another place which is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience or a covenant towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Be baptized Acts 22.16 and wash away thy sins saith Ananias Gal. 3.27 As many of ye as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and by faith ye are all the children of God For Christ sanctifieth his Church Eph. 5.27 cleansing it with the laver of water in the word From all which thou maist strongly conclude that Baptism is a ransom for captives Basil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tom 1. p. 446. Cyrill Hieros in praefat Catech. a remission of debts a death of sin a being born again a bright garment of the soul an inviolable seal a chariot to heaven the Inn of the kingdom the gift of adoption * Naziaâ—z orat in S. Bapt. p. 615. It is the brightness of souls the change of life the answer of the conscience towards God an help of our weakness It is a putting away of the flesh a following of the Spirit a communion of the word It is an amendment of the creature a deluge to sin a partaking of light a dissolution of darkness It is a chariot unto God anaccompanying of Christ the prop of faith the perfection of the mind the glory of the kingdom of heaven a change of life a taking away of servitude a loosing of bands a changing of apparel Tertul. 4. adver Marc. p. 231. Aug. 2. cont Crescon c. 18. Paulin. epist 12. ad Sever. It is the spring of true life and true righteousness an abridged laver the Sacrament of life and eternal salvation The holy Ghost into this pool descends Whose waters by an heavenly spring are fed Which influenc'd by th' Deity forth sends An holy offspring from eternal seed For in the Baptism of Christ it was demonstrated by visible signs what the divine grace worketh invisibly in our Baptism Chemnit in cap. 17. Harm The water of Baptism was sanctified by the touch of our Lords body for whatsoever Christ promerited and obtained in the body of his flesh he deposited as it were in his Baptism He received Baptism with us sinners to testifie that we by Baptism are made his members As the eternal Father in the Baptism of Christ said This is my beloved son so at this day he adopts for sons all that believe and are baptized As in the Baptism of Christ heaven was opened so to this day by the sacrament of Baptism the gate of the heavenly paradise is opened to us As the holy Ghost in Christ's Baptism descended upon him in the form of a dove so in our Baptism the holy Ghost is present and therein doth effectually work our regeneration and renovation so that thus in Baptism concurr the grace of the Father adopting the merit of the Son cleansing and the efficacy of the holy Spirit regenerating If therefore thou art baptized thou canst not doubt of the grace of God the remission of sins and the promise of eternal life Baptism is the laver of regeneration where there is regeneration there is remission of sins there is the grace of God there is perfect righteousness there is renewing there is the gift of the holy Ghost there is adoption and there is the inheritance of eternal life Falling from the Covenant of Baptism Tempted I believe indeed that I was received into the covenant of grace by the sacrament of Baptism that I thereby obtained remission of sins and was writ in the book of life but I have faln from the grace of this covenant again by my sins by repeating my transgressions I have made void the aforegoing remission and have often deserved to be blotted out of the book of life Comforter No but the covenant of God is an everlasting covenant to which thou maist always return by true and hearty repentance For as God declares concerning the sacrament of Circumcision Gen. 17.13 that it is an everlasting covenant so let us not doubt but that in Baptism which succeeded in the place of Circumcision Col. 2.11 God enters into and establisheth an everlasting covenant with us I will betroth thee to me for ever saith he by the Prophet Hos 2.19 yea I will betroth thee in righteousness and in judgement and in loving kindness and in mercies I will betroth thee to me in faithfulness Isai 54.10 The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Rom. 3.3 God forbid we should say the faith of God is made without effect by our unbelief If we give never so little belief to his words or depart from him 1 Tim. 2.13 yet he abideth faithful always the same true and constant he cannot deny himself Therefore by the sins of thy natural infirmity thou fallest not from the free covenant of God By sins committed against thy conscience thou fallest indeed from the grace of God and the covenant of grace but thou maist return to the everlasting covenant of God by true repentance The ship of Baptism splits not though we leap out of it into the sea of sins therefore by repentance which in this sence may be called secunda post naufragium tabula Hier. in c. 3. Isa v. 9. we may return again to the same ship of Baptism that we may in it be wasted to the port of eternal salvation Tertul. lib. de poenit p. 479. Therefore embrace repentance as a shipwrackt person catches hold of a plank this will lift thee up when ready to be drowned in the waves of thy sins and will carry thee into the haven of Gods mercy Peter had denied his Master but being converted he notwithstanding seeks the promise of salvation in Baptism 1 Pet. 3.21 The Galatians and the Corinthians had faln foully yet when they were renewed again by repentance the Apostle offers them comfort drawn from Baptism declaring that as many of them as had been baptized Gal. 3.27 had put on Christ and clearly affirming that they were washed 1 Cor. 6.11 12 13. and by one spirit were baptized into one body namely mystical whence it clearly appears that the efficacy of the Baptismal covenant is extended to the future and is not quite enervated and abolished by mans fall but on God's part remains continually a firm and established covenant When Paul therefore says Aug. 1. de nup. concup c. 33. that Christ cleanseth the Church in the laver of water in the word it is thus to be understood that in the same laver of regeneration and word of sanctification all the sins of regenerate men are cleansed healed not only those by-past all which are remitted in Baptism but also those which are contracted afterwards by humane ignorance and frailty Not that Baptism should be
that Christ thy Lord obtaineth it on a double account both by being the heir of the Father and by the merit of his passion he is content with the first the latter he bestoweth on thee from whose gift challenge it for thy self and thou shalt not be confounded The temptation of despair Tempted The Devil solicits me to despair Comforter I would have thee despair namely of thy self and in thy self because thou art a sinner but despair not in God whose grace aboundeth over thy sin Rom. 5.21 Chrysost hom 3. de poenit For no more is the malice of man to the clemency of God than a spark of fire is to the sea The sea although it be great yet it admits of measure but the mercy of God is unmeasurable Neither despair of Christ and in Christ 1 Tim. 1.15 who came into the world to save sinners whose blood avails more to reconcile God than the sins of all the world to offend him Although thy sins be great and diverse and often repeated yet they are not greater nor more grievous than thou maist obtain pardon and forgiveness for in that the goodness of God is greater than the iniquity of all men Sins as it were set with the sun but the grace of God riseth with it Sins are the works of the Devil and of man To have pity to spare and to forgive are the works of God By how much therefore God is more powerful than the Devil and man by so much is his mercy above our malice The Lord is merciful and gracious Ps 103.8 slow to anger and plenteous in mercy v. 9. He doth not always chide neither doth he keep his anger for ever v. 10. He dealeth not with us after our sins nor rewardeth us according to our iniquities v. 11. For as the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him v. 12. As far as the East is from the West so far removeth he our transgressions Heaven is incomparably greater than the earth which is but like a very little point in comparison with heaven but so is the mercy of the heavenly Father incomparably greater than all sins Bern. Serm. 11. in Cant. col 518. Be far then from saying Mine iniquity is greater than the pity of a merciful God Thou shalt find God more bountiful than thou art faulty Gerson de remed contra pusillan So great is God's mercy that if thou hadst all the sins of the world upon thee and wert sorry that thou hadst proudly offended so good a God by thy sins and didst firmly purpose for the future to refrain therefrom God would never condemn thee Dost thou so forget the satisfaction made by Christ that thou wilt prefer thy sins before the merit of Christ that is thy self before God Thou seest the greatness of the disease Aug. in Psal 55. and seest thou not the power of the physician Thy sins are great Christ is far greater that satisfied for thy sins Thy sins are diverse but Christ also suffered diverse things for thee God is an infinite good whom thou hast offended by thy sins but Christ is an infinite person who hath reconciled thee to God Sigh therefore unto the heavenly Father and pray in the name of the Son thy Saviour If thou O eternal God Ansh de redempt gen hum fol. 96. despisest me for mine iniquity as I deserve however for the dearness of thy beloved Son look upon me with pity Observe in thy Son what thou maist atone in thy servant Behold the Sacrament of his flesh and remit the guilt of my flesh remember what â—â—y good Son has suffered and forget what thy bad servant hath done The Temptation of Blasphemy Tempted I must needs confess I am not only solicited to despair but am also sometimes tempted with the spirit of Blasphemy for there arise such thoughts in my heart as are injurious against God himself my Creator and my Saviour I would choose to die a thousand times to be freed from this temptation Comforter These thoughts are not the actions of thine heart but rather its bitter passions seeing thou art not delighted with them but thy grief from them is more bitter than death it self They are the scourges of Satan whereby he afflicts and torments thee they will not be reckoned for sin unto thee by the Lord. And though thou have the greatest impatience of spirit from the infirmity of thy flesh yet the Lord knows thy groans and thy sighs The weight of temptations did force hard words even from Job and Jeremy which yet the most bountiful God did fatherly forgive them Thou seest by them how altogether no strength unto good thou hast from thy self that thou maist cleave unto God alone with full trust of heart This is the top and highest degree of thy fight against Satan see that thou despond not here the greatest champion will be with thee and will not leave thee destitute of his help Wait patiently and humbly till thou art freed of these fiery darts of Satan Eph. 6.16 in the mean time let the grace of God be sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 It is the flesh which so striveth against the spirit and is so ready and obedient to receive the darts of Satan the sin that dwells in thy flesh shall not be imputed unto thee if through the spirit thou mortifie the deeds of the flesh and consent not to those blasphemous thoughts Those fiery darts of Satan shall be quenched in the blood of Christ turn towards him the shield of faith and as soon as thou perceivest any blasphemous thought to arise betake thy self to prayer and so thou maist kill it as it were in the bud The particularness of the premises Tempted I perceive some comfort of the Spirit in my heart I observe some trust in my mind that keeps me from despair when I behold the mercy of God abounding over my sins and the merit of Christ which is of infinite price and value But I doubt whether the Evangelical promises of the mercy of God and merit of Christ belong to me For God is not only merciful but he is also a most just and severe punisher of sins and alas experience sheweth that all are not partakers of the benefits of Christ Comforter But look thou give not way to those seducing thoughts of the particularness of the Evangelical promises God calleth all to him desireth all will come unto him he offereth the word of the Gospel and in it the benefits of Christ unto all and that not feignedly but sincerely not hypocritically but with a mind to bestow Ezek. 18.31 32. ch 33.11 As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner but that he should turn and live Here thou hast the solemn oath of Divine truth thou seest their conversion is expected and desired by God that by their own fault die in their sins
and manifested his will in his word that we might certainly know his will Wherefore God hath not only delivered legal promises which have annexed a condition of perfect obedience and are therefore made unprofitable to us but also Gospel promises which are free that we might rely on them with firm trust of heart Therefore it is of faith by grace saith the Apostle Rom. 4.16 that the promise might be sure Mens promises are uncertain and doubtful because all men are liars Psal 116.11 but the promises of God are sure and unmovable because God is truth it self As God is true in threatning so also in promising As out of Christ certain damnation abideth all unbelievers and impenitent persons so in Christ certain salvation is promised to all that turn to God and believe Cypr. serm 4. de mortal pag. 209. Dost thou doubt whether those things shall be that God hath promised who is true whose saying is eternal and firm to them that believe If a grave and laudable man should promise something thou wouldst believe him nor wouldst thou think thou shouldst be deceived by him whom thou knewest to stand to his word and be firm in his actings Now God speaketh with thee and dost thou unbelievingly fluctuate with a distrustful mind Observe moreover the firmness of Gods oath As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner Ezech. 33.11 but that he should turn and live Verily verily I say unto you Joh. 5.25 saith Christ hethat heareth my saying and believeth in him that sent me hath eternal life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life Joh. 8.51 Verily verily I say unto you if a man keep my saying he shall never see death Aug. in Psalm 88. God hath said this he hath promised this if that be not enough he hath sworn it Therefore happy we for whose sake God swears Tertul. l. de poenit but most wretched we if we believe not God when he swears Acknowledge therefore the admirable and never enough praised mercy of God who willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability and immovableness of his counsel Heb. 6.17 vers 18. confirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things seeing it is impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us Want of due preparation Tempted All these things easily perswade me not to doubt of the firmness of Gods promises in themselves in the mean it is as yet uncertain whether they be so firm and immovable to me and whether I be in the number of them to whom God promises and offers so great things Comforter Yes because God pomiseth these things to all that truly repent and fly to Christ by faith 2 Cor. 4.13 therefore he hath also promised to thee seeing thou also believest in Christ Attend therefore further to the inward sealing of the holy Spirit For the Spirit witnesseth not only outward ly in the word but also inwardly in thy heart Rom. 8.16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with thy spirit that thou art the child 1 Cor. 2.12 yea and heir of God Thou hast received the Spirit which is of God that thou maist know the things that are freely given thee of God He that confirms and strengthens thee with all the truly Godly in Christ and he who hath anointed thee is God who hath sealed thee and given thee the earnest of the Spirit in thy heart Gal. 4.6 Because thou art the son of God therefore hath God sent forth the spirit of his son into thy heart crying Abba Father Believing the word of truth and the Gospel of salvation thou art sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 which is the earnest of thine inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession chap. 4.30 whereby thou art sealed unto the day of redemption As the Bridegroom who hath promised his spouse marriage giveth her some token for a pledge of their future marriage so God hath betrothed thee to him in faith he hath betrothed thee in mercy Hos 2.19 Rev. 19.7 but the marriage of the Lamb is not yet celebrated therefore he giveth thee the earnest of his Spirit to assure thee of the fulfilling of the promises and a future introducing of thee to the heavenly nuptials This is the spirit of adoption because he witnesseth thou art adopted to be a son of God this is that seal whereby the promises of God are sealed in thy heart this is the earnest by which the word of truth is confirmed to thee 1 Joh. 4.13 By this thou knowest that thou dwellest in God and God in thee because he hath given thee of his Spirit Doubting of the indwelling of the Spirit Tempted But whence can I be sure that my heart is the temple and dwelling of the holy Ghost The blots of sin stick to me and I perceive that in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing how then will the holy Spirit who is holiness and purity it self dwell in me Comforter We receive only the first-fruits of the Spirit in this life Rom. 8.23 we expect the full measure and compleat tenths at length in eternal life there remains in this life a striving of the flesh and spirit Rom. 7.14 we are yet in part carnal and sold under sin yet never the less by means of regeneration and renovation begun we are the temples of the holy Ghost Moreover that the Spirit of God dwelleth in thee thou maist know by this that thou lamentest and abhorrest thy sins Wisd 1.4 because the holy Spirit dwelleth not in a body enslaved to sins because thou believest in Christ and lovest him for he is the Spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 Zach. 13.9 because with serious groanings thou callest upon God and the most bountiful Father for he is the spirit of grace and of prayers and cryeth in the hearts of the faithful Gal. 4.6 Abba Father because thou art led with a desire of all good for they that are the temples of the holy Spirit are led by him Rom. 8.14 namely unto good because thou oft perceivest a foretast of eternal life in thy heart and the kingdom of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14.17 but righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost Wherefore if thy soul hath felt at any time in the secret of its conscience the Spirit of the son crying Bern. in Cant. serm 8. col 509. Abba Father let it presume it is loved with a fatherly affection seeing it feels it self moved with the same Spirit wherewith the Son is In the Spirit of the son it knows it self the daughter of the Father and the Bride and sister of the son But though all these are sometimes weak and languid yet be not cast down but beg increase
he fall for therefore those that will not persevere are mixed with those that shall by the wise will of God that we may learn not to soar too high but to joyn with the lowly and work out our salvation with fear and trembling Therefore with one eye of the heart behold the mercy of God but with the other the justice of God from a faithful view of God's mercy let there arise in thy heart a trust of perseverance from the fear of God's justice let there arise in it a shunning of carnal security Let divine love penetrate thy flesh lest the love of sinful flesh deceive thee Psa 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him and hope in his mercy Let our inner man hope and trust the outward fear and tremble Doubting of being written in the book of life Tempted Those only persevere and receive the crown of perseverance that are writ in the book of life But how can I know that I am writ in the book of life Comforter That book of life is Christ whence 't is called the book of life of the Lamb. Rev. 13.8.21.27 The writing into this book of life is nothing else than the election of believers in Christ to life eternal For as the faithful are said to be chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world Eph. 1.5 Rev. 17.8 so their names are said to be writ in the book of life from the foundation of the world Therefore we must pass judgment as of election so also of writing into the book of life not à priori but à posteriori Bern. serm 1. Septuag There are clear signs and tokens of salvation given that it may not be questioned but that he is of the number of the elect in whom those signs remain For they that from eternity were elected unto life those in time hear the word of salvation believe in Christ put forth the fruits of the Spirit and persevere in faith 1 Joh. 5.10 He therefore that believeth on the son hath the witness of God in himself Rom. 8.16 for the holy Spirit in the heart of believers beareth witness that they are the children of God and writ in the book of life Those whom God hath predestinated from eternity and whose names he hath written in heaven Luk. 10.20 Rom. 8.30 he calls in time by his word and justifies by true faith in Christ That faith shows it self by hearty calling upon God by patience under the cross by endeavour after holiness Therefore let the holy and wholsome thought of election and the book of life begin at the wounds of Christ hanging on the cross He that believes in him Rom. 10.9 and perseveres in faith is justified and writ in the book of the living Wast thou not received into the covenant of grace by Baptism washt from thy sins in the blood of Christ regenerated and renewed by the holy Ghost this is an evident sign that thou art writ in the book of life Gal. 3.26 27. For we are all the children of God by faith seeing as many as have been baptized into Christ Savanar in Psal 31. have put on Christ Wherefore falling into sin through the infirmity of the flesh after Baptism art thou not contrite who put his hand under thee who received thee into favour again who but the Lord This is a great sign of thine election An elect person when he falleth shall not be broken God did not write the Tables of the Destinies or the Decrees of Rhadamanthus but the book of life when he elected us in Christ before the foundation of the world In Christ therefore by faith seek thy election to life and thy writing into the book of life walk by faith that thou maist arrive at predestination Ex Aug ust Lomb. 1. sent dist 41. D. They that rashly and without the bounds of the word search the depths of God they are at length swallowed in the deep The fear of Deatd Tempted It is good for me to cleave to Christ I will notlet him go out of my heart until he bless me I have resolved to persevere in a true faith in Christ that I may come to reign with him Yet I confess still I am not yet free from all fear of death nor do I feel that strength and assistance of the Spirit as with the Apostle earnestly to desire to be dissolved Comforter Such is the infirmity of our flesh and disposition of corrupt Nature as that we are more desirous of this flitting life than of that to come which is permanent hence is that fear and terror of death which that thou maist overcome by vertue of the Spirit and maist grow in the strength of the inner man consider those things which I shall propound to thee out of the store-house of heavenly truth First it is certain that even the hairs of our head are all numbred by God Mat. 10.30 Job 14.5 Psal 139. the number of our months is appointed by him he hath set us bounds which we cannot pass All our dayes were written in his book before there was one of them Therefore good reason thou shouldst acquiesce in this fatherly will of God he gave thee life of his grace he wonderfully brought thee forth of the recesses of thy mothers womb how long hath he continued thy life he hath preserved thee from a thousand dangers that soul which he once gave he now asks again he takes not away what is thine but requires back what is his And what Action can lye against him that calls for his loan Moreover the soul that he requires of thee he translates into the joyes of an heavenly paradise and hereafter he will restore it adorned with greater glory and nobler endowments to the body again That body which is lodged in the grave shall hereafter be a more glorious worthy precious mansion for thy soul It is sown in corruption 1 Cor. 15.42 it is raised in incorruption It is sown in dishonour it shall arise in glory 43 It is sown in weakness it shall be raised in power It is sown a natural body 44. it shall arise a spiritual body Thy soul therefore created of God delivered by the son inhabited by the holy Spirit do thou humbly and readily commend as a pledge into the faithful hands of God saying with David and Stephen Psal 31.6 Acts 7.59 Luk. 23.46 yea with Christ thy head Into thy hands I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Nay canst thou not in the very agony of death most certainly promise thy self the presence and help of God For seeing thou embracest Christ the Mediator by a true faith being certainly perswaded that by his death he hath overcome thine and by his resurrection hath restored righteousness and immortal life unto thee therefore being justified by this faith thou hast peace with God Rom. 5.1 and in the midst of
insubsistence of words pag. 43 Falling from the covenant of Baptism pag. 48 The uncertain reception into the covenant of Baptism pag. 52 The unworthy receiving of the Lords Supper pag. 57 Weakness of faith pag. 59 The not perceiving of faith pag. 62 An inability to believe pag. 65 The small number of good works pag. 67 Want of merits pag. 70 The accusation of the Law pag. 73 The accusing of conscience pag. 76 Late repentance pag. 78 Doubting of the grace of God pag. 81 Want of due preparation pag. 86 Doubting of the indwelling of the Spirit pag. 89 Doubting of perseverance pag. 94 Satans wiles and strength pag. 98 The falling away of many pag. 101 Doubting of being written in the book of life pag. 104 The fear of death pag. 107 The sting of death pag. 111 The pains of death pag. 117 Untimely death pag. 119 Services farther owing to the Church pag. 122 Short life brought upon ones self pag. 124 The love of this life pag. 127 Separation from wife children kindred pag. 131 Stopping of the ears in death pag. 134 The seeming unprofitableness of Redemption pag. 137 The horrour of dust pag. 139 The incredibility of the resurrection pag. 147 The flames of Purgatory pag. 153 The rigour of the last judgement pag. 156 A prayer in sickness pag. 164 To these are added The Christians Triumph over Death pag. 169 Divine Contemplations and Soliloquies upon Death and Eternity pag. 198 Divine Poems upon death pag. 217 Divine CONSOLATIONS Against the FEAR OF DEATH And the TEMPTATIONS befalling them that draw near thereto The forerunners of Death The Tempted I Am opprest with sickness 2 Cor. 1.9 the forerunner of Death and have received the sentence of death in my self I see I must leave this life than which nothing is more pleasant this world than which nothing is more adorned the house of this body than which nothing is more dear The Comforter Thou wast not created for this miserable and momentany but for a blessed and eternal life Wisd 2.23 for God made our first Parent without corruption to immortality Nor wast thou redeemed by Christ for this fading and toilsom but for that everlasting and most happy life in the heavens for it is a certain and undoubted saying That Jesus Christ came into the world 1 Tim. 1.15 to save sinners Neither wast thou called of the holy Spirit by the word to the kingdom of Christ that thou mightst live here a little while but that thou mightst pass from the kingdom of grace to the kingdom of glory from the Church Militant to that Triumphant from a valley of tears into a field of joy for if in this life only we believed in Christ and had hope 1 Cor. 15.19 we were of all men most miserable Wherefore seeing thou must be brought through the gate of death to that life for which thou wert created of the Father redeemed of the Son and for which thou hast been sanctified by the Spirit reject not I pray thee Luk. 7.30 the gracious counsel of God against thy self but readily obey God that calls upon thee Deaths Trident. Tempted The thoughts of Death affright me the dreadful shape of that enemy disturbs my mind it shows me its sting 1 Cor. 15.55 which is death it threatens me with its cruel three-pointed weapon while it presents to my eyes and heart the Anger of God the accusation of the Law and the cruelty of my sins Rom. 6.23 in that death is the wages of sin and by sin death hath invaded me Rom. 5.18 as it has done all the world Comforter But I advise thee that being seriously and heartily sorry for the sins thou hast committed thou look to him that died for thee on the altar of the Cross that thou mightest not be liable to eternal death Turn thine eyes from the outward shew of death and turn them to Christ who by his death hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.14 that is v. 15. the Devil And hath delivered us who through fear of death were all our life-time subject to bondage He is death unto our death Hos 13.14 he is a sting unto the hell we had deserved Joh. 11.25 He is the resurrection and the life he that believeth in him though he were dead v. 26. yet shall he live And whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall never die 1. Cor. 15.22 So that as in Adam that is because of sin derived from Adam upon us and of actual sins added thereto we are all liable to death and at length must die even so in Christ the captain of life and conqueror of death through faith are we all made alive Which that our Captain of life confirms with a solemn and serious oath Verily verily I say unto you Joh. 5.24 He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life And again Joh. 8.51 Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my saying he shall never see death Therefore believe Christ who is the truth Joh. 14.6 believe him promising believe him swearing Luk. 21.33 Heaven and earth shall pass away but the words of Christ shall not pass away The anguish of sin Tempted I begin to remember my sins Psal 51.7 for I was not only begot conceived and born in sin but I have increased this sum of original and hereditary debt with manifold and most grievous actual sins all my life long how therefore can I hope God will be merciful to me whom I have so oft offended how shall I conceive any comfort in death seeing death is the due reward to my sins and a beginning of a second and eternal death to them that are not reconciled to God Comforter Look unto Christ hanging on the altar of the Cross and pouring out the price of thy redemption even his precious blood for thy sins 1 Joh. 1.8 The blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanseth thee from all sin He is the propitiation for thy sins 1 Joh. 2.2 and for the sins of the whole world For he came not into the world to be ministred unto Mat. 20.28 but to minister and to give his life a ransom and price for the sins of many And that thou mightst not at all doubt of this matter therefore from heaven which is the throne of truth by an Angel which is the spirit of truth was brought that most sweet and comfortable name of Jesus and given to this our Mediator before he was conceived for what is Jesus but a Saviour Luk. 1.31 Mat. 1.21 Joh. 1.29 For therefore was this name given to Christ because he saves his people from their sins This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world 1 Tim. 1.15 This is that Jesus Christ that came into
grace hath much more abounded Far be it from us then to say that the guilt derived on us from Adam extends farther than the benefit of Jesus Christ obtained for us Away with saying that the disobedience of Adam is of greater efficacy than the obedience of Christ Lastly The universal extent of the satisfaction made by Christ is attested by those Scriptures wherein he is said to have died for those that perish Rom. 14.15 Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died By the unseasonable abuse of Christian liberty the weak brother perisheth for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8.11 12. and therefore by sinning against such an one men sin against Christ himself False teachers bringing upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 deny the Lord that bought them These are Evangelick Apostolick and divine sayings which to contradict is to deny Christ himself and to deprive himself of the fruit of Christs merit Orig. lib. 2. in Jobum Therefore believe stedfastly that the only begotten son of God descending from heaven cloathing himself in the last times with a terrestrial body from a Virgin hath done away and cleansed the corruption uncleanness and rottenness of all the world by bearing the sins of all by whose stripes all are healed Doubting about the application of Christs merit Tempted Let the merit of Christ be and be called universal yet I do not see that the benefits of Christ are offer'd and applied to me in specie and individually Many things are offered to all which yet do not belong to all Comforter Nay but the species is rightly gather'd from the genus we rightly pass from an universal to particulars Wherefore because God will have all to be saved thou maist infer rightly and most firmly that he will have thee also to be saved Whereas Christ is said to have dyed for all thou maist infer rightly and most firmly that he died on the cross for thee also and is willing to cleanse thee from all sins with his own blood And what is offer'd in the word of the Gospel to all in general is offer'd exhibited and applyed to thee in special in the word of Absolution For when the Minister of the Church does in God's name pronounce to thee the remission of thy sins thou maist be sure that it is confirmed before God in heaven For so has Christ appointed it Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Whose sins ye remit Joh. 20.22 they are remitted unto them This is that wholsome ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 which God hath given unto the Ministers of the Church these are the salutary keys that he hath committed to their trust this is that wholsome office of Ambassadours vers 20. which they discharge in the name of Christ God exhorting and as it were beseeching us by them What therefore is offer'd to thee in special make no doubt but it belongs unto thee in special When in the serious trouble of thine heart thou hearest the voice of the Minister declaring remission of sins in the name of Christ think thou hearest Christ himself whatever he doth in Christ's name that Christ doth It 's Christ that declareth unto thee remission of sins the Minister only speaks for Christ If any doubting arise in thy heart concerning this listen unto the words of Christ speaking unto his Apostles and their successors Luk. 10.16 Mat. 10.20 He that heareth you heareth me It is not you that speak but the spirit of my Father Listen unto the words of the Baptist Joh. 1.23 I am the voice of one crying It is another that preacheth and cryeth by me the ministry is mine but the force and benefit of the ministry dependeth on another Listen to the words of the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.20 We are ambassadors for Christ that is in Christs name and stead as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God He therefore that despiseth 1 The. 4.8 despiseth not man but God who hath given unto us his holy Spirit Believe therefore that even now Christ saith unto thee as once to the sick of the Palsie and to the woman that was a sinner Mat. 9.2 Luk. 7.48 Thy sins are forgiven thee For there is no difference between that sentence and this which his Minister uttereth for this is not spoken by man that by Christ When therefore thou hearest the Minister declare to thee remission of sins do not imagin thou hear'st the voice of the Minister but of Christ The insubsistence of words Tempted I confess there is great comfort offer'd me in the words of absolution yet my faith wavers still and does not so firmly embrace the promise of the Gospel as to shut out all temptation for my flesh mutters They are but words which thou hearest with thine ears but thou seest not yet the good things promised with thine eyes Comforter They are words indeed but they are the words of a God most true and that lives for ever They are words indeed Joh. 6.69 but the words of the spirit and life They are words indeed but such as are more firm and durable than this heaven thou beholdest or this earth thou treadest on Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away Lu. 21.33 saith the Truth Isa 40.8 The word of the Lord our God abideth for ever saith the Prophet He that trusts in this word he that embraceth it with a true faith the same shall be saved for ever Nor hath God given thee his word only but hath added thereto his Sacraments also which are as it were a visible word Aug. tract 80. in Joh. visible signs of invisible grace and seals of the divine promises ordained to confirm and seed thy faith By Baptism thou art received into the covenant of divine grace made the son and heir of God wash'd from thy sins in the blood of Christ regenerated and renewed by the holy Ghost and in one word art truly made partaker of all heavenly good things For Christ attributes to Baptism that it is the means of Regeneration Joh. 3.5 Vnless a man be born again of water and of the Spirit he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven Therefore he that is born again of the water of Baptism and of the Spirit is reckoned an heir of eternal life because it is the means of salvation Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Apostles ascribe unto Baptism that it is the laver of regeneration Tit. 3.6 and of renewing in the holy Ghost Mark 1.4 seeing we are baptized for the remission of sins Acts 2.38 Let every one of you be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins saith Peter and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism saveth us saith he in
of thy soul that he would prepare himself a meet habitation in thy heart Chrysost in 1 Cor. 11. thou considerest the greatness of those things that are present and set forth in the holy supper and thou considerest the largeness of the divine gift thou hungrest and thirstest after righteousness Matt. 5.6 and therefore thou shalt be filled those sins shall not hurt Luk. 15.20 which please not Thou hastenest with tears to thy heavenly Father thou grievest for thy sins and thou desirest to satisfie the hunger of thy soul with this heavenly food vers 22. doubt not but that the most bountiful Father will kiss and receive thee with joy he will give thee the first robe of innocence he will cloath thee with the garments of salvation he will put a ring on thy hand he will seal thee with his holy Spirit vers 23. he will put shoes on thy feet he will direct thee in the way of peace and righteousness he will fill thee with the flesh of that sacrifice that was slain on the altar of the Cross and was offered for a sweet savour to him Lay aside therefore all fear of eating unworthily he that is most unworthy in his own eyes is accepted with God he that displeaseth himself pleaseth God he that in himself is broken with true contrition of heart is lifted up again by the most bountiful hand of God Weakness of faith Tempted Faith is altogether requisite to the wholsome use of the Lord's supper and the partaking of the promises of the Gospel seeing to the partaking of an alms there is not only required the hand of the giver but there must also be the hand of the receiver But now my faith is weak the ship of my heart being tossed with various storms of temptations totters and casts me down from the firmness of faith Comforter Weak faith is yet faith and faith does not therefore lay hold on Christ and in Christ the grace of God forgiveness of sins and life eternal be-because it is strong but because it is faith a strong faith embraces Christ more strongly yet nevertheless a weak faith also does not reject Christ but savingly lays hold on him The faithful servant of God Christ thy saviour breaketh not the bruised reed Isa 42.2 nor quencheth the smoaking flax but receiveth him that is weak in faith most bountifully Rom. 14.3 The least spark of faith is the work of the Spirit because of our selves as of our selves we cannot as much as think a good thought 1 Cor. 3.5 but to will and to do is from God Phil. 2.13 therefore God will not despise his own work which he hath begun in thy heart by his holy Spirit but will perfect and confirm it Isa 66.13 As a mother comforteth her children so doth the Lord comfort us Now a mother treats an infant far more tenderly and has a greater care of it than of the rest that are grown up so God rejecteth not one weak in faith but takes care to heal and strengthen him as one languishing If ye shall have faith as a grain of mustard-seed and shall say to this mountain Remove from hence to such a place it shall remove Mat. 16.20 and nothing shall be impossible to you saith the Truth If a miraculous faith can do so much as to remove mountains though it hardly equal a grain of mustard-seed why cannot salvifick faith do the same even remove mountains of temptations and doubts be it never so weak and feeble God's strength is perfected in our weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 see therefore thou be not cast down in mind for the weakness of thy faith but rather look upon the strength of God God can water what is dry heal what is wounded bend what is stiff foster what is cold reduce what goeth out of the way Only acknowledge the weakness of thy faith and lean so much the more on the divine word for as the word is the seed of faith so also the nourishment Pray with Christs disciples Luk. 17.5 Lord encrease our faith and with the father of the Lunatick Mark 9.24 Lord I believe help thou my unbelief The not perceiving of faith Tempted My faith is not only weak but sometimes I perceive no faith at all in my heart nor do I call upon God with that fervency of spirit as can pierce the clouds I fear therefore lest my faith be quite perished and extinct and if faith be extinct what hope or safety can there remain to me I examine my self 2 Cor. 13.5 and lo I perceive not faith in my heart I shall therefore be of the number of reprobates Comforter The spirit helpeth our infirmity as it were by putting his hand under us For as we know not what we ought to pray for nor how to pray as we ought but in the mean time the Spirit interceeds for us with unutterable groans so sometimes we perceive not what or how we believe but the Spirit cherisheth and preserves faith in our heart A spark may lie hid rak'd up under the ashes although it appear not outwardly so faith sometimes dwells in the inmost recesses of the heart though it be not perceived of our selves Wherefore though thou perceivest no faith gather not presently from thence that all thy faith is perished and dead seeing thou yet desirest longest and art willing to believe that desire that longing that willing proceeds from faith Moreover 't is one thing not to perceive we believe and another not to be willing to believe that is a sign of languishing but this of obstinate stubbornness Christ does verily dwell in thy heart by faith Eph. 3.17 although thou do not manifestly feel that indwelling of grace even as the holy Spirit that inward comforter hath an holy dwelling in thy heart although he sometime withdraw from thee the sense of that comfort As Abraham the father of the faithful Rom. 4.8 against hope believed in hope so thou oughtest to rely upon the word against thy sense As we ought to captivate every thought to the obedience of faith 2 Cor. 10.5 so do thou captivate thy not feeling of thy faith by faith that is receive the word in thy heart and firmly cleave to it The seed lies hid under the clods of the earth when it does not as yet thrust forth so much as a blade so the seed of faith lies hid in the heart although the fruit thereof do not as yet fully and plainly appear In sleep thou perceivest not faith but who will say that faith is then perished so in this temptation a certain sleep as it were has oppressed thy soul so that thou perceivest not the motion of thy faith but far be it that thou shouldst therefore suppose faith extinct An inability to believe Tempted I breath indeed after my saviour but I both feel and grieve that I cannot believe I could have wish'd indeed that I might have
been made a partaker of the benefits of Christ but I perceive I cannot apprehend them by faith Comforter Of thy self thou canst not Phil. 4.13 but in that Christ who strengtheneth thee thou canst do all things God willeth and heartily willeth thee to believe for to that intent he offereth thee the word that by it through the efficacy of the Holy Ghost he may enkindle faith in thy heart and resist not the working of the Holy Ghost and thou shalt quickly see a plentiful â—â—uit of the word For if God â—â—artily willeth thee to believe he will also work in thee that belief if thou do not by an actual stubbornness resist his will Thou sayst thou canst not believe and yet thou art forced to confess that thou breathest after Christ and desirest his benefits that very breathing that desiring is the beginning of faith The holy Spirit will certainly perfect that work of faith which he hath begun in thee only see that thou interrupt not his saving working Thou oughtst not to resolve first to have a sense and motion of faith enkindled in thy heart before thou wilt hear meditate upon and receive the word of the Gospel This is a perverse opinion which see thou entertain not this is a perverse order which see thou follow not Thou must begin at hearing and meditating on the word in the School of the holy Spirit by that means thou shalt be brought to faith and by faith to the sense of faith Thou sayst thou canst not believe thou oughtest therefore to hear meditate on and receive into thy heart the word Luk. 11.13 that thou mayst be able to believe God giveth his holy spirit to them that ask him and yet we cannot without grace ask the holy spirit so God giveth faith to those that pant and yet without the beginning of faith we cannot pant Faith begins in the heart with some strugling it is encreased and perfected also therein with some striving and what we cannot do of our selves we can by his help who hath said Joh. 6.44 None cometh unto me except the Father draw him Whosoever heareth and learneth of my father he cometh to me He that cometh unto me I will not cast out If thou art not yet drawn pray that thou maist be drawn hear and learn that thou maist come unto Christ The small number of good works Tempted True and living faith alwayes worketh by charity Gal. 5.6 and on the contrary that faith that hath not works is dead in it self As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also Jam. 2.17.26 Now I see no great number of good works that might give a clear testimony of my faith When I would do good Rom. 7.21.18 evil is present with me To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not Comforter Thou dost well indeed to judge of the light of faith by the beams of good works for as the works that are not done from faith are not truly good works so the faith that is without works is not true faith but a vain perswasion and an empty picture Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works saith our Saviour 2 Pet. 1.10 Give all diligence saith Peter to make your calling and election sure Therefore from works we must pass a judgment on faith and this is a third property of faith that as it has contrition going before it and instead of an essential form a true trust in Christ so it hath new obedience always following of it Therefore as I said thou dost well to judge of the light of faith by the beams of good works but in the meanwhile take heed that thou think not those only to be good works that by their outward shew are great in the eyes of men and are free from any stain of sin cleaving to them By good works is understood chiefly the inward renewing of the heart and the kindling of those spiritual motions in the hearts of those that are born again by the holy Ghost Therefore holy thoughts a good purpose a true fear of God a sincere love unto him and ardent calling upon him are truly good works although they are not perceived nor seen of men Psal 45.14 The Kings daughter is all glorious within outward works bear witness of that inward glory of renovation Wherefore if thou have nothing else to offer to God offer a good will a holy purpose to live godly Offer to God thine heart thou hast offer'd all things Yield thy self wholly to God's will cleave to it resign thy will to it 1 Cor. 6.17 and thou shall be one spirit with him If thou shalt do this outward works will readily follow because the spirit of God dwelling in thee will drive thee forwards to good works of all kinds and where there is not an outward power to work there God will be pleased with a good will within And thou hast no reason to hope to be free in this life from the stain of every infirmity our works please God not in that they are every way perfect but because they proceed from a true faith in Christ and are offer'd by his beloved children as a thank-offering Acknowledge therefore that testimony of good works that they bear of faith be not cast down acknowledge their imperfection and the stain of sin that cleaves to them be not too much exalted Want of merits Tempted God is just and his judgments are just therefore he 'l give the reward of eternal life to none where there has not gone before the merit of good works What therefore is my hope what my trust seeing my works are imperfect vile many wayes defiled and no way meritorious Comforter Nay but eternal life is not a due recompence of our deserts but a free gift of God in Christ and for Christ's sake Rom. 6.23 Bern. ser in Annunc col 106. For the merits of men are not such as that for them eternal life should become a just debt and God should do an injury to a man not to pardon him For to omit that all merits are the gifts of God and that so man rather becomes a debtor to God for them than God to man what are all merits to so great glory All the saints confess that before God none is clear Exod. 34.7 that a Isai 64.6 all their righteousnesses are before God as a menstruous cloth that none b Psal 130.3 can stand at Gods judgment seat if he will mark iniquity that when c Luk. 17.10 they have done all that God hath commanded they are but unprofitable servants what place can there therefore be here for merits Bern. serm 22. in Cant. col 555. Gers lib. 4. de consol Theol. pros 1. What man from his either wisdom righteousness or holiness can presume upon a sufficiency for salvation what man
in a boasting manner will make ostentation of his righteousnesses to God any more than a woman of a menstruous cloth to a man Neither our works nor our sufferings are worthy of the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 We cannot by our obedience merit a crumb of bread to feed upon but we are glad to beg it of God by daily prayers how incomparably less can we obtain the wages of eternal life by our merits Aug. in Psal 31. Therefore if thou wilt fall from grace boast of thy merits Idem de verb. Apost serm 15. God giveth altogether freely he saveth freely because he finds nothing for which he should save but much for which he should damn Fulgent 1. ad Monim p. 21. From grace is given not only a good life to the justified but also an eternal life to the glorified therefore death is called wages but eternal life is called grace because that is paid but this is bestowed Bern. serm in nat Mar. col 213. Let whoso will therefore seek after merit do thou study to find grace let thy merit be the mercy of God thou art not altogether without merit as long as he wants not compassion Serm. 61. in Cant. Serm. 67. in Cant. There is no room for grace where merit hath already taken place grace wanteth so much as thou ascribest to merit Serm. 68. in Cant. It sufficeth to merit to know that merit sufficeth not Place all thy trust in God only embrace his mercy 〈◊〉 the wounds of Christ seek thy merits and thou shalt not be unwâ—â—thy of merits The accusation of the Law Tempted I confess our works are not meritorious nor appease God but we must please him by faith But how can they chuse but displease him when they are not perfectly conformable to his Law The Law is an eternal and immoveable rule of righteousness condemning all that is not conformable to it self Therefore it brandisheth at me and my works the weapon of damnation unless you show me what shield I may defend my self withall Comforter Christ hath redeemed thee from the curse of the Law being made a curse for thee because it is written Gal. 3.13 Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree When the fulness of time was come Chap. 4.4 God sent his son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the law vers 5. that we might receive the adoption of sons Rom. 16. Christ is he end and fulfilling of the Law for righteousness to every one that belie … There is therefore no condemnion to be feared from the law 〈◊〉 thee and all such as are Christs Chap. 8.1 by faith and walk not after the flesh vers 2. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made thee free from the law of sin and of death vers 3. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God hath done sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin hath condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us vers 4. that walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Wherefore if by true faith thou appliest the benefits of Christ to thy self thou needest not fear the curse of the law 1 Cor. 15.55 56. The sting of death is sin the strength of sin is the law But thanks be to God who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ He hath overcome our death by his death he hath satisfied for our sins by his sufferings and hath most perfectly fulfilled the law for us by his most holy obedience And yet there is no abolishing of the law but only a transferring Nor do the Law and Gospel destroy one another Gal. 3.21 seeing the Law is not against the promises of the Gospel Rom. 3.31 but is established by faith For what the law requires of us that the Gospel declares to be performed by Christ in our stead What the Law commandeth that Christ obtaineth The Law condemns sin and us for sin Christ yieldeth satisfaction for sin and bestows his righteousness on us The Law therefore is satisfied by Christ's obedience because it is perfect on the other hand the fulfilling of the Law performed by Christ redounds to us Chytr lib. 1. de vita morte p. 43. because not due Therefore as thou oughtest not to behold sin in thy body but in Christ raised again the conquerour of death and the giver of life and eternal salvation sin not in thy conscience but in Christ the lamb of God that beareth and taketh away thy sins and the sins of all the world as thou oughtest to behold hell and temptations of eternal rejection not in thy self and the innumerable multitude of the damned but in Christ bearing on the cross and overcoming for us the temptation of casting off so thou oughtest to behold the Law not as it is writ in thy heart but as it was fulfilled by Christ and fastned to the cross with him The accusing of Conscience Tempted My conscience beareth witness to the accusation of the Law it as an uncorrupted judge riseth against me and while none accuseth me or bringeth ought against me is my accuser Chrys hom 64. in Gen. Nazianz. orat 26. I cannot shun that home tribunal in this great volume I see and am agast at all my sins writ with the pen of truth Bern. de convers ad Cler. c. 3. col 414. Wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this court of judgment wherein the criminal the accuser witness judge racker whip and executioner are the same Comforter If thy heart condemneth thee Joh. 3.20 yet God is greater than thy heart If the remembrance of thy by-past sins accuse and torment thee yet Christ the Redeemer who hath satisfied for sins is more powerful he acquitteth freeth and saveth thee Col. 2.14 For he hath blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us he hath taken it out of the way fastning it to his cross That accusing hand-writing of thy conscience is fastn'd also therewith by the nails of Christ crucified so that it is void and of no force before God Rom. 5.1 For being justified by faith thou hast peace with God peace of conscience quiet of heart and that blessed tranquillity of soul which Christ the conquerour of death sin and Satan brought with him from the grave Bern. de conv c. 6. col 415. and bestowed on his disciples Wherefore if thou feel the worm of conscience in this present life thou oughtest presently to stifle it not to nourish it to immortality for conscience putrified breeds never dying worms Stifle therefore the worm of conscience by unfeigned repentance beg of God quiet of heart and pardon of sin and take heed of wounding thy
conscience anew for the relapses of sin are very dangerous In this life there is yet time for pardon time for grace time for quieting conscience In this life the book of conscience may yet be mended out of the book of life But at the last judgment the books will be opened Rev. 20.12 and among them the book of conscience also in which before all the world shall be seen writ in fair letters all the sins of men that were not in this world blotted out by true contrition by faith and amendment of life Before that day of judgement come and the time of grace be past thou maist have a fair hope and sure trust that the blood of Jesus Christ Heb. 9.14 who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God will purge thy conscience from dead works to serve the living God Late repentance Tempted I am at last indeed sorry for having so wounded my conscience I do at last desire a remedy for my wounds at last I have a desire to keep a good conscience for the future but I fear lest my repentance be too late I am a fraid lest the divine grace being so oft rejected by me should also reject and forsake me Late repentance useth to deceive many Aug. de vera falsa poenit c. 17. and that repentance that proceedeth from a dying man he ought to fear lest it dye also Comforter No but there is nothing too late which is true and sincere Cypr. tract 1. cont Demetr While a man is in this life there is no repentance too late there are some who being called come into the Lords vineyard at the eleventh hour of the day Mat. 20.9 and obtain the reward of grace No delay of time prejudiceth God's justice or piety Fulgent Epist 7. Repentance is never late with God in whose sight as well past things as future are always accounted for present Behold the example of the thief on the cross who having confessed Christ with his mouth on the tip of whose lips as it were his soul was ready to depart obtains pardon of sins and a free promise of an heavenly paradise Heb. 3.13 Whilst it is called to day so long God doth earnestly will our conversion As long as the heavenly bridegroom delayeth his coming Mat. 25.5 so long the gate of grace and forgiveness is open A man's whole life even the last hour of it is granted for space to repent in Isai 65.2 The Lord stretcheth forth his hand all the day long Joh. 6.37 nor does he cast out any that cometh unto him at what time soever he come Have a care therefore that thy repentance be true and sincere and thou needst not fear it will be too late If when death approaches thou therefore repent because thou art deprived of opportunities to sin that is a false repentance for thus thou leavest not thy sins but they leave thee If thou therefore repent because thou seest the punishment of thy sins near that is also a false repentance for it proceeds from a love of thy self not from a sincere love of God It proceeds not from the hatred of sin but from the irksomness of a most just punishment Therefore that thou maist truly and heartily repent grieve for thy sins so often committed and therefore grieve because thou hast so often and so grievously offended a most gracious God by them In Christ seek for pardon of thy sins and firmly resolve to employ the remainder of thy life wholly in the service of God submit thy self to God and be humbled in thy heart before him permit to his will what and how great punishments a thousand times deserved he will inflict on thee that it may appear thou repentest out of an hatred to thy sin and not to thy punishment Such a contrite and humbled soul will be a most acceptable sacrifice to God for so he saith by the Prophet Psal 51.19 Isai 66.2 To whom will I look but to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and that trembleth at my word Doubting of the grace of God Tempted I feel in my heart indeed a deep contrition and sorrow for my sins nor do I altogether despair of the mercy of God but in the mean time my heart is shaken with the waves of doubts nor am I yet certain of the free pardon of my sins I hope well indeed but in the mean time I humbly doubt The consideration of God's mercy raiseth me up but the thought of my unworthiness presseth me down again I am turned to God and therefore I hope well I turn but late therefore in part I doubt still Comforter But I will put under thy staggering faith such strong props as whereon thou maist lean against all the storms of doubtings For that doubting is not an humble confession of our unworthiness but a dangerous opposing the faith we owe to God's promises nor is there any reason strong enough why we should doubt in late conversion and repentance seeing the divine clemency doth offer a most certain promise of remission of sins to all that heartily repent Attend first therefore to the immoveable truth of all God's promises Whosoever confessing and grieving for their sins seek for pardon of them in Christ and make a firm purpose of amendment of life to them hath God promised his grace forgiveness of sins and eternal life Joh. 13.15 Whosoever believeth in the son shall not perish but have everlasting life vers 18. 1 Joh. 5.12 Mark 16.16 He that believeth in him is not condemned He that hath the son hath eternal life He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved He that hath promised these things is God whose word is firmer than heaven and earth who is truth it self 2 Tim. 2.11 who is faithful and cannot deny himself or his word What therefore God offers with undoubted promises thou must accept with an undoubted faith and there is no reason thou shouldst object the infirmity of thy Nature which cannot embrace the promises with so great assurance of reliance for this is a fault of thy Nature which should be amended by the efficacy of the holy Spirit As thou believest not in Christ by thy natural strength but by the working of the holy Ghost so by the grace of the same Spirit thou maist be ascertained of the mercy of the heavenly Father against all inherent doubtings of corrupt nature 1 Joh. 5.10 He that believeth not God hath made him a liar As much as thou doubtest so much thou losest of thy faith thou must therefore resist that doubting which is not to be set off with the specious name of humility for humility ought to rise from the consideration of our unworthiness and yet in the mean time never the less a firmness of trust ought to arise from the meditation of God's promises Therefore hath God come forth from the secret throne of his Majesty
of the Spirit Luk. 11.13 2 Tim. 1.6 for the Lord will give the Spirit to them that ask him Stir up the gift of the holy Spirit that is in thee namely by praying seeking knocking meditating on the word and resisting naughty desires There is no perfection here but a continued way to perfection Besides this inward sealing and witnessing of the holy Spirit God hath given thee the sacraments which are the seals of his promises the conveyers of the benefits of Christ and the means to beget feed and strengthen thy faith that thou maist be assured that the benefits of Christ belong to thee in particular By Baptism thou art received into the covenant of Gods grace in the holy supper thou art fed with the body and blood of Christ in private Absolution thou art pronounced free from the chains of sins Cypr. serm de mort pag. 209. Being confirmed with these seals certainly and undoubtedly believe the word of the Gospel Why dost thou doubt and waver this is not to eat thy Saviour at all this is to offend Christ the Master of believers with the sin of unbelief this is for one that is placed in the Church not to have faith in the house of faith Attend moreover unto the infallibleness of the audience promised thee God hath promised even with his oath added that he will hear our prayers and give unto us whatever we ask according to his will Joh. 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you saith Christ Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name he will give it you Mat. 18.19 If two of you agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done unto them of my Father which is in heaven 1 Joh. 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in God if we ask any thing according to his will we shall obtain it He that hath promised us hearing hath bid us ask remission of sins what place therefore can there be left to doubt of remission of sins How would Christ have bid us to add the word Amen unto our prayer if he would have us doubt of audience Attend therefore lastly unto the property of true faith as by which we have access into that grace wherein we stand and boast of the hope of glory promised by God Heb. 4.16 by which with confidence we come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace by which through the power of God we are kept unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 by which we know that we are translated from death to life 1 Joh. 3.14 by which we are most firmly perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels Rom. 8.38 nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come vers 39. nor height nor depth nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Considering all these things let thy weakness encourage it self Aug. in Psal 148. let it not despair let it not chafe it self let it not avert it self Christ hath promised thee that thou shalt be there where he is What hath God promised thee O mortal man that thou shalt live for ever Believest thou not believe believe that is more which he hath done already than that which he hath promised what hath he done he hath died for thee what hath he promised that thou shalt live with him It is more incredible that he who was eternal should dye than that a mortal should live eternally Now that thou art sure of that which is more incredible why dost thou doubt of the other God hath promised thee heaven he hath given thee his Son who is a greater gift than heaven and earth Doubting of perseverance Tempted I no wise doubt but that an access unto God lieth open unto me by Christ the Mediator I trust I am in the grace of God in the mean time I am made to doubt of perseverance I know that perseverance alone is crowned I hear that only they that persevere to the end shall be saved Mat. 10.22.24.46 Aug. Serm. 8. ad fratr in Eremo It is vertue not to have begun but to have perfected nor is the beginning but the end required in Christians Hieron in Epist ad Furiam Judas begun well but ended ill Paul begun ill but ended well Without perseverance neither he that fighteth obtaineth the victory Theol. myst Harph. c. 34 nor he that conquereth the palm I hear our Master of combats crying Rev. 3.11 Hold fast what thou hast lest another receive thy crown I hear and fear I fear and doubt I doubt and throw away trust of heart Comforter Consider three things wherein all thy hope consists the dearness of adoption Bern. serm 3. de sep frag miser col 183. the truth of the promise the power of performance Let thy foolish cogitation murmur now as much as it will saying What art thou and how great is that glory or with what merits dost thou hope to obtain it and do thou confidently answer I know whom I have believed and I am sure he hath adopted me in great tenderness that he is true in his promises that he is powerful in his performance This is a threefold cord that is hardly broken which being let down unto thee out of our country into this prison lay firm hold on it I pray thee that it may raise thee up that it may draw thee to the view of the glory of the great God This is a most firm anchor of thy hope these are those three pillars whereby thou maist bear against the waves and storms of doubtings namely the good-will of God adopting the certain faithfulness of the promiser and the immense power of fulfilling the promises The good God hath promised good things he hath begun to work that which is good in thee he that hath begun Phil. 2.13 will also perfect according to his good pleasure The good God hath promised good things he that hath promised is faithful and true he will not suffer thee to be tempted above thy strength 1 Cor. 10.13 but with the temptation will give an issue that thou maist be able to bear it 2 Tim. 1.12 The good God hath promised good things he that hath promised is able to fulfil his promises Be thou confident therefore that he can keep his pledge until the day of judgement Joh. 10.28 29. None shall take Christ's sheep out of his hands The heavenly Father that hath given them to the Son is greater than all and none can take them out of the Father's hands Christ the only high Priest of the new Testament hath prayed for all that by the word were to believe in him that they may be with him Joh. 17.20 and may behold the glory that is given him by the heavenly Father Wherefore seeing thou also believest in Christ thou hast the witness of God in thy self 1
Joh. 5.10 that Christ prayed for thee also which prayer whether it was heard of the heavenly Father how canst thou at length doubt The son Joh. 1.18 that is in the bosom of the Father shall not he be heard of the Father The son Mat. 3.17 in whom the Father is well pleased shall he be rejected with his prayers Away away Rather in the days of his flesh offering up prayers and supplications with strong cryes and tears he was heard in that he feared Heb. 5.7 Christ therefore prayed for thee he prayed and obtain'd that thou maist live with him hereafter and partake of heavenly glory Satans wiles and strength Tempted I hope indeed that I shall be kept as a faithful sheep in the hand of my shepherd but yet I am afraid of the wiles of Satan 1 Pet. 5.8 who as a roaring lion goes about seeking whom he may devour I am afraid of his power seeing he is a bold strong crafty diligent and unwearied enemy one that wants no gins and is most skilful in combate how can I escape his wiles and avoid his power He assaulteth and persecuteth me sometimes openly and violently sometimes secretly and treacherously always maliciously and cruelly Comforter None Joh. 10.28 saith Christ shall take my sheep out of my hand therefore neither that hellish wolf be he never so treacherous and able to hurt Joh. 14.29 The Prince of the world came and had nothing in Christ therefore neither shall he have anything in them that by faith are in Christ Eph. 3.17 and in whose hearts Christ dwelleth by faith It is Christ that fighteth in thee and for thee believe I say believe that the Devil shall not be stronger than he Christ was tempted of the Devil Matt. 4.2 and stoutly overcame him The victory of the Lord is the triumph of the servants Heb. 2.14 Christ by his death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil he spoiled Principalities and Powers Col. 2.15 he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in himself With the sword of the Cross as an heavenly David he overcame the infernal Goliah this fight this victory of Christ bringeth salvation to all the Church whereof this is the Triumphal song Rev. 12.10 Now is come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren 〈◊〉 cast down which accused them before our God day and night vers 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony Therefore in this victory of Christ let all the assurance of thy trust and the glorying of thy hope be Resist the Devil in the power of Christ and he will flee from thee Jam. 4.7 As oft as thou resistest thou overcomest the Devil Bern. in medit devotis c. 14. col 1201. thou gladdest the Angels and glorifiest God for he exhorts thee to fight he helps thee to overcome he beholds thee contending in the fight he relieves thee when thou failest he crowneth thee when thou overcomest Greg. Nys lib. de beatit p. 68. He is the President and Moderator of the combatants and the crown of the triumphers Eph. 6.10 Be strong therefore in the Lord and in the power of his might 11 Put on the armour of God that thou maist be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil 12 For thou wrestlest not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickednesses in high places 13 Wherefore take the whole armour of God that thou maist b◠able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand 14 Stand therefore having thy loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousness And thy feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace 15 Above all things take the shield of faith 16 wherewith thou maist be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked And take the helmet of salvation 17. and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God In this armour appear for single combate and thou shalt most certainly return a conquerour Christ fought and overcame for thee the same shall fight and overcome in thee and shall set a crown of glory upon thee The apostasie of many Tempted But how many of Christ's souldiers could I reckon up who being circumvented by the wiles of the Devil have returned from this battel not conquerours but conquered How many could I reckon that begun well but have afterwards fallen from the grace of God and the reward of eternal life Therefore I fear the hidden counsels of God and considering his secret judgements I tremble all over in soul and body Comforter Thou dost well indeed that thou workest out thy salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 being conscious to the weakness of thy flesh and knowing the power of Satan that lies in wait for thee and throughly considering the examples of those who sliding into sin have faln from grace but look thou do not seek or place the cause of this apostasie in any absolute decree of God reprobating For God is not mov'd of himself and by any absolute decree or hatred again to forsake and suffer to perish those that have been endued with a true faith for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 but whosoever being endued with true faith do afterwards fall from the grace of God and eternal salvation they perish by their own fault and not by the necessity of any absolute reprobating decree namely because by their free will they turn themselves again from God For these are always and nearly conjoin'd Faith Christ the grace of God the holy Spirit an endeavour after holiness eternal life As long as any one of those that are born again abides in faith so long he abides in Christ he that abides in Christ abides also in the grace of God he that abides in the grace of God the holy Spirit dwelleth in him and where the holy Spirit is there also follow the fruits of the Spirit But they that cast away the endeavour of holiness and begin to indulge sins against their conscience they shake off the holy Spirit lose faith and make themselves unworthy of eternal life Therefore be thou in spirit so sure of the gift of perseverance and the reward of eternal life as yet not to bemade carnally secure The infallible promises of God free thee from doubting the exhortations and threatnings of God disswade thee from carnal security Aug. in Psal 99. I dem 2. d bon persev c. 13. There is no where security in this life but only in the hope of the promises of God In this life which is full of temptation he that seemeth to stand let him take heed lest
death by the help of thine heavenly Father thou maist raise upthy self so as to say with Job Job 13.15 Although the Lord kill me yet will I trust in him Ps 91.15 16. I am with him in trouble saith the Lord I will deliver him and honour him With long life will I satisfie him and shew him my salvation Rom. 3.39 Neither life nor death nor any creature can separate or pull us from this love of God seeing it is in Christ Jesus who is our eternal King and Saviour for ever The accusation of the Law the deformity of sin and the temptation of eternal casting off maketh the shew of death terrible seeing the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law 1 Cor. 15.55 but call to mind the consolation that was before opposed to these monsters and that outward shew of death that is terrible to look upon will vanish and will be changed into a most pleasant sleep The sting of death Tempted By sin death entred into the world and is the due wages of sin how then should I not dread death Comforter Truly in and of it self death is the wages of sin and the revenging scourge of an angry God but to those that believe in Christ it is changed into a most sweet sleep For although those that are born again and believe in Christ as yet carry about remainders of sin in their flesh Rom. 8.10 whence also their body is dead that is obnoxious to death because of sin dwelling therein yet the Spirit is life because of righteousness that is because by true faith in Christ they are justified from sins and by the Spirit resist the lusts of the flesh therefore that sin as yet remaining in the flesh is not imputed to them but is covered with the shield of divine grace Greg. Nyss in orat de morte Therefore by death the true and spiritual life of the soul doth not end in them but rather begins whereto death is made to be as it were the midwife Thence flow those sweet appellations whereby the holy Spirit who is the Spirit of truth doth describe the death of the godly For those who in the eyes of fools seem and are said by them to dye those the holy Spirit says are gathered or congregated unto their people Gen. 25.8.35.29.49.33 that is into the company of the blessed and triumphant Church in heaven where they come to those that died before or rather went before That which we call death is a travelling Tertul. lib. de patient p. 12. Cypr. de mortal p. 214. Chrysost hom 45. in Gen. col 375. Hilar. in Psal 140. it is not an exit but a transit not so much an emigration as a transmigration from worse to better an ablation of the soul and a certain most happy translocation not an abolition for the soul is requir'd again and translated into a place of rest not killed It is a transcension and ascension to true life Ambr. de bon mort c. 10. 2 Pet. 1.15 Joh. 5.24 It is an Exodus because by it the godly pass from the bondage of sin to true liberty even as the Israelites heretofore out of Egyptian bondage into the land of promise The godly are said by death to enter into peace Isai 57.2 and to rest in their beds namely because they come from that daily warfare upon earth to a place of peace from the troublous sea of this life unto the haven from the toilsom prison of this world to a place of rest They are said to be dissolved and to come to Christ Phil. 1.23 because they are brought out of the Inn as it were of this present life to an heavenly country and from a crew of wicked men to the blessed company of Christ in heaven by death they are loosed from their bodily bands for as oxen having laboured all the day are let out of their yoaks at length towards evening and as prisoners are loosed from their chains so the godly are by death freed of the sad yoke of the labours and pains of this life and from the dark dungeon of sin and by a sweet change are translated to a better life They are said to pass out of the land of their pilgâ—image by the dissolution of their earthly tabernacle Heb. 11.5 2 Cor. 5.8 and to be present with the Lord namely because they come from the ruinous cottage of the world to an heavenly palace from an house of clay to a city not made with hands eternal in the heavens from the tabernacle of an earthly body to the heavenly Jerusalem and the blessed company of Christ inhabiting it Cypr. serm de mortal pag. 208. It is his part to fear death that is unwilling to go to Christ It is his part to be unwilling to go to Christ that believes not to begin to reign with Christ They are said to rest from their labours Rev. 14. Ambr. de Bono mortis c. 2. for not the godly man but his misery dieth If this life be full of burden surely its end is ease now ease is good and death is the end therefore death is good 1 Cor. 15.38 They are said to be sown in the ground or the field of the Lord by death and buryal in that the bodies of the godly like precious granes of wheat shall spring up hereafter again to life That crop which from deceased Stigelius bodies springs Immortal glory to the body brings As under clods the wither'd granes do lie Which you would think were clearly cast away Yet in a while sprung up you may espy And unperceiv'd grow taller every day Even so our bodies that entombed were First raised then in glory shall excell What death had swallow'd up shall trophees bear And in eternal light with God shall dwell The bones of the godly shall flourish and wax green Isai 66.14 2 Sam. 7.12 Isai 26.20 Dan. 12.2 Mat. 9.24 when the spring of everlasting life shall come Lastly they are said to fall asleep For as in sleep we rest from our labour regain our wasted strength our soul in the mean time performing her operations so by death being brought from all the labours and dolours of this life to rest we gather new strength of mind and body the more readily and perfectly to perform those works for which we were created in the beginning and redeemed by Christ the soul in the mean while living and rejoicing in heaven As in our sleep we mind not what is done about us nor are troubled with the crowds of humane businesses so those that die in the Lord rest without all care and anxiety and are no longer subject to the evils of this life As again we are awaked out of sleep so death will not be a perpetual sleep but the time will come in which we shall hear the voice of Christ calling us out of the grave we shall again go forth
infirmity I am lighter than water that runneth away apace I beseech thee therefore O my God who sittest upon the floods of water and art a King for ever to send the heavenly dew of thy grace upon me who am part of thine inheritance to refresh my wearied soul Let every herb that I behold cause me to contemplate my own estate that I shall one day be cut off like the green herb and shall wither away like the grass let the Sun that shines over my head lift up my heart to the Son of righteousness to that light which lightens the Gentiles and the Glory of the people Israel Let the Moon that rules by night make me call upon thee the father of light to illuminate me while I sit in darkness and in the shadow of death in whom is no variableness nor change as there is in the Moon finally let the beasts the birds the fishes yea the very flies and insects which seem to be the very scorn of nature let them all by the shortness of their lives remind me of the brevity of my own and since it is thy blessed will O dear Saviour let me be contented and rejoyce therein for ever III. O Lord the life of my life and the God of the spirits of all flesh make me willing to dye since it is thy ordinance and appointment for all things serve thee let me not forget thee nor behave my self frowardly in thy Covenant make me willing to die and to say with old Sin can Lord now let thy servant depart in peace and with St. Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ and because my spirit is willing and my flesh weak raise it and quicken it with thy free spirit by bringing to my remembrance thy promises and comforts to me on every side and since it is thy holy pleasure I should die and not live I am satisfied therewith for thy law is within my heart therefore make no long tarrying O Lord my God IV. How long O God shall I live to sin against thee for as long as I live in this earthly Tabernacle I can do nothing but sin to will is present with me but I find no strength nor ability to perform for I find a Law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind making me captive to the law of sin and death so that the good which I would do I do not but the evil which I would not do that do I. Deliver me therefore dear Lord from this body of death that I may enter the gates of life and go to the Angels and Saints and be one of them and continue with them to all Eternity my soul thirsteth for God even for the living God make hast therefore O Christ and deliver me V. Let my Conversation in this world O Lord be such that I may neither be ashamed to live nor afraid to die I know that to the natural man death is very fearful and terrible but let me be thine by thy grace strengthen me in my greatest weakness be present with me with thy consolations even to the last moment and compass me about with songs of deliverance and then though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy left hand is under my head and thy right hand doth embrace me why should I be afraid in the evil day or why should my soul be disquieted within me for death will then be to me advantage let me therefore sigh and groan in being desirous to be delivered from this burden of the flesh and to be thereby made partaker of immortality and of those unutterable joys and pleasures which thou O my blessed God and Saviour dost enjoy for ever let my faith O Lord scatter all my fears and let my soul long for thy salvation deliver my soul out of Prison and take me to thy everlasting mercy put an end to my sins by the end of this life that I may live with thee without end VI. Set a watch O Lord before the doors of my heart and so order my thoughts that I may always set thee before me and in the midst of life let me so remember death that when my days in this world are at an end I may return unto thee my rest let not the flight and departure of this my Spirit from my body be on the Sabbath day that is in the rest and tranquillity of my sins nor in the winter or frost of my hard heart nor in the midnight of my security when I least look for it let not this dangerous thief of carelesness and security break into my soul nor hinder me from a serious and continual meditation of death and of the heavenly habitations If I forget Jerusalem in my mirth let my right-hand forget her cunning those thoughts that are imployed about my death are my best teachers teach me therefore to die unto sin and to live unto righteousness Morning evening and at mid-day let me wait for the coming of my blessed Saviour who shall turn my night into day my darkness into light my heaviness into joy my labours into rest when death shall be swallowed up into victory where the serpent shall sting no more and where the second death shall never hurt me VII Guide thou O Lord my God the ship of my soul through the sea of this world by the direction of thy holy word wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust let me sayl so safely that by the winds and waves of temptations I may never be driven either upon the Rocks of Presumption or Despair but that I may happily arrive at the haven of the promised land of thy heavenly Kingdom While I behold thee O Lord in thy justice I am afraid and am ready to despair and while I look upon thee in thine infinite mercies I am subject to presume Let thy hand therefore so support me that I may be defended by thy fatherly goodness as with a shield that I may not be cut off by the course of thy severe justice as with a sword I must confess that in justice I have incurred thy wrath and deserve condemnation but through thy manifold mercies O Lord I long and look for thy salvation I am the workmanship of thy hands destroy not therefore that which thou hast made but bless it and bring it to a perfect end thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth and therefore I promise to my self that I cannot be lost if I sincerely put my trust in thee for then thou hast promised me salvation in thy word and thou hast bound this thy promise with an Oath and sealed it with the blood of thy Son and that before the best witnesses in heaven or earth thy holy spirit bearing witness with my spirit that I am a child of God Now upon such considerations as these I fix and ground my faith and am perswaded that after
Jesus standing o' th right hand of God And then think earth too mean a place for thee Whom he redeem'd with his most precious blood Sweet Jesus Thouwast pleas'd to buy me come I 'm not the worlds but thine then fetch me home If in this life only we have hope we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.29 THE world presents thee Ophir gold but stay Lose not thy Interest in God for Clay The world presents short pleasures to thine Eye Thy God presents blest Immortality Be circumspect the world 's a crafty Cheat And sells its Vanities at too dear a Rate Thy Soul 's more worth than all the world enjoys Exchange it not for Fooleries and Toys Which to thy fancy may seem precious things Yet are but Adders Poyson Serpents stings Wounding the dying soul that cannot die Nor live less than to all Eternity Consider him who said My soul take pleasure Go eat and drink thou hast abundant Treasure Laid up for many years That very night This wretched soul was stript of all delight And hurried hence amidst its chiefest joy By furious Ghosts Triumphing in their prey There are but few that solid wisdom prize And search Eternity with sacred Eyes Of saving faith Imploring not to miss Grace here below in Heaven Eternal Bliss Let thy Redeemer in thy heart be fixt So shall no sorrow with True joy be mixt Nor tempting vice thee from his precepts draw Omit no time fulfill his Royal Law With son-like fear and thou shalt have no less I' th end than everlasting Happiness The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.23 There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 8.1 SAid I not Lord that I would sin no more Yet sin again hath got me on the score Pray I not without ceasing to be free From sinful thoughts yet sin abides in me When I awake sin seeks to gain my heart Contending for precedence by desert Of Birth-right from the womb and would controul My holy thoughts and close besiege my soul That matchless gift of thine what shall I do Comply with sin and be its Captive too Who arms the Creatures with enticing smiles And with deceitful arguments beguiles Unstable Souls no I will shun its charms Thy strength my God to shield me from its harms I do implore else I am lost undone O let me find redemption in thy son The son of thy dear love who 's freely bent To bath my soul and make it innocent With his pure crimson streams whose mighty power Trampled on Death and Hell that dreadful hour The Graves restraint he vanquished at length By his victorious and triumphant strength The Temple Veil he rent in open view And gave himself to Gentile and to Jew A sacrifice for sin He is that Lamb Foretold and Typified in Isaac's Ram. The builders Scorn yet the chief Corner-stone Ezekiels Shepherd Daniels Holy One My Rock my only confidence my stay Forsake me not but guide me in thy way I am the Jonah I did cause the Rout To beg a Murtherer and cast thee out I stript thee of thy cloaths and of thy skin And my transgressions tortur'd thee within My sins thy sharpest sufferings contriv'd My sinfulness thee of thy life depriv'd Drew down thy fathers wrath which none could bear But only thee my Lord my Life my Fear Uphold me yet a little to endure Sins Buffetings the victory is sure Faith tells me so and patience bids me wait And I shall gain a conquest to the height Of my expected hope I shall but die And then shall go to immortality To live with perfect souls in perfect bliss Discharg'd of such a Nothingness as this Then wait my soul with patience for thy rest Prepar'd from everlasting to invest Thy nakedness with purest white array Free from the Moth and power of times decay While with incessant pleasures thou art fed A Crown of glory shall begirt thy head Perpetual Halelujahs shalt thou sing Unto thy God thy Saviour and thy King The souls Longing COme Lord my head doth burn my heart is sick While thou dost ever ever stay Thy long deferrings wound me to the quick My Spirit gaspeth night and day O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee II. How canst thou stay considering the pace Thy blood did make which thou didst wast When I behold it trickling down thy face I never saw thing make such hast O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee III. When man was lost thy pity lookt about To see what help i' th earth or sky But there was none at least no help without The help did in thy bosom lye O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee IV. There lay thy Son and must he leave that Nest That hive of sweetness to remove Thraldom from those who would not at a feast Leave one poor Apple for thy Love O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee V. He did he came O my redeemer dear After all this canst thou be strange So many years baptiz'd and not appear As if thy love could fail or change O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee VI. Yet if thou stayest still why must I stay My God what is this world to me This world of woe hence all ye clouds away Away I must go up and see O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee VII What is this weary world this meat and drink That chains us by the teeth so fast What is this Woman kind which I can wink Into a blackness and distast O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee VIII With one small sigh thou gav'st me t' other day I blasted all the joys about me And frowning on them as they pin'd away Now come again said I and flout me O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee IX Nothing but drouth and dearth but bush and brake Which way so'ere I look I see Some may dream merrily but when they wake They dress themselves and come to thee O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee X. We talk of Harvests there are no such things But when we leave our Corn and hay There is no fruitful year but that which brings The last and lov'd though dreadful day O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee XI Oh loose this frame this knot of man unty That my free soul may use her wing Which now is pinion'd with mortality As an intangled hampred thing O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee XII What have I left that I should stay and groan The most of me to Heaven is fled My thoughts and joys are all packt up and gone And for their old acquaintance plead O shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee XIII Come Dearest Lord pass not this Holy season My flesh and bones and joynts do pray And even my verse when by the rhime and reason The word is Stay sayes ever Come Oh shew thy self to me Or take me up to thee Vpon Death WHy should we not as well desire our Death As sleep No difference but a little breath 'T is all but rest 't is all but a releasing Our tyred limbs why then not alike pleasing Being burthened with the sorrows of the day We wish for night which being come we lay Our body down yet when our very breath Is Irksome to us we are afraid of death Our sleep is oft accompanied with frights Distracting dreams and dangers of the nights When in the sheets of Death our Body's sure From all such evils and we sleep secure What matter Doun or earth what boots it whether Alas our body 's sensible of neither Things that are sensless feel not pains nor ease Tell me and why not worms as well as fleas In sleep we know not whether our clos'd eyes Shall ever wake From Death w' are sure to rise I but 't is long first Oh is that our fears Dare we trust God for nights and not for years Conclusion THe God of love my Shepherd is And he that doth me feed While he is mine and I am his What can I want or need II. He leads me to the tender grass Where I both feed and rest Then to the streams that gently pass In both I have the best III. Or if I stray he doth convert And bring my mind in frame And all this not for my desert But for his holy Name IV. Yea in deaths shady black aboad Well may I walk not fear For thou art with me and thy Rod To guide thy Staff to bear V. Nay thou dost make me fit and dine Even in my enemies sight My head with Oyl my Cup with wine Runs over day and night IV. Surely thy sweet and wondrous love Shall measure all my days And as if never shall remove So neither shall my praise FINIS