the outward and the inner man 2 Cor. 4. Though our outward man perish yet our inner is renewed day by day It hath pleased the most high to cast downe thy outward man and againe graciously to lift him up and thereby to teach us both to examine and try the health and strength and welfare of the inner I will not now enter upon the Disputes about that question what is the Inner-man whether Christ himselfe as some say or an Image or likenesse of Christ Jesus as others say That is a Candle or Torch to me which is written Ephes. 3. That Christ may dwell in your Hearts by faith unto which agrees that of the first of John As many as received him that is received Christ Jesus into the house of their hearts to dwell there by beleiving and obeying of him they are borne of the Spirit and are the Sons of God This Inner man this new-man which after God is created in holinesse and righteousuesse I say this Inner-man hath his tempers and distempers his health and sicknesse as well as this outward-man this body of Clay Hence we hear so often mentioned the renewing of the inward-man the growing and increasing of Faith and Love and other breathings of Gods Spirit the losse that is in a measure of the Ephesians first love Hence the many falls of the Lords best Servants recorded in Scripture and the sleep of the Spouse of Christ Jesus although her heart wake in the truth of marriagelove which can never wholly dye in her and be extinguished The holy Scripture mentioneth a three-fold persoâ—… in all that are borne againe First the body of Flesh and clay this outward naturall being which must be dissolved and dye then rise againe to Glory The second is the body of corruption or old man which being deadly wounded by the Son of God alreadie in all that are his shall shortly give up the ghost and rot and never rise again The third is this holy heavenly inner man of whose health and daily renewing I now discourse who is born of an immortall seed and therefore can no more die then Christ himself Rom. 6. Now as this outward man desires not onely life and being but also health and cheerfulness in all the living motions and actions thereof So and much more ten thousand fold requires the inward and spirituall man an healthfull and cheerfull temper For as the Lord loveth a cheâ—…rfull giver So loves he also a cheerfull Preacher a chearfull hearer a chearfull prayer and a chearfull sufferer for his Name sake He loves that the fhoes of preparation be on our feet ready to run all wayes and weathers the paths of his Command â—…ents That like a vessel our leaks be stopt and our whole soul be ready in an holy trim and tightness for all his holy employments of us in the greatest tempests â—…hat like heavenly souldiers our Arms be fixt or like an Instrument the strings of our affâ—…ctions and parts be all in tune to make heavenly musick in the holy ears of our heavenly Lord and King T is true as it is between a loving couple and as it was in the Church at Ephesus it is not easiâ—… to keep in the first flame of Love fresh and equall although the fire of the truth and sinceritie of marriage love never die or be extingnished It is true that Paul cries out how much more may we O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death T is true that sometimes corruption and Satan surprize and carry away the stâ—…ongest champions of Christ Jesus as slaves and captives for a time untill Christ Jesus rescue redeem and ransome by giving repentance unto his Israel as he did to David Peter c. as Abraham rescued Lot and as David recovered all his precious captives led slaves away from Ziklag I am far therefore from passing the sentence of death upon the least of the little ones of Jesus notwithstanding their spirituall weaknes and sicknesses in whom the leaâ—…spâ—…rk or breathing of the spirit of Life can be discerned And I desire to see and lament the spirituall sicknesses and diseases of mine own and others Spirits which yet are not unto death as Christ Jesus spake of Lazarus but for the glory of God in the fall and rising of his servants Yea as Paul distinguisheth of Gods afl cting hand on his Saints at Corinth so must I distinguish between these three death sicknes and weakness Every sicknes of Gods Children is not a death for the inner man cannot die no more then Christ himself Rom 6. Again every weaknes is not a sicknes for some are weak little ones in the knowledg and love of Christ while others are grown to be strong and aged in Christ Jesus Yea the strongest and oldest Souldiers of Christ Jesus who have not thought their dearest Heart blood to dear for such a Lord and Master have yet been troubled with some weaknes and fits of spirituall distempers Weaknes in their Eyes is not discerning aright the mind of Christ Jesus weaknes in their hands and Feet hindring their spirituall chearfulnes and activity in Christs wayes which weaknesses yet have not brought them to a down right halting in Christianity I propose therefore with the assiâ—…tance of Gods holy spirit to examine these three particulars First what a ethe Arguments of that measure of spirituall life in Chrâ—…st which yet may stand with great spirituall weaknesses and diseases 2ly What is that 〈◊〉 of the grace of Christ Jesus which may be called the health and chearfull temper and disposition of the inner man 3dly What are those spirituall preservatives which may keâ—…p the Soul in an healthfull temper free from spirituall sicknesses and dâ—…stempers In these Examinations I professe two thinâ—… First not to oppresse thy thoughts and memory with any long discourse intending only to send thee after thy sicknes a little posey fit and easie for thy meditation and refâ—…shing 2ly All my Flowers shall be some choice example or speech of some son or daughter of God pickt out from the Garden of the holy Scriptures for our spirituall refreshing and consolation I begin therefore with such trialls and arguments as declare the true life of the inner man notwithstanding spirituall weaknes sicknes and distempers First then when the Spirit of the Lord in 1 Job 2. describeth the severall Ages and grouths of this inward man to wit a child a strong man and an old man it pleasath him to describe the young or little one by this difference that He knows the Father to wit that he knows the Lord so as to look upon him in his measure as to a Father that he fears him loves him obeys him and calls upon him as on a Father according to that of Gal 4. Because you are sons he hath sent forth the spirit of his Son crying in your Hearts Abâ—…a Father Father pardon me Father help
said that these particulars next following are not discouragements from Christ as if we had no life at all but incouragements to draw neerer to Christ Jesus when we see such virtue proceed out from him to such poor sinners like our selves These particulars then following are as an holy looking glasse to discover to us our souls spots blemishes as also sweet cordial flowers to refresh and incourage our drooping spirits The severall particular trialls of this spirituall health and chearfulnesse I shall bind up as I may so speak into three severall parcells as sometimes we see sweet flowers bound up into sinaller bundles to make up at last one larger bundle or posie in one The three severall sorâ—…s shall be according to that division of the holy Spirit by Paul to Titus First such as concern holines respecting our communion with God in Christ Iesus 2. Such as concern righteousnesse respecting others 3. Such as concern â—…obriety respecting our private selves and persons First then it is an argument of the strength and healthfub temper of the inner man when our apprehensions of God are always such as bring us to holy wonderment and amazement at the nature of incomprehensible God at his properties and works from the Sun in the Firmament to the poorest Worme at his wonderfull dispensing of his justice and mercy and disposing and ruling all things in Heaven Earth and Seas from the highest Angels in heâ—…ven to th e lowest Devils in Hell This was Davids temper when he cried out Psal 104 Oh Lord how wonderfull are thy works in wisedome hast thou made them all Also Psal. 8. O Jehovah our Lord how wonderfull is thy Name in all the earth And Psal 139. he brings this wonder nearer to bimself saying I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made As if he would say fearfully and wonderfully bred in the womb fearfully and wonderfully brought forth and we may further say ever since we came thus fearfully and wonderfully into the world fearfully and wonderfully brought up fearfully and wonderfully preserved delivered c. Obj. But may not naturall men and Hypocrites admire the Nature and works of God I answer yes but the wonder which doth possesse a child of God causeth him to cry out with David Psal. 119. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me undestanding that I may learn thy statutes T is such a wonder as draweth up the heart unto God with longings to be united unto him to fear his Name to partake of his divine Nature and to be like unto Him in holines and true Righteousnes Obj. The Devills believe and tremble at God I answer to tremble at the word of God is alone the property of Gods Servants Isa. 66 The Devills may wonder and tremble at the just sentence and threatning part of Gods word But Gods children tremble at the commanding part yea at the comforting and promising part of it also least they should depart or fall off from it or loose though but for a time as David the joy and sweetnes of it Secondly it is an Argument of health and spirituall strength when the hallowing the magnifying and glorifying of the name of God is our great work and business in this world unto which all the businesses and works we have in hand in the world beside give way c. Thus Christ Jesus teacheth all his to make it their first request to God that they may hallow or glorifie his name Thus he professeth as it were upon his death bed John 17. that he had done his work that he had glorified his Father upon the earth Hence he professeth at his most solemn Arraignment Joh. 18. for this end was I born and for this end came I into the world that I might bear witness to the truth that is to give his Father the glory of his truth and to destroy the lyes of the devill the father of them who belyeth God in all his holy attributes and works and servants and ordinances and profaneth and dishonoureth his holy name in them all Obj. Hypocrites professe to glorifie God and to say Isâ—… 66. Let the Lord be glorified I answer No hypocrite can make it his work to glorifie God when it crosseth his own glory No hypocrite can purely and simply out of love to Gods name and glory be content to â—…oose the offer of a kingdom as Moses did when the Lord himself offered it him and as Christ Iesus did when the people offered and would have made him a King by force and the devil proffered him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them Thirdly it is an Argument of strength of Gods grace and Spirit in us when we perform actions of godliness with a single and upright eye unto God himself in secret Frequent and constant delight in private converses argues strong affection to God or men Hypocrites saith Christ Jesus will pray and fast and give alms but with a squint eye of private and sinister self respect to be seen of men c. But Gods children pray and do good and fast in secret regarding no eye but the eye of an heavenly Father who seeing in secret will not fail to reward openly Ob. But may not hypocrites speak and preach against hipocrisie against self love self respect and fleshly and worldly ends in the performance of spirituall duties And is it not possible for Gods children to perform spirituall duties with carnall ends and respects I answer Hypocrites may do this and pretend pure and upright ends for God as Jehn did yet discover they hypocrisie in the very pretence of sinceritie for not content with the Lords eye and approbation Come see my zeal saith he Jonadab which I have for the Lord 2ly Gods children doubtless may look aside and mark who sâ—…es and hears and rewards in their performances of service unto God But this is either in sins of ignorance as for instance many of Gods dear children perform service to God in preaching as hirelings and conceive themselves not bound although to glorifie Christ Iesus in saving souls to preach without an hire and so in other cases Or 2ly this may be knowingly and discerningly as Paul saith Rom. 7. When I would do good evil is present with me such temptâ—…tions come in as water into a ship or as dust and diseases into a sound eye and â—…hen Gods children be never quiet untill such distempers be cleansed and got out again Fourthly it is an Argument of spirituall strength when the Spirit of prayer breatheth forth frequently and constantly and fervently to God in us Hence David prays and cries in the morning at noon and in the evening he riseth at midnight to pray and prevents the dâ—…wning of the day to pray Thus Daniel is thrice each day on his knees to God and would not be beaten off with the powers and terrors of cruel enemies and lyons Thus the Lord Jesus frequently
body sometimes out of distemper and weaknesse of minde which they labour against and chide themselves for as did David Psal. 42. 43. why art thou disquieted O my Soul and why art thou so heavy within me still trust in GOD for I will praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God Eighthly It argues strength of Grace when we use this world and all the comforts of it with a weaned eye and mind as if we used it not as English Travellers that lodge in an Indian house use all the wild Indians comforts with a strange affection willing and ready to be gone or as Passengers in a Ship willing and ready when God will to land and goe ashoar in our own countrey to our owne House and comforts in the Heavens Thus Gideons Souldiers in a figure of such as are fit for Christs Battels are not onely couragious and depart not with the cowards but also lap at the comforts of this life with a speedy necessity but lye not downe to them in excesse of affection and delight Object May not Hypocrites use this world with a strange affection weaned from the vanities of it c. I answer Doubtlesse not onely a false Christian or Hypocrite but other naturall men out of the sence and experience of the vanitie and uncertainly of this life and the comforts of it may attaine to a great seeming dispising of these earthly things though never without sorrow that they are not more full and certain as being their portion Onely Gods children who have made the Lord himselfe their portion and his word and Ordinances their inhâ—…ritance they only I say use them as from God tokens of his Loveâ—…nd goodnesse and as golden chaines to draw them unto him and humbly submit to Gods holy pleasure in his gracious bestowing or withdrawing of them Ninthly It is an argument of a strong fear of and affection to God when in all our earthly businesses wee see God and mindâ—… his name and praise Hence saith James Yee ought in all Journeys and purposes to say If God will Hence Boaz that holy man when he comes into his Field hath God in his mouth The Lord blesse you sayd he to his Reapers Hence the poorest Christian able to contribute 1 Cor. 16. observes weekly and therefore daily the dispensations of God towards him He observes the givings and takings of Gods hand and walks with him though in the poorest and meanest calling and condition Object But may not Hypocrites observe Gods blessing in worldly things in faire winds good voyages in the encrease of children corne wine cattel c I answer Naturall conviction enforceth even Pagans to confesse a Manittoo an Invisible Deity and God-head in these visible things But to make it a worke and Businesse in all these earthly things to see and glorifie God to walke with him and to be full of his praise all the day-long this is onely the Character of Gods children who only truly see his hand and love his name and glory Tenthly It is an Argument of strength and vigour of grace to keep a constant watch and bridle on our lips and tongue that no words passe but such as are seasoned with Salt to the glorifying of our Maker with our glory and the edifying or benefitting of others This Tongue of ours the Lord compares to the bridle of a Horse to the Helm of a Ship which if well managed rules the horse and ship with safety and comfort and the Spirit of God concludes that he is a perfect and strong man in Christ that is thus able to command his Speech and Tongue in this world Hence Christ Jesus preacheth Judgement to the world for the abuse of the Tongue and the idle words of it when our words are not working words and tend not to heavenly profiting of others Hence the Spirit by Paul commands Ephes. 5. that neither uncleannesse nor covetousnesse nor foolish talking nor jeasting be once heard from the mouths of the Saints but rather giving of thanks and praising of God Object But may not worldly persons set a watch before the door of their lips I answer Morall wisedome may teach persons the vanity and grosse wickednesse of the Tongue but onely Gods spirit and strength of it doth teach Gods children in true feare and love of God not onely to restraine from vaine and foolish but also to attaine to a spirituall and heavenly Language Lastly It argues strength and life and Grace in Christ when our hearts by Gods spirit are wrought to such a degree of hatred of sin that we not onely abhor the acts thereof but also fly and shun the looks and appearance of it so that we not only fly pride and passion and covetousnesse and uncleannesse but also the appearance of them Hence Boaz when Ruth lay downe at his feet in the night as claiming marriage by right he not only refrained from uncleannesse or uncIeane touches but also he gravely advised her to be gone so early in the morning that no man should say there came a woman into the floar Object But may not worldly persons not only avoid sin but also the appearance of it I answer No worldly or unregenerate person can truly hate sin or the appearance of it for it is his nature and Element they can onely hate the dammages and disgrace and discredit of it and so a Whore may hate whoredome 'T is only the property of Gods children and the new-borne to hate sin as sin with the sinfull appearances of it as opposite to their new and heavenly nature in Jesus Christ I Now come to the third head of the tryals of spirituall health and strength and that respects our conversation with men in which First I argue that it is a strong argument of a strong constitution and spirituall health when we can make it our worke and trade to aime at glorifying our Maker in doing good to men Thus our great example Christ Jesus made it his worke and trade to goe about to doe good which he did abundantly and constantly to the souls and bodies of men Obj. Christ Jesus and his Apostles and messengers were endâ—…ed with power from on high not only to preach the Word for conversion but also with power of casting out Devils and healing bodily diseases I answer as an holy witnesse of Christ Jesus a Woman once answered a Bishop I am a member of Christ Jesus as wel as Peter himselfe The least Believer and Follower of Jesus pertakes of the nature and spirit of him their holy head and husband as well as the strongest and holiest that ever did or suffered for his holy name Therefore it is that we read not only of the service of those great master-builders and work-men of Christ Jesus the Apostles but also the service and helpe of Christian women for instance Rom. 16. Phebe Priscilla Mary Persis were eminently noted for helping forward the work
EXPERIMENTS OF Spiritual Life Health And their PRESERVATIVES In which the weakest Child of God may get Assurance of his Spirituall Life and Blessednesse And the Strongest may finde proportionable Discoveries of his Christian Growth and the means of it By Roger Williams of Providence in New-England London Printed in the Second Month 1652. To the truly Honorable the Lady Vane the Younger Madam YOur favourable and Christian respects to me both of former and latter date your Godly and Christian Letters to me so many thousand miles distant in America And your many gracious Demonstrations of an humble and Christian Spirit breathing in you are a three fold Cord which have drawn these lines into your presence While I have sometimes mused how to express a Christian gratitude I am at last perswaded to crave your Ladyships acceptance of these poore Experiments of each true Christians personall union and communion with the Father of Spirits It is true I have been sometimes prest to engage in controversies but I can really and uprightly say my Witnes is on high how harsh and dolesul the touch of those strings are especially against such Worthies both in old and new-England in whom I joyfully before the world acknowledge in many heavenly respects a lively character and Image of the Son of God This broken piece is a breath of a still and gentle voice none but the God of this world and the men of this world can I lightly at this turne expect my opposites At other times I have been drawne to consider of the little flock of Jesus his Army his body his building that for these many hundred years have been scattered routed and laid wast and desolate At present I onely examine who are the personall and particular Sheep of Jesus Christ his Souldiers his living materials though scattered divided and not compos'd and ordred at their souls desire I confess Madam it was but a private and sudden discourse sent in private to my poor Companion and Yoak-fellow occasioned by a sudden sickness threatning death into which and from which it pleased the Lord most graciously to cast and raise her The forme and stile I know will seem to this refined age too rude and barbarous And the truth is the most of it was penn'd and writ so as seldom or never such discourses were in the thickest of the naked Indians of America in their very wild houses and by their barbarous fires when the Lord was pleased this last year more then ordinarily to dispose of my abode and travell amongst them And yet is the Language plaine it is the liker Christs Is the composure rude such was his outward Beauty Are the tryals seemingly too close such is the two edged Sword of his most holy Spirit which pierceth between the very Soul and Spirit and bringeth every thought into the obedience of Christ Jesus Amongst the many Crowns of mercy Madam which it hath pleased the Father of mercies to crowne your soul with as David speaks of his Psal. 103. there are two which justly challenge and your Ladiship I know doth humbly acknowledge them to be the fairest The first That he himselfe most high most holy who makes his common choice the poor Jam. 2. and chooseth few Lords few Knights few Ladies few wise few noble few mighty hath freely chosen you Madam in so gracious and blessed a measure to desire to feare his Name A second That for your dearest Companion and Guide in this vale of tears amongst the famous Worthies of this age he hath graciously guided you to such a blessed choice of such an Husband on earth who beares so bright an Image of your Husband in the Heavens and in whose most holy and gracious hand he hath been such a mercifull and faithfull Instrument for both the freedoms both of the outward and inner man I doe humbly acknowledge that upon an absolute account all is mercy and yet I am also humbly confident that in a respect as he graciously remembred his old friend Abraham and tels us of a speciall love he yet bears the Jewes for Abrahams sake even so he hath graciously vouchsafed at this present an honorable remembrance to the NAMES of some of his more eminent former friends and witnesses How hath he â—…rowned the memory of those his 2 zealous Servants in K. Henry the 8th his days * with a most eminent and blessed succession of such names and spirits at this day and in a gracious remembrance of his love to that blessed daughter and witnesse of his the Lady Vane in Q. Maries dayes how hath it pleased his wisedom and goodnesse to remember and to honour that Name both in your Ladiship and so many otherways with so many loving kindnesses at this day My humble cry Madam to the Lord shall never cease those all those your many obligations of both temporall and eternall mercies may like chaines of Adamant draw and bind your precious Soul more and more to resolve by his grace assisting to make his name great who hath made your so and so to love his Name his Son his Spirit his Truth his Children that others at the Torch of your exemplary meeknesse and fear of God may light and kindle theirs That your Souls-eye more and more brightly may see him who is invisible and may so experimentally resent those invisible and internal Honors pleasures and profits that are in him that in comparison thereof the visible and worldly may be accounted by you but dreams of shadows c. That your great desire may be a likenesse of so high and holy and so dear a Saviour and as in other excellencies so in that especially of a desire of saving others your Children Kindred Servants Friends yea Enemies that neither the pleasing calme of prosperity nor the dreadfull storms of changes may quench or dampe that holy fire of your Souls love in Life and Death to Him whom your Ladyship hath so much infinite cause to love but never yet saw in whom and for ever I desire to be Your HONOURS unfeinedly faithfull R. W. To every truly Christian Reader AS it is in the Earthly so it is in the Heavenly Marriage of a poor Sinner to his Maker There useth first to passe a private kindling of Love and a private consent and pomise which sometimes are long before the open solemnity and the publikâ—… profession of a Married life together This is my present designe not to controvert the matters of publike Order and Worship but to present some poor Experiments of those Personall excellencies of each true beleeving soule and spirit The Holy Spirit in Isaiah tels us of Ballances wherein the most High weighs the Hills and Mountains As also in Solomon of Ballances wherein hee weighs the very Spirits even of men whose way is right in their owne eyes And in John 14. he commands us to try the Spirits pretending to come from Christ Jesus whether they be of God or no There
is not the grossest Protestant or Papist but pretends to the Spirit of God yea that horrid Monster Mahomet blusht not to avouch that in the Forme of a Dove the holy Spirit of God did whisper in his eare from Heaven Now blessed is that Spirit publike or private who is truly willing and joyfull to lye downe in the Ballances of the Lords weighings Hitherto tend these Experiments of personal Communion with God in the Spirit of Holinesse Rom. 1. 3. 'T is true all publike and private Christian Spirits pretend the Spirit of Holinesse yea how great a part of the World pretend to be Christendome the Christian world that is anointed with the Spirit of Christ Jesus But was it Death in Moses Rites to counterfeit that ceremoniall and figurative Ointment Exod. 30. what shall it be to counterfeit the Spirit of Life and Holiness it self What I beleeve therefore as David and Paul once spake I freely speak Yea who can but speak saith Peter and John the Things they have seene and heard I confesse I spake these first but in a private Letter in America and thought not that the light in Europe should have seen them But a two-fold desire hath prevailed with me to expose these Tryalls to the Trying of all men 1. The earnest desire of some Godly Friends 2. Mine owne desire of sowing a little handfull of spirituall seed while the short Minute of my seed-time the opportunity of life lasteth My scope is to fill each truly Christian soule with triumphing and rejoycing I speak peace and joy to the Weakest Lamb and Child in Christianity that is so low so weake so litle so poor in its owne eyes that it sometimes saith it hath no Christ no Spirit no Faith no Love no nor true Desire in it selfe To this poore weake one I speak peace and joy and say this spirituall poverty is blessed and is the first step or round of that spirituall Ladder Mat. 5. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven Secondly I sound joyfull Alarums of Encouragement to the strong to grow as Peter exhorteth in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus T is true the communion of Saints is sweet and joyfull strong and powerfull eternally gainfull and profitable and holy and blessed is that Spirit that makes the Saints who are the Excellent of the Earth its Delight and after that blessed hour of the Saints uniting in one Heart one Spirit one Worship let all that love Christ Jesus mourne and lament and breath and pant And yet the weakest and the faintest Lamb that comes but stealing in the Crowd to touch the hemb of the Lord Jesus his garment that is content to be esteemed a Dog and to wait for crums of mercy under the Table of the Son of God let them I say rejoyce also for he that hath begun that blessed work by his owne free and eternall Spirit will by the same his owne holy Arme gloriously finish it I end Deare Christian with the proposall of two Christian knots or Riddles not unsuitable to these present Times and Spirits First Why is the Heart of a David himself Psa. 30. more apt to decline from God upon the Mountaine of Joy Deliverance Victory Prosperity then in the dark Vale of the shadow of Death Persecution Sicknesse Adversity c. Secondly Why is it since God worketh freely in us to doe and to will of his owne good pleasure that yet he is pleased to command us to work out our owne Salvation with Feare and Trembling Let us all humbly beg the Finger the Spirit of the Lord to untie these Knots for us I. desire to be thine unseighned in Christ Jesus R. W. The Contents of this Discourse The Heads are three UNder the first are contained the Arguments of Spirituall Life wherein the Weakest and the Sickest Child of God may finde its Spirituall Life apparent though over-cast and eclipsed with spirituall Weaknesse and Distempers Under the second Head Arguments of the strength and vigour of the Spirit of Life and Holinesse In which the strongest and the eldest in Christ may find Experiments of Spirituall Health and Christian Activity and chearfullnesse These Experiments respect 1. The Souls private correspondenâ—…y with the Lord himselfe 2. Converse and correspondency with Men 3. Private Retirednesses with it selfe Under the third Head are proposed some Means wherein the Spirit of God usually breatheth for the preserving and maintaining of a truly Spirituall and Christian Health and Chearfullnesse The Letter which the Author sent with this Discourse to his Wife M. W. upon her recovery from a dangerous sicknesse My Dearest Love and Companion in this Vale of Tears THy late sudden and dangerous Sicknesse and the Lords most gracious and speedy raising thee up from the gates and jawes of Death as they were wonderfull in thine own and others eyes so I hope and earnestly desire they may be ever in our thoughts as a warning from Heaven to make ready for a sudden call to be gone from hence to live the rest of our short uncertaine span more as strangers longing and breathing after another Home and Country To cast off our great cares and fears and desires and joyes about this Candle of this vaine life that is so soon blowne out and to trust in the living God of whose wonderfull power and mercy thou hast had so much and so late experience which must make thee sing with David Psal. 103. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me blesse his holy Name Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thy sins and healeth thine infirmities who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindnesse My dear Love since it pleaseth the Lord so to dispose of me and of my affairs at present that I cannot often see thee I desire often to send to thee I now send thee that which I know will be sweeter to thee then the Honey and the Honey-combe and stronger refreshment then the strongest wines or waters and of more value then if every line and letter wâ—…e thousands of gold and silver Hezekiah upon his recovery from his sicknesse made a writing Isai. 38. as an everlasting monument of his praise unto God and as a Goad or spur to himselfe and others in the wayes of godlinesse for the future Thy holy and humble desires are strong but I know thy writing is slow and that thou wilt gladly accept of this my poore helpe which with humble thankefulnesse and praise to the Lord I humbly tender to his holy service and thine in him I send thee though in Winter an handfull of flowers made up in a little Posey for thy dear selfe and our dear children to look and smell on when I as the grasse of the field shall be gone and withered Wee know how it pleaseth the spirit of God to distinguish between
me Father give me c. Obj. But may not the Hypocrites call upon God and sometime more boldâ—…y then Gods little ones Lord Lord Almighty and most mercifull Father c. An. I answer an Hypocrite hath many Lords and many Fathers besides and joyned with their pretended heavenly Father Whereaâ—…Gâ—…ds little ones cry out Isa. 63. Doubtles thou art our Father though Abrah m be ignorant of us as if they had said Thou art our only Father above all Fathers c. 2ly The Hypocrite saies Lord Lord but cares for no more of the will of the Lord hen may serve his own turne But a child of God declares his child like submissiâ—…n to an heavenly Fathers will in all things according to the difference proposed by the Lord Jesus Mat 7. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord but he that doth the wil of my Father which is in Heaven The difference lies not in the words but in the Heart in the upright submission of a child of God to all that he believes to be the will and pleasure of his heavenly Father For a second triall therefore Where spirituall life is notwithstanding weaknes or distempers there is always a professed willingnesse to get more and more knowledg of this heavenly Father of his name of his works of his wotd of his Christ of his Spirit his Saints and Ordinances Hence Beleevers in Jesus both Men and Women are called Disciples or Scholars of Christ Jesus professing continually to learn more and more of this heavenly teacher Hence his Disciples or Scholars petition to Christ Jesus Lord teach us to pray Lord increase our Faith c. Hence they ask him many Questions and are by little and little instructed though for a while they were ignorant of the mystery of his Death and Resâ—…ction Obj. But may not an Hypocrite defire to know more and more of God of Christ c. Ans. I answer although an Hypocrite out of an itching desire of knowledg of novelty and out of self love to make use of so much of God and of Christ as may serve his own ends may desire and attain and profefse and preach much of God and Câ—…rist yet will he pick and choose as Saul did while David and all Gods children uprightly desire to have respect to all the Commandements of God in Christ Jesus Again the obedience of Hypocrites is but the task of a slave or Hireling when the obedience of a child of God is that of a dutifull child to his Father or an endeared Wife to her Husband not caused by terrour or wages but hearty Reverence and Affection Hence follows a third triall of spirituall life though accompanied with much weaknes to wit a vehemeâ—…t hunger and longing afâ—…er the Ordinance of the word preached Hence that similitude by Peter Aâ—…New born Babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby 1. Pet 2. Obj. But may not Hypâ—…crits and counterfeits both affectionately hear and preâ—…ck c Ans. I answer no question but false worshippers and false Christians may easily satisfie themselves and stop the mouths of their conscieâ—…es with any formal performance of a Sermon by an houre-glasse or other traditions or customes oâ—…Fathers or the times But a child of God desires to be as well carefull according to hisight for tâ—…e true Mothers-Breasâ—… a true Ministrie as for a Womans Milk the opening of the word by any in any way c. And therefore cries the Spouse to Christ Jesus Oh thou whom my soul loveth shew me where thou feâ—…dest for why should I be as one that turns afide to the flocks of thy companions 2ly A true child of God though weak looks chiefly at God and Châ—…ist himself in the Ministry and dispensation of the word and therefore saith Cant 1. Let Him kifse me with the kisses of his mouth for his love is better then wine 3. While the Hypocrites find their natural delight in the word as in musick while yet they obey not The child of God comes to the breasts of the Church as a child hangs upon the Mothers Breast not only for the delight of sucking but out of a vehement painfull longing to have its soul satisfied and its strength of spirituall life and grace increased in the ways of God according to that in 1. Pet 2. That you may grow thereby A 4th Argument of the life of the inner man though in much weaknes oâ—…sicknes is a true and unsained desire to do that which it finds it cannot do but falls short in doing or suffering the will of God So Nehemiab pleads with God from the uprightnes of their hearts that they desired to fear his Name when a soul can say uprightly in Gods presence I desire that is unfainedly longing to know his will although I am much ignorant I desire to believe though I find an unbeleeving heart I desire to be willing and able to suffer though I find much fearfulnesse c. Ob. May not an Hypocrite desire to know and love God c. I answer an Hypocrite may desire to know so much of God and to have so much of his grace and so much of his power against some sins as may serve to save his soul when he sees he cannot be saved without it But a child of God only can desire God for himself and desire to be like unto God in his holy Nature and to have every thought brought under the obedience of Christ Jesus Hence though an Hypocrite may weep as Esau and Saul and others have done yet a true child of God can only in truth cry out with the Father of the possessed child in an humble sence of his own weaknes and spirituall poverty Lord I believe help thou my unbelief that is help me against my unbelief against my passions against my uncleanesse against my pride against my covetousnes c. A 5th triall of a true life though in weaknes or sicknes is a constant resisting and fighting against all known sin as sin He that is born of God 1. John 5. keepeth himsef that the evill one toucheth him not unles he be suddenly surprised or violently forced by mighty temptations or câ—…usoned and deceived by the deceitfulnesse of sin he can no more willingly touch it then fire or poison or the Devill himself Hence is there a continuall war between the flesh and the spirit Gal 5. The law of the mind wars against the law of the members The New-man against the old c. For instance although good Jacob was overcome by his Mothers powerfull perswâ—…sion yet suspecting a sin he â—…st strugled against it my Father saith he will feel me and I shall bring a curse instead of a Blessing Obj. But may not an Hypocrite resist temptation and fight against sin I answer No not against sin as sin but as it is dangerous and hurtfull to soul to body to purse to credit So
God for himself after God as a portion and inheritance after God as an Husband when as the Heart panteth after the water-brooks so pant our Hearts after God when as the thirsty ground longeth for the showers of Rain so long our souls after God When his words are sweeter then the honey and honey comb and of more esteem then thousands of gold and silver Ob. But may not Hypocrites as Balaam professe so much and that in earnest I answer the deceitfull bea rt of a man will go wonderfull far this way Yet certain it is an Hypocrite respects God but as a Dog respects his Master yea sometimes a stranger and an Enemy for a crust or as an Hireling for his wages But Gods children in the want of all things are content with God alone his Christ his Spirit his Favour his Word his Ordinances Hence David professeth Psal. 4. Thou puttest more joy into my heart then in the time when their corn and wine increaseth And Habacâ—…ck when Vine and Fig tree and Flock and Heard fail he professeth to rejoyce in God and to glory in the God of his salvation 2ly In the losse of all things in the greatest straights and extremities Gods children yet find comfort in God that God their portion is not lost Thus as David when his wives and children and friends and servants and cattell were all devoured by an enslaving and 〈◊〉 sword and he finds no Remainder but burnt walls and ashes and his own company ready to stone him yet as David they take comfort and incourage themselves injoying their God 7tly It is an Argument of spirituall health and strength when the holy Commandements of God are not grievous but pleasant and delightfull to uâ—… when we can say as the Lord Jesus said it is our meat and drink to do our heavenly Fathers will when we are active and ready at the commands of God and can say when the Lord asketh whom shall we send send me as the Prophet Esay said And as the Lord Jesus Psal 40. Here I am I delight to do thy will O my God when we can without repining grudging or delaying obey commands most grievous to flesh and blood against not only flâ—…sh and blood but against carnall reason yea against Hope and Faith it self as Abraham did in offering up his most dear and only son Isaac Obj. But may not Hypocrites obey the commands of God as Saul did c I answer they may indeed obey Gods commands by halves as he did and as a servant and hireling serve God for wages and with eye service with opinion of merit and boast of their halt and lame service as Saul did But Gods children imbrace all the commands of God with delight even the least and most despised with the greatest and most difficult and when all is done they confesse they have need of merey and are unprofitable Servants Obj. But may not Gods children live in the disobedience of some commands of God and yet be healthfull and strong in grace I answer it is impossible that a child of God should either in spiritual health or sicknes live in the breach of any known command of God his Father T is true Abraham and Jacob and David and others lived long in the sin of many wives out of ignorance of Gods will and Gods children to this day even the holy Martyrs or Witnesses of Jesus who accounted their heart bloods not too dear for Christ have and do live in the breach of many Commandments that concern the worship of God But they are herein like a traveller deceived by a false path which when he once really suspects he cannot walk a step with ease now do they cry out with David Psal 119. I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts And when God saith seek my Face their Hearts answer Lord thy face will I seek Psalm 27. An 8th discovery of spirituall health and strength is an humble a patient and thankfull submission to the aflicting and chastising hand of God Thus it is said of Aaron in that dreadfull stroak of Gods hand depriving him of his two sons in the flâ—…re of their Youth in the midst of their sin in the performance of their Priests Office it is said Asron held his peace I was dumb and held my peace saith David Psal. 39. for thou didst it Thus Jeremiâ—…h Lam 1. Jehovah is righteous for I have grievously transgrest against him Yea Job not only exprest an humble and patient mind but also which is wonderfull but proper to Gods children when in right temper he blessed God in the midst of so many fearfull and astonishing losses of so many Cattel Servants and Children saying Blessed be the name of the Lord Obj. May not wicked men and Hypocrites acknowledg Gods aflicting hand and humble themselves I answer Hypocrites may see Gods hand and humble themselves as the Egyptians and the Philistins did but cannot possibly be thankfull for it They acknowledg Gods hand as a Dog hâ—…s Masters when he is beaten but not as a child his Fathers As a loving and dutifull Wise receiving Pills or Phisick from the hand of her loving Husband a skilfull Phisitian who knows her sicknes and out of love and care prepares them for her she cannot but be thankfull for those bitter medicins and earnestly desire a kindly working Thus David Psal 119. I know O Lord that thou in faithfulnesse hast aflicted me for all thy commands are righteous A 9th Argument of spirituaâ—… health and strength is an humble free confession and giving glory unto God in the rising up or recovering out of any scandalous transgression against God Hence the Isralites confession of their sin in desiring a King so impatiently and imperiously as they did with large confessions 1 Sam. 6. Hence the many bitter and lamentable confessions of holy David and other holy Servants of God after their committing of known evils Hence the Corinthians repenting of their fellowship with the incestuous person in his sin they give such an exemplary evidence of their true Repentance that their holy practice is set as an holy Samplar and Copy for all Saints afterward to follow and write after Obj. But did not Pharaoh Saul and Judâ—…s confesse their sins â—… I answer not with intent to glorifie God as Gods Saints do taking shame before the world unto themselves lying down in the Dust that God may tread upon them and be exalted Not with hatred of their sins but in horrour and trouble at the danger of them or in the evidence of them flying in their faces Thus a Merchant casteth those goods over boord into the sea in a storme which afterward he wisheth in again Like a Dog they vomit up the filth which after their stomach is eased they return unto and lick up by new Commissions But Gods childreâ—… confesse in hatred of their sins and loathing of themselves and
But some may say Can these sayings be any other then a Parable or similitude for is the Devill capable of any materiall fire such as now is grievous and painfull to flesh and blood I answer Grant these sayings Parabolicall or similitudes as also that of Dives and Lazarus yet what are Parables and similitudes but Glasses to represent unto us in more plain and easie wayes the holy truâ—…h and mind of God The Kernell of truth is not the lesse sweet though wrapt up in the sâ—…els and husks Beyond all question therefore Christ Jesus foretels most sure and inconceiveable plagues to all that know not God and obey not his glorious Gospel And by this Worme that never dyes and this fire that never goes out declares a torment to be inflicted upon both men and devils which shall be extream like fire which shall be universall upon the whole sinfull creature no part exempted which shall be also eternall never dying never ending yet we may adore Gods righteous judgâ—…ments and working out Salvation with fear and trembling make sure of a Jesus a Saviour to deliver us from the wrath that is to come In the next place my deare Love let us downe together by the steps of holy meditation into the valley of the shadow of Death It is of excellent use to walke often into Golgotha and to view the rotten skuls of so many innumerable thousands of millions of millions of men and women like our selves gone gone for ever from this life and being as if they never had life nor being as the swift Ships as the Weavers shuttle as an arrow as the lightning through the aire c. It is not unprofitable to remember the faces of such whom we knew with whom we had sweet acquaintance sweet society with whom we have familiarly eaten and lodged but now growne loath some ugly terrible even to their dearest since they fell into the jawes of death the King of terrors And yet they are but gone before us in the path all flesh must tread How then should we make sure and infiniâ—…ely much of a Saviour who delivers us from the power and bitternesse of Death and Grave and Hell who is a resurrection and life unto us and will raise up and make our bodies glorious like his glorious Body when he shall shortly appear in glory It is further of great and sweet use against the bitternesse of Death and against the bitter-sweet delusions of this world daily to thinke each day our last the day of our last farewell the day of the splitting of this vessell the breaking of this buble the quenching of this Candle and of our passage into the land of Darknesse never more to behold a spake of light untill the Heavens be no more Those three uncertaintiâ—…s of that most certain blow to wit of the Time when the Place where the Manner how it shall come upon us and dash our Earthen Pitcher all to pieces I say the consideration of these three should be a threefold cord to bind us fast to an holy watchfulness for our departures and a spur to quicken us to aboundant faithfulnesse in doing and suffering for the Lord and his Christ it should draw up our minds unto heavenly objects and loosen us from the vexing vanities of this vaine puffe of this present sinfull life Oh how weaned how sober how temperate how mortified should our spirits our affections our desires be when we remember that we are but strangers converse with strange companies dwel instrange houses lodge in strange beds and know not whether this day this night shall be our finall change of this strange place for one far stranger darke and dolefull except enlightned by the Death and Life of the Son of God How contented should we be with any Pittance any Allowance of Bread of Cloaths of Friendship of Respect c How thankfull unto God unto man should we poor strangers be for the least crum or drop or rag vouchsaf'd unto us when we remember we are but strangers in an In but passengers in a Ship and though we dreame of long Summer dayes yet our very life and being is but a swift short passage from the bank of time to the other side or Banck of a dolefull or joyfull eternity How patient should our minds and bodies be under the crossing disappointing hand of our all-powerfull Maker of our most gracious Father when we remember that this is the short span of our purging and fitting for an eternall Glory and that when we are judged we are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world How quietly without the swellings of revenge and wrath should we bear the daily injuries reproaches persecutings c. from the hands of men who passe away and wither it may be before night like grasse or as the smoake on the chimnies top and their love and hatred shall quickly perish Yea how busie how diligent how solicitous should we be like strangers upon a strange Coast waiting for a winde or passage to get dispatched what we have to doe before wee hear that finall call Away Away let us be gone from hence c. How should we ply to get aboard that which will passe and turne to blessed account in our own countrey How should we over-look and despise this worlds trash which as the holy woman going to be burnt for Christ said of money will not passe in Heaven How zealous for the true God the true Christ his praise his truth his worship how faithfull in an humble witnesse against the lyes and cozening delusions of the Father of lyes though guilded o're with truth and that by the hands of the highest or holyest upon the Earth How frequent how constant like Christ Jesus our Founder and Example in doing good especially to the Souls of all men especially to the Houshold of Faith yea even to our enenemies when we remember that this is our seed-time of which every minute is precious and that as our sowing is must be our eternall Harvest for so sayth the Spirit by Paul to the Galathians He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption or rottennesse and he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting FINIS Cor. 3. * Cromwel and Lambert Thy Maker is thy Husband Isa. 5. Isa. 40. Prov. 21. Great pretences to the holy Spirit of God To counterfeit the holy Spirit dreadfull The least of the little ones of Christ Jesâ—…s oâ—…ght to rejoyce Communion of Saints most sweet and to be lamented after Two Christian Riddles suiting these times and spirits The true use of sicknesse The outward and inner mâ—…n What the inner man is Subject to many distempers A threefold person in Gods children A spirituall cheerful temper Spirituall distempers Distinction between spirituall death spirituall sickness and spiritual weakness The Heads of this Discourse The weakess of Gods children cry unto God as to
a Father False calling upon God as upon a Father 2 Argum Gods children long for more and more knowledge of God 2. Arg. 3. Gods children hunger and thirst after Gods Word Gods word in Gods way Cant 1. True hunger aâ—…ter Gods word True desire in all Gods people Difference between the true and false desire God must be chosen for himself Gods children cannot live in known sin without strugling mourning No hypocrite can fight against sin as sin A true childe of God tender of Gods name Instances of Samson and Jehosaphat A true childe of God is patient under the rod of his heavenly Father 1. The enemies of God and slatterers cannot submit to God as to a Father Gods children less grieve for theâ—…r own afsliction then for Gods displeasure Gods children joyn with Gods rod against themselves Gods people long after Gods true worship in Christ Jesus Gods people both awake â—…sleep as to Christ Jesus Gods people cannot bur be full of struglings of spirit as to the visible worship of God in Christ Jesus True marriage affection in all Gods people to Christ Jesus yet with much difference Gods children have no peace in sin unrepented of Only Gods people can truly desire peace with God Two sorts of Gods people enquiring and longing after Christ Jesus The liking of Gods grâ—…cious Spirit in others a true Argument of the same Spirit in our selves Disseâ—…blers in a respect may desire righteousness but only Gods children can long for it in trutâ—… and for it self Gods children cannot but desire spirituall health as wel as life and Christian being Incomprehensible nature of God Gods children ought to walk in constant amazedness of spirit as to God his nature works c. The glorifying of God the great work of Gods children Delightfull privacie with God argues strong affection Hypocrites pretend far in glorifying of God A frequent constant spirit of prayer an argument of much of Gods Spirit True prayer is the souls breathing unto God and hath more or lesse some soul-pleasure in it Gods children are most in private with God The prayers of Gods people most respect spiritual and soul mercies Godâ—… people wait for and rest in Gods answer Gods people are only truly sensible of unworthines 6thly Hypocrites affection to God God himself the portion of his 7thly Ready obedience to God The sins of Gods people 8thly The patience of Gods children under Gods hand The counterfeit patience of Hypocrites 9thly The mournful confession of Gods peoplâ—… 1. 2. False confessions The sins of Gods people distinguished 10thly Gods people long after visible enjoyments of God True Christians affection to Christ Jesus in his visible worship 11thly 12thly Brokennes of spirit 2dly Spirituall battels 3dly Godly loathing for sin Hypocrites may in a respect loath themselves for sin Fourthly True selfe denyall No Hypocrite can truly deny himselfe Fifthly Sixtly Spirituall contentation in Gods will All changes and losses are made up to Gods people only by himselfe Seventhly Joy in Sorrow Hypocrites pretend to suffer for Christ Eightly Christian weanedness from this worlds comforts The heavenlâ—… use of earthly comforts Ninthly The glorifying of God proper to Gods children only Tenthly The true watch of Gods people over their Tongue Only Gods children can truly hate sin Christ and Châ—…istians worke to glorify God in doing good Holy women great helps in the Gospel of Christ Iesus Secondly Gods children cannot buâ—… naturally love one another Worldly men may in a kind love Gods people But Gods children can only love each other with a spiritual love Gods children may possibly be unkind and cruel each to other Gods people in case may be sharp each to other so was David shâ—…rply reprov'd by Nathan One of the blackest transgressions in the world for Thirdly A compassionate heart even towards enemies is a Christan heart 2 Tim. 2. 26. Gods people mourn for others 4thly Impartiall reproving a character of Gods people Bold reprovers for sin Godliness makes civilitie more beautifull 5thly Joseph and David admirable for resisting of temptations The fals of Gods children and to what end A Christian bearing of reproof a good argument of much of Christ Jesus Gods people may possibly be angry at reproofs Naturall wisdome goes far but not so far as spirituall Reproâ—…ches send Gods people unto God Different manifestations of Christ Jesus in his people Some means which Gods Spirit useth as preservatives Soul-examination a soul means of spirituall preservation Affliction the season of Examination 2dly Christ Jesus his appointments undoubted means of Christian health chearfulness Prayer with fasting a most Christian and mighty ordinance The excellent use of prayer and fasting 3dly Spirituall taking of cold 4thly Gods people must watch against the surâ—…iting upon wo ldly comforts 5. The power of meditating the joyes that are to come 5thly Bitter and uâ—…toothsome things may yet be of a blessed and wholsome use to Gods people Two sorts of bitter affâ—…ictions The Scripture the true store house of soul physick 1. The remembrance of our sins bitter yet an wholsome pill Gods children bound to beg for pardon of sin Godly sorrow not inconsistent but subservient to spirituall joy Gods councels absolue not us from meanes endeavours The due consideration of Gods justice is an heavenly though bitter pill The dreadfull rejection of the Angels The dreadfull sentence upon all mankind The destruction of Egypt and Sodom the whole world Fearfull stroaks of Gods justice upon Israel Upon the Jews and Jerusalem Upon the Son of his love the Lord Jesus The heavy dolefull stroaks of Gods righteteous hand upon his own people in this world Gods holy end in his sore afflictions upon his people Gods justice visibly seen in the present sorrows of all sorts The horrible desolations of late years The wonderfull spirituall judgements upon the Nations The direfull judgement upon the Jewes The direfull judgement of Mahumatanism and Antichristianisme The lâ—…mentable captivity of Gods own people to Antichristian worships The dreadfull and eternall judgement yet to come The Parables of holy Scripture are ful of heavenly kernels of Tâ—…uth The worme that never dyes and â—…the fire that never goes out The meditation of Death 3 Terrible uncertainties Meditations of death powerfull as to many heavenly purposes