that estate he desires to be freed from Answ 1. Answ It is against nature that any man should have contentment in affliction barely considered as affliction for nature cannot be content with any thing hurtfull to it but a renewed man is content in it as an act of his Fathers will and as a means of his spiritual good even as a sick Patient hath no contentment in the bitter potion of medicine as it is simply a bitter potion but yet he is content with it as an order from his skilful Physitian and as a means of his better health 2. He may both desire and also use the lawful means to be freed Ezechias both praied and also applied the Fig to the boyl 2 King 20. But our desires must be ever with a submission to Gods will As our Lord contented with his Fathers will praied If it be possible let this cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Impatient and masterful desires of deliverance in a time of trouble cannot consist with true contentment but humble and submitting desires consist very well with it To God the sole Authour of true contentment Father Son and holy Ghost be all praise Amen The second act of the composure of his Spirit in all conditions of life is manifested in his solid and equal carriage I know both how to be abased and how to abound The sound beleever is not carried here and there like a willow with the contrary windes of prosperity and adversity Doct. The sound beleever in all estates is unmoveable but he remains unmoved as an Oak he is not up and down He is not like churlish Nabal in his prosperity and jollity despising his betters and in his adversity dejected with pusillanimity and dead like a stone 1 Sam. 25. But he is of a prudent solid and equal temper of spirit 1 Cor. 7.30 They that weep as though they weep not and they that rejoyce as though they rejoyce not The Children of God will not in a dissembling way counterfeit with their tongues and eyes with sorrow for publick calamities as cruell Ishmael the Sonne of Nethaniah did and yet have malice and revenge boyling in their hearts Jer. 41.6 Neither will they as the Pharisees disfigure their faces when there is no sorrow in their hearts Matth. 6. But they carry the variety of their condition in such a mystery of moderation that beholders cannot reade their condition in their countenance or outward behaviour This is that Christian moderation which the Apostle requires Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known to all men when we so moderate our affections in all occurrences that they exceed not Our joy in prosperity we moderate by the grace of humility Our sorrow in adversity by Christian Fortitude and Faith in God Psa 27.19 I had fainted unlesse I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of God in the Land of the living In the midst of all their worldly troubles their heart rejoyceth in God and in the midst of outward wants they enjoy the allsufficient God This inward joy moderates their outward griefs 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowfull yet alwaies rejoycing as having nothing and yet possessing all things for a beleever enjoys God who is all in all to him The Reasons of this Doctrine Reasons of a Christians equal carriage in all conditions That a sound beleever is of a solid and equal carriage in all conditions are 1. Because God puts his fear in the hearts of his own children Jer. 32.40 and fear to offend God by abuse of prosperity keeps the heart humble and stable he considers that a plentifull condition hath been a snare to many and therefore he rejoyceth in trembling he walks softly and circumspectly like a man in the midst of snares so also in adversity the fear of God moderates his grief that it exceeds not to impatience and unbelief he feareth the displeasure of God according to that Heb. 10.38 If any man draw back to wit by unbelief my soul shall have no pleasure in him 2. Faith keeps the heart in a solid and equal temper in a time of worldly prosperity faith looks to things eternal reserved in heaven for us this makes us have humble thought of those flying shadowes of worldly pleasures in comparison of that substance of glory that endures for ever faith also in adversity quiets and settles our spirits when we beleeve that our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 fear and faith are to the soul as ballast and sails to the ship the one keeps it from being overcarried in the top of the wave and the other from being swallowed up in the gulph between the waves so the fear of God keeps the heart of a beleever from being overturned by strong temptations in the top of his prosperity and assurance of faith like a main sayl carries the heart through the deeps of afflictions and keeps it from being overwhelmed This Doctrine serveth for reprehension of two sorts of people Vse 1 Reproof to such as know not how 1. To abound 1. Of such as know not how to abound How many are there that cannot carry the cup of prosperity even their pride is intollerable they trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches Psal 49.6 Some abuse their prosperity to riot and excesse feeding themselves without fear of God that covereth their table Jude v. 12. Jam. 5.5 weep ye rich men ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been wanton this is the worst sort of ingratitude to render to our God evil for his goodnesse like Jeshurun that waxed fat and kicked against his feeder Deut. 32.15 Some make not a right use of their plenty for a supply to the indigent Jam. 5.2 3. How lye rich men your gold and silver is kankered and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you Some saucily despise those that are in adversity like Nabal in a festivall day 1 Sam. 25.10 Who is David there be many servants that now adayes break away from their masters c. they will give evil words but do no good works And others are insolent oppressors of the poor Prov. 22.7 The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender he abuseth that to make it a burden which should be an ease and relief The mercies of the wicked are cruel Prov. 12.10 2. Of such as know not how to be abased 2. To be abased but miscarry in á day of adversity some are stupid and senselesse of the Lords visitation Isa 42.25 He hath poured upon Israel the fury of his anger and the strength of battell and it hath set him on fire round about and it burned him yet he laid it not to heart Some are in the other extream they faint in the day of adversity if riches decrease they droop like thin feathered
these we are more then conquerors through him that loved us Faith in Christ made them strong and couragious and not to succumb to the temptation for fear of death by constant suffering to the death they were more then conquerors Sometimes by their sufferings they have even conquered the hearts of Persecutors to the love of the truth Pauls sufferings were active on the hearts of some of Caesars houshold Phil. 1.13 Tertullian Tertullian In his Apologetick for the Christians saith that the more exquisite and cruell the torments were against Christians in regard of their courage and constancy it proves the greater allurement to beholders for embracing the Christian faith yea though they have not conquered the hearts of their enemies yet they overcame their consciences by the force of truth and strength in suffering and rendred them self-condemned The truth of this Doctrine doth also appear from these Reasons Reasons 1. From the mysticall Vnion between Christ and Beleevers As the members of his body have influence of life from him their head in the beginning of Sanctification So in the course of it they have influence of strength and vigour for doing duties as the ointment was first poured on Aarons head and from thence ran down to the skirts of his garments So together with the other graces of the Spirit the gift of strength was in a large measure given to Christ the head of his Church and Of his Fulnesse we receive grace for grace Of him we get not only the life of grace together with a renewed power and strength for doing but also we receive strength in doing Not only he giveth an ability for walking in his wayes but strengthens us in the act it self of obeying his will Ezek. 11.19 20. I will put a new spirit within you and I will give them an heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes Not only in the Covenant of grace is promised ability and power to do but also actual strength in doing and exercising that power Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes for doing acts of moral fortitude and valour there is not only required courage of spirit and resolution to stand against difficulties and peril but also actual courage and strength in the encountring with the same without this men of couragious spirits succumb in conflicts Psal 76.5 The stout-hearted are spoyled they have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands much more in our wrastlings not only against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spiritual wickednesse in high places Ephes 6.12 is required both Christian ability and courage of spirit and also actual strength from Christ our head that we may in the evil day stand firm in the faith This strength is derived to all the members of his mystical body from Christ their head by his Spirit the union is by the spirit which is the bond proceeding from Christ toward us and worketh faith whereby his members are united to him 1 Cor. 6.19 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit In like manner our Communion with Christ and his strength is by the Spirit who communicates strength to us Ephes 3.16 Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man 2. The truth of this doctrine is evident from Christs inhabitation in beleevers by his spirit Joh. 6.56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him The Spirit of Christ dwelleth in the beleevers heart as his sanctuary wherein he is worshipped and found and the beleever dwelleth in him as his souls delight and rest now it is certain that the Spirit of Christ will defend and protect the soul where he dwelleth that though the beleever be oft times molested with temptations yet is he many times preserved from the bondage and power of the temptation The Angels that lodged with Lot Gen. 19. defended him against the violence of those vile men of Sodom so it is the Angel of the Covenant Jesus Christ who defends by his strength the beleever against the sore and violent temptations from his own corruption and the world It is the Spirit of Christ that strengthens beleevers to stand firm in the love and profession of the truth against crafty or violent seducers 1 Joh. 4.4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater that is mightier is he that is in you then he that is in the world 3. It is evident from that interest and propriety Christ hath to beleevers as his redeemed ones purchased by the price of his blood he will by his strength desend his own subjects It is the honour of a mighty King and Lord to help and defend his subjects from their enemies thus God is glorified in his power and strength when he upholds his weak and afflicted servants in a day of trial Isa 25.3 4. Therefore shall the strong people glorifie thee the City of the terrible nations shall fear thee for thou hast been a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distresse when the blast of the terrible ones is as astorm against the wall the skilfullnesse of the builder and the strength of the wall is best seen when the house stands firm against a great storm so the glory of the Lord in strengthening his weak children is most conspicuous in a tempestuous time From this ground of right and property the Lord encourageth his people against fears and troubles Isa 41.14 Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel Isa 43.1 Fear not O Israel for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine upon this ground it is that beleevers run to God in time of trouble for comfort and strength Psal 119.94 I am thine save me Dan. 9.18 Behold our desolations and the City that is called by thy name Lastly It is evident from our interest also in Christ the beleever is espoused to him as an husband 2 Cor. 11.2 As the wife hath interest and communion in her husbands goods so have we in the gifts of our Lord and husband Jesus Christ he is made of God unto us wisdom and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Elkanah a kind husband comforted and encouraged Hannah in the day of her great trouble and reproach 1 Sam. 1.8 so the Lord Jesus comforteth and encourageth beleevers in a time of trouble David by power and strength rescued his wives that were carried away by his enemies 1 Sam. 30.18 So our Lord and husband recovereth beleevers out of the snare of temptation by renewing in them the acts of repentance and strengthening them to break asunder the cords of iniquity thus he recovered Peter with a look of power piercing into his heart he rescueth also
Author of their Perseverance and performing the good work of grace is God to whom the Apostle giveth thanks vers 3. for calling the Philippians to the fellowship of the Gospel by preaching whereof the Lord had begun in them a good work of grace and of inward communion with Jesus Christ Doct. Perseverance is the free gift of God alone Perseverance the free gift of God Hos 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever in loving kindness and in mercies 1 Cor. 1.8 The Lord Jesus shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ Heb. 2.10 It became him in bringing many sons into glorie to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings Our election to glory is of Gods free love the decree and actual sending of Christ to suffer for us and in the end to bring us to that glory is also of free love Joh. 3.16 but we get a right and title to that glory only by the merit of his sufferings by his Spirit he leads us in the way of Sanctification and brings us in the end to that promised inheritance by his merit in our Justification we get jus ad rem a title and claim to the heavenly inheritance in our Sanctification and Perseverance we get the first fruits and the earnest and when our Sanctification is perfected at the end of our life we get jus in re actual possession and all this is through the merit of Christ and the efficacy of his Spirit for he is both the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 Reasons for confirming this doctrin are Reasons 1 1. As the new creature of grace depends on God alone in the production being of it for of him are all things and we to wit believers and renewed persons are his workmanship created unto good works Eph. 2.10 The new heart and the new spirit are his free gift Ezek. 36.26 As the new Creature depends on God in the production and being of it so also in the conservation and continuance of it for as he upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 so by the power of his grace he keepeth the new creature 1 Pet. 1.5 Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 2. Our Lord and great High-priest in our behalf prayeth to the father for our perseverance Joh 17.15 Father keep them in thy name and power It were needless to pray unto God for perseverance if it were not of Gods free gift but of mans power to persevere The Apostle also prayeth to God for it 1 Thes 5.23 I pray God your whole spirit soul and bodie be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ 3. Thanks are given to God for the grace of perseverance Iud. 24. and by our thanksgiving we acknowledge him the Author of perseverance 4. Because it is God alone who establisheth and preserveth us in an hour of temptation and so maketh us to persevere 2 Thes 3.3 The Lord is faithful who will stablish you and keep you from evil Vse 1 This doctrine serveth for admonition Let no man depend on his grace received seeing God is the Author of perseverance let no man rest on the beginnings of Sanctification as if grace once received or begun Sanctification could preserve and continue it self No the creature cannot create it self no more can it by its own power keep and conserve it self in a being it is not the first gale and blowing of the wind that will continue a ship in her course if the wind do not continue there is no progress There must not only be a begun but a continued influx of water for continuing the motion of the Mil-wheel so the breathings of the Spirit of God must be continued upon our souls Otherwise we advance not in the course of Sanctification notwithstanding our fair and specious beginnings if the Spirit of God withdraw his breathing and influence we are as a ship under sail presently in a dead calm As a musical instrument though well tuned soundeth not when the skilful player withdraws his hand so a heart though well set in the work of regeneration by the finger of the spirit yet in its actings cannot sound forth to the praises of his grace if God with-hold his assisting grace Yea the Angels who stood not in the truth and also our first Parent Adam received grace of God in a large measure yet when it was left to their own keeping they both lost it and themselves For Exhortation Vse 2 when ever God calleth thee to renew thy duty of repentance faith and obedience Go to God for a new supply of grace go to God for assistance and a new supply of grace 1. Because we are not able to guide our selves and continue in a course of wel-doing without his assisting grace Joh. 15.5 without me ye can do nothing Jer. 10.23 It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Man cannot without a guiding and over-ruling providence set down one foot after another in his bodily motion far less in his spiritual course toward heaven and happiness Psal 73.23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. 2. Go to God for assistance and for continuance of the work of grace in thee because he hath promised to renew strength to them that faint Prov. 8.20 I lead saith the wisdom of the father in paths of righteousness Jer. 31.9 I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight war wherein they shall not stumble It is said I will lead them with supplications that is in all the acts of piety taking one special part of piety for all the duties thereof This leading of us and our perseverance either in a gracious disposition or in actings is all of his free and fatherly love for I am a father to Israel saith the Lord. 3. The dear children of God pray for this assisting and leading grace of God Psal 5 8. Psal 27.11 Teach me thy way O Lord and lead me in a plain path not only are we ignorant of the way of righteousness and have need of the grace of faith and illumination but our will is froward and our affections impotent therefore there is a necessity they be set on God and his will and then led by his assisting grace in the course of obedience Psal 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Because the children of God from faith into the promise and their own experience of begun graces have been confident of a leading and guiding grace in the course of Sanctification Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glorie Psal 23.3 He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake Psal 48.14 He will be our guide even unto death 5. There is a necessitie for thee to go to God for a renewed assistance so oft
meant by good work how then is it said God will perform it until the day of Christ Answ I answer to the first by good work is meant a communion with Christ in the graces of his spirit wrought in us by the Spirit and word of promise Of this good work the Apostle speaketh in this Chapter vers 5. their fellowship in the Gospel To the second I answer What is meant by performing it the word rendered perform signifieth the bringing to an end a work already begun as a house already founded is perfected when the topstone is put on Heb. 8.5 So the performing of the good work is the bringing of the work of Sanctification unto the term of perfect sanctity and purity in a gradual and absolute conformity to the will of God in the estate of glory To the endeavours whereof we are exhorted 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore such promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthyness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God It is true the work of Sanctification in respect of our soul is perfected at the hour of death because no unclean thing can enter into Heaven No infirmity no spot comes there we must be perfectly cured of that hereditary leprosie of sin before we can come within the camp of that triumphant Israel corruption cannot inherit the incorruption of glory But the whole suppositum and person consisting of soul and body is not perfected until that glorious day of Jesus Christ Though the souls of the godly immediately after their parting out of the body be perfectly sanctified and admitted to behold the fathers face in glory yet the body being laid in the dust is not restored from that state of corruption nor perfected until the day of Christs second coming which is called the day of restoring all things Acts 3.21 at which time the good work of Sanctification begun here in soul and body will be absolutely perfected in both A renewed man Doct. in whom God hath begun the good work of Sanctification Renewed persons cannot fall totally from grace cannot fall totally from the state of grace but persevere therein to the end of his life for the Apostle is confident that God who hath once begun the good work in them will perform it until the day of Christ before I confirm this doctrine two questions would be answered 1. What is understood by persevering in grace What is understood by persevering in grace 2. How perseverance being a thing to come is said to be certain Answ I answer to the first the word grace is taken ordinarily for Gods free favour for that giving grace from which as the fountain doth flow through the merit of our mediatour all spiritual blessings It is so taken Eph. 2.8 by grace are ye saved Rom. 3.24 being justified freelie by his grace It is also taken for the grace that is given which doth flow from the fountain of free grace and love Ioh. 1.16 Of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Such graces are faith hope Love and other saving Graces of the Spirit There is a perseverance actual in the exercise and actings of holy duties Act. 2.42 They continued stedfastly in the Doctrine of the Apostles And there is to speak so an effectual perseverance in respect of a settled inclination and disposition to holy duties though there may be some remitting in or intermitting of the acts and exercise thereof such is our perseverance in prayer Eph. 6.18 Col. 4.2 Praying alwaies as a Musical instrument well tuned by the hand of the skilful Musitian though it be not alwayes plaid on and giving out a sound yet it is sâ—ill well tuned So this inward disposition and frame of Spirit unto holy duties remains fixed in the children of God even in their failings in their coming short and imperfections about holy duties Rom. 7.19 The good I would do I do not though he did not act and exercise the commanded duty yet at the same time he persevered in an holy disposition and inclination of will to the duty To the other question I answer How perseverance in grace is said to be certain A thing to come is said to be certain two wayes 1. In respect of Gods Decree and this is the certainty of Immutability because Gods Decree counsel and purpose is unchangeable Heb. 6.17 Thus it was certain that our Lord should be delivered unto death because it was so determined in the eternal counsel of God Act. 2.23 Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God 2. A thing to come is said to be certain in respect of Gods fore-knowing and revealing that such a thing shall be This is the certainty of infallability because Gods knowledge is infallible Thus it was certain that Judas should betray our Lord because our God in his permissive Decree foreseeing it would be revealed the same in his Word the perseverance of renewed men is certain in both respects first in respect of Gods Decree Rom. 8.30 Joh. 6.39 Next in respect also of Gods revealed Will concerning their perseverance Ioh. 10.28 I give unto my sheep eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Iohn 6.39 This is the Fathers will that of all which he hath given me I should loose nothing The Doctrine of a renewed man his perseverance in Grace and the certainty thereof is proved from Scripture Proofs of the perseverance of the Saints first he is continued in the loving kindness of the Lord and so perseveres in an estate of free Grace and favour with God for whom he loveth once with that love of complacency as his children in Christ he loveth them to the end Ioh. 13.1 It is true he is displeased with them when they offend as a loving Father with his children and chastisech them yet will he not consume and destroy as a Judge in his wrath Psal 89.31 32. Psal 99.8 Ierem. 46.28 Next the renewed man perseveres also in the Grace given and received the stock of Grace infused is never totally lost Faith Hope and Love remain in the habit and root though in an hour of temptation the act and fruit thereof may intermit and fail Iohn 3.36 He that believeth in me hath everlasting life It is not said he shall have but in respect of the infallible consequence of eternal life to Faith in Christ Eternal life certain It is said in the present tense he hath eternal life Eternal life is certain in the Promise because God is Faithful who hath promised eternal life to every one that believeth in Iesus Christ It is certain in the earnest because Faith is an earnest of the Spirit and the Faithful Lord who giveth the earnest of Grace in this life will certainly give the summe of Glory in the other for Grace is the earnest and first fruit of Glory Iohn 4.14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I
dying man with an incurable wound unto eternal death As the sting of of the Scorpion inflameth and tormenteth the whole man that is stung so known sins unrepented of put soul and body in a flame of unquenchable fire thus it was with that miserable rich man Luke 16.24 Delay not thy repentance and the seeking of thy remission till thou art on thy death bed would ye not think that malefactor a careless fool and unnatural to himself who should delay to seek his remission unto the very day he were taken out of prison to the place of execution though God hath promised mercy to him that repenteth yet hath he not promised repentance to him that delayeth The sluggard foldeth his hands and saith yet a little sleep a little slumber and his poverty cometh as an armed man he cannot resist it Prov. 24.34 so it is with a careless Professor who sleepeth over his days and hath not a thought of death till it be at door then doth it surprize him as an enemy armed with the dart and sting of sin unrepented of and such a man not guarded by the shield of faith into the righteousness of Jesus Christ is confounded and overcome as a naked souldier with fear at the very sight of death Such debtors who delay to think on their debts and in time to speak for favour with their creditors when the term of reckoning and payment comes they are confounded with shame and fear therefore delay not but in time confess thy debts unto God seek thy discharge and acquittance in the blood of Christ who is the surety of the new Covenant Labour by faith in the charter and Covenant of grace for a sight of that great salvation purchased by the death of Jesus that at thy death with old Simeon thou mayst say and sing that Swan-like song Mine eyes have seen thy salvation now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace Luke 2.29 2. As thou wouldst be well prepared for death Labour to keep a good conscience in thy life-time This is the chest wherein thy remission and peace is kept a man of good conscience in all things willing to live honestly as the Apostle describes Heb. 13.18 he liveth aad dieth in peace It was Hezekiah his great comfort in his sickness and apprehension of death 2 Kings 20 3. I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart It was Pauls comfort 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness A good conscience is a continual feast it hath the sweetest relish at death when a man at that time is become like old Barzillai through age and debility 2 Sam. 19.35 his senses of seeing tasting and hearing fail him yet even at that time the relish of a good conscience will most refresh him 3. Be thou prepared as the wise virgins were to meet the bridegroom not only with light in their lamps as the foolish virgins were also but with oyl in their vessels Not only must thou have the light of a fair profession before the world but also thou must have in thy heart the oyl of charity toward God and man If thou have love toward God and his holy commandments and love unfained toward thy neighbour but specially toward those in whom thou seest most of the image of God then art thou prepared for death and life eternal is prepared for thee 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him And 1 Joh. 3.14 By this we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren but thou who hatest thy neighbour art filled with bitterness and desire of revenge and wilt not commit thy cause to him who judgeth righteously thou art not yet prepared for death so long as thou art in the gall of bitterness for he that loveth not his brother abideth in death 1 Joh. 3.15 That rigid and merciless servant who had no pity on his fellow servant was cast into prison So saith our Lord our heavenly father will do unto us if we from our hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses Mat. 18.33.4 We should be prepared as good and faithful servants waiting for the return of their absent Lord. Luke 12.36 Having their loyns girded and watching In those Eastern countreys the servants for their better expediting business at home or their Journeys abroad did gird up their long cloaths that they should not entangle their feet and retard them in their course The Apostle Eph. 6. speaketh of the girdle of truth and sincerity when our affections are taken off from things earthly trussed up united together and set on God when our heart is in heaven where our treasure is Then and not till then is a man prepared for death When his minde is heavenly and his affections are not trailing on the things of the earth like long garments licking up the dust for a worldly minded man is not yet prepared for death A man that spendeth all his time and care upon repairing the house where he dwelleth for the present but speaketh not for another house nor sendeth away any of his furniture to it will ye say such a man hath any mind to remove so a worldly-minded man that spendeth his time and strength of spirit upon this present world who speaketh not to God in time by prayer for that eternal house in heaven that sendeth not his heart before him as a part of his heavenly furniture such a man is not prepared for removal out of this world Therefore let us obey our Lords warning Luke 21.34 Let not your hearts be oppressed with surfeiting or drunkenness and with the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares A heart fixed on the world is taken away unwillingly at death the worldly man who had his full heaven in a full barn his soul was taken from him Luke 12.20 The worldly-minded man unless he repent and become heavenly-minded doth in some respect die a violent death he doth not as our Lord did commit his spirit into the hands of his Father but his soul is taken from him against his will he is drawn forth as a Malefactor from the prison of his earthly house to the place of execution But the spiritual man that hath his heart drawn off the world and set on God he hath his soul ready in his hand to put it over into Gods hand he knoweth whom he hath believed and that his faithful creator will keep the good thing committed to him against that day As thou must gird up thy loyns so thou must watch for thou knowest not how soon thy Lord may send his messenger for thee Watch over thy heart that it depart not from the living God by unbelief nor be drawn away by thy inordinate concupiscence and unruly affections watch over thy
daily experience the body is sown in dishonour a little before death the face becomes pale earthlike and the body of one dying doth smell of the earth like wine neer run out smelling of the dreg after the soul and breath is gone the body corrupteth and beginneth to stink like an empty earthen house without fire in it at such a time the body is loathsome even to the nearest friends Sarah had a fair and comely body yet after her death Abraham desired a place to bury her out of his sight But in the day of resurrection the bodies of the godly will be raised in honour in great comeliness and splendor though they be sown in dishonour and thrust into the dust yet like the root of a Lilly shut up under the ground in time of Winter they shall spring up again and be cloathed with beauty by the power of God who cloaths the Lilly 3. In respect of constitution and healthfull disposition the body is now sown in weakness saith the Apostle but will be raised in power Our constitution of body in this life at the best is weak though all bodies be not alike weak a fit of the burning Ague or of the Stone will lay the strongest man on his back and though the bodies of sonne be strong for bodily imployments yet through frequent labour and exercise they languish and become weary Sampson though of matchless strength yet did waste his spirits in the labour of the fight and became weary and thirsty the strongest bow will slug thorow too much bending and shooting and the strongest body will become weary with too much exercise on a death bed the strongest man is not able to hold the drink to his own head or to turn himself in his bed But in the day of resurrection the body will be raised in a strong constitution then will there be no weariness in the body nor faintness in the spirits This weakness of body now is one of the Symptoms of original corruption but death as a Catholicon will purge out that bitter peccant humour which maketh our bodies weak and after that purgation our bodies will be preserved and raised to a strong and confirmed health for ever in the heavens where the body will be kept from all corruption from within or alteration from without 4. In respect of exercise and operation it is sown a natural body saith the Apostle but it is raised a spiritual body not of a spiritual substance but with spiritual qualities for if it were raised an Aerial body as some erroneously have asserted then should not the same body which died be raised for it is sown an earthly body but it is called a spiritual body in respect of the exercise and use of the body after the resurrection it is here on earth a natural body having necessity of natural means and helps for preserving the species by procreation and for conserving the person by nutrition but after the resurrection the body will be abstract and retired from all such natural operations and employments the glorified Saints will be like angels neither giving nor taking in marriage Mat. 22.30 The number of the elect and triumphant Church wil be then compleat and their whole delights will be in an immediate communion with God which will drown both the remembrance and the desire of all creature-delights neither will the body then have need or use of meat and drink because the body will be of a fixed and durable constitution without any possibility of alteration or decay They will be filled with God and this will fully satisfie and delight both the soul and the body they will not hunger nor thirst because they will be ever full of the bread of life and of the water of life It will be a spiritual body in respect of Agility for Spirits are Agile The Angel Gabriel in a very short time came from the heaven to the earth Dan. 9. And the Angel Act. 8. carried Philips body in a very short time from one place to another so shall our spirits carry our bodies in a very short time through a large space and intervall Augustine Augustine in his book of the City of God lib. 22. ch 30. saith That certainly whereever the Spirit and soul would be straight wayes the body will follow the desire of the heart and be in that place Neither will the soul desire any thing which is unbeseeming for it self or the body as the helm turneth the Ship in a very short time wheresoever the Steersman will so our bodies will turn instantly at every motion of our Spirits our body will be caught up by our Spirits into the third heaven in a short time as Philips body was caught up and carried from one place to another Act. 8.39 where the same word is used which ye have 1 Thes 4.17 As for those members of our bodies which served to natural uses and employments in the time of our sojourning here they will remain in the body for ornament and integrity as the brests in women come to old age though they do not serve them for giving suck as sometime they did yet are they for the ornament of their bodies Augustine in the place above cited saith well Augustine all those members and bowels of the incorruptible body which in the time of mortality served for divers uses now they will serve for matter of praise to God This Doctrine serveth for admonition Vse 1 seeing there are different ends of the resurrections Be careful in this life to do well some will be raised to life and glory others to damnation Let it be thy desire and endeavour to be of their number in this life who do well because glory is appointed for such how earnest should we be to know that our resurrection will be unto life If many prisoners were shut up in one common prison and it were told to them all that some of them should be taken forth unto liberty and honour and others unto shame and pain in such a case how earnest would each of those prisoners be to enquire if himself were one of those appointed for liberty and honour It is certain death as a Jaylor will shut up all mankinde in the common prison of the grave and corruption how solicitous then should we be to know if we be appointed of God unto life and glory in this text our Lord giveth unto us a sure evidence of a glorious resurrection unto life to wit if thou hast done good in the body They that have done good shall come forth unto the resurrection of life It is true good works have no place or interest in the work of our salvation by way of merit Christ our Mediator only hath Merited it by the work of his righteousness by him alone we have boldness to enter into the holiest Heb. 10.19 Neither have good Works any efficacy on our salvation It is the free gift of God Rom. 6.23 Yet it is
God acquaints with his special love The Lord sends changes in their outward condition for their spiritual aduantage to assure them of the love of God toward them as the tender mother crosseth the breast with wormwood out of love to her childe to wean it from the breast and acquaint it with a more solid and enduring food So our heavenly Father when he perceives his children nusling on the breast of worldly contentments out of love he layeth on the wormwood of affliction to wean them from the love of that perishing meat and to acquaint them with that hidden Manna even the sense of his love in Jesus Christ and by the bitter taste of afflictions outward he maketh his love and the Crosse of Christ relish the more sweetly to our souls Hos 2.14 I will bring her into the wildernesse and speak comfortably unto her and as it is in the Original I will speak to her heart when the children of God are brought to such an outward condition that as in a wildernesse there is nothing from without to comfort them then the Lord speaks comfort to their heart when there is none to visit and comfort Paul and Silas in the dungeon Act. 16. God visits them with the comforts of his Spirit and makes them sing for joy 2. By outward changes the inward joy of their heart is encreased in their prosperous condition their joy was but uncertain from an opinion they had of their faith mixed with doubting of the truth and of the soundnesse of their faith The Lord in time of the change of their condition strengthens their faith and the experience of a tried faith solveth their former scruples and makes them to rejoyce with joy unspeakable and glorious As a man finding a peece of gold hath some joy from his opinion that it is gold but after he hath tried by the touchstone and perceives it is upright gold his joy is greater so the joy of Gods children is much encreased from the trial of their faith in time of adversity 1 Pet. 1.7 8. That the trial of your faith might be found unto praise honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love in whom though now you see him not but beleeving ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and glorious 3. Our love to God and his holy Commandments is encreased as the coldnesse of the air in winter makes a repercussion of the heat into the bowels of the earth so storms of afflictions in our outward estate serve through a gracious providence to keep in and concentrate our love upon God and his will Psa 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes For Admonition to the children of God in the day of their prosperity not to rest on worldly comforts they are uncertain Vse 1 Outward comforts are not to be rested on and thou canst not tell how soon a change may come 1 Tim. 6.17 Put not your trust in the uncertainty of riches in the Original it is in the inevidence of riches that may be seen to day and to morrow take the wings of the morning and be gone When riches encrease set not thy heart upon them Psa 82.10 but improve thy present and perishing commodities to a spirituall use for raising up thy thoughts and desires from present enjoyments to a high esteem and strong desire of that enduring substance in heaven This use our Lord will have us to make of our desires to have and of our cares to keep the good things of this world Joh 6.27 Mat. 6.19 20. From thy worldly riches inheritance honours and pleasures step up to behold and to long after those durable riches that inheritance incorruptible that Crown of immortal glory and those rivers of pleasures reserved in heaven for us This Doctrine serveth for a ground of reprehension to those who mis-judge the Children of God from their outward afflicted condition Vse 2 Outward afflictions argue not a man to be forsaken of God as if they were forsaken of God It was the sinne of Davids enemies Psa 71.11 saying God hath forsaken him This was the fault of Jobs Friends from the great and sudden change of his prosperous condition charging him with hypocrisie Job 8.6 13. This rash mis-construction of the providence of God in afflicting his own dear children provokes him highly against these bitter Criticks Job 42.7 The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite My wrath is kindled against thee and thy two friends for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right It is well known that wicked men may prosper in their outward condition Job observed it in his time Job 12.6 The Tabernacles of robbers prosper and they that provoke God are secure into whose hand God bringeth abundantly So did Solomon in his experience Eccl. 8.14 there be just men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous which is all to be understood in respect of their outward condition The rich glutton fared sumptuously every day but Lazarus would have been content with the crumbs that fell from his Table Luk. 18. Eccl. 7.15 There is a just man that perisheth in his righteousnesse and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednesse The uncircumcised Philistims and the vile Benjamites prospered for a time 1 Sam. 4. Judg. 20. Antiochus Epiphanes who did pollute the Sanctuary and bring into it the abomination of desolation Dan. 11.31 yet he destroyed wonderfully and prospered Dan. 8.24 how did the Goths and Vandals for the most part all Arians over-run and oppresse the world many years It is known from time to time that the dearest children of God have been plunged in the deeps of adversity Heb. 11.36 37 38. We must neither justifie the wicked and their courses from their outward prosperity nor condemn the children of God and their courses from their adversity the Christian Church for the space almost of 300 years was under the hammer of Pagan persecuting Emperours and after some breathing how did it groan under the Arian Persecution Therefore be not rash to pronounce in the favour of evil men and their courses because they prosper Consider the Lord turneth them up and down as a wheel at his pleasure Psa 83.13 he cuts them down like grasse when they are at the highest Psa 92.7 As Haman Esth 7. Babylon Isa 47.10 and Herod Act. 12.21 By their prosperity the Lord fats and fits them for a day of slaughter Rom. 9.22 What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction The Lord like a strong man seems to retire for a time from the course of his justice that he may with greater strength fetch a sore blow upon them But the changes that befall the godly are to purifie them from the drosse
a Table in the Wildernesse Psa 78.19 Such Unbelief in a time of a great and common calamity may provoke God to seclude thee from the comfort of the common deliverance That unbeleeving Lord who blasphemed God in his power was trod down in the gate and was not partaker of the common benefit 2 King 7.19 20. 5. Thou that usest unlawfull means to be freed of thy trouble consider in time such means provoke to more wrath Ahaziah his consulting with wizards in the time of his sicknesse brought him to his death 2 King 1. The Jews did persecute the Prince of life thinking thereby to preserve their place and nation Joh. 11.48 but such a means brought upon them desolation and destruction Mat. 23.37 38. This Doctrine serveth for a seasonable warning to the children of God who are subject to the like passions within Vse 2 Directions how to behave our selves in all estates 1. In prosperity and to the like temptations from without how they should carry themselves in an equable tenour both in prosperity and adversity In thy day of prosperity 1. Be thankefull to thy God Deut. 8.10 When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt blesse the Lord thy God for the good Land which he hath given thee So did good Jacob Gen. 32.10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant For with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands Remember that wrath was upon good Ezechias for his ingratitude 2 Chron. 32.25 2. Walk humbly with thy God remembring thou hast nothing but what thou hast received It is the Lord who of rich and free bounty makes thee to differ from the poor Remember the rich and poor meet together Pro. 22.2 they are alike in their birth both come naked out of the womb and alike at their death they return naked to the womb of the earth the difference only is for a moment of time Remember Ezechias his pride in his treasures provoked God to give them to the spoiler 2 King 20.17 3. Walk in charity toward them that want the good things of the world Remember as this is the day of thy receiving so there will be a day of reckoning when thy Lord will say Give me an account of thy Stewardship Profession of love to God without this is but hypocrisie 1 Joh. 3.17 Whoso hath this worlds good and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him yea thy outward performances of publique worship and solemn humiliation by fasting is abomination before the Lord without this labour of love Isa 58.6 7. The Lord requires that thou deal thy bread to the hungry c. If God send a change the remembrance of thy mercifull dealing with the poor will comfort thy heart in adversity Augustine It was Jobs comfort in his saddest hour Job 31.16 17. c. Augustine saith well God made the rich man that he might help the poor and he made the poor man that he might try the rich 4. In thy abundance moderate thy affections Let not thy desire joy and delight dwell on things worldly Phil. 3.20 Let your conversation be in heaven The Merchant though he trade in a forreign Countrey for a time and be never so well entertained there yet his more frequent thoughts and stronger affections are on his own Countrey and the comforts there here thou art a sojourner Amidst all thy transient pleasures here let thy minde and heart be set upon the things that are above Col. 3.2 5. Of thy worldly commodities make a spirituall use as the skilful Chymist extracts subtil spirits out of the grossest Minerals so the spiritual man draweth a spiritual use out of things earthly Out of any sweetnesse he tastes in the creatures his appetite is inlarged toward that full joy and pleasures for ever at the right hand of God as a profane worldling in a Church-meeting many times hath earthly thoughts so the spiritual man even in his civill meetings in the midst of his earthly pleasures is a heavenly-minded man He looks through the creatures to heaven He can at once look both to the earth and to the third heaven From earthly objects his heart is raised to things heavenly and after such thoughts he returns to the use of the creature with great moderation as a man refreshed already with more excellent delicates then the creatures can afford In the day of adversity carry thy self also in an equal way 2. In adversity I know also saith our Apostle how to be abased 1. Be not regardlesse of thy Crosse Heb. 12.5 It is the Lords visitation and thou must take notice of him when he visits thee humble thy self before him with Ephraim bemoan thy self Jer. 31.18 accept the punishment of thy sin and justifie the Lord in all his dispensations Lev. 26.41 and seek to God by praier for comfort Isa 26.16 They poured out a praier when thy chastening was upon them 2. Be not faint-hearted this is another extremity whereunto the dear children of God are subject in time of oppressing troubles Good Baruch fainted in his sighing in a time of adversity and dis-appointment of his hopes Jer. 45.3 Jonah fainted in a time of great perplexity Jonah 2.7 Prepare cordials against this fainting As men subject to fainting in the body carry alwaies about with them some preservatives lay up store of the precious promises with faith to them in thy understanding and with love to them in thy heart The taste of this bread of life will keep thee from fainting Carry Christ and his Crosse in thine heart and the smell of his Crosse and the sweet fruits of it will keep thine heart from fainting If at any time thou faint then with Jonah Jon. 2.7 Remember the Lord and his former kindenesses He is unchangeable in his love He loveth to the end Joh. 13.1 The meditation on former experience and on the unchangeablenesse of his love is a Restorative to a fainting soul 3. In thy adversity be patient Jam. 1.4 Let Patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and intire wanting nothing It is not perfect in any man in a perfection of degrees but in the purpose of their will and affection of their hearts The godly should be willing in all things present or to come to submit to the good will of God Patience is joyned to hope as the Cable to the Anchor 1 Thes 1.3 Patience of hope As in a stresse of weather the more the Cable is lengthened there is the lesse agitation of the Ship so in a time of trouble the more our patience is encreased the commotion of our spirit is the lesse It is true the dear children of God may have their own fits of impatiency as Moses at Meribah Job had his Job 3. Jeremiah Jer. 15.10 and Jonah had a sore fit Jon. 4.8 It is
in hand of a great bargain covenanted by a faithful party makes men content with a small portion for a time in the sure expectation of perfecting the full bargain So the assurance the children of God have by the Spirit of Christ of their full redemption and deliverance from all their troubles maketh them in all their troubles to rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.3 3. 3. By comforting The Spirit worketh this contentment in the children of God by comforting them and giving them some first-fruits of eternal life Rom. 8.23 Such are the sense of Gods love shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit Rom. 5.5 Peace in the conscience and the joy of the holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.6 Having received the Word in much affliction with joy in the holy Ghost These are like the sweet refreshing Grapes in the Land of Canaan whereof Joshua and Caleb brought some clusters to make the people content with present troubles in the wildernesse and to encourage them to go to the place of their rest where every thing grew in great plenty for their full refreshment and satisfaction The sense of Gods love makes the childe of God content in his lowest estate Mephibosheth the Son of Jonathan was unjustly slandered by Zibah and rashly divested of all his goods by David yet was he so affected with joy for the Kings safe return to dwell in his own house that he could in calmnesse of spirit dispense with his own private losses 2 Sam. 19.30 Mephibosheth said unto the King Yea let Zibah take all forasmuch as my Lord the King is come again in peace into his own house So a Beleever is content to suffer contumelies and injuries at all hands when the Lord dwels in his soul and gives him peace the sweetnesse of his love expels the bitternesse and gall of our afflictions It is as wine to the heavy heart Pro. 31.7 He forgets his poverty and remembers his misery no more David was so affected with the sense of Gods goodnesse in giving him peace and rest from his enemies that he was content to forgive private injuries 2 Sam. 19.22 Shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel for do not I know that I am King this day of Israel So the sense of peace with God in Jesus Christ the peace-maker makes the children of God content and obedient to the will of God Eph. 4 32. Forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you 4. 4. By strengthening The Spirit worketh our hearts to contentment by strengthning us to bear the burthen of affliction It is the Apostles prayer to God for the Ephesians Eph. 3.16 That God would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man and here it is said I am able through Christ strengthning me to do all things whereof in the strength of his grace we shall speak hereafter This Doctrine serveth for Admonition Vse 1 In the day of thy prosperity Seek not contentment in earthly things neither seek nor place thy contentment in things worldly Contentment is not learned in the school of the creature the most pleasant roses have their own pricks Riches are accompanied with thorny cares Royal Crowns are tinned with fears and jealousies Pleasures are deceitfull and have an hook under the bait when thy conscience awakes with terrour for unjust purchase of them or though the purchases be lawfull yet if thine heart smite thee for ingratitude to God in the possession of them for abusing of them to pride riot and excesse and for not using of them to the relief of the poor thou shalt have no contentment in them but the possession of them in unrighteousness or ingratitude and the misimploying or not imploying of them to a good use will augment thy discontentment and in a sad experience thou wilt be forced to say they are comforters of no value When Belshazzars conscience was awaked with the sight of the hand writing on the wall all his plenty of wine and other cordials of that kind all his magnificence and the smooth speeches of his Queen and Princes could neither quiet his spirit nor fasten his joynts In thy adversity and troubled estate seek not contentment or ease to thy spirit from worldly divertisements these are but as Davids playing on the Harp to Saul at the time of his great distemper 1 Sam. 16.33 But the evil spirit returned again Such poor means may for a time divert thy thoughts but cure not the disease and distemper of thy unquiet spirit they are as a cup of cold water to an hydropick man which refresheth him for a moment but encreaseth his thirst and pain 2. Vse 2 It serveth for a ground of Exhortation to stir us up to go to the school of Jesus Chaist Go to the School of Christ to learn contentment that in all our troubles we may learn this necessary and profitable lesson of solid contentment Some enclining to a Consumption are easily induced to the study of Medicine to prevent the symptomes of that distemper discontentment is a frettig consumption of the spirit and it is hereditary to us from our first parents in whose aggregate sinne to speak so discontentment with their present condition was an ingredient 1. This inward contentment makes us pleasing to God who is highly displeased with male-contents at his Providence Nehemiah was sore afraid when the King perceived him sad Because he knew Kings are jealous of discontented persons Neh. 2.2 much more is the King of Kings displeased with them who fret at his dispensations who in the right of his supream dominion may do what he pleaseth and as a righteous Judge is ever holy and righteous in all his procedings towards the children of men 2. It will make thee social and pleasing to all men with whom thou hast thy conversation in the world thou canst condole with them in their adversity and rejoyce with them in their prosperity but the discontented spirit is sullen and surly either when evil befals himself or good to his neighbour 3. This inward contentment is to thee an earnest of that absolute contentment in heaven and on the contrary fretting discontentment unlesse it be broken off by repentance is no other but the beginning of the worm that dieth not As ye have shewn us how that profitable lesson of contentment is taught Helps to the practise of Contentment shew us also some helps for furthering us in the practise of it 1. Break off thy sins by repentance and be reconciled to God An out-law pursued from place to place eats his bread with much quaking and fear So a soul pursued by God in wrath cannot have any content in the things he enjoys in the time of his life and hath lesse contentment in things worldly at the hour of death As a condemned person hath no contentment in the best entertainment given to
his oppressed servants out of the hands of oppressors Isa 54.4 5. Fear not for thou shalt not be ashamed for thy maker is thine husband the Lord of hosts is his Name Qu. Means by which the Spirit strengthens It is true the Spirit of Christ is the worker of our strength both for doing and also in doing but by what means doth the Spirit strengthen us to withstand outward and inward temptations Ans 1. By strengthening our faith in the Promises the stronger our faith is we have the more strength and courage to stand against temptations It was a great trial for Abraham to forsake his own Countrey and kinsfolks and to go he knew not whither yet being strong in the faith he overcame the temptations of many difficulties and discouragements faith to the promise of a better inheritance strengthened his heart against all difficulties Heb. 11.8 The offering up of his sonne Isaac was a great trial many temptations had he from flesh and blood to the contrary yet his faith to the promise strengthened him against them for he beleeved that God was able to raise up his sonne Isaac from the dead Heb. 11.17.19 As in the natural body strength is conveyed from the head to the several members by the nerves so strength is derived from Christ our head to all his members by faith 2. The Lord strengthens us against temptations by putting his fear in our hearts It is said 2 Chron 23.19 Jehojadah set porters at the gates of the house of the Lord that none who was unclean should enter so the fear of God is a strong porter to hold out temptations from forcing our will It restrains from secret sinnes How can I do this said Joseph and sinne against God from wronging our neigbour though no creature should know it Lev. 19.14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling block before the blinde but shalt fear thy God It strengthens to resist temptations though no creature would or durst controll us Nohemiah was a governour of great power and authority and might without controlment have been chargeable to the people as the former governours had been but so did not he because of the fear of God Neh. 5.15 Ob. But fear weakens the heart and how can the heart be strengthened by it Ans It is true a faithlesse fear weakens the heart in an hour of temptation so that it yeelds Pilat's fear to displease Caesar made him a weak Judge in yeelding to the importunate cries of a misled multitude and for fear of man to condemn the innocent Sonne of God but the godly and awfull fear of God strengthens the spirit of a man that he stands out against the temptation of humane and worldly fear Exod. 1.17 The midwives feared God and did not as the King of Egypt commanded them 3. The Lord strengthens us by the sense of his love in our hearts and by our love to himself 2 Tim. 1.7 God hath not given us the spirit of fear but the spirit of power of love and of a sound minde The spirit of power and of love stablisheth the heart against temptations The sense of the love of Christ in carrying our sorrowes on the Crosse is a cordial to strengthen our hearts against the bitternesse of the cup of affliction Shall not we taste of the cup whereof our Lord drank the drugg to the bottom the sense of his love in suffering for us strengthens our hearts cheerfully to suffer what is his good will the Lord strengthens us against temptations and difficulties by kindling in our hearts love to himself Jacob's love to Rachel strengthened and encouraged him against the heat of the day and cold of the night so our love to Christ will strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements his love covereth the multitude of our infirmities and therefore many waters should not quench our love to him 4. The Lord strengthens the members of his mystical body by a lively hope and assurance of victory in and over all temptations and enemies Gen. 3.15 The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent as our Lord did this in his own person so by his Spirit he doth it in his members Rom. 16.20 The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Assured hope of victory is a powerfull mean to strengthen the heart in the day of conflict hope is the Anchor that stablisheth our hearts amidst all the waves of afflictions against outward temptations in the world from cruel oppressors Jer. 31.16 17. Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded saith the Lord and they shall come again from the land of the enemies and there is hope in thine end saith the Lord that thy children shall come again to their own border hope strengthens the heart in time of fainting under present great troubles 2 Cor. 4.17 18. and it strengthens the heart against the inward disquietnesse of spirit Psal 43.5 Why art thou disquieted within me O my soul hope in God for I shall yet praise him This Doctrine serveth for Admonition to the children of God Vse 1 Depend not on thine own strengtht in the prrformance of any duty Seeing all our strength for doing and suffering cometh from Jesus Christ our head Go never to any commanded duty or against any temptation in the confidence of thy own strength It is not enough thou hast an ability given thee of God for acting but thou must also have actuall strength in the acting Though the seeds of grace be sown in the heart at our regeneration yet the fruits are not brought forth for Gods glory and our comfort until the Lord blow upon the seed-bed planted by his own hand Can. 4.16 Blow upon my Garden saith the Spouse that the Spices thereof may flow out Let my Beloved come into his garden and eat of his pleasant fruits as fire under the ashes giveth out no light until it be blown upon so grace received doth not exert it self in any gracious act except the Lord blow on it In all thy encounters with temptations do as David did in his going out against Goliah 1 Sam. 17.45 I come against thee in the Name of the Lord It was Peters fault that he was confident in his own strength that though all men shall be offended because of thee yet will I never be offended said he Mat. 26.33 but in the hour of temptation his own strength failed him Mat. 26.74 Obj. Three causes why the children of God succumb in one temptation and stand in another What maketh the strength of Gods children to abate in the hour of temptation that at one time they resist great temptations and at another time they succumb to lesser temptations Peter at the voice of a silly Damosell denieth his Lord but at another time before the Councill of Priests and Rulers confesseth him notwithstanding all their threatnings Act. 4. Answ
as thou renewest thy duty because our heart is verie unstable soon and easily drawn away from thoughts of God and our duty Therefore we have great need to pray that our hearts may be established by grace for continuing in gracious actings according to the good and acceptable will of God And that we be not like unto some foolish strangers in their through-fare taken up with the sight and esteem of some pleasant toys by the way whereby they both spend their time and moneys that should have carried them forward to their own countrey upon things unnecessary in the way Therefore go to God for grace to settle thine heart upon himself and his goodness and to keep it fixed and unmoved in the time of thy pilgrimage and through fare amidst the inveigling and intangling pleasures of this world and pray with David that the Lord would uphold and establish thee by his free Spirit Psal 51.12 Quest Quest What means must I use that I may persevere in a course of wel-doing Answ 1 Answ 1. Consider the necessity of perseverance Mat. 24.12 The means of perseverance 13. Because iniquitie shall abound the love of many shall wax cold but he that shall endure to the end the same shall be saved he that endureth in love to God and to his truth in a time wherein God is dishonoured and his truth oppressed by iniquity and violence the same shall be saved in the day of the Lord as there is a necessity of perseverance in our active so in our passive obedience and patient suffering the good will of God Heb. 10.36 Jam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Heb. 12 7. If ye endure chastening God dwelleth with you as with sons 2. Set God and his word always before thine eys Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved when we set him before us in his rich and free mercy in his almighty power and unchangeable truth we are not moved in a time of temptation to unbelief despair or impatience Psal 18.21 22. I have not wickedly departed from my God for all his Judgements were before me he set Gods Judgements and Testimonies before him as his rule and this kept him from departing wickedly from his God though the dearest of Gods children depart out of the way in much weakness like as weak children going toward their father may through a violent wind against them be driven from the straight path yet they do it not out of wicked wilfulness so in Gods children there may be a departure out of weakness from the course of godliness for a time but never out of wickedness from the purpose of Godliness 3. Entertain the fear of God in thy heart this is the golden bridle whereby God moderates and over-rules all affections Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Phil. 2.12 Work out your salvation in fear and trembling 4. Look before you to that rich recompence of reward Our Lord for the joy that was set before him endured the cross Heb. 12.2 So did Moses for he had respect unto the recompence of reward so did those worthies take joyfully the spoyling of their goods knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance upon this ground the Apostle in that place Heb. 10.34 35. exhorts them to perseverance in the faith Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward When ever thou perseverest and standest in an hour of temptation Vse 3 Give God the glory of our perscverance give all praise to God for perseverance is his free gift we cannot advance one step in the way of righteousness without his special conduct Consider Thy strength to stand in the hour of temptation is from God alone It was his special help preserved Joseph under a great temptation whereas David not having so great a temptation fell under the power of it in the matter of Bathshebah It may be thou hast at one time withstood a greater when at another time thou hast fallen under a lesser temptation Praise God who made the difference It may be thou continuest in doing duties acceptable to God at such a time when some of the children of God of greater knowledge and abilities then thou art do fail in the performance thereof acknowledge to the praise of the excellency of his grace that this difference proceedeth only from his special help and assistance So did Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured more then they all Not I but the grace of God with me It may be in bearing the burden of crosses thou hast greater patience at one time under a greater then thou hadst at another time under a lesser burden It may be thou endurest the spoyling of thy greatest worldly comforts with more patience then Jonah did the want of his gourd bless God who giveth unto thee strength to stand under thy burthen Remember thou bearest not the root but the root thee If thou become forgetful and ungrateful thou wilt thereby provoke Gods displeasure though thou were as godly as Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.25 Therefore after that thou in the strength of the Lord hast done any acceptable duty or stood out in a time of tryal retire thy self and in secret upon thy knees give all praise to God this is the way to be helped in a new exigent Ingratitude will weaken thy confidence at another time of thy great necessity of Gods help Thou wilt not have a heart or face to go to God for help conscience of former ingratitude doth fill the heart with diffidence A sick patient who proves ungrateful to his Physitian for his pains and help toward his former recovery in a new fit of sickness hath not a face to go to him As of ingratitude so beware also of self-reflecting and sacrificing to thine own abilities as if by thy own strength thou hadst overcome a temptation done a duty or born a cross This pride and self gloriation provokes God to desert thee at another time that thou mayst be humbled and learn to glory only in the Lord and in the power of his might Therefore let all flesh be silent before him and let him that glorieth glory in the Lord who is only to be praised for of him through him and for him are all things to whom be glory for ever Rom. 11.36 The other main point to be considered Point 2 is the certainty of perseverance in these words Being confident that he will perform the good work in you until the day of Jesus Christ Before we raise the doctrine some things would be cleared in the text 1. What is meant by the good work 2. What is meant by performing the good work until the day of Jesus Christ which is his second coming Luke 17.24 1 Thes 5.2 Is not the work of our Sanctification perfected at our death What is
that betwixt the husband and the wife Eph. 5.23 the Believer is espoused to Jesus Christ by Faith we give our consent to him when we say with heart and mouth as the Spouse Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his It is the duty of the husband to use his utmost endeavours for protecting his wife from perishing David took no rest until he had rescued his wives out of the hands of his and their enemies 1 Sam. 30. But our Lord and husband Iesus Christ surpasseth all men both in affection and power for the protecting of his Spouse Therefore one espoused into him cannot fall away finally for the relation is perpetual he is a Lord and husband for ever of his Spouse To wit the Church of Believers Obj. Obj. Although this or that person once espoused to Christ may fall away finally yet Christ hath a Spouse still to wit other Believers who persevere Answ Answ The Spouse of Christ is made up of so many individual persons and if those one after another may perish then were it possible that the whole might perish for the whole subsists and is preserved in the particulars and so it were possible that the Lord Jesus Christ might be a King without Subjects a Shepheard without a flock a Head without a body and a Husband without a Spouse Obj. Obj. It is true so long as a soul remains espoused to Christ it cannot perish but when men divorce themselves from Christ by unducifulness and impudent lewdness in sinning they are no more his Spouse Answ Answ 1 1. A soul once espoused to him is never divorced from him It is true in that great day there will be a separation of hypocrites who gave their names but not their hearts to him Then will the Lord say to them depart from me It will not be a divorce but a nulling of their counterfeit communion with Christ Then will he declare there was never a consummate marriage betwixt him and them No union nor communion in the Spirit Then will our Lord disclaim them before man and Angel saying I never knew you Math. 7.23 he never knew them so that he approved them for his own people But a soul receiving Christ by Faith and once united to him will never be separate from him Rom. 8.35 Whosh all separate us from the love of Christ c. 2. Our Lord and Husband keepeth the heart of his Spouse in a dutiful affection to himself If a husband were able to restrain the affection of his wife from strange lovers he doubtless would and should do it that in so doing he might prevent all cause of divorce but our Lord hath promised in the Covenant of Grace to over-aw our hearts by his fear that we turn not away in our hearts from him after strange lovers Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 3. It is true the sins and gross failings of regenerate men do for a time interrupt a communion in the sense and comfort of our Lords love and of their own peace and joy Then their Lord and husband frowns upon them withdraws the light and comfort of his countenance as an husband greatly displeased with his wife doth estrange himself for a time from her So the Lord hides his face for a time from them yet their sins do not turn off his heart from them Psal 89.32 33. I will visit their transgression with the rod nevertheless my loving kindness will I not take utterly from him yea he invites them to repent and notwithstanding their soul miscariages he promiseth to receive them Ier. 3.1 Thou hast plaid the harlot with many lovers yet return to me again saith the Lord. The fourth Reason is taken from the efficacy of Christs Prayer and the gracious acceptance it had alwayes with God Reas 4 The efficacy of Christs Prayer in the behalf of Believers Those for whom our Lord did pray that they might persevere to the end such do certainly persevere because the Father heareth him alwayes Iohn 11.42 But our Lord prayed for perseverance to Believers Iohn 17.15 I pray that thou shouldest keep them from the evil of the world For this he prayed not only in the behalf of the Apostles but also for all who should believe in his Name Ioh. 17.20 The fifth Reason is taken from that inviolable conjunction of the links in that golden chain of salvation Reason 5 The links of the chain of salvation inviolable Rom. 8.30 Whom he called he justified and whom he justified them he also glorified from hence we have this reason Those whom God will glorifie in heaven do certainly persevere to the end such as are once justified will be glorified for the Apostle to declare the certainty hereof expresseth it in the time past saying he hath gloriâ—ed as the like expression of a thing certain is found 1 Ioh. 3.14 We have passed from death to life because we love the brethren The sixth Reason is grounded on the Believers victory over the world he that overcometh the world Reas 6 falleth not away from the state of Grace because he could not fall away except he were overcome by temptations in the world But a regenerate man overcometh the world Rom. 8.37 1 Ioh. 5.4 It is a ridiculous exception to say the regenerate man is not overcome of the world so long as he is a Believer for that were asmuch as to say whosoever is born of God is not overcome of the world so long as he is not overcome which were a Tautologie If a Believer could become an Unbeliever by the prevalent temptations of Sathan from the world then should he be overcome of the world contrary to that assertion of the Apostle 1 Ioh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith It is true Tertullian as Tertullian saith the renewed man is subject to many infalls of temptations from the world and to daily out-fall from indwelling corruption yet in the end the Believer in the strength of our Lords Grace doth prevail Rom. 8.37 In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us The seventh and last Reason is taken from that inseparable connexion betwixt adoption Reas 7 Adoption and the inheritance inseperable and the heavenly inheritance Those who are designed heirs of eternal life do persevere in Grace to the end But so it is that regenerate men being adopted Sons to God are designed heirs of eternal life Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.17 If a Son then an heir of God through Christ Obj. Obj. It is true say some so long as they remain Sons they have a right to the inheritance but they may fall from the estate of Adoption and so be disinherited Answ 1. That one who is once a Son may afterward fall from the estate of Adoption Answ 1 is expresly contrary to that of our Lord Ioh. 8.35 The Son abideth in the house for ever But if he
shall pluck my sheep out of my hand and yet he will make conscience of that warning Math. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye be not led into temptation he believeth that of Peter 1. Ep. 1.5 Ye are kept by the Power of God and he maketh conscience also to obey that 1 Pet. 4.7 Be sober and watch unto prayer The renewed man believeth that according to our Mediators Prayer the Father will keep him in his name and power and will preserve him from the evil of the world Ioh. 17.11 15. Yet he maketh conscience also to obey that of Iude vers 21. Keep your self in the love of God of that 1 Ioh. 5.18 He that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not and while he stands in a time of inward and outward peace he maketh conscience of that warning 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed least he fall This Doctrine serveth for admonition both to men unrenewed Vse 2 Admonition to persons unrenewed and to those that are renewed 1. For men unrenewed let not such flatter themselves as if they were in an estate of Grace and sure to persevere therein because they have a common Grace restraining them for a time from the outward act of sin before the world wicked and reprobate men have had the like and have also lost it wicked Ioash out of respect to good Iehosadah and cruel Herod out of awful fear of Iohn the Baptist refrained themselves from some sins 2 Chron. 24.2 Mar. 6.20 let not such men rest on a fair outward profession and an outward communion with holy and sound Believers that may be lost Demas for a time shined in the Apostolick Church being a fellow Labourer in the Gospel with Paul and numbred amongst the faithful servants of Jesus Christ Philem. Ep. 24. but in a time of persecution like a fierie exhalation and shot-star he disappeared and fell away to embrace the present world and conformed himself to the fashion thereof hypocrites and temporary Believers like Stage-players to please them that look on can soon put on and put off a form of Godliness 2 Tim. 4.10 neither let them rest on some eminent gift enabling them for a particular calling or employment Iudas had that and many other reprobates Math 7.22 such a common gift and ministerial Grace may be lost Saul had the Spirit and gift of Government and he lost it 1 Sam. 16.14 Moral and Civil men though unrenewed may have a continuance of Civil and Moral Gifts a large measure of literal knowledge and an honest worldly conversation for a time 2 Pet. 2.20 They have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ they may have some transient tasts of the good Word of God as men affected more with the newness then with the truth and goodness of the Divine Doctrine Ezek. 33.33 34. they may have some tasts of God and his word but they feed not on them It is not their meat and drink to do the will of God In this they are like unto Cooks who tast the meats that come through their hands but live not on them yea unregenerate men may have a tast of the powers of the world to come They may by forbearing some great sin at a time have some quietness of conscience afterward and this quietness of conscience in them at that time is like something of heaven in respect of the peace there whereas at other times after the committing of great sins the horror of their conscience hath been a hell to them Therefore be earnest with God for special Grace to renew thy heart and to restrain the inward act of sin in the consent of the will with any knowledge thou hast of the truth of God joyn an high estimation and appretiation of it when thou gettest a tast of the good Word of God and of the powers of the world to come labour to keep it in a good and clean conscience for when thou defilest thy conscience by sinning against thy light and knowledge then thou loosest the sent of the sweetness of the Word and the comforting relish of thy former peace even as foul and stinking waters take away the former good sent of a vessel Next it serveth for admonition to men renewed Admonition to persons renewed and in the state of Grace not to rest secure on the beginnings of a work of Grace though the saving Graces of the Spirit cannot be lost yet if thou that art renewed become careless and negligent to entertain the life of Grace the waters of life that sometime abounded in thine heart may be brought to a very low ebb the strength of Grace not exercised will decay thy peace if it be not kept in a good conscience will be taken from thee for a time thy joy if it be not entertained in a pure heart will be suspended Three considerations Therefore consider these three things 1. That even the renewed children of God are subject to their own weakenings and decayings in the state of Grace 2. Thou wouldst consider what maketh this change 3. Then thereafter as men subject to fainting of Spirit have in readiness some cordials for removing the beginning and preventing the progress of their fainting so thou shouldst lay up in thy heart store of spiritual provision for an hour of soul-fainting As for the first Grace in the children of God subject to abatements that living Grace in the renewed children of God is subject to abatements in the Degrees and strength thereof is evident in divers respects 1. In respect of promptness and forwardness for doing duties at one time they will have a great elevation of heart Psal 108.1 O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise at another time they will have a great suppression of Spirit Psal 40.12 Innumerable evils have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up he was as a man stooping under an heavie burden and not able to lift up his head The Spouse at one time runs here and there to seek her beloved at another time ye see in her great laziness Cant. 5.3 I have put off my coat how can I put it on again Peter at one time is forward at a word of our Lord to cast himself into the deep Sea at another time he will not hazard so much as a word for avowing his Lord and Master the voice of a silly Damsel dampts his Spirit 2. In respect of cheerfulness in time of doing duties at one time it will be their meat and drink to do the will of their heavenly Father they will have also much contentment in serving their Lord as hungrie and thirstie men have in eating and drinking at another time holy duties will be a burden to them David with a cheerful heart danced before the Ark but great fear surprised him when
he saw Vzza smitten this made him change his note we can look cheerful in a day of prosperity rejoycing in our Lords presence but in our adversity we question the Lords presence and say with Gideon Iudg. 6.13 If the Lord be with us why then is all this befallen us we can at a time when God reveals himself to us in some special testimony of his love with Peter in the Mount exult at a glance of his glory but at the time of our Lords suffering in his Mystical body our hearts become drousie and careless as Peters was in the Garden 3. In respect of the degree and measure of Faith at one time the renewed children of God will be like a Ship with all her sailes full they will have a plerophorie of Faith at another time like a Ship in a great storm with a peice of cross sail their Faith is but little and weak under some great tryal ye see it in David Psal 27.10 When my Father and my Mother did forsake me then the Lord did take me up and Psal 46.2 We will not fear though the earth be removed there was great Faith but ye see a slacking of his Faith Psal 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes and 1 Sam. 27.1 David said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul notwithstanding he had from God a special Promise to be King of Israel 4. In respect of their continuance in duties at one time the children of God will continue in some bensal of Spirit with delight in their secret devotion at another time they have not well begun but they become weary their untimous and impertinent thoughts puls them away to some other business It is thus also in their hearing reading and meditation on the good word of God at one time they will continue in hearing with much reverence and attention though the Minister be a man of weak gifts at another time though the Minister were like Paul they fall drousie like Eutychus and if God did not prevent with mercy they would fall from this drousiness into a deadness of Spirit but our God rich in mercy and long suffering waits upon his children and recovers them from these fits and faintings unto their former soule health As to the second What 〈◊〉 is that causeth the abatements in Grace consider what maketh this change in the children of God and procureth the abatement and decay of the degrees and strength of Grace in them 1. A careless neglect of the means of salvation or an overly and superficial performance of holy duties if such be thy care no wonder thy strength of Grace decay as children who altogether abstain from meat or make but a fashion of eating do decay in the vigour and strength of their body The Apostle will have us as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 in which words he insinuates this also that want of desire to the Word is a main impediment to our growth in Sanctification and a cause of the decay and consumption of the inner man 2. Spiritual pride and vain confidence in our own strength for the imploying and improving of any Grace or Gift received of God brings with it a decay of the vigor of Grace as the swelling bigness of the Spleen makes the other noble parts of the body to decay so the swelling pride of our Spirit makes the Graces of the innerman to abate of their strength Pride goeth before a fall It is ever followed in the children of God with a fall either into some cross or into some sin to humble them Ezekias was lifted up in the pride of his heart and therefore was wrath threatned against him and all Judah 2 Chron 32.25 Peter in the pride and presumption of his own strength boasted though all the world should be offended yet should not he be offended in Christ whereupon followed a great abatement of the strength of Grace when he denyed the Lord of Life 3. Sloathfulness in not improving the stock of Grace or Gifts God hath bestowed upon thee brings on a decay Strong bodies through laziness and want of exercise become weak and feeble It is no wonder the Merchant becomes poor who improves not his little stock to some advantage and it is no wonder a Christian decay in the measure of grace if he improve not his talent to the glory of his Lord to the good example of his neighbor and to his own comfort in laying up a sure foundation against the time to come that he may lay hold on eternal life 4. When our eye and heart is too much fixed on visible and sensible objects of sorrow or fear then our graces begin to abate somewhat of their former vigour great and long troubles oft-times weaken our Faith when Peter looked too much to the wind that was against him and not to the Lord who called him to come on the waters his Faith began to fail and his body that before was elevated by a believing soul did now begin to sink weak Faith made a heavy body As to the third how to prevent this decay of Grace it is evident by knowing and shunning the evils that procure it Means to prevent decay in grace Therefore 1. make conscience to use the means whereby grace is begun preserved and encreased in the soul as faith comes by hearing the word of God so is it thereby encreased The more thou knowest and seest of God in his Word thou wilt be the more conformed to him in holyness by knowing him in the Gospel we are transformed into his image 2 Cor. 3.18 by frequent hearing reading meditation and prayer we become heavenly and spiritual as Moses coming down from the Mount did shine in his countenance so this communion with God in his Ordinances will make our hearts to burn with love to God and our faces to shine in all manner of holy conversation before the world The conscionable and careful using the means of our spiritual food and life will prevent the decay of the inner man 2. Walk humbly in the remembrance of thy former sins in the sense of thy present infirmities in a jealousie of thy best endeavours and in a solicitous fear of manifold temptations men recovered out of a dangerous disease shun every morsel that may distemper them or may procure a recidivation so the humble man shuns every thing that may bring a change on his inward condition Remembrance of former sins and of mercy in pardoning of them doth much strengthen his graces It increaseth his zeal against sin and augments his love to God and his holy commandments 3. Improve thy grace and gift to thy Lords advantage To him that hath shall be given he that improved his five talents and the other that improved his two received much more from their Lord then they got at first Math. 25. God encreased knowledge
fail not as God preserved life in Eutychus notwithstanding his sore fall Act. 20.10 So the Lord preserveth the life of Faith in the hearts of his renewed children in the time of their great and foul falls No thanks to them but all praise to God who forsaketh not the work of his own hands in them But God disserts his own children sometime in respect of strength when he upholdeth them not in the hour of temptation but leaveth them to themselves and to the strength of corruption Thus God disserted David in the matter of Bathsheboh and Vriah as also Peter when he denyed the Lord Sometime he disserts his own children in respect of comfort when he hideth the light of his countenance when he with-holdeth or with-draweth the joy of his Spirit Thus was Iob David and our Lord himself disserted when he cryed out on the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me This dissertion of our Lord was no waies in respect of the love of the Father for he was ever his well beloved Neither was it in respect of strength to sustain him under the burden for he was sustained by the Divine nature dwelling in him bodily It is true dissertion in respect of strength hath ever with it a dissertion also in respect of comfort for then the children of God being without strength do succumb to the temptation and therefore become heartless and comfortless like weak men robbed of their treasure of peace and joy yet there may be a dissertion in respect of comfort when in the mean time they are not disserted but upholden by a secret strength as a person fainting and sinking down may be upholden by one at his right hand though in the time he have no sense of it so many times the dear children of God are upholden by the strength of God that they despair not in their greatest troubles when in the mean time they have no comfort The measure of Gods disserting a renewed person nor clearness to discern the Lords strengthening presence Consider the measure of dissertion the children of God are not in a like measure disserted at all times sometimes more sometimes less at one time they are shaken with the wind of temptation as a tender plant but not cast down at another time they are laid on the ground brought under the temptation like a young tree born down with a great storm yet are never plucked up by the root because they are ingrafted in Christ and that root of Jesse beareth them at a time they will be disserted in respect of strength for doing and exercising some one gracious act and yet at the same time they will be eminently assisted of God in the exercise of another grace Peters zeal to be at Christ was very great when he desired to come through the deep Sea to him Math. 14. But his faith was weak when he saw the wind boysterous The children of God will have strong desires after God and yet at the same time much weakness of Spirit and remissness in their spiritual courage such was Davids disposition Psal 41.1 As the Hart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God yet at the same time his heart was much discouraged and disquieted with the reproaches of enemies They will also be fervent in Prayer and yet at the same time not so patient as at other times Thus was it with David Psal 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes there is a fit of weakness and impatience and yet at the same time he is fervent in prayer Thou heardest my supplications when I cryed unto thee as of some seeds sown in one seed-plat some herbs may appear sooner and be higher then others and the same which were at one time high may take a setting and be overtopped by others so in a renewed man when he is regenerate the seeds of all the saving graces of the Spirit are planted within his heart but sometime the fruit of one grace and sometime of another will be more eminent according to the wise and gracious dispensation of God out-letting on or restraining the influence of his Spirit from the seeds and habits of grace received Lastly consider thy duty in a time of dissertion The duty of a renewed person in the time of dissertion when the Lord hideth his face from thee 1. Search thy wayes for as under a dissertion thou doest observe a change in Gods countenance and dispensation toward thy self so if thou search diligently and impartially thou wilt find there hath been a change in thy wayes to the worse since that time thou found the comfort of the light of his countenance when great persons at sometimes favourable and familiar do change their countenance we do soon observe it and forthwith examine our selves if we have done or spoken any thing to procure such a change It is also our Christian wisdom carefully to observe the time when God hides his countenance and it is our duty to search our waies if we light the candle of our conscience from the light of Gods Word as the damsel in the Gospel did to search after and to find the lost penny we shall undoubtedly find that since the time we had the comfort of Gods presence we have departed from his wayes and turned from him it may be by our ingratitude and not rendering to him according to the favours received or by our spiritual pride and vain gloriation as if we had not received it of free love by our bitterness of Spirit and repining at afflictions by our indignation at others because more esteemed in the world then our selves by neglects or omissions of duties by a negligent and overly performance of them or by some lurking corruption not perceived and mourned for by us 2. When thou hast searched and found out the Achan Humble thy self before God and confess that and all thy former transgressions Hos 5.15 I will go and retire to my place till they acknowledge their offence when God retireth and withdraweth the presence of comfort there is no regaining of that presence but by acknowledgment of thy sins I would counsel thee at such times to set some day apart for afflicting thy Spirit with fasting and mourning I dare say such dayes have fair evenings and comfortable nights 3. Meditate seriously upon the unchangeableness of God and thy own former experiences of his love There is no change with him Lament 3.22 Mal. 3.6 Iam. 1.17 It is with men departing from God as with those that sail away from the firm Land they think as they remove from the Land so it removes from them but when they turn sail they find the Harbour in the same place they left it so when we turn from God we do think in the sense of our bad deservings that the Lord is turned from us but when we change our course and turn again by repentance we find our God where
therefore in it there is no certain knowledge 2. There is a knowledge of a thing from the natural and immediate cause of it This is an assent firm and evident and is called Science 3. There is a Moral certitude when a man knoweth the certainty of his estate for the present but is uncertain whether it will continue as a man from sense may know a present heat in his body but is uncertain whether the same will endure some learned Divines in the Roman Church grant this moral certitude of salvation 4. There is a Certitude of Divine Faith whereby we assent to supernatural truths not from any evidence intrinsecal in the thing known but from evidence of Divine authority revealing the same in the Word The certitude of knowledge in a man renewed concerning his perseverance is not opinion for that is uncertain and lyable to error It is not Science because this is from natural reason But the knowledge of perseverance is taught by Scripture and divine revelation Neither is it moral certitude only for the present but it is a certitude of divine Faith grounded on divine Authority in holy Scriptures Obj. Obj. But how can a man know with certainty of Faith that he himself believeth because it is not particularly revealed in Scripture that such a man by name believethâ— Therefore the proposition of his believing in special not being founded on divine authority the conclusion concerning his perseverance and certainty of salvation cannot be certain by a divine Faith Answ I answer 1. A conclusion may be de fide Answ 1 and should be assented to by a divine Faith if it be deduced from one proposition set down in holy Scripture and another made evident by the light of nature or sense As for example this conclusion the Father and the Son in the holy Trinity are two distinct persons is and should be assented to with a divine Faith and yet is deduced from one proposition known by the light of nature To wit that which begets is distinct from that which is begotten and from another proposition known by the light of the Word To wit but the Father begets and the Son is begotten in like manner this couclusion Jesus born of the Virgin Mary is the Messiah is to be assented to with divine Faith and yet our Lord inferreth the same from one proposition known by the light of Scripture To wit Isaiah 35. he that doth the works of the Messiah is he true Messiah But I do these works saith our Lord Math. 11.3 Now this assumption was known by sense and by seeing him do those works So I say this conclusion I shall persevere in grace unto eternal life is assented unto by divine Faith and is deduced from one proposition known by the light of Scripture To wit He that believeth shall not perish but persevere unto eternal life Ioh. 3.16 And from another known by the light of spiritual sense in the renewed man To wit But I believe 2. This spiritual sease of a Believer is not a fantasie or imagination but is soundly founded on the qualifications and marks of true saving Faith as they are holden forth in holy Scripture as 1. That true faith from sense of Gods love doth humble the heart and afflict the spirit with sorrow for sin Zach. 12.10 They shall look upon him whom they pierced and they shall mourn This look is by believing and it brings home with it a sense of love which woundeth the heart with sorrow for sin 2. True Faith purgeth and purifieth the heart Act. 15.9 Christ received by Faith to dwell in our hearts doth by the sweet smell of his oyntments and graces purge out of our hearts the sent and delight of sinful and vile lusts 3. This true saving Faith is not dead and idle but holy and operative It worketh by love Gal. 5.6 as the fire worketh by heat on the objects see before it so Faith by love to God bringeth forth works of holyness toward God and of righteousness toward our neighbour 4. Lastly it is a prevailing and overcoming Faith 1 Joh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith and Faith resisting and overcoming temptations is a sound Faith Though a renewed man and sound Believer may be overcome by temptation at a time in his affections Yet his will is not wholly subdued and overcome for the ill he doth he willeth it not Rom. 7.19 To Iesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our Faith with the Father and holy Ghost be all praise Amen Victory over DEATH through CHRIST 1 COR. 15.56 57. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through Jesus Christ AS our perseverance in the state of grace A peaceable death flows from the fulness of Christ is a fruit of the Merit of Christ so a peaceable death in the savour of God and in the hope of glory is a refreshing stream flowing from the fulness of Jesus Christ The comfortable tast of the fruits of the Cross of Christ doth sweeten the bitterness of death as that tree did sweeten the waters of Marah Exod. 15.25 In the words two points offer themselves to our consideration 1. A twofold misery from which we are delivered In the words two points to wit the sting of death and the strength of sin 2. The procurer of our deliverance Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ As for the one part of our misery In what sense the Law is the strength of sin the curse and rigor of the Law and how we are delivered from it we spoke already in a Sermon on Act. 13.39 Only I would speak one word or to clear how the Law which forbiddeth sin and threatneth punishment to the sinner is said to be the strength of sin It is not to be understood so as if the Law did strengthen a man to or in sinning for it prohibites sin and reveals wrath from heaven against all unrighteousness and disobedience but the Law is called the strength of sin because a man unrenewed before the time the Lord by grace rectifies his will and affections doth from his own inbred corruption take occasion at hearing of the Law to enlarge his vast desires toward all the sins forbidden therein It is not so much the forbidding of sin as sin forbidden and heard of that provoketh the sinful appecite Rom. 7.7 8. Is the Law sin God forbid Nay I had not known sin but by the Law but sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concup scence for without the Law sin was dead Our inordinate concupiscence when it is once awaked by hearing of sins forbidden like a sleeping Dog awaked becomes more fierce to commit sin like those whose appetite is depraved by that disease called Malacia or Pica they long most after meats forbidden for this reason Aquinas renders
admonition to put us in mind to be moderate and sober in spirit in the use of things worldly Man is subject to a necessity of dying therefore set not your hearts too much upon those things ye must sometimes leave 1 Cor. 7.31 Vse the world as not abusing it we abuse it and it abuseth and abaseth us when we make it Master of our affections then make we the earth our heaven and happiness and by so doing the world draweth away the heart from true happiness The Apostle telleth us the fashion of this world passeth away like a Stage-play as the word imports within the space of an 100. years if the world endure so long new Actors and Players will come upon the Stage One generation goeth and another cometh like some going to the common market others who have made either a good or evil bargain coming from it you would think that Son foolish and evil-advised who being sent by his Father to travel for a short time in a strange countrey should marry there without his Fathers consent in a place which he must leave and he knoweth not how soon his father may send for him and reckon with him for misdemeanors abroad and shall we be so foolish and unadvised as to espouse our hearts to the world For who can tell how soon the Lord may send his messenger death for us and sentence us with an eternal divorce because our hearts went a whoring from him after strange lovers 2. Be not proud of any thing enjoyed Let us not be proud of any thing we enjoy in this present world Thou canst not tell how short a time thou maist enjoy it It is both vanity and folly to be proud of a borrowed cloak thou canst not tell how soon it may be sent for and thou divested of it The Romans of old did put a Sergeant in the triumphal Chariot to keep the triumphing Conqueror amidst all his triumph within the bounds of moderation and sobriety of spirit by crying to him Memento te esse mortalem Remember thou art a mortal man Philip of Macedon directed his Page every morning to call at his chamber door with this morning salutation Memento mori Remember death Thoughts of mortality in the morning keeps our spirits sober all day long Tamberlane that great captain and conqueror caused a winding sheet to be carried in his march before him the displaying of deaths banner made him sober minded amidst all his warlike and victorious banners it is well known some Jews of the greater and better sort had their sepulchers in their gardens that in the midst of their pleasures they might be mindful of death The thoughts of it were as water to their wine for preserving them from surfeit and drunkenness with worldly cares and pleasures This doctrine serveth for exhortation Vse 4 seeing sin hath brought on man a necessary subjection unto death Be preparing for our change it is the wisdom and duty of every person to be preparing for their change this is a duty required both of young and old The Preacher giveth the same counsel to young men Eccles 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth and his reason is taken from deaths insensible and yet most certain approach because the time is coming when the marrow of the back-bone which joyns all the members to the head and one to another as a silver cord will be loosed The heart that is like a golden bowl from which all the parts of the body drink in the vital spirits will be broken And the head that is like a wheel eminent and conspicuous above other members as the wheel is above the cistern it will be broken and laid in the dust Although thou be young yet remember the day of death comes on apace No sooner begin we to live but so soon begin we to die Our life is in a continual flux and sometime it will run out The serious fore-thought of this change will be a mean to mortifie youthful lusts This will make sin die in thee before thy self die and thy life will be most comfortable after thy dying to sin from thenceforth Christ liveth in thee Gal. 2.20 and he comforteth and reviveth the heart where he dwelleth and liveth Isa 57.15 If the young should prepare for their change what should those do who are of riper years and by course of nature neerer to the end of their journey should not such prepare for their removal as Job did Job 14.14 All the days of my appointed time will I wait Motives till my change come Consider 1. The necessity of death is inevitable it is appointed for all to die Heb. 9.27 Nothing earthy can exempt thee not thy riches the rich Glutton died Not thy honour Kings are laid in the dust Not thy wisdom Solomon died against it nor might nor strength wil guard thee Great Commanders have been arrested and hurried to deaths prison in the head of their armies yea grace will not exempt thee Abraham the believing Patriarchs died 2. Consider the circumstances of time place and manner are all most uncertain One said truly we all come into the world one way but we go out of it a thousand divers ways Therefore thou shouldst be preparing at all times for thou knowest not at what hour of the day or watch of the night death may come upon thee as a thief Did not death and destruction come upon the old world when they were most secure Mat. 24.38 And upon the rich man at the time he had most rest and plenty of provision for many days Luke 12.18 Therefore number to thy self not years but days and count every day as thy last day Psal 90.12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom and is not this a special point of wisdom to foresee the plague and hide our selves under the shadow of Christ and the merit of his death from the curse of death Prov. 22.3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished yea the Heathen Poet could say Think every day thy last day in all places guard thy heart and be preparing for death at home and abroad thou mayst go out of thy house in good health in the morning but return home sick and die before the evening 2 King 4.18 Old Eli went out in good health in the morning but dyed before the evening 1 Sam 4.18 How to prepare for death Object But how shall I be prepared for death Answ 1. Labour for repentance and reconciliation with God be reconciled with thine adversary while thou art in the way Mat. 5. which place Augustin applieth to this same purpose Augustine for if thou dyest in thy impenitency having God thy adversary consider in time what will be thy fear and confusion in the day of thy appearing before his tribunal Sin unrepented of is the sting whereby the first death woundeth a
most certain in both respects 1. 1. It is foretold It is foretold and revealed by the holy Spirit in the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first Gospel preached by God himself in Paradise Gen. 3.15 the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent that is destroy all his works when the head is bruised and crushed forthwith all the operations and actings proceeding from it are crushed and destroyed So the power and dominion of death over the body in the grave one of his works brought upon us by his tempting and our own virtual consent in our first Parents is destroyed in the seed of the woman as was foretold in that first and fundamental Gospel-Promise Exod. 3.6 I am the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob which place our Lord cites against the Sadduces to prove the certainty of the resurrection Math. 22.32 Because God is the God of the whole man and man is not whole without the body Iob 19.25 I know my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another Iob is confident of his resurrection in the same individual body Psal 17.15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness which place sound Interpreters both antient and modern do expound of the awakening of the body from the sleep of death in the day of resurrection To this purpose speak also the holy Prophets Isa 25.8 He will swallow death into victory And this is by delivering our bodies from the captivity of the grave wherein death and corruption for a time had power over them Isa 66.14 Your bones shall flourish like an herb at the day of resurrection the bodies that were hid in the graves and secret receptacles of the earth like a herb hid under the ground in time of Winter The Son of righteousness at his return will revive them and make them spring forth in fresh and lively colours by the effectual influence of his mighty power Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt It is certain also from the divine Oracles of the New Testament Math. 12.41 The Ninevites shall rise in Iudgement Ioh. 11.24 I am the resurrection and the life saith our Lord Act. 24.25 Paul preacheth before Foelix of the Iudgement to come and if there will be a Judgement certainly the resurrection of the body must precede that the persons to be judged may give appearance before the Judgement Seat And Paul preaching to the same purpose Act. 26.9 saith Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God shall raise the dead As the resurrection of the body is infallibly certain 2. It is appointed by God in respect it is revealed and foretold in holy Scriptures so it is immutably certain in respect it is so appointed by God in his eternal counsel and decree which cannot be altered Act. 10 42. God hath commanded us to preach that Jesus Christ is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead If God ordained him to be Judge then certainly he ordained that there should be a resurrection that men might be brought before this Judge for without a resurrection there could be no persons to be Judged Rom. 14 10. We shall stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ There cannot be a standing till first there be a raising from the dead Act. 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will Iudge the world in righteousness The Apostle proveth the certainty of the resurrection from the certainty of a day of Judgement set and appointed of God Iob 6.40 This is the will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day In which words our Lord sheweth us that eternal life is appointed and ordained of God for all that believe on him and that the resurrection of the body is a means also appointed of God for executing the Decree of their compleat glory That the resurrection of the body is possible and probable 3. It is possible and probable the Apostle Paul proveth at large 1 Cor. 15. from Gods power seen in things natural and obvious to sense as in raising out of the grain of corn sown and dying under the clod a fair stalk of corn with many grains The day saith Tertullian is buried in the night and yet riseth in the morning we see also in vegetables the herb that is withered in the Winter doth in the Spring time revert and flourish again the Lillie puts on again those pleasant colours in the Spring time that were laid aside in the Winter Do we not see that Alchymists out of divers herbs cast into one common Limbick do extract those simple principles of which at first they were composed And what is our sleeping in the night time but a shadow and resemblance of death then are our senses bound up from exercise and our awaking in the morning is a rising to the use and exercise of our senses such like arguments prove only the possibility of a resurrection for with God nothing is impossible and all things are alike possible to him who is of infinite power but the certainty of it is proved only from holy Scriptures for God is able to do many things which he will not as to raise up children to Abraham of stones This possibility of the resurrection is well inferred from his infinite power but the certainty of it is concluded from his will and purpose revealed in holy Scriptures which are infallibly true This Doctrine serveth for admonition to all Vse 1 Be thankful for the revelation of this Mysterie who live within the verge of the Church of Christ to be thankful to God who of his good pleasure hath revealed to us this great mysterie hid from the wise men and great Philosophers in former ages who in their conjectures about the estate of the dead became vain in their own imaginations It is true they had some glimpses of the immortality of the soul Plato in his Dialogue entituled Phaedo saith by deaths coming to a man that which is in him immortal departeth freed from corruption and giveth way to death Cicero in his Tusculan questions lib. 1. saith it was a maxim inbred in the Antients that man at death is not so taken away that by it he is altogether destroyed and annihilated The Poet Lucan lib. 1. rendreth the reason why the old Gauls were so hardie in all their encounters at â—â—ght because their Pagan Priests called Druides did teach them that their souls immediately after death would be in a happy condition but concerning the resurrection of
reckon with his servants when the idle and lewd servant that was unfaithful in the time of his absence heareth it he trembleth for fear And as Nabal at the report of Davids wrath his heart dyeth within him Then wilt thou be like unto Pashur Jer. 20.3 4. Terrour round about thee thou wilt be a terrour to thy self Thy own conscience as a familiar evil Spirit will haunt thee with horrid representations and torment thee That glorious guard of Angels attending that great Judge will be a matter of terrour to thee thou wilt fear as Shâ—mei did Benejah that strong guard shall fall upon thee Adam did flie at the calm voice but what will thy fear be at that dreadful sound whether wilt thou flye in that day of astonishment the heavens will not admit thee the earth will no longer bear thee hell only will be enlarged to receive and contain thee Foelix trembled when he heard of Iudgement to come consider in time what will thy trembling be when thou shalt be raised up and hurried before thy Judge The people of Israel Exod. 19. did tremble at the giving of the Law with thundering in the Mount what then will be thy trembling when thou art Judged according to that Law therefore while it is called to day harden not thy heart but hearken unto the voice of the Lord in this life break off thy sins by repentance so shall the day of resurrection be unto thee a day of peace and not of terrour a day of joy Vse 2 and not of endless sorrow It serveth for admonition to the children of God Awakening to slumbering Saints who are subject to their own slumberings and cold fits of a beginning sluggishness as thou wouldest prevent this meditate often upon the day of thy resurrection and coming unto Judgement great sounds and noises do keep men from sleep Jerom said he thought he heard ever that voice sounding into his ear arise dead and come to judgement Oh that this sound were often in our ears I dare say the greatness and dreadfulness of it would drown the sound and noise of many temptations that we should not hearken unto them This would make us more watchful and faithful both in our Christian and particular callings and then as servants who have been diligent and faithful we shall rejoyce at the report of the coming of our Lord. It serveth for a ground of comfort unto the children of God Vse 3 Who bearken unto his voice in his word Comfort to the children of God who have a desire to fear his name and have a respect to all his commandments If thou be one of those be of good comfort his coming shall not be terrible but comfortable unto thee his call in the day of resurrection at thy grave will be as the known and familiar call of a loving husband returning to take his Spouse out of a strange Country Question Answer there shall be much joy in thy heart How a man may know his resurrection shall be with joy to glory Obj. But how shall I know that my rising in that day shall be with joy and not with terrour Answ Thou maist know it 1. By thy part in the first resurrection Revel 20.6 Blessed is he that hath his part in the first resurrection the second death shall have no power on him If thou art risen by Repentance to a new and holy life this first resurrection to an estate of Grace is a sure evidence of thy second resurrection to an estate of Glory because Grace is the earnest and first fruits of Glory 2. Thou mayest know it by the inhabitation of the Spirit Rom. 8.11 If the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you If the spirit of God dwell in thy body as his Temple thou mayest be assured in the day of resurrection he will enter into his Temple and fill it with his joyful presence therefore as thou wouldst be sure of a joyful resurrection use thy body as a Temple to the holy Ghost in these respects 1. In separating and sanctifying thy body for the service of thy Lord though the ground of the Temple of Ierusalem was sometime a common or profane place a threshing floor yet afterward it was set apart from that common use So must thy body and all the members thereof be separate from all profane and sinful employments 2 Cor. 6.17 Be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you There must be a separation from thy sinful delights before God receive thee into a communion of grace in this life or into a communion of glory in the other life thy tongue must be separate from swearing lying backbiting railing and all filthy communication thy ears must be circumcised thy eyes turned away from beholding vanity and the other members must be purified and preserved from all pollution as vessels belonging to the Temple of the holy Ghost 2. The Temple of Ierusalem not onely was separate from a common use but also in all the parts of it was consecrate to a religious use for the worship of God So not onely thy soul which is the inward and most holy place of the Temple but also thy body must be dedicated to the service of God Let thy tongue be tuned to his praise thine eyes lifted up to behold his wondrous works thine ears ready to hear his word thy hands to work the works of righteousness thy knees to bow to him in prayer and thy feet swift to run in the ways of righteousness and peace 3. No stranger might come within the porch of the Temple of Jerusalem ye know what a business was made in alleaging Act. 21.28 that Paul had brought in Graecians to defile the Temple In like manner do thou use thy body as a Temple to the holy Ghost admit not within the Porch of that Temple to wit thy ears or eyes any stragling or strange motion which may defile thy conscience which is thy little sanctuary within that Temple 4. After that the Temple was consecrate there was a great care to keep it clean so must thou labour to preserve thy body pure and clean from the pollutions of the world from without and from inordinate affections from within It thus thou use thy body fear not for in the day of resurrection the holy Ghost that dwelt in thy body here will fill it with joy and gladness in that day after the Temple of Ierusalem was built and consecrate to God The Lord filled it with a special presence of his glory in the Cloud so if thy body be consecrate to God it shall be filled with beauty and glory if thou tremble at his word in this life work out thy salvation with fear and trembling be of good comfort the day of thy resuirection will be a day of
good tidings from heaven and of joy to thee then all thy evil dayes will be over wherein thou hadst thy trembling fits and feavers of conscience but that will be thy good day without succession of an evil day then shalt thou have perpetual peace in thy soul and confirmed health in thy body for if thou be espoused here to Iesus Christ in holiness and righteousness thou shalt not be afraid at his glorious coming the glory of thy Lord and Husband will reflect upon thee and his spouse shall rejoyce at his coming The wise Virgins rejoyced at the voice and coming of the bridegroom in that day thou shalt rejoyce as Iacob did in hearing and seeing his Ioseph in the day of his great honor power in Egypt Our Lord with his white cloud at his coming will scatter and abolish all thy clouds of afflictions Though now it may be thou hast much weakness in the body yet in that day thy Lord will come with power to give unto thee a strong body It may be for a season thou sufferest much disgrace and trouble in the body for keeping a good conscience in an evil time yet be of good comfort thy righteous Lord will come in great glory and shall give unto thee a new name even glory and honour that none can take from thee Therefore in the sense of thy true conjugal affection unto him wrought in thy heart by his spirit and in the lively hope of the full manifestation of his love in that joyful day when there will be a perpetual cohabitation in glory let thy soul be looking and longing for his second appearing and as thou hearest him saying Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me So let thy soul as an eccho answer with the spouse Even so Lord Iesus come 4. Point The fourth point considerable in the words Point 4 is the different ends of this universal resurrection They that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation both the godly and the wicked will come forth from their graves but as they differed in their life and death so shall they differ in the end of their resurrection The godly will come forth as the Butler out of Prison Gen. 40. to stand and live for ever in the favour of God but the ungodly as the Baker to be made spectacles of the Iustice and wrath of God for ever It is true the bodies of the wicked will be raised immortal and incorruptible to the end they may be everlasting subjects of everlasting pain as the body of a Malefactor is held up at a Pillory when he is scourged that by the extention of his body he may be rendred the more capable of the scourge and pains The resurrection of the bodies of Believers who live to the Lord and die in the Lord will be unto an happy condition Doct. Believers shall arise to happiness and freedom from all trouble pain and all the consequents of sin for the Resurrection of Life is opposed unto the Resurrection of Damnation as the ungodly in their bodies will be fastned like condemned slaves to eternal torments they will be ever dying and pining a way in torments but never dead so the godly will live in the body a life of happiness being absolved and freed from all pain and enjoying all satisfaction in the presence of an al-sufficient God Phil. 3.21 he will change our vile bodies and he will make them like unto his own glorious body Our bodies in this life are but weak and frail a little thing will distemper them even one nights unrest Our bodies in this vale of misery are but vilis saccus servorum The greatest amongst the children of men carry about with them such excrements as should be Monitors of frailty and documents of humility and that which maketh our bodies most vile is this that they are cages of unclean birds of many unruly lusts though they reign not in the godly yet they dwell in them as Hagar with Sarah and do molest them But at the resurrection there will be a change of our Bodies Our Lord will make them like unto his glorious body and it is said Mat. 17. at his transfiguration which was a prelude of the glorifying of his body his face did shine as the Sun As the Tabernacle under the Law was made according to the pattern shewn in the Mount so our earthly Tabernacles will be renewed according to that pattern shewn in the Mount where our Lord was transsigured great will be the brightness of their bodies in that day of resurrection there will be a most glorious sight when the bodies of the Saints will rise up together as so many Suns above the horizon of the grave and time that will be a lightsome and a glorious day This surpassing glory of their bodies is described more particularly 1 Cor. 15.42 in divers respects 1. Wherein the glory of the body consists In respect of endurance it is sown in corruption but raised in incorruption Our life here is in a continual flux as one part of running water thrusteth forward the other parts so some parts of our body decay daily the radical moystness is wasted by the natural hear and must be repaired by meat drink sleep and other helps as so many props to support our weak and ruinous Tabernacle of clay as a lamp that consumes the oyl must have a new supply But at the resurrection our bodies will be incorruptible their condition will be fixed without any decay in part or in whole Then the vital and animal spirits of the body will be as pure Wine without any mixture of dreg There will be no superfluous or excrementitious humor in the body it will be as the gold purified seven times in the furnace all dross and corruption will be fully purged out and the body will be made an everlasting vessel of honour There will be no alteration in the body nor declining to old age but the glorified Saints shall be like the Cedars in Lebanon Psal 9.14 they shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing 2. In respect of the stature and beauty of the body it is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory there will be great glory in the bodies of the godly excellent comeliness in stature and a beautifull and equal proportion of all the members The Saints who had any deformity or defect of members in this life shall have none then Act. 3.19 It is called the day of restoring all things what ever their body wanteth now for comeliness shall then be restored and supplyed Our Lord restored Malchus his ear and by the same power he will restore the defect of any member as there will be comeliness in a just symmetry and proportion of the members so a surpassing comeliness in the colour and brightness of the body do we not see in our
most true that good Works are necessary by way of concomitancy in him who is to be saved for without holiness none shall see the face of God Heb. 12.14 Although thou canst not be justified in this life by thy good Works yet in the day of resurrection thou shalt be judged according to thy Works Math. 25. 2 Cor. 5.10 Therefore as in the day of resurrection thou wouldest differ from evil doers who will be raised unto damnation see thou differ from them in thy living and dying Godly differ from the wicken in living 1. The wicked man in his life-time employeth his desires endeavours and time to serve his own lusts but the care of a Godly man and sound believer will be to serve his Lord Rom. 13.14 Put on the Lord Iesus and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof 2. The wicked man walketh in the broad way that leadeth to destruction he taketh unto himself ease and pleasure in sin as one having room in a broad way he doth not afflict or grieve his own heart at any time by refusing the unlawful desires of it But thou who wouldst rise to life must walk in the strait way that leadeth unto life thou must straiten and hem up thy desires and afflict thy unrenewed part and flesh by refusing and rejecting unruly desires and if at any time thy heart look back unto sin thou must afflict thy Spirit with Godly sorrow for any step thou hast made toward the broad way The Godly man and sound believer differeth also from the wicked in his dying Godly differ from the wicked in dying The wicked man at his death layeth not hold on Christ and dyeth unwillingly but thou that wouldst rise unto life thou must with old Simeon an old expectant of glory embrace Christ and hug him and the Promise of life made in him in the arms of thy faith as a dying man holdeth fast his gripe so shalt thou keep thy gripe of Christ in the day of resurrection thou shalt be found in him The Godly man dieth willingly commending his Spirit unto God as a faithful Creator he goeth unto death as his bed out of the which he will rise in that morning of eternity with refreshment but the ungodly and impenitent go to death unwillingly as unto a prison out of which they know they will be carried unto Judgement This is the heavenly posture of a Godly man on his death-bed he resteth by Faith on the only merit and satisfaction of Jesus Christ as a sick man doth upon a soft Mat underneath him he hath the lively hope of a glorious rest to his soul after its parting from the body and of a glorious resurrection of the body as a Pillow to hold up his head and heart that in all his pain he fainteth not and he hath good Works as a coverlet to adorn him in the sight of all that behold him The Believer at his death resteth not on them they are his coverlet but not his mat he is adorned and covered with them before the world who seeth them in him and should both glorifie God in his rich and free love for his graces bestowed on him and should labour to imitate him in his good life and happy death If thus thou differ from wicked men in thy life and death and be not an evil doer as they are in the purpose of their heart and course of their life The Lord who by his grace maketh thee to differ from them in this life shall in eternal mercy make thee to differ from them in thy resurrection for thy resurrection shall be unto eternal life if thou live to Christ thou shalt dye in Christ and in that day thou shalt be found in him and go with him to the third heaven and remain in glory for ever with him It serveth for a ground of terrour and awakening to the ungodly Vse 2 Terror to ungodly men who rush into sin as the horse into the Battle go on in their sins like the Ox unto the slaughter and will not know the evil of their wayes till the deadly dart of Gods wrath strike through their souls Remember O foolish man if thou live and dye in thy sins and as Zophar speaketh Iob 20.11 If thy bones be full of the sins of thy youth and they lie down with thee in the dust thou shalt rise unto damnation what thou wouldest not believe in this thy day thou shalt be forced from sense of pain to believe in that day of the Lord and then shall the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ say as Paul did to his fellow-Passengers in the Ship Act. 27.21 If ye had hearkened unto me ye should not have gained this harm and loss The remembrance of neglected opportunities will encrease the fretting torment of their souls It may be thou hast pain and sickness in thy body with great agony at thy death but consider all that is but as a flea-bite in comparison of that worm that dyeth not and the fire which cannot be quenched Thou mayest be assured unless thou repent while thou art in the body thy pained and deformed body shall be raised up in greater pain and deformity An ugly and hideous spectacle will thy face and body be so that if it were possible in that day thou wouldest flye from thy self Then soul and body at their reunion and uniting will in a manner curse one another and live or rather languish together as it were in mutual imprecations for ever This will be a part of their hell like two Mastiffs chained together and tearing one another the soul will curse the body and all the Members of it for ministering temptations by the eyes and ears and for being too ready to bring forth and act sin conceived in the heart then soul and body that sinned together shall be tormented together as they were bound together in sin so also in punishment therefore let the sad forethought of pain in the body in that day calm thy impetuous affections Remember as thou sowest in the body so shalt thou reap in the body Gal. 6.8 thou shalt receive according to that thou hast done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 The serious forethought of this will be an awful means to suppress thy tumultuary affections The Town-clerk Act. 19.40 composed the tumult with one word we are in danger said he to be called in question for this dayes uproar so consider thou art in danger to be called in question in that day of resurrection for the insurrection and rebellion of thy heart against thy Lord in this thy day The Royal preacher soundeth forth this sad but profitable Note into the ears of young men who are dit-times violent like Jehu in their sinful courses Eccles 11.9 Rejoyce O young man in thy youth c. but know thou that for all those things God will bring thee unto Judgement This Doctrine serveth for a solid ground of comfort to the Godly who
here The song begun here shall be continued there Rev. 1.5 6. Vnto him that loved us and washed us in his own blood from our sins and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen This doctrine serveth for a ground of terror and weakening to wicked men who live and dye in their unrighteousness Vse 1 It is not possible for any in his unrighteousness to behold the face of God It is not possible for them in their unrighteousness to behold the face of God It is true they shall be forced to look on him as a dreadful Iudge and avenger of all unrighteousness They shall behold him as a Malefactor doth the Iudge with great terror and anguish of spirit Rev. 1.7 They shall look upon him and wail before him Thou that mournedst not on earth for thy sins shalt mourn for ever under that insupportable burden of wrath and Judgement therefore remember in time that this righteousness wherein the Saints will behold the face of God must have a beginning in this life Our sanctification is compared to a race Heb. 12.1 and no man comes to the end of the course but he that sometime began to run it is compared to a building 1 Pet. 2.5 there must be a foundation laid a believing and resting on Christ the corner stone and therefore a superstructure of holiness and righteousness before the top-stone and crown of perfect righteousness be put on It is compared to a growing in stature 2 Pet. 3.18 and without growing up in sanctification it is impossible to come into the measure of stature of the fulness of Christ we must be infants of glory in the state of grace before we can be men of glory in heaven Eph. 2.21 in Christ all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy Temple in the Lord there must be first a growing and building up in sanctification before we can be Temples filled with glory in heaven It serveth for a ground of comfort unto all those who have set themselves in the way of righteousness Vse 2 Righteousness begun in this life will be perfect in heaven and do endeavour a conformity of their wills and wayes to the holy will and righteous ways of God here is their comfort that their righteousness begun in this life will be perfected and in a perfect personal righteousness in heaven they shall behold the face of God in glory begun holiness here is the infancy of perfect holiness and is no other thing then the gate of heaven and happiness Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the poor in heart for they shall see God Psal 97.11 Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart The seed of that full joy in heaven is sown in the renewed heart and the full fruits will be seen and enjoyed in the day of restoring all things when the godly by vertue of the second Adam will be restored to the possession of all the happiness they lost in the first Adam in that day thou shalt eat of the fruit of thy labours Thy labour of love here will not be forgot there a cup of cold water given to a disciple in the name of a disciple shall be richly rewarded the Lord thy God hath a book of remembrance Mal. 3.17 he hath a particular and distinct knowledge of every good work thou doest as men have particulars written up in their Diaries for their better remembrance In the day of resurrection whatsoever good work thou hast done in secret though there was little notice or noise of it in the world yet shall it be published in the audience of angels and men then thy bread cast on the waters upon the poor distressed and despised members of Jesus Christ which the rich Nabals in this present world thought to be as water spilt on the ground as lost and cast into the bottom of the Sea Then I say after many dayes thou shalt find it Luk. 14.14 Thou shalt be recompenced at the resurrection of the Iust It is true I confess it is not for our righteousness we are brought to behold Gods face in glory yet it must be in righteousness though not for our righteousness Christs righteousness onely makes way for us to the beholding of Gods face but personal inherent righteousness is a concomitant necessary for every person that would behold his glory Heb. 12.14 This thy perfect righteousness in heaven will make thy heart exceeding glad consider what joy of heart the godly have even from this testimony of their conscience onely that they are willing to live honestly though in many performances they come far short of their duty and desire Then what joy of heart will they have when they find in themselves the graces of holiness and righteousness perfected in an exact conformity unto the will of God if there be such joy in the seed time that Peter calleth it unspeakable and glorious 1 Pet. 1.8 what then will be the joy and exaltation in that day of the full harvest and in gathering if there be such joy at the laying of the foundation and in the time of building what will be our Ioy in that day when all will be covered and crowned with glory when the Comforter will dwell in us for ever Then will there be in our hearts an ever and overflowing fountain of Joy we shall be perfectly righteous and never grieve the Spirit and the Comforter will never desert us nor suspend the influence of his comfort Therefore be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye righteous and shout for Ioy all ye that are upright in heart Psal 32.11 The fourth point considerable is the measure of our happiness 4. Point The measure of our eternal happiness set down in these words I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Our happiness in heaven will be full and satisfactory to the desires of our souls Doct. Our happiness heaven will be full and satisfactory This satisfaction standeth in these two 1. In a full peace and rest for ever from all troubles 2. In a full Ioy and delight for ever these two blessings of Peace and Ioy for ever will flow from that Ocean of blessedness the facial vision of God and run as a refreshing river through the soul beholding the face of God the eternal misery of the damned wil be perpetuated both in a punishment of loss which is called outer darkness the want of Gods gracious and comfortable presence for ever and also in a pain of sense which is called Isa 66. a worm that dyeth not and a fire that cannot be quenched but the happiness of the godly will be continued for ever in a Rest from all pain and in a fruition of all good in God al-sufficient in himself and all in all to them The godly will have a full Rest 1. The Saints in heaven have a full rest from 1. All troubles From all
will have an accessory joy reflecting from the soul as light within a glass is transparent so the inward glory of the soul will be legible in the large Characters of an ever cheerful countenance in the body As the joy of the glorified Saints will be in full measure and extent 2. Permanent so it will be permanent and perpetual Ps 16.11 At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Joh. 16.22 Your joy said our Lord to his Disciples no man taketh from you Though a sound believer hath matter of joy in his God even amidst his greatest troubles yet many times there are here sad interruptions of his joy in respect of the exercise of it in this vail of tears our condition is mixed at one time a shour of tears and prayers at another time a Sun-shine of joy and praises at one time we are ravished as it were to the third heavens with the sense of Gods love at another time we are cast down into the depth of sorrows when the Messenger of Sathan even some violent tentation doth buffet us at one time we are full both of matter and affection to praise our God that we may say with Elihu Iob. 32.18 The Spirit within constraineth me I am full of matter at another time our heart and spirit is like a bottle in the smoak all our former joy is spent and dryed up Psa 102. Our joy here is like the husband-mans joy in harvest he must be put again to the troubles and the pains of seed time so after our joy here we are put again to sow in tears Iacob had much joy at the return of his sons with corn from Egypt but it endured not for soon after he had great sorrow the corn was spent and he must part with his beloved Benjamin but in heaven our joy will be everlasting a full joy without mixture of sorrow a continual harvest a joy ever in perfection as the fruits are in time of harvest we shall never sow again in tears a perpetual joy but without wearying or loathing because there will be infinite and recent variety of sweetness in God to delight and rejoyce our hearts for ever Object But will there not be degrees of glory in heaven It is probable there will be degrees of glory in heaven 1. and if there be degrees how will all be satisfied can he that hath less be as well satisfied as he that gets a greater measure of glory Answ 1. It is most probable there will be degrees of glory in heaven Dan. 12.3 some shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and others as the stars for ever and ever 1 Cor. 15.41 there is one glory of the Sun another of the Moon and another glory of the Stars so also is the resurrection of the dead There are also divers degrees of torments in hell according to the divers degrees of sin and guiltiness in this life so according to the divers degrees of grace in this life it is probable there will be divers degrees of glory in heaven The servant who knoweth his Masters will and doth it not will be beaten with more stripes then he that is ignorant of it though he do it not Luke 12.47 It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Iudgement then for those Cities which did contemn and reject the offer of the Gospel Mat. 10.15 2. Though there will be degrees of glory in heaven Yet all the Saints will be fully satisfied yet all the Saints will be fully satisfied with that one essential and substantial glory communicate to all in the vision and fruition of the one infinite and al-sufficient God As vessels of divers measures are all filled in the same Ocean though all of them be not of equal capacity The greater degree of glory communicate to some will not be for the excellency and differences of their graces here but according to the divers degrees of grace freely bestowed on them in this life by the spirit of Jesus As they were merited onely by him who is the sole procurer of our grace and glory so in heaven the degrees of glory are a crowning not of our merits but of his own gifts for the giving of a former gift doth oblige the receiver to thankfulness but not the giver to bestow another gift so grace given freely of God obligeth us to thankfulness but doth not oblige God to give unto us glory more or less Because grace and glory in all their degrees are of his free love Rom. 5.17 for if by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Iesus Christ This doctrine affords a ground of sharp reproof against all profane and earthly-minded men Vse 1 They are fools who for perishing pleasures part with everlasting joyes who with profane Esau do sell their part of this full refreshment and satisfaction for the deceitful and perishing pleasures of sin To such in our time I say as Isaiah did to those in his time Isa 55.2 wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfies not Therefore to the end thy heart may be rectified I offer these considerations 1. Consider that worldly pleasures are 1. unsatisfactory Consider in time the pleasures of this present world cannot satisfie thy vast appetite Riches do not satisfie the covetous man he desireth more what he yet wanteth then he delighteth in what he hath already The Heathen Moralist spake truth to this purpose when he said the covetous man wanteth as much what he hath as what he hath not as he possesseth not what he wanteth so he hath no heart to make use of what he possesseth honour doth not satisfie the ambitious man what he hath of it already is but a step to raise up his vain spirit to the desire of more and where are vehement desires of more preferment there cannot be satisfaction Neither do sensual pleasures satisfie the incontinent or intemperate man his sinful desires are not satiated thereby the more he sinneth his corruption is the more set on fire of Hell more sin is but more fewel to the fire of concupiscence Therefore as Isaiah exhorts in the same place hearken diligently unto the word of the Lord and eat that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness obey that exhortation of the Apostle Col. 3.2 set your affections on things above and not on things on earth covet the best things be thou truly generous and heavenly-minded set thy heart on these durable riches on that immortal crown of glory and on these pleasures that fade not away those pleasures in the vision and fruition of God will satisfie thy soul for ever they will fill up the measure of all thy desires thou wilt have more set before thee in an infinite God then thy finite