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TO

THE RIGHT

WORSHI^FVLL,

IohnCkve 5 Eiquirc, one of his Majcfties lufticc fthe Peace and j^HorumySic. for the Couatie of Northampton;

€• C '9ollheth encreafe of Grace and Peace

/» C H RI s T, htre ^ and eternaff

Ghry hereafter^

Right W orshufvll,

*Ot H Law and well approoved Cuftome hath long eftablifh-cd it,That the Hcire ftiould fuccccd in mi-Verfum jusdefmSti^^vid have inccreft, title, andjufldaimetoall the pofleflions and rights of the party dc-ccafcd : yea, they adde alfo, chat bdrediw

(a i) tranfit

Sjtvtft.Sam*

*04lj. a?.

^Ihe Spiflle Dedicatorie^

tranft cum onere , the Inheritance cannot be| fevered from the troubles and incumbrances that goe along with it. Vpon which groundjfeeing it hath pleafed your worthy' Father, Sir Thomas Cj^e , (who is now at reft with Chris t ,whicn is * exceedin^y fane more better than all other excellencies the Lord had here graced him with) with much favour and wiliingncflc to undertake the Patronage of thefe Pofthumous Writings in his life time 5 my earneft defire unto your Worfhip is^Cwho are ^atrub^res ex ajfe, andj doubt not, but alfo ^fecundum promifionem) that you would adminlfter in thefe,as a parcell of his goods and chattels, (as they call them) and iiicceed in the pro-tedionof them : That as the memorie of your natural! Father is preferved and honoured in themJo the honour and glory of your fpirituall may be promoted and advanced by thefe.

Befides which premifles, I hope that the very Name of that worthy and faith-full.Minifter of Ie s Vs Ch R [ sTjMafter Robert !BaHon (j5iM«<?eeV«, that late bright-^ ftiining Starre in the Firmament, of ouj;

Church:

l^he EpiUle T>edicatorie.

Church ; a man bc3db well knowne and approved of you, as being a neighbour Miniftcr, and fo greatly renowned for his Learning and Labours in his former Writings , amongfl: all them that have read them 5 that they may acknowledge it to be more truly laid of him, that was fome-cimcs fpoken oi^riflotle, * That his very Pen was dipt in Vnderftanding , and all kind of Learning was the Inkc that hee wrote withall, in regard of that profound wifedome and refined knowledge and eloquence that flowed from it:) I fay, I am confident, that his very Name will make an cafic way for his Writings unto your Worftiip 5 who for the care and cndcvour to advance the glory of God,and to further the welfare and edification of his Church, and for the love to godly and painefull Minifters, and the godlinelle profefled, preached ,and praftifed by them,and many other gracious endowments wherewith the Lord hath enriched you,have the love and admiration and high eftimation of all thofe that fcare God, that know you, or have heard of you,

(a 3) This

1

The EpMle DeJicatorie.

This confidence iNtth CKiboldened me to prefcnc thefe enfuing Trcatifcs unto your Meditation, and Patronage ; befee^ ching the Lord of his mercie to fanftifie them to your owne and the Churches be-nefiCj and tobleffe jour felP- and all yours

with alt fpirituall Bleffings in heavenly things, in I E s V s

TO

■reader.

,M.i

\'HlZi;^iiT^'.ii^

'tV^ ' A^T ?"

Good Rbadbr, ,- . „

Cannot denicy But that the Arguments handled in theft three foUo^ing Treati-[es^arecommon^ and the ordinarie fub-jeH both of man) Sermons and printed _ _ _ _ Bookes in thefe dayes : yet t»ee knotv^ that the commonelf Meates doe yeeld the molf tvhole-fome nourijhment , whereas netv-found J>ijbes doe but clogge thefiomackeyandjii^ the body with unwholefome humours, B ejides, if the found andnerv manner of hand-littg common things may commend themy (as it ever ■^aid) then / hofe^ that this fVorh mU he tvelcome unto thee. Thou knorveB tveil^ I doubt not ^ thejingu-lar dexteritie of this Reverend and able -^iniBer of 1E s V s C H RI s T, ^) his formenvritingSj in handling the Scrifturey hojv hee fhetved himfelfe (as Paul exhorteth Timothy, 2 Tim.2.15. ?o be) a Workman that necdeth not to be afhamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Onely underfiaitd not by the right dividing of the ivord^ thefubtle and curious • (^ a) chopping

-1^^^'^,V'"!A.'

* XWlSj KiW»J.'.

h6)fV, quid [it.

h(um.

FuS.MifcJttera.

To the Re ader.

chopping and mincing of the fVord hy Dichotomies, Divi'. [ions^And Sub'divifions^^too ordinarie in thefe dayes) hut (as the meaning of the fvurd is^ and the Syriacke verfion conjirmes it) to handle and preach the word aright, i. as M, Beta expounds it well . For the Doarine ic fclfc to omit nothing that makes for the clearing of it; to adde nothing of his owne,to diminifli nothing, to mangle nothjng,to wreft nothings laftlyjto con-fider diligently what the capacitie of the hearers is able to bearc, and whatfocver may tend to edification y or, as learned Fuller expQunds it,to fet open or make plainc as it were the right way of the Word of Truth • So this mrthy Author hath done . he hath traced out and opened the right way of truth and ho-linefie out of the holy Scriptures^

His Writings 1 mayjuftly commend for three or four e notable excellencies (to name no more.)

Firft , For their cleare difcovering offinne^ and their exaBfiarching andfifting of a Chriflians heart,toplucke off the wizard of all forts ofHyfocrites, and to bring tg light, and lay open to the eyes of the World, By the Touch-jione of Truth,their counterfeit andunfound Graces, and I to find out the endieffe trindings and labyrinths ofjjpiritu-all guile infelf-deceiving hearts. This he doth excellently by the cleare light of Gods word,Mch hath an admirable vertue this tray, Heb. 4.12. beinga difcerner of the thoughts &: intents of the heatt.and putting a cleare difference betrveene the freciom and the vile.

Secondly/or the Stile,as beingfuU of divine eloquence^ hit Lips and Pen dropping abundance of the feveeteB of that word, trhich if fweeter than the Honey or the dropping Honey-combcs, PfaL i^. lo.

Thirdly^

To the Reader.

Thirdly^ The Author being amsn fttveliverfed in ancient Writers of the Primitive times , thou mayejipnde in hisBofikes (nofmall tafte vchereofyou have in this ) a much better ufe made ef their Labottrs^ than is made by many Diijines ; feeinghehath proved abundantly outef them thejlriB pints of fanBipoation, His Quotations indeed in thefe lafl^feeme notfs numerom as in his frece-dent f^srkes : the reafen is^ becaufe in thefe/or the mo^ fArt^the Authors are onelyquned^ their mrds net f reduced^ as not having fome ofthem^ and the reji not of the fame Edition • fb thaf his Referenda lUt^lc helped us t9 his intended Matter,

Fourthly^ I may not omit that (which in other }Vriters is commonly accounted blame^rvorthy, but inhimafingu-lar excellencies and commendable) his long digrejjions from his fnaine matter in hand* proceedings I conceive^ out af the abundance of his hearty and long experience in Gods fvayes : as thofe that by long travelling in a way^are well acquainted with it^canfinde out all the by-wayes and blinde paths about it ; which our Author hath excellent^ ly done ► SOj that b-^ his digreffions out of the erdinarie Road, he is more likely to jet a wandering Soule into the right way againe,

Now^for the preventing or removing ofallprejudi-cate Opinions which ma^ arife concerning thefe enfuing Trcatifes^(as though^Strumfet-like^anyBaflardly Brood unlawfully begotten^fhould be fathered and fajlened upn fotrulySeraphicaUand Bivinea Pen-man) this I can more than promife (verbo M iniftri) That there is nothing in them^ f&r matter or manner^ either fhuriow^ or furreptitiouf ; nothing but what is qenuine^ and the Authors owne • the immediate ifae of his working Braine^ I a^d

To the Reader.

And flowing from his orvne Je kftie Pen, fvhich way he a ;

feafonahle advertifement unto thee for the future^ from

rrhom and which rvay thou art to exfe^^ufon the further

ferufailof his fcattered ManufcriftSywhat elfe jhall (pe

deemed tecrthy to befolilbed^ andfipuhlijhed. If there

be any thing in that Mehu here prefented to thy view

that likes not thee^ becaufe not like the Author , failing

for depth oflearning^or varietie of eloquence . hlame not

him deceafedy (who being dead^yet f^eaketh) but impute

it to the fubftitutedfurviving Midwife^that had not lei^

fure fuff<^icnpy U If dug come to iheSirthy to attend its

bringing forth, I meane/ny jelfe ^ who for the multitude

of diftranions and preffing occafionsyfince thefe Writings

mre intrufled to me^ asalfofor the imperfeBneffe and

defeB of the CeppieSy could notfjpendfo much time and

paines in the exaB perufing^lijhingyand perfeBing of it

as Ijbould and would have done : vhich mufi be the Afo^

logie to plead for pardon. But yet I hdve not beene^an-

ting to cull outfuchfjpare houres as I could y to bring this

tvorke to light yand to prepare it for the Prepy as alfofor

thy vietv and benefit • MchyJhopey thou wiltjindey by

the due and diligent reading and praBifing of

* it, ffijich f commend unto thyfelfcyand

tf^yfelfcywith the f^orkeyWtto the

Lords Sif^ffg,

Thine iaChriftlcfus,

C. C.

tmm

THE

SAINTS

SVRE AND

PERPETVALL GVIDE.

Tbj Word it a Lampe unto myfia , and a Light unto my ^aths.

V all other parts of the holy Bible, this Booke of the Pfalmes^ (penned for the moft part by David , the fwcet Singer of Ifrael^ and a man after Gods ownc heart) is ftuftand fiird with greateft plentie and varietie of precious LefTons and inftru(3:ions unto cternall life. The choice and flower of all things profitable and comfortable for the right courfe of a Chri-

(b) ftian

Tbe Concents and the benefit of the Pfdoics in ge- j neraU* j

Of the 119. an particular.

TheDW»fi«n

1 of ic.

The Saints fure

ftian life, is therein bricfely contained, and very ifiovitigly and feelingly expreft. In them we may be acquainted with the Majeftie and Myfteries of God, with the Sufferings of Chrift, withun-faincd Repentance, unwearied Patience, fpiritu-alj Wifedome, and wonderfull Courage of the godly man, and true Chrillian. In them we may behold the terrors of Wrath, and the anguiflies of an affli(i;ted Confciencejthc comforts of Grace, aindgreat I^eliveraDces,the wpnderfullworkcs of Providence over this World, and tlie promiled loycs of that World which is to come. In a word, all good nreceffarilyto be either knownc or done, or had, is plentifully, as out of a rich Trea-furicjreveard and ofer'd unto us in thcfe heavenly Songs of David. »H Ci i V x)

Amongft which, this ii^. Pfalme (apart of which I have now read untoyow) is, as it Were, a precious Icwell,X)r,deare Cryftall • wherein wee may fee theright temper and ftate of true godli-nefTc, and finceritie, the markes and properties of all true worfliippers of God,the zeale and affe6^i-ons of all faithfull ChriftianSjthe very lively Ana-M>mie and laying open of a good and gracious Soule.

This whole Pialme doth confift of 1 1 . Parts or rPortions of Staves, or Craves, even juft fo nMwy as there be Lettas in tlie Hebrew Alphabetyand every Portion containeth in ittight Verfes j and every Verfe of every Portion, or Staffe, begins , with the fame Hebrew Letter. The wliich fpeci-all and extraordinarie penning aad difpofing of

the

and perfetuall Quide,

5

the P^lme,doth declare and fee out unto us chefe thref things ;

1 ' The diligent intention of mind, and care-full meditation of the Author5in the framing and compofingofit.

2 The precioiifncflc and worth of the matter contain'd in it j in that it pleafed the Spirit of God to deliver it in choice and fpeciall order,

5 A defire and purpofe, that it might more eafily be Icarn'd by heart, and committed to me-moric , and often and came ft iy meditated and thought upon,being fei dovirne unto us in fo faire and eaje order of the Hebrew Letters.

This PartjOr Portion, which wee have now in hand, is the foureteenth ^ and doth containe in it many worthy and gracious Leflbns for our in-flrudion *i>d devotion in heavenly thmgs,propo-fed unto us out of the pradice and Chriftian carriage of this holy Prophet,and Man ofGod^David^ a perfeft patterne of all true zealc and pietie.

In the thirteenth Portion, immediately going before^-D^wVhad delivered fpecially two things.

Firft, How by his love, reading, ftudy, and meditation in Gods Word, he had attained moft excellent knowledge,wifedome,and underftanding; fo that thereby he was become farre mere wife than hu enemies'^ that is, than Ssul and all his pditike Courtiers and Counfellors of State. Hee had tnsre mderfiandiftg than his Teachers^, than the great Dodiors,and Rabbins 3 for all their dcepc Learning being not fan(aificd unto them. He under-ftood more than the grave and ancient men,for all

(b2) the

Three Leflens CO be learned thence.

Two things obfcrvable in thcij.Patc.

I How David became viitet than his cne-isics.

True wi^dotnc to be had only from and in the Word.

The Reafon.

Bccaufc oihct wifdomc provides only for the body, but this for the foule.

The Saints fare

the worldly vvifcdome and great e5(pcricnce they had gathered in many yeercs, and through len<yth of dayes. Where,by the vtay,takc this Leffon.

There is no wit or policic,not all the Lcarnino-in the V\'orld, or worldly wifedonae, can make a man truly wife, (that isjwife unto falvation) but onely a povi'erfuli and working knov^'ledge out of the holy Word of God.

The Reafon is : Becaufe all other wifedome doth onely provide for the Body, for a t^^mporall happineflc in this life, for a few and evill dayes and leaves the Soulc ina ilnfull and wretched c-ftate, fhortly^in rheday of Vifitationjtabe overtaken and fearefiilly confounded with ftran^c a-ftoniiliments,horrors, and defpaire - andhereif-ter,wofully to be tormented amongft wicked Devils in the Lake that bcirnes with fire and Brim-ftone for evermore. But wifcdome out of the Word of God doth fo furtiifha mans Soulc with Grace,and all holy Vcrtncs, that in dcfpj<Tht of all creatures, hec may live comfortably in this Vale of teares, and iaendleflTc joycs in the W.QfId to come. --f "7o-?id'/d v.'orKr ;

Now (I pray you) tell me, whether is truly the wiferman; hec, that for an inch of time makes much of his VT retched Body, that nuift Hiortly rot in the grave, and be devoured of WornncSjand turned intoduft ; but in the meane time lets his immortall Soule,thatcan never di"e,{inkc into the Dungeon of everlafting woe and miferie : or hec which by taking found and faving couniell and direction out of the Word of God, and how-

focvcr

andperfetuall Cjuide.

foever he be hated and ncgle(5lcd of this vaine WorId,yec ycclding cheaietull and conftantobe-dicnce chercunto^provides unfpeakable comfort, reft,and blcffcdneflc both for Body and Soule, through all etcrnitie ?

Secondly, In the fecond part and fourc laft Vcrfes of the former Portion, Duvid. fcts dotvne the fruit, ufc, and benefit which fprung from his divine knowledge. It fwcetncd his heart with much comfort,and foundcontentment,andcheated him with ;o) unf^edkable, and gkmut^ amidft all croites and difcomforts j ic bridled and re-ftrained him from ever^ evillvfaj ; it kept and prc-ferved him inthe paths of righteoufnelTc ^ ic bred in him a hatred and loathing of the wayes of error, falfchood^and hypocrifie. Where, by the way, I would give you this other LelTon,

We muft labour and be furc that we draw our knowledge in Gods W^ord into pradice,adion, andexercife; othcrwife,it will not onely be unprofitable and unfruitful! unto us, but indeed bring upon us a greater and more fearefull condemnation. For, He that htrres hU Majiers wiU^ and deth it not , ^all he bcAten mth man^ ft^ifes^ Luke 12. 47. All our knowledge is in vaine, except by the power of it our inward affedion^ be faniSlified, our words feafoned with grace, our ad^ions and convcrfations guided with fpiritaall wifedome and unfained (inccritie.

After DAvid had thus, in the former Portion, I layddownc unto us, and confefled what excellent j knowledge he had got out of tlie Word of God, I . (b3) and

He fets downc the fruits of hie kaowiedge

\ P«.x.8.

All our knowledge muft be pradicaU.

Z»j^i».47.

\

The fourc-ccench Part oxplancdi

VcYf,io6,

3

The Saints fure ]

, and the precious fruit and benefit he had reaped and enjoyed by it: Now,

In the firft Verfe of this prefent Portion, hee makes, as it were, a proteftation and profeffion, that he is wholly and onelyenUghtened and led in all his vvayes by this holy Word of God,as by a Light or Lantcrnc : The brightnefle thereof doth'not onely bring him into the vvayes of righ-teoufnc(!e,and blcffed cftateof Chrirtianitie,but doth alfo condud and guide him in all the paths aijd particulars of his life and anions, in all the parts and pafTages of his fpcciall calling: For be faith, Thy w&rd u a Lamfe unto wy feet ] that is, whereby I fee and difccrne the way to Heaven,and the narrow path thtoi^igh the Kingdome of Grace;; and A Light unto my paths} that isj a guide to diredt me in every particular ftep,lt every turning, that {o I may kcepe a ftraight courfe, and the readie ! way to the Kingdome of Glory. '♦' -• ■ '^^ ->"^" ^

That Davidh^d thus wholly yeelded and rcfig-: ncdup himfelfe to be guided and governed by I the glorious Light of Gods holy Word,appeares intheVerfes following,

I Firft, in F'eyf, \o6. by a folcmne Oath and fa-i cred rcfolution tokeepeGods righteous judgements, and an unfained and conftant purpofe to perfonne the fame 5 / havejwome^ and willprfQrme itjtbat Ifvi^keepi th righteeuijudgements,

Secondly,in yerf.ioy. by his patiencieand fuf-fcrance of wrongs, difgraces, and affftic^tions,. which the wicked and prophane World heaped ppon him, for his profefS^n of holineffe and fin-

ceririe.

and perpetuall (juide.

ceritie. For, except he had loved and fcillowed the Light of divine Truth, vvhenfocver the fire of per fecu t ion and tr ib u lation^bccau le of the V\ ord, had beene kindled agamft him, hee had fhrunke backe and fallen away, / am affliSed very much, quicken me, O Lord, according to thy fVord,

Thirdly 5 in Verf. io8. by the offerings of his mouth, and calves of his lips; that is, the fpiri-tuall facrifices of prayers, thankfgiving,and gracious Vowcs for Gods fervice, which with a free and fervent rpirit,and earneft defire of acceptati-onj he continually offered unto the Lord; O Lord I befeech thee,accept the free-tvitlo^erings of my mouth, and teach me thy judgements.

Fourthly, in f^erf.io^ji lo. by his ftedfaftneffe and (licking to the Law and Word of God, though hee was befct and ftrongly incompaffed with lnares,with dangers, and with death it felfe: HUfouieivas continually in hi^hand-^ that is,hee was ready and refolved every houre rather to part with his lifcjthan with a good Confcience, to fhed his bloud,rather than to forfake the Truth and Com-mandements of God : My fiule u continually in my hand^yet doe 1 not forget thy Law : The tricked have laid afnareferme^yet I erred not frem thy Precepts.

In the two lad Verfcs,uponthe former reafbns hee concludes the Point • That his heart and inward affe(5tions do dcarely embrace Gods blcfTed Word, as a moft rich and lading Inheritance, as his fweeteft and grcateft joy; and,thaj hee bends all the powers of his foulcjand beft endcvours", to . be led with,and to follow the Light thereof even I (b 4) "nto t

3

4

1 Tm.€.if»

Slit iMiVes

ito4iftingui{h agodlymaa and aa hypocrite.

1;

yerf. lou Agodlyniaui:t guided by the Word in aU hiswayes.

A natural! m»n not at aU.

1^ he Saints fur e

Oi In pars'.

unto the end, untill it bring him teimmortalitic and Light^thAtnomAn can at tame unto : ■ Thy teHi-monies have / taken m an heritage for ever^for thj are the rejojci?ig of my heart : I have inclined my heart ta ferforme thy Statutes alrray, even to the end.

Thus you fee in gencraJl the meaning of this Portion.

Before now Idefcend unto particulars, and come to gather Notes (everally from the Verfes in order, let vs take notice,! befcech you, (for our inftruvftion and examination of ourovrnefoulcs) of fixe notable markes, and fignes, by which a true Chriftian may be difcerned from a Temporizer- a fincere ferver of God, from a carnall Gofpeller*

The firft I gather out of the firft Verfe : Every fonneand fcrvant of God doth with humilitie, chearcfulneiTe, and.obedience, yeeld and ftibmif himfelfe tobe wholly and onely dire^cd and guided by the Light of Gods Word,in all his wayes, both generally,of Chriftianitie,and particularly, of his fpeciall callings as I>avid here did. But the naturall man, that is not yet entred into, or acquainted with the ftate of Grace,is led and guided in his courfes onely by the Light of Rcafon, and worldly Wifedomc 5 by good Meanings, without ground and warrant out of the Word • by a blind and ignorant Devotion; b^y the Multitude, Examples, Cuflome of the Times, and fuch like blind Guides: But if he take any advice a^d dire(i^ion out of the Word of God, it is but in part, by halfes^and for a timei.

A fecond

and perpetual I ^uide.

A fecond arifeth out of the feeond Vcrfe; Every Child of God doth not oncly promifc, vow,and purpofe to forfake and abandon all his knowne finnes^to watch carefully and confcrona-bly over all his wayes, to delight in and to fort himfelfe with godly and gracious companie, to have a xt^^tdi to all his CommandementSjand to kccpehis righteous ludgements; but hee doth alfo truly arS throughly performe it: hec goes through-ftitch with his fpirituall affaires, and with conftancie and courage walkes in a fetlcd courfc of Chriftianitie. But the unregeHcrate nian, not yet foundly feafoned with the power of Grace j howfoeverhe hath fometimes good motions and purpofes arife in his heartjto forfake his former evill waycSjand to fall to godlincfl*} how-foever in thfc time of Sicknefle, of fome great ludgemcntj^orwhen his Confcience is terrified I by the Miniilerie of the Word,whcn he icrioufly tainkes upon the day of his death, and; of that great and la ft ludgcmentjOr the like; hee makes Vowes with himfelfe, perhaps^ that hee will be a new man,and change his courfes: But when he is once out of danger againe, when he comes to the point,and pradice, he is not fo good as his wordj he doth not pay and performe his former Vowes and purpofes y hee is prefently choaked againe with worldly Cares,and drowned in earthly Plea-fuTCS; And fo-all hhgoodn^Jfe is as amorning Ckud^ and as the morning Dvaiv itgoeth avi^y.

The third maifke lyeth in the thirdVerfe: Eveiy Child.of God dodi with contented patience,-

with

1

He pcrfDcmcs all his Vowes.

An unrcgcnc-race man doth noipayshcr:^

f

UifS.ik^

Verf,ioj,

He patiently IbfFcrs perfc-cution for the Word.

*Tw.3.ii.

The carnal] Go''peller fpare* him'

fclfc.

4

rtrf. 108. He is frequent in praying aod ,prayfing. The other not.

l^he Saints fure

vvithftroogdependance upon Gods providence, with rejoycing in his fLiftbringSjbcare and endure many miferies and prelTures layd upon him, for his profcflion and pra6:ice of finceritie. He well knowes out of the Word of God, and fceics by his owne experience, That all Mch mil live godl^ in ChriB isjuf^ jhaU fujferperfecution , 2 r/w. 3.12. And therefore he makes up his account with the World, and is at a point witk all that is under the Sunne . hce is perfwaded, that aH the affliBioAs tf this life are not mere tvcrthy the glory nhich fhallbe re-vealedyKom,%,iZ, ^--1

But the carnall Cofpeller he thinkcs it is good fleeping in awhole skin 5 he lookes fora Gofpel of eafc, for a foft and fiikcn fcrvice of God j for a Church (as one fpeakes) aS offelvet. And thcre-fore,rather thaahewill fuflfcrany lo(Ie,orvvor{ing, any diminutionordifparagement in his outward ej[tate,in his reputation, wealth, and worldly hap-pinefTe, he will make jhifrvracke efagood CgnfciencC'^ he will yeeld to the^orruptionsof the Times,and with the greater part, reft and repofe hinifelfc peaceably and pleafantly upon his Bed of eafc, and carnall fecuritie: never confiderin?;, that the CrofTeis the Chriftians triumph^ that Chrift himfelfewas crowned with Thornes ^ and, that wee muH through man"^ afliBions efrter into the King-dome ofHeaven^ AB, 14. 2 2.

A fourth marke may be gathered out of the fourth Verfe: The prayers and prayfings of God, m the mouth of Gods Child, are frequent, free, and fervent ^ bat with the carnall Gofpeller, they

are

and per^etuall (juide.

are very rare, coldly and formall. The Rcafon is^ Cods Child is veryfenfibleof his corruptions, ^d wants, hee ftill longs and gafpes for more grace, with a fpirituali taftc he (vveetly relilTieth Gods great mercicand goodnefTe untohinti ^ he hath the love of God and the fpirit of prayer fhed into his heart by the Spirit of Adoption ^ and therefore his heart is as full as the IVtoone, of godly motions and mcditationsjwhich likea con-tinuair Spring fends out groane? and fighes unutterable, many zealous and faithful! prayers and thankfgivings unto his gracious God with a free and feeling aifecaion. But the carnall Gofpeller, becaufchis underftanding was never enlightened, his heart never truly humbledjhis affedions never fan(^ified; becaufehc hath no fence of hi? wfet-' ched eftate^nor prcfent feeling of gracc5nor found hope and aflurance of happincfle in Heaven-why, therefore be hath no great mindjOrheartjOrfift to prayer; hee hath no great delight, or exercife, in this holybufinefie : and if he doe pray (which is but feldome,and coldly) it is but lip-labourjand loft labour, becaufeitiswithout faith, and feeling; for fa(Tiion,cuftome, or company, becaufe he was fo taught in his yoitth ; or that he fuper-ftitioufly thinkes, the very worke wrought, and a number of prayers folcmnely faid over, will fan-^f^ifiehim. ' 3 ibv

A fifthmarke may be gathered out of the ffxr and feventh Verfes : The Child of God doth not onely pafle through with patience, for the pro-

infe-

feffiOnof^ods truth andfinceritiCjIefTeand

"lOiir

The Reafon,

Fcrf, 109,110..

He will lofe hivlife for God.

A teraporanc ,iso£fondcd.

Mat,tiAt,

A Child of Ged counts the Word his reatcft Trca.

ure.

The ReafoB,

The Saints fure

riourmiferies.; as lofTe of goods, lofTe of friends and reputation with the World, (landers,difgraces, and wrongs: butheealfo W^/i^Af/o»/5 (as it were) continuaUy in hishsnd^ as David\\Q.XQ fayes oFhirafclfe-,-^readie (if need be, and the times fo recju ire) even to fhcd bis bloud vndcr the Svvord of Perfecution, or to lay dowrne his life in the flames, rather than to diilionour fo merciful! a God, to betray his holy Truth ^ or, by his back-fliding and falling ^way, to hazard that Crowne of Glory,whichby thecycof faith hehathalrea-diein fight. But the carnall GofpcIIcr, in time of peace and plentic,whilc he lives quietly,and at eafe, without croflfe or trouble, infaireand Sun-fliine dayesj may perhaps be a ftout and peremp-torieProfeflbr, but hee ever (lirinkcs in the wetting J he pulls in the head in the fieric trial I: ever, when trouble or ferfecmion commeth , bccaufe of the fVord, by and by he u offended.

The fixt marke is gathered out of the two laft Verfes: The Child of God holds his Word farre more deare than any precious Trcafure, than the richeft Inheritance , than * great Spoyles , than *th9ufands of Gold and Silver : It is the joy of his heart; and therefore it inclines and inflames his affedions with love and zcale to doe Gods will, and fulfill all his Commandcments. And no mar-vcll though the true Chrifliian find moft found and unconceivable delight in the Word of God, the Doi^rine of Heaven: For by ic, he is borne a-new, and made hcire of Heaven; by the Light of it,he fees his Name written in the Booke of Life,

never

•VM

and perpetuall Quide.

never to be raced out by man, or Devill; all rhe fvv'eec and gracious promifes of falvanon and comfort revealed in ii^ arc lure bis owne: So that thence he knovves5and is perftvaded undoubtedly, that after a ^cw and evill dayes fpcnt in this mifc-rabl'e life,he iliall remalne aod rcigne eternally in the glory of GodjOf Ghrift IcfuSjthe bleiled Spi-rit.and thcholy Angels. JBut it is othcrvvife vi^ith the carnall Gofpeller ; for whatfocver 1 new or proteftation hc;makes tothecontrary,yet indeed in his heart,affedicms^and pradice^hee preferres his pleafures, r;cbes,and profit, before hearing of Gods Word, fandifying his Sabbaths, and obedience to his Commandements. And no mar-veil; for bccanfe hcc yet never lived the.life of faith , butisarheere ftranger to the myfterie of godlinefle,hce hathno trueintereft nor found af furance in the joyes ofanotherWorld-and there-fore feeds oncly and fills himfelfewith tranfitqrie and earthly contcBtfnents. ij ?rioioOiq fiorn utr. Novj^Ibcfeechyou (beloved'inChriftlcfus)' let everyone with finglenefie of heart and fincc-ritie examine his owne Soule, and the fpirituall ilate of his Gonfcience^by thefefignesand marks which I have now delivered to you, out of the example and prceedencie of the Ghriftian afre(5li-^ ons and holy difpofition of David, a fandVified man, and a principal!patternc of pierie and zealc for all faithfull ones. Kmrvyou not (faith the A po-ftlc) that JefmChriJiifinyou , except )ou he repro^ hates ^ So undoubtedly, if lefus Ghrift be in you, if you be of Davids ftampe and temper, that

is.

n

A Chrjftian man hath fuch affuraHce in the good things of the world to com?, that he can ca fily moderate hisalfedions as touching earthly and tranfitoric things. It \s otherwifc wiihanHyj^o-crice<

And why;

iCoMj-l,

'4-

T^he Saints fure

is, alrea«lie pofleffcd of the (late of grace, and marked ouc by the Spirit of fandification/or the glory that fhall be revealed; you doe find in fomc good meafure thcfe markes and Hgnes of an holy man in your fclves,

1 That you are enlightened and guided by the Word of God in all your wayes.

2 That you have not onely good motions and purpofes for a zealous and conftant fervice of God; but doe faithfiiny,with (tnceritieand inte-gritie of heart pcrforme the fame.

3 That you futfer joyfully and patiently zi-fliiSions and difgrace in the World, for the te-ftimonie of Gods Truth, and profcflfion of fin-ceritie.

4 That you freely and faithfully, with much feeling and fervencie of fpirit, offer day ly prayers and prayfes unto the Lord.

5 That you had rather part with the deareft and mod precious things in this life $ nay, life it felfe, than leave the fervice of God, and the tefti-monie of a good Confcience.

6 That you have more comfort and delight in hearing, reading, meditating, conferring of, and applying unto your ownc foules the holy Word of God, than m the treafurcs and glory of the whole Earth.

Such markes as thefe you muft finde in your iclves, if you ever mcane or hope to finde true contentment in this life, or the comforts of Heaven inthelifetocome.

Now I come to a mere fpeciall and particular

con-

and per^etualL^uide.

15

confideration of every Vcrfe in order; and thence to gather flich Notes and Do brines, as may beft inftru A us in the way to Heaven.

Firftj-D^f/V tells us in the firft Verfc; That Gods pyord is A Lmterne to hif feet, and a Light unto his paths : Which,that you may better uaderftand, I will tell you thcmeaningof the words, and cx-plaine unto you the feverall tearraes.

Firft, the ^'ord may be taken three wayes.

1 For the fubfl-antiall Word of God, the fe-cond Perfon in the Trinitie, ith, i,i. In the Begin-nifig was the fVord^ and the tverd was Ged^

2 It may be taken for the written and founding Word; as it onely ftrikes the earcj and informcs the ttndcrftandingj bat it is not conveyedjiieirher finkes it into the heart by the powcrfull afliftance and fandified concurrence of Gods Spirit, it being not prayed for to the converfion and fan(5lifi-cation of the whole man. And fo the Word is heaid and underftood of inany,that fhall never l^e faved, but returnes unfruitfull.

5 It may be taken for the working and effedu-all Word,as it is thepaferef Cgduntojalvatiin . as it is rightly underfVood, applyed unto the heart and Confcience, podeft of the thoughts and affe-dions, and pradifcd in the life and converfation. This Word thus underftood, inlived, managed, and powerfblly applycd by the Spirit of God,was a Light unto Davids fteps ^ and fo is a guide unto the paths of all true Chriftians,to the worlds end.

That you may undcrftand how the Word is a Light, you mwft confiderj

r That

rrr/Tr Of. explained*

cakes three wayes.

For the fub-AancialWord.

The written and lounding Word.

The effeauoil Word.

What is meant by Light?

Johni, 4j 3/tf<.f. 14* P«:w,4.ig, .

Chrift •rigi-

Miniftcrs, mi-nifterially.

ACl*t6,iZ,

The Saints fttre

1 That Chrift is called Light , /oh, i. 4. The Miniftcrs are called the Light of the WorId,/W4f. 5.14. The faithful! are Lights^ PhiLi.i^^ 16, The rvay of the righteous (faith Salomon^ Prev,^, r 8.) fhineth as the Light^ that jhineth more and more vnto theferfeH day. The Word of God is alfo called a Light ; as in this place. But firft,

Chrift is Light ofhimlelfe, and originally • he is the Fountainc and evcrlafting Spring of all the Light of Grace and Glory, both in Heaven and Earth ; Hee is called, 77?^ Sunne of Righteoufne/e. The Sunne, you know, hath his Light rooted in his ovvne faire Body, and receives that from none other • and with that, hee enlightens the Moone, the StairrcSjthc Airc,the Earth, & all the World: Even fo the blcfted Sonne of God, the Sume of Right eoufne/e^hath in himfelfe5and from himlelfc, the Light of all Wifdome and Knowledge, Mer-cie and Comfort 3 and from him floweth and fpringeth whatfoever Light of Glory is revealed unto his bleflcd Saints and Angels in Heaven, or whatfoever Light of Grace is fhcd into the hearts of his fonncsand fcrvants here upon Earth.

2 The Preachers ©f the Word arc Miniftcrs and Meflcngcrs of this Light; and therefore are but Light minifterially. They axe ax the starrer^ and fo they are called, Rev, r. 20.; They receive all their Light from the Sume of Righteoufneffe^ Christ I e s v s , and cither doe or fhould convey and caft their borrowed beamcs upon the earthly,cold, and darkfome hearts of the people of God, that they might turnefrem Darhenefe

to

and perpetuall (juide.

to Light , from the fower of Sathan unto God , AB^ 26, iS.

3 The Word is Light inftramentally ^ which being powerfully fandified unto us for our falva-tion, and being holden out unto us by a confcio-nable Miniftcric,is as a Candle or Torch,to guide us through the darkneflfc of this WorldjUatoour cternallReft.

4 Laftlyjthc faithfull are Lights SuhjeBivs-^ bccaufc they receive this Light into their Vnder-landings, (whereby they fee the Wonders of Gods Law, the Secrets of his Kingdomc, and the great Myfteric of Godlincile , and the way to Heaveni) into their Confciences, (whereby they have theirilnfull mifcrable cftate by nature difcovcred unto them, and the way to Chrifl for rcmedie and falvation 5 ) into their affe^ions, (whereby they arc enkindled with zeale for Gods truth,honour,and fervice,) into their adlions^and converfation, whereby thej jhine as Lights in the fVorld^ amid a naughtie and crookedgeneration^PhiL 2. 15, And after the Sunne of KighteottfaeJJ'e once a-rife in their hearts, like the Sunne in the Firmament 5 they fhine more and more in all holy Ver-tues, unto the ferfeB day , untill they reach the height of Heaveii,and the full glory of the Saints of God.

In the third place, [By Feet] is meant his mindc and under {landing , his affeifiions, thoughts, actions, his whole hfe,all hiswaycs. All tbefe in David^ were guided by the Light of Gods Word.

(c) Laftly,

J7

The Word inftrumen-tally.

The falthfufl arc the fub-jeds of this Light*

Phi!.u if.

What is meant by FecU

The Saints fnre

What,byP<J/fcJ.

The meaning ol KbeV«fc.

T)M. i'

'Laftiy, by Paths, are meant every particular ftep^every turning and narrow palTage in his fpc-ciall calling. For this Liglit,tiie Word of God, doth not oncly guide a mans feet into the way ofpeace^ and put him in the right way to Heaven; but alfo goes along with hiai^iniightcnsand dire As every ft.epjthat his ieetdoe uot ilide. It 1 j infornries him with fpirituall wircdo;ne3 that hee laves hold on i every occafion for the glorify mg of God,defcries | every little {inne,and appearance of evill, difpo-feth every circumil-ancc in his a(5i:ions,vvith agood confcrencc,and warrant out of Gods Word.

This then is the raeaniag of this Verfe. David^

the man of God, had the Word of God working

powerfully upon his foulG,ias a Light; that is^

As a Lampe is to the life and fafetie of the body,

in darke and dangerous places • fo was this Light

to the life and falvation of Davids foule, in the

j l^arkenefre of this Wotldyandl'hadow of death t

I ^^ guide hl> feet and paths ; that is,his mindjaffedi-

j ons,thoughis,adions,his wholelifejali his wayes,

and every particular ftep and pafTage thereof.

I This Verfe being thus underftood, let us now

come't6 gather fome LelTons and Dodrines for

ourinftrudion.

Thefirfi Aiall bethis! There is no man can hit the way to Heaven, or walke in the paths of Rightcoufnefle, through tlieKingdonne of Grace in this World, unto-the •Kingdome of Glory in the World to come, except he beinlightcned, informed^ and intruded j in the holy Word of God.

'];;:.. The

and perpetuall (juide.

»9

The fecond Note wee gatheroutof this Verfe, (Lall be this ;

The Word of God is a Light, not onely to 1>oU:, 2. guide us into the way to Heaven, and inftrud us inourgencrallcallingof Chriftianitic^ butalfo to leade us along in a courfe of godlineirc,and to dired us particularly inour fpeciall calling.

I will Hrft follow the former Dodrinc; which in {k:\w words, and plainely, I thus propcife unco you.

No man can at firfl finde the entrance, or after 1 T)oU* 1. hit the way to Heaven, except he be enlightened and led along by the holy Word of God. For Davidy as here wee fee, a man of great worth, and underftanding, otherwife excellently and extraordinarily qualified j could not find out,orfolIoA' any other Guide50r direction to Heaven,but onely the Light of Gods Word.

The Reafons of this Dodrine, may be thefe which follow.

The firft may be taken from the infufficiencie 7^^/o» i. and inabilitie of all other meanes, to bring us to ^^ "^^^"^

TT ^ I meanes can

Heaven : as, I br,ng us co

I All the greatcH Learning and deepeft know-; Heaven, ledge in the World,will ftand us in little ftead in N^^t humane this bufineffe : Otherwife it had gore well wiih j^^^''"*"^' many ancient Heathens and Philofophers of old, I who fadomed as deepe, and reached as high in | the depths and myfteries of all humane Lear-1 ningand knowledge, as the light of Reafon and ! ftrength of Nature could pollibly bring them: | And yet they were utterly ftrangers to the life of I (c 2) gracej_

xo

Epb,x, II,

Rom»uit,

X C»ii»io%

;£}'M0.I4.

' ■

Not worldly vvifcdome. The wifedome of Gods Book, Sc mans brain, ftjnd atoddcs, I wivh an ever-■ iafiingoppo-" finoniRom.9,7. \* 1 Cor.i.i'^. \

The Saints fure

grace, aad without God in the fvorld, fvhen they prO' fefed themselves to be mfcy they became fooles , faith Paul^ Rem, i, 22. They were putfed up with a little vainc-glorious knowledge here upon Earth, and got them a Name amongft men: But^alas, what was this? When as for the want of the Light of Divine Truth, they loft their Soules in another World, and their Names never came in the Booke of Life, where is the wife ^ (faith Paul in another place ) t^here is the Scribe I where is theBij^uter of this World i As if hee fhould have faid: All the knowledge of the greateft Dodors and learnedeft Rabbins in the World, without Grace, vanifheth into-nothing, into vaine-glory, cmptinelTe, and aire • nay, eafts them with greater horror, and confufion, into the Pit of Hell. Every mm (faith leremie) is-a BeaFl by his onne kfwwied^e , Dyio Qlu^-'^D V2J ^en, 10. 14. Except, befides all other knowledge, he be enlightened from above, and have that Divine krxowlcdge fanv5l;ified unto him, hee can come no neerer the happinefle of Heaven, than a very Beaft.

2 Worldly wifedome and policie is fofarre from making men wife unto falvacion, that it is notonely ftarke foolirhneflfewith God and good men, but it doth ftrongly fet it fel'fe and is at en-mitie againft God. Therefore, faith God; / mlf deFJ^roy the mfedome of the tvife^ and will ca^ avay the underfianding of the prudent^ ♦ i Cor, i. i^. ^hitophel vyas fo wife even in the affaires of Kingdomes,and bu fineffe of S tate,that the comfellwUchhe comfel/ed

and ferpetuall Cjuide.

11

in thefe dajes , rva^ like as one had asked comfell at the Oracle of God'y and ycc ail this great wifedonae in the end ended in extreme folly: for upon a little difcontcnt and difgrace in the WVorld^hefadled hu A^e^And vvent hsme unto hu Citie^ andfut his houfehold in order^ and hanged himfelfe^ 2 Sam, 1^,23,, ^17. 2 3. Although the end of all worldly wifedomc be not fo fhamefull in the eye of the World, yet undoubtedly it is moft miferable and wofuU in the World to conic, except their wifedome be fandified and over-ruled by the Light of Gods W^ord. Carnall wifedome can neither preferve a man from death^nor prepare him to die blcflcdly: it cannot (lay his Life from going, neither can it ftop the Curfe from comming 5 it cannot deliver him from damnation in the World to come, but rather encreafeth the gricvoufnefTc of his punifh-ment: for in this life it hath kept pofTellion a-gainft heavenly vvifcdorae, it made him uncapa-ble of all good inftru6tions,it made him impatient of any rebuke, and held him in ignorance and difobedience all his life.

3 No good meanings or intentions, without knowledge and warrant m the Word of God, will ever ferve our turne for falvation ; nay, indeed they arc abominable and hatefuU in Gods fight. Howfoever, thoufands deceive themfelves in this point. Fz>zah had a good meaning,in 2 Sam,6* 6, when hee put his hand to the Arke of God, and held it', for the Oxen did fhake it: but notwith-ftanding,the Lord was very wroth with yzzah^and God fmote him in the fame place, and there hee

(C3) died.

15rf?w.i7«»3«

Nfoe gooi oaeanings.

Zl

20&.13.9.

Not will-wor-(hip.

The Saints fare

died, lames and /c/?^ had good meanings, when they called for fire from Heaven to conlumcthe Samaritan, that would not entertaine Chrift ^ but lefus rebuked them, and told them , they knew net ofrrhatffirit they rrere^ Saul, in i Sam. 1 5. had a good meaning, when he fpared ^ga^^und the bed of the Sheepc, andof the Oxen, to facrifice them unto the Lord; but notwithftanding Samuel tells him, that hehaddsne wickedly in the f£ht of the Lord, I and that the Lord had rent the Kingdome oflfraelfrom him that day, Peter had a good mean ing, when in loh.i^, 8. hewouIdnotfufferChrifttowafhhis feet 5 but lefus anfwered him,and told him, ff i rrajb thee not, thou fhalt have no fart mth me. Good meanings then are wicked miflings of the true ferviccof God, except they be guided by knowledge, warrant, and ground out of the Bookcof God. Let noman then tell of his good meaning, if he be ignorant in the Will and Word of God -, for certainely it will never Itrvethcturne, it will never hold out in the Day of Chrift lefus.

4 No will-worfhip, or will-fervice, or volun-taric Religion,as the Apoftlccalls icJ 07.2.23, which is forged and framed out of a mans owne braincj humour, and conceit, without ground or warrant in the Booke of God 5 though it be performed with never fo glorious a fhew of zeale and paincs,yet it is not any way availeable for our fpi-rituall good,andctcrnall happineffe: nay indeed, it is moH odious in the eyes of God, and ever ly-abletoa very high degree of his wrath and ven-^ gcancc.

Siaals

and perpetuall (juide.

H

I KJHg.\S,iZ.

Baals Prophets, i iCzV^j-18.3 8. were fo hot and haftie in thejr wilUvorfhip, that they cut themfelves mth knives^ and launcers^ tilt the bhud gujhedout ufon them. The Papifts they whip themfelves, they vow Continencie, perpetual! Povertie, and Regular Obedience ^ and yet is the profeflion and pra-dice of bothjbloudie and idolatrous. When the lewcs woriliipped God after the devifed fafLions of the Gentiles, though their meaning was to wor{hip nothing belt Godjyet the Text (dXih^they worfhifped nothing but Dezjls, Deut. 32.17. And i veut.i%.ii, God there proteftSjthat therefore afire was kindled in hif wrath^ that fhould burne unto the bottome ofHeliy and fet on fire the foundations of the mountaines. So hated of Almightie God is all fervice and wor-fhip devifed by the wit and will of man, without warrant in the Word of God.

5 Laftly, not the Word of God it felfe in the Letter, without the fpirituall meaning, and the finger of Gods Spirit to apply it powerfully to our foulcs and confciences, is any fufficient rule of life^or able to bring us into the L ight of Grace. This appeares in Nicodemm^ who was a great Do-dor in the Law, and the Prophets, a chiefe Mafier and Teacher in Jfrael ; yet vvas a very Infant and Idcot inthepovvcrof Grace,and myfterieofgod-lineflTe. For all his learning in the Letter of the Law, he had not yet made one ftep towards Heaven; for hce was not ODcIy ignorant of, but had a very abfurd and grofie conceit of the new birth •, which is the very firft entrance into the Kingdome of Grace. For when Chrift told bim, hee could

(c 4) not

Not the Word it lelfe in the Letter, without the mea'. ning.

I9&.3.XO4

H

Try: 4.

ReafoH 1, The Word worket rege-ncrationjwiih-out whicb,no falvatioa.

What regeneration is "i

1 P£?.i.i3.

The Saints fure

1

not be favcd, except hce were new borne, hee ftrangely and fooliihly rcplyes -^ Hor» can a man be bornCj which is old i Horv can he enter into his mo-thers JVomhe againe^ and be borne ^ Thus .you fee, there can no other meanes be named, or thought upon 5 not all humane Knowledge, nor worldly Wifcdomc, nor good Mcanhigs , nor Will-worlhip 5 nor the Word it felfe in the Letter, which can Icade us into the wayes of Righte-oufnefTc, orbrinp; us unto Hetven ; but onely the Light of Gods holy Word, holden out unto us by a profitable Mioifterie, and the power of the Spirit.

A fecond Reafoa ofmy Do-firinc may be this; No man can ever fee the Kingdome of God, except he be borne againe, except he be a new creature, anew man , as is plaine in Chrifts words unto Nicodemw, For our new birth, or regeneration, is the ncceiTarie pafTage from Nature to-Grace; from prophancneffcjto finceritie : It is that whereby wee are wholly fandificd and fet apart unto God, from the finfnll corruption of our natural! birth, and the evill fruits thereof, to ferve God in out whole man , both body, foule, and fpirit. Now you muft conceive, that this new birth mufk neceflarily fpring from the immoY.uU Seed of the word of Gcd\ for fo it is called, I i'r^.1.23. ^^ is the Seed of onr.new birth, falvation, and immortalitie. And you may as well looke for Corne to grow up in your fields without fowing, without calling any Seed into the furrowcs, as to looke for Grace to grow up

m

and per^etuall (juide.

i5

in your hearts, or to rcape the fruit of holmelfe, evcrlafting life; except this immortall Scedjthe Word of God, be firft caft into the furrovvcs and fallow ground of your hearts, and be there received with reverence and attention, nouriilicd vyith prayer and meditation, and frudlifie in your lives and conveifations. Hence it is, that Gods Word is called, 7k JVord of Saltation, AB, 13. 2 6. The fVord of Grace ^ AB, 14.3. The Ji^nrd of Lifey Phil. 2. i6- '^he Power of God unto Salva-tiotty Rom, 1,16. For there is no power of Gracc^ or fpirituall life , to bee had ordinarily upon Earth, or falvation and eternal! UCq to be hoped for in Heaven ; except a man be enlightened with the knovriedge, and enlived with the power of the holy Word of God. There is no en-tring into the Kingdome of God, except a man bee new borne 5 except hce bee firft renewed in his fpirit, foule, and body :. And there is no j new.birrii, without the * immortall Seed , the Word of God. And therefore, without knowledge and dire<ftion in the Word, of God , no falvation. j

The third Reafon of my Do«f^rine, is this: The [ Word of God hath only the power and propertie ' to fearch into and to fanctific the whole man,even to the inmoft thoughts and the fecret cogitations of the heart. All thedevic<isand imaginations of mans heart lye without the walke of humane ju-' Aice,.and cenfure; novirord or writing of man is-i able to bridle them, or bring them within com-. paflTe;- no Law of Nature^or Nations.can affright I

" or!

Rom.1,16,

fie the whole

a Car,io,i.

opened.

The Word is faid to be lively in three regards.

It quickens.

It lafis for ever.

It difperfcrh i-t felfcjand fear-cheth into c-very part of the foule.

7be Saints Jure

or reftrainc the frecdonic and wanderings of thoughts; oncly the Word of God can amaze, Icarcb, and ranclifie them. The treaponr ef our rr^r-fare (faith Paul) arc net carnally but mightte through Gcd to caH dcttne Holds • cajling donne the imaginations ^ and ererji thing that is exalted again]} the knov^ ledge of God^ and bringing into captizitie every thought iKto the obedience of Chrtft^ 2 Cor, 10.4,5. The ivori of God (faith the Apoftle to the Hcbrev^es) is lively andmightie in operation^andfharper than any ttro-edged fnord-^ and entreth through^ even to the dividing afun-der of the foule and the f^irit, and of the joints and the marrort^and is a difcerner $fthe thoughts and the intents cf the hearty Heb,^. 12 •

The Word of God may be faid to be living or lively inthree refpeds.

1 BccaufCjWhereas we naturally live under the fhadow of death,and in thedarkeneflc of finne^it quickens us with a new and fpirituall life, ic chcares and comforts us with heavenly Light.

2 The Word may be called Living^becaufe it fclfe is immortall,and laftcth forever; as doth the living and eternal! God,the Author of ic. .

3 But moft efpecially, and agreeably to the place in the Hebrewes, it is called lively^ bccaufe it enters with great power and fecrct infinuation into every part and power both of foule and body: So that as our life is fcattered and difperfcd into every little part, and lead veinc in us, and we fcele it both in paine and picafurc ^ even fb the vcrtuc of the Word of God pierceth into every member, into the moft fecret and hidden Clofet of the

heart.

and perpetuall (juide.

i?

heartj either to breake and bruife with terror and aftonilTiment-the very bones, & crufh the {inevves of the flnFuJl fonle, or to fill them with marrow andfatneflbjand to rcfrefh the atfedions of the truly penitent with joy unrpeakable,and glorious. God tells us in lerem^^ that his Word is like j?/'^ ^ and therefore it can eafily infinuate into all the creckes and corners of our corruptions j it can fully and clcarely enlighten our ConfcienceSj^^nd difcover unto us the fmfulncflTc of the moft lurking and fccret thoughts.

Thus you have this firft Dodrine plaincly proved and confirmed unto you.

No man can at firft findc the entrance, or after hit the way to Heaven, except he be enlightened and led along by the faving knowledge of the holy Word of God,

No other mcanes, which the power of Nature, Wifcdome, Learning, or the whole World can affordjwill fervcthe rijrne in this bufinefle of Salvation. It is the Seed of our new birth (as I told you^) there can be no growing of gracc,or reaping of glory, without it ; It hath oncly power to fhakc5ran(acke,and fearch intethe inmoil fccrets of the heart: It onely can fandifie us both in-^ wardly and outwardly, both in foule and body,. both in thoughts and actions . without which, • both inwaid and outward holineflPe, no man fliall ever fee the face of God,

Now Icome unto the Vfes of this Do^rinc. And in the firft place,it may ferve for confutation of the Papifts5thofe greatcmpoyfoners and mur-

therers

Jer.ii,i9,

Vfe I,

Confutation of Papifty* whokeepe the "Word in an unknowne Tongue

z8

Pfal,i9»7*9'

Jah,s.l9'*

The Saints Jure

therers of infinite foules of men. Is the Word of God as a Lampe,and a Light, without which wcc cannot fee the firlt ftep^ or fet one foot aright towards Heaven ? Why then, finfull and peftilenc is their pra^flicejwho hide this blefled Light from the people of God,in an unknowne Tongue; and by their bloudie Inquifition, damme up the holy Fountaines of heavenly Truth , which fliould fpring up in every mans heart unto eternall life; Whofe cruell and craftic Religion (forjbloud of Princes, and curfed Policie, are the principall fupporters of Poperie) teacheth them to blindfold and hood-winke the poore Laitie in forced ignorance, left they fhould know Gods will, or any way to Heaven, but theirs 5 which indeed is the right,dire(Sl,and defperate downe-fall into the Pit of Hell: So that millions of foules live no lefle without Scripturcs,than if there were none; and wofuUy walke in this World, through darkc-1 neffc of finne,fliadow of death,and ignorance both of God and his Word, unto endleffe and utter darkeneflfe in the World to come. The Prophet David tells us,in PfaLi^, That the Lam of the Lord is ferfeBy and giveth tvlfedome unto the (impk : The Commandements of the Lord is fure^ and giveth light to the eyes. In this place hee telis us. That the Word was a Lampe unto his feet, and a Light unto his paths. Chrifthimfelfe,/<?^;/ 5.3p.bids us. Search the Seriftures : even all, without exception ; fo many as looke for eternall life. Not lightly, and at leifure to reade them, but with diligence to dive into them; for fo the word fig-

nifies

and perpetuall Quide.

nifies in the Originall: To fecke for the right knowledgCj and true fenfe of them, as for Siher^ and to fearch for it as for Treafures, The Noblemen of Berea, JB, 17.11. fearched the Scriptures dayly , whether thofe things were fo^ that trere preached mte them. Saint Peter , 2 Pet, i. 19, calls th« Word of the Prophets, a Light^rrhich fbineth in & darke place, to nhich weefljould take heed. But the Pope,and his Fadors^ teach other LeTTons. The Catholikc Church ( faith one of their chicfc * Champions, out of the Counccll of * Trent) forbids the reading of Scriptures by all^without ehoifCjOr the publike reading, or finging of them in vulgar Tongues. The wife will not here regard (fay the Rhemifts in their Preface to their Teftament) what fomewilfull people doe mut-ter,that the Scriptures are made for all men. And foone after, they refcmble the Scriptures to Fire, WarefjCandlcSjKnivcSjand Swords; which are indeed needful!, &c. but would marreall, if they were at the guiding of other than wife men: And this i's indeed one of their principallreafbns.

Many abufe the Scriptures by ignorance, infir-mitie,ormaIice,toErrors,Here{ics,Schifmes,and their owne deftrudion r therefore they are not to be read of alI,withoutchoifc,

I anfwer ; they might as well reafon thus : M^ny men abufe Meat and Drinkejby furfetting and exceffejto thedeftrudiion both of their foules and bodies: therefore men areto be deprived of Meat and Drinke. Some men are infeded with the Peflilcnce, by drawing in corrupted and em^ ^poy foned

29

/^<^.I7. II.

a. ?et,i, 19.

* SeS. de Verh. Dei,2.cap.i^, At CatboUca Eccle/fUy^c,

Ohiea. TheScriptares arereaJytobe abufed by che ignoraHt,ro error, heicfie.

So may Meac be abufed, and the Aire itifcfted: yet they are not to be taken 3V. ay.

^ev. 18.

The Saints fure

poyfoned aire: therefore the aire is to be taken away, and removed. But as thofe men which are deprived of Meat and Drinke, prefcntly languifli and pine away, and die a tcraporall death ^ and thole that enjoy not the benefit of the aire, arc prefently {ki^o-d^ for want of breath: even fo, all thofe that want the fpirituali Food of their foules outofthc Wordof Godjand the holy infpirati-ons of his good Spirit builded thereupon • how-foever they be fat and flourifliing m their outward eftates5yet they are full leane and lanke in their foules 5 and if they fo continue, mufl needes die an etcrnall death, and peridieverlaftingly. Let us then learne to deleft and hate the bloudie P^-licie of the Synagogue of Rome, which cruelly keepcs from many thoufand Soules that blefled Light of Gods Word, which fhould lead them to eternall life. They indeed pretend other Kea-fons; But the truth is, if the Word of Truth (liould be permitted and publifhed toall, there would be old runningout of Babylon* all their Pompe and Policie would downe j their fliame-full luglings and Coufenages, their flrong De-lufions and Impoftures would be laid open^in the fight of the Sunne. The Princes of the Earth, that have fo long beenc drunken with the wrath of her cm poy foned Wine,wouId no longer.com-mit Fornication with her. The Merchants would buy no more her Wares; but would ftand afarrc off from her, for fcare of her torment, weeping, and wailing. Nomarvcll then, though the Pa-pifls labour might and maine, and to this end

maintainc I

and per^etuall (juide.

raaintaine a blotidie Inquifition,^ fuppreffe this Light of Gods V\'ord,leftit fnoulddifcover their darknefre,and haften their deftrudion.

A fceondVfe, is for terror, feare, and amazement to all them that doe not \i\^ and delight in the Light of Gods holy Word, but yet are walking in the darkenefie.of ignorance, antl in the fhadovv of death. The whole fVorld^ and every man in particular,Vj^j in d'arkeneffe ; that is, in ignorance, under finne -^ and fo fubjed and lyabie to damnation and etexnall,4ea.th» There; is no way to come out of this ftate of Darknefre5Damnati-on,and Death, but by the Knowledge, Light, and Minifterieof theVVord. Hence it is, that ^^. 2(5.18* it is7»W/ charge,and hee is fent to this purpofe, po open, the eyes efmen^ that they might turne fnm Darknefe to Light. And Pml himfelfe, Efh, 5,8. fpeakes thus unto the Ephefians 5 Tee tvere once D^rkene^e^ but m0 yee are Light in the Lord ^ walk eat: Children af the L ight , O ut of i Pet . 2. y, it appcares, that all Gods Children are called out of DarkenejTe into mArvellew Light, Why then, fearefnll and m0ft vyretched is the ftate of all thofe,vifho by.the Light and knowledge of Gods Word are riot traniflated and guided out of this DarkenclTe.; For, as in Darkenefie,

I There is much feare, *tiorror, and diTcoai-fojtj a man cannot enjoy the lightfoiK-n^e of Heaven, the cpxifort of the creatures, the com-pante of men ^ Even fo ignorant men, not en-^ lightened vvith faving knowledge, are utterly without,ailho|>eof Heaveii|ttheyhave.no fight

;i

Of lerror to them tbac delight not in Gcdi MjQt^,

.y.is>3 tn

A£i;t6,i^,

E^h.^.^»

iTitii.p,

The ftate of shofe that are

in DarkcnciTc,

He is in fcar«#

He knowes not whith«r hs goest

!

■

The ftatc of igaerant oncn*

The Saints fure

or tafte of the endlcfle joycs thereof j they have no companie or conference in heavenly matters vt^ith true Chriftians ^ they have bo comfort or intereft in the Covenant of Grace^or Promifcs of Salvation: But Feare, Horror, and Dcfpairc are moft jaftjy trcafurcd up for them againk the Day of H'rathy and »f the declarapiott of the jttft ludgement ofGed,

z He thdt n>dlketh in the Darkeptejje ( faith Tohn) knorveth net fthither he g^eth : He cannot difcerne his way 3 he fceth not what is behind, or before him; he cannot de(cry or difcovcr the dangers which are round about him : But efpecially, if the wayes through which he pafleth, be flipperie, fteepe, and rockie, full of pits and holes, he is in danger at every ftep, byfome grievous fall, to crufh his body, bruife his bones, or breake his neckc. It is juft fo with every one that lives in ignorance of Gods Word,and Truth • he cannot poffibly difcerne the way to Heavenjamongft the many by-paths of iniquitie; he cannot judge in fpirituall matters betwixt right and wrong,good and cvilI,Light and DarkcnefTejChrift and BelUl^ prophaneneflc and finceritic 5 though there be behind him, a Life fpent in much wickedneflTc, Icvvdnefle,and ignorance; before him,Defpaire, Hell, and eternall Damnation ^ about him, the World, with a thoufand baites and plcafurcs, to intice and intanglc him in finne 5 Sathan, like a roaring Lyon J readie every houre to feize upon his Soule, and to tearc it in pieces, while there is nonctohclpe; all the creatures armed, and in 2

rcadinefle.

and perpetuall (juide.

readinefle, with whole Armies of Plagues, and Vengeance, to be revenged upon him, for dishonouring God, by ignorance in his Word ; Yet hee fees none of all this. Hee neither knowes, fceleSjOr fufpctSis thefe many dangers^with which he is incompailtd; but goes on plodding, with ungrounded confidence, and wicked fecuritie, in the way of wickednefiTe and deftrudion: hee paf-fcth , with much defperate boldnefle, through many dangerous and fcarefuU wayes 5 wherein, at every ftep, he wounds his Confcicnce wi th one finne or other in the meane time, and at length falls hcadIong,and fuddenly, body and foule, into the Pit of Hell. This is certainely the miferable and wofull ftate of all thofe that live in fpirituall Darkenefle,andare ignorant in Gods Word,and the wayes of godlineffe. It may be they may flatter, pleafe,and pcrfwade therafelves,that their cafe is good enough ^ that, when they heare of Heaven, and thofe everlafting plcafures at Gods right hand,tbcy thinke notwich(landing that they fhall come thither at length; though they know never a foot of the way, take no direction by the Lightof Gods Word, nor fet oneftcp, by new obedience , towards that place of bleiTednefTc. But indeed and truth they doc very fearefully dc ceive and over-fhoot themfelves : And their cafe is juft, as if a man fhould fall afleepe upon the edge of fome high and ftecpe Rocke -^ and there dreame, that he is made a King, attended with a glorious Traine of Nobilirie; furhiihed with furaptuous Pallaces,and ftately Buildings, en-

(d) riched

??

Simile^

H

The Saints fure

^ki,l%d:

/jfc,3.i8.

T^ew.io.iij,.

richcd with the Revenues, Soveraignetie, and Plcafuresof awholeKingdome ; But upon the fuddcn, ftarting upland leaping for joy,falls irrecoverably into the mercilefle and devouring Seaj and fo lofeth that little comfort,\vhich he had in this raiferablc life. Many w^retched men lye and fleepe and fnort in ignorance and fpirituall blind- j nefle; thinking, that skill in the Bookc of God, and points of Religion, belongs onely to thofc that are Booke-learned. entertaining much vainc hope of falvation, vtrithout all truth or ground ; But vrhen upon their Death-bed^their Confcien-ces are awakened by the finget of Gods juftice, out of the llumber of rinne,they then too late find and fee, that all was but a Dreame; for they fud-denly fall and finkc intodefpairejhorrorjand end-lefTe defolation. The ftate then of ignorant men, though perhaps they little rhinke upon it,or rake it to heart, is moft fearefull in this life , and will be moft horrible hereafter. In this World; be-caufe they are unacquainted, and untaught in Gods Troth,points of Religion^and way to Heaven ^ they neither know their owne mifcrie, the great myfterie of godlinefrc,or mcanes to falva-t ion ; a nd th ere fore live as aliens from the Common-rrealth of Ifrael^ firangers from the C6ve»ant of Pro-mi fe ^ withoHt hope^ and rrithmt Cod in the JVorld: Which is a mifcrie of all miferics ^ Thej are condemned alreadie : For as it is, fohn 3.18, Ne that beleeveth not in him^ is alreadie condemned. And Saint/*/?»/faith, ^<?w. 10.14. Horvfha^theybelecve in him^ofrvhom they have not heard \ and horv fha// they

hear£^

and perpetuall (juide.

^f

heare^ without a Preacher i So, that without knowledge in Gods Word, there c^n be no faith; and without faithj there is no falvation. You may further fee a notorious Linkc of many wretched mifchiefesj which arifc from ignorance, Efh, 4. 17,1 ^J19. Vanitie ofmind^ and darkeneJJ'e of under-ftand'mg arc naturally in all men ; for wee arc all ftarke blindc, and utterly dead, in refpejfl of matters of Heaven, and Ipirituall affaires. From thence comes, grolfe Ignorance of God, and all godlinefle; and this Ignorance,if it be not removed anddifpelled by the Light of Gods Word, is the root and caufe ot ftrangeneflTc from the Life of God: Hardnefle of Heart • Searcdnefle of Confciencc, and want of Feeling; an itching, wantonnefle, and eagerncfle to finne j a committing of any finne, without remorfe, occafion being offered; an unfatisfiednefle and greedinefle in the purfuit of (infull pleafures, and in fulfilUng the luH oftheflejjj^ the luB of the eyes^and pride of life, Thcfc are the bitter and poy foned fruits of Ignorance, and want of knowledge in the Word of God,and way to Heaven. And what is 10 be expected hereafter, appeares 2 The^, i. 7, 8, ^. The Lord lefus tviU jhew himfelfe from Heaven ^ mth his ■michtie Angels , inflaming fire , rendring %'engeanfe j unto them that dee not know God , and vrhich obey not i the Gof^el of our Lord lefus Chrift 5 irho fhall he ptt-j nifhed mth everUfting perdition from the pre fence of \ the Lord^ andf-om the glor-^ of hk potver. Seeing I then thecomming of the Lord will be fo terrible i and fearefull to the ignorant, fo that they fhall 1 (d 2) defire

E^.4.i7ii8>t^'

The fruits of ignorance.

I lih.i.i^.

zT^?. 1,7,8,9.

?<J

ie^y^t.9'

The Saints fure

^#

deiirc the Mountaines to fall upon them, that they might hide themfelves from the fierce vvrath of the Lord, and not behold his fearefull coiinte* nance; and that they (liall wifh full many times, they had never beene borne ^ how ought every man^ which lives vi^ichout the Light and knowledge of Gods holy Word, feare and tremble ? And yet, God knowethjhce cannot conceive the thoufand part of iJiofe horrible torments which the ignorant and wicked perfons endure for ever. For as the heart of man cannot comprehend thofe. blelled and glorious joyesjwhich God hath prepared for thofe that love him 5 fo the woe, torments , and endleffe vexations, which fhali be poured with wrath and vengeance upon the head of the wicked, infinitely paiTe the underftanding of man : None can conceive how horrible they are, but onely he that feelcs them. It very deepe-ly then concernes you (Beloved in Chrift lefus) as you tender the evcrlafting good and happinefTe of yoarowncfouleSjto labour by all meanes to be infrru^ted and inlightened by the holy Word ofGod3whichisholdenoutuntoyou,asaLampe and Torch, to leade you through this Vale of TeaTes,and World of Darkenefle^ to the blcflTed fruition of the moft glorious and everlafting Kingdome of Heaven* Otherwife, if you will needcs continue in ignorance fti*ll,markc what is your wofull (late and condition : howfoeveryou may fceme to fhine outwardly, to the eye of the World^orinyourowne conceits, in pleafures,in plentie, incivill honeftie,in outward miith,and ^ other I

and perpetuall Cjuide,

?7

Other worldly contentments; yet, in deed and truth, your life is a life of darkenellc. The g^d 9f this florid, the Prince of DarkeneJ^e^ hath blinded the eyes ^fyour mindes^ that y)ur Fnderstandings are not onely darkened ^ hv\t j9u are Darkencfj'e it felfe^ £fh,^,8, Yourvvorkcs arethe workes of Darke-neflc, your way is the rvay of DarkenejTe -^ you are fettered and enchained /-i the forrerof Darkenejfe^ Colof.i, 13. InthedarkenelTeof croifes and afflictions of this life, you (liall be without any glimpfc of true comfort and rcfrediing from the Lord ; upon your Death-beds, you rtiall meete with nothing but darkenefle of defpaire and horror: in the Grave, Sathan will guard you with the Barrcs of the Earth, as in a Bed of hopejcfle Darkeneile, untill the Judgement of thc^great Day. And that Day will be unto you, a Day of wrathy a Day of trouble and heavineffe^ a Day of de-firuUion and defo/ation , a Day of Clouds and black-neJJ'e: as it is,Zeph, r. 15. And at the laft,you arc to be cart:, body and foulc, from the prefence of God,and joyes of Heaven, into utter Darke-ncflc , there to be tormented amongCt wicked Devils, for ever and ever. This is ccitaincly the ftatc of all ignorant men , and thofe that will not be enlightened with faving knowledge out of his Word : There is nothing to be expcfled of them j but Darkeneile, Sorrow, Defpaire, and Horror.

A third YCc of thisDodrinc , mayferve for admonition to all thofe, who by the Light of Gods Word have alreadie found and are cntred

(d 3) into

Ztpb.liiS*

Admonition CO take the Word for cur guide.

?8

iTei.i.i»

I'Prov.^.ii,

\Md,^,io

»——

The Saints fure \

into the tvay to Heaven; that they would fuffer themfelves with humihtie, obedience, and con-ftancicjto be led along in a courfe of fanvaificati-on, by the holy guidance and diredion thereof; that they would fhine dayly more and more in all Chriftian vcrtues, exercifes, and duties. For it is the propertie of all thofe which are become new creatures, who are wafhed from their finnes, fandifiedjand new-borne by the immortall Sc^d of the. Word, and the Spirit of Grace, to long after, and earneftly dejire the fine ere Milke of the fvgrd^ that they may grow thereby in knowledge, comfort,and new obedience. A new-borne Babe will be plcafcd and fatisfied with nothing but the Pap J not Gold5Pe3rles5 or any thing elfe will I content it: even fo a new-renewed Soule doth j ever hunger and thirft after the facred and fmcere \ Milke ef Gods holy ff^Qrd^ as Saint Peter calls it,thar j it may dayly gather ftrength in grace • otbcr-r wife, as the Child, fo it would languifTi, pine a-way,and die. He that growes not, and goes not forward in grace, had never true grace. He that fakhfully labours not to feed his foule with fpi-rituall food,never paffed the new birth. Thervayof the righteow (faith Salomon) fbinethjs the Light^that jhineth more and more unto the perfeB Day^ Prov, 4. ; i3. for if the Day-ftarre of faving knowledge i once appcare untt> a man,and the Sume of Righte-oufnejj'e arife in hU heart ^ they never fetjUntill ihey biinghim unto that glorious Light above, that no roan can attaine unto. He proceeds and proxies in the great my fterie of godlineflc, in Mih^

repcn-

and Perf email (juide.

99

tepentance, and (inceriticj he growes fromvcr-tuc to vertue, from knowledge to knowledge, from grace to grace , untiirhee become a ferfeB man in Chrt^ lefw. It may bCjas the faireft Siinn^ may fometimes beover-caft, and darkened with Clouds^ and Mifts ; fo the hoIinefTc of a godly man may be over-clouded and difgraced fometimes, by falls into a (inne, upon infirmitie, ignorance, heedlefneflejOr the like : But, if he be fo Overtaken ^ after his paffing through forrow and gricfe of heart for the fame, and his riling againe by repentance • hce fhines farre more brightjy and pleafantly both to God and man,in {iuceritic and all holy graces j he afterwards runnes a more fwift and fetled courfe in the race of fandificati-on. So that ordinarily all Gods children fhine as Lights in the fvorld, in the midB of a naughtie and crooked generation ^ being once inlightened with faving knowledge • and they ftillwaxc brighter I and brighter, imdil at laft they come to fhine as the hrightnejfe of the Firmament, and the Star res I in Heaven , for ever and ever, Looke to it then, I befcech you : whofoever hath alreadie given his Name unto Chrift,tafted of the good Word of God,and received into his foule fomc glimp-fes of heavenly Light j let him be fure to follow hard towards the Marke, for the Prize bf the high calling of God, in Chrifi: lefus: Let him fet his bed defircs, affevftions, and endeavours, to grow and proceed in all holy knowledge, in the Light of Gods Word, and chearefuU obedience unto the fame. For ir is a fpcciall note

(d 4) and

£^&.4' X|«

■Plbi/.t. I J,

Van.n^i,

lejh, 10. 12.

M(Ub.t$.io,

py2i/'.i^.4»j,

The Saints fare

and raarke of a man that is truly rcIigioLis,to gos forwafd,and encreafc in grace and underftanding: Heemuft be like the Sunnc, which, rifing in the Eaftjcnlargeth his glorious light and iieat,unrill he reach the height ot Heaven. But5as one well notes; the true Chriftian muft not be WkeHc-zel'jahs Sunne, which went backward ; If a man back-flide, waxe worfc, and fall away from good beginnings, headdesweight unto the wrath of God, and doubles his damnation : Hcc muft not be like lojhuahs Sunne, that ftood dill. It is fo farre to Heaven, and the way fo narrow,fo rough, and full of dangers and diificulties,that he which (lands at a ftay, will light fFiort : The Bridc-groome will be cntrcd in,and the Gate fhut, before he come. Hee that hath fo much grace,that hccdefires no more, did never truly dell re any: And he that endeavours not to be better, will by little and littlegrow worfe,cind at length become ftarke naught. He therefore muft be like David<s Sunne,thar great and glorious Gyant of the Hca-vcns^that lih aBridegroome comes out of his Chamber^ andas aChamfion rejo^ceth to rmme hif KA€e^ One grace in Gods child, begets another ; and one holy adl:ion, performed with finccritic of heart, doth inflame his aifc(51-ions with love and zeale, with courage and rcfolutionj to undertake moe, and to goe through-ftirch with all the affaires of God,and good caufes. For he alone knowes the invaluable worth, and incftimable price of heavenly lewels; and therefore he is ravifhed with, their b^autie,and grooves unfatiableinhis defires

and

and perpetual I ^u'tde.

and longings after tliem. He is ftillroylingand labouring in the Trade of Chriftianitie,for more gainc of grace, encrcafc of comfort, and further aflurance and fecaricie of the joycs of Heaven. Sith hce hath alreadie tafted and {qA upon ccle- \ ftiall and fpiricuali food, h.e findes in that fuch i unutterable fweetne(rc,and pleafant rellidij that ] hec for ever after hungers and thirfts after it. If j then yon would be afiuredjthat you arc in theway I to happincflc, be fure to be led on by the Light I of the Word in all heavenly kno.vledge/pirituaiiJ wifcdome,and holy obedience. |

A fourth and laft Vfe of my Doflrinc, is for in- | ftrudion to all; whether they be naturalijOr fpi- j rituall 5 ignorant, or inftruded in the Word of God: Tlaat tliey make it their chiefe andprinci-| pall Chriftiancare, zeaIoufly,and confcionably, I andconftantly to heare, attend, and underftand the holy W'^ord of God - and to be guided and conduiS^cd by the Light thereof in all the paffagcs^ ofthcirlife,andvvayes of their Gonvcrfation.

X And in this point,! willjfirft,laydovvne unto you certainc Motives, that may induce and ftirrc you thereunto*

2 CautionSjOr Caveats,to fore-arme and fore-warne you of Lets, and Temptations, that ra^y with-draw you there-from.

5 Laftly, fome needfull inilrudions for your righ t carriage therein.

One Motivcjto ftirre-«s up to a reverend regard and attention, in hearing the Word of God j to a love and liking of the heavenly knowledge therein.

41

rfc 4.

Inftruftion,

StcChijfoft.'in,

con-

Motiveu

The Word is a

Loyc'Letiex

flomGod.

I ^id efi autem ^ Scriptura facra, ■ nlpqu^tdam Epi-\fiola OmntpoteH-tisDeiadcreatu-fi^mfmm? Greg, Epiji. lik 4.

I T/w.j.iy.

Simi >.

T^he Saints fure

contained, and to a found and fincere pradice of it, in our lives and convcrfations,may Dc this ; I be Word of God is, as it were , a» Epilik or Letter (as one of the Fathers calls it) written from God Almighie unto us mirerablcmcn,publi(hed by his owne Sonnc,fealed by his Spirir,wirneiTed by his Angels, conveyed unto us by his Church, the Pillar and ground of Truths confirmed with the bloud of millions of Martyrs, which hath alrea-die brought thoufandsof foulesto Heaven^and fills every heart that underftands ir,and is wholly guided by it,with Light and LifejWith Grace and Salvation. Now let us imagine a man to have a Letter fent unto him but by an Earthly King, or fome great Prince in the World; wherein hee fiioutd have a Pardon granted him for fomc capi-tall Crime, and high Offence, whereby hee were lyable to a terrible kind of death; or wherein hee fliouid be fore-warned of fome great and imminent danger hanging over his headjand readie every houre to fall upon him; or,wberein hee fhould have afllired and confirmed unto him, under the Kings Scale, fome rich Donation, or great Lord-fhip. Now I fay, if a man fhould receive but a Letter from fome high and mightie Potentate upon Earth) wherein any of thcfe favours fhould be conveyed unto him ^ how reverently would he receive it ? how thankfully would he accept of it ? how often would he readc it ? how warily would he kecpe it > how highly would heefleemc of it ? Why, in this royall and facred Letter fent from the King and great Commander both of Heaven

and

and perfetuall Cjuide.

and Earth, all thefe favours, and a thoufand more joyes and comforts, are conveyed unto every be-Jeever and pra^lifer thereof. In that, we are fore-warnedjlcft by our ignorance,impietie,and impe-nitencie, wee fall into the Pit of Hell, and evcr-lafting horror: In that,we have promifed and performed unto us the pardon and rcmifTion of al 1 our finnes, whereby wee juftly (land guiltie of the fe-cond death,and the endlclTe torments of the damned. By the vcrtue of itjwc are not onely comforted with grace in this World, but fhall undoubtedly be crowned with peace,gIory,and immorta-litie in the World tQ come. Such a Letter as this, hath the mightie and terrible God,moft glorious in all Power and Majcftie, who is even a confu.mwg And4£'i-ottrhgfire ; fent unto us miferablc men, by nature wretched and forlorne creatures, Du ft and Afhes : why then,with what reverence,cheareful-nefle,and zeale, ought wee to rcceivejreadcjbeare, marke,learne5underftand,and obey it ?

A fecond Motive,may be the precious,golden, and divine matter which is contained inthcBooke of God, and that true and ever-during happineffe, towhich it onely can bring us. There is nothing propofed and handled in the Word of God,bur things of greateft weight,and highcft excellency t Asjthe infinite majefty5po,ver,and mercy of God 5 the unfpeakable love and ft range fufeings of the Sonne o£ God,for our fakes ^ the mighty and miraculous working of the holy Spirit upon thd {bules of men. There is nothing in this Treafury, but Orient Pearks^and rich lewels^aSjpTOnifesof

?;Tace,

+?

The inatrer contained in itjiicxcellcnc and precious.

HeK s. »4«

iPt;.!. 13.

lob 31.I.

The Saints fare

grace, fpirituall comfort, confufion of fmne, the triumph of godlines,;efrcilung of wearied foulcs, the bcautie of Angels, the holine (Tc of Saints, the ftate of Heaven,ralvation of finnerSjSc e verlaft ing life. What Swine are they,that neglcding thefe precious Pearles,root only in the Earth,wallow in worldly pleafures,feede upon vanities,tranfitorie trani,and vanilliing riches,vvhieh in their greateft need will take them to their rvings^likean Eagle^rndfiie into theHeavensl^c^xditSyXho. Word of God is only able to prepare us for true happineflTe in this worlci, and to polTefle us of it, in the world to come. It only begets in us a true,inth:e,and univerfall holine (lb; mtheut trhichy none jbaff ever fee the face ofGod^ Or the glory of Heaven: for it is impofIibIe,hereaf-ter to live the life of glory &:bleflednes in Hea«ren, if we live not here the life of grace and finccrity,in allour waies. It is called the immei'taUSeedjocca^re it regenerates and renewes us both in our Spirits, Souks^and Bodies: ineurSpirits-^that is,in judge-ment,memory,& confcience: in our Souies-^that is^ in our will and affedtions; in ourBodies-^that isjin e-very member. If the Prince of this world hath not blinded the eyes of our minds, andthatwebenot reprobats,as concerning falvation,it only is able to inlightcn our underftandingSjto re(5lifie our wills, to fan^ftifie our hearts,to mortifie our aife(fi:ionsjto Ctt Davids Doore before our lifs^that tre offend not trith our tonguex'j to (ct loh Doore before om eyes^that they behold not vAnit'j'^ to manacle our hands & feet with the cords and bands of Go Js La\v,that they do not I walke or worke wickedly: nay, and it is able to ' furnirti

and perpetuall ^ude.

judged by the Word,

furnifli and fupply us with fufficiencie of fpiritiT-all ftrengtb, to cantinue in all^thefc good things, andinagodlycourfevntothe^d. And if we be once thus qualiSed, wc are rightly fitted and prepared for the glory that is tobe revealed. As before, this holy Word did tranflate us from the darknefleof (inne, into the light of grace; ir can now much more eafily, with joy and triumph, bring us, from the light of grace, to the light of immortalitie,and everlafting pleafures at Gods right hand.

A third Motive maybe this : Wee muft be judged by the W^ord of God at the lail Day, lf\ We muft be any man (laitn Cnriit, /ch. 12, 475 4<5.) heare my mrdS) and beletve not^ I judge him not \ fori came not to judge the JVorld^ but to faze the World : He that re-fufeth me^ and receiveth not my nords, hath one that judgethhiw'^ the Tvsrd that I have f^oh^^it fhall judge him in thelaHDay, Whenfoever wee fliall come to judgement^ and appeare before Gods Tribu-nalf, (and wee little know how neere it is) two Bookes lliall be Jayd open unto us; the one, of Gods Law 5 another, of our owne Confcience: The former, will tell us what wee fhould bave dobe; for the Lord hath revealed it to the World, tobe the luleof our faith, and of all our anions : The other, will tell us what wee have done 5 for Gonfcience is a Regifter,Light,and Power in our Conrciencc^ Vnderftanding, which trcafures up all our parci-ciilar adions againft the Day of Triall; difcovers unto us theequitie5or iniquitie of them; and de-tetminesof them, either with us, or againfr us.

Now

what it is.

Tfil.x^.j,

Hof.lx,%*

The Saints fure

Now we muft not take any exception againft the firll: 5 that is, the Law of God : For the Law ef God (faith J)avid , Pfal. 1^.7.) iiferfeB^ comerting the [bide : The tejiimonie of the Lord is Jure, and giveth mfedome unto the jimfU, Wee cannot again ft the) fccond • that is, the Booke of our Confciencc: ] for it was ever in our cwftodie and keeping ; no I man could corrupt it; there is nothing writ in it, but with our owne hands. Now, in what a terrible fearefull cafe will a man be at that Day, wh«a he (hall fee the Booke of God layd opea before him J in the Light whereof hce (hould have led all his life, and by which he is now to be judged; and yet know himfelfe to have had no knowledge, but to have beene a meere ftranger in it ? Though the great things of the Law were many times pub-lifhedand preached unto him, yet hce counted them but as a fflrange thing. Every mans Confci-ence is naturally corrupt, defiled, and uncomfortable ^ andcanendure anddigcft rcafonabic quietly the rage of difordcredaffe^ions, many vile corruptions,and finfullactions : and therefore,at the laft Day, when it fhall be awakened, opened, examined , it will bring forth nothing, but the Worme that never dyes, ftrange confufion, and condemnation; except it hath bccne formerly in this World enlightened, purged, and fan^lificd by the Word of Grace, and the Bldud of the Lambe. Moftaccurfed thcnjand forIorne,wiIl be the ftate of every ignorant man,whcn he fhall ap-pcare before the ludge of all the World: When he lookcs upon his Confcience,hc (hall finde nothing

and perpetuall (juide.

thing but guilt,and horror: when upon the Law, and upon the Word of God^after whichhe lliould have lived^and by which he muft npw be judged 5 it will be to him but as afealed Boole • bee will fee nothing but his owne ignorance, blindnefTe, and ftrangenefle in it: And therctore,all the Plagues and Curfes denounced in it again ft ignoranr,wic-kedjand unrepentant finners, (hall be his portion^ in the Lake that burncs with fire and Brimllone for evermore. This ought then to ftirre up every raan, with all care and Confcience, to ftore him-fclfe, while he hath time, with faving knowledge and holy obedience uRto that Word, which muft be his ludgeinthe laftDay: Nay, and let him take heed unto his feet, and looke unto his behaviour, when hee enters into the Houfe of God: For in that Day he muft anfwer and be countable for every Sermon that he hath heard^and for every Lcftbn he hath bcene taught out of the Booke of God: If they have not enlightened his under-ftanding, they have hardened his heart ; if they doc not now reforme him_,they will hereafter confound him ^ if he doe not pro-fit by them, he iliall be fure to be plagued for the negle6t of them j For Gods Word is unto every man thariiearcs k, either the favour of life unto life^ or thefazour of death unto death: It is a tm-edged Smrd-^ it either kills the finnCjOr the foulc, it muft and [haUfroffcr in thetvorke ferrvhich it is fent. God will rayfe glory, hee will winne honour unto bimfclfc, from every man. If hee cannot be glorified, by his

hcc vtrill glorific his oivnc

^1

EccUf.s.T.

converfion, and falvation

4

A fearcfUn judgement thall befall the net heavers and pradifers ef the Word.

T^he Saints fure

ovvne Name, in bis dcfervcd overthrow, and juft confiifion,

A fourth Motive may be; That horrible and fearefull puni("hment and deflradion, which at lengtli will cercaincly befall all negligent aiid contemptuous hearers, and thofe that pradife not the power thereof in their lives and convcrfa-tions. f-yhefotver (faith our bleflfed Saviour) fhall mt receiveyoujor heare your words • whenyee depart out of that hufe, or that CitiCy jhoke 'off the duj) dfyour feet: Truly I fay unto you^ it fhall be eajierfor them of the Land &f Sodome and Gomerrah , in the Day of ludgement^ than fir that Citie, The infamous abominations, the damnable and crying finnes of the Sodomites are knowne unto all: Who hath not heard of thofe flouds of fire and Brimftone, which fwept them away, as the hatcfulleft creatures that ever lived upon the Earth ? How rufull then, and how lamentable will be their condition, who are lyable and fubjetfl to more horrible plagues than tbefe ? Wee (hould therefore con-(ider, that the negligent, irreverent, and unprofitable hearing of the Word of God, is a finnc of a farre greater weight, and more fearcfull confe-quence, than we ordinarily imagine. W^hen wee heare theMiniQers,and EmbalTadours of God, delivering his mind, and revealing his W^ill unto us,out of fuch places as thefe,we are to conceive, that in a necrerand more fpeciall manner, wee ftand in the prcfence of the great God of Heaven and Earth, who is clothed with infinite terrour, power, and majeftic 5 and thereafter, we ought to

proportion

and perpetuallCjuide,

proportion ourbehavioiir and carriage, with rc-vercncejhumiliryjand obedience to io great a pre-ience. Earthly Princes will not endure concempc anddifgraceat their fubje^ts hands .* They cannot abide to have their Majeftie and authority lightly fee by, their lawes and commands to bee neglected and troden under foot : Why then fhoiild the Lord of glory, of jufticeand power, bearc fuch indignities at the hands of finfull men, which are his moil abjed vafTals, and contemptible creatures ? Certaine it is, if wee weigh aright the greatncfTe of that God, before whom wee ftand5andourownevilcneire5 weclliould hold it moH juftjifhe fhould prefently in the place where weftand, punifhand plague our fleepinelTe, talking, wandting thoughts, and irreverent carriage at hearing his Word, with fome fudden and n>arkablc vengeance5to be a fpedaclc & example unto others, for ncgle/3:ing fo great falvation. It is Gods great mercy that fuch plagues and judge- ' ments arerefpitcd, fufpended, and deferred • for i even all the cwrfes in the booke of God doe naturally, dcfervedly, and inthecourfe of Gods ju-fticc, belong unto the negligent hearer, and M-obedient unto the Word of God, ^Uthefe curfes (faith Mdfes Deut,2S.^9.)fha^come upon thee and furfue thee^ and overtake thee, tiff thou be defiroyed^ he-caufe thou ohyefinot the zoiceof the Lord thy God,

I come now in the fccond place to the temptations and lets whereby a man may bee hindered from hearing the Word of God, profiting by it, and a con^fcionable pradbifing of the fame,

(c) The

49

Smile,

'Deiit.iS./j^,

Hind^rances from profiring by ihe Word.

JO

Lfti,

Atheiiine.

Some thinke the Word to be but a humane policie«

A re moving of

The Saints Jure

\ v'l: may &ec \ difcemed by a I propGrjnatu-\ ra'ii,andinlic-I rcncMajtftie j from all bui ' mane writings ] aridimitatory dclufionsap.d irapofturcs oF Satan ; fuch as iv the Alc^ton

The highcft in iaipicty, and moil: liorf ibie, is a fp'ec of Atheidncj which Satan fuggells into worldly men, whereby they wickedly, and very blafphemoufly thinke, that the facrcd Word of God, is bat a politike invention and devifc to kecpc men in awe and order, in Cities and fo cieties, and to prefcrve them from wildnefTe and outrages. But I would gladly know whofewcrke arid invention it is, if it be not Gods Almighty ?

It if net manf .• For itdiredly and ftrongly op-pofcrh • againft the flreamc of his fenfuall delights, and earthly pleafurest It curbs his mod defired contentments, and croflTcth the natural! bent of bis aftcvlions.

It is mtSAtam: For he in all -ages hath fiercely and furiouny fci himfelfe againft it - and it is the engine that batters and beats downe his king-domcof darkncfTei

His not anj ^ngch^ or other creatures : For the ■^Majen:ic,exccllencie5miraculouscfficacie,and vvoncierfull power of Gods Word, is farre above the reach and capacity of any creature; tranfccn-dent to alt created underftandings, and fini*-e cdmprclien{ion.Ee(tdes,the famous miracks,tjie ! many vi(ions, the true fore-telling of thijigs to co.»e,the inward, lively and effe^uall workings upon the foules of theeled, and many other fin-gular and faered markes &chara^ers of divinity ftarapcd upon ir,.dorh plainly (l-^ew,.that it is the alone holy invention of Gods divine, pure and infinite underftanding, and revealed to the world for the. inlarging of Gods gloryj and the falva

tioa

and per^etuall Cjuide.

11

tion of many a thoufand foules 5 for the confu-(ion of the kingdome of Satan, and juft condemnation of the children of hell. Take heed then in the name of God, that you give not entrance or entertainment to any fuch fearefull blaf^ phemous temptation, whereby the love and zealc to Gods Word may be cooled, or you grow leflfe careful! in purchafing and pradifing the knovi'-ledge and power of it. I his let layes hold onely upon men of a reprobate fenfe, and thofe that are already marked out for certame damnation.

Afecondlet andhindcrance fromhearingthe Wt^rdof God, is recufancie, the cozenage and impollute of Popery. For fuch is the wicked-nefie and cruelty of that fuperdition and myfte-ry of iniquity, that it labours might and maine tokeepe all the n-orldclofe prifoners in the dungeon of darknefTc and ignorance, and for ever to deprive them of the light of the GofpelL-The prophane profefTors of this bloudy Religion, hold ignorance to be the mother of devotion^and a very dangerpus thing for fimplc people to pry into the Booke of God. And fo they doe more fafely and fecurely feed their followers with their owne damnable principles of treafbn, rebellion, difloyalty and difohedience to lawfull Kings. So they lead ignorant people which way, and as farre as they will ig thekingdome of darknefle^ eventobelecve that blowing up of whole ftates, and killing of Kings, are very glorious ads, and j merit thebrighteft crowne of immortality, andj' thehigheft feat in heaven. Ihope in the Lord!

(c 2 ) there

Let 2.

Recufancic.

Let ;.

Hardnefl'c of heart, andde-fperatcntfie jn finning.

l/fl.^^9'

The Saints Jure

ipbll.lJ^,\'j.

Aptefervative againft cbis.

there is none of you, but with all his he^rt hates and dcterts this bloudy, murthcrous, and Idolatrous generation • and will by no mcanesfutfer his right eye of knowledge in Gods Word to be put out by thcfe curfcd Ammonites.

Addchcre another let, which is Scparatifme,

A third let and hinderance, is the height af hardneflc of heart, and molt damned delperate-ncffe in fmning, when men are become fo greedy of fulfilling their finfull pleafures, that they drinke up fenfuall delights like water,dravv on iniquity like cords ofvAmtie^ andfinne as mth cart-ropes: For then they beginnc to fay with them-felvcSjCvento God himfelfe5with them in '0^21. I 4j 15. Depart from w, for we dejire not the knowledge ofthyv^ajcs. who if the-^Imightj^ that rre fhmldfcrfe him ^ andrrhat profit jhoiild we haze if n-'effjouldpray unto him ? And with thofe to whom Ifaiah in his fifth Chapter denounceth a fearcfull woe ; Let himr/iake^eedy lethimhajien his nerke, that we may fee it^ and let the cout^feilof the Hoi) one of Ifraeldran> neare and come^ that tree ma^kncrv it. Men that are poflefTed with fuch a rebellious and fcornfull fpi-rit as this, neither much care for God or his Word, threats or promifes, judgements or mercies, heaven or hell. No raarvell then though they fet light by Gods minijlers, and feekc not forinflrut^ion in holy knowledge, and heavenly wifdomCo That wee may be preferved from' this horrible and dcfperate cafe, and fo fearcfully hardning our hearts againft the Woid of 1 ife aod " falvation,

and perpetuall Cjuide*

Talvation, we muft be very carefull and watchfull, that wee give not way, pa (Tagejand entertainment to wicked thoughtSjand the firft {infull motions: for in this manner^ a man proceedes to the height of finne, and a reprobate lenfe. There firft ari-fcth in his Heart an idle and wandering thought of fome unlawfull thing ^ as of Luft, Covetouf-neffe. Pride, Malice, prophaning the Sabbath, Cozening, and circumventing bis Brother 5 and fuch like. Secondly, it begins to allure, entice^ and confcrre with the Will. Thirdly, the Will doth, as itvrcre, take it by the hand, and is tick-led,pleared,and dclig;hted with it. Then foilowes

j Confent: Confent fets the affedions on foot, and plots the accomplirhmcnt and practice of

iitj and finnepra(5lifedwith pleafure, brings Cu-ftomc. Cuftome fharpens a mans wir,aHd makes him looke about,how to excufe it: From excu-{ingfinne,heegrowcs to defend it : Defence of finne, makes him obftinate,and refolved to continue in it: ObftiRatenefTe begets boafting^and glorying in it. And if a man once become impudent^ and take a pride in {inning,there prefently follows a brazen Brow, and whorifh fore-head, an yron fi-new in the necke,a heart as hard as the nether Mi 1-ftone,a feared Confcienccjand a reprobate fenfe. Thefe are the fteps^by which a man rifeth into the Scatof tfee fcornefull: And upon the top of thefe ftayres, Sinnc fits in the greatcft triumph and fo-veraigntie 5 and banifheth out of a mans heart, allfeare of God, love to his Miniflers^ and zeale unto his Word.

(e3) A

n

The degrees

ia finne.

A motion to

Hnne.

The Will indeed.

Delight.

4 Confent.

5

Prafl:icc. 6 Pleafure.

7

Cuftome. 8

Excufing.

9

Defending*

lO Continuance.

II Boafling«

12 A reprobate feafea

The Saints fsire

Let 4.

A conceitjibat Godi>Law,like mens Lawes> 3akes hold of, and will con«> derane oncly notorious fin-nerst

This Lci is removed,

A fourth Let and hinderance from hearing Gods VVord,and yeelding entire obedience unto it, is a very peftilcnt and policike conceit, which pofTeiTeth the hearts of very many^ whereby they are perfwaded^That Lawes divine arc but like humane or mens conftitutions : As thefe execute none, but chiefe Malefadors; fo thefe Decrees of God will at laftcondemnenonc^but infamous and notorious llnners. And therefore, if they be but pettie Oifendors, or onely maintaine but one fweet linnc in themfelvcs j if they be not of the worft fort, though they be not fo forward hearers of Sermons, fo Scripture-wife , or hold fuch a ftrid courfe of holinefle in their converfation: yet they thinke with thcmfelves,their cafe is good enough, and that it will goe well enough with them at lail:. Hence it is, that they are cold, and carelc{re,in efteeraing of hearing,and conforming themfelves to the Minifterie of the Word. But let no man deceive himfelfe i The deftru(9:ion of the negligent hearerof the Word of God,and the difobedient to the Gofpcl of Chrift lefus, fliall be as the dcRmdiono(*Soclowcy and farre more grievous. He that lyes and delights in any one knowne finne, of which his Confcience is con-vided, is in a fearefull cafe, fvithout faith^ it is im^ fojft^ie tofleafe God : and, fvithdut holinefi^ no man fhaUfee the face of the L»rd, And none hath either faithjOrholincfle, without faving knowledge out of Gods Booke, Without the New-birth, and continuance in grace unto the end, no man fhali be faved t And, fincere obedience to a conftant

and

and per^etuall (juide.

ff

and confcionable Miniftcrie of the Word, is a meanes both to beget, nourilh, and continue fa-ving grace. And, let mens conceits be what they vvili; as fure it is,as God is in Heaven,not one jot or tittle of all the Plagues and Curfes regiftred in Gods Law, but (liail be feverely executed upon all ignorant and unrepentant Tinners, and poured upon the hairie fcaipe ofallfuch as gee onfiiU in their wickednef'e,

A fifth Let and hinderance of hearing the Word of God, is an excellive and imttioderarc delight, and an eager and earneft purfuit of the finfull pleafures of a mans fweet finnc. * By a mans fweet finne, I meanc that,which his corrupt nature hath fingled out, and made fpeciall choife of, to follow and feed upon, with greateft delight and fcnfuall fwectneflfe 5 which,by cuftome and continuance, hatk taken deepcft root and fureft hold in his heart: uponwhichjall his affe<5iions and defires are carried with iliarpeft edge, heat, and headlongnefle • and to which, hee makes all occafions and circumftances/riends and acqu'ain-tancCj Religion and Confcience, all the powers both of foule and body, and outward eftate, fer-viceable and contributorie, as to that which chiefcly rules and reignes in him. This fweet finne,in fomc, is WorldlinefTe, Earthly-minded-ne{Ie,and Covetoufnefle: In"others5itis Volup-tuoufneffe, Lnft, and Vncleannefle • Pride, Pleafures, DrunkennefTe, or fuch like. Now cercaine it iSjCarnaI!,prophane,and unregenerate men,doe , many times prefcrrc the pleafures of their fweet

(e 4) and

TfaLii, &1.

Let ^»

An eager pur-fuic of a mans fvvecc finne.

* What is meant by a fweet finne. ^emadmoduin nemttamfcfdi' tptif (tut fiigitk" fui invemtuf : quin ab aliqus

c/eterUabhorres^ fc nemo tantie fan£liiatii ejl, quln ad anum aliquod pBUit' turn, quam ad cietiyapropen^tir fit, Cart.p,ii6x,

3iAt}f. x%. Lu]{e 14. The Parable of the greac Supper fer our by j.circam-

I 1

'3

The Saints Jure

and moft delightfull finnc, before the comforts of Gods Houfejthc Congregation of the Saints, and the precioiifnefTe of the Word preached. And therefore, howfoever they may ordinarily come to Sermons, (though it be rather for fafhi-oPjand of cuftome, than with heartie and true devotion ) yet if fome fpcciall gaine and profit be to be layd hold upon at that time ; if fome ex^ traordinaric pleafure, feafting, paftimejand com-panie be then to be enjoyed -, they make no Con-feience to turnc their backes upon the Houfe of God, and the Minifterie of the Word,even upon the Sabbath day tfo, for a little finfult pleafurc, or worldly contentment, wretchedly abandoning Gods holy Ordinance,and the neceflaric meanes of their owne falvation.

That many men arc thus wickedly hindered from hearing the Word of God , appeares in Math. 22, and Luke 14. The glorious magnificence, and rich comforts of heavenly Gheare in the H6ufeof God, are notably fct otit unto us there, by divers circumftancesjin the Parable of the great Feaft. Firftjit was a Wedding Fcaft; which ufually is full of joy, comfort, and great folemnitie. Secondly, it was made by a King ^ and therefore, like unto himfclfe, Royall, 2nd Prince]y5in plenfieandvarietic.anfwerable to his State and Greatnefle* Thirdly, it was made at the Marriage of a Kings fonne* which would make it yet farre more/umptuoiis,full of pompe, and noble entertainment, than if it had beene for, a fcrvantj friend,or ordinarie perfon,.

and fer^etuall (jwde.

By all tlii5,is m€ai>t the Miniftery of the Word, and Gofpel of Chrift lefus ; wherewith every faithfull man is feaftedj made Gods fonne, and married to Chrift himfclfe for ever, in righteouf-nejje and in judgement , in mercie and in compajjion. This Feaft being in full readinefle. Servants are fentour, to invite Gucfts: But forall the glory, com fort, and magnificence prepared for them, in "this Wedding,and Royall Feaft; many refufe to come^and make excufe: One faith j he hath bought a Farme^andmuji needes goe to fee it: another hath bought five Toke ef Oxen^ and goes to prove them : another hath married a pvife^and therefore he cannot ceme : another is bufied about his Merchan^dife, buying and felling, and can hardly fpare fo-much time.

Thus one finftjll delight or other, profit, plea-rure,companfe,orthclikej doe many times flay and hinderprophane and worldly men from hearing the Word of God, and from this fpiritnall j and heavenly Feaft in his Houfe •, whereby their I foules might be fatisficd,^ it were mthmarrovp and ' fatnejfe^withxht comforts of grace,anda tafte of the joyes of Heaven. It is very ftrange, that any man fliould be fo bloudie and cruell to his ovvne foule; thatjwhereas by the breaking of the W''ord j of Life unto him in fach places as this, he might have it furnifaed with fpirituall ftrengtb,towards' cvcrlafting life: yet for fome earthly pelfe, and temporall plcafurejabfentinghimfelfejhe fuffers-it to ftarve in ignorance and prophancnefte; the immediateand certaine palTages to eternaldeath.

Let i

57

What i J meant by it.

i«J^f 14.18.

10.

PM^. J.

A countcr-

po)fonagainft

this,

Gods Houfe is the Prcfencc-Chanober of the King of Glory.

Chrift is there. Aiath.ii.io,

3

The Spirit is fhere«

, 4

The Angels are there. I C^.li.lo,

ir«f.i.i&.

^he Saints fure

Let a man imagine with himfelfejVThen he pur-pofes and refolves to abfcnt himfelfe from a Sermon, that hee layes, as it were, in the one Scale of the Weights, the glorious Majeftie,prerence,and honour of God 5 the comfort, happmc{re,and fal-vation of his owne Soule ; and in the other, a little wretched pleafurc, or profit; and fo futfers this miferabje Vanitie to weigh downe fo infinite a Ma jeftie.

For, fir ft, Gods Houfe, where his Word is faithfully preached, is, as it were, the Prefence-Chamberof the everlafting King of Glory, Here he fits in a Chaire of Statc,with more fpeciall and eminent Power and Majcftie, as anciently he fate betweene the Cherubins.

Secondly, Chrift himfelfe is here prefent; For, fvherefoever tw9 or three are gathered together in hk Name^ he is in the midB of them, And fo he is faid., t& walke in the midH of the fevengolden Candleflicks ; and with fpeciall power and providence to dire(fl and guide thefe holy Exer^ifes.

Thirdly5theholy Spirit of God is prefcntjin our Aflemblies; plentifully {hedding into the hearts of the faithfull, the rich Treafurcs of Wif-dome and Grace.

Fourthly, the blefled Angels of God arc here; as appearcth, i Cor. 11. lo. not onely to doc fer-vicc unto the Lord, unto the Eled, and unto his Minifterie; but alfo^aftera fort, tofolace and re-joyce themfelves in the beau tie of Gods Houfe, and in the Myftcrics publiflied in the Gofpel; as appeares, I Pet,1,12,

Fifthly,

and perpetu&ll (juide.

J

Fifthly, Gods holy Saints here prefent them-fdves; in whom, aH our delight and comfort ought to be : for they onely are truly excellent, aJlyed unto Chrift,and heires of Heaven.

Laftly, here alone ordinarily are to be had Blef-fings,Life,and Salvation; for the Word preached is the ordinarie meanes to beget the unconverted unto God; by inlightcning their eyes, opening their eares, foftening their hearts, planting faith in their foules, and holineffe in their convcrrations : fo that,of the children of wrathjthey become the Tonnes of God. Hence it is, that it is called, a.Minifieric gf ReconciliatioH , of Peace-^ a fV&rd of Grace ; of Sahmorty and of Life,

If a man be alreadie converted, and in the ftatc of grace, he may receive thcfc Blelliags by it: It is a povverfull meanes of the Spirit,

Toencreafe his knowledge in heavenly things, and the affaires of the Soule •, by dayly clearing his judgement from ignorance and error, by informing it with fpirituallwifedome, and all ne-ceflaric truths,and needfull knowledge.

To adde ftrength,and vigour,and encreafe unto his faith j that hee may grow and proceed, from the infancie and vveakeneffe in Chriftianitie, to tallncfle and perfedion in Chrift.

To prefervehim from lukc-warmenefle, world-lineftejand fecurltie ^ to recall him from his wan-dringsandftrayingsoutofthewayofiincerityito fettle,comfortjand confirmehim in a godly conrfe.

To prevent his falJs^and rclapfes • becaufe by it hee is furnifhed with Cliriftian armour,again(1

mpta-

59

5

The Saints arc

there.

'Pfd.16.1,

The effea of the Word to the unconver* ted.

zo. 3 1,

The bencHc of ic CO Converts!

7c encreafetk their know*

leiigc.

2 Their faiiK

It prefervcs them from luke-warac-neffe,

4-

it prevents relapfes.

It rccoYers themjbciog falkn.

6

Itwilliuidc ihetn arighc in all thcic waycs.

The Saints fure

temptations*^ he is refolved in all doubts,and cafes of Confeience 5 he is admonifhed of aH crooked vvayes,occafiGns5and down-falls to iniquity.

To reclaime him from back-flidings r to rayfe and recover him out of falls^and to reftore him to his firft lovcj by difcovcring unto him the foulc-nefTe and danger of finne, the power of his oivnc infirmities, the bitter root of Originall finnc, the peftilentandimpoyfoned fruits thereof 5 and by dayly urging the bleffings of true repentance,and the prad:ice of a good Confciencc.

Moil abfolutely to guide and condud: him in thewayof righteoufnefle, and whole courfe of Chriftianitie. to furnifh him with zeale and up-rightneflTe in all holy duties and fervices of God; with faithfulnefife and confciencCjin the difchargc and executions of his calling^with holy mcditati-onsjwhcn he is alone^with harmlelTe behavior^and Light ofgood example incompanyjandamongft others^with wifdome andcare,ever intirely to fan-difie the Sabbath, and to teach and pray with his family. Marke now,I befcech you^ fith the Mini-ftery of the Word is ever graced with fo glorious •prefence,and fuch incomparable bleffings as I have now reckoned up unto you;he that turnes his back upon a Sermon/orthe injoying of profitjpleafures, paftimCjCompanie3feafl:ing,or any other worldly and by-refped^ he wilfully forfakes the falvation of his ownefoule, he cafts behind him all thefe happy blelfings and comforts, tendered unto him by the Miniftery oftheWord- he throws himfelfe defperatcly out of the prefence of God Almighty, Chrift

and perpetual! (juide.

6i

Chrift Icfus, the Holy Spirit, his blefled Angels, thecongiegation of Saints, into the power and clutches of Satan, into the company of wicked and prophane men,upon the juft indignatio-n and revenge of all the creatures, upon the wrath and curfc af God, and the iTiipwracke of a good eonfcience. Take heed then Ibefeechyou, how you bee drawne by any worldly affaires from the , hearing of the Word, efpecially on the Sabbath day, left thereby you make it plaine, that you preferre your ownc particular, before the glory of God 5 earthly gaine, beforea Crowne of immortality ; a little vanifhing pieafure, before the endleiTejoycs of heaven ^ and that yee yet lie and delightinonefwcetfinne or other, which keepes 3:\\ faving grace oiit of your foules.

A fixth let and hinderance from hearing the Word of God, arecertaine prophane and unwarrantable perfw-afions and conceits, which are entertained and harboured in the hearts of ignorant and wil full people.

Some of them thinke \inth themfelves that there is no fuch great need of following Sermons, and frequenting holy afiTemblies, efpecially if at the fam-e rime they be not ungodly bu-fied and exercifed at home 5 and therefore they askc; What can we not fave our foules^and come to heaven, unlefTe wc trudge and trot fo often to Church ? Have we not the Bible, and other gooj bookes at home to rcade upon ? Can we not pray and praife God at home ?-They might as well aske ; Canvreenothavea

harveft

Let 6, Carnall conceits and ob'* jedions.

May wc not be favcd without hearing the Word preached ?

^»pi

dz 1

The Saints fure

l«Io more than wcecanrcape without lowing, or live without foodc

Simile*

E^h/^Utii,

QhieH. 1*

Fiequent preaching is not To necei-fary,

Ic is a figne ot u gracrlcfle hca' t to ]oath the heavenly Manna.

harveft unlefle wc have a feed time, and rainc, yea, both the former and the latter raine ? Or can we not live except we have meat ? Certainly no. No more can any man be truly finftificdandfa-ved, nor live either the life of grace here, or exped the life of glory hereafter, unlefTe he follow the ordinary meanes appointed and fandi-fied by God for his falvation ; Except he fubmit himfelfe to that policy and order which God with great wifdome hath eftablilTjed in his Church. Would a man be taken for a good fub-'}t(k^ who fliould pcevifhly oppofe himfelfe a-gainft a law agreed upon and commanded by the King and State, for the great good of the Common-wealth ? God himfelfe hath appointed a publike Miniftcry in the Church 5 Paftorsand teachers for the gathering of the Saints, and all that belong to life • and is it fit that any private exercife fhouldcrofle Gods publikc ordinances ? No; It is both inconvenient and wicked, and Gods blefling is never to be looked for, upon any action and exercife, though never fo good in it felfe, if his wiil be not obeyed.

I, but fome will fay ; It is good indeed fomc-i times now and then to heare a Sermon ; but what needs fo much preaching, and Sermon upon Sermon 5 Would they have us Saints and Angels upon earth > ^

Wretched is that manwhichisweary of the Word of life. And hee hath no true tafle of holy things, which loaths this fpirituall Manna, though never fo often reigned from heaven.There

and perpetuall (juide.

isno.favingand true knotvledge of God in that man, who dedres not to grow in grace, and in the knowlcdgeof the Lord JefusChnlL Would vve not thinke him mad and dillra^ed that ilioiild thus reafon againft his ovvne life ? I hope I have eaten meat enough heretoforcj and furnifliedmy felfewith fuflicientftrength, fo that I now need no more, and therefore Ivvill neither eat nor drink more while 1 live. Even juft fodoth he reafon and plead againft the life of his foule, who com-plaines of too much preaching, and too man-y; Sermons. D^i'/W^thatblefled King^and holy Prophet, who was advanced both in knowJedgeand holinejOfe, above the ordinary reach and pcrfedi-on of men, and lived as an Angell upon earth;: yet.he acknowledgeth himfelfc greatly to ftand j in need of ftirring up, by meanes ordained, of I God for that end. As we may gather our o^Pfal, 84.and in many othcrplaces. Inthac Pfalmehe makes amoft grievous and mournfull cornplaint, that he is debarred and banifhed from all accefie unto the publike worHiip and fervice of God-holding himfelfe in this lefpe^t moremiferable than fome of the brultcreatures, which had liberty to build theimefts, and lay their young neare the Altars of the Lord ; which benefit he could nox.now enjoy. Now if this man of God fo longed and laboured after the meanes of grace and comfort,,what ought thofe to doe, who are of little or no faith ; who are but Novices and pet-ties in the Schoole of Chrifl; who arc but babes in Chriflianity, or utterly without^race?

1,

<^?

Simile*

Tfim,

T^he Saints fure

object. V Ourfove-fa-checs had no preaching, yet arefavcd.

Their con-deninacton ftiall be eaGcc.

iC(V4j,4.

W«arebouni to bicffc God, who bath deak more graciously with w •

Ohje^*^.

fAttfr*

I, but our fore-fathers (will others fay) were never troubled with fo many Sermons, and yet we hope they are well, and in Heaven,

Our fore-fathers wanted the meanes, and that full glorious Noonc-tide oftheGofpcU of lefus Chrift, which we by the grace and mercy of God enjoy. And therefore whofoever of them peri-jfhed without thcmjiTiall certainly be beaten with fewer ftripes, than thofe that fhut their eyes againftthefaire and blefTed Sun-fhine of Gods holy truth, which is flied roundabout us, and // it be hid, it if hid o^ely to thofe that ferijh, inrrhont the God of this fforldhath hlifided the eyes of their minde, Befides, if itfo pleafedthc Lord in his juftand fecret judgement to fuffer fomc of our fore-fathers to live and die under the tyranny and dark-nefle of Antichrift 5 how much are we bound to blefTeCod, that we arc borne and brought up in the light of the Gofpell ; and what hcavic plagues and great damnation doe wee bring upon our felves, if wee negled or defpifc fo great falvation.

I, but yet further, (will fome fay) wee have lived fomeof us fortie, fome thirtie, fome twenty yeares, without (b much preaching, and yet have holdcn good credit and reputation in the world, and profpered inourwaycs, would you now have 1 us fo forward in running to Sermons? I Strange it is to fee how wife the fimpleft are in ' matters ofthe world, aboiu: their temporall ftate, jbuthowfimpie andblinde thewifeftworldlings are in the affaires of Heaven, and about their grcatcft

and perpetuall (juide.

6s

ereatcft, fpirituall, and eternall good. Let us luppofe a man to have lived long in a poorc Cottage, and novr at length to have fome great and rich Lordfliip befallen him j doe you thinkehec would reafon thus : Why,I have lived fome thir-tie or fortie yceres now alreadic in this low cftate with good contentment, and credit, amongft ray neighbours; and therefore here I will reft, the reft of my dayes 5 I am too old now, to change my former eftatc ? Would fuch a foole as this, befoundinawholeCountrcy ? And yet many Countries aic fall of fuch fooles, in refpcd^ of fpirituall advanccment,and the falvation of their foules. Me thinkes, thofe that have long lived in ignorancc,and blindneftcjfhould rather conclude thus: Have I thus long and fo fearefully lived without God in the World, without knowledge of his Truth, faith in Chrift, and Confcicnce of my wayes ? Oh, then it is more than high time now at length to awake out of fleepe,and to open mineeyes,and to imbrace this glorious Sun-fhine of the Gofpel,which the Lord of his great mercy hath brought unto me, that fo I may be enlightened to eternall life.

As for profpering in the World, that is no marke of a good foule ? nay, it is commonly the Let of the wicked, not to be plagued like other men,but to bring their enterprifes to paftc, Pfalme 7 3. Nay, yet further: There is no greater CurCe can befall any man, than to profper in the World, and be out of the way to Heaven. I5but(will others fay) to the attaining of eternall

(f) life,

OlfftS, y.

66

What needs Co much adoe ? The whole du< tie of man is foone learned.

\AnJw* Itisfoonefaid, not fo foone done*

Simile^

Simile,

^Simile*

T^he Saints fure \

lifcjwhat needs fo much adoe/o much preaching,! catechifiug^cxpoundingjConferringjmeditatiiig, teaching and praying with our familics,vvhich are fo much and fo often urged upon us ? When all comes to all, this is the fumme and end of all j To feare C(^d^ and Iceepe his Comtnandemcnts • 7has rve kvc God Avove aUyOndgiiv neighbours our [elves: And we hope \re can doe this,without all this adoe.

To feare Godjand kecpc his Commandements, (which is the whole ducieof man,as the Preacher fpcakcs in his laft chapter)arid to love God above alljand our neighbors as our felvcs j {uf&n Mch han-geth the rvhole Law and the P/ophets^as Chrift tells us, ^Ath.i 2 .) are indeed foone fpoken,but not fo ea-fily,truly learned; and moft hardly,ftncercly pra-difed* Is it enough,thinkeyou, to make a man a good Carpenter,or Mafon, to fay ; That^tbat is foone learned; and, I know as much as the heft workman can teach or tellmeiTo buildan Houie, is nothing but to lay the foundation, to reare the walls,andcoveritwithaRoofe.? Is it enough to make a good Husbandman,tG fay^I know as much as the bed Husbandnnan can teach me ; for Husbandry is nothingelfe,but to fowe and reaper Is^ it enough to make a good Preacher,to fay; It is no fuch great matter, to make a Sermon • I know as much in that point, as the befi; Scholleramongft them can tell me:To preacb^is nothing clfe but to expound the Textj-^ather I^o^ftrineSjand make ufe and application to the hearts & confciences of the hearers? But it would be long before thcfe id Ic and craptie vaunts would build Houfes,{iIl Barnes,or

fave

and perpetuall Cfuide.

fave Soules. There is farrc more required to thefe bufineflTcSjthan ro'.There is to be undergone much toiJeand IaboMr,much care & troubIe,expence and excrcifejbeforc any of thefe workcs can be rightly accompliflicd. It is even fo in the great workeof falvationj^d the attainment of Heaven.The ftate of gracc^and trade of Chriftianitiejis not focafily purchafcd &pra<5lifcd.There goes more to faving of a foulcjthan bold & ignorant brags; than to fay^ If that be all,I hope I can quickly and eafily learnc to love God above aWjU my neighbor as my fclfe: For before thefe^there goes many thingsjaSjknow-ledgc of Gods wrill, and Word. a thorow sicw of our owne mifery & corruptionsjin the glaflc of the Law; ftrange agonies, and fore pangs in the ncw-birth^and forrow for finne^refrcfhings and coolings by the mercies of God,and merits of Chrift.faith, repentancc5fan;f^ification,a blcflfed & holy change in the vrhole man,both body/oulcjand fpirit. And then follows new obedience^which confifts in the 1 uprightneflc and finceritie of our owne hearts j a confcionable and charitable carriage toward^our neighborsjand a zealous conftancy in all religious duties and right fcrviceof God.: which muftbe univerfalljin refpCifi of the objedjthat is,we muft walk in all his Commandements: totalljin refpci^ of the fubjed; that is,we muft ferve him in all the powers of our fbulcjand parts of our body. in our thou2htS5WOrds5and anions: Inall which things, and holy courfes, if a man be not particularly in-ftfu£l:ed,cxpericnced,&: pradifedjhis love of God and his neighbour is but in word and tongue, not

(f2) in

67

Thiflgs required, before a man can lore Cod or Buo.

Howoiirfiaw vice to CoA muftbequall" ( Hcd. '

Atriallofcur love CO Cod>

'

The Saints fure

A triall of our love to cue neighbour*

ObjtSt* 6*-Tumults and divifionsj.dif-quietnefle and difconrcnt-naenc accom' panics youc preaching*

m deed and truth. Aman,ifheb€difpo(cd,may quickly perceive and difcerne tbc truth or hollow Ocfle of his heart in this point. God hath ftraitly commaflded an entire fan^^ifieationand keeping holy of the Sabbath. Let a man then confidcr, if be fuiferhimfelfe to be drawne away from holy EKercife on that day,by pleafures,profit,paftimc, corapanic,cafe,idlcne(Ic, or other worldly occafi-ons; why,thcn he preferres mccrc vanities,and the dcfifes of his owdc heart, before the glory and honour of God^and fo doth not love G<!kI above all. The true love of a mans felfe,doth chiefly 5c prin* cipally confift in fumifhinghimfelfewith faving know ledge, ficceritic of heart,godlincfIe of life,a good Confeieoce,and fpirituall comfort,againft hcc come to Judgement. Now, if hee love his neighbour as hiraftlfej be is not ftill talking with him of worldly matters; but efpecially labours with him for his eonvcrfion, entertainment of grace, and cncreafe in godlincfle. If thefe be not his eares,both for himfelfeand his neighbour, he truly loves neither. Thus may a man examine himfelfc through all the Commandemcnts in particular^ and fce,whetherit be fo eafle to love his neighbour as himfelfcjand God above all.

Ijbut where there is fomuch prcaching,there is much difquietnelfe and dilcontentment; formtn are abridged of their former ancient^ pailimes,and pleafureSjand urged unto more ftri(^neffe of life. When as all was well before, in much quiftneffe and peacc,the preaching of the Word breeds new flirres and contraryaffe(Sl:ioiis in men*.

No

and perfetuall (juide.

\

No marvell, though there be mueh ftruggling andftriving, great noyfe and ftirre, before the flrong man in the Gofpel can be di(farmed and dif-poflcfTcdof his Holds 5 that is, before Sathan, having long reigned in the hearts, and fat in the Confciences of ignorant and prophane men, will be caft out, by the Preaching and Power of the Word. This con qucftcofts full dearej it will not be had, without the loflfe of our deareft delights; without fhedding the very hearts-bloud of our beloved and bofoinc-finnej which fleili and bloud vfiW not yeeld untOj without biowes and bloud-fhcd. You may afllire your relfe,where the Light of Gods Truth begins once topeepe out,and the power of grace to workc, for the driving away darkneflfe^and fubduing prophaneneflTc; you fhall be fure ever there to have three fierce and implacable enemies, and oppofites, to ftart up; Sathan, wicked meH,and a mans owne corruptions.Wbile men lye in finne, ignorance,and unaerthe fliadow of death, Sathan lets them alone, meddles not much with them,never troubles or difquicts them, but procures them all temporall happineflfe, and earnall contentments,thatcan be; (forhe knowes fullwelljif they fo continue,they are fure his owne, and children ofendlefleperditionOBut if once,by the power of the Word, they be enlarged out of the flavcrieof finne and death, and lay hold upon falvation,and the glorious libertie of the Samts; why then he begins to beftirre himlelfe like a madded ^ enraged Lion,and labors with allhis malice' and policie to hinder and da fh fuch proceedings.

(fs) And

69

Tfcerc is good reafon for ir.

Sathan hiH' ders chcWord.

So doe wicked men,

And a mans owne corruptions*

B$JHf,6,i$^

I,«Jj[«ia.49.

ilfa/fo. 10.34.

Jj^.4i. iS,

The Saints fure

The Gofpcl is notihecaufe

ot troubles, but mens cor-ruptiofls.

And in this Confpiracie, heejoynes untohim* felfe wicked and reprobate men, to rayle, revile, and rage againft finceritie: Ijand bcfidesja mans orvne corruption, and finfull flefhjdoth fret and fume, when it feeles it felfe curbed and fnafflcd by the Law of the Spirit.

The Gofpcl indeed is a Gof^el of Peace : But of what Peace ? Of Peace with God, with good menj and a mans owne Confcience ^ of the Peace that fajj'eth ali underftayidwg: But iteverproclaimes open warre againft wickednefle, prophaneneffc, and corruptions J it will have no peace with im-pietie, carnall fecuritic, and rebellion unto the Lavves of God. Hence it is,that our Saviour tells us in the Gofpel, that he came not to fend Peace intd the Earth'^ but rather,Fire,Debate,and the Sword: that is , Wherefoever his Word is publiflied powerfully, and confcionably5with fruit and ef-fcd upon the foules of his ele»$b; there, by accident (as they fay) it ftirres up much rage and bitter oppofition againft Gods children. For, as there is no true inward peace unto the wicked 5 fo5in this World, there is no outward peace unto the righteous; but commonly they are M\\ cx-ercifed with one crofte and tempration,or other ^ either the Devill, or wicked men, are ftill plotting orpradifingmifchiefe and miferie againft them.

But you muft conceive, that thedifquietneflTes and troubles that arifc at the preaching of the Word, are not caufed by it, but by mens corruptions . Would any man thinke^ that Saint P»ul^

or

t

and perpetuall Cfuide.

V

3f*f&. 13.4, U

or his Preaching,were in fault, becaufe there was much adoe, and an hurly-burly almofi: whercfo-cvcr he came; and not rather rhe wicked Infidels, which could not endure to have their finnes reproved ? Neither the Sowetjnorthe Sct^^^ath. 13. are to be blamed^that it doth not profper and fru^ifie- it is the ground that is onely in fault: which is cither ftonie, or thornic, or barren ; or elfcjit is the envious manjthat foweth Tares: The Sowerdothonelyhisdutiejand the Seed is pure and precious; it is mens corruptions, and pro-phane hearts,that caufeth all the ftirre. Amongft foure kinds of Grounds, there is but one at the moft (as appcares in the Parable of the Sower, Math,i^,) in which the iramortall Seed of the Word takes root, profpers,and fruiJiifies: Onely the good and honeft heart profits by Preaching; to all others, it is the frvour tf death unto death: And whom it doth not hwmblc , it hardneth • whom it makes not fo mecke as a Lambe, and like a little Child in humilitie, it makes as fierce and furious as a Lion, againft the power of grace wrought in others,and againft the profeflion and pradice of finceritie. No marvell then, though where the Word of Truth begins to beare fway, there be many times much adoe,and refiftaiKe by carnall and prophane men.

I, but (will fomc fay) this Word is brought unto us by weake and frailemen 5 fometimes by ■ brought ro us thofejwho arc of notorious and infamous life and j by wcak/omc converfation: and therefore wee have lefie heart kS^mcnT'*^' to belecvc and obey them. If wee had the Word

(^4) P^^-

'TheWord is

f

Anfw* U Ic is Gods goodnefl*e,to ?peake tou& bymen,iike to our ielves.

Exoi.to, 1$.

It is his love lo to honour raankind,as 10 make men iiis Ertibsffa-dours.

The Saints fure

publifhed by an Angel, or an Apoftle, or fome more excellent and povvcrfull mcanes,and Em-bafTadours, wee fhoiild more eaiily and willingly hearejbelcevc^jand obey them.

It is Gods great mercie unto us, that it plea-feth him (ofarretocondifcend to ourinfirmitic, as to open unto us the richTrcafures of his heavenly Word, by men of the fame condition and frailtie, and fubje<fl to the fame paflions with our felves. Hce might hy terrible and aftonifliing Voices, out of LightningS5Thundcrs,and Earth-<^uakcs,able tobreake thehardeft Rocks,and ftony Mountaincs, (as he did in the giving of the Law) force u s to obedience ; Oi* he might fend his Ao-gels, armed with power and puiflfance, to execute prefent vengeance upon all thofc which doe not prelently fubmit themfelvcs to the Scepter of his Chrift,and Soveraigntie of Ms Word. But in great mercie and compaifion unto us,hce chufeth rather to teach us by a ftiH and foft Voice ^ by a more fairejfamiliarjand fit inftrudtionforus-even by fuch as our felves^ of ourowne nature, fraiitic, and condition.

Herein he ihewes his great love unto us,in that he vouchfafeth to put his fearefull and glorious Word into the mouth of a mortall and finfull man. What an honour and advancement is it unto mans nature, unto mankind, that ihe high and miglitie God of Heaven and Earth (hbuld fingle them out for fo glorious a fervice; fandii-fic their Tongues, to deliver his good plcafure, and newes of falvation unto the fonnes of men ?

That

and perpetual I Qaide.

7?

That bee rhoiild acquaint and put thetn in truft with fuch high myfteries, and heavenly matters, of fo foveraigne and faving ufe, both to thcm-felves and others ?

But it may be, befides conamoa frailtie and infirmitie , the Minifter and Meflfcnger of the Word is of lewd and prophanc life, and condition.

If he be, more is the pitty; thefeandallofthe Minifterie is the greatetjand his owne damnation more fmarting and terrible. See Pfal, 5 o. i ^, 17, &G. But notwithftanding, the prophancneffe of the Preacher is napriviledge to the hearer, either of negligence or difobedicnce. He that turnes his eare from^earing of the Law truly f reached (though by a Pharife) even hif prayer u ahomnal^ki Proif.i 8. p, Hee that def^ifeth the Word^ fhall be defireyed^ Prev, 13.15. Hes that obeyeth not the Smne^ in bis Minifters lawfully fent, though not fandified thcmferves, ffoali mt fee life ^ but the wrath ofGed ahidethenhim, Chrift himfelfe, in the Gofpel, bids-his followers to obferve and doe whatfoever they were bid by the Scribes and Pharifes^which fate in Mefes Chaire ; but not to doe after their works; for they faid^and did not. Every Minifter is to be heard,reccivcd,and foIlowcd,fo farre as he followes and delivers to the Church the Truth of God,and Dextrine of the Apoftles. For therein he is an ^ngel of the Lwd of Hoftsy and Eniba[fadour in theflead ofChriH. And all the parts of the Minifterie in his-hand (he following the Word) toll as certainely be accompiifnadj as if an Arigei, or

Chrift

I 7i;«4i^.

The Miniftcrs prophancneflc is n© privi-Jcdgc of 4if-o.bedienceto the Word,

Proii.1.3.13. Ishn 3.3^t

A/yu^, 23.2^3.

Itt^ci».43.

Luke 10.1 ^.

^he Saints fare

Chrift from Heaven fl\ould prefently and potently execute them. If hee denounce Judgements againft finne, it is as if the voice of God himfclfe fhould be heard from Heaven ^ as if the Lion of the Tribe of ludah fhould roarc. If he pourc the Oyle of comfort into a wounded and diftrefTed Confcience,it is as fureand certaine;as fofcand fweec to the bclewng foule, as if the Angels fliould comfort him, as they did Chrift in his Agonic; or,as d Chrift himfelfe fhould mercifully reach out his glorious hand, through the Clouds, and binde up his broken heart and bruifed Confcience with a Plaifterof his owne precious Bloud. Ifheeinftrud, admonidi, reprove, exhort, pcrfwadc, from ground and warrant out of the Word; it is all onc,as if Chrift himfelfe fhould doe it: who hath faid 5 He that heareth y9u^ heareth me.

Let-men therefore pretend what they will; if they will not heare, beleeve, and obey the Lord, fpcaking in the Minifterie of the Word, though the meanes and Meffcngers be never fo bafe and vile,fraile,weake,and finfulL Let an Angel come from Heaven, a Devill from Hell, or a man from the dead ^ yet would they not beleeve. For, if a man were truly humbled, hee would tremble at Gods Word,of whomfoever hee heard it. If feee had a fpirituall tafte, hee would relirti the heavenly food, whofoever miniftred it. If hee had Gods holy Spirit, hee would know and acknow-ledgehis Sword, which is the Word of God, in whofc hand foever he faw it. And until] he have

this I

and perfetuall Cjuide.

this fpiritja fpiritaall taftcjand an humble heart, hcev^ill not belecve,cfpccially witheffe(a,fruit, and pradicc, let him pretend whatfoeverhewill • neither Angels^nor men; dead,norliving- A-fofes^ nor the Prophets; Peter^uotPauly not Chriftjnsr Godhimfclfe; if the one were living againe upon EarthjOr the other would be pleafcd,orit were poflibkjto fpcakc immediately to him.

For conclufion of this Point,let us know5That the Minifterie of the Word is Gods Ordinance j which dependeth not upon the wor thine (Te of him who delivereth it; neither is it made void and un-cife^uall,by his weakencflcand wickednefle: but it hath it vertue/orcejand power from the blefling of God, and from the inward operation of his Spirit; who applyeth it to the hearts and confci-encesbf men, and thereby illuminates their un-derftandingSjbegctteth faith in them^and all fan-<fiifyingand faving graces.

I, but (will fome fay) it isaverywcarifome, tyring, and tedious thing, to be tyed to the hearing of fo many Sermons, to meditate of them, conferreof them with ourneighbourSjteaeh them our families,and pradifethem; which are urged upon us,as neceflTarie Chriftian duties.

It is a ftrange thing, and fora cafcg that fome men will not be perfwaded to take halfc ^o much paines togoe to Heaven,and cternall Reft, as many thoufands to goe to Hell, and everlafting torment. How many tyre and torture themfelves with catkc and care, with much toyle and travel], to heape iip thofe riches,which in the meane time

n

ire

See Dewnmi

ObjeQ, 8, This courfe is wcaiifoinc.

Many will nbs take fuch paines ro goe toHeaver,a$ others doe to goe to Hell.

fmn.

Trm.i.iZ,

J)X«f.t3.xf.

The Saints Jure

are matter of much vexation unto them . and hereafter will be witneffes againft them, and eace their fle(h as it were fire j as lames fpeakes ? How-many fpcnd their wits, their fpirits, their time, that they may become fome-body in the World, and climbe by indircd and unlawful! meanes, and fteps untothofe hig^h places, from whence hereafter they muft be hurled with greater confu-{ion,and a more fearefull downe-fall, into the Pit of Hell ? How many wafte their wealth, weaken thcirftrength, confume their marrow, fill their bones with rottenncfl[c,and their bodies with diC-eafes, with luft and uneleannefle, with following the fvhorijh mmany whofe faths lead mitd the dead-^ with tarrying long at the Wine, and pouring in of ftrong Drinkc: forwhich,at length,they {hall be fure to be filled with drunkennefle, and with fbrrow, even with the Cup of deftrudion, and trembling • they (hall drinkc of it deepe and large, and wring it out to the dreggcs ? How unwearied have Idolaters ever beene in the wicked worfhip of their falfc gods ? And many Here-tikes, in the falfe woriTiip of the true God ? In thrufting towards Hell, they neither fpared cofl, nor charge J lofre,nor labour: They have beene prodigall both of livcs,and living 5 of bloud,and children. You know, amongft the lewes, fome mingled the rufull crycs of their deareft children with Muficke and melodic, left they fhould be moved tocompaffion, while they were caft into the fire,to be burned up in facriiice unto the Idoll Moloch, Scribes and Pharifcs compaffe Sea and

Land,

and perpetuall (^uide.

Land, to make a Profelytc, Baals Priefts lanced and cut their flelli before their Idoll, untillthe bloud gufiied out. The blinded Papifts at this day whip themfclves, wafte their goods, and con-fume their bodies with wearifbmc Pilgrimages^ to fee fome counterfeit Reliques, and rotten Bones, or to vifir accurfed Idols, and PopiQi Saints: Nay, fome of them tranfportcd with a more bloudie rage, and furious fpirit of Anti-chrill, fuffer as it were with fenfclefnefle, with defperatc and damned boldneffe, moft horrible andexquifite torments, for butchering of Kings, for which they hope to merit Heaven,and to (ayle througha Seaof Royall bloud to the Haven of endleffc reft; though indeed and truth, they juftr Jy light rhort,and finke, before they arc aware, into the deepeft Lake of the hotteft fire,and moft confuming flame of Hell. Now,I pray you,niall thefe (ervices of Sathan be followed and purfued withfuch heat and eagerncflfe, with fuch paines and patiencie of all miferies and vexations - and fhall not the Lords owne Ordinances,and the true worfhip of the true God have power to make us ftepout of our doorcs with patience, and plea-fure, tobeare the Lords will revealed unto us, to receive falvation to our foules, and a Crowne of immortalitie to our heads ? Can fome be content to toyle day after day, fare hard, bre^ke thc^r fleepe, eate the Bread of carefulneffe, and all to heape up a little wealth 5 perhaps, with the loflfe of their owne foules, and-fometimes they fcarce know for whom 3 an4 fhall not wee with joy and

77

7he Saints fure

There was never good world fiace preach-xngcamein.

chearcfulncfle paffe through holy Exercises, for the enriching ofourfoules, wherein true and lading comfort is onely to be found, and whereby we may lay up for our felves Treafurcs in Heaven, durable RichcSja Bag that cannot wax old,a Trea-fure that can never failo, Pr$v. 8.18. Lnk, 12.33, unmixed joyes,endle{Te pcaccjand blcfled immor-talitie,prefently to be entrcd upon after death,and then to be enjoyed forever and ever? Shall rebellious Super ft itionjand the Do(i^rinc of Devilsjand killing KingSjharden the Papifts againft any crof. fes,and tortures; and fhall we be tyred with the peaceable Exercifes of found & faving Religion? God forbid. In whomfoever the true love of God and Chrift hath taken up the heart, there their Gofpel, and Word, and fervices are fweeterand more taftfull than all outward delights. Little touch of ReIigion,or fenfe of Salvation hath hee, that comes unto with unchearefulnefle^and ftayes with wcarinefle at the Miniftefie of the Word.

I5but(will fome fay) it was never good World fince fo much preaching came amongft us; when there was Icffe preaching,there was more plentie: and therefOre,it feemes,there is little good in it. Since this new Religion was on foot5(for fo Come ignorantly and malicioufly call it, though it be as old as God himfelfe, whofe cternall Truth it is • as old as the Patriarks and Prophets,as Chrift and his Apoftles) there hath beene (fay they) more fcarcitie of all things, more Plagues, Famines, ftrange apparitions, extremitie of (eafoHs, and other ludgcments, than ever our fore-fathers

faw.

and perpetual! ^uide.

19

favVjOr heard of. HofpicalitiCjChaririejPaftimesj and Plentie were banifliedwith the old Religion^ for fo they ^all the bloiidie and idolatrous He-refie of Popcrie.

This hath ever beene the complaint of Idola-ters^and thewickedjagainfttheTruthof God; as I it isnow of the papifts &: prophane men amongft | us,agairiil: the glorious Light of the GofpeJjthat j iliines round about us. When Ieremy^chap.4.i^, had reproved the levves, and denounced Gods ludgc--ments againft them for their Idolatry,they anfvver him thus,in verf, i6, * The word that th$u haftffoken unto m in the Name of the Lordy we mil not heare it of thee . but rve will doe vphatfoever thing goethoi*f of cur mouth: aSjto burneincenfe to the ^ueene of Heaven^and tofoure'out drink-offerings unto her^as me have dene^both n>e and our fathers^ our Kings-and ottr Princes^ in the Cities of ludah^and in theftreetes of lerufalem ; for then had ne plenty ofviBitals^ and mre vceU^ and felt no etilL But fince n>e left off to burne incenfe to the ^neene of Heaxen^ and to pure out drink-offerings unto her^ we have had fcarceneff'e of all things^and have bin confumed by the ftford^and by the famine. The very fame complaint was made of the wicked Heathens and Infidels^ at the firft plantation of Chriftian Religion among the Gentiles. * Tertullian^ an ancient Fa* ther, tells us in his rime; If there were any inundation and overflowing of Tibris,a great River in Rome 5 if there were any extraordinarie and un-' couth Hayle, or Froft, or any other miferie or ca-lamitie; all the fault was prefexitly laid on Chriilj

This hath al^ wayes bcene the complaint of Idolaters.

*Markcthat,l befccch you; for it is the very language of the Papifts at ihii day.

Vid.Catv, in 2tr, 330.

and the Chriftian Religion.,

lit.

L*^X».47>48.

Our Tiiocs dc-feive greater judgeracnc, than tho former Tiroes of Ignorance, for ^ee reafons.

7he Saints fure

It appeares alfo by ^»/?/», another ancient Father, in his 1 a2. Epiftlc, that there vrere wicked complaints and murmurings againfl the Chrifti-an Faith, in his time 5 the Infidels were ftill crying, that before theDodrine of Chrift was published to the World, mankind was not vexed and diftrefled with fo many troubles and garboyles. To whichjtbe good Father doth there excellently anfwet; Out of Luke 12, 47,48. eafily, faith he, may they thence take their anfwcr: Thi fenant thut knew mthU Mafters mU^ and jet did commit things tvorthy of firipes^fhaU h beaten mth few firifes'^ but he that knew his Makers wiffyond prepared not him^ felfe^ neither did according t§ his wili^ \haU be beaten with manjfiripes.

Hence then may wee clcarely fee the reafon why our Times, in all reafon, fliould be more vi-fited with ludgcments, than former daycs of ignorance.

1 Becaufe that the Light of the Goffel it come owongH us ; and many love Darkneffe rather than that Light^becaufe their deeds are eviU:for every man that doth eviA^hateth the Light ^ neither commeth to the Lighty leh his deeds fhould be reproved,

2 Becaufe the Gofpel is not fo thankefully received and entertained,as fo excellent a Bleffing and precious a Treafure ought to be.

3 Many that heare it, live not after it: Per-hapsjonely make a fhcw of godlinefle j but deny the power thereof, in their lives and converfati-ons. So,that negligence and difobcdience to the Word of God, is the true caufe of thofe Judge-men rs

and berpetualKjuide,

8l

ments and mifericSjwhich are wickedly &: wrong-1 fully pretended to bee a caufc why they have (o ! little care to attend and obey it. |

As for Hofpitality in the time of Popery, it Popifli Hofpi-didnot fomuch fpriiTe from the truth of Reli- "J'7'"?<3n

* *^ , wiiac grouiids,

gion, as

I. From a fupcrRitious opinion of redeeming their {innes, and purchafing Heaven by almcs-deeds.

2-, From an excefTive cheapnefTe of all things, by reafou of the fcarcity of money.

3. From the fuperfluicie of the vvealth,riches, lands and impropriations, the price of the bloud offouIcSj which Monafteries, and other religious, : or rather fupcrfVitious honfeSjhad immeafurably ! and unconfcionably ingrofTcd and gotinto their hands. And when they had ingrofTcd the world tothemfclvesjCasonefayes) they feemed liberall Simi.e* in giving fomething ; like unto fomevaine-glo-rious thccvesjwhich having robbed wealthy Mer-i chants,bedow fome pence upon beggers. I As for works of Charity : Cerciineitis, and a : reverend and learned man of our Church hath I proved ir, and it will more clearly appeare here-j afrer; That the charjtaile benevolence, honntifuliUl/e- Our times , ralitie^ Ja^^e expences in bujld'i^g and enlarging C el- ^ may compare : ledges^ and creSling Hujhitah^Libraries^ Free-fchooles^ works of cha-\ar.d manj other mrhs of charity^ and fruits of faith ^ rity. \fince the light of the Gof^ell began to fhine amongfl m^ \ ma-^ compare mth^ ifnotfarre excellalfj time of the like i or longer continuance in any age. As for greater dearth & higher price of all things 1

CS)

now.

The reafons of the higher price of things now.

The Saints Jure

now, than in former times,it is a cleareand plaine cafe, that the rcafon is ; that the great ftore and plcntie of trcafure which is nralking in thefe parts of the world, farrc more in thefe ourdayes,, than ever our forefathers have fecne in times paft. Who doth not underftand of the infinite fummes of Gold and Silver which are gathered from the Indies^ and other Countries, and fo yearly tranf^ ported into thefe Goafts ? And this is eonfeft to be the true caufe of the fame iinancient dearncflc of all things, even in other Kingdomes alfo, where Popery is profefJed. One Bodin, agrest Po-lititianef FrancCytehuSy that the common feoplearc much deceived^ nho thinke that the f rice of Come^ Cat-teUy and ethernecefarte Sy fhouid hold the fame rate it didoftld. They doe not underJfand and confider^ that the ffice of things is more if J ten farts {{^\t\\ he) than it iroi arJcientljy by reafon of the plenty at^d abundance of Gold and siheryVphich is brought out of the JVeJi Indies int$ Europe^ tr-hereby it comes tapaf'e that mone^ is kfe efteemedy far flenty of any thing leffens the ejlimati-mof it.

Be fides, for oirrowne Countrey,wife men have obfervcd another particular rcafon. For (fay rbcy) immediately after our coine, in the time o*^ King Henry the eighth, the prices of all thing<; generally among all forts of people rofe; for that they thinke, that the alteration of the Coine was the chicfe and principall cau(c of an univcrfall dearneffe of things. And why ourEnglifb Coine being reftored by our late Queene, that blcffed Saint of glorious memory, to its former purity

and'

and perpetua/l (jmde.

and perfe<5tio% the prices of all things fall not backc to their old rate, they give fiifficienc realons.

As for paftiraes, Playes, and other fearefull prophanationof the Sabbath, it is a good figne the power of grace is there planted by the Word, from whence they are baniflied and abandoned. They are fit plcafures for Papifts, which have no i comfort in the joycs above 3 and well agreeing to I the darknefle of fuperftition. But the light of I the Gofpell difpcls fuch vanities, and Gods children have all their plcafures in holy exercifes upon the Sabbath day.

This laft objediion then of Papifls and pro-phane men j That the world is worfe fincc there was fo much preaching, is idle, vainc, and fri-Tolous.

Many fuch like conceits, pcrfwafions and objections as thefe, which I have now reckoned up unto you, there are abroad in the world, and in the hearts of prophane men, by which they arc hindred from hearing the Word of God, with that heart, zealc and diligence as they ought.

Now I come to acquaint you with fomc flights and temptations of Satan, whereby belabours to bereave us of the blcffings and benefits of profitable hearers, and to hinder the effeduall working of the Word in our confciences and con-verfations.

Afirfl-plotand prad^ice of Satan, is to keepe men from diligent hearing the Word; I' he cannot that way prevaile,in a fecond place he labours

(g2) to

85

Satans ffeiclicft to hinder the effcduall working of che Word.

He would keep thciB from the Word.

H

^4. j

The Saints Jure

Or elfc hinder the power of it

flee kecpcs themffoiu at-I tending.

i

\

I * In this depth

I be ufcs to HU I our minds I with barren meiancholyjor to make men poll off re-proofes, and apply them Pharifoically all the while to others. He fills our minds cither with worldlyi ©r cllc with imperciaenc unlrafcnabls thoughts.

to make the Word in vaine, fruitljefFejand unpro-Ktable unto them. And that hce doth^by fuch mcancs as thefc :

I If by the grace of God \vc brcake chorow all lets and fnares which might withhold us from holy aflemblies, and hearing of the Word • then Satan, that I'e might make it unetfediiall for our converdonand falvarion 5 firft, labours to workc in us a negligent carelefncfle and heedlefnciTcj in liftningto thofe things which are delivered, and that by a kindc of heartlefnefle in holy things^ by dulnefle of fpirit, drowiincffe, flecpinelle, gazing about, talking, or fuch like. And fuch [liearers as thefe,are never a whit moved or affected with the Word preached, but remainc in the fame ftateas they were before. There is neither paflion or imprellion wrought upon them for the prcfcnt, nor any thought of ic, profit or practice afterward,

t ^ But if he cannot fpced this way,but that we rouzc up and addrcffc our felves to heare the Word of God, as deflring vt^ith care and good confciencetoprontthereby: Why then, inafe-cond place, hce feekes by allmcancs to ftll our heads and hearts with idle mullngs,and vvandring thoughts, which may diftrad and fleale away our minds from attending to the W^ord. And that he doth, either by offering and fuggcfting to our confideration and memory, the vTOTld,aRd the vanities thereof, as cur atfairesand bufiiicfTe, our profits and preferments -^ thofe pleafurcs and delights wherein our corrupt affedions finde

mofti

and perpetual/ Cjuide,

tnoft fenfuall fwcetneflc: Or, i( this will not pre-vailc 3 by cafting into our niindes very craftily and cunningly,things which in their owne nature may be good, hGnciT,and religious: But becaufe they are thought upon out of due and convenient time, they deprive us of the profit of the prefent holy Exercife 5 which ought for the time, onely and wholly to take up our mindes.

If this yet wfll doe no good ; but that wee marke diligently and attentively, all the while, what the Miniftcr delivers unto us from Qodi^ for our good: why then, in a third place;

1 In fomc,he makes it uneffeduall, by nou-lifhing in them a negled of reading the Scrip-tures,and ignorance in the Principles of Religion; fo that though they attend never (b well,and itarc the Minifter in the face 5 yet they underftand not the Sermons they heare. Let the younger fort therefore, to prevent this mifchiefe , acquaint thcmfelves with the Scriptures from their youthj by the example of Tiwothy^ 2 Tim. 3.15. Salomon, Prcv,'^!, ijC^'r. Samuel^ i Sam. i. 24. See alfo Pf^L 119. Prov.z. I. And let the miferic upon Elies Houfe, terrific negligent and indulgent Parents ; fee 1 Sam, 2. i, 2. S'c. In this depth, the Word is either buried as it is brought forth, or dies at the Church doore.

2 In othersjhe earncftly endeavours utterly to extinguiiTi andabolifli all thought of it; quite to drive and banifh it out of their headsjfo foone i as they have heard it. And that thus : If mens hearts be hardned through u bcleefe,or cuftome

(g3) in

85

Some under-they hcare.

41

InotbersjSa-'hanftealesic avvay iatne^li* atcly.

B6

The Saints fure

it

in finning, and like the High-way in the Parable of the Sower i then the Evill one comes immediately, and catcheth the Seed of the Word fo fooncas it is fowen, and ftealeth it out of the Smih, heart. As we may fee many times Birds hovering greedily after the Sower, to fnatch away the Come, before it be covered with Earth, or take root in the ground; even fo Sathan5the ravenous Crow of Hell, waites all opportunities to pecke up the Seed of the Word out of the hearts of men, before it finke into their affections, or fru-(Stifie in their conver fat ions. Or othervvife,!f the Or the World World hath ftolne mens hearts out of their bo-fteales away ^^gj^ (q tj^at they have no hearts left within them, for matters of Holinelle, and Heaven; but are wholly fetupon Gaine, and exercifed in Cove-toufnefle: then needes not Sathan much to be-ftirre himfclfe; he knowes full well,that worldly 'mtt^»t,i^. I Cares will prefently choake the Seed of the Word. As foone as the Sermon is heard,and ended, and they turned their backes upon the j Church, there comes immediately into their heads whole fwarmes of earthly thoughts, and they are prefently plunged over head and cares into the cares and plottings of earthly bufinefles. So that thefe men,whom Sathan conquers by this temptation, never meddle with meditation, conference, or ta Ike about the points handled by the Preacher, by which the Word of God fhould he better, as it were, digefted, and prepared for pra-(^ife. Nay, they have no delight at all to heare others repeat the Sermon 5. but are very vvcarie of

the

and perpetuall (fuicie.

87

the place and companie, and never pleafed, untill they bring them back againe unto talke of worldly matters and prophane difcourfes.

If this yet will not ferve the turne^but that the Word gets within a man, and workcs upon his ' under (landing; fo that by his diligent hearing of it, meditation, and conference, he furnifhes him-felfe with competent knowledge in the Bookc of Godjand Divine Truth: why then5Sathancafts about another way ; which is, to make him to content himfclfe with a bare fruitlefle knowledge, without pracfiifing the power of it in his life and adionsj to reft contented with an abilitic to talke and difcourfe onely upon points of Religion, and places of Scripture, without inward fandification, and fubduing the will and aflfedti-ons to new obedience, and fincere exercife of Chriftianitie. So that, for all his knowledge, he neither meddles with Convcrfion, nor mends in his Converfation.

He labours here, firft, to hinder his Converfi-on,by planting in his heart a prejudice and dif-conceit againft,

1 Preaching the Law.

2 Diftinguifhing feverall eftates of unre-generate men, Math» 13. the three Reprobate Grounds.

3 The differencing the Children of God,and the Children of the Devill, by fpeciall markes and notes, Math,$, Pfal. 15. dfc.

4 Prefling the Doctrine of Chrift, of freeing in at the ftrait Gate^ Luke 13.24. ^ 4,2 S. And

(g 4) gathe-

He labours co kcepe them from pradi-fingwhsttthey know.

He would Ho« icr their coti-Tcriion fundry wayes.

S8

See rates, fag.

2 Broad, pag, 100

H'Jwoukhave them rcfl in a partial! refor. niation,and fupetficiall converfion>

Severall un-found chan-

Inthefefcarcs, Truth is ihe tr.ucft Touch-ftonCjtodift'c-Tcncc a true convert from all Aates oi ■nregeneta-lioR. See

The Saints fur e

gathering from Scripture thofe which fliall be fa-~ vedjintoa fliort fumme.

5 And by making him make God all of Mercie,

And mending in his Converfationjby motives unto prcfumption.

If this will not prevaile, but that a man endeavours to draw his knowledge into prad^ife, and fettles himfclfewith care and confcience to rc-forme his former wayes and courfes of iniquitie r why then Sathan plots and pradifethjWithaUthe cunning and policie he hatn^ to make him reft in a {light^fuperficialL,and partiall reformation • ta content himfelfc with an unfcftind^or unfaving converfion. For5by the way.I mdft tell youjtherc may be.many converflons, changes, and a-lterati-ons in aman.from worfe to better^and yet he nor truly fancfliiied, not become anew creaturCj nor poffefled of the ftate of grace, and glorious comforts of true Chriftians.

1 He may be changed^ from a notorious fin-ncntoacivili honeftman: whereas he hath beene before furious, and defperate in lewd courfes, hee may grow more fober and moderate in his carriage 2 And yef, for all this, continue in his-igr norance, and a mecre.ftranger to the wayes of godlineffe.

2 Prom civill honcftie, he may paife on to a formal! Chriftianitie , and become an outward ProfcfTor; and outwardly doe,and performe religious ferviccs: and yet lye in hrs {inneSjand want the power of inward fan<f^ifitation.

and perpetual! Quide.

3 Yet furrhe^jby a gencrall paver of rheWofd, and inferior working of the Spirir5he may in feme fort be outwardly refomnedj and in fome meafure inwardly enlightened 3 hee may have underftan--ding and joy by the Minifterie of the Word, and may doe many things after it, and forfake many finnes. Bcrod is iaxd^Mark, 6, to have reverenced lohn^ to have heard him gladly, and to have done many things: And yet for all this, hee may come I fhoft of a found conversion j if hee fuffer fome maine corruption, fome one fweet finne, or other, to reigne in him, which hee ftill.feedes upon with delight, and fenfuall fwcetneflej if hee doc not wholly and entirely rcfigne and give vp himfelfe, his fpirit,fouleand body to the Lords fervicc,and to picafe him in all things- and with repentance, and refolution,forfake all his knowne fiones. For this is a certaine Rule and Principle with •^Divines 5 That true turmng unto God^and the advifedand mlihgremainingin the fraHice of Any ane evilly nhich is difcovered to a mans Confcienct^ hy the Light of Gods fFord^ to be afime^ cannot fland together,

Thefe changes a man may have, and thus many pafTages, from worfe to better; and yet the great and glorious worke of regeneration not wrought upon him. For where there is ji found convcrfion, and through-reformation, there a man is wholly fandified,and {tt apart unto God,from the flnfuU corruption of his naturall birth,and the evil 1 fruits thereofjtO'ferve God in his whole man,both body, fGuIe,and fpirit. He fhakes hands with all finnes, he fells all for the precious leweil of the Gofpel -

he

89

CHM\.6t%o^

* See Htaon. f.158. Marbury in his Sermon atP.C. "Dod upon the Co-roandements, p.io.T>liie,p 19^. True Watch, f.6i.

Fruits of a true conTeifion,

po

JHttr\.^»i7*

»K;»^.j.i8.

T^he Saints fure

he regards not finnc in his heart,buc hath a regard CO all Gods Coramandements.

Now fith Sathan^hat old Serpent,knowes full vrell, that it will never ferve the turnc for a man to part but with part of his linnes; that his cafe is fearefull enough,whatfoever good,or good deeds fccmc to be in him5if he yceld not to the worke of the Holy-Ghoft, for the leaving but of any one knownc finne,which fighteth againft the peace of j his Confcience; he knowes,thac he hath haunc and hold enough in a naans Confeience, and af-fcdiions i that hce hath fufficicnt intcfeft and claimetohisdamnationjif he can but keepe his fweet finne in heartland alive in him. And there-fore,when any by the Mfnifterie of the Word is moved to fettle and addreflTe himfelfe to a reformation of his wayes, and to redrefle his former wicked life 5 he puts in,might and mainejtopre-ferve in his vigour^and fovcraigntie,one fecret dc-lightfull finnejOrotherjat leaft,in the heart and affedion of him, that goes about to reforme himfelfe : He fingles out one corruption, or other, to which hee findes a man moft addid^ed ; and this he concealeSjand fenceth with all the policie that he hath, that if by any meanes it may cfcape un-rcpented of,unmortified,and unmedlcd with.

Thus he dealt with Herod: Herod^ by the preaching of /o/7»,reforroed himfelfe in many things • but Sathan made fure to keepe him his owne, by that one finne of Inceft. Naamdn the Syrian, no doubt,beIeeved,and followed the Prophet in many things • but he dcfired ont\y^that the Lord vould

and perfetuall (juide.

hemercifuU unto him^ when he mnt into the houfe ef Kimmoft. The young man in the Gofpel, in his outward carriage was unreprovable; but that one fecret ficne of worldlineffe, baniiTied him out of the prefence and Kingdome of Chrift. In this point, Sathan labours to perfwade men to deale with God in the forfaking of their finnes, as ^ha-nias dealt with the Apoftle^in parting with his Money. It was a cuftome,you know,in the Primitive Church, becaufe of the ncceflltic of the Times; that many, out of a zealous and extraor-dinarie love unto the Gofpel, fold their Lands,and brought the price, and laid it downc at t]ie Apo-ftles feet. Ananias amongft the reft,would necdes (eeme as forward 5c zealous in this glorious workc of Charitic, as any other: He fold his Lands in-deed,and brought in the Money,and tendered it at the Apoftles feet 5 but yet fecretly, fufpcding Gods providence,and doubting lefthimfelfe,per-haps,.at length fliould be brought into want, hce kept backe one part of the price of his Pofteflion 5 making fhew notwithftanding,tohave brought in all. So it is in many,by the malice of Sathan,and bewitching enticements of natufall corruption, in the forfaking of their finnes. In a true Conver-fion indeedjwhen a man is about to buy the Pearle of great price & unvaluab'e worth in the Gofpe], the Dodrinc of Salvation, the Way to Life, and Graces of Gods Spirit; he makes an iinivcrfall fale of allhis finnes; hefelieth (as the Text faith) all that he hath: not fome piece of his fiDfullPcflef-{ion,buteven the very whole Lordfhip, the entire

Inheritance,

91

Matb,if,%i9

Ad,^,

Mtub.i^t^^

pz

Simile*

The Saints fure

Inheritance. But it is othcrwife with thofc whom Sathan inveagleth, acd enfqareth in this point. Hec is well enough picafed, that they {hall feeme^ to be as forward in the reformation and amendment of their lives, as any other r and indeedjthat they fhall be reformed in good part, and carry fbme love and a^dion toward the Word,and Mi-nifters; fo that he may keepe hold and poflTeffion but in one corner of the heart: For he knowes,that that is enough to keepe the whole man, body and foule,his owne. If he can ftay but one finne unfold, he knowes the man continues ftilijby the courfe of divine Law,a bondflave of Hell. By one little hole a (hip will finke into the bottome of the Sca.The llab of a Pen-knife to the heart, will as well fpeed a man, as all the Daggers that killed C^far in the Senat-houfe.The foule will be ftrangled with one Cord of vanitiejas well as with all the Cart-ropes of iniquitie; onIy,the more finsjthe more plagues, and fiercer flame in Helhbut he that lives and dies impenitent in one,it will be his dcftrudion. One dramme of poyfon will difpatch a man • and one reigning finne will bring him to endlclTe woe and mifcrie. Let us take heed therefore,whcn wc goe about reformation of our felves, left we be furpri-fed & overtaken by this malicious craft of Sathan. Let us refolve upon a through-reformation^which is only and ever undcrtaken,w ith a purpofc not to hold on in the willing pradice of any one knowne iniquitie,or finfull courfe. Which,whenwe Hiall carefully &earneftly go about,Sathan will be fure to fet upon us,as Pharoah did upon Mofes and ^aron:

When

and perpetuall Quicie.

when the Lord had commanded them togoe three dayes journey in the Defarr, to doc fervice and facrificc unto him, that by all meanes hee mighthinder them in this holy bufinefTe.

1. He would have them tofiay in (he Und^ and to doe facrifice there. Nay {[aith ^^&fes) it is not meet to doe Co ; for then wee lliould offer unto the Lord our God chat which is abomination unto the Egyptians ►

2. Sith this would not then ferve, but that they would needs out of the Land' Tmllletpngoe (faith Pharaoh) that yon may Jamjice tothe Lord your God. in the mlderneffe 5 but gsenetfarre arvaj. But Mofes would yet none of this, he would not abate a foot of the journey the Lord had appointed.

3. Why then (faith Pharaoh) if you wi-11 needs goc f© farrej am. content your men fliall goe^bur, as itisfittcft, your children l"hall ftay at home. Nay. (faith Mofes) we will.got mth our -^Ottngandmth our old J rrith aurfonms a^d with oar daughters^, with our Shecfe and whh our CattelirvilLwe^ie,

4. Well (J^it\\Pharaoh) I will yceld fo farre unto you, your children (liall goe with you to ferve the Lord, onely your fbecpe and your Cac-tell fhall abide at home,

Na^) (faith Mofes) our Catteli'alfofljallgoeii;ithnf. There ]hallmt am hoofe be left.

Now when all this would not doe, when Mofes would not accept of any capitulations, conditi-^ons,reftTi(£lions, or limitations in holy bufineffcs, and the fervice of God, (for he was at a point, re-folute, he would not \ta.\t fo much as an hoofe be-

hinde:)

n

Satan deales with men,as fha/aoh did with the Ifraelitc?,

r-fr/ig*

Cap.io^,

yerf.i^.

Exod-i^.t"

lofephus.

The Saints/^re

See Broade.pag.

hindc.) Now, I fay, when all the enticements and policies o£ Pharaoh would not prevailc to k-epe Mofesitom fervingand facrificing unto God, and that precifely andltrii^ly, according to his OA^nc appointment and commandement, but that to this end, at length he wrung himfeh^eandallthe Ifraclites, out of the bloudy teeth of this perfe-cuting Wolfe; why then//74r4o/7armeshimfelfe with rage and fury, with fix hundred chofcn chariots, and all the chariots of -^gypt, with fifty thoufand horfmen, and two hundred thoufand footmen, as a lewifh Hiftorian writes, purposing with bloudy thirft todevoure at once, andfwal-lowupquicke, even allthelfracUof God : But you know the conclufion was • the Lord of Heaven gave a mod glorious deliverance to his owne people, wherein his bottomlefle goodnefle, and infinite mercy {hall fhine clcare and bright for ever, in all generations of the Church upon earth, and through all eternity in Heaven : But upon their enemies he brought fuch a ftrange and terrible confufion in the Red Sea; which may ftrikeaftonifhment and trembling into the heart and loynes of all prophanc perfccutors of godli-nefie to the worlds end, and amaze the veryma-licioufeft fiend in hell, while that Kingdome of darkneffeftands.

Even iuft thus doth Satan deale with all thofe whodcfire to bee condu<5led by the light of the Word, out of the JBgypt and flavery of ignorance, (inne, prophanenefle . and who arc refol-V€d fiankly and freely to give themfclvcs, foules

and

andperpetmll (juide.

95

and bodies, to Gods ferviccjflnd toentcra fetled courfeof holinefleandfandification; hec ufeth all meanes and policies to keepe and detaine them in his Kingdome of darknefle. If he cannot hold them in his chiefe palace and Court as It were, where finnc cfpccially raignes a;id revels it, yethewillfo farre hamper them, that at leafl they ftill hover upon the confines and borders of the Regions of death. If they will needs bee medling with rcforaiatioH of their finfull \vic^^ and that he cannot helpeit^ but fomcthing muftbedoncjhe is content to yeeld unto them upon fome termcs or conditions, that they call him not quite out of their confciences, but fulfer him to fway and raigne in their hearts, by fome onegamfullordelightfullfinneorother.

1. If they will needs feare God, he (lands not much upon it, but that they rray doc it outwardly, and in profeffioflj fo that they will continue in ^gypr, within the Kingdome of darknelTc, and lie ft illin their finnes, and under thefhadow ©f death,

2. If this will nor content them, if they will not reft here, bur will nc eds out of the Kingdome of darknclTc, and dominion of death, why he is not much again ft it, but that they may goe the halfeway; that is, he will fuflPcr them to forgoe and forbeare the outward practice and perpetration of many finnes,fo that inwardly their heart and affeftions harbour, nourifh & embrace them ^\\\ and feed upon with a fenfuall and delightfull re-membrance,the finfull pleafures of iniquities formerly committed, li

Sacan would condition with men la their conver* fion.

3. If theydefire and cndevour to became new men, both inwardly and outwardly, to befanj^i-fied inactions andaffedlions, to ferv^God both in foLiIe and body, he will yet yecld fo fiirrc, that they mayberidoffomcfinncs both in hcartand pradice, as perhaps of finnes of cuftome ; but then he will be a fuitor and folicitor unto them, to retainc other iinucs, as perhaps finnes of nature. For example: It may be they may both forbears the outward pradicc, and alfo inwardly loath fwearing, drunkcnnefTe, and other fuch like fmnes of cuftome • but they will nuzzle in the bofome of their affcdions, pride, luft, anger, and fuch other finnes, the naturall birth'as it were of original! corruption.

4. But if they alfo conquer thefe, wh/thenhe tempts them mainly to continue at theleaft in worldlinefTe. "^ For this in many mens hearts hath greater pov/er, and beares more fway than nature, or natural laffcsffcion. He will fecretlyfiiggcft unto them, that upon an eager and exceflivepurfiiit of gaine and riches, depends their life and lively-hood, their credit and reputation, their contentment and happinefic in the world ; fo that perhaps at laft of all,, after all this, they reft and fi?t-tlctbemfi^Ives upon finnes of advantage, asufu-ry^ oppreffion, iinlawfuU and exceffive gaining, earthly-mindednefte 5 ferving the Times, and fuch like.

5. Butif bythegrace oFGodanybe fobLcf-o^'kc/'^/'/Wr. fed from God above, as refolutely topafietho-Fiorv.%.fm. j.jQyy all thefe traincs and temptations, and like

* Fcure Infallible marks of fovetoufncffcl

11 Calking: I Siiaiinei bov/els to the neccflitiesof the Saints, or 1 any rruly poore.

3 Too much bufinellc in the w«rld.

4 Inj'jftice, or uHnpof inju-liousor indt" ri-fVccurfes of gcccirg wealih See wiaid).

and perpetuall (juide.

flrong Sam[ons^ breakc through all tfeefe Cords and Cart-ropes of iniquitie and vanitie; fo that they will not yeeld an ynch to that cruell Pharaoh of Hell, nor leave (o much as an Hoofe bchinde them, in his Kingdomc of Darknelle: why then, this fpirituall Pharaoh prefcntly armes himfelfe with all the crafts and policies of Hell, with Legions of Fiends5and Princes of the Darkenefle of this World J with all his malice, againft the falva-tioa of the foiiles of men • with the fire and furious rage of prophane wretches; with the fharpe fwords and impoyfoned arrowes of lying and flanderous tongues j and with all other advanta-gesjwhich either the loweft Hell5or the wide wicked World can afford. And thus appointed, hce purfues and perfecutes, with bloodie and implacable furie5all thofe who have efcaped out of this captivitie, farre more eagerly and envioufly than c\'CT Pharaoh did the Ifraelites : That either hee may bring them backe againe into his bondage, or elfe take them quite away, and deftroy ihem 3 that they may not attaine the full Light of the Saii;ts,nor doe long fervice unto the Lord, And certainely, if all the power of Hell, the ftrongeft temptationSjthe fcourge of tongues,the V\'^orlds malice, the fbightfull fpirit of prophanenelle, the frownings of friends, the fcornefull infolen-cies of enemies, the curfcd and enticing cryes of our old companions ; if wicked men or damned Devils be able to prevaile, he will be furc to ftay them, before they enter into the ftate of grace^ and true bleflcdiiefle. But yet, if a man put on

( h ) Pauls

;'^ Sec j^.ij.io.

T^he Saints fure

P4«/.f armour, in Efh, 6, Davids royall courage, PfiiL^' ^* ^ofes iprinccly zcale,and truly Chri-ftian valour, that he mil not have a hoofe behinde • that is, that he will not leave one corruption un-mortificd, one atfcclion unfan^lificd, one rebellious adion unreformcdj one knovvnc finne un-repented of, and unforfaken • one holy dutie unperformed, one Commandemcnt unobeyed: Why then, hee may looke for a more glorious fpiricuall deliverance, than Mo[es had a temporal] : Hell, and confufion, (hall fvvallovv up all his * enemies • but into his heart, in the mcanc time, fliallbe flied and plentifullypow-rcd comfort, joy, and peace-, and upon his head fhall a Crowne of immortalitie flourifh for ever hereafter.

I have flayed very long upon the fifth plot and pradicc of Sathan, whereby he labours to make the Word heard, unpowerfull and unef-feduall for the falvation of our foules: For, I know, it is much and often excrcifed, and with great fucceffe 5 and by it, he prevailes with very many. When by diligent hearing of Gods Word, faithfully urged upon them , they are driven, and doe addrefle themfclves to a reformation and amendment of their finfull lives ^ he mightily endeavours to hinder, difquiet, and interrupt them in it; to make it a reformation unto them but in part, and by halfes; unfotind, and unfaving : So that, it may be, they may for-fake finnes of Cuflome, as Lying, Swearing, DrunkenneiTe, and fucii like- but keepe finnes

of

..JPI-I.-L ... ' I!. ■

and ferpetuall Quide,

\

of Nature, as Pride, Liift, Anger, and the like: Or, it may be, they may forfake both thefe two kindes of flnnes, and yet kecpc finnes of Advantage j as OpprclIioD,unlavvfLiliGaining,grinding the faces of the Poore, ferving the Time, and fuch like ; Or, they may leave all thefe, and yet keepe finnes of Companie ; as, idle and vaine Talking, fikhie leading, rayling again!]: and flan-dering their Neighbours, uncharitable judging and cenfuring their Brethren, and the like. It may be, they may be carefull in their generall calling of Chriftianitic • but carelelTe and uu-faithfull in thofe particular places and callings, wherein God in his providence hath fct them : Orcontrarily' they may be of Chriftian behaviour abroad, and in publike • as at Sermons, and in the Church ; but unconfcionable at home, and in their private families • never teaching, or praying with them: They may fceme zealous in the Commandements of the firft Table, and about the fervice of God • but in the fecond, and towards their Neighbour, unmerciful! , unconfcionable, and uncharitable: Or, they may deale juftly and honeftly with o-thers, but be utterly voide and deftitute of the knowledge and feare of God : They may bee outwardly reformed, but inwardly full of hollow-hearted neflfe , and hypocrific : They may leave all other finnes, onely keepe one behinde; which is called a mans ftveet, delightfull, and bofome-hnne.

If Sathanx:an prevaile with ^.man any of thefe (hi) wayes,

^Tbe Saints fure

Sathan would hinder perfe-Vjcrance.

^U'Kll*

■Mfilkw.t^i.

s.7f/.».to.

HfO.IO.3^.

wayes,hce keepes hin his owne: for bee that is foLindly converted, jnlliticd, and fandified indeed , mud needs be out of love with every finne, with the whole courfe of iniquities and with fin-cerity and chearefulnefTc embrace the entire body of Chriftianiiiej andhavearegard to. all Gods Conmandements.

6 Now i come to a fixt Height and ^^qsKq. of

Sathan, whereby hce labours to make the Word

fruiclcfic and unprofitable unto us. If hccannot

ftay us in our reformation, but that we will needs

through, and caft away all finnes; why then, hee

feekes by all meanes to hinder our continuance,

and conftancic. If the Seed of the Word be re-

I ceived with joy^nd fprijig up for a time ? that is,

! be pra6lired for a while 5 he rayfeth up fomc per-

\ lecutionjtribulatioHjOr crofTcs, whereby it is pre-

fentlyblafted, withers, and comes to nothing.

j Theuncleane fpirit may for a time goc out of a

1 mattjand walke throughout drie places; but if it

! be poUiblCjhe will rcturne with feven other fpirits

worfe than himfelfe; and the end of that man, is

worfe than the beginning. A man may flye from

the pollution and filthinefTe of the World, as it

is, 2 Pet.2,20* butby the policieof Sathan,hee

may be tangled againe therein: He may be wafli-

cd (as it is in the fame place) for a while, and yet

after wallow againe in the myre of linne: He may

be endued with an inferior fandlification of the

Spirit, Helf, 10. 2<?. and yet after, by the malice

of Sathan, tread under foot the Some of God: Hce

may have a genciall participation, of the Holy-

Ghoa-.

and perpetuall Cfuide.

Ghoft, Heb,6.^. and yet after a time fall avray, to the ver;^ deffiting of the SfiriP of Grace^ I fpeake not this, as though that any once^ffedualiycal-led,truly fandified,pofrcfledof the ftate of grace, and enrolled among the Saints, can polTibiy become a caft-away; it cannot bee; forifonc^by the power of fpeciall grace, a man be built upon the Rocke; not the Gates of HelI,not all the powers of Darkenefle, nor ftrongeft aflaults of Satan, fhall ever prevaile againft him. Heaven and Earth fliall fooner be removed, than any of Gods fer-vants. For if Gods eternall Decree of Elcdion be unchangeable i if his Covenant beevcrlafting, and inviolable; if his Truth cannot change, nor his Mercie faile, nor his Power4kc weakened j i( the (acred Scale of the blcffed Spirit lliall ftand -, if the precious blood and fervent prayers o{Chrifi I Ufui can prevaile 5 if his Scriptures doe not lye, and deceive; if his fandiifying Grace cannot die, and perifh •, if Hirafelfc cannot ceafc to be: then undoubtedly, if a man be once his, he is his for e-ver; if he be once truely his fervant upon Earth, be fliall for ever hereafter be a glorious Saint in Heaven. My meaning therefore in this point, is oncly this: There is a glimmering Light of the Spirit, fome manner of tafte of the fweetnefle of Chrift, a kind of change, which may be wrought in a man by the preaching of the Word, and yet he not truely and conftantly converted, but may by the malice and policie of Satan be repofleflfcd by unclcane fpirits, and repolluted with the fil-tliinefle of the World.

(hj) Thus

101

Heii.^.4*

M4e&.itf.x6«

lOZ

Difference betwecne a falfc and fa-vjng change.

Cma9*i^o

The Saints fure

Thus wc may difcerne this changeable change (that I may fo fpeake) and the faving change of Gods fervants: Ifjafter we have given our Names to Chrift, and begun to profefle and pradife (in-ceritiejVve pafle on,and continually grow in grace, and ftand for Gods honour and ferviccjagainft all ccmmers, friends or foeSjIofle or difgracCjOppref-lion or {landers, men or devils; why then,undoub-tedly,we have the fanvSlifying Spirit of God,and faving grace ; which makes liis Children like Trees betwixt the Rivers of Waters, fruitfull in goodnefle, and as bold as Lyons, in good caufes. Butjif after wee have begun welljWee lookc backc with Lots Wife ; if wee fall in love againe with thofe finnes whi^ wee have forfakcn j if Rubbes and Crofles inthe Worldjwill turne us out of the way to Heaven; and our righteoufneffe be but as the Morning Deaw,whieh a little heat of Pcrfccu-tion will dric up : vyhy then, our change was changeable,and not that of Gods children. The Seed of the Word, which wee received with joy, was never deepely rooted in good and honeft I hearts • wee were onely temporarie Converts, not new creatures • temporizing ProfefTors, not true Ghriftians; and our End is like to be worfe than our Beginning -and oar Plagues more,than if we bad never begun.

Let every man take heed then, in the Name of God, left by the traines and temptations of Sa-than he be turn'd backe againe from any good courfe; left afterhe be waihed, he wallow againe in the myre of worldline(re,and worldly vanities;

and

andperfetuall (juide.

10}

and after hee hath efcapcd the filthincfle of the World, left he be againe entangled therein. Let us beware of longing after thofe finneSj which we begun in fome meafure to reforme j let us not luft againe after the flefh-pots of iEgypt, like the Israelites, after we be in fome good fort enlarged from the bondage of finne, and tyrannic of the hclW^Pharoah, LotsW/ik being delivered out of Sodome,was furprifed with a fenfuall remembrance of the pleafures and vanities of the place which fhee had Ich, of the cafe and profperitic whicli (hee there enjoyed; and fo look'd backe upon it: But (hee was therefore prefently turned into a Pillar of Saltv^^^^. 19,26. there forever to be a monument and fearcfull fpe^ftacle of Gods terrible judgements againft all back-fliders. If the uncleane fpirit be caft out of a man by fome degrees of reformation, and good beginnings of amendment of life, and have after leave and hber-tie to returnc 5 he brings with him feven Devils worfe than him(elfe,and makes a man farre worfe than he was before. Much better were it for any man never to have knowne or ftept into the way of righteoufnefife, than afterward to turne from theholyCommandementof God, and out of a courfeof Chriftianitie. It is a fearefull Curfc, to continue in hardneffc of heart, prophanenefle of life, and finfull courfes ? But to leave them for a little, and to finke backe againe, is to have Gods Curfe bitter againft rhcm, if they repent not^ and the fire of Hell made more hot for them. Firft, (icknefles are curable j but relapfes are very dan-

(h4) gerous,

%'pet,i,it»

H(b.^» 49^1

^m,%*i*

i^*.33.J^

The Saints fure

gerous, if not irrecoverable. If a man (as it is Ueh. S») ^^th once beene enlightened^ and theft faU atvay , it is impoj^ble to be renewed by repentance, 1 know that place principally to be undcrftood of the highelt de^reeof Apoilaciejand falling away* but hec that falls away from any good courfe,and good beginnings, fails towards that irrecoverable fall, and makes himfelfe more uncapableof repentancc^han if he never had been enlightened, or ftept into the way of Truth : And it is juft vvith God, to punirhfuchwith a reprobate fenfe^ and hearts that cannot repent.

It then decpcly and neerelyconcerncs us • for once wee have felt the fwcetneffc of Grace, and tA^ed of the Powers of the world to come-^ to drinke deeper of the Waters of Life, and to fol^ hard towards the marke^ for the price of the high caUingof God in Chril} lefw.. When wee icklt any good motions and purpofes arife in our hearts, let us labour to follow them, to nourifli them, to blow them up, to m,ake a^fire of them 5 left they onely but make a flafh, and pafle away as the Lighr-ning. Let us put them in pradife with zealcj and conftancic, that we be not as the unfaithfull WatcrSj which in the Summer are dryed up • or as th&.dcadTrees,which perifh iti Winter: but thatvve remaine whole andXoundjpweandper* fe^,as the living Watersand Olives of the Lord, that ever (hcd forth their fweetnefle and fatncfle. Let us make a Covenant, even a Covenant ( as the Scripture fpeaketb) of Salt^ durable^nd per-pettiall, with the Lord, to live before him in

holinefle

and perpemall (juide.

liolinsfle and righteotifnelTe all thedayes^^our life; For to him that goes through with his holy bufinefle, thdii fights the good jight of FAithyfrn-jbeth hif fojtrfeyand overcomes • to him, and to him alone, (hall all thofe glorious BlefTings be performed, which are promifed in the firtt Chapter of the Revelation ;. To eate of the Tree of Life^Mch is in the midB of the Paradifr of God ; Not to De hurt »f the fecond DtMh ; To eate of the MmtiA Mch is hid^ and to have thevphite stone of Fi^orie given him J To have fowergiven him to rule over Nations^ and to be lightened rvith heavenly hrightneffe, like the Morning, Starre ; To he clothed mth white array^ (that hy with heavenly Glory) W to have his Name cmtinued in the Booke of Life ; Tc have 4 miliar made in the Temple of Cody (that is, afirme and unmoveable place of eternall Glory ^ ) To fup with ChriB^ and to fit rvith him upon his Throne for evermore. Thus fliall hec bee honoured and clowned with the excellenoie, fulne{Ie5and varie-tie of all glory, joy, and happincflTe, who enters with finceritie, and couragioufly ends his Race of Holincfic , and conquers in his fpirituall Fight. But al/feareft*l^meHy(askiSyJRev,2i.S.) who flinke backe for feare of Men, or love of the World, or to ferve the Times • all faint-hearted n>en in the Lords Battailes, and that fall away fi'om good beginnings; they fliall be puniihed-i»ith unbeleevers^ mth the ahominable^ mth Murthe-reri and fyhore-mangers^ mth Idolaters and Lyars^ in the Lake which hurnes rvith fire and Brimftons-^ which ^ the fecondDeath,

. 7 But,,

105

iTiWi4,.7i

'^ev, li

Rtv,zi,ti

Hcc ftrives, if , hce cannot I make tbem to fall totally and I finally, that Khey may fall partially, and as frequently as be can.

Sathans poli< cic.

The Saints fure

7 But,if by the grace and mercie of God, we quit our felves like men J and hold on comfortably andconftantly in a fetlcd courfe of godlinedej yet/or all this,Sathan hath not done; though he can doe us no deadly hurt, yet he will ftill doe his worft', for his craft and ipight is cndleflc. If he fee there is no hope of bringing us backe againe into his bondage, or making us any more vafTals and flaves to finne; yet he will labour to lay ftum-bling-blockes in our way, to bring us upon our knees: now and then, to turne us out of the right path J fometimesjeven toover-turnc us with fomc greater and more dangerous fall j hce will lay his traines to intrap and intangle us, if it be poffible, infomeold fwect finnc: Which, that hee may bring about, hee will u(e the benefit and advantage of cuftome, bccaufe before our calling, wee have much pradiifcd it; of the frailtic of our owne corruptions, becaufe they have moft delighted in it • of our old companie, bccaufe wee have formerly ofteneft committed it with them. He will leave no opportunitic, advantage, or cir-cumftance omitted,and unaflayedjto hale us back into one or other fpeciall finne, of our unrcgene-ration. If this will not ftop, hee will follow all occa{ions,enticcmentS5and temptations, the ride of ourowneatfed^ionSj theftreameof rhc times, i^ by any meanes hee can caft us into fome groffe and fcandalous finne. Thefe are Sathans plots and pra(5fcifes againft thofc,who hold on inacon-ftant courfe of holinefTe : if they will not bee brought to tumble themfelves againe in the myre

of

and perpetual! (jmde.

of finne,and finfull pkafures,yet he will doe what hec can, now and tncn, to (pot and ftaine their Chriftian lives with (bme grieuous fall,or other ^ that ft), to his utmoft, hee may bring upon them Gods disfavour,and angry countenance, difgrace anddifconceit araongft their brethren, difcom-forts and feares of heart within themfelves. But if a man, firft, by keeping frerti in his mindc the uncertainties and vanities of this vaine World; fecondly, by careful! and continuall watching over his dcceitfull heart; thirdly, by exercifing and pra<liifing with diligence and delight, all holy meancs of preferving grace,and ftarving finne •, as reading,hearing,conference, meditation of the Word of God 5 Prayer, publike and privatej with himfelfcjand with his family; fourthly, by declining prophanc, unprofitablejand unchriftian corapanie, and acquaintance 5 and frequenting, with joy and fruit, the fellow {hip of the Saints: fifthly, by an humble entertainment, nouridi-mentj and pra^fiice of the good motions of the Spirit: fixtly, by a dayly examination of the ftate of his Confcience,and reparation of the de-eayes of Grace: feventhly, by his godly jcalou lie-over little finnesjand prefent renewing repentance after every flip. I fay, if by fuch meanes as rhcfc (which are notable prefervatives againft the poy-fon of finne) a man fence himfelfe from groffc and fcandalous falls ; orelfe, if by the politikc malice of Sathan, and weakenefiTc of his owne fle(h,he be overtaken with fome fouler finne ^ and yet notwithf^anding, befides pangs of gricfcjand

107

Prefervatives againft finne, whereby Gods-children keepe themfelves frona grofle faUc. I

4

5

l^he Saints fure

The good that they get by their falls*

angiiiflaoffpirit, for grieving his gracious God, hee looke better to his feet, and run fafter in the Race of fandification after his fall - if his falling into finnc teach him thefe good leflbns, which in fuch cafes are ordinarily learned of all true Chri-ftians; for allthingSjCven* finnc it fclfe,makes to the beft in Gods Children.

1 Hee Icarnes by his fall, to diftafte his pride, and felfe-conceit, to let fall his Peacockcs traine, and defpaire of his owne ftrength.

2 To depend only upon God, the Word of hi j-Grace, and the power and perpetuall influence of his Spirit, for his ftanding upright in the wayes of Rightcoufnefle, and prefervation from moft fearcfulland dangerous downe-falls.

3 To cling clofer about him • to clafpe fader hold with the hand of faith upon the glorious PaflSon and meritorious juftice of Chrift; with muchheartinefleandzealetofeeke and fue unto him for his fpeciall aide and afliftancc againft Sa-tans temptations, his owne corruptions, and outward oceafions of finne.

4 To blu(h and be afhamed of himfelfe; for that he having had his (bule wafhed with the precious blood of Chrift, and having received fo great favour, mercy, and pardon at the hands of God, yet hath wretchedly and unthankfully defiled itagaincj and fo wofully and wickedly abufed his extraord inary love and kindneffe.

5 With more refolute vow, proteftation, and practice, to renounce and abandon Satan ^ with more perfect hatred, and dcteftation, to loath and

abhor re

and per^etuall Quide.

\ abhorre all manner of finne • the Garment f^otted Qfthefit^^aKdaUaffeoi'^KceofeviU,

6 To become watehfull,and wife ;^ by taking rpeciall notice of all the motives, temptations, meanes, occafions, baites, allurements to that finne y into which hce fell 3 for the aypidiog and declining of it afterwards. r:? > i; ^^-.

7 To thinke charitably of other men,th3it fall, and are fiuidenly overtaken in any offence • not to be too eager, hot, and cenforiousagainft them-but out of his owne experience, to give them comfort, inftru(fi:ions,and.diredions, and to labour to reftore them with the fpirit of meeke-neffe. Now, I fay, if a man be either foro»-armed and fenced (as I fa id) from falls; or elfe,after his fall, weepe bitterly, repent fincerety,watch afterward more carefully, walke more zealoufly • and out of his fpirituall wiredome,make thatufe and benefit of his fall, as I have told you : then hce may have comfort, that Sathangets no great advantage tliisway.

8 Like a fierce cruell Dragon, fich he cannot devoure the Womans Child fo foone as ever it is brought forth ^ that is, he cannot repoHefieand reigne againe in a true Chriflian and regenerate man, brought forth by the povverof the Word, in the Wombe of the Church ^ he therefore ca-f^eth out of his mouth,after him, flouds of outward crolles and vexations. If he cannot wound him ir>his foulc,yet he will vexe him in his body, goods, and good name : if he cannot hinder him of Heaven, he will give him little reft or quiet

upon

I Ibejj: 5. la.

He fends forth fioiide of per-fecution and affliftion after them.

Cotrfortablc conGdcrations aesiJnft af-

I From Cods Decree, the

example of the SaintSjand th«5 Sonne of Godhimfelfc

The Saints Jure

Rm.i. i8.

From the gracious cftcfl* of affiidions, for our good.

ijpon Earth : if hce cannot bring him into dif-gracc and disfavour with God, he will be fure to ray ft him hatred enough, malice, and difcounte-nance amongft men; He will doe his worft^to fill and Joade him with all outward difcomforts and difcouragements; as povertie, fickneflc,{landcrs, fcoffings, raylings, reproaches, contempts, and a thoufand other pcrfecutions^

But in fuch cafes as thefc,letevcrychildof God comfort,refrerb5and hold himfclfc in heartjcheare, and ecuragejby fuch confi-derations as thefe.

Firft, it is a Decree of Heaven, rcfolved upon and ratified by the Lord our God, confirmed by the experience of all the Patriarkcs and Prophets, of the Apoflles and profefTors of Chrift, of all the Saints and fervants^ nay, and of the Sonne of God himfelfe; {.hat, through many tribulations wee mjiH enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, So often therefore as wee fliall fee any raiferics or afflidi-onscomming towards us, for our profelTion of finceritic,and righteoufncire fake; let us acknowledge them to be as fo many moft certaine and infallible markes, that we arc in the right way to Heaven : through which, if we but vvalke a little further with patience, we fhall defcryaCrowne of Glory, which is ourovvne forever; of which, all the afflidions and preflfures of a thoufand Worlds arc not neere worthy.

Secondly, though by this meanes,by thefc outward crofTcs and afflictions, Sathan difchargcth upon us the very gall of his bitterne{rc,the poyfbn of his malice, and arrowes of his fpight ^ yet, by

the

and fer^etuall (^uide^

the merci'fnll and Aedicinall hand of God, they are returned upon his ovvne head , they ftrike through the heart of rinne,and become as precious reHorativeSjtorepaire in us the decaycs of fpi-rituall life: for in Gods children,ciofles and affli^ (^ions have thefc worthy effe^ and workings.

I They ftart us out of our fecuritie, carelef. neflcjand coIdnefTcjWhich by little and little may grow upon the beft: They breed in us a conceit and fenfeof ourownewants, and the neccflitie of Gods providence and prote<fVion: They adde Oyle unto the flame of our firft love, put life into our religious exercifes, and power and Ipirit into our prayers,

2 They curbe and controule the pride, info-lencie,and impatiencie of our nature: They coole and kill the heat, headlongneffe, and intemperan-cic of our affed^ions : Tbcyvyeakea indeed the whole old^<j/4»*inns, with all his lui1:s,concupif-cence, and venome; but give ftrength to the new man,with all his godly and gracious motions^holy and heavenly a<fiions.

3 They make us with indignation to fpit in the very face of this vaine, deceitfull, and flattering \A^orld;the temporall loveofwhich,is theetcrnall loflfe both of bodies &: foules in the other World; They happily weanc us from the love of it, and make us willing to part with her paps; to bid all her enticements adiew, and" to trample under feet the fading pleaflires & vanities thereof; they make us to teare our groveling hearts, and rent our dull affedions from the Earth, to which they cleave,

and

III

They make us wacchfull,Soc.

Hunabl6j&c.

To contetane ihc World.

To fee further iotothc my-

flcrie of god-Itncfie.

The Saints fure

and are glued To faftjand to lifpUp both our heads and hearts to Heaven, and to the glory which is to be revealed, longingly to defirc the comming of Chrift, the Life that lafl:eth,and to be clothed with our Houfejwhich is from above.

4 Laftly, they are as (harpe and precious eyc-falves, to cleare and enlarge the fpirituall fight of our foules, too much dimmed and darkened with earthly duft, and with gazing too long on the painted glory of the World ; that fo wee may fee further into the great myfterie of godlinefle, deeper into the malTc and dunghill of our owne corruptions and frailties, wider upon the vanities of the World, and higher into the happinelTe of Heaven, and that great Beautie, Glory,and Ma-jcftie above; They ferve unto ys as fowre Sawces, and bitter W^ormewood, to bring us out of love with our fweetfinnes , and to breed a diftafte in our mouth againft tranfitorie delights: They are as rharpe pruning-knives, to lop and cut away the excefTcs,vanities, and unnecedarie cares that grow upon us 5 and Co to trimme us5that wee may bring forth more profitable, pleptifull, and fairer fruits in godlinefle and Chriftianitie.

Thus Sathan is difappointed in his plots, and policie ; his malice makes a medicine for our foules: hee purpofeth and hopes, by cro.Tes and afflidlions to turije us backe,or make us wearie in our courfe of holinefie •, but by the mercy of God, they become as fpuvres, to prickc us forward in Our Chriftian Race; and as hedges to kcepe us in, ftomvvandin-irgoutoftheway. ]r

Now,

Though Satan and his inftiU. naemsbethe inftruraeiKto i afflia,yetGoi ' is the principal! Agent, who wHl order aU forchcir good.

andperpetualKjuide. . ijj

Now, in a third place; That Gods child may not too much be ca{ldowne,orput out of heart, for erodes and perfccutions rayfcd againft hina for a profefTion, and the prafticc of finceritic. let him confiderjfhat howfocver Sathan and wicked men be the inftruments, and executioners, which malicioufly procure, and immediately iii-flidtmifcries and vexations upon the children of God •, though they be the meanes to lay tortures and torments upon their bodies,cro(Tcsand loffes upon their goods and outward eftates, fpots and impreflion and cruekie upon the face of their harmcledc innoccncie, (landers and difgraces, imputations and ftaining afperfions upon their reputations and good names j fomctimes terrors, temptations,and amazements upon their minds: Yet in all thefe, our gracious God hath the chic-fcft ftroke, a principall hand, and the greateft fway j he dircds, limits,and moderates the rage and furie of all our enemies,vvhether they be Devils or men, as it pleafeth him • and ever certaine-ly to the fingular good of his children, if they be patient and faithfull. Mijerie (faith lob^rhap.'^.e,) /^^ J-"^* tommeth not forth of the Duft , rtfither doth affliBions faring out of the Earth, Neither indeed, principally and originally from Man, the Lord of the Earth 5 nor from the Prince that rnles in the Aire j nor from the Hoft of Heaven: God him-, felfc is the chiefe commander, guider, and di-rc(5ler of all vexations, and ill of punifhment tl at befalls any man ; and infti^s it, for our finnesand corruptions, upon the reprobates, as

(i) appeares

J/^44.I5«

The Saints fure

appearcs in Fharoah^ for their further hardening and confufion ^ upon his eled, for their convert fion and corrc(^ion.

Let ns thenjin all our fufferings and afflidions, ftirred up againft as for fticking to finceritie,and keeping a good Confciencc^ lift up our eyes to the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth: who,by the ftrong Arme of his Omnipotencic^holds faA in a Chaine,Sathan, that raging Lion, and great GoItAh^ thathcecannot ftirre one Linke further than hce wiM give him leave 5 hee cannot goe a haires breadth beyond his Commiffion : Nay and that which hee is fuffcied todoe, makes one way or other for our farre greater good. Let us confidetjwhat a loving and tender-hearted Father hath us under his corredion 5 and holds in his hand the furie of Sathan, the malice of men, the power and particular ftings of all creatures, as Rods and Scourges.to refbrme and amend us; to keepc us in a courfe of holineflfe, and in the right way to Heaven. His fatherly love and tender-heartedhefle unto his,and fuch as feare him, doth indcarenefle and unchangcablenclle as farre fur-pa (Te the mofl: corapaflionate bowels of any earthly fathcr,as God furpafleth man 5 and, an infinite nature, a finite creature. The.kindnefle of a mother to her child, is nothing to that love which God bcarcth to a true Ghriftian-. ^ mother mxj forget her childj and not hdt^e compa^n rfon the fonne ofhermmbe. But God neither can, nor will forget him. The ftonie Rockes and Mountaines j fticke faft and fure unto their foundatiojns ^ but I Gods:

rTtf^tfrnm

and perpetuall (juide.

Gods love to his child, a farre furerand founder. Ths Mountaines jhall remove^ and the Hills IhallfaS domie (faith God by Ifaiah) but my Merch fbali net depart from thee . ?ieither fball the Covenant @f my Peace fall av»ayy faith the Lordy that hath cowfa^m on thee. Can any man ftoppe the courfe of the Sunne, the Moone, and the Starres ? Can hee change the Seafons of the Day and the Night > No more can any creaturCjOra world of creatures, ftoppe and turnc afide the ftreamcs of Gods end-Jcfle mercies and favovirs to his faithfull fervants. If yo'A can change (faith God by leremie) if yon can change the courfes of the Sunne , and of the Moone^ iind of the Starres 5 if yon can breake my Covenant of the Day^ and my Covenant of the ^ight^ that there fhoM not be Day and Night in their feafon • then may my Covenant be broke unto JDavid^ my fervant j then will I m^ off aU the Seed of Ifrael : ler, 31. 3 3. You may therefore make furc of it 5 every fandlificd and fincere man is eVcr in Gods fight, for his good and prclervation; hcc is graven upon the palme of his hand^ hcc isfetasa Signet upon his arme , and as a Seale upon his heart, God is ever farre more fenfible, tender, and compaflfionate of the fighes, tearcs, and miferies of his children, than any man can be of the pricking of tie prccions ball and apple of his owne eye. Wee have his Promife, fealed with the precious bloud of his ownc Sonne, bound with an Oath 5 That fo, ^^ tw9 immutable things^ tvherein it is impofpble that God fhould lye^ wee might have firong confolation 5 That, hee wiU never faile andforfake hif-^ Ihatyhee

(i 2 ) wiU

m

//3!.y4.io.

ler.it. fi.

CaHUZ.6.

zub.x.%.

Heb.i.i%»

Htb.i^.U

I Co^,lo,il'

The Saints Jure

ed Ar.teiikii'

\ \\1iy x'ftcv/k-ited hjtc and i pciiccute j ^pdly. I

ifehi-U'.

eibc

ui/i never lay more upon then?^ than hee mil make them able to bcare, Hce gives them comfort in all their afflidions, deliverance from them, and benefit by them. In all Mo-ibles, hce mod: ccrtainely eirbcrquite frees them, or gracioufly prcfcrves tben'sjn them ■ fo farre as is beft for his giory^and ' their good . and ufefuU for the Church, and his other children.

' Let no child of God then be difmayed or

difcouraged for a-ny crofles, {landers, orperfe-

eutions , which befall him for bis profelfion,

and pra<aiceof hoIineflTe and finceritie. Though

Sathan hath his worke in them, and prophane

and wicked men a part • yet our gracious God,

fo loving and tender-hearted a Father, hath the

principall ftroake and chicfc finger in rhem :

Saihans worke, and end is, to vexe and di[-

courage.

It is evermore the i^orhe of the Devili , ( fa^th one of the * ancient Fathers) that hee may rritl Ljcs teare the firvants of Gc^^and by falfe Opnions fj^rcdd. concerning them , may defame their glonom rami 5 that frch as are bright in the li^ht of their Oivne Confidence ^ may be darkened and difgraced by the reports of others.

Wicked and prophane men, bccau/e they arc in Darkencffcjand their workes arecvill,thcy cannot endure the children of Light, and their holi-ncffe of life. For this is the root and fountaine o^ all their malice and crucltic ^ as appearcs, I M. 3. T 2. Cain flew his brother ; and veherefoye (lejr h him I Becaitfi; his crvne tr&rkes rvere eviUy and his brothers

[.

f

and perpetual/ Cjuide.

\

then good. Hence growes and fprings all the furie and rage, all the wrongs and llanders, which are wont to be layd on true Chriftians ; They are hated even for their very goodnefle, and becaufe they will not rnnne with the wicked unto the Came excelTe of riot: They are filled with contempt and reproach, with the mockings of the wealthy, and dcfpightfuInelTe of the proud, becaufe they will not fweare, fwaggcr, lye, poure in ftrongdrinkCjprophane the Sabbaths, follow the fafliions and corruptions of the Times. In a word, becaufe they will not be prophane in this' World, and damned in the World to come. And befidesjl know not how,wicked menthinke, that by the commonneile of finne, their fmfull courfes become more commendable; and, that the multitude of offenders makes them more ex-cufable,and their offences pardonable. It ii the comfort (faith an ancient * Father) of evill mcn^ to carpe at the good '^ thinkings that bj the great number of offendorsy the guilt of their faults is dtminiJJjed and abated^

But Godsworke and end, in all falfe reports un/uftly rayfed againfl: his children, and in other crolTcswhatfoever; is to ftirrc up and revive in them zcalc, devotion, and faithfuInetTe, in praying, prayfing, and fcrving him ; topurgcoutof them the droffc and rclickes of (bmc old finne ^ to humble them, and to bring them to a true deny ing (jf themfelves 5 totrie their faith,paticnce, and conftancie ; or for their greater good, one way or other.

(i3) A

117

lP«/.4 4«

■ JcYonH.

Go(Js aimc in his childrcns afflidions.

8

Affli<^'ons are no ftrange things.

The Saints have gone before us.

Hc^.11,3^537'

Nay, Chrift hirafelte.

.^mh.zo.zp

^ath.2o.i6.

The Saints fure

Afoiuthconflderarion^whercby the mieChri-

ftian may be kept in heart and comfort againft all

croiTes and calumniations which hec ihall meetc

with Jn bis courfc of holinefTcand fanftificarion,

is^this : It is no ftrange thing that doth befall

, himjWhcn he is perfccuted for fincerifie; but the

very beaten way to Heaven, trodden by all ftich

fect,as ever walked in faith and obedience, ^iel

begun in this Cupof Perfccution5and vexation,

for his fervice to God, to all thofe who would

give their Names to Chrift, or fight under his

: Banner to the Worlds end. The Patriarkcs and

' Prophets, and holy men of old , followed and

pledged him : They were tryed b'^ fnockings and

fcourgings^bj bonds and imffifonment -^ they n>ere flo-

ned^ they rvere hen-en afunder^ they rrere temftedy they

I iverejlaine with the frord ^ they war.dered up and dotvne

' in Shecfes-skins^and Goats-skins^beingdeHitute^af-

fiiBed^and tormented ; whom the i-Vorld was f^ot wor-

1 thie of-^ they wandered in fvildernejjes ^ and Dcnnes^

and Caves of the Earth, Nay,, Chrift lefus him-

felfe,the Sonne of God, and ourbleffed Saviour,

drunkcdeepeand largeof this Cup^ it was the

! Baptifme wherewith he was baptized. His Apo-

ftles and Difciplcs followed ; they endured all

I the bloudie and mercileffe cruelties, which fierce

and firrious Wolves are wont to infli»fl upon filly

and harmelefTe Sheepe : for they were fent out

into the World, as Sheepc amongft Wolves,

There come after, and drinke of the fan»e Cupj

millions of blefted m.en and women, under the

I prinaitivc Perfecutions i Of which, fomc virere

fcdlded^

and perpetuall (juide.

119

icalded, fome burned, fomebroyled, iont hanged, Ibme beheaded, fome throwne downe froin rockcs upon ftakes, fome ftabbed in with forkes, fome racked, and tome in pieces, their tongues cut out, their eyes bored out, their fiefh twitched oif with Pinfons, womens breRs (eared otf with hot yrons,pricked under the naylcs with Needles, and a thoufand more wayes torreicntedjwith as great varietie andexqui(itenefrc,as politike malice could devife, and propbane crueltic execute. If wee pafle along from thence, even to thefe Times j yea,and if our eyes were fo enlightened, that wccould lookeupon the ftate of Gods chil-drcnjand their way to HeaveUjeven to the Worlds end; we fhould ever be able to trace them along by the teares of Brine, and bloud, which are pow-red out and fpilt for the profefTion of Gods Truth, and pradicc of holincfle. This then is, was, and ever will be, the lot and portion of all tliofe who are fitting and preparing for Heaven. They are ever pcrfccuted one way, or other. If by rcafon of the miidc and peaceable Times,they fight not unto bloud, and pafle the fierie Triall 3 yet they fliall have their troubles, oppreilions, and difgra-ces^ at Icair, they fhall be ever fure to be payd home with the fcourge of tongues : they fliall be leaden with flandcrs,and falfe reports, they fhall be made a gazing-ftocke, a by-word, and Tablc-ralkc; a fcornc, reproach, and derifion to them that are round about them : as Burid was, PfaL ^M?^ 79,4. Which being fo, why fhould not a common cafe, in the caufe of God, breed a common

(i4) comfort

Affliftions arc butfhorl,and they worke a weight of glo-

1^ be Saints fure

coinfoic in true Chtiftiaas ? Why flioiild a^ivy oF chcm thinke much todrinkc of the fame Cup, that tlic deareft Saints and foulcs, now blcfTcd with the Lord, have begun to them in •, and of which, all chat will be favcd^ even to the lad day, mufl: tafte,and follow > Why fliould any man, cLAt truly loves God, or loo*kes for the joyesof the other World, fecke ordefire a priviledge a-bove all the children of God,that ever were ; and evenabove the Sonne of God himfelfe, Chrift lefus ? Mod unworthy is hee of the glorious comforts of Grace, of the inward Peace,that paf-fcth all underftanding, and of that Glory which is to be revealed •, who, for a flandcrous tale, a lying tongue,a reproachful! tearmc,or the fcare and faceof anymortall man,{linkcsbackfroma bold profclTion of finceritie, and.from the true fervicc of the living God^.

In fufferings and afflidions for Gods canfe, there is not onely matter of patiencc5but even oc-cafion of glory. They arc like ftarres m the forehead, honourable maimcs, conformities tolcfus Chrift, Liveries of a Ghriftian fouldier;

Fifthly, Icr him confider, that his momentanie crofTcs and afHi(5iions caufe an exceeding and everlafting weight of glory. Let his vexation be never fo grievous, his perfccutors never fo great, and mightie ^ neither they,nor thac,can la ft long. For the life of man^and all the glory thereof,dorh paffcaway like aShipin the Water, whofe tra6^ cannot be fccneagaine;-like an Arrow through the aire,or a WeaversShutclathrough his worke;

like

and perpctuall Quide.

* Aj many times ihey arc. SeeDawW,

like a fading FlOA^cr, fuddenly plucked up and withered; like GrafTCjIikc Snioake,like a Dreame, HkcaB^Libbleof the Water. Though a Chnftian^ therefore be never fo deepcly plunged into * mi-feries, he fhall abide but a while undcrthe waters of afHiiliorr; the day of redemption cannot be farreofF. Though he iTiouId paflTe through the rccth of wilde Beafls, upon the fword of the Ty-rant,through the flames of firc^though his braincs riiould bedaiTit againft the walls, his limbcs lye fcattcrcd in the ftreets,3nd his bloud runnc downe every channell; yet fliall he,ere it be long, glori-oufly fife againc, in defpight of all the powers of Darkenefle, and bloudincflc ofcruell men. Hee fhall entirely be reftored, by the mightie and immediate hand of God; hec fhall be clothed with-Light; and immortalitic; his bloud l"hall be revenged, and all teares rvifcdfrom his e^es-^ and there riiall be fet upon his head a Ciowncof evcrlafting joy, peacc5and happinefie.

Sixtly, comfort unfpeakable, and glorious, may fpring up in the heart of Gods child, amid ft his fulferings for the caufe of God, out of a con-fidcration, Thar in all affli^Hons, without exception , Chrift fuffcreth with him, Paul was the mirrourand miracle of all Chriftians, for the va^ rietie and gPorioufnede of his futferings ; you I may fee a ftrangeand unmatc-hableCaralGgue of; them, 2 Cor. ii. 2 3, &c. He was in ftripcs above \tcorai.23,&c. mcafure, plcnteouflv in prifon, in-death ofc. Of the lewcs, five times received hee fortie ftripes, fave one 5 he was thrice bcaten^with Rods, he was

once

lU

Ticv.y.JT,

Chrift doih fuffcrafldrytn-paihizc With his children in afflidion. See ifa.e^.ft

»" ■■

III

^«/tl.i4.

l^Or.i.'i.

The Saints fure

once ftoned,he fuffcred thrice fhipwracke -, night and day was he in the deepe Sea: In journeying, he was often ; in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils of his ovvne Nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the Citie, in perils in the WildcrneiTe, in perils in the Sea, in perils among falfe Brethren -, in wearineife,and painefulnefle; in watching often 5 inhungcr,and thirft 5 in fallings often ^ in cold, and in naked-nefTc. Yet all thefe, and what other crofTcs and affli(5tions befell him,he calls and accounts them the fufferings and afflidtions of Chrift. N'ow({aith Paul, Col. I, 24.) now rejoyce I in my fufjerwgs for you J and fulfill the reB of the affliBions of ChriB^ in Jnyjlejh^ for his Bodies fake, trhich is the Church. And 2 Cor. 1.5. As the fujferingx of ChriB abound in m^ fo our confoUtion aboundcth through Chrift, Lazarpif^ in all his povcrtie, contempt, {ickncflc, fores, or what other miferies, fuffered nothing wherein Chrift was not partaker of his griefe and forrow. So fwect and bleffed a confent and fympathie is there betwixt Chriftjthe Hcad,and all true Chri-ftiansjhis members; that fo long as the great my-fterie of that myfticall Vnion ftands true and fure,(which is for ever) all holy men, and fervants of God , in all their fufferings for the Name of Chriftsprofeffion of his Truth,and pradlice offin-cer'tie,niall liavc Chrift himfclfe partner and partaker of their miferifs •, which is able to rcfreHi the licavieft heart^in the grcatcft extremities.

I laveftaycd long upon this point j to wir, how Sathan labours might and maine, by erodes

and

and perDetuall Quide.

and fl iRQcrs, to difcoiiragc Gods child, and to (lop his courfe inthcvvayes of righteoufnefTc ^ and in layingdovvne fome comforts againft them: becaufe thoufandSjat tkc very firft entrance,or after fome fniall continuance, are vvofully turned backe from gracc,and {inceritie^by temprations^ reproache«^,'?nd rroiibles ray fed againft them; by their ownc rebellious flefhj.Sathan, and pro-phane men.

Now, in a ninth place, if all this will doe no good ; if the heat of perfecution inflame the zcale of the true Chrirtian j if reproaches and af-fli(5lions be fb farre from daunting and dulling his forwardnefle, that they fet an edge upon his alfedions, and addc ftrength to his refolution, in proceeding in the glorious ftate of Chriftianitie: Why then, the la ft fleight and temptation of Sa-than,to hinder the fandifying power and fuccefle of the Wordjand to make it fruitleile and unprofitable, is fpirituall Pride* which, by his malicious cunning, and helliHi Alchymie, bee extraf^s even out of his graces and vermes ^ out of fuch fwect flowers,he rayfes poyfbn: and fith he cannot keepe goodneffe utterly out of the foule, he ufes it felfe as an inftrument,to weaken & wound it felfe. For when a man is moft endued and enriched with extraordinaric gifts,holy graces, and fpirituall ftrength; Sarhan feckes moft buHly to makehimprowd of them, and to puffe him up vrith an over-vveenins conceit of his owne worth; that fb him felfe may lofe the comfort of themj his brethren the fruit of them,and God the glory \ of

12?

Satan hinders the working of the Word,by fpiritual Pride.

H

Spirituall Pride may srifc in Gods .children.

From a confi-iieration of ! their ^'ritiled-

i

Priviledges of ihe godly.

&?«/.I.4.

The Saints fure

of them. This fpirituall Pricle,is th-c fame in our corruptions and finfuUafFedtionSjthac the Shirt is in our Clothing -^ that is to fay, it fits the clo-feft unto us,and is laft put off: it u the trhite DeviH (as a worthy Divine calls it.) That ilnnc doth lyejandinfenfibly infinuarc it fclfci and Jurkes amid our graceSjand good a(5lions,as a dead Fly in the Apothecaries Oint-mer>r. It is, as it were, Sathans laft inrrenchment, which hce holds the longeftjand with moft refolute anddefperatc per-tinacie,and is hardlyeft driven out; much fpirituall wifcdome^a great meafure of humilitiCjand the whole Armour of God is required to this combate. For he is fo cndlefTejand cxercifed in the point; that, if we be fo humbJe,that he cannot make us proud of any thing elfc, he will labour to make us proud even of our hurailitie- and pioudjthat wc are not proud of our gifts.

Except a Chriftian continually and carefully watch ovcrhisheartjand guard itwithhumilitic, and a lowly conceit of himfelfcj this privfe Pride may fteale upon him,before he be aware.

And firft, it may fpring out of a confidcration of the excellcncic of his cftatCjand the varietic of his peculiar blefTings, and fpeciall priviledges, which the ungodly men neither can, nordoe enjoy. For when he is once tranflatcd from Dark-nefle to Light, from, prophancncffe to finceritic, from Nature to Grace j out of the Dominion of Sathan, into the Kingdome of Chrift, by the great worke of regeneration : hee is prcfently made partaker of the D i'jjine Nature^ 2 Pet . i ,4. hee

andp^rpetuall (juide.

is entitled, by the fight of the Sonne of God, to an inheritance mwartali, and undefiled ^ and that fa--deth not anay , referred in the Heavens for him, Whi'e hec is thus looking upon himfelfe, pof^ feflfed of this happineflfejand planted in this glorious Paradife, Sathan is feeretly blowing the coales of his hidden corruption, to enkindle and rayfe there-out an over-weening conceit of his owne worth, and to puffehim up with pride of his owne gifts and graces . whence may enfue two foule and hatefull inconveniences: For fo hee may grow by little and little to juftifie him-(clfe too much, whereby Gods glory may be leflened and darkened; and to defpife his Brethren, whereby his exercife of charitie may be hindered.

This fpirituair Pride may occafionally, and by accident, fpringcutof agodly and gracious carCj.to keepe and preferve himfelfe unfported and undefiled in his happy and glorious ftate of gracfjand regeneration, Forwhile he is caftmg with himfelfe, and.concludingupon fome found and fubftantiall courfe of holinelTe and obedience in the waycs of godlinefle; Sathan labours might and mainc,todrawhimtoa (ingularitieof unwarrantable conceits and opinions •, that by a tedious and unneceflfaric purfuit and poileflfion thereof, he may keepe him cold and uncomfortable in the pradiee of the chiefe and fnoft material! duties of Chriftianitie; and to make him place the height of Religion, and heat of zeale, in continuall conference and moil peremproric

defence

ixy

iTet.t,^.

From I'ncir tare,to keepe thcmfclvcsuft' defiled.

Againft reparation from our Church.

The Saints fure

\

defence of fome groundleflc fancies* from wheflcc Sathan bufily ftrivcs to toll him out, to fepara-tion. Which courfe of fcparating from, and condemning our Church, in the judgement of our fincereft Divines, is fuUof pride,contentiofl, and confufion.

For firftjcertaine it is,our Church,in that nioft exguifite and worthy confeffion of Faith contained in the Articles of Religion ^ doth hoid and profefTc all fubftantiall points of Divinitie as foundly^as any Church in the World, none excepted, neither in this Age, nor in the primitive times of the Church.

Secondly, it hath communion with, and tefti-monie of all other true Churches,

Thirdly, in it are to be had the mcancs of fal-vation, in a powcrfull and plcntifull manner: and in the bowels thereof, even they that goc out of our Church, if they be truly converted, received that precious and bleffed vigour, which is able to quicken them to eternall life.

Fourthly, a Church may be a true Church, though it (hould have (pots, and blemifliesj though there be fome Swine and Dogges in it. In S, Pauls time, the Corinthians were called the Church of God, i Cor, 1.1,2. And yet,at that very timejwcre fome in an Herefiejfome in Inceft, fome that had not repented of their filthinefTe, 2 Cor, 12.2o, 21. The like may be faid of the Churches of Afia5^a'.2.3.

Fifthly, though outward profperitie,worldly honour, and picntie, be rather the lot of falfc,

heretical 1,

r^^i^fagfc^aBs yfa 4y>i* <» J"*BH ' ■ ■ mk » w im i^i

and perPetuall (juide.

12^7

hercticall^nd Apoftaticall Churches,thanan in-dividuall and neceflary mark of the true Church; yetjif unto our unparallel'd Peace, both for dura-; tion and entircneile, wc adde our many and mira-' culous dcliverancesjftrange defeatnaents^and preventions of Popifli Plots ; of their Bulls, Con-fpiracies, and hoftile Invafions • of their Powder, Poyfons^aggers, Dags, and all manner of exe-* crablcattctnpts,machinations,and underminings, which either Hell could devifc, or that dcfpertte and bloudy Fadion adventure upon,and manage: I fay, if all thefe be put together,and well weighed . it is impoUiblc, but that wee fliould therein fee, acknowledge, and adore the fpeciall finger of Gods holy providence, upholding his owne Arke amongfthis owhc people^ and painting out to all the World,.the truth of that Church, upon whole fidcjand forwho^ fafctie and glory hee fo mightily flands. This moft extraordinaria grace and favour of Divine affiftance, having not in one thing,or two, fhewed it felfe, nor for fome ^q.w dayes or yceres appeared ; but in fuch fort, fo long continued, our manifold finncs and tranf-greffions driving to the contrary : What doth it elfe importjOr what can wee leffc thereupon conclude , than that God would thereby tell and teach the World, That the thing which hee blef-feth, dcfcndetb, and keepeth fo ftrangely, cannot but be of him, and his faving and faaed Truth ?

Ill doe they then, who tranfported with a pang of fpirituall Pride, abandon, forfake,and feparate

from

The Saints ff*re

from our Church, as though Gods true worniip and falvation were not there to be found. You fee how Sathan by fpirituall Pride may carry and caft a man,from a fetlcd and found courfc of ho-linefTe and {inccriticjupon the dangerous Rockes of fingularitie and feparation. But underftand me aright5what I mcanc by fingularitie. I meane thatonely which arifeth out of privic Pride, is upholden by felfe-will, and obftinatenelTc, and many times ends in feparation • and hath neither ground nor defence from found judgement, fpirituall wifedomCjOr true tendernefle o^ Confci-cnce, joyned with humilitie, and wiilingnefle to be rightly informed, I meane not fingulariticjin rcfped of holincflc and unfpottcdncflc of Vi^c^ in rcfpedl of difference and diftance from the flnfull fafliionsof the times : For in this fenfe, every man that will fave his foule, muft be fingular. Hence it is, that our Saviour asketh his followers, in Math.^, what fingular thw^ they doe ^ if they doc but as the Publicans doe ? As if hee fliould have faid : You that will be Chriftians, muft be of a more heavenly temper, and higher ftraine, j than the moft men, and the greater part of the I World: You muft be {ingular,and fhineas Lights amid a naughtie and crooked generation. Hence is it^ that Gods children ever were, and ever will be, Si^^^es and fVondcrs^ Miracles and Mm^ers^ in the opinion and cenfure of moft, among ft whom they h'vc • gazing ftockes, both by reproaches and afflidions, Heb,io. 35. Beydd (faith If^Uh^ ;p.<,is. I Cha^,^, 18.)/ And the children whom the Lord hath given

and perfetuall (juide.

lip

given mt^ are asfigrtes and as mnders in Ifrael^ hy the Lord of Hd^s, trhich dweUeth in Mount Sion, I am become (faith David) as itrvereamonjleymto many^ (or,to the great men of the World,as fome render it) PfaLji.j, And in another Pfalme, PfaL 7^.4. 1-vee are a refroach to our neighbours^ even a fcorne and aderijlon unto them that are round about m. But efpecially you may fee in m[d. 2. (though the Booke be Apocryphall) what is the counfell and conceit of the wicked about the oddenefle and fingularitic of the Saints: Let in defrau^the righteom (fay the wicked) forheeisnotforourpro^t^ and hee is contrarie to our doings ; hee checketh u^ for offending againii the Law , and blameth a^ as tranf-grejjbrs of Difcifline 3 hee maketh his boaB to have the knowledge of God^and hee calleth himfelfe thefonne of the Lord: Hee is made to reprove our thoughts. It grieveth m alfo to ieoke upon him : for his life is not like other menSy his traces are of another fajhien 5 hee counteth m as baBards^ and hee mthdraweth himfelfe from our tvajes , as from filthineffe 5 hee commendeth greatly the latter end of the juB , and boaHeth that God is his father.

Thus, as Gods children and godly men arc indeed more excellent than their neighbours; and fingular, in refped of their fandificati^n and lln-ceritie: fo they arc fcorned and reviled by the World 3 and the greater part of men, as odde felloweSjand fuchas muft have wayes by ihcm-felves, and a tricke above others. They arc pointed at, as matter of fcorne and contempt; they. are fet up^ as markes of flander and oppreffion ^

(k) and

?[aU 71. 7. &

lCor./^.f,

Gods children: arc buc few.

The Saints fure

and gazed upon, as ftrange creatures, fvee are made ( faych Panl^ i Cor, 4. 9, meaning hini-k\^Q^ and other of Gods faithfull fervants) a gazhig-jtocke unto the fVorld , ar;d tp the Angels , and to men. And no marvcll though it be fo : For, befides that all prophane acd unregencrate men arc naturally incagered, and iiTragcd with implacable malice and hatred againft Gods Children 5 they are, in all places , but ^q\y in number ; which makes them more noted, and pointed at.

That they are but (tw 5 befides many cer-taine demonftrative Reafons out of Scripture; it may thus plainely appeare : as a good Divine tells us.

Firft, let there be taken from amongfl: us, all Papiftsj Athcifts^and fcorners of godlinelTe, and Religion.

Secondly, let there be removed all notorious and infamous evill livers ^ as Swearers, Drunkards, Whoremongers,Vrurers, Worldlings, Deceivers, proud perfons, prophancrs of the Sab-bathj Gameft:ers,andall the prophane and ignorant multitude.

Thirdly, \ci all thofe be pafTed over, that are but onel^ civill honeft men,and meddle not with any profelfion, or praiSife of holinelle . without wbich^no man mufi: fee God.

Fourthly, fet a fide all giofife Hypocrites; who for advantage, or by-refpeds, are outwardly religious, but inwardly corrupt, hollow-hearted, and abominable. . • Fifthly,

■ ii

and perpetual! Qwde.

Fifthly, let there be forted out and reje<5bed all carnall Protcfl:antS5formall ProfelTorSjback:-flidcrs, cold and iinzealous Chriftians • who falfely thinke, that they may both enjoy the World, and a good Confcience too^ liveplea-fantly on Earth, and yet favetheir foulcsatlaft; and, that it is not neceflarie to hold any fuch ftrid courieof hoIincfiTe, to come to Heaven. Let all thefe kinde of men, I fay, (all which in one meafurejOr other, are in the Hate of death, ^ud under the power of Sathan ) be fepar^ed and {"hoaled out; and how many doe you thinke will remaine amongft us, found, fincere, fairh-full,and zealous profeflbrs, and pra(5tifers of fa-ving Truth, the power of Grace, and holy Obedience to all Gods Commandcments? For fuch onely are Gods fervants,and in the ftate of Grace. Let a man come into any Towne,Village,Citic, or Corporation, and let all fuch men as are before mentioned, be removed ; and how many fhould he findc of thefe laft ? They would cer-tainely be thinne fcatteied, and like the Grapes after the gathering of the Vintage, two or three in the top of the upmoft boughes, and foure or five in the high branches. Singularitie then of fan(Slification, is no fruit of Pride, but an in-feparable marke and neceffarie ftate o^true Chri-flianitie.

I con^e now to a third ground, whence Sa- \ 5 than may rayfe a temptation to nrivie Pride : Sathao tempts

\X71 "^ • r • f r 11 I J -I- • t- toPride,bya

When a man is taithrull, and diligrnr, m^he diftafiingofa difcharge and executions of his civill callincj. manspartico-- (k2) ifec/-""-s-

The Saints fure

4

From Gods providence.

Examples in particular.

, hee may caft a conceit into his head, that fnch bare5earthly3 and worldly imploymentjand fpcn-ding his time, is difgracefiiU and derogatorie to the providence of God, and his Chriftian liber-tic 5 and, that it hinders him in his calling of Chriftianitic,and duties of Religion. Whence may follow dangerous efifeds of Ipiricnali Pride; quite leavings ornegled, difcontent or diftaftc of his civill calling. And fo his heart and affections may bee put quite out of order, and dcdkive themfelves, in the very maine point of making towards Heaven,

Sathan , by his fubtill malice , may workc out matter- and occafion of fpirituall Pride, from the fpeciall providence of God , conducting the Chriftian the beft and the neereft way to Heaven. To give example, in fome particulars.

I When God, out of his great wifedome and mcrcie, humbles him with afflidions and prickes , the fwclling of his Pride • when hee cuts and loppes away his vanities, excefles, and fuperfluities, with fome vifitation , or other; and fills him with bittcrnefle in this life, to the end hee might long for the life to come: Why then, Sathan labours mightily to kindle in his corrupt nature a flafh of fpirituall Pride, that hee may drive him to grumbling and impatien-cicj and fo make Gods fatherly corrections and chaftifements fruitleffe and unprofitable to him; wiiich in Gods childrei;i fliould evervvorke amendment and comfort* |/^ /

and perpetuall (juide.

«J5

2 W ben the true Chriftian lookes about him in the World, and fees the wicked (prcading themfelves like grecne Bay-trees, in worldly plentie, and pleafiires j Sathan liere thrufls in, and labours to caft into his minde a conddera-tion of his ownc ?7orth ^ and thar,ho\v in refped of the vvickcd5hc farre niorCjand rather,deferves the fruition and enjoyment of the creatures,and benefits and comforts of this life ; bccanfe all wicked men are but ufurpers, and intruders-himfclfe being a true owner, by the right'of Chrift lefus, Lord of the whole Earth ; And that, whereas he ftands for tlic glory, fervice, cau-fes, and children of God^ the wicked labour for nothing more, than the difgracc and ruine of goodnefle, and the upholding and enlargement of the Kingdome of Sathan. From fuch conceits as thefe, mixed with fpirituali, liec eafily drawes him on to fretting and repining at the profperitie of the wicked men , and puts him into one of Dazids fits,and pangs, P/4/.73.12. pp/.7j.x»; Lse (fayth hce) thefe are the mcked ^ yet frojj^er they ahray , a^d encreafe in riches : Ccrtainely , / have cleanfed my heart invaine^ and n^ajhed my hands in innoccncie. Or, at leaft, brings him to que-flion with God; as it is, /er, 12. O Lord^ if/]ier,ii.i diffute mth thee , thc^ art rightecsu ^ yet let mee' talke nith thee^ of thy lud^emcnts : wherefore doth the vay of the nicked projfer ^ Jfhy are^ali they in wealthy that reheUtoufly tranf^rejje ^ Thou ha si flan-ted the^y and they have taken root 5 they grovD^ and bring forth fruit,

(k 3) 3 When

—

H

Job^l,

il.

%$.

The Saints fure

3 When the Chriftian doth prefently feelcj or after call to minde Gods great mercieSj gracious preventions, ftrange protedion, wonderfull deliverances, againft expedation, and beyond hope, vouchfafed unto him in his dire(5i:ion and conduction towards the glory that is to be revealed ; then doth Sathan bufily blow the Bellowed of his corrupt nature with the poyfonous breath, of his belli Ai malice, that fo hee may puffe him up with fpirituall Pride, and exalt him out of meafure.

4 When he beholds and obfcrves fome fud-den deftrudion, or fearefuII judgement, to overtake and ferze upon his enemies j Saihan may fe-cretly follicite him, out of a fpice of fpirituall Pride, to applaud and pleafe himfelfe in the ru-ine and miferic of hisadverfarie; which,be{ides the tainture of impietie, taftes deepely alfo of inhumanitie, and is quite crofle and contrarie to the pradiice and proteftation of holy lob^Chaf, 31. In that Chapter, hee imprecates and invocates upon himfelfe many fearefuU CurfeSj if hee hath done fo, or fo. Let mine ^rmt (faith he) fall from mj jhoulder-bUde ^ and let wine arrne he broken from the bones ^ if I have done fuch and fueh things. And after followes ; // / rejojjced at his defiruBion that hated me 5 »f tvasmoved to joy^ vrhen eiillcame tffon him 5 orif / have fuffered mj mouth toj^eake eviU of him^ er to utter Curfes againji him.

5 When the Chriftian is fadly and heavily

mufing upon his many troubles and diftreflfes,

which many times come thickc and three-fold

' upon

and perpetuall (juide.

n^

upon him, as faft and boifteroufly, as one wave overtakes another; (b that he findes one vexation to be ftill a ftep unto another: Sathan then hee puts in, and feeing the feafon advantageous for his feats,and infinuatrons5Workes what he can to make him take on; and out of a proud conceit of bettcrdefervings,tobewearic of waiting the Lords Icifurc. and out of theanguiflies and agonies of his heart,to willi and defire death, efpeci-ally to be rid and freed from ihofe crolTes and calamities, which unworthily haunt and perfe-cute his innocencie. Holy lob was ftrongly af-faylcd with this temptation, Chaf, 3. when hee crycd and faid : Let the cIaj perijh therein / mu boYne '^ani, the night ^rrhen it was faid, there is a mAn-chiU cQnmved^ (^c. And fo was the Prophet foftah. Chap, 4. Therefore now (faith he) O Lord, take 1 be-feech thee^my life from me • for it is better for me to die^ than to live,

6 Sometimes, when the Chriftian is eroded and difappointed in his expedationjGod yi\{'^\') and fweetly diverting, moderating,and difpofing all things to his owne glory,and to the true good-of his children (though they doe not prefently fcc,and acknowledge it;) Sathan fteps in,and by the fecret and infenfibic poyfon of privie Pride, labours to fugged unto him,thatheis prejudiced and difgraced; that fo by his inward fretting,hee may make it plainely appeare, that hee preferres his owne particular credit, before the glory of God. Thus was lonas tcmptedjin Chap,^. Fearc-full deftrudion was denounced by him from

(k4) God,

i«*j,j.

/»W&4,j.

The Saints fure

f

their abilities and giics.

1 Godjagainft theNinivites : They put on fack-. elorh, humbled themfelves, and repented j God ftayes his hand,forbcares his IudgementS5which were proclaymcd by lonah : Therefore X fayth i the Text) that cliff leafed' lonah exceedingly , affd hee rras angrie 3 and. hee prayed unto the Lord^ and fajdy (jfc.

When hcc begins to obferve, and admire him-Satfaan roakci ^jf^ £qj. ^^^^^ fpcciall acceptation in Chriftian

men to pride • r 1 • u-i • r x-n

iheicfeivcs in companic^ forliis abilities to pray,conterrCydii-covertemptations, and the Devils depths • to preflean holy precirenefle,and mortifying points, &:c. Oh then, too often a wide gap is opened in his deceitful! heart, for the Devils wild-fire of fpintuall Pride. So that many times,an humble I (ilent foulcdoth quickly out-ftrip fuch an one, ! dotingdangcroufly upon his prefcnt perfcdions, in the fubftanrialls of Chriftianitic. I ThuSj and many raoc wayes, doth Sathan.labour by privie Pride, to,vvcaken the power of Grace,and eificacieof theWord- to ftaineand difgrace the befl Graces and godlieft a<5lions; to • grieve the good Spirit,andcoo]e their firft Love, ' even in Gods children; after thatjby the heipe of God, they have ftrugglcd through other temptations , and obtained much fpintuall peace and Ghriftian perfcvlion in the do^rinconalvatioo, and v\'ayes of godlinefle.

Before I palTe from t}>is point,! wou!d*propofc

fome remedies againft this fwelling fpirituall

maladie of privie Pride^and fome foveraignecon-

j.fid€xatioQS3,J:o kecpc downa the Chriftian.iisatr, V

1 andii

?f«l<rvat-iv€s againft fpiri-tu^ll.PiitiG,

and pernetuall Cjuide.

and to prefcrve it in the fvveet and peacefull ftate of a gracious hiimilitie.

Fir ft then, let every Chriftian, VTljcn hce ftrfl . feeles any over-weening conceit5or proud perfvva-fion of his ownc worth, and fpirituall graces, ftealing into his heart; lift up the eyes of his mindcjin a divine meditation, unto thofe brigh-teftandpureft eyes of God Almightie-. which are ten thoufand times brighter than the Sunne, and purer than puricie it icl^c : fo that they fee the Icaft and fccreteft infirmitie in its true and native foulenefle, and before them,ourbcft righ-teoufncflTc is as a menftruous clout. If he found-lyand fincerelycntertainethis coniideration, it will fo humble himjand keepe him under, that lie will rather be affrighted and furprizcdvvithfeare and terror, for his many frailties and infirmities, than be lifted up with a conceit of his graces^and fpirituall endowments.

When hee begins once proudly and felfe-con-ceitedly to gaze upon that little fparke of holi-neffc hee findcs in himfelfe; let him prefently turne backe the edge and eye of this dangerous fpeculationjUpon the iafimte puricie and endleflfe perfe(5lion of God Almigbtie^ before whomjthe Cherubins and Seraphins, the Ctowne of Gods workemanfhipjand the glory of creatures, doe hide and cover their faces, as not able to behold and endure-the perfect brightneflfe of his moft pure and undefilcd Majeftk. In whofe fightjthe uaftaiaed fplendoqr of the Heavens, and the glorious beautie of the Starres are uncleane, and

fouler

i?7

Medicate upon Gods pure:

lfsi,6t^.6.

Vpon Gods infinite per-fe^oa*

lob zy.t«

Ipb 4* i8«

Itb tU4i^*

2«&4.lt.

Compare thy ; iclfc with o-jther Chnfti-. ans.

The Saints Jure

foule • darkenejQfe, and deformkie. The Sunne, the faireft Body in the World, made all of beau-tie and brighcnefle 5 if it were put neere unto that unacccflfibie and incomprehenlible Light, which encompalTeth the Lord of Heaven, it would va-nifh away as adarkeforae Moat, and Lumpc of Yanitie. Nay, in refpei!^ of God, thofe divine and heavenly creatures, the blcfled Angels, pure and immatcriall rpirits,are chargeable with folly and vanitie. Behold^ he found no jtedfaHnefe in his Saints ; jif<«, the Heavens dre not cleare in his fight, Hotv much more is man abominahle andflthie^ which \ drinketh iniquitie like water .^ /(?^ 15.15,1 6» What art thou then, wretched man, that carried: about thee a Body of death ? Shall not his excellencie make thee afraid, and his feare fall upon thee? Behold (faith Ub) he mUgive no light unto the Moone^ and the Starres are uncleane in his fight: How much more man^afVorme*^ even the fonne ofamanyMchif but A fVorme ^ Behold^ he found no ftedfaltneffe in hit fervantSy and laid foilj upn hif Angels : H$t» much more in them that dtfeU in Houfes of Clay^rvhofe foundation is in the Dufi^MchfhaU be deBrowed before the ^oth ^ Thefe confiderations are able to confound and caft downe below the Earth, and Duft, the greateft admirer and applauder of himfelfe, for his graces, good anions, and fpiritual} pcr-fc^ions.

When the Chriftian is tempted to a proud conceit of his fpirituall fuificiencies 5 let him compare himfelfe with other Saints of God: which (perhaps) having becnc leflc finners than

himfelfe,

r

and perpetmll Qtifde.

\

i}9

himfclfe, in the time of their unregeneration • and having lelTe meanes, parts,occafions^and encouragements to glorific God : yet exccll him inzcale, faR(5^ification, and the fervice of God. ?tf»/,that great Do6lor of the Gentiles, and glorious Angell npon Earth, for all his fpirituall bleflfings, and incomparable graces, cryes out, Rom.'j, 24. Oh rvretched man that I am , vcho fhaU deliver me from the Body of this death ^ David^ a man after Gods owne heart, and a fpcciall royall Mirror for varietie of fpirituall excellencies, is fb farre from being proud of his graces; that hee is every where complaining of the burthen of his fmncs, fpirituall povertie and want, and the mi-feries of his foule : There is no health in »*jflefhj (faith he) Becaufe of thy dif^leafure-^ neither is there any relt in my hones^ by reafon of mypnne : for my mc-kedneffes are gone over my head, and are like a fore burthen^ too heavie for me to beare. For his reputation in the Worldjhe tells us; that he teas a worme^ and no man 5 a very fcorne of men^ and out-caH of the people. In all times, the beft Chriftians have ever beene moft fenfible of the weight of their finncs, and corruption of their nature; and from thence, entertained a lowly conceitof themfelves. Where there is the greateft meafure of fantflification, there is ever the greateft: humilitie. If thofe then that be indeed in the higheft favour with God, leffer finncrs than our felves, and moft fanjffcified, be of an humble and lowly minde, of a meeke and quiet f^irit , fvhich is before Cod a thing nsuch fet by^ I Fit, 3, 4, let us take heed how we be proud

of

K«».7.»4.

rfd,ii,i.

?fal,t\,6.

(Pe/.3.4<

4

Compare rfiy :felfc wichGods holy Law.

PbU.uiu

— . 1 - ■ - . — . ■ ■ .^^— ^^

^e Saints fure

oftbofe graces j which,if we lookc for Gods blcf-fing upon them J and comfort from them, muft bring forth in us humilitie and thankefulncfTe.

Let him compare, and examine 5 and mcafure himfclfe, hiswayes, andwork^s, by the Law of God J andheefhall there findc much matter of humiliation, repentance, fcare, and trembling, with continuall fupply in abundance miniftred unto him: fo that there fnall be no roome left for any proud and over-weening conceit of 4ny good thing in him. That cled VeiTclIjand great Apoftle, after he was regenerate, (for the unrcge-nerate feelc no fuch ftrife ) found fuch a vaft and wide diftance betweene the Law^and his owne af-fe<Stions,and beft workcs ^ that for horror thereofj hccryedout; Ohmiferabkman^thatlAml What fpirituall good then is there in any of us, mifera-ble wretches, wherein we fhould glory ? Let our beft workes be as glorious as we can imagine, let them be performed with never fo great intcgritie and refolution,cover them with grace,derive them from the Holy-Ghoft,dippe and dye them deepe in the bloud of Chrift,put upon them all the rich attire, and Papall magnificence, with which the Church of Rome hath inverted them 5 yet to the pureft eyes of God, and in the cleare Cryftall of hisundefiled Law,theyappeare to be foulc,and fpotted' impure, and like a menftruous clout* The mcafuring then of our fclves by the Law and Word of God,is a notable raeanes to kecpe us in humilitie, and to make us rvorke oup our frhatm with feare and trembling.

Let

andpeyfetuall (jaide.

Let him confidcr, vvhacafonlc and wretched, what a damned and an accurfed creature hee had bcene^ had not his gracious God, out of the un-fearchable depth of his infinite goodnefTe and mercie, fingled him out to be his fewfUHt upon Earth,and a Saint in Heaven. It was onely Gods free mercie, that before all eternitie, by the great Decree of his esernall cledion, marked him out for Heaven and endlcflc joyes, from amidft the huge mafle of all mankind. It was the fame,that after caufed him to fend his owne and onely Sonne, out of his owne Bofbme, and height of Majefty^that with his deareft and precious bloud, hee might redceme his Soule from the fnares of Hell, into which hee was fallen, by ^dams fall : which indue time, by the inward, fpeciall, and effeduall power of his unfpotted Spirit, called him into his Kingdome of Grace, wafhed him, juftifiedj and fan^ified him, in the Name of the Lord Icfus. ElfCjOtherwifejhadnotthefeever-lafting and unconceivable BlefTings beene caft upon him, by Gods free mcere mercie, without all caufe or motive from man, or any other created thing, out of his infinite Selfc j his cafe had beene unfpeakably wofull: For he fhould have lived in this Vale of Teares,wirhout*God,with-out Grace, without Comfort, without Confci-•ence; in Sinne,in Darkeneire,in Prophanenefle, in all Spiritual! Miferies; And after the clofure and period of thefe ferv and evil/dajesyhe fhould have beene endleflfely divided apd abandoned from the joyes and comforts of Gods prefence,

inchained

14.1

5

Confidcr what thou badft becnCjifGod had left thee totbyfdfc.

'

^rhe Saints fure

Confidcr ibc fcarfuU efFcds of Fridc.

inchaincd without all redcmptioiijto defpairc and horror, and the hateful! feUovvfhip of the Devill and his Angels : and (that which is the extremi-tieandnpfhot of all hellifh mifcric) hcelliould have hadiihc fierce and horrible wrath and vengeance of God poured in full meafnre upon his body and foule • which would have fed upon them J as fire doth upon Pitch and Brimftone/or ever and ever. Out of thefe confiderations, mec thinkes a man fhould rather with humilitie and thankefulneflfe admire and magnifie the mercies of God, that hee is not alreadic a Fire-brand in Hell 5 than any vvayes be puffed up with any worthinelfe inhimfelfe, or dote upon his owne nothingneflc.

When a Chriftian is tempted to fpirituall Pride • let him deepely and thorowly weigh with himfelfe,what fearefull inconveniences and discomforts will enfue, if hec give way to fuch temptations: For fo, many follow, in the courle of Gods juft judgement,upon fpirituall Vanitie, and Pride* dullnefle, and deadneflc of heart; a reftraint of the influence of the Spirit; a diminution and leflening, or a (lumber and ccfTation of the operations of grace, a cooling of zeale,and falling from the firft Love. Or, when hee fees us fo prcfumptuoufly to trufl to our ftrength, and ftay our felves with our owne ftaffe. he may quite give us over, in fomc great temptation, to fome grofle finne j fo that we may take the foile in the ConfliiH:. And then, if wee once be over-taken with the old fwcet finne of our unregeneration,

or

and perpetual I Qmde.

or be cnfnared with Tome ne^v notorious tran-f-greflion • wee muft of neceilitie, to our great dif-comforr, enter againe the agonies of Soule, an-guilTi o^ Confcience, and horror of Hell ; wee muft enter combate againe with all the powers of DarkenefTe* wee muft have our regeneration,regenerated ; our new-birthj new-borne . and the precious bloud of the Sonne of God, as it were, (hed for us againe. Wee turne thereby Gods favourable countenance from us, and the hearts andaffedionsof trueChriftians : wee put againe a (ling into our ovvne Confciences, and weapons into the hands of Sathan, to vexejWOund,and torment us : wee barre and bereave our felves of Gods gracious protevSlion, of the guard of Angels, of peace of Con(cience, of joy in the Holy-Ghofl-, of boldneffe in ourwayes, of reconciliation in the creatures, and of all the comforts of godlineffc. Asa man tenders the prefcrvation of his Soulcjfrom all thcfc fpirituall miferies^ let him take heed of entertaining a proud and over-weening conceit of his ovvne graceSjgiftSjOr good anions.

Let him conrider,that the more fpirituall gifts and grace? he hath received from the free mercie of God, the more will be required at his hands. Me thinkes,this fhould coole and allay any fwcl-ling conceit, or proud perfwafion, that may arife in the heart 5 and not futfera man to play with themjanddote upoa them,or give him any leifure, with an over-weeningand felfe-conceited flatte-rie,togaze upon themjOr to applaud and admire

them

H?

The more a man hath^tbc more he is ac-couaublc fox.

LH\eiz.^$.

%[he Saints furt

tkem in himfelfe,as though they were his owne 5 but rather,vvith all vigilancie and folicitoufnefle, with all care and good Confcience, to occupic and imploy them for his Mafters greaceft advantage.

There is no gift or geod thing in any man, either of Nature or Grace, of body or minde, of wealth or honour, of reputation orauthoritic in the World 5 but he muft give fhortly a ftri^fi and exa(5t account of the ufagc and imployment of it, before the impartiall and uncorrupted Tribunal! of Heaven: And the more excellent his gifts and endowments have beene in any kind, he fliall in proportion be anfwerablc, and countable for the more. If the Lord hath enlightcned,heated, and infpired any one with much faving knowledge, with a great mcafurc of zeale, with a high Chriftian courage,and refolution • he lookcs and experts for great gaine of glory unto himfelfe, manyfpoyles and conquefts over his enemies, a blazing and exemplarie brightncfTe, in holineflc of life* muchbcautie andluftre to the Church, much good and comfort unto Chriftians: For much is required of them, to whom much is committed.

Let a man then not labour to make himfelfe gloriou's,by thofe graces which are none of his owne 5 but how, by glorifying God with them, in humilitie, faithfuInelTe, and finceritie, and by improving and making the beft of them, for the Owners advantage, hee may make a comfortable account at that great Day, I

Thus 1

and ferj^etuall Quide.

Thus farrc I have propofed unto you fomc Motives, to quicken and ftirre you up to a con-fcionable and conftant hearing and under (landing of the holy Word of God ; and acquainted you with many (leights, lets,and temptations, which Sathan ufually cafts in our way, to hinder us therein.

Now, in a third place, I will lay downe unto you certaine rules,directions, and inftrudions, for your right, holy, and ccnlcionablc carriage, behaviour,and importnient,in and about the hearing of Gods Word.

^hat the holy Word of God may be unto yojj the Word of Grace, the favour of Life unto Li^Q^ of power unto fan deification and falvation 5 you mui): looke carefully and confcionably unto your preparation, before you come 5 unto your car-riagCjwhile you are there; and unto your beliavi-ourjafterward.

Firft, for Preparation.

I am perfvvaded, the want and negle£l of a due and profitable preparation, is thecaufe that thou-fands receive no benefit or blefiing by the Word of Life • but that the Sermons they heare,are re-giftred,as in a Table of Remembrance, before God, as fomanyvvitnefiesagainftthem, for their more fearefull confufion and greater condemnation at the Day of Accounts.

I For hence it is,that to many it is the favour of death unto death; becaufc, before they come, they doe not addrclTeand prepare chemfelves for fo glorious a Prelence, and royall EmbaflTage

(1) ' from

14-5

Preparation requited co profitable hearing.

For wane of preparation, the Word becomes to men,

I The favour of death unto <ieath.

As Seed in the high way sround.

The Saints fure

Men arc ma^e bat onely formal! by it.

I from the King of Heaven: though they heare it uvith their outward cares , yet it hardens their hearts^makes thetp inwardly more peevifhjgrum-bling,(Uibborne,rebellious,and refradarie to the power thereof 5 and prepares and ripens them for more heavie vengeance. It is of it feJfe the Word of Grace, Salvation, and Life; a bleffed prefer-vative againft Sinne and Death, Damnation and Hell: but by accident, if men doe not reverence it, tremble at it, andfubmit themfelves to the power of ir,it is a ftrong'Hammcr,and Iron Scepter, to harden their hearts more and more, like an Anvile,or Adamant ^ and at length, to breake them in pieces likea Potters VeflTclL Though in it ^cXkyh beafaviag and wholefome Medicine; yet men of a rebellious and ftubborne humour and temper, turne it into Poyfon.

a» To fome,this holy Word,by reafon of un-preparednelTc, is but as the water fpiltupon the ground, and the breath of the Minifter fcattered in the Aire; If you call them to an account, after Sermon, how they have profited; they are as VTordleiIe,and witle(Ie,and indeed as gracelefle in rcpetitionjas i^ they had bcene deafcjafleepcjin a tranccjor ftarkedead all the while.

3 Odiers,bytheir ralTi andprophanerufiling into the Houfe of God, without all premeditation, reverence, or regard of that holy bufinefle they goe about; become hearers onely,of forme and cuftomc. forfafliion and companie. It may be, they may heare, attend, and underftand what is delivered 3 but it breedes no more reverence.

and perpetuall (juide.

Some become fcorners.

itnprefTion,©! fpirituall reformation, than an or-dinarie Talc, or humane difcourie : As though that holy toyle, and facred breath, were fpenc onely to entcrtaine the Time, and bufie mens eares for an Houre ; and, not as Chrift tells Paul , To Of en their eyes^ that they might turne from Darkenejfe unto Light, and from the power of Sathan unto God,

4 Vpon fome, the Judgement and Curfe of xomming without ConfciencCj and due preparation, doth fo farrc prcvlile, and hath fuch power, that they become fcorners and raylers againft thcMinifter,orhis Dodrine, or both; at every Sermon they catch fomething,that they may ca-vill atjdepravejand calumniate: And fo,wickedly and wretchedly oppofc their difcourfe,wit,and fpirit of contradidion againft the face of Heaven, and heart of Divine Truth. They wrangle and repine (in deed and truth, whatfocver their pretences or proteftations may be to the con-irarie) againft that Great Majeftic, whofe Mef-fage it is» againft that Holy Spirit,which fliould fan(^ifie them ^ and the Word of Grace, which fhould fave them.

5 Others there be, even of good hearts and affedions, Profeftbrs, and in fome good meafure pradifers of the power of godlineftc ; yet be- |hearteX caufe they are carelefle and ncgledivc of this ncedfull Chriftian dutie of preparation,are pof-fefled with much deadneiTe of heart, and dull-neflfe of fpirit, at thofe holy Exercifcs. Their zeakjand fcrvcncie, which fliould be quickened

(I 2 ) and

m

Others are cold and dead*

^he Saints fure

and inflamed at every Sermon, is dulled and be-numraed with rcnfelefncfle and fatietie: They doe not (q tremble, or are caft downe with Divine Comminations and denouncements of Gods Iwdgements againft finne, or fo refreflied with the gracious promifes of Life, and Salvation, as they ought to be; They doe not enjoy and reape the thoufandth part of that delight, comfort, and benefit as they well might, by the Mi-niftcrie of the Word, becaufe their hearts arc not purged and prepared : They doe not with that chearefulncfle receive, with that fweetncffe lafte and rellifh, with that life and vigour dif-geft the Food of Life: The eye of their minde, for want of premeditation, doth not fo clearcly fee and difcerne the infinite beautie of that fa-cred Majeftie reprefcnted unto them , or that glorious grace fhining unto them, in the face of C H RI s T IE s V s ; Their hand of Faith doth not with that feeling, and faftnefle^ lay hold upon and clafpe about, the rich Treafures revealed in the Gofpell.* In a word, they bereave them fclves of much good, blcfring,coiTi~ fort, and growth in grace, which they might and ought to have, by hearing of the Word, for want of due preparing, and difpofing the heart thereto.

This dutic of Preparation then, though that it be not much thought upon, or ordinarily pra(5li-fed; yet it is of great necefTitie and fpeciall ufe for all thole, which looke for benefit or hleffing by the preaching of the Word»

There

and per pet ua U Guide.

49

There i? no great Affaire, or of weight and confequence, eyther in Nature or Art, in ncceffa-rie bufineflcs and civill Negotiations, or in matters of ComplementjCeremoniejand Enterviewj but there is required fome bethinking preparation and prx-difpofitions, for the more happic and fucceflTcfull accomplifhrnentjexecution^and performance : howr much more in the affaires of God, matters of Heaven^bufineflTes of et^rnitiejand fal-vation of merrs foules ?

The Ground muft be manured and prepared for the Seed, if wee looke it fhould frudifie and profper: how much more fhould our dull and dead hearts bee ftirred up^ and furrowed, as it were, with humiliation, reverence, and repentance ; that by the grace of God, and the fan-(fHfying power of the Spirit, it may lodge and take deepe root in them, andfpringup to eternal! life ?

The Body muft be fitted with a Preparative,

and thehumours,as it were, gathered unto a head,

if wecdefire the Phyficke fhould worke forcibly

and kindly,andrid us of their noxioufneffe,and

I fuperfluitie ; how much more ought our Soules,

: with an impartiall and narrow inquifitionj to be

fcarched and layd open, before they receive the

Water of Life, and fpirituali Manna ; that fo

j they may more feafonably and foundly be waiTi-

' cd and purged from corruptions and iraperfecfli-

ons, prcfervcd in fpirituaH health, and prepared

for cternall life ? 1

The Ground muft be layd, and fome imperfe A!

( 1 5 ) Draughts,

Preparation , requifite in civill affaires, m-uch more to the hearing of the Word,

The Saints fure

-" - " — ■ ■ - —— ■■ ■ III ■

DmughtSjShadoweSjand refemblances prcmifcd, before a Pi(!^ure can be done to the Life, or a full proportion and lively reprcfentation pourtrayed or prefcnted to the eye ^ how much more ought the ground of our hearts to be fitted and prepared 5 that by the preaching of the Word, the Image of Chrift Icfus may with a lively and frefh imprefTion be ftamped upon them ?

Were a man the next day to goe about a bufi-

neflc that mainely concerned eyther his life, or

livelyhood 5 the ftateof his Lands, or danger of

his life: Would not his mindc be troubled be--

fore-hand ? Would it not breake his fleepe the I

night before > Would he not be mufing, and

plotting 5 by what meanes he might worke out

his deliverance, and fafetie ? what behaviour and

carriage might be fitted, to winne favour and

grace in fo weightie an afipaire ? How much more

ought wee, before wee intrude into the Houfe of

God J where matters of our grcateft and highefl

intereft,are propored,handled,and debated by the

Miniftcr of the Word j even life eternall, and

evcrlafting eftate in another World ? I fay, how

ought wee to thinke with our felvcs,how wee may

make our foules fitteft to underftand and accept

the Covenant of Grace,to receive the Seale of the

Spirit, and to get afTurance of that glorious and

royall Inheritance in the Heavens >

Nay^yet further,even in matters of complement and cnterview, theri^ is wont to be preparation, cfpccially if the prefence and perfons were the greater.

and ferpetuall ^uide.

151

GfM.4T.i4.

He^.x.V

Ifd'tfi.,

fofephy when he was fent for to goe before King Pharoahy hee iTiaved his hcad,and changed his ray-ment, becaafehee was toappearc before fo high and royall a pre fence.

Queene He^er durft not pre fife into the pre-fence of King ^hajbiterofhy before fliee had prepared her felfe.

How much more ought wee to fit and prepare our felves, bafe and miferable wretcheSjWormes and aomen,as wee arc, with fcare and trembling, when wee come into the Houfe and prefence of the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth ; before whom, the Seraphhs hide their faces, the Nations are as a dr6f of a Bucket^'and the inhabit Ants of the Earth ^ Grajfe-hdpfers: efpecially, fith there hec offers and tenders unto us enlargement from the Have-rieof finncj purgation from our pollutions, and a Crowne of life, upon that condition, that wee repent, forfakc all our finnes, and refigne up our felves in fincere and humble obedience unto all his Commandemcnts ?

Inducements we have,and Motives many,both from Preccpt,and Pradiice, in the Booke of God, for the performance of this Chriftian dutie of i precepts ouc Preparation. | °^ ^^^ w«rd

Take heed to thy foot (fayththe Preacher) ttheH ; °^'^'j thou entereft into the Houfe of God^and he more neere EuUf.^,17, to hearCj than to give the facrijice of fooles 5 for they \ knort) not that they doe evill, ; I -

Before thou fet foot into the Church, to heare the Word of God, be fure to fettle thy affedi-1 ons, that thev be fober, moderate, and fandified,

(I4) fit

Motives to

Preparation.

I

Hk

\

The Saints Jure

Before wee hearc, our hearts muftbe I qualified wiih.

Humilitie.

fit to entcrtaine the Word of life, aivJ falvatioa 5 let thy heart be feafoned with , fird, SoftnefTe j fecondly^Humilitie; thirdly, Honeftie- fourthly. Faith; fifthly,TeachablenelTe.

Firft, if thou doe not preferve thy heart tender, foft, and flexible, the power of the Word will not make.any fuch print or deepe impreffion upon it •, all holyadmonition$,reproofes,andinftru6ti-onsjvvill be unto thee as Anowes fliot againft a Stone wall.

Secondly, wee muft bring with us aa humble heart, to the hearing of the Word 5 for, tk Lord rejijls the frond^and gives grace to the hiimile. Them that be meeke^mllhe guide in judgement^ and teach the humble his may. The proud heart is fo fwelled with the winde of vanitic and vaine-glory, of felfc-lovc,and over-weening conceit, that there is left no roomc in it for the precious Treafure of faving grace. If it eyther be putFed up with a conceit of knowledgCjOr a pcrfwafion of holinelTc enough,oraboifterous pcremptorincfTe againft the power of the Word; the Water of Life will be unto itjbuta^ Water poured upon a drowned man; or as a Seale thruft upon Watcr,which will r'cceive no impreffion. A lowly heart, broken and bruifed with Confcience of finne, is a fit Seat for the mightic Lord and his faving graces.

Thirdly, wee muft come with a good and ho-ncft heart, which hateth all corruptions, both in it felfe,and others • which hath no delight in any finfullpleafures,or wicked vanities ^ which hath

no

andper^etuall (^uide.

no manner of purpofe to live and continue in any one finne what foe ver 5 but is readieand refolved, though it be much cumbred with itowne corrup-tionsjthe Worlds enticeraentSjand Sathans craf-tiflelTe ^ yet to ferve and pleafe God, in all the wayes of his CommandementS) and that fincere-ly and continually. All profitable and fruicfull hearers have fuch good and honeft hearts, and arc refemblcd by the good ground,.Z,M^r 8.15. But that is^a wicked and finfull heart,and not fit to be wrought upon by the MiniAerie of the Word, which purpofeth and refolvcth to cherifh and maintaine butany one finne whatfoever..

Fourthly, our hearts muft be feafoned with Faith 5 otherwi{e,it will not finke and foake into them with power and profit. The old lewes heard the Word, but it profited them not^ becaufe it tvas not mingled with faith in thofe that heard itj //f^.4.2. The fearefuil threatningsand thunderbolts of the Law, by Faith receive an edge to woundj.and pierce and ftrike through our foules, witharaazements and trembling. And Faith it is, that animates and infpires the promifcs of the Gofpel with fuch a fovcraigne fweetnefie, and powerfull comfort; that they are ablc,not onely to rayfe and revive us from the depth and extre-mitie of remorfe,and feare 5 but alfo to put us into a Paradifc of fpirituall plcafures,and pofTef-fion of Heaven, as it were alreadie. But if the Word light upon a faithlefle heart, it dyes, it does no good. Fifthly, wee muft bring with us into the Lords

SancSbuarie,

^n

luln%A^,

4-

Faith.

lith.4^.%.

Tcacbablc-nefle.

py4/.4o.^.

T^he Saints fure

Sanduarie^tcachable and hearing heartsjthacvr ill willingly and readily open thcmfelveSjto receive the Lord of glory, with whatfocver hee fhall re-veale unto us out of his holy Word. Sacri^ce and burnt offerings (Cayth David) thou muldeHnot^ but mine eares haH thou frefared. As if hee fliould have faid: Thou haft boreil new earcs in my heart, that I can now reverently attend untOjrightly conceive, and with an holy grcedinefle dcvourc the myfteric of grace.

With fuch hearts as thcfe, muft wee come to the hearing of the Word, if wee looke that it fhould be unto us a Word of power, falvation, and life; and not to be of the number of thofb, chat offer the facrifice of fooles,and yet know not that they doe cvill.

Many there are ccrtaincly, which offer thcfe foolifh facrificcsj I meanc,hearcrs,withoutcare and confciencc : Who, if they come into the Houfc of God, and vouchfafc their prefencc in the place, and lend their eares to the Preacher for the time^ they thinke themfelves prefently jolly fellowes, for matters of Religion; and that they are fan(aified,as it werc,by the Worke wrought, and their onely prefence in that holy place: when as yet the Word hath had no more power, nor wrought more alteration upon them, than upon the Seats where they fate.

And that which makes thefe fooles much more miferable,and foolifh, is this ^ They hotp not that they doe evili: as it is in the Text. They thinke their cafe good enough, that they are in the right

courfe

—\

courfeofChriftianitie; and that no more is rc-quired,for tpatters of Heaven: when as,in refpe^ii of faving grace, they are wretched, miferablcjand poore; and hlinde^md nxked,

Befides this place of the Preacher^ the Evange-lift S. Luke^ Chap.S,i2. bids us, tdke heed how wee heare. And good reafonjin a matter of fuch great weight and confequcnee. For there is not a Sermon wee heare, but wee muft be Countable for it at the Day of our Visitation. God is countable unto us for every haire of our head ^ is it not rea-fon, wee fkould be countable to him for thofe precious LefTons he reacheth unto us by the Mi-nifteric o^ the Word ? AlTuredly, there is not a Sermon , which wee have heard fruitleflely, and without profit^ but it will be a fhrewd and fore vvitnefle againft us at that Day.

Befides thefe Precepts,wee finde much pra(S^ife in the Booke of God, of this holy dutie of Preparation 5 when any facrcd bufincfle was to be undertaken.

Mofes could not approach fo glorious and fa-cred a Prefence, or tread upon the ground, made holy by fo great a Majeftie as the Lord of Heaven and Earth5before he had pit offhis[J:ooes. Neither ought wee to prefume or prefTe into his Sandua-rie, where he hath promifed his Prefence in a fo-iemne, fpeciall,and powerfuU manner, and is rea-die to fhowcr downe his bleilings of falvation into all truly humble and prepared hearts^ before wee have fnaken off and caft from us all earthly incumbrances,.and fecret corruptions,all dulceffe

and

»55

2

Inftances for the praftice of Preparation.

Mosss.

tfS

I0«HVAU.

Tie Saints fhre

and deadneflc of heart, whith makes UMinworthy and nndifpofcd to (land upon fo holy ground, and utterly uncapableofall that heavenly Wife-domCj and holy inftrudions unto erernall life, that are there taught, and tendred unto us • nay, turne the bleflings of the Miniftery into curfes and condemnation unto us.

When lejhuah was to make a ftrong and lading impreflion in tffe hearts of the Ifraelites (whom after the death Q^^ofes^ht condu(5led to the pro-mifed Land)of the power and providence of God for his people, by that miraculous parting of the Waters of Jordan^ for the tranfportation of the Arke* hee commanded the people to fanflifie themfelves, to prepare,and compofe their hearts* to admire and reverence with greater intention and amazement, that omnipotent Majeftythat wrought fuch wonders for his chofen: For hearts emptied of worldly thoughts, and fan(5lified by heavenly meditation, are fitfubjcdsforworkes of Heaven, and divine imprcillons. How much more ought we to prepare our foules, before wee come into the Sanduary of the Lord; fith there, they are either to be hardned for the Scepter of deftru6tion, and made ready for the flames of Hell, if wee doc not prepare our felves, hearken, and obey : or elfe, to be foftncd and fan^ificd with faving grace, and fitted for a Crowne of Glory; if with reverence, humility, and obedience, wee fubmit our felves to the power of the Word ? There, if wee be unconverted, the great j and miraculous worke of the new-birth is to bee ' wrought

r

and perpetuall Cjuide.

wrought upon them; if wee be new-borne, they are to be fed with the fpirituall MannajUnto ever-laftinglife.

The fame ft^nah^ when the excommunicate and execrable thin'gvvas to be found out,and put from amongft them ; which was the caufe, they could not ftand againft their enemies; he commanded them to landifie themfelves, that the Lord might profperand poure his bleflings upon that necedarie and weightic fearch and inquifi-tion. How much more ought wee to prepare our felves, before wee ftep into the Houfc of God; {ith there is to be diicovered and caft- out ihofe hateful! finnes that fearefully incenfe Gods wrath.againft us, and make us weake in the Lords batrailes, and not able to ftand againft our fpirituall enemies, the corruptions of our owne flefli, the enticements of the World, and temptations of Sathan >

Before the facrifice, and anointing of David King of Ifrael, /jhai and his fonnes were fandi-flcd: How much more ought wee to be prepired, before wee come before the Lords Prophets, and Embaftadours . that there wee may be anointed Kir'gs and PrieHs unto our God ^

fojiah^ before the eating of the Pafchali Lambe, did bid the people , not onely fandifie themfelves , but aifo prepare their brethren : Ho\t much more ought wee, when wee come to rhc Minifterieof the Word,to fecde by faith upon that true Bread from Heazcn^ rrhifhpveth life u?fto ihe werld'^ which if wee once foundly talre with

bcice-

^57

^ojh.7.1^.

Sa MVEt.

1 SaW.16.5.

Jo\k6,

The people, before ihe giving of chc Law. Exod.1^,10.

^(rr.is.

The profit of it.

The Saints fure

belecving hearts,wee fhall not hunger, wee lliall never thirft ?

But the mod famous and fitted place for my purpofc,and preparation in that particular holy bufinefle of hearing the Wordjis that in Exod, i ^, I o. The people mere fan ^ifiedy and tvajhed their clothes^ and prepared themfelves f»r two dayes^ and the third day they were readie to atpend trhat the Lord nonld fay unto them. As in that extraordinarie promulgation of the Law, the people were to be prepared extraordinarily; fOjfrom proportion of that practice, and precedencie, ordinarie prcparatioa is necellarie for the ordinarie preaching of the Word 5 if wee looke that it fliould powerfully and profitably workc upon our Gonfcienccs and affe <& ions. Their waging of their bodies^and dothesy thetrabftinence from theirwkes, and fuch fblerane and ceremonious purifications, were typicall fig-nifications and reprefentations unto us, that wee (houldweane our hearts from earthly thoughts, purge them from fecret corruptions, and bring them faire and free, from finfull fpot and worldly entanglement, when wee come to heare the Lord fpeakc unto us by his Minifters.

Holy men of God were wont,addrefring them-felvcs to prayer, to have their ejaculations, lifting up of their hearts, certaine fhort prayers, before they entred into that facred and folemne adion.

Befides Precept and Practice in the Bookc of God, for Preparation • the profit is great, the benefits and blelTings that redound unto us,

and

and perVetmll (juide.

and fall upon us by it, are excellent and precious. Looke in the latter end of the eleventh Chapter of lob.

If thou prepare thine hearty and fir etch out thine hands- torvards hm.

If iniqnitie be in thine hand^ fut it fane awa^^ and let no mckednefje dr^ell in thj Tabernacle,

Then truly fbalt thou lift uf thy face mthdutf^ot^and jhalt beflable^ andjhalt not fear e^ C^r.

Preparation of the heartjis here the foundation and firft ftep unto many glorious blellings. The heart muft be firft prepared, before other holy duties can be fitly performed, or Gods blcflings cxpeded.

In the firft place; firfV, prepare thine heart • fecondly^then poure it out in prayer, before the Throne of Grace; thirdly, then purge it from corruption • banifli farre, and barre out all ini-quitie ; fourthly, next, be fure to reforme, in-ftrud,and pray with thy family, or thofe that are about thee: Let no wickcdnefle,ignorance, pro-phancnelTe, fvvearing, fwaggering, drunkcnncfle. or the like, dwell in thy Tabernacle, harbour in thine houfe, or row ft ncere thee.

And then open thy'heart, and hands • for the Windowes of Heaven fhall be fet wideopcn,that all manner of fpirituall comforts,all the bleflings of peace and happineflfc, may in abundance be (howred downe upon thee; the rich Treafurfe of everlafting Glory and Immortalitie i"hall be iin-lockt unto thee, and thou fhalt row and tumble thy felfe for ever after^ amid mountaines- of heavenly

I5P

14,

Vcrf.lS'

cantA,^*

PPU.iv

24«

The Saints fure

vcniy pcarlesjand golden pleafures 5 through Ri-vcrSjiiay Seasof endlcfle joyes, that no heart can comprehend, but that which is weaned from all worldly plcafurcs,and let apart and fandtified for holy fervices and bufinefles of Heaven.

Then truly fhah thou lift uy thy face tPtthoutjfot.'] Though thou haft lyen among the Pots, yet thou fhalt be now as the wings of a Dovc,that is covered with Silver, and whofe feathers are like yellow Gold. Though thou be like the Kedarims, which dwell in Tents,the black-Moores; that is, I by reafon of thy finne, fub/ed to the condemna-: tion of God,and deprived of his glory: yet fhalt thou be in Chrift, goodly and glorious, as thofe that dwell in exceeding glory,under/^e Curtames of Salomon, Though thou be black with the remnants of originallcorruption, and prefcnt infirmities 5 though the Sunne have looked upon thee, and parched thee with the fcorching heat of fbrcaffli^ffion, and chaftifcments : yet fhalt thou now fhine like the Sunne in his ftrcngth, with the royall Robe of Chrifts righteoufnefle, with frefh comforr,and laftingchearefulneflc.

Thou fhah be jiabk^ and [halt not feare,'] Though the wicked tremble many times at their owne fhadowes5and the found of a Lcafe fl7aken doth chafe them , and ftrikc a faintnefle into their hearts, and a trembling into their loynes • yet thou (halt never be afraid of anyevill tidings, whether they be forged by the fpightfuU and im-poyfoned tongues of prophane men, to defame and difgrace theCjOr fetched out of the bottomc;

of

and peife*uali ^ulde.

i6i

of Hell, by Sathai>s malice, to terrifie thee j lob^,^l z%.

though the mcflengers of miferies and mifchiefes

come thicke and three-fold upon thee, as they

did upon lob-^ though the Earth be moved, and

the mountaines fall into the mid ft of the Sea • ^^4^.^

nayjthough the whole World be on flames about

thine eares,and the Heavens be rouled together

like a Scrowie: yet flialt thou be ftable5and Hialt

not fcaTCjbecaufe thy heart is fixcd,and bclceveth

in the Lord^

Thou fhah forget thy miferie , and rememher it as Vt^f* i^« waters that are pa^.^ Thy happinelle and comfort (liall befbentire and unmixed, fo abfolute and overflowing, that the very remembrance of former miferies and terrors fhall be drowned and devoured in the exccflfc and exccllencic of that; even as the travels of a woman, in her joyes for a new-borne fonnc: Orjif it bejthat thy former dif-comforts fometimes ftealc into thy mindc, they fhall not be able to reft or remaine there,by reafon of the predoniinancie of fpirituall pleafures; but glide away as fwiftly,as the head-long ftrcameof the moft haftie Torrent.

Thine age alfi jbaH apfeare were cleare than the ' ytrf, 17; Neone-daj • thou fBaltfhinc^and be as the Morning,'] The Mornifigus.the^very Crowne of Time, and the beautie of the Day •. the Poets call it, the -'iRofie-finger'd Morning. When they labour * p%j!o^^;cTt/-todefcribe corporal 1 Beautie to the life, and fct Mi «'#>, it out in the beft perfection and frefheft colours that theutmoft power and higheft ftraine of wit and art can poflibly devifc; they take their Meta-

( m) phors

rerr.iS.

^Jj.aS.

The Saints fure

phors and amplifications from the ruddinefTe and brightnefTe of the Morning: And yet thou {halt be as fairc as the Morning, with all Divine Graces , fpirituall brightneife, and beautie of thy SoLile 5 nay, a Soule fct thicke with fpirituall Graces, is farre more faire than the Firmament, with all thofe Eyes of Gold, and faircft Lampes, that fhine from it. Neither flialt thou be onely as the Morningjbut as the Morning Sunne; thou fhalt rife higher and higher in degrees of holi-neire,and ftrength of Grace,untill thou commeft to the higheft pointof perfedion in this Heaven upon Earthjthe Kingdome of Grace. And after thou haft jfinifhed thy courfe^and left behind thee the comfortable heat of thy gracious zealcjmuch Light from thy good example, and the fweet in-liuence of thy holy life • upon thy death-bed, thou (lialt fett with the fwecteft and brightcft beames of all heavenly comfort, into the immea-furable Ocean of endlefTe joycs.

Thou fhalt he hid, becaufe thtre is hope 5 and thou [halt di^ge Pits , and [hah i)e dotvne fafely,] Thou fhalt be alTurcd of Heaven, and a Crowne of Glory hereafter, that thou fhalt walke through this Valley of Miferie like a Lyon 5 nor Devill, nor man^ nor beaft, nor any creature,fhall affrighr or amaze thee. Caft thine eyes, fupernaturally enabled, and enlarged with the Light of Faith,, ^om Eaft to Weft, into the bottome of Hell,and glory of Heaven •, and thou fhalt clearely fec5that all is thine, by the purchafe, right, and conqueft of the Sonne of God: Thefiones in the ftreetJhaU

he

and ferpetuall (juide.

1^3

Vcrf.i^.

peat league mth thee, the heajts of the field jhali he at fence with thee : The creatures fhallbeall fworne to thy fafetie 5 the pureft fpirits, the minifters of God, (hall be thy Guardians; Saints and Angels are alreadie in thy fight 5 Immortalitie hath lengthened thy dayes, and the glory of God is before thee in a Glafle,

fvhen thou doeH take thy reB^ none jhall mal'e thee Afraid ; ^ea^ wanj jhall wake fait unto theej] Vv^hen the darkenefTe of the Night encompafleth thee, thou (halt not be affrighted with terrors and apparitions ; when blacknefle and {ilence5the habitation of feares and aftonilliment, {hall pitch round about thee, thou fhalt be lightfome with inward comfort;. when all thy Sences, the fcouts and watch-men for difcovcring dangers,and pre-ferving thy fafetie, (Jiall be locked up 5 his provi-dence,that neither {lumbers nor fleepes.fhall tenderly and carefully watch over thee; whether thou die or live , whether thou fleece or p^ake , thou art the Lords : And therefore, when thou fleepeft, thou fhalt not be afraid ^ and when thou {leepcft, thy {Icepe fhall be fweet: Thou [halt not feare for any | see ub j.zijai, fudden fearey neitherfor-the deflruBion of the mcked, nhen it commeth ; for the Lord jhall be for thy affurance^ and jhall keepe thy foot from being caught,

Teaj many jhall make fait unto thee,'] Thou fhalt be fo encompafTcd with the blcffings of God, fo protected from above, fo high in Gods favour, that many will come for fhadowand fhelter unto thee:, tlieywill looke forreliefe and comfort under the fhadow of thy wings, thy power and

( m 2 ) autho-

7^o».J4.8.

•prflv.j.ijr.

VsrC%o1

Maih^'i'-^l

Z.u\e i^.iA'

T^he Saints fur e

authoritie {hall be a refuge and repofe for oppief, fed and difgraced inriocencie.

Allthefcbleflings, andathoufand moe, are, built upon a through preparation of the heart, as upon the firft foundation ftone : Preparation is the very firft ftep to all thefedegrces, and height of happineflc.

But on the contraric fart, 'd a man negle^ preparing his hcart,prayingunto God/orfaking his finaeSj reforming his family J let him looke for^ nothing but Curfesand Plagues.

But the tjesofthc tricked (faith 7^^) fhallfatle"^\ and their y^fnge jhaU fcnjlj y and their hope jjjal/ be forroivofmtnde.] They thinke,. their formal! and CLiftomarie (ervice of God will ferve the turne-and tkereupon, with great greedinefTc and confidence, expc(5b and looke for the falvation of their foules after this life : but they fhalivvaile, and gaze, untill their eyes finke into their holes,, and | yet fiiali never be able to tailc of true comfort:' They may crie untill their tongues cleave to the roofe of their mouth, with the foolifh Virgins-LordyLordy open nntous ^ -^ath, 25. but the Gate of cverlaftinghappincfle Hiall forevcrbe fhuta-gainft them: They may ftruggie and/nVf,by the ftrcngth of their good meanings , and formall Qhx'\{\iamt\Q^toenterifvatthefiraitGate^ butfhaff nei'cr l-ejiblc.

Their rtfti^efljiiU'ferijJjJ] They have flayed' themfelvcs upon broken ftaves of Reed, and now , they will runne into their hands and hearts too, unto their vexation and horrorc.

Md

and perpetual I ^uide.

^nd their hofejhaUbe ferrotv ofmindeJ] Their end fliall be dcfpairejand horrible confufion.

I have ftayed long upon the motives and inducements to preparation^before we come to the hearing of the Word^or undergoe any facred bu-finefle ; and upon the RGcelTitic, bleffings, and benefits of fo holy a dutie. The reafon is ^ I would gladly ftirre you up, and my fclfe too, to a through and conftant pradife and performance of it: andjbecaufe the negledi and omiflion of it, is the caufe that the Miniftcrie of the Word is not onely fruitlefle,and in vaincjunto thoufands; but (which is a fearefu 11 thing ) the favour of death unto death unto them.

I come now to the fpeciall points confiderable in preparation, before wee prc/ent our felves in this place to the hearing of the Word.

This preparation is an holy adion,or exercife, which by examination of our Confciences, purgation of our heartSjprayerunto Godjand private reading the ScriptureSjmaketh our foules fit Vef-fels to receive and entertainethc fpirituall Trea-fures of Grace,and food of eternall Lifc,ofered and tendered unto us by the Minifterie of the Word 5 that fo they may be the more cifcdually and fruitfully wrought upon, and happily fubdu-cd to the power and pradiice thereof.

In this preparation, I confider and require efpe- j Fourc things ciallythcfe foure things : fir ft. Examination of the Confciencejfecondly,Purgation of the heart; thirdly,Prayer unto Godj fourthly^Readincffe of heart, to receive every truth*

(m 3) Firftj

i6i

What preparation is.

required in preparation*

Examination.

£xtraordina-rjc.

In time of publike cala-

,^^ I l~he Saints fure

Firftj for Examination of the Confcience. Examination isadutie pra6lifable by all true GhriiUans, at many times, and upon fundry oc-cafions.

It is either more extraordinarie; and that is, either in the time of folemne Faftjand general! humiliation, forfome publikc Plague and cala-mitie that lyes upon the State or Church, Wee are then ferioufly to fearch and ranfacke through-ly our Confciences, that wee may throw that or thofc finnes out of our affeditions, pradtife, and allowancejwhich have their part in pulling do«rnc thofe publike Plagues upon us.

Or, fecondly, when our family is fingled out, and vidtcd with fomefpeciall and extraordinarie fcourge,and judgement: and then muft we make animparciallinquifition into our hearts 5 left we be the Acham^\Nh\ch. by our fecret fmues provoke Gods caufefull wrath.

Or, when our felves in a more private and particular manner, are afflided with fome fpeeiall vexation- as,by fomemaladie and miferieinour bodies,with fome terrors and feares in our minds, or with fome flanders,difgraces,and imputations upon our good names ; when Gods hand is upon us any of thefe wayes, wee are prcfently to con-ceive,that the (innes of our foules are the true cau-fcs of all the mifcries and croflTes which befall us any manner of waves; and therefore wee are narrowly and exactly to enquire into our felves, ancf to caft out our fecret beloved finnes,thofe lurking ! rebels,the breeders of all our woe, I Befides,

2

When our families are villi-aedwiih lomc fpeeiall judge* 3uenc«

Whin wcc our-felvej are af-Bide<} in particular.

and perpetuall (juide.

Befides, examination of our hearts in thefcor the like cafes 3 there is alfo a more ordinarie and ufuall examination necefrarie,and required of us, and thatefpecially every day; that we may make the Score of our (innes leflTe^andour account flior-ter, againft the Day of our Vifitation; that wee may more entirely and comfortably preferve and enjoy Gods favour and protection, inward peace ofConfcience5rpiritualljoy3andChriftianchear-fulnclTe in all our affaires and paffages.

2 Before wee come to receive, and be partakers of the holy Sacrament of the facrcd body and bloud of Chrift; left by neglect and omiffion of this dutie,we become unworthy receivers, and fo cate and drinke our owne judgement,and damnation i nay, be guiltie of the innocent and precious bloud of Chrift lefus; which one day will be an heavie and unfupportable burthen to our Confciences. To be guiltie of the finfuU bloud of prophane men, is able to make the proudcft heart and higheft ftomacke to tremble and quake like an Afpen leafe, and to ftrike through his foulc', with reftlcfle horrour, and gaftly iights. Who is able then to beare the guilt of guiltlefle bloud ? ^^f/j innocent bloud cryed for and pulled downe ftrange and defperate vengeance upon cruell Cain, How loud then will be the crie of the bloud of the innocent Lambe of God ? How will it ring in theeares of God the Father? How fearefuJly will it fill Heaven and Earth, untill it hath brought downe Plagues and Curfcs upon thofe wofuU Soules, who irreverently and

(m 4) un-

i6y

2

Ordinan&^

Every day.

Before the S*. craaienc.

Simile,

GM.4.15.

Before wcc keaie the Word preached*

7he Saints fure

; The fccond

• vdutie Bcfltles ] hearing, is I purging oi (i our h^jts^

unpreparedly prophane fo high and holy a my-flerie >

A third ordinarie examination 5 is before wee. prefTc into the Houfe of God, and prcfent our fdvcs before his Minifters and McffengerSj to be inftrir(fted in his will from Heaven, out of his holy Word; left this blelTed Ordinance fliould beaccLirfed unto us. You may fee in the Prophet Ez,€ch,i^, 738. how the Lord threatens that perfon that comes to his Minifters to enquire of them^or to be informed by them,and yet feparatcs himfclfe from theLord^and fetsup any Idoll in his heart, and ftumbling-blocke of his iniquitie, before his face . that the Lord will fct his face a-gainrt him, and make him a fignc and a Proverbc, and cut him off from the midft of his people. Whence wee may well infcrre,thatit will be very dangerous for any to come to the hearing of the Word, without examination of his heart, whether there be any fuch ftumbling-blocke of ini-quitieinitjOrno.

2 Becaufe that examination of the heart, to

{inde out our corruptions, tends cfpecially to the

cleaming of it; therefore the fecond dutie before

the hearing of the Word, is the purgation or

clca"n(ingof the heart, firft,from fmne; which the

Scripture beats much \^^pon^la?n. 1.21. Laj apart all

fjthniejj'carid fuperfiuitieof nau^ht'ineffc^ andyeceh'e

mih meekenijjc the ingrafted H^ord^ (^c. It is not

mccrely lay apart, but put away quite and cleanc

all filthincflc : and this is a fit preparative for the

Iieairng of the Wordjas appeares alio by that pa-

ralell

and perpetual/(Juicie.

169

ralell pkcc, iPet.i, 1,2. therefore pttting away aU malice^ ali gmle and hypocrifie^and envie^ and cviUj^eA-kwgs^as nen'-borne babes defire thefmcere M'dke of the werd» And there is the fame reafon for any other finne to be put away, that there is for thefe mentioned. As it is with the body,when the ftomack is foule^and clogged with bad humours, wee fliould firft purge it, before wee fecde it j for other wife, whatfoever we eatCjdoth but nourifli and cncreafe the corrupt humours of the body: So it is with the foulcjwhen it h ftuffed or clogged withfinnc; whatfoever is heard in the Mintftery of the Word, {liall be perverted and abufed by it,and wrefted to the deftru(5lion of it.

It is no wondertherefore,that thofe that live in diflblutc or fcandalous courfes,thore that are drunk on the evening before the Lords day50r fpcnd it in gamingjOr company kecping,orhave bin ading of fbme foLile fmnejaiid then repairc unto the Word • it is no wonder, I fay, that fuch goe away never a whit the better, but rather worfe than they came. Did you ever know any Salve fo fovcraigne, that would cure a wound that had a fplint or an arrowhead remaining in it ? Surely,evcry knowne finne unrcpentcd of,hinders the faving operation of the Word in any mans heart -, yea, it will make the W^ord the favour of death unto a man. See to this purpofe, ler^j, 9^1^, . Secondly, the heart muft alfo be purged from airworldly cares and thoughts,which may divide ^ordrawaway thehcart: Math.i'^» 22. The cares of the World doe choakc the Seed of the Word :

Lujce

arwamw^tmm

T^he Sain ts fur e

Thirdlj'jPray-er, another dutie.

Luke 21.34. The cares of this life doe furfct the heart. NoWjas it is with a man in a lurfet, hee is notfittoeat^neithercanhedigeftanywholefome food : fo, when as the heart is furfetted with worldly cares, it is unfit for any fpirituall food, Youknov\rhowitwaswith^^rfA<«, Luke 10.41, lefus faid unto Martha • Thou art troubled about man^ things^ but one thing is necejfarie : Martha had a clutter of many worldly matters, that made a great noife in her head, and hindered better matters, that fhe cared not for hearing.

How then (liall they profit by the Word, that doe jumpe out of their worldly bufinefTe, and from bufying their heads about their ealhngs, into the Houfe of God, to hcarc and to performc the Exercifes of Religion ? Truly, though they be never fo diligent in hearing, yet their hearts will goeafter theircovetou(heflre,£;5e^/?.33.31,

3 A third dutie before the hearing of the Word, is Prayer; no good thing can be expedcd from God, asableffing, if it be not fought by ^xaytxj>ewt»/^,j» and wee finde it layd downe as a condition requiredjPror .2. 1,2,3,C^f. ^yfiffffc, if thou wilt receive m^ veords , and encline thine eare to tvifedomCy and apfly thy heart to under Handing» yea^ if thou cryeB after knowledge, and lifteB^ up thy voice for under Ftanding^ then jh alt thou under Band the feare of the Lord^ and fade out the knorrledge of Ggd, The rcafbn is, V'erf, 6, For the Lord giveth wifedomCy and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and under-fianding, Becaufe the Lord gives knowledge, therefore yon muft crie for it unto him. What

is I

and perj^etmll (juide.

is the reafon rhat you do pray for your daily Bread^ and a blefling upon it ? V^hy^De»t.^,i . Man lives net hy Bread onely , &c I If this be fo, much more ought you to pray forablcfling upon your fpiri-tuall food.

Now for the particulars : Firft, you ought to pray for the Teachers,That they may fo Ipeake^as they ought to fpeake, CoL 4. 3,4. fo they are to pray for the power and peace of the Minifterie, 2 TheJ]\'^, 1,2. Secondly,you muft pray for your fclves 5 that through Gods afliftance you may heare profitably, andbeblefTcd in the hearing ; /<?/?.3. 27. Nomancan receive any thing,except that it be given him from above. Therefore David prayed, Pfal, 11^.18. Open thou mine eyes^ that I may fee the rvonderfuli things contained in thyfvord, Ifay^S, 17. Godfayth, lam the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit: Therefore no profiting by the Word,without fceking unto the Lord for it.

Now the prophanenefle of people in this cafe, is the gencrall caufc that our Minifterie doth na more good: Few pray at all before they come to ChurchjCither for the Minifterpr for rherafclves; nay, few,even when they are in the Church., have any heart to joyne with the Preacher in the prayer that he makes before the Sermon: But the corin-plaint of the Prophet may be taken up in this cafe, I fa.64. 7. There is none that calicth on thy Name^ tha t flirreth up himfelfe to take hold of thee,

4 You muft be fure to goe with an Open heart, readie to receive every truth that God rhall teach

:'M'»nr' you

171

The fourth dutie, open-nelTe of hearc

\^^

^he Saints fure

you in this Ordinance, ^^. 17.11. it is' faid of thofe noble BcraeanSjthat they received the Word with all readineflfe of mindc, /. readinclTe to receive every truth. And Cornelim faid, AB, 10.33. iveearc all here frcfent (before Ged^to heare all things thdt are commanded thee of G$d, It is well added {that are commanded thee of God:) not what any Minifter (hall teach, be he never fo good, or fo learned ; nay, were he an Angell from Heaven, yet his Dodrine muft be cxamined,<j<«/ri .8. But when there is fuchadifpoiition in us,as to receive both in judgement and pra<ftife whatfoever God fhall reveale unto us out of his Word; this is a precious difpofition,

But, alas, the moft come to heare with pre-judicateand fore-ftalled hearts, they beare a fe-cret grudge, and quarrel!, againfl fome flrid Truth, or other ^ as^againft the fancflification of tile Lords Day, ot Family-duties, or fecret communion with the Lord, by prayer dayly, I &c. And thefe imaginations feeme as ftrong Holds J to keepe Chrift and his Truth out of their hearts, 2 Or. 10. 4, 5. And thus men, that in their hearing doc limit the Spirit of God, would (if it lay in their power) fay as thofe wicked men, ^fay^o, 10. to the Seers^fee not • and to the Prophets , profhefie not right things unto ui'^j^eake unto m fmooth things : And thofe that faid fo.5 the Lord calls them defpifers of his Word.

Thefe arc the mainc and ptincipall duties bc» fore the hearing of the Word,

Secondly,

i.iiui«iiiwimuu

and ^erpetuall Cjuide.

Sccondly^let me proceed bricfely tothofe duties that are required in the hearing of the Word; Which wee miift the rather ftirre up our fclves unto, bccaufe wee have naturally uncircumci-fcd hearts, ley, 6, io» and are dull of hearing, Heb,%,11',.

Now the principall duties in hearing, arc five • which I will briefely fet downegis may be.

I You mu ft fet your felvcs in Gods prefencej whileft you arc hearing of his Word ;. and con-fider with your fclves, that it is God that you havetodeale withall in this bufineffc, and not man; and that it is Gods Word, and not mans. It is the great commendation of the Theffaloni-ans, I Theff, 2.13.. that they received the Word as the Word of God. This was that whereby the Lord would prepare his people to receive the h^w^Exed.io. God fj^akeallthefewords. Andhee not onely gave the Law,l)ut the whole fummc of theGofpel with his owne voice, Mat.^» 17, Loe a "joice from Heaven^fajing^ This is my beloved Sonne^ inrrhoml am well'fleafed. Yea,-it is the Lord him-felfe that fpeakes unto you in our ^imi{k.Qxy^Litf:e 10.1 6, So the Lord is prefent ina fpcciall manner, where his Word is preached, to obferve and markehow it is received,or delivered • and either to blefTe or curfethe hearers, or fpeakers,accordingly. So that of this and fuch like placesj it may be faid as lacoh faid of Bethelj^JM.2 8. i ^,17. Sureljjthe Lord is inthisfUce: and, H@iv dreadfull is thiifUcel This if rw other than the Houfe of Codyth-if if the Gate cf Heavefj^

And

'7?

Dutici required in the hea* ring of the Word.

To fee our

felvcs in Gods prefcncc.

»7+

Attention.

T^he Saints fure

And trulyjthis apprehenfion of Gods prelence in the AlTcniblies of his people, will worke three things in us.

Firft 5 keepc us in that awfull and reverent dif-pofition of body and minde that is meet.

Secondly, it will prefcrve our hearts from roving and wandering choughts,which are great impediments of heading; PfiL 11^.113. ihatevam ■th9ughtSy but thy Law doe / love.

Thirdly, it will make us to receive and obey that that fhall be taught us • for fo God hath beene wont to prepare his people, to receive his Word; yeajhe faid of his pcopIc,when they were thus affcdedjDffif.i 5.2^, Oh that there mrefuch AH heart in them , to fcare me and keepe my Comman^ dements ahayes.

Now the want of this, is that which hinders abundance of benefit that the Minifterie of the Word would otherwife doe us: This is the root of all the mifchiefe the Devill doth to poore foules, in the hearing of the Word; the pradice thereof, is the fountaine of all our good. Many gracclefle wretches there are in our Aflemblies,. like him, Luke 18.1. that neither feared God, nor regarded man; thatdefpife the Church of God, yea,contemnethe prefence of the holy Angels, (I O>y.ii.io.) and of God himfelfe in theAf-femblies, who hath layd fucha fpeciall charge upon us, Lev.i 6.2,10 keepe his Sabbaths^ and to reverence his ^4«£?w4n>; andheaddes thisreafon, / am fehovah.

2 The fecond dutie in hearing, is diligent

attention

and perfetuall (juide.

attention to that wc heare; as it is faid of our Saviour Chrift, Luke ip, /^S, The peepie mre very Attentive to heare him . or,as it is in the Originall, they hanged on him : as i£ their eares and nundes had becnc eyed to his tongue j there was fuch a dependencie upon him. And that is a remarkable place, Ezech,4.o . 4^ Sonne of man^ behold, tvith thine cjes, and heare with thine eares ^ andfet thine heart ttfon all that I fhaUjhetv thee. Sec what attention is required : Hee bids him fet his eyes and his eares,and his heart and all, upon that hee fpcakes; and not upon (bmc things onelyjbut upon all that hee fhould declare unto him. So Prev,£^, 20,21522. .My fonne attend untorny words^ inclitie thifie eare unto my fayings y keepe them in the midft of thine heart^for they are life to thofe that fade them : i, looke as a condemned man will hearken to the Sentence of the Prince ^ every word hee fpcakes, being life or death: As the fervants of Benhadad^whcn they were in their enemies power, ( 1 King,2o,^^. they obferved diligently whether any word of comfort would come from him, and they did haftily catch it. Thus, with fuch diligence and attention, fuch poore condemned creatures (as wee are) are to heare the Word of God.

Now to quicken attention, thcfe meanes are profitable.

Firft, it is good to doe as they did , Luke 4, 20. They fattened their eyes upon Chrift 5 fo doe ye upon the Minifter, and fuffer them not to wander up and downe : A wandering

^

The Saints/fire

A Caveat,

eye is alwayes a fiire evidence of a wandering hcarc.

Secondly, ifye doe not thus, it will be a good hclpe for thofe that can write, to note the Word, as Baruch wrote from the raouch of leremah, ler, 3 6, 4. This holds the mindc clofc to all that is faid. Some objed indeed, that it hinders af-fe<5^ion in hearing: but though it may doe fo in'l. fomejfor the prcfcnt 5 yet afterwards ic will workc ? more laftingaffedions upon the Word. Onely \ they that ufe thishclpc-meanes, muft be carefull ■ that they doe not prcfume upon their Notes fo, as to neglcd the recalling of what ■ they have heard, (as many ufc to doc ) and fo lofe all holy aifedions, and that imprefTion that the Word would make upon their hearts.

Thirdly, entreat the Lord to open thy heart, as he opened L^dla's heart,^^. 1 6, 14. Our hearts arc fhut up quite, and cannot attend unto any thing that is good,except that the Lord opens them.

Obfervc then another caufe, why the Word is (o unfruitfull unto many. Some arc like the deafe Adders^ that flop their eares againft the voicz of the charmer^ Pfal, 58.4, 5. And fomc fleepers there are, that faile in their attention , that the Dcvill ufually roAs afleepe, when they come to hcarc • but they that are fuch, fliould know, that their damnation fleepes not, the Devill fleepes not: he comes to the Afremblies,to pickeup the good Seed that is fownc; nay,he comes to pickc up their foules indeed; for he cares not fo much

for

4nd ferpetuall (fuide.

for the St^diy but he will take your felves napping and your foules cfpecially, and carry them to Hell. Befidesj let them remember what befell Eutjchus^ ^B,2o, 9yio. he flept at a long Sermon, that lafted till midnight; but he was taken up dead, failing from the third Lofc to the ground: What fhall become of fuch then, that fleepe in the day time^ata Sermon of an houre long ? And let them alfo take heed of that jj?/m ofjlumler^that the Lord hath threatned to poure upon the defpi-fersofthe Word,//2i) 2^.^310. The like might be faid of our gazers and gapers about, and thofe that by their talking difturbe others, and hinder themfeives: they fhut their eares,and turne them away from God j and may juftly expcd, that he fhall turne awayhis eares from them : as it is threatened,/*/fli'.i. 8,^. Z4f^.7.13.

3 You muft heare the Word with underftan-ding and judgement ; i. labour to underftand what wee heare: And to this end, the Minifter muft have a fpeciall care to teach plainely, fb as he may be underftood, Neh. 8.8. And Chrift calls upon his hearers for this , Math. 15. 10. Heare^and under Band: How fhould we elfe profit by that we heare > ^B, 8.3^. VnderHandeH thou tvhat thou readeH ( faith Philif to the Eunuch:) fo fay thou to thine ownc h<jart j Vnderftandeft thou what thou heareft ?

Now the meanes to underftand the Word, are thefe.

Firft, come to the Word,with a willing minde to learne: you know the Eunuch, ^3.8, though

(n) he

177

neare with

underftan^

ding.

l^he Saints fure

he underftood not,what he read, yet bccaufc he had a minde to learne,how the Lord provided fot him, and what a comfortable fuccefle Philips Sermon bad with him : Men love to teach willing fchollers; fodorh God, when we come with willing and rcadie mindcs to be taught.

iiecondly, exercife your felvcs in the truth of God5i/e^.5.1aft. yoarauftbycontinuallurejget your fences excrcifed to difcerne both good and cvill: but efpecially^be well acquainted with the principles and grounds of Catechifme 5 it is the vvantoftbis,rhat makes men that they underftand not what is preached: They that are not firft well nourilhcd with Milke^wiil not be fitto receive and digeft ftrongermeat: if the foundation be not well laydj it is in vaine to build*

Thirdly, walkc according to Light; Pfal,iii, TO. A goodunderjlAnding have a//they^that doe his Com,-mandements : Then, if thou wouldeft get a good underftanding, and know the myfteric of godli-ne(rc5walke according to knowledge, imploy that tittle knowledge thou haft well, and then there is apromifc to give thee more.

Fourthly, bediligent in inftru(!l:ingand teaching thy family ; If thou art fet over others,.a tittle knowledge will cncreafe greatly, by this mcanes. Gen, 18. 17, i^. the Lord faid; Shall i hide AYi'j thing from AhyahAm I No: And hec gives this reafon 5 / knorc' him^ that he wiUc&mmandhis chii-dren and his houfehold after him^and thejjhaUkeete the wdy of the Lord, If you teach your families, God will teach you.

Well:

and perpetuall (juide.

I7P

Well; there are a fort of doltidi hearers, that willhearcj and feemc to be very attentive, from yeeres end to yeeres end, and be never a whit the vvifcr, 2 Tim,i,j, Theheavie judgement of God h upon many of them,that is mentioncd,^/^?/;.! 3. 14. And in them is fulfilled the Prophclie of Ifay-^ Sy hearing -^e fhaU heare^ and jluU not under Hand j and that, Ifaj 27. 11. It is a fee fie of m wider-'jfAnding : therefore he that made them^ jhal/ttot fave them 5 and he that formed them^ jball jbew them no favour,

4 You muft hcare the Word with affcdiion, and delight. It is faid of Gods people in the Primitive Churchjthat they heard the Word gladly3 and of Chrifts hearers, Mark, 12.37. they heard him gladly : And it is noted for a great figne of grace,tohearerhe Word gladly, Pfal, iip. i($2 . / rejoyce at thy fVordy as one that fndethgreat jfoyles, David had beene a fouldier; and ye knOvv,that they that have lyen at the fiege of a Citie a long rime , and at the laft take it, will rejoyce exceedingly in the fpoyle of it: therefore he rc-joyces in the Word, as they that doe divide the fpoyles. And truly, whereas common people complaine of the badncfTc of their memories 5 this would be a marvellous hcipe to their memories, if they would heare with delight: therefore David fayth , Pfal. 119. 16, I will delight my felfe in thy Statutes , / will not forget thy yrord. This delight he meanes will flrengthen our memories.

Now contraric to this, arc a great number,

(n 1) that

4

Heare with

[8o

5

Hcarc with application.

The Saints fure

that heare without all delight, and account it

a great wearincfife, ^aL i. 13. and thofe the

dulled hoaresjthat they fpcnd in hearing. Wellj

the Lord hath ihreatned, that the Word fhall

never doe us good, unleffe that wee attend to it

with love and delight^ 2 Thejf, 2. lo, it. Be^

caufe they received not the lH>e of the Truths that

they miffht be faved '^ therefore Cod fjjaf/fejfd them

ftrongddufionsy to hleeteLyes, A fearcfuU threat-

ning, much to be confidered in thefe dayes i

For this is the reafon, that Popilli trumperies

and hellifh delufions have fueh entertainment,

becaufe God inhis jiift judgement,gives up thofe

i to fuch ftrongdelufions, that love not the ftri€^

1 Truth of the Word of God.

j 5 Youmuft hearcthe Word 5 with applica-

J-tioh of it to your ovvne hearts, and lives 5 apply

i'every truth to your felves, for your ovvne ufe and

~comfort,and terror and inftru Aion: as it is loB 5.

•laft ^ Heare thu, and know it for thyfelfe ^ carry this

l^truth home to thine owne heart: And,

j- Firft, there is no- truth of God taught 5ut

I of his Word, but it concernes every one of

t Gods people, and was intended for our ufe;

I :-Rom. 15.4. whatfoever is mitten^ is written for our

ie'arning, j

Secondly, there is no truth can be taught, to

doe us good, unleffe that wee apply it: as no

Plaifter can doc the Patient good, unleffe it be

applyed ; no meat is able to doc us any good,

be it drelfed never fo curioufly, unlefle it be eaten

and digcfled. This comparifon is applyed by the

. ^_^ Prophet

and ferfetuall (juide.

i8i

Pfopiietto this purpofe, //i. 55.2, Hearken d'dU

gently untgrne^and eate ye that irhich isgeod : imleilc we cace it^ it will doe us no good.

Thirdly, the faith full have been vtront to apply all to thcrafelves • as every member of the body drawes nourifhment from the ftomacke, to make It his owne: to which the Apoftle alludes, £f A. 4. 16. So the Difciples of our Saviour did, Math, 26. 21, 22. When our Saviour had faid, that one of them (hould betray him, they were exceeding (brrowfuli, and began every one of them to fay unto him • Lerdy is it I ^

And furcly, the want of this application, is one great caufc that the Word profits not, becaufc they belcevc it not, nor apply the Word unto thcmfelvcs: Meh, 4. 2. The frord preached did not profit thcmy becaufe it tpos net mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Now one principall workc of faith,is to apply thofe things that arc delivered in the Word: But this, the moft hearers doe exceedingly faile in • cither not apply ing,or mif-apply ing of the truth 5 fhiftingoff all upon others, and taking little or nothing to ihemfelves. As wee have a notable example of this, Rom, i. ult, compared with Rom, 2.1. Inthe former place, the Apoftle fpeakes of fome,that knowing the judgement of God,That thofe that doe fuch things, are worthy of death j yfct not onely doe fuch things, but take pleafurc in thofe that doe tbem : yet in the beginning of the next Chapter,you find the feme men judging

yet thinking and ("3) Fi^-i

and condemning of others

The Saints fure

5 The duties a£-ser hearing.

I

We muft rc-oacmhcr it.

perfwading themfelvcSj that they (being guiltic j of the fame finnes) lliall cfcape the judgeaicntl of God. Why ? but becaufe they apply not to j themfelves, but »if-apply to others the things { theyhcare. j

Many fuch hearers there are in thefe dayes, i which are very cunning in fhifting off the threat-; ningsof Godagainft their ownc Drunkcnncfle^ and Whoredomejand Swearing, dec. yet very apt to pinne the fame Word upon others. Well, thefe arc not wife for themfclves, and all their hearing fhall doe them no good. Thus much of the duties required in hearing.

Now follow thofe duties that are required after hearing. And thefe are chiefely thus,

I Wee muft be very carefull to remember

I and keepethat which wee have hca.:d,Prov,^,^.,

i My fdmie^ let thine heart ret awe my tvords : and,

; Verf, 21. ICee^e thew in the midft of thine heart,

j As a man that haih a lewell, will be carefull to

I locke it up in the fafeft Cheft hcehath, left it

j fhould be ftolne away ; Which is the very com-

' parifon of the Wife-man, Pnr. <^. 20,21. So

■ Mary^ Luke 2.51. lept all the [ayings in her heart:

1 and David^ Pfal, 11^. 11. hid the Commande-

I mcnts in his heart ; and hce gives the reafon,

That hce might not ji»ne again[t the Lord, And

the truth is, that as meat that is eaten, if it re-

maincs not in the ftomackc, it will never doe

us good : fo the beft fpirituall food that can

be, except it be retained by us, will not profit

us ; Ln^ke 8. 15. The good Ground are they^ nhich

mth

and perpetuall ijuide.

i$3

mth an honeB and good heart having heard the fVord^ keefeh^&c. . '

Many there are, that are verycarele(Ie of this dutic: They thinke they have difcharged them-felves abundantly 5 if they heare the whole Sermon attentively • as though there were nothing more required at their hands: Like our Saviours hearers, Math,i2, 22. ivhen they heard him^ they marvelled^ and left him^ and went their way : bu t wee never heare more of them. So many heare defi-roufly, and with open and greedie earcs : but, as wee fay^it goes in at one carejand out at another 3 it ftayes not for any after-ufe, but a little prefcnt admiration. Others heare,and the Word fmites them a little on their Confciences, and wounds 5 and one would thinke, feme good thing would be wrought upon them: but they goe away, and the motion dyes. They are as men that are Sea-fickc, whileft the Word humbles them, and makes their Confciences to wamble within them • but they are as whole as a Fifh, when as they are once landed at the Church doore: Or like unto Mettals, which are foft and ply-able , whileft they are in the fire.; fo thefe are in the hearing j but Aiortly they loofe all the efficacie of the Word, and become harder than

j before.

j Well, let us in the fearc of God, hearken dili-

I gently to the words of the Holy-Ghoft,/;/e^.2. i. That rr^ee ought to give the mere earneB heed to the things that iree haze heard^ leHat any time wee fhou/d let them flip, or runne out (like riven VefTcls:)

(n4) Why;

The fccond ducic, Mediu-oion.

l^hfi Saints fure

Why; what is the danger ? H9v>jhall tres efcape, if wee negUB [9 great Saltation i

2 VVec mi\i\ medicate and ferioufly thinke of that that wee have heard; that is more than reniembring. There is a great deale of difference betwixt the poflefllng of goods, and the ufing and implayingof them for our benefit; betvrixc the laying up of garments inour Wardrobcs,and the wearing of them upon our backes,to keepe us warme: this latter is done by meditation, Prov,6, 22,23. My pnne^_ hinde the Cammandemefits conti-nuatly upon thy hearty and tie them about thy necke : It is a phrafe of fpeech borrowed from garments that are bound about the body 5 for meditation bindes-the Word elofc to the heart. It is fiiidof Mary^Liike 2. ig .thsit jhee fondercd the words of! the Angel in her heart :. and David was frequent in this dutie, PfaL 11^.15. f trill meditate in thy Precepts (faith he:) And it was Paith advice to Timothy J1 Tim, 4.15. Meditate upon thefe things^ \ give thyfelfe vholly to them^ithat thy projitingmay appears to alL

Ffrfl-j this is the way to make men proftc by the VVordofGod j.and that fo evidently, that all may take notice of ii^ this is one great benefit of the Word meditated upon, lojh., r. 8. Thai* fhah meditate in the Boole of the Law day and night : To whstcnd ? Thatthoiima-^eBobfifveto doe according to all that i< writ ten therein.

Secondly,this courfe will argue unfained love, unto the Word,P/>/, 119.97. Oh hoTP I lovcthyLarr^ it is my meditathri all the daf^

Thirdty,

and perpetual/ Quide»

Thirdly, this will greatly encreafe our com fort in the Word 5 and caufe us to feele much more fweetnede in it • even as the chewing of our meat makes us to tafte much more fwectnefTe in it. PfaL 11^. 15,1^. he faith ; / mil meditate on thy Precepts J and have refpe8 unto thy vayer^ I mil delight my felfe in thy Statutes : Meditation ever brings withitdelight.

Fourthly, this will greatly encreafe our knowledge: Pfal, up. 99. / have more under landing than my teachers: Why ? bccaufe thy teBimonies are my meditation.

Now, if this be required afcer hearing; how is it poflible that they fhould profit by the Word, thar never fcarcely thinke of it afterwards > It is noted of the Difciplcs, that though they had fcenc Chrifts raightie power in the miracle of the Loaves -^ yet bccaufe they conGdered not the mi-raclcjtheir hearts were hardened : /. bccaufe they did not meditate upon it, they were never the better for ir. And thus it ufually fpeedes with ihofe that are careleiTe in the performing of this dutie.

5 Wee muft conferre of that wee have beard, and repeat it amongft our felves, and examine the Scriptures about the truth of that that is delivered, I joyne rhem all together -for fo they may well he, in the pra(9:iceof them. For conference, Bav'td fairb, Pfal, 119.172. My torgue fhall j^eake »fthy iverd^forafl thy Commandemerts are righteoHf-neft. This was ordinarily pradifed by the D f | ciples of our Saviour CbriftjVvhen he had caughr j

hovv!

185

?

The ihhi 6aty' after hearings, Conference and RepesU cio:rao

T^he Saints fure

how hardly rich men (hail be raved,4^^r^.io, 2 6, They vere sjtomjhedoutofme/ifHreydfidfaidamong^ themfelves, H^ho then can be faved ^ So they conferred about another Sermon of our Saviour, I0K16. 17,18.

Now repetition of Semjons is efpeeially required of them that have families, to repeat the Word unto them : Dent, n. 18, ip. T^ufball idy up thcfe my trords in your hearts^ and yeujhall teach them your children • fj^enking of them when thou (ittefl in thy houfe : yea, it is faid to be the chiefeft thing that the Lord had refpe<S^ unto, in giving us his Word^and the knowledge thereof,that we might inftrud: our families in.it. P^nf. 4.10. Gather ye my people together ^and I mUmak^ them hear e my words ^ that they may learnetofeare me^ and may teach their children. And this, if it were prad^ifed carefully, would both make children and fervants more carefull to heare and to attend unto the publike Miniftery 5 and better our memories, that wee may be much better able to rctaine that which wchcarc : and it will alfo workc an inw^d feeling in us and our children, of that which we have heard. Therefore, Dewf. ^. ^,7. it is called the whetting of them upon our children • repetition doth fet an edge upon their dulnefTe.

Yea further, for the fearching and examining ofthe Scriptures, we are commanded, i ThejT, 5. 21. to try all things^ and to holdfaft that which isgo§d. And the exam pie of thofe noble Bcra?ans is commended unto us, AB, 17.11,12, that fearched the Scriptures dayly, concerning thofe things

that

■ »l ■ Ill-Ill

and perpetuall Quicie.

that were delivered by Pa'il'^Thtref^re maij &fthe?n kelecMed,

Therefore it is a grievous negled, that people in thefe dayes are guilty of; that neither confcrre concerning the Word, they arc aihamcd of it, and (which is a fearefull reproach unto them) the fVord of God is a refroach unto them^ler.S, lo. nor yet repeat Sermons in their families 5 they are like Martha^Luke 1 0,41, troubled about fo many worldly occafions : nor yet examine and fearch the Scriptures : Arid therefore are eafily carried about with every winde of Do<5trincj and never eftablifhed and fetled in the Truth.

4 Wee are to put in pra^ik whatfoever wee heare, till that our hearts and lives are quite changed by it: lam, i • zr, Be ye doers of the tyordy and not hearers entlj^ deceiving your Ofi'ne foitles : i, they cozen themfelves by falfe reafonings and argu-mentSj or by fophifticall Syllogifmes, rcafoning after this or the like manner.

He that hearts thefford^ if a good ChriBian, But I heart the fVord^ ^c.

Or thus: He that hearts nct^fhaU he damned^ But / heare the word: Therefore J jhall be faved. But how doth this follow ? For though ihe negledt or contempt of the Word is fufficient to condemnc a man, yet the hearing of the Word is not fufficient to fave a man.

Well, obedience is the end of hearing, Deut, 5,1. Hcarey OJfraeiy the Statutes nhich / jfeate in

yOAr

187

4 A fourth <Iutyj Obedience.

i8S I The Saints fure

jioitr cares this day ^ that ye may learne them^ and keepe them^ and doe them. The like ye finde, lam. i • 2 5. Yea, obedience to the Word ruuft be fpeedic, without any delaycSjOrprocrailinacionSi as it is faid of the Cololfians, Col, i, 6. that the Gofpcl brought forth fruit in them, from the very day they heard ir,and knew the grace of God in truth. And the Prophet David relolved, l^faL 119.60. I made ha ji^ and proUn^ed nst the time to keepe thy C^mmandements^ And this is a (ingular frame of heart 5 becaufe the putting of the Word in pra-(^ifc immediately, is a great advantage to the hearer: feeing thcn,the afteftions of the heart are quicke,and lively; which with delaycs dye,and decay very fuddenly.

Now, alas, for the wondcrfull paucitie of fuch

obedient hearers j for very few doc pradife any

thing they hcare,leavc any {inne,ordoeany dutie:

and therefore they muft needs prove like the Houfe

bBilton the Sand • when the time of tryall (hall

come, they muft needs fall^/l/rftKy.27. Againe,'

there arc many that in hearing have good motions

and purpofes 5 but ihey are like the fluggard,that

PrwL»4.5 j,34. faid,?"e^ a little flumbefyyet a littleJletfe-^ fo,becau fe

they delay, they vanifh and come to nothing: of

whom, in rcfped of their fpirituaH povertie,

it may be faid which Salomon fpeakes;

I ^Hif povertie [hall come as one that

traielleth^znd his trant as

AH armed man,

AN

and perpetual/ Cjuicie.

l^!

AN APPENDIX

to this Treatife of the

W O R D.

Pr^ov. ,13. 12,, , ;

He that def^tfet^ th fVord^fhaUbe dejlnjad^^^ „ :

Y the 6cca{iph of which worthyIBtj bur ChriftMri rneditatiOns be a little faftened upon the greatneflfe of the finne of contemning and defpi-fing of the Word. My meaning is, not to handle it as a Tcxt,but onely to take a hiot, to begin to lay downe the danger of this epidemical 1 and ordinarie difcafe, that fo exceedingly fprcads in thefe daycs; and then to adde fomc meanes and dir'eiStidnSjto make us to be prepaired-1 ly and profitably converfant about fo greaiJ knl Grdinanceas the hearing of the Word. j

WE of this Land (let us-now open obr eyes to fee it ) have certainely moft fearefully and curfedly finned againft God,and provoked his fierce wrath againft us, by

contempt

The Saints fur e

contempt of his holy Word • by (hutting our eyes againft the heavenly Light of the Gofpel, which hath bcene brought amongftus ^ by not prizing the Minifterie which we have now enjoyed a long time,nor profiting by it: nay^by w ickcd oppofingitjWith fecret perfecution at the Icaft, andcruell mockings.

In the firft placcjconfider the crie of this finne, and the curfes it brings, from fuch places as thefc, . . ♦

Firft, //>. 2^, II. and both before, and after:

Andthevijionofali (faith the Prophet) is become

untd you at theirordf of a Bsske that ufeaUcL^ ^c. So

may I juftly fay; All the vifions, revelations, dif-

covcries of the myfterie of Chrift, opening of all

Gods counfels ^ all the cxpofitions, interpretari-

ons,applications of the Miniftery of moft places,

have becne unto the moft of us; a fearefull thing

1 fpeakCjbut moft true, and to be lamented with

teares of bloud ^ as the mrds of a Booh that isfeakdy

which they deliver to one that can reade , faying^ Reade

thif^ I pray thee: ThenjhaU he fay^ I cannot 5 for it is

fealed. And the Beoke if given to him that cannot readcy

faying^ Reade this ^i^ fray thee : and he ^aUfay^ I cannot

fjeade. That is, all the Sermons they fhall heare,

and all the heavenly Meftagcs are brought them

from God, fliall be as a fealed Booke to a learned

raan,or an open Booke unto an Ideot. They fhall

ftarc in the face of the Minifter,when he is cleare-

ly unfolding the great myfterie of godlinefle,and

fiialhnot be able to underftand him ; they (hall

have their owne Confcience unript to the quicke,

by

by the power of the Word, and fhall not perceive it} they fl-i all have their fwect finnc difcovered, and damned unto the pit of Hell, by evident and. imanrvvcrabledemonftrationoutof the Booke of God^and yet have no power to leave it: Vox the lijm of the Frofhcts (faith the Prophet in the fore-cited Chapter) is become umo thsm as the words cf a Bookie fealed up. And therefore,aiI the Dodrine of falvation, though it drop upon them as the raine, and ftill as the deaw,lliali be but unto their hearts as unto the hardeft rockes 5 all holy admonitions and reproofes,as arrovves lliot againft a ftone-wall; all facrcd LefTons offered and urged upon their Confciences, be as a Scale ftampt upon water, which receives no impreflion. O raofl wofuU and fearefuU eftate!

Secondly, /fa,2 8.^. whom jbal^he teach knowledge^ &c, This is not as many underftand it,That people mu ft have alittle by little preached unto them, but itisacurfe upon them. As if he fhould fay ; They are nothing fitter to the difciplinc of the knowledge of God,than infants newIyweaned,to receive any inftru dion. For Precept mufi be upon Pre- \ cept^&c, rerf.io, A$ if he fhould fay:They muft be taught as little children,a little atpnce, and have oft repeated over and over • and yet they can I lesrne nothing to doe them good,chiefely concerning their repentance, and efcaping Gods ludge-ments: I would to God it were not too evident, by long and dolefull experience. That our Mini-fterie hath done lefTe good amongft the elder fott 3 and men of much worldly wifedome , for

^ bringing

lOl

..>•»»•

ipz

T^he Saints fure

bringing them to any found and comfortable knowledge in Gods Word, than amongft little children.

lhixd\W:iEzech,i 3. 30,31,32,3 3. ^nd loe^ thou art unto them m 4 vtr^ lovely Song of one that hath a pleafant voice, (^c. And is it not fo with us ? That even to fome that fceme to be friends, and to delight in the Minifterie, the Word is become as if it had loft all power to turne them from their finne,to.thc holy way • from plauiible formalitic, to faving forwardnelTe, Heare a Charadcr of them, /yi. 5 8. 2. Tet they feeke me dayly^ and delight to knovf my wayes^as a Nation that did righteoufnejfcy and forfloke not the Ordinance of their God : they ash of me the Ordinances ofJuftice^ they take delight in approaching to Ced. They may heare the Word gladly, as iierod did, and perhaps obfervc the Meflenger, &c. but they will not ftirre an ynch further from {lnne,and neerer to God; fay what he will, let him preach out his heart, they will ft ill hugge their bofome-ftnne,and hold exa<!ijy their hcartlefle formes and formall fafliions in Religion,after five thoufand Sermons; They are all unto them, as a lovely Song of one that hath a fweet voice; and leave no more imprellion upon their Confciences, than a pleafant Leflbnupon the Lute,upon the eare,whcnit is ended.

Fourthly, ler, 23.33. ^^^ ^^^^ this people , or a Prophet^ or aPrieH fhall as he thee^ fiyi^g^ ^^t is the burthen of the Lord i (jfc. Nay, hath not the curfed finne of loathing this heavenly Manna, beene found among us ? Hath not our much Preaching

beene

and ferpetuall (juide.

'P?

beenc accounted a burtheOja weariromeneflrcjand a trouble ? yea, as here it was once unto the lewes 5 a matter of fcorne, and reproach ? The JLord complaines grievoufly, in the quoted place, of this (Inne; how they tooke up this cuftome amongfl: therajConcerning the faithfull preaching of all the true Prophets, to aske fcoffingly; frhat is the burthen of the Lord ^ Thus making a (come of all the right difcoverie of their (innes,and the found denunciation of Gods Judgement, calling it by the name of a Burthen. the Lord chargeth them raoft feverely, that they fhould not ufe that difdainefull fpeech any more. Hee tells them, how that they had perverted and abufed the holy Word of the ever-living God,thc Lord of Hoafts; and withall dircds them, what phrafe of fpeech they fhould ufe, when they fpeake of his Word fent unto them by his true Prophets; That thus each fhould demand,in reverence of his Majeftie: fvhat hath the Lord atifrered ; or, ff^hat hath the Lord jj^oken ^ And to leave off thofe reproachfull taunting tearmes, Pf^hat is the burthen of the Lord ^ Or otherwife, hee would furely be avenged of them for this finnc j as we may fee in the denunciation following.

Fifthly, ley,';, 4, S, ^51o, 11. TruHnot in lying mrds J faying^ The Ttwfle of the Lor d^ the Temple of I the Lord^ &c. They rcfled upon the outward formes of Gods worfhip, without reformation. It is juft our cafe. Many amongft us facisfic therafelves,and thinkc it will ferve the turnc for falvation, if they reft upon the Sabbath, hcare the

(o) Word,

H

The Saints fure

Word, receive the Sacrament, and conforme to the outward exercifes of Religion • though they abide in their rinnes,and have no acquaintance at^ all with the power of the Word, the Myftcrie' of Chrift, converfion to God, or holy convert fat ion.

Sixtly, 7/4. 6, 9y 10. Goe tell this feople . Heare ye indeedj hut underftand not • fee ye indeed^ but pcr^ ceive not: make the heart of this people fat, and make their eares heavie^ afid jhut their eyes^ le^ (^c. Oh, this is heavic, that a Minifter fhoald be fent to a further hardening of a people! And yet it is juft with God 5 and they fliail feele it on their Bed of Death. The Thccfeonthe Croflfe was converted with a piece of a Sermon, they are not wrought upon after many yecres; therefore it is juft with Godj as an ad of judgement, becaufc they would not come in, after fo long a time, to give them over to fuch judicial] hardnefle.

Confidcr thefe things,and tremble all yec that have any wayes ftrucke at the face of Chrift, by contempt of his Minifterie. For the humbling of your foules into the duft, for this horrible finnc; perufe in bleeding hearts, in fecret, that blacke and bloudie Catalogue of fearefull provocations, which are ordinarily to be found in, and certainely fet upon the Score of fuch as hate to be reformed under a confcionaWe Minifterie. Which made Chrift fay, Toh, 15.22. If I had not. come and fpoken unto them^ ^c,

i^ Defpifing it; fhutting their eyes againft that glorious Light, ercded in their faces, to

leadej

and perpetual I Qutde.

leade them to Heaven. See Math.io.i^, wh-fbezer jhaff not receiveyet^^ftorheare ymrwords^ trhen yee depart out §fthat houfe^ or Citie^ fljah off the dufit /ifyourfeet.

Here is a notable place, to affright all thofe that are unworthie partakers of the Minifterie. For the underftanding whereof, take notice of chefe five points.

1 It is as if they fhould fay ; Here I have gone a long journey, and have contradedduft and fand by my travell, and taken a great de-ale of paines • and loe, here I rtiake off this duft, in witnefl[e,thatyou had Chrift offered you^and you would not accept him.

2 To intimate unto them • I care not for any of you, or yours, but onely I feekethe good of your foulcs, I rcfpedi: not fo much as the duft 5 I prize more the converfion of any of your foules, than all yours; and this duftriiall vvitnefTe it.

3 They fhookc off the duft, as a witnefTe: I will have nothing to doe with this Citie^ for I know, the Plagues and Judgements of God will fcizedn this place 5 as it was with Sodome and Gomorrah; I will have no commuQion and fo-cietie with thcfc wicked people.

4 They did fhakc off the duft, to intimate that deftru<ftion (hould come upon them. For it is faid , Pfalwe i. That they fhould be driven away as the duft : As that is fhakcn with the windc, fo lliall they be with the wrath of God,

(02) 5 In

j^6

The Saints fure

5

6

5 In teftimonie and witnefTe again ft them : This very duft fhall be witncfle againft thcna. Doe you thinke then, that their Sermons and Catechifing (hall not ? If the dull that they gathered by their paincSjVvill be witnefle- what will all their Sermons, and praying, and fuch paines be ? Now this finnc of defpifing the Word, is a fmne above that of Sodome, rerf, 15. Tm/y, it fhailbe more eafiefaK Sodome and Gomorrah^ in the Day of ludgementy than for that Citie,

2 Murmuringagainftit, /oh.6,^1 . LuLi^.z,

3 Cavilling againft it, ^^.13.45.

4 Contemning it,/fr.44.i(5. ^^.17.18.^4f wiU this Babbler fa^ .^ They accounted PjlmIs precious preaching, vaine babbling.

5 Mocking and fcorning it, 2 Chran,^s.i6, Mi, 1,1'^,

6 Perfecuting it, Math, 10,2 3. And fo they become like mad Dogges throvvne into a River or tycd up in a Chaine, which doe fnarle aCjbite., and tcare thofe that put out their hands to heipe, and fet them frec; fearing,they come to torture and to trouble them more. luft fo it is with many prophane wretches, which lye drowned in finnejand chained in Sathans fetters ; If a man put out his hand, by the Minifterie of the Word, to fave tftem from iinkino; into Damna-tion, and to free them from the Snares of evcr-lafting death • they rage and raylc, they barke and bite like mad Dogges, holding themfelves to be difquieted, difgraced, and tormented before their time.

Thus

and perpetuall Quide.

m

Thus yoahave fecnc the fixe Curfes, and the i fixe Sinnes, that the not profiting by the Word doth bring upon a people.

2 Now, in the fecond place, let me tender to your moft ferious thoughts fome quickening Motives, for the ftirring of you up to profic by the Word*

I Some taken from the Word it felfe,the Mi-nifterie whereof you have flighted.

What then is the blcffed thing you have fo wickedly abufcd ? It is,

1 The Word fif SalvationyAB, 13.2^. No other Word, Or created Power, can fave your foules from Hell.

2 The iV9rd ef TruthyEfh, i. 13. There is error in all other Truths, whether Natural),or Morall, or Pohticall: and goe to any Art,there is weakc-neffc and infirmitie in the braine of man, that there can be no certaintic J but here is all Truth, and here is infellibilitie , you need not doubt of any.

3 It is called the f^ofd of Ltfe^ PhiLi . i ^. All other Learning whatfoevcr,when it hath furniilied

I you with ornaments and parts, it leaves your I foules fiarke dead in finnes and trefpafies. But I this hafVordofLife^it infpires fpirituali,Life,and I brings eternall Life.

j 4 It is called a hk'^ord of Reconciliation^ 2 Cor. 5. j 19. Let the Sea runne nothing but Gold5and let

Heaven and Earth be turned into Gold and Sii-j ver,and offered unto God, it could not reconcile

us. If all the creatures would lofe their being, I (<^ 3) ^^

The Saints fare

^utddutemefl Scrip tura facta, mfi qutedtm Epi' fiok .Omnifoten' tiiDe'iMiCrea-turam fuam ? Greg.EpifiJib,^, Epifl,i^.

be annihilated, and come to nothing; yet this could not fave /w^^, or any one reprobate : but the Word hath beenca bleilcd inftruinent, for reconciling many foulcs to God.

5 It is, as it were, an Epiftlc or Letter (as one of the Fathers calls it) written from God AI-mightie unto us miferable men ; wherein hee writes his Will and Word, and fends it to us: the Miniftcrs are the readers of it, and they bring the newes from Heaven. And what is the matter of it ? Concerning eternaUlife,or eternal] death, concerning the good of your foules. Now, if you had a private Letter come from the King, concerning your advancement, or your deliverance and forgivcneffe for fome dangerous Trea-fottjorboth ; how would you take this Letter, and how often would you reade it, with what: -fv ill in gneffe of affection ? Nowjhere is an Epiftle

fent from Heaytn, to aduife you, that you are all Traitors and Rebels againft Heaven j and yet here | in this Letter, God offers the bloud of his Sonne, and you may be reconciled : and will you ne^ed: it ? This is the matter of this Epiftle; it brings matter of deliverance from the greareft Curfe that can befall the creature, and the greateft advancement. •

6 It is the bottomelellc Treafurie of all high^ fwcet,and excellentcft things : The Myfterie of thcTrinitie, the Majcftic of God, the Lo\e of God,andof Chrift., his fufferings, the Spirits workings, thehappineffeof the Saints, and the glory of Heaven, &C.

7 Jc

and perpetuall (fuide.

199

7 Ic muft be our Judge at the laft day, lok 1 2 . 48. Every honeft Sermon, is but the Word of God unfolded; and a bunch of Arrovves wrapped up, and unfolded, are all one.

8 It onely can cure a wounded Confciencc, the greateft calamitie that ever the heart of man was acquainted withj and that which no Arme of fle(h,or created Power, no man or Angel, can cafe at all.

9 In it onely arc to be had Deeds and Evidences, to fliew foretcrnall Life 5 and Acquittances, for difcharge from eternall Death.

1 o It hath faved all the foules that are i-n Ucsl-ven, ^tfw. 10.13,

II It onely is the objc^ of divine and infufed Faith. Humane teftimonics and authorities beget oncIy humane Faith : Therefore you muft reverence this Word.

2 Some Motives taken from the moft feare-fuU and curfed eftate of thofe who negledi: and rejed the Mjisifterie of the Word, hating to be reformed by it. Marke and take to heart thine unfpeakable miferie, whofoever thou art, that de-fpifeft the Minifterie : Take a tafte of it, in thefe paflages.

1 They are deprived by this meancs of the love and favour of Godjthe onely fountaineof all comfort,pcace,and glory, which is infinitely the deareft and moft unvaluable loflc, that can be imagined.

2 Of their part and portion in the bloud of Chrift; one drop whereof, is incomparably more

(04) worth

The Saints fure

worth than Heaven and Ean:h,men and Angels,or the creatures ofa thoufand Worlds.

3 Of the fatherly protcdion, care, and providence of the blefled Trinitie, the glorious guard of Angels, the comfortable communion of the blcfled Saints, and all the (vveet contentments that follow thence.

4 Of the quiet joy and tranquilitie of a good Coiifcience; a lewell farre more worth than the whole World, were it all turned into one un-valuable Pearic of unvaluable price r and of all the heavenly illuminations, cherifhrnents, and' comforts,wherewith the Holy-Ghoil: is wont to vifit and refreOi the hearts of holy men.

5 Of the fweet peace and true contenttnent in this life, and of all comfortable rfght and religious intereft to any of the creatures: For, without a good Confcience, there was never found joy in any mans heart, or fan\5lificd enjoyment of any thing in the World ; and never fhall any man have a good Confcic*tice,rhat gives allowance to any Lu{l:,or lives delightfully in any finne..

^ Of a Crowneof Lifejthcunfpeakablc joyes of Heaven, that immcafurable and endleffe comfort that there fhall be had with all the children of God, Pattiarkes,Prophets,Apoftles, Martyrs, all our Chriftian acquaintance • yeajwith the Lord himfelfc,and all Angelsjwith Chrift our Saviour and Lambejflainc for usjthe Prince of (Sloryjyea, the Glory of Heaven and Earth, and brightnelT^ of the everlafting Lightj &:c.

To|

and perpetual/ Cjuide.

To thefe privative confequentSj adde a ferious confidcration upon thofe terrible iiammg placesj Deut,29, 19^20, Prov,i, 23,24. I'fr.e* ^,10. I Sam, 3.25. -^H. 13. 4^.

By continuing thy contemptjand rejeding the Light of the Gofpel, thou raayeft come, thou knoweft not how foone,to finne again ft the Holy-Ghoftjas thePharifes did, Math. 12. 24,31.

For finne again ft the Holy-Ghoft may be committed as well,

1 By thofe, who although they doe acknowledge and confcfle the Truth, which they doe blaCpheme ; yet they have not yet profefled it, or given up their names to it , as were thofe Scribes and Pharifes : and there arc many fuch in thefe dayes, who have not as yet given their name to the Truth , which yet notwithftanding being well knowne and acknowledged, they doe blafpheme,

2 As thofe,who have not only acknowledged in themfelves the Truth that they blafpheme, but have piofeiTed the fame before others5that are the favourers of Truth; as lulianyPorfhjrim^Akxander the Copper-fmith, and many others : of which^ you may fee Heh, 6,& 10, So, many amongft us at this day.

3 Some taken from the furvey of thofe judgements, which contempt of the Minifterie may bring-upon the place where it is planted.

1 It may remove the CancHeliicke^and Be plagued with the utter lofle of the Minifterie. Con-{idcr,^4(^.8,34..c6' 10.13. c&* 21.41..

2 Thcv

^he Saints fure

2 They may have Prophets, but fuch as are fooles^ they may have men of the Spirit,but thofe that be w/rf, Ho[,^, 7. By afoolcy is meant not a naturallj but fpirituall foole, Prov. 1.8. /^r. 4, 22. Ifa,^, 10, By mad, is underftood not a man out of his wit^or diftrac^ed in minde,but he that likeamtad Dogge rageth and rayleth againft the Truth of God, and finccritieof his Saints j which is a great judgement.

3 They may enjoy faithfull Teachers, but to their further hardening, as the Ifraelites did /faiahy I fa.6. ^, 10, Which of all other judgements that God can inflid in this life,is the mod fearefull.

4 By this meanes ^ they may make fad the heart and affe^ions of their Teachers, that they

•^cannot with that chearefulneCe as they defirc, performe the offices of their Minifteric: Which as it difcourageth the Teachers,(and will one day lightheavie on the caufers and procurers thereof) fo it is unprofitable for the hearers, and deprives them of much good they might otherwife enjoy. as appeares, Heb, 13.17.

4 Some from confiderationof thofe confu-fionsanddefolationsjwhich it pulls with great violence even upon whole Kingdomes. Lookc upon fuch places as thefe: 2 Chron,-^ 6,16^\^^&c, ^er,2<^,^.S'c, &Cap,'^'^,i$, Rev,6,/\.,&c,

The glorious Light of thofe feven Candle-ftickes in Afia, mentioned in the Revelatiom^ was long fince, for their unfruitfulnefic, coIdnefTcjand contempt of the Word, turned into the darkc

Mid-

and perfetmll (juide.

205

Midnight of Hcrcfie, Apoftafie, and Mahome-tifnrie. Rome, that was anciently the glory of the Wefterne Churches, lyes now drowned in Superftition, foaking in damnable Idolatry, and plunged over head and cares in the Do6^rine of. Devils. Many ftrong and noble Limbes of the reformed Churches in high Gerraanie have lyen for fome yceres in their teares of bloudjgroaning under the mercilefTe tyrannic of the bloudie An-tichriftiansjand have wofully received the marke of the Bea^ againc. Novir afTuredly, it was the loathing the heavenly Manna, which made the Lord to utterhk^oice before the Armie of the enemies at Prague, and other places. It was their fpirituall coldnefle, which (harpened the I Papifts (words aguinft them ; It was their not ! entertaining the Truth, with the love and power of it, which gave the Imperiallifts power over them.

3 In a third place, take fome helpes and remedies, to become profitable bearers and faving ; proficients by the Minifterie you enjoy* which hath thus long beene (it is a reproachfuU and rufull thing I fpeake) the favour of death unto death unto the mo ft.

I *Be perfwaded to beleeve and obey the blef-fed Commandement of our Saviour himfelfeg ^ath, ^,32. Seeke ye firB^ the Kingdome ofGod^and the righteoufneffe thereof ^ in the fir ft place ; a^d ali other things ^all It added to jou. To which bee quickened, by confidering,

I To what end wee came into this World.

What;

foeli'au

Set n^stelfi

The Saints Jure

What a wofull and bewitched people are they, who being rcafonable creatures, having an under-ftanding Light, like the Angels of God; having eyes in their heads,to fore-fee the wrath that is to come i hearts in their bodies, that can tremble as the leaves of the Forcft,which are fhaken with the windcj ConfcicnceSjthat are capable of unfpcak-able horror j bodies and foules, which can burne in Hell for ever: and yet fome have lived twcntie, fomc thirtic, fome fortie, fome fixtie yeeres. and yet to this day,have not learnt one found fpirituall Le{Ibn,for the true good of their foules,either out of the Bookc of God, the Booke of Nature, the Workcs of God, or any other way ? Why, to what end doe you thinke were you created, and put into this World ? To catc, and drinke, and ileepc; to lye,and fweare,and root in the Earth 5 to Dice and Card, and goe in the Fadiion • to contemnc the Miniftcrie 5 {hamefully to belye, flander,andrayle upon Gods people,as too pre-cife 5 to die,and then not to be damned ? A ffu-redly, thou waft not borne,and placed upon the Earth,for to ferve thine owne turne,to pleafe thine owne heartjto follow thine owne waycs,to live for avvhilehkeaBeaft in fenfuall contentments, and then to goe to Hell. Ccrtainely, thou waft fcnt into this World for fome other end,for (bme greater bufincfle and important affaire. even for chat Ofje neceJiArie things Luke 10.42. to know, ferve, and obey thy G-od,and to fave that precious Soule of thine in the Day of Chrift; to feeke firft the Kingdomcof Heaven, to know and fcele the ver-

tuc

and per^etmll (juicie.

tue of Chrifts death and rcrurrc(5Vion. This, I fay, is that One necefarie thing : All other things are but refpe^livcly neccHarie, ^o farre as they further this end; ought onely to be fubordinate, and contributoric; nay,to be accounted but drojfe and dung^ to this, Phil, 3.10.

2 Confider, that upon this moment depends et6rnitie.

3 what is a man profited^ if he fhal/gaine the tvhole rvorld^And kfe hitmne fiule ^ Math, 16,26,

4 The difFefence of the life and death of the Chriftian and Carnallift.

2 Take the counfell of the holy Apoftle, Col, 3,1^. Let the tverd of Chri^ dmll in you richly^ &c.

I By hearing it in feafon^andout offeafon^ 2 Tim, 4.2. Preachers andhearerSjare relatives. Chriftian hearers in ancient times heard their Paftours day after day.

(i) a Becaufe yeBerday me made mention of the Theefe^ C^c, faith ^mbrofe. Which implycs his preaching the day before,

(2) ^ Tou that were here yeBerda%(^c, Which impiyes his preaching the day before. In another place; ° I fuppofe^you remcmherhotyfarrettedifcour- I deaffuifHSi&c fed yefterday : from that v^ry pla^eJet U6 to da) begin, I '^«l"i'^-^«^^33. Elfevvhere he faith : ^ From rrhence tre fj>ake much c ^o'ufque he. yeflerday. Againe •, * Tefterday ne came even to that , fi^^^° ^^'^ ^'ir'"-yerfe^ &€, ^ Teflerdayes Sermon was frotraVted^ ^c, \ ^^^^J^lchJ.

tatem ve^ram y ex ipf« loco hfdJe fitmawm exordium. Idem iff Pfa!.:^ Cone %• ^ "onde heTxerhodiemultutalocuti(umm^ Idem Expof.inJohan.pag v.. « HsjkrnodieperveKiifmits autm bfcfit ad i^um veYfm^&e, lism in P/kl,^d. Cose. 2. f Hepnu-z fermo poua Slus.O-c, IdemtnPfal.^By Coac.z,

%rhe

205

Se« my Booke of walking with God,

Sec Cbryfe^omc upo the place,

About which, fee Chiyf.tom.%. ftriiL contra Gw

2

Ssc Au[lin.co}tf. Hb,6. fag.i6i.

* ^oniam he-Jlemediede la, ttone fecimui memiinem^&c.

Ambrof.de (an^o lauone/erm,^4. l> ^i hcjlefno

The Saints fure

8 Pojleriarpifi

i'f.dmiide quo

heflemo die io'

ciiti [I'.miiSy&c,

ld:minP[al.',^.

Cane. I,

*» Hep.ernodie

Vptlbiev'iot tiA-

{libatnTj&c,

idem in Pfil.

141.

PriffiiimigUur ferfuadeamiiitMt iurameniorum fitga in meliiis mummcm fa* tiat: etfi enim bsri zynudim tsrtiiii de hdc vehii locHtmpirrt mreria, neque tamtnhodiedefi- j flimynequscrttSf ncque fcrendt!, eadtm perfua* dere. Cbryfo^l. 4d Pcp,Antio6^'

Sec him in

MatShin.Hom.

at «

^ Movent me qu'idert (fratres) ad hum fermn-nei» veipcrtlna

i Bd///the great.

K jhe Utter fart of the Pfalme , of irhich wee fj^ake yc^hrdayy'(^c. ^ TeBerday a ^oorter Pfalme was handled,

(3) ^ Firf} therefore let m perftvade you^ that you muld amend and abandon your Oathes : For ahhoicgh I f^ake of the fame matter yeBerday^ and the day before that • yet notmthjlanding^ I mil mt ceafe to day, nor to morrotv^ nor the day after that, to perftvade the fame things. Whence it ^ppeares, that hec preached the day- before, and the day before that j and would preach the day following, and the ' day after that.

(4) ^ Telterdayes fght (Brethren) frovohed me to this Sermon^ &c. This Sermon was made upon Eafter Monday • and no doubt, he had preached onEafterday.

(5) 1 Teherday, &c. To day tvee mU dtfcourfe briefely of Baptifme^ and the benefits that flow from thence to us: although ye^erday our f^eech didflotv more haHily from us, both becaufe the time did urge^ as alfo leaji length of fj>eech fhould beget difdaine

\ and fatietie : for the fatietie ofj]>eech is no leffe an enemie to' the eares , than too much meate is to the body, Thefe Orations were divine, and as Sermons; and this was made on the day immediately after an holy-day. The Grecke Church at that time celebrated thedayof ChriftsBap-tifme.

Sem.webriei.

&lHMm,quib(udtt Pafch* pnpi'hmajfeSlum viJit, pag ^%i. ' Hefterw die &f, hoi'iede Jkiptiff/:o AC bcntfjcMi inde ad ms prorrantt/ite^brevJter di^revtut, He^ma luce ms orat'tp frte-te>jliix-t,tuMi quia ttmpm nrgcbttt, turn ne faUidittm fatietatemque fermtnii proHxitM pareret. Sermunis quippe fatietoi mnmims attribm inim'ica eUtquam cibtts immodicm corpori, Na^an\en. Tom,i. Orat.no, infantum taptijmay pag, ^14.

_^{6) "If

and perpetual/ Cjuide,

i*-M-54<^.

j 207

{6) m If joH rememkr.inyelierdayesSerm?2^&c. 'T]~~^ Chr^fosfome in his tenth Homily upon Genefu^ \hefimwfemonc, expoitulating with his people, becaufe they ,^^'^^^^ff^' were fo few, tells them. That every houre of the j "b/Jt.'&S'tm, day is feafonable to heare a Sermon ., nay, the very night is not unfeafonable, for fiich a pur-pofe ; urging for proofe thereof, the place I preft before, 2 T;;». 4. 2. and Pa;ils practice, AB. 20. preaching untill midnight. Thefeare his words, « J^hat meancs />, that there is a IcJJe dj^embly efyou^ te day , and not fo frequent a multitude ef thofe 3 nho fUcke to us I For it is not ft rvith f^iritftaU things as mth humane , tchich Are divided r^ depermined times : Every time of the day if fit for a fj>irjttta^ Sermon, And tvhat doe I fay^ the day time ^ ^ea, if the night fhould come upon us , it doth not prejudice or hinder f^irituaU teaching. For both Paul rvriting to Timothy^ faid : Be inftant in feafon and out of feafon, &c. And againe^ heare blefed S, Luke, faying: Paul being about to depart on the morrow, prolonged his Sermon to the middle of the night. TeU mee, I pray thee , did the time hinder ^ Was therefore his mrd of DoBrine hindered /

Auftin fometimes preached thrice *upon the fame day. <> Doe not wonder, deare Brethren, if I have preached thrice to daj^ God ajfliing me : There hath happened to dai 4 fearefuU chance, ^c,

^^ ■>-'•' r peflive,&c.

Et ittnm audi bentum tucam^ dkemem i DifccflTtiras craftino Pauliis, &c. Scrmonem produxit ad mcdiam no^em. }J»m tempm obfuit , die qu^fo ? lium propkrca dcSima fovio mpeditm ? «■ "Nm mhemm , fratret chari/Jimi, fi hodle te> fcrmonem , Deo Alt' xUianie perfecm, Mcidit hodil Urribiiii cafm, &t. Tom. lo. pan. a. ad fit aim m ErsmOy Saw. 33.

Chryfoftome

•* ^tdmm^ vultyqnod m'mw efikedie veft:r can vent Hi «> w-f/equetii thea-trufft eorum qui adnoicenfluunt} h'on emmuthn-marue rei^ua^ jp'tritudes ad dc-finita tempora dijiindie Junt, Sermoni ^iritn-all omne diet temptts idcneHm fuerit. Etqaid dico dhi tempui? Neque fi vox mgrual, ^iritw alt do5lfin<« prie-iiditai. 'Frop' terea ^ Time-then Taulm foibtm d:!cb.i»^ Infta tcnape-ilive, inrem-

zo8

fijttii lucii huiui ljchm» s<iiiam

oleum duntaxat extmeret, luccm Minyie^eL: Ita habet &donum Spirim.

Ta^aeHtgUur Vetera, inqmty ^fatlum efi mne^diei unm, Sed hi JioHri de illavefpira fer-moneiab hie vif^era iam oc-cupatiyh'tc orati-oni mjlra fincm impenunt. Hex-em. Hem. I, ad fnm.

SeeCenc.i.fH

PfaU%8.

* P)ide EpifcopS neeeffe t^ in fin-guloi ut fie di-cam did femen-temfaceteyUtifjk ^Altt affuetudint doBrime^feTmore auinorum Animi retinere poffint. De Sace/d. l6.

The Saints fure

Chryfi^ome in the Evening,as we may fee in his eleventh Homily upon i 77?eJ'.5.faith hec; Eve» as^ if any one jhould caB water on the tcieke ^ this Candle^ orfljoM onely take away the OyUy hee tvould fut out the Light j [o ts it xoith the gift of the Sfir it. He tookehis example from the Lampe that burnt by him when he was preaching,and iayes* Ton may quench this Lampe^ ^y putting in tvater 5 and you may quench it^ by taking out the Oyle,

And great ^4/f/alfo the like. The Evening and the Morning (faith he) is made ene Day, Bm thefeour Sermons concerning that Evenings now begwi from this Evening^ doe here pur an end to ourmrds,

ChryfoBome almoft in all his Homilies upon Genejis^ faith in the beginningof his Sermon : Heri^ ifc, Yefierday I handled this or that^ or the like, Sttl,Hom,y, 2, Horn, j^., '^,Hom,ij, d^.Hom.iS, ^,Hom,i^, 6,Hom,2j, y,Hom,22, S,Hom,'^l, p,Mom,^/^.. io^Mem,^o, li,Hom.j^^, i2.Hom,/\.6, I2.H^W».4S. i^,Mom,^i, i^Mom, 53. i5./f(?f».54. i^.//*w.55. iy,Iiom,^6, 18, Hom.'^y, i^.H(7^.58. 2oMom,'^^, 2i,Hom,6^, 122, Horn, 6*).

^uBin preached twice a day.

ObjeB, Except perhaps they preached every day onely in Lent,&c. orbefides the Lords day, but onely upon holy-dayes^and their Eves.

^nfw, Heare Chryfoftome fpeaking generally. * It it necejjarie, that a Bifhop jhould fotve his Seed every day^ as I ma) fo fay 5 that at the lea^^ b-j that dayly cuHome of Teachings the mindes of his hearers may retaine his mtrds,

^uBin

and perpetual! (juide.

zop

uiu^in hath the like. The ivord of God^ Mch is \ dajly opened unto m^ and after a fort broken to m^ is our dayly Bread : u4nd of our bellies hunger for that Bread^ fd doe our mindesfor this,

ObjeB, If former and Primitive Times were fo full of Preaching, ho?v commeth it to pafTe^that our dayes will fcarce downe with twice a Sabbath ? Sith the ancient Fathers preached dayly, how happeneth it5that many reputed great Schol-Icrs in thefe Times,preach fo feldome ? &c.

-^nfvp. Firft,one Reafon may beanaffedied hu-mour of man-pleafing,or felfe-preaching; which is ambitioufly purfued, and mightily prevailcs abroad in the World.

This,King Umes out of his deepe and Princely fWjifedome, conceived to be the caufc of fomany dayly^jcfedions from our Religion, both to Po-peric and Anabaptifmc. He calls it a light^ajfeBed^ and an unprofitable kind efTeaching^nhich hath beene of lateyeeres too much taken up in Vniierfitiey Citie^ and Countrey : In vphich (faith he) there is a muBering up of much reading^and a dif^Iajing ef their otvne rrits^&c, The(e are his owne words, in the Reafons of his dire<^ion for Preaching, j vo :

Now you muft know,that to the fcraping and ! patching together of the garifli and gawdie paintings and unprofitable Pompe of a felfe-Sermon, there is required and ordinarily expe(Sed fucha j deale of curiofitie,varietie of extraordinarie con- ; ceitSjand trickcs of wit; that it puts the Pen-man \ to a great deale of paineSjand tortures his wit ex-; tremely. He dives with much adoe into the dung- j

(p) hill!

Verbum 'Dei qmd quotidie nobii aperitur ^ quodam mode frmgitHYy pam qHoiidlmm efl: &quomedo ittim puHcm vcntrci,fc tflum efur'iunt mentci. Angnfl. H0w.4a.Ex. JO,

See InHruBioni ofeomfirting of' filled Confciett-

See ^ufi. Cenf. tib,6»caj>.6.

Per'attm dd »9i

eft Rcvercndiff'. frauem tiojirnfft Bnf;!i[im,Ep}fccp. velut uni!m,de ; tokk^&c.Greg. ' ep.i,8.c.ii.&ia Evaftg.H0m.17. Col.i^i.&PaJl. Cur.p.i.CoUm^, Roialiu quoque, (fpcaking of A^fl'm)s.mr.niillii iHtwutcmporali' hui canjis^pijlo' loi ad diverfos dibat J Sed have fmmamelimbiii rtbiu Qccupat'ione ianquam antfiria. dtpiUabiil.piavim fimicr habeti di ^i,qH^ Dei flint, ve! aU^cutmetn zd ceSoiuthncitt fralernie oc ds' rr^tfikx familU' rhatii. Voffid.de vii. Aug.

I ThcSai?2tsfure

hill of many a Popifh Poftillcr,and phantafticall Frierj&c. For fuch,as Tu//y faid 0^ Antheny^do mag-no conatu magfios vuga^ Agere • they fvreac at it^vvich much vexing anKictie: And what then? Panun'tmf rftontes^ijfc.ihty detainc & delude the itching eares of unjudicious hearers with a little ayrie nourilli-mentjas the King fpeakes in the fore-cited place.

The painfulneflfe then of this unprofitable way of Preaching; the irkcfome ted ioufnefTe of committing of it fo pundually and precifely to me-morie 5 the fearefulneffeof deliverie, anddanger of being out ^ vaine-glorious doubtiDg,that they fhalj not be applauded as.they were wont- feare, left the ncKt time they fhould lefTen their former reputation of wit and reading, &c. 21

Secondly,another Reafon may be, bccaufd Mi^^ niflers doe not fo much meditate a«d ftudy d'ivine and heavenly things, but trouble thcmfelves too much in the affaires of the World. Therefore the ancient Fathers, fpending their time,wits,and un-dprftanding wholly upon heavenly things, diving continually into themyfteries of Gods Booke, and preaching dayly, were able to preach often, and excellently: by their Minifteriall diligence and faithfulncffejthey attained fuch a happie rea-dindfife and habit,and fo enriched themfelves with heavenly ftore,that they were able,as oecafion was offered, to bring forth out of their Treafure thi)?gsnet» ' And old'^ whereupon they were enabled to preach i fometimesupon (I'lOrt warning: So-5/?/?/preached I his two Sermons iipon the fixedayesworke.when he had but that morning for medication* Sorae-

tiaics.

and perpetuall Cjuide.

Zl£

D« Sap'JfrKO refi' YeauDD.Uomic.

ticneSjwichoutany premeditation; Co it feemes he preached his Tecond Sermon. And fo did ^/z-fiitt his Serinon^upon PfaL^^, It feemes therCjhis Brother Severus failing to comCjhe preached him-fcife. And I have told you heretofore of a Sermon Szcadfmm in which he made upon a fudden, occafioned by an £'^«'"='i^^'^*i3-heavie accident. And thefe Sermons were fiich, that they have bin thought worthy by the Church from time to time,to be conveyed and communicated to poftcrity. For in all my difcourfe,! am fo farre from giving any allowance to idle, imperti-ncntjOranywayunlubftantiall Preaching ; that I hold it a very irkfome, and loathfome, and wicked thingjlyable to that heavie Curfc; Curfed is he that doth the n'orke of the Lord negligently. But let a man be well grounded before he begin, be godly him-felfe,ply faithfully and painefully his Minifteriall chaxge,infeaf$ndndoutoffeafin'^ and it is incredible to what he may attaine in the Point I purfue, by his much exercire,and Gods bleffing upon it. But yet fome fay,

Firft, That a man cannot preach well, under a quarter of a yceres provifion. See the truth hereof^ in the fore-going Reafons.

Secondly, That often Preaching will make it too cheape,and contemptible • which to affirme, is a bafe and carnall wrangling, and confuted by the pra<aice of the Fathers.

Thirdly, That Reading is to be preferred before Preaching.

Wee doe not denie, but that the Word read, is the rale of hoIincfTe, may convert, the Spirit ac-

( p 2 ) companying

ObjiB.

t/it7fW,

The Saints fure

companyinghis Ordinance; and therefore is to have placc,anddue refpedin the Congregation : but wee will not equall it to Preaching. If Rea-dingwere more excellent, and of greater force to convcrt,than Preaching; why are not the people converted, that have a Reader ? To what end then ferve Schooles of the Prophets ? Wherefore HiOuId men ftudie the knovvledge of Tongues, and ArtSjto divide the Word aright,andtodiftri-bute to every mans preient necelTities ? And why fhoLild Sathan rage more againft Preachers, than Readers; except the Word powerfully delivered did not the more batter and beat downe his King-dome ? Befides, why did not Chrifl: fend out his Apoftles with this charge, Goe^ reade ; but, Goe^ f reach to aU Nations ^ Wherefore doth faul^xo-nouncc a fVoe to them that f reach not the Gofpel ? And why did hce not charge his fonne Timothy before God, to reade in feafon^and out offeafon I

Yea,but may fome fay, The ancient Fathers were extraordinarie men, and therefore no Pat-ternes for our Preaching,&c. They were glorious Lights 5 and wee but Glow-worraes 5 they were Cedars, wee but Shrubs, &c.

Let them be what they were, I as much reverence and refpe(5l them, as any man alive, if wee take truth and difcretion with us. And therefore at this time, I will fuppofc (I fay {o^ becaufe I doubt not, but our Age hath brought forth as worthy Divines, if not worthier, as any of the ancient Fathers;) I fay, I will fuppofe them to be as it were Gyants, and wee Dwarfes : Yet fet a

Dwarfe

and perpettiall (^uicie.

Dwarfs upon a Gyants riioulclers,and hcc will fee further, and ^o might certainely wcCj but for Slouch, Idlencfife, Worldliiiefle, Ambition, and other fuch bafc and vile degenerations of thefe later Times.

It may be further objeded, That there was moreneceflicy of the Fathers frequent Preaching, efpecially in thofe Primitive Times , for more plentifull publifhing and propagation of the Gofpel,&c. and fuppreffing Herefies,&:c.

Paffingly weake, and untrue. T'here is farrc more need of much Preaching now, than in former times. For wee live in the /<t^(^^jie/, wherein thofe ferillom times are come upon us, which Paui fore-tells 2 Tim^^. i. &c, and wherein iniquhie aboimdsyand the love of many tvaxeth cold^^c. Math, 24.12, And at this day wee oppofe the Hjdra of allHerefieSjPoperie. which oppofeth even the whole Body of Chriftianitie. Againe, their Homilies areagainft Drunkenne(re,Pride,Swearing, LuxuryjCovetoufnelTeJove of the World,Vfury, painted Faces, falfe Haire, AngerjEnviejAmbiti-OHj&c. All which finnes,and many more, rcigne and rage at this day with more hainoufncfle, and an higher hand,than heretofore.

2 Afecond meanes whereby the Word may dwell plentifully in us, is, by a conftant and con-fcionable reading the Booke of God, This Ex-crcife is commanded to Kings and Captaines, X^^«f.17.17,18,1^. /o/)b.i.8. whomayfeememoft priviledged, by their intanglement in many and

weightie affaires.

%ly

ObjeU.

Anfiv*

(P3)

Chrift

ZI4*

* Audke,0hfe' crh, fecu'arti omneiyComparatc vobu hiblky ani-m^ Pbirmncay d^c. O-rnkbu-mtrii riQftrii in-ycHu. F'osepor-tibat duntixiit a nobis inflitui^ux-Ofti veto a vobii Cir liberal. Nu»c vao Satamcai cantjonts acfal-tationes p/<efe-ruiUpuenvejlrif (jketKadmodion Cuciy& Ohfom-toteiy& Chcrea-inm duSlo^'s j Vfdmum autem nemo novh ulli. Chryfi'-I in i-ad C»lo(f. rt-cw.j. fa/.io54.

The Saints fure

Chrifl bids the lewes, M. 5. 39. Search the Serif tures^ as the well-fpring of eternall life. The Holy-Ghoft commends the Icwcs of Bcrea,as more noble than thcyof ThefTalonica, becaufe' they received the Word with all readincffe of minde5and fearched the Scriptures daily5whether thofe things were fo,^^. 17.11. SeeX>f»^. ^,7, 8j9. See many Motives to this dutie, before; It is the Word of Salvation, of Truth, of Life, of Reconciliationra Letter from Heaven,a Treafurie of all excellent things: it fhall judge us,it onely can hcale a wounded Soule ; it containesall our evidence for Heaven, and it is the objed of divine Faith, &c.

Nay, and becaufe the Papifts have wickedly ' dammed up this Fountainc of Life from the common people, heare the judgement and zeale of Antiquitie, in pre/Ting this dutie. Fir ft, heare Chrjfellome,

^ Heare^/prayjOu,aU)ee Laymen^ (faith C^f^ fojlome) get -^ee Bibles ^a Medicine for your Soules^(jfc, 7qu cafl all upon otir-jheuldeyj, Tou dught inely u be in-ftru^ed of z^, l^utyour JVixes and Children fbeuld be by you^ifc. But mrv adayeSj )otir Childrenpreferre dizellijh Son<^sand Dancings^ even as Csokes^and Caters^and leaders of Dances^ but none hoivss any Pfalme,

The fame ChryfoHeme^10 ftirreup men to diligent reading the Scriptures ,maketh good this a f-fertion • There is no affliBion or mifcrie ofbod^erfiule, but may receive a Medicine out ofGeds Booke,

I A man heavie-heartcd, and of a fad fpirit, (faith hee) takes the Bible in his hand j after hee

bath

and perpetuall ^uide.

215

* Jpfi detralie. bant mhi , ego aiilem uiabani.

modo,quacunqiie calawitate hit-manoff} Haturam pn'rente-corn's-num ex Scrlptii-rii anudotnm ac-

hathmec with that placCj/'/zt/.^2.11. (^^ji^r^ thou caft dotvnCj O mjfoule , and tvhy arp thou Jo difquicted rvithifimei hope thou in Ged^(^c,) he isrefrclhed.

2 AnotherCfaith he)isoppre[red with extreme povertie, beholds the wicked wallow in worldly wealth, and floiirifh like a greene Bay-tree: But after hee hath caft his eye upon that, Pful. 55.22. {Ca^ thy burthen upon the Lordy and hee jhaUfu^aine thee^^c) he is comforted.

3 Another is hunted with calumnies and inil-diationSj &c. and no humane helpe will be had • 1 cipcreiiceat,& the Prophet (faith hee) doth teach him what to emnhhaimviu doe,inthefe words : ^ They did fpeakeagainflme.but \Ziabl'u7quod / prayed, amd'n gravcm

4 Another is forfaken even of his friends and I Xi/Si''* kinfmen, and contemned of thofe who were mo ft hTehaJ'veaia. beholding to him : Heare how the Prophet be- \tis,&divtfue haved himfelfe in fuchacafe, P/./.38. 11. &c. ^^'^^

13. ^C, axfcultetit; nen

He concludes thus r * Thouhafi feene.nhenfoever ;P-«^*«'" ^*^

t ' • J 1 rr 1 ' J vematti fed &

any caiamttie doth offrejjeAmauJnovti convenient an An- . (tof„i gUy-,^ gi.

tidote he may take front the Scriptures , and all care of ^^^^ inmamfH-thU life may be driven hach., neither jBouId we begrie- ^^l^'^i^l^poi red for any thing tha t falls out, 7 hereforej b efeech yo «, tam emgKoJIudh that \on troM come hither^ and diliffently attend to the Pf^'P'^^- 'ff'^fctj ^eadingof the holy Scriptures-^ notonely nr.en pu come ti,ijv{mcjnori4 hither^ but even at home take the holy Bible into WAr ftnfibii^iUe'iibHi handstand goe reape the profit that u' in them trith great {'^^'^^ }Ju^spU (ai'nejlnefe, A'forcover^rrhat that fenfible Bread doth utua:e enmaii-to encreafe bodily (Irennh ^ that Beading doth to th'e T''^'-'*^f^.^. joutet, for it tf ipintiiaH nourtjhwent^ and makes the j ,ram. Ch-ofift-foulevigoroiu^^c, U9^.i9.mGtK.

(P4)

But

FS150.

zi6

The Saints fare

But wee mayaddc to Chryfeftomes Antidotes, thefe 1 6. more.

1 Art thou wearie of the wayes of vanitie, andcomming on with a grieved and forrovvfull heart for thy finne, to meet thy deare Redeemer; and doth the conceit of the number and hainouf-ncfle of thy tranfgreiTions, crofle and confound thy hopes of being received to mercy?Why then lookc upon Patd'^ he flied the b loud of the Saints with extraordinarie rage and furiCj^flF.p.r. upon -^a^afeh^a man of prodigious impictie, 2 Chron, 53.^. upon fome of Peters hcarcrs,who crucified the Lord of Life,^H.2.2 3. If thefe will not fer\'e the turnejooke upon ^dam 5 who caft away h im-felfe, and undid all,and was thc'caufe that all that iflTuedoutofhisloineSjUnto the Worlds end, fell into the damnation of Hell: and yet all thcfe,up-on repentance, were received unto mercic. And therefore, if thou canll now heartily repent, feare no former finnes.

2 Haft thou by the violence of Sathanstemp-tationSjthe (lie enticements of thine ownc {infnl! nature, and the cunning infinuations of thy former bofome-finne , beene fcarcfully overtaken with fome fcandalous fall,{ince thou waft conver-tedjand gave thy Name unto Grace; and upon illumination of thy confcience, rcmorre,and meditation of returncjthou artafhamcd to look Chrift lefns in the facCjbecaufe thou haft fo fhamed thy profefllon; and thou art fo troubled with horror and conceit, that thy cafe is fingular, that thou canft find no cafe to thine humbkdand^forrowfull

heart ?;

andper^etmlK^uide. f iij

heart ? Why then looke upon DavU^ Peter^ &:c, tranfcendenrinftances, that thou may not finke into defpaire.

5 Art thoii plunged into the perplexities and fearfi>IIapprehcn(ions ofafpiritualdefcrtion? Art thou deprived of thy former comfortable feelings ofGods favorable countenance?Haft thou nocom-fort in prayer ? &c. Looke upon Daz'id^ Pf. 77.

4 It may be, upon thy Bed of Death, "**■ when «SeeSathan$ Sathan will make thy finnes appeare farrc more *^^?^^ '"^^'^ ugly and horrible to the eye of thy Confcience, D°S»,/f5j! than ever hee did before • and will perfwade thee all he can, that all thy holy fervices unto God,and new obedience, was quite marred with Pride, Hy-pocrificjand by-refpe^ts; I fay,it may be then thy heart will quite faile theCjand thy conceit of Gods wrathfull and angry countenance for thy finne, may Co opprefle and confound thy fouIc5that thou maycft fearc left thou be forfaken : Why then thinke upon thy Saviours mournfull cry upon the CrofTe; -^y God^my Goi^rphy hafl thou forfaken me I

5 It may be thou art a true-hearted Nathanael^m vvhofe fpirit there is no giiilejhates all flnnehear-iily,both in thy fclfe and others,de/ireft and labo-reft to pleafeGod in all things,and to keepe a good j confcience before all things in the World^and yet thou findeft and ^(toXz^t in thy breft many times a hcavy,fad,and oiKhcarefull heart: why rhcn^heare David^3. man after Gods owne heart5of a more excellent fpirit, and eminent graccs,than thou art, complaining PfrL/^^ . 5. ^hy an thou fo he^vlefi my fimle^ md trhj art thoufo dif^nieted mthin me I

zi8

The Saints fure

* See DiAf,of Chrjftscerap*

6 Art thou grievoiidy troubled with the haunt and horror of Ibme fpeciall finncj of which thou canft not be fo eafily rid^ and doeft thou therefore goe mourning all the day ? Why then lookealfo upon Daxidy Pfal, 5 2. In fuch a cafe, he roared aU the dajy his bones were confumed^ and his native moiflure wAi turned into the drought of Summer,

7 Art thou vexed to the heart, and fearefully haunted with fome horrible and hatefull injedi-ons of Sathan; thoughts framed by himfelfe immediately, and put into thee- perhaps tending to Atheifme, or to the diihonour of God in fome high degree, ortothedifgracc of his Word, or felfe-deftrudiion,&c. or the like: thoughts which thou canft nof remember,without horror- and darcft not reveale, or name, for their ftrange and prodigious hatefulnefle ? Why then confider, how this malicious Fiend dealt with the Sonne of God: He fuggcfted unto his mbft holy and unfpotted imagination,thefepropo{itions; firft, Murther; Make away thy feife, Math,^. 6^ fc-condly,FalI downe and wor(l-iip theDcviIl,^iPr/.p. What more fearefull and horrible apprehcnfi-ons ? And yet thefcwcrc fuggcfted toour bleffed Saviour; to him perhaps more fenfibly, tothee more fecretly. * His pure and holy heart, un-capable of fmnc, did rcjcd them with infinite contempt; and himfelfe did utterly conquer^and confound the Tempter, and that for tt^pe, and thy fake too. And if thine hec^j^i-f^'aojainft, abo-minate,abandon,grieve^ndt)e hpfnbled for them, £heyfhall«g|vcrh^layd to th/charge,butfetGn '^^ ^>- ' Sathans

.4^

Sathans Score. For all them, thou mayeft goe on chcarefully and comfortably in the courfe of Chriftianitic : And fo doe. And Jet not Sathan attainebisdivellidicndbythcm j which is, to I worke aftoniiliment in thy mindc, horror in thy confcience, heavinefiTc in thy heart, diftradions in thy thoughts, &c. that thereby thou maye/l be disheartened and difabled for the chcarefull difcharge and performance both of thy particular and generall calling. Orclfe, art thou long after thy converfion, affanlted with perhaps forer fpirituall pangs, and more horror, than at thy change ? Confider Dxvidj lob^ Hezekiah,

8 Haft thou loft thy goods,or ch ildren ? Doth the Wife that lyes inthy bofome, fet her fclfe againft thee ? Doe thy neereft friends charge thee falfely ? Art thou difeafed from top to toe ? Doc the Arrowes of the Alraightie fticke faft in thy foule ? Thy afflidion is grievous enough, if thou haft anyof thfefe. But doc they all, in the greateft extremities, concurre upon thee at once? Haft thou loft all thy children, and all thy goods ? Doth thy Wife afflid thyaffli<ai-ons? &c. If this be not thy cafe, thou commeft fhort of /o^j amoft juft man,and high in Gods favour.

p Haft thou given thy Name toReIigion,and art a ProfefTor of Grace; and art thou therefore villanoufly traduced with manyflandcrousnick-names,and odious imputations ? Art thou called PuritAM^Precifiam^ Uypccrite, Uumori^^ BiffemhUr^ &c ? Why, gracekfle vrretches, when hee was

upon

219

l^he Saints fure

upon EarthjCalled Chrift Iq(vis,D evil^. See Math, 10, 25. loh, 7. 20. Contcmne thou therefore for ever, the utmoft malice of the moil fcurrill

tongue,

10 A rt thou a loving and tender-hearted Mother unto thy Children, and haft thou loft thy deareft? Why^thc blelfed Mother of Chrift ftood byjand faw licrovvne onely deare innocent Sonne, the Lord of Life, moft cruelly and villanouily murthered upon the Crofte^anddic a fliamcfuU death before her eyes, loh, i^. 2 5.

11 Art thou a woman, who in the time of thy travaile art preficd with many wants 5 with want of comfortable companicjdefired helpes,a fairer roome,and otherworldly comforts and conveniences > Why yet comfort thy felfe with this 5 That holy Virgin,which brought into the World the Worlds Saviour, brought forth that blefled Babe in a Stable, and laid him in a Cratch, Luke 2.7. It is very likc,farre ntore poorely,in refped of worldly comfortSjthan the pooreft fort of women amongft us; with leflTe comfortable helpers, and in a lefle feemcly and commodious place, for fuch a purpofe.

12 Hath thy Faith loft its feeling; and be-fides,doth God looke upon thee with an angry countenance, and is thy heart filled with heavi-nefle and horror ? Yet for all this, let the hand of Faith by nomeancs loofe it hold-faft upon the precious fujferings and faving bloud-flied of thy deare Redeemer. Thou haft before thee,a match-lefle and tranfccndcnt precedent in this point.

Thus

and perpetual! Cjuide,

Thus cryes holy Job, having, befides his unpara-lellcd varietieand extremitie of outward afflidi-onSj the Aryerres of the Almightie flicking faft in him, and drinking up his fpirics 5 Though hee kill me^yet mil j trujt in him. Cap, 13.15. So Abraham, Rom,^,i%,

13 Doeft thouj day after day, poure out thy fbuJc in prayer before the Throne of Grace, with all the earncftneffe and inftancie thou canft pofli-bly. and doeft thou ftill rife up dull and heavie, and uncomforted, without anfwer from God,or comfortable fence of his favour and love fhed into thine heart ? Why,yet pray flill; afruredly,at length thou (halt be glorioufly refrefhcd,and regi-ftred in the remembrance of God, for a Chriflian of excellent faith. See a patterne curare and dxtra-ordinaric patience this way. Math, 15.23. &c,

14 Doth the World, Sathan, carnall men, thine owne fricnds,formall Teachers,fuppofeand cenfure thee to be a difTerabler in thy profeflion, and will needes concurrently and confidently fa-ften upon thee the imputation of Hypocrifie ? Why, yet for all this, let thy fincere heart, con-fcious to it felfe of it owne truth in holy fervices, like a ftrong Pillar of Braffe,beat backe and rejed with noble contempt and glorious difdaine, all their impoyfoned Arrowes of malice and {lander this way. Thou haft a right worthy patterne in the Booke of God, for this purpofe, loh had againft him not onely the Devill, his enemie, pufhing at him with his poyfoned weapons -, but even his owne friends, fcourging him with their

tongueSj

Seb 17, y,<f;

T^he Saints fure

tongues; yeajhis owne Wife a Thornc, pricking him in the eye j yea^his owne God mifcrably lafh-ing his naked foule with Scorpions • powerfull motiveSjtomakc him fufpedhimfelfe of former halting and hollow-heartednefTe in the waycs of God: yet notwith(landing all this, his good and honeft heart having beenc long before acquainted writh and knit unto his God with fmccritie and truth,makes him boldly and refolutcly to protcft; That untWhe die^ he veiffnever take away his inmcencie from htmfelfe j that he would keepe his righteonfreffe^and mtforfake it , and that his heart jhottld not refrove him for his dayex,

15 Haft thou an iintovrard Wife,that is a con-tinuall dropping and a pcrpctuall Goade in thy fide ? Hcare lohcomphintyCap.i^.iy, My breath isJirAnge to my fvife^though I entreated for the chMrens fake of mine etrne hdy,: . b i

\6 Art thou vex^ with a prophane dogged Husband ? Abigail^zN^\^t^zvA precious woman, had a Nahal to her yoke-fellow.

Thus thefe patternes and precedents in the Booke of God, purpofcly regiftred for the re-frefhing and recoverie of hischofen, in fpirituall or teraporall ftraits, are ordinarily propofed in a tranfcendent and matchleflTe degree; that in their greateft extremities5byreflc(fling their eyes upon fuch examples, they may be prefervcd from de-fpaire, have the ftrongcr confolation, and not thinke their cafes tobecomfortlefleand fingular. Let thefe confiderations move us to be well read in the(e holy my fteries, and day and night cxercifed

in

and perfetuall Cjuide.

2Z;

in reading and meditating on them. Buttoourpur-pore5heare further what others fay in this Point. Secondly, heare Gregorie the great.

« fVhAt is thefacred Scriptitre^ biit a certaine Ep^le of the omnifotent God to his creature ^ ^nd furely, if a manfhoutd receive nritingsfrom his Emperour^heironJd not resiyhe rvould not be quiet joe trouldgive^oflecpe to his eyes , unleffe he had fir If kmm:e what that earthly Empe-rour had rvritten to him. The Emperour of Heaver?^ the Lord of men and Angels ^joath fint his Letters to thee^ concerning thy life • ^nd yet ( my vaine-glorious fonne ) thou doefinegleB earnefily to reade thofe Letters^ Studie them therefore^ I fray thee^ and dayly meditate upon the ti'OrdfQfthy Creator: Learne theminde of God in the WordofGod^shattho^maye^a^ire more earneBly to et email things^ And that your minde may with greater dejire be inflamedto the heavenly Kingdome,

Thirdly, ^ Origen teacheth^That the people fhould learne the Scriptures without boo ke^. -V\ '-V'^VW '^v".-

Fourthly, " lereme coiinfelletli, That by dayly reading the Scriptures^ mefhould get mfedome : His words import fo much.

Vihhly,Read the Scriptures( faith ^ Auflin^for thdt they were vrr it ten to the endive fhouldbe comforted.

Sixtly, * leromewntingtoGaudentift^aboutthe education of a yong maid,would have her at feven yceres oldjand when fhe begins to blu (h^to learnc without book the Pfalter'^ and until fhe come tobe marriageabIe,to maVe the treafure of her heart the "Books of SalomoK^thc Gof^els^Apofiks^znd Prophets,

liter Pfaltemw, & itfi^ aiamoi pkttatk I'lbrsi So^emanU, evMgelia, ApoHobSi €ordittb;f*(tritmfaciat,tikrou.^.}.Ua^»iS.B^,a<i6iiudai;

ObjeB, I

• ^id ifia Scriptura^ riift qutditn Epijfo'a o!f}r.ipote>itiiVs' ad otcalm a fna^ & ctne ficub'i ef' fetygloyiaveflraa-l.bi cenplitMU,& fcTipta iam ImpC' ratoris acciptiet, mn ce^arett non qulefceret fcmr.ii ocufii mn daret^ ivjiprm qiisd^bi Lmpefator tarc' nm (cnp/ijfet,ag-mviffci. Itnptram tot Cati,T>omift:ts h$mmH & Ange-loiu,p7Q Vila ink tWtfHOS EpiflolM tranfmijity & to.' men, glartofe fill, eafdem EpifielM ardenur legere negligUStude er*

gO<^xfo^&(jHOm

tidiiCreatoriitm verba meditare, Difct cor Dei in verbis Beirut at-dentms ad aitina fu!p':m^ut mem veilraadcaleflla reg/ta mam'd)ui deftdmii accen' datur,Greg,tom. a. £p./if>. 4.^.84. Col.ioS. ^ Horn. 4 jn Lev, ^ In Ecclefu.jo,

« D'lfcat PKmo' & frophnasjfui

f Omnia tku

funt'^ plana ex divinii Serif tU' m, ^Mcunque mcijfartafuntj mmfeila Cunt.

pi 7ttli QiicUf yfctfeUil'TctV' T* T<e ctvety.

Jn a. ad Tbef,

8 DomhvAptr EvMgelia}M lo-CHtUi efi, nen ut pauci inieUigt-rent, fed ut em-net. Tlitofcnp-fit in Scripturd, fid nen fcrippt popuJiSiftd pau-(!i vix enim in-telligum trei ho-mines. In Pfal. 86.

*» Coma Juiian. itb.y.medium cir-citer libit, i Cui enim nm pint menifeflay \ qiuecunque in £-i vangelio fcripta funt'f^k autcm

The Sdintsfure

ObjeB, I. But the Scriptures are hard to be underltood, &c.

■^nfrv, Heare, (i) ChrjfoHome. ^ AU th'tngi are cleartdnd fUlne out ef the holy Scriptures, fvhatfiever things are ne-cejjariej are raamfeH',

(2) Jerome, g TheLerdhath fj^okenhjhisGo^el^ not that afetv^ but that aU jhould underjiand it, Plato tvrote his tvritings, but not t« the people ^ but to a feiv ^ fcarce three underftand him,

(3) Cjrili, ^ The Scriptures are froftably recommended unto ui in an eafiej^eech , that they fhould not goe beyond the capacitie of any,

(4) A gaine^ChryfoIfome^who having faid rriiich for often reading, and plainenefTe ofthe Scriptures, concludes : ^ pyho if there^ to mhom rrhatfoever is mitten in the Scriptures , «" ^ot manifeji } who is thereytvho hearing, that themeekeareblejfedj the mer-cifuU bleffed, the pure in heart blejjed^ and the like^fhaU want a Mafter^ that he fhould learne any ofthofe things nhicharef^oken^

ObjeB. 2. But I am intangled with varietie of bufinefTes, I have no leifure to fpend time in reading Scripture,as you advjfe : I am ftill bufied in my TradejHuibandrVjMerchandife^iri forac high roome,&c, I have a great charge,Wife,chiIdren, and family to care for; Let Schollers, Minifters, Gentlc-folkes, &c. that have more time and leifure, ply fuch buiinelTes, for I cannot.

i audiem , Beatos

ejje mites^ beam miferieordety heatoi mimdi-cordes, aeteraque hmfmod'i, defiderabit py<ec€ptoYep>, utaliquidearumdifcatyquedicuntur. Tom.i. de La\arOy Cene.$.fag,dj6, Sec abundantly for this puipofe, in Polan. Sympkmd , fa§^, 38. &(,

uinfw.

and ferpetuall (^uide.

IZ5

j4nfiv. Who are more bufied than Kings and Captaines ? and yet they are comraanded to be diligent readers of Gods Booke. Sec DeutAj, lo.

But ChryfoBome makes this Objedion, and an-fvvers Ic himfelfe excellently : ^ i^hatfayeB^ thou^ Oh man ^ Is it not thy dutie to reade the Scriptures^ becaufi thou art diHraBed mth inni^merable cares ^ Tea, it is thy dutie rather than others, ^c. In which Sermon alfo, he lets fall this confident aflertion: "^ Neither now can it be, it cannot be,! fay, that any man \hoM attaineuntQ falvaiion^ unlej^e he be continually converfant in f^irituaU reading,

ObjeB.7^. Butjalas, I cannot reade, . Anfrv, Heare then ^»*/?i« .*

* Neither let this be [undent for you, that in the church you doe heare divine reading'^ but alfo in your houfes, either doe you your felves reade^orget others that can reade, and doe you mllingly hearken.

And he (litres them up to it, with thefe confi-derations;

(i) ra Remember, Brethren, (faith he) the faying \ of our Lord, in trhich hee faith ; If a man fbaU gaine \ the whole fVorld, and lofe his ome foule, rvhat mil it I profit him }

(2) " vP'hat remaineth and abideth in a man,but that which every one, either by reading^orpraying,or doing good mrkes for thefahation of his foule <^ hath layd up in the treafure of his Confcience ^

^ Si totim mun-

dum Uieretwt homo , &c. " (i) ^id Mtem fevwanet In h&tmtie , w^ quod qmfque out legtndo , aut Brando , aut bona, opera, facitndo , pro animx falute , in tbefauro c'onfcientia fut recendider'it, VeTcm, Serm.SS* Sec Gregor. Jiloral.'Dialog, lib./^. ■cap. 14.

^ ^iddii homo 'i Hon ej3 lui negeti/ Scriptu-rai evUhere^quo-niam innumtrii curis diJfral)ori( ? Imo tuMtn piagk ejl quam iUo' rum, &e. De La'^ro,Tom.t, Cenc^.p.^i, * Neque unqitam fieri peie(i:non potefi, inquam, fitriyUt quifqttam filutem ajjsqua-tuft ni pcrpetuo verfitur in le^in one jpirituali, ^ NecfelUmvQ' bii fu^ciatyqubd in Eeclefid d:vi' nas U^tiones «»-ditii;[ed€tiamin domihm vejiru ttutipfilegitejaut alioi legentes re-quirite,&liben-tor audite, *" (i)1lecolite3 fraires , fenten' tiam Domini no* ftrif qua dich j

(q)

Objea./^.

• teque trcbfo vobis ptedicimui mull a ante die-hiM argumcntum de quo [Htum lo-quutuiif ut bis in medio dlcbui, fumpto libroyfCT' petifaqueieifim-mi totiy poflca. qtiam inuScxe-ritu,quid dieium

The'Saints fure

ObjeB, 4. But will not piiblilce reading in the Hoiifc of God ferve the turne ?

Anfp, Bynoracancs, HesLXC Chr)fosidme : "° Therefore often cIjc I tell *jon before-hand ^ mAn^ dayes before the argument of nhich J jhall foe^ke^thut in the dayes in the mcane nhile^ taking a Booh-i and tveighing the whole famme of the Tratter , after yee have underH'cod what hath beenefaid^ andrrhat re-maines to be faid^ you maj make yourrninde more jit to heare thofe things nhich afterrrard jJi^al/ be decla-and that I ahayes exhort to^ and wiUnot. ceafe

fit, quid reflet di' ^^ ^^^ ^'^) '^^''^^ )^'* ^^^ ^^^ ^^^h ^^^f^^<^ ^^^^ ^0 thofe

things rrhich are f^oken , hut alfo rrhen you jhall be at home , yoci may dayly attend to the reading of holy Scrip-tures . Jvhich thing I hare not ccafed to freffe upon thofe vrho fritat^ly have talked nnth me.

ObjeB. 5. But from tins libcrtie of reading Scriptures^fpring many Hereiies. »

^nfrr, p The facred Scripture is not t^he caufe of HerefieSjbutthe ignorance of the holy Scripture. Heare Chryfilfome: »

n Hence arofe fo many thoufand evils ^ fr^nt the ignorance of holy J^yrit : Hence jf rung up fi great a plague of Herejies,

^' Godly Bookes alfo, with which this Age is abundantly and plentifully enriched ^muft be diligently and profitably read,.

cendumy mcnttm vefram inftru-U'mem rcddatis ad dudicfjda qme poll dijfmmur, Idquefemper barter, ^ ho)tarl von dcfinam^ ut nonh'ic uniiun nUendatii p qn* ^icHtUur, vcrum tt'itm cum dcm't fueritu, ajftduz divlnarum Scrip-tararum UCiioni vncctis. ^md qiLidem d^ ^J, qHiprivatim rr,i-cun congtcffi. fptt , »<?« de[ins incu'.care. Ton?. X. de Li^ro ,

Cone. I. pAg, 874- Sec to tliis purpofc in the An(wer to the tliird Objefilon , a little' before' p SQePol.S)7,p!jo:-i.p:g.6o. where he proves this Aflertion. 1 'ErT«i/9i»

Tt yiupi^ 'tjun K^HJ'ioJti liic tmV jpafa'r u-ynla;» 'E>tsc/3j)' 'a jtdXXJ to"* alpi<neet'i0ytKpiin Ki/(/i«»

O'ryfoP. in pr.cfit.in Epijt. adKomamu ' Of whichjfecT^o^mfeveaTrcatircsjpjf.iS^. ThcEpifUe.Dedicatoric to the Piadicc of Chriftianiiie.

3

Another

and ferpetuall Quide.

5 Another meaoes by which the Word may dwell plentifully in us, is Conference. See I>eut.6*j, Luk( 2^,19- That of ^«^/» before, pag, 210. in the fccond Rcafon of our feldome Preaching: That oP Chryfi^ome , H'alking with God, p4i,i/^S. Rogers fevcn Treat ifes, pag. 3 ^4. C^r, my milking mth God, pag, S6, ^c,

4 A fourth mean«s,is Meditation. Of which. Tec Rogers feven Treatifes,p<ig,2 3 5. &c. Matter of Meditation.

Wee may meditate upon any part of Gods Word, on God himfelfe, his Wifedome, Power, his Mercie ^ or on the infinite varietie of good things, which wee receive of his free bountie . |upon his workes, and judgements • upon our finnes, and the vilencfTe of our corruption, that wee yet carry about us 5 upon our .mortalitie, and changes in this World . upon our manifold afflidions of this life, and howwee may in beft manner beare and goe through them, and the benefit thereof 5 upon the manifold and-great priviledges which wee enjoy dayly, through the ineftiraable kindnefTe of God towards us; upon the foure laft things, but efpc-cially of thole things that wee have moft fpcciall need of.

Of the thing meditated upon,confider,

Firft, The definition, or defcription.

Secondly, The diftribution, forts, kinds, or parts.

Thirdly , Caufes cfpecially efficient, and finall.

(q 2) Fourthly,

ziy

See Prafijcc ofChriftiani-

ziS

The Saints fure

Fourthly, The fruits and elfeds which it brin-geith forth.

Fifthly, The fubjc<a vvhereii^it is, or about which it is occupied.

Sixtly 5 The qualities or properties adjoyned. And know, that oftentimes, in common pracStice^ thefe three, the finall caufe, the fruit or the etfed, I the ufe or propertie of a thing, are often confounded.

Seventhly, The contrarie.

Eightly, The comparifon. Exemplifieinthe joyes of Heaven • of which, fee Ha&: In finnc 5 of which, fee PraBice of Chriltiamtie, fag, 2^3. Vpon this occa(ion,let us perufe , in this manner , Fafting , and the Plague,

5 A fifth meanes to -profit by the Word, is Teaching, Praying with, and Catechizing your children and fervants.

To which Dutie, be ftirrcd up and flreng-thened, by

Firfi, Scriptures •, I>^»f. 4. 9, & 6. f. & II. ip. PfaL 78. 5, 6. Ex&d, 12. 2^, 27. (^ 15,14. 73/^,4,^,7,21,22. I>eitt, 6. 20^ 2I0

Secondly , By the patterne. and pra<fiice of holy Parents, from time to time. Confider for this purpofe, the carriage of Abraham^ Gen, 18. i^. David^ Prev, 4. 4. Bathfheba^ Prov, 31. i, Lois and Eunice^ 2 Tim, i. $0

Thirdly, By the authoritie of the "ancient Fathers.

(I) Heare

^ andperpetuall (juide.

229

(i) UeSLTC ^uHin,

a NotwithHanding^mj deare friends^ in fggreat ^ freruntamen a difference of manners ^ andfuch abominable corriif- chaafmi.iH tion^ governe your Houfes , goierne your Children^ tmimorum governe your Families : ^s it behoves m to jfeake wh deujhbUi to you in the Church , [0 it pcrtaines to you to doe\ ioYTHpteid.regite in your. Houfes 5 that yee may be able to give a good tghefiitvi account of thofe who are under you, Againc ^ ^ t fim.reguc fa-pray thee^ my Brother^ I pray thee^ fhen> to all under "^'^"^' ^f^'^j-thee , of meere good rvill^ from the leaH to the grea- 'mtpermet in te^ in thy Houfe^ the love and faeetnejfe of HeaTen^ ' ■E"/c/?i hqai the bitterneffe and feare of BeU . and be thou folici-torn and rvatchful/ y becaufe thou [halt render an account to the Lord for all thofe under thee , that are in thy Houfe, Declare^ chargey command, ferfwade them, that they ivould take heed of Pride, of Slandering, of Drunkenneffe, of Fornication, of Luxurie, ^nger, Perjurie y CovetoufnejTe, n-hich is the root.of all eviU,

(2) Nazianzen, c BaB thou a Child ^ Let not wickednejfe take advantage and occafion: Let it be endued with fanBitie,and confecrated to thy fj^iritfrom the very Cradle,

I know he meanes it immediatelyof Baptifme: but by Analogie, that binds alfo to have a care of

religious education.

vobii: Sic ad vds pnintt in domibm vt^.rii a^ereyHi bonam raiionem redck-iii de hU qui vobii ftm fub-diti. InPfal.^o,

^ ^tefo y ml fmer,qu<tf0^0m* nibm tibi fub-iedlii, & bm^e vQluntatiiyin do-mo tux a ma-iore ufque ad mmmumyamo" rem&diilcedi-mm regni Coj-Uslls, amari-tiidinem & ti-

moYctfi Gehemie

anm>'cm , & de mum falute (olichm & pervigil cxiflas /- qiiia ^0 emnibm tibi fubieclU qui in domo tu.i funl^ yntionem Domino reddes. jsnmmia , preecipe, impira, fuadc i/s ut ca-veant fe a Superbid , a Detra£lione , ab Ebrietm , a jhrnicatione , a Uixmia, , ab Ira ^ A ?aium , a Cupiditate , qua eft rtdix omnium Pia'orim. Lib. de Saktar. Document, pag. ^4r, ' In fans tibi c(i ? Ne anfam & occafiomm anipiat improbifas : eb infantla fanciitate imbualfir , ab ipjis uKgnkfilii Spiritul confetrcicr. O-.at, 40. in 5. Ba^t,

(qs)

Fourthly,

'Kiafen I. From ihe end of their being.

Reafon r. Ncceifiiie.

Keafon g. Example of

Equiiie.

T^he Saints fure

Fourthly,by Reafons. Fird, Thy Children fprung from thy Loines, and came into the World, to cncreafe the niim-; bcr of Gocls people, to learne the way to Heaven,* and vvalke in it; not onely to uphold thy Houfe^ inherite thy Poffeffions, and convey thy Name to future Gcnerdtions. The glorifying of our God, fervingour Brethren in love, falvationof our ovvne Soules, are thechiefe ends why we live a little while in this World, Now Parents fhould be mod folicitous to further their Children, for the attainement of the maine end, and moft fo-veraigne good.

Secondly , Negle6l of this Dutic, makes Parents worfc to their Children, than to their Beads : For,

1 They provide for their Beads all things nc-ceflarie for them; but in their owne deare Children, they negIe^5l that One ntce^Arle thing.

2 They procure for, and put their Beads to all things of which they are capable. Their Children are capable of Grace,and Immortal itie- and they never meddle, nor move them to looke that way, or lay hold upon eternall Life.

Thirdly, Let the remarkable and rufull example of £//, be for ever a keene fpurre in the fides of (louthfull Parents, to quicken them to this. Dutic.

Fourthly, Thou art farre more cruell than the Odrich and rhc Dragon, and mayed be faid to have fuckt the bredsof Tygrcs,and robehewed out of the harded Rockcj if having brought thy

Children

and perpetuall (^uide.

Cliildren forth into this World, limbes for the Deviil, aad fewell for Hell-fire, thou labour not cnight and maiue, to get them new-borne the members of Chrift, and freed from everlafting flames.

Fifthly, Grace onely is able to make thy Children truly obedicntjferviceablejand cverlaftingly chankfuil; having now a double tye; firftjbirth; fecondly,new-birth. Then onely, and never before, doe they begin to pray for their Parents, to deale faithfully m their buiinefles, not to long for their death.

Sixtly, A confcionable and conftant performance of this Dutic in their life time, will fill Parents hearts full of fwccteft joy and heavenly comfort upon their Beds of Death 5 when they fee, by their care and zealc for their fpirituall good, that holy knowledge and wifedome planted in their Childrcns hearts, which will bring them after them to eternall blifTe: or howfoever, confcioufnefle of a confcionable difchargc of their Dutie in this refpedt, will infinitely re-frefh them.

Seventhly, It is the way to make thy poftcritie truly honourable, and to meet thee in Heaven. Thofc Children which are taught by thee, may teach the fame things unto theirs, and thofe to others, &c.

Eightly, Thy Children ncgfe6^ed in this point, and fb dying impenitently, will curfcthec ever-laftingly in Hell, for thy blof die inexpiable cru-eltic towards them in this kind.

(q4) Ninthly 5

111

Ptofit,

Heafon 6. Comfort.

'KeAfon 7. Honour.

%eafon 8. Hurt,

* Scd p'.ctique tojr.iuum hxc non rcminifcnn-tur, qui fiHos{im abinfaiUia ex tem'inant

T he Saints fure

\

Ninthly, Beddes innumerable finnes of thine owne, (the Icaft of which, merits cternitie of Heliifli torments) thou haft juftly * fct upon thy Score, by this unconfcionable mnrthering negligence, the fmnes and finnefull coiufes of thine o\vne Children 5 which will lye full hea i^«^ -vie upon thy Confcience ^ when it jfhall be tsl-It^tS'^ i gingly enlightened by the long provoked wrath

bulii mn audi- j of God,

tmt a iuvefiiuit-^ nan prohibetit nuda^ non sdiunt peffima, nencmcent iHicita, Ttcn admormit tmoftmDet^ nencommimntnriudic:um6ehem<eyno» v'ua aterna mrohiim docent ; non enim educnnt eos in difdflma , aique emdinone Domini , quid Hoit egcrunt cwam pro animahut eorumy neque [eUciti funt p*« falute, vel ferditione filit^Yum. Huiufmodi cum mn trudimt 7}cqi4c ccftipiunt filiosfuoi f & ipforu^J nnimam igni inextingtiibili in inttoitum triduni ^ ^ Jemt iffoi in futorcmjudic'^ demefgunt'y omnia enim qu* ddiquerimfilf, depatenlikts rtqni-\unm, qui non cmdierint, ncque compuerini filios fuot. Huius tvidem cxmplum in Heli ojien-dlinr, & in film cnn, aiq'ic in d^i alibi. Onien. in lib. Job. r.

The next mcanes, is Prayer, Prov, 2. 3. The feventh meanes, is Pradife, See loh?t

See Miifcului and others upon ihe place*

7

7, 17.

8 The eight, is Experience,- See Dikeo^ the

heart, p^^.^p.

5 Be none of the reprobate grounds,/^^;^. 13.. of which, fee DikCy Taylor,

4 Be none of thofe, who^ invited to the Marriage of the Kings Sonne, Math, 2 2. either, firft, wilfullycontemne, f^crf,'^, fecondly, orcarelefly dif-efteeme, Ferf, 5! thirdly50rcruelly perfecute, f^erf. 6.

5 Reje(flall thoft Hellifl-i temptations,which doe mightily keepc otf the dint and power of

the

and perpetnall (juieie.

m

the mod piercing Word • and being entertained , will caufe the Word preached to be but as the breath of the Miniller fcattered in the Ayre, and as Water fpilt upon the Ground, which cannot bee gathered up agalnc. They are like thofe ftrong Holds of Sathan , mentioned 2 Cor, 10. 4, 5. which being fet up in any heart, will blunt the edge of this fpirituall weapon, that it will doe no good. They be thefe that follow.

I In the firft place, and higheft ftraine of im-pictie,thedepthof our corrupt nature defireth. That there were no God : The foole hath [aid in hUhearfythere is no God^ PfaL 1^,1. That is,hee labours for a refolution, and perfwafion in his owne heart, That there is no Tribunall in Heaven, before which hee fliall hereafter be arraigned • no Treafurie of Plagucs,and Woes in Hell, with which he fhall hereafter be everlaftingly fettered and enchained.

^ But if it fo be, this fpirituall foole cannot fo aboliili and extinguifli thofe fecret notions and apprehenfions of a facred and infinite Deitic,which are naturally implanted in the bowels of the moft defperate and damned mifcreanc • but that the terrors of the lafl ludgement, and plagues of Hell, doe eftfoones vexe and bite his Confcience with reftlelle remorfc and fting-ings : Why then, in a fecond place, that hee may procure fome eafe and quiet to his wallowing in fenfuall pleafures, hee labours might and maine to harden his for-hcad againft Heaven,

to

m

T he Saints fure

to make his beart like the nether-Milftone,with his owne Soule-murtheriug hand to put a hot ^ Iron CO his Conicience • that lo, if hee cannot blunder and blot out of his mindcthofe naturall imprcflions of a God-head, yet at the Icaft hee may extinguiflfi and banifh out of his heart all feare of that God, of his Iiidgement-Seat, and vengeance againft finne : That fo hee may rufti like a wilde Horfe into the Battaile/urioufly and defperately upon all villanies and vanities,with-out all checke of Confcicncc,and controleracnt, I from the terrors of the Judgement to come. In this defperate and furious mood,he joynes him-felfewirh thcfe Gyantsof Babel^//i.5, whoout-ragioufly reare up Towers of Treafon and dcfi-aoce againft Heaven, and throw mountaines of pride and contempt one upon another^ that they may climbe up to the Seat of God, and pull him out of his Throne, crying aloud towards Heaven ; Let him mske fj^eed^ let him haBen hUvcorke^ that n>ee may fee it 5 and let the coimfeU of thejjoly One of Ifrael drarv neere , and come , that wee ma) how it.

3 If this will not be, and that he finde no fuc-ceffe in fctting himfelfe againft Heaven, (f^ho ever oppofed himfelfe againB God, and frof^ered ^) but that hee is crufhed and confounded with chemajeftie and terror thereof; Why then, i:\ a third p'ace, hee faftens the fangs of his malicious and wrangling wit, and the furic of his 1 rophane Athcifme, upon his true and holy Word J And that,

Firft,

and perpetual/ Cjuide»

Firft, Either by entertaining or harbouring a reprobate and blafphemous conceit, that the fa-cred Word of God is but a polirike invention, and device of State, to keepe men in order,and moderation; to maintaine Order and peaceable-I nefTe in Cities and Societies ^ and to preferve the World, andmankinde, from wildncfle and Barbarifme.

Secondly , Or by proportioning his carnall conceit of Gods pure and undefiled Law^ to that which hee holds of the Decrees and Conftita-tions of men.

And ii ix be cither fb, or ^o^ it is well enough j hee can, in the meanc time, therewith ft ill the cryesof his Confciencc,and ftop the mouth of that Worme that never dies, that it gnaw not too eagerly, and fiercely, to the dif-(weetning of his carnall contentments,and the making of his fen-fuall pleafures more unpleafant.

Now, would it not vexe a man, to have the meat pulled out of his mouth, hischayne from his necke, his clothes from his backe, his limbes from his body, his right arme from his fhoulder, his eyes out of his head ? So it is wJth every unregenerate man, and fuch is his torture, when that two-edged Sword^the Wordof God,ftrikes at his fwect linne, and fenfuall pleafures: And therefore no marvell, though hee ftrive and ftrug-glc, iTiifr and fhield himfelfe, by any meanes. Nay,rhe Lnfts of the unregenerate man, are his very life. For,as every godly man liveth a double life* one of Grace, by the fandbifying power of

the

2?5

See nny difi

coudcoftrue

happinefle.

See Burton of Melancholy,

The Saints fure

the Spirit; another, of Nature : So every wicked man hath a double life • one, of Nature; and another,of corruption, by thecurfed influence of Hell.

Nay, the fenfuall delights of the finfullman are dearer unto him than his life. Hence it is, (asweemay obfervc by experience) that fome-timcs a covetous man lofing the Life of his li^Qy theWedgeof Gold, and Hoords of Wealth, makes an end of himfelfe. That the Wanton, becaufe hee is rejecfted, and difcarded from the objed of his luftfuU pleafurcs, findes no pleafure in life J but cuts off himfelfe,by a violent and untimely death. That Ahitofhel being difgraced, and over-topt in a point of Policie, (the crowne and pride of his worldly happinefTe ) put his household in order, and hanged himfelfe.

Nay, and yet further, the prophane man pre-ferresthe fenfuall pleafures of his heart, before the lofTe of his immortall Soule. For, how oft may wee fee the honour of God, and everlafting blefledncfle, put as it were in the one Scale of the Ballance, and a little tranfitorie Pleafure in the other ? And in this cafe, the unfandified man fuffering one fweet finne or other to weigh downe the exceeding weight of-heavenly blifle, the unvaluable treafure of a good Confcience, the infinite glory of God, and the falvation of his ovvne deare Soule, in that great Day,

This groweth out of our corrupt nature; For wee have alljCven in the beft of us, the fource and feeds of all finne. If the Lord fhould leave and

abandon

<w I WH.1I I .

andper^etuall (juide.

abandon us, to the full fvving and fvvay of our ownc corruption, and not either brrdle us by his reftraining Spirit, or blefTe us with his fandii-fying Spirit 5 wee might every one of us become as bad as lutian the Apoftata,who did maliciou-fly abjure Chrift; and as luda^yWho did perfidi-oufly betray him. Naturally wee would wallow in iinne , without checke of Confcience, or controlment by the terror of the Judgement to come.

4 But if hee cannot arme himfclfe againft the terrors of God, and truth of his Word; but that he muft needs acknowledge the one, and be-leeve the other: Why then, in a fourth place, with much fpight and malice, he flyes in the face |fof Gods Minifters, EmbaflTadours, which are his tormentors before his time: And that,

Firft, Either againft his Preaching, or againft hisPerfon: as, too obfcure,ortoo plainfe • too coldjortooboifterousj too particular, too per-fonall, too precifc, too imperious • too tart, and terrible-, too full of Judgement • tending to Sedition, againft the State, or the like. And therefore he labours, not onely with his owne heart,to breed within himfelfe a diftafte and diftronceit of it; but alfo puts to his helping hand, to ftay andftop the free courfc and current of it from others. He cannot abide to have his fweetfinne ftruckeat ftill, and ftill to have his Confcience grated upon, by the Minifteric of the Word • and therefore he does what he can, to abandon and abolifh it. When leremm Sermonjdenoun-

cins

. sL

Z27

The Saints fure

cing Gods Iiidgement againft ludah and Ifrael, iverc brought unto the King, ler.^ ^.23, lehudi had not readpa^ three or fourefides before him^ bttt the King ftamfed And raged , hee frefemlj tooke the Rottle^ And cut it with a Pen-knife, and caU it into the fire that was on the Hearth , untili all the Roule ttas confumed in the fir e^ that was on the Hearth. In the 38. o^ leremie^ when the Princes and Courtiers were nettled and flung with the downe-right dealing and holy fcveritic of leremies Preaching 5 they prefently ranne unto the King, and traduced the blefTcd Prophet, to be a tTanfgrcfTor of Poli-cie, and an enemie to the State. Therefore the Princes faid unto the King : i^ee befeech you^ let this man be f>ut to death 5 for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men offVarre that remaine in this Citie^ ant^ the hands of all the people, ix freaking fuch wor^s unto them : For this man feeketh not the wealth of thif feople, but the hurt. And there you fee what was the ifTuc.

Thus Prophanencflc and Policie doth ever in-terpretethe Dodrineof Lifcjand powerfull application of the Word, to be the Source and Seeds of Fadlion and Sedition ; to be incompatible with the civill State, and the very cutthroat of Kingdomes and States imperiall. Paul, as wee may fee in the 24. of the -^Bs, for his upright dealing, was nick-named a Seditioner^and a trouhler of the State, Ccrtainely (faith TertuUw) wee have found this man a f>eftilent fellow , and a mover of Sedition among all the I ewes throughout the World, and a chiefs maintainer of the SeB of the Nazarites,

Thus

and perpetual/ Cju'tde,

25P

Thus the Word of Life, and newes of falvation from HeavcDjis many times charged with Novel- j tiQ^ Seditionjand Hcrc(ie. But that which by the ^ conftfU(5lion-ofcamaJl conceits, may be tearmed I Hereiie,Fav^ious5and Precife, is the very right j waytoHeaven* I confefje (faith Paul) that after the tray (nhich they call Herefie) fo troyfhip I the God of my Fathers^ if c. So may many good Ghrifli-anSjandgodly Minifters, fay in thefe Times to the men of this World ; After the way, which you call PrecifenefTe, Singularitie,and Fadion, doe wee truly fervethe living God, and fave our foules.

Secondly, Or if the authoritic and power of his Preaching doth fo aftonifli and confound him 3 that hee hath no heart to meddle that wa'^r, oroppofeagainftit. yet at leaft, rather than not be malicious, hee will difcharge his furie againft his perfoB.

Hence \x. \%^ that a faithfull and confcionable Minifter commonlyj wherefoever hee lives, is an eminent marke whereat Prophancneile and Po-licie, Malice and Crueltie, Hell and the World, difcharge the utmoft of their rage and poyfoti, Hee above all others, is fure to be wrongfully loadcn with danders, difgraces, lying imputations, and all manner of foule indignities • and many times by the bafer fort, which is-more intolerable. If hee be but halfe fo honeflly care-full, in providing for his family, as the carnall worldling is cutfedlycarking, hee is covetous: li powerful! in his Preaching, hee is imperious i

Z^i

The Saints fure

If hec oppofe againft the finnes of the Time, hee is fadious; If hee be faithfull in his Minifteric, bee is too precife,and plainc : If hee comes home to mens Confciences, hee is too particular, and undifcreet. In a word , if hee were Faul^ hee fhould be a pe Silent fellow ; if C^ r i s t I b s v s, bleffed forever (a horrible thing! ) hee fhould be Belzebuh: For fo that glorious Lord,and blcf-fed Servant, was nick-named and branded by the prophane World.

Hence it is, that the generation of the prophane and wicked Crue doe ever furioufly band themfelves together, to tranfplant and r«ot out a confcionable Minifler,whenfoevcr God brings him amongft them. Like an unquiet and raging Sea, they continually foame out fpight-full fpeeches, filthie and (haraefull (landers, and lay things unto his charge^ hee never knew : That fo, by difcouraging him in his Minifterie, weakening his hands, and breaking his heart, they may any wayes be rid of him : Or clfe, by picking unneceflarie Quarrels againft him, they labour by Authoritie, and ftrong hand, to throw him out of his place. For their malice againft a powerfull Minifter, is endlefle, and implacable.

It is ever the propertie of un-ingenuous pro-phaneneife , to nate and feare a faithfull and confcionable Preacher as ill as the Plague, and fo to efteeme of him. This appeares, by Ter-tttUw cenfure of ?A\d ; cenainely (faith hee) tvee have found this man a fe^ilent feUort : When indeed

and perpetuall Quide.

-deed himfclFe was a pernicious Orator, and abu-fed his CLiifed Eloquence, to the confufion of GoodnefTe. In the Originall, the word fignifies, the plague. The Plague^ that great affrighter, and terror of the fonnes of men, is not halfe fo terrible and vexing, as is that man to a carnall heart, which preaches rrith ferver and authorities and not as the Serines and formall Doctors j and no mar-vell. The Plague threatens but onely the feares and pangs of a tcmporall death, and takes but away the naturall Lifcj but the powerfuH Word, from the mouth of a confcionable Minifter/loth Alike to the very heart of a carnall man, the terrors of Hell-fire and everlafting Vengeance,and doth labour to bereave him of his Life of Cor-ruption,and Pleafurcs* which,as I told you before, is more fweet and deare unto him, than his Life of Nature.

And hereupon it is, that as you fee Towncs and Cities bufily beftirre themfelves, watch and ward, diligently enquire,and examine paflengcrs, to keepc out the Plague 5 fb it isthc policieand practice of thofe places,whcre Drunkards,Swag-gercrs, Worldlings, and prophane men fwarme, joyntly to confpire and oand together, for the banifhing of godly Minifters, and drivingthem out of their Coaft. Christ Iesvs himfelfe, trhof^ake as never any man fj^ake^ was fo ufed by the Swinifh Gadarens • as you may reade in the fifth of Luke,. Paul and Barnabas , that glorious paire of worthy Paftors, were fo ufed by the rebellious and ftiffe-neckcd lewes, ^B, 13. whereupon

(r) they

2^1

"EwfsrrK ^f

Zf^

The Saints fure

they told them to their faccs,That thereby they judged themfelves unworthic of cvcrlafting life. Then Paul And Barnabas ( faith the Text) f^ake boldly^ and [aid 5 It was neceJJ'arie^ that thefVard of God jhould have^rB beene jj^oken unto you .* But feeing you fut it from ^ou^ and judge your [ehes unmrthy of cverlafling life , loe voec turne unto the Gentiles. TheBookc of God, Ecclefiafticall Stories, experience of our Times^doe plentifully verifie and-confirme this Point.

5 But if fo be,this Spirituall Foole, whom wee have carried along through fo many ftcpsof irapietiCj cannot have his will agarnil the Prea*-ching and the Perfon of the Minifter ^ but that he fees the Power of the Word, which be cannoc decline, is like continually to vcxe him, to ftxike through his loyncs, with feare and trembling ftill: to grate upon his Confcience for his fwect (inoe, to difccrne and difcover the very thoughts and imaginations of his heart; -or that bee is mow ingenuous and faire-conditioned thanothcrun-regencrate men (for fometimes fweetncflfe and lovingnefle of naturall difpofition doth bridle men from raging again ft the power of holy EX). (Slrine, andfinceritie of anhoneftman: ) Why then, in a fifth place, hce

Firft, Either refolves (as many doe) to give the Preacher hearing indeed, and perhaps reverent attention too; but with this fecret referva-tion, That hce fhall not ftirreand move him with all his Preaching • That fay what bee will, hce fhall never perfwade himy that this or that flnne

4ntl ferfftuaU (juide.

H^

is fo hainous as hce makes it 5 hee fhall never drive him from tlic Fafhions of the Times, aad Cuftomcs of his Fore-fathers; hce fhall never bring him out of conceit vrith good-fellowfhip. So, that as the deafe Adder ftoppeth his eares a-gainft theEnchanter^charme hee never fo wifely ^ lo (huts hee the eares of his heart againft the Word of Life: and though it founds dayiy lowd and ftrongly in his cares, yet will he by no meanes ftifiFer it to finkc feelingly and powerfully into his foule, Thofe men which reft upon this ftep of impietic,and in this degree of prophancnefTe, though they hearc Sermon upon Sermon, yet arc they dill the fame men: They are Lyers ftill, they arc Drunkards ftill, they are Vfurers ftill, they are Swearers ftill, they arc luke-warme Pro-fcftbrs ftill, &c, they are ftill as they were. Though thefe linnes have againe and againe been cryed againft, and many times reproved, and their Confciences convinced; yet the Word which is preached amongft them, hath no more power, nor wrought more alteration upon them, than upon the Seats where they fit: Though the glorious Light of the Gofpel fhine faire and bright upon tbem^ yet they lye ftill hard frozen in their dregs, and ftarke blindc in matters of Heaven: Though the Hammer of the Word beat often upon their hearts, yet it doth not breake and j briiife them , but more and more harden and cmmarble them, like an Anvill and Adamant: 1 Though they be waChed with many plentifull Showers from Heaven, yet they ftill continue I (12) blacke

The Saints fure

blacke Moorcsj and Leopards- ftill full of the blackneflTe of Hell, and fpors and pollution of Sathan.

Let thofe that ans fuch among you , in the Name of God beware in time: forafTuredly^the Damnation fleepcth not, the Day of Reckoning and every mans particular Judgement is very necrc 5 and then wc muft be ahfwerable and countable for every Sermon wee have heard : Every ; Sermon will then (land up, either to witneflTe for us, or againft us ^ for every one wee heare, either advanceth us a ftep neerer towards Heaven, or throwes usa ftayre lower downe towards Hell. '

Secondly, Orifhee.cannot fo fence himfclfc againft the keeneedgeof the Word, that two-edged Sword, which day after day is laydto the root of his corruption 5 nor fo hide his head'fi^ the heat of that glorious and facred Sunne of Truth, which every Sabbath fhines on his face^ but that the fharpe Arrowes of the Word of Truth andRighteoufnefle doe pierce his heart, and Sword of Spirit gets io farre within him, that it ftrikes and aftoniOieth his Confcicnce: W^hy then hec, i ,':;,' '- ■ •' '; -

Firft, Either ftrives and ftruggles againft it,by fhifcing andiliiclding himfelfe with Diftinc^i-ons^ExceptionSjExcufes, catnall Reafons, Re-ftridions, Limitations^falfc Gloffes, private and partiall Interpretations, and oppofingone place of Scripturcjin his ownc falfe and enforced Senfe, againft the true meaning and natural] power of

the

and perpetnall (juide.

^4.5

the Word in another place, as I have told you largely before. So wretchedly and unhappily is hee wedded to the finftill pleafures of this vainc World, that hee will wreft his wit, the Word of God,or any thing, to wreft out of his heart thofe piercing Arrowes of the Wordof Truth,fhot by thehandof a skilfall Archer; which if he would fuffer to fearch and finkc, would fetch out the poyfon of his naturall corruption, mortifie his iu ft, and fave h is fou le.

Secondly, Or if hee have not wit and under-(landing to furnifh himfclfe fitly with probable Interpretations, formall Diftin<ftions, and plau-fible Exceptions, (for this abilitie onely befalls prophane men of better parts, and more under-ftanding:) Why then, being refolved not to fubmit to the power of the Word, nor to for-fake his catnall contentments, face takes this courfe J hee furfets fo immoderateIy,and drinkes fo deepc of fenfuall pleafures of that bofome-finne to which hee is fo much wedded, that hee cafts his Confcience afleepc, drowncs his heart in earthly delights, and fo goes on at all adventures, and throwes himfelfe upon Gods mercies, without all ground or warrant,with fuch conceits as thefe: That hee hopes hee fliall doe as well as others, who are farre worfe and more wicked than himfelfe: That God,no doubt, will bemercifull to one finne : That all his other good parts and good deedes will countcrvaile and make amends for one infirmitie, (for fo hee will call it,and conceive of it, though it be a groflfe and grievous

(13) finne:)

The Saints fure

finne: ) That one finnc will not require fo great icpcntance, but that it may be well enough done onhisdcath-bedjand fiich like.

Thus I have acquainted you by ihe\vay,virith. the fteps of impietiejand degrees of prophane-nefTc, wherein unregenerate men, which hate to be reformed, and refufetoyeeld up themfelves to bee maftcred and guided by the Power and Light ofthe holy and heavenly Word of the true and ever-living God, doc unhappily reft and re-pofe thenfLTelves^ to-the eternal 1 confufion both of their foulcs and of their bodies: Which you muft take heed of, if you would profit by the Word.

6 Difcovcr and defeat all tllofe Snares of Sa-than, that wee have formerly mentioned to you in this DircOLirfc,)?<i!^.8 3. under the fourth Vfe.

7 Dejci^ and demolidi thofc two ftrotig Holds of Sathan; fir{}jCarnaJlEeafon. fecond-ly, Corrupt Affedion 5 which 1 thus define : It is the adVuatedftrength and rage, of original! pollution, which furioufly executes the fenfuall and unrcafonable determinations of corrupted Carnall Reafon; (lands at open defiance, and profeile.s open hoftilitie againft Grace, good-neffc, and good men, and courfes of fa^deification J fcedes upon fo long, and fills it felfc fo full wi'th worldly vanities and pleafures, that growing by little and little incorrigible andun-i:ameable, it brecdes and brings forth,as it na-turall ifTue, Defpaire, Horror^ aad the Worme which never dies.

By:

and perpetuall Quide.

H7

By Carnall Reafon, I underftand the whole fpeculative power of the higher and nobler part of the Saule, which wee call the Vnderftanding, as it is naturally and originally corrupted, and nccerly deftitute of all Divine Light 5 and doth afterward, through it ownefinfuU working and fenfuall difcourfe, grow wi(e in the World and earthie affaires, but difconceitfuU and oppofite to the wayes of God, and heavenly wifcdome, by concluding and commending to it felfe falfe PrincipIeSjfrom deluded fence,and deducing falic jconclufions from true Principles, and by a continued exercife and experience in contemplation of Earthjandpaflages of worldly Policie.

By Corrupt Affedion, I meaneandcomprife all the adive inferior powers of the Soule, Will, AfFediions, Sencc, as they are polluted and em-pOyfoned in the puddle of original! corruption ^ and afterward being flefhed in fenfuall pleafurcs, and enfierced by Sathans fuggeftionsjbecome the furious executioners of all the finfuU decrees and unfan<5iified determinations of the undcrftacdingandwifedomeof thcfletlj. 8 In hearing the Word, be furc,

Firft, » TogiveedrneHheed^Hei,!, i.

Secondly^ ^ To eonfxderferiouflj^ z Tim.i. 7.

Thirdly, « That wee be not in this refpe^i: like leaking VefTels, and have Sieve-like memories, H^^. 2. I.

Fourthly, ^ To keepe the Word with mucli adoe, with great contention and colludation,

(r4) 9 Suffer

misguided

8

mum,adve(tfrt animus. ** N:«I». Mente asitaiey in mmo verfartt

*, Uir»Tt vmpmf-fuu/j(tt, Neqttan-doperfluanutijut Teremianui iUe Parmen0j ft plenum efferimrii dkit^quihuc& iliitc.perfiuAU

tMuda s'fi vU burn vocabuliy quo

line tfiagno cetta-minepoffe ijiud komtmfetrfm af fcrvanju^ante came, ae V'labolo advcrfii) fpiriiu De'^novum hejpi-teifjy& capitalcm ipferumbiixica, \

See Terkj^s,

10

The Saints fure

1

ScCilMarrcrv of the Oracles of

See lbid.p»yf6,

See l^dalJi

My Wall^iTig

p Suffer the Spirit of Bondage to have its w6xke upon thee. Conclude horror upon thy heartj by the working of the Law, from fuch places as thck'^^Deut.z^, i^yio^, zThcJJ', i. S^^.

10 When thy Confcience is once throughly wounded by the preparative worke of the Spirit of Bondagejand all thy (inneSjCven thofe in which thou haft taken greateft delight, become heavie and a grievous burthen upon thy heart ; then let that heavie heart of thine receive fpirituall warmth, rcfrefhing, and life,

Firft, By perufing the Lord lefus in all the pafr fages of his Lomq, Sufferings, and SatisfadionSy from his comming from the Bofomc of his Father, untill his returning unto his right hand againe 5 efpecially hanging upon him, bleeding anddying^and crying under the burthen of owf finncSjMy God,my God, (^c. and fo conquering and C0T\ck\dln^, It ufinifBed. :■ , c

Secondly, By a feeling furvey and fure fetling upon all the Promifes of Life, feaiedwith his righteous bloud.

Thirdly, By cleaving to Gods fweeteftName, which is to forgive iniquitie, tranfgrelfion, and rinnc,£A;otff.34. ^,7.

Fourthly , By refting with all thankefull and joyful! acknowledgement, and rejeding refolutely all fcrupulous and fearefull injedi-ons, upon that bleffed Myfterie of Gods free grace, which reacheth from cverlafling to ever-lafting.

II Then

and perpetuall (^tiide.

if 5

11 Then ever after vvalke watchfully and fruitfully in the path which is called holy.

Now for continuall growing and profiting by the Minifterie, in that new and blefTed courfe, and for thriving by the food of the Word which thou enjoyeft, take thefedirections, looke unto thefe things,

Firft, Looke to the drcfllng of it 5 that thy fpirituall Cooke be cunning, and oonfcionable. Otherwife, it may fometimes turne into ranke poyfbn untothy Soule, fill thee with winde, and pufFe thee up with a caufelefle good conceit of thy felfc 5 impaire thy fpirituall health, kcepe thee ftinted, as it were, and at a ftay, &c. Nay, an ill fpirituall Cooke, by his jugling Trickes, may make thee belecve all thy life long, that thou groweft in Grace, and (halt goe to Heaven; and thou arc flarke dead in iinnes and trefpaifes, and fhalc be damned.

Secondly, The emptying and disburthening of the Stomacke of thy Soule, of all Humours, Paflions, Prejudice, Croifcs, Troubles, Temptations, &c. or any thing that will hinder the puritic and power of the Word from taking pofleflion of thy Soule: even the Honey-combe, the fweeteft thing in the World, is loathfome, as the Wife-man fayth , to a full ftoraacke. Thou muft bring an Heart and Head, like two emptie Buckets, to draw with greedineffe and /oy the Water of Life out of the Wells of Salvation.

Thirdly, To procure and rayfe an Appetite ( r 5) before

XI

See Chyjfofi.

See 'PjB«c\t In Jiban.p»ir7,

ZJO

The Saints fure

5?c Otryfoft. Tom.i. Hcw.41. Imttto AHthorc,

before thou come : from confideration •, firft, of its NeceflTitie : Where the Word of God is not preached J die people periQi \ as you had it in the former Treatife. Secondly, Excellen-cie : It is farre more precious than purcft Gold, dearer than thoufands oFGold and Silver. Third-ly, SweetnefTe : It pafles the Honeyjand Honey-combe. David^ in his ablence from the meancs, holds the Swallow and Sparrow happie _Birds. Fourthly, Profit: It builds up the inner man, &:c.

Fourthly, The Reception of it j That iievcr be entertained with farre more attention and re-vcrcnce^^than if wee were hearing the mightkft Monarch in the World fpeaking immediately unto us, by perfonall compellation, about the wcighfteft affaire, and neerclicft concerning us: That it be ever heard as the Word of the mightic and ever-living God.

Fifthly, Retention. The moRwholcfomeand fovcraigne meat, if prefently voided, nourifheth not at all 5 niany fall into a Confumption of Grace^by reafon of weakeneflethisway. They are hot and fierce to get unto a good Sermon, and they doe well, to be carefull thereabout5 but their forwardnc0e and fcrvencie coolcs and expires, when the Sermon is done. They after, have little more to doe withit,faveoiielytofay it was a good Sermon: As, many have anunfa-tiable appetite in deveuring meat, who cannot keepe it for any fpace of time. The retentive power of the Soule then muft be flrengthencd,

and

f

and ferpetuall Quide.

251

and exercifed, or clfc the attentive and attradiive addcs but more dcadnefle to a (pirituall Atrophic.

Sixtly, ConcoiSiion. By repetition • either in way of conference,*with our neighbours, and Chriftian friends ; or in way of examination, with our Wives, Children, Servants, Schollers, or other inferiours. But principally, by that, firftj excellent Exercifc of Meditation, which is the very life of profitable Hearing • and the ■ want of it, the death of all good Lelfons : It inflames the heart with a kindly heat,to pradife3 as in brooding, the Hen infpires heat, and begets life: fecondly, and by the heat of Prayer •, that both warmes the heart, fits the food^and bringsa blefling upon both,.

Seventhly, Digeftion. By application 6f the points unto our ovvne particular • by forting the particulars of the Sermon, unto our owne nc-ceflities • for the conquering of this Luft,ruling of thatPafTioJi, leaving this Sinne, performing thatDutie,6^c.

Eightly, Tradlcc. Walking in the ftrength of it afterward • which makes it our owne, and keepes the Soule in health,and growth,and comfortable temper.

And thus wee may conftantly grow by the Mi-nifterie of the Word; which is the principall publike Banquet, which the Lord hath provided for feeding his Childrens Soules.

The Sacraments are a fecond Service.

Evenbythefirft, that iSjBaptifme, wee may

See Chrykji. h Jahan.kem.lU

Let us ruminate (of the Scripturc,w^^^ and as it were chew the cud, that wee may have the fweet )uice,fpirituall e£feft,inarrow, honey,kerncllj taftcjComfort and conlblati-on of tbea, w.Hswiljfw reading Scrip* tures.

Wee muft, Ite-rumdememoria quafi de utero^re-vocare c> mmi' rtaiey& retraSa-re. Chrjfoflt 6r rather the an-certaine Au-' thor,;»»JW<ittfr,

£4-3

The Saints Jitrey ^c.

i

grow, not onely when wcc feelc it in ourownc bodies 5 but alfo, when wee fee it adminiftred unto others. And therefore, the cu ftome which iiath prevailed in mod places , of negleding and contemning this part of the Food of our Soules, is to be fevercly cenfurcd, and fharpely reproved.

By the (ccond, that is, the Lords Supper,

wee may thrive excellently, if wee follow tnofe

Dire^ions in my Preparative to it: To

which I rcfcrre you, in the fuc-

ceeding Treatife.

Fl ^l S,

-f^

..^''

The Ta b le.

Caveats, that r^ee ma^ frofit in hearing the Word, ^^j^&c^

Carnall ObjeBions aga>inFt the word. 6iytoZ^

Charitic among ChriHians^as much as among Papijis, 81

Chxiik fiiffers with his affliSted,

121

Confiderations fxteenefor the

ujefuine^e of the Word. 216^

&c. Convcrfion tried, S^

Covetoufnefle, and thejignes

of it, 96

Curksfi^^e of unprofitable hea~

ring, i9o^&c,

Curfcd is their conditif^ ^ that

are not reformed b^ the word in fixe particulars, ipp

D.

Danger in ahfenting from the word, 58

Degrees in (Inning, 5 5

DcwiW fleales ai^aj the word^ S'^,S6, He hinders conver-\ fion^Z'j, And a through re-formation^ 8 Z^&c, He deales with men as Pharaoh mth Mofes. 9'^^&c.

Deareneffe of things^ why grea-

ter notv than formerly, 8 2

Delight in the word helpes me-

morie, ij^

Duties required before hearings

I45> &^» tn hearings ly-^^

&c. Aft^rhearing, 182

E.

ECeds of Vride, 142

The End of our Creation, 2 04 Examination 5 vkcn required, 16 6^16-7 Examples for the praBice of preparation, 1 5 'i^^c,

F.

Falfe changes^ 88, S^. How tried, 102

Frequent preaching proved out of antiquitie, 205 ,c^f,

Feet 5 what is meant by them,

Finall falling from grace ^ not granted^ I o i. But partially and frequently^ 106. The good we get befalls, 108

Fretting at affiiBions ^ 132. At the profjperitie of the wic-ked, 133

G.

The T

ABLE.

a

Grace «j of a gromng nature,

40

Codilymen diHinguifhed from

Hypocrites , l^y jixe markes.

The Godly fhine Brighter after

their falls p 3^

Gods Children-hutfexv, 130

Gods Law not like mans, 54

God ^ the caufe ofaUaffliBion,

113, His aime in ailiBing

his, 117

Gods love to hiSy esceedes the

creatures, 114

m

Hardneffe of hearty anddhel^e againB it, 52,53

Helpes to heare the word un-derftandingij^ 177

I,

Ignorance It h darkeneffe^ 31, The danger ^f it^ p.3 j. /<? 3 7,

C7*4<^347

lud gem en ts of Non^frcflcients

hy the word, 48

ludgemcnts for the contempt of it. 201 ^d/c,

Judgements nhy rather to be, expeBed in our time, 8o

K.

Knowledge mujl be praBicaU^ 5, Fruits of divine Know^ ledge. ibid.,.

Learning humane oncly mil not

fave, 1^,20

Lets ofnotprofiting by theword.

p.5o,^aj23

Lif^tobe toBfor God, . 12

Light, phatmeant by it, 16

Love to God and our neighbours

tried,, SB

M.

Many take more fainesfor HeU^ than fomefor Heaven, p,75 .fo

The Matter of the word. 43 Math.10.4. expounded, 15? 5 Good MQanings m^ not fave,,

21

M^anes to cjmcken attention to

the word, 175

Medi-

Xh e Table,

Meditation reqm^te After hearings 184. The Benefits of it, 18 5 • X> ireBionsfot it, 227,

228

Hitii^QisEmbaJfadours : rrhy,

MinilterSjtr/;^ theypr&achfojhl-

d-Qme, 2op

Minifteric of the fVord like the

wedding feafl, 57

The Miferie of the naturall e-

ftate, 141

The More veee have, the greater

our account, 143

Motives 3 To walke bj the rule

of the word, p. 41. w 4^.

To prepare for hearing it,i 51.

To profit by it, ipy

o.

Obedience to the Word required, 187

Opennefle of heart to receive thefvord, lyi

p.

V^theSyirhat meant by them, 18

Papifts keepe the Word from the

Laitie^2 8, Tteir ObjeBions

anfrvered, ip

Peace that the Gefpcl brings with it, 70

Perfecution to be endured for the Word, ' 10

Pcrfeverance, W hindered by Sathan, 100. How crorvned by God, 105

Popidi Ho^italitie , mth its caufes, 81

Pta,yctSJind praifes mujibefer-vent,and free, 10

Prayer before the word, and for what, 170,171

Preaching prefefd before reading, 211. More needful/ now, than formerly, 213. it cannot be too much, 62^ &c.

Prefer vat ives againfl finnejioj, Againft fpirituallPrid€,i 3 ^, &c.

Preparation requifite before hearing, 145. without it, the word hurts, 145 , (^c. The profit of it, 158, (jjtc, what it is,and vkat required in it, 16$

'PridQ may faring from Gods providence, 132, (^c,

Privi ledges of the godly, 124

VtophantncfCeofMinifferf no

excufe for difobedience to the

Word, 73

Pfalmes,

Th

A B L E*

Pfalmes. theirttntentsanst be-nejitf.^' .« Sk\fr.-W .li^-^

Purging of the heart hefou hearing , from fime and tporidly

X^iMciti6tii'ofthi htartfie-

pre h^drifig.'"' ^ •' '152

Recufaock..'' .^"O r^ J '■ 51 RcgcneratioB,»'for,'' • 24 Reading the fyordfrefed^uj^, ■ /:.ObjeBions againB it anfoe-

red, 224

Remcmbring theword^ a I>«-

tie, ^?2,

Repetition and Conference^awh

ther, 185518^5227

Satbans Policte, 1 06

Separatifts condemned, 12 6,

127

Service of God how to be quali^

fed, 6y

Siy^e>S'mnQS fb//or9 mprojitabk I

Sinne againB the Holy-Cho^^ j ■: ■ how committed, 201

^iiigularitiejw/?^*^ refuired^and . ;. rnharmti ^ - \'^^^^ •■ ^"^'i*•'. • 128 Sleeping /» the church condemn

Nathans Sleights to hinder the r\ 0f,ordsw$rke, a Sj.c^^. Spirituall Pride, 12^, How it arifeth. l2/^,&c.

SwQct fmnt^nhat it if, - 55

T.

Things r^^f»/fe<^ to the hte of God and men, ^j

V.

Vndcrftanding of the Word required, ijj Y©wcs to befayd. p

w.

Wicked men hate the godly: r^y* Il6yli7

Wic^

T H » Table.

Wicked mtn hnd together 4-gain^ A fowerfuU MiniHer,

Wifedome indeed^ hvt ts be had. 3^

frmts of worldly Wifedomej4. vehift' wfi msn, ibid.

fFarldlj Wifedome wiSmtfave

Won*: The miming rfthe Word. \.\\'\^\-: 15

The Word nur chiefefl treafure^ 12,13, OurLi^ foBcd' ven. ip>38

The literaffWord , without the fi>irituaU meaning , fBfili not ffop ui, 23

H9t» men Uhttr $a hlnnt the edge

oftheWotd^ 2^

Sffngiingsofa wicked hearty to

get the Word 6»t^ being once

got in. 144

The Word vforltes Regenermon

And San^ification , 2 4^ 2 5.

It islivelj and fbdrpe in three

rej^cBsy z6. It is a Love-

Utter from Gody ^2^ Itfba^

judge f»5 4 5. ItisM9t mAnSy

but Gods invention J 50, It

fronts converted And uncon-

vertedy ^9. ItmuH: dwell in

m flentifuUj^And hof9y 105,

213, fitc^ It fits every man

in aUocci^ns, 215, &c.

^i^Worfiup h4ttd ij God,

a.,;

\'^'^^..

»s,a3

F I NI S.

i y c J .riG r ' 8

I