Dishonour of God and Destruction of Souls by sin nevertheless Knowledge is so choice a thing that it makes some Men eminent in understanding as much differ from others as Man generally differs from a Bruit so that the Schools of understanding are both courted and desirable Now if the knowledge of the things of this World be so desirable and excellent how much more is the knowledge of God things of God and Eternal Excellency which Nature cannot Fathom and tho' we had all the Books Written and attained to all Human Learning and had all the Host of Heaven and Creation under the Sun to instruct us yet thereby can we not be instructed or learn the Mystery of Mans Redemption or know Regeneration and Newness of Life or power of God in the spirit much less be able to find out the Eternal purpose of God to the souls of Believers or to apprehend that fruition of glory that Believers are intituled unto and shall enjoy Eternally in Heaven wherefore if we must be Wise to eternal Life we must be Fools to this World for according to Solomon The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom Prov. 1.7 So that if any Man lack Wisdom he must ask it of God who giveth to all Men liberally and upbraideth not James 1.5 If the Excellency and Advantage of knowing the perishing shadows of Earthly things lead Mens desire so much after that much more may we be Encouraged to seek after the knowledge of God and of spiritual things First For that in Human knowledge there is no perfection we see in all Ages Countries and Nations one Generation exceedeth the other in knowledge and experience and in one and the same Age one Man far exceeds another in so much that the Wisdom of one is ridiculed by the other Secondly All Human knowledge leaves a Man in this life yea a Man often so Declines in his Intellectuals that his own Life is his Burden and he becomes a Child or Bruit Thirdly Mans knowledge is his Burden because he can attain no satisfaction thereby it having no end or perfection so as all his Life is Anxiety Trouble and Sorrow Witness Solomon Ecl. 2. Chap. 3. all Ecl. 12.12 Fourthly The knowledge of Human things puffeth up and driveth a Man often so above his level that many Learned in Discontent have run into Distraction and strangled themselves but the Sanctified knowledge of God and spiritual things have the quite contrary qualities and effects First Divine knowledge is so choice a thing that the more a Man hath of it he becometh the humbler abaseth himself and adores God the more therefore have I uttered that I understood not I have heard of thee by the Ear but now mine Eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes Job 42.3 5 6. Secondly As Human knowledge is a Burden Divine knowledge is a Delight because the more a Man knoweth he humbleth himself the more in sense of his own Vanity and is confirmed in his knowledge because by Divine Wisdom he sees all the steps Coherent and tend to his building up in God and so delights in that knowledge then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord Hosea 6.3 here is Assurance of Attainment which is not in Human knowledge witness such who spend their Time Life and Substance in pursuing after that phanciful Foppery commonly called the Philosophers Stone who for most part dye fools or beggers if not both Thirdly As the knowledge of Human things fail and leave a Man in this Life the knowledge of God and spirituals attend a Man here to his Grave and grows and Conducts him not only to his Grave but also to Heaven Blâ—ssed are the Dead that Dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their Works follow them Rev. 14.13 Their knowledge of God in Faith is their Guide and Comfort Christ hath promised to send to his People for their Guide and Comfort the Holy Ghost the Comforter Even the Spirit of Truth which the World receiveth not because it knoweth him not but ye know him and he dwelleth in you and shall be in you I will not leave you I will come to you Jo. 14 16 17. Fourthly As the knowledge of Human things is imperfect and therefore Mens burden and the cause of such Imperfection may be First Gods Wisdom to keep Man from boasting of himself so it may be from the changeableness of Human Objects in reference to times and seasons and also from providential Influence on the Speculative part making it more acute in one Age than in another to shew the absolute Dependance of all Creatures on the Influence of Providence as shall best please God so the Wisdom and Knowledge which is from above and dispensed to Christians on this side of time is also clouded and narrow imperfect and but in part not that the Wisdom of God can be dark but the manifestation thereof may be so said to be in relation to that full fruition after enjoyed for that either Wisdom which is God himself Prov. 8.1 all Thought fit to let out no more of himself to Believers then might be necessary to the Discovery of Carnal and Sinful Vanities and be a guide to lead them to Heaven in longing Appetite after the more Glorious knowledge of himself Or Secondly For that our Crazy and Earthy Vessels as old brittle Bottles were uncapable to receive such inexpressible Communications of himself and these Eternal Mansions of Felicity which are Treasured up in Christ Jesus for the Saints and therefore he allows them no more here than is fit with Comfort to waft them in upon Eternity and then for the further Manifestation of his own glory goodness and wisdom doth exchange our Mortal and vile Bodies of Dust not able to receive such glory into immortal Bodies and then doth manifest himself to the full to the Saints who then shall see not in a shadow only but plainly as they are seen that their glory may be full for we know but in part and prophesie but in part but when that which is perfect is come than that which is in part shall be done away for now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am known 1 Cor. 13 9 to 13. and this is that Mystical Union of the Spirit by which the Saints are made one with God in Christ Jesus in that inexpressible knowledge and sight of God whereby they shall be able to stand in his presence face to face and behold his glory and rejoyce in it The Second Branch of Union with God is Holiness God is essentially Holy and Holiness it self whose Name is Holy Isa 51.45 and can as well be divided from himself as from Holiness so who are one with God must be Holy and to be Holy is to be partakers of the Divine Nature Christ the only begotten Son of God and
This great promise of general and particular assistance and so many great priviledges being the first ground of Christian encouragement The second is That they have the example of Christ his Prophets and Saints in Heaven who have with undaunted courage chearfulness and patience fought that good fight and have received their reward As it is great happiness in any warfare to be under wise able and experienced Commanders and as the fame of the Captain raiseth Courage and hope of Victory so it is much more in this Christian warfare where Christ is General and the Saints in Glory are examples Whose Courage Wisdom or Power can be comparable to Christs who is Wisdom it self Prov. 1.20 chap. 8.1 who is power infinite Col. 1.15 16 17. and for his experience he is the antient of days First He is Wisdom it self wisdom is his stile and name and well it may be so for by his wisdom First He made all things and by himself he upholdeth all things He is the Image of the Invisible God and in whom dwelleth all Power and the Godhead bodily Heb. 1. to 14. Secondly He is infinite in Power and there is no searching of his understanding he hath measured the Waters in the hollow of his hand he metted out the Heaven with his Span and comprehended the Dust of the Earth in a Measure and weighed the Mountains in Scales and the Hills in a Ballance The Nations are before him as a drop of a Bucket and are counted as the small Dust of a Ballance he taketh up the Hills as a very little thing Job 32.8 ch 38. ch 39. Isa 40.12 to 16. Thirdly For Experience he is the Antient of days the First-Born of every Creature the Alpha and Omega see that Discription given him by Solomon the Wisest of Men Prov. 8. all Rev. 1.17 18. Col. 1.17 He is not only Wise and Wisdom himself but he is Wisdom diffusive to others gives them not only the precepts of Wisdom but doth infuse Wisdom into them and maketh them docile and quick in Understanding and in this he exceeds all other Captains and Teachers who may instruct but cannot form the understanding as he doth I will pour my Spirit on you I will make known my words unto you Pro. 1.23 John 1. to 6. Isa 61.1 He is the Spirit of Wisdom inlightning the World he is sent of the Father and hath of him received the Spirit to Communicate Wisdom to others The Spirit of the Almighty giveth him understanding this Wisdom is such as excelleth because it is of Christs own Spirit Pure Truth and tryed pure as Gold yea purer than much fine Gold see the excellent vertue of Gods Precepts and Instructions Converting the Soul Enlightning the eyes Clean True Righteous Sweet Instructing and in keeping of them there is great reward and endure for ever Ps 19.7 to 1. This Wisdom is the fear of God from whence it hath its rise and how excellent and desirous this is see Prov. 1.8 and all ch 8. all James 3.17 in which are made out all advantages both Spiritual and Temporal See what account the Holy Prophet makes of this Wisdom and Knowledge of God above all Human Knowledge or of things Earthly let not the Rich Man glory in his Riches nor the Wise Man in his Wisdom nor the Strong Man in his Strength but let him that glorieth glory in this saith the Lord that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord Jer. 9.24 The Holy Evangelist testifieth of this Wisdom This is Life Eternal to know thee and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Jo. 17.23 24. The Holy Apostle also declares what this Wisdom is even Jesus Christ Who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly The second qualification of this great Christian General in his power joyned with what is already said he is infinite in power He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 he is the Blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 He is the most High and ruleth in the Kingdom of the Earth and giveth them to whomsoever he pleaseth of his Kingdom there shall be no end Dan. 4.17 25. Luke 1.33 He poureth Contempt on Princes and causeth them to wander in the Wilderness where there is no way yet setteth he the poor on High and maketh him Families like a Flock Ps 107.40 41. He can make Nations as stubble and Kings of the Earth as nothing he makes wast Mountains and Hills and dryeth up all the Rivers he can make Rivers Islands and dry upon the Pools he can lead the Blind the way they know not Is 42.15 16. He can make Darkness Light and Crooked things Straight he can form Light and Create Darkness he can make Peace and Create War Is 45.7 Thirdly The third quality of this great General is his great Experience Conduct and Valour Can the Antient of Days who hath Conquered and Subdued all he ever Encountered with be without Victory on his side had not he the better of the Old Enemy the Devil who beguiled Eve and for his lying and presumption Condemned him to perpetual Enmity and Contempt Did he not Conquer Pharaohs Pride and stubbornness by Plagues and overthrow him wholly at last Did he not signalize his Power Fame and Goodness towards his People of Israel in Destroying their Enemies and appearing for them in all the Exigencies of their afflicted Conditions see the great Series of his Care of them Did not he overthrow the Devil when under Temptation of Hunger and would not work a Miracle for his own Relief but Preached up Faith on the Word and Power of God Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.2.3 4. Did not he when Tempted from Scripture to trust to Gods Protection in throwing of himself headlong reject that Insinuation of Satan by Scripture Thou must not Tempt the Lord thy God Ps 71.11 By which he Magnified the Soveraignty of God and would not Tempt Providence Mat. 4.9 10. And being Tempted to Worship the Devil for the gain of the World he defeated the Tempter from the Duty of Worshipping God only Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Mat. 4.9 10. And lastly by his Submission to the purpose and Will of God on the Cross he overcame Death the last Enemy Mat. 27.50 ch 28.60 and by his Resurrection Crowned Mans Eternal Happiness O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hosea 13 14. Hence is this Admirable Instance of the Power of that Champion of our Salvation who through the vail of his own Flesh hath made Conquest of Eternal Life for us and by his free Love Power and good Will hath given them the Victory over all his
how injurious slander and reproach is to the reputation of a Christian and how ill it is resented by the Spirit of God in Scripture for the Lord accounts his People so nearly related to himself that he will not have them injured so that he accounts the Injury done to them to be done to himself He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of miâ—e Eye Zach. 2. and 8. There is that speaketh like the piercing of a Sword but the Tongues of the Wise is Health Prov. 12.18 And though Malice and Prejudice may raise a slanderous report nevertheless neither in mans esteem at long run nor in Gods account shall it have any weight but shall be wiped off in course of time although the Innocent and Godly may suffer for a time Lips of Truth shall be established for ever but a Lying Tongue is but for a moment Prov 12.18 19. Let such farther consider how detestable lying slandering and reproaching is to God Lying Lips are an abomination to the Lord but they that deal truely are his delight Prov. 12.22 We see that the railing Blasphemous Reproaches of Rabsecah and the great King of Assyria against the People of God is accounted by God against himself Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lift thine Eyes on high even against the Holy One of Israel By thy Messengers thou hast reproached the Lord and hast said c. 2 Kin. 19.22 23. read all and read chap 18. Let such further Consider What badge and brand of folly is put upon Peevish Uncharitable Narrow and Censorious Persons who either raise slanders or by reporting foment them He that hideth hatred with lying Lips and he that uttereth slander is a Fool in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin but he that refraineth his Lips is wise The Lips of the righteous feed many but Fools die for want of Wisdom It is a sport to a Fool to do mischief but a man of understanding hath Wisdom Prov. 10.18 to 24. Prov. 26.21.22 See the words By the blessing of the upright the City is exalted but it is overthrown by the Mouth of the wicked He that is void of Wisdom despiseth his Neighbour but a Man of understanding holdeth his peace a Tail-bearer revealeth Secrets but he that is of a faithful Spirit concealeth a Matter Prov. 11.11 12 13. Let all such remember that such reproaching slandering and defaming do more mischief to themselves at the long-run than to the Godly for that the Godly shall be justified by their Integrity both before God and Man and the malice of the wicked shall be retorted upon themselves The Righteousness of the upright shall direct this way but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness an Hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his Neighbour but through knowledge shall the just be delivered the righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead Prov. 11.5 to 10. His own Iniquities shall take the wicked himself and he shall be holden with the Cords of his sin Prov. 5.22 23. Let such persons also consider the Character given in Scripture to the Malicious and Slanderers His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud under his tongue is mischief and vanity he sitteth in the lurking places of the Village and in the secret places doth he murder the Innocent his eyes are privily set against the poor he lyeth in wait secretly as a Lyon Psal 10 7. to 11. By which may be gathered that such are accounted treacherous and murderers in Scripture language But let us on the other hand observe and consider the event of all the prepensite malice of the wicked against the godly and we shall find it stored up to their own ruine He hath prepared against him Instruments of Death he Ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors Behold he travelleth with Iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth falshood He made a Pit and Digged it and is fallen into the Ditch which he made His mischief shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing upon his own pate Psal 7.13 14 15 16. The Lord shall cut off all Lying Lips and the Tongue that speaketh proud things Psal 12.3 Let us observe what the Psalmist foretells shall be the end of slanderers and slandering Tongues Thy Tongue deviseth mischief Like a sharp Rasor working deceitfully Thou lovest evil more than good And lying rather than to speak righteousness Thou lovest all devouring words O thou deceitful Tongue God shall likewise destroy thee for ever he shall take thee away and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place and root thee out of the land of the living Psal 52.2 to 6. Let us view the revilings and reproaches of God-almighty and his People by the King of Assyria and his Messengers in that 2 Kings 18. And the Judgments of God both on Messengers and their Master in that 2 Kings Chap. 19 The Spirit of God is so compassionate even to the offenders amongst his People that though he will not have sin and offencies amongst them go without chastizement yet will he have Mercy and and Charity to be so mixed with Justice that his People may not be reduced to despair in reference to Gods purpose toward them as in that famous place of his own Justice and Clemency For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth Lest the Spirit should fail before me and the Soul which I have made For the Iniquities of his Covetousness was I wroth I have seen his ways and will heal him I will lead him also and restore comfort unto him and to his mourners Isa 57.15 to 19. In which we see Mercy so mixed with Justice Clemency and Bounty that Correction and Chastizement is only intended of God for the good and reclaiming of his People and not for their destruction We find also by Gods direction in the punishment of offences by Judges amongst the People of Israel the very number of stripes to be inflicted were appointed and not to be exceeded Forty stripes he may give him and not exceed least if he should exceed and beat him above these with many stripes then thy Brother should seem vile unto thee Deut. 25.3 Whereby it is clear that the Lord will not have the very Sinners amongst his People to be made contemptible by the inflicting of Justice upon them but will have the Rod only used to reclaim the stubborn and their name and reputation nevertheless to be kept up so as they neither despair in themselves or should be reproached by others if they could be reclaimed Prejudice and Passion will expose to contempt which is expresly cautioned against and implied in these words then thy Brother should seem vile unto thee This calls on all professing Religion for the Spirit of meekness compassion charity and tender heartedness even to such as are either under the Rod of affliction or taken under any infirmity to sin especially
the wise contriver of our Salvation fits his People for these eternal Mansions of Glory for as the Goldsmith doth purify his mettal by fire and furnace to bring it to the pure and true touch and as the Joiner by Plain and Chissel fashioneth his Wood for his Mortice even so the Lord who is of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity by his Fatherly chastisements of trials and afflictions doth polish and fit his peoples Hearts and Affections and by blasting the glory of humane enjoyments he raiseth their desires to the heavenly enjoyments and fits and fashions them with suitable qualifications of holiness and having experienced the vanity emptiness and uncertainty of all earthly enjoyments their affections are wholly raised unto and set upon God alone The Prodigal had never thought of the plenty wealth or glory of his Fathers House or of returning thither had it not been that he was pinched and under straits The Church had not thought of returning to her first love had it not been that her Corn and Wine and the delicacies by which she entertained her self with and lived voluptuously were taken away Hos 2. The sixth thing to encourage Believers patiently to bear the Cross is the great prize of Eternal Life already spoken of But here it may be objected that the Doctrine of mortification self-denial and contempt of the World is a comfortless and melancholy Doctrine and Heaven seems only to be obtained on hard and dear terms and that the necessity of loosing all for Heaven will encourage the neglect of Heaven and induce men rather to take Solomons advice in taking pleasure and delight in the Creatures and therein to comfort themselves and thereby they will be the less anxious for Heaven Ecclesiast 11.9 Secondly This Doctrine seems contrary to the Scriptures which promises halcyon days to the Church and great Honour Wealth and prosperity and that Kings shall be her nursing Fathers and Queens her nursing Mothers and that the Saints shall Judge the Earth how then can this consist with the contempt of the World Thirdly This Doctrine seems desparagable and contrary to the Holy Just and good Nature of God to treat the best of his Friends and People with pinches Difficulties and Contempt and to suffer the wicked to enjoy their full delight and amongst Men it will be thought great ingratitude to treat the best of Friends worse than the worst of Enemies As it is most certain from experience and History from the beginning of the World and coming of Christ the People of God have been under the worst of Temporary Circumstances so it is likewise proved in the foregoing Discourse that this is their appointed Lot and this hath also been the stumbling of the Saints and particularly to David the wicked's constant oppulency quiet and prosperity made him much amazed Psalms 10. Psalm 17.9 to 15. Ps 37. Ps 73.3 to 17. Jer. 12.1 See what Holy Job the Patient and Wise saith on this Subject The Wicked become Old they are mighty in Power their Seed is Established in their Sight and Of-spring in their Eyes their Houses are safe from fear the wrath of God is not upon them their Bull gendreth and faileth not their Cow Calveth and casteth not her Calf they send forth their little ones like a Flock and their Children dance they take the Timbrel and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ they spend their Days in Wealth and in a Moment go down to their Grave wherefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy war what is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit have we if we Pray unto him Job 21.7 to 16. And the same Language was in use in the time of the Prophet Malachy And ye said it is in vain to serve God and what profit have we if we keep his Commandments and Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts and now we call the proud Happy and they that work wickedness are set up yea even they that tempt God are delivered Mal. 3.14 For the full clearing and answering these Objections let us consider the things in Competition and Weigh them in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and these are chiefly two First The Enjoyments of this sensual Life and Being which are Temporary Secondly Things Spiritual which are Eternal First As God of his Heavenly Wisdom made the World for his own glory and by himself upholds the same and gives to whom he pleaseth what portion thereof he will so it is at his pleasure to recall what he giveth when he will so that Man is but a Sojourner in Earth and Tenant at Will for Life and all Human Enjoyments and Mans claim thereunto is extinguishable at his pleasure Secondly Let us consider the vast disproportion in value between things Temporal and things Spirital Solomon the Wisest and of greatest experience hath given us this Testimony on Record that all Human Enjoyments are but vanity and vexation of Spirit Ecl. 2. all The Apostle Paul in the foregoing Scriptures sheweth the emptiness and vanity of all that may be challenged for good or great in the World that all perish in the using 1 Tim. 6.7 to 17. The Holy Evangelist John gives us the like account 1 John 2.15 16 17. so that the whole that can be pretended to in this World is some present possession of Worlds vanities attended with uneasiness and discontent of Mind uncertainty in the Enjoyment all being subject to change at the plesure of God Thirdly Let us consider the Nature Value and Continuance of things Spiritual things Spiritual litterally understood imply something above the sensual Appetite and Perception and only to be apprehended and enjoyed by the Spirit Mind or Soul of Man the Nobler part and that is Eternal and not seen as described by the Apostle while we look not after things which are seen but after things which are not seen for that which is seen is Temporal but that which is not seen is Eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 In the next place we are to consider what are these Spiritual things which Transcend and are above sensual Enjoyments about which the Soul is only and principally exercised which may be briefly comprized in these four First Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World Secondly All Spiritual Endowments and Graces given to the Saints and procured to them by Jesus Christ Thirdly The Sanctified Use of all Temporal and Spiritual Mercies bestowed on the Saints while in time Fourthly Eternal Life obtained and freely bestowed on the Saints by Jesus Christ As to the first God of his own free Will having Created Man in Holiness and Righteousness according to his own Image Gen. 3.6 Scripture and sad experience inform us that our first Parents and we in them have fallen from the Original State of Innocence in which they were Created and thereby the Venom of their sin hath infected and depraved Mans
his Church In all their Afflictions he was Afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his Love and in his Pity he redeemed them and carryed them all the days of old Isa 63.9 Secondly This Love is extensive to all wants and necessities or else it is empty and profiteth not Whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of Compassion how doth the Love of God dwell in him 1 Joh. 3.17 And the Apostle James is to the like purpose If a Brother or a Sister be naked and destitute of Daily food and one of you say to them depart in peace he ye warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not these things which are needful to the Body what doth it profit Jam. 15.16 Seventhly Is it so then of a lamentable truth that all men are concluded in Adams Apostacy and that there is a woful Degeneracy in the Soul of Man from that primitive Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness and that all men in Nature are dead in Sin and have their Conversation with the Lusts of the Flesh fulfilling the desires thereof and of the mind according to the Course of this World according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience and are by Nature the Children of Wrath. Eph. 2.1 2 3. And that there is even amongst the renewed a Law in the Members warring against the Law in the Mind Rom. 7.23 Ch. 8.1 And that by reason of Sin the Creature is Subject to Vanity and the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain for the Adoption and Redemption Rom. 8.20 22 23. And that in this degeneracy a mans life is his burden and there is no true pleasure under the Sun confirmed in Solomons experience Therefore I hated life because the work that is wrought under the Sun is grievous unto me for all is vanity and vexation of Spirit Eccles 2.17 all Seeing then this Earth is but a sojourning and no abiding place and that here is neither Pleasure Rest nor Happiness how much is it mortal mans concern anxiously restlesly and with a believing Impatience to pursue close after these two things First That as by one man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin so Death passed upon all men for that all men have sinned Rom. 5.12 And that as by the offence of one man Judgment came upon all men to Condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to Justification of life Rom. 5.18 That man would seriously apply himself to the Throne of Grace that he may be found in the Faith that he may be intituled into Eternal Life in Jesus Christ that only mediator and for that the first Image of God in man was wilfully abolished or defaced by man that by the bounty of Free-grace he may be begotten again by the regeneration of the Spirit unto a lively Faith and that he may put on the new man of Righteousness and True Holiness Eph. 4. â—â— And may be renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created it Col. 3.10 And may be set free from the Law of Sin and Death by the Law of the Spirit of Life And that he may be spiritually enlightned not by the Spirit of the World but by the Spirit which is of God and that he may know the things freely given of God 1 Cor. 2.12 And that he may be spiritually minded that enmity of the Carnal mind may be removed so as he may no more mind the things of the Flesh but the things of the Spirit Rom 8.5 6 7. That being raised from the Death of Sin by the Spirit of Christ he may seek these things that are above where Christ is Col. 3.1 And may be accounted to be called a Child of God an heir and Joynt heir with Jesus Christ and may also be glorified with him Rom. 8 17. That he may be dead and crucified in Christ to Sin and may also live with him in Glory Rom. 6.8 Secondly Seeing the Earth was accursed for mans sake Gen. 3.17 18 19. And that the Creature was made Subject to Vanity not willingly but by reason of him who Subjected the same in hope Rom. 8.20 And that the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together for redemption from the bondage of Corruption unto the glorious liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.21 22 23. That he may watch and be always ready with Oyl in his Lamp for the coming of the Bridegroom who cometh as a Thief in the night Rev. 16.15 And may earnestly pray that the Bridegroom would hasten the coming of his Kingdom and the new Heavens and the new Earth and set the Sons of God at liberty from the Liberty of Sin and Corruption and that the glad Tydings of that Heavenly Proclamation may be heard Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and God shall dwell with them and they shall be his People and God himself shall be with them and be their God And God shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more Pain For the former things are passed away Rev. 21. to 6. Having thus viewed Adam in his Primitive Integrity in Glory Honour Righteousness true Holiness and perfect Knowledge with absolute Soveraignty over the Creatures the Darling and Friend of God and all the Creation at Unity and Peace with him and in Subjection to him and in Amity amongst themselves And afterwards by Man's falling from God Man the declared Enemy of God and by a guard of Angels barred out of Paradise deprived of his Soveraignty and Enmity sowed between the Creatures and the Earth accursed and the Creation brought under Bondage and the Posterity of Adam once the apparent Heir of all Righteousness true Holiness Knowledge Honour Glory and Soveraignty over the Creatures disabled and cut off from that glorious succession and exposed unto all misery and under the servitude of Sin and Wrath Rom. 3.23 Eph. 2.3 And in place of that Unity of the Sons of God and shouting together for joy nothing to be seen or heard but Subjects rebelling against their Soveraign and the whole Creation Split in Enmity and Envy Malice Oppression and Unrighteousness to have filled the whole Earth where is that corner of the World where ambition for Dominion Covetousness for Wealth private or publick animosities have not drowned the sense of all comfortable enjoyments Man raging against the Creatures and they against him and each in contention devouring one another and nothing to be seen but a woful Convulsion and dismal complexion and the degenerate frame of that first and beautiful Fabrick of the Creation from its so late purity and glory This then being the Tragical Condition of all Mortals Subject to Sin and Misery as entailed on them from the Inherent Corruption of Nature Job 5.6 Who can
becomes Mans Surety to God to perform for him the Conditions on Mans part which he doth by offering himself up to Justice for Sin Rom. 4.25 And by his Spirit of Grace enabling Man to do spiritual homage and obedience to God and by so much was Jesus made the Surety of a better Testament Heb. 2.22 Secondly Christ doth not onely become Mans Surety but actually clears and discharges them from the debt of Sin to Justice and frees Sinners from the penalty of eternal wrath for Sin for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 Herein doth the Suretyship of Christ for Man differ from the suretyship amongst Men for that amongst Men when one becometh Surety for another he contracts for relief from him whose security he is and only lends his Credit for a time but will not pay the debt for him if he can by Law avoid it and if he be constrained to pay it he will force relief from the other if he be able and if not able will treat him with all severity for his own relief but Christ Jesus neither expects or desires any satisfaction or relief but freely of his own good Will pays the Debt and expects no return but the humble and thankful acknowledgment and improvement of the mercy of forgiveness and priviledges obtained by him to the debtor Thirdly He becomes a Curse for sinners and frees them from the Curse due for their sins Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us Gal. 3.13 For it is Written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree Deut. 21.23 Fourthly He doth not only free us from the Curse for Sin and Punishment of Justice but also frees them from all Imputation of guilt for Sin and obtains the condemnatory Sentence of Justice against them to be cancelled and nailed to his Cross of Satisfaction to Justice that the same shall never retort upon them to their prejudice And you being dead in your Sins and the Uncircumcision of the Flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all Trespasses blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross Colossians 2.13 14. Herein also is a second difference between Christs love to me above that amongst men for when a surety is obliged to pay the Debt of another he taketh Assigments to the Creditors Debt and keeps it on foot against his Friend either to force satisfaction from him or to keep him in constant trouble fear danger and disquiet of mind but Christ doth not only early chearfully and willingly pay the debt but also cancels all the instruments of payment and puts the debt in utter oblivion And remembers their sins no more Isa 43.25 and quiets their Thoughts from the fear of their danger or after trouble for their Debts Fifthly He doth not only satisfie Justice take off the Curse and procure them Indemnity but also procures the Imputation of Righteousness to them as he was made sin for sinner though he knew no sin so he makes them righteous through him though they were altogether unrighteous in themselves And he received the Sign of Circumcision a sign of the Righteousness of Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised that the righteousness might be imputed to them also now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.11 24 25. Herein is manifest the excellency of Christs love to sinners above any thing amongst men for men commonly upbraid others with their good offices done and if one man suffer the least injury from another especially in paying a debt for him the same is not only a continual reproach but prejudice so far prevails that they never afterwards assist them in any good office but rather defame and lessen their reputation than advance them to any good though it may be in their power but Christ glorieth in the good Office done and is so far from upbraiding his poor friends Jam. 1.5 That he will not only have all names of reproach from their former transgressions taken off Isa 54.4 but he will have them farther advanced and though they were in themselves unrighteous he will have his own righteousness imputed to them as in the foregoing Scripture 2 Cor. 5.21 and is so tender of their reputation that he will have all their deformities covered and washed away in his own blood Rev. 7.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.23 24. Who gave himself for us that he might deliver us from this present evil World according to the Will of God and our Father Gal. 1.4 We do not read in Scripture that Christ upbraids any Repenting Sinner with their Sins committed before their Conversion Mary Magdalen after her Conversion was not reproached with uncleanness Peter with denial of Christ nor Paul for his vehement persecuting of him This of upbraiding or reproaching the Penitent with their former transgressions is clear contrary to the Method God takes with his People for in that famous Scripture Eze. 33 The Spirit of God tells us the Righteousness of the Sinner shall not justify him without Repentance and new Obedience When I shall say to the Righteous he shall surely live if he trust to his own Righteousness and commit Iniquity all his Righteousness shall not be remembred but for his Iniquity that he hath commited he shall dye for it verse 13. And on the other hand the Sins of the Penitent shall not be remembred against them If the wicked restore the pledge give again that which he hath robbed and walk in the Statutes of Life without committing Iniquity he shall surely live he shall not dye none of his Sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him he hath done that which is lawful and right he shall surely live ver 15 16. The Lord is a Spirit of meekness tender hearted and compassionate and he knoweth that the regenerate are a people afflicted and broken in Heart for their Sins and under a continual sense of being under a body of death and that they often want the Oil of Joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isa 61.3 To support them under their fainting fits a wounded Spirit who can bear therefore in his gracious condescension he ministers consolation to his People Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and
holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the Heart of the contrite ones for I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth for the Spirit should fail before me and the Souls which I have made Isa 57.15 16. From whence we may have these two Lessons First A Lesson of Caution Humiliation and Watchfulness to the Godly and Penitent Secondly An advice against censoriousness and rash judging of others First As to Godly and Penitent hast thou upon serious enquiry into thine own Heart Affections and Conversation found that Godly sorrow and repentance for sin spoken of 2 Cor. 7.9 10 11. And explained in this ensuing Discourse Page And hast found Faith warranting thee to believe that Christ Jesus who knew no sin is made sin for thee 2 Cor. 5.21 And thou made the Righteousness of God in him and that the Hand-writing of Ordinances of Gods Justice as to thee is by him blotted out Col. 2.13 14. Then consider First What thou art called unto That as ye have learned Christ Jesus so walk ye in him Hath he made thee Righteousness who was dead in trespasses and sins not by thine own work of Righteousness but of his Grace and by his Power of Regeneration art thou justified not by the Law of thy Works but by Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ Romans 3.27 28. T hy works are only Obedience Faith and Holiness which are given to thee by him and though they neither have justified nor can justify thee they are thy duties and what thou canst do is but duty and thou shouldst account thy self an unprofitable Servant as to God Luke 17.10 And though in the acceptance of God through Jesus Christ thou art accounted Righteous thou must continue in holy duties in all manner of conversation and must not continue in Sin that Grace may abound but as being dead to sin and crucified in Christ thou shouldest walk in newness of life to the destruction of the body of Death that we may live with Christ Let not therefore Sin reign in your Mortal bodies that you should obey it in the lusts thereof neither yield ye your Members as Instruments of unrighteousness to Sin but yield unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God and sin not because thou art not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. to 16. Secondly Art thou in thy apprehensions renewed to God and hast a loathing sense of Corruptions is the Bond-woman of Sin and Satan cast out by the power of Regeneration and Grace leave not thy house empty but get it freshly stockt with increase of Grace consider what Christ saith of the Man out of which the Devil was cast out that if he find the House empty he will return with seven Devils worse than himself and the last state of that man will be worse than the first Luk. 11.24 25 26. Be instant therefore in Prayer to God for increase of Grace and Guard against old favourite Lusts and Corruptions that they return not again to entangle thee to Folly take the Apostles advice be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 8.9 Thirdly Art thou Righteous to God by Christ Jesus not by thine own works and power be humble in the sense of thy own incapacity and insufficiency for any good in thy self and say with that holy Apostle For I know that in me that is in my Flesh there dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good that I know not for the good that I would I do not but the evil which I would not that I do for I find a Law that when I would do good evil is present with me O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from the Body of this death Rom. 7.18 to 25. And be deeply sensible of the weakness and imperfection of all thy Graces and Attainments as rotten Garments and menstruous Clouts as in and from thee and that in thy self there is no soundness but uncleanness from the sole of the Foot to the top of the head Isa 1.6 Ch. 64.6 Secondly As to censoriousness and rash judging the Scripture tells us that offences must come but wo to them by whom they come Luke 17.1 And as none are more obnoxious to be slandered reviled and evil reported of and be treated censoriously and uncharitably than the Godly this they may remember for their Comfort and Patience that the Disciple must not expect better entertainment than his Master nor the Servant than his Lord and as Christ was reviled with being a friend to Publicans and Sinners a Wine-bibber and a Drunkard and that he did cast out Devils by Belzebub the Prince of Devils Luke 7.32 33 34. So may the Children of God contentedly sit down under the uncharitable constructions of the Enemies of Truth after the example of Christ who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.21 22 23. As the Children of God when they do well and suffer for it are called to suffer patiently as following Christs example in the foregoing Scripture so the uncharitable and censorious Rabsecahs whose business is to ridicule the Truth of God disparage Religion and load the zealous for God with reproach and infamy Isa 36. Chap. 37.8 to 14. should do well to remember that uncharitable censoriousness is a great sin against God and to take on them to charge the Professors of Religion with Hypocrisy is assuming to themselves the Prerogative of God of knowing mens Hearts which alone is the peculiar power of God Jer. 11.20 ch 17.9 10. Psal 7.9 1 Sam. 16.7 Man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the Heart No Man can charge another with any Sin but if he search into his own Heart and Ways he may find himself guilty of that same or worse Sins wherewith he chargeth his Brother wherefore he should take Christs directions first To take the beame out of his own Eye before he challenge the Mote in his Brothers Eye and not to Judge least he be Judged Mat. 7. to 6. Let such consider how much a narrow uncharitable and censorious Spirit is contrary to that love tenderness and charity which is commanded and recommended in Scripture Rom. 2. all and that if any brother or professor of truth be fallen under any sin that he be reclaimed in the Spirit of meekness and not treated with bitter invectives and reproaches 2 Cor. 2.7 and that self-humiliation is the best means of anothers conviction and the true Christian duty For whoso exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Luk. 14.11 Let such consider
nothing and vanity He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings And his dominion is without end or limitation of time he is glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Isa 40.12 to 18. Psalm 68.17 Revelation 17.14 Exod. 15.11 Thirdly He is infinite in Wisdom who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord or being his Cousellour taught him with whom took he Counsel and who instructed him and taught him the Path of Judgments and Knowledge and shewed him the way of understanding he is Prince of Peace wonderful Counsellour the everlasting Father Isa 40.13 14. Isa 9.6 7. chap. 11. to 11. Fourthly He is matchless in Beauty He is the Rose of Sharon White and Ruddy the choicest of ten thousands His Head as the most fine Gold his Locks are bushy and black as a Raven his Mouth is sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 2.1 Cant. 5.10 to 17. Fifthly He is of everlasting continuance all created Beings are either tainted with inherent and natural defects or imperfections Riches canker and consume beauty failes with the complexion friends power and humane glory are Solomons vanities and perish in the using or are cut off with time but he made all things and of his Kingdom there shall be no end he is Alpha and Omega Rev. 1.8 Sixthly He is absolute Soveraign and Conquerour of all Enemies even of Death and the World be of good-Comfort I have overcome the World the Issues of Death belong to him he hath the Keys of the House of David he can shut and no man open he can open and no man shut I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I live for evermore and have the Keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1.8 chap. 5.9 The seventh reason why the Lord Jesus Christ doth afflict and chastise his People is to exercise their Faith and Patience upon his Promises to them in their afflictions It being the Lords way with his People to afflict them to trials and confirmation not to their destruction or overthrow to chastise them in Measure and not to leave them altogether unpunished for I am with thee saith thee Lord to save thee Jer. 30.11 Though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee yet will I not make a full end of thee but will correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished The Lord knoweth the complexion of his People and therefore deals warily and gently with them by his afflicting hand he intends not their destruction but to frame them for Vessels of Love and Mercy he intending they shall be the Temples of the Holy Ghost he refines them and chuseth them in the Furnace of Afflâ—ction to scoure off the natural and sinful uncleanness And thus he deals in a tenderly and fatherly way Jer. 48.10 chap. 9.7 In measure when it shutteth forth I will debate with it he stayeth the rough wind in the day of his East-wind and all his Billows do not blow at once Jer. 27.7 8 9. He will not overcharge them but proportions the Physick of Affliction to the strength he will give them No temptation hath befallen you but what is common to Men the Lord is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above measure but with every temptation will give an outgate that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10 30. 2 Cor. 4.17 18. And therefore the Wise Physician of Souls who will not break a bruised Reed nor quench a smoaking Flax. Isa 42.3 To prevent the discouragement of the Christian Patient in their afflictions affords them the Cordials of his Infallible Promises to stay support and uphold them against the sourest gripings of Temptations and Trials which is his Fatherly Potion that he measures to them in this Life And these Promises are suited to all the Christians Lot on this side of time as well to their Spiritual State Trials and Difficulties as to that of the Temporary Troubles and Afflictions Isa 11. all Isa 61.1 2 3. And First for their Spiritual state in these three particulars First In Spiritual darkness and desertion of Gods presence for their Cloudiness in the sense of Gods favour Secondly Under the sense or apprehensions of greatest Sins And Thirdly Under repeated Sins or Relapses First In Darkness and Soul Desertion as every throw or gripe to the diseased do discompose and aggravate so much more when afflictions the Arrows of the Almighty are upon any and that their Spiritual state is clouded and they have not the comfortable presence of God so as they are under fears and darkness that the Lord is not their Salvation or cannot be satisfied that these Chastisements are in Mercy and not in Wrath from the Hand of a Father how is the Soul hurried and curdled like a Cheese and roars with David as distracted with terrours a wounded Spirit who can bear this of all conditions is the most anxious and comfortless as on the other hand when the Countenance of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus looks thorough the deepest Cloud of Afflictions the Soul rejoyceth in Tribulation Some will say who will shew us any good but Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance which will make our Soul more joyful and more glad than when their Corn and Wine encrease in great abundance Psal 4.6 7 8. And in this doleful state the Lords Promises are rich and manifold Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50.10 Unto the Righteous there ariseth light in darkness Psal 112.4 Light is sowed to the Righteous and Joy to the Upright in Heart Psal 97.11 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said behold me behold me unto a Nation that was not called by my name before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear saith the Lord Isa 65.1 24. Before she travelled she brought forth before her pain came she was delivered of a Man Child and as soon as Zion Travelled she brought forth her Children shall I bring to the Birth and not cause to bring forth shall I cause to bring forth and shut the Womb saith the Lord Isa 66.7 8 9. The great Physitian of Souls like a just and wise Physitian useth ordinary means in common Distempers but in extremities and dangerous Distempers Cordials and Rich and Choicest Medicines are not with held when all ordinary helps fail his special Love and Power manifests it self when we were helpless yea Enemies he brings succour comfort and relief and makes with us an everlasting Covenant Ezek. 16. to 8. Rom. 5.6 7 8. Thus he sheweth his Prerogative of curing as well as his Love when no other help appears when my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord shall take me up Psal 27.10 Isa 49.15 chap.
either under Spiritual or Temporal Diseases or Temptations And first a Spiritual and as the Soul is more excellent than the Body so the diseases of the Soul are more dangerous grievous and uneasy The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmities but a wounded Spirit who can bear as all the motions of the body are disordered by the distemper of the Spirit so greatest care should be taken to cure and remove the disorders thereof and this is the great consolation of the diseased in Spirit that their Physitian hath cures paramount to the cures of all others as being in himself omnipotent to whom alone is given the faculty of healing of Soul distempers The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness that they might be called Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified Isa 61.1 2 3. And see hence what great encouragement the Saints have to wait on God for the accomplishments of his Promises who is faithful and cannot fail the Church and People of God say in the same Scripture I will rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered â—e with the Robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Isa 61.10 By which we see his Promises are not only large but he makes them effectual in the Christians Improvement thereof to their own comfort these Promises may be branched forth answerable to the several Spiritual Distempers in these three Heads First Under Spiritual darkness and desertion Secondly Under anguish of Spirit for heinous Sins Thirdly For the multitude of Sins or under Relapses And as to these three states or conditions of Spiritual Distempers see the manifold particular and apposite Promises of God under these Distempers The second Disease to which Gods Promises are annexed is under Temporary afflictions and trials which though he could easie and instantly remove nevertheless as a wise and just Physitian judiciously consults the Patients Distemper and finds that one single Dose or Potion is not enough but that a course of Physick is absolutely necessary to cure the Distemper and as he studies neither to gratify the Patients present distempered Palat nor his uneasy humour but minds the most suitable Medicines proper method of Cure order of Diet and Exercise under the Cure he confines him to retirement and abstinence as well from the luxuriant eating and drinking and the too great liberty of former converse as the causes and rise of his distemper so that tender Physitian of Souls the Lord Jesus Christ takes the same method of curing and relieving his afflicted under their distempers by afflictions and as he knows the humours on which the Physick is to work that it must have liberty and time for operation and that the Patient must needs be sick and anxious for a Cordial as when a Chirurgeon hath bound up a wound and applied suitable Plaisters pinching and cauthorizing which necessarily in order to cure must annoy and disquiet the patient that he will importune the Doctor for a Cordial to abate his sickness and the Chirurgeon to remove the Plaister nevertheless they wisely considering that giving a Cordial or removing the Plaisters before its time hinders cure encreaseth more and grosser humours therefore gives no other compliance but advice of Patience and assurance of cure on the due operation of the means so this great Physitian of Souls though in all their afflictions he is afflicted he will take his own time and way for their relief and affords no other Cordial for the present but that of his universal promises which are extensive to all circumstances of their several cases and conditions which may be branched out in these heads First Sickness Secondly Imprisonments Thirdly Poverty Fourthly Desertion and forsaking of friends Fifthly Under Slanders and Reproaches in all which cases the Lords promises are not only full and numerous but also peculiarly apposite and especially calculated by him to all â—nd every of the particular cases which is more expresly set down before Fourthly The fourth encouragement for the People of God to bear afflictions patiently is that the Cross of Christ is the Path way that Christ hath appointed his People to walk to Heaven for if you be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are you Bastards and no Sons Heb. 12.5 to 12. Wo is me for my hurt my wound is grievous but I said I must bear it Jer. 10.19 24. O Lord correct me not in thine anger but in judgment least thou bring me to nothing I am with thee saith the Lord to save thee though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 And this is Christs Legacy to his followers Brothers shall deliver up Brothers to death the Fathers shall rise against the Children and Children against their Parents and cause them to be put to Death and ye shall be hated of all men for my sake Mat. 10.6 to 40. and if any man will be my Disciple he must deny himself lay down his Life take up his Cross daily and follow me if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God on this behalf for the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God if the Righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appear wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.15 16 17 18. For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spair not thee behold therefore the goodness and severity of God to them that fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou shalt be cut off Rom. 11.21 22. Is it not the foretold Lot of Gods People that through tribulation and persecution they must enter into the Kingdom of God and the Disciple cannot expect better entertainment than the master if they have called the Master Beelzebub how much more they of his house-hold Mat. 10.24 25. Fifthly The furnace of affliction is the means by which
that length is short of Happiness and brings Anxiety and Discontent And this is clear from Common Experience for let a Man have Wealth if he have not Health Strength and Vigor let him have Riches and if he have not Honour let him have one hundred Enjoyments if any one thing be wanting which either some other hath or he shall please his fancy upon he is not content so not Happy because his Affections or fancy are not pleased and if we consult Solomon the greatest in Experience we may conclude that Happiness in Creature Enjoyments is not attainable The Second is also Demonstrate from Reason and Experience it being most consonant to Reason that no contentment can be found but in that which is permanent and perfect for that Mans Nature is for Novelties and cannot rest on any one thing when something else occurs which either excelleth the other or he doth fancy it doth and indeed it were beneath the Dignity of the Soul which is of a Divine Extract to bottom on any thing which is not of greatest value besides the Soul being a Spirit cannot place and confine its delight to what is only sensual unless it could give satisfaction to the Soul or Fancy and that no Satisfaction can be had in sensual Enjoyments is apparent from the Nature of all Created beings That Holy Apostle John Exhorting against the Love of the World saith Love not the World nor the things of the World for in the World there is the Lust of the Eyes the Lusts of the Flesh and the Pride of Life and these things perish in the using but he that doth the Will of God shall endure for ever Here the Apostle sets forth before us the Inventory or Scheme of the World in these three where by the Lusts he means the Objects and the delights taken in them That we may the better discover That nothing in this World can give satisfaction or is perfect or permanent we shall consider the World and all things in it in these three circumstances First By the Lusts of the Flesh must be meant all sensual Objects and the pleasure taken in them and that there is neither permanency nor perfection as it is proved from the Text so it is demonstrable from all the instances of sensual objects are Riches the object they take the Wings of the Wind and fly away a man may be found Rich to Day and a Begger next as was said of Craesus who was reputed the richest on Earth Irus est hodie qui modo Craesus eras they either torment a man in getting keeping or increasing of them the Apostle tells us they leave a man in this Life or at his Death and in the mean time load a Man with inexpressible cares snares and troubles so as their uncertainty is clear We brought nothing to this World with us and it is certain we shall carry nothing out of it the love of Money is the Root of all evil and they that will be rich fall into many temptations and snares and many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men into destruction and Perdition c. 1 Tim. 6. to 11. See Christs own Testimony of Riches and what clog it is to a Mans Soul whilest looking after better things It is as impossible for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven as for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle Luke 19.20 to 25. chap. 6.24 See his wo unto thee Rich for they have received their Consolation and how he adviseth to provide Bags that wax not old a Treasure in Heaven that faileth not where no Thief approacheth or Moth corrupteth for where your treasure is there will your Hearts be also Luke 12.34 Is thy Lust or desire placed in Friends or Relations how deceitful they be Abel Joseph and David and almost all the train of Saints and experience of all ages can testify trust not in a friend put no confidence in a guide keep the Door of thy Lips from the Wife that lieth thy Bosom for the Son dishonoureth the Father and the Daughter riseth up against the Mother and the Daughter in Law against the Mother in Law and a Mans Enemies are the Men of his own House Mic. 7.5 6. Jer. 9.4 5. note See Davids complaint of the treachery and unkindness of his Friends Psal 88.8 18. Psal 41.9 See what complaint the Church makes of the treachery and deceitfulness of friends and relations Lam. 1.19 And see how the Prophets hold forth the instability of humane friendship Isa 59.16 chap. 63.5 Jer. 30.13 14. The Lusts of the Eyes comprehend all that is taking or delightful to the Sight and what can that be but what is either the contemplation of our own beauty or outward excellencies or the glory of other Creatures our own may wither and Age and Sickness and other vicissitudes make it decay our Infirmities or thousands of accidents can soon make all without us tasteless and insipid to us besides as all Flesh is Grass and wither as the Green Herbs so as there is no permanency in any thing to raise felicity from the Eyes it is not long before these Glass Windows shall be shut the Silver threads be cut and the golden bowl be broken at the Well by Death and thereby the glory of the whole House be darkned Eccles 12. to 9. 〈◊〉 third thing which compleats this pittiful Inventory of the World is the Pride of Life and what is that but a shadow to the Lust of Humane Glory and vain Titles of Honour or Preferment in this World and how short this is of permanency and happiness experience tells us There is no stinting of Mans Ambition the Spirit of Pride rests not in one Title but Envies and Ambitions another and at best all these are but fanciful and have no intrinsick worth in them and are only valuable as Fancy esteems them How soon is all humane Glory extinguished by the least cross Providence from God How was the Glory and Pride of Nebuchadnezzar laid to the Ground when he was turned from under his glorious Canopy of State and rich embroidery and from wearing a Crown of pure Gold sent to feed and lodge amongst the Beasts until his Hair became like Birds Feathers and his Nails like Eaglés Claws and he forced to acknowledge his own nothingness and Gods Soveraignty All whose Works are Truth and his ways Judgment and those who walk in Pride he is able to abase Dan. 4.30 to end How eminently was the Gluttony Pride and Tyranny of Adonibezeck chastised who had threescore and ten Kings having their Thumbs and great Toes cut off gathered their meat under his Table who was forced to acknowledge the Soveraignty and Justice of God as I have done so God hath requited me Judges 1.7 How was the Blasphemous Pride and Ambition of Senacherib and Rabsecah against God and his People punished by Gods miraculous raising the Siege of Jerusalem by sending forth his Angel and
23. See the Marks Characters and Complexion of the Citizens of the New Jerusalem He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly and dispiseth the gain of oppression that shaketh his Hand from holding of Bribes that stoppeth his Ears from hearing of Blood that shutteth his Eyes from seeing of Evil he shall dwell on high his Habitation shall be the Munition of Rocks Is 33.15 Ps 15. These are they which came out of great Tribulation which have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb no unclean thing can enter there without are Dogs and Swine Rev. 14.45 But we are come unto Mount Sion and to the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all things and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 to 25. The fourth thing relating to this State are the Manifold Priviledges belonging unto them within it which may be thus expressed First They within this Covenant are all Marked Sealed and Recorded with God Secondly They are under an everlasting Covenant with God in Jesus Christ Thirdly To them belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals and under every exigent Fourthly All are united to God in Jesus Christ First They are all Marked Sealed and Inrolled with God as God Marked Cain to keep him from Mans Fury and Rage for the Murther of his Brother Abel when Cain was accursed with Gods displeasure for that Horrid Villany so God of his Love to the Saints Marks them with his own Image to keep them from the Destruction of Satan and Inrolls them in the Book of Life to be called by Name in the Resurrection Hurt not the Earth nor the Sea until we have Sealed the Servants of God in their Foreheads Is 4.3 Rev. 7.3 The Lord takes that care of his People that as he commanded by the Pass-over the Door-Posts of the Israelites to be sprinkled with Blood as the sign of his Peoples Habitation so he puts his Mark of Holiness in the Hearts of his own to distinguish them from the wicked who in their Conversation and Hearts have Wickedness and Sin the Mark of the Beast and Worship his Image he Writes on his People his Name of Righteousness and gives them for a Mark The white Stone and in it a New Name Rev. 14.9 by which white Stone or Holiness they are Distinguished from the Wicked in their Conversation and the New Name is a Badge of Honour and ground of inward Consolation to themselves Secondly The second advantage of this State is that they are under an everlasting Covenant with God Thirdly To this Covenant do belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals The fourth and great Priviledge of this State is that Mystical and never enough admired Union of the Saints to God in Christ Jesus That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the World may believe that thou hast sent me Jo. 14.20 Ch. 17.21 As Life Eternal is the reward of Faith and Patience and as this Life Eternal is the great Prize at the end of our Christian Race and as we ought to use all Diligence to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling there is no greater Encouragement can be imagined for our help in this than the faith and due consideration that Believers are mystically united to God in Christ Jesus Although all the Creatures and Man especially are parts of God as coming out of the Mass of Gods Omnipotence yet Man is no Natural or Physical part of God so to speak Though Man be Gods by Creation and Man in Adam having fallen from God by breach of the Divine Law given to him God of his Infinite Wisdom and Goodness hath provided a remedy and mean to restore and unite lost man to himself and this Union is by the renewing of Mans Nature and changing it unto a Spiritual frame When we were dead in sins hath he quickned us together in Christ Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Jesus for he is our peace who hath made both one and broken down the middle Wall of Partition between us having in his Flesh abolished the enmity in the Laws Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make to himself of twain one new Man so making peace that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 1.5 13 14 15. read all Thus by grafting the Soul on Christ by Faith is made a Spiritual Union with God whereby they receive all Spiritual Blessings by a Heavenly Communication from Christ as the Graft receiveth Sap Substance and made fruitful from the Stock into which it is grafted this mystical union of Believers between God and them consists principally in these four First In Unity of Spirit with God in Christ Jesus Secondly In unity of holiness Thirdly In unity of Love Fourthly In unity of Glory Of all which Believers are partakers with God in Christ Jesus First To be one in Spirit is to be one in Wisdom Knowledge and Purity of understanding now God is a Spirit and must be Worshiped in Spirit and Truth and though God made Man consisting of a Soul and Body and did illuminate him with knowledge and understanding though under a vail of restriction and as ambition and the concupisence of his Heart did deprive him of the advantage of his first state and the Wisdom of God intending to restore Man and place him in a surer Relation to wit that everlasting Covenant of Peace through the vail of Christ's Cross He hath to the renewed bestowed all Spiritual Light and Knowledge yet because we have this Heavenly Treasure in Earthy Vessels and the heavy clogs of our Carnal Bodies and infirmities of the Flesh hinder mortals even though renewed to behold and apprehend these Heavenly excellencies communicable under that Spiritual Union and Christ intending to have the Saints made fully perfect and capable of union with himself he prays the Father that they may be one with the Father as the Father and he is one I in them and thou in me that they may be perfect in one that is to be of one Spirit Wisdom and Understanding it cannot be supposed that Christs intention is that the Creature though first renewed and afterwards glorified should be elevated to that sublimity of perfection equal with the Father and himself but that their perfection should be in kind nature and purity of God and Christs perfection knowledge and wisdom especially in these three respects First In purity of Spirit and Spiritual mindedness Secondly In oneness and union of mind and will Thirdly In perfection of
liveth in me and the Life that I live in the flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God that loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 From hence and other Scriptures and History of the Saints Lives we see the different usage of the Godly and Wicked the Saints are Dead to the World and their Delight and chief Satisfaction is in God the Wicked make the World their God and sole Delight and glut themselves with Satiety in it but the Godly can find no Contentment in the Creature but with Reference to God in Christ Jesus and make him their chief Delight and cry out none but Christ and this is the Prohibition of the Gospel that we should not love Father Mother Brothers or Sisters or our own Life more than God Mat. 10.37 38 39. but God doth not forbid the lawful use of the Creatures but only forbids using it in Vanity Superfluity and Prodigality Secondly In being of the same Mind with Christ is not only to Act Do and propose the same things with his Father but also to do all and suffer all for the Glory of God The Worldlings kiss their own Hand and Sacrifice to their own Net and say their own Hand hath done it and ascribe the glory of all the Enjoyments they have to themselves or to the Creatures in which they delight and say These are the Rewards which my Lovers and Companions have given me Hosea 2.12 13. Nebuchadnezzar ascribed all to his own Power and Glory Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the House of the Kingdom by the Might of my Power and for the Honour of my Majesty and see the Event and Gods Just Judgment upon him while the word was in his Mouth there fell a Voice from Heaven saying O King Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken the Kingdom is departed from thee and they shall drive thee from Men and thy dwelling shall be with the Beasts of the Field they shall make thee to eat Grass as Oxen and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High Ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4.30 to 34. See the Pride of Herod and taking to himself the glory due to God and the fatal Judgment of God on him for it And immediately an Angel of God smote him because he gave not God the glory and was eaten of worms and gave up the Ghost Acts 12.21 22 23. On the other Hand Christ set the Fathers glory before him as the chief Scope and Design of all his Actions and Intentions When his supposed Father Joseph and his Mother sought him with Care and came back to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple disputing they told him they had anxiously sought him he answered not with Apology or Excuse but said How is it that you sought me wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers Business Luke 2.46 to 50. We see that he placeth all his Business in the Honour and doing of the Will of God yea he placeth his Esteem on all such and accounts such only to be his Relations as obey his Fathers Will And Jesus answered and said to them these are my Father Mother and Brethren which hear the Word of God and do it Luke 8.21 We see in all the Miracles and Wonders Christ wrought Curing Diseases and Raising the Dead he Exhorts to the giving of glory to God and more particularly in that Famous place Thus saith the Lord let not the Wise Man glory in his Wisdom nor the Rich Man glory in his Riches neither let the Mighty Man glory in his Might but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knoweth and understandeth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving Kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight Jer. 9.23 24. Thus then ought all the Followers of Christ to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that is to set Gods glory as the chief Scope of all Designs and Actions before them He that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord and whatsoever we do whether we Eat or Drink let us do all things to the glory of God 1 Cor. 1.31 The World was made by God and for his Honour therefore all should be ascribed to him hence we may find whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus if we do what he did and to the same end and glory of God therefore it behoveth us to bring all our Actions and Purposes to this Touch for if they be not of this stamp they are Reprobated Counterfeit and will not be allowed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary for all the Children of God are led by his Spirit wherefore we must try the Spirits whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates but ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwelleth in you now if any Man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ be in you the Body is Dead because of sin but the spirit is life Rom. 8.9 10 11. because of Righteousness but if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Ro. 9.10 11. Thirdly Unity of Spirit is to be one in Knowledge there is nothing raiseth Mans thoughts more than desire of Knowledge and nothing Magnifieth Man more than Knowledge and herein doth Man most excel all other Creatures not only that God hath made them Lords over the Creatures but that he hat endowed him with a Rational Soul capable of understanding above other Creatures and in nothing is the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God more eminent than by the different measure of Knowledge bestowed on Mankind Man in general exceeds all other Creatures in Knowledge and Ingenuity but every Generation and Nation exceed others at such a Rate so as what in one Age or Generation is a Riddle and hid as a Mystery in another it is Perspicuous clear and easie so that the knowledge of things is the darling of Ages Although we have the Sun Moon and Stars the Fabrick of Heaven Earth and the Seas the indefatigable and daily Travels of Discoverers and the use of Reading and the Antients to inform us either of the parts of the Earth and Treasures thereof yet are we still to seek as well of the Parts as Treasures of things undiscovered The New Inventions of Mens Ingenuity or the secrets of Nature and Power of Art make it true which Solomon saith he that increaseth in Knowledge encreaseth in Sorrow because the Soul of Man is restless and the account of the Idolatry Wickedness and Rebellion of Man on Earth is just cause of Sorrow Grief and Mourning because of the
no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him 1 Joh. 3.15 Secondly The second branch of Divine Love approved of God to make up the Union of the Saints with God is that laving out the Bowels of charitable assistance in the supply of the Saints necessities like the good Samaritan in the Gospel not only to see and pity his affliction and condition but to support it God is not only a bare Spectator of our misery and maladies but also a healer of all our wounds and is that only Physitian of Israel and hath and applies that balm of Gilead even the Balsom of his own Blood to cure us hereby know we the love of God for us because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our life for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 But whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his Bowels of compassion from him how doth the love of God dwell in him 1 John 4.9 If God so loved us we ought also so to love one another Greater Love hath no man than this that a Man lay down his Life for a Friend Joh. 15.13 to 18. The Duty of Christian charity is recommended and commanded as the evidence of Christian sincerity The blessing is to the liberal the liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered himself Pr. 11 24 25 26. See the exhortation from Christs own example But ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his Poverty might be Rich and that famous exhortation consider them that are in bonds as being bound with them and such as are in adversity as being your selves in the Body Hebrews 13.3 See how the Apostle James challengeth a naked beholder of the poor naked and indigent If a Brother or Sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say depart in Peace and be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not these things which are needful what doth it profit Jam. 2.15 16. So that it is not bare profession which makes Love but the fulfilling of the Commandment love thy Neighbour as thy self as Christ loved his Church and laid down his Life for her so ought we also for whom Christ died Hence we see how great is the Priviledge of Believers for whom Christ both died and is risen again and taken possession of Heaven for them and that the Father will love them with the same love with which he loved his only Son before the World was so Believers should not be affraid for Love admits no fear There is no fear in Love for perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in Love 1 John 4.18 What quiet and comfort therefore may Believers have who find that love of God constraining them to wait on him by Faith may with David say we will not fear what man can do unto us and with the Apostle if God be with us who can be against us be of good courage for God will strengthen your Hearts Fourthly As the Saints are one with God and Christ 1. In Spirit 2. In Holiness 3. In Love So 4. In Glory which is the highest priviledge imaginable and is clearly held out in the Text And the glory thou hast given me I have given them that they may be One even as we are One. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me John 17.22 24. And as God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son to dye for Sinners so Christ continues his Love that he will have all for whom he died to share of the same glory with himself and this is the highest exaltation and expectation of the Saints contrived by the Wisdom of God and accomplished by the Death and Resurrection of Christ and his being set down at the right hand of Glory for us This superexcellent state of the Saints Glory and Eternal Happiness is branched out in a fivefold consideration First In their blessed Death Secondly Their Spiritual and Immortal Bodies Thirdly Their being admitted into the Presence of God and Host of Heaven Fourthly Their being continued in that state for ever Fifthly All Sorrow Tears and Mourning to be everlastingly done away First Man in his first Creation was made Lord of all Creatures and tho' after his Fall by the Wisdom of God and infinite Love of Jesus Christ was reconciled to God by a new Covenant of Peace nevertheless was continued in a Prison of Clay subjected not only to all Natural weakness sickness cold hunger thirst and other natural infirmities of the Flesh and uneasiness of Life but also while in the body obnoxious to the Temptations of Sin and grief of Soul through the weakness of the Spirit under the clog and coverture of the Flesh as the experience of all Men Witness that this Life is but Labour and Sorrow therefore the Wisdom and Goodness of God and love of Christ Jesus hath so contrived that the Soul a Prisoner to misery and infirmities should have the Chains of Mortality knocked off by Death and be let free to Eternal Life And this is the first step of Saints effectual Happiness The Holy Apostle clearly testifieth that whilst we are in the Body we are absent from the Lord and therefore not only we but the whole Creation groan under these Infirmities and long for the Liberty of the Sons of God even the Redemption of our Bodies and therefore it 's revealed that Death is as it were the opening of the Prison Door to the Prisoners of Hope to set them at liberty from all the miseries of Mortality and Temptations to sin and gives them a free Pass to the Land of Rest Blessed are the Dead thy dye in the Lord they cease from their Labours and their Works follow them Rev. 14.13 And this is a great Consolation to Believers for as Death is the end of all Fleshly pleasures it 's also the end of all sin and Misery so the way of Death and the Grave ought not to be loathsom or irksom to them for that Christ the Captain of our Salvation hath proved both ways and for us led Captivity Captive O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory and the last Enemy is Death who is led Captive by Jesus Christ he will swallow up Death into Victory he will Ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hos 13.14 The Second instance of Eternal Happiness is to have Spiritual Bodies The glory of Heaven and presence of God which is Eternal Happiness being designed for the Saints therefore the Lord in his Eternal Wisdom hath