear convictions that there is no possibility of Salvation in an Unregenerate state and fully satisfieth him that all Salvation is to be had in Christ and without him no Salvation at all whatsoever I say may encourage such a Person under great uncertainties whether Christ will accept of him or no to come unto him to cast himself down at the footstool of his grace into the arms of his mercy to depend upon him and abide in him for all that may give him a Title to and a fitness for Heaven And 2. Whatever may establish such a Perfon having thus adventured his Eternal estate in the hands of Christ in a good hope through grace that he shall receive such help and assistance from the Spirit of Christ that he shall persevere unto the end both in the love that God bears unto him and in the grace that he hath wrought in him so as the good work begun in him shall be perfected Where that is to be found which hath an influence into all this there certainly food is to be had for the life health and prosperity of our Souls This needs no proof ye will all assent to it Now that all this is to be found in Christ and in him alone will appear whether we consider him in his Person or in his Offices 1. In his Person as God and Man in one Person This is the great mystery of Godliness as hath been heretofore at large opened unto you from 1 Tim. 3.16 Of all Gospel-mysteries this is the greatest That a lost sinner should have such a Saviour that is as verily Man as God and as verily God as Man That the Divine and Human Nature that were at first at such a distance should meet in one person The serious consideration of this hath much of Spiritual nourishment in it It will appear to be so when we have weighed these two things 1. What the work was which Christ came into the World to do It was to be a Mediatour between God and Man A Mediatour of Reconciliation between a most holy God most highly provoked and Rebellious sinners still continuing in their provocation This was his great work that was upon his hands 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them 2. That this affords great encouragement so to come to Christ as being upon this account able to save to the uttermost Hereby we see that what he either did or suffered though but in his human Nature though but for a little while the whole time of his continuing visibly in the World being but 33 years rather to speak exactly but 32 years and a half was of infinite value and efficacy which did arise from the Union of his two Natures because the Person though in the form of a Man was the mighty God that Did such things and Suffered such things Now this is a great relief to Faith yea such may be the temptation that a humbled sinner may be under that nothing else can relieve or afford any nourishment so much as we use to say to keep Life and Soul together For suppose this to be the case Mr. John Hardy of Symondsbury as once it was of a godly Minister in this County who dyed but this last Summer I had the Relation of it from himself who was for a time in a great Agony and this was his temptation Why said Conscience and Satan too who stood behind the Curtain Thy sins deserve an infinite punishment for thou hast sinned against an infinite God and thou deservest Eternal death And that Christ in whom thou trustest he being Man and suffering only in his human Nature he could suffer only that which is finite And the time of his suffering was but short How then can he by suffering so short a time deliver from infinite suffering and Eternal death This as he told me was the temptation that lay upon him and how he was relieved Even thus The Lord brought it to his remembrance and set it home with a Divine
God bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering c. That 's health when the whole Body thrives 2. It is such a principle as inclines the heart seriously to endeavour to submit to every known truth though contrary to former apprehensions Act. 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God c. Joh. 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile Weigh it well and I suppose you will find the reason of it to be this why Christ so highly honours him Philip came and told him We have found the Messiah Nathaniel being possessed with prejudice argues against it Can any good thing come out of Galilee Come and see saith Philip and he did so He took the right way to be informed And notwithstanding his prejudice is glad to find out the truth and accordingly acknowledged it That Christ indeed was the Messiah This was a Man in whom the Heaven-born principle wrought according to its nature endeavouring to submit to every known truth 3. That every grace may be exercised in its season Herein as in all things else it willingly complies with the whole Will of God which when the principle is infused commands the exercise 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandment that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another It is the exercise of faith and love that is there enjoyned 4. Every Corruption mortified Gal. 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affection and lusts They are said To have done it because it is part of their every days work 5. Duties performed Of our general Calling what relates to the worship of God so as God may be served acceptably Heb. 12.28 Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear And Duties of our particular Calling and that with diligence The same principle that inclines To be fervent in Spirit in duties of worship inclines not to be slothful in the business of our Calling Rom. 12.11 And not only with diligence as some are They work hard but do not pray hard This is not diligence upon principles of Conscience But this Heaven-born principle we are speaking of inclines to diligence upon a Religious account that we may abide with God in our Calling 1 Cor. 7.24 Doing the work thereof heartily as unto the Lord Col. 3.23 6. Conversation rightly ordered When the root of it is in the heart but the fruits of it are to be expressed in our conversation Phil. 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ c. Those that have this principle within have this character That they are upright in their conversation Psal 37.14 to slay such as be of upright conversation This is that which the Apostle means by walking with a right foot Gal. 2.14 Ordering our steps aright Prov. 4.26 Making even paths for our feet Heb. 12.13 That is that one action bear proportion to another and all good according to the rule Gal. 6.16 Not turning aside to any crooked path Psal 125.4 5. In order to this those that do indeed mind their Soul-prosperity will or should propound to themselves these three questions 1. An liceat May I do this and not sin 2. An deceat Is this becoming a Christian May I do this and not wrong my profession 3. An Expediat May I do this and not give offence to others This Heaven-born principle let it have its full liberty of working it will incline the heart to this And this is the way to order the conversation aright So as to inherit that promise Psal 50.23 To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God 7. Providences improved Psal 107.43 Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Puzled and astonished such a Soul may be sometimes at the strange dispensations of God but not offended so as to face about Still he holds on his way in the paths of Righteousness Mic. 6.9 The Lord's voice cryeth unto the City and the Man of wisdom shall see thy Name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it 8 All this in the sight of God 2 Cor. 2.17 But as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ That God may be pleased 1 Thes 4.1 And we approve our selves to God 2 Cor. 5.9 2. It is impossible the Soul should prosper or be indeed in any capacity of prospering that is not clothed with it For where this Inner is not the other Outer garment is not It is so as I told you that this Garment of Righteousness wrought in us and that the Righteousness wrought for us are never separated the one from the other so that the Soul that is altogether destitute of it is in a Christless state naked and destitute of all spiritual clothing Rev. 3.17 God at first sent forth Man into the World compleatly apparelled with it being created in righteousness and true holiness but Satan by his subtilty stript him of it and he became naked Gen. 3.7 And thus he continues till by the powerful Word and Spirit of Christ his heart is made willing to come unto Christ to receive him rest upon him and abide in him Till then he is utterly destitute of all the materials of this garment Some indeed of whom there may be some hopes that they have obeyed the Call and are come to Christ are but poorly clad even half naked which is a sad sight But these have none at all they are naked all over though insensible of it They have no life at all nothing of this principle 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath not the Son hath not life 3. The better the Soul is clothed with this garment the more it doth and the better it will prosper For consider 1. The more we have of this Garment of Righteousness the more the Soul is brought into and preserved in its right temper The health of the Body consists much in its right constitution when it is not so oppressed with corrupt humours but that it can relish its ordinary food and can do that work that is to be done by God's appointment wherein it is set and is not indisposed by sickness or weakness Into such a right temper this righteousness when the principles of it are exercised doth bring the Soul This prevails against the ill humours the Soul is subject unto It prevails against those noisom lusts that war against the Soul as the Apostle speaks 1 Pet. 2.11 It is compared Eph. 6.14 to a Breast-plate which if it be good preserves the principal parts of the Body the Breast wherein the vital parts of Man are closely coucht together So this righteousness preserves the principal part of a Christian it keeps the Conscience pure the Soul undefiled so far as it is exercised it will keep a Man from his own
Soul-Prosperity In Several SERMONS BY That Eminent Servant of Christ Mr. WILLIAM BENN late of Dorchester in Dorset-shire LONDON Printed for Awnsham Churchil at the Black Swan near Amen-Corner And William Churchil Bookseller in Dorchester 1683. To the Worshipful THOMAS GROVE Esq Of Fern in the County of Wilts THe Authour of this Treatise was a person that greatly honoured you and one whom you highly esteemed and loved I therefore presume as being one intrusted by the Author to publish what was prepared for the Press to tender it to your Patronage The Subject speaks its own worth the present Season its usefulness As for your Self you are a Gentleman so universally known that you are above my Character That the God of all grace would give you a great increase of grace and peace in your Old Age and bless your House is the hearty Prayer of SIR Your much Obliged Servant Joshua Churchil TO THE READER NEither the Author of the ensuing discourse doth stand in need of any testimony from me among those to whom he was known nor will the discourse it self need any recommendation unto them that shall peruse it provided they be any ways serious in Religion It is therefore rather for compliance with the request of others then from any inclination in my self that I prefix these few lines unto what doth ensue But yet I must say also that the high esteem which I had of the Author whilst he lived for the gifts and graces of God that were Eminent in him and the Seasonableness of the subject matter treated of in this discourse made me more willing to this compliance then otherwise I should have been I shall therefore offer a few things to the Reader which he may esteem or reject as he shall see cause The Author of this discourse as is well known is some while since entred into his rest and he is so after his painful faithful and successful labour in the Vineyard of Christ for above fifty years And I shall say no more concerning him but that as he was eminently furnished with all ministerial abilities so it is but a joint testimony of all that knew him that his singular and almost unparllel'd perseverance in Prayer as for all other concerns for the Church of Christ so for the success of his own Ministry was that which both strengthened him to his work and gave him success in it amongst whom he laboured And I mention this only as an incouragement to a just expectation of use and fruit from this part of his labours in that it had an eminent share in those fervent Prayers wherewith all his endeavours in this kind were accompanyed The subject-matter here insisted on by him is of the highest importance unto all whose design and business it is to live unto God For it is not any one single grace whose exercise is directed nor any one single duty which is pressed and exhorted unto but the entire management and acting of the principle of Spiritual Life in our whole walk before God is declared and expressed in this discourse For in these things do our Souls live in them doth their prosperity consist No Soul can prosper but in the due exercises of all graces whereby the habit of them are strengthened and the due performance of all those duties wherein they are exercised To have a guide in these things such a guide as evidenced himself went before every step in the way directing and encouraging others to accompany and follow him in the same course and way is of great concernment unto such humble teachable Souls as design a prosperous condition in the profession of Religion wherein we are ingaged And the design of this discourse with the management of it to direct unto a Soul's prosperity have weight added to them from the season wherein by the guidance of Divine Providence they are now published For we are fallen into a time wherein the Spiritual diseases decays and thriftlesness of many professors of Religion do evidence themselves to the World and complaints of the want of Soul-prosperity is heard from the most who sincerely inspect the inward state of Religion this day in themselves and others It can't therefore want that beauty which season gives unto a word of truth The manner of handling both Doctrine and Application in this discourse is such as becomes both the Author of it and the Subject treated on for it is done with that gravity and soundness of speech as cannot be reproved with that plainness and perspicuity which as it excludes all countenance from ornament of Speech so there is nothing in it that may be exposed to contempt amongst them that understand Spiritual things or know in any measure how they ought to be taught And that which gives life to the whole is an open evidence that the Author did both express his own experience and gives the Character of his own mind in the endeavour after Soul-prosperity wherein his attainments and success were eminent above the most And if the Reader be one who is ingaged in the same design he will find that as face answereth unto face in water so his heart will answer the heart of the Author in his expressions of his own experience and practice and it is nothing but the Edification of Believers in faith and holiness that is aimed at without the least alliance unto any of those controversies in Religion wherewith the profession of it are perplexed in the World For though these and such things as these here treated of are despised and reproached by Men of corrupt minds and prophane Spirits unto whom the whole practice and power of godliness with the manner of its Declaration according to the Scripture is folly and matter of contempt yet none have yet supposed that it will admit of a question in Christian Religion whether Believers ought seriously endeavour the spiritual prosperity of their own Souls But with such as by whom these things are either despised or neglected we are not now concerned as for those who would endeavour to be found of Christ in peace in what way soever he shall please to visit his Church or the World the Season wherein we live the whole power of temptation which we are exercised withal the state present of most Professors all circumstances calls of Providence do make the subject-matter of the duty proposed in this discourse more then ordinary necessary for their more serious consideration JOHN OWEN Advertisement IF this Treatise find acceptance Mr. G. H. and J. C. friends of the Reverend Author intrusted with his Papers and who attest these to be his own will be ready to publish other of his Tracts SERMON I. 3 Epist of John vers 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy Soul prospereth THere are two things among many others both which are infallibly certain and exceeding comfortable to all those that live by Faith
I shall go up to the house of the Lord while he was sick and weak he could not do it 2. It very much indisposeth a Man for the solemn performance of the private Duties of Religion We have a clear instance of this Jam. 5.13 Is any afflicted Let him pray Is any sick Let him send for the Elders of the Church Is not sickness a great affliction It is Why then should not the sick pray Sickness and weakness indispose a person for the solemn performance of that duty 3. Persons subject to long continued weaknesses of body are often in much darkness of mind apt to question the grace of God in them and the love of God toward them For sickness and weakness indispose a Man's mind He cannot infer comfortable conclusions from his former experiences of God He is full of confusion like a skain of Silk that a Man can neither winde nor draw So it is with an infirm Man Psal 80.3 Heman when his life did draw nigh to the grave he saith His Soul was full of trouble It is a sad case a weak Body and a troubled Soul too Satan is very skilful at his work He knew this and therefore he reserved this as his last temptation for Job hoping that would stick to afflict his Body Now to Apply this 1. Let all such as God is pleased to bless with any competency of health and strength keep their hearts under the obligation that this lays upon them Deut. 8.16 The Lord gave them Manna to humble them We say Oh if we were fit for Mercy God would give it Thus Folks talk that never endeavour to be more fit If we should never have a Mercy till we were fit it would be long enough before we should have any God many times gives a Mercy first and makes a people humble afterward Well then considering that life and health and strength are given to every Man for the same end and purpose for which Paul improved them Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ Therefore we should every one of us while we are well set about doing of that which it will be very well if it be done before we are sick but 't is of absolute necessity to be done before we dye even what we have 2 Pet. 3.14 Give all diligence to be found in Christ Jesus in a state of union with him If a Man be not in Christ while he lives he cannot live to Christ nor shall he dye to Christ when he dyes Col. 1.27 Christ in us is the hope of glory Consider then 1. Though health and strength be a very great blessing yet it is a blessing quickly blasted Job observed it in his days Job 21.23 One dyes in his full-strength God gives him no warning at all Alas saith James what is a Man's life A vapour a little warm breath turned up and down in the nostrils when that is stopt a Man dyes 2. Consider this Say God should give us warning and do with us as he did with Jezabel cast us upon a bed of sickness and give us space to repent yet times of Bodily sickness and weakness are ill times to begin to look after a neglected Soul and to do neglected Duties Sicknesses and weaknesses bring a Man under many disadvantages of looking after Soul-concernments 2 Sam. 25.35 God smites Nabal he was sick ten days that was more time then many persons have yet he could no more repent then the very stone his heart dyed within him Therefore what we have Joh. 9.4 should be lay'd to heart The night will come when no Man can work Do the work that God calls to while it is called To day 2. If so be health and strength be so great a blessing then let all that do enjoy it take heed how they do any thing that may prejudice their health and do what God would have them do for the preservation of their health and not stick at any due charges suitable to what they are able to bear 1. Take heed of prejudicing your health They are very much to be blamed that will ride wind and weather to get money Matt. 6.25 The Body is more then Raiment Health and strength are better then riches Much more do they transgress that prejudice their health to gratifie a sensual lust For no Man ever yet hated his own flesh Eph. 5.29 I have read of one Theotinus who was very much given to drinking and had very sore eyes his Physitian told him he must either leave his drunkenness or lose his eyes Then saith he farewell sight He would rather lose his sight then leave his sin 2. Do what may be done to preserve health Therefore the Apostle saith to Timothy Drink no longer Water but use a little Wine for thy stomachs sake and thine often infirmities The poor Woman Mark 9. spent all she had upon the Physicians This is worth observation That we must so mind the wellfare of our Bodies for the preserving of health and strength when we have it and recovery of it when it is lost for the preservation of the health and well-fare of our Souls It is an hard matter to do those things out of obedience to God from a principle of grace which a principle of nature inclines a Man to Tit. 2.4 That they may teach the young Women to be sober to love their Husbands to love their Children Now for the Amplification of this wish 1. For the manner It was heartily Above all things Observe It is the duty of every gracious person to be hearty and real in his prayers desires and wishes for the prosperity of the people of God and for the health of those that are sick and weak The Apostle speaks to the praise of them Col. 1.4 That they loved all the Saints of God Ruth 4.11 The Elders said to Boaz The Lord bless thee and this Woman How heartily did the good Women bless God for their old neighbour Naomi Ruth 4.14 It is a rare thing to find such a spirit Corruption doth narrow and straighten Mens hearts Their eye is evil because God is good Corruption streightens but Grace enlargeth a Man's heart It is a brave spirit To rejoyce with them that rejoyce and to mourn with them that mourn Observe again Who it is that desires this so heartily It is John the beloved Disciple who pressed hearty love upon others 1 Joh. 3.18 And he expresseth it to Gaius Hence note Note It is the duty of every Minister to labour to exemplifie in his practice the Duties he presseth upon others The Prophet Hab. 2.4 speaking of those sad times in the captivity of Babylon saith The just shall live by faith But they might reply Can you do so your selves And he answers Yes Hab. 3.17 18 Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom yet will I rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation 2. Consider the pattern measure and degree according to which John desires this outward prosperity might be
proportioned and that is his Soul-prosperity Surely this Gaius was a very rare Man It is hard to find such among all those that bear the honourable name of Christians How many are there Christians in profession and it may be according to some measure indeed and in truth who prosper in their Estates and prosper in their Bodies They are well and lively as David's Enemies were Psal 38.19 but they have poor lean withering Souls So that we may very well in the behalf of many invert the Apostle's wish and wish that their Souls might prosper as their Bodies prosper and as their Estates prosper If we should pray for some that their Bodies might be as their Souls are we should curse them instead of praying for them We must say let their Bodies be filled with noisome Diseases and let them pine away for so their Souls do But it was not so with Gaius Hence observe Note Though a person of a sickly and weak constitution be under many disadvantages yet under them all it is possible his Soul may thrive and prosper 2 Cor. 4.16 Though our outward Man perish yet our inward Man is renewed day by day Here take notice that when I say such a Man is under some disadvantages I mean in respect of the outward Duties of Religion but not as to the inward and spiritual Duties as living by Faith exercising the Love of God and the Fear of God and desires after the enjoyment of God Herein consists true Religion Wo be to that Man that hath no more Religion then can be seen Religion is not all Outside the Lining is the best part of it The Text bears the Doctrine mentioned in the first place thus John wisheth that Gaius might prosper in all things as his Soul prospered we must understand him in subordination to Soul-prosperity John wisheth that Gaius might prosper in all things so that his Soul might still prosper If Gaius's Soul had received prejudice John had wished him a great loss So that the observation is clear That of all prosperities Soul-prosperity is the most desirable prosperity SERMON II. I Now proceed to that Observation I first intended in the choice of the words But take notice first That the Text gives a fair and full occasion to speak to it though perhaps not discerned at first John ye see wisheth all prosperity to his friend Gaius but this must be understood in a way of subserviency to the prosperity of his Soul Otherwise he had wished him far more hurt then good If he had wished him any thing that in the least had been to the prejudice of his Soul It is then beyond all controversie That as he wished that he might prosper in all things as his Soul prospered he would be understood that his desire was That his Soul always might prosper Hence observe Doct. Of all prosperity the prosperity of the Soul is the most desirable prosperity For the Explication three things are to be spoken too 1. What the Soul is in its natural constitution and what it is in its unregenerate state by reason of Original corruption 2. Wherein the prosperity of the Soul consisteth and when it may be said to prosper 3. What are the Reasons whereby it may be made to appear that the prosperity of the Soul is the most desirable prosperity For the first of these there are two things to be taken into consideration and to be spoken to apart 1. What the Soul is in its natural constitution Ans It is hard to tell you for it is a thing which no Man ever saw But this I may say that it is that which the Scripture sometimes calls The Spirit of Man which is in him 1 Cor. 2.11 Sometimes and indeed most frequently The heart of Man Prov. 23.26 My Son give me thine heart The inward Man 2 Cor. 4.16 The hidden Man of the heart 1 Pet. 3.4 The Candle of the Lord Prov. 20.27 And this I may say farther That it is a most excellent piece of God's Workmanship and indeed well worth the tongue and pen of an Angel to describe it The Body of Man though it was of mean extraction made at first but of the Dust of the Earth and liable every moment when God will to tumble into the grave to rot and putrifie and to be resolved into its first original Dust thou art and unto Dust shalt thou return again Gen. 3.19 Yet that it is a very curious piece David speaking of his Body Psal 139. saith vers 13 14 That he was fearfully and wonderfully made When I think thereof saith he as I do sometimes it striketh me with astonishment yea with a dread and fear of the incomprehensible wisdom and power of God manifested therein This my Soul knows full well yet this is but the Case the Cabinet The Soul is the Jewel that is in it If that be as the Ring this is the Diamond in the Ring I shall not undertake an exact definition of it but only this description It is a Spiritual Immortal substance united to the Body yet existing when it is separated from the Body capable of doing more service unto God and of receiving more good from God then all the Creatures that ever God made the glorious Angels and the Human Nature of Christ only excepted I shall not insist upon the proof of the particulars of this description Some of them may possibly come to be spoken to hereafter Only for the present take notice that it is endued with three most excellent Faculties which will go far if no more should at any time be said in proving this to be so 1. With the faculty of Vnderstanding capable of knowing Good from Evil Truth from Falshood of knowing God in Christ the knowledge of whom is Eternal Life Job 32.8 There is a Spirit in Man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him Vnderstanding Every Soul hath this faculty though this faculty in every Soul be not so furnished yet it is capable of the inspiration of the Almighty so as to know the truth as it is in Jesus and every truth as it ought to be known without which Man were no more capable of such knowledge then the Beasts of the field as Elihu expresseth himself Job 35.11 Who teacheth us more then the Beasts of the Earth and maketh us wiser then the Fowls of Heaven Therefore Nebuchadnezer upon the highest grounds of reason praiseth and magnifieth God for restoring his understanding unto him Dan. 4.34 2. Endued it is with the admirable faculty of Conscience which hath a power to make a Man stand in awe of God though he does not see him yea and of himself too when no Body knows where he is nor what he is doing For it taketh knowledge and can or at last day will bear witness what a Man hath thought or spoken or done even from his Cradle to his Grave So that no Man need to call for a Candle to see what he hath done in the dark
were impossible that a Man believing this to be true and that his Soul must live with him when he is dead either in Eternal happiness or Eternal misery should suffer such an excellent thing to be lost and perish through his own default In respect of the latter one would think it impossible that such a vile such an abominable thing as sin hath made it should ever come to be good and prosper And indeed it is beyond the power of Men or Angels to effect it The recovery of a lost Soul is more pretious then so But to this it may be said as our Saviour said to his Disciples Mat. 19.26 With Men it is impossible but all things are possible to God 2. I proceed to the second thing proposed to shew wherein the prosperity of the Soul consists and when it may be said to prosper By way of Answer to this we must take notice that Soul-prosperity comes under a double consideration 1. In respect of its Rise 2. In respect of its Growth 1. In respect of its Rise and first Foundation This must be considered two ways 1. Either as looking after it upward without us 2. Or looking after it inwardly within us 1. If we look after it upward we shall find its first foundation laid in God's Eternal Electing Love 2. If we look after it inwardly within us then we shall find that it begins in that day and hour when by the word and spirit of Christ the whole Man both Body and Soul is brought into a state of Fellowship and Union with Christ Which is done and not done any other way I speak not of Elect Infants dying in their infancy then by obeying the call of Christ to come to him and abide with him and in him resigning our selves to him to be ruled and saved by him in his own way Thus understand it 1. God's Eternal love is God's Eternal purpose to work in the Soul in his appointed time that good thing which he knows will put it into a capacity of prospering Eph. 1.9 He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure as he had purposed in himself ver 11 In whom that is in Christ we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will This Eternal purpose ye see to do so and so for to work so and so in such and such a Soul is his Eternal love to those Souls The time when this purpose takes effect is then and not till then when the Soul obeyeth the call of Christ Then it is that an actual Application of that good thing which was intended is made This is exemplified in the Lord 's dealing with Paul He was a chosen Vessel from all Eternity Act. 9.15 But then was not this good thing wrought in him by the improvement whereof his Soul might prosper untill he obeyed the Call of Christ For till then he was a Persecutor of the Church of God and that beyond measure But when it pleased God to call him by his grace and to reveal his Son in him then that good thing was wrought in him according as God had purposed as he declares Gal. 1.13 14 15 16 Immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood But as Act. 9.20 he straitway Preached in the Synagogue that Christ was the Son of God for as he tells King Agrippa Act. 26.19 He was not disobedient to the heavenly Vision Now if ye ask what this good thing was which he received in obeying this call in improvement whereof his Soul began presently to prosper I shall give it you in a word It was a Heaven-born principle of Spiritual life 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son hath not life Then as he saith Eph. 2.5 He was quickned who before was dead in sins and trespasses Then his Soul was in a way of thriving As a Tree when there is life in the Root it is capable if well ordered of prospering and bringing forth fruit Thus it is evident that if we look upward we find the first foundation of Soul-prosperity is laid in God's Eternal Electing Love But if we look inward it is then laid when once we are effectually called 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling That is He hath brought us into a state of Salvation which is the only state wherein the Soul prospers And there it shall prosper Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them that are called according to his purpose vers 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified When this Call is first obeyed the Soul begins to prosper for the Understanding begins then to be savingly enlightened 2 Pet. 1.9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see far off In that day of God's power the Soul is made willing Psal 110.3 And then the Conscience begins to be purged from dead works Heb. 9.14 And this good thing thus in this day begun shall one day be made perfect in full and absolute Soul prosperity 1 Thes 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly So prays the Apostle for them and is confident his prayers shall be heard vers 24 Faithful is he that calleth you who will also do it He saith to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 1.8 9. Who shall confirm you to the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ. I might now dismiss this point concerning the first Rise and Foundation of this Soul-prosperity and proceed to shew the growth and progress of it But I must first speak a few words to prevent if possible all mistakes by any thing that hath been said It cannot be denyed but in some that never yet heartily and unfeignedly obeyed the call of Christ what by one means what by another they living under the ministry of the Gospel there may be wrought not only a fair Reformation of the outward Man but likewise some inward work upon the Soul and that in each of the three forementioned excellent Faculties which have an appearance of very great tendency to Soul-prosperity but indeed come very far short of it as to the truth and reality of the matter 1. In the Understanding there may be much light in the things of God We read Matth. 7.22 that not only one or two but Many shall say we have Prophesied in thy Name Some think they lyed in saying so as if none were partakers of such excellent gifts in their unconverted state but the Scripture is clear to the contrary Heb. 6.4 Those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the
fear and prepared an Ark to the saving of his House This is not too low for the best grown Faith to act nor be acted upon God thought it not unmeet for Adam to make use of in Innocency Gen. 2.17 Job found it in himself chap. 31.23 Destruction from God was a terrour unto me and by reason of his Highness I could not endure 4. A thriving growing faith with all thankfulness accepts the Promises and with all heartiness relyes upon God for the performance of mercy promised Resting upon the promise when he hath nothing else to avouch it when there is neither Sense nor Reason to second Faith So Abraham Rom. 4.17 18 c. He believed God who quickeneth the dead and calleth things that are not as if they were Who against hope believed in hope And being not weak in faith he considered not his own Body now dead c. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform 2 Cor. 5.7 We walk by faith and not by sight i. e. By the sensible enjoyment of what God hath promised but by faith believing and waiting for the accomplishment Notwithstanding all the real improbability and seeming impossibilities that are in the way When faith thus grows the Soul prospers exceedingly Now the heart will be kept more sweet and clean then ordinary Act. 15.9 purifying their hearts by faith The World will be Conquered 1 Joh. 5.4 And this is the victory that overcometh the World even your faith And hereby Satan himself is trodden under foot 2. When Repentance grows which is as the Radical moisture then the Soul prospers Now Repentance grows 1. When there is a growth and increase in the necessary adjunct of Repentance in that which is as inseparable from it as heat is from the fire and that is in an hearty grief and godly sorrow for sin This is necessary that the Soul may experimentally know the bitterness of sin and taste as it were the Gall and Wormwood that is in it Jer. 2.19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee and thy backslidings shall reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of hosts And it is inseparable for it cannot be rationally imagined that a Man whose Eyes are opened to see what great provocation there is in the least sin as it is against the most high and most holy God it is impossible that it should be without some pricking of the heart as they felt Act. 2 37. Now when this grows and increaseth so as it reacheth not only Beams but Motes not only Camels but Gnats melting the heart with godly sorrow before God for the least vain word proceeding out of the mouth yea for sinful silence in not speaking when and what we ought to speak and for the least sinful thought in the secret of our Souls when this brings us upon our knees before God and that with the first opportunity after the first discovery of it as it did David 1 Sam. 24.5 And it came to pass that afterward David 's heart smote him When it is thus the Soul is in the high way of prospering For what tenderness what watchfulness what humility what high prizing of Christ are likely to thrive and prosper in such a Soul when it sees how it forfeits all its hopes every day and therefore hath such need of Christ every day that the forfeiture may not be taken 2. The Soul prospereth when there is a growth and increase in the Essential parts of Repentance and they are these two 1. Turning from sin and 2. Turning to God Herein the very Essence and Nature of this grace doth consist To work this was the scope of the Apostles ministry Act. 26.18 And this is that which sorrow for sin if it be godly sorrow indeed doth work 2 Cor. 7.10 For godly sorrow worketh Repentance to salvation 1. For the former of these When the heart is heated with holy indignation against the least sin and against it self for being through its own carelesness surprized by it and defiled with it as Job was chap. 42.6 Wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes And when holy and humble resolutions in the strength of Christ are more hightened to keep himself that the wicked one touch him not 1 Joh. 5.18 so as to leave any of his polluting impressions upon him Psal 17.3 thou hast tryed me and shalt find nothing I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress Psal 39.1 I said I will take heed unto my ways that I sin not with my tongue Hos 14.8 Ephraim shall say What have I any more to do with Idols Isa 30.22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven Images of the ornament of thy molten Images of Gold Thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth thou shalt say unto it Get thee hence 2. For the latter part Turning unto God it is evident that this is an Essential part of Repentance For every sin so far as it prevails turns the heart from God Jam. 1.14 Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed Jer. 32.33 And they have turned to me the back and not the face Now the repenting sinner that prizeth the loving kindness of God as better then life then life with all its fillings up with earthly comforts cannot but set himself to turn unto God as they did Hosea 6.1 Come and let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us Turn unto God and that 1. As the chiefest good out of an unfeigned desire to have his good will to live in his love and to enjoy Communion with him Psal 4.6 7 Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us Thou hast put gladness in my heart more then in the time that their Corn and their Wine increased Psal 73.25 26 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever 2. As our utmost end reckoning upon it that therefore we live that we may exalt him and sanctifie his holy name in our hearts and please him in all our ways still endeavouring that in all things our end may fall in with his Rom. 6.11 Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 14.7 8 For none of us liveth to himself and no Man dyeth to himself For whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we dye we dye unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Thus ye see when Repentance may be said to grow and that in the growth thereof
Soul prospers when growth in gratious principles is universal so much more when gratious principles are kept in exercise The Scripture speaks much of this more then perhaps is taken notice of For all those commands we have up and down in Scripture to love the Lord to fear him to believe in the Lord Jesus do not so much require the first principle as the acting and exercising of that principle As for instance 1 Joh. 3.23 Commands the exercise of Faith and Love We read of the work of Faith 2 Thes 1.11 The work and labour of love Heb. 6.10 The perfect work of patience Jam. 1.5 Of walking in the fear of the Lord Act. 9.31 Of walking in love Eph. 5.2 Of walking by faith 2 Cor. 5.7 Of living by faith Gal. 2.20 All these expressions note the actual exercises of these graces each of them being busied in and taken up with their proper work This is of absolute necessity unto Soul-prosperity Bodily exercise may be so used as that it may be a great means of preserving Bodily health but this is of far greater use for preserving the health of the Soul for something else sometimes at least as to some persons may supply the want of Bodily exercise so as a person may do well enough without it But nothing can supply for the good of the Soul the neglect of the exercise of grace Yea indeed it is all one as to Soul-prosperity for the time when it is not exercised as if there were no grace in the Soul at all We have many sad instances of this that it hath been so when the contrary principles of corruption have choakt as it were oppressed and bound up the gratious principle from stirring and moving to make any opposition to any purpose Isa 64.6 our iniquities like the wind have taken us away This we see in David without any wrong to the memory of Joseph I suppose it may be said that he had more grace then Joseph had yet David not exercising it fell as it is said of Saul 2 Sam. 1.21 among the uncircumcised the Shield of the Mighty wherewith he might have quenched the fiery Darts of Satan was vilely cast away as if he had never been anointed with the anointing of the Spirit of God whereas Joseph stood like a Conquerour in the hour of temptation when it came upon him with so much violence and advantage What was the reason of this but that Joseph at that time had his Loins girt his Lamp burning his grace in exercise as we find Gen. 39.9 But it was not so in that sad hour with David he was slothful and did not stir up himself to resist but gave place to Satan In a word Joseph was awake and David was asleep Nay at another time David was overcome when Saul resisted and overcame a temptation of the same kind Compare 1 Sam. 25.21 22. David resolved to revenge himself when he took himself to be affronted by Nabal with 1 Sam. 10.27 The Children of Belial said of Saul How shall this Man save us And they despised him and brought him no present but Saul held his peace We see by this that the having of much grace avails not to the prosperity of the Soul if it be not exercised It is for that present all one to speak of as if there were none It is very observable to this purpose what we have in three Evangelists concerning Christs reproving of his Disciples when they were so afraid of being drowned Matth. 8.26 Why are ye so fearful O ye of little Faith In Mark it is otherwise related chap. 4.37 How is it that ye have no faith Luke's expression chap. 8.25 is in a different way from both Where is your Faith Yet here is no such difference but what is easily reconciled They had a little faith as it is in Matthew No faith as it is in Mark Luke takes up the difference Where is your Faith Saith he Their little faith was to seek when they had need of it therefore their Souls were as much out of order and their fear as great as if their hearts had been full of unbelief all over It is then clearly thus The Soul prospers so much and so long only as grace is exercised according as the matter requires This we have exemplified in Gaius whose Soul prospered at so high a rate Truth was in him and he walked in the Truth ver 3. of this Epistle In godly sincerity as Paul did 2 Cor. 1.12 He walked with God as Noah did Gen. 6.9 He walked humbly with God as Mich. 6.8 And all that do so shall walk with God in White Rev. 3.4 as doubtless Gaius doth now an expression that holds forth that unconceivable glory wherewith that Soul shall one day be clothed yea and their Bodies too at last when made like unto the glorious Body of Christ When his Face did shine and his Raiment was white as the light Matth. 17.2 3. The Soul prospers when in all these things it prospers daily One day after another and one day as well as another when more and more is daily done and more and more daily received in the forementioned particulars This Paul could say 2 Cor. 4.16 though our outward Man perish yet the inward Man is renewed day by day The Body of Man though it be of as healthy a constitution as any in the World yet it grows but to such an age then it comes to a consistency standing at a stay and after it hath done so a while it begins to decay But as it may be so yet it should be otherwise with a prosperous Soul Phil. 3.12 13 14 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus c. It was now 25 years since Paul's Conversion for this Epistle to the Philippians was written the same year with that to the Ephesians and both of them in that time mentioned Act. 28.30 31 When Paul dwelt two years at Rome in his own hired house and received all that came unto him He had been so long a Man in Christ done and suffered so much for Christ and received so much from Christ yet he is exceeding hungry and thirsty to receive more spiritually he was very poor in his own opinion that so he might do more where he was called Though perfection as he well knew was not attainable in this life yet he aimed at it hoping he might come nearer to it then yet he was I follow after that I may apprehend What Even that perfection which was then wanting This was a prosperous Soul I say no more to this then as our Saviour said in another case to the Lawyer Luke 10.37 Go and do likewise 4. Then the Soul prospereth when in conjunction with all these it is more and more Rooted in Christ So as notwithstanding all our growth in grace and all our exercise of grace
strength of Christ to keep a stricter watch for the future The Soul at least begins to thrive 3. When though we let out our affections to this or that as sometimes we may lawfully do and in duty ought to do about the things of this life and what concerns us in our outward condition yet we can take them off again as the matter requires as when we are to address our selves to God in any act of worship This is hard work Moses was very angry as there was cause Exod. 32.19 c. But it was the morrow after before he prayed for them vers 30.31 But when we can do with our affections as Abraham did with his Servants Gen. 22. Leave them at the foot of the hill when we go to be with God in the Mount The more and oftener this is done the more and better the Soul prospers I shall conclude all that I have to say in this matter with this which every one of you that have any spiritual experience what it is to converse with God will acknowledge That the Soul prospers according to its Communion with God and Communion with God on our part is both preserved maintained and enjoyed by the well governing and exercising of sanctified affections of Love Fear Joy and Sorrow Trust and Desire These are the motions of the Will and the out-goings of the Heart As 1 Thes 2.8 Being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but our own Soul because ye were dear unto us They are said also to be the Feet of the Soul Eccles 5.1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God i.e. See that thy heart be fixed and thy affections composed By these the Soul draws nigh to God in Christ closeth with him and abides in him from day to day And the more it doth so the more it prospers for God draws nigh to such Jam. 4.8 Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you And he never comes empty handed If the Father go out to meet the repenting returning Prodigal the poor young Man finds the affection of a Father Therefore what S. James speaks of bridling the tongue is true also of governing the affections He is a perfect Man he can bridle the whole Body And after this perfection we should strive as ever we desire that our Souls should prosper Thus much of the second Particular 3. The Soul prospers when the principles of spiritual life are so kept in exercise that in times of doubtful expectation we can cast upon all events with an humble resignation of all into the hands of God being willing to submit to his determination whatever it be And when the matter is out of doubt so as the evil which we feared and perhaps worse is actually upon us and a sentence of death and desolation is passed upon all Creature comforts we can then find rest and satisfaction in the exercise of faith on the promises of God Here two things are to be considered A little to each of them 1. When in times of doubtful expectation such as besides what any one of us may be in with respect to his own particular condition we are all of us in upon a publick account we can cast upon all events with an humble resignation of all into the hands of God and with a willing mind submit to his determination Thus it was with David 2 Sam. 15. If ye read the Chapter and consider the story ye will acknowledge it was a time of great sadness he could not but be full of fear of what might befall him God was now reckoning with him for his sin so he had reason to think His own Son and a great Body of his people were up in Arms against him He was at great uncertainties what God would do with him He fore cast what might be this way and that way and not being able to foresee the event he refers all to God's disposing leaving all his troubled thoughts fears and doubts with him vers 25 26. If not so then thus If so then so He is in either way at a point Here I am let him do saith he what he pleaseth This was a Heaven-born frame of Spirit to be able to perish and to be undone in his outward condition if God would have it so Such a Man may be beggared and butchered sooner then hurt Surely David's Soul now prospered for never was his Kingdom more shaken yet never was his heart more fixed It was not so with David at all times 1 Sam. 27.1 And David said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul Psal 73.2 But as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt vers 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocence He was upon the point of repenting that ever he had repented This is not to be marvelled at though it be to be lamented as if the Lord will I may shew in the Application of the point That it is a rare sight and seldom or never seen that any Man's Soul prosperity is always alike Thus much of the first Particular 2. When the matter is out of doubt and as bad or worse then what we feared is come upon us yet that Soul is in a prosperous frame that can even then in that dark and sad hour find sufficient satisfaction in the exercise of faith in the promises of God as Hab. 2.4 but the just shall live by his faith Then even then when the spirits of other Men in the like case with him fail and sink and even dye within them he is upheld in comfort When his faith is unto him like the Cork that is upon the Net though the Lead on the one side sink it down yet the Cork on the other side keeps it up When the eye of faith looks upward and sees the hand of the only-wise God in all that befalls him who makes every thing beautiful in his time a righteous God and can do no wrong a good God and will do no harm when faith believes all this that it is but to humble him and try him and to do him good in the latter end As Deut. 8.16 And sees love and faithfulness in all and hopes to find what David found and thankfully acknowledged Psal 119.75 I know that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me That in all the trouble that came upon him God was therein faithful to the interest of his Soul a thing which without much difficulty may be obtained of reason to bear up under all whilst we are perswaded that all is done in love and faithfulness for our good As for instance though it troubles a Man to be in a Town and forced to stay there when it is besieged by a potent Enemy yet the same Man can be content when need requires that his Physician should confine him
concerning Soul-prosperity are such things as are wrought in and laid up in the hidden Man of the heart yet these things are in the Soul as the Candle in the Lanthorn to shine forth in a holy and blameless conversation and in the constant performance of the visible part of Religion and that in conjunction with others as opportunity is offered For though frequency therein doth not infallibly prove that the Soul doth prosper yet in the neglect thereof the Soul never did nor will prosper We read Joh. 20.24 25. What a very bad frame did grow upon the Soul of Thomas by the neglect of one good meeting Whether it was out of too much fear of what mischief might befall him from the Council that condemned his Lord and Master or from too much care to settle his own private concernments it is hard to determine but certain it is that his Soul was thereby brought into a sad condition Therefore as we desire our Souls should prosper we should attend daily at the gates of Wisdom Prov. 8.34 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own Soul Prov. 15.32 It is no easie matter for a Man to prosper in the World Prov. 10.4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand So it is here therefore as Deut. 4.9 Keep thy Soul diligently lest thou forget SERMON V. I Now proceed to the third and last Particular The reasons for the confirming of the truth of the Proposition 1. The first is this Soul prosperity is so far all in all both to the prosperity of every Man 's outward condition in general and of the health and wellfare of the Body in particular that it is absolutely impossible that either the one or the other should truly and really prosper but in conjunction with Soul-prosperity There are two branches in this reason and if both of them be made good then the proposition is so far made good That of all prosperity Soul-prosperity is the most desirable prosperity And it is easie to make them both good by Scripture 1. That there is no true and real prosperity to any Man 's outward condition without Soul-prosperity This is true yet it must be granted that very many whose Souls are poor and blind and naked that lye dead yea rotting in the lusts of ungodliness do divide the good things of this World among them Their portion is made fat Psal 73.12 Insomuch that the Prophet Jeremy was astonished at it Jer. 12.1 Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously But this is far from true prosperity for all this while as their Persons so their Prosperity is under the curse of God Mal. 2.2 I will even send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessings That which was threat'ned of old Deut. 28.17 lyes sore and heavy upon such to this day though they neither see it nor fear it nor feel it Cursed is their Basket and cursed is their Store This will be demonstrated more fully under another head after I have made this good That outward prosperity truly so called and as it is a blessing depends wholly upon Soul-prosperity And that it doth so is evident by this That as all those so only those whose Souls do prosper are within the compass of the Promise of prospering in their outward condition The two first verses of the first Psalm give a fair character of a prospering Soul and the third verse gives the Promise That whatsoever such a Soul doth according to the rule of the Law wherein it delighteth shall prosper so far as is consistent with Soul-prosperity Beyond that the Promise cannot reach it neither doth any truly prosperous Soul desire it Here note two things 1. That this was most eminently made good in the Old Testament Where under that dark Dispensation of Spiritual Truths and Blessings the promises ran most upon externals The only-wise God saw it best of all so to encourage his then Infant Church as I may call it to their duty We read in Deut. 28. that after God had engaged himself upon serious minding their Soul prosperity in this and that and other particulars In vers 8. he engageth for all whatever in that kind could be desired assuring them that he would command a blessing upon them in all their Store-houses and in all that they should put their hand unto and accordingly this was made good Whilst Solomon kept the charge of the Lord all things went well with him 2 Chron. 7.11 It is said whatever he took in hand he prosperously effected Thus God always dealt with that Nation while Religion flourished and Soul-work prospered then all things prospered Hag. 2.19 God calls upon them there to observe that their outward prosperity should bear date from that day forward that they began to mind the good of their Souls In the Second of Jeremy God challengeth them to produce one instance at any time to the contrary but it was more then they could do There in vers 31. of that Chapter thus the Lord speaks unto them O generation have I been a barren wilderness unto you O generation Of what Nay that is not expressed but a void space is left that any thing might be written of them that was naught O generation of Vipers of Monsters that might have prospered and would not Well then thus far it is clear that Soul-prosperity had the promises of outward prosperity and under that Dispensation eminently made good 2. As it was eminently so then it is really so now even at this day All they whose Souls do prosper as they are Heirs of all those ancient promises so they have promises superadded of a later date 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Matth. 6.32 33 Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you And sometimes as Prov. 28.10 the upright shall have good things in possession A full share of outward blessings is given unto them suitable to persons of their condition beyond what once they could have expected or it may be did desire so that they have just cause thankfully to acknowledge as David did that their Cup runs over 3. When the only wise God sees it good either to preserve their Souls in or to bring them into a more prosperous frame then they are to exercise them with some straights and to keep them short yet even then they may say that which David saith Psal 23.6 even then when their Cup is low That the loving kindness of God follows them so far that what they have not they want not having learned to want being satisfied with that which they have of their own within Prov. 14.14 A good Man shall be satisfied from himself Experiencing the workings of the heart of God toward them
in his Fatherly care for them remembring them in their low estate and the workings of their own hearts toward God in that through grace they are enabled to reckon upon it That God's allowance is best for them and that by faith they can live upon him for their livelihood when they have little in sight to live upon So that they can subscribe to what the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.6 as a true saying and worthy of all acceptation That godliness with contentment is great gain They have the clear gain of a quiet and well-composed spirit so that their Souls dwell at ease as Psal 25.13 And is not this real prosperity Verily it is so Are not these prosperous persons Surely they are so Thus we see the first branch of the first reason is confirmed That the prosperity of Mens outward condition in the general depends upon Soul-prosperity 2. The other branch will be as clearly made good That the health and well-fare of the Body stands upon the same bottom No Man therein ever did or ever shall truly and really prosper but in conjunction with Soul-prosperity This may seem at the first mentioning as great a Paradox as the former But it is a just and measured truth and cannot but be acknowledged to be so if we consider the state of the Body either in reference to this World or the World to come 1. In reference to this World Though it be true that many whose Souls are death-struck sinfully sick unto death the second death eternal death in respect of their bodily health live to a great old age in great health scarce knowing for a long while together what a days sickness means As Job observed in his time Job 21.23 One dyeth in his full strength being wholly at ease and quiet yet Bodily health as a blessing is certaninly annexed to Soul-prosperity Prov. 3.7 8 fear the Lord and depart from evil The Soul prospers that doth so and while it doth so And what then It shall be health to thy Navel and marrow to thy Bones Now according to the store of marrow which moistens and feeds the Bones so is the strength of the Body And then it shall be health to thy Navel This is expressed because as Physicians say Bodily health in a natural way depends chiefly on the vital parts and entrails which are comprehended under the Navel because there they are knitt up and fastened The meaning then is this Fear the Lord and depart from evil and thy Body shall be strong and healthy This shall be health to all thy flesh as Prov. 4.22 For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh Thus it is and will be till sickness and weakness be better for the well fare of the Soul as it was to Gaius in the Text whose Soul prospered the better under his Bodily weakness And when sickness and weakness grow upon us the gracious workings of a healthy and prosperous Soul are in some sense the best Physick and the most cherishing Cordials to a weak and languishing Body When the Soul can say as Psal 73.26 My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Isa 38.2 3 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed unto the Lord and said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked in truth before thee and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight It is observable what ye may read in the Book of Martyrs concerning Mr. Saunders that whilst he was in examination before the Bishop of London he felt a most ravishing sweetness from every part of his Body come together to the place and seat of his heart and from thence it did ebb and flow to and fro to every part of his body to his marvellous consolation This he told to one of his friends Thus far this branch of the reason is made good That the health and wellfare of the Body as it is a blessing may be expected and cannot otherwise be expected then in conjunction with Soul-prosperity Whatever Men think of it this is true That though Nature be an enemy to Grace yet Grace especially thriving and prospering is a friend the best friend to Nature 2. In reference to the World to come the well-being of the Body to all Eternity depends absolutely upon the well-being of the Soul That fares as the Soul fares If the Soul perish and be undone the Body is undone and perisheth too We read Luk. 16.24 25. that when the Soul of the rich Man was in Hell not the least refreshment could be had for his Body not a drop of water to cool his Tongue Therefore as Job 27.8 He hath no hope of all that he hath gained when God taketh away his Soul But if the Soul prospers while it is in the Body as it doth when it doth lay up its treasure in Heaven and hath its conversation in Heaven then the Body when it is laid in the Grave as it is still a Member of Christ death doth not dissolve that union It sleeps in Jesus 1 Thes 4.14 And by virtue of that union it shall be raised up and made like the glorious Body of Christ Thus ye have the first reason made good in both the branches of it that Soul-prosperity is so far all in all c. 2. Of all prosperities Soul-prosperity is the most desirable prosperity because it is made up of the most desirable materials Those goods whereof it consisteth are the best things the most desirable blessings It 's true the materials whereof Worldly prosperity consists are good things too We read Luk. 16. that the rich Man's purple Garments and fine Linnen which were his every-days-wearing and his sumptuous fare wherewith his Table was furnished every day and his great estate which maintained all this were good things in themselves and might have been good to him if he had used them well So they are said to be vers 25. But what are these things to the principles of Spiritual life thriving and increasing in the Soul Verily great heaps of Gold and Silver are but great heaps of Dust and Dirt to the least grain of grace The price of it is far above rubies Job 28.18 The Apostle speaking of one particular grace the grace of Faith one of these choise materials which make up soul prosperity saith That the Trial of it when it is exercised is much more pretious then Gold 1 Pet. 1.7 No marvel then if Solomon who knew the worth of every thing as much as ever any Man did saith of it That the Merchandize thereof is better then Silver and the gain thereof then fine Gold But of the excellency of the materials of Soul-prosperity I need say no more then what hath been said in the explication of the point only I shall shew you a little of that exceeding much which the Scripture speaks of the materials of Worldly prosperity
by way of undervaluing them to abate the esteem of them and if possible to beat down their price In Eccles 1.1 ye find Solomon the King to be Solomon the Preacher and as he had a large heart so he took a large Text to Preach upon no less then the whole World with all its honours profits and pleasures which raise up Worldly prosperity to the highest Pinacle that is imaginable And which is exceeding observable after he had throughly studied his Text and taken as exact a survey of it as unwearied diligence in searching joyned with incomparable wisdom could attain unto he could with all his skill raise but this one Doctrine That all is vanity vanity of vanities extreme vanity all over This was all he could make of all the fine things that the World in its best dress so far as he could see did afford And as he saith by way of question Eccles 2.12 What can that Man do that cometh after the King after such a King If any Man will try whether he may have better success then Solomon had I shall tell him what he shall find This he shall find and let him make his best of it 1. That whatever reality he thinks that he finds he will after a while find to be slight and superficial That they only please the carnal and sensual part This was all their predecessor found Luk. 12.19 I will say to my Soul Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years eat drink and be merry Neither will they do this always but a little disappointment the pride and passion of his own heart mingling with it doth for the time while the fit lasteth embitter all as Esth 5.13 Yet all this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordechai the Jew sitting in the King's gate 2. That even in this whatever he finds affords no lasting satisfaction Eccles 1.8 All things are full of labour Man cannot utter it The eye is not satisfied with seeing The eye may be satisfied and wearied with the Act of seeing but the lust of the eye is not satisfied The eye sees this and that more then once he thought he should ever have seen which he could have called his own but yet still the eye would see more And it cannot be otherwise for all that can be seen is too little for a Man's heart They may be a belly full Psal 17.14 but they cannot be a heart full There is no proportion between the heart and them and therefore there can be no satisfaction Besides They cannot satisfie because they are always found to be less in the Enjoyment then in the expectation Gehazi found them so 2 King 5.26 He thought of purchasing a great Farm and of stocking it himself but he found an evil disease cleaving to himself and to his posterity and that for more years then his Farm should be either in his or in their possession And yet farther he will find that they cannot satisfie because as they increase so the heart is more and more let out unto them And impossible it is for that desire ever to be satisfied which grows by the increase of the thing desired And yet more say an earthly narrow Soul may say he is satisfied yet Men may choose whether they will believe him or no. However this he will find that though what he hath may raise his esteem in the World yet no real worth is added unto him thereby It is well if they do not make him worse The valuation of Gold is raised sometimes from twenty to twenty four or twenty five shillings yet the piece is the same still Dan. 11.21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person Prov. 10.20 The heart of the wicked is little worth What therefore if the Man St. James speaks of comes in with a Gold-ring if that be his best wherein is he to be esteemed Many things more might be said to this purpose but this is enough to shew that in respect even of the choicest materials thereof Worldly prosperity is no way desirable in comparison of Soul-prosperity If that be all a Man hath to rejoice in he rejoiceth in a thing of nought Amos 6.13 It may be said of all such as Psal 39.6 They walk in a vain shew and surely disquiet themselves in vain heaping up riches which are accounted the chiefest materials of Worldly prosperity when he knows not who shall gather them a wise man or a fool For any Man then to prejudice his Soul-prosperity in the pursuit of these things contracts that guilt charged upon them Jon. 2.8 They follow lying vanities and forsake their own mercies 3. A third reason is this Of all prosperity Soul-prosperity is the most desirable prosperity because the effects and consequents thereof are the best and most desirable effects far beyond the effects of Worldly prosperity separated from Soul-prosperity For then they are both sad sinful It is seen to be so in respect of the effects thereof in this World and it would be found to be so for the future in the World to come 1. In this World Thereby the wickedness that is in the heart appears half whereof would not have been lomanifest if they had not prospered so much in the World It proves but fuel for their lusts drawing out multiplied acts of sin which is charged upon them Jam. 2.7 Do not they rich Men blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called Riches beget pride Luk. 16.19 There was a certain rich Man which was clothed in Purple and fine Linnen and fared sumptuously every day Pride begets casting off trust in God 1 Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in this World that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God Carnal boasting with contempt of others Jer. 9.23 Let not the rich Man glory in his riches Carnal confidence Psal 62.10 If riches increase set not your heart upon them Oppression Jam. 2.6 Do not rich Men oppress you These are some of those evil fruits which a prosperous state produceth when Mens lusts are not subdued and mortifyed by Soul-prosperity Men being charged to take heed of them that shews their proneness to them So that if the Angels were called to give such an account as they were Zech. 1.10 11. doubtless they would give this account that they never observed more notorious neglect of what is of everlasting concernment never more savouring the things of the flesh never more prodigious Riot in some never more fordid Earthliness in others the Earth they tread upon getting so into their hearts that they are more Earthy then the Earth it self Such an account of these and such like abominations the Angels would give that they never saw more of these impieties then among those that prosper in the World whose Worldly prosperity is separated from Soul-prosperity This is their way as is said Psal 49.13 and this is their folly These are the effects of it that are seen
unto you 1. Wherein the prosperity of the Soul consisteth and when it may be said to prosper I told you then that the prosperity thereof is to be considered both in its first rise and foundation Or in its growth and progress As to the first rise of it it was proved that if we look upwards we shall find it begin in God's Eternal Electing love which is without beginning But if we look inwardly so as to discern it in our selves The first foundation of it is laid in that day and hour though the very day and hour hath I think not been discerned by many though perhaps by some But however discerned or not discerned in that day and hour it begins when by the word of Christ and by the Spirit of Christ the whole Man both Soul and Body is brought into a state of Union with Christ For then the Soul receives the first Seeds of Heaven-born principles of Spiritual life and then begins to be in a capacity of prospering 2. As the first foundation is laid in these principles So the growth and progress thereof consists in their increase As they increase so the prosperity of the Soul increaseth So that if ye give up your selves to be guided by right reason your work for the substance of it is first to see that your Souls are Spiritually alive And secondly that they thrive and prosper in that wherein they live In reference to the former of them I have two things to say 1. To all and every one of you that you would set some time apart seriously to debate the matter between God and your selves alone and none else with you whether ever ye felt the day of God's power upon your spirits to prevail so far upon you As 1. To cast you down from the good opinion which ye had of your selves by a thorough conviction of the woful mistake wherein ye were about the state of your Souls That ye thought them alive when they were as now ye see dead in sin pleasing your selves with the Religion of your Education as Paul did before his Converson That ye thought ye had good hearts toward God whereas now ye see that as Psal 5.9 your inward parts were very wickedness That whereas ye thought not of any danger ye were in of the wrath to come now ye see ye are condemned by a holy and righteous Law And that what by reason of your Actual sins and what by reason of your Original sin ye utterly despair of Salvation in that state wherein ye pleased your selves and see clearly that outward Reformation will not serve your turn but ye must be inwardly changed into the Image of God and be born again by the Spirit of God else ye can never enter into the Kingdom of Heaven This is such a casting down as Paul experienced when he said Sin revived and I died Rom. 7.9 2. Whether besides this casting down ye have also experienced the day of God's power so far to prevail upon you as to raise up your hearts to a willing and hearty acceptance of Christ to all intents and purposes in order to Salvation To kill and destroy that enmity which you find in your hearts against the ways of God so as to bring you into a state of Reconciliation with God and to all the means of conformity to him and Communion with him to impute unto you the merits of Christ's death for a full and free discharge from the guilt of all your sins and to impute unto you his Righteousness that ye may be accepted as righteous unto Eternal life To mortifie all your corruptions to quicken your dead hearts with the principles of Spiritual life those principles of true holiness without which ye know ye shall never see God with a sincere resolution in his strength to wait upon him and keep his way That he would do all this for you and work all this in you and that ye are humbled for defects in living no more upon him that he might be all this unto you Verily so far as any person can really assert this that thus he hath been cast down and thus he hath been and is raised up though he may sometimes be in the dark as to the safety of his estate for Eternity he hath good Scripture ground thò he may not see it to believe that he is called into fellowship with Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 And that his Soul begins to live and is in a capacity of prospering For when the Soul it may be after a long shutting up under unbelief thus opens to Christ then Christ comes into the Soul as Rev. 3.20 And when he comes he brings the principles of Spiritual life with him 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath the Son hath Life This is the first Particular A word to all 2. I have a word to some to those I mean that know nothing as yet what either this casting down or lifting up means And it is a word of advice That as ever they desire their Souls should live and be in a capacity of prospering that they would break off from all their dead works and resolve for this end that they may be thus cast down and lifted up To be swift to hear as Jam. 1.19 And to attend unto the words of this life so as it is said to be Joh. 5.20 The word whereby dead Souls are quickened Joh. 5.25 the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live And that in order hereunto ye would take the right way of working what ye hear upon your hearts thus or to this purpose reason the case with your selves 1. Soul-prosperity I am now convinced is the most desirable prosperity And if my Soul prosper not all the sooner possibly it may never prosper for this night it may be taken from me And if it do not prosper nothing will prosper with me so as to turn to good whilst I live and when I am dead I shall be one of the most woful and miserable Creatures to all Eternity that ever God made next to the Devils 2. If my Soul be as I have reason to be asraid it is still in its unregenerate state then it is spiritually dead in sin and while it continues so it is in no more capacity of prospering then a dead Tree while it continues dead is in a capacity of bringing forth ripe fruit This I now clearly see though I did not so much as think on it before 3. If I do not so receive Jesus Christ as that Jesus Christ may receive me into a state of Union with himself my Soul can never live for so I hear from 1 Joh. 5.12 He that hath not the Son hath not life 4. If I would so receive Jesus Christ as that he may receive me into Union with himself and I receive life from him I must so receive the word as to be so cast down and so lifted up as I have heard Therefore by his help
he apprehend himself at present to be Spiritually dead that his Soul shall never live So there is no sufficient reason for any Man to doubt who is really though weakly alive to God but that waiting upon God and keeping his way his Spiritual life may grow to be lively and his Soul may prosper as much as ever the Soul of Gaius did Therefore let us up and be doing and the Lord will be with us Phil. 2.12 13 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure This is that which slackens many Mens endeavours that because they think they shall never attain to such an height of Soul-prosperity as others have attained unto therefore they stir not up themselves to reach after any prosperity at all as is charged on them Isa 64.7 There is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee As some poor Men because they think they shall never get beforehand as many of their Neighbours do whatever others get they shall never be worth a Groat and therefore mind no more then to live from hand to mouth But we have not so learned Christ This is all that I shall say by way of argument to perswade I now proceed to speak of the former of those two Particulars mentioned but now That those that are spiritually alive ought to see to it that their Spiritual life be lively and prosper because therein the prosperity of their Souls consisteth The great matter to be enquired into is to shew what is to be done in order to the carrying on of this holy and blessed design In speaking unto it Let this be considered That there is a Rule for and a Regiment of Health for the Soul as there is for the Body And what in a natural way may be prescribed and ought to be made use of for the wel-fare of the one may be prescribed and ought to be made use of in a Spiritual way for the well-fare of the other Of this kind there are five several things which I shall speak to in order 1. In reference to Bodily health upon good advisement the seasonable use of Physick is necessary This is an Ordinance of God and ought to be used in faith and obedience to God Sometimes for preventing of Diseases which otherwise might prejudice our health and sometimes for curing and removing of them which otherwise may endanger our life Answerably to this we find in the Scripture which is the Magazine and Store-house for all Spiritual Receipts Physick prescribed for the Soul by Jesus Christ himself the great Physician of Souls without the due and seasonable use whereof it is impossible the Soul should prosper Before I tell you what it is it is fit to premise these three things 1. That the Soul of every Man Spiritually alive to God is as subject to Spiritual Diseases as the Body of any living Man is to Bodily Diseases And it is sin alone and nothing else but sin which is the sickness of the Soul and which if it be not cured will be the death and destruction of the Soul It is the resemblance by which it is frequently set forth in the Scripture and that most fitly as all Scripture resemblances are For as sickness hinders the operation of Nature wasting and consuming by degrees both the Natural heat and Radical moisture often changing and altering a Man's countenance as Job 2.12 And when they lift up their eyes afar of and knew him not Often causing much pain so as the sick Man grows worse and unless happily recovered by the blessing of God upon the use of Means untill death seize upon him So that sickness upon this account is truly said to be contrary to Nature an Enemy to Nature Even such a thing is sin to the Soul It is contrary to the well-fare and prosperity of it It Wars against it 1 Pet. 2.11 It hinders the gracious actings of it Rom. 7.21 I find a Law then that when I would do good evil is present with me It puts even living and good Souls under such a disguise that they neither speak nor do like themselves As Job's Wife though it is believed that she was a good Woman yet she spake as her Husband told her as one of the foolish Women Job 2.10 So 1 Cor. 3.3 Their unmortified lusts put them under such a disguise that they walked as Men as those that were still dead in sin and never had received any principle of Spiritual life And farther As sickness causeth pain so guilt following of sin often causeth intolerable pain in the anguish and chargings of Conscience In a word sin being indulged consumes and wastes what is of God in the Soul so as it is said of the worst of Men 2 Tim. 3.13 it grows worse and worse and if not happily prevented it ends at last in Eternal death Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the flesh ye shall dye 2. As in all these respects sin is such a thing to the Soul as sickness is to the Body So that we may be the more affected and take the more notice of it It is fitly expressed by the same name As Pride is fitly compared to a Tympany Earthly-mindedness to a Dropsie Carnal security to a Lethargy Unruly passions to a Frenzy Apostacy and Back sliding from the ways of God to the Falling-sickness Envy to a Consumption An unquiet discontented Spirit to the grief of the Bowels Sore Diseases all of these are And besides all these Original sin is as a Leprosie over-spreading the whole Soul This evil Disease which is indeed all Diseases in one cleaves unto all Adam's posterity as Gehazi's Leprosie did to all his Seed for his Son if he had any and his Son's Son and so from generation to generation were all Lepers 2 Kings 5.27 3. Though this be generally acknowledged That sin is the sickness of the Soul therefore the Soul prospers only so far as it is well rid of it yet this would be farther observed That though sin have such evil effects upon the Soul as Diseases have upon the Body and that the names of Bodily Diseases do so fitly resemble the Diseases of the Soul yet the difference is great as to that which is required to dispose the sick in Soul and the sick in Body toward a recovery In the Diseases of the Body it matters not much it may perhaps something but much it doth not whether the sick Man know the name or nature of his Disease so he have a faithful and skillful Physician Nor whether he know the virtue of what is prescribed him or the composition of it Or whether he be able to judge of the increase or declining of his Disease by the beating of his Pulse Though perhaps some insight into these things might afford to some persons at least some satisfaction yet they are left specially to the care and wisdom
of the Physician who often conceals the danger lest the sick Man's fears and phansie might do him more hurt then his Physick doth him good But it is otherwise in Soul-sickness a clear insight into the Disease is of great use that every one should understand according to that expression 1 Kings 8.38 the plague of his own heart and what strength it hath got over him how long it hath been growing upon him and by what means and occasions he fell into it These are good steps toward spiritual health This is required in order to cure Jer. 3.13 Know and acknowledge thine iniquity And then distinctly to understand the way of cure and to follow those directions which Jesus Christ the great Physician of our Souls prescribes is a far greater and better step Having premised these things I shall now lay before you what is prescribed by him 1. When the Body is full of corrupt humours there is need of Purging Physick Even such need hath the Soul when it is over-grown and oppressed with corrupt lusts which are the noisome steams of Original corruption It was well with them of whom it is said 1 Pet. 1.22 that they had purified their Souls This is commanded Jam. 4.8 Cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit This is absolutely necessary for as sin is to the Soul as sickness is to the Body so the purging out of these corrupt lusts is to the Soul what this purging Physick is to the Disease Joh. 15.2 Every branch in me saith Christ I will purge that it may bring forth more fruit In Mal. 3.3 it is prophesied That God will sit as a Refiner and as a Purifier of Silver and purifie the Sons of Levi that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in Righteousness Now this purging and emptying the heart of the evil treasure that is in it is all one with mortification and wherever and in whom soever this is neglected that necessary and commendable practice of abounding in the External duties of Religion avails nothing to Soul-prosperity Ye see this exemplified in the Pharisees Matth. 6. Nay though the Soul be alive to Christ yet if this be neglected the Soul prospers not This is evident in those Church members in Corinth Paul supposed them to be in Christ Yet their unmortified lusts clearly proved it against them that they did not thrive their Souls did not prosper They were but Babes in Christ They were in a comparative sense in respect to what they ought to have been and might have been but very Carnal still 1 Cor. 3.2 3. This then ought to be taken notice of that besides the real foundation of universal mortification that is laid in at first in the Soul's Conversion to Christ wherein the absolute and un-interrupted Reign of Original sin is broken yet the continual exercise of mortification is to be minded and taken up otherwise it is not like to go well with the Soul For it is in this case as it was with the Monarchies Dan. 4.12 Though their Dominion was taken away yet their lives were continued for a season So it is here for Original sin is like Leaven which being mingled with the Dough the Bread will always more or less taste of it So that the most mortified Christian hath still more mortifying work on his hands which he must dispatch Those that are in Christ Rom. 8.1 and savour the things of the Spirit vers 5. Yet are pressed to a further progress in this duty vers 13 but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live This in general 2. When by communing with our own hearts and observing the out-goings of our own Spirits we clearly see that we are among the transgressors not among the righteous I mean among the sick and not among the sound then speedily and seriously to set our selves to the use of such purging and mortifying means as Christ hath prescribed in his word And here I desire you to note that the means appointed in this case to be used come under a double consideration 1. Some there are which we may not desire nor adventure upon but as the Providence of God according to the condition we are in calls us to make use of 2. There are other means which whatever our condition be we ought immediately and daily to apply our selves to make use of as the matter requires and upon special occasions in a manner more then ordinary For the former of these they are of two sorts 1. The Evil of Affliction And 2. The Evil of Sin 1. The Evil of Affliction of what kind soever it be or for what cause soever it comes to be our portion whether upon our own Personal account or upon the Common account of Religion These are the means that God makes use of Dan. 11.35 And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them and to purge and to make them white Isa 27.9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away their sin And they are fit means for they have a great tendency to awaken the Conscience as Gen. 42.21 And they said one to another we are verily guilty concerning our Brother To break the unruliness of our Spirits and to make us willing to hearken to what God speaks unto us in his word Hos 5.15 I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offence and seek my face in their affliction they will seek me early And therefore when God is pleased to exercise us this way we ought to improve them for this end And it is a great aggravation of sin and a great evidence of an heart greatly unmortified not to do it Isa 57.17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart Therefore Hear the Rod and who hath appointed it Mic. 6.9 Yet for all this we may not desire to come under the lash of any of God's Rods when we are free in hope that we may thus improve them For who knows afore-hand but that when he hath his desire and is under the Rod that it will not either be with him as it was with Ahaz 2 Chron. 28.22 And in the time of his sickness he did trespass yet more against the Lord. This is that King Ahaz Or otherwise with him that it was with Nabal whose heart was as unsensible in him as a stone during the time of his sickness 1 Sam. 25. This we are sure of that there needs an Almighty power to work with them to make them have any effectual influence to purge out so much as one of those lusts which hinder the well-fare and prosperity of the Soul And what ground we have to hope that God will put forth any such
as ever we desire that our Souls should prosper and thrive as a watered Garden according to that promise Jer. 31.12 See that these waters have a free passage Let faith be exercised upon those truths which hold forth the freeness and riches of the grace of Christ For those are the truths the Prophet saw in his Vision represented by those waters And let this be in conjunction with the exercise of Repentance This is the way by the Spirit of grace working with these truths whereby Souls are healed and purged 1 Pet. 1.22 Seeing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit These were the truths by obedience whereunto their Souls were purified This is the way whereby the Lord first begins to heal and purge the Soul For this I shall give you but one place of Scripture but it is a place to be taken notice of It is 2 Corinth 5.19 Wherein note three things 1. God intending according to his Eternal purpose to heal some sick quicken some dead save some lost Souls declares his purpose to do it by way of Reconciling them to himself This he will do before they shall be possessed of that Salvation he hath chosen them unto His method is first to purge their Souls mortifying that enmity that is in their hearts both against his ways and their own good and so to reduce them to terms of Reconciliation with himself and make them willing to be Reconciled unto him 2. How God will do this God was in Christ The Divine Nature assumed the Human Nature and so in and through Christ God-Man in one Person offers terms of Love and Peace to them as the most effectual way to prevail upon them and to bring their Souls about to him 3. But in what peculiar way will he more transcendently manifest this grace and mercy The Text tells us he will do it in not imputing their iniquities proposing and promising a full and everlasting pardon of all sin never to be called in if his terms be accepted of And the sinner being made willing to be Reconciled unto God Thus he subdues the heart conquering it by Love And thus the work of purging and cleansing the Soul is begun Luk. 7.47 Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much And as thus it is begun so upon a failure it is renewed and continued When a Soul that is Diseased and polluted is awakened to apply himself to Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness in the exercise of Faith and Repentance making way that the waters of the Sanctuary the Spirit of grace and the Gospel of grace may not be stopt in their course but have a free passage into the Soul the hope of Reconciliation with God is raised greatly and that stirs up the Soul to purifie himself 1 Joh. 3.3 Every one that hath this hope purifieth himself Observe that He purifies himself This is necessary For as Physick is most effectual to purge out corrupt humours when Nature works with it for it is to no purpose to give it to a dead Man and when Nature is quite spent in a sick Person it comes too late So it is here The Soul that thus applies it self to Christ will find his blood to be a healing purging sin-mortifying blood But in applying our selves thereunto our own thoughts and affections our own endeavours and resolutions against all occasions of sin against the first risings of sin and we must apply our selves to what mortifying means we find prescribed and have been found to be of use to others All these we must set on work and then the Spirit of God will work with us Rom. 8.13 if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live And doing thus we may be said To purge our selves as 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Tim. 1.21 If we do thus We shall be Vessels of honour fit for the Master's use That is our Souls shall prosper This is the first thing that I have to commend unto you as ye mind the well-fare and prosperity of your Souls to mind this There is another kind of Physick to be made use of as the matter requires and that is Cordials for the healing of a fainting Soul This may be spoken unto hereafter when I have first spoken unto what is most times to be made use of betwixt this of Purging and that of Cordials SERMON VIII 2. THe next thing that I shall take notice of as necessary for the health and well-fare of the Body which as the Lord shall enable me I shall apply to the point in hand is the observing of a good Diet with respect to the choice of meats such as by experience have been found best agreeable to the Nature and Constitution of the Body and in proportion suitable to the natural heat of our stomachs for Concoction and Digestion This is a great means of health especially for such as are naturally weak and infirm For usually as is our Food so is our Blood as is our Blood so are our Spirits and as are our Spirits so are our Bodies for health or sickness for strength or weakness Now as I told you what in a natural way is for the health and well-fare of the Body is in a spiritual way applicable to the health and well-fare of the Soul I shewed you that it was so in that which I spake last unto I am now to shew it is so in this In order hereunto we must take notice that as God hath provided and that with great variety Food and nourishment for the preservation of the Natural life of our Bodies So he hath for the preservation of the Spiritual life of our Soul and that suitable to the degree that our Souls have attained unto Heb 5.13 14 Milk for Babes Meat for strong Men. Food that endures to Eternal life Joh. 6.27 Such Food as is a Feast whereupon the Soul may feed and fare deliciously every day Isa 25.6 a Feast of fat things a Feast of Wine on the Lees c. This is a matter we are much concerned in That we know both our Priviledge and our Duty herein something must be said to each of these four Particulars 1. What that Food is which God hath provided for the health and prosperity of our Souls 2. What those Means are whereby that Food is conveyed unto us 3. Something by way of argument to quicken our Spiritual Appetite after it 4. Something by way of Direction how to feed upon it so as to receive that nourishment from it which our Souls stand in need of 1. For the first of these That Food which God hath provided for us is Jesus Christ himself but Jesus Christ especially as Crucified 1. This Food is Jesus Christ himself For the proof of this consider that Jesus Christ is said to be The tree of life Revel 2.7 And the Hidden Manna vers 17. Both which were Types of Christ 1. He is said to be The tree of life in
impression upon his Spirit That though Christ suffered only in his Human Nature and though therefore all his sufferings were but finite yet because the Human Nature was United in one Person to the Divine Nature hence what the Human Nature did suffer though but for a time was of sufficient value to ransome from Eternal death In such a case nothing else could have done it Nothing else can support any Soul in such a condition But this may and this will if believed and wrought upon the heart that the Lord hath laid help upon one that is mighty Psal 89.19 2. Consider Christ in his Offices 1. In his Priestly Office He is a great High-Priest Heb. 4.14 Great both in respect of his Satisfaction and of his Intercession which are the two special parts of his Priestly Office From both which much Spiritual Food for the nourishment of the Soul unto the highest degree of prosperity it is capable of may be received 1. From the satisfaction he hath made to the justice of God for all the wrong that sin hath done him by the sacrifice which he offered which was Himself unto death With this God was well pleased Eph. 5.2 And for this he shall see the Souls of all his Seed to prosper Isa 53.10 Hereby his flesh became meat indeed and his blood drink indeed This clearly manifests that Christ is such an object for Faith to rest upon as we may safely adventure our Eternal state upon For let any Man conceive himself in as sad a condition as the fears of an awakened Conscience can suggest Suppose he sees the guilt of all his sins before him with all their aggravating circumstances and apprehends God coming out against him to require satisfaction to his justice for them all This is a dreadful sight but in the midst of all the heighth and depth of that terrour which this may impress upon his Spirit if God give in a sight of Christ as the great High-Priest as he made his Soul an Offering for sin this is enough to draw forth an hearty act of dependence upon him as able to save to the uttermost This supported David when he was in great depths that he had a sight of him that in the Lord was plenteous Redemption Psal 30.1 2. with vers 6 7. This was the relief of the hunger-bitten Prodigal That in his Father's house was bread enough Luk. 15.17 And it was the speech of a gracious Woman of whom I have heard not long since that upon her Death-bed being under great uncertainties as to her Eternal condition Did not ye tell me said she to those that stood by her that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sins And with that her Spirit Revived and she slept sweetly in the Lord. This indeed may well satisfie Conscience for it satisfies God himself yea so far satisfie Conscience as to go boldly to the Throne of Grace for what grace or mercy soever is necessary for the life and health well-fare and prosperity of the Soul Heb. 4.16 Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need 2. As from Christs satisfaction which he made to the justice of God whilst he was upon Earth so from the other act of his Priestly Office his Intercession which he makes in Heaven for sinners much Spiritual Food for the nourishment of our Souls may be had What should hinder the receiving of it but our daily repeated failings and often renewed infirmities But against the guilt of these Christ's appearing in Heaven for us prevails that even when the Law is broken the Covenant is not broken so that what Food for our Souls may be had from the Covenant and there it is all to be had 1 Joh. 2.1 2 If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the righteous And he is the propitiation for our sins His intercession is as effectual as his satisfaction for he intercedes in the merits of his blood Heb. 12.24 The blood of Christ speaketh 2. To shew further That all in Christ is for the food and nourishment of the Soul much yea very much may be said of that which his Kingly Office affords and likewise his Prophetical Office For his Kingly Office he hath an absolute Soveraignty over all both Men and Devils Eph. 1.21 22. Far above all Principalities and Powers c. He hath all things under his feet He is head over all things to his Church Understand it of the Invisible Church especially which is his Mystical Body whereof he is the head Eph. 5.23 For the Husband is the head of the Wife even as Christ is the head of the Church And he is the Saviour of the Body This is full of Spiritual Food I will instance only in three things by which the prosperity of the Soul is exceedingly farthered 1. As he hath power over Satan This affords great relief to a conflicting Soul that he both can and will break the Serpents head and tread him under foot Rom. 16.20 That in Manlius is memorable to this purpose Satan as he tells the story appeared to a godly Man that was sick in the habit of a Priest with Pen Ink and Paper in his hands and told him that he must confess all his Sins to him he would write them down and then he would absolve him The Sick Man was stricken with fear and no marvel but recollecting himself and perceiving who he was If thou wilt write saith he write this first The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head and with that the Devil vanished 2. As he hath Soveraignty over the Heart He can take away the heart of stone and give an heart of flesh Ezek. 36.26 A great relief this when the Soul is mourning over the hardness of his heart to remember that Christ is exalted to be a Prince to give Repentance Act. 5.31 3. As he hath the Keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1.18 A great relief to a troubled Soul that is under the fear first of Death and then of dropping into Hell when he is dead Those that have obeyed the call and are still obeying the call of Christ they shall none of them dye till it be better for them to dye then to live for death is theirs 1 Cor. 3.22 And for dropping into Hell Christ hath secured them against that Joh. 6.39 40. Every one that believeth on him shall have Everlasting life and Christ will raise him up at the last day 3. The Prophetical Office of Christ is likewise a fruitful food-bearing Office He is engaged by Office to make all his Seed wise unto Salvation Isa 54.13 All thy Children shall be taught of God And he is faithful who hath promised it 1 Joh. 2.27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and
is truth and is no lye Joh. 17.26 I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it This affords sweet refreshing nourishment I will instance only in two Cases 1. When many things are heard something at one time and something at another from the word And it may be something at this time which is not understood at least not so understood as that the heart is affected with it Here is relief to be had he can and undertakes to teach the heart Jer. 24.7 And I will give them an heart to know me for they shall return unto me with their whole heart Thus he taught David Psal 51.6 In the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom 2. When a Person walkes in darkness under many sad fears whether ever the foundation be well laid for Soul-prosperity whether ever he were brought into a state of Union with Christ so as to receive the first principles of Spiritual life from him Here from this Office of Christ which is to reveal his Father's mind in all things that we are concerned to know there is relief to be had Joh. 14.19 but ye see me They were in Christ their Union was begun but they did not know it but Christ undertakes so as they will leave it to him to take his own time that one day they shall know it Thus I have shewed you more largely then at first I intended That there needs no food for the Soul to feed upon so as to prosper but Christ alone For as all that is nourishing in the meat is for the health and well-fare of the Body so all that is in Christ is for the health and well-fare of the Soul I have very few words more to speak 4. Of the fourth and last Point Something by way of direction How to feed upon this food so as to receive that nourishment which our Souls stand in need of I shall only mention these four Particulars 1. We are to apply our selves to this Spiritual food with a Spiritual appetite Natural life desires Natural food Appetite unto it is called Hunger as it desires meat and Thirst as it desires drink So it ought to be where there is Spiritual life after this Spiritual food wherein we have both Spiritual meat and Spiritual drink Joh. 6.55 For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed And our appetite after it ought to be quick and strong We should be able to say as Isa 26.9 With my Soul have I desired thee in the night and with my Spirit will I seek thee early i. e. I have most affectionately desired thee in my most retired thoughts and so I resolve to do That 's the sense For when the Soul is said to do that which nothing else but the Soul can do it imports the strongest and highest actings of the Soul in doing it Now though that which hath been said already might be sufficient thus to quicken this appetite That there is no other food for our Souls but this That they must feed upon it or starve Yet I shall farther add this That we deliberately consider with our selves What work God requires of us every day and that we labour with our hearts to do it as we ought The work of every day is great in respect of the inward exercises of grace when not clothed with any outward duty As To live by faith To sanctifie God in our hearts To walk in the fear of the Lord And when we awake to be still with God setting the Lord always before us c. The external work of every day is great also The duties of Religion The duties of our particular Callings and Relations All these ought to be done so as to approve the sincerity of our hearts to God and find acceptance with his Majesty 2 Cor. 5.9 Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him The Apostle speaks of Epaphras that he laboured earnestly in his Prayers Col. 4.12 And we are required To do with our might whatsoever our hand findeth to do Eccles 9.10 Now hard labour gets a Man a stomach makes him both hungry and thirsty It will do so in a spiritual sense when we set our selves to make something of Religion To work and walk with God every day as we ought we shall be even constrained to cry out Who is sufficient for these things We shall see we need more spiritual food for the nourishing and strengthening of our Souls This will quicken our spiritual Appetite after Christ That we may be more and more strengthened in our inward Man by his Spirit Eph. 3.16 That we may be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 2. That in applying our selves to this food we manage the matter for our Souls as discreet persons do in making provisions for their Families when the Market-day comes They consider whether there be Bread-corn enough in the House or whether any thing else that is necessary be wanting and so according to their ability they provide So ought we to do in this case we ought to consider what our Souls stand most in need of that they may prosper Some days we may find we most of all want strength against one corruption some days more strength against another Some days we stand in more need of one grace and sometimes of another suppose of Faith or Repentance Meekness or Patience and accordingly we ought to apply our selves to our spiritual food the Lord Jesus for nourishment and strength in that particular Christ expects this that we should be sensible of our particular wants We read Luk. 18.35 36. that a blind Man hearing that Christ passed by that way cryed out Have mercy upon me O Son of David And vers 40 41. Christ asks him what he would that he should do unto him Christ knew what he would desire but he would have him to particularize his wants Thus we ought to apply our selves to Christ with a sense of what we want in particular And because as I told you all in Christ is some way or other for our spiritual food both Christ in his Person and Christ in his Offices We should apply our selves to that in Christ which may most of all relieve our faith in seeking after that particular supply which for the present we see we need whether it be in his Person or in his Offices either as Priest or Prophet or King When we know there is such a thing in such a Cupboard when we go to it the next way to find what we seek for is to go to the Box wherein it is 3. What dispensation soever we are under what mercy soever we have received or are receiving what cross soever we are exercised withal or is likely to come upon us what Ordinances soever we address our felves to God in we may spread the matter before God and tell him our case and our dependence upon him and pray most for the
sprinkling of the blood of Christ upon all that for the merit of his blood it may be blessed unto us so as it may afford some spiritual nourishment for our Souls the power of his Holy Spirit working with them and in them and by them It is he alone that teacheth to profit Isa 48.17 David knew this and therefore he prayed That he might feel the power of God in all Psal 62.1 2 3. 4. Do this daily as the matter requires Nature will decay if not daily repaired The Egyptian who had eaten nothing for three days and three nights was faint but when he had eaten his spirit came to him 1 Sam. 30.12 So it will be with the new Nature as Rev. 3.2 The things that are ready to dye if not fed with fresh supplies Phil. 1.19 It was a sore affliction which made the Church forget to eat her bread Psal 102.4 It is some strong corruption that makes us forget our spiritual bread as they did forget their resting place Jer. 50.6 I conclude all with this Our needs if we be sensible of them we cannot but acknowledge are very great every day That invitation and encouragement is for every day which we have Prov. 9.5 Come eat of my bread and drink of my wine And Cant. 5.1 Eat O friends drink yea drink abundantly O beloved Therefore come and eat every day as we desire that every day our Souls should prosper SERMON IX A Third thing which I shall take notice of as necessary for the health and well-fare of the Body which I intend now as the Lord shall assist to apply to the Point in hand is this That we be well clothed God hath given to every living Creature some kind of clothing or other Even to the Birds of the Air and the Beasts of the Field They could not endure the extremity either of heat or cold without it Adam and Eve when they were at first created needed no clothing but their own innocency when they needed it God provided it for them before they did for themselves Gen. 3.22 Cold if extream is very prejudicial to Man's health and may be so to his life Paul reckoneth it among his great sufferings 2 Cor. 11.27 in cold and nakedness Therefore up and down in the Scripture we find it spoken of as a commendable act of charity To cloth the naked Isa 58.7 Act. 9.30 This is one thing then we ought specially to mind as ever we desire our Souls should prosper that as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 5.3 we may not be found naked Now the Scripture tells us what the Garment is wherewith the Soul that prospers must be clothed Rev. 19.8 And it was granted unto her the Bride the Lamb's Wife that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousness of the Saints This fine Linnen this Righteousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes under a double consideration 1. The Righteousness which is wrought for the Soul by Jesus Christ himself in his own Person and is imputed to every Believer 2. The Righteousness that is wrought in the Soul by the Spirit of Christ and is inherent in every new Creature The one may be called The outer garment the other The inner garment of the heart So far as the Soul is clothed with this double garment of Righteousness so far it prospers and no farther Something must be said to each of these 1. Of that garment of Righteousness which Christ hath wrought for the Soul This is that White garment Rev. 3.18 I counsel thee to buy of me white raiment that thou mayest be clothed This is the only garment that gives a title to Heaven Isa 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness This is not like Saul's Armour that was not fit for David it will fit every Soul that really feels the want of it and indeed and in truth is willing to put it on and therefore we are exhorted Rom. 13.14 To put on the Lord Jesus Christ In prosecuting of this Point a few words to each of these Particulars 1. Consider the materials whereof this garment is made 2. That it is of absolute necessity that it be put on else the Soul cannot prosper 3. How it is to be put on 4. What influence it hath into Soul-prosperity when it is put on 1. For the first of these the materials whereof it is made briefly thus It is the Obedience of Christ as Mediatour in doing and suffering what God the Father appointed and which he accepts in the behalf of all those who are clothed with it so as upon that account they are delivered from the sentence of Eternal Death which they had righteously deserved and are accepted as righteous unto Eternal Life of which they were utterly unworthy Observe then these two things 1. That God the Father accepts it as full and perfect satisfaction to his Justice for what ever was appointed for them to suffer by way of punishment and curse for sin It is said 1 Pet. 2.24 That Christ his own self bare our sins in his Body on the Tree i.e. The punishment and curse due for sin With this God the Father is well pleased so that the Sentence of Condemnation shall never be executed upon the Soul that is clothed with it And this he accepteth as a valuable consideration for all the wrong that their sins have done him Eph. 4.32 forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you It is said 1 Pet. 4.8 that love to our Brethren covers a multitude of sins i.e. It doth not strictly take notice of but in silence passeth by many failings of others especially those that concern our selves But this covers All so that no notice is taken of them so as according to the sentence of the Law to curse and condemn such a Soul Jer. 50.20 In those days and at that time saith the Lord shall the iniquity of Israel be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found for I will pardon them whom I reserve The book is cross'd all the black bill that otherwise would have been brought in against it whereof it could not have answered one of a thousand i.e. none at all is crossed Well then might David say Psal 32.1 Blessed is the Man whose iniquity is covered 2. God accepts it in the behalf of all those that are clothed with it for all that is required by way of perfect obedience to the Moral Law It is said Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness Christ i.e. Christ and his Righteousness is the end of the Law i. e. the perfection of the Law Now the end of the Law was to invest those that perfectly fulfilled it with a Righteousness that would give a true right and title
iniquity Psal 18.23 That which by nature he was more prone unto then to others 2. The more we have of it and the better we are clothed with it the more the Soul will be carried after God It raiseth the heart above all worldly enjoyments so that it cannot settle upon them as others do Psal 4.6 7 There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us When David's heart was brought into its right temper he could really and truly and â—â—th much warmth and strength of affection say Whom have I in Heaven but thee And there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73.25 26. 3. The more we have of it the more the Soul is fitted for Communion with God By the first principles of it a man is brought into a saving relation to God but by their exercise and increase of it it is fitted for a more sensible Communion with God There must be a suitableness between neighbours that enjoy Communion together Now the more we have of this the more suitableness there is in us to the holy nature of God 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another 4. The more we are clothed with it the greater worth and excellency is put upon all natural and civil righteousness Every action so much as of this principle is exercised in it so much it turns to the wellfare and prosperity of the Soul Duties of the second Table are turned as it were into duties of the first as Heb. 13.16 To do good is a duty of the Second Table and Sacrifice whilest it was a part of God's worship a duty of the First But when in doing good to others we act upon principles of Religion and what we do to Man is out of â—â—ve to God and out of respect to his authority over us and to testifie our thankfulness for his goodness unto us it is through Christ acceptable to God as an act of Religion and so as advantageous to keep the Soul in a thriving prospering frame Jam. 1.27 Pure Religion before God and the Father is this to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their affliction 5. The more we have of it the better evidence we have for Heaven True though we had as much as any Man living it could not be our Plea for Heaven The honour of that is reserved to the righteousness which Christ hath wrought for us But it is our evidence 2 Tim. 4.7 8 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness And when we are under the apprehensions of death next unto the Righteousness of Christ this will be of greatest use unto us when all things else fail us Isa 38.3 Remember O Lord how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart 4. A few words of the last part Some Directions in reference to the well-clothing of our selves with and well using of this garment Consider 1. The desires of our Souls should be working still after this clothing There is a blessing promised to them that hunger and thirst after Righteousness Matth. 5.6 1. These desires ought to be unlimited Our desires should be stinted as to what is necessary and comely for the clothing of our Bodies but not so after this clothing for our Souls we should be filled with the fruits of righteousness as the phrase is Phil. 1.11 This is the most genuine property of this principle To desire as we are still under the command to grow 1 Pet. 2.1 2 That ye may grow thereby 2. These desires ought to be ruling desires Whatever in the World the Soul desires with greatest earnestness our desires after this Righteousness must rule it If desires after any thing else be prejudicial to these desires they ought to be mortified as irregular desires Yea a gracious heart will bless God if he cross them in it as heartily as ever David did 1 Sam. 25.32 33 Blessed be the Lord which hath sent thee this day to meet me And blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood Still maintaining that resolution that we ought not we cannot we dare not do any thing against this Righteousness but for it 2 Cor. 13.8 3. These desires ought to be constant and not as some as we say when they are in a good mood but as David saith Psal 119.20 My Soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times The righteousness of many is but like the morning dew Hos 6.4 2. This garment should be put on and worn every day otherwise the moths will eat it the corruption that is in the heart will spoil the beauty comeliness and usefulness of it Therefore though it was a vanity in that rich Man to cloth himself in Purple and fine Linnen every day yet it is our duty that our Souls be clothed every day with the best garments we have Luk. 1.75 That we should serve God In holiness and righteousness all the days of our life And then every day to our dying day that so they may be best at last For this garment is like the garments of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness which were never the worse for wearing no more is this For to him that useth well that which he hath more shall be given Matth. 25.29 3. If at any time there be any rent made in this garment it must be immediately stitcht up and mended else the rent will be made worse Thus understand me If there be any rent made in our humility by pride in our meekness by our passionate Distempers the like may be said of every piece of this garment of every particular grace this must be made up by humbling our selves before God applying our selves to Christ both for pardon and more supplies from his fullness So David when his faith failed in the exercise as he confesseth Psal 73.2 My feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt He had lost his standing by faith and judged by sense ver 2. For this immediately upon the discovery he humbles himself ver 21.22 Thus my heart was grieved so foolish was I And this made up the rent and then his heart was carried out as strongly after God as ever vers 25.26 Whom have I in Heaven but thee c. 4. By way of encouragement To get all we can and to preserve all we get and to make the best use of it every day consider 1. Though this garment be not such a covering as that garment of righteousness which Christ hath wrought for us for that covers from the guilt of sin yet this is a covering garment too 1. From that dis-respect which meanness of Birth or breeding which deformity of Body or a poor and low condition
how near soever they come how deep soever they cut and how long soever they continue is to keep silence before the Lord to sanctifie his name in all as holy and righteous faithful and gratious believingly waiting for a blessed issue to all This is the proper work of patience and in doing this consists the exercise of patience as we see it exemplified in Job cap. 1 c. 2. Faith hath its peculiar work 2 Thes 1.11 The work of faith with power And the proper work of faith is to receive Jesus Christ and rest upon him and his righteousness for a full discharge from the guilt of every sin and for acceptance with God as righteous unto Eternal Life And to carry the Soul to Jesus Christ daily for supplies of grace for strength against temptations from the World the Flesh or the Devil and for ability to perform what is daily required of us in those relations wherein we stand and in that condition wherein we are so as we may be enabled to hold on cheerfully and comfortably in the race that is set before us notwithstanding all the difficulties we meet with in our way Thus it was Prophetically promised of and to the believing Jews Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by his faith and to all believers to the end of the World Still keeping heart in their hopes for the accomplishment of whatever God hath promised notwithstanding all the real improbabilities and seeming impossibilities that be in the way This is the proper work of faith and in doing of this consists the exercise of faith Thus did Abraham Rom. 4.19 20. For we walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5.7 We do not enjoy all that is in the promise but in the exercise of faith we wait for it 3. Repentance hath its proper work too which is to bring forth fruits meet for Repentance suitable to the nature of such a gracious principle Matth. 3.8 Such as heart-humbling and afflicting the Soul with godly sorrow for sin joined with the turning of the heart against every known sin so as we may attain to the sense of God's reconciliation with us and keep our hearts in a reconciled frame toward his holy Will in all things This is proper work for this grace and in doing hereof consists the exercise of Repentance See this exemplified Jer. 31.18 19 turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Surely after I was turned I repented c. And Psal 51. 4. Self-denyal hath its proper work To deny self-will self-ends self-interest in all worldly concernments whatsoever and how far soever they stand in oposition unto or in competition with the command interest and glory of Jesus Christ And are inconsistent with the Conscience of that duty which we owe unto his Majesty This is the work which God hath appointed unto this grace Luk. 9.23 If any Man will come after me let him deny himself And in doing of this work this grace is exercised See it exemplified in Moses Heb. 11.24 By faith Moses when he came to years refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh 's daughter 5. The grace of Fear hath its proper work to keep the heart in an holy awe of God sensible of his all-seeing eye upon us regulating all our thoughts words and actions as becomes the presence of so holy a God This is the proper work for the fear of God Prov. 8.13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil And in doing of this work consists the exercise of this grace 2 Cor. 7.1 Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God i.e. In the exercise of this grace See this exemplified in Joseph Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God And in Nehemiah chap. 5.15 But so did not I because of the fear of God 6. The grace of Meekness hath its proper work And that is in the just moderation of the passion of anger preventing or quickly cooling and subduing all undue heats so as this unruly passion may never be moved without cause or when there is cause not without measure to walk in the exercise of this grace And because there are so few examples of it among the proud froward unbroken-hearted generation of Men we are called upon to learn it of Christ Matth. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart This being such a grace as no Christian without the exercise of it can possibly walk worthy of his Calling Eph. 4.2 I beseech you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness 7. The grace of Charity hath its proper work Ye have it described 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6 7. In doing this work the grace of Charity is exercised and the command of Christ so far fulfilled who commands us To walk in love Eph. 5.2 And requires it of us 1 Cor. 16.14 That all our things be done in charity These few instances shew what it is to live in the exercise of godliness Ye see here are gracious principles in the heart and gracious actings suitable thereunto and issuing from them And these are the things wherein the prosperity of the Soul consisteth 2. Wherein ought we to exercise our selves unto godliness Ans In every thing we do Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do we ought to do all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 Though we are necessitated often to change our Actions yet we ought never to change our End This must be always the highest and most supreme End And this can never be done but in the exercise of the principles of godliness It cannot be expected that I should instance in every thing I shall instance in those things that may be most comprehensive Consider then 1. That these principles ought to be exercised in those spiritual outgoings and holy actings of the inward Man which are immediately acted upon God and raise the heart Heaven-ward though not drawn forth in acts of instituted worship 2. As they are drawn forth exercised and as it were clothed with the external duties of Religion or any thing else wherein the visible part of Religion as far as it may be visible to Man doth consist 1. For the former In the spiritual out-goings and holy actings of the inward Man So as to do something toward the performance of that great duty injoined both in the Old Testament and in the New Isa 8.13 Sanctifie the Lord of hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread 1 Pet. 3.15 But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts But how is this That God who is the God of all grace should sanctifie all those whom he sets apart for himself And that he should sanctifie his own name in vindicating it from those low and unworthy thoughts that Men have of him This is somewhat easie to be apprehended But how shall a poor
Paul had it Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me And he exhorts all that when they have put on the whole armour of God and have every grace ready for exercise yet then to Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 11. 3. Let this be thought on too That though we ought to rest upon Christ for his assistance herein as if he were to do all and we our selves were to do nothing at all yet we ought so to stir up our selves and exercise our most serious thoughts and endeavours herein as if no help at all were to be expected from him Phil. 2.12 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do Thus I have shewed you the expressions in the Text leading me that way that what in a natural way is necessary for the health and well-fare of the body that in a spiritual way is as much necessary for the health well-fare and prosperity of the Soul And this I have shewed in four Particulars I told you when I entred first upon this use That when in the use of these means all begins to be well within the Soul begins to thrive and prosper Yet it may possibly have its fainting fits sometimes by reason of continued afflictions sometimes from a deep sense of invincible infirmities For the more of these gracious principles there are in the heart and the more they are exercised the more sad impression the least failing makes upon the heart No marvel if it be with such as it was with Jonah when the waters compassed him about and the reeds were wrapt about his head then he said his Soul fainted within him Jon. 2.5 6 7. And David had like to have done so when false witnesses were risen up against him I had fainted saith he unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living Psal 27.12 13. Now as when Nature is almost spent and bodily strength fails there is need of relief by some comfortable Cordials As that poor Man 1 Sam. 30.12 being faint David's Men gave him something and then his spirits came to him which it seems were departing from him Now as the Lord Jesus was very tender over those that came from far to hear him and had been three days with him lest they should faint in their way homeward and therefore he wrought a miracle to relieve them Matth. 15.32 So without doubt he is as tender to prevent Soul-fainting Isa 57 15 16 to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the spirit should fail before me and the Souls which I have made Something therefore must be said to this Therefore though I cannot descend to particulars that would be too great a work I shall only give some general rules which may be indifferently applyed to all cases Let then every Soul that is ready to faint 1. Do as Jonah did in the place before quoted chap. 2. ver 7 My Soul fainted within and I remembred the Lord. Remembrance implies dependence Psal 20.7 But we will remember the name of the Lord our God This is prescribed for a fainting Soul Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Now we must know that the Name of the Lord may have reference to that name Exod. 34.5 6 7 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious c. This is very chearing For a fainting Soul may sometimes take encouragement from an Attribute of God when he doubts whether he may touch with a promise or no. Or it may have reference to that name Jer. 23 6 The Lord our Righteousness Certainly when a Soul seeth nothing in it self whereby it can challenge any interest in any ground of comfort yet because there is grace and mercy enough in the name of God and merit and righteousness enough in the Son of God such a Soul may see ground enough to resolve as Isa 8.17 I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Jacob and I will look for him Psal 34.5 They looked to him and were lightened and their faces were not ashamed Though all the clouds were not presently scattered yet they had some light And a little Candle in a dark room in a very dark night though it do not make it day as the Sun doth yet it is some reviving till the day do appear 2. Let it be well considered what God imposeth upon fainting Souls as one great part of their work in such a season Psal 55.22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved When thou art ready to faint under thy burden cast it upon me saith the Lord Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden Do then as David did he hears the command speaking in general unto all Psal 27.8 Seek ye my face and seeth himself concerned in it and therefore resolves Thy face Lord will I seek It is observable that when Christ commanded the blind Man to come unto him Mar. 10.49 Be of good comfort say those that were by-standers the Master calls thee Such commands in this case may sometimes be of greater use then promises and more effectual for the silencing of doubts and discouragements For the best are apt when in the dark to dispute their interest in the promises till they have disputed themselves out of all heart to close with them But Commands are not to be disputed but obeyed See Luk. 5.5 There was discouragement enough They had fished all night and caught nothing nevertheless say they at thy word we will let down the Net 3. Taking it for granted that a fainting Soul in obedience to the command of Christ is willing if able to come to Christ and to close with him And if the question were put to him as it was to Rebecca Gen. 24.58 Wilt thou go with this man He would answer as she did I will go And hearing the terms whereon he promiseth to be ours can and doth yield unto them as heartily as Laban did to Jacob's and desire as he did Gen. 30.34 I would it might be according to thy word Then let every fainting Soul know his right and claim it and know his duty upon this account and set about it 1. Know his right and claim it What 's that Even the promises of God as his inheritance for those that yield to Christ's terms are received into the number of his adopted Children Joh. 1.12 And if Children then Heirs Rom. 8.17 Heirs of what See Gal. 3.29 And if ye be Christs then are ye Abraham's
some Communion with God some drawings nigh in holy duties some good hopes through grace of acceptance with God unto Eternal Life yet within a while overcome again with deadness and darkness strange flatness and coldness growing upon the face of the whole Soul again so as it is nothing the same it was Thus we see that though the state of grace be sure 2 Tim. 2.19 yet the workings of grace are variable The nature of it is unchangeable but the degrees of it are subject to many changes the operations of it to many alterations So that though the principles of godliness be always like themselves yet the most godly Souls that prosper most are not always like themselves 3. As there may be such a sad and sudden change in the most prosperous Soul that lives so that may be lost in such a change which will not be recovered but with very much difficulty A Ship may easily be born down the stream but it is hardly fetcht up again A Man may lose more strength in a few days sickness then can be recovered in many days I have read of Henry the First King of England a sober and temperate Prince that he surfeited with eating a Lamprey which cost him his life Thus one intemperate meal may overthrow the temperance of a Man's whole life for the same History saith of that King that he did seldom or never eat but when he was hungry or drink but when he was thirsty yet thus he came to his end Thus it may be in this matter which we are speaking of Even the Soul that mounts aloft by the supplies of grace as upon Eagles wings if spiritual drowsiness creep by degrees upon it and that it begins to dally with duties or to dally with sin it may cost much spiritual wrestling and striving with God much heart-humbling and mourning in the sight of God before it recovers its former height and heavenly temper If a Watch be let fall and receive a bruise it must be all taken asunder before it be brought to its former exactness and evenness of motion Read the 5 ch of the Canticles at the beginning there ye may perceive what hard work the Church had in seeking after Christ before she found him again We read of David's first days as his best days 2 Chron. 17.3 And though it may easily be proved that he recovered his former stature both in grace and comfort yet it may as easily be proved that he found it no easie matter to recover either the one or the other And this his 7 penitential Psalms do sufficiently prove 4. Yet for all this much may be done this way so as a prospering Soul may continue in its prosperous state more then the most careful Man in the World can do for the continuance of the prosperity of his worldly estate A Man may be looking to and taking care for the well managing of his estate and yet whilst his eye is upon it he may see it upon the wing and flying away from him as the Eagle towards Heaven far enough out of his reach See Job 1.14 Job's Servants with great care and diligence attended their Master's business for the securing his Cattel and improving his ground each of them according to their place and yet ye know how suddenly all was lost so that it came to be a Proverb As poor as Job But there is more certainty of God's prospering serious endeavours in minding Soul-prosperity For if the occasions of sin be watched against one day as well as another if the first risings of sin be checked and suppressed if grace be exercised suitable to the Providence of the day and Communion with God in the duties of Religion be made our great business of the day so far and so long as it is so so far and so long the Soul will continue to prosper And why all this may not be done one day as well as another no reason can be given The promise of the assistance of the spirit for all this is ready one day as well as another And God is a God hearing prayers for all this one day as well as another And therefore what is done one day may be done another It is said of Enoch Gen. 5.22 That though the age he lived in were very corrupt yet he walked with God and lived in some degree of eminency in the exercise of the principles of godliness above others of the Servants of God that were his contemporaries and he had this testimony the Spirit of God witnessing together with his Spirit That he pleased God Heb. 11.5 And it is well known that the blessed Apostle Paul as he began so he continued fighting a good fight finishing his course keeping the faith and living by faith to his dying day as he saith Gal. 2.20 2 Tim. 4.6 7 And though his outward condition was for the most part very low yet his spiritual condition was very thriving and flourishing though the one perished daily yet the other was renewed 2 Cor. 4.16 5. Our labours and endeavours how much soever we abound therein will not be in vain but be abundantly recompensed in the blessed fruits and effects thereof When a prospering Soul is carried on with a full gale in its holy course the precious influences of the Spirit of God in and by the Ordinances of God will be fixed and the word will be an abiding word and not like those human Ordinances the Apostle speaks of Col. 2.22 which perish in the using And as the matter requires the word which ye hear at one time will be brought to remembrance at another time as Joh. 14.26 and put the Sword of the Spirit into your hands so as to resist the assaults of Satan and discover a temptation in time of temptation before the heart be ensnared by it 2. To keep the heart humble and heaven-ward under a confluence of all worldly comforts To keep it calm and well-composed under all provocations from Men and afflictions from God so as to run with patience the race that is set before us holding on till our course be finished To be much above distracting fears in time of danger all of them being mightily subdued in the reverential fear and awe of God yea to have our thoughts of death full of comfort and our hopes of Eternal happiness full of well-grounded confidence To be able to live to God whilst we live and to dye to God when we dye These and many such like are the effects and blessed consequences of this so far as it prospers So as all such whose Souls do prosper see cause daily not only to bless their God but also as it is Isa 65.16 To bless themselves in their God whatever their condition be Therefore let not these consolations of God seem small unto us but engage us according as we are commanded Deut. 4.9 To keep our Souls diligently lest we forget the things which our eyes have seen and lose those things
away without any observation from under the power of all obligations to the contrary Relapses of this nature though they do not presently make any great noise in the World yet it will not be long before they will be seen in sad effects and be discerned in more visible miscarriages If they be indulged they are great enemies to Soul-prosperity and will prove the very bane and break-neck of that thriving and prosperous frame the Soul was grown or growing into This is then seriously to be considered of by all those whose Souls begin to prosper and when it begins to be better with them then it hath been in respect of their inward frame and temper of the hidden man of the heart as ever they desire they may continue so and lose the things which they have wrought to beware of relapses Ye have heard that ye are not exempted from them nor exempted from a possibility Heb. 3.12 Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the Living God As if the Apostle had said That which I speak to one I speak to another I speak to all therefore let every one take heed Now that which I find in Scripture pressed upon us for preventing such relapses is to have a watchful eye over and a constant hand upon all the inward workings and stirrings of the inward Man for from thence they have their rise as ye may observe in several sorts of Trees their decay is first observed in the withering of the boughs but it begins in the root which fails in sending up sap into them as formerly Even so it is here which way soever relapses are discover'd they begin from within Psal 44.18 Our heart is not turned back neither have our steps declined from thy way Professours first fall from their apprehensions of the necessity of circumspect walking their convictions of the goodness of the ways of God wear off and their affections decay and the works of the flesh break forth and manifest themselves by degrees Therefore as ever we desire to hold fast what we have received be sure to keep the heart with all diligence as Prov. 4.23 Where 1. Our personal care is required Keep thy heart 2. Our principal care Keep it with or above all keeping As it is with the heart naturally considered if that begin to tremble or be in fear or apprehension of danger the blood and spirits as it is observed will forsake the outward parts and run to that to guard and succour it the least wound therein being mortal if it be but with the pricking of a Pin. Thus the heart is kept in its natural capacity but the matter we are speaking of is touching the keeping of the heart in its spiritual capacity and keep it we ought with all diligence watch it by night and by day at home and abroad when we are in company and when we are alone at all times and in all places yea as the Apostle presseth it on Timothy Watch in all things 2 Tim. 4.5 Now this keeping this watching the heart hath special reference to the inward workings and stirrings of corruption 1. To prevent in the strength of Christ so far as may be prevented in this state of imperfection the first risings of them of any one kind whatsoever however to prevent if possible and possible it is that the Corruption and the Temptation may be kept asunder Matth. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Otherwise there will be sad work and the prosperity of the Soul will begin to fade and that upon the sudden Though Hezekiah as holy a Man as he was and how much soever his Soul did prosper and prosper it did exceedingly yet he had always a root of pride in him which though it did not stir him to shew his Treasures to every body yet when he fell into the temptation by occasion of the visit he had from the King of Babylon by his Ambassadours then the Corruption and the Temptation did meet and ye may read in the history how much the well-fare of his Soul was prejudiced by it So it was with David he had though a Man after God's own heart the same root of the same corruption in him yet it did not break forth so as to abate any thing of his Souls prosperity till the temptation met with it To have his subjects numbred neither had it then if he had watched as Peter did to keep the temptation and the corruption asunder See Act. 8.20 Thy money perish with thee said Peter to Simon Magus The temptation was suitable for Peter was out of money Act. 3.6 Silver and gold have I none And Peter was not so perfect as to be beyond the power of the temptation but he kept the temptation from mingling with what corruption soever was in his heart and so the gracious frame of his heart continued untoucht by it So David 2 Sam. 16.10 And the King said what have I to do with you ye Sons of Zerviah so let him curse c. He was subject to the same passions with other Men but by the assistance no doubt of the Spirit of God he kept the temptation and the corruption asunder and so his Soul prospered the better for that tryal 2. If there should be as there is great danger there may be a sad meeting so it is and so it will be found betwixt the corruption and the temptation then endeavour by the assistance of the spirit that your own spirits may immediately rise up in indignation against it and after some hearty ejaculations for the present with the first opportunity with hearty loathing and inward self abhorrency bring forth the temptation and the corruption to the law of God and see them there condemned and to the blood of Christ and see them there pardoned and to the spirit of Christ that thereby all may be subdued and mortified Really a Soul that desires to prosper and to continue to prosper should as kindly work in a heart-melting and a heart-humbling way for these sinful stirrings of the heart before God as for sinful words and sinful actions before Men Psal 73.22 So foolish was I and ignorant even as a beast before thee It is or should be with the Soul that prospers as it is with the eye if a small dust get into it it will never leave twinkling and watering till it be out 2 Chron. 32.26 Hezekiah humbled himself greatly for the pride of his heart Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death He speaks of the law in his members warring against the law of his mind vers 23. This is the way to prevent relapses into sin which is the Soul's sickness and if not prevented or timely healed will overthrow the prosperity of prospering Souls SERMON XIII 2ly AS Souls that begin to prosper and have any desire to continue so ought to keep themselves
toward the mark As knowing that the Soul never prospers so much but it may prosper more for no Man knows when he hath all the grace he shall have And if we do not endeavour that we may prosper more things will not prosper long 2 Pet. 3.17 18 Beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness But grow in grace If If ye grow not ye will fall from your stedfastness which ye have attained unto 5. As we should realize the presence of God with us daily and keep our Souls under God's eye So put them over and their well-fare and prosperity into God's hands to preserve them We know that Job prospered in his outward estate so long as God kept up the hedge about him and all that he had Job 1.10 So it is with our Souls They and the gracious principles that are in them are preserved in and by his hand Jude v. 1. Sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Christ Jesus 2 Chron. 32.26 Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart When David's Soul was in a prospering frame see how he prays 1 Chro. 29.18 O Lord God keep this for ever in the imaginations of the thoughts of thy people i. e. That those gracious impressions might not wear off It is worth our observing that the Lord Jesus knew what extraordinary gifts and graces the Apostles were to receive yet all this would not do if God should let them go out of his hand Joh. 17.6 6 And lastly Because there will be remisness in observing this and what other Directions ye may have from the word whereby the well-fare of the Soul may be endangered as by Communing with our own hearts we shall find be sure that ever now and then as the matter requires we set time apart for more serious examination humiliation and renewing the exercise of repentance faith c. Such times are like scouring times which Vessels stand sometimes in need of though washed every day This is the way if there be any defect to set all things right again Rev. 2.5 Remember whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works Thus I have shewed you what the work is that prospering Souls have to do if they desire and they ought to desire it with all their might and all their strength that they may prosper still It is a work that never must be at an end while the Soul is in the Body I say no more to it but conclude with that 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall If any think that these Directions are too many I suppose that upon farther consideration those that do think so may see reason to think otherwise For so far as I can apprehend not one of them can be spared they one help another Those that understand nothing of a Watch may possibly wonder what need there should be of so many Wheels so near one another and that they will but hinder one another but those that have understanding in things of this nature do know that one Wheel helps forward another It is so here This is all I have to speak upon this branch of the Use I now proceed to a few words to each of those two Cases mentioned the last day 1. How a Man may manage the business of his calling and all his worldly affairs so as to promote his prosperity in the World and not prejudice but thereby farther his Soul-prosperity Ans 1. It is without question not only lawful but every Man's duty to be diligent in his calling and to manage it with honesty and integrity to his best advantage that he may prosper in the World in reference to those ends for which Callings were ordained That he may eat the labour of his hands Psal 128.1 and not eat his fingers ends as it is said of idle persons That with quietness he work and eat his own bread 2 Thes 3.12 And be helpful to others Eph. 4.28 Therefore he ought to be diligent to know the state of his flock and to look well to his herds Prov. 27.23.24 Not to leave all to the care of his servants Under this one particular a provident care over Mens estates in every other Calling is likewise injoined that so nothing be lost Joh. 6.12 2. But though this be true yet every one that desires that above all things his Soul may prosper ought not to make Religion a complement as too many do but his chief business The Lord Jesus owed and payed respect and subjection to his parents Luk. 2.57 Yet he declared that he must attend his heavenly Father's business ver 49. Thus David Psal 119.38 thy servant who is devoted to thy fear As a Scholar who devotes himself to his study makes learning his business So we ought to mind this one thing as most necessary Luke 10.42 It 's true it may be with a Christian that seriously minds the prosperity of his Soul as it is with Mariners at Sea they are bound for such a Coast but whilst they are sailing they may meet with a cross Wind which may drive them the quite contrary way but as soon as the storm is over they recover themselves and get into the right way wherein they Sailed before So a Christian one that is so indeed is bound for Heaven and the holy word of God is the Compass he sails by Yet a contrary wind of temptation blowing he may be driven back but he recovers himself again by the exercise of Faith and Repentance and sails on constantly toward his heavenly Port. Thus he that minds above all prosperities the prosperity of his Soul ought to make Religion his business he is devoted unto it To him to live is Christ Phil. 1.21 3. Both these being true That every Man hath or ought to have a Calling to follow which he ought with prudence providence and diligence to attend for the support of his outward estate according to the condition wherein God hath set him Every Man hath or ought to have a Calling to follow which he ought to manage with all his heart all his might and all his strength as that which is for the most desirable prosperity the prosperity of his Soul therefore he ought to manage the former in subordination to this God never intended them otherwise Still he would have us to abide with God in our Calling 1 Cor. 7.24 That a Man so drive his Trade for the World as not to hinder his Trade for Heaven His home-trade within doors his Shop his Ware-house his Working-house his Oxen or his Farm must not rob his Closet nor indispose him much less take him off from those private duties of Religion whereby Communion between God and his Soul may be preserved and increased Nor yet must his forreign Trade hinder him from walking as becomes the Gospel in all his converse with others but that he may as the matter requires shew forth the