suffer violence and the violent take it by force so that the kingdome of God is come into the hearts of all the elect of God when the soul uses a holy violence and the Lord does draw the heart to an entertainment of the Lord himself Many difficulties there be between them and Christ and yet they break through all This is the condition of all men by nature they are strangers to Christ and live without God and Christ in the world and Christ from them and so Satan takes possession and rules them and so men are under the kingdome of darknesse so that the divel himself possesses every natural man as the Apostle speaks he worketh in the children of disobedience and runne on so and remain so Now the Gospel of the kingdome and the means to advance Christ in his kingdome makes a free offer of Christ himself indeed it offers pardon grace mercy life glory but all these are in Christ himself and we possesse them by possessing and receiving of Christ himself as a poor woman hath all the wealth of the man by entertaining of the man So that the Gospel firstly and primarily offers Christ himself and faith doth pitch on Christ himself and doth open those everlasting doores that the King of glory may come in Iohn 1.12 't is said So many as received him he gave power to be the sonnes of God 1 Iohn 5.12 He that hath the son hath life so that now let a man refuse or reject the Lord himself as he is thus offered in the Gospel he does refuse the kingdome of the Lord and does refuse to be under the power of the Lord. True it may be said the kingdom of God hath been nigh to him when Christ is offered in the Gospel and God layes as it were nothing shall please me so much as this if thou dost receive me Luke 10. Go and preach to these and these Cities and if they will not receive you shake off the dust of your feet and let them know the kingdome of God hath been nigh to them then Christ comes into the soul when the whole soul takes the Lord for himself Christ and all that Christ hath Christ in a pardon and Christ in a promise at that very day the Lord gave the heart to receive him then is the kingdome of God come in that heart and with him all life peace joy and glory God Spirit and all Now the whole soul receives him when 1. The minde sees him in the glory of his grace that though it had low mean thoughts of Christ before for which it mournes yet the rising of this glorious Sun upon him he esteemes all things losse for him that he may win Christ and be found in Christ I in him and He in me in Vocation and not having my own righteousnesse in Justification And to feel the life of Christ and death also in sanctification and to attain to the resurrection of the dead in glorification and now nothing is dear to the soul but Christ 2. When the will after the soul hath had some hopes the Lord may look towards it in his grace and having had many heart-breaking teares before the Lord the Lord is now pleased by the glad tidings of the Gospel to give the will power not only to receive and entertaine the Lord but gladly to receive him The soul wonders that ever the Lord should bow down to him and offer mercy to him and when as together with this by the sweet savour of his Grace chat he doth let into the heart the soul doth receive the Lord with most dear imbracings into his soul that now there is none like to the Lord. Cant. 1.3 Thy name is like an oyntment poured out where the very feet of the messengers of glad tidings are beautiful But the Lord himself is the only crown and Joy of the soul when the least look of love to a cast-away is more sweet then kingdoms ay and much more that 's love it self Isaiah 52.9 Brtak forth into joy sing together ye Wast places of Jerusalem for the Lord hath comforted his People When kings shall stop their mouths as vile in themselves and not able to set forth that glory they never heard of before and the soul for Joy sells away all to buy this pearl that it sayes with David Hon do I love thy Lan Now beloved when the soul does thus receive the Lord the kingdome of God is come to that soul and therefore try and examine is it thus with you or hath the Lord begun to deal thus with thee to give himself the glory of Angels the wonderment of heaven the mighty God of heaven to come to thy heart thou art then under the government of the kingdome of God But now on the contrary if thou canst be content to receive the ordinances of Christ or the consolations of Christ or some of the commands of Christ and that is all and the Lord never gave thee a heart to close with Christ himself it 's a strange thing to thee that which is the main thing the Diamond in the Ring of the Gospel thou art yet farre enough off from the kingdome of God I dare not say nor think for all the world that ever the kindome of God came to thy heart Again if you have received Christ but not with thy whole soul that now the offer promises blood life grace glory in the Gospel are grown common things to thee that the Lord never sent thee home wondering at the glory of Gods grace to a poor wretch never yet said'st Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord the Lord never yet lay next thy heart or if thou hast had some liking and some love and affections in pangs yet the Lord is not only precious and exceeding dear in thy heart thy heart breaks not for grief that thou hast so much slighted him so little born him on thy heart It is a signe that the Lord hath begun to reveal himself to thy soul when he gives thee a heart to mourne for thy standing out against him but this never came to thy soul Certainly here is the wound of many men The Gospel of God never hath its proper effect till the Lord help thee to give thy whole heart thus to a Saviour to a God to the Prince of peace and till this is done the Gospel is ineffectual it doth nothing It was a sweet prayer of him Make thy Sonne dear very dear exceeding dear only dear and precious or not at all If thou hadst a thousand hearts it was too little for Christ to love him and do'st grudge him one when thou hast imparted thy heart and esteem to thy lusts and creature do'st thou love the Lord with part of thy heart but a vile lust a poor creature must have a share and the remnant will serve Christ is he not the only pearl of thy heart to give him daily communion no this thou art a stranger
to Hear ye despisers and wonder and perish God will Work a worke in your dayes What is that the infinit God cannot expresse as it were the wrath that shall come against such a soul nor I cannot expresse the wrath that shall come upon such a despiser of the Lord Jesus Give him all thy heart or none if thou hast the Lord thou hast his whole heart if he had had a thousand lives he would have laid them all down for thee He poured out his blood for every one of his but for the present thou art out of the Kingdom of God to this day 2. When the whole soul closeth with the whole will of Christ having thus received him for if a Prince become and people will not be ruled by him nor any lawes that he makes though never so good but what they list the Kingdome is cast off For beloved there is a marvellous common deceit in mens hearts they would not for all the world but have Christ ay but the will of Christ is neglected that is a clog and the burden of the Lord of hosts Christ is sweet and his will is bitter Christ is precious and his will is vile Why do you make him a King and ye will make lawes for Christ and you will rule Christ and his will shall not stand here is no King Such kinde of idle Libertines were in the Apostles time 1 Joh. 1.6 If we say We have fellowship with him and Walk in darkness we lie and there is no truth in us But now when the whole soul does submit to the whole will of the Lord now his Kingdome is come indeed when his will is thus sweet Dan. 7.27 His Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all nations shall serve him and his servants ye are whom ye obey whether Christ the devil or your own hearts Now the whole will 1. Directing 2. Correcting now when the soul submits to both then Christ rules in his Kingdome sometime you meet with Christs directing will now this is mens frame naturally they will not see it they Will not come to the light John 3.20 they are led by their own counsel and will not regard the light and counsel of God in his word they will quarrel with the light when it is crosse to their ends gaine honour and the like men have high thoughts against the Lord Jesus 2 Cor. 10.5 Casting down imaginations and every high thought that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God And again if men do see it yet like the devil that has much light they do not love it nor out of love not unlesse it be out of fear subject to it like Balaam that had no love to Gods command but onely was acted by fear and constraint now when the soul continues thus it casts off Christs Kingdom but if the whole soule first comes to the light though it sees little sets the whole will of Christ before it Psal 18.22 saith David I have kept the wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God and though it hath had many quarrellings against the truth of God yet now it hath not nor dares not but sayes Lord teach me the. Lord gives them hearts to lye down at the seet of any man that shall shew them any thing that is amisse in them and they say with David Lord search me and try me I have many crooked wayes and therefore good Lord finde them out and therefore come to the Lord for that end and though there be something in them that is desperately contrary to the good will of God yet there is an inward man that does delight in the law of God and when the Lord is pleased to give them an heart to submit to the will of God Oh the soul doth wonder at the Lord that the Lord should shew him any thing and help him against temptations and though there be a great deal of wearinesse in the wayes of God yet there is a spirit within him that it is indeed heaven it self to him to be in the ordinances of God now ye stoop to the directing will of Christ when this is rhy way though thou goest oft out of it yet comed in it again as sin is a wicked mans way although he goeth athousand times out of it Now for the other the correcting will of Christ The Lord hath strong tryals Now here subjection to Christ is required as well as to the directing will of Christ then the soul submits to this will when the minde objects not charges not God with folly as Eli 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good And likewise the will though it hath had many sad bouts yet this is his frame in the conclusion that the will of Christ is better then every thing else the will of Christ is alone sweet to him Isa 38. saith Hezekiah Good is the will of the Lord and so Lam. 3. It 's good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth and to turne his cheeks to him that smites him Nay when there is spiritual evils on the soul as was on Christ himself spiritual desertions nothing but bitternesse and sorrow yet the soul saith as Christ did Not my will but thine be done Father save me from this houre yet Father glorifie thy self and so the soul does humbly submit it self to the Lord though the Lord should never pitty it yet it will lye down at the feet of the Lord now is Gods Kingdome come But if the soul will have Christ and yet cast off the will of Christ 1. Either in his judgement that the law of God as given by Christ should be no rule to a Christian suppose you were in England and were there prest to bow before an Altar or Image what shall lead you if that Gods will and law must not be your rule The Lord will one day make you know his blessed will in that blessed law of his that ye shall never finde peace to the end of the world except the Lord do help ye thus to walke Again when men cannot endure the will of Christ cannot endure exhortations what doth the man mean to exhort us thus I tell thee there goeth forth power with the exhortations of Christ I say take heed of casting off the will of Christ here and so when men in their practice shall quarrel against any of Gods truths and are loath to see it or if they do yet not love dearly every truth of God but it 's a burden to them especially if it crosse their own ends and gaine they will not see it to be a truth lest they should be convinced and turne to the rule of it if the will and ordinances of Christ be a burden to a man and a man is not wearie of his wearinesse but wearie of them all the while Art thou under the government of Christ If a man forsaken of God led by his own councels be under the Kingdom of
Christ then thou art so long as there is credit for the truth so long it is entertained but now suppose it be costly that it shouldbring beggery affliction with it is it now sweet to you doth this support thy heart I am in Gods way canst lye down and subscribe to the equity of Christs proceedings with thee though he should never shew favour to thee if it be not thus I dare not say thou art under the Kingdome of Christ And so for the correcting will of Christ many sad afflictions the Lord tries thee withall the Lord tries men marvellously when thou art under the hand of the Lord those very things that should make men cry to heaven and wean thee from the world those very things do harden thee and make thee grudge and repine The Lord be merciful to thee if this be thy frame the Kingdome of Christ never came into that heart you are begging for mercy and the Lord sayes you mercy you have abused it no saith the Lord Go to your lust that have despised the day of grace and so now you cast off the Lord because the Lord will not give you mercy when you would have it Will you now quarrel with the Lord no down proud heart pray still and mourn still and turne to the Lord and say Lord do with me what thou wilt I am clay in thine hand thou may'st make me a vessell of dishonour I deserve not the least bit of bread such a one as is above the Lord and his will is not under the Lord therefore submit thy self to the good will of Christ 3. When the soul doth thus submit to the will of Christ by vertue of the power and Spirit of Christ i. e. when the soul doth not submit by vertue of its own power strength or ability for this is forre gne power But as it do h seek to submit to the will of Christ so it would have Christ himself act it and rule it and so inable it to submit there unto Now is the Kingdome of God come neere to that heart And herein Christs Kingdome is different from Princes they give lawes that men may keep them by there own might hence they command no imimpossible things but the will of Christ is so crosse to a carnal heart that 't is impossible man of himself should submit to it But the Lord doth it for this end chat the soul should then come to Christ in its need that he would do all the good pleasure of his will and now the Lord himself reignes and that gloriously Rom. 8 1 2. For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Acts 5.31 A Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remisspon of sint It is part of his Princely power for to give remission of sins both in turning from sin and to God and all the wayes of God and now you exalt him when he is thus set up 1 Cor. 4.20 The Kingdome of God is not in word but in power The power of Christ Jesus is come into thy soul and the soul is under the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus when it doth lye under the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 11 12. We pray alwayes for you that the Lord would work and fulfil the good pleasure of his will and the work of faith in power that Christ may be glorified Yea then is Christ glorified when God omnipotent reignes over sin and unbelief and when the Lord doth this not only the Kingdome of God is now come but the Kingdome of Christ in glory is come there is many a poor soul thinks Christ rules him not because he cannot do this nor that became he findes his heart unable and unwilling for to submit to the will of Christ I finde no strength at all saith the soul and I go to Christ and finde not strength conveyed and now he thinks he is not under the Kingdome of Christ I answer that is not the question but hath the Lord made thee willing in the day of bis power when the soul doth lye under the power of the Lord Jesus Christ when che soul doth lye like wax before the Lord Jesus when the soul saith Lord there was never any change of my nature the good Lord change it and if there be any change the good Lord increase and stir up the graces of thy Spirit in my soul and do thou lead me and guide me Brethren the Kingdome of Christ is come to this soul John 5.40 You will not come to me for life He doth not say you do not quicken your selves or ye cannot come to me but will not here is their wound they will not come to Christ for life Rom. 6.19 As ye have yeelded your members servants to sin and Satan so now yeeld up your selves servants to righteousnesse and to holinesse Psal 119.5 6. Thou hast commanded that we should keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy precepts continually Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes When a Christian is grapling with his own heart ye will never be able to overcome the unsubduednesse thereof but when ye bring them to the Lord Jesus Christ that he would take a course with them 1. Now ye please Christ 2. Ye take a sure course to have the will of God done he being in office for that end for Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to Israel When the soul doth look up to the Lord Jesus and lye under the power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus 3. You now make the yoke of Christ sweet and his name glorious nothing glorifies Christ so much as this when Jesus doth work in a Christian now the Kingdome of Christ is come to the soul and that in power But now when men will not submit thus far to Christ 1. They can do nothing but will not come to him on whom God hath laid salvation you say you cannot understand nor edifie by the Sermons ye hear and you cannot part with your lusts Ay but now this is thy condemnation thou wilt not go to a Saviour that he may teach thee and help thee when men will not have the Lord Jesus to reigne over them or 2. If men do come they will not come to him where he may be found but say I can do nothing Christ must do all and so neglect the means wherein he will be found or 3. Will submit and come in means to him but not then at the speciall time when He is to be sought and may be found viz. in time of temptation But then forget and forsake him and cry not Hosanna Lord now save now help me against this lust When temptation comes when passion and pride come do you now go to Jesus Christ When the world begins to draw thy heart away dost thou say thus Lord I have prayed this
the Lords Ordinances and prepare himself before he come and in all it hath many weaknesses yet it doth leave it self with Jesus Christ every thing that doth touch this Altar is sanctified and is not polluted But now when men shall enjoy Ordinances and make no great matter of sins in Ordinances especially if secret such is the venemous nature of sin it doth defile the earth a man doth tread on Now when men shall have these sins and know them and yet never leave themselves with Christ and lay themselves on this blessed Altar by faith they do pollute the Ordinances of the Lord. Fourthly When the soul doth not so openly manifestly drive away the Lord but when men shall come to the Ordinances and never come to the Lord Jesus in them now the Lord is cast off A great Prince that comes to a mans house though he be not driven out of doors yet if not attended on he accounts himself cast off The Lord Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances Ezek. 48.35 The Lord is there the Saints they come to God in them and are carried to him by them Therefore 't is said Acts 10.33 34. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God and Psal 84.7 Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God Now the Saints and people of God when they do thus come to the Lord they finde many difficulties to break through a vallie of Baca. Sometimes their heart is turned from the Lord and sometimes God is turned from them so that now the Saints when they do come to the Lord in his Ordinances They go through the vallie of Baca that they may see God in Sion But now when men do never break through difficulties but give way to a sluggish heart when it is thus with a people it is certain the Lord is now cast off and ye do as good now as live without Christ in the world Amos 5.21 saith the Lord I hate your new Moons and Sabbaths For these fourty yeares ye never sacrificed to me vers 25. Did they not sacrifice those fourty yeares to the Lord in the wildernesse It was the very thing they came out of Egypt for that they might sacrifice to the Lord Yet saith the Lord ye did not sacrifice to me truely here was the thing they did sacrifice but to enjoy communion with a God that they did not the Lord he saw none of that and this is the frame of many a man ye never heard a Sermon ye never broke through your difficulties to come to a God in Ordinances therefore in truth though you had them yet it is as if you never had them because ye never did enjoy the Lord in them Therefore this is that I would say Oh Brethren let the Saints let it be the care of all the faithful and people of God the first thing that ye do before ye come to hear a Sermon or receive a Sacrament or to any Christian communion or other Ordinance of God Before thou do'st come indeavour it at least co bring thy soul to a God to Christ above all Ordinances and break through the difficulties heart is dead and minde is blinde and God is gone but yet break through difficulties and wrestle with the Lord in prayer and then ye will finde the blessing of the Lord. The great reason why we enjoy not that mighty presence of the Lord in his Ordinances it is this Men come to Ordinances and would enjoy Ordinances but they never broke through difficulties to come to a God When men shall come to Ordinances only and blessed be God we have the temple of the Lord truely this will do you no good in the world The 5th Degree of casting off the supreme power of Christ in his Ordinances many times when the soul cannot come to Christ the Lord comes to it Now then the supreme power of Christ is cast off when the soul is unwilling or carelesse to receive the stroke of the Eternall power of the life of Jesus into his heart but contents himself with some beginnings some sips and tastes and doth not lye under the stroke of the eternal Spirit of the life of Christ Look as it is with a company of Subjects they are in some great Town that stands it out against a Prince If the Prince send to them and they parlie with him and they are thankfuil for his gifts and glad of his parlie but yet notwithstanding they are unwilling to receive the Prince with all his power to come into the Town if they be unwilling to do that and are loath to joyn sides against the other party they cast him off from being King So it is here when men come to the Lord in Ordinances the Lord he parlies with them the Lord he sends promises and they are marvellous precious things and they have some taste of what the Lord do's send and it is sweet to them But now because they have lusts in their hearts the Lord saith make warre against thy lust and open the gates that I may come in If so be a man now out of secret love to his sin he content himself with the promises of Christ but the life of Christ he cares not for that he uses not ail meanes that he may finde that the supreme power of the Lord Jesus is now casl off and I know no difference between such a people and Capernaum they did enjoy the Gospel of God but now to entertain the Lord Jesus in his spiritual power this they were loath to come to therefore saith the Lord Wo to thee Capernaum the mighty work of Jesus Christ in their hearts this they never cared for Saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.5 The weapons of our warfare they are mighty through God As poor things as you think the Ordinances of the Lord to be they are mighty through the Lord When Christians shall not be willing to receive this mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ truely now the Kingdome of Christ is cast off John 6.49 Your fathers are Manna in the Wildernesse and are dead that was outward Manna but he that eateth me shall live for ever In one word thus this is certaine a man never gets good by any Ordinance nor the Lord Jesus doth never attainc his end in any Ordinance till there bean everlasting power and life of Christ Jesus communicated by the Ordinance There saith he God commandeth his blessing Psal 133. ult life for evermore mercy for ever comforting and light for ever teaching and humbling for ever continuing and a man will never think he doth receive any good till he doth it For If a man be healed of his blindnesse and be blinde presently again what is be the better So if a man hath some flash of light in the Ordinance blesse the Lord for it The Lord quickens up the heart to walk with the Lord Blessed be the Lord for it Ay but when the heart now
death to differ or side or make a party one against another 2. Earnest prayer for the Church and all in it besides thy self and that with striving with God till an answer it given Sretcht out prayers as they made for Peter Acts. 12.5 James 5.16 Confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another that you may be healed And so Jude 20. But ye beloved building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost This is a means to edifie one another when there is inlargednesse of heart to pray one for another Psal 122.8 For my brethrens sake I 'le wish thy peace Sometimes a Christian can do others little good yet he will wrastle for him in his prayers to God One knowes not the good comes hereby if withall a man keeps a good Conscience making conscience of his wayes And 't is one of the greatest priviledges that a man hath when once he hath a share in all the prayers of the Saints as his own and it answers that Quere What is a Christian the better for the liberties of the Church Matth. 18.19 Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven vers 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name there I am in the mida'st of them Now when people are false herein to their brethren and to their Covenant to their God and to their own soules for there is no one prayer thou makest that shall be lost but if it attaine not a blessing for others it shall returne again into thy bosome When there shall be no heart to spend prayer or shed tears for them whom Christ hath shed his blood for now you cast off the Kingdome of Christ Oh Brethren consider of it when there shall be many a soul in a Church taken by Satans temptations and held in temptations and ready to be overcome by temptations and it may be would not be so but because thou dost not pray publick Ordinances the ministery of the word little good done thereby because thou hast no heart to pray Acts 4.31 And when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were met together and they were all filled with the holy Ghost This is the reason the hearts of thy children servanrs and fellow-brethren remaine secure and unshaken by all the Sermons they heare nothing doth them good nothing will pierce or penetrate their adamant-like hearts because thou hast no heart to pray for them or at least not to purpose 3. Timely Exhortation when brethren are dead-hearted and heartlesse in their Christian course Heb. 3.12 13. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God but exhort one another whiles it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin Brotherly exhortation is a remedy against Apostasie of heart for though a man cannot convince another yet he may exhort him and 't is to be done in season whiles it 's called today with due respect and taking notice of what good there is with much wisdome and a spirit of humility or else thou spoilest all thou medlest withall putting your selves in their estate and with hearty unfeigned prayer that the Lord would accompany the same with his blessing Heb. 10.24 Consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Look over the Congregation and consider such a Brothers or Sisters estate one is poor and low another falling another very much altered Now in some cases a private Brother may do more then a Minister the Lord help us and stir us up to this work Now when this is neglected many soules are hardned 4. Instructing and teaching one another as occasion serves Rom. 15.14 And I my selfe also am perswaded of you my brethren that you also are full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge able to admonish one another They were able for to instruct and teach one another Isa 54.13 They shall be all taught of God What God teacheth thee that do thou teach others what thou gainest by hearing or by praying or meditation by putting questions to others sometimes to teach and sometimes to be taught and this do if possible in all occasional meetings and worldly discourses mixe with it some sweet truth that God hath taught thee But now on the other side when Christians shall meet and a man is the worse for their fruitlesse discourse no savour of any thing of God Let them meet never so long or often walking or sitting this is sad 5. In Comforting those that be sad 1 Thes 5.14 and 4. ult Comfort the feeble-minded and supprt the weak wherefore comfort one another with these words There are many sad hearts in Gods Church and sad things are as wounds to a mans limbes that make him halt or fall Oh Brethren be much in this work 2 Cor. 1.4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God That a soul may say such a one came to me and spake some few words to me but they were as seasonable as though the Lord had sent an Angel from heaven to speak to me and of more worth then if he had given me many pounds But now when this also is neglected that one Christians hath not a word of encouragement to another but dry and savourless discourse this the Lord takes very ill at the hands of his people that have received comfort from himself in the day of their sorrow and distresse 6. Restoring a Brother fallen with a spirit of meeknesse Gal. 6.1 2. Brethren if any be overtaken with a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one with a spirit of meeknesse Oh how will a poor soul blesse the Lord for such a Brothers prayers admonitions and exhortations when the Lord shall have brought his heart back again to himself although before he did most of all disesteem and vilifie him Now when these are not used or not with a spirit of meeknesse improved that a man never blesseth God for these the Lord Jesus is pulled down from his throne when not done according to the ability time and place that the Lord affords And this I wish the Churches mourn not for another day For my own part I do adjudge my self before God and men as most guilty of this that I enjoy many sweet Ordinances and we improve them not and hence the glory of the Lord fills not his Tabernanacle abides not on his Churches either to draw others to them or to make others abundantly blesse God for them Now here I will shew you the causes of this 1. Not gaining much in private dutties in Prayer Meditation Reading and daily Examination of a mans own heart And hence they cannot
do good because they receive none or very little themselves they have not a treasure within hence they can spend little have no heart or ability to exhort instruct comfort He that keeps not his shop his shop will never keep him As Psal 41.6 His heart gathereth iniquity to it self when he goeth abroad he telleth it 2. A low spirit which makes a man to have low thoughts and endeavours I mean not an humble but a narrow spirit not inlarged to hold much or to do much hence it doth little As take a plaine countreyman he neither seeks or regards the affaires of the State in publick because his spirit and condition is low but Princes do minde and attend to the affaires of the Kingdome to advance it because their condition is high and they know it Moses he suffered reproach with the people of God losse of all the honour and pleasure of Pharaohs Court feared not Pharaoh nor losse of life for their sakes For he saw that God which is invisible like Saul when once a Kingdome comes to be in his eye he leaves off to seek the Asses 3. Sloth There are Thornes Prov. 15.19 and Lions Prov. 26.13 in a sluggards way There be many difficulties businesses occasion and objections when as if once he were resolved to break thorough them then the work would go on Like a man when he is in his warme bed he is loth to rise but when he is up he would not be in his bed againe if he might be hired again to put off his clothes I shall get no good saith one nor do none saith another and when these businesses are past and occasions over and at another time I will seek God and go about Gods worke and thus a slothfull spirit hinders 4. Want of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 We believe and hence we speak Faith empties us most and hence fills us with Spirit and Life of Christ Jesus hence Steven full of faith and the holy Ghost A lively Christian when he comes in another Christians company it may be he knows not what to speak but he looks up to Christ and sayes Now Lord here is an opportunity in doing or receiving some good and therefore now Lord help 5. Want of fear of God and consolation of the spirit of God from the sense of Gods love Acts 9.31 They walked in the fear of the Lord and consolations of the holy Ghost the Church was edified by the consolations of the holy Ghost A man that 's wounded keeps within and stirs not but when he is in health and strength now hard work is his meat he cannot live except he worke 1 Cor. 15. ult 6. Not considering the shortnesse of our time of sowing Heb. 10.25 Whereas if men were on their death-bed they would wish Oh that I had walked more blamelesly and fruitfully men care not for a comfortable reckoning as yet There are two causes why they receive no good 1. From a mean esteem of the Saints looking on them as men and not as an Ordinance of Christ their persons prayers and speeches And this is a rule Men never gain any good by that Ordinance which they despiseâ— if all were Schollers Ministers or Saints glorified they could then esteem them Hence Eph 4.16 Edifying is by love Making increase of the body edifying it self in love 2. From want of being poor in spirit and sensible of their extream need of Christ continually in all means Beggers will pick up crums and watch for a word of encouragement Isa 11.6 A little childe shall lead the Wolfe and the Lion that is when the Lord hath humbled the heart of a man Oh when a Christian thinks none so poor and shallow and heartlesse as I and every one is better then I however I need more then any This soul will be glad to suck the brest and the Lord will fill others with light and life and his own bowels to do such a one good Whereas else they are shut up and they finde no good conveyed to them by any of the Ordinances of the Lord nor any presence of God in them 3. There is a Ministerial power committed from Christ by the Church to the ruling Officers thereof I say by the Church for all power in the Church is properly Christs yet he nextly communicates it ordinarily to his Church or multitude of Beleevers to whom is committed the supreme power of the Keyes in his word and of binding and loosing as hath been shewen and by this Church this power hath been by Christs appointment and still is to be communicated to those that are chosen out of themselves to be Officers and Rulers over them in the Lord to exercise the power of Christ over them according to his will Hence the very power of binding and loosing opening and shutting given to the Church is also given to Peter and the rest of the Apostles and the successors of Christs Apostles in Doctrine sent of Christ John 20.23 Whosoevers sins ye remit they are remitted c. Because though the power of Communication of it is in the Churches hand yet the power of usual administration of it is in their hand whiles they exercise it according to Christ yet by the Church And hence Paul puts a difference between this extraordinary Ministery as Apostleship and ordinary Gal. 1.1 An Apostle not of men nor by the will of men but by Christ for the Church not by it Now this I say is by the Church from Christ Hence Acts 20.28 The holy Ghost hath made them overseers so that 't is no invention of man or act of man or the power of man but of Christ and hence refuse to be under this power men cast off the yoke and power of Christ Jesus For though the estate of the Church be Democratical and Popular and hence no publick administrations or Ordinances are to be administrated publickly without notice and consent of the Church Yet the government of it under Christ the Mediator and Monarch of his Church t is Aristocratical and by some chief gifted by Christ chosen by the people to rule them in the name of Christ who are unable and unfit to be all Rulers themselves and to cast off these or not to be ruled by these is to cast off Christ Luke 10.16 He that rejecteth you rejecteth me Numb 16.3 You are gathered together against the Lord The Lord accounts himself opposed and resisted when the Officers of his Church are slighted and their government despised Quest What is this power Answ 1. Negatively Quest Answ 1 1. It is not any Lordly pompous power to bear the bell of great smoakie titles to govern in worldly pompe or by worldly rewards and civil punishments 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds It shall not be so with you saith Christ but as I have been without all worldly state so must you be one to another And hence 1 Peter
vexing for all the estate he hath if he hath any eye or tendernesse in it so those small matters for which the Saints have suffered and for which God is provoked and under which some have roared and others have been loaded one after another 't is worth a world oh blesse God for it but consider those that be under the dominion of sin and Satan so strong and miserable sinne so dear that there is not so much as a sigh under that be thankful for that 3. Labour to maintain in the heart a holy feare of abusing liberties every one in his place for what makes them despised but principally the abuse of them in such a Congregation there was such contention such affront to the Elders there is that degenerating of spirit and back-sliding from God that men grow worse under meanes then ever I and so must be if men grow not better Deut. 6.10 12. The Lord exhorts them that when they be at liberty they would not then forget the Lord but then feare 'T is Luthers note on the place When in trouble you rejoyce but when in peace you feare I 'le only name the sins of liberty 1. Take heed of a Prayerlesse spirit and that that lamp go not out Men under some pressures cry and 't is long before they do cry under them and under their sin but then at last they do and when the Lord gives liberty though they have the guilt of the same sins and more sins lie on them yet then like Marriners when the stormes are over fall asleep It s strange that Israel under Pharaoh cried and under Gods afflicting hand in denying them water murmured True thankfulnesse will help to prize what liberty affords 2. An unloving spirit to the Saints It 's that I have oft said souldiers when they are set against a common enemy are all one but when at liberty then they fling javelins at one anothers heads differ in opinion and in heart and affection and 't is not death so to do Take heed of a rigid censorious unloving spirit 3. Extreme ignorance how to use our liberties and hence running to extremes As we say of Christ There is good enough in him but men know not how to fetch and improve it so there is great advantage in liberties but men misse of it through their ignorance and abuse Hence many times more hurt done by an Admonition then by the sin when administred in passion and without compassion Hence under pretence of liberty extream licentiousnesse 4. Imperiousnesse of spirit arising from a frothy emptinesse and an overweening opinion and conceitednesse of their own abilities and wisdome above others and hence will not be led being at liberty by the Councel and Advice of others It 's natural for man to affect sovereignty and when the time comes of liberty then it hath a vent Who made thee a Lord and Judge over us though in bondage much more in liberty they think Wills Common-wealth is in their heads chiefly and hence will not be ruled by Gods ordinances and hence if once taken with an opinion hardly ever removed c. 5. Resting with liberties and in liberties We were never in bondage John 8.33 yet servants to sin We be Abrahams seed better then all the world yet under all the power of sin and Satan and must not be told of their wayes but hate them that censure them for their sins Men in bondage are like sick men that will cry if they were in another bed oh then they should be well but they must first be cured of their disease 4. Make use of liberties He that hath them but sees not so much glory in them or gets not much good from them he wil be no more thankful then one that hath large grounds may walk at liberty but the trees for want of manuring bear no fruit nor ground corn through sloth such a man wil starve there Look as they Deut. 15.5 10 11. they were to bring the first fruits present them before the Lord and rejoyce in all so should you if ever you be thankful for them bring the first fruits to the Lord and think there is more behinde and more in heaven Object But our outward straits are many Object and temptations sad Answ If Christ himself should come on earth what would you have with him Answ would you have him come and set up an earthly Paradise would you have better entertainment then he who had not that which foxes and birds had or would you have him come from his Crosse and then you will make him King if you despise his ordinances and liberties because of wants you would despise himself if he were present But you will reply and say What if we can have both If that can be and Christ calls to take both refuse not his love But it may be an heavy indictment against some at the last day in that they forsake Christ because he is poor and naked for they are therefore called to cloath him and this will be your Peace and you will be no losers your selves another day 2. Suppose he doth keep us low yet Psal 145.13 14. His dominion is alway and raiseth up all that are bowed down Oh be humbled he is said Deut. 32.13 to make the people such honey out of the rock and oile out of the flint sweetnesse and mercy out of the hardest condition 3. They that are not recompenced for their enjoyment of liberties by the spiritual refreshings which the Lord gives shewing them more of their own hearts the Lord proclaims liberty to them to depart I am perswaded the whole Countrey would flourish the more 4. Lament rather your own vilenesse who in the midst of all mercy know not how to use but abuse our liberties and hence the Lord forsakes us as Ezra 9.8 10 11. What grace hath been shewed us what shall we say that after this c Wouldest thou not be angry with us till thou hast consumed us Psal 81.13 16. Oh that my People had heard my voice I would have subdued their enemies God would not be wanting unto us if we were not to him Take therefore that example to imitate in Acts 9.31 Having rest they were edified if we be not so truly as none have the like liberties so no bondage so sad no where such poverty no where such anguish of conscience no where such spirit and power of sin no where such sad anger if in practice we be unthankful or can mouth and speak against long Sermons and against the Countrey and Christians or in hearts undervalue them and when you see Indians rise Brambles Abimelechs and Shebnas raised c. then know this is for abuse of liberty Vse 7. Of exhortation to come under Christs Government Vse 7 and be in his service lest ye come to know the difference between it and some other by experience Mot. 1. You must be either under Christs yoke or Satans and sins Mot. 1. and so
freely which may draw the heart as it will at the great and last day Come ye blessed take a Kingdome take a Christ prepared for you from before the foundation of the world Oh that this might sound in your eares This is the first and cheifest without this all your obedience is hypocrisie and abominable but this will please and then all poor obedience shall please Secondly Love unto the whole will of Christ especially to that part of it to love those that be the members of Christ Some Christians they believe and feeling a heart so crosse to Christ and the will of God think they are from under the government of God and Christ and so from under the grace of Christ and the argument is strong if true but why not under his government because they finde daily a spirit so crosse to the will of Christ and hence under continual fears of condemnation Oh but consider hast thou no love to the will of Christ law of God for if any believe this is found in him if so then under Christs Government Rom. 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life hath made me free What is that Law See Chap. 7.23 24. Spirit of delight in the Law in the inner man and mourning for contrary captivity Know therefore though you cannot do all yet love the whole will of God and mourn where you do not and then say Now no condemnation Do not say 'T is impossible Oh here is mens wo and triall of subjection to Christs will How do you love it love his Sabbaths and Ordinances because of his love to you How do's this constrain you In particular Love the people of God that is his speciall commandment 1 John 3.23 John 13.34 But now the want hereof or the contrary hereto As when a man shall become 1. A Distaster 2. A Contemner 3. A Censurer and whisperer 4. A Scoffer 5. If met on a Bridge an opposer of the Truths or servants of God This is that which kindles wrath and wherein the inward venome of hypocrisie appeares There 's many duties neglected and not that spirit of prayer and holy conferences amongst Christians yet do you keep love to them that what you cannot do your selves yet you love others that can do it and account it your blessednesse to be like them and daily mourne under your neglects that in every thing the Gospel is not adorned by you and on the other side although you have many duties Sabbaths and good acts yet if not love all is vile I fear 't is not mens joy sweetnesse delight to hear the least good word that falls from a good mans lips but rather the truths and things of God despised if so then look for wo. And for Members of Christ their lives not desired their deaths not lamented but you know how to contend and are carelesse though the Gospel and God be slandered you cast off the Lords yoke It was one mans speech that the great sin of this Countrey will be hatred of the Saints a scornful contempt of them It will come by degrees first distaste and then censure and contemne Oh but if herein you submit herein Christ is honoured and Gospel glorified in love and amiablenesse Not in a rigorous austerity of spirit and diabolical censoriousnesse but in word and deed countenance and gesture comforting and encouraging one another When David would know what to do Truely saith he my goodnesse extends not to thee but to the Saints in whom is all my delight Oh therefore submit here this conscience calls for and Christ must have To conclude with a word for help here Means 1. Look to Gods Ordinances Means 1. not as they be in themselves but as appointed of God to communicate an almighty power of spirit to them that wait on the Lord in them An almighty power must overcome and go on conquering and to conquer How shall we have this by Gods Ordinances Some more principall as Word and Sacraments some lesse How shall we partake of this power in them Look not on them in themselves but as appointed and sanctified and so as glorious And there pray and wait and look for the power nay believe you shall receive this power As the waters of Jordan to Naaman How did they cleanse When he lookt upon them without the command and promise he despised them and so found not the benefit of them but afterward he found the benefit of them when he washed seven times in attendance to the appointment of God Brethren it is but go and wash here 1 Cor. 10.5 Means 2. Know your disobedience Means 2. the breadth of it Something 's Christians see and pray against them and then all is well but see the bredth of evill in your disobedience There is something that doth oppose God in every lawfull thing in whole or in part for flesh is in it or else you are blinded if you see it not Oh therefore feel the breadth of evil in it that being sensible of and humbled under and striving against your continual disobedience every thought may be brought into subjection and obedience to Christ OF Ineffectual HEARING JOHN 5.37 Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape FRom the 31. Vers to the end of this Chapter Our Saviour proves that he was the Messiah to come from four testimonies 1. From the testimony of Iohn the first yet the least yet very strong and full vers 32.33 2. From the testimony of his works greater then that of Iohn vers 36. 3. From the testimony of he Father by his voice from heaven vers 37. 4. From the voice of the Scriptures the highest of all and surer then a voice from heaven 2 Pet. 1.19 v. 39 46. Now these words are annexed to the third testimony which I told you is the voice of God from heaven set down Mat. 3.17 For this testimony of the Father is not the inward testimony of the spirit only Because Christ speaks of publick and evident testimonies in this place nor is it meant of the testimony of the Father in the Scripture for that is a distinct testimony and though the Father doth testifie of Christ in the Scriptures yet 't is not as his testimony no more then the testimony of Iohn and of his works whereby the Father did testifie also Nor is it probable that our Saviour would at this time omit that famous testimony of the Father at his Baptisme which if it be not here is no where in this Chapter Beside how is this testimony the Fathers more then the Spirits but then being called his Son he did evidently declare himself to be the Father that spake Lastly the Spirits testimony is spoken of as the testimony of Moses and the Prophets Vers 46 47. For had ye beleeved Moses ye would have beleeved me for he wrote of me vers 47. For if ye beleeve not his writings how shall be beleeve my words Now out Saviour in
gives but a little consolation consider'd in it self it shall give marvelous consolation One would wonder to see what one word will do when the Lods time of blessing it is come 2. After that a Christian hath had the feeling of the efficacy of the word he may lose the feeling of it again and yet the being of it may remain and the reason is this partly because there is not alwayes need of feeling the like efficacy in the word A man may have by the word a marvelous deal of assurance of Gods love and sense of mercy and joy in the holy Ghost he may have this in the feeling of it This word it did ly hid for a time afterward it springs up and gives him peace But he loses his peace again his Sun do's set and it is midnight with him within twenty four hours and he is as much in the dark as before Now the being of this peace is there but he hath no need of the feeling of it at all times the Lord he will reserve that till some time of tentation that he shall meet withall As Paul he had marvelous Revelations but Paul had more need of humiliation then exaltation and there was not that use of Pauls having those glorious manifestations to him I will glory in my infirmities There was need for Paul to know the evils of his heart that he might walk humbly and it did not make so much for the glory of the Lord as this that Paul should say I have this misery and darknesse and sins and yet Jesus Christ he will take away all There was not need for Paul to have those joyes at all times that he had at one time So the Lord he gives a Christian joy and peace now there is no need for a Christian to have it alwayes I will pour floods of water on dry ground Beloved if there should be nothing but raine raine every day and night the ground would be glutted with raine and so turned into a puddle but when the land is dry and thirsty now the ground hath need of raine Let the Earth make use of that raine it hath and when it is dry and thirsty I will give more saith the Lord. So the Lord he gives the soul joy and peace Now if it should continue the very peace and joy of God would not be pleasant to the soul or at least not so pleasant as it will be when the Lord takes it away and gives it the soul again A Christian comes to the meeting-house and the Lord fills the sailes of a poor soul that he wonders the Lord should meet him and speak so suitably to him But as soone as he is gone out again this is the complaint of the soul all is lost again now the soul it falls a mourning again It is not for the glory of God to give the soul such peace out of his Ordinances as he doth in them the soul it would not prize the Ordinances of the Lord so much yet there it is and when they come again the Lord he either gives them the same refreshings again or else there is a new spring 3. The eternall efficacy of the word and voice of God it may be preserved in an internall spirit of prayer for the continuance of it while a man hath it and for the return of it when it is lost Ps 119.4 5. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently David he knew his own weaknesse yet he intimates with what power it came on his heart Oh! that my soul were directed to keep thy statutes When the soul sees the beauty of a command and the good will of God how sweet it is and how amiable the way and work of God is Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes And so when it is gone Psal 63.3 My soul thirsteth after thee Lord saith David that I may see thy glory and power as I have seen thee in thy sanctuary He doth not say that I may see thy glory and power in thy sanctuary though that might be too no but that I may see thy glory and power as I have seen thee in thy sanctuary David he did finde a want of seeing him as he had done yet the vertue of it did remaine in a spirit of thirsting and desire My soul thirsteth for thee as in a dry land where no water is that I may see thee A Christian may have at sometime such a glimpse in hearing the word of Gods grace of the exceeding riches of Gods grace and the love of God to him that he may be in a little heaven at that time ravished in the admiration of that mercy that ever God should look to him It is so and the word sayes so and the soul is ravished with wonderment at it yet God is gone again and the soul loses it Now the soul thinks I have lost the efficacy of Gods word but it is not so for thus it may be preserved Oh that I may see this God as I have done And all his life-time the soul may finde the want of this and yet it may be preserved in a spirit of prayer For whom the Lord hath given once a glimpse of his glory the soul it cannot be at rest but it breatheth for more of that mercy and presence a Christian may finde his spirit marvelously refreshed at the word he may taste how good the Lord is and he may lose it again but this may be preserved in a spirit of longing after this God and presence again And I will say this Brethren A Christian may finde no good by the word to his apprehension he sees the admirable blessed estate of the Saints and exceeding riches of God in Christ sees the swetnesse of the wayes of God goes home and thinks within himself Happy they that are in this condition Blessed are they that can walk thus with God But I cannot saith the soul I say it may finde it thus when he cannot finde the reall efficacy of the word as he would do he may receive the benefit of that word if the Lord do but only give him a heart to desire it Oh that the Lord would but thus manifest himself to me the soul may go away poor and hungry from the word and the Lord may yet reserve a spirit of thirsting after that good which a man desires to finde and there is the efficacy of the word there As now there are two golden vessels one a man fills and it is everyday dropping and he preserves it another vessel he do's not fil but with something that he hath he is every day widening of it So some Christians the Lord he 's a filling of them others the Lord he do's not fill them with such peace and joy ay but though the Lord is not filling of them he is a widening of them there is such a vertue that the lord do's enlarge the heart with secret desires and longings after more of Gods
he sets the soul at an everlasting distance with his sin never to be reconciled and looks to the Lord that by his Word and Spirit he would subdue them that so he may see the death of them and he sides with the Lord in the use of all means comes to the Word and comes to Prayer and sayes Speak against my sin Lord Lord waste these distempers and so the soul is thus at variance with his sin although his temptations do get winde and hill of him he goes again and to them again and though he perisheth and never have mercy from the Lord yet Lord that I may never sin against thee more help therefore Lord by this promise and mercy and meanes and here he keeps him and here he holds Truly brethren here is an eternal vertue and such a vertue as no hypocrites have that have some sting of conscience and after they have some peace they are at truce with their sins No there is an everlasting conflict and warfare and I do assure you there is an everlasting power gone forth Mat. 12 20. Christ will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax till judgement come to victory Therefore there may be judgement but it may not come to victory there may be smoak and fire and it may almost go out and he Lord he blowes it up again and at the last though it be weak and little and he think with himself he shall never get strength again yet the Lord will give victory in his time Only becautious here I told you there is an incompleat victory the Lord never sets his people at variance with their sin but they have victory but it is an incompleat victory Saith the Lord I will drive out the Hittites and Canaanitess and Perizzites before you but I will do it by little and little There is many a Christian that findes within himself a Spirit of warfare against his sin and did he examine himself he should finde a Spirit of victory but he thinks he hath none because his victory is not compleat If he had a heart so to believe as never to doubt more and such quickning as never to be dead more never to depart from God more now I should think the Word comes with power but I finde that these evils prevaile against me There is many a one does scorn the kindnesse of Christ because he findes not compleat victory but darknesse remaines still and sinful lusts remaine still therefore the Word doth me no good at all saith he The Lord he hath given thee a Spirit of Conflict and hath set thee at an everlasting distance with thy sin and he doth give thee some victory Beloved a Christian may decay in the power of the grace of Christ which he hath received from the Word and voice of God in the Word and he may decay and grow to a very low estate yet be shall finde this the Word of the Lord hath come with power to him it will recover his soul again and so the efficacy of the Word is eternal Psal 72. it s said of Christ that his People shall feare him so long as Sun and Moon shall endure that is continually all their life-time It may be said there he many that finde decay of their service and obedience and they lose their feare of the Lord and their dread and their humble walking before him He shall come as the raine on the mowen grasse many times a Christian hath his flourishing time as the grasse but when the grasse is mowen it is as a dry chip so the soul it may grow dry as dry as a chip Now where is your sap and savour but I tell you if you belong to the Lord Jesus the raine it will fall again the Word of God set on by the Spirit of Christ it shall fall up on you as the raine on the mowen grasse and you know that it recovers little by little and puts on a green coat again Here is the eternal love of the Lord Jesus to his People and thus the eternal efficacy of the word does continue 3. Vse is of exhortation 3. Vse Oh Brethren and beloved in the Lord Jesus may a Christian heare the Word of God spoken and yet never hear God speak may he hear it externally and not internally then rest not in external hearing and with some little movings and affections and stirrings of the Word of Gods grace in hearing Let not the Word be to you as the sound of many waters and a noise no efficacy of the Word that do remaine on your soules Brethren and beloved in Christ I lay my finger on the sore in these times Oh the contempt of the Gospel of Christ though I believe it hath its efficacy in the heart of the Elect that is the thing that I presse never be content with external hearing though thou mayest have some affection and know new things unlesse thou finde the Lord speaking with an eternal efficacy to thy soul I conceive two things are to be done that the word may come with an everlasting efficacy although something is to be done by Ministers that is to preach truth and Gospel-truth fetch 't from heaven wich many prayers and soaked truth with many teares Ye shall know the truth and that truth shall make you free Convicting truth We preach saith the Apostle in the demonstration of the Spirit The Spirit of God when he cometh he convinceth the world of sin Let Ministers do so Preach convincing truth and Gospel-truth fetch'd from heaven and bathed in teares Oh brethren let the fire burn clear let there not be more smoake then fire it will never come with power then convincing Gospel-truth set on by the demonstration of the Spirit of the Lord and this will set a Christian at liberty there is never such a Sermon that the faithful ones of God preach to you if it come not with a power to loosen you and call you home it comes with a power to blinde you it is an axe at the root of the trees but I leave this What means ought the people to use that the Word of God may come with efficacy Them that are in their unregenerate estate the Lord only knowes how to work on their hearts they must come to the outward meanes I speak to the Saints of God I leave others to the infinite mercy of the Lord It is not in him that willeth or runneth but in the Lord that sheweth mercy In the use of meanes 1. Meanes Do not only see thy infirmities and weaknesse but pray to God to give thee a heart bleeding under the sense of thy many infirmities Many times men slight them and are not sensible of them I do not say wickednesses and wilfulnesses but thy infirmities and weaknesses get a heart mourning under them A Christian is made up of infirmities and weaknesses a man would not think there is that in another which he knowes by himself Oh brethren
labour for a broken heart in the sense of your many infirmities and weaknesses darknesse and enmity vanity and unsavourinesse the Lord will have his time to speak to such a soul Break up the fallow ground of your hearts lest my wrath break out with fire the Lord hath promised to dwell with the poor and contrite Look as it was with our Saviour Christ they brought the sick and the lame ones to him and vertue went but from Christ to heal them all Bring thy sick and blinde heart to Christ and vertue shall go forth from Christ to heal it 2. Draw near to God in the Word by looking on it as God speaking to thee We are far from God and therefore we cannot hear him draw near to him when you come to the external Word when you come to heare the Word heare it as the voice of God You heard the Word at the Word of God which you felt in you 1 Thes 2.3 I do not speak that the soule should take every thing that Ministers speak as the Word of God but that which is the Word of God take it as God speaking I am not able to expresse the infinite unknown sweetnesse and mercy and presence of God that you shall finde thus coming I know it is a common truth but I am not ashamed to tell you I have not for many a year understood this truth and I see but little of it yet ye have heard of it but ye do not understand what it is to hear God speaking When God hath an intent to harden a mans heart and to damn him either he shall have aprejudice against the man or else if he hath not a prejudice against the man there is a secret loathing of the truth in regard of the commands of it and that is all and the Lord he hardens and blindes and prepares for eternal ruine all the men in the world by this meanes that live under the meanes When the Lord spake to Samuel Samuel heard a voice but he heard it not as spoken by God but when he took Elies counsel and saw it was the Lord that spoke now he listens to the voice of the Lord and now the Lord opens all his minde to him 3. Do not trust to the external word It is a heaven on earth to hear the Word exalted a glorious thing to hear the Word of God as Gods Word but trust to the free grace of God in it and the Spirit of God in Christ to set on that Word When they brought the lame and blinde and halt to Christ they looked for the Word and the Power of it Speak the Word Lord and thy servants shall be whole so bring your blinde lame and halt soules to Christ and trust to the free grace of the Lord Iesus Christ The Work of the Lord it shall prosper in his hand so the Word of the Lord it shall prosper in his hand also Lastly so seek the Lord and so heare the Word so seek the truth and so hear the truth as that you lay up your happinesse in this world in closing with the truth and with the word Brethren what is a mans happinesse in heaven but to close with God and Christ I cannot come to God now the most that I can have of God now is in his word if it be happinesse in heaven to close with God in Christ truly then it is a mans happinesse to close with God in his word on earth and if it be your happinesse lay up your happinesse in it My son saith Solomon if thou wilt hear my word Prov. 3. let them not depart from thine eyes keep them in the middest of thy heart place thy happinesse in them So shall they be life to thy soul Vers 22. Neverthelesse Brethren let a mans soul be set upon any thing in the world when he comes to hear besides the word if he lay not up his happinesse in closing with the word truely the word it will be like a song to him The Prophet Ezekiel tells them Their hearts were gone after their covetousnesse When a man comes to hear a Sermon there is a Sermon and the Market there is a Sermon and a friend to speak withall and so many young people will go abroad to hear Sermons What is the end of it It is that ye may get wives and husbands many of you but it is not your blessednesse to close with the Lord in his word I have known some men that have had a distaste against the truth of the Lord and I have known them for many a day they have not been able to understand the truth of the Lord. When it shall be thus with a man that a mans heart is set on something else besides the word of the Lord that it is not my happinesse to close with the truth of the Lord such a man shall never understand the truth of the Lord. Though the word be sweet to you sometimes if your blessednesse do not lye in this to enjoy God Oh this Gospel of God and these Commands of God that your blessednesse do not lye in cleaving to the Lord in his word I say it is a certain truth you shall be blinded and hardned by the word For here is a Rule Whatsoever a mans heart is set on as his chiefest good the presence of that good it comes with power So here the precious Gospel of Christ when the presence of it commands the heart nothing is good enough for it and it closeth with it and with Christ in it I beseech you therefore Beloved in Christ set upon the use of these meanes think within your selves What if the Lord had left me without the word I will tell you what ye would have been Look upon these poor Indians herds of Beasts look upon others on their Ale-benches enemies to the Lord such a one thou hadst been This blessed word and woice of God every very tittle of it cost the blood of Christ written all the lines of it in the blood of Christ Oh make much of it and it will make much of you it will comfort you and strengthen you and revive you and if the word come not with power ye shall be under the power of something else if not under the power of the word then under the power of some lust What is the reason that these poor creatures that are come to the tryall for life and death that have fallen into such sins as were never heard of What is the reason that they are under the power of their lusts I will tell you what Solomon saith My son if wisdome enter into thy heart and discretion be pleasant to thy soul it shall keep thee from the strange woman sinful companion If it be pleasant here is the reason the word of Gods grace it never came with power or if it came with power powerless the word of Gods grace hath been to them and because it hath not come with
SUBJECTION TO Christ IN ALL HIS ORDINANCES AND APPOINTMENTS The best means to preserve our LIBERTY Together with a TREATISE Of Ineffectual Hearing the Word How we may know whether we have heard the same effectually And by what means it may be come effectual unto us With some remarkable Passages of his life By Tho. Shephard late Pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge New-England Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell Pastor of the said Church in New-England MATTH 11.29 Take my yoke upon you c. London Printed for John Rothwell and are to be sold by Tho. Brewster at the three Bibles in Pauls Church-yard neer the West end 1652. To the READER ONe of their sweetest refreshing mercies of God to his New-England People amidst all their wildernesse-tryals and straits and sorrowes wherewith they at first conflicted in those ends of the earth hath been their Sanctuary-enjoyments in the beauties of holinesse where they have seen and met with him whom their soules lâ—ve and had familiar and full converse with him above what they could then enjoy in the land from whence they came This is that that hath sweetned many a bitter Cup to the remnant of Israel The Lord a one led him and there was no strange God with him was said concerning Israel of old and this was accounted mercy enough when he led them into a land where no man dwelt and which no man passed thorough What God hath done foâ— New-England in this respect and what their Sanctuary mercies be thou hast here a taste though but a taste These notes may well be thought to be lesse accurate then if the Author himself had published them and to want some polishments and trimmings which it were not sit for any other to adde however thou wilt finde them full of useful truths and mayest easily discern his Spirit and a Spirit above his own breathing in them Concerning the Author it were worth the while to write the story of his life It is needlesse to speak in his commendation His works praise him in the gates They that know him know he had as real apprehensions of the things of God and lived as much with God and with his own heart and more then the most of Christians do He had his education at Immanuel-Colledge in Cambridge The Conversion and Change of his heart was wrought betimes when he lived in the Vniversity and enjoyed Dr. Prestons Ministery whereby God had the very best and strength of his parts and yeares for himself When he was first awakened to look after Religion having before swam quietly in the stream of the times he was utterly at a losse which way to take being much molested with suggestions of Atheisme in the depths whereof Junius was quite lost for a time and moved and tempted to the wayes of Familisme also some advised him in this condition to go to Grindlestone to hear Mr. Brierley and being informed that the people were wont to finde a mighty possessing over-powering presence and work of the spirit when they heard him he resolved upon the journey but God in mercy diverted him having reserved him for better things Yet he read what they said and the books of H.N. amongst the rest where meeting with this passage That a Christian is so swallow'd up in the spirit that what action soever the spirit moves him to suppose whoredom he may do it and it is no sin to him this was enough for being against the light of his natural conscience it bred in him an utter abhorrency of those loose and vile wayes and principles ever after This advantage also he had that Doctor Tuckney was then his Tutor whom he acquainted with his condition and had his direction and help in those miserable fluctuations and straits of his soul Happy is the man whose doubtings end to establishments nil tam certum quà m quod de dubio certum but when men arrive in Scepticism as the last issue and result of all their debates and thoughts of heart about Religion it had been good for such if they had never been borne After his heart was changed it was observed of him that his abilities of minde were also much enlarged divinity though it be chiefly the Art and rule of the will yet raising and perfecting the understanding also which I conceive came to passe chiefly by this means that the feare of God fixed him and made him serious and taught him to meditate which is the maine improvement of the understanding Therefore such as came to him for direction about their studies he would often advise them to be much in meditation professing that having spent some time in meditation every day in his beginning times and written down his thoughts he saw cause now to blesse God for it He was assigned to the worke of the Ministery at a solemn meeting and conference of sundry godly Ministers about it there were to the number of twelve present at the meeting whose solemne advise was that he should serve the Lord in the Gospel of his Sonne wherein they have been the salvation of many a soul for upon this he addrest himself to the work with that reality and seriousnesse in wooing and winning souâ—s that his words made deep impâ—essions and seldome or never fell to the ground He was lecturer a while at Earles-cone in Essex which I take it was the first place of his Ministery where he did much good and the people there though now it is long since and many are gone yet they have a very precious and deep remembrance of him of the mighty power of God by him to this day But W. Lawd then Bishop of London soon stopt his mouth and drove him away aâ— he did many other godly Ministers from Essex at the same time After this he lâ—ved at Butter-chrome in Yorkshire at Sir Richard Darleys house till the iniquity of those times hunted him thence also Then he went to Northumberland till silenced there also and being thus molested and chased up and down at home he fled to New-England and after some difficulties and delays by great stormes and disasters at sea upon the sands and coasts of Yarmouth which retarded his voyage till another yeare he arrived there at last where he was Pastor to a precious flock at Cambridge about fourteen yeares He was but 46. or 47. yeares old when he dyed His sicknesse began with a sore throate and then a squinancy and then a fever wherof he dyed August 23. 1649. This was one thing he said upon his death-bed Lord I am vile but thou art righteous and to those that were about him he bade them love Jesus Christ dearly that little part that I have in him is no smal comfort to me now His manner of preaching was close and searching and with abundance of affection and compassion to his hearers He took great paines in his preparations for his publick labours accounting it a cursed thing to do the work of the
not be thus and purpose never to live thus again yet notwithstanding all their purposes and resolutions they fall again and never get any real conquest their untamed hearts wils are never a whit more subdued Isaiah 63.7 8. For he said Surely they are my people children that will not lie So he was their Saviour but they soone rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit their wills were never subdued But now the Saints either the Lord preserves them from such falls and apostasies Or if they do depart from the Lord by reason of the prevailing power of any temptation they ever get real conquest by their fall their sinful corruption thereby gets its deadly wound Rom. 11.10 Their backs are not alwayes bowed down but the Lord raiseth their bowed down spirits Psalm 145.14 and upholdeth their spirits for them when they think they shall one day fall by the hand of such Saul-like sins and distempers A carnal heart may carry a faire profession and be in subjection to Christ for a time but his back stands alwayes bowed down under his profession it is his burthen and hence at last he casts it off as a man doth his wearisome burden but on the contrary childe of God being indeed weary of his sinne and carrying that up and down with him as his burden with his soul bowed down in the sense of his own vilenesse by this means through the helpe of Christ at last he comes to get real conquest over his sinne and cast it off 5. When the Lord in this case lets them alone without inward or outward troubles this is a fearful signe Hosea 4.17 Ephraim is joyned to his Idols let him alone the Lord will take no more paines with them he is wearied out with striving Isaiah 1.5 Why should ye be stricken ye will revolt yet more and more when the Lord sees men the worse for his merciful corrections he deales like parents that have have striven long with their children and can do no good on them they then resolve to let them take their own course and will own them no longer to be of their family the Lord never deales thus long with his but if their sinne will not waste by words the Lord will then try what chaines will do and now they shalt finde good now they shall remember their backslidings and apostasies from God and their impenitency in finne in fecret sinnes especially in the dayes of their peace and prosperity now the Lord will make finne as bitter as ever it was sweet Oh consider this you that are prosperous and because the Lord is good to you therefore you think the Lord likes well of your wayes No greater plague then for the Lord to give a man peace in his sinne or if the Lord begins to afflct thee in thy name or estate begin to be blasted and thou canst see Gods hand on thee and knowest it and yet thou remained unhumbled this is a signe thou art under the bondage of thy finne Vse 5. For examination whether we do Vse 5 or when a people do cast off the government of the Lord and destroy his kingdome it's needful to know the sinne that we may prevent the misery and 't is certaine let New-England be watchful and make sure here to advance the Prince of peace and to keep the right and government in his hand and you shall have the blessing of God and his ordinances peace and mercy in your times and continued to your children for his kingdom is an everlasting kingdome and of the increase of his kingdome there is no end and on the contrary if New-England cast off the government from over them and refuse his service the Lord will then take the kingdome from you and you shal then know the want of what now ye injoy Now because Christs government or kingdome is 1. Inward 2. Outward in Church in State I shall let you know 1 when the inward kingdome of Christ is set up and when 't is tazed down which I shall do by giving you a briefe view of the nature or it and wherein it consists and so you may the better Judge of your own hearts in this particular As Satan hath an inward kingdome in the hearts of those that are without so the Lord Jesus hath an inward kingdome in the hearts of all his Saints Col. 1.13 Blessed be God saith the apostle which hath translated us from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan into the kingdome of his dear sonne which is very spiritual little seen a man may be under all outward government and yet naught here and therefore attend this inward kingdome therefore consists in four things or when the whole soul submits it self to God in these four particulars 1. When the whole foul gives entertainment unto the Lord himself to come into it for if a people shall say they are under such a government and yet will not admit the Prince himself to come amongst them but keep him out of the kingdome they cast off his government and his kingdome 2. When the whole foul closeth with the whole will of the Lord for if a people shall receive a Prince amongst them but he shall make no wholesome Laws to governe them but will be led by their own wills and lusts they pull down his kingdome 3. When the whole soul thus closeth with the will of Christ by vertue of the power and Spirit of Christ for if a people submit to the will of their Prince but 't is not by vertue of his authority over them command of them and helps he hath given them for that end but it is by reason of some forreign power that underhand incourageth them to yield this is poore subjection 4. When the soul thus submits to Christs will for the Lords ends denying its own wisdome or will and is-led by the Lord to his end for if a people shall submit to their Prince but 't is to set up other princes he is cast off from his throne When a man shall serve God and be under his government because it is profitable or honourable it suits his own end this is poor service in the Lords account 1. I say then the soul is under the inward kingdome or government of Christ when the whole soul gives entertainment to the Lord of Lords the Lord himself with all his traine in and by the Gospel of graâ—e the royal sword and Scepter of Christs kingdome for when Christ himself is thus received the kingdome of God is come to that soul and entred into that heart and hence Marke 1.14 15. the Gospel is called the Gospel of the Kingdome and when John and Christ preached believe and repent for the kingdome of God is at hand Under which word is comprehended much but principally Christ Jesus ready to enter the souls of his people and hence Iohn preached Christ Now 't is said those that were effectually wrought upon Matt. 11.12 that the kingdome of heaven did
the Lord will have it so to be nothing be content thus and though thou dost not finde any benefit from the Ordinance of the Lord as yet yet notwithstanding loath thy own heart but love them yet seek after the Lord and look to the Lord in them And this is certain the Lord hath blessings for his people not only in this life but as he there speaketh to his Disciples when they say to him Lord what shall we have saith the Lord to them You that have followed me you shall sit on thrones But take heed of this if once ye come to slight Ordinances and cast off Ordinances because of these straits and wants and so forth And what are your Ordinances c and a generation of men risen up I think Christians should send forth their gronings to the Lord that the terrour of the Lord may fall upon them they deny all the Ordinances of the Lord and the Spirit must teach us only 'T is true the Spirit must do it but will ye therefore take away the means and hence the very Scripture is made an Alphabet for children and so they do destroy the Ordinances of the Lord. Beloved if it be from this principle take heed of it for if it be ye will certainly finde bondage 4. When men do not thus pull down the Ordinances the throne of Christ but drive the Lord Jesus away out of his Ordinances though they have his Ordinances with them by their secret defilings pollutions spiritual pollutions of the glorious Ordinances of Christ this the Lord frequently complaineth of in Jerem. and Ezek. The very great reason why the Lord did leave his Temple where their fathers did praise the Lord they had polluted and defiled it that was the reason of it They had driven the Lord away from his throne and this doth pull down the princely power of the Lord in his Churches I know there be many sins and defilements and the sons of men have hidden wayes of polluting the Ordinances of the Lord that a man shall sit under all the Ordinances of the Lord and as it is said of Mount Gilboah not any dew fall upon him never see good when good comes the Lord is not dear that is the reason of it Oh thy secret defilements of the Ordinances of the Lord have driven the Lord farre from you There are many I shall only name three principally that there may be a little heed taken of them First When there is a secret contempt grown upon a mans spirit of the Ordinances of Christ attended with a secret wearinesse of them this doth now pollute the Ordinances of the Lord and this doth drive the Lord from his Ordinances Mal. 1.7 Ye have offered polluted bread wherein have we done it say they this was the cause of it Ye say that the Table of the Lord is contemptible the meaning is you do despise my Table and Ordinances and so now do despise me too and so ye do vilifie and contemne the Ordinances of the Lord Therefore saith the Lord in the conclusion of that Chapter vers 11. From the rising of the Sun my name it shall be known As if he should say I am not bound to you I can have a people among whom my name shall be great For saith the Lord I am a great King If one should have asked men in those dayes what good is in your sacrifices what great glory can ye see in them the Saints can see a great deal of glory in mean outsides Now when this is wanting the name of the Lord is polluted and so the Lord driven from his Ordinances Heb. 12.15 Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil root of bitternesse springing up and many thereby be defiled When men do live in secret lusts or open profanenesse a man that hath a profane heart such a heart as doth contemne the portion of mercy the Lord doth offer to him who like Esau did sell his birth-right for a messe of pottage Secondly Unbrokennesse of heart in the enjoyment of Ordinances when men live not in a daily sense of the extreme need they stand in of mercy Isa 66.1 2. Heaven is my throne and the Earth is my footstool Now observe what the Lord doth there speak To him will I look that is poor in spirit and contrite such a poor soul saith the Lord will I look to and to these are opposed such as have not such hearts but do look only to the Ordinances of the Lord Now saith the Lord to such He that offereth a lamb is as if he cut off a dogs neck and he that offereth incense as he that blesseth an Idol These were a people that did plead for the Temple of the Lord and had the Ordinances of the Lord according to his command but here was their wound they were not broken under the Ordinances of the Lord This you shall finde the Saints have many sins and wants under the Ordinances of the Lord but little does the world know their gronings before the Lord and the Lord hath mercy for such soules as are sensible of their need they stand in of the Ordinances of the Lord. But now when men have found the Lord in an Ordinance subduing some particular sin there are other sins remaining in their hearts and they stand unremoveable in their hearts and hence are the strongest and dearest of all the rest Now I say when men having these sins and knowing these sins in their hearts and spirits when as because I cannot subdue these sins and they have attended on the Lord in the use of means and the Lord helps them not and because they hope to be saved at last for all these Hence they come to a truce with their sin and never go mourning to the Lord nor say the Lord hath begun to subdue some of these lusts Now Lord go on but the soul is at truce with his sinnes Beloved if there be any pollution of the Ordinances of the Lord here it is that men come with unbroken hearts to the Ordinances of the Lord that never feel your need of them and wounds and sores that are in your hearts that men do stand with those very sins that they think they cannot subdue and because they cannot ease themselves of them therefore they give way to them When men keep these sins with unsensible hearts of them ye do resist the holy Ghost ye feel not your need of the Lord therefore ye keep your sins and your woes you shall have for them Thirdly Where there is a spirit of unbelief that there is not a seeking to Christ Jesus to wash away the pollutions of his heart and life in his attending upon the Lord in his Ordinances Tit. 1. 15. To the unbelieving nothing is pure but even their minde and conscience is defiled Exod. 30.29 It is said Every thing that touched the Altar was clean and hence without this all is unclean When a poor soul shall come to
liberty Now examine and try these things Is the Kingdome of Christ come into us that though there be a law in our members warring yet there is a law of the minde warring against it and delighting in the will of Christ and setting him up as chief Are we under the Kingdome of Christ in his Church and Common-wealth so as the soul is willing in the day of the Lâ—rds power though there be and have been some pangs of resistance against persons and against Ordinances so as 't is thy liberty to be subject to Christ in his Ordinances in his servants and 't is thy bondage to be otherwise and thou longest for that day that the Lord would subdue all those boistrous lusts and pride and passions and bruise sin Satan and self under thy feet Then I say as the Lord Isa 33.20 21 22. Look upon Zion the City of your solemnity c. See Rom. 8.7 1. But if the heart growes loose and licentious and breaks the Lords bonds and yokes and will be led by your own fleshly ends and lusts and so go on quietly Be you assured this truth shall have a time to take hold of such spirits and know it assuredly 't is not to be in Christs Family or Kingdome 't is not scrambling for promises catching at Gods grace talking of assurance of Gods love which will shelter you from the wrath of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to whom God hath sworne That every knee shall how 'T is service and subjection which the Lord aimes at and which the Lord looks for I know 't is Gods grace which only can save but it will never save when it is turned into licentiousnesse Do not say There is no danger of it here where we have such means and such liberâ—â—â—s are Answ 1. Answ 1 Never such danger of being licentious as in places of liberty when no bit nor bridle of externall tyranny to curb in 2. Look on the Kingdome of Judah here which in one year all fell 3. Why doth the Lord exercise us with wants and straits 't is to humble us and abate our unrulinesse And 't is the Lords quarrel with his best people to this day desperate rebellious hearts that close not with his Government Do not say we know not how bondage should come here though we should cast oft the Lords Government Answ 1. Answ 1 The Lord can let loose the natives again us Ahab kills 1000000 of Benhadads men but afterwards within seven yeares he returnes again 2. The Lord can raise up brambles and Abimelechs to be the King of the trees when the Olives and the Vines are loth to forsake their places and to lose their fatnesse and sweetnesse 3. The Lord can turn the hearts of those in power against people and let Satan sowe suspicions and sowe seditions and clashings 4. The Lord can leave us into one anothers hands to oppresse to take away the nether milstones 5. If none of these Satan nay Christ himself will come out with garments dipt in blood 3. Do not say 'T is not so there is sweet subjection i. e. 't is so and blessed be God for it yet beware I speak to prevent But yet 1. Some seem to do so and yet are not so 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Mighty to pull down every high thought who attaines this who can be thus yet there are meanes mighty for this end not that all be abolished but all are abolishing 2. Others otherwise openly how zealous for an opinion when it should be death to differ and things in your own heart lying miserably waste and some wretched lust the root of all for which Gods Saints mourn in secret Let such know that will not be ruled by Christ or his servants or ordinances but will have them to rule them and not to be ruled by them The Lords chaines are near and therefore now take your time and come in submit to the Lord and do as these here did acknowledge the Lord to be righteous and turn unto the Lord. Vse 6. Vse 6 Of thankfulnesse for our present liberties and freedome from the bondage of men bondage of conscience bondage of Satan and sin need there is of laying this use seriously to heart considering two things principally 1. The general complaints of the Countrey as they of Jericho 2 Kings 2.19 The waters are bad and the ground barren and these are engraven in marble all other our liberties are written on the water 2. The disgrace and reproach cast upon Gods people and wayes of God and that unjustly which I am afraid to mention whence there grows a contempt of them and the rivers of Damascus now are better then Jordan Oh beloved if it be an heavy hand of God to be under bondage then look on it as a special grace of God to free us from bondage Deut. 32.11 12. The Lord done did lead them c. and Moses Jer 2.20 chap. 33.29 when he had blessed them Happy art thou Oh Israel a People saved by the Lord. And the greater cause we have to do this a People that have abused all liberties Isa 9.8 9 10. He laments it but yet is thankful for it to Gods grace no man that can say but he may be as holy as he will and none to curb or snib 1. Means Consider what all the liberties Gods people enjoy have cost Gal. 5. Christ hath made you free i. e. by his blood Liberty of Conscience from the bondage not of Jewish but of Antichristian Ceremonies and Government and Pressures Liberty of will from any sin 't is by Christs blood and cost that as I am perswaded our liberties have cost Saints their blood The teares prayers and blood of men are much but of Christ much more and are they not worth thanks that are of this price The great reason why unthankfulnesse comes in is because they cost so much as losse of estate of wise or of childe by sea dost thou repent now Christ doth not repent that his blood hath been paid for them and if they be of so little value as there 't is said He repented that he made man so may he that ever he gave them such glorious liberties 2. Consider oft of the sad condition of them that be in bondage Men in bondage prize liberty and think them happy that enjoy it but men out of it do not How sad is the consideration of them that be in bonds it will make thy heart sympathize with them and blesse God for your deliverance Hence saith Christ Luke 22.20 When you see Jerusalem compast with enemies c. flie to the mountaines and wo to them that give suck Consider them that are taken with the Turks if you were in their condition you would say so to bring forth little ones to the murderer or idolater Isa 42.22 and 26. Mens hearts failing for feare this you should see somewhere A mote or a thorn is a little thing but no man would have it alwayes
all other miseries and therefore as Joshua said so say I to you Choose you whom you will serve Mot. 2. Consider the difference between the service of the Lord and Shishak Mot. 2. 1. The government of others tyrannical proud men or sin or Satan or outward miseries 't is full of rigour force and cruelty Ezek. 34.4 With force and cruelty have ye ruled them But Christs Government is there shewen to be in mercy and full of mercy though sometimes lost he will fetch thee in again though sick and weak he will heal thee again vers 16. Deut. 4.6 'T is for thy good the Lord hath no need of thy service c. True it is the Lord may shew his people hard things and give them sad miseries but these wounds do not kill them only make way for healing the distempers of their hearts that are in his poor weak ones and his end is to bring them to himself 2. Their government is in it self hard and bitter To serve a lust now 't is a torment sometimes to conscience if that be awake if not 't is a curse of curses much reluct ancy against it much chiding after it and God hides himself dreadful fears and heart it self unquiet but Christs yoke is easie and his burden light his assistance and presence and love and peace makes it so and that daily and at death especially 3. There is little recompence for their service the best that Saul can give are Olive-fields and Vine-yards but anguish of conscience after the work is done But the Lord gives a Kingdome and not a word or thought but there is a book of remembrance writ not a cup of cold water or rag to any of Christs naked servants but it will be recompenced You have followed me you shall sit on thrones Mot. 3. Consider how fain the Lord would have you under his Government Mot. 3. for many will say I have refused so oft and what shall I now do the Lord will cast me by True he may do so and you may be glad if the Lord will honour you in doing his work Yet Prov. 2.23 Returne you scorners at my reproof and I 'le power out my Spirit upon you Jer. 36.3 7. Read sayes God the words of the Roll to them It may be they will hear and present their supplications before the Lord and turne every man from his evil way that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin Read the place if you can without tears You that have departed from God and Christ and provoked Gods wrath when there is but little hope left it may be Oh yet read the Roll. Mot. 4. Once Christs and under his Government Mot. 4. you shall never be cast off As sin hath reigned unto death so shall grace reigne unto eternal life Rom. 5.21 He will bestow on you the sure mercies of David by an everlasting Covenant Isa 55.5 Quest But wherein should I submit to the Lord Quest Answ None have power to rule conscience but Christ Answ give him therefore this glory that wherein he bindes conscience conscience not out of fear but love may indeed submit I have instanced the particulars formerly yet more distinctly There be two great commands or charges of Christ that ly upon all mens consciences to whom the Gospel comes and therein lyes our service of him generally Which two I name because there we think we are free or do not know our liberty First The command of Christ is that every one to whom the Gospel comes and is preached do believe i.e. receive Christ Jesus in all his fulnesse in the Gospel John 1.12 For that is to believe in which command lies Gods offer 1 John 5.23 This is his commandment that ye believe John 6.25 37 38. This is the work of God that ye believe Now here men think they are free 1. They say they are unworthy and hence they say Depart from me Lord I am a sinfull man as if Gods grace was built on mans worthinesse 2. Because unhumbled whereas Gods grace calls in men unhumbled Rev. 8.17 18. For Gods call and offer is general though none but the humble wil hearken to it But there are none but it may be said to them If they can believe let them 3. Because Christ is not theirs and are they bound to believe he is Whereas the first act of faith is not to believe Christ is mine then men were bound to believe a lie But to receive Christ as a woman her husband that he may be mine by faith and so a man may know and say he is mine The Gospel doth no where say to any man Christ is thine but if thou receive him he is thine and consequently the Spirit speaks so also 4. Because they cannot believe unlesse they should presume as if the Gospel bound the conscience of none to believe but them that were able to believe it and receive Christ in it yet 't is otherwise for it bindes all to receive Christ Jesus to go up and possesse him to feed eat and drinke and live for ever And I will leave this one undeniable argument If men are liable to eternal condemnation at the great and last day and to bear the eternal wrath of God and Christ also for disobeying the Gospel for refusing Christ and the offer of his grace therein Then those mens consciences are bound to obey the Gospel i. e. to believe and receive Christ now in this life But all that have the Gospel preached to them are liable to eternall condemnation for disobedience to it John 3.18 19. Psal 2.12 Kisse the Son lest he be angry So 2 Thess 2.8 9. He comes to render vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel Rom. 2.16 The Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts by my Gospel That is whereever the Gospel comes for they that have no law having no law shall not be judged by it But men that have had the Gospel shall be judged by it and therefore are bound o obedience thereunto The serious consideration of which one truth is enough to draw all to Christ from the power of unbelief especially they that say I cannot or ought not to believe For the reason why men do not come is 1. They think the Gospel concerns not them what doth the Lord say to me come so vile and sinful yes that he doth if there was no such law there could be no transgression or condemnation 2. They think they shall presume No if conscience be bound to it 't is no presumption to keep a Sabbath aright or to receive Christ as God offers him Oh this quiets conscience 3. The Lord layes his chain on the most tender place of conscience as it will answer it at the great day or will have any peace take heed you refuse not so great salvation 4. 'T is a chaine not of bondage but of liberty and mercy and love Come and receive not a Kingdome but Christ Peace pardon and grace
these words answers an Objection which the Jewes ever conceited of their own knowledge might make We know the Father as well as you and yet we know no such testimony that he gives Christ answers You do not know him for the certain knowledge of a thing is either by seeing or hearing now you never saw him nor heard him you have therefore no acquaintance with him So that the words contain 1 Christs fearful accusation of the Jews to beignorant of God 2. The aggravation and extent of it at no time i. e. not only at Baptisme but at no other time in any Ministery or in any Scripture c. Quest 1. What is it not to see his shape nor hear his voice Quest 1 Answ Some think they are metaphorical speeches Answ to expresse their ignorance of God Now though this be the scope and the general truth yet I conceive the Lord speaking particularly and knowing what he spake intends something particularly and it is a rule never to flie to metaphors where there can be a plain sense given There is therefore two degrees of true knowledge of God in this life or 't is attained unto by a double meanes 1. By heating of him for hence our faith comes by the Word 2. By hearing thus from him the mind also comes to have a true Idea of God as he reveals himself in the Word and Means by the Spirit Iob 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee and this is the shape here spoken of not bodily and carnal Now Christ doth professe that they did want both Carnal and unregenerate hearts neither hear Gods voice nor have a right Idea of God in their mindes but become vain in their mindes though they have meanes of knowing and their foolish hearts are darkned the wiser they be the more foolish they grow 2. At no time i.e. neither at baptism nor else in any mans Ministery nor in any of the Scriptures which you read and where the Lord speaks 3. But did they not hear the voice of God at Christs baptism and at the Mount when Christ preach't when the Scriptures were opened every Lords day and at other times amongst them Answ No they never heard it It 's a strange thing Answ that such men that read heard preach't remembred the Scriptures and could tell you mysteries in titles never heard the voice of God and yet it is most true Observat That mans men may a long time together know and heare the Word of God written and spoken Observ yet never hear the Lord speaking that Word no not so much as one word title or syllable no not so much at once at any time This was the estate of the Jewes and this is the estate of all unregenerate men Hence Christ Luke 19.41 laments and weeps over Jerusalem saying Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day c. 1. Quest How did the Jewes heare and yet not heare God speaking 1. Quest Answ There is a twofold word or rather a double declaration of the same word Answ 1. There is Gods external or outward word containing letters and syllables and this is his external voice 2. There is Gods internal word and voice which secretly speaks to the heart even by the external word when that only speaks to the eare The first the Jewes did hear at Christs Baptism in Christs Ministery and in reading the Scriptures and when they did hear it it was Gods word hey heard full of glory and so they heard the word spoken but only man speaking it the other comes to few who hear not only the word spoken but God speaking the word Rom. 10.18 19. Israel did hear but Israel did not know Christ speaks in parables Hence in seeing they did not see Luke 8.10 And this is one way how 't is true that Christ sayes They never heard his voice As 't is with a painted Sun on the wall you see the Sun and Stars but there is a difference between seeing this and the Sun and Starres themselves wherein is an admirable glory go to a painted Sun it gives you no heat nor cherisheth you not so it is here c. 2. This inward word is double 1. Ineffectual though inward 2. Effectual 1. Ineffectual is that which hath some inward operation upon the heart but it attaines not Gods end to bring a man into a state of life and thus Heb. 6.2 5. Many tasted of the good word of God yet fell away And such a heart is compared to a field which a man plowes and sowes and raine falls on it and yet the end is not attained it brings forth thistles and this many Jewes did hear and hence had some kinde of faith in Christ 2. Effectual is that which hath such an inward efficacy upon mens hearts as that God attaines his end thereby Isa 55.11 and brings men to a state of life of which Christ speaks John 6.45 and this voice none but the Elect hear and of this Christ speaks here as appears verse 38. Him whom he sent ye beleeve not Hence it is you have heard God at no time Hence he speaks of such a hearing and knowing such a hearing outwardly as is accompanied with such a hearing inwardly Joh. 14.17 so that many men may hear the word spoken outwardly but never inwardly they may hear it inwardly but never effectually translating them from state to state from death to life from life to life and glory No sense of the Majesty of God speaking nor effectual hearing of the word spoken When the Sun is down the Moon may arise but yet a man is cold and dark but when the Sun ariseth on it warmes nourisheth and cherisheth c. nothing is hid from it so it is here when the Lord speaks inwardly and effectually to the heart Reas 1. From that great distance and infinite separation of mens soules from God that though God cals Reason 1 yet they can't hear no more then men a 1000 mile off Eph. 2.1 men are dead in sin Now what is spiritual death but separation of the soul from God God from it A dead man cannot hear one word at no one time he was not dead if he could Mens minds are far from God hearts also that they are neither stricken with the sight of his glory nor sense and savour of his goodnesse but must be vaine and have worldly hearts in the Church nay adulterous eyes or if they listen God is gone from them and from his Word also Hos 5.6 Reas 2. From the mighty and wonderful strange power of Satan Reason 2 which blindes their eyes they cannot see nor hear 2 Cor. 4.4 never such clear light never such an effectual Word as that of the Apostles yet it was hid why The God of this world blinded them either he will keep such a noise and lumber in their heads that they cannot hear God speaking for the noise or else turn himself
into an Angel of light and speak and by their light will blinde them that the light in them shall be darknesse Rom. 1.22 When men with natural light began to be most wise then they became came the greatest fooles so 't is with other knowledge of Scripture and things they heare Happy were it for many a man if he had never heard nor seen Rev 12.9 Rom. 1.22 for that which he hath heard and seen keeps him from hearing Tyre and Sidon would hear sooner then Capernaum that heard most Reas 3. Reas 3 From the righteous judgement of God in leaving men to be blinded and made deaf from and by the means whereby they should hear and know that as it is with the Saints all evil things are for their good so all good things are for their hurt Isa 6.10 the meriting cause is unbelief and sin but the deep and hidden rise of all is Gods eternal dereliction of them God never intended love special love to them hence he never speaks one word to them 2 Cor. 4.3 John 6.65 Many were offended at his words and forsook him Now to take off this offence I said None can come to me except it be given him of the Father what is that see vers 45. and 37. Vse 1. Vse 1 Hence see the reason why the Word is so wonderfully ineffectual to the soules of many men that it never stirs them that it 's a strange thing to them it 's Heb. 12.19 like the law a voice of words a sound of words so they hear men spake but understand no more then if they speak in a strange language or if they do it concernes not them or if it stirs 't is but as the blowing of the winde upon a rock which blusters for a time but when the winde is down they are still Truly they hear the word spoken but they do not hear God speaking They heard Latimer speak but not God speaking they hear a sound which every one sayes and they think is the word but they hear not God speaking it One would wonder that those Jewes that heard John and his disciples Moses and the Prophets nay Gods voice from heaven saying This is my sonne that they should not hear this and receive him with all their hearts but they did not hear his voice One would wonder to see that such things which a gracious heart thinks this would draw every heart yet remaine not stir'd things which the devils tremble at and others which Angels wonder at yet they hear not Oh they hear not God speak they are dead in their graves farre from God and there they are kept by the mighty power of Satan like one in a deep dark cave kept by fiery dragons under the ground and the tombstone is laid upon them If Christ spake he would make the dead to heare and the blinde to see Vse 2. Vse 2 Hence see why the Saints finde such changes and alterations in themselves when they come to heare sometimes their hearts are quickned fed and cherished healed and comforted relieved and visited sometime again dead and senselesse heavy and hardned Mark 8.17 18 21. How is it ye do not under stand Nay which is more that the same truth which they hear at one time should affect them and at another time doth not the same thing which they have heard a hundred times and never stir'd them at last should The reason is they heard the Word of God spoken at one time but not God speaking and they heard the Lord speaking that same Word at another time the Lord is in his Word at one time the Word goes alone at another time as in Eliab the Lord was not in the whirlwinde but he spake in the still voice and hence there he was to Elijah Luke 24 25. with 32. not that you are to lay blame on the Lord for he blows where he listeth but to make us see 't is not in outward meanes nor 't is not in our own spirits to quicken our selves and to make us ashamed of our own darknesse that when he speaks yet we cannot hear there is so much power of spiritual death and Satan yet within us only out of his pity he speaks sometimes not that you should despise the outward word No no the Lord is there shining in Perfection of glory and that which doth thee no good the Lord makes powerful to some others But prize the Spirit of God in that Word which alone can speak to thee Vse 3. Vse 3 Of dread and terrour to all unregenerate men Hence see the heavy wrath of God against them they have indeed the Scriptures and the precious Word of God dispensed to them but the Lord never speaks one word unto them If any one from whom we expect and look for love passe by us and never speak What not speak a word and we call to him and he will not speak we conclude he is angry and displeased with us You look for love do you not you that heare every Sabbath and come to Lectures and you must out t is well yes you will say His love is better then life and frownes more bitter then death Love wo to me if the Lord do not love me better never been born I hope he loves me Happy I if the mountains might fall on me to crush me in pieces if he loves me not c. but consider if he loves he will then speak peace unspeakable to thy conscience when humbled life to thy heart joy in the Holy Ghost Isa 57.19 John 6.63 1 Thes 1.6 but look upon thy soul and see this day in the sight of God whether ever the Lord spake one word to thee outwardly indeed he hath but not inwardly inwardly also but not effectually to turn them from darknesse to light and the power of Satan to God c. The voice of God is full of Majesty it shakes the heart 't is full of life it quickens the dead and light and peace and gives wisdom to the simple Ps 119. Opening of thy word gives light to the eyes How many women ever learning and never knowing and many men learning and knowing what is said but never heare God speak Then know the wrath of the Lord see and go home mourning under it There is a fourefold wrath in this 1. 'T is the Lords sore wrath and displeasure Zach. 1.2 with ver 4. If one should expect love from another to do much for him and be did not it may be he would not take it as a signe of displeasure but if he will not do a small thing not speak a word to him oh this is bitter what will not the Lord speak a word not one word especially when thy life lies on it thy soule lies on it eternity lies on it especially the Lord that is so merciful and pitiful this is a signe of fore anger 2. 'T is a token of Gods old displeasure eternal displeasure I know you cannot heare hence though
God speaks you hear him not but why doth not the Lord remove that deafnesse you old hearers that have eares fat with hearing but heavy he never intended love else he would speak there would be some time of love Rom. 11.7 8. The Elect have had it others are blinded as 't is written God hath given them the spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see and eares that they should not hear to this day 3. 'T is the Lords present displeasure When a man looks for love and speech and he doth not speak at those times he is not wont to speak one may take it as no signe of anger but when the Lord shall speak usually and then he speaks not this is a sad signe 1 Sam. 28.6 15. He cries out of this He answers me not by Urim nor dreames nor thee by the Gospel nor Law neither where he useth to answer If this anger were to come it were some comfort but when 't is now upon thee even that very Sermon and Word whereby he speaks to others but not a word to thee 4. 'T is his insensible anger for a fat heart and an heavy eare ever go together for you will say I feel no hurt in this I have heard and been never the better but yet that hath made me never the worse Oh poor creature 't is because you feel it not but when the time of misery shall come you will say This is wo and load enough for the Lord to give no answer Psal 7â— 9 We see not our Prophets nor any to tell us how long so you that despise meanes you shall then lament and say none can tell how long Oh therefore lament this thy condition now that the Lord may hear some of your cries c. Vse 4. Vse 4 Hence examine whether ever you heard the Lords voice or no not only outwardly for that you know you have often done but inwardly and not only so for so ye may do and yet your eares heavy but effectually that if it be not so you may be humble and say Lord how have I spent my time in vaine and if it be so you may be thankful and say Lord what am I that the infinite God should speak to me There is great need of trial of this for a man may reade hear and understand externally whatever another may and yet the whole Scripture a sealed book There are therefore these three degrees by which you shall discern the effectual voice of God you must take them joyntly 1. The voice of God singles a man out and though it be generally written or spoken speaks particularly to the very heart of a man with a marvellous kinde of Majesty and glory of God stamp't upon it and shining in it When a man heares things generally delivered the blessed estate or the Saints the cursed estate of the wicked consolations to the one curses to the other exhortations to faith and obedience to both and a man sits by and never thinks the Lord is now speaking and means me Or if it doth so yet thinks he intends me no more then others he heares not the Lord speaking for when he speaks he speaks particularly to the very heart of a man he doth so fit the word to him whether it be the Word of the law to humble him or of Gospel to comfort or of command to guide as if the Lord meant none but them The word is like an exact picture it looks every man in the face that looks on it if God speaks in it Heb. 4.12 13. It searcheth the heart verse 12. but verse 13. he speaks of God how comes that in because God the Majesty of God comes with it when God speaks it With whom we have to do why is that put in because when the Lord speaks a man thinks now I have to do with God if I resist I oppose a God Before this a man thinks he hath nothing to do with God they are such strangers Hence it is one man is wrought on in a Sermon another not God hath singled out one not the other that day Hence take a man unhumbled he hears many things and it may be understands not if so yet they concern not him if they do and conscience is stir'd yet they think man means them and speaks by hap and others are as bad as they and his trouble is not much At last he heares his secret thoughts and sins discovered all his life is made known and thinks 't is the Lord verily that hath done this now God speaks 1 Cor. 14.35 those things he did neither believe nor imagine c John 4.29 See the man that hath told me all that ever 1 did Hence take a soul that is humbled he heares of the free offer of grace he refuseth it why this is to all and to hypocrites as well as to me Apply any promise to it it casts by all it looks upon them as things generally spoken and applied by man but they hear not God speaking but when the Lord comes he doth so meet with their objections and speaks what they have been thinking may be true that they think this is the Lord this is to me Hosea 2.14 I'lespeak to her heart and hence 't is called the ingraffed word James 1.21 like one branch of many applied to the stock Job 33.14 16. 2. The voice of the Lord doth not only speak particularly but it goes further it comes not only with an Almighty power but with a certain everlasting efficacy and power on the soul Thus 't is here verse 38. Ye have not his word in you they had it out of them and not only in you but abiding in you 1 Pet. 1.23 born of incorruptible seed the Apostle seems to speak of a kinde of birth by corruptible seed and such are like goodly flowers which soon wither but you are born of incorruptible seed which hath an eternal savour sweetnesse and power Mat. 13. of the foure grounds three of them fall away John 15.16 Their fruit does not remain they have some living affection at the present but they go away and it dies Look but upon particulars doth the Lord once speak by the Word and humble the heart it never lifts up its head more doth he reveal the glory of Christ that light never goes out more Isa 60.19 2 Cor. 4.4 5. As at the first Creation there was light and so continues to this day so doth he give life John 11.26 Yon shall never die more doth he give peace and joy no man shall take their joy from them Isa 32.17 Fruit of Righteousnesse and Peace and assurance for ever Doth he give the Spirit of all these which Gal. 3. comes by hearing of faith it shall abide for ever John 14.17 That look as Gods love is everlasting so his words have an everlasting excellency and efficacy in them and goodnes in them the sweetest token of his love and as Christs purchase is only of eternal
grace and Christs The Lord he saith I intend to make this man a vessel of glory and I intend he shall have a great deal of glory and peace at the last The lord he leaves such an impression of the word upon him as that thereby he enlargeth the heart Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it 4. A Christian may have the everlasting efficacy of the word and voice of God preserved in a spirit of thankfulnesse and love to the Lord for those joyes and good that it findes by the word sometimes When it feels that the sweet and savour of the word is gone a spirit of thankfulnesse and love to the word that doth remaine The Lord he preserves the efficacy of the word in this way Psal 119.7 I shall saith David then praise thee with uprightnesse of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements The Lord he may teach his people his righteous judgements and the savour and feeling and strength of them to their feeling may be gone and yet it is preserved in a spirit of thankfulnesse and praise that ever the Lord should shew it such mercy When the Spirit is gone the spirit of love and thankfulnesse remaines As now a man hath heard the word the Lord he hath effectually wrought on him and changed his heart and drawn him to himself a Christian it may be he may lose those sorrowes and humiliations and the remembrance of those things yet there remaineth to his dying day this Spirit he blesseth God and wondereth at God that ever he should make the word effectual that he should leave so many thousands in the world and cast his skirt over him and say to him Live this do's remain still Brethren the Lord do's sometimes let light into a mans minde to discover his sin now this light it do's not sensibly overcome the power of sinne But now the soul blesseth God for that word which hath convinced it had I never seen my sinne saith the soul I should never a sought for power a-against it and pardon of it and this continues now and cannot but continue here is the efficacy of the word the word of Gods grace though the flower of it be gone yet there is an eternal power of the word that the soul can say It hath come to me and helped me against these sins and the soul wonders at the Lord it should be so much as it is So again a Christian he findes marvelous refreshings and affection whiles he is a hearing when he is gone away he findes not the same but he blesseth God for those affections he findes and there remains an eternall efficacy of the word 5. The eternall efficacy of the word it may be and is preserved by nourishing increasing and restoring the new man that is eternall There is a double efficacy that the word hath the first is to beget a Christian to life and this new man is eternall I conceive all the actions of the new man may be suspended and the increasings of the new creature may be decayed though God doth renew it again But this never do's decay it never dies He that is born of God cannot sin because he is borne of God and because the seed of God remaines in him 2. There is efficacy in the word when it hath begotten a man to nourish him up and so the word it is food to him that was seed to him to beget him which food is eternal How is it eternal Is it in this that now the sweetnesse savour and remembrance of every thing that doth refresh him shall last in it self No buâ— in this respect it is eternall in that it leaveth its secret vertue in the nourishing of that which is eternall As now Adam when he was in innocency and had an immortall body his food it should have been an immortal food to him but how should that have been should he alwayes have had the same strength from the same diet which he ate long before No but in this respect it should have been an immortall food to him in that it was to nourish that which was to be eternal So it is here the word of Gods grace it begets a man it humbles a man and drawes the soul to Christ but afterwards there are many things that God speaks to the soul in the word that hath an eternall vertue in that it doth nourish up the new creature the word hath a secret vertue in it for this end I will shew it you thus Isa 58.11 The Lord he professes to his People Thy soul shall be at a watered garden The Lord will make the souls of his people like watered gardens in peace and joy and life Now look as if so be trees by water or by some springs that run by it and slide away and ye cannot tell which it is that makes them to grow yet yâ— know this there is in all of them joyned together a secret insensible vertue that every one of them addes something to the flourishing of the tree So it is here the Saints of God the word of God it comes to them and passes by them and ye cannot tell whether this part or that part of the word leave any vertue but many times a man feels no vertue yet it is manifest here is aflourishing Christian here is heart and life and peace that it hath with God and the soul it remains flourishing there is a secret vertue all the words that run by and passe by the souls of Gods people they do leave a marvellous vertue to make the soules of Gods people like watered gardens and to increase in grace Note it by the way you that live under the means of grace your soules shall be like watered gardens if God have spoken to you first or last the Lord speaks many times to you sometimes affecting and sometimes warning sometimes convincing and humbling and speaking Peace and there is a vertue that remaines and if ye finde it not know that God hath not spoken to you 6. The eternal efficacy of the word may be preserved in a power of Conflict against the power of sin for therein the Lords power of the Word does principally appear in this life though not in a power of victory I mean a compleat victory yet an imperfect and incompleat victory there ever is first or last whereever there is a power of Conflict I mean thus the Word it singles a man out and speaks to his heart and sets him at variance with his sin and with himself for his sin and he joynes side with God in the use of all meanes that his unbelieving heart and proud Spirit may be subdued it sets him at variance with his sin now there is many a Christian thinks there is no power of the Word oh my unbelief continues still and my vain minde and I can finde little strength no ye must not look for a power of compleat victory but yet there is a power of Conflict God