ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤ-ΑΠΟΛΟΓΙΑ.

OR, AN APOLOGY FOR THE POWER & LIBERTY OF THE SPIRIT; As at first To give a Being to, so still to give a Blessing by his Ordinances. IN THREE SERMONS PREACHT AT Great BƲDWORTH, TO Some Persons of Honour, and several of the Clergy then present to com­municate in reference to the late ACT.

By James Livesey, A.M. & Vicar of Budworth.

LONDON, Printed by A. M. for Robert Clavel, in Little-Britain, 1674.

• To the Honourable Sir George Warburton, Baronet. , • Lord of Budworth Magna, Aston, Apleton, Sutton, Warburton, Winnington, Marthal, Pulford, &c. , • And his Incomparably Accomplisht & most Noble Lady, Madam Diana Warburton. , • And Right Worshipful, William Tutchett, Of Whitley, Esq , • His Majesties High-Sheriff for the Coun­ty Palatine of Chester. , and • And his Vertuous and worthily Honoured Consort, Madam Martha Tutchett.  With the rest of the Gentry, and others of the Congregation of Great Budworth.

Honourable, Worshipful, & Worthy Sirs,

WHat was then (though not affecti­onately enough) presented to your attentive and judicious ears, is now most humbly offered to your discerning eyes; the good Spirit of the Lord hand it down into your Hearts, the best receptacle of Divine Truths. 'Twas my work to suit the [Page]Text to that Occasion, and the Sermons to the Text; yours to suit your Attentions to the Ser­mons, and His to do us all good, we doing so. If any shall demand why these were then Preached, or are now published? your Honour can satisfie the former, your Worship the latter. That I have mounted the Dedication so high, to so many, (when to every individual a just volume had been an incompetent Oblation) this presumption I must answer for.

As Artaxerxes that great Persian Monarch accepted a present of Water from a poor Labou­rer (with a smiling countenance) not having need thereof; for may (perhaps) your Generosity these plain, unpolished Sermons from one under so ma­ny Obligations to serve you. The censures of the ignorant I have no reason to regard, nor need I fear those of the Learned (who can do much bet­ter with their Pens, yet do nothing) for de Stra­minibus non curat invidia.—The carelesness of many who wofully and wilfully squander away Sacrament-days without due observation, hath awakened my Pen to remind them of the precious­ness and us [...]fulness of this Ordinance, and of their duties to their never-dying Souls. Who sees not some so sick that they complain they cannot live, and yet so sinful that they dare not die? before another day any of us (the most young or strong) may be in another world; though we shall live out, yet surely we cannot out-live the determin'd time. These serious thoughts of Death cannot [Page]bring us sooner to our graves, but they should bring us nearer to our duties, to a more constant and con­scientious attendance on this holy Ordinance a­mongst the rest, which is the grand design of these ensuing Pages.

In short, the Truths in them contain'd are Gods, as such embrace them; the weaknesses mine, how many soever. I have borrowed help from others to erect this feeble Fabrick, but most from the Spirit of the Lord, to whose gracious conduct in your passage to Glory, I shall never cease to com­mend you, beseeching that my service be not ac­counted my crime.

The good Lord make you shining Lights in that publick Orb in which God and the King have fixt you, and more illustrious Patterns of all Graces and Vertues (wherein you now excell) to those you converse with. This shall be the breathing of his Soul, who is, Sirs,

Your ever obliged Servant, J.L.
Aug. 26. 1673.

Besides some mistakes in pointing, and a few literal; the material Errata correct thus I pray.

ERRATA.

IN the Margent, pag. 125. read Revel. 5.8. and p. 141. after [...] add [...]: p. 146. read [...].

In the Book,
  • pag. 10. l. 18. r. despiseth.
  • pag. 11. l. 7. r. him for hmi.
  • pag. 15. l. 23. r. pulls for puts.
  • pag. 80. l. 9. r. scan for can.
  • pag. 102. l. 17. r. might for would.
  • pag. 104. l. 4. r. Act the latter.
  • pag. 110. l. antap. r. Him for them.
  • pag. 163.
    • lin. antep. neglected.
    • penult. observation.
    • ult. in things.
  • pag. 165. l. 16. r. wills for wits.

THE SPIRIT of the LORD IN Power and at Liberty▪ The first Sermon, July the 13. 1673. to bless his own Institutions, with the effica­cy and usefulness of the Sacra­ment of the Lords-Supper, asserted in THREE SERMONS, Preacht On Three Sacrament-days,

On Micah 2.7. O thou that art named the House of Jacob, is the Spirit of the Lord straitned? are these his Doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Legi potest [...] Drus. MIcah was one of them we call the small or lesser Prophets; not because their Prophesies are of less authority and majesty, or excel­lency; [Page 2](for they were all the dictates of the Spirit of the Lord) but be­cause they are more concise and of greater brevity than the first four.Ruffin. in Praefat. in Hos.

These Prophesies (Calvin con­ceives) as now extant are but the marrow and quintessence of those Sermons by them preacht to the people of Israel and Judah: Col­lected and reduced (says Zanchy) into one volum,Proleg. in Hos. by the care of those pious Princes inspired of the Lord, left by reason of their little­ness they should be lost; and this was done for the Churches benefit in those and succeeding Ages.

This Prophesie contains two so­lemn Sermons.

The former compriseth the five first, and the latter the three last Chapters.

In the former are three things observable.

  • 1. The Sins this people stood guilty of before God, and they are ingentia vitia, mighty ones.
  • [Page 3]2. The Judgments of God de­nounc'd against this people for those sins; and they are ingentia supplicia, doleful, dreadful, but most just and righteous: For he is too good to do his people hurt, and too just to do any people wrong: remunerat ultra condignum, sed pu­nit infra, Ezra 9.13.
  • 3. The Comforts interspersed on purpose to solace and support their hearts who were found faithful in these Kingdoms. He foretells (as is obvious to the meanest capacity) both the temporal deliverance of Judah out of the Babylonish Cap­tivity; and the eternal deliverance of the Church to be gathered out of all Nations through the promi­sed Messiah.

Their Sins are many, so were their Judgments; we shall menti­on three or four, for no more stand in our way unto the Text.

Cultum Idolorum institutum in Bethel, & Dan. Drus. 1. Their Idolatry, Chap. 1.5. this they are branded with; this is the procuring cause of the Lords ap­pearing [Page 4]against them in this glorious severity.

The Judgments threatned for this Sin, you see in vers. 6, 7. their capital Sinners were in their capi­tal Cities, Samaria and Jerusalem; but they were not too great for the great God to bring to con­dign punishment. [...] Diffluere faciam. I will make Sa­maria as an heap of the field; all the graven Images shall be beaten or broken to pieces.

The next this people are stigma­tized with are Covetousness and Op­pression, Quid non Auri sacra fames. chap. 2.4. They covet fields and take them by violence, and hou­ses, and take them away, &c. re­garding neither right nor wrong; provided they got it they cared not Quo jure▪ quave injuria.

How graphically does the Poet describe this monster sin?Phoc. even in Saint Pauls own terms, [...]. The Judgment denounc'd for this complicate sin, you see 3, 4 5. Their calamity shall [Page 5]be extraordinary [...] their desolation is irrevocably determined, and po­sitively and peremptorily declared, Behold, against this Family do I de­vise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks, &c.

The third sin is contempt of and opposition against his Word, his Ordinances and Officers, Vers. 6. and which did accent and aggravate the crime, their delight in and appro­bation of such false Prophets as would speak Placentia, and flatter them in their vicious and pernici­ous practises, vers. the 11th.

The Text under consideration is the Lords expostulation with this degenerated people for their foremention'd irreverence and con­tempt. O thou that art named the House of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitned? Are these his do­ings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly.

In this last clause two general parts.

  • 1. The Specification of a choice [Page 6]and precious priviledg, viz. To have the Word and Ordinances to do one good, this is a mercy of the first Magnitude; I know you pray for it as such; you prize it as such; you praise him for it as such; you wait this day for it as such: your non-proficiency under the dews and droppings of the Sanctuary you lament as an heavy judgment, Isa. 6.10, 11. Ergo.
  • 2. The qualification of the persons to whom it appertains,
    Privilegia non sunt amplianda.
    them who walk uprightly; rare ones indeed, the [...], do not so; they say, Privilegia sunt stricti juris.

Consider the form, 'tis Interro­gative; the matter or sense of this sentence, 'tis positive.

'Tis a Categorical proposition; in which,

  • 1. The Subject, or that which is spoken of, viz. my words.
  • 2. The Predicat; or that which is spoken of his words, they do good.

Do not my words do good? yea [Page 7]out all ifs or ands they do, to such as are thus qualified (i.e.) walk up­rightly.

In both are four things.

  • 1. The Author or Proprietor of them, — my words.
  • 2. The signal energy and singu­lar efficacy of them, — do good.
  • 3. The grand duty required of such who shall receive good by them,—walking.
  • 4. The Modification of the duty here expressed, —uprightly.

A short explanatory must serve at present, and then the observati­ons resulting hence will be metho­dically proposed.

O Dicte, [...] prius erat, [...] in foem. Qui diceris sed non es. Drus. Vos estis Israelite nomine non re, Vat. & Para us. O thou that art named the House of Jacob; i.e. who art called, but really art not so; you are an hy­pocritical generation; Jacob that good old Patriarch was a man of godly simplicity, Gen. 25.27. a man full of the fire of holy zeal; O the care he had, and the conscience he made of reforming his Family, Gen. 35.2, 3. a man of Prayer, a [Page 8]great Wrestler with God, Gen. 32.28. Hos. 12.4. A great lover of my Word and Ordinances. Were you (as is said of Nathanael) Israelites in­deed, in whom there is no guile; Were you good indeed, my words would do you good. But you snarle at and quarrel with my Prophets,Domino per laesos servos fit injuria. because of those Judgments they have denounc'd against you; the fault is not in them, nor yet in me; no, 'tis in your selves; you com­plain of them unjustly, and so do­ing you deal with me injuriously, Luk. 10.16. Hos. 13.9.

Spiritus [...] Latine in Mascul. Hebr. in Foem. Graece in Neut. Commode servit per­sonae Divi­nae cui nulla sexus gene­risve diver­sitas tribu­itur. Is the spirit of the Lord strait­ned? By the Spirit of the Lord Grotius and Friedlibius understand the patience, longanimity, mercy and goodness of the Lord; others (as Drusius, Paraeus; &c.) understand the Holy Ghost;—What? is he so contracted? is he reduced to such an exigence, that he cannot inspire his Prophets? and appoint them how and what to speak unto you? how audacious is your pride and wick­edness? [Page 9]Is it for you to dictate to them what, when and how to prophesie? Dare you attempt to limit the holy Spirit of God?Quae haec superbia & impietas? Paraeus & Piscator. 'tis not for want of fulness in him to publish or per­form good things, that my Pro­phets have commission thus to thun­der against your impieties.

An ista sunt opera. Vatab. Cogitatio­nes ejus. Grot. Num exitio vestro dele­ctetur? non ita intelli­gendae sunt comminati­ones Pro­phetarum. Are these his doings? That is, the way and method of the Al­mighty in his dealings; and those in which he delights are ways of love and mercy; he draws with the cords of men; is full of can­dor and ingenuity; if now he speak harshly and deal severely with you, know this is not his usual course; but only your present case calls for it. Consult Isa. 28.21. Hos. 11.8.

Do not my words do good, &c. q.d. Yea, they do: And if you break off your sins by true un­feigned repentance, and believe my Prophets; if you will but take care to walk regularly, you shall surely find the influences of this my Spirit upon your Hearts, cau­sing [Page 10]my Word and Ordinances to work for your good.

I now proceed to the Observa­tions: From the Context take two.

Doct. 1. 'Tis a doleful case and matter of saddest lamentation when a people (by profession Gods) stand in opposition against his Word, Or­dinances and Officers: These Ex­postulations and pressing Interro­gatories import no less.

Doct. 2. God will own and plead the cause of his Ordinances and Officers, whoever dares to op­pose or contemn them. Thus he did against this people, and thus he will; Tua causa erit mea causa, Luk. 10.16. He that despiseth them, despiseshim: They who do so shall hear from him.

O thou that art named.

Doct. 3. However men be called or accounted of by themselvs or others, yet the Lord can easily discern and will opportunely discover what they are indeed: He knows us in­tus & in cute, intus & in corde; [Page 11]Though the heart of man be (grande profundum) a great Deep,Psal. 90.8. yet he can fathom it, Jer. 17.10. I the Lord search the heart: He is a God of Knowledges, 1 Sam. 2.3. Totus ocu­lus, All things are open, naked, anatomized before him.

Art named.

Doct. 4. The note is this; 'Tis not enough for a peo­ple to have a name or to be call­ed good; they must be really so: It was a cutting question which St. Austin put to one, Quid tibi prodest vocari quod non es? What will it advantage one to have a name to live if he be dead?See H [...]in­sius in Joh. 1.47. To pass for a Saint here, and to be found amongst Sinners hereafter; to be reputed an Israelite indeed, and to be a Gibeonite; to be na­med of the House of Jacob (i.e. of the Church of God) and to be of the House of Sodom? How shall Men and Angels stand amazed at the great day, when the secrets of all Hearts shall be disclosed, to see [Page 12]some taken up to Heaven who were named the vilest of sinners, and others turned into Hell who were reputed choicest Saints: A form will do nothing without the power of Godliness. There are two things which every man is mainly concern'd to mind.

  • (1) To be Good.
  • (2) To appear so.

He that is not so is lost with God, and he that appears not so is lost with men.

Ones goodness if unknown to himself will afford him little com­fort; and if unknown to others, it will procure him little credit.

Abbrevia­tus contra­ctus. Drus. Is the Spirit of the Lord straitned?

Doct. 5. The Spirit of the Lord is not so straitned but he knows how to inspire and instruct his Prophets.

Doct. 6. The Spirit of the Lord is then straitned, when proud peo­ple presume to prescribe [...] to di­ctate unto his servants the Prophets, what and when and to whom they [Page 13]shall speak, and when and what not. Are these his doings? Hence note, that

Doct. 7. The ordinary way of the Lords dealing with men is in love and mercy; acts of judgment are his; but they are his strange, not his genuine acts; how full and sweet is that in Hos. 11.8. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee Israel, &c. In this sacred volum where is the pa­rallel? What pathetick Interroga­tions puts he there unto himself? q.d. Thou art upon the brink of destruction; 'tis but a giving thee up and thou art ruined. Oh — but how: how shall I do it?

Do not my words, &c.

Doct. 8. Note, that the Word deli­vered and Ordinances dispensed by faithful Ministers are his.—Attend them then with due care and con­science, with fear and reverence, with faith and patience.

Doct. 9. From the connexion of the principal efficient and instru­mental causes, viz. the Spirit and [Page 14]the Word: Such as sincerely desire to receive good from God, must attend to and depend on the Spirit of the Lord in the use of Ordi­nances.Ubi enim Ecclesia ibi & spiritus, ubi spiritus Dei illic est Ecclesia & omnis gra­tia. Iren. lib. 3. ud­vers. Haere­ses. For the Word can do no­thing without the Spirit, and the Spirit will do nothing (ordinarily) without the Word: Let people talk as their deluded fancies prompt them; One day they will see and say, that they who are enemies to the Word, are no true friends to the Spirit; despising the one they do quench the other: Quae Deus conjunxit, &c. How sweet, Oh, what a reviving Cordial is that precious promise to a pious Soul, in Exod. 20.24. In all places where I record my Name (my word and Ordinances, by which I am known, as a man is by his name) I will come unto thee (by my Spirit) and I will bless thee; there shall be a com­fortable meeting and a Cordial closing of my Spirit with your Spirits: See one for all, Isa. 30.20, 21. Thine eyes shall see thy Teachers[Page 15]mark that, and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, &c.

Do not my words do good? There is a twofold word, the one is ver­bum audibile, that's the Holy Scri­pture, Ephes. 6.17. and there is ver­bum visibile, viz. the Sacraments; they are call'd visible Sermons: as Christ in that conveys himself by the ear, so in these he conveys himself by the eye into the Heart. Hence ob­serve,

Doct. 10. That the Word and Ordinances of God are very ope­rative and powerful. The Spirit of the Lord concurring, they are not only preceptive and directive, but affective and effective; they are the rod of his strength, Psal. 110.2.

In a word there is a sevenfold force or power in the Word:

There is a Sin-subduing power, it puts down strong holds, casts down carnal reasonings; Oh 'tis mighty through God, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5.

A Soul-humbling power, it lays [Page 16]a proud sinner as low as Hell; makes him cry out, Lord I am vile: what wilt thou have me to do, and I will do it: To be, and I will endeavour to be it, Act. 2.37. & 9.6. & 16.31.

A Soul-cleansing power, Joh. 15.3. Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. And chap. 17.17. Sanctifie them through thy truth, thy word is truth.

A Soul-solacing power: This (word of promise) is my comfort in my affliction, Psal. 119.50. it keeps the Soul from fainting; a promise like pearl in broth is cordial.

A Soul-quickening power: No such Incentives to holy duties in the World as in the Word: Psal. 119.50.

A Soul-searching power: It ransacks and rifles the Conscience, and looks into the most secret transactions of the Heart: When the Sun shines into the House the Atoms are easi­ly discerned; when the Word shines into the Heart our secret lusts are [Page 17]easily discovered, Rom. 7.7. Heb. 4.12.

A Soul-healing power; Psal. 107.20. He sent his Word and healed them: How long might a Soul sit at the foot of a Philosopher and hear his Lectures of Morality, ere it should experimentally feel and find such an Heart-transforming power going along with them; such a mighty change wrought by them; Est quaedam verbi omnipotentia; as Luther said of Prayer.

To him that walketh.

Doct. 11 D. 11. Christianity is a walk; a Chri­stians life is not a standing or sitting still: every day must we do a days work, and go a days journey to­wards our Heavenly Country.

Up then and be doing, here is not your rest, Quo brevior opportunitas, co major sedulitas; lose your sea­son and you may lose your Souls; opportunities are for Eternity but they are not to Eternity: The Spirit will not always strive with man; now Christ stands and knocks,Gen. 6.3. Cant. 5.3. [Page 18]but he that stands stays not; give him no childish, no churlish an­swers; work and walk now; now if ever, now for ever; you may want an

  • (1) opportunity, if you slip this;
    Esto in di­ebus aestatis Formica. Prov. Arab.
    who knows what a day may bring forth? if you be not pre­sent in duty, God may be present in judgment; may come quickly, Rev. 2.5. His Judgments are often sudden and prevent mens expecta­tions, but never their deserts: Lam. 4.12. Hos. 10.15. Ere you can get out of bed he may let out your blood. Or
  • (2) you may want ability and not be in a ca­pacity; a sickness may come that may take away your senses, your friends perhaps may be forc'd to bind you in your beds; and is that a season for the greatest work of all, which is not fit for any work at all? Shall the best Master be the last, the least, the worst served?

Why should our vain hopes of living long, remit or abate our [Page 19]cares of living well, and working hard? Most never think of going faster till they are forc'd to think they shall not go much longer. Let us mind our way and mend our pace.

Ʋprightly.

Doctr. 12. 'Tis an impor­tant duty which concerns us all to walk uprightly, Gen. 17.1.

And 'tis the priviledg of such to have the word of the Lord to work for their good: They shall not hear in vain: Their souls shall live, Isa. 55.3.

But the proposition on which I purpose now to fix (waving all the rest) is this, and it takes most of them in.

Doct. The spirit of the Lord is not so straitned but that he can cause his Word and Ordinances to do them good who walk uprightly.

St. Ambrose writing three Books to Gratian the Emperour concer­ning the Spirit of the Lord, fronts his first with this passage, Sp. S. non aut alienae potestati est subjectus, [Page 20]aut juri; sed suae libertatis arbiter, omnia pro authoritate propriae vo­luntatis, &c.

There are three great Ordinan­ces of God.

  • (1) The Ministry of the Word.
  • (2) Baptism.

And the Lords Supper is the third.

The first we have dispatcht, and in our last discourse the second was finish'd too; to refresh your Me­mories, give me favour to hint the heads thereof, or some few on­ly, and them briefly.

Ad templū Dei perti­nent par­vuli sancti­ficati Sa­cramento Christi, re­generati spiritu san­cto, qui cer­tè per aeta­tem non­dum possunt cognoscere Deum. Aug. Epist. 57. Darda. cir­ca Med.(1) It was proved by Scripture, that the Infants of Christian Pa­rents (visible Professors) are true Denizons of the visible Church and Kingdom of God; and have a just right to and interest in Gods Magna Charta, or Covenant of Grace.

That the truth of Grace in the Parents is not the rule we are to act by in admitting Infants to this Ordinance. Surely he would never [Page 21]make that the condition upon which his Ministers must apply this his Ordinance, which none but God himself can infallibly know; let Parents be what they will (vicious and scandalous) if the Church cast not them out, we must not cast theirs out. A visible profession of Faith and Holiness in the Parents, (though there be not a conversa­tion congruous to that profession) intitles the Child to Baptism.

That Infants are capable of the Spirit of the Lord, of saving Grace, of Union with Christ, of Regene­ration, of pardon of Sin, all which are sealed in Baptism; if any deny this, they must then say, either, That these are not necessary unto Salva­tion; or, That no Child dying in his Infancy can be saved: Both which are absurd enough.

That if Infants have no right to this Seal of the Covenant, their condition under the Gospel is much worse, and their priviledges less than were those of Jewish In­fants [Page 22]under the Law; theirs had one, viz. Circumcision; ours none.

That the Commandment for Cir­cumcision being so express, plain and legible in the Old Testament, there is no more need of a new Com­mandment for Infant-Baptism in the New, than for a new Command­ment for the holy Observation of the Lords-day.

That the Covenant (and not on­ly the Commandment) was then the principal ground and reason of Circumcision (and is now of Bap­tism.) Circumcision was called the Covenant, and not the Command­ment; and the contempt or viola­tion of it was call'd the transgres­sion of the Covenant, not of the Commandment;Vide Whi­takerum contra Du­raeum fusius hâc de re pag. 681. 682. and the despisers were threatned to be cut off for the violation of the Covenant, not of the Commandment, Gen. 17.10, 13.

That Esau and Ishmael were re­gularly circumcised, as well as Isaac. No Scripture rule was transgressed [Page 23]when Judas and Simon Magus, when Ananias and Sapphira were bapti­zed; yet what they were, you know, the whole multitude of the Israelites were baptized, 1 Cor. 10.1, 2. Yet were not all true Believers, vers. the 5.

That we cannot infallibly know, but only charitably judg who are true Believers; and that, Though Infants cannot lay hold on Christ by the hand of Faith, yet he can and will embrace them in the arms of his love, and bless them.

That he whose child was uncir­cumcised (by his neglect) was in Gods account uncircumcis'd him­self, Exod. 12.48. 'tis so in this case of Baptism; and if uncircumcised, he was not admitted to the Passo­ver; no nor into the Sanctuary, Ezek. 44.9.

That the enemies of Infant-bap­tism deal not ingenuously in re­quiring from us an express Com­mandment for our practice, whilst mandment for our practice, whilst they cannot produce one for theirs. [Page 24]Where is your command to keep the Infants of visible professors from this ordinance till they be six, ten, or twenty years of age, or till they can make profession of their Faith?

Or where is your command to baptize Children when grown up? if you insist upon example, then where is your example for your admitting of Women to the Lords Supper? But of this more the last time.

Secondly, the Antiquity of this Ordinance was vindicated from the imputation of Novelty;Nullus est Scriptor tam vetus­tus, qui ejus origi­nem ad A­postolorum seculum pro certo non refert. Calvin. and that assertion of Judicious Calvin in his Instit. lib. 4. cap. 16. sect. 8. and of learned Zanchy in Ephes. 226 page, was considered and confirmed by the concurrent Testimonies of the Ancients in the several Centu­ries; as of Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Cyprian, Ambrose, Austin, Nazianzen, &c.

Thirdly, The high and noble ends for which it was instituted. [Page 25]The great usefulness and advantagi­ousness of it was shewed; not on­ly to those who are of maturer age, but even to Infants (Elect ones, I mean) ordinarily, when they are baptized: As the Spirit moving upon the waters produc'd a world, Gen. 1.2. and brought forth living Creatures; so the Spirit mo­ving upon the Soul can produce the seeds of Grace in it: Consult at better leisure the 27th. Article of Religion, and you will find it cor­responding with the judgment of the Fathers, with the most eminent Divines of these latter ages, with the Holy Scriptures, which is instar omnium. All which assert the pre­sent Infants, ordinarily in the act of Administration; to clear this (perhaps a more important truth than many in this Age are appre­hensive of) I refer you to what an eminent Doctor of our Church hath left up record, D.C.B's Bap­tismal Regeneration: It shall suffice [Page 26]now to mention only four or five. Chrysostom calls Baptism our ini­tiation Christ, 1 Homil. in Act. [...]: In Baptism the chief part is the spirit, [...] by which the water becomes effectual.

Basil in answer to that question, How are Christians saved? makes this return, [...]: by being regenerated by the grace received in Baptism: de sp. s. cap. 10. [...]: Baptism is unto me the beginning of life.

St. Ambrose is for it,Ep. 23. and Austin too; see his Epistle to Bomface (a noble Earl) on this Argument, and to Daranus, Ep. 57.—Sacra­menta in solis electis, &c. The Sacraments do work that which they signifie only in the Elect;Zanchy lib. Confess. cap. de Bapt. P. Martyr loc. com. class. 4. cap. 8. sect. 2. that is quoted by P. Lombard in Sent.

Calvin and Chamier those two great Lights of France are full for this too; though in their Cir­cumcision Infants could not appre­hend [Page 27]what that sign meant, yet they were truly circumcised unto the mortification of their depraved and defiled nature, which when at maturity they meditated on. Instit. lib. 4. cap. 16. sect. 20. Ʋbi plura ad propositum. See also cap. 15. s. 12. And Chamier, de sacr. lib. 2. cap. 6. p 4. Tantum abest, &c. 'Tis so far from us that we should teach that Bap­tism effecteth nothing upon Infants till they come to age; that on the contrary we know that the effect of Baptism which is perform'd im­mediately by the Spirit himself, sometimes goes before the very ce­lebration of Baptism; therefore we say, that either then there is some effect in truth and indeed when the Sacrament is administred, aut nullum unquam futurum; or else there will never be any at all; that is, then our sins are truly remitted, and our Adoption made sure to us, but all this morally; with them concur our own Chieftains, Jewel, Ward, Davenant, Bucer, Ames, and [Page 28] Ainsworth, the last in his censure of a Dialogue of the Anabaptists urgeth this argument amongst o­thers, pag. 40. to 46.

They to whom God giveth the sign and seal of Righteous­ness by Faith and of Regenerati­on, they have Faith and Regene­ration, for God giveth no lying sign, he sealeth no vain or false Covenants.

But God gave to Infants Cir­cumcision which was the sign and seal of the Righteousness of Faith and Regeneration, Gen. 17.12. Rom. 4.11. Coloss. 2.11.

Therefore Infants had (and consequently now have) Faith and Regeneration, though not in the crop or harvest, yet in the bud and beginning of all Chri­stian Graces.

A little after: ‘They that de­ny this reason must either make God the Author of a lying sign and seal of the Covenant to A­braham and his Infants; or they [Page 29]must hold that Infants had those graces then, but not now; both which are wicked and absurd; or they must say, Circumcision was not the sign and seal of righ­teousness which is by faith, con­trary to Rom. 4.11.’

Fourthly, And in order there­unto some rules were hinted'; I shall only superadd one more now; mark it well pray. If you would have the blessing of the Lord upon this initiating, matriculating Ordi­nance, act regularly, I mean ac­cording to the rule of the Word: What's that you'l say? I answer let them be baptized

  • 1. Early.
  • 2. Publickly.

(1) Early: Abraham the Father of the Faithful delayed not the Circumcision of his dear Isaac be­yond the eighth day; and that was a painful ordinance. St. Austin well observes that the Sacraments of the New Testament are

  • 1. Fewer in Number.
  • 2. Clearer in Signification.
  • [Page 30]3. Easier in Observation.

Who dare say of this or that particular infant, it is not rege­nerate? and Mr. Tombs con­fesseth such are to be bap­tized ear­ly. Joh. 7.22, 23. John was circumcised the eighth day, Luk. 1.59. So was Christ himself, Luk. 2.21. That he was not baptized till about thirty years old, was because till about that time John baptized none.

The Jews did circumcise the Children which they bought with their moneys, the same day they bought them; though it was the very day they were born; yea, i [...] the eighth day fell to be the Sab­bath, yet the Jews circumcis'd the Child therein, Joh. 7.22. Accor­ding to the Hebrew Canon: Cir­cumcision in the time thereof drives away the Sabbath:See Mr. Ainsw. on Gen. 17.12. Maimonid. his Trea­tise of Circumci­sion. ch. 1. sect. 9. (i e.) A man must omit the Sabbath (the keeping of it) for to circumcise in due time. Was the Lord so angry with Moses for the not circumci­sing of his child in due time, that he sought to kill him in the Inn▪ Exod. 4.24. and is he well plea­sed with your delays? St. Austin. judgment is well known in thi [...] [Page 31]case,Tanto ma­gis pro par­vulis loqui debemus, quanto ipsi pro se loqui non possunt. Aug. Ep. 89. juxla med. Non est justum (speaking of Baptism) ut res quae tam magna, tam praeclara creditur, negligenter aut tardius quam expedit, requiratur. It is not just that a matter of such moment and importance should be negligently and slowly gone about; can you devote and dedicate your Children to God too soon? Can you seal them too early? The sooner the better they are solemn­ly consecrated to the Lord, and have his name put upon them: Is it not a great and choice privi­ledg, that our Children have a vi­sible standing in the Church? can they be too early initiated into the Church or too soon engaged to serve the Lord? Gal. 5.3.

(2) Publickly: This is accor­ding to the ordinary common rule of the Gospel,Zepper de Pol. Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 12. and the Liturgy of the Church. Baptism is a publick seal of the Covenant of Grace, and therefore should be done publick­ly. You honour God most when you solemnly and publickly de­vote [Page 32]and dedicate your little one [...] to God.

You honour this ordinance mos [...] by a publick owning and using o [...] it; and we should preserve the honour of his Institutions all we can; never more need.

Your little ones are most advan­taged this way, they have the pray­ers of the whole Assembly; and by the solemnity of this Ordinance your selves are more quickned in remembring and renewing your Covenant with God on this occa­sion: So much is said (and so ra­tionally) by a learned Pen,Mr. Samuel Langley's Suspensi­on review­ed, &c. that I cannot presume to add thereto. O [...] that for the future what is amiss amongst us may be redressed; let the honour of God be more con­sulted, and not the humours of men.

When Christ was baptized he sent not for John to come to him, but himself went to John, and was bapti­zed publickly, Mat. 3.13, 16. He hath left us his own example, let none think himself too good or too great [Page 33]to follow his steps.

But because of this present oc­casion the rest of this discourse shall be confined to the third Or­dinance, viz. The Lords Supper: The Doctrine's this;

Doct. The Spirit of the Lord is not so straitned, but he can cause this. Ordinance to work for their good who walk uprightly.

In prosecution of this Proposi­tion I shall resolve but only eight Queries, very succinctly. For brevity is good,

Whether it be or be not understood.

  • 1 Q. What does this term or ex­pression [Walk] import and inti­mate?
  • 2 Q. What is it to walk up­rightly? —How is it to be un­derstood?
  • 3 Q. Of what importance and concernment is it, that we walk thus?
  • 4 Q. When does this Ordinance [Page 34]work for their good who thus walk?
  • 5 Q. How does it appear that the Spirit of the Lord can do them good by it, who thus walk?
  • 6 Q. What course must a Chri­stian take that the Spirit of the Lord may do him good by this Ordi­nance?
  • 7 Q. What must one do who hath found good at and by this or­dinance, from the powerful workings of the Spirit of the Lord?
  • 8 Q. What Soul-reviving com­forts doth the consideration of this important. Truth afford to such as conscientiously endeavour to walk uprightly?

Of these in order:

1 Q. What doth this expression import or intimate?

To clear the notion, know, that walking,

1. 'Tis motus vitalis, the result of a living principle in the Soul:Actio se­quitur vi­tam. Angels do not animate those Bo­dies [Page 35]which they assume, and their operations therefore are not vital: to speak properly, those Bodies are rather moved than move.

Indeed we read in Gen. 18.8. of their eating with Abraham; and this is a vital act: but you are not to understand it properly but meta­phorically, they seem'd to eat: At non comederunt actione vitali (says Mercer) sed cibo in corpus assump­tum transmisso, & in aerem tenu­issimum resoluto.

There must be a vital princi­ple of grace in the Heart, or we cannot walk in Heavens way: Dum deest aliquid intus; we are becalm'd and cannot move at all.

2. 'Tis Motus progressivus; a go­ing forward: No man ever did or shall go to Heaven backward, or get thither by standing still. Circu­lar motion is the motion of the Heavens, but 'tis not the most Hea­venly motion,—We must go from strength to strength, Psal. 84.7.

3. 'Tis Actus repetitus; walking [Page 36]implys frequent acts, or a course of life; as every act of Godliness is a step, so the whole of our Actions is our Walk.—And,

4. 'Tis Motus spontaneus; a free voluntary motion, not of force but of choice, Psal. 119.30. I have chosen the way of Truth; a way that never deceived any, nor will me, [...] I have carefully sought out and chosen 'em.

5. 'Tis Motus arduus; this walking is all up the hill, against winds and waves, and many oppo­sitions:—Hic labor, hoc opus est, (the way to Hell is all down-hill.) Walking is painful yet the most gainful motion. An Heathen Poet could say,

[...]

6. 'Tis Motus ordinatus; a re­gular and well-ordered motion, not a running at random, or con­fusedly, but an acting by rule; i.e. by the Word,2 Sam. 23.5. Psal. 119.9. Gal. 6.16. As many [...]s walk according to this Rule.—Psal. 50.23. A Co­venant [Page 37]ordered in all things calls for a Conversation suitable.

7. 'Tis Motus aequabilis; an even uniform motion; not now and then, or (as we say) by fits and starts.

8. 'Tis Motus aeternus; this wal­king (I mean) must be even to the end, Psal. 119.12. 'Tis not enough to set out, we must also hold out, or all our labour is lost, and our walking is to no purpose.2 Pet. 2.21. It had been better for them (says Peter) not to have known the way of Righ­teousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the Holy Com­mandment.

Tō turn our feet into his Testi­monies, this is a blessed turn in­deed;Psal. 119.59. Psal. 9.17. this will serve our turn to bring us to Heaven. First God turns us, and then takes us to him­self: But to fall off and to turn from God and his way will undo us for ever.

2 Q. What is it to walk up­rightly? [Page 38]what does this import? how is it to be understood?

In short thus:

There is a threefold Upright­ness; Legal, Moral, and Evange­lical.

1. Legal; Adam in this sense was so whilst he continued in that state of Innocency; his Knowledg of God was clear; his Engagements to God were great; his Enjoyment of God was full; his Communion with God was sweet; no stain at all upon his Nature; his Obedi­ence to the Divine Will was ex­actly quadrate and perfect for a time: his Heart and Life did agree with the Law of God exactly, as a well-made Dial goes with the Sun. Thus the Text is not to be under­stood, for thus can no man walk: He that saith, he hath no sin doth sin even in saying so. There are but a few men against whom Christ hath but a few things; and there is none on Earth against whom he [Page 39]hath nothing, Rev. 2.19, 20. As in the worst there is something good, so in the best there is something bad. Paul speaking of the Saints, saith, That in them the flesh lusteth against the spirit, Gal. 5.17. Whilst the Flesh lusteth, and Satan temp­teth, and the World allureth, think it not strange if the precious Sons of Zion be now and then found halting, sometimes taken tripping.

To have nothing of Flesh is the glorious priviledg of the Saints in Heaven; to have nothing but flesh is the doleful state of the Damned in Hell, To have something of Flesh and something of Spirit is the case of the Saints on Earth. 'Tis the pleasure of the All-wise God it shall be thus with us; were it not for sin Christ would not be so sweet unto us as now he is; were it not for Christ sin would not be so bitter to us as now it is.—To be freed from all sin would con­duce more to our peace, but less to Gods honour; less to the ho­nour [Page 40]of his wisdom, power, pati­ence, &c.

2ly. There is a Moral upright­ness; thus are they said to be up­right who are adorned with Moral vertues, and who walk justly, tem­perately, prudently; such was Ari­stides and other of the Heathens; this is a fine flower, but you may find it in the wild and waste of Nature. God becomes Compurga­tor for Abimelech, That what he did in taking Sarah, was in the uprightness of his heart, Gen. 20.6. I know (says God) that thou didst this in the sincerity of thy heart; Simplici ac sincero animo. Joab, though a man of bloods, yet dealt very uprightly with the King con­cerning the rendition of Rabah. Some advance this Moral upright­ness, and set it too high, others set it too low; 'tis very good, but it does others more good in this World than our selves in the other. Of this I do not understand the Text neither.

3ly. Evangelical; This is a Je­wel that none wears but Christs Spouse; a Grace (if I may so call it) that none is graced with but Gods Child; a plant that only grows in Gods Garden; 'tis called godly sincerity, because it is of God, it aims at God, and ends in God; thus holy David resolv'd to walk, Psal. 101.2. I will walk with­in my house with a perfect heart thus Abraham is commanded to walk, Gen. 17.1. And Saint Paul triumphs in this, that he had (through Grace) thus walkt; 2 Cor. 1.12. Our re­joycing is this, the testimony of our Conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our con­versation in the world.—In an Evangelical sense one may walk perfectly, and thus Zachary and Elizabeth did: See Luk. 1.6. They walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless; [...], not sinless, but blameless, Sine [...]querela, non sine peccato, as St. Austin gloss­eth it in the end of his 95. Epist. [Page 42]and since him Osiander and others.

'Tis a true saying of one:

‘They err egregiously who look for that in the Law which is on­ly to be found in the Gospel; for that in themselves which is only to be found in Christ; and for that on Earth which is only to be had in Heaven: i.e. A sinless perfe­ction.’

To dispatch this enquiry, know that to this upright walking three things are necessary.

  • 1. A Rule is requisite; a certain, infallible, and inflexible Rule by which we act, that's the Word; 'tis not only a rule of Knowledg but also a rule of Duty.
  • 2. A knowledg of this Rule, and then there must be,
  • 3. An acting conformably, suit­ably to our knowledg.

We must have an eye as well to the manner of our Obedience as to the matter of our Obedience: For (as Luther well) Adverbia apud De­um praevalent verbis.

We must obey him as well in the spirit of the command as in the let­ter of it: In those things which seem to make against us as in those that make for us, Gen. 22.1, to the 12. v.

We must not only not do that which is evil, but we must do that which is good:—We must have respect to all his Commandments, Psal. 119.6. As good to none at all as not to all; David fulfilled all Gods wills, Act. 13.22. Gal. 3.10.

3 Q. We shall now enquire after the Quae ratio, of what importance and concernment is it that we thus walk?

It were easie to be voluminous; but take hints:

That there is an absolute and in­dispensable necessity of walking sincerely, uprightly; that it is of great concernment we do so; Ap­pears,

  • 1. If we appeal to God under [Page 44]the Law, there we see the Lord re­quires it, Gen. 17.1. I am the Al­mighty God, walk before me and be thou perfect or upright.
  • 2. If we appeal to Christ under the Gospel, all his commands breathe Holiness and Uprightness; and his promises are to the pure and sincere in Heart, Mat. 5.8. He came to save us, not in our sin, nor with our sin, but from our sin. He requires us to be holy as he is holy; and we must follow the example of his life if we hope to be saved by the Merits of his Death.
  • 3. If we appeal to the practise of the Saints under both Dispensations, they ever made it their business to walk uprightly; Enoch, and Noah, and David, and Josiah, and Hezeki­ah. Hear one for all, Remember now O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, says good Hezekiah, Isa. 38.3. For the New Testament, consult 2 Cor. 1.12. and 1 Thes. 2.10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how [Page 45]holily and justly, and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe: —Phil. 1.27.
  • 4. If we appeal to Conscience, our own or others; Conscience is a faculty or habit of the practical understanding, whereby the mind of man by the discourse of Rea­son, applys the light it hath to every particular moral act.

There is a Conscience convin­ced and awakened, but not con­verted nor renewed: Consult this and it will tell you that 'tis a mat­ter of importance to walk upright­ly; a Conscience upon the rack will confess it freely.

There is a good renewed Con­science, and this will tell you there is a necessity of walking up­rightly. In every man God hath placed a Conscience, 'tis his bosom-preacher, 'tis a petty God, [...], it reproves, ac­cuses, checks and smites when we do evil. Ask your Consciences when you are under some sore af­fliction, [Page 46]or when upon your Death beds, and they will bear witness to this truth; that 'tis your part and prudence, your duty and discretion to be in the fear of the Lord all the day long; To walk humbly and up­rightly before God. Excellent is that passage of Justin Martyr in his Defense for the Christians to Anto­ninus Pius: [...], &c. If any be found who lives not as Christ hath taught, 'tis a certain Argument he is not a Christian, [...]. though with the Tongue he confess the Doctrine of Christ; for not those which only pro­fess, but those who make good their profession, doth Christ assure of Salvation.

But to ground the Point.

We are thus oblig'd to walk upon a sevenfold account.

1. He is an upright God whom we walk before; he is so in his Na­ture, in his Attributes, in his Mercy, Love and Justice, in his Pre­cepts, in his Promises, in Threats; [Page 47]he is so in his offers and tenders of Christ and Grace, and of Pardon, and eternal Salvation; in Him is no iniquity, no hypocrisie at all: He is a God of Truth, his eye is fixt up­on it, his heart is in love with it. He disgusts and abhors all leaven of hypocrisie, and vizors of piety, all falseness: 'Tis not all you can say, or do, or suffer or lose, that can make you precious in his eyes with­out this sincerity. In that Psalm of Thanksgiving there is an excellent passage, 2 Sam. 22.22, to the 28. I have kept the ways of the Lord.All his judgments are before me, I was also upright before him.For with the upright man thou wilt shew thy self upright. David walkt be­fore an upright God, and it con­cern'd him the more to walk up­rightly.

2. We have an upright Pattern, and upright Presidents to walk after. —The Lord Jesus is our pattern; he hath left us an example, 1 Pet. 2.21. and we must follow his steps; who did no sin, [Page 48]neither was guile found in his mouth [...] We must look at Jesus, Heb. 12.2. He was [...], a pattern; not on­ly for patience in death, but for holiness and uprightness of life too; for this end and purpose is his life recorded in this sacred Volume,Bonos tibi adjunge, quia si so­cius fueris conversati­onis eris & virtutis. Ambr. that all his Members might lay it as a golden Samplar before them, ac­cording to which they should work.

Upright Presidents; the godly Patriarchs, the holy Prophets and Apostles, pious Princes, and other religious persons of whom we read in Holy Story: These are [...], Examples propounded for all our imitation: In every Profession there are Chieftains.

The Roman Warriors had their Camilli, Fabricii, and Scipio's. The Philosophers had their Plato, Ari­stotle, and Pythagoras: We have the Prophets and Apostles. Man is a ductile creature, led as well by the eye as by the ear; we must follow them so far as they follow [Page 49]Christ.Non caden­di exemplū propositum est; sed si ceciderie resurgendi; non sit de­lectatio mi­norum lap­sus majorū. Aug. in Psal. 51. Their failings indeed are recorded, but for our caution, not for our imitation; their errors are set up not as Stars to guide us, but as Rocks to warn us; not as Land­marks to go by, but as Sea-marks to shun by. Sit casus majorum timor minorum. Aliorum perditio tua sit cautio. Excellent is that of Saint Ambrose, Lib. 4. Ep. pag. 127. In omnibus actibus tuis imitare bonos, aemulare sanctos; habeto ante oculos eorum exempla, &c.

3. We have an upright Rule to walk by, the Word of God; 'tis that should guide us here; by that we shall be judged hereafter.— This is a perfect Rule, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. an upright and holy Rule; so is not the Light within; and as for the Spirit, he is our guide, Rom. 8.14. not our Rule.—Again,

4. We have an upright way to walk in, the way of his Command­ments; this is an underfiled and an undefiling way; a pure, and holy, and perfect, and pleasant way; paths [Page 50]of life, and peace, and righteous­ness, all which call for Uprightness. Si vis esse beatus, esto in via imma­culatus, Aug. in Psal. 119.1.

5. We have upright Companions to walk with; indeed the [...] are not so; the most do walk in crooked paths, but in all ages there are some who are undefiled in the way, whose Hearts are sound in Gods statutes, and follow the Lord fully, and keep themselves from their iniquities; see St. Ambrose his Epistle to Florianus, ubi supra.

6. We have an upright, a per­fect account to give of our walk­ings and workings: Though now we live as if we had no God to serve, no Souls to save, no accounts at all to give; yet surely we shall be call'd upon anon to give account of all, Luk. 16.2. We read of the Counsel which Alcibiades gave un­to Pericles, whom going to visit he found busied about his accounts, Why dost thou trouble thy self (says he) in seeking to make thy accounts, [Page 51]rather think of some course to free thee from making any account at all. Doubtless there are who do thus; but the greater sorrow and shame shall they have at the last day. Does not the due consideration hereof lay a mighty obligation on us to walk uprightly? Nothing had so great an influence on St. Austin, to recall him from, and to recover him out of his sinful ways, and to engage him to live an holy and up­right life as (Metus mortis & ex­tremi judicii), the fear of Death, and the day of Judgment. O that we were wise, then would we re­member our latter end.

7. The Reward we shall receive will be an upright, just and per­fect reward: Verily there is a re­ward for the Righteous: A sure re­ward, Prov. 11.18. A full reward. 2 Joh. 8. An everlasting reward. 2 Cor. 4.17. It shall be well with the righteous; their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. He is not behind with them now, nor will [Page 52]he then. They shall have Pleasures without pain; Treasures without trash; Riches without rust; Ho­nours without envy; Crowns with­out cares; and Life without death. If the consideration of these things prevail not with us thus to walk, what shall? If they have no influ­ence upon us, what will?

Having premised these things, the fourth Query comes next in order to be discussed; go along with me and it shall be fully resolved.

4 Q. When does this Ordinance of the Supper work for their good who thus walk?

An account hereof take in the Twelve following particulars.

Then it doth such good and much good:

(1) When it makes them more zealous for God, for his Way and Truth, and in his Worship; Zeal is Amor intensus, the flame of Love, as Aquinas describes it. 'Tis ignis quidam flagrantissimi amoris, Usque ad O [...]vum gra [...]am. as St. Austin long before him. Or if you [Page 53]will, 'tis a compound of Love and Anger, a mixt affection; it car­ries forth ones love to God and his anger against sin in the most intense degree. — It consists in an earnest prosecution of what is good, and in a vehement detestation of what is evil. O the excellency of this frame of spirit! You know 'tis the spirit of wine that commends it; the sparkle that gives worth to the Diamond; as life gives an ex­cellency to being, so vivacity in operating gives an excellency to life; this is that the Lord calls for in Rom. 12.11. this he owns and crowns, Numb. [...].25.11. This is most prevalent with God for good, Jam. 5.16. Elijah's prayer fetcht fire from Heaven, because it carri­ed fire to Heaven. Grace turns a Sinner into a Saint; Zeal turns a Saint into a Seraphim. Much more of this you heard the other day from Revel. 3.19. Be zealous therfore.

If when you come to this Or­dinance with chill, and dull, and [Page 54]frozen affections, and dead hearts, and there find them wrought up­on; and you go thence more brisk and lively, more full of love to God, and hatred of sin; if now you can plead the cause of God, and defend the Faith with more courage and resolution; if now you can suffer for God more chearfully, whose dearly beloved Son you here see suffer'd so much for you, if now you can perform every holy duty with more vigour and activity; if you who were so remiss and cold and slothful in the business of Religion, in the great concerns of God and your Souls, are now more rouzed, quickned, excited and enlarged: — When thus it works then it does you good indeed.

(2) When their Hearts are thaw'd and melted, so that they can sorrow after a godly manner in the sight and sense of sin: Tears are precious things; one calls 'em the Wine of Angels; another, the fat Sacrifice. Such Sacrifices were most [Page 55]acceptable, Levit. 3.3, 4, 5.

The Prayers of the Saints move, their Tears compell the Lord to shew mercy, says Jerome. Were they not very precious, he would not keep a bottle for them.

They never run in the right channel but when they are shed for sin, then only they do us good; as St. Chrysostom well observes, [...]: For this end were they made. Philoso­phers tell us, That only reasonable and sinful Creatures can (gaudere & maerere) rejoyce and weep. To speak properly, no other upon earth can.—If now when you come to this Ordinance, your Eyes affect your Hearts, so that you can inwardly grieve, and outwardly weep bitterly for your sin, as one that is in heaviness for his only Son, or first-born. If when you behold a bleeding Christ, you have bleeding Hearts; a broken Christ you have broken Spirits, then does this Ordinance work for your good.

In the time of the Law, the Passover was to be eaten with bit­ter Herbs, Exod. 12.8. those Herbs were five, say the Jewish Doctors: The Passover was a lively Type of Christ, who is our Passover; that Rite was instituted to intimate, that the Lamb of God is only saving­ly taken and eaten by those who are in bitterness of spirit and sor­row of soul for Sin; and thus is this Holy Sacrament to be recei­ved. Does not a broken, bleeding Saviour call for a broken and bleeding Sinner? How can we see the Bread broken, and the Wine poured forth (and so should you place your selves as you may see them) both which do represent and shew his bloody Death and bitter Passions, and yet have no remorse, no contrition, no com­punction, no godly sorrow in our Hearts for sin? shall the Lord of Life thus suffer Death, and shed his precious innocent blood for thy, for my sins, and shall not our [Page 57]Hearts be so affected with 'em as to weep and drop one tear for 'em?

What sad lamentation do we make for the death of our Rela­tions, especially when taken away by the hand of violence, (nay they are not interred without tears who die in their beds), such, so, such was the death of our dearest Lord

Vellosillus disputes the question, Whether the Death of Christ might or ought to be lamented? He cites Ambrose and Theophilact, Vide Vel­losill. Ad­vertentias in B. Amb. Quest. 19. pag. 33. Beda and Erasmus holding the Ne­gative, from Luk. 23.28. but con­cludes for the Affirmative, which most of the Fathers are for. But out of dispute it is, That he was wounded for our iniquities, died for our sins; and that it concerns us all to weep for our sins which had so deep an hand in his Death; and Sacrament-days are proper times and seasons for godly sorrow. When your Eyes and Hearts are [Page 58]wrought and brought into this melting, mourning frame; when your sorrows for 'em is quadrate, adequate and proportionable to that delight and complacency you have taken in them; when thus you find it at such a time as this, then does this Ordinance work for your good. O that Rivers of wa­ters did this day run down our Eyes, at the remembrance of that River of blood which ran down from his sides!—

(3) When it makes their Hearts to die to Sin; when they do not only discard, but disgust it, not on­ly leave but loth it; when there is not only a breaking of the Heart for Sin, but also a breaking of it from Sin. When their unbelief is blasted, their pride and other lusts are mortified; when they come with strong and impetuous lusts to the Lords-Table, and there get (though no more peace yet) more power over them.

The death of Sin is the Souls [Page 59]life; its ruin is our rise, its falling is our advancing; 'tis sad to come and see Sin living in us, and Christ bleeding for us; to see a crucified Christ, and yet to find in our hearts uncrucified lusts. When you come to this sacred and solemn Or­dinance, and there can cry, Lord, Here is a proud unbelieving heart, an heart that does not love thee; I cannot, I will not therefore love it, it does not fear thee, but I fear it: O Lord help, help thy poor ser­vant with a better heart, that I may lead a better life. As it is I cannot serve thee, and thou wilst not save me; Oh let my Sin die, but let my Soul live, and it shall praise thee for ever. Let not that which thou didst not make, destroy what thine own hand hath made. O kill my pride, my passion. As thy Son died unto Sin for satisfaction, so in­able me to die unto Sin by Mor­tification. Let me see that Christ died for me, even for me, by the death of Sin in me. Lord help me [Page 60]to revenge the Blood of my dear­est Lord upon my dearest lusts. When thus it works, then it does you good indeed.

(4) When their Hearts and Af­fections are more firmly cemented and united, animosities are remo­ved, breaches healed, differences composed; when their Heart-bur­nings are turn'd into Heart-brea­kings, and more Hearty-breathings after love, peace, and unity.

St. Austin tells us of a Street in Rome call'd Via Sacra, De Civit. Dei lib. 18. cap. 12. the Holy Street; Ludovicus Vives gives the Reason, viz. because Romulus and Tatius (King of the Sabins) made their League of Union there. Well may this be called the Holy Sa­crament, (as on other, so) on this account; because of that Holy League the Saints renew with God, and make one with another here.

This is the great Love-Feast; one great end and design of God in this Ordinance is, by it to in­crease and strengthen Love and U­nity [Page 61]amongst his Servants; by their Communion in this Ordinance they are made to drink into one Spirit, or into oneness of Spirit, 1 Cor. 12.13.

But alas,Nullum suit indoctius & insaelici­us saeculum, in eo quippe nulli Scri­plores illu­stres. De Rom. Pon­tif. lib. 4. cap. 12. what Bellarmine ob­serv'd of the Tenth Century, No Age was so unluckie and unlearned as that; the like may I say of this Seventeenth, No Age since our Saviours Passion, no, nor since the Worlds Creation was ever so di­vided and disunited as ours; we live as if we had been born upon the Mountains of Bether, (i.e.) the Mountains of Division, and Bapti­zed in the Waters of Meribah, (i.e.) the Waters of Strife.—

They who once did weep and pray together, and did suffer to­gether, cannot now sit together at the Lords-Table; this is a Lamen­tation, &c.

Excellent is that passage of Paulinus in his Epistle to St. Austin, Inter Au­gustini Epi­stolas. Ep. 33. in Med. Paulinus & T [...]erasia Augustino. It is no marvel though we both that are absent, be yet present, and being [Page 62]unacquainted, yet know one ano­ther, seeing as we have one Head, so we live by one Bread, walk in one Way, &c.

When you who break Bread to­gether, are bound up together; when such silver-showers of Love are rained down upon your hearts as cement them more firmly, as heal your Schismes and repair your Breaches, and make you like the Cherubims, with your Faces look­ing one upon another; when you go from this Ordinance with stron­ger resolutions to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace; when by it you are more inabled (as well as more engaged) to love more purely, to live more Chri­stianly, to forgive more cordially; to forget injuries, to pity and pray, and live and love as Brethren, as did those Primitive Christians, Act. 2.46, 47. When you that are one in so much, will not be two in or for a trifle; for vestures or gestures, or such little matters. When thus [Page 63]you find it at or after a Sacra­ment, then indeed doth it work for your good.

(5) When their Holiness is there­by more promoted and advanced, 'tis the end and design of God in all his Ordinances, especially in and by this to make them who are holy more holy; them who are heavenly more heavenly. When Moses had been with God in the Mount, he came thence with his Face shining:—When you go from this Ordinance with your Graces shining, then it does work for your good indeed.—

Nothing does grace a man as Grace; [...]:Chrysostom. 'tis a Christians great Ornament: What a pearl of price must holiness be when 'tis the scope of Almighty God in all his Acts, Ordinances and Providences; in all his Mercies and Judgments; in our Election, Ephes. 1.4. in our Redemption, Tit. 2.14. in our Afflictions, Heb. 12.10. Some Or­dinances are for Conversion, some [Page 64]are for Confirmation, all are for our Sanctification. This Golden Oyl comes from the two Olive Trees, through the Golden pipes of his holy Institutions.

They say, that Corn never ri­pens more than when the Sun is in Conjunction with the Dog-star; sure am I, Holiness never ripens more than when the Spirit of the Lord is in Conjunction with the Word and Sacraments.

When you go from this sacred Ordinance, and find you are not only more for the doing of holy things, but for the more holy do­ing of things, more thankful for mercies; more watchful over your hearts, words and ways, more spi­ritual in your Conversations, more savory and fruitful in your Con­verses, more conformable in every thing to the Image of your dear Redeemer: When the power of this Ordinance runs through every vein of your Conversations; when you trade, buy and fell, when you [Page 65]pray, hear, sanctifie his Day, and do all in the strength of this Or­dinance; when you can stand at a greater distance from Sin and from the World; when you can look upon all the beauty of the World as blackness, and on all the ful­ness of it as emptiness; when you can feast your selves in God whilst you are starving in the Creature; when you can say in the sincerity of your Souls, were all the Uni­verse on a flame, the fire does not touch my portion; when you can stand upon its ruins, and say tri­umphingly, I have lost nothing; or as that good man, Lord,Te pro om­nibus & prae omni­bus the sau­ris aestimo. Moller in Psal. 73.25. thou knowest where all my good things are, even in thee and above with thee. Lord, whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none on earth that I desire in comparison of thee. You have there the desire of Da­vids Soul, and the Soul of his de­sire; when thus you find it work­ing, it does you much good in­deed.

(6) When their hearts are more humbled, more deeply and tho­rowly humbled; when they meet with such tasts of the Lords gra­ciousness, such manifestations of his rich mercy, and discoveries of his free love, as lays them as low as the very dust; when they can say as David did 2 Sam. 7.18, 19. Who am I, O Lord God, that thou hast brought me hitherto? What shall such a poor pitiful piece of polluted clay, such a map of mise­ry be admitted to thy Table, feasted at thy Board, fed with the Body and Blood of the Son of God; who am I that I should be embraced in his arms, that he should ravish my heart with the sweet sound of his precious promises, and rejoyce my drooping Soul with a well-groun­ded hope of his gracious pardons, and of the acceptance of my per­son and performances. I am not worthy the least crumb of bread which grows upon the earth, or comes thence, much less of that [Page 67]bread of life which came down from Heaven. The condition of my Soul had been as doleful as any mans on earth, had not free grace renewed me; as dreadful as any damned souls in hell, had not he in mercy to my Soul repriev'd me; O what a poor starven Soul had mine been, had not the Lord of Life refresh'd me?

The most genuine and natural effect, which divine discoveries have upon a devout Soul is Hu­miliation, nothing does it more kindly; and that which humbles us does not hurt us; when you can go from this Ordinance lothing and abhorring your selves, and see more of your own nothingness as Creatures, and vileness as Sinners; when you can cry with Job, Be­hold I am vile, Chap. 40.4. With the poor Publican, God be merci­ful to me a sinner: I dare not lift mine eyes towards Heaven, Luk. 18.13. When it makes and keeps us more humble, then it doth us good indeed.

(7) When their peace and joy in the Lord is increased, their Spi­ritual comforts are enlarged, and their Souls are more assured of their interest in Christ, and in the everlasting Covenant. When they can go to Christ and say, Thou art mine; to the Promises and say, all these are mine; when they can lay hold on the blessings of the Cove­nant, and say, all these are sealed to me in this blessed Sacrament. This, lo, this is the sweet fruit the Saints find at this holy Sacrament; when their trembling Faith, is turn'd into a triumphing Faith; their Faith of adherence into a Faith of evidence and assurance. There is a threefold fulness of As­surance, a full allurance of Un­derstanding, Col. 2.2. of Hope, Heb. 6.11. and of Faith, Heb. 10.22. O what a sweet and precious, what a rich and rare Jewel is this! Grace purifies; Assurance pacifies; Grace brings the Soul to Heaven; Assu­rance brings Heaven into the Soul: [Page 69]Grace is better than Peace, but Peace is sweeter than Grace; Assu­rance is a flower of Paradise, a sparkle of Glory, Heaven on this side Heaven, an Anchor at Sea, a Shield at Land, a Staff to support, a Sword to defend, Bread to streng­then, Wine to chear, and Balm to cure the Soul of man.—

When at and by this precious Ordinance your Souls are fill'd with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; when those black clouds of fears and jealousies are dispersed, and those bitter storms of Soul-trou­bles are blown over; when brigh­ter beams, and clearer calms, and sweeter comforts flow in upon your Souls; when thus you find it, then has the Sacrament been working for your good.

'Tis one great end of this Ordi­nance to seal his peoples Graces; many a child of God can tell you, that by this Ordinance they have arriv'd at a great measure of assu­rance, they have come empty and [Page 70]gone hence full; they have come with fears and doubts upon them, and have gone away with abun­dance of joy and peace; the Lord has met them at his Table, has spoken peace unto their Conscien­ces, has clear'd up their Eviden­ces for Heaven, and now they can speak of the great things he has done in it, and by it too, for their precious Souls.

This Ordinance was instituted for his peoples growth in Grace, and for their sense of Grace; for the augmentation of it, and for the manifestation of it.

By it Grace grows up to its full stature, and just proportion; 'Tis for sealing too; the Sacrament is a good friend to the Spirit, (be it spoken with reverence) and the Spirit is a greater friend to the Sacrament, and both are great friends to the Soul, sealing it up unto the day of redemption, Rom. 4.11. Ephes. 4.30. As a Seal doth confirm and settle the mind of the [Page 71]Buyer, so doth the Sacrament satis­fie and assure the heart of a Be­liever; O how willing is the Al­mighty the Soul be out of doubt of its Sanctification here and Sal­vation hereafter.—To which God of his infinite mercy, for the merits of his Son, by the conduct of his holy Spirit, at last bring us. Amen.

The End of the First Sermon.

The Second SERMON

On Micah 2.7. Is the Spirit of the Lord straitned?July the 20th. 1673 Do not my words do good to him that walketh upright, or upright­ly?’

[...] A Word spoken upon his Wheels is like Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver. I may say of this, 'Tis verbum super rotas, a word in season; then will the Sermon be most profitable, when the subject is most seasonable. The Text is like a well-drawn picture, it hath an eye on every man; as you will see anon. I shall draw aside [Page 74]the curtain, that so you may view it, and it may view you.—I will waste no time in the beginning, that I may want no time in the end. I am shewing when this Ordinance of the Supper doth work for the Saints benefit and advantage. I have hinted seven, and shall now proceed methodically unto the eighth in order; of which suc­cinctly: For enough is better than all.

(8) Then doth this Ordinance work for your good, when your Souls are more corroborated and strengthned, and your power is more encreased: Observe it, pray.

The Ministry of the Word be­gets spiritual life; The Sacrament preserves and increaseth spiritual life.

The Word lays the Basis or Foundation of Grace; the Sacra­ment carries on the Building.

The Word is instituted to im­plant Grace, to work the truth of Grace, where it is not: The Sacra­ment [Page 75]is to promote the growth of it, where it is. The Ministry of the Word is a converting Ordinance; the Sacrament is a confirming Or­dinance: That's the breeding, and this the feeding Ordinance. If now you come to the Lords. Table very weak, your Graces very feeble, your Faith and Love, and other Graces very little. If it may be said of you as it was of the Church of Philadelphia, Rev. 3.8. Thou hast but ( [...],) a little strength; and then you go away stronger, your Faith more encreased, your hope more quickened, your obedi­ential and penitential resolutions more strengthned, your corrupti­ons more easily subdued, tempta­tions more easily repulsed, your asse­ctions more raised and enlarged, your hearts more established, duties more spiritually performed, the world more easily conquered and van­quished. If now you find your selves more able to do, to suffer for God, or from God; if now [Page 76]you are more fitted for active and passive obedience, if you can go thorow all Christian duties with more alacrity and cheerfulness, if you can apply the promises, and live by Faith upon the Fatherly providence and faithful promises of God. When thus you find it, then hath this Ordinance been doing you good.

(9) When at and by the Sacra­ment your love to Jesus Christ is more enflamed; when this little drop swells into an Ocean, and this spark becomes a flame; when it may be said of your love to God, to Christ, to his way, day, people, Ordinances, as is said of the Waters of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47.3, 4, 5. that 'tis still higher and higher, from the ankles to the knees, thence to the loins, and then unpassable; so in the present case.

Is it possible we should be such constant Guests at the Lords-Ta­ble, and daily see before our eyes a crucified Christ, and yet go [Page 77]thence with so little love to him, and longings after him? Can we fee so much love in his heart to us, and shall we be contented with so little love in our hearts to him? —Per vulnera videmus viscera. 'Tis an heart of Adamant that will neither impendere, nor repen­dere; which will neither begin in love nor love him then who has thus begun, Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, in bestowing his Son upon us; We call not upon people to behold things common and ordi­nary; Paul calls it [...], great love, Eph. 2.4. [...] a love passing knowledg; Heart-war­ming words indeed; See Ephes. 3.19. He laid down his precious life and dearest blood for us, he died Nostro loco, in our place and stead; Nostro commodo, for our benefit and good; for our sin as the meri­torious cause, and for our good as the final cause, Dan. 9.26. 1 Pet. 3.18. Greater love than this can [Page 78]no man shew. Did ever Mother love her own Child so as to wash it in her own blood? thus lov'd he us, Rev. 1.5. God so loved the world,—so; How's that? so won­derfully, so infinitely; so—but I cannot tell you how, and there­fore must leave it so; admiring and not once attempting to ex­press it, but the Son of God can, Even as the Father loved me, so have I loved you. Joh. 15.9. Here was the highest, purest, freest, sweetest and choicest love that ever was in the world.

We conclude they love us who will speak kindly and courteously to us, or a word in season for us; much more if they will hazzard their lives and fortunes by espou­sing our cause and quarrel; did not our dear Redeemer all this and more? Lord, (now says the poor Christian) thou hast laid down thy life, and thereby hast manifested thy love to me; Now will I part with my dearest lusts, I [Page 79]will be their death, and so shew my love to thee; shall a damning lust live, and a saving Christ die? Shall the man die that kills my Son or Father, and shall my Sin live which slays my Saviour? Well, if I can do no more, I will do no less than love thee my dearest Lord with all my heart and might, and strength. The more vile thou wast made for me, the dearer to my dying day shalt thou be unto me. When thus it works, then it does you good indeed.

(10) When your hearts which were before at a distance from him are by it drawn nearer to him; and your desires are more drawn out after him.

There is a twofold distance be­tween God and Man.

The one is natural; as he is the Creator, Man a creature; He infi­nite, Man finite; this is an infinite distance.

The other is Moral, as he is Holy, and Man impure; this is a greater [Page 80]distance than the former, if we may suppose an infinito infinitius.

By nature we are all afar off from Godn="*" Non inter­vallo loco­rum sed pravitate morum., by Grace through Christ we are made nigh, Ephes. 2.13. yet nigher we may be by much than yet we are; and 'tis our great business in every Ordinance to get nearer to him, if you scan that fa­mous place, Heb. 10.22. Let us draw near with a true heart. If now we find our confidence drawn more out after him; and that we can rest more upon him, and trust more in him; if for what our Souls want we can with an humble boldness go to him, and say, Lord, Here is my treasure, my fullness, my All; I am dead, but to thee I come for life and quick­ning grace; I have a proud heart, but unto thee do I address my self; I know thou who givest more (and better) grace to the humble; canst give me grace to be more humble. I am impotent, but to thee I come for strength against my cor­ruptions, [Page 81]and for holy duties; Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing, I can do nothing, I am good for no­thing; I cannot plead my merits but thy mercy; unworthy I am to live, unfit I am to die. When thus we find it with us at or after a Sacrament, then has it been work­ing for our good.

(11) When you have the Cove­nant of Grace sealed, and the Cha­racters thereof impressed upon your hearts; when Sacrament-days are healing and sealing days; the Saints are sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise; such sacred stamps he sets upon their Souls as shall never be obliterated. Many a child of God has here had monumentum aere pe­rennius; when by this Ordinance you gain such full evidences of his love, such influences of his Grace, such experiences of his Truth, such assistances from his Spirit, such ra­tifications and confirmations of the Gospel-promises, as you never had before. When thus you find it with [Page 82]you, you may safely and solidly conclude, it has been working for your good.

(12) Once more, and in a word. —When more glorious conquests over your spiritual enemies are ob­tained, when prevailing lusts are vanquished, and fiery temptations are quenched, (and all these won­ders one drop of his precious blood (when taken down by Faith) can do) when you can go from this Ordinance triumphing over and trampling upon the neck of your unbelief, and pride, &c. and this some have done; when you can come from the Sacrament as Israel did out of the Red Sea, and see your spiritual enemies bleeding, gasping, dying, dead; your lusts de­stroyed, but your Souls preserved. When thus you feel and find it, sure­ly the Sacrament has done you good and much good.

Q. 5. How doth it appear that the Spirit of the Lord is not so straitned, but that he can cause [Page 83]this Ordinance to work for your good?

Answ. 'Tis a truth written with a Sun-beam; 'tis tanquam ex tri­pode dictum; None of those Ora­cles may vye with this, The Spirit of the Lord hath owned and bles­sed it to others, and therefore can to you.

The Spirit of the Lord is God, and what cannot a Great, Almighty God do? What will not a good and gracious God do by his Or­dinances for his people? His arm is not shortned, nor love lessened or impaired.

Of all the Fathers (were I con­fined to one alone) I should fix on Ambrose, Vide S. Ambrosii de sp. s. lib. 1. cap. 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20. Lib. 2. cap. 4, 9. & 12. Lib. 3. cap. 5, 12, 14, 17, 23, Tom. 4. for he hath writ e­nough to evince the Deity and divine operations of the Holy Ghost; from him I might extract what would abundantly confirm the Pro­position under our present conside­ration; but I forbear.

As St. Paul reasoned concerning [Page 84]the Resurrection of the dead, say­ing in his Apology for himself be­fore King Agrippa, Act. 20.8. Why should it be thought a thing unrea­sonable with you that God should raise the dead? So may I say to you in this Apology for the power of the Spirit, Why should it be thought a thing unreasonable for the Spirit of the Lord to do all these things in, at, and by this sacred and solemn Ordinance?

The Doctrine under debate nei­ther exceeds the bounds of Faith, nor is it contrary to the experience of the Saints. Doubtless some with­in these walls have had sweet expe­rience of the powerful influences and mighty workings of the Spi­rit of the Lord in their Hearts, and upon their Spirits at this Ordi­nance.—But we will review and succinctly reflect upon some of the forementioned particulars; we shall fix on four or five, the rest you may clear up to your selves in your private Meditations.

I remember that Athenagoras an Athenian (but a Christian) Philoso­pher disputing for the Resurrecti­on of the Dead, hath a passage which is pertinent to what I have in hand. The impotency of an A­gent ariseth either from his igno­rance, something he would do, but knows not what nor how; or from his insufficiency or weakness, though he knows what and how to effect, yet a power is wanting to accomplish and bring it to pass; neither of which (says he truly) can be affirmed of God, who is in­finitely wise and powerful. The same say I of the Spirit of the Lord; He is a Spirit of Wisdom and Power, and both infinite, they are really the same with his Es­sence.

1. He knows how to break the Heart for Sin, and he can as easily bring it into a melting mourning frame; alas, we may pray and hear, and wait in the use of means, and yet our Hearts remain as hard as [Page 86]Adamant;Fortiter yet Suaviter. but when the Spirit of the Lord once takes them in hand, he works irresistibly and effectu­ally, a nullo duro corde respuitur; when he breaks in and breaths upon the Soul, then it begins to thaw and melt, and mourn.

We read of Peters sins, excee­ding great and very many were they, sadly circumstantiated, highly aggravated.Mat. 26.75 Peter even now (and but just now) had a forewarning from Christ; Peter was dearly be­lov'd of Christ, none of the Twelve more, John ever excepted: He was the first whom Christ call'd to be an Apostle; Peter was often ad­mitted when others were exclu­ded. He yielded easily to the Temptation, and that of a poor silly Damsel: He sinned not in a corner; once and again, and a third time denies Christ with cursing and swearing, &c. yet when our Blessed Saviour began to look, and the Spirit of the Lord set in to work, then Peter went out and [Page 87]wept bitterly, Mat. 26. ult. A strange look and a strong look it was that thus quickly broke his heart in pieces; he lookt ( [...], as Theophylact observes) with a look of love, with a be­nign aspect. Christ looks, the Spi­rit works, the Conscience stirs, and out he goes and weeps ex­ceedingly.

2. He knows how to break the Heart from Sin; and can easily do it, be it a darling lust, a Delilah, never so near or dear, a peccatum in deliciis. He can make a full, a final, a total and an eternal Di­vorce between you and them, though your lusts were mighty Hosts, he can lay them dead at your feet. I appeal from Gods Book to your own Breasts for the proof hereof.

3. He can increase your Graces: are they weak? he can strengthen them; if little he can increase them. There is no Corruption so strong but he can make it weak; [Page 88]no Grace so weak, but he can make it strong. This Men cannot, Means cannot, Angels cannot, but He can.

4. He can make you Holy as he is Holy; that is, for Quality, not for Equality; Holy in way of resemblance; Holy in all manner of Conversation; all that Holiness in Saints or Angels is of his im­planting.

5. He can fill your Hearts with assurance of his Grace in you, and of Gods Grace and Favour to­wards you. The influences of the Spirit work Grace, and the Evi­dences of the Spirit discover Grace: 1 Cor. 2.12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. He bears witness with our spirits that we are the Sons of God. Et quando Spiritus testatur, quaenam relinqui­tur ambiguitas? The Spirit brings the Heart to the command, that's [Page 89]holiness; he brings the promise to the heart, that's assurance. In a word,Sp. S. irra­diat Intel­lectum, in­clinat vo­luntatem, sigillat Animum, &c. he can turn your Water into Wine, your night into day; he can remove your fears, resolve your doubts, revive your Souls, recruit your Comforts. Others on­ly walk in the light of Gods Providence, he can make you to walk in the light of his Counte­nance.

6. He also who reconciled Man to God can reconcile Man to Man. He can cement your hearts. The stones of the Temple were so closely cemented, as if they all had been but one; He can unite you thus too. When the Sons of Brutus and the Vitellii conspired with Tarquinius his Embassadours against the Consul, they drank the blood of a man to confirm their Amity and Unity; You are now a going to drink the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, what hin­ders but the Spirit of the Lord may shed abroad his love in your hearts, [Page 90]and make you live in love? what are all the motions of the Spirit but tenders of Love? or what is the zeal of the Spirit, but the print of love? or the Graces of the Spirit but engagements to love? He can give you such hearts, as will be,

Afraid of every little Sin:

Amended with every little Cross:

Affected with every little mercy.

The Spirit of the Lord hath power enough to give a being to us, and hath he not power e­nough to do any thing in and a­bout us? Can he give a being to his Ordinances, and cannot he give a blessing to them? He can do every thing, and therefore This— But that shall serve for the fifth Query. —The improvement of. the point is not the least consider­able part of my work, and indeed 'tis all that now remains. Here is a word of Counsel, and a word of Comfort; something which con­cerns Sinners, and something too [Page 91]which concerns the Saints. I would not discourage the weak, yet must I awaken the secure.

I begin with the Counsels, such first as concern you that are Saints; and I have something to say in General, something in particular.

Two things would I say in ge­neral,—Is not the Spirit of the Lord so straitned, but that he can cause this Ordinance to do you good? Then see that,

1. You believe this Truth, and believe it firmly and undoubted­ly. The Spirit is God, as Almigh­ty as the Father, or as the Son. To an Almighty power nothing is im­possible, nay nothing difficult. When God promised Abraham a Son in his old age, what a hard task was here for God? Sarah could not believe it, she laughed; but what saith the Lord, Is any thing too hard for me? He can do it because he is omnipotent, and he will do it because he hath promised to do it; 'tis a truth as [Page 92]full of comfort to the Saints, as is the Sea of water, or the Sun of light; therefore believe it stedfast­ly. And see that you

2. Look for good; for great workings in and by this Ordinance from the Spirit of the Lord. And look well to this Ordinance that it do you good; for if it do you no good▪ it will do you hurt; if it be not bread, it will be poyson; it will set you either a step nearer to Heaven, or nearer to Hell. Who can say when he hath been at a Sermon, or at a Sacrament (as some Tradesmen may when their accompts are cast up) I have nei­ther got, nor lost. Be you well as­sured that if it do not strengthen your graces, it will strengthen your corruptions. This is a sad saying, but not more sad than true; others have found it so, and so may you; it will further you either in the way to glory, or in the way to misery. O that whilst the sound of these words is in your ears, the savour [Page 93]of them were upon your hearts.

But to come yet more close to the business; in order hereunto perhaps some of you may enquire. And it brings me to the Sixth Query.

Q. 6. What course must a serious Christian take or hold, that the Spirit of the Lord may cause this blessed Ordinance to work for his good?

In this numerous Auditory I am in hopes there are not many, if any, but they seriously desire the Ordinances may do their Souls good. They would not pray, nor hear, nor receive in vain. Well, I will confine my discourse to this Ordinance before you, take these ten Directions.

1. Carefully prepare your hearts for it if you would profit by it. Till the Earth be prepared you cast not in the seed; till the Instru­ment [Page 94]be tuned, you do not begin to play. Till your Hearts be pre­pared you cannot receive worth­ly; Gods Dispensations are gene­rally suited to our Dispositions. Those Beasts which came in to Noahs Ark unclean, went out a­gain unclean.— You know the Jews had their preparation for the Passover, Job. 19.14. And is not this an Ordinance every way as holy and venerable? When our Blessed Saviour was about to in­stitute this Ordinance, it was his pleasure the House should first be fitted and prepared in which he was to do it, Mark 14.15. Is there not as much, nay much more need our hearts be fitted and prepared? Well then say I to you as Samuel did to the Elders of Bethlehem, 1 Sam. 16.5. Sanctifie your selves and come with me unto the Sacri­fice; put your hearts in order.

These two things have a special eye unto:

  • (1) To get an Understanding.
  • [Page 95](2) An humble Heart.

(1) Get an Understanding Heart; when the Lord appear'd to Solomon in Gibeon, and said un­to him, Ask what I shall give thee? 1 King. 3.5. Give unto thy Servant an understanding Heart, says Solo­mon, in vers. the 9th. Some ren­der the words,Cor dicile; Sapientiam circa agen­da; Cor capax di­vinarum legum. Cor audiens, an hearing Heart; others, Cor intelli­gens aut sapiens, an understanding, wise heart. He asked Wisdom; with a great deal of Wisdom; had not he been wise before, he had not known the worth of wisdom. When you▪ are about these Sacramental duties, pray for an Understanding heart. Amongst the Graces requi­site to qualifie a Communicant, Knowledg is neither the last nor the least considerable. Knowledg of what? may some say.

I answer (I) the Knowledge of our selves,Est Dis [...]i­plinarum omniū pul­cherrima & maxima se­ipsum nosse. Cle. Alex. Paeda. l. 3. in initio. of our misery and of our ma­lady, of our want of Christ, and of the worth of Christ, of our interest in Christ▪ in the Covenant, and [Page 96]consequently of our right to this Ordinance, which is one seal of that Covenant.

(2) The Knowledg of this Sa­crament, what it is and whose it is, and for what ends it is; a Physical potion may do the Patient good, though he know not the ingredients of which it is compounded, nor the Apothecary by whom it is prepared, nor yet the Doctor by whom it is prescribed; because it works physi­cally, naturally; but in this case it is not so, because the Sacrament works morally. In short, if you be found guilty of much ignorance, I fear me you will find little good by this Ordinance; for it works not ex opere operato but ex opere operantis.

Secondly, above all, let it be your care to bring with you an humble Heart. At the Marriage of Peleus and Thetis, Lud. Vives on Aug. lib. 3. c. 5. a Golden Ball was sent in amongst the Feasters, having this Inscription on it, [...], Let the fairest have it.

Here are choicest comforts, sweet, sanctifying, satisfying comforts to be had at the Lords Table, such as will rejoyce and transport the Soul infinitely, on them the Motto is, [...], let the humblest have 'em; of all the Graces which Christ commands our imitation of him in, humility is one of the first and choicest, Mat. 11.29. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly. q.d. Your care should be to be holy as I am holy, and merciful as I am merciful: But above all, be sure to learn from me to be humble.

In the Lords eye no heart like the humble heart, 'tis the grand Sacrifice, Psal. 51.17. Isa. 66.2. A proud man will presume to come to the Table of the Lord, no man sooner, but the Lord will not come nigh to him at his Table; No, he beholds him afar off.

How can he expect a gift in love from Gods hand, who must not have a look in love from Gods eye?

A proud heart is not fit for this Ordinance, nor was ever this Ordinance intended for a proud heart. But the poor humble, hun­gry Soul the Spirit of the Lord will enrich and fill with good things. What Tully said of Pronuntiation in an Orator, that says St. Austin is humility in a Christian; 'tis the first, second and third Grace.

The humble heart is a spiritual vacuum, Cor Humile est vacuum spirituale. Guliel. Paris. Sicut natu­ra non.— as the God of Nature will not permit a natural; so the God of all Grace cannot permit a spiri­tual; filled it shall be with Grace here and Glory hereafter. I have often thought of that passage of St. Austin in his Enarrations on the 93. Pfalm, Magis Deo placet hu­militas in malis fact­is, quàm superbia in Bonis. The great God is bet­ter pleas'd with humility in a bad, than with pride in a good action.

He that comes to this or that, or any holy Ordinance, without Faith and Humility, whatever good is dispensed, he goes without. For he hath nothing to take a mercy with, wanting the hand of Faith; [Page 99]and nothing to put a mercy in; not having an humble heart. The Spi­rit rested on the Virgin Mary, not for her Virginity,Bernard. but for her hu­mility.

Secondly, Would you have the Spirit of the Lord to do you good at and by this Ordinance, then be serious in self-examination. 'Tis a necessary duty; on this the stress is laid; let a man examine himself and so let him come and take and eat, &c. This is a trying time, and this is the trying Ordinance; it trys how your pulse beats; how you can pronounce Transubstanti­ation; what propensions you have towards the Romish Faith; As in the Marian times, how mens in­clinations stood towards the Re­formed,—well—as you are tryed by it, so must you try your selves for it; the knowledg of your selves is necessary as you heard even now. Now the most expediti­ous way to know our selves is to try our selves: Search,

  • (1) Then till you have found out the evil that is in you; the pride, Hypocrisie, self-love, unbe­lief, &c. and mortifie them; en­quire what error is in the head, what blood is in the hand, what lusts are in the heart; what it is that hinders your growth in Grace, that interrupts your peace, that interposeth between you and the light of Gods Countenance. Some­thing there is at the bottom, some Jonah that disturbs the Ship, some Achan that troubles the Camp; you would have more joy and peace: Know, the Spirit first sets the Soul a searching, and then he comes a sealing; God may hide his face in point of Soveraignty, but he does it commonly in case of sin, Lam. 3.40. Let us search, &c.
  • (2) Search till you have found out the good that's in you; for you must acknowledg the Graces that you have, before you can receive the comforts which you want.

Thirdly, Be careful to excite and to blow up those graces which the Spirit of the Lord hath implanted in you. 'Tis not enough that you have grace, no, no, a man that hath grace may receive unworthi­ly (not acting his graces) though he cannot be an unworthy recei­ver. Now's a proper season for the exerting and exercising of your Graces: What Graces may some enquire?

I answer, chiefly four, Faith and Love, Humility and Repen­tance; all noble Graces; they are Theologiae Quadriga. Faith gets all; Love spends all; Humility keeps all; the grace of Faith lays up for Christ; the grace of Love lays out for Christ; and the grace of Humi­lity keeps all for Christ. Of this last grace I have spoken in the first Direction; of the other three a word or two now.

1. Act Faith now; the acting of Faith is the way to increase your Faith, and to obtain peace [Page 102]and assurance; all the Devils in Hell cannot do you that hurt at this Ordinance as your own unbe­lieving hearts can and will. I dare and do assure you, That if the Spi­rit do not weaken your unbelief, your unbelief will straiten the Spirit, Mat. 13. ult.

Fides non est necessa­ria acces­suro ad Eu­charistiam: Cajetan at a Conference with Luther, positively asserted, That Faith is not necessary for an Evan­gelical Communicant. Could I but pro tempore abjure Sense and Rea­son, and so much unman my self as to admit that scandalous Doctrine, and devilish figment of Transub­stantiation, I would concur with him in that ignorant and impu­dent assertion; but no such trash will pass here; you have not so learned Christ. Well then, act Faith, and this will sanctifie you for this Ordinance, Act. 15.9. and it will sanctifie this Ordinance to you, Tit. 1.15. God the Father conveys all good to us through Christ, and Christ conveys all good to us [Page 103]through Faith. Dormit Fides & dormit Christus. Christ is the Foun­tain, the Sacrament is the Conduit, Faith is the Cock, the heart is the Vessel. Turn but this Cock, and the oyl of joy and peace will flow in abundantly into your Souls from the fountain of living waters.

There are two special seasons for a Christian to act faith in; the for­mer when under sore afflictions; then he must live by Faith. Faith is an inquisitive grace, it will not be quiet till it have found out the Sin that hath provokt God, and procur'd the rod; Faith then eyes the Sin to humble the Soul, and the promise to comfort the Soul. Faith eyes the hand inflicting, and works patience; and it eyes the sin procuring, and works repen­tance. When God is striking for sin, Faith will be striking at sin; Faith will make great afflictions little, bitter potions sweet; unbe­lief makes short afflictions long, and easie burdens heavy. Faith will en­able [Page 104]the Soul to pray; Prayer i [...] the very breath of Faith. Faith is all for Prayer, and Prayer is all for Faith; the latter, when about di­vine Institutions and holy Ordi­nances: what Christ said to his Disciples, Joh. 15.5. that faith Faith to us, Without me ye can do nothing. Nothing acceptable to God, no­thing profitable to your selves.

2. Act Love and Charity; now's the time to have your Hearts fired, inflamed with love to God, and filled with love to Man. As the Sacrament receiv'd without Faith is receiv'd without fruit; so, if re­ceiv'd without love, 'tis receiv'd without life.

Love puts life into a Commu­nicant, and Love puts life into a Sacrament. When the Lord Jesus was a dying on the Cross, he stretcht out his Arms to both Ma­lefactors; to teach us (surely) when we come unto this Ordi­nance to be in charity with all men. All men love their Friends, [Page 105]but Communicants should love their enemies;Amare est bonum ali­cui velle, non nostrâ sed ejus causâ. Aqu▪ Amicos in te, inimicos propter te. Aug. else what do they more than others, Mat. 5.47.

The Spirit of the Lord is a Spi­rit of Love, and loves to do good to such as live in love.

But we cannot live in love may some say.

No? It may so happen you can­not live in peace; I am for peace, (saith David) but when I speak, they are for war. Well, but you may live in love; you may love them though they hate you: If so you do, your duty is done, and you may come in hope and assu­rance to receive good by this Or­dinance; carry these two things along with you.

  • 1. 'Tis connatural to a Sinner to hate a Saint; if he chance to love him, 'tis because he is of a sweet nature, or for some external Con­siderations; not because he is of a sanctify'd nature; Holiness is the thing he disgusts and hates.
  • 2. If any man love not the [Page 106]Lord Jesus, think it not strange if he hate you; never court his fa­vour, for his love is not worth the having, who thinks not Christ worth loving.

See Tertullian's Book to Scapula, who was a great enemy to Christi­ans, the beginning of it.

3. Renew your Repentance, and the Spirit of the Lord will do you good by this Ordinance. The Jews before the Passover cleansed all their Vessels which they suspected might have any leaven in them▪ they burned all they could find, and what they could not find, they cursed. Thus should we do by our sins, we should search every cor­ner of our hearts, and every pas­sage of our lives, (if possible); We should go with a Melius inquiren­dum; What have I done since the last time I was at the Lords-Ta­ble? What sin have I lapst into, what dishonour have I done to God, what disservice to Religion? and now repent of all. Do as the [Page 107]Royal Prophet did, [...] Calculavi. Consultavi. Psal. 119.59. I considered my ways, and turn'd my feet into thy Testimonies. I con­sidered; i.e. I set my head and heart and mind on work; I turn­ed them over and over; upside down; I weighed them in the bal­lance: I thought on them; i.e. what they were, whither they did tend, in what they would end; I saw they were not good, holy, right; I durst not own them at the great day; and I turned, I saw 'twas high time to turn. I busied not my self about other mens ways and works, my own found me work enough.

A serious Consideration of our ways helps us to a sight of the evil of them; a sight of the evil of our ways, helps us to godly sor­row for them,2 Cor. 7.10. and godly sorrow worketh repentance. The Dung­hill is never so lothsom and offen­sive as when you stir in it; you never so fully discern the Bran as when you sift the Corn; you will [Page 108]never discern sin, mourn for sin, or turn from sin till you consider your ways. O pray remember, only the true penitent is the right quali­fy'd Communicant. Say, Lord, here is the sin, (by search I have found it out) that hath so highly disho­noured thee, so greatly troubled me, 'tis this that soiled my Evi­dences; cankered my Assurance; I loth my self now and repent in dust and ashes.

Apposite to what I have in hand is that passage of St. Ambrose, Ita & nos quando ad altare Do­mini com­municaturi accedimus, venemum pessimum: viz. Iracundiā, invidiam, suberbiam, avaritiam, haec sunt animarum venena, ista prius repellamus, &c. Feria 2. post Dom. 1. Quadrag. the subject or argument of his Sermon is, The universal or general day of Judgment, Serpens cum venerit ad bibendum, aquam priusquam bibit, extra fontem evomit venenum su­um? Even as a Serpent coming to drink; first it vomits up its poy­son, and then drinketh; so when we come to the Lords Table, we must first (by humble confession, which is vomitus sordium animae) cast up and vomit out our poy­son, [Page 109]the worst of poysos; viz. Anger and Hatred, Envy, Pride, and Covetousness, Sacriledg, Theft and Luxury; these are the poy­sons, the bane of the Soul; away with these, and then we shall be satisfied with those Spiritual dain­ties, and Heavenly viands, viz. the body▪ and blood of the Lord Jesus.

Athenagoras the Athenian Philo­sopher hath a parallel passage in the very beginning of his Book de Resur. Mortuorum. Nec Medicus in­fundere salutare pharmacum aegroto corpori apte potest, nisi vitiosa prius expurgârit, aut affluentem purulenti­lentiam cohibuerit, &c.

Fourthly, Constantly and con­scientiously wait, diligently and duly attend upon the Lord in every Ordinance, if you would have the Spirit of the Lord to do you good in and by This; let this be your practice and it shall be your praise; if it be somewhat painful, yet you shall find it very gainful; it is your [Page 110]duty, and your glory too. The Merchants Ship takes not in all its Lading at one Port; nor does the Christian enrich himself with trea­sures of grace and peace at one Ordinance only. He hath instituted none to be kickt at or neglected; slight him in that, and he may you in This.Vide sis Aug. Epist. 29. Hiero­nymo, de illo loco Jacobi. His Ordinances are Chan­nels of Grace, and Channels of Comfort; if you neglect him in one, he may suspend his influences at an­other. As every command of God must be obeyed and observed; a wilful violation of one amounts to a total neglect, Jam. 2.10. so eve­ry Ordinance of God must be used and improved; a partial observance is an argument of insincerity; 'tis a vain deceit to excuse defects of one duty, neglects of one Ordinance, by care of another.

As all the commands, so all the Ordinances of the Lord are equal in regard of him;Psa. 119.6. all being rati­fied by the same authority, which you contemn when your own will [Page 111]is, made the measure of your obe­dience. I urge this Rule the rather, because some of you I see for the prayers of the Church more vehe­ment, but for the Sacrament more remiss and indifferent; others, all for this, not at all for that. But if you would find acceptance, if you would profit by any Ordinance, im­prove all; thus doing, doubtless the good Spirit of the Lord will do you good.

Q. But what are those other Or­dinances, may some say?

Resp. Meditation and Prayer, and the Ministry of the Word. Medi­tatio est mentis ditatio; 'tis the enriching of the mind. The Royal Prophet was real for it and fre­quent in it; who ever more? O how sweet was his Meditation of God, his laws and ways to him, Psal. 104.34.

Luther was us'd to say, Three things make a good Divine, Prayer, [Page 112]Meditation and Temptation; the first makes him holy; the second makes him rich and full, the third makes him an experienced Divine. And will not that which makes a good Preacher make a good Chri­stian? Surely it will.

2. Prayer; he makes his people fruitful and joyful; but where? why in his house of Prayer; Prayer is a mighty friend to the Sacra­ment, and the Sacrament is a migh­ty friend to Prayer; and both are great friends to a gracious Soul?

3. The Ministry of the Word; as the Word is a Word of Grace, so 'tis a Word of Peace; by this the Spirit of the Lord begins the work, and by it he carries on the work.

Two things take along with you.

  • 1. He will be waited on in a right manner, and in a due order in all his Ordinances, or he takes himself as not waited on at all; though the Institutions or Ordi­nances [Page 113]be different, yet the com­mand and authority and ultimate end in all is the same.
  • 2. He will be waited on conti­nually; as we cannot set the Sun a time when it shall rise, nor the Wind when it shall blow, so nor the Spirit of the Lord a time when he shall work.

We know not (as the wise man said of sowing seed, Eccless. 11.6.) whether our waiting on this or that, whether now or then, or when this or that shall be successful to us; 'tis enough to quiet and com­fort us in our attentive waiting, that we have his sic volo, sic jubeo for it; and that we are at the right door. Man is for the shortest time, and God is for the fittest time; if we wait long and have not so quick an answer, yet we shall have a fuller answer; and when the mercy comes it will be sweeter.

You know that food be it ne­ver so good, must have a time al­lowed [Page 114]for its concoction; it may be so in this present case, the Ordi­nances must have time allowed for their operation. You find not per­adventure, that power over your corruptions and impetuous passions, not that increase of Grace, not that joy in the Holy Ghost, not that full assurance of his Love which is dearer and sweeter to you than your very life; as was expected. Well, but work with diligence, and wait with patience; work I say, and be not slothful, wait and be not wilful; these (or some of them) are but one step short of Heaven; when you are gone thence you may have some smiles, after the Sacra­ment you may meet with more.

There are some special seasons in which he gives in assurances of his loves unto his servants.

1. Sometimes immediately after their Conversion; Babes must be fed with sweet things; Lambs must be carry'd in the arms. The Soul at first is not able to bear [Page 115]harshness; Parents are more fond of Children at two than at twenty, it was thus with the Prodigal.

2. Sometimes when they are under some great afflictions; when Ezekiel was among the Captives by the River of Chebar, then the Heavens were opened, and he saw Visions of God, Chap. 1.1. When the way is foul below, he will have the Heavens serene and clear above; when his people have wormwood from the World, they shall have wine from God; no Nectar nor Ambrosia comparable. Under the greatest Crosses the sweetest and greatest Comforts. I appeal to your own observation and experience.

3. Sometimes before some emi­nent trial, some great temptation and extraordinary conflict. — Stephen saw the Heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God, Act. 7.56. But what followed, you see v. 59. They ran upon him▪ cast him out of [Page 116]the City and stoned him till he died.

Paul was first wrapt up into the third Heaven, and heard ( [...],) words that neither might nor could be uttered. But then comes the messenger (Satan) to buffet him, [...] I [...] casu re­cto, ut D. A. in Tact. Sacr. Doct­i (que) passim. 2 Cor. 12.4, 7. A more eminent instance (because of a more eminent person) is yet behind. No sooner was our Lord baptized, at which time was heard that voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; but the Spirit leads him up into the Wilderness, and there the Devil tempts him, Mat. 3. ult. Ch. 4.1, 2.

4. Sometimes after some great crosses; without the least impeach­ment to his Love or Wisdom (on purpose to evacuate some peccant humour) he may, nay, does suffer his dearest Children to lie under the black rod; none suffer

  • 1. Sorer, Lam. 4.6. Dan. 9.12.
  • [Page 117]2. Sooner, 1 Pet. 4.17. Rom. 2.9.
  • 3. Surer, Amos 3.2. than they here.

The Sons of God are known by their Affections and Afflictions.

Now the sensible manifestations of his love and favour he reserves in great wisdom (as Physitians do their choicest Cordials) and gives them after the Physick is over: After a sharp and bitter Winter, the best and sweetest Spring. But once more.

5. Sometimes when they are waiting upon him in his Ordinan­ces, when they are in Prayer, the Spirit of the Lord comes in and whispers, Thou art mine. At the Sacrament, O what heart-enlarge­ments have they in that! what beams of light and love have been darted in at his Table! what Di­vine comforts have they been filled with there?

That 'tis often thus I need not prove, your own experience will [Page 118]contribute to the evidence of this Assertion.—But that it is ever thus, I may in no wise maintain: He is a great King, and Soveraign­ty would and should be waited on. It is good for a man to attend and wait on God in all his ap­pointments. Increase of grace, strength and power against sin, assurance of his love come too soon to that man, who thinks Gods time of sending them is too long or late.

I will shut up this Discourse with that memorable passage of the Prophet Isaiah, ch. 30.18. There­fore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of Judgment. Blessed are all they that wait for him.

And that of Habakkuk. The vi­sion is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely came, it will [Page 119]not tarry: So say I, the Sacrament is for an appointed time; but in due time the Spirit of the Lord will speak peace, though he tarry wait for him, because he will surely come, and give in more life and light, and grace and peace, yea joy without measure and joy without mixture.—Now to God the Father, &c.

The End of the second Sermon.

The Third SERMON

On Micah 2.7. Is the Spirit of the Lord straitned?July the 27th. 1673 Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?’

Twas excellent Coun­sel which an eminent German Divine once hinted to a young Preacher,Luther: Cum vides populum attentissime andientem, conclude, eo alacriores redibunt. When you observe the people hearing most attentively, conclude your discourse quickly, and they will return with more alacrity. This numerous Assembly gives in evidence enough thereof.

The Logical resolution of these words you heard before, and the observations thence deduced. The Propositions under debate cleared; and several Queries resolved; we are now upon the Sixth. 'Tis this.

Q. 6. What course shall a Chri­stian take that he may have the Spirit of the Lord to do him good by this Ordinance of the Supper?

The Directions are many; we have dispatcht four, and now pro­ceed to the fifth in order; which is this.

Fifthly, Be thankful to God for what good you have any time got by this precious Ordinance: For, Gratiarum actio est ad plus dandum invitatio. He who can cordially praise him for a little life and strength, and grace, and peace, shall soon have more than a little to thank him for; the most expe­ditious way to get what at any [Page 123]time we want, is to be grateful for that we already have; others have only the shell, you have had the kernel, they nothing but bones, and you the marrow. Have you had any quicknings, any refreshings from the Spirit of the Lord at this Table, then say, [...] Bless the Lord O my Soul.

A Sacrament in its full extent compriseth two things.

A visible and an invisible part; the Schools call that, Sacramen­tum; this, rem Sacramenti.

Excuse this short digression, pray, upon this occasion: If they of the Romish Church will stand their ground, and be true to their own Principles, it will appear to every vulgar capacity that they have none of this Sacrament amongst 'em. For, before they take and eat, the visible part is gone, both being converted into the Body and Blood of Christ; for thus their Council (or rather their Conspi­racy at Trent, or if you will, that [Page 124]transcendent thing call'd Pope) de­fines Transubstantiation; 'Tis a change of the whole substance of the Bread into the whole substance of the Body of Christ, and of the Wine into his Blood, Sess. 13. Can. 2: and this change is wrought, ere any take or eat. This is a novel opini­on, a new Article of the Romish Creed; of the same date with Pius the fourth, without any basis or foundation in the Holy Scripture,Vide Ala­num de Euch. lib. 1 cap. 34. pag. 419. See that unanswer­able piece of Bishop Morton in 8. Books against the Romish Mass. as their own Scotus and Camera­censis, and Cajetan confess. Nay, Bellarmine himself says, Non tam ex Evangelio, quam ex Ecclesiae au­thoritate constat.

But to return: When this change is made, where is that outward and visible part, which their School-Divines call Sacramentum?

But have (my Beloved) by a lively faith fed on, and been strengthned by this Heavenly Man­na? then take heed of unthank­fulness:2. Chron. 32.25. O remember that [But] But Hezekiah remembred not to render [Page 125]unto the Lord according to the be­nefit done unto him. O what a blot was that [But] in that good Kings scutcheon. When you come next to the Lords Table, bring Harps in your hands, (they are emblems of praise.Heb. 5.8.) The Spirit of the Lord will not, I had almost said, he can­not, but do you good, if humble and thankful for what good he hath done you already.

Sixthly, Grieve not the Spirit of the Lord, if you would have him to do you good by this Or­dinance. He is a delicate person, if you grieve him, he may, nay will grieve you. Has he begun in love to melt and mollifie your flinty hearts, to increase your graces, to speak peace unto your Souls? if you now distaste him, he may with­draw and leave the work at a sad and long stand; you may hear no more of him of many days, nay, months or years. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God; why? Paul gives his Ephesian Converts a co­gent [Page 126]reason why they should not, Ephes. 4.30. thereby ye are sea;led to the day of redemption; if you do, you may be the first will rue it; you shall be without the wit­nessings and sealings of the Spirit for a longer time than you are a­ware of.

But how or when is the Spirit of the Lord grieved?

I answer briefly.

When his Ordinances are not attended, his commands are not obeyed, his comforts are not prized, his graces are not acted and impro­ved; his assistance in duties is not desired; his motions are not re­garded. — In a word, if you will not have the Spirit for your Coun­sellor, you cannot expect him long to be your Comforter; lay not a bar in his way, and he still will do you good by this holy Ordi­nance.

Seventhly, Heighten your hopes and expectations when you are a­bout this Ordinance, if you would [Page 127]have the Spirit of the Lord to do you good by it.

There is much good laid up for you, come on then, Sirs, and quic­ken your hopes; great expectati­ons from God greatly honour the greatness of God, and wonderfully advantage you. 'Tis as displeasing to him, and as prejudicial to you, when you believe little as when you do little. Open your mouths and hearts wide; you have not only Gods power for it, but his promise too, to fill you.

One reason why you receive so little good at it, is because you look for so little good by it; when your faith is very weak, and your expectations are very low, you do what in you is to hinder the Spirit of the Lord from doing you good. But surely when you have a Spi­rit of Prayer, and your hopes are high, these are pledges to you, that he hath a purpose to do you good.

Alexander the Great was wonder­fully well pleas'd with Anaxarchus [Page 128]the Philosopher,Plut. when he desir'd an hundred Talents of his Treasurer.Apoph. He does well (says he) in asking it, and understands his friend aright, who hath one both willing and able to give him so great a gift. The same Author relates the like of that Kings munificence and bounty to his Favourite Perillus, who askt but ten,Plut. but the King gave him fifty Talents. The great God allows his people to ask great things, nay com­mands them to believe and hope for mighty things; to covet earnestly the best; if thus you do, the Spi­rit of the Lord will surely do you good; you shall not seek nor hope in vain.

Well then, when you address your selves to this Ordinance, re­member what great things Christ hath purchas'd for you; what great things are there proposed, and God hath promised to you; and then re­gulate your prayers by, and raise your hopes to the riches of his me­rits and greatness of his mercies.

Some look for good by this Or­dinance; but what good, or for what 'tis good they know not; or they look for that good in it which God never intended to con­vey by it. Others have their hopes fixt on the right object, their ends are right too, but they have not a lively Hope. In short, if the Spi­rit of the Lord be not present, the Sacrament is but a gaudy pageant; 'tis the spirit in the Word that causeth efficacy; in Prayer that causeth prevalency; in this Ordi­nance that causeth proficiency: But then must we have an active Faith, a strong and lively Hope.

Eighthly, Lament over the chil­ness, dullness, the deadness and un­preparedness of your Hearts for this blessed Ordinance: When one hath taken Physick and it doth not ope­rate, something is prescribed and used to quicken it: A sincere sor­row for your former carelesness and deadness may much conduce to your future proficiency.

They shall come with weeping, says the Prophet Jer. 31.9. Tears drop­ping from a mournful eye and griev­ing Heart, are like Water drop­ping from the Roses, very sweet, fragrant and soveraign. Mary stood at Christs feet weeping, Luc. 7.38. Could we kneel at the Lords Ta­ble weeping (and is not the hum­blest posture fittest for miserable sinners?) could we weep tears of blood for our scarlet, crimson, bloody sins, acting her part, we might hope for her portion, a gra­cious pardon, and that sealed in this Ordinance.

We pity weeping persons, and do them good; Tears melt our Hearts,Psal 6.8. and though silent, yet they are prevalent Orators; when you are in such a melting frame, occa­sion'd by serious meditation on your sins and Christs sufferings; on his bitter passions for you, and most tender affections to you; then, lo, then's a season for the Spirit of the Lord to do you good by this Or­dinance: [Page 131] [...], says Chry­sostom: Weep out your eyes for the loss of lands or friends, all your tears will nothing avail you; but in this case they may, nay will much.

Ninthly, Go out in the power and might of the Spirit of the Lord to this Ordinance; you can­not relie on men or means too lit­tle, or on him too much; you should depend on him though you had ne­ver tried him, but having tried him, you are now under greater obligati­ons to depend on him. Royal and re­ligious is that resolution of the Prophet David, Psal. 71.16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. [...]. Inpo [...]tus. q.d. Tu [...] unius vir [...] si­tus. Let us write after his Copy:— remember; ejus est benedicere, cujus est instituere.—Alas all our light is darkness, our strength weakness, and our wisdom foolishness. Frustra nititur qui non innititur; that man labours in vain, who labours and [Page 132]yet relies not upon the Spirit of the Lord; if the Spirit help you to pray, he will also help you to speed; and if he help you to pre­pare for, and to go out in his might unto this Ordinance, surely he will do you good by it; I will close up this with that excellent passage of Saint Cyprian, de Bapt. Solus spiritus rem sacramenti no­bis confert. Or that famous speech of the School-Doctors,

  • Sacramenta
    • ex similitudine reprae­sentant.
    • ex institutione signifi­cant.

Sed, ex virtute Christi sanctificant. Or with that of Prosper in his Epi­stle to Demetrius, speaking of the holy Sacraments; Forma adhibetur per humani ministerii obsequium, virtus autem per Divini spiritus praestatur effectum.

Tenthly, Once more. Walk up­rightly, and the Spirit of the Lord will do you good by this Ordinance; you have his promise for it, Psal. 84.11. [Page 133] The Lord will give grace and glory. Grace, that's the best thing that you can have on Earth.— Glory, that's the long and the short of what you shall have in Heaven. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Let a thred of uprightness run thorough the whole web of your lifes; and then you are sure

  • (1) of being safe in this world, Prov. 10.9. Men may kill you but they cannot hurt you.
  • (2) of being saved in the other world: But of this anon.

Follow these few Directions, and I dare be the Prophet to foretel you good by this holy Institution.

I proceed now unto the seventh Query.

Q. 7. What shall a Christian do who hath sound some good at, in, and by, or after this precious Ordi­nance, from the powerful workings of the spirit of the Lord?

I will hint a few Directions to [Page 134]you in answer to this Query; the amplification of 'em I leave to your private Meditations. They are Ten or Eleven.

1. Walk Thankefully.

Hath it been the day of his power, let it be a day for his praise; you have had news from Heaven, let the Heavens hear good from you.

Though you have not got all the good you desired, yet bless God for this, that you have got more than you have deserved. And bless God for this too, that you have a desire still to get more. O despise not the day of small things. Say, Lord, who or what am I that the Spirit of the Lord should conde­scend or stoop so low as to breathe upon my Soul, to blow upon my Garden, and cause the Spices there­in to flow forth; who am I that he should cause this Ordinance to work for my spiritual and eternal good, when others eat and drink Damnati­on to themselves? I will write my self an eternal debter to free Grace, [Page 135]for 'tis that, that fitted me for, ad­mitted me to and benefited me by this sacred Ordinance. I will ever remember that golden sentence of Saint Austin, Hoc totum hominis est, curare ut anima non sit ingrata Deo: This is the whole business of a Chri­stian man, To take care that his Soul be not unthankful to his God.

Have I received any light or life, or increase of grace and peace, I will remember to my dying day, though 'tis wrought in me, yet 'twas not wrought by me. Non no­bis Domine, non nobis; Not unto us, Lord, not unto us; Because not by us, Lord, not by us, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. Though I cannot praise thee so much as I should, yet will I praise thee as much as I can.

Sacramenta Judaeorum umbra Chri­stianorum. Aug: Enar: in Psal: 37: nobis 38:At the Jewish Passover was sung the 113. and some following Psalms; and this they call'd the Great Hal­lelujah; And the Sacraments of the Jews were but shadows unto ours. [Page 136]In every thing we must give thanks, but for this especially; others stand without, you are admitted into the Presence-chamber of the great King. They feed on husks and trash, you on the hidden Manna. My flesh (saith Christ) is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. All other food com­par'd with this is cibi tantummodo umbra & vana imago; as Cameron speaks; all shadow, no substance. To a worthy Receiver the choicest of mercies and blessings are here ex­hibited: one calls it [...], Food made up all of Thanks­giving. And having tasted so much, nay drunk so deep of the cup of blessing, does it not concern you now to sing, Glory be to the Holy Ghost? That praise is due to God from every Creature in the World, and from every corner of the world, I need not prove; but 'tis not come­ly for any but such as you, Psal. 33.1. 'Tis a garment that suites none but Saints, Isa. 61.3. You read there of the garment of praise.—The [Page 137] Jewish Doctors have a saying, That the World subsists by three Pillars, the Law, the Worship of God, and Thank­fulness. O let the high Praises of God be now and for ever in your lips and lives.

Hath the good Spirit of the Lord gone out before you in love and mercy? Do you follow him now in praise and duty. 'Tis the happi­ness of the Saints in Heaven to en­joy God; and 'tis their only busi­ness in Heaven to bless God; and is it not your wisdom as well as duty, to be daily doing that on Earth, be­sides which you shall have nothing to do to all Eternity in Heaven? Hosanna's here and Hallelujahs hereafter.

(2) Walk charitably.

Do all the good you possibly can for the Spirit of the Lord, and for the people of the Lord. I know your goodness extendeth not to God, but let it the more to the Saints. Yet you may plead for and vindicate his honour; which is by [Page 138]many now laid in the dust; many father their errors and blasphemies on the Spirit, laying them at his door, as if he were not the Spirit of Truth.

There are four sorts of men a­mongst us,

  • (1) Some who are all for Ordi­nances, not eying at all the Spirit of the Lord for his teachings.
  • (2) Some are all for the Spirit, Sans-ordinance men; casting of Bap­tism, the Ministry of the Word, and this blessed Sacrament.
    Beza in 1 Cor. 1.12
    As Beza said, so shall I, Hoc Pestilentissimo morbo utinam nulli hodie laborarent. Oh that none had this Plague-sore now.
  • (3) Others (and not a few) nei­ther regard the Spirit, nor men nor means; nothing but mundum & fundum.
  • (4) Only the sincere Christian is for all; and he is the man to whom I address this counsel; —if you espouse not his cause who shall? if in your stations as Magistrates, as Ministers, as Christians you plead [Page 139]not for it who will? But—walk charitably towards men; that's the duty I would press on you.

Has the Spirit of the Lord done you good? do you now all the good you can to others; shew your love to God by your love to your needy Brethren, and your love to them by works of mercy. Acts of charity do not impoverish but en­rich. Perhaps the Purse may be ligh­ter, but your Crown will be heavi­er. Who ever heard or read of a man that liv'd charitably that died miserably.Non memini me legisse malâ morte mor [...], qui libenter opera cha­ritatis ex­ercuit: Hieron: Morison in his Itini­rary: Hierom in his Epistle to Nepotian tells us he never did; nor did the royal Prophet, Psal. 37.25, 26.

One tells us of a fountain of Salt in Germany, of which all the poor about it had Salt-water freely for their use, but when once it was de­ny'd them, it lost its vertue. If once you harden your Hearts against, or hide your faces from those pale fa­ces, and withered cheeks, and maim­ed arms; from those who have no [Page 140]bread to eat, nor where to lay their heads; well may the Spirit of the Lord suspend his influences at the next Communion, and then it can­not heal nor seal, nor do you good. What greater incentive to shew mercy to others than a due sense of mercies received from God? Do good to all as you are of ability, and have opportunity, but especi­ally to the houshold of Faith.

(3) Walk contentedly.

Have you received good and much good at the Lords Table, then be not so full of complaints if you have little of the worlds goods: Is your grace increased, have you got more assurance of your Lords love? do not murmur though your Corn and Wine and other matters in­crease not: Whilst those put glad­ness into your Hearts let not the want of these cause sadness to ap­pear in your faces. It is enough (says Jacob) Joseph is alive. So say you, It is enough, the Spirit of the Lord is alive, and hath enlivened and [Page 141]sealed,1 Tim. 6.8. [...]. and comforted me at and by this precious Ordinance. Shew us the Father (says Philip) and it suffi­ceth us. The sight of God without riches or honours, or lands, or friends should satisfie your Souls. Having food and raiment you should be content; well,Having food, not fine fare: Raiments not Orna­ments: and you have both; nay much more; viz. the Mediatory Righteousness of Christ to deck and adorn you, and his precious Body and Blood to nou­rish you. And whatever afflictions you meet with in or from the World, still be contented. They say, whatever betides a Spaniard, he will not change his pace; what­ever troubles betide you, let no change appear in your Face. Whe­ther God give or take; whether he stroke or strike;Nimis deli­catus es frater, si & hic vis gaudere cum mundo & posthac regnare cum Christo▪ Hierom. whether men hum or hiss, fret not your selves; shall you receive good from the hand of God: What, all good and no evil? you are too delicate, if you would have two Heavens, one here, and another yonder above the Clouds.

(4) Walk Compassionately.

Have you tasted there of the Lords graciousness, can you tell of the great things the Spirit of the Lord hath by that Ordinance done for your Souls; then be not super­cilious and censorious, but candid and ingenuous towards others who come thence without any sense of increased grace, or evidences of his love and favour, Job 6.14. To him that is afflicted (melted in the fur­nace of Affliction) pity should be shewed. Is it not enough that God doth grieve them by the suspension of his influences, but must you add unto their sorrows? and why should you insult over them? Are you Saints, so are they▪ Though they walk in darkness yet they are chil­dren of Light. Know and do your duty; pray for them and pray with them. Can you go from promise to promise, and say, These are mine. Or from Ordinance to Ordinance, and say, By all these the Spirit of the Lord hath done, and still is do­ing [Page 143]me good. Well, be you thank­ful, but be not proud nor supercili­ous; be not high-minded but fear: At the next Communion he may vail his Face from you, and reveal his love to them, whom now you brow-beat, Psal. 30.6, 7. He may turn your Wine into water, and their water into wine, he may do them much more, and you much less good at the next address you make unto the Lords Table. Let not such as are high and rich in grace and peace censure them that are poor and low, and do not you that are low envy them that are high; but bear ye one anothers burdens, rejoyce in one anothers Graces, mutually pro­mote the work of Holiness, be less in censuring and more in praying;Oret Apo­stolus pro plebe, oret plebs pro Apostolo, pro se omni­a membra orent, caput pro omnibus interpellat: Aug. in Psal. 38. the Pastor for the People, the Peo­ple for their Pastor; one member for another; ever remembring that Jesus Christ our merciful high Priest is pleading and interceding for us all.

Egregia laus non modo non satiscere, sed indies proficere in melius: Grot: in Rev: 2: 19:(5) Walk fruitfully.

Make it your business to do all the good you can: Wherefore doth the Spirit of the Lord at any time, or by any means do you good, but on­ly to make you better, and to ena­ble you to do better? Go then and abound in the work of the Lord; let your last be more than your first; more for quantity, better for quali­ty. Be filled with the fruits of righ­teousness,This Or­dinance concerns the Soul; may be the last, is the pur­chase of Christ, & is a good gale for Heaven: Study then to be fruit­ful: which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Be more vigorous in every holy du­ty; more zealous for the advance­ment of Gods Glory. Follow the Lord fully, faithfully and chearfully. Study how you may answer his ex­pectations from you, his dispensati­ons to you, and the many obligati­ons that are upon you. Hath he done more for you, do you the more for him; or your answer and account at the last day will be sad indeed. You love to see every thing you have fruitful; much more doth the Spirit of the Lord love to see you so. O [Page 145]how happy were we, yea, Foelices ter & amplius, might it but as truly be said of us, as it was of Joseph, Joseph is a fruitful Bough. Gen. 49.22. Natura­lists say of the Pomecitron, that it bears fruit at all times of the year; this is the Emblem of an Evangeli­cal Communicant.—As a plant differs from a stone by vegetation, and a Beast differs from a plant by sense; and a Man differs from a Beast by speech and reason; so should a Communicant differ from other men by fruitfulness. Come then and spread your branches, send forth your spices as Aromatick Trees in Lebanon.

Christ chides a little Faith, Mat. 14.31. but admires and applauds a great Faith,Jer. 11.16 Joh. 15.8. Mat. 25: 30: Non tantū de non ser­vato, sed de non aucto munere damnabun­tur homi­nes: Profp: O woman great is thy Faith.

Scholars are not at ease till they have taken all their Degrees, though it cost them dear; and why should Christians till they come to a Non ultra? Our blessed Saviour did on­ly two terrible wonders; the one [Page 146]was the drowning of the Swine, Mat. 8. and yet that was only done by his permission. The other was his cursing and blasting of the bar­ren Fig-tree, and that was symboli­cal; not done in spleen to the Tree, but only to manifest his indignation against an unfruitful profession. Let us view that Text,Mar. 11.13 [...] subaudi [...] ubi enim erat tem­pus erat ficuum; vel tempestivae ac maturae trant ficus. Accentus enim spiri­tus (que) & dis­tinctiones neglige­bant vete­res. Mark 11.13. See­ing a Fig-tree afar off, having leaves he came; if haply he might find any thing thereon, but when he came to it he found nothing but leaves. For the time of Figs was not yet. You will say, was not this a cruel act? or unreasonable? had it been a time for Figs, the blasting of it had been reasonable and just. I answer, the words in the original are not rightly comma'd and accented; if they were, they would run thus, For where he was, it was a time of Figs, as one well observes; viz. Learned Heinsius on Mark 11.13.

You have been (some of you at least) three or four days together at the Lords Table upon this signal [Page 147]and special occasion; besides your Communions in course, every first Lords-day in the Month. You are planted in a fruitful Hill, Isa. 15.1. The Sun-beams of mercies, Zions silver-drops have fallen on you; you hear more of God and from God in one day, than some thousands in the world have done in all their lives. These are your enjoyments, what now are your improvements? your receipts are high, let not your re­turns be low; if he find you with­out fruit, he will leave you without excuse: Nay, he may deal with you as with that barren Fig-tree, blast and not bless you. But my hopes are and my prayers shall be for you, as St. Paul's were for the Philippians, that your Faith and Love, and all your Graces may abound,Phil. 1.9. [...], yet more and more.

(6) Walk closely.

Keep close (that's my meaning) to this precious Ordinance where you have so happily met with all this good from the Spirit of the [Page 148]Lord; those sweet experiences you have had of his quickening and strengthening influences should en­gage you (if it will not others) to a more constant and diligent atten­dance upon him in this solemn Or­dinance.

The Question once was,Mat. 22.12. How camest thou in hither not having on the Wedding garment? The Questi­on I must invert, and put it thus to you. Having on the Wedding-gar­ment, how comes it now to pass that you go out? Do vestures or gestures, or the prayers of the Church deter or drive you hence? would you not complain of us, should we excom­municate or cast you out? and is it well done in you, thus to cast out your selves? Have you no need of this Ordinance? if so, why do you turn your backs, and by your exam­ples discourage others; you should rather come and cry to others, Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his [Page 149]ways, and feed us with the bread of life; and do us good by his holy Spirit. Excellent is that passage of St. Austin in his first Book de vera Relig. cap. 6. where he shews the constancy of the Godly for publick Assemblies, against Conventicles; a word it is you may observe of a­bove 1200 years standing upon re­cord; sine ulla conventiculorum se­gregatione us (que) ad mortem defenden­tes & Testimonio juvantes eam fi­dem, quam in Ecclesia Catholica prae­dicari sciunt.

There is an Observation which some have concerning the simpathy of Plants, that some plants will bear better near other Trees, than when they grow alone; they instance in the myrtle and the Olive: Sure I am 'tis true in Divinity; when the Saints associate in these publique As­semblies, and sit together at the Lords Table, they thrive most. Therefore having had such experi­ences of the Spirits influences in this sacred and solemn Ordinance, for­sake [Page 150]not the Assembling of your selves together; but exhort one an­other to a more constant and con­scientious attendance, Heb. 10.24, 26.

(7) Walk chearfully.

Let your Hearts be wonderfully enlarged now in rejoycing in God. Rejoyce in the Lord always, [...] and a­gain, I say, rejoyce, Phil. 4.4.

The Ingemination of the charge intimates three things,

  • The Necessity,
  • The Difficulty,
  • The Excellency,

of the Duty.

Joy suits no person so well as a Saint; no day so well as the Sab­bath; no duty so well as a Sacra­ment; no Ordinance better I am sure.

Has he made you fruitful, then be it your care to be joyful.

The Rabbins have a saying, Spi­ritus sanctus non quiescit nisi super Hilarem. Heins. in N. T.

Has the Spirit of the Lord been doing you good this day or at any time by this Ordinance, has he been [Page 151]as a refiners fire,Non [...] Dux ge­mentem militem. burning up the dross, and making your Graces spar­kle like gold in the furnace? are his signatures and engraving upon your Souls: Then say, This is the day which the Lord hath made, a good day, a day of mirth and gladness, we will be glad and rejoyce there­in. Now sing the Magnificat, My Soul doth magnifie the Lord, and, &c. None have that call, none have that cause to rejoyce as you. 'Tis a saying too trite, unless it were more true, ‘Spiritus Calvinisticus est Spiritus Melancholicus.’ Most think they shall never have merry day, if once they devote themselves to Gods service, and en­gage, though but in the duties which concern this Ordinance. But your chearfulness will confute their ignorant and malicious censures; you may assure them from your own experience, that there is more true and solid joy and comfort to be had in and by this precious Or­dinance; [Page 152]more peace in having Communion with God, and Com­munications from the Spirit of the Lord at his Table, than in the most luscious acts of sin, or those brutish pleasures the World affords. Tell them the fruits of the Spirit are joy and peace, Gal. 5.22. His com­forts are the golden Pot and the Manna, the Nectar and Ambrosia of a Saint: But their pleasures are mixt with mortiferous ingredients; at the best like Wine that runs dregs, and whilst they have a cheer­ful countenance, they cannot deny (if they will speak all the truth) but they have a corroding and chiding Conscience.

(8) Walk perseveringly. [...] Psal. 119.112.

Walk on in the strength of this food (as Elias did of his) till you come to the Mount of God; be not weary of, nor weary in well-doing. Blood ennobles, and Learning a­dorns, but 'tis perseverance in the way and worship, and favour of God that crowns all. Rev. 2.10. Only the [Page 153]through-Christian is in Gods ac­count the true Christian. The fixed Stars are few; in our age many are falling Stars; they are not [...]; stedfast in Godliness; they are like Reuben, unstable as water; an Element hardly kept within bounds. But hold fast that which you have; good things are not easi­ly got, therefore it concerns you to hold 'em fast; and many good things are easily lost, and therefore it is your wisdom to hold 'em fast. Re­member that in Heb. 10.38. If any man draw back, &c.

Surely the good you say you have got at this Ordinance is such as you highly estimate, and perhaps it cost you many tears and prayers, then be the more choice of it; it will swee­ten your passage to the Heavenly Canaan. Some notions concerning the Perseverance of the Saints were lately hinted. I shall now say no more of this, but leave you in the meditation of two famous Scrip­tures, Job 17.9. The righteous shall [Page 154]hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Prov. 4.18. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the per­fect day.

(9) Walk Heavenly: [...].

An Hea­venly em­ployment calls for an Heav'n­ly deport­ment.An earthly Saint is a Solecism or contradiction; therefore has the Spirit of the Lord done you good by it that he might engage you to live more to him, and to live more with him; more for Heaven, and more in Heaven. Every manifesta­tion of his love unto the Soul should raise it above the World. And if you do not live much above the World, you live much beneath your Principles, and priviledges, and be­neath your selves. O let your dispo­sitions and affections, your operati­ons and communications, and con­versations, and expectations be more Heavenly! The good which God sends you in by his Spirit is to fetch your hearts up to him. Grace in the [Page 155]heart (like fire on the hearth) tends (sursum) upwards; it makes the Soul to mount or sparkle upwards in divine breathings and ejaculati­ons. The man whose heart is not in Heaven before himself comes there is never like to come there. O let your thoughts and delights, your hopes and comforts be above the world. Be content with the worst of it, but be not satisfied with the best of it; for every crumb you should be thankful, but with Crowns and Diadems you must not take up.

The more sweet you have met with at this Supper, the more bitter should the world be unto you for ever after.Ludov. Vives on Aug. l. 18: cap: 54. Cui dulcescit Christus a­marescit mundus. When our blessed Saviour was a dying, the whole World was in obscurity, 'twas mid­night dark at Noon-day, and the Stars were visible. This Sacrament is a lively representation and solemn Commemoration of his Death; when you are about it and gone from it, let the world be darkness to you. I [Page 156]will leave St. Ambrose his Counsel with you, Toto animo odi & damna quod diligit mundus: Tanquam mor­tuus a labe & affectu illius te separa; Epistolarū lib. 4. Floriano. sicut sepultus nil habeas carum de saeculo, tanquam defunct us omni ter­reno te abdica negotio; contemne vivens, quae post mortem habere non poteris.

(10) Walk watchfully, [...] uprightly. As it is not enough that you be and do good for a day or two be­fore you come to the Sacrament, but your care must be to walk upright­ly; so it must be your care when you are gone thence to walk thus. Go then and sin no more, Joh. 5.14. no more so wilfully, so prefumptu­ously. To sin after a Sacrament is to sin with a witness. To sin against clearest light and dearest love pro­vokes exceedingly, and yours will be found of this nature.

To provoke God in a Wilderness is not so bad or sad as to provoke God in a Paradise. 'Twas an aggrava­tion of Eves sin to listen to the whis­perings [Page 157]of the Serpent when placed there; 'tis so for you who have been sealed with the holy Spirit of pro­mise, now to listen to the delusions of that lying Spirit.Enar. in Psal. 29 Adam in ster­core (says St. Austin) est cautior, quam Adam in Paradiso.

Sacramentum est juramentum, every wilful iniquity now comes little short of perjury.

There are some sins which the fallen Angels were never guilty of; they sinned not against the Pa­tience of God; non expectavit An­gelos; they suffered immediately as they had sinned. Nor against the tenders and offers of Grace; the golden Scepter was never held out, nor pardon offer'd to them. Nor a­gainst the Death and Passion of Je­sus Christ; he died not for them; if now we sin, not out of weakness, but out of wilfulness; our sins will be found such as the Devils them­selves are not guilty of. What higher priviledg is or can mortal man be capable of on this side Heaven, than [Page 158]to be feasted at the Lords Table with these Heavenly viands. Now the greatness of the Priviledg adds to the greatness of the crime;Ubi subli­mior praero­gativa, ibi major cul­pa. Salv. de Gub. Dei lib. 4, pag, 128. your sins after a Sacrament cannot take Christ from you, but they may take rest from you, Psal. 38.3. They can­not take Grace from you, but they may take peace from you; God may break your bones and leave you long in the dark; you may ne­ver recover that comfort and assu­rance which you had before. Wick­ed men have their Heaven here, and their Hell hereafter; and some good men have their Hell here, and their Heaven hereafter.

Now, Sirs, you have been at the Lords Table, you have seen what Sin cost Christ; what buffetings, what bruisings, what woundings, what bleedings; and shall not this engage us to greater circumspection to our dying day? having received so much good from the Spirit of the Lord shall not we watch our ways, and keep our Hearts and Eyes, [Page 159]and Tongues,Obstrue quin (que) Fe­nestras (i.e. quin (que) sen­sus) ut lu­ceat Do­mus. Prov. Arab. and All with more care and diligence? If Israel play the Harlot, yet Judah must not transgress. Having now been at such an Ordinance as this, shall we again return to break his Commandments? Every mercy is a motive to duty; and to walk circumspectly, watch­fully, wisely, uprightly is one with­out dispute, Eph. 5.15. Mark. 13.37. Col. 4.5. Let not the increase of our mercies be the decrease of our du­ties. Though we walk in, yet let us not walk after the Flesh, but after the Spirit of the Lord, who by this In­stitution hath done us all this good.

Once more: Walk Penitently.

You must renew your repentance as well after, as before this Ordi­nance. Call to remembrance the deadness of your Hearts, the cold­ness of your Love, the unactiveness of your Faith, the many wandrings and distractions of your minds and spirits when about this duty. There are some special seasons for the re­newing of repentance.—As,

  • 1. When you are a dying▪ though we must not defer it till death, yet we must be sure to renew it at death. We should take our fill of repen­tance before we take our leave of repentance: thus St. Austin did, he caus'd the Penitential Psalms to be fixt before him on the wall, and as he lay in bed he wept and read, and read and wept abundantly; In­tuebatur & legebat, & jugitr ac u­bertim flebat; as Possidonius relates it, De vita Aug. cap. 31.
  • 2. And when you are suffering for God or from God, under some great afflictions; though repentance must not be limited to a time of af­fliction, yet it must be renewed in a time of affliction; for Gods end and design in and by them is not to break our backs, but to break our hearts. Once more,
  • 3. When you are a doing, or have done any great and more solemn duty. What, is there nothing now you have been at this Ordinance to renew your repentance for? was [Page 161]all so well done? did corruption act so weakly, and Grace so vigor­ously and strongly? was the evil spirit so chained and restrained? and did the good Spirit of the Lord so enlarge, enliven and strengthen? is there no need of praying over your prayers again; of repenting that your repentance was no more Evangelical? — Did you thorow­ly consider (as you ought) your Sa­viors Passion in the matter and qua­lity of it; in its bitter ingredients and heightning circumstances of it? or your own sins, the meritorious cause of it? You had some light a­bout this in your heads; but was it attended with power and efficacy upon your hearts? for the clearest notions without suitable impressions will not advantage you.

And thus have we dispatcht the counsels which concern you Saints, and also resolv'd the seventh Query. If thus you walk, you will much honour the Spirit of the Lord; who is the great Agent in your Regene­ration, [Page 162]Illumination, Conversion; and in your proficiency by this sa­cred institution. And as you are concern'd to honour the Son for what he hath done without, so are you concern'd to honour the Spirit for what he hath done within.— You will honour this Ordinance too, and advantage your selves, and you will be instrumental to bring in o­thers, whose hearts are too full of disgusts and prejudices against this high and holy Institution.

I told you of something I had to say to sinners; I could be well con­tented to say nothing at all; had I none at all to speak to. But there are two ranks or sorts of them.

1. Such as peremptorily (but most perniciously and erroneously) assert, that they are above Ordinan­ces, this or that; Sans-or supra-ordinance men; in what predica­ment to place them, how to call them, or how to cure them I well know not: Is not the Spirit of the Lord straitened? can he do his peo­ple [Page 163]good by this Ordinance? why then is there no breaking of Bread, no Sacrament of the Lords Supper amongst you? why is this cast off, and cast out? — As the Center of the Earth hath an attractive power and vertue to draw all heavy sub­stances to it; so hath the Sacrament such an enlivening, strengthning, nourishing power and vertue, as may, nay will draw all real Saints to it; and you amongst the rest, if you be such. What is said of Socrates is true of the Sacrament, all that know it (its power, preciousness, and usefulness) love it, if any do not love it, it is because they do not know it. The whole management of Soul work in order to Salvation now lies upon the hands of the Spirit, but in the use of means. He that made us without us, will not save us without us. True it is, means are but means, and therefore not to be relied upon; and as true it is, means are means, and therefore not to be neglected or despised; 'tis an excellent obser­vation of an eminent Divine: In [Page 164]things of this nature men are very prone to run themselves on one of these two rocks; Dr. Ja­comb on Rom. 8. pag. 246. (saith he) Either they rest upon the means, not looking up to the Spirit: Or they cast off the means, casting all upon the Spirit. Either they are proud and can do all without God; or idle and slothful so as that God must do all without them. But you should remember that the spirits sole-efficiency (as to the for­mal production of the act) is well enough consistent with mens endea­vours in the use of means; he doth all in us and for us, yet he will do nothing without us, nor without means; if he will, you may do well to shew where he hath promised it, till then we cannot believe it. Our Saviour once though this Ordi­nance very necessary, and he is the Wisdom of God; 1 Cor. 1.24. are you wiser than he? speaking of this Ordi­nance, St. Paul (moved by the Spi­rit) saith, As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew the Lords Death till he come. But he [Page 165]is not yet come, yet you have laid it by as vain, needless and fruitless.

Shall his Ordinance have his or your date? He set it up, how dare you take it down? You talk much of the Spirit, but see and say if it be not a spirit of pride, or ignor­ance, or a Popish spirit that prompts you thus to speak and act. They of the Romish Church have taken away the Cup, but you have out-done them, in taking away the Bread too. Is the command and example of Je­sus Christ of no force with; shall his Institutions be of no longer use to, you than your wits and wisdoms think fit? This Sacrament is (q.d.) the picture of our dying Saviour; an injury done to the Kings coyn or picture, is taken as done to the Kings person; so in this case, [...]. Basil. de Sp. S. cap. 28. Gen. 45.3. Men love not to see the faces of those they have injured, if arm'd with power to punish them.

How were Josephs Brethren a­mazed when he said, I am Joseph; what horrour and confusion will [Page 166]one day possess your hearts, when you shall hear Christ say, I am Jesus; I am Jesus who instituted and ap­pointed this Ordinance, to continue in full force till the end of the world; I am Jesus who can and will do you good by my Spirit in the use of this Ordinance, if you walk uprightly. But as sure as I am Jesus, my enraged justice shall avenge the quarrel of my abused mercy; and they shall meet with wrath and vengeance who are contemners of my Ordinance.

How discursive is foolish pride when it would prescribe unto God? vain man dost thou censure his bene­fits when thou shouldst enjoy them? art thou so stupid and sottish as to judg of the things conveyed, by the quality and value of the instrument that conveys them? Doth not the weakness of these Elements add much to the wonder of the Sacra­ment? It was an argument of Christs power to feed five thousand with a few Loaves; this miracle of [Page 167]his Sacrament is equal thereunto which feeds the whole Church with such slender Elements.— But I will expostulate no farther with 'em; I convert my speech to o­thers. For,

2. As there are some who look upon themselves as above this Ordi­nance, so there are others who look upon this Ordinance as above them; and why? but because they are not qualified; nor can any arguments prevail with them to capacitate themselves for it. Others will say, they know no good got by it, no fruit that grows on it. The poor have no leisure for it, and the rich take no pleasure in it; and few there are who come to it in most Assemblies.—I have a word for you, Et valeat, quantum valere po­test.

  • 1. Suppose this were (but it is not) a prerogative-command, given only for the probation and trial of your obedience, and no benefit at all should redound to the observer [Page 168]of it; are you not (yet) obliged to consider your ways to turn your feet unto his Testimonies; to break off your sins by repentance, to pre­pare your selves and then to come and take and eat? The observance of such commands hath been well rewarded, Gen. 22. and the diso­bedience thereof most severely pu­nished; as in Adam, Gen. 2.17. in Lots wife, Gen. 19.17. and in the young Prophet.
  • 2. Gods standing Laws and Ordi­nances (and such is this) oblige not to observance only, but they in­tend a real benefit withal; which should be an incentive to our obedi­ence, Deut. 10.13. Psal. 19.11. And 119.165. Great peace have they which love and keep thy Law.
  • 3. Though you never got good by this Ordinance, will you say, no good is to be got by it; or that ne­ver any did? it will in no wise fol­low.
  • 4. You speak expresly against the Word of God, this very Text; and [Page 169]for every blasphemous word you shall account another day.
  • 5. Do not your speeches reflect upon the glorious Trinity?
    • 1. On God the Father, as if he had made or instituted an Ordi­nance in vain; you call in que­stion his wisdom.
    • 2. On God the Son; as if his Body and Blood were good for nothing. And,
    • 3. On this holy Spirit; as if he were straitened so, that he could not do them good by it who walk uprightly; or as if he would not.
  • 6. Do not you speak against the sweet experience of the Saints in all ages? they have found good by it.
  • 7. Do not you speak against right reason? for as the guilt and danger is great in case one receive unwor­thily, so must there in reason be some proportion of fruit and bene­fit to such as come preparedly.
  • 8. Once more: Is it not your pride, carnality, and hypocrisie? is [Page 170]it not your earthliness, unbelief and impenitency that hinders your ad­dresses to it, and proficiency by it? Water there is enough in this well, had you but buckets to draw it forth; the Spirit is present to heal, but you are insensible of your Ma­ladies. You may complain of us if so you will; of God if so you dare; of his Decrees, Ordinances, this or that; but assure your selves, he can as soon cease to be God, as cease to be good or just; he will lay the fault where you will not like it; whence you shall never be able to remove it, even at your own doors. Therefore be advised,
    • 1. Cherish not any longer such undervaluing thoughts of this my­sterious, holy and precious Ordi­nance: Judg not rashly nor falsly of the things of God; I am speaking for God, and for his Institutions; and though it be an easie matter to slight me your Minister, yet I fear, it will be no easie province to an­swer your Maker for the contempt [Page 171]you do to his sacred Ordinances.
    • 2. Break off your Sins by repen­tance, and that speedily; though a late repentance may be a true re­pentance, yet you will find that a late repentance will prove an hard repentance; a disease, the longer it grows upon a man the harder it is to be cured. Be quick in this duty, lest God be quick in judgment, Rev. 2.3. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly.—Mark that quickly.

Lament and weep over your Souls for the loss of all that good you might ere this day have got by this Ordinance. Now get your persons clothed with his Righteousness; your natures cleansed by his Spirit, your sins pardoned in his blood, and doubt not (if then you come) but the Spirit of the Lord will do you good by this Ordinance. The good Lord follow this work of Convicti­on with a work of Conversion. And make this word effectual to con­firm the doubtful; to quicken the slotful; to encourage the fearful. [Page 172]Go to God, though you cannot go in Faith, yet go for Faith; though you cannot, yet he can reform your lifes, and put you into a right frame for communion with him in this Or­dinance.

We are now arrived at the last Enquiry.

Q. 8. What soul-reviving comforts doth this truth afford to the people of God, who care take and conscience make of walking uprightly?

Resp. I will not presume too far upon your patience, and therefore shall not launch out into this vast Ocean; take an account of them in these ten particulars, and these ten rather in Figures, than in words at length. Is the spirit of the Lord at liberty, and has he a sufficiency of power to enlighten and strengthen, and comfort, and to do you good by this Sacrament? Here is comfort for you in ten cases or respects.

1. As to the weakness of these Sacramental Elements; alas! what is a little morsel of bread, or a sip of [Page 173]Wine, and a few words spoken over them; (no Transubstantiating words, we abhor all thoughts of that Doctrine which is so contrary to our Senses, to Reason, to the Scriptures, to the comfort of the Saints, to the honour of Christs glorious Body; all which is abundantly evinced by our Divines.) True it is indeed, they are poor and weak things in themselves; but you must remember they are of divine Institu­tion; this is an Ordinance of the great God, who hath own'd it and can and will bless it. Though these outward Elements be weak, yet the Spirit of the Lord is strong; he delights to do great things by weak means. What is the word, if abstract­ly considered, but a dead letter, yet 'tis the power of God unto Salvation to them that believe; 'tis mighty through God, it transforms the heart, reforms the life; by it the dead in sin are quickened; sinners are turned from darkness unto light; and this is a greater work to turn the Soul from a state of Sin to Grace, than from Grace to Glory. By it Lepers are cleansed, afflicted Consciences comforted, &c. What is a little water in Baptism to a tender Infant? 'tis in it self but a mean thing; but water-baptism is of divine sanction and institution, Joh. 1.33. He that sent me to Baptize with water; and Infant-Baptism is so too, Mat. 28.19. Go [Page 174]disciple ye all Nations: Posito toto generali, pars ejus negari non debet. How? Baptizing them, &c. and the Spirit of the Lord can do us good by it; yea our tender Infants too, even in their Minority; much more when they arrive at years of Discretion. He can and hath made his Elect, who were baptized at ten days, as careful to repent, to believe and obey the Gospel, as those ever were, who were twenty years of age, ere they were dipped. Say men what they will of it or against it, that it is a sign or shadow, this or that; if God set us a shadow, a brazen Serpent, it shall not be in vain to look up unto it. Do not less prize or use the institution, being well as­sur'd of the Lords Benediction. I told you but even now, That the meanness of the Element adds more to the honour and wonder of the Sacrament. And that it derives its being and value from its Au­thor. I refer you for more of this to St. Ambrose his fourth Book de Sacr. chap. 4. Tom. 4. pag. 173. And to Bishop Reynolds, his Meditations on the Holy Sacraments, chap. 4.

2ly. Here is comfort for you in case of bitter taunts and Satyrical or Sarcastical speeches which you may meet with from ignorant, sensual and secure Sinners, be­cause of your constant and conscientious attendance upon God in this Sacred Or­dinance. Nazianzen said long since, [Page 175] [...]. In all Ages the most serious holy men are represented as the most vicious; wicked men have no favour from God, and good men shall have no favour from them, whilst they have virulent Tongues, or vio­lent hands: If the Son of God was crown'd with thorns, let not the Saints of God expect a crown of Roses: As the Lilly amongst the Thorns, as the lamb amongst the Wolves, so is the Spouse amongst the Daughters. They will do by you as Stunica did by Erasmus, observe and review all your works, and pick and cull out only what they conceive is worst; but those perhaps (as did his) may prove your greatest truths and vertues: How­ever, solace your selves in this; The Spi­rit of the Lord is doing you good, and never the less for their saying or doing you evil; what though you hear ill, whilst you fare well; their reproaches shall hurt you no more, than the Dog does the Moon, which he cannot bite, though he bark all night at it.Apol. pro Christianis. Antonin. Virtus nihil est immi­nuta propter existimationem vulgi. Nobis te­merariae quorundam calumniae sanctioris vitae institutum non obscurant, nec per eas gloriae nostrae coram Deo aliquid decedit; as Athena­goras told Antoninus and Commodus in his Apology for the Christians; a Diamond sparkles never the less, nor is it any whit [Page 176]the less precious, because an ignorant or a blind man disparageth it; 'tis so in this case; their reproachings tend to your grea­ter glory; they will wish (but perhaps, when 'tis too late) they had been fitted for, admitted to, and shared with you in this Sacred Ordinance.

3ly. Here is matter of comfort for you in respect of the meanness of the men, or weakness of the persons by whom it is dispensed. We are not Prophets, we pre­tend to no such inspirations or immedi­ate calls as they had; we are not Apo­stles, we have no immediate call from Christ to preach the Gospel to all Nations; we cannot, do not, dare not pretend to an infallible conduct of the Spirit, as they had, and some ignorantly and impudently now challenge to themselves; No, we are men, men subject to like passions and perturbations, temptations and infirmities as they were, and perhaps to more than you are; you know it, we confess and la­ment it. Guilty were we of sin before we could do any thing, and ever since we could do any thing we have done nothing without sin. But in this may you and we not little solace our selves; Though we can do you little good, very little good, yet the Spirit of the Lord can do you very much. All we can do is to endeavour it, but the conversion of Souls is (not ours [Page 177]but) Gods work; we may ( [...]) speak what is in it self perswasive, but 'tis the Spirit of the Lord alone that can and must ( [...]) actually perswade you. The efficacy of the Word and Sacraments de­pends not upon the arts, or parts, or gifts, or graces, or greatness, or goodness of men, but upon the power, institution and bles­sing of God. Is a golden treasure ever the worse because 'tis laid up in an earthen vessel? or is water the less sweet because conveyed to your cisterns in leaden pipes? Mark well the Text in hand, and you will find the great stress laid upon your own upright walking, if you expect a blessing; a parallel you have in Heb. 4.2. The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. It is not said, Not being mixed with faith in them that preach it,—but in them that heard it. In short, the spirit of the Lord can do great and mighty things, as by poor and weak means, so he can do great and mighty things by poor and weak men. He imploy­ed not at the first publication of the Gos­pel, any mighty Monarchs, or noble Lords, or profound Philosophers for the Conver­sion of the Nations, whose Majesty, Autho­rity and Wisdom might have had a power­ful and prevailing influence on their infe­riours; No, a few poor Fishermen are the men;2 Cor. 4. that the excellency of the power [Page 178]might be and appear to be of God alone, and not in or of man at all: Men and means are productive of nothing if they operate only from an inherent or natural vertue, but when they have a divine stamp upon them the Spirit of the Lord can do great and mighty things by them.

4ly. Here is comfort for you in case of temptations to disbelieve the Godhead or Deity of the Holy Ghost; other mediums are urged to evince his Divinity, but the Ancients make much use of this, viz. the glorious operations and most mighty and powerful works done by him; as Cyril and Ch [...]ostom and Ambrose, de Sp. sancto. He that can quicken dead Souls, subdue such strong lusts, implant and increase Grace, and bless the Ordinances, and all this by an immediate primary underived power (as the Spirit doth) certainly he is more than a meer creature, he is truly God; for these are works for a God, and for a God only. O the boundless, incomprehensible, and infi­nite power of the Spirit! What all the Creatures yonder above the Clouds with these on Earth cannot, that he can do om­nipoteutissima facilitate, Aug. Epist. 107. ad vi­talem non procul a fine. as an Ancient ele­gantly expresseth it; when he will work, who shall let him? Isa. 43.13. He acts om­nipotenter, insuperabiliter, this speaks him to be God indeed; He is not strained, he can do his people good by his instituti­ons.

5ly. Here is comfort for you too in case of mighty oppositions from the flesh when you are about any holy and religious ex­ercises; there is no one duty in the whole course of Christianity, but it is sure to meet with one impediment or other. The Flesh (if nothing else do) wil belusting against the Spirit, corruption will be opposing grace; so that you cannot do the things that you would and should: The agency and enmi­ty of the flesh appears both in the matter and manner of our performances. Some­times it hinders from duty, from praying, hearing, and receiving, sometimes in duty; nay it ever hinders us in the manner; aba­ting the vigor and fervour, or lessening the alacrity of our Souls in duty, your own ex­perience is proof sufficient; but here is com­fort for you in this present case, the Spirit of the Lord is not shortned, nor straitned, he can help your infirmities, subdue corrup­tions quicken graces, and in spite of all op­positions he can bless his own Institutions: He can make mountains to become plains, and cut a way through the hard rock, Zach 4.9. Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is there any thing too hard for me? Jer. 32.27. It may, poor Soul, be too hard for thee, but not for me; this is applicable to the Spirit in the personal consideration of God, and it is no less comfortable than ap­plicable.

A Child of God fain would do more but cannot; a wicked man may do more but will not; the godly mans heart is larger than the duties; a wicked mans duties are larger than his heart; 'tis the complaint of a gracious Soul, O how do my corruptions hinder in these holy duties! But O, says the other, how do these duties hinder me in the pursuit of my lusts!

A godly man is griev'd because he can­not do all the good that he would; and the other, because he cannot do all the evil that he would. 'Tis the burden of a Saint, the greatest trouble upon his Spirit, that he can pray no more fervently, hear no more profitably, receive no more worthily; so to bungle and baffle, and trifle, is his great trouble; but he hath this to comfort him, The good Spirit of the Lord to assist and help him in every duty; and he knows, that his arm is not shortned.

6ly. Here is comfort for you as in case of the activeness of the flesh, so in case of the weakness of the Spirit; i.e. of Grace; you find that you are wofully and wonder­fully straitned in your selves; you com­plain of the narrowness of your Hearts, the unactiveness of Grace, you are not so hum­ble and holy, not so tender-hearted and en­larged; your lives are nothing so blame­less and harmless as you could wish, and this to you is matter of saddest Lamentation [Page 181]and deepest Humiliation. But remember (pray) the Spirit of the Lord is not strait­ned, though you be, he is not; and this is matter of consolation; though you be impotent, chill and dull; yet if you be sen­sible of it, and sorrowful for it, you will find his Grace sufficient for you, and himself al­sufficient in you: A weak Christian assisted by the Spirit of the Lord can do all things, Phil. 4.13.

7ly. Here is comfort for you against those oppositions and temptations you may meet with from the Devil when you are at the Lords Table: O that we were as care­ful to prepare our selves for that Ordinance as he is to prepare for us; he is ever fixed, and very diligent on holy days, in holy pla­ces, at holy duties, Job 1.6. not because he loves them, but because he hates us. I have read of one who said, he saw but one De­vil in the Market, for most of the buyers and sellers were his already; but a Legion in the Church; A Legion (according to Varro) is 7622; but what imploy had so many evil spirits there? why, to lay snares for them; to hinder the operation of the Word and Sacraments, and consequently the salvation of Souls. Doubtless you are not without discouragements by reason of your own corruptions, and his oppositions. Well but your Redeemer hath not left you comfortless; the Spirit of the Lord is not [Page 182]straitned; He is a most glorious and victorious Spi­rit; your way in this case is, to set the power of this Spirit against the power of Satan; when the gates of Hell, and powers of Darkness press hard upon you, 'tis your wisdom (in order to your com­fort and conquest) to improve this power of the Spirit of the Lord. The more you are assaulted by that evil spirit, the more shall you be assisted by this good spirit. He will be with you in the floods and in the flames; Who and what art thou O great Mountain before this Zerubbabel.

8ly. Here is comfort for you as to the greatness of those mercies and blessings now by you desired and expected. O says a child of God, how shall I get my heart humble, more quick and lively; what shall I do for a broken, bleeding. Heart, for more full assurance of the pardon of my sin, and the salvation of my Soul. Ah what shall, poor I do for a little more light in my Understan­ding; O that my Will were healed, &c. These in­deed are great things, they are not [...], no, they are [...], such as accom­pany Salvation. Yet although these be very great things as to you, they are not so to the Spirit of the Lord, if it be marvelous in your eyes, is it therefore marvelous in Gods? Zach. 8.6. All things are alike easie to an Almighty Agent, and this Spirit is such;Exod. 14.24. a look from him in anger can lay your strongest lusts dead; he can irradiate your minds with beams of Divine light; and efficaci­ously incline, overpower, determine and heal your▪ Wills. He can (in one word) do every thing; therefore be confident of this very thing; viz. that as he easily can, so he assuredly will. He, I say, who hath begun a good work in you, will own it and crown it and perform it until the day of Christ, Job 42.2. with Phil. 1.6.

9ly. Here is also comfort for you in case of bar­renness under former administrations; perhaps you find not that power as yet over your impe­tuous lusts as you then and there expected; no [Page 183]more peace of conscience; Nec mibi dant s [...]llae lucem, &c. You have often been at the Lords Table, and yet no assurance, or no more assurance of his love, and of eternal life, than you had before. If it be thus your present case is sad; yet thus it may be, & your internal & eternal state be good. For though you have not peace, yet you want not grace, in the best of Saints there is a want in grace, but in the worst or weakest Saint there is not a want of grace. Though you are cast down, yet you are not cast off; you have not so much as will comfort you, but you have enough to save you. 'Tis Heaven that is the proper place of comfort, and Earth of grace: 'Tis the pleasure of our all-wise God to make some to weep and wait long for a smile from Heaven; and thus he acts in a way of wisdom, not ever in a way of punishment. Know and do your own work, let the most High alone with his; hear what he will speak for he will speak peace unto his people; the day that's clouded now may be clear anon; 'tis darkest a little before the dawning of the day. Re­member for your comfort, [...] Lux fidei, veritatis, & [...]materia perpetuae laetitiae: Orta Spar­sa; justi multa pati­untur, ante­quam laeti­tiâ fruan­tur. that light is sown for the Righteous, and joy for the upright in heart, Ps. 97.11. The Interval of time may be considera­ble between the sowing and the reaping. But act you faith on the Promises, acquiesce in and submit to the Will and Wisdom of the Lord; for unto the Upright (and they are the persons I am now ad­dressing this discourse to) I say, unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness; i.e. comfort in trou­bles; remember that the Spirit of the Lord is not straitned. Concerning him take three notions a­long with you: He is

  • 1. A free Agent; as the wind bloweth when and where it lifteth, so the Spirit worketh, witnesseth, sealeth & assureth when & whom himself pleaseth.
  • 2. A wise Agent; and therefore will act most sea­sonably and opportunely, when it will most con­duce to his own honour and your comfort.
  • 3. A strong and mighty Agent; when he begins 'tis [Page 184]not sin, nor Satan, nor the World shall let him: Therefore though now you mourn, yet you may not murmur; Groan you may, but must not grum­ble, be it never so little life & light, and power and peace you have arrived at. I say to you as did Elibis to Job, ch. 34.32. should it be according to your mind? is it fit you have just what you will, and when you will; if you will be your own car­vers, take heed of cutting your own fingers. With­draw not from this Ordinance; but (as before) wait with patience and work with diligence; for the Spirit of the Lord is not straitned; this is a reviving Cordial in this case.

Antisthenes an Heathen Philosopher desired no­thing of the Heathen gods so much as the Spirit of Socrates. You have a more glorious Spirit, this Spi­rit of the Lord, who will in due time make you more fruitful and cheerful; and give you more increase of grace, more setled peace of Conscience; yea an absolute mastery and victory over all your spiritual enemies. Once more, and I dismiss you.

10ly. This speaks comfort to you who persevere in prayer; the seed of Jacob, not in name only (as were these in the Text) but in deed and truth.

To hold on in Duty is not the practice of the most,Job 27.10 but of the best; 'tis no easie work which is both above nature and against it: This affords comfort to you; 'tis like the rod of myrtle in the travellers hand,Pliny. which makes him fresh and lively, and keeps him from being weary; O nourish no jealous thoughts of God; if you distrust him, you will desert him.

Remember for your encouragement and com­fort, that the good Spirit of the Lord is in full power, and at liberty still to give a blessing by, as at the first to give a being to his holy Instituti­ons. To which ever-blessed Spirit, together with the Father and the Son, be ascrib'd all Honour and Glory, World without end..

FINIS.

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.