THE Wise Preacher,1 Kings 3.9.13.10.23.4.30. 2 Chron. 1.10.12. Eccles. 12.9.10. whose Supplication was for Wisdom, which the Lord not only granted, but added thereto both Riches and Honour, so that he excelled all the Kings of the Earth; after he had sought out, and set in order many Proverbs, and accept­able Words, even Words of Truth; after he had survei'd the Universe of Knowledge,1 Kings 4.33. Eccles. 7.20, 21. the Nature of all li­ving Creatures, of Herbs and Plants, in a singular manner; and in short, had attaind to the highest degree of knowledge, gives this positive Sen­tence [Page 2] on it,Eccles. 12.8.12. All Vanity of Vanity, all is Vanity: And having in this sure and certain sense Admonish'd, that of making many Books there is no end, and that much Study is a weariness of the Flesh, he winds up his search and scrutiny, his study and writing, with a most profound and comprehensive Exhortation, Fear God, Keep his Commandments, to which as a most urgent motive, he adjoyns, For God shall bring in­to Judgment every Work.

A solid consideration of which has so wrought on the minds of some, that have been Transported with desires of humane Learning, that not being insensible of an ac­count to be rendred for every se­cret thing, much more for every action, they have been willing to abandon all inordinate inclinatons thereunto, animated by Love of vain applause, all studies and scrutinies, that may in the least Impede their hearkning to the Voice of Wisdom, [Page 3] which is pathetically exprest in the words of Solomon's conclusion; which I make the subject of my thoughts and wrighting at this time; and indeed so deep, grave, and earnest is the same, that to a Soul disentangled from Worldly cogitations, and in whom any good desires are begotten, no other con­siderations will receive so willing an Entertainment: insomuch as it contains the most serious, sensible, judicious, and last words of the most knowing and understanding of Mortals; whose Wisdom, than herein, in all his writings never more appeared.

With such attentive thoughts I will endeavour (Dei gratiâ) a fir­mer impression, by making curso­ry remarks upon it.

Let us hear, I exhort you to it, I can't compel, neither do I desire it, but as one that hath obtain'd favour of the Lord,Eccles. 47.22. that has been partaker, not only of his mercies, [Page 4] but of his Judgments also,2 Sam. 7.12.16. Psa. 89.30.36. and a [...] the first are comfortable but the last terrible, so I would entreat you in that Love and good will, enkind­led in me by a spark from Heaven by embracing the one to avoid the other; I have tasted of both, and have seen Mercy prevailing over Judgment: Further (may the Preacher say) I have been a Man furnished with the most compleat body of knowledge,Wisd. 7.87.21. accomplished with a deep skill in all kind of sci­ence, it has been all unvailed to me; Nature and Art have I view'd the one in the clearest discoveries of its hidden secrets, the other in a most subtile preception of its high­est perfections: Knowledge has vaild its bonnet to me, and lies couching at my Feet; Understanding hath been my constant collegue and Wisdom never departed from me: I have survey'd all the whole creation, its Nature and use; the secret influences of the Heavens [Page 5] with the sympathy of Terrestrials, the whole Kingdom of Nature hath been subject to me, Animals and Vegetives, the dispositions of Men and all other living Creatures, their diverse constitutions, and the oc­cult and Magical powers of Herbs and Plants, from the Hyssop to the lofty Cedar, I have scrutinis'd, to­gether with the Nature of Pearls, and Precious Stones, yea, the whole mineral Kingdom: yet further (hear the excellant Preacher) I was King of a mighty Nation,1 Kings 4.24.34.10.23, 24 2 Chron. 9.22.26. before nor after me none can compare to my Grandeur, Riches and Honour encompass'd me about, the heighth of worldly greatness was my Posses­sion; Kings did me homage, and Foreign Princes bow'd unto me, and paid me reverance: I had multi­tudes of Chariots and Horsemen, Men Servants and Maid Servants, and what soever my Heart desired: I builded me Houses and a glorious Temple, excelling in curious Art, [Page 6] my Wisdom directed me in it moreover the Fame of my Wisdom reached to the further parts of the World,1 Kings. 6.7. Eccles. 2.4.8. which gain'd me an Hon­ourable reverance of all;Eccles. 1.16. then com­muning with my own Heart, I said, Lo I am come to great Estate, and have gotten me more Wisdom than all that have been before me in Je­rusalem, yea, my Heart hath had great experience of Wisdom and Knowledge; wherefore let me be esteem'd as a competent Judge of all enjoyments, insomuch that I know and have tryed them all: Let Earthly Kings have respect to the Counsel of their most wise Prede­cessor, that knew the Glory, the Pleasure, and the content of a King­dom, he that was skill'd in the o­economie of a Politick Body, a mighty and unresisted Monarch, to whom the craft of State and Coun­cils was not conceal'd; He devests himself of all, derogates from the Royalty of the World, and says, [Page 7] Let us hear; In a tender, Familiar, and low manner of expression, some would think below the Dignity of a King.

But no doubt the Wisdom which inspir'd his Soul, saw occasion for such an humble stile; and that all might be prevail'd upon by this his most sensible admonition, he is wil­ling to conjoyn with them in this needful Duty: Let us hear, we that are endow'd with Wisdom, that are anxious in acquiring understan­ding, that are sollicitous in seeking humane Knowledge; I have been expert therein, and from thence assure yea, that this is the greatest Wisdom; and further, that your selves, if not now, will have cause to confess unto it; For a time will come, wherein you will be sensible of the deficiency of all your vain conceipts,1 Cor. 3.19, 20. when the Wisdom of the Wise will be turn'd into Foolish­ness, and all the Crafty shall be confounded. Let us hear (says [Page 8] the King) we that are Potentates in the Earth, to whom is commited something of an Earthly Power, I have been great and mighty, yea far exceeding any of you, the Dom­inion of my Government was largly extended, and I was not only Ruler of many but of my own self, I was endued with Wisdom, Divine and Humane in the highest perfection that Man can possess; and must de­clare, that your Policy and Stately Craft, as 'tis far inferior to true Wis­dom, so some higher degree of Know­ledge is requisit to a truly knowing King; I know the intreagues of Go­vernment, having from my Youth been exercis'd therein, having dis­penc'd Laws and Statutes from the dictates of an Heavenly Wisdom, and having had a perfect understanding in all regal affaires: From whence I counsel ye to hear the result of all my Wisdom, and fear not to give ear to my advice, it proceeds from Knowledge, Wisdom, and Love un­feigned, [Page 9] and will not fail to prove beneficial, if obey'd; if an experi­enc'd Counsellour may be regarded, if an honest Politician can gain any credit, let me have some attention, (says the King of Jsrael.)

Again, Let us hear, we that have large possessions, that be Rich in the Earth, we that are fill'd with Worldly enjoyments, that as it were, have the World at our beck, we that are at ease in our pleasure, that command the World with our Wealth, we that flatter our selves with hopes of perpetual bliss, and some of us that think this false Joy will never come to an end, be ye advis'd and consider;1 Kin. 10.17. I have had most boundless possessions, and made Silver as plentiful as stones in the street, yet I see the vanity of all these empty enjoyments, how short they be in yeilding true and lasting Peace; Could they so have done, I should have been bless'd a­bove all, but now rest sensible of [Page 10] the insufficiency and uncertainty of them, Riches make themselve [...] wings, and flie away, they canno [...] deliver in a day of Trouble; therefore let them be no longer as strong hold in your imagination [...] neither take them for the upholder of a lasting Peace, for I know how little safety can be repos'd in them and further,1 Tim. 6.7.10. that they are more o [...] ten Snares by which Men are entangl'd, than they be useful or conducing to their good: Let such thoughts and considerations (say the Preacher) incline ye to say with me; Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, &c.

Eccles. 12.1.Our excellent Preacher having in the precedent part of the Chapter, given some tender admonition to the younger People, none con­cludes to all, with so full a compendium of Humane duty, as nothing in such a relation is excluded wherein appear'd, not only hi [...] great and spacious Knowledge, bu [...] [Page 11] also his reform'd apprehension of the future estate of Men, as well [...]s a sensible demonstration of his [...]esubmition to his great Creator, against whom he had transgress'd, by his subjection to the Power of concupiscence: But this (as 'tis beleiv'd) being of a posteriour edi­tion, proves him a partaker of the promised respite of affliction justly [...]aid upon him; I will for this afflict the Seed of David, but not for ever, I will chastise him in Judgment,2 Sam. 12 16. Psal. 89.30.36. but my loving kindness shall not be taken away: and therefore I doubt not, but he by resignation and re­pentance, was blest with a restora­tion of his unparrallel'd Wisdom; because the meekness, humility, and charity compris'd herein, seems no other than the ejaculation of a Spiritualliz'd Man, the effect of di­vine mercy alone; to which also must be imputed the efficient cause of all attention to this conclusion of the whole matter, which is to [Page 12] Fear God, and keep his Commandments

A Reverend and Holy Fear, an entire and Godly awe, a meek and submissive dread of Spirit, is requi­red

Fear God, keep his commands let no Worldly considerations, let no mean and Earthly cogitations be restrictive, but remember, that the great and most excellent Creator, whose presence fills Heaven and Earth,1 Kings 8.27. 2 Chron. 2.6.6.18. the Heaven of Heavens can­not contain him; of Justice is wor­thy to be feared, reverenc'd and submitted to: He is the Fountain of all our good, from whom all our mercies flow, whose Loving Kind­ness never fails, whose Truth and Goodness sustains the World, whose secret and most wise providence or­ders and disposes of all.

Vacat exiguis rebus adesse nostr [...] Jovi Curat noster Deus & sui & a­lieni. He is not only a far off, but a God near at hand to support the [Page 13] weak, and to comfort the afflicted, to give Joy for Mourning,Isa. 61.3. the gar­ment of praise for the Spirit of hea­viness, Beauty for Ashes, Peace and Tranquillity for trouble and sorrow of mind:2 Chron. 6.18. He is an omnipresent being, nothing can be hid from his Eyes, he beholds the secret actions of all, the private deceipts of Men be not unknown unto him, the dark workers of Iniquity cannot conceal themselves: He is most boundless in power, all Nations are but as the dust in the ballance in his Hand,Isa. 40. [...]2.17. he that by his powerful Wisdom produc'd this worldly frame into a being, can by the same consume it into nothing; let the Wisdom of this World deny its production out of nothing, let it be employ'd in searching for Prima materia and causa Ʋniversalis; We know that our God is Omnipotent, that as he was able out of nothing to consti­tute all things, so can he reduce all things into nothing again; the fal­len [Page 14] Wisdom of Man,Arestotle. not apprehend­ing divine Wisdom, conceiv'd the world Eternal, and shall we render our selves as weak by dis-believing the omnipotency of our great Cre­ator: Oh! no, but let us with chearful Hearts yeild honour and reverence to his Glorious Name, who, as all have plentifully receiv­ed of his favours and mercies, so requires a faithful and grateful ac­knowledgment thereof, by fearing him, and obeying his commands, whereby is perform'd (through the assistance of divine Grace) that on­ly acceptable Sacrifice of pure and hearty Obedience: First, by fear­ing is render'd our private worship and adoration of God, and Second­ly, by obeying him, or an active observance of his righteous Law, our duty in respect to our Neigh­bours, which is to love them as our selves,Rom. 13 9, 10. Gal. 5.14 herein is contain'd (as saith the Preacher) the whole duty of Man.

[Page 15]But seeing our sad experience gives us to know the great aversion there is lodg'd in our hearts to the desires of, and much more seeking after our good, which is to fear God and keep his Commands; how carfully then should we seek for the means of extirpating this so power­ful an inclination to evil, and de­clination from any thing that may be in the least conducing to our chiefest good, and of attaining to such a frame and estate of mind, as that we may be in a capacity to perform the duties required of us.

May we not sorrowfully remem­ber how that our first Father Adam, the master-piece of the whole Cre­ation, an Epitome of the World, in whom was center'd an Abreviation of all things, and who was consti­tuted Lord of all the Creatures,Gen. 1.26, 27. as being endued with Righteousness, Knowledge, and true Holiness; yet, by Transgression to the Righteous Law of God, by disobeying his Ho­ly [Page 16] precepts,Gen. 3. Rom. 8.20. 2 Cor. 11.3. Eccles. 25, 24. by reason of vain hope by harkning to the Allurements of the Woman, by yeilding to the Se­ducements of the Serpent, and by Eating of the prohibited Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of go d and evil, Gen. 3.14, to the end. became deprived of his serene and pure Felicity, lost the gracious bene­fit of a sweet and immediat commu­nion with his Maker, together with his Soveraignity over the whole Cre­ation:Rom. 5.12. Yea, Sin, and death by Sin, entred the world thereby, and the faculties of his soul being infected and depraved, Darkness and Cor­ruption seized his guilty Consci­ence, the pure Image of the Deity was defaced, its passions and affecti­ons perverted,Gen. 6.5. and the punishment of death, which sore-threatn'd his Rebellion in these terms.Gen 2 17. In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die, was justly inflicted on him: Whereby, as he fell from that dignity he was placed in,Ephes. 4.24. from that Righteousness, Knowledge, and true [Page 17] Holiness he was Primitively endu­ed with, in disobedience to God,Col. 3.10. listned to Satanical delusions, and from thence Polluted, Tainted, and Defiled that pure, integer and Di­vine Nature, which God had In­spired him with; So all his Posteri­ty partaking of that corrupt Seed and Nature, became disabled from succeeding him in those blessed Pri­viledges he enjoyed in his State of Integrity, and not only so,Isa. 64.5. but also subject to the dismal effect and con­sequences of that corruption, which are death, and disability to perform the primary end of Man's Creation:Rom. 5.12. Wherefore, saith St. Paul, as by one Man Sin entred the World, and Death by Sin, so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have Sinned; He likewise proved that all under Sin: And again,Rom. 3.9 Rom. 5.18.19. Therefore as by the offence of one, Judgment came upon all Men to condemnation; For as by one Man's disobedience, many were made Sinners, so by [Page 18] the obedience of one shall many be made Righteous.

Thus the cause of that Natural alienation from, and repugnance to any thing of good is easily disco­ver'd. Adam became alienated in his mind, and in like manner all his posterity, by reason of wicked works, and uncapable to render a due Reverence, Honour and Glory to the great Creator.

But the condemnation is not be­cause Adam sinned, therefore as a Punishment due to that particular Sin, all his posterity, save a few peculiarly respected, shall be pun­ish'd: The Text says, Death pass'd upon all, for that all have Sinned,

Which leads me to meditate on, First, The the cause of this univer­sal deluge of Death; Secondly, The means of restoration to such a condition, as to be capable of fulfil­ling our duties to God and Man.

Then first, The cause that Death has come upon all, being already in [Page 19] a great measure evinc'd, I yet fur­ther prosecute to see more clearly the manner of it, which will more evidently discover the reason of those innate inclinations to evil, which naturally sway our minds.

As by one Man (saith the Scrip­ture before hinted) Sin entred the World, and Death by Sin,Rom. 5.12. so Death pass'd upon all Men, for that all have Sinned: here 'tis manifest, that Sin entr'd the World by Adam's trans­gression, and Death was the conse­quence unto him, even a dying from God; and the reason that Death came upon all his Progeny,Rom. 6.23. is be­cause all have Sinned, and the rea­son that all have Sinned is, because they partook of,Psal. 51.5. and are conceived in, that Seed and Nature of fallen Adam, which was of alienation from any thing of good, so that all the natural affections are deviating from God and good; all are by Na­ture Children of wrath and pro­pense to evil, and consequently all [Page 20] have Sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God,Rom. 3.23.9. and become the Objects of his wrath,8.7. and so in a condition incapable to glorifie their maker; which leads me to think of.

Secondly, the means of restora­tion.

As our Protoparent, by a trans­gression so damnable, as not only deserving his own destruction,Gen. 3.17. but the Earth was justly cursed for it, did incur his Makers wrath, and was punish'd by deduction of his former felicity, and a corporal Death (which some are ready to think he had else been never cursed with) but more greivously, by the danger of an e­ternal woe, which was made the inevitable effect of unrepented Sin; and as his posterity, by Sinning, tho' not after the same similitude,Rom. 5.14. are justly expos'd to the same Misery, and liable to undergo it; So the Lord in infinite compassion to the Works of his Hands, and in order [Page 21] to restore the whole Creation into that Glorious Liberty which Adam before his fall enjoyed,Rom. 8.21. provided a means to be reconciled to poor, lost, and miserable Souls, that do nothing naturally but offend their Maker, and whose Sins and enor­mities are so encensive to divine Justice, that nothing but an im­mense mercy can expiate: A pro­mise was made in love to Mankind, even inexpressible, in odium to the Serpent, who had almost ruin'd the Master-peice of God's Handy Work, and a just Damnation to fallen Lucifer, and all his followers, who not content with the station which God had set them in, aspir'd to a greater place, and so for them, as a Punishment for their presump­tuous Pride, are chains of darkness for ever reserved; which was,Gen. 3.15. the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpent's Head.

Man was captivated by,Ephes. 2.1, 2, 3. and be­came subject to the Prince of the [Page 22] power of the Air, who rules in the Hearts of the Children of disobedi­ence, and worthy of an eternal de­privation from all bliss: But the promise was given forth, a redemp­tion from the power of Satan, and a restoration to the lost felicity, Righteousness, Knowledg and true Holiness; and moreover (to the Glory of the all-wise Creator and Redeemer, be it said) Man was up­on performing his part in the Cove­nant, entitled to an inheritance of a never ending Joy: The assurance and earnest of which may cause all to Magnifie, Praise, Honour, and for ever adore that most imense clemency of God; as will the Con­demnation to eternal woe, cause a most deplorable reflection to those Souls that have willfully slighted the means of Caelestial Bliss,1 Pet. 3.18. which is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, the Son of his Love, the Seed of the Woman, who as he was God became also Man, making a com­plete [Page 23] Saviour,1 John 2.2. Heb. 9.28. and laid down his Life for Sinners, and became a pro­pitiation for them, even for all that beleive in his Name, he procur'd for them a pardon by his Death, and Salvation by his Life, as 'tis said, reconciled by his Death,Rom. 5.10. Ephes. 1.4. Rom. 8.29, 30. 2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 1.18. and saved by his Life.

The Creator fore-seeing all things that should come to pass in time, fore-provided a Saviour for those Creatures which were the principal part of his Workmanship, even for all Mankind; the mystery of this contrivance Natural Reason cannot fathom, for as the Scripture testifies,1 Cor 2.14. the Natural Man perceives not the things of God, neither in­deed can he, for they are Spiritualy discerned, so no carnal comprehen­sion can conceive or dive into this mystical redemption.

In Adam all die,1 Cor. 15.22. in Christ all are made alive; in the original nature, the nature of fallen Adam, Ephes. 2.1. all the Children of men are Dead, in refer­ence [Page 24] to the things of God: As a corporal Death deprives of the use of all the outward senses, the sight is lost, notwithstanding the Eyes remain; so hearing and the other senses are taken away, altho' their proper organs are remaining: So is it with respect to the Soul of Man, 'tis depraved in its senses, having Eyes it sees not, having Ears it doth not hear, and tho' 'tis Life to the Body, yet it lives not, because resting in Adam (where all die) and under subjection to the princi­ple of disobedience: 'Tis a most noble truth, that as the Soul of man animates the Body, so the Spi­rit of God gives Life to the Soul, the Soul is Life to the Body, and the Holy Spirit quickens the Soul; and as the Body without the Soul is Dead, and unable to perform any office, so is the Soul of man not enliven'd by the Spirit of God,1 Cor. 15 45, 47. the quickning Spirit, the Lord from Heaven, Dead and unable to per­form [Page 25] its office to God, which is to fear and obey him.

To retreive and remedy this dis­ability of the Soul, is the Son of God manifest,1 John 3.5.8. even to destroy the works of the Devil, which have fil­led the Soul, and bruised the heel of the Womans Seed, to bring it from under captivity to Sin and Sa­tan,Rom. 8.21. into the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God; which is incom­prehensible to the carnal in Heart, which the Natural and unrenewed man cannot perceive, but to the Spiritually minded man, to the Heavenly attracted Soul, to the Soul enflamed with a Celestial love, with aspiring desires, with noble and heroick affections, how con­ [...]enting! how ravishing! how sweetly consolating! is the sensible enjoyment of a restoration to this Glorious Liberty, to this uncon­ceivable joy, peculiar to the redeem­ed Souls, when the morning Stars sing together, and all the Sons of [Page 26] God, adopted Children, pure, pea­ceable, and reconciled in Herrt and Soul, do sing for Joy!

So that 'tis not for the carnal mind to pry into these Divine se­crets, which are disclosed to none but the Spiritually inclin'd, to those whose affections are set on things above, whose conversation is in Heaven,Mat. 6.21. whose treasures and hearts are there; these alone shall not on­ly know the means, but feel the power of redemption, the Blood of Jesus to purge their Conscien­ces from dead works,Heb. 9.14. to serve the living God; these will know that they must die unto, Sin and live un­to Righteousness;1 Pet. 2.24.3.18. that the Redeemer came to deliver them from this present evil World; and that they are saved according to his mercy,Gal. 1.4. Tit. 3.5, 6, 7. by the washing of Regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that being Justified by his Grace, they may be made heirs of eternal Life. Further, that they [Page 27] must not live to themselves,1 Cor. 5.15. Ephes. 5.25.26. but to him, which died for them, that he might sanctifie and cleanse them with the washing of Water by the Word, to present them to his Fa­ther, Holy and without Blemish; that he might redeem them from all Iniquity,Tit. [...] 23, 2 [...] and purifie to himself a peculiar people, Zealous of good works: And that, Love, Peace,Ephes 5.22. Joy, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Tem­perance, against which there is no Law, may abound amongst them; and wherein they that are Christs, having Crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts do live and walk.

Now would'st thou know the means of redemption, and would'st thou be blest with the same; hear­ken and hear, and thy soul shall Live: Thou (hast been, or still) art by Nature a Child of Wrath, and thy affections are joyned to Earthly things, to Transitory and [Page 28] Perishing objects, that disagree to the pure Nature of thy soul; but above all, that capital Lust of Pride, which, as t'was most prevalent in the first Man Adam, takes up the greatest part of thy heart; so that (not being yet acquainted with that power of Jesus, which re­deems from sin) thou art Exalted and Puffed up in thy Fleshly mind, which covets after this world, and thereby art become wholly estran­ged from any good; to thee in this desperate condition,Mat. 11.28, 29, 30 does the Son of God cry, Come unto me, learn of me, I am meek, and lowly in heart, and if thou wilt be humble, I'le teach thee of my ways, my Doctrine shall be as the Diew, it shall inspire Life into thy soul; (man lives not by Bread alone,Mat. 4.4. but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God:Joh. 6.48.63.) the words that I speak unto thee, they are Spirit,Mt [...]. 18.11. and they are Life; I am come to seek, and to save; I am [Page 29] come to abase the Proud, and to exalt the Humble in soul; he that exalts himself shall be abased, but he that abases himself will I exalt; Take my Yoke upon thee, saith Jesus, for thou'lt soon find it easie, and my burthen to be light; and follow me in the way of self-deny­al, and of Regeneration; tho' thou art Blind I will restore thy sight, tho' thou art Darkness I'le make thee light; nay, tho' thou art dead, I will give thee Life: It shall come to pass, that the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and those that hear, shall live: Oh blessed promise! God is speak­ing from Heaven by his Son, who is Infusing Life, even his own Spi­rit, into the Souls, and making it to live: Then, the Dead cannot praise thee, neither can they that go down to the grave, celebrate thy Name; but the living, the living can praise thee, and magni­fie thy Glorious Name, who hast [Page 30] redeemed them by thy mighty Pow­er, from Death and destruction, from Sin and Satan, by thy preci­ous Blood, by thy virifying Life, by that word of eternal Life, by which the World was made, Man was created, and Man is redeemed again, through whom to the alwise, and almighty, Creator be sounded never ending Anthems, and Hal­lelujah's, Glory and everlasting Praise, Amen.

Thus is the redeemed Soul en­gag'd to fear and obey the great restorer of breaches, and of paths to walk in,John 13.15. who as he left an ex­ample for us to follow his steps, not assuming Glory to himself, but sub­mitting in all things to his Fathers will, and at length laid down his Life for his greatest enemies, so,1 Pet. 2.21. must we thereby learn to walk in self denial and newness of Life, in meekness and in humiliation, in submision and pure obedience to the internal revelation of the Di­vine [Page 31] word, which teaches to love enemies, to do good to them which hate us, to bless them that curse and dispitefully use us;Heb. 12.1, 2, 3. and to take him for our pattern, who endured the Cross and despised the shame, for the joy that was set before him, who being without Sin, bore the punishment due for Sin, that Man might Sin no more, but be restor­ed by means of that Grace which came by Jesus,Joh. 1.17. to such a state of Righteousness and perfection, as to be enabled to fear and obey the great and merciful Creator, and therby obtain the unmerited reward of an eternal joy, overcoming the strength of Satan through the pow­er of God, to him that overcomes (saith Jesus) will I grant to sit with me in my Fathers Throne,Rev. [...].21. and bles­sed are they that do his Command­ments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, [...]2. 1 [...] and may enter in through the gates into the City of God, the new Jerusalem, the [Page 32] Mother of the faithful who are brea­thing,Rev. 10.6.22.12. how long! Lord, how long! for him who said, behold I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his works shall be.

Is it so? hath the God of infinite mercy engag'd and incited us to fear and obey him by such consola­tory promises, such Heavenly in­ducements! and has he deterr'd us from rebelling and committing evil against him, by dreadful and fear­ful threatnings, even eternal woe, and never ceasing torture; how vi­gilant, how diligent, how conside­rate should the Rich Man be! he would be ready to say, I have been undeservedly blest by a supream Hand, I have unworthely reccived of the blessings of Heaven, my temporal Goods are encreased, and worldly enjoyments are heap'd up­on me, shall I forget the hand that conferr'd them, shall I ingratefully neglect to glorifie him, that has [Page 33] thus dignified me? Oh, no; But rather, I thank thee O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, I was needy, thou hast supplied my wants, I was in distress, and thou hast releived me, I am less than the least of thy mercies, I will not fail to magnifie thy Name; not by my own indus­try, so much as by thy blessing, does the world lend me its aid; by thy favour, not my worth, who have so much displeased thee, are Earthly Goods beneficial to me; I will not be puffed up with what thou hast given me to glorifie thee with, but will endeavour so to use these temporal blessings as to an­swer the end for which I was pos­sesed of them, and will learn to make all considerations tend to thy Honour, who hast been thus mer­ciful to me.

And thus will the wise Man say; I am naturally endued with pro­found Sagacity, with a deep and penetrating Judgment, with a sound [Page 34] intellect, and with a sharp and peir­cing fancy, for what end am I so qualified, is it to employ my self in search of such knowledge, which not only bereaves me of my fleet­ing time, but will also fail to be a­ny profit in the end; shall I exer­cise my wit in such matters that will shew I am void of Wisdom? or shall I make use of my rational in­tellect no better, than to fall short of a divine understanding! Oh no, but rather, the great God has made me capable to do him eminent ser­vice; I am naturally fitted to re­ceive such spiritual gifts that may qualifie me for a Servant to his he­ritage; I will therefore submit and bend to him, who will yet further furnish me with more Noble parts; for I remember the holy Man saith,Psal. 111.10. The fear of the Lord is the begin­ning of Wisdom, a good understand­ing have they that depart from Evil; I therefore learn to be humble and not puffed up, as knowing 'tis but [Page 35] Earthly Wisdom which exalts it self, and will supplicate the Lord for Wisdom of a Celestial Nature, that will make me wise to Salvati­on, which will sanctifie my natu­ral reason, and make my innate ge­nus inclinable to obey its Heavenly dictates; I have no reason to be proud of my natural abilities, as knowing I cannot attain to be for ever happy thereby, I cannot con­ceive sufficiently of God by the ex­ercise of my own conceptions, the natural Man perceives not the things of God, neither can he,1 Cor. 2.14. for they are Spiritually discerned; So that I crave wisdom from above which will let me know, that I should else have thought my self intelligent, when I neither knew my self, nor the means of doing so, much less to have been endued with such a knowledge, as will be Life eternal to my never dying Soul,Joh. 17.3. which is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.

[Page 36]And if the Voluptous were not less careful to satisfie their Spiritu­al wants, than to provide for their corporal pleasures, there would ap­pear some acknowledgments of a supream favour to them; insomuch as health, strength, and sufficient necessaries are so plentifully afford­ed, and in penitential tears they would be ready to cry out. How have we abused the manifold mer­cies of God, turning into laciveous­ness and luxury those enjoyments which, we have cause to fear, may be greatly wanting to us, as a pu­nishment for our profuse and riot­ous courses; we are now sensible that a divine Majesty is offended, that our prophane lives have ren­der'd us the objects of God's dis­pleasure; and that if his mercy doth not exceed our almost innumerable Sins, we must to all eternity remain the monuments of his wrath and sore displeasure: God is merciful­ly pleased to allow us the use of [Page 37] those necessaries, and that in a plen­tiful manner, which others more worthy are deprived of; but now is his love yet further manifested, in given us to see the misery which will inevitably follow those unre­pented Sins, and not only so, but in given us hearts to bewail our former vicious courses, and to praise him, whose blessings inwardly and outwardly have been largely ex­tended to us.

And as the Lord in mercy hath dispenc'd an appearance, and gift of Divine Grace, to every particu­lar Soul,Tit. 2.11.12. in order to teach the de­nial of all ungodliness and worldly lasts, and to live Righteously, So­berly, and Godly in this present World.

So, if there was not wanting a diligent attention to its Heavenly instructions, how great alteration would apear in the world; that whereas unrighteousness, propha­ness and impiety are daily presen­ted [Page 38] under a profession of Religion, then would their opposite virtues be a means to draw down the favour of Heaven upon Men; as the con­trary are its dreadful Judgments, and by a due Adhesion, in every individual Soul, to the manifesta­tion of this inward teacher,John 1.4, 5. which shines in the dark hearts of Men, tho' they comprehend or conceive it not; would a sense be rais'd of their misery in an unreformed state; and desires and breathings be begot­ten,Mat. 11.28.30. to come unto Christ as heavy laden, that he may give them rest; and learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart, that they find peace to their Souls: Then they will not only know, but have power also, to perform that which is requir'd of all, even to Fear God and keep his Commandments, which is the whole duty of Man.

And then they will not stand in need of humane doctrine; they will have a teacher near unto them, [Page 21] unto which they do well to take heed (as St. Peter saith) as to a light which shines in a dark place,2 Pet. 1.19. &c. They'l know their duty and, more than so, they will not be slack to render it in all respects, both to God by living to his Glory, and to their Neighbours by dwelling in Love and Charity with them.

For as nothing less than such a Life will bespeak them the servants of God, so nothing more is want­ing: 'tis their whole duty, com­prehensive of Faith, Righteousness, Charity; and all good works, the Fruits of the Spirit, the fulfilling of the Law, one tittle of which shall not pass away, or be made void; the loving of God with all the heart, and their Neighbours as themselves, and the effect and product of the Ministry of Jesus Christ,Acts 26.18. which proposes a conversion from dark­ness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and from a corrupt and repugnant, to a clean and re­generate [Page 38] [...] [Page 21] [...] [Page 40] mind, as its principal scope, whereby the Gospel, the Power, and Cross of Jesus, will be embra­ced, effectual, and easie to be bore; and the consequence, glad tydings, reformation, and Peace to the Soul, witnessed and enjoyed: which is the end of all, and the crown of all: I have fought a good fight, saith the Holy Man,2 Tim. 4.8. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness. Oh the comfort! the joy! and cause of rejoycing! has that Man which so lives in this world, as to answer his end! He that offereth Praise, glo­rifieth me,Psal. 50.23. and to him that order­eth his Conversation aright, will I shew the Salvation of God.

Oh that Men would be perswa­ded to consider that,

God shall bring into Judgment, every Work, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whe­ther it be evil; surely then there would be something of a concern [Page 41] after this manner: If it be so (as 'tis most certain) that the great Judge of the World takes such a strict observance of all my Actions, be they never so Secret, nay, of all my most hidden thoughts, as that he will one day cause me to give an account of them all; For every Idle word shall Men give an account in the day of Judgment: How am I engag'd to be circumspect and watchful? in all things, not only in actions that have reference to Men, and in my words, but also in my thoughts and cogitations, which none but an al-seeing God can charge with matter of evil: In a sense of his al-knowing Power, and of my own impotency, I'le beg of him to give me Grace so to Live in this world, as that I may not, by reason of my neglect, be debar'd of those joys in the world to come; and further, I am sensible upon a most serious and retired examinati­on, that 'tis by, and through the [Page 42] illumination of a Divine Light, that I see the evil of my ways, and the misery ensuing such an unlimited course of Life; I am therefore wil­ling to deny my self, and take up a Dayly Cross, that I may know the work of Reformation and Regene­ration, the way to the Kingdom, wrought;Joh. 3.3. Ʋnless a Man be Born a­gain he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven; And in the first Place, the Fountain of all Defilements and Corruptions being in my Heart,Mat. 15.18.20. I'le cry with the Psalmist, Creat in me a new Heart, O Lord, and renew a right Spirit within me; for unless the inside be clean, the outside will not be so; whilst the principle of hatred and envy is predominant in me, 'tis impossible I should bring forth works of Love and Charity; and whilst I am under the power of the Devil,1 Joh. 3. doing his works, I can by no means be the servant of God; I cannot serve two Masters, if the power of Satan bear rule in me, I [Page 43] can be no subject of Jesus; I can­not have right to call him Lord;Luke 6.46. for I begin to be sensible that not he, who says, Lord, Lord, but that does his will, is a Servant to him, and of the Justice of that re­buke, why call ye me Lord, and do not the things which I com­mand ye: And when I feel the vi­sitation of the love of God to my Soul,2 Cor. 4.6. opening the Eyes of my un­derstanding, then shall I see how wretched and miserable I am; as also, the exclency of the Glory of God, who hath for that end caused his Light to appear; now and not till now, do I perceive the vanity of all Created things, and my Soul is effused with breathings to the Lord, to give me a further revela­tion of his will, and to create a conformity in my depraved Heart to the same; whereby I shall see an absolute necessity of sober and se­rious consideration of all my doings; and the power of Jesus, prevailing [Page 44] in my Soul, I doubt not of ability to resist all temptations, and to walk, not as a Fool, in my former vicious lewdness, but as one that is awaken'd from the sleep of Sin, and raised from the grave of Iniqui­ty, to redeem the time which I have spent in such an enormous manner as declares, I neither endeavour'd to answer the end of my coming into the World, nor was sensible, of the necessity of the same.

When such thoughts and consi­derations have possessed the Hearts of Men, they'l remember that as there is no way to avoid or escape the Judgment of God, so also, that he will execute his Just and righte­ous decrees upon all without parti­allity or respect of Persons,Rom. 2.6.11. as 'tis said, God will render to every Man according to his works, to those that by a patient continuance in well doing, seek for Glory, Hon­our, and Immortallity, Eternal Life, but to those that are conten­tious, [Page 45] and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indigna­tion and wrath, tribulation and an­guish upon every Soul of Man that doth evil, upon the Jew first, and also upon the Gentile. but Glory, Honour, and Peace, to every Soul of Man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile, for there is no respect of Persons with God.

Then none should presume to think, that by vertue of any Per­sonal predestination, they shall, if evil doers, be exempted from the Sentence of, go ye cursed: For 'tis apparent, that as the Lord is no respecter of Persons, so will he bring into Judgment the works of every Man.

And in vain will it be for any to plead at the Judgment Day after this manner.

Lord, let me into thy Kingdom, whom thou Elected'st before the foundation of the World, not by [Page 46] my foreseen Holiness, but in thy meer pleasure alone, as thou didst for the same reason, reject the great­est number in the World, and as 'twas thy pleasure and mercy to make me one of thy Elect, so whol­ly confiding therein, I look'd to be taken for a faithful Servant, because thou art a faithful Master, and so took no care to perform any thing of Service unto thee, as believing, that the Blood of thy Son being shed for me, there was no need of any thing for me to doe; so that whatsoever Fruits of Piety and Ho­liness should through thy power be produced by me, would be of no regard: Therefore relying upon thee, trusting in thee, and believe­ing that thou would'st not look up­on me as I am in a state of unclean­ness and corruption, but through Christ, as I am in him, I cast my self upon thee, and trust wholy in the merit's of a crucified Saviour, who came into the World to save [Page 47] Sinners: But to such an exclama­tion, what will the Righteous God reply? Surely he will not say, I have chosen you respectively in my good will and pleasure, that you may Glorifie me World without end, and have ordained to Destruction, the greatest part of your fellow Crea­tures, not by reason they are worse, or you more worthy, but that they may Glorifie me in Hell and you in Heaven; and as I have mercy on you, so will avenge my self on them that have in the Loins of Adam Sinned against me:Mat. 25.12.41. But he will say in that day, to those that have not fear'd and obey'd him; Depart from me, ye workers of Iniquity, I know ye not, with what confi­dence can you look for admittance into my Kingdom, when you know your selves unworthy and unfit for such a Glorious place,Rev. 21, 27. where no unclean thing can enter, or nothing that is defiled? how can you expect that I should hear your Cries, when [Page 48] you would not hear mine no, no.

Prov. 1.24.30.Because I have called and ye re­fused, I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded: But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would hear none of my reproof. I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh, when your fear cometh as desolati­on, and your Destruction cometh as a Whirl-wind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then (dismal and terrible will it be at that time) shall they call upon me but I will not answer, they shall seek me early but they shall not find me. (And mark the just occasion of it) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would hear none of my coun­sel and despised all my reproof.

Thus will the Righteous God plead with the workers of Iniquity, who are covering themselves,Isa. 30.1. and not with the Spirit of the Lord, that presume to say, we are cover'd with [Page 49] the Righteousness of the Lamb, ju­stified by the Blood of Christ: when they are inwardly ravening Wolfes, corrupted and in a state of abomi­nation, and have not come so far (nay have not Faith to beleive they ever can be able) as to know the Blood of Christ to purge their cor­rupt and defiled Consciences from dead works, perform'd without a renewed Heart, to serve the living God in pure and hearty obedience to all his holy Laws.

Such are ready to forget, or at least don't solidly think that they must be called before the Judgment seat of God, there to give an exact and strict account of the deeds done in the Body,2 Cor. 5.10. and to receive a re­ward according to them; for every secret Action, for every hidden Thought, must they reckon.

And all that cannot stand this fiery Trial, must be consumed by it: Therefore came the word of the Lord to the Prophet after this [Page 50] manner,Isa. 33.13, 16. Hear ye that are a far off, what I have done, and ye that are near acknowledge my might: The Sinners in Zion are afraid, fearful­ness hath surprised the Hypocrites, who among us shall dwell with the devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burn­ings? He that walketh Righteously and speaketh uprightly — He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munition of Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure.

Oh the Blessed estate of the Righ­teous! who is it will not cry? Oh that I might die the death of the Righteous, Oh that my latter end may be like unto his! He shall lay down his Head in Peace, and nothing shall make him affraid; in a peaceable and quiet Conscience shall he leave the world, no terrours of Soul shall assail him: But in a certain assurance of endless Peace, his Soul is sweetly resign'd to the [Page 51] will of his merciful God; he takes his leave of the world without re­luctance or trouble in Spirit, and why so? Oh who can declare that comfort and sweet consolation that he feels to abound in his Soul! He is ready to lanch forth into that boundless Ocean of never ending joy,Rev. 7. where the Wicked cease from troubling, and all sorrow is done away! Such a Man overcomes that unwillingness to die, which is inherent to our Nature, and how so? He is sure that when his Earth­ly Tabernacle is dissolved,2 Cor. 5.1. there's an Habitation provided for him, eternally in the Heavens; for this he grones earnestly, and desires to be clothed with, that Mortality may be swallowed up of Life;1 Cor. 15.55. then can he say, Oh Death where is thy sting! Oh Grave where is thy Victory! whilst he is at home in the Body, is absent from the Lord, from the full and boundless enjoyment of his Love, and Light; and walking by Faith, [Page 52] not by sight, is willing to be ab­sent from the Body, and present with the Lord.

But with the Wicked it is not so, he has spent his days in contempt to the Lord, in despight to his holy Laws, but the time of his departure is at hand, and now he begins to remember, how he hath provoked a just and merciful God, who would have had mercy upon him, and would have reclaim'd him from the evil of his ways; but he slighted his Visitations, set at nought his counsel, would none of his re­proof, persever'd in his impious courses, and did not consider his latter end, wherefore has terrour and torture already seised his Soul, the Judgments of a Righteous God begin to take hold upon him, now his Conscience more then a Thou­sand witnesses, doth condemn him and God who is greater doth con­demn him also: Now he feels an Hell upon Earth, that once had his [Page 53] Heaven here! Now he that had as much of Heaven as he desired, hath more of Hell than he can bear! now he begins that work of repentance, which here should have had end! Now he cries for a longer time, that has so greivously spent his own! now I'le part with all to have peace to my tormented Soul, that would not once part with the least of my pleasures for it; But ah, remember, thou in thy Life time,Luke 16.25. how did the Lord strive to do thee good? how many years did he call unto thee, be­fore he gave thee over to a reprobate mind? he called and thou would'st not hear, now he will not hear thy woful cries, but will execute his ter­rible Judgments upon thee; and none shall be able to deliver: De­struction comes as a Whirl-wind de­solation and misery surrounds on e­very side! now the sight of his Friends, that once rejoyc'd, help to aggravate the greif of his Soul, he spent his time in jollitry with them, [Page 54] and forgot the Lord his maker, and now he sorrowfully warns them, that as he must to all Eternity be cursed with an inevitable woe, so must they beware,Luke 16.28. lest they come into this place of Torment! now Hell is no longer feign'd to deterr him, but dismally felt to damn him! now Religion is no longer a Po [...]i [...]ick design, but the neglect proves per­petual Damnation! now ther's an overruling God, that will bring all into Judgment, for he feels the weight thereof, sinking his Soul down into everlasting pangs! now he that enjoy'd the unbouaded plea­sures of this world, is enjoyn'd to bear the never ended plagues of a­nother.

The thoughts of which, may lay us low and humble, and cause us to seek him that will secure us from such a deplorable condition, of which too many are insensible, but ('tis to be fear'd) will undergoe at last: What else can the Wicked [Page 55] look for, but the fearful Judgments of a revenging Fire? which will burn up all the proud, and workers of Iniquity, they shall be all as stub­ble in this terrible day of the Lord:Mal. 4.1, 2. But to you that fear my name (be­hold the repeated promises of joy to them that fear God) shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his wings, &c.

And we know that he is risen ac­cording to his promise, and by the brightness of his appearance hath dissipated the darkness of our Hearts, and discover'd the corruption of them, and by the vertue of this his arising, is healing administer'd to our diseased Souls, he hath cured us of our Infirmities, and made us strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; So that we who have em­braced him in this Spiritual appear­ance, are enabled to run the way of his Commandment with great delight: having open'd to him who brings refreshment with him, [Page 56] Spiritual food and nourishm [...] will sup with him (hath he [...] ­mis'd) and he with me;Rev. 3.20. and we encourag'd in this our travel, to [...] on our course and keep our Fait [...] because we are assured, that a crow [...] of Righteousness,2 Tim. 4.8. will the Lord to Righteous Judge give to all the that love his appearing: And w [...] can without presumption (glory [...] God in the highest) bear an exper [...] mental testimony to the words [...] the Holy Psalmist.

Psalm. 1.1, 2, 3. Blessed is the Man that walket [...] not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of Sinner nor sitteth in the seat of the Scornfu [...] But his delight is in the Law of t [...] Lord, and in his Law doth he med [...] tate day and night; And he shall [...] like a Tree planted by the Rivers [...] water, that bringeth forth his Fru [...] in his Season; his Leaf also shall n [...] wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall Prosper.