Joh. 8.7 take up the first stone against us may do as our God (20) Mâ—c 7.19 doth ye may (21) Jer. 51.63 cast your Book of Remembrance into the midst of Euphrates 3. III. Reply It is not for you (1) Exod. 20.12 but for our God and our Rulers to number our steps To our own Masters we stand or fall Be not many (2) James 3.1 Masters my Brethren or if ye (3) James 4.11 12. will be our Judges consider the Race that is set before us if ye will needs weigh us weigh us in an even ballance take the (4) Gal. 6.1 2. ballance of the Sanctuary give unto (5) Lam. 4.2 sons of Zion the allowance due to gold compare our burden with your own and if our duties be both greater and more then are yours can you blame us if our failings be so too Examine duties (6) Phil. 2.12 15. 2 Pet. 1.10 personal Is each of you bound to search out his fall in Adam To pass from the death of nature to the life of grace to grow in that grace and in the knowledge of God so is each of us compare (7) Jam. 2.8 family and neighbourly offices still ours are the same with yours and more Proceed now unto our distinct Vocations we have here more much (8) 1 Tim. 3.2 14.6.10 2 Tim. 6.8 v. 13 14 c. 2.3 4. v. 15 22 v 24 25. Tit. 1.6 9.2.1 8. 1 Cor. 9 22. more weight upon our shoulders then have ye Our personal and relative Obligations match yours and as ours overmatch yours but the Obediences due from our Callings transcendeth what is due from yours and that by far Ever as is the Employment which is enjoyned such is the Duty By how much more publick our vocation is then is yours by so much more extensive is our duty and by how much more sacred our Calling is then is yours by so much the greater is the Task upon us incumbent Consider then if your obediences be more then ye can perform if your duties your burdens be more then ye can weild and more then ye can weild they are who is [9] 2 Cor. 2.16 sufficient for these of ours You see now that the persons her spoken to must be allowed their failings not only as men but as Believers not only as Believers but as Disciples they are subjects not of your Obloquie but of your Compassion Fitly are they fitly are such as succeed them compared [10] Gal. 2 9. unto Pillars of the Church since upon their narrow shoulders so great a part of Christs spiritual building as a heavy burden is weightily placed 4. IV. Reply It is not so much our failing as your observation As we are more tasked so we are more exposed to censure I see more eyes upon this one Pulpit then upon all the other Seats in this Church As the [1] Mat. 5.14 City so the [2] Isa 52.7 foot upon the Mountain cannot be hid the four cornered Cap had need sit squarely Saith [3] Francis L. Verulam one the Errors of Great men say I the Errors of Clergy-men are never small Where the feet are [4] Isa 52 7. beautiful every stray-step is noted it is not the hood but the silk that doth amiss Let a blemish be in ones eye and look from off it we cannot although in good manners we would If the black Gown be not fire-new it is thought duskish if new it be it smelleth of the fire The grave stile is termed flat and the polite quil pedantique It is much if the Rochet be neither too short nor too long The Embassadour is never more observed then when he hath Audience and the stains are therefore obnoxious because the Scarlet is so pure White was the [5] 2 Chron. 5.12 Levites linnen else had the Levite seemed as spotless as one of another Tribe In his sufferings hundreds of other followers deserted Christ of them the Gospel is silent it is not silent of the persons spoken to in my Text The persons here spoken to are chief Disciples chosen Apostles wherefore of their haltings the Context is full It is noted of them that hitherto they [6] Mat. 16.22 Took not up their cross could not [7] Mat. 26.31 40. watch with Christ one hour minded [8] Mat. 20.21 Mark 9.34 Luke 22.24 earthly things had [9] Mat. 16.8 Mark 9.34 very little faith were [10] Mat. 8.38 Mat. 26.74 ashamed and [11] Mark 14.50 Rev. 21.8 afraid to own either Christ crucified or [12] Gal. 2.12 the purity of His Gospel nor as yet knew they [13] Mark 9.32 John 20.9 V. Reply the Scriptures But herein alas herein lieth the difference That these Apostles failings are so much noted is the goodness of Gods spirit That our failings are so much noted is the wickedness of mans Spirit But Let not your heart be troubled the thing is of God It is for [1] Rom. 8.28 your sake that God permitteth our sins to [2] Act. 14.15 equal if not to exceed yours for your sake it is that we are such [3] 2 Cor. 4.7 compared with Judg 7.20 earthen vessels that we are [4] Exod. 20.19 Gal. 2.19 not Angels but men The holy Ghost giveth unto you that [5] 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes 4.11 sort of gift which is best for your profit When Christ prayed that Peters fath [6] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 St. Chrysost in Lucae 22 32. might not fail him he would not pray that Peters [7] John 18.27 heart might not fail him He could have made these Disciples here spoken to as Self-denying as stout as stedfast as full of knowledge as full of holiness before his Ascension as after his Ascension they were he could so but this he knew suited neither with his Spouses benefit nor with his own [8] 1 Cor. 1.27 wisdom Let this suffice you That whether he use Silver [9] Numb 10. Trumpets or Rams [10] Josh 6.13 compared with 2 Sam. 5.24 horns the Captain of your Salvation will bring forth Judgement unto Victory [11] Mat. 12.20 Phil. 1 6. He long before this Text or Context perfectly [12] John 2.25 knew the inabilites of the persons to whom he now speaketh yet their [13) John 20.29 Ignorances [14] John 13 38. Infirmites and [15] John 15.5 Insufficiencies notwithstanding he made them the [16] Mark 9.50 Salt of the earth the [17] Mat. 5.14 light of the world witnesses of [18] 1 John 1.1 2 3. saving truths and [19] John 15.16 chosen Disciples c. Why this Answ His glory he would not give unto others He who revealeth his power in mans weakness will have the glory of his grace ascribed by you not unto his frail Ministers but unto Himself alone Hence it was that as simple as they were these very persons he [20] Mat. 10.5 sent to publish the
of grace then those [11] Isa 41 2.55.5 Jer. 4.2.10.7 Zech. 2.11.8.22 Turks have which worship Mahomet the same God which (12) Isa 38.19 Eccle. 8.113 Dan. 4.17 Psal 66.9 spareth unto thee the breath of life while Judas Julian nay while some born since thou wert born are grievously tormented in Hell the self same God would have thee [13] Ezek. 33.11 escape the everlasting torments due unto thee and to thy heart of unbelief Thy Rebellion [14] Isa 1.2 4 24. Nahum 2.2 6. hath been inexcusable and thou liest wholly at the power of that King against whom thou hast rebelled yet lo he offereth [15] Ezek. 18.32 Isa 55.7 a Free Pardon yea he offereth terms of Peace every way for thine advantage thou (16) Rom. 8.7 art at enmity with him but he hath Love free (17) Hos 14.4.2.19 love everlasting loves for thee though (18) Psal 9 17 11.6 Hell be thy portion fain would God entitle thee (19) 1 Pet. 1.4 to an inheritance in heaven When thou hast done all that ever thou canst be able to do thou wilt be at the best but an (20) Luk. 17.10 compared with Mat. 25.30 unprofitable creature I wiss yet loe God longeth to (21) Deut. 4.6 7.28.58.10.21 Psal 34.2 Jer. 17.14 honour thee with his service as (22) Deut. 3.1 Ezek. 6.9 corrupt as thine affections are God (23) Hos 2.14 Jer. 3.14 Isa 54.5 wooeth thee for them as wicked as thy heart is God (24) Gen. 6.5 compared with Jer. 4.14 and Prov. 23.26 calleth for it if thou wilt not believe him search the Scriptures in them he offereth thee his (25) Prov. 1.23 own Spirit in them he offereth unto thee his his own Son Oh he taketh glory Luke 19.10 in saving so lost a sinner as thou art Thou witness thy life past thou hast had no (26) Psal 14.4 knowledge of God let it be Gods glory that he can cause thee to (27) Jer. 24.7 know him thou hast a stony heart of thine own let it be the glory of thy God that he can (28) Ezek. 36.26 give thee a heart of flesh The Lord hath (29) Deut. 29.4 not given thee a heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day let it now be his praise that he hath giveth thee a (30) Pro. 20.12 hearing ear a seeing eye and a believing (31) Phil. 1.29 heart too Thou hast had no (32) Rom. 3.18 Job 6.14 fear of God before thine eyes let God have the honour of (33) Jer. 32.40 Psal 51.6 10. putting his fear in thy inward parts Happily God hath hitherto winked (34) Act. 17.30 at thy carelesness on purpose that the (35) Rom. 5.20.7.13 transcendency of thy guilt may exalt (36) Luk. 7.47 Isa 30.18 Psal 130.4 his free his unsearchable mercies the (37) Luk. 51.13.25.11 Dan. 9.9 Lord forgive thy sins for they are great the Lord help (38) Mar. 9.14 thine unbelief for thy heart is not stedfast the Lord have compassion upon thee for (39) Heb. 5.2 thou art ignorant The holy God can write his Law even in (40) Jer. 31.33 thy heart he can pour upon thee a (41) Zec. 12.19 Spirit of Prayer and of supplication In all thy doings (42) Ezek. 21.24 thy sins appear but the person speaking in my Text can take away those (43) Zech. 3.4 Isa 64.9 filthy rags from thine incurable wounds thou hast no (44) Jer. 30.13 healing Medicines but the Physitian in my Text is the God of thy health he (45) Jer. 30.17 can heal thee and all thy back-slidings he can cause thee to draw near and to (46) Jer. 30.21 approach and to come with (47) Heb. 4.16 boldness unto the Throne of His grace Sinner thou hast (48) 2 Kin. 17.17 sold thy self to work wickedness but be no longer the (49) Rom. 6.16 servant of a Devil for Christ (50) 1 Cor. 6.20 hath bought thee and that not with corruptible gold but with his own blood his precious blood his precious his most precious blood Greater love hath no man (51) John 15.130 then this viz. that he lay down his life for his friend but Christ commendeth his love toward thee in that thou being (52) Rom. 5.8 an Enemy a polluted an inconsiderable a contemptible enemy and He being a righteous a holy person a person therefore a man (53) Heb. 2.14 because a God died died the shameful death of the Cross and despised the shame because he died for thee Who (1) Rom. 8.34 is he that condemneth It is the person speaking in my Text that died Thou who hast been so careless of Christ hitherto happily thou now turnest over a new leaf happily thou wilt now (2) Ephes 5.16 redeem thy time and amend one the (3) Jer. 7.3.23.22 evil of thy doings thou wilt put away from thee if thy canst thou wilt be renewed (4) Eph. 4.23 Col. 3.10 as well as thou canst in the spirit of thy mind happily thou art mortified and grieved and full (5) Zech. 12.10 of bitterness for the (6) Eccles 7.25 wickenness of thy folly happily thou resolvest to (7) 2 Cor. 7.1 clense thy self from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the Spirit to give (8) 1 Thes 5.17 thy self unto prayer to exercise (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 thy self unto godlinesse and to (10) 2 Cor. 13.9 strive after perfection all the days of thine appointed time if so this is a good change of mind in this thy good resolution go on prosper this notwithstanding know unless thou make the person speaking in my Text thy Refuge thy practise of Piety will never (11) Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.5 quiet thy conscience the reason is though a (12) Rom. 8.15 spirit of bondage may restrain thee from evil and may presse thee upon duties yet it can (13) Ephes 2.9 never render thee acceptable in the presence of an offended God alas the best works that ever thou canst perform (14) Tit. 1.15 Gal. 2.16 shall never be able to satisfie the most infinite Justice of a provoked God no not (15) Heb. 9.22 for the least of the least of all thine infirmities Be as upright as ever thou canst yet of all those innumerable debts due from thee unto thy Lord thou shalt never be able to pay (16) Mat. 5.26 one mite that is sterling if this alone be that Plea by which thou hopest to (17) Rom. 3.20.24 answer the Law never never look the severe Judge in the face assure thy self that the just Judge of all the earth will do right Judas (19) Mat. 27.4 repented himself of his evil and yet Judas (20) Act. 1.25 perished in his transgression and so mayest thou if thou hope to pacifie God by thine own righteousness How then shall my Conscience obtain peace with
they should [17] Psal 119.107 Heb. 12.11 James 1.12 advance our duties too they are brought not to flatten but to [18] 1 Pet. 5.10 quicken us to our sins they are [19] Rom. 6.11 compared with Col. 3.5 Exod. 20.20 sepulchres but unto our graces they [20] Rom. 1634 Deut. 8.16 Gen. 22.18 are Monuments if once they be sepulchres unto our duties then this good Angel in my Text [21] 1 Cor. 10.13 rolleth them away but where they are Monuments of his [22] 2 Cor. 12.9 power in our graces there he resteth there he 23 sitteth down upon them Reason 2. 2. Reason from the heart From the [1] Jer. 4.19 seat of these troubles the heart Let not your heart be troubled because a heart Chirurgeons in their Anatomies phrase such and such a part a vessel a vessel for the brains a vessel for the urine for the blood c. Now he that fashioned for himself all our limbs while as yet there were none of them he useth this language too Mans soul body and (2) 1 Thes 5.23 spirit they are (3) 1 Pet. 3.7 2 Cor 4.7 vessels in the hand of the Potter this vessel he formed for such and such uses and for (4) Rom. 9.22 Prov. 23.26 none other intents or purposes whatsoever I say the (5) Psal 2.9 1 Thes 4.4 whole man much more the (6) Mat. 25.4 heart is a vessel a vessel appointed like those of the Temple for (7) Pro 23.26 Gods service wherefore the heart may not at all be taken up (8) Luk. 21.34 with cares fill a heart with the (9) Hos 7.7 scalding waters of lust or with the (10) Phil. 3.19 muddy waters of an earthly mind and what (11) Hos 4.11 room can there be in that heart for either (12) 1 Joh. 3.3 purity or (13) Mat. 6.21 heavenliness So fill a heart with bitter waters of (14) 2 Cor. 7.10 unreasonable grief or with the unwholesome waters of (15) Isa 7.9 distrustful fears and what room is there in that heart for the exercise of faith waters of affliction are of a (16) Job 33.16 Isa 44.33 Hos 5.15 cooling (17) 〈◊〉 1.16 clensing (18) Psal 119.67 healing nature and the heart should be a vessel prepared to receive them as (19) Eccles 7.3 such Blessed are ye that (20) Isa 32.20 sow unto the spirit besides all waters for the Spirit of God delighteth to (21) Pro 1.23 move upon these and it concerneth us that he findeth a (22) Eph. 4.30 quiet habitation Let neither (23) Jam. 1.4 impatiency nor (24) Mat. 8.26 distrust nor (25) Job 33.16 compared with Pro. 15.32 21.11 insensibleness neither quench nor grieve in the least any motions of so holy a Spirit If we would find our chastisements chastisements of peaee let not the heart be troubled That a second Reason as the heart is the seat of the vital spirits so it should be the seat of spiritual graces too It is at lest it should be a vessel [26] 2 Tim. 2.21 compared with Heb. 10.5 prepared for the [27] Col. 2.12 operations of God It should be filled not with carefulness but with the [28] Eph 5 18 Spirit Reason 3. 3 Reason from You. From you your heart Let not the heart be troubled because yours because it is as a vessel so a [1] Isa 66.20 consecraâ—ed vessel As for the wicked the heart of the wicked [2] Pro 10.20 is little worth but the heart of a believer is a [3] Jer. 31.20 dear heart unto her Bridegroom The heart of a believer is a rich [4] Mat. 25.4 Ephet 3.19 cabinet which holdeth vertuâ—s more graceful then gems graces more precious then jewels The heart of a believer is a heart not taken up with the blood of the fabulous Duck at Hales no nor yet with the blood of bulls or of goats but [5] Heb. 10.22 1 Cor. 2.2 Gal. 2 20 Acts 20.28 with the blood of the sacrificed lamb it carrieth within it self the blood of the Lord Jesus It is I say the mansion (6) Vita est mansio animae in corpore rectiùs spiritus in animâ say I. where the spirit of God dwelleth and is it fit think you that such a Temple as this such a Mercy-seat as this should be prophaned with fears and jealousies 4. Reason from God with cares and with destructive sorrows Reason 4. From God Almighty Let not your heart be troubled for ye believe in God The true Christian hath a (1) Exod. 34.6 2 Chro. 30.9 Neh 9.17 Isa 30.18 Psal 84.11 86.15 116.5.145.8 gracious God to believe in an all-knowing a merciful an (2) Gen. 17.1 all sufficient God to believe in and shall he not endure affliction according to the [3] Rom. 16.25 Eph. 1.19.3.28 power of God working mightily [4] Col. 1.29 in him shall a believers heart stoop should such a man as Nehemiah (5) Nehe 6.11 flee The Disciples were at the [6] Mark 16 5 first affrighted with the sight of their good Angel but what [7] Mark 16 6 followed There is if ye mark it there is a good Angel in this burning (8) Exod. 3.4 Dent. 33.16 bush Be not far off O Lord for trouble is (9) Psal 22.11 hard at hand Do thine afflictions make thee cry out Be [10] Psal 34.18.85.9 145.8 of good chear If once the child cryeth the Nursing-mother runneth If troubles be upon us be ye sure God [11] Psal 46.1 is a present help in those troubles That a fourth Reason V. from me also Reason 5. From Christ beleive also in me Let not your heart be troubled for ye have the [1] Act. 26.18 Lord Jesus to beleive in True no man can upon a well-grounded and a well-experienced [2] 2 Tim. 1.12 Knowledge say that Jesus is [3] 1 Cor. 12.3 the Lord but [4] Mat. 3.17 1 Tim. 3.16 John 6.44 by the Holy Ghost neverthelesse where once the Holy Ghost enableth to say of Christ My Lord and my God there the soul [5] Phil. 4.4 rejoyceth in this Lord as in the horn of her salvation God revealeth much of his goodness in the [6] 1 Chro. 29 14. Psal 57.2 workes of his Common providence thus the Roman Seneca the Greek Aratus and other Gentiles saw that the Lord was good and that his mercy endureth for ever More of his goodnesse he revealeth in [7] as in Esa 41.10.13 14 his word of promise five several times is that one promise repeated I will never leave thee nor forsake thee But the goodnesse of God is (8) Hos 3.5 most of all revealed in his own [9] Joh. 1.18.14.9 10 11 Son in him are [10] 2 Cor. 1.20 all the promises Yea and Amen for a Son ye know resembleth his Father Hence it is that [11]
in yea he who so powerfully restored unto your birth-right your Majesties strangely revolted Kingdoms he can (10) Psal 73. guide you with his counsel and afterward receive you to glory He I say can bring you to the Mansions in your Fathers house Once more The bed of love wherein you rejoyce over our most Gracious Queen your royal Consort as a Bridegroom (1) Isa 62.5 rejoyceth over his Bride the love of your (2) Jer. 2.2 Espousals and afore that the day of your (3) Can. 3.11 Coronation and before that the day of the gladness of your (4) Ibid. heart I mean the (5) May 29th day wherein the splendour of your glorious Majesty celebrated therefore the greatest because the happiest Triumph that ever yet was by mortal Prince solemnized of these of all these your prosperous Majesty hath tasted I most humbly appeal now unto your dread Majesties bosome-experience What yea what are all these transitory joyes these fugitive felicities if (6) See what Mr. Bolton in his four last things p. 111. illustrateth upon 1 Cor. 2.9 compared unto the Mansions in your Fathers house When he that (1) Psal 29.10 sitteth upon the floods sent (2) Psal 18.16 from above took and drew you out of many waters when he that (3) Psal 144.10 giveth salvation unto Kings commanded (4) Lev. 25.21 1 Sam. 10.26 the hearts of all your people as (5) 2 Sam. 19.14 the heart of one man when he that (6) Psal 46.9 causeth wars to cease made your patience victorious when at length your meekness (7) Mat. 5.5 captivated our afflictions well might your Subjects shout (8) Psal 47.1 unto God with the voice of triumph so wonderfully had the (9) Heb. 13.20 God of peace made your Highness what you still remain more (10) Rom. 8.37 then Conquerour Oh how great (11) Zech. 9.17 was Gods goodness how abundant (12) Jer. 33.6 our peace how matchless your bliss how unconceiveable the (13) Psal 114.1 Novelty of your joys And yet believe it Sir in the very height of all your glory though I dare affirm your glory exceeded Solomons I say in the height of your glory your sacred Majesties enlarged heart was never one half so much transported as in the midst of his unsufferable perplexities your blessed Fathers most gracious soul was daily then transported when possessing (14) If Galcacius Caracciolus could much more could Charles the First say Let their money perish with them who esteem all the gold in the world worth one days society with Jesus Christ and his holy Spirit heaven upon earth he compiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O King Let not your [1] Chro. 28.7 9 heart be troubled May your Majesty roll your self upon your God He who first honoured your Christian Father with a Crown of throns and then [2] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solium which signifieth a Beer or Cossin signifieth also a Throae or Chair of State Rev. 2 10 converted that thorny crown into a Crown of Glory He can make your Crown of pure gold a Crown incorruptible He who when you [3] Psal 21.4 asked life gave you long life can give you life more abundant even life eternal He who translated your royal Father from a world of troubles [4] 2 Tim. 4.7 8 unto heavenly Mansions will though we your loyal Subjects hope it will be [5] Regni Coâ—ona Rex long first receive [6] Rom. 7.24 25 your ransomed soul from a body of sin unto your Fathers house Sir the holy God who unto your suffering Father made January the 30. an everlasting May 29. can sanctifie unto you that fatal September 3d. into a perpetual April 23d As we have seen what the Prophets fore-told [1] Isa 9.7 55.3 Hos 3.9 sim Psal 89.29 36 sim of David fulfilled in the [2] Mat. 1.1 21.9 Rom. 1.3 2 Tim. 2.8 Rev. 3.7.5.5.22.16 Son of David so what was [3] By good Dr. Holdsworth in his Epistle Dedicatory before his Sermon on Psal 144.15 prophesied of King Charles the First your Majesty hath lived to see fulfilled in King Charles the Second Believe therefore in God Believe also in the Son of God He who was unto you at your royal [4] As at the birth of Christ so at the birth of his immediate servant our King Charles the Second a star appeared Bp. Morley's Coronation Serm. p. 59. and Mr. Carles his Serm. on the same day p. 15. birth a bright [5] Rev. 22.16 morning star may be unto you during your happy Reign a [6] Mal. 4.2 Sun of Righteousness your [7] Psal 84.11 Shield he hath continued your Sun I trust he will continue here and Rev. 22.5 in Heaven Believe also in the blessed Spirit he inspired your holy Father to write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O make this good Spirit your Comforter he will day by day enable your sanctified Majesty more and more patrissare while your afflictions past become future sanctification So may your Majesty increase in faith that on earth in the sharpest tryals and in heaven within the highest Mansions your Majesty may shine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Live in faith O King and live for ever Live for ever in your Fathers house within your Fathers house possess the highest Mansions and in those heavenly Mansions you shall for ever face to face enjoy Charles the First Christ our Redeemer God our Saviour My Lord O King instead of further applying the several Duties in my Text suffer that I this [1] Possibly as Justine Martyrs Apology was read by his Emperour so may my Address by mine once propose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sure I am that in these two words I have spoken all for What [2] Eccles 2.12 can the man say that cometh after the King 2. By whom Kings reign To the Nobility by him [1] Prov. 8.15 Princes decree justice It is of God that our Ruler is in the midst of us it is likewise of God that [2] Jer. 30.21 our Nobles are of themselves wherefore my [3] Judg 5.9 heart is toward the Governours of Israel that offer themselves willingly among the people Right Honourable Late Divisions [4] See Bp. Fearns Serm. on Judg. 5 14 caused great searchings as in the unsearchable heart of our most serene Prince so in your heart too Alas Wheresoever the mighty Oak falleth there the nearest trees are most crushed Time was when your heart was perplexed God not long since poured [5] Job 12 21 Psal 107.40 contempt upon your Honours As ever ye would that the Lord should roll away your reproach 1. Keep your hearts [1] Isa 48.22 quiet I mean keep yovr selves without (2) Job 11.15 16 spot ye know They who [3] Mat. 11.8 dwell in Kings houses wear [4] Isa 61.10 soft cloathing Oh keep your garments always
have [37] Heb. 10.36 need of patience receive ye this Gospel When all outward comforts fail you then then to chuse let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also in Christ and when anguish of spirit maketh your present life a wearinesse unto you when you cry out It is [38] 1 Kings 19 4. enough Lord then let this be your comfort viz. that in your Fathers house are many Mansions and in those Mansions the poor and rich [39] Pro. 22.2 meet together O my Brethren I am afflicted for you but let not your heart be troubled Surely men are (1) Psalm 39.6 disquieted in vain Surely men of low degree are a lye Application to persons of all Ages and men of high degree are (2) Psalm 62.9 no better Hence it is that King David directeth (3) Psalm 39.11 all of them unto God He directeth one (4) Psalm 49.2 with another but commonly what is spoken unto all is heeded by none therefore as he joyneth all together so he (5) Psalm 62.9 taketh them severally He singleth them out by their Qualities high and low rich and poor and in another (6) Psalm 148.12 place by the years of their lives Middle aged and young men old men and children And no marvel for as there is (7) Eccl. 3.1 a time for all things so there is a season for every sin a season not for any sins lawfulnesse but fo rs sin impetuousnesse Sin is lawfull in no person but as unlawfull as it is it hath a greater power (8) Psalm 18.23 Prov. 30.8 9. on some estates then upon others The Nobleman hath not so great a temptation to murmuring (9) Jude 16 1 Cor. 10.10 and complaining to pilfering and theft as the hunger-starved beggar hath neither hath the hunger-starved beggar so great a temptation unto pride and (10) Ezek 45.8 oppression unto ambition or treason as hath the Nobleman In like manner as every condition of man so every age of man is more subject to stumble upon some offences then others As our (11) 1 Joh. 1.8 fare altereth with our estates so our appetites (12) Jam. 3.2 alter with our years alas the abundance of corruptions in our hearts like the abundance of waters in a River encreaseth by running and by encreasing spreadeth yea it ever rusheth forth at every breach untill at last it emptieth it self into the (13) Mare mortuum lake of Death Troubles will (14) Job 14.4 Heb. 12.1 arise in our hearts when we have done our uttermost perplexed (15) 2 Cor. 4.8 we shall be so long as our flesh is above ground so long it cherisheth a (16) Rom. 6.6.7.24 body of sin O wretched men that we (17) Psalm 130.1.69.2.42.7 Rom. 7.24 are who shall deliver us When we have mastered one infirmity a second succeedeth and after that a third c. and the more by many because as the wayes so the (18) Gen. 47.9 dayes of our pilgrimage are evil It is therefore abundantly requisite that we proceed to take some further care that seeing our busie hearts will alas be perplexed with the troubles of almost every sin every sin do as little as possible may be trouble our hearts Perplexed with sin our hearts (1) 2 Cor. 4.8 should be but let them not be sinfully perplexed Let us watch against the vanities and vexations first of our callings next of our years I have a little removed the trouble of our Estates already while I have with St. John the Baptist spoken unto several persons of several professions according unto (2) Luke 3.10 14 their qualities That I hope hath helped to free you from some troubles with the good assistance of our God in whom we believe I shall ease you of many more troubles which are apt enough to perplex your hearts if in the next place I imitate St. John the Evangelist and (3) 1 John 2.12 13 14 write unto you as not forgetting the years of your age Mine Application shall be first to little Children TOo blame are those Nurses which sport themselves with the frowardnesse quarelsomenesse or fantastiquenesse of sucking children To little children these argue a strength of nature indeed but they argue a strength of a corrupt nature These are matter not of Merriment but of Humiliation alas the imputation of original sin Baptism may wholly wash away the power of original sin (1) Rom. 6.4.3 Col. 2.12 1 Pet. 3.22 Gal. 3.27 it washeth away but in part True Great is the benefit of this most holy Ordinance to the praise of the Author of this holy Institution let it be for ever acknowledged that as the (2) Gal. 3.2 7 Obligation so the (3) Rom. 6.3 6 Aqua Baptismatis habet gratiam Dei praesentiam Trinitatis Ambros de sacram lib. 1. cap. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concil Nicea Aqua exhibet forinsecus Sacramentum gratiae spiritus operatur intrinsecus beneficium gratiae August Ep. 23. Operation of Baptism is of no small moment When Lewis the ninth of France was asked how he would be stiled he said he would be entituled Lewis de Poyssy Reply was made His Majesty might finde out other places of greater Renown and of them some where he had obtained Victories famous Victories No said the King I desire to be called Lewis de Poyssy because there I got the most famous Victory that ever I obtained for there I overcame the Devil viz. I was there baptized He knew well that so many as are buried with Christ in baptism arise new creatures but notwithstanding the Sanctifying Spirit is in this Laver of Regeneration (4) Tit. 3.5 Eph. 5.26 1 Pet. 3.21 vouchsafed unto the elect of God yet even the elect of God still have within them the remainders (5) Job 25.4 of sinfulnesse yea the root the spawn the seed of every wickednesse The least Infants forbear to commit evil upon (6) Pro. 22.15 Esay 48.8 no other accompt then they forbear to go High alone to wit only because they cannot Give them ability they will be (7) Psal 51.5 Prov. 20.11 proud of a Ribband ere ever they can tie it on They will wrangle (8) Psal 21.8 Esay 44.20 ere ever they have teeth to bite and will speak (9) Mat. 12.34 amisse ere ever they can pronounce a plain word So true is that of Ecclesiastes (10) Eccles 11.10 Childhood is vanity that Nurses had need to swathe (11) Pro. 29.15 13.24 23.14 as well the faculties of their Souls as the limes of their bodies they had need prevent as well their minds as any other part of them from growing crooked they had need to meet their inclinatious and as much as in them lieth to render their first dispositions facile ductile tractable In a good Nurse is required discretion as well as milk and the Babe sucketh in good or evil
doest (22) Psalm 119.104 hate every false way but thou doest hate thy false heart more viz. for being so unwilling to have any evil way whatsoever So often as sin brancheth out and that isperpetually thou shouldest strike at the root I mean at the original sin which [23] Rom. 7.18 20 dwelleth in thee If the world is crucified to thee [24] Gal. 6.14 thou wouldest be crucified to the world that is if thou couldest Thy stiffe neck is ever [25] Rom. 7.24 painfull to thee the back-slidings of thy heart cast thee down while thou keepest it even with the greatest diligence that thou canst Long it was before thou couldst crucifie this [26] Gal. 5.24 affection or the other lust but the flesh that body of sin that doth to this hour keep thee wretched and low in thine own eyes Let not sin reign [27] Rom. 6.12 in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof This obedience is the outward actings of sin these lusts are the inward breathings of sin the sin it self which is so forward to reign is not some one partscular vanity but that [28] John 3.6 flesh of thine that [29] Rom. 7.23 Law in thy members that corrupt bent of thy soul and body and spirit which maketh [30] Rom. 7.21 25 thee so subject to revolt from God and his Christ Now if we would not have this sin [31] Rom. 6.12 14 reign in our mortal bodies we [32] Pro. 13.5 Job 42.6 Psalm 32.5.51.3.73.22 Ezek. 16.61 63 must loath it as that which aggravateth whatsoever evil thoughts words or deeds we are guilty of unlesse we be [33] Job 40.4 vile in our own eyes let us never expect to be precious in [34] Isa 1.18 43.4 Gods sight The [35] Jer. 8.22 Matth 11 28 balm of Gilead is not for us unlesse we complain of our wounds and bruises and putrified soares In that Fountain [36] Zech. 13 1 which is opened unto the house of David we see our Leopards spots and the heart is therefore troubled because it is not [37] Nahum 2.7 Psalm 31.10 Rom. 7.15 24 troubled enough The more the Holy Spirit delivereth it from the power of darknesse the more darknesse it [38] Psalm 19.12 25.4.26.2.31.3.139.2 3 4 23 24 complaineth of The more he beateth down Satan the more jealous we (39) 2 Cor. 2.11 are of Satans stratagems Heathen Moralists could lop off the (40) Rom. 2.14 branches of sin but we Christians must (41) Jer. 3.10 Col. 3.15 Rom. 8.1 lay the axe to the root of the Tree sin reigned in their hearts the Spirit of God must rule in ours We then bethink our selves of the Mansions in our Fathers House when we begin to believe in Christ we then begin to believe in Christ when we are turned (42) Acts 26.18 from the power of Satan unto God we are then turned from the power of Satan unto God when the sinfulnesse of our corrupt mind is (43) John 14.1 2. Rom. 8 11 14.7.24 25 so the trouble of our heart that it quickneth us to believe in God through Jesus Christ our Lord. To conclude If the Twins do not struggle in the womb it is a manifest Symptom of miscarriage for the (44) Gal. 5.17 Rom. 7.8 14 17 19 Heb. 12.1 4 Psalm 19.12.25 11 20 21 Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that you cannot do the things that ye would But if ye (45) Rom. 8.15 allow not of your evils if your sin doth not (46) Rom. 6.12 get dominion over you if you be (47) Rom. 8.1 13 14 led by the Spirit if you (48) Gal. 5.25 16.18 walk after the Spirit if your (49) 2 Cor. 4.16 renewed minds seeke (50) 1 John 3.3 Heb. 12.14 holinesse strive (51) Col. 4.12 after perfection chuse (52) Esay 66.4 whatsoever your Lord delighteth in making the Glory of your God the (53) 1 Cor. 10.31 Deut. 16.15 26.11.12.12 18. Psalm 119.14 Esay 61.10 Deut. 28.58 27.9 10. Phil. 4.4 Col. 3.17 businesse and joy of your Souls then though troubled it be let not your heart be troubled believe in God believe also in Christ In my Fathers House are many Mansions The Stone thus rolled away from every heart we all of us are raised unto life more abundant IN what sort the person here speaking In particular Uses applyeth himself [1] Page 11. unto Gospel Ministers restrictively and unto [2] Page 53 Gospel-Professours universally we have long since perceived We have heard him speak [3] Page 55 privatively to None of you Unbelievers [4] Page 109 positively to All of you that believe I shall now proceed from the persons spoken unto to the matter spoken of and that I [5] Page 2. 14 told you was matter of Reproof matter of Instruction and matter of Comfort And I beseech you Brethren [6] Heb. 13.22 suffer a word of Exhortation lest the Stone rolled away tumble back upon us again let us let us passe from the Duty here enjoin'd unto the means here recommended let us to say no more make application of our Text. Beloved Hitherto we have heard a Voyce [7] Matth. 3.3 crying in the Wildernesse we now more fully prepare the way of the Lord Hitherto we have examined to whom we would apply this Gospel we now enquire what this Gospel is which we would apply Hitherto we have beheld the [8] Mar. 16.4 Stone rolled away now rolleth [9] Esay 48.18 in upon us Life more abundant namely First The [10] Pro. 15.21.6.23 Life of Reproof Next The [11] Pro. 10.17.16.22 Life of Instruction Thirdly The [12] Pro. 3.18 22 Life of Consolation Lastly that which [13] Psalm 145.1 2 3 7 146.2.147.1 crowneth all our Consolations to wit a Thankful Life A Life thankfull while we overcome the troubles of the heart thankfull while we exercise Faith in God through Jesus Christ our Lord thankfull while we expect the Mansions in my Fathers House Uses 1 Of Reproof When you read how the Angels of the Lord [1] Mar. 28.2 came and rolled back the Stone from the door of the Sepulchre you will not imagine that this Augel heaved it lifted it and shouldered it as men shouldered away that other stone from [2] John 11.38 39 41 the Grave of Lazarus No who art thou [3] Zec 1.4.7 O great Mountain which standest before Zerubbable The very presence of an Angel of the Lord caused [4] Mat. 28.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great shaking viz. of that part where the Grave was Hammoad Annot on Matth. 27.51 the Earth to quake now beyond all peradventure the earth so quaked that the stone unsetled shook joggled tottered and could not choose but roll yea [5] Mar. 16.4 the more weighty it was the
more naturally it rolled backward So here Do not think that this Good Angel in my Text rolleth away your troubles from your minds by any forced restraint or interposed violence No Your gracious Lord doth here move not so much your troubles as [6] Esay 61.1 Acts 16.14 26 18 your hearts I say In this Text of mine the [7] John 6.63 Rom. 8.11 blessed Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ kindly removeth troubles from these Disciples hearts by (8) 1 John 5.4 the bringing in of Faith as calmely encreaseth their Faith by (9) Luke 24 45 enlightening their understandings and again as naturally enlighteneth their understandings by (10) Pro. 6 23 beginning his Instructions with a mild Reproof Let not your heart be troubled A better Example I cannot follow then (11) John 13.15 the Example of Jesus Christ He began with reproofes and so shall I may the same blessed spirit which inspired his sanctifie mine I foresee that what stones I would remove from others may [1] Pro. 26.27 roll upon my self but Let not my heart be troubled If I refuse to be of [2] Phil. 2.7 no reputation for his Gospel-sake I have not yet [3] Eph. 4.20 learned Christ To steal sheep oxen and other goods To some Ministers or chattells is we know an iniquity to be punished by the judge For creating troubles and I heartily wish there were as severe laws for the punishment of him who disposeth of unadvised children against or without their Parents allowance O the two evils the latter is so much worse then the former by how much the blessing of children is above the blessing of wealth Wherefore they among us are rendred (1) Pudet haec opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse non potuisse refell most inexcusable who without either Licence from their Ordinary or Banns legitimately published do for a morsel of bread or some little filthy lucre marry they care not whom These (2) 1 Sam. 2.17 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 2.24 1 Tim. 6.1 Tit. 2 5. are the very reproach of a Gospel-Ministery the scum the poison of the Clergy Errours in marriage like those in War are as remedilesse as pernicious and shall a Minister of Jesus Christ countenance such errours Where inordiate affections make the match there riot disobedience fraud and such like sins are iojned together and is this a marriage for a Minister to celebrate Is it a light matter to undermine betray and ruine whole families and this too by vertue of a trust in our holy function reposed So many of us as do in this sort prophane our holy orders deservedly incur our Lord Bishops and may justly expect our Lord Gods displeasure We call such weddings stollen weddings Trust me neither of the maried couple is so very a Theif as is the Parson who marrieth them he sinneth against his own soul his crime is capital Brethren let every Minister who nameth the name of Christ rolle away this stone from the door of his tabernacle Never hereafter (3) Where factum valet threatneth a ruine of the persons there fieri non debet must be a Rule to the Minister let such grosse scandals be the trouble of any Christians heart Secondly Believe in God For want of zeal believe also in Christ reproveth such among us as seem so farre from honouring God with their heart that they are not at the pains to honour him (1) Esay 29.13 with their lips So void of Devotion are these that they (2) Rom. 12.11 wear the Act for Vniformity as a cloak for sloath These so slubber over the Liturgy as if they were hired to (3) 1 Sam. 2.17 make it a Reproach Brethren this is not to exercise (4) 1 Tim. 4.7 our selves in godliness this is not to (5) Heb. 11.39 10.22 exercise faith this is not to believe either in God or in Christ Who so believeth in that God before (6) Esay 61.6 1 Sam. 2.11 whom he ministreth will (7) Rom. 12 7 be zealous in the whole service He will distinctly deliberately and solemnly with such due accents and cadencies read the most holy Scriptures that his very voyce shall (8) Neh. 8.8 be an interpreter of what he pronounceth He will (9) 1 Pet. 4.11 give the Hearers to understand that he is now divulging the Oracles of his God He will utter threats as one (10) Amos 8.8 2 Cor. 5 11 well knowing the terrour of the Lord He will deliver (11) Deut. 4.6 Precepts as the Wisdom and Commandments as the great (12) Hos 8.12 things of Gods righteous Law He will insinuate (13) 2 Cor. 7.1 promises as who would not only (14) Gal. 1 10 perswade but charm (15) Psalm 58.5 his people The now established (16) Pro. 15.4 1 Tim. 6.3 2 Tim. 1.13 set-Forms help his devout Soul to pray more fervently and to give thanks with Rejoycings truly spiritual To wit while both matter and phrase are already prepared to his eye his heart seeketh not (17) 1 Cor. 14 15 to find out acceptable words but acceptable desires his heart is fixed his heart meditateth not matter but God as his Heavenly Father (18) Mat. 6.32 knoweth what things he hath need of yea and knoweth (19) Psalm 139.2 his thoughts too long before so he himself long before knoweth what words to (20) Hos 14.2 take with him While he maketh his request known (21) Phil. 4 6 unto his God no (22) 1 Pet. 4 7 inadvertency surprizeth his Petitions No (23) Jam. 1.6 hallucinations stumble his faith No hesitation (24) 1 Cor. 14.15 no lapsus linguae no (25) Mat. 6 7 tautology mangleth his sacrifice A Form of wholsome (26) 2 Tim. 1.13 words he is sure of wherefore he is now in the power [27] 1 Cor. 2.4 of the Spirit making use of those wholsome and acceptable words to wrestle with that God who is a God that (28) Psal 65.2 heareth our prayers and accepteth (29) Gen. 19.21 our persons He ever so frameth (30) Hos 5.4 his doings as to seek the Lord the gracious Lord while (31) Esa 55.6 he may be found He is therefore an (32) 1 Tim 4.12 example unto Believers because while he ministreth (33) Rom. 12.7 unto the most High the most High he serveth with all (34) Deut. 10.12 his might and with all his strength He hath purposed (35) Psal 17.3 that his mouth shall not transgresse His prayer goeth not out of (36) Psal 17.1 feigned lips yea his Soul doth (37) Luke 1.46 47 magnifie the Lord and his Spirit rejoyceth in God his Saviour in a word He therefore believeth in God because he believeth in Jesus Christ the Righteous Thirdly The many Mansions in my Fathers House silence our dissenting Brethren For want of comformit Reverend and Beloved Many of us deal
once undertake his Service God inviteth them from earth to Heaven by his bounty Surely He who [33] 1 Tim. 5.17 Psalm 72.6 Deut. 8.18 Psalm 52.9 Joel 2.23 compared with Deut 32.2 can afford such abundance of all outward blessings unto these Sons of Belial hath unsearchable Riches in store for his adopted children Yea God draweth these prosperous sinners with the cords of a man he would if they would themselves overcome them with [34] Psalm 73.12 Rom 2.4 Esay 55.10 kindnesse he would by temporal mercies [35] John 1. ◠50 Jerem. 5.24 encourage them to taste of spiritual now if Jesurum [36] Deut. 32.15 therefore kick because he waxeth fat if he scorn [37] Psalm 49.6 62.10.52.7 Heaven because he hath the world at will if he disclaim [38] Job 33.4 12.10 Acts 17.28 the breath of the Almighty because by the help of the Almighty he lives breaths and hath his very being if the more good God giveth him the more [39] Phil. 3.19 Psalm 62.10 11 ungodly he maketh himself is it possible that this wretch should have no trouble of heart I tell you it is [40] Eccles 1.14 impossible Since nothing [41] Psalm 16.2 compared with Psalm 62.5 6 7 can satisfie the heart of man under that God who made mans heart it is impossible that any heart which despiseth God [42] Job 22.21 Esay 48.22 compared with Rom. 8.9 and with Gen. 17.1 can rest satisfied A prosperous sinner hath [43] Psalm 73.7 all that heart can wish true but the trouble of his heart is his heart is [44] Psalm 14.3 2 Tim. 3.4 Rom. 1.31 Col. 3.5 Gal. 5.24 a meer slave to his own unruly passions He liveth at [45] Zech. 1.15 Amos 6.1 ease you will say yea but he [46] Jer. 9.5 wearieth himself to work wickednesse There is no end of his Riches true but either his [47] Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia cresci◠covetous mind abideth unsatiable or else his prodigal soul knoweth not how to [48] Phil. 4.12 abound No marvail then if the heart of prosperous sinners be troubled for their very prosperity [49] Pro. 1.32 is their destraction give Alexander more worlds to conquer or he [50] Aestnat infae'ix augusto limine mundi will weep poor soul The rich God sendeth [51] Isa 29.8 empty away Prosperous sinners [52] Jam. 4.2 lust and have not they have and yet they lust They are just like [53] Pro. 2.15 compared with Job 5.13 and with Pro. 21.8 16.27 our children in coats then most froward then most unquiet when least under tuition Give a Child his self-will and the whole house is too little to hold him just so let an ungodly wretch blesse himself in the jollity of his ignorance in the madnesse of his Riot in the beastlinesse of a carnal life or in the pomp and vanity of a sinful world and he turneth every whit as (54) 1 Cor. 11.7 14 monstrous as the peri-wiggs of hair which many Ruffians now adayes affect to trouble their heads and hide their shoulders with Foolish creature he is troublesome to [55] Vides convivium peccatoris interroga ejus conscientiam Nonne gravius omnibus foetet sepulchris Intueris laetitiam ejus salubritatem miraris corporis filiorum atque opum abundantiam introspice ulcera vibices animae ejus Ambros offic l. 1. c. 12. himself so phantastical that what apish apparel to shackle himself with he consulteth his Taylors folly so luxurious that of what Dish to eat of what Wine to quaffe neither his gluttony nor his drunkennesse can resolve him Passe time he would but cannot sleep at night till he hath determined what needlesse sport shall rob him of the morrow Mind him of his wealth and unlesse he may insult oppresse covet or fool away as well his Revenues as his health Reputation and Time he is no body as he [56] Si dicam jucunditas incipit homini occurrere talis jucundil as qualem solet habere in poculis in prandiis in avaritiâ in honoribus saeculi Extol'untur enim homines laetitiâ quâdam insaniunt sed non est gaudere impiis dicit Dominus Augustin thinketh To conclude well may the heart of a prosperous sinner be troubled since Pride swelleth and paineth him Idlenesse distracteth wearieth him Worldlymindednesse cloyeth and choaketh him alas he is sick of himself his heart is troubled meerly for want of troubles and y etlet him know though all the flames of Hell heat that iron hot [57] 2 Tim. 4.2 wherwith he seareth his shipwracked conscience though his conscience wax so [58] Rom. 2.15 unnatural that it neglect to accuse for particular sins yet in the general his heart [59] 1 John 3.20 condemneth him he hath within himself the sentence of death eternal no favour he deserveth and none he expecteth I say the expectation of the wicked is [60] Pro. 11.23 wrath wrath to come and even in this sense his heart is troubled I say as the Spirit of God witnesseth [61] Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 1.22 5.5 unto the Believer that he is [62] Ephes 4.30 sealed unto the day of Redemption so the Spirit of wickednesse witnesseth unto him who doeth despite unto the Spirit of Grace that he hath [63] Jer. 7.19 John 3.18.36 Heb. 10.27 rejected God unto his own everlasting destruction Secondly If no sin saith (1) St. Augustin de Civitate dei lib. 1. cap. 7. St. Augustine If no sin were openly punished in this world the Divine Justice would not be believed Beloved this is one reason why the same God who passeth by some fool-hardy Unbelievers with a (2) Jer. 2.19 severe neglect maketh other Unbelievers daily (3) Ezek. 30.16 examples of his displeasure As the Almighty fatteth some Bulls of Basan against his last (4) Zeph. 3.8 slaughter As by way of stratagem the Lord of Hosts (5) 1 Kings 22.22 1 Pet. 2.9 permitteth some Rebells to march (6) Psalm 73.4 5 securely over the very pit of Hell it self ere ever he set fire unto his (7) Psalm 9.17 train of Gun-powder As the indignation of the provoked God doth in (8) Hos 4.17 Matth. 15.14 mere wrath forbear till Doomes-day before he punish some so he walketh as contrary unto others as (9) Levit. 26.23 24 40.41 Esay 28.19 they walk contrary unto him He giveth them to understand that every Creature is ready to avenge their Creatours quarrel against them if he once speak the word If God saith (10) Num. 32.23 Surely your iniquities shall find you out full soon shall the iniquities of their heels (11) Psalm 49.5 overtake them All the worldly wisdome sinners upon earth have shall not (12) Deut. 29.19 30 31 out-wit Gods all-seeing Justice and if God so please the world shall (13) Ezek. 5.8 be made to know it If God see cause
to (14) Pro. 13.11 Psalm 33.10 punish such a person with scarcity in vain shall the Defrauder Oppressour or Thief heap up unjust gains If God cast but half (15) Deut. 28.20 an eye upon his Babel in vain doth the Worldling build high comforts upon his sandy Foundation If God (16) Esay 10.26 1 Sam. 26.19 1 Kings 11.14 23 compared with Prov. 16.7 stir up the Spirit of his Prince of his Kinred of his Family of his truest Friends against him in vain doth the man-pleaser trust in the arm of flesh No marvail then if the recompence of vanity be vexation of spirit no wonder if they that sow the wind reap the whirlewind if they who provoke God provoke him (17) Jer. 25.7 to their own hurt Every affliction which exerciseth a gracious Soul is grievous for the present how much more judgement for sin as judgement If God (18) Levit. 26.19 break the pride of mans power man shall soon (19) Levit. 26.39 pine away in his iniquity If when sinners turn from the Lord the Lord will not (20) Num. 14.43 be with them the sound of a shaken leaf shall (21) Lev. 26.36 chase them To the impenitent sinner God can if it suit with his glory make every expected Refuge pricks in the eyes and thorns in the side He can so often as pleaseth both (23) Levit. 26.16 appoint terrour and cause sorrow Foolish persons are plagued (24) Psalm 107.17 by reason of their offences Now if God will by his temporal judgements (25) Ezek. 38.23 magnifie himself and sanctifie himself that he may be (26) Ezek. 39.23 known in the eyes of the Nations there is nothing more natural then that he who suffereth for his sins should finde (27) Psalm 39.11 trouble of heart Let his heart be troubled Thirdly Who so doth what is Right but not with an upright mind hath a mind to be troubled If Machiavel hath the policy to attain not vertue it self but the appearance of vertue I rather pity thed envy him fool that he is while he fancieth the exercise of Vertue burdensom but the credit of it beneficial he is a contradiction unto himself Pusillanimity [1] Omnis compositio indigentiae cujusdam videtur esse particeps not discretion drave him upon these shifts Where the heart is divided it is [2] Hos 10.2 forthwith found faulty even unto it self Reason telleth us that in one and the same bosome a [3] Psal 12.2 heart and a heart can never agree together if the double-minded man be unstable [4] James 1.8 in all his wayes it is impossible his thoughts should be stablished He hath no [5] 2 Pet. 3.17 stedfastnesse of his own and must therefore expect to continue unsetled Besides The Hypocrites attempt is of all undertakings the most irksome The behaviour of other persons is [6] Magìs ingenuè Peribonius like their Apparel suitable and habitual but this mans carriage is like that of a [7] Suasit jam olim Valla bypocritam Latinè reddendum esse histrionem Sculcet in Matth. 6.5 Stage-player therefore forced because mimical Again He can never enjoy his freedome who walketh in a disguise for while he so walketh he ever and anon feareth to be discovered and moreover most equal it is that he should have vexation enough and enough who had rather please [8] Gal. 1.10 man then God Such a man his Conscience [9] Sêque unum clamet cansámque Caputque malorum 1 John 3.20 accuseth him because he wittingly seemeth what he is not and again the same conscience condemneth him because he seemeth not what he is Once more Whoso would bear the world in hand that he hateth what he vehemently loveth and that he loveth what he vehemently hateth may well complain of trouble of heart for he is his own Tormentor Knowledge [10] Pro. 14.6 is easie to him that understandeth and unto him who like his God affecteth plain-dealing and faithfulnesse sincerity is pleasant but oh the Vnquothnesse of an hypocritical conversation To forbear sin not out of conscience but out of craft to perform duties not out of obedience but out of subtilty to force [11] Invitâ Minervâ for ignoti nulla cupido ones self upon mock-reading mock-hearing mock-praying mock-praising c. I say to be religious meerly for profit or ostentation to walk [12] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Echic as it were spiritually on a carnal accompt to professe a form of that godlinesse which the Soul naturally abhorreth to boast of heaven and dread hell to pretend a love toward God and to [13] To him that would not depart from iniquity the name of Christ must needs be terrible nor can he who serveth divers lusts serve God in sincerity and with hopes of acceptance wish in the mean while that there were no God these these are servitudes which the Devil himself was never subjected unto Hell is ignorant of these torments The Hypocrite is so very a fool that he thinketh to out-wit the only wise God I conclude therefore that until he [14] Ut dometur homo Deus quaeratur Aug. Tom. 10. Serm. 4. de verbis Domini at length convince his understanding that God is infinitely wiser then He it can be no marvail if his pragmatical heart be troubled Lastly Sometimes the wise and gracious God doth (1) Esay 1.5 Jer. 10.24 humble soften and prepare at least he would humble soften and prepare a soul for grace by giving unto it a sorrow of heart first whether (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato the person were formerly as prosperous as prophane or as unprosperous as hypocritical Manasses (3) 2 Kings 21.6 2 Chron. 33.12 13 19 compared with the prayer of Manasses was stormed from a spirit of divination unto a spirit of bondage from a spirit of bondage unto a spirit of liberty Thus if the heart of unbelief be not in justice troubled that trouble may (4) Rom. 9.17 22 fit it for destruction it is in mercy troubled that troubles may fit it for conversion What our Lord doth that we know not now but hereafter (5) John 13.7 we shall know He who hath mercy upon whom he will and (6) Rom. 9.18 hardneth whom he will weigheth (7) 1 Sam 2.3 Quem locum de divin's cogitationibus à proposito nunquam deficientibus intelligant Thâ—odor Symmach Vatabl. Cajdan Pagnin Fraa de Men. doza actions He at this present provideth for the future storeth up sometimes vengeance sometimes mercies decreeth that before all Worlds which either his severity or his loving kindnesse determineth to accomplish in (8) Acts 2.23 dayes yet to come Sirs is any thing (9) Gen 18.14 too hard for God Such yea such is the unsearchable goodnesse of the most High that the self-same prosperities the self-same adversities which formerly hardened may (10) Hoc enim est
the seed the spawn of all uncleannesse and wickednesse soever It was not it could not be unknown unto the most holy Jesus how that Peter would deny him or how that these other disciples would all of them forsake him Fore-known unto Him it was prevented by him it was not Behold O Lord our Redeemer Thou hast dyed for sin and yet sin abideth in us Thou hast called us unto holinesse and yet we have no inherent holinesse at all alas we continue above measure sinfull Lord if thou wilt thou [3] Luke 5.12 canst make us clean Our seet thou hast washed Why [4] John 13.9 not also our hands and our head But [5] Gen. 32.10 beggers must not be their own chusers Oh wherefore doth living man [6] Lam. 3.39 22 complain What is dust and ashes that any thought of his [7] Jer. 18.6 Rom. 9.20 should at all reply against his King and his God Secret [8] Deut. 29.29 causes why while we are in the flesh sin dwelleth in us belong unto Him We may finde comfort from the reasons which he [9] Rom. 15.4 hath revealed whether in regard of himself or in regard of us 1. In regard of himself The glory of all his Attributes 1. While He as he is God the Father 1 Comfort taketh occasion to reconcile his justice unto his mercy c. in creating light out of darknesse good out of evil order out of confusion peace out of guilt grace out of sin and out of dishonour his most [1] Psal 35.27 34.3 40.16 Luke 1.46 Phil. 1.20 Eph. 1.10 12 unsearchable Glory 2. 2 Comfort While as he is God the Son Son of the Father and Son of man too he magnifieth that [1] John 5.27 compared with Prov. 29.2 and Job 36.22 authority which the Father hath put into his hands All power was [2] Matth. 28.18 1 Cor. 15.27 given unto Him and it is fit that [3] Matth. 28.28 Prov. 8.22 30 the world should know it In the work of his Creation he [4] John 1.3 Heb. 1.2 sheweth himself a free agent forming many Creatures quite void of life many capable of life among living creatures he giveth unto some a power vegetative as that of Herbs Trees c. but not sensible to others as that of brutes a power both vegetative and sensible but not rational but unto mankind he giveth a power vegetative sensible and [5] Gen. 1.27 reasonable too Just thus the Son of man to shew how absolutely his elect Vessels are [6] Eph. 1.22 Phil 1.10 Revel 4.11 at his pleasure His pleasure is that man before his souls conversion [7] Rom 11.32 Gal. 3.22 should abide void of all grace but full of all sin and should after his souls dissolution [8] Phil. 3.21 1 Cor. 15.42 remain void of all sin but filled with all grace but should be from his souls conversion to his souls dissolution [9] Gal. 5.17 divided between sin assaulting and Grace assisting 3. 3 Comfort While as he is God the [1] 1 Joh. 5.7 Holy Ghost he keepeth man [2] Jude 24 from falling raiseth man [3] Psalm 145.14 Rom. 8.11 when fallen The preserver of men delighteth [4] Prov. 8.3 in the habitable parts of the earth and since this is his will even [5] 1 Thes 4.3 our sanctification He will not fail of his Will if we [6] Cal. 6.8 his Vessels be not wanting unto our own selves 2. In regard of us He glorifieth himself many wayes by our inherent sin as 1. 1 Comfort The demeanour of Gods Children under their corruptions (1) Job 1.8 22 Deut. 32.5 Phil. 2.15 16 justifieth the severity of God against Reprobates We are Gods witnesses Are Vnbelievers sinfull so are sound Believers but (2) 1 Sam. 24 10 Psalm 32.5 51.3 Zeph. 3.5 Jer. 3.3 6.15 Esay 44.9 66.5 Ezek. 16.61 43.11 2 King 22.19 not with that high hand not with that greedinesse not with the like presumption fearlesnesse shamelesnesse or impenitency When we commit evil there is sooner or later some regret some remorse some compunction some mis-givings in our consciences St. Peter (2) Matth. 27.75 weepeth out of the Hall he getteth he avoideth the like temptations again The Disciples forsake Christ but the Disciples hearts are troubled Alas (3) John 14.1 sinfull (4) 1 John 1.8 we are but this is one comfort yet viz. The (5) Deut. 33.29 haters of God shall be found lyars They shall not say we (6) 1 John 3.3 take that pleasure in our evil doings which the unbeliever taketh 2. 2 Comfort Our continual guilt ever remembreth us [1] Rom. 6.23 Lam. 3.39 Psalm 103.3 4 from what everlasting burnings we are rescued Unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thy sins are forgiven thee If the men of Jabesh must lose every one their right eyes [2] 1 Sam. 11. 2 compare v. 9 with 2 Sam. 2.4 it must be because their lives were given unto them for a prey The Lords mercy it is [3] Heb. 12.29 that we are not eternally consumed 3. 3 Comfort Our corruptions mind us from what an (1) Psalm 51.6 Exod. 12.8.11 compared with Exod. 1.14 12 39 excessive sinfulnesse we are delivered Slay them not lest (2) Psalm 59.11 my people forget it Are the imaginations of our heart evil continually evil Blessed be our God that they are not (3) 2 Cor. 3.5 more evil I thank my God (4) Rom. 7.25 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 4. 4 Comfort Our sins teach us (1) Rom. 12.9 Acts 11.23 Jer. 13.11 Psalm 101.3 Josh 23.8 22.5 Deut. 10 20 21 11.22 13.4 18.13 28.47 58 30.20 self-denial for Who would serve divers lusts Who would love a false heart Who would maintain an enmity against holinesse Who would make provision for that flesh which warreth against his soul or cherish those affections which lust against the Spirit yea who would combine with Satan against God 5. 5 Comfort Our in-bred sin (1) Deut. 13.3 Gen. 22.12 Exod. 16.28 20.20 Deut 8.2 16.30.15 19.20 Judges 2.22 31 4. compared with Psalm 26.2 Rom. 12.2 8 6 2 Cor. 8 8 13.5 Gal. 6 4 5.25 James 2.27 3.18 Heb. 3.13 1 John 3.7 8 9.10.2.3 5.3.19 24.4.13 2 Pet. 1.10 Eph. 5.1 proveth us VVhat thanks is it unto the Sun that he daily runneth so even a course or that his beames are ever glorious just none at all for a necessity of Nature compelleth the Sun to be as he is and to do as he doth I say the Sun doth never run nor shine upon choyce But our God who worketh in us all our holy desires setteth before us as well evil as good that we (2) Dicet aliquis si Deus vellet isti boni essent sed melius voluit ut quod vellent essent August may have the comfort of chusing the better part Since God
he could not be said Exod. 32.8 unto the work of his hands Thou art my God Hâ—s 14.3 impose upon God without the intermediating righteousnesse of Jesus Christ offereth not prayses but affronts not thanksgivings but provocations The water which he bringeth he [15] Job 14.4 poureth forth of an unclean vessel the fruit which he tendereth he tendereth [16] Tit. 1.15 with a left hand with a left hand lame and leprous the prayer which he sacrificeth is no more then the cutting off of a dogs neck and his rejoycings are much like the shoutings of them who [17] Exod. 32.18 compared their glory unto a molten calfe Thus all the honour which God purchaseth from the heart refusing grace is only like unto that drudging work which just Masters [18] Quod faciunt contra voluntatâ—m Dei non impletur nisi voluntaâ— Dei Aug de praed Sanct. l. 1. c. 6. exact from their froward servants or much like those confessions which [19] Josh 7.19 Joshua extorted from accursed Achan like the assistance which wise Commanders squeeze from enemies taken in War else like that medicinal use which able Physitians make [20] As Philip of Macedon who made his enemies the Athenians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plutarch of dangerous poysons In a word without faith it is impossible to please God for whatsoever is not of faith is sin viz. notoriously short of that reasonable service which the pure God may justly expect from every person since every person hath reason enough to thirst after the holy Spirit of Christ Jesus Sirs from those that do or may understand that such a Spirit is to be sought but seek it not all the honour which the Lord procureth is [21] Rom. 2.8 Job 21.30 Jude 15. Prov. 16.4 Rom. 9.22 Just as the Artist turnâ—th the natural violence of sire winds and water unto profitable works of Art as forced as that which through his transcendent power and wisdome he raiseth unto himself out of the hardnesse of Pharaohs heart or which is the same out of Adams disobedience out of sin as sin and out of Devils as Devils Wherefore the Lord perswade you to pant after the holy Spirit that you may with simplicity of mind endeavour to glorifie your God Object To pant after the holy Spirit of the holy God is a work of Regeneration and we are no more able to regenerate our selves then to beget our own substance in our mothers womb Answ To regenerate our selves in our power it is not we are meerly passive in our spiritual as well as in our natural birth It is tho [1] Ut letum Deo detur hâ—minis voluntatem boaaâ— praeparat adjuvandam adjuvat praeparatam Aug. sole work the sole act of the Holy Ghost to create anew The more [2] Ut velimus sine nobis operatur Deus cum autem volumus nobiscum co-operatur S Aug. de grat lib. arbitr cap. 7 observance and the more thanks is due from us unto that Father of Lights who is of his own will so ready to beget us with his word of truth that we should be any of us regenerated by his Spirit Object Though the word preached be spiritual we are [1] Rom. 7 carnal and sold under sin we are natural and [2] 1 Cor. 2 savour not the things of God Answ Naturally (1) Ratâ—o communionum opinionum consilii coelestis incapax hoc solum putat in naturâ rerum esse quod aut intra se intelligit aut praestare possit ex sese Hillar de Trin. lib. 1. we savour not the things that are of God but this we may do a natural man may be strength of reason so much as in him lyeth with humility and earnestnesse endeavour to know and taste of God as God is now manifested in his works and Word He may with (2) Plangendae tenebrae in quibus me mea facultas latet Aug. confess l. 10. cap. 32. the greatest of diligence he can observe and do the Will of God unto him in the holy Scriptures revealed As One most unworthy of so great a Treasure he may in a constant use of holy Ordinances wait for the (3) Luke 24.49 spirit of Promise moving causes for which the Spirit of grace is vouchsafed these are not Antecedent duties in which this Spirit is vouchsafed they are I say upon these waters of knowledge the Spirit delighteth to move Would a lost sinner patiently wait in the use of these appointed meanes should he never receive the Holy Ghost yet still he had done what in him lay he had submitted unto Christs Scepter he had glorified his God to his power he had made the best of a lost condition But the Scripture offereth more grace He that is faithful in a little natural abilities shall be entrusted with (4) Luke 119.17 16 16.10 gifts above nature True (5) See Mantoâ— upon James 2.4 confound nature with grace we may not sinful man may not justle the holy God may not reckon himself a co-adjutor in that wherein God will have the (6) See Bishop Reynolds Joy in the Lord in quarto mihi pag. 24. Videatur etiam Animalis homo habitus à D. D. Edvardo Reynoldo sole glory Mean while as we desire with all possible humility to acknowledge that the holy Spirit of the great God is infinitely a free Agent free as the wind which bloweth where it listeth so we are bound with all possible gratitude to confesse that this free Spirit hath tyed himself up * Deus promitteado se facit debitorem unto the truth of his Promises wherefore we dare not but expect to (7) Esay 64.5 meet God in those wayes wherein his free goodnesse hath appointed us to find him Saith one (8) Mr. Tillian a Dately of Banbury in his New Birth cap. 9. mihi p. 103. God hath appointed certain things to be done by men which they that will not refuse to do may do and the which they that shall do shall be Regenerate For saith (9) ibid. Neverthelesse Paedissequa noa praevia volantas saith St. Aug. Epist 106. he There is a common work of Illumination which so maketh way for Regeneration that it putteth into man a power of doing that which when he shall do the Spirit of God shall mightily work within him provided alwayes that he damp not the present motions of the Word and Spirit of God with procrastinations and delayes It is much-what in Regeneration by the Spirit as it is in generation of the flesh the fruit of Sarahs womb is expresly the gift of God but there was first a generation before a conception As to expect the fruit of the womb without generation so to expect the Regenerating Spirit without the use of meanes were to tempt nay to contradict and to controle the wise God Object The wind bloweth where it listeth Answ Most true it is that the blessed Spirit sanctifieth (1) John
house Compare 2 Sam. 13.6 with Psa 41.3 Cant. 1.13.2.6 make my bed Let my Beloved stay me with flagons or comfort me with apples and I 'le most willingly be (34) A weck together at Sir Thomas Overburies house Compare 2 Sam. 13.5 sick of love Let Saul encrease his fury it mattereth not so long as Jonathans heart is knit to David the more (35) 1 Sam. 20.4 Davids troubles encrease the more Jonathans loving (36) crescent illae crescetis amores kindnesses appear Good God In all our afflictions thou [37] Isa 63.9 art afflicted Can Heaven it self yield unto us many larger matters of thankfulnesse then this Blessed are they that [38] Rev. 14.13 rest from their labours I deny it not mean while I add Blessed are they who lead a [39] Mat. 5.4 heavy life viz. They shall still be praysing thy Spirit the [40] Joh. 14.16 Comforter thy Son saying in my Text Let not your heart be troubled and thy Self the [41] 2 Cor. 1.3 father of mercies Who hath none to still him may weep his eyes out but we know [42] 2 Tim 1.12 in whom we have believed The Rabbins [43] Elias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reckon twenty sorts of thorns mentioned in the old Testament were those twenty and twenty more in our sides the blood of the new Testament would [44] 2 Cor. 12.9 draw them forth unto the prayse and glory of the Testator Thorough our thanksgiving for many deliverances the [45] 2 Cor. 4.15 Christus Dominus veluti medicus anima rum summus ad curandum grav's ani ni morbos permittit electos suos morbis corporum graviter affligi Eâ— quod plus est ad curandum majora crimina permittit in cidere in minora etiam mortalia D. Tho. in 2 Cor. 12. lect 3. abundant grace will redound to the glory of God Ye who mourn in Zion seven-fold are your opportunities of glorifying God as God and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way We shall in Heaven [1] Rom. 8 17 2 Tim. 2.12 reign with Christ true but that which is on our part the [2] Acts 20.35 more blessed is this We here in this Kingdom of grace have the honour not only to [3] Rom. 5.17 rule with Christ but also to [4] Rom. 8.17 Acts 5.41 Phil. 3.10 Col. 1.24 suffer with Christ said Thomas [5] John 11.16 Let us also go that we may dye with him Brethren I protest by our rejoycing which we have in Christ Jesus our Lord we may with him [6] 1 Cor. 15.31 Non decent sub spinoso capite membra esse delicata dye daily There is an Elixar in ever godly mans sorrow This Kingdome of grace hath a Chimique power it extracteth Oyl out of Flints Silver out of Lead Gold out of Brass it sweeteneth the bitterest [7] Aâ—deo dicere superhis esse utile cadere in aliquod apertum manisestumque peccatum unde sibi displiceant quijam sibi placeddo ceciderant sâ—abrias eniâ— Petrus sibi displicuit quandâ— sleviâ— quam sibi placuit quandâ— praesumpsit August de civitate Dei l. 14 c. 13. Wormwood consecrateth every cross spiritualizeth every tribulation maketh whatsoever we suffer a suffering with Christ Ignatius his love was crucified and so is [8] Gal. 2.20 6.14 ours Beloved this is a matter worthy our thanksgiving a happinesse peculiar unto this present life that to us it is [9] Phil. 1.29 GIVEN to suffer with Christ a Talent which into the future Kingdom of glory we may in no wise carry with us Once more There is [1] Esay 45.3 a promise of Treasures of darknesse Oh Sirs The dark grief for the [2] Eph. 4.18 darknesse of ignorance the darknesse of [3] Jer. 13.16 sorrow for sin and every other darknesse of [4] Lom 3.6 affliction doth in This kingdome of Heaven bring forth Treasures which Treasures the holy Angels cannot but we sinners [5] Psalm 51.3 17 32.5 2 Cor. 7.10 12 Esay 57.15 66.20 Rom. 10.10 Dan. 9.10 Ezra 10.1 may and do dedicate unto our God Although they have in Heaven no such passions as anger indignation hatred fear sim of these Priviledges We partake In our [6] Eph. 6.12 warfare against sin and Satan these passions these spiritual [7] 2 Cor. 10.4 weapons we use and for them blessed be our God It is matter well worthy our most unfeigned thanksgivings that we have by these our [8] Heb. 5.14 senses (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 exercised unto godliness Worldly and carnally minded persons have such passions but no [10] 1 John 2.15 Rom. 8.9 godlinesse the Saints departed have a godliness but no [11] 1 Cor. 15.52 such passions whereas we of the kingdome of grace participate of both esteeming the exercise of godlinesse a [12] Acts 24.16 1 Tim. 4.7 8 Psalm 119.47 great refreshment a delightful recreation a ravishing delight After death it will be too too late to [13] Isa 25.8 attempt humiliation contrition sorrow self-denial repentance c. Let not your heart be troubled taketh no place within the mansions in my Fathers house we cannot [14] Revel 7.17 21.4 shed teares in Heaven we cannot sacrifice [15] Joel 2.13 Psalm 51.17 a sorrowful spirit in Heaven Friends this matter for our thanksgiving which here we in the Kingdome of grace daily rejoyce in they in the kingdome of glory have not Christians Let us [16] Joel 56.8 42.3 Jeb 16.20 Esay 38.5 Jerem. 9.1 Lam. 2.18 Mal. 2.13 Luke 7.38.44 Acts 20.19.31 2 Tim. 1.4 bottle up teares for Heaven while we may let us weep for our sins committed let us mourn for him whom [17] Zech 12.10 we have pierced while we yet may Teares and blood these are the white and red colours the [18] Gal. 6.14 Rom. 1.16 Matth. 16.24 Domine hic da mihi poenitentiam postea indulgentiam Fulgentius flourishing trophies peculiar not unto the Church triumphant but unto the Church militant oh that with religious sighs and loving teares we could daily glorifie our God as God! Hitherto of the Moon [1] Revel 12.1 under our feet now of the [2] Revel 1.16 Sun over our heads hitherto of the [3] Jer. 32.27 God of all flesh now of the Father of [4] Heb. 12.9 Spirits hitherto of the body which is [5] Matth. 6.24 more then raiment now of what the Lord hath [6] Psalm 66.16 done for our soules for in the kingdome of grace duly considered these are the [7] 2 Cor. 4.18 non inferiora secutus most principal points worthy our thanksgiving in these distinctly we glorifie God as God If from that consolation Let not your heart be troubled we have found so plentiful matter of thanksgivings what may we expect from the reason and ground of that consolation Ye believe in God believe also in me Few there are who [1] Rari
Gospel these very persons [21] Luke 6.13 he ordained to be His Apostles and Embassadors 6. Lastly VI. Reply Believers (1) Like Nicostratus in Aelian have another eye to view such Pictures with then disquiet spirits have In this Text very faulty our persons spoken unto are their hearts are overcharged with care they have little or no Faith in Christ they sin against heaven nevertheless their Master you see harboureth (2) Compare John 13.38 with Luke 22.16 and Mar. 16.7 against them no discontents forgiveth all maketh the best of all yea he here preventeth their trouble He doth not despise but pity not reject but assist their persons So many of you as are followers of Christ like dear Children Let the same (3) Eâ que nque ansâ prehendas quâ commodè teneri potest Epictetus mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus If we your Ministers err like men that is like these Apostles let this stir up in you not your corruptions but your Graces Ye will not therefore dash your feet against (4) Mat. 16.18 these stones Happily we your Ministers are therefore permitted to follow these persons here spoken to in their defects that ye our Congregations may have the praise of imitating the person here speaking in His perfections With joy may we draw (5) Isa 12.3 waters from these Wells of salvation if ye thus roll away the stone from your (6) Zech. 13.1 fountains (7) Jer. 15.19.2 Of their Prelacy mouth So long as friendship with the world is enmity against God so long will humane obstinacy be (1) Joh. 15.19 20.16.33 wounding Godliness Some whom natural light daunteth from opening their mouths immediately against God himself make bold and (2) Numb 16.3.11 spare not to ease their spleen upon Gods chosen Prest-hood as the Law so the (3) Jude 11. Gospel shall never want for such as unawares to themselves second the gain-sayings of Corah Let our Clergy mourn or pipe fast with the Baptist or feast with their Lord yet still as the (4) Isa 8.14 Master himself abideth a rock of offence to every unregenerate person so abideth his Minister too Before the Repairer of our breach had (5) See Dr. Washburn his 1661. May 29. Serm. upon Isa 58.12 prosperously disappointed them who took the Houses of God into their possession the rock of offence then was that the consecrated Levite was and alas he was made the very Off-scouring of his people Now that great Mountain cannot stand before our Zerubbabel the prejudice the scandal now taken is that the self same Levite is no longer continued the Scum and Off-scouring of his people that is the (6) Mal. 3.9 Deut. 12.19 Reproach and Guilt of his brethren He is now envied as too great or too rich or both Might some men prevail the person here speaking in this Text should have been neither Melchizedec nor the son of David no King of the Jews by birth nor High-Priest by Calling nor should his immediate servants his immediate successors in the work of his Ministry have received either Dignity or Revenue whereas that ineffable felicity which we do all of us partake from our Head Christ Jesus who so often as he pleased did in the days of his flesh in all holiness and wisdom exercise the power to him committed may seem unto me at least to justifie unto the Ministers of his Gospel both Dignities and Revenues First I see this holy Jesus blessed for ever 1. In Dignities anointed in the days of his flesh (1) Psal 45.7 above his fellows yet not ashamed to call them brethren I see him owning a (2) Joh. 10.16 Plurality but it is for the benefit of his Church I see him receiving (3) Mat. 2.11.21.5 Homage Presents and Triumphs yet still he ceaseth not to deny himself I see him (4) Heb. 8.6 dignified nay (5) Joh. 13.31 glorified mean while he taketh up his Cross all power was (6) Mat. 2.2.28.18 committed unto him nevertheless He so used (7) Joh. 18.36 Luke 9.58 this world as though he used it not An (8) Heb. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.25 Arch Bishop he is and blessed be God that he is such A Rabbi he (9) Joh. 1.38 was and therefore a (10) Joh. 3.2 Rabbi because a Teacher sent from God They called him (11) Joh. 13.13 Lord Lord but so far was he from lording it over Gods Inheritance that I advise you learn of him for he is meek Ye see now that a Samuel a Jehoiadah a Jesus may be a good Priest yet a good Ruler too Ye perceive that let a Preacher of Righteousness keep close unto the (12) In ea regula incedimus quam Ecclesia ab Apostolis Apostoli à Christo Christus à Deo accepit Tertul. de Praes c. 37. example of Christ Jesus and make him rich make him great give him a Plurality make him a Doctor make him a Prelate make him a Bishop make him a Lord Bishop make him a Lord Arch Bishop yet still the zeal of Gods house eateth him up His feet still not only continue but appear beautiful upon the mountains and He himself not only appeareth but continueth a Pastour according unto (13) Prov. 22.11 his King yea according unto his (14) Jer. 3.15 Gods own heart Trample not upon Aarons Rod for it (15) Num. 17.5 flourisheth Secondly 2. In Revenues I need not entitle the person or persons in my Text unto Church-Revenues where methinketh they defend themselves and have methinketh warrant so to do 1. First From the light of Nature Ask a Heathen what he (1) Videas quae Selden de Dits Syris Syatag 1. c. 4 c. 6. Syntag 2. c. 17. Videas Dan. 3. 1. Hos 2.8 Act. 19.24 can do what he can part with in service to his false gods The blinder his devotion the more mayest thou see Next From the (2) Ex. Le Num. Law of Moses for my part I cannot conceive that God who requireth Faith Purity and Sincerity as well under the (3) Isa 1.11 Law as under the Gospel God whose Spirit and Truth is opposed not (4) Mede on John 4.23 unto the Beauty but (5) 2 Cor. 3 8 11. unto the Ceremony of Levitical Rites I say I cannot conceive that this wise God who was so sumptuous in the (6) Heb. 10.1 shadow will have the substance less (7) Gen. 14.20 2 Chro. 29.31 costly Take in the third place Examples of good men He harpeth on another string then (8) 2 Sam 7.2.24.24 1 Kin. c. 5. c 6. c. 7. would David he maketh himself wiser then was Solomon who esteemeth any part of this worlds wealth too excellent for Gods Temple Fourthly From Evangelical (9) Isa 61.6 60 6 7 9. Deut. 33.19 compared with Mat. 4.15 Predictions these therefore promise unto us affluence of temporal blessings because plenty of
a successful marriage Authority they have to proclaim a [2] 1 Cor. 5.8 Isa 25 6. Solemn Festival and to espouse believers unto the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Yea lest the sons of men should not duly esteem the servants of the living God lest the persons spoken unto in my Text should otherwise want of a Reception answerable unto the Majesty of him whom they represent the Lord of Glory vouchsafeth to entitle them not only his Ministers but his Embassadours not only his Embassadours but his Angels Mean while such is if not our Inheritance our lot from this accreaseth one more stumbling stone a stone cast between Christians as Clergy and Laity The Laity so called for discrimination sake the Clergy so called for divers reasons One the Priest-hood once a part of (1) Gen. 25.31 the birth-right of the first born was [2] Deut. 10.8 9. 1 Sam. 2.28 29. afterward allotted unto a peculiar Tribe Another whereas Moses and Joshua divided the promised land among the other Tribes God himself (3) Num. 18.20 21. Josh 13.33 Ezek. 44.48 allotted unto the Levites their Inheritance A third the first (4) Act. 1.26 Cleros autem vel Clericos hinc appellatos Doctores nostri dicunt quia ut Matthias sorte clectus est sic omnes quos illis temporibus Ecclesiacum Principes ordinabant sorte eligebant Isidor de Officiis Eccles l. 2 c. 1. Successors of these Apostles here spoken unto were all of them chosen by casting of lots A fourth because God who still provideth for them God who taketh pleasure in the prosperity of his servants is still their (5) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 10.9 Clâ—â—icus dictus est quia de sorte Dornini vel quia Domiaus sors pars Clericoâ—um Papias inheritance and lot From some or all of these reasons it is that the (6) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas Ministers of Christ have from (7) From before Anno Dom. 160. Platina Primitive times been stiled the Clergy nor is this practice more ancient then iunocent For 1. The same God which separated the (1) Deut. 10.8 Levites separateth his Apostles to (2) Acts 13.2 Rom. 1.1 Gal. 1.15 minister unto him 2. While Christ chuseth to himself a (1) 1 Cor. â— 1 Ministery he (2) 1 Cor. 12.4 28. Ephes 4.11 12. giveth it as a Help and Benefit to his Church 3. The Holiness of our Profession we deny not but we claim unto our persons no other holiness or heaven then what the God of Grace indifferently vouchsafeth as well unto you as unto us in the same sense that there is neither bond nor free neither Male nor Female there is neither Clergy nor Laity for we are all one in Christ Jesus If while ye give diligence to walk worthy the Lord in your Callings we in our Callings neglect so to do as St. Augustine admiring Antonius told (1) Surgunt indocti coelum rapiunt nos cum doctrinis nostris sine corde ecce ubi volutamur in carne sanguine Alipius We Clergy-men may perish in Hell while ye no Clergy-men become Kings and Priests unto God in Heaven 4. There is one God one Saviour one Maker and Father of us all who is above us all among us all and in us all As well Laity as Clergy we have all of us one Lord one Faith one Baptism yea and one (1) Simul hoc sumimus simul bibimus quia simul vivimus S. August de Con. dist 22. Quia passus Tam Ministri qnam reliqui credentes Paschasius Munus oblatum totius populi sit quia in uno pane omnes significantur St. Ambros in 1 Cor. 11. Lords Supper too 5 Lastly As we are bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh so we are one (1) Ephes 4.4 1 Cor. 12.13 spirit We have a spiritual Communion Clergy with Laity Laity with Clergy both together making up that one Mystical body whereof Christ is the head so are we members one of another that this discrimination of Clergy and Laity like that in our English Diadem of the white and red Rose causeth not difference but Vnion I say it doth but mind us of the Vnity of the Spirit speaking not only our Peace but our Happiness While what diversity we have like that of the corner stones in the Temple is therefore such that it may the more strengthen the spiritual Building of God Wherefore we of the Clergy beseech you of the Laity that there be no strife between you and us for we are brethren Our Lord and Master is not ashamed to call you brethren much less we his servants yea we your servants for his sake We repute you not Ethnick or Heathen but The Laity the people of God Examples we would be Strangers we would not be unto Believers And ye brethren as without holiness ye cannot see God so without Peace ye cannot cherish Holiness a body so fitly joyned together as this (1) Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 body of Christ is then best edifieth it self when it most encreaseth in love When in sincerity we pray that God would save you his people and ye petition That God would bless us (2) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His inheritance When ye pray for us That we may be indued with Righteousness and we for you That ye may be spiritually joyful this is mutually a pledge to us all that God would give unto us clean hearts and will not with-hold his spirit from us Beloved It is our joy that while we are a chosen Ministery ye are a chosen Generation Our joy that while we are a royal Priest-hood ye are a peculiar people On the other side unto so many of you as acknowledge a God of (1) 1 Cor. 14.33 Order unto so many of you as seek (2) 1 Cor. 40. Decency and (3) Col. 2.5 Stedfastness the received distinction of Clergy and Lay-men will become not a Rock of Offence but a (4) 1 Cor. 11.16 Jer. 18.15 compared with Jer. 6.16 Monument of Antiquity Which Monument is such a foundation of Order and of Peace that I hope we shall (5) Isa 54.11 lay this foundation with Saphires If the word Clergy or the word Laity have through the Corruption abroad been made offences blessed be God such is our Reformation at home that we shall lay these stones formerly offences n (6) Ibid. fair colours whiles the discrimination it self like the stone (7) 1 Sa. 20.19 Ezel sheweth us the way viz. The Good old Way of Truth and of Peace Men Fathers and Brethren as it is (1) Isa 30.20 your blessing that your eyes may see us your Teachers as it is your blessing (2) Phil. 4.17 2 Cor. 9.8 that ye have a double honour for us so is it our burden our (3) Phil. 2.16 Luke 9.62 1 Cor. 9.16 17. humiliation that we are the Clergy Our true our spiritual happiness consisteth
74.20 every dark corner of thy [17] Jer. 17.9 deceitful heart with Gods [18] Zeph. 1.12 compared with Prov. 6.23 and Psal 119.9 105 candle mourn [19] Zech. 12.10 as well thou mayest for undoing thy self and for putting the ouly begotten of thy Father unto the expences of so much pains sufferings and blood This done [1] Mat. 26.41 fast and pray lest thou enter into temptations Let a deep a lasting [2] 1 Tim. 1.15 sense of thy vileness ever and anon pluck thee upon thy knees be often humbling [3] Jam. 4.9 10 thy self in the sight of that God whom thou hast so carelesly [4] Rev. 3.20 bloted out of doors be often mourning at the remembrances of those wounds wherewith thou (5) Zech. 12.10 compared with Phil. 3.10 hast peirced the very heart of thy truest friend grieve frequently (6) Eph. 4.30 for those unkind repulses which thou hast almost daily given unto the meek and Dove-like spirit even then when he attempted thy sanctification All this while be not (7) 2 Cor. 2.11 ignorant of Satans devices but counter-mine (8) Eph. 6.11 his stratagems expect his (9) Eph. 6.13 assaults and (10) Ibid. arm thyself as against an (11) 1 Pet. 5.8 enraged Devil for a hundred to one but being (12) Mark 9.26 forced to surrender his strong hold he will tear thy bosome cast thee down and mischief thee all he can One thing more if thou wouldest fight a (13) 2 Tim. 4.7 good fight have as little to do with (14) 2. Tim. 2.4 Heb. 12.1 1 Cor. 7.23 Phil. 3.13 the world as thou canst alas thou hast business enough and enough to set right all accompts between thy Redeemer and thy soul and having laid (15) Heb. 6.1 a good foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God reserve a jealous eye over thine unexperienced heart lest at any time that make the present (16) Psal 30.6 7. John 5.14 Psal 85.5 peace of thy conscience a snare and occasion unto future security In a word (17) Phil. 2.12 work out thy salvation with fear and trembling for (18) Heb. 10.26 if thou sin wilfully after thou hast received the knowledge of the truth thy last errour will be worse then (19) Mat. 12.45 thy first Be not weary (20) Gal. 6.9 of well-doing God (21) Jude 24. is able to keep thee from falling follow him and follow (22) Num. 14.24 him fully turn unto him with (23) Psal 119.2 Jer. 24.7 thy whole heart and the Lord perswade thee so to do as by others so by these following MOTIVES MOTIVE Motive 1. I. The Duty incumbent Many would accept of life did they fancy the (1) Luk. 1.74 75. terms the stone whereat they stumble is not God severity but Gods (2) 1 The. 4.3 Will they are jealous not of his fierce wrath but of his good (3) Psal 5.4 Rom. 12.1 pleasure they would seek his pardon could they avoid his [4] Psal 119.4 commands but be not thou thus ignorant Oh consider that although [5] Joh. 13.30 Mat. 27.4 5. Judas reject Christ still and still expect damnation yet still this neglect of his doth no [6] Deut. 28.58 whit exempt him from homage Dispair is no [7] Mat. 25.27 Mas 3.13 14 acquittance from duty whether we be good or evil [8] Mat. 4.10 Deut. 10.12 20 servants we are Will we nill we God is [9] Jer. 5.22 Mal. 1.6 Prov. 16.4 Lord over us and we whether we [10] 1 Tim. 4.16 save our selves or perish are bound [11] Jer. 10.7 to obey him Walk among all the spirits in [12] 1 Pet. 3.19 prison those souls in hell that are now suffering torments there they will all enform thee that had they obeyed more they had suffered less Were it utterly impossible for Judas to escape condemnation yet still it is his prudence to be as guiltless as he may be The reason is God [13] Mat. 16.27 rewardeth every one according to his works whether his works be fruits of faith unto holiness or of unbelief to unrighteousness Were I a Reprobate I would be beaten with as few stripes as I could but the [14] 1 Thes 5.9 2 Tim. 1.7 Scripture offereth more grace MOTIVE II. Motive 2. Mans perfection before his Fall When our late Rebellions grew monstrous and robbed us of the (1) K. Charles the Second Lam. 4.20 breath of our Nostrils forcing the (2) 1 Sam. 9.20 desire of our eyes to see many a sad day and to (3) 2 Tim. 2.3 endure hardness beyond the seas as (4) Mic. 7.8 dark as his afflictions were his (5) Isa 62.3 Diamond shined in the thickest cloud his serene Majesty reserved a lustre how low soever he was brought in worldly exigencies yet still he cherished within his royal bosome the soul of a King how deserted so ever he did and would live like a Prince Imitate thou thy most exemplary Soveraign Leave sordid actions unto Swine and Vermine for thereunto they were (6) Gen. 3 14 2 Pet. 2.22 created mean while consider thou thine extract be not mean-spirited for thou art high (7) Judg 8.18 21 born The world was created to serve thee serve (8) Psal 8.6 not thou the world neither become a slave unto thy lusts for God (9) Gen. 1.26 made thee a master of thine affections during his innocency Adam knew no sin abhorre thou to be acquainted with it God made thee for (10) Isa 43.7 himself change not so great a Master He made thee (11) Eccl. 7.29 Deut. 32.5 upright do not thou grow crooked he made thee [12] Gen. 1.31 27. good be not thou evil thou didst resemble the King thy Father once renew in thee the beauty [13] 2 Cor. 3.18 of his Image strive after Holiness because he [14] 1 Pet. 1 15 Mat. 5.48 is holy after perfection because he is perfect affect to be like so heavenly a Father wear his Righteousness tread in his steps follow him (15) Eph. 5.1 Phil. 2.15 as a dear child How great soever thy fall is (16) 1 Cor. 15.22 in Adam remember thou from whence thou art fallen Let the world confess that Alexander is indeed the son of the Macedonian Philip I say in all thy Tranâ—actions remember (17) Eccl. 12.1 thy Creatour Adam (18) Luk. 3.38 was the Son of God MOTIVE III. Motive 3 Man 's Fall in Adam if thou perish thou (1) Esth 4.16 canst but perish In a small Orchard of mine At the Parsonage in Burton on the Hill 2 Psal 148.7 8 Jer. 4.11 12 the high winds 1661 2. Feb. 18th blew up a fruit-tree tearing the very roots from the stump although it was blown quite up and was separated wholly from the roots with much ado I planted it again for why it may nay it
or put up petitions any more If any Mercy can melt thy stony heart [41] Rom. 2 4 Gods forbearance will it will melt it into fervent duties The sincere Convert husbandeth hours unto the best advantage and maketh length of days life [42] Rom. 2.7 more abundant MOTIVE V. Motive V. Gods Sentence As sure as death in the grave there is as I just now told thee no Redemption when once sentence is passed [1] Eccle. 11.3 Mat. 25.46 upon examination had there is then no repealing so soon as ever thy farthing [2] Prov. 20.27 24 20 candle is burnt out thy soul if it savoureth not sweet in heaven it is cast into the fire of hell and all this in a moment in (3) 1 Cor. 15.52 the twinkling of an eye sooner then thou canst think of it At this very instant how immediately canst thou the image of Gods Omnipresence how immediately canst thou think of hell although hell be so great a distance off how immediately can thy thoughts ascend even the highest heavens Swift was that last thought of thine but thy souls flight shall be swifter then was thy last thought Man for want of consideration wasteth hours and minutes the (4) Dau. 7.9 ancient of days doth not so Unto him who inhabiteth eternity every little time is so precious that in less space then the space of one moment he dispatcheth the soul from this prison of flesh unto his high Court of Justice and again from his high Court of Justice unto the place of execution or of glory as Justice shall give sentence I say thy breath of life once expired thy winged soul is allowed no time at all to look back no it forthwith appeareth before the judgement (5) 2 Cor. 5.10 seat of God and from thence forthwith unto the joys or miseries by order appointed Thy flesh indeed that is dispensed with until the general (6) John 6.40 Assizes but her Proxie thy spirit that giveth her appearance upon the very first day of the Term. While thy breathless bosom is yet warm either for thee or against thee sentence is pronounced I therefore again exhort that thou wouldest make thy peace with thy God while life nay while health continueth for with thy dying body dyeth all hopes of future repentance When death is once come opportunity is gone Opportunity is therefore gone because Judgement is come Motive 6. MOTIVE VI. Death approaching it stealeth upon thee while thou sleepest Couldest thou return into thy first Infancy and thence begin (1) 1 Cor. 9.24 the race that is set before us thine advantage were little enough either for the running of a race so long or for the obtaining of a prize so high but alas a great part of thy life is already consumed and already consumed in vanity thou art almost out of breath before thou hast at all buckled (2) Luke 12.35 thy self to thy work The Affairs which thou in this thy pilgrimage must of necessity perform are exceeding great but exceeding (3) Gen. 47.9 small is that space of time wherein thou must disspach them although thy duties are not easily compassed thy life is quickly (4) Psal 39.5 spanned thy life is at longest but a winters day thine employment is the business of a whole age of this thine employment an accompt thou must give but how soon (5) Act. 1.7 it is not for thee to know Thou seest on every side many much younger then thy self called away to give up their accompts and of them none so unexpectedly as those who were the healthiest persons Such as least look for him meet their (6) Mat. 24.44 Lord first if ever he (7) Rev. 3.3 come upon thee as a thief it is then when time stealeth from thee to thy disprofit rather then death should overtake (8) 1 Thes 5.4 thee meet it die daily if thou wouldest live for ever if thou wouldest not forget thy self (9) Deut. 32.29 remember thy last end if at any time thou art more unprepared to give up thy last accompt then other at that time above all others look for and hasten unto the coming (10) 2 Pet. 3 12 of the day of thy God if in that day thou wouldest be found faithful in this thy day abide watchful persevere in well doing if thou wouldest endure unto the end redeem thy time if thou wouldest enjoy thy Redeemer and if thou wouldest not fear death fear God MOTIVE 7. Motive 7. A seventh Motive inviteing thy soul to hold fast that which is good is thy natural insufficiency At thy first Creation there was in thee the spirit (1) Gen. 1.26 of a God the light of that spirit Adam quenched and in Adam thou In baptism the same spirit entered into a Covenant with thee the same spirit thou hast again grieved and quenched none of all his mighty workings have prevailed upon thy heart carnally minded thou hast been spiritually minded thou wouldest not be Of all those graces which the holy Spirit of God may justy call for thou canst not produce one Consider now thou hast failed of (2) Furor est post omnia perdere naulum his saving gifts wilt thou render the common gifts of that bountiful spirit useless too the more ungrateful thou hast been in rejecting the one the more thankful thou shouldest be in making a benefit of the other the greater want thou findest of that sufficiency which thou mightest have had from God the greater reason thou hast to plow up the fallow ground of thy heart that thou mayest sow to the spirit if thou hast been so unfaithful that God would not adventure with thee his ten talents be so trusty that God may not repent him of that one talent now in thy hands or if thou hast embesled that Talent yet at least restore unto God his napkin having robbed thy Master of his moneys do not keep from him his purses too thou hast cut off thy (3) Jer. 10.23 legs therefore use (4) Psal 25.12 Hos 6.3 crutches the more thou hast dulled thine (5) Eccl. 10.10 axe the more pains thou must take in hewing thou hast blunted the edge of the spirit it concerneth thee to make the best use thou canst of thine affections thy memory and thine understanding the more graceless thou appearest the more thou art obliged to use all means of grace the Word of God is two-edged as I cannot hope for salvation without the help of Gods Spirit so neither can I (6) Pro. 1.23 Luke 11.13 Rom. 10.17 expect the help of Gods Spirit unless I wait for it in the use of means I (7) Luk 16.11 12 Mat. 25.23 28 must be faithful in my natural abilities if I would be entrusted with spiritual Beside God (8) Luk. 1.53.29 filleth the hungry with good things the more empty thy vessel the more capacious it is to receive the (9) 2 Kin. 4.6 ointment
napkin [5] Mat. 27.5 for want of a halter In stead of ascending to heaven after Christ of rising to a lively hope in Christ of crucifying it self with Christ c. the heart of Judas could [6] Mat. 27.3 see Christ condemned and so [7] Mat. 27.5 leave him Wherefore Christ will leave the name of Judas for [8] Isa 65.15 a curse unto his chosen For unto [9] Isa 65.11 such as forsake him thus [10] Isa 65.13 saith the Lord Behold my servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry behold my servants shall drink but ye shall be thirsty behold my servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed behold they [11] Isa 65.14 that for sake the Lord shall cry for sorrow of heart they shall howl for vexation of spirit but unto You in my Text unto you his constant followers he saith Let not your heart be trrubled The Text opened Ye believe in God believe also in me In my Fathers house are many Mansions Which words as they are [1] Vide sis versionem Persicam all spoken in a breath so they do all breath out one and the same consolation This Gospel is a kingdom of heaven in an unexpected sense Look up unto the heavens in them ye see one glory of the stars another glory of the Moon another glory of the Sun yet all these together help to make up but one Heaven So look down upon my Text in it ye see the tryal of afflictions the exerctse of faith and the expectation of glory yet do all these make up but one comfort The Tabernacles of God the Son of God the God and Father of Mercies are all of them brought within this Text purposely to ease the Disciples hearts Object Object Though it be [1] Isa 65.14 promised My servants shall sing for joy of heart even then when we expect that [2] Isa 51.11 sorrow and mourning should flee away we are forced to break forth (3) Job 30.26 with Job When I looked for good then evil came and when I waited for light then came darkness Answ As there is no denial Answer that [1] Act. 14.12 through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heaven so it must be confessed that (2) Isa 35.10 The ransomed of the Lord shall obtain joy and gladness While Christ adviseth Let not your heart be troubled he presumeth [3] Dr. Sibs Serm. in locum that troubles were nigh and nigh they were many already did and more [4] Erasmus Trâ—inus Marloratus Maldonatus Rupertus Gorraaus Jansenius c. in locum shortly would press and press heavily upon their hearts whence ariseth DOCTRINE I. viz. Even the hearts of Christs Chosen Disciples are not exempted from troubles in [5] Dr. S bs ubi supra this world But while against these sorrows of this world he enjoyneth Let not your heart be troubled there ariseth another instruction which rolleth away the burden of the former namely this DOCTRINE II. Even great afflictions may not trouble a chosen Disciples heart 1. That even the hearts of Christs chosen Disciples are not exempted from troubles in this life sad experience evinceth one [1] Mat. 6.34 day telleth another of this truth our whole [2] Job 14.1 life the whole [3] Joh. 16.33 world constantly afford witnesses of this complaint 2. On the other side since (1) Heb. 12.11 no chastening for the present seemeth joyous but grievous seeing as a [2] Prov. 27.3 stone so [3] 1 Pet. 1.6 1 Sam. 25.37 affliction is heavy it shall be my care to ease you of your griefs and to remove if not the stone it self yet a great part of its heavinesse Wherefore not questioning the former Doctrine the Doctrine implied I shall prosecute the later the Doctrine expressed while I First The Method State what Doctrine I would propose Secondly Prove the Doctrine which I state Thirdly Apply the Doctrine which I prove There be many that say unto us [1] Psal 4.6 who will shew us any good but Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Beloved let not my weaknesse be your discouragement although I of my self [2] 2 Cor. 4.7 cannot turn your sorrow into joy or your mourning into gladnesse the good Angelin my Text now speaking by me [3] Rom. 10.17 can Where the word is the Word of a God although the voice be the voice of a man yet if that voice speak dry bones [4] Ezek. 37.4 7. may live Upon occasion other Disciples as well as you once asked among themselves [5] Mar. 16.3 4 Who shall roll away the stone from the Sepulchre And when they looked they saw the stone rolled away the like may ye if our God shall now vouchsafe to sanctifie unto you this Truth namely That even great afflictions may not trouble a believers heart I say DOCTRINE Even great afflictions may not trouble a believers heart The Doctrine stated viz. Though during this life sound believers are not exempted from great afflictions yet those great afflictions may by no means trouble their heart Object At this we already stumble What Object if the righteous perish may we not [1] Isa 57.1 lay it to heart When great afflictions befall us may not we well be troubled If the Lord strike should not (2) Jer. 5.3 man grieve Must we be stupid must we be Stoical when griefs are upon us Answer Questionless Answer we [1] Mic. 6.9 ought to hear as well the rod as him who hath appointed it this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forbiddeth no such laying to heart it requireth no such heedlesness I say this Text prohibiteth not a reasonable sense but a (2) Rev. 21.8 distrustful fearfulnesse not a moderate care but an (3) 2 Cor. 7.10 unprofitable astonishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (4) Phil. 4.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be careful for nothing this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth a carking care a care not furthering but hindering duties I would have you (5) 1 Cor. 7.32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without pensivenesse Let not your hearts be (6) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 21.34 overcharged weighed down with cares So here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let not your heart be disturbed let not your fountain of right reason be mudded make not a Tartarus make not a hell of your heart While our Saviour here saith Let not your heart be troubled he v. 27. explaineth (7) L. Brugensis ad variant Lectiones Lat. notae himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither let it be dismayed Thus resolved I trust the longer while our troubles have stuck by us the sooner we shall be established in our present truth which is DOCTRINE Even great Afflictions should not perplex a believers heart Not to repeat what ye receive from (1) Dr. Donne his LXXIII Serm. and Dr. Sibs his
Redeemer who hath done [4] Rev. 5.9 and suffered so great things for us will in due time welcome us to his Fathers house [5] 1 Thes 4.17 and so shall we ever ever ever be with the Lord When [6] Psal 101.2 shall I come unto thee I will walk in thy house with a perfect heart O my Soul [7] Psal 37.34 Isa 49 23 40.31 wait for the Lord wait I say for the Lord O ye Saints of his rejoyce in the Lord [8] Phil. 4.4 3. The Doctrine applied again I say rejoyce Hallelujah Ye have I trust such is your patience [1] Mat. 13.51 understood all these things ye have seen every afflicting stone [2] Mar. 16.4 rolled away ye have seen a world of Troubles [3] Joh. 14.1 2 swallowed up in Mansions of glory ye have seen life in death yea and life [4] Joh. 10.10 more abundant too ye have seen the good [5] Deut. 33.16 Angel in my Text as it were face to face ye have seen his strong [6] Isa 41.21 reasons his seven reasons his seven spiritual Reasons I had almost said his seven [7] Rev. 3.1 Spirits Our hearts should be troubled should we neglect [8] Luk. 9.44 Application O blessed Spirit Application is thy (1) Jer. 30.21 work Thy work O blessed Spirit Thou hast opened (2) Luk. 24.45 our understandings open our (3) Act. 16.14 hearts too Lord the stone is rolled (4) Joh. 11.39 41 43 away raise up thy Lazarus Give us life give us life (5) Joh. 10.10 more abundant AND now whether I look back upon the troubles past and gone or whether I look up unto the Mansions already prepared let my tongue cleave unto the roof of my mouth and let my right (1) Psal 137.6 hand forget her pen if I prefer not my Soveraign above the head of my comforts Therefore though I forget not my (2) Prov. 25.6 distance my first Application shall be The Lively Pourtraiture of CHARLES the Second King of Great Britain France and Ireland c. TO THE SACRED MAJESTY Of our most GRACIOUS SOVERAIGN LORD in all Causes and over all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Civil our Supreme Governour CHARLES second only to that blessed Martyr and glorious Saint his royal Father of Great Britain France and Ireland KING Defender of the Faith and next unto God and his Christ the Prince of our Peace My Lord O King LIve like your (1) Psal 112 6 Name for ever live (2) Psal 61.6 and be The same you are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (3) 2 Cor. 3.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Great as was your (4) Psal 132.1 Affliction and our (5) 2 Sam. 15.30 woe Good as late (6) Psal 61.8 116.14 2 Chro. 32.25 Vows Happy as we (7) Psal 144.15 Prov. 13.12 are now Thus thus I (8) Ezra 6.10 pray But let Applauses be Suppress'd by others and refus'd by me Not as undue nor that a zealous praise May too too much mans expectation raise Nor that words match not though when all is done Ne're yet could pensil fully paint the Sun But loe Believers Sir should we display Your brighter beams would ravish'd sin for joy Saw they your soul they would sleight heav'n again And doat on earth because on earth you reign I blame my fears From Charles no evils spring They walk with God who follow such a King Next unto Christ this Prince of our Peace may If Subjects please roll ev'ry stone away Next unto Christ He doth our life appear Good Subjects find life more abundant here That Truth that Peace which with [9] 1 Tim. 2.2 Isa 49.23 His Throne consist Lifts us from Earth to Heaven from Charles to Christ But the Stairs at Whitehall are no winding stairs Blessed be God there is no cause why I should borrow Verses feet to bring me to the Presence-Chamber there I need not there measure mine approaches where blessed be God the golden Scepter is always [1] Hesther 5.2 held forth As in Majesty and [2] Psal 82.6 Power so in Patience and Clemency King Charles the second resembleth his God God is a God (3) Psal 65.2 that heareth Prayer and his Servant Charles (4) Deut. 17.20 shutteth not his ear no not unto his meanest Subjects In prose therefore When I compare the troubles of these Disciples hearts with the Mansions that are set before them rather To the Kings most Excellent Majesty when I compare the 30. of January with the 29. of May and again the third of September with the 23. of April Verily if ever any Christian in the world had encouragement to believe in God and in the only Son of God your Sacred Majesty hath I trust the same God who hath delivered (1) 1 Cor. 1 10 will yet deliver Nations could not get Dominion over your sacred person I trust (2) Rom. 6.14 sin shall not The Lord hath raised and removed the many burdens but I trust not the many (3) Heb. 12.6 7 Psal 94.12 13 and 132.2 5 compared with 1 Cot. 3.16.17 blessings of your Majesties late sorows Should not afflictions so great as your Majesties have been be more and more sanctified unto your Royal soul alas your heart might then be troubled indeed Should you desist to believe in God who (4) Psal 89.27 placeth your Majesty higher then the Kings of the earth it might then be unto you and your Kingdoms a grief of heart Should not your Princely soul believe in that only Son of God who (5) Isa 53.8 Heb. 2.10 suffered more for your Majesty then your gracious Majesty suffered for your lost people this might also trouble your heart Lastly should your soul (6) Isa 53.3 neglect so great salvation should your soul despise the Mansions in your heavenly Fathers house then then your heart would be utterly perplexed everlastingly troubled and that beyond measure But although King Hezekiah did not render according unto the (1) 2 Chro. 32.25 benefit received I trust your most excellent Majesty will True the more God blesseth his (2) Job 1.10 servant Job the more the Devil (3) Job 1.11 seeketh his ruine No doubt where the Lord hath multiplied so unparalleld favours as are heaped upon your dread Majesty there the malice of Satan will be very wilte very full of (4) 2 Cor. 2 11 stratagems the Serpent once enraged will first (5) 2 Cor. 12.17 buffet then sting Nevertheless while your sacred Majesty figheth not only against (6) 1 Pet. 2.11 flesh and blood but even against (7) Eph. 6.12 Principalities and Powers the same God who (8) Psal 140.7 covered your royal head in the day of battle the same God your sacred Majesty hath to believe in The same Christ who delivered you from so (9) 2 Cor. 1.10 great a death the same Jesus your Majesty hath to believe
Laurels as for you beloved ye may be fed with (7) Revel 2.7 the Tree of Life Make Religion your (8) As Mr. Herbert Palmer in structeth businesse exercise your busie Soules in a lively faith and that knowing the season Brethren It is now your seed-time lose not such fair-weather in due season ye shall reap if ye sow unto the Spirit Ye are now in the flower of your age your month is the month of May if ye have not overcome many a (9) 1 John 2.14 spiritual wickednesse it is your sloth and no pity ye deserve if in you the Word of God (10) ibid. abideth not it is your indiscretion and ye may thank your selves He among you that is fullest of complaint were he well aware of it hath the (11) 2 Pet. 1.9 10 remedy from within himself If with (12) 2 Tim. 3.15 Timothy with (13) 1 Sam. 2.18 Samuel with (14) 2 Kings 22.19 Josiah c. ye have not been tender-hearted from your Child-hood yet at least with (15) 1 Kings 18.3 12 Obadiah fear the Lord with (16) Psal 71.5 David trust in the Lord from thy youth up Yea let God remember thy (17) Jer. 2.2 early Kindnesses Whom the Gentiles fancied to be (18) Apollo their God of wisdom Him they resembled unto a young man a truth it is wisdom in a young man seemeth somewhat divine Unto this reputed God of wisdom these Gentiles consecrated as the Emblemes of their manhood and prudence their first shaved beards the moral is good Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God Sacrifice the (19) Nihil videbant suum quoniam Dei totum Salvian de Dei guber lib. 8. first and the best of thine abilities While thou art now in the beginnings of thy strength follow him (20) Semper in amore cautela est Nemo enim melius diligit quam qui maxime veretur offendere Salvian Epist fully Serve him with all thy might Prepare thy Soul and thy Spirit as an (21) Rom. 12.1 offering in a clean Vessel and so (22) Esay 66.20 bring them into the house of the Lord In all thy wayes (23) Psalm 37.4 5. acknowledge him A young mans glory is his (24) Pro. 20.29 strength I have therefore written unto you young men because ye are strong strong I hope in [25] 1 John 2.14 Eph. 6.10 2 Tim. 2.1 Jer. 9.24 the Lord. To middle-aged men A Child is (1) Pro 22.6 ready to learn all things a young person is (2) 2 Sam. 18.22 ready to prove all things but neither of them is so apt to hold fast his profession as are ye ye who measure the midst of your age for ye have (3) He who is about the middle of his age may Janus-like at once look both behind him and before him climbed unto the height of the Hill of the Hill of Zion I hope Ye do or may perceive whither your travails bend He that is not setled in his estate not setled in his judgement not setled in his resolution at forty when will he be setled A wise man will provide rather for Children then for Orphanes and late Marriages are seldom proserous Therefore I presume thou art by this time constant unto thy self If a single life be thy choice and that choice thou canst (4) Matth 19.12 well bear I trust thou art (5) 1 Cor. 7.32 wedded unto thy Devotion I trust thou joynest thy self (6) 1 Cor. 6.17 unto that Lord who will give thee a Name (7) Esay 56.4 5 better then of Sons and of Daughters Neverthelesse in as much as God is the God of the married as well as of the unmarried If in a single life you find no joy If in a single life you find no joy Marriage (1) Sir Thomas Overbury his Wife your lust as 't were with fewel fire Will with a Medicine of (2) 1 Cor. 7 9 At contra hunc ignem Veneris si non Venus ipsa nu'la est quae possit vis alia opprin ere Val. Aedituus the same allay And not forbid but rectifie desire Where brash flames threaten Chimneys lay on wood That spends the flame and keeps the fabrique good Nor doth my marriage order lust alone A second self may (3) Gen 2.18 Eccles 4 9 Sir Thomas Overbury ubi supra help me ev'ry way And ' gainst my failings make me two for one My self 4 I cannot chuse my Wife I may And in the choice of her it much doth lie To 'mend my self in my Posterity Venus was Saturn is The heat of thy blood cooleth but thy love of this world waxeth feverish youthfull (1) 2 Tim. 2.22 lusts are pretty well spent but (2) 1 John 2.16 pride of life cometh on apace alas the lusts of thy flesh are (3) ibid. crept into thine eyes Thy disease removeth from thy (4) Psal 16.7 reines into thy (5) James 4.4 head from thy (6) Pro. 7.23 liver into thy (7) 1 Tim. 6.9 heart The Enemy who hitherto battered thy soul with (8) 1 Pet. 2.11 thine own flâ—sh doth now cast up Bulwarks against thee upon (9) Psalm 62.10 thine own ground That unclean Spirit which (10) 2 Tim. 2.22 haunted thee in thy youth doth now transform himself into a (11) 2 Cor. 4.4 God of this world The trouble of thy heart was (12) Rom 8.6 a carnall mind once the trouble of thy heart is (13) Phil. 3.19 an earthly mind now Wherefore the Holy Ghost proceedeth from adulteries and fornications (14) Mat. 15.19 unto theft and false witnesse from fornication and uncleannesse (15) Gal. 5.19.20 unto hatred variance emulations yea (16) Eph. 5.3 unto down-right covetousnesse For which cause having warned us that Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge He (17) Heb. 13.4 5 presently addeth Let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with what ye have Thus having endeared our Souls and bodies (1) Rom. 12.1 as a reasonable sacrifice unto our God the Apostle immediately forewarneth us against another of Satans stratagems Be not saith he (2) Rom. 12.2 be not conformed unto this world Beloved whether our life past hath been or hath not been consumed in a state of unbelief this Exhortation of St. Pauls remaineth very pertinent and seasonable First If from the womb (1) Esay 48.8 unto our infancy if from the dayes of our (2) Esay 65.20 infancy unto the yeares of our youth if from our youth up unto present maturity we have drank in iniquity as if it [3] Job 15.16 were wholsome water now that we are of a ripe understanding it doth so much the more (4) Jer. 13.27 concern us to provide for the health of our Souls after so long so many provocations we are I say the more neerly concerned now at length (5) 1 Pet. 4 2 3 to believe in God and
of a small burden anchoreth a Netherlander pretendeth the death of a Merchant in that Vessel beseecheth the thirty Frenchmen that the dead body of their Merchant might be buried in hallowed ground namely in Sark-Chappel unto a Request so charitable the secure Frenchmen yield The Flemings bring into the Isle a Coffin filled not with a dead body but with murdering Harquebusses then entring the Chappel they shut the door upon themselves take their Weapons from out of the Coffin slay every Frenchman in Sark and immediately possesse themselves of the whole Island Many many a covetous Tradesman receiveth just such [2] Prov. 1.19 5.22.11.1.22.23.23.4.13.11 Exck. 7.13 a Coffin into his shop from out of a gracelesse good will unto himself he welcometh false measures false weights false wares false accompts with all the security that may be But note the event Wherewith this Shop-keeper deceiveth his Customers therewith [3] Acts 5.3 the Devil [4] 1 Tim. 3.6 7 surprizeth this Shop-keeper taketh [5] 2 Tim. 2.26 possession of his captived heart and [6] 1 Pet. 5.8 slayeth his deluded soul Alas ill fareth the owner whose shop is the Devils [7] Pro. 1.32 ware-house When once the Prince of darknesse playeth at Sark a Soul may soon [8] Eph. 5.5 acquit her self of the Mansions in my Fathers House Every unjust gain [9] Luk. 12.21 1 Tim. 6.9 Prov. 28.20 Jer. 7.19 selleth heart and body body and soul grace and Glory Heaven and the God of Heaven for a messe of the Supplanters pottage When it is too late you will then be able to resolve your selves who findeth least trouble of heart the [10] Prov. 15 16 16.8 poor man that is righteous or the rich man [11] Psalm 4.3 that is fraudulent And yet mercy God! What do most of our Markets and Faires signifie other then [12] 1 Thes 4.6 Hos 4.2 lying and cheating Ah how is the Prince of this world pleased to see many who vote themselves [13] Tit. 1.16 Christians as very lyars as [14] John 8.44 himself Judas is not the [15] Heb. 13.5 2 Pet. 2.3 only Disciple who selleth Jesus Christ for a piece of money But had Judas peace who sold his Master neither shall ye Full well are divers Faires among us kept upon Holy-dayes for pray all we can you that turn and wind moneys will hardly keep [16] James 1.27 Esay 8.13 65.16 your selves unspotted of the world your covetous practises witnesse to your face that ye doom [17] Amos 9.10 Prov. 12.3 your hearts to trouble Alas alas how can ye lay claim to the [18] John 14.1 2 5.44 Mansions in my Fathers House so long as ye distrust God and his Christ Beloved rather make the fear [19] Prov. 8.1 3 of your God your wisdom esteem the Spirit of Jesus Christ your [20] Luke 16.11 only Riches set a high value [21] 1 Pet. 1.4 upon the Mansions in my Fathers House then [22] Acts 24.16 shall you be at peace with your own consciences then shall you find that Godlinesse hath the [23] 1 Tim. 4.8 promise of this life then shall this Gospel [24] Esay 26.3 say unto you Let not your heart be troubled Fifthly This Let not condemneth every Soul Of all Christistians which at any time [1] Rom. 8.1 2 Cor. 1.12 omitteth any Duty every person who in performing any Duty maketh not [2] Psalm 52.7 his God his Rest every Christian which [3) Esay 50.10 rolleth not But as easily may I cramb all Homers Iliads into a nut shell as [4] Eccl. 1.8 repeat all the troubles of a neglected heart in one breath Yea as soon may I force a Camels [5] Mat. 19.24 back through the eye of a Needle as remove [6] Gal 6.1 offences meerly by finding fault The end of rebuke is [7] 2 Tim. 4.2 Ezek. 3.26 to correct I passe therefore from these [8] Joh. 14.1 troubles of heart unto a faith in the living God I proceed from what our Saviour here prohibiteth unto what he next enjoyneth Dearly beloved you will now at the last escape reproofs if [9] Pro. 10.17 15.31.12.1 without further troubles of heart you receive instruction I told you Matter of instruction from the (1) Page 2. beginning that this seasonable Precept Believe in God believe also in me was cloathed with Evangelical instructions It is so Take the words 2 absolutely and they are our instruction they teach us that believe in God believe in Christ we must but consider them as opposed against the distractions of the Disciples hearts you will then learn that This (2) 1 Joh. 5.4 is the victory which overcometh all our troubles even our faith How great a comfort faith is against the greatest troubles of mind will appear from the (1) See page 6 various occasions of this Text. Occasion One was (1) Luke 22.24 ambition disappointed The hearts of these Disciples hab been troubled with worldly interests They had (2) Luke 24.21 Acts 1.6 dreamed hitherto of glorious preferments upon earth they had been (3) Luke 22.24 striving which of them should sit nearest unto their enthroned Lord I say these Disciples although they (4) Mat. 16.16 John 6.69 knew Jesus as the Son of God yet not [5] Mat. 20.9 knowing the Scriptures they aimed at worldly greatnesse they as yet fancied that (6) Matth. 20.21 Mark 9.34 Acts 1.6 Surely Christ would in good time reign gloriously upon earth To follow this to them [7] Mat. 2.2 known to others [8] Mat. 27.11 unknown King of the Jews they had (9) Mark 10.28 30 forsaken all and in so doing they had (10) Mat. 20.21 Luke 22.29 promised unto themselves no small advancement Now when they (11) John 13.31 learn that God would straightway glorifie their long attended Master not with Thrones but with Thornes not with a royal Diadem but by 12 sufferings when they in stead of seeing Christ restore the Kingdom unto Israel hear him (12) Mat. 16.21 John 13.1.33 14.2 contriving his departure out of this world when instead of being exalted by their Lord they must by him be (13) Mat. 13.36 37 shortly left at a losse this was unto them a consternation of spirit the failing of this their long expectation made their (14) Pro. 13.12 heart sick this this was one reason why our Saviour mindeth them to their comfort ye believe in God Secondly Whereas these were they which Occasion of all men had (1) Luke 22.28 continued with Christ in his Temptations Christ now twitteth them how of them one should (2) John 13.21 betray him another should (3) John 13.38 deny him all should (4) Mat. 36.31 forsake him These were (5) Mar. 8.38 Rev. 21.8 hard sayings Their meek Master had deserved no such uncomely neglects from them And now long at last
Believers they seem unto themselves I say of this breast-plate of Salvation the generality of Believers are utterly frustrated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Most true is that of Saint Augustine It seemeth good saith (1] St. Augustin de Civitate dei lib. 1. cap. 7. he It seemeth good unto the Almighty Providence to prepare such Blisse in the world to come as the just only shall enjoy and not the unjust and such torments as the unjust only shall feel and not the just but as for things temporal these the divine providence distributeth both to the just and unjust Mat. 5.45 viz. that temporal blessings may not be too vehemently desired loe even the wicked are sometimes happy in this world again that worldly evils may not be too much avoyded even the dearest of Gods children are sometimes afflicted in this world Beloved hence hence it is that [2] Eccl. 9.2 All things come alike to all that both adversity and prosperity seem promiscuously common to him that [3] ibid. sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not to the clean and to the unclean to the righteous and to the wicked In the mean while as I have already [4] viz. from page 57. forwards argued at large Look how much unbelief reigneth in the heart so much the heart is troubled I say Whether one be prosperous in his sinfulnesse like [1] 1 King 12 Jeroboam Or whether the more he trespasse the more he be distressed like [2] 2 Chron. 28.22 Ahaz Or whether he do that which is right but not with a perfect heart like [3] 2 Chron. 25.2 Amaziah Or whether though he end in the Spirit he begins in the flesh like [4] 2 Chron. 33.12 Manasseh still still the heart while a heart of unbelief must necessarily be troubled First View sinners who are not [1] Psal 73.5 in trouble like other men sinners who are compussed about with pride [2] Psal 73.6 as with a Chain who [3] Psal 73.8 speak loftily and set [4] Psal 73.9 their mouth against the Heavens These Asses are thus pampered with provender that they may bear such burdens [5] Deut. 6.10 11 7.22 1 Kings 9 11 Esay 45.14 Prov. 21.18 compaced with Esay 43.3 as might possibly cumber and divert the Church in her pilgrimage While sound Believers spend their time and thoughts upon things spiritual these Unbelievers though no thanks to them for they [6] Deut. 10.7 mean not so drudge for their service in the affairs of this World just as Indians dig Gold and Christians traffique with it I say notorious sinners are permitted to wax fat and well-liking that they may be like [7] Josh 9 27 â—sâ—y 49.22 23 2 Chro. 36.22 Ezra 1.7 8 Esay 44 28 45.1 hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Lords Congregation Or it may be God suffereth some of them to prosper that they may be the [8] Ezek. 19.18 19 38.11 12 5.30 4 5. overthrow of others as Judges reprive one malefactour that he may be the Executioner of his fellows Or God suffereth them to slourish and branch forth that he may use them as [9] Esay 10.5 Psalm 17.13 Judges 2.22 Rods for the correction of his Children Or as Tryals [10] Esay 3.1 Phil. 2.15 to let the world see that the prosperity of evil-doers cannot allure Gods servants unto wickednesse Neverthelesse while these prosper in the world settle upon the lees are at ease in Zion dwell carelesly and blesse themselves in their abundance while they have more then heart can wish poor fools their present prosperity [11] Pro. 1.32 Eccles 8.11 threatneth their eternal destruction Let them ask [12] Exod. 5.2 Prov. 30.9 who is the Lord that we should obey him Let them say [13] Zeph. 1.12 The Lord will do neither good or evil [14] Psalm 73.11 How doth God know is there knowledge in the most High Lo God hideth his face to see [15] Deut. 32.20 Jerem. 7.19 what their end will be to see what falshood they [16] 2 Sam. 18.32 will work against their own life Let them alone saith [17] Hos 4.7 1 Matth. 15.14 13.14 God I will not reprove them nor set before them the evils which they do let them fill up the full measure of their iniquities let them treasure up wrath against the day of my wrath Beloved the more these glory in their vanities the more at the great and last day will God exalt his Severity his Wrath and his Justice [18] Pro. 16.4 Rom. 9.22.17 2 Pet. 2.9 upon them Therefore since they had rather be [19] 2 Tim. 2.26 captives to Satan then made free [20] John 8.32 36 Rom. 6.18 22 8.2 1 Cor. 7.22 by Gods Spirit let them glory in their choyce at Doomes-Day when Satan shall accuse them God will [21] Psal 2.4 37.13.59.8 Prov. 1.26 laugh at them Since they had rather be bond-slaves to the Prince of darknesse then Heires to the Father of Lights let them have their bellies full of pleasure God can [22] Psa 50.8 12 13 22 Job 22.2 3 Tir. 3.5 Ephes 2.9 Job 35.6 7 live without their service or good affection Serve him they do and [23] Isa 66.2 60.12.43.13.44.24 Ephes 1.11 Exod. 18.11 Psalm 72.11 1 Chro. 29.14 Nehem. 9.6 Prov. 16.4 Psalm 135.6 Rom. 11.36 shall but against their wills God will not be beholding to them for their obedience nay he will not honour them so much as to deigne to [24] Esay 1.5 Hos 4.14 Esay 57.17 punish them here they shall not have the the [25] Hos 4.17 Heb. 12.6 7 favour to be scourged yea they are not worth a whistling after they forsake forget despise and neglect God and God hath as [26] 1 Sam. 2.30 light an esteem for them he doth but will not see them he leaveth them to their own presumptions in a Glorious Neglect Notwithstanding they are rendred altogether inexcusable for God meeteth them in their own [27] Hos 8.11 folly a whelp of Lilly they request and a whelp of Lilly is given them They desire no other portion then in this life and in this life their [28] Psalm 17.14 portion they shall have God oweth them no such patience no such [29] Rom. 2.4 goodnesse yet let them partake of either let the Church see whether Gods long-suffering will indeed lead the world to Repentance and make men wise for their latter end They can have no pretence that God is [30] Matth. 25.24 Zeph. 3.5 a hard Master for he is before-hand with them in his wages all [31] Esay 66.2 Rom. 11.36 Acts 17.28 that they are or have they receive from him and from him only They cannot say but that a Lord who is is so liberal unto them while they continue [32] Mat. 5.45 Zeph. 3.5 17 Psalm 31.19 Acts 14.17 Psalm 132.15.16 enemies and rebellious might prove a favourable Benefactour unto them would they
troubled Sinner Bethink thy self Jesus Christ his sufferings [3] 1 John 22 are thy pardon Come unto him thou that art heavy laden [4] Mar. 11.28 Christ will ease thee Hate sin that Christ [5] Act. 26.18 may pardon it Did the Lord Christ suffer the death of his body and the fierce wrath of his own Father all to keep thee from Hell and wilt thou again pawn thy Soul unto the Devil [6] 1 Pet. 5.1 for some trifling sin Are fire and brimstone [7] Matth. 25.30 Jude 15. Esay 30.33 2.19 and everlasting darknesse such flea-bitings Are Peace and Glory and [8] Rev. 21.7 everlasting Joy so contemptible that whatsoever the Son of God hath suffered should not at all concern thy soul Cast off thy [9] Dan 4.27 Esay 30.22 sins thine unprofitable sins for for Thee Christ dyed Thy Thy Soul the Mercifull Jesus would pardon Thirst [10] Dan 55.1 Revel 22.17 thirst after Righteousnesse that Christ may impute it Jesus Christ hath [11] Isa 53.4 born thine iniquities and wilt thou pluck them from off His shoulders to again place them upon thine own Oh rather set thy face toward Heaven and look look up upon [12] Zech. 12 10 Him whom Thou hast pierced Let Christ but see once [13] Esay 53.11 of the travel of his Soul and He shall be satisfied and thou too The Son of God dyed and dyed to save thee from thy sins That is one Inducement to force [14] Foelix est periculum ad Deum consuge e. thine heart of unbelief to seek the Lord while he may be found 2. Circumstance Although this was or was near upon Circumstance the same night wherein he was betrayed from the beginning of Chap. 13. unto the end of Chap. 17. Christ taketh much thought not for his dying self but for his sinfull Disciples Sinner it will not repent him that He layed down his life for thy sake if where He hath layed it down there thou wouldest take it up for thy preservation he is solicitous for his own he was not 3. A third Circumstance Three other Evangelists Circumstance three other faithfull Pen-men Jesus Christ had of his most holy Gospel but such a subject as this This the turning of his bowels the unbosoming of his loving Kindnesses so choyce a portion of the Gospel as is this He peculiarly reserveth for his fittest Pen man His bosome Evangelist his beloved Disciple his darling JOHN shall be the Author of this Evangelical Scripture and this purposely that such a desperate Caitiffe as thou hast been may [1] John 20.31 believe and conceive hopes 4 Circumstance The tender compassion of Christ Jesus over the present troubles of these Disciples hearts Circumstance Sinner The heart which melteth to see a wound lanced will never have the power to see a Sword ripping up thine entrails What troubles these Disciples here met with were but only the troubles of this world yet see here the swooning of Christs bowels Tell me Would not Jesus Christ endure that these should perplex their hearts and will he take any pleasure in the eternal torments of thy lost Soul Believe it the merciful Jesus doth not willingly afflict To be gracious he waiteth at thy death he aimeth not Thy Spirit had long since failed before him had not He forborn to strike I tell thee Thy case thy state of unbelief is so desperate that God deferreth his just anger unto the very last minute He knoweth shouldest Thou to Hell once thou art then a lost man for ever After death no redemption Thy sins are so great that Christ would if possible forgive them although thou imaginest not so He would if thou wouldest assent heal all thy back-slidings lest otherwise thy Soul thy wretched Soul should unto all eternity be tormented miserably tormented in Hell in the nethermost Hell If the Disciples afflictions move Christ unto compassion know the vengeance due unto thy sins pierceth his heart Shouldest thou to Goale once thou wouldest be sure to be condemned and executed wherefore ere ever thou art questioned for thy life Thy Jesus would procure for thee the Kings pardon nay He hath procured it and willeth thee to accept it upon the Kings terms Sinner if thou hast grace to believe any one of these Circumstances these Circumstances will be unto thee Life from the dead Secondly Life of comfort for Believers For Believers First against all worldly distresses Against worldly distresses viz. Although the afflictions of the Righteous are [1] Psalm 34.19 many yet [2] 1 Pet. 4.12 think not that strange True as A Child of God in the anguish of her spirit [3] Mr. G. C. in his Epistle before his Sermon at the Funerals of Mrs. A. Childe of Northwick Worcestershire replyed unto her Minister A sharp Visitation seemeth to signifie displeasure but Let not your heart be troubled For First The very same afftictions are [1] Pet. 51 9 accomplished in your Brethren No temptation can take you but such as is [2] 1 Cor. 10.13 Bonus quicquid accidit ei aequo animo feret Sen. Epist 7. common unto men nay unto Saints Art thou afflicted Answ So were Christs chosen Disciples yea so was Jesus Christ Himself even in the compassions of this very Text His heart was troubled then when he said Let not your heart be troubled I say Secondly So kind a Master so loving a Brother is Jesus Christ that he is [1] Heb. 4.15 touched with a sense of our infirmities Who is afflicted and he [2] 2 Cor. 11.29 burneth not I say In all thine afflictions thy dearest Bridegroom is [3] Esay 63.9 afflicted with thee He in this Text forgat his own sufferings although so near at hand that he might [4] Dr. Sibs Sermon on John 14.1 comfort his Disciples in these their troubles Thirdly The same Redeemer who bringeth the trouble layeth this command Let not your heart be troubled Be ye sure now He who [1] John 14.1 Esay 54.5 7 8 40.1 2 Jerem. 31.20 Hos 11.8 9 will not give way that thy heart should be any whit troubled at all will in due time remove what He Himself dis-liketh If thy Plaister [2] Rom. 8.28 Phil. 3.21 hurt it shall be taken off and that quickly Or ever he find out a temptation for thee he will out a way for thy [3] 1 Cor. 10.13 temptations escape rather then thy heart should be over-much troubled What thou canst not [4] Heb. 7.25 Matth. 11.30 12.20 well bear shall never burden thy feeble shoulders Fourthly Suppose thy distresse burdensome I reckon that the sufferings of this [1] Rom. 8.18 present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us What yea what are these light afflictions which are but for a [2] 2 Cor. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Domum apud Patiâ—â—n habéo camque vòbis
sort of praise [15] Psalm 50.23 glorifieth God Thirdly Nor canst thou thus order thy conversation In heart until thou keep thy heart (1) Pro. 4 23 first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all diligence True he that doeth righteousnesse is righteous even as he [2] 1 Joh. 3 7 3 John 11. is righteous but loe such a Righteousnesse must be the work of the sanctifying Spirt upon thine inward parts Then will David sing and give praise when his heart is [3] Psal 57.7 prepared and fixed The God of [4] Psal 109.1 thy praise is a God not of the dead but [5] Luke 20.38 of the living He is not for [6] Heb. 6.1 dead works He accepteth of no duty which is not [7] Heb. 11.6 the fruit of faith and of no faith which is not the [8] Rom. 8.9 fruit of the Spirit The carcasses of good works take not at all [9] Esay 1 11-19 with God Therefore whensoever thou wouldest honour him with thy lips or in thy deeds let not then thy [10] Esay 29.13 heart be far from him They must be well affected that glorifie the [11] Esay 1.19 Victo que volentes Per populos dal jura God of love wherefore he saith I will make them 12 joyfull in my house of prayer Ye then who would glorifie him [13] Psal 31.23 love him Ye who would love him be [14] Psal 5.11 Ephes 5.1 Psalm 63.8 joyfull in him Thou who as becometh a dear child followest hard after God that thy mouth may praise him with [15] Psal 5. ◠joyfull lips let thy soul I say let thy [16] Psal 35.9 soul be joyfull in thy God What thou dost do it in [17] Eph. 6.5 singlenesse of heart as unto Christ do it [18] Col. 3.17 heartily as unto the Lord Fear the Lord and [19] Hos 3 5 his goodnesse When thou with thy whole heart [20] Hos 5.4 framest thy doings to seek after thy God When thou with all thy might [21] Esay 64 7 stirrest up thy self to lay hold of him When thou walkest with God [22] Num. 14.24 Deut. 28.47 fully When for the abundance of all things and for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperity which the Lord thy God procureth unto thee thou doest [23] Jer. 33.9 fear and tremble least a Vessel so brim full should spill somewhat When thou wrappest thy [24] Mat 6.10 26.42 Psalm 119 35 47 Deut. 4.2 will in Gods secret Will and thy desires close with Gods revealed pleasure When thou placest thy happinesse in [25] Acts 21.13 Phil. 1.18 the glory of thy dearest Father thy dearest Redeemer thy dearest Preserver thy dearest Bridgeroom making Him thy [26] Esay 60.10 stay thy [27] Gen. 15.1 Psalm 62.5 6 7 8 73.27 28. 119.51 Jer. 17.14 17 Deut. 10.20 21 reward thy [28] Eph. 3.16 Col. 1.10 11 1 Pet. 4.11 praise when thy soul boasteth of him and cleaveth unto him When in all things appertaining unto life and godlinesse thou doest serve the Lord thy God in the strength of his Spirit and through the righteousnesse of his Son with [29] Deut. 28.47 joyfulnesse and gladnesse of heart thou doest then glorifie God Thus thus O Christian let us let us daily give thanks unto that God who [30] Psal 68.19 daily loadeth us with his Benefits [31) Psal 148.13 let us daily praise that God whose Name alone is [32] Psal 104.1 excellent over all the world let us daily honour that God who is 33 cloathed with Majestie and Honour and let us daily daily let us bless that God whom the Angels in heaven joy and delight to [33] Psal 103.20 Revel 5.11 15.2 reverence and adore Thus yea thus O Christian let us now and ever glorifie our God thy God and mine He that is Our God is the [34] Psalm 68.20 God of salvation Who is so great a God as is [35] Psalm 77.13 Our God Let the Lord in whose hand is our breath and whose are [36] Dan. 5.23 all our wayes let the [37] Psalm 70.4 Lord be glorified Blesse the Lord all ye his works in all places of his Dominion [38] Psalm 103.22 blesse thou the Lord O my soul How the Lord must be by us glorified we have seen The next is why Wherefore God must be by us glorified Beloved To produce many Arguments wherefore we should all of us make it the whole businesse of our whole lives to glorifie this great and dreadfull Name The Lord our God were to question whether we are indued with reason or no To produce none were to deny our affections a few then First Seeing he Reason 1. who is the Father of us all is a God the only God Why may he not be by us glorified Might all men From no reason to the contrary and with them all Angels evil and good lay all their forces together they could not if they would produce one piece of an argument why the Lord our God may not be by us glorified Seriously then let this be our first motive Therefore therefore let us glorifie our God because there is (1) Esay 41.21 no reason in the world to the contrary A second reason Reason 2. why the Father of all things must be by us glotified From creatures void of reason I deduce from all creatures void of reason Reason is entrusted not with them but with us neither can they but by us (1) Sola prosecto actio Deum in hac vitâ glorificandi gloriosa nobis esse poterat corona quâ meritum nostrum cumulatissimè remuneratum esse credere possemus Citharistae citharizaadi pretium à rege exigenti sertur respondisse Rex satis amplum retulisse citharizaido Anius respoaderi potest laudanti Deum meritum lau dandi solá laudatione satis superque remuneratum Mendeza in 1 Sam. 2.30 speak the praises of their Creator They are the leaves the blossoms the fruit which prepare a sweetnesse we alone are those Bees which ought to collect the honey Large Volumns they are and very learned in the ineffable Name of the Great JEHOVAH but as every other Volumn so this Book of the Creature is serviceable not unto it self but unto us a very fair Edition it is an Edition published for the Authors immediate glory but this glory the Author expecteth not from the Book but from the Reader if from so incomparable a Work as this is we for whose sake alone it is published will derive no glory unto the Author the incensed Author will burn first the Reader then the Book I say the Sense Life Motion and being of every Creature whatsoever are only the materials of Gods praise and glory the praise and glory which God deserveth from them he demandeth from us for it not they but we are accomptable it is a fearfull sin to defraud God of that which
canot marvail to see so many persons given over unto a reprobate mind since so few among us like to (1) Rom. 1.24 28 retain God in our knowledge Judge in your selves He that is unfaithful in a little would he be [2] Luke 6.11 12 31 1 John 4.20 John 5.47 faithfull in much He that will not contemplate God as a Creator will he flee to him as unto a Redeemer seek to him as unto a Preserver lean upon him as on a Comforter If I have shewed unto you earthly things and ye believe not how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things saith (3) Luke 3.12 Christ Friends if the wide world and all that therein is be not sufficient to put us (5) Rom. 1.20 10 18 continually in mind of our God what is nay what can be To this purpose there is (6) 1 Tim. 4.4 5 no creature to be refused For this purpose every creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving and with thanksgiving it would be received were it sanctified by Gods Word and our prayer What natural man can (7) 1 Cor. 2.14 Rom. 3.12 Quid potest perditus operari Aug. Euchir c. 30. Quid tantum de possibilitate naturae praesumitur vulne rata sauciata vexato perdita est vera comfessione non falsâ desensione opus habet Aug de nat gra c. 13. pretend an ability to discern things spiritual since he is so far wide from the scope of things temporal Verily if people remember not their Creator when they finde him in the fields no marvail it is if they shut their eyes when they should see him in the Sanctuary If they regard not the operations of Gods hands neither would they regard the operation of his Spirit Be astonished O Inhabitants of the earth and stand amazed at your ingratitude your liberal and bountiful God flingeth away a whole world upon a sort of persons who vouchsafe to him not (8) 2 Cor. 3.5 Non dicit perfectum sed ne aliquid Aug. one good thought The only Recompence which he expecteth for all his works is mans (9) Psalm 50.15 acknowledgement this small-pepper-corn cannot God procure The Lord would (10) Psalm 8.6 115.16 1 Cor. 3.22 Job 41.11 most willingly afford us the benefit of every Creature which he hath the profit of his whole Creation he frankly bestoweth among us he desireth no more from us then the praise of his workmanship and of this we rob him Time was when Adam (11) Gen. 2.20 gave names unto all cattel and to the fowl of the ayre and to every beast of the field but man is silent now these Creatures may be uncreated for any name that God can get from Adam The Apostles complaint (12) Eph. 4.18 of heathens O that I could drown this complaint with my tears must now bewail Christians because while they (13) Rom. 1.21 know God they glorisie him not as God neither are thankful But Beloved I hope better things of you When you with (1) Gen 24.63 Isaac walk forth you will walk forth to meditate When you with David (2) Psalm 8.3.95.4 5. behold the Moon and the Stars you will consider them as the easie work of Gods little finger Unto the altar of your heart you will with the Psalmist (3) Psalm 148.8 9 10 65 6-13 96.11 12 summon fire and hail snow and vapours stormes and winds hills and Valleys fowl and fish beasts and creeping things purposely that you may sacrifice them with the voyce of Thanksgiving Since (4) Matth. 13 11 unto you it is given to understand that the wisdom the power and the goodnesse of your God is alway presented unto you in every creature the (5) Esay 66.18 65.1 2 40.26 41.20 mind of your Creator you will not neglect Things void of life and living things void of reason you (6) Psalm 103.22 will not leave at a losse for want of your voyce of your speech and of your reason to mention their Founders worth As every creature recommendeth the love of your God unto you so you will (7) Psalm 119.91 1 Chro. 16.35 consecrate every creature unto his pleasure and praise So well stringed so well tuned an Instrument as this (8) Psalm 136.5 104.24 harmonious world is should never silence the praises of your God so long as you have either voyce or hands or heart but as it is your part and duty so you will make it your care and delight that (9) 1 Cor. 15.28 10.31 Prov. 3.6 Col. 3.17 in all these things your God be by you glorified My third reason why God should be glorified Reason 3. From creatures reasonable but graceless glorified by us alwayes glorfied by us is drawn from Creatures reasonable and intelligent but void of grace I am glad when I read verse the eleventh of Revelations ch 5th For when I call to mind how hard a matter it is to hear of eight (1) Gen. 9.25 1 Pet. 3.20 religious persons in the dayes of Noah and in after-times to hearken out a faithful Abram in (2) Gen. 11.31 Vr of the Chaldees a righteous Lot in (3) Gen. 13.12 the Plaines of Jordan one Joseph in (4) Gen. 39.9 the Land of Aegypt or one Job in (5) Job 1.1 the Land of Vz when I meet David alone as a (6) Psalm 102.7 sparrow upon the house-top and finde Elijah (7) 1 Kings 19 9 hiding himself in a Cave I am very (8) 1 Kings 19 10 jealous for the Lord of Hosts and of glory When I see of the habitable places of the earth so small a part Christian of Christendom so great a part idolatrous Of the reformed Churches so few which receive a love of the truth Of such as receive the truth of the Gospel so few that (9) That do seek Scripturaâ—â—â— Verba in opera vertere non dicere sancta sed sacere as Hierom. in Proaem in l. 3. com in Ezech. walk worthy of it mine eyes affect mine heart Weep weep with me O my Friends Rivers of tears run down mine eyes while I perceive so gracious a God to be so universally disregarded I say the truth in Christ I lye not my conscience also bearing me witnesse in the Holy Ghost that I have great heavinesse and continual sorrow in my heart for my Brethren my Kinsmen according unto the flesh the Inhabitants of this Isle O England What shall I take to witnesse for thee Did ever Nation receive so great deliverances as not by might nor by power but by HIS Spirit the great GOD hath wrought for us in restoring unto us our King as at first and our Judges as of old Can WE chuse but [1] Jer. 33.9 fear and tremble for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperity which the LORD hath procured unto us Wherefore do we [2] 1 Sam. 2.29 kick at his free goodnesse
[5] Jerem. 2.5 found in God or in the wayes of God that people should thus [6] Prov. 29.27 abominate either him or his wayes I say again There is not the least resemblance of any colour why [7] Jer. 2.31 folk should be thus weary [8] Mic. 6.3 of Gods loving instructions c. The Lord [9] Ezek. 18.25 burdeneth them not in the least imposeth upon them [10] Psalm 119.86 151 172 no unequal lawes setteth them not to make brick without straw saith not in vain [11] Esay 45.19 seek ye my face doth not like that old Serpent speak us fair to enthral us Would we [12] Mic. 6.3 testifie against him confesse we must that all HIS wayes are equal they are [13] Mic. 2.7 all profitable unto him that understandeth in the meer observing of his Statutes there is [14] Psalm 19.11 a Reward an everlasting Reward Yet yet alas ungodly ones will not come will not trust will not try this merciful Lord They have found him [15] Psalm 7.11 patient they see him [16] Acts 14.17 bountiful yet believe him they will not know him they do not but do because they know him not [17] John 17.25 hate him hate him whom if they knew even [18] Cant. 5.16 their souls would love Neither do they fancy themselves too [19] Jer 5.22 good to obey nor this Soveraign too [20] Ezek. 33.32 Esay 40.18 ignoble to command yet resist him they will they do As the guilty withstood Charles the second for no other reason but for that they were guilty so deal unbelievers with their God their safety lyeth in their submission yet have they their God [21] Esay 57.4 in defiance Jesus professedly delighteth in their salvation they professedly [22] Mat. 22.37 estrange Jesus I said unto the [23] Psal 75.4 5 fools Deal not so madly lift not up your horn on high walk not with a stiffe neck [24] Esay 55.3 Hear and your soul shall live but loe they are [25] Psalm Rom. 3.12 14.3 altogether gone out of the way of peace they have [26] Jer. 35 5 ◠28 cast off the yoke they are children that [27] Esay 1.4 5 are revolters they are quite beside themselves they will not have [28] Luke 19.14 this man Jesus rule over them the Devil shall [29] 2 Cor. 4.4 rule them if he so please but God shall not rule them [30] Psalm 2.13 Psalm 32.8 if he would Mean while there might be in them some idle colour of a silly excuse could they pretend that the scepter of God [31] Psalm 45.6 is no right scepter but they themselves fully know how there abideth in God eternally and infinitely a right to reign a wisdome to govern a justice to distribute a truth to perform a majesty to over-awe a power to protect a mercy to relieve a goodnesse to merit a bounty to reward a loving-kindnesse to sweeten c. Tell me now can we with patience can we without indignation think of so good a [32] Act. 3.15 5.31 Revel 1.5 Prince so causlesly disobeyed so unworthily misconstrued and so ungratefully disavowed Can any thing in the world so deeply [33] Psal 119.53 36 126 afflict us as this viz. to see so universal a revolt from the King of all glory and power So faith full a [34] Phil. 4.6 1 Pet. 4.19 Creator so daily a [35] Job 7.20 Preserver so mighty a [36] Esay 49.26 Redeemer so gracious a [37] 2 Cor. 1.4 Comforter so wise a [38] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basilii Basilij Scleucae Oratio quarta Soveraign is the Lord that we heartily acknowledge that a 38 more faithful Creator a more indulgent Preserver a more propitious Redeemer a more desireable Comforter a wiser Soveraign a more loving Father a more sociable Husband a dearer Bridegroom a more absolute Friend no heart can wish no person can have seek or fancy a better God we cannot desire then this whom we enjoy neither can we without vexation and anguish of spirit take notice how the foolishnesse of the world reproacheth this God Legions of malicious spirits in hell blaspheme him and innumerable multitudes of men here upon earth willingly adhere unto the rebellions of Satan but for this God who bought them they have no obedience For these things we justly weep these reproaches so generally cast upon our God force us to mourn in secret in secret said I Have we then an ability to keep our countenances unchanged Is the prey taken from God Almighty Are men led captive at Satans pleasure Is the King of glory deserted as if he were a Tyrant Do men all the day long run away from our God and do not We [39] 2 Pet. 2.7 8 Psalm 69.9 119.53 136 158 Pbil 3.18 Acts 20.19 31 Ezra 10.6 Nehem. 1.4 Dan. 9.3 Mark 3.5 John 11.38 Matth. 23.37 Jer. 9.1 2 13.17 2 Cor. 7.11 Psalm 139.21 go mourning all the day long Have we any voyce other then the voyce of doves tabring upon their breasts We find not rebellion by secret search but almost in every bosom Not one of a thousand hath his heart upright toward our God! Beloved these these evils are goades in our sides thornes in our eyes swords they are ever piercing our ever bleeding hearts alas our God our glorious God is both at home and abroad dishonoured our holy our dear God is every-where lightly regarded Therefore upon what are our thoughts diverted How is it that while we walk the streets we are able to bite in our lamentations Where where is our zeal where are our compassions the swoonings of our bowels and the loving thankfulnesse the loving kindnesses due from our soules to our God Do we breath any other breath but sighs Can we perpetually sigh without perpetual groanings within our selves Our constant affections toward the sanctifying Spirit may constantly melt us into teares while we see daily daily see the most of men the most of men by far grieving quenching resisting rejecting that powerfull and blessed Spirit Speak ye servants of the most holy Lord God speak if for weeping ye can speak is the Name of our God hourely prophaned everywhere prophaned and can we look one another in the face with dry eyes are we not weeping-ripe are not our eyes brimeful do they not gush out with teares rather do not our very heart-strings burst If so the more sinfull the more rebellious the more heedlesse the more gracelesse most persons are the more industrously in our lives in our words and in our purest thoughts let [40] Quod ego modo cum magno tremore dicturus sum quod vos estis nunc terribiliter audituri imo terribiliter vocaturi stupent Angeli pavescunt virtutes supernum caelum non capit sol non videt terra non sustinet tota non assequitur creatura Pater noster qui es in coelis Hoc est quod pavebam
dicere hoc est quod trepidabam proferre Qui ergo se tanti patris silium consitetur credit respondeat vitâ generi moribus patri mente at que actu asserat quod caelestum consecutus est naturam Chrysologi Serm. 72. our God be by us few glorified Fourthly Reason 4. From grace assisting Therefore God must be by us glorified because if Christs Disciples we be we have the benefit not only of reason but of grace As unreasonable creatures want understanding to know there is a God so unregenerate creatures want grace to glorifie that God whom they know a rational power over all which is before them they may and [1] Rom. 2.8 must exercise a spiritual they should but cannot As ever they would [2] See William Fenner his Wilfull Impenitency Mr. Baxters his Call to the Unconverted his Now or Never c. obtain that glory which shall hereafter be revealed as ever they would work out their salvation as ever they would escape condemnation as ever they would quiet the barking of their guilty consciences as ever they would entitle God unto a protection of what they possesse nay since the fewer their offences the [3] Mat. 16.27 Luke 12.47 48 fewer their torments as ever they would mitigate the severity of eternal wrath let the vilest unbelievers see to it that they do ever make the best use which possibly they can of that little understanding they have David even then when he himself was [4] Psalm 109.4 all prayer made this imprecation against Judas [5] Psalm 109.7 Let his prayer become sin the meek Moses who [6] Exod. 32.32 petitioned rather then not forgive Israels sins blot me out of thy book against Dathan and Abiram brake forth [7] Num. 16.15 Respect not thou their offering Sirs the same is the [8] Mark 3.29 intercession of the merciful Jesus against such unbelievers as despising salvation harden themselves in their [9] John 3.18 accursed estate Such a one cursed he is and will not feel how [10] John 3.5 mortal his sins are he liketh his inbred corruption so well that he had rather be without the Spirit of Regeneration then endure the pangs of a new birth he serveth divers lusts and he liketh it well most contented is he to be Satans underling he [11] Rom. 6.12 7.22 Psalm 51.10 Gal. 5.24 Libera me à malo hom ne viz à merpso Aug. complaineth not that he was conceived in iniquity that he hath a heart rebellious c. In short nature cannot relieve him and he will not seek out for grace therefore is his whole life but a series of hypocrisie and of guilded sins So unreasonable is such a one that he is too [12] Psal 10.4 Homo sib obnoxium Deum exist mat non se Deo Spanhem proud to obey he scorneth instruction so fool-hardy he is that he feareth none of all that infinite power none of all that infinite justice which the Almighty glorieth in Since now the holinesse of God is an [13] Prov. 29.27 abomination unto his heart it is no marvail at all if his sacrifices are an [14] Prov. 15.8 21.27 abomination unto his God for he cannot be said to serve the Lord but [15] Qui facit ea solummodò quae vult facere non Dominicam voluutatem implet sed suam Salvian his own fancy Never never let such a nasty sloven dream that ever the King of glory will accept any confessions any thanksgivings any prayses any panegyricks from such a [16] Psalm 50.16 Prov. 17.7 rustical clown such a vagrant Tinker such a black-mouthed smuttifacâ—â— Chimney-sweeper as he silly unbeliever is Let him know it is for [17] Psal 4.3 33.1 City-Recorders for Vniversity-Orators and for select Ambassadors to receive audience from Princes if these will speak good of our Kings most excellent Majesty our King will graciously vouchsafe unto them this honour that their speeches shall if not please yet not offend What is his Royal Person [18] Job 22.3 4 bettered by any subjects applause Jesus Christ he refuseth Hosanna's if they proceed not from a sincere heart and unlesse you [19] Rom. 8.4 5 seek out for his quickning renewing and sanctifying Spirit vain are your pretences of seeking to glorifie your God Sinners For the Lords sake lay aside this idle this unreasonable unbelief of your hearts Give unto your God the right use [1] See Bishop Prideaux his Euchalogia or Doctrine of Prayer Part 2. cap 7. viz. Of Christian Atacrity of your Reason and of your natural affections It is impossible for him to sincerely seek to glorifie God who hath no apprehension of God other then of an enemy both denouncing judgments and ever likely to execute what judgments he denounceth Now he that drowneth the [2] See of this Book pag. 109. use of his Reason in a perverse unbelief can have no other I mean no other true apprehension of the infinitly just God then some such like disheartening notions Oh do not cherish such perverse such [3] Qualem te paraveris Deo talis oportel appareat tibi Deus Bernard in Cant. Ser. 69. distrustful thoughts He that nourisheth hard thoughts of so good a Lord as our Lord God is verbal thanks he may bring but such alas take not neither with himself nor with his God Not with himself for [4] Prov. 25.20 what are songs unto a heavy heart Zions Songs [5] Psal 137.4 unto an enthraled captive How can one conscious that he is dead in trespasses and guilt come [6] Heb. 4 16 with any boldnesse unto the throne of grace how can he give lively praises Shall the dead [7] Psal 88.10 praise thee O ever living Ood When their Daughter lay [8] Matth. 9.23 without life her weeping parents took small pleasure in the noise of minstrels and unto the prisoner that is guilty the Judges Trumpet giveth but an uncomfortable sound just so unto him whose soul affecteth to be gracelesse the remembrance of God is but a [9] See Bishop Reynolds third Sermon upon Hos 14. mihi p. 7. sad remembrance enlarge the heart it doth not aggravate and renew guilt it doth Neither doth God regard [10] Esay 19.13 such empty lip labours The same unbelief which discourageth man in his duties the same [11] Rom. 8.8 14.23 Heb. 11.6 rendreth his duties displeasing unto his God if God [12] 1 Sam. 25.35 accepteth not his person neither accepteth he his pretended services for as good never a whit as with an evil will and needs must [13] 1 Cor. 12.3 Rom. 8.9 Acts 7.51 that will be evil which hateth to be spiritual Where the heart is not Gods what valueth he the rest nay where the heart undervalueth his Spirit what valueth he the heart That heart which would [14] Ex arbitrio non ex Dei imperio Tertul. like Israel who when he saw without a God
3.8 them whom and them alone whom he listeth to sanctifie but as true it is that whosoever (2) Gal. 6.8 soweth to this Spirit shall of this Spirit reap life everlasting Object He that will sow to the Spirit must think a good thought but it is not in us of our selves (1) 2 Cor. 3.5 to think a good thought Answ Neither is it of our selves that we (1) Acts 17.28 live move and have a being Our self-insufficiency is so far from being (2) Phil. 2.12 13 a bar against Duty that it should excite us unto the use of all meanes possible The more we want breath the more we gasp for it I opened my mouth and panted for I (3) Psalm 119.131 When Anaxarchus the Philosopher told the Treasurer the gist which he expected from Alexander was no lesse then an bradred talents Alexander was very well pleased for said he He understandeth me aright he understandeth that I am both able and willing to give him Luke 11.13 so great a gist Plutarch Apotheg longed for thy Commandements Therefore work out your salvation with fear and trembling because he who worketh in you to will and to do is God Therefore be renewed in the spirit of your mind Therefore be ye filled with the Spirit because God is he which poureth forth of his Spirit upon all flesh God is he and he alone that must put his Spirit in our inward parts When unto what we should do alone the Master himself putteth a helping hand we the servants are the more sober the more circumspect the more diliget yea and the more confident too for if our Master himself begin once to help us without doubt he would have his work well performed and perfectly finished Be of good chear arise he (4) Mar. 10.49 calleth thee Object If he begins But Doth he or will he begin Answ He both does and will if thou (1) Acts 5.32 wilt not resist Know where God freely vouchsafeth the ministration of his Gospel there (2) Acts 11.18 28.28 2 Cor. 3.8 9 Velle currere meum est sed ipsum meum sine Dei auxilio non erit meum Hieron Tom. 2. Ep. 197. the ministration of his Gospel is unto them who obey it the ministration of the Spirit Object To obey is also a gist of the Spirit Answ Until the Spirit first furnisheth thee with a sanctified will and with a sanctified obedience he (1) 2 Cor. 8.12 accepteth what thou hast even thy hearty will and real desire If thou in the simplicity of thy soul stretchest forth the uttermost of thine understanding and of thine affections after things spiritual God will (2) Nos autem dicimus humanam voluntatem sic divinitùs adjuvari ad faciendam justitiam ut accipiat Spiritum Sanctum quo fiat in animo ejus delectatio dilectioqs summi illius incommunicabilis Bozi Aug. de Sp. cap. 3. mercifully interpret this a spiritual mindednesse he will not quench this smoaking flax Reason telleth thee it is as well thy wisdome as thy duty to prefer Gods wayes Gods will and Gods glory before thine own wayes will and glory Doth thy heart assent unto this evident truth If so I doubt not but God will sanctifie thee by his truth He that will do the will of his God shall (3) John 7.17 know it and he that coveteth Gods Spirit for Gods sake shall (4) Esay 44.3 have what he coveteth Beloved Of free grace it is that (1) Acts 10.45 2 Pet. 1.3 God causeth his Gospel to shine among us of free grace it is that now while it shineth we rereive from it any light of knowledge at all of free grace it is that any lght of knowledge raiseth in any of us any good desires (2) Habemâ—s nos aliqud Dei sed ab ipso non à nobis sed ex gratiâ ipsius non ex nostiâ proprâ—etate Tertul. câ—ntr Hermog of free grace it is if in us and from us proceedeth any thought word or deed that good is but then so abundant is this free grace of his that if we resist not his free Spirit will succour strengthen stablish us in a firm resolution and practice of glorifying our Lord God (3) 2 Cor. 4.6 I pronounce therefore and what I pronounce I vehemently believe to be true viz. that who so through (1) Trahitur miris modis ut velit ab illo qui novit imus in ipsis hominum cordibus operari non ut homines quod fieri non potest nol ntes credan sid ut volentes ex nolentibus siant August coatr 2 Epist Peleg l. 1. c. 19. a desire of the quickening Spirit applyeth himself unto prayer unto the word preached unto new obedience c. and doth in a diligent use of these and of the like Gospel-Ordinances patiently wait the Lords leisure in Gods time and Gods time is best he shall obtain the so long desired spirit of grace and this as unquestionably as the spirit of Truth hath both offered and promised this Spirit Consider Friends as faith cometh by hearing so if (2) Rev. 13.9 any man will he may hear By such unlimited invitations the Father who sent Christ draweth us (3) John 6.44 to coâ—e unto Christ and whosoever of us doth in the search of the Scriptures and fervency of prayer come to Christ him will (4) John 6.37 Jesus Christ in no wise cast out Yea if our fainting souls mistrust that the Father draweth us not Behold Christ of himself (5) Rev. 3.20 Quicquid appetitur appetitur ad modum appetentis cometh unto us he standeth at the door of our consciences at the door of our understandings at the door of our affections he standeth patiently and knocketh importunately he is as glad to hear our voyce as we are to hear his if we enlarge our hearts unto him if we open the door unto him though a King of glory (6) Psalm 24.7 9 he be he will not disdain to come in unto us he hath a mind to (7) Coen◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à commuatoae vesceatium Isiod sup with us and we if we will take an humble corfidence may feast with him our defiled consciences may (8) 1 Cor. 5.8 feast upon his Righteousnesse of this Fountain of (9) John 7.37 38 all spiritual graces our thirsty (10) Quicquid recipitur recipitur ad modum recipientis appetites may drink freely and abundantly and of this bread of life our hungry soules may eat their fill If we want Spirit look we unto Jesus Christ he will put spirit into us If we have a desire to glorifie the God of Heaven then is Jesus Christ one of our (11) Affectu consociat â— confoederat voluntates Cypr. Yea we glorifie the same Father which John 20.17 Christ himself doth fraternity whatsoever he doth he doth it for the praise and glory of his Father we cannot please him
more then when we through his mediation make use of his Spirit to glorifie our God Object If the holy Spirit may be so easily had if Jesus Christ be so forward to seize and seal us then may flesh and blood (1) Thus the urgodly Psalm 36.2 slat reâ—h herself in his own eye until his inequity be fâ—â—d to be hateful borrow a little more freedom Some piety and some pleasure some godlinesse and some worldlinesse may the one help out the other Though we go on in our practices a while longer we will be so wise unto salvation that before death surprize us we will settle our selves once for all to repent believe obey live strictly c. Answ [1] Psal 59.5 119. v. 119.155 Satan can furnish us every day in the year with as handsome a device as is this There is no resolution more common among the sonnes of men then this is but withal none more pernicious none more devillish This is Sir Politique Would-be his smooth forecast a project fit for a limb of the Devil for certainly no child of God (2) Nolite sperare in iniquilate nolite peccare in spe Bernardus Serm. 2. de Advent In viis custodict nunquid in Praecipitiis Idem in Psalm 91. dareth to harbour so prodigious a thought in his bosom What! Will you serve the Holy Ghost as you serve your dogs Will you (1) Ezek. 14.3 make use of the holy Spirit hereafter to hant and catch your prey but turn him quite out of doores now while you sit down at meales There is not a greater (2) Esay 26.10 spice of Atheism in the heart of man then this Then is the stone of unbelief (3) James 1.7 most unlikely to be rolled away from thy door when it sinketh deepest in such sandy Foundations Know son of Belial know To (4) Porcis comparandi sunt qui ca prius concupiscunt ut luto caenoque involvant quae mox avidè devorent Parker de antiq Brit. in praefat neglect God in our sicknesse To trample under foot the blood of Jesus hoping to serve our turn upon it hereafter This is not to glorifie but to delude God! This were not to obey but to command the Almighty It is not to have a true fear of the Lord but a false love of our selves Take it for a Rule although it glister never so much that is (1) James 2.17 26 1.27 no true grace which feedeth upon delayes One who now feareth he is now drowning (2) Sera nimis vita est crastina timor addidit alas 1 Tim 6.12 will not say To morrow I will strive to swim The finger which feeleth a burning coal will quickly hands off Whoso espyeth gold dropped in the street will not passe over it to day saying I will come and look after it at night nor will one who is a sincere follower of Christ Jesus ask (3) Matth. 8.21 suffer me first to bury my dead This (4) Vive hodie Nauseabit ad antidotun qui hiavit ad venenum Tertul. cont Gnost cap. 5. future repentance this future faith which you sinners store up in your idle imaginations is not Repentance but Ignorance not faith but fancy a meet (5) Sub lege est qui timore supplicij quod lex minatur non amore justitiae se sentit abstinere ab opere peccati noâ—dum liber nec alienus à voluntate peccandi In ipsâ caim voluntate reus est quâ mallet si fieri posset non esse quod timeat ut liberè faciat quod occultè desiderat Augast de nat grat cap. 57. Esecta in naufregio dominorum adbuc suâ—t quia non eo anâ—mo ejieiuatur quo lâ—eas habere nolint sed ut periculum effugiant lib. 41. cap. 9. Sect 8. glow-worm having no light at all except what it borroweth from darknesse Hypocrites if you see many such glow-worms it is night with you ye walk in darknesse and since ye know not wether ye go I will inform you you are going directly in the road way to hell although you want eyes to see him the Devil walketh with you step by step Do ye not feel him bearing sway in your hearts He laugheth at your security he laugheth but keepeth himself invisible he keepeth himself invisible and leadeth you onward to perdition Escape for your life return the Lord Jesus he calleth after you His Spirit giveth you to understand that To repent believe c. is not to flatter thy God that thou wilt forsooth hereafter become dutiful but to deny thy self forthwith viz. to stand in present (1) Therefore all commands in Scripture requiring us to repent believe c. enjoyn us to repent believe c. presently awe of Gods justice to fear his displeasure to delight in his Commandements to obey his Authority to (2) Deum colit quisquis imitatus est Seneca Ep. 95. reverence his holinesse to rejoyce in his praises c. which to do since we are of our selves so strangely indisposed we seek for a communion with and for assistance from the co-operating Spirit and this Spirit we cherish that by it we may be (3) Suavissima est vita indies sentire se fieri meliorem more and more enabled to glorifie our God Object Since the glory of the Eternal Power is so great that it cannot be (1) In this Book see pag. 280.281 encreased and so infinite that it cannot be diminished Whence is it that God expecteth glory from man and man seeketh to glorifie God Answ Seeing vain man is so selfish that though he is not (1) Non nobis so'uÌ„ nati sumus Cicero born for himself alone he would little benefit others were it not that he sought his own prayse rather then he (2) Of this Treatise see p. 239 240. should not be instrumental unto the service of the chosen of God there is indeed implanted in him an affectation of glory The numerous and excellent Writings of all heathen and many Christian Authors the invention and improvement of Arts and Sciences yea the most famous Works throughout the world may most of them be ascribed unto the vain glory of their performers But we may (3) See also pages 280 281 282 284 and there N. 5. conceive no such unworthy thoughts of the infinite God as there is in him no defect so there can be in him no affectation The great God willeth that we should glorifie him partly in regard of us partly in regard of himself 1. In regard of us God infinitely delighteth to communicate good giveth us occasion to glorifie him that thereby He Himself may take occasion First to relieve (1) Psalm 50.15 our necessities Many charitable Christians fall to building planting mounding sim for no other cause but that they may relieve the needy in finding work for them just so the liberal God (2) Esay 32.8 deviseth liberaâ—â— things Secondly to (1) Vere
necesse est etiam Patrem misirorum Bernard Se m. 1. in fest omnium Sanct. withhold grace from them who implore his Spirit Object But do not some who seek Jesus dye (1) John 8.21 in their sins Answ Yes very (1) Matth. 20.16 many For why They seek to be saved not (2) Matth. 1.21 from their sins but from Hell They would separate sanctification from justification They would partake of mercy but not (3) Heo 12.14 Verè Christianus est qui plus amat Dominam quà m trmet peccatum S. Bernardus Ille autem peccare metuit qui peccatum ipsum sicut gehennas odit of Holinesse Flourish under the Crown they would but would not submit unto the Scepter They love Jesus but not Christ Would they seek as well Christ as Jesus Would they seek him to be as well their Captain as their Salvation as well their Governour as their Saviour as well their Wisdome as their Redemption as well their Death as their Resurrection they should not then dye in their sins Bradford somewhere saith that The Gospel is a new Doctrine to the old man if the old man will without more hurt then good to himself receive it he must become new that he may receive it If we would seek Christs Kingdom we must also seek the righteousnesse thereof If we would have his Kingdom come we must let his will be done If we would be under grace sin must not have dominion over us Object They must dye in their sins if they be (1) Eph. 2.3 2 1 4 children of wrath Answ The (1) Psalm 14 7 11 Nihil tam dignum Deo quam salus hominâ—s Tertul. Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in those that hope in his mercy Such as are by nature children of wrath cease so to be if they cease to be children of disobedience Object Whom he will God (1) Rom. 9.18 hardeneth Answ True God withholdeth the (1) Amos 4.7 Deum scire nemo potest nisi Deo docente sine Deo non cognoscitur Deus Ireaeus lib. 4. cap. 14. meanes of grace from what Kingdom City Parish or Person he pleaseth Where means of grace is offered there he likewise hardeneth such hearts as Pharaoh-like refuse to submit he hardeneth such as like the Jewes affect to be ignorant such as bend the strength of their understanding and affections against his revealed pleasure them he hardeneth for although God vouchsafeth to elect and call us without our wills sanctisie and save us against our wills he (2) Illud nescio quomodo dicuur feastra Deum miscreri nisi nos velimus Si enim Deus miseretur etiom volumus ad eandem quippe misericordiam pertinet ut velimus S. Aug. ad Simplician lib. 1. qu. 2. will not Object Who then shall be sanctified Answ They whose affections God (1) Deus sumit ex se matertem velut quoddam seminarium miserendi miserendi causam originem sumit ex proprio S. Bernard Serm. 5. in nat Dom. subdueth and whose heart he (2) Hec gratia quae occulte humanis cordibus divinâ largitate tributtur à nul'o duro corde respuitur ideo quippe tribuitur ut cordis duritia primitus auferatur S. Aug. de praedest Sanct. cap. 8. A Deo disceâ—dum est quid de Deo intelligendum est quia non nisi se authore cognoscuur Hillar de Trin. lib. 5. openeth If hitherto God hath neither subdued thine affections nor opened thine understanding do not forthwith give thy self over unto a reprobate mind but give diligence to be found of God ar and in his Ordinances Be sure to be in readinesse at the Pool of Bethesda against the good Angel in my Text moveth upon those waters of knowledge If thou wouldest be a Temple for the Holy Ghost wait thou at the gates of his Temple and if it be the work of a God to command thy stubborn heart surrender thou thy stubborn heart that God may command it Phil. 2.12 13. Object Deut. 29.4 Answ From v. 3. Had they followed God (1) Num. 14 24 fully as Joshua and Caleb did God would (2) Deut. 5.29 have given them a heart Object John 6.44 Answ True For except the Father had (1) Mat. 3.17 17.5 revealed how well he was pleased with the Son of man none (2) Esay 53.2 compare Luke 24.21 with Rom. 1.4 would ever have come unto the Son of man as unto a (3) 1 John 2.1 Mediatour Object John 3.5 Answ Therefore let not Nicodemus trust unto that which is born of the flesh but let him thirst after the Spirit Object Esau have I (1) Rom 9.13 hated Answ While Esau was yet unborn God foreknew that the promised seed should descend from the loines not of Esau but of Jacob Object Not of works but (1) Rom. 9.11 of him that calleth Answ True for He (1) 1 John 4.19 loveth us first First we must be known of God before we (2) Gal. 4.9 can know God Object Who hath then (1) Rom. 9.19 See of this Treatise from page 76. forward resisted his will Answ He who mighe have known God but would not Object It is not (1) Rom. 9.16 of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Answ True for it is the Lords mercy if we (1) Phil. 3.13 either will or run Object Why say you then that God never withheld grace from them that seek grace Answ Because seek and you (1) Matth. 7.7 shall find Object May then any one that seeketh grace receive Christ Answ Yes Who so (1) Revel 22.17 Will. Object But can any one Answ No None but (1) John 1.12 such as believe in his Name Object Can any that will believe Answ Any to whom it is (1) Phil. 1.29 given Object How if it be not given to believe Answ They unto whom it is not given to believe must as I told you believe First that (1) John 15.6 Privatio generat appetitnm 2 Cor. 3.5 Ephes 2.9 of themselves they can do nothing Secondly that (2) Jam. 1.17 From the Father of Lights cometh every good and perfect gift Thirdly that this Father of Lights hath appointed ways and meanes whereby (3) Heb. 11.6 this gift of faith may be obtained Fourthly that a (4) Acts 17.30 John 6.29 Esay 8.19 1 John 3.23 Duty lyeth upon them diligently to apply themselves unto the appointed meanes Lastly that in the use of the meanes appointed he shall not (5) Isa 45.19 Lament 3 25 Amos 5.6 Psalm 147.11.119.151.75.1.34.18.145.18.84.11 Matth. 7.7 Revel 3.20 Nec latuit praeceptorem praecepti pondus hominum excedere vires Sed judicavit utile ex hoc ipso suae illas insufficientiae admoneri Ergo mandando Impossibilia non praevaricatores hommes fecit sed humiles ut omne os obstructur subditus fiat omnis mundus Deo quâ—aâ—ex operibus legâ—s non
Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty c. For a mind truly spiritual is never more at liberty then when it is most dis-enthralled from serving sin nor [3] Melior est cum totus haeret atque constringitur incommutabili Bono quam cùm inde vel ad seipsum relaxatur Idem de doctrin Christ doth it ever more enjoy it self then when it is most taken up in the glorifying of God Of great use is that small Book [4] Memorials of Godlinesse and Christianity by Herbert Palmer which maketh Religion our businesse but in very truth we never make Religion the businesse of our souls until we first [5] Etiam ist diâ—â—t illi Deus Utere delitiis carnalibus sempiternis quantum potes pecca nec oneriorit nec in gehennam mitteris sed mecum tantummodò non eris exhorrescit omnino non peccat non jam ut in illud quod antea timebat non incidat sed me illum quem sic amat offendat S. August de Catechisand Budibus c. 17. make the glory of our God the businesse of our Religion till then against flesh and blood yea against principalities and powers wrestle we may but little is our victory because little is our faith that is little do we seek the glory of our God Those seemingly bitter herbs of contrition humiliation repentance self-denyal c. the which new born-babes can so hardly force themselves to swallow down will then be [1] Rom. 7.25 Matth. 6.33 Luke 14.26 28 31.33 pleasant unto their rellish when they have once tasted how good and gracious that God is which calleth [2] 〈◊〉 16.24 them unto these duties Oh let us who are Preachers of the Gospel fully [3] Danda inprimis opera est ut Deum norimus quotquot faelices esse volumus instruct our people what it is to honour or dishonour an infinite God for where the knowledge of this [4] Luke 10.42 Magnam rem puta hominem unum agere praeter sapientem nemo unum agit Seneca Epist 120. one point is prevalent there grace assisting all other exercises of Godlinesse will co-incidently follow Once convince a sinner what it is to dishonour the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ humble himself that sinner will repent himself he will deny himself he will c. nay he will earnestly thirst after the sanctifying Spirit purposely that he may be enabled to glorifie his God as God It is because we Ministers have not wholly purged our selves from the idlenesse of self-love if at any time notwithstanding so many discouragements are cast into our way we [1] John 21.15 16 17 and Debetur maximo operi haec veneratio ut novissimum sit authorque ejus statim consecrandus Plin. Panegyr advance not our peoples soules before our private interests And it is because you Parishioners find not the [2] Matth. 26.10 Mark 14.6 8 Luke 8.3 John 19.39 Revel 19 24 sweetnesse of honouring the Lord with your substance that Our right your Tythes cometh so unwillingly from [3] Philem. 19 you These follies would no longer blemish our Gospel-conversation could our soules once unfeignedly make their boast of our God esteeming HIM as indeed he is Our Prayse Your family-duties your attention at Catechisings your resorting unto Sermons sim I joy and rejoyce in go on and prosper Neverthelesse for the good of your soules I speak it in divers persons here among us I had not perceived that defect of knowledge which I do now discover had not the publique prayers of our English Church been newly restored unto our Congregations Verily I commend you for that most times wherein we have a Sermon your seats are full for so they ought to be but of this I complain At the [1] viz. Ea quae sub oculis posita sunt negligimus quia naturâ comparatum est ut proximorum incuriosi longinqua sectamur seu quòd omnium rerum cupido languescit cùm facilis occasio est Plin. lib. 8. Epist 20. Adeo naturale est magìs nova quà m magna mirari Seneca quaest natural lib. 7. cap. 1. but Qaisquis bonus verusque Christs anus est Domini sui esse intelligat ubicunque invenerit veritatem August de doctr Christ lib. 2. cap. 18. Et quae divisa beatos Efficiunt collecta tenent Claudian Common Prayers of our Church small is our Assembly Beloved In [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hat seem the smallest neglects prove most dangerous Arist Rhet. lib. 1. neglecting Common Prayers you neglect [2] Fructum ex eo quis consequi non debet cui impugnat Gotofrid your selves you injure the [3] Rom. 12.18 1 Cor. 1.10 Ephes 4.2 3. Unitas interior unanimitas ipsam cuique multiplicitatem colligat constringit S. Bernard Phil. 3.16 Quid tam congruum fidei humanae divinae say I quam ea quae inter nos placuerunt servare Ulpian lib. 1. sf dé pactis peace and good of the Church and [4] Perit gratia si reposcatur Plin. lib. 1. Ep. 13. Contumacia cumulat poenam Marcian l. 4. P. de poenis Sapiens est divitiarum naturalium much more spiritualium quaesitor acerrimus Seneca Epist 119. Psalm 84.11 2 Cor. 9.7 Ephes 6.18 Heb. 10.25 Nulla multitudinis potentia nisi consentientis id est unum sentientis Aug. de verâ Relig. cap. 25. Inflatus tumens animus in vitio est Sapientis animus nunquam turgescit nunquam tumet Cicero Tuscul quaest lib. 3. sin against your own soules Psalm 84.4.142.1 2. Beloved in obedience unto the higher [1] Rom. 13.1 powers placed in authority under our most gracious King yea in loyalty unto our dread Prince himself as unto our [2] Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14 supream Governour ye would not if ye knew your [3] Rom. 13.4 Non parum interest ad Christianam pietatem quibus vocibus utamur Aug. de Civit. Dei l. 10. c. 13. Id potissimum eligamus quod cum sanâ fide concordat Idem de Gen. l. 1. c. 21. own good ye would not neglect to assemble your selves unto the Liturgie of the Church Inasmuch as [4] 1 Sam. 15.22 obedience is better then sacrisice But alas such is the nature of your absenting your selves from Gods publique worship that you in one and the same default neglect both obedience and sacrifice too Brethren if you have indeed a love for your God shew it openly and constantly in the [5] Psal 22.22 1 Chron. 6.13 midst of our Congregation Absent your selves from the Liturgie of our Church [1] For wheras Id quisque potest quod jure potest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysostom in Rom. Hom. 2. Nulli servorum licet ex his quae Dominus imperat quod placuerit assumere quod displicuerit repudiare Salvian de providen lib. 3. lawfully ye may not Suppose ye might Consider I beseech you how this
benefits received to set forth the praises of their God and to rejoyce in the open publick and solemn worship of their great and glorious Lord I pity such [2] Hos 7.8 dow-baked such piece-meal Christians alas their own practices witnesse against them that [3] It is our duty to love our soules but it is not our duty to love our soules more then our God they assemble hither more in care of their soules then in love and duty toward their God I say such are lovers of themselves more then lovers of God This Christian she sought to be edified by Sermons had a care of her soul and yet a reverence a love for her God I say She came hither not to (4) Psalm 119. v. 161 please her self but to worship and [5] Psal 30.4 31.23 52.9 84.1.42.1 2. Psalm 146. and 147. and 148. 149. 150.103.1 -5. Ps 104. and Psa 105. and 106. and 107. and 134. and 135. 136. 138. 144. 145. glorifie her God Unlesse we be (1) Esse Christianum grande est not videri non vocari S. Hieron ad Paulin. renewed in the spirit of our mind he who adhereth unto set formes and he who affecteth extemporary effusions is equally exposed unto a gracelesse customary lip-service And whether we be or be not renewed in the spirit of our mind every unpremeditated extemporary phrase of him with whom I join in prayer is unto me a set form Notwithstanding the clear evidence of these palpable truths monstrous it is What Cavils some (2) I account them Novices because either they should correct the CXXXVI Ps else that CXXXVI Psalm should correct them See Matth. 26.44 1 Cor. 14.15 16 Novices would if they could create against our set form of Gods publick worship They would rather (3) Praestat esse aliquam republicam and so Praestat esse aliquam Ecclesiam quà m nullam Ita nati estis ut bota malaque vestra ad rempublicam pertineant Tacit. Annal. lib. 4. Non nobis solum nui sumus Cicero Possessionem Bonitatis tanto latiùs quantò concordiùs individut sociorum possidet Charitas Aug. de Civit. Dei lib. 15. c. 5. * expose our Churches of Christ unto the Jesuited subtility of Separatists Anabaptists and Quakers then (4) Eph. 4.3 Phil. 2.3 4 3.16 Rom. 12.3.18 1 Cor. 1.10 in obedience unto the truths of the Gospel and in (5) 1 Pet. 2.13 Rom. 13.1 5. submission unto the Authority over us endeavour in a (6) Non mutet homo monetam quam impresserunt sapientes viz. Benedictiones Orationes quas ipsi ordinaverunt Aelias Thisbites in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 regular service of our God to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Beloved this Christian did not so Torms of Confession Prayer and Thanksgiving were exhibited by (1) Exod. 15.1 Moses by (2) 2 Sam. 1.18 David by (3) Hos 14.2 Hosea by (4) See Tirinus Hutcheson c. in Hab. cap. 3 Habakkuk against the threatened time of their captivity and by (5) Isa 1.2.1.4 Esay against their promised return from captivity But how were these exhibited Answ Not as Crutches to patch up lame Devotions as some blasphemovsly suggest no nor yet as burdens unnecessarily imposed but these and the like Ordinances were instituted as (6) Numb 6. compare v. 27. with v. 23. benefits and blessings For in a sanctified person set formes cannot provoke customary flatnesse seeing the soul of such a One (7) Eph 6.18 watcheth unto prayer neither can they cherish carelesse roaving wandering thoughts for (8) Rom 12.12 the heart is fixed much lesse do they limit or quench the Spirit for Gods (9) Rom 8.26 27 Spirit maketh intercession for him with groanings which cannot be uttered You may be sure it is for the edifying of the Church if Christ himself impose a set form upon his (10) Luke 11.2 Disciples and if God himself doth the like by (11) Num. 6.23 Aaron and his sonnes Of all which this Saint had so perfect experience that From the very first beginning unto the full end of our Divine Service She was most commonly She was here present present not only with us but with the (1) Whereas Plus valent exempla quà m praecepta Here is an example worthy your imitation Lord She gave diligence to worship God reverently to worship God as Her God to wit She ever kept her self ever intent upon every instant Duty giving thanks heartily as unto the Lord praying fervently singing chearfully hearing heedfully I speak this as having been a constant eye-witnesse of what I speak Verily I know not that person among you all which is more instant in prayer or more watchful in every kind of Devotion then constantly this Gentlewoman was As she rejoyced in the worship of her God so she delighted to hear the joyful sound She attentively hearkened unto Gods Word as well read as preached Nor did she rest here she sought as well sanctification as knowledge even (1) What was spoken of Origen may be related of her Quemadmodum vixit sic dixit quemadmodum dixit sic vixit sanctification unto obedience She was none of those who are given unto pleasure and dwell carelesly viz. She kept her heart with all diligence endeavouring to adorn her Gospel-profession You might know the abundance of her heart from the sweetnesse of her lips inasmuch as Her most and most familiar converse was principally of the things of God Of this Her sick bed shall be my witnesse an evidence beyond expectation a testimonial worthy to be recorded For at what time her Disease waxed violent at what time the violence of her disease grew [1] Mors pio undecunque bona nec potest malè mori qui bene vixerit S. Aug. de doct Christ cap. 12. into a distemper at what time that distemper scattered her thoughts intercepted her meditations and disheveled her speech even then then I say her words had a reserve a taste a tincture of holinesse I say again Her words still savoured of that holy Spirit wherewith she [2] Christiani sumus beati sumus tam morientes quam viventes S. S. was sealed unto the day of Redemption Watchfulnesse Immortality Perfection Peace Salvation Eternity Faith in Christ Righteousnesse Hope Heavenly glory Joy Loving-kindnesses These these were the treasures which enriched Her minde which silvered her Tongue which elevated the Ayre of her notes and made her voyce Musical I had almost said Seraphical Her dying sentences could not be but her dying words were like the [1] 2 Sam. 23.1 last words of David or like these [2] John 14.1 2 last words of the Son of David good and heavenly Pregnant she was although she wanted strength to bring forth Pregnant she was although Rachel-like she [3] In Child-bearing Mrs. Rutter dyed dyed in Childbearing and truly if Rachels grave [4] Gen. 35.16
are not deprived of the delight [21] Psalm 63.1 119.174.20 which accompanieth expectations As hope deferred maketh fruition the [22] Prov. 13.12 more sweet so there is a [23] 1 Pet. 1.3 livelinesse in hope A pleasant and amiable practice it is to [24] Job 22.21 Phil. 2 1 1 John 1.3 acquaint ovr selves with that God whose beatifical vision we long for When out [25] Rev. 19.7 marriage with the Lamb shall at length be celebrated we shall [26] 1 Thes 4.17 consummate our joyes in the highest heavens neverthelesse it is no small satisfaction unto us that we are [27] Hos 2.19 20 Jerem. 2.2 Ezek. 16.8 2 Cor. 11.2 1 Cor. 6.17 betrothed here below While the Bridegroom of our soules [28] Esay 58.11 Psalm 32.8 73.24 guideth us thorough the troubles of heart toward the mansions in his Fathers house his loving Spirit makes us to [29] Esay 23.2 36.7 8 9 10 lye down in green pastures and leadeth us as beside waters of quietnesse so beside [30] Cant. 3.11 Rivers of pleasure Sirs although the day of our espousals will be unto us the eternal day 30 of the gladnesse of our hearts yet we would not be debarred the [31] Jer. 2.2 sweets of wooing we would not misse the ever (32) Phil. 2.1 endearing communion of his most blessed Spirit Happy we that we may (33) Hos 2.14 take time between Aegypt and the promised Rest Oh let us (34) John 6.31 feed a while upon Manna in the wildernesse Let us rest (35) Ps 84.7 our selves upon the holy hill of Sion before we climb (36) Gal. 4.26 Jerusalem above By this we know that God hath a delight in us to do us good in our later end (37) 1 John 4.13 because he vouchsafeth unto us his own Spirit It is the holy Spirit which (38) Nehem. 9.20 instructeth (39) Psa 32.8 adviseth (40) Revel 3.18 counselleth (41) Eph. 2.1 Psalm 119.93 quickeneth and (42) Eph. 32 8 73.24 guideth us in every duty wherewith at any time we glorifie our God It it the holy Spirit that Spirit whom we so long resisted so ungratefully quenched and so frequently grieve which maketh every Ordinance of Christ (43) Eph. 3.7 4.16 1 Thes 2.13 effectual unto our soules It is the holy Spirit which (44) Eph. 4.30 sealeth us as his own peculiar goods against the day of Redemption This is that (45) Nehem. 9.20 good Spirit that (46) John 14.16 other that (47) Psa 51.6 inward that ever-present (48) John 14.18 26 Psalm 94.19 Comforter which maketh every day throughout the year to us a (49) Esay 57.18 19 Feast of Pentecost which continually (50) Esay 30.21 John 14.1 whispereth unto us Let not your heart be troubled yea which graciously (51) With Heb. 13.21 compare John 14.11 raiseth our hearts unto a belief in God and unto a belief in his Christ Dear Christians to be spiritually minded is (52) Rom. 8.6 life and peace be ye (53) Eph. 5.18 filled with the spirit and ye shall be filled with joy The graces of this blessed Spirit are the ornaments with which He who is the desire of our soules (54) Psalm 149 4 beautifieth us This Spirit of grace is that (55) John 3.29 friend of the Bridegroom which gaineth a good affection in us toward our Lover which (56) Esay 56.7 interpreteth unto us all his love-tokens By this Spirit he bringeth us into (57) Hos 2.14 Cant. 7.12 the secret places of the Wildernesse by this Spirit he allureth us speaketh dearly to us wooeth us courteth us and (58) Esay 5.1 Psalm 118.14 42.8 singeth unto us the whole song of Solomon By this Spirit he (59) Eph. 5.26 purifieth our hearts that we may come with the more confidence unto his Bride-Chamber He holdeth a close (60) 2 Cor. 13.14 communion with our spirits by this Spirit The time of our spiritual life here is the (61) Jer. 2.2 Tota Christiani vita est Esay 26.8 desiderium sanctum time of loves We have not patience to stay until he bring us unto his Bride-chamber oh let him kisse us here (62) Cant. 1.2 with the kisses of his mouth The mouth of him who espouseth us unto himself is this Spirit even the Spirit of truth and of love In every grace viz. in the (63) Heb 5.14 exercise of every grace we enjoy a (64) Phil. 3.20 Ephes 2.6 heavenly mindednesse which eternity it self shall perfect This God (65) 1 John 4 8. of love is a (66) Wisdom 1.6 loving spirit he leadeth us into his (67) Prov. 3.17 wayes of pleasantnesse he walketh with us in his garden walkes he filleth us with (68) Psalm 119 20 longings he ravisheth our souls with (69) Psalm 119 97 spiritual delights he (70) Rom. 8.15 adopteth us children children of God and heires of salvation he (71) 2 Pet. 1.4 maketh us partakers of the divine naturr he [72] Jer. 3.14 declareth us the Spouse of Jesus Christ O let us be thankful for that [73] Zech. 12 10 Spirit of grace which [74] James 1.17 alone can give us grace to be [75] Ephes 5.20 thankful Ninthly Vnto us a [1] Esay 9.6 Son is given As the Son imparteth unto us [2] John 3.34 7.38 15.26 his own spirit so the Father [3] John 3.16 giveth unto us his own Son his own Son [4] 1 John 1.2 Eph. 3.9 11 manifest in the flesh A mysterie a great mysterie a [5] See Bishop Andrews Serm. on 1 Tim. 3.16 See Ephe. 3.10 great mysterie almost swallowing up our meditations and making us not so much thankful as thankfulnesse it self For since this Son of God is both [6] Acts 10.36 Lord and [7] Heb. 1.2 heir of all things give [8] Rom. 8.32 HIM to us and we will quickly lay our claim unto [9] 1 Cor. 3.22 whatsoever he hath The work of [10] John 1.3 Col. 1.16 his hands the worlds which [11] Heb. 1.2 he created they are [12] Ps 115.16 our goods and chattels Ours [13] Matth. 6.32 1 Tim. 4 8 Heb. 13.5 during our life for [14] 1 Cor. 7.31 our use His for ever for [15] Psalm 119 91 his glory What inheritance he holdeth by [16] Mat. 21.33 birthright that by his [17] Heb. 1.2 purchase is [18] Rem 8.17 Tit. 3.7 Heb. 1.14 James 2.5 1 Pet. 3.7 made ours The price of his blood is [19] 1 Cor. 10.16 Ephes 1.7 Ours payeth off [20] 1 John 1.7 9. all our debts and that [21] Phil. 2.9 unto his gain The [22] Phil. 3.10 power of his Resurrection is [23] Rom. 6.5 11. Ours raiseth us from [24] Col. 3.1 dead works and will [25] John 6.54 raise us up at the last day His holy life is [26]
Rom. 13.14 our example and [27] Mat 17.5 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 merit His universal obedience hath [28] Gal. 2.16 fulfilled the whole Law [29] Gal. 3.13 in our stead His [30] 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification is made ours because he is holy we are reputed holy because he is righteous we are (31) Esay 13.11 reputed righteous nâ—y his very Sonship is (32) Gal. 4.5 6 ours He is Son of God by (33) Psalm 110.1 nature we by the (34) Eph. 1.5 adoption of his Spirit for this cause he is not (35) Heb. 2.11 ashamed to call us brethren and to acknowledge His Father to be (36) John 20.17 Our father But though Jonathan keepeth (37) 1 Sam. 18.14 his bow his sword and his robes to himself David will love Jonathan for (38) 1 Sam. 18.3 Jonathans sake True of the fulnesse of Christ we all (39) John 1.16 receive grace for grace and whatsoever duties we owe unto God them Jesus Christ performeth (40) Eph. 5.2 Tit. 2.14 in our name and stead but did he neither secure us from wrath nor procure us benefits yet still Jesus is the (41) Magni Parentis non minor filius Chara Dei sobo'es magnum Jovis incrementum Or as Aurelius Symmachus of Boethius Illud pretiocijsimum humani generis decus gracious Son of a gracious Father we should love Jesus both for his Fathers sake and for his own sake Mean while He who spared not his own Son but hath (42) Rom. 8.3 given him up to our nature to our infirmities to our sorrowes to the wrath and death due to us he that giveth to us and thus giveth to us his Son how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Wherefore thanks be unto God (43) Rom. 7.25 through Jesus Christ our Lord yea thandks be unto God for Jesus Christ our Lord. The last matter of Thankfulnesse which I now propose while we abide here within this kingdome of grace is Gods love to mankind The (1) 2 Cor. 4.6 face of Jesus Christ could never be so full of (2) 2 Cor. 3.18 smiles to us-ward but that the God and (3) 1 Pet. 1.3 father of our Lord Jesus Christ is toward us so (4) John 3.16 Rom. 5.8 infinitely compassionate We (1) Mat. 18.3 1 John 4.4 John 13.33 little children conscious of our demerit (2) Jer. 31.18 Zech 12.10 1 John 1.10 bemoan our selves we cry we (3) Mic. 4.9 cry out aloud because we have done (4) Rom. 3.23 a very great fault (5) Mc 5.5 Peace (6) Ephes 2.10 15 17 peace saith the father of our mercies wipe (8) Esay 54.4 6 8 30.19 away all tears from your eyes I will not (7) Jer. 31.34.33.8 punish you you be (9) Esay 43.12 44.22 blamelesse and (10) Esay 40.2 55.7 8 righteous and (11) Esay 53.11 John 1.29 perfect You did not (12) Num. 23.21 commit the offence but my (13) Isa 42.1 servant did with you I am well pleased I was angry not with you but with my (14) Isa 53.10 servant Ah (15) Mar. 15.28 2 Cor. 5.2 naughty servant I have (16) Isa 53 3-10 beaten him but you be (17) Eph. 1.6 good children Come turn (18) Isa 51.11 your sorrow into gladnesse and your mourning into joy Love me (19) 1 Joh 4.19 John 14.15 16 little children I your (20) 1 Joh 3.16 father love you kisse (21) 2 Sam. 14.33 Psalm 2.12 and be (22) Eph. 2.16 2 Cor. 5.18 Col. 1.20.21 friends Other Kings whip their high-born sons upon their Pages back this King of heaven and earth he spareth his vilest servants and scourgeth them upon the shoulders of his most glorious Son His justice against us the avenging God must satisfie but so he loveth us that rather then we should endure everlasting imprisonment he (1) Psalm 40.7 8 got his own Son to be (2) Heb 7.22 surety for us By this advantage the severity of his just execution he extendeth not against us who brake his whole Law but (3) Esay 53 3-10 against him who (4) Matth. 3.15 5.17 John 19.30 fulfilled every tittle of it not upon us who deserve eternal death but against him who hath right (5) 1 Tim. 6.16 unto a Crown of life not upon us who daily rebel against him but upon Him who (6) John 4.34 5.30 6.38 ever delighteth to do his will not upon us the guilty and ungodly but upon him (7) 1 Pet. 3.18 the innocent and righteous not upon us who were (8) Ephes 2.3 by nature the children of his wrath but upon him who is by nature (9) Matth. 3.17 the Son of his love So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that (10) John 3.16 whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life God is of (1) Hab. 1.13 purer eyes then to behold our (2) Zech. 3.4 filthy garments therefore he (3) Esay 61.10 adornetk us with the Robes of his only Son He cannot excuse us while we take our own courses therefore he (4) Eph. 5.26 27 Tit. 2.14 sanctifieth us by the Word and Spirit of his own Son He cannot affect us as we abide (5) Ezek. 16.6 polluted in our sins therefore he taketh the (6) Revel 1.5 1 Pet. 1.19 1 John 1.9 2.2 heart-blood of his dear Son and therewith washeth away our stains and guilt [7] Ephes 1.4 He cannot exalt us while we abide strangers and enemies therefore he electeth us to be his (8) Rom. 6.22 servants (9) John 15.14 15 friends and (10) 1 John 3.1 children and to (11) Isa 54.5 let us see how great a kindnesse he hath for us he (12) 2 Cor. 11.2 Ephes 5.30 Matth. 25.10 Revel 21.2 giveth us in marriage unto the Heir of all things even unto his only begotten Sonne whom he ever embraceth within his bosome infinitely loving him loving him every whit as dearly as he loveth himself yea the Lord God (13) Heb. 1.4 2.7 exalteth him in our nature (14) Phil. 2.9 Heb. 2.9 Esay 53.10 12 49.6 Psalm 2.8 because our nature is by him exalted In Jesus Christ the Wonderful God revealeth unto us unsearchable (1) Col. 2.3 1.26 Ephes 3.8 9 10 1 Tim. 3.16 1 Pet. 1.20 12 Treasures of wisdome infinite Riches of (2) Ephes 1.6 7 2.5 7 2 Tim. 1.9 Rom. 3.24 1 Cor. 2.12 Revel 21.6 22.18 free grace ineffable bowels of loving kindnesses I challenge all the Poets among the Heathens to invent nay to imitate (3) 2 Pet. 1.16 either such a Tragedy or such a Comedy as in relation as well unto us as unto themselves is divinely acted by the Father the Son and the holy Ghost three persons in one God for ever blessed Let Pharaoh (1) Gen 41.43 make Joseph Ruler of