Inst Ananias laid his hands on Paul and gave him Instructions Acts 9. 6 17. He was separated unto the Gospel of God Rom. 1. 1. Timo by is warned to be wary in laying of his hands upon any before due trial of his sufficiency 1 Tim. 5. 22. For a setled Ministry Texts 1 Thes 5. 12. We beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account Inst Epaphras was a Faithful Minister of Christ for the Colossians Col. 1. 7. The Seven Churches of Asia had each its several star Angel or Minister Rev. 1. 20. Reas 1. Christ is the God not of Confusion but of Order and will have all things done in order in his Church 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 2. He would have people to love their Ministers Propriety is a strong Motive to love Col. 1 7. 3. He would have his Ministers to be faithful in their several Charges Acts 20. 28. Use 1. Take heed to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee Overseer Acts 20. 28. 2. Remember the account thou must give Heb. 13. 17. Wo be unto thee if thou preach not the Gospel whereof a dispensation is committed unto thee 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. 3. Serve God with thy Spirit in the Gospel of his Son Rom. 1. 9. Jer. 48. 10. 4. Obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your souls Heb. 13. 17. 5. Beware of false Prophets which come unto you unsent by Christ they are ravening Wolves Mat. 7. 15. 6. Turn away From House-creepers They will lead thee captive 2 Tim. 3. 6. From such as separate themselves They are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. From wandring Stars They go in the way of Cain and run greedily after the Error of Balaam for reward Jude 11 13. From Gatherers of Congregations They gather not with Christ but are Scatterers Mat. 12. 30. Resol Being set over this his Houshold according to the dispensation of the great Lord thereof my care shall be as becomes a faithful and wise Steward to give unto them their portion of wholsom Food in due season Luke 12. 42. Ejac. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Luke 12. 43. Paral. III. Circ The Change in my Soul was first wrought upon hearing of a Sermon preached by a lawful Minister Obs The Word preached by a lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart WHen I first entered into the Ministry God knows I was a most unfit man for so high and Holy an employment and so continued until I came unto this Place The Sermons which I then preached before my Change it is possible might be a means to open the Gate of Heaven to others while I my self stood without Being setled here my Lord Christ was pleased as he dealt by his chosen Vessel St. Paul Acts 9 6 15. by a rough breaking to put my heart into a new frame and in part to fit me for the great Work to which he had called me I had now attained to the top of the Hill of man's age and was descending The sixth hour of my day was past yet then was I sent into the Vineyard Math. 20. 5 No time while the day of life continues can bar man from mercy 10. 9. 4. Being in the City I would needs on the Lord's day go to the new Church in Covent-garden whose inside I had never seen I went I confess more out of novelty then devotion My end was not to seek God Yet there I happily found him and was found by him Rom. 10. 20. The Minister was unknown to me His Text was about the unclean Spirit 's returning to his House c. and taking to him seven other Spirits more wicked than himself c. Math. 12. 43 44 45. Although for some time I did not much mind him yet at length upon his well-handling of his Matter I was perswaded with an attentive ear to listen unto him and before the conclusion of his Sermon somewhat was delivered by him which the Spirit was pleased to carry home to my heart and to make use of it as an Hammer to break that Rock in pieces Ier. 23. 29. I was there rouzed out of my security and began to think what a dangerous condition my Soul was in and could not forbear saying to the servant of the Inn who at night lighted me up to my Chamber We that teach others to be good should be good our selves which he departing answered with a curse My terrours increased upon me to the disturbance of my Reason and so I continued for some weeks after my return home Being somewhat come to my self upon the perswasion of a Neighbour-Minister my living being not many miles from the University I went to the Colledge of which I was yet a Fellow hoping there better to recollect my self and to shake off my melancholy amongst my old pleasant Companions And the truth is my thoughts by conversing with them were soon taken off from where they should have been fixed The Lord called to mourning and there followed indeed A Sermon of repentance A just restitution A weak dislike of my bad wayes A discovery of some tenderness in my Soul which one of my Companions a Minister slighting I forbear to say in what words afterwards came to a sudden and sad end But I found carnal men to be a means sooner to extinguish the smoaking flax then to inflame it which danger the Lord was pleased to prevent by withdrawing me from thence and bringing me back hither where my amendment following but slowly he saw it fit for the perfecting of the Work he had begun to wound me in my Soul and since his former rod when the sorrows of many temporal deaths compassed me had done but little good sharply to chastize me with his Scorpions The fear and horrours of Hell taking hold upon me Psal 116 3. The weight for the time was very heavy but I was Powerfully supported Graciously delivered Most richly recompenced They and onely they whom God by his eternal Decree hath freely predestinated unto Glory shall certainly enjoy it and be brought unto it by those means which to that end he hath fore-appointed Rom. 8. 30. The principal of these means are effectual Calling and Justification as there to which all others do refer To effectual Calling are required an offering of Christ a receiving of Him Christ is off râ—d in the Word Col. 2. 28. He is received by Faith 10. 1 12. The receiving of Christ is passive or active He is received passively in Baptism where he is put on Gal. 3. 27. We are ingraffed into him Iohn 15. 5. And becoming Members of his Body 1 Cor. 12. 12 13.
and takes off its true relish of spiritual sweetness The Manna ceased assoon as the Israelites had eaten of the old corn of the Land of Canaan Josh 5. 1â— To extirpate the Affections man must be unman'd where they have an over-ruling power he becomes a Beast Psal 49. 20. At least he is brought down to the lowest degree of servitude There is no such slavery as his who is not Master of himself Against violent Temptations the soul is armed by Fortitude by Temperance against alluring This moderates Mans Love of them His desire after them His delight in them His Grief in the absence of them This Grace of Temperance being the Guardian of all other Vertues the Spirit among others upon a Christians effectual Calling adornes the soul withal thereby so restraining the Passions and confining of them within their bounds that in the Fruition of vain Pleasures the moderate use whereof is not denied 1 Cor. 6. 12 Or in their absence he is still the same Let him enjoy them he is as if he enjoyed them not 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30 31. Let him be without them he is as if enjoying of them 2 Cor. 6. 10. Upon his Change he is now set far above them having his soul filled with new and spiritual delights Though his heart be taken off from the vain Comforts of the world yet Christ leaves him not comfortless Joh. 14. 18. The Joy of the Lord is his strength Nehem. 8. 10. His Comforts delight his soul Psal 94. 19. In whom he rejoyceth continually Phil 4. 4. His Delight is in Gods Law Psal 1. 2. Which is most sweet unto him Psal 119 103. His delight is in the Saints and in the excellent Psal 16. 3. He takes pleasure in the waies of wisdom Prov. 3. 17. He is filled with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Yea with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. The Promises those satisfying Breasts of Comfort Isa 66. 11. afford him strong Consolation Heb. 6. 17 18. He rejoyceth that his Name is written in Heaven Luke 12. 20. Thus whereas formerly when enslaved to worldly pleasures in laughter his heart was sorrowful as well it might the end of that Mirth being heaviness Prov. 14. 13. Now he enjoyes that sweet peace in his soul which guards and keeps up his spirit under the heaviest afflictions Acts 5. 41. Which he bears with patience rejoycing in hope of the Glory of God Rom 5. 2. And longing for that day when he shall enter into the joy of his Lord Mat. 25. 23. Obs Upon effectual Calling the Spirit usually first weakens Corruption by taking the heart off from all affected Vanities and Pleasures Texts Heb. 12. 1. Let us lay aside every weight 1 Pet. 3. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting of the hair and of wearing of Gold and of putting on of Apparel c. Inst St. Peter exhorts those who had obtained the precious Faith to add thereunto Temperance 2 Pet. 1. 6. Mary Magdalen upon her Conversion her eyes formerly allurements to lust now shed Tears with which she washed Christ's feet and wiped them with the hairs of her head with whose nicely set Curles she was wont to entangle her Lovers She bestowed her Kisses upon them and anoynted them with her precious Oyntment before used to set off her Beauty to make it the more enticing Luke 7. 38. Reas 1. They hinder the soul in its search after Gods Kingdom and the righteousness thereof Mat. â— 31 32. 2. They choak the Word and make it become unfruitful Luke 8. 14. 3. They retard the souls pace in her race toward the Mark Heb. 12. 1 4. They harden the heart Amos 6. 1 4 5 6. Use 1. Set thine Affections on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. 2. Seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6 33. 3. Rid thy self of whatsoever may hinder thee in thy spiritual Race Heb. 12. 1. 4. Adorn thy soul with the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit 1 Pet. 3. 4. with sobriety and good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 5. Account not that thy Glory which is thy shame Phil 3. 19. 6. Draw not on Iniquity with Cords of Vanity Isa 5. 18. Resol All things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any 1 Cor. 6. 12. Ejac. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way Psal 119. 37. Paral. X. Circ After the staying and beating of my Pursuer I heard no more of him Obs The Power of Corruption being once broken It shall never again recover it over the effectually-Called so as to hinder them from Glory I cannot but begin this Parallel with a triumphant exultation in my soul and say Thy right hand O Lord glorious in power hath dashed in pieces the enemy In the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown those that rose up against me Thou in thy Mercy hast redeemed me and led me forth and wilt guid me in thy strength unto thy holy Habitation Exod. 15. 6 7 13. Where my hope is laid up with thee Col. 1. 5. Even that Crown of righteousness which my Lord Christ the righteous Judge will give unto me at that day 2 Tim 4. 8. This thou hast assured me of and none shall take it from me John 10. 28. Who is like unto thee O Lord Who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 11. No man cometh unto Christ unless the Father draw him John 6. 44. We are led willingly drawn with reluctancy Rom. 5. 10. But God of unwilling maketh us willing working Grace in the heart by the secret Operation of the Spirit upon the Preaching of the Word which is his ordinary way of dâ—awing John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14 15. In the Word preached Christ is offered to the soul 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. And they who receive him thus offered have put him on Gal. 3. 27. and dwell in him Eph. 3. 17. and so are effectually called Effectual Calling is a certain evidence of a Christian Election Rom. 8. 30. And these two draw after them all those other Links of the Golden Chain reaching from Gods Decree of Predestination unto the enjoyment of that Glory to which he is predestinated and mentioned by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 1 3 4. He is redeemed from his vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. From the Dominion of sin and all other his enemies Luke 1. 71. Having escaped the Corruption that is in the world through lust v. 4 He is regenerated and become a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. Having all things given unto him that pertain unto life and godliness or to a godly life v. 3. He is justified having obtained the precious Faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ v. 1. And so assured of the pardon of his sins and of Gods Favour unto him in his
that wrestled with him desired him to let him go said I will not let thee go except thou bless me and he blessed him there Gen 32. 24 26 29. Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six moneths and he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain Jam. â— 17. â—eas 1. God hath tied himself by promise to hear such Prayers Mat. 7. 7. 2. Such Prayers are put up in the Name of Christ John 16. 23. 3. Christ maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. and his Father alwaies heareth him John 11 42. 4. Christ presents our Prayers unto his Father with the Incense of his merits Rev. 8. 3. 5. The Spirit maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Use 1. Prayers to Saints are vain they are ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. 2. Go confidently to God in the alone Name of Christ and thou art sure to speed John 16. 23. 3. Though thine infirmities in Prayer be many yet be not discouraged the holy Spirit helps them and intercedes for thee Rom. 8. 26. Resol Whatsoever my wants are I will ask in the name of Christ and then I am certain I shall receive and my joy shall be full John 16 24. Ejâ—c I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined hiâ— ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as lonâ— as I live Psal 116. 1 2. Paral. V. Circ The Mercy was discovered to me but new â— humbled by a wounded Spirit Obs God recompenseth the great afflictions of hâ— Children with greater mercies SOme years before this great affliction was laid upâ—â— me I had often called my waies to remembrance and humbled my self for my sins but there were soâ—â— yet behind undiscovered which indeed some of the at least I thought not to be such Notwithstanding it was the Lords pleasure whatsoever to that time I had thought of them to make me throughly sensible that they were sins and of so high a nature as called for a low Humiliation To this end he took the same course with me as he did with David in a third person setting them before me and after a most sharp sentence by me pronounced against them secretly saying unto me within my self Thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. Then began Conscience Gods Attorney-General to accuse and condemn Then did the Word applied unto my past actions like a two edged sword cut on both sides making two deep wounds in my soul In The apprehension of the loss of my God Isa 59. 2. In The Fear of the dreadful effects of his vengeance Gal. 3. 10. O the horrours of the wounded spirit my then present condition Who can bear their weight Prov. 18. 14. Who is able to express the anguish Yet the Lord was pleased to support me though his wrath lay heavy upon me and he afflicted me with all his waves almost to distraction while I suffered his terrours Psal 88. 7. 15. After some dayes being a little come to my self I bath'd my wounds with the tears of true repentance and Faith poured in the balm of Christs Merits And when the Lord saw that I did bear his Rod as became his humble child that I was brought so lon that I was now in a sit capacity for mercy then did the great Physitian of my Soul the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2 Not despising my contrite heart Psal 51. 17. But healing my broken spirit and with his own hand gently binding up my wounds Psal 147. 3. Speaking peace unto my soul and raising me again by a clear sense of his Love and Presence O the sweetness of his Mercy Psal 34. 8. Then did he soon after afford unto me these great and gracious vouchsafings O the riches of his Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Obs God recompenseth the great Afflictions of his Children with greater Mercies And that In this Life In the Life to come In this Life Texts Isa 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double For confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion Mar. 10. 28. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren c. for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Inst. Job for what he had lost had twice as much at his latter end Job 42. 12. Joseph from the Dungeon was raised to highest honour in Pharaoh's Court Gâ—n 41. 40 43. After this Life Texts Isa 54. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee 2 Cor. 4. 17. Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Inst Christ assures his Disciples that they who had forsaken all and followed him when he should sit in the Throne of his Glory they should sit upon twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19. 28. They who came out of great tribulation here in Heaven are arrayed in white Robes and are before the Throne of God c. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 13 14. c. Reas 1. The Lord is rich in Mercy Eph. 2. 4. 2. He would have his Children to bear his Rod with Patience Heb. 11. 9 10 11. Use 1. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Mat. 5. 4. 2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Jam. 1. 2. The Recompense will sufficiently countervail the Trial. 3. Hearken to Christ He is sent to proclaim Liberty to the Captives the opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. Resol I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath put off my Sackcloath and girded me with gladness Psal 30. 11. He hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness Isa 61. 10. Ejac. O thou that bindest up the broken-hearted Appoint unto the Mourners in Zion give unto them beauty for ashes the Oyl of Joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61. 3. Paral. VI. Circ The discovery as touching those missed secular preferments was onely craved but much more granted Obs The Lord often grants more then his Servants sue unto him for THE Lord is good and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him Psal 86. 5. Had he onely heard me in what I craved the condescension had been greater then unworthy dust and ashes might expect My desire was to be setled as touching those missed expectations whether God in mercy had withheld me from their enjoyment The assurance of this had been a gracious return of my Prayer But O! I am rapt with the contemplation of the magnificence of his Bounty and Goodness That to this assurance he should
are united unto him abiding in him and he in us John 15. 4. There the soul is cleansed from sin and the new life of Grace is begun in it Col 2. 12. as to habit by the holy Spirit then â— B. D. in Col. given unto it Acts 2. 38 39. This Habit doth not act it cannot presently in Infants it doth not in any though baptized at ripeness of years until the Spirit which worketh where when and how it listeth John 3. 8. pleaseth to stir it up For which he takes his own time Luke 16. 17. Mat. 20. 1 3 5 6. It is then stirred up when being drawn by the Father we come unto Christ John 6. 44. Gods ordinary way of drawing is by teaching and instructing of man by the preaching of the Word John 6. 45. Rom. 10. 14. The Word Preached is the ordinary means to beget and stirre up Faith and all other Graces in the heart Rom. 10. 14 17. Faith stirred up begins to work by Love in an holy Life Gal. 5. 6. And when it thus works in any answering Gods call with a good Conscience 1 Pet 3. â—1 then is Christ actually received into the soul John 1. 12. then is it evident that he is effectually called 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 10. That his Baptism was unto him a Laver of Regeneration and that then he was renewed by the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. The Word preached however hath not this power in it self though delivered by one never so holy never so able never so zealous It is but the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. Who by it Instructs the Understanding John 6. 45. Moves the Affection Acts 16. 14. Inclinâ—â— the Will 2 Cor. 4. 7. Man propounds the Doctrine of Faith Rom. 10. 17. The Spirit stirs up the assent of the heart to embrace it Acts 16. 14. The Preaching of the Word then being Christ's only ordinary way to change the heart to stirre up Faith as also to encrease it and all other Graces 1 Pet. 2. 2. My Bowels cannot but yern over my poor Brethren throughout the Kingdom and I cannot but heartily pity beâ—oan and pray for the return unto Christ's Fold of those his wandring sheep those â—educed souls who being miâ—led by blind Guids stumble in their waies from the ancient paths to walk in paths in a way not cast up Jer. 18. 15. Refusing to walk in the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. Forsaking the Fountain of living waters for broken Cisterns Jer. 2. 13. Leaving the healthful Pool John 5. 4. For stinking Sinks and Puddles Withdrawing from and slighting the Preaching of the Word and despising the lawful Ministers thereof â— As for their deceiving deceived Teachers 2 Tim. 3. 13. St. Paul shews Whose Ministers they are 2 Cor. 11. 15. What their Practise is v. 13. What their Aim Col. 2. 18. What their present Desert Gal. 5. 12. What without repentance their future Reward â— 2 Cor. 11. 15. When the lawful Ministers of Christ faithfully dispensing of the Mysteries and winning souls unto him shall shine as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. Obs The Word Preached by a Lawful Minister is Christ's ordinary way for changing of the heart Texts Rom. 1. 15 16. The Gospel preached is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that beleeveth Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God preached v. 2. is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Inst. Lydia hearing Paul preach the Lord opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken by him Acts 16. 14. Three thousand were converted at Peter's Sermon Acts 2. 41. Reas 1. God hath appointed that it shall be so Isa 55. 11. 2. It is the only ordinary means to beget Faith in the soul Rom 10. 14 17. 3. It is the Instrument of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. 4. For the Glory of Gods Wisdom and Power in confounding the wise by foolish things mighty things by weak things things that are by the base and despised things of the world yea by things which are not 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. Use 1. Wouldst thou be hired into the Vineyard Stand in the Market place Mat. 20. 3. Wouldst thou be cured Wait at the Pool Joâ—n 5. 3. Attend upon the Means If God hath given thee to Christ thou shalt come unto him John 6. 37. but in his time and way 2. Pray unto God that the door of thy heart may be opened otherwise the door of utterance opened to the Minister will be in vain Col. 4. 3. 3. Barrenness under the Means is dangerous Heb. 6. 7. 4. Slight not Preaching God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1. 21. 5. They who will not hear Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luke 16. 31. 6. Account the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace beautiful Rom. 10. 15. Esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 13. 7. They that despise them despise Christ and God himself Luke 10. 16. Resol I am but thy earthen Vessel the excellency of the Power is of thee O God I will as my duty is present thy Treasures unto thy people not handling thy Word deceiâ—fully but by manifestation of the truth commend my self unto every ones Conscience in thy sight 2 Cor. 4. 2 7. Of whom is all my sufficiency 2 Cor. 3. 5. Ejac. O let thy holy Spirit work in me mightily that with all Faithfulness preaching Christ the hope of Glory I may labour and strive according to his working to warn those whom thou hast entrusted me with and to teach them in all wisdom that I may present them perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 2. â—8 29. Paral. The Vision in General Obs Heavenly Visions are to be observed OUR Lord Christ when he lived upon the earth his constant way of teaching was by Parables Mat. 13. 34. This way before his Inâ—arnation he frequently used Numb 12. 6. In Dreams and Visions of the night and now still he useth it though not so commonly Acts. 2. 17. For a Vision is nothing else but a Parable or certain visible words in an Emblematical way represented before the eye of the mind when the outward senses are bound up with sleep It is an acting of that before the eye of the soul for its clearer Information and that it may there take the deeper impression which spoken to the â—ar awake would not so much be minded and attended unto by reason of the multiplicity of diverting cares business passions c. A Parable in it self being only the first part of a similitude is aenigmatical and dark but add the Interpretation it is plain to an easie capacity Of Visions there are three sorts Natural usually arising
I could if not match him yet closely follow him in his humiliation and amendment By the Grace of God I am what I am Which Grace of his to new mould and make me what I am hath most richly yet strangely wrought Some heaâ—ts are by the Holy Spirit gently softned for gracious Impressions some dealt with more roughly that they may be new made and reformed God hath his Oyl and his Hammer to work upon those who are ordained to Eternal Life to bring them home What the one doth not dissolve the other shall break This last way the Lord was pleased to use towards me First and that some years since by a great and long distemper in the right use of my Reason from which in much mercy he released me The work upon that being not throughly wrought hath given him just occasion now lately to visit me by laying upon me the weighty burden of a wounded spirit whereof by a sweet and I trust lasting peace in my Soul he hath at length graciously eased me Lord What is man What sinful man What I the chief among all sinful men That thou shouldst so mind me so wait for my Amendment and use so many means for my Reclaiming Thy Justice which with a remarkeable retaliation hath often paid me in my own coâ—n might long since have made a quick dispatch and have cast me into Hell But if ever any I may experimentally say thy Mercy is above thy Justice That thou O â—ord maist receive the due Glory of thy Mercy O come hither all you that fear God â—nd I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul I was under his smarting Rod under the without his support as-to the-soul-intollerable burden of a wounded spirit for some sins whereof some of them at least I knew not formerly though I had often called my wayes to remembrance my self to be guilty But the Lord was pleased after a wonderful manner not only to set them before me but to make me so sensible of their heinousness of my desert by them of his terrours then upon me for them that I was exceedingly troubled in my spirit almost to distraction while his fierce wrath went â—ver me I humbled my self low before the Lord for them and thereupon expected Peace and settlement but for some dayes could not find or feel any tâ—ough earnestly with Tears I often sued for it At length taking into my hands that rich cellar of Cordials for the sin-sick Soul the Book of Psalmes and beginning at the First I read on until I came unto the 8 v. of the 85th Psalm at those words I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints but let them not turn again to Folly At which it was the Lords pleasure I should stay and fix my thoughts upon them Which I had not loâ—g done but I found a river of unspeakaâ—le comfort flowiâ—g into my Soulâ— Which I then â—â—uld not but entertain with nor can I now mention without abundance of Tears of unfeigned Thankfulness and exceediâ—g Joy I found that Bâ—east of Consolation full of sweetness And that I might suck it to satisfaction I made choyce of the word of the next Suâ—jâ—ct which I would insist upon by way of discharge of my Pastoâ—al Office when the Lord should please in such a measure to restore me to my self that I might in some degree be though most most unworthy yet not unfit as to the right use of my Reason to appear again to serve my Lord Christ in his Ministry Having now finished my weak Meditations upon them I should be most unthankful to my Great and Gracious Restorer should I nâ—t tâ—us render unto him the due Glory of the Riches of his exceeding Mercy toward me by communicating them unto you mâ— Brethren that you may know whithâ—r to go for Peace if ever the Lord should please to bring any of you into the like Condiâ—ion I have been in O blesse the Lord with me who of very Faithfulnesse brought me into iâ— by his Glorious power suâ—ported me under it and of his abundant Goodnesse led me out of it Blessed be the God of all Comfort who haâ—h comforted us in our Tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble with the comfort wherewith we our selves have been comforted of God 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Yours For Ye are Christs R. W. put them into the like or a worse condition Let them not turn again to Folly The Text consists of three Clauses in every of which each word hath its weight I shall by way of Illustration touch upon each of them and after a brief Paraphrase for their further clearing I shall propound the Doctrines The first Clause is I will hear what God the Lord will speak I will hear what he will speak to the distressed Soul by his Word by his Spirit I will hear what he will speak for I know it will be Comfort and Caution I will hear what God the Lord will speak He sees knowes and pities his people in their distresse and is most ready and able to help them I will hear God the Lord and him only I will hear him I will attend diligently to his Will that I may know it obey it acquaint others with it I will hear him My Resolutions are fixed to hear him against all gainsayers I will hear him My Greatness though a King exempts me not from this duty My holiness as a Saint and his true Servant binds me thereunto I will hear him I will give good example unto others I will teach exhort encourage pray for them But if notwithstanding all this they neglect their duty yet I will hear c. For c. In these two last Clauses are set down a twofold reason why the Psalmist in behalf of the Saints is so resolvedly set upon it to hear God the Lord and him alone The first being taken from that Comfort which the Lord would afford unto the Soul in speaking Peace to it The second from that good which might redound thereunto by his Fatherly Caution and Admonition He will speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints Unto his People not to the world not to stubborn impenitent sinners And to his Saints such are all his People and he owns none other for his but those who are truly such He will speak Peace Comfort Settlement Reconciliation Pardon Acceptance He will speak Peace by a full assurance thereof in the Soul He will speak Peace when his People shall have turned from their sins by true repentance and Faith in Christ He will speak Peace if not presently upon their humiliation and Faith yet most certainly in his good time But â—et them not turn again to Folly But let them not c. How tender is the Lord over his People How unwilling that they should provoke him Let them not turn again to Folly to the Folly of sin Let
is a sad sign of a Soul yet under the Dominion of Satan of one in whom sin reigns that is ready to take any occasion to obey it in the Luâ—ts thereof I must tell such that as yet they are not of the number of the Lords people that they are none of his Saints If they were they would make a better use of the fals of their Brethren they would pity them mourn over them and pray for them and that not only out of a sense of their weakness but likewise and chiefly out of a sad apprehension of those disturbances and unsettlements which they cannot but know will follow in their souls upon such their follies upon such their fals which is the Third Branch of the Point Branch 3. That when the Lords people and Saints do fall into the folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and great disturbances perplexities unsettlements do thereupon arise in their souls This is clear out of v. 6. a little above the Text Where you may perceive that the Lords hand was so heavy upon his people that they were brought down even to the very gates of death Wilt thou not revive us again Reviving is a restoring to life as if they had been in a manner stricken dead with the sense of the Lords wrath upon them they were so distracted so disturb'd and unsetled They lâ—ved as to the natural life but as to Gods Favour in I which alone is true life Psal 30. 5. to this they were dead as to their sense and apprehension It is not thus with men of Brawny benummed Consciences Custom in sin hath beâ—eft them of all sense either of it or of wrath deserved by it But the Lords people their souls are of a more tender and soft temper and as in all known sins so especially in sins of an hainous nature in devouring sins that lay the Conscience wast their Conscience faithfully performs its Office and tels them thus and thus hast thou done Whereupon their former peace vanisheth and their souls are filleâ—â—ith peâ—plexities and perâ—urbations upon application of the Word unto their actions Reas The Word that sets down thâ— sentence of God against such and such sins so and so wâ—ll I deal saith God with such and such sinners The soul assumes by acknowledgment of its own wicked state accusing it self as guilty of those sins And thereupon it cannot but conclude and pass Judgment upon it self that it is justly liable unto the punishments threatned And hence upon serious consideration of what it hath done and what it hath deserved it becomes much troâ—bled perplexed unsetled Somtimes indâ—ed it so fals out that the Lords people do not presently upon their fals make this application by reason they do not presently consider their actions and weigh them and compare them with the Law of God as it was with David 2 Sam. 2. 5. 6. Who was quick and sharp in his sentence agaiâ—st the rich man that had taken away the Ewe-lamb from the poor man but considered not what he had done to Uâ—iah in taking away his wife and his life nor what he had deserved by it But whensoever the Application is made and it shall be at some tâ—me or other the soul loseth its former peace and becomes exceedingly troubled perplexed unsetled even to the breaking of the bones Psal 51. 8. to the wounding of the spirit Prov. 18 14. the smart whereof is insusterable and the weâ—ght insupportable O! unlâ—ss the Lord himself uphold the soul in this sad condition under this pain and pressure who can endure it Who can bear it or who is able to express it The heart knows its own grief as to temporal sufferings or its sorrow for sin but for that pain and load and trouble and horrour that accompanies the wounded spirit it is as its contrary peace past utterance past understanding Yet that I may in part acquaint you with the wofulness of that condition which the sin-burdened soul lies groveling and labouring under Know That when it is brought into this condition by the Application of the Word unto its actions the Word hath truly performed the Office of a sharp two-edged sword to which it is compared Heb. 4. 12. cutting on both sides and making two great gashes or deep wounds in the heart Two wounds In the apprehension of the losse of God In the fear of his Wrath. We have both of them before the Text. Wilt thou not revive us There is the Apprehension of the losse of Gods Favour the life of the soul v. 6. Shew us thy Mercy and grant us thy salvation ver 7. There they deprecate wrath and sue to have it removed from the seizure whereof they knew that without Mercy they could not be saved But it would burn against them and be drawn out and continue upon them 1. Then the Lords people and Saints when fallen into the Folly of hainous sins they lose their Peace and are disturbed and unsetled in their Souls and deeply wounded with the Apprehension of losse Of the losse of God Christ the Spirit God hides his Face and they are troubled Their Faith in Christ is seemingly dead and his Blood to them as a Fountain sealed up They cannot find any effectual workings no not so much as those discoveries of life the least stirrings of the Spirit in their souls They cannot pray with Confidence They cannot as formerly rely upon and shrowd themselves under Gods wing for Protection their hedge of defence is broken down and the Tents of those heavenly Guardians the Angels formerly pitched about them for their safety are overthrown So that in this regard they are in a worse-estate for the time then when first freed from the power of Darkness Then they were wounded and pricked at their hearts and had fearful apprehensions of wrath But now beside that they feel the smart of this wound of losse And this is all the good we get by sin it robs us of our God it makes a separation between him and us and causeth him to hide his Face from us Isa 59. 2. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144. Ult. He is all-sufficient the Saints enjoy all things in him while they are his and he theirs all things are theirs and they are Christ's and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 22. 23. But on the other side when he is lost Christ is lost the Spirit is lost all is lost and gone And the loss is yet the greater and the wound the deeper and more smarting according to the Saints love towards God It goes to the heart of a man to lose what he loves Take away the worldly mans wealth which is his god you rob him of his life Micha thought he had lost all when he had lost his Idol Judges 18. 24. Mary Magdalen loved much and when she could not find the body of her beloved Lord in the Sepulcher how â—adly doth she mourn John 20. 15. Much more must it needs
performed the Office of a Schoolmaster to drive them to Christ and now it is become their Coâ—nsellor Psal 119. 24. It ceaseth to be a Rod but continuâ—s to be a Rule according to which they are to walk and when they err from this Rule thâ—y sin and it may be fall into gross hâ—inouâ— scandalous sins whereof the soul being convâ—cted and bâ—come sensiblâ— of what thereby it hath desâ—rved it becomes perplexâ—d and unsetled and depâ—ived â—or the time of its â—nward peace for the regaining whereof there is none other way but by true repentance and Faith in Christ applying the Promises of Pardon in and through him made unto poor sinners in the Word Usâ— 2. Here the sin burdened soul coming to God for Peace is directed how its Humiliation and Repentance is to be qualifiâ—d For it is not enough to confess sin but there must be a godly sorâ—ow for sin an hearty detestation of sin with fixed reâ—olutions against it and for better obâ—dience Unless all these go together its repentance is imperfect and defectâ—ve and will rather provoke the Loâ—d to further wrath then pâ—evail with him for Peace Neither will Repentance alone be sufficient but Faith must go along wâ—â—h it which is so nâ—cessary that it must make way fâ—r the accâ—ptance oâ— the Sacrifice of our broken hearts for sin Without it â—ll our Confessions our â—ears our Resolvings will be in vain For without Faith it is impossible that we or any thing we do should please God Heb. 11. 6. Without it we cannot be justâ—fiâ—d and if not justified there is no peace to be had Rom 5. 1. 3. Thâ— Lord only knows how soon some of his own pâ—ople may be brought inâ—o this sad condition to lye groaniâ—g and languishâ—ng under the Burden of a wounded spiâ—it â—oâ— their sinful follâ—es Whosoever is or may be in this case let me exhort them with all speed to hasten to this only Soveraign Remedy for the recovery of their souls and regaining of their lost Peace Break rend thine heart change thy mind confess bewayl detest resolve against thy Follies and upon better Obedience Apply unto thy Soul the precious Promises of pardon by true Faith in Christ Perform these duties heartily and as near as thou canst punctually in every particular and then set open every passage of thy soul to let in that sweet and exceeding Comfort which will certainly follow in the Lords speaking peace unto thee whâ—ch is the 2 Branch of the Point Branch 2. That when the Lords people and Saints do turn from their folly of sin by true Repentance and Faith in Christ the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto them The sinner hatâ— had experience what the sad effects are of the folly of sin disturbances unsettlements perplexities wounds Now he is about to find and feel the comfortable effects of Grace and holâ—ness For having by true Repentance and Faith in Christ turned from the wayes of sinful Folly into the wayes of Holiness and true spiritual wisdom he finds in them a sweet settlement of his soul and restoring of his Peace all the wayes of wisdom are such Prov. â— 17. that is the wayes of Christ of Grace of Holiness they are all peace and full of Comfort Now the Loâ—d is making good unto the truly humbled and faithful Soul what he pâ—omiseth Isa 54. 7 8. With great Mercy he is gathering of it which for a moment he had forsaken and though in a littlâ— wrath he had hid his face from it for a moment yet now in speaking of peace unto it he is about to make it truly sensible of his everlasting kindness wherewith he hath mercy upon it giving unto it beauty for ashes the Oâ—l of Joy for Mourning and the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heavâ—ness Isa 61. 3. While the Soul was under the pain of its smarting wounds gasping for peace and settlement it bewayled its condition in the Prophet Jeremy's words Jer. 8. 22. Is there no Balm in Gilead Is there no Physician there But now it may forbear its mourning and change it into Songs of Joy For behold the great Physitian of the Soul with healing under his wings is present and vouchsafes to put to his own hand to bind up the broken heart Isa 61. 1. And for the perfecting of the Cure to heal it and bind up its wounds Psal 147. 3. He will speak peace unto it He will extend peace unto it as a River Isa 66. 12. Which River divides it self into two streams or Currents 2 Partic. In the Nature of this Peace And In the Certainty of this Peace 1. For the Nature of this Peace it is A Peace of Love Peace twofold A Peace of Joy For the Lord who for a moment had in a little wrath hâ—d his face from the sinner now returns unto his soul As a Friend As a Guest or Inhabitant As a Friend banishing all fear of Enmity and Wrath. As an Inhabitant by his sweet Presence dispelling the late sad apprehensions of losse Thus the â—ouls great Physitian skilfully applyes unto each wound its proper healing Salve perfecting the cure Of the wound of Enmity by the Union of Love Of the wound of Losse by the Comfort of his Presence 1. The Lord speaks peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul in the Union of Love in raising an assurance therein that he is become its Friend To have the great Lord of Heaven and Earth whose Vassals the greatest Princes are to have him to stoop so low as to admit a poor sinner to that high dignity to be his Friend and so to be esteemed and used by him this must needs cause a sweet peace and settlement in the Soul The Father of the Faithful is honoured with this Title Isa 41. 8. And Christ gives the same to all the obedient Sons of his Faith Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. 14. Where you see that Obedience to Christ's Commands amongst which true Faith is one as they make a man a true Saint as I have other where shewed and so of the number of the Lords People so they bring him to that nearness of intimacy to be his Friend And what it is to have God our Friend see briefly in these Particulars Friends as near as they can will live together The Lord dwells with the humble and contrite heart Isa 57. 15. Friends communicate their Counsels to each other The Lords secrets and Covenant are with his Friends Psal 2â— 14. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you my Friends John 15. 15. Friends communicate their goods to each other So the Lord all things to his friends He affrords them his Truth for their security his love for their Comfort his Power for their protection his Wisdom for their direction All that is in Christ is theirs his Love Graces Merits The Holy Ghost is their Comforter teacheth them
guides them into all Truth seals the Promises unto them is the Pledge of their â—nheritance The Angels are appointed to guard them to minister for them Heb. 1. 14. They are afforded a free use of the Creatures for necessity for delight 1 Tim. 4. 3. All things are theirs 1 Cor 3. 22. Friends deny no lawful thing to each other The Lord grants all the lawful Requests of his friends John 15. 16. Friends rejoyce in the prosperity of each other The Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants and friends Psal 35. 27. Friends suffer with one another The Lord accounts the sufferings of his friends as his own Zechariah 2. 8. Acts 9. 4. Friends do sometimes reprove one another Psal 141. 5. The Lord by his gentle rod doth smite and admonish his friends for their good Heb. 12. 6. There is such a near Union between Friends by reason of that Love which is between them that they are as it were half of each other as if but one soul did animate them A Friend is alâ—er idem another self So there is such a near Union between God and his friends that they are partakers of his Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. He dwels in them and they in him 1 John 3. 24. Now to have God thus to be our Friend the sense of this must necessarily be a sweet-settlement to the soul and fill it with abundance of Peace He who is assured that God is his friend fears not the enmity of all the world Let him be with us it matters not who is against us If he be for us who can be against us Rom. 8 31. 2. This Peace which the Lord speaks to the truly penitent and faithful soul it is a peace oâ— Joy and Comfort They that mourn shall becom◠〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 4. They that sow in tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126 5. This Peace of Joy it consists in the Presence of God of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the soul The languishing soul was wounded with the apprehension of the losse of God which wound he now bindâ— up with the assurance of his Presence which cannot but raise exceeding Joy and Comfort in the soul To know that God is not our enemy is some settlement to the soul but more to be assured that he is our Friend Yet more that he is a friend nâ—gh unto us Psal 34. 18. But in that he is pleased to come so nâ—gh as to be our familiar Friend to dwell with us and in us to make the humble soul his Palace his Heaven his constant Habitation Isa 57. 15. This must needs revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the Contrite In this Presence of God in the soul and the assurance thereof with those other sweet Consequences depending thereupon doth consist that unutterable inconceiveable Peace which passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. A Glimpse whereof however the Spirit is pleased to afford us where it sets it soâ—th to us under the similitude of a conâ—inual Fâ—ast Prov. 15. 15. At a gâ—eat Feast there is provision usually made of whatsoâ—ver may pleâ—â—e the sense a richly hung and furnished Room to entertain the Eye Musick for the ear Peâ—sâ—mâ—s for the Smâ—ll all sorts of Dainties the Land Sea Ayr afford for the Fast soft Seats and sine Lâ—nnen for the touch which doth exceedingly cheer the Spirit for the present though it be but of short continuance How then must the soul be ravished with inconceiveable Joy to enjoy this in a spiritual manner and that continually within it self Where the Room is garnished with Grace and perfumed with Christ's Merits Where God and Christ and the Spirit are both the Guests and the Food where the Angels are Attendants and Cherubims and Seraphâ—ms the Choristers and Musitians What shall the Saints enjoy more in Heaven it self as to their souls but this begun happiness in a full accomplishment When for Faith they shall see face to face and for hope shall fully and satisfiedly enjoy and for imperfect Love shall perfectly and for ever love this great Feast-maker and Feast-continuer in the soul even the God of Peace and Prince of Peace and Spirit of Peace who thus upon their unfaigned Humiliation and Faith doth and will fill the souls of his People and Saints with Peace And that most certainly there is not the least question or doubt to be moved but that he will do it Which is The next Particular to be spoken to Partic. 2. That the Lord in his good time will most certainly speak peace unto the Soul He will speak peace unto his people and Saints This Certainty I ground upon a threefold Reason that the Lord will nay cannot but speak peace unto the truly penitent and faithful soul Reas 1. Because by its humiliation it s now become a spiritual vacuum or emptiness and so is fitly prepared and put into a capacity for the entertainment of Gods Favour in speaking peace unto it That which is full cannot receive another body but that which is voyd and empty may Now as it is in natural things Nature cannot endure a vacuity or emptiness but to avoyd such an Inconvenience doth ordinarily force bodies against their nature to fill it up So the Lord suffers not a spâ—ritual emptiness in the humble heart but sends a River of heavenly peace and comfort to fill it This Reason I confess is not so forcing But in respect of the other two which follow let me speak with all due reverence of his dreadful Majesty a kind of necessity lies upon God to speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul 2. Therefore God cannot but speak peace unto it because he hath given it such a prevayling power over himself I cannot do any thing till thou art come to Zoar. It is the Lords speech to Lot when about to destroy Sodom and the rest of the Cities Gen. 19. 22. to Moses likewise Let me alone Exod. 32 10. So to Jacob Let me go Gen. 32. 4. As if these Saints of his had so over-powered God and held his hands that he could not do what otherwise he would So the humbled and faithful soul may in reference to that power which the Lord hath given it over himself and to which he is pleased to submit his own Almightiness being conscious to it self of its unfaigned humiliation and faith in the Promises of the Gospel it may with an holy boldness say unto God I will not let thee alone I will not let thee go until thou speak peace unto my soul In respect of this power it was that David entitled the 51 Psalm wherein is set forth his Repentance and Faith Vincenti or provictoria To the Conqueror or for the Victory Because he was assured that the Lord would not despise Despise Nay could not but accept of the Sacrifice of his broken heart for his sins being offered up upon the Altar Christ 3. The Lord cannot but speak peace unto the humbled and
again their Friend and affording them a continual Feast of Joy in their souls He is good to them in admonishing of them for the time to come to beware of turning again to Folly so to prevent a new and wider breach which such relapses might cause Let them not turn again to Folly O It is a dangerous thing for the Lords People when having been in such a wâ—ful condition under the smarting wounds of loss and wrath and the Lord hath graciously spoken peace unto their souls and hath assured them of his Love and Presence It is I say a most dangerous thing for them after Peace spoken to turn again to the Mire to the Vomit to the Folly of sin For so doing they make themselves justly liable to a severer punishment by more highly provoking the Lords wrath against them by a new and greater guilt which now they have drawn upon their souls If you ask the skilful Physitian why in the diseases of the body a Relapse is so dangerous as it is commonly said and found to be I suppose he will say Because the malâ—gnity of the humour which formerly nourished the disease returning upon a new distemper finds a readier entertainment in the parts and the spirits are so weak and unable to resist and struggle with it that if it do not wholly oppress the heart and so bâ—reave the life Yet it renders a second recovery far more difficult So is it with the soul after its recovery upon peace spoken to it If it relapseth and turns again to the folly of sin sin finds a more welcome entertainment in the carnal part and the spiritual part is so weak that it is not able to resist it So that though it do not nor can bereave the soul of spiritual life yet the recovery will be the more difficult and it will cost such a man many a heart-pang many a sad sigh and bitter Tear before he can again be â—id of it I might uâ—ge this as one reason why the Lords people are to be waâ—y how after peace spoken they fall into the folly of sin because upon such their backsliding they will find it an hard matter to shake it off and to rid the soul of it But the main Reason which I intend to speak of is because by their turning again unto Folly after Peace spoken they draw a greater guilt upon their souls and so do more provoke the Lords wrath against them and thereupon cannot but justly fear and expect to be corrected with a more stinging rod with a sharper and more smarting punishment Now the guilt of the soul turning again unto the Folly of sin after peace spoken unto it is heightened and enlarged exceedingly by the concurrence of many grievous sins committed in such backsliding For Aggrav Here is a falling back from those resolutions in Repentance wherein the soul in its distress did bind it self by promise and vow unto God that it would for the time to come abhor and decline the wayes of sinful Folly and walk before him in better Obedience If it did but barely resolve so yet not to keep up such resolutions and so to cherish them that they may be derived into act this failing and falling from them discovers a want of due care and diligence the neglect whereof after peace spoken renders the soul more guilty But if to such resolutions there were added a Promise and Vow so to walk before God which it was but meet the Soul should do surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born Chastisement I will not offend any more If I have done Iniquity I will do so no more Job 3â— 31 32. It is meet the soul should say thus in its distresse and if it hath and I am confident that whosoever haâ—h been under the horrours of a wounded spirit hath thus promised and vowed unto God if the soul hath thus said thus promised and thus vowed and yet breaks such Promise and Vow by relapsing and backsliding it must needs lay a greater guilt upon it selâ— For What is it but to mock God What but to take his Name in vain And so to do is it not a new and high provoking Folly Will the Lord hold such an one guiltless Pay that thou hast vowed God hath no pleasure in Fools Eccles 5 4. 2. The guilt is aggravated by forgetfulness of that deliverance which the Lord hath wrought David in Psal 103. cals upon his soul at the beginning of the Psalm and all that is in him to bless God to remember his Benefits who forgiveth saith he all thâ—ne Inâ—quity and healeth all thy diseases Thine Inâ—quity was high yet God hath forgiven it Thy Diseases and Wounds were painful and dangerous yet he hath healed them He hath restored thy peace he is become thy Friend thy near Friend dwelling in thy soul he hath delivered thee from all thy Fears and Terrours and hath crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercy and canst thou so soon forget him who hath dealt thus by thee It was an high aggravation of Israels sin that they forgat God their Saviour Deliverer Ps 106 21. The Lord hath saved thee he hath delivered thee he hath had a regard to thine affliction he hath heard thy cry when thou wast brought low for thine Iniquity and yet dost thou forget him Dost thou provoke him again with new Follies 3. The guilt is aggravated by despising of Gods Rod by slâ—ghting and setting lâ—ght by it lâ—ke Pharaoh who returned to his Râ—bellion against God asâ—oon as the Plague was but removed Hath God corrected thee as his Son whom he loves in whom he delâ—ghts Prov 3. 11. And dost thou despise his Chastisemâ—nt Is that man happy whom God correcteth Jâ—b 5. 7. And dost thou slight the Chastening of the Almighty They who despise the reproof of Wisdomâ— can they expect other then to eat of the fruit of their own wayes and to be filled with their own devices Prov 1 31. 4. The guilt is aggravated and heightened by Presumption of new Peace or of the former to be continued It is a good â—â—m that is given Ecclus 3. Be not without fear after the sin is pardoned Neither add sin unto sin Say not Gods Mercy is great he will have mercy upon the multitude of my sins Is it not a bold wickedness springing from that root that beareth Gall and Wormwood for a man to bless himself and to say God is a God of Mercy and I shall have Peace though I walk in the Imagination of mine own heart adding Drunkenness to Thirst Deut. 29. 19. For a man so to say it is an high Provocation much more to add sin to sin upon such Presumption For what is it but a tempting of God in an high degree Had Christ cast himself down from the Pinacle of the Temple when there were stairs to come down by he had tempted God Wouldst thou have Peace use the Means forbear the Folly of sin if
thou sin upon Presumption of Gods Mercy thou dost tempt God and so lay a new and greater guilt upon thy Soul What Shall we sin that Grace may abound 5. Lastly The guilt is aggravated and that in the highest degree by unthankfulness I forgave thee all that thy debt Mat. 18 32. He who hath had Talents 10000 Talents forgiven him many hainous sins and yet is such an unthankful wretch as to provoke his Gracious Lord by cruelty towards his Fellow-Servant or by any other hainous Follyes he must look to be delivered to the Tormentors until he hath paid all the debt which returns upon the Score not in respect of act but in respect of that high guilt which such ungratefulness layes upon the soul far exceeding the guilt of those sins whatsoever they were before peace spoken After all this is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great Trespasses seeing that God hath punished us less then our Iniquities deserved and hath given us such deliverance as this should we again break his Commandments Would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us Ezra 9. 13 14. And would not his anger be yet the more provoked against us if we turn again to folly when upon peace spoken The understanding by Christs manifesting of himself unto it is more cleared to know Gods Will. When the Soul by the Spirits dwelling in it is more inabled to do his Will When so great an Obligation lies upon it calling for all ready Obedience unto his Will Now lay all these together Breach of Promise Forgetfulness of deliverance Despising of the Rod. Presumption of Mercy Unthankfulness for Peace All these meeting in backsliding into sin after Peace spoken and what is it but to increase Iniquity above our heads to cause our trespasses to grow up to Heaven Ezra 9. 9. What is it but to add Rebellion unto sin Job 34. Ult. And what a fearful case is the Soul in when by new Follies it hath thus provoked its God How will its former wounds of Loss of wrath lately by a sweet peace drawn together and cured rend themselves open afresh The much enlarged and longer continuing smart whereof it must unavoydably undergo He that sins again after that he is made whole must look for a worse thing to come unto him John 5. 14. He that hath been under Gods smoaking and kindling anger Psal 74. and yet again provokes him such a one must look to feel his burning anger the heat of his great anger Deut. 29. 24. His consuming anger Ezra 9. 14. And if his former Rod was so stinging and intolerable what will his Scorpions be Use I trust that what I have already said concerning backsliding and relapsing into the Folly of sin after peace spoken will make such an impression in your hearts that I shall but lose time to enâ—arge my self further in exhorting you to beware how by new Follâ—es you provoke the Lord. Neither shall I need to say much to stir you up to be careful to preserve Peace when it is spoken to your souls Motives Do but cast your thoughts back upon the anguish and horrour of the wounded Spirit upon the loss of its peace Cast them back upon that love of God and that exceeding Joy which Peace spoken doth assure the soul of and â—ill the Soul with and you will need none other motives Only I conceive it needful that I give you some brief Directions how to preserve peace when it is spoken to your Souls When the Church had found him whom her soul loved whom she had formerly lost Cant. 3. 4. she held him fast The Lord Christ is our Peace That thou mayest hold him fast and noâ— lose him again use these Means Means 1. Love his Word they who do so have great peace Psal 119. 165. 2. Get spiritual Wisdom all her pâ—ths are Peace Prov 3. 17. 3. Live in Unity and the God of Love and Peace will be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 4. Love Christ and he will make his abode with you John 14. 23. 5. Be obedient to his commands and you shall have Peace as a River Isa 48. 18. 6. Be spiritually minded to be so is Liâ—e and peace Rom. 8. 6. 7. Let God rule in thine heart his Kingdom consists in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. 8. Let thy mind be sâ—aâ—â—d on God trust in him and he will keep thee in perfect peace Isa 26. 3. 9. Constrain Christ by fervent Prayer and he will tarry with thee Luke 24. 29. and cannot depart from thee Gen. 32. 26. The Authors Hymn upon his wounded Spirit recured Comprising many of the Principal Heads of the Former Discourse VVHen I felt that Heart-stinging Rod Of my Soul-wounding-Salving God In his Losse I was lost his eye Shot Beams of threatning Enmity I bath'd those wounds with Tears for sin Christ's Merit-Balm Faith poured in He came and gently them up-bound Spake Peace Joy Love and I was sound Bless him my Soul while Life doth last Prize Peace and hold thy Dear Christ fast O strengthen me my God most Holy That I return no more to Folly His Farewel to the World VVOrld since to sin to thee I 'm dead To new life rais'd where Christ my Head Doth dwell I 'le seek those things above Disdaining thy now Trash to love There my heart 's set In longing Cries To him my Clay-restrain'd Soul flies He there what doth it here It 's home Is Heaven Lord Jesu quickly come HEnce Bubble-Honour thy swoln gay Light Empty shews are blown away With a just Scorn I now despise Thy once ador'd great Nullities And well I may slight thy proud state Through Christ 'bove thee b'ing made so great Earth bounded thine Ambition I 'm Heavens great King 's Adopted Son VVEalth take thy Wings flie where thou list I 'l be no more a Mammonist To lade me with thick Yellow Clay Poor helpless Idol in wrath's day Gold 's not my hope My hope I 'le place On him who hath my Soul with Grace Inrich'd and made him mine me his In whom are hid all Treasuries PLeasure away away be gone Fair Sorceress thy Potion Is amber'd Poyson thy Songs Spell Wreaks in a Calm and lulls to Hell Welcom sweet Peace thou dost immure With Brass and set my soul secure Rapt from my self in Extasie To Heavens Joyes on thy wings I fly VVEalth Honour Pleasure all adieu My Rescued Heart once slave to you Hath now that best of Objects found Whose Rod hath cur'd your Balm-made Wound You neither last nor satisfie Fulness and Perpetuity Of Blisse he will my Soul afford Who cannot lie I 'le trust his Word 1 John 2. 15. Love not the World neither the things that are in the world If any man love the World the Love of the Father is not in him FINIS
The Only SOVEREIGN SALVE FOR THE Wounded Spirit Approved by the Author in himself Delivered by him in several Sermons after his Recovery And now Published for the Glory of his most Gracious Restorer and for the Comfort and Settlement of any Afflicted Soul that doth or may labour under that weighty Burden By Richard Wortley Minister of Christ in his Church in Edworth in Bedfordshire This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all Acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim. 1. 15. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain in Goldsmths Row in Cheapside 1661. To the Reader Courteous Reader ST Paul who had the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 7 40. having by and from that Spirit assured us 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God that it is profitable for Doctrine Reproof Correction Instruction that the man of God may be perfect throughâ—â— furnished unto all good works 〈…〉 16. That â—â— Gospel is the power of God unto Salvatioâ—◠〈…〉 â—e that believeth â—pon the Spirit 's such assurance by him I do rely with â—â—sidence And as in my soul I do believe the Scripâ—â—â—es to be the very Word of God so as I boldly may 〈◊〉 ought taking heâ—d unto that sure Word of Proâ—â—ie 2 Pet. 1. 19. I do teach the Truths which there I â—â— as Parts of that inspired powerful perfecting and â—very good work throughly-furnishing Word not â—ting to seek further or to wait for the revelation of â—â— Truths not there set down lest I be found in the â—â—mber of the blasphemous adders thereunto and so beâ—â—e liable to that fearful punishment threatned against â—â—h Rev. 22. 18. Moses and the Prophets are to be heard Lu. 16. 29 The Scriptures are to be searched John 5. 39. However sinâ— as the natural man cannot aâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ings wanting a spiritual eye to discern 〈…〉 â—evealed unto them 1 Cor. 2. 14. â—â— the â—â—generate though diligent hearers and searchers cannot clearly discern them unless revealed unto them Luke 24. 45. The Lord is pleased in such a measure as he sees fitting to give unto them the Spirit of wisdoâ— and revelation in the knowledge of him and to enlighten the eyes of their understandings Eph. 1. 17 18. and by the spirit of Truth to guid them into all needful Truths as he hath promised John 16. 13. This ordinary way of the Spâ—rit of Truth 's enlightening to the glory of the same Spirit I speak it I have experimentally found in my soul from the time that with a total resignation I have given my self up to bâ—led by it Which further to encouâ—â—◠〈…〉 a confident and chearful going on in the service of my Lord Christ in his Ministry hath lateâ—◠〈◊〉 an extraordinary and not so usual a 〈…〉 most unworthy dust and ashes of so low 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—cention of my great God! been pleased not only to assure me That I have escaped the Corruption that is in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1. 4. A blessed and most sweet assurance but likewise Clearly to manifest unto me The dangerous estate of the Natural man while such The manner of the great work of his Conversion To instruct me in the right understanding of many Scripture-truths relating thereunto To shew unto me and to all that are effectually called the path of life and by way of guiding of my steps to Heaven-ward secrâ—tly to say unto my soul this is the way walk in iâ— Isa 30. 21. Of which great Mercies with soâ—e other vouchsafed to him not worthy to be beloved not worthy to be minded this following Narration will more fully inform thee The Narration IN my younger years being bred up in the University and having taken a Degree there I was admitted into one of the Inns of Court Where having spent about two years Means now failing for my support and continuance in that course I was received into the Family of an Honourable Personage mine Employments being in the way of a Scholar as to write Letters to read Divinity to pen Sermons to pray with the Family in the Chaplains absence c. It pleased God so to dispose the heart of the Honourable Governour toward me that great secular preferments were endeavoured for me But none of them succeeding I was at length by Mandate from his then Majesty procured by the means of that Noble Personage replanted into my old Nursery a Fellow of a Colledge there I yearly payd mine acknowledgment by attendance where I had received so much Favour the good will and endeavour of worldly preferments for me still continuing One at last was freely offered unto me of such a nature as I most desired with visible almost certainties of great wealth and temporal advancement had it been accepted but Providence had otherwise disposed of me For when upon the offer my answer of acceptance was expected I was surprized with a sudden amazement and standing silent like a Statue had not one word to speak by way of acknowledgment of mine own unworthiness or of the greatness of the intended Favour much less to express my ready acceptance thereof and due thankfulness for it and so for some time continuing was dismissed for the present and within shorttime after became a stranger to those Relations Having after this as I esteemed it unhappy rejection spent some years in the Colledge vainly and idly enough God knows it was the Lords pleasure to transplant me into his Church abroad And having by a remarkable manuduction brought me unto the Living which I now hold he was pleased at my first enâ—rance by a great though not total distemper in the right use of my Reason to break and fit me in some measure for his Service there and to prepare the way for that great Work which he had to do many years after I could here tell thee how in that distemper God did set me before my self aâ—ter a strange manner presenting to my view my hainous sins to that time and shewing me how many deaths I had deserved by them But I have acknowledged and humbled my self for them unto him who hath graciously assured me of his Pardon Upon my recovery I had some good motiâ—ns and faint stirrings in my soul toward God and Goodness which so long I had forgotten and indeed flighted My first Subject which I handled was the broken heart Psal 51. 17. The way which I should have taken but neglecting it the work was not throughly wrought Though I proceeded so far as to a just restitution as near as I could call to mind where I had wronged any and I remember the fâ—ax begâ—n to smoak in some weak dislike often stiâ—ring in my heart against those sins in which formerly I hâ—d livâ—d and wherewith it was over-run and I began by degrees to break off from them I had now continued at my Living five or six years or more when I do not remember that the day before or
His Affectionss are perverted Being turned from God Slighting his Word 2 Tim. 4. 3. 4. Never praying unto him Psal 14. 4. Hating his Children Prov 29. 27. Being set on the world That is his Treasure Mat. 6. 21. That he minds Phil. 3. 19. To this corrupt frame of his soul his life is answeâ—able Mat. 7. 17. He is a worker of Iniquity Mat 7. 23. He walks in the waies of sin Prov. 1. 15. He accustometh himself unto it Jer. 13. 23. The Anointing of the head or hair was wont to set forth the chearfulness of the heart Mat. 6. 17. And was used by them who spent their time in voluptuous living Amos 6. 6. By my Apprehenders I understand all affected vanities whatsoever but especially as to my self that of worldly Pleasures By his being bare-headed a sinners boldness in sin By his deformed countenance a sinners loathsomness in the sight of God The heart of him in whom sin reigns being set upon the world it hath three Cords of vanity Is 5. 18. By which wicked men are taken and holden by them Pro. 5. 22. These are Honour Wealth Pleasure with the sins attending upon them 1 John 2. 16. Among all these vanities whatsoever is in the world is such Eccles 1. 2. None is so alluring and prevailing as Pleasure in which snare of Satan I was held and taken captive at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. Voluptuousness hath a strong power over the soul and binds a sinner fast The Ambitious and Covetous when invited to the great Supper desired fairly to be excused but the voluptuous man answered flatly that he could not come Luke 14. 20. To let pass those temporal wants which it prepares the way unto Prov. 21. 17. with that brutish lowness in the spirit to which by sensuality the sinner is brought down Psal 32. 9. It discovers the mind to be wholly camal Tit. 3. 3. It choaks the seed of the Word Luke 8. 14. It takes off the heart from Goodness Hos 4. 11. It extingiusheth Charity Amos 6. 6. It blinds the mind 1 Kings 11. 3. It keeps out the Love of God 2 Tim. 3. 4. It puts the soul into a condition of spiritual death 1 Tim. 5. 6. To these add its shamelesseness at which height I was arrived And what can be expected but that he who is of purer eyes than to behold evil Hab. 1. 13. should with loathing as he doth from every one by any other vanity whatsoever yet enslaved to his Corruption turn away his face from that soul that is over-run with it Isa 59. 2. Obs Reigning Corruption renders a sinner vain bold in sin and loathsom in the eyes of God Vain Texts 2 Tim. 3 4. Lovers of Pleasures more than lovers of God 1 Pet. 1. 18. Redeemed from your vain Conversation Inst Solomons Wives turned away his heart 1 Kings 3. 12. The Gentises walked in the vanity of their minds Eph. 4 17. Bold in sin Texts Jer. 3. 3. Thou hadst an Whores Forhead thou refusedst to be ashamed 2 Pet. 2. 10. 13. They that walk after the flesh shall receive the reward of unrighteousness as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time Iâ—st Jerusalem and Judah their countenance witnessed against them they declared their sin as Sodom and did not hide it Isa 3. 9. The Harlot caught the young man and kissed him and with an impudent face said unto him I have decked my Bed c. Prov. 7. 13. 16. Loathsom Texts Ezek. 16. 6 c. I saw thee polluted in thine own Blood and I said unto thee when thou wast in thy Blood live Rev. 3. 18. I counsel thee to buy of me white rayment that thou maist be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear Inst Adam was afraid because he was naked and hid himself Gen 3. 10. Aaron by the Golden Calf had made the Israelites naked to their shame Exod. 32. 25. Reas The mind is in or set upon wicked works Col. 1. 21. Use 1. The slavish and loathsom condition of man while in the state of nature Rom. 1. 28 c. 2. Let not sin reign in thy mortal body that thou shouldst obey it in the lusts thereof Rom. 6. 12. 3. Beware of Voluptuousness it is a strong enflaver of the soul Luke 14. 20. 4. Thank God that thou art free from sin and become the Servant of Righteousness Rom. 6. 18. Resol Being dead unto sin and alive unto God I will yield my self unto God and my Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto him Rom. 6. 11 13. Ejac. O wreâ—ced man that I am Who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7. 24 25. Paral. II. Circ My Apprehender led me on I knew not whither until we came unto a Prison Obs Natural men are by their Corruption led on insensibly unto Hell TO the receiving of the things of God is required A due esteem of them Col. 1. 27. A spiritual eye to discern them Eph. 1. 18. The Natural man counts them foolishness and wanting this eye doth not cannot know them 1 Cor. 2. 14. By this ignorance that is in him he is alienated from the life of God Eph. 4. 18. And while he so continues He is a child of disobedience He is dead in sins and Trespasses He walks according to the Prince of the power of the Air. He hath his conversation in the lusts of the Flesh He fulfils the desires thereof being led on thereunto by that power by which he is blinded 2 Cor. 4. 4. Which ruleth and worketh in him Eph. 2 1 2 3. If St. Paul though freed from the dominion of sin yet bewailed his wretched estate in that he found it often rebelling and warring against the Law of his mind Rom. 7. 23 24. How deplorable is their condition in whom it still reigns In him there was a reluctancy against it Rom. 7. 15. These are led by it He was sensible of its rebellion and his own wretchedness Rom. 7. 24. These are not sensible of its Tyranny and their own Slavery 2 Tim. 2. 26. Slavery they are so far from esteeming it to be such that They readily obey it Rom. 6. 12. They delight in it Rom. 1. 36. They live after it Rom. 8. 13. They walk in it Col. 3. 7. Which deals with them at length as Men-stealers whom we call Spirits do with those poor deluded wretches that fall into their hands They promise them great matters but in the end ship them over for slaves Or as Soul-stealers those worser Spirits among us do by their seduced Proselytes either by good words and fair speeches deceiving the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 18. Or by swelling words of vanity and promises of liberty alluring them through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness to the embracing of those errours or worse from which they were escaped 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. So beguiling them of their reward Col. 2.
not able to perform I will therefore trust in the most High through whose Mercy it is that I have not been moved Psal 21. 7 11. Ejac. How safe is the Heritage of thy Children O Lord whosoever shall gather together against them shall fall for their sakes Isa 54. 15. 17. The Deliverance Paral. I. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off me Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave THat they who are ordained unto eternal life to that glorious Inheritance of the Saints in light may be partakers thereof there is pre-required a certain meeâ—ness in them Col. 1. 12. This they have not neither can have while in the state of nature 1 Cor. 15. 50. That therefore they may be â—itted for it it is necessary That they be drawn out of their natural estate That they be set in the state of Grace They are drawn out of the state of Nature by being freed from the power of Darkness Col. 1. 13. They are set in the state of Grace by being translated into the Kingdom of Christ Col. 1. 13. To whom it belongs to work these great works for them he alone being able to do them Luke 11. 22. That he had wrought them for me he was now pleased clearly to manifest unto me In my Apprehender's hand being taken off me he shewed me that he had freed me from the power of darkness from the power of reigning sin and so from the power of Satan of Hell In my descent into the Building which soon after followed he shewed me that I was now become a Member of his true Church and so set in the state of Grace His first great work for me was to deliver me from the power of darkness It cannot be believed that these mine enemies in whose snares I was taken out of a willingness now to be rid of me did of themselves offer me this opportunity to escape Their Consultations certainly were not so deep nor they so secure that they minded not him whom they concerned Corruption doth more value his pains and diligence and the huâ—gry Lion doth not so easily part with his prey whereof he is seized How came I then to be set at liberty They were out-witted and out powered The Lord Christ the great Counsellour the mighty God Isa 9. 6. defeated all their Contrivances enervated their strength and in despite of them rescued and wrested me out of their hands Powerfully as to them Col. 2. 15. In a way of Justice as to his Father Col. 1. 20. Innocent He had payed his precious Blood for my soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. His Innocency redeemed me being guilty His rich Price which he payed impoverished Satan His Bonds â—ettered him freed me Thus the Serpents head was broken Gen. 3. 15. by him to whom it was deâ—ervedly granted that he should divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul unto death Isaiah 53. 12. But shall the Prey be taken from the mighty or the lawful Captive be delivered Yes it shall it was it could not be otherwise when now the Lord my Saviour my Redeemer the Mighty one of Jacob was pleased to contend with those that oppressed me and to save me The Captive of the Mighty was taken away and the prey of the Terrible was delivered Isa 49. 24 25 26. Obs When the Lord Christ pleaseth to free Corruption can no longer enslave Texts Luke 11. 21 22. When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcometh him he taketh from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divideth his Spoyles John 6. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me Inst Zacheus though Chief of the Publicans men esteemed by Christ no better than Heathen Mat. 18. 17. Though a rich man and such shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 23. Yet when Christ called him he made hast and came down and received Christ joyfully Luke 19. 2 6. Saul when breathing out Threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples and going purposely to Damascus with authority to bind and bring those to Jerusalem that he should find there of that way upon the Apparition and Voice from Heaven waâ— changed and submitted himself to Christ's Will Acts 9. 1 2. Reas 1. The Holy Spirit by whom the Soul is freed is a God of irresistible power A rushing mighty Wind filled the House c. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2. 2 4 2. The Debt being discharged the Prisoner is to be released Col. 2. 14. Use 1. The Godhead of the Spirit proved 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. Bless him who hath paid thy Debt Col. 2. 14 3. Take heed of running upon a new Store Psal 85. 8. Resol Thou hast given Commandment to save me wherefore my mouth shall be filled with thy Praise and Honour all the day For they are confounded and brought to shame that sought my hurt Psal 71. 3 8 24. Ejac. Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth and hast not shut me up into the hand of the Enemy but hast set my Feet in a large room Psal 31. 5 8. Paral. II. Circ My Apprehenders hand was taken off unexpected Obs Effectual Calling is of Gods Free Grace THat God alone is able to change the Heart is Clear Grace is a participation of the Divine Nature And who can communicate the Divine Nature unto man but only a Divine Power 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. There is nothing in the Soul out of which it may be produced as therein potentially contained Mans recreation then must necessarily be effected by that Almighty Power that at the first made him of nothing Ezek. 11. 19. But may not man deserve this Change May he not walk so exactly by Natures Rule as that God in equity cannot deny his Grace unto him No This Grace is free this Love undeserved What is in the sick Patient to deserve that the Physitian should seek him out to cure him What in an Enemy to deserve Reconciliation from him to whom he hath given just cause to hate him Yet when I was sick and languishing my Physitian sought me to recover me My highly provoked God when I was his Enemy was pleased freely to be reconciled unto me Col 1. 19 10. My Apprehender had hold of me The Jaylor was ready to take me into his Custody The Prison gaped for my Entertainment The Grates were strong to secure me No visible help to rescue me Nothing in me to deserve Compassion Deliverance Yet then was the Lord pleased not for my sake but for his own Holy Names sake to pity me to put a new Spirit in me to save me from all mine Enemies from all mine uncleannesses Isa 31 21 26 31. Well may I now to the Glory of my Almighty and Compassionate Redeemer take up those words of his Church whereof I am now
not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet Inst Mary Magdalen so notoriously drowned in voluptuousness that she is branded with the name of sinner Luke 7. 37. as if all others had been Saints to her Yet she had seven Devils cast out of her Mark 16. 9. Her sins which were many were forgiven her Luke 7. 47. The Thief on the Cross a wicked Malefactor though he had but newly mocked Christ Mat. 27. 44. and reviled him Mark 15. 32. Yet but a little before his death had his heart changed and was received to Mercy Luke 23. 40 43. Reas 1. To shew his Almighty Power Eph. 4. 8. 2. To shew forth his Long suffering towards sinners 1 Tim. 1. 16. 3. For the greater Glory of his superabundant Grace Rom. 5. 20. 4. To lay the greater obligation unto Love and Thankfulness upon that soul so recovered Luke 7. â—2 Use 1. Let not the most wicked cast away all hope The day of Mercy lasts till death Luke 23. 43. John 9. 4. 2. Sin not that Grace may abound Rom. 6. 1. 3. Defer not thy Repentance Hear Gods Call to day Psal 95. 7. Presumptuous delaies are dangerous Mat. 24. 48 50. 4. Strive to proportion thy thankfulness to the greatness of the Mercy vouchsafed unto thee Luke 7. 47. Resol I will praise the Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie his Name for evermore for great is his Mercy toward me who hath delivered my Soul from the lowest Hell Psal 86. 12 13. Ljac Much hath been forgiven me O that I could love thee answerably to thy great Mercy Lord thou knowest I love thee John 21. 15. Paral. V. Circ I ran from my Apprehender Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin AS it was not in me to free myself from my Apprehender so neither was it in me as of myself to flee from him That alone Divine Power which secretly and unexpectedly had freed me did both stir up my Will and enable me to make an escape Such is Christs goodness to sinful man that he is so faâ— from taking pleasure in his death that his desire is that he should turn from his wicked ness and live Ezek. 33. 11. He prayes and beseecheth him by his Ambassadors to be reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5. 20. He stands at the door of the heart and knocks that He may be entertained Rev. 3. 20. He waits there with much patience until his head Is filled with dew and his Locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2. In a word What can be done more than he doth to bring him to himself Isa 5. 4. And yet how few are there that open at his knock that answer to his Call What 's the Reason They are while in their natural estate so foundly asleep in sin Eph. 5. 14. So dead in it Eph. 2. 1. that they cannot hear they cannot open 2 Cor. 3. 5. There is no way then but for himself to open the heart to receive him to open the ear of the heart to hearken unto him This he doth but not unto all The Reprobate is outwardly called but it is only to leave him without excuse John 15. 22. His Elect Children they with the outward Call of the Word receive the inward and effectual Calling of the Spirit Acts 16. 14. Whereby Faith is infused for the enlightning of the before-darkned Understanding Eph. 1. 17 18. Grace is conferred for the changing and healing of the before-depraved Will Eph. 4. 24. The Will thus changed God's Image in which man was created and which by his own negligence he had lost is again restored in the sanctification of all the powers and inclinations of the Soul and in their conformity to the Will of God Eph. â— 24. To which Will he now yields all ready obedience Acts 9 6. Flying from sin and doing what is acceptable unto him Col. 1. 10. For the performance whereof he hath received upon his Change not only a will but a power having a new spiritual being infused into him 2 Cor. 5. 17. He lives a new life and hath in him a new Principle upon which follow new operations A new Principle not inbâ—ed Concupiscence but infused Grace New Operations or Fruits not those works of the Flesh Gal. 5. 19. But the Fruits of the Spirit v. 22. In which he now lives v. 25 and walking after it doth no longer fulfil the lusts of the Flesh v. 16. But dayly mortifies them more and more Col. 3. 5. Being thereunto assisted by a continual Supply of Grace from above John 15. 4 5. Which special assistance though Adam needed it not in his state of integrity being wholly void of Corruption yet the effectually-called by reason of the continual importunities and assaults of the Flesh can do nothing without it John 15. 5. Let it be withdrawn how weak is man David Peter and other of the Saints have â—ound the sad experience hereof My self unworthy to be numbred amongst them even while studying of this Parallel was taught to know the necessity of it Our endeavours in goodness are none unless stirred up and vain when stirred up unless he please to assist from above who worketh all our works in us and for us Isa 26. 12. Who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Obs Man effectually called hath a Will and Power to flee from sin He hath a Will Texâ—s Luke 15. 17 18. And when he came unto himself he said c. I will arise and go to my Father and say to him c. Make me as one of thine hired Servants John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father draw him Inst Peters Auditors being upon his Sermon pricked at their hearts said unto him and to the rest of the Apostles Men and Brethren what shall we do Acts 2. 37. The Jaylor upon his Conversion came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. He hath a Power to flee from sin Texts 1 Cor. 15. 10. Not I but the Grace of God which was with me 2 Cor. 6. 1. We as Workers together with him beseech you that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Inst Timothy is commanded to â—lee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Colossiâ—ns are exhorted to mortifie their earthly Members Col 3 5. Reas He is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. He hath a new spiritual being infused into his soul and with it new Powers and Faculties by which he is enabled to will and act according to that new life that is in him Gal. 5. 25. Use 1. Man is not able to change his own Will John 1. 13. 2. Be diligent in exercising of that Power wherewith thou art indued 2 Pet. 3. 18. 3. Pray for assisting Grace that thou mayest be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner
From the Head c. Sense From the Head c. Motion From the Head c. Increase From the Head c. 7. A Family Luke 12. 42. In respect Of its Lord. Steward Provision Wholsom Seasonable 8. A Building 1 Cor. 3. 9. Which Resemblance the Spirit was now pleased to make use of in this quadrangular Figure and thus left imperfect to present to the eye of my soul a more evident and full Representation of the Church into which I was now received At that Instant when by my Apprehenders hand being taken off me I was delivered from the power of daâ—kness by that Almighty Spirit which in the first work of Grace in the soul knows no delayes I was immediatly translated into the Kingdom of Christ into his true Church Col. 1. 13. Faith was then inâ—used my Will changed and all those other following requisites to a through renovation were wrought in that moment However my great Reformer was pleased more clearly to inform my understanding as to the manner of their working and to direct me how I should apprehend each after other by their successive imaginary resâ—mblances Among which this of the Building with my descent into it was represented at the Savoy as a soveraign Cordial to recover and raise my Spirit when at any time brought low by the afflicting Mementoe's of the Place and Descent When they shall wound Here is healing under the wings of the Sun of righteousness Mal 4. 2. When those fiery Serpents shall bite Num. 21. 6. Here is the Brazen Serpent to give life Num. 21. 9. John 3. 14. 15. Thus the Lord is nigh unto the broken-heart Psal 34. 18. to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart contrite Isa 57. 15. He maketh sore and bindeth up he woundeth and his hands make whole Job 5. 18. The Rosemblance is very apt as to these following Particulars 1. In respect of the Foundation which is Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. who is A firm and sure Foundation Isa 28. 16. A secret Foundation Col. 3. 3. 2. In respect of the Corners of the Building which Christ being the Chief Corner-stone Isa 28. 16. do joyn the walls together so taking into the Church both Jews and Gentiles out of all the quarters of the world Isa 60. 3. Psalm 19. 4. 3. In respect of the Materials whereof it was built signifying the Members of the Church which are squared and fitted for their place by afflictions Rom. 5. 3. Hardned by the fire of the spirit for continuance Ezek. 36. 27 Acts 2. 3 4. 4. In respect of the Cement or Morter which is Charity whereby the Members of the Church are united together in which regard chiefly Charity is called the Bond of Perâ—ectnesse Colos 3. 14. 5. In its being left imperfect the work being to be continued by a dayly addition unto the Church of those that shall be saved to the end of the world Acts 2. 47. 6. In respect of the Beams and Jyces layd ready for a Floor and second Story signifying the Calling of the Jews when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be come in Rom. 11. 25 26. I remember not that the Fabrick had any Windows It needed not the Sun to enlighten it the Lord is an everlasting Light unto his Church and her God her Glory Isa 60. 19. Obs The Church of Christ is aptly resembled by a Square Brick-Building Texts 1 Cor. 3. 9 16. Ye are Gods building ye are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Mat. 16. 18. Upon this Rock will I build my Church Inst. The Church of the Ephesians was built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ being the chief Corner-stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2. 20 21. The scattered strangers through Pontus Galaâ—iâ— c. being born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God 1 Pet. 1. 1 23. are assured by Saint Peter that coming unto Christ they as lively stones are built up a spiritual House 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. Reasons See them before in the Discourse Use 1. Be sure that thou art built upon the Rock and thou wilt be able to withstand the violence of the Rain Floods Winds Mat. 7. 24 25. 2. They who are built upon the Sand will fall in the day of Tryal Mat 7. 26 27. 3. Glory in Tribulations they do but square and polish thee for the spiritual Fabrick Rom. 5. 3. 4. Above all put on Charity which is the Bond of Perfectness Col. 3. 14. 5. Pray for the Calling of the Jews that the Building may be perfected and that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd John 10. 16. Resol I will count it all joy when I fall into divers Temptations Jam. 1. 2. Knowing that by them I am fitted for my place in the Building Ejac. I acknowledge my self O Lord to be most unworâ—hy of the meanest place in thy Building yet thou hast admitted me to that high honour to be one of thy Builders O grant that I may only build upon Christ the Foundation and so take heed how I build thereupon that when my work shall be tryed that which I have built may abide and I may receive a Reward 1 Cor. 3. 10 13 14. Paral. IV. Circ The Fear of being taken again and carried back to the Prison made me endeavour to hide my self in the Building Obs Upon Effectual Calling the feaâ— of Hell is a principal means to bring the Soul unto Christ. BEside the before-touched Reasons of my being brought to the Prison-Gate this was one and a principal one that I might be made sensible that there was somthing to be feared A grim Jaylor strong walls and Graâ—es threatned a sharp and lasting restraint The consideration of this with my just desert thereof winged me in my flight and still kept up in me notwithstanding the dâ—stance at which I had left my Pursuer and that unexpected assistance which I evidently saw a fear of his getting loose and taking me again Whither should the soul sensible of its danger flee for safety but to Christ the strongest shield for defence the only secure hiding place Psal 119. 14. Who alone is able to the uttermost to save us Heb. 7 25. Imminent danger causeth fear fear stirs up to seâ—k out for a means to escape There is a threefold Fear Servile Filial Initial Servile or slavish fear proceeding from the spirit of Bondage is good and commendable as it awes from sin and approved of by God in the Israelites Deut. 5. 29. This as preparing the soul for the great work is first wrought in every one that is effectually called at ripeness of years Rom. 8. 15. It was first in them The Word again necessarily implies it But as it is accompanied with a secret desire after sin and dislike of and repining against Gods Justice threatning punishment against such and such sins wherein its slavishness doth consist
so it is utterly to be condemned Filial fear is a reverential fear of Gods Majesty and Power Gen 28. 17. A trembling at his Judgments Psal 119 120. This fear hath a special regard unto the offence as sin by its guilt separates from God Isa 59. 2. This is enjoyned Psal 3â— 9. and Blessings promised to it Psal 25. Psal 112 c. as necessary to a Christian through his whole life and to continue in Heaven as to the act of our reverence of God arising from the consideration of the excellency of his Nature and Justice in his punishment of the damned Psal 19. 9. Initial fear is a middle fear between these two causing man to abstain from sin to do good with a respect partly to the punishment and partly to the offence However it proceeds not from the first but is the beginning of Reverential or Filial Fear and arising from Love upon effectual Calling begun in the soul and there shewing it self as the working of Faith as yet but in a weak measure Which Fear as Faith and Love gather strength is by degrees expelled 1 John 4. 18. This way by fear the Lord at the beginning took with Adam First he had wrought in him an apprehension of fear of the Curse threatned against him upon his disobedience Gen. 3. 10. And then after followed the Promise of the Seed of the Woman who should break the Serpents head v. 15. This way he still continues First Moses must be believed then Christ John 5. 45. First there must be an apprehension of Gods Justice and then of his Mercy in his Son sweetned by the foregoing severity of the sharp Schoolmaster of the Law Gal. 3. 24. Upon this account it is that the Ministers of the Gospel do yet preach the Law We preach it to the Regenerate as a Rule of life Jam 1. 25. and to stir them up to thankfulness for their freedom from its Curse obtained by Christ Gal. 3. 13. To the Unregenerate as a Rule of Life likewise Luke 10. 28. And that by its Terrours they may be brought unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. Thus the Commandment is ordained unto Life Rom. 7 10. And this life is alone to be had in Christ Acts 4. 12. Obs Upon effectual Calling the fear of Hell is a principal Means to bring the Soul un to Christ Texts Deut. 5. 28 29. I have heard the voice of the words of this people c. They have well said all that they have spoken O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes c. Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by Faith â—ast Paul upon the great Light shining about him and the Voice from Heaven trembling and astonished said Lord What wilt thou have me to do Acts 9. 6. The Jaylor came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas and said Sirs What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 29 30. Reas 1. It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. 2. It prepares the way for perfect Love 1 John 4. 18. Use 1. The Law is to be taught Jam. 1. 25. 2. Beware of worldly fear Rev. 21. 8. Ostâ—nd not God for fear of man Mat. 10. 28. 3. Take heed of hardning thine heart Prov. 28. 14. 4. Get assurance that thou hast the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Resol I will take heed how I offend knowing that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. Ejac. Enter not into judgment with thy Servant O Lord For in thy sight shall no man living be justified The enemy hath persecuted my soul O deliver me for I flee unto thee to hide me Psal 143. 2 3 9. Paral. V. Circ Being perswaded that in that Building I might secure my self from my Pursuer I gat down into it Obs Upon Effectual Calling Faith is necessarily required as the only Instrumental Means to unite the Soul unto Christ SIN sets and keeps up a Partition-wall between God and the Soul Isa 59. 2. Fear is a means to break it down Prov. 3. 7. My fear made me hasten down the stairs upon which being entered I plainly saw the Building whereon they set me and had a perswasion in me that there I might secure my self from my Pursuer which Perswasion was my Faith I had not nor could I have such thoughts until I saw the Building that I saw not until I entred upon the stairs Faith and Repenrance are begotten in the Soul at the same time and in the order of Nature repentance follows Faith But Repentance is first discovered and afterwards Faith A sinner cannot perswade himself that he shall obtain Salvation by Christ which is the act of Faith until he find in himself an hearty turning from sin which is the act of Repentance First there must be a forsaking of sin and then follows assurance of Pardon Prov. 28. 13. Heb. 6. 1. The Priviledges of Gods Children are many They are received into his Family Eph. 2. 19. They have his Name put upon them Rev. 3. 12. They receive the Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. They have accesse with boldness to the Throne of Grace Eph. 3. 12. They are enabled to cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. God their Father pities them Psal 103. 13. Protects them Prov. 14. 26. Provides for them Mat. 6 30 32. Corrects them for their good Heb. 12. 6. 10. They are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. They inherit the Promises Heb. 6. 12. They are heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. With many other Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! 1 John 3. 1. To this Love and these Priviledges the certain effects and discoveries thereof although God from all eternity hath predestinated some in Christ for the praise of the Glory of his Grace Eph. 1. 5 6. Yet they are not made partakers of them until they partake of that redemption which Christ hath wrought for them Gal. 4. 5. Of this Redemption none can be partakers until by the Spirit it be actually applyed unto them Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Which Application is then wrought when we are united unto Christ Eph. 1. 7. We are united unto Christ upon effectual Calling When receiving of him we are admitted to that high Priviledge to be the Sons of God John 1. 12. Christ is received by Faith John 1. 12. Which Faith though it hath a general respect unto the Word upon the authority of the Author thereof believing to be true what therein is revealed 1 Thes 2. 13. And thereupon Yielding Obedience to his Commands therein Rom. 16. 26. Trembling at the Threatnings Isa 66. 2. Embracing the Promises Heb. 11. 13. Yet it hath a special eye unto Christ in those Promises relying upon him alone for salvation Acts 4. 12. Faith thus relying upon Christ is a certain
and delighteth in his Commandments shall not want an honourable regard in life and an honourable remembrance after death Ps 112. 1 2 9. However in our way to Heaven our Affections must be taken off from all honour and all other worldly things Col. 32. Use them we may but not abuse them 1 Cor. 7. 31. and our selves in our earnest pursuit of them and resting in them Luke 12. 19. The enjoyment of God is the only satisfying and lasting happiness of the soul Psal 16. 11. Without Holiness no man shall see him Heb. 12. 14. He that loves him not cannot be holy John 14. 24. We cannot love him if we love the world or the things that are in the world 1 John 2. 15. The things of the world are The lust of the flesh or pleasure The lust of the eyes or wealth The pride of life or Honour 1 John 2. 16. The Vices attending upon these are Luxury Covetousness Ambition the three Spring heads whence flow all sins whatsoever And that man whose heart is taken up with the love of these hath no room left for the entertainment of the Love of God Which being excluded let him enjoy all worldly things in the greatest height in the most plentiful affluence with the most possible desired Freedom yet what shall it profit him to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. Obs All worldly things are to be trampled upon in the way to Heaven Texts Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ set your Affections on things above not on things on the earth 1 John 2. 15. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world Inst Moses refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the Treasures in Egypt Hebr. 11. 24 25 26. Paul counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus hâ—s Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung that he might win Christ and be sound in him Phil. 3. 8 9. Reas 1. Thou art dead to them Col. 3. 3. 2. They keep from the great Supper prepared for the Soul Luke 14. 18 1â— 20. 3. They choak the Word and make it unfruitful Mark 4. 19. 4. The love of them cannot consist with the Love of God 1 John 2. 15. 5. They are of no continuance 1 John 2. 17. Use 1. Have a low esteem of them Phil. 3. 8. 2. Think of thy greatness by thine Adoption which sets thee far above them John 1. 12. 3. Set thine Affection on things above Col. 3. â— Resol The World being crucified unto me and I unto it Gal. 6. 14. I will be no more a friend unto it For whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4. Ejac. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Thou O Lord art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73. 25 26. Paral. X. Circ Being set in the Tower of the Temple-Church where the Effigies lie all fear of my Pursuer and the Prison immediatly ceased Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the fear of Hell THE Natural man while he so continues is subject unto Bondage Heb. 2. 15. God is his enemy Col. 1. 21. Upon which account he doth and cannot but fear the effects of enmity from him Christ came to deliver man from this fear Heb. 2. 15. When he by Faith is received into the Soul it is banished and in stead thereof the spirit of Adoption succeeds Rom. 8. 15. Although the Bond-woman be cast out yet her son for so Initial fear though arising from Love yet as it hath wrath for its Object may be esteemed remains still to be ejected Gal 4. 30. While it remains it performs a twofold Office in the soul It restrains from sin Prov. 3. 7. It afflicts and torments that the soul may seek more and more unto Christ for peace and ease 1 John 4. 18. and so helps on towards the perfecting of Love Love once perfected this fear is likewise cast out 1 John 4. 18. Love is perfected as By keeping the Commandments 1 John 2. 5. By the Love of our Brethren 1 John 4. 12. By sollowing of Christ's Example 1 John 4. 17. So especially When the heart is wholly taken off from the world 1 Jâ—hn 2. 15. Not that here such a Perfection of our Love is to be attained as will admit no further perfecting That is not to be expected until we arrive at ouâ— Heavenly Countrey Our forgetting of those things behind and reaching forth to those before is the perfection of our Love here The perfection of this Perfection will then be when we shall lay hold upon the Prize Phil. 3. 13 14 15. Our Love thus perfectâ—d and that fear which as the Needle hath drawn it in being now removed this our Love constraineth us to what that our fear before did awe us 2 Cor. 5. 14. The Believer thus rid of his fear of wrath begins to have his soul filled with exceeding Comfort upon his now confident assurance That God is at peace with him Rom. 5. 1. This he could not have did the least fear of punishment remain That he is the Adopted Son of God Rom. 8. 15. and thereupon That his Father will grant his Requests Romans 8. 15. That he will make a temporal Provision for him Mat. 6 32 33. That the Spirit is and shall continue his Guide and Director Rom. 8. 14. That he is an Heir of Glory Rom. 8. 17. Which sweet Comforts though upon the prevailing of the Carnal part they are by doubtings sometimes interrupted Psal 51. 12. yet these new Fears are soon scattered by Faith sumly adhearing to the Promises Initial fear is now cast out However God will not have our Love to be fearless Filâ—al reverential Fear must still accompany it To mind us of our Imperfection Prov. 28. 14. To keep the heart from hardning Prov. 28. 14. To keep us from security Cant. 3. 1. To quicken us to Perseverance Jer. 32. 40. Obs Each true Member of the Church upon his heart being taken off from the world is freed from the Fear of Hell Texts Rom. 8. 1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus Rom. 5. 9. Being justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath by him Inst Zacharias blesseth God for making good his Oath c. That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear all the dayes of our life Luke 1. 68 74 75. The Thessalonians are asâ—ured by St. Paul that they with all others that serve the living God and wait for his Son from Heaven are by that his Son
delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thessal 1. 9 10. Reas 1. They are justified and so at peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 2. They are true lovers of God and there â—s no fear in Love 1 John 4. 18. 3. They are partakers of the first Resurrection and so assured that the second death shall have no power over them Rev. 20. 6. Use 1. Sin being forgiven the punishment is removed Jer. 31. 34. Pardon is a not imputing the fault unto punishment 2. Get assurance that thou art justified Two principal grounds of this Assurance are Peace in the Soul Rom. 5. 1. An holy Life Rom. 6. 22. 3. Be sure that thou truly lovest God 1 John 2. 5. 4. Beware of security Fear Gods Temporal wrath Heb. 12. 28 29. Resol Being freed from all fear arising from the Spirit of Bondage and having received the spirit of Adoption which beareth witness with my spirit that I am thy Son I will confidently yet with humble reverencâ— come unto thy Throne of Grace and cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 15 16. Ejac. My Love is yet but weak Lord so perfect it that all fear being cast ouâ— I may here without fear serve thee in holiness and righteousness and may have boldness in the Day of Judgment 1 John 4. 17 18. Paral. XI Circ I cast mine eye to the Top of the Tower Obs The effectually-Called are to set their Affections upon Heavenly things THE Lord washeth away the silth of the Daughter of Zion by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning At and from the Prison until set in the Tower the Spirit of Judgment wrought At the Prison gate I was made sensible what I had deserved and was liable unto The sense of my danger begat fear in me Fear putting me on to seek out for a means to escape brought me to Humiliation Humiliation with Fear and Faith brought me to Christ the Foundation of the Building Being now in him the Spirit of Burning began to work in the Tower For having Removed the Love of the world that my heart might be free to the love of Heavenly things And Banished my Fear that with Confidence and Chearfulness I might affect them By its heat it sweetly warmed and enflamed my heart with a sense and love of and desire after them By its light having first by the reward encouraged and quickned me to all diligence in the way to attain them It directed me to and in that way It discovered unto me those secret way layers whom I was to keep a watchful eye over Faith the soul's eye beholding these things though but darkly saith there are precious things laid up above Heb. 11. 1. Hope the souls Ankor as yet but weakly fastned upon the Promises of these things saith they are laid up for me Heb. 6. 18 19. Love the yet feeble feet of the Soul longing for them saith I run that I may obtain them Phil. 3. 14. The Souls eye is cleared by abounding in Grace 2 Pet. 1. 9. Her Ankor becomes more sure and stedfast by being fixed upon the immutability of Gods Counsel and his Oath Heb. 6. 17. Her feeble knee are strengthened and she is quickned in her pace by assurance that in those precious things she shall have Fulness of satisfaction and Perpetuity of enjoyment Which two things although the ancient Philosophers in their diligent search after the chief good could never find them in any worldly thing Yet they are to be had in God and in the enjoyment of him In his Presence is fulness of joy at his right hand pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. God then is to be the principal Object of our Love which For the manner of it must be A love of good will we must love him for himself Mat. 22. 37. A love of Union longing for the enjoyment of him Psal 42. 1. A love of delight taking pleasure In his Service Psal 122. 1. In his Children Psal 16. 3. For the measure of it it must be with all the heart soul mind strength Luke 10. 27. The utmost power of the whole soul must be employed in it We must do what we are able with a Will to do more if we were able His Greatness Psal 113 6. Our Meanness Rom. 9. 11. His preventing us with his love 1 John 4. 10. The greatness of it John 3. 13. It s Freeness Eph 2. 4 5. Our Unworthiness Rom. 5. 10. should quicken us thereunto And we may then assure our selves that we do love him when We are obedient unto his Will John 14. 23. And when We beat his rod with Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. Obs The effectually Called are to set their Affections upon heavenly things Texts Phil. 3. 20. Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3. 1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Iâ—st Aâ—raham looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God Heb. 11. 10. David longing after God saith Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73. 25. Reas 1. They alone are satisfying and lasting Psalm 16. 11. 2. Thou art risen with Christ and so endued with a power to affect them Col. 3. 1. 3. Christ thine Head is above sitting at the right hand of God Col. 3. 2. Where should the Members be but with their Head Use 1. First seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof Mat. 6. 33. 2. Put thy power in execution wherewith by vertue of Christ's Resurrection thou art endued Rom. 6. 4. 3. Imitate Christ he being risen ascended into Heaven Rom. 6. 5. 4. Long to be with him thine Head Psal 1. 23. Resol My Treasure is in Heaven there shall my heart be Mat. 6. 21. There my Conversation Phil. 3. 20. Ejac. As the Hart panteth after the Water-Brook so panteth my soul after thee O God Psalm 42 1. Paral. XII Circ I cast mine eye up to the Top of the Tower where my sight was limited by a Cloudy Resemblance Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto GOD is immense and cannot be consined to place 1 Kings 8. 27. However his chief residence is in Heaven above the Clouds above the stars Job 22. 12. Where he holdeth back the face of his Throne by spreading his Cloud upon it Job 26. 9. The semi-Atheist though denying the workings of his Providence over man yet acknowledgeth this Job 22. 13 14. And thither the Disciples knew and by the Angels were assured Acts 1. 11. that Christ was ascended though by reason of the intercepting cloud they could follow him no further with the eye Acts 1. 9 10 11. The heart of the effectually-Called being taken off from the world and freed from the fear of Hell is now
set upon God and the most certain Evidence of its love towards him being an holy life in a ready obedience unto his Will John 14. 23. to which by the Scaffolds as in the next I was directed the Lord was pleased first to encourage me to a forward chearful constancy therein by that glorious reward prepared for me above whereof by this cloudy resemblance I was now put in mind Are the blind able to discourse of Light How much less is man able to speak of that Glory of which we have him who saw it testifying that it is unutterable 2 Cor. 12. 4. inconceivable 1 Cor. 2. 9. The Holy Spirit is pleased notwithstanding in part to withdraw this Cloud in the Word by affording a weak glimpse of this Glory in the holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. from v. 10. to 24. in assuring the faithful Citizens thereof who are written in the Lambs Book of life that they shall be adorned with white Robes of Glory Rev. 7. 9. 14. as to their souls and bodies As to their Souls Their Faith whereby here they see but as through a Glass darkly shall be changed into a manifest Vision of God whom they shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. Their Hope whereby here they patiently wait for this reward Rom. 8. 25. shall be changed into Fruition into the perfect enjoyment of him who shall fully satisfie their longing desires and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. Their imperfect love of God here shall be heightned to such a perfection as shall be incapable of enlargement 1 Cor. 13. 8. Thus that which is perfect as to all these being come that which is imperfect shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 10 Their Bodies though sown in dishonour shall be raised in Glory 1 Cor. 15. 43. Which Glory shall consist In Clearness and Brightness they shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13. 43. In Impassibility and Freedom from Corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption this mortal immortality 1 Cor. 15. 53. In swiftness of motion they shall be like the Angels Mat. 22. 30. In a word they shall be changed that they may be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ Philip. 3. 21. This Glory they shall enjoy in all fulness and to all Eternity which is set forth by the figure of a Crown Rev. 2. 10. Which is circular a circle being a Figure of the largest capacity and without end Whatsoever we perform in our obedience unto Gods Will He worketh it for us Phil. 2. 13. He is not benefitted by it Psal 16. 2. It is our duty Luke 17. 10. It is most disproportionable to this Glorious Reward Isa 64. 6. and therefore far from deserving of it Which however that in Gods Service it may be eyed We have God enjoyning of it Mat. 6. 33. We have the Saints Practise for it Heb. 11. 26 c. It is one end why Godliness hath the Promises of it 1 Tim. 4. 8. Obs God hath an invisible Paradise to reward his Servants which in his Service they may have a respect unto He hath an invisible Paradise for them Texts 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 John 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall bâ— but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Inst. Paul being caught up into Paradise heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful or possible for a man to utter 2 Cor. 12. 4. The Holy Jerusalem described Rev. 21. 10 c. They may have a respect to this reward Texts Psal 119. 12. I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end or for the reward Col. 1. 5. Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven Inst Moses had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 26. Paul pressed toward the Mark for the price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. 14. Reas For thâ— invisible reward 1. To shew the riches of his Bounty Mat 25. 23. 2. To encourage us to serve him with Chearfulness 1 Tim. 48. 3. To encourage us to bear the Cross with Patience Rom. 8. 18. 4. That we may patiently wait for it Rom. 8. 25. Reas For having a respect unto the reward 1. The Example of the Saints Heb. 11. 26. Phil. 3. 14. 2. It is Gods Command Mat. 6. 33. 3. It is the end of our Faith 1 Pet. 1. 9. Use 1. Be chearful in Gods service and stedfast therein thy labour shall not be in vain 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2. Bear afflictions patiently If thou suffer with Christ thou shalt reign with him Rom. 8. 17. 3. Attribute no merit to thy self the reward is his free gift Rom. 6. 23. 4. Cleanse thy soul from sin He that hath this hope purifieth himself 1 John 3. 3. Resol I will fight the good fight I will finish my course I will keep the Faith and so doing I am assured there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto me 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Ejâ—c O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee Psal 31. 19. Paral. XIII Circ Round about the Tower were Scaffolds equi-distant one above another Obs The effectually-Called are to grow in all Grace by degrees and to persevere therein THE Heart set upon God will manifest its love by Obedience John 14. 23. To Obedience are required The Knowledge of Gods Will Eph. 5. 17. The doing or practising of his Will John 13. 17. Gods Will is put in practise in the exercise of holy Graces 1 Thes 4. 3. Wherein there must be an universal gradual constant Improvement 2 Pet. 3. 18. To an improvement in all Grace the Ascent of the Scaffolds directs To an Improvement in Grace the Scaffolds round about To an improvement by degrees the equi-distance of each step from other Constancy or perseverance to which the closing Parallel likewise gives direction is implied in the improvement which ceaseth if we hold not out unto the end 1 Cor. 15. 58. Improvement in Grace St. Peter compares to the growth of an Infant 1 Pet. 2. 2. To the Souls growth in Grace is required Food This Food is the Word 1 Cor. 3. 2. Which must be wholsom 1 Tim. 6. 3. Sincere Milk 1 Pet. 2. 2. Not sweetned by affected Eloquence 1 Cor. 2. 4. Not corrupted with humane Inventions Mark 7. 7. Not poysoned with wrested Interpretations 2 Pet. 3. 16. Proportionable seasonable Luke 12. 42. Administred by a lawful Nurse 1 Thes 2. 7. Or Steward appointed to
Love to God Active Love brings forth Obedience John 14. 23. Passive Love brings forth Patience 1 Cor. 13. 4. This arms a Christian against that evil that is upon him as Fortitude arms him against evil invading of him It s Object is Afflictions to which it hath a double respect To their weight To their continuance And we have great need of it Heb. 10. 36. as for other reasons so especially in reference to all other Graces Which being the Materials of the spiritual Building in the soul 1 Cor. 3. 9. to which that I referred that at the Savoy though chiefly pointing ouâ—â—he Church I erred not in the Interpretation Faith in Christ is their Foundation Patience their Roof Faith gives them firmness Mat. 7. 14 15. Patience gives them continuance Rom. 2. 7. Faith strengthens them against the storms of afflictions that they fall not Patience shelters them from the storms that they decay not And it will the better be able thus to secure them when it hath its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Which it then hath When we suffer for righteousness sake Mat. 5. 10. When we glory in afflictions not in the Object of our Patience which both by weight and continuance causeth grief Heb. 12. 11 Yet In its Act Heb. 10. 34. In its Fruit Heb. 12. 11. In its end 2 Cor. 4. 17. When which is the Ridge of the Roof so perfectly and entirely compleating the Building that nothing is wanting Jam. 1. 4. we endure and faint not under them Jam. 5 11. And now when it pleaseth our Father to lay afflictions upon us why should we not thus bear them Knowing That we suffer not alone 1 Pet. 5. 9. That our afflictions are discoveries of our Fathers Love Rev. 3. 19. That it is an high honour to suffer for Christ Acts 5. 41. That they will be a means to better us Heb 12. 11. That they shall not long continue upon us 1 Pet. 5 10. That our Father will support us under them 1 Cor. 10. 13. That their end shall be Glory Matth. 5. 10. As the water ebbs so it flows Gods Children may somtimes have their Intervals of Comfort some respite from the Rod. Psal 30. 5. But the Tide will turn again When it doth and the Rod is upon thee bear it as thou art directed with an humble and silent submission unto thy Fathers hand Psal 39. 9. And so according to Samsons Riddle thou shalt fetch meat out of the eater and out of the strong sweetness Judges 14. 14. Obs Each true Member of the Church in his way to Heaven must expect Afflictions and prepare himself with patience to undergo them He must expect â—fflâ—ctions Texts Acts 14. â—2 We must thâ—ough much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom or God 2 Tim. 3 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Inst. David was plagued all the day long and chastened every morning Psal 73 14. Christ â—els the Sons of Zebâ—dee that they shall drink of his Cup and be bapâ—ized with his Baptism Mat. 20. 23. He must prepare himself with Patience Texts â—am 58 Bâ— patiâ—nt stablâ—sh your hearts for the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh Iuk 21 19 In your Patience postless yâ— your souls Inst The Angel of the Chuâ—ch of Ephâ—sus with thâ— Members thereof are commended in that they had born and had patience and for Christ's Name sake had laboured and had not faintâ—d Râ—v â— 3. Paul took pleaâ—ure in Infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for Christ s sake 2 Cor 2 â—0 Reas Why God afflicts his Children 1. For Chastisement to manifest his Justice Psal 89. 30. 2. For Trial and for the exercise of their Graces 1 Pet. 1. 7. 3. That they may be conformable unto Christ in his Sufferings Phil. 3. 10. 4. That God may bâ— glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 5. That their râ—ward may be â—nlarged 2 Cor. 4 17. 6. That it may appear that they serve God not for temporal things Job 2. 3. Reas Why they must prepare themselves with patience 1. Otherwise they cannot continue in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. 2. Otherwise Satan will get possession of the Soul Luke 21. 9. 3. Patienâ—e will overcome their enemies Jud. 8. 3. 4. It will make their enemies their Servants to wreath a Crown of Glory for them Mat 5. 10. Use 1. Look not for a life of Pleasure John 16. 33. The way to Heaven is strowed with thorns Hos 2. 6. 2. They are Bastards not Sons who are without Chastisement Heb. 12. 8. 3. Keep possession of thy soul Luke 21. 19. 4. Despise not Gods Rod neither faint under it Heb. 12. 5. 5. Let Patience have its perfect work Jam. 1. 4. Resol I will glory in Tribulations knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto me Rom. 5. 3 4 5. Ejac. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. Rev. 5. 13. Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unâ—o him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever AMEN To all those that fear God SAint Paul blushed not to acknowledge to the world that he had been a Blasphemer a Persecuter injurious 1 Tim. 1. 13. That he had been foolish disobedient Deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures living in Malice Envy Hatred T it 3. 3. That he had been a Child of Wrath That his Conversation among others the Children of disobedience had been in the Lusts of the Flesh fulfilling the desires thereof Eph. 2. 3. And indeed why should he The yet guilty soul may have its Face filled with shame But that which is renewed by the Holy Spirit though as to it self it will upon their remembrance have secret Blushings Yet need not as to others be cast down for any former sins from which the Lord Christ hath washed it in his Blood It is now cleansed and Innocency and Purity are alwaies accompanied with an holy Confidence With such I now tell you my Brethren who I am assured will glorifie God in me for the Glory of the riches of whose Grace I now publish this that the wayes of the former part of my life were so far from being according to Gods wayes that more truly then that blessed Saint who out of the lowliness of his Spirit and sincerity of his Repentance and to magnifie Gods exceeding Grace towards him was willing to aggravate his sins I may say I am the chief of sinners For I could add to his summe charged upon himself thousands of Talents many many heinouâ— sins committed with an high hand of long continuance which may justly give me the priority In Sin I have the precedence O Lord thou knowest the groanings of my spirit O that
believe this is not enough to settle the soul and to make its peace with God For notwithstanding such Faith a man may go to Hell And indeed such Faith is in the Devils themselves they believe and tremble James 2. 19. No it is a particular applying Justifying Faith which is the Soul setling and Peace obraining Faith The truth of the Word or the Word â—f Truth is the general Object of Faith But that Faith which must settle the soul and obtain its Peace must be fixed upon and eye a more particular Object namely the free Promises of Grace and Pardon in Christ which promises it layes hold upon and brings home to the soul by a particular application in assurance that the soul is a sharer and interessed in them upon which assurance all the tempests in the wounded spirit are allayed all the disturbances removed all the Fears of enmity and wrath do vanish and a sweet calm settlement and peace do follow thereupon in the soul Where I touched before upon Faith I spake of it as in its dayly exercise in the fruits of true Obedience and having its residence in a soul at peace with God which is the constant Attendant upon such Faith I now speak of it as reâ—iding in an unsetled soul and by reason of the folly of sin inâ—errupted in the exercise which notwithstanding the soul stretcheth forth as its yet benummed hand to lay hold upon the promises of the Gospel for the re obtaning of its lost Peace though it do nor as yet can apply them with the like strength of assurance as when it was more lively and the Spirit did more evidently act in it However it is living and true and may be known to be such and to be in the soul by these Discoveries Marks 1. He that hath it though it continues so weak and benummed as I said that it is not able to apply a promise yet such a man believes that his sins and follies be they never so heinous yet are pardonable that Gods Mercy to poor sinners is not limited to the number or quality of their sins but be they never so many never so heinous of never so deep a slain or loud a cry committed with never so high a hand yet the Lords Mercy is above them all And as he believes that they are pardonable so he gaspes and longs and earnestly desires that they may be pardoned and he sends up earnest and strong cries to the Throne of Grace that the Lord would pardon them Now these Gaspings Groanings Longings Desires and Cries of his soul do discover the Spirit of God to be in such a man For they proceed from the Spirit Rom 8. 26. It is the Spirit which in the sinners soul makes Intercession for him Postulat id est postulare facit It makes him send up unutterable cries and Groans unto the Throne of Grace for Mercy So S. Augusline interprets the place Now where Christs Spirit is there Christ himself is And where Christ and the Spirit are there must necessarily be Faith though but in a weak measure for they dwell not in a faithlesse soul 2. A man may know whether he hath true Faith or not by the Testimony of the Spirit which bears witness to his spirit that he is the Child of God Rom. 8. 16. This Spirit he is sealed with Eph. 1. 14. And it makes him to cry Abba Father The Spirit bears witness It perswades him to an assurance that he is Gods Child and hath Faith As if the Spirit were pleased to say to the weak Believer that doubts of his Faith Dost thou question whether thou hast Faith or not Be assured that thou hast I tell thee so who know thy heart better then thou thy self dost I tell thee so who am the Seal of thine Adoption God knows thee to be his Child by this his Mark and Seâ—l which he hath set upon thee even mee his Spirit without which he would never own thee as his Son Now it is thy Faith which made way for this thy Sonship Christ upon thy receiving of him upon thy believing in his Name gave thee power or priviledge and it is no mean one to be the Son of God He is however he now beholds thee with an eye of displeasure he is I say thy Father therefore go unto him and call him so and by that name sue unto him for mercy say Abba Father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee I am unworthy to be called thy Son Yet I beseech thee to have mercy upon me according to thy Fatherly goodness God delights that thou shouldst call him Father He is the Father of Mercies and will not deny Mercy to his now humbled Child 3. This Faith is known by that Confidence and boldness in a man to approach unto the Throne of Grace for the obtaining of Mercy and finding Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. The soul never stands in more need of Mercy of Grace of Help then when it lieth groaning under the burden of sin under the deep Wounds of the Apprehension of loss and fear of wrath it is then a sit Object for Mercy and Grace Now if in this distressed condition a man can come with boldness to God for Mercy and Help it is a most certain and strong evidence of true Faith When a man can take a Promise suppose this in the Text and spreading it before the Lord can press him with it and say Lord thou seest my sad condition thou knowest my soul in this mine adversity thou seest how it is perplexed and troubled I am now come unto thee for peace and settlement and I come with an assured Confidence that I shall obtain it â—or here is thy Promise of it this I lay claim to and thou canst not but perform it For thou art not as man that thou shouldst lye O be pleased then to make good this thy Promise unto me O speak peace to mine unsetled Soul and make the bones which thou hast broken to rejoyce He that can come unto God with such boldness and confidence he may assuâ—e himself that he hath true Faith For it is that which makes way for the souls access unto God It is that which makes the soul thus bold confident in its approaches and assurance of obtaining of what it sues for See a clear place for it Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 4. This particular Promise-applying Faith is known by thâ—t delight which a man takes in the Word wherein the Promises are contained It is sweeter then honey or the hony Comb to the truly Faithful Soul Ps 19. 10. There it tasts truly the sweetness of the Lord Christ Ps 3â— 8. The sweetness of his Grace and Favour 1 Pâ—t 2. 3. in those Promises which there it â—inds and meets withal When turning over the sacred Pages it lâ—ghts upon â— Promise and the Book of God is full
them through Christ in the Gospel Of these two Offerers or Givers of Peace mention is made John 14. â—7 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you God giveth Peace the world giveth peace The world gives it freely God upon terms and conditions Whether of these two now are the Lords people to hear Flesh saies the World that stands not upon terms and reservations that ties not to any conditions of bewayling confessing hating resolving applying here needs no breaking or rending of the heart or changing of the mind the dear price which they must pay who have their peace from God But the Spirit sayes beware take heed how you listen to the World hearkâ—n unto God the Lord and to him alone For he is God the Lord and ye are his people he speaks peace and he speaks peace unto his people and Saints In which words are couched and contained a threefold reason why in speaking of peace the Lords people and Saints are to hear him and him alone 1. Because he is God the Lord and they are his People He loves them he knows and pities the sad condition the wounded Spirit is in and is alone able to help it 2. Because he will most certainly speak peace unto the soul He will assure it that he is at peace with it 3. Because he speaks peace that which the soul shall find to be truly such He neither gives what the world gives nor as the world gives 1. The first Reason is taken from that near relation between God and his People and from those two titles God the Lord and so it is taken from his Power his Knowledge his Love He is the Lord and therefore able to cure the wounded Spirit He is a Lord of great power such that as he can work by weak means by contrary means so without means He can create peace for the unsetled soul Isa 45 7. He can make it of nothing and indeed so he doth there being no prepared prejacent matter in the soul out of which it should be prâ—duced He is God he knows the soul in iâ—s adversity Psal 31. 7. He it is who wounded it and therefore knows the anguish and danger of its wounds what remedy is fittest for it and when and how it is to be applyed And the Saints though in this sad condition yet are his people whom he loves Col. 3. 12. Towards whom he is tender-hearted very pitiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5. 11. He pitieth those that fear him as a Father pitieth his Children Psal 103. 13. And therefore as he is able and skilful so he is most ready and willing to help them to settle them to cure their wounds The World is a Physition of no value a meer Empyrick a bold Mountebank that neither is able to compose any Soveraign Remedy nor knows how to apply it being altogether ignorant of the state of the soul in its distress Beside the Lords people and Saints are most hateful unto it Jo. 15. 19. And shall they believe that their deadly enemy if it were able and had skill would be willing to settle and recover them 2. The second Reason why in speaking peace the Lord alone is to be heard is taken from that assurance which the Lord rayseth in the soul that he is at peace with it For he speaks peace to it He makes the soul as strongly perswaded of peace and as confidently to build upon it as if it heard the Lord himself speak it immediatly from Heaven The Grounds whereon this assurance is built in the soul are His Decree which is stable unchangeable Heb. 6. 17. His Promise which is Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. His Oath which he will not break Heb. 6. 17. His Hand for it in his written Word which he will not deny Rom. 15. 4. His Seal to it his Spirit which he cannot but own â— Cor. 1. 22. His Delivery of this Assurance which he will not revoke John 14. 27. The Witness to all this his Spirit which cannot lye Rom. 8. 18. Thus the Lord speaks peace unto the Soul by thus assuring of it that he is no more an enemy or a stranger unto it which must needs settle it and fill it with strong Consolation Heb. 6. 18 When the World can afford to the unsetled and wounded Spirit such grounds of assurance of Peace and Settlement it may then hope the Lords people may be perswaded to hearken unto it till then it may forbear its frank but empty Tenders 3. The Third Reason is taken from the quality of that Peace which the Lord speaks to the Soul He speaks unto it which is truly such being 1. A solid Peace 2. A satisfying Peace Peace fourfold 3. A Fortifying Peace 4. A lasting Peace 1. It is a solid Peace grounded upon Christ who is our peace Eph 2 14. Who hath made peace for us and reconciled us unto his Father Col. 1. 20. Having purchased peace for us at a dear raâ—e by the bloud of his Cross being wounded for our Transgressions the chasâ—â—sement of our peace being upon him and he healing our wounds by his stripes Isa 53. 5. He is both our propitâ—ation and our advocate for peace unto his Father 1 John 2. 1 2. My Peace I give unto you John 14. Well may he call it his which he hath bought so dear The greatness of the Price speaks the Truth and Solidness of the Peace It is Christ's Peace dearly bought His Father gives it at his request it is the peace of God Phil. 4. 7. And from him proceeds nothing but what is true real and solid The Peace which from it the world would have the soul to accept of it deserves not the name of peace being but a light flash but a shadow of Peace The World cries Peace where there is none Jer. 6. 14. And so if its tender might be accepted would it heal the hurt of Gods People slightly And indeed what more is to be expâ—ctâ—d from the World when it hath but one Receipt or Remedy consisting of three Ingredients which like a bold unskilful Empyrick it applyes to every Mâ—lady What these Ingredients are St. John tells us 1 John 2. 16. All that is in the World are the Lusts of the flesh or Pleasures the Lust of the eyes or Wealth the Pride of life or Honour And alas What can these do to the recovery of a wounded Spirit which cannot prevent or remove a disease from the body or in the least measure abate its Pain The Vermin seized upon Herod and devoured him alive though a great King who had Wealth and Pleasure at his Command Acts â—2 23. 2. The peace which God speaks unto the wounded Spirit it is a satisfying peace Upon the speaking of this the before-disturbed soul returns unto its rest and settlement It hath now its desire it was wounded with the apprehension of losse and fear of wrath and its
faithful soul because he is Faithful and Just Confession of sin is an act of true Repentance and S. John cells us 1 John 1. 9. that if we confess our sins joyning with our Confession the other acts of true Repentance God is faithful and just to forgive them He is faithful He hath promised Pardon and peace to the humbled and faithful soul pardon as there in St. John peace as here in the â—ext Now all his promises are Yea and Amen â— Cor. 1. 20. And he is not as man that he should lye Hath he promised and shall he not perform Doth he severely punish unfaithfulness in others and will he approve of it and practise it himself Who then shall give him the Glory of his Truth and Faithfulness Again he is just to forgive And indeed the soul being in such a temper truly broken and humbled for sin and closely applying unto it self the Promises of Grace Pardon and Peace made unto it in Christ being thus disposed it would be great Injustice to deny it Peace For hath not Christ layd down â—n all sufficient satisfaction for our sins Hath not his Father accepted of this satisfaction Hath not the Lord Christ deleâ—ved at his Fathers hands by the Merits of that his satisfaction that he should be no longer displeased with the humbled soul which doth closely apply this satisfaction And yet notwithstanding this full satisfaction made by Christ notwithstanding the infinite Merit thereof notwithstanding Gods acceptance of it shall God still require a further satisfaction from poor sinners He will not he cannot be so unjust And therefore in reference to Christ's Merits and satisfaction and for the glory of his own Justice he cannot but speak peace to the truly humbled and faithful soul Obj. But the yet unsetled soul will be ready to say If the Lord cannot but speak peace to the humbled and faithful soul why are my wounds still thus smarting Why is the Lord yet a stranger unto me Why do I yet undergo his Terrours Answ 1. I answer It is possible that Peace is spoken and yet thou maiest not have heard it The day of Joy may be broken and sprung in thine heart and yet not discerned but the sault is in thy self Thou lookest upon the greatness of the Mercy and the haâ—nousness of thine own Follies and thereupon thy â—â—ul is wrapped up as it were in the dark mists of Insiâ—â—â—ry so that thou canst not as yet bâ—ing thine heart to a fiâ—m belief that so great a Majesty so highly provokâ—d by thee will vouchsafe so great a Mercy to so vile and unworthy a Wretch as thou art 2. I answer again If Peace be not yet spoken unto thee it is but deferred it is not denied and iâ— may be some settlement to the soul to be assured that it shall have peace God will speak peace unto his people and Saints bâ—r he doth not promise that he will do it immediatly upon their humiliation It is enough that they that mourn shall be comforted that there shall be a 〈◊〉 in joy God will take his own time and he best knows which is fittest for thee Reas 1. It may be thou art not yet ready for Peace not fit to entertain it 2. It may be thou art not yet sensible enough what it is to lose thy God 3. It may be thou art not yet purified enough from thy Drosse and Dregs of sin 4. It may be thou hast not sufficiently bewailed thy Follies 5. It may be it is the Lords pleasure to try whether thou canst wait upon him Or 6. It is his pleasure not to bring a disesteem upon his Mercy by its easiness 7. Or to make thee sensible of the exceeding riches of his Mercy He intends thee a River of peace but he will first bring thee to be glad of a few drops of it He intends to dwell in thee but he will first bring thee to be glad if he will but vouchsafe to lookupon thee He intends thee a Feast a continual Feast in thy soul but his pleasure is first to bring thee so low that thou shalt be glad of but the Crums of his Mercy Mat. 15 27. Whatsoever his reason is why he defers thy Peace yet this be assured of that he will at length most certainly speak it unto thee and that even this his deferring thereof shall tend to the furtherance of thy good Use 1. Here is set before us the blessed condition of those who are at peace with God to whom the Lord hath spoken Peace He is their Friend They enjoy a continual Feast of Comfort in their souls And by the by here we may take notice of the wretched and woful estate of those to whom the Lord is an enemy That I say no more they are strangers to his Love and to all the effects and manifestations thereof And though they abound in a most plentiful affluence of all things yet in the mean time even amidst their plenty their souls are samished for want of that soul-nourishing repast of inward peace There is no peace to the wicked Isa 48 22. Use 2. Here is Encouragement for the unsetled and wounded Spirit to hasten with all speed to its only remedy for its recovery true repentance and saith in the Promises made unto it in Christ If it mouâ—n for its Follies confess them abhor them resolve against them and upon better obedience If it bring the Promises home unto it self by a particular and close application its labour shall not be in vain in the Lord the Lord cannot but speak peace unto it Use 3. May Peace be spoken to the soul and the soul not be sensible of it by reason of its Infidelity in respect of the greatness of the Mercy and its own unworthiness It is to be exhorted to shake off this its Infidelâ—ty and want of Faith Let the bright Rayes of Gods Glory and Christ's Merits dispel those Mists which cause thee to fear thy self still to be under the night of Gods displeasure Though thou art unworthy of Peace yet the Lord Christ hath merited it for thee Though thou art unworthy of Peace yet the Lord for his own Glory will be faithful and just and rich in his mercy unto thee Use 4. Is the Lord pleased many times to defer peace Let it teach the yet unsetled soul to wait upon God It may be that may be the very thing his pleasure is to try thee in whether thou canst wait upon him or not and so to try thy Faith True Faith is not hasty Isa 28. 16. Satisfie thy self with this that the Lord is faithful and no Promise breaker that he is just and cannot but do what is just and right Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart Wait I say on the Lord Psal 27. ult Or as it is in the old Translation Tarry the Lords Leisure be strong and he shall comfort thine heart and put thou thy trust in the Lord. Use