Application.

Applicat. 1. And first what hath been said on the first point, may serve

Ʋse 1. To commend to us the study of Wisedome, or a diligent endeavour after it, as that which will be of greatest advantage to us; for seeing they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament in and after the Resurrection, well may we say with Solomon, How much better is it to get wisdome than gold! and to get understand­ing, rather to be chosen than Silver, Pro. 16.16. It is true that much Silver and Gold will make men glitter here; but it is in things without them; their gay cloaths, and gawdy garnishings of them, their houses, houshold [Page 91]stuff, horses, and suchlike matter; but alas the glory and shine they give them, is as much below that of the wise man here pro­mised and predicted, as the glory or shine of the Glow worm is below that of the brightness of the Firmament. Gold and Silver, Riches profit not in the day of wrath, from which wisdome will make us wise to Salvation, giving us that righteousness which delivers from Death. Prov. 11.4. A good Name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving kindness rather than Silver and Gold, Prov. 22.1. But it is not Silver and Gold that will without wisedome give us a good name, much less loving favour with the Lord: but wisdome will give us them; for Riches and Honour are with her, yea du­rable riches and righteousness, and whoso sinds her, finds life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord, Prov. 8.18, 34, 35. Wisdome is that that will make a mans face to shine, and change the boldness (or strongth) of his countenance, Ec­cles. 8.1. truly it puts a lustre upon faces, or appearances now. Stephen who was a man indued with the Holy Spirit, and therethrough with such wisdome, as all his learned Adversaries were not able to resist, even when he came to answer his adversa­ries accusations for his life, in the presence of the Greatest Council in Jerusalem, All [Page 92]that sat in Council looking stedfastly on him saw his face, as it had been the face of an Angel, Acts 6.8-10-15. with 7.1. Oh what will it do when he shall appear with Christ in glo­ry? Men may be rich, and have riches, and yet leave little fame or glory behind them when they are gone; no nor have any great matter of lustre while in possession of them. How pittifully did Croesus or Crassus look to a judicious eye, and so Nabal and Ha­man; but much more in the eye of God and his holy ones, in comparison of Saint Paul, or Peter, or Stephen, yea or any the least in Gods Kingdome? Yea men may be rich and infamous, do so unworthily as to foile all their heights and enjoyments in the world by their foolish and sordid acti­ons, as that rich man Nabal did, Whose name was Nabal and folly was with him: truly many have gotten greater fame, and shone more among men both in their life time and after death by their wisdome, though but poor and mean persons, than those that have been very wealthy being void of wis­dome; as not only many Prophets and Apostles, but even many Heathens, that are yet famous for their wisdome and learn­ing, though but a worldly and perishing wisdome: as far below the heavenly wis­dome, as a rush light is below the brightness [Page 93]of the Firmament; and therefore that that will give them no lustre in the Resurrection. Surely Solomons wisdome made him shine more than all the riches and honour of his Kingdome, others have been as rich as he, but none so wise: nor did his Riches so much as his great Wisdom draw the Queen of Sheba to come so far to see him: and yet his folly in loving strange women, how much did it take off the lustre of his wis­dome! How much more gloriously would he have shone, had he been so wise as to have shunned that folly: and he prefers even a poor and wise child before an old and foolish King that will no more be admonished, for this out of prison may come to reign, when he other, though born in his Kingdome, may become poor, Eccles. 4.13, 14. especially being wise with the wisdome of God, which is the wisdome here commended, as endring them that are wise therewith so [...]orious hereafter: even Christ the wisdome [...]f God as known of us and believed on by [...]s, in knowing him we shall know all things [...]ghtly: and have our hearts and minds [...]ghtly framed so as to fear God and keep [...]s commandments, and the fear of the Lord, at is wisdome, even the beginning (or prin­pal matter of it the [...]) and to de­ [...]rt from evil, that is understanding, Job 28.28. [Page 94]Prov. 1.7. and 9.10. Psal. 111.10. thats the wisdome, the praise whereof is so set forth in the Scriptures, that makes them happy that gets her, and that find the under­standing and knowledg of her: The mer­chandise whereof is better than the merchaudise of Silver, and the gain whereof is better than fine Gold, that is more precious than Rubies, and so excellent, that all the things that a man can desire are not to be compared to her. In her right hand is length of days, and in her left hand riches and honour: her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her happy is every one that retaineth her, Prov. 3.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. For they that be wise with this wisdome shall shine as the bright­ness of the Firmament for ever and eve [...] Other wisdome worldly and humane lite­rature may make a man shine for a time nay sometime through many ages, lik [...] some candles and torches that have the thieves, as they call them, in them, the strong sents and stinking smoakes belonging to them, as in the heathen Poets and Phi­losophers, and divers Heathen-Christian may be seen. But its this heavenly wisdo [...] only that will advance a man on high, a [...] make him shine most purely, brightly, a [...] above the reach of envy, and for ever [...] [Page 95]the world to come. And therefore the wise having such happiness entail'd upon them, as may render it evident and easie to be be­lieved that Wisdome is the principal thing, Pro­verbs 4.7. It may in the next place

Ʋse 2. Exhort us all to get wisdome, get understanding; yea above all things & with all gettings to get this understanding, that we may be made of the number and company of these wise men, who shall obtain such ex­cellent glory, such a happy portion. And surely its not a thing impossible to get this wisdome, for then the Holy Ghost would not exhort us to go about it: let there be but an earnest and hearty endeavour after it, according to Gods directions given us thereabout, and God that is ready to give it, yea that gives liberally to all and upbraids not, will give it to us, James 1.5. Labour we then for that meat that endureth to ever­lasting life, which the Son of man will give unto us so labouring for it, for him hath God even the Father sealed, John 6.27. Fools and Scorners and all are called to it, to look after it, and promise is made of God, that [...]n obeying his Calls and Counsels therea­bout, they shall have it given them. To [...]hat end that we might have it, did God [...]end his only begotten Son, his Word and Wisdome, both to take out of the way [Page 96]that which hindered its communication to us, and having done that, to be the author and giver of it: and to that end hath he put his Spirit upon him, that he might bring forth judgment to us, though barbarous and bru­tish Gentiles naturally, and thereby make us wise to Salvation: and He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him freely give us all things, and so this wisdome also, Rom. 8.32. Yea and Christ came forth from God to that purpose, to set on foot the preaching of that word wherethrough that heavenly wisdome may be obtained: and being ascended up on high, and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, even the spirit of Wis­dome and Ʋnderstanding, the spirit of Counsel [...] and Might, the spirit of Knowledg, and of the fear of the Lord. He hath given forth this Spirit also, and thereby made known the heavenly word, wherethrough this ex­cellent wisdome is conveighed, and may be received, and all that we may be made wise: so that it is not to be despaired of, no not by the most simple and foolish, but hopefully and believingly to be sought for and endeavoured after by us. In and for worldly matters and earthy advantages men may possibly weary themselves in the very fires for nought, and labour in vain [Page 97]and to no purpose; but looking after this we shall neither labour in vain, for God hath not said to the House of Jacob seek ye me in vain; He the Lord speaks righteousness, and declares things that are right: and He hath said, Ask and ye shall receive, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and it shall be opened unto you, with reference to this Heavenly com­modity, For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knock­eth it shall be opened, Isai. 45.14. Mat. 7.7, 8. Nor being obtained, shall we ever repent the labour and diligence we use for getting it, it is of that infinite price, worth and be­nefit, as the Honey is good, and the Honey­comb is sweet to the taste, so shall the knowledg of Wisdome be unto thy Soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thine expectation shall not be cut off, Prov. 24.13, 14. Yea, Man knoweth not the price there­of, it cannot be valued with the Gold of O­phir, the precious Onyx, or the Saphire: the Gold and Christal cannot equal it, and the exchange of it shall not be for Jewels (or ves­sels) of fine Gold; no mention shall be made of Coral, or of Pearl, for the price of Wisdome is above Rubies. The Topaz of Ethiopia can­not equal it, neither shall it be valued with the [...]ure Gold, Job 28.13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

Quest. But (as there follows) where shall [Page 98]this Wisdome be found! and where is the place of Ʋnderstanding. How shall we come by it! or what shall we do to obtain it?

Answ. I might say while it is yet a day of Grace, as the wise Virgins said unto the foolish, Go ye to them that sell, and buy for yourselves, Matt. 25.9.

1. Go to them that sell, that is, to Jesus Chri [...], and to God in Christ, and to his Holy Spirit, in and among his people, o [...] Church, his house or Temple: for Wisdome hath built her house, and hewed out her seven Pillars, and there she hath killed her Sacrifice mingled her Wine, and furnished her Table and she sends out her maids (or servants) with whom she and her spirit also go forth to ca [...] persons in thither: and she saith to the simp [...] turn in hither, and to them that have no under­standing, Come, eat of my bread, and drink [...] the wine that I have mingled, Prov. 9.1-5, 6. Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the wa­ters, and he that hath no money, &c. Isa. 55. [...] and Blessed is he that heareth her words, wat [...] ­ing at her gates, and waiting at the posts of [...] ­doors: for whoso finds her finds life, and [...] obtain favour of the Lord, Prov. 8.33, 34, 3 [...] But take heed of other posts, Go not to [...] ­thel, nor enter into Gilgal, &c. Amos 5. [...] Seek by the faith and in the Doctrine a [...] Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, a [...] [Page 99] not as it were by the works of the Law, or by other mens precepts or devises, Rom. 9.31, 32. Isai. 29.13. Matt. 15.8, 9.

Quest. But how shall we know which is Gods house, his Church and beloved Peo­ple? For many lay claim to that name and titly. The Church of Rome tells us she only is the true Church, the house of God, and God and Christ and the Holy Spirit; and this heavenly Wisdome is only in and with her, and so to be sought for there only; other Societies say they are the holy and only Church, and the truth and true wis­dome only with them. How shall we know whither to go?

Ans. Search the Scriptures: God hath [...]aused them to be written for our instruction [...]n righteousness, and they are they that testifie [...]f Christ, and therein also set forth and de­ [...]cribe to us his true Church: and all that [...]retend to the name of the Church acknow­ledg, that those Scriptures are to be re­ceived as truth by us, which we have among [...]s, being the Scriptures of God, in which [...]e have Gods testimony, which is sure and [...]ill not deceive us; but makes wise even [...]e simple ones, that attend to it, and to God [...] and by it, and they tell us that they are the Church of God, or children of it, that keep the [...]mmandments of God, and the faith of Je­sus, [Page 100]Rev. 12.17. And truly by them the Church of Rome above all the rest is disco­vered to be that Strumpet and Harlot that magnifies her self as the only Queen or La­dy, but loves not Christ, but gives his ho­nour to graven Images, and such like de­vises of their own, to his Mother after the flesh, and other deceased Saints, and keeps not, but expugnes Gods commandments, as the Second Commandment against making graven Images, and worshipping and bow­ing down to them; and the Commandment of Christ, that all his Disciples should drink of the Cup in the Supper of the Lord, they notoriously cast by, obtruding upon men her inventions and institutions for Ar­ticles of Faith; as the Popes Supremacy and Infallability, Transubstantiation, Purga­tory, and many other matters, & strictly en­joyning her own commands, while she cast [...] by Christs: Yea she above all makes her­self drunk with the blood of the Saints an [...] Martyrs of Jesus. So that the way to tru [...] wisdome is to decline and come out of tha [...] filthy Babilon. The Reformed Churches a [...] to their bulk are visible enough, but ha [...] their tares overspreading them too mu [...] too, and their divisions and fractions; [...] that in a manner we may take up that co [...] ­plaint of the Prophet Micah in respect [...] [Page 101]true and thorough Members of the Catho­lick Church. Wo is me, for I am as when they have gathered the Summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the Vintage, there is no Cluster to eat. Scarce a pure Church or greater So­ciety of all sound Christians in every re­spect. But yet we may find such as to the main Fundamentals of the Faith hold and maintain them; and so far as any do so and put not upon us Doctrines and Practises inconsistent with them, we may so far own and join with them. And amongst such Churches we may by the light of Gods Word, taken heed to by us, meet with here and there two or three or more doubtless, with whom we may have more intimate Fellowship and Communion in the Name of Christ: Who hath promised His presence in any so small a company of those that in­deed confess and fear him, Matt. 18.20. So that if we cannot find a whole Nation of hearty Believers and real Members of Christ, nor a whole Countrcy or City: Yet if we find but any smaller company of such as take heed to the Word of God, and give up themselves to worship God in Christ, and walke in their conversations ac­cording thereunto, we need not be at a loss for finding God and Christ among them, to to give us Wisdome and Understanding in [Page 102]the knowledg of himself, and with such we may walk without needless breaches or separatings from the National Church, or owning and outwardly acknowledging the truth, though mixed with Tares, Mat. 13.28, 29. As David though not renting from the National Church of Israel (though not faultless, Neh. 8.17.) yet was also compa­nion more intimately of all such as feared God, and of them that keep his precepts, Psal. 119.63. and resolved to praise God both in the Con­gregation more generally, and in the Assem­bly of the upright, Psal 111.1. even as those that feared God in Malachies time, with­out renting or dividing from their publick Assemblies, spake often one to another with Gods good approvement, Mal. 3.16, 17. yea and so our Saviour practised, and his Disci­ples. As for such as question the lawful­ness of National Churches, they seem to have forgotten the Scriptures that tell us, That Christ shall call a Nation that he knew not, and Nations that knew not him, shall run unto him, Isai. 55.5. and that Christ sent his Apostles to disciple all Nations, who sure­ly therefore might disciple or church whole Nations, as they were found complying with them, Matt. 28.18, 19, 20. But were our case such as somtimes Elias supposed his to have been (as thank God it is not) [Page 103]that we knew none not corrupted in faith, and practice from the word of God; yet if we accordingly as God is preventing us with light and truth, and by his spirit is therein enlightning and moving at our hearts (as we shewed in the beginning of this discourse, that wisdome is preventing men generally with her calls and counsels) do yield up our hearts to God, and (as our Saviour saith) do his will in what He makes clear and evident to us to be his will. He will further instruct and teach us of his mind, and we shall know the doctrines pro­posed to us whether they be of God or of men, John 7.17. and walking in the light as God gives it forth to us, and is in it, we shall not fail to be of the true Church, and to partake of the prayers and grace of it through Christ, though we may be at some loss where to find it, or the members of it. Come we then to the testimony of God, and close we with the light and truth He there­in and thereby manifests unto us, and we shall be in the way to get this wisdome: for the testimony of God is sure, when mens pretensions and boastings that they are the Church may deceive us, The entrance [...]f Gods word giveth light, and it giveth under­standing too, so as to make wise the simple, Psal. 19.7. and 119.130. so as to Salvation; [Page 104]of which some mistakes through infirmity & weakness of sight shall not deprive us. But withal Go to them that sell; Go to God in and by Christ Jesus in the operation & guidance of his holy Spirit, by earnest Prayer and Sup­plication; as it is said, If any man lack wis­dome, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, Jam. 1.5, 6. Ask ye, and ye shall receive; for every one that asketh receiveth, Matt. 7.7, 8. Thus the Spouse addressed herself to her Beloved, Tell thou me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, and where thou causest thy flock to rest at noon, Cant. 1.7. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, Chap. 2.5. and Thou that dwel­lest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice, cause me to hear it, Chap. 8.13. and Solomon, or the wisdome of God by him, joyns together the minding and re­ceiving Gods word, and praying or crying to God, in Prov. 2.1-3.5. My Son, if tho [...] wilt receive my words, and hide my command­ments with thee; so that thou encline thin [...] car unto wisdome, and apply thine heart to un­derstanding: yea if thou criest after knowledg [...] and liftest up thy voice (namely to God) fo [...] understanding—Then shalt thou understan [...] the fear of the Lord (the beginning or prin­cipal [Page 105]point of wisdome Cha. 1.7. and 9.10.) and find the knowledg of God, for the Lord giveth wisdome (it is the Lords to give, there­fore needful to look and repair to him for it, and He doth give it, therefore there is good encouragement to seek and ask it of him.) Out of his mouth cometh knowledg and under­standing. But yet in and with this going to God and Christ for it, both in taking heed to his Word, and calling on his Name for it. We must also

2. Buy it. Go and buy of them that sell. So the Holy Ghost counsels us to, Prov. 23.23. Buy the truth and sell it not, wisdome, and instruction, and understanding: Buy it how­ever, whatever it may cost thee; but sell it not upon any terms whatsoever, for the greatest gain or advantage that may be tendered to thee: And again, Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and ye that have no money, come, buy and eat, buy wine and milk without money, and without price, I­saiah 55.1. and again saith our Lord Jesus, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou maist be rich; and white raiment, that thou maist be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear, Revel. 3.18. which are but the same with this heavenly Wisdome with its fruits and benefits.

Quest. But seeing those are invited to [Page 106]buy that have no money, and to buy without money or price, that is money­worth, what must we pay or give for it? or how can we be said to buy it?

Answ. It is called a buying, because as in buying there is a parting with something that we may acquire a right to, or interest in or possession of another thing, even of the thing that we buy: So here there must be a letting go something, though it be not truly money, or any thing truly desireable, much less any thing that may for its real worth be valuable with this heavenly Wisdome (the price whereof is above Rubies, so as it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, the precious Onyx, or the Saphir,) yet it is what we are apt to prize at a high rate: yea ma­ny do so highly prize it, as that they will rather go without wisdome, than part with it: and that ihat is in general, whatsoever is by wisdome reproved, and whatsoever the heart cannot attend to wisdome to re­ceive and walk thereafter, except neglected and parted with by it; as it is said, Turn at my reproofs, (namely from all your Sins and Idols, from every false way that I discover to be so, as I discover it, and from loving or cleaving to any thing, so as to cause a neglect of me, and of obedience to sayings.) And [...] will poure out my spirit to you, I will make known [Page 107]my words, Pro. 23. as particularly to instance in some things, or Heads of things.

1. We must part with and let go our love of honour and applause with men, and the leaning and relying on them, their learning, wisdome, power, multitude, and be willing to suffer the loss of that esteem that we have, or might have with them; yea and to incurr their hatred, reproaches, or injuries, as they may be occasioned by our cleaving to and walking in the truth: this was one thing the not parting with which hindered the Jews from closing with Christ, and so having the wisdome of God: they received honour one of another, and contented not themselves with, or looked not after that honour that came from God only. How can ye believe, that so do, saith our Saviour, Joh. 5.44. yea this hindered many who in their hearts were convinced of the truth of Christ from attaining the wisdome that is by it, that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God, Joh. 12.43. they minded what the Rulers and Pharisees did, and hung upon them that mislead them, for direction, Joh. 7.47, 48, 49. And so now if we love the praise and honour of men that are great and learned, and make [...] great noise and shew of their zeal and strictness as the Pharisees did, and would [Page 108]as they, be reputed the only wise, religious and orthodox persons, we shall mistake and do amiss. If we prefer any mans seeming, yea or real zeal and devotion, or fame for piety or learning, and value their approve­ment, so as that we will be waved from Gods testimony thereby, and them that cleave thereto, though but a few, and de­spised as our Saviours Disciples were, we shall deprive our selves of wisdome. Yea, our Saviour tells us if we Come to him, and hate not (comparatively & as in competition with him) our Fathers▪ Mothers, Brethren, Sisters, Wives, Children, yea and our own lives also, we cannot be his Disciples, that is, we cannot be good Scholars and proficients in his School, so as to attain to be made wise and truly understanding persons, Luke 14.26. He that loves Father or Mother more than him is not worthy of him, and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than him, is not worthy of him, Matt. 10.37.

2. We must part with all high thoughts and conceits of our own knowing, under­standing, or sufficiency in our selves, for that will cut off our legs as it were, and take us off from travailing after and seeking for this heavenly wisdome; for that wil [...] make us lukewarm in our desires and en­deavours after it, and take us off from buy­ing [Page 109]it, as it did the Angel of the Church of Laodicea, who saying in his heart, that He was rich, and increased with goods and wanted nothing, not knowing his own wretchedness and misery, poverty, blindness and nakedness, grew therethrough so luke warm, that Christ threatned to spue him out of his mouth, as some nauseous humour, Rev. 3.16, 17. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool (even of a mere fool's being made wise) than of such an one, Prov. 26.12. thence Wo to the wise in their own eyes, and the prudent in their own sight, Isai. 5 21. for they think they know, when they know not any thing as they ought to know, 1 Cor. 8.2. and so grow scornful of such counsel and instructions as are needful for them, to bring them to know and to be wise indeed; so as they are ready with the Pha­risees to say, Are we blind also, John 9.40. for the Scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise, though it be He that heareth reproof getteth under­standing, and he that hateth reproof is bru­tish, Prov. 15.12.32. and 12.1. and so though [...]he seek for wisdome, he findeth it not in his way and manner of seeking it, Prov. 14.6. for God scorns the scorners, but gives grace to the lowly, Prov. 3.34. this self-conceit and [...]leaning to our own wisdome and under­standing, [Page 110]which makes us swerve, and car­ries from attending to Gods word, and its instructions, and those that bring them to us so as not to listen to or be guided thereby must needs therefore be parted with by us, if ever we will be wise; as it is said, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknow­ledg him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil, Prov. 3.5, 6.7. And if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become (own and acknowledg himself to be) a fool that he may be wise, 1 Cor. 3.18. Naaman the Syrian thinking himself wise enough, so as he could fore-understand how the Prophet must deal with him for healing his leprosie, was put into a rage and passion through his scornfulness, and turned away from the means of healing which the Pro­phet directed him to, so as he had missed of healing doubtless, how or which way soever else he had sought it, had he not upon the wise advise and persuasion of his servant laid down that high thought and scornful­ness of the Prophets counsel and submitted himself thereto, 2 Kings 5.10-14. read the relation there. And see how dangerous a thing it is to lean to our own thoughts, a [...] the conceits of our own knowing, and th [...] [Page 111]scorning contrary counsel that seems ridi­culous to us, and how good it is to hear the good counsel of God and his holy servants, and receive their instructions, as what tends to make us wise in the latter end, Prov. 19.20. the leaning to and retaining these two evils, their own imaginations and the authority of their Fathers and Masters, so as to forsake Gods law and disobey his voice was the occasion of Gods heavy judgment upon the land of Israel; See to this purpose Jer. 9.12, 13, 14. Its good with David to hate thoughts and love Gods law, Psal. 119.113.

3. We must also part with and let go evil company and counsellors, such as cause us to erre from the way of wisdome and know­ledge; for He that walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be de­stroyed, Prov. 17.20. Thence wisdom cal­ling the simple and them that have no un­derstanding to come to her house and par­take of her provision which is fit and virtu­ous to give them understanding, saith, For­sake the foolish and live, and go in the way of understanding, Prov. 9.5, 6. as implying that there is no living nor walking in the way of understanding while foolish persons are our companions, and delighted in by us. And by the foolish are meant all that are ig­norant of, or disobedient to the grace of [Page 112]God, however otherwise learned or wife they may seem to be to themselves or o­thers. As those that have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge; that being igno­rant of Gods righteousness go about to establish their own righteousness (and make that stand in Gods sight, or make it a sufficient stay or support; the ground of their hope and foundation of their confidence towards God) and submit not to the righteousness of God, even Christ the end of the Law for righ­teousness to every one that believeth, Rom. 10.2, 3, 4. as well as also other grosser trans­gressors. Thence the holy Spirit also pronoun­ces them happy that walk not in the counsel o [...] the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, no [...] sit down in the seat of scorners, but their deligh [...] is in the Law of the Lord, and therein their ex­ercise night and day. Psal. 1.1, 2. implyin [...] that men cannot exercise themselves in th [...] Law or Doctrine of the Lord, and deligh [...] themselves therein so as to attain the blesse [...] ­ness of being made wise thereby; excep [...] they avoid the counsels of ungodly person [...] the ways of sinners, the seat or teaching [...] the scorners. Solomon also instructing in th [...] book of the Proverbs, men in the way wisdome, which he highly commends to [...] and wills us above all things to get; giv [...] this as one of his first instructions: My so [...] [Page 113]if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. My s [...] ­walk not thou in the way with them, refrain [...]hy foot from their paths, Prov. 1.10, 15. and when he had said, Hear thou my son, and [...]e wise, and guide thy heart in the way, then [...]e immediately adds, as necessary thereto, [...]e not among Wine-bibbers, among riotous ea­ [...]ers of flesh; for the glutton and the drunkard [...]all come to poverty, Prov. 23.19, 20. as also [...] ch. 22.34. he exhorts to make no friendship [...]ith an angry man, nor go with a furious man. [...]nd else where, to go from the presence of a [...]lish man when we perceive not in him the lip [...]knowledge, ch. 14.7. and to cease to hear [...]e instructions that cause to err from the words [...] knowledge, ch. 19.27. And when the Apo­ [...]e would have the Corinthians not receive [...]e grace of God in vain but be enlarged in [...]eir hearts towards God and his Servants, [...]d to what is good; he warns them that [...]ey be not yoaked unequally with unbelievers [...]hey being such persons as from whom no [...]od or spiritual profit such as that of wis­ [...]me▪ is to be expected) but to come out [...]m among them, and be seperate, and not touch [...] unclean thing, and so God would receive [...]m and be a Father to them, and they should to him for sons and daughters, 2 Cor. 6.1. [...].17, 18.

4. We must part with our love of Ease [Page 114]and Pleasures, put away Slothfulness and Daintiness: for slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger, and not be filled with that wisdome whose fruits do satisfie, Prov. 19.15. Wisdom is not at­tained to but through diligence, and there­fore we must put away slothfulness, love o [...] ease, pleasures and such things. Thence Wisdom instructing us how we may attai [...] her of God, requires, besides a hearing [...] her, a watching daily at her gates, and wai [...] ­ing at the posts of her doors, Prov. 8.33, 34 And besides the inclining the ear, and applyi [...] our hearts unto her sayings, and calling to G [...] for her; that we seek for her as men seek silve [...] and dig for her as for hidden treasures, Pro [...] 2.4. And surely men that love silver, a [...] seek for it are industrious, and not sloth [...] in business: and did a man know there i [...] treasure hid in a place where he might ha [...] opportunity of digging for it, and wh [...] digging diligently he should find it; oh h [...] diligent would he be at it, early and late he find it! Thus the Apostle exhorting [...] Hebrews to give diligence so to know Ch [...] and God as to be filled with, or attain to full assurance of hope, to the end he ad [...] Be not slothful, but followers of those who thr [...] faith and patience inherit the Promises. Heb [...] 11, 12. Dij laboribus omnia vendunt, say [Page 115]Heathens; that is, the Gods sell all things to men for their labours; as if that was all the price they require for them. And there is some truth in it in reference to the only true God. The price for which he sells to us as from us wisdom and its great fruits and be­nefits is a hearty love to it and an industri­ous labouring to obtain it working (as the word is [...]) not for the meat that perish­eth, but for that which endures to eternal life, Which the Son of Man will (if we so do es­pecially) certainly give us, for him hath God even the Father sealed, set apart and authorised to that purpose, John 6.27. the hand of the diligent here also maketh rich, and beareth rule when he that dealeth with a slack, hand becometh poor, and the slathful shall be un­der tribute, Prov. 10.4. & 12.24.

5. We must part with whatsoever way and practice is in it self sinful, and contrary to the Law and Doctrine, Will and Com­mandment of God. Thus David, who was made wiser than his enemies, and got more un­ [...]erstanding than his teachers, & than the anti­ [...]ts, because he meditated in Gods Testimonies, [...]nd kept his Precepts and Commandments, [...]ells us, that He refrained his foot from every [...]il way, that he might keep Gods word and [...] get still more wisdom therethrough, Psal. 19.98, 99, 100, 101. For indeed wisdom (as [Page 116]is said, Wisd. 1.4.) will not enter into a wick­ed or malicious soul, nor where the body is subject to sin, for it is a pure, most holy influence from the most holy God, and lo­veth not that which is filthy and unclean. Thence the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning thereof, because by it we depart from evil, pride, arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth doth wisdom hate, Prov. 8.13. Therefore if we would be truly wise, cleanse we our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. Laying aside all filthiness & su­perfluity of naughtiness, receive with meekness the ingraffed word (the fountain of Wisdom, Eccles. 1.5.) which is able to save the soul, Jams 1.21. And to add but one more,

6. Lastly, in a word; We must Deny ou [...] ­selves, take up our Cross and follow Christ and therein forsake all that we have: else w [...] cannot be Christs Disciples and obtain thi [...] heavenly gift, Mat. 16.24. Luke 14.33 [...] We must deny and forsake all our ow [...] things, casting them away as loss and du [...] for the excellency of the knowledge of ou [...] Lord Jesus (the true wisdom) as all o [...] own fleshly priviledges and rejoycings, [...] to the knowing our selves after them wh [...] ther our fleshly birth, or humane parts, [...] lations to such good and excellent perso [...] [Page 117]admission to Gods Church and Ordinances; so as not taking up content that we have them. Yea our own righteousness after the Law and our own best self attainments, our wisdom, carnal or fleshly understanding, with all our own desires and designs to g [...]t our selves, or keep to our selves the honors, riches and pleasures of this world, as any of them stand cross to, or are inconsistent with (as often or usually they are) the getting, the knowledge of Christ, laying down all our self conceits, interests and purposes at his foot, we must only and above all things at­tend to know him, and his grace and graci­ous mind and will concerning us, and follow on after him, therein patiently bearing and enduring what ever thing cross to our said interests, desires or designs befal us in the way of his truth and righteousness, and so doing we shall not fail of being truly and in­deed wise, and doing wisely to Salvation, for Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He (preventingly) teaches sinners in the way, the meek he will (by his following grace) guide in judgement, the meek (that hear his reproofs and rebukes, and take all well, and yet yield up themselves to him, to learn of him and follow him) will he teach his way. Yea, What man is he that feareth the Lord! him will he teach the way that he should go, his soul [Page 118]shall dwell at ease — The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and He will shew them his Covenant, Psal. 25.11, 12, 13, 14. Thus doing we shall be made wise and ob­tain the happiness here spoken of, viz. to shine as the brightness of the Firmament, especially if also (as wisdom will lead us to, and direct us in that also) we make it our business to make others wise by instructing them, and to turn others to righteousness; with reference to which branch as also to the other reading of the word translated wise.

2. In the second place what hath been noted thereto, we may further apply it sundry ways, as

Ʋse 3. 1. To exhort and provoke such as have wisdom, and are in any measure fur­nished with the heavenly talents, to be di­ligent and faithfully in improving them and laying them out for the good of others also, endeavouring to their capacities, and in the places God hath set them, and accord­ing to the instructions of his truth, to make others wise and righteous, in turning them from their sins, errours and disobedience to the wisdome of the just one; and to be earnest, diligent, and servent herein as they have opportunity, knowing that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, but they shall re­ceive [Page 119]a good reward: They shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever, 1 Cor. 15.58. and this is a point of wisdom also; For the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise, Prov. 11.30.

Quest. But what should we do, or what course shall we take, that we may turn others to righteousness, and make them truly wise?

Answ. I might say shortly from the words of our Saviour to his Disciples and Apo­stles;

1. Let us retain the Salt in our selves and [...]ts favour that we have received of God in [...]nd by Christ; for Christs Disciples are the [...]alt of the earth, to purge corruption from them, and render them savoury unto God: But if the salt hath lost its savour wherewith [...]hall it be salted, its thenceforth good for no­ [...]hing, Matt. 5.13, 14. Mark 9.5. that is, [...]et us have and hold fast the word of Christ, and the wisdom therein contained [...]nd conveighed to us, with its reproofes [...]f instructions, so as we our selves may be [...]ept in an awful fear and reverence of God, [...]nd be sweet and clean in our speech and [...]arriage in the world and toward it: that [...]e savouring the grace of God our selves, [...]nd retaining the savour of it in our own [...]earts, may be made savoury to others; [Page 120] Letting no corrupt communication come out of our mouths, but such as is good to the use of edi­fying, that it may minister grace to the hearers, Ephes. 4.29. which in another Epistle is, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, with the fear of God, and so what is of a cleansing nature, reproving the false hopes, confidences, and carriages of the world, or of such as do amiss among our brethren) that ye may know how ye ought to an­swer every man, Coll. 4.6. for evil communi­cations corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15.33. but a wholesome tongue is a tree of [...]life, that brings forth what's food for those that are whole and sound, and leaves that will hea [...] the Nations, or Gentiles that are disceased Prov. 15.4. Ezech. 47.12. Rev. 22.2. Bu [...] for this let the Reader view, if he have it the Treatise of our deceased Brother upo [...] this subject.

2. Let our Light so shine before men, th [...] they may see our good works, and glorify our F [...] ­ther which is in Heaven. For the Disciple of Christ are also the Light of the world, an [...] this light of God and Christ, whereby the are made lights, is put into them, that b [...] ­ing made lights by is, they might not b [...] put, or put their light under a bushel, but [...] a candlestick, so exercising and holding [...] forth, that it may give light to all that come i [...] [Page 121]the house, Matt. 5.15, 16. And this light they may and ought, to their abilities, to let shine two ways, or in a twofold letting it out, viz.

1. In word, in holding forth the word of Life: so the Apostle exhorts and directs the Philippians with their Bishops and Dea­cons; and not only (though principally) the Bishops and Deacons are concerned therein, Philip. 1.1. and 2.15, 16. Shine ye (saith he) as lights in the world: Holding forth the word of life, that's the way (as if he should say) in which ye are to and may shine as lights: not that every Believer is fitted to be a publick Preacher in some Congre­gation; but what they believe in, and with their hearts unto righteousness they may and ought also to confess with their mouth unto Sal­vation as they have opportunity and ability thereunto. And such as are gifted with pro­fitable gifts of wisdom, knowledge and un­derstanding may and ought soberly and or­derly to exercise them too for the good of o­thers. For all that have the gift, May prophe­ [...]yone by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted, Rom. 10.10. 1 Cor. 14.31. 1 Pet. 4.10. and all that hear (as we noted before may, nay are commissionated to say come, Rev. 22.17. and may shew forth the virtues and praises of him that hath called them out of [Page 122]darkness into his marvellous light; being a cho­sen Generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Na­tion, a peculiar People, or purchased to that purpose. 1 Pet. 2.9.

But here is to be minded, that if we would do good to others, make them wise and turn them to righteousness, we must hold forth the Word of life, and shew forth the virtues and praises of the Lord. Con­fess with our mouth the word of faith belie­ved in the heart to righteousness: not do as foolish people, the workers of iniquity, who all boast themselves, or as the word sig­nifies, speak of, or forth themselves, Psal. 94.4. [...] all the workers of iniquity speak themselves, talk of their own righteousness, paoclaim every man his own goodness, Prov. 20.6. which they that do are there opposed to the faithful friend to God, Christ or the souls of men; which He saith, Who shall find? as implying that they are not found amongst the self-proclaimers, that preach themselves and not Jesus the Lord, as the Apostles did, 2 Cor. 4.5. and cry up themselves, The Church, the Church, the persons to be adored, believed, depen­ded on, as it is said of the corrupt Israel that made mention of the God of Israel not in truth nor in righteousness, they call themselves of the Holy City, Isa. 48.1, 2, call themselves the [Page 123](or of the) Holy Catholick Church, and tell stories to men of their Perfection? reli­giousness, attainments; like the Whore that saith, I sit a Queen, and I shall be a Lady for e­ver, Isa. 47.7. Rev. 18.7. No, the way to turn many to righteousness and make them truly wise is to shew forth Gods praises, to make mention of his loving kindness, to do as he who said; My mouth shall shew forth thy rightheousnes, and thy salvation all the day, for I know not its numbers. I will go in the strength [...]f the Lord God, and I will make mention of [...]hy righteousness, of thine only: not of mine and thine together, Psal. 71.15, 16. That is, Preach, confess and make mention of the Gospel of Christ, which is, the power of God to [...]alvation to every one that believeth: for there­ [...]n is the righteousness of God revealed from [...]aith to faith, as it is written, the just shall [...]ve by faith, Rom. 1.16, 17. and this accor­ [...]ing both to the appointment of the Lord of [...]ld, who established a testimony in Jacob, and [...]pointed a law in Israel, in which he command­ [...]d the Fathers, to sh [...]w to their Children, the [...]eneration to come, the praises of the Lord, his [...]rength and the wonderful works that he hath [...]ne, to the end that they might set their hope [...] God and not forget his works, and not be as [...]eir Fathers, a stubborn and rebellious gene­ [...]tion, Psal. 78.4, 5, 7, 8. and to his own [Page 124]practise too, who having done marvellou [...] things, his own right hand and his holy arm ha­ving gotten himself the victory in his great [...] combate with and against Sathan, and all the principalities and powers of darkness. He hath made known his salvation (his resur­rection from the dead, and the salvation therethrough obtained for us, and his Gos­pel which is the salvation of God that the Gentile heard, Acts 28, 28.) his righteous­ness (not ours, but as he is ours, the Lor [...] our Righteousness, Jer 23.6.) hath he open [...] shewed (or revealed, Rom. 3.22.) in th [...] sight of the Heathen, not preaching some­thing first to make them Jews & Proselites Converts to God, & then when they cease [...] to be heathen shew them his righteousness as the false Apostles way was. And this h [...] commanded to his Disciples and Apostl [...] after him to do, not to go preach the law [...] works, but go preach the Gospel to every cre [...] ­ture or in the whole Creation, Mark 16.1 [...] preaching repentance and forgiveness of s [...] (not in Moses but) in his Name (in ope [...] ­ning his name, and so upon account of wh [...] He hath done and is become for men, a [...] in his Authority and Power requiring it a [...] that) among all Nations, beginning at Jerus [...] ­lem, the People and City that had m [...] deeply sinned, dying their hands in blood [Page 125]the Prophets and just men, yea and of the Lord himself, Luke 29.46, 47. And so the spirit of Prophecy instructed and required of men in the days past: saying, Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon (or proclaim) his Name, make known (not yours but) His deeds among the people. Sing unto him. Sing Psalms unto him. Talk ye all of his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name. And again; Sing unto the Lord all ye earth. Shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glo­ [...]y (his Son the brightness of his glory) a­mong the Heathens, his marvellous works among all Nations. For great is the Lord and greatly [...]o be praised. He also is to be feared above all Gods, 1 Chron. 16.8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25. Psal. 96.1, 2, 3. & 105.1, 2, 3. And so it was fore-prophecyed. One generation shall waise thy works to another, and shall declare [...]hy mighty Acts. I will speak of the glorious ho­ [...]our of thy Majesty: and of thy wondrous works (things or words) they (others) [...]hall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, full of compassion, slow [...]o anger, and great of mercy. The Lord is good [...] all, and his tender mercy over (or upon) all [...]is works Psal. 145.4-10. And surely Christ [...]eing made to us of God, wisdome, righteous­ [...]ess, &c. The way to make men wife and [Page 126]righteous is to turn them to him, that they may be made in him; which, though it be the work of God, yet it's a work that he doth by his Law or Doctrine that goeth forth from Sion; the preaching of the Gos­pel, Acts 26.18. or confessing his name, which He therefore hath made known un­to men, and put into their hearts that they might thereby be made instruments of con­verting others to him: as he hath also chosen them to put his name upon them, and to de­clare it, that the residue of men might thereby be moved and have advantage to seek after God, Acts 15.16, 17. With Gods Law o [...] Doctrine then (which is perfect converting the soul) such as know it, and have fitness in any measure for it, are to endeavour to convert others to God by Jesus Christ, setting him forth to and before all and every man as they have opportunity and capacity, as the only righteousness are salvation of God, prepared for them a [...] and every one, Luke 2.30, 31. Isa. 49.6. Rom. 3.21, 22. the righteousness of God [...] (or for) all, and upon all that believe. An [...] so declare his mighty works to that purpose t [...] them, which he hath done for all and ever one, as the holy Apostle did; who tells u [...] He dyed for all, and gave himself a ransom fo [...] all, and tasted death by the grace of God for ever [Page 127]very one, so as through his one righteousness the free gift is to (or for its) all men to justi­fication of life, that he is the propitiation for our sins, (even for ours who have him our Ad­vocate to make good our cause with God, as He is and doth for all that believe on him) but not ours only but also for the whole worlds, 2 Cor. 4.44, 15. 1 Tim. 2.6. Heb. 2.9. 1 John 2.1, 2. and this without such Ifs, or corrupt additions as are the product of mens ignorance, or unbelief of Gods Testi­monie, and dependance upon one anothers Wisdome, seeking honor one of onother, or loving the praise of men more than the praise that comes from God only, viz. those glosses and additions of all the Elect, every one of the believers, and the world of the Elect, &c. Whereas the Scriptures every where distinguish the Elect from the world, and do not call them by the name of the world. Alas! how should men be turned unto righteousness, unless they see that there is a perfect righteousness that is wor­thy to be turned to, made ready for them, and to be turned to by them, a righteous­ness wherein and wherewith they may be righteous? or (which comes to the same) how shall men be made righteous, if not made in Christ, or brought in to believe on [Page 128]and submit to him, there being no other way to righteousness for them: that that is of or after the Law, as attained to or attain­able by sinful fallen man, being rejected of God! And how shall men be made in Christ, if they see no excellency and preciousness in him, and preparation of him for them? if they be borne in hand that God sent him but for here and there one, they know not who, and they must infallibly be brought in, yea they cannot hinder themselves of it; and if not so, they must perish notwithstan­ding all endeavours after salvation? who that hath and useth the exercise of his rea­son, will look after him upon such motives as that Doctrine contains? and not rather take his course till he cannnt choose but come into him, as thinking otherwise or till then, all his labor will be needless & in vain? And what abouts are men fain to go, & cour­ses take they to bring men to righteousness, through their not knowing or believing Christ to be the Saviour of the world, the Saviour of all men, and especially of them that believe, while they put them upon the Law and legal humblings and works and opperations preceding the knowledge of Christ and the good foundation laid in him, to be as evidences or grounds of conceiving and believing that they are of the Elect, for [Page 129]whom only they imagine and say that Christ died! and oh what wretched mistakes are those men guilty of, and how destitute are they of the truth, that durst call the very manifest expressions of the Holy Apostles Errours and Blasphemies! But Gods way of holding forth light to men to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Sathan to God, [...]s to preach Gospel to them, to let them know that they being all Sinners a­gainst God, and lyable to his wrath, ungod­ly and enemies, He in the greatness of his mercy, to keep them from perdition sent his own and only begotten Son into the world to be their Saviour, and that he might be so, He delivered him up to Death for their offences that were upon them, and raised him again for their justification; and hath exalted and glorified him, and filled him with all His fulness, that they in­listening to and obeying him might be saved and made happy by him. To such purpose is that Word of reconciliation put into the Apostles, or committed to them, 2 Cor. 5.18, 19-21. That God was in Christ reconci­ing the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, but made him that knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: where­with [Page 130]agrees the Doctrine preached by our Saviour to Nicodemus to regenerate him, viz. That as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth on Him might not pe­rish, but have eternal life: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, might not pe­rish, but have everlasting life: For God sent not his Son into the World, to condemn the World, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned. He that believeth not is condem­ned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, and this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, &c. John 3.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. like to which is the message sent to the bidden Guests in the Parable, Matt. 22.4. Go te [...] them that are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my Dinner, my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, Come ye to the Mar­riage. Whence we may (as also from 2 Cor. 5.19, 20, 21. Prov. 9.1-5, 6.) observe that there are two main Heads, or branches of the preaching to be preached to men to turn them to God, or to righteousness, o [...] of what is to be said to them, and the orde [...] to be observed in saying them, viz.

1. The Declaration of the Love and [Page 131]Grace of God in Christ to Sinners, and what He hath done and prepared for them for their welfare and happiness; as that He hath

1. Prepared a Dinner for them, a Feast for all people, Isa. 25.6. For entertaining them, and making them happy, and this in Christ Jesus, as it is said, This is the record that God hath given of his Son, that God hath given us (even us mankind the same us that he commands to believe, 1 Joh. 3.27.) eternal life, and this life is in his Son, 1 Joh. 5.21.

2. To that purpose made his Son flesh, and delivered him up to Death for us, for our Sins, and raised him for our Justificati­on; as it is said, This is the Gospel that we preached to you, viz. how first of all (or a­mong the first things) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 2 Cor. 15.3, 4. This is the meaning of those expressions in the Parable. My oxen and my fatlings are killed, my choice things are sacrificed for you, and their flesh thereby are become meat for you, my Son who answered to all the Sacrifices of the Law, being delivered up to death for you, is become fit matter of nourishment for your souls; wherein is signified the greatness and freeness of the love and charity of the heart of God to­wards us, in not sparing his own dearly be­loved [Page 132] Son, but delivering him up for us all, and that when we were yet without strength, ungodly, sinners, and enemies, that he might be as a feast for us, matter of hope and en­couragement to confidence in God for us, Rom. 5.6, 7, 8, 10. and 8.32. Seeing also

3. That all things are ready, the fulness and every way sufficiency and perfect com­pleatness of the grace in Christ for us, both as to the end and as to the way, both as to the giving us full safety and satisfaction in the enjoyment, and as to the provision for making us fit and meet to enjoy that end; the end is eternal life, an everlasting King­dome and Glory: and this is ready in Christ for us, and to fit us for them; for­giveness of Sins, washing and Sanctificati­on, the Holy Spirit to renew us, and work all our works in us, and the whole work of God in and upon us in Souls and Bodies; and in a word all things pertaining to life and godliness are treasured up in him for us, and He also and God in and by him ready to impart them to us, nothing wanting in or with him, only men wanting as to the ac­cepting; but to move to that here is,

2. A gracious loving invitation and pro­vocation of men to accept of the grace of God set before them, and made ready for them, and to accept it to purpose, so as [Page 133]they may not fail of the enjoyment thereof; Come to the Marriage, Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled: forsake the foolish, and live, and go in the way of understanding, Prov. 9.5, 6. Be ye recon­ciled unto God; yea, we beseech you in Christs stead, as if God did beseech you by us. Be you re­conciled, &c. 2 Cor. 5.20. Wherein we have

1. An evident signification that it is the blessed, gracious good will and loving mind of God, that men, any or every man, to whom the call comes, should be partakers of this provision, The simple and such as have no understanding He would have to come and eat; Every one that thirsteth, and he that hath no money, nothing good or de­sireable in himself, such as are not graciously thirsting for Christ, but are laying out money for that that is not bread, and labouring for that that satisfies not: Yea, He would have the wicked forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts, and turn to him, and He will be gracious to them, and abundantly pardon them, Isai. 55.1, 2, 7. The poor, the halt, the maimed, and those in the high-waies and hedges, the worst of men he would have them come to the Supper prepared by him, Luk. 14.21, 23. He would not that any should perish, but that all come to repentance, 2 Peter 3.9. Would have all men saved and come to [Page 134]the knowledg (or acknowledgment) of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.4. Hath no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked; but rather that they should turn to him in his Son and live, Eze­chiel 33.11. and 18.23. 32. and to that end He calls and invites them from the rising of the Sun, to the going down of the same, Psal. 50.1, 2. All the ends of the earth, Isai­ah 45.22. and waits with long patience upon them, Rom. 2.4, 5. 2 Pet. 3.9-15. even to Jezabel he gave space to repent of her evil deeds, Ren. 2.21. for Christ stands at the door, of mens hearts, and knocks, and if any man hear his voice, and open to him, He will come in and sup with him, &c. Rev. 3.20. yea and therefore he sends and calls again and again to men, Matt. 22.3, 4. and 22.37. and is angry with men for refusing to come, Matt. 22.7. Prov. 1.24, 25, 26, &c.

2. That there is a necessity of coming to and believing on Christ for the enjoy­ment of this grace and glory prepared in him, because

1. It is all treasured up in Christ for us, so as not to be enjoyed or received but in and with Christ. How shall not he with Christ (not apart from or without Christ) freely give us all things, Rom. 8.32. This life is in his Son; He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not life, 1 Joh. 5.11, [Page 135]12. The Feast is prepared in Wisdomes house, and she and her servants go forth to call men to it in the house, but do not carry it out of the house to them to be eaten in the streets, Prov. 9.1-5, 6. for men may not have forgiveness of Sins, the Holy Spirit, the grace and blessing of God in their own sinful ways, because Christ hath died for them; but for those things they must forsake the foolish, and leave their own waies, and come in to him and his waies, For

2. God is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, evil may not dwell with him, fools may not stand in his sight; he hates (as to fel­lowship with them) all the workers of iniqui­ty, Psal. 5.4, 5. No unclean thing or unrigh­teous thing or person therefore, may enter into or inherit his his Kingdom, 1 Cor. 6.9. Rev. 21.27. and therefore there is a neces­sity, that we be washed, sanctified, justifii­ed, made wise and righteous, which we cannot be but by turning to God in and by Jesus Christ, believing on and obeying him.

3. It was Gods end in sending his Son, and Christs in giving himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Not that he might justifie and save us, and make us happy in our sins and un­cleaness, [Page 136]cleaness, Tit. 2, 13, 14. He dyed for all, that they that live should not henceforth live to them­selves, but to him that dyed for them and rose again, 2 Cor. 5.15.

4. Neglecting and refusing to come to Christ, to believe on and follow him, there­fore men must needs perish in thir sins and uncleaness. For

1. All things in this life and world will fail, being vain and momentany. All flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass, 1 Pet. 1.24. The world passeth away, and the fashion and lust (or desire) of it, 1 Joh. 2.17. 1 Cor. 7.31. and all our own wisdom is bruitishness and folly, with an enmity to God, and he will destroy it, Jer. 10.14. 1 Cor. 1.19. & 3.19, 20. and all our righteousnes­ses and goodness, though after the Law, but as a menstruous ragge, so as we cannot live in, or be justified by and on account of it, Isa. 64.6. Rom. 3.20. Gal. 3.10. no­thing but Christ will preserve us from pe­rishing, Acts 4.11.12.

2. Yea mens neglects of and rejections of Gods Grace and great Salvation, provokes his heavy anger and displeasure, which will kindle a fire that will never be quenched, but will for ever burn upon them, Mat. 22.7. Mark 9.44-48. Heb. 2.3. & 10.26.29. & 12.25.

Such things are to be talked of, proposed to and urged upon men, sometimes one and sometimes another of these things to convert them to righteousness: as also the discove­ry to men of what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God as to what he would have them do and practice in their believing on Christ, that they may please him, and have the fellowship of his spirit and his blessing. And so what God and Christ require of them, and his grace obliges them to do, or deny or to forbear. With the manifold incouragements to obedience, and heartnings thereto against all temptations, persecutions and whatever other discourage­ments, in proposing Gods pretious promises and gratious readiness in Christ to pardon sins and accept of weak, if upright, endea­vours, and the like, as the Scriptures abun­dantly evidence: to which it would be too long to speak here particularly. Such things are to be held forth by believers in holding forth the word of life in shining as lights a­mong men. Which they are to do also,

2. In their works and conversation: As the Apostle also implies, when he saith; Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless and harmless (or fin­cere) the Sons of God. Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation; among [Page 138]whom ye shine (or shine ye) as lights. Name­ly, in so walking and demeaning your selves. Both these ways Levy is said to have exercised himself in, in his turning many a­way from iniquity, Mal. 2.6. The Law of truth (as the Gospel is called the Word of truth, Ephes. 1.13.) was in his mouth: and iniquity was not found in his lips. There is the first thing. And then the second follows, viz. He walked with me in peace and equity, and turned many from iniquity. And indeed they that will not be won by the word, may some­times be won to the word by a good Conversa­tion, as is implyed, 1 Pet. 3.1. For here­in also we may shew forth the virtues of Christ, and God in him: while we as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, and have our Conversation honest among the Gentiles (the uncircumcised in heart) a Conversation that becomes and is answer­able to the Gospel of Christ: an holy, hum­ble, charitable, courteous, upright and blameless Conversation. So as that where­as they are apt to speak evil of us, as of evil do­ers, they may glorifie God (by occasion of the good works that they shall behold in and from us) in the day of visitation, 1 Pet. 2.9, 11, 12. which our Saviour also evidently implies in his exhortation to his Disciples, aforementioned in Mat. 5.16. When he [Page 139]saith, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (walk so well and blameless before them in your holding forth the word of life, that your works may testifie of you, and evidence the force and power of the truth believed, and grace received and declared by you, so as men may behold them) and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. For this way also we may declare or shew forth his salvation: even shew forth in our selves, as evidences of it, the saving virtue that is in the Gospel, and Grace believed by us; that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation (even to save men from their sins in the power and pollution of them; yea and from the clog­ging force in sins guilt in the conscience [...]ausing deadness or sadness) to every one [...]hat believeth, whither Jew or Gentile. And [...]erein we may shew forth his righteousness; namely, that god is upright, faithful and [...]nd true in what he saith and promises; while according to his promises, we receive [...]is blessings in and upon us, to the filling us with the fruits of his righteousness, making [...]s apt to every good work, and chearful [...]nd hopeful in God under all evils of adver­sity, Psal. 92.13, 14, 15. And also while we exemplify in our selves before men the righteous ways and practises which God [Page 140]would have men walk in. And indeed without this all our profession or preach­ing is rendered vain and ineffectual exceed­ingly, and instead of glorifying God, as He is and will be in trees of righteousness of his planting, Isa. 61.3. God is dishonored among men by such as talking of and pro­fessing his love and grace do walk other­wise: witness what the Apostle saith in Rom. 2.17 24. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the Law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and (tryest the things that differ or) approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law, and art confident that thou thy self art [...] guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which has the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the Law. Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thy self! thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a man should not com­mit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest Idols, dost thou commit Sacri­ledge? thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law dishonorest thou Gods for the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Let us take heed we be not such lights, or such vain boasters and talkers of light and truth, and [Page 141]of the Gospel of Christ: but yeild we up our selves to the grace of God and its teach­ings, and walk we in the spirit in all good­ness, righteousness and truth; and so let us endeavour where God hath given any fur­niture and fitness for it according to what God hath given us, to seek and promote the good of others. With both these fore­mentioned particulars, adding and joyning earnest, and faithful, and fervent prayers, and supplications to God, that He would be merciful to us and bless us, and make his face [...]o shine upon us, that so his way may be known upon earth, and his saving health among all Nations, &c. Psal. 67.1, 2. as knowing that all our success in all our work and ser­vice for him, and endeavours with men, de­pends upon his grace and blessing: without which, they that labour to build the house of God & convert souls to Righteousness will be [...]ut labor in vain, Ps. 127.1. Thus we find Christ [...]ur Lord rising early and going apart to pray [...]o God before he went to teach the people, Mark 1.35, 38. and so let us endeavour to [...]o make others wise, and to turn many to [...]ighteousness, considering also that it is [...]ere farther implyed, and that this may serve,

Ʋse 4. 2. To inform us, That this the [...]nd of Gods giving the knowledge of him­self, [Page 142]and grace in Christ to us with any gifts more or less for usefulness, that we should live to him therein, and seek his honor, glo­ry and interest in endeavouring the good of others, not living to our selves or minding our own thing only, no not only the good of our own souls, much less inferior world­ly advantages, but that we should look up­on others, and seek their good also. No saying to our brethren, as Cain to Abel [...] Am I my Brothers keeper? but letting the sam [...] mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus; wh [...] being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with him, yet so looked up on our needs and miseries as to abase and empty himself and take upon himself the form of a servant and the fashion of a man, yea and therein also to humble himself and become o [...] bedient to the death, the death of the Cros [...] that he might ransome and redeem us from the death and judgment that was upon us and become our Saviour: that He might lif [...] the poor out of the dust, and take the needy from the dunghil and set them upon the Throne with Princes: even the Princes of his people, Phil. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. Psal. 113.6, 7, 8. especially those that are stronger and more gifted. And mo [...] especially yet if also called to Office and Ministry among others, ought to bear the in­firmities of the weak, and look after that tha [...] [Page 143]is lost, not pleasing themselves, but every one seek his Neighbours good, and how to please him for his edification and salvation, seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness: both that they may be more and more sub­ject to his Kingdom and Government, and filled with the fruits and benefits of it, and to that purpose with his righteousness: without which, there is no inheriting his his Kingdom. As also to promote his King­dom, enlarge his Church, bring in more souls, and souls more and more into it. And to that purpose shew forth and seek the manifestations and discoveries of his righte­ousness both in word and conversation, as is before noted. Not first to seek our selves; no not necessaries for our life, food and rai­ment, much less great matters in this world, honors and preferments, riches, pleasures, and the like, Rom. 15.1, 2, 3. Mat. 6.22.23. Luke 12.30, 31, 32. Yea they that have but one Talent, we may see, it's Gods mind and Christs that they trade for him with it, in seeking to bring an increase to him: that's evidently declared to be his mind, in the judgment awarded upon him that neglected to improve his one Talent. And that it is pleasing to God that we en­deavour the good of others, and their salva­tion with our own, is in this also plainly made manifest, in that they that instruct and [Page 144]make wise others and turn many to righte­ousness, shall receive such honor at the hands of God, as to shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever. Yea this also may serve,

Ʋse 5.3. To inform us what is the right use and improvement that we should make of those advantages and means of grace that God affords us in sending wise men and pro­phets, and holy men among us, who instruct us and hold forth the light of the know­ledge of God and of his ways among us, in word or conversation, or both: As also when his grace therein is received effectually & to purpose, and not in vain by us. Viz. That that is the end of God in such vouchsafe­ments to us, and the use and improvement which we are to make thereof, that we be made wise and righteous thereby. And so far is the grace of God received to purpose by us, as it hath that effect in us, and we become thereby wise and righteous, are turned from our iniquities and brought into and made partakers of the divine nature and virtues of Christ Jesus. Therefore we are not to rest content that we have Gods ser­vants, words and ordinances with and a­mong us: or that we get by them some light into our understandings, so far as to fill us with notions of truth, and to make us able to talk and make profession of it. There is [Page 145]great difference between such a knowing as may but puff us up and make us proud, and true wisdome and righteousness, the more we have of opportunities and means of knowledg; yea and the more knowledg we get thereby of what is good and true, and what is Gods will concerning us, and the more profession we make thereof, the more or greater fools are we, if we be not brought into subjection to Christ and his gracious government thereby, and if we be not made just and righteous therethrough. Yea the more unrighteous are we towards God and men and our own souls, if having more of such means and knowledg, we are not yet therethrough brought into subjecti­on and obedience to Christ, so as to love Him above all, and denying our selves, with all ungodliness and worldly lusts, to [...]ive soberly, righteously, and godly, and [...]o to him in this present world. He that knows his masters will and doth it not, shall be [...]eaten with many stripes; for to whomsoever [...]uch is given, of him shall be much required; [...]nd to whom men have committed much, of him [...]hey will ask the more, Luk. 12.47, 48. Christ was not sent of God, neither came he into [...]he world, nor hath he sent forth his Spirit, [...]nd fitted and furnished servants of his, and sent them into the world, and given forth [Page 146]his Word and Doctrine, and the light of his sons and servants holy conversation to such end that we might only have our brains filled with better and righter speculations, or our tongues tipt with finer and righter language, and that we should bow to him with our knees, and honour him with our lips, and cry Lord, Lord, and jangle, and wrangle, and make a noise, bustle, and bluster in the world about opinions and forms of worship, while still we remain in heart and life covetous, proud, ambitious, vainglorious, unjust and wicked. But his great end in all this, and the great end we are to pursue in the enjoyment of them all, and the use we are to make of them was, and is, our being redeemed from all iniquity, and purified, to be to Christ a peculiar people, zealous of good works, Tit. 2.14. Oh let us look diligently, that we neither fail of the grace of God, nor receive it in vain; but so as we may have it so effectually in our hearts prevailing with us, and bringing forth its fruits in us, that we may serve God ac­ceptably, with reverence and godly fear, be [...] made wise to Salvation, a righteous people, a [...] branch of Gods planting, the work of his hands, that He may be glorified, Isai. 60.21.

3. This also with reference to both its, branches,

Ʋse 6. May administer diverse reproofs as;

1. To such as neglect Wisdome and Righteousness, and regard them not, that seek other things, but seek not the Lord, that call and cry and lift up their voices for vanities, and that that will not profit them, for perishing pleasures, riches, or honours, but content themselves to be without wis­dome and understanding, seek not Gods Kingdome and his Righteousness, have a will to be rich, and through the love of money fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown them in destruction and perdition, and pierce their souls through with many sorrows, but flee from Wisdome and her calls, counsels, in­structions, and repro [...], shunning the light thereof, because their deeds are evil: and follow not after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, that they might lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6.9, 10, 11, 12. Who not believing that they are the truly wise, that fear and serve God in the faith of Christ Jesus, nor that they shall shine so gloriously in the issue, and as the reward of their wise doings, therefore say to God, Depart from us, we desire not the knowledg of thee, or of thy ways, preferring riches before righteous­ness, wine and women and the ways of [Page 148]wickedness before wisdome, heavenly un­derstanding and righteousness; their farms and oxen before the heavenly Marriage­feast, husks with swine before the sub­stantial bread of life, laying out their money for that that is not bread, and their la­bour for that that satisfieth not; when they might (but will not) eat that that is good, and let their souls delight themselves in fatnesse, these are fools indeed; and shame and con­tempt will be their promotion, Prov. 1.7. and 3.35. When they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, then shall these ly down in everlasting darkness, and be an abhorring to all flesh, I­saiah 50.11. and 66.24. especially those that have had the greatest opportunities and advantages for getting wisdome, and for being justified and made righteous, and yet foolishly and wickedly have neglected and despised them, Hebr. 2.3. that have a price put into their hands to get wisdome, but they have no hearts to it, Prov. 17.16. Indeed had Christ never been sent of God, or come into the world, or had he never died for them and rose again, or had he by no means, or God through him, ordered any light or truth to them, so as it might be known or discerned by them, or given them no capa­city to see, hear or receive it, their case [Page 149]might deserve more pitty and excuse. God that winked at the times of ignorance, would certainly (comparatively at least) overlook their remediless ignorance and brutishness; but now that things are other­wise, the light is come into the world, Christ hath given himself the ransome for all, and the the testimony in due or proper times, and is the light that lighteneth every man coming into the world, and what is to be known of God is ma­nifest in or among men, for God hath shewed it them, and they close their eyes, and refuse to see, and like not to have, or retain, God in their knowledg; yea professing themselves to be wise, and neglecting what comes to make them wise, become fools, and their foolish heart is darkened, they have therefore no excuse; but the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against them, for all their ungodliness and un­righteousness, because they withold the truth in unrighteousness, 1 Tim. 2.4, 6. John 1.9. and 3.19. Rom. 1.18, 19, 20, 21, 22-28. Truly this is the case among the heathens: But how much more inexcusable must we Christians needs be, who have the Scrip­tures of the Law and Prophets among us; yea the Preachings and doings of Christ and his Apostles, & in all a clear discovery of the mind and will of God, and of his love and grace to us, and the highest means and ad­vantages [Page 150]given us for attaining to wisdome, and being made just and righteous, but put them from us, or receive the Grace of God herein in vain. Oh how great is the folly, and how sad will be the state of such among us! Folly and madness to neglect and slight what they might have of such worth, as to advance them to greater glory than all the glory of the earth, or world, even to shine as the brightness of the Firmament. But much more folly by neglecting that, to incurr endless obscurity, and disgrace, and everlasting misery! If men are accounted fools (and well may be oftimes) who having opportunities and advantages to attain to glory and dignity among men, do sloath­fully, cowardly or otherwise neglect them, how much more shall they who might at­tain to heavenly glory, and care not for it, nor will look after it? upon which account also

2. Here is reproof to such as being some­what acquainted with God, and his grace, & truth, and having received some furniture and fitness for being useful to others, ye [...] with the sloathful and wicked servant re­fuse to improve their talent, know how to do good to others, but have no heart to it mind their own things only, but neglect th [...] things that are Christs, Philip. 2.21. Seek [Page 151] what to eat, and what to drink, and where-with to be cloathed, but seek not the advance­ment of Gods Kingdom or its increase, nor the glorifying of Gods righteousness to men that they might be saved. Whither through coveteousness and desire after the getting and keeping of the world, they cannot look after Gods glory, or their own, and others good: or through sloathfulness and loath­ness to undergo hardship, and the difficul­ties and services requisite to be performed by them, or through fearfulness and unbe­lief thinking the work and service of the Lord too dangerous, and Him no certain or sufficient protectour of his servants (and this often goeth with the other: The sloath­ful man saith there is a Lyon in the way: I shall be slain in the Streets, Prov. 22.13.) fearing what men may do unto them more than him that can cast body and soul into hell fire, and so conceal the words of the Holy one, [...]er hide them so within a bushel, that they [...]are not sown abroad in Gods field to bring forth an increase. Have received light but smother it, and will not suffer it to shine forth, and therefore set it not on a Candle­stick, but hide it under [...] bed or a bushel, or the like: Or through want of Charity to, and [...]are or desire of their neighbours good. And [...]ruly if he that having the worlds good seeth his [Page 152]Brother have need and administreth not to him, but shuts up the bowels of his compassion from him, is injurious to God and men, and hath not the love of God well abiding in him, 1 John 3.17. How much more worthily may it be said of such as having that which is far better than all this worlds good, the knowledge of God and his truth, where-with to help men to heaven, by instructing them in and unto wisdom and righteousness, and see their brethren and neighbours have need thereof, and yet shut up the bowels of their compassions against them, and leave them for want of instruction and vision to die and perish; how dwelleth the love of God in such men? And oh what a reproof may this be to many Pastors or Ministers, such as the Prophets have cryed out against, that feed themselves, but feed not (but starve) the Flock? that either have not knowledge o [...] mission from God, and yet run and speak but not out of his mouth (of whom more by and by) or that having the words of God to speak to them, withold them and speak them not: Yea and such as causelesly leave and desert their Flocks, or neglect their op­portunities of teaching men knowledge, and of turning them to righteousness: such a [...] that Shephard, that Idol Shephard, tha [...] [Page 153] [...] Shephard of no worth, spoken of in Zech. 11.13. that leaves the Flock. Sure­ly the loss of the great glory here set before the faithful and diligent servants of God, the loss of shining as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever, might sufficiently awaken men from such neglect of their duty: But much more if withal the woe and misery contrary here­to threatned to such, and allotted for their portion be considered, it might alarm us all to take heed of these evils, both that judgment threatned and predicted by our Saviour. Take that Talent from him— and cast ye that unprofitable servant into outer dark­ness, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, Mat. 25.24, 25, 28, 30. and that Woe in the Prophet Zechary pronounced, Woe to the Idol Shepherd (or Shepherd of no value, Idolized and worshipped per­haps of men, but of no worth in himself, and as to his way and practise) that leaves the Sheep or Flock: (the Hireling that seeing the Wolf come, shifts for himself, but leaves the Sheep to the danger of him; or that for any cause whatsoever, voluntarily deserts and leaves the care of mens souls commit­ted to him) A Sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye, his arm shall be utterly dryed up (He shall lose his force, power and [Page 154]virtue for doing good) and his right eye shall be utterly darkned. He shall lose all right un­derstanding; or shall be bound as it were hand and foot and cast into outer darkness, where his eye shall see no light. A sad & hea­vy sentence is either of them, and such as might awaken us to consider our ways and be fervent in spirit serving the Lord with all diligence; seeking to do all the good we can to others. Yea and to take the best advan­tages that Providence affords, and that we may lay hold of for doing good to all, or as many as may be. Like the Apostle that pleased not himself, but pleased all men in all things, not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved, 1 Cor. 10.33. the more the better: For they that turn ma­ny to righteousness have the more excellent promise; that they shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever. They therefore are faul­ty, and foolishly defective to themselves and their own good; who for any fleshly or worldly considerations of ease, honor, grea­ter profits here, or the like, content them­selves to do good to a few, when they are in a capacity and may have opportunities to do good to many more. It was the great blessing promised of God to Abraham, that he should be the Father of many Nations, Gen. 17.4. Rom. 4.17, 18. And the glory [Page 155]of Christ, that through his sufferings, He brings many sons to glory, Heb. 2.10. And David, when God went so forth with him in his reproving and instructing men, that Many said, who will shew us God? Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, tells us that God put more gladness thereby into his heart, than in the time that their Corn and Wine increased, Psal. 4.6, 7. The servant that with his pound well imployed gained ten pounds, was made Ruler over ten Ci­ties, when he that gained but five with his pound was made Ruler but of five Cities, Luke 19.17, 19.

3. But if they that neglect to do what good they can are faulty and to be reproved; hence what shall we say then to such, as not only do not what good they can or might, to make others wise and righteous, but even do their endeavors to hinder men from wis­dom and righteousness, or to turn them therefrom? surely such are far more ex­ceedingly faulty. And if they that make o­thers wise or instruct them thereto, shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament in the judgment, and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever; then they that hinder or pervert men from being wise or righteous, shall rise to shame and everlasting contempt, as was said of some, [Page 154] [...] [Page 155] [...] [Page 156] verse 2. And here divers sorts of persons fall under sore reproofs, as to say;

1. They that by force and violence en­deavor to hinder men, or do drive them from being wise or righteous: they that make Laws and Edicts against and so (in prosecuting them, or otherwise) persecute men for righteousness sake, forcing men to forbear those ways by which they might at­tain wisdom and righteousness, or in which they might practise them; and compelling men to practise unrighteous matters. Such as walk in Pharohs course, who would not let the people have liberty to wait upon and worship God, but put other burthens upon them to take up all their time, that they might not have leisure for that; whither Masters of Families, parents or higher pow­ers, Ezod. 5.17, 18. Or do like Jeroboam, set up devises of their own, and compel all men to conform thereto; and thrust out those who would more rightly serve God, 2 Chron. 11.14.15. & 13.9. with 1 King. 12.28, 31, 32, &c. Or like Ahab and Jeza­bel, that threw down Gods Altars and killed his Prophets. Or like Nebuchadnezzar, who threatned the fiery Furnace to them that would not do unrighteously in bowing down to, and worshipping his Image, Dan 3.5, 6. Or like the Princes and Presidents of [Page 157] Babylon under Darius, that procured a Law to forbid the practise of Gods worship also for a time upon pain of being cast into the Den of Lyons, and prosecuted it against Daniel for not observing it, Dan. 6. Or like the Jews and Pharisees, who made a Law to put out of their Synagogues any that would confess Jesus to be the Chpist, John 9.22. & 12.42. Or the Council that afterwards up­on severe penalties, forbad the Apostles to preach in his name, punishing those that do wisely and righteously according to God, and those that endeavor to bring others to do so likewise, Acts 4.18, 21. & 5.28, 40. Or like the Beast, or the false Prophet, that setting up an Image or form of Religion of their own devising, compel all to submit to [...]t, and cause the refusers to be killed. And such as will not some way or other acknow­ledge and submit to their unjust doings, that they shall neither buy nor sell, trade nor traffick, Rev. 13.15, 17. these are greatly faulty in so doing; As we find the Apostle Paul divers times aggravates his own sin of this nature, whilst a Pharisee and ignorant of Christ; judging himself for it, the chief of Sinners, the least of the Saints, unworthy the [...]ame of an Apostle, &c. Because he, through [...]he ignorance of his unbelief, practised after this sort to persecute and be injurious to the [Page 158]Church of God. Persecuting them to death, and delivering them both men and women into Prisons, punishing them oft in every Synagogue, and compelling them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them into strange Cities, Acts 22.4. & 26.10, 11. with 1 Tim. 1.13, 14, 15. Eph. 3.8. 1 Cor. 15.10, 11. Oh then how great is their guilt and sin that wickedly and wilful­ly against light and knowledge do such mat­ters? how sad their case! and how heavy and dreadful will be their judgment! They that forbid men to speak to others that they may be saved, and persecute them that do so, be­cause forbidden by them, and take away by such acts and ways of force from men the Key of knowledge, the Gospel Doctrine, and neither enter into the Kingdom of God them­selves, nor suffer those that would. Upon such, wrath comes to the utmost, not doing it in a [...] false zeal, so as to be excused in a measure by their mistake and ignorance, Mat. 23.13. 1 Thes. 2.16. 1 Tim. 1.13. But of that last mentioned charge, others besides such per­secutors may also be guilty. As,

2. They that being Teachers, of or Preach­ers to the people, seduce them from the truth, and not only do not preach it, but preach against it and traduce it. Thus did the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites, and [Page 159]the Lawyers too, Luke 11.46.52. Lading men with heavy burthens, and grievous to be born, worse than Pharohs Task-masters, while they put them upon getting such and such holy frames and lives, such brokenness, godly sorrow, love and the like, to be the grounds of their knowing Gods love to them (as indeed are good and needful in their way and place) but withold from them and preach against that discovery of the grace of God towards them, as and while sinners and ungodly that should truly and genuintly effect them, putting men up­on getting them, that they may be the foun­dation of their believing, that the Gospel of the grace of God appertains to them, or which is the same, that Christ was sent and dyed, and gave himself a ransom for them, and God would have them saved: which indeed are but the effects of those things first known and believed. For it is the appear­ance of the love and grace of God to man, that is the spring from whence all right frames and works do flow, and by that they are taught, Tit. 2.11, 12. & 3.4, 5. But truly, while men teach others that Christ died but for a few, they know not who, a secret number known only to God, and they must all by an irresistible power be infallib­ly and necessarily brought in to God; and [Page 160]for all the rest, Christ having not died, they must necessarily perish. What do they but lay snares for men to render them careless of righteousness, and of the knowledge of God, and to reason as some do, that if they be of the Elect, they must needs be saved and cannot miscarry, let them live at the pre­sent, as debauehedly as they will or can: and if otherwise, what will all their seeking af­ter God and breaking off from their sins a­vail them? They can be but hypocrites and reprobates, do what they can. If it be said, but the Elect may make themselves obnoxi­ous to greater punishments here by sinning, and the Reprobates by endeavouring to be good, lessen their future punishments. From their own Principals mistaking and perver­ting that that is right, they that are skilled in their Doctrine, may retort that to the E­lect all things shall work together for good, and their greater unrighteousness shall but the more commend the righteousness of God: and the Reprobate shall have no less punishment than God hath decreed to them inevitably. And so they that preach to men a necessity that those that are once brought truly to believe, must abide in the love of God without any such If, as Christ puts up­on his Disciples, when he saith, If ye keep my Commandments ye shall continue in my love, [Page 161]John 15.10. But they will go higher than our Saviour, and say, tush: away with these Ifs here, ye shall keep Christs Com­mandments and continue in his Love. Or if ye break them (as at other times they will grant, for they read that David and St. Pe­ter did so) yet ye must be brought in again, so as ye cannot possibly fail of Salvation, and all those sins also shall work together for your good: what do they but strengthen the hand of Sathan, and corruption in cases of temptation, to prevail with such as have high persuasions that they are Elect and true Believers, to presume to sin and do unrighte­ousness, as that, that in the issue shall not hurt them, nay shall work to their advan­tage also? And while men make it doubtful in their Preaching whether Christ be a Savi­our for them, or hath died for them or not, what do they but hinder them from seeing all those strong engagements to believe on him, and submit to him, which that per­suasion, as the Scripture holds it forth, en­gages them with? It is true such Preachers and Professors often say, If Christ died for [...]ll men, then men may live as they list, for they that Christ died for must be saved, and cannot perish: but this saying of theirs is [...]oubly vicious. For 1. If Christs dying for men, and mens being persuaded of it, be a [Page 162]ground of licentiousness, then men should do ill to be persuaded that Christ died for them, or that they are of the Elect; for by their own reasoning, Such as are elected, or judg themselves so, may live licentiously, and as they list, yea are in great danger so to do (though they may do it without dan­ger) seeing without doubt Christ died for them. But 2. That's a falshood, that all must be saved from the second Death for whom Christ died (and that's the death we are now to seek to be saved from, and the being saved from which, men mean of, whe [...] they talk of being saved.) The Apostle signifie the contrary, Rom. 14.15. 2 Pet. 2. [...] 1 Cor. 8.11. Heb. 10.26-29. Yea, and di [...] they know and mind what the Apostle Jud [...] implies in that saying, that he put the Belie­vers in remembrance, though they once knew [...] how that the Lord having saved the people [...] of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that [...] lieved not, Jude 5. they would judg other­wise: for though all that Christ died [...] (that is all men) are, and shall be saved [...] of that first Death and Judgment in whi [...] Christ found all involved: yet such as [...] fuse to hearken to and follow him, call [...] them, and offering to conduct them to [...] promised inheritance, and to cleanse [...] prepare them for that He might bring the [...] [Page 163]to his Heavenly Kingdom, they shall be destroyed by Him in the Second Death; even as those that were saved out of Egypt, and afterward believed not on him, that having saved them, called them and went before them to lead and bring them to Ca­naan, perished in the Wilderness. And both what Christ hath done for them in love to them, in dying for them and purchasing them into his own dispose and Lordship, from under the jurisdiction of Sathan, from his having right and power to dispose of them, and in his therethrough becoming [...]eir Saviour to save them from the second [...]eath, and bring them to happiness: as [...]so the possibility and danger of perishing, [...]y the certainty of it, yet, except they [...]ne to believe on and follow after Christ, they be known and believed, will strongly [...]gage and oblige men to submit to and [...]lieve on him, which obligations by the rementioned doctrines are taken away [...] men: Yea, seeing He died for all, that [...] that live might thenceforth live to him, [...] Cor. 5.15. What do men by denying his [...]ath to have been for all men, but lay a [...]ndation for men to deny to live to Him, that they have cause so to do, till they can persuaded that he died for them? But [...]all not insist further upon the harmful­ness [Page 164]of that Antisciptural and Antiapostolica [...] doctrine, which I hope all sober men begi [...] to be ashamed of; only some hot violen [...] persons, who too much like the Scribes an [...] Pharisees, challenge all right judgement [...] themselves, and compass Sea and Land [...] make Proselites, but so as not to bring the [...] indeed to Christ for righteousness, but rath [...] to a righteousness before Christ, that the might with or by that come to Christ in [...] way of their conceiving, are too much guil [...] of retaining such principles, and speak [...] proachfully of what is expressed in the G [...] ­spel sayings, as if they contained blasph [...] my, or gross errour in them: For who cause I am thus large, and insist thus mu [...] upon it, and for them that are in danger be harmed by them. But there be men [...] divers other bad principles also, that hind or pervert men from righteousness. Su [...] as either deny the Person of Christ, or [...] Satisfactoriness of his Death and Suffering or the Resurrection of his personal Bod [...] and its Ascension into Heaven, or the wo [...] of his Mediation there, or his return ag [...] inglory Personally, from thence, to ju [...] the quick and dead, or the Resurrection Men in their bodily beings, or the eter [...] Judgment, but turn these into Allegor [...] and things already done in themselv [...] [Page 165]which are dangerous and destructive prin­ciples, Heresies of damnation, or damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought even them that hold them, and bring upon them swift destruction, 2 Pet. 2.1. errours of the same stamp with what the Apostle notes of Himeneus and Philetus, who concerning the truth erred, and said the resurrection was past already, destroying or overthrowing the faith of some, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18. As also the Mockers that say, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation, 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. These also cause some to fall from their own stedfastness, or endanger it, ver. 17. Yea and the Great whore that corrupts the earth with her abo­minations and fornications, is a grand ene­my to mens being righteous, while they hold the truth in unrighteousness, or rather some of those that are her members oppugn [...], and they that do not so, yet corrupt it by preaching other Doctrines, as of necessary [...]oncernment to be believed with it, that [...]re underminers of it; as when they press [...]he necessity of the belief of their devised [...]rticles and Imaginations, and teach men [...]o give the glory of Christ, and of God in [...]im, to creatures dead and living, and make [...] necessary to mens Salvation, to hold [Page 266]their Faith and Worship of a sinful and fallible man, yea of the Man of Sin, pre­tending his infallability, contrary to evi­dent instances to the contrary, yea and who in a word, Comes after the manner of Sathan, with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: while [...] himself in the Temple of God (or the [...]) and shews himself that he is God, may order, alter o [...] do in the Worship of God what himself pleaseth, and withal persecutes to death, those within his reach [...] subscribe not t [...] his usurpations, but as so doing, he an [...] his abettors fall under the former Head [...] reproof.

3. They also who by their lives an [...] practises, counsels and examples, debau [...] or stumble men from the ways of wisdom and righteousness; they that entice to Si [...] and counsel to Atheistical, Idolatrous, loo [...] or vitious principles and practises, such [...] those ungodly ones mentioned, Psal. 1. Prov. 1.10, 11. such as Ahabs house was Ahaziah, 2 Chron. 22.3, 4. and by th [...] evil examples (especially being Maste [...] Magistrates, or men of place) draw in othe [...] with, or after them, to do foolishly and [...] righteously, running together into the sa [...] excess of riot, of which sort there are bundance every where in the world. [...] [Page 267]especially such as being Teachers, Prophesis to men of wine and strong drink, Mic. 2.11. and preach for licentious liberty and pra­ctise it; so as it may be said of them, what the Lord, by Jeremiah, said of the Prophets and Priests of Samaria and Jerusalem, that they are profane, and cause his people to erre, committing adultery, and walking in lies, strengthning the hands of evil doers, so as that none doth return from his wickedness; yea so as from them profaness, or hypocrisie, is gone forth into all the land, Jer. 23.11, 13, 14, 15. Yea and all such as professing to know God, do in their works deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, bunglers or void of judgment, Tit. 1.16. these above all are perilous, and make the times perilous, when having a form of Godliness (and the greater their Form, the more perilous, if) they deny the power of it; either in denying that Grace of God in Christ held forth in the Gospel, rendering it the power of God to Salvation (which belongs to the first sort spoken to under the Second Head of this Use of Reproof,) or (which is here intend­ed) denying the efficacy and operation of the Grace of God, as to the obeying and walking in it, being under the profession and form of godliness, lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, boasters, blasphemers, disobe­dient [Page 168]to parents, unthankeful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, or make-bates, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high­minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. the holding the truth with such unrighteousness doth greatly hinder mens being turned to righteousness by it; for it occasions men rather to blaspheme the name of God, or speak evil of his doctrine, while they see those that Preach or Profess it to live so badly, as was noted from Ro­mans. 2.17.24. Denying in practise and con­versation, the Lord that bought them, they cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of, while they walk in pernicious, or (as some read it lasci­vious) ways, 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. or else leads those that own the truth with them to rest in the notion of it with them as they do, and walk with them in like unrighteousness; which still adds to the scandals and stumbling blocks laid in the way of others, causing them to decline the way of truth, and either to turn Atheists and Prophane, or turn to some false ways of Religion, where there appears more strictness of carriage, and blamelesness of conversation, which migh [...] be found also with, and among Pharasees Phil. 3.6. where men make a fair shew i [...] the flesh, but are corrupt from a solid and [Page 169]single rejoycing in the Cross of Christ, Ga­lat. 6.12-14. For both all the specious works and doings of those that are of corrupt principles, perverting men from the truth, and all the best and truest speakings of those that joyn therewith a corrupt and vicious life, fall under this reproof, as being ways wherein men may hinder mens turning to Righteousness, and lay rubs in the way of them that sincerely endeavour to do that service. And all these, whosoever they be, great or small, zealous or prophane, that are guilty of any of these ways in the se­veral branches of this Use mentioned, fall under sharp reproof, especially this last sort, who deny the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and turn the Grace of God and his Gospel into an occasion of sinning, even into wantonness, for to such, especially being Teachers of others, the Apostles in­stead of glorious shining as the Stars for ever and ever, threatens, as to wandering Stars, the blackness of darkness (as that that is reserved to them) for ever Jude 12. 2 Pet. 2.17. and therefore this especially is to be taken heed of, as being that to which that of the Lord in Ezech. 20.39. belongs: As for you, go ye and serve every one his Idols, even hereafter, if ye will not hearken unto me, saith the Lord, but pollute ye my holy Name no more [Page 170]with your gifts and with your Idols: and that of our Saviour too, in Matt. 18.7, 8, 9. It must needs be that offences come: but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh, for who­so offends one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a mil-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea. Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, it is better for thee having but one eye to enter into life, rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire. And surely if things as dear and needful to us as our hands, or feet, or eyes are rather to be parted with by us, than that by offending with them we should loose our souls, much more should we part with any fancy or fashion, garb or garment, way or practice of vanity, rather than by offending and hindering the souls of others, thereby to in­curr such punishment, though all of these ways reproved, deprive of happiness and glory, and expose to heavy misery and judgement, the neglect of wisdome and righteousness, the being backward or ne­glecting to do good to others, and to make [Page 171]them, what in us lies, wise and righteous; and most of all, the hindring men from tur­ning to, or calling them out of the right way, and so turning them from righteous­ness in any wise or manner. Yet this last mentioned way of iniquity exposeth to the heavyest. But truly as David, when he had been asserting the goodness of the Lord, and that All his ways are mercy and truth, to them that keep his Covenant and his Testimo­nies, presently adds, as finding defect there­in in himself. For thy Namesake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it (thy name, as well as my iniquity) is great, Psal. 25.10, 11. And when he had been propounding the blessedness of him that Considers the poor, how God would pitty and help him in his afflictions, presently adds; I said Lord be merciful unto me. Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee, Psal. 41.1, 2 3, 4. So may I, considering the happiness of the wise, and of those that turn many to righteous­ness, and the faultiness of those here repro­ved, reflecting upon my self, and finding shortness and guilt in most of these ways re­proved, cry out too, Lord be merciful to me, heal my soul for I also in many of these ways have sinned against thee, and against the souls of others also. But

Ʋse 7. 2. This also in both its branches [Page 172]may afford great good motive and encou­ragment to those that are wise themselves in the wisdom of Christ, or diligently seek­ing after it, and those that are faithfully and diligently endeavouring to improve what wisdom and other furniture they have re­ceived from God for the good of others, that they might be made wise and righteous in Christ Jesus, to go on and hold fast their wisdom, and their exercise of it to so good an end. Seeing here they have an assu­rance given them by Jesus Christ and his holy spirit, that they that so do, shall be glorious with him at the last; which may bear them up against all the discourage­ments they may meet with here in the way, as from their being here hid and obscure, thrust into corners, taken no notice of, or made no account of, among their Neigh­bours. Yea, or from their being here re­proached, vilified and rendred odious, as Christ himself and many of his followers: both holy Prophets, holy Apostles, and o­ther holy men have been in their several A­ges. No cause from these things to be dis­couraged, but to hold on their way, as it is said. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger, Job. 17.9. And as it is said by our Saviour: Let him that is righteous be [Page 173]righteous still, and he that is holy (devoted, seperated and given up to serve God and Christ, in seeking the glory of his name, and the good of others) let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly, and will render to every man according as his works shall be, Rev. 2.11, 12. That is, to them that by pa­tient continuance in well doing seek after glory, honor & immortality, eternal life, Rom. 2.7. This consideration is oft-times propounded by Christ himself, as when he saith: He that shall confess me before men, him will I con­fess before my Father in Heaven, and before the Angels of God, Mat. 10.32. Luke 12.8. And, No man that hath left Father or Mother, House or Land, &c. for my sake and the Gos­pels (to serve me and it, as well as also to know me and it) but he shall receive an hun­dred fold here in this life—and in the world to come eternal life, Mark 10.29, 30. And so in each of the seven Epistles to the seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 2, 3. This the Apo­stles too propounded both to themselves and to others. To themselves; We believe, therefore we speak, knowing that he that rai­sed up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and present us with you. For which cause we faint not. But though our outward man pe­rish, our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light afflictions which are but for a mo­ment [Page 174](attending us namely in our seeking after, and serving the Lord, getting and walking in wisdom) Worketh for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen, &c. 2 Cor. 4.14, 16, 17, 18. And to others, when he saith; So run that ye may obtain, and every man that striveth for masteries is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown, but we an incorruptible, &c. 1 Cor. 9.24, 25. And this is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. Oh what have men often done and indured, and with how great pa­tience and unweariedness for a little glory? that they might get a name and praise with men, and be glorifyed of them; and shine, as it were, in their atchieved glories and re­nowns? Witness that great Alexander that in twelve years space ran over almost all the world with undaunted courage, encoun­tring with and vanquishing wondrous diffi­culties, for glory sake. And Julius Caesar, Pompey and many others. But alas! What is all the glory of this world in comparison of the glory to be revealed on the Saints of God at the appearance of Jesus Christ! of which the Apostle tells us; that it's a weigh­ty [Page 175]and an eternal glory: and that he reckoned that all the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with it, Rom. 8.18. Surely if the hope of a little uncertain gain carryeth the Merchant, Husbandman and other Tradesmen oftentimes through great dangers and unwearied labors and difficul­ties: and the hope of a little honor and glo­ry among men, hath often, and yet doth car­ry out soldiers to exceeding great and tedi­ous hazzards, what should not the hope of so great glory as this, To shine as the bright­ness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for e­ver and ever, carry us out to, in travelling for wisdom, and for doing good to all we can, and all the good we can, that we may be in­struments of their salvation? Seeing we have the promise of God, both of his pre­sence and helpfulness with us in all our la­bors and dangers to assist and strengthen us: and of his rewarding our labors also and crowning them in the issue, with so great glory and happiness. Neither of which pro­mises are ingaged to those others in their adventures; but they run at uncertainties, and upon only fallible probabilities.

Ʋse 8. And Lastly, How may what hath been said and considered from this Scripture, occasion gladness (with sadness) to us in respect of this our Deceased Brother, Mr. [Page 176] Thomas Moor; the occasion of our meeting here and treating on this Text of Scrip­ture? than which I could not think there was any in the whole Bible more applicable to him, and pertinent to our present busi­ness.

1. In respect of himself, we have un­doubted cause and ground from this Text, of great comfort and gladness; as being thence perswaded that it is and shall be well with him, though dead in the body, and brought hither to be Interred; no doubt but he shall arise among the just, and such as shall have this Scripture fulfilled upon them: for that he was a wise man, and in­dued with a great portion of Divine wisdom and Heavenly understanding, all that knew him and his parts, and gifts, and way of life may testifie: and his many pious and religious Treatises, both in Print and Ma­nuscript left behind him, will witness for him. Indeed He had not University Lear­ning to furnish him or to know himself by; but what He had, was the more immedi­ately or remarkably from God, in and by a diligent Study and practise of the holy Scrip­tures and their good instructions, and con­verse with Godly persons: to which, from his youth, God by his Grace excited and stirred him up, and in which he mightily [Page 177]assisted and blessed him. And indeed God hath not tyed himself, nor us up to the Universities for their Learning, for his giving, or our receiving Heavenly wis­dom: But wherever men apply their hearts unto it, and mind its instructions in those means of attaining it that he affords them, and walking in what He gives, wait and call upon him for it, He is ready and faithful to give it, as He hath said, If any of you lack wisdome, let him (he saith not go to the Universities, but) ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally (or singly, [...]) and uphraideth not, and it shall be given him, Jam. 1.5. though in the measure of it, he gives not to all alike. He is a free Agent and gives for gifts and usefulness to others more or less, as he pleases: but al­waies so much to the faithful, diligent seek­ers, as shall suffice for their Salvation, and usually contribute something also to others usefulness; but Gifts for understanding Scriptures, and prophecying thence, or speaking to others edification, exhortation, and comfort, He gives not to all, but where, [...]nd as He pleaseth: and to other oftimes besides, if not as sweetly and fully as (yea [...]nd more than) to many (if not any) that [...]re brought up in those places. Such too usually knowing themselves by, and priding [Page 178]themselves in such their fleshly priviledges God (that will have no flesh glory in his pre­since therefore) stains the pride of that glorying too, and makes choice of Babes and suckling to reveal his wisdome, and its mysteries too, when he passes by the otherwise learned wise and prudent, chusing the foolish thing of this world to confound the wise, and wea [...] things to confound the mighty, and things tha [...] are not (or are naught set by) to bring t [...] nought things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28, 29. as the that have those fleshy Priviledges and ac­complishments are too apt to do: as is to visible even in them also that are in some good measure endued with his grace; w [...] may see therefore that God hath chose many of his most useful servants (thoug [...] not all) from low and mean places, an [...] conditions. So David was chosen from th [...] sheepfolds, and taken from following the ew­great with young, to be both an excellent Pro­phet, and a worthy and potent King, Psal. 7.70, 71. Mary a virgin of low estate, to have the honour of being Mother to our Lord Luke 1.48. Christ himself, according to th [...] flesh, was a stone of stumbling to the pro [...] Religionists, the Jews, Scribes and Phari­sees who stumbled at his meaness, and at [...] Cross and Sufferings, which themselv [...] [Page 179]contrived in a sort, and occasioned to him cause He was the supposed Son of a Car­ [...]ter, and a Mechanick: for he himself [...]ay appear wrought of that trade, Mark [...]. Is not this the Carpenter (say they) the of Mary, &c. and he was brought up [...]h those his mean Parents, and was not [...]ught up at the Schools, whence the Jews [...]vailed, saying, How knoweth this man let­ [...] (or learning) having never learned, [...].7.15. and the company of his Disci­ [...] and Followers were not of the persons [...]pute for learning; for they said of them, [...]h any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees be­ [...]d on him, but this people (meaning his [...]iples) that know not the law, are accur­ [...] Joh. 7.47, 48, 49. And so the Apostles know what they were divers of them [...]ermen, Toll-gatherers, Tent-makers, &c. [...] chusing to put his treasure into earthen [...]s, that the power might be of (and so the [...] to) God, and not the men, 2 Cor. 4.7. [...] that God hath changed his way in [...] last days, and altering his purpose and [...]ution for destroying the wisdome of the [...] and bringing to naught the understanding [...] prudent, and making foolish the wisdome is world, 1 Cor. 1.19, 20. designs now [...]tifie the flesh, and lift it up in his pre­ [...] and ty up his choise of instruments [Page 180]for his glory to men that may vaunt them­selves of, and congratulate one another their fleshly accomplishments (as if wisdome of the flesh and world would [...] illustrate the Cross of Christ, and its ve [...] that was wont heretofore to obscure it but a Scriptureless tradition, and a [...] ceit I fear, of men fleshly minded, and [...] speak as they would have it, because circumcised in heart, and they have learned to worship God in the spirit, rejoi [...] Christ Jesus, and to have no confidence i [...] flesh, Phil. 3.3. Surely men in having the [...] of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord (and th [...] fore the giver to whom He will) of G [...] with respect of persons, in this sense too, [...] to say to the learned Academicks, and g [...] ­ly read Scholars, Sit thou here in a [...] place, and have thou high respect and e [...] in our hearts, while they say to those are taught of God, and fitted by his [...] in the meditation of his word only, for fulness therein, because not so educa [...] Stand thou there, or sit here at my foot-st [...] a lower place and esteem, are judges of thoughts, being partial in themselves, as [...] as they that put such difference be [...] the goodly apparel, gold ring, or gay clo [...] and the vile, or mean raiment, or the pe [...] that were in them: and they are liab [...] [Page 181]to less reproof than they; for though learn­ing is a gift of God, as well as riches, and [...]o be received with thankfulness, and may [...] very profitably used in his service, as [...]hey also may; yet men are as apt to abuse that, and lift up themselves therein, as they [...]re riches, and it may as well and truly be [...]d, Do not learned men and the wise in such [...]sdom, oppress the truth, pervert, corrupt and [...]il the souls of men, as it is said, Do not [...]ich men oppress you? and of both, Do they [...]ot blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called? But let both the one and the other [...]e commended where they do well, and [...]ulted where otherwise: but let not the [...]ts of God, where ever given, be over­ [...]oked, or not thankfully acknowledged. I [...]ow it is not every one that is apt to lift [...] himself, and thinks himself fit to be a [...]acher of others, that is therefore so. There are both of the learned and unlearned [...]t run before they be sent of God, or ap­proved by him in their errand. But of this [...]amp was not this our deceased Brother, [...]aving much of the presence of God with [...], and blessing of God upon him in his [...]mistration. So as we may say truly of [...], the other Branch of the Text also, that [...]de turned many to righteousness, many choise [...]nd precious Christians, excellently en­dowed [Page 182]with understanding, experiences o [...] of Gods goodness, gifts of Prayer, and heavenly vertues were the fruits of his La­bours. Many that are gone before him [...] God, and some that are yet remaining [...] earth, whose lives and whose wor [...] praise them. For indeed he had a goo [...] understanding in the grace of God, and [...] the righteousness which is by Faith of Jesus Christ, which he much opened to, and [...] culcated upon his Hearers; and so he mi [...] be properly said by setting them befo [...] men, to turn them to behold and mind a [...] embrace them, and so to be made just [...] righteous. Some in this City of Lon [...] were Seals of his Ministery, but many [...] in the Countryes where he lived, and wh [...] he was more conversant; as in Cambridge shire, Norfolk, the Isle of Ely, Lince [...] shire and thereabouts. Many that h [...] blessed God that ever they knew him, a who yet do: so that we may with comfort a [...] confidence leave him here in the earth, an assured hope and expectation of his [...] ­ing raised up again to everlasting life: a that then he shall among them that be [...] shine as the brightness of the Firmament, a among those that turn many to righteous [...] as the Stars for ever and ever. For ind [...] he did not only hold forth good Doctr [...] [Page 183]the Doctrine of the Grace of God to men, but did also walk humbly and holily among and toward men: Preaching in his practice as well as in his doctrine: Though we do not make him more than a man, a good and an useful man, having learned with St. Augustine to give that honour only to the holy Scriptures, called Canonical, to be the absolute rule of our faith and life. We look upon his Life as that which had its failings and passions as other good mens, and read his Writings, and heard his Discourses as we would other holy mens, with our senses exercised to compare them with the Holy Scriptures, and (as was his frequent ex­pression prefixed before divers of his Trea­tises in their Epistles) to bring things to the Testimony, and receive what agrees there­with, and if any thing swarve therefrom, or want confirmation thereby to let it a­lone or reject it, for we have learned of our Lord to call no man Master of our faith but himself, the only absolutely perfect Pattern of Life, and Teacher of Truth: though we have also learned of his Apostle to have all in honour for their works sake that faithfully and skilfully instruct us into, and provoke us to hold fast that which our Lord hath taught us, 1 Thes. 5.12, 13. I know many, and those that account themselves [Page 184]and were accounted the strictest Religi­onists, censured him for his Doctrine and Practices; and was not our Lord himself so, and by such manner of persons? For his Doctrine, because he held the Death of Christ to have been for all men, and the Grace in Him to be treasured up in Him for all men, as what is free for them; and dissented from those of Mr. Calvins mind in his apprehensions of Election and Reproba­tion: but they that censured him upon that score, bewray their own ignorance, or un­belief of Gods testimony in the Scriptures, and unaquaintedness with the manner of its speaking, and are of those that call some bodies else their Rabbies than Jesus Christ; and follow other Guides rather than his holy Apostles, crying up this or that supposed holy man, more than them and their plain sayings. For his practise: some as accoun­ting him a Sect-Master, or a maker of a Schism, but they that so did, did not well know him: For his work it was not to di­vide men from the Church of England, in which he walked and worshipped, though not in all things approving, yet not for les­ser dissatisfactions renting from it. Upon which account many others of the zealous parties more censured his practise. But I think he followed therein, the way and [Page 185]practise of the holy Prophets and Apostles: who though reproving the Errors and Faults in the Jewish Church, or those that called themselves of it, yea and approving and practising the Assemblings and Speakings to­gether of such as feared God, besides the publick Assemblings of the professed Church, Mal. 3.16. Psal. 111.1. & 119.63. Mark 1.21. 39 & 2.1, 2. Luke 10.38, 39. Acts 3.1. & 4.23. & 12.5, 12. yet made not a seperation therefrom, till, or otherwise than they might be thrust out by them, Isa. 66.5. Well, we shall leave him to his righ­teous Judge, who seeth not as men see, nor judgeth after their Judgment; With whom his work we trust is accepted, and of whom we hope he shal be rewarded with this great happiness, To shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever. In which comfort concerning him, we here leave him. Though yet notwithstanding this cause of Gladness concerning him.

2. In respect of our selves, we have great cause of sadness, for that God hath deprived us of him & of his farther helpful­ness and usefulness among us, and that too, in the midst of his farther endeavours of it. Both as we may reflect upon our unthank­fulness for, and want of making due im­provement [Page 186]of so good an Instrument of good to us, and so great a gift of Gods grace and mercy as he was, as what might pro­voke God to take him from us, and to take him away too so as he did, both at such a di­stance, where few of his Acquaintance could have the opportunity of visiting him: and especially in such a manner, as by suffer­ing such a feebleness to befal him, as took away the benefit of his speaking audibly to us, during the continuance of his sickness (if I may call it a sickness) which though long. He being weak many weeks, yet in all that time he spake little so as to be well-understood a whole Sentence together, only now and then a Sentence. But those about him perceived that he spake oftentimes a­bout Christ or the Resurrection, and the hope of the glory to come, and was much in Prayer to God even to his end. Surely God might take him away in such a manner for correction and reproof to the living, as if he should signifie therein, that because we made not sufficient account and use of what he had so much and oft spoke in his life-time, we should have little from him audib­ly in his dying. Which though it might be imputed partly to his age and spentness, be­ing just entred upon his eightieth year, and [Page 187]having spent his natural strength much in his continual writing, meditation and exer­cise, and partly to the distemper that fell upon his head and nerves and rendred him listless, drowsy and in a measure Lethar­gick or Appoplectick, as I conceive. Yet seeing God doth often order that they that serve him much in their life time, express much of him too in their death in an edifya­ble manner to others. And he could, had he pleased, have ordered such strength and livelyness to him also therein. Therefore it is better for us, taking it out of Gods hand as a reproof of our unprofitableness, to make that use of it for the future, to im­prove the mercies God gives us while we have them: as our Saviour admonished the the Jews, when he said, Yet a little while I am with you, and then I go to him that sent me. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me, and where I am thither ye cannot come, John 7.33, 34. & 8.21. to the end they might attend to him and make good use of him and his pre­sence while yet with them, and where they might find and come to him, and so might walk in the light, while yet the light was with them, John 12.35, 36. and not as the Poet observed to be the common practise of men, Presentem virtutem odio habere, absentem quae­rere [Page 188]invidi. Horat. Slight present good, out of envy of it, and then when it is withdrawn seek for it when it cannot be had. Surely it's matter of lamentation for the Church and World to be deprived of any useful persons in them. As also cause of sadness we have, as the taking away such, may pre­sage judgments approaching upon us, as is often found, and as is implyed in Isa. 57.1, 2. The righteous man perisheth (namely from among men) and no man layeth it to heart. And men of mercy (or kindness) are taken away, none considering that the righteous is ta­ken from the evil (either the evil that is al­ready predominant, as Lot from the evil that vext his righteous soul, or as we read it, the evil to come, as Lot also was, and Noah when taken into the Ark, from the approaching deluge) He shall enter into peace, &c. In respect of him therefore we have cause of gladness, as our Saviour said to his Disciples, John 14.28. But in respect of our selves, cause to grieve. And God grant that that of our Saviour when the women wept for him when he went to his death, may not be applicable to us, Weep for you selves and for your Children, for behold the days come in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare, and the paps [Page 189]that never gave suck, &c, Luke 23, 28, 29. Well, what of judgment and correction to us there is in it, it is good for us to bear, Searching and trying our ways, and turning again to the Lord, who in divers such strokes and breaches made upon us, hath been smi­ting us. Blessing him that we enjoyed him so long, and that he lived to fill up so fully the number of his years; in which respect there is the less of judgment, I conceive, in his being now taken away. And whereas we can now have no farther usefulness of him by any personal care of, or service a­mong us, let us, bewailing our unprofitable­ness under what we have had, have the more regard to his Relicks. I mean those good and useful Books and Writings (the best and truest Relicks of the Saints to be made much of by the surviving) lest behind him. In and by which we may yet be min­ded of the sum and substance of what he spake to us, and hear him as it were yet in­structing us and reap the labours of his spirit for us, Luke 16.29. 2 Pet. 1.15. And let it be also our care (as being in this his Death and Burial aptly minded thereof, and provoked thereto) so to number our days as to apply our hearts unto the heavenly Wisdom. So as we following after the knowledge there­of [Page 190]and walking therein we may be accepted of God also, and be accounted worthy to have our lot and portion among those that be wise, who shall shine as the brightness of the Firmanant in the Kingdom of God; and if it may be that we also may be instruments of turning many unto righteousness, that we may shine then too as the Stars for ever and ever. Amen.