see men advanced to worldly honours that they enjoy such honours and dignities or if they see people beautifull or gorgeously apparel'd they cannot it may be say they have so faire a face or rich cloaths c. Saints think they are rich enough honourable enough that they are very faire and gallant if like Jesus Christ In respect of many worldly injoyments that the sons of men possessed 't is probable the sons of Zion could not say they were like them yet this was their comfort that they had the witnesse of the spirit Rom. 8.16 that they could say they were like God they were holy souls like the holy God union with God brought forth likenes to God 1 John 4.15 16 Deus charitas est quid pretiosius Et qui manet in charitate in Deo manet quid securius Et Deus in eo quid jucundius Haec gloria christianorum magna est a blessed God dwelling in them makes them blessed souls Exceeding blessed and ever happy are they that from in-dwellings of Father Son and Spirit in them can say God is holy Christ is holy the Spirit holy and we as Saints delight to be holy and so to be like Father Son and Spirit The Apostle speaks largely in his own and Saints commendation in uttering a few words saying As he is so are we in this world He had spoken much of God and of the Son of God 1 Joh 4.16 and of Gods dwelling in Saints and of Saints being born of God 1 Joh. 4.7 and knowing God and having laboured with his Divine and Heavenly Rhetorick he endeavoured to give God the honour due unto him and he would not let slip an opportunity of magnifying the grace of God in Saints 1 Joh. 3.1 1 Joh. 5.12 and how much they were dignified by enjoying God and as to extol their greatnesse and goodnesse in the world so to chear up themselves that had received such kindness of God and that they might with boldnesse stand up pleading their own dignity and blessedness 1 Pet. 4.14 against all the reproaches disgraces and scorns of the world he holds out God and then himself and Saints As he is so are we in this world We shall look upon the Text as it hath relation mainly to God as making out himself to us in Jesus Christ Loquitur hic de conformitate in puritate innocentia vitae Hem. 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Cor. 5.21 Luk. 6.36 and to Saints through grace enjoying God within and by that enjoyment striving to be like God in holinesse righteousnesse mercy love patience longsuffering goodnesse gentlenesse c. And although 't is impossible for Christians to be such as God for purity and perfection Haec conformitas nostri cum Deo in imitatione conaâ—u omni puritate perfectione posita est Rom. 8.29 yet through the Spirits help may they imitate God and for the manner of living holily strive to be conformable to the Lord So that as God is a God of love Christians are Christians of love that love that is in a Christian to God it is but a son it is but a fruit of the love that is in God to a Christian 't is but the springing forth of somewhat of God himself planted within in the soul Eccles 1.7 't is but a stream running back to that Sea from whence it came returning God his due like for like love for love a Saint knows love deserves love Gods love is love 1 Jo. 4.19 In this way of love he acts freely 1 Pet. 5.2 and so is like God it is as ordinary for a Christian to love as to live for what maintains his being as a Saint produceth love to the ornament of his being As it rejoyceth in having the life of a Saint Gal. 2.20 Act. 4.20 Psal 40.8 so it is pleased in doing the work of a Saint laying out it self in what is pleasing to the Lord Joh. 7.18 God cannot but act what is good and what tends to his own glory take a Saint as having God living in it 1 Joh. 3.18 19. and from that living of God in it acting it doth what is good and also tends to the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.58 It knows 't is not lost labour to be doing for God and that it is not in vaine There is infinite good in God and there is some good in a Saint Infinitnesse in God enables God for infinite worke God is able to do like himself beyond what a soul can think or conceive A soul that enjoyes somewhat that this all-good-God gives out in his love through Christ 1 Cor. 15.10 is in his actings according to what he receives and as that receiving springs and sprouts out Omnia gratiae divinae tribuit A spark of fire will do what a spark can do and a drop of water what a drop may indeed it cannot do so much as the Sea or Element of fire can do 'T is a Christians joy that of Christs heavenly fulnesse it receives some grace Joh. 3.34 Christ hath what he hath without measure a Christian in measure a Christian is glad that it finds Christ saying 1 Cor. 15.48 As is the heavenly such are they that are heavenly and that by the spirits work 't is fashioned to be like Christ now 't is in the world and so chang'd into the same Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 And though it live in a wicked world amongst wicked men yet it is not like them but it is like him that is heavenly it is not conformable to those it lives withall without in the body but to him that lives within in his soul Dearly beloved what are you what can you now say for your selves can you say you are like Christ have you a life like Christ have you a conversation like Christ are you cloath'd like Christ Col. 3.12 have you put on as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any Christus non tantum nobis est donum verum etiam exemplum Miraculosae actiones Christi mentem nostram de veritate doctrinae ipsius confirmabunt Peculiares actiones quae sunt ipsius officii propriae hae ut expiatoriae peccati nostri fuerunt ita salutis fiduciam in nobis alent confirmabunt even as Christ forgave you so also do yee The actions of Christ should be instructions of christians yet consider rightly of Christs actions some were miraculous as fasting forty daies raising the dead c. these are not to be immitated because they cannot yet these may help to strengthen our faith and confirme us concerning the truth of the Doctrine of Christ Some are peculiar actions belonging to his office as to redeem or make intercession c. these also are
fulnesse to those are his here on earth but the communication and making out of all fulnesse it self is only above in glory in the highest heavens when they shal be brought to dwel with Christ to behold his glory and inherit that marvellous Light the brightnesse of which yet we are not able to behold Christians have had and still have as much of God here as such vessels could hold here Saints are narrow-hearted and dim-sighted and cannot entertaine so much nor see so clearly as they shall when they arrive at heaven where their hearts shall be enlarg'd and their sight made fit as to receive much so to behold much of the excellencies of Glory Souls Vse consider what I am now about to speak to you have you a being now like the Saints in glory yea like Christ in glory is the life of glory begun here is there any sparks of that heavenly fire kindled in you any drops of that fountain hath the light shin'd into you that shines in heaven have you that joying you now hear on earth that joyes Saints in blisse above hath a sight of God made you large to see more of him can you say with the Psalmist Psal 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth and my flesh longeth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen it in the sanctuary hath glimpse of beauty taken you any thing of Christ delighted you 1. Pray try what is in your inward man do you find any light of love shining in are you warm'd with any of this heavenly heate 1 Joh. 4.12 I cannot presse this too much doth God dwell in you you are not like him if there be not indwellings of God himself I do not so much regard what you are without and in appearance I would have you somewhat within There is great glory in heaven there must be some glory in your souls here yea and it must be such glory as is in heaven glory shines in Saints more clearly above here it shines though but dimly and they that shine here a little as sparks shall shine exceeding brightly as the Sun in the kingdome of their Father Mat. 13.43 here if we are as we should be and such that shall increase in goodnes have an addition to our joy we have some inward taste and feeling of the blessed comforts of God Beloved that which I speake to you of concerns your souls take heed they be not empty take heed they be not void of all goodnes destitute of the love and sweet communion of God through Jesus Christ You know how it sped with the five foolish Virgins that had no oyle in their lamps let what befel them make you beware 'T is a wisemans part to refrain from that way which others have perished in unclean birds may have gaudy outsides the plain feather'd fowl may be wholsomest beware that no man deceive you Psal 51.6 Psa 51.10 Innova in interioribus meis spiritum rectum and also be cautious that you wrong not your selves know this that God desireth truth in the inward parts and a pure inside a clear heart was one thing David petition'd for this you should ask and this you must possesse if ever it be well with you That soul is as it should be when 't is the seat throne and dwelling of God 2. Are your souls rais'd ftom the dead is there a power put forth in you and that an exceeding great power whereby you are delivered from sin Satan and selfe and unable to walke as Spiritually alive according to the wil of God Souls in glory are free souls rais'd souls souls set on high souls exceedingly spiritualiz'd wholly spiritual active souls in glorifying and praising God 't is their oontinual employment they cease not they are alwayes busied in what tends to Gods praise Is there any likenes to this in you are you fetcht out of darknesse set at liberty made able for the work of God Freemen are first Apprentices Apprentices are in the way to freedom what are Saints in heaven but freemen such that have serv'd out their time on earth consider christians are you bound to God doth he teach you doe you now serve him are you wholly his do you not serve Satan world nor selfe but God it will be but a few yeares but you shall be advanced higher advanc'd into sublime and transcendent glory to sit with Saints and there with your fellow-brethren to sing Hallelujahs for evermore 3. Is there a prizing of the things of glory They that are like Christ esteem love prize the things of Christ and what Christ doth esteeme love prize they esteeme creature things in their places as they ought yet all these are but dung and drosse in comparison of the excellencies of grace and glory Soul-necessities are not satisfied with creature-things they free not from corruption they reveale not the love of God nor ease the soul of its trouble if troubl'd for want of the loving kindnes of the Lord. Saints in glory are delivered from all misery and enjoy fulnes of consolation they that are going glory-ward shall be eas'd shall have their ful of joy they eye the pleasures and blisse of heaven they have thoughts upon them they are much taken up with them in their meditations Saints in heaven are pleas'd with the visible glory they injoy Saints on earth are pleas'd in that through faith they believe there is a reward laid up for them that they shall possesse an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled 1 Pet. 1.4 and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for them Souls you know what you prize what is delightful to you you can tell whether earthly or heavenly carnal or spiritual things surely if drawing towards heaven they are heavenly things delight you they that are in glory rejoyce in their glorious enjoyments they that are in grace going to glory rejoyce through faith in believing what is laid up for them and what they shall enjoy they exspect the accomplishing of promises and their accomplishing tends to gracious souls advancing and crowning in glory with an everlasting diadem Consider of this I pray take much care in trying whether you be in the right way to perfect peace you would not willingly be cousoned in any earthly things beware you be not cheated in this that concernes your soules and so lose your soules if you should I need not say you are undone you will to your sorrow finde it but I hope you will be careful in this I can but advise 't is God must make you wise I can but instruct 't is the Lord must make you to receive instruction Try all things try earthly things you will see them vanity try Spiritual things God grant you knowledge to diserne and wisdome to prize and hold fast what is good Vse 2 Is to speake comfort to souls What Revelations have you now you shall have more what discoveries of love now you shall have more large manifestations heareafter
God speaks good to souls now and gives in somewhat of love but 't is here a little and there a little now and then a drop to keep their hearts open but in heaven God comunicates all at once here he gives out what he gives in degrees according to Saints capacity to receive but in heaven the whole shall be posses'd that God hath in store for them that love him they shall have perfect holines compleat happines and pure spirituality Animorum summa puritas stupenda corporum charita c. There natures shall be spotless and there actions blamelesse an orient splendour and matchlesse brightness of resplendent light shall cover the whole man as a garment Oh what an infinite unconceiveable and unparallel'd gladnes throughout the soul spirit whloe man wil this occasion Saints here desire much and have somewhat of heavens excellency but their desires are not fully satisfied Quicquid desiderare poterunt electi illic invenient quia coram a facie ad faciem intuentur eum qui est omnia and in heaven they shal have their ful insomuch that desires shal cease not longing after more for God shal communicate himselfe fully and at once to Saints there Saints have now some beauty some comlines they are in part sanctified but in heaven they shal be fully sanctified all glorious this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality and then conceptions of evil shall not be in souls there shal be no unsoundnes of judgment nor taints of error no impuritie nor imbecillity of affections in glory Saints love to Christ shal not be cold weak and feeble but it shall be hot strong perfect they shal be without any imperfection Nothing in them or what is done by them shal be blame-worthy Similes erimus ipsi Deo benedicto in seculum they shal be like the blessed God for ever Is not this a word of comfort now wil it not be much more a precious soul-rejoycing to enjoy this purity this samctity this holinesse of being made a excellent beautiful like Angels Angelis sibi ipsi nos similes reddit yea like God himself There shal be nothing amisse in the soul it shal be all glorious no blindnesse lamenesse deafnesse nor crookednesse nor infirmity shal be on the body the bodies of Saints in glory that be handsome faire comely beautiful yea like unto the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3.21 yea and which is more they shal in the whole body be like unto his glorious body Eadem corpora quae hic cum Christo crucifixa sunt una cum Christo in caelesti beatitudine glorificantur These very bodies of Saints that suffer now with and for Christ shal with Christ in heavenly blisse be glorified with him yea they shal have such glory as he hath This Souls I shal leave to you to admire I cannot sufficiently and to the ful in words discover it to you 'T is a wonder to thinke that they that are gracious and so like Christ here should be in heaven as handsome bodied as Christ is Gloria nulla lingua satis explicari potest and have as comely a person and feature as he himself has whom the Father loves dearly that their bodies shal be in all places like to Christs body Beloved may not this incourage us in trouble to venture life and limb for God rather then that God should lose his glory seeing that he can make up all again and supply all wants and wil make every one perfect at last and also not to be troubled as concerning Death with any discomfortable thoughts of worms eating and destroying the flesh with rottennesse seising upon the body and the like knowing that Christ at last wil restore all perfect 2. Saints you have now some wisdome and knowledge you shal have more abundant you shal have more wisdome Isa Dei sapientia seipsam eis ostendet c. you shal have clearer knowledge in the things of God and Christ and of heaven surely knowledge is an exellent thing especially Divine and Heavenly knowledge knowledge in the mystery of salvation What is it that some would not give for knowledge now in Arts and Tongues and in Scripture-truths yea to know God rightly In heaven Saints you shall have an exquisite and perfect knowledge of God ye shal see him not only mentally and contemplatively but also with the bodies eyes corporally so Job Job 19.25 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Whome I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another This Christians I conceive may make your longings to be eager after heaven and exceedingly rejoyce to thinke you shal see God to see God as he is in himself and as he Is in you And all this in a spiritual manner for all knowledge in heaven shal be spiritual I might enlarge my self more on this but I forbear according to what of God is given in to you such is your knowledge already and as God shal be reveal'd knowledge shal encrease and at last you shal in glory know as you are known 3. Saints shal in heaven have a ful fruition of Christ a ful sight of their sweet Saviour Chridum videre superabit omniagaudia Superabit omnia cordis nostoi desideria such a sight that shal give in unspeakable joy such enjoyment that shal bring more joy then heart can wish no tongue can express no heart can conceive what consolation they have that shal enjoy Christ and dwel with him for ever To see Christ to dwel and be with Christ brings to soules wounderful happines This makes souls cry out how long Lord Jesus is it ere thou wilt bring us to glory where we may have beauty presented to our sight sweetnes to our taste amongst men Pulchritudo erit visui mel gustui cithara auditui balsanum olfactui flos actui musick to our eare what is odoriferous to our smelling and delightful to be touch'd and handled the soul also fil'd with light and comfort every faculty having what is pleasant to it given out freely and fully O blessed condition O sweet life O happy being to be brought into the Court of the glorious God to the society of Saints Jesu Christe sponse animaemeae suavissime into the bosome of sweet and blessed Jesus the loving and ever-glorious husband to blessed souls Love is abundantly shown on earth by Christ to those that are Christs in their affaires to direct them in their troubles to help them in their dangers to deliver them in bestowing divers and excellent benefits both of grace and nature and of creature-things likewise in disappointing the dangerous devices of enemies in frustrating the subtile and crafty plottings of Satan in beating downe the power of
not preached the name Christian nothing if Christ be not in the soul The sum of the sum of all is Christ 'T is a common fault God weed it out of mens hearts for men to vatut in some outward thing and glad many are if they can denominate themselves of this or that opinion or judgement or of this or that man as a hearer follower or of his Congregation or got into some attainement that bears high amongst professours I shall onely say this beware you do not deceive your selves Christ is all and all you must have Christ or you will perish eternally I might have added severall Reasons why Saints are so wary who they take into their fellowship as that they will not take in such that bear a name onely and in life and conversation are sensuall carnall heathenish devilish nor such as barely beleeve only a Christ without that can speake of the letter of scripture and the history of Christ but have not a Christ manifested within but I shal not stay here much for Saints them already and for others they as Swine pearles will tread them under their foot they will scorn them as that they savour of over much strictnesse and novelty it may they will say of Independencie and Anabaptisme But a word of them 1. It is uncomfortable to Saints to take them into fellowship that have not a Christ within Is it not uncomfortable living for a living man to be yok'd to a dead body and to have dead men for his Company What are men without Christ but dead men Eph. 2. 1. Joh. 1.22 souls without life stincking rotten loathsome souls that have no comlinesse 2. It is dangerous to Saints to joyn in any intimate fellowship with such by reason they are infectious persons a body infected with the plague is not more apt to infect mens bodies then sinfull vile souls are such that nourish fellowship with them ps 18.29 Men are very apt to fashion themselves like those with whom they converse and live to imitate their words and actions and to be confederate in their doings and so allured or enticed from what is right and agreeable to the perfect rule of the word 3. It is scandalous for if such be taken into fellowship and church society that are vile or that have but a form of Godlinesse and so adorn not the profession of the Gospell how doth it give ungodly men occasion to speak evil and to open their mouths against the way of the Saints and to stand out so much the more stifly by way of oppossition against truth because of some bad ones got into outward society that have not the inward enjoyment of truth Saints had need beware upon this consideration who they take into church-fellowship that so it be not such that by falling off from holinesse give offence but such that are held in by the power of truth to the credit of truth and truths professors with whom they are in communion Souls you that know Christ look about you consider of men rightly take a serious consideration of them Sanctam vitam cum ip so amant Discite a me quia mitis sum humilis corde Sivis esse adoptivus Dei filius vide quomodo conversetur filius ille unigenitus take them for Saints that are like Christ such that are like holy as Christ is holy pure as Christ is pure precious as Christ is precious sweet lovely comely beautiful as Christ gentle lowly as Christ they that are Christs are like Christ The adopted sonnes of God like the only begotten sonne of God the younger brothers like the Elder Saints like their Saviour Christ is humble gentle loving merciful full of bowels of kindnes and goodnes they that are Saints indeed are like him he it is they strive to imitate he they look vnto as their rule Sancta Christi vita est perfecta vitae nostrae regula he is the patterne they have always before them I guide you not to this or that forme attainment opinion judgment or the like to find Saints but I point out to you Christ and if you see any like him esteem them if you find any that have the same spirit as Christ vbi spiritus vnus ibi eadem voluntas ubi voluntas eadem ibi etiam actiones eaedem that have the same will the same actions look on them love them and for Christs sake esteem them because they are like Christ the very image of Christ The main resolution of their souls and actings of the body is to know God and promote his glory to ascribe praises to him to do good to Saints to put forward whatsoever is agreeable to his wil with all their might Si propter Christum proprio honori proprio amori propriae voluntati in hac vita renuncias Christus in futura sui honoris sui amoris compotem te faciet 'T is not mens frownes t is not allurements 't is not losses 't is not Crosses can deter them from the work of God they know if they deny themselves seeking here not their own honour nor self advancings but following the advice of Christ observing his will doing his work laying out themselves wholly for him he will reward them by giving out unto them of his honour of his love and the like in the world to come I shall leave you now to the search and finding out of Saints by the wisdome of Christ owning and esteeming such for Saints that are like Jesus Christ they that know Christ may know Saints And so much shall suffice to be spoken of that second Doctrine We shall as God shall enable us by his spirit give out somewhat more from the Text that may be of further use comfort to souls which is this Saints brought to heaven shall not have another being Doct. 3 onely a perfecting of what is begun on earth They have a glory already in them upon them Joh. 17.22.23 even the glory that was given to Christ in heaven they shall have more abundant glory They have Somewhat for breeding as heirs under age not come to their full inheritance yet growing to a ripenesse of years and so to a possession of the inheritance even a knowledge of the excellencies of God and Christ fully and clearly yea and of their own excellency by vertue of union and communion with Father and sonne For then shall that glory be manifest and apparant above which is not so manifest and apparent below Christians have some light now though but small they have part of what they shall enjoy in perfection they now see though but darkly then face to face clearly They enjoy visions of God though in a cloudy and darke manner God and glory are reveal'd but in part to Saints whilst here on earth and all they see and know is but dark and imperfect to what they shall see and know God communicates and makes out of his
of wicked men shal be Thinke of this you Saint-haters you Sermon-despisers you wicked mockers and scoffers at goodnesse you that are the wretches prophesied of that should be brought forth and come into the world in the latter daies that should appear unholy and that should be haters of such as are good 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. What is it that some of you would do to the conscionable imbracers of holiness were they in your power would you not imprison them famish them slay them shew much cruelty to them and would you not pluck down the pure preaching of Jesus Christ and obstruct the perfect and upright walking of Saints are not your hearts now against such men and such doings and do you not wish your hands at liberty to act some enterprises against what is holy good against that which you cal Sects and Factions and against such as you say bring all out of order that turn the world upside down I know not your thoughts within you are privy to what dwels in your own breast Paul was once as violent against goodnesse and goodmen as any of you and doubtlesse had he been then asked what Saul dost thou think wil become of thy soul dost thou think thou shalt go to heaven that thou shalt dwell with the ever-living God with holy Angels and blessed Saints he would have said he hoped he should go to heaven as soon any man living but had the Lord let him go on in his way not shewed him mercy what had he come of his soul Let this be disgested in your souls and know that glory and eternal happiness is provided for such that are washed for such that are sanctified for such that are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the spirit of our God and such must you be if ever brought to heaven You are by nature vile filthy and naked Nuda erat sponsa nec poterat ad regale caelestis regni palatium ita nuda introduci Ipse induit eam vestimentis salutis justitiae Juimicum erat sponsae genus caelesti patri sed ipse illud per acerbissimam passionem patri reconciliavit Cant. 5.21 Erit ibi praesentia omnâ—s mali erit aâ—â—â—tia omâ—â—boni you must be clothed as Saints with the robes of righteousnesse and garments of salvation if brought into the Palace of glory the dweling of the great God where he sits on his Throne and all his blessed Saints about him I have this comfort yet of such that are enemies to God and what is good That it is in the power of the Lord for to change them he can instruct them to repentance and call them to holinesse and reconcile them to himself but should not the Lord thus work upon you that are revilers slanderers persecutors and the like you shall not inherit the Kingdome of God but you would be cast away into utter darknesse into unspeakable torments to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels into such a place of suffering where you should have no mercy no good no comfort no ease no friend no pitty Miserable miserable beyond expression miserable shall they be in torments for ever that now torment the holy ones of the Lord and the blessed members of Christ by their evill speakings and evill doings such shall be punished with everlasting destruction 2 Thes 1.9 and be deprived of all mercy and comfort I speak not these things to trouble you but in pitty to admonish you and my prayer shall be thaâ— the Lion may lie down with the Lambe that from Comings in of truth into your soules you may be overcome of truth and so submit to it that you may sweetly accord and friendly agree with the children of truth and all that in truth professe truth That you may speak and act the same things and that there may be no divisions amongst you as you hope to dwell with the Prince of peace and with the Saints of peace now live peaceably follow after peace and what may make for quietnesse in the waies of God Seeing you are apt to say you have hopes to be saved do like them that shal be saved harme not but help such that are beloved of him that must save you if ever saved Consider of what hath been said the Lord give you aright understanding of al things that may make you holy gentle courteous peaceable in life and also honourable blessed happy and glorious for ever Vse 4 The life of Saints upon earth is a rare life an excellent holy and heavenly being a being that tends to the glory honour and praise of God to the exalting of his great mercy and goodnes and declaring his name and power 't is a life wherein men that are holy labour to improve themselves with all that is theirs in a way of duty to be serviceable to the God of holines As they have beginnings of the life of glory in the kingdome of grace so according to what is begun and the gift given do they act here in grace sutable to what is done in glory They are not perfect here they have their failings yet by the comings in of God they strive to be like God and according to the gifts of the Spirit are they spiritual exercis'd they are spiritual in their prayers spiritual in their preaching spiritual in their hearing spiritual in their conversation striving to walke after the Spirit endeavouring to give up their all to Christ that is all and in all All their wisedome all their might all their strength all their endowments all their places all of soule all of body all of liberty riches honour in a word all Christ hath done so much for them that they thinke they can never do enough for him they think they can never praise him enough nor extol him as they ought nor give the honour that is due to him They are alwaies complaining of deadnes and darknes and weaknes and inability to behold to admire to commend to advance the sweetnes goodnes mercy and comforts that Christ gives out to them they are longing for more abilities to serve the Lord Jesus Faine would they do as they in glory do and they wait daily earneastly exspecting to be brought to glory that they may enjoy that in fulnes which here they have in part and that fulnes being injoy'd employ it to the honour and praise of the giver Soules they are not common men that live the life of Saints neither is their life a common life Saints are jewels jewels are excellent things there is that in a jewel that is not in ordinary and common stones jewels have an excellency in them so have Saints and this excelency is useful to Christ and what Christ adviseth The Excellency in Saints is given into them from Christ and as is comes from Christ it is altogether for returning to Christ Christ in giving out his Excellency to Saints doth open his heaet to Saints
over themselves especially when in bad company and as much as possibly they may refraine from their sosciety because many a good soul hath been spotted amongst such I need not bid wise men beware of houses infected with the plague nor good men of sinful places they know as the one is dangerous to the body so the other to the soul Remember it acquits not sinners to say that Adam sinn'd and had not he fallen they had not been thus tainted nor so prone to evil grace is offerd by Christ and they that wil be sav'd must by faith lay hold on his righteousnesse if not they wil be inexcusable at the last day and perish Eternally 1. 'T is not enough for men to say that they are flesh and that the flesh lusteth draweth to evil and over masters them Now wil that which the Devil prompteth into men help them when they must give up their accompt to God that 't is with them as with Paul it is no more we that do it but sin that dwelleth in us or as it fel out of David or Lot c first to Answer that of Paul consider who he was and of what sinnes he spake Paul was a holy and a Godly man a chosen vessel of God can you say you are so can you say Christ is reveald in you that you encounter all temptations to the utmost of your spiritual abilities besides 't is shameful to bring such a speech from Scripture to patronize a course of wickednes which is us'd by the Apostle concerning some secret and privie infirmities Do not deceive your selves God is not mocked Take heed of using Scripture as a stumbling-block and let not that which was left for the good of Saints hasten your damnation 2. As to the sins of David and Lot I shal not speake much now you may by them see how apt the best are to fal and so to take heed do not any of you cast your selves into the Sea because Jonah was not drown'd By them may comfort be spoken to Saints if God should let them be so farre fool'd by Satan as to fal into such faults Much more might be said as concerning them but I forbeare the Lord in mercy hold up our goings that our footsteps slip not 2. 'T is not safe turning our iniquities to the times and to the places where we live and the wickednesse of men with whom we converse this wil not make a passage to glory The worse the times and places are the more careful ought we to be the more cheats are abroad the more should we look to our purses If the aire be generally infected had we not need to be so much the more thisful of using preservatives But of care already 3. There are some that accuse their callings for what they do amiss they cannot reade and pray because of their callings and their callings make them breake the Sabbath Pray lay not the blame upon what deserves it not your callings if honest were never ordain'd for your soules hurt but for their good such that complaine of their callings yet can find time from their callings to eat and drink and sleep visit friends and follow recreations and the like that concernes their bodies 4. Some accuse their poverty saying we have not time to serve God all we can do is to provide for our families know this to be Godly helps towards thy family provision So they cannot shew themselves charitable they have not wherewithal Can you not remember the widdows two mites how accepted Besides these some lay the faultes upon their occasions upon the objects they meet withal upon Satan upon fortune any where rather then on themselves to be humbled Let this reprove you sin no more least God consume you for were you good nothing should draw you to wickednes you would say to all temptations how should I do this or that and sin against my God Would you know Christs people they Vse 2 are such that in bad times are good that owne truth when they must suffer for it that are willing to die clasping truth in their Armes or rather they clasp'd in truths Armes that let multitudes meet them going to hel they wil thorow the throng to heaven let wind and tide be against them they wil forwards that are dismaid with no frownes nor daunted with no sufferings That are no milksops of fearefulnes Oportet aut manentem vincere aut interire Lacedae monii hoc animo praelium inibant ut aut victores redirent domum aut victi occumborent but Champions of courage that wil not desert Christs cause but manfully fight the good fight of faith yea die in the battel rather then yield for so it becomes true Christians to conquer or die to go through in what they have a warrant from Christ to undertake or else for Christs sake and cause to lay down their lives 'T is reported of the Lacedemonians that when they went to wage war and joyn'd battel with any they did it with this resolution that they would go home conquerours or die conquer'd All true and gallant-spirited Christians are of such a spirit in whatsoever they undertake for Christ being cal'd to it by Christ Pons a tergo abruptus est they know there is no flying away without everlasting shame To desert Christs cause is an endangering of the soul to be deserted of Christ Besides to fly from Christ is to go from him that hath al safety from him that is strength from him that the Psalmist speaks highly of Psal 144. yet not as he deserves the words are these My goodnes and my fortress my high tower and my deliverer my shield and he in whom I trust Here are expressions holding out Christ according to what the soul could and as we are capable of hearing and understanding 'T is to shew that God is all in all to Saints he gives in comfort he guards and protects from dangers this is enough to make any man valiant to have divine power encouraging him divine power comforting divine power guarding divine power at all times and upon occasions to help how can such souls be conquer'd 'T is impossible for he that is so divinely accommodated is ready to venture all he hath in the cause of Christ A Christian endued with divine power is ready and able also to live and die with an Almighty Saviour Christ to him is enough Christ alone is all he lookes stil on Christ and observes him what Christ sayes he sayes what Christ does he does let all the world take what course they please do what they wil neglect Christ go contrary to Christ persecute Christ yet stil the Saint that hath God for his strength God for his shield God for his instructer shrinks not is not disheartned but holds on his way for truth in despite of al that oppose truth and though never so much slighted of truths foes it cares not 't is satisfaction and
encouragment enough to him that truth defendeth favours him Christ hath all his affection and he hath from Christ all power to do what Christ cals him to through Christ that strengthens him he can do all things By the power and strengh of Christ he is carried up on high above sense above reason above the world he is raised above feares above frownes his soul like Jehosaphats is lifted up in the wayes of God 2 Chro. 17.6 Christ puts in a holy magnanimity insomuch that in Christs cause it feares neither fire nor sword cross nor loss breaking of bones tearing of members men or Devils so it may be one with Christ In a word a soul that is truly Christs borne of him living to him is one whom neither poverty nor death nor bonds nor any outward Evils can terrifie Oh! souls you that this day heare me what wil you do in bad daies what in persecuting daies in the daies that fiery trials come wil you then owne truth wil love to Christ make you cleave to Christ suffer for Christ die for Christ if it doth then may it be said that you are Christs and that you are no changelings but true bred spirits children of God in bad places and times like Christ The Lord grant that though friends faile riches faile times alter peace should be remov'd yet your faith may not faile but that you may be baptiz'd with the baptisme wherewith Christ was baptiz'd though a bloudy baptisme and so being like Christ in life and death you may be like him in glory Vse 3 Were I in a more publique place I might speak a word to the Parliament the great counsel of the Kingdom exhorting them praying them to have a care of such that are godly of such that are like Christ to deal wel with them to preserve them make provision for them for they shal be sure of the help of them whilst they stick to Christ the Saints wil stick to them We have seen a miserable defection by abundance of men I will not say all but doubtlesse most have fallen off because they were not like Christ and did not cleave to Christ I shal forbear speaking in this place what I might were the auditory sutable Good men are too much slighted many times and bad men over much favoured Equidem Jehova contempum effudit in Principes God hath in a great measure cast them out with shame that were not friends to his precious Saints but rather to the adversaries I trust God wil give the Parliament a heart to cast their eies upon and have respect of such that are the called the faithful and chosen of Christ Whosoever deserts ths Parliament the Saints will never unlesse they forsake Christ which God forbid If the Parliament should be in straits Saints wil go in with them if they should be oppos'd Saints wil help them with body soul estate their purse prayers strength shall help If they should meet with bad times the Saints would stand with them in the storme I fear if the Parliament should have the need of any hereafter they wil finde few closing faithfully with them but what are the faithfully of Christ Methinks I hear a secret muttering amongst many that are ready to say if troubles come the Parliament wil have but few to take their parts few that wil joyn with them to such whisperings I shal give a loud answer if the Parliament follow Christ and take his part as I trust they wil they shal be sure of the Saints all Christs friends and have they these I beleeve they need not care who is against them or what opposition they meet withal no though all the people of the earth be gathered together against them Zach 12.3 Let the Parliament set up Christ and favour those are Christs and then if all the Nations of the world were gathered together against them they need not fear for Christ would help them and take part with them and if he be of their side they need not fear what man can do unto them for Christ wil make their enemies fall before them God wil make our Parliament-worthies such to all their enemies Isti incredibili ardore atque successu gentes omes de bell aâ—unt subjicient vel potius stirpitus cacindeut Zach. 12.6 as is spoken of the Governor of Judah they shal be like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf And they shall devour al the people round about on the right hand and on the left All that oppose them shall be but as a little wood laid on fire or straw put upon fire coales which would soon be consumed God grant the Saints may be favoured they that are truly godly be respected and car'd for by the Parliament then I doubt not of their flourishing and having friends to side with them for they shal have all the faithful and they are through Gods blessing many If this come to any of those worthies sights I pray God it may be a means to advise them to have a care of Christs people and then let them be sure those people of Christ wil have a care of them And though they must venture all nay die they wil stand with them God grant our Parliament-worthies may consid er that though they have not the most with them yet they have the best though the Saints be least for numebr yet they are the strongest for might and such that can though but a few subdue many five shall chase an hundred Lev. 26.8 and an hundred shall put ten thousand to flight Great hath been the experience that this Kingdome hath had of the Saints victories of those that went against their enemies 1 Sam 17.45 as David against Goliah in the name of the Lord of hoasts Keep close together Saints keep with the Parliament Deus favet justis piis consiliis and then I doubt not but all wil be wel for God wil blesse the proceedings of good-men in a good cause and what better cause can be taken in hand then what is now in hand in England the bringing Christ to his Throne Let me conclude all with a word of consolation to such that fear bad times and that have spirits troubled with the various tossings in the world and defections of men from truth and other molestations that are all ready in the world and that they fear wil come on to the further grief and suffering of Saints Indeed there are troubles the dayes are evil times bad and 't is likely may be worse yet be sure of this they that are Christs people wil continue his people they that are gracious there will be some good still in sad times in the worst times some that in assured hope and confidence of Gods mercy in all necessities and tribulations cleave to the truth knowing that Gods power is Allmighty his promises most true his mercies infinite and that 't is for their souls everlasting happinesse to follow Christ let what sufferings soever come yea though they loose their lives There are a remnant that are enlightened and from that enlightening they know what is best to be embraced they know that whatsoever of troubles come now yet to al that are in Christ that are like Christ that love his appearing there will berest there will be peace there wil be blessednesse there wil be glory Those that are engrafted really into Christ wil by vertue receiv'd from Christ flourish Bad times make not them bad they will be good in any times in any company in any place If exalted good if abased good if rich good if poor good if in distresse good if in prosperity good Christ was a precious Christ in every condition and they precious Saints in every condition I know not what the times may be but I know what they that are Christs will be they wil be like Christ As some trees continue green in every season of the year in winter and summer in heat and cold so some men good in all times they are no changelings they are stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord. Immobiles sunt super solido fundamento Christo Dominum in ipsum sincera fide perfecta recumbertes Let others totter they stand others shake they are unmoveable others fal they rise others be idle they Labour others be against God they are for him Consider of this I pray and let it cheer up your spirits I know you are apt to say times are so bad you know not whom to trust al ready men are so deceitful wicked and if they should be worse you know not what to do nor what wil become of you Christ comfort you and encourage you and let what wil happen in the world and let whose wil desert you if he never leave you nor forsake you you wil do well enough you wil be brought at the last to glory You may receive comfort in hopes of meeting with some friendly souls some Saints in the most naughty times but suppose you be left alone and there be none to be found yet in this be glad in this rejoyce in this be comforted that you shall find Christ and he will be to you insteed of friends and helpers and companions he wil be all to you The Lord grant that none of you be disheartned nor fal backe nor asham'd of the Gospel of the Lord but that you may beare witnesse to the testimony of Jesus and of this be confident your labour wil not be in vaine nor any suffering unrewarded that is undergone for Christ and his truth Christian friends whatsoever may make for your comfort I pray God give it you let it be peace within good company without the benefit of ordinances any mercy that so you may be Christs and continue like Christ let places times men the world with what is therein be never so bad FINIS