And accordingly I found the Lord sweetly and strongly bearing in my former resolutions and promises to God when I was depending upon him for directing and strengthning Grace upon my heart, and the Lord was pleased to satisfy your desires by his engaging of my heart to continue with you, and I assure you that I am willing to spend, and to be spent for you, and as I never thought any paines too great nor any difficulty too hard that I have not endeavoured to take and break thorow, for the weale and happinesse of your soules: so I trust I shall never knowingly neglect any oportunity, wher in I may any way further your wellbeing here and your eternall Salvation hereafter.
1. Try and examine your selves whether God hath throughly and savingly convinced you of your miserable and lost estate and condition by nature, Joh. 16.8. which may be known by these particulars:
1. Hath God by his Word and Spirit broken and melted your hearts; hath it been and is it so still a soule emptying and heart breathing conviction? hath the Lord shewn you your own nothingnesse and insufficiency; that you have nothing in you that is able in whole, or in part to deliver you out of your sad estate: that you are poore [Page 5]and miserable, and blind, and naked. Rev. 3.17. without Christs Righteousnesse, Isa. 55.1, 2.
2. Have your convictions been selfe loathing, and selfe abhorring convictions Ezek. 36.31. Job. 42.5, 6.
3. Have you been convinced of the evill of sinne in generall and of your sinnes in particular, both of emission and commission, how the great, the gracious, and mercifull God hath been dishonoured by you, he who waited to be gracious unto you so many yeares who invited and intreated you to come in and be reconciled to him by Jesus Christ? 2 Jer. 19. Rom. 7.13. hath it been the burden of your soules that you should thus requite the Lord, to choose rather to serve sinne and Sathan then to serve him? Jerem. 3 25. 1 Tim. 1.13.
4. Are you brought to loath, to hate, and abhorre all your sinnes: your right hand, and right eye sinnes: your former beloved sinnes, that were espoused to you? doe you loath the very garment spotted with the flesh? Psal. 119.104, 113. Rom. 7.15.
5. Have you cast off & taken your leave of all your former evill ways; your flesh pleasing and profitable sinnes as you accounted them: can you say that your hearts are brought to this, that you had rather suffer much, then sinne a little: that you had rather die then hugge, entertaine, or commit any known sinne? Ezek. 36.25. Judg. 10.16. Hos. 14.8. 1 Joh. 3.9.
6. Have you been convinced of the Justice of God, how justly God might have damned you for the least sinne that ever you were guilty of? that the great God hath cast many thousands into Hell for farre lesse sins then you have committed: that it was ten thousand to one that you had not been lost, that God hath been infinitely patient and forbearing towards you? Rom. 2.4. Gen [...].17.
7. Have you been convinced of your unworthinesse, that you deserve for ever to be rejected of God, and never to be received into favour with him Jerem 32.10. Phil. 3.7, 8, 9.
8. Have you understood & seriously considered what it will cost you to be Christians indeed? many (as I have often told you) when they are a little startled and awaked by the terrors of the Almighty; make some foolish, desperate resolutions and attempts to change their course of life; and go on so to doe for a while; but when they meet with stormes and tempests they change their minds and go back with the dogge to their vomit 2 Pet. 2.22. Math. 13.21, Luk. 14.28, to 34. have you con [...]dered that it will cost you the losse of Father and Mother, wife and Children, yea it may be your own lives also: that you must take up Christs yoake and follow him Luk. 14.26.27. and are you resolved notwithstanding to be Christians? can you say that none of these things move you? you care not what you [Page 6]suffer or undergoe, so that you may winne Christ and be found in him, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9.
9. Hath God followed these convictions? have they been revived againe when they have been dying or sleeping? have they spurr'd you on to Christ and to a more dilligent and earnest enquiry after God and your selves Phil. 1.6. Phil. 2.13. Joh. 16.9.
10. Did sinne lye so heavy upon your Consciences and the sence of Divine wrath, as to make you restlessely and unweariedly to make out after Jesus Christ for rest and peace? Math. 11.28.29. and when you went about to quiet your Consciences with your prayers, or the good opinion of the Saints: or your reformation or resting upon any other broken reeds or sparkes of your own kindling. Did the blessed God fetch you off, and continually pursue your Consciences untill he had brought your wills to choose and accept of Jesus Christ upon his own termes; and that freely without looking back with reluctancy of Spirit &c. finding a kind of loathnesse and unwillingnesse to foregoe your Idols; but you could cherefully and heartily cast them all away? can you remember that the Lord hath brought you so farre, and is still carrying on the worke in your hearts: can you find that your hearts were and still are drawn to go to the free grace and mercy of God in and by Iesus Christ, by his blood and righteousnesse, and in the sight and sense of your own lost, miserable, and woefull estate and condition being sinners, and in the sense of your own vilenesse, sinfullnesse, unworthinesse; & insufficiency say sincerly & heartily; Oh Lord: here is a poor, wretched, sinfull Creature come to thee for to be justifyed and pardoned: Oh Lord I doe abhorre my selfe and all my own Righteousnesse: I am a poor begger, miserable, blind, naked: Oh Lord I am a condemned person cast and lost and I am like to perish for ever by thy righteous Law: but Oh I heare that there is another Court of Iustice and mercy erected for poor sinners to appeale unto, and I am invited, nay commanded to make my appeale there: Lord I come unto thy free grace and mercy: nay Lord I come to thy Justice in Ghrists name 1 Joh. 1.9. I believe that he came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15. and that he hath satisfyed thy Justice; that he obeyed thy Law, that thou art well pleased with him; Lord thou hast made thy Sonne to be sinne for some persons, that they may be made Righteous by him: he bore the sins of many, yea for all that come unto thee by him, with speciall Faith. Oh Lord I desire to be made Righteous by his blood & righteousnesse, to have Redemption through his blood: Oh Lord if it may please thee to Justify me for his sake; Oh thou that justifies the ungodly, own me and be well pleased with me; & use me in thy worke. I shall account it my greatest happinesse. Oh Lord whatever hath separated between me and thee heretofore I doe utterly [Page 7]and heartily renounce, abhorre, and forsake; all my beloved sinnes, all my beloved Righteousnesse; that I may have Communion with thee, that I may no more dishonour thee; Oh Lord I have been a willing servant to sinne and the Divell, but unwilling to serve thee; but oh Lord now I am willing to cast of Sathan's service, and to engage in thy service. I preserre thy ways and thy Commandements tenthousand times before my old ways. Oh Lord I have delighted in sinne but now in Holinesse; to please my lusts, but now to please my God. Oh Lord I am willing to have an interest in Jesus Christ upon any termes, send me where thou wilt, do with me as it shall seem good unto thee; only deny me not an interest in thy Son, in thy speciall Love Oh for Christ, for Christ am I come; give me Christ else I dye; I will hang upon thy invitation, thy command, thy promise, Joh. 7.37. 1 John 3.23. Joh. 6.37. Oh Lord thou hast invited sinners to come in, and be reconciled unto thee; O Lord thou hast intreated and beseeched sinners; 2 Cor. 5.20. to accept of the termes of reconciliation. Oh Lord I doe come, I am a sinner; I am one of them that is invited; 'tis true I am a great sinner, oh yet I am but a sinner. Oh I am willing now to be saved in the same way that Paul was. Oh Lord why not I? why not I? seeeing that sinners are invited, yea whoever will let him come. O Lord thou hast commanded sinners such as see themselves lost, to look upon thy mercy and Grace in Christ and be Saved Is. 45.22. Oh Lord I come in Obedience to thy command, I am resolved to hang here: Yea Lord thou hast promised never to cast off such as come unto thee; Oh Lord I'll hang upon thy faithfullnesse and promise: Oh let me find favour I am resolved to take no denyall; I will not be put off without thee Lord Jesus; I am resolved to be like the importunate Widdow Luk. 18.1, 2, 3, 4. I will keep crying and praying; Oh Lord 'tis for my life; Oh Lord thou hast been a long time waiting to be gracious unto me, now I will wait for thee to answer my petition, thou hast been many yeares wooing of me to gaine my Love, and consent to marry thy Sonne: Oh Lord now I'll woe thee; Oh now I consent freely. Now with all my heart I am ready to contract with him; here is my soule and body and all is ready for him; Oh if I might but hear one comfortable word from thee about it: Oh that I might see but one smile; but one good look, to encomage me to continue my suit, Oh Lord the end of my coming to thee is, that I may be made holy, as well as happy; to be saved from sinne, as well as from wrath: Oh Lord if thou shouldest reject me, I shall dishonour thee to all eternity, the thoughts whereof is burthen some to mee: if thou shalt please to accept me, and adopt me into that family, and ingraft me into Christ, I shall live to thy honour and glory: Oh Lord when bloody persecuting Paul sought for favour, for acceptance, when Mary Magdalene and other great sinners, came [Page 8]to thee for pardon thou didst accept them. O Lord thou art as full of Mercy and goodnesse as ever, oh for Christs sake, for Love and Mercy sake. Oh for the Honour and prayse of thy great name pardon, love, receive me into thine arms of Love. Hath the Lord dealt thus with you, have you been thus brought to Christ; could you never be quiet, and satisfyed untill you had peace spoken to you by Christ, in answer to your constant and importunate suits and petitions; oh then be of good comfort Christ is thine; the spirit of God is in thee; thou hast an interest in the speciall Love of God, and in the Govenant of Grace; thou mayst go on tryumphing over sinne, death. and hell who shall lay any thing to your charge, Rom. 8. Christ is at the right hand of the Father for you.
Oh but beloved your worke is not yet at an end; you may not think that it is enough that you are in Christ, and Christ in you, that now you may fit still and be idle; no you just now beginne to worke, you never served Christ till he brought you home unto himselfe; Oh then now up and be doing and the Lord will be with you.
I beseech you minde this in the whole course of your lives; when you are tempted to neglect your worke and fall back to distrustfull feares, and doubts about your estates; oh then stand up stoutly and be not overtaken with the tempters wiles; and you will find it very advantageous to your soules.
1. Consider that it is an easier matter then most of the Lords people think it is, to rest and live upon some broken Cistern Jer. 2.13. after that they are in Christ, and are Justifyed: As first upon Prayer; when they have prayed with more affection then ordinarily they doe: or secondly upon brokennesse and enlargement of heart, or thirdly on former experiences: they are of singular use, but not to be refted upon: not to be set up in the roome of Christ: fourthly on grace in them; on knowledge, faith, or love, or patience, fiftly or on obedience, your care to please God, your respect unto his Commands; beloved you are to blesse God that he hath wrought these things in you, and labour to be eminent in them, but if you rest and relie upon those or the like & expect acceptance because of these things & to have your wants supplyed because it is so with you; or that God is therefore engaged to you to do you good, herein you greatly erre now that you may see that it is an easy thing thus to doe; take notice 2. Chron. 14.11. compared 2 Chr. 16.1. to the end Gen. 20.2 Math. 26.
2. Be sure that your old selfish principle will draw you in servility to rest upon something of your own, though not altogether as you did before Christ and you were one, yet in part it will be so.
3. You will exceedingly wrong your own soules if you doe not rest on God and relie wholly on him in Christ, as you have heard.
4. How unworthy will it be of your profession to Iesus Christ, for when you were burdened with your sinnes you sought for ease and reliefe to other helpes and Savioures, but they could give you none, and being perswaded to goe to Christ alone, and to cast all your burdens on him Math. 11.28, 29. when you promised him that if he would receive you, and take of the guilt of sin from you: you would for ever rest on him; & wholy cast your selves upon him now you have obtained your hearts desire of him; be sure it is expected that you should make good your promise, & live out your profession, which you made to him in time of trouble: Christ will take it very ill at your hands if now you should neglect him; and trust to those things that could not helpe you in time of need Judg. 10.12, 13, 14.
5. You will cause the Lord Iesus to leave you to your selves; yea in time of need when you shall go to him for helpe: he will bid you go unto [Page 10]your Gods: Judg. 10.14. he will withdraw from you and suspend his strengthening Grace, his teaching and comforting presence, if you doe rest upon and trust in any other.
6. Consider that Christ alone can supply all your wants: yea he will if you do cast your selves, and all your concernments upon him 2 Cor. 9.8 2 Tim. 1.12. Jud. 24. Phil. 4.19.
7. God hath pronounced such as doe not relie on him, but upon any other thing ac [...]ursed, oh 'tis very dangerous Jerem. 17.5.
8. Many promises are made to this duty: God hath engaged himself by promise to you that shall rest alone on him, to pardon you, to helpe you, to protect you: to give you peace Mark. 16.16. Isa. 41.10. Rom. 5.1.
9. It is of all other duties the greatest, and such a duty that if it be well performed will as a meanes enable you to performe all other duties that you owe to God or men: you will hereby be inabled to pray, to fight against flesh and blood, yea against the Devill himselfe. You will engage the great God to stand by you, to supply you with all grace at all times Eph. 6.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Math. 21.22.
Notes of living by faith.
1. YOu live by faith and rest on Christ; when you can acquiesce, satisfie, and quiet your hearts in him when all creatures and creature supports and comforts faile you: then you can trust in him and say I have interest in an able and faithfull God, in a full and all sufficient Christ, and here I can rest my soule, and I am fully satisfyed, I have enough in having him, here lys my happinesse, he hath made a Covenant that is sure, and certaine, and this is all my salvation 2 Sam. 23.5. but if you despond in your spirits, complaine, murmur, and are as persons undone when the Lord takes away Creature supports: then certainly you rested upon these things. A man may think that he doth believe and relie on God with a strong faith so long as he is hedged about with Creature comforts, but very difficult to know whether he can live by faith indeed at such a time. 1 Jam. 30.6. Prov. 18 10.
2. If it be more and more familiar and easy to you, you can quickly and readily go to your resting place: and not account it a strange thing. Psal. 56.3. Isa. 26.4.
3. If you are not discouraged in the work God sets you about because of the difficulties you meet withall in it; but you are carried on with much resolvednesse, and boldnesse of spirit to doe your duty: yea though your way be hedged up with thornes, yet you will not decline any one duty: it is a signe that you rest on Christ. Gen: 22.10 first verses. 20. Act. 24.
4. If you can keep your ground, and stand stedfast, and keep close to [Page 11]God in times of temptations, and raising up of that unbeliefe that is in your hearts; if you can say that none of these things move you: 6. Eph. 11. to 18.7. Math. 26.
5. If when the Lord withdraws and hides his face from you, when your graces are dead, your Sanctification clouded; your light is gone out as to your present sence, I say if then you can rest on the name of the Lord: 50. Isa. 10.43. Psal. 5. and stay upon the God of Jacob: then to conclude, well, though it be a sad and cloudy day now, yet I shall see the Sun-shine of grace againe.
6. If when you see your emptinesse, wants, and insufficiency, you can then go freely unto him who hath all fullnesse of all grace for supply, and there wait untill it please him to satisfy your desires: and you a [...]e kept from going back to broken Cisternes; then you live by Faith, 30. Isa. 18. 2 Chron. 20.12.
7. If you can quietly and cheerfully commit your selves to God, all your cares, troubles, and injoyments; and mind nothing but your duty and priviledges, how you may receive from God, and how you may live to him, and please him well in all things, how you may walk worthy of the Lord, and bring forth fruit to his praise: and take no care but a dutifull care, what you shall eat, and what you shall drink; but throw your selves on God for these things, then you Live by Faith. 4. Phil. 6. 1 Pet. 57. 2 Tym. 1.12.
NOw then for your comfort and incouragement know, that if you can find that you are thus brought home to Christ, that there is a reall, hearty [...]ntract made between Christ and your soule, and that now it is your care to rest and rely on him: then know for your comfort,
1. That you have an interest in, and a right unto all the promises that are made in Christ unto Believers: the Father, Sonne, and Holy spirit, are all by Covenant engaged to you to doe you good: his wisdome, his strength, his goodnesse, and farthfullnesse, nay his Justice, 1 Joh. 1.9 oh you that are the Lord [...] blessed ones, rejoyce and be exceeding glad; you may; 'tis your priviledge, 2 Cor. 1.20. Joh. 18 21, 23. 1 Joh 1 9.
2. You have freedom, and liberty to treat with God about the great concernments of your soules or bodys, yea you may draw neer unto him with boldnesse, and confidence and make your requests known unto him: Oh precious priviledge: Heb. 10.19, 20, 21, 22. Rom. 8.15. Heb. 4.15, 16.
3. You have an interest in Christs love: he can and will receive you, and your Sacrifices that you shall offer up to God in his name; he will plead your case in Heaven, be sure he will never neglect you, if you doe not neglect him: he expressed his hearty love to his poor friends when he was [Page]leaving of the world promising them that if they should aske any thing in his name he would do it, he that loves you can doe what he will for you Joh. 14.13, 14, 15. Joh. 15.7. John 16.23, 24, 26. Joh. 17.
4. God the Father himselfe loveth you: Jesus Christs Father, and your Father loves you; notwithstanding your former sinnes, and present infirmitys; he loves you with an everlasting love, before you loved him, he had his heart fixed on you, looking upon you in Christ when you were sinners: though he loved you not with the love of delight and complacency, as now he doth, having stampt his own Image upon you Joh. 16.26, 27. Joh. 14.23.
5. Be sure that your Heavenly Father will never leave you nor forsake you; provided that you endeavour to please him and continue faithfull unto him he will not doe as men, to love for a month or a yeare, and provide for their friends for a few days; but as his love will be eternall, so will his care be also; he will provide for your soules and bodys Rom. 8.32. he delights in the Prosperity of his Servants Heb. 13.5. 2 Chr. 15.2.
6. You have an interest in, and a peculiar right unto all the good things that Christ hath: he hath purchased all things that pertaine to life and Godlinesse; you being Christs all these benefits are yours; name what you will that may make for your well being here, and your eternall Salvation and happinesse hereafter: Oh blessed portion. 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23. Eph. 1 14. Rom. 8.32.
NOw Beloved the Lord having done all these things for you, having by his Grace brought you so farre in the way to Heaven and given you such great and singular priviledges, and many more then I have named; in the next place I intreat you to consider what manner of persons ought you to be in all manner of holy Conversation & Godlinesse: Oh study now to walke worthy of the Lord, in all well pleasing, being fruitfull in every good worke: Oh consider what the Lord hath deserved at your hands; what he hath redeemed, chosen, and called you for; why he hath called you into the followship of his Son Jesus Christ, and with each other, and bestowed such great mercy upon you and labour to answer Gods ends. Eph. 4.1 Col 1 10 1. Thess. 2.12.
1. Give up your selves wholly to God, devote your soules and bodys and all your injoyment, strength, wisdome, all the guifts that you have received of God unto him, doe it freely and heartily, say Oh Lord all that I am, or have is all thine; here Lord I freely give it to thee againe 1 Sam. 1.11.28. 1 Pet. 4 19.
2. Love your Heavenly Father and Saviour, as much as you can, oh you heires of H [...]aven, the more you love him the fuller your hearts will be of [Page 13]Love to him, the more cheerefully you will serve him and obey him, the more you will fear to offend him or to grieve him: Love will keep you from running out after the Creature: oh tis a heart preserving grace.
NOw for the increasing and actuating your love to the ever blessed God Psal. 18.1, 2.
1. Consider and realize much the great Love, the anspeakable love of the Lord Jesus to you, it hath and it will for ever even astonish and confound men and Angels, 1 Joh. 3.1. Rom. 5.8, 9, 10.
2. Consider and realize the freenesse of it: he loved thee because it pleased him, no other reason can be given for it but because he would: he saw nothing in you worthy of his Love: he might have hated you, and loved others Rom. 9.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Deut. 7.6, 7, 8, 9.
3. Consider how this Love hath been expressed: God hath not expressed it by giving you corruptible things, by giving you earthly inheritances: not in giving you a reprobates portion: no nor yet in making you perfectly holy without spot: but in parting with his own deare Son: in giving the dearly beloved of his Soule unto a cursed death for you to redeem you from the curse of the Law, from sinne, and Sathan; to make you righteousnesse with the righteousnesse of God. 2 Cor. 5. ult. Rom. 5.8. 1 Joh. 4.10.
4. Believe and pray much for hearts full of Love, go to him and say; Oh Lord thou that hast all fullnesse of love, I pray thee supply me, Oh Lord I am empty, Oh fill me: Oh Lord thou hast commanded me to love thee; Oh I desire to obey thee: Oh thou hast promised to give it. Deut. 30.6. Rom. 5.5.
5. Consider that God is infinite in Glory and in Holinesse. All the excellency beauty and holinesse that is upon all the Creatures is but a reflection of his Holinesse, and Glory, Oh how should poor wormer love him. Exod. 15.11.
6. Consider he hath loved you with an unchangeable love, your sins Could never hinder its nor shall never be able to breake it: he will continue to Love you though you oftentimes abate in your love to him Is. 55.3. Jer. 31 3.
2. Take heed of Hypocrily in all your undertakings and walkings, your words and deportments towards God and men: be sure to serve the great God in sincerity, and in truth, and whatever you professe, promise, or do to; or for men; do it without guile. Coll. 3.23 1 Pet. 2.1. Jam. 3.17.
1. Consider if you do any thing though never so Good an action never so worthy of praise from m [...]n hypocritically, the blessed God will loose his glory, 'tis not a Pelievers doing of a good worke that glorifies God unlesse his whole heart be sincerely ingaged unto God in the performance. And [Page 14]therefore the Apostle injoyns servants and all others to do what they doe heartily as to the Lord Col. 3.23. 1 Chron. 28.9. 2 Chron. 25.1, 2.
2. Be sure that you will loose the Comfort. God hath appointed his servants their imployments, and in their faithfull and dilligent performing their duty to him, he hath promised to give them Comfort, Joy, and Peace, but now when men leave out the speciall qualification to which God hath promised acceptance and his presence and other benefits, they shall loose the blessing promised. 1 Cor. 28 9.
3. You will lose your reward hereafter: you shall never heare at the day of Judgement one word for your comfort of any duty that you have performed, but what hath been done in syncerity and Truth, 25. Math 21.
4. Con: if you doe not serve the Lord Christ in syncerity, and in Truth, you will grieve the heart of one of your greatest friends, the Holy Ghost, 4 Eph. 30.
4. Con. You will cause the blessed God to depart from you, God cannot, he will not hold communion with such as are hypocriticall in their duties: you may not be hypocrities, yet you may have much hypocrisie mixed with your duties, and so much if you be not watchfull, and very carefull, as may cause the Lord to withdraw from you.
3. I Beseech you endeavour to avoid all occasions of evill, what ever may endanger and ensnare your hearts; and cause them to forget the Lord, and to depart from him: as
1. The company of sinners; a man can hardly touch pitch, and not be defiled therewith: he must be a strong Christian indeed, that can associate himselfe much with sinners, and not be insnared and seduced by them: Psal. 6.8. Psal. 26.4.
2. Be sure that you give not way to temptations, but resist them: yeeld not to the tempter a moment: if you doe you will be foyld: David and Sampson, and Jehosaphat you know were overcome by temptations, because they dallied with them, and did not resist them.
3. Take heed that you be not too bold in using your Christian Liberty: it is easy to run too farre that way; th people of God are not so often prejudiced by unlawfull things, as by lawfull: your hearts will be soon taken with these poor vain delights, that perish wich the useing. Gal 5.13. 1 Cor. 6.12.
4. Then you must be very carefull to turne away your eyes from beholding such objects as may probably provok and stirre up your Lusts, those things that your hearts are soonest affected withall: that are most apt to draw your minds and affections after them: as the fashions and [...] of this present age; you will quickly loose your minds; oh I like [Page 15]such cloathes and such fashions. Psal. 119.37. Joh. 31.1.
5. Avoid occasions of evill in this; walke not so much by example as by precept: look not too much upon the practises of Rich, Wise, and Learned men, it is not safe to follow examples, especially of such men, except they be transcendently gracious men: follow men so farre as their practises agree with the precepts of God. Phil. 3.17. 1 Cor. 11.1.
4. IF you desire to live as Christians, and to walke worthy of the Lord, then be ware of Idlenesse, be alwaies imployed in some honest businesse; for Idlenesse is a very great sinne, and it will bring you into many inconveniencies Prov 31.27 Ezek 16.49. 1 Tim. 5 13. 1 Tim 5.10.
1. You will thereby tempt Satan to tempt you, the Divell will be often visiting of an idle person, and tempting him to many sinnes, as he did David. 2. Sam. 11.
2. Idlenesse will indispose your soules and bodies for spirituall duties, it will bind up your hands and hearts: if you give up your selves to idlenesse, you will not be able to pray, or heare, or meditate, or examine your hearts: you will be putting off duties from time to time; resolve to day to be better and to morrow: when to morrow comes, then you will be as unfit as before, and then you will put off God, and quiet your consciences with new resolutions, and so never bring any thing to passe that you desire to doe, and God requires of you.
3. You will thereby incurre deadnesse, dulnesse, and regardlesnesse upon your hearts, which will prove a heavy affliction to you: you will be uncapable of injoying God in his Ordinances, or to worship God spiritually.
4. Idlenesse will bring continuall guilts upon you; to trouble and disturb your consciences, you will never be at quiet, but alwaies perplexed and tormented.
5. Idlenesse will expose you to many sinnes, God will permit many stumbling blocks to lye in your way; God oftentimes punisheth one sinne with another: you will meet with many occasions to draw you to the commitment of other sinnes, as David found by sad experience.
6. Idlenesse will imbolden your Lusts to break out, it will give vent to Lusts, Idle persons have one Lust or other continually breaking out in words or actions.
5. IF you will walk worthy of the Lord, be carefull not to give way unto the indispositions of your hearts, take heed of an indifferent frame of heart; when you find an indifferency and loathness upon your hearts to pray, or meditate, or to examine your hearts or practises, or to any other duty. [Page 16]when you begin to have a very low esteeme of any duty; oh friends suffer it not to be in you with quietnesse: but
1. Goe to God immediatly in Christ's name; and acquaint him with your condition; say oh Lord it is so and so with me, I have low and undervaluing thoughts of thy Commandements, and my duty to thee: Oh Lord I intreat thee for Jesus Christ his sake, deliver my poor soule, that I may serve thee with gladnesse. Psal. 55 22 Psal 119.32. Psal. 4.1,
2. Consider how deare it cost you heretofore, when you were through your carelesnesse, and neglectfulnesse under such a frame of heart: what expence of labour, paines, and care you were at in praying, weeping, waiting, hearing, and the like, before you were delivered.
3. If it be objected to you, that you cannot Pray or use any meanes to remove it from you at such a time; consider that you ought to doe what you can, though you cannot doe what you would, as you would: If you can but creep to God, and only acquaint him with your present burthens: it is not your unfitnesse, if you doe what you can in Christ's name, that can altogether hinder your prayers from being accepted, Rom. 8.26, 27. Psal. 103.13, 14.
4. Be sure that it will be worse with you before it will be better, if you yeeld to them. The quieter you are, and the lesse you doe to remove such frames of heart, the more these indispositions will grow, and increase in you: if you cannot use means now to remove them, you will be lesse able hereafter.
5. Consider that so long as you are under such a frame of heart, you cannot be fit for any spirituall duty, you cannot do any good work well.
6. Use such quickenings considerations, and Arguments, as may probably be a speciall meanes to help you out, to free you from these indispositions.
1. As first, that the blessed God can remove them with a word if he please; and that he is willing and able. Rom. 4 20, 21.
2. That Jesus Christ came into the world to give life, and to give it more abundantly; he came to give quickening grace to believers through the whole course of their lives, as at the first to deliver them out of a state of death, and to bring them into a state of life. Ioh. 10.10. Jer. 13.3.
3. That God hath promised to quicken dead soules; to remove all your cloggs and fetters, that hinder you from a comfortable walking with him. Psal. 119.25. Rom 8 11.
4. That the Lord hath delivered you when you sought unto him; nay when you were wholly dead in sinnes, yea before ever you desired him to doe it for you: and surely he will not now refuse to heare and help you when you call upon him, Psal. 119.50; 93. 2 Eph. 5.
5. That it is the Office and work of the Holy Ghost, to quicken Believers hearts: that he is imployed by the Father, and the Sonne, in such heart quickning work: Ioh. 6.63.
6. That it is the will of your heavenly Father that you should serve him with lively chearfull hearts, that he cannot endure to have his children lye under a dead indifferent frame of heart. 2 Cor. 9.7.
7. Consider that God is still your Father, and Jesus Christ is still interceding in heaven for you, even then, when you are so bound up in your hearts, as that you cannot bring up your affections to follow your judgements: you have still an interest in your Fathers love, and in the covenant of Grace, and in Christs prayers, Rom. 8.34. Ioh. 14.14. Heb. 1.25.
6. IF you desire to walk with God: then labour much to be watchfull Christians, keep a strict eye upon your hearts; no Christian like unto a watchfull Christian: none so holy, so humble, so strong, so wise, and faithfull: watchfullnesse is a preserving duty, and therefore the Holy Ghost is often pressing it upon the Lords people: Math. 24.42. Math. 26.41. Mark. 13.33. to the end. 1 Cor. 16.13. Coll. 4.2. 1 Thes. 5 6. 1 Pet. 4 7.
1. Labour to spie out the very first turning away of your hearts from God, and then you may prevent your hearts from going any farther; when you are upon your watch, you will find quickly which way your hearts are enclining, and where they intend, and for what: if you do so constantly and faithfully, you will be able to keep your ground, and still be Lords over your own hearts under God.
2. Watch that you may see and quickly find out what secret flatteries, and flesh pleasing insinuations the Divell at any time shall suggest unto you; Satan will draw you off from God if possible, not by violent temptations, but by some sweet suggestions; pretending that you may do such and such things: for they are lawfull, and others have done such things, that have been holy wise men: others have spent much time in seasting, and merry meetings: in jestings, and merry discourses: in sleeping and idlenesse: and why not you also: why these things are not altogether unlawfull, and many other such wayes he hath to seduce you.
3. Be sure to keep a strict watch when you are in vaine, evill company: for then you will be in great danger of being betrayed; your hearts will soon be drawn to close with them; at least to a conniving at them, or to speak something that may manifest too much of your consenting to them: and make them the more bold in their practises, and betray your own hearts, Psal. 39.1, 2.
4. Observe your hearts when providence calls you to change, either your [Page 18] places or businesses, or both: for then you will be in great danger of loosing your hearts, and your God too: many gracious hearts have found it true by sad experience; that have kept close to God for the most part, after they have been converted, so long as they have lived in the same places, and followed the same imployments; but in and after some considerable changes, they have miserably fallen, and departed from God. 2 Sam. 11.
5. When you meet with any great disappointments, and crosse providences; or God at any time gives you your hearts desires; then be sure to have a strict eye over your hearts: for if you are not exceeding carefull at such times, you will backslide from God: for then your thoughts will be taken up, about making some carnall advantag by the one: or in looking too much on the second causes in the other: at such times either your hearts will be too high or too low: Job. 1. 1 Sam. 1.
6. Watch when God calls you to the solemne performance of any spirituall duty, either privately or publiquely; least when you come to the performance, you come without hearts, or without hearts that will rather hinder you, then help you, 1 Pet. 4.7.
7. Be sure to watch your hearts, when you are in holy duties; especially when you pray, or speak before others, or when you joyne with others in prayer, your hearts will be like the fooles eyes in every corner of the earth at such a time; or pride, and selfe exalting will arise in your hearts: 1 Cor. 3.
8. When you have performed any spirituall duties, and you have met with God in it: you have been filled with joy, and enlargements of heart: your hearts are warme, and chearfull, you can read your names written in the Book of life: oh then especially watch; then you have more need then at any other times.
1. Because your hearts will rest upon your enjoyments; and set them up in the room of Christ; I doe assure you that I have found my heart readier to rest upon these broken reeds, and to neglect Christ, then at any other time; now you should endeavour to see it. Jer. 2.13.
2. Because your hearts will attribute that which only is due to God, to the Creature; and say my own hands have done this; or by the excellent gifts, and graces of such a man, who prayed and Preached admirably, and so forget that the holy spirit did all for you, and in you; Isa. 26.12. Phil. 2.13.
3. Because the heart is very apt to grow secure and carelesse then, more then at another time: then Satan and your own hearts will tell you, that now all is well, and therefore eat, drink, and be merry, untill you have [Page 19]so provoked the spirit, as that he will take his leave of your hearts secretly, you shall not know when nor how he departs. 1 Kings 9.2. compared 11 chap. 1.4.
4. Because if you should depart from God after such sweet expressions of his love, you will more dishonour and grieve him then before, and God will take it as a very proud affront to his Majesty, that when he hath sweetly and gratiously answered your desires, you should so much slight and undervalue him, as not to endeavour to keep what he hath given you: 1 King. 11 9. Psal. 85.8.
5. Because when you were waiting and depending on God, for such or the like favours, as you have received, you promised and vowed that you would improve them when the Lord should grant them, now you cannot possibly make good your promises and vowes, except you be very watchfull, Psal. 76.11. Eccl. 5.4, 5.
6. Because then you have power: your faculties and graces are prepared; you have divine strength put into your hand, to walk with God, and to doe some singular thing for God, for the farther advantage of your soules, more then at another time. Psal. 36.9. Psal. 30.5. Therefore be much in this blessed duty, especially at such times: and know that 'tis not your duty only at such times (though especially then) but at all times, in all places, in all businesses, in all companies; in all your conversings with men: and in all your conversings with God.
1. NOw to quicken you to this great duty, consider these few things: first; if you shall carefully, faithfully, and constantly practise this duty, you will be able to see, and clearly to discerne all passages between God, and your soules: you will see his comings in, and goings out; you will know the method of the spirits workings; you will be ready to imbrace and receive all his benefits: you will quickly see a clear difference between your own spirits, and the spirit of God; your own wisdome, and strength, and his; you will see the worth of divine assistances: 2 Pet. 4.9. the 4, 5, 6. Chapters of the Cant.
2. You will be well provided to wage warre with the Divell, your Lusts, and the World; you will be able to see your enemies a farre off; you will not be surprised, but be able to fight with them at a distance, and then you will have a very great advantage, when you shall be able to fight with your enemies at the swords poynt; I can say that when I have fought with sin, and Sathan at a distance; that I never was conquered, but was still a conqueror, through the Lord Jesus that strengthened mee. 1 Pet. 5.8. Eph. 6.
3. Consider that God hath pronounced such blessed, God blesses you even in the very performance of it: besides what soule advantages you will have thereby as you have heard, Revel. 16 15. Math. 24.42, 46.
4. Consider that it is your duty to watch; therefore do it in obedience to Gods command, make Conscience of performing this duty as well, and as much as of any other Mark. 13.33, 34, 35, 36, 37.
5. You will make your passage to Heaven the more comfortable; you will make the way easy and plaine, you will not be so often at a losse as others are that neglect it; you will be able to runne, when others can hardly creep; you will rejoyce when others mourne Psal. 51.
6. God will enable you hereby to be ready to every good worke; you will be able to go from one duty to another, from one businesse to another, from one place to another; to performe the dutys of your particular callings, and goe from them to prayer or hearing, or meditation, or discoursing with the Saints; oh my brethren what a priviledge will you have? none can be greater then to have the heart disposed unto every good word; and worke for God Tit. 3.1. Luk. 12.40.
7. Be much and often in the great duty of private prayer; take heed of neglecting that spirituall and soule enriching duty, it hath been and still it is, the Common experience of the Lords people, that the neglect of this dutie hath been unspeakably prejudiciall to their soules; and beloved the Devill will Labour more to keep Believers from this dutie, then (I thinke) from any other; for nothing can prejudice the Devills Kingdome, like unto this duty, well performed: now that your hearts may be the more engaged to this duty, I shall intreat you to realize these few considerations and Scriptures. Math. 6 6.9. Math. 26.41. Mark. 13.33. Luk. 18.1. Luk. 21.36. 1 Thess. 5.17.
1. IT is Gods way, his Ordinance, & appointment to Communicate and [...]onvey his choisest soul saving mercys to his People; so that if ever you expect much of God, be much in private prayer Math. 7.6, 7, 8, Psal. 2.8.
2. Cons. God hath promised his Spirit to helpe such as shall be faithfull in waiting on God in this duty: so that when you intend to pray; but meet with great oppositions with much deadnesse, and coldnesse of h [...]art, many great temptations; be not in the least discouraged; but go to the Lord and tell him that you intend to pray as he hath commanded you; but you cannot unlesse he will helpe you; tell God that he hath promised his Spirit to helpe you, and that now you Stand in need of him, and intreat him to give him to you, and take no denyall Rom. 8.26, 27. Gal. 4 6. Joh. 14.26.
3. Consider that the great God hath condescended to promise to heare the very groans and sighs of your hearts, when by reason of the prevalency of your corruptions and temptations you cannot speake out your wants, and desires to God. Rom. 8, 26, 27. Psal. 79.11.
4 Your Heavenly Father invites you to converse with him: he intreats you not to be strangers to him: God would have his people to be familiar with him; call on me saith God, I will heare thee; you may goe to God in Christs name, as friends invited to feast with him; and to aske what you will of him; Psal. 50 15 Math. 11.28. Joh. 15.7.
5. Consider that your Heavenly Father Complaines much of his peoples strangenesse to him; and tells them they had forgotten him days without number. Jer. 2.32. Isa. 43 22.
6. Consider that God is your friend, and Father, he is full of bowells of love compassion and goodnesse; he will be exceeding ready to receive you and here your prayers and grant your desires; so that when you goe to God to petition him for any mercy, remember you goe to the greatest and most real heartedst friend, that you have. Exod. 34.6, 7. Jer. 3.19. Psal. 86.5.
7. Consider that you have a great faithfull; loving, and potent friend in Heaven, to transact all your businesses in Heaven, between God and your soules; one who can experimentally sympathize with you; your advocate and Intercessor is man as well as God; you may open your very hearts to him, with as much freedome and holy boldnesse, as you may to any friend you have in the world; remember what he promised you before he went into Heaven, and put him in minde of them, and be sure that he will be as good as his word, 1 Joh: 2.1, 2 John 14.13, 14, 15. John 16 23, 24, 26. John 15.14.
8. Consider prayer is an appointment of God, whereby God will hold Communion with his people in his Ordinance, God communicates his minde unto his friends, and the blessings of the new Covenant; and Believers having received of God; they give back againe to him; by acknowledging his free mercy and grace: in blessing and praising of his Name; and in resting and relying upon him for further expressions of his Love: and by commending his goodnesse, and inhauncing it. Jam. 4.8. 1, and 2. Chapters of the Acts
9. Consider God hath promised to heare and to Answer the desires, and requests of his people, that are according unto his will; and God is ever mindfull of his Covenant. Jer. 29.12, 13, 14. Psal. 34.15.
10. Consider that if you shall be negligent in this duty, you will quickly incurre guilt on your consciences, and bring heardnesse upon your hearts; [Page 22]you will grieve the holy Spirit, and cause him to withdraw from you, you will bring upon your selves many feares and doubtings, which will greatly perplex and trouble your soules: you will loose the exercise and use of all your Graces; yea you will have all your spirituall comforts taken from you Psal. 30.5.
2. Be sure to performe this duty according to the will of God: Oh my beloved tis not enough to pray much, but take heed how you pray; tis not any kind of praying that is a Sacrifice well pleasing to God Mat. 6.9. after this manner therefore pray ye saith Christ.
1. Before you begin to pray, set a part a little time to prepare, by considering 1. What your wants are, what you stand most in need of; 2. Whether it be your duty at that time; it is an easy matter to be mistaken, and to pray when we should doe some other thing; I assure you friends 'tis a great thing, yea a choise mercy indeed, for a Believer to do all duties in their season. 3. Whether God hath promised to give such things as you intend to aske, whether there be any generall or paticular promise to be a foundation for your faith: 4. Consider with whom you have to doe in prayer a God who is Justice, Goodnesse, Wisedome, Strength, Mercy, Love, Omniscient, Omnipresent. and a Spirit: and then 5. Consider what frame of heart is, or may be most suitable to these glorious Attributes of God; 6. Consider your own unworthinesse; how infinitely unworthy you are of such a priviledge. 7. To consider your own insufficiency that you can do nothing without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and that he hath promised the Spirit to them that in sincerity aske him. 8. To consider what encouragements you have from God to pray, and other considerations you should use to prepare your hearts.
3. When you go to God, believe for much, and expect much of God, take heed of doubtings and of low and narrow expectations: open your mouths wide, that is your faith, that God may fill your hearts. Jam. 1.5. Psal. 8.10.
4. Be sure that you get your hearts affected with your wants, and with the greatnesse & preciousnesse of those mercys that can supply them, that so your hearts may hunger and thirst earnestly after them Math. 5.6.
5. Go to God the Father in Christs name, go in Christs worthinesse, by his blood, and Righteousnesse, loke on him as on one that sits at Gods right hand to make intercession for you, say unto God, Lord though I am [Page 23]unworthy yet thy Son is worthy, he hath purchased these mercys that I begge of thee, John 14.13, 14.
6. Pray earnestly, heartily, and Spiritually to God; take heed of carnall, dead, heartlesse Sacrifice, of formall praying; for that will exceedingly prejudice your soules; never leave off untill your hearts have been carryed up to God, Ioh. 4.24. Coll. 3.23.
1. COnsider your Consciences will not let you alone to rest contented, except you doe the matter of a duty; but then they will be for a time quiet in the thing done, but know that no Sacrifice, no Prayer can find acceptance with God but a hearty fervent prayer Jam. 5.16. Rom. 12.11.
2. God requires the heart in all your dutys, and therefore it is but reason that you should give that to him. Prov. 23 26.
3. Consider, unlesse you pray heartily, and earnestly, you cannot doe it in Faith; now whatsoever is not of Faith is sinne. Heb. 11.6. Rom. 24. ult.
4. Consider if you doe not pray so, you mock God, you pretend to doe that which you do not, and you know that that is a great sinne. Gal. 6.7. Jer. 3.10,
5. Consider if you do not pray so, you rob God of his own, that which is due to him; you keep from him; will a man rob God, saith the Prophet, will he be so wicked as to detaine that which he gives unto him: Mal. 3.8. Mal. 1.8, 9.
6. Consider that you will loose all your labour and paines: God will never answer carnall, cold, heartlesse prayers here, nor reward you for them hereafter; he will say who hath required these things at your hands Isa. 1.11, 12, 13, 14. Math. 7.
7. Continue in prayer; be not discouraged and put off with feares that you shall never obtaine that which you pray for, because you are not answered presently: but go againe, and wrestle with God as Jacob did and resolve to take no denyall Gen. 32.24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
8. Then when you have prayed wait for and expect an answer, looke after your prayers; observe what answer the Lord gives to your prayers. Psal. 85.8. Sam. 11.
9. Commit your selves and your concernment, your prayers and all into the hand of Jesus Christ; as well after you have prayed, as when you are praying; and labour to quiet your hearts as the prophet did in the goodnesse [Page 24]of God, let him doe what he sees good, referre your selves unto him to his wisedome, care, and love. 1 Pet. 5.7.
8. I Beseech you brethren, take heed of the world; engage not your selves in more worldly businesses then you can well mannage and keep your hearts free for God; and to have time enough for Spirituall dutys; for prayer, hearing, Conference, Meditation, and examination 1 Joh 2.15. Rom. 8.6. Phil. 3.18, 19. 1 Tim. 6.9, 10, 11, 12.
1. Consider that though it may be profitable for the body, yet 'twill be very hurtfull, and prejudiciall to your soules, now you know the soule is much more precious then the body, Luk. 12.32, to the 33 Luk. 22.34.
2. Consider though you may feare and intend no hurt in so doing to your soules, yet your hearts may soon be overcharged with the cares of this life; for although in the first beginning your hearts may be kept with God, yet by little and little you will find it will grow worldly Math. [...].24, to the end.
3. Consider that you have no promise to be assisted and kept by God in so doing; because God hath not called you to so many worldly businesses; God never calls any of his people in love and mercy to more imployments then they may well do (if they will be carefull) and yet keep their hearts free for and close to God Coll. 3.1, 2. Phil. 3.20.
4. Consider if you doe so, you will cause both Saints and sinners to have hard thoughts of you: you will loose your room in spirituall hearts; and sinners will conclude that you are covetuous earthly creatures; 2 Tim. 4.10. Phil. 3.19.
5. Consider if you engage in more worldly businesses then you ought, you will expose your selves to more temptations then you will be able to beare 1 Tim. 6.9, 10, 11.
6. Consider 'tis better to have Communion with God then to have much of the creature; to have a praying, [...]enlarged heart then your purses full of mony, and your barnes full of corne; it is farre better to be enriched with heavenly things, then with earthly Psal. 4.6, 7 Phil. 3.7, 8, 9.
7. Consider that Saints must be singular men, they must be as lights to guide others, wicked men must see that Saints are men of other Spirits, of choice Heavenly minds. Math. 5.46, 47. Isa. 63.8. John 17.16.
9. ENdeavour to walke very humbly having low thoughts of your selves; and shewing much meeknesse, and humility before all men in your words, deportments, and in all things: Coll. 3.12. Phil. 2.6, 7, 8. Prov. 39.23. Jam. 4.6. Isa. 57 15. Isa. 66.2. 1 Pet. 5.5, 6.
1. Consider that you were filthy vile wretched Creatures the worst of all excepting Divels. before the Lord Jesus Christ did cleanse and wash you, before his Righteousnesse covered you: Ezek. 16.14 first verses. Isa. 51.1. Rom. 3.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, to the 20.
2. Consider that you have deserved nothing but hell and wrath, or whatever may make you miserable.
3. Consider that to be humble is to be like unto Jesus Christ himselfe, he that was and ever shall be Coequall with the Father, made himselfe of no reputation; how low did he stoop to exalt you. Phill. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. 1 Tim. 3.16. John 13.13, 14, 15.
4. Consider that the more humble you are the more grace you shall have; God delights to fill the Humble with Wisedome, and knowledge; he will open secrets unto such: Psal. 25. 1 Pet. 5.5, 6.
5. Consider that Humility is a great and glorious ornament to Religion; none can more honour the Gospell then an humble Christian, he is a shining blessed Christian; oh how doth humility commend religion unto others, even unto Saints and sinners. Math. 3.5.
6. Consider that the more humble you are, the more communion you shall have with God; you will have more assisting Grace then others to keep you from backsliding; God will quickly take his leave of a proud person: but he loves tod well with him that is of a poor and of a contrite heart. Is. 57.15. Isa. 66.2. Psal. 138.6.
7. Consider that you live upon free grace, God may take that from you that of his free Grace he hath given to you, if you forget him, and lift up your selves with his mercys Math. 25.28 1 Pet. 5.5.
8. Consider the great distance that there is between God and you, how infinitely great and glorious he is; he is glorious in holinesse; fearfull in prayses; and you are poor nothing Creatures; poor wormes: God may (if he please crush you in peeces, and give you no account why he doth so: Psal 5, 6.
9. Consider that you cannot do any thing without him, you can neither heare nor pray, nor discourse without his w [...]sedome and strength, and therefore how little cause have you to be proud of your selves 2 Cor. 3.5, 6. Rom. 26, 27.
10. Consider that God requires and Commands you to walke humbly, what doth the Lord your God requires of you; the Prophet answers to walke humbly with your God, Mich. 6.8. Col. 3.12.
10. LAbour to have, and to keep always a tender Conscience that the [...]ppearance of sinne may make some impression on it; Conscience is an active stirring faculty; it will not be quiet if you give it liberty; if you do not offer violence to it: take heed my friends, you may soon get a seared sleepy Conscience; in a great measure; and know for certain, that if you stop the mouth of Conscience, you will also hinder the spirits workings, who worketh in and by Conscience; and if the Holy Ghost and your Consciences should once cease their operations, you may be suffered to run into sin, and so from sin to sin; for you have as it were, bound up the hands of your keepers: 2 Chron, 34.27. Act. 24.16 1 Tim. 1.5. Heb. 10.22.
11. Take heed of taking the glorious and fearfull name of God in vain; of using it commonly, and frequently, without feare and trembling; you will not use the name of some great men without some reverence and respect; consider what God hath spoken of Himselfe to his Creatures, to beget in them a holy feare and reverence; how ill the Lord hath taken it, that men speak so slightly, and carelessely of him, the Lord will not hold such a person guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine, that is, that speaketh of God in a common ordinary manner; Oh my friends, if you love the Great and Holy God, shew your Love to him in being tender of his honour; never make mention of the name of God but with a self abhorring, but with a deliberate purpose to exalt and honour him; Oh my beloved, for the Lord Jesus Christ his sake, if ever you hope to see the face of the Holy God; I beseech you when you speak of God, or to him, do it with feare, reverence, and trembling. Exod 20.7. Deut 5.11. Deut. 28.58.
13. Treasure up the word into your hearts, when and after you have heard it Preached unto you, one great reason why you do not grow faster in knowledge, in mortification, and holinesse, is because you are (I am afraid) like unto the hearers that James speaks of, Jam. 1.23, 24. if ever you exspect good by the word, you must take pains with your hearts before you heare, and when you are hearing; and after that you have heard, to consider what you have heard, to labour to have it turned into Grace, in every faculty of your soules, to heare for afterward: to search and see what advantage you may make of every Sermon you heare. 1 Cor. 15.2. Math. 13.18. to 24. Psal. 119.11.
13. Labour to walk joyfully and chearfully; a holy serious mirth, a spirituall rejoycing, is very commendable in a Saint; let your rejoycing be in God, not in your selves; let it appear that Religion is a reall thing; that [Page 27]you tast, and feele more sweetnesse and joy in the wayes of God that you walk in, then others to doe in their own wayes.
1. Consider that God hath promised it: he hath promised to make his servants joyfull: to comfort and cheare their hearts. Oh you blessed of the Lord, make out to God the Father and Jesus Christ for much of it; Isa. 35.1, 2, 10. Isa. 56.7. Isa. 65.13, 14.
2. Consider that the Lord commands you to rejoyce: therefore labour to be joyfull and chearfull in obedience unto the command of God, Phil. 4, 4. Psal. 97.12.
3. Consider that Jesus Christ hath prayed for it: when Jesus Christ was about to take his leave of his friends, you know he made a long prayer to his Father, for his Servants and Friends, that he was to leave behind him in a persecuting world, and among other Petitions you have this, Ioh. 17.13. I come to thee Father, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
1. Be sure to call to mind, and to realize what once you were, and what you are now: you were once Children of wrath, and of the Divell, but now you are the sonnes and daughters of God, once the servants of sinne, but now the servants of Christ. Eph. 2.1, 2, 4, 5. Tit. 3.3, 4, 5.
2. Call to mind what great things Jesus Christ hath done for you, and what it hath cost him, to make heirs of eternall glory, Tit. 2.14. Rom. 5.8, 9.
3. Be often minding of your heavenly Fathers Love, and free grace to you; how he continues still to love you, how his heart, and Christs heart stands affected towards you, that he loves you really and heartily: Ioh. 3.16. 1 Ioh. 3.1.
4. Remember your future estate, what you shall be, though now you have many heavy burthens on you, yet the time is coming that you shall be freed from all, and shall be partakers of the fulnesse of Christs ioy: you shall see him as he is; realize it to your own soules, that so your hearts may be affected greatly therewith: 1 Ioh. 3.2. Coll. 3.4. 2 Cor. 4.17. Revel. 2.10.
14. TAke heed, that you give not place to distrustfull unbelieving thoughts, and reasoning in a carnall manner, at any crosse dispensations: you will then quickly fall into the commitment of other sinnes: you will murmure and repine against God: you will hinder your prayers acceptance, you will quickly weaken the hands of grace, if you give way to the raisings up of unbeliefe, and entertaine it in your hearts, you will quickly ruine your selves.
1. Therefore to prevent it, consider that it is your duty to believe and not to entertain any distrustfull thoughts of God; and God takes speciall notice of you, whether you be obedient unto him accordingly 1 Joh. 3.23. Isa. 26.4. Isa. 50.10.
2. Consider that distrustfulnesse will grieve the Holy Ghost, he hath wrought faith in your hearts, and commands you to use it in order to the destroying of unbeliefe; and therefore now expects that you should believe, and reject all such wicked thoughts, Eph. 4.30.
3. Consider how exceeding hurtfull it will be to your souls, if it be not kept in subjection; it will hinder your spirituall comforts, and make you goe sorrowfull to your graves, and disinable you for all your work and service for God, Rom. 15.13.
4. Consider what grounds you have to believe, what helps and encouragements you have; Gods commands, his promises, his Oath, his faithfulnesse, power, goodnesse, mercy, and love, engaged for you, you have the Lord Jesus interceding for you in heaven with his merits: Rom. 1.17. Heb. 6.17 18. 1 Thes. 5.24. Rom. 8.34.
15. Labour to be of lively, active, publique spirits, let not the Divels disciples be more lively and active for their Lord, then you are for Christ your Lord: do not give Jesus Christ cause to complain of you, that his adversary the Divell hath better servants then he: do not make Christ ashamed of you: tis a shame to Christ to have dead, lifelesse members: when your hearts begin to flagg, and to lose their activity, then go to him for life, who is the fountain of Life, Ioh. 10.10. Psal. 36 9. Isa 55.1.
16. Labour to have alwaies upon your hearts the allseeing eye of God, Consider that God sees all your thoughts, intentions, and all your contrivements, he pondereth all your wayes: yea there is not a thought in your hearts, but he knoweth it altogether: Christians know that God doth very narrowly p [...]y into all your aymes, and ends, more then into others; he loves the feet of his Saints: Oh my friends this will keep you from the entertaining of many idle thoughts, and vaine words: from misspending of precious time: from sinfull selfish aims and ends in what you doe: it will be a meanes to make you walk warily, and circumspectly before God, Saints, and sinners; and prevent backsliding from God: Psal: 139.4. Prov. 5.21. Jer: 17.10.
17. Labour to be much affected with Gods favours to you, but especially with the God of the Favours, and mercies; and endeavour to be very thankfull for them: for soule mercies, and bodily mercies; Labour to see the true and full worth of the mercies, that you enjoy; consider that [Page 29]you are lesse then the least of them; consider that all your injoyments, all your mercies for your soules and bodies, are given to you upon a speciall account, they are new Covenant mercies; and the Lord Jesus hath purchased them for you: so long as you have a low esteem of mercies, you cannot be affectionately thankfull for them: Oh redeeming mercy electing mercy; calling, converting mercy, confirming, and co [...]forting mercies: Oh how great is persevering mercy; teaching, and soule strengthening mercies, oh your great Gospel mercies; your Ordinary mercy; your mercies of peace, health, and Liberty, which all of the Lords precious Saints in the world cannot enjoy, Math. 13.16, 17.
18. Keep to the good way of God wherein you have walked, and wherein you have found God sweetly revealing of himselfe unto you; and take heed that you turne not aside to the right hand or to the left: Oh labour to be stayd, stable, strong Christians: take heed that you be not soon shaken in mind; for tis a good thing that your hearts be established with grace, let no man deceive you with vaine words, and draw you back again from your faith and practice, to the old corrupt formall way of worshiping God againe: Oh let not the flatteries, or frownes, or reproaches of men, though from your nearest relations, in the least measure, cause you to faint in your spirits, or cause you in the least, to decline from the ways of God; if any man draw bo [...]k (saith God) my soule shall have no pleasure in him: think not that you doe not walk inthe ways of God because wicked men reproach you for so doing: no my brethren, but rather use it as an argument that you are in the way, because you are reproached by such men; Consider that so long as you walked as the world did, and there was no difference between you and them, they did not trouble you: Gods owning of you and visiting you so often; with such sweet expressions of love, should confirme you in your principles and walking; against all the Arguments of men, Eph. 4.14. Heb. 13.9. 2 Pet. 1.12. Gal 6.9. Heb. 12.3, 4, 5. Ioh. 15.18, 19.
19. Let all that you doe, all your purposes and intentions, all your thoughts, and words, or as many as possble, be directed to exalt the name of God: When you heare the word preached heare for God: that you may be made more like unto him: that your hearts may be brought nearer unto him: that you may know more of his will, that you may doe more, and so when you pray, or converse with the people of God, or with sinners, pray for to exalt and honour him; converse for God, labour in all your callings, and worldly businesses for God: you will loose all your Labour, cost, and paines, that you lay out, and spend in any good [Page 30]work, if you doe not intend for God; and give it to him: 1 Cor. 10.31. Col. 3.23. Prov. 3.6.
20. I beseech you in the last place, give diligent heed to these Rules, that you have promised to walk by: Labour to understand, to remember, and to practise every one of them; so farre as they are practicall: oh beloved, your priviledges are many and great, as you have oftentimes acknowledged to God: and therefore be sure that your duties are many and great: God having done more for you then for others, oh therefore be more wise, more holy, more circumspect, more loving, more fruitfull, more diligent, and more faithfull then others: oh labour to be more humble, more sincere, and more abounding in the work of the Lord. Oh my beloved friends in the Lord Jesus, how insinitely are you ingaged to God, you owe your selves and all your enjoyments unto him; he hath kept back nothing from you that might doe you good: he hath freely given his own Son, his holy spirit; oh rejoce in God and love, and feare, and honour him, think nothing too much that you can doe to honour him, he was contriving and lying out his thoughts from all eternity about your salvation; contriving how to make you everlastingly honourable and happy: Consider my deare friends, you have but a few days to worke and suffer here, you are drawing towards your rest, oh how blessed will you be if you shall continue stedfast, and unmovable in your walking with God unto the end; Oh my Friends keep close to God, & he will keep with you he will not depart from you, if you will not depart from him: 2 Cron. 15.2. your God and Father will delight to do you good: you may have the liberty to aske what you will and it shall be done; if good for you, oh fight strongly against your spirituall enemies: you must fight before you can overcome, before you can be crowned as conquerers even as Jesus Christ himselfe hath done for us, and before us: surely if we will be partakers with Christ in his Crown and Glory, we must first suffer and worke with him Consider all the goodworkes that you shall performe in sincerity, for the glory of God, shall all be remembred at the last day, to the infinite and endlesse Joy and comfort of your soules; all your sufferings for Righteousnesse sake shall be abundantly rewarded: feare not litle slock, it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdome, your Lord and Saviour will shortly come and see you: he will fetch you home unto himselfe: when your enemies shall have that dreadfull sentence, depart from me ye cursed, he will say to you come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome of Glory; now you that have followed me shall sit upon twelve Thrones Judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Then your enemies will be [Page 31]confounded and ashamed, then they shall bow and bend to you. Oh you that now suffer from your relations, you shall then be perfectly delivered, and separated from them: it will not then grieve your hearts to see them rebellious your naturall affections shall then cease; you will be then wholly swallowed up in glorifying the blessed God, then all your teares shall be wiped away; your sorrow shall flee away; you shall be swallowed up of life: Oh how welcome will you be to Saints & Angells: Oh then you will a dmire free Grace: you will crie Grace, Grace, thon you shall have your hearts filled with love to God; then all your prayers, sighs, gro [...]ns, and teares shall be answered, then you shall rejoce without ceasing; then you shall be crowned with Glory and Honour and you shall never be reproached any more. Oh you beloved of Gods soule; you shall never complaine of a dead heart, any more. Never crie out of a hard heart, of a streightned narrow heart any more: then your hearts shall be enlarged: and you shall forever sing for joy of heart; oh therefore be willing to follow Christ a litle while & he that shall come to put you into the full possession of your promised happinesse will come; and will not tarrie: unspeakably blessed shall you be if your blessed Saviour should come and find you so doing, which is the prayer of